Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Larval programming of post-hatch muscle growth and activity in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

SUMMARY Larval muscle development in Atlantic salmon is known to be affected by temperature; however, the long term effects and possible mechanisms involved are less well understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of egg incubation temperature on post-hatch muscle growth and fish activity. Salmon eggs were incubated at either 10°C or 5°C from fertilization until hatching, then subsequently both groups were reared at 5°C. Fish from both groups were sampled at the eyed stage, 6 and 21 weeks after first feeding, for muscle cellularity analysis and immunocytochemistry. In addition, to try to establish a mechanism for altered growth, the activity of the fish was measured at 3, 6 and 21 weeks after first feeding. Our results demonstrate that whereas fish incubated at 10°C grow faster, the fish incubated at 5°C show a more sustained period of muscle growth and by 21 weeks are significantly longer, heavier and have more muscle fibres than those fish incubated at a higher temperature. We also demonstrate that fish raised at 5°C show increased food seeking activity throughout development and that this may explain their sustained growth and muscle development. These results taken together, demonstrate that egg incubation temperature up to hatching in salmon is critical for longer term muscle growth, twinned with increased activity. This is of interest to the aquaculture industry in term of the production of good quality fish protein.
A New Equalizer in Doubly-Selective Channels for TDS-OFDM

Various factors contribute to the intercarrier interference (ICI) in orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM), which violates the orthogonality among subcarriers and greatly degrades the performance. Traditional ICI compensation methods incorporate iterative estimation and cancelation for pilot subcarriers, bearing too much complexity and reducing the spectral efficiency. In this paper, a novel channel equalization method is proposed for time domain synchronous-orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (TDS-OFDM), where fast and accurate channel estimation is achieved by utilizing the padded pseudo-noise sequence in consecutive blocks. The new equalizer refers to fast suboptimal-minimum mean square error structure, other than traditional overlap-add structure, inspired by the fact that linear convolution structure is better preserved than circular convolution structure in TDS-OFDM under time-varying channels. With the approximation of linear time-varying channel, the proposed equalizer achieves considerable performance with low complexity (linear) and no additional spectral overhead.
Type 2 and type 3 inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) receptors promote the differentiation of granule cell precursors in the postnatal cerebellum

During postnatal development of the cerebellum, granule cell precursors (GCPs) proliferate in the external granular layer (EGL), exit the cell cycle, differentiate, and migrate from the EGL to the internal granular layer. In the present study, we report that type 2 and 3 inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) receptors (IP3R2 and IP3R3) regulate the differentiation of GCPs after postnatal day 12 (P12). 5‐Bromodeoxyuridine labeling experiments revealed that in mutant mice lacking both of these receptors (double mutants) a greater number of GCPs remain undifferentiated after P12. Consequently, the EGL of the double mutants is thicker than that of control mice at this age and thereafter. In addition, granule cells remain in the EGL of the double mutants at P21, an age when migration has concluded in wild‐type mice. Whereas differentiation of GCPs was reduced in the double mutants, the absence of IP3R2 and IP3R3 did not affect the doubling time of GCPs. We conclude that intracellular calcium release via IP3R2s and IP3R3s promotes the differentiation of GCPs within a specific interval of postnatal development in the cerebellum.
The association between circulating inflammatory markers and metabolic syndrome in Korean rural adults.

OBJECTIVES This study was performed to investigate the associations between the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and inflammatory markers. METHODS This cross-sectional analysis was performed using data from 1578 Koreans aged 40-69 years residing in a rural area. We investigated associations between MetS and circulating high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), white blood cells (WBC) and adiponectin. MetS was defined using the criteria proposed by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP-III). RESULTS Increased WBC counts and hs-CRP levels and decreased adiponectin levels were observed in subjects with MetS. WBC, hs-CRP and adiponectin levels linearly deteriorated with an increase in the number of MetS components (all ptrend <0.005). Finally, adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for the risk of MetS by increase/decrease in 3 inflammatory markers were calculated by multivariate logistic regression analyses. In terms of changes in inflammation markers, in men, the adjusted ORs (95% confidence interval) were 1.15 (1.01-1.31) for WBC, 1.64 (1.02-2.64) for hs-CRP, and 0.19 (0.08-0.45) for adiponectin, whereas corresponding adjusted ORs (95% CIs) in women were 1.27 (1.15-1.40), 0.98 (0.67-1.42), 0.09 (0.04-0.18), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Serum adiponectin levels and WBC counts were found to be strongly associated with MetS in both sexes. However, hs-CRP lost its significance after adjusting for BMI and other inflammatory markers in women. This study shows that inflammatory response is associated with MetS in the Korean population. Further prospective studies are necessary to confirm the contribution made by inflammatory markers to the development of MetS.
Motion Segmentation for Time-Varying Mesh Sequences Based on Spherical Registration

