Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential response to sustained stimulation by hCG & LH on goat ovarian granulosa cells

Background & objectives: Chapekar established a model of ovarian tumourigenesis in mice by splenic transplantation of ovaries, resulting in sustained luteinizing hormone (LH) levels because of absence of feedback inhibition. There is increasing evidence of the differential response to LH or hCG under various experimental conditions. The effect of sustained hormonal stimulation in long term cultures is sparsely investigated. The study is aimed to determine the role of hCG and LH stress on caprine ovarian granulosa cells and their downstream signaling in short and long term cultures. Methods: To study the response of hCG and LH stress and downstream signaling, short term cultures were set up by exposing goat ovarian granulosa cells in primary cultures to hCG and LH stress (levels beyond their physiological doses) for 5 days (P0). Cells were sub-cultured at sixth day and subjected to prolonged LH/ hCG stress for two weeks in passage 1(P1) (long term cultures). Downstream cell signaling molecules were assessed. Intracellular cAMP was estimated by ELISA. For PKA and PKC, activity assays were performed. pERK protein expressions in short term cultures were assessed by Western blot and flowcytometry; in long term cultures, pERK expression was analyzed by flowcytometry. Results: Differential effects on cell proliferation were observed in long term cultures, where the untreated and hCG exposed cells showed markedly reduced cell proliferation after second week of exposure while LH treated cells continued to proliferate. Different levels of cAMP, PKA, PKC and phosphorylated ERK1/2 were observed on short term and long term LH stimulation. On sustained hormonal stimulation, cAMP levels were significantly (P<0.05) higher in hCG treated cultures as compared to controls and LH treated cultures. LH led to maximal elevation of ERK in long term cultures. Interpretation & Conclusions: As pERK1/2 promotes cellular proliferation, activation of ERK1/2 in LH treated cultures may be responsible for sustained growth. Prolonged LH treatment promoted growth and proliferation in caprine ovarian granulosa cells whereas prolonged exposure to hCG led to elevated levels of cAMP and decreased the rate of proliferation. Defining the signals and second messengers that act as survival or apoptotic mediators may help in elucidation of the mechanisms controlling proliferation or programmed cell death in granulosa cells.
Gender-Sensitive Mental Health Care

Objective: The aim of this paper is to examine aspects of mental health and mental health care through a gender lens. Conclusion: Gender differences have an impact on mental health and the experience and course of women's mental illness. Comprehensive gender-sensitive mental health care requires the planning, delivery, monitoring and quality improvement initiatives of mental health care to be informed by a knowledge and understanding of gender differences in women and men and their inter-relationship with respect to childhood and adult life experiences (e.g. violence and abuse); day-to-day social, cultural, and family realities; expression and experience of mental ill health and treatment needs and responses.
Factors predicting incomplete recovery from relapses in multiple sclerosis: a prospective study

Objective To prospectively evaluate predictors of incomplete recovery after the first attacks in a cohort of patients with clinically isolated syndrome or relapsing—remitting multiple sclerosis. Methods Seventy-two consecutive patients recruited from January 2001 to December 2003, evaluated every six months or at any relapse up to 31 July 2005. Relapse intervals were calculated from the date of onset, nadir, onset of improvement and maximum improvement. Predictive factors analysed were relapse-related (age at relapse onset, season and severity of the relapse, type of symptoms, speed of onset, plateau and total duration, number of affected Functional systems, preceding infections) and individual-related (gender, age at first attack, season of birth and first attack, characteristics of first brain MRI and cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands, Link Index, IgG). Results We counted 209 attacks: 44 (21%) left mild sequelae, and 27 (13%) severe. The highest probability of sequelae was associated with sphincteric symptoms (9/20; 45%), followed by sensitive (38/113; 34%), motor (20/84; 24%), visual (13/61; 21%), cerebellar (4/24; 17%), brainstem (5/44; 11%) and others (0/6) ( P 0.005). Four variables were still relevant to predict sequelae after multivariate analysis: mild, moderate or severe relapses versus very mild (Odds ratio = 17.2, 95% confidence limits = 2.2—136.4), intermediate or long relapses versus short (3.2, 1.5—6.9), age ≥ 30 at relapse onset (2.9, 1.5—5.7) and bi-polysymptomatic versus monosymptomatic (2.2, 1.1—4.3). Conclusions Factors predicting incomplete recovery are more closely linked to the characteristics of the single relapse (extension and duration of tissue damage) than to the patient's genetic and environmental background. Multiple Sclerosis 2008; 14: 485—493. http://msj.sagepub. com
Lipoteichoic Acid and Peptidoglycan from Staphylococcus aureus Synergistically Induce Neutrophil Influx into the Lungs of Mice

