Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Supplemental Selenium Reduces the Levels of Biomarkers of Oxidative and General Stress in Peripartum Dairy Cows / Dodati Selen Snižava Nivoe Biomarkera Oksidativnog I Opšteg Stresa Kod Mlečnih Krava U Peripartalnom Periodu

The aim of this investigation was to determine the influence of oxidative stress upon general stress in dairy cows on parturition and whether the indicators of stress can be reduced by selenium (Se) supplementation. A total of 36 animals were divided into 3 groups 21 days prepartum and treated with a single-term intramuscular supplement of sodium selenite: Control group - 0 mg; group Se10 - 10 mg; group Se20 - 20 mg. Se supplementation significantly raised blood Se content and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in groups Se10 and Se20, compared to Control, although there was no marked difference between supplemented groups. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and cortisol concentrations were significantly reduced in supplemented groups Se10 and Se20, compared to Control. A negative correlation was detected between blood GPx activity and plasma MDA, while a positive correlation was determined between plasma MDA and cortisol concentrations. These results indicate that prepartum Se supplementation can be utilized for a partial relief of stress in cows during labor by augmenting the antioxidative action of GPx. Cilj ispitivanja je bio da se odredi obim uticaja oksidativnog stresa na opšti stres kod mlečnih krava u toku 24 sata oko porođaja, kao i da li on može biti ublažen primenom selena. Ukupno 36 krava je bilo podeljeno u tri grupe 21 dan pre porođaja i jednokratno tretirano natrijum selenitom aplikovanim intramuskularno u dozama: kontrolna grupa - 0 mg; grupa Se10 - 10 mg; grupa Se20 - 20mg. Grupe Se10 i Se20 su imale značajno višu koncentraciju selena i aktivnost glutation peroksidaze (GPx) u krvi u odnosu na kontrolnu grupu, iako nije uočena razlika između suplementiranih grupa. Koncentracije malondialdehida (MDA) i kortizola su bile značajno niže u grupama Se10 i Se20 u odnosu na kontrolnu grupu. Uočena je negativna korelacija između aktivnosti GPx u krvi i koncentracije MDA u plazmi, a pozitivna korelacija između koncentracije MDA i kortizola u plazmi. Rezultati ukazuju da prepartalna upotreba selena može biti korisna u smislu delimičnog smanjenja stresa u toku porođaja zbog povećanja antioksidativnog delovanja GPx.
Interactions of metal ions with phosphatidylserine bilayer membranes: effect of hydrocarbon chain unsaturation.

A combination of surface monolayer, scanning calorimetry, 31P NMR, and spin-label ESR techniques has been used to monitor the interactions of monovalent (NH4+, Na+, and Li+) and divalent (Ca2+) cations with phosphatidylserines (PS) differing in their levels of chain unsaturation. Comparisons are made between the disaturated dimyristoyl-, dipalmitoyl-, and dihexadecyl-PS (DMPS, DPPS, and DHPS), saturated cis-monounsaturated palmitoyloleoyl-PS (POPS) (and bovine brain PS), di-trans-monounsaturated dielaidoyl-PS (DEPS), and di-cis-monounsaturated dioleoyl-PS (DOPS). Na+ and NH4+ cations interact weakly with all PS monolayers and bilayers without significant changes in molecular conformation, chain packing, or headgroup dynamics and without dependence on chain composition. In contrast, considering these structural and dynamic parameters, Li+ shows a gradation in its interaction with PS (DMPS greater than POPS approximately bovine brain PS greater than DOPS), suggesting that Li+-PS interactions depend on the interfacial properties of the PS molecules (e.g., surface area). Finally, Ca2+ interacts strongly with all PS monolayers and bilayers, without obvious chain selectivity. Thus, ion binding to PS depends not only on the properties of the cation (Na+ vs Li+ vs Ca2+) but also on the molecular details of the PS membrane surface.
A trusted architectural model for interconnecting testbeds of wireless sensor networks

