Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of zinc on cell proliferation and proteoglycan characteristics of epiphyseal chondrocytes

Zinc has been postulated as an important nutritional factor involved in growth promotion; however, the cellular mechanisms involved in the effects of zinc on linear growth remain to be elucidated. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of zinc on the proliferation rate of epiphyseal growth plate chondrocytes and on the structural characteristics of the proteoglycans synthesized by these cells. For these purposes, hypertrophic and proliferating chondrocytes were isolated from the tibiae of 1‐ and 5‐week‐old chickens, respectively. Chondrocytes were cultured under serum‐free conditions and primary cultures were used. The results showed that zinc stimulated proliferation by 40–50% above the baseline in the case of proliferating chondrocytes, but it had no effect on hypertrophic chondrocytes. Zinc had neither any effects on mean charge density of proteoglycans synthesized by hypertrophic chondrocytes nor in their hydrodynamic size. In contrast, zinc induced an increase in mean charge density and a decrease of hydrodynamic size of proteoglycans synthesized by proliferating chondrocytes. In both cell types zinc had no effect on the composition and hydrodynamic size of the glycosaminoglycan chains. The increased ability of proliferating chondrocytes cultured in the presence of zinc to synthesize 3′‐phosphoadenosine 5′‐phosphosulfate (PAPS) could be explained by the induction of enzymes participating in the sulfation pathway of proteoglycans. Therefore, the increase in mean charge density of proteoglycans observed in this study may be explained by an increase of the degree of sulfation of proteoglycan molecules. We speculate that the effect of zinc on linear growth may be explained at a cellular level by: a) an increase in proliferation rates of proliferating chondrocytes, and b) increased synthesis of highly charged proteoglycan molecules which decreases mineralization. J. Cell. Biochem. 82:501–511, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The use of adaptive filters in the suppression of interference on signal lines

Adaptive active filters can be successfully used to filter out interference on power and signal lines, where passive filters have great limitations especially if interference is at low frequency and is known to drift slowly. Three possible solutions of adaptive filters are examined. Conventional LMS filters generate intermodulation products, which in some cases are not acceptable. The novel solution of training phase LMS (least mean square) filter, which has the best filtering characteristics, is described and simulated.
The Anaphase Promoting Complex activator CCS52A, a key factor for fruit growth and endoreduplication in Tomato

Tomato fruit growth is characterized by the occurrence of numerous rounds of DNA endoreduplication in connection to cell expansion and final fruit size determination. Endoreduplication occurs as an impairment of mitosis, which can originate from the selective degradation of M-phase-specific cyclins via the ubiquitin-mediated proteolytic pathway, requiring the E3 ubiquitin ligase Anaphase Promoting Complex/Cyclosome (APC/C). In plants CCS52A is the ortholog of CDH1/FZR proteins from yeast, drosophila and human, belonging to the WD40-repeat protein family. During fruit development, the SlCCS52A gene expression is specifically associated to endoreduplication in tomato. Altering SlCCS52A expression in either negative or positive manner impacts the extent of endoreduplication in fruit and affects fruit size. When SlCCS52A is down-expressed endoreduplication is impaired during fruit growth leading to reduced fruit growth. However when SlCCS52A is over-expressed, endoreduplication is initially delayed, accounting for the altered final fruit size, but resumes and is even enhanced leading to fruit growth recovery, pointing at the physiological role of endoreduplication in growth induction during tomato fruit development.
Waist circumference and body mass index as predictors of elevated alanine transaminase in Danes aged 30 to 50 years.

