Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mineralization ability of cultured human osteoblast-like periosteal cells does not decline with aging.

Studies of the mechanisms of osteoporosis have not yet determined whether these conditions result from increased osteoclast activity or decreased osteoblast activity, or perhaps both. Osteoporosis is related to aging and to postmenopausal status. The function and the mitotic capacity of cultured human osteoblast-like cells were investigated in this study. The age at which these cells lose the ability to divide showed a strong negative correlation with donor age (r = .815, p less than .01). There was also significant correlation of maximum cell saturation density with donor age (r = .698, p less than .01). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization ability, typical functions of osteoblasts, continue undiminished up to the point at which mitotic capacity ceases. When cells were treated with 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 in the presence of 2 mM alpha-glycerophosphate, ALP activity and mineralization ability showed an increase, rather than a decrease, with advancing donor age. However, these functions showed no correlation with in vitro cell aging. We propose that human osteoblast-like cells from elderly subjects do not lose their functions of mineralization and ALP formation, and that loss of these functions with cell aging does not correlate with advancing age.
Comparison of three different cell viability assays for evaluation of vanadyl sulphate cytotoxicity in a Chinese hamster ovary K1 cell line

Previously, evaluation of sodium metavanadate (NaVO3) cytotoxicity after 24 h exposure of Chinese hamster ovary K1 (CHO-K1) cells revealed different sensitivity of the in vitro assays used starting from the neutral red (NR, 3-amino-7-dimethylamino-2-methylphenazine hydrochloride) test (detecting lysosomal and possibly the Golgi apparatus damage) as the most sensitive followed by the 2,3-bis[2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxyanilide inner salt (XTT) and resazurin (7-hydroxy-3H-phenoxazin-3-one-10-oxide) tests (mitochondrial disruption). The trypan blue (TB) staining (plasma membrane permeability) showed cytotoxicity of NaVO3 at a much higher NaVO3 concentration than the above-mentioned assays. In the current study, using the same experimental approach, we have assessed the toxicity of vanadyl sulphate (VOSO4) and compared the obtained results with NaVO3 action. Unlike metavanadate, VOSO4 treatment at 24 h resulted in similar sensitivity of the NR and resazurin tests. Nevertheless, following the 48-h incubation with VOSO4, the NR test showed markedly higher sensitivity than the resazurin test when comparing the half maximal inhibitory concentration values (61 and 110 µM for the NR and resazurin test, respectively, p < 0.05). The TB staining method was the least susceptible for detecting vanadyl cytotoxicity at each exposure time point. In summary, both the NR and resazurin tests can be advocated as similarly sensitive in detection of VOSO4-induced cytotoxicity in the CHO-K1 cell line at 24 h. However, the longer incubation time with VOSO4 showed that the NR test is more sensitive than the resazurin assay. The differences in the results between the cytotoxicity tests employed probably arise from dissimilar susceptibility of the endpoints (targets) measured with these tests to the damage by vanadium. Considering this, the current and the previous studies highlight the role of lysosomes (and possibly the Golgi apparatus) apart from mitochondria in the toxicity mechanism induced by inorganic vanadium in mammalian cells.
Mobile science museums and centres and their history in the public communication of science

In this paper, we identify some milestones in the construction process for mobile science museums and centres in Brazil. As background for presenting the Brazilian context, we initially address the records found on the earliest travelling museum exhibitions and mobile museums in Europe and North America. We then introduce the role of UNESCO in the promotion and implementation of travelling science exhibitions and museums in several countries. Finally, we document important events in the history of mobile science museum and centres in Brazil and outline three general and inter-related challenges currently faced by them. Abstract
Identification of enzymes responsible for rifalazil metabolism in human liver microsomes

1. The major metabolites of rifalazil in human are 25-deacetyl-rifalazil and 32- hydroxy-rifalazil. Biotransformation to these metabolites in pooled human liver microsomes, cytosol and supernatant 9000g (S9) fractions was studied, and the enzymes responsible for rifalazil metabolism were identified using inhibitors of esterases and cytochromes P450 (CYP). 2. The 25-deacetylation and 32-hydroxylation of rifalazil occurred in incubations with microsomes or S9 but not with cytosol, indicating that both the enzymes responsible for rifalazil metabolism were microsomal. Km and Vmax
Cell‐Autonomous Brown‐Like Adipogenesis of Preadipocytes From Retinoblastoma Haploinsufficient Mice

