Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphine inhibits AP‐1 activity and CD14 expression in leukocytes by a nitric oxide and opioid receptor‐dependent mechanism

Background: Activator protein 1 is a transcription factor involved in the regulation of proinflammatory mediators. Activation of phagocytes by lipopolysaccharide depends on the expression of CD14 on the cell surface. In this study, we investigated the effects of morphine and nitric oxide on CD14 expression and activator protein 1 activation in human blood monocytes and neutrophils as well as the leukocyte cell line HL‐60. Methods: Whole blood was incubated with morphine, the nitric oxide donor S‐nitroso‐N‐acetyl‐penicillamine, naloxone or nitric oxide synthase inhibitors N&ohgr;‐nitro‐l‐arginine and N&ohgr;‐nitro‐l‐arginine‐methylester and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. Activator protein 1 nuclear content was determined by flow cytometry in human blood neutrophils and monocytes. CD14 expression on neutrophils was measured after incubation with fluorescein isothiocyanate‐labelled antibodies. Electric mobility shift assay served for evaluation of activator protein 1 nuclear binding in HL‐60 cells. Results: Incubation of whole blood with morphine and subsequent stimulation with lipopolysaccharide decreased activator protein 1 nuclear content. Exposure to naloxone before morphine treatment abolished morphine‐induced inhibition of activator protein 1 activity in human blood monocytes and neutrophils. Nitric oxide synthase inhibitors also reversed morphine's effects. CD14 expression on neutrophils was reduced after morphine treatment. These effects were antagonized by nitric oxide synthase inhibitors and naloxone. Conclusion: Morphine inhibits activator protein 1 activation by a &mgr; opioid receptor pathway coupled to nitric oxide as second messenger. The decrease in CD14 expression caused by morphine may play a role in inhibition of activator protein 1 activation following lipopolysaccharide treatment of phagocytes.
Immigrants, Labor Market Performance, and Social Insurance

Using longitudinal data from the date of arrival, we study long‐term labor market and social insurance outcomes for all major immigrant cohorts to Norway since 1970. Immigrants from high-income countries performed as natives, while labor migrants from low‐income source countries had declining employment rates and increasing disability program participation over the lifecycle. Refugees and family migrants assimilated during the initial period upon arrival, but labor market convergence halted after a decade and was accompanied by rising social insurance rates. For the children of labor migrants of the 1970s, we uncover evidence of intergenerational assimilation in education, earnings and fertility.
Caught on Tape: Institutional Trading, Stock Returns, and Earnings Announcements

Many questions about institutional trading can only be answered if one tracks high-frequency changes in institutional ownership. In the United States, however, institutions are only required to report their ownership quarterly in 13-F filings. We infer daily institutional trading behavior from the "tape", the Transactions and Quotes database of the New York Stock Exchange, using a sophisticated method that best predicts quarterly 13-F data from trades of different sizes. We find that daily institutional trades are highly persistent and respond positively to recent daily returns but negatively to longer-term past daily returns. Institutional trades, particularly sells, appear to generate short-term losses--possibly reflecting institutional demand for liquidity--but longer-term profits. One source of these profits is that institutions anticipate both earnings surprises and post-earnings announcement drift. These results are different from those obtained using a standard size cutoff rule for institutional trades.
Distinct promoter hypermethylation of p16INK4a, CDH1, and RAR‐beta in intestinal, diffuse–adherent, and diffuse–scattered type gastric carcinomas

