Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spectral Sensitivity of Thermally Modified and Unmodified Wood

The chemical structure of wood changes significantly during thermal modification, significantly influencing the behaviour of wood during weathering. In this study, the effect of different wavelength ranges on thermally modified and unmodified aspen (Populus tremula L.) wood during solar irradiation was investigated. Irradiation was performed by exposing wood to natural solar irradiation under filters transmitting different wavelength ranges. For both woods, the magnitude of characteristic change (discolouration, changes in reflectance, and chemical composition) clearly depended on the solar wavelength bands, but the trends of the changes differed. For unmodified wood, the magnitude of the characteristic changes increased as the portion of short-wavelength radiation in the light increased. However, UV radiation was not found to be the dominant factor influencing changes in thermally modified wood during solar irradiation. The colour and chemical structure of thermally modified wood changed substantially for all studied irradiation conditions.
Divergence in Murine Myometrium Spontaneous and Oxytocin-Stimulated Contractile Responses to Serine/Threonine Protein Phosphatase-1 Inhibition1

Abstract Reversible phosphorylation is essential in regulating uterine contractions. Identification, characterization, and functional understanding of myometrium protein phosphatase(s) are lacking. Okadaic acid (OA), which inhibits protein phosphatase-1 (PP1) and PP2A, has been shown to alter uterine contractions. Experiments were conducted to determine the 1) identity of the myometrial OA-sensitive PP, 2) influence of OA on spontaneous and oxytocin (OT)-stimulated myometrial contractions, and 3) expression of uterine PPs during sexual development. Western blot analysis indicated the presence of PP1α and PP2A in immature and mature mice. As determined by immunohistochemistry, gonadotropin-stimulated adult mouse uteri contain PP1α in longitudinal and circular myometrial layers and endometrial epithelium. Conversely, PP2A was localized to the endometrial stroma. Cumulative addition of OA (n = 9; 10, 100, 250, 500, 1000 nM) did not significantly alter spontaneous contractions of mouse uterine horns in comparison to vehicle-treated controls (n = 9). By the end of the test period OA- and vehicle-treated uteri displayed a comparable decline in uterine contractions to 79.2% and 63.7%, respectively, of basal contractile activity. Pretreatment of uterine tissue with OA (1 μM; n = 7) significantly reduced contractile response to increasing concentrations of OT (8, 16, 32, 64 nM) in comparison to vehicle pretreatment (dimethyl sulfoxide; n = 7). At the end of the OT-administration period, contractile activity was 160.4% and 67.3% of basal contractile activity for vehicle (no OA) and OA-pretreated groups, respectively. During the early prepubertal period PP1α was expressed in longitudinal myometrium and absent in circular myometrium; whereas, during the transition to sexual maturity PP1α was observed in both the longitudinal and circular myometrium. In summary, these studies have indicated 1) that PP1 is the primary myometrial OA-sensitive PP; 2) that inhibition of PP1 had no effect on spontaneous contractions, whereas it markedly inhibited OT-stimulated uterine contractions; and 3) that PP1 is differentially expressed in the circular and longitudinal myometrium in relation to sexual development.
IMPROVEMENT OF NUTRACEUTICAL VALUE OF BROCCOLI SPROUTS BY NATURAL ELICITORS

Contrary to genetic engineering elicitation is a cheaper and socially acceptable methods for improving plant food functionality. In this work broccoli sprouts were elic- ited with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) and Salix daphnoides bark (SD) extracts. The most effective elicitors of phenolics overproduction were 1% SD and 0.5% SC. Treatment with 0.1% SC significantly increased content of ferulic acid, whereas p-coumaric and syryngic acids levels were significantly elevated by elicitation with SC (0.5% and 1%) and SD. All studied extracts appeared to be very effective elicitors of kaempferol biosyn- thesis (17-fold for 0.1% SC). In the case of mastication-extractable phytochemicals sig- nificant increase of SOD-like activity was observed after elicitation with 0.1% SC, 1% SC and 1% SD. All elicitors caused also an increase of OHradicals scavenging ability. The most effective was 1% SC, where an increase was about 40%. Elicitation significantly improved potential bioaccessibility of compounds with anti-ROS activities, especially SOD-like active phytochemicals, thus may consist an effective biotechnology.
An Iranian‐Armenian LDLR frameshift mutation causing familial hypercholesterolemia

