Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sympathetic and cardiovascular actions of orexins in conscious rats.

The novel hypothalamic peptides orexin-A and orexin-B are known to induce feeding behavior when administered intracerebroventricularly, but little is known about other physiological functions. The renal sympathetic nerves play important roles in the homeostasis of body fluids and the circulatory system. We examined the effects of intracerebroventricularly administered orexins on mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), and plasma catecholamine in conscious rats. Orexin-A (0.3, 3.0 nmol) provoked an increase in MAP (94.3 ± 0.7 to 101.9 ± 0.7 mmHg and 93.1 ± 1.1 to 108.3 ± 0.8 mmHg, respectively) and RSNA (28.0 ± 7.0 and 57.9 ± 12.3%, respectively). Similarly, orexin-B (0.3, 3.0 nmol) increased MAP (93.9 ± 0.9 to 97.9 ± 0.9 mmHg and 94.5 ± 1.1 to 105.3 ± 1.7 mmHg, respectively). Orexin-A and -B at 3.0 nmol also increased HR. In other conscious rats, a high dose of orexin-A and -B increased plasma norepinephrine. Plasma epinephrine only increased with a high dose of orexin-A. These results indicate that central orexins regulate sympathetic nerve activity and affect cardiovascular functions.
The Role of Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) Family Members in CD30-Positive Lymphomas

The Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor (TF) family, composed of a variety of members including c-JUN, c-FOS and ATF, is involved in mediating many biological processes such as proliferation, differentiation and cell death. Since their discovery, the role of AP-1 TFs in cancer development has been extensively analysed. Multiple in vitro and in vivo studies have highlighted the complexity of these TFs, mainly due to their cell-type specific homo- or hetero-dimerization resulting in diverse transcriptional response profiles. However, as a result of the increasing knowledge of the role of AP-1 TFs in disease, these TFs are being recognized as promising therapeutic targets for various malignancies. In this review, we focus on the impact of deregulated expression of AP-1 TFs in CD30-positive lymphomas including Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma and Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma.
Study of Hyperbranched Poly(ethyleneimine) Polymers of Different Molecular Weight and Their Interaction with Epoxy Resin

Two different commercial hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine)s (HBPEI), with molecular weights (MW) of 800 and 25,000 g/mol, and denoted as PEI800 and PEI25000, respectively, as well as the mixtures with a Diglycidyl Ether of Bisphenol-A (DGEBA) epoxy resin, have been studied using thermal analysis techniques (DSC, TGA), dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Only a single glass transition is observed in these mixtures by DSC. DRS of the HBPEIs shows three dipolar relaxations: γ, β, and α. The average activation energy for the γ-relaxation is similar for all HBPEIs and is associated with the motion of the terminal groups. The β-relaxation has the same average activation energy for both PEI800 and PEI25000; this relaxation is attributed to the mobility of the branches. The α-relaxation peak for all the HBPEIs is an asymmetric peak with a shoulder on the high temperature side. This shoulder suggests the existence of ionic charge trapped in the PEI. For the mixtures, the γ- and β-relaxations follow the behaviour of the epoxy resin alone, indicating that the epoxy resin dominates the molecular mobility. The α-relaxation by DRS is observed only as a shoulder, as a consequence of an overlap with conductivity effects, whereas by DMA, it is a clear peak.
Incident CTS in a large pooled cohort study: associations obtained by a Job Exposure Matrix versus associations obtained from observed exposures

Background There is growing use of a job exposure matrix (JEM) to provide exposure estimates in studies of work-related musculoskeletal disorders; few studies have examined the validity of such estimates, nor did compare associations obtained with a JEM with those obtained using other exposures. Objective This study estimated upper extremity exposures using a JEM derived from a publicly available data set (Occupational Network, O*NET), and compared exposure-disease associations for incident carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with those obtained using observed physical exposure measures in a large prospective study. Methods 2393 workers from several industries were followed for up to 2.8 years (5.5 person-years). Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes were assigned to the job at enrolment. SOC codes linked to physical exposures for forceful hand exertion and repetitive activities were extracted from O*NET. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models to describe exposure-disease associations for incident CTS for individually observed physical exposures and JEM exposures from O*NET. Results Both exposure methods found associations between incident CTS and exposures of force and repetition, with evidence of dose–response. Observed associations were similar across the two methods, with somewhat wider CIs for HRs calculated using the JEM method. Conclusion Exposures estimated using a JEM provided similar exposure-disease associations for CTS when compared with associations obtained using the ‘gold standard’ method of individual observation. While JEMs have a number of limitations, in some studies they can provide useful exposure estimates in the absence of individual-level observed exposures.
Boundary Extraction in Natural Images Using Ultrametric Contour Maps

