Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acetylcholine-induced liquid secretion by bronchial epithelium: role of Cl- and[Formula: see text] transport.

Inhibitors of Cl- and[Formula: see text] secretion reduce acetylcholine-induced liquid, but not mucin, secretion by bronchial submucosal glands [S. K. Inglis, M. R. Corboz, A. E. Taylor, and S. T. Ballard. Am. J. Physiol. 272 ( Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol. 16): L372-L377, 1997]. The present study quantified contributions of Cl- and[Formula: see text] transport to volume and composition of acetylcholine-induced liquid secretion by airway epithelium. When distal bronchi were excised from 33 pigs and treated with 10 μM acetylcholine, the airways secreted 13.4 ± 0.7 μl ⋅ cm-2 ⋅ h-1. Bumetanide (10 μM) pretreatment reduced acetylcholine-induced liquid and Cl- secretion rates by ∼70%, but [Formula: see text] secretion fell by only 40%. Dimethylamiloride (DMA; 100 μM) pretreatment reduced Cl- secretion rates by ∼15%, but[Formula: see text] secretion fell 47%. DMA alone had little effect on liquid secretion. When airways were pretreated with both bumetanide and DMA, acetylcholine-induced liquid secretion was nearly abolished. We conclude that about three-fourths of acetylcholine-induced liquid secretion in distal bronchi is dependent on Cl- secretion. Most of the remaining response is driven by[Formula: see text] secretion. We speculate that the principal source of this liquid is submucosal glands. Crossover inhibition of bumetanide on [Formula: see text]secretion and DMA on Cl-secretion implies modulation of anion secretion secondary to changes in cell electrolyte composition.
CONSOLIDATION AND REBOUND CHARACTERISTICS OF EXPANSIVE SOIL BY USING LIME AND BAGASSE ASH

In this paper, the test results such as index properties, proctor compaction, unconfined compression strength, cationic exchange capacity obtained on expansive clays mixed at different proportions of Bagasse ash (2%,4%,6%) and hydrated lime (1%,2%,3%) are mixed into 9 mixes, which were presented and discussed along with the consolidation behaviour of the soil. From the results, it is observed that at optimum mixes 3L+6B, 3L+2B, 2L+2B, 3L+4B, the swelling of expansive clay is almost controlled and also noticed that there is a marked improvement in the strength of soil and change of molecular structure. The combination of Bagasse ash and hydrated lime is more effective than the addition of Bagasse ash alone to the expansive soil in controlling the consolidation characteristics. All the test results with clear reasons for increment / decrement in values are explained in this paper.
Ezrin directly interacts with AQP2 and promotes its endocytosis

ABSTRACT The water channel aquaporin-2 (AQP2) is a major regulator of water homeostasis in response to vasopressin (VP). Dynamic trafficking of AQP2 relies on its close interaction with trafficking machinery proteins and the actin cytoskeleton. Here, we report the identification of ezrin, an actin-binding protein from the ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) family as an AQP2-interacting protein. Ezrin was first detected in a co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) complex using an anti-AQP2 antibody in a proteomic analysis. Immunofluorescence staining revealed the co-expression of ezrin and AQP2 in collecting duct principal cells, and VP treatment caused redistribution of both proteins to the apical membrane. The ezrin–AQP2 interaction was confirmed by co-IP experiments with an anti-ezrin antibody, and by pulldown assays using purified full-length and FERM domain-containing recombinant ezrin. By using purified recombinant proteins, we showed that ezrin directly interacts with AQP2 C-terminus through its N-terminal FERM domain. Knocking down ezrin expression with shRNA resulted in increased membrane accumulation of AQP2 and reduced AQP2 endocytosis. Therefore, through direct interaction with AQP2, ezrin facilitates AQP2 endocytosis, thus linking the dynamic actin cytoskeleton network with AQP2 trafficking. Summary: The ERM protein ezrin directly interacts with AQP2 facilitating AQP2 endocytosis, thus linking the dynamic regulation of actin cytoskeleton network with AQP2 trafficking.
Right‐sided aortic arch in the age of microarray

For fetuses with a diagnosis of right aortic arch and normal cardiac anatomy, we aimed to establish the frequency of chromosomal anomaly diagnosed with single nucleotide polymorphism microarray analysis, particularly focusing on microduplications or microdeletions which would have gone undetected by conventional karyotyping and six‐probe fish (13,18,21, X,Y, TUPLE).
Effects of β-adrenoceptor stimulation on contractility, [Ca2+]i, and Ca2+ current in diabetic rat cardiomyocytes.

