Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CD4 and CD8 Counts Are Associated With Interactions of Gender and Psychosocial Stress

Objective This study examined relationships of gender, psychosocial stress/distress (caregiving, hassles, depressed mood), and the relative percentage and absolute cell counts of CD4 and CD8 cells in two samples of older adults (mean age = 69.4)-spouse caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease (N = 78) and age- and gender-matched spouses of nondemented controls (N = 72). Methods Counts and percentages of CD4 and CD8 cells and psychosocial variables were assessed twice (Time 1, Time 2) over a 15- to 18-month period. Several covariates were examined in the analyses, including body mass index (BMI), medication use, alcohol use, exercise, and illness history. Results Caregiver men had fewer CD4 cell counts at Times 1 and 2 than did control men (p < .05). At Times 1 and 2, both CD8 cell counts and percentages were positively associated with hassles in men (p < .05), but not in women. Although interactions of hassles and gender were present for CD8 percentages at both times, interactions and main effects were not present for CD4 percentages at either time. When the ratio of CD4 to CD8 levels was analyzed, hassles by gender interactions were present at both Times 1 and 2-hassles were negatively associated with the CD4/CD8 ratio in men (p < .05), but unrelated in women. From Time 1 to Time 2, change analyses showed that increases in hassles scores were associated with decreases in CD4 counts (p < .05), whereas increases in Hamilton Depression Scores were related to increases in both CD8 counts and percentages (p < .05). Conclusion Caregiver status, hassles, and depressed mood had cross-sectional and/or longitudinal associations with CD4 and CD8 counts, but such relationships occurred primarily in men. Moreover, absolute cell counts were more related to psychosocial factors than were percentages.
Home Alone: Why People Believe Others’ Social Lives Are Richer Than Their Own

Although decades of research show that people tend to see themselves in the best possible light, we present evidence that people have a surprisingly grim outlook on their social lives. In 11 studies (N = 3,293; including 3 preregistered), we find that most people think that others lead richer and more active social lives than they do themselves. We show that this bias holds across multiple populations (college students, MTurk respondents, shoppers at a local mall, and participants from a large, income-stratified online panel), correlates strongly with well-being, and is particularly acute for social activities (e.g., the number of parties one attends or proximity to the “inner circle” of one’s social sphere). We argue that this pessimistic bias stems from the fact that trendsetters and socialites come most easily to mind as a standard of comparison and show that reducing the availability of extremely social people eliminates this bias. We conclude by discussing implications for research on social comparison and self-enhancement.
Exercise‐induced increase in serum interleukin‐6 in humans is related to muscle damage.

1. This study was performed to test the hypothesis that the exercise‐induced increase in circulating cytokine levels is associated with muscle damage. Nine healthy young male subjects performed two high‐intensity bicycle exercise trials separated by two weeks. The first trial consisted of 30 min of normal bicycle exercise (concentric exercise), whereas the second consisted of 30 min of braking with reversed revolution (eccentric exercise). The work loads were chosen to give the same increases in heart rate and catecholamine levels in the blood during each trial. 2. Significant increases (P < 0.05) in plasma concentration of creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were observed only after the eccentric exercise. Furthermore, the level of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in serum increased significantly after the eccentric exercise and was significantly correlated to CK concentration in the following days, whereas no significant changes were found after the concentric exercise. 3. The total concentration of lymphocytes increased significantly (P < 0.05) as a result of eccentric compared with concentric exercise. This was mainly due to a significantly more pronounced recruitment of natural killer (NK) cells and CD8 positive cells (CD8+ cells) during the eccentric trial. However, no significant differences between the two types of work were found in regard to the circulating concentration of monocytes. The concentration of neutrophils was only significantly increased 2 h after the concentric exercise. 4. The finding that high‐intensity eccentric exercise caused a more pronounced increase in the plasma level of IL‐6, compared with concentric exercise, supports the hypothesis that the post‐exercise cytokine production is related to skeletal muscle damage. The fact that no differences between eccentric and concentric exercise were found in the recruitment of most blood mononuclear cell subsets to the blood supports the hypothesis that the exercise‐induced increase in plasma catecholamines is a major determinant of the mobilization of these cells into the blood. However, as eccentric exercise caused a more pronounced increase in the concentration of NK cells and CD8+ cells, factors involved in muscle damage may also contribute to the recruitment of these cells.
Normal and aberrant craniofacial myogenesis by grafted trunk somitic and segmental plate mesoderm

