Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Phospholipids in Insulin Secretory Granules and Mitochondria in Pancreatic Beta Cells and Their Changes with Glucose Stimulation*

Background: Phospholipids in insulin granules were characterized. Results: Phosphatidylserine and phospholipids with unsaturated or short fatty acids were concentrated in granules and increased with glucose stimulation. Conclusion: Phosphatidylserine enhances the interaction between proteins in granules and plasma membranes. Unsaturated and short FA increase the fluidity and curvature of lipid bilayers. Significance: Fusion of granules to PM and insulin exocytosis is enhanced. The lipid composition of insulin secretory granules (ISG) has never previously been thoroughly characterized. We characterized the phospholipid composition of ISG and mitochondria in pancreatic beta cells without and with glucose stimulation. The phospholipid/protein ratios of most phospholipids containing unsaturated fatty acids were higher in ISG than in whole cells and in mitochondria. The concentrations of negatively charged phospholipids, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylinositol in ISG were 5-fold higher than in the whole cell. In ISG phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and sphingomyelin, fatty acids 12:0 and 14:0 were high, as were phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol containing 18-carbon unsaturated FA. With glucose stimulation, the concentration of many ISG phosphatidylserines and phosphatidylinositols increased; unsaturated fatty acids in phosphatidylserine increased; and most phosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylcholines, sphingomyelins, and lysophosphatidylcholines were unchanged. Unsaturation and shorter fatty acid length in phospholipids facilitate curvature and fluidity of membranes, which favors fusion of membranes. Recent evidence suggests that negatively charged phospholipids, such as phosphatidylserine, act as coupling factors enhancing the interaction of positively charged regions in SNARE proteins in synaptic or secretory vesicle membrane lipid bilayers with positively charged regions in SNARE proteins in the plasma membrane lipid bilayer to facilitate docking of vesicles to the plasma membrane during exocytosis. The results indicate that ISG phospholipids are in a dynamic state and are consistent with the idea that changes in ISG phospholipids facilitate fusion of ISG with the plasma membrane-enhancing glucose-stimulated insulin exocytosis.
Growth factor mRNA and protein in preserved human amniotic membrane.

PURPOSE To investigate the expression of growth factor mRNA and the level of growth factor protein in preserved human amniotic membrane (AM). METHODS RT-PCR was used to examine the expression of mRNA for eight growth factors (EGF, TGF-alpha, KGF, HGF, bFGF, TGF-beta1, -beta2, -beta3) and two growth factor receptors (KGFR and HGFR) in human AM preserved at -80 degrees C for one month. In addition, ELISAs were used to measure the protein concentrations of seven growth factors (EGF, TGF-alpha, KGF, HGF, bFGF, TGF-beta1, -beta2) in preserved human corneas and in AM both with and without amniotic epithelium. RESULTS RT-PCR revealed that human AM expresses mRNA for EGF, TGF-alpha, KGF, HGF, bFGF, TGF-beta1, -beta2, -beta3, KGFR and HGFR, while ELISAs showed that it contains EGF, TGF-alpha, KGF, HGF, bFGF, TGF-beta1, -beta2. AM without amniotic epithelium also contains all seven growth factors examined, however, in this tissue the protein levels of EGF, KGF, HGF and bFGF were found to be significantly lower than in native AM. CONCLUSIONS Preserved human AM expresses mRNAs for a number of growth factors and contains several growth factor proteins that might benefit epithelialization after AM transplantation. High levels of EGF, KGF, HGF and bFGF in AM with amniotic epithelium as compared to AM without amniotic epithelium suggest an epithelial origin for these growth factors. We feel that EGF, KGF and HGF in particular might play important roles in ocular surface wound healing after AM transplantation.
Characteristics of Device-Associated Cerebrospinal Fluid Infection in Adults

