Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extracellular matrix induced by TGFβ impairs insulin signal transduction in 3T3‐L1 preadipose cells

When 3T3‐L1 preadipose cells are exposed to transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), they synthesize more extracellular matrix (ECM) and resist differentiation‐inducing stimuli. The mechanism by which ECM suppresses adipose cell differentiation (adipogenesis) remains unknown. Since adipogenesis is an insulin/insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1)‐dependent process, we investigated whether TGFβ‐induced ECM inhibits insulin signaling. When preadipose cells were pretreated overnight with TGFβ, we observed a 75% decrease in insulin‐stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate‐1 (IRS‐1) compared to that in control cells. Culturing 3T3‐L1 preadipose cells on fibronectin, a component of the ECM induced by TGFβ, also inhibited insulin‐dependent IRS‐1 tyrosine phosphorylation and adipogenesis, supporting a role for ECM in mediating TGFβ's inhibitory effect on insulin signaling. Since the insulin‐stimulated association of phosphoinositide (PI) 3‐kinase with IRS‐1 depends on IRS‐1 tyrosine phosphorylation, we measured the presence of the PI 3‐kinase 85 kDa regulatory subunit in anti‐IRS‐1 immunoprecipitates. Following insulin stimulation, PI 3‐kinase‐IRS‐1 association was reduced by 70% in TGFβ pretreated vs. control preadipose cells. However, insulin‐stimulated cellular production of PI(3,4,5)P3 was unaltered by TGFβ pretreatment. This suggests that IRS‐1‐associated p85‐type PI 3‐kinase may represent a particular subset of total cellular PI 3‐kinase that is specifically inhibited by TGFβ. Reduction of insulin‐stimulated association of IRS‐1 with p85‐type PI 3‐kinase by TGFβ may be one potential mechanism through which TGFβ blocks 3T3‐L1 adipose cell differentiation. J. Cell. Physiol. 175:370–378, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Biofilm building capacity of Salmonella enterica strains from the poultry farm environment.

The Biofilm (BF) building capacity of different serotypes of Salmonella enterica derived from the poultry farm environment was investigated. Starting point for the investigation was the question if farm-isolated Salmonella serotypes with high importance for poultry meat and egg production are capable of forming a BF under defined laboratory conditions. Several isolates from different stages of the production cycle were chosen and compared to laboratory grown strains of the same serotype. BF building capacity was analyzed in a 96-well format during a time period of 2 days. Pulse field gel electrophoresis was used to establish a relationship between different isolates. The BF building capacity of a monospecies BF was strongly dependent on the temperature used for incubation. Results indicated further that certain farm isolates were capable of forming BF under laboratory conditions, whereas laboratory grown strains were not. Considerable differences between different field serovars and within one serovar exist. In conclusion, the BF building capacity of poultry-derived isolates is a function of adaptation to their host environment. Thus, the control of BF as a reservoir for Salmonella in the farm environment is of crucial importance for the overall improvement of food safety. Mechanical and substance-based approaches for this control exist in several variations, but overall decontamination success is difficult to achieve and needs to be especially adapted to the farm environment.
In vivo studies of Gd‐DTPA‐monoclonal antibody and gd‐porphyrins: Potential magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents for melanoma

New tumor‐specific contrast agents for clinical imaging and therapy for cancer are required. To this end Gd‐H (Gd‐hematoporphyrin), Gd‐TCP (Gd‐tetra‐carboranylmethoxyphenyl‐porphyrin), Gd‐DTPA‐WM53, and Gd‐DTPA‐9.2. 27 were synthesized and administered by systemic injection to nude mice with human melanoma (MM‐138) xenografts. The biodistribution T1 relaxation times and magnetic resonance (MR) image signal enhancement of the contrast agents are presented for the first time and compared for each group of five mice. A change (20%) in T1 relaxation times of water in human melanoma tumor xenografts was revealed 24 hours after injection of the labeled immunoconjugate Gd‐DTPA‐9.2. 27. The percent of injected antibody or gadolinium that localized to the tumor was measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP‐AES) to be approximately 35%. A higher concentration of gadolinium was achieved compared with nonspecific compounds, indicating selective delivery of Gd‐DTPA‐9.2. 27 to the melanoma xenografts. Porphyrin‐based contrast agents (Gd‐H and Gd‐TCP) also showed significant uptake in melanomas. The uptake of Gd‐TCP by the tumor was sufficient to deliver boron atoms into the tumor, making possible dual use for both MR imaging (MRI) and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). The linear relationship found between the paramagnetic contribution to the relaxation rates and contrast agent concentration allows quantitative studies of paramagnetic contrast agent uptake. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2001;14:169–174. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of Long-term Vitamin K (Phylloquinone) Intake on Retina Aging

