Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dairy fat intake is associated with glucose tolerance, hepatic and systemic insulin sensitivity, and liver fat but not β-cell function in humans.

BACKGROUND Plasma phospholipid concentrations of trans-palmitoleic acid (trans-16:1n-7), a biomarker of dairy fat intake, are inversely associated with incident type 2 diabetes in 2 US cohorts. OBJECTIVE The objective was to investigate whether the intake of trans-16:1n-7 in particular, or dairy fat in general, is associated with glucose tolerance and key factors determining glucose tolerance. DESIGN A cross-sectional investigation was undertaken in 17 men and women with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and 15 body mass index (BMI)- and age-matched controls. The concentrations of trans-16:1n-7 and 2 other biomarkers of dairy fat intake, 15:0 and 17:0, were measured in plasma phospholipids and free fatty acids (FFAs). Liver fat was estimated by computed tomography-derived liver-spleen ratio. Intravenous-glucose-tolerance tests and oral-glucose-tolerance test (OGTT) and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps were performed to assess β-cell function and hepatic and systemic insulin sensitivity. RESULTS In multivariate analyses adjusted for age, sex, and BMI, phospholipid 17:0, phospholipid trans-16:1n-7, FFA 15:0, and FFA 17:0 were inversely associated with fasting plasma glucose, the area under the curve for glucose during an OGTT, and liver fat. Phospholipid trans-16:1n-7 was also positively associated with hepatic and systemic insulin sensitivity. None of the biomarkers were associated with β-cell function. The associations between dairy fat intake and glucose tolerance were attenuated by adjusting for insulin sensitivity or liver fat, but strengthened by adjusting for β-cell function. CONCLUSION Although we cannot rule out reverse causation, these data support the hypothesis that dairy fat improves glucose tolerance, possibly through a mechanism involving improved hepatic and systemic insulin sensitivity and reduced liver fat.
In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluations of 3D Porous TCP-coated and Non-coated Alumina Scaffolds

Both tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and alumina have been extensively studied and shown to have high biocompatibility. Tricalcium phosphate has improved biodegradability and a higher solubility than hydroxyapatite. In contrast, alumina (Al2O3) is almost completely inert at physiological conditions and has been used as a biomaterial due to its wear resistance, high surface finish, and excellent hardness. Thus, the combination of these two implants would result in greater biocompatibility and phenotype maintenance. A polyurethane (PU) foam replica method was employed in this study to coat TCP on an alumina scaffold. The TCP-coated alumina scaffold was then sintered to generate a porous surface morphology. The pore sizes obtained using this approach ranged between 100—600 µm, which is ideal for cellular proliferation. The cytotoxicity, cellular proliferation, differentiation, and ECM deposition on the coated scaffold resulted in longer-term viability of osteogenic markers compared to the non-coated scaffold. Moreover, the osteogenic properties of porous TCP-coated Al2O3 scaffolds were reported in this study using rabbit models. The TCP/Al2O 3 scaffold and control Al2O3 scaffolds were implanted in the rabbit femur. The bone tissue response was analyzed with micro-computed tomography (micro CT) at 12 and 24 weeks after implantation. The porous scaffolds exhibited favorable hard and soft tissue responses at both time points. At 24 weeks, a three-fold increase in bone tissue ingrowth was observed in defects containing TCP-coated Al2O3 scaffolds compared to control Al2O3 scaffolds.
Mitotic Phosphorylation of the Lamin B Receptor by a Serine/Arginine Kinase and p34cdc2*

The lamin B receptor (LBR) is an integral protein of the inner nuclear membrane that is modified at interphase by a nuclear envelope-bound protein kinase. This enzyme (RS kinase) specifically phosphorylates arginine-serine dipeptide motifs located at the NH2-terminal domain of LBR and regulates its interactions with other nuclear envelope proteins. To compare the phosphorylation state of LBR during interphase and mitosis, we performed phosphopeptide mapping of in vitro and in vivo 32P-labeled LBR and analyzed a series of recombinant proteins and synthetic peptides. Our results show that LBR undergoes two types of mitotic phosphorylation mediated by the RS and the p34cdc2 protein kinases, respectively. The RS kinase modifies similar sites at interphase and mitosis (i.e. Ser76, Ser78, Ser80, Ser82, Ser84), whereas p34cdc2 mainly phosphorylates Ser71. These findings clarify the phosphorylation state of LBR during the cell cycle and provide new information for understanding the mechanisms responsible for nuclear envelope assembly and disassembly.
Quantifying the environmental impact of ecovillages and co-housing communities: a systematic literature review