The mechanism of the diminished inotropic response to β-adrenoceptor stimulation in diabetic hearts was studied in enzymatically isolated diabetic rat ventricular myocytes in comparison with age-matched controls. The increases in contractions and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) transients produced by isoproterenol were markedly diminished in diabetic myocytes. The inotropic and [Ca2+]iresponses to forskolin and dibutyryl cAMP (DBcAMP) were also reduced. No significant difference was found in the stimulating effects of isoproterenol, forskolin, and DBcAMP on the L-type Ca2+ current ( I Ca) between control and diabetic myocytes. The rise of [Ca2+]iin response to rapid caffeine application, an index of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content, was significantly decreased in diabetic myocytes. Isoproterenol, forskolin, and DBcAMP enhanced this [Ca2+]iresponse to caffeine in control myocytes more markedly than in diabetic myocytes. The changes in the isoproterenol responses observed in diabetic myocytes were prevented by insulin therapy. We conclude that 1) diabetes causes an impairment of the contractile and [Ca2+]iresponses of cardiac myocytes when stimulated at both β-adrenoceptors and the postreceptor level without affecting the I Ca response and 2) altered SR functions of uptake and/or release of Ca2+ may primarily contribute to the diminished β-adrenergic response.
Time domain reflectometry: measurement of free water in normal lung and pulmonary edema.

The free water content of lung tissue was investigated by dielectric spectroscopy in normal lungs and in pulmonary edema induced by oleic acid in rats. The dielectric relaxation in a frequency range of 107 to 1010 Hz was measured with the time domain reflectometry method at 25°C. Three dielectric relaxation processes were analyzed for the lung tissue. A high-frequency process around 10 GHz was attributed to the orientation of free water molecules based on the relaxation time [log τh (in s) = -11.03]. The dielectric strength (Δε) of this high-frequency peak (Δεh) should reflect the amount of free water in the tissue. Because the measured Δεh depended on the air content of the lung samples, the value of Δεh was corrected for the air content of each sample as determined by the point-counting method in the area where the time domain reflectometry data were obtained. The lungs of rats that received an injection of oleic acid had a significantly increased free water content [(Δεh of lung/Δε of pure water) × density of pure water] compared with that in the normal lung (0.76 vs. 0.59 g/cm3). These results indicate that free water occupies ∼60% of the total volume of normal lung tissue and that there is an increase in free water in pulmonary edema.
Bilateral recruitment of prefrontal cortex in working memory is associated with task demand but not with age

Significance One principle of human cerebral cortex is its lateralized functional architecture supporting processes such as language, precise motor control of the hands, and working memory. It has been shown that in elderly subjects such lateralized activations of dorsolateral and anterior prefrontal cortex vanish in working memory tasks, which is due to the corecruitment of corresponding regions in the other cerebral hemisphere. We show that such corecruitment of cross-hemispheric counterparts in prefrontal cortex is associated with subjectively demanding working memory tasks but not with age. This result suggests that prefrontal areas support us to maintain performance in challenging circumstances by additionally recruiting their non-specialized counterpart in the contralateral hemisphere. Elderly adults may master challenging cognitive demands by additionally recruiting the cross-hemispheric counterparts of otherwise unilaterally engaged brain regions, a strategy that seems to be at odds with the notion of lateralized functions in cerebral cortex. We wondered whether bilateral activation might be a general coping strategy that is independent of age, task content and brain region. While using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we pushed young and old subjects to their working memory (WM) capacity limits in verbal, spatial, and object domains. Then, we compared the fMRI signal reflecting WM maintenance between hemispheric counterparts of various task-relevant cerebral regions that are known to exhibit lateralization. Whereas language-related areas kept their lateralized activation pattern independent of age in difficult tasks, we observed bilaterality in dorsolateral and anterior prefrontal cortex across WM domains and age groups. In summary, the additional recruitment of cross-hemispheric counterparts seems to be an age-independent domain-general strategy to master cognitive challenges. This phenomenon is largely confined to prefrontal cortex, which is arguably less specialized and more flexible than other parts of the brain.
Experimental Research on the Flexural Behavior of RC Beams Strengthened by NSM CFRP Sheets

