Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Elevated Ferritin Levels and the Relationship with Fasting Insulin Levels in Elderly Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Introduction: Elevated serum ferritin levels are associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome (MetS) as well as systemic inflammation and cardiovascular disease. The associations between ferritin and hemoglobin levels with individual components of MetS are unclear. The aims of the study were 1) to compare the ferritin levels, and 2) to investigate the relationships between ferritin, high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), fasting glucose, fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) levels in elderly patients. Subjects and Methods: Study population included 121 (mean age 64.3 ± 14.1 yrs) (80 female, 41 male) elderly patients. The study population was evaluated for MetS by Adult Treatment Panel III (ATPIII). Demographic and biochemical data such as fasting insulin, hs-CRP, fasting glucose and ferritin levels were evaluated. Biochemical data were evaluated retrospectively. Insulin resistance (IR) was estimated using the HOMA. Results: Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 39 elderly patients (32.2%). In elderly patients with MetS, mean levels of ferritin, hs-CRP, fasting glucose, fasting insulin and HOMA were found to be 72.9 ± 33.1 ng/ml, 0.90 ± 0.01, 99.1 ± 20.1 mg/dl, 13.4 ± 1.1 μU/l, 3.0 ± 0.1, respectively. However, mean levels of ferritin, hs-CRP, fasting glucose, fasting insulin and HOMA were found to be 54.1 ± 33.1 ng/ml, 0.67 ± 0.1, 91.9 ± 17.0 mg/dl, 8.4 ± 2.7 μU/l, 2.71 ± 0.9, in the other elderly patients, (p = 0.0012), (p = 0.70), (p = 0.70), (p = 0.003), (p = 0.80) respectively. Mean levels of ferritin were positively correlated with diastolic (r = 0.850, p = 0.03), systolic blood pressures (r = 0.700, p = 0.02), and fasting insulin (r = 0.444, p = 0.003) in elderly with MetS. Conclusions: Mean levels of ferritin were increased in elderly patients with metabolic syndrome. And also, ferritin levels were positively correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressures as well as fasting insulin but not with hs-CRP levels in elderly patients with metabolic syndrome.
Physical and Functional Interaction of Fyn Tyrosine Kinase with a Brain-enriched Rho GTPase-activating Protein TCGAP*

Fyn, a member of the Src family of tyrosine kinases, is implicated in both brain development and adult brain function. In the present study, we identified a Rho GTPase-activating protein (GAP), TCGAP (Tc10/Cdc42 GTPase-activating protein), as a novel Fyn substrate. TCGAP interacted with Fyn and was phosphorylated by Fyn, with Tyr-406 in the GAP domain as a major Fyn-mediated phosphorylation site. Fyn suppressed the GAP activity of wild-type TCGAP but not the Y406F mutant of TCGAP in a phosphorylation-dependent manner, suggesting that Fyn-mediated Tyr-406 phosphorylation negatively regulated the TCGAP activity. In situ hybridization analyses showed that TCGAP mRNA was expressed prominently in both immature and adult mouse brain, with high levels in cortex, corpus striatum, hippocampus, and olfactory bulb. Overexpression of wild-type TCGAP in PC12 cells suppressed nerve growth factor-induced neurite outgrowth, whereas a GAP-defective mutant of TCGAP enhanced the neurite outgrowth. Nerve growth factor enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of TCGAP through activation of Src family kinases. These results suggest that TCGAP is involved in Fyn-mediated regulation of axon and dendrite outgrowth.
E2F-1 targets miR-519d to regulate the expression of the ras homolog gene family member C

