Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stellar and Planetary Parameters for K2's Late-type Dwarf Systems from C1 to C5

The NASA K2 mission uses photometry to find planets transiting stars of various types. M dwarfs are of high interest since they host more short-period planets than any other type of main-sequence star and transiting planets around M dwarfs have deeper transits compared to other main-sequence stars. In this paper, we present stellar parameters from K and M dwarfs hosting transiting planet candidates discovered by our team. Using the SOFI spectrograph on the European Southern Observatory’s New Technology Telescope, we obtained R ≈ 1000 J-, H-, and K-band (0.95–2.52 μm) spectra of 34 late-type K2 planet and candidate planet host systems and 12 bright K4–M5 dwarfs with interferometrically measured radii and effective temperatures. Out of our 34 late-type K2 targets, we identify 27 of these stars as M dwarfs. We measure equivalent widths of spectral features, derive calibration relations using stars with interferometric measurements, and estimate stellar radii, effective temperatures, masses, and luminosities for the K2 planet hosts. Our calibrations provide radii and temperatures with median uncertainties of 0.059 R⊙ (16.09%) and 160 K (4.33%), respectively. We then reassess the radii and equilibrium temperatures of known and candidate planets based on our spectroscopically derived stellar parameters. Since a planet’s radius and equilibrium temperature depend on the parameters of its host star, our study provides more precise planetary parameters for planets and candidates orbiting late-type stars observed with K2. We find a median planet radius and an equilibrium temperature of approximately 3 R⊕ and 500 K, respectively, with several systems (K2-18b and K2-72e) receiving near-Earth-like levels of incident irradiation.
Persistent heteroplasmy of a mutation in the human mtDNA control region: hypermutation as an apparent consequence of simple-repeat expansion/contraction.

In the genealogical and phylogenetic analyses that are reported here, we obtained evidence for an unusual pattern of mutation/reversion in the human mitochondrial genome. The cumulative results indicate that, when there is a T-->C polymorphism at nt 16189 and a C-->T substitution at nt 16192, there is an extremely high rate of reversion (hypermutation) at the latter site. The apparent reversion rate is sufficiently high that there is persistent heteroplasmy at nt 16192 in maternal lineages and at the phylogenetic level, a situation that is similar to that observed for the rapid expansion/contraction of simple repeats within the control region. This is the first specific instance in which the mutation frequency at one site in the D-loop is markedly influenced by the local sequence "context. " The 16189 T-->C polymorphism lengthens a (C:G)n simple repeat, which then undergoes expansion and contraction, probably through replication slippage. This proclivity toward expansion/contraction is more pronounced when there is a C residue, rather than a T, at nt 16192. The high T-->C reversion frequency at nt 16192 apparently is the result of polymerase misincorporation or slippage during replication, the same mechanism that also causes the expansion/contraction of this simple-repeat sequence. In addition to the first analysis of this mitochondrial hypermutation process, these results also yield mechanistic insights into the expansion/contraction of simple-repeat sequences in mtDNA.
Meaning Reconstruction Process After Suicide