This paper presents a low-level system for boundary extraction and segmentation of natural images and the evaluation of its performance. We study the problem in the framework of hierarchical classification, where the geometric structure of an image can be represented by an ultrametric contour map, the soft boundary image associated to a family of nested segmentations. We define generic ultrametric distances by integrating local contour cues along the regions boundaries and combining this information with region attributes. Then, we evaluate quantitatively our results with respect to ground-truth segmentation data, proving that our system outperforms significantly two widely used hierarchical segmentation techniques, as well as the state of the art in local edge detection.
Factors related to improvement of symptoms, function, and caregiver burden in Chinese patients with schizophrenia after switching to paliperidone palmitate once-monthly from oral antipsychotics

Background Paliperidone palmitate once-monthly (PP1M) demonstrated symptomatic and functional remission in patients with schizophrenia. This post hoc analysis aimed to identify factors associated with improved clinical outcomes in patients switching to PP1M (75–150 mg eq.). Methods The improved patient outcomes were observed as Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS, symptoms) score <70:66.7% (407/610), Personal and Social Performance (PSP, function) score >70:34.3% (199/581), and Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire (IEQ, caregiver burden) reduction ≥6:50.2% (270/538). Independent variables including demographics, disease duration, employment status, and clinical scores were screened individually using a univariate analysis and subsequently, variables (cutoff p<0.15) were analyzed using a multivariate regression analysis for association with better clinical outcomes at week 13. Results The factors significantly associated with favorable clinical outcomes were reduction in PANSS at week 5 (odds ratio [OR]=1.14, 95% CI=1.11–1.17) with symptom reduction; baseline PSP total score (OR=1.07, 95% CI=1.05–1.10), PSP change at week 5 (OR=1.07, 95% CI=1.05–1.10), PANSS reduction at week 5 (OR=1.06, 95% CI=1.03–1.08) with functional improvement, reduction in PANSS at week 5 (OR=1.02, 95% CI=1.01–1.03), and total IEQ score at baseline (OR=1.09, 95% CI=1.07–1.11) with caregiver burden reduction. Conclusion Thus, symptom and functional improvements with caregiver burden reduction were observed in patients, and PANSS reduction at week 5 was commonly associated with favorable outcomes.
Renal cellular response to ureteral obstruction: role of maturation and angiotensin II.

Renal angiotensin II (ANG II) is increased as a result of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), and angiotensin AT2 receptors predominate over AT1 receptors in the early postnatal period. To examine the renal cellular response to 3-day UUO in the neonatal and adult rat, AT1and AT2 receptors were inhibited by losartan and PD-123319, respectively. Additional rats received exogenous ANG II, 0.5 mg ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ day-1. Renal cellular proliferation and apoptosis were quantitated by proliferating cell nuclear antigen and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling technique, respectively. In the neonate, UUO reduced proliferation and increased tubular apoptosis. Losartan had no detectable cellular effect, whereas PD-123319 increased cellular proliferation and suppressed apoptosis, and exogenous ANG II stimulated apoptosis. In the adult, UUO increased cellular proliferation as well as apoptosis, whereas losartan, PD-123319, and exogenous ANG II did not alter the cellular response. In conclusion, UUO impairs renal growth in the neonate by reducing proliferation and stimulating apoptosis, at least in part through angiotensin AT2 receptors. UUO stimulates both renal cellular proliferation and apoptosis in the adult, but these effects are independent of ANG II. We speculate that the unique early responses of the developing kidney to urinary tract obstruction are mediated by a highly activated renin-angiotensin system and preponderance of AT2 receptors.
Prognosis of Treatment Outcomes by Cognitive and Physical Scales

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the possibility of using scales for measuring cognitive and physical functions for a prognosis of care outcomes in elderly patients. Methodology. The survey was carried out in one of the Vilnius City Hospitals for Nursing and Support Treatment. A total number of 177 respondents were involved in the study. The Mini–Mental State Examination (MMSE), The Barthel Index (BI) and The Morse Fall Scale were used. Results. A statistically significant correlation was revealed between the scores of MMSE and BI (Pearson R = 0.41, p < 0.01); those with severe cognitive impairment were more dependent. A statistically significant correlation (Pearson R = −0.181, p < 0.01) was reported between the scores of MMSE and the Morse Fall Scale – the risk of falling was higher in patients with severe cognitive impairment. Conclusions. The Morse Fall Scale was not suitable for the prognosis of outcomes. The MMSE was suitable for the prognosis of a patient’s discharge. The Barthel Index should be considered as the most suitable tool for the prognosis of care outcomes: the sum-score of the Barthel Index above 25 may suggest that the patient would be discharged home; the sum-score below this level was associated with a higher likelihood of patient death.
Calcium recruitment in renal vasculature: NE effects on blood flow and cytosolic calcium concentration.

