Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lipid oxidation by heart mitochondria from young adult and senescent rats.

1. State-3 (i.e. ADP-stimulated) rates of O(2) uptake with palmitoylcarnitine, palmitoyl-CoA plus carnitine, pyruvate plus malonate plus carnitine and octanoate as respiratory substrate were all diminished in heart mitochondria isolated from senescent (24-month-old) rats compared with mitochondria from young adults (6 months old). By contrast, State-3 rates of O(2) uptake with pyruvate plus malate or glutamate plus malate were the same for mitochondria from each age group. 2. Measurements of enzyme activities in disrupted mitochondria showed a decline with senescence in the activity of acyl-CoA synthetase (EC 6.2.1.2 and 6.2.1.3), carnitine acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.7) and 3-hydroxy-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.35), but no change in the activity of carnitine palmitoyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.21) or acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.99.3). 3. Measurement of dl-[(3)H]carnitine (in)/acetyl-l-carnitine (out) exchange in intact mitochondria showed decreased rates when the animals used were senescent. However, this followed from a decreased intramitochondrial pool of exchangeable carnitine, such that calculated first-order rate constants for exchange were identical in mitochondria from the two age groups. 4. The decline in acyl-CoA synthetase activity is thought to be the reason for the diminished rate of O(2) uptake with octanoate in senescence. The decline in carnitine acetyltransferase activity is considered to be the cause of the diminished rate of O(2) uptake with acetylcarnitine or with pyruvate plus malonate plus carnitine as substrate. The mechanism of the diminished rate of O(2) uptake with palmitoylcarnitine in senescence is discussed.
Diabetes and fracture healing: the skeletal effects of diabetic drugs

Introduction: Over 39,000 diabetic patients are surgically treated for trauma and orthopaedic injuries annually in the UK, yet the effects of diabetic medications on the skeletal system is an under researched and under acknowledged field. Areas covered: This review covers all English language novel experimental data reports investigating the effects of the main classes of diabetic drugs on the skeletal system, specifically their effects on fracture healing, located through the literature search engines Medline and Web of Science. Expert opinion: Post-surgical gylcaemic control is paramount in insulin-controlled type 1 diabetic patients. Data on pharmacological control compounds used in type 2 diabetes are limited. Reports to date indicate thiazolidinediones to exert anti-osteogenic effects, in contrast to the observed osteogenic effects of biguanides. Ongoing research is desirable to guide future clinical recommendations.
Physical and Biological Characterization of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide- and Ultrasmall Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide-Labeled Cells: A Comparison

Rationale:Superparamagnetic iron-oxide particles are used frequently for cellular magnetic resonance imaging and in vivo cell tracking. The purpose of this study was to compare the labeling characteristics and efficiency as well as toxicity of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) and ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) for 3 cell lines. Methods:Using human fibroblasts, immortalized rat progenitor cells and HEP-G2-hepatoma cells, dose- and time-dependence of SPIO and USPIO uptake were evaluated. The amount of intracellular (U)SPIO was monitored over 2 weeks after incubation by T2-magnetic resonance relaxometry, ICP-mass-spectrometry, and histology. Transmission-electronmicroscopy was used to specify the intracellular localization of the endocytosed iron particles. Cell death-rate and proliferation-index were assessed as indicators of cell-toxicity. Result:For all cell lines, SPIO showed better uptake than USPIO, which was highest in HEP-G2 cells (110 ± 2 pg Fe/cell). Cellular iron concentrations in progenitor cells and fibroblasts were 13 ± 1pg Fe/cell and 7.2 ± 0.3pg Fe/cell, respectively. For all cell lines T2-relaxation times in cell pellets were below detection threshold (<3 milliseconds) after 5 hours of incubation with SPIO (3.0 μmol Fe/mL growth medium) and continued to be near the detection for the next 6 days. For both particle types and all cell lines cellular iron oxide contents decreased after recultivation and surprisingly were found lower than in unlabeled control cells after 15 days. Viability and proliferation of (U)SPIO-labeled and unlabeled cells were not significantly different. Conclusions:The hematopoetic progenitor, mesenchymal fibroblast and epithelial HEP-G2 cell lines accumulated SPIO more efficiently than USPIO indicating SPIO to be better suited for cell labeling. However, the results indicate that there may be an induction of forced cellular iron elimination after incubation with (U)SPIO.
Manic‐depressive (bipolar) disorder: the course in light of a prospective ten‐year follow‐up of 131 patients

