Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Use of Iodine-Containing Dietary Supplements Remains Low among Women of Reproductive Age in the United States: NHANES 2011–2014

In the United States, the American Thyroid Association recommends that women take a dietary supplement containing 150 µg of iodine 3 months prior to conception and while pregnant and lactating to support fetal growth and neurological development. We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2014 to describe the use of dietary supplements with and without iodine in the past 30 days among 2155 non-pregnant, non-lactating (NPNL) women; 122 pregnant women; and 61 lactating women. Among NPNL women, 45.3% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 42.0, 48.6) used any dietary supplement and 14.8% (95% CI: 12.7, 16.8) used a dietary supplement with iodine in the past 30 days. Non-Hispanic black and Hispanic women were less likely to use any dietary supplement as well as one with iodine, than non-Hispanic white or non-Hispanic Asian women (p < 0.05). Among pregnant women, 72.2% (95% CI: 65.8, 78.6) used any dietary supplement; however, only 17.8% (95% CI: 11.4, 24.3) used a dietary supplement with iodine. Among lactating women, 75.0% (95% CI: 63.0, 87.0) used a dietary supplement; however, only 19.0% (95% CI: 8.8, 29.2) used a dietary supplement with iodine. Among NPNL women using a supplement with iodine, median daily iodine intake was 75.0 µg. Self-reported data suggests that the use of iodine containing dietary supplements among pregnant and lactating women remains low in contrast with current recommendations.
Antagonists in the medical management of opioid use disorders: Historical and existing treatment strategies

Background and Objectives Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic condition with potentially severe health and social consequences. Many who develop moderate to severe OUD will repeatedly seek treatment or interact with medical care via emergency department visits or hospitalizations. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop feasible and effective approaches to help persons with OUD achieve and maintain abstinence from opioids. Treatment that includes one of the three FDA‐approved medications is an evidence‐based strategy to manage OUD. The purpose of this review is to address practices for managing persons with moderate to severe OUD with a focus on opioid withdrawal and naltrexone‐based relapse‐prevention treatment. Methods Literature available on PubMed was used to review the evolution of treatment strategies from the 1960s onward to manage opioid withdrawal and initiate treatment with naltrexone. Results Emerging practices for extended‐release naltrexone induction include the use of agonist tapers and adjuvant medications. Clinical challenges frequently encountered when initiating this therapy include managing withdrawal and ongoing opioid use during treatment. Clinical factors may inform decisions regarding patient selection and length of naltrexone treatment, such as recent opioid use and patient preferences. Conclusions and Scientific Significance Treatment strategies to manage opioid withdrawal have evolved, but many patients with OUD do not receive medication for the prevention of relapse. Clinical strategies for induction onto extended‐release naltrexone are now available and can be safely and effectively implemented in specialty and select primary care settings. (© 2018 The Authors. The American Journal on Addictions Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP);27:177–187)
Iodine Status during Pregnancy in a Region of Mild-to-Moderate Iodine Deficiency is not Associated with Adverse Obstetric Outcomes; Results from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)

Severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy has been associated with pregnancy/neonatal loss, and adverse pregnancy outcomes; however, the impact of mild–to–moderate iodine insufficiency, though prevalent in pregnancy, is not well-documented. We assessed whether mild iodine deficiency during pregnancy was associated with pregnancy/infant loss, or with other adverse pregnancy outcomes. We used samples and data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), from 3140 singleton pregnancies and from a further 42 women with pregnancy/infant loss. The group was classified as mildly-to-moderately iodine deficient with a median urinary iodine concentration of 95.3 µg/L (IQR 57.0–153.0; median urinary iodine-to-creatinine ratio (UI/Creat) 124 µg/g, IQR 82–198). The likelihood of pregnancy/infant loss was not different across four UI/Creat groups (<50, 50–149, 150–250, >250 µg/g). The incidence of pre-eclampsia, non-proteinuric gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, glycosuria, anaemia, post-partum haemorrhage, preterm delivery, mode of delivery, being small for gestational age, and large for gestational age did not differ significantly among UI/Creat groups, nor were there any significant differences in the median UI/Creat. We conclude that maternal iodine status was not associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in a mildly-to-moderately iodine-deficient pregnant population. However, in view of the low number of women with pregnancy/infant loss in our study, further research is required.
Oxygen-wasting effect of inotropy  in the "virtual work model".

