Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Relationship between Adipokines, Metabolic Parameters and Insulin Resistance in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes

This study was designed to investigate the relationship between adipokines in metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. Sixty male and female subjects with or without metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes were included. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Compared with lean control subjects, patients with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes had lower circulating levels of total adiponectin and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin, and higher levels of leptin and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Total and HMW adiponectin and the adiponectin/leptin (A/L) ratio were negatively correlated with HOMA-IR. After adjusting for age and sex, leptin, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were positively correlated with HOMA-IR. After also adjusting for body mass index, HOMA-IR was found to be independently associated with leptin, A/L ratio and TNF-α levels. In conclusion, decreased total adiponectin and HMW adiponectin and increased leptin and IL-6 levels are characteristic of patients with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
Understanding How Domestic Abuse Is Associated With Greater Depressive Symptoms in a Community Sample of Female Primary Care Patients

This study examined the relationship between domestic abuse, belongingness, and depressive symptoms in a community sample of 71 female primary care patients. As expected, domestic abuse was associated with greater depressive symptoms. Results from conducting mediation analyses, including bootstrapping techniques, provided strong convergent support for a model in which the hypothesized effect of domestic abuse on depressive symptoms in women is mediated by a loss of belongingness. Noteworthy, even after controlling for content overlap between measures of belongingness and depressive symptoms, the mediation model remained significant. Some implications of the present findings are discussed.
Cloning of a 2.5 kb Murine Bone Sialoprotein Promoter Fragment and Functional Analysis of Putative Osf2 Binding Sites

Bone sialoprotein (BSP) is an extracellular matrix protein that is intimately associated with the process of biomineralization. Osf2, a member of the Cbf/runt family of transcription factors, is required for the development of osteoblasts in vivo and has been reported to stimulate the transcription of BSP when overexpressed in mesenchymal cell lines. To investigate the role of Osf2 in BSP expression, we cloned a 2.5 kb fragment of a 5′ untranscribed sequence from the murine BSP gene and evaluated it for putative Osf2 binding sites. This promoter, which was able to direct 5‐ to 10‐fold higher levels of luciferase reporter expression in osteoblastic cells than in nonbone cell lines, contains two consensus core binding sites for members of the Cbf/runt family. One, at –61 relative to the start of transcription, is within a region having 75% overall sequence identity with the rat and human BSP promoters. The other is located at −1335, outside this highly conserved region. Neither site is completely conserved in the rat or human sequences. Only the −1335 site was able to bind a protein in nuclear extracts of osteoblastic cells, and this protein was identified as Osf2. Despite this in vitro binding ability, we detected no significant enhancer activity in the −1335 element when placed in front of a minimal osteocalcin promoter driving a luciferase reporter gene in osteoblastic cells nor any loss in transcriptional activity of a 5′ promoter deletion which eliminated this element as compared with the full‐length 2.5 kb promoter. These results suggest that Osf2 binding to the BSP promoter is not essential for its osteoblast‐selective expression.
Biology of early life stages in cephalopod molluscs.

Recent literature on embryonic and post-embryonic development, biology and behavioural ecology of juvenile cephalopods is reviewed. Emphasis is placed on biological processes. Life-history patterns and phylogenetic systematics, which are important for a proper understanding of the evolutionary history of the cephalopods, are only briefly touched upon. Egg sizes in cephalopods range from less than 1 mm to about 30 mm in diameter, so the hatchlings emerging from the largest eggs are bigger than the adults of pygmy squid, the smallest known cephalopods. Developmental durations from spawning to hatching range from a few days (for very small eggs developing at high temperatures) to one or possibly several years (for very large eggs developing at low temperatures). Such important differences notwithstanding, the morphogenetic processes are very similar in all cephalopod embryos, the major variant being the size of the so-called outer yolk sac, which may be rudimentary in extremely small embryos. Several questions concerning the timing of hatching in relation to the developmental stage attained, especially in terms of yok absorption, need clarification. These questions concern the elimination of the transient closure of the mouth, the final differentiation of digestive gland cells, and the removal of the tranquilliser effect of the perivitelline fluid necessary for the onset of the hatching behaviour. Cephalopod hatchlings are active predators. They refine their behavioural repertoires by learning from individual experience in dealing with prey and would-be predators. There is no truly larval phase, and the ecologically defined term paralarva should be used with caution. Given the considerable resource potential of cephalopods, investigations into dispersal and recruitment are of particular interest to fishery biology, but they are also important for ecological biogeography. The related studies of feeding and growth involve field sampling and tentative age determination of caught specimens, in combination with laboratory studies to test food quality, measure feeding rates, and validation of periodicities in accretional growth structures (e.g. "daily rings" in statoliths).
Implementing recommendations for the early detection of breast and cervical cancer among low-income women.

