Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chronic Hydroxymethylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase Inhibition and Endothelial Function of the Normocholesterolemic Rat: Comparison With Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition

Hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors seem to have clinical benefits beyond those predicted by their lipid-lowering action. The objective was to evaluate the vascular effect of long-term treatment with statins on isolated rat aorta and their ability to prevent the acute toxicity of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDLs) compared with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Four groups of Wistar rats were treated for 5 weeks. Group 1 received pravastatin 20 mg/kg/d orally; group 2 received atorvastatin 10 mg/kg/d; group 3 received ciprofibrate 25 mg/kg/d; and group 4 served as control. Total cholesterol and triglyceride plasma levels were not altered, except in group 3, in which both parameters were decreased. The inhibitory effect of the endothelium on serotonin-induced contractions was significantly increased in group 1. A significant leftward shift of the concentration-response curves to acetylcholine (1 n M–0.1 m M) was observed in group 1 but the maximal relaxation to acetylcholine was similar in the four groups. In contrast, in the presence of human Cu2+-oxLDL (300 &mgr;g/ml, 30 min of preincubation), the maximal relaxation to acetylcholine was markedly decreased (p < 0.02) in groups 3 and 4 versus that of groups 1 and 2. No difference in superoxide accumulation was observed by the chemiluminescence technique. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), measured by enzyme immunoassay in aortic tissues, was increased in group 1 in the presence of superoxide dismutase. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression was not altered (Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). In aortas isolated from a fifth group of rats treated with an ACE inhibitor (ramipril 10 mg/kg/d for 6 weeks), similar results to those of group 1 were observed except that the eNOS abundance was significantly enhanced. Thus, long-term statin treatment upregulates the eNOS pathway and attenuates the acute toxicity of human oxLDL. In contrast to chronic ACE inhibition, the eNOS abundance is not increased.
AWARENESS, ATTITUDE AND PARTICIPATION RATE OF MEN IN FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAMS IN IRAN

Int J Women’s Health Reproduction Sci Vol. 2, No. 1, Winter 2014 ISSN 2330-4456 Awareness, Attitude and Participation Rate of Men in Family Planning Programs in Iran Soheila Bani1 , Khadijahsadat Hosseini2, Shirin Hasanpour3*, Susan Valizadeh 4, Parvin Abedi 5 Abstract Objectives: The aim of present study was to evaluate the awareness, attitude and participation of men in family planning program in Abyek, Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was done on 400 men and women in Abyek, Iran. Data regarding awareness and attitude of men in family planning program and their participation rate were gathered. The descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation test were used for analyzing data. Results: The mean awareness, attitude and participation score of men in family planning was7.40±2.37, 54.68±6.12 and 8±2.52 respectively. The percentage of awareness, attitude and participation was 52.8%, 84% and 66.6% respectively. A significant relationship was observed between knowledge and participation (r=0.293, p=0.005) and attitude and participation (r=0.328, p=0.005). Conclusion: Awareness and participation of men in family planning program was not good, however; their attitude was acceptable. It seems that the knowledge and practice of men about family planning should be increased by educational programs. 1M.Sc in midwifery, Iinstructor of Nursing &Midwifery Faculty, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. 2M.Sc in midwifery, Nursing &Midwifery Faculty, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. 3M.Sc in midwifery, Instructor of Nursing &Midwifery Faculty, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. 4PhD in nursing, Professor Assistant of Nursing &Midwifery Faculty, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. 5PhD in Community Nutrition, Assistant Professor in Midwifery Department, Menopause Andropause Research Center, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Article History: Received September 2013 Accepted October 2013 Available online January 2014 Corresponding Author: Shirin Hasanpour, Instructor of Nursing & Midwifery Faculty, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Tel: +989141151057 Email: shirinhasanpoor@yahoo.com
Quality Indicators for Group Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research in Special Education

This article presents quality indicators for experimental and quasi-experimental studies for special education. These indicators are intended not only to evaluate the merits of a completed research report or article but also to serve as an organizer of critical issues for consideration in research. We believe these indicators can be used widely, from assisting in the development of research plans to evaluating proposals. In this article, the framework and rationale is explained by providing brief descriptions of each indicator. Finally, we suggest a standard for determining whether a practice may be considered evidence-based. It is our intent that this standard for evidenced-based practice and the indicators be reviewed, revised as needed, and adopted by the field of special education.
English as a multicultural language: implications from a study of Japan's junior high schools' English language textbooks

