Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ecological contingency in the effects of climatic warming on forest herb communities

Downscaling from the predictions of general climate models is critical to current strategies for mitigating species loss caused by climate change. A key impediment to this downscaling is that we lack a fully developed understanding of how variation in physical, biological, or land-use characteristics mediates the effects of climate change on ecological communities within regions. We analyzed change in understory herb communities over a 60-y period (1949/1951–2007/2009) in a complex montane landscape (the Siskiyou Mountains, Oregon) where mean temperatures have increased 2 °C since 1948, similar to projections for other terrestrial communities. Our 185 sites included primary and secondary-growth lower montane forests (500–1.200 m above sea level) and primary upper montane to subalpine forests (1,500–2,100 m above sea level). In lower montane forests, regardless of land-use history, we found multiple herb-community changes consistent with an effectively drier climate, including lower mean specific leaf area, lower relative cover by species of northern biogeographic affinity, and greater compositional resemblance to communities in southerly topographic positions. At higher elevations we found qualitatively different and more modest changes, including increases in herbs of northern biogeographic affinity and in forest canopy cover. Our results provide community-level validation of predicted nonlinearities in climate change effects.
Analysis of the receptor binding domain of Gpa1p, the G(alpha) subunit involved in the yeast pheromone response pathway

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae G protein alpha subunit Gpa1p is involved in the response of both MATa and MAT alpha cells to pheromone. We mutagenized the GPA1 C terminus to characterize the receptor-interacting domain and to investigate the specificity of the interactions with the a- and alpha-factor receptors. The results are discussed with respect to a structural model of the Gpa1p C terminus that was based on the crystal structure of bovine transducin. Some mutants showed phenotypes different than the pheromone response and mating defects expected for mutations that affect receptor interactions, and therefore the mutations may affect other aspects of Gpa1p function. Most of the mutations that resulted in pheromone response and mating defects had similar effects in MATa and MAT alpha cells, suggesting that they affect the interactions with both receptors. Overexpression of the pheromone receptors increased the mating of some of the mutants tested but not the wild-type strain, consistent with defects in mutant Gpa1p-receptor interactions. The regions identified by the mating-defective mutants correlated well with the regions of mammalian G(alpha) subunits implicated in receptor interactions. The strongest mating type-specific effects were seen for mutations to proline and a mutation of a glycine residue predicted to form a C-terminal beta turn. The analogous beta turn in mammalian G(alpha) subunits undergoes a conformational change upon receptor interaction. We propose that the conformation of this region of Gpa1p differs during the interactions with the a- and alpha-factor receptors and that these mating type-specific mutations preclude the orientation necessary for interaction with one of the two receptors.
Bifidobacterium bifidum PRL2010 Modulates the Host Innate Immune Response

ABSTRACT Here, we describe data obtained from transcriptome profiling of human cell lines and intestinal cells of a murine model upon exposure and colonization, respectively, with Bifidobacterium bifidum PRL2010. Significant changes were detected in the transcription of genes that are known to be involved in innate immunity. Furthermore, results from enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) showed that exposure to B. bifidum PRL2010 causes enhanced production of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-8 cytokines, presumably through NF-κB activation. The obtained global transcription profiles strongly suggest that Bifidobacterium bifidum PRL2010 modulates the innate immune response of the host.
Bioaccumulation of triclosan and triclocarban in plants grown in soils amended with municipal dewatered biosolids

