Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pregnancy as a risk factor for ambulatory limitation in later life.

OBJECTIVES We investigated the relationship between the number of times a woman has been pregnant and walking difficulty in later life. METHODS With data from the Hispanic Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly, a representative population-based cohort of Mexican Americans aged 65 years and older residing in 5 Southwestern states, we measured walking difficulty using 2 items from the performance-oriented mobility assessments: the timed walk and seated chair rise. RESULTS We observed significantly higher rates of ambulatory limitation among women with 6 or more pregnancies than among women with 4 or fewer pregnancies: 44.9% and 27.0%, respectively, were unable to perform or performed poorly in the seated chair rise and timed walk. Ordinal logistic regression models show that gravidity predicts level of performance in both mobility tasks and that higher gravidity is associated with worse performance, even after adjustment for both age and chronic disease. CONCLUSIONS Gravidity is a risk factor for ambulatory limitation in old age. A life course approach to reproduction in public health research and practice is warranted.
Lipid composition and acid hydrolase content of lamellar granules of fetal rat epidermis.

Lipids and acid hydrolases have been characterized in a subcellular fraction, enriched with lamellar granules (LG), derived from fetal rat epidermis. This fraction contains 23% glycosyl ceramides and ceramides, 15% free sterols, and 34% phospholipids. The lipid/protein ratio is 2.0. The sterols and sphingolipids were present in proportions similar to those previously reported in stratum corneum. These findings provide direct biochemical evidence for the widely accepted hypothesis that stratum corneum lipids are derived from exocytosis of lamellar granules into the intercellular space. The LG fraction was enriched in certain acid hydrolases including glucosidase, acid phosphatase, phospholipases A, and sphingomyelinase; other acid hydrolases, i.e., amino-glycosidases, glactosidase and aryl sulfatase (pH 5.5), and steroid sulfatase were not preferentially localized in this fraction. By modulation of phospholipids, glycolipids, and proteins in the membrane regions of stratum corneum, the acid hydrolases of LG may play a role relevant to the function and desquamation of stratum corneum.
Three-Dimensional Structure of the Neisseria meningitidis Secretin PilQ Determined from Negative-Stain Transmission Electron Microscopy

ABSTRACT The PilQ secretin from the pathogenic bacterium Neisseria meningitidis is an integral outer membrane protein complex which plays a crucial role in the biogenesis of type IV pili. We present here the first three-dimensional structure of this type of secretin at 2.5-nm resolution, obtained by single-particle averaging methods applied to the purified protein complex visualized in a negative stain. In projection, the PilQ complex is circular, with a donut-like appearance. When viewed from the side it has a rounded, conical profile. The complex was demonstrated to have 12-fold rotational symmetry, and this property was used to improve the quality of the density map by symmetry averaging. The dominant feature of the structure is a cavity, 10 nm deep, within the center of the molecule. The cavity is funnel-shaped in cross section, measures 6.5 nm in diameter at the top of the complex, and tapers to a closed point, effectively blocking formation of a continuous pore through the PilQ complex. These results suggest that the complex would have to undergo a conformational change in order to accommodate an assembled pilus fiber of diameter 6.5 nm running through the outer membrane.
Potential Impact of Nutritional Strategy on Noninvasive Measurements of Hormones in Birds

Abstract: The dietary preferences, gastrointestinal anatomy, digestive physiology, biochemical capabilities, and commensal microflora of a bird are collectively known as its nutritional strategy. Measurement of hormones in droppings requires an appreciation of an animal's nutritional strategy in order to optimize collection protocols, validate techniques, interpret results, and minimize variability and artifacts. Foods of animal origin, nectar, and seeds are highly digestible by relatively simple digestive tracts and result in low rates of feces production. Most frugivorous species also have simple digestive tracts, and they digest the fruit's simple sugars and proteins, but not the fiber in its pulp. Consequently, retention time of food in the digestive tract is short, and their droppings are voluminous. Herbivorous species possess enlarged ceca that house microorganisms that aid in the digestion of fibrous components of their food. Part of the digesta enters the ceca and is subjected to lengthy microbial fermentation. The rest is excluded and quickly passes through the rectum, and is quickly defecated. For measurement of hormones in droppings it appears prudent to collect only rectal feces and to avoid cecal feces. One‐third of the avian families are omnivorous and consume a wide variety of foods. Their digestive strategies are highly variable and change with diet, as does the amount and composition of feces and the rate of passage.
Importance of Arginine 20 of the Swine Vesicular Disease Virus 2A Protease for Activity and Virulence

