Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rapid Phosphorylation of Phospholipase Cγ 1 by Brain‐Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Neurotrophin‐3 in Cultures of Embryonic Rat Cortical Neurons

Abstract: Phospholipase Cγ1 (PLC‐γ1) is involved at an early step in signal transduction of many hormones and growth factors and catalyzes the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 4,5‐bisphosphate to diacylglycerol and inositol trisphosphate, two potent intracellular second messenger molecules. The transformation of PC12 cells into neuron‐like cells induced by nerve growth factor is preceded by a rapid stimulation of PLC‐γ1 phosphorylation and PI hydrolysis. The present study analyzed the effects of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) on phosphorylation of PLC‐γ1 in primary cultures of embryonic rat brain cells. BDNF and NT‐3 stimulated the phosphorylation of PLC‐γ1, followed by hydrolysis of PI. The stimulation of PLC‐γ1 phosphorylation occurred within 20 s after addition of BDNF or NT‐3 and lasted up to 30 min, with a peak after 4 min. ED50 values were similar for BDNF and NT‐3, with τ25 ng/ml. Phosphorylation of PLC‐γ1 by BDNF and NT‐3 was found in cultures from all major brain areas. K‐252b, a compound known to inhibit selectively neurotrophin actions by interfering with the phosphorylation of trk‐type neurotrophin receptors, prevented the BDNF‐ and NT‐3‐stimulated phosphorylation of PLC‐γ1. Receptors of the trk type were coprecipitated with anti‐PLC‐γ1 antibodies. The presence of trkB mRNA in the cultures was substantiated by northern blot analysis. The action of BDNF and NT‐3 seems to be neuron specific because no phosphorylation of PLC‐γ1 was observed in cultures of nonneuronal brain cells. The results provide evidence that developing neurons of the cerebral cortex and other brain areas are responsive to BDNF and NT‐3, and they indicate that the transduction mechanism of BDNF and NT‐3 in the brain involves rapid phosphorylation of PLC‐γ1 followed by PI hydrolysis.
eNOS gene intron 4 VNTR and exon 7-G894T polymorphisms in Turkish men with erectile dysfunction: a case control study.

INTRODUCTION The associations between the gene polymorphisms and erectile dysfunction (ED) are limited. AIM To examine a potential association between variable number of tandem repeats (intron 4 VNTR), G894T polymorphisms, and ED in Turkish men. METHODS Sixty-four men with ED and 82 healthy men as a control group were included in the study. The patients were evaluated by medical history, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), serum glucose, and lipid profiles. VNTR and G894T polymorphism were assessed by isolated DNA blood samples obtained from the patient group with ED and controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Assesment of IIEF and VNTR and G894T polymorphism in the isolated DNA blood samples. RESULTS Genotype distributions of endothelial nitric oxide syntase (eNOS) gene intron 4 VNTR polymorphisms in the patient group were similar to those in the healthy group (P > 0.05). The frequency of the eNOS gene intron 4 genotype was found as bb: 55 (67.1%), ab: 26 (31.7%), and aa: 1 (1.2%) in the controls and bb: 43 (67.2%), ab: 19 (29.7%), and aa: 2 (3.1%) in the patient group. The frequency of the G894T was found as gg: 61 (74.4%), gt: 21 (25.6%), and tt: 0 (0.0%) in the controls and gg: 32 (50.0%), gt: 27 (42.1%), and tt: 5 (7.8%) in the patient group (P = 0.002). The frequencies of the "t" allele were 21 (12.8%) in the control group and 37 (28.9%) in the patient group (P = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that G894T polymorphism was an independent risk factor for ED. CONCLUSIONS We found significant differences in allelic and genotypic frequencies between patients and controls for the G894T eNOS polymorphisms. The presence of 894T allele in carriers increased the risk of ED. No association was found between VNTR polymorphism and in patients with ED.
Maximizing Symmetry in Upper Blepharoplasty: The Role of Microptosis Surgery

