Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Energy-enriched hospital food to improve energy intake in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND It was hypothesized that energy intake in hospitalized elderly patients could be improved by increasing the density of energy of the food and that the volume of food actually consumed, even with a higher energy content than the normal, would not change with servings of high energy-dense hospital food. METHODS Thirty-six elderly patients (52 to 96 years) of both sexes, long-term treated at two comparable wards, participated in this study. The patients were given 6 weeks of regular hospital food (RHF, 1670 kcal/d, 7.0 MJ) and 6 weeks of high-energy food (HE, 2520 kcal/d, 10.5 MJ). The volume of food was kept constant. A crossover study design was used. Food intake, energy intake, body weight, and modified functional condition (Norton scale) were measured. RESULTS Regardless of type of food (RHF or HE) and time of day (lunch or dinner), he food portion size (volume of food) intake was the same, approximately 80% of the portions consumed. HE led to a 40% increase in energy intake (from 25 +/- 1 during RHF to 35 +/- 2 kcal/kg/d, p < .0001), which resulted in a 3.4% increase in body weight (p < .001) after 3 weeks of HE. Only minimal changes in functional condition were found. The cost of HE was substantially lower (-85%) than any other mean available for improvement of energy intake. CONCLUSIONS A significant increase in energy intake can be achieved by higher energy density in regular hospital food and that HE does not cause a decrease in the volume of the food consumed. These findings suggest that it is the volume of food rather than the energy that limits voluntary energy intake of hospital food in elderly hospitalized patients.
High-sugar diets, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease

Purpose of reviewRecent findings suggest that high-sugar diets can lead to cognitive impairment predisposing to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. This article discusses metabolic derangements induced by high-fructose/sucrose diets and presents evidence for the involvement of insulin resistance in sporadic Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Recent findingsThere has been much concern regarding the role of dietary sugars (fructose/sucrose) in the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Accumulating evidence has also demonstrated a connection between T2D and Alzheimer's disease. The risk for developing T2D and Alzheimer's disease increases exponentially with age and having T2D increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. SummaryThe incidence of T2D increased dramatically over the last decades mainly due to Western lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise and high calorie diets. In fact, high-sugar diets are thought to promote weight gain and insulin resistance predisposing to T2D. To aggravate this scenario, it has been consistently shown that T2D is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and both disorders share similar demographic profiles, risk factors, and clinical and biochemical features (e.g. insulin resistance). Therefore, dietary changes can significantly reduce the risk of T2D and Alzheimer's disease and thereby increase the quality of life and improve longevity.
Involvement of TLCK‐sensitive serine protease in colchicine‐induced cell death of sympathetic neurons in culture

Superior cervical ganglion (SCG) cells from neonatal rats underwent apoptosis upon treatment with colchicine, a microtubule‐disrupting agent. Western blotting and activity measurements showed that caspase‐3 was indeed activated, but its peptide inhibitor (Ac‐DEVD‐CHO) neither suppressed nuclear fragmentation nor rescued the neurons from cell death. z‐VAD‐fmk, the general inhibitor of caspases, prevented nuclear fragmentation and delayed the cell death. Moreover, N‐α‐tosyl‐L‐lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK), but not N‐α‐tosyl‐L‐phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK), prevented nuclear fragmentation and provided neuronal protection as well. The combination of both z‐VAD‐fmk and TLCK provided a long‐term neuronal protection (>4 days), whereas neither one alone could do so, suggesting that there are both caspase‐dependent and ‐independent pathways. TLCK‐sensitive serine protease is also likely to act upstream of caspase‐3 in a caspase‐dependent pathway. Electron microscopic observations demonstrated that z‐VAD‐fmk suppressed nuclear fragmentation and improved mitochondrial swelling, but failed to prevent vesicular formation, which resulted in a slowly‐occurring necrosis. More importantly, TLCK effectively blocked this abundant vesicular formation along with suppressing chromatin condensation. Thus, the combination of both conferred a nearly normal morphology, which is consistent with the results of cell survival experiments. These findings clearly indicate that TLCK‐sensitive serine protease plays multiple roles in caspase‐dependent and ‐independent pathways of colchicine‐induced cell death, and suggest a novel mechanism underlying a necrotic pathway involving ER swelling and vesicular formation. J. Neurosci. Res. 66:601–611, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A neural link between affective understanding and interpersonal attraction