Objective: Device-associated infections in the central nervous system are serious complications of procedures involving indwelling devices among neurosurgical patients. In this study, the clinical characteristics and outcome of microbiologically confirmed deviceassociated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) infection were evaluated. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of adult patients found to have a positive CSF culture result during a hospital admission between 1 January 2005 through 2 October 2010 in Soonchunhyang University Hospital. Results: During the study period, all episodes (n = 161 CSF specimens, 87 patients) involving a culture-positive CSF were enrolled. Thirty-two episodes of device-associated CSF infection were included in the analysis among the study group. Most device-associated infections were ventriculo-peritoneal shunt infections (14/32, 44%). Fever ( > 38°C) was present in 17 episodes (53%). Overall, the most common microorganism was coagulase-negative staphylococcus (7/32 [22%]). Gram-negative rods (Pseudomonas aeruginosa 6/32 [19%], Acinetobacter baumannii/haemolyticus 5/32 [16%]) were identified in culture in 16/32 (50%). Device was removed for the control of device-associated infection in 30/32 (94%). Cure rate was 69% (22/32). All patients with treatment failure (10/32, 34%) expired. Conclusion: It is difficult to diagnosis device-associated CSF infections early since those are frequently presented with nonspecific clinical signs and symptoms. In our study, gram-negative infections accounted for 50% of cases and the empiric antibiotics initially chosen were found to not be effective against the final identified pathogen in many cases. Device-associated CSF infections should be strongly considered a serious risk factor associated with CSF infections, and prompt initiation of broad coverage antibiotics should be started after appropriate assessment.
"Substance abuse" disorders among runaway and homeless youth.

This study used systematic sampling methods to recruit a sample of 432 homeless youth from both service and natural "hang-out" sampling sites. According to DSM-III criteria, the majority of respondents were classified as having an alcohol and/or illicit "drug abuse" disorder (71%). The results from multivariate logistic regression analyses indicate that cumulative length of time homeless is positively associated with risk for an "abuse" disorder. The implications of these findings and recommendations for service interventions are discussed.
Bacterial Biofilms May Contribute to Persistent Cochlear Implant Infection

Objectives: To determine if bacterial biofilms are present on the surface of extruding or persistently infected cochlear implants. Methods: Scanning electron microscopy was performed on cochlear implants removed from two patients because of recalcitrant infection, two implants removed secondary to device failure, and two devices that had never been implanted. Preparations were examined by experienced microbiologists for the presence of bacterial biofilms. Results: Microorganisms and amorphous extracellular debris were found on the surface of the infected cochlear implants and the implants removed because of device failure. Biofilm formation was deemed definite in one infected device and possible in the other explanted devices. The never-implanted controls demonstrated microbial contamination without exopolymeric matrix, inconsistent with biofilms. Conclusion: Bacterial biofilm formation may play a role in recalcitrant cochlear implant infections. This may have profound implications for the treatment of cochlear implant infections.
The development of impulsivity, fearfulness, and helpfulness during childhood: patterns of consistency and change in the trajectories of boys and girls.

BACKGROUND The objective of the present study was to describe the development of boys and girls during the elementary-school years on three dimensions that conceptually and empirically represent risk for maladjustment. METHOD Every year between kindergarten and grade six, teachers rated the impulsivity, fearfulness, and helpfulness dimensions among a sample of 1,865 children representative of kindergarten boys and girls in the province of Quebec (Canada) in 1986-87. A group-based trajectory method was used to 1) identify groups of boys and girls following distinct-level trajectories of behaviours (on each dimension) during the elementary-school years; 2) estimate the proportion of children in each of the identified trajectory groups; and 3) estimate the patterns of consistency and variations in trajectories. RESULTS The results indicated that the best models comprised three distinct-level trajectory groups on fearfulness and helpfulness (a low, moderate, and high group) and four distinct-level trajectory groups on impulsivity. The helpfulness and fearfulness trajectory groups were generally more stable than the impulsivity groups. The broad patterns of development were similar across sexes. However, there were more boys on the higher impulsivity trajectories and low helpfulness trajectory, while there were more girls on the high fearfulness trajectory. CONCLUSION We found that behavioural consistency over middle childhood varied across trajectory groups and across dimensions, and we identified sex differences in the distribution of children in the different trajectory groups that may reflect gender-specific risks for psychopathology.
Photoinduced intercomponent excited-state decays in a molecular dyad made of a dinuclear rhenium(i) chromophore and a fullerene electron acceptor unit