In the "virtual work model," left ventricular total mechanical energy (TME) is linearly related to myocardial oxygen consumption (MV˙o 2). This relationship (MV˙o 2-TME) is supposedly independent of inotropic stimulation, vascular loading, and heart rate variations. We reexamined the effect of inotropic stimulation (dopamine) on the metabolic to mechanical energy transfer in nine open-chest anesthetized pigs. Left ventricular mechanical energy was calculated using TME (mean ejection pressure × end-diastolic volume + stroke work), TMEW(end-diastolic volume reduced by unstressed ventricular volume), and the pressure-volume area (PVA). A highly linear relationship between MV˙o 2 and mechanical energy was found for all three indexes during control and dopamine runs ( r = 0.87-0.99). The slopes were unaltered by dopamine. y-Axis intercepts were (control vs. dopamine) as follows (in J ⋅ beat-1 ⋅ 100 mg-1; means ± SD): TME, 0.36 ± 0.12 vs. 0.61 ± 0.30 ( P< 0.02); TMEW, 0.43 ± 0.16 vs. 0.72 ± 0.32 ( P < 0.02); and PVA, 0.34 ± 0.13 vs. 0.60 ± 0.30 ( P < 0.02). We conclude that the virtual work model is dependent on inotropic stimulation and that new insight into myocardial chemomechanical coupling is not added by this concept.
N-arachidonylethanolamide relaxation of bovine coronary artery is not mediated by CB1 cannabinoid receptor.

It has been reported that the endogenous cannabinoid N-arachidonylethanolamide (AEA), commonly referred to as anandamide, has the characteristics of an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor in rat mesenteric artery. We have carried out studies to determine whether AEA affects coronary vascular tone. The vasorelaxant effects of AEA were determined in isolated bovine coronary artery rings precontracted with U-46619 (3 × 10-9 M). AEA decreased isometric tension, producing a maximal relaxation of 51 ± 9% at a concentration of 10-5 M. Endothelium-denuded coronary arteries were not significantly affected by AEA. The CB1 receptor antagonist SR-141716A (10-6 M) failed to reduce the vasodilatory effects of AEA, suggesting that the CB1 receptor is not involved in this action of AEA. Because AEA is rapidly converted to arachidonic acid and ethanolamine in brain and liver by a fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), we hypothesized that the vasodilatory effect of AEA results from its hydrolysis to arachidonic acid followed by enzymatic conversion to vasodilatory eicosanoids. In support of this hypothesis, bovine coronary arteries incubated with [3H]AEA for 30 min hydrolyzed 15% of added substrate; ∼9% of the radiolabeled product was free arachidonic acid, and 6% comigrated with the prostaglandins (PGs) and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs). A similar result was obtained in cultured bovine coronary endothelial cells. Inhibition of the FAAH with diazomethylarachidonyl ketone blocked both the metabolism of [3H]AEA and the relaxations to AEA. Whole vessel and cultured endothelial cells prelabeled with [3H]arachidonic acid synthesized [3H]PGs and [3H]EETs, but not [3H]AEA, in response to A-23187. Furthermore, SR-141716A attenuated A-23187-stimulated release of [3H]arachidonic acid, suggesting that it may have actions other than inhibition of CB1 receptor. These experiments suggest that AEA produces endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation as a result of its catabolism to arachidonic acid followed by conversion to vasodilatory eicosanoids such as prostacyclin or the EETs.
Molecular and functional distributions of chloride conductances in rabbit ventricle.

