Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential Expression of Human Lysyl Hydroxylase Genes, Lysine Hydroxylation, and Cross‐Linking of Type I Collagen During Osteoblastic Differentiation In Vitro

The pattern of lysyl hydroxylation in the nontriple helical domains of collagen is critical in determining the cross‐linking pathways that are tissue specific. We hypothesized that the tissue specificity of type I collagen cross‐linking is, in part, due to the differential expression of lysyl hydroxylase genes (Procollagen‐lysine,2‐oxyglutarate,5‐dioxygenase 1, 2, and 3 [PLOD1, PLOD2, and PLOD3]). In this study, we have examined the expression patterns of these three genes during the course of in vitro differentiation of human osteoprogenitor cells (bone marrow stromal cells [BMSCs]) and normal skin fibroblasts (NSFs). In addition, using the medium and cell layer/matrix fractions in these cultures, lysine hydroxylation of type I collagen α chains and collagen cross‐linking chemistries have been characterized. High levels of PLOD1 and PLOD3 genes were expressed in both BMSCs and NSFs, and the expression levels did not change in the course of differentiation. In contrast to the PLOD1 and PLOD3 genes, both cell types showed low PLOD2 gene expression in undifferentiated and early differentiated conditions. However, fully differentiated BMSCs, but not NSFs, exhibited a significantly elevated level (6‐fold increase) of PLOD2 mRNA. This increase coincided with the onset of matrix mineralization and with the increase in lysyl hydroxylation in the nontriple helical domains of α chains of type I collagen molecule. Furthermore, the collagen cross‐links that are derived from the nontriple helical hydroxylysine‐aldehyde were found only in fully differentiated BMSC cultures. The data suggests that PLOD2 expression is associated with lysine hydroxylation in the nontriple helical domains of collagen and, thus, could be partially responsible for the tissue‐specific collagen cross‐linking pattern.
High‐frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus enhances striatal dopamine release and metabolism in rats

High‐frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus is believed to exert its main effects via the basal ganglia output structures. Previously, we have shown a concomitant increase in striatal dopamine (DA) metabolites in normal and 6‐hydroxydopamine‐lesioned rats. The present study was designed to determine whether this increase in striatal DA metabolites reflects enhanced intraneuronal DA turnover or, alternatively, is due to increased DA release with subsequent rapid and efficient reuptake and/or metabolism. Thus, high‐frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus was performed in normal rats after inhibition of DA reuptake, metabolism or DA depletion. Extracellular levels of striatal DA and its metabolites were assessed using microdialysis. Our data suggest that subthalamic high‐frequency stimulation increases striatal DA release and activates independent striatal DA metabolism. Since such changes could be triggered by modification of either the activity or the gene expression of the rate‐limiting enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, an activity assay and RT‐PCR of striatal and nigral samples were performed. Subthalamic stimulation increased striatal tyrosine hydroxylase activity without affecting gene expression. We, therefore, conclude that the application of subthalamic high‐frequency stimulation could partially compensate for the DA deficit by inducing increased striatal DA release and metabolism.
Regional metabolic correlates of Token test results in cortical and subcortical left hemispheric infarction

We investigated 26 right-handed patients who had aphasia caused by a single infarct in the territory of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) with cranial CT, positron emission tomography, and a standard language test battery including the Token test. The patients represented an unselected sample of various infarct locations within the left MCA territory and showed a wide range of aphasia types and severity. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that Token test performance mainly depended on parietotemporal metabolism, irrespective of infarct location. Frontal and basal ganglia metabolism did not contribute significantly to Token test performance. These results suggest that disturbance of language comprehension is due to parietotemporal cortical dysfunction in all types of left MCA infarction. Infarcts restricted to basal ganglia or the anterior part of the MCA territory apparently do not disturb language comprehension directly, but via their remote effects on parietotemporal metabolism.
Individual Differences in Responses to Induced Perceptual Conflict

Examining reactions to experimentally induced perceptual conflict may be a useful method of studying perceptual/cognitive disorganization and adaptive features of personality. Changes in field-dependence (rod-and-frame test) were assessed in introverted and extraverted subjects (17–19 yr.) who were exposed to inversion of the visual field. Tolerance of ambiguity was also assessed. There were no significant differences between introverts (n = 20) and extraverts (n = 16) on preinversion measures of field-dependence. However, extraverts became more field-dependent on first exposure to inversion and maintained a generally higher level of field-dependence. Introverts became more field-dependent only after walking in the inverted visual condition and after a major change in exposure conditions. No significant differences in post-inversion levels of field-dependence were observed.
Fluorescence Lifetime Spectroscopy of Glioblastoma Multiforme¶

