Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of visual deprivation on the development of the monkey's lateral geniculate nucleus.

We have studied the physiological properties of cells in the deprived layers of the lateral geniculate nucleus (l.g.n.) in monkeys monocularly deprived from birth for up to 27 weeks, and compared them with results from the non‐deprived layers in the same animals and in a series of normal animals. Despite the relative shrinkage of cell bodies in the deprived layers, units were easily isolated, were visually responsive and could readily be classified as linear (X) or non‐linear (Y) by means of tests of spatial summation. The laminar distribution of cell types and the proportion of Y cells did not seem to be affected by deprivation. The patterns and latencies of discharge produced by contrast‐reversing gratings did not differ grossly between deprived and non‐deprived cells. The peak firing frequencies for drifting gratings were also similar. The degree of surround antagonism (though very variable from cell to cell) seemed unaffected by deprivation. Most surprising of all, there was little or no deficit in the spatial resolution of the receptive fields of deprived cells. Recordings were always taken ipsilateral to the deprived eye, and neural 'acuity' tended to be sligtly lower in the deprived laminae than the non‐deprived. However, this nasal/temporal asymmetry in spatial resolution was not obviously more pronounced than in normal animals. Neural 'acuity' was not abnormally low in either contralateral or ipsilateral layers in the l.g. n. of an animal binocularly deprived from birth until a year of age. We have not examined chromatic properties or temporal characteristics adequately to say whether they are affected by deprivation. Paradoxically, although the post‐natal maturation of visual acuity in normal monkeys seems to be mainly limited by peripheral factors, deprivation (which causes a profound defect of behavioural acuity) does not seem to interfere substantially with physiological development of the retina or the geniculate nucleus.
Core Promoter Binding by Histone-Like TAF Complexes

ABSTRACT A major function of TFIID is core promoter recognition. TFIID consists of TATA-binding protein (TBP) and 14 TBP-associated factors (TAFs). Most of them contain a histone fold domain (HFD) that lacks the DNA-contacting residues of histones. Whether and how TAF HFDs contribute to core promoter DNA binding are yet unresolved. Here we examined the DNA binding activity of TAF9, TAF6, TAF4b, and TAF12, which are related to histones H3, H4, H2A, and H2B, respectively. Each of these TAFs has intrinsic DNA binding activity adjacent to or within the HFD. The DNA binding domains were mapped to evolutionarily conserved and essential regions. Remarkably, HFD-mediated interaction enhanced the DNA binding activity of each of the TAF6-TAF9 and TAF4b-TAF12 pairs and of a histone-like octamer complex composed of the four TAFs. Furthermore, HFD-mediated interaction stimulated sequence-specific binding by TAF6 and TAF9. These results suggest that TAF HFDs merge with other conserved domains for efficient and specific core promoter binding.
Relationships between anthropometric measures and athletic performance, with special reference to repeated-sprint ability, in the Qatar national soccer team

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine potential relationships between anthropometric parameters and athletic performance with special consideration to repeated-sprint ability (RSA). Sixteen players of the senior male Qatar national soccer team performed a series of anthropometric and physical tests including countermovement jumps without (CMJ) and with free arms (CMJwA), straight-line 20 m sprint, RSA (6 × 35 m with 10 s recovery) and incremental field test. Significant (P < 0.05) relationships occurred between muscle-to-bone ratio and both CMJs height (r ranging from 0.56 to 0.69) as well as with all RSA-related variables (r < –0.53 for sprinting times and r = 0.54 for maximal sprinting speed) with the exception of the sprint decrement score (Sdec). The sum of six skinfolds and adipose mass index were largely correlated with Sdec (r = 0.68, P < 0.01 and r = 0.55, P < 0.05, respectively) but not with total time (TT, r = 0.44 and 0.33, P > 0.05, respectively) or any standard athletic tests. Multiple regression analyses indicated that muscular cross-sectional area for mid-thigh, adipose index, straight-line 20 m time, maximal sprinting speed and CMJwA are the strongest predictors of Sdec (r2 = 0.89) and TT (r2 = 0.95) during our RSA test. In the Qatar national soccer team, players’ power-related qualities and RSA are associated with a high muscular profile and a low adiposity. This supports the relevance of explosive power for the soccer players and the larger importance of neuromuscular qualities determining the RSA.
Effect of hormonal contraceptive use on HIV progression in female HIV seroconverters in Rakai, Uganda

