Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prenatal Undernutrition and Autonomic Function in Adulthood

Objectives Early-life adversity has been shown to be associated with cardiovascular disease and mortality in later life, but little is known about the mechanisms that underlie this association. Prenatal undernutrition, a severe early-life stressor, is associated with double the risk of coronary heart disease and increased blood pressure responses to psychological stress. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that prenatal undernutrition induces alterations in the autonomic nervous system, which may increase the risk of developing heart disease. Methods We studied autonomic function in 740 men and women (mean [SD] age, 58 [0.9] years) who were members of the Dutch famine birth cohort. We compared those exposed to famine during early (n = 64), mid (n = 107), or late gestation (n = 127) to those unexposed to famine in utero (n = 442). Participants underwent a series of 3 psychological stressors (Stroop, mirror tracing, and speech) while their blood pressure and heart rate were recorded continuously. Results Data had sufficient quality in 602 participants for derivation of autonomic function indices by spectral analysis. The stress protocol led to significant sample-level changes in systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and all cardiovascular control measures (all p values < .001). None of the autonomic function parameters, at rest or in response to stress, differed significantly (all p values > .050) according to prenatal famine exposure. Conclusions Prenatal undernutrition was not associated with autonomic function in late adulthood. We conclude that altered autonomic function does not seem to explain our previous findings of increased coronary heart disease risk among those exposed to famine prenatally.
Public health for a sustainable future: the need for an engaged ecosocial approach

ABSTRACT The way in which we have structured our societies has made possible major advances in population health. However, this model, based on intensive exploitation of natural resources, is now the source of the greatest threats to human health. Today's environmental issues call for bringing to public health an ecological approach whose actions address not only population health, but also ecological, social, and economic changes - i.e., an ecosocial approach to health. Here we examine the implications, for public health action, of adopting such an approach.
High-Speed Lightwave Transmission in Optical Fibers

There has been considerable progress in the telecommunications technology based on the transmission of lightwaves through optical fibers. Systems experiments in the 1.55-micrometer band have now demonstrated the capability of transmitting at rates as high as 2 gigabits per second over fiber lengths exceeding 100 kilometers, without the use of repeaters to boost the signal. Elements of this progress are advances in the fabrication of low-loss single-mode fibers, in the spectral control of semiconductor junction lasers assuring single-frequency operation, and in high-speed detectors and receivers.
Newly secreted adenylate cyclase toxin is responsible for intoxication of target cells by Bordetella pertussis

Adenylate cyclase (AC) toxin is present on the surface of Bordetella pertussis organisms and their addition to eukaryotic cells results in increases in intracellular cAMP. To test the hypothesis that surface‐bound toxin is the source for intoxication of cells when incubated with B. pertussis, we characterized the requirements of intoxication from intact bacteria and found that this process is calcium‐dependent and blocked by monoclonal antibody to AC toxin or antibody against CD11b, a surface glycoprotein receptor for the toxin. Increases in intracellular cAMP correlate with the number of adherent bacteria, not the total number present in the medium, suggesting that interaction of bacteria with target cells is important for efficient delivery of AC toxin. A filamentous haemagglutinin‐deficient mutant (BP353) and a clinical isolate (GMT1), both of which have a marked reduction in AC toxin on their surface, and wild‐type B. pertussis (BP338) from which surface AC toxin has been removed by trypsin, were fully competent for intoxicating target cells, demonstrating that surface‐bound AC toxin is not responsible for intoxication. B. pertussis killed by gentamicin or gamma irradiation were unable to intoxicate, illustrating that toxin delivery requires viable bacteria. Furthermore, CCCP, a protonophore that disrupts the proton gradient necessary for the secretion of related RTX toxins, blocked intoxication by whole bacteria. These data establish that delivery of this toxin by intact B. pertussis is not dependent on the surface‐associated AC toxin, but requires close association of live bacteria with target cells and the active secretion of AC toxin.
FEDERAL RESERVE BANK o f ATLANTA WORKING PAPER SERIES Monetary Policy Surprises , Positions of Traders , and Changes in Commodity Futures Prices