We used polymerase chain reaction single‐strand conformation polymorphism (PCR‐SSCP) analysis to detect a mutation in the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene in a family of Iranian‐Armenian origin. The mutation, designated FH Yrmeih, deletes two nucleotides from exon 10 of the LDLR gene, which causes a translational frameshift, whereby a truncated LDLR protein of the first 471 residues of the LDLR with an additional 41 abnormal residues and a premature stop codon would be created. The deletion was detected in a father and son with clinical features of heterozygous FH. To our knowledge this is the first pathogenetic LDLR mutation identified in FH patients of Iranian‐Armenian ancestry.
The Epidemiology of Emergency Medical Services Use by Children: An Analysis of the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey

Objective. There is an absence of nationally representative data describing pediatric patients who use emergency medical services (EMS) andthe factors associated with EMS use by children. This study characterizes pediatric emergency department (ED) visits for which the patient arrived by EMS andidentifies factors associated with those visits using a nationally representative database. Methods. A secondary analysis of the ED component of the 1997–2000 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey was performed. The dependent variable was the mode of arrival to the ED (EMS vs. not EMS), andindependent variables were grouped into four domains: demographic, clinical, system, andservice characteristics. Bivariate analyses andmultivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results. There were 110.9 million ED visits by children aged <19 years between 1997 and2000. Pediatric patients constituted 27.3% of all ED visits during this time, and7.9 million (7.1%) of these patients arrived via EMS. Pediatric patients represented 13% of all EMS transports. The annual EMS utilization rate by children was 26 per 1,000, compared with 66 per 1,000 in the adult population (p < 0.001). Sixteen percent of children transported by EMS were admitted to the hospital. Sixty-two percent of pediatric patients arriving at the ED by EMS were transported as a result of injury or poisoning. Characteristics significantly associated with arrival by EMS in the final multivariate model included demographic (age, African American race, urban residence), clinical (need for greater immediacy of care, illnesses associated with certain diagnoses), andservice (greater number of diagnostic services) variables. Conclusions. Pediatric patients transported by EMS are more likely to have injuries andpoisoning, andhave higher-acuity illness than those arriving at the ED by other means. The epidemiology of pediatric EMS use may have important operational, training, andpublic health implications andrequires further study.
Students' approaches to learning and their experiences of the teaching-learning environment in different disciplines.

BACKGROUND There is evidence of disciplinary variation in students' approaches to learning. Furthermore, previous research has shown that students' approaches are related to their perceptions of the learning environment. AIM The overall objective of the study was to analyse combinations of approaches to learning among undergraduates in different disciplines. More precisely, the aim was to cluster students on the basis of their scores on different items measuring approaches to learning, and to explore the relationship between the clusters and both the disciplines of the students and their perceptions of the teaching-learning environment. SAMPLE A total of 2,509 students participated in the study. METHODS The students were asked to complete an on-line questionnaire, which was a revised version of the Experience of Teaching and Learning Questionnaire. It included items covering approaches to learning and perceptions of the teaching-learning environment. RESULTS The students were classified in four clusters. There were significant differences in how the respondents from the 10 faculties were represented in these clusters. There were also differences in their perceptions of the teaching-learning environment in the different faculties. CONCLUSIONS It appears that there is disciplinary variation in approaches to learning. Furthermore, the results indicate that both approaches to learning and the discipline have an effect on students' experiences of the teaching-learning environment.
Lipid rafts in the plant plasma membrane

