Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endogenous hydrogen sulfide in patients with COPD.

OBJECTIVES COPD is characterized by progressive airway obstruction. Recent studies showed that besides nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO), endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) might be the third signaling gasotransmitter. To clarify the role of endogenous H(2)S in the pathogenesis of COPD, we investigated the relation of serum H(2)S level to severity of COPD as defined by lung function and airway inflammation. METHODS Levels of serum H(2)S and NO, lung function, and cell differential counts in induced sputum were studied in 27 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD), 37 patients with stable COPD, and 13 healthy subjects. Patients with AECOPD had arterial blood gas levels measured and underwent Doppler echocardiography. In addition, in order to clarify the effects of age and smoking status on serum H(2)S level, we recruited three groups who were age matched to the study group but had no airflow limitation (59 subjects). RESULTS Serum H(2)S level (34.0 +/- 0.9 to 36.4 +/- 1.1 micromol/L [+/- SEM]) did not differ among healthy control subjects with different ages (56.6 to 75.0 years, respectively). Serum H(2)S level was significantly higher in patients with stable COPD than in patients with AECOPD and age-matched control subjects (p < 0.01) and correlated positively with NO level in all healthy control subjects and all patients with COPD (r = 0.352, p = 0.000). Serum H(2)S level was significantly lower in smokers than nonsmokers, both with AECOPD (p < 0.05) and healthy control subjects (p < 0.01). It was significantly lower in smokers with AECOPD than healthy smokers and smokers with stable COPD (p < 0.01). Serum H(2)S level differed and was decreased (p < 0.05) among stable COPD patients by stage of airway obstruction (p < 0.05), and it was lower in patients with stage III than stage I obstruction (p < 0.05). Serum H(2)S level in all patients with COPD and healthy control subjects correlated positively with the percentage of predicted FEV(1) value (r = 0.300, p = 0.009). It was lower in patients with AECOPD and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PASP) > or = 35 mm Hg than those with PASP within the normal range (< 35 mm Hg) [p < 0.05] and was negatively correlated with PASP (r = - 0.561, p = 0.011). Serum H(2)S level was negatively correlated with proportion of neutrophils in sputum (r = - 0.422, p = 0.001) and positively correlated with proportion of lymphocytes (r = 0.286, p = 0.028) and macrophages (r = 0.334, p = 0.01) in all patients with COPD. CONCLUSIONS Endogenous H(2)S is involved in the pathogenesis of airway obstruction in COPD, and its alteration in level may be connected with disease activity and severity.
Joint mobility measurements: reliability of a standardized method.

Assessment of hypermobility and hypomobility is frequently performed visually with all its limitations. In this study, a standardized joint mobility measurement method is suggested, and its reliability is tested. The maximal range of motion of passive digit five hyperextension, passive thumb apposition to the wrist, active elbow and knee hyperextension, active ankle dorsal flexion and trunk flexion was measured in 30 healthy subjects. All measurements were performed bilaterally, except for trunk flexion. Three experienced observers performed the measurements according to a rigidly standardized protocol, using appropriate goniometers and rules. During one measurement session each observer measured each subject. Two consecutive measurement sessions were organized. Analysis of variance, with subject and time as explaining variables, was performed on the data obtained. The inter-observer variability ranged from 1.42 degrees (left knee hyperextension) to 4.05 mm (right thumb apposition) in the first measurement session and from 1.35 degrees (left knee hyperextension) to 4.58 degrees (right digit five hyperextension) in the second measurement session. The intra-observer variability ranged for observer A from 0.75 degree (left knee hyperextension) to 3.67 mm (left thumb apposition), and from 0.93 degree (left knee hyperextension) to 3.88 degrees (left digit five hyperextension) for observer B. Observer C ranged from 0.71 degree (left knee hyperextension) to 4.01 mm (right thumb apposition). Based on the results of this study, the authors conclude that joint mobility can be measured reliably and accurately with the presented simple tools. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Transcribed 165-bp CentO Satellite Is the Major Functional Centromeric Element in the Wild Rice Species Oryza punctata