ABSTRACT Many intentional communities worldwide, such as ecovillages and co-housing communities, have explicit goals of living in an environmentally sustainable manner, and are taking conscious steps towards these goals in response to the widely discussed unsustainability of the global sociotechnical system. There are numerous claims from researchers and community members, in the academic and grey literature, that intentional communities are making significant improvements towards sustainability goals, particularly in terms of environmental impact. However, actual measures of progress, with evidence supporting these claims, are relatively scarce. This paper presents the findings of a systematic review of quantitative studies of the environmental impact of intentional communities, including comparisons with relevant “mainstream” communities. The review focused on the two indicators that are most commonly reported in studies of the impact of intentional communities – the ecological footprint and the carbon footprint. This review was undertaken as there is a lack of literature reviews that comprehensively compile existing quantitative studies about intentional communities. In total, the review identified 16 separate studies covering 23 communities and 30 footprint measurements, with publication dates ranging from 2000 to 2014. This is a greater number of studies than in any other literature review of this topic. Taken as a whole, these compiled studies provide strong support for claims of greater environmental sustainability within these communities, and reinforce the need for greater research and exploration of the role sustainability-oriented intentional communities can play in the transition to more sustainable sociotechnical systems.
Extracellular vesicles in liver pathobiology: Small particles with big impact

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanometer‐sized, membrane‐bound vesicles released by cells into the extracellular milieu. EVs are now recognized to play a critical role in cell‐to‐cell communication. EVs contain important cargo in the form of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids and serve as vectors for delivering this cargo from donor to acceptor or target cell. EVs are released under both physiologic and pathologic conditions, including liver diseases, and exert a wide range of effects on target cells. This review provides an overview on EV biogenesis, secretion, cargo, and target cell interactions in the context of select liver diseases. Specifically, the diverse roles of EVs in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, viral hepatitis, cholangiopathies, and hepatobiliary malignancies are emphasized. Liver diseases often result in an increased release of EVs and/or in different cargo sorting into these EVs. Either of these alterations can drive disease pathogenesis. Given this fact, EVs represent a potential target for therapeutic intervention in liver disorders. Because altered EV composition may reflect the underlying disease condition, circulating EVs can be exploited for diagnostic and prognostic purposes as a liquid biopsy. Furthermore, ex vivo modified or synthesized EVs can be engineered as therapeutic nano‐shuttles. Finally, we highlight areas that merit further investigation relevant to understanding how EVs regulate liver disease pathogenesis. (Hepatology 2016;64:2219‐2233).
Molecular interferometer to decode attosecond electron–nuclear dynamics

Significance Current attosecond technologies designed to study fast electron and nuclear motion in molecules make use, at some stage, of infrared laser pulses that strongly perturb the molecular potential, thus modifying the dynamics inherent to the system. To access the actual dynamics of the molecule, gentler laser sources must be used. Very recently, extreme UV pulses have been successfully combined to provide a picture of the intrinsic electron dynamics in atoms with subfemtosecond time resolution. Here we show that by using two identical extreme UV pulses, one can also obtain a complete description of the coupled electronic and nuclear dynamics in molecules. Visualization of such dynamics is possible by varying the wavelength and/or the time delay between the two pulses. Understanding the coupled electronic and nuclear dynamics in molecules by using pump–probe schemes requires not only the use of short enough laser pulses but also wavelengths and intensities that do not modify the intrinsic behavior of the system. In this respect, extreme UV pulses of few-femtosecond and attosecond durations have been recognized as the ideal tool because their short wavelengths ensure a negligible distortion of the molecular potential. In this work, we propose the use of two twin extreme UV pulses to create a molecular interferometer from direct and sequential two-photon ionization processes that leave the molecule in the same final state. We theoretically demonstrate that such a scheme allows for a complete identification of both electronic and nuclear phases in the wave packet generated by the pump pulse. We also show that although total ionization yields reveal entangled electronic and nuclear dynamics in the bound states, doubly differential yields (differential in both electronic and nuclear energies) exhibit in addition the dynamics of autoionization, i.e., of electron correlation in the ionization continuum. Visualization of such dynamics is possible by varying the time delay between the pump and the probe pulses.
Colloid Preload Versus Coload for Spinal Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery: The Effects on Maternal Cardiac Output

