Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cortisol pretreatment enhances the lung growth response to tracheal obstruction in fetal sheep.

We have investigated whether cortisol pretreatment of sheep fetuses will result in a greater liquid accumulation within the lung and a greater lung growth response to obstruction of the fetal trachea. Chronically catheterized fetal sheep received either 1) a cortisol infusion at an increasing dose (1.5-4.0 mg/day) from days 118 to 127 of gestation; the fetal trachea was then obstructed from days 128 to 131 of gestation ( n = 4); 2) a saline infusion from days 118 to 127 of gestation; the fetal trachea was then obstructed from days 128 to 131 of gestation ( n = 4); or 3) a saline infusion from days 118 to 127 of gestation with no period of tracheal obstruction (control; n = 4). Fetal tracheal pressures were measured from days 128 to 131 of gestation, whereas lung liquid secretion rates and volumes were measured on days 118, 128, and 131 of gestation. On day 131 of gestation, all fetuses were given an intravenous injection of [3H]thymidine and were killed 8 h later. Cortisol pretreatment increased the volume of liquid that accumulated within the fetal lung from 69.5 ± 4.1 to 96.1 ± 14.1 ml/kg after 3 days of tracheal obstruction. Similarly, cortisol pretreatment significantly enhanced the increase in lung DNA content from 257.4 ± 11.0 to 309.1 ± 16.3 mg/kg after 3 days of tracheal obstruction. We conclude that pretreatment of fetuses with cortisol increases the volume of liquid that accumulates after tracheal obstruction and, as a result, increases the fetal lung growth response to tracheal obstruction.
Glibenclamide blocks volume-sensitive Cl- channels by dual mechanisms.

To study the mechanisms of glibenclamide actions on volume-sensitive Cl-channels, whole cell patch-clamp studies were performed at various pH levels in human epithelial Intestine 407 cells. Extracellular application of glibenclamide reversibly suppressed volume-sensitive Cl- currents in the entire range of voltage examined (-100 to +100 mV) and accelerated the depolarization-induced inactivation at pH 7.5. When glibenclamide was applied from the intracellular side, in contrast, no effect was observed. At acidic pH, at which the weak acid glibenclamide exists largely in the uncharged form, the instantaneous current was, in a voltage-independent manner, suppressed by the extracellular drug at micromolar concentrations without significantly affecting the depolarization-induced inactivation. At alkaline pH, at which almost all of the drug is in the charged form, glibenclamide speeded the inactivation time course and induced a leftward shift of the steady-state inactivation curve at much higher concentrations. Thus it is concluded that glibenclamide exerts inhibiting actions on swelling-activated Cl-channels from the extracellular side and that the uncharged form is mainly responsible for voltage-independent inhibition of instantaneous currents, whereas the anionic form facilitates voltage-dependent channel inactivation in human epithelial Intestine 407 cells.
Multi-Character Physical and Behavioral Interactions Controller

We extend the quadratic program (QP)-based task-space character control approach—initially intended for individual character animation—to multiple characters interacting among each other or with mobile/articulated elements of the environment. The interactions between the characters can be either physical interactions, such as contacts that can be established or broken at will between them and for which the forces are subjected to Newton’s third law, or behavioral interactions, such as collision avoidance and cooperation that naturally emerge to achieve collaborative tasks from high-level specifications. We take a systematic approach integrating all the equations of motions of the characters, objects, and articulated environment parts in a single QP formulation in order to embrace and solve the most general instance of the problem, where independent individual character controllers would fail to account for the inherent coupling of their respective motions through those physical and behavioral interactions. Various types of motions/behaviors are controlled with only the one single formulation that we propose, and some examples of the original motions the framework allows are presented in the accompanying video.
Finding Silver Linings: A Preliminary Examination of Benefit Finding in Youth With Chronic Pain

