Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interactions of perturbations in intrauterine growth and growth during childhood on the risk of adult-onset disease

The ‘fetal origins’ hypothesis (Barker, 1995) would predict that the rising epidemic of diabetes and CHD in India would be due to poor intrauterine growth of the Indian babies. While this explanation may be valid to an extent, the higher prevalence of these disorders in urban compared with rural India (where birth weights are lower) would suggest a significant role for postnatal factors. In a cohort of 477 children born in the King Edward Memorial Hospital, Pune, we found that at 8 years of age current obesity strongly predicted insulin resistance. When this effect was allowed for, low birth weight was significantly associated with insulin-resistance variables and other cardiovascular risk factors. Children who were born small but had grown heavy (or tall) were the most insulin resistant and had the highest levels of cardiovascular risk factors. Accelerated growth in relation to mid parental height was similarly predictive. Poor intrauterine growth also predicted higher central adiposity at 8 years of age. We have also studied maternal nutrition and fetal growth in six villages near Pune. A newborn Indian baby is small (2650 g, SD score (SDS) –1.6 compared with an average white Caucasian baby born in the UK) and ‘thin’ (ponderal index 2.45 kg/m3, SDS –1.2), but has preserved its subcutaneous fat (subscapular skinfold thickness SDS –0.6). The thinness of the Indian babies is due to poor muscle and small abdominal viscera. We have proposed this composition as the ‘thrifty phenotype’ (Hales & Barker, 1992) of Indian babies. Maternal size and intake of certain food groups during pregnancy were important determinants of the baby’s phenotype. Thus, the small Indian babies are programmed to deposit fat from their intrauterine life. Exaggeration of this tendency in later life is associated with insulin-resistance syndrome. Control of the insulin-resistance epidemic in India might depend on improved intrauterine development and prevention of childhood obesity.
Milk fatty acid profiles in Holstein dairy cows fed diets based on corn stover or mixed forage

In this study the influence of modulated concentrate-to-roughage ratio on the fatty acid profile of milk fat was investigated in dairy cows. Therefore, corn stover was compared with better-quality roughages. Two groups of in total 24 Holstein dairy cows (136 ± 37 days in milk) received either a high-forage diet (Diet MF, forage-to-concentrate ratio [F:C] = 60:40) with alfalfa hay, corn silage and Chinese wild rye as forage sources, or a low-forage diet with corn stover as forage source (Diet CS, F: C = 40:60) for an experimental period of nine weeks. During the study, milk yield as well content and fatty acid profiles of milk fat were examined. Dietary treatments had no effect on milk yield and milk fat content, whereas dry matter intake (p < 0.01) and milk fat yield (p < 0.05) were higher for Diet MF than for Diet CS. Compared with Diet CS, feeding Diet MF increased the daily intake of total unsaturated fatty acids and the C18:0 and C18:3 contents (p < 0.01) in milk fat, whereas the total content of fatty acids <16C was decreased (p < 0.05). No influence on total saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in milk was observed. The ratio of total unsaturated fatty acids in milk fat to its daily intake was substantially lower for Diet MF compared with Diet CS, suggesting that the high proportion of roughage resulted in a high rate of biohydrogenation in the rumen.
Active assistance technology reduces glycosylated hemoglobin and weight in individuals with type 2 diabetes: results of a theory-based randomized trial.

