Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Bacillus subtilis SPB1 biosurfactant effects on hyperglycemia, angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and kidney function in rats fed on high-fat–high-fructose diet

Abstract This study investigated the protective and the curative effects of Bacillus subtilis SPB1 crude lipopeptide biosurfactant in alleviating induced obesity complications in rats fed on high-fat–high-fructose diet (HFFD). Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups with the following treatment schedule: normal diet-fed rats (CD), HFFD-fed rats, HFFD-fed rats supplemented with SPB1 biosurfactant from the first day of the experiment (HFFD + Bios1), rats fed on HFFD receiving standard drug (HFFD + Torva), or SPB1 biosurfactant (HFFD + Bios2) during the last 4 weeks of the study. HFFD induced hyperglycemia, manifested by a significant (p < 0.001) increase (20%) in the levels of glucose and α-amylase activity in the plasma, when compared with CD. The administration of SPB1 biosurfactant to rats fed on HFFD reverted back normal blood glucose and α-amylase activity levels. Also, the findings clearly showed that acute oral administration of SPB1 biosurfactant reduced significantly (34%) the peak of blood glucose concentration 60 min after glucose administration, as compared with untreated rats fed on HFFD. Furthermore, renal dysfunction indices such as creatinine and urea as well as the level of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) exhibited remarkable increases in serum of rats fed on HFFD by 28.35%, 46%, and 92%,. Interestingly, SPB1 lipopeptides treatments decreased the creatinine and urea levels significantly (p < 0.001) near normal values, as compared with that of the HFFD group, and also showed an improvement of the kidney cortex architecture. Moreover, SPB1 biosurfactant displayed a potent inhibition of ACE activity in vitro (CI50 value= 1.37 mg/mL) as well as in vivo in obese rats by 42% and 27.25% with HFFD + Bios1 and HFFD + Bios2 treatments, respectively, and comparatively with the HFFD group. Besides, SPB1 lipopeptides treatments improved some of serum electrolytes such as Na+, K+, Ca2+ , and Mg2+. The results showed that SPB1 lipopeptide biosurfactant presented useful hypoglycemic and antihypertensive properties, and was able to alleviate renal lipid deposition in rats fed on a hypercaloric diet.
Evolution of Family 18 Glycoside Hydrolases: Diversity, Domain Structures and Phylogenetic Relationships

Chitin and its derivates have many industrial and medical uses. There is a demand for chitin-modifying enzymes with new or modified properties and as microorganisms are the primary degraders of chitin in the environment, they provide a source of chitin-modifying enzymes with novel properties. We have analyzed the diversity, domain structure and phylogenetic relationships between family 18 chitinases based on complete genome sequences of bacteria, archaea, viruses, fungi, plants and animals. Our study shows that family 18 chitinases are divided into three main clusters, A, B and C. Clusters A and B both contain family 18 chitinases from bacteria, fungi and plants, suggesting that the differentiation of cluster A and B chitinases preceded the appearance of the eukaryotic lineage. Subgroups within clusters can have specific domain structures, as well as specific amino acid replacements in catalytic sites, which imply functional adaptation. This work provides a comprehensive overview of the evolutionary relationships of family 18 chitinases and provides a context for further investigations on functional aspects of family 18 chitinases in ecology and biotechnology.
Isolation by Language and Distance in Belgium

The isonymy structure of trilingual Belgium was studied using the surname distributions for 1,118,004 private telephone users. The users were distributed in 77 Flemish, 76 French, and 3 German speaking towns, selected on a geographic basis to form an approximately regular grid over Belgium. Lasker's distance was found to be considerably higher between languages than within languages. For the whole of Belgium, irrespective of language, it was highly correlated with linear geographic distance, with r = 0.721±0.014, which is the highest correlation observed in European countries to date. Within Belgium and within languages, the correlation was highest among the Flemish (r = 0.878 ± 0.007), and lowest among the French (r = 0.631±0.020). Isolation by distance in Belgium is the highest we have found in Europe, and as high as in Switzerland where the different languages are separated by geographical barriers. This is not the case in Belgium, so that the considerable isolating power of languages emerges clearly from the present analysis. From the comparison of Lasker's distance between (9.48) and within (8.16) languages, and from its regression over geographic distance (b = 0.01206), it was possible to establish a quantitative relationship between the isolating power of languages and that of geographic distance as (9.48–8.16)/0.01206 = 109 kilometres. This transformation of language distance into an equivalent geographic distance, given here for Belgium, can be applied to any similar geo‐linguistic situation.
AMPA, kainate, and NMDA receptor densities in the hippocampus of untreated male rats and females in estrus and diestrus

