Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Glucocorticoids suppress GLP-1 secretion: possible contribution to their diabetogenic effects.

Evidence indicates that subtle abnormalities in GC (glucocorticoid) plasma concentrations and/or in tissue sensitivity to GCs are important in the metabolic syndrome, and it is generally agreed that GCs induce insulin resistance. In addition, it was recently reported that short-term exposure to GCs reduced the insulinotropic effects of the incretin GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1). However, although defective GLP-1 secretion has been correlated with insulin resistance, potential direct effects of GCs on GLP-1-producing L-cell function in terms of GLP-1 secretion and apoptosis have not been studied in any greater detail. In the present study, we sought to determine whether GCs could exert direct effects on GLP-1-producing L-cells in terms of GLP-1 secretion and cell viability. We demonstrate that the GR (glucocorticoid receptor) is expressed in GLP-1-producing cells, where GR activation in response to dexamethasone induces SGK1 (serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1) expression, but did not influence preproglucagon expression or cell viability. In addition, dexamethasone treatment of enteroendocrine GLUTag cells reduced GLP-1 secretion induced by glucose, 2-deoxy-D-glucose, fructose and potassium, whereas the secretory response to a phorbol ester was unaltered. Furthermore, in vivo administration of dexamethasone to rats reduced the circulating levels of GLP-1 concurrent with induction of insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. We can conclude that GR activation in GLP-1-producing cells will diminish the secretory responsiveness of these cells to subsequent carbohydrate stimulation. These effects may not only elucidate the pathogenesis of steroid diabetes, but could ultimately contribute to the identification of novel molecular targets for controlling incretin secretion.
Genetics of sex pheromone blend differences between Heliothis virescens and Heliothis subflexa: a chromosome mapping approach

Males of the noctuid moths, Heliothis virescens and H. subflexa locate mates based on species‐specific responses to female‐emitted pheromones that are composed of distinct blends of volatile compounds. We conducted genetic crosses between these two species and used AFLP marker‐based mapping of backcross families (H. subflexa direction) to determine which of the 30 autosomes in these moths contained quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling the proportion of specific chemical components in the pheromone blends. Presence/absence of single H. virescens chromosomes accounted for 7–34% of the phenotypic variation among backcross females in seven pheromone components. For a set of three similar 16‐carbon acetates, two H. virescens chromosomes interacted in determining their relative amounts within the pheromone gland and together accounted for 53% of the phenotypic variance. Our results are discussed relative to theories about population genetic processes and biochemical mechanisms involved in the evolution of new sexual communication systems.
Echocardiography-guided genetic testing in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: septal morphological features predict the presence of myofilament mutations.

OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship among age, septal morphological subtype, and presence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)-associated myofilament mutations. PATIENTS AND METHODS Comprehensive mutation analysis of the 8 HCM susceptibility genes that encode the myofilaments of the cardiac sarcomere was performed previously in 382 unrelated patients with HCM. Blinded to genotype status, we used echocardiography to characterize the left ventricular morphological features. Multivariate regression was used to assess the relationship among morphological subtypes, clinical data, and genetic variables. RESULTS The mean +/- SD age of the patients was 41.6+/-19.0 years, with 126 patients 50 years or older at initial diagnosis. The septal morphological subtype was sigmold in 181 (47%), reverse in 132 (35%), apical variant in 37 (10%), and neutral in 32 (8%). The HCM-associated myofilament mutations were Identified in 143 patients (37%). Multivariate analysis showed that the reverse curvature septal morphological subtype was a strong predictor of genotype-positive status (odds ratio, 21; P<.001). Overall, the yield of HCM genetic testing was 79% in the setting of reverse curvature HCM but only 8% in sigmold septal HCM. CONCLUSION In stark contrast to HCM in young patients, elderly patients with HCM display a predominantly sigmoid septal morphological subtype and uncommonly have perturbations of known HCM susceptibility genes. Independent of age, septal morphological subtype strongly predicts the presence or absence of HCM-associated myofilament mutations and may enable echocardiography-guided genetic testing for HCM.
Quantifying modal shapes in smart piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer array: Modeling and experiment

In this paper, a novel technique has been developed to quantify modal shapes in piezoelecric functional thin films-based micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUTs) for ultrasonic diagnostics. To obtain high sensitivity, an array of smart pMUTs is designed and successfully fabricated with epitaxially grown functional eutectic Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 (PZT) thin film on Si(111)/γ - Al2O3(111)/SrRuO3(111) substrates. Incorporating crystalline γ- Al2O3 insulator on Si substrates permitted to control smartly the orientation of piezoelectric film. The characterization is performed employing advanced 3D finite element modeling taking crystallographic anisotropy into account. Modal shapes were captured experimentally using Laser Doppler Vibratometry (LDV). In this pioneering work, an excellent correlation is realized between different resonance frequencies and mode shapes corresponding to different energy states obtained in computations and experiments. Quantification of eigenfrequencies with mode shapes has shown significant influence on transmit-receive characteristics of pMUTs. Utilizing the correlation results, ultrasonic wave transmitting experiment was successfully carried out using fabricated pMUTs as a transmitter and a commercial PZT hydrophone as a receiver.
Epidemiology of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in an era of effective prophylaxis: the relative contribution of non-adherence and drug failure

