Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Apple Does Not Fall Far From the Tree : Attachment Styles and Personality Vulnerabilities to Depression in Three Generations of Women

The intergenerational transmission of attachment insecurity was examined in a community sample of 300 participants consisting of 100 three-generation triads of women. It was hypothesized that personality vulnerabilities mediate the association between attachment insecurity and depression within each generation. Findings show significant intergenerational congruence of trait vulnerabilities and attachment styles. Moreover, the second generation’s attachment dimensions and personality vulnerabilities were found to mediate the association between firstand third-generation scores on attachment and vulnerability variables. Findings supported the following hypothesized withinand between-generation paths: Within generations, selfcriticism was found to mediate the association between attachment insecurity and depression; between generations, depression, but not self-criticism, mediated the association between assessments of attachment insecurity in mothers and their daughters. This study constitutes a first approach to the delineation of the role played by self-criticism in the association between negative models of the self and depression across generations.
Zdravstvene teškoće i izvori zabrinutosti adolescenata tijekom prilagodbe na srednju školu

Iako normativni događaj, prelazak iz osnovne u srednju skolu može biti stresan. Intenzivnije manifestacije stresa (npr. psihosomatske i emocionalne teskoce) mogu ometati osnovnu zadacu ucenika, odnosno, uspjesno svladavanje skolskoga gradiva. Osnovni cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi ucestalost i perzistenciju psihosomatskih i emocionalnih teskoca tijekom prvog razreda srednje skole, ovisno o vrsti programa i spolu sudionika. Istraživanje je bilo longitudinalno: u prvome je mjerenju sudjelovalo 308 ucenika, u drugome 291 ucenik, a longitudinalni podaci prikupljeni su od njih 266. Sudionici su ispitani: Upitnikom psihosomatskih simptoma (Vulic-Prtoric, 2005), upitnikom CORE-YP (Twigg i sur., 2009) te Ljestvicom podrucja zabrinutosti (Kozjak Mikic, 2011). Rezultati su obrađeni analizom varijance mjesovitoga dizajna. Izraženije teskoce ima 15% do 17% sudionika. Psihosomatske teskoce blaže su i smanjuju se s vremenom, dok su emocionalne teskoce cesce i perzistiraju tijekom citavoga prvog razreda. Ucestalost je teskoca povezana sa spolom i vrstom skole. Djevojke i ucenici iz gimnazija imaju ucestalije teskoce, a za ucestalost emocionalnih teskoca znacajna je i interakcija ovih varijabli (mladici iz gimnazija ne razlikuju se statisticki znacajno od djevojaka). Najveci su izvor zabrinutosti i stresa tijekom citavoga prvog razreda akademski zahtjevi. Dobiveni se rezultati mogu objasniti u okviru Transakcijskoga modela stresa, kao i Tripartitnog modela emocija. U svrhu je prevencije potrebno raditi ranu trijažu ucenika koji imaju psihosomatske i/ili emocionalne teskoce tijekom prilagodbe, te senzibilizirati nastavnike i roditelje za uocavanje i adekvatan pristup takvim ucenicima, sto su prakticne implikacije istraživanja.
Selective Activation of Phospholipase Cγ1 and Distinct Protein Kinase C Subspecies in Intracellular Signaling by Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scatter Factor in Primary Cultured Rat Neocortical Cells

Abstract: Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF) was recently reported to function as a neurotrophic factor in the CNS. To investigate the intracellular signal pathways after activation of the HGF receptor c‐Met in primary cultured rat neocortical cells, in vitro kinase assays were performed. HGF stimulation enhances the phosphorylation of endogenous 80‐ and 45‐kDa substrates. Studies with protein kinase inhibitors and phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate showed that protein kinase C (PKC) is activated intracellularly. The 80‐kDa protein was identified to be the major PKC substrate MARCKS. Although four PKC subspecies, PKCα, PKCε, PKCγ, and PKCλ, were expressed in the cells, only PKCα, PKCε, and PKCγ were selectively translocated in the plasma membrane after HGF stimulation. As expected from these three PKC subspecies, phosphorylation of phospholipase Cγ1 (PLCγ1) but not phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase was enhanced, although the stimulation of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor induced phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase. In contrast to the neocortical cells, HGF did not enhance phosphorylation of PLCγ1 in primary astrocytes. We also found that activated PKC(s) served as a major mitogen‐activated protein kinase activator in this pathway. These findings suggest that HGF exerts neurotrophic effects through selective phosphorylation of PLCγ1 and activation of distinct PKC subspecies in neocortical cells, most likely neurons.
Polymorphisms of antioxidant enzymes, blood pressure and risk of hypertension

