Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decreased expression of GLT‐1 in the R6/2 model of Huntington's disease does not worsen disease progression

Excitotoxicity is thought to be important in the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease (HD). Glutamate is the predominant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, and excess activation of glutamate receptors can cause neuronal dysfunction and death. Glutamate transporters regulate the extracellular concentration of glutamate. GLT‐1 is the most abundant glutamate transporter, and accounts for most of the glutamate transport in the brain. Administration of ceftriaxone, an antibiotic that increases the functional expression of GLT‐1, can improve the behavioral phenotype of the R6/2 mouse model of HD. To test the hypothesis that GLT‐1 expression critically affects the HD disease process, we generated a novel mouse model that is heterozygous for the null allele of GLT‐1 and carries the R6/2 transgene (double mutation). We demonstrated that the protein expression of total GLT‐1, as well as two of its isoforms, is decreased within the cortex and striatum of 12‐week‐old R6/2 mice, and that the expression of EAAC1 was decreased in the striatum. Protein expression of GLT‐1 was further decreased in the cortex and striatum of the double mutation mice compared with the R6/2 mice at 11 weeks. However, the effects of the R6/2 transgene on weight loss, accelerating rotarod, climbing and paw‐clasping were not exacerbated in these double mutants. Na+‐dependent glutamate uptake into synapatosomes isolated from the striatum and cortex of 11‐week‐old R6/2 mice was unchanged compared with controls. These results suggest that changes in GLT‐1 expression or function per se are unlikely to potentiate or ameliorate the progression of HD.
Visceral adiposopathy: a vascular perspective

Abstract Obesity has emerged as one of the most critical health care problems globally that is associated with the development of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. Central adiposity with intra-abdominal deposition of visceral fat, in particular, has been closely linked to cardiometabolic consequences of obesity. Increasing epidemiological, clinical and experimental data suggest that both adipose tissue quantity and perturbations in its quality termed “adiposopathy” contribute to mechanisms of cardiometabolic disease. The current review discusses regional differences in adipose tissue characteristics and highlights profound abnormalities in vascular endothelial function and angiogenesis that are manifest within the visceral adipose tissue milieu of obese individuals. Clinical data demonstrate up-regulation of pro-inflammatory and pro-atherosclerotic mediators in dysfunctional adipose tissue that may support pathological vascular changes not only locally in fat but also in multiple organ systems, including coronary and peripheral circulations, potentially contributing to mechanisms of obesity-related cardiovascular disease.
Quality matters: housing and the mental health of rural migrants in urban China

Abstract This study goes beyond housing ownership and investigates how housing size, quality, and location affect the mental health of rural migrants in urban China. By using the RUMiC data, the results show that in addition to housing ownership, living space and housing quality are also significantly associated with the mental health of rural migrants. Moreover, with an increase in living space, the mental health of rural migrants who live in private rental housing tends to improve significantly slower than rural migrants who live in dormitories. Furthermore, housing quality and housing location do not moderate the effect of housing ownership on the mental health of rural migrants. This study highlights that it is important to go beyond homeownership and pay more attention to other attributes of housing when studying the mental health of rural migrants. Particularly, this study underscores that improving housing quality is an effective way to improve the mental health of rural migrants in urban China.
Knowledge of health principles among professionals in Slovenian kindergartens

