Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of ketoprofen, lidocaine local anesthesia, and combined xylazine and lidocaine caudal epidural anesthesia during castration of beef cattle on stress responses, immunity, growth, and behavior.

To determine the effects of burdizzo castration alone or in combination with ketoprofen (K), local anesthesia (LA), or caudal epidural anesthesia (EPI) on plasma cortisol, acute-phase proteins, interferon-gamma production, growth, and behavior of beef cattle, 50 Holstein x Friesian bulls (13 mo old, 307 +/- 5.3 kg) were assigned to (n = 10/treatment): 1) control (handled; C); 2) burdizzo castration (B); 3) B following K (3 mg/ kg of BW i.v.; BK); 4) B following LA (8 mL into each testis and 3 mL s.c. along the line where the jaws of the burdizzo were applied with 2% lidocaine HCl; BLA); and 5) B following EPI (0.05 mg/kg of BW of xylazine HCl and 0.4 mg/kg of BW of lidocaine HCl as caudal epidural; BEPI). The area under the cortisol curve against time was lower (P < 0.05) in BK than in B, BLA, or BEPI animals. On d 1 after treatment, plasma haptoglobin concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) in B, BLA, and BEPI than in BK animals. On d 3, haptoglobin and plasma fibrinogen concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) in all castration groups than in C. On d 7, haptoglobin and fibrinogen concentrations remained higher (P < 0.05) in BLA than in B and C animals. On d 1, concanavalin A-induced interferon-gamma production was lower (P < 0.05) in B, BLA, and BEPI than in C, but there was no difference between BK and C animals. From d -1 to 35, ADG was lower (P < 0.05) in B, BLA, and BEPI animals, but not in BK compared with C animals. Overall, there was a higher (P < 0.05) incidence of combined abnormal postures in B than in C, BK and BEPI animals. Although the use of K and EPI decreased (P < 0.05) these postures compared with B alone or B with LA, there was no difference between the K and EPI treatment. In conclusion, burdizzo castration increased plasma cortisol and acute-phase proteins, and suppressed immune function and growth rates. Local anesthesia prolonged the increase in acute-phase proteins. Ketoprofen was more effective than LA or EPI in decreasing cortisol and partially reversed the reduction in ADG following castration. The use of K or EPI was more effective than LA in decreasing pain-associated behavioral responses observed during the first 6 h after treatment. Systemic analgesia with ketoprofen, a non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug, was more effective in reducing inflammatory responses associated with castration than LA or EPI.
The Psychological Benefits of Political Participation

This paper asks whether political participation confers psychological benefits. Four hypotheses were tested: that involvement in volunteer activities reduces subsequent psychological distress, that resisting perceived discrimination does, that the benefits of political involvement are more pronounced for respondents prone to psychological distress, and that any observed benefits of political involvement are attributable to a psychological trait. The study employed data from a long-running panel survey. Political activity appeared to be more beneficial for respondents prone to psychological distress. These findings suggest that participation is a resource that alleviates psychological distress, which might offset some of the negative mental health consequences associated with disadvantaged social status. The results are discussed in light of recent theories attributing health benefits to social capital and empowerment.
Degradation of 24S-hydroxycholesterol in men is not regulated by CYP7A1.

OBJECTIVE The conversion of cholesterol into bile acids occurs via a long cascade of enzymatically regulated oxidative processes. Our aim was to examine if an up-regulation of hepatic cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) in humans by cholestyramine, a bile acid-binding resin, has an effect on the degradation of brain-specific 24S-hydroxycholesterol. PATIENTS AND METHODS Six normocholesterolemic male volunteers received 4 g cholestyramine b.i. d. for 2 weeks in an open, prospective exploratory trial. Serum concentrations of lipoproteins and triglycerides were measured by routine enzymatic assays. Sterols and oxysterols were measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. RESULTS Total and LDL-cholesterol decreased on the average by 9.3% (p = 0.002) and 19.8% (p = 0.001) after 2 weeks of treatment, respectively. Absolute serum concentrations of 7alpha-hydroxycholesterol, a marker for bile acid production, increased 4-fold after 2 weeks, while 24S- and 27-hydroxycholesterol remained unchanged. Treatment with cholestyramine elevated serum levels of lathosterol, an indicator for the endogenous synthesis of cholesterol, by 146% (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION In addition to lowering serum concentrations of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, cholestyramine at a dose rate of 4 g b.i. d. causes a significant increase in the CYP7A1 catalyzed 7alpha-hydroxylation of cholesterol and an up-regulation of endogenous cholesterol synthesis, as proven indirectly by an increase in serum lathosterol levels. Total serum levels of 24S- and 27-hydroxycholesterol remained unchanged indicating that an up-regulation in CYP7A1 activity is not responsible for the subsequent oxidative degradation of these hydroxylated sterols.
Accelerated MR imaging using compressive sensing with no free parameters

