Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chinese hamster telomeres are comparable in size to mouse telomeres

We report here the results of a telomere length analysis in four male Chinese hamsters by quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization (Q-FISH). We were able to measure telomere length of 64 (73%) of 88 Chinese hamster telomeres. We could not measure telomere length in chromosome 10 or in the short arms of chromosomes 5, 6, 7 and 8 because of the overlaps between the interstitial and terminal telomeric signals. Our analysis in the 73% of Chinese hamster telomeres indicate that their average length is ∼38 kb. Therefore, Chinese hamster telomeres are comparable in length to mouse telomeres, but are much longer than human telomeres. Similar to previous Q-FISH studies on human and mouse chromosomes, our results indicate that individual Chinese hamster chromosomes may have specific telomere lengths, suggesting that chromosome-specific factors may be involved in telomere length regulation.
Comparison of Patella Lead With Blood Lead and Tibia Lead and Their Associations With Neurobehavioral Test Scores

Objective: Lead exposure in adults is associated with worse cognitive function in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Previous studies have mainly examined relations with blood lead or cortical bone lead; few have examined trabecular bone lead. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the relations of patella lead and other lead biomarkers with measures of neurobehavioral and peripheral nervous system function in 652 lead workers. Results: Patella lead was found to be associated with worse performance on seven of 19 tests of manual dexterity, sensory vibration threshold, and depressive symptoms. The associations of patella lead with cognitive function were essentially similar to those with blood lead or tibia lead but of somewhat lower magnitude. Conclusions: In this study, measurement of patella lead did not aid causal inference regarding cognitive effects when compared with blood lead and tibia lead.
Changes in Plasma Norepinephrine to Combat‐Related Stimuli among Vietnam Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Plasma norepinephrine samples were obtained before and after exposure to auditory stimuli reminiscent of combat from two groups of male Vietnam veterans with combat experience: one with diagnoses of PTSD (N = 15) and one with no mental disorder (N = 6). Results showed a significant 30% rise in plasma norepinephrine for the PTSD group, with no change in the comparison group.
What is the Role of Institutional Investors in Corporate Capital Structure Decisions? A Survey Analysis

We survey institutional investors about their role in capital structure decisions and views on capital structure theories. Over 82% of investors believe they influence corporate capital structure decisions, especially for smaller, younger, and more financially constrained firms. Unlike corporate managers, investors consider agency costs of free cash flow important drivers of capital structure. Investors' responses also support pecking order and market timing theories. Most investors find financial constraints important, with components of the Kaplan–Zingales and Whited–Wu indexes dominating other proxies. Overall, our findings suggest a first-order impact of investor preferences on capital structure decisions.
Transitions in the lives of young people with complex healthcare needs.

BACKGROUND The disabled child population now incorporates a group of children and young people with complex healthcare needs, many of whom are supported by medical devices and technologies. Little is known about their experiences and perspectives, particularly in relation to transitions. METHODS Twenty-eight young people aged between 8 and 19 years old were recruited via Community Children's Nursing Teams. Data were collected by in-depth qualitative interviews and analysed using Grounded Theory principles and procedures. RESULTS Young people with complex healthcare needs experience multiple and often concurrent transitions in their lives. As well as moving from childhood to adulthood, they experience different organizational and illness transitions. This paper focuses on their experiences of moving from children to adult services and moving from parental care to self-care. Moving to adult services was characterized as a time of uncertainty because of lack of information and involvement in transition planning. Concerns were expressed about the continuity of support packages into adult services and whether specialist expertise would be available. Young people in adult services described how they had needed to adjust to a different culture and way of working and the loss of relationships with familiar, trusted professionals. In addition to becoming socially independent, young people were in the process of acquiring control over their healthcare and support needs. The acquisition of responsibility for managing therapies and devices was described as an evolving, individually negotiated process. However, responsibility for decision-making and liasing with services could be acquired suddenly on transfer to adult services and not as part of an integrated self-care transition process. CONCLUSIONS Transition is often too focused on service transition and transfer rather than conceptualizing it holistically as part of the process of moving to adulthood and independence. Young people with complex healthcare needs may have support needs that are unfamiliar for adult services at present. Multi-agency personalized planning that involves parents and young people is essential to ensure continuity of support and integration with other life transitions.
Gelidium elegans, an Edible Red Seaweed, and Hesperidin Inhibit Lipid Accumulation and Production of Reactive Oxygen Species and Reactive Nitrogen Species in 3T3‐L1 and RAW264.7 Cells

