Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Restricting Opportunities to Be Active during School Time: Do Children Compensate by Increasing Physical Activity Levels after School?

Abstract Opportunities for children to be physically active during school time are sparse and becoming increasingly so. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if children would compensate for school days (9 a.m.–3 p.m.) of restricted physical activity opportunities by increasing activity levels after school (3 p.m.–7:30 p.m.). Third and fourth grade children (N = 76) each wore a CSA accelerometer for 4 nonconsecutive days. Two days were categorized as active—during school, all children participated in outdoor recess and physical education class. Two days were categorized as restricted—all children spent their recess time indoors at a computer terminal, and no physical education class was scheduled. Dependent t tests revealed that children did not compensate for a sedentary school day by increasing their levels of physical activity after school. In fact, average movement counts per minute were higher in the 3 p.m. –7:30 p.m. period following the active day (525 counts·min−1) versus the restricted day (186 counts·min−1). These findings suggest cause for concern if children's opportunities to be active within school time are limited. Several reasons are given as to why children did not compensate or “make up” for the physical activity opportunities missed during the restricted school day.
Functional roles of cytoplasmic loops and pore lining transmembrane helices in the voltage‐dependent inactivation of HVA calcium channels

Voltage‐dependent inactivation of calcium channels is a key mechanism for regulating intracellular calcium levels and neuronal excitability. In sodium and potassium channels, the molecular determinants that govern fast inactivation involve pore block by a cytoplasmic gating particle. As we discuss here, there is an increasing body of evidence that is consistent with a qualitatively similar inactivation mechanism in high‐voltage‐activated calcium channels. Work from a number of laboratories has implicated both cytoplasmic regions and the pore‐lining S6 transmembrane helices in the inactivation process. Together with our recent findings, this leads us to propose a model in which the intracellular domain I–II linker region acts as a ‘hinged lid’ that physically occludes the pore by docking to the cytoplasmic ends of the S6 segments. We further propose that the ancillary calcium channel β subunits differentially modulate inactivation kinetics by binding to and thereby regulating the mobility of the putative inactivation gate. Indeed, additional evidence suggests that the carboxy terminus, amino terminus and domain III–IV linker regions of the channel modulate inactivation rates through interactions with the I–II linker per se, or indirectly via the ancillary β subunits. Taken together, the fast voltage‐dependent inactivation of calcium channels appears reminiscent of that of sodium channels, but appears to show a more complex regulation through intramolecular interactions between the putative inactivation gate and other cytoplasmic regions.
Planar Two-dimensional Electron Gas (2DEG) IDT SAW Filter on AlGaN/GaN Heterostructure

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters using two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) as interdigital transducers (IDT) on AlGaN/GaN heterostructure has been demonstrated for the first time using a fluoride-based (CF4) plasma treatment technique. The CF4 plasma treatment is used to pattern 2DEG IDT on a planar surface without removing the top AlGaN layer. The RF characteristics of the SAW filters with planar 2DEG IDTs are compared with metal IDT SAW filters. It is shown that the massloading effects and the triple-transit-interference (TTI) are suppressed in the 2DEG IDT SAW devices owing to the removal of the metal IDTs. It is capable of reducing not only the passband ripple, but also the size of devices because 2DEG IDTs can be placed closer. In addition, the detection part of the SAW sensor can be performed on the top of the planar 2DEG IDTs rather than in the SAW propagation path. This novel SAW device can be integrated with high-electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) on AlGaN/GaN heterostructure to deliver a viable approach for single chip GaN wireless sensors.
Large Identified Pyramidal Cells in Macaque Motor and Premotor Cortex Exhibit “Thin Spikes”: Implications for Cell Type Classification