Abstract Objectives Preschool children have significant health issues. From the relevant legislation and regulations, it can be seen that kindergarten teachers (KTs) and kindergarten teacher assistants (KTAs) are expected to be familiarwith the basic hygienic measures and steps for preventing injuries and illnesses, to recognize infectious diseases, and to know how to give the first aid. To gain these skills, a continuous life-long learning is necessary, because the characteristics of diseases are changing. Study design: original research. Methods 45 kindergartens in Slovenia were randomly selected and a questionnaire with 17 questions on health themes was sent. An analysis was performed via SPSS 17.0, using descriptive methods and nonparametric χ2 tests. Results There were 774 participants, of whom 56% were KTs and 44% KTAs. The share of KTs and KTAs who consider their knowledge of health principles to be very good or excellent is 67%. Their estimation of first aid knowledge is lower. They are also well aware of the importance of health knowledge in their work; a total of 87% strongly agree with this. The results also show that they are familiar with hygiene principles. The χ2 test showed there are certain statistically characteristic connections between the age of teachers and their assistants, occupation and work experiences. Conclusions Because children are a particularly vulnerable group, teachers can encounter injuries and sudden illnesses at their work. Supplementary education is necessary among skilled workers in educational institutions, including kindergartens.
Endoscopic evaluation of the navicular bursa: observations, treatment and outcome in 92 cases with identified pathology.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Diagnostic navicular bursoscopy has been described in limited cases. Review of greater numbers is needed to define its contribution to case management and prognostic values. OBJECTIVES To report: 1) clinical, diagnostic and endoscopic findings in a series of cases, 2) surgical techniques and case outcomes and 3) prognostic values. The authors hypothesise: 1) lameness localising to the navicular bursa is commonly associated with dorsal border deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) lesions, 2) endoscopy allows extent of injuries to be assessed and treated, 3) case outcome relates to severity of DDFT injury and 4) the technique is safe and associated with little morbidity. MATERIALS AND METHODS All horses that underwent endoscopy of a forelimb navicular bursa for investigation of lameness were identified. Case files were reviewed and those with injuries within the bursa selected for further analysis. RESULTS One-hundred-and-fourteen horses were identified. Ninety-two had injuries within the bursa and DDFT injuries were identified in 98% of bursae. Of those examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 56% had combination injuries involving the DDFT and navicular bone. Sixty-one percent of horses returned to work sound, 42% returned to previous performance. Horses with extensive tearing and combination injuries of the DDFT and navicular bone identified with MRI, had worse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Lameness localising to the navicular bursa is commonly associated with injuries to the dorsal border of the DDFT. Endoscopy permits identification and characterisation of injuries within the navicular bursa and enables lesion management. Outcome following debridement is related to severity of injury but overall is reasonable. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE Horses with lameness localising to the navicular bursa may have tears of the DDFT. Bursoscopy is able to contribute diagnostic and prognostic information and debridement of lesions improves outcome compared to cases managed conservatively.
Acetazolamide for Monge's disease: efficiency and tolerance of 6-month treatment.

RATIONALE Monge's disease is characterized by an excessive erythrocytosis, frequently associated with pulmonary hypertension, in high-altitude dwellers. It has a considerable impact on public health in high-altitude regions. A preliminary study demonstrated the efficiency of acetazolamide (Acz) (250 mg/d for 3 wk) in reducing serum erythropoietin and hematocrit. OBJECTIVES Evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of a 6-month treatment with 250 mg Acz that could be chronically implemented and its effects on pulmonary artery pressure and cardiac function. METHODS A two-phase study was performed in patients (hematocrit > or = 63%) from Cerro de Pasco, Peru (4,300 m). First phase: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 55 patients who received a single dose of either 250 mg Acz (n = 40) or placebo (n = 15) by daily oral administration for 12 weeks. Second phase (open label): after a 4-week washout period, all patients received 250 mg Acz for 12 weeks. Hematocrit, blood gases, clinical outcome, and pulmonary artery circulation were evaluated. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS First phase: Acz decreased by 44% the number of polycythemic subjects (P = 0.02), decreased hematocrit from 69 to 64% (P < 0.001), and increased arterial O(2) pressure from 42 to 45 mm Hg (P < 0.001). No severe adverse effect or hypokalemia was recorded. The second phase reproduced the effects observed during the first phase, without cumulative effects on hematocrit. A 4-week washout restored basal hematocrit. Only patients who received Acz for 6 months showed a clear reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance. CONCLUSIONS Acz reduces erythrocytosis and improves pulmonary circulation in Monge's disease without adverse effects. Its implementation as a chronic treatment for this disease appears efficient and safe.
Bloodlands

