Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ontogeny of Cell Type-Specific Enzyme Reactivities in Kidney Collecting Ducts

ABSTRACT. Highly specific antibodies against vital enzymes of the collecting ducts were used to study the appearance of cell type specific enzyme profiles in developing rat kidneys. (Na+K)-ATPase, the abundant enzyme of principal cells, could be detected early in utero in most collecting duct cells. However, the characteristic basolateral polarization of this enzyme did not appear until the first hours after birth. After this, the relative amount of (Na+K)-ATPase immunoreactive cells along collecting ducts decreased steadily, to reach the amount found in adult rat kidneys by the 30th postnatal day. Carbonic anhydrase immunoreactivity characteristic for intercalated cells was not detectable in fetal kidneys, but appeared soon after birth, with steadily increasing numbers of cells that were positive. Interestingly, immunoreactive band 3 glycoprotein (anion channel protein of erythrocytes) did not appear until the 5th day of life, with only a slowly increasing number of cells positive for this probe. These results, showing the sequential appearance of cell type-specific enzyme reactivities along collecting ducts, likely reflect a similar pattern of functional development of the respective main cell types. These results may provide an explanation for physiologic neonatal acidosis, as the enzyme profile associated with proton secretion was seen to appear slowly during the first weeks of life in a distinct manner.
Itraconazole and fluconazole-induced toxicity in rat hepatocytes: a comparativein vitro study

This current study was to investigate the in vitrocytotoxicity of rat hepatocytes induced by the antifungal drugs, itraconazole and fluconazole. Both antifungal drugs caused dose-dependent cytotoxicity. In vitro incubation of hepatocytes with itraconazole revealed significantly higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage when compared to fluconazole. Phenobarbital pretreated hepatocytes contained significantly higher total cytochrome P450 content than the control hepatocytes. P450 content was reduced approximately 30% for both types of hepatocytes after 6 hours incubation. Interestingly, cytotoxicity of itraconazole was reduced significantly by phenobarbital pretreatment. Phenobarbital did not have any effect on the cytotoxicity induced by fluconazole. These results demonstrate the in vitro toxicity of hepatocytes induced by itraconazole and fluconazole that were expressed in a dose and time-dependent manner. Phenobarbital plays a role in the cytoprotection of hepatocytes to itraconazole-induced but not fluconazole-induced cytotoxicity in vitro.
Regional Brain Volumes Moderate, but Do Not Mediate, the Effects of Group-Based Exercise Training on Reductions in Loneliness in Older Adults

Introduction: Despite the prevalence of and negative health consequences associated with perceived loneliness in older adults, few studies have examined interactions among behavioral, psychosocial, and neural mechanisms. Research suggests that physical activity and improvements in perceived social support and stress are related to reductions in loneliness. Yet, the influence of brain structure on these changes is unknown. The present study examined whether change in regional brain volume mediated the effects of changes in social support and stress on change in perceived loneliness after an exercise intervention. We also examined the extent to which baseline brain volumes moderated the relationship between changes in social support, stress, and loneliness. Methods: Participants were 247 older adults (65.4 ± 4.6 years-old) enrolled in a 6-month randomized controlled trial comprised of four exercise conditions: Dance (n = 69), Strength/Stretching/Stability (n = 70), Walk (n = 54), and Walk Plus (n = 54). All groups met for 1 h, three times weekly. Participants completed questionnaires assessing perceived social support, stress, and loneliness at baseline and post-intervention. Regional brain volumes (amygdala, prefrontal cortex [PFC], hippocampus) before and after intervention were measured with automatic segmentation of each participant's T1-weighted structural MRI. Data were analyzed in a latent modeling framework. Results: Perceived social support increased (p = 0.003), while stress (p < 0.001), and loneliness (p = 0.001) decreased over the intervention. Increased social support directly (−0.63, p < 0.01) and indirectly, through decreased stress (−0.10, p = 0.02), predicted decreased loneliness. Changes in amygdala, PFC, and hippocampus volumes were unrelated to change in psychosocial variables (all p ≥ 0.44). However, individuals with larger baseline amygdalae experienced greater decreases in loneliness due to greater reductions in stress (0.35, p = 0.02). Further, individuals with larger baseline PFC volumes experienced greater reductions in stress due to greater increases in social support (−0.47, p = 0.02). No group differences in these pathways were observed. Conclusions: The social support environment and resulting reductions in stress, as opposed to exercise mode, may represent important features of exercise programs for improving older adults' perceived loneliness. As amygdala volume has been linked to anxiety, depression and impaired cognitive control processes in the PFC, moderation findings suggest further investigation in this area is warranted. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01472744 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01472744? term=NCT01472744&rank=1).
Chronic Mild Stress (CMS) Revisited: Consistency and Behavioural-Neurobiological Concordance in the Effects of CMS