INTRODUCTION We examined whether waist circumference and waist-to-hip circumference ratio were a better predictor for elevated alanine transaminase level than body mass index. METHODOLOGY In a cross-sectional survey we examined body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, alcohol consumption, and alanine transaminase level in a random sample of 903 men and women aged 30 to 50 years from The Ebeltoft Health Promotion Project in Denmark. RESULTS Body mass index, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio explained an approximate 12% variation in alanine transaminase in men and 4% in women, whereas waist-to-hip circumference ratio explained a 2% variation in women. The risk of elevated alanine transaminase level in men, calculated as odds ratio, with a body mass index (kg/m2) above 30, or a waist circumference above 102 cm, or a waist-to-hip circumference ratio above 0.9 was 9.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.6-24.1), 5.6 (95% CI, 2.5-12.5) and 2.7 (95% CI, 1.3-5.3) respectively, but there was no elevated risk among women. CONCLUSIONS Waist circumference and body mass index were both predictors in men. Waist-to-hip ratio was also a predictor in men, but not as strong a predictor as waist circumference and body mass index. No association was found in women. This difference is probably explained by differences in the accumulation of intra-abdominal adipose tissue among men and women with the same degree of obesity.
Reappraisal of serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1) measurement in the detection of isolated and combined growth hormone deficiency (GHD) during the transition period.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the accuracy of serum IGF-1 in the detection of isolated (IGHD) or combined growth hormone deficiency (CGHD) at the transition phase. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Forty nine patients with GHD during childhood [16 with IGHD (10 men) and 33 with CGHD (24 men); age 23.2 ± 3.5 yrs. ] were submitted to an insulin tolerance test (ITT) with a GH peak < 5 µg/L used for the diagnosis of GHD at the transition phase. Pituitary function and IGF-1 measurements were evaluated in the basal sample of the ITT. Transition patients were reclassified as GH-sufficient (SGH; n = 12), IGHD (n = 7), or CGHD (n = 30). RESULTS Five (31%) patients with IGHD and 32 (97%) with CGHD at childhood persisted with GHD at retesting. One patient with IGHD was reclassified as CGHD, whereas 3 patients with CGHD were reclassified as IGHD. Mean GH peak was 0.2 ± 0.3 µg/L in the CGHD, 1.3 ± 1.5 µg/L in the IGHD, and 18.1 ± 13.1 µg/L in the SGH group. Serum IGF-1 level was significantly higher in the SGH (272 ± 107 ng/mL) compared to IGHD (100.2 ± 110) and CGHD (48.7 ± 32.8) (p < 0.01). All patients reclassified as CGHD, 86% reclassified as IGHD, and 8.3% reclassified as SGH had low IGF-1 level, resulting in 97.3% sensitivity and 91.6% specificity in the detection of GHD at the transition period; the cutoff value of 110 ng/mL showed 94.5% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Mean IGF-1 values did not differ in IGHD or CGHD associated with one, two, three, or four additional pituitary deficiencies. CONCLUSION IGF-1 measurement is accurate to replace ITT as initial diagnostic test for IGHD and CGHD detection at the transition phase.
Smoking cessation in young adults: age at initiation of cigarette smoking and other suspected influences.

OBJECTIVES Previous research has suggested that early smoking initiation predicts longer duration of smoking, heavier daily consumption, and increased chances of nicotine dependence. This report set out to estimate the relationship between smoking cessation and age of initiation, as well as nicotine dependence, sex, race, and education. METHODS A sample of 1007 young adults was randomly selected from a large health maintenance organization in southeast Michigan. Hazard ratios of quitting associated with age at smoking initiation were estimated among 414 persons who smoked daily for 1 month or more. RESULTS With potential confounders controlled for, the likelihood of cessation was significantly higher in smokers who initiated smoking after age 13. The hazard ratio for quitting associated with smoking initiation at ages 14 to 16 was 1.6 and with initiation at or after age 17 was 2.0, compared with initiation at or before 13 years of age. Factors that decreased the likelihood of cessation were nicotine dependence and low education. CONCLUSIONS Public policy to discourage early smoking, if it succeeds in delaying the initiation of smoking, might contribute to the reduction of smoking-related mortality and morbidity by increasing the potential for quitting.
Prophylactic cranial irradiation for patients with small-cell lung cancer in complete remission. Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation Overview Collaborative Group.