Our research assesses the ability of three trunk mesodermal populations– medial and lateral halves of newly formed somites, and presomitic (segmental plate) mesenchyme – to participate in the differentiation and morphogenesis of craniofacial muscles. Grafts from quail donor embryos were placed in mesodermal pockets adjacent to the midbrain-hindbrain boundary, prior to the onset of neural crest migration, in chick host embryos. This encompasses the site where the lateral rectus and the proximal first branchial arch muscle primordia arise. The distribution and differentiation of graft-derived cells were assayed using QCPN and QH1 antibodies to identify all quail cells and quail endothelial cells, respectively. Chimeric embryos were assayed for expression of myf5, myod, paraxis and lbx1, and the synthesis of myosin heavy chain (MyHC), between 1 and 6 days later (stages 14-30). Heterotopic and control (orthotopic) transplants consistently produced invasive angioblasts, and contributed to the lateral rectus and proximal first branchial arch muscles; many also contributed to the dorsal oblique muscle. The spatiotemporal patterns of transcription factor and MyHC expression by these trunk cells mimicked those of normal head muscles. Heterotopic grafts also gave rise to many ectopic muscles. These were observed in somite-like condensations at the implant site, in dense mesenchymal aggregates adjacent to the midbrain-hindbrain boundary, and in numerous small condensations scattered deep to the dorsal margin of the eye. Cells in ectopic condensations expressed trunk transcription factors and differentiated rapidly, mimicking the trunk myogenic timetable. A novel discovery was the formation by grafted trunk mesoderm of many mononucleated myocytes and irregularly oriented myotubes deep to the eye. These results establish that the head environment is able to support the progressive differentiation of several distinct trunk myogenic progenitor populations, over-riding whatever biases were present at the time of grafting. The spatial and temporal control of head muscle differentiation and morphogenesis are very site specific, and head mesoderm outside of these sites is normally refractory to, or inhibited by, the signals that initiate ectopic myogenesis by grafted trunk mesoderm cells.
Biological richness of a large urban cemetery in Berlin. Results of a multi-taxon approach

Abstract Background Urban green spaces can harbor a considerable species richness of plants and animals. A few studies on single species groups indicate important habitat functions of cemeteries, but this land use type is clearly understudied compared to parks. Such data are important as they (i) illustrate habitat functions of a specific, but ubiquitous urban land-use type and (ii) may serve as a basis for management approaches. New information We sampled different groups of plants and animals in the Weißensee Jewish Cemetery in Berlin (WJC) which is one of the largest Jewish cemeteries in Europe. With a total of 608 species of plants and animals, this first multi-taxon survey revealed a considerable biological richness in the WJC. In all, 363 wild-growing vascular plant, 72 lichen and 26 bryophyte taxa were recorded. The sampling also yielded 34 bird and 5 bat species as well as 39 ground beetle, 5 harvestman and 64 spider species. Some species are new records for Berlin.
Coordinated Changes in DNA Methylation and Histone Modifications Regulate Silencing/Derepression of Luteinizing Hormone Receptor Gene Transcription