BACKGROUND: Spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery may cause severe maternal hypotension, and a decrease in cardiac output (CO) and blood flow to the placenta. Fluid preloading with crystalloid is ineffective due to rapid redistribution. A “coload” given at the time of cerebrospinal fluid identification may be more effective. Our null hypothesis was that there would be no difference between the effect of a colloid preload (15 mL/kg hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 [Voluven® 6%]) and an identical coload on maternal CO and the incidence of hypotension after spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery. Secondary outcomes studied were neonatal acid- base status and predelivery vasopressor requirements. METHODS: Forty ASA PS I and II women scheduled for elective cesarean delivery were recruited. Patients were randomized to Group P (preload of 15 mL/kg HES) or Group C (coload, given when cerebrospinal fluid identified). Heart rate, arterial blood pressure, stroke volume and CO measurements were recorded at baseline, every minute for 10 min, and every 2.5 min interval for 10 min with the USCOM™ ultrasonic CO monitor. Spinal anesthesia was performed at the L3/4 interspace in the right lateral position. Arterial blood pressure was maintained at 90%–100% of baseline values using IV phenylephrine boluses. RESULTS: Demographic, anesthetic, and surgical characteristics were similar. There were no between-group differences in baseline systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and colloid volume. CO and stroke volume were significantly increased in Group P (P = 0.01) in the 5 min after spinal anesthesia. This increase in CO was not sustained at 10 min. There were no significant between-group differences in the incidence of hypotension, absolute arterial blood pressure values (P = 0.73), predelivery median (range) phenylephrine requirements (300[0–1000] in Group P versus 150 [0–850]&mgr;g in Group C, P = 0.24), or neonatal outcome as measured by Apgar scores and umbilical arterial and venous blood gas values. CONCLUSION: Intravascular volume expansion with 15 mL/kg HES 130/0.4 given as a preload, but not coload, significantly increased maternal CO for the first 5 min after spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery, however, maternal and neonatal outcomes were not different.
Synchronisation of Regional Business Cycles of Eastern Polish Provinces with the National Cycle in the Context of Regional Economic Structures

The objective of the article is to determine the degree of regional variation among provinces located in so-called Eastern Poland. The criterion for such variation is the structure of the generated GDP and the course of fluctuations in business cycles related to it. The analysis of economy structures in such provinces, as well as application of band-pass filters, used for separating the course of cyclical fluctuations, enabled the evaluation of the degree of structural discrepancies and business cycle discrepancies in five examined provinces. The analysis of cycle morphology in a regional perspective confirmed significant discrepancies in the course of the business cycle fluctuations in comparison to the cycle for Poland in general. The relation between the structure of the generated regional product and its co-convergence with the reference cycle is also visible. Regions characterised by a much higher or much lower share of agriculture in the GDP show different sensitivity to business cycle changes. Furthermore, these regions of Eastern Poland which have industries with a clearly pro-export nature (Warmia and Mazury, Podlasie and Podkarpackie) retain their separate character in the course of the fluctuations of the business cycle, differing from other regions included in the examined area of the country. SYNCHRONIZACJA REGIONALNYCH CYKLI KONIUNKTURALNYCH WOJEWÓDZTW POLSKI WSCHODNIEJ Z CYKLEM KRAJOWYM W KONTEKŚCIE REGIONALNYCH STRUKTUR GOSPODARCZYCH
First‐trimester diagnosis of late‐infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (LINCL) by tripeptidyl peptidase I assay and CLN2 mutation analysis