Abstract Applying Kachru and Nelson's model of English spread and their categorisation into Inner/Outer/Expanding Circles, this content analysis of English as a Foreign Language textbooks used in Japanese junior high schools investigates which countries were introduced and further studies how Japan's domestic diversity was constructed in those textbooks. Furthermore, to scrutinise representations of Japan's domestic diversity, this study examines what types of individual located in Japan were represented in the textbooks. The concepts of race and ethnic relations in a global context will be discussed to understand representations of individuals. Drawing upon the concept of English as a multicultural language, this study suggests that this multicultural perspective would not only promote understanding varieties of English use in Asian contexts but would also help educators and students recognise the internal diversity of Japan where multilingual and multicultural communication takes place.
Diagnosability of Fuzzy Discrete-Event Systems: A Fuzzy Approach

In order to more effectively cope with the real-world problems of vagueness, fuzzy discrete-event systems (FDESs) were proposed by Lin and Ying recently. Then we and Cao and Ying investigated the supervisory control of FDESs independently. In this paper, we are concerned with another important issue of FDESs, the failure diagnosis. More specifically: (1) we propose a ldquofuzzy diagnosabilityrdquo approach by introducing a fuzzy diagnosability function to characterize the diagnosability degree, which takes values in the interval [0,1] rather than { 0,1}; (2) based on the observability of events, we formalize the construction of the diagnosers that are used to perform fuzzy diagnosis; (3) a number of basic properties of the diagnosers are investigated. In particular, we present a necessary and sufficient condition for failure diagnosis of FDESs. Our results generalize the important consequences of the diagnosability for crisp discrete-event systems (DESs) introduced by Sampath et al. The newly proposed approach allows us to deal with the problem of diagnosability for both crisp DESs and FDESs; (4) in addition, a method for checking the fuzzy diagnosability for FDESs is proposed. Also, some examples are provided to illustrate the application of the diagnosability of FDESs.
Source of whistler emissions at the dayside magnetopause

Observations of whistler emissions are common in the magnetosphere near the dayside magnetopause. We show that one of the major source regions for these emissions is magnetic field minima that form along magnetic flux tubes at high latitudes. Using multispacecraft Cluster observations we experimentally confirm for the first time the existence of the magnetic field minima at high latitudes and we show that whistler emissions propagate away from the magnetic field minima. The strongest whistler emissions are observed on the magnetospheric flux tubes that are newly opened due to the magnetic reconnection. These flux tubes still have a density of magnetospheric plasma, but part of the high energy magnetospheric electrons have already been lost from the flux tubes. The partial loss of high energy electrons most probably causes anisotropy in electron distributions at high energies which should be the source of whistler emissions. Whistler emissions on opened flux tubes disappear as soon as the plasma density of flux tubes increases due to the entering of magnetosheath ions. We speculate that whistler emissions can most probably be used to trace the dynamics of the first opened field lines and thus the dynamics of magnetic reconnection sites.
Neurologic Outcome in Rats Following Incomplete Cerebral Ischemia during Halothane, Isoflurane, or N2O

