Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using Animation as an Information Tool to Advance Health Research Literacy among Minority Participants

Lack of adequate consumer health information about clinical research contributes to health disparities among low health literate minority multicultural populations and requires appropriate methods for making information accessible. Enhancing understanding of health research can enable such minority multicultural consumers to make informed, active decisions about their own health and research participation. This qualitative study examines the effectiveness and acceptability of an animated video to enhance what we call health research literacy among minority multicultural populations. A team analyzed the transcripts of 58 focus groups of African Americans, Latinos, Native Hawaiians, and Filipinos in Los Angeles/Hawaii. Participants were accepting of animation and the video's cultural appropriateness. Communicating information about health research via animation improved participants' ability to identify personal information-gaps, engage in meaningful community-level dialogue, and ask questions about health research.
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism in intron 4 affects the progression of renal failure in non-diabetic renal diseases.

BACKGROUND Nitric oxide is a very potent regulator of intrarenal haemodynamics and is thought to be an important factor in the deterioration of renal function. Our study sought to verify the hypothesis that endothelial nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) gene polymorphism in intron 4 might have some relevance to progression in chronic renal failure. METHODS We studied the frequencies of gene polymorphism of ecNOS intron 4 in patients with end-stage renal disease (302 cases) and compared it with that of healthy subjects (248 cases). ecNOS genotypes were determined by the polymerase chain reaction, followed by agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS Two alleles of ecNOS intron 4, labelled a and b could be detected; a has four and b has five tandem 27-bp repeats. The frequencies of ecNOS4b/b, ecNOS4b/a, ecNOS4a/a genotypes were 81.0% (201/248), 19. 0% (47/248), 0.0% (0/248) in the control group, and 74.8% (226/302), 23.5% (71/302), l.7% (5/302) in all the patients, 72.7% (168/231), 25.1% (58/231), 2.2% (5/231) in the group with end-stage renal diseases, excluding diabetic nephropathy (non-DM group), and 81.7% (58/71), 18.3% (13/71), 0.0% (0/71) in diabetic nephropathy (DM group) respectively. The frequency of the ecNOS4a (ecNOSb/a, and ecNOSa/a) in all the patients and in the non-DM group were significantly higher than that in the control group (P=0.021; P=0. 0096 respectively). In contrast, there was no significant difference in the frequencies of ecNOS genotypes between the DM group and the control group (P=0.81). CONCLUSION Among the frequencies of ecNOS intron 4 gene polymorphism, a allele displayed a significantly higher frequency in cases with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) not caused by diabetic nephropathy. ecNOS gene polymorphism in intron 4 appears, therefore, to affect the progression of renal failure in non- diabetic renal diseases, but the same conclusion could not be drawn in diabetic nephropathy.
Inhibition of COX‐2‐mediated eicosanoid production plays a major role in the anti‐inflammatory effects of the endocannabinoid N‐docosahexaenoylethanolamine (DHEA) in macrophages

N‐docosahexaenoylethanolamine (DHEA) is the ethanolamine conjugate of the long‐chain polyunsaturated n‐3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic (DHA; 22: 6n‐3). Its concentration in animal tissues and human plasma increases when diets rich in fish or krill oil are consumed. DHEA displays anti‐inflammatory properties in vitro and was found to be released during an inflammatory response in mice. Here, we further examine possible targets involved in the immune‐modulating effects of DHEA.
The Perceived Social Impacts of the EuroBasket 2013 on Koper Residents