Although the causes and natural histories of breast and cervical cancer are different, the public health responses to these diseases have been similar. Early detection of breast cancer and primary prevention of cervical cancer are possible through community-based screening programs; however, early detection of both breast and cervical cancer is less common among low-income women (defined as up to 250% of poverty level, depending on family size). This report presents morbidity and mortality data regarding breast and cervical cancer, screening recommendations, an update on the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP), and recommended priority activities for the NBCCEDP. The NBCCEDP is a major public health effort to increase breast and cervical cancer screening among uninsured, low-income women.
Commercial Sex and Condom Use Among Involuntary Bachelors

In the present context of the Chinese male marriage squeeze, commercial sex is becoming an important way for bachelors to meet their sexual needs. Using data from a survey conducted in a rural district of Anhui province, China, this study analyzes commercial sex experiences and condom use among involuntary bachelors and compares usage in this population to that observed in married men in the same age groups. Our findings indicate that, for both first and most recent sexual intercourse, the prevalence of commercial sex among unmarried men is significantly higher than that reported among married men; indeed, marital status was the only variable that was consistently related to rates of commercial sex for both first and most recent sexual intercourse. The vast majority of sexual intercourse was still unprotected, and the rate of condom use was not only lower among unmarried men than among married men, but was also significantly related to knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases, as well as age, education, and income. Because of their lower condom use, unmarried men face much higher risks of contracting and spreading sexually transmitted diseases than married men do. This situation poses a severe threat to public health.
Beneficial Long-Term Effects of Combined Oral/Topical Antioxidant Treatment with the Carotenoids Lutein and Zeaxanthin on Human Skin: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

Background: The skin is exposed to numerous environmental assaults that can lead to premature aging. Of these agents, perhaps none is more ubiquitous than the ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths of sunlight. The primary immediate defense against environmental skin damage is the antioxidant capacity of the skin. However, this defense system can be compromised by moderate exposure to UV light. Therefore, bolstering the antioxidant defense system of the skin is a potentially important strategy for reducing environmentally induced skin damage. Aim of the Study: This clinical trial was designed to study the efficacy of lutein and zeaxanthin, two potentially important antioxidants found naturally in the skin, upon five skin physiology parameters (surface lipids, hydration, photoprotective activity, skin elasticity and skin lipid peroxidation – malondialdehyde) of human subjects. These xanthophyllic carotenoids were administered either orally, topically, or in combination (both oral and topical routes). Results: The results obtained indicate that the combined oral and topical administration of lutein and zeaxanthin provides the highest degree of antioxidant protection. However, oral and topical administration of these antioxidants individually also provides significant activity in the skin. In addition, oral administration of lutein may provide better protection than that afforded by topical application of this antioxidant when measured by changes in lipid peroxidation and photoprotective activity in the skin following UV light irradiation.
Primitive reflex evaluation in the clinical assessment of extrapyramidal syndromes

