Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Persistent elevation and metabolic dependence of circulating E-selectin after delivery in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

The increased risk of premature atherosclerosis in noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) might be related in part to augmented expression of endothelial adhesion molecules (AMs). So far it is, however, unknown whether increased circulating (c) AMs in NIDDM are only a consequence of this disease or also involved in its sequelae. To determine the presence of cAMs in a population at increased risk for subsequent development of NIDDM, we analyzed fasting and postprandial [oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): 100 g] serum concentrations of circulating E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (cVCAM-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (cICAM-1) in pregnant women with either gestational diabetes (GDM) or normal glucose tolerance (NT) before and after delivery vs. nonpregnant healthy women (C). During pregnancy cE-selectin and cVCAM-1 were elevated in both GDM and NT vs. nonpregnant females (P < 0.01 vs. C). Following delivery, all GDM females regained normal glucose tolerance according to OGTT criteria, but showed slightly higher postprandial [area under the curve (AUC)180 min] glycemia and HbA1c values than nonpregnant healthy women (P < 0.05), indicating persisting subtle abnormalities in carbohydrate metabolism. cE-selectin and cVCAM-1 remained increased in GDM (P < 0.01 vs.C) after delivery, but fell to normal in NT (P < 0.05 before vs. after delivery). Furthermore, a correlation was seen in GDM females between cE-selectin and HbA1c (P < 0.005), fasting glucose (P < 0.01), and insulin (P < 0.05) as well as postprandial (AUC180 min) glucose and insulin concentrations (P < 0.05) during OGTTs, both before and after delivery. ICAM-1, however, did not differ significantly between groups. In summary, GDM is characterized by persistently raised levels of cE-selectin and cVCAM-1 12 weeks after delivery. Whether these persistent elevations of cE-selectin and cVCAM-1 reflect early vascular injury or represent a risk factor for atherosclerosis in women at increased risk for NIDDM remains to be determined.
Moments of Truth

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Ultracold Fermions in the P-Orbital Band of an Optical Lattice

Abstract : The goal of this research program is to investigate strongly-correlated many-body phases that emerge when interacting fermions occupy the p-orbital band of an optical lattice. Progress made toward this objective included demonstration of a site-resolved, continuously deformable two-dimensional honeycomb/triangular lattice and loading of Li-6 atoms into a triangular configuration of lattice beams. Further, a novel solid state laser source for 671 nm light was developed and new methods for rapidly controlling interactions between fermionic Li-6 atoms were demonstrated. While making this progress, scientific opportunities arose to make discoveries in other research areas of interest to the AFOSR. Specifically, the scope of the project was broadened to include studies of s-wave collisional frequency shifts in an ultracold Fermi gas (relevant for improving/characterizing the accuracy of next generation atomic clocks), the realization of momentum dependent s-wave interactions in a Fermi gas (relevant for quantum simulation), and the realization of multi-partite entangled states by dissipative exothermic collisions in a one-dimensional Fermi gas (relevant for quantum metrology).
Recombinant interferon α‐2b in the treatment of polycythemia vera

We studied the effects of recombinant α2‐b interferon (α2‐b IFN) in a dose of 3 × 106U intramuscularly three times a week for 1 year in 13 patients affected by polycythemia vera (PV) previously treated with phlebotomy only. Response to treatment was evaluated by reduction of the number of phlebotomies required to retain normal hematocrit value. Ten out of 13 patients (77%) responded to treatment; in 4 of them the exigency of phlebotomy was completely eliminated. In all responders a concomitant decrease of platelet count and splenomegaly was obtained. Treatment was well tolerated and side effects were easily controlled. We conclude that α‐IFN may represent an attractive therapeutic option in the management of the proliferative stages of PV. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neuromuscular function following prolonged load carriage on level and downhill gradients.

INTRODUCTION Decrements in muscle function may reduce physical and skilled performance and have been shown to be greater following walking unloaded on negative gradients. We examined the effects of prolonged walking with load carriage at level and negative gradients on muscle function. METHODS There were 10 male participants who completed two bouts of load carriage carrying a 25-kg backpack for 2 h at 6.5 km x h(-1) during level walking (LW) and downhill (-8% gradient) walking (DW). Force produced during voluntary and electrically stimulated contractions was measured before, 0, 24, 48, and 72 h post-exercise. RESULTS Isometric knee extension force decreased immediately after LW (15 +/- 11%) and DW (16 +/- 17%) and recovered to baseline at 72 h. Voluntary activation decreased immediately after LW (95 +/- 5 to 91 +/- 10%) and DW (97 +/- 4 to 94 +/- 12%) and returned to baseline at 24 h. Electrically stimulated 20:50 Hz tetani decreased after LW and DW, with complete recovery by 24 h after DW only. LW and DW caused decreases immediately after exercise in isokinetic peak torque of knee extensors and flexors at 60 degrees x s(-1) and 180 degrees x s(-1), trunk extensors and flexors at 15 degrees x s(-1), and shoulder flexors at 60 degrees x s(-1), with complete recovery at different time points, but all by 72 h. CONCLUSIONS Level and downhill treadmill walking with load carriage resulted in similar changes in muscle function of the lower and upper body muscles immediately after exercise and during recovery. The decrements in muscle function may increase the risk of musculoskeletal injury and is likely to impair performance during physical and skilled tasks following load carriage.
Differentiation of Hidroacanthoma Simplex from Clonal Seborrheic Keratosis—An Immunohistochemical Study