Major sporting events cause many socio-cultural impacts (positive and negative) that go beyond the scope of events and, consequently, affect a variety of aspects of relations of the local community (Cornelissen & Swart, 2006). This study analysed Koper residents’ perceptions of socio-cultural impacts on the biggest European sporting event in 2013, EuroBasket 2013. A total of 746 responses were collected, the results of which showed that respondents highly ranked positive cultural impacts, such as exchanges between tourists and residents, opportunities to learn about other cultures and better understanding of other nationalities. Negative social impacts caused by major sporting event, such us crime, vandalism and prostitution were ranked low by the respondents. In contrast, respondents identified traffic congestion and parking issues as highly ranked adverse social impacts caused by EuroBasket 2013. Additionally, the extent to which the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents, such as the length of residence in town, living close to the centre of the event, the sport-activity of residents, gender, economic status, education and age, may affect residents’ perceptions was also investigated. Based on the results, a future investigation on sport active residents as potential spectators and users of sport infrastructure is recommended. This study will also contribute to filling the research gap and allow further understanding of the nature of socio-cultural impacts caused by specific events and specific host destinations.
Volatile oil contents of ashe and redberry juniper and its relationship to preference by Angora and Spanish goats.

Angora and Spanish goats (Capra bircus) were exposed to ashe (Juniperus ashei Buchholz) female, ashe male, redberry (Juniperus pinchotti Sudw.) female and redberry male branches in cafeteria style feeding trials. Preferences were consistent across seasons (except winter). Spanish goats generally consumed more juniper than Angoras. Both breeds preferred ashe over redberry juniper and female over male plants. Concentrations of volatile oils varied significantly between species of juniper and among seasons, but not between sexes. Concentrations of total oils were greater in the spring and summer than in the fall and winter. Concentrations of sabinine+beta-pinene were greater in redberry than ashe for all seasons. Concentrations of myrcene were significantly greater for redberry during the spring and summer. Significant correlation of oil concentration with grams of juniper consumed indicated that specific oils were influencing preference for juniper. Correlations were similar for Angora and Spanish goats, indicating no differences between goat breeds in sensitivity to oils.
Antibodies to Viruses and to Pancreatic Islets in Nondiabetic and Insulkin-dependent Diabetic Patients

Autoimmunity is frequently involved in the pathogenesis of insulin-dependent diabetes, and viral infections have been implicated in some cases. We have investigated the possibility that islet cells and viruses share antigenic determinants with the result that antiviral antibodies would cross-react with islet cells. Antibody titers to Coxsackie B2, B3, B4, and B5, Influenza A and B, and mumps viruses were compared with islet cell antibody (ICA) titers in newly diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetic patients and in some diabetic patients followed prospectively for 1 yr postdiagnosis. Nondiabetic patients, with cultureproven Coxsackie B4 infections and large rises in Coxsackie B4 antibody titers, were evaluated for islet cell antibodies. No relationship between ICA and viral antibody titers was found either in diabetic or nondiabetic patients. We conclude that it is unlikely that islet cells and the viruses tested share antigenic determinants and other mechanisms relating viral infection and autoimmunity in insulin-dependent diabetes must be sought.
Lysophosphatidic acid‐regulated mitogenic ERK signaling in androgen‐insensitive prostate cancer PC‐3 cells

Advanced and recurrent prostate tumors contain elevated levels of activated extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK) in comparison to early‐stage or benign specimens, and inhibition of ERK activation attenuates growth factor‐dependent proliferation of prostate cells, suggesting a potential regulatory role for ERK in prostate tumorigenesis. Factors responsible for ERK activation in prostate cells are not well defined. Here, we show positive cooperative interaction between the G protein‐coupled lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and tyrosine kinase epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors in androgen‐insensitive prostate cancer PC‐3 cells. Pre‐treatment of the PC‐3 cells with LPA decreases the dose of EGF required to elicit maximal activation of EGFR. Furthermore, treatment with LPA alone induces the rapid (maximal signal within 2 min) tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR, and subsequent (maximal signal after 5 min) activation of ERK, suggesting that EGFR activation precedes ERK phosphorylation and may constitute a required component for signal relay from the LPA receptor to ERK. Accordingly, we show that inhibition of EGFR kinase activity attenuates the LPA‐regulated ERK activation. In addition, we find that the LPA‐regulated tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR and activation of ERK are attenuated by batimastat, a generic inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP). However, unlike the situation in fibroblasts, we find that the LPA‐induced transactivation of EGFR in PC‐3 cells is not mediated by shedding of heparin‐binding EGF. Together, our data show that LPA and EGF cooperate to induce mitogenic signaling in prostate cancer cells in an MMP‐regulated activation of the ERK pathway. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Topoisomerase 1 provokes the formation of short deletions in repeated sequences upon high transcription in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