Objective To assess the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes codifying for antioxidant enzymes to blood pressure (BP) values and risk of hypertension. Methods Population-based study including 1388 participants (704 women) older than 18 years in which 300 were untreated hypertensive patients. In 335 untreated hypertensive patients referred to one hypertension clinic, the study was replicated. Thirty-five SNP throughout 13 genes were analyzed using SNPlex. In a subgroup of hypertensive patients, the amount of 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine and GPX activity levels was measured in mononuclear cells. Results In the general population, genotypes with the G allele of the c.172G>A polymorphism in the SOD3 gene and those with the T allele of the c. -20C>T polymorphism in the CAT gene were associated with significant lower values of BP. Likewise, these genotypes were associated with less risk for hypertension after adjusting for confounder variables. Haplotypes in both genes increased the strength of associations. In the hypertensive patients, the same alleles of the two polymorphisms were associated with lower BP values too. In addition, two others, the CT-TT genotypes of the c. *891C>T polymorphism in the GPX1 gene and the CT-CC genotypes of the c. -793T>C polymorphism of the TXN gene were also significantly associated to lower BP values. Furthermore, the CC genotype of the c. *891C>T polymorphism in the GPX1 gene was associated with higher values of 8-oxo-dG and GPX activity levels as compared to those for the CT-TT genotype. Conclusions The results of the present study support the influence of antioxidant enzyme genes in BP values and hypertension risk.
Predictors of falls in a multiethnic population of older rural adults with diabetes.

BACKGROUND Falls are a recognized danger for older adults with diabetes. Persons in rural communities with diabetes may face additional risks from falling due to environmental and activity differences. METHODS Data were obtained in a cross-sectional survey of a stratified random sample of 691 community-dwelling adults (42.7% white, 31.4% African American, and 25.9% Native American) at least 65 years old with two or more Medicare claims for diabetes in 1998-2000, living in two rural counties in North Carolina. Falls data were self-reported for the previous year. Demographic data, foot-related symptoms, diabetes medications, and other health characteristics were reported. RESULTS Three hundred two persons (43.7%) reported falling at least once, including 171 (26.2%) who experienced two or more (frequent) falls. Frequent fallers were more likely to be male (odds ratio [OR] = 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.17, 2.66), report tingling or numbness in feet (OR = 1.75; 95% CI = 1.13, 2.70), have had a stroke (OR = 1.81; 95% CI = 1.19, 2.76), have longer duration of diabetes (OR = 1.21; 95% CI = 1.00, 1.47), have lower physical functioning (OR = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.96, 0.99) and mobility (OR = 0.89; 95% CI = 0.82, 0.96), and take a greater number of prescription medications (OR = 1.07; 95% CI = 1.01, 1.13). CONCLUSIONS For rural older adults with diabetes, falls history should be screened to identify those at risk. Further research should investigate unique environmental factors contributing to falls for rural elderly persons.
Notch 1 is a valuable therapeutic target against cell survival and proliferation in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Notch 1 is a key component of the Notch pathway, which performs a crucial role in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) development. The present study aimed to investigate whether Notch 1 could serve as a potential target for CCRCC treatment. Firstly, an association analysis was performed using 52 CCRCC cases and 30 normal controls. The results indicated that Notch 1 protein expression in renal tissues was closely associated with the incidence of CCRCC. In addition, higher Notch 1 expression in CCRCC tissues was positively associated with higher tumor-node-metastasis stage and Fuhrman grade, in addition to larger tumor size. Subsequently, an in vitro study was conducted to examine the biological functions of Notch 1 in CCRCC 786-O cells through inhibiting the Notch 1 expression with Notch 1-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA). As a result, the inhibition of Notch 1 expression by increasing concentrations of Notch 1-specific siRNA dose-dependently decreased cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis in 786-O cells. Furthermore, B-cell lymphoma-2 and procaspase-3 expression exhibited a dose-dependent decrease accompanied with a dose-dependent inactivation of the Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in Notch 1 siRNA-treated 786-O cells. These findings demonstrated that Notch 1 was associated with CCRCC carcinogenesis and progression, the underlying mechanism of which was that Notch 1 acted as an activator for cell proliferation and a suppressor for cell apoptosis through the Akt/mTOR signaling-dependent pathway in CCRCC. In conclusion, the present study confirmed that Notch 1 is a valuable target against cell survival and proliferation in CCRCC treatment.
The effects of brand associations on consumer response

