Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Facilitates DNA Strand Breaks and 8-Oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine Formation by the Aldo-Keto Reductase Product Benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dione*

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) o-quinones produced by aldo-keto reductases are ligands for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) (Burczynski, M. E., and Penning, T. M. (2000) Cancer Res. 60, 908–915). They induce oxidative DNA lesions (reactive oxygen species-mediated DNA strand breaks and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dGuo) formation) in human lung cells. We tested whether the AhR enhances PAH o-quinone-mediated oxidative DNA damage by translocating these ligands to the nucleus. Using the single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay to detect DNA strand breaks in murine hepatoma Hepa1c1c7 cells and its AhR- and aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-deficient variants, benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dione (B[a]P-7,8-dione) produced fewer DNA strand breaks in AhR-deficient cells compared with aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-deficient and wild type Hepa1c1c7 cells. Decreased DNA strand breaks were also observed in human bronchoalveolar H358 cells in which the AhR was silenced by siRNA. The antioxidant α-tocopherol and the iron chelator/antioxidant desferal decreased the formation of B[a]P-7,8-dione-mediated DNA strand breaks indicating that they were reactive oxygen species-dependent. By coupling the comet assay to 8-oxoguanine glycosylase (hOGG1), which excises 8-oxo-Gua, strand breaks dependent upon this lesion were measured. hOGG1 treatment produced more DNA single strand breaks in B[a]P-7,8-dione-treated Hepa cells and H358 cells than in its absence. The levels of hOGG1-dependent DNA strand breaks mediated by B[a]P-7,8-dione were lower in AhR-deficient Hepa and AhR knockdown H358 cells. The AhR antagonist α-naphthoflavone also attenuated B[a]P-7,8-dione-mediated DNA strand breaks. The decrease in 8-oxo-dGuo levels in AhR-deficient Hepa cells and AhR knockdown H358 cells was validated by immunoaffinity capture stable isotope dilution ([15N5]8-oxo-dGuo) liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/multiple reaction monitoring/mass spectrometry. We conclude that the AhR shuttles PAH o-quinone genotoxins to the nucleus and enhances oxidative DNA damage.
Estimating Forest Structural Parameters Using Canopy Metrics Derived from Airborne LiDAR Data in Subtropical Forests

Accurate and timely estimation of forest structural parameters plays a key role in the management of forest resources, as well as studies on the carbon cycle and biodiversity. Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a promising active remote sensing technology capable of providing highly accurate three dimensional and wall-to-wall forest structural characteristics. In this study, we evaluated the utility of standard metrics and canopy metrics derived from airborne LiDAR data for estimating plot-level forest structural parameters individually and in combination, over a subtropical forest in Yushan forest farm, southeastern China. Standard metrics, i.e., height-based and density-based metrics, and canopy metrics extracted from canopy vertical profiles, i.e., canopy volume profile (CVP), canopy height distribution (CHD), and foliage profile (FP), were extracted from LiDAR point clouds. Then the standard metrics and canopy metrics were used for estimating forest structural parameters individually and in combination by multiple regression models, including forest type-specific (coniferous forest, broad-leaved forest, mixed forest) models and general models. Additionally, the synergy of standard metrics and canopy metrics for estimating structural parameters was evaluated using field measured data. Finally, the sensitivity of vertical and horizontal resolution of voxel size for estimating forest structural parameters was assessed. The results showed that, in general, the accuracies of forest type-specific models (Adj-R2 = 0.44–0.88) were relatively higher than general models (Adj-R2 = 0.39–0.77). For forest structural parameters, the estimation accuracies of Lorey’s mean height (Adj-R2 = 0.61–0.88) and aboveground biomass (Adj-R2 = 0.54–0.81) models were the highest, followed by volume (Adj-R2 = 0.42–0.78), DBH (Adj-R2 = 0.48–0.74), basal area (Adj-R2 = 0.41–0.69), whereas stem density (Adj-R2 = 0.39–0.64) models were relatively lower. The combination models (Adj-R2 = 0.45–0.88) had higher performance compared with models developed using standard metrics (only) (Adj-R2 = 0.42–0.84) and canopy metrics (only) (Adj-R2 = 0.39–0.83). The results also demonstrated that the optimal voxel size was 5 × 5 × 0.5 m3 for estimating most of the parameters. This study demonstrated that canopy metrics based on canopy vertical profiles can be effectively used to enhance the estimation accuracies of forest structural parameters in subtropical forests.
Alternative Growth Promoters Modulate Broiler Gut Microbiome and Enhance Body Weight Gain

Antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) are frequently used to enhance weight-gain in poultry production. However, there has been increasing concern over the impact of AGP on the emergence of antibiotic resistance in zoonotic bacterial pathogens in the microbial community of the poultry gut. In this study, we adopted mass-spectrophotometric, phylogenetic, and shotgun-metagenomic approaches to evaluate bioactive phenolic extracts (BPE) from blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) and blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) pomaces as AGP alternatives in broilers. We conducted two trials with 100 Cobb-500 broiler chicks (in each trial) in four equal groups that were provided water with no supplementation, supplemented with AGP (tylosin, neomycin sulfate, bacitracin, erythromycin, and oxytetracycline), or supplemented with 0.1 g Gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/L or 1.0 g GAE/L (during the last 72 h before euthanasia) of BPE for 6 weeks. When compared with the control group (water only), the chickens supplemented with AGP and 0.1 g GAE/L of BPE gained 9.5 and 5.8% more body weight, respectively. The microbiomes of both the AGP- and BPE-treated chickens had higher Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratios. AGP supplementation appeared to be associated with higher relative abundance of bacteriophages and unique cecal resistomes compared with BPE supplementation or control. Functional characterization of cecal microbiomes revealed significant animal-to-animal variation in the relative abundance of genes involved in energy and carbohydrate metabolism. These findings established a baseline upon which mechanisms of plant-based performance enhancers in regulation of animal growth can be investigated. In addition, the data will aid in designing alternate strategies to improve animal growth performance and consequently production.
Comparative Analysis of Bioactive Compounds in Two Selected Plants (Verononia amygdalina and Jatropha gossypifolia)

Chemical analysis were carried out to investigate the bioactive constituents of Vernonia amygdalina and Jatropha gossypifolia and to determine the quality of saponin, alkaloid, and tannin contents of the selected plants. In comparing the bioactive constituents of Vernonia amygdalina and Jatropha gossypifolia, the results showed that there were significant presence of alkaloids, streoids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, condensed tannins, glycosides and reducing sugar in both plants while some were absent such as cardiac glycosides, hydrolysable tannin, phlobatannin, terpenoids, polysaccharide/starch and coumarin. The result also revealed the concentration of some of the bioactive compounds such as saponins 1.103 g/dm3 in Vernonia amygdalina compare with 1.079 g/dm3 in Jatropha gossypifolia. Tannins 26.48 g/dm3 in Vernonia amygdalina, 24.12 g/dm3 in Jatropha gossypifolia and alkaloids; 0.580 g/dm3 in Vernonia amygdalina, 0.7585 g/dm3 in Jatropha gossypifolia. The bioactive compounds detected in these plants are of therapeutic importance and their presence indicates the beneficial effects of the plants and also supports the use of these plants in ethno-medicine for the management of various ailments.
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing as a screening test for perioperative management of major surgery in the elderly.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To develop an integrated strategy for the identification and subsequent management of high-risk patients in order to reduce both morbidity and mortality. DESIGN Prospective consecutive series in which all patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise (CPX) testing. SETTING CPX laboratory and level 3 ICU and high-dependency unit (HDU) of a metropolitan teaching hospital. PATIENTS Five hundred forty-eight patients >60 years of age (or younger with known cardiopulmonary disease) scheduled for major intra-abdominal surgery. INTERVENTIONS The patients were assigned to one of three management strategies (ICU, HDU, or ward) based on the anaerobic threshold (deltaT) and ECG evidence of myocardial ischemia as determined by CPX testing that was performed as part of the presurgery evaluation, and by the expected oxygen demand stress of the surgical procedure. RESULTS Overall mortality was 3.9%. Forty-three percent of deaths were attributed to poor cardiopulmonary function, as detected preoperatively. There were no deaths related to cardiopulmonary complications in any patient deemed fit for major abdominal surgery and ward management, as determined by CPX testing. CONCLUSIONS In elderly patients undergoing major intra-abdominal surgery, the AT, as determined by CPX testing, is an excellent predictor of mortality from cardiopulmonary causes in the postoperative period. Preoperative screening using CPX testing allowed the identification of high-risk patients and the appropriate selection of perioperative management.
Synergistic Inhibition of Muscarinic Signaling by Ketamine Stereoisomers and the Preservative Benzethonium Chloride