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of primitive reflexes (PRs) as additional alert sign in routine clinical practice in patients with extrapyramidal syndrome. We considered glabellar, snout, palmomental and grasp reflexes in patients with mild stage of Lewy body dementia (LBD), corticobasal degeneration, progressive supranuclear palsy or Parkinson disease (PD). We also enrolled mild Alzheimer disease (AD) patients, and healthy subjects, as controls. LBD patients showed the highest prevalence of PRs compared with the other groups. The odds ratio of the risk of LBD in PRs ≥ 2 was 27.9 (95% CI 2.9–269.0) compared with control group, 14.6 (95% CI 2.7–79.6) compared with mild AD, and 19.7 (95% CI 3.7–104.3) compared with PD. These data suggest that the occurrence of combination of PRs might be an useful additional warning sign of possible diffuse Lewy body pathology more than other causes of extrapyramidal syndrome.
Serum Leptin Correlates with Fat Mass but not Dietary Energy Intake in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Objectives In view of previous studies demonstrating hyperleptinemia in uremic and hemodialysis patients, the aims of the present study were to determine whether serum leptin levels are elevated in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, to establish whether leptin is significantly removed by PD, and to elucidate the relationship of plasma leptin to body composition, dietary intake, nutritional indices, and dialysis adequacy. Design Cross-sectional analysis of PD patients and matched healthy controls. Setting Tertiary-care institutional dialysis center. Participants The study included 49 PD patients [35 women and 14 men; median age 63 years, interquartile range (IQR) 49.5 -68.5 yr; body mass index (BMI) 25.5: I: 0.8] and 27 controls (11 men and 16 women; median age 42 years, IQR 34.8 51; BMI 27.2: I: 0.9). For evaluation of leptin clearance, 8 patients receiving nocturnal intermittent PD were also evaluated. Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome measure was plasma leptin concentration. Dialysate leptin concentration was also measured in 7 patients. Results Serum leptin levels were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in patients (males: median 11 nglmL, IQR 9 19 ng/mL; females: 53 ng/mL, 19.5 -128 ng/mL) compared with controls (males: 5.5 nglmL, 4 9.5 nglmL; females: 12 ng/mL, 9.8 17.3 ng/mL). Leptin levels in both groups correlated positively with BMI (r = 0.64 and 0.60, respectively; p < 0.0001) and with percentage body fat determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (r = 0.86 and 0.82, respectively; p < 0.01). Dialysis patients exhibited a greater increase in serum leptin for any given increase in BMI. No significant correlation was observed between leptin concentration and residual renal function, dialysis adequacy (Kt/V), dietary protein or caloric intake, or serum levels of albumin, prealbumin, C-reactive protein, glucose, and insulin-like growth factor-1. Although leptin was detectable in peritoneal dialysate after a 6-hour dwell (median 4.2 ng/ mL, IQR 1.1 -8.5 ng/mL, n = 8), serum leptin levels were not appreciably lowered following intermittent PD via an automated cycler (63.9: I: 19.3 ng/mL vs 57.6: I: 20.5 ng/mL, p = NS, n = 8). Conclusions Serum leptin levels are elevated in PD patients and are not appreciably cleared by PD. Although hyperleptinemia correlates poorly with dialysis adequacy and protein intake, a strong and significant relationship was maintained between serum leptin and fat mass. Serum leptin could therefore serve as a useful clinical marker of body fat content in PD patients.
Infection of breast epithelial cells with Epstein-Barr virus via cell-to-cell contact.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a human herpesvirus present in more than 90% of adults, is a major viral cofactor in certain tumors of lymphoid and epithelial tissues (1). Persistent infection is associated with malignancies and proliferative syndromes typically of lymphoid and epithelial tissues (1), including Burkitt’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, certain adult T-cell lymphomas, and, in epithelium, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and oral hairy leukoplakia. In vitro, EBV efficiently infects, transforms, and immortalizes B cells, yielding lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). Several studies have associated EBV with breast cancer. Bonnet et al. (2) detected EBV genomes and gene expression in breast cancer lesions by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, Southern hybridization, and immunohistochemistry specific for EBV protein EBNA (i.e., EBV nuclear antigen)-1. Labrecque et al. (3) detected EBV in breast cancers by PCR and in situ hybridization. There are descriptions of EBV-associated lymphomas (4,5) localizing to breast and of bilateral breast cancer developing during the rare chronic active EBV infection syndrome (6). Recent reports (7,8) have described EBV infection of human carcinoma cells on cocultivation with LCLs by a mechanism requiring cell-to-cell contact. These findings and the reported association with breast cancer prompted us to address the question of whether EBV enters breast epithelium by cell-tocell contact. We have developed an appropriate reagent: EBV bearing the gene encoding and expressing the protein known as enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) (9,10). Cells infected by this virus, designated EBfaV-GFP, are readily detected by their green fluorescence (9–11). Here, we report that cells of human breast cancer epithelial lines T47D and MCF7, which are not infected on direct exposure to cell-free EBfaV-GFP virus, become infected when cocultivated with LCLs derived with and bearing EBfaVGFP, as shown by expression of EGFP. This finding is consistent with a possible role for EBV in the etiology of breast cancer. EBfaV-GFP, with EGFP driven by a strong promoter, within a dispensable region of the viral genome is produced as described previously (10). MCF7 and T47D cells (derived from human breast tumors) and Daudi cells (an LCL immortalized by and bearing wild-type
Transmission Failure Explained

