Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Responses of neurons in the central cervical nucleus of the rat to proprioceptive and vestibular inputs.

Activity of neurons in the central cervical nucleus (CCN) was recorded extracellularly in decerebrate, immobilized rats. Neurons were identified by their antidromic response to electrical stimulation of the contralateral superior cerebellar peduncle. Stimulation of the ipsilateral dorsal neck muscles (m. biventer cervicis and complexus [BCC]; m. splenius [S]) by a single electric pulse evoked a short-latency (approximately 1 ms) excitatory response in the majority of CCN neurons. The response was usually followed by a period of inhibition of the resting discharge (approximately 20 ms). Stimulation of the contralateral BCC or S usually produced only inhibition of the resting discharge (approximately 20 ms). Mechanical stretching of BCC or S resulted in activation (about 100% increased firing rate) of the ipsilateral CCN neurons, lasting for the duration of the stretch. A pronounced dynamic component, i.e. an extra-excitation at the beginning of the stretch and inhibition after termination of the stretch, was also observed. Stroking and pinching of the skin in the neck region affected the tested CCN neurons, while cutaneous stimuli at other sites of the body were inefficient. Stimulation of the vestibular receptors was performed in two ways. (i) Unilateral galvanic stimulation of the labyrinths by constant current pulses through the external acoustic meatus affected all CCN neurons tested. Contralateral stimulation with negative current was found to be most efficient; it produced excitation followed by inhibition. (ii) Natural vestibular stimulation was performed by rotating the animal in the transverse plane (roll, +/- 10 degrees) or the sagittal plane (pitch, +/- 5 degrees). Sinusoidal movements (0.5-1 Hz) or trapezoid movements were applied. Sinusoidal roll tilt evoked responses in all neurons tested, with a peak discharge during contralateral rolling or at the moment of transition from the ipsi- to contralateral position. All tested CCN neurons also responded statically to roll tilt, i.e. their tonic activity increased with up to 65%, of which the majority (80%) responded in the continuously maintained contralateral roll tilt position compared to the ipsilateral. Sinusoidal pitch tilt also affected all tested neurons, although the reaction was smaller than compared to roll. They usually responded by increasing their firing rate when moving towards the nose-down position. A static response (40-60% difference in the firing rate between the extreme pitch positions) was observed in some neurons. No tested neurons showed any clear rhythmic modulation during either spontaneous or induced, real or fictive locomotion. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Tissue-specific Expression and Subcellular Distribution of Murine Glutathione S-transferase Class Kappa

Class kappa glutathione S-transferases are a poorly characterized family of detoxication enzymes whose localization has not been defined. In this study we investigated the tissue, cellular, and subcellular distribution of mouse glutathione S-transferase class kappa 1 (mGSTK1) protein using a variety of immunolocalization techniques. Western blotting analysis of mouse tissue homogenates demonstrated that mGSTK1 is expressed at relatively high levels in liver and stomach. Moderate expression was observed in kidney, heart, large intestine, testis, and lung, whereas sparse or essentially no mGSTK1 protein was detected in small intestine, brain, spleen, and skeletal muscle. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis for mGSTK1 revealed granular staining of hepatocytes throughout the liver, consistent with organelle staining. IHC analysis of murine kidney localized GSTK1 to the straight portion of the proximal convoluted tubule (pars recta). Staining was consistent with regions rich in mitochondria. Electron microscopy, using indirect immunocolloidal gold staining, clearly showed that mGSTK1 was localized in mitochondria in both mouse liver and kidney. These results are consistent with a role for mGST K1–1 in detoxification, and the confirmation of the intramitochondrial localization of this enzyme implies a unique role for GST class kappa as an antioxidant enzyme.
Examination of host immune resistance against Listeria monocytogenes infection in cyclophosphamide (CPA)-treated mice after dietary lipid administration

BACKGROUND & AIMS Despite the beneficial effects in the resolution of inflammatory disorders due to their immunosuppressive properties, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with a reduction of immune resistance to some microorganisms. Here, we examine the influence of different dietary lipids on host immune resistance against Listeria monocytogenes in mice treated with cyclophosphamide (CPA). METHODS Balb/c mice were fed one of four diets, which contained either olive oil (OO), fish oil (FO), hydrogenated coconut oil (HCO) or low fat (LF) for 4 weeks. Subsequently, mice were treated with CPA or PBS, prior to L. monocytogenes infection. Splenocyte proliferation, survival analysis, counts of viable bacteria from spleens and livers, and measurement of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were determined. RESULTS The FO-rich diet reduced survival, particularly in CPA-treated mice. CPA was responsible for a significant increase of viable bacteria recovery from spleens and livers within each group fed high fat diets, which was aggravated in mice fed an FO diet. In addition, a significant increase of both TNF-alpha and IL-12p70 levels was detected in this group. These results may acquire a crucial relevance in clinical nutrition, particularly when FO diets are administered to immunocompromised patients. CONCLUSIONS The mechanism(s) that impair(s) the elimination of L. monocytogenes could be associated with a low mitogen-stimulated splenocyte proliferation, and with an alteration of pro-inflammatory cytokine production. The application of the neutropenic agent CPA moderately aggravates the immunosuppressive state mainly in FO-fed animals.
Learning from laboratory mistakes: How policy entrepreneurs catalyze city ordinance repeals in the United States