This paper studies the dimensions of brand image, focusing on the functions or value of the brand as perceived by consumers. In this way, four categories of functions are identified: guarantee, personal identification, social identification and status. By way of hypotheses, it has been proposed that these functions have a positive influence on the consumer’s willingness to recommend the brand, pay a price premium for it and accept brand extensions. The hypotheses have been tested in the Spanish sports shoes market and were partially supported. The results obtained confirm the convenience of analyzing brand associations separately and enable the ascertaining of the brand associations that are the most relevant in order to attain certain consumer responses.
Emergence of Fosfomycin-Resistant Isolates of Shiga-Like Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O26

ABSTRACT We evaluated the susceptibilities of 129 Shiga-like toxin-producingEscherichia coli (STEC) isolates to various antibiotics. The numbers of isolates for which MICs were high (≧128 μg/ml) were as follows: 5 for fosfomycin, 14 for ampicillin, 1 for cefaclor, 6 for kanamycin, 22 for tetracycline, and 2 for doxycycline. For two isolates of STEC O26 MICs of fosfomycin were high (1,024 and 512 μg/ml, respectively). Conjugation experiments and glutathioneS-transferase assays suggested that the fosfomycin resistance in these isolates was determined not by a plasmid but chromosomally. The amount of active intracellular fosfomycin in these STEC isolates was 100- to 200-fold less than that in E. coli C600 harboring pREFTT47B408 in the presence of eitherl-α-glycerophosphate or glucose-6-phosphate. Cloning, sequencing, and Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the transcriptional level of the murA gene encoding UDP-N-acetylglucosamine enolpyruvoyl transferase in these isolates was greater than that in E. coli C600. Our results suggest that the fosfomycin resistance in these STEC isolates is due to concurrent effects of alteration of the glpT and/oruhp transport systems and of the enhanced transcription of the murA gene.
Determinants of the Voluntary Consumption of Nicotine by Rats

The 2-bottle free-choice method was used to study the voluntary consumption of nicotine by rats. Rats consumed nicotine voluntarily at different, albeit quite consistent, amounts. Voluntary intakes were higher in younger than older rats, but were not affected by gender. A previously forced nicotine intake had no effect on a subsequent voluntary intake of nicotine in older but increased it in younger rats. Forced exposure to nicotine of pregnant and lactating rats did not increase the voluntary intake by their offsprings. Established free-choice drinking patterns of nicotine were not affected by a temporary forced intake of this substance. The 2-bottle choice proved to be a reliable method to study the voluntary intake of nicotine, and results suggest that nicotine is not ‘addictive’ per se, but that its use is apparently determined by the response of an individual rat to this substance.
FLP Recombinase-Mediated Induction of Cu/Zn-Superoxide Dismutase Transgene Expression Can Extend the Life Span of Adult Drosophila melanogaster Flies