This study provides new information about the relative importance of Ca2+ mobilization and entry in the renal vascular response to adrenoceptor activation. We measured renal blood flow (RBF) in Sprague-Dawley rats in vivo using electromagnetic flowmetry. We measured intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in isolated afferent arterioles utilizing ratiometric photometry of fura-2 fluorescence. Renal arterial injection of NE produced a transient decrease in RBF. The response was attenuated, in a dose-dependent manner, up to ∼50% by nifedipine, an antagonist of L-type Ca2+ entry channels. Inhibition of Ca2+ mobilization by 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid-8-(diethylamino)octyl ester (TMB-8) inhibited the renal vascular effects of NE in a dose-dependent manner, with maximal blockade of ∼80%. No additional attenuation was observed when nifedipine and TMB-8 were administered together. In microdissected afferent arterioles, norepinephrine (NE; 10-6 M) elicited an immediate square-shaped increase in [Ca2+]i, from 110 to 240 nM. This in vitro response was blocked by nifedipine (10-6 M) and TMB-8 (10-5 M) to a degree similar to that of the in vivo experiments. A nominally calcium-free solution blocked 80-90% of the [Ca2+]iresponse to NE. The increased [Ca2+]ielicited by depolarization with medium containing 50 mM KCl was totally blocked by nifedipine. In contrast, TMB-8 had no effect. Our results indicate that both Ca2+ entry and mobilization play important roles in the renal vascular Ca2+ and contractile response to adrenoceptor activation. The entry and mobilization mechanisms activated by NE may interact. That a calcium-free solution caused a larger inhibition of the NE effects on afferent arterioles than nifedipine suggests more than one Ca2+ entry pathway.
Chronic oral l-DOPA increases dopamine and decreases serotonin excretions.

Given the common pathways for uptake and synthesis for dopamine and serotonin, enhanced renal dopamine synthesis in response to increased substrate 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA) is postulated to decrease renal serotonin synthesis. The present study compared the effects of chronic oral administration ofl-DOPA on dopamine and serotonin excretion in vivo, with the effects of enhanced dopamine synthesis per nephron due to adaptation to reduced renal mass (RRM). Four groups of rats were studied: sham-operated rats and rats with RRM in the absence and presence of chronic orall-DOPA.l-DOPA (2 mg ⋅ 100 g body wt-1 ⋅ day-1) for 6-14 days increased calculated dopamine synthesis per nephron in sham-operated rats from 2.0 ± 0.3 ( n = 7) to 13.6 ± 1.8 pg ⋅ day-1 ⋅ nephron-1( n = 7, P < 0.05) and in rats with RRM from 6.1 ± 1.3 ( n = 7) to 39.3 ± 5.2 pg ⋅ day-1 ⋅ nephron-1( n = 7, P < 0.05). Chronic orall-DOPA concomitantly decreased serotonin synthesis per nephron in sham-operated rats (1.6 ± 0.1 to 1.0 ± 0.1 pg ⋅ day-1 ⋅ nephron-1, n = 7, P < 0.05) and in rats with RRM (5.6 ± 0.9 to 2.6 ± 0.4 pg ⋅ day-1 ⋅ nephron-1, n = 7, P < 0.05). Both serotonin and dopamine synthesis per nephron were increased in rats with RRM. In conclusion, chronic oral administration ofl-DOPA enhances dopamine excretion and decreases serotonin excretion in normal rats and in rats with reduced renal mass. Both dopamine and serotonin excretions per nephron were elevated by renal mass reduction.
Effects of aminopeptidase P inhibition on kinin-mediated vasodepressor responses.