The chronic mild stress (CMS) model of depression has high validity but has in the past been criticized for being difficult to replicate. However, a large number of recent publications have confirmed that CMS causes behavioural changes in rodents that parallel symptoms of depression. This review summarizes studies from over sixty independent research groups that have reported decreases in reactivity to rewards, and a variety of other depression-like behaviours, in rats or mice, following exposure to CMS. Together, these changes are referred to as a ‘depressive’ behavioural profile. Almost every study that has examined the effects of chronic antidepressant treatment in these procedures has reported that antidepressants were effective in reversing or preventing these ‘depressive’ behavioural changes. (The single exception is a study in which the duration of treatment was too brief to constitute an adequate trial.) There are also a handful of reports of CMS causing significant effects in the opposite direction, termed here an ‘anomalous’ behavioural profile. There are six neurobiological parameters that have been studied in both ‘anhedonic’ and ‘anomalous’ animals: psychostimulant and place-conditioning effects of dopamine agonists; dopamine D2 receptor number and message; inhibition of dopamine turnover by quinpirole, and beta-adrenergic receptor binding. On all six measures, CMS caused opposite effects in animals displaying ‘depressive’ and ‘anomalous’ profiles. Thus, there is overwhelming evidence that under appropriate experimental conditions, CMS can cause antidepressant-reversible depressive-like effects in rodents; however, the ‘anomalous’ profile that is occasionally reported appears to be a genuine phenomenon, and these two sets of behavioural effects appear to be associated with opposite patterns of neurobiological changes.
Hippocampal formation size predicts declining memory performance in normal aging

Hippocampal formation (HF) atrophy, although common in normal aging, has unknown clinical consequences.We used MRI to derive HF size measurements at baseline on 44 cognitively normal older adults entering a longitudinal study of memory function (mean age = 68.4 years, mean follow-up = 3.8 years). Only one subject became demented at follow-up. Multiple regression analyses controlling for age, gender, education, and diffuse cerebral atrophy revealed that HF size significantly predicted longitudinal change on memory tests previously found sensitive to decline in normal aging. These results indicate HF atrophy may be a risk factor for accelerated memory dysfunction in normal aging. NEUROLOGY 1996;47: 810-813
The hardiness characteristic: A motivating factor in adaptation

This article describes the conceptual development and measurement of hardiness as a motivating factor in adaptation. The health-related hardiness concept is further refined to include theoretical and operational indicators that can be used to investigate the effect of hardiness on adaptation to actual and potential health problems. Empirical support is presented for both the direct and indirect effects of hardiness. A valid and reliable instrument has been developed for health-related research with both well and ill populations. Implications for theory and research are discussed with emphasis on contributing to the knowledge base of nursing and developing interventions in practice.
Influence of age and gender on risperidone plasma concentrations

There is limited information on gender- and age-specific effects on plasma concentrations of risperidone and its active metabolite, 9-hydroxyrisperidone. The present study investigated dose- and weight-adjusted plasma concentrations of risperidone and its metabolite in three age groups (45 years, 45-60 years, over 60 years). Gender-specific differences were examined in the whole sample and for the premenopausal subgroup. One hundred and twenty-nine patients (18-93 years) were included in the study, 52 (40%) male and 77 (60%) female. Concentrations of risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone were measured at steady-state by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ED). When total plasma concentrations (risperidone plus 9-hydroxyrisperidone) were adjusted for daily maintenance dose (ng/mL/mg C/D ratio), significant differences between all age groups were found. We found a mean increase of the C/D ratio by 34.8% per decade in patients older than 42 years. No significant sex-related differences in the average plasma concentrations were observed for the whole sample and for the premenopausal subgroup. This study shows clear evidence of higher risperidone total plasma concentrations for patients over 40 years of age. This linear increase (over 30% per decade) may then lead to an increased incidence of adverse effects in elderly patients.
Expression of a nonagglutinating fimbria by Proteus mirabilis

We have clarified growth conditions and isolation strategies for the nonagglutinating fimbriae from Proteus mirabilis. Nonagglutinating fimbriae were expressed by all P. mirabilis strains we examined, and the major subunit proteins, which ranged from 23 to 29 kDa as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, had highly conserved N-terminal sequences.
An empirical study on how developers reason about module cohesion

Several cohesion metrics have been proposed to support development and maintenance activities. The most traditional ones are the structural cohesion metrics, which rely on structural information in the source code. For instance, many of these metrics quantify cohesion based how methods and attributes are related to each other within a given module. Recently, conceptual cohesion metrics have been proposed for computing cohesion based on the responsibilities a given module realizes. Besides different flavors of cohesion, there is a lack of empirical evidence about how developers actually perceive cohesion and what kind of cohesion measurement aligns with developers' perception. In this paper we fill this gap by empirically investigating developers opinion through a web-based survey, which involved 80 participants from 9 countries with different levels of programming experience. We found that: most of the developers are familiar with cohesion; and they perceive cohesion based on class responsibilities, thus associating more with conceptual cohesion measurement. These results support the claim that conceptual cohesion seems to be more intuitive and closer to the human-oriented view of software cohesion. Moreover, the results showed that conceptual cohesion measurement captures the developers' notion of cohesion better than traditional structural cohesion measurement.
A comparison of electric toothbrushes in their potential to cause gingival abrasion of oral soft tissues.