Background: Ketamine (Ketalar; Parke‐Davis, Morris Plains, NJ) has been shown to inhibit muscarinic signaling with a median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 5.7 micro Meter. Whereas Ketalar is a racemic mixture, recent interest has focused on clinical use of the S(+) ketamine isomer, which is three times as potent an analgesic as the R(‐) isomer yet seems to be associated with fewer psychoactive side effects. Therefore, the authors studied the effects of S(+) and R(‐) ketamine and the preservative benzethonium chloride on muscarinic signaling. Methods: Rat m1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors were expressed recombinantly in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Ca2+ ‐activated Cl sup ‐ currents in response to 10 sup ‐7 M acetyl‐beta‐methylcholine were determined by two‐electrode voltage clamping in the presence of various concentrations of ketamine and benzethonium. Concentration‐inhibition curves were constructed and used for algebraic and isobolographic analysis. Results: The IC50 was 125 +/‐ 33 micro Meter for S(+) ketamine, and 91 +/‐ 19 micro Meter for R(‐) ketamine. This difference was not statistically significant, indicating that muscarinic inhibition by ketamine is not stereoselective. The R(‐)/S(+) mixture had an IC50 of 48 +/‐ 1 micro Meter, and thus the stereoisomers interact synergistically. When appropriate concentrations of benzethonium were added, an IC50 of 15 +/‐ 2 micro Meter resulted. Conclusions: The muscarinic inhibitory action of ketamine isomers is not stereoselective. Because S(+) ketamine is a significantly more potent analgesic, it should have less muscarinic inhibitory action than R(‐) ketamine when used in clinically equivalent doses. A significant fraction of the muscarinic inhibitory action of Ketalar is due to the preservative benzethonium. If reconstituted with a different preservative, Ketalar might be a less potent muscarinic antagonist.
Advantage of Rapamycin Over Mycophenolate Mofetil When Used With Tacrolimus for Simultaneous Pancreas Kidney Transplants: Randomized, Single‐Center Trial at 10 Years

Simultaneous pancreas kidney transplantation (SPKT) is the treatment of choice for patients with type 1 diabetes and end‐stage renal disease. Rapamycin and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) have been used for maintenance immunosuppression with tacrolimus in SPKT; however, long‐term outcomes are lacking. From September 2000 through December 2009, 170 SPKT recipients were enrolled in a randomized, prospective trial receiving Rapamycin (n = 84) or MMF (n = 86). All patients received dual induction therapy with thymoglobulin and daclizumab, and low‐dose maintenance tacrolimus and corticosteroids. Compared to MMF, rates of freedom from first biopsy‐proven acute kidney or pancreas rejection were superior for Rapamycin at year 1 (kidney: 100% vs. 88%; P = 0.001; pancreas: 99% vs. 92%; P = 0.04) and at year 10 (kidney: 88% vs. 71%, P = 0.01; pancreas: 99% vs. 89%, P = 0.01). The higher rates of rejection were associated with withholding MMF (vs. Rapamycin, p = 0.009), generally for gastrointestinal or bone marrow toxicity. There was no significant difference in creatinine, proteinuria, c‐peptide, viral infections, lymphoproliferative disorders or posttransplant diabetes. HbA1C and lipid levels were normal in both groups, although higher in the Rapamycin arm. There were no significant differences in patient or allograft survival. In this 10‐year SPKT study, Rapamycin in combination with tacrolimus was better tolerated and more effective than MMF. Overall, the patient and allograft survival were equivalent.
Comprehensive study of substrate noise isolation for mixed-signal circuits

