Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
β-Cryptoxanthin from supplements or carotenoid-enhanced maize maintains liver vitamin A in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) better than or equal to β-carotene supplements

Maize with enhanced provitamin A carotenoids (biofortified), accomplished through conventional plant breeding, maintains vitamin A (VA) status in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Two studies in gerbils compared the VA value of β-cryptoxanthin with β-carotene. Study 1 (n 47) examined oil supplements and study 2 (n 46) used maize with enhanced β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene. After 4 weeks' depletion, seven or six gerbils were killed; remaining gerbils were placed into weight-matched groups of 10. In study 1, daily supplements were cottonseed oil, and 35, 35 or 17·5 nmol VA (retinyl acetate), β-cryptoxanthin or β-carotene, respectively, for 3 weeks. In study 2, one group of gerbils was fed a 50 % biofortified maize diet which contained 2·9 nmol β-cryptoxanthin and 3·2 nmol β-carotene/g feed. Other groups were given equivalent β-carotene or VA supplements based on prior-day intake from the biofortified maize or oil only for 4 weeks. In study 1, liver retinol was higher in the VA (0·74 (sd 0·11) μmol) and β-cryptoxanthin (0·65 (sd 0·10) μmol) groups than in the β-carotene (0·49 (sd 0·13) μmol) and control (0·41 (sd 0·16) μmol) groups (P < 0·05). In study 2, the VA (1·17 (sd 0·19) μmol) and maize (0·71 (sd 0·18) μmol) groups had higher liver retinol than the control (0·42 (sd 0·16) μmol) group (P < 0·05), whereas the β-carotene (0·57 (sd 0·21) μmol) group did not. Bioconversion factors (i.e. 2·74 μg β-cryptoxanthin and 2·4 μg β-carotene equivalents in maize to 1 μg retinol) were lower than the Institute of Medicine values.
Human fetal testis Leydig cell disruption by exposure to the pesticide dieldrin at low concentrations.

BACKGROUND Declining human reproductive health over the last 60 years has been proposed to be due to effects of environmental chemicals, especially endocrine disrupting compounds, on fetal development. We investigated whether a model pesticide, dieldrin, at concentrations within both maternal circulation and environmental ranges (1 pmol/l = 0.0004 p.p.b. = 380.9 pg/l), could disrupt the human fetal testis. METHODS Human fetal testes were collected during the second trimester, a critical period of male sexual differentiation (development and masculinization). Testis explants were cultured for 24 h in the presence and absence of LH (10-1000 IU LH/l) and dieldrin (1 pmol and 1 nmol/l). Endocrine, immunohistological and proteome characteristics of the tissues were investigated. RESULTS Exposure to dieldrin reduced LH-induced testosterone secretion (P < 0.05) and tissue protein concentrations of LH receptor and steroid acute regulatory protein (P < 0.05). Dieldrin altered proteins associated with cancer, apoptosis, transcription and development. Wnt-2b was reduced 3-fold and immunolocalized to Leydig and Sertoli cells. Dieldrin also reversed some LH-induced changes in protein expression, supporting the conclusion that Leydig cell function is at risk from environmental chemicals. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that exposure to very low, biologically relevant, concentrations of environmental chemicals could affect the fetal human Leydig cell, reducing testosterone secretion and potentially leading to subtle dysregulation of reproductive development and adult fecundity.
Role of Imaging Biomarkers in Predicting Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase–Positive Lung Adenocarcinoma