Hypermethylation of CpG islands in gene promoters is associated with silencing of various tumour suppressor genes. Recent studies of colorectal and gastric carcinomas have defined a CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP), which involves the targeting of multiple genes by promoter hypermethylation. In this study, methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to study methylation of CpG islands in the promoters of the p16INK4a, cadherin 1 (CDH1), and retinoic acid receptor‐beta (RAR‐beta) genes in 45 gastric carcinomas and to investigate whether CDH1 and RAR‐beta promoter hypermethylation is associated with CIMP‐positive gastric carcinoma. CpG island hypermethylation of the p16INK4a, CDH1, and RAR‐beta promoters was detected in 12 (27%), 26 (58%), and 24 (53%) of the 45 gastric carcinomas, respectively. Hypermethylation of the p16INK4a promoter was more common in intestinal type than in diffuse type gastric carcinomas (p = 0.0023; Fisher's exact test) and was inversely associated with p53 mutations (p = 0.0225; Fisher's exact test). However, CDH1 and RAR‐beta promoter hypermethylation was observed more frequently in diffuse–scattered type gastric carcinoma than in other types (intestinal and diffuse–adherent types) (p = 0.0175 and p = 0.0335, respectively; Fisher's exact test) and was not associated with p53 mutation status. Moreover, hypermethylation of the CDH1 and RAR‐beta promoters occurred concordantly (p < 0.0001; Fisher's exact test). These results suggest that at least two types of promoter methylation status are involved in the development of the intestinal (p16INK4a promoter hypermethylation) and diffuse–scattered types (CDH1 and RAR‐beta promoter hypermethylation) of gastric carcinoma. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Survival from breast and cervical cancer in Mumbai (Bombay), India.

This paper reports on the survival of breast and cervical cancer patients registered during 1982-86 in Bombay Cancer Registry. A total of 2872 breast cancer and 2354 cervical cancer cases were registered for survival analysis. Details on marital status mother tongue religion education and clinical extent of disease were available for these cases. Information is obtained from 168 hospitals and clinics in the public and private sector using a structured form. Overall analytical results represent an average prognosis from breast and cervical cancers in the country. Age group marital status and clinical extent of disease emerged as significant factors affecting survival in breast and cervical cancer. The clear downward gradient in survival with advanced disease indicates that the classification of the clinical extent of disease was reasonably accurate. Although Mumbai has a level of health services which allows patients reasonable access to diagnostic and therapeutic services there is a considerable scope for improving outcome by early diagnosis and treatment. It would also be prudent to consider ways of achieving this at a minimal cost.
Human infections with Vibrio fetus and a closely related vibrio.

Received for publication March 26, 1957. The author wishes to acknowledge with thanks the help given by Dr. Donald S. Martin in the preparation of this manuscript. the bacteriologic and serologic reactions of V. fetus strains isolated from seven additional human infections. The symptomatology of the previously reported cases of blood stream infections and the seven new cases of V. fetus infections in humans is presented briefly in table 2. Also included are reports of four cases of infection caused by a closely related vibrio species designated hereafter as 1'related vibrios. '' The epidemiology of the disease in animals is discussed in
Comorbidity of Anxiety and Depressive Disorders: Issues in Conceptualization, Assessment, and Treatment

Objectives: The purpose of this review is to provide a clinically relevant analysis of issues concerning comorbidity among anxiety and depressive disorders. The co-occurrence of social anxiety disorder (SAD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) with depressive disorders is highlighted as an illustration. Data on prevalence, rates of comorbidity, order of onset, course, and functional impairment associated with these disorders, in both the general population and clinical samples, are examined. The second half of the review focuses on discussion of practical issues concerning assessment and treatment of comorbid anxiety and depressive syndromes. Conclusions: Available evidence suggests that comorbidity among SAD, GAD, and the depressive disorders is substantial and pervasive. Co-occurrence of these syndromes is typically characterized by a chronic course with clinically significant impairment in social and occupational functioning. SAD and GAD precede the onset of major depression in a majority of cases and appear to be risk factors for developing major depression. Clinicians encountering patients with primary complaints of anxiety or depression should carefully assess for the presence of comorbid symptoms and syndromes. Treatment outcome research suggests that pharmacotherapy and psychosocial therapy (cognitive-behavior therapy in particular) both represent viable first-line treatment alternatives. However, with increasing severity of depression, pharmacotherapy is indicated as a primary intervention. The authors recommend increased efforts in screening and detection, more clinical trials that include patients with comorbid syndromes and symptoms, and continued research on the integration of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments.
Subtle upper limb impairment in asymptomatic multiple sclerosis subjects

