Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developmental Changes in the Priority of Perceived Status in Childhood and Adolescence.

This study examined the degree to which children and adolescents prioritize popularity in the peer group over other relational domains. Participants were 1013 children and adolescents from grade 1 through senior year of college (ages 6–22 years) who were presented with a series of social dilemmas in which attaining popularity was opposed to five other priorities: friendship, personal achievement, following rules, prosocial behavior, and romantic interests. A curvilinear trend was found for the priority of popularity that peaked in early adolescence. At this age especially, participants prioritized status enhancement over other domains. Across the age range of this study, males and majority students were more preoccupied with reputational status than females and minority students. The discussion focused on the developmental functions of reputational status in early adolescence.
Which one is more effective in Parkinson's disease? stimulating the motor cortex or the basal ganglia?

In this paper we investigated by a computational model of the basal ganglia-thalamocortical system (BGTCS) differences between the motor cortex stimulation (MCS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) of the basal ganglia (BG) in Parkinson's disease (PD). To this end, a mean-field model of the BGTCS is used. This model is able to reproduce both the normal and parkinsonian activities of the BG, thalamus and motor cortex in a unified structure. Using this model, we simulate DBS and MCS, and compared the effect of location of stimulation on mean firing rates of the BGTCS. Our results suggest that DBS of the STN and MCS could restore thalamus relay activity, but DBS effects on PD are stronger than MCS. Consequently, stimulation of cortex seems to mimic the stimulation of STN in a relatively less effective manner. Our results are compatible with the experimental and the clinical outcomes on the effects of DBS and MCS.
Revisiting the Concept of Talar Shift in Ankle Fractures

Background: In 1976, Ramsey and Hamilton published a classic experiment investigating the biomechanical effects of talar shift in a simple ankle fracture model. Their finding was that 1 mm of talar shift resulted in a 42% decrease in tibiotalar contact surface area. Based on this conclusion, 1 mm of talar shift became the recognized indication for operative fixation. Methods: Twelve cadaver ankles were dissected and the distal tibia coated with carbon powder. A 70-kg load was applied to the distal tibia that resulted in transference of the carbon onto the talus. The contact surface area was determined at 0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 mm of talar shift using spacers fixed in the medial gutter. Tracing paper was used to mark the outline of the contact area and measured using graph paper. Results: Our results were similar to Ramsey and Hamilton's original experiment. One millimeter of lateral talar shift resulted in 40% loss of contact surface area compared with 42% in the original experiment. A large variance was seen in talar contact surface area depending on the morphology of the ankle joint. Conclusion: Ramsey and Hamilton's original experiment was valid.
A ‘Desaturase Hypothesis’ for Atherosclerosis: Janus-Faced Enzymes in ω–6 and ω–3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Metabolism

The delta-5 and delta-6 desaturases are key enzymes in the metabolism of omega-3 (ω–3) and omega-6 (ω–6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which in turn influence cellular functions by regulating several metabolic pathways with well-known effects on the cardiovascular system. At present, data about desaturase activity and cardiovascular risk remain inconclusive. In this short review we propose a ‘desaturase hypothesis’ of atherosclerosis, providing suggestions for the Janus-faced role of desaturases, with both more favorable (mainly related to ω–3 long-chain fatty acids) and more harmful (mainly related to ω–6 long-chain fatty acids) cardiovascular effects than those obtained in subjects with lower desaturase activity. In particular in populations eating a Western diet rich in ω–6 PUFA, a high desaturase activity may promote an increased bioavailability of arachidonic acid with prevailing synthesis of arachidonic acid-derived proinflammatory eicosanoids, finally favoring atherosclerotic vascular damage. In contrast, high desaturase activity in subjects consuming a diet rich in ω–3 PUFA or receiving ω–3 PUFA supplementation could result in the opposite situation with a preferential synthesis of anti-inflammatory eicosanoids. For these reasons, carriers of specific FADS haplotypes may be predisposed to more pronounced vascular inflammatory damage, but also to an increased beneficial effect with ω–3 PUFA supplementation.
Porphyromonas gingivalis affects host collagen degradation by affecting expression, activation, and inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases.