In this paper, we present a study on signal isolation approaches for mixed-signal circuits, via both simple test structures and actual circuits. Analysis was focused on commonly used substrates such as p+, p- and buried p+ substrate. Results show that the selection of substrate, isolation structures and layout rules have significant impact on the substrate noise isolation.
Natural history of multiple sclerosis: implications for counselling and therapy

&NA; Recent advances in our knowledge of the natural history of multiple sclerosis deal with the influence of pregnancy and vaccination, the predictive value of magnetic resonance imaging‐based criteria in terms of activity and severity of the disease, and the weighting of the interplay between relapses and clinical progression. These advances have implications for counselling of patients and adjusting the classification of the disease course. Thus multiple sclerosis should be considered to be as much neurodegenerative as inflammatory and disease‐modifying therapeutic strategies should be reconsidered by focusing on protection and repair of the nervous system.
Association of serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) & receptor (5HTR1A, 5HTR2A) polymorphisms with response to treatment with escitalopram in patients with major depressive disorder: A preliminary study

Background & objectives: Genetic factors have potential of predicting response to antidepressants in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). In this study, an attempt was made to find an association between response to escitalopram in patients with MDD, and serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) and receptor (5HTR1A, 5HTR2A) polymorphisms. Methods: Fifty five patients diagnosed as suffering from MDD, were selected for the study. The patients were treated with escitalopram over a period of 6-8 wk. Severity of depression, response to treatment and side effects were assessed using standardised instruments. Genetic variations from HTR1A (rs6295), HTR2A (rs6311 and rs6313) and SLC6A4 (44 base-pair insertion/deletion at 5-HTTLPR) were genotyped. The genetic data of the responders and non-responders were compared to assess the role of genetic variants in therapeutic outcome. Results: Thirty six (65.5%) patients responded to treatment, and 19 (34.5%) had complete remission. No association was observed for genotype and allelic frequencies of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among remitter/non-remitter and responder/non-responder groups, and six most common side-effects, except memory loss which was significantly associated with rs6311 (P =0.03). Interpretation & conclusions: No significant association was found between the SNPs analysed and response to escitalopram in patients with MDD though a significant association was seen between the side effect of memory loss and rs6311. Studies with larger sample are required to find out genetic basis of antidepressant response in Indian patients.
Factors associated with stress among nursing students (Najran University - Saudi Arabia)

Challenges of nursing college can be very stressful for students. Busy schedules, critical thinking examinations, and clinical experiences at hospitals, students often feel overwhelmed by the many requirements of nursing curricula. All of these elements combined with outside responsibilities such as family, children, and job have the potential to create intense stress in students' lives. The aim of this study was to explore the level of stress among the nursing students beside determining the stress sources and thus the consequences of stress. It was retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study design that conducted in nursing college at Najran university during the period from March - November, 2015. By adopting convenient sampling technique, 50 subjects were selected. A self reported questionnaire was utilized for collecting data. The results concluded that the students in the third year (level 5+level 6) show the highest stress level than the other levels (42.5%) respectively. The most common type of stressors perceived by students was stress from lack of professional knowledge and skills (mean=2.34, SD=0.63), followed by stress from assignments and workload (mean = 2.21 & SD 0.61), while the least perceived stressor was stress from peers and daily life (mean = 1.86 & SD 0.60). The results revealed that the student's academic year was directly associated with the student's stress level (F = 7.31; df = 2, 482, p<.05). The most common coping strategy utilized by participants was transferring stress to other leisure activities (32%). It was concluded that nursing students faced different types of stressors that might inhibit positive learning experiences. Stress management workshops are recommended to train student's different ways to deal and cope with expected stressors, Beside that It is important for the university to maintain well balanced academic environment conducive for better learning, with the focus on the students' personal needs. Additionally, counseling services is crucial for them.
Leptin and asthma in overweight children at 12 years of age