E2F1 (E2F transcription factor 1) can act as a tumor suppressor or oncogene. We report the molecular mechanism of E2F1 in ovarian carcinoma tumorigenesis and progression. E2F1 expression levels in ovarian carcinoma tissue were examined by immunohistochemistry. After E2F1 plasmid transfection and E2F1-microRNA-519d (miR-519d)/si-RhoC (Ras homolog gene family member C) co-transfection, ovarian cancer cell phenotypes and the related molecules were examined in vitro and in vivo. E2F1 was overexpressed in type I and type II ovarian carcinoma as compared to normal ovary tissues and normal fallopian tube tissues, respectively. E2F1 overexpression promoted cell proliferation, G1–S progression, survival, migration, and invasion in vitro; miR-519d or siRhoC co-transfection reversed E2F1 oncogenic effects. E2F1 overexpression promoted tumor growth in vivo; miR-519d overexpression inhibited it. E2F1 overexpression increased RhoC, Bcl-2, cyclin D1, survivin, MMP2 (matrix metalloproteinase 2), MMP9, STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), and HuR (ELAV-like RNA-binding protein 1) expression; miR-519d overexpression decreased their expression. E2F1 downregulated miR-519d directly and miR-519d downregulated RhoC directly. Conversely, miR-519d directly downregulated E2F1, There is a direct repressive regulatory loop between E2F1 and miR-519d. We provide evidence that E2F1/miR-519d/RhoC is a promising signaling pathway for diagnosing and treating ovarian carcinoma.
The Relationship of Anxiety with Adjustment and Procrastination in Female High School Students

The objective of the current study was to examine the relationship of test anxiety with adjustment and procrastination in female high school students in Zahedan. This was a descriptive-correlational study. The statistical population of this study included 4000 female high school students in Zahedan, among whom the sample was selected through applying multistage cluster sampling method. The data collection tools were three questionnaires containing Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Adjustment Inventory of High School Students (AISS), and the Savari Academic Procrastination Scale (2011). Both descriptive and inferential statistics, including Pearson correlation coefficient, were used to analyze the obtained data. The results of Pearson correlation coefficient indicated that anxiety among students was significantly and directly correlated with adjustment and its dimensions (including emotional adjustment, social adjustment, and educational adjustment). Additionally, anxiety among students was significantly and directly related to procrastination and its dimensions (including intentional procrastination, procrastination resulting from physical-mental fatigue, and procrastination caused by disorganization). DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016. v7n2s2p66
A regulatory role for the memory B cell as suppressor-inducer of feedback control

A regulatory role is proposed for the antigen-responsive B cell, as suppressor-inducer of feedback control during the secondary response in vivo. In a double adoptive transfer of memory cells primed to a thymus- dependent antigen from one irradiated host to another, antigen-specific suppressors are generated after a critical time in the primary recipient, able to entirely ablate a secondary anti-hapten response. Positive cell selection in the fluorescence-activated cell sorter confirmed that suppression was mediated by an Lyt-2+ T cell; however, positively selected B cells were also inhibitory and able to induce suppressors in a carrier-specific manner: Bhapten induced suppressors in a carrier-primed population, and Bcarrier induced suppressors in a hapten-carrier population. At the peak of the antibody response in the primary host, memory B cells and their progeny were unable to differentiate further to plasma cells due to their intrinsic suppressor- inducer activity, but this autoregulatory circuit could be severed by adoptive transfer to carrier-primed, X-irradiated recipients.
Epilepsy and psychiatric comorbidity: A nationally representative population‐based study

Purpose: In a nationally representative population‐based study in England, we estimated the burden of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental comorbidities in people with epilepsy. We investigated whether any overrepresentation of comorbidities could be explained by epilepsy being a chronic medical or neurologic condition, or by the confounding effect of demographic and socioeconomic factors or other health conditions.
Les sparides des cotes nord-ouest africaines

La « Thalassa », navire de l'Institut des Peches, a effectue deux campagnes de chalutage au large des cotes du Rio de Oro, de la Mauritanie et du Senegal. La premiere a eu lieu en novembre et decembre 1962; elle s'est etendue du cap Juby a Tamxat (17°20'N). La seconde, plus orientee vers le sud, a atteint la fosse de Cayar, a proximite du cap Vert; elle s'est deroulee en mars et avril 1968. Ces operations representent au total cent traicts de chalut qui se repartissent entre les latitudes 15° et 28°N et les profondeurs de 10 a 800 m. Les donnees d'ensemble de ces deux campagnes sont presentees par ailleurs. Celles consignees ici concernent exclusivement les vingt especes de sparides recoltees. Elles ont trait a la repartition geographique et bathymetrique, la frequence et l'abondance, la taille et le sexe. Il s'en degage certaines remarques sur la faunistique, la biologie et la peche. Dans certains cas il a paru interessant de souligner les differences morphologiques qui permettent de distinguer, entre elles, des especes parfois tres voisines. (OCR non controle)
Two-stage culture method for optimized polysaccharide production in Spirulina platensis.

