Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hormonal and molecular characterization of follicular fluid, cumulus cells and oocytes from pre-ovulatory follicles in stimulated and unstimulated cycles.

BACKGROUND The use of ovarian stimulation, to stimulate a multi-follicular response for assisted reproduction treatments, may force the production of oocytes from follicles that do not reach optimal maturation, possibly yielding oocytes that are not fully competent. The present study aimed to define the follicular environment and oocyte competence of unstimulated pre-ovulatory follicles, to compare it with that of similar-sized stimulated follicles. For this purpose, we analyzed the follicular hormonal milieu, the oocyte meiotic spindle, the embryo development and the cumulus cells gene expression (GE) profiles. METHODS AND RESULTS The study population was divided in two groups: (i) 42 oocyte donors undergoing unstimulated cycles and (ii) 18 oocyte donors undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation cycles (COS). Follicular fluid was analyzed to quantify the concentrations of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), FSH, LH, testosterone (T) and androstendione (Δ4). T was higher in the COS group, while Δ4, E2 and LH were significantly higher in unstimulated cycles. The cumulus oophorus cells (CC) surrounding the oocyte were removed and their GE profiles were analyzed with microarrays. There were 18 differentially expressed genes in CC: 7 were up-regulated and 11 were down-regulated in the COS cycles. The microarray was validated by qRT-PCR. The analysis of spindle structure revealed no significant differences between the groups, except for the parameter of length which presented differences. The fertilization ability and embryo morphology on Days 2, 3 and 4 did not show any significant differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS The use of ovarian stimulation induces changes in the follicular fluid and in CC GE that may affect immune processes, meiosis and ovulation pathways. Although these differences do not seem to relate to early-stage embryo morphology, the implications of some of the molecules, especially ALDH1A2, CTSL and ZNF33B at the CC level, deserve to be addressed in future studies.
Risk of atrophy in kidneys with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis.

The goal of this study was to determine the incidence of and risk factors for renal atrophy among kidneys with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS). Participants with at least one ARAS were followed prospectively with duplex scans performed every six months. Renal atrophy was defined as a reduction in renal length of greater than 1 cm. A total of 204 kidneys in 122 subjects were followed for a mean of 33 months. The two-year cumulative incidence (CI) of renal atrophy was 5.5%, 11.7%, and 20.8% in kidneys with a baseline renal artery disease classification of normal, <60% stenosis, and > or = 60% stenosis, respectively (P = 0.009, log rank test). Other baseline factors associated with a high risk of renal atrophy included a systolic blood pressure > 180 mm Hg (2-year CL = 35%, P = 0.01), a renal artery peak systolic velocity > 400 cm/second (2-year CI = 32%, P = 0.02), and a renal cortical end diastolic velocity < or = 5 cm/second (2-year CI = 29%, P = 0.046). The number of kidneys demonstrating atrophy per participant was correlated with elevations in the serum creatinine concentration (P = 0.03). In patients with ARAS, there is a significant risk of renal atrophy among kidneys exposed to elevated systolic blood pressure and among those with high-grade ARAS and low renal cortical blood flow velocity as assessed by renal duplex scanning. The occurrence of renal atrophy is well-correlated with changes in the serum creatinine concentration.
Biopsychosocial correlates of lifetime major depression in a multiple sclerosis population

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the lifetime and point prevalence of major depression in a population-based Multiple Sclerosis (MS) clinic sample, and to describe associations between selected biopsychosocial variables and the prevalence of lifetime major depression in this sample. Subjects who had participated in an earlier study were re-contacted for additional data collection. Eighty-three per cent (n=136) of those eligible consented to participate. Each subject completed the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) and an interviewer-administered questionnaire evaluating a series of biopsychosocial variables. The lifetime prevalence of major depression in this sample was 22.8%, somewhat lower than previous estimates in MS clinic populations. Women, those under 35, and those with a family history of major depression had a higher prevalence. Also, subject reporting high levels of stress and heavy ingestion of caffeine (>400 mg) had a higher prevalence of major depression. As this was a cross-sectional analysis, the direction of causal effect for the observed associations could not be determined. By identifying variables that are associated with lifetime major depression, these data generate hypotheses for future prospective studies. Such studies will be needed to further understand the etiology of depressive disorders in MS.
Safely Coupling Livestock and Crop Production Systems: How Rapidly Do Antibiotic Resistance Genes Dissipate in Soil following a Commercial Application of Swine or Dairy Manure?

