Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the effect of diallyl sulfide on regulation of inflammatory mRNA expression in 3T3L1 adipocytes and RAW 264.7 macrophages during ethanol treatment

Abstract Diallyl sulfide (DAS) has been studied extensively for its alleged role as an anticancer and protective agent. Alcohol influences and effects on human health have been extensively studied. However, investigations toward developing and testing therapeutic agents that can reduce the tissue injury caused by ethanol are scarce. In this backdrop, this study was designed to explore the potential effect of DAS in reducing alcohol induced damage of 3T3L1 adipocytes and RAW 264.7 macrophages. MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay was performed to determine the DAS effect on cell viability. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was assessed by flow cytometer. Expression of inflammatory genes was studied by the qRT-PCR method. Our study results showed that DAS at concentrations less than 200 μM was not toxic to the cells and the viability of ethanol-exposed 3T3L1 adipocyte cells was found to be significantly increased when ethanol-exposed cells were treated with DAS. Further, treatment of ethanol-exposed 3T3L1 cells with 100 μM DAS for 24 h was found to reduce ethanol induced ROS production, expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and enhance anti-inflammatory cytokine production in the cells. Also, 100 μM DAS was found to increase the expression of M2 phenotype-specific genes in ethanol-exposed RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Further, 100 μM DAS also improved the levels of lipid accumulation in 3T3L1 adipocytes that was down-regulated by ethanol exposure. Taken together, our study results imply that DAS may be effective in reducing ethanol induced injury of cells thereby suggesting its potential to be used in drug formulations.
Virtual screening of protein kinase C inhibitors from natural product library to modulate general anaesthetic effects

Protein kinase C (PKC) plays a key role in neurotransmission in the central nervous system, and targeting PKC domain is considered as a strategy to modulate the anaesthetic effects. In this study, we described a synthetic pipeline to perform high-throughput virtual screening against a large library of 3D structural natural products released recently in order to discover those potential PKC modulators. A total of 100 natural products with top scores were raised, from which 12 promising candidates were tested to determine their inhibitory potencies against PKC. As might be expected, the promiscuous kinase inhibitor staurosporine showed a high PKC inhibitory activity (IC50 = 64 nM), and other two tested compounds, i.e. fisetin and tetrahydropapaverine, were also highly potent with their activities at nanomolar level (IC50 = 370 and 190, respectively).
Effect of Production Process and Attitudes on the Intent to Buy Sustainable Beef

Abstract Previous studies on food consumption explore limited dimensions of the sustainable food production process. A model of consumer concern over the agricultural production process was developed to assess the influence of environmental attitudes, product involvement, and brand equity on the intent to buy sustainable beef. Interviews with experts, two focus groups, and a literature review were used to propose a scale for production process concerns. A survey of 725 beef consumers was conducted to test eight hypotheses. Results suggest that product involvement and concerns over the production process are related to attitude towards the environment and intent to buy sustainable beef. Moreover, as a result, the consumer bears a positive attitude towards sustainable consumption and is more likely to buy a sustainable product. Meanwhile, the rejected hypothesis refers to the relationship between brand equity and purchase intention. This new conceptual model may be validated with other food commodities.
Nonuniform thinned fiber Bragg gratings for simultaneous refractive index and temperature measurements

In this work, a novel method for simultaneous measurements of temperature and refractive index employing fiber Bragg gratings is presented. The principle of operation relies on the use of a single nonuniform thinned grating, where the cladding layer is partially or completely removed only in a part of the grating. The perturbation leads to a wavelength-splitting of the spectral response of the unperturbed structure in two separate peaks. The first one, corresponding to the thinned region, is sensitive to the local temperature and the surrounding refractive index changes, while the other one, related to the unperturbed part, would respond only to thermal changes. Here, wet chemical etching in a buffered hydrofluoric acid solution was used for sensor fabrication. Experimental characterization of the sensitivities to the external refractive index and temperature, varying in the range 1.33-1.45 and 15/spl deg/C-50/spl deg/C, respectively, is presented for a 7.6-/spl mu/m etched cladding sensor. The same approach can be efficiently used as key element for the development of sensors array for chemical sensing in practical applications.
When management concepts enter the public sector: a dual-level translation perspective

