Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Long-Term Music Therapy Intervention on Autonomic Function in Anthracycline-Treated Breast Cancer Patients

Anthracyclines are potent antineoplastic agents associated with cardiotoxicity, which may lead to congestive heart failure, causing impairment of autonomic cardiovascular function as assessed by heart rate variability (HRV). This decreases survival rates. This study aimed to determine whether music therapy intervention improves autonomic function in anthracycline-treated breast cancer patients, and if so, whether such improvements persist after cessation of the intervention. Participants were 12 women with breast cancer who had undergone mastectomy or breast-conserving treatment and adjuvant chemotherapy; they attended 8 weekly music therapy sessions, each lasting 2 hours. Electrocardiogram traces (5 minutes) for HRV analysis were recorded 4 times: prior to the first music session, T1; after the fourth music session, T2; after the eighth music session, T3; and 4 weeks after the completion of music therapy, T4. HRV parameters were subjected to a nonparametric Friedman test on the differences between T1 and T2, T3, and T4. The standard deviation of normal intervals and the total power of HRV parameters, related to global autonomic function, were significantly higher at T3 than at T1. The root-mean-square differences of successive normal R–R intervals and high-frequency (HF) HRV parameters, related to parasympathetic activity, were significantly increased, but no change was seen in the LF/HF ratio of HRV parameters (which is related to sympathetic activity) during the music therapy. Global autonomic function and parasympathetic activity had not changed significantly at T4 relative to T1. The authors provide preliminary evidence of the benefits of music therapy for anthracycline-treated breast cancer survivors.
Recursive Concurrent Stochastic Games

We study Recursive Concurrent Stochastic Games (RCSGs), extending our recent analysis of recursive simple stochastic games [14, 15] to a concurrent setting where the two players choose moves simultaneously and independently at each state. For multi-exit games, our earlier work already showed undecidability for basic questions like termination, thus we focus on the important case of single-exit RCSGs (1-RCSGs) We first characterize the value of a 1-RCSG termination game as the least fixed point solution of a system of nonlinear minimax functional equations, and use it to show PSPACE decidability for the quantitative termination problem. We then give a strategy improvement technique, which we use to show that player 1 (maximizer) has e-optimal randomized Stackless & Memoryless (r-SM) strategies, while player 2 (minimizer) has optimal r-SM strategies. Thus, such games are r-SM-determined. These results mirror and generalize in a strong sense the randomized memoryless determinacy results for finite stochastic games, and extend the classic Hoffman-Karp [19] strategy improvement approach from the finite to an infinite state setting. The proofs in our infinite-state setting are very different however We show that our upper bounds, even for qualitative termination, can not be improved without a major breakthrough, by giving two reductions: first a P-time reduction from the long-standing square-root sum problem to the quantitative termination decision problem for finite concurrent stochastic games, and then a P-time reduction from the latter problem to the qualitative termination problem for 1-RCSGs
of incremental development Balancing sampling and specialization : an adaptationist model

Supplementary data tml http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing. org/content/suppl/2011/04/05/rspb.2011. 0055.DC1. h "Data Supplement" References ml#ref-list-1 http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing. org/content/early/2011/04/05/rspb.2011. 0055.full. ht This article cites 32 articles, 8 of which can be accessed free P<P Published online 13 April 2011 in advance of the print journal. Subject collections (2606 articles) evolution  (2309 articles) ecology  (248 articles) developmental biology  Articles on similar topics can be found in the following collections
Pesticide use and residues on Queensland wool.

