Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dysfunctional cardiac mitochondrial bioenergetic, lipidomic, and signaling in a murine model of Barth syndrome[S]

Barth syndrome is a complex metabolic disorder caused by mutations in the mitochondrial transacylase tafazzin. Recently, an inducible tafazzin shRNA knockdown mouse model was generated to deconvolute the complex bioenergetic phenotype of this disease. To investigate the underlying cause of hemodynamic dysfunction in Barth syndrome, we interrogated the cardiac structural and signaling lipidome of this mouse model as well as its myocardial bioenergetic phenotype. A decrease in the distribution of cardiolipin molecular species and robust increases in monolysocardiolipin and dilysocardiolipin were demonstrated. Additionally, the contents of choline and ethanolamine glycerophospholipid molecular species containing precursors for lipid signaling at the sn-2 position were altered. Lipidomic analyses revealed specific dysregulation of HETEs and prostanoids, as well as oxidized linoleic and docosahexaenoic metabolites. Bioenergetic interrogation uncovered differential substrate utilization as well as decreases in Complex III and V activities. Transgenic expression of cardiolipin synthase or iPLA2γ ablation in tafazzin-deficient mice did not rescue the observed phenotype. These results underscore the complex nature of alterations in cardiolipin metabolism mediated by tafazzin loss of function. Collectively, we identified specific lipidomic, bioenergetic, and signaling alterations in a murine model that parallel those of Barth syndrome thereby providing novel insights into the pathophysiology of this debilitating disease.
To check or not to check: an explorative study of source checking by Dutch journalists

Verifying information is one of the core activities of journalism. However, recent research shows that many stories derive from unchecked information from news agencies and PR material. That being said, reporters who do not use this pre-packaged material, but who instead produce original stories based on independent research, might be journalists who stay devoted to the verification of information. Therefore, this study focuses on in-depth stories that originated inside the newsroom. We expected that these kinds of stories would be checked and double-checked, because time constraints are less important and these stories are characteristic of independent, quality journalism. Contrary to this expectation, the results show that even these kinds of stories are not always vetted. The lack of time was seldom mentioned as an excuse. Our research points to avoidance mechanisms which inhibit journalists from verifying their information.
Secondary IgG responses to type III pneumococcal polysaccharide. II. Different cellular requirements for induction and elicitation.

Mice primed with a thymus- (T) dependent form of Type III pneumococcal polysaccharide (S3), i.e., S3 coupled to erythrocytes (S3-RBC) produce S3-specific IgG antibody after secondary challenge with either S3 or S3-RBC. The production of IgG antibody by mice challenged with S3 was shown to be T independent since secondary responses were enhanced when mice were treated with anti-lymphocyte serum (ALS) at the time of secondary challenge with S3 and T-depleted spleen cells responded as well as unfractionated spleen cells to S3 in an adoptive transfer system. Secondary S3-specific IgG responses in mice challenged with S3-RBC were shown to be T dependent by the same criteria. The results obtained by using S3 as the antigen indicate that IgG-producing B cells (B lambda cells) can recognize and respond to antigen in the absence of helper T cells. On the other hand, T cells were required for the induction of S3-specific memory B lambda cells since mice depleted of T cells by treatment with ALS at the time of priming with S3-RBC failed to produce S3-specific IgG antibody after secondary challenge with either S3-specific IgG antibody after secondary chall-nge with either S3 or S3rbc. Since RBC-specific memory cells were induced in T-deprived mice the results suggest that T cell regulation of IgG antibody production may vary for different antigens.
The Marshall Plan: Economic Effects and Implications for Eastern Europe and the Former USSR

This paper is a first attempt to evaluate the economic effects of the Marshall Plan. We find that US aid had a significant impact on Europe's recovery from World War II. The recipients of large amounts of Marshall aid recovered significantly faster than other industrial countries. Strikingly, however, we find that the obvious channels through which the Marshall Plan could have affected European recovery - stimulating investment, augmenting capacity to import and financing infrastructure repair - were relatively unimportant. Rather, the crucial role of the Marshall Plan was to facilitate the restoration of financial stability and the liberalization of production and prices.
Retinoic acid receptor‐related orphan receptor α regulates a subset of cone genes during mouse retinal development