Gelidium elegans is an edible red alga native to the intertidal area of northeastern Asia. We investigated the effect of G. elegans extract and its main flavonoids, rutin and hesperidin, on lipid accumulation and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in 3T3‐L1 and RAW264.7 cells. Our data show that G. elegans extract decreased lipid accumulation and ROS/RNS production in a dose‐dependent manner. The extract also inhibited the mRNA expression of adipogenic transcription factors, such as peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma and CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein alpha, while enhancing the protein expression of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutases 1 and 2, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase compared with controls. In addition, lipopolysaccharide‐induced nitric oxide production was significantly reduced in G. elegans extract‐treated RAW264.7 cells. In analysis of the effects of G. elegans flavonoids on lipid accumulation and ROS/RNS production, only hesperidin showed an inhibitory effect on lipid accumulation and ROS production; rutin did not affect adipogenesis and ROS status. The antiadipogenic effect of hesperidin was evidenced by the downregulation of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma, CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein alpha, and fatty acid binding protein 4 gene expression. Collectively, our data suggest that G. elegans is a potential food source containing antiobesity and antioxidant constituents. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Activity of Classical and Alternative Pathways of Complement in Preterm and Small for Gestational Age Infants

Summary: Complement activity was compared in 50 low birth weight infants divided into appropriate and small for gestational age groups; the influence of birth weight and gestational age on complement development was also investigated. CH50 and kinetics (tH50) of both classical and alternative pathway activity of complement, C3, and Factor B levels were significantly higher in small for gestational age infants (classical pathway CH50, 630 HU/ml ± 184 SD; CP tH50, 77 min ± 47; aternative pathway CH50, 44.8 HU/ml ±11.3; AP tH50, 56 min ± 43; C3, 73.98 mg/dl ± 12.68; and Factor B, 13.17 mg/dl ± 3.67) than in weight-matched appropriate for gestational age infants (CP CH50, 523 HU/ml ± 152; CP tH50, 105 min ± 49; AP CH50, 38.8 HU/ml ± 13; AP tHs50, 90 min ± 53; C3, 58.14 mg/dl + 9.43; and Factor B, 9.32 mg/dl ± 1.73). Complement values were lower in low birth weight infants than in adult controls (P < 0.001 in all cases). All complement parameters were mainly correlated with gestational age; CH50 values of the classical and alternative pathways were also highly correlated with each other (r= 0.64; P < 0.001). Low birth weight infants, especially preterm infants, have an important defect of complement activity. Complement factors increase gradually during gestation and intrauterine growth retardation does not affect complement development. Classical and alternative complement pathway activities have a similar development pattern.
Regulation of B‐type natriuretic peptide synthesis by insulin in obesity in male mice

What is the central question of this study? The plasma concentration of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is decreased in obesity, a finding that may be deleterious from a cardiovascular, renal and metabolic standpoint. The present study used a mouse model of high‐fructose, high‐fat (HFHF) diet and isolated cardiomyocytes to investigate the mechanisms involved in this decrease. What is the main finding and its importance? The gene expression level of BNP is decreased in the left ventricle of mice fed a HFHF diet for 4 weeks and in cardiomyocytes exposed to prolonged high doses of insulin. A decrease in BNP synthesis may contribute to the decreased BNP plasma concentrations observed in obesity and insulin resistance.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension in adults born with a heart septal defect: the Euro Heart Survey on adult congenital heart disease

