Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dietary L-carnitine Stimulates Carnitine Acyltransferases in the Liver of Aged Rats

Aging affects oxidative metabolism in liver and other tissues. Carnitine acyltransferases are key enzymes of this process in mitochondria. As previously shown, the rate of transcription and activity of carnitine palmitoyltransferase CPT1 are also related to carnitine levels. In this study we compared the effect of dietary L-carnitine (100 mg L-carnitine/kg body weight/day over 3 months) on liver enzymes of aged rats (months 21–24) to adult animals (months 6–9) and age-related controls for both groups. The transcription rate of CPT1, CPT2, and carnitine acetyltransferase (CRAT) was determined by quantitative reverse transcription real-time PCR (RTQPCR) and compared to the activity of the CPT1A enzyme. The results showed that the transcription rates of CPT1, CPT2, and CRAT were similar in aged and adult control animals. Carnitine-fed old rats had a significant (p<0.05) 8–12-fold higher mean transcription rate of CPT1 and CRAT compared to aged controls, adult carnitine-fed animals, and adult controls, whereas the transcription rate of CPT2 was stimulated 2–3-fold in carnitine-fed animals of both age groups. With regard to the enzymatic activity of CPT1 there was a 1.5-fold increase in the old carnitine group compared to all other groups. RNA in situ hybridization also indicated an enhanced expression of CPT1A in hepatocytes from L-carnitine-supplemented animals. These results suggest that L-carnitine stimulates transcription of CPT1, CPT2, and CRAT as well as the enzyme activity of CPT1 in the livers of aged rats.
Dispersive and nondispersive charge transport in a molecularly doped polymer with superimposed energetic and positional disorder.

Time-of-flight photocurrent measurements of 1,1-bis(di-4-tolylaminophenyl)cyclohexane doped bisphenol-A-polycarbonate show dispersive features at low temperatures. Within the nondispersive regime, transients show anomalously broad tails of universal shape. Their relative width is in quantitative accord with Monte Carlo simulations of a material characterized by degrees of energetic and positional disorder that have previously been determined from the temperature and field dependencies of the mobility. The transition to dispersive transport, delineated by a change of the temperature dependence of the carrier mean transit time, occurs at a critical energetic disorder parameter as predicted by simulation. The effect of positional disorder is to decrease the slope of the trailing edge of the photocurrent transient.
Effect of herbal teas on hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes in rats

We have investigated the effect of herbal teas (peppermint, chamomile and dandelion) on the activity of hepatic phase I and phase II metabolizing enzymes using rat liver microsomes. Female Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n = 5 each). Three groups had free access to a tea solution (2 %) while the control group had water. Two groups received either green tea extract (0.1 %) or aqueous caffeine solution (0.0625 %). After four weeks of pretreatment, different cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms and phase II enzyme activities were determined by incubation of liver microsomes or cytosol with appropriate substrates. Activity of CYP1A2 in the liver microsomes of rats receiving dandelion, peppermint or chamomile tea was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) to 15 %, 24 % and 39 % of the control value, respectively. CYP1A2 activity was significantly increased by pretreatment with caffeine solution. No alterations were observed in the activities of CYP2D and CYP3A in any group of the pretreated rats. Activity of CYP2E in rats receiving dandelion or peppermint tea was significantly lower than in the control group, 48 % and 60 % of the control, respectively. There was a dramatic increase (244 % of control) in the activity of phase II detoxifying enzyme UDP‐glucuronosyl transferase in the dandelion tea‐pretreated group. There was no change in the activity of glutathione‐S‐transferase. The results suggested that, like green and black teas, certain herbal teas can cause modulation of phase I and phase II drug metabolizing enzymes.
Significance of intraoperative ureteral evaluation at radical cystectomy for urothelial cancer

Patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) for urothelial cancer are at increased risk for upper tract recurrence and anastomotic recurrence. In an attempt to reduce this recurrence risk, urologists employ intraoperative frozen sections to achieve an uninvolved ureteral margin. The utility of this surgical approach was examined.
An Image-Segmentation-Based Urban DTM Generation Method Using Airborne Lidar Data

DTM generation using airborne Light detection and ranging (Lidar) data is the fundamental issue of Lidar data processing and has been massively studied. However, DTM generation is still challenging in urban areas, due to the existence of densely distributed urban features and very large buildings. Different from most point-based DTM generation algorithms, this research proposes an image-segmentation-based method for urban DTM generation. First, image segmentation is conducted using the DSM image. Next, a seed ground segment is set for each cell. Following the order of the nearest segment pair, each unclassified segment is examined by comparing the spatial correlation between the candidate segment and its nearest ground segment. This process continues until no unclassified segment remains. Based on classified ground segments, all ground points can thus be extracted and the output DTM can be obtained through postinterpolation. This method was experimented in the central Cambridge. The accuracy assessment and comparison with other Lidar-processing methods proved that the segmentation-based method produces urban DTMs with a small mean bias and limited large errors. This methodology has the potential to be applied to other areas and terrain situations. In addition to an original DTM generation method, this research works as an example that mature methods from other subjects can be employed to extend the category of Lidar-processing algorithms.
Treatment of endogenous depression with oral thyrotropin‐releasing hormone and amitriptyline

The effect of thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) on the symptoms in six subjects with endogenous depression was studied in relation to the function of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐thyroid axis and was compared with the effects of amitriptyline in another six subjects with endogenous depression. TRH (80 mg daily) and amitriptyline (100 mg daily) were given orally for 3 weeks in a doubleblind, randomized fashion.
Measures of Hearing Aid Gain for Real Speech

Objective: Non‐speech stimuli typically are used to estimate the electroacoustic characteristics of a hearing aid. At present, there is no consensus as to what type of input stimulus will best represent the gain for real speech. The purpose of this study was to measure hearing aid gain using continuous discourse and to compare these values with gain measured with five different types of simpler stimuli. Design: Hearing aid gain as a function of frequency was measured in a 2 cm3 coupler for 20 commercially available hearing aids. Circuitry included features such as linear peak clipping, compression limiting, 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐channel full dynamic range compression, and adaptive compression. Input stimuli were a) 15 sec of continuous discourse, b) swept pure tones (SPTs), c) speech weighted composite noise (SWCN), d) simulated speech, e) speech weighted warble tones, and f) speech modulated noise. Input levels ranged from 50 to 80 dB SPL. Results: In general, both SPTs and SWCN tended to underestimate the high‐frequency gain for real speech. These discrepancies increased as a function of input intensity. On average, the SPT produced the greatest departure from the gain for real speech, producing differences for individual hearing aids as large as 10 to 14 dB. An analysis by circuit type revealed that discrepancies most likely occurred when a hearing aid was operating in a nonlinear mode. Of the five non‐speech stimuli used, speech modulated noise and simulated speech seemed to provide the closest approximation to the gain measured with continuous discourse. Conclusions: When a hearing aid is operating in a nonlinear mode, non‐speech stimuli will tend to underestimate the gain for real speech, particularly in the high frequencies. Under some conditions, these discrepancies may impact clinical decisions during the hearing aid fitting process. Additional studies are needed to elucidate the factors that contribute to the gain discrepancies observed in this study and to explore the use of additional stimuli(including short speech samples), which may result in better predictions of the gain for speech.
Differential release of chromatin-bound IL-1α discriminates between necrotic and apoptotic cell death by the ability to induce sterile inflammation

