Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Greater sympathoadrenal activation with longer preventilation intervals after immediate cord clamping increases hemodynamic lability at birth in preterm lambs.

This study tested the hypothesis that varying degrees of hemodynamic fluctuations seen after birth following immediate cord clamping were related to development of asphyxia with longer cord clamp-to-ventilation intervals, resulting in higher perinatal circulating levels of the catecholamines norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (Epi), and thus increased heart rate, blood pressures, and cardiac contractility after birth. Anesthetized preterm fetal lambs were instrumented with 1) aortic (AoT) and pulmonary trunk (PT) micromanometers to obtain pressures and the maximal rate of pressure rise (dP/dtmax) as a surrogate measure of ventricular contractility, and 2) an AoT catheter to obtain samples for blood gas and catecholamine analyses. After delivery, immediate cord clamping was followed by ventilation ∼40 s (n = 7), ∼60 s (n = 8), ∼90 s (n = 9), or ∼120 s later (n = 8), with frequent blood sampling performed before and after ventilation. AoT O2 content fell rapidly after immediate cord clamping (P < 0.001), with an asphyxial state evident at ≥60 s. Plasma NE and Epi levels increased progressively with longer cord clamp-to-ventilation intervals, with an exponential relation between falling AoT O2 content and rising catecholamines (R2 = 0.64-0.67). Elevated circulating catecholamines persisted for some minutes after ventilation onset, with postbirth surges in heart rate, AoT and PT pressures, and AoT and PT dP/dtmax linearly related to loge of catecholamine levels (R2 = 0.41-0.54, all P < 0.001). These findings suggest that 1) a greater degree of asphyxia-induced sympathoadrenal activation (reflected in elevated circulating catecholamine levels) occurs with longer intervals between immediate cord clamping and subsequent ventilation, and 2) this activation is a major determinant of hemodynamic fluctuations evident with birth.
Políticas para el fomento de los sectores productivos en Centroamérica

Resumen La profundizacion de la apertura economica de los ultimos anos en los paises centroamericanos hace necesario emprender acciones para fomentar el proceso productivo de esta region. Existe conciencia de la necesidad de establecer planes y programas para mejorar el desempeno competitivo de los sectores productivos; en efecto, existe en la region gran cantidad de iniciativas que buscan superar los obstaculos competitivos de los sectores productivos, en areas tales como asistencia tecnica, capacitacion, asesoria, financiamiento, asi como normalizacion, metrologia, control de la calidad, promocion de exportaciones, entre otras. Ello es alentador, ya que se esta originando la capacidad en los sectores publico y privado para crear la base de servicios de apoyo que requieren los sectores productivos para su eficiente y eficaz desarrollo en economias abiertas e insertas en la economia mundial. Sin embargo, dichas iniciativas son recientes, se desarrollan de forma aislada, no cuentan con un respaldo solido expresado en politicas de los gobiernos, no gozan de continuidad ante los cambios de gobierno, y sobre todo no son integrales, en el sentido de ser parte de un conjunto de politicas, planes y programas debidamente institucionalizados y dirigidos a superar las brechas competitivas de los diferentes sectores productivos. Una especial mencion merecen las micro, pequenas y medianas empresas (MIPYME);; estas han sido objeto de un renovado interes de parte de gobiernos, organismos internacionales y organizaciones no gubernamentales, manifestado en propuestas, leyes, reglamentos y organos deliberativos de apoyo a este importante sector de la produccion. No obstante, en la practica, las MIPYME todavia no han recibido el apoyo requerido para sostener su capacidad competitiva y potenciar su contribucion al desarrollo de los paises de la region. El reto que enfrentan los paises de la region es el ordenamiento y la coordinacion sistematica de la gran cantidad de iniciativas que se ejecutan y, en seguida, traducir todo ese esfuerzo en politicas nacionales de fomento a los sectores productivos.
Non-starch polysaccharides in pig feeding.

Abstract In pigs and humans, the nutrients starch, protein, fat and some minerals need to be digested prior to the terminal ileum for optimal use of these nutrients. In contrast, the non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) are mainly fermented by microbes in the hindgut. Results of experiments in pigs showed that NSP negatively affected apparent digestion of protein, fat and some minerals. In addition, large amounts of fermented NSP increased the empty weight of the hindgut. Because tissue of organs like the intestinal tract are metabolically very active, it may have required more energy for maintenance, hence leaving less energy for growth. Despite all the negative effects as mentioned above, including NSP-rich ingredients in pig diets also has quite a lot of advantages. Their energy supply can cover the energy requirements for maintenance. In addition, positive effects on the well-being and health of pigs, and on the excretion of ammonia are claimed. In conclusion, in future pig diet formulation not only the nutritional aspects of NSP-rich ingredients should be taken into account, but also their non-nutritional aspects. This might be realized by developing nutrient based feed evaluation systems, rather than the energy based systems which are presently used.
DIVERSITY OF GLUTATHIONE S‐TRANSFERASE OMEGA 1 (A140D) AND 2 (N142D) GENE POLYMORPHISMS IN WORLDWIDE POPULATIONS

