Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Motherhood‐induced memory improvement persists across lifespan in rats but is abolished by a gestational stress

Motherhood modifies the biology and behavior of the female, a process which prepares the mother's cognitive systems that are needed for nurturance. It has recently been shown that motherhood enhances hippocampal‐mediated spatial learning and synaptic plasticity. Deleterious and long‐term effects of a stress experienced during gestation have been demonstrated on progeny. Surprisingly little is known about the effect of such stress on mothers. Here, we investigated the effect of gestational stress on the adaptive changes due to motherhood. Female rats were mated and stressed during the last week of gestation. Two weeks after weaning, they were submitted to behavioral tests or electrophysiological study. A group of females were then kept for 16 months after motherhood experience to study the long‐term effect of gestational stress and motherhood on memory when they were 22 months old. We confirm that a single motherhood experience selectively increases hippocampal‐mediated spatial memory during the entire lifespan of female rats and protects them from age‐associated memory impairments. However, we demonstrate that a stressful experience during gestation totally abolishes the positive effects of motherhood both on spatial memory and on hippocampal synaptic plasticity (long‐term potentiation). Environmental factors that induce biological vulnerability have negative effects even for fundamental biological behaviors.
Dual localization of fumarase is dependent on the integrity of the glyoxylate shunt

Fumarase and aconitase in yeast are dual localized to the cytosol and mitochondria by a similar targeting mechanism. These two tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes are single translation products that are targeted to and processed by mitochondrial processing peptidase in mitochondria prior to distribution. The mechanism includes reverse translocation of a subset of processed molecules back into the cytosol. Here, we show that either depletion or overexpression of Cit2 (cytosolic citrate synthase) causes the vast majority of fumarase to be fully imported into mitochondria with a tiny amount or no fumarase in the cytosol. Normal dual distribution of fumarase (similar amounts in the cytosol and mitochondria) depends on an enzymatically active Cit2. Glyoxylate shunt deletion mutations (Δmls1, Δaco1 and Δicl1) exhibit an altered fumarase dual distribution (like in Δcit2). Finally, when succinic acid, a product of the glyoxylate shunt, is added to the growth medium, fumarase dual distribution is altered such that there are lower levels of fumarase in the cytosol. This study suggests that the cytosolic localization of a distributed mitochondrial protein is governed by intracellular metabolite cues. Specifically, we suggest that metabolites of the glyoxylate shunt act as ‘nanosensors’ for fumarase subcellular targeting and distribution. The possible mechanisms involved are discussed.
Securing Communities or Profits? The Effect of Federal-Local Partnerships on Immigration Enforcement

Leading theories of local responses to immigration claim that ideology drives policy differences. However, these studies focus exclusively on policy adoption, neglecting whether or not ideological preferences also govern the extent to which local actors choose to cooperate with federal immigration initiatives. To account for this shortcoming, I use zero-inflated negative binomial regression to assess county-level deportations resulting from local participation in the Secure Communities program. I find that existing financial and structural resources as well as financial incentives are strong determinants of county deportation levels. Furthermore, there is no evidence to suggest that conservative counties produce more deportations. Instead, the size of a county’s policing budget moderates the relationship between ideological orientations and deportation outcomes. With federal-local policy partnerships on the rise, these findings provide an important foundation for developing a better framework to understand the implications of such partnerships for policy implementation. In short, this article suggests that although policy adoption may be a politicized process, local compliance with federal initiatives is highly dependent on the resource constraints and incentives of the actors involved.
Determination of ‘recruited volume’ following a PEEP step is not a measure of lung recruitability