ABSTRACT Animal manures recycled onto crop production land carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The present study evaluated the fate in soil of selected genes associated with antibiotic resistance or genetic mobility in field plots cropped to vegetables and managed according to normal farming practice. Referenced to unmanured soil, fertilization with swine or dairy manure increased the relative abundance of the gene targets sul1, erm(B), str(B), int1, and IncW repA. Following manure application in the spring of 2012, gene copy number decayed exponentially, reaching background levels by the fall of 2012. In contrast, gene copy number following manure application in the fall of 2012 or spring of 2013 increased significantly in the weeks following application and then declined. In both cases, the relative abundance of gene copy numbers had not returned to background levels by the fall of 2013. Overall, these results suggest that under conditions characteristic of agriculture in a humid continental climate, a 1-year period following a commercial application of raw manure is sufficient to ensure that an additional soil burden of antibiotic resistance genes approaches background. The relative abundance of several gene targets exceeded background during the growing season following a spring application or an application done the previous fall. Results from the present study reinforce the advisability of treating manure prior to use in crop production systems.
Absorption, tissue distribution and excretion of pelargonidin and its metabolites following oral administration to rats

Recent reports have demonstrated various cardiovascular and neurological benefits associated with the consumption of foods rich in anthocyanidins. However, information regarding absorption, metabolism, and especially, tissue distribution are only beginning to accumulate. In the present study, we investigated the occurrence and the kinetics of various circulating pelargonidin metabolites, and we aimed at providing initial information with regard to tissue distribution. Based on HPLC and LC-MS analyses we demonstrate that pelargonidin is absorbed and present in plasma following oral gavage to rats. In addition, the main structurally related pelargonidin metabolite identified in plasma and urine was pelargonidin glucuronide. Furthermore, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, a ring fission product of pelargonidin, was detected in plasma and urine samples obtained at 2 and 18h after ingestion. At 2h post-gavage, pelargonidin glucuronide was the major metabolite detected in kidney and liver, with levels reaching 0·5 and 0·15nmol pelargonidin equivalents/g tissue, respectively. Brain and lung tissues contained detectable levels of the aglycone, with the glucuronide also present in the lungs. Other tissues, including spleen and heart, did not contain detectable levels of pelargonidin or ensuing metabolites. At 18h post-gavage, tissue analyses did not reveal detectable levels of the aglycone nor of pelargonidin glucuronides. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the overall uptake of the administered pelargonidin was 18% after 2h, with the majority of the detected levels located in the stomach. However, the amounts recovered dropped to 1·2% only 18h post-gavage, with the urine and faecal content constituting almost 90% of the total recovered pelargonidin.
Soil microbial community composition in tallgrass prairie restorations converge with remnants across a 27‐year chronosequence

Restoration and management of natural ecosystems is a critical strategy in mitigating global biodiversity loss. This is exemplified in the American Midwest by efforts aimed at reclaiming historical grasslands lost to high-yield agriculture. While restorations traditionally take the form of plant reintroduction and management, advances in microbial analyses suggest that soil communities could be indicators restoration success. However, current understanding of key microbial taxa and functional activities in both natural and restored ecosystems is limited. Here, we investigated the impact of nearly 30 years of carefully managed restoration on soil microbial communities at the Nachusa Grasslands in northern Illinois, USA. We characterized bacterial and archaeal communities in a chronosequence of restored tallgrass prairies ranging from 1 to 27 years old across a growing season and compared them to communities in pre-restoration agricultural fields and remnant prairies. Results indicate that older restorations harboured communities statistically distinct from newer restorations. These communities converged toward those in local prairie remnants, suggesting that plant-focussed restoration has yielded soil bacterial communities reflective of a successful restoration. Recovery of microbial clades within the Verrucomicrobia and Acidobacteria are an important feature of this convergence, and these groups could be targeted for future soil-focussed, bottom-up restoration studies.
Neurosteroids for a successful pregnancy