Centromeres are required for faithful segregation of chromosomes in cell division. It is not clear what kind of sequences act as functional centromeres and how centromere sequences are organized in Oryza punctata, a BB genome species. In this study, we found that the CentO centromeric satellites in O. punctata share high homology with the CentO satellites in O. sativa. The O. punctata centromeres are characterized by megabase tandem arrays that are flanked by centromere-specific retrotransposons. Immunostaining with an antibody specific to CENH3 indicates that the 165-bp CentO satellites are the major component for functional centromeres. Moreover, both strands of CentO satellites are highly methylated and transcribed and produce small interfering RNA, which may be important for the maintenance of centromeric heterochromatin and centromere function.
Lower limb stability with ACL impairment.

STUDY DESIGN Repeated measures (3 separate day sessions) to determine test reliability; single-session repeated measures to compare stability between limbs. OBJECTIVES To develop a functional test measuring dynamic stability that is capable of differentiating between the injured and uninjured lower limb in 2 populations: (1) people with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency (ACLd) and (2) people with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLr), and to establish the reliability of this test. BACKGROUND Many functional tests of the lower limb used by clinicians, such as the 1-legged hop for distance, the 1-legged hop for time, the vertical jump, the triple hop for distance, shuttle run, and single-limb standing, do not allow the clinician to discern differences between function in the injured and uninjured limbs. METHODS AND MEASURES Twenty-five nonimpaired subjects (14 men, 11 women, aged 31.2 +/- 9.1 years), 11 subjects with ACLr (9 men, 2 women, aged 26.3 +/- 10.4 years), and 13 subjects with ACLd (5 men, 8 women, aged 40.4 +/- 12.6 years) were tested. Twelve nonimpaired subjects participated in 3 testing sessions to determine the reliability of the force plate measures. Ground reaction forces (vertical, medial-lateral, and anterior-posterior) were measured while the subjects performed 1-legged hop and step-down tests onto a force plate. Stability was defined as the ability to transfer the vertical projection of the center of gravity to the supporting base and keep the knee still. A repeated-measures analysis of variance (2-factor; limbs by trials) was used to compare the stability between limbs. RESULTS The majority of the measures used to calculate dynamic stability were reliable. Moreover, the data provide normal standards of functional knee stability for step-down and hop tests. In the step-down test, changes in vertical force did identify dysfunction in the injured limb (stabilization time = 1527 +/- 216 ms) compared to the uninjured limb (stabilization time = 892 +/- 498 ms) for subjects with ACLr. CONCLUSIONS The normal standards may serve as a reference for comparing functional differences in ACLr or ACLd populations. The vertical force parameter during a step-down may be useful as an outcome measure to monitor progress during rehabilitation.
A self-efficacy enhancing intervention for pulmonary rehabilitation based on motivational interviewing for postoperative lung cancers patients: modeling and randomized exploratory trial

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a self-efficacy enhancing intervention designed for pulmonary rehabilitation based on motivational interviewing (MI) for postsurgical non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. This study was a 2-arm pilot randomized controlled trial and was conducted in two cardiothoracic surgery departments, a tertiary hospital in Fuzhou, China. 28 postsurgical NSCLC patients were randomized to a 3 month (6 session) self-efficacy enhancing intervention based on MI or usual care (UC). Data were measured at baseline and after intervention. The MI based self-efficacy enhancing intervention group was superior to the UC group for reducing anxiety and depression, improving self-efficacy, quality of life, confrontational coping, social support and functional capacity. However, no statistically significant difference was observed in subjective well-being, posttraumatic growth, body mass index and pulmonary function between the two groups. This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of MI based self-efficacy enhancing intervention for postsurgical NSCLC patients. A larger randomized trial would demonstrate a more rigorous test of efficacy.
Endocytosis machinery is involved in aggregation of proteins with expanded polyglutamine domains

