Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Docosahexaenoic Acid Content of Maternal Diet on Auditory Brainstem Conduction Times in Rat Pups

Previous studies of dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n–3) effects on neurodevelopment have focused mainly on effects on the visual system; these studies may be confounded by effects on the retina rather than on neural pathways. Auditory brainstem conduction times (ABCTs) provide an alternate measure of central neural development. We conducted a dose-response study in which ABCTs were measured in pups whose dams were fed diets containing one of three levels of DHA (2, 4 or 6% of total fatty acids) from a single cell oil. Diets were fed during pregnancy and lactation, and pups were randomly cross-fostered on postnatal day 3 to minimize litter effects. ABCTs showed a dose-response effect, with higher levels of dietary DHA being associated with longer conduction times on postnatal day 31 (p < 0.05). Higher dietary DHA was reflected in pup cerebrums collected on postnatal days 3 and 31, and levels of arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n–6) were inversely related to levels of DHA. This study demonstrated that the auditory brainstem response is sensitive for identifying effects of diet on neurodevelopment, and that supplementing the maternal diet with high levels of DHA may negatively impact development of the central auditory system of offspring.
Very fast empirical prediction and rationalization of protein pKa values

A very fast empirical method is presented for structure‐based protein pKa prediction and rationalization. The desolvation effects and intra‐protein interactions, which cause variations in pKa values of protein ionizable groups, are empirically related to the positions and chemical nature of the groups proximate to the pKa sites. A computer program is written to automatically predict pKa values based on these empirical relationships within a couple of seconds. Unusual pKa values at buried active sites, which are among the most interesting protein pKa values, are predicted very well with the empirical method. A test on 233 carboxyl, 12 cysteine, 45 histidine, and 24 lysine pKa values in various proteins shows a root‐mean‐square deviation (RMSD) of 0.89 from experimental values. Removal of the 29 pKa values that are upper or lower limits results in an RMSD = 0.79 for the remaining 285 pKa values. Proteins 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A POSSIBLE PHYSICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN HELIUM-RICH STELLAR POPULATIONS OF MASSIVE GLOBULAR CLUSTERS AND THE UV UPTURN OF GALACTIC SPHEROIDS

We discuss a possible physical connection between helium-rich (Y ⩾ 0.35) stellar populations of massive globular clusters (GCs) and the ultraviolet (UV) upturn of galactic spheroids by using analytical and numerical models. In our model, all stars are initially formed as bound or unbound star clusters (SCs) formed from giant molecular clouds (GMCs) and the SCs can finally become GCs, open clusters, and field stars depending on the physical properties of their host GMCs. An essential ingredient of the model is that helium-rich stars are formed almost purely from gas ejected from massive asymptotic giant branch stars. The helium-rich star formation is assumed to occur within massive SCs if the masses of the progenitor GMCs are larger than a threshold mass (Mthres). These massive SCs can finally become either massive GCs or helium-rich field stars depending on whether they are disintegrated or not. Using this model, we show that if the initial mass functions (IMFs) in galactic spheroids are mildly top-heavy, then the mass fractions of helium-rich main-sequence stars (FHe) can be as large as ∼0.1 for Mthres = 107 M☉. FHe is found to depend on IMFs and Mthres such that it can be larger for shallower IMFs and smaller Mthres. The inner regions of galactic spheroids show larger FHe in almost all models. Based on these results, we suggest that if the UV upturn of elliptical galaxies is due to the larger fractions of helium-rich stars, then its origin can be closely associated with top-heavy IMFs in the galaxies.
Dual Ownership, Returns, and Voting in Mergers

In Mergers and Acquisitions (M&As) a significant proportion of targets’ equity is owned by financial institutions that simultaneously own targets’ bonds (“dual holders”). Targets with larger equity ownership by dual holders have lower M&A equity premia and larger abnormal bond returns, particularly when dual holders stand to benefit more from appreciation of their bond stakes, e.g., when their bond ownership in the target is large and the target credit rating is non-investment grade. Dual holders are more likely to vote in favor of the merger proposal. Our results suggest the presence of coordination of decisions within dual holding financial conglomerates in M&A targets.
BCAT1 overexpression is an indicator of poor prognosis in patients with urothelial carcinomas of the upper urinary tract and urinary bladder