Recent studies have suggested that extracellular recordings of putative cortical interneurons have briefer spikes than those of pyramidal neurons, providing a means of identifying cortical cell types in recordings from awake monkeys. To test this, we investigated the spike duration of antidromically identified pyramidal tract neurons (PTNs) recorded from primary motor (M1) or ventral premotor cortex (area F5) in 4 awake macaque monkeys. M1 antidromic latencies (ADLs) were skewed toward short ADLs (151 PTNs; 0.5–5.5 ms, median 1.1 ms) and significantly different from that of F5 ADLs (54 PTNs; 1.0–6.9 ms, median 2.6 ms). The duration of PTN spikes, recorded with a high-pass filter of 300 Hz and measured from the negative trough to the positive peak of the spike waveform, ranged from 0.15 to 0.71 ms. Importantly, we found a positive linear correlation between ADL and spike duration in both M1 (R2 = 0.40, p < 0.001) and F5 (R2 = 0.57, p < 0.001). Thus PTNs with the shortest ADL (fastest axons) had the briefest spikes, and since PTN soma size is correlated with axon size and conduction velocity, it is likely that the largest pyramidal neurons (Betz cells in M1) have spikes with short durations (0.15–0.45 ms), which overlap heavily with those reported for putative interneurons in previous studies in non-primates. In summary, one class of physiologically identified cortical pyramidal neuron exhibits a wide variety of spike durations and the results suggest that spike duration alone may not be a reliable indicator of cell type.
Étude expérimentale et intégrative des coûts et bénéfices de la viviparité chez le lézard vivipare

La viviparite, qui consiste a mettre au monde directement des jeunes vivants, a evolue de nombreuses fois a partir de l'oviparite, qui consiste a pondre des oeufs, en particulier chez les lezards et les serpents (les squamates). Ce groupe est celui ou l'on observe le plus grand nombre d'evolutions independantes de la viviparite, ainsi que des evolutions recentes et a des niveaux taxonomiques faibles. Le lezard vivipare est une des rares especes au sein de laquelle l'oviparite et la viviparite coexistent. J'ai donc utilise cette espece pour mon etude sur les couts et les benefices de la viviparite. Je me suis d'abord interessee aux ajustements de l'investissement dans la reproduction ainsi qu'aux couts de la gestation. J'ai observe une absence d'ajustement post-ovulatoire de la taille de portee, de la masse de portee et de la masse du jeune. Cependant, j'ai montre que les femelles ajustent ces parametres en fonction de leur environnement pendant la vitellogenese, ainsi qu'en fonction de leur corpulence et de leur date de mise bas de l'annee passee. J'ai ensuite etudie les couts de la gestation de maniere experimentale, en controlant les accouplements, en manipulant la taille de portee, et en comparant des femelles ovipares a des femelles vivipares. Ces etudes ont mis en evidence, selon le contexte, des effets de la gestation sur le systeme immunitaire, sur le comportement de thermoregulation, sur l'endurance, et sur la perte de poids des femelles ; mais pas d'effet sur leur survie apres la mise bas. L'etude comparative a montre que les couts de la reproduction sont plus importants pour les femelles ovipares que les vivipares avant la gestation. Par ailleurs, la gestation est une periode non seulement associee a des couts mais aussi a des effets maternels. J'ai montre que la croissance des jeunes apres la naissance depend de la taille de portee pendant la gestation. Cependant, comme c'est souvent le cas, le mecanisme de cet effet maternel n'est pas connu. Afin de mettre en evidence les facteurs a l'origine des effets maternels, j'ai developpe une approche experimentale qui repose sur l'incubation in vitro d'embryons de lezards vivipares. Les resultats preliminaires sont prometteurs etant donne que ce processus permet d'obtenir des jeunes vivants. Finalement, j'ai montre l'existence d'effets de l'âge grand-maternel chez les lezards vivipares. Il s'agit de la premiere mise en evidence d'effets de l'âge grand-maternel en populations naturelles.
Model System for Growing and Quantifying Streptococcus pneumoniae Biofilms In Situ and in Real Time