In Bloodlands Snyder describes the murder of fourteen million men, women and children by Stalin’s Soviet Union and Hitler’s Germany in the area encompassing central Poland to western Russia, including the Baltic States and the Ukraine, from 1933 to 1945. He describes the mechanisms by which this murder was accomplished and the ideological motivations that were its engines, the key to understanding them being that both States sought “. to deprive groups of human beings . their right to be regarded as human (387). ”
Down Modulation of Host Immune Response by Amino Acid Repeats Present in a Trypanosoma cruzi Ribosomal Antigen

Several antigens from Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease (CD), contain amino acid repeats identified as targets of the host immune response. Ribosomal proteins containing an Ala, Lys, Pro-rich repeat domain are among the T. cruzi antigens that are strongly recognized by antibodies from CD patients. Here we investigated the role of amino acid repeats present in the T. cruzi ribosomal protein L7a, by immunizing mice with recombinant versions of the full-length protein (TcRpL7a), as well as with truncated versions containing only the repetitive (TcRpL7aRep) or the non-repetitive domains (TcRpL7aΔRep). Mice immunized with full-length TcRpL7a produced high levels of IgG antibodies against the complete protein as well as against the repeat domain, whereas mice immunized with TcRpL7aΔRep or TcRpL7aRep produced very low levels or did not produce IgG antibodies against this antigen. Also in contrast to mice immunized with the full-length TcRpL7a, which produced high levels of IFN-γ, only low levels of IFN-γ or no IFN-γ were detected in cultures of splenocytes derived from mice immunized with truncated versions of the protein. After challenging with trypomastigotes, mice immunized with the TcRpL7a were partially protected against the infection whereas immunization with TcRpL7aΔRep did not alter parasitemia levels compared to controls. Strikingly, mice immunized with TcRpL7aRep displayed an exacerbated parasitemia compared to the other groups and 100% mortality after infection. Analyses of antibody production in mice that were immunized with TcRpL7aRep prior to infection showed a reduced humoral response to parasite antigens as well as against an heterologous antigen. In vitro proliferation assays with mice splenocytes incubated with different mitogens in the presence of TcRpL7aRep resulted in a drastic inhibition of B-cell proliferation and antibody production. Taken together, these results indicate that the repeat domain of TcRpL7a acts as an immunosuppressive factor that down regulates the host B-cell response against parasite antigens favoring parasite multiplication in the mammalian host.
Microwave Corona Breakdown Prediction in Arbitrarily-Shaped Waveguide Based Filters

This letter describes an efficient algorithm to predict the RF gas breakdown power threshold in microwave devices with complex geometries. The two necessary calculations when investigating such a phenomenon have been performed: on the one hand, the computation of the electromagnetic fields inside the structure and, on the other hand, the determination of the breakdown onset itself. The electromagnetic fields are solved by means of modal techniques and coupled to the free electron continuity equation, which is solved by the Finite Element Method. Proceeding in this way, a very simple criterion to find out whether microwave corona breakdown will take place is derived. This numerical implementation of the developed algorithms has been tested with other theoretical approaches and with experimental measurements, showing very good agreement.
Access Fees and Efficiency Frontiers with Selectivity and Latent Classes: Falkland Islands Fisheries