In order to study the molecular characteristics of an integral membrane protein, first the protein should be solubilized. Ascorbate-reducible b-type cytochromes are highly hydrophobic integral membrane proteins with six trans-membrane α-helices. A fully ascorbate- reducible b-type cytochrome was easily solubilized by Triton X-100 from phase partition- purified plasma membranes of 5-day-old etiolated bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) hooks (Trost et al. 2000). However, under the very same conditions, a similar protein in the phase partition- purified plasma membrane of 9-week-old green Arabidopsis thaliana leaves seemed to be very resistant to solubilization with Triton X-100 (Berczi et al. 2001). It was assumed that the composition of lipids in the plasma membrane of the two different tissues might influence the solubilization. Results obtained with thin layer chromatography revealed that both quan- titative and qualitative differences exist between the lipid composition of the two plant plasma membranes. The observations are discussed in the light of possible existence of "lipid rafts" in the plant plasma membranes.
Very low density lipoprotein metabolism and plasma adiponectin as predictors of high-density lipoprotein apolipoprotein A-I kinetics in obese and nonobese men.

CONTEXT Hypercatabolism of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) apolipoprotein (apo) A-I results in low plasma apoA-I concentration. The mechanisms regulating apoA-I catabolism may relate to alterations in very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) metabolism and plasma adiponectin and serum amyloid A protein (SAA) concentrations. OBJECTIVE We examined the associations between the fractional catabolic rate (FCR) of HDL-apoA-I and VLDL kinetics, plasma adiponectin, and SAA concentrations. STUDY DESIGN The kinetics of HDL-apoA-I and VLDL-apoB were measured in 50 obese and 37 nonobese men using stable isotopic techniques. RESULTS In the obese group, HDL-apoA-I FCR was positively correlated with insulin, homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) score, triglycerides, VLDL-apoB, and VLDL-apoB production rate (PR). In the nonobese group, HDL-apoA-I FCR was positively correlated with triglycerides, apoC-III, VLDL-apoB, and VLDL-apoB PR and negatively correlated with plasma adiponectin. Plasma SAA was not associated with HDL-apoA-I FCR in either group. In multiple regression analyses, VLDL-apoB PR and HOMA-IR score, and VLDL-apoB PR and adiponectin were independently predictive of HDL-apoA-I FCR in the obese and nonobese groups, respectively. HDL-apoA-I FCR was positively and strongly associated with HDL-apoA-I PR in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Variation in VLDL-apoB production, and hence plasma triglyceride concentrations, exerts a major effect on the catabolism of HDL-apoA-I. Insulin resistance and adiponectin may also contribute to the variation in HDL-apoA-I catabolism in obese and nonobese subjects, respectively. We also hypothesize that apoA-I PR determines a steady-state, lowered plasma of apoA-I, which may reflect a compensatory response to a primary defect in the catabolism of HDL-apoA-I due to altered VLDL metabolism.
Anxiety and depression in adults in their eighties: do gender differences remain?

ABSTRACT Background: Women report higher rates of depression and anxiety than men; however, it is uncertain whether this gender difference continues into advanced old age. Methods: 78 men and 111 women aged 82–87 years from the Men, Women and Ageing Project completed measures of anxiety (Geriatric Anxiety Inventory), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire; PHQ9), general psychological well-being (Mental Health subscale of SF-36), general health (general health item of SF-36) and cognitive status (Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status; TICS). Results: Results revealed no significant gender differences on any of the psychological measures, after controlling for cognitive status, general health and education. Conclusion: These results support the proposition that the female predominance in psychological distress diminishes with increasing age. The congruence between men and women may reflect changes in identity associated with age or the effect of decreased emotional valence of some social roles.
Mobile Phone Use Patterns and Preferences in Safety Net Office-Based Buprenorphine Patients