Late‐infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (LINCL) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by the deficiency of lysosomal tripeptidyl peptidase I (TPP‐I) encoded by the CLN2 gene. We report the first case of early prenatal diagnosis of LINCL by combined enzyme and mutation analysis. TPP‐I activity in chorionic villi (CV) was less than 2% of the mean normal control level and g.1946A>G and g.3670C>T mutations were demonstrated, as in the two previously affected children. After termination of pregnancy, TPP‐I deficiency was confirmed in cultured CV cells and in the fetal skin fibroblasts. The expression of unequivocal TPP‐I deficiency in CV demonstrates that enzyme assay is a reliable option for prenatal diagnosis of LINCL. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Harmonic spatial coherence imaging: an ultrasonic imaging method based on backscatter coherence

We introduce a harmonic version of the short-lag spatial coherence (SLSC) imaging technique, called harmonic spatial coherence imaging (HSCI). The method is based on the coherence of the second-harmonic backscatter. Because the same signals that are used to construct harmonic B-mode images are also used to construct HSCI images, the benefits obtained with harmonic imaging are also obtained with HSCI. Harmonic imaging has been the primary tool for suppressing clutter in diagnostic ultrasound imaging, however secondharmonic echoes are not necessarily immune to the effects of clutter. HSCI and SLSC imaging are less sensitive to clutter because clutter has low spatial coherence. HSCI shows favorable imaging characteristics such as improved contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), improved speckle SNR, and better delineation of borders and other structures compared with fundamental and harmonic B-mode imaging. CNRs of up to 1.9 were obtained from in vivo imaging of human cardiac tissue with HSCI, compared with 0.6, 0.9, and 1.5 in fundamental B-mode, harmonic B-mode, and SLSC imaging, respectively. In vivo experiments in human liver tissue demonstrated SNRs of up to 3.4 for HSCI compared with 1.9 for harmonic B-mode. Nonlinear simulations of a heart chamber model were consistent with the in vivo experiments.
Mechanical signaling in the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Estrogen deficiency results in increased bone turnover and net bone loss in rats as well as humans. The respective roles of bone turnover and mechanical strain in mediating estrogen deficiencyinduced cancellous bone loss were investigated in ovariectomized rats. Ovariectomy resulted in increased bone turnover in long bones. However, cancellous bone was preferentially lost in the metaphysis, a site that experiences low strain energy during normal physical activity. No bone loss was observed in the epiphysis, a site experiencing higher strain energy, despite a similar increase in bone turnover. The role of mechanical strain in maintaining bone balance was investigated by altering the strain history. Mechanical strain was increased or decreased in long bones of ovariectomized rats by treadmill exercise or functional unloading, respectively. Increasing mechanical loading reduced bone loss in the metaphysis. In contrast, decreasing weight bearing accentuated bone loss in the metaphysis and resulted in bone loss in the epiphysis. Finally, administration of estrogen to ovariectomized rats reduced bone loss in unloaded limbs and prevented bone loss in the loaded limbs. These results suggest that estrogen alters the mechanosensory (mechanostat) set point for skeletal adaptation, effectively reducing the minimum strain energy levels at which bone is added. Additionally, these studies suggest that physical activity as well as endocrine status play an important role in maintenance of the female skeleton during aging.
Distributive politics and spatial equity: the allocation of public investment in Chile

ABSTRACT Distributive politics and spatial equity: the allocation of public investment in Chile. Regional Studies. This paper analyzes the influence of electoral concerns on investment distribution from the central government to Chilean municipalities. Drawing upon panel data, it shows that investment is mediated by pork-barrel and political budget cycles, as well as favouring the relatively better-off areas. Estimations also reveal that resources are channelled to the municipalities where the vote margin in local elections is larger, whereas national results are not relevant, indicating that local governments’ lobbying capacity is prioritized over national electoral interests. Based on these results, the implications for regional governance and for reducing the margin of arbitrary allocations are discussed.
Capital asset pricing model in market overreaction conditions : evidence from Indonesia Stock Exchange