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes is an individual health challenge requiring ongoing self-management. Remote patient reporting of relevant health parameters and linked automated feedback via mobile telephone have potential to strengthen self-management and improve outcomes. This research involved development and evaluation of a mobile telephone-based remote patient reporting and automated telephone feedback system, guided by health behavior change theory, aimed at improving self-management and health status in individuals with type 2 diabetes. SUBJECTS AND METHODS This research comprised a randomized controlled trial. Inclusion criteria were diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels (range, 6.5-11%) or use of oral diabetes medication, and 30-70 years of age. Intervention subjects (n=24) participated in remote patient reporting of health status parameters and linked health behavior change feedback. Control participants (n=24) received standard of care including diabetes education and healthcare provider counseling. Patients were followed for approximately 10 months. RESULTS Intervention participants achieved, compared with controls and controlling for baseline, a significantly greater mean reduction in HbA1c of -0.40% (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.67% to -0.14%) versus 0.036% (95% CI -0.23% to 0.30%) (P<0.03) and significantly greater weight reduction of -2.1 kg (95% CI -3.6 to -0.6 kg) versus 0.4 kg (95% CI -1.1 to 1.9 kg). Nonsignificant trends for greater intervention compared with control improvement in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed. CONCLUSIONS Sophisticated information technology platforms for remote patient reporting linked with theory-based health behavior change automated feedback have potential to improve patient outcomes in type 2 diabetes and merit scaled-up research efforts.
Fluctuations in pO2 in Irradiated Human Melanoma Xenografts

Abstract Brurberg, K. G. , Thuen, M. , Ruud, E. B. M. and Rofstad, E. K. Fluctuations in pO2 in Irradiated Human Melanoma Xenografts. Radiat. Res. 165, 16–25 (2006). Several studies have demonstrated that untreated tumors may show significant fluctuations in tissue oxygen tension (pO2). Radiation treatment may induce changes in the tumor microenvironment that alter the pO2 fluctuation pattern. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether pO2 fluctuations may also occur in irradiated tumors. A-07 human melanoma xenografts were irradiated with single doses of 0, 5 or 10 Gy. Fluctuations in pO2 were recorded with OxyLite probes prior to irradiation and 24 and 72 h after the radiation exposure. Radiation-induced changes in the tumor microenvironment (i.e. blood perfusion and extracellular volume fraction) were assessed by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Seventy-two hours after 10 Gy, tumor blood perfusion had decreased to ∼40% of that prior to irradiation, whereas the extracellular volume fraction had increased by ∼25%. Fluctuations in pO2 were seen in most tumors, irrespective of radiation dose and time after irradiation. The mean pO2, the number of fluctuations around the mean pO2, the number of fluctuations around threshold pO2 values of 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10 mmHg, and the amplitude of the fluctuations were determined for each pO2 trace. No significant differences were detected between irradiated and unirradiated tumors. The results showed that pO2 fluctuations may occur in irradiated tumors and that the pO2 fluctuation pattern in A-07 tumors exposed to 5 or 10 Gy is similar to that in untreated tumors. Consequently, these doses did not induce changes in the tumor microenvironment that were sufficient to cause detectable alterations in the pO2 fluctuation pattern.
Pollen proteolytic enzymes degrade tight junctions

Background and objective: Asthma and allergic rhinitis are significant, increasing causes of morbidity worldwide. Pollen, a major cause of seasonal rhinitis/conjunctivitis, carries proteolytic enzymes on its surface. We showed previously that peptidase allergens from house dust mites compromise epithelial barrier function by degrading the extracellular domains of the tight junction proteins, occludin and claudin, thus facilitating allergen delivery across epithelial layers. In this study, we aimed to determine whether peptidases from allergenic pollens should similarly be considered to have a role in disrupting tight junctions.
[Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty in osteoporotic fractures of vertebral bodies -- a prospective 1-year follow-up analysis].