Amino acid biosynthesis is one of the cardinal events of carcinogenesis that has not been investigated in urothelial carcinoma (UC). By data‐mining a published transcriptomic database of UCs of urinary bladder (UBUCs) (GSE31684), we identified branched‐chain amino acid transaminase 1 (BCAT1) as the most significantly stepwise up‐regulated gene during tumour progression among those associated with the amino acid biosynthetic process (GO:0008652). Accordingly, we analysed BCAT1 transcript and protein expression with their clinicopathological significance.
Application of a 5′ Nuclease Assay for Detection of Lawsonia intracellularis in Fecal Samples from Pigs

ABSTRACT A 5′ nuclease assay was developed to detect Lawsonia intracellularis in porcine fecal samples. The specific probe and primers were chosen by using the 16S ribosomal DNA gene as a target. The 5′ nuclease assay was used with a total of 204 clinical samples, and the results were compared to those of immunohistochemistry (IM) on ileal sections of the same animals. There was 91% agreement between the results of IM and the 5′ nuclease assay. In the 5′ nuclease assay, 111 (54%) of the pigs tested positive for L. intracellularis infection, with a mean cycle threshold (Ct) value of 27.2, whereas 98 (48%) of the pigs tested positive by IM. On average, the Ct and ΔRn values for the positive samples were 27.2 (standard deviation [SD], 3.7) and 1.6 (SD, 0.7), respectively. A Ct value of 27.2 corresponds to a fecal excretion of approximately 107L. intracellularis cells per g of feces. Furthermore, a total of 40 fecal samples derived from a herd known to be free from infection with L. intracellularis all tested negative, with a Ct value of 40. By using a Ct value of 36 as the cutoff limit, the detection limit of the assay was 1 L. intracellularis cell per PCR tube. In conclusion, the 5′ nuclease assay that has been developed represents an applicable fast method for detection of L. intracellularis in fecal samples, with a sensitivity and specificity comparable to those of IM.
Germ cell cancer and disorders of spermatogenesis: An environmental connection?

Why is there a small peak of germ cell tumours in the postnatal period and a major peak in young age, starting at puberty? And, paradoxically, small risk in old age, although spermatogenesis is a lifelong process? Why is this type of cancer more common in individuals with maldeveloped gonads, including undescended testis, gonadal dysgenesis and androgen insensitivity syndrome? Why has there, during the past 50 years, been a quite dramatic increase in testicular cancer in many developed countries? These are just a few of many questions concerning testicular cancer. However, the recent progress in research in the early stages of testicular cancer (carcinoma in situ testis (CIS)) allows us to begin to answer some of these questions. There is more and more evidence that the CIS cell is a gonocyte with stem cell potential, which explains why an adult man can develop a non‐seminoma, which is a neoplastic caricature of embryonic growth. We consider the possibility that CIS cells may loose their stem cell potential with ageing. Along these lines, a seminoma is regarded a gonocytoma where the single gonocytes have little or no stem cell potential. The Sertoli and Leydig cells, which are activated postnatally and during and after puberty, may play a crucial role for both the development of the CIS gonocyte and progression of the neoplasm to invasiveness. The reported increase in testicular cancer is not the only sign that male reproductive health is at risk. There are reports that undescended testis and hypospadias have become more common. Also semen quality has deteriorated, at least in some countries. The epidemiological evidence suggests that environmental factors may play a role. Are the environmental hormone disrupters (e.g. DDT, PCB, nonylphenol, bisphenol A) to be blamed for the apparently synchronised deterioration in these aspects of male reproductive health?
The Unhappy Marriage of Marxism and Feminism: Towards a more Progressive Union