The cell's failure to refold or break down abnormal polypeptides often leads to their aggregation, which could cause toxicity and various pathologies. Here we investigated cellular factors involved in protein aggregation in yeast and mammalian cells using model polypeptides containing polyglutamine domains. In yeast, a number of mutations affecting the complex responsible for formation of the endocytic vesicle reduced the aggregation. Components of the endocytic complex (EC) Slal, Sla2, and Panl were seen as clusters in the polyglutamine aggregates. These proteins associate with EC at the later stages of its maturation. In contrast, Edel and Entl, the elements of EC at the earlier stages, were not found in the aggregates, suggesting that late ECs are involved in polyglutamine aggregation. Indeed, stabilization of the late complexes by inhibition of actin polymerization enhanced aggregation of polypeptides with polyglutamine domains. Similarly, in mammalian cells, inhibitors of actin polymerization, as well as depletion of a mediator of actin polymerization, Arp2, strongly enhanced the aggregation. In contrast, destabilization of EC by depletion or inhibition of a scaffolding protein N‐WASP effectively suppressed the aggregation. Therefore, EC appears to play a pivotal role in aggregation of cytosolic polypep‐tides with polyglutamine domains in both yeast and mammalian cells. —Meriin A. B. , Zhang, X. , Alexan‐drov I. M. , Salnikova, A. B. , Ter‐Avanesian, M. D. , Chernoff, Y. O. , Sherman M. Y. Endocytosis machinery is involved in aggregation of proteins with expanded polyglutamine domains. FASEB J. 21, 1915–1925 (2007)
Does Society Influence the Gender Gap in Risk Attitudes? Evidence from East and West Germany

Previous international research has shown that women are more risk averse than men. This gives rise to the question whether the gender gap in risk attitudes is shaped by the social environment. We address this question by examining risk attitudes among East and West Germans. Originated from different family policies during Germany’s separation, East Germans have more equal gender roles than West Germans. Thus, if the gender gap reflects socially constructed norms, it should be smaller among East Germans. Using data of the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), our empirical analysis confirms this prediction. Specifically with respect to career and financial matters, the gender gap in risk tolerance is smaller among East Germans. We find no evidence that the East German gender gap has converged to the higher West German level after reunification. By contrast, the West German gap has narrowed over time.
How to Predict USMLE Scores From COMLEX-USA Scores: A Guide for Directors of ACGME-Accredited Residency Programs

Abstract Context: Graduates of colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs) frequently apply to residency training programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. However, students who have taken the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA) rather than the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) may encounter a selection bias when applying to allopathic residency programs. Objective: To evaluate the correlation between scores on COMLEX-USA and USMLE by COM students who took both examinations. Methods: Scores were analyzed from a cohort of COM students who took COMLEX-USA Level 1 and USMLE Step 1 and a cohort of students who, during the same time, took COMLEX-USA Level 2 and USMLE Step 2. Results: At the Kirksville (Mo) College of Osteopathic Medicine of A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, 155 students took both COMLEX-USA Level 1 and USMLE Step 1 and another cohort of 56 students took COMLEX-USA Level 2 and USMLE Step 2. The Pearson product moment correlation of the scores from COMLEX-USA Level 1 and USMLE Step 1 was 0.83 (P<.001) and for COMLEX-USA Level 2 and USMLE Step 2 was 0.70 (P<.001). Scores on USMLE are predicted by the corresponding COMLEX-USA scores using the equations USMLE Step 1 = 67.97 + 0.24 × COMLEX-USA Level 1 (R2=0.68); and USMLE Step 2 = 102.2 + 0.18 × COMLEX-USA Level 2 (R2=0.46). Conclusion: A method of estimating USMLE scores from COMLEX-USA scores is provided for residency directors of institutions accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education for the evaluation of COM applicants.
Improving associative memory in older adults with unitization

