Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Existence of functional β1‐ and β2‐adrenergic receptors on microglia

We examined the expression and function of β‐adrenergic receptor (β‐AR) subtypes in both isolated primary rat microglia and a rat microglial cell line. RT‐PCR analyses revealed that microglia expressed β1‐ and β2‐ARs but not β3‐ARs, whereas rat primary peritoneal macrophages expressed only β2‐ARs. Stimulation of β‐ARs on microglia by norepinephrine (NE) resulted in an increase in the level of intracellular cAMP and the subsequent expression of interleukin‐1β mRNA. These effects were prevented by propranolol. Similar results were obtained with other selective β1‐AR agonists and antagonists. β2‐ARs on microglia were also functional. It is possible that noradrenergic innervations participate in the control of microglial functions via β1‐ARs on microglia in the brain, because NE has high affinity for β1‐ and β3‐ARs but little or no affinity for β2‐ARs. It seems physiologically significant that microglia can be controlled by NE, which predominates over epinephrine in the brain, whereas macrophages in peripheral tissues can be controlled by epinephrine, which is at higher levels in peripheral tissues. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential Expression Profiles of microRNAs in NIH3T3 Cells in Response to UVB Irradiation

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known as a kind of small, noncoding RNA, which play an important role in mediating many biological processes such as development, cell proliferation and differentiation in plants and animals. Here we report the differential expression profiles of miRNAs and characterized putative target genes in NIH3T3 cells at a series of different time points after UVB irradiation (compared with no UVB irradiation). The relative expression of mature miRNA genes was determined by miRNA microarray technique and the results were confirmed by real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Potential target genes of these miRNAs were classified into different function categories with the GOstat software (http://gostat.wehi.edu.au/cgi‐bin/goStat.pl). Several miRNAs in this study expressed highly at different time points, especially mmu‐miR‐365 and mmu‐miR‐21. Three miRNAs were lowly expressed, of which mmu‐miR‐465 showed low levels of expression at all time points, whereas after 50 J m−2 UVB irradiation mmu‐miR‐296 and mmu‐miR‐376c showed low levels of expression at 6 and 12 h, respectively. Our study provided a basis for the global characterization of UV‐regulated miRNA expression.
Pyrosequencing the Manduca sexta larval midgut transcriptome: messages for digestion, detoxification and defence

The tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta is an important model for insect physiology but genomic and transcriptomic data are currently lacking. Following a recent pyrosequencing study generating immune related expressed sequence tags (ESTs), here we use this new technology to define the M. sexta larval midgut transcriptome. We generated over 387 000 midgut ESTs, using a combination of Sanger and 454 sequencing, and classified predicted proteins into those involved in digestion, detoxification and immunity. In many cases the depth of 454 pyrosequencing coverage allowed us to define the entire cDNA sequence of a particular gene. Many new M. sexta genes are described including up to 36 new cytochrome P450s, some of which have been implicated in the metabolism of host plant‐derived nicotine. New lepidopteran gene families such as the β‐fructofuranosidases, previously thought to be restricted to Bombyx mori, are also described. An unexpectedly high number of ESTs were involved in immunity, for example 39 contigs encoding serpins, and the increasingly appreciated role of the midgut in insect immunity is discussed. Similar studies of other tissues will allow for a tissue by tissue description of the M. sexta transcriptome and will form an essential complimentary step on the road to genome sequencing and annotation.
Bacterial Degradation of Ring-Chlorinated Acetophenones

