Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mu opioid receptors in developing human spinal cord

The distribution of mu opioid receptors was studied in human fetal spinal cords between 12–13 and 24–25 wk gestational ages. Autoradiographic localisation using [3H] DAMGO revealed the presence of mu receptors in the dorsal horn at all age groups with a higher density in the superficial laminae (I–II). A biphasic expression was noted. Receptor density increased in the dorsal horn, including the superficial laminae, between 12–13 and 16–17 wk. This could be associated with a spurt in neurogenesis. The density increased again at 24–25 wk in laminae I–II which resembled the adult pattern of distribution. A dramatic proliferation of cells was noted from the region of the ventricular zone between 16–17 and 24–25 wk. These were considered to be glial cells from their histological features. Mu receptor expression was noted over a large area of the spinal cord including the lateral funiculus at 24–25 wk. This may be due to receptor expression by glial cells. The study presents evidence of mu receptor expression by both neurons and glia during early development of human spinal cord.
Bile acids: regulation of synthesis

Bile acids are physiological detergents that generate bile flow and facilitate intestinal absorption and transport of lipids, nutrients, and vitamins. Bile acids also are signaling molecules and inflammatory agents that rapidly activate nuclear receptors and cell signaling pathways that regulate lipid, glucose, and energy metabolism. The enterohepatic circulation of bile acids exerts important physiological functions not only in feedback inhibition of bile acid synthesis but also in control of whole-body lipid homeostasis. In the liver, bile acids activate a nuclear receptor, farnesoid X receptor (FXR), that induces an atypical nuclear receptor small heterodimer partner, which subsequently inhibits nuclear receptors, liver-related homolog-1, and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4&agr; and results in inhibiting transcription of the critical regulatory gene in bile acid synthesis, cholesterol 7&agr;-hydroxylase (CYP7A1). In the intestine, FXR induces an intestinal hormone, fibroblast growth factor 15 (FGF15; or FGF19 in human), which activates hepatic FGF receptor 4 (FGFR4) signaling to inhibit bile acid synthesis. However, the mechanism by which FXR/FGF19/FGFR4 signaling inhibits CYP7A1 remains unknown. Bile acids are able to induce FGF19 in human hepatocytes, and the FGF19 autocrine pathway may exist in the human livers. Bile acids and bile acid receptors are therapeutic targets for development of drugs for treatment of cholestatic liver diseases, fatty liver diseases, diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.
A rat pup model of cerebral palsy induced by prenatal inflammation and hypoxia

Animal models of cerebral palsy established by simple infection or the hypoxia/ischemia method cannot effectively simulate the brain injury of a premature infant. Healthy 17-day-pregnant Wistar rats were intraperitoneally injected with lipopolysaccharide then subjected to hypoxia. The pups were used for this study at 4 weeks of age. Simultaneously, a hypoxia/ischemia group and a control group were used for comparison. The results of the footprint test, the balance beam test, the water maze test, neuroelectrophysiological examination and neuropathological examination demonstrated that, at 4 weeks after birth, footprint repeat space became larger between the forelimbs and hindlimbs of the rats, the latency period on the balance beam and in the Morris water maze was longer, place navigation and ability were poorer, and the stimulus intensity that induced the maximal wave amplitude of the compound muscle action potential was greater in the lipopolysaccharide/hypoxia and hypoxia/ischemia groups than in the control group. We observed irregular cells around the periventricular area, periventricular leukomalacia and breakage of the nuclear membrane in the lipopolysaccharide/hypoxia and hypoxia/ischemia groups. These results indicate that we successfully established a Wistar rat pup model of cerebral palsy by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide and hypoxia.
Contemporary evolution of host plant range expansion in an introduced herbivorous beetle Ophraella communa