Abstract Emerging evidence suggests neuroprotective functions of vitamin K and/or vitamin K-dependent proteins. We investigated the effect of dietary vitamin K on retina aging (thinning). Female Sprague-Dawley rats were maintained from weaning on low (80 μg kg-1 diet), adequate (500 μg kg-1 diet) or high (2000 μg kg-1 diet) levels of vitamin K1 (phylloquinone). Relative concentrations of brain vitamin K associated with these diets were 1: 3.3: 25 (K1) and 1: 2.7: 9.0 (menaquinone-4). Histomorphometry of old (21 month) rats revealed positive associations between vitamin K and thickness of retina layers, especially in the equatorial/peripheral retina. No association of diet and retina thickness was detected among young (6 month) animals. The sparing effect of vitamin K in the retina was most evident in the inner plexiform layer and in the photoreceptor inner and outer segments. Surprisingly, we observed no effect of vitamin K on the age-dependent loss of photoreceptor cells, interneurons or ganglion cells. These data suggest a role for vitamin K in maintaining the aging retina and suggest that the sparing effect of vitamin K does not reflect the survival-promoting (anti-apoptotic) activities of vitamin K-dependent proteins.
BEHAVIORAL ACTIVATION AND THERAPEUTIC EXPOSURE FOR POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER: A NONINFERIORITY TRIAL OF TREATMENT DELIVERED IN PERSON VERSUS HOME‐BASED TELEHEALTH

Combat veterans returning to society with impairing mental health conditions such as PTSD and major depression (MD) report significant barriers to care related to aspects of traditional psychotherapy service delivery (e.g., stigma, travel time, and cost). Hence, alternate treatment delivery methods are needed. Home‐based telehealth (HBT) is one such option; however, this delivery mode has not been compared to in person, clinic‐based care for PTSD in adequately powered trials. The present study was designed to compare relative noninferiority of evidence‐based psychotherapies for PTSD and MD, specifically Behavioral Activation and Therapeutic Exposure (BA‐TE), when delivered via HBT versus in person, in clinic delivery.
It’s Raining Complaints! How Weather Factors Drive Consumer Comments and Word-of-Mouth

Limited attention has been given to the drivers of customer behavior that originate from less direct factors, such as weather. Weather is known to significantly alter consumers’ moods and consequently their behavior. Building on the theoretical alignment between weather, mood, and consumer behavior, this research examined how specific weather factors drive the valence of consumer comments. Furthermore, we explore the relationship between perceived weather, consumers’ moods and affective experience, and word-of-mouth. By analyzing secondary data from 32 restaurants belonging to a national fast-casual chain, this research demonstrates that weather factors such as rain, temperature, and barometric pressure drive consumers’ complaint behavior in restaurants. Additionally, the findings of a survey study and an experimental study indicate that mood and affective experience mediate the relationship between perceived weather and word-of-mouth.
Radial Bone Mineral Density in Hemodialysis Patients with Adynamic Bone Disease

Adynamic bone disease (ABD) has attracted attention as the most frequent type of renal osteodystrophy, but there are few reports about the bone mineral density (BMD) in ABD patients. This study investigated the BMD in hemodialysis patients with ABD and with relatively normal bone turnover. We measured the BMD of the distal one-third of the radius by dual-energy X-ray adsorptiometry. In the ABD group (intact PTH<65pg/ml, intact osteocalcin<30ng/ml), there were 19 men and 17 women with a mean age of 56.4±12.0 years. In the relatively normal bone turnover group (intact PTH: 120-250pg/ml), there were 24 men and 16 women with a mean age of 57.1±14.7 years. Although there were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to age, gender, and duration of hemodialysis, a significant increase of the BMD and the calcium x phosphate product was observed in the ABD group (radial BMD: 0.648±0.137 g/cm2 versus 0.572±0.132 g/cm2, calcium x phosphate product: 57.53±14.92 mg2/dl2 versus 49.76±12.13 mg2/dl2). These findings suggest that an increase in radial BMD may not be a useful marker of the improvement in bone lesions in ABD patients.
Stochastic Solutions to Rough Surface Scattering Using the Finite Element Method