Background Chronic pain is a pervasive condition in adolescence and is associated with significant psychological distress, functional disability, social isolation, and decreased quality of life for a subset of affected youth. There is a paucity of research examining potential resilience factors and adaptive processes in pediatric chronic pain. Benefit finding refers to the process of perceiving positive consequences in the face of adversity. Previous research on benefit finding in pediatric samples (e.g., oncology; acute injury) has yielded inconsistent results. This is the first study to examine this construct in youth with chronic pain. Objective The objective of the current investigation was to extend previous research on benefit finding to adolescents with chronic pain and to assess relationships between benefit finding, internalizing mental health symptoms (i.e., anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]), pain outcomes (pain intensity and interference), and quality of life. Methods Psychometrically sound self-report measures of benefit finding, anxiety, depressive, and PTSD symptoms, pain intensity, pain interference, and quality of life were completed by 145 youth (67.4% female, Mage = 13.3 years, SD = 2.6), referred to a tertiary-level chronic pain program. Results Benefit finding was significantly correlated with internalizing mental health symptoms, pain outcomes, and quality of life. Further, benefit finding significantly predicted children's self-reported pain intensity, pain interference, and quality of life when controlling for age and sex. Conclusions Findings suggest that benefit finding is associated with internalizing mental health symptoms, pain outcomes, and quality of life in youth with chronic pain. Future research examining this construct is warranted.
Updating Perspectives on the Initiation of Bacillus anthracis Growth and Dissemination through Its Host

ABSTRACT Since 1957, it has been proposed that the dissemination of inhalational anthrax required spores to be transported from the lumena of the lungs into the lymphatic system. In 2002, this idea was expanded to state that alveolar macrophages act as a “Trojan horse” capable of transporting spores across the lung epithelium into draining mediastinal lymph nodes. Since then, the Trojan horse model of dissemination has become the most widely cited model of inhalational infection as well as the focus of the majority of studies aiming to understand events initiating inhalational anthrax infections. However, recent observations derived from animal models of Bacillus anthracis infection are inconsistent with aspects of the Trojan horse model and imply that bacterial dissemination patterns during inhalational infection may be more similar to the cutaneous and gastrointestinal forms than previously thought. In light of these studies, it is of significant importance to reassess the mechanisms of inhalational anthrax dissemination, since it is this form of anthrax that is most lethal and of greatest concern when B. anthracis is weaponized. Here we propose a new “jailbreak” model of B. anthracis dissemination which applies to the dissemination of all common manifestations of the disease anthrax. The proposed model impacts the field by deemphasizing the role of host cells as conduits for dissemination and increasing the role of phagocytes as central players in innate defenses, while moving the focus toward interactions between B. anthracis and lymphoid and epithelial tissues.
Age-related differences in the pancreatic β-cell response to hyperglycemia after eccentric exercise.

Eccentric exercise (ECC) causes muscle damage, insulin resistance, and increased pancreatic β-cell secretion in young individuals. However, the effects of age on the pancreatic β-cell response to glucose after ECC are unknown. Hyperglycemic clamps (180 min, 10.0 mM) were performed on eight young (age 22 ± 1 yr) and eight older (age 66 ± 2 yr) healthy sedentary males without exercise (CONT) and 48 h after ECC. ECC increased ( P < 0.02) muscle soreness ratings and plasma creatine kinase concentrations in both groups. Insulin and C-peptide secretions were similar between young and older subjects during CONT clamps. ECC increased ( P < 0.05) first-phase (0-10 min) C-peptide area under the curve in young (4.2 ± 0.4 vs. 3.7 ± 0.6 nM ⋅ min; ECC vs. CONT, respectively) but not in older subjects (3.2 ± 0.7 vs. 3.5 ± 0.7 nM ⋅ min; ECC vs. CONT), with significant group differences ( P < 0.02). Indeed, ECC repressed ( P < 0.05) first-phase peak C-peptide concentrations in older subjects (0.93 ± 0.16 vs. 1.12 ± 0.11 nM; ECC vs. CONT). Moreover, first-phase C-peptide-to-insulin molar ratios suggest age-related differences ( P < 0.05) in insulin/C-peptide clearance after ECC. Furthermore, the observed C-peptide response after ECC was related to abdominal adiposity [ r = -0.62, P < 0.02, and r = -0.66, P < 0.006, for first and second (10-180 min) phases, respectively]. In conclusion, older individuals did not exhibit the compensatory increase in β-cell secretion observed among young individuals after ECC. Thus, with increasing age, the pancreatic β-cell may be less responsive to the physiological stress associated with ECC.
Post-Fire Assessment of Unbonded Post-Tensioned Concrete Slabs: Strand Deterioration and Prestress Loss

iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . v TABLE OF CONTENTS. vii LIST OF TABLES.x LIST OF FIGURES . xii NOTATION.xvi CHAPTER 1 – Introduction.1 1.0 General . 1 1.1 Evolution of Prestressed Concrete . 1 1.2 Pretensioning and Post-Tensioning.2 1.3 Susceptibility of Prestressed Structures to Fire Damage . 3 1.3. 1 Cold-drawn Prestressing Steel . 5 1.3. 2 Normal Strength Concrete . 6 1.4 Rehabilitation of Fire Damaged Unbonded Post-tensioned Slabs . 7 1.5 Research Objectives.8 1.6 Outline of Thesis.9 CHAPTER 2 – Literature Review . 14 2.0 General . 14 2.1 Properties of Cold-drawn Prestressing Steel.14 2.1.1 General . 14 2.1.2 Manufacturing of Seven-Wire Strand.14 2.1.3 Stress Relieving vs. Strain Tempering.16 2.1.4 Chemical Composition of Cold-Drawn Wire . 17 2.1.5 Young’s Modulus.17 2.1.6 Tensile Strength . 18 2.1. 7 Thermal Expansion . 19 2.1. 8 The Physical Effect of Heat Treatment on Cold-Worked Metals.19 2.2 Prestressing Steel after Exposure to Elevated Temperatures.20 2.2.1 General . 20 2.2.2 Historical Review.20 2.2.3 Models Describing the Residual Strength of Cold-Drawn Prestressing Steel . 26 2.2.4 Summary . 27 2.3 Relaxation of Seven-Wire Strand as a Result of Elevated Temperatures.28 2.3. 1 General . 28 2.3. 2 Elevated Temperature Relaxation Tests . 29 2.3. 3 Elevated Temperature Creep Behaviour . 30 2.3. 4 Elevated Temperature Relaxation Behaviour . 33 2.4 Fire Endurance . 34 2.4. 1 General . 34 2.4. 2 Post-Tensioned Slabs . 35
Glymphatic MRI in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus

The glymphatic system has been shown in animal studies to support the clearance of waste metabolites from the brain interstitial space. Using MRI, Ringstad et al. visualize the glymphatic system for the first time in humans. Glymphatic clearance is sleep-dependent and is impaired in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus.
Gene Expression Profile Analysis is Directly Affected by the Selected Reference Gene: The Case of Leaf-Cutting Atta Sexdens

Although several ant species are important targets for the development of molecular control strategies, only a few studies focus on identifying and validating reference genes for quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) data normalization. We provide here an extensive study to identify and validate suitable reference genes for gene expression analysis in the ant Atta sexdens, a threatening agricultural pest in South America. The optimal number of reference genes varies according to each sample and the result generated by RefFinder differed about which is the most suitable reference gene. Results suggest that the RPS16, NADH and SDHB genes were the best reference genes in the sample pool according to stability values. The SNF7 gene expression pattern was stable in all evaluated sample set. In contrast, when using less stable reference genes for normalization a large variability in SNF7 gene expression was recorded. There is no universal reference gene suitable for all conditions under analysis, since these genes can also participate in different cellular functions, thus requiring a systematic validation of possible reference genes for each specific condition. The choice of reference genes on SNF7 gene normalization confirmed that unstable reference genes might drastically change the expression profile analysis of target candidate genes.
Children with acute leukemia: A comparison of outcomes from allogeneic blood stem cell and bone marrow transplantation

The relative merits of peripheral blood stem‐cell transplantation (PBSCT) versus bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for children with standard and high‐risk hematologic malignancies remain unclear. In a retrospective study, we compared allogeneic PBSCT (n = 30) with BMT (n = 110) in children with acute leukemia between January 2001 and September 2006.
Electrochemical properties of reduced graphene oxide derived through camphor assisted combustion of graphite oxide.

