Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plasma S-Nitrosothiol Status in Neonatal Calves: Ontogenetic Associations with Tissue-Specific S-Nitrosylation and Nitric Oxide Synthase

Neonatal cattle and in part neonates of other species have manyfold higher plasma concentrations of nitrite plus nitrate than mature cows and subjects of other species, suggesting an enhanced and needed activation of the nitric oxide (NO) axis at birth. While the biological half-life of NO is short (<1 sec), its functionality can be prolonged, and in many regards more discretely modulated, when it reacts with low-molecular-weight and protein-bound thiols to form S-nitrosothiols (RSNO), from which NO subsequently can be rereleased. We used the calf as a model to test the hypothesis that plasma concentrations of RSNO are elevated at birth in mammals, correlate with ascorbate and urate levels, are selectively generated in critical tissue beds, and are generated in a manner temporally coincident with changes in tissue levels of active NO synthases (NOS). Plasma concentrations of RSNO, ascorbate, and urate were highest immediately after birth (Day 0), dropped >50% on Day 1, and gradually decreased over time, reaching a nadir in mature cattle. Albumin and immunoglobulin G were identified as major plasma RSNO. The presence of S-nitrosocysteine (SNC, a validated marker for S-nitrosylated proteins), inducible NOS (iNOS), and activated endothelial NOS (eNOS phosphorylated at Ser1177) in different tissues was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in another group of similar-aged calves. SNC, iNOS, and phosphorylated eNOS were detected in liver and ileum at the earliest timepoint of sampling (4 hrs after birth), increased between 4 and 24 hrs, and then declined to near-nondetectable levels by 2 weeks of life. Our data show that the neonatal period in the bovine species is characterized by highly elevated and coordinated NO-generating and nitrosylation events, with the ontogenetic changes occurring in iNOS and eNOS contents in key tissues as well as RSNO products and associated antioxidant markers.
Mental health functioning (SF-36) and intentions to retire early among ageing municipal employees: The Helsinki Health Study

Aims: To examine the associations of mental health functioning with intentions to retire early among ageing municipal employees. Methods: Cross-sectional survey data (n=7,765) from the Helsinki Health Study in 2000, 2001, and 2002 were used. Intentions to retire early were sought with a question: ``Have you considered retiring before normal retirement age? '' The dependent variable was divided into three categories: 1=no intentions to retire early; 2=weak intentions; 3=strong intentions. Mental health functioning was measured by the Short Form 36 (SF-36) mental component summary (MCS). Other variables included age, sex, physical health functioning (SF-36), limiting longstanding illness, socioeconomic status, and spouse's employment status. Multinomial regression analysis was used to examine the association of mental health functioning with intentions to retire early. Results: Employees with the poorest mental health functioning were much more likely to report strong intentions to retire early (OR 6.09, 95% CI 4.97—7.47) than those with the best mental health functioning. Adjustments for physical health, socioeconomic status, and spouse's employment status did not substantially affect this association. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of mental health for intentions to retire early. Strategies aimed at keeping people at work for longer should emphasize the importance of mental well-being and the prevention of poor mental health. More evidence is needed on why mental problems among ageing baby-boomer employees are giving rise to increasing social consequences, although the overall prevalence of mental problems has not increased.
Iron deficiency among blood donors: experience from the Danish Blood Donor Study and from the Copenhagen ferritin monitoring scheme

Blood components collected from blood donors are an invaluable part of modern‐day medicine. A healthy blood donor population is therefore of paramount importance. The results from the Danish Blood Donor Study (DBDS) indicate that gender, number of previous donations, time since last donation and menopausal status are the strongest predictors of iron deficiency. Only little information on the health effects of iron deficiency in blood donors exits. Possibly, after a standard full blood donation, a temporarily reduced physical performance for women is observed. However, iron deficiency among blood donors is not reflected in a reduced self‐perceived mental and physical health.
Stereo matching using relative total variation and entropy

