Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on the hemostatic alterations associated with toxic-induced acute liver failure

Coagulation abnormalities are common findings in acute liver failure (ALF) that underlie its fatal outcome. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on the oxidative stress and the disturbed hemostasis in lipopolysaccharide/galactosamine-induced ALF in rats. Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into control, ALF and a CAPE-treated ALF groups. Liver transaminases (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase), total bilirubin, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, fibrinogen level, anti-thrombin III levels, platelet count and antioxidative enzymes; catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in serum and reduced glutathione levels in serum and liver tissue were investigated. The ALF group showed increased serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase and total bilirubin. Coagulation tests showed prolonged prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, decreased platelet count, fibrinogen and anti-thrombin III levels, and decreased activities of the antioxidative enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase and decreased tissue and serum glutathione levels. Pretreatment with CAPE for 14 days before and a single dose after the exposure to the lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine reversed the abnormal liver functions and blood coagulation tests and increased the antioxidative enzymes activities and glutathione levels. CAPE is a promising compound that can support the liver, counteract oxidative stress and disturbed hemostasis in endotoxic-induced ALF.
Processing speed in normal aging: Effects of white matter hyperintensities and hippocampal volume loss

ABSTRACT Changes in cognitive functioning are said to be part of normal aging. Quantitative MRI has made it possible to measure structural brain changes during aging which may underlie these decrements which include slowed information processing and memory loss. Much has been written on white matter hyperintensities (WMH), which are associated with cognitive deficits on tasks requiring processing speed and executive functioning, and hippocampal volume loss, which is associated with memory decline. Here we examine volumetric MRI measures of WMH and hippocampal volume loss together in relation to neuropsychological tests considered to be measures of executive functioning and processing speed in 81 non-demented elderly individuals, aged 75–90. Correlational analysis showed that when controlling for age, both greater WMH volume and smaller hippocampal volume were correlated with slower performances on most tests with the exception of a battery of continuous performance tests in which only WMH was correlated with slower reaction time (RT). We then performed a series of hierarchical multiple regression analyses to examine the independent contributions of greater WMH volume and reduced hippocampal volume to executive functioning and processing speed. The results showed that for the four measures requiring executive functioning and speed of processing, WMH volume and hippocampal volume combined predicted between 21.4% and 37% of the explained variance. These results suggest that WM integrity and hippocampal volume influence cognitive decline independently on tasks involving processing speed and executive function independent of age.
Odds of moderate or severe gastric ulceration in racehorses receiving antiulcer medications.

OBJECTIVE To determine the odds of moderate or severe gastric ulceration in racehorses treated with various antiulcer medications. DESIGN Unmatched case-control study. ANIMALS 798 horses in active race training (252 Thoroughbreds and 546 Standardbreds). Only horses that had been receiving a single antiulcer medication or no antiulcer medication for at least 2 weeks prior to examination were included. PROCEDURE Gastroscopy was performed on each horse by a single individual who was not aware of the horses' antiulcer treatments, and severity of gastric ulceration was scored. Signalment and medication history were recorded. Logistic regression was used to determine whether identification of moderate or severe ulceration was associated with treatment, age, breed, or sex. Treatments were grouped as no treatment, buffer, sucralfate, histamine type 2 receptor antagonist, compounded omeprazole, proprietary omeprazole at a low dosage, and proprietary omeprazole at a high dosage. RESULTS Only proprietary omeprazole was associated with significantly lower odds of moderate or severe ulceration, compared with no treatment. Risks of moderate or severe gastric ulceration in horses receiving a buffer, sucralfate, a histamine type 2 receptor antagonist, or compounded omeprazole were not significantly different from risks in horses receiving no antiulcer medication. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggest that the proprietary formulation of omeprazole was associated with a significantly lower risk of moderate or severe gastric ulceration, compared with no treatment, in racehorses in active race training, whereas other antiulcer medications were not.
Differential Sensitivity to Errors of Agreement and Word Order in Broca's Aphasia

