Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spanish Captives in North Africa in the Early Modern Age

Spain in the sixteenth century was the dominant European power. Yet, along the coasts, Spanish farmers and fishermen lived in constant fear, the victims of regular kidnapping raids by North African corsairs. In this detailed study, Ellen G. Friedman examines this undeclared state of siege that would continue for two hundred years and perpetuate the centuries-old struggle of Christianity and Islam. Drawing on original archival sources, anecdotal materials, and computer analysis, she vividly documents the North African dependence on Spanish hostages, the experiences of Christian captives, and the officially-sanctioned efforts to free them. The result is a fresh perspective on Spain in its Golden Age, and a seminal study of European slaves in Africa.
Purification of GSK-3 by affinity chromatography on immobilized axin.

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3), an element of the Wnt signalling pathway, plays a key role in numerous cellular processes including cell proliferation, embryonic development, and neuronal functions. It is directly involved in diseases such as cancer (by controlling apoptosis and the levels of beta-catenin and cyclin D1), Alzheimer's disease (tau hyperphosphorylation), and diabetes (as a downstream element of insulin action, GSK-3 regulates glycogen and lipid synthesis). We describe here a rapid and efficient method for the purification of GSK-3 by affinity chromatography on an immobilized fragment of axin. Axin is a docking protein which interacts with GSK-3ss, beta-catenin, phosphatase 2A, and APC. A polyhistidine-tagged axin peptide (residues 419-672) was produced in Escherichia coli and either immobilized on Ni-NTA agarose beads or purified and immobilized on CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B. These "Axin-His6" matrices were found to selectively bind recombinant rat GSK-3 beta and native GSK-3 from yeast, sea urchin embryos, and porcine brain. The affinity-purified enzymes displayed high kinase activity. This single step purification method provides a convenient tool to follow the status of GSK-3 (protein level, phosphorylation state, kinase activity) under various physiological settings. It also provides a simple and efficient way to purify large amounts of active recombinant or native GSK-3 for screening purposes.
Aspirin Use and Miscarriage Risk

Background: Recent research has found nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, including aspirin, to increase the risk of miscarriage. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the association between aspirin use and miscarriage. Methods: We conducted a case–control study using data from the Collaborative Perinatal Project. This prospective cohort study recruited approximately 54,000 pregnant women at 12 sites in the United States from 1959 to 1965. Women who had miscarriages (n = 542) were matched by clinic and time in pregnancy when they came under observation to 2587 women who had live births. Participants were interviewed at each prenatal visit. Data on aspirin use were collected prospectively by in-person interviews and medical record review. Aspirin use among controls was considered only for the duration of pregnancy when the matched cases remained pregnant. The outcome of interest was miscarriage, defined as spontaneous pregnancy loss at less than 140 days from the last menstrual period. Results: Twenty-nine percent of cases and 34% of controls used aspirin during pregnancy. Aspirin use was not associated with an increased risk of miscarriage. Adjusted odds ratios ranged from 0.64 to 0.92 (95% confidence intervals = 0.48–1.38) for individual lunar months and combinations of lunar months. Conclusions: Use of aspirin during pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of miscarriage.
ASSESSING VASCULAR REACTIVITY OF ARTERIES IN THE SMALL VESSEL MYOGRAPH

1. Using a small vessel myograph, experiments were performed on rat small mesenteric arteries (and in some cases dog small coronary arteries) to assess the dependence of vasoconstrictor potency (EC50) and maximum response (Emax) on the initial passive conditions and on the mode of recording (i.e. isometric, isobaric or isotonic).
Translational Silencing of Ceruloplasmin Requires the Essential Elements of mRNA Circularization: Poly(A) Tail, Poly(A)-Binding Protein, and Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4G