We describe and evaluate a robust method for compressive sensing MRI reconstruction using an iterative soft thresholding framework that is data‐driven, so that no tuning of free parameters is required. The approach described here combines a Nesterov type optimal gradient scheme for iterative update along with standard wavelet‐based adaptive denoising methods, resulting in a leaner implementation compared with the nonlinear conjugate gradient method. Tests with T2 weighted brain data and vascular 3D phase contrast data show that the image quality of reconstructions is comparable with those from an empirically tuned nonlinear conjugate gradient approach. Statistical analysis of image quality scores for multiple datasets indicates that the iterative soft thresholding approach as presented here may improve the robustness of the reconstruction and the image quality, when compared with nonlinear conjugate gradient that requires manual tuning for each dataset. A data‐driven approach as illustrated in this article should improve future clinical applicability of compressive sensing image reconstruction. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hepatoprotective Activity of Methanolic Extract of Rhyncosia Beddomei Baker Leaves Against Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Hepatotoxicity

Rhyncosia beddomei Baker commonly known as Adavi-kandi, Vendiaku in Telugu belongs to the family Fabaceae.In the present study, the methanolic extract of Rhyncosia beddomei leaves was evaluated for its hepatoprotective effect against CCl4 induced hepatic injury in rats. Alteration in the levels of biochemical markers of hepatic damage like SGOT, SGPT, ALP, triglycerides, bilirubin, total proteins and liver weight were tested in both treated and untreated groups. CCl4 (1ml/kg) enhanced the SGPT, SGOT, ALP, triglycerides, liver weight and reduced total proteins significantly. Treatment with methanolic extract of Rhyncosia beddomei leaves (200mg/kg and 400mg/kg) has brought back the altered levels of altered levels of biochemical markers significantly to the near normal levels in the dose dependant manner. Histopathological studies supported the hepatoprotective activity of Rhyncosia beddomei Baker.
The asymmetric self-assembly mechanism of adherens junctions: a cellular push–pull unit

To form adherens junctions (AJ), cells first establish contact by sending out lamellipodia onto neighboring cells. We investigated the role of contacting cells in AJ assembly by studying an asymmetric AJ motif: finger-like AJ extending across the cell–cell interface. Using a cytoskeleton replica and immunofluorescence, we observed that actin bundles embedded in the lamellipodia are co-localized with stress fibers in the neighboring cell at the AJ. This suggests that donor lamellipodia present actin fingers, which are stabilized by acceptor lamellae via acto-myosin contractility. Indeed, we show that changes in actin network geometry promoted by Rac overexpression lead to corresponding changes in AJ morphology. Moreover, contractility inhibition and enhancement (via drugs or local traction) lead respectively to the disappearance and further growth of AJ fingers. Thus, we propose that receiving lamellae exert a local pull on AJ, promoting further polymerization of the donor actin bundles. In spite of different compositions, AJ and focal contacts both act as cellular mechanosensors.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Index of Self-Regulation

Index of Self-Regulation (ISR) is a nine-item scale designed primarily to measure individuals’ level of self-regulation for physical activity. The aim of this study is to report psychometric characteristics of the ISR. The ISR scale was administered in a sample of 183 adult patients at 2 weeks following graduation from cardiac rehabilitation, 3 months following graduation, and 6 months following graduation. The internal consistency of the ISR was high at all three time points, with Cronbach’s alphas of . 81 to . 96 across time points. The test—retest reliability was fairly high, with an overall coefficient of . 73. There was evidence of concurrent validity of the ISR based on its moderately significant correlations with other theoretically relevant variables, including self-knowledge and motivational appraisal for physical activity. In conclusion, the ISR is a reliable and valid measure to assess the level of self-regulation in the maintenance of physical activity.
Ethical leadership and work engagement: A moderated mediation model