Mechanisms behind the emergence of brown adipocyte‐like (brite or beige) adipocytes within white adipose tissue (WAT) are of interest. Retinoblastoma protein gene (Rb) haploinsufficiency associates in mice with improved metabolic regulation linked to a greater capacity for fatty acid oxidation and thermogenesis in WAT. We aimed to explain a feasible mechanism of WAT‐to‐BAT remodeling in this model. Differentiated primary adipocytes and Sca1‐positive preadipocytes derived from adipose depots of Rb+/− mice and wild‐type siblings were compared. Primary white Rb+/− adipocytes displayed under basal conditions increased glucose uptake and an enhanced expression of brown adipocyte‐related genes (Pparg, Ppargc1a, Ppargc1b, Prdm16, Cpt1b) but not of purported beige/brite transcriptional markers (Cd137, Tmem26, Tbx1, Slc27a1, Hoxc9, Shox2). Lack of induction of beige markers phenocopied results in WAT of adult Rb+/− mice. Flow cytometry analysis evidenced an increased number of preadipocytes in WAT depots of Rb+/− mice. Sca1+ preadipocytes from WAT of Rb+/− mice displayed increased gene expression of several transcription factors common to the brown and beige adipogenic programs (Prdm16, Pparg, Ppargc1a) and of receptors of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs); however, among the recently proposed beige markers, only Tbx1 was upregulated. Adult Rb+/− mice had increased circulating levels of BMP7. These results indicate that preadipose cells resident in WAT depots of Rb+/− mice retain an increased capacity for brown‐like adipogenesis that appears to be different from beige adipogenesis, and suggest that the contribution of these precursors to the Rb+/− adipose phenotype is driven, at least in part, by interaction with BMP7 pathways. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 1941–1952, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Childhood obesity and hormonal abnormalities associated with cancer risk

There is growing evidence that overweight and obesity increase the risk of certain cancers. Studies in adults support the role of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and oestrogens in the pathogeneses of several cancers. We propose that hormone alterations described as risk factors for cancer in obese adults are present in prepubertal obese children. A group of obese children aged 6–9 years (n=40), and control group paired for age and sex, were used for the study. The obese children presented a significantly high level of IGF-I (P=0.0173) and insulin (P=0.0250), with a drop in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) (P=0.0282). The 17&bgr;-oestradiol (E2)/SHBG ratio increase in obese subjects was marginally significant (P=0.0635). Grouping together all the children in quartiles for insulin and body mass index, the upper quartiles showed a rise in IGF-I and E2/SHBG. In a multivariant correlation analysis, only height (partial r=0.2464) and insulin (partial r=0.3002) were independent prediction variables for IGF-I concentration. The only variables statistically correlated with the E2/SHBG ratio were insulin (r=0.2879) and IGF-I (r=0.4140). The obese children in our study showed hormone changes described as risk factors for cancer in obese adults. These changes were significantly associated with the hyperinsulinaemia. We hypothesize that this potential risk should be taken into account given the long period of exposure involved in the presence of hormone alterations at such early ages.
Altered Brain Activation During Cognitive Control in Patients With Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Background. Persistent deficits in cognitive control have been documented following traumatic brain injury (TBI) but are inconsistently related to the presence and location of focal lesions. Objective. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to examine brain activation during a cognitive control task in patients with moderate to severe TBI or orthopedic injury (OI). Methods. Fourteen TBI patients and 10 OI patients underwent fMRI at 3 months postinjury using a stimulus-response compatibility task in which response accuracy and reaction time were measured. Performance between the groups was equated by individually adjusting the amount of training. Groups did not differ in age, gender, or education. Results. Brain activation during stimulus-response incompatibility was greater in TBI patients than in OI patients within the cingulate, medial frontal, middle frontal, and superior frontal gyri. However, the positive regression of activation with response accuracy during stimulus-response incompatibility indicated a stronger relationship for OI patients than the TBI group within the anterior cingulate gyrus, medial frontal, and parietal regions, as well as deep brain structures (eg, brainstem). The number of focal lesions within either the whole brain or within prefrontal areas was not related to brain activation, but there was a relationship between activation and TBI severity. Conclusions. These findings suggest that neural networks mediating cognitive control are altered after moderate to severe TBI, possibly as a result of diffuse axonal injury, and that the typical relationship of brain activation to performance is disrupted.
Progressive motor unit loss in the G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is unaffected by gender