Objective:To assess the association between hormonal contraceptive use and HIV progression. Design:A retrospective analysis of 625 female HIV seroconverters from a Ugandan cohort study. Methods:Multivariate Cox regression analyses incorporating time-varying hormonal contraceptive exposure were used to estimate the adjusted hazard ratios of death, and a composite outcome of AIDS or death, associated with hormonal contraceptive use. Sensitivity analyses included lagging hormonal contraceptive exposure, varying comparison groups, and separately assessing effects of oral and injectable contraceptives. Results:A total of 27.5% of women reported ever using hormonal contraception. Of 625 women, 104 (16.6%) died and 291 (46.6%) progressed to AIDS or death during observation. Time-varying hormonal contraceptive use was not associated with an increased hazard of death as compared with nonuse of hormonal contraception (adjusted hazard ratio 0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.41–1.39, P = 0.37), and was associated with a significantly reduced hazard of progression to AIDS or death (adjusted hazard ratio 0.70, 95% confidence interval 0.50–0.97, P = 0.03). None of the sensitivity analyses suggested an adverse effect of hormonal contraception on HIV progression. Conclusion:Hormonal contraceptive use was not associated with faster progression to death, and was associated with a reduced hazard of progression to the composite outcome of AIDS or death.
Determination of two mercapturic acids related to crotonaldehyde in human urine: influence of smoking

Crotonaldehyde, an αβ-unsaturated aldehyde, and a potent alkylating agent, is present in many foods and beverages, ambient air and tobacco smoke. A previous study indicated that two metabolites, 3-hydroxy-1- methylpropylmercapturic acid (HMPMA) and 2-carboxy1-1-methylethylmercapturic acid (CMEMA), were excreted in rat urine after subcutaneous injection of crotonaldehyde. Herein, we report the development of a method based on liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and deuterated analytes as internal standards, for the determination of HMPMA and CMEMA in human urine. The limits of quantification of the method were 92 and 104 ng/mL for HMPMA and CMEMA, respectively. The calibration curves for both compounds were linear up to 7500 ng/mL with R2 >0.99. It was found that cigarette smokers excreted about three to five-fold more HMPMA, and only slightly elevated amounts of CMEMA, in their urine compared to non-smokers. In smokers, we also found significant correlations between the urinary excretion levels of HMPMA (but not CMEMA) and several markers of exposure for smoking, including the daily cigarette consumption, carbon monoxide in exhaled breath, salivary cotinine, and nicotine plus five of its major metabolites in urine. Smoking cessation or switching from smoking conventional cigarettes to experimental cigarettes with lower crotonaldehyde delivery led to significant reductions of urinary HMPMA excretion, but not CMEMA excretion. Alcohol consumption did not influence either urinary HMPMA or CMEMA excretion. We conclude that HMPMA is a potentially useful biomarker for smoking-related exposure to crotonaldehyde.
In vitro assembly of the CENP‐B/α‐satellite DNA/core histone complex: CENP‐B causes nucleosome positioning

We have studied the nucleosome structure formed from α‐satellite DNA bound with CENP‐B and core histones, in order to develop a previous proposal that the CENP‐B dimer may play a critical role in the assembly of higher order structures of the human centromere by juxtaposing CENP‐B boxes in long α‐satellite arrays.
Mucosal healing in inflammatory bowel disease: impossible ideal or therapeutic target?

The main goal of treatment for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis has always been the induction and maintenance of symptomatic improvement or at best remission. It has been shown by many studies that the long-term outcome of these diseases is not influenced by standard treatments and that the need for surgery is not decreasing in this population over the years. There is recent evidence that with immunosuppression and treatment with infliximab long-term healing of the bowel can be achieved and that this affects the outcome of both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. We propose that future studies should focus on healing and disease course as primary outcome measures.
Effects of Credit Supply on Unemployment and Income Inequality

The Great Recession, which was preceded by the Financial Crisis, resulted in higher unemployment and income inequality. We propose a simple model where firms producing varieties face labor-market frictions and credit constraints. In the model, tighter credit leads to lower output, a lower number of vacancies, and higher directed-search unemployment. If workers are more productive at higher levels of firm output, then a lower credit supply increases firm capital intensity, raises income inequality by increasing the rental of capital relative to the wage, and has an ambiguous effect on welfare. With an initially high share of labor costs in total production costs, tighter credit lowers welfare. This pattern reverses during an expansionary phase when there is higher credit availability.
THE THEORY OF LONG WAVES AND INSTITUTIONAL СHANGES: THE MEMORY OF GENERATIONS HYPOTHESIS

The article regards the main conceptions of the long Kondratiev wave and proposes the hypothesis that connects the length of the K-wave with change of generations. According to the article’s hypothesis, a major historical event (e.g. a war or a deep economic recession) that happens in a society at a given time t causes the creation of some institutions designed to mitigate the consequences of this event and avoid its recurrence in the future. With a change of generations, the historical memory about the t-event is weakening, and this leads to the erosion of mentioned institutions increasing risks of the emergence of similar events. So the article attempts to demonstrate that some problems faced by modern Western society can also be associated with the cycle described in the article.
Ethnic and geographical differences in systemic lupus erythematosus: an overview