In this paper I draw attention to a peculiar epistemic feature exhibited by certain deductively valid inferences. Certain deductively valid inferences are unable to enhance the reliability of one’s belief that the conclusion is true—in a sense that will be fully explained. As I shall show, this feature is demonstrably present in certain philosophically significant inferences—such as GE Moore’s notorious ‘proof’ of the existence of the external world. I suggest that this peculiar epistemic feature might be correlated with the much discussed phenomenon that Crispin Wright and Martin Davies have called ‘transmission failure’—the apparent failure, on the part of some deductively valid inferences to transmit one’s justification for believing the premises.
The construction of high-order b-spline wavelets and their decomposition relations for fault detection and localisation in composite beams

B-spline scaling functions and wavelets have found wide applicability in many scientific and practical problems thanks to their unique properties. They show considerably better results in comparison to other wavelets, and they are used as well in mathematical approximations, signal processing, image compression, etc. But only the first four wavelets from this family were mathematically formulated. In this work, the author formulates the quartic, quintic and sextic B-spline wavelets and their decomposition relations in explicit form. This allows for the improvement of the sensitivity of fault detection and localisation in composite beams using discrete wavelet transform with decomposition.
Epithelial Splicing Regulatory Proteins 1 (ESRP1) and 2 (ESRP2) Suppress Cancer Cell Motility via Different Mechanisms*

Background: The roles of ESRP1 and ESRP2 during carcinogenesis remain unknown. Results: ESRPs are up-regulated during carcinogenesis but down-regulated in invasive fronts. ESRP1 suppresses expression of the Rac1b isoform, whereas ESRP2 represses epithelial-mesenchymal transition-inducing transcription factors. Conclusion: ESRP1 and ESRP2 suppress cell motility through distinct transcriptional and/or post-transcriptional mechanisms. Significance: Our findings reveal a novel molecular network that regulates cancer cell motility. ESRP1 (epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1) and ESRP2 regulate alternative splicing events associated with epithelial phenotypes of cells, and both are down-regulated during the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. However, little is known about their expression and functions during carcinogenesis. In this study, we found that expression of both ESRP1 and ESRP2 is plastic: during oral squamous cell carcinogenesis, these proteins are up-regulated relative to their levels in normal epithelium but down-regulated in invasive fronts. Importantly, ESRP1 and ESRP2 are re-expressed in the lymph nodes, where carcinoma cells metastasize and colonize. In head and neck carcinoma cell lines, ESRP1 and ESRP2 suppress cancer cell motility through distinct mechanisms: knockdown of ESRP1 affects the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton through induction of Rac1b, whereas knockdown of ESRP2 attenuates cell-cell adhesion through increased expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-associated transcription factors. Down-regulation of ESRP1 and ESRP2 is thus closely associated with a motile phenotype of cancer cells.
Impaired Heart Rate Regulation and Depression of Cardiac Chronotropic and Dromotropic Function in Polymicrobial Sepsis

