Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial Calcium Homeostasis: Mechanisms and Molecules

Despite the early characterisation of Ca 2+ fluxes in isolated mitochondria and the ability of this ion to up‐regulate dehydrogenases of the Krebs cycle, the low affinity of the organelle uptake pathways was a long‐standing obstacle to the recognition of a physiological role for mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake. This review begins with a historical account of the main results that proved the contrary and provides a brief description of mitochondrial Ca 2+ signals. Then, it discusses the characteristics of Ca 2+ regulation of mitochondrial function. Finally, it summarizes recent discoveries on structural aspects of mitochondrial reticulum and its connections to signalling partners such as the endoplasmic reticulum or the plasma membrane.
Blood Cultures in the Emergency Department Evaluation of Childhood Pneumonia

Background: Blood cultures are frequently obtained in the emergency department (ED) evaluation of children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Objectives: To determine the prevalence of bacteremia in children presenting to the ED with CAP, identify subgroups at increased risk for bacteremia, and quantify the effect of positive blood cultures on management. Methods: This case–control study was nested within a cohort of children followed up at 35 pediatric practices. Patients from this cohort who were ≤18 years of age, evaluated in the ED in 2006–2007, and diagnosed with CAP were eligible. Cases were those with bacteremia. Controls included those with negative blood cultures and those without blood cultures performed. Results: A total of 877 (9.6%) of 9099 children with CAP were evaluated in the ED. The mean age was 3.6 years; 53% were male. Blood cultures were obtained from 291 children (33.2%). Overall, the prevalence of bacteremia was 2.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.8%–4.4%). Bacteremia occurred in 2.6% (95% CI: 1.0%–5.6%) with an infiltrate on chest radiograph and in 13.0% (95% CI: 2.8%–33.6%) with complicated pneumonia. Streptococcus pneumoniae accounted for 4 of the 6 cases of bacteremia. Blood culture results altered management in 5 of the 6 bacteremic patients; 1 had an appropriate broadening and 4 had an appropriate narrowing of coverage. The contamination rate was 1.0% (95% CI: 0.2%–3.0%). Conclusion: Children presenting to the ED for evaluation of CAP are at low-risk for bacteremia. Although positive blood cultures frequently altered clinical management, the overall impact was small because of the low prevalence of bacteremia.
The causes of neonatal mortality: an analysis of 501 autopsies on newborn infants.

The major disease processes identified in a series of 501 consecutive necropsies onnewborn infants who died within the first 28 days of life are classified. The data are compared with a similar series of 102 autopsies performed elsewhere and reported in 1953, 1 national statistics on neonatal mortality as presented by the United States Public Health Service, 12 and all of the itemized entries on 501 consecutive death certificates for newborn infants who died in philadelphia in 1966. There comparisons show that vital statistics derived from death certificates of infants dying during the neonatal period must be interpreted with great caution. In certain of the major categories, data so derived do not appear to reflect the actual frequency of these processes as causes of death.
Effects of thymoquinone on plasma leptin, insulin, thyroid hormones and lipid profile in rats fed a fatty diet.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of thymoquinone (TQ) on plasma hormone levels, which regulate energy metabolism, and on the lipid profile of rats fed a standard and fatty diets. The study was performed on four experimental groups for 6 weeks using Wistar Albino rats weighing 200-260 g, aged 5-6 months, with 10 rats in each group. 1) The control group: Rats were fed a standard diet and given 1 ml 0.9% saline /kg body weight/day by gastric gavage. 2) The TQ group: Rats were fed a standard diet and given 50 mg TQ/kg body weight/day dissolved in 1 ml 0.9% saline, by gastric gavage. 3) The fatty diet (FD) group: Rats were fed an experimental diet containing 50% animal fat and given 1 ml 0.9% saline/kg body weight/day by gastric gavage. 4) The FD+TQ group: Rats were fed an experimental diet containing 50% animal fat and given 50 mg TQ/kg body weight/day dissolved in 1 ml 0.9% saline by gastric gavage. At the end of the experimental period, plasma insulin, thyroxine (T4), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were significantly decreased in the TQ group compared with the control group while the plasma glucose level was increased (P<0.01). In the FD group compared to the control group, HDL and carnitine levels were significantly decreased while plasma leptin, glucose, total triiodothyronine (T3), T4, free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), trigliseride (TG), LDL and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels were significantly increased. Compared to the FD group, in particular, leptin, T3, FT4, TG, LDL and VLDL levels were significantly decreased in the FD+TQ group except for increased glucose. The study concludes that TQ may be a natural source for the provention of the harmful effects of a fatty diet, due to the dropped levels of leptin, TG, LDL, VLDL and could be considered for use in the field of preventive medicine.
SkELETAL ADAPTATION DURING GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT: A GLOBAL RESEARCH ALLIANCE