The regulation of cardiac electrical activity is critically dependent on the distribution of ion channels in the heart. For most ion channels, however, the patterns of distribution and what regulates these patterns are not well characterized. The most likely candidates for the genes that encode the cAMP- and swelling-activated chloride conductances in the heart are an alternatively spliced variant of CFTR and ClC-3, respectively. In this study we have 1) measured the density of CFTR and ClC-3 mRNA levels across the left ventricular free wall (LVFW) of the rabbit heart using in situ hybridization and 2) measured the corresponding current density of cAMP- and swelling-activated chloride channels in myocytes isolated from subepicardial, midmyocardial, and subendocardial regions of the LVFW. There was a highly significant gradient in the whole cell slope conductance of cAMP-activated chloride currents; normalized slope conductance at 0 mV was 15.7 ± 1.8 pS/pF ( n = 9) in subepicardial myocytes, 7.8 ± 1.5 pS/pF ( n = 11) in midmyocardial myocytes, and 4.9 ± 1.1 pS/pF ( n = 9) in subendocardial myocytes. The level of CFTR mRNA was closely correlated with the density of cAMP-activated chloride conductances in different regions of the heart, with the level of CFTR mRNA being three times higher in the subepicardium than in the subendocardium. The whole cell slope conductance of swelling-activated chloride channel activity, measured 3-5 min after the commencement of cell swelling, was higher in myocytes isolated from the subepicardium than in myocytes isolated from the midmyocardium or subendocardium. In contrast, there was a uniform expression of ClC-3 mRNA across the LVFW of the rabbit heart. These results suggest that the control of gene expression is an important contributor in regulating the distribution of cAMP-activated chloride channels in the rabbit heart but that it may be less important for the swelling-activated chloride channels.
Development of novel submerged anaerobic osmosis membrane bioreactor

vii LIST OF FIGURES: . ix LIST OF TABLES: . xii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1. Background . 1 1.2. Organisation of Thesis . 4 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW . 7 2.1. Forward osmosis . 7 2.1.1 Basic principles . 7 2.1.2 Advantages of forward osmosis . 10 2.1. 3 Major challenges in forward osmosis . 10 2.1. 4 FO membranes . 16 2.1. 5 Recent applications of FO process . 18 2.2. Anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) . 23 2.2.
Plasma metabolites of quercetin and their antioxidant properties.

Quercetin is one of the most widely distributed flavonoids present in fruits and vegetables. The present experiments were performed on rats adapted for 3 wk to a semipurified diet supplemented with 0.2% quercetin. The major part of the circulating metabolites of quercetin (91.5%) are glucurono-sulfo conjugates of isorhamnetin (3'-O-methyl quercetin; 89.1 ± 2.1 μM) and of quercetin (14.7 ± 1.7 μM); the minor part (8.5%) is constituted by glucuronides of quercetin and its methoxylated forms (9.6 ± 2.3 μM). Conjugated dienes formation, resulting from Cu2+-catalyzed oxidation of rat very low density lipoproteins + low density lipoproteins (LDL), was effectively inhibited in vitro by conjugated metabolites of quercetin. These metabolites appeared to be four times more potent than trolox in inhibiting LDL oxidation. Moreover, the plasma from rats adapted to a diet containing 0.2% quercetin exhibited a total antioxidant status markedly higher than that of control rats (+60%). This study shows that ubiquitous quercetin is conjugated in vivo, yielding metabolites that exhibit antioxidant properties. Thus the health benefits of flavonoids in foods can be due to the antioxidant properties of their metabolites.
Stroke-induced immunosuppression and poststroke infection

Infections occur commonly after stroke and are strongly associated with an unfavourable functional outcome of these patients. Approaches for effective management of poststroke infection remain scarce, presenting an urgent need for preventive anti-infection strategies for patients who have suffered a stroke. Emerging evidence indicates that stroke impairs systemic immune responses and increases the susceptibility to infections, suggesting that the modification of impaired immune defence could be beneficial. In this review, we summarised previous attempts to prevent poststroke infections using prophylactic antibiotics and the current understanding of stroke-induced immunosuppression. Further elucidation of the immune mechanisms of stroke will pave the way to tailored design of new treatment to combat poststroke infection via modifying the immune system.
Mg2+ transport in sheep rumen epithelium: evidence for an electrodiffusive uptake mechanism.