Steroid hormones systematically affect numerous neuronal targets, thus influencing, in a permanent or a transitory manner, the way the brain reacts to external and internal stimuli. The hippocampus is an important brain region for learning and memory and the glutamatergic intrahippocampal pathway plays a major role in performing such functions. We applied quantitative in vitro receptor autoradiography to examine how the in vivo hormone milieu affects the densities of AMPA, kainate, and NMDA receptors in the hippocampus of adult male rats and females in estrus and diestrus. All three examined receptor types presented significant gender‐specific differences in their densities. The hippocampus of male rats contains significantly more AMPA, kainate, and NMDA receptors than that of female rats. Female rats in diestrus have significantly higher AMPA receptor densities than female rats in estrus. AMPA changes occurred to the same extent in CA1‐3 and in the dentate gyrus. Significant differences in the densities of NMDA receptors were observed in the CA1‐3 regions, whereas kainate receptor differences were restricted to the CA1 region. These results further support that steroid hormones, through their modulation of AMPA and NMDA receptors, may be involved in the control of synaptic efficacy and, therefore, influence learning and memory. J. Comp. Neurol. 459:468–474, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sensitivity to fluorinated steroids presenting as a delayed hypersensitivity

with the separate ingredients of two lipsticks and reacted to an antioxidant, Tenox 11 (butylated hydroxyanisole 20 %, propyl gallate 6 %, citric acid 49 %, propylene glycol 70 %) and Cyclochem (a wax, consisting of cetostearyl alcohol and sodium Iaury! sulphate). Further tests confirmed that the reaction to Cyclochem was irritant, and of the ingredients of Tenox 11 she reacted only to propyl gallate (2 % pet): 12 controls were negative. A brand of lipstick was found which does not contain Tenox 11 and she wore these lipsticks for 6 months without trouble. At this time a repeat patch test with propyl gallate was again positive.
UGLY CRIMINALS Naci Mocan and

Being very attractive reduces a young adult’s propensity for criminal activity and being unattractive increases it. Being very attractive is also positively associated with wages and with adult vocabulary test scores, which implies that beauty may have an impact on human capital formation. The results suggest that a labor market penalty provides a direct incentive for unattractive individuals toward criminal activity. The level of beauty in high school is associated with criminal propensity seven to eight years later, which seems to be due to the impact of beauty in high school on human capital formation, although this avenue seems to be effective for females only. I am too ugly to get a job. —A Miami man’s statement in 2003 as to why he committed robberies
Concurrent and Longitudinal Contribution of Exposure to Bullying in Childhood to Mental Health

