Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased protein synthesis is necessary for the development of late preconditioning against myocardial stunning.

In phase I of this study, the rate of protein synthesis was measured by the incorporation of [3H]leucine into the protein pool in the heart of conscious rabbits. At 2 h after ischemic preconditioning (PC) with six 4-min occlusion/4-min reperfusion (O/R) cycles ( group II), the [3H]leucine content in the ischemic-reperfused region was increased by 82% compared with that in controls ( group I), indicating increased protein synthesis. This increase was completely abrogated by pretreatment with cycloheximide (CH; group III). In phase II, rabbits underwent six O/R cycles for three consecutive days ( days 1-3). Controls ( group IV) exhibited late PC against myocardial stunning on days 2 and 3. In group V, which received CH 30 min before the 1st O/R cycle on day 1 (same dose as group III), late PC against stunning on day 2 was completely abrogated. In group VI, pretreatment with CH 24 h before the 1st sequence of O/R cycles had no effect on myocardial stunning on day 1, indicating that the absence of late PC on day 2 in group V cannot be ascribed to delayed toxicity of CH. Taken together, these results demonstrate that, in the conscious rabbit, ischemic PC causes a rapid increase in myocardial protein synthesis and that this increased protein synthesis (or at least a fraction of it) is necessary for the development of the protection against myocardial stunning 24 h later. The late phase of ischemic PC is therefore dependent on the formation of new proteins in intact animals.
Serum total homocysteine concentrations in adolescent and adult Americans: results from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND The elevation of circulating total homocysteine concentrations in a fasting state is associated with an increased risk of occlusive vascular disease. OBJECTIVE The primary goals of this study were to describe the distribution of serum total homocysteine concentrations in the United States and to test for differences in homocysteine concentrations among sex, age, and race-ethnicity categories. DESIGN Using surplus sera from phase 2 of the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we measured serum total homocysteine concentrations for a nationally representative sample of 3766 males and 4819 females aged > or = 12 y. RESULTS Age-adjusted geometric mean total homocysteine concentrations were 9.6 and 7.9 mmol/L in non-Hispanic white males and females, 9.8 and 8.2 mmol/L in non-Hispanic black males and females, and 9.4 and 7.4 mmol/L in Mexican American males and females, respectively. Age-adjusted geometric mean total homocysteine concentrations were significantly lower in females than in males in each race-ethnicity group (P < 0.01) and were significantly lower in Mexican American females than in non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black females (P < 0.01). There was a significant age-sex interaction (P < 0.01), reflecting the fact that homocysteine concentrations in females tended to diverge from those in males at younger ages and converge with those in males at older ages. CONCLUSIONS The first data on homocysteine concentrations in a nationally representative sample of Americans confirm the age and sex differences reported previously in nonrepresentative samples. These data also indicate that differences between Mexican American and non-Hispanic females may influence circulating homocysteine concentrations.
Simultaneous in vitro generation of CD8 and CD4 T cells specific to three universal tumor associated antigens of WT1, survivin and TERT and adoptive T cell transfer for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia

Previously, we found that most patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) expressed at least one of the leukemic associated antigens (LAAs) WT1, survivin and TERT, and different combinations of the three LAAs predicted negative clinical outcomes. Multi-tumor antigen-specific T cells were generated to overcome antigenic variation and may be sufficient to maximize antitumoral effects. To generate triple antigen-specific (Tri)-T cells that recognize three LAAs, dendritic cells (DCs) were transfected with three tumor antigen-encoding RNAs. These DCs were used to stimulate both CD8 and CD4 T cells and to overcome the limitation of known human leukocyte antigen-restricted epitopes. The sum of the antigen-specific T cell frequencies was higher in the Tri-T cells than in the T cells that recognized a single antigen. Furthermore, the Tri-T cells were more effective against leukemic blasts that expressed all three LAAs compared with blasts that expressed one or two LAAs, suggesting a proportional correlation between IFN-γ secretion and LAA expression. Engrafted leukemic blasts in the bone marrow of mice significantly decreased in the presence of Tri-T cells. This technique represents an effective immunotherapeutic strategy in AML.
Regulation of N‐acetylaspartate and N‐acetylaspartylglutamate biosynthesis by protein kinase activators

