Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence for a high free radical state in low-grade astrocytomas.

OBJECTIVE It is postulated that reactive oxygen species may play an inductive role in neuro-oncogenesis. However, data pertaining to the redox state of astrocytomas are limited, which prompted us to undertake this study. METHODS Intraoperative snap-frozen samples were obtained from the surface and core of 8 low-grade and 11 high-grade astrocytomas. Small portions of each specimen were fixed in 10% neutral formalin or cacodylate-buffered glutaraldehyde. Lipid peroxidation was estimated by measuring thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, and total glutathione levels were determined. Light microscopy was performed to define the relevant histopathology, and electron microscopy was used to quantitate peroxisomal content. RESULTS Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance values for low-grade astrocytomas were significantly elevated compared to those for malignant lesions, as was the case for total glutathione. This discrepancy was especially marked at the tumor surface. Peroxisomes predominated in the low-grade category. CONCLUSION We speculate regarding malignant transformation as a possible consequence of this decline in antioxidant capacity, as well as regarding the role of seizures and astrocytoma glutamate receptors in the initiation of free radical cascades. The therapeutic and teleological implications are considerable.
Do 15-Month-Old Infants Understand False Beliefs?

For more than two decades, researchers have argued that young children do not understand mental states such as beliefs. Part of the evidence for this claim comes from preschoolers' failure at verbal tasks that require the understanding that others may hold false beliefs. Here, we used a novel nonverbal task to examine 15-month-old infants' ability to predict an actor's behavior on the basis of her true or false belief about a toy's hiding place. Results were positive, supporting the view that, from a young age, children appeal to mental states—goals, perceptions, and beliefs—to explain the behavior of others.
Cowbird responses to aircraft with lights tuned to their eyes: Implications for bird–aircraft collisions

ABSTRACT Collisions between birds and aircraft (bird strikes) are expensive, risk human lives, and increase bird mortality. Aircraft lighting has been proposed as a potential means of enhancing avian responses to aircraft. Determining the optimal changes to lighting to reduce bird strikes is a complicated problem because avian visual systems differ markedly from that of humans. Icteridae, including Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater; hereafter “cowbirds”), are involved in bird strikes, have a well-described visual system, and respond to approaching vehicles and lights. Our goal was to assess cowbirds' responses to a remote-controlled (RC) aircraft fitted with lights tuned to the cowbird eye. On the basis of perceptual modeling (i.e. visual physiology, object and background reflectance, and ambient light conditions), we found that 470-nm lights (“blue” portion of the human spectrum) would be the most conspicuous wavelength for cowbirds. We used field experiments to examine cowbird response to 470-nm light treatments. Cowbirds exhibited alert behaviors to a stationary RC aircraft with lights on (both continuous and pulsing) in less than half the time they took to do so with lights off. In response to an approaching RC aircraft, cowbird alert responses were delayed at higher aircraft speeds with the lights off, and we noted a less pronounced speed effect with pulsing lights. However, this interaction effect of aircraft speed and lighting was eliminated with continuous lights. Additionally, higher ambient noise levels delayed cowbirds' avoidance responses to the RC aircraft, possibly influencing cowbird behavior as a sensory distractor. We suggest that some types of lighting may enhance the birds' detection and visual tracking of aircraft at high speeds and, thus, holds some potential as a means of reducing the frequency of bird strikes. This sensory-based approach also has implications for management of other bird–object collision problems.
Experimental Bacteriophage Therapy Increases Survival of Galleria mellonella Larvae Infected with Clinically Relevant Strains of the Burkholderia cepacia Complex

ABSTRACT The Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) is a group of bacterial pathogens that are highly antibiotic resistant and associated with debilitating respiratory infections. Although bacteriophages of the BCC have been isolated and characterized, no studies have yet examined phage therapy against the BCC in vivo. In a caterpillar infection model, we show that BCC phage therapy is an alternative treatment possibility and is highly effective under specific conditions.
A Fundamental LOD-FDTD Method in Cylindrical Coordinates

An efficient implicit finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) algorithm in cylindrical coordinates is developed on the basis of a fundamental locally 1-D scheme. The Sherman–Morrison formula is introduced to treat a cyclic matrix and the image theory is utilized to impose the perfect electric conductor boundary condition. The effectiveness of the present method is investigated through the analysis of a metal disc-type terahertz surface wave splitter. The computation time is found to be reduced to less than half that of the explicit FDTD method, while maintaining a comparable accuracy.
Temperature changes during anesthesia and operations.