We investigated the effect of morphosyntactic violation type on accuracy and processing time in Broca's aphasics engaged in an on-line error detection task. Five agrammatic Broca's aphasic subjects and 15 age-matched control subjects performed grammaticality judgments on auditorily presented grammatical and ungrammatical sentences. Both judgment accuracy and decision time were measured, so that the data revealed not only whether aphasics detected violations, but when they noticed them. The ungrammatical sentences were created by changing quantifiers and auxiliary verbs in one of two ways: substituting one quantifier or auxiliary for another to create agreement errors, or moving the quantifier or auxiliary downstream from its proper site to create word order errors. Also, the position of the violation in the sentence (early versus late) as well as the distance relationships among sentence elements involved in the violation (local versus global) were manipulated. Results suggest that aphasic subjects retain some sensitivity to grammaticality, knowledge that they are able to use online. Performance was also affected by type of violation. Aphasic subjects were less sensitive to agreement violations than they were to violations created by moving the same elements to an illegal positionand this tended to be reflected in decision times as well as accuracy. These results support two conclusions. First, although the performance of aphasic subjects was degraded relative to control subjects, the findings of overall grammaticality sensitivity and relatively rapid decision times suggest that the locus of grammatical impairment in these patients has more to do with the accessing of linguistic information than with loss of linguistic knowledge. Second, the difference between agreement and movement violations provides further evidence that morphological marking is relatively vulnerable in aphasia, compared with the principles that govern word and morpheme ordering.
Phosphoinositide 3‐kinase/Akt inhibition increases arsenic trioxide‐induced apoptosis of acute promyelocytic and T‐cell leukaemias

Recent studies suggest that the prosurvival signal transduction pathway involving phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt can confer an aggressive, apoptosis‐resistant phenotype to acute leukaemia cells. We have investigated the effect of modulating this signalling pathway on the sensitivity of leukaemic cell lines (NB‐4, CEM, Jurkat, MOLT‐4) and acute promyelocytic primary blasts to apoptosis induced by 1 μmol/l As2O3. Whereas parental NB‐4 cells did not display any phosphorylated (active) Akt, CEM, Jurkat and MOLT‐4 cells exhibited high levels of Akt activation. Consistently, treatment of NB‐4 cells with pharmacological inhibitors of the PI3K/Akt pathway (LY294002, wortmannin) did not increase sensitivity of these cells to arsenic trioxide (As2O3), whereas siRNA knock‐down of Akt enhanced As2O3‐induced apoptosis of CEM, Jurkat and MOLT‐4 cells. Overexpression of a constitutively active Akt cDNA rendered NB‐4 cells less susceptible to As2O3. Upon prolonged exposure to As2O3, we isolated a NB‐4 cell clone that was resistant to As2O3 and displayed high levels of active Akt. LY294002 treatment of acute promyelocytic primary blasts with elevated Akt phosphorylation levels resulted in an increased sensitivity to As2O3. These results may provide a rationale for the development of combined or sequential treatment with PI3K/Akt inhibitors to improve the efficacy of As2O3 on acute leukaemias and also to overcome As2O3 resistance.
The effectiveness of gentamicin or polymyxin B for the control of bacterial growth in equine semen stored at 20 degrees C or 5 degrees C for up to forty-eight hours.

Semen from three stallions was used to evaluate the effectiveness of two antibiotics added to semen extender for samples stored at 20 degrees C or 5 degrees C for up to 48 hours. Each ejaculate was divided into six different treatments: semen+extender (SE); SE+gentamicin (100 micrograms/mL); SE+polymyxin B (1000 units/mL); and each of the above treatments inoculated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853. Sampling of diluted semen for bacteriological analysis was performed after 2, 8, 24 and 48 hours of preservation at either temperatures. The presence of nonspecific bacteria was noted after two hours in all SE aliquots. The number of bacteria did not change in samples stored at 5 degrees C, while in samples preserved at 20 degrees C, it increased by three to four times after 48 hours. In semen aliquots treated with either of the antibiotics, the number of nonspecific bacteria was very low after two and eight hours at both temperatures. This number remained stable up to 48 hours at 5 degrees C, while an increase was noted at 24 and 48 hours at 20 degrees C. At 5 degrees C, the number of P. aeruginosa cells tended to decrease between 24 and 48 hours in SE aliquots. The presence of gentamicin or polymyxin B appeared to rapidly inhibit growth of P. aeruginosa. At 20 degrees C, growth of P. aeruginosa increased between 8 and 24 hours in SE, while the presence of antibiotics almost completely inhibited the growth of the bacterium. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Defective DNA strand break repair causes chromosomal instability and accelerates liver carcinogenesis in mice