ABSTRACT A major virulence determinant of swine vesicular disease virus (SVDV), an Enterovirus that causes an acute vesicular disease, has been mapped to residue 20 of the 2A protease. The SVDV 2A protease cleaves the 1D-2A junction in the viral polyprotein, induces cleavage of translation initiation factor eIF4GI, and stimulates the activity of enterovirus internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs). The 2A protease from an attenuated strain of SVDV (Ile at residue 20) is significantly defective at inducing cleavage of eIF4GI and the activation of IRES-dependent translation compared to the 2A protease from a pathogenic strain (J1/73, Arg at residue 20), but the two proteases have similar 1D-2A cleavage activities (Y. Sakoda, N. Ross-Smith, T. Inoue, and G. J. Belsham, J. Virol. 75:10643-10650, 2001). Residue 20 has now been modified to every possible amino acid, and the activities of each mutant 2A protease has been analyzed. Selected mutants were reconstructed into full-length SVDV cDNA, and viruses were rescued. The rate of virus growth in cultured swine kidney cells reflected the efficiency of 2A protease activity. In experimentally infected pigs, all four of the mutant viruses tested displayed much-reduced virulence compared to the J1/73 virus but a significant, albeit reduced, level of viral replication and excretion was detected. Direct sequencing of cDNA derived from samples taken early and late in infection indicated that a gradual selection-reversion to a more efficient protease occurred. The data indicated that extensive sequence change and selection may introduce a severe bottleneck in virus replication, leading to a decreased viral load and reduced or no clinical disease.
Different forms of bullying and their association to smoking and drinking behavior in Italian adolescents.

BACKGROUND Using data from the 2006 Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey, the prevalence of 6 forms of bullying (physical, verbal, relational, sexual, cyber, and racist), and the role of smoking and drinking in bullying was examined among Italian adolescents for this study. METHODS The sample was composed of 2667 Italian middle and secondary school students (49.9% girls) randomly selected. The revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire was used to measure physical, verbal, relational, sexual, cyber, and racist forms of bullying. For each form, 3 categories were created and compared with students "not involved in bullying": bully, victim, and bully-victim. Logistic regressions were applied to test the connections among the 3 forms of involvement in different types of bullying and smoking and drinking. RESULTS Prevalence of having been bullied or having bullied others at school at least once in the last 2 months was 11.6% for physical, 52% for verbal, 47.9% for relational, 18.5% for sexual, 19.4% for cyber, and 9.4% for racist bullying. Compared to girls, boys were more likely to be involved in physical bullying; moreover, boys were more involved as bullies in verbal, sexual, cyber, and racist bullying. In contrast, girls were more likely to be victims of verbal, relational, sexual, and cyber bullying than were boys. Logistic regressions showed the connection between the different forms of involvement in bullying and smoking and drinking. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that all forms of bullying behavior are associated with legal substance use. Implication for prevention program was discussed.
Coherency identification in power systems through principal component analysis

In this letter, a new technique to identify coherent generators in large interconnected power system using measurements of generator speed and bus angle data has been presented. This is based on the application of principal component analysis (PCA) to measurements obtained from simulation studies that represent examples of interarea events. The results of application of PCA separately to data sets of generator speeds and bus angles, respectively, are presented. The approach of PCA was able to highlight clusters of generators showing common features when compared with the conventional modal analysis technique.
Localization and variable expression of G alpha(i2) in human endometrium and Fallopian tubes.

