Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Poor maternal nutrition leads to alterations in oxidative stress, antioxidant defense capacity, and markers of fibrosis in rat islets: potential underlying mechanisms for development of the diabetic phenotype in later life

Low birth weight is associated with glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in later life. Good evidence indicates that the environment plays an important role in this relationship. However, the mechanisms underlying these relationships are defined poorly. Islets are particularly susceptible to oxidative stress, and this condition combined with fibrosis is thought to be instrumental in T2D pathogenesis. Here we use our maternal low‐protein (LP) rat model to determine the effect of early diet on oxidative stress and fibrosis in pancreatic islets of male offspring at 3 and 15 mo of age. Islet xanthine oxidase (XO) expression was increased in 15‐mo LP offspring, which suggests increased oxidative‐stress. Manganese superoxide‐dismutase (MnSOD), copper‐zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), and heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) (antioxidant enzymes) were reduced significantly in LP offspring, which indicated impairment of oxidative defense. Expression of fibrosis markers collagen I and collagen III also increased in 15‐mo LP offspring. Angiotensin II receptor type I (ATIIR1), induced by hyperglycemia and oxidative‐stress, was significantly up‐regulated in 15‐mo LP offspring. Lipid peroxidation was also increased in 15‐mo LP animals. We conclude that maternal protein restriction causes age‐associated increased oxidative stress, impairment of oxidative defense, and fibrosis. These findings provide mechanisms by which suboptimal early nutrition can lead to T2D development later in life. —Tarry‐Adkins, J. L. , Chen, J.‐H. , Jones, R. H. , Smith, N. H. , Ozanne, S. E. Poor maternal nutrition leads to alterations in oxidative stress, antioxidant defense capacity, and markers of fibrosis in rat islets: potential underlying mechanisms for development of the diabetic phenotype in later life. FASEB J. 24, 2762–2771 (2010). www.fasebj. org
Roles of coherent ongoing oscillations among dynamic cell assemblies in object perception

I constructed a cortical neural network model and investigated possible roles of coherent ongoing oscillations in membrane potentials of neurons in object perception. The model has a hierarchical structure consisting of two lower networks and one higher network that are reciprocally connected via divergent/convergent projections. Information about features and their relationships (or objects) is encoded by the population activities of neurons (or dynamic cell assemblies) of the lower networks and the higher network, respectively. The ongoing state of the network is expressed by ‘random itinerancy’ among these dynamic cell assemblies. Under the ongoing state, the dynamic cell assemblies belonging to the same object are transiently linked across the networks and coherently oscillate at lower frequencies (∼15 Hz). When the model perceives a presented object, the dynamic cell assemblies corresponding to the object are persistently linked together across the networks and coherently oscillate at higher frequencies (∼40 Hz). When the feedback pathways are impaired, the dynamic phase transition from the slow- to fast-oscillations is not induced by the object presentation, keeping the lower frequency oscillations (∼15 Hz) where the activated dynamic cell assemblies oscillate incoherently. Reaction times to the object presentation are greatly reduced if the ongoing oscillation frequencies fall within a specific range (∼20–30 Hz). I suggest that coherent ongoing slow-oscillations in cortical activity may serve as a ready state for sensory input, whereby the brain can respond effectively to sensory stimulation. Top-down processing via feedback pathways may give an essential contribution to the induction of coherent fast-oscillations across multiple cortical areas, by which relevant features are effectively integrated into a unified percept when stimulated with a sensory object.
Reducing the learning curve for the treatment of morphoeic (sclerosing) basal cell carcinoma of the face

The treatment of morphoeic (or sclerosing) basal cell carcinoma (mBCC) of the face is associated with high rates of incomplete excision and recurrence. A principal risk factor for incomplete resection is the grade of surgeon. We did a prospective, randomised study of 40 consecutive patients with mBCC of the face. The extent of the tumour was assessed under standard conditions by consultant surgeons and compared with assessments by resident surgeons with the help of the Varioscope®, a combination of microscope and loupe glasses with strong illumination and a maximal magnification of 7×. The data from a former retrospective study of all excisions of mBCC of the face during a five-year period at the hospital served as control. Residents with the support of the Varioscope® achieved a rate of incomplete excisions similar to that of consultants under standard conditions. There was a significant reduction of the rate of incomplete resections by resident surgeons thanks to high magnification and good lighting (p=0.02). High magnification and good lighting were useful in learning how to recognise skin changes associated with mBCC of the face and achieving a low rate of incomplete excisions.
Physiological aspects of swimming performance for persons with disabilities.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the various factors involved in the performances of three groups of swimmers with disabilities. These factors were average VO2max (Av-VO2max) measured during swimming and gliding factors measured by the passive drag. Thirty-four swimmers with disabilities were assigned into three groups ranging from more disabilities to fewer disabilities. The first group (G I) included 13 subjects in wheelchairs, the second group (G II) 10 subjects walking with technical aids, and the third group (G III) 11 swimmers with disabilities walking without any help. For G I, the performances and Av-VO2max were lower (P < 0.05) than for G II and G III while the passive drag was higher than for G III (P < 0.05). The performances, Av-VO2max, and passive drag were not statistically different between G II and G III. Some of the swimmers had a pronounced amyotrophia of the lower extremities (i.e., reduced volume of inactive muscles). The height from the top of the head to the beginning of the bilateral amyotrophia was called "height without amyotrophia" (HWA). In the whole group, passive drag was not related to the mass or the height but to the ratio mass/HWA (r = 0.71, P < 0.01). However, within each group, passive drag was mainly related to the mass (r = 0.63, 0.78, 0.62, P < 0.01, for G I, G II, and G III respectively). Performances of a 100-m and 400-m swim were mainly related to Av-VO2peak (r = 0.81 and 0.79, P < 0.01, respectively). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Multi-locus sequence typing confirms the clonality of Trichomonas gallinae isolates circulating in European finches