ABSTRACT Streptococcus pneumoniae forms biofilms, but little is known about its extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) or the kinetics of biofilm formation. A system was developed to enable the simultaneous measurement of cells and the EPS of biofilm-associated S. pneumoniae in situ over time. A biofilm reactor containing germanium coupons was interfaced to an attenuated total reflectance (ATR) germanium cell of a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) laser spectrometer. Biofilm-associated cells were recovered from the coupons and quantified by total and viable cell count methods. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy of biofilms formed on the germanium internal reflection element (IRE) of the ATR cell provided a continuous spectrum of biofilm protein and polysaccharide (a measure of the EPS). Staining of the biofilms on the IRE surface with specific fluorescent probes provided confirmatory evidence for the biofilm structure and the presence of biofilm polysaccharides. Biofilm protein and polysaccharides were detected within hours after inoculation and continued to increase for the next 141 h. The polysaccharide band increased at a substantially higher rate than did the protein band, demonstrating increasing coverage of the IRE surface with biofilm polysaccharides. The biofilm total cell counts on germanium coupons stabilized after 21 h, at approximately 105 cells per cm2, while viable counts decreased as the biofilm aged. This system is unique in its ability to detect and quantify biofilm-associated cells and EPS of S. pneumoniae over time by using multiple, corroborative techniques. This approach could prove useful for the study of biofilm processes of this or other microorganisms of clinical or industrial relevance.
A Comprehensive Evaluation of a Lifelong Learning Program

Lifelong learning programs meet older adults’ educational needs and further support their health and well-being leading to more successful aging. In particular, university-based lifelong learning programs have provided older adults with opportunities to not only develop skills and knowledge but also expand new social networks with people of different ages. This study evaluated a university-based lifelong learning program, Program 60, to identify the relationships between participants’ experiences in the program and their quality of life. An online survey was employed, and 107 participants completed the self-report survey. The participants reported that classes helped increase their emotional satisfaction and that they enjoyed taking classes with younger students. Their experiences in the program reliably predicted psychological and social elements of their quality of life (p = .004 and p = .019, respectively). Study results provide helpful information for the development of lifelong learning programs that are responsive to the increasing demands of older adults.
Characterization of lactococci isolated from milk produced in the Camembert region of Normandy

N. DESMASURES, I. MANGIN, D. CORROLER AND M. GUEGUEN. 1998. Thirty‐eight Lactococcus strains, isolated from raw milk produced in two dairy areas in Normandy, were identified at the phenotypic level. Only Lactococcus lactis strains with the lactis phenotype were found in the milk samples. Most strains fermented lactose (97%) and showed proteinase activity (76%). Isolates were characterized by RAPD technique and rRNA gene restriction analysis. More L. lactis strains with the lactis genotype were found in the first area, while L. lactis strains with the cremoris genotype predominated in the second area. RAPD was more efficient than rRNA gene restriction analysis in differentiating between strains with the subsp. lactis genotype. For L. lactis with the subsp. cremoris genotype, the second method gave a better result but there was poor discrimination between strains. Plasmid profiles were determined. Patterns ranged in size from 1·3 to 16·5 kbp, and 29 different profiles were found. Six groups of strains were determined, five of which were specific for the area of origin. It is suggested that the region of manufacture could influence organoleptic properties of cheeses because of different Lactococcus strains in the raw milk used for cheese making.
Cell cycle‐dependent recruitment of HDAC‐1 correlates with deacetylation of histone H4 on an Rb–E2F target promoter

The transcription factor E2F, which is a key element in the control of cell proliferation, is repressed by Rb and other pocket proteins in growth‐arrested differentiating cells, as well as in proliferating cells when they progress through early G1. It is not known whether similar mechanisms are operative in the two situations. A body of data suggests that E2F repression by pocket proteins involves class I histone deacetylases (HDACs). It has been hypothesized that these enzymes are recruited to E2F target promoters where they deacetylate histones. Here we have tested this hypothesis directly by using formaldehyde cross‐linked chromatin immunoprecipitation (XChIP) assays to evaluate HDAC association in living cells. Our data show that a histone deacetylase, HDAC‐1, is stably bound to an E2F target promoter during early G1 in proliferating cells and released at the G1–S transition. In addition, our results reveal an inverse correlation between HDAC‐1 recruitment and histone H4 acetylation on specific lysines.
The Surprising Kinetics of the T Cell Response to Live Antigenic Cells1