Importance Exposure to bullying is associated with poor mental health. However, the degree to which observed associations reflect direct detrimental contributions of exposure to bullying to mental health remains uncertain, as noncausal relationships may arise from genetic and environmental confounding (eg, preexisting vulnerabilities). Determining to what extent exposure to bullying contributes to mental health is an important concern, with implications for primary and secondary interventions. Objective To characterize the concurrent and longitudinal contribution of exposure to bullying to mental health in childhood and adolescence using a twin differences design to strengthen causal inference. Design, Setting, and Participants Participants were drawn from the Twins Early Development Study, a population-based cohort recruited from population records of births in England and Wales between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 1996. Data collection took place when the participants were between 11 and 16 years of age from December 1, 2005, to January 31, 2013. Data analysis was conducted from January 1, 2016, to June 20, 2017. Exposures Participants completed the Multidimensional Peer-Victimization Scale at 11 and 14 years of age. Main Outcomes and Measures Mental health assessments at 11 and 16 years of age included anxiety, depression, hyperactivity and impulsivity, inattention, conduct problems, and psychotic-like experiences (eg, paranoid thoughts or cognitive disorganization). Results The 11 108 twins included in the final sample (5894 girls and 5214 boys) were a mean age of 11.3 years at the first assessment and 16.3 years at the last assessment. The most stringent twin differences estimates (monozygotic) were consistent with causal contribution of exposure to bullying at 11 years to concurrent anxiety, depression, hyperactivity and impulsivity, inattention, and conduct problems. Effects decreased over time; that is, substantial concurrent contributions to anxiety (&bgr; = 0.27; 95% CI, 0.22-0.33) persisted for 2 years (&bgr; = 0.12; 95% CI, 0.04-0.20) but not 5 years. Direct contributions to paranoid thoughts and cognitive disorganization persisted for 5 years. Conclusions and Relevance This study is the largest to date to characterize the contribution of exposure to bullying in childhood to mental health using a twin differences design and multi-informant, multiscale data. Stringent evidence of the direct detrimental contribution of exposure to bullying in childhood to mental health is provided. Findings also suggest that childhood exposure to bullying may partly be viewed as a symptom of preexisting vulnerabilities. Finally, the dissipation of effects over time for many outcomes highlights the potential for resilience in children who were bullied. In addition to programs that aim to reduce exposure to bullying, interventions may benefit from addressing preexisting vulnerabilities and focus on resilience.
Cognitive Decline in a Colombian Kindred With Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

IMPORTANCE Data from an autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease (ADAD) kindred were used to track the longitudinal trajectory of cognitive decline associated with preclinical ADAD and explore factors that may modify the rate of cognitive decline. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the onset and rate of cognitive decline during preclinical ADAD and the effect of socioeconomic, vascular, and genetic factors on the cognitive decline. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS We performed a retrospective cohort study from January 1, 1995, through June 31, 2012, of individuals from Antioquia, Colombia, who tested positive for the ADAD-associated PSEN1 E280A mutation. Data analysis was performed from August 20, 2014, through November 30, 2015. A mixed-effects model was used to estimate annual rates of change in cognitive test scores and to mark the onset of cognitive decline. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Memory, language, praxis, and total scores from the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer Disease test battery. Chronologic age was used as a time scale in the models. We explore the effects of sex; educational level; socioeconomic status; residence area; occupation type; marital status; history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia; tobacco and alcohol use; and APOE ε4 on the rates of cognitive decline. RESULTS A total of 493 carriers met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. A total of 256 carriers had 2 or more assessments. At the time of the initial assessment, participants had a mean (SD) age of 33.4 (11.7) years and a mean (SD) educational level of 7.2 (4.2) years. They were predominantly female (270 [54.8%]), married (293 [59.4%]), and of low socioeconomic status (322 [65.3%]). Word list recall scores provided the earliest indicator of preclinical cognitive decline at 32 years of age, 12 and 17 years before the kindred's respective median ages at mild cognitive impairment and dementia onset. After the change point, carriers had a statistically significant cognitive decline with a loss of 0.24 (95% CI, -0.26 to -0.22) points per year for the word list recall test and 2.13 (95% CI, -2.29 to -1.96) points per year for total scores. Carriers with high educational levels had an increase of approximately 36% in the rate of cognitive decline after the change point when compared with those with low educational levels (-2.89 vs -2.13 points per year, respectively). Onset of cognitive decline was delayed by 3 years in individuals with higher educational levels compared with those with lower educational levels. Those with higher educational level, middle/high socioeconomic status, history of diabetes and hypertension, and tobacco and alcohol use had a steeper cognitive decline after onset. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Preclinical cognitive decline was evident in PSEN1 E280A mutation carriers 12 years before the onset of clinical impairment. Educational level may be a protective factor against the onset of cognitive impairment.
Growth Hormone and Bone