Acknowledgements: The Global Equine Research Alliance designed and carried out the following work. It is comprised of researchers from Massey University, NZ (Elwyn Firth and Chris Rogers); Colorado State University, US (C.W. McIlwraith and Chris Kawcak); Royal Veterinary College, UK (Allen Goodship and Roger Smith); and University of Utrecht, Netherlands (Ab Barneveld and Rene van Weeren). Funding for this study came from several sources, namely Arthritis Foundation, Marilyn M. Simpson Trust, NASA, NIH, NSF, pre-doctoral fellowship from Whitaker Foundation, The New Zealand Equine Research Foundation, Palmerston North, New Zealand, New Zealand Racing Board, and the Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation.
The Value of an Emergent Notion of Authenticity: Examples from Two Student/Teacher-Scientist Partnership Programs.

We make the case for an emergent notion of authenticity of science based on systems theory and neo-Piagetian thought. We propose that authentic science is an emergent property of a dynamic system of learning precipitated by the interactions among students, teachers, and scientists that occur within the contexts defined by the internal and external constraints of the cultures of the schools and communities within which they operate. Authenticity as an emergent property of the learning process challenges the basis for many science curricula and current pedagogical practices that take scientists' science as their norm and that assume a priori that such is authentic, i.e., it practices preauthentication. We argue that what constitutes authentic science can be taught neither in the traditional didactic modes nor through simulations of scientists' science in the classroom. Instead, authenticity needs to be seen as emergent and as diverse in meaning. To illustrate this point, we draw from two different face-to-face, teacher/student-scientist partnership programs. Both studies support a notion of authenticity that emerges as teachers, students, and scientists come to interact, make meaning of, and come to own the activities they engage in collaboratively. We conclude by considering the implications of such an analysis for science education. 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 40: 737-756, 2003
Dok-3, a Novel Adapter Molecule Involved in the Negative Regulation of Immunoreceptor Signaling

ABSTRACT Adapters are typically viewed as molecules coordinating the recruitment of positive effectors of cell signaling. Herein, we report the identification of Dok-3, a novel adapter molecule belonging to the Dok family. Our studies show that Dok-3 is highly expressed in several hemopoietic cell types, including B cells and macrophages. It undergoes rapid tyrosine phosphorylation in response to immunoreceptor-mediated cellular activation, seemingly as a result of the action of Src family kinases. This phosphorylation induces the binding of Dok-3 to at least two inhibitory molecules, the 5′ inositol phosphatase SHIP and the protein tyrosine kinase Csk. We also demonstrate that augmented expression of wild-type Dok-3 in a B-cell line results in an inhibition of immunoreceptor-mediated nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) activation and cytokine release, while introduction of a Dok-3 mutant with impaired ability to associate with SHIP and Csk enhances B-cell responsiveness. Taken together, these results indicate that Dok-3 is an adapter involved in the recruitment of inhibitory molecules and that it may play a significant role in the negative regulation of immunoreceptor signaling in hemopoietic cells such as B cells and macrophages.
Discrimination of the closely related biocontrol agents Macrolophus melanotoma (Hemiptera: Miridae) and M. pygmaeus using mitochondrial DNA analysis

