Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dual Roles of cyp19a1a in Gonadal Sex Differentiation and Development in the Protandrous Black Porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegeli1

Abstract Protandrous black porgy fish, Acanthopagrus schlegeli, have a striking life cycle, with male sex differentiation at the juvenile stage, a bisexual gonad during first 2 yr of life, and a male-to-female sex change (with vitellogenic oocytes) at 3 yr of age. The present study investigated the role of aromatase (cyp19a1a/Cyp19a1a) in gonadal development in this species, especially in relation to sexual differentiation and sex change. Fish of various ages were treated with estradiol (E2) or aromatase inhibitor (AI) to determine whether manipulation of the hormonal environment has an impact on these processes. We report an integrative immunohistochemical, cellular, and molecular data set describing these interesting phenomena. During male sex differentiation, high levels of cyp19a1a/Cyp19a1a expression were observed in the undifferentiated gonad (4 mo of age), in marked contrast to the low cyp19a1a/Cyp19a1a levels detected in the differentiated testis at the age of 5–6 mo. A low dose of E2 (0.25 mg/kg feed) stimulated testicular growth and function in sexually differentiated fish, whereas a high dose of E2 (6 mg/kg feed) induced female development. Furthermore, administration of AI suppressed male development and promoted female sexual differentiation. An increased number of figla transcripts (an oocyte-specific gene) were observed prior to cyp19a1a expression, concomitant with the development of oogonia and early primary oocytes in the ovaries of both E2- and AI-treated groups. Immunohistochemical Pcna staining showed that the regression of testicular tissue occurred prior to the development of ovarian tissue in both E2- and AI-induced females. The importance of cyp19a1a in female development was further demonstrated by the increase in cyp19a1a transcripts during the naturally occurring sex change. Transcripts of foxl2 increased in the gonads of 2- to 3-yr-old black porgy during the early stages of the natural sex change, followed by a gradual elevation of cyp19a1a levels. The levels of both genes peaked in the resulting ovarian tissue. Thus, cyp19a1a/Cyp19a1a plays dual roles in the gonadal development, namely, in testicular development during the initial period of sexual differentiation and later in ovarian development during the natural sex change.
The availability and usage frequency of real time ultrasound by physiotherapists in South Australia: an observational study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Real time ultrasound (RTUS) is an emerging imaging modality in physiotherapy. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it is being used as an assessment and biofeedback tool for various deep core stabilizing muscles. However, how and why physiotherapists use RTUS in the clinical setting has not yet been reported. Therefore, this study aimed to establish the availability and usage frequency of RTUS by physiotherapists in South Australia. In addition, the study aimed to describe how physiotherapists were using RTUS and how they were educated in its use. METHOD A questionnaire was developed and mailed to all physiotherapists registered with the Physiotherapy Board of South Australia (n = 1328) between February and March 2007. RESULTS A response rate of 50% was achieved with 664 completed usable questionnaires returned. At the current time, only a small proportion of respondents used RTUS (11.6%), while slightly more had access to a machine (19.4%). RTUS was used most commonly for assessment (88.3%) and biofeedback (87.0%) of the abdominal (94.7%), pelvic floor (72.7%) and multifidus (54.5%) muscles. Of all respondents, 26.7% had trained in its use with most completing two hours or less of training. CONCLUSIONS This is the first published study to describe how and why physiotherapists are using RTUS in clinical practice. RTUS appears to be a relatively uncommon modality potentially limited by insufficient access to equipment and educational opportunities. The findings highlight a greater need for education and training in the use of RTUS for physiotherapy practice.
High Variety of Different Simian T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Strains in Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) of the Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire

ABSTRACT We found human T-cell leukemia virus type 1- and simian T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (STLV-1)-related infections in 5 of 10 chimpanzees originating from three groups of wild chimpanzees. The new virus isolates showed a surprising heterogeneity not only in comparison to STLV-1 described previously in other primate species but also between the different chimpanzee groups, within a group, or even between strains isolated from an individual animal. The interdisciplinary combination of virology, molecular epidemiology, and long-term behavioral studies suggests that the primary route of infection might be interspecies transmission from other primates, such as red colobus monkeys, that are hunted and consumed by chimpanzees.
Noise analysis in air-coupled PVDF ultrasonic sensors

In this paper we analyze the noise generated in a piezo-polymer based sensor for low frequency ultrasound in air. The sensor includes two curved PVDF transducers for medium and short range applications. A lumped RLC equivalent circuit was derived from the measurement of the transducer's electrical admittance, in air, by taking into account both mechanical and dielectric losses, which we suppose are the major sources of noise in similar devices. The electrical model was used to study and optimize the noise performance of a 61 kHz transducer and to simulate the electrical behavior of the complete transmitter-receiver system. The validity of the overall electrical model with low noise was confirmed after verifying, with Pspice, agreement of the practical and theoretical results.
Decisions under ambiguity and decisions under risk: Correlations with executive functions and comparisons of two different gambling tasks with implicit and explicit rules