Background: Traditional descriptions of blepharoplasty and ptosis surgery focus on the incision and eyelid crease. However, it may be more useful to consider the tarsal platform show as the important construct in analyzing and planning aesthetic eyelid surgery. Methods: In order to measure and characterize the key contours of the eyelid, the authors find it helpful to consider the brow fat span, tarsal platform show, and margin reflex distance. Results: Subtle eyelid ptosis can result in asymmetry by lengthening the tarsal platform show, and it is exacerbated by the tendency for the eyebrow to compensate. When ptosis is asymmetric, the plan should usually include asymmetric ptosis surgery. There are two general patterns that can be recognized and used for planning to address preoperative tarsal platform show asymmetry. If the tarsal platform show is longer on the side with worse blepharoptosis, then asymmetric or unilateral ptosis surgery will improve symmetry. In the cases of symmetric show despite asymmetric blepharoptosis, there may be bony and soft-tissue asymmetry, which leads to crowding of the orbit on the more ptotic side. Surgical planning should include consideration to increase the tarsal platform show on the more crowded side. It is not necessary to cut the eyelid skin in order to alter the tarsal show and brow fat span; ptosis surgery alone, by altering the eyelid position and eyebrow compensation, can reset the tarsal platform show/brow fat span relationship. Conclusions: It is important to recognize preoperative asymmetry, to predict the resetting of compensatory mechanisms, and to design asymmetric surgery, in order to maximize postoperative symmetry.
Estrogen modulates iodoacetate‐induced gene expression in bovine cartilage explants

Estrogen loss may be involved in onset or progression of osteoarthritis. Estrogen receptors are present in chondrocytes, thus estrogen may exert effects directly on cartilage. However, studies on direct estrogen effects on cartilage are limited. We investigated, in an in vitro cartilage explant model, whether estrogen prevents damage or stimulates repair after damage induced by addition of iodoacetate (IA), as an experimental model for osteoarthritis. We used healthy bovine cartilage explants. Prevention experiment: Explants precultured with/without estradiol (E) for 3 days were cultured with IA for 4 h on day 0, and subsequently cultured as in preculture: with/without E. Explants were harvested at day 2 for gene expression analysis. Repair experiment: At day 0, explants were cultured with IA for 4 h on day 0, and subsequently cultured without E or with E. Explants were harvested at days 2, 10, and 14 for gene expression analysis. IA transiently downregulated most genes tested, whereas vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was upregulated on day 2. On day 14, transforming growth factor β (TGFB)1 and TGFB3 were upregulated, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)13 and VEGF downregulated. Estradiol affected gene expression of aggrecan (AGC)1, MMP2, MMP14, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)2, TGFB2, and TGFB3. Prevention experiment: Estradiol did not significantly affect IA‐induced changes in gene expression (no significant interaction). Repair experiment: Estradiol affected IA‐induced changes in expression of collagen (COL)2, MMP2, MMP3, MMP13, MMP14, TIMP2, TGFB2, TGFB3, and VEGF. Estradiol affects expression of anabolic and catabolic genes in bovine cartilage explants and modulates the effects of IA. These effects of estradiol may be beneficial for cartilage maintenance and repair. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:607–615, 2010
Therapy of vascular dementia: perspectives and milestones

Cerebrovascular disease is common in the elderly and can cause a wide spectrum of impairments that range from mild to severe. Sensitive and specific definitions of cerebrovascular cognitive impairment are hampered by the fact that cerebrovascular disease is not easily linked to cognitive syndromes, either clinically or pathologically, and the presence of coincident Alzheimer’s disease is common. Importantly, however, it does appear that the dementia caused by brain vascular disease may share similar anatomical substrates with Alzheimer’s disease, supporting the notion of a common substrate to dementia. Treatment of vascular cognitive impairment may need to emphasize primary or secondary prevention of cerebrovascular risk factors such as hypertension, but some symptomatic treatments are beginning to show modest success. Raised awareness of cerebrovascular disease as a cause for cognitive impairment is likely to result in better detection and treatment, leading to improved cognitive health for our aging population. Patients with vascular dementia (VaD) show cholinergic deficits that may result in characteristic clinical syndromes for different subtypes of the condition. Subcortical VaD is characterized by executive dysfunction and behavioral problems, reflecting deterioration of the frontal lobe. It is still under consideration whether cholinesterase inhibitors may have any effects on the typical symptoms of VaD. The authors’ suggestion is that VaD is not a unique pathology: the etiopathogenesis of multi-infarct dementia and that of subcortical VaD are quite different. Future studies need to consider those entities separately to obtain good results, for a group of patients for whom, until now, there have been few therapeutic options.
Vitamin D deficiency, cardiac iron and cardiac function in thalassaemia major

