Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Basal release of nitric oxide induces an oscillatory motor pattern in canine colon.

1. The consequences of intrinsic, basal nitric oxide release on electrical and contractile activity of canine proximal colon were examined. Membrane potential and contraction were simultaneously recorded from the circular muscle in the presence of drugs to block adrenergic and cholinergic responses. 2. Electrical slow waves were recorded from muscle cells near the submucosal surface of the circular layer. Spontaneous contractions were initiated by each slow wave. Contractile amplitude increased 1.9‐fold when nerves were blocked with tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1 microM). 3. Muscle cells near the myenteric surface displayed myenteric potential oscillations (MPOs) averaging 16 cycles per minute (c.p.m.) in frequency and 10 mV in amplitude. Twenty‐five per cent of muscles displayed an additional slow, neurogenic oscillation (mean frequency, 1 c.p.m.; amplitude, 14 mV) superimposed upon the MPO rhythm. 4. The nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor N omega ‐nitro‐L‐arginine (L‐NA, 100 microM; n = 16) abolished neurogenic oscillations, depolarized cells, and increased MPO upstroke velocity, amplitude and frequency. The actions of L‐NA were mimicked by N omega‐nitro‐L‐arginine methylester (L‐NAME, 100 microM) and oxyhaemoglobin (3%). 5. Spontaneous contractions were increased 2.3‐fold by L‐NA, and TTX had no effect on contractions after addition of L‐NA. 6. The NO‐donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 1 microM) reversed the electrical and mechanical effects of L‐NA and initiated slow oscillations similar to the neurogenic oscillations. Slow oscillations were also evoked with S‐nitroso‐N‐acetylpenicillamine (SNAP, 1 microM). The effects of NO donors were blocked by oxyhaemoglobin. 7. Slow electrical oscillations could not be elicited by SNP after removal of a thin strip of circular muscle along the myenteric edge. 8. These data suggest that the spontaneous electrical and contractile activity of the proximal colon is tonically suppressed by basal release of NO. Basal NO causes an oscillatory pattern of electrical and mechanical activity. This activity does not require patterned firing of nerves; rather a continuous, low level release of NO would be capable of producing the neurogenic oscillatory behaviour. The slow oscillatory activity depends upon the presence of the myenteric region of the circular muscle layer, which contains cell bodies of enteric neurons and interstitial cells of Cajal.
Suicide screening in schools, primary care and emergency departments

Purpose of review Every year, suicide claims the lives of tens of thousands of young people worldwide. Despite its high prevalence and known risk factors, suicidality is often undetected. Early identification of suicide risk may be an important method of mitigating this public health crisis. Screening youth for suicide may be a critical step in suicide prevention. This paper reviews suicide screening in three different settings: schools, primary care clinics and emergency departments (EDs). Recent findings Unrecognized and thus untreated suicidality leads to substantial morbidity and mortality. With the onus of detection falling on nonmental health professionals, brief screening tools can be used to initiate more in-depth evaluations. Nonetheless, there are serious complexities and implications of screening all children and adolescents for suicide. Recent studies show that managing positive screens is a monumental challenge, including the problem of false positives and the burden subsequently posed on systems of care. Furthermore, nearly 60% of youth in need of mental health services do not receive the care they need, even after suicide attempt. Schools, primary care clinics and EDs are logical settings where screening that leads to intervention can be initiated. Summary Valid, brief and easy-to-administer screening tools can be utilized to detect risk of suicide in children and adolescents. Targeted suicide screening in schools, and universal suicide screening in primary care clinics and EDs may be the most effective way to recognize and prevent self-harm. These settings must be equipped to manage youth who screen positive with effective and timely interventions. Most importantly, the impact of suicide screening in various settings needs to be further assessed.
Expression of AIRE in thymocytes and peripheral lymphocytes

Autoimmune regulator (AIRE) is a transcription factor expressed in the thymic medullary epithelial cells (MECs). MECs have been suggested to contribute to tolerance induction by presenting tissue specific antigens to T cells that react to these antigens. AIRE expression in cells other than MECs has not been studied extensively. Here we report four-color flow cytometric and quantitative real-time PCR studies on the expression of AIRE in the lymphoid cells in the thymus and periphery. In the thymus AIRE was expressed in B cells and CD4+CD8+ double positive cells at a low level. In the peripheral blood AIRE was expressed in B cells but not in T cells, and also expressed in CD14+ dendritic cells (DCs)/macrophages and granulocytes at higher levels. AIRE mRNA was expressed higher in B cells than in T cells. Further study is warranted to define the functional role of the AIRE expressed in the lymphoid cells.
Theory of maintained systems: Distribution of time to first system failure

