Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An apoA-I mimetic peptide containing a proline residue has greater in vivo HDL binding and anti-inflammatory ability than the 4F peptide

Modifying apolipoprotein (apo) A-I mimetic peptides to include a proline-punctuated &agr;-helical repeat increases their anti-inflammatory properties as well as allows better mimicry of full-length apoA-I function. This study compares the following mimetics, either acetylated or biotinylated (b): 4F (18mer) and 4F-proline-4F (37mer, Pro). b4F interacts with both mouse HDL (moHDL) and LDL in vitro. b4F in vivo plasma clearance kinetics are not affected by mouse HDL level. Administration of biotinylated peptides to mice demonstrates that b4F does not associate with lipoproteins smaller than LDL in vivo, though it does associate with fractions containing free hemoglobin (Hb). In contrast, bPro specifically interacts with HDL. b4F and bPro show opposite binding responses to HDL by surface plasmon resonance. Administration of acetylated Pro to apoE−/− mice significantly decreases plasma serum amyloid A levels, while acetylated 4F does not have this ability. In contrast to previous reports that inferred that 4F associates with HDL in vivo, we systematically examined this potential interaction and demonstrated that b4F does not interact with HDL in vivo but rather elutes with Hb-containing plasma fractions. bPro, however, specifically binds to moHDL in vivo. In addition, the number of amphipathic &agr;-helices and their linker influences the anti-inflammatory effects of apoA-I mimetic peptides in vivo.
Effect of Live Simulation on Middle School Students' Attitudes and Learning toward Science

This study examined the effect of live simulation on students' science learning and attitude. A total of 311 middle school students participated in the simulation, which allowed them to access and interpret satellite data and images and to design investigations. A pre/post design was employed to compare students' science learning and attitude before and after the simulation. The findings revealed positive changes in students' attitudes and perceptions toward scientists, while male students had more positive adoption toward scientific attitudes than females. The study also found that the change in student's science learning was significantly influenced by the teacher. Hence, teacher classroom preparation for the simulation experience proved vital to students' attitudes toward science as well as their scientific understanding. Implications for effective use of simulation to increase science-related career awareness and inform effective teaching practice are shared and discussed.
The Role of Vitamin D in Breast Cancer: Investigating Potential Inhibition Through Matrix Metalloproteinase 2

Tomasz Wilmanski obtained his BA degrees in psychology and philosophy from Tufts University, where he graduated with honors in 2011. After graduation, Wilmanski worked at the Block Medical Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment. During that time, he also obtained a post-baccalaureate certificate from Northwestern University. Wilmanski joined the Interdepartmental Nutrition Program at Purdue University in 2012, conducting research under the supervision of Dr. John Burgess and Dr. Dorothy Teegarden. Wilmanski graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Purdue University in August 2017. Hyesoo Chae is a professional student in the Purdue University College of Pharmacy. In the summer of 2015, she joined Dr. Dorothy Teegarden’s laboratory through the Cancer Prevention Internship Program and has continued as a recipient of Purdue’s Center for Cancer Research grant. She has worked as an intern at IU Health studying the clinical effect of vitamin K and warfarin on prothrombin time/international normalized ratio. Chae wishes to continue her studies in a clinical setting in both practice and research.
APPLICATION OF 1-M AND 4-M RESOLUTION SATELLITE DATA TO ECOLOGICAL STUDIES OF TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS

Understanding the current status of the world's tropical rain forests (TRF) can be greatly advanced by global coverage of remotely sensed data at the scale of individual tree crowns. In 1999 the IKONOS satellite began offering worldwide 1-m panchromatic and 4-m multispectral data. Here we show that these data can be used to address diverse aspects of forest ecology and land-use classification in the tropics. Using crowns of emergent trees as control points, we georeferenced a 600-ha subset of IKONOS 1-m and 4-m data from an August 2000 image of the La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica (root mean square error 5 4.3 m). Crown area measured on the image was highly correlated with crown area for the same tree measured from the ground. Using a 1988 aerial photograph as a baseline, all trees . 1 m diameter in a long-term study that died over the ensuing 12-year period, and that could be located in the photograph, were detected as missing in the IKONOS image (N 5 7). Crown growth for large trees visible on both images averaged 12 m 2 /yr (N 5 16). We thus demonstrate that IKONOS imagery can provide data on four variables necessary for doing demographic research: tree size, location, mortality, and growth. Stand basal area, estimated aboveground biomass, and percentage of the canopy . 15 m tall for 18 0.5-ha permanent forest inventory plots in old growth were all highly sig- nificantly correlated with different indices derived from the IKONOS data. We used summary statistics from the original IKONOS data as well as derived indices to characterize nine areas with well-documented land-use histories. Secondary forests were clearly separable from the other sites. One of the secondary forests was 40 years old, suggesting that IKONOS data can be used to detect significantly older secondary forest than is possible with coarser resolution satellite data. The selectively logged forest was distinguishable by measuring the size of the largest crowns on the 1-m image. This suggests a range of applications for detecting and quantifying biomass degradation due to selective logging and edge effects. Satellite data at 1-m and 4-m resolution make possible a truly global approach to fine spatial resolution remote-sensing studies of TRF ecology and land use.
Exploring the Role of is in Agriculture: Creating an Agenda towards Agri-Informatics

The use of information systems is common in almost every industry sector. However, in each industry sector systems are being used for specific business processes to attain specific objectives. Health informatics is one such example. At a time where global outlook is emphasizing on the value of food security, it is worth considering the role of information systems in the agriculture sector. This paper provides preliminary findings towards such a discussion. Gathering data from two large commercial farms, this study investigates the types of systems currently in place, user cohorts and the core business processes of an agri-business. It provides a summary of strengths, issues and potential opportunities of the current state of IS in agriculture and calls to consider the establishment of an Agri-Informatics research track to develop and guide a cumulative tradition of research.
Childhood dermatomycoses study in Sfax hospital, Tunisia

Mycoses are frequent affections in childhood. Fungal type varies according to the age and the affected organ. The aim of this study was to determine the aetiological agents of childhood dermatomycoses and to draw attention to the diversity of their clinical manifestations. Retrospective study dealing with children’s cases with age <16‐year old and having dermatomycosis diagnosed between 1991 and 2005 at the Parasitology and Mycology Laboratory of Sfax University Hospital. A total of 4559 children suspected to have superficial mycoses were examined. Dermatomycosis diagnosis was confirmed in 49.3% of cases. Dermatophytes were the most prevalent fungal agents and accounted for 1865 cases (80.6%) dominated by Trichophyton violaceum (54.1%) and Microsporum canis (24.5%). Tinea capitis (69.4%) was the most common type of infection, followed by tinea corporis (20%). Superficial yeast infections (442 cases) were dominated by Malassezia infections (71%). Candida infections were mainly due to Candida albicans (58%). The clinical features of paediatric dermatomycoses vary with the age of the children: tinea capitis and tinea corporis were more frequent before 13 years of age. After this age, tinea versicolor and onychomycoses became more common.
A randomized controlled trial of the impact of therapeutic horse riding on the quality of life, health, and function of children with cerebral palsy

This randomized controlled trial examined whether therapeutic horse riding has a clinically significant impact on the physical function, health and quality of life (QoL) of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Ninety‐nine children aged 4 to 12 years with no prior horse riding experience and various levels of impairment (Gross Motor Function Classification System Levels I−III) were randomized to intervention (10wks therapeutic programme; 26 males, 24 females; mean age 7y 8mo [SD 2y 5mo] or control (usual activities, 27 males, 22 females; mean age 8y 2mo [SD 2y 6mo]). Pre‐ and post‐measures were completed by 72 families (35 intervention and 37 control). Children’s gross motor function (Gross Motor Function Measure [GMFM]), health status (Child Health Questionnaire [CHQ]), and QoL (CP QoL‐Child, KIDSCREEN) were assessed by parents and QoL was assessed by children before and after the 10‐week study period. On analysis of covariance, there was no statistically significant difference in GMFM, CP QoL‐Child (parent report and child self‐report), and CHQ scores (except family cohesion) between the intervention and control group after the 10‐week study period, but there was weak evidence of a difference for KIDSCREEN (parent report). This study suggests that therapeutic horse riding does not have a clinically significant impact on children with CP. However, a smaller effect cannot be ruled out and the absence of evidence might be explained by a lack of sensitivity of the instruments since the QoL and health measures have not yet been demonstrated to be sensitive to change for children with CP.
Alternating versus Blocked Practice in Learning a Cartwheel