Designing wireless sensor networks is inherently complex; many aspects such as energy efficiency, limited resources, decentralized collaboration, fault tolerance have to be tackled. To be effective and to produce applicable results, fundamental research has to be tested, at least as a proof-of-concept, in large scale environments, so as to assess the feasibility of the new concepts, verb their large scale effects (not only at technological level, but also as for their foreseeable implications on users, society and economy) and derive further requirements, orientations and inputs for the research. In this paper we focus on the problems of interconnecting existing testbed environments via the Internet and providing a virtual unifying laboratory that will support academia, research centers and industry in their research on networks and services. In such a facility important issues of trust, security, confidentiality and integrity of data may arise especially for commercial (or not) organizations. In this paper we investigate such issues and present the design of a secure and robust architectural model for interconnecting testbeds of wireless sensor networks.
Oxidative Stress and Alcoholic Liver Disease

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive molecules that are naturally generated in small amounts during the body's metabolic reactions and can react with and damage complex cellular molecules such as lipids, proteins, or DNA. This review describes pathways involved in ROS formation, why ROS are toxic to cells, and how the liver protects itself against ROS. Acute and chronic ethanol treatment increases the production of ROS, lowers cellular antioxidant levels, and enhances oxidative stress in many tissues, especially the liver. Ethanol-induced oxidative stress plays a major role in the mechanisms by which ethanol produces liver injury. Many pathways play a key role in how ethanol induces oxidative stress. This review summarizes some of the leading pathways and discusses the evidence for their contribution to alcohol-induced liver injury.
Activity in the action observation network enhances emotion regulation during observation of risk-taking: an fMRI study

Abstract Objectives: The results of neuroimaging studies have indicated that viewing emotional stimuli can lead to activity increases in brain regions associated with processing actions. We hypothesized that observation of actions involving the potential for harm (i.e., risk-taking actions) would activate emotion- and pain-related processing. Methods: We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine the changes in neural activity during the observation of safe and risk-taking actions in 34 healthy participants (14 females, 20 males; mean age: 23·4±3·7 years). Results: Observation of risk-taking actions elicited significantly stronger neural activation in the inferior frontal gyrus, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, superior frontal gyrus/frontal pole, inferior parietal lobule, middle temporal gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, lingual gyrus, cuneus (including the calcarine sulcus), insula, and amygdala, than observation of safe actions. Interestingly, we observed significant activation of affect-related brain areas (ventromedial prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and insula), thought to be implicated in various aspects of emotion regulation during the observation of risk-taking actions. No brain regions exhibited greater activation during observation of safe actions than during observation of risk-taking actions associated with risk. Discussion: Our results reveal that the risk-related content of the observed actions in the video clips elicited activation of a network of visual input and processing regions, including the action observation network, that appears to encode the meanings of observed actions as well as the reflective or retrospective monitoring of their outcomes. These findings suggest that risk-taking situations may increase cognitive load on the entire action perception system, and may command more attention.
Ego Functions in Relation to Stressful Life Events and Indices of Psychopathology in Paranoid Schizophrenia

This study explored the role of 12 ego functions in relation to Stressful Life Events and three indices of psychopathology, namely, Psychoticism, Anxiety, and Depression among 60 Bengali adult patients suffering from Paranoid Schizophrenia. Adapted versions of Bellak's Ego Function Assessment–M, Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were administered to them. Stepwise multiple regression analyses indicated that Object Relation was associated with all three indices. Scores on Reality Testing correlated with those on Psychoticism, Stressful Life Events and scores on Thought Process with Anxiety, and Stressful Life Events, Sense of Reality, and scores on Defensive Functions with Depression. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that Object Relation also moderated between stressful life events and anxiety.
Intrasession and Intersession Reliability of Quadriceps' and Hamstrings' Electromyography During a Standardized Hurdle Jump Test With Single Leg Landing