We conducted two experiments with healthy subjects to investigate the possible relationships between Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) performance and executive functions as well as IGT performance and decision-making in a task with explicit rules, the Game of Dice Task (GDT). Results indicated that only the last trials of the IGT were correlated with executive functions and GDT performance. We suggest that the IGT taps into two mechanisms of decision-making: decisions under ambiguity in the first trials and decisions under risk in the latter trials. Results have impact on the interpretation of deficient IGT performance in patients with frontal lobe dysfunctions.
Self-assembling Peptides: From Bio-inspired Materials to Bone Regeneration

In recent years, the development of new biomaterials with specifications for tissue and organ functional requirements—such as proper biological, structural, and biomechanical properties as well as designed control for biodegradation and therapeutic drug-release capacity—is the main aim of many academic and industrial programs. Hence, the concept of molecular self-assembly is the driving force for the development of new biomaterials that support the growth and functional differentiation of cells and tissues in a controlled manner. The discovery, properties, and development of self-assembling peptides to be used as three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds based on their similarity (in structure and mechanical features) to extracellular matrices are described. Self-assembling peptides can be used for in vitro applications for cell 3D culture as well as in vivo for tissue regeneration such as bone and optical nerve repair, as well as for drug delivery of mediators to improve therapy, as in the case of myocardial infarction. Finally, the use of self-assembling materials in combination with a bioengineering platform is proposed to assist functional bone regeneration in cases of larger bone defects, including exposed fractures due to trauma and spinal disorders dealing with high loadings, as well as replacement of big bone structures due to tumors.
Effects of hydrologic connectivity on water chemistry, soils, and vegetation structure and function in an intermontane depressional wetland landscape

Historically, depressional wetlands have been viewed as small, closed basins without a naturally integrated inter-wetland surface drainage system. In this view, landscape-level connectivity is limited to surface water as overland flow. Contrasting with this view, conceptual prairie pothole ground-water models have relied on ground-water connectivity to explain inter-wetland differences in salinity, duration of inundation, and vegetation structure. To help clarify this contrast, we compared differences in hydrology, ground-water connectivity, near-surface soil moisture, geomorphology, water chemistry, and vegetation community structure and productivity for a suite of depressional wetlands in an intermontane prairie of western Montana. We compared depressional wetlands with and without temporary (< 4 wk) surface-water and/or soil-water connections. Connected wetlands had significantly smaller catchments, but stored more water, stored water longer, and had higher specific conductance than did isolated wetlands. Connected wetlands also had higher net primary productivity and a different plant community composition than did isolated wetlands. Comparisons of study site hydrology, water chemistry, and soil development found strong evidence for no ground-water exchange among any of the wetlands. The absence of ground water connection among these intermontane depressional wetlands emphasizes the importance of temporary surface-water and soil-water connections in depressional wetland ecology, as well as the need to understand the landscape scale variation of dissolved solutes and the distribution, abundance, and productivity of wetland plants among depressional wetlands and across wetland landscapes.
Adolescent online cyberbullying in Greece: the impact of parental online security practices, bonding, and online impulsiveness.

BACKGROUND The introduction of new technological media worldwide has had a number of unfortunate side effects for some adolescents, including cases of bullying others through the new media (cyberbullying) and over-involvement to the point of addiction. We examine the epidemiology of cyberbullying in a Greek setting, compare it with earlier data, determine the impact of any related psychosocial factors, and propose measures to combat the phenomenon. METHODS A cross-sectional study of the entire adolescent high-school student population of the island of Kos examined the relationship between their experiences of Internet cyberbullying and respective parental characteristics, including aspects of psychological bonding and online security measures. The sample consisted of 2017 students (51.8% boys, 48.2% girls). Comparisons are made with results obtained from an earlier survey in the same setting, 2 years earlier. RESULTS There was a significant rise in reported experiences of Internet cyberbullying over the 2-year period. Security practices exercised by parents had a protective role with regards to whether a child had been cyberbullied, yet failed to prevent the perpetration of online victimization. A regression model indicated that impulsive use of the Internet and related online activities were predictive of whether an adolescent victimized others online. CONCLUSION Cyberbullying frequency with regards to both victims and victimizers was high and associated with online impulsiveness, pointing to the possible existence of some commonalities. Further research is necessary to ascertain common underlying psychological factors and neurobiology.
Predictors of slow flow in angiographically normal coronary arteries.