IL-1α, like IL-1β, possesses multiple inflammatory and immune properties. However, unlike IL-1β, the cytokine is present intracellularly in healthy tissues and is not actively secreted. Rather, IL-1α translocates to the nucleus and participates in transcription. Here we show that intracellular IL-1α is a chromatin-associated cytokine and highly dynamic in the nucleus of living cells. During apoptosis, IL-1α concentrates in dense nuclear foci, which markedly reduces its mobile nature. In apoptotic cells, IL-1α is retained within the chromatin fraction and is not released along with the cytoplasmic contents. To simulate the in vivo inflammatory response to cells undergoing different mechanisms of death, lysates of cells were embedded in Matrigel plugs and implanted into mice. Lysates from cells undergoing necrosis recruited cells of the myeloid lineage into the Matrigel, whereas lysates of necrotic cells lacking IL-1α failed to recruit an infiltrate. In contrast, lysates of cells undergoing apoptotic death were inactive. Cells infiltrating the Matrigel were due to low concentrations (20–50 pg) of the IL-1α precursor containing the receptor interacting C-terminal, whereas the N-terminal propiece containing the nuclear localization site failed to do so. When normal keratinocytes were subjected to hypoxia, the constitutive IL-1α precursor was released into the supernatant. Thus, after an ischemic event, the IL-1α precursor is released by hypoxic cells and incites an inflammatory response by recruiting myeloid cells into the area. Tissues surrounding the necrotic site also sustain damage from the myeloid cells. Nuclear trafficking and differential release during necrosis vs. apoptosis demonstrate that inflammation by IL-1α is tightly controlled.
Recidivism and Resilience in Juvenile Sexual Offenders: An Analysis of the Literature

SUMMARY The majority of research that exists studying juvenile sex offenders (JSOs) is dominated by the predilection that identifying risk factors associated with recidivism will benefit both the JSOs and treatment providers. Further, the majority of existing treatments are guided by research that has identified what makes JSOs more likely to reoffend. Absent from the majority of the literature is an examination of the strengths and positive characteristics demonstrated by JSOs that may prove useful in both reducing recidivism and increasing the likelihood of achieving positive outcomes (i.e., demonstrating resilience). Research examining known risk factors for sexual and nonsexual recidivism is described. Next, literature on resilience is reviewed, followed by a discussion of this literature in the context of treatment for JSOs. Finally, future directions of research are presented.
The regulation of organ size in Drosophila

The correct regulation of organ size is a fundamental developmental process, the failure of which can compromise organ function and organismal integrity. Consequently, the mechanisms that regulate organ size have been subject to intense research. This research has highlighted four classes of mechanism that are involved in organ size regulation: physiology, plasticity, patterning and physical force. Nevertheless, how these mechanisms are integrated and converge on the cellular process that regulate organ growth is unknown. One group of animals where this integration is beginning to be achieved is in the insects. Here, I review the different mechanisms that regulate organ size in insects, and describe our current understanding of how these mechanisms interact. The genes and hormones involved are remarkably conserved in all animals, so these studies in insects provide a precedent for future research on organ size regulation in mammals.
Integrative analysis of single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing data revealed T cell marker genes based molecular sub-types and a prognostic signature in lung adenocarcinoma

Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising modality for addressing advanced or conventionally drug-resistant malignancies. When it comes to lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), T cells have demonstrated significant influence on both antitumor activity and the tumor microenvironment. However, their specific contributions remain largely unexplored. This investigation aimed to delineate molecular subtypes and prognostic indicators founded on T cell marker genes, thereby shedding light on the significance of T cells in LUAD prognosis and precision treatment. The cellular phenotypes were identified by scrutinizing the single-cell data obtained from the GEO repository. Subsequently, T cell marker genes derived from single-cell sequencing analyses were integrated with differentially expressed genes from the TCGA repository to pinpoint T cell-associated genes. Utilizing Cox analysis, molecular subtypes and prognostic signatures were established and subsequently verified using the GEO dataset. The ensuing molecular and immunological distinctions, along with therapy sensitivity between the two sub-cohorts, were examined via the ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT, and ssGSEA methodologies. Compartmentalization, somatic mutation, nomogram development, chemotherapy sensitivity prediction, and potential drug prediction analyses were also conducted according to the risk signature. Additionally, real-time qPCR and the HPA database corroborated the mRNA and protein expression patterns of signature genes in LUAD tissues. In summary, this research yielded an innovative T cell marker gene-based signature with remarkable potential to prognosis and anticipate immunotherapeutic outcomes in LUAD patients.
The Effects of Newborn Early Discharge on Hospital Readmissions