The potential difference (PD)-dependent component of transcellular Mg2+uptake in sheep rumen epithelium was studied. Unidirectional28Mg2+fluxes were measured at various transepithelial PD values, and the unidirectional mucosal-to-serosal28Mg2+flux ([Formula: see text]) was correlated with the PD across the apical membrane (PDa) determined by mucosal impalement with microelectrodes. PDa was found to be -54 ± 5 mV, and [Formula: see text] was 65.9 ± 13.8 nmol ⋅ cm-2 ⋅ h-1under short-circuit conditions. Hyperpolarization of the ruminal epithelium (blood-side positive) depolarized PDa and, most noticeably, decreased [Formula: see text]. Further experiments were performed with cultured ruminal epithelial cells (REC). With the aid of the fluorescence probe mag-fura 2, we measured the intracellular free Mg2+ concentration ([Mg2+]i) of isolated REC under basal conditions at various extracellular Mg2+ concentrations ([Mg2+]e) and after alterations of the transmembrane voltage. Basal [Mg2+]iwas 0.54 ± 0.08 mM. REC suspended in media with [Mg2+]ebetween 0.5 and 7.5 mM showed an increase in [Mg2+]ithat was dependent on [Mg2+]eand that exhibited a saturable component (Michaelis-Menten constant = 1.2 mM; maximum [Mg2+]i= 1.26 mM). Membrane depolarization with high extracellular K+ (40, 80, or 140 mM K+) and the K+ channel blocker quinidine (50 and 100 μM ) resulted in a decrease in [Mg2+]i. On the other hand, hyperpolarization created by K+ diffusion (intracellular K+ concentration > extracellular K+ concentration) in the presence of valinomycin induced a 15% increase in [Mg2+]i. None of the manipulations had any effect on intracellular Ca2+ concentration and intracellular pH. The results support the assumption that the membrane potential acts as a principal driving force for Mg2+ entry in REC and suggest that the pathway for this electrodiffusive Mg2+ uptake across the luminal membrane is a channel or a carrier.
Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Radiation Necrosis in the Brain

New radiation modalities have made it possible to prolong the survival of individuals with malignant brain tumors, but symptomatic radiation necrosis becomes a serious problem that can negatively affect a patient’s quality of life through severe and lifelong effects. Here we review the relevant literature and introduce our original concept of the pathophysiology of brain radiation necrosis following the treatment of brain, head, and neck tumors. Regarding the pathophysiology of radiation necrosis, we introduce two major hypotheses: glial cell damage or vascular damage. For the differential diagnosis of radiation necrosis and tumor recurrence, we focus on the role of positron emission tomography. Finally, in accord with our hypothesis regarding the pathophysiology, we describe the promising effects of the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody bevacizumab on symptomatic radiation necrosis in the brain.
Fluid Absorption and Release of Nonwovens and their Response to Compression

BATENY, FATEMEH. Fluid Absorption and Release of Nonwovens and their Response to Compression. (Under the direction of Dr. Eunkyoung Shim and Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi). Fluid handling is a key property in one of the major nonwoven applications in absorbent product such as wipes, hygiene products, and baby diapers. These products are subjected to various levels of compression in real-use. The aim of this study was to investigate the liquid absorption and release properties of nonwovens to establish the absorption structure-property relationship at various compression levels. A comprehensive methodology, considering various flow directions, was employed to establish the relationship by decoupling the effect of structural parameters and material properties in two phases of this study respectively. In the first phase, the mechanism of absorption by pore structure was investigated through considering various fiber cross-sectional size and shape, as well as heterogeneous layered structures having a pore size reduction and expansion. In the second phase, the mechanism of absorption by fiber and consequent swelling was evaluated in view of fluid diffusion into the rayon fibers in samples having different percentages of PET fiber (non-absorbent) and rayon fiber (absorbent). The analysis of absorption and release properties through the entire dissertation was based on the pore characteristics of the nonwovens by measuring the average pore sizes, pore size distribution, and solidity. The investigation revealed that the absorption and release properties of nonwovens are governed by their pore characteristics. In homogeneous non-layered nonwoven fabrics, maximum absorption is mainly governed by the available pore volume. Absorbency rate is determined according to pore size and the maximum rate of absorption is achieved at a specific range of pore sizes. This indicates that an in-depth understanding of the absorption and release properties brings about valuable information for the absorbent product engineering. © Copyright 2015 by Fatemeh Bateny All Rights Reserved Fluid Absorption and Release of Nonwovens and their Response to Compression
Mechanical properties of mesenteric arteries in diabetic rats: consequences of outward remodeling.