OBJECTIVE To determine practices for control of louse infestation and blowfly strike in Queensland sheep flocks that are associated with organophosphorous and synthetic pyrethroid residues on wool. DESIGN Information on residues was obtained from a survey of Queensland wool clips. Information on pesticide use was obtained from a trace-back postal survey. The association between pesticide use and residues was assessed using generalised linear models, controlling for potential confounding by flock location. PROCEDURE Between 1995 and 1997 Queensland wool clips were randomly sampled. Samples were tested for the presence and amount (mg per kg of greasy wool) of organophosphorous and synthetic pyrethroid pesticides. A questionnaire seeking information on flock characteristics and pesticide use was sent to the manager of each flock from which a wool sample was tested. RESULTS The median amount of OP and SP residue was 0.8 and 0.25 mg/kg, respectively, and 91 and 95% of wool samples contained < 8 mg/kg of OP and SP residues, respectively. The frequency of OP pesticide use for louse control was significantly (P = 0.005) associated with mean OP residue amount, and the timing of SP use for louse control, in relation to shearing, was significantly (P < 0.001) associated with mean SP residue amount. CONCLUSION Most Queensland wool clips have acceptable amounts of residues after the use of OP and SP pesticides, but wool growers can further reduce residues by effectively controlling louse infestation with pesticide applications early after shearing and the use of non-chemical methods of ectoparasite control.
HDL-C: clinical equipoise and vascular endothelial function

Serum levels of HDL cholesterol represent a strong, and coherent cardiovascular risk marker seen across all populations, with higher levels of HDL cholesterol being associated with decreased incidence of coronary artery disease. The cardiovascular protective effects of HDL particles are attributed, in great part, to the ability of HDL particles to promote cellular cholesterol efflux from lipid-laden macrophages within the atherosclerotic plaque. HDL also has pleiotropic effects that protect the vascular wall, at least in vitro. These effects include potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and the modulation of vascular endothelial function. The mechanisms by which HDL exert their function on the vascular endothelium is dependent on HDL particle size, protein (proteome) and lipid (lipidome). The cooperative binding of HDL via SR-BI and G-coupled S1PR1-5 receptors mediates phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase at residue 1177 through AKT signaling, preventing uncoupling of NADPH oxidation and nitric oxide synthesis and increasing endothelial nitric oxide synthase abundance. Furthermore, HDL can modulate the activation of NF-κB and the expression of cell adhesion molecules, an early step in endothelial dysfunction. In the present review the authors will focus on the controversies surrounding HDL, clinical treatments and vascular endothelial functions of HDL.
Oil and oleoresin of turmeric.

12 tumeric cultivars which are commonly grown in India were analysed in order to determine their suitability for the extraction of oil and oleoresin. Their volatile oil content ranged from 2.5 to 7.2% and their curcumin content from 1.8 to 5.4%. The release of oil during distillation was slow because of the presence of high-boiling sesquiterpene derivatives. The bright yellow colour of tumeric was found, by TLC to be due to curcumin and to 2 other related pigments with the same absorption max. (425 nm) in the visible region. Acetone, alcohol and ethylene dichloride were found to be suitable for extracting the oleoresin from tumeric. Both the Soxhlet and the cold percolation extraction methods gave good yield of oleoresin, with a good recovery of curcumin ( greater than 85%), when finely ground spice ( greater than 60 mesh) was used. Bench-scale extractions, by stainless steel columns and a distillation unit, gave tumeric oleoresin which conformed to specifications of the Essential Oil Association, USA.
A Methodology for Flash Drought Identification: Application of Flash Drought Frequency across the United States

With the increasing use of the term “flash drought” within the scientific community, Otkin et al. provide a general definition that identifies flash droughts based on their unusually rapid rate of intensification. This study presents an objective percentile-based methodology that builds upon that work by identifying flash droughts using standardized evaporative stress ratio (SESR) values and changes in SESR over some period of time. Four criteria are specified to identify flash droughts: two that emphasize the vegetative impacts of flash drought and two that focus on the rapid rate of intensification. The methodology was applied to the North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) to develop a 38-yr flash drought climatology (1979–2016) across the United States. It was found that SESR derived from NARR data compared well with the satellite-based evaporative stress index for four previously identified flash drought events. Furthermore, four additional flash drought cases were compared with the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM), and SESR rapidly declined 1–2 weeks before a response was evident with the USDM. From the climatological analysis, a hot spot of flash drought occurrence was revealed over the Great Plains, the Corn Belt, and the western Great Lakes region. Relatively few flash drought events occurred over mountainous and arid regions. Flash droughts were categorized based on their rate of intensification, and it was found that the most intense flash droughts occurred over the central Great Plains, Corn Belt, and western Great Lakes region.
A Novel Role for Adipose Ephrin-B1 in Inflammatory Response