It has been proposed that the analysis of positive end‐expiratory pressure (PEEP)‐induced volume changes can quantify alveolar recruitment. The potential of a lung to be recruited is expected to be high in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), where collapsed lung tissue is very common. The volume change that is beyond the delta volume because of the patient's compliance has been termed ‘recruited volume’ (RecV). However, data of patients with low and high RecV showed less severe lung disease in high ‘recruiters’, indicating that RecV may not equal the ‘potentially recruitable lung tissue’ seen in computed tomography scans. We hypothesized that RecV is higher in lung‐healthy (LH) patients with little collapsed lung compared with ARDS patients.
Visitors and Learning: adult museum visitors' learning identities

Current theories of learning focus on the meanings an individual makes based on their experience—alone, within a social context and as part of a community. A critical aspect in better understanding the process of learning for an individual is to find out how people view themselves as learners across the rich array of both formal and informal learning experiences available to them. Museums are increasingly positioning themselves in the market as places for rich learning experiences, and research has shown that when asked why they visit museums people often say “to learn”, yet there has been little exploration into what this means. What do museum visitors think learning is and how do visitors view themselves as learners within the context of a museum visit—their learning identity? This paper reports on a doctoral study that investigated adult museum visitors’ learning identities and how these were influenced by a visit to a museum exhibition. Lynda Kelly (lynda.kelly@austmus.gov.au) is Head of Audience Research at the Australian Museum, Sydney.
Is a "flexible" glass fiber-bundle dowel system as retentive as a "rigid" quartz fiber dowel system?

PURPOSE This study had two aims: (1) to compare the retention of a flexible directly placed fiber-bundle dowel system with that of a rigid prefabricated fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) dowel system, and (2) to determine the effect of decreasing the volume of luting cement around the flexible fiber-bundle dowels on the axial retention of the restorations. MATERIALS AND METHODS Single-canal premolars (n = 36) were decoronated, cleaned, shaped, and prepared for both flexible and rigid dowels to a depth of 10 mm using a size 2 drill. The roots were then randomly allocated into three groups: Ia, Ib, and II (n = 12). Flexible fiber-bundle dowels were placed in groups Ia and Ib. These were available in three fiber-bundle diameters: small (0.9 mm), medium (1.2 mm), and large (1.5 mm). These bundles were luted in the root canals with Variolink II. The differences between Ia and Ib were in the ratio of the volume of fiber-bundles to the volume of luting cement and in the mode of application. Medium fiber-bundles were placed to the end of the preparation in groups Ia and Ib; however, in group Ia, a small diameter auxiliary bundle was placed, whereas in group Ib, a large-diameter auxiliary bundle was cut axially into strips of circa 0.2-mm thickness before being sequentially overlapped in placement. Roots in group II were restored with size 2 rigid prefabricated fiber dowels and luted with the light-cured cement provided by the manufacturer. After 24 hours of storage, axial tensile forces were applied to all luted dowels progressively to failure at 0.5 mm/min. Data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Bonferonni test. RESULTS The mean axial resistance forces (standard deviation [SD]) for groups Ia, Ib, and II were not statistically different at 166 (49), 157 (36), and 151 (44) N, respectively (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS There was no significant difference between the retention of the flexible fiber-bundle dowel system and that of the rigid prefabricated fiber dowel system. Decreasing the volume of luting cement around the flexible dowels did not have a significant effect on the axial retention of the restorations.
Alterations in molecular muscle mass regulators after 8 days immobilizing Special Forces mission