A relevant question in fishery management is to what extent individual transferable quotas and effort quotas (ITQs/ITEQs) can contribute to higher efficiency and net returns as well as foster resource sustainability. To better account for factors that systematically affect efficiency of fishing companies within a complex institutional environment, two stochastic frontier semiparametric models treat unobserved heterogeneity as a finite mixture or discrete approximation to continuous parameter variation by adjusting for sample selection and latent classes, respectively. Assuming profitability-constrained, revenue-maximising strategies and based on a panel of Falkland Islands fisheries over the period 2003–14, both models suggest separate frontiers relative to revenues and limited to selection-corrected model costs. The hypothesis of frontier-enhancing effects of the new ITQ/ITEQ regime is supported for most—albeit not all—fishing companies. Based on model results, revenue efficiency gains are achievable by encouraging, when feasible, vessel ownership and larger arrangements between quota holders and joint-venture companies. Regression results of latent class production frontier models for southern hake catches similarly suggest heterogeneity across finfish vessels and widespread—though not uniform—frontier-enhancing effects of the new fishery regime.
Hyphal differentiation in the exploring mycelium of Aspergillus niger

Mycelial fungi play a central role in element cycling in nature by degrading dead organic material such as wood. Fungal colonization of a substrate starts with the invasion of exploring hyphae. These hyphae secrete enzymes that convert the organic material into small molecules that can be taken up by the fungus to serve as nutrients. Using green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a reporter, we show for the first time that exploring hyphae of Aspergillus niger differentiate with respect to enzyme secretion; some strongly express the glucoamylase gene glaA, while others hardly express it at all. When a cytoplasmic GFP was used, 27% of the exploring hyphae of a 5‐day‐old colony belonged to the low expressing hyphae. By fusing GFP to glucoamylase and by introducing an ER retention signal, this number increased to 50%. This difference is due to cytoplasmic streaming of the reporter in the former case, as was shown by using a photo‐activatable GFP. Our findings indicate that a fungal mycelium is highly differentiated, especially when taking into account that hyphae in the exploration zone were exposed to the same nutritional conditions.
CT Scan in Patients with Suspected Appendicitis: Clinical Implications for the Acute Care Surgeon

Objective: To determine the influence of computed tomography (CT) scans on diagnosis and management of patients with suspected appendicitis. Methods: Retrospective 2-year review of 1,630 patients with suspected appendicitis, categorized into three groups based on the likelihood (Alvarado scores) of having appendicitis. Group 1: low likelihood (Alvarado score ≤4); group 2: intermediate likelihood (Alvarado scores 5–7), and group 3: high likelihood (Alvarado score ≧ 8). CT scan utilization, hospital course, and final pathology were retrospectively reviewed. Results: More patients received a CT scan in 2006 as compared with 2005 (60 vs. 52%; p = 0.001). The overall appendectomy rate was similar between the 2 years (57% in 2005 vs. 57% in 2006; p = 0.995). The overall appendectomy rate in patients with a CT was significantly higher as compared with those without (60 vs. 53%; p = 0.002). The appendectomy rate in patients with Alvarado scores ≤4 and no CT scan was significantly lower than in those with a CT scan (12 vs. 48%; p < 0.0001). The overall negative appendectomy rate in patients with a CT scan was similar to that in those without: 31/546 (6%) vs. 23/383 (6%). Conclusions: CT scan utilization increased the appendectomy rate only in patients with a low clinical suspicion for appendicitis. Preoperative CT scans did not decrease the negative appendectomy rate.
Bond Flows and Liquidity: Do Foreigners Matter?

In their search for yield in the current low interest rate environment, many investors have turned to sovereign debt in emerging economies, which has raised concerns about risks to financial stability from these capital flows. To assess this risk, we study the effects of changes in the foreign-held share of Mexican sovereign bonds on their liquidity premiums. We find that recent increases in foreign holdings of these securities have played a significant role in driving up their liquidity premiums. Provided the higher compensation for bearing liquidity risk is commensurate with the chance of a major foreign-led sell-off in the Mexican government bond market, this development may not pose a material risk to its financial stability.
Graded alpha1-adrenoceptor activation of arteries involves recruitment of smooth muscle cells to produce 'all or none' Ca(2+) signals.