Background:Integrating mobile phone technologies in addiction treatment is of increasing importance and may optimize patient engagement with their care and enhance the delivery of existing treatment strategies. Few studies have evaluated mobile phone and text message (TM) use patterns in persons enrolled in addiction treatment, and none have assessed the use in safety net, office-based buprenorphine practices. Methods:A 28-item, quantitative and qualitative semistructured survey was administered to opiate-dependent adults in an urban, publicly funded, office-based buprenorphine program. Survey domains included demographic characteristics, mobile phone and TM use patterns, and preferences pertaining to their recovery. Results:Surveyors approached 73 of the 155 eligible subjects (47%); 71 respondents completed the survey. Nearly all participants reported mobile phone ownership (93%) and TM use (93%), and most reported “very much” or “somewhat” comfort sending TM (79%). Text message contact with 12-step group sponsors, friends, family members, and counselors was also described (32%). Nearly all preferred having their providers' mobile phone number (94%), and alerting the clinic via TM in the event of a potential relapse to receive both supportive TM and a phone call from their buprenorphine provider was also well received (62%). Conclusions:Mobile phone and TM use patterns and preferences among this sample of office-based buprenorphine participants highlight the potential of adopting patient-centered mobile phone–based interventions in this treatment setting.
JosD1, a Membrane-targeted Deubiquitinating Enzyme, Is Activated by Ubiquitination and Regulates Membrane Dynamics, Cell Motility, and Endocytosis*

Background: The functions of the deubiquitinating enzymes JosD1 and JosD2, related to ATXN3, are unknown. Results: JosD1 is activated by ubiquitination, localizes to plasma membrane, and affects membrane dynamics, cell motility, and endocytosis. Conclusion: JosD1 and JosD2 possess divergent properties, with JosD1 regulating membrane-related functions. Significance: Our findings provide insight into diverse functions of a disease-linked family of deubiquitinating enzymes. The functional diversity of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) is not well understood. The MJD family of DUBs consists of four cysteine proteases that share a catalytic “Josephin” domain. The family is named after the DUB ATXN3, which causes the neurodegenerative disease Machado-Joseph disease. The two closely related Josephin domain-containing (JosD) proteins 1 and 2 consist of little more than the Josephin domain. To gain insight into the properties of Josephin domains, we investigated JosD1 and JosD2. JosD1 and JosD2 were found to differ fundamentally in many respects. In vitro, only JosD2 can cleave ubiquitin chains. In contrast, JosD1 cleaves ubiquitin chains only after it is monoubiquitinated, a form of posttranslational-dependent regulation shared with ATXN3. A significant fraction of JosD1 is monoubiquitinated in diverse mouse tissues. In cell-based studies, JosD2 localizes to the cytoplasm whereas JosD1 preferentially localizes to the plasma membrane, particularly when ubiquitinated. The membrane occupancy by JosD1 suggests that it could participate in membrane-dependent events such as cell motility and endocytosis. Indeed, time-lapse imaging revealed that JosD1 enhances membrane dynamics and cell motility. JosD1 also influences endocytosis in cultured cells by increasing the uptake of endocytic markers of macropinocytosis while decreasing those for clathrin- and caveolae-mediated endocytosis. Our results establish that two closely related DUBs differ markedly in activity and function and that JosD1, a membrane-associated DUB whose activity is regulated by ubiquitination, helps regulate membrane dynamics, cell motility, and endocytosis.
Involvement of Multidrug Resistance-Associated Protein 2 (Abcc2) in Molecular Weight-Dependent Biliary Excretion of β-Lactam Antibiotics

In the present study, we attempted to identify the membrane permeation process(es) primarily involved in the molecular-weight-dependent biliary excretion of β-lactam antibiotics. A search of the literature indicated that the molecular weight threshold operates mainly in the transport process across bile canalicular membranes. We confirmed that biliary clearance of the model biliary-excretion-type cephalosporin cefoperazone was reduced to 10% of the control in Eisai hyperbilirubinemic rats, which are genetically deficient in multidrug resistance-associated protein (Mrp) 2, indicating that Mrp2 plays a major role as an efflux transporter on the canalicular membranes. ATP-dependent uptake of several cephalosporins including cefoperazone, cefbuperazone, cefpiramide, and ceftriaxone, all of which are mainly excreted into bile, was confirmed in membrane vesicles from Sf9 cells transfected with rat Mrp2. Both the inhibitory potency of the cephalosporins for Mrp2-mediated transport and the uptake of cephalosporins by Mrp2-expressing vesicles were molecular weight-dependent, suggesting that Mrp2 is one of the major transporters involved in molecular weight-dependent biliary excretion. An uptake study in membrane vesicles of Sf9 cells transfected with breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp) revealed that Bcrp accepts cefoperazone, cefbuperazone, cefpiramide, cefotetan, ceftriaxone, cefotiam, cefamandole, and cefazolin as substrates, and Bcrp-mediated transport was also molecular weight-dependent, suggesting that Bcrp also contributes to molecular weight-dependent biliary excretion of β-lactam antibiotics in rats.
Identification of the first germline mutation in the extracellular domain of the follitropin receptor responsible for spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

