Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with hepatic and skeletal muscle insulin resistance in overweight adolescents.

BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and insulin resistance are common in overweight adolescents. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the relation between NAFLD and insulin sensitivity in liver and skeletal muscle by studying overweight adolescents with a normal or high intrahepatic triglyceride (IHTG) content, who were matched for age, sex, body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)), and Tanner stage. DESIGN Stable-isotope-labeled tracer infusion and the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp procedure were used to assess skeletal muscle and hepatic insulin sensitivity, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to assess the IHTG content in 10 overweight (BMI = 35.9 +/- 1.3) adolescents with NAFLD (IHTG = 28.4 +/- 3.4%) and 10 overweight (BMI = 36.6 +/- 1.5) adolescents with a normal IHTG content (3.3 +/- 0.5%). RESULTS The baseline plasma glucose concentration and the rate of appearance of glucose in plasma were the same in subjects with a normal (87.1 +/- 1.2 mg/dL, 16.2 +/- 1.1 micromol . kg fat-free mass(-1) . min(-1)) or high (89.2 +/- 2.5 mg/dL, 16.3 +/- 1.2 micromol . kg fat-free mass(-1) . min(-1)) IHTG content. However, compared with subjects who had a normal IHTG content, subjects with NAFLD had a lower hepatic insulin sensitivity index, based on baseline glucose kinetics and insulin concentrations (4.0 +/- 0.5 compared with 2.4 +/- 0.4; P < 0.05) and an impaired increase in glucose uptake during insulin infusion (169 +/- 28.1% compared with 67 +/- 9.6% above baseline; P < 0.01). In addition, the plasma triglyceride concentration was greater and the plasma HDL-cholesterol concentration was lower in subjects with NAFLD than in those with a normal IHTG content. CONCLUSION An elevated IHTG content in overweight adolescents is associated with dyslipidemia and with insulin-resistant glucose metabolism in both liver and skeletal muscle.
Comparative Phylogeography of Mesoamerican Highland Rodents: Concerted versus Independent Response to Past Climatic Fluctuations

The phylogeography of Sumichrast’s harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys sumichrasti) was examined through maximum‐likelihood and parsimony analyses of 1,130 bp of mitochondrial Cytochrome b sequence data from 43 individuals. The phylogeography of this Middle American highland forest‐dwelling species was compared to that previously published for the codistributed Aztec deer mouse complex (Peromyscus aztecus/Peromyscus hylocetes complex) in order to test competing hypotheses of concerted versus independent responses of codistributed forms to past climatic fluctuations. Qualitatively, there were strong similarities in the phylogeographic patterns of the two groups, yet there were also areas of incongruence. Likelihood‐ratio tests (Kishino‐Hasegawa‐Templeton and parametric bootstrap tests) indicated that this incongruence is significant and cannot be attributed simply to uncertainty in phylogenetic estimation, thereby falsifying the concerted‐response hypothesis. Conversely, tree‐reconciliation analysis of the area relationships inferred for each group separately indicated that there has been a significant history of covicariance between the two groups, falsifying the independent‐response hypothesis. It appears that codistributed taxa in the geologically complex highlands of Mesoamerica share more common biogeographical history than can be accounted for by the independent‐response hypothesis yet have not responded to past climatic fluctuations in the lock‐step fashion predicted by the concerted‐response hypothesis.
Triacylglycerol infusion improves exercise endurance in patients with mitochondrial myopathy due to complex I deficiency.

