Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dietary Milled Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil Improve N-3 Fatty Acid Status and Do Not Affect Glycemic Control in Individuals with Well-Controlled Type 2 Diabetes

Objective: To determine the effects of dietary consumption of milled flaxseed or flaxseed oil on glycemic control, n-3 fatty acid status, anthropometrics, and adipokines in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Design: Thirty-four participants were randomized into a parallel, controlled trial. Subjects: The participants were adults with type 2 diabetes (age 52.4 ± 1.5 years, body mass index 32.4 ± 1.0 kg/m2, n = 17 men and 17 women). Interventions: Participants consumed a selection of bakery products containing no flax (control group [CTL], n = 9), milled flaxseed (FXS, n = 13; 32 g/d), or flaxseed oil (FXO, n = 12; 13 g/d) daily for 12 weeks. The FXS and FXO groups received equivalent amounts of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA; 7.4 g/day). Measures of Outcome: The primary outcome measures were fasting plasma hemoglobin A1c, glucose, insulin, and phospholipid fatty acid composition. The secondary outcome measures were fasting circulating leptin and adiponectin, as well as body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference. Dietary intake assessment and calculations for homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance and quantified insulin sensitivity check were also completed. Results: The FXS and FXO groups had increases in plasma phospholipid n-3 fatty acids (ALA, eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA], or decosapentaenoic acid [DPA], but not docosahexaenoic acid), and the FXO group had more EPA and DPA in plasma phospholipids compared to the FXS group. All groups had similar caloric intakes; however, the CTL group experienced a 4% weight gain compared to baseline (p < 0.05), while both flax groups had constant body weights during the study period. All other parameters, including glycemic control, were unchanged by dietary treatment. Conclusions: Milled FXS and FXO intake does not affect glycemic control in adults with well-controlled type 2 diabetes. Possible prevention of weight gain by flax consumption warrants further investigation.
Governance, Economic Restructuring, and International Competitiveness

The (de-)regulation debate of the 1980s only marginally touched upon two central theoretical, as well as practical, aspects of the problem: the functions and the institutions of regulation. As a rule, economists consider that there is a function for regulation only in the case of market failure, since their ideal is the perfectly competitive market. One can distinguish three types of market failure. In substantial terms, market failure arises when the market process does not lead to an efficient allocation. Second, there can be market failure in social terms, when efficient allocation implies an unacceptably unjust income distribution. This social aspect is devoted distinctly less space in the regulation debate. Third, there can be market failure in temporal terms. Solutions that are efficient in the short run may be suboptimal in the long run due to shortsighted planning horizons. Regulation could provide the necessary preconditions for long-term planning and efficiency. Up to now, this function of regulation has been
Comparative velocity investigations in cerebral arteries and aneurysms: 3D phase‐contrast MR angiography, laser Doppler velocimetry and computational fluid dynamics

In western populations, cerebral aneurysms develop in approximately 4% of humans and they involve the risk of rupture. Blood flow patterns are of interest for understanding the pathogenesis of the lesions and may eventually contribute to deciding on the most efficient treatment procedure for a specific patient. Velocity mapping with phase‐contrast magnetic resonance angiography (PC‐MRA) is a non‐invasive method for performing in vivo measurements on blood velocity. Several hemodynamic properties can either be derived directly from these measurements or a flow field with all its parameters can be simulated on the basis of the measurements. For both approaches, the accuracy of the PC‐MRA data and subsequent modeling must be validated. Therefore, a realistic transient flow field in a well‐defined patient‐specific silicone phantom was investigated. Velocity investigations with PC‐MRA in a 3 Tesla MR scanner, laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) were performed in the same model under equal flow conditions and compared to each other. The results showed that PC‐MRA was qualitatively similar to LDV and CFD, but showed notable quantitative differences, while LDV and CFD agreed well. The accuracy of velocity quantification by PC‐MRA was best in straight artery regions with the measurement plane being perpendicular to the primary flow direction. The accuracy decreased in regions with disturbed flow and in cases where the measurement plane was not perpendicular to the primary flow. Due to these findings, it is appropriate to use PC‐MRA as the inlet and outlet conditions for numerical simulations to calculate velocities and shear stresses in disturbed regions like aneurysms, rather than derive these values directly from the full PC‐MRA measured velocity field. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distribution of Phage-Associated Virulence Genes in Pharyngeal Group A Streptococcal Strains Isolated in Italy

