Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effective Pharmacotherapy Against Oxidative Injury: Alternative Utility of an ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channel Opener

Cardiomyocyte viability following ischemia-reperfusion critically depends on mitochondrial function. In this regard, potassium channel openers (KCOs) targeting mitochondria have emerged as powerful cardioprotective agents when applied at the onset of ischemia. However, it is controversial whether openers are still protective when applied at the onset of reoxygenation. Here, H9c2 cardiomyocytes and mitochondria isolated from the rat heart ventricle were subjected to ischemia-reoxygenation or oxidative stress in the absence or presence of 100 μM diazoxide, a potassium channel opener. Ischemia-reoxygenation or oxidative stress significantly reduced cell viability, induced structural damage in association with increased mitochondrial protein release, and impaired oxidative phosphorylation. However, treatment with diazoxide before anoxia or at the onset of reoxygenation, as well as during oxidative stress, prevented cell death and mitochondrial dysfunction and preserved cellular and mitochondrial structural integrity. These protective effects were blocked by 5-hydroxydecanoate. Thus, treatment with potassium channel openers even at the time of reoxygenation may provide a significant protection of the myocardium. The protective mechanism is at least in part endogenous to the mitochondria because protection was also observed in isolated mitochondria.
Homeownership as a Constraint on Asset Allocation

Personal preferences and financial incentives make homeownership desirable for most families. Once a family purchases a home they find it impractical (costly) to frequently change their ownership of residential real estate. Thus, by deciding how much home to buy, a family constrains their ability to adjust their asset allocation between residential real estate and other assets. To analyze the impact of this constraint on consumption, welfare, and post-retirement wealth, we first investigate an individual’s optimal asset allocation decisions when they are subject to a “homeownership constraint. ” Next, we perform a “thought experiment” where we assume the existence of a market where a homeowner can sell, without cost, a fractional interest in their home. Now the housing choice decision does not constrain the individual’s asset allocations. By comparing these two cases, we estimate the differences in post-retirement wealth and the welfare gains potentially realizable if asset allocations were not subject to a homeownership constraint. For realistic parameter values, we find that the homeowner would require a substantial increase in total net worth to achieve the same level of utility as would be achievable if the choice of a home could be separated from the asset allocation decision. The robustness of the analysis is evaluated with respect to the model’s parameters and initial state variables. We find that changes in the values of the constraint (i.e., the value of the home) and the expected real rate of home value appreciation are the only state variables or parameter that is associated with a large change in asset allocation and/or the burden imposed by the housing constraint. This finding suggests the importance of a detailed examination of the impact of inter-regional differences in home prices and expected rates of appreciation on asset allocation and post-retirement wealth.
The Neuronal Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factor NSCL-1 Is Dispensable for Normal Neuronal Development

ABSTRACT The neuronal stem cell leukemia (NSCL) basic helix-loop-helix factors are neural cell-specific transcription factors. We have disrupted the NSCL-1 gene by homologous recombination and replaced the coding region with a beta-galactosidase reporter cassette to study the role of NSCL-1 in neuronal development and to follow the fate of NSCL-1 mutant cells. NSCL-1 mutant mice are viable and fertile on various genetic backgrounds and do not show any obvious signs of neurological malfunction. No differences in the distribution of NSCL-1 mutant or heterozygous neuronal cells were observed in the diencephalon, hippocampus, neocortex, and cerebellum at different stages of development. Likewise, no defects were found in the laminar organization of the cortex, and the distinct neuronal subpopulation appeared normal during development of the neocortex. Analysis of sensory neurons which strongly express NSCL-1 revealed that the spatiotemporal expression of neuronal differentiation factors, such as NeuroD and SCG-10, was not altered in developing distal and proximal cranial ganglia of mutant mice. In the cerebellum expression of NSCL-1 was confined to the proliferative and premigratory zone of the external granular layer and the internal granular layer. Interestingly, unlike cerebella of Math1−/− or NeuroD2−/− mice, NSCL-1-deficient mice have no obvious developmental defect, and neurons of the cerebellum appeared fully differentiated. Despite similar expression patterns of NSCL-1 and NSCL-2 in various areas of the diencephalon, including the arcuate nucleus and paraventricular nucleus, NSCL-1−/− mice are fertile and show no adult onset of obesity like NSCL-2 mutant mice. Double-mutant NSCL-1−/−-NSCL-2−/− mice do not show any additional obvious malformations of the central nervous system, although both genes are expressed in a largely overlapping pattern. Our results argue against a simple functional redundancy within the NSCL gene family.
An examination of the role of psychological safety in the relationship between job resources, affective commitment and turnover intentions of Australian employees with chronic illness