OBJECTIVE Studies have shown that Porphyromonas gingivalis and host matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play important roles in the tissue destruction associated with periodontal disease. It is still unclear which MMPs or their inhibitors are regulated by P. gingivalis at the transcriptional and/or at the protein levels. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine what effects P. gingivalis supernatant has on the collagen degrading ability of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and how it regulates the activation, mRNA expression, and inhibition of MMPs. METHODS Culture supernatant from P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 was added to HGFs cultured in six-well plates coated with Type I collagen. At certain time intervals, the cell conditioned media was collected for zymography and/or western blot analyses to determine the MMP and tissue inhibitor of MMPs (TIMP) protein levels. The cells were then removed and the collagen cleavage visualized by Coomassie blue staining. The mRNA expression of multiple MMPs and TIMPs by the treated and untreated HGFs was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS The collagen in the six-well plates was degraded more rapidly by the HGFs treated with 10% v/v P. gingivalis supernatant. More active MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-14 were detected in the conditioned media from the HGFs treated with the P. gingivalis supernatant. TIMP-1, but not TIMP-2, was decreased in the presence of the P. gingivalis supernatant. MMP-1 mRNA expression by the treated HGFs increased more than two-fold over the untreated HGFs. MMP-3 mRNA was unchanged, MMP-2 mRNA had a slight increase, MMP-14 mRNA decreased, and MMP-15 increased. MMP-12 mRNA was induced in the P. gingivalis treated HGFs. TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 mRNA had a slight increase with P. gingivalis treatment. CONCLUSION Porphyromonas gingivalis increased the collagen degrading ability of HGFs, in part, by increasing MMP activation and by lowering the TIMP-1 protein level, as well as by affecting the mRNA expression of multiple MMPs and TIMPs.
Transmural Heterogeneity of Na+–Ca2+ Exchange: Evidence for Differential Expression in Normal and Failing Hearts

Spatial electrical heterogeneity has a profound effect on normal cardiac electrophysiology and genesis of cardiac arrhythmias in diseased hearts. The Na+–Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) is a key linker, through Ca2+ signaling, between contractility and arrhythmias. Here we characterize the differential transmural expression of NCX in normal and rapid pacing-induced failing canine hearts. Significant transmural heterogeneity of NCX was present in normal hearts, as NCX current density measured at +80 mV was significantly (P<0.05) greater in epicardial (EPI) (5.49 pA/pF) than mid-myocardial (MID) (2.84 pA/pF) and endocardial (ENDO) (2.21 pA/pF) cells. Interestingly, heart failure caused a selective increase in NCX current density (P<0.05) limited to ENDO (by 202%) and MID (by 76%) but not EPI myocytes (P=not significant). The differences in functional expression were associated with changes in both mRNA and protein levels. The normal EPI layer exhibited the greatest NCX mRNA and protein levels compared with MID and ENDO layers, whereas the ENDO layer underwent the most pronounced increase in mRNA (by 185%) and protein (by 207%) levels in heart failure. The transmural NCX gradient, from EPI (greatest) to ENDO (least), is disrupted in heart failure. A selective upregulation of NCX expression in MID and ENDO in heart failure markedly redirects the orientation of the transmural functional gradient of NCX and may lead to enhanced vulnerability to cardiac arrhythmias.
Tissue- and cell-type–specific manifestations of heteroplasmic mtDNA 3243A>G mutation in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived disease model