ABSTRACT The presence and assortment of 16 known virulence/resistance genetic determinants carried by prophages or prophage-like elements were tested in 212 clinical group A Streptococcus (GAS) strains and related to available data from SmaI macrorestriction/pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis and emm typing. A strong correlation existed among the three analyses. This finding supports the substantial contribution to the evolution and diversification of the GAS genome attributed to phages.
Executive function oculomotor tasks in girls with ADHD.

OBJECTIVE To assess executive function in girls with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using oculomotor tasks as possible trait markers for neurobiological studies. METHOD Thirty-two girls aged 6 to 13 years with DSM-IV ADHD and 20 age-matched, normal control girls were tested on a variety of oculomotor tasks requiring attention, working memory, and response inhibition, which included smooth pursuit, delayed response, and go-no go tasks. RESULTS Girls with ADHD performed the delayed response task correctly on 32% of trials as measured by number of memory-guided saccades, in contrast to 62% of trials for control subjects (p = .0009). Patients made twice as many commission errors to no go stimuli (p = .0001) and 3 times as many intrusion errors (saccades in the absence of go or no go stimuli; p = .004) during the go-no go task compared with controls. Smooth pursuit performance was statistically equivalent across subject groups. Repeated testing in a subgroup of 15 patients revealed substantial practice effects on go-no go performance. CONCLUSIONS The data confirm that girls with ADHD exhibit impairments in executive function, as has been reported in boys, implying a similar pathophysiology of ADHD in both sexes. However, practice effects may limit the utility of the oculomotor go-no go task for some neurobiological studies.
Influences of Human and Livestock Density on Winter Habitat Selection of Mongolian Gazelle (Procapra gutturosa)

Human and livestock related disturbances of habitat selection by ungulates are topics of global concern, as they have profound impacts on ungulate survival, population density, fitness, and management; however, differences in ungulate habitat use under different human and livestock densities are not fully understood. Mongolian gazelle (Procapra gutturosa), an endemic ungulate species on the Asia-European steppe, faces varying intensities of human and livestock disturbances in the area around Dalai Lake, China. To investigate how habitat selection strategies vary as disturbance intensity changes, we randomly set 20 transects containing 1486 plots, on which we conducted repeated surveys of 21 ecological factors during the winters in the period of 2005–2008. We aimed to: 1) determine the critical factors underlying habitat selection of the gazelles; 2) determine the gazelles' habitat preferences in this area; 3) determine how habitat selection varies with disturbance intensity and explore the primary underlying mechanism. We used binary-logistic regressions and information theoretic approaches to build best-fit habitat selection models, and calculated resource selection functions. Sixty-six herds, 522 individuals, and 499 tracks were recorded. Our results indicate that snow depth and aboveground biomass are the main factors affecting habitat selection by Mongolian gazelle throughout the district in winter. Thin snow cover and abundant aboveground biomass are preferred. Avoiding disturbance was the primary factor accounting for habitat selection in low disturbance areas, although with increasing human or live-stock-related disturbance, gazelle maintained a reduced distance to the source of the disturbance. Presumably owing to that shift, movement costs were more important as disturbance increased. In addition, Mongolian gazelle selected habitats based on topographical features promoting greater visibility where disturbance was lower. We suggest several management implications of our findings for this ungulate species will contribute to the effective conservation of Mongolian gazelle in the Dalai Lake area.
An Analysis of the Accuracy of Wearable Sensors for Classifying the Causes of Falls in Humans