We propose stochastic solutions to the scattering of electromagnetic waves from penetrable randomly rough surfaces using the vector-based finite-element method (FEM). The random nature of the surface requires the computation to be performed on multiple surface instances. We propose a mesh deformation scheme, which allows the use of a single FEM mesh for computing ensemble averaged quantities. This scheme is used to perform Monte Carlo (MC) iterations, which is much faster than the conventional techniques where a different mesh is utilized for each surface instance. This scheme also allows for MC-free formulations of the problem; in the first kind, we expand the solution in a stochastic basis using the concept of generalized polynomial chaos obtaining ensemble averaged quantities. This results in a larger set of equations that need to be solved just once. In the second kind —the stochastic collocation method—we run the deterministic solver at certain specified points in the random domain corresponding to the rough surface description. We compare these results with those obtained by MC iterations, and outline the computational costs and convergence behavior. We find that stochastic methods are ideal for surfaces with large correlation lengths. For other parameters, the MC approach is preferable.
The Relationship between Chemical Compositions, Meat Quality, and Palatability of the 10 Primal Cuts from Hanwoo Steer

The relationship between chemical compositions, meat quality traits, and palatability attributes in 10 primal cuts from Hanwoo steer carcasses were assessed. Sensory palatability attributes of Hanwoo beef were more closely related with fat content than to moisture or protein content. Among the chemical compositions, only fat had a significant correlation with juiciness (0.67, p<0.001), tenderness (0.32, p<0.05), and overall palatability (0.56, p<0.001). Oleic acid (%) was not significantly related with overall palatability (p>0.05). Overall palatability was negatively correlated with drip loss (−0.32, p<0.05), cooking loss (−0.36, p<0.05), and shear force (−0.54, p<0.01). The correlation between fat content and overall palatability was increased when higher fat cuts (Ansim, Dungsim, Chaekeut, Yangjee, and Kalbi) were analyzed, compared to lower fat cuts (Moksim, Abdari, Udun, Suldo, and Satae). Also, the correlation between shear force and overall palatability was decreased in lower fat cuts compared to higher fat cuts. Our results suggest that the palatability of Hanwoo beef can be improved by increasing fat content in muscles, as increased fat content leads to an increase in sensory tenderness, flavor, and juiciness.
Role of Luteinizing Hormone in Changes in Concentrations of Progesterone and Luteal Blood Flow During the Hours of a Simulated Pulse of 13,14-Dihydro-15-Keto-Prostaglandin F2alpha (PGFM) in Heifers1

A bolus treatment (e.g., 25 mg) of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF) in the study of luteolysis in cattle results in dubious interpretations. Therefore, in experiment 1 of the present study, a 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF (PGFM) pulse was simulated by incremental intrauterine (IU) infusion of PGF for 2.7 h on Day 14 postovulation. Concentrations of PGFM during the first hour of infusion and at the maximum were not different between simulated (n = 7) and spontaneous (n = 7) pulses. In experiment 2, four groups (n = 6 per group) were treated at Minute 0 (beginning of infusion) as follows: saline (infused IU), PGF (infused IU), acyline/saline, and acyline/PGF. Two hours before Minute 0, each heifer was given flunixin meglumine to inhibit endogenous PGF secretion, and heifers in the acyline/saline and acyline/PGF groups were given acyline to inhibit luteinizing hormone (LH). Plasma progesterone concentrations were similar among groups during Minutes 0 to 60, with no indication of an initial transient progesterone increase in the two PGF groups. Progesterone began to decrease in the PGF groups at Minute 60 and to rebound at Minute 135 after the PGFM peak at Minute 120. The rebound was complete in association with an increase in LH in the PGF group, but it was not complete when LH was inhibited in the acyline/PGF group. Luteal blood flow increased during PGF infusion in the two PGF groups and remained elevated for approximately 2 h after the PGFM peak in the PGF group but not in the acyline/PGF group. Novel findings were that an initial transient increase in progesterone did not occur with the simulated PGFM pulse and that LH stimulated a progesterone rebound and maintained the elevated luteal blood flow after the PGFM peak. An initial transient increase in progesterone does not occur during a simulated prostaglandin pulse; luteinizing hormone is involved in the progesterone rebound and the elevated luteal blood flow after the prostaglandin peak.
Donor Tissue Characteristics in Preparation of DMEK Grafts

Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine donor tissue characteristics that contribute to longer peeling times or tissue tears during peeling during Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) graft preparation. Methods: The data analyzed included donor age, gender, postmortem tissue age, contralateral eye data, peel time, and peel complications of 116 consecutive DMEK donor tissues, which were prepared by a single surgeon with the submerged cornea using backgrounds away (SCUBA) technique. Results: The mean peel time was 10.1 ± 3.3 minutes (range, 6–24 minutes). Tears were noted in 7 cases (6%) and occurred more commonly with longer peel times. Three of the torn grafts had either peripheral tears or small, noncentral buttonholes or horseshoe tears and were successfully transplanted, for a transplant rate of 97%. However, the host stroma in these cases took longer to clear postoperatively. The donor gender and postmortem day of peeling did not have any statistical significance for the peeling time or tear rate (P > 0.05). Interestingly, tissue from donors older than 65 years had slightly faster peel times, but this difference did not reach statistical significance (⩽65 = 11.0 ± 4 minutes; >65 = 9.3 ± 3.1 minutes; P = 0.07) and had equal rates of graft tears (6%). Most importantly, however, there was a strong correlation between peel times for the 2 eyes from the same donor (r = 0.78, P = 0.03), and the risk of a tear during peeling in the second eye was much greater if the first graft also had a tear during preparation (odds ratio = 7.2, P = 0.02). Conclusions: Exclusion of the contralateral eye tissue when there was difficulty in graft peeling for the first eye may prove to be a unique quality of DMEK donor tissue.
Regional Variations in Exporters’ Productivity Premium: Theory and Evidence

The international trade literature confirms that the average productivity of exporters is higher than that of non-exporters, while economic geography studies establish that urban firms tend to be more productive than rural ones. By introducing region-specific transportation costs in a Melitz-type heterogeneous firm trade model, the theory predicts that the minimum threshold productivity level for export is higher but that for survival by serving the local market is lower in the periphery region than in the core. Using Japanese plant-level panel data, we find evidence supporting the theoretical prediction that exporters in the peripheral regions, especially those distant from the core, have large productivity premiums.
Compensation for injury potential by electrical stimulation after acute spinal cord injury in rat

Injury potential, a direct current potential difference between normal section and the site of injury, is a significant index of spinal cord injury. However, its importance has been ignored in the studies of spinal cord electrophysiology and electrical stimulation (ES). In this paper, compensation for injury potential is used as a criterion to adjust the intensity of stimulation. Injury potential is modulated to slightly larger than 0 mV for 15, 30 and 45 minutes immediately after injury by placing the anodes at the site of injury and the cathodes at the rostral and caudal section. Injury potentials of all rats were recorded for statistical analysis. Results show that the injury potentials acquired after ES are higher than those measured from rats without stimulation and much lower than the initial amplitude. It is also observed that the stimulating voltage to keep injury potential be 0 remain the same. This phenomenon suggests that repair of membrane might occur during the period of stimulation. It is also suggested that a constant voltage stimulation can be applied to compensate for injury potential.
Temporal Distribution and Spatial Pattern of Abundance of the Rift Valley Fever and West Nile Fever Vectors in Barkedji, Senegal

ABSTRACT: The temporal distribution and spatial pattern of abundance of mosquito vectors of Rift Valley fever (RVf) and West Nile fever (WNf) were studied during the 2005 and 2006 rainy seasons at Barkedji, Senegal. Mosquitoes were collected every two weeks with CDC light traps with dry ice at 79 sites including temporary ponds, barren, shrubby savannah, wooded savannah, steppes, and villages at different distances (between 0 and 600 m) from the nearest pond. The temporal distributions of these vectors varied between 2005 and 2006 and were positively correlated with rainfall for Aedes (Aedimorphus) vexans Patton, with rainfall after a lag time of one month for Culex (Culex) poicilipes (Theobald) and Culex (Culex) neavei Theobald. All the vectors had their highest abundances and parity rates between September and November. The highest vector abundances were observed in the barren and temporary ponds. The distance of trap location to the nearest ponds was negatively correlated to the abundance of the vectors. Taking into account the linear regression equations, it was predicted that mosquitoes would not disperse and be collected by the light trap, up to 1,500 m to the nearest ponds. The implications of these findings in the epidemiology and control of RVF and WNF at Barkedji are discussed.
A Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction for Discriminating Erysipelothrix Rhusiopathiae from Erysipelothrix Tonsillarum

