Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pretreatment with pentoxifylline improves the hemodynamic and histologic changes and decreases neutrophil adhesiveness in a pig fecal peritonitis model

We investigated pentoxifylline (PTF) as a pretreatment of septic syndrome in pigs with fecal peritonitis. In the untreated group there was a progressive decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output, mean pulmonary artery wedge pressure (WP), and a progressive rise in mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), heart rate (HR), and core temperature (T). In those pigs given PTF there was a significantly smaller increase in SVR throughout and in PVR after 270 min. No significant differences were seen in MAP, MPAP, WP, HR, and T. Neutrophil adhesiveness did not change in the untreated group. However, it decreased markedly with PTF, both before and after peritonitis induction.Electron microscopy of the lungs, liver, and spleen in the test group showed severe damage, with endothelial disruption, capillary or sinusoidal occlusion, leuko-stasis, and neutrophil degranulation. Pretreatment with PTF attenuated these changes (Crit Care Med 1990; 18:184)
Effect of Heparin Administration on Metabolomic Profiles in Samples Obtained During Cardiac Catheterization

Background— Metabolic profiling holds promise for early detection of coronary artery disease and assessing risk for ischemic events. Heparin is frequently administered (1) to treat acute coronary syndromes; and (2) during routine cardiac catheterization procedures. Because it stimulates lipolysis, heparin is a potential confounder of metabolic profiling in these populations. Methods and Results— Using mass spectrometry and conventional immunoassays, we evaluated how unfractionated heparin administration affected 69 peripheral blood metabolites (acylcarnitines, amino acids, nonesterified fatty acids and their oxidation byproducts, conventional lipids, glucose, and C-reactive protein) in samples obtained pre- and postcardiac catheterization from 19 patients who received heparin and 10 patients who did not. Using unpaired t tests, we compared the changes in mean metabolite levels before and after the procedure between the nonheparin and heparin groups. Clinical characteristics of the nonheparin and heparin groups, indication for cardiac catheterization, procedure performed, and other periprocedural variables were similar. The mean change between pre- and postprocedure &bgr;-hydroxybutyrate (5.43 versus 66.84 &mgr;mol/L; P=0.009), ketones (21.17 versus 98.49 &mgr;mol/L; P=0.009), nonesterified fatty acids (0.37 versus 1.20 mmol/L; P=0.017), and triglycerides (−9.33 versus −36.50 mg/dL; P=0.007) was significantly different between the nonheparin and heparin groups, respectively. There were no significant differences between groups in the other metabolites measured. Conclusions— Heparin administration during cardiac catheterization induced changes in peripheral blood metabolites that were consistent with known lipolytic effects of heparin and define a metabolite signature associated with heparin administration. These findings are important for accurate interpretation of future metabolic profiling studies in populations exposed to heparin.
Expectations-Driven Cycles in the Housing Market

This paper analyzes housing market boom-bust cycles driven by changes in households' expectations. We explore the role of expectations on productivity and other shocks originating from the housing market, the credit market and the conduct of monetary policy. We find that expectations related to different sectors of the economy can generate booms in the housing market in accordance with empirical findings. Only expectations of future expansionary monetary policy that are not fulfilled can generate a macroeconomic recession. Regarding the credit market, increased access to credit generates boom-bust cycles only if it is expected to be reversed in the near future.
Countercurrent multiplication by the thin loops of Henle.

JAMISON, REX L. , CLEAVES M. BENNETT, AND ROBERT W. BERLINER. Countercurrent multiplication by the thin loops of Henle. Am. J. Physiol. 2 I 2 (2) : 357-366. I g67. -The contribution of the thin loops of Henle and the vasa recta to the production of the hypertonicity of the mammalian renal medulla was investigated in rats using a modified version of the partial nephrectomy technique of Sakai et al. In the region between 2 and 4 mm from the tip of the papilla, no significant difference in osmolality was found between adjacent descending limbs or between descending limbs and adjacent hairpin turns. In contrast, ascending limbs were found to have a significantly lower osmotic pressure than adjacent descending limbs (mean difference I I 7 milliosmols). A lower concentration of sodium accounted for most of this difference. Fluid from the descending limbs of the loops had a significantly higher osmolality than plasma from the descending vasa recta, but roughly equal to that of plasma from the ascending rasa vecta. In this region of the medulla, blood entering through the descending vasa recta appears to lag in attaining osmotic equilibrium with its surroundings, a finding consistent with the behavior of a passive countercurrent exchanger. The differences between ascending and descending limbs of the loop of Henle, on the other hand, suggest that the thin segment functions as a countercurrent mu1 tiplier in the production of the hypertonic medulla.
NAD(P)H Oxidases in Rat Basilar Arterial Endothelial Cells