A highly accurate motion segmentation technique for time-varying mesh (TVM) is presented. In conventional approaches, motion of the objects was analyzed using shape feature vectors extracted from TVM frames. This was because it was very difficult to locate and track feature points in the objects in the 3D space due to the fact that the number of vertices and connection varies each frame. In this study, we developed an algorithm to analyze the objects' motion in the 3D space using the spherical registration based on the iterative closest-point algorithm. Rough motion tracking is conducted and the degree of motion is robustly calculated by this method. Although the approach is straightforward, much better motion segmentation results than the conventional approaches are obtained by yielding such high precision and recall rates as 95% and 92% on average.
Antiproliferative Effects of CC-8062 and CC-8075 in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Objectives: Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the western world. It is also resistant to most chemotherapeutic modalities. Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors (PDE4is) have found applications in the treatment of respiratory diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the cytotoxic effect of 2 novel PDE4is, the CC-8075 and CC-8062 compounds in pancreatic cancer cells. Methods: Cell proliferation was measured using the sulforhodamine B protein dye. Induction of apoptosis was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Regulation of proteins and posttranslational modifications were determined using immunoblotting. Results: Treatment of pancreatic cancer cells with CC-8075 and CC-8062 reduces their proliferation and increases apoptosis that is caspase dependent in T3M4 cells. Furthermore, PDE4is increase phosphorylation of p38MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase3/6, MAPK-activated protein kinase 2, Atf2, and Hsp27. The use of the p38MAPK-specific inhibitors SB202190 and SB203580 results in a modest reduction in PDE4i-induced apoptosis in T3M4 cells. Also, retinoids enhance apoptosis induced by CC-8075 and CC-8062 in GER cells. Conclusions: These results highlight the antiproliferative effects of the phosphodiesterase inhibitors CC-8075 and CC-8062 in pancreatic cancer cells and suggest that activation of p38MAPK signaling pathway may be associated with this process.
Issues in the recruitment and success of women in academic surgery.

BACKGROUND We undertook a national survey of male and female academic surgeons to identify issues and perceptions surrounding the success of women in surgery. DATA AND METHODS A previously tested survey instrument was sent to 772 female and 994 male academic surgeons. Responses were entered and compared across a number of categories using descriptive statistics and t tests. RESULTS Women report similar objective experience, but have very different perceptions of the issues in academic surgery than do men. Differences include access to collaboration and support, issues in balancing family and work life, and to what degree perceptions are changing. DISCUSSION If we are to recruit and retain the best possible faculty into academic surgery, it will be necessary to further understand women's perceptions of their role in academic surgery and to address obstacles that exist for both men and women.
Mobility, Strength, and Fitness After a Graded Activity Program for Patients with Subacute Low Back Pain: A Randomized Prospective Clinical Study with a Behavioral Therapy Approach

Patients with nonspecific mechanical low back pain (n = 103), examined by an orthopaedic surgeon and a social worker, were randomized to an activity group (n = 51) and a control group (n = 52). Patients with defined orthopaedic, medical, or psychiatirc diagnoses were excluded before randomization. No patients were excluded due to place of birth or difficulties in speaking or understanding the Swedish language. The purpose of the study was to compare mobility, strength and fitness after traditional care and after traditional care plus a graded activity program with a behavioral therapy approach. A graded activity program, with a behavioral therapy approach was given under the guidance of a physical therapist. The endpoint of the graded activity program was return to work. This program significantly increased mobility, strength, and fitness more than could be explained by only a time recovery effect, especially in males. The patients in the activity group returned to work earlier than did the patients in the control group. Spinal rotation, abdominal muscle endurance time and lifting capacity were significantly correlated to rate of return to work. Traditional care plus a graded activity program were superior to only traditional care, evaluated in terms of mobility, strength and fitness. The graded activity program proved to be a successful method of restoring occupational function and facilitating return to work in subacute low back pain patients. The patients in the graded activity program learned that it is safe to move, while regaining function.
Deflation Timing Influences Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump-Mediated Carotid Blood Flow Reversal: A Case Report.