SUMMARY In recent years, Trichomonas gallinae emerged as the causative agent of an infectious disease of passerine birds in Europe leading to epidemic mortality of especially greenfinches Chloris chloris and chaffinches Fringilla coelebs. After the appearance of finch trichomonosis in the UK and Fennoscandia, the disease spread to Central Europe. Finch trichomonosis first reached Austria and Slovenia in 2012. In the present study the genetic heterogeneity of T. gallinae isolates from incidents in Austria and Slovenia were investigated and compared with British isolates. For this purpose comparative sequence analyses of the four genomic loci ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, 18S rRNA, rpb1 and Fe-hydrogenase were performed. The results corroborate that one clonal T. gallinae strain caused the emerging infectious disease within passerine birds and that the disease is continuing to spread in Europe. The same clonal strain was also found in a columbid bird from Austria. Additionally, the present study demonstrates clearly the importance of multi-locus sequence typing for discrimination of circulating T. gallinae strains.
In vitro transcription of defective interfering particles of influenza virus produces polyadenylic acid-containing complementary RNAs

Influenza virus defective interfering (DI) RNAs, which originate from polymerase genes by simple internal deletion, can be transcribed in vitro. These DI RNA transcripts contain covalently linked polyadenylic acid, and their synthesis is dependent on ApG or capped RNAs as primers. Furthermore, like the standard viral RNA transcripts, they are complementary in nature and are slightly smaller in size compared with the corresponding DI RNAs. Hybridization of the specific DI RNA transcripts with the corresponding DI RNA segments and analysis of the duplex RNA by gel electrophoresis indicate that they are not incomplete polymerase gene transcripts, but rather the transcripts of the DI RNAs. Since influenza virus DI RNAs contain both the 5' and the 3' termini and transcribe polyadenylic acid-containing complementary RNAs in vitro the mechanism of interference may differ from that of the 5' DI RNAs of Sendai and vesicular stomatitis viruses.
Temporal changes in the outcomes of HIV-exposed infants in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo during a period of rapidly evolving guidelines for care (2007–2013)

Objective:Guidelines for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV have developed rapidly, yet little is known about how outcomes of HIV-exposed infants have changed over time. We describe HIV-exposed infant outcomes in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, between 2007 and 2013. Design:Cohort study of mother–infant pairs enrolled in family-centered comprehensive HIV care. Methods:Accounting for competing risks, we estimated the cumulative incidences of early infant diagnosis, HIV transmission, death, loss to follow-up, and combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) initiation for infants enrolled in three periods (2007–2008, 2009–2010, and 2011–2012). Results:1707 HIV-exposed infants enrolled at a median age of 2.6 weeks. Among infants whose mothers had recently enrolled into HIV care (N = 1411), access to EID by age two months increased from 28% (95% confidence limits [CL]: 24,34%) among infants enrolled in 2007-2008 to 63% (95% CL: 59,68%) among infants enrolled in 2011–2012 (Gray's p-value <0.01). The 18-month cumulative incidence of HIV declined from 16% (95% CL: 11,22%) for infants enrolled in 2007–2008 to 11% (95% CL: 8,16%) for infants enrolled in 2011–2012 (Gray's p-value = 0.19). The 18-month cumulative incidence of death also declined, from 8% (95% CL: 5,12%) to 3% (95% CL: 2,5%) (Gray's p-value = 0.02). LTFU did not improve, with 18-month cumulative incidences of 19% (95% CL: 15,23%) for infants enrolled in 2007-2008 and 22% (95% CL: 18,26%) for infants enrolled in 2011–2012 (Gray's p-value = 0.06). Among HIV-infected infants, the 24-month cumulative incidence of cART increased from 61% (95% CL: 43,75%) to 97% (95% CL: 82,100%) (Gray's p-value <0.01); the median age at cART decreased from 17.9 to 9.3 months. Outcomes were better for infants whose mothers enrolled before pregnancy. Conclusions:We observed encouraging improvements, but continued efforts are needed.
Modification of myosin gene expression by imidapril in failing heart due to myocardial infarction.

