Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sirtuin1 (Sirt1) Promotes Cortical Bone Formation by Preventing β-Catenin Sequestration by FoxO Transcription Factors in Osteoblast Progenitors*

Background: Sirt1 activity, like osteoblast number and bone mass, declines with age. Results: Mice with Sirt1 deletion in osteoprogenitor cells have low cortical bone mass due to decreased bone formation resulting from increased β-catenin sequestration by FoxOs. Conclusion: Sirt1 increases Wnt signaling and bone formation by a mechanism involving FoxOs. Significance: Sirt1 in osteoprogenitor cells could be a therapeutic target for osteoporosis. A decline of the levels and activity of Sirtuin1 (Sirt1), a NAD+ class III histone deacetylase, with age contributes to the development of several diseases including type 2 diabetes, neurodegeneration, inflammation, and cancer. The anti-aging effects of Sirt1 evidently result from the deacetylation of many transcription factors and co-factors including members of the Forkhead box O (FoxO) family and β-catenin. Wnt/β-catenin is indispensable for osteoblast generation. FoxOs, on the other hand, sequester β-catenin and inhibit osteoprogenitor proliferation. Here, we have deleted Sirt1 in osteoprogenitors expressing Osterix1 (Osx1)-Cre and their descendants. Sirt1ΔOsx1 mice had lower cortical thickness in femora and vertebrae because of reduced bone formation at the endocortical surface. In line with this, osteoprogenitor cell cultures from the Sirt1ΔOsx1 mice exhibited lower alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization, as well as decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis. These changes were associated with decreased Wnt/β-catenin signaling and expression of cyclin D1 and resulted from increased binding of FoxOs to β-catenin. These findings demonstrate that Sirt1-induced deacetylation of FoxOs unleashes Wnt signaling. A decline in Sirt1 activity in osteoblast progenitors with aging may, therefore, contribute to the age-related loss of bone mass. Together with evidence that Sirt1 activators increase bone mass in aged mice, our results also suggest that Sirt1 could be a therapeutic target for osteoporosis.
In Situ Monitoring of an Escherichia coli Fermentation Using a Diamond Composition ATR Probe and Mid‐infrared Spectroscopy

A diamond composition ATR probe was used in situ to obtain IR spectra on replicate Escherichia coli fermentations involving a complex medium. The probe showed excellent stability over a 6‐month operating period and was unaffected by either agitation or aeration. The formation of an unknown was observed from IR spectra obtained during the sterilization; subsequent experiments proved this to be a reaction product between yeast extract and the phosphates used as buffer salts. Partial‐least‐squares‐based calibration/prediction models were developed for both glucose and acetate using in‐process samples. The resulting models had prediction errors of ±0.26 and ±0.75 g/L for glucose and acetic acid, respectively, errors which were statistically equivalent to the estimated experimental errors in the reference measurements. Relative concentration profiles for the unknown formed during sterilization could be generated either by tracking peak height at an independent wavelength or by self‐modeling curve resolution of the spectral region overlapping that of glucose. These profiles indicated that this compound was metabolized simultaneously with glucose; upon depletion of the glucose, when the microorganism switched to consumption of acetic acid, utilization continued but at a lower rate. The data presented provide an extensive characterization of the performance characteristics of this in situ analysis and clearly demonstrate its utility not just in the quantitative measurement of multiple known species but in the qualitative evaluation of unknown species.
The Friendly Index Set of P m × P n

For a graph G = (V;E) and a binary labeling (coloring) f : V (G) → Z2; let vf (i) = |f 1 (i)|: f is said to be friendly if |vf (1) − vf (0)| ≤ 1: The labeling f : V (G) → Z2 induces an edge labeling f : E(G) → Z2 defined by f (xy) = |f (x) − f (y)| ∀xy ∈ E(G). Let ef (i) = |f 1 (i)|. The friendly index set of the graph G, denoted by FI(G); is defined by FI(G) = {|ef (1) − ef (0)| : f is a friendly vertx labeling of G }: In this paper we determine the friendly index set of Pm × Pn.
Older Adults' Preferences for Informal, Formal, and Mixed Support for Future Care Needs: A Comparison of Germany and the United States