The distribution of time to first system failure is considered for systems whose repairable components are separately maintained. It is shown that if repairable components have exponential failure law, repair distributions have decreasing repair rate, and nonrepairable components have increasing failure rate, then the distribution of time to first system failure is new better than used. Improved bounds are given for the exponential repair case.
Unique Neural Characteristics of Atypical Lateralization of Language in Healthy Individuals

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 63 healthy participants, including left-handed and ambidextrous individuals, we tested how atypical lateralization of language—i. e. , bilateral or right hemispheric language representation—differs from the typical left-hemisphere dominance. Although regardless of their handedness, all 11 participants from the atypical group engaged classical language centers, i.e., Broca's and Wernicke's areas, the right-hemisphere components of the default mode network (DMN), including the angular gyrus and middle temporal gyrus, were also critically involved during the verbal fluency task. Importantly, activity in these regions could not be explained in terms of mirroring the typical language pattern because left-hemisphere dominant individuals did not exhibit similar significant signal modulations. Moreover, when spatial extent of language-related activity across whole brain was considered, the bilateral language organization entailed more diffuse functional processing. Finally, we detected significant differences between the typical and atypical group in the resting-state connectivity at the global and local level. These findings suggest that the atypical lateralization of language has unique features, and is not a simple mirror image of the typical left hemispheric language representation.
Optimized waveform relaxation methods for RC type circuits

Waveform relaxation (WR) has been widely used in circuit theory for the solution of large systems of ordinary differential equations, and the solution of partial differential equations. In the past, clever partitioning schemes have been used for circuit applications to enhance convergence. However, a drawback of the classical WR algorithm is the nonuniform convergence over the window in time for which the equations are integrated. We propose a new optimized WR algorithm which greatly accelerates the convergence by introducing new transmission conditions. These conditions are responsible for the exchange of information between the subcircuits. We use two RC circuit examples to illustrate the theory, as well as the improved convergence behavior.
The Kinetics of In Vivo Priming of CD4 and CD8 T Cells by Dendritic/Tumor Fusion Cells in MUC1-Transgenic Mice1

Previous work has demonstrated that dendritic/tumor fusion cells induce potent antitumor immune responses in vivo and in vitro. However, little is known about the migration and homing of fusion cells after s.c. injection or the kinetics of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell activation. In the present study, fluorescence-labeled dendritic/MUC1-positive tumor fusion cells (FC/MUC1) were injected s.c. into MUC1-transgenic mice. The FC/MUC1 migrated to draining lymph nodes and were closely associated with T cells in a pattern comparable with that of unfused dendritic cells. Immunization of MUC1-transgenic mice with FC/MUC1 resulted in proliferation of T cells and induced MUC1-specific CD8+ CTL. Moreover, CD4+ T cells activated by FC/MUC1 were multifunctional effectors that produced IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-10. These findings indicate that both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells can be primed in vivo by FC/MUC1 immunization.
Attitudes toward the shortened dental arch concept among Swedish general dental practitioners.

PURPOSE The purpose of this investigation was to obtain the opinions and assess the attitudes of Swedish general dental practitioners in private practice versus a public health care setting regarding management of patients with a shortened dental arch (SDA). MATERIALS AND METHODS A questionnaire containing different statements regarding the SDA concept was sent to a random sample of 189 clinicians. Differences between male and female practitioners and between private practitioners (PPs) and those employed by the Public Dental Health Service (PDHS) were tested for statistical significance by the Student t test. RESULTS The response rate was 54% (102 clinicians). Among the respondents, 62% were men and 38% were women. Fifty-six percent were PPs and 44% were employed by the PDHS. The results showed small differences in attitudes between various groups of practitioners but large individual variations. In general, Swedish general practitioners had a positive attitude toward the SDA concept with respect to oral function and oral comfort. They recognized few risks with a dentition lacking molar support, although female clinicians were more risk conscious. PPs expressed fewer advantages in using the SDA concept than PDHS practitioners with respect to the reduced risk for overtreatment, better patient economy, and the ability for older patients to keep their teeth. CONCLUSION The results from this questionnaire study indicate that, overall, Swedish general practitioners have an affirmative opinion toward the SDA concept.
Lenalidomide monotherapy leads to a complete remission in refractory B-cell post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder

Heinz Läubli, Alexandar Tzankov, Darius Juskevicius, Lukas Degen, Christoph Rochlitz & Frank Stenner-Liewen Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, Department of Biomedicine, Cancer Immunology Laboratory, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, and Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
Long- and medium-chain fatty acids induce insulin resistance to a similar extent in humans despite marked differences in muscle fat accumulation.