We examined if unitization inherent preexperimentally could reduce the associative deficit in older adults. In Experiment 1, younger and older adults studied compound word (CW; e.g., store keeper) and noncompound word (NCW; e.g., needle birth) pairs. We found a reduction in the age-related associative deficit such that older but not younger adults showed a discrimination advantage for CW relative to NCW pairs on a yes–no associative recognition test. These results suggest that CW compared to NCW word pairs provide schematic support that older adults can use to improve their memory. In Experiment 2, reducing study time in younger adults decreased associative recognition performance, but did not produce a discrimination advantage for CW pairs. In Experiment 3, both older and younger adults showed a discrimination advantage for CW pairs on a two-alternative forced-choice recognition test, which encourages greater use of familiarity. These results suggest that test format influenced young adults’ use of familiarity during associative recognition of unitized pairs, and that older adults rely more on familiarity than recollection for associative recognition. Unitization of preexperimental associations, as in CW pairs, can alleviate age-related associative deficits.
Weight Loss with Physiologic Impairment: A Basic Indicator of Surgical Risk

It is a long held belief that weight loss is a basic indicator of surgical risk. Many experienced surgeons, however, think otherwise. We have investigated the proposition that weight loss is a risk factor for postoperative complications but only when associated with clinically obvious physiologic impairment. Before major surgery, 102 patients had a careful history taken to ascertain if there had been recent weight loss and a reduction in the capacity for activity. Physical examination included assessment of mood, skeletal muscle function, respiratory muscle function, and wound healing. Plasma albumin was also measured. Using this information the patients were placed into one of three groups. Group I (N = 43) were normal, group II (N = 17) had weight loss > 10% but no clinical evidence of physiologic impairment, and group III (N = 42) had weight loss > 10% with clear evidence of dysfunction of two or more organ systems. The patients in group III had significantly more postoperative complications (p < 0.05). They also had more septic complications (p < 0.02) including a higher incidence of pneumonia (p < 0.05) and a longer hospital stay (p < 0.05) than patients in each of the other two groups. Objective measurements of body stores of protein and liver, and psychologic, respiratory, and skeletal muscle function, confirmed the validity of the clinical classification into the risk groups. The results demonstrate that weight loss is a basic indicator of surgical risk in modern practice providing it is associated with clinically obvious impairment of organ function. They suggest that adequate body protein stores are necessary for normal body function and for minimizing the risks of surgery.
Peeling the onion top-down: Language policy in Serbia between power and myth

This paper considers the issue of language policy and planning in Serbia, as managed by the main competent institution, the Serbian Language Standardization Committee, a trans-state, national institution dealing with vital issues of language policy and planning. Specifically, assuming a Bourdieusian perspective, it investigates the ideology behind the Committee’s policies, grounded in a series of language myths, and the way these policies influence professionals and everyday language users. The effects of a rigid, strict educational system and a standard language culture by educators are shown in detail focusing on the Torlak dialect in Southern Serbia. The Serbian case reveals a constant promotion of censorship and a heightened understanding of the benefits of self-censorship in the language market. This can be seen in the pressure exerted on certain speakers and the threat their mother tongue represents for their status in the labor market.
Development of a supersaturable SEDDS (S-SEDDS) formulation of paclitaxel with improved oral bioavailability.

A new, supersaturable self-emulsifying drug delivery system (S-SEDDS) of paclitaxel was developed employing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as a precipitation inhibitor with a conventional SEDDS formulation. In vitro dilution of the S-SEDDS formulation results in formation of a microemulsion, followed by slow crystallization of paclitaxel on standing. This result indicates that the system is supersaturated with respect to crystalline paclitaxel, and the supersaturated state is prolonged by HPMC in the formulation. In the absence of HPMC the SEDDS formulation undergoes rapid precipitation, yielding a low paclitaxel solution concentration. A pharmacokinetic study was conducted in male Sprague-Dawley rats to assess exposure after an oral paclitaxel dose of 10 mg/kg in the SEDDS formulations with (S-SEDDS) and without HPMC. The paclitaxel S-SEDDS formulation shows approximately 10-fold higher maximum concentration (C(max)) and five-fold higher oral bioavailability (F approximately 9.5%) compared with that of the orally dosed Taxol formulation (F approximately 2.0%) and the SEDDS formulation without HPMC (F approximately 1%). Coadministration of cyclosporin A (CsA), an inhibitor of P-glycoprotein and CYP 3A4 enzyme, at a dose of 5 mg/kg with the S-SEDDS formulation further increased the oral bioavailability (F approximately 22.6%). This assessment demonstrates that the systemic exposure of paclitaxel following oral administration can be substantially improved via the S-SEDDS approach.
Analysis of spatial variance clustering in the hedonic modeling of housing prices

