Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preimplantation development of mouse embryos in KSOM: Augmentation by amino acids and analysis of gene expression

Simplex optimization has generated several media that have improved the development of mouse preimplantation embryos in vitro. One objective of this study was to compare the development of preimplantation mouse embryos in one of these computer‐optimized media, KSOM, with embryos that developed in vivo, in terms of the relative abundances of specific mRNAs involved in metabolism, transcription, and cell proliferation. First, however, since studies have indicated an improvement of other simple embryo culture media by addition of amino acids, the effects of the addition of amino acids to KSOM (KSOM/AA) on preimplantation development were assessed. We find that addition of both essential and non‐essential amino acids to KSOM augments development in vitro, as compared to development supported by KSOM without amino acids. This augmentation is observed starting at the blastocyst stage, and is associated with increased rate of development to the blastocyst stage, increased frequency of hatching, and increased number of cells in the blastocysts. Reverse‐transcription PCR was then used to assess the relative abundance of mRNAs for actin, glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase, Na+, K+‐ATPase, Sp1, TATA box‐binding protein TBP, IGF‐I, IGF‐II, IGF‐I receptor, and IGF‐II receptor in embryos that developed in vivo and in vitro using KSOM/AA. Eight out of 9 of these mRNAs were present in the 8‐cell embryos and blastocysts raised in KSOM/AA in amounts that were indistinguishable from those in embryos that developed in vivo. It is concluded that KSOM/AA provides an environment in which preimplantation mouse embryos can undergo development that is quantitatively similar to that occurring in vivo. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Time‐course of the auditory BOLD response to scanner noise

It is a concern for auditory fMRI studies that acoustic noise generated by the scanner produces an auditory response that can confound stimulus‐induced activation. To establish how to minimize this problem, the present study mapped the time‐course of the auditory response to a burst of acoustic scanner noise by employing a single‐event method. Recorded bursts of scanner noise were interspersed with clustered‐volume acquisitions at a range of stimulus‐to‐imaging delays to map the response with a temporal resolution of 1 sec. There were strong responses (1.5% signal change) to scanner noise in primary and secondary auditory cortex. In both cortical areas, the mean response rose to a peak by 4–5 sec after stimulus onset and decayed after a further 5–8 sec. The time course indicates that noise contamination in auditory fMRI can be substantially reduced by using a 9–12‐sec repetition time, thus maximizing the dynamic range available for displaying the response to acoustical stimuli of interest. Magn Reson Med 43:601–606, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantifying the cost of foregone public goods spillovers on an island

ABSTRACT This paper develops a framework for quantifying the cost of the lack of public goods spillovers from neighbouring municipalities for a geographically separated municipality. Parameter estimates from a spatial panel regression of local public expenditure in 205 municipalities in England, Scotland and Wales are used to identify the extra budget that a remote municipality would require in order to provide the same level of public goods as without separation. The approach is illustrated by applying it to the case of the Isle of Wight (UK) and to estimate its annual cost of foregone public goods spillover to be about one-quarter of the island’s actual annual local public spending.
Vibration Control of a Flexible String With Both Boundary Input and Output Constraints

This paper investigates control design for a flexible string system with both boundary input and output constraints. Dynamics of the string system are represented as a homogeneous partial differential equation describing the vibrations of the system. First, model-based boundary control is proposed by employing an auxiliary system for handling the input saturation and an integral barrier Lyapunov function for eliminating the effect of output constraint. The exponential stability is achieved through rigorous analysis without any simplification of the dynamics. Subsequently, because the system parameters are unknown, adaptive boundary feedback control is proposed and uniform ultimate boundedness is guaranteed. Finally, the simulation results are provided for demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed control, where all the signals in the control inputs can be measured using the most common sensors.
Safety of the synthetic retinoid fenretinide: long-term results from a controlled clinical trial for the prevention of contralateral breast cancer.