In military operations, declined physical capacity can endanger the life of soldiers. During special support and reconnaissance (SSR) missions, Special Forces soldiers sustain 1–2 weeks full‐body horizontal immobilization, which impairs muscle strength and performance. Adequate muscle mass and strength are necessary in combat or evacuation situations, which prompt for improved understanding of muscle mass modulation during SSR missions. To explore the molecular regulation of myofiber size during a simulated SSR operation, nine male Special Forces soldiers were biopsied in m. vastus lateralis pre and post 8 days immobilizing restricted prone position. After immobilization, total mammalian target of rapamycin protein was reduced by 42% (P < 0.05), whereas total and phosphorylated protein levels of Akt, ribosomal protein S6k, 4E‐BP1, and glycogen synthase kinase3β were unchanged. Messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of the atrogenes forkhead box O3 (FoxO3), atrogin1, and muscle ring finger protein1 (MuRF1) increased by 36%, 53%, and 71% (P < 0.01), MuRF1 protein by 51% (P = 0.05), whereas FoxO1 and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ coactivator‐1 β mRNAs decreased by 29% and 40% (P < 0.01). In conclusion, occupational immobilization in Special Forces soldiers led to modulations in molecular muscle mass regulators during 8 days prone SSR mission, which likely contribute to muscle loss observed in such operations. The present data expand our knowledge of human muscle mass regulation during short‐term immobilization.
The common 18‐base pair deletion at codons 418–423 of the E‐cadherin gene in differentiated‐type adenocarcinomas and intramucosal precancerous lesions of the stomach with the features of gastric foveolar epithelium

Alterations of the E (epithelial)‐cadherin gene are often involved in undifferentiated‐type carcinomas of the stomach, but not in the differentiated type. Recently, it was recognized that certain differentiated‐type carcinomas possess the features of gastric foveolar epithelium. Such carcinomas are closely linked with undifferentiated‐type carcinomas. Nineteen lesions (ten differentiated‐type carcinomas and nine precancerous lesions) with a predominant gastric foveolar phenotype, as determined not only by mucin histochemistry and immunohistochemistry but also by morphology, were analysed for mutations of the E‐cadherin gene using the nested polymerase chain reaction single‐strand conformation polymorphism method. E‐cadherin gene mutation was detected in 4 of 19 lesions (21 per cent) (three precancerous and one cancerous). Sequencing revealed an 18 bp deletion corresponding to codons 418–423 of exon 9 common to all four lesions. This mutation was previously reported in an advanced carcinoma of undifferentiated type. The results suggest that these tumours progress to undifferentiated‐type carcinomas through loss of E‐cadherin function. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of Mainstream Cigarette Smoke-Induced Biomarker Responses in ICR and C57Bl/6 Mice

Pulmonary emphysema is a major component of the morbidity and mortality of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Currently there are no predictive biomarkers for COPD. Initial steps toward identifying potentially predictive biomarkers involve utilizing well-characterized mainstream smoke (MS) exposure conditions (dose-response) to identify changes in biomarkers of effect (inflammation, tissue injury, oxidative stress) in emphysema-susceptible and -resistant mouse strains. C57Bl/6 mice have been reported to develop emphysema when exposed chronically to cigarette smoke, while similarly exposed ICR mice do not. Male C57Bl/6 and ICR mice were exposed 2 h/day for 7 consecutive days to MS from a standard reference cigarette (2R4F) at 75, 250, and 600 μg total particulate matter (TPM)/L or filtered air. To confirm exposure, blood samples were collected toward the end of the last exposure and analyzed for carboxyhemoglobin, nicotine, and cotinine. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid samples were collected 2 or 12 h postexposure and analyzed for biomarkers of effect. MS dose differed slightly between strains. More necrosis was observed in nasal epithelium of exposed C57Bl/6 mice. Exposure concentration-dependent increases in apoptosis, chemokines, and neutrophil counts were greater in ICR mice. Similar increases in thymus and activated–regulated chemokine were only observed in C57Bl/6 mice. BAL fluid cells of C57Bl/6 mice appear to undergo necrosis, while the BAL fluid cells of ICR mice appear to undergo apoptosis following MS exposure. Utilizing two strains of mice we identified MS-responsive biomarkers of effect that may be predictive of COPD pathology. Chronic MS exposures are needed to link these biomarkers with emphysema.
Validity and Applicability of the Chinese Version of Community Screening Instrument for Dementia