Significance Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations are a common cause of human inherited diseases and manifest with exceptional clinical heterogeneity and tissue specificity, the molecular basis of which are largely unknown. We produced induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patients carrying the most common mtDNA mutation, m.3243A>G. During reprogramming, the cells underwent an mtDNA bottleneck, mimicking that in epiblast specification. We differentiated iPSCs to heteroplasmic human cells and tissues with isogenic nuclear background and show that the disease manifestation depends on cellular context. We show that upon neuronal differentiation, complex I is actively degraded by an autophagy-mediated mechanism. Our data indicate that cellular context actively modifies mtDNA segregation and manifestations, and that complex I is actively down-regulated in neurons with m.3243A>G mutation. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations manifest with vast clinical heterogeneity. The molecular basis of this variability is mostly unknown because the lack of model systems has hampered mechanistic studies. We generated induced pluripotent stem cells from patients carrying the most common human disease mutation in mtDNA, m.3243A>G, underlying mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome. During reprogramming, heteroplasmic mtDNA showed bimodal segregation toward homoplasmy, with concomitant changes in mtDNA organization, mimicking mtDNA bottleneck during epiblast specification. Induced pluripotent stem cell–derived neurons and various tissues derived from teratomas manifested cell-type specific respiratory chain (RC) deficiency patterns. Similar to MELAS patient tissues, complex I defect predominated. Upon neuronal differentiation, complex I specifically was sequestered in perinuclear PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) and Parkin-positive autophagosomes, suggesting active degradation through mitophagy. Other RC enzymes showed normal mitochondrial network distribution. Our data show that cellular context actively modifies RC deficiency manifestation in MELAS and that autophagy is a significant component of neuronal MELAS pathogenesis.
Text mining in 'Request for Comments Document Series'

This paper discusses the knowledge discovery in text (KDT) system for the 'Request for Comments (RFC) Document Series'. The paper proposes a versatile system architecture for text mining in RFC that maintains structured and unstructured data components of the document. The documents are represented by keywords and knowledge discovery is performed by analysing the co-occurrence frequencies of the various keywords representing the document. The clustering of documents is done by extracted knowledge, which can reduce the search space. The relevant documents retrieved during the search process for a query are ranked based on relevance of the topic in it. This paper describes RFC Viewer, our tool for viewing the RFC document in rich text format rather than text format, which also provides knowledge extracted from the RFC document and supports various KDD operations on the document.
Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-mediated apoptosis is an important endogenous mechanism for resistance to liver metastases in murine renal cancer.

Recent reports have suggested that the death ligand tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) may partially limit the formation of hepatic metastases of a variety of mouse tumors, and the major source of TRAIL in the liver was shown to be local natural killer cells. We isolated a clone (R331) of the murine renal cancer cell line Renca that was strikingly more sensitive to both Fas and TRAIL death receptor-mediated apoptosis in vitro. R331 grew in tissue culture in vitro at a rate similar to that of the parental Renca cell line but formed larger and more numerous colonies than parental Renca in soft agar. After s.c. implantation, R331 tumors progressed more rapidly than parental Renca tumors. However, R331 formed far fewer lung and liver metastases in wild-type (WT) BALB/c mice. Administration of antibodies that neutralized TRAIL dramatically increased the number of R331 liver metastases. Furthermore, numbers of R331 liver metastases were much greater in TRAIL(-/-) than in WT BALB/c mice. In contrast, no difference was seen in numbers of lung metastases when comparing TRAIL(-/-) and WT mice, suggesting that the antitumor effects of TRAIL in vivo were compartment specific. Transfection of cellular Fas-associated death domain-like interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme inhibitory protein into R331 increased the numbers of liver metastases in BALB/c mice by up to 10-fold, indicating that local TRAIL in the liver was directly mediating tumor cell apoptosis. These organ-specific differences in the endogenous levels of death ligands may apply different selective pressures on the development of liver or lung metastases. Consequently, the efficacy of TRAIL therapy may vary depending on the location of the tumor metastases.
A pulse shape discrimination gamma-ray detector based on a silicon drift chamber coupled to a CsI(Tl) scintillator: prospects for a 1 keV-1 MeV monolithic detector

In this paper, an X- and gamma-ray detector based on a silicon drift detector (SDD) coupled to a CsI(Tl) scintillating crystal is presented. The SDD is operated both as a direct X-ray detector for photons interacting in silicon and as an indirect detector for photons interacting in the scintillator. As interactions in silicon and in CsI yield different amounts of charge per unit energy deposited, discrimination of the place of interaction is necessary to obtain the correct energy. Discrimination of the interaction type is carried out by means of pulse shape discrimination performed with two parallel processing chains with different shaping times. The performance of the detectors are described and discussed. Pulse shape discrimination is possible throughout the detector energy range.
Glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in Sicily. Incidence, biochemical characteristics and clinical implications