Two strains, Alcaligenes sp. strain ACA and Pseudomonas fluorescens ACB, isolated from acetophenone and 4′-hydroxyacetophenone enrichments, respectively, cometabolize a range of chlorinated acetophenones (CAs). A biological Baeyer-Villiger reaction converts the CA to chlorophenyl acetate. This is evident only in the presence of an esterase inhibitor, since the CA is normally rapidly hydrolyzed to a chlorophenol which has the same substitution pattern as the original ketone. The oxygenase that attacks the ketone uses NADPH in the incorporation of one atom of 18O2 and is strongly inhibited by phenols that bear an ortho or meta chlorine or bromine, but much less by cresols or phenol itself. A feedback phenomenon may thus account for the inability of strain ACA to grow on CAs, which also fail to induce the cells for their own metabolism.
Pathogenicity of three strains of Serpulina pilosicoli in pigs with a naturally acquired intestinal flora

Serpulina pilosicoli is an anaerobic spirochete which has been isolated from the colons of pigs with enteric disease. The clinical and pathologic features of experimental infections of conventional pigs (born by normal farrowing with a naturally acquired intestinal flora) with three strains of S. pilosicoli were determined in order to confirm the enteropathogenicity of this species. Strains were derived from the colons of British pigs with colitis and passaged 8 to 10 times during expansion and purification in vitro. Eighteen ten-week-old Large White-Landrace cross pigs were each inoculated once orally with 0.7 x 10(9) to 1.6 x 10(9) of one of three strains of S. pilosicoli. Six pigs were challenged with each strain. Control pigs were dosed with uninfected broth medium or with 1.8 x 10(7) cells of the nonpathogenic Serpulina innocens. Eight pigs (two to four per S. pilosicoli challenge group) developed soft or diarrheic feces (fecal dry matter < 24%) between 3 and 8 days after challenge, which persisted for 7 to 8 days or until necropsy at 14 days after challenge. Average weight gains in two of the three groups challenged with S. pilosicoli were significantly less than controls. The feed conversion ratios of all the groups challenged with S. pilosicoli were impaired compared to controls. The mean values for daily liveweight gain (and feed conversion ratio) for the three groups challenged with S. pilosicoli were 0.799 (2.13), 0.783 (2.05), and 0.844 kg (2.10), respectively, while that of the uninoculated controls was 0.944 kg (1.70). Gross lesions with slight mucosal thickening, congestion, and multifocal erosions were evident in seven of eight diarrheic pigs. The relative weights of the large intestines of pigs challenged with S. pilosicoli were significantly less than controls. Histologic lesions with an increase in mucosal height, infiltration of the lamina propria with mononuclear cells, mucosal erosion with mixed inflammatory cell infiltration, and goblet cell hyperplasia in colonic glands were evident in 15 of the 18 challenged pigs. S. pilosicoli was recovered on bacterial culture of the colon from all except one of the pigs with these histologic lesions. Serpulina sp. was clearly visible within the colonic glands of these affected pigs in silver-stained sections of the gut. Clinical and pathologic findings in control pigs were unremarkable, with no diarrhea or colonic lesions evident. The results provide further evidence that S. pilosicoli is a specific enteric pathogen for conventional pigs. It is capable of colonizing the large intestine and causing mucosal damage, which although mild is sufficient to result in significant adverse effects on growth.
Using the Conners' Teacher Rating Scale—Revised in School Children Referred for Assessment

Objective: Predictive validity of the Conners' Teacher Rating Scale–Revised (CTRS-R) was evaluated against a semi-structured clinical teacher interview in school children referred for diagnostic assessment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We hypothesized that extreme scale values would increase diagnostic certainty and that classification errors would be associated with comorbid conditions. Method: Children (n = 1038), aged 6 to 12 years, were screened using the CTRS-R and their teachers were interviewed. Three levels of T scores on the 3 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) subscales of the CTRS-R were compared with DSM-IV symptom thresholds by interview. Where subscale scores and interviews showed highest agreement, presence of comorbid disruptive behavioural disorders, reading disability, language impairment, and low IQ were investigated for children classified correctly, compared with incorrectly. Results: T scores of 60 and above on all CTRS-R DSM-IV subscales offered high sensitivity, from 91% to 94%. Only on subscales M (hyperactive–impulsive) and N (total) did T scores of less than 60 offer posttest probabilities of less than 10%, confirming that a child does not reach diagnostic threshold by interview. T scores of 80 and more offered high specificity, from 88% to 93%, but did not provide high posttest probabilities that children reach diagnostic criteria. Classification errors were associated with more language impairment among false positives than true positives on the M (18.9%, compared with 11.3%, P = 0.04) and N (19.0%, compared with 9.5%, P = 0.023) subscales, and more reading disabilities among false positives than among true positives on the N subscale (35.2%, compared with 21.6%, P = 0.009). Conclusions: The ability of the CTRS-R to predict whether clinically referred children reach DSM-IV criteria for ADHD at school is limited.
Influence of Growth Rate and Length on Fluoride Detection in Human Nails