Globally a growing proportion of employees are experiencing some form of chronic illness that may substantially impact on their work role, resulting in perceptions of vulnerability and insecurity. The implications of chronic illness for employees are, however, largely overlooked by researchers and human resource practitioners. This study examines the relationship between job resources, perceptions of psychological safety at work, affective commitment and turnover intentions for employees with chronic illness (N = 92) compared to a referent group of general employees (N = 512). Using multigroup SEM analysis the results demonstrate that psychological safety partially mediates the relationship between job resources and affective commitment for both groups of employees; however, the effect is significantly greater for the chronically ill. An unexpected finding was that the relationship between affective commitment and turnover intentions was stronger for the referent group. The results suggest that the development of a workplace environment characterized by feelings of safety, interpersonal trust and mutual respect will assist in the development of an inclusive organizational climate for this vulnerable group of employees. Our study responds to the call for current theoretical models of work stress and well-being to be more representative and inclusive of marginalized workers, including the chronically ill.
Country-specific cost-effectiveness of early intervention with budesonide in mild asthma

Early intervention with budesonide is an effective strategy for mild persistent asthma, which has been shown to provide additional clinical benefits at a low incremental cost using USA cost data. The present authors analysed whether this strategy would be cost-effective using cost data for other countries. Based on the 3-yr prospective, randomised, double-blind inhaled Steroid Treatment As Regular Therapy (START) in early asthma study (comparing budesonide and placebo combined with usual asthma therapy), the cost-effectiveness was estimated separately for eight different countries, from both healthcare payer and societal perspectives, of adding budesonide to usual asthma therapy. Local unit costs were applied to data for the total trial population. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) were estimated as cost per symptom-free day (SFD) gained. Budesonide increased SFDs by an average of 14.1 days annually. From a healthcare payer perspective, budesonide would reduce the total cost of asthma care in Australia. In Sweden, Canada, France, Spain, UK, China and the USA, the ICER ranged from US$2.4–11.3 per SFD. From a societal perspective, budesonide would be cost-saving in Australia, Canada and Sweden. In conclusion, for countries where costs with budesonide are higher, the policy implication has to be determined by that health system's willingness to pay for an additional symptom-free day. However, where budesonide therapy increases symptom-free days and reduces total costs, the policy conclusion clearly favours early intervention.
THE QUIESCENT X-RAY SPECTRUM OF THE NEUTRON STAR IN CENTAURUS X-4 OBSERVED WITH CHANDRA/ACIS-S

We report on spectral and intensity variability analysis from a Chandra/ACIS-S observation of the transient, type I X-ray bursting low-mass X-ray binary Cen X-4. The quiescent X-ray spectrum during this observation is statistically identical to one observed previously with BeppoSAX and close, but not identical, to one observed previously with ASCA. The X-ray spectrum is best described as a pure hydrogen atmosphere thermal spectrum plus a power-law component that dominates the spectrum above 2 keV. The best-Ðt radius of the neutron star is r \ 12.9^ 2.6 (d/1.2 kpc) km if the interstellar absorption is Ðxed at the value implied by the optical reddening. Allowing the interstellar absorption to be a free parameter yields (d/1.2 kpc) km (90% conÐdence). The thermal spectrum from the neutron r \ ~10 `45 star surface is inconsistent with a solar metallicity. We Ðnd a 3 p upper limit of rms variability 118% (0.2È2.0 keV; 0.0001È1 Hz) during the observation. On the other hand, the 0. 5È10. 0 keV luminosity decreased by 40^ 8% in the 4.9 yr between the ASCA and Chandra observations. This variability can be attributed to the power-law component. Moreover, we limit the variation in thermal temperature to over these 4.9 yr. The stability of the thermal temperature and emission-area radius supports the [10% interpretation that the quiescent thermal emission is caused by the hot neutron star core. Subject headings : stars : neutron È stars : individual (Centaurus X-4) È X-rays : binaries È X-rays : individual (Centaurus X-4) È X-rays : stars
Sleep Deprivation Disrupts Prepulse Inhibition and Induces Psychosis-Like Symptoms in Healthy Humans

Translational biomarkers, such as prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response, are playing an increasingly important role in the development of antipsychotic drugs for schizophrenia and related conditions. However, attempts to reliably induce a PPI deficit by psychotomimetic drugs have not been successful, leaving an unmet need for a cross-species psychosis model sensitive to this widely studied surrogate treatment target. Sleep deprivation (SD) might be such a model as it has previously been shown to induce PPI deficits in rats, which could be selectively prevented with antipsychotic but not anxiolytic or antidepressant compounds. Here, in a first proof-of-concept study we tested whether SD induces a deficit in PPI and an increase in psychosis-like symptoms in healthy humans. In two counterbalanced sessions, acoustic PPI and self-reported psychosis-like symptoms (Psychotomimetic States Inventory) were measured in 24 healthy human volunteers after a normal night's sleep and after a night of total SD. SD decreased PPI (p = 0.001) without affecting the magnitude or habituation of the startle response (all p > 0.13). SD also induced perceptual distortions, cognitive disorganization, and anhedonia (all p < 0.02). Thus, extending previous rodent work, we conclude that SD, in combination with the PPI biomarker, might be a promising translational surrogate model for psychosis as this method represents a possibility to partially and reversibly mimic the pathogenesis of psychotic states.
Identity Under Construction: How Individuals Come to Define Themselves in Organizations