Although Japan has a high suicide rate, there is insufficient research on the experiences of suicide-bereaved individuals. We investigated the qualitative aspects of the meaning reconstruction process after a loss to suicide. We conducted a life-story interview using open-ended questions with one middle-aged Japanese woman who lost her son to suicide. We used a narrative approach to transcribe and code the participant’s narratives for analysis. The analysis revealed three meaning groups that structured the participant’s reactions to the suicide: making sense of her son’s death and life, relationships with other people, and reconstruction of a bond with the deceased. The belief that death is not an eternal split and that there is a connection between the living and the deceased reduced the pain felt by our participant. Furthermore, the narratives worked as scaffolds in the meaning reconstruction process. We discuss our results in the light of cross-cultural differences in the grieving process.
Ciprofloxacin enhances the stimulation of matrix metalloproteinase 3 expression by interleukin-1beta in human tendon-derived cells. A potential mechanism of fluoroquinolone-induced tendinopathy.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether the fluoroquinolone antibiotic ciprofloxacin, which can cause tendon pain and rupture in a proportion of treated patients, affects the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in human tendon-derived cells in culture. METHODS Cell cultures were derived from 6 separate tendon explants, and were incubated in 6-well culture plates for 2 periods of 48 hours each, with ciprofloxacin (or DMSO in controls) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), alone and in combination. Samples of supernatant medium from the second 48-hour incubation were assayed for MMPs 1, 2, and 3 by Western blotting. RNA was extracted from the cells and assayed for MMP messenger RNA (mRNA) by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, with normalization for GAPDH mRNA. RESULTS Unstimulated tendon cells expressed low or undetectable levels of MMP-1 and MMP-3, and substantial levels of MMP-2. IL-1beta induced a substantial output of both MMP-1 and MMP-3 into cell supernatants, reflecting increases (typically 100-fold) in MMP mRNA, but had only minor effects on MMP-2 expression. Ciprofloxacin had no detectable effect on MMP output in unstimulated cells. Preincubation with ciprofloxacin potentiated IL-1beta-stimulated MMP-3 output, reflecting a similar effect on MMP-3 mRNA expression. Ciprofloxacin also potentiated IL-1beta-stimulated MMP-1 mRNA expression, but did not potentiate the output of MMP-1, and had no significant effects on MMP-2 mRNA expression or output. CONCLUSION Ciprofloxacin can selectively enhance MMP expression in tendon-derived cells. Such effects might compromise tendon microstructure and integrity.
Dietary carbohydrates, physical inactivity, obesity, and the ‘metabolic syndrome’ as predictors of coronary heart disease

Several decades of epidemiological and clinical research have identified physical inactivity, excessive calorie consumption, and excess weight as common risk factors for both type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease. This trio forms the environmental substrate for a now well-recognized metabolic phenotype called the insulin resistance syndrome. Recent data suggest that a high intake of rapidly absorbed carbohydrates, which is characterized by a high glycemic load (a measure of carbohydrate quality and quantity), may increase the risk of coronary heart disease by aggravating glucose intolerance and dyslipidemia. These data also suggest that individuals who are obese and insulin resistant are particularly prone to the adverse effects of a high dietary glycemic load. In addition, data continue to accumulate suggesting the important beneficial effects of physical activity, even at moderate levels, and weight reduction on improving insulin sensitivity and reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. Future metabolic studies should continue to quantify the physiological impact of different foods on serum glucose and insulin, and such information should routinely be incorporated into large-scale and long-term prospective studies, in which the possible interaction effects between diet and other metabolic determinants such as physical activity and obesity can be examined. Until more definitive data are available, replacing refined grain products and potatoes with minimally processed plant-based foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and reducing the intake of high glycemic load beverages may offer a simple strategy for reducing the incidence of coronary heart disease.
Clinical outcome in children with recurrent craniopharyngioma after primary surgery.

PURPOSE The purpose of this article is to report the clinical outcome in children with recurrent craniopharyngioma after primary surgery. PATIENT AND MATERIALS: Fourteen children with craniopharyngioma treated with primary surgery developed local recurrence. The median time to recurrence from primary surgery was 19 months (range, 2-156 months). At first recurrence (n = 14), seven children (50%) underwent reoperation. Five children (36%) received radiotherapy, and two children did not undergo any treatment. At second recurrence (n = 7), six children underwent radiotherapy (86%), and one had surgery. External-beam radiation was delivered with 6-MV or 10-MV x-rays by use of three-dimensional conformal technique (n = 4) or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (n = 7) using the Laitinen stereoadapter. Total dose ranged from 54 to 55.8 Gy at 1.8 Gy/fraction. RESULTS The median follow-up from primary surgery is 8.5 years (range, 3-15.8 years). The 5-, 10-, and 15-year overall survival was 100%, 86%, and 86%, respectively, and the disease-free survival was 92%, 60%, and 60%, respectively. The median follow-up from date of first relapse was 6 years (range, 2.5-10 years). After treatment for first recurrence, the 2- and 5-year second-recurrence-free survival was 71% and 29%, respectively. After radiotherapy, the 2- and 5-year second-recurrence-free survival was 100% and 100%, respectively, compared with 43% and 0%, respectively, for surgery alone. Univariate analysis revealed significantly superior local control with radiotherapy compared with surgery. The local control rate at last follow-up, after stratifying for treatment at first and second recurrence, were analyzed at first and second relapse was 90% and 0% after radiotherapy and surgery, respectively. If radiotherapy was used for first or second recurrence, the 5-, 10-, and 15-year relapse-free survival was 100%, 83%, and 83%, respectively, compared with 67%, 0%, and 0%, respectively, for surgery alone. The median time to second relapse after surgery for first relapse was 12 months (range, 2-36 months). After primary surgery, all 14 children developed panhypopituitarism, requiring lifelong hormone supplementation. After surgery at recurrence, three children (3/7, 43%) experienced intraoperative bleeding, resulting in permanent neurologic deficits in two. No child has shown any signs of radiation-induced optic neuropathy. DISCUSSION In children with recurrent craniopharyngioma after radical resection, the use of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy or fractioned stereotactic radiotherapy results in very good local control with a low incidence of complications. In young children with stable tiny recurrences, a policy of close surveillance could be adopted for the brain to mature before beginning radiotherapy. The use of secondary surgery for recurrent tumors is associated with a low cure rate and a high risk of complications.
Baseline Cytosolic Ca2+ Oscillations Derived from a Non-endoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+Store*