Aims Ephrin-B1 (EfnB1) was selected among genes of unknown function in adipocytes or adipose tissue and subjected to thorough analysis to understand its role in the development of obesity. Methods and Results EfnB1 mRNA and protein levels were significantly decreased in adipose tissues of obese mice and such reduction was mainly observed in mature adipocytes. Exposure of 3T3-L1 adipocytes to tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and their culture with RAW264.7 cells reduced EFNB1 levels. Knockdown of adipose EFNB1 increased monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (Mcp-1) mRNA level and augmented the TNF-α-mediated THP-1 monocyte adhesion to adipocytes. Adenovirus-mediated adipose EFNB1-overexpression significantly reduced the increase in Mcp-1 mRNA level induced by coculture of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with RAW264.7 cells. Monocyte adherent assay showed that adipose EfnB1-overexpression significantly decreased the increase of monocyte adhesion by coculture with RAW264.7 cells. TNF-α-induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) was reduced by EFNB1-overexpression. Conclusions EFNB1 contributes to the suppression of adipose inflammatory response. In obesity, reduction of adipose EFNB1 may accelerate the vicious cycle involved in adipose tissue inflammation.
Long‐term administration of pirfenidone improves cardiac function in mdx mice

Duchenne muscular dystrophy, an X‐linked recessive neuromuscular disorder due to lack of the protein dystrophin, manifests as progressive muscle degeneration and cardiomyopathy with increased fibrosis. The exact mechanisms involved in fibrosis are unknown, but a cytokine, transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β), is a likely mediator. This study tested whether the TGF‐β antagonist, pirfenidone, could reduce cardiac fibrosis. Eight‐month‐old mdx mice were treated for 7 months with 0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.2% pirfenidone in drinking water; untreated water was given to control mdx and C57 mice. Mice treated with 0.8% and 1.2% pirfendone had lowered cardiac TGF‐β mRNA and improved in vitro cardiac contractility (P < 0.05) to levels consistent with C57 mice, yet without a change in cardiac stiffness or fibrosis. These results show that the TGF‐β antagonist, pirfenidone, can improve cardiac function in mdx mice, potentially providing a new avenue for developing cardiac therapies for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Detection of a Compact X-Ray Source in the Supernova Remnant G29.6+0.1: A Variable Anomalous X-Ray Pulsar?

We present follow-up observations of the serendipitously discovered 7 s X-ray pulsar AX J1845-0258, which displays characteristics similar to those observed in the anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs). We find a dramatic reduction in its 3-10 keV flux in both new ASCA and Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer data sets. Within the pulsar's position error locus, we find a faint point source, AX J184453-025640, surrounded by an arc of diffuse X-ray emission. This arc is coincident with the southeast quadrant of the radio shell of the newly discovered supernova remnant G29.6+0.1, recently reported by Gaensler et al. Lack of sufficient flux from the source prevents us from confirming the 7 s pulsed emission observed in the bright state; hence, at present we cannot definitively resolve whether AX J1845-0258 and AX J184453-025640 are one and the same. If they are the same, then the peak-to-peak luminosity changes recorded for AX J1845-0258 may be larger than seen in other AXPs; closer monitoring of this pulsar might lead to a resolution on the mechanism that drives AXPs.
Vasomotor responses of newly developed coronary collateral vessels.