IT IS KNOWN that changes in body temperature occur during surgical operations with the patient under general anesthesia. Early investigations 1-3 demonstrated that the body temperature frequently fell by 0.5 to 1.5 C; reasons suggested for this finding were loss of body heat by radiation in cold operating rooms, 1,4 decrease in cellular oxidation, 5 cutaneous vasodilation, and decreased muscular activity. 6 It soon became apparent that hyperpyrexia could also occur during operations and in the immediate postoperative period. 7 Moschcowitz in 1916 8 and Cutting in 1931, 9 in a review of the literature, attributed hyperpyrexia during anesthesia to high ambient temperature and humidity frequently observed in operating rooms before the advent of air-conditioning. However, in the study by Clark and Orkin in 1954 10 patients showed a rise in body temperature at all ambient temperatures including those as low as 14.5 to 18 C (58 to 64 F). The
Producers’ perceptions of public good agricultural practices and their pesticide use: The case of MyGAP for durian farming in Pahang, Malaysia

This paper investigates the local implementation of Malaysian public GAP standard called MyGAP by examining its effectiveness in raising the awareness and improving the pesticide use practices of participant small-scale farmers toward better food safety and quality assurance. For this objective, 19 MyGAP certified and 57 uncertified durian farms in the state of Pahang, Malaysia were surveyed. The research found that certified farm managers have a much better understanding of the basic intent of the policy than uncertified farms, reflecting the individually oriented interests and motivations of participant farmers in the national scheme. Their interests in and assessment of the merits of the scheme are found to concentrate in economic realms rather than in the original policy goal of food safety and quality assurance. As regards pesticide use practices, certified farms showed a much better performance than uncertified farms in record keeping and pesticide use and management. There remains a question, however, whether it is due to the farming practices improved through MyGAP adoption or due to the participation of farms already well-performing prior to MyGAP adoption.
Genetic and Electrophysiological Characteristics of Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis

Objectives: The aim was to present the workup of patients with acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) for genetic analysis and electrophysiological testing. Methods: Patients with ARP with unknown etiology were referred for genetic testing and evaluation of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductor regulator (CFTR) function by nasal potential difference (NPD) testing. Results: A total of 67 patients were evaluated. The mean age was 23 ± 17 years (median 17.0 years, range 1.5–72 years); 90% were Jewish and 10% Arab. Ten (15%) patients carried PRSS1 gene mutation (K23R(7), R122H(2), and D21A(1)). One patient had K172E/− (chymotrypsin C [CTRC]) mutation, 1 had I42M (serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1 [SPINK1])/V235I (CTRC) together with &Dgr;F508/5T, 1 patient had R67H (SPINK1)/V235I (CTRC), and 1 patient had V235I (CTRC)/−. Ten of 67 (15%) patients submitted for CFTR gene testing carried mutations (&Dgr;F508/L997F, &Dgr;F508/5T(11TG), W1282/5T(12TG), W1282X/Y1014C, &Dgr;F508/R31C, R117H/−, R117H/Y1014C, D1152H/−, 5T(11TG)/−, and L997F/−). Fifty-four (80%) patients underwent sweat testing. Of these, 5 had sweat chloride ≥60 mEq/L, and 22 patients had sweat chloride from 40 to 60 mEq/L. Of the 56 (83%) patients had nasal potential difference testing, 4 (6%) with abnormal results. Conclusions: One-third (34%) of patients with ARP carry mutations for hereditary pancreatitis including rare mutations (K23R), and 12.5% have evidence of cftr mutations and 10% had CFTR dysfunction underscoring the importance of genetic and functional workup of these patients.
Neoplastic transformation of a human bronchial epithelial cell line by a recombinant retrovirus encoding viral harvey ras