PURPOSE To describe the pattern of occurrence of adverse events commonly arising during treatment with fenretinide, a synthetic retinoid under investigation for cancer prevention. PATIENTS AND METHODS The series includes 2,867 women accrued in a trial aimed at assessing the effect of fenretinide on the prevention of second breast malignancy. Women were randomly assigned to receive no treatment (1,435 patients) or 5-year fenretinide treatment (1,432 patients). In terms of disease recurrence in the breast, the trial showed a possible beneficial effect of the compound in premenopausal women, and an opposite trend in postmenopausal women. End points considered for safety assessment were the occurrence of diminished dark adaptation, dermatologic disorders, gastrointestinal symptoms, disorders of the ocular surface, and abnormal laboratory values. RESULTS The most common adverse events were diminished dark adaptation (cumulative incidence, 19.0%) and dermatologic disorders (18.6%). Less common events were gastrointestinal symptoms (13.0%) and disorders of the ocular surface (10.9%). In comparison, incidence figures in the control arm were 2.9% for diminished dark adaptation, 2.9% for dermatologic disorders, 5.4% for gastrointestinal symptoms, and 3.2% for disorders of the ocular surface. Symptoms occurring during fenretinide treatment tended to recover with time. No between-group difference was observed for the occurrence of laboratory data abnormalities. Overall, 63 (4.4%) treatment discontinuations were caused by adverse events. CONCLUSION Given the number of patients involved in the study and the prolonged intake of the drug, the experience on fenretinide tolerability can be considered sufficiently reassuring to justify further testing of the retinoid.
Cerebral oxygenation in highlanders with and without high‐altitude pulmonary hypertension

What is the central question of this study? Cerebral hypoxia impairs cognitive function and exercise performance and may result in brain damage. Residents at high altitude, in particular those with high‐altitude pulmonary hypertension, are prone to hypoxaemia due to the exposure to reduced barometric pressure and impaired pulmonary gas exchange. Whether highlanders have a reduced cerebral oxygenation has not been studied. What is the main finding and its importance? We found that despite a reduced arterial oxygen saturation, healthy highlanders and even those with pulmonary hypertension have a similar cerebral oxygenation to healthy lowlanders, suggesting that compensatory mechanisms protect long‐term residents at high altitude from cerebral hypoxia.
The inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells by verrucarin A, a macrocyclic trichothecene, is associated with the inhibition of Akt/NF-кB/mTOR prosurvival signaling.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) remains one of the most difficult to treat of all malignancies. Multimodality regimens provide only short-term symptomatic improvement with minor impact on survival, underscoring the urgent need for novel therapeutics and treatment strategies for PDA. Trichothecenes are powerful mycotoxins that inhibit protein synthesis and induce ribotoxic stress response in mammalian cells. Verrucarin A (VC-A) is a Type D macrocyclic mycotoxin which inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells. However, the antitumor activity of VC-A for PDA cells has not been investigated. Here we show potent antitumor activity and the mechanism of action of VC-A in PDA cell lines. VC-A strongly inhibited the proliferation and arrested cells in the S phase of the cell cycle. The blocking of cell cycle progression by VC-A was associated with the inhibition of cell cycle regulatory proteins cyclin D1, cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks) cdk2, cdk4 and cdk inhibitor WAF1/21. VC-A induced apoptosis in PDA cells as indicated by the increased Annexin V FITC-binding, cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase‑1 (PARP-1) and procaspases-3, -8 and -9. VC-A also induced mitochondrial depolarization and release of cytochrome c and it inhibited Bcl-2 family proteins that regulate apoptosis (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Bax and Bad). In addition, VC-A reduced the levels of inhibitors of apoptosis survivin and c-IAP-2. Finally, VC-A downregulated the expression of prosurvival phospho-Akt (p-Akt), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) (p65) and mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) signaling proteins and their downstream mediators. Together, these results demonstrated strong antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing activity of verrucarin A for PDA cells through cell cycle arrest and inhibition of the prosurvival (antiapoptotic) AKT/NF-κB/mTOR signaling.
Acute kidney injury in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome of childhood is a major risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease

Abstract Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an important complication of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) and is associated with adverse outcomes, especially the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We aimed to determine the clinical profile of children with INS who developed AKI and its short-term outcome. Material and methods: This prospective study was conducted from March 2014 to October 2015. A total of 119 children of INS (age: 2–18 years) fulfilling the pediatric RIFLE criteria for the diagnosis of AKI were enrolled and followed up for 3 months to determine the outcome. Factors predisposing to CKD were studied. Results: The mean age at presentation was 8.8 ± 3.59 years and males were 74 (62.2%). At presentation, 61 (51.3%) children were in Risk category, 43 (36.1%) in Injury category, and 15 (12.6%) in Failure category. Most of them (41.2%) had steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) on histopathology (33.6%). Infections were the major predisposing factor for AKI in 67 (56.3%) cases. Drug toxicity was the next common, found in 52 (43.7%) children. A total of 65 (54.6%) children recovered from AKI, while 54 (45.4%) did not. CKD developed in 49 (41.2%) non-recovered cases and 5 (4.2%) children succumbed to acute illness. SRNS, cyclosporine use, FSGS on histology, and drug toxicity were significant factors associated with the development of CKD. Conclusion: AKI associated with INS is a reversible condition in most cases but it can progress to CKD, especially among those who have SRNS, FSGS, and drug toxicity.
Household Debt and Recession in Brazil