The beneficial effects of imidapril, an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor were investigated on changes in myofibrillar ATPase as well as myosin heavy chain (MHC) content and gene expression due to myocardial infarction (MI). Three weeks after occluding the left coronary artery, rats were treated with or without imidapril (1 mg/kg/day), for 4 weeks. The infarcted hearts exhibited depressed rates of left ventricular (LV) pressure development (57+/-2.4% reduction) and pressure decay (55.5+/-1.6% reduction). LV myofibrillar Ca(2+) ATPase activity, unlike that in the right ventricle (RV), was decreased in the infarcted animals compared with controls (6.8+/-0.4 vs 10.3+/-0.6 micromol Pi/mg/hr). MHC alpha-isoform contents were decreased by 47 and 41% whereas those of MHC beta-isoform were increased by 823 and 1200% in the LV and RV due to MI, respectively. MHC alpha-isoform mRNA levels were decreased by 55 and 35% whereas those for MHC beta-isoform were increased by 50 and 30% in the infarcted LV and RV, respectively. Imidapril treatment partially prevented the changes due to MI in LV function (rate of pressure development, 24+/-2.3% reduction and rate of pressure decay, 14+/-1.8% reduction), myofibrillar Ca(2+) ATPase activity (8.2+/-0.7 micromol Pi/mg/hr), MHC protein content (alpha-MHC, 24% reduction and beta-MHC, 525% increase) and MHC gene expression (alpha-MHC, 18% reduction and beta-MHC, 15% increase). The results suggest that the beneficial effects of ACE inhibition on the failing heart are associated with improvements in myofibrillar ATPase activities as well as prevention of changes in MHC isozyme protein contents and their gene expression.
BROADBAND X-RAY IMAGING AND SPECTROSCOPY OF THE CRAB NEBULA AND PULSAR WITH NuSTAR

We present broadband (3–78 keV) NuSTAR X-ray imaging and spectroscopy of the Crab nebula and pulsar. We show that while the phase-averaged and spatially integrated nebula + pulsar spectrum is a power law in this energy band, spatially resolved spectroscopy of the nebula finds a break at ∼9 keV in the spectral photon index of the torus structure with a steepening characterized by ΔΓ ∼ 0.25. We also confirm a previously reported steepening in the pulsed spectrum, and quantify it with a broken power law with break energy at ∼12 keV and ΔΓ ∼ 0.27. We present spectral maps of the inner 100″ of the remnant and measure the size of the nebula as a function of energy in seven bands. These results find that the rate of shrinkage with energy of the torus size can be fitted by a power law with an index of γ = 0.094 ± 0.018, consistent with the predictions of Kennel and Coroniti. The change in size is more rapid in the NW direction, coinciding with the counter-jet where we find the index to be a factor of two larger. NuSTAR observed the Crab during the latter part of a γ-ray flare, but found no increase in flux in the 3–78 keV energy band.
Splinting vs surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome.

pace could also be reported more accurately than time spent walking, which may explain, in part, the observed relatively higher importance of walking pace compared with total walking volume. Also, to minimize confounding by high-intensity activity, we assessed walking and walking pace in men who did not perform vigorous exercise. Thus, the reference category was considerably different than those used for specific exercises. A strong risk reduction from walking pace does not mean that walking pace is a more important predictor of risk than jogging but that, among men with low levels of activity, walking faster is associated with lower risk. Although we cannot completely rule out the possibility that certain genetic factors determine both exercise intensity and CHD risk, a strong genetic factor for CHD has not been identified in the general population. We agree with Brody that walking pace may be a marker of many unmeasured behavioral variables. Although these variables may have influenced our results, they would have to be very powerfully related to both walking pace and heart disease to explain the strong inverse association between walking pace and risk of CHD. In addition, several intervention studies have found that brisk walking improves cardiovascular fitness and lipoprotein profile and reduces body fat.
Job satisfaction of public health nurses: is there a predictable decline?