The development of an educationally independent screening instrument for dementia is most valuable for epidemiological studies. The Community Screening Instrument for Dementia (CSI-D) was applied to 120 subjects, with 30 matched for age in each of the four groups of mild to moderately demented, depressed, low-education and high-education normal control subjects. The internal consistency and interrater reliability of CSI-D were satisfactory. Correlation with the ten-word-list learning task, a test sensitive to early dementia, was high. CSI-D could differentiate the demented from nondemented subjects, but not the high- from the low-education control group. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed good test performance of CSI-D. In conclusion, the Chinese version of CSI-D is a valid, reliable and educationally independent screening instrument for dementia sensitive to detect early stage of the disease.
Clinical correlates of chronic rejection in pediatric renal transplantation. A report of the North American Pediatric Renal Transplant Cooperative Study.

A total of 1699 patients with living donor transplants and 1795 patients with cadaver donor transplants entered between January 1987 and November 1994 in the North American Pediatric Renal Transplant Cooperative Study registry form the cohort for this report. Failure from chronic rejection occurred in 76 (4.5%) of living donor transplants and 149 (8.3%) of cadaver transplants. Chronic rejection is the leading cause of graft failure, with 27% of living donor and 26.7% of cadaver donor graft failures attributed to chronic rejection. Univariate and multivariate analyses of various risk factors revealed acute rejection (relative risk [RR]=3.1, P<0.001) and greater than two acute rejections (RR=4.3, P<0.001)to be the most common correlates of chronic rejection. Additionally, late initial acute rejection (>365 days; RR=2.3, P<0.001) was also correlated. Cadaver donor source (RR=1.6, P=0.001) and African-American race (RR=1.6, P<0.003) were weaker but significant risk factors. An analysis of cyclosporine dosing revealed tht a dose of <5mg/kg/day at day 30 was also a risk factor (RR=1.5, P=0.027). Our study concludes that acute rejection is the single most critical element in the genesis of chronic rejection. Thus, measures to prevent the first episode of acute rejection could ameliorate the incidence of chronic rejection.
Therapeutic equivalence: fallacies and falsification

The number of studies designed specifically to demonstrate therapeutic equivalence or alternatively non‐inferiority of pharmaceutical treatments has increased dramatically in recent years, during which time awareness of the methodological issues has increased. Regulatory authorities have been quick to recognize the need for specific support and have either published or initiated the creation of relevant guidance. Common misconceptions prevail however regarding sample size estimation and the choice of the most appropriate patient population to analyse while other areas such as equivalence margin specification and covariate adjustment have been neglected. This paper challenges some of the regulatory advice and the interpretation that others have made of this guidance with the aim of stimulating further debate. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of the Receiver Attachment Position on Ultrawideband Off-Body Channels

An experimental characterization of the off-body propagation channel for the ultrawideband (UWB) band from 3.1 GHz to 8 GHz for body area networks (BAN) is presented in this letter. The channel is evaluated in terms of path loss (PL) and Root Mean Square (RMS) delay spread. Channel statistics from measurements carried out considering subjects of different gender in standing still position under line-of-sight (LOS) conditions are compared to the ones without the presence of the body to evaluate the variation on the statistics of the channel in presence of a human body. It is observed a high variation on the path loss and the RMS delay spread parameters for the same attachment position of the receiver antenna on the body of the subjects and a dependence of the statistics with the number of received multipath components (MPC) because of the shadowing effect of the body.
Clinical skills training: developing objective assessment instruments

The purpose of this study was to develop objective assessment instruments for use in psychomotor skill training and to test the instruments for interobserver reliability. Two checklist style instruments, one for suturing and one for endotracheal intubation, were developed through a process of review of standard texts, consultation with local experts and field testing. Following development they were used by paired examiners in an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) setting to test the instruments for interobserver reliability. A total of 88 final year medical students were recruited from the five Ontario medical schools to participate as examinees. The checklists worked well within the practical constraints of a 10 minute OSCE station and demonstrated a high level of interobserver reliability with Kappa scores of 0·65 for the suturing checklist and 0·71 for the intubation checklist. Furthermore, the Kappa scores for individual checklist items served to identify items which demonstrated poor interobserver reliability and thus highlighted them for review.
An economic assessment of GHG mitigation policy options for EU agriculture (EcAMPA 2)