For a five‐year period, 131 bipolar patients were followed every 6 months; for the next 5 years, they were followed yearly. Each patient was interviewed in a systematic way that gave information about episodes, hospitalizations, cycle lengths and the presence of alcoholism. Women and men were not significantly different in the number of follow‐up manic or depressive episodes or hospitalizations. Chronicity from index episode to the end of the 10‐year follow‐up was uncommon (4%). Alcoholism, which was common in these patients, showed a great diminution at the end of 10 years. Contrary to expectation, cycle lengths showed no systematic decrease in length over the follow‐up. In this naturalistic study, treatment intensity was not related to decreasing episodes or to changes in cycle length. The number of episodes in the first 5 years of follow‐up was not correlated with the number of episodes in the last 5 years. Cycle lengths in the first 5 years of follow‐up were similar in length to the last 5 years of follow‐up. A family history of mania in these bipolar patients was associated with more episodes in follow‐up than if such a family history were absent. The patients whose alcoholism predated the onset of their affective illness were less likely to have episodes in the follow‐up than the patients in whom affective illness predated the onset of the alcoholism.
Predictors of Instructor Practices and Course Activities that Engage Online Students

Much research on student engagement has recommended a variety of activities and instructor attitudes and behaviors that effectively engage online students such that they are more likely to persist in achieving their educational goals. This study asked online students how often they engaged in research-based effective activities in their courses and how much their instructors engaged them, but used prediction models to ﬁnd out which activities and instructor attitudes/behaviors predicted the most engaging activities and instructor attitudes and behaviors. The purpose of this study was to provide instructors with the most effective strategies in terms of activities designed in their courses along with attitudes/behaviors to emulate that would have the most positive effect for engaging students. Such data would also inform the curriculum for faculty professional development
Safety Assessment of Propylene Glycol, Tripropylene Glycol, and PPGs as Used in Cosmetics

Propylene glycol is an aliphatic alcohol that functions as a skin conditioning agent, viscosity decreasing agent, solvent, and fragrance ingredient in cosmetics. Tripropylene glycol functions as a humectant, antioxidant, and emulsion stabilizer. Polypropylene glycols (PPGs), including PPG-3, PPG-7, PPG-9, PPG-12, PPG-13, PPG-15, PPG-16, PPG-17, PPG-20, PPG-26, PPG-30, PPG-33, PPG-34, PPG-51, PPG-52, and PPG-69, function primarily as skin conditioning agents, with some solvent use. The majority of the safety and toxicity information presented is for propylene glycol (PG). Propylene glycol is generally nontoxic and is noncarcinogenic. Clinical studies demonstrated an absence of dermal sensitization at use concentrations, although concerns about irritation remained. The CIR Expert Panel determined that the available information support the safety of tripropylene glycol as well as all the PPGs. The Expert Panel concluded that PG, tripropylene glycol, and PPGs ≥3 are safe as used in cosmetic formulations when formulated to be nonirritating.
A novel ultrasonographic synovitis scoring system suitable for analyzing finger joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To develop an ultrasonographic (US) synovitis scoring system suitable for evaluation of finger joint inflammation in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to compare semiquantitative US scoring with quantitative US measurements. METHODS US was performed at the palmar and dorsal sides of the second through fifth metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints in 10 healthy subjects and in the clinically more affected hand in 46 RA patients. Ten patients additionally underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Synovitis was measured, standardized, and scored according to a semiquantitative method. The 2 methods (semiquantitative US scoring, quantitative US) were compared and statistical cutoffs were identified using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. MRI results were compared with semiquantitative US scoring and quantitative US results. The optimal US scoring method from 6 joint combinations was identified (ROC curve analysis). RESULTS Synovitis was most frequently detected in the palmar proximal area (86% of affected joints). We found no significant differences between individual PIP joints or between individual MCP joints, indicating that all fingers within each of these joint groups should be treated equally for statistical calculations, although each joint group as a whole should be treated separately. The optimal cutoff point to distinguish between "health" and "pathology" was 0.6 mm both for MCP joints (sensitivity 94%, specificity 89%) and for PIP joints (sensitivity 90%, specificity 88%). There was no significant difference between semiquantitative US scores and quantitative US measurements. The best results for joint combinations were achieved using the "sum of 4 fingers" (second through fifth MCP and PIP joints) and "sum of 3 fingers" (second through fourth MCP and PIP joints) methods. Comparison of MRI results with semiquantitative US scores revealed high concordance. CONCLUSION US evaluation of finger joint synovitis can be considerably simplified by focusing on the palmar side and by applying semiquantitative grading instead of quantitative measurements. For evaluation of treatment efficacy based on synovitis in RA patients, we recommend using the "sum of 3 fingers" method in longitudinal trials.
The Impact of Soil and Water Conservation on Agricultural Economic Growth and Rural Poverty Reduction in China