BACKGROUND A high-fat diet has been recommended for the treatment of patients with mitochondrial myopathy due to complex I (NADH dehydrogenase) deficiency (CID). OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the effects of intravenous infusion of isoenergetic amounts of triacylglycerol or glucose on substrate oxidation, glycolytic carbohydrate metabolism, and exercise endurance time and energy state of muscle in CID patients. DESIGN Four CID patients and 15 control subjects were infused with triacylglycerol (3.7 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1)) or glucose (10 mg x kg(-1) x min(-1)) during low-intensity leg exercise. Respiratory calorimetry was used to evaluate mitochondrial substrate oxidation. The concentration and rate of appearance of plasma lactate (from dilution of [1-(13)C]lactate) were used to evaluate glycolytic carbohydrate metabolism. (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to determine ratios of phosphocreatine to inorganic o-phosphate in forearm muscle during exercise. RESULTS In 3 patients, leg exercise endurance time was better during the triacylglycerol infusion than during the glucose infusion. In all 4 patients, whole-body oxygen consumption rates during exercise were higher during triacylglycerol infusion than during the glucose infusion. In 3 patients, the concentration and rate of appearance of plasma lactate were lower during triacylglycerol infusion than during the glucose infusion. Ratios of phosphocreatine to inorganic o-phosphate during exercise were not significantly different between the 2 infusion studies or between the patients and control subjects. CONCLUSIONS Triacylglycerol infusion is associated with a greater oxidation of substrates, lower rates of appearance and concentrations of plasma lactate, and greater leg exercise endurance time in myopathic CID patients than is glucose infusion. The energy state of muscle during exercise, however, was not significantly different after infusion of triacylglycerol or glucose.
The endoplasmic reticulum and casein-containing vesicles contribute to milk fat globule membrane

The endoplasmic reticulum and the secretory vesicles contribute to the formation of the milk fat globule membrane. In addition, lipid raft microdomains may play a role in the transport and/or secretion of the milk fat globule, and SNARE proteins appear to coordinate membrane exchanges during milk product secretion.
Mapping Dorsal and Ventral Caudate in Older Adults: Method and Validation

The caudate nucleus plays important roles in cognition and affect. Depending on associated connectivity and function, the caudate can be further divided into dorsal and ventral aspects. Dorsal caudate, highly connected to dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), is implicated in executive function and working memory; ventral caudate, more interconnected with the limbic system, is implicated in affective functions such as pain processing. Clinically, certain brain disorders are known to differentially impact dorsal and ventral caudate. Thus, precise parcellation of caudate has both basic and clinical neuroscience significance. In young adults, past work has combined resting-state fMRI functional connectivity with clustering algorithms to define dorsal and ventral caudate. Whether the same approach is effective in older adults and how to validate the parcellation results have not been considered. We addressed these problems by obtaining resting-state fMRI data from 56 older non-demented adults (age: 69.07 ± 5.92 years and MOCA: 25.71 ± 2.46) along with a battery of cognitive and clinical assessments. Connectivity from each voxel of caudate to the rest of the brain was computed using cross correlation. Applying the K-means clustering algorithm to the connectivity patterns with K = 2 yielded two substructures within caudate, which agree well with previously reported dorsal and ventral divisions of caudate. Furthermore, dorsal-caudate-seeded functional connectivity was shown to be more strongly associated with working memory and fluid reasoning composite scores, whereas ventral-caudate-seeded functional connectivity more strongly associated with pain and fatigue severity. These results demonstrate that dorsal and ventral caudate can be reliably identified by combining resting-state fMRI and clustering algorithms in older adults.
Selenium metabolite methylselenol inhibits migration and invasion potential of HT1080 tumor cells

The anti‐carcinogenic effects of selenium in nutrition are well established. Methylselenol has been hypothesized as a critical selenium metabolite for anticancer activity in vivo. To determine whether tumor cell migration, invasion, and the cell cycle characteristics are inhibited by methylselenol, we exposed HT1080 cells to methylselenol. Methylselenol, generated with seleno‐L‐methionine, is a substrate for methioninase. Submicromolar methylselenol exposure led to an increase in the G1 and G2 fractions with a concomitant drop in the S‐phase, indicating slower cell growth. Furthermore, methylselenol inhibited the migration and invasion rate of the tumor cells by up to 53% and 76%, respectively, when compared with the control tumor cells. Although all cells had increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) enzymatic activities of pro‐MMP‐2 and pro‐MMP‐9, the active form of MMP‐2 was decreased in HT1080 cells cultured with methylselenol. In addition, methylselenol increased the protein levels of anti‐metastasic tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase‐1 (TIMP‐1) and metalloproteinase‐2 (TIMP‐2). Collectively, these results demonstrate that submicromolar concentrations of methylselenol increase both pro‐metastasis MMP‐2 and ‐9 and anti‐metastasis TIMP‐1, ‐2 expression. The apparent net effect of these changes is the inhibition of carcinogenic potential/activity.
Bisphosphonates and Hip and Nontraumatic Subtrochanteric Femoral Fractures in the Veterans Health Administration