Biosolids generally contain the microbiocidal agents triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC) that are persistent during wastewater treatment and sorp to organic material. The present study investigated the concentration of TCS in tissues of radish, carrot, and soybean grown in potted soil amended with biosolids. Highest mean concentrations of TCS in radish, carrot, and soybean root tissue midway through the life cycle were 24.8 ng/g, 49.8 ng/g, and 48.1 ng/g dry weight, respectively; by the conclusion of the test, however, concentrations had declined to 2.1 ng/g, 5.5 ng/g, and 8.4 ng/g dry weight, respectively. Highest mean concentrations of TCS in radish and carrot shoot tissue were 33.7 and 18.3 ng/g dry weight at days 19 and 45, respectively, but had declined to 13.7 ng/g and 5.5 ng/g dry weight at days 34 and 69, respectively. Concentration of TCS in all samples of soybean seeds was below method detection limit (i.e., 2.8 ng/g dry wt). The present study also examined the concentration of TCS and TCC in edible portions of green pepper, carrot, cucumber, tomato, radish, and lettuce plants grown in a field amended with biosolids. Triclosan was detected only in cucumber and radish up to 5.2 ng/g dry weight. Triclocarban was detected in carrot, green pepper, tomato, and cucumber up to 5.7 ng/g dry weight. On the basis of the present study and other studies, we estimate that vegetable consumption represents less than 0.5% of the acceptable daily intake of TCS and TCC. These results demonstrate that, if best management practices for land application of biosolids in Ontario are followed, the concentration of TCS and TCC in edible portions of plants represents a negligible exposure pathway to humans. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:975–984. © 2014 SETAC
Twelve-Year Television Viewing Time Trajectories and Physical Function in Older Adults

Introduction The purposes of this study were to identify trajectories of older adults' television viewing (TV) time for 12 yr and to examine their associations with performance-based measures of physical function. Methods Data on TV time (h·wk−1) and sociodemographic factors were collected at each assessment of the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study (1999/2000, 2004/2005, and 2011/2012), with objective measures of physical function (2.44 m timed up and go [TUG, s] and knee extensor strength [KES, kg] tests) collected at the final (2011/2012) assessment. Regression analyses examined predictors of trajectory membership and associations with TUG and KES in those 60+ yr of age in 2011/2012. Results Six TV time trajectories were identified among the 1938 participants (age, 60–97 yr; 54% female): consistently low (9.7%), low-increasing (22.3%), moderate-decreasing (13.5%), moderate-increasing (30.3%), consistently high (18.9%), and high-increasing (5.2%). There were no statistically significant relationships with TUG (P > 0.05). In the fully adjusted model, KES performance was significantly better in the consistently low, low-increasing, and consistently high trajectories, compared with the moderate-increasing trajectory (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.33). Conclusion Twelve-year trajectories of TV time were associated with muscle strength in older adults. These findings suggest that patterns of sedentary behavior can be a determinant of muscle strength in later life.
Knowledge of Repetition Range Does Not Affect Maximal Force Production Strategies of Adolescent Females.

PURPOSE Contrary to adult force reserve strategies, it is not known whether adolescent females with less experience performing maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) have specific responses to a known or unknown fatigue endpoint. METHODS Using a counterbalanced random crossover design, fourteen inexperienced female adolescents completed three elbow flexor (EF) fatiguing protocols. Participants were randomly assigned to a control (informed they would perform 12 MVCs), unknown (not informed of the number of MVCs to be completed, but stopped after 12) or deception condition (instructed to complete 6 MVCs, however, after the sixth repetition performed another 6 MVCs). Before and during the interventions, EF impulse, force, and biceps brachii (BB) and triceps brachii (TB) electromyography (EMG) activity were recorded. RESULTS Participants exhibited decreases in impulse (10.9%; p < .05), force (7.5%; p = .001), BB (16.2%; p < .05) and TB (12.9%; p < .05) EMG activity between the pretest and the first repetition of all protocols. Knowledge of endpoint, or lack of it, did not change measures with the repeated MVCs. When informed about the final repetition, force remained depressed suggesting no physiological reserve. CONCLUSION Adolescent females exhibited an anticipatory response to the task of performing repeated MVCs. A lack of change with knowledge of endpoint indicates that those lacking in MVC experience do not employ the same pacing strategies as in previous studies of participants with MVC experience.
A Comparison of Respiratory Symptoms and Inflammation in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and in Accidental or Inflicted Infant Death