BACKGROUND The polysaccharides of Spirulina platensis possess many biological functions. Reproducing the conditions under which S. platensis produces polysaccharides is critical to furthering our understanding of the function of these polysaccharides for commercial mass production. The changes in microalgal polysaccharide production were studied under greenhouse and laboratory conditions using varying light intensities, temperatures, and NaCl concentrations. RESULTS The polysaccharide yield was positively correlated with culturing under 192 µmol photons m(-2) s(-1) light intensity at 38 °C or in 0.75 mol L(-1) NaCl. However, NaCl reduced the total biomass productivity of S. platensis. To mitigate the negative effects of environmental stress on maximal polysaccharide production, we proposed a two-stage culture method. The first stage, designed to increase biomass production, involved culturing under 96 µmol photons m(-2) s(-1) light intensity at 28 °C. Following this, on achieving maximum biomass production, the second stage, designed to stimulate polysaccharide production, involved culturing under 192 µmol photons m(-2) s(-1) light intensity at 38 °C for 3 days or in a 0.75 mol L(-1) NaCl medium for 2 days. High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis revealed that S. platensis polysaccharides were composed of various monosaccharides, including glucose, galactose, rhamnose, mannose, fructose, and mannitol. CONCLUSION The two-stage culture can be successfully applied to achieve the goal of polysaccharide mass production. The first stage focuses on rapidly increasing microalgal biomass. The second stage of culture conditions requires modification to maximize polysaccharide yield.
The Irish potato famine pathogen Phytophthora infestans originated in central Mexico rather than the Andes

Significance The potato late blight pathogen was introduced to Europe in the 1840s and caused the devastating loss of a staple crop, resulting in the Irish potato famine and subsequent diaspora. Research on this disease has engendered much debate, which in recent years has focused on whether the geographic origin of the pathogen is South America or central Mexico. Different lines of evidence support each hypothesis. We sequenced four nuclear genes in representative samples from Mexico and the South American Andes. An Andean origin of P. infestans does not receive support from detailed analyses of Andean and Mexican populations. This is one of a few examples of a pathogen with a known origin that is secondary to its current major host. Phytophthora infestans is a destructive plant pathogen best known for causing the disease that triggered the Irish potato famine and remains the most costly potato pathogen to manage worldwide. Identification of P. infestan’s elusive center of origin is critical to understanding the mechanisms of repeated global emergence of this pathogen. There are two competing theories, placing the origin in either South America or in central Mexico, both of which are centers of diversity of Solanum host plants. To test these competing hypotheses, we conducted detailed phylogeographic and approximate Bayesian computation analyses, which are suitable approaches to unraveling complex demographic histories. Our analyses used microsatellite markers and sequences of four nuclear genes sampled from populations in the Andes, Mexico, and elsewhere. To infer the ancestral state, we included the closest known relatives Phytophthora phaseoli, Phytophthora mirabilis, and Phytophthora ipomoeae, as well as the interspecific hybrid Phytophthora andina. We did not find support for an Andean origin of P. infestans; rather, the sequence data suggest a Mexican origin. Our findings support the hypothesis that populations found in the Andes are descendants of the Mexican populations and reconcile previous findings of ancestral variation in the Andes. Although centers of origin are well documented as centers of evolution and diversity for numerous crop plants, the number of plant pathogens with a known geographic origin are limited. This work has important implications for our understanding of the coevolution of hosts and pathogens, as well as the harnessing of plant disease resistance to manage late blight.
Psychological effects of deep-breathing: the impact of expectancy-priming

