Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regulation of protein kinase C by the anti‐Parkinson drug, MAO‐B inhibitor, rasagiline and its derivatives, in vivo

We have recently shown that the anti‐Parkinson‐propargyl‐containing monoamine oxidase B (MAO‐B) inhibitor drug, rasagiline [N‐propargyl‐(1R)‐aminoindan], and its cholinesterase inhibitor derivatives TV3326 and TV3279, regulate amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing by a protein kinase C (PKC)‐dependent mechanism in SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma and PC12 cells. In the present study, we investigated the effect of rasagiline and its derivatives on the regulation of the PKC‐dependent mechanism and APP processing under in vivo conditions. Administration of rasagiline (0.1 mg/kg) to male C57/BL mice for 14 days significantly decreased membrane‐bound holoprotein APP levels in the hippocampus. Additionally, we observed that rasagiline up‐regulated p‐PKC levels and the expression of α and ε PKC isozymes in the hippocampus, indicating that the mechanism by which rasagiline affects APP processing may be related to PKC‐associated signalling. The results also demonstrate that rasagiline treatment significantly elevated the levels of phosphorylated myristoylated alanine‐rich C kinase substrate (p‐MARCKS), a major substrate for PKC, as well as the levels of receptors for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1). Similar effects on APP and PKC levels were also demonstrated for the two cholinesterase inhibitor derivatives of rasagiline, TV3326 and TV3279. These results indicate that rasagiline and its derivatives regulate PKC‐dependent mechanisms and APP processing. The activation and induction of PKC and MARCKS by these drugs may have a crucial role not only in their neuroprotective activity, but also in their ability to affect neuronal plasticity and spatial learning processes.
Effect of Nitrates, Thiocyanates and Selenium on the Iron and Iodine Status of Postpartum Women

Abstract Aim: To find correlations between high thiocyanate and nitrate levels and low selenium levels and the indicators of the iodine and iron status of postpartum women. Materials and methods: The study included 41 mothers aged 26.4±5.9 yrs from Asenovgrad and nearby villages. Urinary iodine was determined by the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction and thiocyanate – by the interaction of these ions with acidic solution of KMnO4; for serum nitrates we used the colorimetric method; serum selenium was assessed by electro-thermal atomic-absorption spectrophotometry; thyroxin (FT4), the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), serum ferritin (SF), and serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) were determined using ELISA; Hb levels were determined by hematology analyzer. Results: Assessing the iodine status, we found a negative correlation between the levels of iodine and thiocyanates in urine (R=−0.717, р<0.0001), a positive correlation between nitrates and TSH (R=0.487, р=0.003) and a negative correlation between nitrates and FT4 (R=−0.312, р=0.06). For the iron status, we found a negative correlation between nitrates and SF (R=−0.429, р=0.009) and between nitrates and Hb (R=−0.383, р=0.021). The Mann-Whitney U-test showed that in women with nitrate levels higher than the mean value there was low FT4 level (р=0.06), high TSH level (р=0.013), low Hb concentration (р=0.061) and low SF concentration (р=0.005). The combined effects of environmental factors (elevated nitrate levels and low selenium level) on the iodine and iron status are manifested by low concentrations of FT4 (р=0.033), Hb (р=0.06) and SF (р=0.05) and high level of TSH (р=0.05). In conclusion, we found that environmental factors, especially when combined, have a negative impact on the iron and iodine status of females.
New oral small molecules in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia

There has been a dramatic change in therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) over the last 20 years. In 1990, available therapy produced complete responses in <5% of treated patients. This is in marked contrast to modern regimens, which are reported to reliably produce complete responses in approximately 40% to 50% of patients. This remarkable improvement has been attributable to combination chemoimmunotherapy agents that have contributed to the backbone of therapy for patients with CLL. However, the disease is still incurable and these modern treatment regimens have been somewhat limited to the treatment of younger, physically “fit” patients with CLL due to their increased toxicity, including enhanced myelosuppression and immunosuppression. In addition, because patients receive multiple therapies during the course of their lifetime, the mounting toxicities as well as decreased efficacy often limit the repeated use of these more aggressive combination therapies. Fortunately, over the past 5 years, there has been an explosion of new active agents that have demonstrated remarkable activity in patients with recurrent/refractory disease as well as those who harbor poor cytogenetic abnormalities. The current review focuses on some of the novel small molecules that have either been approved or are at the forefront of clinical development in the treatment of patients with CLL. Cancer 2015;121:1917–1926. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Magnetic fields (MF) of 50 Hz at 1.2 microT as well as 100 microT cause uncoupling of inhibitory pathways of adenylyl cyclase mediated by melatonin 1a receptor in MF-sensitive MCF-7 cells.

Magnetic fields (MF) of 60 Hz at 1.2 microT were previously shown to inhibit the antiproliferative effect of melatonin on MCF-7 cells (Liburdy,R.P., 1993, J. Pimeal Res. 14, 89-97). In addition, three laboratories (Blackman,C.F. and Benane,S.G., 1998; Luben,R.A. and Morgan,A.P., 1998; Morris,J.E., Chrisler,W.B., Miller,D.L., Sasser,L.B. and Anderson,L.E., 1998; 20th Annual Meeting of the Bioelectromagnetics Society, At. Pete Beach, FL) independently reported results consistent with this finding. In this study, we investigated the molecular basis of the biological effects of MF using MCF-7 cells. Only 1a melatonin receptors were identified by the [125I]melatonin binding assay and RT-PCR analysis. Moreover, preceding exposures to MF of 100 microT for 3, 5 and 7 days blocked the melatonin-induced inhibition of cAMP accumulation in a time-dependent manner, while none of the melatonin receptor functions or GTPase and adenylyl cyclase activities were affected. Estrogen-evoked cell proliferation was not altered by MF either. Exposure to 1.2 microT MF exerted the same effects on the melatonin-signaling pathway as that to 100 microT. Thus, this is the first study to provide evidence that MF may cause uncoupling of signal transduction from melatonin receptors to adenylyl cyclase.
Cardiovascular Criteria for Epidural Test Dosing in Sevoflurane- and Halothane-Anesthetized Children

This study was designed to determine the detectability of a simulated IV test dose in children during administration of general anesthesia by using heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and T wave criterion. Forty-two children (0.5–8 yr old) received an IV injection containing epinephrine 0.5 &mgr;g/kg and another IV injection containing saline during either halothane or sevoflurane anesthesia administration at 1.0 minimum alveolar concentration in nitrous oxide. A positive test response was defined as a change in T wave amplitude ≥25%, SBP increase ≥15 mm Hg, and HR increase ≥10 bpm. By using the T wave, SBP, and HR criteria, a positive response rate to epinephrine was 100%, 95%, and 71%, respectively, during sevoflurane, and 90%, 71%, and 71%, respectively, during halothane anesthesia administration. These data suggest that the T wave criterion is superior to conventional hemodynamic criteria, and that sevoflurane attenuates T wave and SBP responses less than halothane; however, chronotropic responses are similar to halothane. Implications: We found a greater reliability of the T wave criterion over conventional hemodynamic criteria for detecting intravascular injection of a simulated epidural test dose. Sevoflurane may increase the likelihood of recognition of an accidental intravascular injection of epinephrine-containing solutions in clinical practice compared with halothane.
An Economic Analysis of Cowpea Production among Women Farmers in Askira/Uba Local Government Area Borno State Nigeria

