Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Methods for Individualized Determination of Methylmercury Elimination Rate and De-Methylation Status in Humans Following Fish Consumption.

Methylmercury (MeHg) exposure via fish in the diet remains a priority public health concern. Individual variation in response to a given MeHg exposure and the biotransformation of MeHg that follows complicate our understanding of this issue. MeHg elimination from the human body occurs slowly (elimination rate (kel) approximately 0.01 day(-1) or approximately 70 days half-life [t1/2]) and is a major determinant of the Hg body burden resulting from fish consumption. The underlying mechanisms that control MeHg elimination from the human body remain poorly understood. We describe here improved methods to obtain a MeHg elimination rate via longitudinal Hg analysis in hair using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. We measured MeHg elimination rates in eight individuals following the consumption of 3 fish meals in two 75-day trials separated by a 4-month washout period. In addition, since MeHg biotransformation to inorganic Hg (I-Hg) is associated with Hg excretion, we speciated Hg in feces samples to estimate individual MeHg de-methylation status. We observed a wide range of MeHg elimination rates between individuals and within individuals over time (kel = 0.0163-0.0054 day(-1); estimated t1/2 = 42.5-128.3 days). The ratio of MeHg and I-Hg in feces also varied widely among individuals. While the %I-Hg in feces was likely influenced by dental amalgams, findings with subjects who lacked amalgams suggest that faster MeHg elimination is associated with a higher %I-Hg in feces indicating more complete de-methylation. We anticipate these methods will contribute to future investigations of genetic and dietary factors that influence MeHg disposition in people.
The Language of Economic Growth: A New Measure of Linguistic Heterogeneity

Conventional wisdom holds that languages, as ethnic markers, build communities with shared preferences and strong social networks. Consequently, ethnolinguistic homogeneity can facilitate growth. This article challenges this conception of language as a cultural marker. It argues that language is also a practical vehicle of communication; people can be multilingual, and second languages can be learned. Hence language boundaries are neither (1) congruent with ethnic boundaries nor (2) static. If true, the purported advantages of ethnolinguistic homogeneity should also be evident in countries with large populations of non-native speakers conversant in official languages. The study tests this hypothesis using an original cross-national and time-variant measure that captures both mother-tongue speakers and second-language learners. The empirical results are consistent with the understanding of language as an efficiency-enhancing instrument: countries with exogenously high levels of heterogeneity can avoid the ‘growth tragedy’ 1 by endogenously teaching the official language in schools.
Glia cells of the monkey retina. I. Astrocytes

Morphology and distribution of retinal astrocytes have been studied in macaque monkeys by immunocytochemical localization of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). With the exception of the fovea and the far periphery, astrocytes are ubiquitous in the nerve fiber layer (NFL) and the ganglion cell layer (GCL) of the monkey retina. The morphology of NFL astrocytes changes gradually, from star‐shaped in the periphery to bipolar close to the optic disc. By contrast, GCL astrocytes maintain their star‐shaped appearance throughout the retina. Astrocytes are unevenly distributed in the monkey retina, showing the highest concentration around the optic disc, and particularly low densities in the perifoveal region and the far periphery. The fovea proper is devoid of astrocytes. Employing high‐resolution confocal microscopy, we could demonstrate that astrocytes from manifold contacts to blood vessels. In addition, bundles of NFL astrocyte processes are co‐localized with axon bundles, individual astrocytes forming contacts to several axon bundles. In contrast, a similar affinity of astrocytes to ganglion cell somata was never observed. Thus, our data confirm and extend the current knowledge of morphology and putative function of astrocytes in mammalian and especially the primate retina. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Paraquat-induced formation of hydroperoxide in mouse liver microsomes [proceedings].