Vitamin D25‐OH and D1‐25OH levels were compared with cardiac R2* (1/T2*), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), age, ferritin and liver iron in 24 thalassaemia major patients. Vitamin D25‐OH levels were reduced in 13/24 patients while vitamin D1‐25OH levels were often elevated. Vitamin D25‐OH levels decreased with age (r2 = 0·48) and with liver iron (r2 = 0·20). Cardiac R2* was inversely related with the ratio of D25‐OH to D1‐25OH levels (r2 = 0·42). LVEF was also proportional to the D25‐OH/D1‐25OH ratio (r2 = 0·49). Vitamin D deficiency may be associated with cardiac iron uptake and ventricular dysfunction in thalassaemia major patients.
Effect of Personalization on Students' Achievement and Gender Factor in Mathematics Education

The aim of this study is to point out whether personalization of mathematical word problems could affect student achievement or not. The research was applied on two-grades students at spring semester 2008-2009. Before the treatment, students personal data were taken and given to the computer. During the treatment, paper-based personalized problems and paper-based non personalized problems were prepared by computer as the same problems and then these problems were given to students. At the end of the treatment, students’ opinion was taken. As a result of this research, it was found out that there were no significant differences between learners through personalized or non-personalized materials, and also there were no significant differences between gender through personalized and non-personalized problems. However, opinion of students was highly positive through the personalized problems. Keywords—Personalization, word problem, computer aided personalization.
The effect of participation in competitive sports on school connectedness of secondary school students

The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of participation in competitive sports on school connectedness among secondary school students. The demographics of gender, age, class, school type, school status and athletic status (participation/non participation in sport) were treated as independent variable while school connectedness was treated as the dependent variable. The study employed a descriptive survey design. The study employed stratified random sampling to select 26 schools while simple random sampling was used to select 384 students. Data were collected through questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics of percentages, means and standard deviations and inferential statistics of t-tests and ANOVA. The study established that gender (t 340=0.64, p>0.51) and class level (t340=-1.25, p>0.21) did not have any significant differences on students’ connectedness to school. However, the study findings revealed that age (F4, 342=2.70, p<0.031) school type (F3,342=7.20,p<0.00) and school status(F2,336=0.60,p<0.021) had a significant effect on students’ connectedness to school. It was recommended that competitive sports be emphasized in secondary schools to promote school connectedness. The study also recommended adequate provision of sporting facilities to all schools so as to enhance school connectedness.
Potential for Tumorigenesis and Repair of Osteochondral Defects by iPS Cell Transplantation in Rat

Articular cartilage repair remains a challenge in the field of orthopedic medicine. Cell-based therapy for cartilage repair, such as autologous chondrocyte implantation, was established in the 1990s. However, the issue of the source from which the lesion-targeting cells are harvested remains a limitation of this approach as larger lesions require more cells for repair, and thus, more healthy tissue must be damaged to harvest the needed cells. Reprogramming of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells is a promising tool for cell-based regenerative therapy because of their proliferative capacity and pluripotency; however, these characteristics also create a risk of tumorigenesis. This study aimed to determine the probability of iPS cell-derived tumor occurrence as a function of injection or transplantation site, and to assess whether transplanted iPS cells can promote cartilage defect repair. Pluripotent mouse iPS cells (5x106 cells/ml) were subcutaneously injected or transplanted into experimentally induced lesions in the knee cartilage of immunodeficient rats. Subcutaneous teratoma formation was observed in 30% of animals (3 of 10) at 4weeks, and 41% of animals (7 of 17) at 12 weeks after iPS cell injection. Cartilage repair as indicated by modified Wakitani’s score was similar in the cell-free group and in the iPS cell implantation group at 4 weeks [11.8 ± 1.8 (n = 8) vs. 10.3 ± 2.8 (n = 18)]. iPS cell implantation yielded a score of 7.8 ± 2.0 (n = 10) at 12 weeks, significantly better than the cell-free group [10.5 ± 0.6 (n = 4)]. There was no macro- or microscopic evidence of tumor formation at the cartilage repair site after iPS cell implantation. Although we could not use the iPS cells directly for cartilage repair, the results of our study indicate the potential for a new therapy for cartilage repair by developing iPS reprogramming technology.
Effects of processing, particle size and moisturizing of sorghum-based feeds on pellet quality and broiler production