PURPOSE Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty offer two minimally invasive operative stabilization procedures for vertebral compression fractures. The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate whether both procedures are able to reduce pain and to preserve postoperative vertebral height during a 1-year follow up. MATERIALS AND METHODS Osteoporotic vertebral fractures were treated in 42 cases, 20 patients (15 female, 5 male) underwent vertebroplasty, 22 patients (14 female, 8 male) underwent kyphoplasty. 32 vertebral fractures were treated with vertebroplasty and 35 vertebral fractures were treated with kyphoplasty. Symptomatic levels were identified by correlating the clinical presentation with conventional radiographs, CT or/and MRI. During the follow up reduction of pain was determined. Radiographic scans were performed pre- and postoperatively and after 3, 6 and 12 months. The vertebral height and endplate angles were measured to assess the restoration of the sagittal alignment. The effects on pain symptoms were measured on a self-reported Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Oswestry score was documented. RESULTS The median pain scores (VAS) decreased significantly for kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty from pre- to post-treatment, as did the Oswestry score (p < 0.05). No significant differences could be found between both groups for the median pain score (VAS) and the Oswestry score. Kyphoplsty led to a significant restoration of the vertebral height and reduction of kyphosis (p < 0.05). During the 1-year follow up both operation techniques were able to stabilize the height of the vertebral body. CONCLUSION Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are effective minimally invasive procedures for the stabilization of osteoporotic vertebral fractures leading to a statistically significant reduction in pain. Kyphoplasty restores significantly vertebral body height in fresh fractures. The restoration of vertebral height and reduction of kyphosis may have an influence on the long term clinical outcome. This has to be evaluated in a long term prospective study.
Regulation of cholangiocyte bicarbonate secretion.

The objective of this review article is to discuss the role of secretin and its receptor in the regulation of the secretory activity of intrahepatic bile duct epithelial cells (i.e., cholangiocytes). After a brief overview of cholangiocyte functions, we provide an historical background for the role of secretin and its receptor in the regulation of ductal secretion. We review the newly developed experimental in vivo and in vitro tools, which lead to understanding of the mechanisms of secretin regulation of cholangiocyte functions. After a description of the intracellular mechanisms by which secretin stimulates ductal secretion, we discuss the heterogeneous responses of different-sized intrahepatic bile ducts to gastrointestinal hormones. Furthermore, we outline the role of a number of cooperative factors (e.g., nerves, alkaline phosphatase, gastrointestinal hormones, neuropeptides, and bile acids) in the regulation of secretin-stimulated ductal secretion. Finally, we discuss other factors that may also play an important role in the regulation of secretin-stimulated ductal secretion.
Soluble gp130 regulatess interleukin-6 in cerebrospinal fluid after subarachnoid haemorrhage

Background Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a proinflammatory cytokine reported to play an important role in induction of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Soluble gp130 (sgp130) and soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) are known to act as signal transducing receptors of IL-6, the former as an antagonist and the latter as an agonist. However, there have been no reports concerning regulation of the IL-6 signalling pathway in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) after SAH. Mehods Concentrations of IL-6, sgp130 and sIL-6R were measured serially until day 14 in CSF from nine patients with SAH. CSF samples obtained from patients suffering from unruptured aneurysm were used as controls. Colocalisation of IL-6 and sgp130 in CSF on day 1 was further examined by immunoprecipitaiton. Results Concentrations of IL-6 in CSF increased immediately after the onset of SAH and remained chronically elevated over control values. Both sgp130 and sIL-6R also exhibited increased on day 1, followed by a decrease limited to the gp130 case after day 5. Sgp130 coimmunoprecipitated with IL-6 in CSF on day 1 after SAH. Conclusions Our findings suggest that sgp130 regulates IL-6 signalling as an antagonist in CSF immediately after SAH. As the concentration of sgp130 decreases after day 5, IL-6 signals might then be more easily transmitted, presumably resulting in cerebral vasospasm.
Flexible work, flexible household: Labor migration and rural families in China

The assumption that the family migrates as a unit downplays migrants’ circularity. This chapter focuses on China's rural–urban labor migrants that travel back and forth between the sites of work and home community and between places of work. I argue that migrants and their households pursue work flexibility in order to obtain the best of the urban and rural worlds, by gaining earnings from urban work and at the same time maintaining social and economic security in the countryside. Work flexibility demands flexibility in household organization, in the form of division of labor and collaboration between genders, generations, and households. Based on a study in Sichuan, I examine household biographies and narratives to identify migrants’ work and household strategies. Migrants change jobs frequently, switch from one type of work to another and one location to another readily, and often return to the home village for months or even years before pursuing migrant work again. Not only are migrants ready to split the household between the city and the countryside, but also they frequently change from one form of division of labor to another. The inside–outside model, where the wife stays in the village and the husband does migrant work, used to be the dominant arrangement. Over time, the outside–outside model, where both the husband and wife migrate to work and leave behind other family members, is increasingly popular. This is facilitated by intergenerational and interhousehold division of labor in the form of assistance by the extended family. Intergenerational division of labor takes place when the second generation is replacing the parents in migrant work. This research's findings support the notion that rural–urban migrants are fast becoming a hybrid segment of Chinese society, playing dual roles of farmers and urban workers and straddling the peasant and urban worlds.
Icariin attenuates glucocorticoid-induced bone deteriorations, hypocalcemia and hypercalciuria in mice.