Diabetes induces hemodynamic and biochemical changes that can influence mechanical properties of arteries. Structure and mechanics of mesenteric small arteries were investigated in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes (duration 7-9 wk). The external diameter of mesenteric artery branches was measured in control ( n = 9) and diabetic ( n = 7) Wistar Rp rats at baseline and during pressurization in situ (0-150 mmHg) under normal and passive smooth muscle conditions. Mean arterial pressure and mesenteric artery pressure were not significantly different. Baseline mesenteric artery diameter was larger in the diabetes-induced group (439 ± 12 vs. 388 ± 18 μm, P< 0.05). Media cross-sectional area of arteries from diabetic rats was not significantly increased (0.0149 ± 0.0015 vs. 0.0122 ± 0.0007 mm2). Cross-sectional compliance was significantly increased in diabetic rats at intraluminal pressures ranging from 25 to 75 mmHg ( P < 0.005), whereas cross-sectional distensibility was not modified. Wall tension and circumferential wall stress were increased in diabetes. These results indicate that mesenteric small arteries of diabetic rats display eutrophic outward remodeling associated with increased wall tension and circumferential wall stress.
Localization and significance of pp55, a gastric mucosal membrane protein with tyrosine kinase activity.

In Fischer 344 rats, induction of gastric mucosal proliferative activity, whether the result of aging or injury or occurring after administration of epidermal growth factor, gastrin, or bombesin, is associated with a rise in tyrosine kinase activity and tyrosine phosphorylation of several mucosal proteins, including a protein with a molecular mass of 53-55 kDa. We hypothesized that this phosphotyrosine membrane protein (referred to as pp55) may play a role in regulating gastric mucosal cell proliferation and differentiation. Purification and subsequent immunoprecipitation studies now show that pp55 is a tyrosine kinase. In addition, the enzyme activity in the gastric mucosa is found to be fourfold higher in aged rats than in young rats. Incubation of gastric mucosal membranes with transforming growth factor-α (2 × 10-8 M) stimulates tyrosine kinase activity of pp55. Immuolocalization studies reveal that pp55 immunoreactivity is predominantly present in mucous cells that are located just above the proliferative zone and spasmolytic peptide-immunoreactive mucous neck cells. Tyrosine kinase activity as well as expression of pp55 are also greatly increased in the gastric mucosa after hypertonic saline-induced injury, a condition that results in stimulation of surface mucosal cell proliferation and differentiation. Our current data suggest that pp55 is a tyrosine kinase, likely localized to pre-surface cells. The presence of pp55 in pre-surface mucous cells and the expression and tyrosine kinase activity of this protein, which can be stimulated during mucosal cell proliferation and differentiation, strongly suggest a role for pp55 in differentiation of gastric surface mucous cells.
Evidence for increased cardiac compliance during exposure to simulated microgravity.

We measured hemodynamic responses during 4 days of head-down tilt (HDT) and during graded lower body negative pressure (LBNP) in invasively instrumented rhesus monkeys to test the hypotheses that exposure to simulated microgravity increases cardiac compliance and that decreased stroke volume, cardiac output, and orthostatic tolerance are associated with reduced left ventricular peak dP/d t. Six monkeys underwent two 4-day (96 h) experimental conditions separated by 9 days of ambulatory activities in a crossover counterbalance design: 1) continuous exposure to 10° HDT and 2) ∼12-14 h per day of 80° head-up tilt and 10-12 h supine (control condition). Each animal underwent measurements of central venous pressure (CVP), left ventricular and aortic pressures, stroke volume, esophageal pressure (EsP), plasma volume, α1- and β1-adrenergic responsiveness, and tolerance to LBNP. HDT induced a hypovolemic and hypoadrenergic state with reduced LBNP tolerance compared with the control condition. Decreased LBNP tolerance with HDT was associated with reduced stroke volume, cardiac output, and peak dP/d t. Compared with the control condition, a 34% reduction in CVP ( P= 0.010) and no change in left ventricular end-diastolic area during HDT was associated with increased ventricular compliance ( P = 0.0053). Increased cardiac compliance could not be explained by reduced intrathoracic pressure since EsP was unaltered by HDT. Our data provide the first direct evidence that increased cardiac compliance was associated with headward fluid shifts similar to those induced by exposure to spaceflight and that reduced orthostatic tolerance was associated with lower cardiac contractility.