Individuals need a situated identity, or a clear sense of “who they are” in their local context, to function. Drawing largely on interpretivist research, we describe the process of identity construction in organizations. Organizations set the stage for members to construct their identities through sensebreaking, rendering individuals more receptive to organizational cues conveyed via sensegiving. Individuals utilize sensemaking to construe their situated identity as they progress toward a desired self. Affect (feeling “this is me”), behavior (acting as “me”), and cognition (thinking “this is me”) are each viable and intertwined gateways to a situated identity that resonates with one's desired self and a given context. Individuals formulate identity narratives that link their past and present to a desired future, providing direction. If their identity enactments and narratives receive social validation, individuals feel more assured, fortifying their emergent identities. The result of these dynamics is a v.
Role of intraoperative neuromonitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerves during thyroid reoperations of recurrent goiter.

Reoperations of the thyroid gland are challenging to any surgeon. Such procedures are technically difficult and involve higher risk of complications than primary procedures. Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy is one of such complications The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) in preventing RLN palsy during recurrent goiter operations. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the results of thyroid reoperation performed at the Department of Endocrine, General and Vascular Surgery of Medical University of Lodz in the period from January 2014 to June 2016. The study included 80 patients, who were divided into 2 groups: group A consisted of 27 patients, who had undergone surgery with the use of IONM, while group B included 53 patients, in whom RLN was identified visually. During statistical analysis we took into account the number of nerves at risk, not the number of patients. There were 47 nerves at risk In group A and 86 in group B. We analyzed whether application of IONM had any effect on the frequency of RLN palsy and procedure duration. RESULTS The frequency of RLN palsy was 10.64% (5/47) in group A and 15.12% (13/86) in group B (no statistical significance, p=0,47). Mean operation time was shorter in group B 71.29 ± 17.125 minutes vs. 75.75 ± 17.94 minutes in group A (no statistical significance, p=0,377). CONCLUSION Use of IONM did not significantly reduce the occurrence of RLN palsy and procedure duration.
Characterization of progenitor domains in the developing mouse thalamus

To understand the molecular basis of the specification of thalamic nuclei, we analyzed the expression patterns of various transcription factors and defined progenitor cell populations in the embryonic mouse thalamus. We show that the basic helix‐loop‐helix (bHLH) transcription factor Olig3 is expressed in the entire thalamic ventricular zone and the zona limitans intrathalamica (ZLI). Next, we define two distinct progenitor domains within the thalamus, which we name pTH‐R and pTH‐C, located caudal to the ZLI. pTH‐R is immediately caudal to the ZLI and expresses Nkx2.2, Mash1, and Olig3. pTH‐C is caudal to pTH‐R and expresses Ngn1, Ngn2, and Olig3. Short‐term lineage analysis of Olig3‐, Mash1‐, Ngn1‐, and Ngn2‐expressing progenitor cells as well as tracing the Pitx2 cell lineage suggests that pTH‐C is the only major source of thalamic nuclei containing neurons that project to the cerebral cortex, whereas pTH‐R and ZLI are likely to produce distinct postmitotic populations outside of the cortex‐projecting part of the thalamus. To determine if pTH‐C is composed of subdomains, we characterized expression of the homeodomain protein Dbx1 and the bHLH protein Olig2. We show that Dbx1 is expressed in caudodorsal‐high to rostroventral‐low gradient within pTH‐C. Analysis of heterozygous Dbx1nlslacZ knockin mice demonstrated that Dbx1‐expressing progenitors preferentially give rise to caudodorsal thalamic nuclei. Olig2 is expressed in an opposite gradient within pTH‐C to that of Dbx1. These results establish the molecular heterogeneity within the progenitor cells of the thalamus, and suggest that such heterogeneity contributes to the specification of thalamic nuclei. J. Comp. Neurol. 505:73–91, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Microexpression Identification and Categorization Using a Facial Dynamics Map

