Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of potassium excretion and percent body fat on ethnic differences in plasma aldosterone levels.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether plasma aldosterone (PA) levels differed between African American and White prehypertensives and if so, could the difference be explained by ethnicity-related variability in urinary K+ and Na+ excretion, body mass index (BMI), and percent body fat. DESIGN Ethnic comparison SETTING The University of Maryland College Park and the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. PARTICIPANTS 61 (African American, n=28; White, n=33) prehypertensives (systolic blood pressure [SBP] 131 +/- 10 mm Hg, diastolic blood [DBP] 85 +/- 6 mm Hg). INTERVENTION 6-week dietary stabilization and medication tapering period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES PA levels, Na+ and K+ excretion, blood pressure, and percent body fat and BMI. RESULTS We saw no differences in SBP (P=.36) and DBP (P=.54) between the two ethnic groups. PA levels were lower in African Americans compared to Whites (62 +/- 7 vs 107 +/- 12 pg/mL, P=.002). 24-hour K+ excretion was lower among African Americans compared to Whites (51 +/- 7 vs 70 +/- 4 mmol/day, P=.002). We saw no difference in percent body fat, BMI, SBP, or DBP between African Americans and Whites. After separately accounting for K+ excretion and Na+ excretion and BMI, plasma aldosterone levels remained significantly different between the two ethnic groups. After adjusting for percent body fat, PA levels were not significantly different between the two ethnic groups (P = .06). CONCLUSIONS The findings of the current study indicate that PA levels differ between African American and White prehypertensives and this difference may partly be due to ethnic variability in K+ excretion and percent body fat.
Effects of ethanol consumption and withdrawal on B cell subpopulations in murine bone marrow

We designed studies to examine the effects of ethanol consumption and withdrawal on the number s of pre‐B and B cells in murine bone marrow. Flow cytometric analysis of B220 and surface IgM expression on bone marrow cells revealed that consumption of ethanol by mice for 7 days led to a significant reduction in pre‐B cells. The number of mature B cells in the bone marrow of these animals, however, did not differ from that of control mice. In contrast, examination of bone marrow obtained from mice at various times after withdrawal from ethanol showed significantly fewer numbers of mature B cells and an even greater toss of pre‐B cells. This effect was seen for relatively long periods after withdrawal. These study findings are interpreted to suggest that ethanol consumption results in changes in the pre‐B cell population in murine bone marrow, II also appears that withdrawal from ethanol results in more profound changes in the mature B cell population of the bone marrow than those that occur during ethanol consumption.
A perturbation of antithrombin-III and protein C coupling associates with an increase of anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibody in non-antiphospholipid antibody syndrome cerebral ischemia

Anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibody (aβGPI) has been recognized in raising the risk of cerebral ischemia in patients with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS), especially by protein C (PC) axis perturbation. Although a high potential is also seen in non-APS patients, the mechanism is substantially unknown. In the present study, we examined the effect of aβGPI on PC and antithrombin-III (AT-III) activity in non-APS patients with non-cardiac cerebral ischemia (NCCI). A total of 111 NCCI patients and 30 healthy controls were enrolled. They were free of APS manifestation, and their anticardiolipin antibody and lupus anticoagulant tests were within normal range. There were 14.4% patients found to have an abnormal increase of blood aβGPI. The PC, AT-III, albumin, aminotransferases, creatinine, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time did not differ between our patients and controls, or patients with or without increased aβGPI. However, a marked decrease of the PC/AT-III ratio was found in patients with increased aβGPI. The correlation between PC and AT-III activity was highly significant in patients with an increase of aβGPI (P = 0.001), only marginal in controls (P = 0.042), and was insignificant in patients with a normal aβGPI (P = 0.277). The aβGPI did not correlate to PC or AT-III activity in either patients or controls. These findings suggest that high PC/AT-III coupling may relate to NCCI in non-APS patients associated with an increase of aβGPI. This coupling effect seems not to be caused by aβGPI directly.
Changes in attachment representations during psychological therapy