The study examined the economic analysis of cowpea production among women farmer in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, Borno State Nigeria. The specific objectives were to estimate; identify the socio - economic characteristic of the respondent, cost and returns associated with cowpea production estimate efficiency of resource use and estimate input - output relationship Random sampling technique was employed to select a total of (100) respondents. The data for the study were collected from primary sources by the use of structured questionnaires. Analytical tools such as descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used for the analysis of the data. The analysis revealed that majority of respondent were between the age group of 25 - 35 (26%), majority (48%) had formal education agric (43%) cultivated 2 hectares, also show that the coefficient of farm size was positively significant at (10%) hired labour was negatively significant at (10%), am the coefficient for mechanized labour was positively significant at (1%) leave respectively. Costs farm income and gross margin analysis per hectare for cowpea, production were N28,255.42, N75,032.26, N46,780.08 respectively. The resource use efficiency in cowpea production revealed that high cost of labor, lack capital and lack improved varieties of seed, were the problem affecting cowpea production in the study area. It was recommended that access to credit facilities for smooth running of the farming activities.
Percutaneous cryoablation of anterior renal masses: technique, efficacy, and safety.

OBJECTIVE The safety and efficacy of renal tumor ablation are related, in part, to tumor location. Anterior tumors present a challenge due to the risk of injury to adjacent structures. The purpose of this study was to review the techniques, complications, and short-term outcomes of percutaneous cryoablation of anterior renal masses at a single institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively identified the cases of 35 patients with 38 anterior renal masses managed with percutaneous imaging-guided cryoablation of renal tumors from March 2003 through February 2009. The technical success of the ablation procedure, serious complications, and evidence of local tumor recurrence were evaluated for each patient. RESULTS The average maximal diameter of the anterior renal masses was 2.9 cm (SD, 0.9 cm; range, 1.4-4.8 cm). A single cryoablation procedure was performed for treatment of each patient, and technically successful ablation was achieved for all 38 tumors. A single severe adverse event occurred in one of the 35 patients (3% major complication rate). This patient had a pulmonary embolism (diagnosed at CT angiography the day after ablation). He recovered and was discharged from the hospital with anticoagulant medication only 2 days after the procedure. No local tumor recurrence was identified in any of the 29 patients who underwent follow-up contrast-enhanced CT or MRI with images available for review 3 months or longer from the time of ablation (mean, 18 months; range, 3-45 months). CONCLUSION Percutaneous cryoablation of anterior renal masses can be performed with high technical success and low complication rates. The lack of local renal tumor recurrence at short-term follow-up evaluation in this study is encouraging, but long-term follow-up is necessary to ensure the durability of treatment.
Prolonged mean reaction time in posterior cerebral artery during visual stimulation in patients with severe carotid stenosis

While the mean increase in flow velocities in posterior cerebral artery (PCA) as a response to visual stimuli is well documented, the data on the reaction time as a measurement of the vasomotor response of the posterior part of the circle of Willis are still sparse. The aim was to assess the visual evoked response in PCA during white light stimulation by means of functional transcranial doppler in patients with severe internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis, to introduce a real‐time haemodynamic changes as a measurement of the effect of severe carotid disease on the posterior circulation. The measurements were taken in 49 right‐handed patients with severe ICA stenosis or occlusion and 30 healthy volunteers, simultaneously in left and right PCA using 2‐MHz probes, successively in the dark and during the white light stimulation, during three consecutive repetitive periods of 1 min each. Mean values of mean blood flow velocities (MBFV) and mean reaction time (MRT) with and without visual stimuli were analysed. Linear regression analysis showed no statistically significant correlation between the age, MBFV and a degree of left and right carotid stenosis, and MRT in left and right PCA either in the group of healthy subjects or in the group of patients with severe carotid stenosis, in both test conditions. MRT could be an indicator of compromised cerebral circulation in the presence of haemodynamic significant carotid stenosis as well as an additional and independent haemodynamic parameter of the cerebral visual evoked response.
Protective role of neurotrophins in experimental inflammation of the rat gut.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Sensory neuropeptides modulate the mucosal response to inflammation in experimental colitis. Because nerve growth factor (NGF) regulates the expression of neuropeptides such as substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and is implicated as a link between the nervous system and the immune system in the inflammatory process, we investigated the functional role of NGF and neurotrophin-3 during experimental colitis. METHODS Immunoneutralizing antibodies specific for NGF and neurotrophin (NT)-3 were used to block their endogenous activity. Mild trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) colitis was induced, and damage scores were assessed after 1 week. Neuropeptide content in the colon and NT messenger RNA (mRNA) expression were determined. RESULTS The pretreatment with anti-NGF or anti-NT-3 caused a significant 2-3-fold increase in the severity of the experimental inflammation as assessed by a macroscopic damage score, histologic ulceration score, and myeloperoxidase activity in the tissue. CGRP, but not substance P, contents in the colon were significantly reduced by NGF immunoneutralization. NGF mRNA was slightly up-regulated after NGF immunoneutralization, but NT-3 mRNA was unchanged by NT-3 immunoneutralization. CGRP mRNA was not significantly changed after 1 week of colitis by NGF or NT-3 immunoneutralization, whereas beta-preprotachykinin mRNA was up-regulated after immunoneutralization. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest a regulatory role for NGF and NT-3 in experimental inflammation of the gut. This effect may be partly caused by the reduction of mucosal CGRP content caused by the NGF blockade.
Endovascular Management of Chronic Infrarenal Aortic Occlusion