This study aimed to determine the lag time between increased fluoride (F) intake and F detection in human nails, as well as the influence of nails growth rate and length on this. Ten 20- to 35-year-old volunteers received 1.8 mg F daily, for 30 days. Nail growth rate and length were determined for all fingernails and toenails. Nail samples were collected at the beginning of the study and every 2 weeks (15 collections in all) and F concentrations were determined. The growth rate was statistically higher in fingernails than in toenails. No statistically significant differences were observed between right and left sides. Growth rate was significantly greater for big toenails than for the other toenails, but this pattern was not found for fingernails. The estimated mean lag times for F detection in fingernails and toenails were 101 and 123 days, respectively. An apparent increase in fingernail F concentrations was observed 84 days after the beginning of the study, although this was not statistically different from baseline. For toenails, statistically significant increases in F concentration in relation to baseline were observed 112 and 140 days after increased F ingestion. These increases occurred within the 95% confidence intervals for the calculated mean lag time for fluoride detection in nails. Considering the large amount of sample provided by the big toenails, together with their faster growth rate, as well as the fact that toenails are less prone to environmental contamination, our data suggest that big toenails are more suitable biomarkers of fluoride intake.
Safety of oral midazolam sedation use in paediatric dentistry: a review.

BACKGROUND Little information is available as to the safety of midazolam when used as an oral sedative. AIM To evaluate the side effects and other adverse outcomes following use of oral midazolam for behaviour management in paediatric dentistry. DESIGN A review of published literature relating to the safety and side effects of oral midazolam for use in paediatric dental procedures was conducted. Both randomised controlled trials and non-randomised studies were assessed. Reported side effects were recorded and classified as either significant or minor. The percentage prevalence of significant or minor side effects per episode of treatment was calculated. RESULTS Sixteen papers of randomised controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. None of the side effects recorded were considered as significant. Minor side effects were reported (n = 68, 14%), with nausea and vomiting being the most frequently recorded (n = 30, 6%). Eleven papers of non-randomised studies were included. No significant side effects were recorded. Minor side effects were recorded (n = 157, 8%), with paradoxical reaction being the most common at 3.8%. CONCLUSION Significant side effects associated with oral midazolam usage for behaviour management in children and adolescents requiring dental treatment appear to be rare. Minor side effects are more common but determining precise figures is complicated by poor reporting.
Oral prostaglandin E2 for induction of labour.

idealistic perfection, our's of the practical care of children. Finally, a standard dosage regimen recommended for nitrofurantoin is 7 mg/kg/24 hours. ' For a 2-year-old weighing approximately 12 kg 75 mg per day is not excessive. Not being blessed with foresight, we were not able to foresee the results firom Professor de Wardener's department that Dr. Bailey refers to,2 as these had not been published at the time we draf:ed our article, let alone at the time we were treating the child conoerned. -We are, etc., R. H. JACKSON ANDREw SMITH Children's Department, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne
Impact of Preoperative Patient Characteristics and Flow Rate on Failure, Early Complications, and Voiding Dysfunction After a Transobturator Tape Procedure: A Multicentre Study