BACKGROUND Heterotrimeric G proteins take part in membrane-mediated cell signalling and have a role in hormonal regulation. This study clarifies the expression and localization of the G protein subunit G alpha(i2) in the human endometrium and Fallopian tube and changes in G alpha(i2) expression in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle. METHODS The expression of G alpha(i2) was identified by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and localization confirmed by immunostaining. Cyclic changes in G alpha(i2) expression during the menstrual cycle were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS We found G alpha(i2) to be expressed in human endometrium, Fallopian tube tissue and in primary cultures of Fallopian tube epithelial cells. Our studies revealed enriched localization of G alpha(i2) in Fallopian tube cilia and in endometrial glands. We showed that G alpha(i2) expression in human endometrium changes significantly during the menstrual cycle, with a higher level in the secretory versus proliferative and menstrual phases (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS G alpha(i2) is specifically localized in human Fallopian tube epithelial cells, particularly in the cilia, and is likely to have a cilia-specific role in reproduction. Significantly variable expression of G alpha(i2) during the menstrual cycle suggests G alpha(i2) might be under hormonal regulation in the female reproductive tract in vivo.
Delayed treatment with sildenafil enhances neurogenesis and improves functional recovery in aged rats after focal cerebral ischemia

Increasing age decreases the number of new neurons in the dentate gyrus and the subventricular zone (SVZ). Sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, enhances neurogenesis in young rats. The present study tested the hypothesis that sildenafil augments neurogenesis in aged rats after focal cerebral ischemia. Nonischemic aged (18 months, n = 6) Wistar rats exhibited a significant reduction of actively proliferating and relatively quiescent cells in the SVZ measured by the number of minichromosome maintenance protein‐2‐positive (MCM‐2+) cells, a marker of the proliferating cells, compared with nonischemic young (3–4 months, n = 8) rats. Occlusion of the middle cerebral artery did not increase the number of MCM‐2+ cells in the SVZ of aged rats at 3 months after focal ischemia. However, treatment with sildenafil at a dose of 3 mg/kg (n = 8) daily for 7 consecutive days starting 7 days after focal ischemia significantly increased the number of MCM‐2+ cells in the SVZ of aged rats compared with aged rats treated with saline (n = 8). Double immunostaining revealed that substantially more Ki67+ cells (a marker of proliferating cells) were doublecortin+ (a marker of migrating neuroblasts) in sildenafil‐treated than in saline‐treated aged animals. In addition, treatment with sildenafil significantly improved functional recovery compared with saline‐treated rats. These data suggest that inhibition of PDE5 activity by sildenafil augments neurogenesis in the SVZ of aged ischemic rats, although these rats have reduced numbers of neural progenitor and stem cells in the SVZ. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Examining the Economic Interactions between Australia's Regions: Results from a Global VAR

Australia's economy, like most national economies, is made up of several regional sub‐economies. How these regional economies interact is not well understood but is relevant to macroeconomic policy setting. We outline and estimate a flexible Global Vector Autoregression model using quarterly data on house prices, output, unemployment and population for the eight Australian states and territories from 1986 to 2016. Using region‐to‐region impulse response functions from this model we quantify the influence of shocks in one region on another. Our results highlight the high degree of influence of New South Wales on other regions over and above its size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Treatment of obesity with extension of sleep duration: a randomized, prospective, controlled trial

