Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regulation of Cytosolic Sulfotransferases in Models of Human Hepatocyte Development

Cytosolic sulfotransferases (SULTs) are expressed during early life and therefore metabolize endogenous and xenobiotic chemicals during development. Little is currently known about the regulation of individual SULTs in the developing human liver. We characterized SULT expression in primary cultures of human fetal hepatocytes and the HepaRG model of liver cell differentiation. SULT1A1 (transcript variants 1–4), SULT1C2, SULT1C4, SULT1E1, and SULT2A1 were the most abundant transcripts in human fetal hepatocytes. In HepaRG cells, SULT1B1, SULT1C2/3/4, and SULT1E1 mRNA levels increased during the transition from proliferation to confluency and then decreased as the cells underwent further differentiation. By contrast, SULT2A1 mRNA levels increased during differentiation, whereas SULT1A1 and SULT2B1 mRNA levels remained relatively constant. The temporal patterns of SULT1C2, SULT1E1, and SULT2A1 protein content were consistent with those observed at the mRNA level. To identify regulators of SULT expression, cultured fetal hepatocytes and HepaRG cells were treated with a panel of lipid- and xenobiotic-sensing receptor activators. The following effects were observed in both fetal hepatocytes and HepaRG cells: 1) liver X receptor activator treatment increased SULT1A1 transcript variant 5 levels; 2) vitamin D receptor activator treatment increased SULT1C2 and SULT2B1 mRNA levels; and 3) farnesoid X receptor activator treatment decreased SULT2A1 expression. Activators of aryl hydrocarbon receptor, constitutive androstane receptor, pregnane X receptor, and peroxisome proliferator–activated receptors produced additional gene-dependent effects on SULT expression in HepaRG cells. These findings suggest that SULT-regulating chemicals have the potential to modulate physiologic processes and susceptibility to xenobiotic stressors in the developing human liver.
The semantic structure of emotion words across languages is consistent with componential appraisal models of emotion

ABSTRACT Appraisal theories of emotion, and particularly the Component Process Model, claim that the different components of the emotion process (action tendencies, physiological reactions, expressions, and feeling experiences) are essentially driven by the results of cognitive appraisals and that the feeling component constitutes a central integration and representation of these processes. Given the complexity of the proposed architecture, comprehensive experimental tests of these predictions are difficult to perform and to date are lacking. Encouraged by the “lexical sedimentation” hypothesis, here we propose an indirect examination of the compatibility of the theoretical assumptions with the semantic structure of a set of major emotion words as measured in a cross-language and cross-cultural study. Specifically, we performed a secondary analysis of the large-scale data set with ratings of affective features covering all components of the emotion process for 24 emotion words in 27 countries, constituting profiles of emotion-specific appraisals, action tendencies, physiological reactions, expressions, and feeling experiences. The results of a series of hierarchical regression analyses to examine the prediction of the theoretical model are highly consistent with the claim that appraisal patterns determine the structure of the response components, which in turn predict central dimensions of the feeling component.
Effect of upper airway on tracheobronchial fluid dynamics

The upper airways play a significant role in the tracheal flow dynamics. Despite many previous studies, however, the effect of the upper airways on the ventilation distribution in distal airways has remained a challenge. The aim of this study is to experimentally and computationally investigate the dynamic behaviour in the intratracheal flow induced by the upper respiratory tract and to assess its influence on the subsequent tributaries. Patient‐specific images from 2 different modalities (magnetic resonance imaging of the upper airways and computed tomography of the lower airways) were segmented and combined. An experimental phantom of patient‐specific airways (including the oral cavity, larynx, trachea, down to generations 6‐8) was generated using 3D printing. The flow velocities in this phantom model were measured by the flow‐sensitised phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging technique and compared with the computational fluid dynamics simulations. Both experimental and computational results show a good agreement in the time‐averaged velocity fields as well as fluctuating velocity. The flows in the proximal trachea were complex and unsteady under both lower‐ and higher‐flow rate conditions. Computational fluid dynamics simulations were also performed with an airways model without the upper airways. Although the flow near the carina remained unstable only when the inflow rate was high, the influence of the upper airways caused notable changes in distal flow distributions when the 2 airways models were compared with and without the upper airways. The results suggest that the influence of the upper airways should be included in the respiratory flow assessment as the upper airways extensively affect the flows in distal airways and consequent ventilation distribution in the lungs.
Smartphone delivery of a hope intervention: Another way to flourish