We evaluated upper limb function in multiple sclerosis (MS) subjects (11 clinically definite MS patients and seven clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) subjects), with a normal upper limb standard neurological examination. Subjects performed center-out reaching movements under visual control, with and without vision of the hand. Their movements were recorded through a digitizing tablet. Motor performance was also related to lesion load, estimated from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We found that in MS and CIS subjects, under the hand vision condition, movements were significantly less smooth, and had a less symmetric speed profile. However, the observed impairment did not correlate with MRI findings. This result may be interpreted as evidence of a compensatory strategy, elicited by subtle alterations in sensorimotor control. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: 428-432. http://msj.sagepub. com
DNA Methylation in Rice and Relevance for Breeding

The challenge of sustaining food security in the context of global changes is at the heart of plant research. Environmental stresses, in particular, are known to impact genome stability and epigenetic mechanisms. Epigenetic pathways are well characterized in plants, particularly in the dicotyledon model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, but an increasing number of epigenetic and epigenomic studies are also performed on rice (Oryza sativa). Rice represents a major food crop of worldwide importance and is also a good model for monocotyledons owing to its relatively small genome size and fully sequenced well-annotated genome. Today, the main regulators of DNA methylation are identified in rice. Moreover, compared to Arabidopsis, rice has an important evolutionary history due to human selection since its domestication. DNA methylation may be involved in both adaptation and agronomic performances and thus, a better understanding of epigenetic regulations in rice should contribute to improving the adaptation of crops to a changing environment. In this review, we expose the current knowledge on DNA methylation in rice and future perspectives to be considered.
Association of UGT1A1 polymorphism with prevalence and age at onset of cholelithiasis in sickle cell anemia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES High levels of erythrocyte destruction in sickle cell anemia (SCA) result in chronic hyperbilirubinemia, with cholelithiasis occurring in a subset of patients. We investigated whether susceptibility to cholelithiasis in SCA was associated with the promoter polymorphism of the 5? -diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) gene encoding a key enzyme in bilirubin catabolism. DESIGN AND METHODS We determined the frequencies of UGT1A1 promoter alleles in 171 SCA children and 153 SCA adults regularly followed for a number of years at the Guadeloupe sickle cell center. These patients had undergone liver/biliary tree ultrasound scans every year. We analyzed the relationships between the various UGT1A1 promoter alleles and hemoglobin levels, steady-state total and unconjugated bilirubin concentrations and the frequency of cholelithiasis. RESULTS In both children and adults, (TA)6 was less frequent and (TA)7 more frequent in patients with cholelithiasis than in those without this condition. Total and unconjugated bilirubin levels and the frequency of cholelithiasis were significantly higher in patients with (TA)7/(TA)7 and (TA)7/(TA)8 genotypes than in those with other genotypes. Those homozygous for (TA)6 or carrying at least one (TA)5 allele had the lowest total and unconjugated bilirubin levels and were least likely to have cholelithiasis. Patients with (TA)6/(TA)7 and (TA)6/(TA)8 genotypes presented intermediate values. Kaplan-Meier analysis of cholelithiasis-free survival in children demonstrated an early age-at-onset for cholelithiasis in patients with (TA)7/(TA)7 and (TA)7/(TA)8 genotypes. INTERPRETATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS This study shows that the UGT1A1 gene promoter polymorphism is a major genetic risk factor modifying the frequency and age-at-onset of cholelithiasis in SCA patients.
Assessment of a low‐cost home monitoring spirometer for children *