Aim: To investigate the role of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in adult patients born with a cardiac septal defect, by assessing its prevalence and its relation with patient characteristics and outcome. Methods and results: From the database of the Euro Heart Survey on adult congenital heart disease (a retrospective cohort study with a 5-year follow-up), the relevant data on all 1877 patients with an atrial septal defect (ASD), a ventricular septal defect (VSD), or a cyanotic defect were analysed. Most patients (83%) attended a specialised centre. There were 896 patients with an ASD (377 closed, 504 open without and 15 with Eisenmenger’s syndrome), 710 with a VSD (275, 352 and 83, respectively), 133 with Eisenmenger’s syndrome owing to another defect and 138 remaining patients with cyanosis. PAH was present in 531 (28%) patients, or in 34% of patients with an open ASD and 28% of patients with an open VSD, and 12% and 13% of patients with a closed defect, respectively. Mortality was highest in patients with Eisenmenger’s syndrome (20.6%). In case of an open defect, PAH entailed an eightfold increased probability of functional limitations (New York Heart Association class >1), with a further sixfold increase when Eisenmenger’s syndrome was present. Also, in patients with persisting PAH despite defect closure, functional limitations were more common. In patients with ASD, the prevalence of right ventricular dysfunction increased with systolic pulmonary artery pressure (OR = 1.073 per mm Hg; p<0.001). Major bleeding events were more prevalent in patients with cyanosis with than without Eisenmenger’s syndrome (17% vs 3%; p<0.001). Conclusion: In this selected population of adults with congenital heart disease, PAH was common and predisposed to more symptoms and further clinical deterioration, even among patients with previous defect closure and patients who had not developed Eisenmenger’s physiology.
High-Throughput Screen of GluK1 Receptor Identifies Selective Inhibitors with a Variety of Kinetic Profiles Using Fluorescence and Electrophysiology Assays

GluK1, a kainate subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptors, exhibits an expression pattern in the CNS consistent with involvement in pain processing and migraine. Antagonists of GluK1 have been shown to reduce pain signaling in the spinal cord and trigeminal nerve, and are predicted to provide pain and migraine relief. We developed an ultra-high-throughput small-molecule screen to identify antagonists of GluK1. Using the calcium indicator dye fluo-4, a multimillion-member small-molecule library was screened in 1536-well plate format on the FLIPR (Fluorescent Imaging Plate Reader) Tetra against cells expressing a calcium-permeable GluK1. Following confirmation in the primary assay and subsequent counter-screen against the endogenous Par-1 receptor, 6100 compounds were selected for dose titration to assess potency and selectivity. Final triage of 1000 compounds demonstrating dose-dependent inhibition with IC50 values of less than 12 µM was performed in an automated whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology assay. Although a weak correlation between electrophysiologically active and calcium-imaging active compounds was observed, the identification of electrophysiologically active compounds with a range of kinetic profiles revealed a broad spectrum of mechanisms of action.
Incremental prognostic value of C-reactive protein and N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide in acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND Cardiac biomarkers, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin-I (Tn-I), have been associated with an adverse outcome in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Thus, in the present study the incremental prognostic value of these cardiac biomarkers was evaluated for risk stratification of ACS. METHODS AND RESULTS The baseline levels of hs-CRP, NT-proBNP and Tn-I were measured in 215 patients (140 males; 65+/-46 years) with ACS: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI): 56; non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI): 98; unstable angina (UA): 61. The patients were retrospectively followed up for a mean of 246 days. There were 24 cardiac events: STEMI: 1, NSTEMI: 6, UA: 6, chronic heart failure: 1, death: 10. The baseline levels of hs-CRP and NT-proBNP were significantly higher in the patients with cardiac events than in those without events. After adjustment for major clinical prognostic factors, hs-CRP and NT-proBNP remained significantly independent predictors for cardiac events. Patients with hs-CRP level >3.5 mg/L and NT-proBNP level >500 pg/ml had an 11-fold higher risk for cardiac events than those with hs-CRP level <or=3.5 mg/L and NT-proBNP level <or=500 pg/ml. CONCLUSION The combination of both cardiac markers has an incremental value in the risk stratification of patients with ACS.
Production Networks, Nominal Rigidities and the Propagation of Shocks