Abstract The separation of the closely related predatory species Macrolophus melanotoma Costa (= M. caliginosus Wagner) and Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur) based exclusively on the different colour pattern of the first antennal segment (white central band in M. melanotoma and entirely black in M. pygmaeus) is rather precarious and their taxonomic status is still in doubt. In the present study their taxonomic status was evaluated by DNA confirmatory analysis and hybridization experiments between M. pygmaeus and a Macrolophus taxon, resembling M. melanotoma, with a first antennal segment entirely black or with a white central band collected from Dittrichia viscosa (L.) W. Greuter (Asteraceae) in southern Greece. Adult females from Dittrichia plants hybridized with males of M. pygmaeus and vice versa did not produce viable eggs. The Macrolophus species from Dittrichia irrespective of the first antennal segment coloration differed from M. pygmaeusin digestive patterns generated by AseI, XbaI, and MseI on 16S rRNA and in RAPD profiles produced by the primers OPA-18 and OPA-20. These results demonstrate that on Dittrichia plants there is a distinct dimorphic taxon, M. melanotoma, as it is the only species of the genus Macrolophus bearing a first antennal segment with a central white band. Given the limitation of the coloration pattern, the mtDNA genetic markers are the appropriate method for the identification of M. melanotomaand M. pygmaeus.
Ectopic pancreas in upper gastrointestinal tract: MRI findings with emphasis on differentiation from submucosal tumor

Background Ectopic pancreas can frequently be mistaken for other submucosal masses. Ectopic pancreas may follow the signal intensity of mother pancreas on various magnetic resonance (MR) sequences, which might be helpful for differentiation between ectopic pancreas and other submucosal tumors in upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract. Purpose To evaluate the value of MR imaging (MRI) in differentiating ectopic pancreases from submucosal tumors in UGI tract. Material and Methods Fifteen patients with ectopic pancreas and 26 patients with UGI submucosal tumors were included. All patients underwent abdominal MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. Qualitative (location, contour, growth pattern, lesion border, and presence of intralesional cystic portion and duct-like structure) and quantitative (long diameter [LD], short diameter [SD], LD/SD ratio, signal intensities and apparent diffusion coefficients [ADC], and signal intensity – and ADC ratios of UGI submucosal lesions to pancreas) parameters were compared between ectopic pancreases and UGI submucosal tumors using Fisher’s exact test, the Mann-Whitney U test, and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results Duodenum was the most common location for ectopic pancreas (12/15, 79.9%), and the gastric body for UGI submucosal tumors (15/26, 57.7%) (P = 0.005). Round shape was an imaging feature more common in UGI submucosal tumors (12/26, 46.2%) than in ectopic pancreas (1/15, 6.7%; P = 0.021). On all of the various pulse sequences of MR images, ectopic pancreas showed isointensity comparable to that of pancreas more frequently than did sequences of UGI submucosal tumors (P < 0.01). The means (0.95 ± 0.09, 0.99 ± 0.06, 1.07 ± 0.08) of the signal intensity ratio of ectopic pancreas to pancreas on fat-suppressed unenhanced T1-weighted, arterial, and portal phase images were significantly higher than those (0.60 ± 0.09, 0.62 ± 0.28, 0.86 ± 0.27) of UGI submucosal tumors (P < 0.05). In contrast, the means (1.05 ± 0.12, 0.93 ± 0.18) of the signal intensity ratios of ectopic pancreas on T2-weighted images and DW images (b = 800 s/mm2) were significantly lower than those (1.82 ± 0.39, 2.35 ± 0.94) of UGI submucosal tumors (P < 0.001). On ROC analysis, if absolute value of difference between 1.0 and signal intensity ratio of submucosal lesions to the pancreas on T1-weighted images is <0.21, the sensitivity and specificity reach 100.0% for diagnosis ectopic pancreas from submucosal tumors. Conclusion Abdominal MRI with DWI can be a valuable tool for differentiating ectopic pancreases from UGI submucosal tumors.
Category Scaling of the Interest Value of Complex Visual Stimuli and Late Positive Components of the Evoked Potential a

Amplitude changes of a late positive component (P300) of evoked potentials have been related to the subjective importance or value of the eliciting stimuli as an explanatory dimension (Sutton et al., 1978; Sutton, 1979). This interpretation is based on the behavioral context of the stimuli (“task relevance”: for a review see Donchin et al., 1978) or on assumptions about their connotative meaning (e.g., monetary payoff: Sutton et al., 1978; Johnston, 1979; Johnston and Holcomb, 1980; Homberg et al., 1981). The present study examines this issue in terms of the subject’s personal rating of the stimulus value. It investigates late positive components of visual evoked potentials in relation to concurrently obtained categorical judgments of the perceived degree of interest in the stimuli. ‘
Differentiation‐regulated loss of the polysialylated embryonic form and expression of the different polypeptides of the neural cell adhesion molecule by cultured oligodendrocytes and myelin

