Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in cell length consequent on depolarization in single left ventricular myocytes from guinea-pigs with pressure-overload left ventricular hypertrophy

Cell length was measured in single guinea-pig left ventricular myocytes by using a high-resolution photodiode array. Step depolarizations from a holding potential of — 45 mV were applied using a switch-clamp technique with 2 M KCI microelectrodes, which were devoid of Ca2+ buffering. Comparison was made between myocytes from sham-operated guinea-pigs and guinea-pigs with mild pressure-overload left ventricular hypertrophy induced by infra-renal aortic constriction. The relation between cell shortening and membrane voltage was bell shaped, and a phasic component of shortening was evident at the range of potentials over which the L-type calcium current was activated. Mean cell shortening was increased in the hypertrophy group, and was maximal at + 15 mV in both groups (control, 7.6 ± 0.9 µm, n = 11, hypertrophy 11.0 ± 1.2 µm, n = 20, p < 0.05). The latency to the onset of contraction was significantly shorter in the hypertrophy myocytes at —25 mV and at potentials positive to +50 mV. The relation between time-to-peak shortening and voltage showed a trend to shorter times in the hypertrophy group. At very positive potentials a slow component of contraction was identified which was relatively larger in the hypertrophy myocytes. This finding is consistent with increased calcium entry via sarcolemmal sodium—calcium exchange in the myocytes from the hypertrophy group.
Resilience, Stress, Stigma, and Barriers to Mental Healthcare in U.S. Air Force Nursing Personnel

BackgroundStigma may deter military service members from seeking mental health (MH) services. Previously, substantial proportions of U.S. Air Force (USAF) registered nurses and medical technicians reported concerns about stigma with accessing MH services; in particular, that unit members might lose confidence in them or perceive them as weak, unit leadership might treat them differently, or accessing care might affect career advancement. ObjectiveThis study assessed the extent to which stigma and barriers to accessing MH services as perceived by USAF nursing personnel are associated with resilience, stress, previous deployment, or demographic characteristics. MethodsAn anonymous, online survey was administered to active-duty USAF registered nurses and medical technicians at three locations (N = 250). The survey included demographic items, the Stigma and Barriers to Care scales, Conner–Davidson Resilience Scale, and Perceived Stress Questionnaire. ResultsMean resilience was high, and perceived stress was moderate. About half of participants agreed that unit members might have less confidence in me (54%) or unit leadership might treat me differently (58%). Many also had concerns that it would harm my career (47%), I would be seen as weak (47%), or there would be difficulty getting time off work for treatment (45%). Stigma was positively correlated with perceived stress (r = .40, p < .01) and negatively correlated with resilience (r = −.24, p < .01). Officers had significantly higher stigma and resilience scores and lower stress scores compared with enlisted personnel, but those differences were small. DiscussionThis study validated previous findings that substantial percentages of USAF nursing personnel have concerns that accessing MH services may adversely affect their careers and how they are viewed by unit leaders and peers. In addition, higher levels of concern about stigma were associated with higher levels of stress and lower levels of resilience. Limitations included a low response rate (18%) and self-selection biases.
Characterisation and optimisation of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell

This thesis presents work performed on five subjects of the polymer fuel cell:• A polymer fuel cell test-facility was optimised. A fuel cell housing was designed and built, enabling measurements of ocal fuel cell temperatures. The fuel cell voltage was measured between the gas diffusion backings using thin platinum wires. This assures that the true fuel cell voltage is measured. • The Nafion® content and content of Acetylene Black in the fuel cell electrode was optimised in a 32 – factorial experiment. The amount of Nafion varied between 15,25 and 35 wt%, and Acetylene Black varied at 0, 5 and 10 wt%. The data was analysed with the Bootstrapping method, and reproducibility was assedded. The optimal amount for the Acetylene Black content. • A novel fuel cell membrane was tested in the polymer fuel cell. The membrane was a proton irradiated and directly sulfonated poly(vinyl fluride) (PVF.SA) membrane. The performance was lightly better than for a Nafion® 117 membrane tested under the same conditions. • A fuel cell model based on irreversible thermodynamics was presented. The model was a one-dimensional model solving the heat and water transport perpendicular to the membrane surface. A potential and temperature profile was calculated, based on literature data. Temperatures inside the membrane (Nafion® 117) were estimated to be 5°C higher at 1 A/cm2 in the gas channels. • The local temperatures were measured inside the polymer fuel cell. At 1 A/cm2 the temperature difference between gas channel and membrane was measured to 6°C. The thermal conductivities in the membrane, backing and catalytic layer were estimated from temperature measurements. The thermal conductivity of the gas diffusion backing with electrode was 0.19 ± 0.05 Wmk and the thermal conductivity of the Nafion® 115 membrane was wstimated to 0.1 ± 0.1 W/mK. The heat-transfer coefficient of the electrodes was calculated to 1000 ± 300 W/m2K.
HTLV-1 and Innate Immunity

Innate immunity plays a critical role in the host response to a viral infection. The innate response has two main functions. First, it triggers effector mechanisms that restrict the infection. Second, it primes development of the adaptive response, which completes the elimination of the pathogen or of infected cells. In vivo, HTLV-1 infects T lymphocytes that participate in adaptive immunity but also monocytes and dendritic cells that are major players in innate immunity. Herein, we will review the interplay between HTLV-1 and innate immunity. Particular emphasis is put on HTLV-1-induced alteration of type-I interferon (IFN-I) function. In vitro, the viral Tax protein plays a significant role in the alteration of IFN synthesis and signaling. Despite this, IFN-I/AZT treatment of Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATLL) patients leads to complete remission. We will discuss a model in which exogenous IFN-I could act both on the microenvironment of the T-cells to protect them from infection, and also on infected cells when combined with other drugs that lead to Tax down-regulation/degradation.
Effects of energy drinks on blood pressure, heart rate, and electrocardiographic parameters: an experimental study on healthy young adults

1. Geçmen Ç, Güler GB, Erdoğan E, Hatipoğlu S, Güler E, Yılmaz F, et al. SYNTAX score predicts postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing on-pump isolated coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Anatol J Cardiol 2015 Nov 18. Epub ahead of print. 2. Lau DH, Alasady M, Brooks AG, Sanders P. New-onset atrial fibrillation and acute coronary syndrome. Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther 2010; 8: 941-8. [Crossref] 3. Ichiki H, Orihara K, Hamasaki S, Ishida S, Oketani N, Iriki Y, et al. The role of infection in the development of non-valvular atrial fibrillation: up-regulation of Toll-like receptor 2 expression levels on monocytes. J Cardiol 2009; 53: 127-35. [Crossref] 4. Gedikli O, Örem C, Baykan M, Karahan C, Küçükosmanoğlu M, Şahin S, et al. Association between serum C-reactive protein elevation and atrial fibrillation after first anterior myocardial infarction. Clin Cardiol 2008; 31: 482-7. [Crossref]
EXFOLIATION SYNDROME IN VARIOUS ETHNIC POPULATIONS

Abstract. This introductory lecture to the epidemiological session in the Workshop on the Exfoliation Syndrome (ES) gathers together figures for the prevalence of ES around the world. Prevalence figures from published reports are shown in the text separately for each country. Four ways of comparing the prevalences are used. 1) Prevalences in people over 60 years of age, 2) Percentages of glaucoma in persons with ES, 3) Percentages of ES in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension, with separate statistics for the proportion of capsular glaucoma in patients treated with laser trabeculoplasty (LTP), 4) Prevalence of ES in patients with cataract. The major differences in prevalence can partly be explained by the different techniques used in the investigations. Very few authors have studied people in different countries, which is the best way of obtaining comparable results. The author has personally studied Finns, Lapps, Eskimos in Greenland, Canada and Alaska, Icelanders, populations in Tunis, India and Peru and four populations in the USSR by the same technique. The prevalences vary from 0 % in Eskimos to 21 % in Finns over 60 years of age, and are at the same high level in Lapps, Finns, Russians in Novosibirsk and Icelanders, but significantly lower in all the others. The results support the opinion that ES is not uniformly distributed in all countries, and this is confirmed by many reports from different countries in this workshop.
Mortality following hospital discharge with a diagnosis of eating disorder: national record linkage study, England, 2001-2009.