Steroid hormones play a critical role in the initiation and maintenance of pregnancy. In particular, the important role that the progesterone metabolite, and neurosteroid, allopregnanolone, may play in fetal and adolescent development is becoming increasingly evident. Unlike steroid hormones, neurosteroids act at nontraditional targets in the central and peripheral nervous systems, including GABAA receptor complexes. This commentary discusses the three works in this issue that elucidate the important role of allopregnanolone in the mechanisms that regulate stress hypo-sensitivity of rodents in late pregnancy, neuroprotective effects in fetal sheep exposed to a hypoxic insult, and the continuing role that prefrontal cortex formation of allopregnanolone may play on the cognitive development of gestationally stressed rat offspring, grown to adolescence. The narrative that these works comprise was facilitated by the 5th International Meeting on Steroids and the Nervous System (Torino, Italy), which is organized to update our knowledge on the relationships between steroid hormones synthesized in different organs and the nervous system. Topics covered in this most recent meeting included sex differences in, and hormonal influences on, cannabinoid-regulated biology; steroids and pain; the importance of co-regulatory factors for steroid receptor action in the brain; mechanism and role of estrogen-induced nonclassical signaling in the brain; vitamin D as the forgotten neurosteroid; neurosteroids and GABAA receptors; and pathogenic mechanisms mediated by glucocorticoid receptors in psychiatric disorders. The 6th International Meeting on Steroids and the Nervous System will be held in Torino, Italy in February 2011.
Multiple regulatory proteins mediate repression and activation by interaction with the yeast Mig1 binding site

A major mediator of glucose repression in yeast is Mig1, a zinc finger protein that binds to a GC‐rich recognition sequence found upstream of many glucose‐repressible genes. Because these Mig1 sites are found upstream of genes under different modes of regulation, we studied regulation of transcription mediated by an isolated Mig1 site placed upstream of a reporter gene under control of UASCYC1. The Mig1 site responded appropriately to glucose control and regulatory mutations, including snf1, reg1, cyc8, and tup1, mimicking the behavior of the SUC2 gene. Deletion of the MIG1‐coding gene reduced but did not eliminate glucose repression mediated by the Mig1 site. Complete loss of repression was seen in a mig1 mig2 double mutant. When the UASCYC1 was replaced by UASADH1 in the reporter plasmid, the Mig1 site activated transcription under most conditions. Mutations of the two Mig1 binding sites in the SUC2 promoter resulted in loss of activation of SUC2 expression. These results suggest the presence of an unknown activator or activators that binds to the Mig1 site. The activator is not any of the proteins previously proposed to bind to this site, including Mig1, Mig2, Msn2, or Msn4. Band shift assays showed that Mig1 is the major protein in yeast cell extracts that binds to the Mig1 site in vitro. This binding is not regulated by glucose or mutations in CYC8 or TUP1. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Social Isolation on Anxiety-Related Behaviors, Cortisol, and Monoamines in Adult Zebrafish