Abstract Cavanaugh, MT, Aboodarda, SJ, and Behm, DG. Intrasession and intersession reliability of quadriceps' and hamstrings' electromyography during a standardized hurdle jump test with single leg landing. J Strength Cond Res 31(6): 1601–1609, 2017—The objective of this study was to develop a standardized test to determine quadriceps and hamstrings muscle activation in a position emulating a noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injury. We assessed the intrasession and intersession reliability of surface electromyography (EMG) of the dominant leg after single-leg landing from a standardized hurdle jump. Eighteen subjects (10 males, 8 females) participated in 4 repeated sessions. During each session, individuals performed 3 successful jumps over a hurdle set to 75% of their maximal countermovement jump height and landed on their dominant leg. A jump was only considered successful if the individual could maintain the landing position for longer than 2 seconds after initial ground contact. In one of the 4 sessions, subjects were tested again after a 4-minute rest. The activation of the vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), and biceps femoris (BF), were examined by quantifying the root mean squared (RMS) EMG for 2 seconds immediately after the initial contact. Data from all 3 successful jumps were used to generate intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), which were then used to determine intrasession and intersession reliability of surface EMG for each muscle. Intrasession reliability was excellent with ICC values of 0.96, 0.94, and 0.93 for the VL, VM, and BF, respectively. Additionally, intersession ICCs were 0.92 (VL), 0.95 (VM), and 0.94 (BF). The standardized hurdle jump with single-leg landing seemed to be a reliable technique for measuring muscle activation for 3 muscles that contribute to knee stabilization.
The influence of molting on yolk cholesterol level.

Abstract Twenty birds from each of four lines were force molted while similar numbers were maintained as nonmolted controls. Egg yolk cholesterol values were obtained for all birds pre and post molting. While molted birds in two lines yielded higher cholesterol values than nonmolted controls, differences were not significant. Similar response patterns of nonmolted controls indicate that increases in cholesterol level were not a direct effect of molting.
TRAIL causes cleavage of bid by caspase-8 and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential resulting in apoptosis in BJAB cells.

A new member of the TNF family, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), has been shown to induce apoptosis. However, the mechanism for TRAIL-induced apoptosis remains to be clarified. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis showed that cleavage of Bid was induced by a 1-h incubation of BJAB cells with TRAIL and was blocked by a caspase-8 inhibitor. Flow cytometry demonstrated that loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in BJAB cells began about 1.5 h after the treatment with TRAIL and was apparent at 2 h in comparison with the control. DNA ladder formation, which is characteristic for apoptosis, in the cells treated with TRAIL was detected at 2 h and observed most effectively at 3 h. The time course study suggests that TRAIL causes cleavage of Bid via activation of caspase-8, subsequently the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, resulting in apoptosis in BJAB cells.
Exercise Intolerance in Chronic Heart Failure – Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction and Potential Therapies –

xercise intolerance is a major clinical manifestation in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). It was originally considered to be the result of a failure of perfusion to the exercising musculature and consequent early onset of intramuscular acidosis. Under this theory, cardiotonic agents were administered to improve symptoms and exercise tolerance in patients with CHF. However, the therapy had no effect on exercise capacity despite hemodynamic improvement.1,2 Subsequently, the discrepancy between exercise tolerance and indices of left ventricular function has been reported.3,4 With this evidence, the study target shifted from central hemodynamics to the peripheral circulation and skeletal muscle condition. The purpose of the present review is to summarize the widespread skeletal muscle abnormalities originating from reduced perfusion and additive factors in patients with CHF, and to discuss the mechanisms for such alterations and their relation to established therapeutic tools, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARB), β-blockers, and exercise training.
Identification of Aeromonas strains to the genospecies level in the clinical laboratory

One hundred thirty-three strains of Aeromonas (human, n = 102; animal, n = 16; environmental, n = 15) previously identified to the DNA group level by molecular methods were biochemically analyzed for 58 properties. On the basis of the use of between 9 and 16 selected tests, 132 of the 133 strains (99%) could be assigned to their correct hybridization group using this biochemical scheme. The results suggest a feasible approach for identifying aeromonads to genospecies level under appropriate conditions.
Infection of the Central Nervous System by Human Immunodeficiency Virus Role of the Immune System in Pathogenesis a