Abstract Objectives: This review systematically examines research that investigates changes in adult attachment representations during psychological therapy. Method: Studies from two adult attachment approaches are reviewed (interview and self-report) with the aim of concluding whether psychotherapy can improve attachment representations. To guide the interpretation of findings, the methodological quality of studies is assessed. Results: The results suggest that attachment security increases following therapy, whereas attachment anxiety decreases following therapy. Findings are unclear with regard to attachment avoidance. Improvements are observed across different methodologies, patient groups, therapeutic approaches, and therapy settings. Findings also appear to be consistent across different levels of study quality. Conclusions: Overall, research supports the suggestion that attachment styles may alter during the course of psychotherapy, but further controlled trials are required to confirm this conclusion.
Epithelial cells of different organs exhibit distinct patterns of p53-dependent and p53-independent apoptosis following DNA insult.

The present study shows that DNA damage induces different patterns of p53-dependent and p53-independent apoptosis in epithelial cells of various organs of adult mice. Genotoxic stress induced a biphasic apoptotic response in the small intestine and tongue. While the first immediate apoptotic wave was p53-dependent, the second was slower in rate and was p53-independent. Under the same experimental conditions a single rapid, but a more extended, p53-independent response was evident in the skin of the tail. Indeed, exposure of p53+/+ mice to 400 R induced in epithelium of the small intestine and tongue an immediate rapid response that was followed by a second delayed p53-independent apoptotic wave. p53-/- mice exhibited in these organs the second wave only. However, epithelium of the tail derived from the same mice showed a single rapid apoptotic response that lasted much longer than the p53-dependent response and was similar in the p53-/- and the p53+/+ mice. Variations in apoptotic patterns observed in epithelial cells derived of the different tissues may point to differences in the physiological pathways expressed.
Changing The Continuing Chilly Campus Climate For Faculty Women: Recommendations Based On A Case Study

A vast body of research conducted in the 1970s and 1980s documented a host of problems confronted by women faculty at colleges and universities nationwide: their small number, a chilly campus climate, low salaries, slow progress toward promotion and tenure, little power or influence, and a number of worklife issues. Subsequently, many institutions established policies to address these inequities. This qualitative case study compares the concerns expressed in 1988 by women faculty at Sycamore State University, a Midwestern Research I University, with those women faculty discussed in 1997, when policies apparently intended to correct discriminatory conditions and practices had been in place for almost a decade. The research, foregrounding the voices of women faculty, confronts the question of why, despite the implementation of these policies, many of their concerns remain. It also suggests strategies for meeting some of the challenges women faculty, especially those in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, still confront.
Low Profile Dielectric Resonator Antenna Arrays for Reflector Feeds

Arrays of dielectric resonator antennas (DRAs) are investigated as replacements for conventional corrugated feed antennas in a reflector system. These arrays are low profile, offer relatively wide bandwidth (15%), and are amenable to device integration. Prototype passive arrays of four and eight elements have been designed and tested at X-band. Arrays at Ka-Band are currently being designed.
An Econometric Model for Forecasting Regional Population Growth

An econometric model for forecasting net migration and natural increase is proposed and then estimated using time-series data for Texas. The model is simulated five years out-of-sample and found to be quite accurate in forecasting future population growth. It outperforms simpler prediction methods, thus indicating that explicit modeling of net migration and natural increase is superior to modeling only total population.
Large left atrial thrombus formation despite warfarin therapy after device closure of a patent foramen ovale