Background and Purpose— Reactive oxygen species (ROS) may play a critical role in the regulation of vascular tone and development of vascular diseases, such as stroke. NAD(P)H oxidase is a major source of ROS in vascular cells, including endothelial cells. It has been considered that Nox2 and Nox4 are exclusively expressed among Nox homologues in the endothelial cells of noncerebral blood vessels. However, the precise molecular identity of the NAD(P)H oxidase in the endothelial cells of the cerebral arteries is not fully understood. We examined the expression of Nox homologues and their activation mechanism in the endothelial cells of the cerebral arteries. Methods— We isolated and cultured basilar artery endothelial cells (BAECs) of Sprague-Dawley rats. Expression of NAD(P)H oxidase was examined by reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistological staining. Results— RT-PCR disclosed abundant expression of Nox4 with marginal Nox2 in BAEC. In addition, Nox1 was expressed highly both at mRNA and protein levels in BAECs. Immunohistological staining also showed the prominent expression of Nox1 in the endothelial cells of the basilar artery. With respect to the cytosolic components of NAD(P)H oxidases, BAECs expressed p67phox and, to a lesser extent, p47phox, Noxo1, and Noxa1. Both NADH and NADPH induced superoxide production of the BAEC membranes. The phagocyte-type cytosolic components, p47phox and p67phox, significantly enhanced the NADH-induced superoxide production of the BAEC membranes, whereas the components failed to increase the NADPH-induced superoxide production. Conclusions— Nox1 is highly expressed in the endothelial cells of the cerebral arteries along with Nox2 and Nox4, and the endothelial NAD(P)H oxidase of the cerebral arteries may have a unique activation mechanism by the phagocyte-type cytosolic components.
Tumour‐associated leucocytes: Friends or foes in breast carcinoma

Solid tumours and their metastases are infiltrated by large numbers of tumour-associated leucocytes (TALs). These are a heterogenous population of cells, consisting of variable proportions of helper, suppressor, and cytotoxic T cells; B cells; natural killer (NK) cells; and macrophages. ' Although the presence of host inflammatory cells within or at the periphery of solid tumours has long been recognized, their biological and clinical significance remain the subject of conflicting reports. In view of their normally defensive role in vivo, leucocytes infiltrating tumours were originally believed to herald an immune response to the growing neoplasm. However, the spontaneous regression of tumours is a rare event, suggesting that once within the tumour milieu, the immunocompetence of these cells may be compromised. Moreover, recent evidence has indicated that subpopulations of TALs may behave in a more sinister manner, of potential detriment to the
The 2007 WHO Classification of Tumors of the Nervous System: Controversies in Surgical Neuropathology

Controversy surrounds the recent 2007 WHO Classification of Tumours of the Nervous System. A number of nosologic issues remain to be resolved, some a reflection of conceptual disagreement, others the result of inadequate data to permit their definitive resolution. Among these and discussed herein are (i) the nosologic place of highly anaplastic oligoastrocytic tumors, (ii) the forms and significance of microvascular changes in high‐grade gliomas, (iii) the makeup of the glioneuronal tumors category, (iv) the subclassification of pineal parenchymal tumors of intermediate type, and (v) the classification of principle forms of mesenchymal neoplasms, specifically hemangiopericytoma and solitary fibrous tumor. These issues and others are the substance of this and an upcoming companion article.
Diagnostic Accuracy of S100B Urinary Testing at Birth in Full-Term Asphyxiated Newborns to Predict Neonatal Death