Please address questions regarding content to Nikolay Gospodinov, Research Department, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, 1000 Peachtree Street N.E. , Atlanta, GA 30309-4470, 404-498-7892, nikolay.gospodinov@atl.frb. org, or Ibrahim Jamali (contact author), Department of Finance, Accounting and Managerial Economics, Olayan School of Business, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El-Solh Street, Lebanon, 961-1-340-460 (ext. 3770), ij08@aub.edu. lb.
PACAP/PAC1 autocrine system promotes proliferation and astrogenesis in neural progenitor cells

The Pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating peptide (PACAP) ligand/type 1 receptor (PAC1) system regulates neurogenesis and gliogenesis. It has been well established that the PACAP/PAC1 system induces differentiation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) through the Gs‐mediated cAMP‐dependent signaling pathway. However, it is unknown whether this ligand/receptor system has a function in proliferation of NPCs. In this study, we identified that PACAP and PAC1 were highly expressed and co‐localized in NPCs of mouse cortex at embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5) and found that the PACAP/PAC1 system potentiated growth factor‐induced proliferation of mouse cortical NPCs at E14.5 via Gq‐, but not Gs‐, mediated PLC/IP3‐dependent signaling pathway in an autocrine manner. Moreover, PAC1 activation induced elongation of cellular processes and a stellate morphology in astrocytes that had the bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)‐incorporating ability of NPCs. Consistent with this notion, we determined that the most BrdU positive NPCs differentiated to astrocytes through PAC1 signaling. These results suggest that the PACAP/PAC1 system may play a dual role in neural/glial progenitor cells not only differentiation but also proliferation in the cortical astrocyte lineage via Ca2+‐dependent signaling pathways through PAC1. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Activity of a novel combination against multidrug-resistant nonfermenters: ceftazidime plus NXL104

Evaluation of: Mushtaq S, Warner M, Livermore DM. In vitro activity of ceftazidime+NXL104 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other non-fermenters. J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 65, 2376–2381 (2010). AmpC overexpression appears to be a significant mechanism of β-lactam resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other nonfermenter Gram-negatives. The article under review describes the in vitro activity of a novel combination ceftazidime plus NXL104, against ceftazidime-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia complex and OXA carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii. The study results show that NXL104 overcomes the ceftazidime resistance engendered by AmpC enzymes, even when these are completely derepressed. NXL104 has shown good activity against ESBL PER-1 in P. aeruginosa, as well as against most of the B. cepacia complex isolates from patients with cystic fibrosis. Nevertheless, NXL104 does not inhibit metallo-carbapenemases, which were excluded from this investigation, nor does it reverse resistance associated with oxacillin-type extended-spectrum β-lactamases in P. aeruginosa or with oxacillin-type carbapenemases in Acinetobacter spp. In the worldwide context of high rates of bacterial resistance, the combination of NXL104 with ceftazidime could represent a promising therapeutic strategy to treat infections due to AmpC-mediated resistance in P. aeruginosa, among other multidrug-resistant pathogens.
Ten thousand kilometre transfer of cardiogenic shock patients on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for emergency heart transplantation: Cooperation between Reunion Island and Metropolitan France