Depth estimation methods suffer from problems such as homogeneous region, depth discontinuous region, repetitive texture, and occlusion. In this paper, we propose a depth estimation method considering depth discontinuous, textureless region, and occlusion. First, we formulate MRF-MAP based energy function. The data term in the proposed energy function combines an intensity similarity term, a gradient differences term, and a relative total variation (RTV) term. A weight function on information of color entropy and gradients is defined. After optimizing the energy function via alpha expansion, we refine occlusion region and errors exploiting the initial depth map. To evaluate the performance of our proposed method, we measure the percentages of mismatching pixels (BPR). Consequently, the proposed method increases the accuracy of depth estimation, and experimental results show that the proposed method generates more robust depth maps compared to the conventional methods.
Inactivation of biofilm bacteria

The current project was developed to examine inactivation of biofilm bacteria and to characterize the interaction of biocides with pipe surfaces. Unattached bacteria were quite susceptible to the variety of disinfectants tested. Viable bacterial counts were reduced 99% by exposure to 0.08 mg of hypochlorous acid (pH 7.0) per liter (1 to 2 degrees C) for 1 min. For monochloramine, 94 mg/liter was required to kill 99% of the bacteria within 1 min. These results were consistent with those found by other investigators. Biofilm bacteria grown on the surfaces of granular activated carbon particles, metal coupons, or glass microscope slides were 150 to more than 3,000 times more resistant to hypochlorous acid (free chlorine, pH 7.0) than were unattached cells. In contrast, resistance of biofilm bacteria to monochloramine disinfection ranged from 2- to 100-fold more than that of unattached cells. The results suggested that, relative to inactivation of unattached bacteria, monochloramine was better able to penetrate and kill biofilm bacteria than free chlorine. For free chlorine, the data indicated that transport of the disinfectant into the biofilm was a major rate-limiting factor. Because of this phenomenon, increasing the level of free chlorine did not increase disinfection efficiency. Experiments where equal weights of disinfectants were used suggested that the greater penetrating power of monochloramine compensated for its limited disinfection activity. These studies showed that monochloramine was as effective as free chlorine for inactivation of biofilm bacteria. The research provides important insights into strategies for control of biofilm bacteria.
ADENOVIRUS‐MEDIATED FKBP12.6 OVEREXPRESSION INDUCES HYPERTROPHY AND APOPTOSIS IN CULTURED NEONATAL CARDIOMYOCYTES

1 Cardiac ryanodine RyR2 receptors regulate Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). FK506 binding protein (FKBP) 12.6 prevents aberrant SR Ca2+ leakage during diastole, thereby maintaining the integrity of RyR2 function. Previous studies have focused mainly on FKBP12.6 deficiency and so the pathophysiological consequences of FKBP12.6 overexpression remain unclear. Herein, we investigate the effect of FKBP12.6 overexpression on cardiac hypertrophic and apoptotic signalling. 2 Human FKBP12.6 cDNA was cloned into pAdTrack‐CMV and the resulting plasmid, along with a control empty plasmid, were transfected into bacteria. The resulting virus, namely Ad‐FKBP12.6 containing green fluorescent protein, was propagated and purified. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were infected with this virus. Protein and DNA synthesis were measured by [3H]‐leucine and [3H]‐thymidine incorporation, respectively. Expression of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1 or 2 (p‐ERK1/2) and Bax were examined by western blotting. 3 Compared with control cells, cardiomyocytes that overexpressed FKBP12.6 became hypertrophic and hyperplastic, with increased levels of both p38 MAPK and p‐ERK1/2. At the same time, overexpression of FKBP12.6 induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes, as determined by both Bax protein expression and DNA fragmentation. Rapamycin treatment downregulated the expression of p‐ERK1/2, p38 MAPK and Bax in stimulated cardiomyocytes, with or without FKBP12.6 overexpression, and enhanced protein synthesis, but had no effect on DNA synthesis in cardiomyocytes. 4 In conclusion, FKBP12.6 overexpression may participate in pathophysiological processes through both hypertrophic and apoptotic signalling pathways, leading to cardiomyocyte damage and death.
Association Between Night Waking and Child Health During the First 3 Years of Life