Using rats in which incomplete cerebral ischemia was induced, the authors evaluated the effects of halothane (H) and isoflurane (I) on neurologic outcome compared to nitrous oxide (N2O) controls. Incomplete cerebral ischemia was produced by right carotid artery occlusion combined with hemorrhagic hypotension. Neurologic outcome was evaluated using a graded deficit score from 0 to 5 (0 = normal, 5 = death associated with stroke). Two levels of cerebral ischemia were tested. At moderate ischemia with hypotension of 30 mmHg, an FIO2 of 0.3, and ischemic periods of 30 or 45 min, N2O produced a deficit of 4.7–5.0 and a mortality rate of 90–100%. In contrast, halothane (1 MAC) and isoflurane (1 MAC) resulted in similar deficit scores (H = 1.1–1.8, I = 1.4–1.6) and mortality rates (H = 17–30%, I = 17–20%). Cerebral blood flow (CBF) measured with radioactive microspheres showed a 60–65% decrease in the ischemic hemisphere at this level of hypotension. With severe ischemia with hypotension = 25 mmHg, FIO2 = 0.2, and a 30-min period of ischemia, deficit scores increased to 3.0 and 3.9 with 1 MAC halothane and 1 MAC isoflurane, respectively. Morality rates also increased to 40% with halothane and 70% with isoflurane. Increasing the concentration of halothane or isoflurane to 2 MAC did not significantly improve outcome. Brain histology demonstrated extensive neuronal damage in striatal, hippocampal, and neocortical regions of N2O control treated rats, and less damage with little difference between H-and I-treated rats at each level of ischemia. Using this model of incomplete cerebral ischemia, halothane and isoflurane provided significantly better neurologic and histologic outcomes when compared to N2O controls, with little difference between the two volatile anesthetics.
MK‐801 inhibition of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor channels

MK‐801 is a potent inhibitor of the NMDA subtype of glutamate receptors. Single‐channel and macroscopic current indicate that MK‐801 also inhibits nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). MK‐801 does not significantly increase desensitization of the nAChR, the main action of MK‐801 is to enter and block the open channel. The voltage dependence for block is consistent with a single binding site within the channel that is 50% of the way through the membrane field. The IC50 for block is 3 μM at‐70 mV for currents induced by 0.5 μ;M ACh. The data from both single‐channel and macroscopic currents can be used to estimate a Kd (0) of 7 μM, which is about 40 times higher than the Kd(0) for MK‐801 binding to the NMDA receptor. The relative potency of tricyclic compounds like MK‐801 for various neurotransmitter systems points out that the pharmacologic action of these drugs could involve complicated interactions in vivo.
Kanji‐predominant alexia in advanced Alzheimer's disease

Objectives ‐ Oral reading is preserved until the late stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it is unknown whether reading of kanji and kana is differentially impaired in Japanese AD patients. The purpose of this study was to examine alexic pattern in AD as related to two script systems. Material and methods ‐ In 18 severe AD patients, reading performance was compared among kana characters, monographic kanji words, and kana‐transcribed words. Auditory comprehension was also examined. Results ‐ With increased severity of dementia, kanji reading was clearly more impaired than kana reading, which was relatively unaffected. Graphic complexity and frequency of the kanji influenced the performance variously among the patients Dissociation between kanji reading and comprehension was also noted. Conclusion ‐ As a result of multiple cognitive deficits, kanji reading is more impaired than kana reading in AD, but the difference is apparent only in the very late stage. Our findings suggest that kanji can be read correctly without meaning.
Subacute thrombosis and vascular injury resulting from slotted-tube nitinol and stainless steel stents in a rabbit carotid artery model.

BACKGROUND Our objectives were to quantify the thrombogenicity and extent of vascular injury created by slotted-tube geometry stainless steel and nitinol coronary stents in a rabbit carotid artery model. METHODS AND RESULTS Stents were implanted in rabbit right carotid arteries without antiplatelet therapy. Stainless steel stents were implanted for 4 days while nitinol stents were placed for 4 and 14 days (n = 8, 8, and 6, respectively). Stent thrombosis was assessed by thrombus weight, grading thrombus encroachment of the lumen, and by blood flow in the stented and contralateral arteries. Stainless steel stents at 4 days contained more thrombus than 4- and 14-day nitinol stents (20.0 +/- 5.9 versus 2.5 +/- 0.6 and 2.7 +/- 0.3 mg, respectively; P < .000001). Stainless steel stents were more often occluded by thrombus (6 of 8) or contained more subocclusive thrombus (2 of 8) than nitinol stents (0 of 14, P < .002). Resting blood flow was reduced in arteries with stainless steel stents compared with 4- and 14-day nitinol stents (1.5 +/- 2.8 versus 24.0 +/- 2.0 and 25.5 +/- 1.9 mL/min, respectively, P < .000001). Stainless steel stents were less uniformly expanded, had deeper strut penetration into the vascular wall, and were associated with more extensive medial smooth muscle cell necrosis. There were strong correlations (r = .77 to .95) between variables of thrombosis extent (thrombus weight and grade) and histologically determined vascular injury (strut penetration and medial necrosis). CONCLUSIONS Slotted-tube stainless steel stents were more thrombogenic and created more extensive vascular injury than nitinol stents in a rabbit carotid artery model. The mechanisms underlying these differences probably are related to metallurgic and design geometry properties of the two stent types.
Tyrosine Phosphorylation Mapping of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Signaling Pathway*

