Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nmr spectroscopic analysis of regional brain energy metabolism in manganese neurotoxicity

A central question in manganese neurotoxicity concerns the focal neuronal damage in the globus pallidus. In the present study, we investigated specific pathways of [1‐13C]glucose as well as of [2‐13C]acetate in this brain region and the frontal cortex following 4‐day manganese treatment by high‐resolution NMR spectroscopy. Following administration of 50 mg/kg/day manganese, glutamine concentration in the globus pallidus was decreased to 67% of control values but increased in frontal cortex by 56%. Manganese treatment also caused pronounced changes in glutamine‐glutamate‐GABA interconversion in which region‐selective differences were observed in the isotopomer pattern of GABA compared with that of glutamine when including the astrocyte‐specific substrate [2‐13C]acetate. In particular, decreased 13C‐labeled glutamine, synthesized from [1‐13C]glucose, paralleled accumulation of 13C‐labeled GABA in globus pallidus but not in frontal cortex. On the other hand, increased synthesis of glutamine from [2‐13C]acetate showed that GABA accumulation was not due to increased synthesis from astrocytic glutamine. Furthermore, treatment with manganese resulted in a selective decrease in N‐acetyl‐aspartate in the globus pallidus. These data illustrate the potential importance of alterations in neuronal metabolic function. In particular, neuronal metabolic derangements and regional differences in the ability of astrocytes to fulfill their contribution to the glutamine‐glutamate‐GABA cycle during the early phase of manganese neurotoxicity may be crucial in determining the severity of cellular injury. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of Dextran on Factor Vlll/von Willebrand Factor Structure and Function

Summary Factor VIII/von Willebrand factor was analyzed before and after the infusion of 500 ml of Dextran 70 to normal volunteers. Factor VIII procoagulant activity, factor VIII related antigen and ristocetin cofactor activity showed a significant decrease, reaching after six hours the minimum level, which did not correlate with the hemodilution effect caused by dextran. Ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination (RIPA) in volunteers’ platelet-rich plasma (PRP) did not show any significant change between preinfusion time and six hours after the infusion. Multimeric analysis of von Willebrand factor (vWF) showed a progressive decrease of all the multimers which was more pronounced in the largest multimers. No change was seen in the “triplet” structure of vWF. No effect was noticed when dextran was incubated “in vitro” either with PRP or platelet-poor plasma. The modification induced by dextran is close to the pattern seen in subtype Ib von Willebrand’s disease.
[Congenital hypothyroidism screening program: preliminary results].

OBJECTIVE The authors report early results of a screening program for Congenital Hypothyroidism in Santa Catarina, Brazil. METHODS All the assays (82.709) analysed by Laboratório Central (LACEN) between July 1993 and December 1994 were studied. A blood sample was collected on filter paper for serum Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) measurement by fluoroimmunoassay, in triplicate. All children who had persistent abnormal TSH values (cord blood: TSH > 30 micro U/ml; from 2 to 7 days: >20 micro U/ml; older than 7 days: > 10 micro U/ml) were recalled for clinical evaluation. RESULTS Out of 82.709 infants aged from 0 to 60 days (40% of the deliveries in this period), 304 presented abnormal results of TSH and 34 were confirmed as Congenital Hypothyroidism. The mean age of beginning the treatment was 45 days of life. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence (1:2500) was higher than that observed in other countries, probably because some children had Transient Congenital Hypothyroidism. Nevertheless, sex prevalence was similar to that described in the literature. Clinical manifestations were inespecific which reinforces the importance of this kind of screening. Efforts have been done to improve the program in order to begin earlier treatment.
Relationship between childhood bullying and addictive and anti-social behaviors among adults in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional national study