Objective This study aimed to assess the effect of pelleted and expanded sorghum-based feeds prepared with different moisture levels and particle size of ingredients on metabolizable energy, ileal digestibility of amino acids and broiler performance. Methods The experiment was performed with 720 male broiler chicks of the Cobb strain, with treatments of six replications, with 15 birds each; they were arranged in a completely randomized design and 2×2×2 factorial scheme (pelleted or expanded feed processing, 0.8% or 1.6% moisture addition in the mixer, and particle size of 650 or 850 microns). Results Higher pellet quality (pellets, % and pellet durability index [PDI]) was obtained in expanded diets and inclusion of 1.6% moisture. The particle size of 850 microns increased the PDI of final diet. All studied treatments had no significant effect on weight gain and broiler carcass and cut yields. Lower feed conversion occurred for birds fed pelleted feed at 42 d. The highest apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and apparent metabolizable energy corrected to zero nitrogen balance (AMEn) values of feed in the initial rearing phase (10 to 13 days) were observed in birds fed pelleted feed or for feed prepared with 1.6% moisture. The highest ileal digestibility coefficients of amino acids were obtained with the consumption of pelleted feed prepared with a particle size of 650 microns and 1.6% moisture. Conclusion Pelleted feed prepared with a milling particle size of 650 microns and 1.6% moisture provided increased ileal digestibility of amino acids and AMEn in the starter period. However, the expanded feed improved pellet quality and feed conversion of broilers at 42 days of age. We conclude that factors such as moisture, particle size and processing affect the pellet quality, and therefore should be considered when attempting to optimize broiler performance.
Senescence in innate immune responses: reduced neutrophil phagocytic capacity and CD16 expression in elderly humans

Elderly humans are more susceptible to bacterial infections because of declining immune status. We have investigated the effect of aging on neutrophil bactericidal responses, comparing neutrophil function in healthy, young (23–35 years) and elderly (>65 years) volunteers. Superoxide generation in response to fMLP was slightly increased in neutrophils from elderly donors, and serum from the elderly was able to opsonize E. coli efficiently. In contrast, phagocytic index was significantly lower in neutrophils from the elderly, compared with young donors (P<0.005). CD11a and CD11b expression was not affected by age, but CD16 was significantly reduced in neutrophils from elderly donors (P<0.0001). CD16 expression and phagocytic index were measured in the same neutrophils using FITC‐labeled E. coli, PE‐conjugated anti‐CD16 antibody, and CD16 expression correlated with phagocytic index (r=0.83;P<0.05). In elderly patients with bacterial infection, CD16 expression remained low. We propose that reduced neutrophil CD16 expression and phagocytosis contribute to human immunesenescence.
CD11cHi monocyte-derived macrophages are a major cellular compartment infected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis

During tuberculosis, lung myeloid cells have two opposing roles: they are an intracellular niche occupied by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and they restrict bacterial replication. Lung myeloid cells from mice infected with yellow-fluorescent protein expressing M. tuberculosis were analyzed by flow cytometry and transcriptional profiling to identify the cell types infected and their response to infection. CD14, CD38, and Abca1 were expressed more highly by infected alveolar macrophages and CD11cHi monocyte-derived cells compared to uninfected cells. CD14, CD38, and Abca1 “triple positive” (TP) cells had not only the highest infection rates and bacterial loads, but also a strong interferon-γ signature and nitric oxide synthetase-2 production indicating recognition by T cells. Despite evidence of T cell recognition and appropriate activation, these TP macrophages are a cellular compartment occupied by M. tuberculosis long-term. Defining the niche where M. tuberculosis resists elimination promises to provide insight into why inducing sterilizing immunity is a formidable challenge.
Longitudinal Study of Metabolic Biomarkers among Conventional and Organic Farmers in Thailand