INTRODUCTION Slow coronary flow (SCF) is a well-known angiographic finding; however, the pathophysiology of SCF remains only partially understood. In this study, we have examined the risk factors of slow coronary flow. METHODS Seventy patients with angiographically proven SCF were studied along with 60 control participants. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the angiographic findings as with or without SCF. In both groups, clinical information was collected and laboratory parameters were measured and compared. RESULTS Patients with SCF had higher serum uric acid, creatinine and hemoglobin levels. They also more commonly had a history of smoking. On the other hand, C-reactive protein and hematologic parameters such as mean platelet volume (MPV), red cell distribution width (RDW), and neutrophil to lymphocyte (N/L) ratio did not differ significantly between the two groups. In the logistic regression analysis, only uric acid (odds ratio [OR]=1.583, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.011-2.349, P=0.034) was found as an independent correlate of SCF. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that serum uric acid level is significantly correlated with SCF and may play a role in the development of the condition. These findings provide impetus for additional studies to confirm these results and treatment of SCF.
Exercise in sickle cell anemia: effect on inflammatory and vasoactive mediators.

The aim of this study was to determine the response of inflammatory and vasoactive mediators to 3 consecutive days of exercise in African-American women with and without sickle cell anemia (SCA). Circulating inflammatory mediators [C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)] were measured before, and vasoactive mediators [endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide metabolites (NOx)] before and after each exercise bout in ten subjects with SCA and ten controls. Exercise did not affect ET-1, IL-6 or CRP concentrations (p >.05). TNFalpha was higher in SCA than controls (p < or = .0005) at all times; however, the response pattern was similar for the groups: no change from day 1 to day 2, but a decrease from day 2 to day 3 (p < or = .05). NOx increased significantly after exercise (p < or = .0001) but returned to baseline by 24 h afterward. On the 3rd day, NOx increased after exercise in SCA but not in the controls (p < or = .05). In conclusion, exercise did not cause a harmful inflammatory response in these individuals with SCA. However, NOx increased after exercise on all 3 days in SCA but appeared attenuated after 2 days in controls.
Results of carpal tunnel release

We evaluated, by means of a prospective study, the results of carpal tunnel release both clinically and electrophysiologically in 188 patients with a carpal tunnel syndrome. A questionnaire was completed by patient and surgeon pre‐ and post‐operatively (6 and 12 months after operation), when physical examination, electromyography and nerve conduction tests were also performed. Full pre‐ and post‐operative results were available for 136 patients and 82% of the patients were satisfied with the results of the operation. Symptoms caused by median nerve compression showed the greatest improvement and no fixed patterns with regard to unsatisfactory results were found. If pain persisted in the wrist, many patients considered the operation to have been unsuccessful. Electrophysiological improvement occurred in all patients and at 12 months follow‐up, median nerve conduction was normal in 21% of cases. Thus distal sensory latency remained abnormal in 79% of the patients, emphasizing the need for caution when recurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome is diagnosed in such cases.
Mechanism of Radical Production from the Reaction of Cytochrome c with Organic Hydroperoxides.

The mechanism for the reaction of cytochrome c with t-butyl hydroperoxide and cumene hydroperoxide was investigated. ESR spin trapping studies using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide were performed to demonstrate the presence of hydroperoxide-derived peroxyl, alkoxyl, and methyl radicals. Computer simulation of the experimental data obtained at various 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide concentrations was used to determine the relative contributions of each radical adduct to each composite ESR spectrum. From these analyses, it was concluded that the alkoxyl radical of the hydroperoxide was the initial radical produced, presumably by homolytic scission of the O-O bond by ferric cytochrome c. This was in contrast to a previous ESR study that proposed a heterolytic peroxidase-type mechanism for the reaction of cytochrome c with organic hydroperoxides. Methyl radicals were produced from the β-scission of the alkoxyl radical. The peroxyl radicals are shown to be secondary products formed from the reaction of oxygen with the methyl radical to produce the methyl peroxyl radical. In separate experiments, visible absorption spectroscopy revealed that the heme center was destroyed during the reaction. Both the heme destruction and production of radical adducts were inhibited by cyanide, presumably due to the formation of a cyanoheme complex.
Media Ecology and the Politics of Dissent: Representations of the Hong Kong Protests in The Guardian and China Daily

The phenomenon of protests, currently on the rise in worldwide democracies, is made known to citizens mainly through representations in the media. This article, responding to the need for a broader view of protest media coverage in an international context, examines the ways the 2014 Hong Kong (HK) protests were covered by the online versions of two highly influential and appealing newspapers, belonging to contrasting media systems: The Guardian and China Daily. By revising a typology of previously used frames and inventing new ones, this study conducts a quantitative content analysis of news articles with the view to (a) highlight similarities and differences in the media coverage of protests within the above-mentioned media systems, (b) find out whether the media coverage of such events with political ramifications is affected by the geopolitical interests of the countries. Based on our analysis, this study suggests the need for revising the protest paradigm as important factors—the protests’ momentum, the media systems, the new information communication technologies, and certain geopolitical interests—are involved in the dynamics surrounding media coverage of protests and as such they greatly influence the framing process. Moreover, our findings demonstrated that the media coverage of the 2014 HK protests by the two newspapers was reflective of both the media systems in which they function and the distinctive national standpoints.
Heterogeneous Preferences, Constraints, and the Cyclicality of Leverage