Background Neonatal death in full-term infants who suffer from perinatal asphyxia (PA) is a major subject of investigation, since few tools exist to predict patients at risk of ominous outcome. We studied the possibility that urine S100B measurement may identify which PA-affected infants are at risk of early postnatal death. Methodology/Principal Findings In a cross-sectional study between January 1, 2001 and December 1, 2006 we measured S100B protein in urine collected from term infants (n = 132), 60 of whom suffered PA. According to their outcome at 7 days, infants with PA were subsequently classified either as asphyxiated infants complicated by hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy with no ominous outcome (HIE Group; n = 48), or as newborns who died within the first post-natal week (Ominous Outcome Group; n = 12). Routine laboratory variables, cerebral ultrasound, neurological patterns and urine concentrations of S100B protein were determined at first urination and after 24, 48 and 96 hours. The severity of illness in the first 24 hours after birth was measured using the Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology-Perinatal Extension (SNAP-PE). Urine S100B levels were higher from the first urination in the ominous outcome group than in healthy or HIE Groups (p<0.001 for all), and progressively increased. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a significant correlation between S100B concentrations and the occurrence of neonatal death. At a cut-off >1.0 µg/L S100B had a sensitivity/specificity of 100% for predicting neonatal death. Conclusions/Significance Increased S100B protein urine levels in term newborns suffering PA seem to suggest a higher risk of neonatal death for these infants.
Overexpression of the clpP 5′-Untranslated Region in a Chimeric Context Causes a Mutant Phenotype, Suggesting Competition for a clpP-Specific RNA Maturation Factor in Tobacco Chloroplasts1

The plastid ribosomal RNA (rrn) operon promoter was fused with DNA segments encoding the leader sequence (5′-untranslated region [UTR]) of plastid mRNAs to compare their efficiency in mediating translation of a bacterial protein neomycin phosphotransferase (NPTII) in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) chloroplasts. In young leaves, NPTII accumulated at 0.26% and 0.8% of the total soluble leaf protein from genes with theclpP and atpB 5′-UTR, respectively. Interestingly, expression of NPTII from the promoter with theclpP 5′-UTR (0.26% NPTII) caused a mutant (chlorotic) phenotype, whereas plants accumulating approximately 0.8% NPTII from the atpB 5′-UTR were normal green, indicating that the mutant phenotype was independent of NPTII accumulation. Low levels of monocistronic clpP mRNA and accumulation of intron-containing clpP transcripts in the chlorotic leaves suggest competition between the clpP 5′-UTR in the chimeric transcript and the native clpP pre-mRNA (ratio 16:1) for an mRNA maturation factor. Because maturation of 11 other intron-containing mRNAs was unaffected in the chlorotic leaves, it appears that the factor is clpP specific. The mutant phenotype is correlated with reduced levels (approximately 2 times) of the ClpP1 protease subunit, supporting an important role for ClpP1 in chloroplast development.
Prevalence of a history of shaking in persons 65 years of age and older: Diagnostic and functional correlates

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and functional and diagnostic correlates of reported shaking in the community‐dwelling elderly. We conducted a standardized neurological evaluation of 1,056 nondemented Medicare recipients in Washington Heights‐Inwood, Northern Manhattan (New York). Of 1,056 patients, 108 reported shaking (10.2%). The prevalence of reported shaking did not increase with age. It did differ between ethnic groups, but when adjusted for depression and score on the Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale, this difference was insignificant. The age‐adjusted prevalence was similar for women and men. Neurological examination of the 108 who reported shaking showed that 8.3% had tremor at rest, 17.6% had tremor with action, 5.6% had dyskinesia or chorea, and an additional 28.7% had various problems in coordination or movement. The remaining 39.8% had neither tremor nor problems in coordination or movement. Only 2.9% of individuals with reported shaking had Parkinson's disease (PD), 8.7% had essential tremor, and 2.1% had oral‐buccal‐lingual dyskinesia. Of the remaining 86.3%, 29 (31%) had no identifiable medical condition. Those who reported shaking were less independent with ADLs, regardless of presence of tremor on examination. Shaking is commonly reported by the community‐dwelling elderly. It does not necessarily identify individuals with essential tremor and PD, and is related to decreased independence in ADLs.
Spatial navigation in virtual reality — From animal models towards schizophrenia: Spatial cognition tests based on animal research