Drawing on social cognitive theory, this study extends our understanding of the relationship between ethical leadership and employee work engagement, by exploring self-efficacy as an important mediating variable. In addition, we propose that the quality of LMX moderates the relationships such that the direct and indirect relationships between ethical leadership, self-efficacy, and work engagement are stronger when the quality of LMX is high. Data collected in two-waves from 373 respondents working in different manufacturing organizations of Pakistan supported our hypothesized theoretical model. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Cinnamate-4-Hydroxylase Expression in Arabidopsis (Regulation in Response to Development and the Environment)

Cinnamate-4-hydroxylase (C4H) is the first Cyt P450-dependent monooxygenase of the phenylpropanoid pathway. To study the expression of this gene in Arabidopsis thaliana, a C4H cDNA clone from the Arabidopsis expressed sequence tag database was identified and used to isolate its corresponding genomic clone. The entire C4H coding sequence plus 2.9 kb of its promoter were isolated on a 5.4-kb HindIII fragment of this cosmid. Inspection of the promoter sequence revealed the presence of a number of putative regulatory motifs previously identified in the promoters of other phenylpropanoid pathway genes. The expression of C4H was analyzed by RNA blot hybridization analysis and in transgenic Arabidopsis carrying a C4H-[beta]-glucuronidase transcriptional fusion. C4H message accumulation was light-dependent, but was detectable even in dark-grown seedlings. Consistent with these data, C4H mRNA was accumulated to light-grown levels in etiolated det1–1 mutant seedlings. C4H is widely expressed in various Arabidopsis tissues, particularly in roots and cells undergoing lignification. The C4H-driven [beta]-glucuronidase expression accurately reflected the tissue-specificity and wound-inducibility of the C4H promoter indicated by RNA blot hybridization analysis. A modest increase in C4H expression was observed in the tt8 mutant of Arabidopsis.
Real-time PCR for quantitative detection of mitochondrial DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cell in patients with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma

The alteration of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content could affect the expression of genes which causes many tumor diseases. However, the association between mtDNA content in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains undetermined. First of all, establishing a reliable assay to detect mtDNA content is of great clinical significance. In this study, the method of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) with SYBR Green I was established to evaluate mtDNA content in PBMC of healthy controls (n=23) and non-surgical HBV-related HCC cases (n=46). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was carried out to assess the clinical significance of mtDNA content for diagnosing HCC. Consequently, linear range of the assay was between 1×1010 copies/μl and 1×103 copies/μl. Sensitivity was 800 copies/μl. Besides, HCC cases had a significantly lower mtDNA content than healthy controls (378.55 [58.20-784.85] vs 715.48 [292.00-1280.00]; P<0.001). When 489.90 copies/μl was set as the cut-off point, the sensitivity and specificity of mtDNA content to diagnose HCC were 82.6% and 71.7%, respectively. In conclusion, a simple, cost-effective, highly sensitive and specific method to detect mtDNA content is established. This method can be applied to clinical laboratory for detecting mtDNA content. Moreover, our study provides the first epidemiological evidence that mtDNA content in PBMC is significantly associated with HCC. mtDNA content in PBMC could serve as a novel clinical diagnostic indicator for HCC which may need more researches to validate.
Involvement of conventional kinesin in glucose-stimulated secretory granule movements and exocytosis in clonal pancreatic β-cells