This paper documents a new stylized fact about the leverage cycle and proposes a model of risk preference heterogeneity to explain this fact. In particular, leverage cyclicality depends on the preferences of the marginal agent in the economy, as this determines financial variables. I propose a model of risk preference heterogeneity to explain this fact and prove existence of a new, low dimensional Markovian equilibrium which may exist in other heterogeneous agent models. This equilibrium is studied in an application to margin constraints. It is shown how this type of constraint increases the market price of risk and decreases the interest rate, producing a higher equity risk premium and asset price bubbles. In addition, heterogeneity and margin constraints are shown to produce both pro- and counter-cyclical leverage cycles as seen in the data. Finally, more preference types causes a reduction in the severity of crisis and a lower relative deviation from complete markets in all variables. At the same time expected returns on the stock must remain high to compensate risk averse agents to hold a larger share.
Anti-Tribbles homolog 2 (TRIB2) autoantibodies in narcolepsy are associated with recent onset of cataplexy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE Recent studies have found increased autoantibodies against Tribbles homolog 2 (anti-TRIB2) and anti-streptolysin O (ASO) in narcolepsy. In this study, we replicated this finding with a primary focus on recent onset cases. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS Participants included (1) 90 cases with cataplexy, (2) 57 cases without cataplexy, and (3) 156 age-sex matched controls, including 73 human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQB1*0602 allele carriers. A radioligand binding assay was used to detect anti-TRIB2 antibodies. RESULTS Anti-TRIB2 antibodies were prevalent in HLA-DQB1*0602 positive cases with cataplexy (25.0% of 76) and rare in cases without cataplexy (3.5% of 57, OR = 9.2, 95% CI = 2.5 - 33.5, P = 6.0 x 10(-4)) or controls (4.5% of 156, OR = 7.1, 95% CI = 3.1 - 16.2, P = 9.3 x 10(-6)). Anti-TRIB2 positivity in controls was not associated with DQB1*0602. In DQB1*0602 narcolepsy-cataplexy cases, the presence of anti-TRIB2 was associated with short disease duration (2.3 years from cataplexy onset), with 41.0% positive in this group (OR = 7.4 versus cases with onset > 2.3 years, 95% CI = 1.9- 28.5, P = 9.0 x 10(-4)). Anti-TRIB2 positivity in 39 DQB1*0602 positive recent onset cases was associated with increased ASO antibody (> 200 IU) (OR = 6.2, 95% CI = 1.6 - 24.6, P = 0.01), but did not correlate with age, gender, or body mass index. CONCLUSION Anti-TRIB2 autoantibodies are strongly associated with narcolepsy close to cataplexy onset (< or = 2.3 years). Anti-TRIB2 was rarely found in cases without cataplexy or with distant onset.
Use of antacids, alginates and proton pump inhibitors: a survey of the general Danish population using an internet panel

Abstract Objective. Both over-the-counter medicine, such as antacids or alginates, and proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are used for treating acid-related disorders. We sought to describe what characterizes users of these different medicines, including long-term PPI users within the general population. Method. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in an internet panel representative of the Danish adult population in 2012. Data queried included antacid/alginate and PPI use, reason for therapy, co-medication, and presence of upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Long-term PPI use was defined as using PPI ≥1/3 of the last year (∼120 days). Risk of long-term PPI use was estimated by logistic regression. Results. A total of 18,223 people received the questionnaire, of which 52% (9390) responded. Antacid/alginate use was reported by 23%; 16% reported use of only antacid/alginate. PPI use was reported by 13.6%; 6.2% were defined as long-term PPI users. Antacid/alginate users were younger, used less co-medication, had most often started on therapy because of reflux symptoms, and had less often ongoing symptoms. Risk of long-term PPI use appeared to be increased in male gender, by renewing PPI prescription by phone/e-mail, using co-medication, and having started on PPI for several reasons. Combination of antacid/alginate and PPI was reported by approximately 50% of those on therapy with weekly or daily symptoms. Conclusion. 23% of Danish adults were using antacids or alginates and 14% were using PPI, of which one-half were on long-term therapy. Prescription renewal by phone or e-mail and use of other prescription medication were associated with long-term PPI use, indicating a behavioral pattern, in which unnecessary PPI therapy may be maintained.