PURPOSE It has previously been established that gingival abrasion associated with the Braun Oral-B Ultra Plaque Remover (D9) is minimal and comparable to that observed with a manual toothbrush. The purpose of this single-use study was to compare gingival abrasion with the D9 and a novel electric toothbrush, the Braun Oral-B 3D Plaque Remover (3D). MATERIALS AND METHODS 49 subjects (non-dental students) with at least 24 natural teeth and an absence of periodontal probing depths of 5 mm or greater were included in this study. Following a familiarization phase, all subjects received a single prophylaxis and were asked not to brush their teeth for 24 hours prior to their appointment. At this visit, the gums were disclosed by Mira-2-Tone solution and all gingival abrasion on the soft tissues was assessed and recorded. Subjects then brushed their teeth in a random split-mouth order with the two electric toothbrushes, using brush heads of the same design (EB9). The gums were then re-disclosed and gingival abrasions were recorded. They were recorded as either small sites of abrasion (< or = 5 mm) or large sites of abrasion (> 5 mm). RESULTS The mean number of small traumas increased from 2.57 at baseline to 4.04 after brushing with the D9 and from 1.98 to 4.14 after brushing with the 3D. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. For both toothbrushes, more small traumas were found in the upper jaw compared with the lower jaw. No increase in number of large traumas was observed.
Agents in development for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy

Background: Nephropathy is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Current treatments include optimization of glycemic and blood pressure control, but more innovative strategies are needed for the prevention and treatment of diabetic nephropathy. Objectives: To review emerging therapies for diabetic nephropathy. Methods: This paper discusses the molecular mechanisms of diabetic nephropathy and the potential therapeutic interventions. Results/conclusion: New therapies, including those targeting the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, are likely to feature in future treatment regimens. Other approaches that at this stage do not appear to be progressing include the glycosaminoglycan sulodexide and the protein kinase C-beta (PKC-β) inhibitor, ruboxistaurin.
Molar Uprighting: A Considerable and Safe Decision to Avoid Prosthetic Treatment

Background: Tipped lower molar over edentulous space is very common in orthodontics practice when adults seek treatment. The segmented arch technique features a predictable force system that provides a controlled release of force that can produce light and continuous tooth movement. Case Description: A female adult patient, who lost a permanent lower first molar, needed correction of the position of her permanent first molar place. Instead of making space for rehabilitation, it was closed after second molar uprighting and a balanced interdigitation was created without prosthetics. The patient was successfully treated with segmented arch technique using root correction spring activated with geometry VI to promote uprighting of a tipped molar and Niti spring coil to promote space closure. Practical Implications: Segmented arch technique is known to provide predictable light and continuous forces, which is very much indicated in adult treatment. There are several things to consider when orthodontically treating adult patients. Their periodontal conditions might not be ideal, less bone apposition may occur, and side effects of orthodontic tooth movement are expected. Thus, a predictable and controlled orthodontic treatment is needed.
Occlusal caries detection: a comparison of a laser fluorescence system and conventional methods.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a laser fluorescence (LF) device (DIAGNOdent) with a visual and radiographic scoring system for in vitro detection of occlusal caries and to evaluate the effect of 1% NaOCl immersion on the LF readings. METHODS A total of 54 extracted third molars with macroscopically intact occlusal surfaces were selected. Three examiners assessed 105 sites by visual inspection (VI), bitewing radiography (BWR), and LF. Ten days after the first measurement, all teeth were reevaluated using the same methods. Then, teeth were immersed in 1% NaOCl solution for 24 hours, and LF readings were taken again. Caries extension was assessed by histology (x40). The diagnosis methods were compared by means of sensitivity, specificity, intra- and interexaminer reproducibility, and area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The mean values of the first, second, and third LF readings from the 3 examiners were compared by one-way analysis of variance and Student-Newman-Keuls test. RESULTS No difference was found among the areas under ROC curve. Regarding sensitivity, however, both VI and LF performed similarly (P>.05) and superiorly to BWR (P<.05). All methods showed a similar performance regarding specificity. The intra- and interexaminer reproducibility was good for all methods. A significant reduction of the LF reading was found after immersion in 1% of NaOCl. CONCLUSIONS It was concluded that visual inspection is as valid an evaluation method as the laser fluorescence device, which should be considered a better adjunct for occlusal caries diagnosis than BWR.
Language Conflict and Identity: Arabic in the American Diaspora