Activated ras oncogenes have previously been implicated in the pathogenesis of human lung carcinomas. A v‐Ha‐ras‐containing retrovirus, Zip‐ras, was generated by inserting the coding region of the v‐Ha‐ras oncogene into the Zip‐NeoSV(X) [Cepko et al., Cell 37:1053–1062, 1984] retroviral vector. Amphotrophic Zip‐ras retrovirus was used to infect an SV40 large T antigen‐positive immortalized cell line, BEAS‐2B, derived from normal bronchial epithelial cells, the predominant progenitor cells of human lung carcinomas. Zip‐ras—infected BEAS‐2B cells selected for G418 resistance formed anaplastic carcinomas in 12 of 15 athymic nude mice (latency 3 wk), whereas Zip‐NeoSV(X)—infected BEAS‐2B control cultures inoculated into 12 nude mice formed no tumors after a minimum of 7 mo. Tumor cell lines were established and demonstrated to be of human epithelial origin and to express v‐Ha‐ras p21 protein. A common feature of the tumor cell lines was an increase in ploidy. The increased efficiency of neoplastic transformation by v‐Ha‐ras of cell lines as compared with our previous results with normal bronchial epithelial cells [Yoakum et al., Science 227:1174–1179, 1985] is consistent with the hypothesis that the “immortalization” step is rate‐limiting in in vitro human epithelial cell carcinogenesis.
PYK 2 regulates SERCA 2 gene expression in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes

Heidkamp, Maria C. , Brian T. Scully, Kalpana Vijayan, Steven J. Engman, Erika L. Szotek, and Allen M. Samarel. PYK2 regulates SERCA2 gene expression in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 289: C471–C482, 2005. First published April 6, 2005; doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00130. 2005. —The nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2) has been implicated in cell signaling pathways involved in left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure, but its exact role has not been elucidated. In this study, replication-defective adenoviruses (Adv) encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged, wild-type (WT), and mutant forms of PYK2 were used to determine whether PYK2 overexpression activates MAPKs, and downregulates SERCA2 mRNA levels in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVM). PYK2 overexpression significantly decreased SERCA2 mRNA (as determined by Northern blot analysis and real-time RT-PCR) to 54 4% of Adv-GFP-infected cells 48 h after Adv infection. Adv-encoding kinase-deficient (KD) and Y402F phosphorylation-deficient mutants of PYK2 also significantly reduced SERCA2 mRNA (WT KD Y402F). Conversely, the PTK inhibitor PP2 (which blocks PYK2 phosphorylation by Src-family PTKs) significantly increased SERCA2 mRNA levels. PYK2 overexpression had no effect on ERK1/2, but increased JNK1/2 and p38 phosphorylation from fourfold to eightfold compared with GFP overexpression. Activation of both “stress-activated” protein kinase cascades appeared necessary to reduce SERCA2 mRNA levels. Adv-mediated overexpression of constitutively active (ca)MKK6 or caMKK7, which activated only p38 or JNKs, respectively, was not sufficient, whereas combined infection with both Adv reduced SERCA2 mRNA levels to 45 12% of control. WTPYK2 overexpression also significantly reduced SERCA2 promoter activity, as determined by transient transfection of a 3.8-kb SERCA2 promoter-luciferase construct. Thus a PYK2-dependent signaling cascade may have a role in abnormal cardiac Ca handling in left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure via downregulation of SERCA2 gene transcription.
The Sp1-like Protein BTEB3 Inhibits Transcription via the Basic Transcription Element Box by Interacting with mSin3A and HDAC-1 Co-repressors and Competing with Sp1*