tion of expired air demonstrated 5% deacetylation, although desacetylpractolol was not detected in urine, confirming previous observations (Bodem & Chidsey, 1973). Human adverse reactions do not appear to be associated with gross differences in practolol metabolism. Of eight animal species studied, mouse, rat and dog most closely resemble man in metabolic profile. Minimal deacetylation (5-14% dose) occurs in all species except marmoset (51%). In other species, practolol was recovered largely unchanged in urine, except hamster, which eliminated practolol primarily as 3-hydroxypractolol and its glucuronide (35% dose). Microsomal studies (Orton & Lowery, 1977) have been extended to show that hepatic enzymes from several species produce intermediary metabolites which bind to proteins. Hamster microsomes produced the highest binding rate although with marked inter-animal variation (0.44-2.44 nmoles bound mg protein-' 30 min'). Inhibition and stimulation (53448% control) were observed in the presence of sodium fluoride, stimulation being the major finding. Tricyclopropene oxide, an epoxide hydratase inhibitor, caused no significant change in binding. Bis-[pnitrophenyl] phosphate both inhibited deacetylation in vitro and reduced binding. These results suggest, but do not prove, that N-hydroxylation may give rise to the intermediary metabolite(s). Microsomal activation has been utilized immunologically to screen for anti-practolol metabolite antibodies in patients' sera (Amos, Lake & Atkinson, 1977). The relevance of any hypothesis implicating bound metabolites remains unclear as no toxic signs related to those seen in man were found in albino mouse (18 months, doses up to 100 mg/kg), black (C57 BL/10J) mouse (21 months, 300 mg/kg), rat (24 months, 300 mg/kg), Beagle dog (12 months, 200 mg/kg) and marmoset (6 months, 400 mg/kg). A hamster study reported to us gave rise to no relevant toxic sign. Thus, to date, no animal model for the human adverse reactions is known.
Chronic Mitochondrial Inhibition Induces Selective Motoneuron Death In Vitro: A New Model for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Evidence is increasing that mitochondrial dysfunction is involved in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a neurodegenerative disease characterized by selective motoneuron death. To study the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathways leading to motoneuron death, we developed an in vitro model of chronic motoneuron toxicity, based on malonate‐induced inhibition of complex II in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Treatment with malonate resulted in a dose‐dependent decrease in cellular ATP levels. We observed that motoneurons were significantly more vulnerable to mitochondrial inhibition than control neurons in the dorsal horn. We could reproduce this dose‐dependent phenomenon with the complex IV inhibitor sodium azide. The free radical scavenger α‐phenyl‐N‐tert‐butylnitrone, the AMPA/kainate receptor blocker 6‐cyano‐7‐nitroquinoxaline‐2,3‐dione, and riluzole, a drug that is currently used for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, were protective against malonate‐induced motoneuron death. Furthermore, the caspase inhibitors N‐benzyloxycarbonyl‐Val‐Ala‐Asp‐fluoromethyl ketone and z‐Asp‐Glu‐Val‐Asp‐fluoromethyl ketone were both protective against malonate toxicity. Our model shows that chronic mitochondrial inhibition leads to selective motoneuron death, which is most likely apoptotic.
The local clinical validation of a new lithium heparin tube with a barrier: BD Vacutainer® Barricor LH Plasma tube