The aim of this longitudinal study is to assess how pesticide use may impact metabolic biomarkers by collecting and comparing data from conventional (n = 13) and organic farmers (n = 225) every eight months for four rounds. Farmers were interviewed about family health history, food consumption behaviors, self-reported health problems, agricultural activities, and history of pesticide use. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) were measured. Blood samples were collected for total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), blood glucose, and triglycerides. A linear mixed model with random intercepts for subjects was used to compare the metabolic biomarkers between conventional and organic farmers and to examine the impact of the number of pesticide spray days for all four rounds after controlling for covariates. The conventional farmers reported using insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. The marginal means for chemical farmers were significantly higher than organic farmers for total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, BMI, and waist circumference. Increasing the number of days of spraying either insecticides or fungicides was associated with an increase in HDL, LDL, and cholesterol levels. Increasing the number of herbicide spray days was associated with an increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and a decrease in BMI. These findings suggest that pesticide-using conventional farmers may be at higher risk of metabolic disease in the future.
Patient Knowledge and Awareness of Hypertension Is Suboptimal: Results From a Large Health Maintenance Organization

Patient knowledge and awareness of hypertension are important factors in achieving blood pressure control. To examine hypertensive patients' knowledge of their condition, the authors randomly surveyed 2500 hypertension patients from a large health maintenance organization; questionnaires were supplemented with clinic blood pressure measurements. Approximately 72% of the subjects completed surveys. Of patients with uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure [SBP] 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure [DBP] 90 mm Hg), only 20.2% labeled their blood pressure as “high” and 38.4% as “borderline high. ” Forty percent of respondents couldn't recall their most recent clinic‐based SBP and DBP values. Overall, 71.7% and 61% were unable to report a target SBP or DBP, respectively, or identify elevated targets based on the sixth report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC VI) criteria. Most patients perceived DBP to be a more important risk factor than SBP. Hypertensive patients' awareness of blood pressure targets and current hypertension control status, particularly with respect to SBP, is suboptimal. The authors' findings support the need to improve patient education for better management of hypertension.
PRL-3 Is Involved in Estrogen- and IL-6–Induced Migration of Endometrial Stromal Cells From Ectopic Endometrium

Objective: To investigate the role of phosphatase of regenerating liver-3 (PRL-3) in the 17β-estradiol (E2)- and interleukin 6 (IL-6)-induced migration of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) from ectopic endometrium. Methods: Ectopic endometrial tissues were collected from patients with endometriosis, and PRL-3 expression in ectopic and eutopic endometrium was examined by immunohistochemistry. Endometrial stromal cells isolated from ectopic endometrium were treated with E2, progesterone (P), IL-6, or sodium orthovanadate (Sov) to inhibit PRL-3. Total RNA and protein were extracted from ESCs after treatment for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses. Cell migration was assessed using a scratch wound assay. Results: Phosphatase of regenerating liver 3 protein was highly expressed in the endometrial glandular cells (EGCs) and ESCs in ectopic endometrium, whereas its weak expression was observed only in EGCs in eutopic endometrium. Both E2 and IL-6 treatment significantly increased PRL-3 messenger RNA and protein expression, and P treatment significantly inhibited PRL-3 expression. However, E2-induced PRL-3 expression in ESCs from ectopic endometrium was significantly blocked by IL-6 antibody. Moreover, E2- and IL-6–enhanced cell migration was completely abrogated by Sov treatment. Furthermore, Sov treatment could significantly promote PTEN expression but inhibit E2- and IL-6–induced p-AKT activation. Conclusion: Phosphatase of regenerating liver 3 plays a key role in the E2- and IL-6–induced migration of ESCs from ectopic endometrium, a process that is involved in the PTEN-AKT signaling pathway.