Abstract Background Bullying is a widespread public health problem among youth with potentially far reaching negative implications. Objective To determine the prevalence of childhood bullying and its association with addictive and anti-social behaviors among adults. Subjects Adults (n = 10,156) aged ≥18 years were invited to participate. Methods A cross-sectional, national study utilizing Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) was conducted in Saudi Arabia (SA). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for bullying in relation to the outcome. Results Participant’s mean age was 34.3 ± 11.3 years and 52% were male. Thirty-nine percent of the participants reported being bullied. Significant gender differences were found in terms of prevalence of different types of bullying. Men reported higher prevalence of physical (40% vs. 33%, p < 0.01) and sexual (19% vs. 10%, p < 0.01) types of bullying. In contrast, women tend to report higher prevalence of psychological (16% vs. 9%, p < 0.01) and social (14% vs. 10%, p < 0.01) types of bullying. Bullying victims were 1.8 (95% CI 1.6–2.1) times more likely to smoke, 2.3 (95% CI 1.9–2.7) times more likely to drink alcohol, 2.9 (95% CI 2.4–3.4) times more likely to use drugs, 2.1 (95% CI 1.8–2.4) times more likely to have ever had out of wedlock sexual relations, and 2.5 (95% CI 2.1–3.0) times more likely to have suicidal thoughts compared to those who were not bullied. Conclusion Childhood bullying increases the chances of risky behaviors among adults in SA. Prevention of bullying should be in the national agenda of the Ministry of Education.
A survey of H2 gene sequences, including new wild‐derived genes

A comprehensive collection of mouse major histocompatibility complex (MHC) promoter and exon 2 sequences is here presented and analysed. It covers the three best known class II genes and one class I gene, and includes new wild mouse sequences from the ‘w’ back‐cross strains and from the Jackson collection. All sequences are in GenBank, and the new exon sequences largely confirm previous typing by serology and immune function. As in human leucocyte antigen (HLA), the overall nucleotide diversity is higher in the class II genes, in keeping with their more diverse function. Diversity along the promoters is highest in the region of known transcription factor binding, most notably in and around the CRE and rCAAT sequences. This distribution parallels that of maximum single nucleotide polymorphism impact previously obtained with reporter constructs. Taking into account the low nucleotide diversity of the CIITA promoter, we conclude that MHC promoters are likely to have diversified through co‐evolution with their exons, while themselves also directly subject to natural selection. The H2Ebp alleles form a distinct group, associated with their lack of the recombination hot spot located between exon 2 and exon 3. The collection is expected to prove useful in guiding functional and evolutionary studies.
The Market Impact of Options

This article develops a noisy rational expectations model to examine the effect of introducing options on the financial market in an economy with heterogeneous uncertain endowment and information. The model is shown to have a unique equilibrium and demonstrates that adding options cannot always reveal additional directional information that is not contained in the price of an underlying asset. However, the option is not redundant because it is a security for betting volatility. The introduction of options generally changes the stock price and trading of the asset, but the impact on the stock price is small. Furthermore, introducing options is not always Pareto-improving and may cause certain agents to be worse off.
In Vitro Fermentation Behavior of Isomalto/Malto‐Polysaccharides Using Human Fecal Inoculum Indicates Prebiotic Potential

Scope This study characterize intestinal fermentation of isomalto/malto‐polysaccharides (IMMPs), by monitoring degradation of IMMPs, production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), lactic acid, and succinic acid as well as enzyme activity and microbiota composition. Methods and results IMMP‐94 (94% α‐(1→6) glycosidic linkages), IMMP‐96, IMMP‐27, and IMMP‐dig27 (IMMP‐27 after removal of digestible starch segments) are fermented batchwise in vitro using human fecal inoculum. Fermentation digesta samples are taken for analysis in time up till 48 h. The fermentation of α‐(1→6) glycosidic linkages in IMMP‐94, IMMP‐96, and IMMP‐dig27 starts after 12 h and finishes within 48 h. IMMP‐27 fermentation starts directly after inoculation utilizing α‐(1→4) linked glucosyl residues; however, the utilization of α‐(1→6) linked glucoses is delayed and start only after the depletion of α‐(1→4) linked glucose moieties. SCFAs are produced in high amounts with acetic acid and succinic acid being the major products next to propionic acid and butyric acid. The polysaccharide fraction is degraded into isomalto‐oligosaccharides (IMOs) mainly by extracellular enzymes. The smaller IMOs are further degraded by cell‐associated enzymes. Overall microbial diversity and the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, significantly increase during the fermentation of IMMPs. Conclusion IMMP containing segments of α‐(1→6) linked glucose units are slowly fermentable fibers with prebiotic potential.
Evidence for early onset, polyclonal activation of T cell subsets in mice homozygous for lpr.