The expression of the neural cell adhesion molecule (N‐CAM) on cultured murine oligodendrocytes, their precursors, and myelin was examined by indirect immunofluorescence, biosynthetic radiolabeling followed by immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis, using antibodies specific for various forms of the molecule. In all culture systems studied, whether the oligodendrocytes were cultured as an enriched fraction containing precursor cells or in the presence of astrocytes and neurons, a similar differentiation stage‐related expression of N‐CAM was seen. At early developmental stages many tetanus toxin receptor and A2B5 antigen‐positive putative oligodendrocyte precursors with bipolar morphology were seen and found to express N‐CAM in its embryonic form. Of the 04 antigen‐positive immature oligodendrocytes with few slender processes most expressed N‐CAM, but few the embryonic form of N‐CAM. The more mature 01 or 010 antigen‐positive oligodendrocytes were found to express exclusively the adult form of N‐CAM. Oligo‐dendrocytes synthesized the 120 and 140 kD forms of N‐CAM (N‐CAM 120 and N‐CAM 140), but not N‐CAM 180, although with differentiation, N‐CAM 120 predominated in oligodendrocytes and also in pure myelin. N‐CAM 120 could be released from oligodendrocytes and myelin by phosphatidylinositol‐specific phospholipase C, suggesting that in both oligodendrocytes and myelin N‐CAM 120 is inserted into the membrane by covalent linkage to phosphatidylinositol.
Survival, growth, settlement and metamorphosis of refrigerated larvae of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck and their use in settlement and antifouling bioassays

Abstract Straight-hinge veliger and pediveliger larvae of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis were refrigerated for varying periods for use in bioassays. Straight-hinge veliger larvae grew to the umbo-veliger stage after 2 months in the refrigerator, but no pediveligers were observed during the 3-month refrigeration period. The average survival rate of larvae in the refrigerator was 79% after 1 month, but gradually decreased with the refrigeration period, and was as low as 22% after 3 months. All refrigerated larvae grew to the pediveliger stage in the incubator at 17°C at the same rate as that of the control larvae that were not refrigerated. Settlement and metamorphosis of pediveligers from both refrigerated and control groups were facilitated by microbial film and epinephrine and inhibited by phentolamine. Thus, refrigeration can be used as an effective method of storing larvae of M. galloprovincialis for use in assays to assess candidate settlement inducers and antifouling substances.
Body condition scores in dairy cows: associations with metabolic and endocrine changes in healthy dairy cows.

Relationships between body condition scores (BCS), metabolic profiles and endocrine traits were investigated in 53 healthy Red Holstein cows. Cows were categorized into groups based on BCS ante-partum (a.p.: >3.25 or < 3.25) and on BCS losses during the first 8 weeks after calving (ABCS8 > 0.75 or < or = 0.75). Blood samples were collected 1 week before calving and every 2 weeks post-partum (p.p.). Cows with BCS a.p. >3.25 and deltaBCS < or = 0.75 were oldest and cows with BCS a.p. < or = 3.25 and deltaBCS < or = 0.75 were youngest. Cows with BCS > 3.25 a.p. and that lost > 0.75 BCS in the first 2 months of lactation exhibited signs of subclinical ketosis. If statistically adjusted for the effect of lactation number, average milk yield within the first 8 weeks p.p. and milk fat concentrations were similar between BCS groups, whereas milk protein concentrations differed significantly between BCS groups. Significant differences between groups were observed for blood plasma glucose, bilirubin, beta-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acids and insulin concentrations. No differences were seen for albumin, urea, insulin-like growth factor-1, and 3.5. 3'-triiodothyronine concentrations and for plasma activities of glutamate-oxalacetate transaminase, gamma-glutamyltransferase and glutamate dehydrogenase. There was a good agreement between BCS and profiles of metabolites and hormones related to energy metabolism in clinically healthy cows. Cows in good body condition a.p. had greater risks of metabolic problems because of excessive mobilization of body reserves. However, the metabolic status was best in cows with a BCS > 3.25 a.p. if they did not lose much body condition p.p.
Metabolic Benefits of Growth Hormone Therapy in Idiopathic Short Stature