Introduction Although serum-providing blood tubes with a barrier are still widely used due to their significant advantages, the use of blood tubes with a barrier to provide plasma is becoming widespread. We compared 22 analytes in a BD Vacutainer® Barricor LH Plasma tube for local clinical validation of this new lithium heparin tube with a barrier. Materials and methods Samples from 44 volunteers were collected in different tubes (Becton Dickinson and Company): Z tube without additive (reference), clot-activator tube with gel (SST), lithium heparin tube without gel (LiH), and lithium heparin tube with barrier (Barricor). Analyte concentrations in different tubes were compared with the reference tube. All tubes were also evaluated according to additional testing (different centrifugation durations, blood-sampling techniques and individual differences). Results Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glucose (Glc), potassium (K), lactate dehydrogenase (LD), sodium (Na), and total protein (TP) had a significant bias in Barricor (9.19%, - 3.24%, - 4.88%, 21.60%, - 0.40%, 5.03%, respectively) relative to the reference tube. There was no statistical difference between different centrifugation durations and individual differences for AST, K and LD in LiH and/or Barricor (P > 0.05). There was a significant bias for LD between LiH and Barricor in terms of blood-sampling techniques (21.2% and 12.4%, respectively). Conclusions Recently, the use of plasma has become prominent due to some of its advantages. In this study, plasma AST, K, LD, Glc and TP levels in Barricor were clinically different in comparison to serum. The results of additional tests showed that higher levels of LD in Barricor did not result from haemolysis, and they might be related to other factors including number of platelets, cellular fragility, or functional environment.
Effects of Five Nights under Normobaric Hypoxia on Sleep Quality.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of five nights' sleep under normobaric hypoxia on ventilatory acclimatization and sleep quality. METHODS Seven men initially slept for six nights under normoxia and then for five nights under normobaric hypoxia equivalent to a 2000-m altitude. Nocturnal polysomnograms (PSGs), arterial blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), and respiratory events were recorded on the first and fifth nights under both conditions. RESULTS The hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR), hypercapnic ventilatory response (HCVR), and resting end-tidal CO2 (resting PETCO2) were measured three times during the experimental period. The duration of slow-wave sleep (SWS: stage N3) and the whole-night delta (1-3 Hz) power of nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep EEG decreased on the first night under hypoxia. This hypoxia-induced sleep quality deterioration on the first night was accompanied by a lower mean and minimum SpO2, a longer time spent with SpO2 below 90% (<90% SpO2 time), and more episodes of respiratory disturbance. On the fifth night, the SWS duration and whole-night delta power did not differ between the conditions. Although the mean SpO2 under hypoxia was still lower than under normoxia, the minimum SpO2 increased, and the <90% SpO2 time and number of episodes of respiratory disturbance decreased during the five nights under hypoxia. The HVR increased and resting PETCO2 decreased after five nights under hypoxia. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that five nights under hypoxia improves the sleep quality. This may be derived from improvements of respiratory disturbances, the minimum SpO2, and <90% SpO2 time.
Changes in p19Arf Localization Accompany Apoptotic Crisis during Pre-B-Cell Transformation by Abelson Murine Leukemia Virus

ABSTRACT Transformation by Abelson murine leukemia virus (Ab-MLV) is a multistep process in which growth-stimulatory signals from the v-Abl oncoprotein and growth-suppressive signals from the p19Arf-p53 tumor suppressor pathway oppose each other and influence the outcome of infection. The process involves a proliferative phase during which highly viable primary transformants expand, followed by a period of marked apoptosis (called “crisis”) that is dependent on the presence of p19Arf and p53; rare cells that survive this phase emerge as fully transformed and malignant. To understand the way in which v-Abl expression affects p19Arf expression, we examined changes in expression of Arf during all stages of Ab-MLV transformation process. As is consistent with the ability of v-Abl to stimulate Myc, a transcription factor known to induce p19Arf, Myc and Arf are induced soon after infection and p19Arf is expressed. At these early time points, the infected cells remain highly viable. The onset of crisis is marked by an increase in p19Arf expression and a change in localization of the protein from the nucleoplasm to the nucleolus. These data together suggest that the localization and expression levels of p19Arf modulate the effects of the protein during oncogenesis and reveal that the p19Arf-mediated response is subject to multiple layers of regulation that influence its function during Ab-MLV-mediated transformation.
Contemporaneous Spillover Effects between the U.S. and the U.K. Equity Markets

We use high frequency data and the “identification through heteroskedasticity” approach of Rigobon (2003) to capture the contemporaneous volatility spillover effects between the U.S. and U.K. equity markets. We demonstrate the relevance of taking into account the information present during simultaneous trading hours by comparing the results generated by our structural vector autoregression with those of a traditional reduced‐form vector autoregression. Our findings clearly demonstrate that contemporaneous relations matter and that ignoring them leads to inappropriate conclusions regarding the magnitude and direction of volatility spillover.
Receptors for insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) predominate over insulin receptors in skeletal muscle throughout the life cycle of brown trout, Salmo trutta.