The patient is a 63-year-old man with stage D heart failure and a left ventricular ejection fraction of <20% who presented to the Houston Methodist Hospital with cardiogenic shock. As a part of his care, he underwent placement of an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP). The IABP settings were for the balloon to inflate with the aortic dicrotic notch and to deflate near the end of diastole. After assessment of his heart failure status, the decision was to proceed with cardiac transplant evaluation, and he underwent routine pretransplant screening that included carotid Doppler ultrasonography. On ultrasound, he was found to have mild calcified atherosclerotic plaque in the left internal carotid artery and left bulb and the left external carotid artery without hemodynamically significant stenosis (<50%). The right carotid arteries were not interrogated because of the presence of a Swan–Gantz catheter and overlying bandages. The Doppler signal in the left internal carotid artery was consistent with the presence of mechanical flow augmentation from the IABP as evidenced by the second forward pulsation seen on pulsed wave Doppler (Figure 1). However, in addition to the second forward signal from IABP augmentation, there was also …
The Prevalence of Using Social Media among Healthcare Professionals in Saudi Arabia: A Pilot Study

Keeping up-to-date with new health information is a necessity for healthcare professionals. Today, social media platforms such as Twitter, among others, are important sources for healthcare professionals. Within the Arab world, little is known about how healthcare professionals use social media to update their healthcare information. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of healthcare professionals, primarily physicians, in seeking online health information in Saudi Arabia. We conducted a web-based survey among Twitter participants between February 1 and March 10, 2015. The primary outcome measures were the self-reported rates of Twitter use, perceived effects, and the influence of Twitter information on clinical practice. Our results revealed that the prevalence rate of physician's seeking online health information was 79% (n=166); the majority of them (71.4%, n=150) reported that Twitter had a significant impact in increasing their medical knowledge and in improving their clinical practice. Over half of the survey participates reported the need for investment in establishing trustworthy and credible health Twitter accounts. The participants reported that their preference for social media health accounts that focus on women's health, non-communicable disease and psychotherapy (20%, 18.1% and 14.5% respectively). The findings showed clearly that seeking web-based medical information through social media is popular among physicians, in general, but especially among younger physicians in Saudi Arabia. The study findings indicate to the necessity for further research on designing and implementing a national social media based educational outreach program to provide evidence-based healthcare information and improve healthcare providers' knowledge and skills in Saudi Arabia.
Insects had it first: surfactants as a defence against predators

Insects have evolved an astonishing array of defences to ward off enemies. Well known and widespread is the regurgitation of oral secretion (OS), fluid that repels attacking predators. In herbivores, the effectiveness of OS has been ascribed so far to the presence of deterrent secondary metabolites sequestered from the host plant. This notion implies, however, that generalists experience less protection on plants with low amounts of secondary metabolites or with compounds ineffective against potential enemies. Resolving the dilemma, we describe a novel defence mechanism that is independent of deterrents as it relies on the intrinsic detergent properties of the OS. The OS of Spodoptera exigua (and other species) was found to be highly amphiphilic and well capable of wetting the hydrophobic cuticle of predatory ants. As a result, affected ants stopped attacking and engaged in extensive cleansing. The presence of surfactants was sufficient to explain the defensive character of herbivore OS. We hypothesize that detergency is a common but unrecognized mode of defence, which provides a base level of protection that may or may not be further enhanced by plant-derived deterrents. Our study also proves that insects ‘invented’ the use of defensive surfactants long before modern agriculture had started applying them as insecticides.
Essential Role of Elmo1 in Dock2-Dependent Lymphocyte Migration

Elmo1 and Elmo2 are highly homologous cytoplasmic adaptor proteins that interact with Dock family guanine nucleotide exchange factors to promote activation of the small GTPase Rac. In T lymphocytes, Dock2 is essential for CCR7- and CXCR4-dependent Rac activation and chemotaxis, but the role of Elmo proteins in regulating Dock2 function in primary T cells is not known. In this article, we show that endogenous Elmo1, but not Elmo2, interacts constitutively with Dock2 in mouse and human primary T cells. CD4+ T cells from Elmo1−/− mice were profoundly impaired in polarization, Rac activation, and chemotaxis in response to CCR7 and CXCR4 stimulation. Transfection of full-length Elmo1, but not Elmo2 or a Dock2-binding mutant of Elmo1, rescued defective migration of Elmo1−/− T cells. Interestingly, Dock2 protein levels were reduced by 4-fold in Elmo1−/− lymphocytes despite normal levels of Dock2 mRNA. Dock2 polyubiquitination was increased in Elmo1−/− T cells, and treatment with proteasome inhibitors partially restored Dock2 levels in Elmo1−/− T cells. Finally, we show that Dock2 is directly ubiquitinated in CD4+ T cells and that Elmo1 expression in heterologous cells inhibits ubiquitination of Dock2. Taken together, these findings reveal a previously unknown, nonredundant role for Elmo1 in controlling Dock2 levels and Dock2-dependent T cell migration in primary lymphocytes. Inhibition of Dock2 has therapeutic potential as a means to control recruitment of pathogenic lymphocytes in diseased tissues. This work provides valuable insights into the molecular regulation of Dock2 by Elmo1 that can be used to design improved inhibitors that target the Elmo-Dock-Rac signaling complex.
Nanofiber Scaffolds as Drug Delivery Systems to Bridge Spinal Cord Injury