Public policies are not static; rather, they change with the context and as consequences become known. We ask how city councils learn about the negative consequences of laws by evaluating the policy diffusion and decision-theoretic learning hypotheses using a case study of criminal activity nuisance ordinance repeals in several cities within one county. These laws as originally written designated properties as “nuisances” if emergency services were called too frequently, including in cases of domestic violence. The seven case cities repealed their laws so survivors of domestic violence would not risk a fine or eviction because they called for help. We argue neither theory is sufficient to explain the repeal of these laws and instead suggest a new variant of policy learning, the entrepreneur catalyzed learning hypothesis, to highlight the importance of policy entrepreneurs in facilitating policy learning and the repeal of unsuccessful laws at the city level.
Is the relation between lending interest rate and non-performing loans symmetric or asymmetric ? evidence from ARDL and NARDL

Lending interest rate has an inherent implicit cost on the credit issued by banks with implication on loan defaults. In this regard, high level of non-performing loans ( NPLs) will depress economic growth owing to many banks refusing to lend. This paper makes the initial attempt to test the non-linear asymmetric relationships between lending interest rate and NPLs by using the NARDL approach and provides a direction of Granger causality between the lending interest rate and NPLs. Malaysia is used as a case study. The finding tends to indicate that lending interest rate and NPLs has an asymmetric relationship in the short-run and symmetric relationship in the long-run. This paper suggests that banks can improve their quality credit management by streamlining their collection process and the quality of customers in order to reduce the number of NPLs in the short-run. Besides, banks can keep their total risk low by diversifying their loan portfolios.
Alteration patterns of brain glucose metabolism: comparisons of healthy controls, subjective memory impairment and mild cognitive impairment

Background Some groups have focused on the detection and management of subjective memory impairment (SMI) as the stage that precedes mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, there have been few clinical studies that have examined biomarkers of SMI to date. Purpose To investigate the differences in glucose metabolism as a prodromal marker of dementia in patients with SMI, MCI, and healthy controls using brain F-18 fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). Material and Methods Sixty-eight consecutive patients with SMI, 47 patients with MCI, and 42 age-matched healthy subjects were recruited. All subjects underwent FDG-PET and detailed neuropsychological testing. FDG-PET images were analyzed using the statistical parametric mapping (SPM) program. Results FDG-PET analysis showed glucose hypometabolism in the periventricular regions of patients with SMI and in the parietal, precentral frontal, and periventricular regions of patients with MCI compared with healthy controls. Interestingly, hypometabolism on FDG-PET was noted in the parietal and precentral frontal regions in MCI patients compared to SMI patients. Conclusion The results suggest that hypometabolism in the periventricular regions as seen on FDG-PET may play a role as a predictive biomarker of pre-dementia, and the extension of reduced glucose metabolism into parietal regions likely reflects progression of cognitive deterioration.
Earnings Uncertainty and Attention

This paper explores the relationship between earnings uncertainty and attention to firm-specific information. I use the percentage of uncertain words in 10-K or 10-Q filings as the primary measure of ex ante earnings uncertainty. I find that, the earnings releases of high uncertainty firms are accompanied by higher Google search volume, higher Bloomberg readership, higher abnormal trading volume, and faster analyst response. Furthermore, I find evidence of larger underreaction of prices to earnings surprises in low uncertainty firms suggesting that attention constraints play a role. The findings are consistent with attention constrained investors allocating more attention to high uncertainty firms.
Nationwide study of sudden cardiac death in persons aged 1-35 years.