PurposeSubtrochanteric femoral shaft fractures after little or no trauma have been reported in long-term users of bisphosphonates, but risks relative to hip fracture protective effects and among men are not clear. We examined associations between bisphosphonate use and nontraumatic subtrochanteric (NTST) femoral fractures and hip fractures in the Veterans Health Administration. MethodsThis retrospective cohort study was conducted using 1998–2007 Veterans Health Administration electronic medical records data on 78,155 individuals who had a fragility fracture at age 45 years or older. Time-to-event analysis examined associations of bisphosphonates with risk of NTST femoral fracture and, separately, hip fracture, controlling for sociodemographics, medications, and comorbid medical conditions. ResultsThe cohort had a mean age 66.5 years (32.5% were ≥75 years old) at the time of their first fracture, and 69.3% were observed for 6 or more years; only 11.8% were prescribed bisphosphonates during observation. During follow-up, 408 had an NTST femoral second fracture, and 1584 had a hip second fracture. Compared with those never on bisphosphonates, the adjusted hazard ratio for NTST femoral second fracture among patients on 4 years of therapy or longer was 0.40 (95% confidence interval, 0.16–0.97) and for hip second fracture was 0.38 (95% confidence interval, 0.24–0.61). ConclusionsBisphosphonate treatment in this high-risk cohort was infrequent with few long-term users, limiting power to assess long-term effects. Nontraumatic subtrochanteric femoral fractures were uncommon, and longer bisphosphonate use was associated with lower (not higher) risk. In men, risks of NTST femoral fractures associated with bisphosphonate treatment may be low in contrast to substantial protective benefits for hip fracture.
Nutritional Performance of the Tomato Fruit Borer, Helicoverpa armigera, on Different Tomato Cultivars

Abstract The development and cultivation of tomato cultivars that are resistant to the tomato fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), are very limited in Iran and other parts of the world because of the lack of information about resistant tomato cultivars to minimize the use of insecticides. Therefore, the present study was carried out to identify alternative methods to chemical control. Nutritional performance of the larval stages (fourth, fifth, and sixth instars) of H. armigera on fruit of eight tomato cultivars, including SUN 6108 f1, Rio grande UG, Korral, Super strain B, CH falat, Hed rio grande, Cal.JN3, and Super crystal, was studied under laboratory conditions. Fourth instars reared on CH falat and SUN 6108 f1 respectively showed the highest and lowest values of approximate digestibility. The highest values of efficiency of conversion of ingested food and efficiency of conversion of digested food of fifth instars were on Super strain B. The relative consumption rate and relative growth rate values of the sixth instars were the highest on Korral. The highest and lowest values of consumption index of sixth instars were on Super strain B and Hed rio grande, respectively. The efficiency of conversion of ingested food and efficiency of conversion of digested food values of whole larval instars were the highest on Hed rio grande and lowest on Rio grande UG. The results of nutritional indices indicated that Rio grande UG is an unsuitable host for H. armigera.
Cellular basis of brain maturation and acquisition of complex behaviors in salamanders