Objectives For the ultimately efficient screening of anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene (ALK)–positive cases, combination of radiometabolic characteristics with clinicopathologic features may be more useful. Therefore, we determined radiologic characteristics and metabolic characteristics in patients with adenocarcinoma harboring ALK mutations. Patients and Methods We retrospectively reviewed clinicopathologic CT and PET/CT data from patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma screened for identifying ALK rearrangement. Lesion size, solidity, location, margins, CT attenuation, and SUVmax were assessed. Pathologic features such as differentiation, the presence of signet ring cell, EGFR/KRAS mutation status, and TTF-1 expression were also reviewed. Results Of the screened 221 patients, 41 patients (19%) demonstrated ALK rearrangements, and these individuals were younger than the ALK-negative patients (P < 0.001) and showed significant association with no exposure to tobacco (P = 0.028). ALK-positive lung adenocarcinomas were significantly less differentiated than those without rearrangements (P = 0.005). ALK-positive tumors showed significantly higher SUVmax than ALK-negative tumors (P = 0.016). Multivariate logistic regression modeling for predicting the ALK-positive lung adenocarcinoma disclosed that lower CT attenuation and higher SUVmax were significant independent factors of ALK rearrangements (odds ratio, 0.87 and 1.06; P = 0.03 and 0.01, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for SUVmax/CT attenuation ratio was 0.788, and the optimal cutoff value of SUVmax/CT attenuation ratio for identifying ALK-positive lung adenocarcinoma was greater than or equal to 0.208 (sensitivity, 74.2%; specificity, 81.0%). Conclusions This study shows that ALK-rearranged lung adenocarcinoma represents younger age, no history of smoking, the absence of spiculation on CT, and higher SUVmax/CT attenuation greater than or equal to 0.208 compared with those without ALK mutation.
Whole-genome comparison of disease and carriage strains provides insights into virulence evolution in Neisseria meningitidis

Neisseria meningitidis is a leading cause of infectious childhood mortality worldwide. Most research efforts have hitherto focused on disease isolates belonging to only a few hypervirulent clonal lineages. However, up to 10% of the healthy human population is temporarily colonized by genetically diverse strains mostly with little or no pathogenic potential. Currently, little is known about the biology of carriage strains and their evolutionary relationship with disease isolates. The expression of a polysaccharide capsule is the only trait that has been convincingly linked to the pathogenic potential of N. meningitidis. To gain insight into the evolution of virulence traits in this species, whole-genome sequences of three meningococcal carriage isolates were obtained. Gene content comparisons with the available genome sequences from three disease isolates indicate that there is no core pathogenome in N. meningitidis. A comparison of the chromosome structure suggests that a filamentous prophage has mediated large chromosomal rearrangements and the translocation of some candidate virulence genes. Interspecific comparison of the available Neisseria genome sequences and dot blot hybridizations further indicate that the insertion sequence IS1655 is restricted only to N. meningitidis; its low sequence diversity is an indicator of an evolutionarily recent population bottleneck. A genome-based phylogenetic reconstruction provides evidence that N. meningitidis has emerged as an unencapsulated human commensal from a common ancestor with Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria lactamica and consecutively acquired the genes responsible for capsule synthesis via horizontal gene transfer.
Microcapsule of Campylobacter fetus: chemical and physical characterization

The antiphagocytic antigen (antigen [a]) comprising the microcapsule of a strain of Campylobacter fetus subsp. intestinalis has been purified from culture supernatants by ammonium sulfate fractionation and free-flow electrophoresis. Antigen [a] is a glycoprotein containing about 4% carbohydrate consisting of hexose, pentose, and methylpentose. The composition of the protein was typical of bacterial extramural structural proteins in its low content of basic, aromatic, and sulfur-containing amino acids. The protein had a high content of aspartic acid, threonine, glycine, and alanine. Antigen [a] had an Rf of 0.33 on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and a molecular weight calculated in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of approximately 98,000. In contrast to its free form in culture supernatants, antigen [a] in vesicles derived from sheared cells appeared to exist in a complex with lipopolysaccharide. This complex could be dissociated by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid plus Triton X-100. A mutant strain that lacked a microcapsule, when incubated with soluble antigen [a] in a calcium medium, became agglutinable by monospecific [a] antiserum and showed an additional structural layer similar in appearance to the microcapsule on its cell wall. Points of similarity are emphasized between antigen [a] of C. fetus and the outer structural protein of the taxonomically related Spirillum serpens.
Vitamin D receptor alleles, bone mineral density and turnover in premenopausal Japanese women