Upper respiratory infection and pulmonary inflammation are common in sudden infant death syndrome, but their role in the cause of death remains controversial. Controlled studies comparing clinical upper respiratory infection and inflammation in sudden infant death syndrome with sudden infant deaths caused by accidents and inflicted injuries (controls) are unavailable. Our aim was to compare respiratory inflammation and upper respiratory infection within 48 hours of death and postmortem culture results in these two groups. A retrospective analysis of upper respiratory infection and pathologic variables in the trachea and lung of 155 infants dying of sudden infant death syndrome and 33 control infants was undertaken. Upper respiratory infection was present in 39% of sudden infant death syndrome cases and 40% of control cases. Upper respiratory infection was more likely to have occurred in association with more severe lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis when sudden infant death syndrome cases and control cases were combined (P = .04). Proximal and distal tracheal lymphocytic infiltration was more severe in control cases than in sudden infant death syndrome cases (P = .01 and .01, respectively). Lymphocytic infiltrations of the bronchi, bronchioles, and pulmonary interstitium were similar between groups. Bronchial associated lymphoid tissue was more prominent in control cases (P = .04). Cultures were positive in 80% of sudden infant death syndrome cases, 78% of which were polymicrobial. Among control cases, 89% were positive, with 94% being polymicrobial. This study confirms that microscopic inflammatory infiltrates in sudden infant death syndrome are not lethal.
Toxicological effect of emodin in mouse testicular gene expression profile

Emodin (1,3,8‐trihydroxy‐6‐methyl‐anthraquinone) is a herbal medicine extracted from the rhizomes of Rheum palmatum, and is known as an inhibitor of casein kinase II (CK2). The CK2α′ knockout mice are known to be male‐infertile; however, there have been no reports on the toxicity of emodin in male reproductive organs/tissues. To evaluate the toxicological effects of emodin on differential gene expression profiles of the testis as compared with acrylamide, mice were orally administered emodin and acrylamide for 5 days at a dose of 1000 and 50 mg kg−1 per day, respectively, and euthanized 24 h after the final administration. Both chemicals induced hypospermatogenesis, eosinophilic change and apoptosis of germ cell. A DNA microarray analysis showed that the IGF‐1 receptor signaling was most closely related to the above testicular toxicity induced by emodin, and the RhoA regulation, TGF/WNT and cytoskeletal remodeling, TNFR1 signaling and adenosine A2A receptor signaling were commonly associated with the two chemicals. We selected 36 genes associated with CK2, apoptosis and spermatogenesis and determined their expression by quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Both chemicals perturbed the expression of genes associated with CK2. Genes related to spermatogenesis were also affected, as evidenced by hypospermatogenesis, and eosinophilic change and apoptosis of germ cell. The results suggest that emodin causes testicular toxicity, including apoptosis with related the IGF‐1 receptor signaling pathway, and the two chemicals commonly affect CK2, spermatogenesis and sperm motility via four pathways, such as TNFR1 signaling. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Astrocytes support incomplete differentiation of an oligodendrocyte precursor cell.

Glial fibrillary acidic protein‐positive astrocytes, but not neurons or fibroblasts, support the differentiation of an oligodendroglial precursor cell expressing O4 antigen and vimentin into an O4 antigen‐positive, but vimentin‐negative oligodendrocyte. Further maturation into galactocerebroside (O1)‐positive oligodendrocytes is, however, not achieved under the culture conditions used, neither in the presence of astrocytes nor neurons.
L-dopa in Parkinsonism.

involvement of several organs in patients with chronic active hepatitis probably due to diffuse immunological damage. Weil's disease and renal damage due to septicaemia-common in cirrhotic patients on immunosuppressive or corticosteroid therapy5 -are also causes of combined renal and liver failure. A rather important relationship is to be noted between obstructive jaundice and renal failure, for in this situation damage to the kidneys may be preventable. Jaundiced patients are more susceptible than the average to hypotension and renal damage after operations.6 The danger is directly proportional to the level of the serum bilirubin.7 It has been suggested that infusions of mannitol8 before operation may prevent this complication, because experimental evidence shows that the kidneys of animals in which the bile duct is ligated resist change if mannitol is given. This suggests that renal ischaemia is secondary to a primary change in the kidneys. An experimental study, published at page 229 of the B.M. 7. this week by Mr. J. L. Dawson and his colleagues, who have done much of the work in Britain on this important association, shows that the susceptibility of the jaundiced kidney to postoperative ischaemic damage may be related to the nature of the retained bile pigment. They compared two strains of rats. The Gunn rat can produce only unconjugated bilirubin because of a congenital deficiency of an enzyme (glucuronyl transferase). It is not nearly so susceptible to renal change as is the normal, Wistar, strain, and these workers found there was no more evidence of renal damage in the operated Gunn rats after ligation of the bile duct than in the control group of Gunn rats. The villain of the piece therefore seems to be conjugated bilirubin, for it is the only component of bile that is known to differ between the two strains of rats. Moreover, bilirubin glucuronide is the only form found in the fluid in renal tubules, and it may be toxic even in the absence of ischaemia.9 It seems likely, however, that bilirubin glucuronide is deconjugated in the kidney to produce bilirubin. Can these results be applied to man ? If so, how can the toxic effects of conjugated bilirubin on renal tubules be modified ? Mannitol merely prevents the secondary ischaemic change. These problems are clearly of importance to the management of the jaundiced patient before operation.
Platelet Activity In Vivo in Hyperlipoproteinemia – Importance of Combined Hyperlipidemia

