Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Training on Red Blood Cell Parameters and Plasma Ferritin: A Transverse and a Longitudinal Approach*

In the present study 60 males and 18 females were monitored during an 18- to 20-month training period, during which the training distance was gradually increased. The training period was divided into three periods of 6, 5, and 7 months, respectively. The first, second, and third periods were concluded with a 15-, 25-, and 42-km road race, respectively. The competitive distance always exceeded the maximal distance covered in any previous training session. The effect of training was investigated for erythrocyte count, hematocrit (Ht), hemoglobin (Hb), mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), mean cellular hemoglobin content (MCHC), the red cell distribution width (RDW), and ferritin content. The measuring points were the start of the study (used as a reference value) and 1 week before and 1 week after the three contests (15, 25, and 42 km). The results of all measuring points were compared transversely and longitudinally. We found a significant decrease of plasma ferritin content in the first period of the study which further remained constant. Also, other red cell parameters were decreased but remained within the normal range. During the whole training period larger intraindividual variations for most of the red cell parameters were observed compared with non-endurance-trained people.
Conjugated linoleic acid metabolism

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a naturally occurring fatty acid that is produced by a bio-hydrogenation process in the rumen, and thus is present in dairy products and ruminant meat. In this case the predominant isomer formed is 9cis,11trans. However, CLA includes 28 positional and geometrical isomers, of which only 9cis,11trans and 10trans,12cis have thus far been proven to possess biological activities. Both of these CLA isomers have been shown to undergo elongation and desaturation processes similar to those that occur with linoleic acid, maintaining the conjugated diene structure. There are evidences supporting the hypothesis that CLA metabolism may interfere with eicosanoid formation. Other metabolites with 16 carbon atoms (conjugated 16:2 and 16:3, which are probably derived from peroxisomal β-oxidation of CLA and its metabolites, respectively) have been detected. This suggests an efficient metabolism of CLA and its metabolites in peroxisomes, which might be linked to their capacity to activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors.
Measurement of Receptor Signaling Bias

G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) are often pleiotropically linked to numerous cellular signaling mechanisms in cells, and it is now known that many agonists differentially activate some signaling pathways at the expense of others. The mechanism for this effect is the stabilization of different active receptor states by different agonists, and it leads to varying qualities of efficacy for different agonists. Agonist bias is a powerful mechanism to amplify beneficial signals and diminish harmful signals, and thus improve the overall profile of agonist ligands. This unit describes a method to quantify agonist bias with a scale that enables medicinal chemists to amplify or reduce these effects in new molecules. The method is based on the Black/Leff operational model and yields a statistical estimate of the confidence for bias measurements. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Hypothermia and gastric lesions in rats exposed to immobilization stress.

Male Wistar rats were exposed to immobilization stress and changes in rectal temperature and incidence of gastric lesions were examined. Rectal temperature in immobilized rats significantly decreased within 2 hours of immobilization and the significant decrease continued up to 24 hours of immobilization. Hypothermia induced by stress rapidly recovered to control levels when the rats were released from 18-hours of immobilization. Based on macroscopical occurrence of gastric lesions after exposure to immobilization stress for 12 hours, rats were divided into two groups, i. e. , affected or non-affected rats by gastric lesions. When examined retrospectively, the former showed significantly lower rectal temperatures than the latter. Pretreatment with a synthesis inhibitor of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) at 250 mg/kg completely abolished the stressinduced hypothermia. This suggests that stress-induced hypothermia may be mediated by the brain's 5-HT system.
Location of intrahypothalamic estrogen-responsive sites influencing LH secretion in the female Rhesus monkey.