AIMS The aim of this investigation was to study the incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in persons aged 1-35 years in a nationwide setting (5.38 million people) by systematic evaluation of all deaths. METHODS AND RESULTS All deaths in persons aged 1-35 years in Denmark in 2000-06 were included. Death certificates were read independently by two physicians. The National Patient Registry was used to retrieve information on prior medical history. All autopsy reports were read and the cause of death was revised based on autopsy findings. We identified 625 cases of sudden unexpected death (10% of all deaths), of which 156 (25%) were not autopsied. Of the 469 autopsied cases, 314 (67%) were SCD. The most common cardiac cause of death was ischaemic heart disease (13%); 29% of autopsied sudden unexpected death cases were unexplained. In 45% of SCD cases, the death was witnessed; 34% died during sleep; 89% were out-of-hospital deaths. Highest possible incidence rate of SCD in the young was 2.8 per 100 000 person-years including non-autopsied cases of sudden unexpected death. Excluding those, the incidence rate declined to 1.9 per 100 000 person-years. CONCLUSIONS A total of 7% of all deaths in the young can be attributed to SCD, when including non-autopsied cases (autopsy ratio 75%). The incidence rate of SCD in the young of 2.8 per 100 000 person-years is higher than previously reported.
Surgical pleth index in children younger than 24 months of age: a randomized double-blinded trial.

BACKGROUND The surgical pleth index (SPI) is a measurement of intraoperative nociception. Evidence of its usability in children is limited. Given that the autonomic nervous system is still developing during the first years of life, the performance of the SPI on small children cannot be concluded from studies carried out in older age groups. METHODS Thirty children aged <2 yr, planned for elective open inguinal hernia repair or open correction of undescended testicle, were recruited. The children were randomized into two groups; the saline group received ultrasound-guided saline injection in the ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve region before surgery and ropivacaine after surgery, whereas the block group received the injections in the opposite order. The SPI was recorded blinded and was analysed at the time points of intubation, incision, and when signs of inadequate anti-nociception were observed. RESULTS There was a significant increase in the SPI after intubation (P=0.019) and after incision in the saline group (P=0.048), but not at the time of surgical incision in the block group (P=0.177). An increase in the SPI was also seen at times of clinically apparent inadequate anti-nociception (P=0.008). The between-patient variability of the SPI was large. CONCLUSIONS The SPI is reactive in small children after intubation and after surgical stimuli, but the reactivity of the SPI is rather small, and there is marked inter-individual variability in reactions. The reactivity is blunted by the use of ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT02045810.
Effect of Strength Training on Blood Pressure Measured in Various Conditions in Sedentary Men

To examine the effect of long term strength training on heart rate and blood pressure, measured in different conditions, and on their variability, thirty healthy, previously sedentary men were randomized into a training and a control group. The strength training program consisted of 48 training sessions on a multigym apparatus at a frequency of 3 sessions each week, involving leg press, bench press, leg curl, shoulder press, leg extension and sit ups. The control group was asked not to change their sedentary lifestyle. In the subjects of the training group the load could be increased significantly for all exercises (p < 0.01). Heart rate and blood pressure were measured at rest in the supine and sitting position, during 24 hours with a non-invasive ambulatory device and during an exercise test on a cycloergometer. Repeated measures analysis of variance did not show an effect of strength training on heart rate or on blood pressure. In addition, power spectral analysis of the RR interval (ECG) and of the beat-to-beat blood pressure in the supine subject revealed similar total, low frequency and high frequency power before and after training, indicating that the neural control of both heart rate and blood pressure was not affected by a 16-week program of strength training.
Do China’s Environmental Gains at Home Fuel Forest Loss Abroad?: A Cross-National Analysis

The theory and empirical research on ecologically unequal exchange serves as the starting point for this study. We expand the research frontier it in a novel way by applying the theory to China and empirically testing if forestry export flows from low-and middle-income nations to China are related to increased forest loss in the exporting nations. In doing so, we analyze data for 75 low-and middle-income nations using ordinary least squares regression and find support for our main hypothesis.
Childhood Predictors of Young-Onset Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE—Optimal prevention of young-onset type 2 diabetes requires identification of the early-life modifiable risk factors. We aimed to do this using longitudinal data in 1,604 5- to 19-year-old initially nondiabetic American Indians. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—For type 2 diabetes prediction, we derived an optimally weighted, continuously distributed, standardized multivariate score (zMS) comprising commonly measured metabolic, anthropometric, and vascular traits (i.e., fasting and 2-h glucose, A1C, BMI, waist circumference, fasting insulin, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressures) and compared the predictive power for each feature against zMS. RESULTS—In separate Cox proportional hazard models, adjusted for age, sex, and ethnicity, zMS and each of its component risk factors were associated with incident type 2 diabetes. Stepwise proportional hazards models selected fasting glucose, 2-h glucose, HDL cholesterol, and BMI as independent diabetes predictors; individually, these were weaker predictors than zMS (P < 0.01). However, a parsimonious summary score combining only these variables had predictive power similar to that of zMS (P = 0.33). Although intrauterine diabetes exposure or parental history of young-onset diabetes increased a child’s absolute risk of developing diabetes, the magnitude of the diabetes-risk relationships for zMS and the parsimonious score were similar irrespective of familial risk factors. CONCLUSIONS—We have determined the relative value of the features of the metabolic syndrome in childhood for the prediction of subsequent type 2 diabetes. Our findings suggest that strategies targeting obesity, dysregulated glucose homeostasis, and low HDL cholesterol during childhood and adolescence may have the most success in preventing diabetes.
Dopamine Release in the Nonhuman Primate Caudate and Putamen Depends upon Site of Stimulation in the Subthalamic Nucleus