Recruitment of secretory vesicles to the cell surface is essential for the sustained secretion of insulin in response to glucose. At present, the molecular motors involved in this movement, and the mechanisms whereby they may be regulated, are undefined. To investigate the role of kinesin family members, we labelled densecore vesicles in clonal β-cells using an adenovirally expressed, vesicle-targeted green fluorescent protein (phogrin.EGFP), and employed immunoadsorption to obtain highly purified insulin-containing vesicles. Whereas several kinesin family members were expressed in this cell type, only conventional kinesin heavy chain (KHC) was detected in vesicle preparations. Expression of a dominant-negative KHC motor domain (KHCmut) blocked all vesicular movements with velocity> 0.4 μm second-1, which demonstrates that kinesin activity was essential for vesicle motility in live β-cells. Moreover, expression of KHCmut strongly inhibited the sustained, but not acute, stimulation of secretion by glucose. Finally, vesicle movement was stimulated by ATP dose-dependently in permeabilized cells, which suggests that glucose-induced increases in cytosolic [ATP] mediate the effects of the sugar in vivo, by enhancing kinesin activity. These data therefore provide evidence for a novel mechanism whereby glucose may enhance insulin release.
Role of sialyloligosaccharide binding in Theiler's virus persistence

Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis viruses (TMEVs) belong to the Picornaviridae family and are divided into two groups, typified by strain GDVII virus and members of the TO (Theiler's original) group. The highly virulent GDVII group causes acute encephalitis in mice, while the TO group is less virulent and causes a chronic demyelinating disease which is associated with viral persistence in mice. This persistent central nervous system infection with demyelination resembles multiple sclerosis (MS) in humans and has thus become an important model for studying MS. It has been shown that some of the determinants associated with viral persistence are located on the capsid proteins of the TO group. Structural comparisons of two persistent strains (BeAn and DA) and a highly virulent strain (GDVII) showed that the most significant structural variations between these two groups of viruses are located on the sites that may influence virus binding to cellular receptors. Most animal viruses attach to specific cellular receptors that, in part, determine host range and tissue tropism. In this study, atomic models of TMEV chimeras were built with the known structures of GDVII, BeAn, and DA viruses. Comparisons among the known GDVII, BeAn, and DA structures as well as the predicted models for the TMEV chimeras suggested that a gap on the capsid surface next to the putative receptor binding site, composed of residues from VP1 and VP2, may be important in determining viral persistence by influencing virus attachment to cellular receptors, such as sialyloligosaccharides. Our results showed that sialyllactose, the first three sugar molecules of common oligosaccharides on the surface of mammalian cells, inhibits virus binding to the host cell and infection with the persistent BeAn virus but not the nonpersistent GDVII and chimera 39 viruses.
Immunopathology and Infectious Diseases Eosinophils Contribute to IL-4 Production and Shape the T-Helper Cytokine Profile and Inflammatory Response in Pulmonary Cryptococcosis

Susceptibility to infection with Cryptococcus neoformans is tightly determined by production of IL-4. In this study, we investigated the time course of IL-4 production and its innate cellular source in mice infected intranasally with C. neoformans. We show that pulmonary IL-4 production starts surprisingly late after 6 weeks of infection. Interestingly, in the lungs of infected mice, pulmonary T helper (Th) cells and eosinophils produce significant amounts of IL-4. In eosinophil-deficient dblGATA mice, IL-33 receptor–expressing Th2s are significantly reduced, albeit not absent, whereas protective Th1 and Th17 responses are enhanced. In addition, recruitment of pulmonary inflammatory cells during infection with C. neoformans is reduced in the absence of eosinophils. These data expand previous findings emphasizing an exclusively destructive effector function by eosinophilic granulocytes. Moreover, in dblGATA mice, fungal control is slightly enhanced in the lung; however, dissemination of Cryptococcus is not prevented. Therefore, eosinophils play an immunoregulatory role that contributes to Th2-dependent susceptibility in allergic inflammation during bronchopulmonary mycosis. (Am J Pathol 2011, 179:733–744; DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2011.04.025)
Short actin-based mechanism for light-directed chloroplast movement in Arabidopsis