Significance Humans interacting with other humans must be able to understand their interaction partner’s affect and motivations, often without words. We examined whether people are attracted to others whose affective behavior they can easily understand. For this, we asked participants to watch different persons experiencing different emotions. We found the better a participant thought they could understand another person’s emotion the more they felt attracted toward that person. Importantly, these individual changes in interpersonal attraction were predicted by activity in the participant’s reward circuit, which in turn signaled how well the participant’s “neural vocabulary” was suited to decode the other’s behavior. This research elucidates neurobiological processes that might play an important role in the formation and success of human social relations. Being able to comprehend another person’s intentions and emotions is essential for successful social interaction. However, it is currently unknown whether the human brain possesses a neural mechanism that attracts people to others whose mental states they can easily understand. Here we show that the degree to which a person feels attracted to another person can change while they observe the other’s affective behavior, and that these changes depend on the observer’s confidence in having correctly understood the other’s affective state. At the neural level, changes in interpersonal attraction were predicted by activity in the reward system of the observer’s brain. Importantly, these effects were specific to individual observer–target pairs and could not be explained by a target’s general attractiveness or expressivity. Furthermore, using multivoxel pattern analysis (MVPA), we found that neural activity in the reward system of the observer’s brain varied as a function of how well the target’s affective behavior matched the observer’s neural representation of the underlying affective state: The greater the match, the larger the brain’s intrinsic reward signal. Taken together, these findings provide evidence that reward-related neural activity during social encounters signals how well an individual’s “neural vocabulary” is suited to infer another person’s affective state, and that this intrinsic reward might be a source of changes in interpersonal attraction.
Melatonin inhibits Prevotella intermedia lipopolysaccharide‐induced production of nitric oxide and interleukin‐6 in murine macrophages by suppressing NF‐κB and STAT1 activity

Abstract: Although a range of biological and pharmacological activities of melatonin have been reported, little is known about its potential anti‐inflammatory efficacy in periodontal disease. In this study, we investigated the effects of melatonin on the production of inflammatory mediators by murine macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Prevotella intermedia, a major cause of inflammatory reactions in the periodontium, and sought to determine the underlying mechanisms of action. Melatonin suppressed the production of nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) at both gene transcription and translation levels in P. intermedia LPS‐activated RAW264.7 cells. P. intermedia LPS‐induced NF‐κB‐dependent luciferase activity was significantly inhibited by melatonin. Melatonin did not reduce NF‐κB transcriptional activity at the level of IκB‐α degradation. Melatonin blocked NF‐κB signaling through the inhibition of nuclear translocation and DNA‐binding activity of NF‐κB p50 subunit and suppressed STAT1 signaling. Although further research is required to clarify the detailed mechanism of action, we conclude that melatonin may contribute to blockade of the host‐destructive processes mediated by these two proinflammatory mediators and could be a highly efficient modulator of host response in the treatment of inflammatory periodontal disease.
Influence of PMMA and h-BN particles sizes on electrical and thermal properties of PMMA/h-BN composite materials produced by electrostatic adsorption method

The electrostatic adsorption method can fabricate composite materials with an arbitrary structure. Changing a parameter such as the size of an individual component, which alters the composition, can adjust the composite material's characteristics. To develop a thermally conductive and electrically insulating composite material with a high thermal conductivity and an acceptable breakdown strength, a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)/hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) composite material was produced by changing the h-BN filler size or the PMMA particle size using the electrostatic adsorption method. Regardless of the h-BN size, the DC breakdown strength and the thermal conductivity of the composite increased and decreased, respectively, as the PMMA size increased. For composites with the same sized PMMA particles, the breakdown strength of the composite with a larger h-BN particle size was smaller than that of the composite with a smaller h-BN particle size. The thermal conductivity between these composites showed an inverse trend to the DC breakdown strength. These characteristics are attributed to the length of the h-BN, the filler orientation, and the change in the distance between fillers.
Technology and Communications Coursework: Facilitating the Progression of Students with Learning Disabilities through High School Science and Math Coursework

Students identified with learning disabilities experience markedly lower levels of science and mathematics achievement than students who are not identified with a learning disability. Seemingly compounding their disadvantage, students with learning disabilities also complete more credits in non-core coursework—traditionally considered nonacademic coursework—than students who are not identified with a learning disability. The Education Longitudinal Study of 2002, a large national dataset with both regular and special education high school students, is utilized to determine whether credit accumulation in certain types of non-core coursework, such as technology and communications courses, is associated with improved science and math course taking outcomes for students with learning disabilities. Results show that credit accumulation in technology and communications coursework uniquely benefits the science course taking, and comparably benefits the math course taking, of students identified with learning disabilities in contrast to students who are not identified with learning disabilities.
Testing hypotheses of mitochondrial gene‐tree paraphyly: unravelling mitochondrial capture of the Streak‐breasted Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus ruficollis) by the Taiwan Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus musicus)