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen in nosocomial pneumonia. Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and peptidoglycan (PepG) are part of the staphylococcal cell wall. Here we show that LTA and PepG act in synergy to cause polymorphonuclear cell recruitment in the pulmonary compartment during S. aureus pneumonia.
Adenosine A2A receptor but not HIF‐1 mediates Tyrosine hydroxylase induction in hypoxic PC12 cells

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is the rate‐limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of catecholamines released by oxygen‐sensitive cells in response to hypoxic conditions. Adenosine is released in response to hypoxia in the central nervous system and CGS21680, an adenosine A2A receptor agonist, induces TH transcription. As we have previously demonstrated the A2A receptor‐mediated induction of HIF‐1 in macrophages and hepatocytes, we investigated the involvement of HIF‐1 in the adenosine‐mediated activation of TH expression. Exposure to adenosine or CGS21680 increased TH mRNA and protein levels in PC12 cells. Transcription of a reporter gene under the control of the wild type rat TH promoter was induced 3.5‐fold in CGS21680‐treated cells, but neither the mutation of the hypoxia responsive element in the TH promoter nor the co‐transfection of a dominant negative of the HIF‐1 β subunit prevented the increase in transcription; furthermore, CGS21680 increased CREB binding activity but did not induce HIF‐1 DNA binding activity or protein levels. To investigate whether HIF‐1 was involved in the hypoxia‐mediated induction of TH, PC12 cells were exposed to hypoxia in the presence of the A2A receptor antagonist ZM241385, which prevented hypoxia‐dependent TH induction despite HIF‐1 activation; in line with this finding, the inhibition of HIF‐1 did not abolish TH induction in hypoxic PC12 cells. These results indicate that, under hypoxic conditions, TH (a key factor in systemic adaptation to reduced oxygen availability) is not regulated by HIF‐1, the primary modulator of the response to hypoxia, but by the adenosine A2A receptor‐mediated signalling pathway. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of symptom clusters and depression on the quality of life in patients with advanced lung cancer

People with advanced lung cancer experience later symptoms after treatment that is related to poorer psychosocial and quality of life (QOL) outcomes. The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of symptom clusters and depression on the QOL of patients with advanced lung cancer. A sample of 178 patients with advanced lung cancer at the National Cancer Center in Korea completed a demographic questionnaire, the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory-Lung Cancer, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General scale. The most frequently experienced symptom was fatigue, anguish was the most severe symptom-associated distress, and 28.9% of participants were clinically depressed. Factor analysis was used to identify symptom clusters based on the severity of patients' symptom experiences. Three symptom clusters were identified: treatment-associated, lung cancer and psychological symptom clusters. The regression model found a significant negative impact on QOL for depression and lung cancer symptom cluster. Age as the control variable was found to be significant impact on QOL. Therefore, psychological screening and appropriate intervention is an essential part of advanced cancer care. Both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches for alleviating depression may help to improve the QOL of lung cancer patients.
Long-Term Stimulant Medication Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Results from a Population-Based Study