Cytosolic Ca2+ oscillations can be due to cycles of release and re-uptake of internally stored Ca2+. To investigate the nature of these Ca2+stores, we expressed the Pmr1 Ca2+ pump ofCaenorhabditis elegans in COS-1 cells and pretreated the cells with thapsigargin to prevent Ca2+ uptake by the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase. Pmr1 co-localized with the Golgi-specific 58K protein and was targeted to a Ca2+ store that was less leaky for Ca2+ than the endoplasmic reticulum and whose inositol trisphosphate receptors were less sensitive to inositol trisphosphate and ATP than those in the endoplasmic reticulum. ATP-stimulated Pmr1-overexpressing cells responded after a latency to extracellular Ca2+ with a regenerative Ca2+ signal, which could be prevented by caffeine. They also produced very stable ilimaquinone-sensitive baseline Ca2+ spikes, even in the presence of thapsigargin. Such responses never occurred in non-transfected cells or in cells that overexpressed the type-1 sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase. Abortive Ca2+ spikes also occurred in histamine-stimulated untransfected HeLa cells pretreated with thapsigargin, and they too were inhibited by ilimaquinone. We conclude that the Pmr1-induced Ca2+ store, which probably corresponds to the Golgi compartment, can play a crucial role in setting up baseline Ca2+ spiking.
Consequences and Risks of <1000-g Birth Weight for Neuropsychological Skills, Achievement, and Adaptive Functioning

A cohort of 219 children with extremely low birth weight (<1000 g, extremely low birth weight [ELBW]) born from 1992 to 1995 was followed to mean age 8 years to evaluate outcomes and identify risk factors. We compared 204 of these children with 176 term-born normal birth weight (NBW) controls on neuropsychological skills, academic achievement, and adaptive behavior. The ELBW group had worse outcomes than the NBW on all measures. Within the ELBW group, lower scores on NEPSY tests of executive function and memory were related to <750 g birth weight, B (SE) = −0.93 (0.36), p =. 010; cranial ultrasound abnormality, B = −1.03 (0.22), p =. 002; postnatal steroid therapy, B = −1.00 (0.33), p =. 003; and necrotizing enterocolitis, B = −2.26 (0.75), p =. 008. A lower score on the Test of Motor Proficiency was related to chronic lung disease, B = −7.33 (1.98), p <. 001. Neuropsychological skills mediated the effects of neonatal risk on achievement and adaptive functioning. The findings document the neuropsychological consequences of ELBW at school age in a recently born cohort and identify risks for adverse outcomes.
Roles of lytic viral infection and IL‐6 in early versus late passage lymphoblastoid cell lines and EBV‐associated lymphoproliferative disease