Host range expansion of herbivorous insects is a key event in ecological speciation and insect pest management. However, the mechanistic processes are relatively unknown because it is difficult to observe the ongoing host range expansion in natural population. In this study, we focused on the ongoing host range expansion in introduced populations of the ragweed leaf beetle, Ophraella communa, to estimate the evolutionary process of host plant range expansion of a herbivorous insect. In the native range of North America, O. communa does not utilize Ambrosia trifida, as a host plant, but this plant is extensively utilized in the beetle's introduced range. Larval performance and adult preference experiments demonstrated that native O. communa beetles show better survival on host plant individuals from introduced plant populations than those from native plant populations and they also oviposit on the introduced plant, but not on the native plant. Introduced O. communa beetles showed significantly higher performance on and preference for both introduced and native A. trifida plants, when compared with native O. communa. These results indicate the contemporary evolution of host plant range expansion of introduced O. communa and suggest that the evolutionary change of both the host plant and the herbivorous insect involved in the host range expansion.
Anti-Onchocerca and Anti-Caenorhabditis Activity of a Hydro-Alcoholic Extract from the Fruits of Acacia nilotica and Some Proanthocyanidin Derivatives

Acacia nilotica fruits with high tannin content are used in the northern parts of Cameroon as anti-filarial remedies by traditional healers. In this study, the hydro-alcoholic fruit extract (crude extract (CE)) and, one of the main constituents in its most active fractions, (+)-catechin-3-O-gallate (CG), as well as four related proanthocyanidins, (−)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate (ECG), (+)-gallocatechin (GC), (−)-epigallocatechin (EGC) and (−)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), were assessed for their potential in vitro anthelmintic properties against the free-living model organism Caenorhabditis elegans and against the cattle filarial parasite Onchocerca ochengi. Worms were incubated in the presence of different concentrations of fruit extract, fractions and pure compounds. The effects on mortality were monitored after 48 h. The plant extract and all of the pure tested compounds were active against O. ochengi (LC50 ranging from 1.2 to 11.5 µg/mL on males) and C. elegans (LC50 ranging from 33.8 to 350 µg/mL on wild type). While high LC50 were required for the effects of the compounds on C. elegans, very low LC50 were required against O. ochengi. Importantly, tests for acute oral toxicity (lowest dose: 10 mg/kg) in Wistar rats demonstrated that crude extract and pure compounds were non-toxic and safe to use. Additionally, the results of cytotoxicity tests with the Caco-2 cell line (CC50 ranging from 47.1 to 93.2 µg/mL) confirmed the absence of significant toxicity of the crude extract and pure compounds. These results are in good accordance with the use of A. nilotica against nematode infections by traditional healers, herdsmen and pastoralists in Cameroon.
What can influence the consumers' online word-of-mouth? An online gaming perspective

With the increasing popularity of broadband networks, the online game market is becoming more mature. One of the most popular online games, World of WarCraft, has more than ten million global members, making it the largest massive multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG). Thus, this study collects 317 players of the online game ‘World of Warcraft’ to empirically investigate this issue. By manipulating structural equation modelling (SEM), we investigate the relationships among brand image (BI), brand trust (BT), and online word-of-mouth (WOM) to examine the moderating effect of game experiences. This research indicates that BT serves as a partial mediator between brand image and online WOM and specifies the substantial moderating effect of game experiences in BI, BT, and online WOM. Meanwhile, if online game companies can develop a good BI, players will be willing to recommend and share their experiences with others on the internet.
Policy outcomes, investment in human capital, and African American economic well-being

ABSTRACT Policy outcomes influence the economic life chances of urban residents, many of whom are African American. While privileged groups have benefitted from such outcomes, state and national policy have often served as an impediment to the economic well-being of African Americans. In today’s digital age economic paradigm, African Americans—a population whose economic life chances are traditionally depended on manufacturing and unionism—would benefit from policy that invests in human capital development. While examining the top 50 cities with the largest African American population, this analysis revealed positive associations between state investment in human capital and growth indicators of economic well-being among urban African Americans.
Social and environmental stressors in the home and childhood asthma