Well-developed coronary collateral vessels contain an abundant muscular media and can undergo active vasomotion. However, early after coronary occlusion, coronary collateral vessels are thin walled with little smooth muscle, suggesting that vasomotor capability might be limited. Consequently, this study determined whether newly developed coronary collateral vessels have active vasomotor activity and whether endothelial function in these newly developed vessels is impaired. Retrograde blood flow was measured as an index of coronary collateral blood flow approximately 2 wk after embolic occlusion of the anterior descending coronary artery of dogs. Agonists were administered into the left main coronary artery to reach collaterals originating from the left coronary system. Baseline retrograde blood flow was 25.1 +/- 2.7 ml/min and increased to 36.7 +/- 3.7 ml/min after nitroglycerin (6 micrograms.kg-1.min-1, P < 0.05). Cyclooxygenase blockade with indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.v.) decreased retrograde collateral blood flow to 16.8 +/- 2.3 ml/min (P < 0.05). Subsequent administration of acetylcholine increased retrograde flow to 29.4 +/- 3.7 ml/min (P < 0.05), indicating intact endothelium-mediated vasodilation. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase with NG-nitro-L-arginine further decreased coronary collateral retrograde flow to 12.0 +/- 2.8 ml/min (P < 0.05) and markedly blunted the response to acetylcholine. These findings demonstrate substantial vasomotor capability even early during coronary collateral development and indicate that both nitric oxide and cyclooxygenase-dependent endothelial mechanisms are intact.
Regulation of Ventricular Contraction: Influence of Cardiac Sympathetic and Vagal Nerve Stimulation on Atrial and Ventricular Dynamics

At constant heart rates, efferent stimulation of the vagus nerve and of the left stellate ganglion revealed the following: 1. Vagal stimulation exerts a profound depressant effect on the strength of the atrial contraction and can thereby influence ventricular filling and ventricular stroke work; it elevates mean atrial pressure at any given level of ventricular stroke work. This occurs under experimental conditions wherein the vagal stimulation used does not produce an alteration in the performance characteristics of the ventricle. The effects of vagal stimulation are blocked by atropine. 2. Stellate ganglion stimulation or norepinephrine infusion augments the strength of atrial contraction and thus the atrial contribution to ventricular filling. The augmented atrial contraction takes place in a shorter period of time. 3. Stellate ganglion stimulation or norepinephrine infusion increases the external stroke work and power produced by the ventricle from any given mean atrial pressure and from any given end-diastolic pressure or fiber length.4. There is a family of curves representing the relation between end-diastolic fiber length and stroke work, as well as a family of curves representing the relation between mean atrial or end-diastolic pressure and stroke work.5. When taken together with the well-known sympathetic and parasympathetic effects on heart rate, the above data are believed to comprise a reasonably comprehensive description of the means available to the central nervous system for directly inducing acute changes in the activity of the heart.
Sequential differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in an agarose scaffold promotes a physis‐like zonal alignment of chondrocytes

Chondrocytes of the epiphyseal growth plate (physis) differentiate and mature in defined linear zones. The current study examines the differentiation of human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) into zonal physeal cartilage. hBMSCs were embedded in an agarose scaffold with only the surface of the scaffold in direct contact with the culture medium. The cells were differentiated using a two‐step system involving the sequential addition of TGFβ followed by BMP2. The resultant samples displayed a heterogenic population of physis‐like collagen type 2 positive cells including proliferating chondrocytes and mature chondrocytes showing hypertrophy, expression of early bone markers and matrix mineralization. Histological analysis revealed a physis‐like linear zonal alignment of chondrocytes in varying stages of differentiation. The less mature chondrocytes were seen at the base of the construct while hypertrophic chondrocytes and matrix mineralization was observed closer to the surface of the construct. The described differentiation protocol using hBMSCs in an agarose scaffold can be used to study the factors and conditions that influence the differentiation, proliferation, maturation, and zonal alignment of physeal chondrocytes. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:1753–1759, 2012
Is discrimination enhanced at the boundaries of perceptual categories? A negative case