This paper argues that the relation between marxism and feminism has, in all the forms it has so far taken, been an unequal one. While both marxist method and feminist analysis are necessary to an understanding of capitalist societies, and of the position of women within them, in fact feminism has consistently been subordinated. The paper presents a challenge to both marxist and radical feminist work on the “woman question”, and argues that what it is necessary to analyse is the combination of patriarchy and capitalism. It is a paper which, we hope, should stimulate considerable debate.
Risk factors associated with pulmonary tuberculosis: smoking, diabetes and anti-TNFα drugs.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global emergency and continues to kill 1.4 million people every year. The interaction between noncommunicable and infectious diseases like TB has important implications with regard to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Smoking, diabetes mellitus, anti-TNFα drugs and other immunosuppressive therapies are well known major risk factors associated with TB. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent literature on these risk factors and interventions that reduce the risk. RECENT FINDINGS Mathematical models and aggregate data from the field show that smoking, diabetes and anti-TNFα drugs independently increase the risk of developing active TB. There is consensus on the great need for screening for active TB disease in patients with these conditions and targeted preventive interventions through a combined multidisciplinary approach. SUMMARY Smoking, diabetes mellitus, anti-TNFα drugs and new immunosuppressive treatments represent important common risk factors for TB. A high degree of clinical awareness of the possibility of TB should be considered in patients with these risk factors, and active screening and prevention should be undertaken. Further operational research is needed to optimize screening for latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, instituting preventive intervention measures.
Political Influence on Non-Cooperative International Climate Policy

We analyze non-cooperative international climate policy in a setting of political competition by national interest groups. In the first stage, countries decide whether to link their domestic emission permit markets to an international market, which only forms if it is supported by all countries. In the second stage, countries non-cooperatively decide on the number of tradable emission allowances. In both stages, special interest groups try to sway the government in their favor. We find that (i) both the choice of regime and the levels of domestic and global emissions only depend on the aggregate levels of organized stakes in all countries and not on their distribution among individual interest groups and (ii) an increase in lobbying influence by a particular lobby group may backfire by inducing a change towards the lobby group's less preferred regime.
Operative management of choanal atresia: a 15-year experience.

OBJECTIVE To analyze factors affecting 15-year surgical outcomes of choanal atresia repair. DESIGN Case series. SETTING Tertiary care pediatric hospital. PATIENTS Between April 17, 1996, and March 23, 2010, a total of 42 patients aged 3 days to 15 years underwent endoscopic or transpalatal choanal atresia repair by our pediatric otolaryngology faculty. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Reoperation and restenosis rates, with consideration of effects of mitomycin C therapy, stenting, and postoperative dilation. RESULTS Three of 42 patients were excluded because of inadequate follow-up data; the follow-up time for the remaining 39 patients averaged 6.3 years (range, 1-14.9 years). Excluding 6 patients whose initial repair was performed by other physicians, 31 of 33 patients in whom we performed initial repair had a total of 43 endoscopic surgical procedures (19 patients had unilateral procedures, and 12 patients had bilateral procedures), and the other 2 underwent bilateral transpalatal repair. Of the total 43 sides we operated on endoscopically, 9 sides (21%) required revision surgery, including excision of scar tissue or additional drilling of persistent bony stenosis. No significant difference was observed in the rate of restenosis among cases treated endoscopically with mitomycin C (22 of 43 operative sides, P = .13), with stenting (36 of 43 operative sides, P = .99), or with subsequent dilation (P = .45). When we used stents, they were usually (in 28 of 36 patients) left in place for 15 days or longer. CONCLUSION Our revision rate after initial endoscopic repair of choanal atresia was low and was unaffected by adjuvant mitomycin C therapy or stenting.
The neighborhood as the laboratory: looking for answers by knocking on doors.