The objective of this study is to determine the effects of early newborn hospital discharge policy on hospital readmission for Medicaid infants. It is a multiple year, retrospective study in which early hospital discharges were followed using Medicaid claims data to determine the rate of readmissions for newborns during 1989- 1992, the years in which this policy became widespread in Maryland. Analysis compares early discharges, using χ2 tests, and calculates odds ratios to estimate the risk of readmissions. Our results found significant increases in early discharges for Medicaid newborns over time among sick newborns. The odds of readmissions for nor mal babies discharged early were about the same as for those kept longer, but for sick babies discharged early they were significantly greater, especially during the early study years. Findings from this natural experi ment indicate that early discharge of Medicaid new borns with physical problems increases their likelihood of readmissions. Careful attention to the needs of these higher risk infants must be a part of any hospital or managed care program implementing early discharge policy.
Uniform color scales.

Judgments of relative magnitudes of color differences exhibited by 128 selected nearest-neighbor pairs of 59 colored tiles were recorded by 49 to 76 observers, all of whom had normal color vision. Scale values that represent the perceived magnitudes of the color differences were obtained by statistical analysis of their reports. From colorimetric specifications of the tiles, formulas have been devised that define a three-dimensional euclidean space in which the distances between the points that represent the colors correlate reasonably well with the reported magnitudes of the perceived color differences. Lattice points of a regular rhombohedral crystal in that space have been used to specify about 500 colors that are being made for distribution by the Optical Society. Because of the manner of selection of those colors, each except the most saturated of the chosen colors will exhibit equal magnitudes of color difference from 12 others. About 2500 equally noticeable color differences can be exhibited by suitable arrangements of those colors. Each except the most saturated of the colors can be arranged in six different series. Each of those series exhibits from three to ten color differences, all of equal magnitude. Such a series of colors, which exhibits equal color differences is known as a uniform color scale. Provision of a set of colors with which the maximum possible number and variety of uniform color scales can be constructed was the goal of the Optical Society Committee on Uniform Color Scales, of which this is a report.
Emerging approaches for histone deacetylase inhibitor drug discovery

Introduction: Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are key players in the mediation of gene expression for both cancerous and noncancerous malignancies. Overexpression of these enzymes has been demonstrated in numerous types of cancer with some enzyme isoforms also involved in neurological, inflammatory and viral pathologies. Hence, the development of HDAC inhibitors (HDACis) represents a promising approach for their treatment. Numerous chemical entities have been studied in the recent years and some of them have reached clinical trials. Areas covered: This review summarizes the recent efforts in the drug development of HDACis and their potential application as therapeutic agents in cancerous, neurological, inflammatory and viral diseases. Expert opinion: The development of novel potent and selective HDACis is ongoing. However, increased scientific effort is needed to aid the fight of specific types of cancerous or noncancerous disease with more selective agents required to avoid side effects during therapy. An interesting therapeutic approach is the use of HDACis in combination with other epigenetic target modulators to combine their therapeutic potential for a synergistic effect.
POTENTIAL PATHOGENS AMONG STRAINS OF MYCOBACTERIA ISOLATED FROM HOUSE‐DUSTS

One hundred and five strains of mycobacteria isolated from house‐dust are identified with the aid of biochemical tests. It is found that more than half the strains belong to a group which is frequently implicated in tuberculosis‐like disease in man. These findings give more credence to the suggestion that our environment may be the source of disease‐associated strains of atypical mycobacteria.
Comprehensive Mutational Analysis of Yeast DEXD/H Box RNA Helicases Involved in Large Ribosomal Subunit Biogenesis