Brazil experienced one of the most severe recessions in its history from 2014 to 2016. Following a pattern shown for previous economic downturns in other countries, the Brazilian recession was preceded by a substantial increase in household debt from 2003 to 2014. This study utilizes a novel individual level data set on household borrowing in order to provide details of the household debt boom. The data set allows for a decomposition of the rise in household debt by the type of debt and by the source of debt, and it allows for an analysis of the income of individuals taking on more debt during the boom. We conclude with an exploration of potential causes of the rise in household debt.
Embodied Simulation of Others Being Touched in 1-Year-Old Infants

ABSTRACT The current study was designed to examine whether 1-year-old infants relate the perception of others’ being touched to their own sensorimotor system, and whether they distinguish between animate and inanimate targets. During electroencephalography (EEG) assessment, infants watched video sequences in which either a human or a nonhuman target was touched/not touched by another object. Comparisons of sensorimotor alpha activation (7–9 Hz) on centro-parietal electrodes revealed differential cortical reactivity to the touch versus nontouch situations for the human versus the nonhuman target. Our findings provide preliminary evidence for the claim that infants might relate others’ sensory experiences to their own sensorimotor system.
Microglia of rat ventral midbrain recovers its resting state over time in vitro: Let microglia rest before work

Cortical or total brain cultures of microglia are commonly used as a model to study the inflammatory processes in Parkinson's disease. Here we characterize microglia cultures from rat ventral midbrain and evaluate their response to zymosan A. We used specific markers of microglia and evaluated the morphology, the phagocytic activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of the cells. During the first 10 days in vitro (DIV), cultures presented predominantly cells with a round morphology, expressing CD68 and with high phagocytic activity and ROS production. After 13 DIV, this tendency was reversed, with cultures showing higher number of ramified cells and fewer CD68+ cells along with lower phagocytic and ROS production capability, suggesting that microglia must be kept in vitro for at least 13 days to recover its resting state. The exposure of cultures with less than 10 DIV to zymosan A significantly decreased cell viability. Exposure of cultures with 13 DIV to zymosan A (0.05, 0.5, or 5 μg/ml) increased the total cell number, the percentage of CD68+ cells, and the phagocytic activity. Concentrations of zymosan A higher than 5 μg/ml were also effective in activating microglia but significantly decreased the number of viable cells. In summary, microglial cells remain in the activated state for several days after the isolation process and, thus, stimulation of microglia recently isolated can compromise interpretation of the results. However, upon 13 DIV, cells achieve properties of nonactivated microglia and present a characteristic response to a proinflammatory agent. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Requirement of the Lipopolysaccharide O-Chain Biosynthesis Gene wxocB for Type III Secretion and Virulence of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. Oryzicola

ABSTRACT Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola causes bacterial leaf streak of rice. A mutant disrupted in wxocB, predicted to encode an enzyme for lipopolysaccharide (LPS) synthesis, was previously shown to suffer reduced virulence. Here, we confirm a role for wxocB in virulence and demonstrate its requirement for LPS O-chain assembly. Structure analysis indicated that wild-type LPS contains a polyrhamnose O chain with irregular, variant residues and a core oligosaccharide identical to that of other Xanthomonas spp. and that the wxocB mutant lacks the O chain. The mutant also showed moderate impairment in exopolysaccharide (EPS) production, but comparison with an EPS-deficient mutant demonstrated that this impairment could not account entirely for the reduced virulence. The wxocB mutant was not detectably different from the wild type in its induction of pathogenesis-related rice genes, type II secretion competence, flagellar motility, or resistance to two phytoalexins or resveratrol, and it was more, not less, resistant to oxidative stress and a third phytoalexin, indicating that none of these properties is involved. The mutant was more sensitive to SDS and to novobiocin, so increased sensitivity to some host-derived antimicrobials cannot be ruled out. However, the mutant showed a marked decrease in type III secretion into plant cells. This was not associated with any change in expression of genes for type III secretion or the ability to attach to plant cells in suspension. Thus, virulence of the wxocB mutant is likely reduced due primarily to a direct, possibly structural, effect of the loss of the O chain on type III delivery of effector proteins.
Does the label "fibromyalgia" alter health status, function, and health service utilization? A prospective, within-group comparison in a community cohort of adults with chronic widespread pain.