Background The prevalence of chronic sleep deprivation is increasing in modern societies with negative health consequences. Recently, an association between short sleep and obesity has been reported. Purpose Primary objectives: To assess the feasibility of increasing sleep duration to a healthy length (approximately 7½ h) and to determine the effect of sleep extension on body weight. Secondary objectives: To examine the long-term effects of sleep extension on endocrine (leptin and ghrelin) and immune (cytokines) parameters, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, body composition, psychomotor vigilance, mood, and quality of life. Methods One hundred-fifty obese participants who usually sleep less than 6½ h, are being randomized at a 2:1 ratio to either an Intervention or to a Comparison Group. They are stratified by age (above and below 35) and the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome. During the first 12 months (Efficacy Phase) of the study, participants are evaluated at bi-monthly intervals: the Intervention Group is coached to increase sleep by at least 30—60 min/night, while the Comparison Group maintains baseline sleep duration. In the second (Effectiveness) phase, participants converge into the same group and are asked to increase (Comparison Group) or maintain (Intervention Group) sleep duration and are evaluated at 6-month intervals for an additional 3 years. Non-pharmacological and behavior-based interventions are being utilized to increase sleep duration. Endocrine, metabolic, and psychological effects are monitored. The sleep, energy expenditure, and caloric intake are assessed by activity monitors and food recall questionnaires. At yearly intervals, body composition, abdominal fat, and basal metabolic rate are measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), computerized tomography (CT), and indirect calorimetry, respectively. Results As of January 2010, 109 participants had been randomized, 64 to the Intervention Group and 45 to the Comparison Group (76% women, 62% minorities, average age: 40.8 years; BMI: 38.5 kg/m2). Average sleep duration at screening was less than 6 h/night, 40.3 h/week. A total of 28 Intervention and 22 Comparison participants had completed the Efficacy Phase. Limitations The study is not blinded and the sample size is relatively small. Conclusions This proof-of-concept study on a randomized sample will assess whether sleep extension is feasible and whether it influences BMI. Clinical Trials 2010; 7: 274—285. http://ctj.sagepub. com
Cetuximab sensitivity associated with oxaliplatin resistance in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND Clinical studies have suggested that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-inhibiting antibody cetuximab may have better effect in the third-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, after failure of standard chemotherapy including oxaliplatin, compared to using it up-front in the first line. The reason behind this suggestion is unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS The effect of cetuximab on cell growth was investigated in five isogenic colon cancer cell lines with increasing level of acquired oxaliplatin resistance. The expression of EGFR and the activity of down-stream signalling molecules were measured by western blot analyses. RESULTS A marked increase in sensitivity to cetuximab, accompanied by an up-regulation of EGFR, was observed in the oxaliplatin-resistant cell lines. CONCLUSION The connection between oxaliplatin resistance and cetuximab sensitivity has not been previously reported in the literature. Such a connection could be of clinical importance and constitutes a substantial an argument for saving cetuximab until later treatment lines, when the tumours have become chemotherapy resistant.
An Analysis of the Process of Adopting Local Digital Currencies in Support of Sustainable Development

Local digital currencies (LDCs) can be defined as technological platforms in which transactions occur between users without the use of any form of official tender. Although there is empirical evidence with regard to the sustainable development-related benefits of this type of currency, its use is still highly marginal and incipient, with relatively short lifecycles. To understand why LDCs have not gained a firmer footing or implementation in society and subsequently gain the ability to define a series of actions making this possible, an integrated model has been developed. Based on a review of the available literature, this model permits an analysis of the perceptions, beliefs, and attitudinal factors impacting upon the process of adopting this kind of currency. Based on a sample of 1559 subjects, the results obtained from the structural equation modelling performed provide important conclusions in terms of both the theory and the management of LDC-based communities, whether this is for the creation of new communities or the attraction of new users, or to consolidate existing communities or the participation of users once they have registered with them. Perceptions (attitude, subjective regulation, and perceived control), beliefs (compatibility, perceived utility, interpersonal influences, self-efficacy, and enabling conditions) and previous experience have a significant influence on the intention to be part of a community based on a local digital currency, with all that this implies for the defining of strategies to promote the use of LDCs.
Stem Cell Factor and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Stimulate Luteinizing Hormone-Independent Differentiation of Rat Ovarian Theca Cells1