The complex pathophysiology of spinal cord injury (SCI) may explain the current lack of an effective therapeutic approach for the regeneration of damaged neuronal cells and the recovery of motor functions. A primary mechanical injury in the spinal cord triggers a cascade of secondary events, which are involved in SCI instauration and progression. The aim of the present review is to provide an overview of the therapeutic neuro-protective and neuro-regenerative approaches, which involve the use of nanofibers as local drug delivery systems. Drugs released by nanofibers aim at preventing the cascade of secondary damage (neuro-protection), whereas nanofibrous structures are intended to re-establish neuronal connectivity through axonal sprouting (neuro-regeneration) promotion, in order to achieve a rapid functional recovery of spinal cord.
Up-Regulated Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Compensates Coronary Flow Response to Bradykinin in Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase-Deficient Mice

It has been reported that endothelium-dependent relaxations are preserved in isolated coronary arteries of endothelial nitric oxide synthase-deficient (eNOS−/−) mice with a possible involvement of nNOS. However, it remains to be examined whether nNOS compensates coronary flow response in a beating heart of eNOS−/− mice and if so, whether and where nNOS is up-regulated. Coronary flow response to bradykinin was examined in Langendorff-perfused hearts from WT and eNOS−/− mice. Bradykinin-induced coronary flow was greater in eNOS−/− mice than in WT mice, and indomethacin had no inhibitory effect on it. Bradykinin receptor antagonist HOE-140 abolished the bradykinin response in both strains. Non-selective NOSs inhibitor l-NNA inhibited the bradykinin-induced coronary flow in both strains, whereas specific inhibitors of nNOS, SMTC, and 7-NI, significantly attenuated the coronary flow response only in eNOS−/− mice. A guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ also attenuated the bradykinin response in eNOS−/− mice. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of nNOS mainly in coronary vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in both strains and Western blot analysis demonstrated a marked increase in cardiac nNOS expression in eNOS−/− mice. These results indicate that nNOS compensates coronary flow response to bradykinin in eNOS−/− mice, for which up-regulation of nNOS in VSMCs may be involved.
Effect of inspiratory pressure support on exercise tolerance and breathlessness in patients with severe stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND--In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exercise tolerance is commonly limited by breathlessness. These patients have an increased ventilatory load at rest which is exacerbated during exercise. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of supporting ventilation by non-invasive inspiratory pressure support (IPS) during submaximal treadmill exercise in such patients to see if they would experience less breathlessness and improve their exercise capacity. METHODS--Eight men with disabling breathlessness due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (mean (SD) FEV1 0.73 (0.2) 1) were studied. Patients walked on a treadmill until their sensation of breathlessness, scored at one minute intervals, reached level 5 ("severe") on the 10-point Borg scale. Studies were performed with IPS (mean airway pressure 12-15 cm H2O), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP 6 cm H2O), and with oxygen (2 l/min via a mask) in random order on three separate days. Each of these walks was compared with a control walk using a sham circuit (breathing air via an oxygen mask at 2 l/min from an unlabelled cylinder), and with a baseline walk in which patients walked freely on the treadmill. On cessation of exercise, distance achieved and a leg fatigue score were recorded. RESULTS--No patients stopped due to leg fatigue, all stopping only when their sensation of breathlessness had reached level 5 on the Borg scale. IPS improved median walking distance by 62% compared with the control walk (sham circuit). There was no change in walking distance with either CPAP or oxygen at 2 l/min. There was no difference between the control and the baseline walks. CONCLUSIONS--Inspiratory pressure support can reduce breathlessness and increase exercise tolerance to submaximal treadmill exercise in patients with COPD. This could have implications for the rehabilitation of these severely disabled patients.
Case reports of olanzapine treatment of anorexia nervosa.

Two females with severe anorexia nervosa were treated with olanzapine in open trials. Olanzapine was tried because it has caused weight gain in other patient groups. Both anorexic patients had a chronic illness and had failed multiple other treatments. Olanzapine administration was associated with weight gain and maintenance as well as reduced agitation and resistance to treatment. These case histories support further exploration of this class of drugs in anorexia nervosa.