ABSTRACT Yeast FLP recombinase was used in a binary transgenic system (“FLP-OUT”) to allow induced overexpression of catalase and/or Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnSOD) in adult Drosophila melanogaster. Expression of FLP recombinase was driven by the heat-inducible hsp70 promoter. Once expressed, FLP catalyzed the rearrangement and activation of a target construct in which expression of catalase or Cu/ZnSOD cDNAs was driven by the constitutive actin5C promoter. In this way a brief heat pulse (120 or 180 min, total) of young adult flies activated transgene expression for the rest of the life span. FLP-OUT allows the effects of induced transgene expression to be analyzed in control (no heat pulse) and experimental (heat pulse) populations with identical genetic backgrounds. Under the conditions used, the heat pulse itself always had neutral or slightly negative effects on the life span. Catalase overexpression significantly increased resistance to hydrogen peroxide but had neutral or slightly negative effects on the mean life span. Cu/ZnSOD overexpression extended the mean life span up to 48%. Simultaneous overexpression of catalase with Cu/ZnSOD had no added benefit, presumably due to a preexisting excess of catalase. The data suggest that oxidative damage is one rate-limiting factor for the life span of adult Drosophila. Finally, experimental manipulation of the genetic background demonstrated that the life span is affected by epistatic interactions between the transgene and allele(s) at other loci.
Ventilatory drive during face immersion in man.

Four series of experiments have been performed in normal subjects to determine whether face immersion gives rise to a reduction in ventilatory drive. Such a response might be advantageous, like the cardiovascular components of the 'diving response', in prolonging breath‐hold diving. In the first series, ventilatory drive was measured indirectly as the maximal voluntary breath‐holding time, starting each breath‐hold at the same alveolar partial pressures and at the same lung volume. When the face was immersed in cold water, breath‐holding times were increased by 14%. The breaking point occurred at a higher alveolar PCO2 and the rate of rise of PCO2 was not affected. Control immersions in warm water had no effect. In the second and third series, subjects lay prone and breathed either air or 5% CO2 through a valve in the bottom of a bowl. Minute ventilation was measured before, during and after 5 min of face immersion in cold water. Transient hypoventilations of 13% and 10% respectively were seen, accompanied by small rises in alveolar PCO2. In control experiments, immersion of the forearm in cold water produced the opposite responses. In the fourth series, a cold wet pack was applied to the face during moderate steady‐state exercise. A small irregular hypoventilation was seen, but not in control experiments when a warm pack was applied. Face temperatures fell by about 10 degrees C in these experiments. No material changes were found in the temperatures of the inspired air or of the aural canal. It is concluded that face immersion in cold water causes a modest reduction in ventilatory drive in man. This appears to be a component of the 'diving response'.
Thermokarst Lake Changes in the Southern Fringe of Siberian Permafrost Region in Mongolia Using Corona, Landsat, and ALOS Satellite Imagery from 1962 to 2007

This study presents thermokarst lake changes at seven different sites in the continuous and isolated permafrost zones in Mongolia. Lakes larger than 0.1 ha were analyzed using Corona KH-4, KH-4A and KH-4B (1962-1968), Landsat ETM + (1999-2001), and ALOS/AVNIR-2 (2006-2007) satellite imagery. Between 1962 and 2007, the total number and area of lakes increased by +21% (347 to 420), and +7% (3680 ha to 3936 ha) in the continuous permafrost zone, respectively. These changes correspond to the appearance of 85 new lakes (166 ha) during the last 45 years. In contrast, lakes in the isolated permafrost zone have decreased by –42% (118 to 68) in number and –12% (422 ha to 371 ha) in area from 1962 to 2007. The changes in lake area and number are likely attributed to shifts in climate regimes and local permafrost conditions. Since 1962, the mean annual air temperature and potential evapotranspiration have increased significantly in the northern continuous permafrost zone compared to the southern isolated permafrost zone. Due to ongoing atmospheric warming without any significant trend in annual precipitation, patches of ice-rich subsurface have thawed, and the number and area of lakes have accordingly developed in the continuous permafrost zone. Shrinking of thermokarst lakes in the isolated permafrost zone may be due to disappearing permafrost, deepening of the active layer, and increased water loss through surface evaporation and subsurface drainage.
In vivo spectrofluorimetry reveals endogenous biomarkers that report healthspan and dietary restriction in Caenorhabditis elegans