Market overreaction is a phenomenon in stock markets characterized by a return reversal on the stocks which resulted winners into a losers, vice versa, losers into a winners. While the CAPM is the model of asset pricing which puts the market risk factor as the sole determinant of return. The purpose of this study is testing whether market overreaction occurred in Indonesia stock market and whether Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) can explain the portfolio return of the winners and the losers. This study uses the stocks of nonfinancial sector companies in Indonesia Stock Exchange during the period July 2005December 2015. Abnormal returns for each stock obtained by using a market model and the portfolio formed by using the method of 6-6 observation period. The results of this study are: (1) Market overreaction occurs in the Indonesia stock market characterized by a return reversal of the winners and the losers, and (2) CAPM which only considers the market risk factors in the model tend to be able to explain the portfolio return.
Loss of the tumorigenic phenotype with in vitro, but not in vivo, passaging of a novel series of human bronchial epithelial cell lines: possible role of an alpha 5/beta 1-integrin-fibronectin interaction.

We established an immortalized, nontumorigenic human bronchial epithelial cell line by transfection with the origin of replication-defective SV40 large T plasmid. This line spontaneously became tumorigenic at passage 184 (NL20T), although subsequent passages (passages 189, 200, and 205) failed to form tumors. The tumorigenic cell line NL20T was reinoculated back into athymic nude mice, and the two subsequently derived cell lines (NL20T-A and NL20T-B) have been passaged 85 times in vitro and remain tumorigenic. However, late-passage NL20T cells consistently lose their tumorigenicity when passaged in vitro on tissue culture plastic dishes (NL20T-n cells). Thus, two of the cell lines, NL20 and NL20T, reverted to the nontumorigenic phenotype reproducibly and spontaneously following serial passage on plastic tissue culture plates, whereas cells passaged in mice (NL20T-A and -B) did not. We used these nontumorigenic (NL20 and NL20T-n) and tumorigenic (early passage NL20T, NL20T-A, and NL20T-B) cells to study the role of the alpha 5/beta 1-integrin and attachment to fibronectin in tumorigenicity. The two nontumorigenic cell lines (NL20 and NL20T-n) attached slower to fibronectin-coated plates than the two tumorigenic cell lines in a cellular-extracellular matrix adhesion assay. Attachment was abrogated by exposure to a blocking antibody to the alpha 5/beta 1-integrin, the fibronectin receptor, in the two tumorigenic cell lines. Cell surface expression of the alpha 5/beta 1 cell surface protein by flow cytometry was highest in the tumorigenic NL20T and NL20T-A cells. NL20T-A cells were cultured with an antibody to alpha 5/beta 1 and inoculated s.c. into athymic nude mice; tumorigenicity of the NL20T-A cells was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Tumorigenicity was also inhibited partially with monoclonal antibodies to either alpha 5 or beta 1. A mixture of 10% tumorigenic NL20T-A cells and 90% nontumorigenic NL20 cells was cultured on plastic, type IV collagen, laminin, and fibronectin for 9 weeks. Only cells cultured on fibronectin formed tumors when inoculated s.c. into athymic nude mice. We conclude that these data are consistent with the hypothesis that neoplastic transformation in our original cell line arose from in vivo selection of a small mutant clone, which had arisen in culture and was selected subsequently in vivo but was lost with in vitro culture in NL20 cells, and that alpha 5/beta 1-integrin interaction with the extracellular matrix may play a role in tumorigenicity in our system.
ROSCA Composition and Repayment: Evidence from Taiwanese Bidding ROSCAs

ABSTRACT Rotating savings and credit associations (ROSCAs) are widespread and remain a key financial management tool for poor individuals. We analyse data from Taiwanese bidding ROSCAs and focus on how social relationships within the group influence contribution behaviour and ROSCA failure. We find that less socially-connected participants were more likely to receive the pot early in the cycle, which increases their incentive to default, yet contrary to accepted wisdom groups including more outsiders were not more likely to experience repayment problems. Our results highlights how bidding ROSCAs can be a versatile device that provide profitable savings while allowing for emergency credit.