The neuronal dipeptide N‐acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) is thought to be synthesized enzymatically from N‐acetylaspartate (NAA) and glutamate. We used radiolabeled precursors to examine NAA and NAAG biosynthesis in SH‐SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells stimulated with activators of protein kinase A (dbcAMP; N6,2′‐O‐dibutyryl cAMP) and protein kinase C (PMA; phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate). Differentiation over the course of several days with dbcAMP resulted in increased endogenous NAA levels and NAAG synthesis from l‐[3H]glutamine, whereas PMA‐induced differentiation reduced both. Exogenously applied NAA caused dose dependent increases in intracellular NAA levels, and NAAG biosynthesis from l‐[3H]glutamine, suggesting precursor–product and mass–action relationships between NAA and NAAG. Incorporation of l‐[3H]aspartate into NAA and NAAG occurred sequentially, appearing in NAA by 1 h, but not in NAAG until between 6 and 24 h. Synthesis of NAAG from l‐[3H]aspartate was increased by dbcAMP and decreased by PMA at 24 h. The effects of PMA on l‐[3H]aspartate incorporation into NAA were temporally biphasic. Using short incubation times (1 and 6 h), PMA increased l‐[3H]aspartate incorporation into NAA, but with longer incubation (24 h), incorporation was significantly reduced. These results suggest that, while the neuronal production of NAA and NAAG are biochemically related, significant differences exist in the regulatory mechanisms controlling their biosynthesis.
Pilot Study of Metabolomics and Psychoneurological Symptoms in Women With Early Stage Breast Cancer

Many women with breast cancer experience symptoms of pain, fatigue, and depression, collectively known as psychoneurologic (PN) symptoms, during and after chemotherapy treatment. Evidence that inflammatory dysfunction related to cancer and its treatments contributes to the development and persistence of PN symptoms through several interrelated pathways is accumulating. However, a major limiting factor in more precisely identifying the biological mechanisms underlying these symptoms is the lack of biological measures that represent a holistic spectrum of biological responses. Metabolomics allows for examination of multiple, co-occurring metabolic pathways and provides a systems-level perspective on biological mechanisms that may contribute to PN symptoms. Methods: In this pilot study, we performed serum metabolome analysis using liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry of global and targeted metabolomics from the tryptophan pathway from archived samples from 19 women with early-stage breast cancer. We used paired t tests to compare metabolite concentrations and Pearson’s correlation coefficients to examine concomitant changes in metabolite concentrations and PN symptoms before and after chemotherapy. Results: Levels of pain, fatigue, and depression increased after chemotherapy. Compared with pre-chemotherapy, global metabolites post-chemotherapy were characterized by higher concentrations of acetyl-l-alanine and indoxyl sulfate and lower levels of 5-oxo-l-proline. Targeted analysis indicated significantly higher kynurenine levels and kynurenine/tryptophan ratios post-chemotherapy. Symptoms of pain and fatigue had strong associations with multiple global and several targeted metabolites. Conclusion: Results demonstrated that metabolomics may be useful for elucidating biological mechanisms associated with the development and severity of PN symptoms, specifically pain and fatigue, in women with early-stage breast cancer.
Advances in the Reduction of the Costs Inherent to Fossil Fuel Biodesulfurization Towards Its Potential Industrial Applications

The biodesulfurization (BDS) process consists of the use of microorganisms for the removal of sulfur from fossil fuels. Through BDS it is possible to treat most of the organosulfur compounds recalcitrant to the conventional hydrodesulfurization (HDS), the petroleum industry's solution, at mild operating conditions, without the need for molecular hydrogen or metal catalysts. This technique results in lower emissions, smaller residue production, and less energy consumption, which makes BDS an eco-friendly process that can complement HDS making it more efficient. BDS has been extensively studied and much is already known about the process. Clearly, BDS presents advantages as a complementary technique to HDS; however, its commercial use has been delayed by several limitations both upstream and downstream the process. This study will comprehensively review and discuss key issues, like reduction of the BDS costs, advances, and/or challenges for a competitive BDS towards its potential industrial application aiming ultra-low sulfur fuels.
Bone mineralization and growth are enhanced in preterm infants fed an isocaloric, nutrient-enriched preterm formula through term.