Chromosomal instability is a characteristic feature of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but its origin and role in liver carcinogenesis are undefined. We tested whether a defect in the nonhomologous end‐joining (NHEJ) DNA repair gene Ku70 was associated with chromosomal abnormalities and enhanced liver carcinogenesis. Male Ku70 NHEJ‐deficient (Ku70−/−), heterozygote (Ku70 +/−), and wild‐type (WT) mice were injected with diethylnitrosamine (DEN), a liver carcinogen, at age 15 days. Animals were killed at 3, 6, and 9 months for assessment of tumorigenesis and hepatocellular proliferation. For karyotype analysis, primary liver tumor cell cultures were prepared from HCCs arising in Ku70 mice of all genotypes. Compared to WT littermates, Ku70−/− mice injected with DEN displayed accelerated HCC development. Ku70−/− HCCs harbored clonal increases in numerical and structural aberrations of chromosomes 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 14, and 19, many of which recapitulated the spectrum of equivalent chromosomal abnormalities observed in human HCC. Ku70−/− HCCs showed high proliferative activity with increased cyclin D1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression, Aurora A kinase activity, enhanced ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase and ubiquitination, and loss of p53 via proteasomal degradation, features which closely resemble those of human HCC. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that defects in the NHEJ DNA repair pathway may participate in the disruption of cell cycle checkpoints leading to chromosomal instability and accelerated development of HCC. (HEPATOLOGY 2008;47:2078–2088.)
Development and Validation of Fiber Bragg Grating Sensing Pad for Interface Pressure Measurements Within Prosthetic Sockets

This paper presents an efficient fiber Bragg grating (FBG)-based sensing pad that is capable of measuring the interface pressure within prosthetic sockets, and exhibits required sensitivity, enhanced durability, and the lowest possible hysteresis error. Three key fabrication parameters were studied to assess their effects on the performance of different sensing pad designs. These parameters included the FBG embedding depth (top, bottom, and neutral layers of the sensing pad), the sensing pad thickness (1, 2, and 3 mm), and finally, different embedding materials. Each sensing pad was studied while attached to Pe-lite and silicone prosthetic liners. Afterward, the sensing pad design that exhibited the best performance was employed to fabricate an expandable array of FBGs for interface pressure measurements within prosthetic sockets. One transtibial amputee participated in this paper to further assess the in situ performance of the sensing pad. To validate the findings, the results were also compared with the pressure measurements using the F-socket sensors. The results revealed that the FBGs embedded in the neutral layer of harder and thicker sensing pads exhibited the highest sensitivity as well as excellent accuracy. In addition, they could successfully measure the interface pressure inside the prosthetic socket. Higher pressure values were logged by the FBG sensors compared with the F-socket. Yet, the trend of pressure changes was similar for both sensor types. This paper is hoped to form a robust platform for the researchers intending to utilize the FBG sensors in such applications.
Prognostic significance of molecular genetic aberrations on chromosome segment 11p15.5 in non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE The assessment of prognosis and decisions on treatment for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are determined on the basis of disease stage and performance status. NSCLC frequently manifests loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at chromosome segment 11p15.5. Whether LOH at 11p15.5 is an independent prognostic variable has yet to be determined. PATIENTS AND METHODS We developed five novel markers, which can be assessed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion. LOH at 11p15.5 was assessed in 193 patients who underwent surgical resection for pathologic stage I and II of the disease. RESULTS LOH at 11p15.5 was associated with poor survival (P =.021). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after disease stage, performance status, weight loss, sex, age at diagnosis, and smoking history were controlled for, patients with LOH were two times more likely to die than those without LOH (relative risk [RR] = 2.01, P =.021). Cox regression analysis with disease stage and LOH revealed that the survival of patients with stage I disease and LOH was similar to the survival of patients with stage II disease, and it was significantly worse than the survival of stage I patients without LOH (RR = 2.38, P =.038). CONCLUSION LOH in a 310-kb region on chromosome segment 11p15.5 that includes the gene for the regulatory subunit of the enzyme ribonucleotide reductase is highly predictive of poor survival from NSCLC. The future utility of analysis of the allelic status of this region may involve treatment decisions, such as the use of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with stage I disease.
Is varicocele prevalence increasing with age?

Varicocele is a bilateral vascular disease which occurs when the one‐way valves in the internal spermatic veins, the testicular venous drainage system, malfunction. Based on new findings and fluid‐mechanics analysis we showed that this process results in vertical blood columns, which cause pathological hydrostatic pressure in the testicular venous microcirculatory system. Ultimately, these pressures exceed the pressure in the arteriolar system. This unique phenomenon of reversal of pressures gradient between the arteriolar and venular systems leads to persistent hypoxia in the testosterone production site, namely, the Leydig cells. The result of bilateral varicocele is decreased testosterone production. Adequate treatment of bilateral varicocele significantly elevates the testosterone production. We found that the prevalence of varicocele increases with age with a rise of about 10% for each decade of life with the incidence reaching 75% in the eight decade of life. Based on our findings the following statements can be made: (1) varicocele prevalence is increased over time. (2) The rise of the incidence is about 10% for each decade of life. (3) 75% of men in the eight decade of their life have varicocele. As varicocele decreases testosterone production and it is reversible by appropriate treatment, it raises two interesting and important issues to be studied: (i) it is possible that varicocele accelerates the process of the ageing male. (ii) It is possible to retard, at least partially, the process of ageing in men by adequate treatment of bilateral varicocele.
Probabilistic uncertainty analysis of the European Union System for the evaluation of substances multimedia regional distribution model