The use of near surface mounted(NSM) FRP is emerging as a promising technology for increasing flexural strength of deficient concrete members.Experimental research on the flexural behavior of 3 reinforced concrete(RC) beams and 8 beams strengthened by NSM CFRP sheets has been carried out.According to the stress-strain relation of every kind of material in the concrete members and the according principle of distortion,a method for calculating the ultimate moment of members strengthened with near-surface mounted(NSM) FRP is proposed when the effect of the secondary load is considered.The results generally indicate that the flexural strength of the repaired beams is increased,and the ultimate strength of RC beams strengthened by NSM CFRP sheets is almost the same under the act of different first moments.
ESCRT-III is required for scissioning new peroxisomes from the endoplasmic reticulum

Dynamic control of peroxisome proliferation is integral to the peroxisome’s many functions. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) serves as a source of preperoxisomal vesicles (PPVs) that mature into peroxisomes during de novo peroxisome biogenesis and support growth and division of existing peroxisomes. However, the mechanism of PPV formation and release from the ER remains poorly understood. In this study, we show that endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT)-III are required to release PPVs budding from the ER into the cytosol. Absence of ESCRT-III proteins impedes de novo peroxisome formation and results in an aberrant peroxisome population in vivo. Using a cell-free PPV budding assay, we show that ESCRT-III proteins Vps20 and Snf7 are necessary to release PPVs from the ER. ESCRT-III is therefore a positive effector of membrane scission for vesicles budding both away from and toward the cytosol. These findings have important implications for the evolutionary timing of emergence of peroxisomes and the rest of the internal membrane architecture of the eukaryotic cell.
From Efficacy to Effectiveness to Broad Implementation: Evolution of the Body Project

Objective: At the turn of the millennium, eating disorders (EDs) prevention was largely nonexistent. No program had reduced future onset of EDs in even a single trial, and most had not reduced ED symptoms. Sixteen years later, the ED prevention field has translated basic risk factor research into interventions, with demonstrated efficacy and effectiveness in reducing ED risk factors and symptoms, as well as future ED onset in some trials. This article reviews the aforementioned progress focusing on a model intervention (i.e., the Body Project [BP]). Method: The article is a qualitative review of the existing BP literature. Results: Although clinical psychology has struggled with bridging the research practice gap and translating efficacy and effectiveness research into clinical implementation, researchers, clinicians, and community stakeholders working with the BP have made significant progress in addressing barriers to scalability, large-scale implementation, and sustainability, reaching 3.5 million girls and young women in 125 countries. Conclusion: The successful evolution of the BP from basic research to traversing the efficacy-to-effectiveness-to-dissemination/implementation continuum has yielded significant public health impact and is thus a fitting case for this special issue commemorating the 125th anniversary of the American Psychological Association. The BP example may help others broadly implement efficacious interventions for other mental health problems.
Neoadjuvant therapy of bevacizumab in combination with oxaliplatin and capecitabine (XELOX) for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer with unresectable liver metastases: a phase II, open‐label, single‐arm, noncomparative trial

This phase II, open‐label study evaluated the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant therapy with bevacizumab plus XELOX (capecitabine and oxaliplatin) for untreated metastatic colorectal cancer with unresectable liver metastases and assessed conversion of unresectable to resectable metastases after neoadjuvant treatment.
The cerebral basal arterial network: morphometry of inflow and outflow components