Over the past 20 years I have had the opportunity to study the epidemiology of Alzheimer disease in my laboratory, which is the population of northern Manhattan in New York City. My colleagues and I hypothesized, and later proved, that individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds may have not only different types, but dissimilar rates of dementia. We worked under the assumption that the variability in rates of dementia may, in part, be related to differences in the environmental exposures or genetic backgrounds of the individuals under study. Our studies of the elderly white, Latino, and African American populations of the Washington Heights-Inwood communities have highlighted the importance of both environmental factors such as alcohol, diet, education, and postmenopausal hormone use as well as the effects of medical problems such as diabetes and hyperinsulinemia. We have studied head trauma, stroke, smoking, and more recently genetic variants in Alzheimer disease. These studies, which have defined patterns of disease, have also provided important clues that may someday be understood in terms of their molecular and cellular basis and lay the ground work for therapies for Alzheimer disease. The work of my group can be summarized into 3 main areas: (1) the study of novel populations; (2) the incorporation of biologic markers and genetics in to analytical epidemiology; and (3) the organization and direction of key multicenter projects to answer critical questions in epidemiology. The study of special populations: The Washington Heights—Inwood Project and Estudio Familiar Infuencia Genetica de Alzheimer (EFIGA). Following in the footsteps of Robert Katzman, I chose to investigate the epidemiology of Alzheimer Copyright r 2007 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins From the Columbia University Medical Center, Sergievsky CenterPH19, New York, NY. Reprints: Richard Mayeux, MD, MSc, Columbia University Medical Center, Sergievsky Center-PH19, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032 (e-mail: rpm2@columbia.edu). POTAMKIN PRIZE
Redox‐enzymes, cells and micro‐organisms acting on carbon nanostructures transformation: A mini‐review

Carbon nanotubes, graphene and fullerenes are actual nanomaterials with many applications in different industrial areas, with increasing potentialities in the field of nanomedicine. Recently, different proactive approaches on toxicology and safety management have become the focus of intense interest once the industrial production of these materials had a significant growth in the last years, even though their short‐ and long‐term behaviors are not yet fully understood. The most important concerns involving these carbon‐based nanomaterials are their stability and potential effects of their life cycles on animals, humans, and environment. In this context, this mini review discuss the biodegradability of these materials, particularly through redox‐enzymes, micro‐organisms and cells, to contribute toward the design of biocompatible and biodegradable functionalized carbon nanostructures, in order to use these materials safely and with minimum impact on the environment. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 2013
Maternal malnutrition, environmental exposure during pregnancy and the risk of non-syndromic orofacial clefts.

OBJECTIVE To explore the risk factors of non-syndromic orofacial clefts. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A case-control study was conducted in China, 537 infants born with non-syndromic cleft lip with/without cleft palate, 176 infants born with cleft palate (CP), and 221 normal controls were recruited to participate in a questionnaire based study to identify risk factors related to maternal nutrition. RESULTS Single-factor Chi-square analysis identified 12 factors as significantly related to non-syndromic orofacial clefts (P < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression showed five of these factors were associated with non-syndromic orofacial clefts, male gender and maternal passive smoking during early pregnancy were risk factors for non-syndromic orofacial clefts (OR = 1.86 and 11.42; 95% CI: 2.28-2.69 and 6.87-19.00, respectively), whereas maternal weight gain during pregnancy and folic acid supplementation during early pregnancy were protective (OR = 0.15 and 0.67; 95% CI: 0.034-0.63 and 0.44-1.00, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Our data may provide references for cleft lip and CP prevention programs, and counseling programs in China.
Dynamics of longitudinal arch support in relation to walking speed: contribution of the plantar aponeurosis

The plantar aponeurosis (PA), in spanning the whole length of the plantar aspect of the foot, is clearly identified as one of the key structures that is likely to affect compliance and stability of the longitudinal arch. A recent study performed in our laboratory showed that tension/elongation in the PA can be predicted from the kinematics of the segments to which the PA is attached. In the present investigation, stereophotogrammetry and inverse kinematics were employed to shed light on the mechanics of the longitudinal arch and its main passive stabilizer, the PA, in relation to walking speed. When compared with a neutral unloaded position, the medial longitudinal arch underwent greater collapse during the weight‐acceptance phase of stance at higher walking speed (0.1°±1.9° in slow walking; 0.9°±2.6° in fast walking; P = 0.0368). During late stance the arch was higher (3.4°±3.1° in slow walking; 2.8°±2.7° in fast walking; P = 0.0227) and the metatarsophalangeal joints more dorsiflexed (e.g. at the first metatarsophalangeal joint, 52°±5° in slow walking; 64°±4° in fast walking; P < 0.001) during fast walking. Early‐stance tension in the PA increased with speed, whereas maximum tension during late stance did not seem to be significantly affected by walking speed. Although, on the one hand, these results give evidence for the existence of a pre‐heel‐strike, speed‐dependent, arch‐stiffening mechanism, on the other hand they suggest that augmentation of arch height in late stance is enhanced by higher forces exerted by the intrinsic muscles on the plantar aspect of the foot when walking at faster speeds.
Increased concentration of C4d complement protein in the cerebrospinal fluids in progressive supranuclear palsy