ABSTRACT The scope of cardiac pathophysiology in sepsis has not been fully defined. Accordingly, we evaluated the effects of sepsis on heart rate (HR), HR variability, and conduction parameters in a murine model of sepsis. Electrocardiograms were recorded noninvasively from conscious mice before and after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) or sham surgery. Responses of isolated atria to tyramine and isoproterenol were quantified to assess the functional state of sympathetic nerves and postjunctional sensitivity to adrenergic stimulation. Cecal ligation and puncture mice had lower HR compared with sham at 16 to 18 h postsurgery (sham, 741 ± 7 beats/min; CLP, 557 ± 31 beats/min; n = 6/group; P < 0.001), and there was significant prolongation of the PR, QRS, and QTc intervals. Slowing of HR and conduction developed within 4 to 6 h after CLP and were preceded by a decrease in HR variability. Treatment of CLP mice with isoproterenol (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) at 25 h after surgery failed to increase HR or decrease conduction intervals. The lack of in vivo response to isoproterenol cannot be attributed to hypothermia because robust chronotropic and inotropic responses to isoproterenol were evoked from isolated atria at 25°C and 30°C. These findings demonstrate that impaired regulation of HR (i.e., reduced HR variability) develops before the onset of overt cardiac rate and conduction changes in septic mice. Subsequent time-dependent decreases in HR and cardiac conduction can be attributed to hypothermia and would contribute to decreased cardiac output and organ perfusion. Because isolated atria from septic mice showed normal responsiveness to adrenergic stimulation, we conclude that impaired effectiveness of isoproterenol in vivo can be attributed to reversible effects of systemic factors on adrenergic receptors and/or postreceptor signaling.
Is oral chemotherapy prescription safe for patients? A cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND Oral chemotherapies are increasingly prescribed. Yet wide variations in prescription practices and in monitoring of toxicity have been underlined despite existing guidelines. There is little recent information available as regard to these practices. We aimed to obtain exhaustive information on oral chemotherapy prescription practices and safety monitoring in French hospitals. METHODS A cross-sectional multicentre survey was carried out to collect information on drug prescription, administration and surveillance: prescribing practices, coordination and monitoring of adherence, safety monitoring and side-effects occurrence prevention. Participants were a large sample of the French oncologists prescribing oral chemotherapy (20%). RESULTS One hundred and fifty-seven oncologists from 112 hospitals (public, comprehensive cancer centres and private) replied (23.7% of cancer hospitals). The majority (56.1%) of the prescriptions were hand-written on a blank sheet. Eighty-four physicians (53.5%) included dose information and 36 (23%) declared having no monitoring procedures for adherence. Only 84 responders (54%) provided education material at first prescription of oral chemotherapy in way to limit avoidable side-effects. Sixty-one (39%) responders stated that they recalled at least one serious adverse event in the previous year declared in their centre. CONCLUSIONS In this 2012 study, the majority of prescribers followed no standards in prescription writing, safety monitoring and toxicity prevention. The implementation of the international recommendations for oral chemotherapy administration should be considered as a top priority-for both prescribers and health authorities-as regards to the dynamic of development of these molecules and their potential side-effects.
Quantitative morphological changes in neurons and glia in the frontal lobe of the aging rat

The quantitative morphological changes in neurons and glia during the aging process were analyzed in the different cortical layers, grouped as I, II–IV, V, and VI, of the frontal cortex of the rat. The parameters analyzed were cortical volume, neuronal density, glial density, and neuronal soma and nucleus areas. No changes with age were found in the volume of the layers, in neuronal density (with the exception of layer I), or in the area of the neuronal soma. However, older animals showed a 10 to 20% increase in glial density, depending on the layer studied. In addition, there was an age‐related decrease in the area of the neuronal nucleus in layers II–IV, V, and VI. These results support the idea that the aging frontal cortex undergoes structural changes that may be involved in the morphological basis of memory and cognitive impairments characteristic of aging. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.