Electronic devices are now available to measure and store lung function parameters in the home. Before adopting a device for clinical or research use, it is important to validate it in the target patient group. The aim of this study was to assess a low‐cost, portable, logging spirometer, the VM Plus (VM), against a standard laboratory Jaeger spirometer (JS) for use in children with respiratory disease. Seventy children with stable asthma or cystic fibrosis performed spirometry on the two devices, and results for peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) were compared. Comparison was made both using the two devices separately (separate method) and with the devices connected in series (series method). Reproducibility of the VM measurements was also assessed.
Teacher Support Resources, Need Satisfaction and Well-Being

Abstract Based on Job Demands-Resources Model (JD-R), this study examines the relationships among teacher support resources, psychological need satisfaction, engagement and burnout in a sample of 282 Spanish secondary school teachers. Nine teacher psychological needs were identified based on the study of Bess and on the Self-Determination Theory (SDT). Self-report questionnaires were used to measure the constructs selected for this study and their interrelationships were examined by structural equation modeling. The results reveal a good model fit to the data (NNFI = .88; CFI = .90; GFI = .90; RMSEA = .061). The analyses indicate a positive and significant effect of latent variable Psychological Need Satisfaction on engagement (β = .74, p < .05), and a negative and significant effect on burnout (β = -.78, p ≤ .05). Furthermore, the results show the mediator role played by Psychological Need Satisfaction in the relationship between teacher support resources and both engagement and burnout (additional paths did not improve the model fit: Δχ2(2) = 2.428, p = . 29). Finally, practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Between Black and Brown: Blaxican (Black-Mexican) Multiracial Identity in California

This article explores the racial/ethnic identities of multiracial Black-Mexicans or “Blaxicans. ” In-depth interviews with 12 Blaxican individuals in California reveal how they negotiate distinct cultural systems to accomplish multiracial identities. I argue that choosing, accomplishing, and asserting a Blaxican identity challenges the dominant monoracial discourse in the United States, in particular among African American and Chicana/o communities. That is, Blaxican respondents are held accountable by African Americans and Chicanas/os/Mexicans to monoracial notions of “authenticity. ” The process whereby Blaxicans move between these monoracial spaces to create multiracial identities illustrates crucial aspects of the social construction of race/ethnicity in the United States and the influence of social interactions in shaping how Blaxicans develop their multiracial identities.
Effects of cimaterol on energetics and carcass characteristics of Suffolk ewe lambs.

The effects of cimaterol, a beta agonist, on basal metabolic rate, heat increment, maintenance requirements and carcass characteristics were determined using six treated and six control Suffolk ewe lambs. The lambs were fed a pelleted diet (18.7% CP, 2.64 Mcal ME/kg) with or without . 5 mg cimaterol/kg BW.75 daily for 70 d. Heat production was monitored for 2 d on each animal at three levels of intake by respiration calorimetry. A 7-d total collection digestion trial was conducted on each animal at both high and low levels of intake. Cimaterol-fed lambs gained more (P less than .05) weight (174 vs 107 g/d) and had a higher (P less than .01) gain/feed ratio (151 vs 90 g/kg) than controls. Cimaterol did not affect diet digestibility or methane production. It reduced (P less than .01) urinary N excretion by 12% and improved (P less than .001) N retention by 18%. Cimaterol also increased carcass weight (26.9 vs 22.1 kg), dressing percentage (57.2 vs 53.9), longissimus muscle area (22.5 vs 15.0 cm2) and leg score (14.3 vs 12.2). Heat production was, on the average, elevated 7 to 10% on d 1 to 4 of cimaterol feeding but reverted to control levels by d 10. Cimaterol did not have any long-term thermogenic effects, either expressed as partial efficiency of ME use for growth (.48 vs .49), as maintenance ME requirements (76 vs 75 kcal/kg BW.75) or as fasting heat production (84 vs 80 kcal/kg BW.75) for treated vs control lambs, respectively. Results indicate little long-term thermogenic effect of cimaterol, even though growth rate and protein deposition were increased.
Culture shapes the evolution of cognition