CONTEXT Animal studies revealed that medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), due to their metabolic characteristics, are not stored in skeletal muscle and may therefore not give rise to potentially hazardous lipid species impeding insulin signaling. OBJECTIVE We here hypothesized that infusion of medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCT) in healthy lean subjects does not lead to ectopic fat accumulation and hence does not result in lipid-induced insulin resistance. DESIGN AND METHODS Nine healthy lean male subjects underwent a 6-h hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp with simultaneous infusion of 1) a 100% long-chain triacylglycerols (LCT) emulsion, 2) a 50/50% MCT/LCT emulsion, or 3) glycerol in a randomized crossover design. Muscle biopsies were taken before and after each clamp. RESULTS MCT/LCT infusion raised plasma free fatty acid levels to a similar level compared with LCT infusion alone. Despite elevated free fatty acid levels, intramyocellular triacylglycerol (IMTG) levels were not affected by the MCT/LCT emulsion, whereas LCT infusion resulted in an approximately 1.6-fold increase in IMTG. These differences in muscle fat accumulation did not result in significant differences in lipid-induced insulin resistance between LCT (-28%, P = 0.003) and MCT/LCT (-20%, P < 0.001). Total skeletal muscle ceramide content as well as lactosyl- and glucosylceramide levels were not affected by any of the interventions. In addition, the distribution pattern of all ceramide species remained unaltered. CONCLUSIONS Although we confirm that MCFA do not lead to ceramide and IMTG accumulation in skeletal muscle tissue in humans, they do induce insulin resistance. These results indicate that, in humans, MCFA may not be beneficial in preventing peripheral insulin resistance.
Renal and Cardiac Endothelial Heterogeneity Impact Acute Vascular Rejection in Pig‐to‐Baboon Xenotransplantation

Xenograft outcomes are dictated by xenoantigen expression, for example, Gal α1, 3Gal (Gal), but might also depend on differing vascular responses. We investigated whether differential vascular gene expression in kidney and cardiac xenografts correlate with development of thrombotic microangiopathy (TM) and consumptive coagulation (CC). Immunosuppressed baboons underwent miniswine or hDAF pig kidney (n = 6) or heart (n = 7), or Gal‐transferase gene‐knockout (GalT‐KO) (thymo)kidney transplantation (n = 14). Porcine cDNA miniarrays determined donor proinflammatory, apoptosis‐related and vascular coagulant/fibrinolytic gene expression at defined time points; validated by mRNA, protein levels and immunopathology. hDAF‐transgenic and GalT‐KO xenografts, (particularly thymokidneys) exhibited prolonged survival. CC was seen with Gal‐expressing porcine kidneys (3 of 6), only 1 of 7 baboons postcardiac xenotransplantation and was infrequent following GalT‐KO grafts (1 of 14). Protective‐type genes (heme oxygenase‐I, superoxide dismutases and CD39) together with von Willebrand factor and P‐selectin were upregulated in all renal grafts. Transcriptional responses in Gal‐expressing xenografts were comparable to those seen in the infrequent GalT‐KO rejection. In cardiac xenografts, fibrin deposition was associated with increased plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 expression establishing that gene expression profiles in renal and cardiac xenografts differ in a quantitative manner. These findings suggest that therapeutic targets may differ for renal and cardiac xenotransplants.
Customer value segmentation based on cost-sensitive learning Support Vector Machine

Two types of errors, 'rejecting true and accepting false' are inevitable in customer value segmentation. The traditional data mining method which is on the total accuracy rate cannot reflect the influence caused by the great difference of misclassification costs and unbalanced quantity distribution of customers who have various values. The thesis proposes two enhancements. The first is developing the cost-sensitive Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier by presenting misclassification cost function based on customer value, which is evaluated by the function of the exceptional lost. The second enhancement is a method of multi-category classification based on the binary classification version of SVM. The data test result proves that the method can control the different types of errors distribution with various cost of misclassification accurately, reduce the total misclassification cost and distinguish the customer value effectively.
Leishmaniasis in beige mice