The human visual system imposes discrete perceptual categories on the continuous input space that is represented by the ratios of excitations of the cones in the retina. Is discrimination enhanced at the boundaries between perceptual hues, in the way that discrimination may be enhanced at the boundaries between speech sounds in hearing? In the chromaticity diagram, the locus of unique green separates colours that appear yellowish from those that appear bluish. Using a two-alternative spatial forced choice and an adapting field equivalent to the Daylight Illuminant D65, we measured chromatic discrimination along lines orthogonal to the locus of unique green. In experimental runs interleaved with these performance measurements, we obtained estimates of the phenomenological boundary from the same observers. No enhancement of objectively measured discrimination was observed at the category boundary between yellowish and bluish hues. Instead, thresholds were minimal at chromaticities where the ratio of long-wave to middle-wave cone excitation was the same as that for the background adapting field.
CpG Oligodeoxinucleotides and Flagellin Modulate the Immune Response to Antigens Targeted to CD8α+ and CD8α− Conventional Dendritic Cell Subsets

Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells essential for the induction of adaptive immune responses. Their unprecedented ability to present antigens to T cells has made them excellent targets for vaccine development. In the last years, a new technology based on antigen delivery directly to different DC subsets through the use of hybrid monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to DC surface receptors fused to antigens of interest opened new perspectives for the induction of robust immune responses. Normally, the hybrid mAbs are administered with adjuvants that induce DC maturation. In this work, we targeted an antigen to the CD8α+ or the CD8α− DC subsets in the presence of CpG oligodeoxinucleotides (ODN) or bacterial flagellin, using hybrid αDEC205 or αDCIR2 mAbs, respectively. We also accessed the role of toll-like receptors (TLRs) 5 and 9 signaling in the induction of specific humoral and cellular immune responses. Wild-type and TLR5 or TLR9 knockout mice were immunized with two doses of the hybrid αDEC205 or αDCIR2 mAbs, as well as with an isotype control, together with CpG ODN 1826 or flagellin. A chimeric antigen containing the Plasmodium vivax 19 kDa portion of the merozoite surface protein (MSP119) linked to the Pan-allelic DR epitope was fused to each mAb. Specific CD4+ T cell proliferation, cytokine, and antibody production were analyzed. We found that CpG ODN 1826 or flagellin were able to induce CD4+ T cell proliferation, CD4+ T cells producing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and specific antibodies when the antigen was targeted to the CD8α+ DC subset. On the other hand, antigen targeting to CD8α− DC subset promoted specific antibody responses and proliferation, but no detectable pro-inflammatory CD4+ T cell responses. Also, specific antibody responses after antigen targeting to CD8α+ or CD8α− DCs were reduced in the absence of TLR9 or TLR5 signaling, while CD4+ T cell proliferation was mainly affected after antigen targeting to CD8α+ DCs and in the absence of TLR9 signaling. These results extend our understanding of the modulation of specific immune responses induced by antigen targeting to DCs in the presence of different adjuvants. Such knowledge may be useful for the optimization of DC-based vaccines.
Colchicine-Induced Hepatotoxicity

Drug-induced injury (DILI) is a frequent cause of abnormal liver tests and a leading cause of liver failure in the United States. Colchicine has long been used as a systemic anti-inflammatory agent for treatment of gout by inhibiting mitotic activity and neutrophil function. We present the first case of colchicine-induced hepatoxicity, supported by histopathologic findings characteristic of colchicine-induced injury and resolution of liver enzyme abnormalities after its discontinuation. Colchicine-associated DILI has implications for the evaluation of patients with abnormal liver tests and gout, especially for patients with alcoholism and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, in whom there is an increased incidence of gout.
The impact of product category on pricing decision in a two-echelon dual-channel supply chain

This paper studies a two-echelon dual-channel supply chain system in which a manufacturer sells a single product to customers through its owned online channel and an independent retailer. We consider a Stackelberg game model where the manufacturer (the leader) announces the online channel price and wholesale price. In the response, the retailer (the follower) decides a retail price to maximize its retail profit. Potential consumers choose the purchase channel based on price and their acceptance of web-based purchases. Our main interest is to analyze how the different type of products may affect the optimal pricing decisions for each player when all potential consumers differ in their willingness to buy the product and preference to buy from online. Due to complexity of the problem, we use an agent-based modeling approach to investigate this issue. Our numerical results show that the optimal prices are significantly different from those prices of the base model. Our results prove that product category has a great influence on the market segment, which consequently affect the demand of both channels obviously.