Background: There is no heart transplantation centre on the French overseas territory of Reunion Island (distance of 10,000 km). The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of cardiogenic shock adult patients on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) who were transferred from Reunion Island to mainland France for emergency heart transplantation. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted between 2005 and 2015. The characteristics and outcome of cardiogenic shock patients on VA-ECMO were compared with those of cardiogenic shock patients not on VA-ECMO. Results: Thirty-three cardiogenic shock adult patients were transferred from Reunion Island to Paris for emergency heart transplantation. Among them, 19 (57.6%) needed mechanical circulatory support in the form of VA-ECMO. Median age was 51 (33–57) years and 46% of the patients had ischaemic heart disease. Patients on VA-ECMO presented higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (p = 0.03). No death occurred during the medical transfer by long flight, while severe complications occurred in 10 patients (30.3%). Incidence of thromboembolic events, severe infectious complications and major haemorrhages was higher in the group of patients on VA-ECMO than in the group of patients not on VA-ECMO (p <0.01). Seven patients from the VA-ECMO group (36.8%) and six patients from the non-VA-ECMO group (42.9%, p=0.7) underwent heart transplantation after a median delay of 10 (4–29) days on the emergency waiting list. After heart transplantation, one-year survival rates were 85.7% for patients on VA-ECMO and 83.3% for patients not on VA-ECMO (p=0.91). Conclusions: This study suggests the feasibility of very long-distance medical evacuation of cardiogenic shock patients on VA-ECMO for emergency heart transplantation, with acceptable long-term results.
Mutations in the MOV10L1 ATP Hydrolysis Motif Cause piRNA Biogenesis Failure and Male Sterility in Mice

ABSTRACT Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a class of small noncoding RNAs. piRNAs protect the genome integrity of the germline by silencing active transposable elements and are essential for germ cell development. Most piRNA pathway proteins are evolutionarily conserved. MOV10L1, a testis-specific RNA helicase, binds to piRNA precursors and is a master regulator of piRNA biogenesis in mouse. Here we report that mutation of the MOV10L1 ATP hydrolysis site leads to depletion of piRNAs on Piwi proteins, de-repression of transposable elements, and conglomeration of piRNA pathway proteins into polar granules. The Mov10l1 mutant mice exhibit meiotic arrest and male sterility. Our results show that mutation of the MOV10L1 ATP hydrolysis site perturbs piRNA biogenesis.
Technological Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Education, Social Good and Economic Development

The innovation ecosystem provides benefits and challenges for multiple institutional actors like universities, industry, government, NGOs, and private funding agencies, as well as individuals in a rapidly evolving and dynamic environment. First, we describe the changing role of universities—whereby, the support of innovation and entrepreneurship is developing into a core mission of universities. We then describe strategies within the United States and globally to help students learn about innovation and entrepreneurship. Finally, we explore the benefits and challenges of technological innovation for economic development, emphasizing how such development relates to the global problem of underprivileged communities, both in developed and developing countries, and the special concerns of economic development for developing countries.
Risk, commercialism and social purpose: Repositioning the English housing association sector

Originally seen as the ‘third arm’ of UK housing policy, the independent, not-for-profit housing association sector had long been seen as effective in ‘filling the gap’ where the state or market were unable to provide for households in need. Since the 1980s in particular, successive governments had viewed housing associations in favourable terms as efficient, semi-autonomous social businesses, capable of leveraging significant private funding. By 2015, in contrast, central government had come to perceive the sector as inefficient, bureaucratic and wasteful of public subsidy. Making use of institutional theory, this paper considers this paradigm shift and examines the organisational responses to an increasingly challenging operating environment. By focusing, in particular, on large London housing associations, the paper analyses their strategic decision-making to address the opportunities and threats presented. The paper argues that in facing an era of minimal subsidy, low security and high risk, the 2015 reforms represent a critical juncture for the sector. Housing organisations face a stark dilemma about whether to continue a strategy of ‘profit for purpose’ or to embrace an unambiguously commercial ethos. The article contends that the trajectory of decision-making (although not unidirectional) leads ultimately towards an increased exposure to risk and vulnerability to changes in the housing market. More fundamentally, the attempt to reconcile social and commercial logics is likely to have wider consequences for the legitimacy of the sector.
A new era for global energy governance? The environmental imperatives and the EU perspective

The ongoing restructuring of the global energy scene necessitates both national governments and energy associated institutions to reconfigure their agenda, reconsider their priorities and even undergo internal reforms in order to adapt to the current and future energy trends. The prospect of global energy governance, within a reformed institutional framework, emerges as a pivotal issue for global politics. The purpose of this research paper is twofold; to analyze the evolution of global energy governance and energy institutions around two key topics: the expansion of renewable energy (RE) sources and technologies and the climate change mitigation. Besides, to identify the role of the European Union (EU) as global energy and environmental actor. The research paper will focus on the EU’s positioning in the international energy and environmental initiatives and the role of renewable energy (RE) in its energy policy configuration.
Taxol effect on tubulin polymerization and associated guanosine 5'-triphosphate hydrolysis.