This report deals with the incidence, type and clinical implications of G6PD deficiency in Sicily. Of 3347 male subjects examined, 56 were deficient in G6PD. They were distributed throughout the island. The G6PD levels in RBC were almost zero; in leukocytes, platelets and saliva they were found to be 26%, 18% and 16%, respectively, of controls. The Michaelis constant for NADP and G6PD was lower than for controls. Conversely, the utilization of the analogous Gal6P and 2dG6P was higher. The thermostability of the enzyme was lower and the pH optima (6.5 and 9.5) were different from the controls. An identical electrophoretic pattern was found both in normal and deficient subjects. This pattern is superimposable on that described as Mediterranean variant. The analysis among 270 subjects admitted to our Clinic with hemolysis due to G6PD deficiency demonstrated that the most frequent disease is favism, followed by neonatal jaundice, while hemolysis due to drugs is very rare. Ingestion of fresh fava beans was the most frequent cause of favism, but cases occurred after breast feeding and inhalation of pollen.
Entrusted Loans: A Close Look at China's Shadow Banking System

We perform transaction-level analyses of entrusted loans, one of the largest components of shadow banking in China. Entrusted loans involve firms with privileged access to cheap capital channeling funds to less privileged firms, and the increase when credit is tight. Nonaffiliated loans have much higher interest rates than both affiliated loans and official bank loans, and they largely flow into real estate. The pricing of entrusted loans, especially of nonaffiliated loans, incorporates fundamental and informational risks. Stock market reactions suggest that both affiliated and nonaffiliated loans are fairly compensated investments.
Effects of Isoflurane Anesthesia and Muscle Paralysis on Respiratory Mechanics in Normal Man

In five healthy adult male volunteers in the supine position, respiratory mechanics and functional residual capacity (FRC) were studied in the awake state (control) and with muscle paralysis and mechanical ventilation during isoflurane anesthesia (inspired concentrations, 1 and 2 per cent). In eight of nine instances, FRC was less during isoflurane anesthesia compared with control. Static compliance of the total respiratory system (Crs) decreased consistently during anesthesia and that of the lung (Ct) decreased in eight of nine instances; static compliance of the chest wall (Cπ) did not change. Average pulmonary resistance (Rl) was significantly higher during anesthesia. The decrease in FRC and increase in Rl appear to be somewhat less than those reported for other anesthetics. Increasing the inspired isoflurane concentration to 2 per cent had no further significant effect on FRC, Crs C19 Cl and Rl Arterial blood pressure was decreased significantly and heart rate remained unchanged during anesthesia with I per cent isoflurane; with 2 per cent isoflurane, blood pressure was further significantly decreased and heart rate did not change significantly.
Comparison of nebulized adrenaline versus salbutamol in wheeze associated respiratory tract infection in infants.

OBJECTIVE (i) To assess the efficacy of bronchodilators in wheeze associated respiratory tract infection (WRTI); and (ii) To compare L-adrenaline with salbutamol in wheeze associated respiratory tract infection. DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. METHOD Ninety one children in age group of 2 months to 2 years with their 1st or 2nd episode of wheezing in association with fever and/or coryza were enrolled. Of these, 45 received L-adrenaline (0.1ml/kg/dose in 1 in 10,000 solution) (Group A) and 46 received salbutamol (0.1mg/kg/dose) (Group B). Three doses of each drug were given, nebulized with oxygen at 20 minutes intervals. Respiratory rate, RDAI score, clinical status and pulse oxymetry was recorded before intervention and 10 minutes after each dose. Patients who showed significant relief were discharged after an observation period of three hours while those who did not were admitted. RESULTS Both L-adrenaline and salbutamol caused significant improvement in mean symptom score and oxygenation. However, the adrenaline group showed a significantly better improvement in the study parameters than the salbutamol group. More children in the adrenaline group could be sent home after the emergency treatment. CONCLUSION Adrenergic agonists both specific and non specific are beneficial in WRTI. Adrenaline is more effective than salbutamol and is thus a better, inexpensive and relatively safe alternative.
Effects of resistance training and dietary protein intake on protein metabolism in older adults.