ABSTRACT We have previously demonstrated that transcription of the luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) gene is subject to repression by histone deacetylation at its promoter region, where a histone deacetylase (HDAC)/mSin3A complex is anchored at a proximal Sp1 site. The present studies have shown that epigenetic silencing and activation of the LHR gene is achieved through coordinated regulation at both the histone and DNA levels. The HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) evoked robust but significantly lower activation of the LHR gene in JAR than in MCF-7 cells. This effect was localized to the 176-bp promoter region, which is highly methylated in JAR and lightly methylated in MCF-7 cells. Consequently, TSA and the DNA demethylating reagent 5-azacytidine (5-AzaC) caused marked synergistic activation of the LHR gene in JAR but not in MCF-7 cells. Multiple site-specific lysine acetylation of H3/H4 is associated with such LHR gene activation. Methylation or acetylation of H3 at K9 is present at the silenced and derepressed LHR promoter, respectively. While DNA methylation levels did not affect the histone code of the LHR gene promoter, demethylation of the promoter CpG sites was necessary for maximal stimulation of this gene. Mechanistically, the combined actions of TSA and 5-AzaC, but not either 5-AzaC or TSA alone, resulted in complete demethylation of the LHR gene promoter in JAR cells. Release of the repressive HDAC/mSin3A complex from the LHR gene promoter in both cell types required both TSA-induced changes of histone modifications and, concurrently, a demethylated promoter. Also, Dnmt1 was largely dissociated from the LHR gene promoter in the presence of TSA or TSA plus 5-AzaC, and binding of MBD2 in JAR cells was diminished upon conversion of the promoter to a demethylated state. Such changes induced a more permissive chromatin where recruitment of polymerase II and TFIIB to the promoter was significantly increased. The activated state of the LHR gene induced by TSA and 5-AzaC in JAR and MCF-7 cells was observed basally in LHR-expressing PLC cells, in which the promoter is unmethylated and associated with hyperacetylated histones. Consequently, PLC cells are unresponsive to drug treatment. These findings have elucidated a regulatory mechanism whereby concurrent dissociation of repressors and association of activators and basal transcriptional components, resulting from coordinated histone hyperacetylation and DNA demethylation, lead to derepression of the LHR gene expression.
Human RPE cell apoptosis induced by activated monocytes is mediated by caspase-3 activation.

PURPOSE To determine the effects of activated monocytes on the induction of human retinal pigment epithelial (HRPE) cell reactive oxygen metabolite (ROM) production and apoptosis. METHODS HRPE cells were co-cultured with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-stimulated human monocytes. HRPE apoptosis was detected by propidium iodide, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining, caspase-3 activation, and Western blot analysis. HRPE cell ROMs were imaged using the fluorescent marker dihydrotetramethylrosamine (H2TMRos). RESULTS IFN-gamma-activated monocytes in direct contact with HRPE cells elicited significant increases in TUNEL-positive (P < .0001) and decreases in PCNA-positive (P < .0001) HRPE cells. The activated monocytes also induced HRPE cell caspase-3 activation, which was inhibited by inhibitor Z-DEVD-fmk. Co-incubations, in which monocytes were either prevented from direct contact with HRPE cells or separated from HRPE cells after 30 minutes of direct contact, did not induce significant HRPE cell apoptosis. Anti-CD18 and anti-ICAM-1 antibodies significantly reduced activated monocyte-induced TUNEL-positive HRPE cells, by 48% (P = .0051) and 38% (P = .046), respectively, and caspase-3 activity by 56% (P < .0001) and 45% (P < .0001), respectively. Overlay of monocytes induced HRPE cell ROM that was inhibited by anti-CD18 and anti-ICAM-1 antibodies, but not by superoxide dismutase (SOD) or nitric oxide (NO) inhibitors. Accordingly, neither SOD nor NO inhibitors had significant effects on HRPE cell apoptosis or caspase-3 activation. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that IFN-gamma-activated monocytes may induce ROM in HRPE cells through cell-to-cell contact, in part via CD18 and ICAM-1, and promote HRPE cell apoptosis via caspase-3 activation. These mechanisms may compromise HRPE cell function and survival in retinal diseases in which mononuclear phagocyte infiltration at the HRPE interface is observed.
Artificial pleural effusion in percutaneous microwave ablation of hepatic tumors near the diaphragm under the guidance of ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of artificial pleural effusion in percutaneous microwave ablation of hepatic tumors near the diaphragm under ultrasound guidance. METHODS For localization and navigation of tumors near the dome of the diaphragm by ultrasound during microwave ablation in 14 tumors of 11 cases, artificial pleural effusion was performed in the volume of 1000~1500 ml of Normal saline or 5% Glucose injection solution via the right thoracic cavity. The tumor marker, AFP was monitored before and after operation in 6 times in a period of 2 years. We analyzed the successful rate and effectiveness of artificial pleural effusion. RESULTS The successful rate of artificial pleural effusion was 100% without complications. Artificial hydrothorax on the right eliminated the interference of intrapulmonary gas to the visualization of hepatic tumors near the diaphragm on ultrasound. In the follow-up of 2 years, the ablation rate reached to 92.9% with no serious complications. The AFP value before operation was in significant statistical difference with the others after operation (P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS Artificial pleural effusion aids the visualization of hepatic tumors near the diaphragm on ultrasound. A good therapeutic effectiveness can be reached in percutaneous microwave ablation of tumors in the hepatic dome under the guidance of ultrasound.
Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki‐67 in unicystic ameloblastoma