Appropriate anticoagulation after transcatheter device placement is controversial. Patients with no history of thromboembolism or neurologic event typically receive antiplatelet therapy for several months while the device endothelializes. For patients with a history of stroke, there are no established guidelines for postdevice anticoagulation. Most patients receive warfarin, antiplatelet therapy, or a combination. Thrombus formation after transcatheter device placement has been reported for most commercially available devices. We describe a patient who developed a left atrial thrombus after closure of a patent foramen ovale with a CardioSEAL device. The patient had a normal hypercoaguable laboratory evaluation prior to device placement. Thrombosis occurred despite warfarin therapy before and after device placement. The patient's international normalized ratio was checked every 2 weeks after device placement and ranged between 2.0 and 2.8. She had no clinical arrhythmia during this time period. The left atrial thrombus was detected on routine follow‐up transthoracic echocardiogram performed 6 months after device deployment. A subsequent transesophageal echocardiogram demonstrated no residual shunt, appropriate positioning of the device, flat against the septum, and a 1 × 2 cm thrombus attached to the superior and posterior left atrial arm near the junction with the native septum. A fluoroscopic image demonstrated no arm fractures. The device and thrombus were subsequently removed at surgery without complication. This case is perplexing in that the patient received appropriate anticoagulation had a negative hypercoaguable work‐up, no residual shunt, and a well‐positioned device. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2003;59:396–398. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Low Profile Multi-band Antenna for Mobile Phones

A new low profile antenna for multi-band mobile phones comprises a radiating loop strip, monopole strip, and F-shape ground pin with parasitic elements. This antenna is suitable to print on the flexible substrate to mount on the thin dielectric carrier with a volume of 55 mm×20 mm×4.5 mm. A bottom mounted with ground of U-shape antenna has been designed and ground plane of length 100mm is used. This antenna has the potential to cover the required bands of Global System for Mobile communications (GSM850/900) 824-960MHz, Digital Communication System (DCS) 1710-1880MHz, Personal Communication Services PCS 1850-1990 MHz and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) 1920-2170MHz. Details of proposed antenna are presented.
Competitive strategies of late followers in auto industry: Case study Hyundai-Kia

This paper analyzes competitive strategy of late followers in auto industry in the case of Hyundai Kia Auto Group (HKAG). The global economic crisis has had a strong impact on the leaders in auto industry. HKAG took advantage of the crisis and increased sales and global market share at the expense of the leaders in the industry. We found that during the crisis the company achieved excellent results thanks to innovative marketing and sales strategies combined with top quality, product design and productivity. Growing competition and changes in business environment in the post-crisis period jeopardized the future growth of the company. The company reacted to the changes in business environment by shifting the focus to the luxury segment and green vehicles, by launching independent luxury brand Genesis and by scaling up investment in R&D.
Functional expression of Kir4.1 channels in spinal cord astrocytes

Spinal cord astrocytes (SCA) have a high permeability to K+ and hence have hyperpolarized resting membrane potentials. The underlying K+ channels are believed to participate in the uptake of neuronally released K+. These K+ channels have been studied extensively with regard to their biophysics and pharmacology, but their molecular identity in spinal cord is currently unknown. Using a combination of approaches, we demonstrate that channels composed of the Kir4.1 subunit are responsible for mediating the resting K+ conductance in SCA. Biophysical analysis demonstrates astrocytic Kir currents as weakly rectifying, potentiated by increasing [K+]o, and inhibited by micromolar concentrations of Ba2+. These currents were insensitive to tolbutemide, a selective blocker of Kir6.x channels, and to tertiapin, a blocker for Kir1.1 and Kir3.1/3.4 channels. PCR and Western blot analysis show prominent expression of Kir4.1 in SCA, and immunocytochemistry shows localization Kir4.1 channels to the plasma membrane. Kir4.1 protein levels show a developmental upregulation in vivo that parallels an increase in currents recorded over the same time period. Kir4.1 is highly expressed throughout most areas of the gray matter in spinal cord in vivo and recordings from spinal cord slices show prominent Kir currents. Electrophysiological recordings comparing SCA of wild‐type mice with those of homozygote Kir4.1 knockout mice confirm a complete and selective absence of Kir channels in the knockout mice, suggesting that Kir4.1 is the principle channel mediating the resting K+ conductance in SCA in vitro and in situ. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development of the dementia assessment sheet for community‐based integrated care system