Species‐level paraphyly inferred from mitochondrial gene trees is a prevalent phenomenon in taxonomy and systematics, but there are several potential causes that are not easily explained by currently used methods. This study aimed to test the underlying causes behind the observed paraphyly of Streak‐breasted Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus ruficollis) via statistical analyses of four mitochondrial (mtDNA) and nine nuclear (nuDNA) genes. Mitochondrial gene trees show paraphyly of P. ruficollis with respect to the Taiwan Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus musicus), but nuclear genealogies support a sister‐group relationship. Predictive coalescent simulations imply several hypothetical explanations, the most likely being mitochondrial capture of P. ruficollis by P. musicus for the observed cyto‐nuclear incongruence. Further approximate Bayesian computation suggests a unidirectional introgression model with substantial level of gene flow from P. ruficollis to P. musicus during their initial divergence during the Late Pleistocene. This specific observation frames several potential causes for incongruent outcomes of mitochondrial and nuclear introgression in general, and on the whole, our results underscore the strength of multiple independent loci for species delimitation and importance of testing hypotheses that explain disparate causes of mitochondrial gene‐tree paraphyly.
[Reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Social Adaptation Self-Evaluation Scale (SASS)].

OBJECTIVE SASS is a new self-evaluation scale that assesses the level of social functioning in depressed patients for clinical research purposes. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of SASS. METHOD Data were obtained from 2 different sample groups that had no physical disturbances that could impair social functioning; healthy participants between the ages of 18 and 65 years (n = 66) and patients (n = 227) diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD). Assessment tools used in the study were SASS, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, 17-item version, and Global Assessment of Functioning Scale. RESULTS In the reliability analysis of both groups combined and the MDD group Cronbach's alpha values for the internal consistency of the scale were 0.90 and 0.87, respectively. Item-total score correlations were between 0.22 and 0.66 for both groups combined, and between 0.21 and 0.59 for the MDD group. The correlation coefficient of the scale's test-retest reliability was 0.770 (P < 0.0001) and the SASS value rose from 29.4 +/- 8.1 to 37.8 +/- 8.1 following treatment of depression (P < 0.0001). Four factors with Eigen values > 1 were obtained from the factor analysis. Factor 1, with an Eigen value of 7.169 explained 35.8% of the total variance and represented the entire scale alone. CONCLUSIONS The Turkish version of SASS, as the original scale, demonstrated adequate validity and reliability for the measurement of loss of social functioning in MDD patients and demonstrated that scores changed in accordance with treatment for depression.
Rotor design for a high-speed high-power permanent-magnet synchronous machine

Permanent-magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs) are considered a very promising machine type for high-speed applications nowadays. As permanent-magnet (PM) materials are generally fragile, a high strength sleeve is required to protect the PMs from damage due to extreme centrifugal forces. The rotor sleeve occupies space of the effective air gap of the PMSMs, so it is difficult to perform the electromagnetic (EM) design without an accurate estimation of the sleeve thickness, which is determined by mechanical issues. In this paper, an integrated mechanical-electromagnetic design method is presented for the rotor of a high-speed PMSM designed for 200 kW at 40,000 rpm. Three commonly used sleeve materials are investigated and their mechanical performances are analyzed. The mechanical strength limits for the proposed machine are calculated, as well as the EM design limits. The optimal dimensions for the rotors with different sleeves are then obtained by combining their strength and EM limits. The EM, thermal and rotor dynamic performances of the designed rotors are analyzed in order to select the best rotor type. In the end, a new rotor topology is proposed to reduce the rotor eddy current losses. The new rotor topology is characterized by a multi-layer sleeve which is thinner than a single-layer sleeve. The rotor losses are significantly lower in the new rotor and easier to be cooled.
Estudios esporales en especies del grupo "Blechnum Penna-Marina" (Blechnaceae-Pteridophyta)

Estudios esporales en especies del grupo Blechnum penna-marina (Blechnaceae-Pteridophyta). Las esporas de once taxones del grupo B. penna marina, B. asperum, B. blechnoides, B. corralense, B. fernandezianum, B. microphyllum, B. mochaenum subsp. achalense, B. mochaenum subsp. mochaenum, B. mochaenum subsp. squamipes, B. penna-marina, B. spicant y B. stoloniferum se estudiaron con microscopio de luz y electronico de barrido. Las esporas son monoletes y elipsoidales en todos los taxones, con macro-ornamentacion predominantemente muriforme. El esporodermo consiste de un exosporio psilado, rugulado o con superficie granular y un perisporio rugado, rugulado, venuloso-rugulado, fosulado-rugulado o crestado-reticulado. Una excepcion son las esporas de B. fernandezianum, con perisporios psilados con orbiculas. El perisporio es estratificado, con capas de diferente morfologia y espesor: una capa externa continua, que soporta los elementos de la escultura, una media, alveolar, foliosa o con elementos columnares y una interna muy delgada que no siempre se distingue claramente. Algunos ejemplares de B. mochaenum subsp. mochaenum y B. penna-marina mostraron esporas mas grandes en algunos ejemplares, lo que podria relacionarse con diferentes niveles de ploidia. La macro-ornamentacion de las esporas y la morfologia de las capas observadas en algunos taxones se encuentra tambien en esporas de otros grupos del genero. Los estudios llevados a cabo sugieren que los rasgos esporales no definen un grupo particular sino taxones, una conclusion que abre perspectivas prometedoras para la sistematica del genero.
Independent association between age at natural menopause and hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus: Japan nurses' health study.