Purpose To evaluate the impact of preoperative patient characteristics and flow rate on failure, early postoperative complications, and voiding in patients who underwent transvaginal tension-free vaginal tape-obturator (TVT-O) treatment for uncomplicated stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent TVT-O for SUI at 3 Italian centres. The exclusion criteria were predominant voiding and storage symptoms suggestive of detrusor overactivity, the presence of grade >1 urogenital prolapse, previous pelvic radiotherapy or other clinical contraindications for surgical procedures, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, and collagen diseases. Multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to identify predictors of early voiding dysfunction after TVT-O. Results A total of 219 patients underwent TVT-O between January 2010 and December 2015. All patients received follow-up at 3, 6, and 12 months, and underwent a stress test, uroflowmetry, and bladder ultrasound to evaluate the postvoid residual volume. They also responded to the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) questionnaire. The rates of persistent incontinence after TVT-O, postoperative complications, and satisfaction were 16.4% (36 of 219), 24.2% (53 of 219), and 86.3% (189 of 219), respectively. Nineteen patients (9.5%) experienced early voiding dysfunction. Based on an analysis of baseline characteristics, we determined that a cutoff value of 9.0 on the UDI-6 predicted postoperative SUI with 62% specificity, 72% sensitivity, and 66% accuracy. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, a preoperative UDI-6≥9.0 was an independent predictor of postoperative SUI. The predictors of complications were menopause (P = 0.04) and the preoperative UDI-6 score (P = 0.01). Conclusions Menopause and UDI-6 scores could be prognostic factors for persistent SUI after TVT-O. Well-designed prospective studies with a suitable number of patients are needed to corroborate our findings.
Correlation between Substitutions in Penicillin‐Binding Protein 1 and Amoxicillin Resistance in Helicobacter pylori

The correlation between the substitutions of penicillin‐binding protein 1 (PBP1) and amoxicillin resistance was studied for the determination of the substitutions in PBP1 which confer amoxicillin resistance in Helicobacter pylori. By the comparison of the amino acid sequences of PBP1 in the amoxicillin‐resistant (n=3), low‐susceptible (n=3), and susceptible (n = 13) H. pylori isolates, the substitution Asn562→Tyr, which is adjacent to KTG motif (555–557), was common and specific to amoxicillin‐resistant H. pylori. Additionally, all amoxicillin‐resistant isolates had multiple substitutions such as Ser414→Arg in the transpeptidase region of PBP1 of H. pylori. Furthermore all transformants obtained by the natural transformation using the pbp1 genes of amoxicillin‐resistant H. pylori isolates had multiple substitutions including Asn562→Tyr. These results suggest that multiple amino acid substitutions in the transpeptidase region of PBP1 are closely related to amoxicillin resistance in H. pylori.
Improved Bioconversion of Volatile Fatty Acids from Waste Activated Sludge by Pretreatment

Batch tests were conducted to analyze the influence of various pretreatment methods including thermo‐alkaline, thermo‐acid, ultrasonic‐alkaline, and ultrasonic‐acid on the bioconversion of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) from waste activated sludge. Experimental results showed that total VFAs (TVFAs) increased by 68.2% for ultrasonic‐alkaline and 59.1% for thermo‐alkaline. The TVFAs bioconversion in the case of the thermo‐acid or ultrasonic‐acid pretreatment, however, was lower than that without pretreatment. The results of VFA distribution showed that acetic acid was the most prevalent product, with a fraction of 35.5 to 57.2% for all cases. The mechanism of VFA production was then investigated. Results revealed that, in the two alkaline‐pretreated slurries, soluble COD and soluble BOD/soluble COD significantly increased to yield more soluble substrate for the subsequent fermentation. Soluble proteins comprised the main substance provided that was converted to VFAs. A further investigation indicated that volatile (organic) solids, including insoluble proteins, in the solid phase of the samples pretreated with these two methods were hardly consumed during the fermentation.
Profitability and Investment‐Based Factor Pricing Models