ObjectiveTo determine the relative contribution of patient non-adherence, provider failure to prescribe prophylaxis, and drug failure to the continued occurrence of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), and to determine correlates of non-adherence. DesignRetrospective case–control study. MethodsPatients with confirmed or presumptive PCP from May 1995 to September 1997 who had at least 6 months of prior HIV care (cases) were compared to controls matched for initial CD4 cell count and date of initial HIV care. ResultsThe incidence of PCP declined by 85% in the 28 months of the study. Of the 118 cases of PCP identified, 59 (50%) were in HIV care for > 6 months prior to PCP diagnosis. In a multivariate logistic regression model, risk factors for PCP among patients in HIV care were patient non-adherence [odds ratio (OR), 12.4; 95% confidence interval (CI), 6.4–23.5], use of prophylaxis other than trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (OR, 27.0; 95% CI, 13.8–52.9), and absence of antiretroviral use (OR, 7.5; 95% CI, 4.5–12.5). Provider non-adherence occurred in one out of 59 cases (2%), and five out of 106 controls (5%). Of the patients who developed PCP on prophylaxis, 18 cases (30%) appeared due to drug failure; there were no cases of apparent drug failure among patients on trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole. In multivariate analysis, non-adherence was more common among patients of non-white race, those with a history of injecting drug use, and those with active substance abuse or psychiatric illness. ConclusionsPatient non-adherence was the most common reason for the occurrence of PCP among patients in HIV care; provider non-adherence was uncommon. Drug failure occurred only among patients on prophylaxis other than trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole.
Selenoprotein and antioxidant genes and the risk of high‐grade prostate cancer and prostate cancer recurrence

Observational studies suggest an inverse association between selenium and risk of prostate cancer. However, randomized controlled trials of selenium supplementation have reported conflicting results. Thus, we examined plasma selenium and selenium‐related genes in relation to risk of high‐grade prostate cancer and prostate cancer recurrence among men initially diagnosed with non‐metastatic disease.
Modeling of EMI propagation in switched-capacitor ΣΔ A/D converter

In this communication a model of the propagation of electromagnetic interference (EMI) in sigma-delta A/D converters is developed. After a discussion about the EMI injection points, the model takes into consideration EMI injected into the feedback path and coming from the voltage reference circuit. The model reveals that EMI are demodulated, thanks to a multiplication with the output signal, and, under certain circumstances, may fall into the baseband thus affecting the overall signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the precision of the A/D converter. The model is validated by means of simulation and excellent agreement is obtained between expected data and simulation results.
Disaster Preparedness and the Chronic Disease Needs of Vulnerable Older Adults

About 80% of older adults have at least one chronic condition that makes them more vulnerable than healthy people during a disaster. These chronic conditions — combined with the physiological, sensory, and cognitive changes experienced as part of aging — result in frail older adults having special needs during emergencies. Planning and coordination among public health and emergency preparedness professionals and professionals who provide services for the aging are essential to meet these special needs. Several tools and strategies already exist to help prepare these professionals to protect and assist older adults during a disaster. These include having professionals from diverse fields work and train in coalitions, ensuring that advocates for older adults participate in community-wide emergency preparedness, and using community mapping data to identify areas where many older adults live.
Bilateral inter-arm coordination in freestyle swimming: Effect of skill level and swimming speed

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of level of skill and swimming speed on inter-limb coordination of freestyle swimming movements. Five elite (2 males, 3 females; age 18.9 ± 1.0 years, height 1.71 ± 0.04 m, body mass 62.1 ± 7.0 kg) and seven novice (age 22.0 ± 2.0 years, height 1.77 ± 0.04 m, body mass 74.8 ± 9.0 kg) swimmers swam a sprint and a self-paced 25 m freestyle trial. The swimming trials were recorded by four digital cameras operating at 50 Hz. The digitized frames underwent a three-dimensional direct linear transformation to yield the three-dimensional endpoint kinematic trajectories. The spatio-temporal relationship between the upper limbs was quantified by means of the peak amplitude and time lag of the cross-correlation function between the right and left arm's endpoint trajectories. A strong anti-phase coupling between the two arms, as confirmed by peak amplitudes greater than 0.8, was noted for both groups and swimming speeds. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) peak amplitudes were observed for the sprint compared with self-paced swimming. No significant differences in the strength of inter-limb coupling were noted between the elite and novice swimmers (P > 0.05). Time lags were very close to 0 ms and did not differ between groups or swimming speeds. We conclude that in freestyle swimming, the intrinsic anti-phase (180° phase difference) inter-limb relationship is strongly preserved despite the physically powerful environmental influence of the water and this “preferred” pattern is not affected by level of skill. In contrast, increasing movement speed results in stronger inter-limb coupling that is closer to the anti-phase inter-limb relationship.
Looping in on Ndc80 – How does a protein loop at the kinetochore control chromosome segregation?