AIM Menopause is considered a cardiovascular risk factor (CRF), but age at menopause (AAM) varies considerably and could affect the risk among post-menopausal women. The aim of the study was to clarify whether AAM is associated with hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypercholesterolemia, independent of chronological age, lifestyle and hormone replacement therapy (HRT), in a sizeable number of Japanese women. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted using the baseline survey of the ongoing large prospective Japan Nurses' Health Study. The prevalence of hypertension, DM, and hypercholesterolemia of pre-menopausal and three post-menopausal AAM groups (early: <45 years, intermediate: 45-53 years, late: >53 years) was compared among 22,426 women aged 40-59 years. Daily lifestyle such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity were included. RESULTS The estimated risk (odds ratio: OR) was significantly higher in post-menopausal women and linearly elevated according to the AAM groups, and the late AAM group was more likely to have hypertension, DM, or hypercholesterolemia; however, after adjustment for age, BMI (kg/m(2)), HRT and lifestyle, menopause and AAM showed a significant association with only hypercholesterolemia and the early AAM group had the highest OR (2.72 (1.93-3.82)). Menopause and AAM did not show any independent association with the risk of hypertension and DM in the fully adjusted model. CONCLUSIONS Among the post-menopausal women, early menopause increased the risk for hypercholesterolemia independently. AAM can be a useful screening tool to identify women at high risk for adverse post-menopausal lipid profiles in the Japanese.
Isolation and characterization of an equine rotavirus

A rotavirus, designated as the H-1 strain, was isolated from a diarrheic foal in primary African green monkey kidney cells and MA104 cells. This cell culture-adapted strain hemagglutinated erythrocytes of human group O, rhesus monkeys, guinea pigs, and sheep. It was found to be similar, if not identical, to porcine rotaviruses (strains OSU, EE, and A-580) by plaque reduction neutralization and hemagglutination inhibition tests, and, in addition, it was found to belong to subgroup 1. This equine rotavirus has an RNA electrophoretic migration pattern which was distinct from those of the three strains of porcine rotavirus. The serological relationship established by plaque reduction neutralization and hemagglutination inhibition tests between the equine (H-1) and porcine (OSU, EE, and A-580) rotaviruses is an example of a rotavirus of the same serotype being isolated from different species. The H-1 strain was distinct from four human rotavirus serotypes (Wa, DS-1, P, and St. Thomas 4) as well as from bovine rotavirus NCDV, simian rotavirus MMU18006, and canine rotavirus CU-1 by plaque reduction neutralization tests. This equine isolate (H-1) was found to be related antigenically to canine CU-1 and bovine NCDV rotaviruses in a one-way fashion by hemagglutination inhibition tests.
Occipitotemporal Activity Elicited by Viewing Eye Movements: A Magnetoencephalographic Study

The temporal and spatial processing of viewing eye movements was studied by magnetoencephalography (MEG) in six normal subjects. Three visual stimulus types were studied: (1) moving eyes (EYES), (2) moving simulated eyes (SIM), consisting of checks moving in the same spatial location as EYES, and (3) an inwardly moving radial pattern (RADIAL). A large clear MEG component, 1M, with mean peak latency of approximately 170 ms, was seen in the right hemisphere to RADIAL and EYES in all six subjects. The 1M to EYES was significantly longer in latency and smaller in amplitude than that seen to RADIAL. A left hemisphere 1M to EYES and RADIAL was seen in three of six subjects. In all subjects and both hemispheres the equivalent current dipoles (ECD) for EYES and RADIAL were located near the occipitotemporal border, the MT/V5 homologue in humans. The ECD to EYES was significantly more posterior and inferior than that to RADIAL, with a calculated significant separation distance of around 1 cm. No ECD was estimated in the fusiform gyrus, a structure that plays a main role in static face perception. Although the 1M was detected in SIM in all six subjects, our criteria for a reliable ECD could only be satisfied in only one subject. Our results suggest that the cortex of human MT/V5 and its surrounds is active both in the perception of eye motion and motion in general, particularly in the right hemisphere. The areas responsive to eye motion were separable from those responsive to radial motion. These data suggest that there may be specialization within regions of human cortex previously thought to be sensitive to motion in general.