BACKGROUND Because recent data on the effects of mineral concentrations in preterm infant formula on bone mineralization are lacking, recommendations for the mineral content of preterm infant formula differ greatly between committees. OBJECTIVE The goal of the study was to assess the effects of an isocaloric, nutrient-enriched preterm formula, which was fed from the age when full enteral feedings were tolerated through expected term, on bone mineralization in preterm infants. DESIGN We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind study in healthy, preterm infants (gestational age of 28-32 wk) who were fed either a control preterm formula (n=20) or an isocaloric, nutrient-enriched preterm formula (n=21) until 3 mo of age (ie, approximate expected term). Serum calcium indexes were taken throughout the study, and bone mass was determined by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at hospital discharge and expected term. RESULTS A total of 37 infants (experimental formula, n=19; control formula, n=18) completed the study. Compared with control subjects, infants fed the experimental formula had 25% and 40% higher intakes of calcium and phosphorus, respectively. Serum calcium, phosphorus, osteocalcin, and alkaline phosphatase concentrations and urinary collagen type I cross-linked N-telopetide concentrations were not significantly different between the groups at any time point. The bone mineral content of infants fed the experimental formula was 23% (P=0.039) and 35% (P=0.002) higher at hospital discharge and expected term, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Bone mineralization at hospital discharge and expected term was significantly higher in preterm infants fed the isocaloric, nutrient-enriched formula than in those fed control formula. Continuation of the experimental formula beyond hospital discharge, through expected term, further improved bone mineralization.
History of Neural Stem Cell Research and Its Clinical Application

“Once development was ended…in the adult centers, the nerve paths are something fixed and immutable. Everything may die, nothing may be regenerated,” wrote Santiago Ramón y Cajal, a Spanish neuroanatomist and Nobel Prize winner and the father of modern neuroscience. This statement was the central dogma in neuroscience for a long time. However, in the 1960s, neural stem cells (NSCs) were discovered. Since then, our knowledge about NSCs has continued to grow. This review focuses on our current knowledge about NSCs and their surrounding microenvironment. In addition, the clinical application of NSCs for the treatment of various central nervous system diseases is also summarized.
Assessment of the safety, tolerance, and protective effect against diarrhea of infant formulas containing mixtures of probiotics or probiotics and prebiotics in a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Probiotics and prebiotics are considered to be beneficial to the gastrointestinal health of infants. OBJECTIVE The objective was to evaluate infant formulas containing probiotics and synbiotics (combinations of probiotics and prebiotics) for safety and tolerance. DESIGN In a prospective, controlled, double-blind, randomized trial, healthy full-term infants were exclusively fed a control formula or study formulas containing Bifidobacterium longum BL999 (BL999) + Lactobacillus rhamnosus LPR (LPR), BL999 + LPR + 4 g/L of 90% galactooligosaccharide/10% short-chain fructooligosaccharide (GOS/SCFOS), or BL999 + Lactobacillus paracasei ST11 (ST11) + 4 g/L GOS/SCFOS from < or = 2 to 16 wk of age (treatment period). Safety and tolerance were assessed based on weight gain during the treatment period (primary outcome) as well as recumbent length, head circumference, digestive tolerance, and adverse events (secondary outcomes), which were evaluated at 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 52 wk of age. RESULTS Two hundred eighty-four infants were enrolled. During the treatment period, difference in mean weight gain between control and study formula groups in both the intention-to-treat and per-protocol populations were within the predefined equivalence boundaries of +/-3.9 g/d, indicating equivalent weight gain. Secondary outcomes did not show significant differences between groups during the treatment period. CONCLUSION Infants fed formulas containing probiotics or synbiotics show a similar rate in weight gain compared with those fed a control formula and tolerate these formulas well.
Which Features of the Environment Impact Community Participation of Older Adults? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: The objective of this study is to identify features of the environment associated with community participation of older adults. Method: A systematic review of studies that examined associations between environment and community participation in older adults was conducted. Environmental features were extracted and grouped using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health’s environmental categories. Meta-analysis of environmental categories was conducted by calculating combined effect size (ES) estimates. Results: Significant, small to moderate, random ESs were found for six of seven environmental categories: neighborliness (ES = 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.18, 0.87]), social support (ES = 0.38, 95% CI = [0.13, 0.62]), land-use diversity (ES = 0.29, 95% CI = [0.16, 0.42]), transportation (ES = 0.29, 95% CI = [0.15, 0.43]), civil protection (e.g., safety; ES = 0.27, 95% CI = [0.0, 0.54]), and street connectivity/walkability (ES = 0.20, 95% CI = [0.15, 0.26]). Discussion: Community initiatives that address specific features of the social environment and street-level environment may increase community participation of older adults.
Experimental and numerical investigation of active vibration control over wide range of operating temperature