A facile method was demonstrated for the one-step synthesis of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) from graphite oxide (GO) using a camphor assisted combustion (CAC) process. Analysis of samples was carried out using FT-IR, XRD, TGA, Raman, BET, SEM and TEM techniques. The electrochemical properties of the rGO samples derived through the CAC process were determined using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge and impedance spectroscopy. It has been observed that the specific surface area and porosity of the rGO samples decrease with the increasing concentration of camphor during the CAC synthesis process. Thus, different mass ratios of GO and camphor such as 1 : 12, 1 : 16, and 1 : 20 in the CAC process yield rGO samples having surface areas (SBET) of 313.3, 297.5 and 177.4 m2 g-1. The pore volumes of the respective samples are 0.44, 0.45 and 0.23 cm3 g-1, respectively. The rGO derived using the 1 : 12 mass ratio of GO and camphor (rGO-12C) exhibits a high specific capacitance of 241 F g-1, which is significantly higher than that observed for chemically reduced graphene oxide (rGO-CR), which exhibits a specific capacitance value of only 153 F g-1. The capacitance retention of rGO-12C was found to be 98% even after 1000 galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) cycles, suggesting its potential applications in electrochemical energy storage.
Different Patterns of Walking and Postprandial Triglycerides in Older Women

Purpose Although a single bout of continuous exercise (≥30 min) reduces postprandial triglyceride (TG), little evidence is available regarding the effect of multiple short (⩽10 min) bouts of exercise on postprandial TG in individuals at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. This study compared the effects of different patterns of walking on postprandial TG in postmenopausal, older women with hypertriglyceridemia. Methods Twelve inactive women (mean age ± SD, 71 ± 5 yr) with hypertriglyceridemia (fasting TG ≥1.70 mmol·L−1) completed three, 1-d laboratory-based trials in a random order: 1) control, 2) continuous walking, and 3) multiple short bouts of walking. On the control trial, participants sat in a chair for 8 h. For the walking trials, participants walked briskly in either one 30-min bout in the morning (0900–0930 h) or twenty 90-s bouts over 8 h. Except for walking, both exercise trials mimicked the control trial. In each trial, participants consumed a standardized breakfast (0800 h) and lunch (1100 h). Venous blood samples were collected in the fasted state and at 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after breakfast. Results The serum TG incremental area under the curve was 35% and 33% lower on the continuous and multiple short bouts of walking trials than that on the control trial (8.2 ± 3.1 vs 8.5 ± 5.4 vs 12.7 ± 5.8 mmol per 8 h·L−1, respectively; main effect of trial: effect size = 0.459, P = 0.001). Conclusions Accumulating walking in short bouts limits postprandial TG in at-risk, inactive older women with fasting hypertriglyceridemia.
The Short-Term Impact of Dietary Counseling on Sodium Intake and Blood Pressure in Renal Allograft Recipients

Background: Sodium retention causes posttransplant hypertension, and sodium restriction is recommended in kidney allograft recipients. However, there have been few studies on the impact of dietary counseling on sodium intake and blood pressure (BP) in this population. Objective: To determine the effect of dietary counseling on sodium intake and consequent BP control in kidney allograft recipients. Design, Setting, and Participants: A prospective single-arm study to determine the effect of dietary counseling on sodium intake. Enrolled were renal allograft recipients with sodium intake >100 mEq/d, BP >130/80, antihypertensive use, or body mass index >25 kg/m2. Of 53 renal transplant recipients who met the criteria, 48 participated in the present study. Sodium intake was estimated based on 24-hour urinary sodium excretion before and after 3 sessions of dietary counseling by a board-certified dietitian. Results: Sodium intake was significantly decreased after dietary counseling (158.7 vs 129.6 mEq/d; P = .005). Systolic BP was significantly decreased from 124 mm Hg (interquartile range: 122-134) before counseling to 121 mm Hg (interquartile range: 117-128) after counseling (P < .001). The number of patients with systolic BP >130 mm Hg was decreased by 30% (n = 19-13; P = .07). Among 34 patients on antihypertensive medications, 8 (23.5%) ceased or reduced their drugs due to improvement in BP, whereas 2 increased or changed the drugs due to poor control of BP. Conclusion: Dietary counseling showed a short-term efficacy of reducing sodium intake and clinically relevant BP improvement in renal allograft recipients.
Association of Surgeon Age and Experience With Congenital Heart Surgery Outcomes