Obesity is suggested as a risk factor for asthma, but the mechanisms are unclear. The relationship between obesity and asthma has not been considered in children born with very low‐birth weight (VLBW). We hypothesized that overweight was a contributing factor for asthma in VLBW children, and that leptin and leptin‐associated cytokines might play roles in overweight‐related asthma. Seventy‐four VLBW and 64 normal birth weight (NBW) children participated in a 12‐yr follow up study assessing asthma and allergy. Twenty‐seven (12 VLBW) of the 138 children were overweight according to the proposed international definition. The diagnosis of current asthma was made by a pediatrician. Serum levels of leptin and interferon (IFN)‐γ were analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Leptin levels were considerably higher in the overweight than in the non‐overweight children (median value: 18.1 vs. 2.8 ng/ml, p < 0.001). In the overweight children, current asthmatics had twice as high levels of leptin as children without current asthma (median value: 30.8 vs. 14.3 ng/ml, p = 0.14), but this was not the case in the non‐overweight children. IFN‐γ was more often detected in the overweight than in the non‐overweight children (61% vs. 12%, p < 0.001), and there was a positive correlation between the levels of leptin and the levels of IFN‐γ (Rho = 0.40, p < 0.001). In the VLBW group, the overweight children had a significantly increased risk for current asthma compared with the non‐overweight children after adjustment for the neonatal risk factors [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 5.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2–27]. Thus, overweight was associated with asthma in the VLBW children. Our hypothesis remained that leptin might be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma in the overweight children, and IFN‐γ might be a pathway in the process of leptin‐induced inflammation.
Reducing the Drop-Out Rates of At-Risk High School Students: The Effective Learning Program (ELP)

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Effective Learning Program (ELP) with students who are at high risk for dropping out of high school. The intervention sought to change external control expectancies to more internal ones, improve students' skills in building relationships with peers and adults, and increase graduation rates. Thirty-eight students considered at risk for dropping out of high school received the intervention. In addition, ELP-eligible students who did not receive the ELP intervention (n = 36) and regular education students (n = 50) from the same high school were compared with the students who received the ELP.A significantly greater percentage of ELP students graduated, became more internally controlled, achieved more as shown by standardized tests, and developed greater social skills and better relationships than their ELP-eligible but nonparticipating peers. The authors suggest that researchers identify which aspects of the ELP are responsible for the improvement in retention, achievement, and personal attributes.
Does minimum age of employment regulation reduce child labor

Regulation of the minimum age of employment is the dominant tool used to combat child labor globally. If enforced, these regulations can change the types of work in which children participate, but minimum age regulations are not a useful tool to promote education. Despite their nearly universal adoption, recent research for 59 developing countries finds little evidence that these regulations influence child time allocation in a meaningful way. Going forward, coordinating compulsory schooling laws and minimum age of employment regulations may help maximize the joint influence of these regulations on child time allocation, but these regulations should not be the focus of the global fight against child labor.
Attributional style and depressive symptoms among children.

The reformulation of helplessness theory proposes that an insidious attributional style accompanies and predisposes depressive symptoms To date, all research investigating the reformulation has used adult subjects In the present study, we investigated predictions of the reformulation among 8-13-year-old children Children who attributed bad events to internal, stable, and global causes were more likely to report depressive symptoms than were children who attributed these events to external, unstable, and specific causes This depressive attributional style predicted depressive symptoms 6 months later, suggesting that it may be a risk factor for depression Finally, children's style for bad events and their depressive symptoms converged with those of their mothers, but not with those of their fathers
Tests for Sectorial Market Efficiency of the Dynamics in Moscow Exchange

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possibility of short run dynamics among sectorial stock markets of the Moscow Exchange (MOEX). “Causality” tests provide a statistical framework of testing the extent of possible links among equity indices. In addition, we examine the degree of autocorrelation of the indices in order to examine the speed of adjustment to news. Our results indicated that the degree of autocorrelation is close to zero giving support that the Moscow Exchange is an efficient market in the weak form.