Summary Platelet hyperactivity in vitro is found in patients with isolated hypercholesterolemia. It is, however, less well established if platelet activity in vivo is enhanced, and if there are differences between various types of hyperlipoproteinemia. Platelet function in vivo was studied at rest and during mental stress in men with isolated hypercholesterolemia (phenotype IIa; n = 21) or combined hyperlipidemia (phenotype IIb; n = 29), and age-matched normolipidemic controls (n = 41). The urinary excretion of 11-dehydrothromboxane B2 was elevated in patients compared to controls (IIa, p <0.05; IIb, p <0.001), and higher in type IIb than in IIa patients (p <0.05). Platelet secretion, assessed as plasma β-thromboglobulin levels, was higher in type IIb patients compared to controls (p <0.01) and type IIa patients (p <0.05) during mental stress. The urinary excretion of β-thromboglobulin was also elevated in type IIb patients compared to controls (p <0.05). Platelet aggregability at rest, as measured by filtragometry ex vivo was, however, reduced in both patient groups compared to controls (p <0.05). No correlations were found between plasma lipoprotein levels and markers of platelet function in vivo. Type IIb patients had higher plasma fibrinogen levels and higher leukocyte counts than controls (p <0.05 and p <0.001) and type IIa patients (p <0.05 and p = 0.06). Thromboxane excretion was positively related to fibrinogen levels and leukocyte counts (p <0.01 for both). Preliminary data regarding serum TNF-α also indicated an elevation of this inflammatory cytokine in type IIb patients (p <0.05 vs controls). In conclusion, thromboxane generation and platelet secretion in vivo are enhanced in patients with hypercholesterolemia, and particularly so among patients with concomitant elevation of plasma triglycerides. The mechanism is unknown, but inflammatory mediators may be involved. The present findings are of interest in relation to the role of triglycerides in coronary artery disease.
Therapeutic effect of parenteral magnesium on noise-induced hearing loss in the guinea pig.

We have recently demonstrated in the guinea pig that preventive dietary magnesium supplement can significantly reduce impulse noise induced hearing loss by on average 18 dB. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether magnesium might also have a therapeutic effect on noise trauma. Anesthetized guinea pigs were exposed to an impulse noise series (1/s) of L(peak) 167 dB (L(eq,ls) 127 dB) for 38 min. The permanent hearing threshold shift (PTS) was determined one week post-exposure, using auditory brainstem response audiometry at a frequency range of 0.5-32 kHz. The total magnesium concentrations of perilymph (PL), cerebrospinal fluid and blood were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry at different times of treatment. In a first set of experiments, animals on a low initial magnesium status were injected either of 4 different dose levels of magnesium (1.14-3.42 mmol MgSO4 s.c./kg per day) for 3 days or saline as a placebo. The treatment was started immediately after the exposure. The magnesium groups received drinking water with an additive of 39 mmol MgCl2/l for one week and the placebo group tap water (0.43 mmol Mg/l) alone. A dose level of 2.85 mmol Mg has proved to be most effective and reduced the PTS by 13-20 dB compared to the placebo group. The magnesium concentrations increased to above 4 mmol/l in serum and to 1.2 mmol/l in PL during the first 3 days of this treatment. In a second set of experiments, we tested the dependence of the therapeutic efficacy on the post-exposure time of onset of the optimal treatment (1 min, 2 h and 4 h), using guinea pigs on normal initial magnesium status. In the 1 min-group, the reduction of hearing loss was similar to that found in the first series. The therapeutic effect decreases with the length of time elapsed between the end of exposure and the beginning of treatment. In a few animals, hair cell stereocilia were examined using scanning electron microscopy. The results also revealed a magnesium related reduced susceptibility of hair cell stereocilia to impulse noise exposure.
[Bedwetting by Dutch, Surinam, Moroccan and Turkish 3-4, 5-6, and 11-12-year-old children].