We studied in anesthetized rats whether aminopeptidase P (AMP) may be involved in bradykinin (BK) metabolism and responses. For this we inhibited AMP with the specific inhibitor apstatin (Aps). Studies were done with Aps alone or together with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor lisinopril (Lis). Aps increased the vasodepressor response to an intravenous bolus of BK (400 ng/kg): vehicle, -3.0 ± 0.7 mmHg; Aps, -7.8 ± 0.7 mmHg ( P < 0.01 vs. vehicle); Lis, -23.8 ± 1.8 mmHg; Aps + Lis, -37.5 ± 1.9 mmHg ( P < 0.01 vs. Lis). Aps did not affect the vasodepressor response to BK given into the descending aorta. Plasma BK increased only in Aps + Lis-treated rats (in pg/ml): control, 48.0 ± 1.4; Lis, 57.5 ± 7.6; Aps + Lis, 121.8 ± 30.6 ( P < 0.05 vs. control or Lis), whereas in rats infused with BK (400 ng ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1for 5 min), Aps increased plasma BK (in pg/ml): control, 51.9 ± 2.5; Aps, 83.5 ± 20.5; Lis, 725 ± 225; Aps + Lis, 1,668 ± 318 ( P < 0.05, Aps vs. control and Lis vs. Aps + Lis). In rats with aortic coarctation hypertension, the acute antihypertensive effects of Aps plus Lis were greater than Lis alone ( P < 0.01). Hoe-140, a BK B2-receptor antagonist, abolished the difference. We concluded that in the rat AMP contributes to regulation of BK metabolism and responses.
Dissipation and Migration of Pyrethroids in Auricularia polytricha Mont. from Cultivation to Postharvest Processing and Dietary Risk

In order to ensure raw consumption safety the dissipation behavior, migration, postharvest processing, and dietary risk assessment of five pyrethroids in mushroom (Auricularia polytricha Mont.) cultivated under Chinese greenhouse-field conditions. Half-lives (t1/2) of pyrethroids in fruiting body and substrate samples were 3.10–5.26 and 17.46–40.06 d, respectively. Fenpropathrin dissipated rapidly in fruiting bodies (t1/2 3.10 d); bifenthrin had the longest t1/2. At harvest, pyrethroid residues in A. polytricha (except fenpropathrin) were above the respective maximum residue limits (MRLs). Some migration of lambda-cyhalothrin was observed in the substrate-fruit body system. In postharvest-processing, sun-drying and soaking reduced pyrethroid residues by 25–83%. We therefore recommend that consumers soak these mushrooms in 0.5% NaHCO3 at 50 °C for 90 min. Pyrethroids exhibit a particularly low PF value of 0.08–0.13%, resulting in a negligible exposure risk upon mushroom consumption. This study provides guidance for the safe application of pyrethroids to edible fungi, and for the establishment of MRLs in mushrooms to reduce pesticide exposure in humans.
Effects of 17 (cid:98) -estradiol on sympathetic activity and pressor response to phenylephrine in ovariectomized rats

Share. Effects of 17 (cid:98) -estradiol on sympathetic activity and pressor response to phenylephrine in ovariectomized rats. Am. J. Physiol. 275 ( Regulatory Integrative Comp. Physiol. 44): R1202–R1208, 1998. —The effects of 17 (cid:98) estradiol (E 2 ) on sympathetic activity were examined in conscious unrestrained ovariectomized rats, instrumented under methohexital anesthesia to record mean arterial pressure (MABP), heart rate (HR), renal nerve activity (RNA), and splanchnic nerve activity (SNA) 1 day before the experi-ment. Injection of E 2 (150 µg/kg iv) caused reductions ( P (cid:44) 0.01) in RNA (29 (cid:54) 6%), SNA (25 (cid:54) 2%), and HR (26 (cid:54) 5 beats/min) within 20 min, but MABP remained unchanged. Ninety minutes after intravenous injection of E 2 or vehicle, intravenous infusion of phenylephrine (PE; 6.2 µg·min (cid:50) 1 · kg (cid:50) 1 ) induced similar increases in MABP and decreases in HR, RNA, and SNA in both groups. By contrast, in rats chronically treated with E 2 , the pressor response to PE was smaller ( P (cid:44) 0.01; 22 (cid:54) 5 mmHg) than in vehicle-treated rats (40 (cid:54) 4 mmHg). The changes in HR, RNA, and SNA were similar in both groups, but the ratios of changes in HR and SNA to MABP, an index of baroreﬂex sensitivity, were greater in the E 2 -treated rats. These ﬁndings suggest that E 2 can act centrally to modulate sympathetic function and thereby participate in cardiovascular regulation.
The Speaker Gender Gap at Critical Care Conferences