A series of our studies on the development of the Dementia Assessment Sheet for Community‐based Integrated Care System 21‐items (DASC‐21) were reviewed. Study 1: to examine the distribution of scores and internal reliability of DASC‐21, trained nurses and researchers visited the homes of 1341 participants aged 65 years and older and living in the community. The nurses interviewed the participants and, when possible, their family members, to complete the DASC‐21. Then, the Mini‐Mental State Examination was carried out to select the participants of study 2. Study 2: to examine the concurrent and discriminant validity, experienced psychiatrists and psychologists, who were blind to the findings of study 1, visited the homes of 131 subjects who were selected from the participants of study 1 and completed the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), the Mini‐Mental State Examination and the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB). Cronbach's coefficient alpha of the DASC‐21 was 0.808–0.950. Scores of the DASC‐21 significantly correlated with CDR total and box scores, Mini‐Mental State Examination and Frontal Assessment Battery. In an analysis of variance, CDR had the main effect on the score of the DASC‐21. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the DASC‐21 had sufficient discriminatory ability between dementia (CDR1+) and non‐dementia (CDR0 or CDR0.5; area under the curve = 0.804–0.895). When using a cut‐off point of 30/31, sensitivity was 83.3–94.1% and specificity was 77.3–86.4%. The DASC‐21 has sufficient reliability and validity as a tool to evaluate impairments in daily functioning and in cognitive functions, to detect dementia, and to assess the severity of dementia in the community. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16 (Suppl. 1): 123–131.
Expression and activation of pro‐MMP‐2 and pro‐MMP‐9 during rat liver regeneration

Partial hepatectomy triggers a variety of biological phenomena, which culminate in regeneration of the liver mass. Hepatocyte proliferation is a major feature of the regenerating liver after partial hepatectomy. Previous studies in our laboratory suggested that hepatic matrix remodeling might be a prerequisite process for hepatocyte proliferation in the regenerating liver. In the present study we use immunohistochemical staining, Western blot analysis, and gelatin zymography to show that the inactive matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), pro‐MMP‐2 and pro‐MMP‐9, are elevated at 30 minutes and activated at 6 to 12 hours and at 3 to 6 hours, respectively, after hepatectomy. Sham‐operated livers did not show an increase in inactive pro‐MMP‐2 and pro‐MMP‐9 and did not contain active MMP‐2 or MMP‐9. To examine whether tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (TIMP‐1) is changed to regulate the activities of MMPs after partial hepatectomy, the level of TIMP‐1 protein was analyzed by both immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The level of TIMP‐1 protein appears to increase by 6 to 18 hours, implying that an increase in TIMP‐1 regulates activities of active MMP‐2 and MMP‐9. Taken together, these results suggest that hepatic matrix remodeling is mediated by activated MMPs, which contribute to modulation of the environment surrounding hepatocytes during rat liver regeneration.
Screening for diabetes in pregnancy in a regional area with a high Māori population.

AIMS To identify and document factors associated with screening for diabetes in pregnancy in a regional area with a high Māori population in New Zealand. METHODS An audit was undertaken of routine hospital data collected from all 656 women who gave birth, between June and December in 2013 and 2014, in two Mid-North Island hospitals in the Bay of Plenty region. RESULTS Of the 656 woman who gave birth during these periods, only 416 (63%) were screened for diabetes in pregnancy, including 390 (60%) for gestational diabetes mellitus later in pregnancy. After controlling for age, screening was less common in Māori (56%) compared with European women (76%). After adjusting for ethnicity, women aged 35-40 years were more likely to be screened compared with women aged 25-29 years (77% versus 61%; p=0.02). Screening was associated with longer hospital stays following birth, with screened women more likely to stay >5 days than <1 day, compared with unscreened women (84% versus 56%; p<0.0001). Screening was significantly higher in 2014 than 2013 (68% versus 58%; p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS Greater effort is required to increase screening, especially for Māori women who have increased risk of type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes mellitus and of poorer outcomes.
Specification of a human right to water: a sustainability assessment of access hurdles