The receptors for follitropin (FSHR), thyrotropin (TSHR), and lutropin/chorionic gonadotropin (LHCGR) are the members of the glycoprotein hormone (GPH) receptors (GPHR) family. They present a bipartite structure with a large extracellular amino‐terminal domain (ECD), responsible for high‐affinity hormone binding, and a carboxyl‐terminal serpentine region, implicated in transduction of the activation signal. Spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (sOHSS) is a rare genetic condition in which human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) promiscuously stimulates the FSHR during the first trimester of pregnancy. Surprisingly, germline FSHR mutations responsible for the disease have so far been found only in the transmembrane helices of the serpentine region of the FSHR, outside the hormone binding domain. When tested functionally, all mutants were abnormally sensitive to both hCG and thyrotropin (TSH) while displaying constitutive activity. This loss of ligand specificity was attributed to the lowering of an intramolecular barrier of activation rather than to an increase of binding affinity. Here we report the first germline mutation responsible for sOHSS (c.383C>A, p.Ser128Tyr), located in the ECD of the FSHR. Contrary to the mutations described previously, the p.Ser128Tyr FSHR mutant displayed increase in affinity and sensitivity toward hCG and did not show any constitutive activity, nor promiscuous activation by TSH. Thus, sOHSS can be achieved from different molecular mechanisms involving each functional domains of the FSHR. Based on the structure of the FSHR/FSH complex and site‐directed mutagenesis studies, we provide robust molecular models for the GPH/GPHR complexes and we propose a molecular explanation to the binding characteristics of the p.Ser128Tyr mutant. Hum Mutat 29(1), 91–98, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The challenges of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma on cirrhosis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer mortality worldwide and liver transplantation (LT) has potentials to improve survival for patients with HCC. However, expansion of indications beyond Milan Criteria (MC) and use of bridging/downstaging procedures to convert intermediate‐advanced stages of HCC within MC limits are counterbalanced by graft shortage and increasing use of marginal donors, partially limited by the use of donor‐division protocols applied to the cadaveric and living‐donor settings. Several challenges in technique, indications, pre‐LT treatments and prioritization policies of patients on the waiting list have to be precised through prospective investigations that have to include individualization of prognosis, biological variables and pathology surrogates as stratification criteria. Also, liver resection has to be rejuvenated in the general algorithm of HCC treatment in the light of salvage transplantation strategies, while benefit of LT for HCC should be determined through newly designed composite scores that are able to capture both efficiency and equity endpoints. Innovative treatments such as radioembolization for HCC associated with portal vein thrombosis and molecular targeted compounds are likely to influence future strategies. Accepting this challenge has been part of the history of LT and will endure so also for the future.
[Assessment of therapeutic effect of losartan on diabetes mellitus with gas chromatography-based metabonomics].

OBJECTIVE To assess the therapeutic effect of losartan on type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) with gas chromatography (GC)-based metabonomics. METHODS DM2 patients were dosed with losartan (100 mg/d) and urines were collected at week 8 and 12. The biochemical criteria (blood pressure, urinary albumen, urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and blood creatinine) were analyzed. Urine samples were derivatived and analyzed by GC. Multivariate metabonomics analysis was performed after peak alignment. RESULTS After 8-12 weeks, losartan showed little curative effect and no remarked changes of biochemical criteria were observed. However, metabonomics analysis revealed that some biomarkers such as glucitol and inositol changed. CONCLUSION GC-based metabonomics analysis enables the rapid identification of metabolic differences and provides information concerning therapeutic effect of losartan.