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is the causative agent of swine erysipelas, and it causes great economic losses in Japan and worldwide. In meat inspection, it is very important to distinguish E. rhusiopathiae from other bacteria showing similar clinical signs of disease or similar bacterial characteristics. To distinguish E. rhusiopathiae from Erysipelothrix tonsillarum, 2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) systems were combined. The primer sets ERY-1F and ERY-2R were designed to amplify 2,210 base pairs (bp) of nucleotide sequence specific for E. rhusiopathiae chromosomal DNA, and the primer sets MO101 and ERS-1R were designed to amplify 719 bp of nucleotide sequence including a highly conserved region of genus Erysipelothrix 16S rRNA. Two fragments were amplified when E. rhusiopathiae was used as the PCR template using the primer sets, whereas a single fragment was amplified when E. tonsillarum was used as the template.
Financial Structure and Economic Growth in Asia

of Science & Technology, Hisar (Haryana)-125001(India), and has good number of publications in repute international journals. His major research areas are quantitative economics, financial econometrics and economic growth. Email: vedpalhsb@gmail.com Dr. Ashwani is Assistant Professor of Economics, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, has quality publications in the field of finance and economic growth. He has acquired vast research experience at the National Council of Applied Economic Research, New Delhi. Email: ashwani@nitkkr.ac. in ARTICLES / 10
Effect of lidocaine-prilocaine eutectic mixture of local anaesthetic cream compared with oral sucrose or both in alleviating pain in neonatal circumcision procedure

Background: Neonatal circumcision is one of the oldest and most frequently performed surgical procedures on males. Newborns demonstrate strong endogenous reaction to pain and therefore modalities are being explored for optimum pain relief during circumcision. Pediatric nurses have a vital role for the use of these modalities and minimising the pain response during the neonatal minor procedures. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of eutectic mixture of local anaesthetic (EMLA) cream compared with oral sucrose and both in alleviating pain in neonatal circumcision. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the Day Care Surgery Department of Maternity and Children Hospital, Dammam City, KSA. 90 full-term newborn males who underwent circumcision were divided randomly into three groups (30 each). Each group was assigned to receive a different type of analgesics such as EMLA cream (Group A), oral sucrose (Group B) or combination of EMLA cream and oral sucrose (Group C). Neonatal pain agitation and sedation scale (N-PASS) was used 5 min before, during and 5 min after the circumcision procedure to assess the neonatal response to pain. Results: N-PASS scores were significantly lower in Group C (median Group C = 5.2, Group A = 5.8, Group B = 8.5; P< 0.001). The endogenous response to pain in terms of escalation of heart rate and reduction in O 2 saturation were minimal among Group C (P < 0.0001). Duration of crying was comparable among all the groups. Conclusion: The combination of sucrose and EMLA cream revealed a higher analgesic effect and minimal adverse response to pain than either EMLA cream or sucrose alone during neonatal circumcision.
Effect of home-used water purifier on fluoride concentration of drinking water in southern Iran

Background: Fluoride in drinking water plays a key role in dental health. Due to the increasing use of water-purifier, the effect of these devices on fluoride concentration of drinking water was evaluated. Materials and Methods: Drinking water samples were collected before and after passing through a home water-purifier, from four different water sources. The fluoride, calcium and magnesium concentration of the samples were measured using the quantitative spectrophotometery technique. Data were analyzed by the Wilcoxon test. P value < 0.1 was considered as significant. Results: The result showed that the concentration of fluoride was 0.05-0.61 ppm before purification and was removed completely afterward. Furthermore, other ions reduced significantly after treatment by the water purifier. Conclusion: This study revealed that this device decreases the fluoride content of water, an issue which should be considered in low and high-fluoridated water sources.