Eighteen ovariectomized rhesus mon-keys were stereotaxically implanted with multiple intracranial cannulae, four on each side of the midline, spaced 1.5–2.0 mm apart. The pulsatile pattern of LH release, characteristic of the castrated state, was not altered by such implantation or phencyclidine sedation. Systemic injections of 800 ng of estradiol reduced LH levels and attenuated the pulsatile type of LH secretion. Single injections of l/1000th the peripheral dose of estradiol at specific intrahypothalamic sites also depressed LH levels, mimicking the effects of iv administration. Most of the responsive sites were situated in the mediobasal hypothalamus and included the supra-chiasmatic, infundibular, ventromedial and mam-millary complex nuclei. Injections in other hypothalamic sites generally did not produce a response. Saline injections in estrogen responsive areas were ineffective in 10 out of 12 instances. Injections into adjacent extra-hypothalamic sites were usually ineffective, except for sites loc.
The Effect of Board Directors from Countries with Different Genetic Diversity Levels on Corporate Performance

We link genetic diversity in the country of origin of the firms’ board members with corporate performance via board members’ nationality. We hypothesize that our approach captures deep-rooted differences in cultural, institutional, social, psychological, physiological, and other traits that cannot be captured by other recently measured indices of diversity. Using a panel of firms listed in the North American and U.K. stock markets, we find that adding board directors from countries with different levels of genetic diversity (either higher or lower) increases firm performance. This effect prevails when we control for a number of cultural, institutional, firm-level, and board member characteristics, as well as for the nationality of the board of directors. To identify the relationship, we use as instrumental variables for our diversity indices the migratory distance from East Africa and the level of ultraviolet exposure in the directors’ country of nationality.
Individual differences in reasoning and visuospatial attention are associated with prefrontal and parietal white matter tracts in healthy older adults.

OBJECTIVE Although reasoning and attention are 2 cognitive processes necessary for ensuring the efficiency of many everyday activities in older adults, the role of white matter integrity in these processes has been little studied. This is an important question due to the role of white matter integrity as a neural substrate of cognitive aging. Here, we sought to examine the white matter tracts subserving reasoning and visuospatial attention in healthy older adults. METHOD Sixty-one adults ages 60 and older completed a battery of cognitive tests to assess reasoning and visuospatial attention. In addition, diffusion tensor images were collected to assess fractional anisotropy (FA), a measure of white matter integrity. A principle components analysis of the test scores yielded 2 components: reasoning and visuospatial attention. Whole-brain correlations between FA and the cognitive components were submitted to probabilistic tractography analyses for visualization of cortical targets of tracts. RESULTS For reasoning, bilateral thalamo-anterior prefrontal, anterior corpus callosum, and corpus callosum body tracts interconnecting the superior frontal cortices and right cingulum bundle were found. For visuospatial attention, a right inferior fronto-parietal tract and bilateral parietal and temporal connections were found. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that in older adults, prefrontal cortex white matter tracts and interhemispheric communication are important in higher order cognitive functioning. On the other hand, right-sided fronto-parietal tracts appear to be critical for supporting control of cognitive processes, such as redirecting attention. Researchers may use our results to develop neuroscience-based interventions for older adults targeting brain mechanisms involved in cognitive plasticity. (PsycINFO Database Record
Identification of a novel stretch-responsive skeletal muscle gene (Smpx).

Skeletal muscle is able to respond to a range of stimuli, including stretch and increased load, by increasing in diameter and length in the absence of myofiber division. This type of cellular growth (hypertrophy) is a highly complex process involving division of muscle precursor cells (myoblasts) and their fusion to existing muscle fibers as well as increased protein synthesis and decreased protein degradation. Underlying the alterations in protein levels are increases in a range of specific mRNAs including those coding for structural proteins and proteins that regulate the hypertrophic process. Seven days of passive stretch in vivo of tibialis anterior (TA) muscle has been shown to elicit muscle hypertrophy. We have identified a cDNA corresponding to an mRNA that exhibits increased expression in response to 7 days of passive stretch imposed on TA muscles in vivo. This 944-bp novel murine transcript is expressed primarily in cardiac and skeletal muscle and to a lesser extent in brain. Translation of the transcript revealed an open reading frame of 85 amino acids encoding a nuclear localization signal and two overlapping casein kinase II phosphorylation sites. This gene has been called "small muscle protein (X chromosome)" (Smpx; HGMW-approved human gene symbol SMPX) and we hypothesize that it plays a role in skeletal muscle hypertrophy.
The 2.0 A X‐ray crystal structure of chicken egg white cystatin and its possible mode of interaction with cysteine proteinases.