Phosphorylation is one of the most common forms of protein modification. The most frequent targets for protein phosphorylation in eukaryotes are serine and threonine residues, although tyrosine residues also undergo phosphorylation. Many of the currently applied methods for the detection and localization of protein phosphorylation sites are mass spectrometry-based and are biased against the analysis of tyrosine-phosphorylated residues because of the stability and low reactivity of phosphotyrosines. To overcome this lack of sensitive methods for the detection of phosphotyrosine-containing peptides, we have recently developed a method that is not affected by the more predominant threonine or serine phosphorylation within cells. It is based on the specific detection of immonium ion of phosphotyrosine at 216.043 Da and does not require prior knowledge of the protein sequence. In this report, we describe the first application of this new method in a proteomic strategy. Using anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies for immunoprecipitation and one-dimensional gel electrophoresis, we have identified 10 proteins in the epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway, of which 8 have been shown previously to be involved in epidermal growth factor signaling. Most importantly, in addition to several known tyrosine phosphorylation sites, we have identified five novel sites on SHIP-2, Hrs, Cbl, STAM, and STAM2, most of which were not predicted to be phosphorylated. Because of its sensitivity and selectivity, this approach will be useful in proteomic approaches to study tyrosine phosphorylation in a number of signal transduction pathways.
Human Mycobacterium tuberculosis-reactive CD4+ T-cell clones: heterogeneity in antigen recognition, cytokine production, and cytotoxicity for mononuclear phagocytes

CD4+ T cells regulate the protective immune response which follows exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis by activating macrophages through the cytokines the CD4+ T cells secrete. In addition CD4+ T cells have been shown to be directly cytotoxic for antigen-pulsed mononuclear phagocytes (monocytes-macrophages). To explore the functional interaction between mycobacterial antigen-specific CD4+ T cells and mononuclear phagocytes further, CD4+ T-cell clones were derived from healthy purified protein derivative-positive individuals. Five T-cell clones were selected for detailed analysis. None responded to the purified recombinant or native mycobacterial antigens of 14, 19, 65, 71, and 30 (alpha-antigen/Ag6) kDa. However, the T-cell clones demonstrated heterogeneity in antigen recognition as measured by their Western blot (immunoblot) responses. Some T-cell clones made only interleukin 2, while others made only interleukin 4; all produced gamma interferon, although in differing amounts. Four of five T-cells clones were cytotoxic for purified protein derivative-pulsed monocytes at 1:1 and 10:1 effector-target cell ratios. When monocytes infected with live M. tuberculosis were used as targets, comparable levels of cytotoxicity were observed. The cytotoxicity was major histocompatibility complex class II restricted and inhibited by antibodies to ICAM-1 and LFA-1 and not by antibodies to tumor necrosis factor alpha, lymphotoxin, and gamma interferon. Cytotoxicity by CD4+ T cells for monocytes pulsed with mycobacterial antigens or infected with live M. tuberculosis is a common property of these cells and appears to be independent of the repertoire of lymphokines produced and not limited to recognition of defined mycobacterial heat shock proteins. Lysis of heavily infected mononuclear phagocytes may be one manner in which CD4+ T cells regulate host immune response to M. tuberculosis.
A Modified Grapefruit Juice Eliminates Two Compound Classes as Major Mediators of the Grapefruit Juice–Fexofenadine Interaction: An In Vitro–In Vivo “Connect”