Abstract Outcome expectancy could mediate the psychological effects of exercise-related interventions, which implies that part of the psychological benefits of physical activity could be ascribed to placebo effects. In this framed field-experiment, 89 healthy participants were studied in three groups, (1) breathing-primed (deep-breathing with an exercise-related expectancy), (2) breathing-unprimed (deep-breathing with no exercise-related expectancy), and (3) control (no intervention). Deep-breathing lasted for three minutes. Before and after deep-breathing, or sitting quietly in the control group, participants completed two questionnaires assessing their positive- and negative affect (NA) and subjective well-being (WB). In contrast to the control group, both the breathing-primed and breathing-unprimed groups showed decreased NA and increased subjective WB. The breathing-primed group reported larger changes in WB than the breathing-unprimed group, in addition to also exhibiting significant increases in positive affect. These findings support the hypothesis of the work that expectations mediate the psychological effects of deep-breathing beyond the intervention’s specific effects. Therefore, future research should control for expectations related to an intervention when gauging psychological changes.
A square distance-based byte-erasure method for reduced-delay protection of DSL systems from non-stationary interference

DSL systems achieve high rate transmission through copper pairs traditionally used for voiceband communication. In order to attain high rates, sophisticated system designs are employed to cope with both stationary and non-stationary disturbers. In current DSL systems, protection against nonstationary interference, comprising impulse noise and radio frequency ingress (RFI), is achieved using a forward error correction (FEC) scheme consisting of a Reed-Solomon (RS) code and interleaving. However, interleaving results in increased end-to-end delay. The end-to-end delay can be reduced by taking advantage of the erasure decoding property of RS codes. The paper presents a byte-erasure technique that allows erasure decoding to be employed. The method locates the possibly erroneous bytes in each RS codeword by comparing the square distance between each received carrier symbol of the interleaved stream and the closest point of the constellation to which the symbol belongs. Thus, the interleaving delay can be reduced by a factor up to 2 when impulse noise impairs transmission. The method can also be applied to systems affected by both impulse noise and RFI, since it can distinguish between the two sources of non-stationary interference. Finally, no change is required at the transmitter, and hence compatibility with currently deployed systems is guaranteed. A DMT-VDSL system is used as a particular example of the achieved reduction of the interleaving delay.
Influence of Lifestyle Modification in Renal Transplant Recipients With Postprandial Hyperglycemia

Introduction. Lifestyle modification is recommended as first-line therapy to manage new-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). No data currently demonstrate the efficacy of this approach specifically for transplant recipients. This study aimed to assess the benefit of intensive lifestyle modification in this high-risk group and to contrast this with the natural evolution of glucose metabolism after transplantation. Methods. Baseline oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) stratified 115 patients into two groups. Group 1 had glucose intolerance, IGT (n=28) and NODAT (n=8), and received intensive lifestyle modification (dietician referral, exercise program, weight loss advice). Group 2 had normal glucose tolerance (n=79) and received lifestyle modification leaflets. Both groups had follow-up OGTT after 6 months to assess change in glycemic status. Results. Excluding all patients who received steroid weaning or withdrawal as part of their management, 111 patients were included in the analysis. Lifestyle modification in group 1 resulted in 15% improvement in 2-hr postprandial glucose versus 12% deterioration in group 2. In group 1, 44% (n=11) of IGT patients developed normal glucose tolerance, whereas only 4% (n=1) developed NODAT. Fifty-eight percent (n=4) of NODAT patients showed improvement (29% to IGT and 29% to normal). Glucose metabolism deteriorated in group 2 with 14% (n=10) developing IGT and 3% (n=2) developing NODAT. Conclusions. Glucose metabolism can deteriorate in transplant recipients despite passive lifestyle modification advice. This study shows active lifestyle modification benefits high-risk transplant recipients with glucose intolerance and should be aggressively pursued.
Partial Pancreatic Resection for Pancreatic Malignancy Is Associated with Sustained Pancreatic Exocrine Failure and Reduced Quality of Life: A Prospective Study