The European Union System for the Evaluation of Substances (EUSES) is a computerized model system to facilitate and harmonize health and environmental risk assessment of previously notified and new substances. For calculation of regional background exposure, a multimedia distribution model is used. In the present study, the uncertainty of this regional model is analyzed. Environmental parameters were collected for North Rhine Westphalia (Germany), which resembles the standard region of EUSES. Probability distribution functions of various types (uniform, triangular, normal, log normal) depending on data availability were derived for environmental input parameters, including geometric parameters. Generic log‐normal distribution functions with fixed standard deviations were chosen for solubility in air, water, and n‐octanol as well as for degradation half‐lives. Monte Carlo simulations were carried out for 10 reference substances having different properties. Contribution of environmental parameter uncertainty to total output uncertainties is higher than that of substance parameters. Range of output uncertainty, defined as the ratio of the logarithms of the 90th and 10th percentiles of the cumulative probability distribution function, shows an increase from air and water to soil. The highest‐occurring range is 1.4 orders of magnitude, which means that total uncertainty of the regional model is relatively low and, usually, is lower than the range of measured values. The median of output probability distributions lies above the point estimate. Influence of input parameters was estimated as their rank correlation coefficients to output uncertainty. Substance and environmental parameters contribute differently to output variance depending on individual substance properties and environmental compartment. Hence, the present study underlines the need to perform uncertainty analyses instead of either using a set of simple rules or just looking at certain parameters.
Differential Gene Expression between Juvenile and Adult Dura Mater: A Window into What Genes Play a Role in the Regeneration of Membranous Bone

Background: Although reossification of large calvarial defects is possible in children, adults lack this tissue engineering capacity. In this study, the authors compared the differences in gene expression between juvenile and adult dura mater using a mouse cDNA microarray with 42,000 unique elements. Methods: Non–suture-associated parietal bone was harvested from 6-day-old and 60-day-old mice. The dura mater was carefully dissected from the calvarial disk and snap-frozen. RNA was extracted from pooled dura mater for microarray analysis. The 25 most differentially expressed genes were listed, as were selected bone-related genes. In addition, quantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction confirmation of selected genes—BMP-2, BMP-4, and BMP-7; and osteopontin (OP), osteocalcin (OC), and FGFR-1—was performed. Results: Juvenile dura mater expressed significantly greater amounts of BMP-2 and OP. Minimal difference in OC expression was observed between juvenile and adult dura mater. Extracellular matrix proteins (Col3a1, 5a1, 6a1, and fibronectin 1), osteoblast differentiation markers (Runx2/Cbfa1, Itm2a, and FGFR-1), and the growth factor Ptn were among other genes with greater expression in juvenile dura mater. Markers of osteoclasts (Acp5, MMP9, Ctsk) and the multiple candidate gene Ntrk2 were also expressed at higher levels in the juvenile dura mater. Conclusions: These findings suggest a more differentiated osteoprogenitor population to exist along with a greater presence of osteoclasts in the juvenile dura mater relative to adults. In addition to establishing a baseline difference in gene expression between juvenile and adult dura mater, new genes potentially critical to the regenerative potential of juvenile calvaria were identified.
Risk factors, topographic patterns and mechanism analysis of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis ischemic stroke

Background: The association between topographic patterns, risk factors and stroke mechanisms of ICAS in first-ever stroke remains unknown. Methods: A large sample sized retrospective study was performed on first-ever ICAS ischemic stroke using DWI and MRA. Results: Hypertension (60.92%), cigarette smoking (26.82%), MCA (76.65%) and multiple vessels (65.37%) stenosis, were the major factors favoring different mechanisms. Subcortical lesions were the most occurring topographic patterns (41.4%). The common mechanism was LBO (66.3%). Statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between lesion patterns and mechanisms (r = 0.384, P = 0.001). Single mechanism had the higher apoB/apoAI ratio (P = 0.005) and levels of plasma apoB (P = 0.007) compared with multiple mechanisms. The anterior circulation stroke were more multiple mechanisms as compared to the posterior circulation stroke (P = 0.001). LBO was more prevalent in posterior circulation stroke than in anterior circulation stroke (P = 0.001). Conclusions: The topographic patterns of ischemic lesions is helpful in early identification of different mechanisms of ICAS. Monitoring apoB and apoB/apoA1 may help to predict the mechanism of stroke with ICAS. The prevalence of mechanisms differ between anterior and posterior circulation stroke with ICAS.