Recent studies have shown that genetic effects on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover are related to allelic variation in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene. We examined allelic influences of the VDR gene on bone turnover and density in 202 normal healthy premenopausal Japanese women (age 30.1 ± 1.2, mean ± SEM). The VDR effect on BMD and turnover is similar to that observed in Caucasian women; however, there are major differences in allele frequency. The B allele by Bsm I restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), associated with low BMD and high bone turnover, is found in only 12% of Japanese women (1.4% homozygote BB), compared with 41% of Caucasians (16.7% homozygote BB). In comparing the two most frequent genotypes, Bb heterozygotes (21.5%) and bb homozygotes (77.1%), BMD is 5.3% lower in Bb heterozygotes, and levels of bone formation markers including osteocalcin and bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase are 20–32% higher with lower serum calcium (2.30 ± 0.02 vs 2.35 ± 0.01 mmol/1) and higher 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D (95 ± 4.8 vs. 76 ± 3.8 pmol/1). Further discrimination of the genotype was achieved using two additional RFLPs (Apa I, A and Taq I, T); the lumbar spine BMD of the common genotype BbAATt was 9.3% (0.94 SD) lower than in the bbaaTT genotype in premenopausal Japanese women. These data confirm that VDR RFLPs affect bone mineral metabolism regardless of racial differences. Moreover, the VDR genotypes based on haplotype analysis should yield useful insights into the potential prevention of osteoporosis. (J Bone Miner Res 1996;11:1003‐1009)
Comparison of stimulating effect on subpopulations of lymphocytes in human peripheral blood by methionine enkephalin with IL-2 and IFN-γ

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mechanisms of methionine enkephalin (MENK) on lymphocytes in human peripheral blood. We detected CD4+T cells, CD8+T cells, CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg), dendritic cells (DCs), natural killer cells (NK), NKT cells and γδT cells before and after treatment with 10−12M MENK, in cell culture by FCM and RT-PCR. Our findings show that MENK stimulating expansion of lymphocyte subpopulationns by inhibiting CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg), which is unique discovery of our study. We may use MENK as a drug to treat cancer patients, whose immune systems are damaged by chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Analgesic and mechanistic evaluation of spiradoline, a potent kappa opioid.

Spiradoline (a congener of the kappa opioid agonist, U-50488H) was evaluated for analgesic and related activities in rodents. In nine antinociceptive assays utilizing various thermal, pressure and chemical and physical irritants, the potency of spiradoline ranges from 4.7 to 23 (mean = 13) times that of U-50488H. Naloxone blocks the analgesic effect of spiradoline. The in vivo naloxone pA2 for this antagonism is much lower than that for the antagonism of morphine and approximates that of U-50488H. The analgesic potency of spiradoline is greatly reduced in mice made tolerant to U-50488H but not in those made tolerant to morphine. Repeated treatment with spiradoline does not induce physical dependence as evidenced by a lack of naloxone-precipitated jumping and withdrawal-induced hyperalgesia. In sum, these observations suggest that spiradoline is a potent kappa agonist analgesic. However, further evaluation of spiradoline revealed differences between this compound and U-50488H. We have previously shown that the analgesic effect of the latter compound, but not that of morphine, is profoundly antagonized by reserpine or p-chlorophenylalanine. In contrast, spiradoline is only marginally antagonized by these serotonin-depleting treatments. Evaluation of the enantiomers of spiradoline revealed that the (-)-enantiomer is more than 30 times as potent as the (+)-enantiomer in analgesic tests. The (-)-enantiomer is similar to U-50488H with regard to antagonism by p-chlorophenylalanine, lack of physical dependence-inducing properties and cross-tolerance. In contrast the (+)-enantiomer induces physical dependence and displays marked cross-tolerance in morphine-tolerant mice. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Unsupervised Virtual Reality Training May Not Increase Laparoscopic Suturing Skills