ABSTRACT. The purpose of this study was to offer detailed information about stimulant medication treatment provided throughout childhood to 379 children with research-identified attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the 1976-1982 Rochester, MN, birth cohort. Subjects were retrospectively followed from birth until a mean of 17.2 years of age. The complete medical record of each subject was reviewed. The history and results of each episode of stimulant treatment were compared by gender, DSM-IV subtype of ADHD, and type of stimulant medication. Overall, 77.8% of subjects were treated with stimulants. Boys were 1.8 times more likely than girls to be treated. The median age at initiation (9.8 years), median duration of treatment (33.8 months), and likelihood of developing at least one side effect (22.3%) were not significantly different by gender. Overall, 73.1% of episodes of stimulant treatment were associated with a favorable response. The likelihood of a favorable response was comparable for boys and girls. Treatment was initiated earlier for children with either ADHD combined type or ADHD hyperactive-impulsive type than for children with ADHD predominantly inattentive type and duration of treatment was longer for ADHD combined type. There was no association between DSM-IV subtype and likelihood of a favorable response or of side effects. Dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate were equally likely to be associated with a favorable response, but dextroamphetamine was more likely to be associated with side effects. These results demonstrate that the effectiveness of stimulant medication treatment of ADHD provided throughout childhood is comparable to the efficacy of stimulant treatment demonstrated in clinical trials.
Association of electrophoretic karyotype of Candida stellatoidea with virulence for mice

Seven isolates of Candida stellatoidea were studied for their electrophoretic karyotype, virulence for mice, sensitivity to UV radiation, growth rate in vitro, reaction on cycloheximide-indicator medium, and proteinase activity. The isolates exhibited one of two distinct electrophoretic karyotypes as determined by orthogonal field alternating gel electrophoresis (OFAGE). Four isolates, including the type culture of C. stellatoidea, belonged to electrophoretic karyotype type I by OFAGE, showing eight to nine bands of which at least two bands were less than 1,000 kilobases in size as estimated by comparison with the DNA bands of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These isolates failed to produce fatal infection in mice within 20 days when 5 X 10(5) cells were injected intravenously. The yeasts were cleared from the kidneys of two of three mice tested by day 30. Type I showed proteinase activity on bovine serum albumin agar at pH 3.8 and produced a negative reaction on cycloheximide-bromcresol green medium within 48 h. The three grouped in type II by OFAGE showed banding patterns similar to those of a well-characterized isolate of Candida albicans. The isolates of type II had an electrophoretic karyotype of six to seven bands approximately 1,200 kilobases or greater in size. All three type II isolates were highly virulent for mice, producing fatality curves similar to those of a previously studied C. albicans isolate. From 80 to 90% of the mice injected with 5 X 10(5) cells intravenously died within 20 days. The type II isolates produced a positive reaction on cycloheximide-bromcresol green agar and showed no proteinase activity on bovine serum albumin agar at the low pH. In addition, the type II isolates grew faster and were significantly more resistant to UV irradiation than the type I isolates. These results indicated that type II, but not type I, isolates can be considered simply as sucrose-negative C. albicans.
Auger photoelectron coincidence spectroscopy studies: Trends in the L2,3-M4,5M4,5 line shapes across the 3d transition-metal series

The Auger-emission process from solids can be very complex, with a variety of processes producing intensity in the final spectra. The L2,3-M4,5M4,5 (L2,3-MM) Auger spectra of the 3d transition metals, in particular, show many complicating effects. Auger photoelectron coincidence spectroscopy (APECS) is a technique that can be used to elucidate the source of this complexity. In the APECS experiment, Auger electrons are recorded only when the corresponding electron from the ionization event is also detected. In this way only those features that result from the particular initial ionization event in question are measured, thereby greatly reducing the complexity in the Auger spectra. Although a number of successful APECS studies have been made of the emission processes observed in the Auger lines of several individual 3d transition metals, none have yet studied trends across the series. In order to study some of these trends we have made the most systematic APECS study to date of the L2,3-MM Auger spectra of the metals Fe, Co, Ni, and Ga (in GaAs). The L2,3-MM lines were observed in coincidence with the 2p3/2 and 2p1/2 photoemission electrons in all of these materials. From these studies and the Cu coincidence (APECS) results of Haak and Sawatzky a number of trends are clear and these are reported and discussed with the view of aiding quantitative Auger electron spectroscopy. It has become clear that there is also a need for a consistent and clear nomenclature to describe and distinguish between the various processes which can lead to a common multiple-hole final state. A nomenclature is proposed that aids a clearer comparison and discussion of the contributions of the various processes to the total observed Auger line shape.
Migrants and Militants: Fun and Urban Violence in Pakistan