Mice homozygous for lpr and gld develop profound lymphadenopathy characterized by the accumulation of two functionally anergic T cell subsets, a predominant B220+CD4-CD8- double negative (DN) population and a minor, closely related CD4 dull+ B220+ population. Lymph nodes from diseased lpr and gld mice also contain abnormally high numbers of conventional T cells, and we reported recently that a high proportion of lpr and gld CD4+B220- T cells have the hallmarks of primed or memory T cells. In the present study, we further investigated the extent, ontogeny, and possible causes of T cell activation in lpr and gld mice. The criteria used to identify primed or memory T cells included activation-dependent increases in the expression of CD44, LFA-1, and the early activation Ag, CD69, and decreases in the expression of Mel-14 and CD45RB, as well as quantitative differences in the in vitro production of IFN-gamma and the TNF-alpha by stimulated cells. A comparison of TCR V beta gene utilization by lpr T cell subsets also was undertaken. The results showed that T cell activation was widespread and complex. CD8+ T cells exhibited a similar pattern of activation to CD4+B220- T cells. The activation of these two subsets occurred in parallel, was in evidence by 4 to 6 wk of age, and was both chronic and progressive. The proportions of CD44hiLFA-1hi, CD4+B220-, and CD8+ T cells increased steadily between 4 and 20 wk of age, but changes in T cell growth, Mel-14, and CD45RB expression and cytokine secretion were not observed until mice were older than 11 wk. A very different pattern of activation was observed for B220+ T cells. At all ages, B220+ DN and CD4+B220+ T cells were CD44hiMel-14hi and 60 to 75% were CD69+. The expression of CD69 appeared to be stimulus dependent rather than constitutive, suggesting that these cells, too, may be chronically stimulated in vivo. In keeping with their anergic state, DN T cells responded poorly to cross-linking of CD69. The stimuli inducing chronic activation of CD4+B220- and CD8+ T cells are unlikely to include inappropriate reactions to autoantigens because there was no evidence for selective accumulation of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells bearing particular V beta genes or potentially self-reactive cells that normally are deleted in the thymus. By comparison, C3H-lpr DN cells displayed some potentially significant differences in V beta 6 and V beta 9 expression from CD4+B220- and CD8+ T cells. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The Selection of Litigation against Government Agencies: Evidence from China

Abstract We test the relevance of the selection theory of litigation in a contemporary, civil law setting, using Chinese judicial data that span 25 years regarding lawsuits against government agencies. Civil law systems may be characterized by lower costs of litigation and lower rates of settlement than the U.S. legal system, and therefore the presence of selection effects cannot be assumed. We show that selection effects are indeed manifest in Chinese administrative litigation, and suggest that this may be explained by hidden or intangible litigation costs. Our test for selection effects builds on the approach of previous U.S. studies and potentially allows the identification of selection effects to help improve inferences from decided cases. Finally, we examine patterns of settlement and plaintiff wins in pre-litigation administrative appeals in China, and do not find sufficient evidence for selection effects in this process. This could potentially be explained if most appellants pursuing administrative appeals do not intend to litigate.
The Reliability of Fatmax