Objective: Night awakening is a common concern for parents and professionals in early childhood and a risk factor for child growth and development. This study examined the concurrent and longitudinal associations of night awakening with child health and illness during the first 3 years of life. Methods: Longitudinal data from 1364 infants in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development were used in this study. At ages 6, 15, 24, and 36 months, mothers reported on the frequency of their child's night awakening in the past week, overall health, and occurrences of illness. Information on demographic factors, including child sex and ethnicity/race, maternal education, and family income as well as child breastfeeding status was obtained at 1 month. Structural equation modeling, including latent growth curve modeling, was performed. Results: Age-related changes in weekly frequency of night awakening and overall child health were characterized by curvilinear patterns between 6 and 36 months. Although more frequent night awakenings were associated with poorer health at 6 months, a faster decline in night awakenings was associated with a slowed health decline over time. Furthermore, more frequent night awakenings were concurrently associated with more occurrences of illness at ages 6, 15, and 24 months. The association between night awakening and illness dissipated by 36 months. Conclusion: Night awakening is concurrently and longitudinally associated with poorer health and more illnesses in early childhood.
The NMR structure of 31mer RNA domain of Escherichia coli RNase P RNA using its non-uniformly deuterium labelled counterpart [the 'NMR-window' concept].

The NMR structure of a 31mer RNA constituting a functionally important domain of the catalytic RNase P RNA from Escherichia coli is reported. Severe spectral overlaps of the proton resonances in the natural 31mer RNA (1) were successfully tackled by unique spectral simplifications found in the partially-deuterated 31 mer RNA analogue (2) incorporating deuterated cytidines [C5 (>95 atom % 2H), C2' (>97 atom % 2H), C3' (>97 atom % 2H), C4' (>65 atom % 2H) and C5' (>97 atom % 2H)] [for the 'NMR-window' concept see: Földesi,A. et al. (1992) Tetrahedron, 48, 9033; Foldesi,A. et al. (1993) J. Biochem. Biophys. Methods, 26, 1; Yamakage,S. -I. et al. (1993) Nucleic Acids Res., 21, 5005; Agback,P. et al. (1994) Nucleic Acids Res., 22, 1404; Földesi,A. et al. (1995) Tetrahedron, 51, 10065; Földesi,A. et al. (1996) Nucleic Acids Res., 24, 1187-1194]. 175 resonances have been assigned out of total of 235 non-exchangeable proton resonances in (1) in an unprecedented manner in the absence of 13C and 15N labelling. 41 out of 175 assigned resonances could be accomplished with the help of the deuterated analogue (2). The two stems in 31mer RNA adopt an A-type RNA conformation and the base-stacking continues from stem I into the beginning of the loop I. Long distance cross-strand NOEs showed a structured conformation at the junction between stem I and loop I. The loop I-stem II junction is less ordered and shows structural perturbation at and around the G11 -C22 base pair.
Elite Distance Runners and Breastfeeding

Background: Elite female distance runners lack guidelines regarding breastfeeding while training at a high intensity. Objectives: The purpose of this research was to understand how elite female distance runners manage breastfeeding. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 14 women who had had at least one pregnancy within the past 5 years and had achieved a minimum of the USA Track and Field 2012 Olympic Trials “B” entry standard for running for the marathon or equivalent performance for 1,500 m or longer. Results: Using thematic analysis, we identified the following themes: breastfeeding as a barrier to training and competition, limited access to relevant breastfeeding information, and concerns for the baby’s health. Our findings show that despite the considerable barriers with which these women contend, they breastfed at higher rates and for longer duration than members of the general public. Conclusion: Based on our findings, we argue that elite female distance runners’ experiences of breastfeeding would be enhanced if more research were conducted on breastfeeding practices while training and competing at an elite level.
A 2×2 wideband and high-gain Ka- band LTCC patch antenna array using aritificial magnetic conductor structures