Based on the complementary model of support use, we investigated older adults' preferences for short-term and long-term future care needs in a U.S. and a German sample (65+ years). A greater preference for the exclusive use of informal support and for mixed support (a combination of informal and formal support) was found with regard to short-term care needs whereas a greater preference for the exclusive use of formal support was reported for long-term care needs. German seniors were more likely than U.S. seniors to report a preference for informal support. U.S. seniors, however, were more likely than German seniors to prefer mixed support. Being male, and having more contact with relatives predicted stronger preferences for informal and mixed support. In addition, age, the number of adult children, previous receipt of support, education, and income were associated with preferences for future support.
Newspaper reporting of hazards in the UK and Sweden

Public understanding of risks is likely to be informed by the media. We report a cross-national study looking at how newspapers in Sweden and the United Kingdom characterize a variety of risks, focusing on two months around the 10th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident. Approximately four times as many reports about risks were found in Sweden as in the U.K., possibly reflecting a Swedish safety culture. The Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) crisis dominated reporting in both countries, especially in the U.K. The proportion and pattern of reports on Chernobyl was similar across countries. However, in Sweden, there was an increase in reports about other nuclear hazards after the anniversary, suggesting that generalization of media concern may have occurred. Generally, BSE was discussed using a greater number of characterizations in the U.K., while Chernobyl was reported using more characterizations in Sweden. Reports about hazards tended to be alarmist rather than reassuring, and rarely used statistics to express degrees of risk.
Letter: Decreased lacrimation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

To the Editor. — Decreased lacrimation is not usually regarded as a feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In the course of treating ten such patients over the last two years, decreasedlacrimation as measured by the Schirmer test was observed. Since this is a devastating disease of unknown etiology, it is to be hoped that decreased lacrimation will be confirmed by others and explored as a new lead. The Schirmer tear test is performed by placing the tip of a strip of filter paper on the conjunctiva of the lower lid at the juncture of the outer and middle third of the lid. The patient closes his eyes lightly and after five minutes the length of filter paper wet by tears is recorded. Less than 15 mm of wetting is regarded as evidence of decreased tear production. Normal eyes can wet the entire 35-mm length in less than five minutes.
Association of immunoescape mechanisms with Epstein‐Barr virus infection in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

We have investigated the association of immunoescape mechanisms in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) lesions with Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) infection and clinical course of the disease. Tumor biopsy specimens obtained from 36 Japanese NPC patients were examined for antigen processing machinery component and HLA class I antigen expression, CD8+ T cell infiltration, and Fas, Fas ligand (FasL) and IL‐10 expression using immunohistochemical staining. The results were correlated with the histopathological characteristics of the lesions, the clinical course of the disease and EBV infection. LMP2, TAP1, tapasin and HLA class I antigens were downregulated in more than 65% of the lesions tested, while FasL, Fas and IL‐10 were expressed in at least 60% of the lesions. Statistical analysis showed that (i) HLA class I antigen expression was significantly correlated with LMP2 and tapasin expression (r = 0.39 and 0.45, respectively); (ii) CD8+ T cell infiltration into tumor lesions was significantly correlated with HLA class I antigen, LMP2 and Fas expression (r = 0.34, 0.49 and 0.44, respectively); (iii) LMP2 and FasL expression was significantly correlated with IL‐10 expression (r = 0.49 and 0.52, respectively); (iv) IL‐10 expression was significantly associated with EBERs and EBV oncoprotein LMP1 expression (p = 0.00078 and 0.015, respectively) and (v) FasL overexpression was significantly associated with reduced patients' survival (p = 0.033). Multivariate analysis identified FasL overexpression as an independent unfavorable prognostic marker. These results suggest that NPC cells may utilize multiple immunoescape mechanisms, including dysfunction of HLA class I antigens and Fas/FasL apoptosis pathways. Furthermore, FasL expression appears to be associated with IL‐10 upregulation in EBV positive NPC cells. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Simulated percentage points for the null distribution of the likelihood ratio test for a mixture of two normals.