Segregation of chromosomes during mitosis requires the interaction of dynamic microtubules with the kinetochore, a large protein structure established on the centromere region of sister chromatids. The core microtubule‐binding activity of the kinetochore resides in the KMN network, an outer kinetochore complex. As part of the KMN network, the Ndc80 complex, which is composed of Ndc80, Nuf2, Spc24, and Spc25, is able to bind directly to microtubules and has the ability to track with depolymerizing microtubules to produce chromosome movement. The Ndc80 complex binds directly to microtubules through a calponin homology domain and an unstructured tail in the N terminus of the Ndc80 protein. A recent flurry of papers has highlighted the importance of an internal loop region in Ndc80 in establishing end‐on attachment to microtubules. Here I discuss these recent findings that suggest that the Ndc80 internal loop functions as a binding site for proteins required for kinetochore‐microtubule interactions.
Employability: A review of the literature 2012-2016

s were reviewed and coded. The following codes drawn from the framework (HEA 2013, p. 2) were used: i. Confidence, resilience and adaptability ii. Experience and networks iii. Attributes and capabilities iv. Specialist technical and transferable skills v. Knowledge and application vi. Behaviours, qualities and values vii. Enterprise and entrepreneurship viii. Career guidance and management ix. Self, social and cultural awareness x. Reflection and articulation. 143 (following the removal of duplicates and items that appeared not to meet the objectives of the review). Three additional codes were also defined at this stage as: xi. Concepts and models xii. Policy-related xiii. Internationalisation In depth review of the documents by category by the research team was undertaken. During this phase some papers were rejected and others added to the coding frame based on searches of the grey literature and the researchers' own knowledge. 213 Following review the paper was written including all relevant materials NB: some papers included in the list of references below were out with the time-frame of the review and are therefore not included in this total. 187 The final database is available as a separate download https://www.heacademy. ac.uk/resource/employability-review-literature-2012-2016. Figure 1 sets out how the identified papers break down by year and suggests that interest in employability is continuing to rise. 2 Library Plus is a meta search engine which searches over a hundred databases including the British Education Index, British Library EThOS, Business Source Premier, Education Resource Information Centre, Australian Education, PsychINFO, etc.
What does the Ashworth scale really measure and are instrumented measures more valid and precise?

This study aimed to explore the limitations of the Ashworth scale for measuring spasticity. An isokinetic dynamometer to quantify resistance to passive stretch and surface EMG was used to verify if a stretch response occurred and, if so, at what joint angle. The authors sought to determine which components of passive resistance (magnitude, rate of change, onset angle of stretch, or velocity dependence) were most related to Ashworth scores and which were related to motor function in cerebral palsy (CP). Twenty‐two individuals with spastic CP (11 males, 11 females; mean age 11.9 years, SD 4.3) and a comparison group of nine children without CP (four males, five females; mean age 11.3 years, SD 2.5) participated in the study. The group with CP included those with a diagnosis of spastic diplegia, hemiplegia, or quadriplegia, distributed across Gross Motor Functional Classification Levels. Procedures included: (1) clinical assessment at the knee joint, (2) functional assessments, and (3) isokinetic assessment of passive resistance torque in hamstrings and quadriceps at three velocities. EMG data were recorded simultaneously to identify stretch responses. Detecting stretch responses using the Ashworth scale compared with instrumented measures showed near complete agreement at extremes of the scale, with marked inconsistencies in mid‐range values. Ashworth scores were correlated with instrumented measures, particularly for the quadriceps, with higher correlations to the rate of change in resistance (stiffness) and onset angle of stretch than to peak resistance torque. Those with greater resistance tended to have poorer function with isokinetic relations typically stronger.
Mini‐review: A pivotal role for innate immunity in the clearance of apoptotic cells