BACKGROUND Prophylactic cranial irradiation reduces the incidence of brain metastasis in patients with small-cell lung cancer. Whether this treatment, when given to patients in complete remission, improves survival is not known. We performed a meta-analysis to determine whether prophylactic cranial irradiation prolongs survival. METHODS We analyzed individual data on 987 patients with small-cell lung cancer in complete remission who took part in seven trials that compared prophylactic cranial irradiation with no prophylactic cranial irradiation. The main end point was survival. RESULTS The relative risk of death in the treatment group as compared with the control group was 0.84 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.73 to 0.97; P= 0.01), which corresponds to a 5.4 percent increase in the rate of survival at three years (15.3 percent in the control group vs. 20.7 percent in the treatment group). Prophylactic cranial irradiation also increased the rate of disease-free survival (relative risk of recurrence or death, 0.75; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.65 to 0.86; P<0.001) and decreased the cumulative incidence of brain metastasis (relative risk, 0.46; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.38 to 0.57; P<0.001). Larger doses of radiation led to greater decreases in the risk of brain metastasis, according to an analysis of four total doses (8 Gy, 24 to 25 Gy, 30 Gy, and 36 to 40 Gy) (P for trend=0.02), but the effect on survival did not differ significantly according to the dose. We also identified a trend (P=0.01) toward a decrease in the risk of brain metastasis with earlier administration of cranial irradiation after the initiation of induction chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Prophylactic cranial irradiation improves both overall survival and disease-free survival among patients with small-cell lung cancer in complete remission.
Intraoperative Laryngeal Electromyographic Assessment of Patients with Immobile Vocal Fold

The differential diagnosis of laryngeal ankylosis versus paralysis is occasionally difficult in patients with immobile vocal folds. Eight patients with acute and chronic evidence of vocal fold immobility were investigated by intraoperative electromyography (IEMG) during planned microlaryngoscopy. Bipolar hook wire electrodes were inserted into the thyroarytenoid muscle, of which the electrical activity was monitored during neuromotor blockade and emergence from anesthesia. The normal side and the side with ankylosis or stenosis showed normal IEMG activity. There was progressive recruitment of larger motor units during recovery from muscle relaxation. Patients with laryngeal paralysis failed to show such recruitment patterns. Thus, IEMG can be used as a diagnostic tool during operative laryngoscopy to differentiate neuromotor injury from anatomic causes of vocal fold immobility. The advantages of IEMG are its ease of application and certainty of electrode position. It can also be used to monitor recurrent nerve integrity and detect early laryngospasm. Further IEMG clinical study is warranted.
Effect of dietary supplements containing antioxidants on attenuation of muscle damage in exercising sled dogs.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether dietary antioxidants would attenuate exercise-induced increases in plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity in sled dogs. ANIMALS 41 trained adult sled dogs. PROCEDURE Dogs, randomly assigned to 2 groups, received the same base diet throughout the study. After 8 weeks on that diet, 1 group (21 dogs) received a daily supplement containing vitamins E (457 U) and C (706 mg) and beta-carotene (5.1 mg), and a control group (20 dogs) received a supplement containing minimal amounts of antioxidants. After 3 weeks, both groups performed identical endurance exercise on each of 3 days. Blood samples were collected before and 3 weeks after addition of supplements and after each day of exercise. Plasma was analyzed for vitamins E and C, retinol, uric acid, triglyceride, and cholesterol concentrations, total antioxidant status (TAS), and CK activity. RESULTS Feeding supplements containing antioxidants caused a significant increase in vitamin E concentration but did not change retinol or vitamin C concentrations orTAS. Exercise caused significantly higher CK activity, but did not cause a significant difference in CK activity between groups. Exercise was associated with significantly lower vitamin E, retinol, and cholesterol concentrations and TAS but significantly higher vitamin C, triglyceride, and uric acid concentrations in both groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Use of supplements containing the doses of antioxidants used here failed to attenuate exercise-induced increases in CK activity. Muscle damage in sled dogs, as measured by plasma CK activity, may be caused by a mechanism other than oxidant stress.
EVIDENCE FOR AN EFFECT OF ANTITHYROID DRUGS ON THE NATURAL HISTORY OF GRAVES' DISEASE