ABSTRACT We introduce a dual-level translation perspective to advance new understandings of how management concepts are modified when they enter the public sector. We concentrate on translation at two levels; the field and the organizational level, and illustrate the workings of this dual approach by studying Leadership Pipeline in Danish municipalities. Our analysis reveals how the original Leadership Pipeline translated into a “Public Sector Leadership Pipeline”, and how this “field level model” inspired municipalities and their translations. We suggest that changing a management concept before it enters specific organizations helps organize a better fit between public values and traveling management concepts.
Anion- and Cation-Exchange MicroHPLC Utilizing Poly(methacrylates)-coated Monolithic Silica Capillary Columns

A novel method was developed for the preparation of highly efficient anion- and cation-exchange microHPLC columns using an on-column polymerization of methacrylates having amine or sulfonic acid functional groups onto monolithic silica capillary columns modified with 3-methacryloxypropyltriethoxysilane as the anchor groups. The chromatographic evaluation of the columns using nucleic acids, nucleotides, and inorganic anions as samples showed the characteristics of the ion-exchange-type stationary phases. These columns exhibited higher separation efficiency when compared with the conventional particle-packed columns. A capillary column for the simultaneous anion- and cation-exchange separation could be prepared by a step-by-step functionalization. The advantages of this column preparation will include: (1) no need of column packing; (2) no need of the preparation of silane reagents possessing anion- and cation-exchange functionalities; (3) the amount of immobilized polymer could be controlled by changing polymerization conditions. These columns should be suitable for the separation of biologically active compounds by the microHPLC modes.
The antidepressants maprotiline and fluoxetine induce Type II autophagic cell death in drug‐resistant Burkitt's lymphoma

Resistance to chemotherapy is a major obstacle for the success of cancer therapy and is most commonly attributed to the inability of cancer cells to die by apoptosis, the archetypal programed cell death (PCD) response. The development of anticancer drugs that can overcome this resistance to apoptosis and induce other forms of cell death is therefore paramount for efficient cancer therapy. We report that the antidepressants maprotiline and fluoxetine induce autophagic PCD in the chemoresistant Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cell line DG‐75, which does not involve caspases, DNA fragmentation or PARP cleavage, but is associated with the development of cytoplasmic vacuoles, all consistent with an autophagic mode of PCD. Autophagic PCD was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, upregulation of Beclin‐I and the extent of PCD being reduced by the autophagic inhibitor 3‐MA. In contrast, these compounds induced apoptotic PCD in the biopsy‐like chemosensitive BL MUTU‐I cell line. We provide evidence that the chemoresistant DG‐75 cells do not express the proapoptotic Bcl‐2 proteins Bax and Bak, show diminished levels of stored intracellular calcium and display shortened rod‐like mitochondria, all of which are known to be associated with a defective “apoptotic” response in cancer cells. PCD in the two cell lines has different Ca2+ responses to maprotiline and fluoxetine, which may also account for their differential PCD responses. Our study, therefore, supports a new mechanistic role for maprotiline and fluoxetine as novel proautophagic agents in the treatment of resistant BL, and thus an alternative therapeutic application for these compounds.
Association of NAT and GST polymorphisms with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma: a population‐based case–control study