List of Maps and Illustrations vii Foreword ix Preface xiii List of Abbreviations xv IINTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER ONE Ethnicizing Islam 20 CHAPTER TWO The Muhajir Qaumi Movement 56 CHAPTER THREE Pakka Qila 88 CHAPTER FOUR Fun and Violence 111 CHAPTER FIVE Making Martyrs 137 CHAPTER SIX Terrorism and the State 163 EPILOGUE 183 Calendar of Events 189 Glossary 191 Notes 195 Bibliography 199 Index 211
The control of source to sink carbon flux during tuber development in potato.

We have used top-down metabolic control analysis to investigate the control of carbon flux through potato (Solanum tuberosum) plants during tuberisation. The metabolism of the potato plant was divided into two blocks of reactions (the source and sink blocks) that communicate through the leaf apoplastic sucrose pool. Flux was measured as the transfer of 14 C from CO2 to the tuber. Flux and apoplastic sucrose concentration were varied either by changing the light intensity or using transgenic manipulations that specifically affect the source or sink blocks, and elasticity coefficients were measured. We have provided evidence in support of our assumption that apoplastic sucrose is the only communicating metabolite between the source and sink blocks. The elasticity coefficients were used to calculate the flux control coefficients of the source and sink blocks, which were 0.8 and 0.2, respectively. This work suggests that the best strategy for the manipulation of tuber yield in potato will involve increases in photosynthetic capacity, rather than sink metabolism.
Benzodiazepine Use in Older, Community-Dwelling Southern Californians: Prevalence and Clinical Correlates

OBJECTIVE: To determine the use of benzodiazepines (BZDs) in an older, community-dwelling sample and to examine the sociodemographic and clinical correlates of BZD use. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of 1752 elderly people (aged ≥65 y) who completed a mailed medication survey and a telephone health status survey. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were invited to participate in a large Medicare demonstration project on prevention by their private physicians, who were also enrolled in the larger study. Participants had to be English-speaking, could not have dementia or a terminal illness, and had to give informed consent to participate in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sociodemographic and health status variables that predicted BZD use were examined. Sociodemographic variables included age, gender, ethnicity, education, and income. Health status variables included functional status, with measures of mental, social, and physical health. Influenza immunization status was used as an indicator for preventive health services use and self-reported chronic illness was used as a measure of comorbidity. RESULTS: Twenty percent of the participants used BZDs at least twice in the past year. We found that those who used BZDs were more than twice as likely to take ten or more drugs, two-and-a-half times more likely to have difficulty falling asleep, and over twice as likely to be depressed. BZD users were also more likely to be white, to have a college education, and to have received a recent influenza shot, but were not more likely to be women when controlled for health status. CONCLUSIONS: Further clinical research should explore the relationship between BZD use among older patients and the BZD-associated adverse clinical factors we observed, as well as the association between multiple drug use and potential adverse outcomes in older BZD users.
First Report on Adulticide Susceptibility Status of Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Culex vishnui from a Pig Farm in Tanjung Sepat, Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract The present study aims to investigate the susceptibility status of Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Cx. vishnui collected from a pig farm in Tanjung Sepat, Selangor, toward 11 insecticides representing the classes of organochlorines, carbamates, organophosphates, and pyrethroids. The results of a World Health Organization adult mosquito bioassay revealed that Ae. albopictus, Cx. quinquefasciatus, and Cx. vishnui exhibited different susceptibility toward various insecticides. Overall, pyrethroids were able to induce rapid knockdown for all test mosquito species. The pyrethroids lambdacyhalothrin and etofenprox were able to cause high mortality (>80%) of all 3 species. The findings of the present study will benefit local authorities in selecting appropriate dosage of insecticides to be used in mosquito control in this area.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor –173G/C gene polymorphism increases the risk of renal disease: A meta‐analysis