Unlike conventional facial expressions, microexpressions are instantaneous and involuntary reflections of human emotion. Because microexpressions are fleeting, lasting only a few frames within a video sequence, they are difficult to perceive and interpret correctly, and they are highly challenging to identify and categorize automatically. Existing recognition methods are often ineffective at handling subtle face displacements, which can be prevalent in typical microexpression applications due to the constant movements of the individuals being observed. To address this problem, a novel method called the Facial Dynamics Map is proposed to characterize the movements of a microexpression in different granularity. Specifically, an algorithm based on optical flow estimation is used to perform pixel-level alignment for microexpression sequences. Each expression sequence is then divided into spatiotemporal cuboids in the chosen granularity. We also present an iterative optimal strategy to calculate the principal optical flow direction of each cuboid for better representation of the local facial dynamics. With these principal directions, the resulting Facial Dynamics Map can characterize a microexpression sequence. Finally, a classifier is developed to identify the presence of microexpressions and to categorize different types. Experimental results on four benchmark datasets demonstrate higher recognition performance and improved interpretability.
Uptake of cholesterol by the retina occurs primarily via a low density lipoprotein receptor-mediated process.

PURPOSE In this study we examined the uptake of circulating lipoproteins into the retina, using a naturally fluorescent cholesterol analog for imaging and deuterated cholesterol for quantification by mass spectroscopy. The purpose of this study was to better understand cholesterol uptake, transport and homeostasis in the retina. METHODS Human low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were labeled with the fluorescent cholesterol analog cholesta-5,7,9(11)-trien-3beta-ol (CTL) and deuterated cholesterol (25,26,26,26,27,27,27-[2H]cholesterol, D7Ch). Rats were injected intravenously with CTL-LDL, CTL-HDL and D7Ch-LDL. Fluorescent confocal microscopy was used to image the uptake of CTL and mass spectroscopy was used to quantify D7Ch. Immunohistochemistry and fluorescent confocal microscopy were used to localize apoB (an LDL marker protein) and LDL receptor (LDLR) protein in rat and monkey retinas. RESULTS CTL-specific fluorescence was imaged by confocal microscopy in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), choriocapillaris and parts of the neural retina within 2 h post-injection and was visualized in the photoreceptor outer segments by 4 h. Replacing LDL with HDL as the CTL carrier gave a less robust and more delayed labeling of retinal layers. Human apolipoprotein B (apoB) was also localized in the rat choriocapillaris and RPE by 4 h post-injection. Human apoB was detected by immunoblot analysis in the rat retina primarily as a about 70 kDa protein, suggesting proteolytic degradation. LDL-mediated uptake of cholesterol was quantified by mass spectroscopy using deuterated cholesterol in place of CTL. In addition, apoB and LDLR were localized in monkey retina by immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSIONS The retina is capable of rapid uptake of circulating LDL via an LDLR-mediated process primarily occurring in the RPE and also possibly Müller cells. Despite the dominance of HDL over LDL in rat serum, LDL appears to be the preferred carrier for cholesterol transport to and uptake by the retina. The results also suggest that blood-borne LDL represents a significant contributor to the steady-state levels of cholesterol and possibly other lipids in the retina.
Evaluation of risk communication for rural water supply management: a case study of a coastal area of Bangladesh

Consumption of safe drinking water is an important public health issue. In this study, we considered the risk communication topic of human health concerns related to unsafe water consumption in rural coastal areas of Bangladesh, where potable water is scarce. Our objective was to investigate the level of knowledge that rural residents had concerning safe water consumption and to evaluate the effects of risk communication on knowledge and behavior changes. We considered four rural villages of southwest coastal areas of Bangladesh as sample. This study was based on the results of a questionnaire survey administered before and after risk communication. The pre- and post-survey were conducted during August 2009 and March 2010, respectively. Data were collected from 120 women aged 18–60 years. Two format presentations, with and without water quality information, were used to convey the risk messages. In the present study, indicator bacterial (Escherichia coli) contamination levels in drinking water sources were considered as water quality information since absence of E. coli is the safety margin for the detection of disease-causing organisms. Analysis of the survey data revealed that risk communication can be vital to changes in water consumption knowledge and behavior. Overall general knowledge scores were almost same in the pre-survey for without- (mean score 3.16) and with-information (mean score 3.10) villages. However, after risk communication, there were detectable increases in the mean scores (mean scores, 3.54 and 3.64, respectively, on a 4 point scale) for both groups. Furthermore, risk communication with water quality information appears to be a more effective method of risk communication. Dissemination of risk messages was also higher in with-information villages. Seventy four percent of the participants from with-information villages reported that they had discussed the risk messages with family members and neighbors, compared to 59% of those from without-information villages. The results of this study revealed that age, education, and distance of water sources influence changes in consumption and maintenance behavior. These findings suggest that, in addition to installation of water supply facilities, there is a need to address the low levels of knowledge about safe water consumption in rural coastal communities of Bangladesh. Location specific water quality information may be more useful to convey health risk messages concerning unsafe drinking water consumption.