Positive interventions have shown promise for fostering hedonic (happiness) and eudaimonic (flourishing) well-being. However, few studies have focused on positive interventions that target hope as a means of increasing well-being, and none have examined the use of smartphone app-based systems for delivering interventions in the moments and contexts of daily life—an approach called ecological momentary intervention (EMI). We conducted a quasi-experimental pilot study using a pretest and posttest design to examine the feasibility and potential impact of a mobile app-based hope EMI. Participants appeared to engage with the intervention and found the experience to be user-friendly, helpful, and enjoyable. Relative to the control group, those receiving the intervention demonstrated significantly greater increases in hope; however, there were no between-group differences in hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. The authors recommend future research to examine the potential of EMI mobile apps to cultivate hope and promote flourishing.
Galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GalT), an in vivo-induced antigen of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serovar 5b strain L20, provided immunoprotection against serovar 1 strain MS71

GALT is an important antigen of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP), which was shown to provide partial protection against APP infection in a previous study in our lab. The main purpose of the present study is to investigate GALT induced cross-protection between different APP serotypes and elucidate key mechanisms of the immune response to GALT antigenic stimulation. Bioinformatic analysis demonstrated that galT is a highly conserved gene in APP, widely distributed across multiple pathogenic strains. Homologies between any two strains ranges from 78.9% to 100% regarding the galT locus. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) confirmed that GALT specific antibodies could not be induced by inactivated APP L20 or MS71 whole cell bacterin preparations. A recombinant fusion GALT protein derived from APP L20, however has proven to be an effective cross-protective antigen against APP sevorar 1 MS71 (50%, 4/8) and APP sevorar 5b L20 (75%, 6/8). Histopathological examinations have confirmed that recombinant GALT vaccinated animals showed less severe pathological signs in lung tissues than negative controls after APP challenge. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis indicated that the infiltration of neutrophils in the negative group is significantly increased compared with that in the normal control (P<0.001) and that in surviving animals is decreased compared to the negative group. Anti-GALT antibodies were shown to mediate phagocytosis of neutrophils. After interaction with anti-GALT antibodies, survival rate of APP challenged vaccinated animals was significantly reduced (P<0.001). This study demonstrated that GALT is an effective cross-protective antigen, which could be used as a potential vaccine candidate against multiple APP serotypes.
CEST, ASL, and magnetization transfer contrast: How similar pulse sequences detect different phenomena

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST), arterial spin labeling (ASL), and magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) methods generate different contrasts for MRI. However, they share many similarities in terms of pulse sequences and mechanistic principles. They all use RF pulse preparation schemes to label the longitudinal magnetization of certain proton pools and follow the delivery and transfer of this magnetic label to a water proton pool in a tissue region of interest, where it accumulates and can be detected using any imaging sequence. Due to the versatility of MRI, differences in spectral, spatial or motional selectivity of these schemes can be exploited to achieve pool specificity, such as for arterial water protons in ASL, protons on solute molecules in CEST, and protons on semi‐solid cell structures in MTC. Timing of these sequences can be used to optimize for the rate of a particular delivery and/or exchange transfer process, for instance, between different tissue compartments (ASL) or between tissue molecules (CEST/MTC). In this review, magnetic labeling strategies for ASL and the corresponding CEST and MTC pulse sequences are compared, including continuous labeling, single‐pulse labeling, and multi‐pulse labeling. Insight into the similarities and differences among these techniques is important not only to comprehend the mechanisms and confounds of the contrasts they generate, but also to stimulate the development of new MRI techniques to improve these contrasts or to reduce their interference. This, in turn, should benefit many possible applications in the fields of physiological and molecular imaging and spectroscopy.
Design of insect unguitractor apparatus

The structure of the unguitractor system of insect legs was studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. On the base of serial semithin sections, the 3‐D reconstruction of structures of the terminal tarsomere was obtained and the arrangement of different types of cuticle was demonstrated. The membrane connects all structures of the system and divides the terminal parts of the claw flexor muscle into the external (unguitractor plate) (UT) and inner (tendon) ones. Elastic nonlayered cuticle located between the claws and the posterior wall of the terminal tarsomere is interpreted as a claw‐returning string. Cuticle surrounding the apodeme of the posterior wall of the terminal tarsomere contains large porous canals. The anterior part of the terminal tarsomere has an invagination that forms a plate facing toward the UT. This plate comprises the UT anteriorly and laterally and contains a microtrichia field (MF) on its distal part. The surface of the UT has a complex microstructure providing fixation to the MF of the corresponding surface of the anterior wall of the terminal tarsomere. Microtrichia of the UT and MF are directed to opposite directions and provide anchorage of the UT whenever the flexor claw muscle contracts. The microsculpture of UT and MF for representatives of Odonata, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, and Diptera was compared. It is suggested that small insects, which are able to walk quickly on thin rods, usually have wide microplates on the UT plate to provide quicker fixation‐release of the UT in the contact area. Insects using the legs to produce hollows in the soil usually have a large UT with well‐developed microtrichia on its surface to produce strong friction forces in the contact area for a long period of time. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Use of antipsychotics and risk of breast cancer: a Danish nationwide case–control study