Several chemicals have been associated with risk of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), many of which are substrates for N‐acetyltransferase (NAT) and glutathione S‐transferase (GST) enzymes. We investigated the association between polymorphisms in genes coding for these enzymes and NHL risk in a population‐based study (389 cases and 535 controls). NAT1 slow genotype was associated with a slightly increased risk in women [odds ratios (OR) = 1·4; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0·9–2·3], but not in men. NAT2 slow genotype was not associated with risk in either sex. The two slow genotypes of NAT1 and NAT2 combined were associated with a minor increase of risk in women (OR = 1·4; 0·8–2·4). There was no association with the GSTM1 or GSTT1 null genotype in either sex, irrespective of histological subtypes. Individuals with GSTP1 Val homozygotes had non‐significant excessive risk of marginal zone lymphoma (OR = 1·8; 0·6–5·1) and ‘other’ B‐cell NHLs (OR = 1·6; 0·7–3·6), but lower risk of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (OR = 0·2; 0·1–0·96). Risk did not elevate with an increasing number of high‐risk GST alleles in either sex. In summary, although NAT1, NAT2, GSTM1, GSTT1, or GSTP1 polymorphisms do not appear to be associated with NHL risk overall, there might be gender‐specific and subtype‐specific associations that require confirmation.
Identification of Peptides That Antagonize Formyl Peptide Receptor-Like 1-Mediated Signaling1

Formyl peptide receptor-like 1 (FPRL1) is an important classical chemoattractant receptor that is expressed in phagocytic cells in the peripheral blood and brain. Recently, various novel agonists have been identified from several origins, such as host-derived molecules. Activation of FPRL1 is closely related to inflammatory responses in the host defense mechanism and neurodegenerative disorders. In the present study we identified several novel peptides by screening hexapeptide libraries that inhibit the binding of one of FPRL1’s agonists (Trp-Lys-Tyr-Met-Val-d-Met-CONH2 (WKYMVm)) to its specific receptor, FPRL1, in RBL-2H3 cells. Among the novel peptides, Trp-Arg-Trp-Trp-Trp-Trp-CONH2 (WRWWWW (WRW4)) showed the most potent activity in terms of inhibiting WKYMVm binding to FPRL1. We also found that WRW4 inhibited the activation of FPRL1 by WKYMVm, resulting in the complete inhibition of the intracellular calcium increase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation, and chemotactic migration of cells toward WKYMVm. For the receptor specificity of WRW4 to the FPR family, we observed that WRW4 specifically inhibit the increase in intracellular calcium by the FPRL1 agonists MMK-1, amyloid β42 (Aβ42) peptide, and F peptide, but not by the FPR agonist, fMLF. To investigate the effect of WRW4 on endogenous FPRL1 ligand-induced cellular responses, we examined its effect on Aβ42 peptide in human neutrophils. Aβ42 peptide-induced superoxide generation and chemotactic migration of neutrophils were inhibited by WRW4, which also completely inhibited the internalization of Aβ42 peptide in human macrophages. WRW4 is the first specific FPRL1 antagonist and is expected to be useful in the study of FPRL1 signaling and in the development of drugs against FPRL1-related diseases.
Edge perspectives in online scholarly communities: A network analysis of #critlib

The use of Twitter by scholars for public engagement is well‐established in the literature. However, fewer studies have looked into the composition of users engaged in scholarly communication on Twitter. This paper considers the degree to which Twitter chats are dominated by established versus emerging or amateur scholars through an investigation of #critlib, a hashtag around which library and information scholars and practitioners have congregated. #critlib Tweets over a period of three months are examined using social network analysis to determine the users most central to the conversation. The findings show that #critlib serves as an important space for emerging and amateur scholars to participate in the co‐creation of knowledge alongside experts in the field of LIS across a dispersed global network. The paper contributes to our knowledge of the #critlib community itself, suggests an impact of social media on the composition of scholarly communities, and deepens our understanding of networked participatory scholarship through the introduction of the idea of edge perspectives.
Somatosensory brainstem, thalamus, and cortex of the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus)