Background— Surgeon experience concerns both families of children with congenital heart disease and medical providers. Relationships between surgeon seniority and patient outcomes are often assumed, yet there are little data. Methods and Results— This national study used linked data from the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons-Congenital Heart Surgery Database to examine associations between surgeon years since medical school and major morbidity/mortality for children undergoing cardiac surgery. Sensitivity analyses explored the effects of patient characteristics, institutional/surgeon volumes, and various measures of institutional surgeon team experience. In secondary analyses, major morbidity and mortality were examined as separate end points. We identified 206 congenital heart surgeons from 91 centers performing 62 851 index operations (2010–2014). Median time from school was 25 years (range 9–55 years). A major morbidity/mortality occurred in 11.5% of cases. In multivariable analyses, the odds of major morbidity/mortality were similar for early-career (<15 years from medical school, ≈<40 years old), midcareer (15–24 years, ≈40–50 years old), and senior surgeons (25–35 years, ≈50–60 years old). The odds of major morbidity/mortality were ≈25% higher for operations performed by very senior surgeons (35–55 years from school, ≈60–80 years old; n=9044 cases). Results were driven by differences in morbidity. In extensive sensitivity analyses, these effects remained constant. Conclusions— In this study of >200 congenital heart surgeons, we found patient outcomes for surgeons with the fewest years of experience to be comparable to those of their midcareer and senior colleagues, within the context of existing referral and support practices. Very senior surgeons had higher risk-adjusted odds of major morbidity/mortality. Contemporary approaches to training, referral, mentoring, surgical planning, and other support practices might contribute to the observed outcomes of junior congenital heart surgeons being comparable to those of more experienced colleagues. Understanding and disseminating these practices might benefit the medical community at large.
Stretch-induced protection shares a common mechanism with ischemic preconditioning in rabbit heart.

We sought to determine whether stretch-induced preconditioning may be related to activation of adenosine receptors, ATP-sensitive K+([Formula: see text]) channels, and/or protein kinase C (PKC) in the rabbit heart. Anesthetized rabbits underwent 30 min of coronary artery occlusion followed by 3 h of reperfusion. Ischemic preconditioning was induced by one episode of 5 min of ischemia followed by 5 min of reperfusion, and stretch preconditioning was induced by a transient volume overload. The abilities of gadolinium (Gd3+), a blocker of stretch-activated channels, glibenclamide (Glib), a blocker of [Formula: see text] channels, 8-( p-sulfophenyl)-theophylline (8-SPT), a blocker of adenosine receptors, and polymyxin B (PMXB), an antagonist of PKC, to prevent the infarct size-limiting effect of stretch-induced preconditioning were evaluated. Because the infarct size-reducing effect of stretch occurred in the absence of ischemia and was prevented by previous administration of Gd3+, Glib, 8-SPT, and PMXB, we propose that activation of mechanosensitive ion channels protects the rabbit heart from subsequent sustained ischemic insult, likely through a mechanism that involves downstream activation of PKC, adenosine receptors, and/or [Formula: see text] channels.
MicroRNA-1 and MicroRNA-21 Individually Regulate Cellular Growth of Non-malignant and Malignant Renal Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIM Due to its poor prognosis, it is increasingly necessary to understand the biology of renal cell cancer (RCC). Therefore, we investigated the role of microRNAs miR-1 and miR-21 in the growth of RCC cells compared to that of non-malignant renal cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four malignant cell lines (Caki-1, 786-O, RCC4, A498) were examined regarding their cell growth, microRNA and telomerase expression, and were compared to non-malignant RC-124 renal cells. RESULTS Inconsistencies appeared in the panel of RCC cells regarding antiproliferative and proliferative properties of miR-1 and miR-21, respectively. Notably, and most likely due to immortaliziation, non-malignant RC-124 cells exhibited telomerase expression and activity. CONCLUSION miR-1 and miR-21 functionality in cancer progression, particularly in tumor growth, may be more dependent on the individual cellular context and may reflect RCC heterogeneity. Thus, both microRNAs, in combination with other stratifying biomarkers, may be useful in terms of RCC diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment response.
Early body composition, but not body mass, is associated with future accelerated decline in muscle quality

Muscle quality (MQ) or strength‐to‐mass ratio declines with aging, but the rate of MQ change with aging is highly heterogeneous across individuals. The identification of risk factors for accelerated MQ decline may offer clues to identity the underpinning physiological mechanisms and indicate targets for prevention and treatment. Using data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, we tested whether measures of body mass and body composition are associated with differential rates of changes in MQ with aging.