Infection by the retrovirus causing the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), now designated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-I), is complicated by an array of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. (For reviews, see references 1 to 3.) Although some of these are well-characterized opportunistic infections (e.g., cerebral toxoplasmosis, cryptococcal meningitis, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy ) or opportunistic neoplasms (e.g., primary CNS lymphoma), others are seemingly unique to HIV-I infection and are now known or suspected to be caused by direct CNS infection by this retrovirus. The most common and clinically most important of these is a progressive demcnting illness that afflicts both adults and children and has been described by a variety of terms, including subacute encephalitis or encephalopathy, AIDS dementia or encephalopathy, and, more recently, the AIDS dementia complex (ADC). ' ' Not long after the retroviral etiology of AIDS was established, HIV-1 proviral DNA was identified within the brains of demented AIDS patients by Southern blot hybridization. "' This result was soon confirmed and extended using a variety of other techniques to detect evidence of HIV-1 in brain. "" More recently, it was shown that HIV-1 infection of the CNS, or at least the leptomeninges, is common and additionally may occur early in the course of systemic Thus, in a short time it was recognized that infection of the CNS is a central aspect of the biology of HIV-I infection and that AIDS is accompanied by an important and unique neurologic disorder caused, at least in part, by direct retrovirus brain infection. However, despite this rapid progress in recognizing, characterizing, and establishing the etiology of this new CNS disease, a number of its fundamental aspects remain poorly understood. In this essay we briefly review some of the essential clinical and pathologic features of the ADC and introduce some of the central pathogenetic questions that remain to be addressed, emphasizing the possible contribution of the immune system. It seems clear
Roles of the pap- and prs-encoded adhesins in Escherichia coli adherence to human uroepithelial cells

In this study, we reexamined the structural prerequisites for the attachment of P-fimbriated Escherichia coli to human urinary tract epithelial cells. The epithelial cells were obtained from A1P1 nonsecretor individuals, who express the globoseries of glycolipids without the ABH blood group determinants, and from A1P1 secretor individuals, who in addition express globo-A, a receptor for the prsJ96 adhesin. The wild-type E. coli strains J96, AD110, and IA2 and the recombinant clones HB101 papJ96, HB101 prsJ96, HB101 papIA2, and HB101 papAD110 were tested for binding. They expressed P fimbriae, as defined by P blood group-dependent agglutination of human erythrocytes of the globoseries, but differed in reactivity with galactose alpha 1-4galactose beta (Gal alpha 1-4Gal beta)-latex beads, isolated glycolipids of the globoseries, sheep erythrocytes, and uroepithelial cells. Three different patterns of binding were represented among the recombinant clones. HB101 papIA2 and HB101 papAD110 agglutinated sheep erythrocytes and Gal alpha 1-4Gal beta-latex beads and attached to both secretor and nonsecretor epithelial cells. HB101 prsJ96 agglutinated sheep erythrocytes, reacted poorly with Gal alpha 1-4Gal beta-latex beads, and attached to A1 secretor but not to A1 nonsecretor epithelial cells. HB101 papJ96 agglutinated Gal alpha 1-4Gal beta-latex beads but not sheep erythrocytes and attached poorly to human uroepithelial cells. The receptors relevant for adhesion were analyzed by inhibition with glycolipids in suspension. The sheep erythrocyte agglutination and attachment to secretor and nonsecretor epithelial cells of HB101 papIA2 and HB101 papAD110 were inhibited by globotetraosylceramide, while the Forssman glycolipid had no effect. The sheep erythrocyte reactivity and attachment to secretor epithelial cells of HB101 prsJ96 were inhibited by the Forssman glycolipid. These results permitted three conclusions. First, the expression of functionally active Gal alpha 1-4Gal beta-specific adhesins, as in HB101 papJ96, was not sufficient to make E. coli competent to attach to human uroepithelial cells. Attachment required P fimbriae of the papIA2 or papAD110 type. Second, the sheep erythrocyte reactivity of P-fimbriated strains could not be attributed solely to recognition of the Forssman glycolipid and may not be used to define the prsJ96-encoded phenotype. Third, the P-fimbrial adhesins which mediate secretor state-independent attachment to human uroepithelial cells recognized receptor epitopes provided by globotetraosylceramide.
A prospective, randomized study comparing the results of open discectomy with those of video-assisted arthroscopic microdiscectomy.