Hidroacanthoma simplex (HS) is an uncommon poroid neoplasm confined within the epidermis. The clinical features of HS are not distinctive and histopathologically HS may be confused with clonal seborrheic keratosis (CSK) if cystic or ductal structure is not present. The purpose of our study was to differentiate HS from CSK by the immunohistochemical expressions of various cytokeratins, CEA, CD1a, and S-100 protein, as well as by the degrees of deposition of melanins and glycogen. Four cases of HS and seven cases of CSK were included in the research. In contrast with CSK, HS showed a very low density of Langerhans cells (19.9 ± 7.7 versus 3.1 ± 1.0 CD1a (+) cells/mm2, P = 0.027) and sparse melanin deposition in the nests. However, HS could not be set apart from CSK by the expressions of cytokeratins. The nests of both HS and CSK showed very similar patterns of cytokeratin expression and seemed to be mainly composed of basaloid cells with focal differentiation toward epidermal suprabasal cells.
Amino acids acting as transmitters in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Objectives ‐ In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease of unknown origin, excitotoxic mechanisms are supposed to be involved. Divergent results are, however, presented either because of the heterogeneity of this disease, and/or different methodologies used to evaluate the excitotoxic amino acids content. The results of the most sensitive high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques with precolumn derivatization of fasting serum and CSF glutamate, aspartate, glycine and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) in mild and severely progressing ALS cases are presented here. Material and methods ‐ We studied 25 ALS patients with different course of the disease and controls, which consisted of 10 cases with other motor neuron diseases and 20 healthy, age‐matched subjects. Results ‐ In the ALS patients with a mild course of the disease serum glutamate and aspartate content was either normal or slightly decreased, in all of these cases a rise in GABA and glycine was present. In the severely progressing ALS cases serum glutamate and aspartate was increased. The GABA content was either normal or increased, the glycine level appeared to be either normal or decreased. In CSF the amino acids changes in ALS were less pronounced as compared to serum. The most frequent finding was the increase in GABA concentration both in the mild and the severely progressing group. CSF glutamate in ALS patients with mild course of the disease was decreased, in the severely progressing cases the glutamate level appeared in a broad range from decreased to increased values. CSF aspartate was either normal or elevated, glycine values were present in a broad range from decreased to increased values. In the other tested motor neuron diseases no consistent changes in serum and CSF amino acids concentration was observed. Conclusions ‐ The data from serum and CSF indicate that in ALS an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory amino acids might be present in the brain, which may be induced in different ways in particular ALS patients. It may be an important factor for the mediation of neurons death.
Ocean warming, a rapid distributional shift, and the hybridization of a coastal fish species

Despite increasing awareness of large‐scale climate‐driven distribution shifts in the marine environment, no study has linked rapid ocean warming to a shift in distribution and consequent hybridization of a marine fish species. This study describes rapid warming (0.8 °C per decade) in the coastal waters of the Angola‐Benguela Frontal Zone over the last three decades and a concomitant shift by a temperature sensitive coastal fish species (Argyrosomus coronus) southward from Angola into Namibia. In this context, rapid shifts in distribution across Economic Exclusive Zones will complicate the management of fishes, particularly when there is a lack of congruence in the fisheries policy between nations. Evidence for recent hybridization between A. coronus and a congener, A. inodorus, indicate that the rapid shift in distribution of A. coronus has placed adults of the two species in contact during their spawning events. Ocean warming may therefore revert established species isolation mechanisms and alter the evolutionary history of fishes. While the consequences of the hybridization on the production of the resource remain unclear, this will most likely introduce additional layers of complexity to their management.
Psychometric validation of the Chinese version of the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised for patients with hypertension.