There is a lack of systematic study on the impact of soil and water conservation on the sustainable development of agricultural economies and rural poverty reduction in China. This study investigates the effects of soil and water conservation on agricultural economic growth. It looks at levels of disposable income in rural households in China and uses the econometric method to examine panel data obtained from 30 provinces between 2003–2012. Agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) is the dependent variable, and soil and water conservation are the independent variables. Farmland area, along with four other variables, is the control variables that are used to establish the Cobb–Douglas production function and provide further data. It was found that soil and water conservation have a significant impact on the per capita income of rural households in China. The findings support that soil and water conservation can contribute to the agricultural economic growth and rural poverty reduction in China. There is evidence that supports the idea that soil quality and capital input are now more important in poverty reduction and economic growth than farmland area and agricultural labour. The government and farmers need to prioritise investment in soil and water conservation in order to promote the development of agricultural economies and reduce rural poverty.
Value of ELISA using antigen 60 for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in children.

We evaluated the possible value of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using antigen 60 (A60) for improved diagnosis of tuberculosis in children. Results obtained in 31 children with active tuberculosis and in 16 patients with tuberculous infection without disease were compared with the results of 198 control subjects with no mycobacterial disease. In control children, anti-A60 IgG increased with age and the optical density (OD) in ELISA assays rose from . 079 +/- . 053 (OD +/- SD) in children younger than 5 years old to 0.146 +/- 0.082 OD in children older than 5 years. In control subjects younger than 2 years old, IgG OD values were significantly higher in BCG-vaccinated children than in nonvaccinated children. At a chosen specificity of 98 percent, a positive serodiagnosis was observed in 68 percent of children with clinically active tuberculosis. In these children with active disease, smears were positive in only 26 percent of cases and mycobacterial cultures yielded the organism in 45 percent of cases. None of the infected children without disease had high IgG OD values. IgM measurements were also evaluated. Mean values from control and diseased children overlapped, leading to a low sensitivity (19 percent) in children with clinically tuberculosis active. We conclude that anti-A60 IgG measurement is a rapid and low-cost technique that enhances the diagnosis of clinically active tuberculosis in children and may distinguish recent infection without disease from infection with disease.
Histiocyte‐Rich B‐Cell Lymphoma: A Distinct Clinicopathologic Entity Possibly Related to Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin's Disease, Paragranuloma Subtype