Cooperation between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells is required for the proper development of primary effector and memory CD8+ T cells following immunization with noninflammatory immunogens. In this study, we characterized murine CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses to male-specific minor histocompatibility (HY) Ags following injection of live male cells into females of the same strain. Male cells are rejected 10–12 days after transfer, coinciding with the expansion and effector function of CD8+ CTLs to two H-2Db-restricted epitopes. Although anti-HY CD4+ T cell responses are readily detectable day 5 posttransfer, CD8+ responses are undetectable until day 10. The early CD4+ response is not dependent on direct presentation of Ag by donor male cells, but depends on presentation of the male cells by recipient APC. The CD4+ T cell response is required for the priming of CD8+ T cell effector responses and rejection of HY-incompatible cells. Unexpectedly, HY-specific CD4+ T cells are also capable of efficiently lysing target cells in vivo. The delay in the CD8+ T cell response can be largely abrogated by depleting T cells from the male inoculum, and donor male CD8+ T cells in particular suppress host anti-HY CD8+ responses. These data demonstrate dramatic differences in host T cell responses to noninflammatory Ags compared with responses to pathogens. We explain the delayed CD8+ response by proposing that there is a balance between cross-presentation of Ag by helper cell-licensed dendritic cells, on the one hand, and veto suppression by live male lymphocytes on the other.
Receptor‐ and calcium‐dependent induced inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate increases in PC12h cells as shown by fluorescence resonance energy transfer imaging

The production and further metabolism of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] require several calcium‐dependent enzymes, but little is known about subsequent calcium‐dependent changes in cellular Ins(1,4,5)P3. To study the calcium dependence of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor‐induced Ins(1,4,5)P3 increases in PC12h cells, we utilized an Ins(1,4,5)P3 imaging system based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer and using green fluorescent protein variants fused with the pleckstrin homology domain of phospholipase C‐δ1. The intracellular calcium concentration, monitored by calcium imaging, was adjusted by thapsigargin pretreatment or alterations in extracellular calcium concentration, enabling rapid receptor‐independent changes in calcium concentration via store‐operated calcium influx. We found that Ins(1,4,5)P3 production was increased by a combination of receptor‐ and calcium‐dependent components, rather than by calcium alone. The level of Ins(1,4,5)P3 induced by the receptor was found to be half that induced by the combined receptor and calcium components. Increases in calcium levels prior to receptor activation did not affect the subsequent receptor‐induced Ins(1,4,5)P3 increase, indicating that calcium does not influence Ins(1,4,5)P3 production without receptor activation. Removal of both the receptor agonists and calcium rapidly restored calcium and Ins(1,4,5)P3 levels, whereas removal of calcium alone restored calcium to its basal concentration. Similar calcium‐dependent increases in Ins(1,4,5)P3 were also observed in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing m1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, indicating that the observed calcium dependence is common to Ins(1,4,5)P3 production. To our knowledge, our results are the first showing receptor‐ and calcium‐dependent components within cellular Ins(1,4,5)P3.
Comparison of fetal biometric values with sonographic and 3D reconstruction MRI in term gestations.

OBJECTIVE We sought to compare the fetal biometric values head and abdominal circumferences, biparietal and occipital-frontal diameters, and left and right ventricular atrial diameters obtained with contemporaneous sonography and 3D MRI reconstructions in term pregnancies. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A total of 107 nulliparous women evaluated as having uncomplicated pregnancies and scheduled for induction at 42 completed weeks gave their informed consent and underwent MRI and sonography within 3 hours of each other. Two single-shot fast spin-echo MRI sequences were performed with 7- and 4-mm slice thicknesses and no gap. A single observer performed MRI postprocessing to obtain biometric values. A single sonographer using a 3- to 5-MHz curvilinear transducer performed transabdominal sonography. Concordance correlation and Bland-Altman analysis of differences were performed. RESULTS Concordance correlation was poor for both right (0.024) and left (0.005) ventricular atrial diameters. There were moderate concordance correlations for head (0.56) and abdominal (0.53) circumferences and biparietal diameter (0.61). Occipital-frontal diameter had fair correlation (0.27). CONCLUSION Comparison between contemporaneous sonographic and 3D reconstructed MR images at late gestational ages shows acceptable correlation between the two techniques for head circumference, abdominal circumference, and biparietal diameter.
An Experimental Model for Improving Fat Graft Viability and Purity