OBJECTIVE To calculate mortality of people with eating disorders (ED) in England, relative to that of people of the same age and sex, between 2001 and 2009. We were specifically interested in mortality amongst adolescents and young adults (15-24 years), and older adults (25-44 years). METHOD We analyzed a NHS Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) dataset for all England, linked to death registrations, to calculate age- and sex-specific discharge rates for people with a diagnosis of ED and their subsequent mortality by one year after discharge. RESULTS The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for adolescents and young adults with a diagnosis of ED was 7.8 (95% confidence interval: 4.4-11.2). This compares with an SMR for people of the same age with schizophrenia of 10.2 (8.3-12.2), with bipolar disorder of 3.6 (1.1-6.1, and with depression of 4.5 (3.6-5.3). Of the ED, the SMR for anorexia nervosa (AN) in people aged 15-24 was 11.5 (6.0-17.0), for bulimia nervosa (BN) was 4.1 (0-8.7), and eating disorders not otherwise specified (ED NOS) was 1.4 (0-4.0). For older adults aged 25-44 years, the SMR for ED was 10.7 (7.7-13.6). Specifically, for AN was 14.0 (9.2-18.8), for BN was 7.7 (3.5-11.9), and ED NOS was 4.7 (1.4-8.0), for schizophrenia was 7.3 (6.6-7.9), for bipolar disorder was 4.3 (3.5-5.1) and for depression was 4.9 (4.6-5.3). No deaths were recorded below 15 years of age. DISCUSSION This study confirms the high SMR associated with ED, notably with anorexia and bulimia.
Precipitation and large herbivorous mammals I: estimates from present-day communities

Question: How can mammalian community characteristics be used to estimate regional precipitation? Data: Global distribution data of large mammals and their ecomorphology; global climate data. Research methods: Non-linear regression-tree analysis and linear regression. Conclusions: The methods unravelled the complex relationships between the environment and the characteristics of mammalian communities. The regression trees described here provide a reasonably accurate estimate of precipitation values for today’s world. The strongest correlations are for annual precipitation versus diet (R 2 = 0.665), precipitation versus tooth crown height (R 2 = 0.658), and precipitation versus diet and tooth crown height combined (R 2 = 0.742)
Vezatin, an integral membrane protein of adherens junctions, is required for the sound resilience of cochlear hair cells

Loud sound exposure is a significant cause of hearing loss worldwide. We asked whether a lack of vezatin, an ubiquitous adherens junction protein, could result in noise‐induced hearing loss. Conditional mutant mice bearing non‐functional vezatin alleles only in the sensory cells of the inner ear (hair cells) indeed exhibited irreversible hearing loss after only one minute exposure to a 105 dB broadband sound. In addition, mutant mice spontaneously underwent late onset progressive hearing loss and vestibular dysfunction related to substantial hair cell death. We establish that vezatin is an integral membrane protein with two adjacent transmembrane domains, and cytoplasmic N‐ and C‐terminal regions. Late recruitment of vezatin at junctions between MDCKII cells indicates that the protein does not play a role in the formation of junctions, but rather participates in their stability. Moreover, we show that vezatin directly interacts with radixin in its actin‐binding conformation. Accordingly, we provide evidence that vezatin associates with actin filaments at cell–cell junctions. Our results emphasize the overlooked role of the junctions between hair cells and their supporting cells in the auditory epithelium resilience to sound trauma.
Neuroblastoma in the Adult: The Italian Experience With 21 Patients