The significance of growth hormone in the psychology of bone remodeling is now strongly recognized. It influences osteoblast function and growth in vitro as well as in vivo. Although in vivo bone resorption is also stimulated, short administration of growth hormone induces a sustained stimulation of osteoblastic function, whereas the influence on resorption probably diminishes earlier. Growth hormone concentrations in plasma decline with age. Growth hormone and growth hormone response to growth hormone releasing factor are influenced by sex hormones, thereby changing around the menopause. In several aspects features of aging resemble those of a state of growth hormone deficiency. This holds true for body composition, the immune system as well as bone density. Therefore, it has been argued that declining growth hormone function, along with other factors, might be a causal factor in osteoporosis. Consequently, growth hormone substitution in the elderly might be applicable to maintain and possibly improve bone density and structure. The first clinical trials using recombinant growth hormone give hopeful results.
Attempted suicides from intact and broken parental homes.

Summary A consecutive series of 156 attempted suicides admitted to hospital were compared with (1) non-suicidal psychiatric patients and (2) medical, surgical, and obstetric patients with out psychiatric disorder in respect of salient variables in their past and present environment. Controls were matched with attempted suicides for age, sex, social class, country of origin, and, in the case of psychiatric patients, diagnosis. Attempted suicides differed significantly from both control groups in having a greater incidence of childhood parental loss, and such loss more commonly involved both parents, occurred at a younger age, and was more likely to be permanent (i.e., due to parental death and divorce). The sex of the absent parent and the childhood environment after parental loss were not correlated with attempted suicide. With regard to the immediate environment, a significantly higher proportion of attempted suicides than controls had experienced recent disruption of a close relationship due to interpersonal conflict. No significant differences were observed between the suicidal and control groups in terms of (a) social isolation (i.e., living alone), (b) psychological isolation (i.e., the
Interindividual differences in diurnal variations in alertness, performance, and adrenaline excretion.

Patkai, P. Interindividual differences in diurnal variations in alertness, performance, and adrenaline excretion. Acta physiol. scand. 1971. 81. 35–46. Subjects classified as habitual morning vs. evening workers on the basis of their answers to a questionnaire, were compared with regard to day-time variations in catecholamine excretion and performance. Adrenaline excretion in morning workers was highest in the morning and decreased gradually during the day, while evening workers showed nearly constant excretion values. The performance of morning workers did not vary during the day, while evening workers showed a steady improvement, performing best in the evening. In addition, a significant difference between the two groups was found in the personality dimension of extraversion-introversion, showing that evening workers were more extravert and morning workers more introvert. The constancy of individual diurnal rhythms and their relations to personality traits, are discussed.
Lipid-lowering-independent effects of simvastatin on the kidney in experimental hypercholesterolaemia.

BACKGROUND Hypercholesterolaemia (HC), an independent risk factor for renal injury, is associated with formation of oxidized low-density-lipoprotein (ox-LDL), increased oxidative-stress and renal inflammation. HMG-CoA-reductase inhibitors are commonly used in HC, but their effects on renal haemodynamics and function in HC are poorly understood. METHODS Pigs were studied after a 12-week normal diet, a 2% high-cholesterol diet (HC) or an HC diet supplemented with simvastatin (HC+simvastatin, 80 mg/day) (n=6-8 each group). Renal haemodynamics and function were quantified in vivo with electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT). Shock-frozen renal tissue was subsequently studied using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS LDL cholesterol was similarly increased in HC and HC+simvastatin. Simvastatin-treated animals showed increased expression of endothelial nitric-oxide-synthase (eNOS), and decreased expression of the ox-LDL receptor LOX-1 in renal endothelial cells. Simvastatin also decreased tubular immunoreactivity of inducible-NOS, nitrotyrosine, nuclear-factor-kappaB, and tubuloglomerular trichrome staining. These were associated with a significant increase in cortical (6.1+/-0.1 vs 5.0+/-0.3 and 5.0+/-0.1 ml/min/cc, respectively, P<0.001) and medullary perfusion in HC+simvastatin compared to normal and HC. CONCLUSIONS Simvastatin attenuated the inflammatory and pro-oxidative environment as well as fibrosis in kidneys in pigs with diet-induced HC, in association with enhanced renal perfusion. These cholesterol-lowering-independent changes imply novel renoprotective effects of statins in the setting of HC and atherosclerosis.
Disease modification of breast cancer–induced bone remodeling by cannabinoid 2 receptor agonists