ABSTRACT The overall bauplan of the tetrapod brain is highly conserved, yet significant variations exist among species in terms of brain size, structural composition and cellular diversity. Understanding processes underlying neural and behavioral development in a wide range of species is important both from an evolutionary developmental perspective as well as for the identification of cell sources with post-developmental neurogenic potential. Here, we characterize germinal processes in the brain of Notophthalmus viridescens and Pleurodeles waltl during both development and adulthood. Using a combination of cell tracking tools, including clonal analyses in new transgenic salamander lines, we examine the origin of neural stem and progenitor cells found in the adult brain, determine regional variability in cell cycle length of progenitor cells, and show spatiotemporally orchestrated neurogenesis. We analyze how maturation of different brain regions and neuronal subpopulations are linked to the acquisition of complex behaviors, and how these behaviors are altered upon chemical ablation of dopamine neurons. Our data analyzed from an evolutionary perspective reveal both common and species-specific processes in tetrapod brain formation and function. Summary: The spatiotemporal dynamics of ependymoglial maturation and neurogenic waves correlate with the emergence of feeding and locomotor activities in salamanders.
Effects of varying maternal dietary cholesterol and phytosterol in lactating women and their infants.

Relationships between maternal cholesterol and phytosterol intake, and concen- trations of cholesterol and phytosterol in maternal plasma, breast milk, and infant plasma were evaluated in 14 lactating mothers and their infants. The mothers took an ad libitum diet for 30 days after delivery and then were randomized to one oftwo diets: one containing 190 mg cholesterol and 1200 mg phytosterol per day, and a polyunsaturated/saturated fat ratio of 1.8; the second, a high cholesterol diet calculated to contain 520 mg cholesterol and 50 mg phytosterol/day, with a polyunsaturated/saturated fat ratio of 0. 12. After 4 weeks on either diet, the mothers then crossed over to the other for a second 4 week period. Breast milk constituted the infants' sole intake during the two periods. During the ad libitum, low cholesterol-phytosterol enriched, and high cholesterol- low phytosterol diet periods, mean ± SE breast milk cholesterol (milligrams per grams total milk fat) was unchanged (2.4 ± 0.4, 2.4 ± 0.1, and 2.5 ± 0.2, respectively), despite a significant reduction of maternal plasma cholesterol from 220 ± 14 mg/dl (ad libitum) to 166 ± 7 (low cholesterol diet), and 186 ± 6 (high cholesterol diet). Infant plasma cholesterol, 143 ± 8 mg/dl on maternal ad libitum diet, was not significantly changed during maternal low cholesterol diet (140 ± 7), or during maternal high cholesterol diet (150 ± 8). Maternal milk phytosterol (0.17 ± 0.03 mg/g) on ad libitum diet, rose to 2.2 ± 0.3 on low cholesterol-phytosterol enriched diet, and fell to 0.7 ± 0.1 on the high cholesterol-low phytosterol diet, P < 0.0001. Maternal plasma phytosterol levels changed similarly, being 2.3 ± 0.9 mg/dl on ad libitum, 11.7 ± 0.9 on low cholesterol, and 4.9 ± 1.3 on high cholesterol intakes, P < 0.0001. Infant plasma phytosterol levels, 0.37 ± 0.04 mg/dl on both maternal ad libitum and high cholesterol intakes, rose to 0.54 ± 0.05 on maternal low cholesterol, phytosterol enriched diet (P < 0.01). Maternal dietary and plasma phytosterol levels were closely correlated (r = 0.62, P = 0.0001), as were plasma and milk phytosterol levels (r = 0.39, P = 0.02). Milk phytosterol and infant plasma phytosterol levels were also closely related (r = 0.43, P = 0.008). Conversely for cholesterol, the only significant maternal correlation was between dietary and plasma levels, r = 0.43, P = 0.004. No significant correlations were observed between maternal plasma and milk cholesterol levels, or between maternal milk and infant plasma cholesterol levels. On the polyunsaturate enriched as compared to a saturate enriched diet, milk content of linoleic acid was more than doubled, while oleic, palmitoleic, stearic, palmitic, and myristic acid levels were reduced. Am. J. Clin. Nut,. 31: 1347-1354, 1978.
An online growth mindset intervention in a sample of rural adolescent girls