In the United Kingdom, about half the patients with Graves' disease who are given antithyroid drugs are still in remission one year after treatment is stopped. The most widely held view is that such remission rates are due only to the biochemical effects of the drugs, the disease either spontaneously remitting or abating when the immune system is no longer subject to the stimulatory effects of excessive thyroid hormone. We review here the accumulating evidence against both of these alternatives. In contrast, there is now a large body of work which shows that thyrotrophin receptor antibody levels, central to the aetiology of Graves' hyperthyroidism, fall during antithyroid treatment and that remission may be related to this fall in a fashion which is dependent on the dose and duration of treatment. This immunosuppressive effect is supported by experimental data and on the basis of these results we propose that antithyroid drugs may modify the natural history of Graves' disease and contribute to the remission which occurs in a proportion of treated patients.
Farm households’ perception on climate change and adaptation practices: A case from mountain district of Nepal

Purpose This paper aims to assess the farming community’s perception on important parameters of climate change and identify major practices and technologies adopted to mitigate the impacts of climate change and their determinants in mountain district of Nepal. Being an agrarian economy and dependent on monsoon rain, the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity and production has been experienced. Different adaptation strategies have been adopted by the communities to cope with the consequences of climate change. Design/methodology/approach Four village development committees (VDCs) situated in the buffer zone of Langtang National Park of Rasuwa district representing rice, wheat, maize and potato production area was purposively selected for this study. A two-stage sampling technique was adopted for data and information collection. Thirty households from each VDC were randomly selected. Data on the socio-economic and climate change perception were collected using structured questionnaire. A binary logistic regression technique was used to identify the determinants of climate change adaptation technologies and practices. Findings The farmers’ decisions whether to adopt climate change adaptation technologies are governed by the size of landholding, perceived threat of climate change to food security, education level and gender of the interviewee, perception on the increased incidence of droughts during rainy season and income received from the off-farm sources. In a community where agricultural activity is the dominant means of living, adaptive strategies help to increase the capacity of a farming system to survive external shocks and cope with the consequences. Originality/value The assessment of farm-level adaptation strategies and factors influencing their adoption decision is important to formulate policies and design programs. This will also help to recognize adaptation as a tool for managing a variety of risks associated with climate change in agricultural sector.
Price learning based load distribution strategies for demand response management in smart grid

© 2016 SERSC. In this paper, a Price learning based Load Distribution Strategy (PLDS) is proposed at first. In PLDS model, Smart Power Service, Utility Company and History Load Curves are included, and by considering both the average electricity consumption cost and the average electricity consumption habit, we proposed a convex optimization model to solve the model. In order to accelerate the convergence of PLDS, a price learning mechanism is proposed, which learns a price curve according to the history price data, and predicts price as a learned price for the next iteration. The optimization cycle of PLDS is one day or 24 hours, and in order to further improve the peak shaving performance, an extended version of PLDS named PLRS (Price learning based Load Redistribution Strategy) is proposed, whose optimization cycle length is 1 hour. The optimization models of PLDS and PLRS are the same, and the differences between them are the optimization cycle and the constraint conditions. In the simulation, we compared the convergence performance, peaking shaving performance and total cost among PLDS, PLRS and other strategy ODC in reference [11], and we found that the convergence performances of PLDS and PLRS are both better than that of ODC. The peak shaving performance of PLRS is better than that of ODC in the long term, and the total cost of PLRS is very close to that of ODC.
Platelet-derived growth factor-B and -C and active alpha-receptors in medulloblastoma cells.