ABSTRACT Ceruloplasmin (Cp) is a glycoprotein secreted by the liver and monocytic cells and probably plays roles in inflammation and iron metabolism. We showed previously that gamma interferon (IFN-γ) induced Cp synthesis by human U937 monocytic cells but that the synthesis was subsequently halted by a transcript-specific translational silencing mechanism involving the binding of a cytosolic factor(s) to the Cp mRNA 3′ untranslated region (UTR). To investigate how protein interactions at the Cp 3′-UTR inhibit translation initiation at the distant 5′ end, we considered the “closed-loop” model of mRNA translation. In this model, the transcript termini are brought together by interactions of poly(A)-binding protein (PABP) with both the poly(A) tail and initiation factor eIF4G. The effect of these elements on Cp translational control was tested using chimeric reporter transcripts in rabbit reticulocyte lysates. The requirement for poly(A) was shown since the cytosolic inhibitor from IFN-γ-treated cells minimally inhibited the translation of a luciferase reporter upstream of the Cp 3′-UTR but almost completely blocked the translation of a transcript containing a poly(A) tail. Likewise, a requirement for poly(A) was shown for silencing of endogenous Cp mRNA. We considered the possibility that the cytosolic inhibitor blocked the interaction of PABP with the poly(A) tail or with eIF4G. We found that neither of these interactions were inhibited, as shown by immunoprecipitation of PABP followed by quantitation of the poly(A) tail by reverse transcription-PCR and of eIF4G by immunoblot analysis. We considered the alternate possibility that these interactions were required for translational silencing. When PABP was depleted from the reticulocyte lysate with anti-human PABP antibody, the cytosolic factor did not inhibit translation of the chimeric reporter, thus showing the requirement for PABP. Similarly, in lysates treated with anti-human eIF4G antibody, the cytosolic extract did not inhibit the translation of the chimeric reporter, thereby showing a requirement for eIF4G. These data show that translational silencing of Cp requires interactions of three essential elements of mRNA circularization, poly(A), PABP, and eIF4G. We suggest that Cp mRNA circularization brings the cytosolic Cp 3′-UTR-binding factor into the proximity of the translation initiation site, where it silences translation by an undetermined mechanism. These results suggest that in addition to its important function in increasing the efficiency of translation, transcript circularization may serve as an essential structural determinant for transcript-specific translational control.
Impaired left-ventricular function in insulin-dependent diabetic patients with increased urinary albumin excretion.

Cardiac function was studied in 30 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Three groups, matched for age and diabetes duration, were defined as: group I (n = 10), normal urinary albumin excretion less than 30 mg 24 h-1; group II (n = 10), incipient diabetic nephropathy (urinary albumin excretion in the range of 30-300 mg 24 h-1); and group III (n = 10), clinical diabetic nephropathy (urinary albumin excretion greater than 300 mg 24 h-1). Ten non-diabetic subjects matched for sex and age served as controls. The left-ventricular end-diastolic volume measured by radionuclide cardiography was, at rest and during exercise, lower in group II and III compared with controls (p less than 0.05), while intermediate values were found in group I. The cardiac output was similar in the control group and group I; it was reduced, but not significantly so (p = 0.10), in group III and was significantly lower in group II (p less than 0.05). Stroke volume was also lower in group II and III than in controls (p less than 0.05), but not so in group I. These differences could not be explained by differences in metabolic control, blood pressure, blood volume status, degree of autonomic neuropathy or frequency of coronary heart disease. Our results might suggest that insulin-dependent diabetic patients with slightly but persistently elevated urinary albumin excretion have reduced diastolic compliance of the left-ventricle leading to impaired cardiac performance. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Lawyers, legal executives and competing claims for professional jurisdiction : a study of professional organisations and occupational roles within a legal marketplace in transition