Taxol has been used as a tool to investigate the relationship between microtubule assembly and guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) hydrolysis. The data support the model previously proposed [Carlier, M. -F. , & Pantaloni, D. (1981) Biochemistry 20, 1918] that GTP hydrolysis is not tightly coupled to the polymerization process but takes place as a monomolecular process following polymerization. The results further indicate that the energy liberated by GTP hydrolysis is not responsible for the subsequent blockage of GDP on polymerized tubulin. When tubulin is polymerized in the presence of 10-100 microM taxol, the rapid formation of a large number of very short microtubules (l less than 1 micron) is accompanied by the development of turbidity to a lesser extent than what is observed when the same weight amount of longer microtubules (l = 5 microns) is formed. A slower subsequent turbidity increase corresponds to the length redistribution of these short microtubules into 3-5-fold longer ones without any change in the weight amount of polymer. The evolution of the rate of length redistribution with the concentration of taxol suggests a model within which taxol would bind to dimeric tubulin and to tubulin present at the ends of microtubules with a somewhat 10-fold lower affinity than to polymerized tubulin embedded in the bulk of microtubules. In agreement with this model, binding of taxol to the tubulin-colchicine complex in the dimeric form could be measured from the increase in the GTPase activity of the tubulin-colchicine complex accompanying taxol binding.
Intravenous Anesthesia Provides Optimal Surgical Conditions During Microscopic and Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Objectives/Hypothesis Controlled hypotension is used to improve surgical conditions during microscopic and endoscopic sinus surgery. New short‐acting anesthetics such as propofol and remifentanil allow exact control of intraoperative blood pressure and thus might be valuable tools to improve intraoperative conditions for the otorhinolaryngological surgeon. Intravenous anesthesia was compared with traditional balanced anesthesia by subjective assessment of surgical conditions made by two experienced otorhinolaryngological surgeons.
Short-term effect of gastric bypass in obese diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE To study the effect of gastric bypass on blood glucose levels and the use of antidiabetic medication in obese patients with diabetes. METHODS We carried out a retrospective cohort study with 44 obese patients with DM2, from 469 patients undergoing gastric bypass from December 2001 to March 2009. The primary endpoints evaluated were fasting glucose and the need for antidiabetic medication. RESULTS The study population consisted of ten (22.7%) men and 34 (77.3%) women, with a mean age of 45.3 (±8.23) years and a body mass index of 40.9 (±5.03) kg/m². The average time to progression of DM2 was 63.6 (±60.9) months. Of the 40 patients who used medication to control type 2 diabetes, 20 (50%) had their medication discontinued at discharge and 13 (32.5%), until nine months later. In one patient it was not possible to evaluate the use of medication, this being the only exception. Insulin was suspended in ten (100%) patients who used it, six (60%) at discharge. Fasting plasma glucose levels decreased throughout the study period (p <0.05) when compared with preoperative values, and values below 100mg/dl were achieved within seven to nine months. CONCLUSION Obese patients with DM2 undergoing gastric bypass showed improved glycemic control and reduced use of hypoglycemic agents in the short-term.
[Effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide on Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA expression on acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide in rat].