Color vision is supported by retinal cone photoreceptors that, in most mammals, express two photopigments sensitive to short (S‐opsin) or middle (M‐opsin) wavelengths. Expression of the Opn1sw and Opn1mw genes, encoding S‐opsin and M‐opsin, respectively, is under the control of nuclear receptors, including thyroid hormone receptor β2 (TRβ2), retinoid X receptor γ (RXRγ), and RORβ, a member of the retinoic acid receptor‐related orphan receptor (ROR) family. We now demonstrate that RORα, another member of the ROR family, regulates Opn1sw, Opn1mw, as well as Arr3 (cone arrestin) in the mouse retina. RORα expression is detected in cones by postnatal day 3 and maintained through adulthood. The retinas of staggerer mice, carrying a null mutation of RORα, show significant down‐regulation of Opn1sw, Opn1mw, and Arr3. RORα acts in synergy with cone‐rod homeobox transcription factor (Crx), to activate the Opn1sw promoter in vitro. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays reveal that RORα directly binds to the Opn1sw promoter, Opn1mw locus control region, and the Arr3 promoter in vivo. Our data suggest that RORα plays a crucial role in cone development by directly regulating multiple cone genes.
Effects of dietary pulse consumption on body weight: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND Obesity is a risk factor for developing several diseases, and although dietary pulses (nonoil seeds of legumes such as beans, lentils, chickpeas, and dry peas) are well positioned to aid in weight control, the effects of dietary pulses on weight loss are unclear. OBJECTIVE We summarized and quantified the effects of dietary pulse consumption on body weight, waist circumference, and body fat by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. DESIGN We searched the databases MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library through 11 May 2015 for randomized controlled trials of ≥3 wk of duration that compared the effects of diets containing whole dietary pulses with those of comparator diets without a dietary pulse intervention. Study quality was assessed by means of the Heyland Methodologic Quality Score, and risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Data were pooled with the use of generic inverse-variance random-effects models. RESULTS Findings from 21 trials (n = 940 participants) were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled analysis showed an overall significant weight reduction of -0.34 kg (95% CI: -0.63, -0.04 kg; P = 0.03) in diets containing dietary pulses (median intake of 132 g/d or ∼1 serving/d) compared with diets without a dietary pulse intervention over a median duration of 6 wk. Significant weight loss was observed in matched negative-energy-balance (weight loss) diets (P = 0.02) and in neutral-energy-balance (weight-maintaining) diets (P = 0.03), and there was low evidence of between-study heterogeneity. Findings from 6 included trials also suggested that dietary pulse consumption may reduce body fat percentage. CONCLUSIONS The inclusion of dietary pulses in a diet may be a beneficial weight-loss strategy because it leads to a modest weight-loss effect even when diets are not intended to be calorically restricted. Future studies are needed to determine the effects of dietary pulses on long-term weight-loss sustainability. This protocol was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01594567.
Involvement of interleukin-6 in the elevation of plasma fibrinogen levels in lung cancer patients.

BACKGROUND Involvements of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and fibrinogen in cancer development have been independently studied. However, the association of these molecules in cancer patients remains uncertain. This study was conducted to clarify the association according to the clinicopathological characteristics of lung cancer patients. METHODS Serum IL-6 levels assayed in 339 patients without pleural effusion were assessed according to clinical stage, histological type of the cancer and levels of fibrin (ogen) degradation products (FDP), and C-reactive protein (CRP). RESULTS Elevations of serum IL-6 levels more than 4 pg/ml were found in 37.8% of all patients. According to the clinical stage and histological type, the elevations were significantly more frequent in the advanced stage (44.7%), in squamous cell (49.1%) and large cell carcinomas (63.6%). Similarly, the frequency of the elevated cases (> 400 mg/dl) and the mean value of the fibrinogen level were also higher in the advanced stage (54.2%, 455.0 mg/dl) and large cell carcinoma (54.6%, 459.3 mg/dl), respectively. The elevations of fibrinogen, FDP and CRP levels were found to be related to those of the IL-6 level. CONCLUSION In lung cancer, serum IL-6 elevations are particularly frequent in the advanced stages of patients with squamous cell and large cell carcinoma, which are associated with the elevated levels of fibrinogen, suggesting a possibility that IL-6 was involved not only directly, but also indirectly, through regulating plasma fibrinogen with promotion of cancer development in vivo.
Comparing misallocation between sectors in Portugal

Recent empirical studies documented that the level of resource misallocation in the service sector is significantly higher than in the manufacturing sector. In this article, we try to understand to what extent the documented differences are due to methodological reasons or reflect structural differences between the two sectors. Our results suggest that about 50 percent of the original estimated differences can be attributed to methodological choices, while the other 50 percent can be attributed to differences in the characteristics of the two sectors. We also conclude that higher output-price rigidity and labour adjustment costs, together with higher informality in the service sector, account for the remaining differences of allocative efficiency between the two sectors. (JEL: D24, O11, O41, O47)
COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF EFFECTIVITY AND SAFETY OF TOPICAL AMOROLFINE AND CLOTRIMAZOLE IN THE TREATMENT OF TINEA CORPORIS