LAWYERS, LEGAL EXECUTIVES AND COMPETING CLAIMS FOR PROFESSIONAL JURISDICTION: A STUDY OF PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND OCCUPATIONAL ROLES WITHIN A LEGAL MARKETPLACE IN TRANSITION This thesis considers the relationship that solicitors maintain with their auxiliary profession legal executives, and the strategies the professional associations seek to invoke to enable them to keep abreast of a changing legal marketplace. Recent years have seen considerable changes in the way that legal services are delivered and who delivers them. These shifts have taken place because of pressure from two powerful forces; the state and the market. Socio-legal research in the past has tended to focus on the traditional legal profession (and in particular solicitors), however external changes within any professional jurisdiction (such as legal service delivery) can prompt shifts in that system of professions. This changed situation within contemporary legal practice has presented legal executives with significant opportunities to further their, freshly energised, professional project. This thesis will examine how far ILEX has been able to take advantage of these opportunities and exploit them. The changes in legal services that have occurred, represent considerable challenges to the vision of a lead profession with strong homogeneity, powerful autonomy over its jurisdiction, a settled and independent relationship with the state and exclusive rights to use its knowledge base. The way in which the Law Society and ILEX respond to these challenges will be important in helping us understand the role of a professional association within an increasingly fluid legal marketplace. Furthermore, the thesis is seeking to address the relevance of the 'power theories' to explain the position of a legal profession stripped of many of the traditional strategies available to classic
Ultrasounds in small rodents: arousal-produced and arousal-producing.

Recent interpretations of ultrasonic signaling by infant and adult rodents have emphasized the quality of the eliciting stimuli and acoustical parameters of the vocalizations. Infant calls have been hypothesized as being of 2 types: coldelicited and tactually elicited. Adult calls have been hypothesized as reflecting 2 distinct messages: aggressiveness and submission. These interpretations lack an adequate empirical foundation. Further, they suppose a capability of encoding and decoding vocal information by rodents for which no empirically established basis exists. An alternative explanation of both infantile and adult ultrasounds is offered. The proposed model hypothesizes that these vocalizations reflect a state of arousal and that they produce a similar state in nearby animals.
Subclinical hypothyroidism: Should we treat?

Subclinical hypothyroidism (also known as compensated hypothyroidism or mild hypothyroidism) is a condition associated with a raised serum concentration of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) but a normal serum free thyroxine (FT4). It is common, affecting about 10% of women above the age of 55 years. Autoimmunity is the commonest cause of subclinical hypothyroidism. About 2.5% of patients with subclinical hypothyroidism progress to clinically overt hypothyroidism each year; the rate of progression is higher in patients with thyroid autoantibodies and higher thyroid stimulating hormone levels. However, thyroid function normalises spontaneously in up to 40% cases. Only a small minority of patients with subclinical hypothyroidism have symptoms, and the evidence to support that levothyroxine ameliorate the symptoms in these patients is weak. Subclinical hypothyroidism in younger patients (<65 years) is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, heart failure and cerebrovascular disease. The risk increases with increasing levels of thyroid stimulating hormone, and is particularly high in patients with TSH levels ≥10.0 mu/L. There is lack of evidence from randomised controlled trials as to whether levothyroxine treatment can prevent these risks, although a large observational study of the UK general practice research database has shown that levothyroxine may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease in younger patients (<70 years). Therefore, the decision whether to treat or not to treat subclinical hypothyroidism should be made after careful consideration of the patient’s age, the presence of symptoms, the presence of thyroid antibodies and other risk factors such as cardiovascular disease.
Biochemical investigation of the effects of human platelet releasates on human articular chondrocytes

The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the mitogenic and differentiating properties of platelet‐rich plasma releasates (PRPr) on human chondrocytes in mono‐ and three‐dimensional cultures. In order to assess if PRPr supplementation could maintain the chondrocyte phenotype or at least inhibit the cell de‐differentiation even after several days in culture, we performed a proteomic study on several cell cultures independently grown, for different periods of time, in culture medium with FCS, human serum (HS), and releasates obtained from PRP and platelet‐poor plasma (PPP). We found that PRP treatment actually induced in chondrocytes the expression of proteins (some of which novel) involved in differentiation. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 1153–1165, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping and R2* Measured Changes during White Matter Lesion Development in Multiple Sclerosis: Myelin Breakdown, Myelin Debris Degradation and Removal, and Iron Accumulation