OBJECTIVE This study was performed to investigate bone deteriorations and calcium homeostasis of GIOP mice in response to the treatment of icariin. METHODS The biomarkers in serum and urine were measured, tibias were taken for the measurement on bone calcium, gene expression, histomorphology and micro-CT. RESULTS Glucocorticoid-treated facilitated to induce hypocalcemia and hypercalciuria in mice, and icariin-treated showed a greater increase in serum calcium and decrease in urine calcium. Icariin reversed DXM-induced trabecular deleterious effects and stimulated bone remodeling, including an increase in bone calcium, OCN and FGF-23 and a decrease in a critical bone resorption markers CTX and TRAP-5b. H&E staining and micro-CT showed the increased disconnections and separation among growth plate and trabecular bone network as well as the reduction of trabecular bone mass of primary and secondary spongiosa throughout the proximal metaphysis of tibia in DXM group. Importantly, icariin reversed DXM-induced trabecular deleterious effects and stimulated bone remodeling. Moreover, the results showed that the mRNA expression of MMP-9 and CAII was significantly increased in DXM group compared with control group. Icariin treatment could suppress the expression of MMP-9 and CAII in the tibia of mice. CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrated the protective effects of icariin against bone deteriorations, hypocalcemia and hypercalciuria in experimentally DIOP mice. Furthermore, these results provided further evidence to support the dual role of icariin as a bone formation enhancer and bone resorption inhibitor.
Differential expression of two isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerases and enhanced carotenoid accumulation in a unicellular chlorophyte.

The enzyme isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) isomerase catalyzes the reversible isomerization of IPP to produce dimethylallyl pyrophosphate, the initial substrate leading to the biosynthesis of carotenoids and many other long-chain isoprenoids. Expression of IPP isomerase, and of two enzymes specific to the carotenoid pathway (lycopene beta-cyclase and beta-carotene-C-4-oxygenase), was followed in the green unicellular alga Haematococcus pluvialis after exposure to high illumination. This alga uniquely accumulates carotenoids in the cytoplasm and in late developmental stages turns deep-red in color because of accumulation of ketocarotenoids in the cytosol. The carotenoid/chlorophyll ratio increased 3-fold in wild type and 6-fold in a precocious carotenoid-accumulating mutant (Car-3) within 24 h after increasing the illumination from 20 to 150 micromol photon m-2.s-1. Two cDNAs encoding IPP isomerase in Haematococcus, ipiHp1 and ipiHp2, were identified. Although otherwise highly similar (95% identity overall), the predicted sequence of ipiHp1 contained a 12-aa region not found in that of ipiHp2. This was reflected by a size difference between two polypeptides of 34 and 32.5 kDa, both of which reacted with an antibody to the product of ipiHp1. We suggest that the 32.5-kDa form is involved with the carotenoid accumulation in the cytoplasm, since the 32.5-kDa polypeptide was preferentially up-regulated by high light preceding the carotenoid increase and only this form was detected in red cysts.
Cross‐talk between γδ T lymphocytes and immune cells in humoral response