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is one of the most heterogeneous autoimmune disorders known. There is production of a variety of autoantibodies and patients present with a wide range of symptoms due to multiple organ involvement by the disease process. The underlying cause is not fully understood but it may involve genetic and environmental factors. It is interesting to note that while SLE is found worldwide, it is more commonly found in some countries, and within a country certain ethnic groups appear to be more susceptible to develop this condition than others. Additionally, the presentation and course of SLE appear highly variable between patients of different ethnic origins. For example, African-Americans and Orientals are believed to have a more severe disease than Caucasian whites. But are these ethnic and geographical differences real? If yes, they may provide investigators insight into the underlying pathoaetiology of this condition and pave the way to future research directions in lupus.
Cardiorespiratory performance and physical activity in normal weight and overweight Finnish adolescents from 2003 to 2010

Abstract We investigated changes in cardiorespiratory performance, BMI and leisure-time physical activity among Finnish adolescents from 2003 to 2010. In addition, we compared cardiorespiratory performance levels between normal weight and overweight adolescents, grouped according to their physical activity. Participants were a national representative samples of 15–16-year-old adolescents in their final (ninth) year of comprehensive school in 2003 (n = 2258) and in 2010 (n = 1301). They performed an endurance shuttle run test and reported their height and weight and leisure time physical activity on a questionnaire. Results showed no significant secular changes in cardiorespiratory performance from 2003 to 2010. The mean BMI increased in boys. Leisure-time physical activity increased among normal weight girls. Adolescents of normal weight had better cardiorespiratory performance than those classified as overweight at both assessment points. BMI-adjusted physical activity was a significant determinant for cardiorespiratory performance among overweight adolescents, and very active overweight adolescents had similar cardiorespiratory performance levels as moderately active adolescents of normal weight. The results of the present study support the idea that the physical activity has the great importance for the cardiorespiratory performance in adolescents. Overweight adolescents, in particular, benefit from higher levels of physical activity.
Exposure of Sink Drain Microcosms to Triclosan: Population Dynamics and Antimicrobial Susceptibility

ABSTRACT Recent concern that the increased use of triclosan (TCS) in consumer products may contribute to the emergence of antibiotic resistance has led us to examine the effects of TCS dosing on domestic-drain biofilm microcosms. TCS-containing domestic detergent (TCSD) markedly lowered biofouling at 50% (wt/vol) but was poorly effective at use levels. Long-term microcosms were established and stabilized for 6 months before one was subjected to successive 3-month exposures to TCSD at sublethal concentrations (0.2 and 0.4% [wt/vol]). Culturable bacteria were identified by 16S rDNA sequence analysis, and their susceptibilities to four biocides and six antibiotics were determined. Microcosms harbored ca. 10 log10 CFU/g of biofilm, representing at least 27 species, mainly gamma proteobacteria, and maintained dynamic stability. Viable cell counts were largely unaffected by TCSD exposure, but species diversity was decreased, as corroborated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis. TCS susceptibilities ranged widely within bacterial groups, and TCS-tolerant strains (including aeromonads, pseudomonads, stenotrophomonads, and Alcaligenes spp.) were isolated before and after TCSD exposure. Several TCS-tolerant bacteria related to Achromobacter xylosoxidans became clonally expanded during dosing. TCSD addition did not significantly affect the community profiles of susceptibility to the test biocides or antibiotics. Several microcosm isolates, as well as reference bacteria, caused clearing of particulate TCS in solid media. Incubations of consortia and isolates with particulate TCS in liquid led to putative TCS degradation by the consortia and TCS solubilization by the reference strains. Our results support the view that low-level exposure of environmental microcosms to TCS does not affect antimicrobial susceptibility and that TCS is degradable by common domestic biofilms.
Comparison of an aprepitant regimen with a multiple-day ondansetron regimen, both with dexamethasone, for antiemetic efficacy in high-dose cisplatin treatment.

BACKGROUND We compared an aprepitant regimen with a control regimen of ondansetron + dexamethasone given for 4 days. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients scheduled to receive cisplatin > or =70 mg/m(2) were randomized to either the aprepitant regimen (aprepitant, ondansetron and dexamethasone on day 1; aprepitant and dexamethasone on days 2-3; dexamethasone on day 4) or control regimen (ondansetron + dexamethasone on days 1-4). Patients recorded vomiting, nausea and rescue therapy use. The primary end point was complete response (no vomiting and no use of rescue therapy) in the overall phase (days 1-5 post-cisplatin). RESULTS Complete response rates were higher in the aprepitant than control group in the overall (72% versus 61%; P = 0.003), acute (day 1; 88% versus 79%; P = 0.005) and delayed phases (days 2-5; 74% versus 63%; P = 0.004), as were rates of no vomiting (overall 77% versus 62%, P < or = 0.001; acute 89% versus 81%, P = 0.004; delayed 79% versus 64%, P < or = 0.001). Rates of no rescue therapy were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS Compared with an antiemetic regimen in which ondansetron + dexamethasone were given for 4 days, the aprepitant regimen was superior in the acute, delayed and overall phases of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The aprepitant regimen should be considered a new standard of antiemetic therapy for cisplatin-treated patients. www.ClinicalTrials. gov Identifier: NTC00090207.
Interspecific sexual attraction because of convergence in warning colouration: is there a conflict between natural and sexual selection in mimetic species?