Background Both physical environmental factors and chronic stress may independently increase susceptibility to asthma; however, little is known on how these different risks may interact. The authors examined the relationship between maternal intimate partner violence (IPV), housing quality and asthma among children in the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N=2013). Methods Maternal reports of IPV were obtained after the child's birth and at 12 and 36 months. At the 36-month assessment, interviewers rated indoor housing conditions, regarding housing deterioration (ie, peeling paint, holes in floor, broken windows) and housing disarray (ie, dark, cluttered, crowded or noisy house). At the same time, mothers reported on housing hardships (ie, moving repeatedly, and hardships in keeping house warm). Maternal-report of physician-diagnosed asthma by age 36 months which was active in the past year was the outcome. Results Asthma was diagnosed in 10% of the children. In an adjusted analysis, an increased odds of asthma was observed in children of mothers experiencing IPV chronically (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0 to 3.5) and in children experiencing housing disarray (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.0) compared with those not exposed to these risks. In stratified analyses, a greater effect of IPV on asthma was noted among children living in disarrayed or deteriorated housing or among children whose mothers were experiencing housing hardship. Conclusions IPV and housing disarray are associated with increased early childhood asthma. Exposure to cumulative or multiple stressors (ie, IPV and poor housing quality) may increase children's risk of developing asthma more than a single stressor.
Impaired IL-10 Receptor-mediated Suppression in Monocyte From Patients With Crohn Disease

Objectives: Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an immunoregulatory cytokine that has a central role in suppressing proinflammatory responses. Patients with deleterious mutations in interleukin (IL)-10 or IL-10 receptor (IL-10R) genes develop severe colitis and perianal disease in the first months of life. Whether IL-10R expression and signaling in pediatric- or adult-onset Crohn disease (CD) are altered is unknown. The objective of this study was to characterize IL-10R expression and IL-10R-mediated suppression in patients with CD. Methods: Monocytes were sorted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with CD and control subjects. IL-10R expression was determined by flow cytometry. Monocytes were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 3 hours in the presence of different concentrations of IL-10 to determine IL-10-mediated suppression of tumor necrosis factor &agr; production. Signaling through the IL-10R was evaluated by quantifying STAT3 phosphorylation in response to IL-10 stimulation. Results: Forty-two subjects were enrolled in this study: 19 with CD and 23 controls. Stimulation of monocytes with LPS markedly increased IL-10R expression in both groups but to a much lower extent in patients with CD. In addition, IL-10-mediated suppression of TNF&agr; production upon LPS stimulation and IL-10-induced STAT3 phosphorylation were attenuated in patients with CD versus controls. Finally, LPS-stimulated monocytes from patients with CD secreted significantly lower quantities of IL-10, compared with control monocytes. Conclusions: IL-10R expression and signaling are decreased in monocytes from patients with CD. Additional studies are required to assess whether similar patterns occur in other innate immune cells, especially in the gut, and whether disease activity, medical therapy, and genetic factors modulate these findings.
Isolation and characterization of human mesenchymal stem cells from gingival connective tissue.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The main purpose of this study was to isolate and characterize gingival connective tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs). The secondary purpose was to present a modified isolation method for the GMSCs. MATERIAL AND METHODS Collected healthy gingival tissue samples were de-epithelialized and minced into small fragments. The tissues were digested by dispase and collagenase IV for 30 min. The first digested cell suspension was discarded, and then additional digestion was performed to the remaining cells in the same solution for 90 min. The isolated cells from gingiva was incubated in 37°C humidified condition and observed by inverted microscope. Cytoskeletal morphology was evaluated by phalloidin immunofluorescence. Potency of the cells was tested by colony-forming unit fibroblast assay. GMSCs were characterized by osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation, and flow cytometric, immunofluorescence analysis. RESULTS GMSCs showed spindle-shaped, fibroblast-like morphology, colony-forming abilities, adherence to plastic and multilineage differentiation (osteogenic, adipogenic, chondrogenic) potency. GMSCs expressed CD44, CD73, CD90 and CD105, but did not express CD14, CD45, CD34 and CD19 in flow cytometry. Expression of stem cell markers (SSEA-4, STRO-1, CD146, CD166 and CD271) and a mesenchymal marker (vimentin) were observed by immunofluorescence. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, we isolated and characterized stem cells from human gingival connective tissue with modified protocol. GMSCs showed multipotency with high proliferation and characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells. GMSCs are promising sources for tissue engineering and may be obtained during routine procedures under local anesthesia. Further research is needed to evaluate the potential of GSMCs' proliferation and cryopreservation.
Topical, Aqueous, Clear Cyclosporine Formulation Design for Anterior and Posterior Ocular Delivery.