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an effective treatment for medically refractory Parkinson's disease. Although DBS has recognized clinical utility, its biologic mechanisms are not fully understood, and whether dopamine release is a potential factor in those mechanisms is in dispute. We tested the hypothesis that STN DBS-evoked dopamine release depends on the precise location of the stimulation site in the STN and the site of recording in the caudate and putamen. We conducted DBS with miniature, scaled-to-animal size, multicontact electrodes and used functional magnetic resonance imaging to identify the best dopamine recording site in the brains of nonhuman primates (rhesus macaques), which are highly representative of human brain anatomy and circuitry. Real-time stimulation-evoked dopamine release was monitored using in vivo fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. This study demonstrates that STN DBS-evoked dopamine release can be reduced or increased by redirecting STN stimulation to a slightly different site. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Electrical stimulation of deep structures of the brain, or deep brain stimulation (DBS), is used to modulate pathological brain activity. However, technological limitations and incomplete understanding of the therapeutic mechanisms of DBS prevent personalization of this therapy and may contribute to less-than-optimal outcomes. We have demonstrated that DBS coincides with changes in dopamine neurotransmitter release in the basal ganglia. Here we mapped relationships between DBS and changes in neurochemical activity. Importantly, this study shows that DBS-evoked dopamine release can be reduced or increased by refocusing the DBS on a slightly different stimulation site.
Randomized trial of IV dexamethasone for acute migraine in the emergency department

Background: It is not yet clear if corticosteroids are useful for the treatment of migraine. We determined the efficacy of 10 mg of IV dexamethasone as adjuvant therapy for patients presenting to an emergency department (ED) with acute migraine. Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial. Subjects were randomized to dexamethasone 10 mg IV or placebo. As primary treatment for their migraine, all subjects received IV metoclopramide. Our primary hypotheses were the following: a greater percentage of patients with migraine who received dexamethasone would 1) achieve a headache-free state in the ED and maintain it for 24 hours and 2) have no headache-related functional impairment after ED discharge when compared to placebo. Results: A total of 656 patients were approached for participation and 205 were randomized. The persistent pain-free outcome was achieved in 25% of those randomized to dexamethasone and 19% of placebo (p = 0.34). No functional impairment after ED discharge occurred in 67% of those randomized to dexamethasone and 59% of placebo (p = 0.20). In the subgroup of subjects with migraine lasting longer than 72 hours, 38% of those randomized to dexamethasone were persistently pain-free vs 13% of placebo (p = 0.06). Side effect profiles were similar, with the exception of acute medication reactions, which occurred more commonly in the dexamethasone group. Conclusion: A moderate dose of IV dexamethasone should not be administered routinely for the emergency department–based treatment of acute migraine, although it might be useful for patients with migraine lasting longer than 72 hours.
Time course of systemic markers of inflammation in patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes

Abstract Inflammation within coronary plaques may cause an acute coronary syndrome by promoting rupture and erosion. It was the aim of this study to examine whether markers of inflammation derive from a cardiac or extracardiac source and how their levels develop over time. Blood samples were taken from patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) with proven atherosclerotic lesion(s) of the left coronary artery (n = 13) and from control patients without coronary artery disease (n = 13). Blood was taken from the femoral vein and the coronary sinus vein before and after coronary angioplasty (day 0) and on days 1 and 120. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin- 6 (IL-6), interleukin-1-receptor antagonist (IL-1 ra) and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) were higher in ACS patients as compared to controls and remained elevated up to day 120. In the long-term time course these markers of inflammation and plaque remodeling slightly decreased in ACS patients. There were no statistically significant differences detectable in the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1 β, IL-10, IL-1 ra, sCD40L and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in the blood of ACS patients taken from a cardiac source as compared to an extracardiac source (coronary sinus vs. femoral vein). This study demonstrates the importance of a systemic inflammatory condition in patients with ACS, in whom markers of inflammation are increased as compared to controls. During long-term follow-up the pro-inflammatory activity remains elevated in ACS patients, supporting the concept of a systemic rather than a local vascular inflammation contributing to the development of atherosclerosis.