AIM This paper is a report of a study to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised using the technique of confirmatory factor analysis. BACKGROUND The Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised is the most commonly used instrument for assessing patients' views of illness, and there is good evidence for the psychometric properties of the English version. However, there is inconsistency in the literature about how scores of the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised should be used. METHOD A cross-sectional survey was conducted in three teaching hospitals in central Taiwan. The Chinese Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised was administered to a purposive sample of 358 patients with hypertension in 2005-2006. RESULTS Confirmatory factor analysis provided evidence of satisfactory factorial validity, convergent validity and discriminant validity of the Chinese Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised. Internal consistency was supported by adequate Cronbach's alphas (ranging 0.67-0.87) and composite reliability (0.57-0.88). The factor structures of the identity and cause subscales were found to be an acceptable fit to the data. The findings of model evaluations supported the seven-factor structure, after removal of six poorly fitting items. Second-order analysis indicated two factors (control and negative illness representation) representing latent constructs underlying the factors of personal control, treatment control, consequence, timeline-cyclic and emotional representation. CONCLUSION The Chinese Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised is a reliable and valid instrument for the measurement of illness perceptions in patients with hypertension.
31P NMR and AFM studies on the destabilization of cell and model membranes by the major bovine seminal plasma protein, PDC‐109

The effect of PDC‐109 binding to dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG) multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) and supported membranes was investigated by 31P NMR spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Additionally, the effect of cholesterol on the binding of PDC‐109 to phosphatidylcholine (PC) membranes was studied. Binding of PDC‐109 to MLVs of DMPC and DPPG induced the formation of an isotropic signal in their 31P NMR spectra, which increased with increasing protein/lipid ratio and temperature, consistent with protein‐induced disruption of the MLVs and the formation of small unilamellar vesicles or micelles but not inverse hexagonal or cubic phases. Incorporation of cholesterol in the DMPC MLVs afforded a partial stabilization of the lamellar structure, consistent with previous reports of membrane stabilization by cholesterol. AFM results are consistent with the above findings and show that addition of PDC‐109 leads to a complete breakdown of PC membranes. The fraction of isotropic signal in 31P NMR spectra of DPPG in the presence of PDC‐109 was less than that of DMPC under similar conditions, suggesting a significantly higher affinity of the protein for PC. Confocal microscopic studies showed that addition of PDC‐109 to human erythrocytes results in a disruption of the plasma membrane and release of hemoglobin into the solution, which was dependent on the protein concentration and incubation time. © IUBMB IUBMB Life, 62(11): 841–851, 2010.
How the novice researcher can make sense of mixed methods designs

Abstract The use of mixed methods designs has gained immense popularity in recent years, but as common to the fields in their first phase of fast development, the terminology and the concepts proposed to define and frame mixed methods research are growing increasingly more varied and technical at the same time. This tendency brings with it some hidden problems which novice researchers have to face in their pursuit from the stage of neophyte to the expert in methodological issues. This article demonstrates that pouring over the logic of more traditional research strategies (survey, experiment, case study, ethnography, action research, etc.) and deconstructing research designs into methodological aspects can facilitate the comprehension of the essential issues in the methodological construct of empirical research and thereby help novice researchers to cope better with the plurality of mixed methods designs proposed in the methodological literature.
Protective Factors Against Suicidal Behavior in Latinos

Latinos appear to be relatively protected against suicidal behavior, but the factors that mediate this effect are not known. Some protective factors may be related to cultural constructs that provide a buffer against suicidal behavior in the face of psychiatric illness. We sought to determine whether the Reasons for Living Inventory (RFLI) might capture protective factors against suicidal behavior in Latinos and non-Latinos. Patients with major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia were interviewed regarding their depressive symptomatology and lifetime history of suicidal behavior. The RFLI, which measures protective factors against suicidal acts, was also administered. Multivariate analyses were used to assess the relationship between suicide measures, ethnicity, and selected clinical and demographic variables. Although Latinos and non-Latinos did not differ significantly in attempter status (attempter/nonattempter), number of attempts, or suicide intent, Latinos reported significantly less suicidal ideation and made less lethal attempts. On the RFLI, Latinos scored significantly higher on subscales regarding survival and coping beliefs, responsibility to family, and moral objections to suicide, possibly reflective of cultural norms endorsed by Latino groups. Multivariate analyses suggested that although being Latino was independently associated with less suicidal ideation, other suicidal behaviors held a stronger relationship to moral objections to suicide and survival and coping skills than to ethnicity. Self-identification as Latino may be associated with espousing cultural constructs that mediate protective effects against suicidal behavior. Constructs identified in the RFLI may protect Latinos from acting on suicidal thoughts, affecting moral objections to suicide and survival and coping beliefs. Further studies to elucidate the impact of these factors on suicidal behavior and their relationship to specific cultural constructs would be of interest.
MITOTIC ACTIVITY OF THE DUODENAL CRYPT ENTEROCYTES IN MICE TRANSPLANTED WITH EA21A MAMMARY CARCINOMA