Background: Neuroblastoma in the adult is rare. No established therapeutic guidelines exist for these patients and the literature on this issue is scant and contradictory. Materials and Methods: Between 1986 and 2011, 21 adults (18 to 38 y; median, 23) diagnosed with neuroblastoma were referred to our hospital. Three of the 21 were classified as neuroblastoma, not otherwise specified, 13 as neuroblastoma, schwannian stroma-poor, and 5 as ganglioneuroblastoma, nodular. Nine patients had a resectable (stage 1/2) and 6 an unresectable primary tumor (stage 3); 6 had disseminated disease (stage 4). Results: Of 9 stage 1/2 patients, 6 underwent surgery alone (2 survive, 4 died), 2 received adjuvant chemotherapy (both survive), and 1 received radiation therapy (alive). Four of the 6 stage 3 patients received chemotherapy and died, 1 underwent partial tumor resection only and died, and 1 received radiation therapy after partial tumor resection and is alive. The 6 stage 4 patients received chemotherapy with/without radiotherapy, and all died. Event-free survival at 10 years was 33.3% for stage 1/2, 16.7% for stage 3, and 0% for stage 4 patients. The 10-year overall and event-free survival rates were 39.8% and 19.1%, respectively. Conclusions: The outcome of neuroblastoma in adults is poorer than in younger patients at all stages. The clinical course seems modestly influenced by therapy.
Role of Admission Troponin‐T and Serial Troponin‐T Testing in Predicting Outcomes in Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock

Background Troponin‐T elevation is seen commonly in sepsis and septic shock patients admitted to the intensive care unit. We sought to evaluate the role of admission and serial troponin‐T testing in the prognostication of these patients. Methods and Results This was a retrospective cohort study from 2007 to 2014 on patients admitted to the intensive care units at the Mayo Clinic with severe sepsis and septic shock. Elevated admission troponin‐T and significant delta troponin‐T were defined as ≥0.01 ng/mL and ≥0.03 ng/mL in 3 hours, respectively. The primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included 1‐year mortality and lengths of stay. During this 8‐year period, 944 patients met the inclusion criteria with 845 (90%) having an admission troponin‐T ≥0.01 ng/mL. Serial troponin‐T values were available in 732 (78%) patients. Elevated admission troponin‐T was associated with older age, higher baseline comorbidity, and severity of illness, whereas significant delta troponin‐T was associated with higher severity of illness. Admission log10 troponin‐T was associated with unadjusted in‐hospital (odds ratio 1.6; P=0.003) and 1‐year mortality (odds ratio 1.3; P=0.04), but did not correlate with length of stay. Elevated delta troponin‐T and log10 delta troponin‐T were not significantly associated with any of the primary or secondary outcomes. Admission log10 troponin‐T remained an independent predictor of in‐hospital mortality (odds ratio 1.4; P=0.04) and 1‐year survival (hazard ratio 1.3; P=0.008). Conclusions In patients with sepsis and septic shock, elevated admission troponin‐T was associated with higher short‐ and long‐term mortality. Routine serial troponin‐T testing did not add incremental prognostic value in these patients.
Molecular Dynamics in Drug Design: New Generations of Compstatin Analogs

We report the computational and rational design of new generations of potential peptide‐based inhibitors of the complement protein C3 from the compstatin family. The binding efficacy of the peptides is tested by extensive molecular dynamics‐based structural and physicochemical analysis, using 32 atomic detail trajectories in explicit water for 22 peptides bound to human, rat or mouse target protein C3, with a total of 257 ns. The criteria for the new design are: (i) optimization for C3 affinity and for the balance between hydrophobicity and polarity to improve solubility compared to known compstatin analogs; and (ii) development of dual specificity, human‐rat/mouse C3 inhibitors, which could be used in animal disease models. Three of the new analogs are analyzed in more detail as they possess strong and novel binding characteristics and are promising candidates for further optimization. This work paves the way for the development of an improved therapeutic for age‐related macular degeneration, and other complement system‐mediated diseases, compared to known compstatin variants.
Expression and Distribution of Ectonucleotidases in Mouse Urinary Bladder