The artificial magnetic conductor structures (AMCs) is proposed to enhance the bandwidth and gain of a millimeter-wave (mmW) patch antenna. A multi-layer laminated waveguide (LWG) low-loss array feeding network and the multi-layer T-type divider are specially analyzed and designed. The overall structure of an mmW antenna array using AMCs is designed in low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) process in which the feeding network and compact transition between LWG and rectangle waveguide (RWG) are integrated. The simulated bandwidth of the 2×2 array is 11.43% which is much larger than that of the reference array on PEC plane. The maximum gain can reach 12.9 dBi while the stable radiation pattern can be observed also.
Interaction between pancreatic β cell and electromagnetic fields: A systematic study toward finding the natural frequency spectrum of β cell system

ABSTRACT Interaction between biological systems and environmental electric or magnetic fields has gained attention during the past few decades. Although there are a lot of studies that have been conducted for investigating such interaction, the reported results are considerably inconsistent. Besides the complexity of biological systems, the important reason for such inconsistent results may arise due to different excitation protocols that have been applied in different experiments. In order to investigate carefully the way that external electric or magnetic fields interact with a biological system, the parameters of excitation, such as intensity or frequency, should be selected purposefully due to the influence of these parameters on the system response. In this study, pancreatic β cell, the main player of blood glucose regulating system, is considered and the study is focused on finding the natural frequency spectrum of the system using modeling approach. Natural frequencies of a system are important characteristics of the system when external excitation is applied. The result of this study can help researchers to select proper frequency parameter for electrical excitation of β cell system. The results show that there are two distinct frequency ranges for natural frequency of β cell system, which consist of extremely low (or near zero) and 100–750 kHz frequency ranges. There are experimental works on β cell exposure to electromagnetic fields that support such finding.
Evidence of Interaction Between PPARG2 and HNF4A Contributing to Variation in Insulin Sensitivity in Mexican Americans

OBJECTIVE—We hypothesized that interaction between PPARG2 Pro12Ala and variants in the promoter region of HNF4A are associated with type 2 diabetes–related quantitative traits in Mexican-American families of a proband with previous gestational diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—The BetaGene project genotyped PPARG2 Pro12Ala and nine HNF4A single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 473 individuals in 89 families. Members of the proband generation had fasting glucose <126 mg/dl and were phenotyped by oral and intravenous glucose tolerance tests. RESULTS—Neither PPARG2 Pro12Ala nor any of the nine HNF4A SNPs were independently associated with type 2 diabetes–related quantitative traits. However, the interaction between PPARG2 Pro12Ala and HNF4A rs2144908 was significantly associated with both insulin sensitivity (SI) (Bonferroni P = 0.0006) and 2-h insulin (Bonferroni P = 0.039). Subjects with at least one PPARG2 Ala allele and homozygous for the HNF4A rs2144908 A allele had 40% higher SI compared with individuals with at least one G allele. SI did not vary by rs2144908 genotype among PPARG2 Pro/Pro. The interaction result for SI was replicated by the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Family Study (P = 0.018) in their San Antonio sample (n = 484) where subjects with at least one PPARG2 Ala allele and homozygous for the HNF4A rs2144908 A allele had a 29% higher SI compared with individuals with at least one G allele. However, the interaction was not replicated in their San Luis Valley sample (n = 496; P = 0.401). CONCLUSIONS—Together, these results suggest that variation in PPARG2 and HNF4A may interact to regulate insulin sensitivity in Mexican Americans at risk for type 2 diabetes.
Specific binding of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Gag-derived proteins to a 5' HIV-1 genomic RNA sequence

We developed an in vitro binding assay to study the specific interaction between human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA and the Gag polyprotein. Binding of the in vitro-expressed protein to in vitro-transcribed RNA was determined by altered migration of the protein in polyacrylamide gels. We found that a Gag precursor lacking the matrix domain bound specifically to HIV-1 RNA, while deletion of both matrix and capsid domains diminished the specificity of binding. Among several regions of HIV-1 RNA tested, strongest binding was seen with the 5'-most 261 nucleotides, while antisense RNA from the same region did not bind.
Structural and functional abnormalities of retinal ganglion cells measured in vivo at the onset of optic nerve head surface change in experimental glaucoma.