The exercise intensity eliciting maximal fat oxidation (Fatmax) is typically determined during an incremental test. Its reproducibility, however, has not been thoroughly investigated so far. To address this issue, 21 healthy subjects (23.5±1.7 years; BMI 22.4±1.8 kg/m2; VO2peak 47.4±11.3 mL/min/kg) carried out two identical cycling tests to determine Fatmax after an initial incremental baseline test. The duration of each of five stages during the Fatmax tests was 6 min. The first stage equalled the first increase in blood lactate during the baseline test; the highest stage corresponded to a respiratory exchange ratio of 1.00. Between these intensities the other three stages were distributed evenly. Fatmax was 28.0±8.6 L/min (59.2±18.1% VO2peak) in the first test and 29.8±10.5 L/min (62.9±22.2% VO2peak) in the second one. There was no significant difference between both Fatmax determinations [number of stage: P=0.31; total VO2: P=0.20; VO2 utilized for fat oxidation (VO2Fat): P=0.33]. Linear correlation coefficients between tests were r=0.84 (total VO2; P<0.001) and r=0.83 (VO2Fat; P<0.001). However, Bland–Altman plots revealed wide 95% limits of agreement of 0.91 L/min (total VO2) and 0.32 L/min (VO2Fat). In conclusion, spontaneous intraindividual variability in Fatmax appears too large to recommend the use of this parameter for the prescription of training intensity.
An assessment of the size and cost of involuntary infertility that may be attributed to postponement

• The age at first birth has risen considerably over the past few decades, but some countries seem to approach the end of the postponement process. • With substantial variation across Europe, later childbearing coincides with higher shares of childlessness. Most likely both voluntary and involuntary reasons play a role, and their shares are about equal. • Educational expansion has had a considerable effect on later childbearing. • A one year rise in the average age of the mother at first birth coincides with a 5 percentage point increase in overall childlessness in the same birth cohort. • ART in its present form cannot make up for all births lost by the natural decline of fertility after age 35 years. • Per year an estimated 525,000 to 750,000 ART cycles take place in Europe resulting in around 100,000 live births. Costs per cycle are around € 4,700. Total ART costs are estimated at €2.5 billion to €3.5 billion per year in Europe, i.e. about €25,000 to €35,000 per live born baby. • Much more needs to be done to raise awareness among young women that their fertility drastically declines after the age of 35. This Research Note has been produced for the European Commission by Gijs Beets (NIDI) on behalf the Demography network of the European Observatory on the Social Situation and Demography. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the European Commission.
A comparison of negative joint work and vertical ground reaction force loading rates in Chi runners and rearfoot-striking runners.

STUDY DESIGN Observational. OBJECTIVES To compare lower extremity negative joint work and vertical ground reaction force loading rates in rearfoot-striking (RS) and Chi runners. BACKGROUND Alternative running styles such as Chi running have become a popular alternative to RS running. Proponents assert that this running style reduces knee joint loading and ground reaction force loading rates. METHODS Twenty-two RS and 12 Chi runners ran for 5 minutes at a self-selected speed on an instrumented treadmill. A 3-D motion analysis system was used to obtain kinematic data. Average vertical ground reaction force loading rate and negative work of the ankle dorsiflexors, ankle plantar flexors, and knee extensors were computed during the stance phase. Groups were compared using a 1-way analysis of covariance for each variable, with running speed and age as covariates. RESULTS On average, RS runners demonstrated greater knee extensor negative work (RS, -0.332 J/body height × body weight [BH·BW]; Chi, -0.144 J/BH·BW; P<.001), whereas Chi runners demonstrated more ankle plantar flexor negative work (Chi, -0.467 J/BH·BW; RS, -0.315 J/BH·BW; P<.001). RS runners demonstrated greater average vertical ground reaction force loading rates than Chi runners (RS, 68.6 BW/s; Chi, 43.1 BW/s; P<.001). CONCLUSION Chi running may reduce vertical loading rates and knee extensor work, but may increase work of the ankle plantar flexors.
Prognostic factors in pulmonary arterial hypertension: assessing the course of the disease

The practical management of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) requires an accurate assessment of disease severity and prognosis. A number of prognostic indicators are known to be associated with patient outcome, and recent treatment guidelines advocate using such parameters to guide management decisions. Although PAH is characterised by the presence of pulmonary vasculopathy, it is the response of the right ventricle to an increased afterload that is the greatest determinant of a patient's symptoms and survival; thus, measurements that capture right ventricular function provide the best potential to assess PAH severity. One challenge is to understand how the tests we use in everyday clinical practice relate to right heart function in PAH patients, and how current measures can be improved and developed to optimise assessment of disease status and progress. Future research in the field of PAH should focus on how best to assess right heart function, and which measures or combination of measures provide the most relevant information for the individual patient.
The Mechanism of Sodium and Chloride Uptake by the Gills of a Fresh-Water Fish, Carassius auratus