Abstract The signal initiating ovarian theca cell (TC) differentiation is gonadotropin independent because theca precursor cells do not contain LH receptors. Previously we demonstrated that preantral follicles produce paracrine TC differentiating factors that promote androgen production by an LH-independent mechanism. This study tested the effects of two granulosa cell-produced peptides, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and stem cell factor (SCF), on TC differentiation and androgen production. Neutralizing antibodies to either IGF-I or SCF blocked the stimulatory effects of follicle-conditioned medium on TC precursor differentiation more than 90%. The TC isolated from the ovaries of hypophysectomized immature rats by percoll gradient centrifugation were cultured (48 h) with and without SCF (0–100 ng/ml) and IGF-I (0–100 ng/ml) to test their effects on TC differentiation. Androsterone in the medium was measured by RIA. Luteinizing hormone receptor, steroidogenesis acute regulatory protein (StAR), CYP11A, CYP17, and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) mRNAs were measured by specific reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays. Stem cell factor or IGF-I alone did not stimulate androsterone production but in combination caused a concentration-dependent increase in androsterone levels. Maximum androsterone levels were less than those stimulated by LH (0.1 ng/ml) alone. Although IGF-I synergistically augmented LH stimulation of androsterone production, SCF did not alter LH-stimulated androsterone production in the presence or absence of IGF-I. Stem cell factor alone had no effect on LH receptor, StAR, CYP11A, and 3β-HSD mRNA expression but decreased CYP17 mRNA levels. Insulin-like growth factor-I alone had no effect on StAR or CYP17 mRNA expression but increased LH receptor, CYP11A, and 3β-HSD mRNA levels. In combination, SCF plus IGF-I increased the expression of all five mRNAs. These data support the conclusion that IGF-I and SCF are important regulators of TC differentiation.
Top Incomes in Germany, 1871-2014

This study provides new evidence on top income shares in Germany from industrialization to the present. Income concentration was high in the nineteenth century, dropped sharply after WWI and during the hyperinflation years of the 1920s, then increased rapidly throughout the Nazi period beginning in the 1930s. Following the end of WWII, German top income shares returned to 1920s levels. The German pattern stands in contrast to developments in France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, where WWII brought a sizeable and lasting reduction in top income shares. Since the turn of the millennium, income concentration in Germany has been on the rise and is today among the highest in Europe. The capital share is consistently positively associated with income concentration, whereas growth, technological change, trade, unions, and top tax rates are positively associated in some periods and negative in others.
Upregulated glutathione transferase omega-1 correlates with progression of urinary bladder carcinoma

ABSTRACT Objectives: Newly discovered glutathione transferase omega 1 (GSTO1-1) plays an important role in the glutathionylation cycle, a significant mechanism of protein function regulation. GSTO1-1 expression pattern has not been studied in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), as yet. Methods: A total of 56 TCC tumor and corresponding non-tumor specimens were investigated. Glutathione content and thioltransferase activity were measured spectrophotometrically. Protein-glutathione mixed disulfides were measured fluorimetrically. GSTO1-1 expression was determined by immunoblot and qPCR. Immunoprecipitation with GSTO1-1 antibody was followed by immunoblot using anti-GSTO1, GSTP1, c-Jun, JNK, Akt, phospho-Akt, and ASK1 antibody, while for the total S-glutathionylation levels non-reducing electrophoresis was performed. Results: The contents of reduced glutathione and thioltransferase activity were significantly increased in tumor compared to non-tumor tissue. The increased GSTO1 expression in tumor tissue showed clear correlation with grade and stage. However, decreased total protein glutathionylation level in tumor compared to non-tumor samples was found. Immunoprecipitation has shown an association of GSTO1-1 with GSTP1, Akt, phospho-Akt, and ASK1 proteins. Conclusions: GSTO1 deglutathionylase activity suggests its potential important role in redox perturbations present in TCC. Increased GSTO1-1 expression might contribute to TCC development and/or progression supporting the notion that GSTO1-1 may be a promising novel cancer target.