The aim of this project was to study how the morphology of the incoming and outgoing arterial components of the cerebral basal arterial network influence the blood flow to the brain. The cerebral basal arterial network consists of the circulus arteriosus cerebri anteriorly and the basilar artery posteriorly. Diameters of inflow vessels (bilateral vertebral and internal carotid arteries), connecting vessels (anterior communicating, basilar and bilateral posterior communicating arteries) and outflow vessels (anterior, middle and posterior cerebral arteries) were measured and cross‐sectional areas calculated in 51 cadaveric brain specimens. The individual and the average cross‐sectional areas of inflow arteries (51.43 mm2) were significantly bigger than the major outflow arteries (37.76 mm2) but smaller than the combined cross‐sectional areas of outflow (37.76 mm2) and connecting (25.33 mm2) arteries. The difference in the size of arterial cross‐sectional area and the presence of the connecting arteries in the cerebral basal arterial network provides a mechanism for lowering peaks in pressure, and demonstrates a function of the cerebral basal arterial network.
Biomechanical consequences of adding plantar fascia release to metatarsal osteotomies: Changes in forefoot plantar pressures

Destruction of the normal metatarsal arch by a long metatarsal is often a cause for metatarsalgia. When surgery is warranted, distal oblique, or proximal dorsiflexion osteotomies of the long metatarsal bones are commonly used. The plantar fascia has anatomical connection to all metatarsal heads. There is controversial scientific evidence on the effect of plantar fascia release on forefoot biomechanics. In this cadaveric biomechanical study, we hypothesized that plantar fascia release would augment the plantar metatarsal pressure decreasing effects of two common second metatarsal osteotomy techniques. Six matched pairs of foot and ankle specimens were mounted on a pressure mat loading platform. Two randomly assigned surgery groups, which had received either distal oblique, or proximal dorsiflexion osteotomy of the second metatarsal, were evaluated before and after plantar fasciectomy. Specimens were loaded up to a ground reaction force of 400 N at varying Achilles tendon forces. Average pressures, peak pressures, and contact areas were analyzed. Supporting our hypothesis, average pressures under the second metatarsal during 600 N Achilles load were decreased by plantar fascia release following proximal osteotomy (p < 0.05). However contrary to our hypothesis, peak pressures under the second metatarsal were significantly increased by plantar fascia release following modified distal osteotomy, under multiple Achilles loading conditions (p < 0.05). Plantar fasciotomy should not be added to distal metatarsal osteotomy in the treatment of metatarsalgia. If proximal dorsiflexion osteotomy would be preferred, plantar fasciotomy should be approached cautiously not to disturb the forefoot biomechanics. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:800–804, 2017.
Evaluation of perineal muscle strength in the first trimester of pregnancy

OBJECTIVES: to analyze the Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength (PFMS) of pregnant women with one or more vaginal or cesarean deliveries; to compare the PFMS of these with pregnant women with the PFMS of primiparous women. METHODS: cross-sectional study with women up to 12 weeks pregnant, performed in Itapecerica da Serra, São Paulo state, from December 2012 to May 2013. The sample consisted of 110 pregnant women with one or more vaginal deliveries or cesarean sections and 110 primigravidae. The PFMS was evaluated by perineometry (Peritron(tm)) and vaginal digital palpation (modified Oxford scale). RESULTS: the average PFMS in pregnant women with a history of vaginal delivery or cesarean section was 33.4 (SD=21.2) cmH2O. From the Oxford scale, 75.4% of the pregnant women with previous vaginal or cesarean deliveries presented grade ≤ 2, and 5.5% grade ≥ 4; among the primiparae, 39.9% presented grade ≤ 2, and 50.9% grade ≥ 4, with a statistically significant difference (p<0.001). From the perineometry, there was no statistically significant difference between the PFMS and age, type of delivery, parity, body mass index, and genitourinary tract symptoms, however, there was a statistically significant difference between the pregnant women with and without a history of episiotomy (p=0.04). In the palpation, none of the variables showed a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: pregnancy and childbirth can reduce the PFMS.
Measurement of cardiac output in small laboratory animals using recordings of blood conductivity.