Some antipsychotics increase prolactin levels, which might increase the risk of breast cancer. Existing evidence is conflicting and based on sparse data, especially for the increasingly used second‐generation antipsychotics. We conducted a nationwide case–control study of the association between antipsychotic use and incident breast cancer.
Prevention of pertussis: An unresolved problem

ABSTRACT Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. However, after the introduction of the whole-cell pertussis vaccine (wP), the annual incidence rates of the disease progressively declined. Despite this result, the inclusion of wP in the national immunization schedule of infants and young children was debated regarding its safety. Several efforts to produce vaccines based on B. pertussis components capable of evoking protective immunity with no or limited adverse events were made. Of these others, five pertussis antigens were considered possible components of acellular vaccines (aPs): pertussis toxin (PT), filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA), pertactin (PRN) and fimbria proteins 2 and 3. However, the introduction of aPs was followed by a slight but progressive increase in the incidence of pertussis. This paper discusses the potential reasons for reduced aPs efficacy. Moreover, it attempts to evaluate the real effectiveness of aPs and the potential differences between available preparations. Data analysis showed that several boosters are needed to maintain protection against pertussis and additional studies are needed to confirm the antigens that should be included in aPs to improve the prevention of pertussis.
Seasonal changes in the reproductive anatomy of male Antechinus stuartii (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae)

Male Antechinus stuartii (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae) undergo significant endocrinological changes during their life history. The endocrine changes are associated with complete male mortality. The accessory reproductive tract of males is important for seminal plasma production, and changes associated with the reproductive cycle were not described in detail by earlier studies. The present study sought to describe some of the seasonal changes in structure of the male accessory reproductive tract in relation to the known hormonal changes. The epididymis, prostate, and bulbourethral glands are relatively undifferentiated in February and May, a time when plasma concentrations of testosterone are known to be low. By July, considerable hypertrophy and differentiation of the accessory reproductive tract are observed. This is most obvious in the bulbourethral glands, which change from being indistinguishable from one another in February and May to being three large morphologically and histologically distinct glands in July. The hypertrophy and secretory activity continue into August, the breeding season. These findings correlate with the hormonal profiles found in other studies of A. stuartii. J Morphol 231:261–275, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dot Motion Perception in Young Adult Emmetropes and Myopes.

SIGNIFICANCE Central motion perception, as assessed by minimum displacement detection, was reduced in highly myopic eyes. Peripheral motion detection may be influenced by myopia, particularly in the inferior-nasal retina. PURPOSE Motion discrimination is a complex visual task processed mainly via the magnocellular pathway. We investigated whether it is affected in myopia. METHODS Ninety young adults aged 18 to 28 years participated: 30 emmetropes (spherical equivalent refractions +1.00 to -0.50 diopters [D]), 30 low myopes -1.00 to -4.75 D) and 30 higher myopes (<-5 D). Random dot patterns were used to measure motion perception thresholds for minimum displacement (Dmin), maximum displacement (Dmax), and motion coherence tasks. Each task was performed centrally and at four oblique peripheral visual field locations (at 3.65 and 12 degrees for Dmin and Dmax tasks, respectively). Macular retinal thickness was measured with optical coherence tomography. RESULTS The central Dmin task was correlated significantly with refraction (r = -0.303, P = .004) and axial length (r = +0.224, P = .04), and the superior-temporal field Dmin task was correlated significantly with axial length (r = 0.230, P = .04). Higher myopes had poorer performance than emmetropes by 25% (higher values). For the Dmin peripheral task and for Dmax and coherence tasks at both central and peripheral locations, there were no significant correlations with refraction or axial length. At three of four positions, the peripheral Dmin task was correlated significantly with thickness in the corresponding retinal region: superior-temporal Dmin (Pearson r = -0.357, P < .001), inferior-nasal Dmin (r = -0.237, P = .03) and inferior-temporal Dmin (r = -0.233, P = .03). CONCLUSIONS Central motion perception, as assessed by minimum displacement detection, was reduced by 25% in highly myopic eyes. Peripheral motion detection may be influenced by myopia, particularly in the inferior-nasal retina. Retinal stretching due to axial elongation may be linked to reduced performance in higher myopes.
Manual wheelchair propulsion on ramp slopes encountered when boarding public transit buses