Insulin and IGF-I binding has been studied in brown trout (Salmo trutta) wheat germ agglutinin semipurified receptors from embryos (organogenesis), larvae (yolk sac), juveniles (2.98 +/- 0.21 g bw) and adults (111.6 +/- 6.92 and 522 +/- 53 g bw). Embryos and larvae were sampled at 5 and 12 weeks after fertilization (December 1999 and February 2000) and juvenile and adults were taken simultaneously (July 1999) and under the same feeding conditions to minimize potential nutritional and seasonal effects. Insulin receptor number was maximal at 12 weeks (144 fmol/mg glycoprotein) and progressively decreased in subsequent samplings. No alterations in affinity were detected (K(d) range, 0.21-0.32 nM) and changes in number of receptor paralleled changes in total specific binding. IGF-I receptor number was highest at 5 weeks (1044 fmol/mg) and was significantly higher than values for insulin in all samplings. The affinity of IGF-I receptor did not change (K(d) range, 0.11-0.18 nM) but was consistently higher than that for the insulin receptor. A more rapid decrease of IGF-I binding and receptor number was found with age. However, the ratio of insulin/IGF-I binding established in 12-week-old larvae (0.18 +/- 0.01) was thereafter maintained at very similar values in juveniles and adults (0.15-0.17). Tyrosine kinase activity (TKA) for insulin receptors ranged between 136 and 183% and there were no significant changes with age. For the IGF-I receptor, TKA ranged from 174 to 281% and was significantly higher in 5-week-old larvae coincident with the highest levels of receptor number and declined gradually in parallel with binding levels. In conclusion, the greater abundance of IGF-I receptors during embryonic and larval development is maintained throughout juvenile and adult stages. This would suggest a key role for IGF-I in the growth and metabolism of trout muscle.
Factors affecting satisfaction and loyalty in online grocery shopping: an integrated model

Purpose This paper aims to conceptualize and test an integrated model of online grocery buying intention by extending technology acceptance model by adding several antecedents of online grocery shopping behaviour such as physical effort, time pressure, entertainment value, product assortment, economic values, website design aesthetics, etc. The ultimate dependent variable was consumer’s satisfaction with buying process of grocery product via online platform. Design/methodology/approach The model was tested over online grocery shoppers using structural equation modelling approach. To enhance the validity of the finding, common method bias and social desirability bias were also assessed. Findings As product assortment was found to have a significant impact on both perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, it supports the notion of one-stop solution as a major driver to attract buyers to buy groceries online. Findings also highlight the importance of entertainment value and economic value as key variables which shape the buyer’s satisfaction and purchase loyalty behaviour. Overall, the results support the proposed model. Practical/implications The findings of this study would be helpful for online marketers to get more website visits and to increase conversion rates, i.e. getting their visitors to spend more time on the website and to make purchase. Originality/value This integrated framework tested here is quite comprehensive in nature, as it includes the influence of time pressure, physical effort and product assortment on online buying behaviour. These basic yet important variables to study, especially when the industry (online grocery shopping) is still in its nascent stage, are missing from the literature. The present study also involves a rigorous data analysis process followed by assessment of common method bias and psychometric property test. Such approach is rare in existing body of knowledge. The study uses S-O-R framework for hypothesis and model development, which is also rare in context of online grocery shopping.
Putative association of a TLR9 promoter polymorphism with atopic eczema

Background: Toll‐like receptors (TLR) play a pivotal role in the induction of first‐line defense mechanisms of the innate immune system and trigger adaptive immune responses to microbial pathogens. Genetic variations in innate immunity genes have been reported to be associated with a range of inflammatory disorders. Deficiencies on the level of immunity receptors such as pathogen‐recognition receptors are suspected to affect the maturation of our immune system and to avail thereby the high prevalence of atopic diseases and susceptibility of atopic patients to microbial infections.
Incremental Prediction of Intimate Partner Violence: An Examination of Three Risk Measures