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) –173G/C (rs755622) gene polymorphism has been associated with renal disease risk. However, lots of studies have reported inconclusive results. Therefore, we performed a meta‐analysis to investigate the relationship between MIF –173G/C gene polymorphism and renal disease susceptibility.
Single‐leg hop testing following fatiguing exercise: reliability and biomechanical analysis

A fatiguing exercise protocol was combined with single‐leg hop testing to improve the possibilities of evaluating the effects of training or rehabilitation interventions. In the first test–retest experiment, 11 healthy male subjects performed two trials of single‐leg hops under three different test conditions: non‐fatigued and following fatiguing exercise, which consisted of unilateral weight machine knee extensions at 80% and 50%, respectively, of 1 repetition maximum (1 RM) strength. Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.75 to 0.98 for different hop test conditions, indicating that all tests were reliable. For the second experiment, eight healthy male subjects performed the fatiguing exercise protocol to investigate how fatigue influences lower‐extremity joint kinematics and kinetics during single‐leg hops. Hip, knee and ankle joint angles, moments and powers, as well as ground‐reaction forces were recorded with a six‐camera, motion‐capture system and a force platform. Recovery of hop performance following the fatiguing exercise was also measured. During the take‐off for the single‐leg hops, hip and knee flexion angles, generated powers for the knee and ankle joints, and ground‐reaction forces decreased for the fatigued hop conditions compared with the non‐fatigued condition (P<0.05). Compared with landing during the non‐fatigued condition, hip moments and ground‐reaction forces were lower for the fatigued hop conditions (P<0.05). The negative joint power was two to three times greater for the knee than for the hip and five to 10 times greater for the knee than for the ankle during landing for all test conditions (P<0.05). Most measured variables had recovered three minutes post‐exercise. It is concluded that the fatiguing exercise protocol combined with single‐leg hop testing was a reliable method for investigating functional performance under fatigued test conditions. Further, subjects utilized an adapted hop strategy, which employed less hip and knee flexion and generated powers for the knee and ankle joints during take‐off, and less hip joint moments during landing under fatigued conditions. The large negative power values observed at the knee joint during the landing phase of the single‐leg hop, during which the quadriceps muscle activates eccentrically, indicate that not only hop distance but also the ability to perform successful landings should be investigated when assessing dynamic knee function.
On the Conventionalization of Mouth Actions in Australian Sign Language

This study investigates the conventionalization of mouth actions in Australian Sign Language. Signed languages were once thought of as simply manual languages because the hands produce the signs which individually and in groups are the symbolic units most easily equated with the words, phrases and clauses of spoken languages. However, it has long been acknowledged that non-manual activity, such as movements of the body, head and the face play a very important role. In this context, mouth actions that occur while communicating in signed languages have posed a number of questions for linguists: are the silent mouthings of spoken language words simply borrowings from the respective majority community spoken language(s)? Are those mouth actions that are not silent mouthings of spoken words conventionalized linguistic units proper to each signed language, culturally linked semi-conventional gestural units shared by signers with members of the majority speaking community, or even gestures and expressions common to all humans? We use a corpus-based approach to gather evidence of the extent of the use of mouth actions in naturalistic Australian Sign Language–making comparisons with other signed languages where data is available–and the form/meaning pairings that these mouth actions instantiate.