Sp1-like proteins are characterized by three conserved C-terminal zinc finger motifs that bind GC-rich sequences found in promoters of numerous genes essential for mammalian cell homeostasis. These proteins behave as transcriptional activators or repressors. Although significant information has been reported on the molecular mechanisms by which Sp1-like activators function, relatively little is known about mechanisms for repressor proteins. Here we report the functional characterization of BTEB3, a ubiquitously expressed Sp1-like transcriptional repressor. GAL4 assays show that the N terminus of BTEB3 contains regions that can act as direct repressor domains. Immunoprecipitation assays reveal that BTEB3 interacts with the co-repressor mSin3A and the histone deacetylase protein HDAC-1. Gel shift assays demonstrate that BTEB3 specifically binds the BTE site, a well characterized GC-rich DNA element, with an affinity similar to that of Sp1. Reporter and gel shift assays in Chinese hamster ovary cells show that BTEB3 can also mediate repression by competing with Sp1 for BTE binding. Thus, the characterization of this protein expands the repertoire of BTEB-like members of the Sp1 family involved in transcriptional repression. Furthermore, our results suggest a mechanism of repression for BTEB3 involving direct repression by the N terminus via interaction with mSin3A and HDAC-1 and competition with Sp1 via the DNA-binding domain.
Comparison between skin testing and in vitro testing for diagnosis of allergen in asthmatic children.

BACKGROUND This study was designed to compare the skin testing and in vitro testing for the diagnosis of most common inhalant allergens in asthmatic children. METHODS Sixty-two asthmatic children positive to most common allergens in the area of skin tests and multiple allergosorbent chemiluminescent assay (MAST-CLA) were subjected to another Pharmacia CAP test (CAP). RESULTS The agreement between the results of MAST-CLA and CAP was variable. The correlation coefficient for CAP with MAST-CLA was significant for five allergens except candida, dog dander and Willow pollen when the diagnostic levels of MAST-CLA and CAP were compared with skin test reactions. For all the allergens tested, MAST-CLA showed a sensitivity of 51%, a specificity of 84% and an efficiency of 73%, compared with 57%, 80% and 74%, respectively, in the CAP analysis. CONCLUSIONS MAST-CLA and CAP can be used as a screening test to measure allergen IgE level. Both MAST-CLA and CAP were comparable in their ability to diagnose of allergy to tested allergens.
The limited immunocompetence of thymocytes within murine thymic nurse cells

Thymic nurse cells, cortical epithelial cells enclosing 20–200 lymphocytes, were prepared from mouse thymus by enzyme digestion and repetitive sedimentation. Individual nurse cells were then isolated free of any exogenous thymocytes by micromanipulation, and the endogeneous thymocytes released from inside the nurse cells by a brief period of culture. The thymocytes from within individual nurse cells were tested, at the one cell/well level, for their capacity to proliferate in high cloning efficiency mitogen‐stimulated limiting dilution cultures. The resultant clones were tested for their cytolytic capacity in a lectin‐mediated isotype‐release assay. Most intra‐nurse cell thymocytes were unresponsive, like typical cortical thymocytes, but an average of 1/30, or around 2–6 lymphocytes/nurse cell, were able to proliferate in response to concanavalin A. The clones produced were of a relatively small size, similar to those characteristic of helper‐lineage T cells. No cytolytic clones at all were obtained, despite stringent positive controls showing an efficient cytolytic response from known sources of cytolytic precursor cells. This finding disagrees with earlier studies on nurse cell lymphocytes, where there may have been a possibility of contamination with exogenous thymocytes. These results suggest either that the nurse cell represents a selective environment for helper‐lineage T cell differentiation, or that further steps after the nurse cell stage are needed to produce mature cytolytic‐lineage T cells.
Prevention of ACL Injury, Part II: Effects of ACL Injury Prevention Programs on Neuromuscular Risk Factors and Injury Rate