The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki‐67 was studied in unicystic and solid ameloblastoma (follicular and plexiform types) using a biotin‐streptavidin method on routinely processed paraffin sections. To determine percentage PCNA and Ki‐67 labelling indices, positive tumour cells and total tumour cells were counted in areas of each unicystic ameloblastoma corresponding to cystic linings, intraluminal nodules and invading tumour islands, and in solid ameloblastomas. Positive cells in basal and suprabasal layers of cystic tumour lining were also counted with respect to the length of basement membrane determined by image analysis. In unicystic ameloblastoma the invading islands exhibited a significantly higher PCNA labelling index (29.2 ± 16.4%) than intraluminal nodules (13.6 ± 5.4%; P < 0.05). Cystic tumour lining had relatively few PCNA positive cells and a labelling index (5.5 ± 3.3%) significantly lower than invading islands (P < 0.001) or intraluminal nodules (P < 0.003). The labelling indices of solid ameloblastomas of follicular type (48.1 ± 12.9%) were significantly higher than those of cystic tumour lining (P < 0.0001), intraluminal nodules (P < 0.001) and invading islands (P < 0.04) in unicystic ameloblastoma. Similar relationships were found for Ki‐67 expression except that comparisons involving invading islands and intraluminal nodules were not significant, a finding probably due to the smaller number of specimens available for quantitative analysis. These results indicate differences in proliferative potential between different areas of unicystic ameloblastoma and between unicystic and solid lesions. The fact that invading tumour islands within the fibrous tissue wall showed high labelling indices is in agreement with the clinical observation that their presence may be related to recurrence after conservative surgery. This provides a biological basis for indicating more radical surgical excision as the treatment of choice for this subgroup of lesions.
Transcription factor GATA4 regulates cardiac BCL2 gene expression in vitro and in vivo

The transcription factor GATA‐4 protects cardiomyocytes against doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity. Here, we report the identification of Bcl2 as a direct target gene of GATA4 that may mediate the prosurvival function of GATA4 in cardiomyocytes. Bcl2 transcript and protein levels were reduced by doxorubicin in neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRVC) and in mouse heart as determined by RT‐PCR and Western blot analysis. The reduction in Bcl2 was prevented by overexpression of GATA4 in NRVC and in transgenic mouse heart. Also, expression of GATA4 increased baseline Bcl2 levels by 30% in NRVC and 2.7‐fold in transgenic heart, indicating the sufficiency of GATA4 to up‐regulate Bcl2 gene expression. GATA4 knockdown by siRNA reduced Bcl2 levels by 48% in NRVC, suggesting that GATA4 is required for Bcl2 constitutive gene expression. Transfection of HEK cells with GATA4 plasmids activated Bcl2 promoter and elevated Bcl2 protein levels. Deletion and mutagenesis analysis revealed that a consensus GATA motif at base ‐266 on the promoter conserved across multiple species is partially responsible for the promoter activity. Electrophoretic mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrate that GATA4 directly bound to this GATA site. Together, these results indicate that GATA4 positively regulates cardiac Bcl2 gene expression in vitro and in vivo.
El asalto a los bienes comunales: Cambio económico y conflictos sociales en Navarra, 1808-1936