Background: Numerous studies have been published showing the effect of virtual reality simulator training on laparoscopic skills. Most of these studies have not focused on simulator training in a nonsupervised setting. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate whether virtual reality simulation training alone increases basic laparoscopic suturing skills. Design: After an instructional video, a pretest involving suturing of bovine intestines was performed. The participants were then randomised into 2 groups. The study group received 4 training sessions on a virtual reality simulator whereas the other group received no training. After the training period, the suturing test was repeated. Setting: Central Hospital, Norway. Participants: Twenty-six internship candidates, of which 22 completed the study. Results: Both groups increased their suturing skills significantly when comparing the results of the 2 tests; however, no difference was found in the increase of skills between the groups. Conclusions: This study indicates that virtual reality simulator training alone may not increase laparoscopic suturing skills.
Human Pumilio Proteins Recruit Multiple Deadenylases to Efficiently Repress Messenger RNAs*

Background: The mechanisms by which human PUF proteins repress target mRNAs remain unknown. Results: PUM1 and PUM2 reduce protein and mRNA levels of targets by recruiting the CNOT deadenylase complex and by a poly(A)-independent mechanism. Conclusion: PUMs employ deadenylation-dependent and -independent mechanisms of repression. Significance: Deadenylation is a conserved means of PUF repression but additional mechanism(s) contribute to mRNA regulation. PUF proteins are a conserved family of eukaryotic RNA-binding proteins that regulate specific mRNAs: they control many processes including stem cell proliferation, fertility, and memory formation. PUFs repress protein expression from their target mRNAs but the mechanism by which they do so remains unclear, especially for humans. Humans possess two PUF proteins, PUM1 and PUM2, which exhibit similar RNA binding specificities. Here we report new insights into their regulatory activities and mechanisms of action. We developed functional assays to measure sequence-specific repression by PUM1 and PUM2. Both robustly inhibit translation and promote mRNA degradation. Purified PUM complexes were found to contain subunits of the CCR4-NOT (CNOT) complex, which contains multiple enzymes that catalyze mRNA deadenylation. PUMs interact with the CNOT deadenylase subunits in vitro. We used three approaches to determine the importance of deadenylases for PUM repression. First, dominant-negative mutants of CNOT7 and CNOT8 reduced PUM repression. Second, RNA interference depletion of the deadenylases alleviated PUM repression. Third, the poly(A) tail was necessary for maximal PUM repression. These findings demonstrate a conserved mechanism of PUF-mediated repression via direct recruitment of the CCR4-POP2-NOT deadenylase leading to translational inhibition and mRNA degradation. A second, deadenylation independent mechanism was revealed by the finding that PUMs repress an mRNA that lacks a poly(A) tail. Thus, human PUMs are repressors capable of deadenylation-dependent and -independent modes of repression.
Estimation of Above Ground Biomass in Forests Using Alos Palsar Data in Kericho and Aberdare Ranges

Above Ground Biomass is one of the six pools identified in the inventory of forest resources and estimation of greenhouse gas emissions and sinks from the forestry sector. The pool varies by management practices in different agro-ecological or agro-climatic zones in forests. The quantification of above ground biomass (AGB) hence carbon sequestration in forests has been very difficult due to the immense costs required. This research was done to estimate AGB using ALOS PALSAR L band data (HH, HV polarisation) acquired in 2009 in relation with ground measurements data in Kericho and Aberdares ranges in Kenya. Tree data information was obtained from ground measurement of DBH and tree heights in 100 circular plots of 15 m radius, by use of random sampling technique. ALOS PALSAR image is advantageous for its active microwave sensor using L-band frequency to achieve cloud free imageries, and the ability of long wavelength cross-polarization to estimate AGB accurately for tropical forests. The variations result between Natural and plantation forest for measured and estimated biomass in Kericho HV band regression value was 0.880 and HH band was 0.520. In Aberdare ranges HV regression value of 0.708 and HH band regression value of 0.511 for measured and estimated biomass respectively. The variations can be explained by the influence of different management regimes induced human disturbances, forest stand age, density, species composition, and trees diameter distribution. However, further research is required to investigate how strong these factors affect relationship between AGB and Alos Palsar backscatters.
A direct gravimetric technique for measuring sebum excretion rate