Background: Tinea corporis is a common superficial dermatophytosis seen in tropical countries. Newer molecules are constantly being introduced for its treatment. Topical clotrimazole is in vogue as the treatment for this condition for a long time. Amorolfine is a comparatively recently introduced drug for topical use in this condition. Aims: To assess the effectivity and safety of amorolfine 0.25% cream in patients with tinea corporis, in comparison to clotrimazole 1% cream. Materials and Methods: Patients presenting with symptoms of tinea corporis were mycologically confirmed for the presence of fungal hyphae. They were randomly divided into two groups: one group received amorolfine and the other received clotrimazole. Treatment duration was for 4 weeks and study duration was for 8 weeks. Evaluation was carried out using the standard clinical parameters on day 1, day 14, day 28 and a follow-up on day 56. Adverse effects were also recorded. Data entry was done in Excel datasheet and analyzed with Epiinfo 2002. Chi-square test and t-test were used according to the type of data. Results: The patients of the two groups were matched at baseline in respect to their demographic profile. Analysis of collected data showed significant improvement in both the groups, suggesting that both the drugs were effective agents in tinea corporis infection. Between-groups comparison of mycological cure rate and clinical improvement showed no significant difference. Conclusion: Amorolfine 0.25% cream is found to be safe and effective, like clotrimazole, when used topically in tinea corporis.
Antigen levels and antibody titers after DNA vaccination.

DNA vaccination generates strong cellular and humoral immunity in animal models. The mechanisms by which plasmid DNA uptake and expression after intramuscular injection lead to immune responses are not well understood. In particular, the importance of antigen expression levels on subsequent antibody immune responses has not been established. We found that a chemiluminescent assay for alkaline phosphatase allows measurement of antigen levels of secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) in vivo after intramuscular injection of a wide range of plasmid doses. The mice produced antibodies to the alkaline phosphatase reporter gene and both antigen levels and antibody titers were measured over time. We found that the correlation between initial antigen level and antibody response was high (r = 0.74, p < 0.001) and remained high even after accounting for the dose of plasmid injected (r = 0.61, p < 0.001). The correlation between DNA dose and antibody titer was statistically significant (r = 0.53, p < 0.001) but was reduced to almost zero after we accounted for initial antigen levels.
Apoptosis‐related Proteins in Skeletal Muscle Fibers of Spinal Muscular Atrophy

There is evidence that apoptosis in spinal muscular atrophies (SMA) is not restricted to motor neurons but also affects muscle fibers. Studying the expression of several apoptosis-associated proteins we found constant expression of bax in muscle fibers, which promoted cell death. The expression of bax correlated with defective innervation of muscle fibers was also indicated by upregulation of N-CAM. While in early-onset SMA atrophic as well as normo- and hypertrophic muscle fibers displayed expression of bax, muscle fibers in late-onset SMA and peripheral neuropathies showed bax-expression only in atrophic fibers. Other investigated apoptosis-associated factors comprised interleukin-1 beta converting enzyme (ICE), mediating cell death by cleavage of actin filaments, as well as bcl-2 and bcl-x, both inhibiting apoptosis by acting as anti-oxidants. They were only expressed in atrophic muscle fibers, predominantly in late-onset SMA and peripheral neuropathies. We consider the lack of expression of these apoptosis-related proteins in early infantile SMA to be associated with muscle fiber immaturity due to defective innervation and suggest that immature muscle fibers are not able to produce sufficient levels of some proteins. A sufficient amount of expression of apoptosis-protecting factors such as bcl-2 is needed to neutralize high bax-levels, and a lack of this expression will secondarily promote muscle fiber death in defective innervation.
Factors Affecting the Duration of Nurses ’ Decision Making in Triage in Japan

Purpose: In the present study, we aimed to identify the factors that affect nurses’ decision making in triage. Method: We used a predictive design in this survey, with triage records created by researchers and completed by triage nurses at five emergency hospitals. The survey was held for five days within January of 2012. We performed multiple linear regression analysis with triage duration as the dependent variable and all other factors as independent variables. Result: We recovered 1331 triage charts, all of which belonged to walk-in cases. The distribution of patients by triage category was as follows: Level 2 (Emergent), 2.8% of patients; Level 3 (Urgent), 16.8%; Level 4 (Less-Urgent), 42.1%; and Level 5 (Non-Urgent), 38.3%. The number of patients in the waiting room during triage averaged 14.2 ± 8.4 people. The data showed that triage duration decreased when nurses used structured triage (β = −0.27, p < 0.001) and increased when they used traditional triage (β = 0.53, p < 0.001). Triage duration also decreased with every increase in the number of patients in the waiting room (β = −0.04, p < 0.05). The regression model yielded an R2 value of 0.56 (F = 206.1, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Factors that affect decision making in triage include the presence of structured triage and the number of patients in the waiting room. These results highlight the importance of a structured triage system such as the JTAS in Japan where there is a limited history of formal triage.
Protective effect of Nigella sativa oil against acetamiprid induced reproductive toxicity in male rats