Apoptotic cells can be recognized and taken up by both macrophages and dendritic cells. Phagocytosis of apoptotic cells generally leads to active suppression of cytokine production by professional phagocytes. This is different from the response towards cells that die by necrosis, which induce a pro‐inflammatory cytokine profile. Uptake of apoptotic cells involves a large number of receptors and opsonins, which bind to cellular ligands exposed during the various stages of apoptotic cell death. Among the opsonins of apoptotic cells, complement factors, including C1q, and complement‐activating members of the pentraxin family play an important role. This is indicated by in vitro phagocytosis studies and supported by the susceptibility to systemic autoimmunity of carriersof genetic deficiencies for early complement proteins. The present review summarizes the role of molecules of innate immunity in the handling of apoptotic cells by macrophages and dendritic cells. It is proposed that C1q and other opsonins prevent autoimmunity and maintain self‐tolerance by supporting the efficient clearance of apoptotic material, as well as by actively modulating phagocyte function.
Thylakoid potassium channel is required for efficient photosynthesis in cyanobacteria

A potassium channel (SynK) of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, a photoheterotrophic model organism for the study of photosynthesis, has been recently identified and demonstrated to function as a potassium selective channel when expressed in a heterologous system and to be located predominantly to the thylakoid membrane in cyanobacteria. To study its physiological role, a SynK-less knockout mutant was generated and characterized. Fluorimetric experiments indicated that SynK-less cyanobacteria cannot build up a proton gradient as efficiently as WT organisms, suggesting that SynK might be involved in the regulation of the electric component of the proton motive force. Accordingly, measurements of flash-induced cytochrome b6f turnover and respiration pointed to a reduced generation of ΔpH and to an altered linear electron transport in mutant cells. The lack of the channel did not cause an altered membrane organization, but decreased growth and modified the photosystem II/photosystem I ratio at high light intensities because of enhanced photosensitivity. These data shed light on the function of a prokaryotic potassium channel and reports evidence, by means of a genetic approach, on the requirement of a thylakoid ion channel for optimal photosynthesis.
Reduction of erythema in hairless guinea pigs after cutaneous sulfur mustard vapor exposure by pretreatment with niacinamide, promethazine and indomethacin

Erythema is the initial symptom that occurs after sulfur mustard (HD) cutaneous exposure. The time course of HD‐induced erythema is similar to that observed after UV irradiation, which can be reduced by indomethacin. Sulfur mustard lethality is decreased by using promethazine, which is an antihistamine. Niacinamide can reduce microvesication after HD vapor exposure in hairless guinea pig (HGP) skin. The present study examines the effect of the combined administration of niacinamide, indomethacin and promethazine used alone or in all possible combinations on the degree of erythema and histopathologic skin damage after HD exposure in HGP. Niacinamide (750 mg kg−1, i.p.), promethazine (12.5 mg kg−1, i.m.) or indomethacin (4 mg kg−1, p.o.) used singly or in combination was given as a 30‐min pretreatment before an 8‐min HD vapor cup skin exposure. Using a combination pretreatment of niacinamide, promethazine and indomethacin, erythema was reduced at 4 (91%) and 6 (55%) h, but not 24 h after HD. The incidence of histopathological skin changes (microvesicles, follicular involvement, epidermal necrosis, intracellular edema and pustular epidermatitis) 24 h after HD was not reduced. This study indicates that HD‐induced erythema may result from several different mechanisms, including inflammation, histamine release and DNA damage. It is suggested that two phases of inflammation may occur: an early phase sensitive to antihistamines and non‐steroidal antiinflammatory drugs and a late phase of extensive cell damage that was not sensitive to these drug pretreatments.
Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells After Transplantation in Immune‐Deficient Mice

Our current knowledge of how human tissues grow and develop is limited. We need to increase our understanding of tissue formation if we are to fully realize the potential of stem cells as a source of material for research into health and disease and possible therapeutic applications. Transplanted pluripotent human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) provide a potential system to model and investigate cell differentiation in humans. hESCs transplanted into immune‐deficient mice form complex teratomas consisting of a range of differentiated somatic tissues, some of which appear highly organized and resemble structures normally identified in the embryo and adult. Analysis of such tumors may provide a unique opportunity to study organogenesis and lead to novel approaches in bioengineering and the growth of functioning structures composed of a range of alternative cell types. However, little has been done to characterize the developmental potential of hESCs after transplantation. This concise review presents evidence for the ability of hESCs to differentiate in vivo and highlights some of the prominent questions that need to be addressed if transplantation is to be used as a research tool to study hESC differentiation.
Mitomycin C: Chemical and Biological Studies on Alkylation

The presence of an aziridine ring in mitomycin C suggests that the mechanism of action of the antibiotic is like that of the antitumor alkylating agents. However the compound is unexpectedly stable during aerobic incubation with rat liver homogenates although rapidly metabolized anaerobically. Mitomycin is not reactive with γ-(4-nitrobenzyl) pyridine and reacts only slowly at acid pH with thiosulfate. It is proposed that mitomycin is activated in vivo, possibly by a reduction which "unmasks" the potential activity of the fused aziridine ring.