Lytically infected EBV‐positive lymphoblastoid cells enhance the growth of early‐passage, but not late‐passage, EBV‐immortalized lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) in SCID mice and have enhanced IL‐6 secretion. Here, we have examined the importance of IL‐6 for the growth of early‐passage LCLs (EPL) in SCID mice, identified lytic EBV proteins that activate IL‐6 production and compared viral and cellular differences between early versus late passage LCLs (LPL). IL‐6 was required for efficient growth of EPL in SCID mice. The EBV immediate‐early (IE) proteins, BRLF1 and BZLF1, each induced IL‐6 secretion when transfected into 293 and BJAB cells. Interestingly, the combination of BZLF1 and the latent EBV protein, LMP‐1, induced much more IL‐6 expression in both 293 and BJAB cells than either protein alone. Both BZLF1 and BRLF1 also enhanced IL‐10 production in 293 cells. In comparison to the EPL, LPL had much reduced expression of early lytic viral proteins and cellular IL‐6. In contrast, expression of cellular IL‐10 was similar in EPL versus LPL, while VEGF secretion was increased in late‐passage LCLs. These results suggest that both BRLF1 and BZLF1 contribute to IL‐6 secretion in lytically infected cells and that lytically infected cells may promote early lymphoproliferative disease in patients through enhanced IL‐6 production. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) reduces oxidative stress in primary cortical neurons in vitro

Low‐level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) involves absorption of photons being in the mitochondria of cells leading to improvement in electron transport, increased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and greater ATP production. Low levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced by LLLT in normal cells that are beneficial. We exposed primary cultured murine cortical neurons to oxidative stressors: hydrogen peroxide, cobalt chloride and rotenone in the presence or absence of LLLT (3 J/cm2, CW, 810 nm wavelength laser, 20 mW/cm2). Cell viability was determined by PrestoblueTM assay. ROS in mitochondria was detected using Mito‐sox, while ROS in cytoplasm was detected with CellRoxTM. MMP was measured with tetramethylrhodamine. In normal neurons LLLT elevated MMP and increased ROS. In oxidatively‐stressed cells LLLT increased MMP but reduced high ROS levels and protected cultured cortical neurons from death. Although LLLT increases ROS in normal neurons, it reduces ROS in oxidatively‐stressed neurons. In both cases MMP is increased. These data may explain how LLLT can reduce clinical oxidative stress in various lesions while increasing ROS in cells in vitro. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Characterization and Comparative Evaluation of a Novel PAI-1 Inhibitor

Summary Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), the primary physiological inhibitor of both tissue-type plasminogen activator and urokinasetype plasminogen activator in plasma, is a well established risk factor in thrombotic diseases. Reduction of active PAI-1 levels may lead to a decreased tendency of thrombosis. Compounds that can suppress pharmacologically active PAI-1 levels are therefore considered as putative drugs. In the present study, we describe the PAI-1 neutralizing properties and mechanism of a newly selected compound (i. e. fendosal, HP129) in comparison to four previously reported compounds (i. e. AR-H029953XX, XR1853, XR5118 and the peptide TVASS) using different assays. The inhibitory effect of these compounds on active PAI-1 was analyzed by a plasmin-coupled chromogenic assay (Coaset® t-PA), direct chromogenic assays (t-PA, u-PA) and quantification of complex formation by ELISA, SDS-PAGE and surface plasmon resonance. Comparative evaluation of the obtained IC50 values reveals large differences [i. e. IC50 of 15 µM (HP129) vs. >1000 µM (XR5118) determined at 37° C using SDS-PAGE] between the compounds studied. Importantly, the relative potency of the various compounds is also dependent on the method used (10 to 170-fold differences in IC50 values). Characterization of the PAI-1 forms (i. e. active, non-reactive and substrate) generated upon inactivation reveals that the newly described compound HP129 induces a unique pathway (i. e. active to non-reactive conversion via a substrate-behaving intermediate) of inactivation compared to the other compounds. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that the various compounds act through different mechanisms. In addition, the results stress the necessity for a careful selection of the method used for the evaluation of PAI-1 inhibitors, preferably requiring a panel of screening methods.
Experience‐dependent changes in the hippocampus of domestic chicks: a model for spatial memory