We examined whether there are gender differences in the progressive loss of functional motor units in SOD1G93A transgenic mice. Isometric muscle and motor unit twitch contractions were recorded in fast‐ and slow‐twitch muscles in response to stimulation of the sciatic nerve. Using a modified motor unit number estimation technique (ITS‐MUNE), we found that motor unit numbers declined rapidly from 40 to 90 days of age during the asymptomatic phase of ALS in fast‐ but not slow‐twitch hindlimb muscles of both male and female mice. There was a corresponding decline in twitch and tetanic contractile forces of the fast‐twitch muscles. Gender did not affect the progressive loss of motor units and associated decline in force production. We conclude that gender does not alter progressive, muscle‐specific motor unit loss in ALS, even though gender does influence disease onset. Muscle Nerve 39: 318–327, 2009
Attenuation correction of PET images with respiration-averaged CT images in PET/CT.

UNLABELLED Attenuation correction (AC) of PET images with helical CT (HCT) in PET/CT matches only the spatial resolution of CT and PET, not the temporal resolution. We therefore proposed the use of respiration-averaged CT (ACT) to match the temporal resolution of CT and PET and evaluated the improvement of tumor quantification in PET images of the thorax with ACT. METHODS First, we examined 100 consecutive clinical PET/CT studies for the frequency and magnitude of misalignment at the diaphragm position between the HCT and the PET data. Patients were injected with 555-740 MBq of (18)F-FDG and scanned 1 h after injection. The HCT data were acquired at the following settings: 120 kV, 300 mA, pitch of 1.35:1, collimation of 8 x 1.25 mm, and rotation cycle of 0.5 s. Patients were instructed to hold their breath at midexpiration during HCT of the thorax. The PET acquisition was 3 min per bed. Second, we retrospectively analyzed studies of 8 patients (1 with esophageal cancer and 7 with lung cancer). Each study included regular PET/CT followed by 4-dimensional (4D) CT for radiation treatment planning. We compared the results of AC of the PET data with HCT and ACT. There were 13 tumors in these 8 patients. The 4D CT data were acquired at the following settings: 120 kV, 50-150 mA, cine duration of 1 breathing cycle plus 1 s, collimation of 8 x 1.25 mm, and rotation cycle of 0.5 s. The acquisition was taken when the patient was in the free-breathing state. We averaged the 10 phases of the 4D CT data to obtain ACT for AC of the PET data. Both the ACT and the HCT data were used for AC of the same PET data. RESULTS There was a misalignment between the HCT and the PET data in 50 of 100 patient studies. In 34 studies, the misalignment was greater than 2 cm. In a comparison of HCT and ACT, 5 tumors had differences in standardized uptake values (SUV) between HCT-and ACT-attenuation-corrected PET of less than 20%, and 4 tumors had differences in SUV of more than 50%. The latter 4 tumors were found in the patient with esophageal cancer and in 2 of the patients with lung cancer. The PET data from these 3 patients had a misalignment of 2-4.5 cm relative to the HCT data. Breathing artifacts were significantly reduced by ACT. Seven of the 8 patients had a lower diaphragm position on HCT than on ACT, suggesting that the patients tended to hold a deeper breath during HCT than during ACT. CONCLUSION The high rate of misalignment suggested a potential mismatch between the HCT and the PET data with the limited-breath-hold CT protocol. In the comparison of HCT and ACT, significant differences (>50%) in SUV were attributable to different breathing states between HCT and PET. The PET data corrected by ACT did not show breathing artifacts, suggesting that ACT may be more accurate than HCT for AC of the PET data.
Functional and quantitative analysis of splenic T cell immune responses following oral toxoplasma gondii infection in mice.