Plasma and CSF levels of C4d and the circulating immune complex (CIC) to C1q were measured in 27 patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Parkinson's disease (PD) and cervical spondylosis (CS). There was no significant difference among groups in plasma C4d or in plasma or CSF CIC to C1q. However, the PSP group had significantly higher CSF levels of C4d than the PD and CS groups. Higher CSF C4d index in the PSP group was also shown compared with PD and CS groups. These results suggest that augmented complement activation in the wide areas of the central nervous system occurs in PSP. CSF levels of C4d or C4d index may serve as a basis for differentiating PSP from PD.
Use of holmium laser for removal of an intraluminal ureteric suture

Abstract Foreign bodies placed into the ureter are uncommon. Unintentionally placed sutures may cause obstruction and stone formation. If not recognized, the patient may become symptomatic. A diagnosis of a suture in the ureter is best made and subsequently dealt with endoscopically. We report on laser ablation of the suture as a safe technique for its removal.
Inferior Kidney Allograft Outcomes in Patients With De Novo Donor-Specific Antibodies Are Due to Acute Rejection Episodes

Background. Donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) after kidney transplantation have been associated with poor graft outcomes in multiple studies. However, these studies have generally used stored sera or a single cross sectional screening test to identify patients with DSA. We evaluated the effectiveness of a prospective DSA screening protocol in identifying kidney and kidney/pancreas recipients at risk for poor graft outcomes. Methods. From September 2007 through September 2009, 244 consecutively transplanted kidney and kidney/pancreas recipients without pretransplant DSA were screened for de novo DSA at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months and when clinically indicated. Results. DSA was detected in 27% of all patients by protocol or indication screening. Patients with DSA (DSA+) were significantly more likely to have experienced acute rejection (AR) compared with no DSA (DSA−) (29% vs. 9.5%, P<0.001), and lower estimated 2-year graft survival (83% vs. 98%, P<0.001). Only 3 of 19 DSA (+) patients with AR had DSA detected before the AR episode. When excluding patients with AR, 2-year graft survival was similar between DSA (+) and DSA (−) patients (100% vs. 99%) as was estimated glomerular filtration rate. Patients with DSA detected by protocol screening had similar outcomes compared with DSA (−), whereas those with DSA detected by indication experienced significantly worse outcomes. Conclusions. Patients with de novo DSA experience worse graft outcomes due to previous/concurrent episodes of AR. A prospective DSA screening protocol failed to identify patients at risk for AR or poor short-term graft outcomes.
Modulation of the natural killer cell KIR repertoire by cytomegalovirus infection

Patients carrying activating killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor (KIR) genes are significantly protected from CMV‐associated complications after solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Whether previous infection with CMV affects NK‐cell function in healthy donors is unknown. We studied the KIR repertoire and alterations of KIR expression after in vitro exposure to CMV in 54 healthy donors. The expression of neither activating nor inhibitory KIRs was different at baseline between 23 seropositive and 31 seronegative donors. However, after co‐culture of NK cells with CMV‐infected fibroblast cells, expression of the inhibitory receptors KIR2DL1 and KIR2DL3 and the activating receptor KIR3DS1 significantly increased in CMV‐seropositive donors. In CMV‐seronegative donors, changes were subtle and restricted to the subset of NK cells expressing NK‐cell group antigen 2C (NKG2C). Expansion of inhibitory KIRs occurred exclusively in donors carrying the cognate HLA class I ligands, whereas the presence of the putative ligand HLA‐Bw4 was not necessary for the expansion of KIR3DS1‐expressing NK cells. Our data show that previous infection with CMV does not alter the resting NK‐cell receptor repertoire, but appears to modify how NK cells respond to re‐exposure to CMV in vitro.