In this study, the dynamic response and the active vibration control behavior of cantilever-type structure over wide temperature range (−70°C to 70°C) are investigated experimentally and numerically. A cantilever structure of titanium alloy integrated with the collocated piezoelectric ceramic (PZT-5H) was studied for effective vibration amplitude reduction. The experimental results are verified with the numerical results which show good agreement among them. For the numerical simulations, finite element formulation using first-order shear deformation theory is implemented. The nonlinear fuzzy logic controller is designed as multi-input single-output system using 49 rules and implemented both experimentally and numerically to perform active vibration control. The results show that even moderate fluctuations in the temperature under study can considerably influence the performance of the piezoelectric ceramics used as sensors and actuators resulting in degraded performance for active vibration control.
Protein intake at 9 mo of age is associated with body size but not with body fat in 10-y-old Danish children.

BACKGROUND During the complementary feeding period, infants shift from a daily protein intake (PI) of approximately 1 g/kg body wt to an intake 3-4 times as high. A high PI probably has both endocrine and physiologic effects and may increase the risk of obesity. OBJECTIVE We examined the associations between PI in infancy and body size and composition in late childhood. DESIGN We conducted an observational cohort study of 142 Danish healthy term infants (63 boys) born during 1987-1988. At 9 mo of age, diet, weight, length, skinfold thicknesses, insulin-like growth factor I, and serum urea nitrogen were determined. At 10 y of age, 105 children (51 boys) participated in a follow-up study. Diet, weight, height, skinfold thicknesses, percentage of body fat (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), insulin-like growth factor I, and serum urea nitrogen were determined. RESULTS At 9 mo of age, PI (in g/d and percentage of energy) was strongly correlated with body size (length and weight) but not with measures of adiposity. PI at 9 mo of age was positively associated with height and weight but not with percentage of body fat at 10 y of age. Inclusion of parental body size in the models did not change the associations, but the significant associations were attenuated when body size at 9 mo of age was included. CONCLUSIONS PI in infancy seems to stimulate early growth. This might explain part of the association between early PI and body size at 10 y of age, but a continuous effect of protein on growth during childhood cannot be excluded. PI in infancy was not associated with any measure of body fat at 10 y of age.
Purified eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids have differential effects on serum lipids and lipoproteins, LDL particle size, glucose, and insulin in mildly hyperlipidemic men.