Pinnipeds (sea lions, seals, and walruses) are notable for many reasons, including their ape‐sized brains, their adaptation to a coastal niche that combines mastery of the sea with strong ties to land, and the remarkable abilities of their trigeminal whisker system. However, little is known about the central nervous system of pinnipeds. Here we report on the somatosensory areas of the nervous system of the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus). Using stains for Nissl, cytochrome oxidase, and vesicular glutamate transporters, we investigated the primary somatosensory areas in the brainstem, thalamus, and cortex in one sea lion pup and the external anatomy of the brain in a second pup. We find that the sea lion's impressive array of whiskers is matched by a large trigeminal representation in the brainstem with well‐defined parcellation that resembles the barrelettes found in rodents but scaled upward in size. The dorsal column nuclei are large and distinct. The ventral posterior nucleus of the thalamus has divisions, with a large area for the presumptive head representation. Primary somatosensory cortex is located in the neocortex just anterior to the main vertical fissure, and precisely locating it as we do here is useful for comparing the highly gyrified pinniped cortex with that of other carnivores. To our knowledge this work is the first comprehensive report on the central nervous system areas for any sensory system in a pinniped. The results may be useful both in the veterinary setting and for comparative studies related to brain evolution. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:1957–1975, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fine Mapping Reveals That Promotion Susceptibility Locus 1 (Psl1) Is a Compound Locus With Multiple Genes That Modify Susceptibility to Skin Tumor Development

Although it is well known that the majority of human cancers occur as the result of exposure to environmental carcinogens, it is clear that not all individuals exposed to a specific environmental carcinogen have the same risk of developing cancer. Considerable evidence indicates that common allelic variants of low-penetrance, tumor susceptibility genes are responsible for this interindividual variation in risk. We previously reported a skin tumor promotion susceptibility locus, Psl1, which maps to the distal portion of chromosome 9, that modified skin tumor promotion susceptibility in the mouse. Furthermore, Psl1 was shown to consist of at least two subloci (i.e., Psl1.1 and Psl1.2) and that glutathione S-transferase alpha 4 (Gsta4), which maps to Psl1.2, is a skin tumor promotion susceptibility gene. Finally, variants of human GSTA4 were found to be associated with risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer. In the current study, a combination of nested and contiguous C57BL/6 congenic mouse strains, each inheriting a different portion of the Psl1 locus from DBA/2, were tested for susceptibility to skin tumor promotion with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. These analyses indicate that Psl1 is a compound locus with at least six genes, including Gsta4, that modify skin tumor promotion susceptibility. More than 550 protein-coding genes map within the Psl1 locus. Fine mapping of the Psl1 locus, along with two-strain haplotype analysis, gene expression analysis, and the identification of genes with amino acid variants, has produced a list of fewer than 25 candidate skin tumor promotion susceptibility genes.
Physiologic Responses to Treadmill Running in Adult and Prepubertal Males

Little data are available directly comparing physiologic responses to endurance exercise in children and adults. To evaluate age related differences during maximal and submaximal treadmill exercise, physiologic parameters recorded during testing of 20 active prepubertal boys (aged 9-13 years) were compared with values obtained in nonathletic adult males aged 23-33 years. Maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) was 57.9 ml.kg-1.min-1 (6.9 SD) in the boys and 48.3 ml.kg-1.min-1 (4.9 SD) in the adults. Running economy examined both as VO2 at a treadmill speed of 9.6 kph and as the slope of linear regression of VO2 at four submaximal speeds was less in boys compared to men when values were expressed per kg body mass. Differences in running economy between the two groups disappeared, however, when related to body surface area. As expected, children had a higher stride frequency at a given treadmill speed, but running stride frequency was unrelated to economy with the two groups. Lower respiratory exchange ratios were observed at maximal and submaximal exercise in the children, which may reflect diminished anaerobic capacity or differences in substrate utilization. These results substantiate the high aerobic capacity previously observed in children and suggest that lower running economy in younger subjects may largely relate to a greater body surface are/mass ratio.
Community versus orthopaedic controls in traumatic brain injury research: How comparable are they?