Prevention strategies have been developed based on existing knowledge in an attempt to alter neuromuscular control and lower extremity biomechanics in order to reduce anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury rates. These strategies have included different training programs ranging from injury education to multicomponent training. Many training programs have been demonstrated as resulting in altered lower extremity movement patterns. The effects of current training programs on ACL injury rate, however, are inconsistent. This review was focused on the effects of current ACL injury training programs on neuromuscular risk factors and ACL injury rate. Recommendations were made based on the available evidence for clinicians and coaches to implement ACL injury prevention programs.
Suicide among Children and Adolescents in Thailand

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Enumeration of Dwellings in Darfur Camps From GeoEye-1 Satellite Images Using Mathematical Morphology

This paper presents a methodology for the detection of dwelling structures in Darfur camps to estimate the total number of dwellings per camp using GeoEye-1 satellite images. The method is based on a translation of the visual characterization of the searched structures into a morphological image processing chain. Two variants are described: the first variant extracts dwellings fully automatic for enumeration, while the second links the area covered by dwellings to visual interpretation results of representative samples for estimation of the total number of dwellings. Compared to the visual interpretation both produce similar results with correlation coefficients of 0.65 and 0.66 respectively leading to a mean error of 6% in the total number of dwellings. In complex camp settings, the area-based approach might be preferred, since it provides some more control due to the visual interpretation included.
Habitual exercise and vascular ageing

Age is the major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and this is attributable in part to stiffening of large elastic arteries and development of vascular endothelial dysfunction (e.g. impaired endothelium‐dependent dilatation, EDD). In contrast, regular aerobic exercise is associated with reduced risk of CVD. Endurance exercise‐trained middle‐aged/older adults demonstrate lower large elastic artery stiffness and greater EDD than their sedentary peers. With daily brisk walking, previously sedentary middle‐aged/older adults show reduced stiffness and improved EDD. The mechanisms underlying the effects of regular aerobic exercise on large elastic artery stiffness with ageing are largely unknown, but are likely to include changes to the composition of the arterial wall. Enhanced EDD in older adults who exercise is mediated by increased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability associated with reduced oxidative stress. Arteries from old rodents that perform regular aerobic exercise demonstrate increased expression and activity of endothelial NO synthase, reduced oxidative damage associated with reduced expression and activity of the oxidant enzyme NADPH oxidase, and increased activity of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Aerobic exercise also may protect arteries with ageing by increasing resistance to the effects of other CVD risk factors like LDL‐cholesterol. Habitual aerobic exercise is an effective strategy to combat arterial ageing.
pH-induced denaturation of proteins: a single salt bridge contributes 3-5 kcal/mol to the free energy of folding of T4 lysozyme.

The energetics of a salt bridge formed between the side chains of aspartic acid 70 (Asp70) and histidine 31 (His31) of T4 lysozyme have been examined by nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. The pKa values of the residues in the native state are perturbed from their values in the unfolded protein such that His31 has a pKa value of 9.1 in the native state and 6.8 in the unfolded state at 10 degrees C in moderate salt. Similarly, the aspartate pKa is shifted to a value of about 0.5 in the native state from its value of 3.5-4.0 in the unfolded state. These shifts in pKa show that the salt bridge is stabilized 3-5 kcal/mol. This implies that the salt bridge stabilizes the native state by 3-5 kcal/mol as compared to the unfolded state. This is reflected in the thermodynamic stability of mutants of the protein in which Asp70, His31, or both are replaced by asparagine. These observations and consideration of the thermodynamic coupling of protonation state to folding of proteins suggest a mechanism of acid denaturation in which the unfolded state is progressively stabilized by protonation of its acid residues as pH is lowered below pH 4. The unfolded state is stabilized only if acidic groups in the folded state have lower pKa values than in the unfolded state. When the pH is sufficiently low, the acid groups of both the native and unfolded states are fully protonated, and the apparent unfolding equilibrium constant becomes pH independent. Similar arguments apply to base-induced unfolding. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)