Significance A central debate in cognitive science concerns the nativist hypothesis: the proposal that universal human behaviors are underpinned by strong, domain-specific, innate constraints on cognition. We use a general model of the processes that shape human behavior—learning, culture, and biological evolution—to test the evolutionary plausibility of this hypothesis. A series of analyses shows that culture radically alters the relationship between natural selection and cognition. Culture facilitates rapid biological adaptation yet rules out nativism: Behavioral universals arise that are underpinned by weak biases rather than strong innate constraints. We therefore expect culture to have dramatically shaped the evolution of the human mind, giving us innate predispositions that only weakly constrain our behavior. A central debate in cognitive science concerns the nativist hypothesis, the proposal that universal features of behavior reflect a biologically determined cognitive substrate: For example, linguistic nativism proposes a domain-specific faculty of language that strongly constrains which languages can be learned. An evolutionary stance appears to provide support for linguistic nativism, because coordinated constraints on variation may facilitate communication and therefore be adaptive. However, language, like many other human behaviors, is underpinned by social learning and cultural transmission alongside biological evolution. We set out two models of these interactions, which show how culture can facilitate rapid biological adaptation yet rule out strong nativization. The amplifying effects of culture can allow weak cognitive biases to have significant population-level consequences, radically increasing the evolvability of weak, defeasible inductive biases; however, the emergence of a strong cultural universal does not imply, nor lead to, nor require, strong innate constraints. From this we must conclude, on evolutionary grounds, that the strong nativist hypothesis for language is false. More generally, because such reciprocal interactions between cultural and biological evolution are not limited to language, nativist explanations for many behaviors should be reconsidered: Evolutionary reasoning shows how we can have cognitively driven behavioral universals and yet extreme plasticity at the level of the individual—if, and only if, we account for the human capacity to transmit knowledge culturally. Wherever culture is involved, weak cognitive biases rather than strong innate constraints should be the default assumption.
Ni2(dobdc) MOF (metal-organic framework) nanocrystals for ultra-sensitive detection of ppb-level co with resonant-cantilever

MOF (metal-organic framework) material of Ni2(dobdc) (where dobdc = 1,4-dioxido-2,5-benzenedicarboxylate) nanocrystals is, for the first time, explored as resonant-gravimetric sensing material for CO detection. Due to the ultra-high surface-area and the active metal center-sites, the MOF of Ni2(dobdc) exhibits adsorbing induced high-performance sensing to CO gas. By loading the MOF material onto resonant microcantilever, the gravimetric sensor has experimentally exhibited response to 80ppb CO, which indicates an extremely-high sensitivity.
The distribution, release kinetics, and biocompatibility of triamcinolone injected and dispersed in silicone oil.

PURPOSE Triamcinolone acetonide (TA) has been proposed as an adjuvant to pars plana vitrectomy with silicone oil for the surgical treatment of proliferative vitreoretinopathy and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. However, to date no data about the distribution and pharmacokinetics of lipophilic TA injected into silicone oil have been reported. METHODS An artificial vitreous space chamber was filled with silicone oil. TA was either injected or dispersed into silicone oil. TA release using a continuous flow model was measured spectrophotometrically. To determine the antiproliferative or cytotoxic effect of the released TA, monolayer cultures of retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE19) and retinal ganglion cells (RGC5) were used. Bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, MTT assay, and scanning electron microscopy were performed. RESULTS Injected TA sank slowly through the silicone oil and started to sediment below the silicone oil bubble shortly after injection. After the simulated intravitreal injection, no TA could be retrieved from the silicone oil bubble. In contrast, when a suspension of silicone oil and TA was prepared before injection, stable noncytotoxic amounts of TA (25 microg/mL) could be retrieved for up to 90 days. After mere injection (without previous suspension in silicone oil), the sedimented TA crystals showed a pronounced cytotoxic effect. CONCLUSIONS Intravitreally injected TA does not mix with silicone oil. TA crystals that sediment at the lower border of a silicone oil bubble may be harmful to retinal cells. A suspension of TA in silicone oil may exhibit safer extended release over several days.