Ex ante predictors of stock returns must exhibit explanatory power across the feasible set of investments. But empirical results of factor pricing models that incorporate firm investment and profitability cannot explain the apparently high returns of US small stocks with very high investment levels and very low profitability. Whilst these stocks comprise only a small fraction of US data sets, this is not the case across global markets. Using a data set that is concentrated with stocks that exhibit high investment despite low profitability, we demonstrate that such factor models are limited in their explanatory power over these stocks.
The influence of flywheel weight and pedalling frequency on the biomechanics and physiological responses to bicycle exercise.

The physiological, subjective and biomechanical effects of altering flywheel weight and pedalling rate on a Quinton Model 870 bicycle ergometer were studied. Steel plates were added to the flywheel to increase its weight to 35·9 kg with a moment of inertia of 1·65 kg m2. A 1·5 kg spoked wheel with a moment of inertia of 0·1 kg m2 was used as the light flywheel. Eight subjects pedalled on two separate occasions for 6 min at 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 r.p.m. with workload levels representing 30 and 60% of their [Vdot]O2max with each flywheel. Force plate pedals were used to measure the total resultant force on the pedals (FR ) and the component perpendicular to the crank arm (FT). A force effectiveness index (FEI) was denned as the average of FT/FR over a crank cycle. The result showed no statistically significant change (p<0·05) in [Vdot]O2, heart rate and rating of perceived exertion of the FEI as a function of flywheel weight except for the [Vdot]O2 at 50 r.p.m. for the light workload. As the r.p.m. incre.
A Robust Approach to Chance Constrained Optimal Power Flow With Renewable Generation

Optimal Power Flow (OPF) dispatches controllable generation at minimum cost subject to operational constraints on generation and transmission assets. The uncertainty and variability of intermittent renewable generation is challenging current deterministic OPF approaches. Recent formulations of OPF use chance constraints to limit the risk from renewable generation uncertainty, however, these new approaches typically assume the probability distributions which characterize the uncertainty and variability are known exactly. We formulate a robust chance constrained (RCC) OPF that accounts for uncertainty in the parameters of these probability distributions by allowing them to be within an uncertainty set. The RCC OPF is solved using a cutting-plane algorithm that scales to large power systems. We demonstrate the RRC OPF on a modified model of the Bonneville Power Administration network, which includes 2209 buses and 176 controllable generators. Deterministic, chance constrained (CC), and RCC OPF formulations are compared using several metrics including cost of generation, area control error, ramping of controllable generators, and occurrence of transmission line overloads as well as the respective computational performance.
Intellectual capital-based innovation planning: empirical studies using wiNK model

Purpose – Innovation is essential for business growth that cannot be created by financial investment alone but with intellectual capital (IC). IC management is critical for the organization, yet many firms do not have proper strategies. The purpose of this paper is to present an effective planning model that enables organizations to raise their innovation capability through strategic IC management. Design/methodology/approach – Two R & D groups in an information and communication technology organization are examined with an IC-based complex system model (wiNK model). The model includes a descriptive part that determines the current IC state of the group and a prescriptive part that identifies the IC strategies for optimal innovation performance. Findings – This paper demonstrated that the wiNK model is an easy-to-use prescriptive tool using IC to optimize innovation performance. Research limitations/implications – The IC state of an organization is dynamic and changing. Regular IC examinations are necessary to track its changes. Practical implications – This IC-based model can be applied individually without benchmarking with other organizations. The IC location map can be documented as an organization DNA profile for the organization. The tracking of the continuous and dynamic changes is beneficial to the organization and its stakeholders. It can be served as both planning and evaluation tools. Originality/value – This study offers a systemic approach to the interdisciplinary study of organizational behavior and innovation with a pioneering use of an IC framework. It contributes to the field of innovation management with a new attempt of its kind to integrate management research and mathematical simulation model.