The role of γδ T cells in immunoregulation is largely unknown. In the current study we noted that γδ T cells play a positive role in the humoral response. These positively acting γδ T cells are required for the successful adoptive cell transfer of the humoral response, as well as for in vitro generation of plaque‐forming cells (PFC). The presented results show that γδ T cells cause an increase in interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) production, which partly elucidates the mechanism of action of these cells. However, experiments with cell culture inserts strongly suggest that direct cell–cell contact between immune and γδ H‐2‐compatible regulatory T cells is critical to the exertion of the positive immunoregulatory function of γδ cells. The mechanism of cross‐talk between these two cell populations is still not clear but we regard as most likely that the positively acting γδ T cells may interact with a complex of heat‐shock protein–non‐polymorphic MHC (IB) on the surface of T helper type 2 and/or B cells. This could provide, by direct cell–cell contact, the cognate recognition between γδ T‐cell receptors and heat‐shock protein–MHC that leads to positive internal signalling in the immune cells.
Short-Term Effect of Oil Supplementation of Complementary Food on Total Ad Libitum Consumption in 6- to 10-Month-Old Breastfed Indian Infants

Objectives: To evaluate the short term effect of oil supplementation of complementary food on total ad libitum consumption in breastfed infants. Methods: Twenty infants between 6 to 10 months of age were studied in a tertiary hospital in New Delhi for 48 hours. They were given three semi-solid complementary feeds per day and ad libitum breastfeeding. No other food or fluid was allowed during the study period. A traditional gruel made of rice and pulses with high energy density (oil added; caloric density = 35 kcal/100 g) or low energy density (without oil; caloric density = 20 kcal/100 g) was offered in a randomized manner on consecutive days to all infants. Total caloric intake from breast milk and semi-solids was computed for each day. Results: Infants consumed an equivalent amount of semi-solid (mean difference, 10.75 g/day; 95% confidence interval, 10.56 to 32.06; P = 0.304) and a lower amount of breast milk (mean difference, 121.1 g/day; 95% confidence interval, 35.13 to 207.16; P = 0.008) when high energy density feeds were offered. Although the caloric intake from semi-solids increased significantly (18.9 kcal/day; 95% confidence interval, 12.9 to 24.8; P < 0.001) with the high density diet, the total caloric intake (breast milk and study feeds) decreased (mean difference = 59.6 kcal/day; 95% confidence interval, 5.95 to 113.34; P = 0.031). An inverse relationship was found between caloric density of semi-solids and breast milk intake (r = 0.34, r2 = 0.12, P = 0.032). Conclusion: In the short term, oil supplementation of complementary food in breastfed infants does not translate into enhanced total caloric intake, primarily as a result of breast milk displacement.
Controversies in the management of feline urethral obstruction.

OBJECTIVE To discuss areas of differing opinion in the management of feline urethral obstruction and present current evidence to either support or refute common practices. ETIOLOGY Urethral obstruction may occur as a result from a functional obstruction (idiopathic obstruction) or a physical obstruction, such as mucous plugs or calculi within the urethra. Potential risk factors for obstruction in cats include predominantly indoor status, decreased water intake, and increased body weight. DIAGNOSIS The diagnosis is most commonly made based on history and initial physical exam-straining to urinate, vocalizing, signs of systemic illness, moderate to large firm bladder on abdominal palpation. THERAPY Treatment is based on available evidence. The type of IV isotonic crystalloid used does not seem to matter and rate should be determined by need for fluid resuscitation, and replacement of deficit and ongoing losses. Though controversial, cystocentesis appears to be safe and may offer some benefits in initial management. There is evidence to suggest a smaller urethral catheter (3.5 Fr) may be associated with decreased risk of reobstruction. Routine use of antimicrobial agents in hospital is not recommended; they should be dispensed based on culture performed at the time of catheter removal. Though commonly used, evidence in support of antispasmodics is limited and further prospective investigation is needed. PROGNOSIS Feline urethral obstruction is associated with 90-95% survival, with reported recurrence rates of 15-40%. Potential factors affecting recurrence include size or duration of indwelling urinary catheter, use of antispasmodic agents, patient age, and indoor-outdoor lifestyle; however, different studies offer conflicting results. Increased water intake and environmental modification do seem to decrease risk of recurrence.