The current shortage of nurses has resulted in increased competi tion between health care institutions and other agencies in the re cruitment of nursing personnel (Regan, 1990). Job dissatisfaction among nurses leads to retention problems at all levels, further reduc ing the number of qualified professionals working in the field. Current trends indicate an increased demand for both hospital and community-based health services (National Institute on Aging, 1987). Although a number of studies have addressed job satisfaction in hospitals and other institutions, little research has been conducted examining satisfaction among public health nurses. Because commu nity-based nursing differs from other nursing situations in both job requirements and in clinical conditions, results obtained in studies of nurses in other settings may not be directly applicable to community nursing. Therefore an investigation of job satisfaction among public health nurses is warranted. In their study of job satisfaction among hospital nurses, Weis man, Alexander, and Chase (1980) noted that there is a relationship among satisfaction levels, job performance, and turnover. The impact of this relationship is reflected in the quality of care provided by an institution and recruitment costs associated with turnover. High levels of job satisfaction are associated with high productivity (Hernandez et al.9 1988), high organizational commitment, and low intent to leave nursing (Curry et al.91985).
Comparison of final irrigation techniques in removal of calcium hydroxide.

The aim of this study was to compare new irrigation systems with a conventional irrigation technique for the removal of inter-appointment calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2 ]. Forty-seven extracted human single-rooted teeth were instrumented, and Ca(OH)2 paste was placed into root canals by using a lentulo spiral at the apical third. Teeth were randomly divided into three groups according to different irrigation protocols using a 30-gauge slot-tipped needle, EndoVac system and ProUltra® PiezoFlow™ ultrasonic irrigation system. Scanning electron microscopic images of the selected root canal surfaces (cervical, middle and apical third) were evaluated using a 5-grade scale. The influence of the irrigation system was evaluated using a two-way analysis of variance test and Tukey's test. The EndoVac and PiezoFlow groups demonstrated the lowest scale values (cleanest canals); however, there was no statistical difference between these two groups. The conventional irrigation group exhibited significantly higher scores (P < 0.05). The conventional needle irrigation was not sufficient to remove Ca(OH)2 from the root canal system. Irrigation with EndoVac and PiezoFlow™ ultrasonic irrigation systems improved the removal of the intracanal medicament resulting in cleaner root canal walls.
Effects of extreme drought on specific leaf area of grassland species: A meta‐analysis of experimental studies in temperate and sub‐Mediterranean systems

Here, we conducted a meta‐analysis of experimental drought manipulation studies using rainout shelters in five sites of natural grassland ecosystems of Europe. The single studies assess the effects of extreme drought on the intraspecific variation of the specific leaf area (SLA), a proxy of plant growth. We evaluate and compare the effect size of the SLA response for the functional groups of forbs and grasses in temperate and sub‐Mediterranean systems. We hypothesized that the functional groups of grasses and forbs from temperate grassland systems have different strategies in short‐term drought response, measured as adjustment of SLA, with SLA‐reduction in grasses and SLA‐maintenance in forbs. Second, we hypothesized that grasses and forbs from sub‐Mediterranean systems do not differ in their drought response as both groups maintain their SLA. We found a significant decrease of SLA in grasses of the temperate systems in response to drought while SLA of forbs showed no significant response. Lower SLA is associated with enhanced water‐use efficiency under water stress and thus can be seen as a strategy of phenotypic adjustment. By contrast, in the sub‐Mediterranean systems, grasses significantly increased their SLA in the drought treatment. This result points towards a better growth performance of these grasses, which is most likely related to their strategy to allocate resources to belowground parts. The observed SLA reduction of forbs is most likely a direct drought response given that competitive effect of grasses is unlikely due to the scanty vegetation cover. We point out that phenotypic adjustment is an important driver of short‐term functional plant response to climatic extremes such as drought. Differential reactions of functional groups have to be interpreted against the background of the group's evolutionary configuration that can differ between climatic zones.
A Short Scale for Measuring Loneliness in Large Surveys

Most studies of social relationships in later life focus on the amount of social contact, not on individuals’perceptions of social isolation. However, loneliness is likely to be an important aspect of aging. A major limiting factor in studying loneliness has been the lack of a measure suitable for large-scale social surveys. This article describes a short loneliness scale developed specifically for use on a telephone survey. The scale has three items and a simplified set of response categories but appears to measure overall loneliness quite well. The authors also document the relationship between loneliness and several commonly used measures of objective social isolation. As expected, they find that objective and subjective isolation are related. However, the relationship is relatively modest, indicating that the quantitative and qualitative aspects of social relationships are distinct. This result suggests the importance of studying both dimensions of social relationships in the aging process.
Psychosocial Predictors of Adjustment Among First Year College of Education Students

The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of psychological and social factors to the prediction of adjustment to college. A total of 250 first year students from colleges of education in Kwara State, Nigeria, completed measures of self-esteem, emotional intelligence, stress, social support and adjustment. Regression analyses revealed that all the independent variables predicted adjustments. Social support interacted with stress to predict adjustment. Implications for the counselors, parents and college authorities in enhancing students’ adjustment to college were discussed. Further, the findings implicated the need for college authorities to integrate activities designed to improve students’ adjustment into college co-curricular activities meant for youth development.