We find the percentage points of the likelihood ratio test of the null hypothesis that a sample of n observations is from a normal distribution with unknown mean and variance against the alternative that the sample is from a mixture of two distinct normal distributions, each with unknown mean and unknown (but equal) variance. The mixing proportion pi is also unknown under the alternative hypothesis. For 2,500 samples of sizes n = 15, 20, 25, 40, 50, 70, 75, 80, 100, 150, 250, 500, and 1,000, we calculated the likelihood ratio statistic, and from these values estimated the percentage points of the null distributions. Our algorithm for the calculation of the maximum likelihood estimates of the unknown parameters included precautions against convergence of the maximization algorithm to a local rather than global maximum. Investigations for convergence to an asymptotic distribution indicated that convergence was very slow and that stability was not apparent for samples as large as 1,000. Comparisons of the percentage points to the commonly assumed chi-squared distribution with 2 degrees of freedom indicated that this assumption is too liberal; i.e., one's P-value is greater than that indicated by chi 2(2). We conclude then that one would need what is usually an unfeasibly large sample size (n greater than 1,000) for the use of large-sample approximations to be justified.
A shorter proof of a theorem on hereditarily orderable spaces

We give a shorter proof a result of Purisch and Hirata and Kemoto that any subspace of any space of ordinals is a LOTS (under some linear ordering). MathSciNet classifications Primary = 54F05, Secondary= 03E04 *******draft of February 13, 2012
T2 measurements of cartilage in osteoarthritis patients with meniscal tears.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to quantitatively assess cartilage degeneration via T2 mapping to compare patients with and those without meniscal tears. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Thirty-seven patients (18 men, mean age +/- SD, 65.7 +/- 7.8 years; 19 women, mean age, 63.8 +/- 12.0 years) with clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis were studied on 3-T MRI using a 2D multiecho spin-echo sequence for T2 mapping. Meniscal signal and morphology were qualitatively graded and correlated to the T2 values of cartilage. Analysis of covariance, Bonferroni multiple comparison correction, and Spearman's correlation coefficients were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Patients with meniscal tears (median +/- interquartile range, 50.1 +/- 6.1 milliseconds) had significantly (p = 0.021) higher T2 values of cartilage than those without meniscal tears (45.7 +/- 4.8 milliseconds). T2 values of cartilage were significantly higher in the medial compartment than in the lateral compartment in patients with medial meniscal tears (p = 0.018). CONCLUSION T2 measurements are increased in patients with meniscal tears; this finding adds support to the theory of an association of osteoarthritis with damage to both the menisci and hyaline cartilage.
Deciphering the Function of the Outer Membrane Protein OprD Homologue of Acinetobacter baumannii

ABSTRACT The increasing number of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates is a major cause for concern which restricts therapeutic options to treat severe infections caused by this emerging pathogen. To identify the molecular mechanisms involved in carbapenem resistance, we studied the contribution of an outer membrane protein homologue of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa OprD porin. Suspected to be the preferred pathway of carbapenems in A. baumannii, the oprD homologue gene was inactivated in strain ATCC 17978. Comparison of wild-type and mutant strains did not confirm the expected increased resistance to any antibiotic tested. OprD homologue sequence analysis revealed that this protein actually belongs to an OprD subgroup but is closer to the P. aeruginosa OprQ protein, with which it could share some functions, e.g., allowing bacterial survival under low-iron or -magnesium growth conditions or under poor oxygenation. We thus overexpressed and purified a recombinant OprD homologue protein to further examine its functional properties. As a specific channel, this porin presented rather low single-channel conductance, i.e., 28 pS in 1 M KCl, and was partially closed by micro- and millimolar concentrations of Fe3+ and Mg2+, respectively, but not by imipenem and meropenem or basic amino acids. The A. baumannii OprD homologue is likely not involved in the carbapenem resistance mechanism, but as an OprQ-like protein, it could contribute to the adaptation of this bacterium to magnesium- and/or iron-depleted environments.
Transient Receptor Potential Channels in Pain and Inflammation: Therapeutic Opportunities