Purpose: To review our experience with the endovascular treatment of chronic infrarenal aortic occlusion with regard to technical success and midterm patency, as well as perioperative mortality and morbidity. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of patients who presented from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2005, with a diagnosis of chronic infrarenal aortic occlusion (TASC D) treated with endovascular techniques. In this time period, 31 patients (22 women; mean age 63 years) underwent attempted recanalization of the occluded aorta and iliac arteries. Claudication was the most common presenting symptom (14, 45%). Patients were treated solely with angioplasty and stenting or thrombolysis followed by angioplasty/stenting based on surgeon preference. Results: Technical success was 93%. The 2 failures were individual cases of wire-induced iliac artery perforation and failed access; both patients were treated with bypass grafting. Nine (29%) patients had thrombolysis prior to angioplasty. There were no perioperative deaths. Postoperative ankle-brachial indexes increased significantly from preoperative values (p<0.0001). There were 3 technical complications: 1 (3%) iatrogenic iliac artery injury and 2 (6%) perioperative limb thromboses requiring intervention. Other complications included 6 (19%) access site events and 5 (16%) episodes of acute renal dysfunction, 2 requiring permanent dialysis. Over a mean follow-up of 12 months, there was no limb loss. At 1 and 3 years, the primary/secondary patency rates were 85%/100% and 66%/90%, respectively. Conclusion: Endovascular therapy for chronic infrarenal aortic occlusion has a high technical success rate, with good midterm primary and secondary patency rates. However, renal dysfunction can occur; the etiology is likely multifactorial from contrast volumes, embolization, and/or renal arterial disease.
Temperature receptors in the central nervous system.

For half a century, it has been known that thermo sensitive regions of the rostral brain stem are important in thermoregulation (61). Figure 1 indicates that a variety of thermoregulatory responses can be elicited by changing the tempera­ ture of the preoptic area and anterior hypothalamus (POI AH). POI AH warming evokes heat-loss responses, and POIAH cooling evokes heat-production re­ sponses. If POIAH temperature is changed slightly above or below normal, there are changes in heat-retention responses such as skin blood flow and thermoregulatory behavior. Figure 1 also describes the synaptic organization of POI AH thermosensitive neurons (4). While most neurons are temperature insensitive, warm-sensitive neurons have firing rates that increase with warm­ ing or decrease with cooling. Conversely, the firing rates of cold-sensitive neurons increase with cooling or decrease with warming. Many central thermo­ sensitive neurons also receive synaptic inputs from skin and spinal thermore­ ceptive pathways (4, 7). This indicates that such neurons are capable of thermal integration, and it increases the likelihood that these neurons function in thermoregulation. As summarized in Figure 1, the evidence for central thermosensitivity comes from thermoregulatory studies during thermal stimulation of discrete neural areas and from electrophysiological studies of temperature-sensitive neurons. In this review, these studies are presented first as an overview of the comparative aspects of central thermo sensitivity in vertebrates. The second half of this review focuses on the properties and synaptic organization of POIAH thermosensitive neurons.
WTO Accession of Afghanistan