We develop a multi-sector Calvo model with intermediate inputs to study the quantitative importance of input-output linkages for the real effects of monetary policy, and the propagation of idiosyncratic shocks. We allow for heterogeneity in frequencies of price adjustments across sectors, in sector size, and in sector importance as supplier to other sectors. Intermediate inputs as well as heterogeneous frequencies of price adjustment increase the persistence of the real effects of monetary policy. Heterogeneity in input-output linkages can amplify or dampen these real effects. Fat tails in sector size (Gabaix (2011)) and sectoral heterogeneity in input-output linkages (Acemoglu et al. (2012)) amplify sectoral shocks, but their aggregate impact depends on the interaction of sector size and outdegree with price stickiness. We develop intuition for these results in a series of simplified model economies. Quantitatively, heterogeneity in input-output linkages contributes only marginally to the real effects of monetary policy shocks. Heterogeneity in the frequency of price adjustment creates large real effects of nominal shocks. Heterogeneity in the frequency of price adjustment also amplifies the large effects of heterogeneity in sector size and the effect of heterogeneity in input-output linkages for the propagation of sectoral shocks. We calibrate a 350 sector version of the model to the input-output tables from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the micro data underlying the producer price index to to reach those conclusions. A less granular calibration with 58 sectors understates the real effects by 25% with a similar impact response of inflation.
Different Amino-Acid Substitutions Confer Insecticide Resistance Through Acetylcholinesterase 1 Insensitivity in Culex vishnui and Culex tritaeniorhynchus (Diptera: Culicidae) from China

Abstract Insecticide resistance owing to insensitive acetylcholinesterase (AChE)1 has been reported in several mosquito species, and only two mutations in the ace-1 gene have been implicated in resistance: 119S and 331W substitutions. We analyzed the AChE1 resistance status of Culex vishnui (Theobald) and Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles sampled in various regions of China. These two species displayed distinct mutations leading to AChE1 insensitivity; the 119S substitution in resistant C. vishnui mosquitoes and the 331W substitution in resistant C. tritaeniorhynchus. A biochemical test was validated to detect the 331W mutation in field samples. The comparison of the recombinant G119S and 331W mutant proteins produced in vitro with the AChE1 extracted from resistant mosquitoes indicated that the AChE1 insensitivity observed could be specifically attributed to these substitutions. Comparison of their biochemical characteristics indicated that the resistance conferred by these mutations depends on the insecticide used, regardless of its class. This resistance seemed to be fixed in the Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations sampled in a 2,000-km transect, suggesting a very high level of insecticide application or a low fitness cost associated with this 331W mutation.
Effective aspects of profinite groups

Profinite groups are Galois groups. The effective study of infinite Galois groups was initiated by Metakides and Nerode [8] and further developed by LaRoche [5]. In this paper we study profinite groups without considering Galois extensions of fields. The Artin method of representing a finite group as a Galois group has been generalized (effectively! ) by Waterhouse [14] to profinite groups. Thus, there is no loss of relevance in our approach. The fundamental notions of a co-r.e. profinite group, recursively profinite group, and the degree of a co-r.e. profinite group are defined in §1. In this section we prove that every co-r.e. profinite group can be effectively represented as an inverse limit of finite groups. The degree invariant is shown to behave very well with respect to open subgroups and quotients. The work done in this section is basic to the rest of the paper. The commutator subgroup, the Frattini subgroup, the p-Sylow subgroups, and the center of a profinite group are essential in the study of profinite groups. It is only natural to ask if these subgroups are effective. The following question exemplifies our approach to this problem: Is the center a co-r.e. profinite group? Theorem 2 provides a general method for answering this type of question negatively. Examples 3,4 and 5 are all applications of this theorem.
Dementia in Subjects Over 65 Years of Age in the Republic of San Marino