Functional and quantitative analysis of splenic T cell immune responses following oral Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice. Experimental Parasitology 91, 212-221. Immunity to Toxoplasma gondii is mediated primarily by the host T cell response. Although there is considerable information regarding host immunity following intraperitoneal infection with tachyzoites, little information is available regarding naturally acquired infection following peroral infection with bradyzoites. In this study, a sequential quantitative analysis of the cell-mediated immune response was performed at the single cell level. To assess the kinetics of this response and parasitic loads, inbred mice were orally infected with the 76K strain bradyzoites of T. gondii. Within 24 h of infection, follicular hyperplasia followed by infiltration with histiocytes, macrophages, and apoptotic bodies was observed in the spleens of infected mice. T. gondii were detected from day 1, and counts increased gradually during the experimental period. Splenocyte DNA synthesis to antigen and mitogen was severely suppressed at days 7 and 10. The percentages of NK1.1(+) or delta gamma T cells were increased from day 1, whereas CD4(+) and CD8alpha+ T cells were signficantly increased after day 7 postinfection. CD25 expression and intracellular IFN-gamma production increased in NK1.1(+) cells on day 1 and by all other T cell subsets after day 4. Intracellular IL-4 did not increase until day 7, and IL-10 production was increased in all T cell subsets after day 4. Together, these findings indicate that oral infection with T. gondii stimulates a strong cellular immune response that appears to polarize toward an early Th1 response. However, within 7 days, a strong immune Th2 regulatory response as well as high parasitic loads can be observed, with a reduction in lymphoproliferation to mitogen stimulation, increased production of IL-4 and IL-10, and evidence of T cell apoptosis in the splenic immune compartment.
Representative Investors Versus Best Clienteles: Performance Evaluation Disagreement in Mutual Funds

This paper develops a diagnostic tool for candidate performance measures that accounts for investor disagreement in mutual funds. We compare the evaluation for best clienteles, specified by an upper admissible performance bound, to the one for representative investors implicit in twelve models. The results show that linear factor models misrepresent best clientele alphas, with a disagreement that relates to fund characteristics. Consumption-based alphas are generally inadmissible. The manipulation-proof performance measure generates alphas that are sensitive to its risk aversion parameter and lack statistical precision. However, a reasonable parameter gives admissible values that reflect the alphas for the most favorable clienteles.
Anticipatory Monetary Policy and the Price Puzzle

Vector autoregression (VAR) models often find that inflation increases in response to a tightening in monetary policy, although standard macroeconomics predicts the opposite. This 'price puzzle' is commonly thought to reflect interest rates being tightened in anticipation of future inflation, reflecting information possessed by policymakers beyond that contained in the model. Romer and Romer (2004) and Cloyne and Hurtgen (2016) successfully remove the price puzzle from US and UK data, respectively, by purging the cash rate of systematic policy responses to central bank forecasts. We find that this approach does not work for Australia under a wide range of specifications. This suggests that VARs may not be the most reliable way to analyse monetary policy.
Intra- and Interspecific Genetic Complexities of TwoEothenomys Species in Honshu, Japan

Abstract Differences in the nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA), mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), cytochrome b (Cytb), and Y chromosomal Sry genes were used to assess intra- and interspecific relationships in two Japanese red-backed voles, Eothenomys andersoni and E. smithii, focusing on areas where the two species might come into contact. In the Kii Peninsula, southwestern Honshu, which contains an allopatric population of E. andersoni isolated from its main range, the rDNA-RFLP data provide robust evidence of past mutual interspecific gene introgression, while the Cytb and Sry sequences were specific to this population. In central Honshu, where E. andersoni and E. smithii inhabit higher and lower altitudes, respectively, with a narrow sympatric zone, the rDNA-RFLP and Sry variation was specific for each species, while introgression of the mtDNA from E. smithii to E. andersoni was seen. These complex patterns in the gene markers are consistent with our previous notions derived from sex chromosome variation. Our previous and present data strongly suggest that the evolution of these vole species, which are morphologically and cytogenetically distinct, involves complex genetic interactions and the resultant combinations of genes are sometimes peculiar, mainly due to the Cytb haplotypes. However, phylogenetic analysis using a combination of maternal, paternal, and biparental markers has proven useful for understanding the evolutionary history given the complex phylogenetic background.
Fibromyalgia syndrome in young children: onset at age 10 years and younger.