Falls are the number one cause of injury in older adults. Wearable sensors, typically consisting of accelerometers and/or gyroscopes, represent a promising technology for preventing and mitigating the effects of falls. At present, the goal of such “ambulatory fall monitors” is to detect the occurrence of a fall and alert care providers to this event. Future systems may also provide information on the causes and circumstances of falls, to aid clinical diagnosis and targeting of interventions. As a first step towards this goal, the objective of the current study was to develop and evaluate the accuracy of a wearable sensor system for determining the causes of falls. Sixteen young adults participated in experimental trials involving falls due to slips, trips, and “other” causes of imbalance. Three-dimensional acceleration data acquired during the falling trials were input to a linear discriminant analysis technique. This routine achieved 96% sensitivity and 98% specificity in distinguishing the causes of a falls using acceleration data from three markers (left ankle, right ankle, and sternum). In contrast, a single marker provided 54% sensitivity and two markers provided 89% sensitivity. These results indicate the utility of a three-node accelerometer array for distinguishing the cause of falls.
Effects of intrapartum oxytocin administration and epidural analgesia on the concentration of plasma oxytocin and prolactin, in response to suckling during the second day postpartum.

BACKGROUND Oxytocin and prolactin stimulate milk ejection and milk production during breastfeeding. The aim of the present study was to make a detailed analysis of maternal release of oxytocin and prolactin in response to breastfeeding during the second day postpartum in mothers who had received oxytocin either intravenously for stimulation of labor or intramuscularly for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage and/or epidural analgesia or those who had received no such treatment in connection with birth. METHODS In a descriptive comparative study plasma oxytocin and prolactin concentrations were measured in response to suckling during the second day postpartum in women who had received intravenous intrapartum oxytocin (n = 8), intramuscular postpartum oxytocin (n = 13), or epidural analgesia, either with (n = 14) or without (n = 6) intrapartum oxytocin infusion, and women who received none of these interventions (n = 20). Hormone levels were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS All mothers showed a pulsatile oxytocin pattern during the first 10 minutes of breastfeeding. Women who had received epidural analgesia with oxytocin infusion had the lowest endogenous median oxytocin levels. The more oxytocin infusion the mothers had received during labor, the lower their endogenous oxytocin levels were during a breastfeeding during the second day postpartum. A significant rise of prolactin was observed after 20 minutes in all women, but after 10 minutes in mothers having received oxytocin infusion during labor. In all women, oxytocin variability and the rise of prolactin levels between 0 and 20 minutes correlated significantly with median oxytocin and prolactin levels. CONCLUSION Oxytocin, released in a pulsatile way, and prolactin were released by breastfeeding during the second day postpartum. Oxytocin infusion decreased endogenous oxytocin levels dose-dependently. Furthermore, oxytocin infusion facilitated the release of prolactin. Epidural analgesia in combination with oxytocin infusion influenced endogenous oxytocin levels negatively.
Proactive multiple cardiovascular risk factor management compared with usual care in patients with hypertension and additional risk factors: the CRUCIAL trial