This study reports six non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cases that we called histiocyte-rich B-cell lymphoma (BCL) because of the prominent reactive histiocytic infiltrate obscuring the malignant B-cell population. The involved lymph nodes are characterized by a mixed nodular and diffuse infiltrate and occasionally feature prominent sinuses. The infiltrate is composed of reactive lymphocytes and numerous histiocytes obscuring a tumor population composed of variably sized scattered cells with irregular or multilobar vesicular nuclei. Immunostaining of paraffin sections for the B-cell marker recognized by L26 helps in the identification of these neoplastic cells. The clonal nature and further evidence of the B-cell lineage of this condition is shown by immunoglobulin gene rearrangements detected in three cases. The six cases of histiocyte-rich BCL are remarkably similar clinically: all presented with stage IVB disease with splenomegaly and follow an aggressive clinical course. Except for these features, our series show striking similarities to paragranuloma lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's disease, including male preponderance (all patients are male), age distribution (mean age, 41 years), propensity to progress to a diffuse, large B-cell lymphoma (two cases), as well as morphology of the neoplastic B-cell population and expression of Hodgkin's cell markers (Leu-M1 positivity after neuraminidase digestion in three cases, Leu-M1 positivity without neuraminidase digestion in one case, and additional epithelial membrane antigen [EMA] positivity in two cases). Both morphologically and clinically, the present series can be differentiated from other types of infiltrate-rich BCL, such as T-cell-rich BCL. Although additional cases will have to be recognized, histiocyte-rich B-cell lymphoma most likely represents a distinct clinicopathological entity. We speculate that it develops from a subset of B cells that also gives rise to the lymphocytic-histocytic (L/H) cell, the Hodgkin's cell variant of lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's disease, paragranuloma subtype.
Hypoxic Stress Exacerbates Hyperoxia-Induced Lung Injury in a Neonatal Mouse Model of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Background: Premature infants with lung injury often experience intermittent episodes of hypoxemia. Objective: This study investigates whether intermittent hypoxemia exacerbates oxidative stress and lung injury in neonatal mice in a hyperoxia-induced model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Methods: For the BPD model, 3-day-old C57Bl/6J mice were exposed to hyperoxia (65% O2) for 4 weeks (O2 group) or to hyperoxia and intermittent (10 min daily) hypoxia (O2 + H group). Upon completion of O2 or O2 + H exposure, the degree of pulmonary alveolarization and granulocytic infiltration were examined. The severity of oxidative injury in lungs was defined by tissue glutathione and protein carbonyl content. Data were compared to those in naïve mice and mice subjected only to intermittent hypoxia. Results: Hyperoxia-exposed mice exhibited a dramatic (p < 0.0001) decrease of alveolarization, significantly increased granulocytic infiltration (p < 0.0001) and increased protein carbonyl content (p = 0.04) compared to naïve mice. However, O2 + H mice demonstrated significantly (p = 0.03) fewer alveoli compared to their O2 counterparts. This was associated with a significantly (p = 0.02) decreased pulmonary total/oxidized glutathione ratio and a significant (p = 0.03) elevation of protein carbonyl content. Conclusions: Thus, intermittent hypoxic stress during hyperoxic induction of BPD in mice potentiates oxidative stress in lung tissue and exacerbates alveolar developmental arrest.
Breath-hold MR cholangiopancreatography with a long-echo-train fast spin-echo sequence and a surface coil in chronic pancreatitis.

PURPOSE To assess heavily T2-weighted breath-hold magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) for imaging the pancreatic duct in patients with chronic pancreatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-nine patients with chronic pancreatitis were examined with a breath-hold fast spin-echo (FSE) sequence employing an echo train length of 32 and with a surface coil. Results were compared with those of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). RESULTS MRCP showed the head, body, and tail of the pancreatic duct well in 79%, 64%, and 53% of cases, respectively. Agreement between MRCP and ERCP was 83%-92% in cases of ductal dilatation, 70%-92% in cases of ductal narrowing, and 92%-100% in cases of filling defects. Interobserver variation was low (kappa > 0.5) for most findings. CONCLUSION Breath-hold MRCP with an FSE technique depicts the pancreatic duct well in patients with chronic pancreatitis and demonstrates narrowing, dilatation, and filling defects with moderate to high accuracy.
Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for Posttraumatic Sequelae