Abstract Fluorescence spectroscopy of the endogenous emission of brain tumors has been researched as a potentially important method for the intraoperative localization of brain tumor margins. We investigated the use of time-resolved, laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy for demarcation of primary brain tumors by studying the time-resolved spectra of gliomas. The fluorescence of human brain samples (glioblastoma multiforme, cortex and white matter: six patients, 23 sites) was induced ex vivo with a pulsed nitrogen laser (337 nm, 3 ns). The time-resolved spectra were detected in a 360–550 nm wavelength range using a fast digitizer and gated detection. Parameters derived from both the spectral- (intensities from narrow spectral bands) and the time domain (average lifetime) measured at 390 and 460 nm were used for tissue characterization. We determined that high-grade gliomas are characterized by fluorescence lifetimes that varied with the emission wavelength (>3 ns at 390 nm, <1 ns at 460 nm) and their emission is overall longer than that of normal brain tissue. Our study demonstrates that the use of fluorescence lifetime not only improves the specificity of fluorescence measurements but also allows a more robust evaluation of data collected from brain tissue. Combined information from both the spectral- and the time domain can enhance the ability of fluorescence-based techniques to diagnose and detect brain tumor margins intraoperatively.
Emotional alterations in idiopathic Parkinson's disease without dementia

Currently Parkinson’s disease (PD) is no longer considered a disease exclusively motor type, now PD is characterized as cognitive neurobehavioral pathology often results in patients emotional disturbances that degrade their quality of life. This article intended to show an updated review of the affective disorders/emotional as depression, anxiety and apathy significantly affecting physical function, psychological, individual and family of sufferers of PD. It was found that the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex, limbic system and thalamic nuclei are related to depression, such as frequent psychopathological disorder in PD, also dysfunctions in the putamen, dopamine and norepinephrine are associated with emotional disturbances that characterize to anxiety or psychosocial stress states. Next, the deregulation of fronto circuits-subcortical and frontal lobe dysfunction with loss of connections to the basal ganglia, lead to generate in subjects with PD a state of discouragement to many tasks (Apathy). The results suggest that the implementation of new lines of research and intervention to detect emotional disorders in PD, with the aim of generating strategies to help improve the quality of life in patients diagnosed with PD.
The LysR‐type regulator QseA regulates both characterized and putative virulence genes in enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7

Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) colonizes the large intestine, causing attaching and effacing (AE) lesions. Most of the genes involved in AE lesion formation are encoded within a chromosomal pathogenicity island termed the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE). The LysR‐type transcriptional factor QseA regulates the LEE by binding to the regulatory region of ler. We performed transcriptome analyses comparing wild‐type (WT) EHEC and the qseA mutant to elucidate QseA's role in gene regulation. During both growth phases, several genes carried in O‐islands were activated by QseA, whereas genes involved in cell metabolism were repressed. During late‐logarithmic growth, QseA activated expression of the LEE genes as well as non‐LEE‐encoded effector proteins. We also performed electrophoretic mobility shift assays, competition experiments and DNase I footprints. The results demonstrated that QseA directly binds both the ler proximal and distal promoters, its own promoter, as well as promoters of genes encoded in EHEC‐specific O‐islands. Additionally, we mapped the transcriptional start site of qseA, leading to the identification of two promoter sequences. Taken together, these results indicate that QseA acts as a global regulator in EHEC, co‐ordinating expression of virulence genes.
Lipids of Three Highly Migratory Fishes: Euthynnus affinis, Sarda orientalis, and Elagatis bipinnulata.

The fatty acid composition of the total lipids in ordinary muscle and of the stomach contents of the three highly migratory fish species, Euthynnus affinis (Temminck et Schlegel), Sarda orientalis (Canter), and Elagatis bipinnulata (Quoy et Gaimard), was determined. DHA was the dominant fatty acid among the polyunsaturated fatty acids in the tissue lipids of the three fish species and the DHA levels in the lipids of the muscles were comparatively high, while those in the stomach contents originating from their prey were generally low.
Management of Cervical Spinal Fractures in Ankylosing Spondylitis With Posterior Fixation