In ancient times, physicians had a limited number of therapies to provide pain relief. Not surprisingly, plant extracts applied topically often served as the primary analgesic plan. With the discovery of the capsaicin receptor (transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 1 [TRPV1]), the search for “new” analgesics has returned to compounds used by physicians thousands of years ago. One such compound, capsaicin, couples the paradoxical action of nociceptor activation (burning pain) with subsequent analgesia following repeat or high‐dose application. Investigating this “paradoxical” action of capsaicin has revealed several overlapping and complementary mechanisms to achieve analgesia including receptor desensitization, nociceptor dysfunction, neuropeptide depletion, and nerve terminal destruction. Moreover, the realization that TRPV1 is both sensitized and activated by endogenous products of inflammation, including bradykinin, H+, adenosine triphosphate, fatty acid derivatives, nerve growth factor, and trypsins, has renewed interest in TRPV1 as an important site of analgesia. Building on this foundation, a new series of preclinical and clinical studies targeting TRPV1 has been reported. These include trials using brief exposure to high‐dose topical capsaicin in conjunction with prior application of a local anesthetic. Clinical use of resiniferatoxin, another ancient but potent TRPV1 agonist, is also being explored as a therapy for refractory pain. The development of orally administered high‐affinity TRPV1 antagonists holds promise for pioneering a new generation of analgesics capable of blocking painful sensations at the site of inflammation and tissue injury. With the isolation of other members of the TRP channel family such as TRP cation channel, subfamily A, member 1, additional opportunities are emerging in the development of safe and effective analgesics.
Simultaneous targeting of VEGF-receptors 2 and 3 with immunoliposomes enhances therapeutic efficacy

Abstract Background: Tumor progression depends on angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors (VEGFRs) are the main signal transducers that stimulate endothelial cell migration and vessel sprouting. At present, only VEGFR2 is targeted in the clinical practice. Purpose: To develop new, anti-angiogenic nanoparticles (immunoliposomes, ILs), that redirect cytotoxic compounds to tumor-associated vascular cells. Methods: Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) was targeted against VEGFR2- and VEGFR3-expressing cells by inserting anti-VEGFR2 and/or anti-VEGFR3 antibody fragments into the lipid bilayer membrane of PLD. These constructs were tested in vitro, and in vivo in the Rip1Tag2 mouse model of human cancer. Results: The combination treatment with anti-VEGFR2-ILs-dox and anti-VEGFR3-ILs-dox was superior to targeting only VEGFR2 cells and provides a highly efficient approach of depleting tumor-associated vasculature. This leads to tumor starvation and pronounced reduction of tumor burden. Conclusion: Nanoparticles against VEGFR2 and −3 expressing tumor-associated endothelial cells represent a promising and novel anti-cancer strategy.
Handbook of Essential Oils Science Technology and Applications

Edited by K. Husnu Can Baser and Gerard Buchbauer (2010) Publisher CRC Press. Taylor & Francis Group International Standard Book Number: 978-1-4200-6315-8 (Hardback) ISBN: 142 00 63154 English. 975 pp with 5 Annexes.
Growth Performance and Carcass Yield of Three Commercial Strains of Broiler Chickens raised in a Tropical Environment

The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth performance and carcass yield of three commercial strains of broiler chickens namely Arbor Acre, Marshal and Ross reared in a tropical environment. 150 day old chicks per strain were brooded in separate brooding pens from day old to 2 weeks of age. At two weeks of age, each strain was separated into sexes and each sex replicated thrice and randomly placed into different pens where brooding continues for the next 2 weeks. Brooding and rearing to 8 weeks took place in the same pen. There were significant (p<0.05) strain differences with respect to body weight (1-8 weeks), average weight gain (2-3, 4-5, 6-7 weeks) and average feed intake (1-8 weeks). Arbor Acre had the most superior body weight at 8 weeks and weight gain at 6-7 weeks followed by Ross and Marshal in that order. However, the three strains of broiler chicken were similar in weight gain at 7-8 weeks and average feed conversion ratio at 8 weeks of age. Significant strain x sex interaction were observed in the body weight, weight gain and feed intake of the birds. Arbor Acre males were the most superior in body weight and weight gain compared to the males and females of Ross and Marshal. There was no significant effect of strain on the carcass yield of the birds. Based on its superior performance, Arbor Acre broiler is recommended to broiler farmers in Nigeria. Key w ords : Bodyweight, broiler, carcass yield, feed conversion ratio, superiority.
Salidroside, A Natural Antioxidant, Improves β-Cell Survival and Function via Activating AMPK Pathway