Abstract Objective: To compare the kinetics of manual wheelchair (MWC) propulsion on ramps of varying slopes that may be encountered when accessing large accessible transit vehicles (LATVs). Design: Observational study. Setting: Biomechanics research laboratory. Participants: A convenience sample of able-bodied adults (n = 7) having no propulsion experience propelled a MWC on ramps of slope 3.5°, 9.5° and 15°. Interventions: Not applicable. Main outcome measures: Resultant (Fres), radial (Fr) and tangential (Ft) forces applied to the wheelchair pushrim, rate of rise of resultant force (ROR), peak power output (P), temporal characteristics and thigh to trunk angle were analyzed across three ramp slopes. Results: Pushrim forces and power output significantly increased with increasing slope, with peak Fres more than doubling from 107 N on a 3.5° slope to 230 N on a 15° slope. ROR was 1.76 times higher at 9.5° and 2.47 times higher at 15° compared to a 3.5° slope. Minimum thigh to trunk angle decreased sharply from 80° (3.5° slope) to 50° (9.5° slope) and then to 30° (15° slope) as ramp slope increased. Conclusions: Ascending bus ramps require greater power and pushrim force on steeper ramp slopes, presenting a potential barrier to transportation accessibility. Given this finding, it is imperative that bus operators minimize ramp slope to assure MWC users are able to access LATVs. Implications for Rehabilitation Although transit bus ramps are intended to provide wheelchair access to public transportation, limitations in MWC user physical strength and function may prevent safe access. Transit bus ramp slopes encountered during ingress can present a challenge to MWC users given power output and pushrim force requirements to ascend the ramp. MWC users and therapists should be aware of ramp slopes that may be encountered when boarding transit buses; wheelchair training should incorporate skills needed to ascend transit bus ramps.
Who Are Afraid of Losing Their Jobs to Artificial Intelligence and Robots? Evidence from a Survey

This study, using original survey data of 10,000 individuals, analyzes the possible impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics on employment. The first interest of this study is to ascertain, from the viewpoint of workers, what types of worker characteristics are associated with the perception of risk of jobs being replaced by the development of AI and robotics. The second interest is to identify, from the viewpoint of consumers, what types of services are likely to be replaced by AI and robotics. The results suggest that malleable/adaptable high skills acquired through higher education, particularly in science and engineering, are complementary with new technologies such as AI and robotics. At the same time, occupation-specific skills acquired by attending professional schools or holding occupational licenses, particularly those related to human-intensive services, are less likely to be replaced by AI and robotics.
Conserving Himalayan birds in highly seasonal forested and agricultural landscapes

The Himalayas are a global biodiversity hotspot threatened by widespread agriculture and pasture expansion. To determine the impact of these threats on biodiversity and to formulate appropriate conservation strategies, we surveyed birds along elevational gradients in primary forest and in human‐dominated lands spanning a gradient of habitat alteration, including forest‐agriculture mosaics, mixed agriculture mosaics, and pasture. We surveyed birds during the breeding season and in winter to account for pronounced seasonal migrations. Bird abundance and richness in forest‐agriculture and mixed agriculture mosaics were equal to or greater than in primary forest and greater than in pasture at local and landscape scales during both seasons. Pasture had greater abundance and richness of birds in winter than primary forest, but richness was greater in primary forest at the landscape scale during the breeding season. All 4 land‐use types held unique species, suggesting that all must be retained in the landscape to conserve the entire avifauna. Our results suggest forest‐agriculture and mixed agriculture mosaics are particularly important for sustaining Himalayan bird communities during winter and primary forests are vital for sustaining Himalayan bird communities during the breeding season. Further conversion of forest‐agriculture and mixed agriculture mosaics to pasture would likely result in significant biodiversity losses that would disproportionately affect breeding species. To ensure comprehensive conservation, strategies in the western Himalayas must balance the protection of intact primary forest with the minimization of pasture expansion.
CEO Inside Debt and Risk Taking: Evidence from Property–Liability Insurance Firms

We examine the incentive effects of CEO inside debt holdings (pensions and deferred compensation) on risk taking using the sample of U.S. publicly traded property–liability insurers. To represent managerial risk taking, we employ value at risk (VaR) and expected shortfall (ES), which capture extreme movements in the lower tail of insurer stock return distribution. We also estimate firm default risk, equity volatilities, and insurance-related risk as alternative measures of risk taking. We document that inside debt represents a significant component of CEOs’ compensation in the insurance industry. We find that there is a significant and negative relationship between CEO inside debt holdings and risk-taking behavior. The results suggest that the structure of executive debt-like compensation could be a potential method of reducing managers’ risk-taking incentives.