Study Design. Introduction of a posterior approach for internal fixation of fractures of the ankylosed cervical spine. Objectives. To evaluate the clinical outcome of patients with ankylosing spondylitis and cervical spinal fractures treated with posterior instrumentation and a collar orthosis. Summary of Background Data. Cervical spinal fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis almost always extend completely across the vertebral segment to include both anterior and posterior elements. Treatment with immobilization alone is often inadequate. Generalized spinal rigidity and exaggerated thoracic kyphosis may hinder anterior exposure. Posterior approaches have been described but generally require postoperative halo immobilization. In the authors’ technique for patients whose spinal alignment is relatively well preserved, a posterior exposure is used that achieves three-point internal fixation along multiple segments. The complications associated with halo immobilization are avoided. Methods. Seven patients with ankylosing spondylitis and fractures of the cervical spine were stabilized with posterior instrumentation. Patients were immobilized after surgery with either a cervical collar or a sternal occipital mandibular immobilizing brace and observed for neurologic outcome, radiographic evidence of bony fusion, and complications. Results. No patient experienced neurologic deterioration with surgery. Two patients died at acute rehabilitative facilities after discharge. Radiographic evidence of fusion was observed in the five patients available for follow-up. Conclusions. Patients with ankylosing spondylitis and cervical spinal fractures can be adequately treated with lateral mass plating and interspinous wiring of autologous rib graft. Adequate postoperative immobilization can be attained with a cervical collar and does not require a halo vest.
Reproducibility and Validity of a Food Frequency Questionnaire among Vietnamese in Ho Chi Minh City

Objective: Our objective was to assess the reproducibility and validity of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) among individuals living in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Methods: A total of 116 food items in our FFQ were selected by ranking food items according to their contribution to the population intake of nutrients, based on multiple 24-hour recalls (24HRs) from 144 participants in July 2001. The FFQ was validated by using three 24HRs for 118 men and women in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in August 2002. The reproducibility of the FFQ was assessed by repeated administration at 7 ± 3.4 days. Results: The reproducibility study showed that Spearman correlation coefficients, adjusted for energy intake, ranged from 0.47 to 0.72, and that weighted kappa values ranged from 0.42 for lipid to 0.65 for potassium. In the validation study, correlation coefficients, adjusted for energy intake, between the FFQ and the 24HRs ranged from 0.16 (calcium) to 0.45 (retinol). The proportion of subjects classified by the FFQ into the same third as determined by the 24HRs was between 42% and 62%. Conclusions: This food frequency questionnaire measured the usual intake of major nutrients for Vietnamese adults living in Ho Chi Minh City and its urban area, where dietary patterns are similar to those of the Vietnamese population.
Vitamin and mineral needs during the oral contraceptive therapy: a systematic review

Objectives: There is growing evidence that women using OCs change in serum trace elements and vitamins. Nowadays, in many cases, side effects associated with low levels of micronutrients are not considered during oral contraceptives (OCs) therapy. This review aims at checking the present literature in order to verify the evidences. Our purpose is to underline this aspect contributing to improve the therapeutic approach with OCs. Methods: Systematic literature search was performed in electronic databases, covering the period from January 1967 to January 2012. Results: Ninety-five articles were located; a cross sectional randomized and three RCTs studies were considered eligible. Conclusions: A decrease in the serum concentrations of zinc, selenium, phosphorus and magnesium have been reported in OC users. Such reductions were proportional to the duration of contraceptive use. These reductions may imply a reduction in the probability of having a pregnancy and/or an increase of serious illness for the unborn. In this regard, a supplementation with the above compounds could be useful in OC users, namely for reducing side effects.
Risperidone: clinical outcome predictors and cost-effectiveness in a naturalistic setting.

Although risperidone seems to be a safe and effective treatment for the management of psychotic symptoms, its acquisition cost is considerably higher than that of conventional antipsychotics, and its precise role in managing psychiatric illnesses has yet to be defined. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the relationship of patient demographic variables to therapeutic outcomes and to analyze the financial impact of risperidone on the treatment of psychotic symptoms. Subjects included in this 2-year, retrospective cohort, intent-to-treat analysis were all patients initiated on risperidone therapy at an inpatient psychiatric treatment facility. Clinical outcomes were assessed from the absolute change in hospitalized days, total number of psychotropic medications prescribed, and historic Clinical Global Impression severity scores. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the potential relationship to certain demographic variables to therapeutic response. The cost-benefit analysis compared the direct treatment costs incurred by the institution before and after risperidone initiation. Of the 66 patients originally started on risperidone, 57 completed a therapeutic trial. A clinical response was evident in 54 percent of these patients overall. Logistic regression analysis identified previous treatment intolerance and a negative history of substance abuse as predictive of therapeutic success with risperidone (p = .0006 and p = .01, respectively). Hospitalization rates declined by 43 percent among treatment responders and by 1.3 percent among nonresponders resulting in a net annual savings of $147,962. Risperidone may be efficacious in many patients who had previously failed antipsychotic trials. Patients who had been unable to tolerate traditional antipsychotics and those who lacked a documented history of substance abuse were uniquely responsive to risperidone treatment. The significant decline in hospitalized days that was observed among responsive patients seems to indicate that risperidone may be a cost-effective approach to the management of psychotic symptoms.
Understanding organizational diversity management programs:

With the changing demographic composition of the workforce, managing diversity in organizations is an important organizational function. Organizations have employed varying approaches to diversity management (DM), resulting in varying organizational outcomes. Meanwhile, researchers have called for more theoretical development within the DM area. We present a framework rooted in social and cross-cultural psychological research, to foster theory development and empirical testing in the area of DM. We also derive several propositions to guide future research on DM, and note some boundary conditions that suggest research opportunities of their own. Our framework contributes a theoretical conceptualization that enhances our understanding of organizations’ DM efforts, integrates current typologies, and suggests new directions of inquiry for management scholars as well as guidelines for practitioners in the area.
Effect of VA-Mycorrhiza on Growth and Yield of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) at Different Phosphorus Levels

The effect of seed inoculation by VAmycorrhiza an d different levels of phosphorus fertilizer on growth and yield of sunflower (Azargol cultivar) was studied in experim ent farm of Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch during 2008 g rowing season. The experiment treatments were arranged in factoria l based on a complete randomized block design with three replica tions. Four phosphorus fertilizer levels of 25%, 50% 75% and 10 0% P recommended with two levels of Mycorrhiza: with and without Mycorrhiza (control) were assigned in a factorial c ombination. Results showed that head diameter, number of seeds in head, seed yield and oil yield were significantly higher in in oculated plants than in non-inoculated plants. Head diameter, number of seeds in head, 1000 seeds weight, biological yield, seed yield and oil yield increased with increasing P level above 75% P recommended in non-inoculated plants, whereas no significant difference was obser ved between 75% and 100% P recommended. The positive effect of myco rrhizal inoculation decreased with increasing P levels due to decreased percent root colonization at higher P levels. Accor ding to the results of this experiment, application of mycorrhiza in pr esent of 50% P recommended had an appropriate performance and coul d increase seed yield and oil production to an acceptable leve l, so it could be considered as a suitable substitute for chemical ph os orus fertilizer in organic agricultural systems. Keywords— phosphorus fertilizer, seed yield, sunflower, VAmycorrhiza
Recent Advances on the Nutritional Effects Associated with the Use of Garlic as a Supplement Intake of Garlic and Its Bioactive Components 1

The health benefits of garlic likely arise from a wide variety of components, possibly working synergistically. The complex chemistry of garlic makes it plausible that variations in processing can yield quite different preparations. Highly unstable thiosulfinates, such as allicin, disappear during processing and are quickly transformed into a variety of organosulfur components. The efficacy and safety of these preparations in preparing dietary supplements based on garlic are also contingent on the processing methods employed. Although there are many garlic supplements commercially available, they fall into one of four categories, i.e., dehydrated garlic powder, garlic oil, garlic oil macerate and aged garlic extract (AGE). Garlic and garlic supplements are consumed in many cultures for their hypolipidemic, antiplatelet and procirculatory effects. In addition to these proclaimed beneficial effects, some garlic preparations also appear to possess hepatoprotective, immune-enhancing, anticancer and chemopreventive activities. Some preparations appear to be antioxidative, whereas others may stimulate oxidation. These additional biological effects attributed to AGE may be due to compounds, such as S-allylcysteine, S-allylmercaptocysteine, N-fructosyl arginine and others, formed during the extraction process. Although not all of the active ingredients are known, ample research suggests that several bioavailable components likely contribute to the observed beneficial effects of garlic. J. Nutr. 131: 955S–962S, 2001.
Student Generated Content in higher education technology-related blogs

This interdisciplinary study integrates technology, linguistics and language teaching theories and methods and highlights the effectiveness of technology-related blogs, created and maintained by students. For the purpose of this paper, various aspects of the Student Generated Content (SGC) postings quality as well as certain technical writing skills (e.g. relevance and exemplification) are examined. SGC has been analyzed using discourse analysis as a methodological tool. Student informal conversational interviews have also been used as supportive evidence. The results of the study indicate that while the students possess certain technical writing skills (e.g. relevance), they lack exemplification-an essential skill in technical written communication. The study highlights the dual pedagogical significance of student technology-related blog development both a) as a highly motivating student learning activity and b) as a valuable source of data collection (SGC Discourse) useful for educators and researchers to assess students' written language expression.
The Real Exchange Rate and Economic Growth

I show that undervaluation of the currency (a high real exchange rate) stimulates economic growth. This is true particularly for developing countries. This finding is robust to using different measures of the real exchange rate and different estimation techniques. I also provide some evidence that the operative channel is the size of the tradable sector (especially industry). These results suggest that tradables suffer disproportionately from the government or market failures that keep poor countries from converging toward countries with higher incomes. I present two categories of explanations for why this may be so, the first focusing on institutional weaknesses, and the second on product-market failures. A formal model elucidates the linkages between the real exchange rate and the rate of economic growth.