The presence of a tumor generally changes the mitotic activity of the normal cell population in mice. In the present work, the mitotic activity of the duodenal crypt enterocytes in EA21a mammary carcinoma‐bearing mice was determined. The results show that there is a patent circadian variation in normal mice and, in the presence of the EA21a mammary tumor, cell proliferation is stimulated. Stimulation was evident in enterocytes from the intermediate as well as the superficial regions of the crypt. Some humoral factors produced by the transplanted tumor could interfere with the regulatory mechanism of the mitotic activity of duodenal crypt enterocytes.
A Graphene‐Based Platform for the Assay of Duplex‐DNA Unwinding by Helicase†

Time to unwind: Graphene oxide (GO) enables the quantitative measurement of helicase‐dependent double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) unwinding activity in real time. GO selectively binds to unwound fluorescent‐dye‐labeled single‐stranded DNA and quenches its fluorescence (see picture). The helicase activity is monitored by following the change in fluorescence.WILEY-VCH
Are Hostility and Anxiety Associated With Carotid Atherosclerosis in Healthy Postmenopausal Women?

Objective In this article, we evaluated the prospective association between measures of trait anger, hostility, and anxiety and indices of carotid atherosclerosis in 200 healthy middle-aged postmenopausal women. Methods Starting in 1983, 541 premenopausal women were evaluated for their levels of standard cardiovascular risk factors and psychosocial attributes, including their scores on Spielberger Trait Anger, Anxiety, and Anger-in, and Public Self-Consciousness. Starting in 1991, the Cook-Medley Hostile Attitudes Scale was also administered. Starting in 1993, 200 women who had been menopausal for at least 5 years were scanned for carotid atherosclerosis using B-mode ultrasound. The scans were scored for average intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque index. Results Women who had high Trait Anger, Anger-In, and Public Self-Consciousness scores had high IMT scores on average 10 years later. Women who had high Cook-Medley scores also had high IMT scores on average 1.5 years later. Multivariate analyses adjusting for the standard cardiovascular risk factors that most highly predicted IMT scores indicated that holding anger in, being self aware, and having hostile attitudes were significant predictors of IMT. Women with higher plaque scores also tended to report holding in their anger. Conclusions Anger suppression and hostile attitudes do predict women's carotid IMT in midlife. Ultrasound measures of carotid atherosclerosis can be used to advance our understanding of the early development of atherosclerosis in women.
A conceptual framework for studying species composition in fragments, islands and other patchy ecosystems

I propose and develop a new classification system to explain diversity patterns in habitat fragments, equally applicable to islands and other inherently patchy ecosystems. My primary goal is to provide an inclusive model to improve the comparability of studies and enhance future efforts to synthesize their findings, yielding a generalized basis for understanding species composition in patchy ecosystems.
Variations of leaf longevity in tropical moist forests predicted by a trait-driven carbon optimality model.

Leaf longevity (LL) varies more than 20-fold in tropical evergreen forests, but it remains unclear how to capture these variations using predictive models. Current theories of LL that are based on carbon optimisation principles are challenging to quantitatively assess because of uncertainty across species in the 'ageing rate:' the rate at which leaf photosynthetic capacity declines with age. Here, we present a meta-analysis of 49 species across temperate and tropical biomes, demonstrating that the ageing rate of photosynthetic capacity is positively correlated with the mass-based carboxylation rate of mature leaves. We assess an improved trait-driven carbon optimality model with in situLL data for 105 species in two Panamanian forests. We show that our model explains over 40% of the cross-species variation in LL under contrasting light environment. Collectively, our results reveal how variation in LL emerges from carbon optimisation constrained by both leaf structural traits and abiotic environment.
Estimation of inter-area modes during ambient operation using the Eigen-system realization algorithm

Inter-area electromechanical oscillations with low or even negative damping may pose great threat to the power systems. It is critical for the operators to be aware of the properties of the interarea electromechanical oscillation modes. In this paper the Eigen-system realization algorithm (ERA) is used to estimate the parameters of the interarea modes, including the frequency, damping ratio, and mode shape, during ambient operation of the power system. Two ERA based methods, namely the RDT-ERA, and the NExT-ERA, are evaluated, in terms of their robustness to the measurement noise and to the random ambient excitation. The methods are validated using simulated data from the two area four machine system as well as real PMU measurements from Sichuan power grid.