Schizophrenia is manifested in positive, negative and cognitive symptoms. Especially, the cognitive symptoms offer useful methodological approach for comparative studies using spatial navigation tasks in both, schizophrenia patients and animal models of cognitive deficit in schizophrenia. In order to demonstrate the deficit of spatial cognition in schizophrenia and to test the validity of pharmacological model, we designed two virtual tasks inspired by previous animal research: the virtual Morris water maze and Carousel maze. The newly-designed tasks require the tested subject to navigate toward several hidden goal positions placed on the floor of an enclosed stable arena or on a rotating arena. Data obtained in a group of schizophrenia patients and matched group of healthy volunteers show cognitive impairment in first episodes of schizophrenia using both, standardized neurocognitive methods and newly-developed virtual tests. The virtual test batteries show different involvement of navigation strategies and different level of impairment in schizophrenia patients. These findings indicate usefulness of these virtual methods in future cognitive remediation. Despite the fact, that both virtual tasks test spatial navigation towards hidden goal, obtained results are divided into partly different clusters using PCA, while performance parameters measured in the stable arena form a cluster mostly with tests of memory and executive functions; the rotating arena seems to be more related to performance tests dependent on timing, psychomotor speed and mental flexibility.
Selection and characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis strains from northwestern Himalayas toxic against Helicoverpa armigera

In this study, we present the selection and the characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains with respect to their cry/cyt gene content and toxicity evaluation toward one of the most important polyphagous lepidopteran pest, Helicoverpa armigera. Fifty‐six Bt isolates were obtained from 10 different regions of northwestern Himalayas, recording a total B. thuringiensis index of 0.62. Scanning electron microscopy revealed presence of bipyramidal, spherical, flat and irregular crystal shapes; SDS‐PAGE analysis of spore‐crystal mixtures showed the prominence of 130, 70, and 100 kDa protein bands in majority of the isolates; PCR analysis with primers for eight cry and cyt gene families and 13 cry gene subfamilies resulted in isolates showing different combinations of insecticidal genes. Strains containing cry1 were the most abundant (57.1%) followed by cyt2 (46.42%), cry11 (37.5%), cry2 (28.57%), cry4 (21.42%), cyt1 (19.64%), cry3 (8.9%), and cry7, 8 (7.14%). A total of 30.35% of the strains did not amplify with any of the primers used in this study. Median lethal concentration 50 (LC50) estimates of spore‐crystal mixtures of Bt‐JK12, 17, 22, 48, and 72 against second instar larvae of H. armigera was observed to be 184.62, 275.39, 256.29, 259.93 μg ml−1, respectively. B. thuringiensis presents great diversity with respect to the presence of crystal protein encoding genes and insecticidal activity. Four putative toxic isolates identified in this study have potential application in insect pest control. B. thuringiensis isolate JK12 exhibited higher toxicity against H. armigera than that of B. thuringiensis HD1, hence can be commercially exploited to control insect pest for sustainable crop production. The results of this study confirm the significance of continuous exploration of new Bt stains from different ecological regions of the world.
Friends, foes, and fringe: norms and structure in political discussion networks

Online discussion groups have a network structure that emerges from the interactions of thousands of participants, writing in thousands of topical threads. This structure varies greatly according to the type of discussion group, such as technical, fan or support. Political groups have their own distinctive structure, organized around ideologically polarized clusters of participants. Whereas in some other groups, individuals who vehemently disagree with the mainstream might be ignored or ostracized, in political groups most participants preferentially interact with "opponents" and ignore "friends. " And yet, there is a type of opponent whose ideas are so far from the field of debate as to be ignored by most or nearly all other participants. This difference is starkly apparent in network diagrams of discussion groups. The core of highly participative discussants contains opponents from different ideological clusters, tightly bound in debate. But fringe contributors, sometimes called "trolls", are relegated to peripheral positions by central actors' lack of interest in responding to their provocations or views. Network visualizations of this phenomenon illustrate how macro-level structure arises and is maintained by micro-level discursive choices.
Attitudes and related perceptions about product placement: a comparison of Finland, Italy and the United States