As an Arab American and a linguist, I have been interested in the spoken language used by Arab Americans in Detroit for some time. Detroit is a unique laboratory for the study of Arabic as an ethnic minority language because the Detroit metropolitan area has the largest concentration of Arabs outside the Arab world. Their number has been estimated at between 260,000 to 350,000 in the southeastern part of Michigan, which consists of Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland counties. The sociolinguistic approach of this paper examines the ways in which language contact and conflict situations explain changes that have occurred in the Arabic spoken by first-, second-, and third-generation Arab Americans. Arab immigration to the US and to Michigan specifically, began in the nineteenth century. The majority of immigrants came from what was then called Greater Syria. They were mostly unskilled males and, for the most part, Christians. The second wave of immigration occurred after World War II. Among these new immigrants were Muslims from Lebanon, Palestine, and Yemen, as well as Christian Iraqis, mostly Chaldeans (Abraham & Abraham 1981:18). In the 1950s and '60s, a third wave of Arab immigration landed in the US; many of these new residents were students and professionals. They were Egyptians, Iraqis, Lebanese, Palestinians, and Syrians (Elkholy 1966). A fourth wave of immigrants consisting mostly of Lebanese and Palestinians occurred in the 1970s and '80s, owing to the war in Lebanon, and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Finally, in the 1990s, a fifth wave came to the US consisting of Palestinians, Lebanese, Egyptians, and Iraqi Muslims. According to the US Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), from 1988 to 1990, approximately 60,000 Arabs took up residence in the Detroit area. At first, the early comers came into the Dearborn area, which is located southwest of Detroit. Like any group of immigrants who first come to the US, Arab Americans upon their arrival congregated in a neighborhood where they © R ou ch dy , A le ya , M ay 1 3, 2 01 3, L an gu ag e C on ta ct a nd L an gu ag e C on fl ic t i n A ra bi c
Pathomechanics of Closed Rupture of the Flexor Tendon Pulleys in Rock Climbers*

We performed a study on twenty-one cadaveric fingers (seven non-paired forearms) to determine the pathomechanics of closed traumatic rupture of the flexor tendon pulleys in rock climbers. The ages of the individuals at the time of death ranged from sixty-one to eighty-four years (mean, seventy-four years). The forearm was placed in a custom-made loading apparatus, and individual fingers were tested separately under simulated in vivo loading conditions. The flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus tendons of each digit were attached to computer-controlled linear stepper motors that were equipped with force transducers, and the force in the tendons was simultaneously increased until avulsion of the tendons or osseous failure occurred. The force in the tendons, the excursion of the tendons, and the force at the fingertip were measured. Damage to the pulleys and bowstringing of the tendons were visualized with a fiberoptic camera. Two fingers fractured before complete rupture of the pulleys. Seventeen of the remaining nineteen fingers sustained an isolated rupture of either the A2 or the A4 pulley as the initial failure event; the A4 pulley ruptured first in fourteen digits (p < 0.001). The A3 and A4 pulleys ruptured simultaneously in one finger, and the A2, A3, and A4 pulleys ruptured simultaneously in another. Subtle bowstringing of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon occurred only after two consecutive pulleys had ruptured (either the A2 and A3 pulleys or the A3 and A4 pulleys). Rupture of all three pulleys was required to produce obvious bowstringing. Isolated rupture of the A2 or A4 pulley did not result in detectable bowstringing of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon. The A1 pulley always remained intact. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bowstringing of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon across the proximal interphalangeal joint with resisted flexion of the fingertips has been considered diagnostic for isolated closed rupture of the A2 pulley. The results of the present study, however, suggest that isolated injury of the A2 pulley rarely occurs. On the basis of our findings, we believe that reliance on bowstringing of the tendon at the proximal interphalangeal joint as an indicator of an isolated rupture of the A2 or A4 pulley may be misleading.
Decomposing the temporary-permanent wage gap in New Zealand

Recent years have seen a push for greater labour market flexibility, and an accompanying upsurge of interest in temporary employment and the negative outcomes often associated with such employment arrangements. This study focusses on the pay outcome and investigates the presence of wage discrimination against the temporary workforce in New Zealand. This country is a useful case study here, because of the very low levels of employment protection legislation afforded temporary workers, relative to the rest of the OECD. The temporary-permanent wage gap is assessed via two alternative methodologies: Oaxaca decomposition and propensity score matching (PSM). In the former of these we find that much of the wage difference is explained by observables. In contrast to this result, when we compare observably similar permanent and temporary workers (via PSM), we find evidence of a substantial pay penalty of between 12-17 percent, which varies substantially across different types of temporary employment.