Objectives: Pancreatic resection for cancer may produce pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI), which is poorly understood. This study examined the coefficient of fat absorption (CFA), symptoms, quality of life (QoL) and the accuracy of faecal elastase-1 (FE-1) measurement to predict PEI. Methods: Forty patients were analysed following resection for pancreatic malignancy. The primary endpoint was PEI diagnosis defined by CFA <93%; secondary endpoints were PEI diagnosis using FE-1 <200 µg/g, body mass index (BMI), and symptom and QoL analysis. Interventions were 3-day stool collection, EORTC QLQ-C30 (version 1) questionnaire and patient’s diary, at 6 weeks and 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. Results: CFA <93% was present in 67% of patients at 6 weeks and in 55% at 12 months. PEI using FE-1 was present in 77 and 83% of patients, respectively. No significant changes between time-points were observed. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy for FE-1 in detecting CFA <93% were 91, 35, 70, 71 and 70%, respectively. CFA and FE-1 levels were uncorrelated. Overall, QoL increased at 6 (p = 0.0212) and 12 (p < 0.0001) months after surgery, mainly driven by physical, role and social functioning, and by appetite. Importantly, however, BMI and symptoms were unaffected by PEI, which suggests a subclinical presentation; such patients had attributes indicating poorer QoL (notably insomnia, p = 0.0012). Conclusions: PEI was common and sustained following resection and not associated with significant symptoms. These patients had a tendency toward poorer QoL. FE-1 is a poor surrogate for diagnosing impaired fat absorption. Postoperative pancreatic enzyme replacement should be considered more routinely.
Proteomics study of N-acetylcysteine response in H1N1-infected cells by using mass spectrometry.

RATIONALE The pathology of A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1) infection associated with the interaction of virus and its host cells is not clear. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant as well as a premier antitoxin and immune support substance. A high dose of NAC was recently reported for a therapy of H1N1 (2009) influenza pneumonia. METHODS NAC was used as a small-molecule organic probe to investigate the protein expression of human lung carcinoma cell line (A549) infected by influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1). Differential proteins were identified from MALDI-TOF MS and Q-TOF MS/MS analyses. RESULTS The obtained results showed that NAC kept cells away from apoptosis. Virus-infected cells were arrested in G0/G1 phase. The lowest cell population of G0/G1 phase was detected when the cells were treated by 10 mM NAC for one day. Application of MS-based proteomics allowed the identification of the differential proteins. Software analysis showed that four proteins had close relationship. CONCLUSIONS The results indicated that NAC as a small-molecule probe might effect the protein expression of A549 cells infected by the H1N1 virus.
Detailed visualization of the anterior segment using fourier-domain optical coherence tomography.

OBJECTIVE To study details of the anterior chamber drainage angle using Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography in healthy subjects and patients with angle abnormalities. METHODS A high-speed anterior segment optical coherence tomography prototype was developed using a 1310-nm-wavelength swept light source. Six healthy subjects and 6 patients with glaucoma were imaged in an observational cross-sectional study. RESULTS Schlemm's canal and the trabecular meshwork were visualized in all of the patients. Fifteen-millimeter scans enabled entire anterior segment visualization providing configuration details of the iris with respect to the angle. Four-millimeter scans permitted detailed views of the angle configuration and its structures. Volumetric imaging was possible and Schlemm's canal was visualized along part of its circumference. CONCLUSION Anterior segment Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography permits detailed noncontact imaging of the angle and its structures, providing a tool to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of narrow-angle glaucoma.
Genome-Wide Analysis of mRNA and Long Noncoding RNA Profiles in Chronic Actinic Dermatitis

Chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD), a photosensitive dermatosis, is characterized by inflammatory lesions, especially on sun-exposed skin. However, its pathogenesis remains unclear. In this study, second-generation RNA sequencing and comprehensive bioinformatics analyses of mRNAs and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were performed to determine the transcriptome profiles of patients with CAD. A total 6889 annotated lncRNAs, 341 novel lncRNAs, and 65091 mRNAs were identified. Interestingly, patients with CAD and healthy controls showed distinct transcriptome profiles. Indeed, 198 annotated (81.48%) and 45 novel (18.52%) lncRNAs were differentially expressed between the two groups. GO, KEGG, and RGSEA analyses of lncRNAs showed that inflammatory and immune response related pathways played crucial roles in the pathogenetic mechanism of CAD. In addition, we unveiled key differentially expressed lncRNAs, including lncRNA RP11-356I2.4 which plays a role probably by regulating TNFAIP3 and inflammation. qRT-PCR data validated the differentially expressed genes. The newly identified lncRNAs may have potential roles in the development of CAD; these findings lay a solid foundation for subsequent functional exploration of lncRNAs and mRNAs as therapeutic targets for CAD.