Partiendo del caso navarro, se plantea en este trabajo una reconsideracion del proceso desamortizador de bienes civiles. Frente a la vision clasica, el asalto a los comunales aparece aqui, a traves de la reconstruccion de ritmos y volumenes de ventas, como un fenomeno mas intenso y complejo, del que la Ley de 1855 no es sino un eslabon mas. Si la intensa privatizacion es inseparable del proceso de crecimiento agrario activado a mediados del XIX, la conflictividad social fue inherente al triunfo de la revolucion burguesa. Las tensiones estructurales generadas, apenas mitigadas por una rectificacion del rumbo anterior, jugaron un papel en el contexto de la crisis de la II Republica y el estallido de la Guerra Civil.
Knowledge of and attitudes towards resuscitation in New Zealand high-school students

Background: Introducing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training in the high-school curriculum has been widely recommended as a long-term strategy to educate the wider community. Although CPR has been included in the New Zealand school curriculum, it is listed as an optional subject only. Aim: To assess the attitude towards and knowledge of CPR in 16–17-year-old high-school students in New Zealand. Methods: Questionnaires were administered to 494 students aged 16–17 years across six high schools in Wellington, New Zealand. Both knowledge and attitude were evaluated in the questionnaire. Results: Students showed poor theoretical knowledge, with a mean (SD) score of 5.61 (2.61) out of a maximum score of 18. Although there was no difference between male and female students, those who had received previous first-aid training (70%) showed greater knowledge (6.04 (2.56)) than their untrained counterparts (4.91 (2.24); p = 0.001). Those students with a positive attitude towards CPR and first-aid training (63%) acquired a higher knowledge score (6.12 (2.4)) than those with a negative attitude (17%; 4.65 (2.5); p = 0.001). Students with negative associations were also less likely to want to learn more about CPR and first aid (11%) when compared with those with positive associations (92%), and indicated less willingness to perform CPR on a stranger (negative v positive, 47% v 70%). Conclusions: These findings suggest that although most high-school students are willing and motivated to learn CPR, a smaller percentage of students had a negative attitude towards CPR that would act as a barrier to future learning or performance of resuscitation. Introducing CPR training to high schools is still recommended; however, this study shows the need to associate this training with positive references in an attempt to assist those for whom negative attitude may present as a barrier to learning and retaining CPR knowledge.
Brain DNA damage and 70-kDa heat shock protein expression in CD1 mice exposed to extremely low frequency magnetic fields

Purpose: The question of whether exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF), may contribute to cerebral cancer and neurodegeneration is of current interest. In this study we investigated whether exposure to ELF-MF (50 Hz-1 mT) harms cerebral DNA and induces expression of 70-kDa heat shock protein (hsp70). Materials and methods: CD1 mice were exposed to a MF (50 Hz-1 mT) for 1 or 7 days (15 h/day) and sacrificed either at the end of exposure or after 24 h. Unexposed and sham-exposed mice were used as controls. Mouse brains were dissected into cerebral cortex-striatum, hippocampus and cerebellum to evaluate primary DNA damage and hsp70 gene expression. Food intake, weight gain, and motor activity were also evaluated. Results: An increase in primary DNA damage was detected in all cerebral areas of the exposed mice sacrificed at the end of exposure, as compared to controls. DNA damage, as can be evaluated by the comet assay, appeared to be repaired in mice sacrificed 24 h after a 7-day exposure. Neither a short (15 h) nor long (7 days) MF-exposure induced hsp70 expression, metabolic and behavioural changes. Conclusions: These results indicate that in vivo ELF-MF induce reversible brain DNA damage while they do not elicit the stress response.