The US Food and Drug Administration approved use of recombinant human growth hormone (GH) for the treatment of idiopathic short stature (ISS) in children; however, few studies have evaluated metabolic outcomes. This article addresses whether children with ISS treated with GH experience the same metabolic benefits as children with GH deficiency (GHD) treated with GH. A systematic review of all published studies of GH treatment in children with ISS that included data on metabolic outcomes identified five studies. No meta-analysis has been performed.Studies show a metabolic response to GH treatment in children with ISS similar to that observed in children with GHD; effects include a transient decrease in insulin sensitivity and a dose-dependent increase in insulin-like growth factor I. However, no increase in the risk of diabetes was found. Children with ISS seem to benefit from GH treatment in terms of height gain without any severe negative metabolic outcomes.
Learning the Ropes Together: Assimilation and Friendship Development Among First-Year Male Medical Students

This study explores the mutual influences of friendship development and organizational assimilation processes among first-year male medical students. Interviews and observations were used to examine the ways students constructed and enacted their friendships with male classmates during the process of assimilating into medical school. The study also examined how the male friends viewed the influence of their friendships on their assimilation into medical school and how the assimilation process simultaneously influenced their developing friendships. Thematic analysis revealed that although the men perceived their medical school friendships as "not yet close," the friendships provided them with valuable tangible and socio-emotional support during the rigorous assimilation process and that the assimilation process paradoxically facilitated as well as hindered the development of friendships. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Hypothermia alone might not be enough for cerebral protection in aortic arch surgery.

A primary goal in aortic arch surgery is to preserve cerebral function. However, brain tissue has a very high metabolic rate and is especially sensitive to ischemia. Two options to minimize cerebral ischemia during arch surgery are 1) to suppress cerebral metabolism with the use of hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) and 2) to supply the metabolites by means of antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) or retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP). Most centers prefer ACP to RCP. Both HCA and ACP have time-dependent limits that are not fully or formally defined. In this regard, it is important to note that metabolism is suppressed during HCA but not eliminated. For example, even at 8 °C, the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen is still 11% of baseline.1 Accordingly, rather than ask whether a given procedure can be performed with HCA alone, it is more pertinent to ask, “What are the safe limits of HCA? ”
Impact of electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy on the occurrence of cardiovascular events in elderly hypertensive patients. - The Japanese trial to assess optimal systolic blood pressure in elderly hypertensive patients (JATOS) -.

BACKGROUND Electrocardiographic (ECG) left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a risk factor for cardiovascular events and the incidence of LVH increases with age. However, few studies have assessed risks associated with LVH in elderly hypertensive patients. METHODS AND RESULTS The Japanese Trial to Assess Optimal Systolic Blood Pressure in Elderly Hypertensive Patients (JATOS) was conducted to determine optimal blood pressure in elderly patients. At study entry, the sum of the S-wave in lead V(1) and the R-wave in lead V(5) (SV1+ RV5) could be determined in 3,230 patients, among whom 164 (5.1%) had cardiovascular events. On univariate analysis, the hazard ratio for cardiovascular events was 1.51 for each 10 mm (=1 mV) (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.34-1.69, P<0.0001) when SV1+ RV5 was considered a continuous variable, and 2.17 (95%CI: 1.54-3.05, P<0.0001) and 2.83 (95%CI: 1.91-4.19, P<0.0001) when SV1+ RV5 was classified into 2 groups at threshold values of either 35 mm or 40 mm, respectively. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that gender, age, current smoking, diabetes mellitus, history of renal disease, history of stroke, and SV1+ RV5 were significantly related to the occurrence of cardiovascular events. Kaplan - Meier curves showed that increasing SV1+ RV5 values were associated with higher incidences of cardiovascular events. CONCLUSIONS ECG LVH is strongly related to cardiovascular events in elderly hypertensive patients.