A study on neurological conditions was performed in the Republic of San Marino, which is the smallest independent state in the world (60 km2, 21 792 people). We personally examined or collected information on all people born in 1898, 1903, 1908, 1913 and 1918 and living in the Republic of San Marino on 31 July 1985. We found 29 people out of 488 with mild to severe dementia. Frequency of dementia increased progressively with age, from 1.8% among 67-year-olds to 25% among 87-year-olds. In women the increase was due mainly to primary degenerative dementia, whereas in men other types of dementia were involved. Our study shows a female/male ratio of more than 2:1 for primary degenerative dementia even considering mild dementia, and this form of dementia represents about 50% of all types of dementia. We found an association between severe auditory loss and primary degenerative dementia.
Electron Transfer in Cyanobacterial Photosystem I

The directionality of electron transfer in Photosystem I (PS I) is investigated using site-directed mutations in the phylloquinone (QK) and FX binding regions of Synnechocystis sp. PCC 6803. The kinetics of forward electron transfer from the secondary acceptor A1 (phylloquinone) were measured in mutants using time-resolved optical difference spectroscopy and transient EPR spectroscopy. In whole cells and PS I complexes of the wild-type both techniques reveal a major, slow kinetic component of τ ≈ 300 ns while optical data resolve an additional minor kinetic component of τ ≈ 10 ns. Whole cells and PS I complexes from the W697FPsaA and S692CPsaA mutants show a significant slowing of the slow kinetic component, whereas the W677FPsaB and S672CPsaB mutants show a less significant slowing of the fast kinetic component. Transient EPR measurements at 260 K show that the slow phase is ∼3 times slower than at room temperature. Simulations of the early time behavior of the spin polarization pattern of P700+A1–, in which the decay rate of the pattern is assumed to be negligibly small, reproduce the observed EPR spectra at 260 K during the first 100 ns following laser excitation. Thus any spin polarization from P700+FX– in this time window is very weak. From this it is concluded that the relative amplitude of the fast phase is negligible at 260 K or its rate is much less temperature-dependent than that of the slow component. Together, the results demonstrate that the slow kinetic phase results from electron transfer from QK-A to FX and that this accounts for at least 70% of the electrons. Although the assignment of the fast kinetic phase remains uncertain, it is not strongly temperature dependent and it represents a minor fraction of the electrons being transferred. All of the results point toward asymmetry in electron transfer, and indicate that forward transfer in cyanobacterial PS I is predominantly along the PsaA branch.
Observations on the incidence and distribution of the common cold in a rural community during 1948 and 1949

A study of the occurrence of the common cold in a Wiltshire village during the years 1948 and 1949 showed that, in this community, school children experienced about three times as many colds as adults living in households without schoolchildren, and that the presence of schoolchildren in. the household approximately doubled the numbers of colds experienced by both adults and infants under 5 years of age.
The 5‐hydroxytryptamine shock in the guineapig

5-Hydroxytryptamine (enteramine, serotonin) has been shown to cause contraction of intestinal muscle in a number of species (Erspamer, 1952; Reid & Rand, 1952 a; Feldberg & Toh, 1953; Robertson, 1953; Sinha & West, 1953). It has a similar effect on the uterus (Erspamer, 1940; Gaddum, 1953; Reid & Rand, 1952 a) and on the urinary bladder (Erspamer, 1952). As the substance is liberated from the platelets by the antigen-antibody reaction (Humphrey & Jaques, 1953), the possibility exists that it plays an essential part in anaphylactic shock. It seemed, therefore, of interest to investigate its action in the normal and in the sensitized guinea-pig. Some of the results of these investigations have already been published (Herxheimer, 1953 a, b).
Occupational airborne contact dermatitis due to ethylene glycol dimethacrylate

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