OBJECTIVE To report our experience of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) in young children with onset at age 10 years and younger as compared to older children. METHODS Clinical and laboratory data were reviewed in all patients that had been diagnosed with FMS between November 1994 and March 2003. Patients with onset above the of age 18 years, and patients with FMS and concomitant rheumatic diseases were excluded from this study. The study population included two groups: group "A", young children with onset at age 10 years and under and group "B", children with onset above 10 years old. A questionnaire was used at follow-up visits or by telephone interview to evaluate the outcome. RESULTS There were 148 children with the diagnosis of FMS (based on ACR criteria), of these 46 children in group A and 102 children in group B. The mean age at onset and mean age at diagnosis were 7.5 years and 10 years in group A, and 13.2 years and 14.5 years in B, respectively. The mean interval between the age of onset and the age at diagnosis was 32 months in group A, and 18 months in group B (p= 0.007). There was a predominance of female gender and Caucasian ethnicity in both groups. Diffuse aching was reported in all patients in both groups. Stiffness, subjective joint swelling, abdominal pain and initial presentation on wheelchair were found more frequently in group A, compared with group B (p= 0.03, 0.001, 0.01, 0.03 respectively). The mean count of tender points at diagnosis was higher in group A, compared with group B (15.3 vs. 14.2, p = 0.004). The differences of other clinical features and laboratory tests in both groups were not statistically significant. Thirty-six patients in group A (78%) and 83 in group B (81%) were available for one or more follow-up visits and/or telephone interview. The mean follow-up period was 14 months in group A, and 19 months in group B (p value = 0.3). There was no difference in the type of treatment or outcome in both groups. CONCLUSION FMS in young children of 10 years old and younger is frequently under-recognized. As compared with the older group, stiffness, subjective joint swelling, abdominal pain, initial presentation on wheelchair and a higher mean count of tender points at diagnosis were significantly more common in the younger age group. However, the type of medications used and outcome were similar in both groups. Prospective studies with large patient population are needed to clarify these findings.
Antimicrobial Activities of Ferulago Essential Oils¥

Essential oils from Ferulago asparagifolia Boiss. , F. galbanifera (Miller) W. Koch, F. humilis Boiss. (Endemic), F. trachycarpa Boiss. growing in Turkey were evaluated against 15 microorganisms for their antifungal and antibacterial activity using an agar tube dilution and microdilution broth susceptibility assay, respectively. The essential oil compositions were investigated by GC/MS. Inhibitory effects against Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Candida albicans, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, Sclerotium rolfsii and Fusarium moniliforme were remarkable. Results are discussed in comparison with the chemical composition of the essential oils.
Exploring Women Farmers' Experiences: A Case Study of Gender Inequality on Small Turkish Farms

ii DEDICATION.iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . v TABLE OF CONTENTS . vii LIST OF FIGURES . xiii LIST OF TABLES . xiv Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 Background of Study . 3 Problem Statement. 6 Purpose and Research Questions . 10 Conceptual Framework and Methodological Approach . 11 Significance of Study. 12 Clarification of Terms . 15 Limitations of the Study . 18 Chapter 2: Literature Review . 22 Gender Division of Labor . 22 Defining Gender, Gender Roles and the Gender Division of Labor . 22 Gender Division of Labor in Agricultural Practices . 23 Gender Division of Labor on Domestic Works . 27 Gendered Aspects of Small Farming . 28 Women Farmers’ Workload in Agricultural Production . 28 Women Wage Work in Agricultural Production . 33 Social Culture around Women Farmers in Rural Villages in Turkey . 37 Access to Basic Education and Information in Agriculture. 41 Access to Education . 41 Access to Information and Training in Agriculture . 44 Agrarian Change and Gender . 47 Background of agriculture in Turkey . 47 Background of Small Farming and Study Region . 48 Globalization of Agricultural Food System . 49
Ventricular Action Potential and L‐Type Calcium Channel in Infarct‐Induced Hypertrophy in Rats

Calcium Channel in Infarct‐Induced Hypertrophied Rat Ventricle. Introduction: The present investigation was aimed at characterization of: (1) action potential parameters; and (2) L‐type calcium channels in the hypertrophied ventricular tissue surviving an extensive healed myocardial infarction in the rat.