Confocal laser scanning microscopy and Fluo-4 were used to visualize Ca(2+) transients within individual smooth muscle cells (SMC) of rat resistance arteries during alpha(1)-adrenoceptor activation. The typical spatio-temporal pattern of [Ca(2+)] in an artery after exposure to a maximally effective concentration of phenylephrine (PE, 10.0 microM) was a large, brief, relatively homogeneous Ca(2+) transient, followed by Ca(2+) waves, which then declined in frequency over the course of 5 min and which were asynchronous in different SMC. Concentration-Effect (CE) curves relating the concentration of PE (range: 0.1 microM to 10.0 microM) to the effects (fraction of cells producing at least one Ca(2+) wave, and number of Ca(2+) waves during 5 min) had EC(50) values of approximately 0.5 microM and approximately 1.0 microM respectively. The initial Ca(2+) transient and the subsequent Ca(2+) waves were abolished in the presence of caffeine (10.0 mM). A repeated exposure to PE, 1.5 min after the first had ended, elicited fewer Ca(2+) waves in fewer cells than did the initial exposure. Caffeine-sensitive Ca(2+) stores were not depleted at this time, however, as caffeine alone was capable of inducing a large release of Ca(2+)1.5 min after PE. In summary, the mechanism of a graded response to graded alpha(1)-adrenoceptor activation is the progressive 'recruitment' of individual SMC, which then respond in 'all or none' fashion (viz. asynchronous Ca(2+) waves). Ca(2+) signaling continues in the arterial wall throughout the time-course (at least 5 min) of activation of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors. The fact that the Ca(2+) waves are asynchronous accounts for the previously reported fall in 'arterial wall [Ca(2+)]' (i.e. spatial average [Ca(2+)] over all cells).
Compliance Study in Peritoneal Dialysis Using Pdadequest Software

Poor compliance in peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a significant cause of dropout and morbidity. PD Adequest software, which, through a mathematical model, predicts the effect of the dialysis prescription on the basis of the peritoneal transport, may be used to identify the noncompliant patient. Fifty patients from two dialysis centers, aged 65.9±1.5 years and on PD for 28.6±4.7 months, were studied. A peritoneal equilibration test (PET) was carried out and 24hour urine and dialysate were collected. Total weekly creatinine clearance (CrCI, L/week/1.73 m2) was calculated, as well as the glomerular filtration rate [(GFR), mL/min, mean CrCI and urea nitrogen clearance (UNCI)]. The dialytic schedules used were then introduced into the program and the parameters were recalculated using the software model. Nine patients considered noncompliant from their case histories were used to assess the differences of reference between expected and measured values. The control group was significantly different from the noncompliant group in the percentage of the CrCI and the serum creatinine (sCR) differences. The noncompliance threshold value was calculated from the mean of the lower 95% confidence interval of the compliant group and the higher one of the noncompliant group (-5.3%) for CrCI and vice versa for sCR (+10%), which behaved to the contrary. Reassessing the patients, 11 (22%) were identified as probably noncompliant.
Anticancer, chemopreventive and radioprotective potential of black plum (Eugenia jambolana lam.).

Despite good understanding of the molecular basis of the disease and advances in treatment, globally cancer is still a major cause of death. Estimates are that it will surpass cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death, with higher incidences in the developing countries that have minimal resources. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the two most commonly used treatment modalities, are associated with untoward side effects. This has necessitated the search for alternatives that are effective, non toxic and easily affordable for patients and traditional medicinal plants are an ideal source. Eugenia jambolana Lam. , commonly known as black plum or 'jamun' is an important medicinal plant in various traditional systems of medicine. It is effective in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, inflammation, ulcers and diarrhea and preclinical studies have also shown it to possess antineoplastic, chemopreventive and radioprotective properties. Here, for the first time, the effects of jamun in treatment and prevention of cancer, and the mechanisms responsible for these effects are appraised. Additionally the drawbacks in existing knowledge are also stressed to emphasize the possible avenues that need to be investigated, so that maximum effects on both prevention and cure can be attained.