This investigation examined the generalizability of contextual interference to learning the cartwheel in gymnastics. 32 participants ages 17 to 26 years completed five stages of practice of two versions of the skill, one in which the left hand led and one in which the right hand led, providing a total of 192 practice trials. Practice of these two versions of the task was completed in either a blocked or alternating order. Tests of retention and transfer were completed 20 min. and 1 wk. after acquisition. Outcome (errors) and form scores were derived from participants' performance. Alternating practice resulted in poorer acquisition, retention, and transfer performance as measured by outcome scores. The contextual interference effect did not generalize to this task, a finding which is attributed to task complexity and the interference associated with practicing the two tasks together.
Delayed Facial Palsy following Uneventful Middle Ear Surgery: A Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Reactivation?

In rare cases, a facial palsy appears a few days after uneventful middle ear surgery. The reason for this delayed palsy is unclear. One hypothesis is that it results from a reactivation of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve. From 1987 to 1996, in the course of over 1,800 middle ear operations, we observed 7 ipsilateral delayed facial palsies and investigated 5 of them using immunologic and virologic methods, including the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We could detect HSV-1 genome with the nested primer PCR in the tongue swabs of 4 of the 5 examined patients with delayed facial palsy. The immunologic changes in these palsies are also compatible with a reactivation of HSV-1. We conclude that minimal stimulation of the facial nerve during middle ear surgery could result in a reactivation of HSV-1 in the geniculate ganglion, which may in turn lead to a facial palsy.
Local Ca2+ releases enable rapid heart rates in developing cardiomyocytes

The ability to generate homogeneous intracellular Ca2+ oscillations at high frequency is the basis of the rhythmic contractions of mammalian cardiac myocytes. While the specific mechanisms and structures enabling homogeneous high‐frequency Ca2+ signals in adult cardiomyocytes are well characterized, it is not known how these kind of Ca2+ signals are produced in developing cardiomyocytes. Here we investigated the mechanisms reducing spatial and temporal heterogeneity of cytosolic Ca2+ signals in mouse embryonic ventricular cardiomyocytes. We show that in developing cardiomyocytes the propagating Ca2+ signals are amplified in cytosol by local Ca2+ releases. Local releases are based on regular 3‐D sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) structures containing SR Ca2+ uptake ATPases (SERCA) and Ca2+ release channels (ryanodine receptors, RyRs) at regular intervals throughout the cytosol. By evoking [Ca2+]i‐induced Ca2+ sparks, the local release sites promote a 3‐fold increase in the cytosolic Ca2+ propagation speed. We further demonstrate by mathematical modelling that without these local release sites the developing cardiomyocytes lose their ability to generate homogeneous global Ca2+ signals at a sufficiently high frequency. The mechanism described here is robust and indispensable for normal mammalian cardiomyocyte function from the first heartbeats during the early embryonic phase till terminal differentiation after birth. These results suggest that local cytosolic Ca2+ releases are indispensable for normal cardiomyocyte development and function of developing heart.
Curating Digital Life and Culture: Art and information