Abstract Objective: To investigate whether a proactive multifactorial risk factor intervention strategy using single-pill amlodipine/atorvastatin (5/10, 10/10 mg) in addition to other antihypertensive and lipid-lowering therapy, as required, resulted in greater reduction in calculated Framingham 10-year coronary heart disease (CHD) risk compared with usual care (UC) after 52-weeks treatment. Research design and methods: Prospective, multinational, open-label, cluster randomized trial, with the investigator as the unit of randomization. Eligible hypertensive patients were 35–79 years of age, with ≥3 additional cardiovascular risk factors, but no history of CHD and baseline total cholesterol (TC) ≤6.5 mmol/l. Clinical trial registration: Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00407537. Main outcome measure: The primary endpoint was calculated Framingham 10-year CHD risk at 52 weeks. Results: Of the 140 randomized sites, 136 sites contributed 1461 patients. Mean baseline age and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were comparable between treatment arms. Mean baseline BP (150.3/89.7 vs. 144.3/86.5 mmHg) and Framingham CHD risk (20.0 vs. 18.1%) were higher in the proactive intervention versus the UC arm (p < 0.002 for both). At week 52, mean CHD risk was 12.5% in the proactive intervention arm and 16.3% in the UC arm (p < 0.001). The difference, observed at weeks 16 and 52, was primarily driven by significant differences in systolic BP and in TC between the two arms. Overall, adverse events (AEs) were reported in 48.8% and 44.0% of patients in the proactive intervention and the UC arm, respectively. Although there were differences in the incidence of AEs between the treatment arms, the AE profile in the proactive intervention arm was consistent with previous safety experience for this medication. Conclusions: A proactive multifactorial risk factor intervention strategy that simultaneously treated both BP and cholesterol regardless of individual risk factors per se, is more effective in reducing calculated Framingham 10-year CHD risk than UC in patients with hypertension and additional risk factors.
Notch1 signals through Jagged2 to regulate apoptosis in the apical ectodermal ridge of the developing limb bud

The Notch family of receptors is involved in a wide variety of developmental processes, including cell fate specification, cell proliferation, and cell survival decisions during cell differentiation and tissue morphogenesis. Notch1 and Notch ligands are expressed in the developing limbs, and Notch signalling has been implicated in the formation of a variety of tissues that comprise the limb, such as the skeleton, musculature, and vasculature. Notch signalling has also been implicated in regulating overall limb size. We have used a conditional allele of Notch1 in combination with two different Cre transgenic lines to delete Notch1 function either in the limb mesenchyme or in the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) and limb ectoderm. We demonstrate that Notch signalling, involving Notch1 and Jagged2, is required to regulate the number of Fgf8‐expressing cells that comprise the AER and that regulation of the levels of fibroblast growth factor signalling is important for the freeing of the digits during normal limb formation. Regulation of the extent of the AER is achieved by Notch signalling positively regulating apoptosis in the AER. We also demonstrate that Notch1 is not required for proper formation of all the derivatives of the limb mesenchyme. Developmental Dynamics 234:1006–1015, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gliding capacity of different dental flosses.

BACKGROUND One of the major concerns with the use of dental floss is the passage of the proximal contact, which might be influenced by the material characteristics of the floss. The aim of this study was to compare the gliding capacities of different flosses with major differences in structure and experimental behavior in vivo. METHODS In a clinical, single-blind, crossover study of 27 subjects, the forces necessary for passing all 14 proximal contacts between the first premolars were measured using 2 polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-based flosses, 2 nylon-based flosses, and 1 nylon-based tape. The flosses were fixed in a special holder with strain gauges, which allowed registration of the maximum forces at insertion into and removal from the interdental area. RESULTS In most contacts, the PTFE flosses needed less force compared to the nylon flosses. The range between the flosses was higher in the mandible compared to the maxilla and increased from the mesially located contacts to the more distally located contacts. The nylon tape required higher forces at insertion for all maxillary contacts. All other flosses proved to be equivalent at these contacts. CONCLUSIONS PTFE flosses are superior to nylon flosses in terms of passing stronger proximal contacts in both directions. Due to gliding differences between different types of floss, the selection of a floss has the potential of compensating intra- and interindividual variation in contact strengths.
Improvement by ergonovine of sperm transport, fertilization and pregnancy rates in ewes in natural or prostaglandin-induced estrus.