Nitrogen (N) balance, fed-state leucine kinetics, and urinary 3-methylhistidine (3-MeH) excretion were examined in 12 men and women, aged 56-80 yr, before and during 12 wk of resistance training (RT). Subjects were randomized to groups that consumed diets providing either 0.80 +/- 0.02 g protein.kg-1.day-1 (lower protein, LP) or 1.62 +/- 0.02 g protein.kg-1.day-1 (higher protein, HP). At baseline, mean N balance was negative for LP (-4.6 +/- 3.4 mg N.kg-1.day-1) and positive for HP (13.6 +/- 1.0 mg N.kg-1.day-1). N retention increased similarly in LP and HP at the 11th wk of RT by 12.8 and 12.7 mg N.kg-1.day-1, respectively. Thus LP had an increased efficiency of N retention. LP had decreased leucine flux (P < 0.001), oxidation (P < 0.001), and uptake for protein synthesis (P < 0.02), relative to HP, both at baseline and after RT. Leucine flux increased with RT in both diet groups (P < 0.05) and was associated mainly with an increase in protein synthesis in LP (91% of change in flux) and an increase in oxidation in HP (72% of change in flux; RT-diet interaction, P < 0.05). RT increased actomyosin protein breakdown (increased 3-MeH-to-creatinine ratio, P < 0.01). Diet-related differences in protein metabolism did not influence body composition changes with RT. These data show that the efficiency of N retention and protein utilization during RT is higher in older subjects who consume 0.8 vs. 1.6 g protein.kg-1.day-1 dietary protein.
Prevalence of Refractive Error Changes in Nuclear and Cortical Cataract

Purpose:To evaluate the prevalence of refractive error changes induced by nuclear and cortical cataract. Background:Refractive error results from the failure of optical system of the non-accommodating eye to bring the parallel rays of light into focus on the fovea. Nuclear cataract is associated with index myopia and cortical cataract is associated with index hyperopia. Methodology:The sample population consists of 100 patients with cataract presenting in a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry.The patients were screened for defective vision using Snellen’s chart. Keratometer was used for measuring corneal curvature and UltrasoundA scan for axial length.Slitlamp examination was done to classify cataract as nuclear and cortical. Results:The mean age group was 55±10 years. The prevalence of myopia and hyperopia was 78% and 22% respectively. Myopic astigmatism and hyperopic astigmatism were seen in some cases. Myopia was further categorised as low (50%), moderate (38%) and high (12%). Hyperopia was classified as low (72%), moderate (28%) and high (0%). Astigmatism was seen in 34%. Conclusion:The most prevalent refractive error induced by cataract was myopia and most of the patients with nuclear cataract showed myopic shift. High myopia is associated with higher grades of nuclear sclerosis. High prevalence of hyperopia is seen in cortical opacities.
Purification and characterization of a protease from Bacteroides gingivalis 381

An intracellular membrane-free, trypsinlike protease was isolated from cells of Bacteroides gingivalis 381. The protease was extracted from the cells by ultrasonic treatment and was purified about 250-fold with a recovery of 2% by sequential procedures. The properties of the protease were as follows: its optimal pH was 8.5; its activity was almost completely lost on incubation at 50 degrees C for 15 min; its activity was inhibited by diisopropylfluorophosphate, p-toluenesulfonyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone hydrochloride, leupeptin, Mn2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+; it hydrolyzed casein, azocasein, N-alpha-benzoyl-DL-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BAPNA), bovine serum albumin, azocoll, and gelatin, but not N-alpha-benzoyl-DL-lysine-p-nitroanilide or human serum immunoglobulin A; its molecular weight was estimated as 45,000 by gel filtration and 50,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; and its Km values for azocasein and BAPNA were 1.11% and 0.19 mM, respectively.