Objectives: To review women’s participation as faculty at five critical care conferences over 7 years. Design: Retrospective analysis of five scientific programs to identify the proportion of females and each speaker’s profession based on conference conveners, program documents, or internet research. Setting: Three international (European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, Society of Critical Care Medicine) and two national (Critical Care Canada Forum, U.K. Intensive Care Society State of the Art Meeting) annual critical care conferences held between 2010 and 2016. Subjects: Female faculty speakers. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Male speakers outnumbered female speakers at all five conferences, in all 7 years. Overall, women represented 5–31% of speakers, and female physicians represented 5–26% of speakers. Nursing and allied health professional faculty represented 0–25% of speakers; in general, more than 50% of allied health professionals were women. Over the 7 years, Society of Critical Care Medicine had the highest representation of female (27% overall) and nursing/allied health professional (16–25%) speakers; notably, male physicians substantially outnumbered female physicians in all years (62–70% vs 10–19%, respectively). Women’s representation on conference program committees ranged from 0% to 40%, with Society of Critical Care Medicine having the highest representation of women (26–40%). The female proportions of speakers, physician speakers, and program committee members increased significantly over time at the Society of Critical Care Medicine and U.K. Intensive Care Society State of the Art Meeting conferences (p < 0.05), but there was no temporal change at the other three conferences. Conclusions: There is a speaker gender gap at critical care conferences, with male faculty outnumbering female faculty. This gap is more marked among physician speakers than those speakers representing nursing and allied health professionals. Several organizational strategies can address this gender gap.
TMEM16A inhibition impedes capacitation and acquisition of hyperactivated motility in guinea pig sperm

Ca2+‐activated Cl− channels (CaCCs) are anionic channels that regulate many important physiological functions associated with chloride and calcium flux in some somatic cells. The molecular identity of CaCCs was revealed to be TMEM16A and TMEM16B (also known as Anoctamin or ANO1 and ANO2, respectively) in all eukaryotes. A recent study suggests the presence of TMEM16A in human sperm and a relationship with the rhZP‐induced acrosome reaction. However, to the best of our knowledge, little is known about the role of TMEM16A in other spermatic processes such as capacitation or motility. In this study, we evaluated the effects of two TMEM16A antagonists on capacitation, acrosome reaction, and motility in guinea pig sperm; these antagonists were T16Ainh‐A01, belonging to a second generation of potent antagonists of TMEM16A, and niflumic acid (NFA), a well‐known antagonist of TMEM16A (CaCCs). First of all, we confirmed that the absence of Cl− in the capacitation medium changes motility parameters, capacitation, and the progesterone‐induced acrosome reaction. Using a specific antibody, TMEM16A was found as a protein band of ∼120 kDa, which localization was in the apical crest of the acrosome and the middle piece of the flagellum. Inhibition of TMEM16A by T16Ainh‐A01 affected sperm physiology by reducing capacitation, blocking the progesterone‐induced acrosome reaction under optimal capacitation conditions, inhibiting progressive motility, and the acquisition of hyperactivated motility, diminishing [Ca2+]i, and increasing [Cl−]i. These changes in sperm kinematic parameters provide new evidence of the important role played by TMEM16A in the production of sperm capable of fertilizing oocytes.
Aridity drove the evolution of extreme embolism resistance and the radiation of conifer genus Callitris.

Xylem vulnerability to embolism is emerging as a major factor in drought-induced tree mortality events across the globe. However, we lack understanding of how and to what extent climate has shaped vascular properties or functions. We investigated the evolution of xylem hydraulic function and diversification patterns in Australia's most successful gymnosperm clade, Callitris, the world's most drought-resistant conifers. For all 23 species in this group, we measured embolism resistance (P50 ), xylem specific hydraulic conductivity (Ks ), wood density, and tracheary element size from natural populations. We investigated whether hydraulic traits variation linked with climate and the diversification of this clade using a time-calibrated phylogeny. Embolism resistance varied widely across the Callitris clade (P50 : -3.8 to -18.8 MPa), and was significantly related to water scarcity, as was tracheid diameter. We found no evidence of a safety-efficiency tradeoff; Ks and wood density were not related to rainfall. Callitris diversification coincides with the onset of aridity in Australia since the early Oligocene. Our results highlight the evolutionary lability of xylem traits with climate, and the leading role of aridity in the diversification of conifers. The uncoupling of safety from other xylem functions allowed Callitris to evolve extreme embolism resistance and diversify into xeric environments.