The crystal structure of chicken egg white cystatin has been solved by X‐ray diffraction methods using the multiple isomorphous replacement technique. Its structure has been refined to a crystallographic R value of 0.19 using X‐ray data between 6 and 2.0A. The molecule consists mainly of a straight five‐turn alpha‐helix, a five‐stranded antiparallel beta‐pleated sheet which is twisted and wrapped around the alpha‐helix and an appending segment of partially alpha‐helical geometry. The ‘highly conserved’ region from Gln53I to Gly57I implicated with binding to cysteine proteinases folds into a tight beta‐hairpin loop which on opposite sides is flanked by the amino‐terminal segment and by a second hairpin loop made up of the similarly conserved segment Pro103I ‐ Trp104I. These loops and the amino‐terminal Gly9I ‐ Ala10I form a wedge‐shaped ‘edge’ which is quite complementary to the ‘active site cleft’ of papain. Docking experiments suggest a unique model for the interaction of cystatin and papain: according to it both hairpin loops of cystatin make major binding interactions with the highly conserved residues Gly23, Gln19, Trp177 and Ala136 of papain in the neighbourhood of the reactive site Cys25; the amino‐terminal segment Gly9I ‐ Ala10I of bound cystatin is directed towards the substrate subsite S2, but in an inappropriate conformation and too far away to be attacked by the reactive site Cys25. As a consequence, the mechanism of the interaction between cysteine proteinases and their cystatin‐like inhibitors seems to be fundamentally different from the ‘standard mechanism’ defined for serine proteinases and most of their protein inhibitors.
Signal Transduction Through Glyco(sphingo)lipids: Introduction and Recent Studies on Glyco(sphingo)lipid‐enriched Microdomains a

ABSTRACT: The presence of microdomains enriched in clustered glycosphingolipids (GSLs) at the surface of plasma membranes and liposome membranes, and their functional role in signal transduction, have been suggested by a series of observations, as follows: (1) GSL clusters (patches) are observed by electron microscopy; (2) microvesicles enriched in GSLs and other sphingolipids can be isolated as detergent‐insoluble particles by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation; (3) such vesicles isolated from B16 melanoma cells contain >90% of cellular GM3, >90% of c‐Src and Ras, ∼50% of Rho, and ∼20% of Fak, despite the fact that this vesicle fraction contains only 0.5% of total cellular protein (this fraction is termed “detergent‐insoluble GSL‐enriched microdomain” (DIGEM)); (4) GM3 in DIGEM can be coimmunoprecipitated with c‐Src and Rho, indicating a close association of GM3 with these transducer molecules; (5) stimulation of GM3 in B16 melanoma cells by anti‐GM3 antibody or by Gg3 results in change of signal transduction. Thus, GSLs, together with various transducer molecules present at DIGEM, may directly induce signal transduction rather than modulate or modify signal transduction created through receptors of growth factors or hormones as previously observed.
A stacked array antenna able to make a very large gain and tilt the end‐fire beam at the ISM‐band

In this article, an antenna is designed to generate an end‐fire radiated beam of a very large gain for a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) structure and steer the beam at an Industrial Scientific Medical (ISM)‐band. A flush‐mounted slot‐coupled feed and two parasitic layers can increase the antenna gain substantially. This single element is made to be a 1‐by‐8 array to generate a very high gain to deliver wireless power more than single element to the far‐field zone and spot the receiver of interest without interference toward others on the azimuth plane. Furthermore, four layers of this array are stacked to tilt the beam up and down on the elevation plane for target selectivity of a higher degree and more wireless‐power transfer. The antenna system is implemented with the substrate of Rogers 4350B and operated at 2.4 GHz as the ISM‐band service, and the validity of the proposed design is verified by electromagnetic numerical simulation and physical realization. The simulation and measurement of the fabricated 1D array antenna show nearly 19 and 16 dBi, respectively as high gains. The stacked structure as a 2D array generate the titled beam moving from −35° to 35° with the antenna gain from 17 to 20 dBi for a varying angle.
Regeneration of peripheral nerves after clenbuterol treatment in a rat model