The project 'Economic Assessment of GHG mitigation policy options for EU agriculture (EcAMPA)' is designed to assess some aspects of a potential inclusion of the agricultural sector into the EU 2030 climate policy framework. In the context of possible reductions of non-CO2 emissions from EU agriculture, the scenario results of the EcAMPA 2 study highlight issues related to production effects, the importance of technological mitigation options and the need to consider emission leakage for an effective reduction of global agricultural GHG emissions.
Impact of alcohol use on EEG dynamics of response inhibition: a cotwin control analysis

Research indicates that alcohol misuse is associated with behavioral disinhibition, but the neurophysiological mechanisms governing this relationship remain largely unknown. Recent work suggests that successful inhibition and cognitive control involve electrophysiological theta‐band dynamics, including medial frontal cortex (MFC) power enhancement and functional connectivity between the MFC and dorsal prefrontal cortex (dPFC) regions, which may be disrupted by alcohol misuse. In addition, research suggests that, compared to men, women are at heightened risk of experiencing the negative physical and neurocognitive correlates of drinking. The present study tested the hypothesis that alcohol misuse has a deleterious effect on theta‐band response inhibition EEG dynamics in a sample of 300 24‐year‐old same‐sex twins. A cotwin control (CTC) design was used to disentangle premorbid risk for alcohol use from the causal effects of alcohol exposure. Drinking was negatively associated with theta‐band MFC power and MFC–dPFC connectivity during response inhibition, and this effect was stronger among women. The CTC analysis suggested that, for women, reduced nogo‐related theta‐band MFC power and MFC–dPFC connectivity were both consistent with the potential deleterious causal effects of alcohol exposure. These findings suggest that diminished theta‐band MFC power and MFC–dPFC connectivity may be neurophysiological mechanisms underlying alcohol‐related disinhibition. Although preliminary, these results suggest that normative levels of alcohol use during emerging adulthood have potential sex‐specific causal effects on response inhibition EEG dynamics, and thus have potentially significant public health implications.
A polyclonal antibody to the rat oestrogen receptor expressed in Escherichia coli: characterization and application to immunohistochemistry.

A rat oestrogen receptor-beta-galactosidase fusion protein was expressed using a pEX2/rat oestrogen receptor cDNA construct. Scatchard analysis of [3H]oestradiol-17 beta binding to the cell lysate revealed that the fusion protein had functional binding sites specific for oestradiol with a dissociation constant of 1.49 nmol/l. The relative molecular weight (M(r)) of the fusion protein was determined as 180,000 by immunoblot analysis of the cell lysate employing a monoclonal antibody to the human oestrogen receptor. The protein was isolated by means of SDS-PAGE and subsequent electroblotting. By immunization with the purified materials on nitrocellulose membrane, a polyclonal antibody to the rat oestrogen receptor was raised in a rabbit. Binding of [3H]oestradiol to the oestrogen receptor from the rat uterus was inhibited by the antibody in a dose-dependent manner. The antibody was also able to recognize the oestrogen receptor occupied by [3H]oestradiol. Thus, the antibody could react with both forms of the receptor molecule, either occupied or unoccupied by the hormone. In immunoblot analysis of the cytosol fraction of the rat uterus, a single band of M(r) 67,000, the size of the oestrogen receptor, was detected by the antibody. Moreover, when the antibody was applied to immunohistochemical examination of paraffin-embedded pituitary and brain sections of the rat, immunostaining was observed in cells of the anterior pituitary and in neurones in specific regions of the brain. The immunoreactivity was restricted exclusively to cell nuclei in both tissues. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)