Follistatin (FS) inhibits several members of the TGF-beta superfamily, including myostatin (Mstn), a negative regulator of muscle growth. Mstn inhibition by FS represents a potential therapeutic approach of muscle atrophy. The aim of our study was to investigate the mechanisms of the FS-induced muscle hypertrophy. To test the role of satellite cells in the FS effect, we used irradiation to dest...

Dietary changes needed to achieve nutritional adequacy for 33 nutrients were determined for 1719 adults from a representative French national dietary survey. For each individual, an iso-energy nutritionally adequate diet was generated using diet modeling, staying as close as possible to the observed diet. The French food composition table was completed with free sugar (FS) content. Results were...

Disturbed development of the parvalbumin-positive fast-spiking (FS) interneurons in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is closely associated with many neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and autism. FS interneurons form at least 2 microcircuits in the PFC: one with pyramidal neurons (FS-PN) through chemical synapses; the other with other FS interneurons (FS-FS) via chemical and electrical...

Field experiments were performed to identify an effective fertilizing scheme for direct-seeding rice (DSR) fields in the Taihu Lake Basin in east China. Based on local traditions, 3 typical fertilizing schemes (FS-1, FS-2, and FS3) were evaluated, in consideration of ensuring a certain rice yield and relatively low nitrogen (N) loss. The base, seedling, tillering, jointing, and panicle fertiliz...

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to quantify functional status (FS) trajectories pre- and post-diagnosis of cancer, FS trajectories among cancer-free individuals, and factors affecting FS. MATERIALS AND METHODS Self-reported FS, scored from 0 (worst) to 100 (best), of Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study cohort participants diagnosed with incident cancer (lung (N=303), breast (N=374), p...

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) in surface sediment samples from Taihu Lake--an important water supply of the Yangtze River Delta, China--were investigated in the present study. Concentrations of PCDD/Fs ranged from 0.91 to 4.8 pg TEQ g(-1) dw (mean: 2.9 pg TEQ g(-1) dw, TEQ: Toxic Equivalent), which ...

Febrile seizure (FS) is the most common seizure disorder of childhood, and occurs in an age-related manner. FS are classified into simple and complex. FS has a multifactorial inheritance, suggesting that both genetic and environmental factors are causative. Various animal models have elucidated the pathophysiological mechanisms of FS. Risk factors for a first FS are a family history of the diso...

Cells can be transfected by transient laser-induced perforation of the cell membrane which allows foreign genetic material to enter the cell interior. This method (“optoporation”) has emerged as a powerful noninvasive and highly efficient cell-transfection technique. A detailed comparison of efficiencies and results, however, is often hindered by different experimental setups and lasers used in...

Estimation of the possible instability that may be encountered in the excavation slope(s) during the planning and application steps of the rock excavation processes is an important issue in geoengineering. In this paper, a modelling method is presented for assessing the probability of wedge failure involving new permanent or temporary slope(s) along the planned excavation dir...