Autofluorescent lipofuscin and advanced glycation end‐products (age pigments) accumulate with age across phyla, yet little is understood about their formation under physiological conditions and their specific contributions to the aging process. We used in vivo spectrofluorimetry to quantitate autofluorescence in wild‐type Caenorhabditis elegans and longevity mutants disrupted for distinct aspects of the aging process. In wild‐type animals, age pigments increase into adulthood, accumulating slowly during the reproductive phase and more rapidly during the post‐reproductive period. As in humans, insulin signaling influences age pigment accumulation – mutations that lower efficacy of insulin signaling and extend lifespan [daf‐2(e1370) insulin receptor and age‐1(hx546) PI3‐kinase] dramatically lower age pigment accumulation; conversely, elimination of the insulin‐inhibited DAF‐16/FOXO transcription factor causes a huge increase in age pigment accumulation, supporting that the short‐lived daf‐16 null mutant is truly progeric. By contrast, mutations that increase mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production do not affect age pigment accumulation, challenging assumptions about the role of oxidative stress in generating these species in vivo. Dietary restriction reduces age pigment levels significantly and is associated with a unique spectral shift that might serve as a rapidly scored reporter of the dietary restricted state. Unexpectedly, genetically identical siblings that age poorly (as judged by decrepit locomotory capacity) have dramatically higher levels of age pigments than their same‐aged siblings that appear to have aged more gracefully and move youthfully. Thus, high age pigment levels indicate a physiologically aged state rather than simply marking chronological time, and age pigments are valid reporters of nematode healthspan.
Synthesis of barbituric acid derivatives using microwave irradiation method and in vitro evaluation of antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity

Article history: The research work was involved in rapid and efficient procedure for the attachment of barbituric acid with arylidene acetophenone under microwave irradiation (MWI) and conventional heating. The result showed that the time was reduced from the conventional 24 hours to 5-10 minutes. In conventional heating, the yield of the compounds 2a-2e were very poor (75-81%), but in MW methods the yields were observed 96.48-98% which was comparatively too high. The structures of the compounds were characterized by FT-IR, 1 H-NMR spectral data. The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of the synthesized compounds were also investigated. Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus megaterium, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa revealed the zone of inhibition were 6-12 mm where sample concentration was 100 μg/disc. However, cytotoxic analysis, the mortality 47-95% were appeared when sample concentration were 0.78-25 (μg/ml) and more than 50 (μg/ml) concentration showed 100% mortality. The presence of a reactive and unsaturated ketone function in synthesized compounds was found to be responsible for their potential antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity.
Perceived health concerns among sexual minority women in Mumbai, India: an exploratory qualitative study

Abstract The experiences of sexual minority women (i.e., women who do not identify as ‘heterosexual’) in India have largely been absent in scientific literature. In partnership with India’s oldest and largest sexual and gender minority-advocacy organisation, the Humsafar Trust, our study used community-based participatory research principles to explore the lived experiences and health concerns of sexual minority women in Mumbai. Study methodologies included interviews with key informants, a focus group comprised of six women, and an additional 12 in-person interviews with sexual minority women to identify important physical, mental, social and other health priorities from these women’s perspectives. Thematic data are organised within the framework offered by the social ecological model, including individual, interpersonal, micro and macro levels. Findings from this study are important in providing the groundwork for future research and intervention involving sexual minority women in India, a dramatically underserved population.
Surgery for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Attempted Meta‐Analysis of the Literature

A meta-analysis was undertaken to determine the effects of surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis on pain and disability. Seventy-four journal articles met inclusion criteria and were independently reviewed by two readers. On average, 64% of patients treated surgically for lumbar spinal stenosis were reported to have good-to-excellent outcomes. However, there was wide variation across studies in the percentage with good outcomes. Few patient characteristics were found to predict outcome. Major deficits in study design, analysis, and reporting were common, and these precluded firm conclusions.