ABSTRACT This paper examines the spatial dependency exhibited by the error term variance of hedonic modeling based on German housing price data. To this end, it applies the spatial autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (SARCH) model previously discussed in housing literature, which allows for the consideration of spatial dependency when modeling the error variance of hedonic pricing. This model represents a spatialized version of the well-known ARCH-model used in time series analysis. Consistent with previous findings, this paper confirms the existence of spatial conditional heteroscedasticity, i.e. dependency in the error variance. However, this spatial dependency is not a global phenomenon, but can be ascribed to spatial concentrations of apartments with a relatively high variance in a small number of the same neighborhoods. The analysis of spatial heteroscedasticity helps to improve the estimation efficiency and prediction accuracy. In addition, spatial differences can be used to account for idiosyncratic risk when conducting mass appraisal.
Antigenic variation in mucilage secreted by members of the genus Symbiodinium (Dinophyceae)

Symbiodinium reside intracellularly in a complex symbiosome (host and symbiont‐derived) within cnidarian hosts in a specific host‐symbiont association. Symbiodinium is a diverse genus with variation greater than other dinoflagellate orders. In this paper, our investigation into specificity examines antigenic variation in the algal mucilage secretions at the host‐symbiont interface. Cultured Symbiodinium from a variety of clades were labeled with one of two antibodies to symbiont mucilage (PC3, developed using a clade B alga cultured from Aiptasia pallida; BF10, developed using a clade F alga cultured from Briareum sp.). The labeling was visualized with a fluorescent marker and examined with epifluorescence and confocal microscopy. PC3 antigen was found in cultured Symbiodinium from clades A and B, but not clades C, D, E and F. The correlation between labeling and clade may account for some of the specificity between host and symbiont in the field. Within clades A and B there was variation in the amount of label present. BF10 antigen was more specific and only found in cultures of the same cp23S‐rDNA strain the antibody was created against. These results indicate that the mucilage secretions do vary both qualitatively and quantitatively amongst Symbiodinium strains. Since the mucilage forms the host‐symbiont interface, variation in its molecular composition is likely to be the source of any signals involved in recognition and specificity.
Consequences of mating and predation risk for longevity in a freshwater snail: abstinence makes the heart beat longer

Senescence is not a static property of an individual or population, but rather it is a dynamic process that may be influenced by environmental conditions. This can occur in at least two ways: in the long‐term across multiple generations, and in the short‐term via phenotypic plasticity. The former has attracted a lot of attention, both theoretically and empirically; the latter has lagged behind. To determine whether two important environmental variables (predation risk and mate availability) affect the pattern of actuarial senescence (i.e. the increase in mortality with age), we reared 30 full‐sib families of the simultaneously hermaphroditic freshwater snail Physa acuta under four different environmental conditions and tracked individuals until death. Individuals were reared in a 2×2 factorial experiment that manipulated the nonlethal presence of chemical cues from predatory crayfish (presence/absence) and the opportunity to mate with an unrelated partner (mated/not mated). Snails that receive a partner reproduce by outcrossing, whereas those that remain in isolation can reproduce by self‐fertilization. We compared the cumulative survival curves to test for an effect of predation risk and mating. The hazard ratio (HR) for the predation risk comparison was 1.042 indicating no significant difference between the curves. However, the HR for the mating comparison was 4.021, reflecting a significant reduction in survival probability for mated snails relative to isolated snails. As such, mating resulted in a much shorter lifespan, an outcome that we interpret in terms of shifting resource allocation.