Clenbuterol is known to act as a neuroprotective substance in the central nervous system, and also reduces muscle atrophy after denervation. The aim of this study was to evaluate its influence on peripheral nerve regeneration. The rat sciatic nerve model was used in four groups (n = 8 per group). After complete nerve transection and microsurgical coaptation, two groups received a daily oral dose of 100 μg/kg clenbuterol and two served as controls. Regeneration was assessed clinically, histologically, and morphometrically after 4 and 6 weeks. The weight ratios of calf muscles were calculated. Histological examination showed significantly increased axon counts in the clenbuterol group and a better degree of myelination. Muscle weight ratios of the clenbuterol group were significantly increased after 6 weeks, and the animals showed improved function of the hindlimb. Thus, therapy with 100 μg/kg clenbuterol daily after coaptation of a sciatic nerve showed a positive influence on clinical, histological, and morphometrical parameters in the rat model. The underlying mechanism remains unclear. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 1687–1691, 2001
Analysis of tapered micostrip patch antenna by the Wave Concept Iterative Procedure

This work presents the analysis of the tapered microstrip patch antenna by the Wave Concept Iterative Procedure, WCIP. The resonant frequencies variation with the patch dimensions and how to include it as project flexibility is discussed. The behavior of the electric fields is presented and analyzed for the first two resonant frequencies. Numerical and measured results are compared and a good agreement is observed.
Arabidopsis Defense against Botrytis cinerea: Chronology and Regulation Deciphered by High-Resolution Temporal Transcriptomic Analysis[C][W][OA]

The authors generated a high-resolution time series of Arabidopsis thaliana gene expression following infection with the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea. Computational analysis of this large data set identified the timing of specific processes and regulatory events in the host plant and showed a role for the transcription factor TGA3 in the defense response against the fungal pathogen. Transcriptional reprogramming forms a major part of a plant’s response to pathogen infection. Many individual components and pathways operating during plant defense have been identified, but our knowledge of how these different components interact is still rudimentary. We generated a high-resolution time series of gene expression profiles from a single Arabidopsis thaliana leaf during infection by the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea. Approximately one-third of the Arabidopsis genome is differentially expressed during the first 48 h after infection, with the majority of changes in gene expression occurring before significant lesion development. We used computational tools to obtain a detailed chronology of the defense response against B. cinerea, highlighting the times at which signaling and metabolic processes change, and identify transcription factor families operating at different times after infection. Motif enrichment and network inference predicted regulatory interactions, and testing of one such prediction identified a role for TGA3 in defense against necrotrophic pathogens. These data provide an unprecedented level of detail about transcriptional changes during a defense response and are suited to systems biology analyses to generate predictive models of the gene regulatory networks mediating the Arabidopsis response to B. cinerea.
The anti-ischemic effects of electrical neurostimulation in the heart.

I n 2001, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association introduced electrical neurostimulation (ENS) in their joint guidelines for the treatment of angina pectoris. The introduction of this therapy was supported by many (mainly small) articles examining the beneficial effects of ENS for patients with treatment-refractory angina. Even though ENS is considered to be an antianginal therapy, many physicians question the anti-ischemic benefit that ENS is frequently suggested to confer. This review briefly summarizes the antianginal effects of ENS, with a focus on the therapy’s anti-ischemic outcomes.
Meeting report – shining light on septins

ABSTRACT Septins are enigmatic proteins; they bind GTP and assemble together like molecular Lego blocks to form intracellular structures of varied shapes such as filaments, rings and gauzes. To shine light on the biological mysteries of septin proteins, leading experts in the field came together for the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) workshop held from 8–11 October 2017 in Berlin. Organized by Helge Ewers (Freie Universität, Berlin, Germany) and Serge Mostowy (Imperial College, London, UK), the workshop convened at the Harnack-Haus, a historic hub of scientific discourse run by the Max Planck Society.
Drugs, sex and AIDS: Sexual relationships among injecting drug users and their sexual partners in Vietnam