Background: Autologous fat is an excellent soft-tissue filler, given its abundance, ease of harvest, and natural appearance. However, graft longevity is unpredictable and is reported in the literature to be between 3 months and 8 years. Methods: A genetically identical, age- and sex-matched mouse experiment was used to develop a model. Inguinal fat pads were subjected to different harvest and preparatory techniques. Primary endpoints—viability and purity—were assessed with the trypan blue viability assay and component counting with a hemocytometer. Results: Viability and purity were highest after excisional harvest versus blunt or needle harvest, presumably secondary to differences in cellular trauma. Saline wash or centrifugation after harvest produced modest but statistically significant improvements in viability and purity. However, if grafts harvested in any fashion were treated with an initial collagenase digestion followed by an idealized centrifugation regimen and a single wash step, viability and purity were consistently 96 percent and 93 percent, respectively. Conclusions: Using an in vitro murine model, the authors have systematically developed a clinically practical model for creating a pure single-cell suspension of viable adipocytes that is reproducible, regardless of tissue harvest method.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Is Associated With Carotid Atherosclerosis: A Case–Control Study

Objective—Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) frequently coexists with obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. We examined whether NAFLD was associated with atherosclerosis, as measured by ultrasound in the carotid arteries. Methods and Results—Carotid atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed in 40 patients with an ultrasound diagnosis of primary NAFLD and 40 matched population controls. The metabolic syndrome and all its individual traits, including elevated C-reactive protein, were significantly (P<0.005) more frequent in NAFLD patients than in control subjects. Patients with NAFLD showed more carotid atherosclerosis than controls, with mean intima-media thickness (IMT) of 0.70±0.20 mm and 0.54±0.13 mm (P<0.0001) and plaque prevalence of 50% and 25% (P=0.021), respectively. By multivariate analysis, older age (odds ratio [OR], 2.5 per 10 years; 95% CI, 1.4 to 4.4; P=0.002), the presence of NAFLD (OR, 8.4; 95% CI, 2.49 to 29.4; P=0.001), and elevated serum ferritin (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.2 to 7.9; P=0.016) were independent predictors of an increased IMT. Conclusions—Patients with NAFLD show a cluster of risk factors of the metabolic syndrome and advanced carotid atherosclerosis. NAFLD appears to be a feature of the metabolic syndrome, and its detection on abdominal ultrasound should alert to the existence of an increased cardiovascular risk.
Voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) participates in amyloid beta-induced toxicity and interacts with plasma membrane estrogen receptor α in septal and hippocampal neurons

Voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) is a porin known by its role in metabolite transport across mitochondria and participation in apoptotic processes. Although traditionally accepted to be located within mitochondrial outer membrane, some data has also reported its presence at the plasma membrane level where it seems to participate in regulation of normal redox homeostasis and apoptosis. Here, exposure of septal SN56 and hippocampal HT22 cells to specific anti-VDAC antibodies prior to amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide was observed to prevent neurotoxicity. In these cell lines, we identified a VDAC form associated with the plasma membrane that seems to be particularly abundant in caveolae. The two membrane-related isoforms of estrogen receptor α (mERα) (80 and 67 kDa), known in SN56 cells to participate in estrogen-induced neuroprotection against Aβ injury, were also observed to be present in caveolae. Interestingly, we demonstrated for the first time that both VDAC and mERα interact at the plasma membrane of these neurons as well as in microsomal fractions of the corresponding murine septal and hippocampal tissues. These proteins were also shown to associate with caveolin-1, thereby corroborating their presence in caveolar microdomains. Taken together, these results suggest that VDAC-mERα association at the plasma membrane level may participate in the modulation of Aβ-induced cell death.