PURPOSE The main objective of this study was to optimize cyclosporine (CsA) nanomicellar solution and study in vivo ocular CsA tissue distribution with a topical drop. METHODS An optimized blend of hydrogenated castor oil-40 and octoxynol-40 was prepared to entrap CsA within nanomicelles. In vivo studies were conducted in New Zealand White albino rabbits with topical drop instillation. RESULTS Average size of CsA-loaded nanomicelles was approximately 22.4 nm. Ocular tissue CsA quantification with single and multiple dosing revealed that CsA levels followed as cornea → iris-ciliary body → aqueous humor → lens. Cyclosporine levels were also found to be in the following order: conjunctiva → sclera → retina/choroid → vitreous humor. High CsA level was detected in retina/choroid (53.7 ng/g tissue). CONCLUSIONS Ocular tissue CsA distribution studies revealed high CsA concentrations in anterior ocular tissues. Moreover, it appears that nanomicelles are transported through a conjunctival-scleral pathway and deliver CsA to the retina/choroid. Results suggest polymeric blend to be a safe carrier for anterior and posterior ocular tissues. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE This study has significant translational relevance, disclosing results that suggest that aqueous nanomicellar approach can provide high corneal and conjunctival CsA concentrations. Aqueous nanomicelles can deliver high drug concentrations not only to anterior but also to back of the eye tissues, including retina. This article provides a platform for noninvasive back of the eye drug delivery with topical eye drops. Aqueous CsA nanomicelles have no perceptible toxicity such as cell membrane damage or cytotoxicity to corneal and retinal pigment epithelial cells. Clear aqueous nanomicellar solution can be translated to human conditions for keratoconjunctivitis sicca and other anti-inflammatory conditions.
Recent Shift of Body Mass Index Distribution in Korea: a Population-based Korea National Health Insurance Database, 2002–2013

We investigated trends of obesity prevalence among adult Koreans. Data from 110,280,952 participants who underwent medical examination provided by the National Health Insurance System from 2002–2013 were analyzed. The prevalence of moderate obesity (body mass index [BMI] 25.0–29.9 kg/m2) was slightly increased from 2002 (30.7%) through 2010 (33.1%) and reached a plateau since 2010 among men but continuously decreased from 22.5% in 2002 to 20.9% in 2013 among women. However, severe obesity (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2) was rapidly increased and the prevalence in 2013 (4.2%) was almost doubled the prevalence in 2002 (2.5%). We observed a steep rise of severe obesity as well as potentially right shifting of the obese category.
Incubation period of HIV‐1 in perinatally infected children

Objectives:To estimate the distribution of the incubation period of HIV-1 among perinatally infected children and to test the hypothesis that this distribution has been changing over time. Design:An analysis of 190 perinatally HIV-1-infected children born between 1986 and 1997 in eight medical centers in New York City to women enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Methods:Non-parametric Kaplan–Meier method and parametric survival analysis. Results:Using the Kaplan–Meier method it was estimated that among perinatally HIV-1-infected children, 48% [95% confidence interval (CI), 41–56] developed AIDS by 3 years of age after which the rate was less than 3% per year. Using a parametric survival analysis for extrapolation, it was predicted that 33% (95% CI, 23–43) would remain AIDS-free at 13 years of age. Median age at onset of AIDS was estimated to be 4.1 years (95% CI, 1.9–6.4) by parametric survival analysis. The year of birth was significantly associated with AIDS-free survival, suggesting an increase in the time to AIDS over the years. This association remained significant (P = 0.03) after adjustment for those maternal characteristics that have also changed over time: timing of enrollment (prepartum versus postpartum), zidovudine, alcohol, and hard drug (heroin, cocaine or methadone) use during pregnancy. Conclusions:Although a substantial proportion of perinatally HIV-1-infected children develop AIDS very early in life, a significant and increasing percentage of them are expected to survive into adolescence without developing AIDS. Further research is needed to determine the factors associated with the lengthening survival to AIDS.
Heralded single photons from a silicon nanophotonic chip