In the domestic chicken, providing visual barriers for a brief period early in life has been found to improve spatial memory [R. Freire et al. (2004)Animal Behaviour, 67, 141–150]. In the present study we compared the structure of neurons in the hippocampus and neostriatum in chicks reared with or without visual barriers. From 8 to 16 days of age, chicks were reared in pens either with two wooden screens (Treatment E) or with no screens (Treatment C). At 16 days of age, chicks were anaesthetized, perfused intracardially and brain samples collected and stained using a Golgi–Cox technique. Morphometric analysis revealed that the multipolar projection neurons of Treatment E chicks had longer dendrites (anova, F1,14 = 7.4, P < 0.05) and had more spines per 20 µm of dendrite (SLD; anova, F1,14 = 10.6, P < 0.01) than those of Treatment C chicks. By contrast, no evidence was found that rearing treatment differentially influences dendrite length or SLD in the neostriatum, suggesting that the above environment‐induced changes may be specific to the hippocampus. Multipolar projection neuron dendrites of the right hemisphere were longer (anova, F1,14 = 36.4, P < 0.0001) and had more spines (anova, F1,14 = 8.8, P < 0.05) than dendrites of the left hemisphere, supporting previous findings that the right hemisphere of chickens is predominantly involved in spatial processing. We conclude that the chicken provides a useful model for the study of developmental plasticity in brain and behaviour, partly because the possibility of rearing chicks in isolation and imprinting them on an artificial object provides a means of accurately manipulating early experience.
Functional and MRI outcomes after arthroscopic microfracture for treatment of osteochondral lesions of the distal tibial plafond.

BACKGROUND Osteochondral lesions of the distal tibial plafond are uncommon compared with talar lesions. The objective of this study was to assess functional and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes following microfracture for tibial osteochondral lesions. METHODS Thirty-one tibial osteochondral lesions in thirty-one ankles underwent arthroscopic microfracture. The Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and Short Form-12 (SF-12) general health questionnaire were used to obtain patient-reported functional outcome scores preoperatively and postoperatively. MRI scans were assessed postoperatively with use of the Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) score for twenty-three ankles. RESULTS The average age was thirty-seven years (range, fifteen to sixty-eight years), and the average lesion area was 38 mm(2) (range, 7.1 to 113 mm(2)). Twelve ankles had a kissing lesion on the opposing surface of the talus, and two ankles had a concomitant osteochondral lesion elsewhere on the talus. FAOS and SF-12 scores were significantly improved (p < 0.01) at the time of follow-up, at an average of forty-four months. The average postoperative MOCART score was 69.4 (range, 10 to 95), with a lower score in the ankles with kissing lesions (62.8) than in the ankles with an isolated lesion (73.6). Increasing age negatively impacted improvement in SF-12 (p < 0.01) and MOCART (p = 0.04) scores. Increasing lesion area was negatively correlated with MOCART scores (p = 0.04) but was not associated with FAOS or SF-12 scores. Lesion location and the presence of kissing lesions showed no association with functional or MRI outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Arthroscopic microfracture provided functional improvements, but the optimal treatment strategy for tibial osteochondral lesions remains unclear. The repair tissue assessed on MRI was inferior to normal hyaline cartilage. The MRI outcomes appeared to deteriorate with increasing lesion area, and both functional and MRI outcomes appeared to deteriorate with increasing age. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Efficacy of tonsillectomy for patients with recurrence of IgA nephropathy after kidney transplantation

Abstract: From January 2007, we started to perform the tonsillectomy for every patient with recurrent IgA nephropathy (IgAN) after kidney transplantation. Up to September 2008, four recipients with primary IgAN had biopsy‐proven recurrent IgAN. They had also progressive hematuria or proteinuria from on the average 14.3 months after transplantation. Then their specimens diagnosed as recurrent IgAN were collected and they underwent tonsillectomies on the average 52.3 months after transplantation. Abnormal urinary findings of all patients favorably improved after tonsillectomy. All cases but one had mild renal injury, where the severity of glomerular lesions, glomerular hypercellularity, segmental lesions, and sclerosis was mild, and no deteriorated serum creatinine (SCr) before their tonsillectomies. Even the case with exacerbated SCr and severe renal injury, where the severity of glomerular lesions was severe, had her urinary findings ameliorated promptly after tonsillectomy likely as others. At present, they have almost no symptoms after tonsillectomy and no remarkable change of SCr level compared with before and after tonsillectomy and maintain ameliorated urinary findings continuously. Tonsillectomy had possibility to be a favorable treatment of hematuria or proteinuria in recurrent IgAN recipients.