Carassius auratus placed in a dilute sodium chloride solution (400 µM) is able to absorb sodium and chloride ions at very different rates, or to absorb one ion and to lose the other. This is the case not only for fish which have been previously kept in choline chloride or sodium sulfate solutions or deionized water, in order to stimulate their absorption processes, but also in control fish which have not been deprived of sodium or chloride. The absorption of sodium or chloride appears to be unaffected by the presence of a nonpermeant co-ion such as choline or sulfate. Conductivity measurements of the external medium show that during ion uptake the conductivity is constant or increases slowly. This suggests the existence of exchange processes between the ions absorbed and endogenous ions excreted. It is unlikely that potassium or calcium is exchanged for sodium, because of the low permeability of the gills to these ions. Finally, the flux ratios observed for both sodium and chloride ions in the present investigation can only be explained, in relation to their electrochemical gradients across the gills, in terms of active transport.
Acetabular Revision with Impacted Morselized Cancellous Bone Graft and a Cemented Cup in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Three to Fourteen-Year Follow-up

Background: Acetabular revision in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is often difficult because of the poor quality and quantity of the acetabular bone stock. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the midterm clinical and radiographic outcomes of acetabular revision with use of an impaction bone-grafting technique and a cemented polyethylene cup.Methods: Thirty-five consecutive acetabular revisions were performed with impaction bone-grafting and use of a cemented cup in twenty-eight patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The average age at the revision was fifty-seven years. The minimum duration of follow-up of all reconstructions that were still functioning or that were followed until the time of death was three years (mean, 7.5 years; range, three to fourteen years). No patient was lost to follow-up, but five patients (six hips) died before the time of the review. The acetabular bone defects were classified as cavitary in twelve hips and as combined segmental-cavitary in twenty-three.Results: The five patients (six hips) who died had been doing well at the time of their latest follow-up. Of the remaining patients, six (six hips) had a repeat revision. The average Harris hip score of the living patients with a surviving implant at the time of follow-up was 82 points, and there was no or only mild pain in twenty-one of the twenty-three hips. Radiographic analysis of all twenty-nine hips that had not been revised showed loosening in one hip and a nonprogressive radiolucent line in one zone in two others. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated a prosthetic survival rate, with aseptic loosening as the end point, of 90% at eight years.Conclusion: Acetabular revision with impaction bone-grafting and a cemented cup in patients with rheumatoid arthritis had acceptable results at an average of 7.5 years postoperatively.Level of Evidence: Therapeutic study, Level IV (case series [no, or historical, control group]). See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Towards a quantitative SERS approach – online monitoring of analytes in a microfluidic system with isotope‐edited internal standards

In this contribution a new approach for quantitative measurements using surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is presented. Combining the application of isotope‐edited internal standard with the advantages of the liquid–liquid segmented‐flow‐based approach for flow‐through SERS detection seems to be a promising means for quantitative SERS analysis.
Grammatical facial expression recognition using customized deep neural network architecture

This paper proposes to expand the visual understanding capacity of computers by helping it recognize human sign language more efficiently. This is carried out through recognition of facial expressions, which accompany the hand signs used in this language. This paper specially focuses on the popular Brazilian sign language (LIBRAS). While classifying different hand signs into their respective word meanings has already seen much literature dedicated to it, the emotions or intention with which the words are expressed haven't primarily been taken into consideration. As from our normal human experience, words expressed with different emotions or mood can have completely different meanings attached to it. Lending computers the ability of classifying these facial expressions, can help add another level of deep understanding of what the deaf person exactly wants to communicate. The proposed idea is implemented through a deep neural network having a customized architecture. This helps learning specific patterns in individual expressions much better as compared to a generic approach. With an overall accuracy of 98.04%, the implemented deep network performs excellently well and thus is fit to be used in any given practical scenario.