OBJECTIVE To determine if assigning the label of fibromyalgia (FM) to individuals with chronic widespread pain has a significant effect on long-term health status, function, and health service utilization. METHODS In the London Fibromyalgia Epidemiology Study, 100 individuals with FM were identified by screening 3,395 non-institutionalized adults. Only 28 of the 100 had been previously diagnosed with FM; for 72, the diagnostic label was new. All 28 with prediagnosed FM were female compared with 58 of the 72 newly diagnosed cases. In a prospective, within-group comparison, we compared previously non-labeled FM cases at study entry (prelabeling) and at 18 and 36 months followup (postlabeling) with respect to general health status, fibromyalgia-related symptoms, and all items from the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) (including total FIQ score, and several measures of health service utilization) to see if health status, function, and health services utilization had changed, using paired t-tests. We also compared percentage reporting work disability at baseline and 18 months using Pearson's chi(2). RESULTS Fifty-six (78%) of the original 72 newly diagnosed FM cases were available for reassessment at 18 months, and 43 (60%) at 36 months. Although physical functioning decreased slightly over time, there also was a statistically significant improvement in satisfaction with health, and newly diagnosed FM cases reported fewer symptoms and major symptoms over the long term. No other differences in clinical status or health service use occurred over time. CONCLUSION The FM label does not have a meaningful adverse affect on clinical outcome over the long term. Further research is necessary to document the short- and long-term effect of labeling in the chronic pain patient.
Airport shopping – an emerging non-aviation business: triggers of traveler loyalty

ABSTRACT Despite the growth of the airport duty-free shopping market, little research has examined travelers’ shopping behavior at airports, shopping at airports being an important source of non-aviation revenue for airport operators. This study was designed to examine travelers’ loyalty formation with regard to duty-free shopping at airports by considering the role of perceived value, satisfaction, desire, and alternative attractiveness. A field survey at an international airport was conducted. A proposed theoretical framework was tested using structural equation modeling. Results indicated that perceived value, satisfaction, desire, and loyalty had significant associations, and these variables sufficiently accounted for loyalty. In addition, satisfaction played a prominent role in determining loyalty, and this variable along with desire acted as a significant mediator. Moreover, alternative attractiveness significantly moderated desire and loyalty relationship. Overall, the findings of this study considerably increased our understanding of travelers’ evaluation and loyalty generation processes with regard to duty-free shopping at airports.
Sudden cardiac death triggered by an earthquake.

BACKGROUND The earthquake that struck the Los Angeles area at 4:31 a.m. on January 17, 1994, was one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded in a major city in North America. Once the life-threatening situation was over, the Northridge earthquake, so called because its epicenter was near Northridge, California, just north of Los Angeles, provided investigators an unusual opportunity to examine the relation between emotional stress and sudden cardiac death. METHODS We reviewed the records of the Department of Coroner of Los Angeles County for the week before the earthquake, the day of the earthquake, the six days after the earthquake, and corresponding control periods in 1991, 1992, and 1993. RESULTS On the day of the earthquake, there was a sharp increase in the number of sudden deaths from cardiac causes that were related to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, from a daily average (+/- SD) of 4.6 +/- 2.1 in the preceding week to 24 on the day of the earthquake (z = 4.41, P < 0.001). Sixteen victims of sudden death had symptoms, usually chest pain, or died within the first hour after the initial tremor. Only three sudden deaths occurred during or immediately after unusual physical exertion. During the six days after the earthquake, the number of sudden deaths declined to below the base-line value, to an average of 2.7 +/- 1.2 per day. CONCLUSIONS The Northridge earthquake was a significant trigger of sudden death due to cardiac causes, independently of physical exertion. This finding, along with the unusually low incidence of such deaths in the week after the earthquake, suggests that emotional stress may precipitate cardiac events in people who are predisposed to such events.
Applied Latent Class Analysis

Applied Latent Class Analysis introduces several recent innovations in latent class analysis to a wider audience of researchers. Many of the world’s leading innovators in the field of latent class analysis have contributed essays to this volume, each presenting a key innovation to the basic latent class model and illustrating how it can prove useful in situations typically encountered in actual research.
Inflation Targeting Regime and the Relationship Between Stock Returns and Inflation: New Evidence using the VAR Approach

Many industrialized and emerging countries have adopted inflation targeting monetary policy since 1990 to combat persistently high inflation rate. Based on the assertion that a unique and interesting relationship between stock returns and inflation rate exists for inflation targeting countries, this study investigates dynamic relationship between stock returns and inflation rate for a selected group of countries that implemented inflation targeting policy in the 1990s – namely, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Israel, South Korea, Sweden and the United Kingdom. It is found that changes in inflation rate precede or Granger cause changes in real stock returns for most of these countries. This relationship implies that forward-looking investors in inflation targeting countries are inclined to trade stocks based on anticipated future economic events resulting from a change in current inflation rate.