No method exists which enables easy, frequent, and, at the same time, reliable cardiac output (CO) measurements in mice. To validate a simple indicator-dilution method suitable for frequent measurements of CO in small laboratory animals, a 5% glucose solution was injected as a bolus into femoral veins of mice and rats. The corresponding blood conductivity was measured continuously between an intra-aortic and a rectal electrode. The resulting conductivity-dilution curves were used to calculate CO in mice during hypervolemia and hypovolemia and in conscious as well as halothane-anesthetized mice and rats. In rats, conductivity-dilution curves and time courses of plasma glucose concentration were recorded simultaneously. Compared with CO in awake animals, CO in both species was slightly, but not significantly, reduced during halothane anesthesia. CO was significantly and gradually reduced in hypovolemic mice (up to 58 ml blood/kg body wt), whereas hypervolemia (23 ml saline/kg body wt) had no significant effect. Simultaneous recordings of conductivity-dilution curves and time courses of plasma glucose concentration yielded corresponding values of CO ( P < 0.001). Measurement of blood conductivity appears to be a reliable, simple, and convenient method for quantification of CO in small animals.
Structural basis for the role of serine-rich repeat proteins from Lactobacillus reuteri in gut microbe–host interactions

Significance Gut bacteria play a key role in health and disease, but the molecular mechanisms underpinning their interaction with the host remain elusive. The serine-rich repeat proteins (SRRPs) are a family of adhesins identified in many Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria. We previously showed that beneficial bacterial species found in the gut also express SRRPs and that SRRP was required for the ability of Lactobacillus reuteri strain to colonize mice. Here, our structural and biochemical data reveal that L. reuteri SRRP adopts a β-solenoid fold not observed in other structurally characterized SRRPs and functions as an adhesin via a pH-dependent mechanism, providing structural insights into the role of these adhesins in biofilm formation of gut symbionts. Lactobacillus reuteri, a Gram-positive bacterial species inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract of vertebrates, displays remarkable host adaptation. Previous mutational analyses of rodent strain L. reuteri 100-23C identified a gene encoding a predicted surface-exposed serine-rich repeat protein (SRRP100-23) that was vital for L. reuteri biofilm formation in mice. SRRPs have emerged as an important group of surface proteins on many pathogens, but no structural information is available in commensal bacteria. Here we report the 2.00-Å and 1.92-Å crystal structures of the binding regions (BRs) of SRRP100-23 and SRRP53608 from L. reuteri ATCC 53608, revealing a unique β-solenoid fold in this important adhesin family. SRRP53608-BR bound to host epithelial cells and DNA at neutral pH and recognized polygalacturonic acid (PGA), rhamnogalacturonan I, or chondroitin sulfate A at acidic pH. Mutagenesis confirmed the role of the BR putative binding site in the interaction of SRRP53608-BR with PGA. Long molecular dynamics simulations showed that SRRP53608-BR undergoes a pH-dependent conformational change. Together, these findings provide mechanistic insights into the role of SRRPs in host–microbe interactions and open avenues of research into the use of biofilm-forming probiotics against clinically important pathogens.
Contribution of pyrethroids in large urban rivers to sediment toxicity assessed with benthic invertebrates Chironomus dilutus: A case study in South China

The importance of pyrethroids as potential stressors to benthic organisms has gradually become evident in urban creeks; however, the occurrence and toxicity of sediment‐associated pyrethroids are rarely studied in large rivers. In this context, 10 sediments from a large urban river (Guangzhou reach of the Pearl River in China) were assessed for pyrethroid occurrence and sediment toxicity to the benthic invertebrate Chironomus dilutus. One half of the sediments exhibited lethality to C. dilutus in a 10‐d exposure and all surviving midges showed significant change of enzymatic activity. Moreover, mortality occurred during a 20‐d exposure for all the sediments, in accordance with the high hazard quotients to benthic species estimated from pyrethroid residues in sediment. Pyrethroids were detectable in all sediments with the concentrations ranging from 2.43 to 61.2 ng/g dry weight, and permethrin and cypermethrin dominated pyrethroid composition. Acute toxic units for pyrethroids ranged from 0.03 to 0.56 (cypermethrin accounted for 13–81%) and showed a direct relationship with sediment mortality among the midges. This is consistent with the studies on small creeks in Guangzhou in which sediment‐bound cypermethrin was found as a main stressor to benthic invertebrates. Comparatively, sediment toxicity and pyrethroid residues in large rivers were significantly lower than those in nearby creeks (urban tributaries). The difference may be partially explained by differing flow rates and water‐carrying capacity among waterbodies at different scales; further validation is required. Overall, extensive use of pyrethroids has caused a threat to benthic species not only in small creeks but also in large rivers. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:3367–3375. © 2017 SETAC