Background Normal urinary bladder function requires bidirectional molecular communication between urothelium, detrusor smooth muscle and sensory neurons and one of the key mediators involved in this intercellular signaling is ATP. Ectonucleotidases dephosphorylate nucleotides and thus regulate ligand exposure to P2X and P2Y purinergic receptors. Little is known about the role of these enzymes in mammalian bladder despite substantial literature linking bladder diseases to aberrant purinergic signaling. We therefore examined the expression and distribution of ectonucleotidases in the mouse bladder since mice offer the advantage of straightforward genetic modification for future studies. Principal Findings RT-PCR demonstrated that eight members of the ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (NTPD) family, as well as 5′-nucleotidase (NT5E) are expressed in mouse bladder. NTPD1, NTPD2, NTPD3, NTPD8 and NT5E all catalyze extracellular nucleotide dephosphorylation and in concert achieve stepwise conversion of extracellular ATP to adenosine. Immunofluorescent localization with confocal microscopy revealed NTPD1 in endothelium of blood vessels in the lamina propria and in detrusor smooth muscle cells, while NTPD2 was expressed in cells localized to a region of the lamina propria adjacent to detrusor and surrounding muscle bundles in the detrusor. NTPD3 was urothelial-specific, occurring on membranes of intermediate and basal epithelial cells but did not appear to be present in umbrella cells. Immunoblotting confirmed NTPD8 protein in bladder and immunofluorescence suggested a primary localization to the urothelium. NT5E was present exclusively in detrusor smooth muscle in a pattern complementary with that of NTPD1 suggesting a mechanism for providing adenosine to P1 receptors on the surface of myocytes. Conclusions Ectonucleotidases exhibit highly cell-specific expression patterns in bladder and therefore likely act in a coordinated manner to regulate ligand availability to purinergic receptors. This is the first study to determine the expression and location of ectonucleotidases within the mammalian urinary bladder.
Lactoferrin Adsorbed onto Biomimetic Hydroxyapatite Nanocrystals Controlling - In Vivo - the Helicobacter pylori Infection

Background The resistance of Helicobacter pylori to the antibiotic therapy poses the problem to discover new therapeutic approaches. Recently it has been stated that antibacterial, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties of lactoferrin are increased when this protein is surface-linked to biomimetic hydroxyapatite nanocrystals. Objective Based on these knowledge, the aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of lactoferrin delivered by biomimetic hydroxyapatite nanoparticles with cell free supernatant from probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei as an alternative therapy against Helicobacter pylori infection. Methods Antibacterial and antinflammatory properties, humoral antibody induction, histopathological analysis and absence of side effects were evaluated in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Results The tests carried out have been demonstrated better performance of lactoferrin delivered by biomimetic hydroxyapatite nanoparticles combined with cell free supernatant from probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei compared to both lactoferrin and probiotic alone or pooled. Conclusion These findings indicate the effectiveness and safety of our proposed therapy as alternative treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection.
Effect of sleep deprivation on multi‐unit discharge activity of basal forebrain

The basal forebrain (BF) is an important wakefulness/arousal‐promoting structure involved in homeostatic responses to sleep deprivation (SD). However, the effects of SD and subsequent sleep recovery on the BF discharge have not been investigated. Multi‐unit BF activity was recorded on freely moving rats during 8 h of baseline (BL) and, on the following day, during 4 h of SD by gentle handling followed by 4 h of recovery. The effect of SD on the waking discharge was evaluated during the last 10 min of each hour when attentive waking was induced. The wakefulness level was defined based on the ratio between theta and delta electroencephalogram (EEG) powers, and epochs with ratios ≥1 but <2 (T/D‐1) and ≥2 but <4 (T/D‐2) were analysed separately. During T/D‐1 wakefulness, the BF multi‐unit discharge rate increased significantly during the second and third hours of SD and decreased during the third hour of recovery when compared with corresponding hours of BL. Non‐rapid eye movement sleep discharge rate during recovery decreased significantly in the second and third versus the first and last hours. The results suggest that maintenance of the level of vigilance necessary for adequate performance during SD requires increased activation of BF neurones when compared with the BL, whereas the same level of vigilance after several hours of recovery can be maintained with lesser activation of BF neurones.