Abstract The present study was designed to investigate the adverse reproductive effects of acetamiprid, besides the possible protective role of Nigella sativa oil (NSO), as a potential antioxidant agent. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were allocated into four equal groups of eight, control (CRL), acetamiprid (ACMP, 27 mg/kg), Nigella sativa oil (NSO, 0.5 ml/kg) and in combination (ACMP + NSO). The experimental animals were dosed by gavage (5 days per week) for 45 consecutive days. Body weight gain, reproductive organs weights, sperm characteristics, testosterone, and thiobarbutiric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) levels were investigated. The obtained results showed that ACMP decreased significantly (p < 0.001) the body weight gain and the absolute weights of reproductive organs (testes, epididymis, and seminal vesicles). Furthermore, significant alterations at least (p < 0.01) in semen characteristics were noted in ACMP group as evidenced by a decline in spermatids number, sperm count, sperm motility, and testosterone level with an increase in abnormal and dead sperm and TBARS level. Treatment with NSO alone may stimulate spermatogenesis, increased significantly (p < 0.001) spermatids number and the weight of seminal vesicles. On the other hand, the co-administration of NSO along with ACMP can mitigate more efficiently and modulate in certain cases the adverse effects induced by ACMP on reproductive organs weights, semen quality, testosterone, and TBARS levels (at least p < 0.001). This obvious protective role of NSO against ACMP induced reproductive toxicity may be due to its antioxidant properties and ability to reduce TBARS levels as shown in this work.
Effects of Physical Activity and Body Composition on Functional Limitation in the Elderly: Application of the Marginal Structural Model

Background: Study of the influence of physical activity and body composition in the context of the disablement process requires analytic techniques that can address time-dependent confounding related to exposures for the occurrence of functional limitation and disability. Methods: We applied logistic marginal structural models to explore causal relationships between leisure time physical activity and a measure of relative muscle mass (the lean:fat mass ratio) and self-reported functional limitation. Subjects (n = 1655) were members of a population-based cohort recruited in Sonoma, California, in 1993–1994 (median age 70 years); they were surveyed 3 times over 6.5 years. Results: Based on the marginal structural model, the causal odds ratio for functional limitation with a 0.5-unit increment in relative muscle mass was 0.56 in women (95% CI = 0.46–0.67). This reduction in odds was not altered by adjustment for baseline covariates. The corresponding causal odds ratio in men was 0.77 (0.65–0.92). This also was not influenced by baseline covariates or levels of physical activity. There was evidence for an independent causal effect of increased levels of physical activity on reduction of odds of functional limitation for men but not for women. Obese women experienced no protective effect of increased lean-to-fat mass. Normal-weight women experienced a benefit with increasing levels of physical activity. Conclusions: Marginal structural models provide a means to address time-dependent confounding, which can occur in longitudinal studies. These analyses indicate that leisure time physical activity exerts its beneficial effects through reductions in fat mass relative to lean body mass.
Characterization of exposure to byproducts from firing lead-free frangible ammunition in an enclosed, ventilated firing range

ABSTRACT U.S. Air Force small arms firing ranges began using copper-based, lead-free frangible ammunition in the early 2000s due to environmental and health concerns related to the use of lead-based ammunition. Exposure assessments at these firing ranges have routinely detected chemicals and metals in amounts much lower than their mass-based occupational exposure limits, yet, instructors report work-related health concerns including respiratory distress, nausea, and headache. The objective of this study at one firing range was to characterize the aerosol emissions produced by weapons during firing events and evaluate the ventilation system's effectiveness in controlling instructor exposure to these emissions. The ventilation system was assessed by measuring the range static air pressure differential and the air velocity at the firing line. Air flow patterns were near the firing line. Instructor exposure was sampled using a filter-based air sampling method for metals and a wearable, real-time ultrafine particle counter. Area air sampling was simultaneously performed to characterize the particle size distribution, morphology, and composition. In the instructor's breathing zone, the airborne mass concentration of copper was low (range = <1 µg/m3 to 16 µg/m3), yet the ultrafine (nanoscale) particle number concentration increased substantially during each firing event. Ultrafine particles contained some copper and were complex in morphology and composition. The ventilation assessment found that the average velocity across all shooting lanes was acceptable compared to the recommended guideline (20% of the ideal 0.38 m/s (75 ft/min). However, uniform, downrange airflow pattern requirements were not met. These results suggest that the mass-based occupational exposure limits, as applied to this environment, may not be protective enough to eliminate health complaints reported by instructors whose full-time job involves training personnel on weapons that fire lead-free frangible ammunition. Using an ultrafine particle counter appears to be an alternative method of assessing ventilation effectiveness in removing ultrafine particulate produced during firing events.