The malignant childhood brain tumor medulloblastoma belongs to the group of primitive neuroectodermal tumours (PNETs). Medulloblastomas are thought to arise from remnants of the transient external germinal layer in the cerebellum. Proliferation, differentiation, and motility of cells in the central nervous system are regulated by growth factors, e.g., platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Recently, it was shown that higher level of PDGF alpha-receptor expression is characteristic of metastatic medulloblastomas. We have investigated five medulloblastoma/PNET cell lines and found that the PDGF alpha-receptor is actively signalling in most of them, an activity most likely driven by endogenously produced PDGF-C. PDGF-C is normally present in cells of the developing external germinal layer and our results are consistent with the idea that medulloblastomas are derived from such cells undergoing early neuronal differentiation. Moreover, the expression of PDGF and its receptors was associated with neuronal characteristics, but not with high levels of c-myc expression in the medullablastoma cells.
Tramadol for prevention of postanaesthetic shivering: a randomised double‐blind comparison with pethidine

The present study was conducted with the aims of comparing intravenous tramadol 1, 2 and 3 mg.kg−1 with pethidine 0.5 mg.kg−1 for prophylaxis of postanaesthetic shivering and to find a dose of tramadol that could provide the dual advantage of antishivering and analgesic effect in the postoperative period. The study included 165 patients, randomly allocated to five groups of 33 each. Tramadol in doses of 1, 2 and 3 mg.kg−1, pethidine 0.5 mg.kg−1 or normal saline were administered at the time of wound closure. All three doses of tramadol were effective and comparable to pethidine in preventing postanaesthetic shivering. Tramadol 2 mg.kg−1 had the best combination of antishivering and analgesic efficacy without excessive sedation and thus appeared to be a good choice to be administered at the time of wound closure to provide antishivering effect and analgesia without significant side effects in the postoperative period.
De‐Constitutionalisation and Majority Rule: A Democratic Vision for Europe

European integration has long relied on the democratic legitimacy of its Member States without paying much attention to the increasing importance of its multilevel governing processes. At this time, however, Europe is caught in the intersection of multiple crises, all of which—Brexit as well as the euro crisis, the refugee crisis as well as the crises in Europe's relations with its Eastern and Southern ‘near abroad’—are challenging the effectiveness as well as the democratic legitimacy of government on European and national levels. These dual challenges are connected: Democratic legitimacy presupposes effective governing and problem‐solving capacity. Hence the failure of output legitimacy may undermine or even destroy the possibility of input legitimacy—a risk for which the fate of the Weimar Republic remains a most disturbing memento. At the same time, however, the lack of input legitimacy in the present European context will constrain and may ultimately destroy the effectiveness of measures based on non‐accountable supranational authority
An analysis of the link between behavioural, biological and social risk factors and subsequent hospital admission in Scotland.

OBJECTIVE To determine the association between risk factors and hospital admission. METHODS The 1998 Scottish Health Survey was linked to the Scottish hospital admission database. FINDINGS Smoking was the most important behavioural risk factor (hazard ratio: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.59-2.27). Other behavioural risk factors yielded small but largely anticipated results. Hazard ratios for biological risks increased predictably but with some exceptions (blood pressure and total cholesterol). The top quintile for C-reactive protein showed almost double the risk of admission compared with the bottom quintile (hazard ratio: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.52-2.46). Elevated body mass index (BMI) increased the risk of serious admission (hazard ratio: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.03-1.47) and raised gamma-GT increased this risk by 20% (hazard ratio: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.04-1.38). Forced expiratory volume was the 'biological' factor with the largest risk (hazard ratio for lowest category: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.49-2.22). All the measures of social position showed variable effects on the risk of hospital admission. Large effects on risk were associated with self assessed health, longstanding illness and previous admission. CONCLUSION The linkage of national surveys with a prospective hospitalization database will develop into an increasingly powerful tool.