Most commonly originating from breast malignancies, metastatic bone cancer causes bone destruction and severe pain. Although novel chemotherapeutic agents have increased life expectancy, patients are experiencing higher incidences of fracture, pain, and drug‐induced side effects; furthermore, recent findings suggest that patients are severely undertreated for their cancer pain. Strong analgesics, namely opiates, are first‐line therapy in alleviating cancer‐related pain despite the severe side effects, including enhanced bone destruction with sustained administration. Bone resorption is primarily treated with bisphosphonates, which are associated with highly undesirable side effects, including nephrotoxicity and osteonecrosis of the jaw. In contrast, cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) receptor‐specific agonists have been shown to reduce bone loss and stimulate bone formation in a model of osteoporosis. CB2 agonists produce analgesia in both inflammatory and neuropathic pain models. Notably, mixed CB1/CB2 agonists also demonstrate a reduction in ErbB2‐driven breast cancer progression. Here we demonstrate for the first time that CB2 agonists reduce breast cancer–induced bone pain, bone loss, and breast cancer proliferation via cytokine/chemokine suppression. Studies used the spontaneously‐occurring murine mammary cell line (66.1) implanted into the femur intramedullary space; measurements of spontaneous pain, bone loss, and cancer proliferation were made. The systemic administration of a CB2 agonist, JWH015, for 7 days significantly attenuated bone remodeling, assuaged spontaneous pain, and decreased primary tumor burden. CB2‐mediated effects in vivo were reversed by concurrent treatment with a CB2 antagonist/inverse agonist but not with a CB1 antagonist/inverse agonist. In vitro, JWH015 reduced cancer cell proliferation and inflammatory mediators that have been shown to promote pain, bone loss, and proliferation. Taken together, these results suggest CB2 agonists as a novel treatment for breast cancer–induced bone pain, in which disease modifications include a reduction in bone loss, suppression of cancer growth, attenuation of severe bone pain, and increased survival without the major side effects of current therapeutic options. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Sensitivity of noncommercial computer-aided detection system for mammographic breast cancer detection: pilot clinical trial.

PURPOSE To evaluate a noncommercial computer-aided detection (CAD) program for breast cancer detection with screening mammography. MATERIALS AND METHODS A CAD program was developed for mammographic breast cancer detection. The program was applied to 2,389 patients' screening mammograms at two geographically remote academic institutions (institutions A and B). Thirteen radiologists who specialized in breast imaging participated in this pilot study. For each case, the individual radiologist performed a prospective Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) assessment after viewing of the screening mammogram. Subsequently, the radiologist was shown CAD results and rendered a second BI-RADS assessment by using knowledge of both mammographic appearance and CAD results. Outcome analysis of results of examination in patients recalled for a repeat examination, of biopsy, and of 1-year follow-up examination was recorded. Correct detection with CAD included a computer-generated mark indicating a possible malignancy on craniocaudal or mediolateral oblique views or both. RESULTS Eleven (0.46%) of 2,389 patients had mammographically detected nonpalpable breast cancers. Ten (91%) of 11 (95% CI: 74%, 100%) cancers were correctly identified with CAD. Radiologist sensitivity without CAD was 91% (10 of 11; 95% CI: 74%, 100%). In 1,077 patients, follow-up findings were documented at 1 year. Five (0.46%) patients developed cancers, which were found on subsequent screening mammograms. The area where the cancers developed in two (40%) of these five patients was marked (true-positive finding) by the computer in the preceding year. Because of CAD results, a 9.7% increase in recall rate from 14.4% (344 of 2,389) to 15.8% (378 of 2,389) occurred. Radiologists' recall rate of study patients prior to use of CAD was 31% higher than the average rate for nonstudy cases (10.3%) during the same time period at institution A. CONCLUSION Performance of the CAD program had a very high sensitivity of 91% (95% CI: 74%, 100%).