High transcription is associated with genetic instability, notably increased spontaneous mutation rates, which is a phenomenon termed Transcription-Associated-Mutagenesis (TAM). In this study, we investigated TAM using the chromosomal CAN1 gene under the transcriptional control of two strong and inducible promoters (pGAL1 and pTET) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Both pTET- and pGAL1-driven high transcription at the CAN1 gene result in enhanced spontaneous mutation rates. Comparison of both promoters reveals differences in the type of mutagenesis, except for short (−2 and −3 nt) deletions, which depend only on the level of transcription. This mutation type, characteristic of TAM, is sequence dependent, occurring prefentially at di- and trinucleotides repeats, notably at two mutational hotspots encompassing the same 5′-ACATAT-3′ sequence. To explore the mechanisms underlying the formation of short deletions in the course of TAM, we have determined CanR mutation spectra in yeast mutants affected in DNA metabolism. We identified topoisomerase 1-deficient strains (top1Δ) that specifically abolish the formation of short deletions under high transcription. The rate of the formation of (−2/−3nt) deletions is also reduced in the absence of RAD1 and MUS81 genes, involved in the repair of Top1p–DNA covalent complex. Furthermore ChIP analysis reveals an enrichment of trapped Top1p in the CAN1 ORF under high transcription. We propose a model, in which the repair of trapped Top1p–DNA complexes provokes the formation of short deletion in S. cerevisiae. This study reveals unavoidable conflicts between Top1p and the transcriptional machinery and their potential impact on genome stability.
Characterization of the Thinnest Point of the Cornea Compared With the Central Corneal Thickness in Normal Subjects

Introduction: For ongoing progress in refractive surgery, exact knowledge about the anatomical properties of the cornea is useful. Thus, the aim of the study was to characterize the thinnest point of the cornea compared with the central corneal thickness in normal subjects and to investigate with regard to influencing factors such as sex, age, refraction, and intraocular pressure. Materials and methods: The central corneal thickness and the thinnest point of the cornea were determined with the Orbscan II in 390 white normal subjects. Difference between the 2 eyes, influence of sex, and measuring repetition accuracy were tested for statistical significance with t tests, and the influence of age was tested with nonparametrical test methods. Results: In the right eyes, the mean central corneal thickness was 548 ± 37 μm and the thinnest point 537 ± 37 μm. In the left eyes, the mean central corneal thickness was 547 ± 37 μm and the thinnest point 535 ± 39 μm. The difference between the central corneal thickness and the thinnest point was found to be significant in both eyes in paired t test (P > 0.001). No influence of sex, refraction, and intraocular pressure on the thickness of the thinnest point of the cornea could be observed. The difference between central corneal thickness and thickness at the thinnest point was not subject to a statistically significant influence of age. Conclusions: In the calculation of the residual corneal layer thickness in laser refractive surgery, the thinnest point of the cornea should form the basis.
Effects of 17β-estradiol and antioxidant administration on oxidative stress and insulin resistance in ovariectomized rats.