A highly nonlinear (γ≈3700/W·m) silicon coupled-resonator-optical-waveguide generated heralded single photons (g<sup>(2)</sup> (0) ≤ 0.19 ±0.03) and widely-spaced photon pairs with coincidences-to-accidentals ratio >;10 (cw) and >;23 (pulsed), and outperformed a 54× longer silicon nanophotonic waveguide.
Investors’ Behavior in an Emerging, Tax-Free Market

ABSTRACT We provide empirical evidence on the stock market participants’ behavior in an emerging market, with a tax-free environment. Our results show that United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) investors exhibit overconfidence and home bias, and tend to sell prior winners and buy prior losers. We find that investors rely on familiarity and on their information channels to make decisions. The results indicate that investors are risk averse, especially after the global financial crisis, which has had contagion effect on UAE markets. Investors attribute this effect to the inability to manage systemic crisis and to problems of information asymmetry, insider trading, and lack of good governance during crisis.
Ureteroscopy is safe and effective in prepubertal children.

PURPOSE We present our experience performing ureteroscopy in prepubertal children. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of children 12 years or younger who underwent ureteroscopy at 2 institutions between 1993 and 2003. Patient demographics, indications for surgery, operative technique, surgical outcomes and complications were recorded. RESULTS A total of 39 boys and 32 girls underwent 34 flexible and 47 rigid ureteroscopies. Retrograde access was obtained in 77 procedures, while 4 were performed via an antegrade approach. Mean age was 7.5 years (range 1 to 12) and mean followup was 2.2 years (0.5 to 10). Endoscopic lithotripsy was performed in 65 cases, with a success rate of 98%. A ureteral stent was placed postoperatively in 55 patients. Endoscopic incision was performed for a ureteral stricture in 3 patients and for ureteropelvic junction obstruction in 6. An obstructing fibroepithelial polyp was found in 2 patients, 1 underwent removal of a foreign body and 4 did not have intraluminal pathology. Dilation of the ureteral orifice was required in 23 cases (30%). There were no intraoperative ureteral injuries. One patient had development of a ureteral stricture (complication rate 1.3%) that was successfully treated endoscopically. CONCLUSIONS Rigid and flexible ureteroscopy can be performed safely and effectively in prepubertal children. Successful outcomes can be obtained for calculi that are similar to those in the adult population. Ureteroscopic treatment can be effective in selected children with intraluminal obstruction. To our knowledge this is the largest series in the literature to document outcomes of ureteroscopy in this age group.
Polymorphism in nucleotide excision repair gene XPC correlates with bleomycin‐induced chromosomal aberrations

Chromosomal aberrations (CAs) are important genetic alterations in the development and progression of the majority of human cancers. The frequency with which such alterations occur depends to a large extent on polymorphisms of DNA‐repair genes and in genes coding for xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, which are involved in the processes of activation and inactivation of xenobiotics. The frequency of bleomycin (BLM)‐induced CAs is an indirect measure of the effectiveness of DNA repair mechanisms, and a predictor of environment‐related risk of cancer. Our study was conducted on the human peripheral blood lymphocytes of 82 healthy volunteers. The aim of the study was to elucidate whether the frequency of BLM‐induced CAs is correlated with polymorphisms of selected genes involved in different mechanisms of DNA repair such as: XRCC1 [base excision repair]; XPA, XPC, XPG, XPD, XPF, ERCC1 [nucleotide excision repair], NBS1, RAD51, XRCC2, XRCC3, RAD51, and BRCA1 [homologous recombination], as well as in genes encoding xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, such as CYP1A, CYP2E1, NAT2, GSTT1, and EPHX (mEH). Our study indicated that, of the polymorphisms studied, only XPC (exon 15 and intron 11) is associated with BLM‐induced CAs, suggesting a role of the NER pathway in the repair of BLM‐induced chromosomal aberrations. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. , 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Technique for the Study of Alternate Metabolic Pathways; Epinephrine Metabolism in Man

A general method of determining the relative magnitudes of different pathways of formation of a urinary metabolite from a single precursor substance is described. The method requires the administration of the precursor and an intermediate labeled with different isotopes, and the determination of the ratio of the isotopes in the metabolites. A preliminary application to epinephrine metabolism in man is presented.