Aim: The enhanced oxidative stress contributes to progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and induces β-cell failure. Salidroside is a natural antioxidant extracted from medicinal food plant Rhodiola rosea. This study was aimed to evaluate protective effects of salidroside on β-cells against diabetes associated oxidative stress. Methods and Results: In diabetic db/db and high-fat diet-induced mice, we found salidroside ameliorated hyperglycemia and relieved oxidative stress. More importantly, salidroside increased β-cell mass and β-cell replication of diabetic mice. Mechanism study in Min6 cells revealed that, under diabetic stimuli, salidroside suppressed reactive oxygen species production and restore mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) via reducing NOX2 expression and inhibiting JNK–caspase 3 apoptotic cascade subsequently to protect β-cell survival. Simultaneously, diabetes associated oxidative stress also activated FOXO1 and triggered nuclear exclusion of PDX1 which resulted in β-cell dysfunction. This deleterious result was reversed by salidroside by activating AMPK-AKT to inhibit FOXO1 and recover PDX1 nuclear localization. The efficacy of salidroside in improving β-cell survival and function was further confirmed in isolated cultured mouse islets. Moreover, the protective effects of salidroside on β-cells against diabetic stimuli can be abolished by an AMPK inhibitor compound C, which indicated functions of salidroside on β-cells were AMPK activation dependent. Conclusion: These results confirmed beneficial metabolic effects of salidroside and identified a novel role for salidroside in preventing β-cell failure via AMPK activation. Our finding highlights the potential value of Rhodiola rosea as a dietary supplement for diabetes control.
Demographics-based differences in the relationship between perceived CSR and customer loyalty in the dairy products market

Abstract The purpose of the current paper is to investigate the demographics-based differences in the relationship between customers’ perceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and their loyalty towards brands/companies in the dairy products market, considering the socio-cultural and economic particularities of one of the largest countries of Central-Eastern Europe. For this purpose, a survey was implemented among a sample of 1461 dairy products consumers from the urban area of Romania, investigating perceived CSR and customer loyalty by using 28, and, respectively, 6 Likert-type items. Results show that customers’ loyalty towards dairy brands/companies is positively and significantly influenced by how customers perceive companies’ responsibility towards their customers, in all investigated demographic segments. However, there are other facets of perceived CSR (community development, the environment, economic success, sponsorship, public authorities) in which case the relationship with customer loyalty is only significant in certain demographics-based market segments
Climate-Change Migration in the Pacific

Despite considerable debate about whether or not climate change will cause large numbers of people to migrate, there has been little consideration of how such displacement might be caused. Three effects of climate change are identified as possible drivers of migration: loss of or reduction in land security, livelihood security, and habitat security. Where these are destroyed by climate change, migration will be forced and would require the abandonment of some locations. Such community relocation is likely to be a disruptive form of climate-change migration, and past experience indicates that there are numerous social, cultural, emotional, and economic costs associated with such moves, even at relatively small distances. Where the loss of security is partial, voluntary or induced migration may be a practical adaptive response, reducing pressure on declining local life-support systems and providing remittances to supplement declining livelihoods. Most attention has been focused on atoll communities, but most Pacific communities (with the exception of Papua New Guinea) are coastal, and the security of some inland areas may be threatened by increasing magnitude and frequency of droughts. Destinations for climate-change migrants may range from locations within customary lands to foreign countries within and beyond the region. A key issue is the essential link between Pacific Islands people and their land, which poses major problems not only for those forced to leave but also for communities within the region that may be required to give up land for relocatees.