The prevalence of insulin resistance syndrome increases during menopause with the overproduction of reactive oxygen species and impairment of the free radical scavenger function. Therefore, we investigated the effects of 17β-estradiol (E(2)) and vitamin E, as an antioxidant, on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant levels in the brain cortex and liver of ovariectomized rats as well as on insulin resistance in those rats. Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats, 3 months of age and weighing 231.5 ± 9.4 g, were divided into 4 groups: sham, ovariectomized (OVX), OVX treated with E(2) (40 µg/kg subcutaneously), and OVX treated with E(2) and vitamin E (100 mg/kg intraperitoneally). The 4 groups received the appropriate treatment every day for 8 weeks. Levels of glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase , catalase, and malondialdehyde in the brain cortex and liver of ovariectomized rats were measured. Also, fasting plasma insulin, glucose, and homeostatis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were determined. Malondialdehyde increased and antioxidants (glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase) decreased in the brain cortex and liver of OVX rats. Also, fasting glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR increased in OVX rats. E(2) and E(2) plus vitamin E decreased malondialdehyde and increased antioxidants in the brain cortex and liver of OVX rats. Moreover, they decreased fasting glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR in ovariectomized rats. This study demonstrates that E(2) and E(2) plus vitamin E supplementation to OVX rats may improve insulin resistance, strengthen the antioxidant system, and reduce lipid peroxidation.
HLA-DRB Alleles and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Jamaicans

Background. The human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are associated with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and manifestations of SLE in different ethnic groups. Methods. A DNA-based HLA-typing method was used to determine alleles of HLA-DRB1, DRB3, DRB4 and DRB5 in Jamaican patients. A total of 70 patients and 100 control subjects were studied. Results. HLA-DRB3*01/03 was significantly associated with susceptibility to SLE, while DRB1*15/16 was associated with the presence of oral ulcers in patients with SLE. The haplotype DRB1*13/14-DRB3*01/03 was also more frequent in SLE patients. No other significant associations were found. Conclusion. The SLE HLA associations in Jamaicans differ from those in other black populations.
Minimum Inhibitory and Minimal Lethal Concentration against Chlamydia trachomatis Dependent on the Time of Addition and the Duration of the Presence of Antibiotics

The purpose of this study was to investigate the properties of several antimicrobial agents found to be effective against Chlamydia trachomatis and to verify the eradication therapy schedule. The in vitro activities of two quinolones (sparfloxacin, ofloxacin), of three macrolides (azithromycin, erythromycin, clarithromycin) and of a tetracycline (doxycycline) against C. trachomatis were evaluated by several methods for the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal lethal concentration (MLC). MLC of azithromycin was only 2 times higher than that of MIC. On the other hand, MLCs of other antibiotics were 4–16 times higher than their respective MICs. When all antimicrobial agents were added to the infected culture at different times, we found that the quinolones even at a concentration of 64 μg/ml could not inhibit the formation of inclusion if they were added after 20 h from the start of infection. The corresponding period for macrolides and doxycycline was 24 h. When the antibiotics were removed at 8 h after the start of the infection, all antibiotics except azithromycin and clarithromycin were needed at a concentration much higher than their MLCs to inhibit the formation of inclusion. We consider macrolides, especially azithromycin, to be an excellent anti-C. trachomatis drug because of its lower MICs and MLCs values which were also closer together.
Molecular Characterization of Prospectively Isolated Multipotent Mesenchymal Progenitors Provides New Insight into the Cellular Identity of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Mouse Bone Marrow

ABSTRACT Despite great progress in the identification of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from bone marrow (BM), our knowledge of their in vivo cellular identity remains limited. We report here that cells expressing the transcription factor Ebf2 in adult BM display characteristics of MSCs. The Ebf2+ cells are highly clonal and physiologically quiescent. In vivo lineage-tracing experiments, single cell clone transplantations, and in vitro differentiation assays revealed their self-renewal and multilineage differentiation capacity. Gene expression analysis of the freshly sorted Ebf2+ cells demonstrated the expression of genes previously reported to be associated with MSCs and the coexpression of multiple lineage-associated genes at the single-cell level. Thus, Ebf2 expression is not restricted to committed osteoblast progenitor cells but rather marks a multipotent mesenchymal progenitor cell population in adult mouse BM. These cells do not appear to completely overlap the previously reported MSC populations. These findings provide new insights into the in vivo cellular identity and molecular properties of BM mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells.
Nursing Home Transfers and Mean Length of Stay in the Prospective Payment Era