The courses of two protozoal diseases, cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, were examined in three groups of C57BL/6J mice. One group of mice was homozygous recessive for the beige gene (bg/bg). Beige mice are the genetic homologue of the human Chédiak-Higashi syndrome and, among other defects, are profoundly deficient in natural killer cell activity. Wild-type (+/+) mice, which respond to experimental cutaneous or visceral leishmaniasis by eventually eliminating their parasites, and heterozygous beige (bg/+) mice served as controls; both are phenotypically normal in natural killer cell activity, which is particularly high in the spleen. In bg/bg mice, the course of Leishmania tropica, a causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis, was similar to that in control mice after both primary and challenge inoculations. All groups of mice expressed similar humoral and cellular immune responses to L. tropica antigen. However, bg/bg mice failed to eliminate amastigotes of Leishmania donovani, a causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis, from their spleens over an observation period of 56 days, in contrast to bg/+ and +/+ controls. Similar levels of anti-leishmanial antibody were produced by all groups of mice, and all mice responded comparably to footpad injections of L. donovani antigen. The results of this study suggest a possible role for natural killer cells in recovery from L. donovani but not from L. tropica infection.
Effect of anserine ingestion on hyperglycemia and the autonomic nerves in rats and humans

Abstract Anserine and L-carnosine are similar dipeptides synthesized by muscles of vertebrates. The functional role of anserine is unknown, although previous studies showed hypoglycemic effects of carnosine through autonomic nerves. Thus, we evaluated the effects of anserine on blood glucose levels and the neural activities. Intraperitoneal administration of specific doses of anserine to hyperglycemic rats reduced hyperglycemia and plasma glucagon concentrations, whereas thioperamide eliminated the effects of anserine. Intraduodenal injection of 0.1 mg anserine to anesthetized rats after laparotomy suppressed sympathetic nerve activity and enhanced activity of the vagal gastric efferent. In addition, oral administration of anserine reduced blood glucose levels during oral glucose tolerance testing in humans. These results suggest the possibility that anserine might be a control factor for the blood glucose, and that histaminergic nerves may be involved in the hypoglycemic effects of anserine.
Contextual Design of ICT for Physiotherapy: Toward Knowledge and Innovation Ecosystem

With advances in information and communication technologies (ICT), changes have been produced in physiotherapy provision. However, low adoption of the new technologies calls attention for better theoretical model and methods for ICT design, which may fulfil the needs of health professionals and their patients. In this work we discuss the framework for designing ICT for physiotherapy context based on some of the results obtained during research on requirements and barriers of electronic health records adoption in physiotherapy. We underscore the importance of considering the context the conditions in social and physical environment as well as end-users internal conditions for requirements elicitation of the healthcare information system. Identification, training and collaboration with champion/leader in the target community may contribute to creation and evolution of knowledge and innovation ecosystem for dynamic progress in designing and developing of ICT tailored to the people’ needs, expectations and values.
Late onset Proteus Mirabilis Meningitis and Subdural Abscess in a Boy With Lumbosacral Epidermoid Tumor : Case Report

Dermal sinus tracts have been reported all along the midline neuroaxis, with the majority being located in lumbar and sacral areas. They are usually associated with split cord malformations, tethered cord and inclusion tumors (dermoid, epidermoid, teratoma). Dermal sinus tracts with concomitant dermoid or epidermoid tumors are frequently associated with recurrent meningitis, but spinal subdural abscess is rare. The authors report a 2 years old boy with lumbar epidermoid tumor, late onset Proteus mirabilis meningitis and spinal intradural abscess, who had a history of a dermal sinus tract removal one year before his admission. The importance of early diagnosis, proper surgical and medical treatment and close follow up in such patients is stressed.
A methodology to predict the lightning insulation strength for distribution transformers by applications of reduced lightning standard impulse voltages

The lightning withstanding of transformers are based on a set of impulse voltage applications with 1.2/50 μs shape, in accordance with international standards. The standard lightning impulse test is a destructive test, in which the transformer insulation strength is predicted by comparisons between reduced and rated levels for full and chopped impulses. In this paper a different method named “progressive impulse test” is proposed to provide estimation with respect to the voltage level in which evidences of insulation failure appears. Modifications on oscillation frequency of current waveforms may indicate sparks or short-circuits between turns, layers or between windings and the ground. By comparisons among these current waveforms it is possible to predict the insulation performance, as well as manufacturing quality process without the necessity to submit the transformer to all lightning impulse sequence test.