Objectives: The sequelae of proximal humeral fractures can produce severe shoulder dysfunction. We assessed the results of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) for these complex problems. Design: Retrospective multicenter study. Setting: Tertiary care referral hospitals. Patients: A total of 26 patients were identified who had undergone RSA for the sequelae of proximal humeral fractures. Twenty patients had follow-up beyond 2 years, averaging 44 months (range, 27–97). Patients with revision prosthetic surgery were not included in the study. The average age at surgery was 67 years (range, 31–89). Intervention: All patients underwent RSA. In addition, 4 shoulders required allografts to compensate for bone loss, and 1 shoulder concomitant internal fixation of a humeral shaft nonunion. Main Outcome Measurements: The main outcome measurement was the Neer scale. Pain relief, range of motion, and American shoulder and elbow surgeon and Simple shoulder test shoulder outcome scores were also assessed. Results: Overall results in the 20 patients were considered excellent in 8 shoulders, satisfactory in 6, and unsatisfactory in 6. There was significant improvement in the visual analog pain score to 1.9 (P = 0.005), forward elevation to 137 degrees (P < 0.001), and external rotation to 39 degrees (P = 0.0002). The mean American shoulder and elbow surgeon score was 65 and the mean Simple shoulder test 6. Complications included 1 deep infection, 2 transient brachial plexopathies, and 2 cases of dislocation. Conclusions: Reconstruction of the deformed proximal humerus from fracture sequelae with RSA is complex and often requires advanced surgical techniques. Complications are not infrequent and may require further surgery. Nevertheless, satisfactory results can be achieved in most patients. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Expression of platelet-derived growth factor and its receptors in the developing and adult mouse kidney.

BACKGROUND Experimental analysis of gene function is increasingly being accomplished using mouse models. Glomerular malformations occur in mice in which the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) B-chain gene or the PDGF receptor beta-subunit gene have been deleted. To understand potential PDGF signaling pathways in the kidney, we determined the expression pattern of PDGF ligand and receptor genes in mouse kidney during development and in the mature adult kidney. METHODS We used in situ hybridization to map the expression of transcripts encoding the PDGF ligands (A-chain and B-chain) and PDGF receptors (PDGFRalpha and PDGFRbeta) in the developing and mature kidney of the mouse. RESULTS PDGF A-chain transcripts are expressed by epithelial cells (especially in what appear to be the loop of Henle) and possibly in vascular smooth muscle cells. Its receptor, PDGFRalpha, is expressed by interstitial cells. PDGF B-chain transcripts are most highly expressed by vascular endothelial cells of developing and adult kidney and minimally by visceral epithelia of immature glomeruli. PDGFRbeta transcripts are expressed by fetal blastemal cells, interstitial cells, mesangial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells and by adult mesangial and interstitial cells. PDGFRalpha and PDGFRbeta expression is especially prominent in lipid-laden interstitial cells in the adult kidney. CONCLUSIONS These patterns of expression are similar, but not identical, to those observed in rat and human and suggest that paracrine interactions mediated by the PDGF/PDGF receptor system may coordinate the development of the tubular, vascular, and interstitial components during kidney development and disease.
Anticipatory Socialization and the Construction of the Employable Graduate: A Critical Analysis of Employers’ Graduate Careers Websites

A discourse of employability saturates the higher education sector in the UK. Government and employers call on universities to produce employable graduates who are attractive to the labour market and can sustain their future marketability by taking responsibility for protean self-development. While the neoliberal assumptions behind this call have attracted robust critique, the extent to which employers shape graduating students’ subjectivities and sense of worth as (potentially employable) workers has escaped scrutiny. Inspired by Foucauldian analyses of human resource management (HRM) practices, this article examines employers’ graduate careers websites and explores the discursive construction of the ‘employable graduate’. The article contends that these websites function as a mechanism of anticipatory socialization through which HRM practices extend managerial control into the transitional space of pre-recruitment, with the aim of engaging students’ consent to particular norms of employability.