BACKGROUND Regular consumption of n-3 fatty acids of marine origin can improve serum lipids and reduce cardiovascular risk. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine whether eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids have differential effects on serum lipids and lipoproteins, glucose, and insulin in humans. DESIGN In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of parallel design, 59 overweight, nonsmoking, mildly hyperlipidemic men were randomly assigned to receive 4 g purified EPA, DHA, or olive oil (placebo) daily while continuing their usual diets for 6 wk. RESULTS Fifty-six men aged 48.8 +/- 1.1 y completed the study. Relative to those in the olive oil group, triacylglycerols fell by 0.45 +/- 0.15 mmol/L ( approximately 20%; P = 0.003) in the DHA group and by 0.37 +/- 0.14 mmol/L ( approximately 18%; P = 0.012) in the EPA group. Neither EPA nor DHA had any effect on total cholesterol. LDL, HDL, and HDL(2) cholesterol were not affected significantly by EPA, but HDL(3) cholesterol decreased significantly (6.7%; P = 0.032). Although HDL cholesterol was not significantly increased by DHA (3. 1%), HDL(2) cholesterol increased by approximately 29% (P = 0.004). DHA increased LDL cholesterol by 8% (P = 0.019). Adjusted LDL particle size increased by 0.25 +/- 0.08 nm (P = 0.002) with DHA but not with EPA. EPA supplementation increased plasma and platelet phospholipid EPA but reduced DHA. DHA supplementation increased DHA and EPA in plasma and platelet phospholipids. Both EPA and DHA increased fasting insulin significantly. EPA, but not DHA, tended to increase fasting glucose, but not significantly so. CONCLUSIONS EPA and DHA had differential effects on lipids, fatty acids, and glucose metabolism in overweight men with mild hyperlipidemia.
Young SHR express increased type 1 angiotensin II receptors in renal proximal tubule

Cheng, Hui-Fang, Jun-Ling Wang, Gavin P. Vinson, and Raymond C. Harris. Young SHR express increased type 1 angiotensin II receptors in renal proximal tubule. Am. J. Physiol. 274 (Renal Physiol. 43): F10–F17, 1998. —A potential role for the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the development and/or maintenance of hypertension in the genetic model of rat hypertension, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), has been suggested by studies indicating that treatment of immature animals with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors prevents subsequent development of hypertension. Because young SHR also demonstrate RASdependent increased sodium retention, we examined proximal tubule type 1 angiotensin II receptor (AT1R) mRNA expression in young (4 wk) or adult (14 wk) SHR compared with age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Proximal tubules were isolated by Percoll gradient centrifugation, and AT1R mRNA expression was measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). At 14 wk, when SHR had established hypertension [mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) of SHR vs. WKY: 145 6 6 vs. 85 6 5 mmHg, n 5 14–15], there were no differences in proximal tubule AT1R mRNA levels [SHR vs. WKY: 79 6 14 vs. 72 6 14 counts/min (cpm) per cpm mutant AT1R per cpm b-actin 3 1026, n 5 6; not significant (NS)]. In contrast, in 4 wk SHR, at a time of minimal elevations in blood pressure (MAP: 70 6 8 vs. 63 6 3), SHR proximal tubule AT1R mRNA levels were 263 6 30% that of WKY (143 6 18 vs. 60 6 11 cpm per cpm of mutant AT1R per cpm b-actin 3 1026, n 5 8; P , 0.005). We have recently shown that chronic ACE inhibition decreases proximal tubule AT1R expression and have also shown that chronic L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalamine (L-DOPA) administration inhibits AT1R expression in adult SpragueDawley proximal tubule and cultured proximal tubule, and this inhibition is mediated via Gs-coupled DA1 receptors. When 3-wk-old animals were given L-DOPA or captopril for 1 wk, MAP was not altered (70 6 8 vs. 60 6 4 or 61 6 5 mmHg), but proximal tubule AT1R mRNA was no longer significantly different between SHR and WKY (68 6 9 vs. 38 6 7 or 20 6 3 vs. 47 6 15 cpm per cpm of mutant AT1R per cpm b-actin 3 1026), due to a significant decrease in proximal tubule AT1R expression in SHR (P , 0.005, compared with untreated SHR). Immunoreactive proximal tubule AT1R expression also was increased in 4 wk SHR and was reversed with captopril or L-DOPA treatment. Therefore, these results indicate that young, but not adult, SHR have increased expression of proximal tubule AT1R and that chronic L-DOPA or captopril treatment decreased the elevated AT1R expression to control levels. These results provide further support for an important role of the RAS in the development of hypertension in SHR.