Organelle movement is essential for proper function of living cells. In plants, these movements generally depend on actin filaments, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. Here, in Arabidopsis, we identify associations of short actin filaments along the chloroplast periphery on the plasma membrane side associated with chloroplast photorelocation and anchoring to the plasma membrane. We have termed these chloroplast-actin filaments (cp-actin filaments). Cp-actin filaments emerge from the chloroplast edge and exhibit rapid turnover. The presence of cp-actin filaments depends on an actin-binding protein, chloroplast unusual positioning1 (CHUP1), localized on the chloroplast envelope. chup1 mutant lacked cp-actin filaments but showed normal cytoplasmic actin filaments. When irradiated with blue light to induce chloroplast movement, cp-actin filaments relocalize to the leading edge of chloroplasts before and during photorelocation and are regulated by 2 phototropins, phot1 and phot2. Our findings suggest that plants evolved a unique actin-based mechanism for organelle movement.
Description of Pseudoameiropsissuphankaraytugi sp. nov.(Copepoda: Harpacticoida: Ameiridae) with the first report of the genus Pseudoameiropsis Pallares, 1982 outside of the South Atlantic Ocean

A new species of the monotypic genus Pseudoameiropsis was found in samples collected from the eastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. The new species can be separated from P. argentinus by the armature formula in the endopod of the second to fourth swimming legs (0, 1, 021; 0, 1, 121; 0, 1, 121 in P. argentinus, but 1, 1, 221; 1, 1, 221; 1, 1, 221 in the new species), and armature complement in the third exopodal segment of the fourth swimming leg (with eight setae/spines in the new species, but seven elements in P. argentinus). The general shape and armature of the female fifth leg is similar in the two species but some minor differences in their ornamentation were observed. This is also the first record of the genus in the Mediterranean Sea and outside of the South Atlantic Ocean.
Functional Duality Between Distributed Source Coding with One Distortion Criterion and Semi-Deterministic Broadcast Channel Coding in the Case of Correlated Messages

In this letter, functional duality between Distributed Source Coding with One Distortion Criterion (DSC-ODC) and correlated messages and Semi-Deterministic Broadcast Channel Coding (SD-BCC) with correlated messages is considered. It is shown that under certain conditions, for a given DSC-ODC problem with correlated messages, a functional dual SD-BCC problem with correlated messages can be obtained, and vice versa. In particular, the correlation structure of the messages in the two dual problems are the same. The source distortion measure and the channel cost measure for this duality are also specified.
Risk factors associated with pelvic fractures sustained in motor vehicle collisions involving newer vehicles.

BACKGROUND Despite advances in automotive safety, pelvic fractures caused by motor vehicle collisions remain a significant cause of mortality, morbidity, and functional disability. This study was designed to evaluate epidemiologic and biomechanic risk factors associated with pelvic fractures resulting from motor vehicle collisions. We utilized the Crash Injury Research Engineering Network (CIREN) database to identify these risk factors in newer vehicles. METHODS Data were prospectively collected at the ten CIREN centers from 1996 to 2005. Specific data were then abstracted on all patients, biomechanic crash characteristics, and injuries sustained. Patients involved in a frontal or near-side lateral impact with pelvic fractures were compared with those without. Univariate analysis was performed using a chi2 analysis. Logistic regression was used to identify significant risk factors in a multivariate analysis to control for confounding associations. RESULTS Of the 1,851 patients studied, 511 (27.6%) had a pelvic fracture. The overall mortality was 17%. Injury specific factors associated with pelvic fracture were higher Injury Severity Score (ISS) and fatality of the patient. Biomechanic factors associated with the risk of pelvic fracture included; no airbag deployment (p < 0.001), smaller vehicle (p = 0.05), and lateral deformation location (p < 0.001). When stratified by vehicle deformation location, logistic regression models revealed statically significant variables in a frontal impact which included; higher body mass index, higher ISS, large patient vehicle, no seatbelt use, and higher deltaV. For near-side lateral impacts, multivariate analysis revealed statistically significant variables of lower body mass index, higher ISS, female sex, small vehicle size, and higher deltaV. CONCLUSIONS Even in newer vehicles with federally mandated safety features, pelvic fractures remain a common injury. Pelvic fractures may serve as a marker of crash severity and specific crash characteristics are associated with pelvic fractures. Lateral crashes are significantly more likely to result in a pelvic fracture and, therefore, prevention of pelvic fractures should focus on improving occupant safety in near-side lateral impacts. Recognition of other associations should lead researchers to further investigate causative factors that will ultimately result in improved vehicle design.