PURPOSE To compare peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), RNFL retardance, and retinal function at the onset of optic nerve head (ONH) surface topography change in experimental glaucoma (EG). METHODS Thirty-three rhesus macaques had three or more weekly baseline measurements in both eyes of ONH surface topography, peripapillary RNFLT, RNFL retardance, and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG). Laser photocoagulation was then applied to the trabecular meshwork of one eye to induce chronic elevation of IOP and weekly recordings continued alternating between ONH surface topography and RNFLT during one week and RNFL retardance and mfERG the next week. Data were pooled for the group at the onset of ONH surface topography change in each EG eye, which was defined as the first date when either the mean position of the disc (MPD) fell below the 95% confidence limit of each eye's individual baseline range and/or when the topographic change analysis (TCA) map was subjectively judged as having demonstrated change, whichever came first. Analysis of variance with post hoc tests corrected for multiple comparisons were used to assess parameter changes. RESULTS At onset of ONH surface topography change, there was no significant difference for RNFLT versus baseline or fellow control eyes. RNFL retardance and mfERG were significantly reduced in the recordings just prior (median of 9 days) to ONH onset (P < 0.01) and had progressed significantly (P < 0.001) an average of 17 days later (median of 7 days after ONH onset). RNFLT did not exhibit significant thinning until 15 days after onset of ONH surface topography change (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS These results support the hypothesis that during the course of glaucomatous neurodegeneration, axonal cytoskeletal and retinal ganglion cell functional abnormalities exist before thinning of peripapillary RNFL axon bundles begins.
Light‐ and dark‐dependent orexinergic neuronal signals promote neurodegenerative phenomena accounting for distinct behavioral responses in the teleost Thalassoma pavo

The neuropeptides hypocretins/orexins (ORX) are known to control state‐dependent activities such as sleep–wakefulness, energy homeostasis, thermoregulation, and maternal behaviors. To date, interests regarding environmental‐related ORX‐ergic neuronal functions have dealt with mammals; only recently is attention beginning to be directed toward aquatic vertebrates. Here, photoperiod‐dependent effects of ORX‐A on behavioral, neurodegenerative and transcriptional activities were evaluated in some forebrain areas of a teleost Labridae (ornate wrasse, Thalassoma pavo). The ornate wrasse, when treated intraperitoneally with a high physiological dose (100 ng/g) of ORX‐A and exposed to a natural photoperiod (12L:12D), exhibited very high (P < 0.001) locomotion and feeding behaviors. ORX‐A in the presence of a constant light photoperiod accounted for numerically even greater (>500%) feeding frequencies. Conversely, constant dark conditions very strongly reduced feeding habits and moderately (P < 0.05) increased resting states. In this case, the same ORX‐A and photoperiodic conditions responsible for altered behaviors also induced neurodegenerative processes in the different hypothalamic, mesencephalic, and telencephalic neuronal fields. Interestingly, this ORX‐A treatment seemed to be correlated to greater up‐regulatory patterns of ORX receptor mRNA in these same brain areas, above all under constant light conditions rather than natural photoperiod. On the other hand, telencephalic sites provided a very active expression capacity during the dark phase. Overall, these results suggest for the first time that at least in the ornate wrasse, light‐ and dark‐dependent ORX‐ergic neuronal activities are able to cause short‐ and long‐term abnormal motor behaviors, likely through neurodegenerative and transcriptional events in a brain regional manner. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.