A novel molecular dyad, 1 , made of a dinuclear {[Re_2(μ-X)_2(CO)_6(μ-pyridazine)]} component covalently-linked to a fullerene unit by a carbocyclic molecular bridge has been prepared and its redox, spectroscopic, and photophysical properties–including pump–probe transient absorption spectroscopy in the visible and near-infrared region–have been investigated, along with those of its model species. Photoinduced, intercomponent electron transfer occurs in 1 from the thermally-equilibrated, triplet metal/ligand-to-ligand charge-transfer (^3MLLCT) state of the dinuclear rhenium( i ) subunit to the fullerene acceptor, with a time constant of about 100 ps. The so-formed triplet charge-separated state recombines in a few nanoseconds by a spin-selective process yielding, rather than the ground state, the locally-excited, triplet fullerene state, which finally decays to the ground state by intersystem crossing in about 290 ns.
Risk management strategies of cattle farmers in Namibia : Case study from Omaheke and Otjozondjupa regions

A sample survey of 269 questionnaires was administered to commercial and communal cattle farmers in the two regions of Namibia, (Omaheke and Otjozondjupa) to identify factors which affect the adoption of livestock insurance. About 205 questionnaires were collected and the 64 questionnaires were regarded as irregular responses or not returned. A computer software programme was used to generate a logit model. This model was used to test the alternative risk management strategies used by farmers in the two regions. In addition, this research took into account the off-farm investment and farm enterprise diversification. The logit model produced results that are statistically significant and negative estimated coefficient of the household characteristics. This implies that the Namibian livestock industry growth can be achieved with improved education, experience and support from other income as way of diversifying risk strategy. However, the positive relationship of variables FTHEFT and PROD implies the sector is suffering from continuous risk of theft and requires quality production to get market access. This necessitates the need for policy makers and insurers to design programme to educate farmers so that they can adopt proper risk management tools and thereby increase their participation in insurance. The low level of education of many farmers in the study area may have negatively influenced the decision to purchase livestock insurance in addition to other factors.
Risk factors for operative morbidity and mortality in gastric cancer patients undergoing total gastrectomy.

AIM To study the risk factors for morbidity and mortality following total gastrectomy. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the records of 125 consecutive patients who underwent total gastrectomy for gastric cancer at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine between January 2003 and March 2008. RESULTS The overall morbidity rate was 20.8% (27 patients) and the mortality rate was 3.2% (4 patients). Morbidity rates were higher in patients aged over 60 [odds ratio (OR) 4.23 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09 to 12.05)], with preoperative comorbidity [with vs without, OR 1.25 (95% CI 1.13 to 8.12)], when the combined resection was performed [combined resection vs total gastrectomy only, OR 2.67 (95% CI 1.58 to 5.06)]. CONCLUSION Age, preoperative comorbidity and combined resection were independently associated with the rate of morbidity after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer.
Trajectory-Set Feature for Action Recognition