HIV transmission in Vietnam is strongly linked to drug injection, but there is the potential for an epidemic driven by sexual behaviour. HIV‐education programmes to date focus largely on personal responsibility and fail to address adequately other aspects of HIV‐related risks in social contexts. Based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted in 2002, this paper examines the association between HIV‐related risks (unsafe drug use and unsafe sex) and gender relations among injecting drug users. Three patterns of relationships are analysed: between injecting drug users and their injecting partners; between injecting drug users and their smoking partners; and between injecting drug users and their non‐using partners. Data shows that intimate relations play an important role in managing HIV‐related risks among injecting drug users. HIV prevention must pay due attention to the specific contexts of injecting drug users' lives. Some implications of these findings are discussed and relevant recommendations are proposed.
Wearable antenna: A critical review

Leading requirement of wearable antenna navigates to the development of efficient and quality system with high reliability, flexibility, and performance. A wearable antenna is made such that it can withstand twists, bends, stretch etc. The low fabrication and maintenance cost made this system more reliable and efficient. This paper briefly describes the précised review of previously published paper on wearable antenna technology. The advancement in technology is rapid with era to manufacture more quality system.
STEREOTAXIC TREATMENT OF SPASMODIC TORTICOLLIS

Spasmodic torticollis is a hyperkinetic disease, probably of extrapyramidal origin. Reports on its pathology are rare; most lesions have been found in the corpus striatum. As in other diseases of the extrapyramidal system, psychogenic components play an important role in the symptomatology. Some authors have, therefore, considered spasmodic torticollis a psychological problem, and have tried psychiatric treatment. The method of choice for surgical treatment has been the Foerster-Dandy operation, i. e. , surgical division of the motor and sensory roots of the 3 highest cervical nerves. Results obtained by this method are not always good, and the operation carries a fairly high mortality: 2 deaths among 29 patients operated on in our unit (Tiirmu 6 Troupp 1958). Therefore, we have recently used stereotaxic surgery in five cases of severe spasmodic torticollis. These cases are reported briefly as follows:
Separation of Ce, La and Nd in rare earth hydroxide (REOH) by oxidation with potassium permanganate and precipitation

The present work describes the development of an efficient and relatively simple process to obtain high grade Ce(OH)4 from REOH (Rare earth hydroxide). The Rare earth hydroxide was obtained through base digestion of monazite. The steps investigated in the process for obtaining Ce(OH)4 were: (i) dissolution RE hydroxide (REOH) with HNO3 and oxidation of Ce+3 to Ce+4, (ii) selective precipitation of Ce(OH)4 with Na2CO3, (iii) selective precipitation of Nd(OH)3 with ammonium hydroxide (iv) precipitation of La with oxalic acid. The main variables affecting the cerium oxidation were: the ratio of the KMnO4 / REOH, temperature and oxidation time. A ratio of 1.25/10 of KMnO4 / REOH was necessary for full cerium recovery. The recovery of cerium increases as temperature and oxidation time rises, the purity of the product Ce(OH)4 at the pH above 4. The process conditions were achieved in the use of 1.25/10, KMnO4/REOH ratio, at the 120 °C and the oxidation time of 75 minutes. The composition of the final product Ce(OH)4 was 97.98 wt. % Ce(OH)4, in a process yielding a recovery of Ce greater than 93%, were obtained. The composition of the final product Nd(OH)3 was 37 wt. % Nd(OH)3, in a process yielding a recovery of Nd greater than 98%, were obtained. The composition of the final product La2(C2O4)3 was 90 wt. % La2(C2O4)3, in a process yielding a recovery of La greater than 93%, were obtained. The oxidation of Ce3+ to Ce4+ using KMnO4 follows first order reaction. The value of reaction rate constant of Ce was 0.0291 minutes−1.