The authors characterized lesion changes on quantitative susceptibility mapping and R2* at various gadoliniumenhancementstages (nodular, shell-like, nonenhancing) in 64 patients with 203 lesions. They found that: 1) active MS lesions with nodular enhancement show R2* decrease but no quantitative susceptibility mapping change; 2) late active lesions with peripheral enhancement show R2* decrease and quantitative susceptibility mappingincrease in the lesion center; and 3) nonenhancing lesions show both quantitative susceptibility mapping and R2* increase, reflecting iron accumulation. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Quantitative susceptibility mapping and R2* are sensitive to myelin and iron changes in multiple sclerosis lesions. This study was designed to characterize lesion changes on quantitative susceptibility mapping and R2* at various gadolinium-enhancement stages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 64 patients with MS with different enhancing patterns in white matter lesions: nodular, shell-like, nonenhancing < 1 year old, and nonenhancing 1–3 years old. These represent acute, late acute, early chronic, and late chronic lesions, respectively. Susceptibility values measured on quantitative susceptibility mapping and R2* values were compared among the 4 lesion types. Their differences were assessed with a generalized estimating equation, controlling for Expanded Disability Status Scale score, age, and disease duration. RESULTS: We analyzed 203 lesions: 80 were nodular-enhancing, of which 77 (96.2%) were isointense on quantitative susceptibility mapping; 33 were shell-enhancing, of which 30 (90.9%) were hyperintense on quantitative susceptibility mapping; and 49 were nonenhancing lesions < 1 year old and 41 were nonenhancing lesions 1–3 years old, all of which were hyperintense on quantitative susceptibility mapping. Their relative susceptibility/R2* values were 0.5 ± 4.4 parts per billion/−5.6 ± 2.9 Hz, 10.2 ± 5.4 parts per billion/−8.0 ± 2.6 Hz, 20.2 ± 7.8 parts per billion/−3.1 ± 2.3 Hz, and 33.2 ± 8.2 parts per billion/−2.0 ± 2.6 Hz, respectively, and were significantly different (P < .005). CONCLUSIONS: Early active MS lesions with nodular enhancement show R2* decrease but no quantitative susceptibility mapping change, reflecting myelin breakdown; late active lesions with peripheral enhancement show R2* decrease and quantitative susceptibility mapping increase in the lesion center, reflecting further degradation and removal of myelin debris; and early or late chronic nonenhancing lesions show both quantitative susceptibility mapping and R2* increase, reflecting iron accumulation.
Mercerized mesoporous date pit activated carbon—A novel adsorbent to sequester potentially toxic divalent heavy metals from water

A substantive approach converting waste date pits to mercerized mesoporous date pit activated carbon (DPAC) and utilizing it in the removal of Cd(II), Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) was reported. In general, rapid heavy metals adsorption kinetics for Co range: 25–100 mg/L was observed, accomplishing 77–97% adsorption within 15 min, finally, attaining equilibrium in 360 min. Linear and non-linear isotherm studies revealed Langmuir model applicability for Cd(II) and Pb(II) adsorption, while Freundlich model was fitted to Zn(II) and Cu(II) adsorption. Maximum monolayer adsorption capacities (qm) for Cd(II), Pb(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) obtained by non-linear isotherm model at 298 K were 212.1, 133.5, 194.4, and 111 mg/g, respectively. Kinetics modeling parameters showed the applicability of pseudo-second-order model. The activation energy (Ea) magnitude revealed physical nature of adsorption. Maximum elution of Cu(II) (81.6%), Zn(II) (70.1%), Pb(II) (96%), and Cd(II) (78.2%) were observed with 0.1 M HCl. Thermogravimetric analysis of DPAC showed a total weight loss (in two-stages) of 28.3%. Infra-red spectral analysis showed the presence of carboxyl and hydroxyl groups over DPAC surface. The peaks at 820, 825, 845 and 885 cm-1 attributed to Zn–O, Pb–O, Cd–O, and Cu–O appeared on heavy metals saturated DPAC, confirmed their binding on DPAC during the adsorption.
Rates of progression in mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer’s disease