ABSTRACT DEXD/H box putative RNA helicases are required for pre-rRNA processing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, although their exact roles and substrates are unknown. To characterize the significance of the conserved motifs for helicase function, a series of five mutations were created in each of the eight essential RNA helicases (Has1, Dbp6, Dbp10, Mak5, Mtr4, Drs1, Spb4, and Dbp9) involved in 60S ribosomal subunit biogenesis. Each mutant helicase was screened for the ability to confer dominant negative growth defects and for functional complementation. Different mutations showed different degrees of growth inhibition among the helicases, suggesting that the conserved regions do not function identically in vivo. Mutations in motif I and motif II (the DEXD/H box) often conferred dominant negative growth defects, indicating that these mutations do not interfere with substrate binding. In addition, mutations in the putative unwinding domains (motif III) demonstrated that conserved amino acids are often not essential for function. Northern analysis of steady-state RNA from strains expressing mutant helicases showed that the dominant negative mutations also altered pre-rRNA processing. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments indicated that some RNA helicases associated with each other. In addition, we found that yeasts disrupted in expression of the two nonessential RNA helicases, Dbp3 and Dbp7, grew worse than when either one alone was disrupted.
Hemiparetic Stepping to the Beat: Asymmetric Response to Metronome Phase Shift During Treadmill Gait

Background. Walking in time with a metronome is associated with improved spatiotemporal parameters in hemiparetic gait; however, the mechanism linking auditory and motor systems is poorly understood. Objective. Hemiparetic cadence control with metronome synchronization was examined to determine specific influences of metronome timing on treadmill walking. Methods. A within-participant experiment examined correction processes used to maintain heel strike synchrony with the beat by applying perturbations to the timing of a metronome. Eight chronic hemiparetic participants (mean age = 70 years; standard deviation = 12) were required to synchronize heel strikes with metronome pulses set according to each individual’s comfortable speed (mean 0.4 m/s). During five 100-pulse trials, a fixed-phase baseline was followed by 4 unpredictable metronome phase shifts (20% of the interpulse interval), which amounted to 10 phase shifts on each foot. Infrared cameras recorded the motion of bilateral heel markers at 120 Hz. Relative asynchrony between heel strike responses and metronome pulses was used to index compensation for metronome phase shifts. Results. Participants demonstrated compensation for phase shifts with convergence back to pre—phase shift asynchrony. This was significantly slower when the error occurred on the nonparetic side (requiring initial correction with the paretic limb) compared with when the error occurred on the paretic side (requiring initial nonparetic correction). Conclusions . Although phase correction of gait is slowed when the phase shift is delivered to the nonparetic side compared with the paretic side, phase correction is still present. This may underlie the utility of rhythmic auditory cueing in hemiparetic gait rehabilitation.
Autotaxin Stabilizes Blood Vessels and Is Required for Embryonic Vasculature by Producing Lysophosphatidic Acid*

Autotaxin (ATX) is a cancer-associated motogen that has multiple biological activities in vitro through the production of bioactive small lipids, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). ATX and LPA are abundantly present in circulating blood. However, their roles in circulation remain to be solved. To uncover the physiological role of ATX we analyzed ATX knock-out mice. In ATX-null embryos, early blood vessels appeared to form properly, but they failed to develop into mature vessels. As a result ATX-null mice are lethal around embryonic day 10.5. The phenotype is much more severe than those of LPA receptor knock-out mice reported so far. In cultured allantois explants, neither ATX nor LPA was angiogenic. However, both of them helped to maintain preformed vessels by preventing disassembly of the vessels that was not antagonized by Ki16425, an LPA receptor antagonist. In serum from heterozygous mice both lysophospholipase D activity and LPA level were about half of those from wild-type mice, showing that ATX is responsible for the bulk of LPA production in serum. The present study revealed a previously unassigned role of ATX in stabilizing vessels through novel LPA signaling pathways.