Improvements in the risk prediction of domestic violence against intimate partners have the potential to inform policing practices in the prevention of further victimization. The present study examined the incremental predictive validity of 3 measures of risk for intimate partner violence (IPV)—Spousal Assault Risk Assessment (SARA), Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA), and the Family Violence Investigative Report (FVIR)—for IPV, general violence, and general recidivism outcomes. The sample featured 289 men and women who were reported to police for IPV and followed up approximately 3 years post release. Archival ratings of the 3 measures demonstrated that SARA scores showed incremental validity for IPV recidivism, ODARA scores incrementally predicted general violence, and both tools incrementally predicted general recidivism. The FVIR did not incrementally predict any outcomes. Fine grained analyses demonstrated that the Psychosocial Adjustment domain of the SARA contributed most uniquely to the prediction of IPV. Survival analysis supported the use of the SARA and ODARA in tandem for appraising risk for IPV or general criminal recidivism. Calibration analyses using logistic regression modeling also demonstrated 3-year recidivism estimates for SARA and ODARA scores. Implications for the use of multiple tools in clinical practice are discussed, particularly for combining the SARA and ODARA measures to augment IPV risk assessment and management.
Thyroid hormone treatment of cultured chondrocytes mimics in vivo stimulation of collagen X mRNA by increasing BMP 4 expression

During endochondral bone formation, chondrocytes undergo terminal differentiation, during which the rate of proliferation decreases, cells become hypertrophic, and the extracellular matrix is altered by production of collagen X, as well as proteins required for matrix mineralization. This maturation process is responsible for most longitudinal bone growth, both during embryonic development and in postnatal long bone growth plates. Among the major signaling molecules implicated in regulation of this process are the positive regulators thyroid hormone (T3) and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). Both T3 and BMPs are essential for endochondral bone formation and cannot compensate for each other, suggesting interaction of the two signaling pathways. We have analyzed the temporal and spatial expression patterns of numerous genes believed to play a role in chondrocyte maturation. Our results show that T3 stimulates collagen X gene expression in cultured chondrocytres with kinetics and magnitude similar to those observed in vivo. Stimulation of collagen X gene expression by T3 occurs only after a significant delay, implying that this hormone may act indirectly. We show further that T3 rapidly stimulates production of BMP 4, concomitant with a decrease in the BMP inhibitor Noggin, potentially resulting in a net increase in BMP signaling. Finally, inhibition of BMP signaling with exogenous Noggin prevents T3 stimulation of collagen X expression, indicating that BMP signaling is essential for this process. These data position thyroid hormone at the top of a T3/BMP cascade, potentially explaining why both pathways are essential for chondrocyte maturation. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 595–605, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Liver transplantation followed by adjuvant nonmyeloablative hemopoietic stem cell transplantation for advanced primary liver cancer in humans1

Background. Tumor recurrence after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in patients with advanced primary liver cancer is common. To achieve an adjuvant graft-versus-tumor effect, the authors investigated whether transplantation of allogeneic peripheral blood stem cells (PSCT) after OLT can induce sustained complete donor chimerism. Methods. Five patients with advanced primary liver cancer were included in the trial. None of the patients had signs of extrahepatic tumor before OLT. However, overall, the extent of surgery, as judged by morphologic examination of the explanted liver, was considered inadequate. A nonmyeloablative preparative regimen of fludarabine combined with total-body irradiation or cyclophosphamide preceded the allogeneic PSCT, which was then performed 16 to 135 days after OLT with human leukocyte antigen-matched donors. Mixed chimerism was monitored weekly by polymerase chain reaction of variable number tandem repeats after PSCT. Results. In two patients, no engraftment of donor cells was seen, whereas one rejected the cells 2 months after PSCT. In two of the patients, a stable mixed donor chimerism was established. A mild transient graft-versus-host reaction was also noted in two patients. Three of the patients died of progressive disease 7 to 9 months after OLT. The other two are presently alive without recurrence at a follow-up of 26 and 10 months, respectively. Conclusions. These data suggest that PSCT after OLT is feasible, with low transplant-related morbidity. The rate of nonengraftment or rejection of the transplanted stem cells in this group of patients was three of five. An augmented pretreatment to prevent donor T-cell rejection seems to be necessary in this setting.