OBJECTIVE Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a neuro-peptide that can modulate immunity. Previous studies indicated that VIP can attenuate the deleterious consequences of severe sepsis and septic shock by regulating production of inflammatory cytokines in immune activated cells. The signaling induced by bacterial components occurs primarily through Toll like receptors (TLRs). TLRs have been recognized to play a key role in pathogen recognition and innate immunity. It was convincingly demonstrated that lung is one of early suffered disaster organ and may trigger multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in sepsis. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of VIP on TLR2/4 mRNA expressions on acute lung injury of endotoxic shock induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rat. METHOD Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, i.e., LPS shock group (n = 16), LPS + VIP group (n = 16), and control group (n = 8). LPS shock model was established by LPS (E. coli O(55)B(5) 10 mg/kg) with tail intravenous injection. The rats in LPS + VIP group were given a bolus of 5 nmol VIP intravenous injection follow by LPS. The rats in control group were given normal saline. The rats were sacrificed at 6 h, 24 h after being injected. The lung tissues were collected. The TLR2 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA expressions were detected by RT-PCR from the lung tissues. Pathological changes of the lungs were observed by light microscope and electron microscope 24 h after LPS injection. RESULT (1) Lung histopathology: the alveolar space was full with leukocyte, necrotic cells, segmental hemorrhage and protein effusion. Partial alveolar space was enlarged, lung interstitial edema were observed in LPS shock group. However, pathological changes of LPS + VIP group were milder than those in LPS shock group. (2) The expressions of TLR2 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA were significantly higher in LPS shock group compared with those of the control group (F = 16.638, P = 0.000; t = 5.876, P = 0.000), TLR2 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA expression on 24 h was down-regulated in LPS + VIP shock subgroup than those in LPS shock subgroup (F = 16.676, P = 0.000; t = 3.946, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Expressions of TLR2 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA were up-regulated on LPS induced lung injury in rats. VIP mitigated lung injury induced by LPS, which may be related to TLR2 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA down-regulation of expression. The effect of VIP may suggest a protective mechanism in sepsis. VIP may play a potential protective role in severe infection.
Glycogen synthase kinase 3 in Wnt signaling pathway and cancer

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK‐3) was first discovered in 1980 as one of the key enzymes of glycogen metabolism. Since then, GSK‐3 has been revealed as one of the master regulators of a diverse range of signaling pathways, including those activated by Wnts, participating in the regulation of numerous cellular functions, suggesting that its activity is tightly regulated. Numerous studies have pointed to an association of GSK‐3 dysregulation with the onset and progression of human diseases, including diabetes mellitus, obesity, inflammation, neurological illnesses, and cancer. Therefore, GSK‐3 is recognized as an attractive therapeutic target in multiple disorders. However, the great number of substrates that are phosphorylated by GSK‐3 has raised the question of whether this limits its feasibility as a therapeutic target because of the potential disruption of many cellular processes and also by the fear that inhibition of GSK‐3 may stimulate or aid in malignant transformation, as GSK‐3 can phosphorylate pro‐oncogenic factors. This mini review focuses on the role played by GSK‐3 in Wnt signaling pathway and cancer using as model colon cancer. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(12):914–922, 2015
A Three-Center, Randomized, Controlled Trial of Individualized Developmental Care for Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants: Medical, Neurodevelopmental, Parenting, and Caregiving Effects

ABSTRACT. Medical, neurodevelopmental, and parenting effects of individualized developmental care were investigated in a three-center, randomized, controlled trial. A total of 92 preterm infants, weighing less than 1250 g and aged less than 28 weeks, participated. Outcome measures included medical, neurodevelopmental and family function. Quality of care was also assessed. Multivariate analysis of variance investigated group, site, and interaction effects; correlation analysis identified individual variable contributions to significant effects. The results consistently favored the experimental groups. The following contributed to the group effects: shorter duration of parenteral feeding, transition to full oral feeding, intensive care, and hospialization; lower incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis; reduced discharge ages and hospital charges; improved weight, length, and head circumferences; enhanced autonomic, motor, state, attention, and self-regulatory functioning; reduced need for facilitation; and lowered family stress and enhanced appreciation of the infant. Quality of care was measurably improved. Very low birth weight infants and their parents, across diverse settings, may benefit from individualized developmental care.