Social isolation can be used to study behavioral, neural, and hormonal mechanisms that regulate interactions in social animals. Although isolation effects have been reported in social mammals and various fish species, systematic studies with isolated zebrafish are rare. Here, the authors examined behavior (social and nonsocial), physiological stress (whole-body cortisol levels), and neurochemicals (serotonin, dopamine, and their metabolites), following acute and chronic social isolation in adult zebrafish. To observe how isolated fish respond behaviorally to social stimuli, they exposed zebrafish to live conspecifics or animated images after acute (24 hr) or chronic (6 months) social isolation. The authors observed that isolation did not affect locomotor activity, but acute isolation had weak nonsignificant anxiogenic effects in adult zebrafish. They also found that all isolated fish responded to both live and animated social stimuli, and the stress hormone, cortisol was lower in chronically isolated fish. Finally, neurochemical analyses showed that serotonin levels increased when fish were exposed to social stimulus after acute isolation, but its metabolite 5HIAA decreased in response to social stimulus following both acute and chronic isolation. Levels of both dopamine and its metabolite DOPAC were also reduced in fish exposed to social stimulus after acute and chronic isolation. Overall, these results show that isolation in zebrafish is an effective tool to study fundamental mechanisms controlling social interaction at behavioral and physiological levels.
Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) expression in pT2 gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS The purpose of this study was to determine whether the vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) protein expression was related to the clinicopathologic features of patients with pT2 (primary tumor invasion of muscularis propria or subserosa) gastric cancer. METHODOLOGY The expression of VEGF-C protein was investigated retrospectively in 102 patients with pT2 gastric cancer. Immunohistochemical staining of the paraffin sections was performed using a polyclonal antibody to VEGF-C. RESULTS Normal gastric mucosa was not immunoreactive with an anti-VEGF-C antibody. Among the 102 tumors examined, 27 (26.5%) showed high expression of VEGF-C protein. No staining was observed in the normal tissue surrounding the tumor. There were no significant differences in age, gender, or histological types. With regard to the clinicopathological characteristics, significant differences were observed in depth of tumor invasion (muscularis propria vs. subserosa; p<0.05), lymph node metastasis (p<0.001), and stage grouping (p<0.001). The prognosis for VEGF-C-positive patients was worse than that for VEGF-C-negative patients in terms of overall survival, and VEGF-C expression was an independent prognostic indicator (p=0.023) by multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS Determination of VEGF-C expression is important in predicting nodal metastasis and poor clinical outcome in pT2 gastric cancer patients.
Correlation between maternal first trimester plasma leptin levels and birth weight among normotensive and preeclamptic women

Objective. To determine the connection between maternal first trimester serum leptin levels and newborn weight. Methods. The study included 37 preeclamptic women and 53 normotensive women who considered the control group. Maternal blood samples were withdrawn at 13 weeks of gestation for the measurement of leptin concentrations. Birth weights were transformed to z-scores according to maternal and obstetrical features, based on customised centiles. Non-parametric tests, student's t-test, Pearson's correlation, Spearman's correlation and linear regression analysis were performed in our analysis. Results. Pre-pregnancy body mass index and first trimester maternal plasma leptin levels were significantly higher among women with preeclampsia (p = 0.015 and p < 0.001, respectively). Birth weight z-score was negatively correlated with leptin levels (r = −0.570, p < 0.001), in preeclamptic group and in control group (r = −0.477, p < 0.001). The regression modelling demonstrated a significant negative association between birth weight z-scores and leptin for both groups. Conclusion. Maternal first trimester serum leptin demonstrates a significant negative association with neonatal weight in preeclamptic pregnancies and to a lesser extent in normotensive pregnancies. A possible leptin's involvement in pathophysiological adaptations that define the foetal growth potential can be supported.
Science base of complementary feeding practice in infancy

Purpose of reviewThe review presents a selection of publications on complementary feeding in industrialized countries during 2008–2009, after the publication of the ESPGHAN position paper in early 2008. Recent findingsThe WHO recommendation for introduction of complementary feeding at 6 months is adapted in many countries, but the issue is still discussed and many mothers introduce complementary feeding as early as before 4 months. The European Food Safety Authority recently published a comprehensive review on the appropriate age for the introduction of complementary feeding and concluded that introduction between 4 and 6 months is safe. One study showed that delaying introduction of complementary feeding up to 6 months resulted in lower risk of overweight as adult. Milk protein is stimulating insulin-like growth factor-1 and growth and a recent study supports a long-term programming of the insulin-like growth factor-1 axis. There is now a broad consensus that there is no need to delay the introduction of hyperallergenic foods, which might even increase the risk of allergic disease. Randomized studies show that docosahexaenoic acid may affect heart rate and thereby cardiovascular regulation. SummaryDespite some recent interesting publications, there is still a need for more large randomized studies to further explore to what degree the time of introduction and composition of complementary foods have effects on growth, development and especially the long-term risk of diseases.
Acute compartment syndrome risk in fracture fixation with regional blocks