The space between digital life and real life continues to fade and nowhere is this more apparent than in arts and cultural contexts. Facilitated by digital capture and curation, social media, the network, Internet, and the web, these forces combine to empower artists to be digital curators of their own work, giving voice and narration to their artistic expression. In the paper entitled Digitalism: the New Realism, the authors focus on how digital tools and technology have changed ways of doing, knowing, and being, while here we look at how today's digital landscape is changing ways of artistic expression, narration, communication, and human interaction. The growing use of digital tools and technology in the arts and culture is dramatically transforming traditional curatorial practice and by extension archival practice, so that we are moving from a gatekeeping model to an open model steeped in digital relationships across global networks and the Internet. As we immerse ourselves in the digital world, where anyone with a smartphone can be a digital curator and marshal a range of Internet services, such as Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and more specifically for example Behance (for online portfolios), artists are enabled to freely engage and interact with their audience using to their advantage crowdsourcing, "likes", chat, blogs, games and email. Emerging artists are particularly expert digitally and are able to curate their life and work directly, living naturally between physical and digital states. To demonstrate this, our study presents specific examples of how artists and GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museum) institutions are adapting to new digital ways of curating collections and conveying meaning. Additionally, we show how notions of what constitutes artistic expression are evolving as art traverses digital media boundaries, especially in terms of visual and textual media. Importantly, as life in the 21st century plays out on the digital stage of the Internet, artists and GLAM institutions find themselves more than ever working at the intersection of art and information which is leading to new and innovative ways of curating contemporary art that are expressive of artistic vision and digital aesthetics, while conveying social and political meaning capable of influencing and impacting our lives.
The diagnostic value of cell block as an adjunct to liquid‐based cytology of bronchial washing specimens in the diagnosis and subclassification of pulmonary neoplasms

To the authors' knowledge, the diagnostic value of cell block (CB) as an adjunct to ThinPrep liquid‐based cytology (LBC) of bronchial washing specimens in the detection and subclassification of pulmonary neoplasms has not been well evaluated. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of CB in this setting.
Chinese hamster polyadenylated messenger ribonucleic acid: relationship to non-polyadenylated sequences and relative conservation during messenger ribonucleic acid processing

We have further analyzed the metabolism of specific messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) sequences within the cytoplasmic and nuclear RNA of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells by using a set of previously constructed complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) clones (Harpold et al., Cell 17:1025-1035, 1979) as specific molecular probes in a variety of RNA:DNA hybridization experiments. The majority of the labeled mRNA complementary to each of the nine clones was found in the polyribosomes, with some variation between individual sequences. The great majority of each specific mRNA labeled for 3 h or less was in the polyadenylated [poly(A)+] fraction. However, the amount of each sequence increased in the non-poly(A)+ [poly(A)-] fraction after very long label times, suggesting the derivation of the poly(A)- RNA from the poly(A)+ RNA. Eight of the nine mRNA's have cytoplasmic half-lives ranging from 8 to 14 h, whereas one of the mRNA's, the scarcest in the group, has a somewhat shorter half-life of approximately 3 h. The proportion of each of the specific long-lived mRNA's within the total labeled mRNA increased as a function of labeling time, indicating that a large fraction, probably greater than 50%, of the initially labeled poly(A)+ mRNA in CHO cells has a half-life of less than 3 h. A quantitative analysis of the kinetics of labeling of specific nuclear and cytoplasmic sequences indicated that a significant fraction of the mRNA sequences transcribed from genes containing these nine CHO sequences were successfully processed into mRNA. However, two of the CHO mRNA sequences were only partially conserved during nuclear processing to yield mRNA. These studies demonstrated that events at two post-transcriptional levels, differential nuclear processing efficiency of different primary transcripts and cytoplasmic stability of different mRNA's, can be involved in the determination of the cytoplasmic concentrations of different mRNA's.
DNA Damage Potential of Engine Emissions Measured In Vitro by Micronucleus Test in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells

Internal combustion engine emissions belong among the major anthropogenic sources of air pollution in urban areas. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, there is sufficient evidence of the carcinogenicity of diesel exhaust in human beings. Although alternative fuels, mainly biodiesel, have recently become popular, little is still known about the genotoxicity of emissions from these fuels. We analysed DNA damage expressed as the frequency of micronuclei (MN) in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS‐2B), induced by extractable organic matter (EOM; tested concentrations: 1, 10 and 25 μg/ml) obtained from particle emissions from various blends of biodiesel with diesel fuels (including neat diesel fuel (B0), a blend of 70% B0 and 30% biodiesel (B30) and neat biodiesel (B100)). We also tested the effect of selected diesel exhaust organic/genotoxic components [benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) concentrations: 25, 100 and 200 μM; 1‐nitropyrene (1‐NP) concentrations: 1, 5 and 10 μM; 3‐nitrobenzanthrone (3‐NBA) concentrations: 1, 5 and 50 μM]. The cells were treated with the compounds for 28 and 48 hr. Our results showed that most of the tested compounds (except for the 25 μM B[a]P, 28‐hr treatment) significantly increased MN frequency. The genotoxicity of EOMs from the engine emissions of diesel and biodiesel engines was comparable. Both nitro‐PAH compounds demonstrated higher genotoxic potential in comparison with B[a]P. Considering our results and due to increasing popularity of alternative fuels, it is prudent that the potential genotoxic effects of various fuels are investigated across engine technologies and operating conditions in a relevant model system.
Insulin Receptor Substrate 2-mediated Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase Signaling Selectively Inhibits Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β to Regulate Aerobic Glycolysis*