The standard gravimetric method for measuring sebum excretion rates involves ether extraction of the collected sebum. We have evaluated a more direct method in which the collecting papers were pre‐ and post‐weighed in glass beakers under conditions of stable temperature and humidity. Weights were adjusted allowing for control weight gain or loss, due mainly to day to day changes in weight room humidity. The direct method compared favourably with the ether extraction method in determining: (1) sebum collected from 43 subjects (r=0.991, P<0.001), (2) left versus right forehead comparisons in 19 subjects (direct method: r=0.966, P<0.001; ether extraction method: r=0.963, P<0.001), and (3) recovery of sebum from 32 premeasured standards (r=0.997, P<0.001). The findings demonstrate the accuracy of the direct gravimetric procedure which is also simpler, safer and less expensive than methods currently in use.
Saving Spence from Destroying His Own Signaling Theory

This paper rescues Spence from destroying his own theory: his conclusion of (workers preferring) no signaling. This paper proves that Spence’s theory is nothing but a labor supply one. As such worker will increase labor and schooling quantity when wage rate is higher, not cost. This paper proves that signaling helps widen the wage gap between efficient and inefficient workers, but advocates against such discrimination. This paper also corrects Spence’s bad assumption: his wrong perception about cost.
Vitamin B12 and Folate Depletion: Clinical Evidence in a Neurological Population

In cross-sectional studies, low levels of folate and vitamin B12 have been associated with poor cognition and dementia. Results are quite controversial and a debate continues in the literature. Still not completely understood are the differential roles of folate and vitamin B12 in memory acquisition and cognitive development. More intriguing and not fully understood is the rule that treating a vitamin B12-deficient patient with folate may exacerbate the neurological consequences of either deficiency. Starting from these quite confusing perspectives, the aim of this study was to define a possible role of vitamin B12 and folate in cognitive disruption. Data were collected among a cohort of people, admitted to the Neurology Clinic of the University of Trieste, in a period between November 1, 2000, and November 1, 2002. We examine potential risk factors, concomitant drug-therapies, and cognitive global performance and correlate these parameters with folate and vitamin B12 serum levels. We discuss the results with an overview of the literature.
Validation of PERFoRM reference architecture demonstrating an automatic robot reconfiguration application

The PERFoRM project aims to develop a common reference architecture for Agile Manufacturing Control systems for true plug-and-produce devices, robots and machines. The aim of the work described in this paper is to validate the concepts of the reference architecture in the context of the production of home appliances. A demonstrator has been designed and implemented to illustrate the automatic reconfiguration of the path of a robot equipped with a probe for the detection of microwave leaks coming from an oven.
Pegfilgrastim; a neutrophil mediated granulocyte colony stimulating factor–expanding uses in cancer chemotherapy

Background: Currently G-CSFs such as filgrastim (Neupogen®, Amgen, Inc.) and pegfilgrastim (Neulasta®, Amgen, Inc.) are widely used to reduce chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Pegfilgrastim is a novel recombinant human G-CSF and its unique neutrophil-mediated clearance allows it to be administered once per chemotherapy cycle. Objective: To address the pharmacology of pegfilgrastim and provide an overview of its current clinical use in cancer chemotherapy. Methods: Review and summary of publications on pegfilgrastim indexed in the PubMed electronic database. Results/conclusion: The efficacy of pegfilgrastim is similar to or greater than that of filgrastim and an important advantage of pegfilgrastim is its schedule of administration that may be associated with greater treatment compliance and improved patient quality of life. Ongoing clinical trials continue to explore further potential uses for pegfilgrastim.
The (in)dependence of articulation and lexical planning during isolated word production

ABSTRACT The number of phonological neighbours to a word (PND) can affect its lexical planning and pronunciation. Similar parallel effects on planning and articulation have been observed for other lexical variables, such as a word's contextual predictability. Such parallelism is frequently taken to indicate that effects on articulation are mediated by effects on the time course of lexical planning. We test this mediation assumption for PND and find it unsupported. In a picture naming experiment, we measure speech onset latencies (planning), word durations, and vowel dispersion (articulation). We find that PND predicts both latencies and durations. Further, latencies predict durations. However, the effects of PND and latency on duration are independent: parallel effects do not imply mediation. We discuss the consequences for accounts of lexical planning, articulation, and the link between them. In particular, our results suggest that ease of planning does not explain effects of PND on articulation.