BACKGROUND The usefulness of video-assisted arthroscopic microdiscectomy for the treatment of a herniated lumbar disc has been studied previously. In the current prospective, randomized study, the results of this procedure were compared with those of conventional open laminotomy and discectomy. METHODS Sixty patients who had objective evidence of a single intracanalicular herniation of a lumbar disc caudad to the first lumbar vertebra were randomized into two groups consisting of thirty patients each; Group 1 was managed with open laminotomy and discectomy, and Group 2 was managed with video-assisted arthroscopic microdiscectomy. None of the patients had had a previous operation on the low back, and all had failed to respond to nonoperative measures. Analysis of the outcomes of both procedures was based on the patient's self-evaluation before and after the operation, the preoperative and postoperative clinical findings, and the patient's ability to return to a functional status. The patients were followed for nineteen to forty-two months postoperatively. RESULTS On the basis of the patient's preoperative and postoperative self-evaluation, the findings on physical examination, and the patient's ability to return to work or to normal activity, twenty-eight patients (93 percent) in Group 1 and twenty-nine patients (97 percent) in Group 2 were considered to have had a satisfactory outcome. The mean duration of postoperative disability before the patients were able to return to work was considerably longer in Group 1 than in Group 2 (forty-nine compared with twenty-seven days). The patients in Group 1 used narcotics for a longer duration postoperatively. No neurovascular complications or infections were encountered in either group. CONCLUSIONS Although the rate of satisfactory outcomes was approximately the same in both groups, the patients who had had an arthroscopic microdiscectomy had a shorter duration of postoperative disability and used narcotics for a shorter period. These findings suggest that arthroscopic microdiscectomy may be useful for the operative treatment of specific symptoms, including radiculopathy, that are caused by lumbar disc herniation, provided that patients are properly selected--that is, they must have a herniated disc at a single level as confirmed on imaging studies, have failed to respond to nonoperative management, have no evidence of spinal stenosis, and have a herniation not exceeding one-half of the anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal. Moreover, the surgeon must be familiar with this technique and must have received training in its use.
Functional Diversity of Axonemal Dyneins as Assessed by in Vitro and in Vivo Motility Assays of Chlamydomonas Mutants

This review outlines the current knowledge of the functional diversity of axonemal dyneins, as revealed by studies with the model organism Chlamydomonas. Axonemal dyneins, which comprise outer and inner dynein arms, power cilia and flagella beating by producing sliding movements between adjacent outer-doublet microtubules. Outer- and inner-arm dyneins have traditionally been considered similar in structure and function. However, recent evidence suggests that they differ rather strikingly in subunit composition, axonemal arrangement, and molecular motor properties. We posit that these arms make up two largely independent motile systems; whereas outer-arm dynein can generate axonemal beating by itself under certain conditions, inner-arm dynein can generate beating only in cooperation with the central pair/radial spokes. This conclusion is supported by genome analyses of various organisms. Outer-arm dynein appears to be particularly important for nodal cilia of mammalian embryos that function for determination of left-right body asymmetry.
Using Medical Billing Data to Evaluate Chronically Ill Children Over Time

This study evaluates stability of chronic condition identification in children older than 4 years in a health plan billing data using Clinical Risk Groups. A total of 31,055 children were continuously enrolled for 4 years; 7.5% (2334) identified with a chronic condition status in year 1, 2002, and another 15.4% (4784) during subsequent years; 63.6% (19,759) were identified as “healthy” throughout. The most stable were those identified with a catastrophic health condition. The least stable were those with minor and moderate/dominant major chronic conditions. Overall, 73.1% (1706) of the children with chronic conditions in year 1 improved in status, and 5.7% (133) progressed to more complex conditions.