This article undertakes a cost and benefit analysis of Afghanistan’s accession to World Trade Organization (WTO) while attempting to shed light on the post-accession challenges. For the empirical part of our analysis, we have applied the WITS/SMART model to assess the implication of WTO membership. The partial equilibrium model embedded in World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) allows users to estimate the impact of tariff reductions on trade flows, tariff revenue, and consumer surplus for a single market at a time. Tariff cut is an independent variable, and government revenue, trade creation, consumer welfare and general welfare of the economy are the other variables. The results show that Afghanistan consumers stand to benefit from tariff reforms with overall positive welfare gains to the economy. However, a reduction in tariff will lead to a fall in government revenue and a substantial increase in imports which may raise some concerns over the negative trade balance. The last section of the article studies the post-accession challenges of WTO accession with a special focus on developmental, institutional, legal and environmental challenges. Our analysis based on the sectoral mix of Afghanistan’s economy suggests that producers will lose out. Findings of this study support the argument to maintain maximum policy space for Afghanistan for its long-term development need purposes.
Finding the safest planet for carbon structures in terms of thermal life

With achieving higher technologies, and as the population of our planet grows and sources of Earth consume every day, scientists are trying to find an alternative planet to build a second home for mankind. During the last decades, Mars seemed to be the first planet as a candidate for second home of human. Nevertheless, a few years ago a new planet has been discovered to be suitable for human life. Titan, Saturn’s moon, in spite of its great distance from the Earth has been identified as a good candidate for the second home for mankind due to its atmosphere which is a great shield against radiation. Recently, other planets have been discovered which appear to be habitable and suitable for human life. KOI 736.01, Kepler-22b, Gliese 581 c, and Gliese 581 g seem even more Earth-like when compared to Mars and Titan. Hence, the goal in this research is to estimate the thermal life of carbon structures on these planets to determine which planet offers the highest thermal life. Carbon structures have been recently used as aerospace structures due to their excellent lightweight and high strength. Key words: Carbon structures, thermal life, KOI 736.01, Kepler-22b, Gliese 581 c, Gliese 581 g.
Spontaneous hypothyroidism in adult women is predicted by small body size at birth and during childhood.

BACKGROUND The relationships of early growth with coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes have received considerable attention. It is not known whether fetal or childhood growth is linked with autoimmune disorders. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to assess whether the risk of adult-onset spontaneous hypothyroidism is predicted by body size at birth and during childhood. DESIGN AND SETTING We conducted a birth cohort study in Helsinki, Finland. PARTICIPANTS A total of 293 women who were born between 1934 and 1944 and had their heights and weights recorded at birth and during childhood participated in the study. MEASUREMENTS We measured spontaneous hypothyroidism, defined as: 1) a disease history confirmed from medical records, or 2) previously undiagnosed hypothyroidism (TSH > 10 mU/liter). RESULTS Twenty women (6.8%) had spontaneous hypothyroidism; 18 had been diagnosed previously, between 43 and 65 yr of age, and two had undiagnosed subclinical hypothyroidism. In addition, 59 women were thyroid peroxidase antibody positive. Compared with the 214 thyroid peroxidase antibody-negative women with no thyroid disorder, those with spontaneous hypothyroidism had on average 252 g [95% confidence interval (CI), 61 to 443 g; P = 0.01] lower birth weight and 1.2 cm (95% CI, 0.5 to 2.0 cm; P = 0.002) shorter length at birth. The odds of developing hypothyroidism increased 4.4-fold per kilogram decrease in birth weight (95% CI, 1.4 to 14.1). Hypothyroid subjects had been shorter in early childhood and had lower body mass index during later childhood. CONCLUSIONS Small body size at birth and during childhood increases the risk of spontaneous hypothyroidism in adult women.