When species converge in their colour patterns because of mimicry, and those patterns are also used in mate recognition, there is a probability of conflicting selection pressures. Closely related species that mimic one another are particularly likely to face such confusion because of similarities in their courtship behaviour and ecology. We conducted experiments in greenhouse conditions to study interspecific attraction between two mimetic butterfly species, Heliconius erato and Heliconius melpomene. Both species spent considerable time approaching and courting females of the co‐mimic species. Experiments using wing models demonstrated the importance of colour pattern in this interspecific attraction. Although males of H. melpomene were attracted to their co‐mimics as much as to their own females, H. erato males were more efficient at distinguishing conspecifics, possibly using wing odours. Although preliminary, these results suggest that the use of additional cues may have evolved in H. erato to reduce the cost of convergence in visual signals with H. melpomene. Overall, our results showed that there might be a cost of mimetic convergence because of a reduction in the efficiency of species recognition. Such cost may contribute to explain the apparently stable diversity in Müllerian mimetic patterns in many tropical butterfly assemblages.
[Epidemiology of overweight and obesity and its determinants in Belo Horizonte (MG), Brazil: a cross-sectional population-based study].

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and to study potential risk factors for these conditions in persons over 18 years of age in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. METHODS Data were obtained from a population-based study conducted in 1996 and 1997 by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, IBGE) with a random sample of 1 105 individuals. Height and weight were measured by trained personnel. Overweight (body mass index [BMI] > or = 25.0 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI > or = 30.0 kg/m2) were the dependent variables. Bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify potential risk factors for overweight and obesity. RESULTS The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 31.1% (95% confidence interval 195% CI]: 27.3 to 35.2) and 5.7% (95% CI: 4.0 to 8.1), respectively, in men, and 25.9% (95% CI: 22.4 to 29.8) and 14.7% (95% CI: 11.9 to 17.9), respectively, in women. Multivariate analysis revealed that age and marital status were independent risk factors for overweight, whereas age, sex, and education were independent risk factors for obesity. Being female and well-educated showed a protective effect against overweight (odds ratio [OR] = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.83), but not against obesity (OR = 3.01; IC 95%: 1.14 to 7.94). Women with low education had a significantly greater risk (OR = 5.95; 95%CI: 2.51 to 14.12) of developing obesity than men having a high educational level. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that overweight and obesity may be serious public health problems in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. It is important to carry out further studies in order to explore the potential relationship between overweight and obesity on the one hand, and behavioral variables, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, on the other.
A paradox? Homogeneity in the IMP perspective

In this paper we discuss the assumption of heterogeneity within the IMP Perspective. We claim that the assumption of heterogeneity in the IMP Perspective actually comprises two assumptions: (A) that the value of a single resource depends on the combination in which it is used, and (B) that a single resource is always unique in the sense that it always differs from other resources. Furthermore, and on the basis of the main sources of the concept of heterogeneity, we claim that even if we assume that any resource is always heterogeneous, in both the (A) and the (B) sense, it is important to realise that the heterogeneity is neither always considered nor always made use of. In other words, we suggest that it is important to also consider ‘that’, ‘how’ and ‘why’ resource heterogeneity is disregarded. That is, we need to consider that actors choose between heterogeneity-exploring and homogeneity-creating action strategies. We discuss and exemplify how heterogeneity of both type (A) and (B) can be (1) disregarded or (2) made use of. In doing so we make use of the framework by Hakansson and Waluszewski (2002) who propose that it is useful to analyse networks in terms of four types of resources: products, facilities, business units and relationships. We propose that all four resource entities are heterogeneous in the (A) as well as the (B) sense, and that for each type of resource entity, both types of heterogeneity can be either (1) disregarded or (2) made use of. Throughout the paper, we make use of a case study for exemplifying the different conceptual types, we put forward, and the observation that these conceptual types are always mixed when action is taken in real, empirical settings. Thereby, we suggest (a) that managers always use only a fraction of and disregard most of both types of heterogeneity of those resources which they use and consider for creating efficiency and effectiveness in networks, and (b) that we need more research into how and why managers do so. Finally, we suggest that the concept of homogeneity as ‘disregarded heterogeneity’, in effect, is necessary for explaining the possibility of development as well as the existence of relationships.