We propose a feature for action recognition called Trajectory-Set (TS), on top of the improved Dense Trajectory (iDT). The TS feature encodes only trajectories around densely sampled interest points, without any appearance features. Experimental results on the UCF50 action dataset demonstrates that TS is comparable to state-of-thearts, and outperforms iDT; the accuracy of 95.0%, compared to 91.7% by iDT. key words: action recognition, trajectory, improved Dense Trajectory
Expression of Aurora-B kinase and phosphorylated histone H3 in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Aurora-B, a chromosomal passenger protein forming a complex with INCENP (inner centromere protein) and survivin, regulates stable bipolar spindle-kinetochore attachment in mitosis and chromosome segregation and cytokinesis. It was recently documented that Aurora-B directly phosphorylated histone H3, not only at Ser10, but also at Ser28, which contributed to chromosome number instability and mitotic chromosome condensation. This study aimed at investigating the expression of Aurora-B kinase (Aurora-B) and phosphorylated histone H3 (H3-P) and their roles in hepatocellular carcinogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The expressions of Aurora-B and H3-P were examined in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by immunohistochemistry. A hepatoblastoma cell line, HepG2, was targeted and the isolation and characterization of alternative variants of Aurora-B were carried out. The Aurora encoding protein was detected in COS-7 transfected with different Aurora transcripts by Western blot. Finally, the expression of Aurora-B and its variant forms was examined in 17 HCCs by RT-PCR. RESULTS Immunohistochemically, Aurora-B was observed only in a few cases of HCC, while H3-P expression was more frequently detected in carcinoma foci than in non-carcinoma foci (p < 0.05). The isolation and characterization of two alternative variant forms of Aurora-B (termed Aurora-B1 and -B2) in the HepG2 cell line were successful. Aurora-B-transfected COS-7 cells expressed two different proteins, one of which was similar to the expression product of Aurora-B1 in size. Aurora-B transcripts were detected in 12 out of 17 (70.5%) HCC cases examined. Aurora-B2 was predominantly detected in 9 (52.9%) cases, while regular Aurora-B and Aurora-B1 were detected in 6 (35.2%) and 7 (41.1%) cases, respectively. CONCLUSION Aberrant expression of Aurora-B and H3-P plays a role in hepatocarcinogenesis. Alterative splicing of Aurora-B produces different sizes of proteins in HCC. Temporally altered phosphorylation of histone-H3 in the entire cell cycle may up-regulate the entry of HCC into the cell cycle to enhance their proliferation.
Zic1 transcription factor in bone: neural developmental protein regulates mechanotransduction in osteocytes

A transcriptome analysis compared gene expression in human bone biopsy samples taken from lumbar spine and iliac crest, sites that experience high and low levels of mechanical stress, respectively. The analysis revealed that the zinc finger protein of cerebellum (Zic) family member transcription factor Zicl was the most up‐regulated gene in the lumbar spine (202‐fold; P< 10−7) in comparison with the iliac crest. Software analysis of differential gene expression in the biopsy samples identified the ciliary‐related proteins PATCH1 and GLI‐Kruppel family members Glil and Gli3 as part of a potential molecular network associated with Zicl. RT‐PCR confirmed the expression of Zicl, Glil, and Gli3 and other related key signaling mediators in osteoblastic cells and osteocytes in vitro. Zicl was immunolocalized in the cytosol and nucleus of the murine osteocyte cell line MLO‐Y4 and osteoblast‐like cells MC3T3‐El and in primary rat osteoblasts. MLO‐Y4 cells subjected to prolonged oscillatory fluid flow showed increased localization of Zicl in the nucleus with diminished levels in the cytosol, but no such changes were seen in MC3T3‐El cells. A shear stress‐induced increase in T‐cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor transcriptional activity was abolished by Zicl gene silencing. These results suggest that Zicl, perhaps together with Glil and Gli3, may act as a link between mechanosensing and Wnt signaling. We conclude that Zicl, a neural developmental transcription factor, plays an important role in shear flow mechanotransduction in osteocytes. —Kalogeropoulos, M. , Varanasi, S. S. , Olstad, O. K. , Sanderson, P., Gautvik, V. T. , Reppe, S. , Francis, R. M. , Gautvik, K. M. , Birch, M. A. , Datta, H. K. Zicl transcription factor in bone: neural developmental protein regulates mechanotransduction in osteocytes. FASEB J. 24, 2893–2903 (2010). www.fasebj. org
Level of awareness about tuberculosis in urban slums: Implications for advocacy and communication strategy planning in the National program