BACKGROUND Students living in rural areas of the United States exhibit lower levels of educational attainment than their suburban counterparts. Innovative interventions are needed to close this educational achievement gap. AIMS We investigated whether an online growth mindset intervention could be leveraged to promote academic outcomes. SAMPLE We tested the mindset intervention in a sample of 222 10th-grade adolescent girls (M age = 15.2; 38% White, 25% Black, 29% Hispanic) from four rural, low-income high schools in the Southeastern United States. METHODS We conducted a randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of the growth mindset intervention, relative to a sexual health programme. We used random sampling and allocation procedures to assign girls to either the mindset intervention (n = 115) or an attention-matched control programme (n = 107). We assessed participants at pre-test, immediate post-test, and 4-month follow-up. RESULTS Relative to the control condition, students assigned to the mindset intervention reported stronger growth mindsets at immediate post-test and 4-month follow-up. Although the intervention did not have a total effect on academic attitudes or grades, it indirectly increased motivation to learn, learning efficacy and grades via the shifts in growth mindsets. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that this intervention is a promising method to encourage growth mindsets in rural adolescent girls.
Reliable Change on Memory Tests is Common in Healthy Children and Adolescents

Objective Neuropsychologists interpret a large number of scores in their assessments, including numerous retest scores to determine change over time. The rate at which healthy children and adolescents obtain reliably improved or declined memory scores when retested has yet to be explored. The purpose of this study was to illustrate the prevalence of reliable change scores on memory test batteries in healthy children and adolescents. Methods Participants were children and adolescents from test-retest samples from two published memory test batteries (ChAMP and CMS). Reliable change scores (RCI with 90% confidence interval and practice effects) were calculated for the indexes and subtests of each battery. Multivariate base rates involved considering all change scores simultaneously within each battery and calculating the frequencies of healthy children obtaining one or more reliably declined or one or more reliably improved scores. Results Across both memory batteries, one or more reliably changed index or subtest score was common; however, reliable change on three or more scores was uncommon (i.e., found in <5% of the samples). Base rates of change scores did not differ by parent education. Conclusions Having a single reliably changed score on retest is common when interpreting these memory batteries. Multivariate interpretation is necessary when determining cognitive decline and cognitive recovery. Further research is warranted with other measures, other samples, and different retest intervals.
Comparison of right ventricular septal pacing and right ventricular apical pacing in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators: the SEPTAL CRT Study

Abstract Aims Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a recommended treatment of heart failure (HF) patients with depressed left ventricular ejection fraction and wide QRS. The optimal right ventricular (RV) lead position being a matter of debate, we sought to examine whether RV septal (RVS) pacing was not inferior to RV apical (RVA) pacing on left ventricular reverse remodelling in patients receiving a CRT-defibrillator. Methods and results Patients (n = 263, age = 63.4 ± 9.5 years) were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to RVS (n = 131) vs. RVA (n = 132) pacing. Left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) reduction between baseline and 6 months was not different between the two groups (−25.3 ± 39.4 mL in RVS group vs. −29.3 ± 44.5 mL in RVA group, P = 0.79). Right ventricular septal pacing was not non-inferior (primary endpoint) to RVA pacing with regard to LVESV reduction (average difference = −4.06 mL; P = 0.006 with a −20 mL non-inferiority margin). The percentage of ‘echo-responders’ defined by LVESV reduction >15% between baseline and 6 months was similar in both groups (50%) with no difference in the time to first HF hospitalization or death (P = 0.532). Procedural or device-related serious adverse events occurred in 68 patients (RVS = 37) with no difference between the two groups (P = 0.401). Conclusion This study demonstrates that septal RV pacing in CRT is non-inferior to apical RV pacing for LV reverse remodelling at 6 months with no difference in the clinical outcome. No recommendation for optimal RV lead position can hence be drawn from this study. ClinicalTrials. gov number NCT 00833352.