Eight experiments were conducted with 451 ewes to test effects of ergonovine, prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and phenylephrine on sperm transport and fertility. In most experiments, ewes were mated at estrus and necropsied 2 or 3 h later. Sperm were flushed from the oviducts, uterus and anterior, middle and posterior thirds of the cervix and counted. Various doses of PGF2 alpha or phenylephrine given im at mating caused no significant increase in sperm numbers in any segment of the tract 2 h later. Three different dose levels of ergonovine were given im to ewes in natural estrus 1 h after mating and ewes were necropsied 3 h after mating. Doses of . 2 and 1.0 mg were ineffective, but . 5 mg increased sperm numbers about 10-fold in the oviducts and uterus. When given im at the time of artificial insemination, . 6 mg of ergonovine increased the fertilization rate at 3 d from 5/25 in control ewes to 12/25 (P less than .05). In three experiments with ewes in PGF2 alpha-induced estrus, . 6 mg of ergonovine increased sperm numbers in the cervix and uterus at 3 h after mating and in the uterus and oviducts at 23 h, near ovulation. Other ewes were artificially inseminated in the external cervical os and one-half of the ewes were given . 6 mg of ergonovine im; ewes not returning to estrus were laparotomized at 22 to 26 d and embryos removed. After insemination during natural estrus with . 2 ml of semen, pregnancy rates were 14/25 for control ewes and 15/25 for ergonovine-treated ewes; after insemination during natural estrus with . 1 ml of semen, 6/35 and 18/35 (P less than .005); after insemination during PGF2 alpha-induced estrus with . 2 ml of semen, 7/60 and 12/60. Fertilization and pregnancy rates combined were 32/145 (22%) for all control ewes and 57/145 (39%) for ergonovine-treated ewes (P less than .005).
The First Report of Hepatozoon Species Infection in Leopard Cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) in Korea

Abstract Hepatozoon species infections were detected in 4 of 5 heart samples from leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) in Korea examined by light microscopy and PCR. Microscopically, the schizonts of the Hepatozoon species were observed within the parasitophorous vacuoles of unidentified host cells that were located between myocytes. The schizonts were approximately 31 ± 4 × 19 ± 3 µm in size; 3 mature schizonts contained approximately 24, 25, and 35 merozoites. In analyses of the partial 18S rRNA gene sequence, the Hepatozoon species infecting the Korean leopard cats was closely related to Brazilian (99.2–99.8% identical) and Spanish (97.0–98.2% identical) isolates of Hepatozoon felis.
Syntaxin binding mechanism and disease-causing mutations in Munc18-2

Significance Understanding the molecular mechanisms that control secretion from cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells is the key for understanding how these cells destroy virally infected and tumourigenic cells. Precisely how mutations in Munc18-2 and syntaxin 11 (Stx11) give rise to loss of CTL and NK function and severe immunodeficiency is poorly understood. In this study we present a crystal structure of human Munc18-2 and analyze the disease-causing mutations. Our findings reveal a mechanism that allows Munc18-2 to selectively bind Stx11 and identify potential surrogate binding partners, which could restore Munc18-Stx function upon IL-2 activation. Mutations in either syntaxin 11 (Stx11) or Munc18-2 abolish cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer cell (NK) cytotoxicity, and give rise to familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL4 or FHL5, respectively). Although Munc18-2 is known to interact with Stx11, little is known about the molecular mechanisms governing the specificity of this interaction or how in vitro IL-2 activation leads to compensation of CTL and NK cytotoxicity. To understand how mutations in Munc18-2 give rise to disease, we have solved the structure of human Munc18-2 at 2.6 Å resolution and mapped 18 point mutations. The four surface mutations identified (R39P, L130S, E132A, P334L) map exclusively to the predicted syntaxin and soluble N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor accessory protein receptor binding sites of Munc18-2. We find that Munc18-2 binds the N-terminal peptide of Stx11 with a ∼20-fold higher affinity than Stx3, suggesting a potential role in selective binding. Upon IL-2 activation, levels of Stx3 are increased, favoring Munc18-2 binding when Stx11 is absent. Similarly, Munc18-1, expressed in IL-2–activated CTL, is capable of binding Stx11. These findings provide potential explanations for restoration of Munc18-Stx function and cytotoxicity in IL-2–activated cells.