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains as an important public health problem in India. Awareness about the disease, its diagnosis, and treatment among public will help in controlling the killer disease. This study aims at arriving at an educational diagnosis about TB in an urban poor community. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban slum in South India using a structured, pretested questionnaire. Domains identified were knowledge about TB, symptoms, spread, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of TB. Results: A total of 395 households were interviewed. Of them, 370 (94%) respondents had heard about TB. Regarding the symptoms of TB, 82% were aware that cough is a symptom of TB. Among the 79% of study subjects who reported any test to diagnose TB, sputum examination as a method of diagnosis was known to only 40%. However, 84% of the subjects were aware of the free treatment available for TB under National program. Conclusion: Level of awareness about TB among urban poor in a slum area is good. Knowledge about “free treatment” and “duration of treatment” has to be stressed during health education activities.
Utility of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5–Brief Form (PID-5-BF) in the Measurement of Maladaptive Personality and Psychopathology

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–Fifth edition (DSM-5) Personality and Personality Disorders workgroup developed the Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 (PID-5) for the assessment of the alternative trait model for DSM-5. Along with this measure, the American Psychiatric Association published an abbreviated version, the PID-5–Brief form (PID-5-BF). Although this measure is available on the DSM-5 website for use, only two studies have evaluated its psychometric properties and validity and no studies have examined the U.S. version of this measure. The current study evaluated the reliability, factor structure, and construct validity of PID-5-BF scale scores. This included an evaluation of the scales’ associations with Section II PDs, a well-validated dimensional measure of personality psychopathology, and broad externalizing and internalizing psychopathology measures. We found support for the reliability of PID-5-BF scales as well as for the factor structure of the measure. Furthermore, a series of correlation and regression analyses showed conceptually expected associations between PID-5-BF and external criterion variables. Finally, we compared the correlations with external criterion measures to those of the full-length PID-5 and PID-5–Short form. Intraclass correlation analyses revealed a comparable pattern of correlations across all three measures, thereby supporting the use of the PID-5-BF as a screening measure of dimensional maladaptive personality traits.
Effect of PDL on the DOP feedback signal in PMD compensation

The impact of polarization dependence loss (PDL) on the degree of polarization (DOP) feedback signal in polarization mode dispersion (PMD) compensation is analyzed. PDL affects DOP only in the presence of PMD, and in the presence of PMD and PDL, DOP relates not only to both PMD and PDL vectors but also to the principal states of polarization (SOPs) components of the output signal; on the other hand, it adds new frequency dependence and is no longer independent of system bit rate. The PDL minimum endangering PMD compensation is determined by the step size of the PMD compensating algorithm and the differential group delay (DGD) value in optical fiber systems. DOP could no longer act as the feedback signal in PMD compensation unless the PDL in the fiber system has been effectively eliminated before PMD compensation.
High and Low Computer Self-Efficacy Groups and Their Learning Behavior from Self-Regulated Learning Perspective While Engaged in Interactive Learning Modules.

The purpose of this research was to investigate high school students’ computer self-efficacy (CSE) and learning behavior in a selfregulated learning (SRL) framework while utilizing an interactive learning module. The researcher hypothesizes that CSE is reflected on cognitive actions and metacognitive strategies while the students are engaged with interactive learning modules. Two research questions guided this research: (1) how is students’ CSE while engaged in interactive learning modules? and (2) how do high and low CSE groups plan and monitor their cognitive action, and regulate their monitoring strategies based on their CSE level? The research used a mixedmethods approach to answer the research questions. This study utilized a SRL framework that covered self-efficacy, cognitive actions, and metacognitive components. While self-efficacy was represented by CSE, metacognitive component was represented by planning, monitoring, and regulating strategies. Cognitive actions represent contextual activities while using interactive learning modules. One hundred students from two high schools, InTech Collegiate and Logan High Schools, completed activities in this study. Each student worked on three modules, namely Boolean Logic, Minimum Spanning Tree, and Modeling Using Graphs. Three different forms of data were gathered for analysis. These data included questionnaires, screen captured videos, and audio recordings of interviews. The findings of this study revealed that the students achieved the highest average score on beginning skills compared to advanced skills and file and software skills for their CSE. Furthermore, screen-captured video analysis showed that there were different profiles of cognitive actions and metacognitive strategies between high and low CSE groups in terms of the strategy changes and duration of their strategies. Issues gathered from interview analysis between these two groups were also elaborated.