Background: Insulin receptor substrate 2 (Irs-2)-mediated signaling by the insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptors regulates metabolism. Results: Direct activation of PI3K by Irs-2 inhibits glycogen synthase kinase 3β (Gsk-3β) to stimulate glucose uptake and aerobic glycolysis. Conclusion: Irs-1 and Irs-2 regulate distinct subsets of Akt effectors. Significance: The Irs-2-mediated PI3K signaling pathway could be targeted to inhibit tumor metabolism. Insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and IRS-2 are cytoplasmic adaptor proteins that mediate the activation of signaling pathways in response to ligand stimulation of upstream cell surface receptors. Despite sharing a high level of homology and the ability to activate PI3K, only Irs-2 positively regulates aerobic glycolysis in mammary tumor cells. To determine the contribution of Irs-2-dependent PI3K signaling to this selective regulation, we generated an Irs-2 mutant deficient in the recruitment of PI3K. We identified four tyrosine residues (Tyr-649, Tyr-671, Tyr-734, and Tyr-814) that are essential for the association of PI3K with Irs-2 and demonstrate that combined mutation of these tyrosines inhibits glucose uptake and lactate production, two measures of aerobic glycolysis. Irs-2-dependent activation of PI3K regulates the phosphorylation of specific Akt substrates, most notably glycogen synthase kinase 3β (Gsk-3β). Inhibition of Gsk-3β by Irs-2-dependent PI3K signaling promotes glucose uptake and aerobic glycolysis. The regulation of unique subsets of Akt substrates by Irs-1 and Irs-2 may explain their non-redundant roles in mammary tumor biology. Taken together, our study reveals a novel mechanism by which Irs-2 signaling preferentially regulates tumor cell metabolism and adds to our understanding of how this adaptor protein contributes to breast cancer progression.
Cmdr1, a Chicken P-Glycoprotein, Confers Multidrug Resistance and Interacts with Estradiol

Abstract We have cloned from a chicken intestinal cDNA library Cmdr1, the first avian P-glycoprotein. Cmdr1 is 67% and 69% identical to proteins encoded by the human MDR1 and MDR2 genes, respectively. Functional expression of Cmdr1 in both mouse NIH 3T3 and yeast cells demonstrated that Cmdr1 represents the avian ortholog of human Mdr1, since it confers resistance to several anticancer drugs and the fluorescent dye rhodamine 6G. Northern and immunoblot analysis showed that CMDR1 is highly expressed throughout the intestine and in the liver, and to a considerable extent in kidney, brain, lung, heart, eye and follicles. In situ hybridization revealed a cell type-specific expression of CMDR1 in the intestinal epithelium, with high levels in the villi of the small and large intestine as well as crypt cells. These data suggest that Cmdr1 could play a role in intestinal detoxification. Most interestingly, immunoblotting showed that Cmdr1 is also expressed in ovarian tissues, particularly in theca cells, the major site for ovarian estrogen production in birds. Indeed, competition experiments indicated that Cmdr1 interacts with estradiol, since rhodamine 6G efflux was efficiently blocked by estradiol in NIH 3T3 cells expressing Cmdr1. Rhodamine efflux was also blocked by PSC-833, a specific inhibitor of steroid-transporting P-glycoproteins from mammalian cells. We propose that Cmdr1 in ovarian cells could be involved in the cell type-specific transport or release of estrogen that is essential for avian follicular development.