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether ethnic origin is related to the prevalence of bedwetting among children and how parents handle bedwetters. DESIGN Descriptive study. SETTING Department of Youth Health Care in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. METHOD Parents of children who attended a child health centre in 1992/1993 were interviewed using a questionnaire. A total of 1506 children aged 3-4, 2422 aged 5-6 and 2081 aged 11-12 years participated in the study. RESULTS The prevalences of bedwetting were 24.6%, 15.7% and 5.4% at 3-4, 5-6 and 11-12 years of age respectively. Moroccan and Turkish 3-4-year-olds wet their beds just as often as Dutch children, Surinamese 3-4-year-olds less often. However, Surinamese, Moroccan and Turkish school children wet their beds more often than their Dutch classmates. For Dutch children the prevalence of bedwetting at the age of 5-6 was clearly lower than at the age of 3-4, in contrast with Surinamese, Moroccan and Turkish children. Non-Dutch bedwetters were rewarded less often for a dry night and punished more often for a wet night than Dutch bedwetters, even at the age of 3-4. CONCLUSION Bedwetting by school children still occurs often, and more often among non-Dutch than among Dutch children. Possibly, differences between Dutch and non-Dutch parents in the ways they deal with bedwetting plays a part. Appropriate information and support of (especially non-Dutch) parents of young children can perhaps reduce the prevalence of bedwetting at later ages.
Impact of Decreased Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Levels on Central Aortic Compliance in Small-for-Gestational-Age Infants

Background: Intrauterine growth restriction is associated with arterial hypertension in adulthood; however, the underlying mechanism is unclear. Objectives: We hypothesized that serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels affect central aortic elastic properties and structure in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants. Methods: Eighteen SGA infants and 22 appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) infants were enrolled in this study. The serum IGF-1 level within 1 h of birth and abdominal aortic echo parameters at 1 week of age were retrospectively compared. Results: In the SGA infants, IGF-1 levels (27.6 ± 17.7 vs. 42.6 ± 15 ng/ml, p = 0.006), aortic strain (10.2 ± 3.1 vs. 12.8 ± 3.1%, p = 0.01), and aortic distensibility (0.73 ± 0.19 vs. 0.92 ± 0.34 cm2/dyn × 10-4, p = 0.05) were significantly lower compared with AGA infants. By contrast, blood pressure, aortic intima-media thickness (aIMT) in relation to body weight (383 ± 163 vs. 256 ± 43 μm/kg, p < 0.001), aortic stiffness index in relation to body weight (2.0 ± 1.7 vs. 1.1 ± 0.4, p = 0.005), and arterial pressure-strain elastic modulus (293 ± 72 vs. 242 ± 78 mm Hg, p = 0.04) were higher compared with AGA infants. In the SGA infants, IGF-1 levels were significantly correlated with aortic strain (r = 0.49, p = 0.04), aIMT in relation to body weight (r = -0.61, p = 0.007), and aortic stiffness index in relation to body weight (r = -0.63, p = 0.005). Conclusions: Decreased serum IGF-1 levels in SGA infants may affect the vascular compliance and structure of the central aorta.
Complex robotic‐enhanced percutaneous coronary intervention

A remote‐controlled, robotic system was developed to address procedural challenges and occupational hazards associated with traditional percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The PRECISE (Percutaneous Robotically Enhanced Coronary Intervention) Study demonstrated the safety and feasibility of the robotic system. We report four cases of complex coronary interventions demonstrating the capabilities of robotic‐enhanced PCI to treat multilesion, multivessel coronary disease, saphenous venous graft disease, and an ST‐elevation myocardial infarction. The robotic system offers enhanced visibility, precise measurement, accurate stent positioning, improved ergonomics, and superior operator protection from radiation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.