The grapefruit juice (GFJ)–fexofenadine interaction involves inhibition of intestinal organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP)‐mediated uptake. Only naringin has been shown clinically to inhibit intestinal OATP; other constituents have not been evaluated. The effects of a modified GFJ devoid of furanocoumarins (∼99%) and polymethoxyflavones (∼90%) on fexofenadine disposition were compared to effects of the original juice. Extracts of both juices inhibited estrone 3‐sulfate and fexofenadine uptake by similar extents in OATP‐transfected cells (∼50% and ∼25%, respectively). Healthy volunteers (n = 18) were administered fexofenadine (120 mg) with water, GFJ, or modified GFJ (240 mL) by randomized, three‐way crossover design. Compared to water, both juices decreased fexofenadine geometric mean AUC and Cmax by ∼25% (P ≤ .008 and P ≤ .011, respectively), with no effect on terminal half‐life (P = .11). Similar effects by both juices on fexofenadine pharmacokinetics indicate furanocoumarins and polymethoxyflavones are not major mediators of the GFJ–fexofenadine interaction.
Comparing political systems: Establishing similarities and dissimilarities

Comparative political analysis at the macro-level of political systems can reduce the inevitably high complexity of such comparisons by the systematic matching or contrasting of cases, depending on the particular problem. Such 'most similar systems' or 'most different systems' designs, in Przeworski & Teune's terminology, thus constitute one of the major ways out of the usual 'small N - many variables' dilemma. This paper proposes a detailed and comprehensive method to establish such similarities and dissimilarities in a systematic and at all stages transparent way. The examples chosen refer to an analysis of the conditions of survival or breakdown of democratic systems in the inter-war period in Europe.
Effect of Nimodipine on the Regional Cerebral Acidosis Accompanying Thiamine Deficiency in the Rat

Abstract: The effect of the calcium channel blocker nimodipine on the previously described regional cerebral acidosis accompanying thiamine deficiency was investigated. Local cerebral pH (LCpH) and blood flow (LCBF) were separately determined autoradiographically in normal and 16‐day thia‐mine‐deficient rats administered the calcium antagonist drug and compared to appropriate controls. Nimodipine did not modify LCpH in normal brain. In thiamine deficiency, nimodipine significantly raised LCpH in 5 of 17 structures evaluated, two of which, the medial dorsal nucleus of the thalamus and the mammillary body, are vulnerable to the development of histological lesions in this condition. Although the calcium blocker augmented LCBF in normal brain, it had no effect on the hyperperfusion already present by day 16 of thiamine deprivation. Thus, the pH changes we are reporting are probably not related to an effect on cerebral perfusion, but could have resulted from an improved ability of the brain to reduce its proton load in the presence of nimodipine. These results may have wider therapeutic implications than in thiamine deficiency alone.
The eastern cooperative oncology group experience with cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, and 5‐fluorouracil (CAF) in patients with metastatic breast cancer

Data on 162 women (90 premenopausal and 72 postmenopausal) with metastatic breast cancer randomized to receive cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin (doxorubicin) and 5‐fluorouracil (CAF) on two Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) protocols were analyzed. Twenty‐three percent had complete remission; 39% had partial remission; 28% had no change; and 3% had disease progression. Of those patients in whom receptors were known, response rates were 65% for estrogen (ER)‐receptor positive and 70% for ER‐negative patients. The median duration of response was 11.4 months. The median survival time from the start of CAF was 20.2 months. The response rate, time to treatment failure (TTF), and median survival time were superior in the premenopausal women. These differences ceased, however, to be statistically significant in logistic models. Factors significantly associated with longer TTF and longer survival were as follows: one or two organs with metastases (TTF, P < 0.0001; survival, P < 0.0001); dominant site other than soft tissue (TTF, P < 0.0001; survival, P = 0.05); and an initial good performance status (TTF, P = 0.007; survival, P = 0.02). Patients with ER‐positive disease had a significantly longer median survival time (P = 0.003).
The challenge facing population geography

The current status of the study of population geography is examined, with some reference to the situation in the United Kingdom. The authors note that whereas the volume of studies in this area indicate its healthy growth, the subdiscipline has become increasingly distant from mainstream geography and runs the risk of being absorbed into general demography. The authors suggest that "population geographers, while taking a serious interest in the methods and philosophy of the neighbouring discipline of demography, should look elsewhere to find direction for their subdiscipline. "