Objective To compare rates of progression in the very mildest stages of AD, including the stage currently identified as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and to identify predictors of those rates. MethodsDemented (n = 289) and nondemented (n = 230) individuals enrolled in longitudinal studies at an Alzheimer Disease Research Center received annual clinical and psychometric examinations for up to 20 years. In order of increasing dementia severity, demented individuals were diagnosed with incipient, very mild, or mild dementia; the incipient stage is equivalent to MCI. Outcome measures included death, nursing home placement, and psychometric scores. Results Rate of progression increased with dementia severity as staged by the Clinical Dementia Rating at entry into the study. With respect to the dichotomous outcomes, the increase with dementia severity was more dramatic for the endpoint of nursing home entry than it was for the endpoint of death. Increased rates of cognitive decline with increased dementia severity were also obtained for psychometric scores. There was limited evidence of other predictors of progression. Conclusions The lack of effective predictors of the rate of dementia progression extends to the very earliest stages of the disease, including what is often called MCI. A new approach to the identification of correlates of rates of progression is needed.
Expressions of Rock Joint Roughness Coefficient Using Neutrosophic Interval Statistical Numbers

In nature, the mechanical properties of geological bodies are very complex, and their various mechanical parameters are vague, incomplete, imprecise, and indeterminate. However, we cannot express them by the crisp values in classical probability and statistics. In geotechnical engineering, we need to try our best to approximate exact values in indeterminate environments because determining the joint roughness coefficient (JRC) effectively is a key parameter in the shear strength between rock joint surfaces. In this original study, we first propose neutrosophic interval probability (NIP) and define the confidence degree based on the cosine measure between NIP and the ideal NIP. Then, we propose a new neutrosophic interval statistical number (NISN) by combining the neutrosophic number with the confidence degree to express indeterminate statistical information. Finally, we apply NISNs to express JRC under indeterminate (imprecise, incomplete, and uncertain, etc.) environments. By an actual case, the results demonstrate that NISNs are suitable and effective for JRC expressions and have the objective advantage.
Cell cycle distribution, cellular viability and mRNA expression of hGCase‐gene‐transfected cells in dairy goat

Nuclear transfer using transgenic donor cells is an efficient way of generating transgenic goats, wherein the preparation of competent transgenic donor cells is the pivotal upstream step. We have measured the efficiency of transfection with a plasmid containing hGCase (human lysosomal acid β‐glucosidase) gene into goat FFC (fetal‐derived fibroblast cells), MEC (mammary epithelial cells) and AEFC (adult ear skin‐derived fibroblast cells), and the characteristics of cell cycle, apoptosis and chromosome abnormalities after transfection. The expression of genes involved in imprinting [IGF2 (insulin‐like growth factor 2), IGF2R (IGF2 receptor)], apoptosis (Bax), stress (heat‐shock protein, Hsp70.1), cellular connections [Cx43 (connexin 43)] and DNA methylation [DNMT1 (DNA methyltransferase 1)] in transgenic fetal cells has been investigated. The hGCase transgene was successfully detected in the transfected cell lines, and chromosomal stability remained similar in FFC and transgenic FFC (70.9 compared with 66.8%), whereas a smaller percentage (P<0.05) of cells at G0/G1 in the transgenic FFC, MEC and AEFC (T‐FFC, T‐MEC and T‐AEFC), and higher percentage (P<0.05) of apoptotic cells in T‐FFC than the non‐transfected controls were detected by flow cytometric analysis. Among the genes tested, the relative expressions of IGF2, IGF2R and transcripts of Cx43 were significantly higher (P<0.05) in T‐FFC compared with non‐transfected FFC. These novel findings on gene expression in transgenic fetal cells may have certain implications in the biopharming industry and in our understanding the low efficiency of transgenic cloning.