Under Medicare's Prospective Payment System (PPS), hospitals have incentives to discharge Medicare patients as quickly as medically feasible, but because of shortages of nursing home beds and differential long-term care arrangements, some hospitals may encounter difficulty placing patients in nursing homes, leading to hospital backup days. This study relied on Tobit and weighted least-squares analysis to examine the determinants of hospital mean length of stay and transfer rates to skilled and intermediate care homes for selected diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) with high levels of postacute service use. Hospitals in low bed supply areas were found to have proportionately fewer nursing home transfers and longer mean lengths of stay. Having swing beds or a long-term care unit led to speedier discharges and higher skilled nursing facility (SNF) transfers, especially for patients with hip or femur procedures or major joint and limb reattachment procedures (DRGs 209 and 210). The results suggest that Medicare should consider compensating hospitals for backup days and that bundled payment experiments could reduce current inequities resulting from differential access to nursing home care.
Phosphatidylethanolamine Is Required for Normal Cell Morphology and Cytokinesis in the Fission Yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

ABSTRACT To investigate the contributions of phosphatidylethanolamine to the growth and morphogenesis of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, we have characterized three predicted genes in this organism, designated psd1, psd2, and psd3, encoding phosphatidylserine decarboxylases, which catalyze the conversion of phosphatidylserine to phosphatidylethanolamine in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. S. pombe mutants carrying deletions in any one or two psd genes are viable in complex rich medium and synthetic defined minimal medium. However, mutants carrying deletions in all three psd genes (psd1-3Δ mutants) grow slowly in rich medium and are inviable in minimal medium, indicating that the psd1 to psd3 gene products share overlapping essential cellular functions. Supplementation of growth media with ethanolamine, which can be converted to phosphatidylethanolamine by the Kennedy pathway, restores growth to psd1-3Δ cells in minimal medium, indicating that phosphatidylethanolamine is essential for S. pombe cell growth. psd1-3Δ cells produce lower levels of phosphatidylethanolamine than wild-type cells, even in medium supplemented with ethanolamine, indicating that the Kennedy pathway can only partially compensate for the loss of phosphatidylserine decarboxylase activity in S. pombe. psd1-3Δ cells appear morphologically indistinguishable from wild-type S. pombe cells in medium supplemented with ethanolamine, but when cultured in nonsupplemented medium, they produce high frequencies of abnormally shaped cells as well as cells exhibiting severe septation defects, including multiple, mispositioned, deformed, and misoriented septa. Our results demonstrate that phosphatidylethanolamine is essential for cell growth and for normal cytokinesis and cellular morphogenesis in S. pombe, and they illustrate the usefulness of this model eukaryote for investigating potentially conserved biological and molecular functions of phosphatidylethanolamine.
The role of eye movements in lateralised word recognition

The present study examined the role of eye movements and attention in lateralised word recognition, where words and pseudowords are presented to the right or left of the fixation point, and participants are asked to decide whether or not the presented letter string is a word. In the move condition, our participants were instructed to launch a saccade towards the target letter string, which was erased from the screen after 100 ms (i.e., prior to the eyes reaching the target). It was assumed that a preparation of an eye movement simultaneously with an attention shift results in the attention being more readily allocated to the target. In the fixate condition, participants were asked to fixate on the central fixation point throughout the trial. The data on response accuracy demonstrated that word recognition in the LVF benefited from a preparation to make an eye movement, whereas the performance in the RVF did not benefit. The results are consistent with the attentional advantage account (Mondor & Bryden, 1992), according to which the performance deficit of RH for verbal stimuli may be overcome by orienting attention to the LVF prior to the presentation of a letter string.
2000 annual survey of journalism & mass communication graduates

American Society of Newspaper Editors Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication* Association of Schools of Journalism & Mass Communication Cox Newspapers Inc. Gannett Hearst Corporation John S. and James L. Knight Foundation* National Association of Broadcasters Newspaper Association of America Sigma Delta Chi Foundation of the Society of Professional Journalists Scripps Howard Foundation Specialized Information Publishers Foundation Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Georgia