Abstract Background: Community (CC) or orthopaedic/injury (OC) control groups are typically used to evaluate the consequences of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Whereas CCs match for demographic variables and are readily available, OCs may additionally control for other pre- and post-injury variables but are more costly to recruit. Together, they enable an evaluation of brain- vs general-injury effects. However, the comparability of these two groups and the increase in control over confounding variables when OCs are used has rarely been examined. Method: The current study compared samples of CCs (n = 71) and OCs (n = 69), aged between 18–80, on a range of demographic (age, gender, education, socio-economic status), background (medical history, handedness), psychosocial (alcohol use, fatigue, pain, depression, social support, community integration, ‘post-concussion’ symptoms) and cognitive (motor and processing speed, memory, intellectual ability) variables. Results: The two groups were comparable on all variables, except alcohol use, with the OC group having higher levels of alcohol consumption. However, alcohol use did not correlate with any other variable, including commonly used measures of outcome following TBI. Conclusion: The current findings suggest that an orthopaedic injury control group does not have any clear advantages over a carefully recruited community control group.
Prevalence & correlates of primary infertility among young women in Mysore, India

Background & objectives: There are sparse data on the prevalence of primary infertility in India and almost none from Southern India. This study describes the correlates and prevalence of primary infertility among young women in Mysore, India. Methods: The baseline data were collected between November 2005 through March 2006, among 897 sexually active women, aged 15-30 yr, for a study investigating the relationship of bacterial vaginosis and acquisition of herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) infection. A secondary data analysis of the baseline data was undertaken. Primary infertility was defined as having been married for longer than two years, not using contraception and without a child. Logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with primary infertility. Results: The mean age of the women was 25.9 yr (range: 16-30 yr) and the prevalence of primary infertility was 12.6 per cent [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 10.5-15.0%]. The main factor associated with primary infertility was HSV-2 seropositivity (adjusted odds ratio: 3.41; CI: 1.86, 6.26). Interpretation & conclusions: The estimated prevalence of primary infertility among women in the study was within the range reported by the WHO and similar to other estimates from India. Further research is needed to examine the role of HSV-2 in primary infertility.
Givers of great dinners know few enemies: The impact of household food security on micro-level communal conflict in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

This study establishes a direct linkage between household level food security and food benevolence with the reduction of conflict using novel data from 1763 households of North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. Using propensity score matching, we find that food security decreases conflict with other households by up to 10 percentage points and conflict against groups within the community by around 4 percentage points. Furthermore, households that help others with food experience a further reduction of up to 24 percentage points in conflict against individual households and 5.3 percentage points in conflict against groups. The findings indicate that benevolence towards others may be a potential channel through which food security reduces household level conflict. Our results hold through a rigorous set of robustness checks including a doubly robust estimator, placebo regression, matching quality tests and Rosenbaum bounds for hidden bias. We conclude by recommending more food security programs for micro-level conflict mitigation by promoting benevolence and social cohesion among community members.
Mass data storage platform for smart grid

With the continuous development of power systems, the scale of power grid is increasingly expanding, and the structure of it is becoming more and more complex. Traditional electrical network management cannot meet the current requirements. In this paper, we use load forecasting as a starting point, carrying on the exploration regarding heterogeneous multi-source data of the smart grid and doing research on short-term load forecasting. In the process of building the application platform of smart grid, we propose some solutions to solve these problems. In the study of heterogeneous multi-source data fusion, we proposed a fusion method of grid data based on CIM/XML after comparing the current method and do numerical simulation on our application platform of smart grid to test its feasibility. At the same time, we also do a lot research on the current situation of load forecasting. After analyzing the advantage and disadvantage of some normal forecasting methods, for example, the peer-fold ratio method, the ration smoothing method, grey prediction and variation coefficient method, we developed two comprehensive approaches, the method of weighted mean and the ratio method based on grey prediction, which will increase the accuracy, general applicability and stability of load forecasting. Through these studies and efforts, we build a friendly and visually interactive application platform, which will lay the foundation of further development about the application platform of smart grid.