Acute compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency that most commonly occurs after trauma or reperfusion after prolonged arterial occlusion. It is caused by a build-up of blood and oedema fluid within a closed muscle compartment, and can be limb and life-threatening. It is therefore imperative that a prompt diagnosis is made. The risk of developing this condition is <1% in patients with distal radius fractures and 4–5% in those with tibial diaphyseal fractures. Pain management is an important aspect of treatment following any fracture. Regional anaesthesia can be used during surgical fixation of the fracture and has the potential to reduce the need for specialist postoperative care and analgesia, as well as to shorten the length of hospitalisation. With this case report, we hope to highlight the potential risk of masking symptoms of compartment syndrome while using regional blocks, as this can cause a delay in diagnosis and treatment, leading to associated complications.
Paralogs of Genes Encoding Metal Resistance Proteins in Cupriavidus metallidurans Strain CH34

Cupriavidus (Wautersia, Ralstonia, Alcaligenes) metallidurans strain CH34is a well-studied example of a metal-resistant proteobacterium. Genome sequence analysis revealed the presence of a variety of paralogs of proteins that were previously shown to be involved in heavy metal resistance. Which advantage has C. metallidurans in maintaining all these paralogs during evolution? Paralogs investigated belong to the families RND (resistance nodulation cell division) or CHR (chromate resistance). The respective genes were localized by PCR either on one of the two native megaplasmids pMOL28 and pMOL30 of strain CH34, or on its chromosomal DNA. Gene expression was studied by real-time reverse transcriptase PCR and by reporter gene constructs. Genes found to be inducible were disrupted and their contribution to metal resistance measured. When two or three highly related genes were present, usually one was inducible by heavy metals while the other one or two were silent or constitutively expressed. This suggests that C. metallidurans CH34 carries a variety of no longer or not yet used genes that might serve as surplus material for further developments, an advantage that may compensate for the costs of maintaining these genes during evolution.
Relationship of 1 Repetition Maximum Lat-Pull to Pull-Up and Lat-Pull Repetitions in Elite Collegiate Women Swimmers

Halet, KA, Mayhew, JL, Murphy, C, and Fanthorpe, J. Relationship of 1 repetition maximum lat-pull to pull-up and lat-pull repetitions in elite collegiate women swimmers. J Strength Cond Res 23(5): 1496-1502, 2009-The purposes of this study were to determine the relationships among pull-ups, lat-pull repetitions, and 1 repetition maximum (1RM) lat-pull in elite women swimmers and to assess the effect of various anthropometric dimensions on each exercise. Women members (n = 28) of an elite National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II swim team were measured for their ability to perform a maximum number of free-hanging pull-ups, 1RM lat-pull, and lat-pull repetitions at 80% of 1RM. Anthropometric dimensions included selected arm lengths, percent body fat (%fat), and lean body mass (LBM) estimated from skinfold measurements. The correlations of 1RM lat-pull with body mass (r = 0.38, p = 0.04) and LBM (r = 0.41, p = 0.03) were significant, whereas that with %fat (r = 0.13, p = 0.49) was not. The same variables had a significant negative pattern with pull-ups (r = −0.48, −0.43, −0.32, respectively). Pull-ups were moderately correlated with 1RM lat-pull (r = 0.34, p = 0.08) but not with lat-pull repetitions (r = 0.07, p = 0.73). The product of pull-ups times body mass (PU × BM) was a better predictor of 1RM lat-pull (r = 0.86, standard errors of estimate [SEEs] = 4.4 kg) than either measurement alone. The addition of %fat to PU × BM in a stepwise regression analysis raised the correlation (R = 0.90) and reduced the SEE (3.9 kg) only slightly. Addition of arm or forearm lengths failed to increase the multiple R significantly. These results confirmed that the seemingly analogous exercises of pull-ups and lat-pulls were not highly related and should not be substituted for one another in a training regimen.