ABSTRACT Any implementation of the right to water requires a sound specification. For that purpose, this article offers an innovative analytical framework. First, the object of the analysis should be the hurdles to access (pecuniary, spatial, temporal, qualitative), not least because they partly fulfil sustainability functions. Second, these hurdles need to be assessed on the basis of three criteria: functionality, reasonableness and non-discrimination. This framework allows the identification of supply situations that infringe upon the right to water, provides starting points for improving access, and honours the commitment of the Sustainable Development Goals to take equal account of social and sustainability concerns.
Descending projections to the rat sacrocaudal spinal cord

Descending supraspinal and propriospinal neurons projecting to the female rat sacrocaudal spinal cord, the portion of the spinal cord that innervates the tail, were identified following injection of Fluoro‐Gold into the S1‐Ca2, spinal cord segments. This study attempted to determine anatomical substrates for propriospinal and supraspinal control of the tail.
Success and failure: How systemic racism trumped the Brown v. Board of Education decision

Despite the enactment of the Fourteenth Amendment in 1868, legal segregation nevertheless remained pervasive throughout the United States in the following nine decades due to various state statutes and federal and state court decisions. Nowhere was the existence of legal segregation more prevalent than in school systems throughout the United States. Segregated schools were common because of the U.S. Supreme Court’s “separate but equal” doctrine set forth in Plessy v. Ferguson. Finally, in 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court, in its landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, concluded that “in the field of public education the doctrine of ‘separate but equal’ has no place” because “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. ” With that language, the Supreme Court effectively rejected the legality of school segregation. The implications of the Court’s Brown decision extended beyond the educational system. Professors Feagin and Barnett note that the Court’s Brown decision marked the first time it recognized African Americans as first-class citizens. Additionally, they state that the decision had an important psychological impact on African Americans and provided moral encouragement to people active in the civil rights movement. Further, Brown supplied the legal precedent necessary to dismantle state-created segregation in other areas. Finally, Professors Feagin and Barnett remark that Brown remains a “beacon of liberty” for people throughout the United States and the world seeking to end discrimination in myriad other areas.
OxyR acts as a transcriptional repressor of hydrogen peroxide‐inducible antioxidant genes in Corynebacterium glutamicum R

OxyR, a LysR‐type transcriptional regulator, has been established as a redox‐responsive activator of antioxidant genes in bacteria. This study shows that OxyR acts as a transcriptional repressor of katA, dps, ftn and cydA in Corynebacterium glutamicum R. katA encodes H2O2‐detoxifing enzyme catalase, dps and ftn are implicated in iron homeostasis and cydA encodes a subunit of cytochrome bd oxidase. Quantitative RT‐PCR analyses revealed that expression of katA and dps, but not of ftn and cydA, was induced by H2O2. Disruption of the oxyR gene encoding OxyR resulted in a marked increase in katA and dps mRNAs to a level higher than that induced by H2O2, and the oxyR‐deficient mutant showed a H2O2‐resistant phenotype. This is in contrast to the conventional OxyR‐dependent regulatory model. ftn and cydA were also upregulated by oxyR disruption but to a smaller extent. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that the OxyR protein specifically binds to all four upstream regions of the respective genes under reducing conditions. We observed that the oxidized form of OxyR similarly bound to not only the target promoter regions, but also nonspecific DNA fragments. Based on these findings, we propose that the transcriptional repression by OxyR is alleviated under oxidative stress conditions in a titration mechanism due to the decreased specificity of its DNA‐binding activity. DNase I footprinting analyses revealed that the OxyR‐binding site in the four target promoters is ~ 50 bp in length and has multiple T‐N11‐A motifs, a feature of LysR‐type transcriptional regulators, but no significant overall sequence conservation.