The primary goal of our study is to explore cross-national differences in attitudes and perceptions about product placements, after investigating measurement invariance. Our cross-national focus includes three countries that have not been compared previously: Finland, Italy and the USA, which differ significantly in terms of the evolution/maturity of product placement markets, regulatory structures and cultural contexts. Motivated by earlier studies, we investigate the cross-national measurement invariance of scales to measure four research constructs related to the product placement domain (attitude toward credibility of advertising, attitude toward advertising-in-general, attitude toward placement-in-general and attitude toward regulation of placements). Our research also extends earlier work focused on similar constructs from a cross-national perspective. Results from multi-group analyses using a structural equation modeling approach indicate important and statistically significant differences in latent means between the three countries for all four constructs of research interest. Substantive explanations of these differences and their implications for future practice and research are discussed.
Tinnitus Loudness in Quiet and Noise After Resection of Vestibular Schwannoma

Objectives: (1) To use a loudness model to assess the influence of loudness recruitment on estimates of the loudness of tinnitus obtained by loudness matching; (2) To compare the effect of background noise on the loudness of tinnitus for individuals who are unilaterally deaf after resection of vestibular schwannoma (VS) and those with idiopathic tinnitus. Background: After translabyrinthine resection of VS, patients experience unilateral deafness and tinnitus in the operated ear. Most complain that their tinnitus is more bothersome in noisy environments, unlike those with idiopathic tinnitus. Participants: Unilaterally deaf individuals experiencing tinnitus as a consequence of VS surgery and a comparison group with idiopathic tinnitus. Methods: Participants adjusted the level of a probe tone at the frequency where their hearing was best to match the loudness of their tinnitus in quiet; for VS participants, matches were made using a probe in the unaffected ear. Matches were then obtained in the presence of threshold-equalizing noise. Results: For those with idiopathic tinnitus, the probe loudness level, calculated using a loudness model, was almost invariant with hearing loss at the probe frequency and was usually between 20 and 50 phons. For the VS group, the probe loudness level ranged from 6 to 51 phons. With increasing threshold-equalizing-noise level, the loudness match decreased slightly for the comparison group but increased significantly for the VS group. Conclusion: The tinnitus in quiet had a moderate loudness for both groups. Background noise slightly decreased tinnitus loudness for most participants with idiopathic tinnitus but increased tinnitus loudness for VS participants. We propose 2 possible mechanisms for the effect of noise in the VS group.
Impact of Relative Humidity and Collection Media on Mycobacteriophage D29 Aerosol

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of aerosol generation, methods of sampling, storage conditions, and relative humidity on the culturability of the mycobacteriophage D29. The lytic phage D29 can kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the phage aerosol can be treated as a potential tool for tuberculosis treatment. The culturability of D29 was tested using a test chamber designed for the bioaerosols research against three spray liquids (deionized water, phosphate-buffered saline [PBS], and normal saline), four collection media (suspension medium [SM], nutrient broth, PBS, and deionized water), two sampling systems (the all-glass impinger AGI-30 and the Biosampler) and across a range of humidities (20 to 90%). The effect of storage conditions on the culturability of collected sample was also evaluated for the AGI-30 impinger. The results proved that viable phage D29 particles generated by deionized water were approximately 30- and 300-fold higher than PBS and normal saline, respectively. As collection media, SM buffer and nutrient broth were observed to yield a higher number of plaques compared to PBS and deionized water. No difference was observed in collection efficiency between AGI-30 and Biosampler with two detection methods (culture-based technique and real-time PCR). The culturability of collected D29 in SM buffer or nutrient broth can be maintained up to 12 h irrespective of storage temperature. Relative humidity was found to strongly influence airborne D29 culturability which is 2- to 20-fold higher in low humidity (25%) than medium (55%) or high (85%) humidity. This research will help identify the optimal means for the application of D29 aerosol in animal inhalation experiments.