1 Glutathione S‐transferase class omega (GSTO) 1 and 2 are members of the glutathione‐S‐transferase family, which uses glutathione in the process of the biotransformation of drugs, xenobiotics and oxidative stress. Associations with the age‐at‐onset of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases have been shown in the genetic polymorphism of GSTO1 and GSTO2. 2 In the present study, the frequencies of GSTO1*A140D and GSTO2*N142D in Ovambos (n = 163), Turks (n = 194), Mongolians (n = 243) and Japanese (n = 102) were investigated and compared with findings from other studies. Detection of these single nucleotide polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. 3 The allele frequencies of these polymorphisms in Ovambos, Turks, Mongolians and Japanese were 0.040, 0.085, 0.128 and 0.108, respectively, for GSTO1*A140D and 0.583, 0.219, 0.173 and 0.216, respectively, for GSTO2*N142D. Ovambos showed the lowest allele frequency of GSTO1*A140D. Conversely, Africans, including Ovambos, showed higher allele frequencies of GSTO2*N142D than Caucasians and Asians. 4 The existence of a certain genetic heterogeneity in the worldwide distribution of these two polymorphisms is revealed in the present study.
Epicardial wavefronts arise from widely distributed transient sources during ventricular fibrillation in the isolated swine heart

It has been proposed that ventricular fibrillation (VF) waves emanate from stable localized sources, often called ‘mother rotors’. However, evidence for the existence of these rotors is conflicting. Using a new panoramic optical mapping system that can image nearly the entire ventricular epicardium, we recently excluded epicardial mother rotors as the drivers of Wiggers' stage II VF in the isolated swine heart. Furthermore, we were unable to find evidence that VF requires sustained intramural sources. The present study was designed to test the following hypotheses: (i) VF is driven by a specific region, and (ii) rotors that are long-lived, though not necessarily permanent, are the primary generators of VF wavefronts. Using panoramic optical mapping, we mapped VF wavefronts from six isolated swine hearts. Wavefronts were tracked to characterize their activation pathways and to locate their originating sources. We found that the wavefronts that participate in epicardial re-entry were not confined to a compact region; rather they activated the entire epicardial surface. New wavefronts feeding into the epicardial activation pattern were generated over the majority of the epicardium and almost all of them were associated with rotors or repetitive breakthrough patterns that lasted for less than 2 s. These findings indicate that epicardial wavefronts in this model are generated by many transitory epicardial sources distributed over the entire surface of the heart.
Dual effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide and isoproterenol on lipid metabolism and signaling in primary rat adipocytes.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide that exerts its effects throughout the body by elevating the intracellular amounts of cAMP. In adipocytes, an increased amount of cAMP is associated with increased lipolysis. In this work we evaluated the effects of PACAP38 on triglyceride metabolism in primary rat adipocytes. Stimulation of adipocytes with PACAP (0.1-100 nm) resulted in stimulation of lipolysis to the same extent as isoproterenol. Lipolysis was blocked by 25 microm of the protein kinase A inhibitor H-89 and potentiated in the presence of 10 microm OPC3911, a phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitor. In addition, PACAP38 induced activation of protein kinase A. Insulin efficiently inhibited PACAP38-induced lipolysis in a phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase and phosphodiesterase 3-dependent manner. Interestingly, we also found that PACAP38, as well as isoproterenol, induced potentiation of lipogenesis in the presence of insulin. These results show that PACAP38 and isoproterenol mediate catabolic as well as anabolic effects in adipocytes, depending on the concentration of insulin present. We speculate that in the early postprandial state and during fasting, when insulin levels are low, PACAP and beta-adrenergic catecholamines induce lipolysis, whereas when higher levels of insulin are present, these agents potentiate the anabolic effect of insulin, i.e. storage of triglycerides.
Social inequalities in response to antidepressant treatment in older adults.

CONTEXT We examined the relationship between socioeconomic status and response to treatment for depression among older adults. METHODS Secondary analysis of pooled data from the open-label phase of 2 National Institute of Mental Health-funded clinical trials of nortriptyline hydrochloride or paroxetine combined with interpersonal psychotherapy (N = 248). We used Cox proportional hazards regression analyses to examine the association between socioeconomic status, indexed by census tract median annual household income and the subject's educational attainment, and treatment response and remission according to the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. The association between socioeconomic status and suicidality or depressed mood reported at each week of treatment was examined using repeated-measures generalized logit models. RESULTS Subjects residing in middle-income census tracts were significantly more likely to respond to antidepressant treatment than subjects residing in low-income census tracts (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-2.75]). Throughout the course of antidepressant treatment, subjects in the middle- and high-income census tracts were significantly less likely to report suicidal ideation (adjusted odds ratios, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.27-0.94] and 0.39 [95% CI, 0.16-0.94], respectively). No association was found between socioeconomic status and remission. CONCLUSION Residence in a low-income census tract is associated with a less favorable course of depression among older adults receiving a combination of pharmacologic and psychosocial treatment.
Amelioration of Retroviral Vector Silencing in Locus Control Region β-Globin-Transgenic Mice and Transduced F9 Embryonic Cells

ABSTRACT Retroviral vectors are transcriptionally silenced in hematopoietic stem cells, and this phenomenon must be overcome for effective gene therapy of blood diseases. The murine stem cell virus (MSCV) vector completely silences β-globin reporter genes regulated by locus control region (LCR) elements 5′HS2 to 5′HS4 in seven of eight transgenic mice. Here, we show that no single known MSCV silencer element is sufficient for complete LCR β-globin transgene silencing. However, partial silencing of high-copy transgenes is conveyed by the MSCV direct repeat and promoter elements. The CpG methylation pattern of silenced and expressed MSCV promoter transgenes is virtually identical, demonstrating that silencing does not absolutely correlate with methylation status. Combined mutations in all four MSCV silencer elements leads to expression of β-globin in 6 of 10 transgenic mice. The same mutations incorporated into the HSC1 retrovirus vector directneo gene expression in 71% of transduced F9 embryonic carcinoma cells. These studies demonstrate that combined mutation of four retroviral silencer elements relieves complete silencing in most transgenic mice and transduced F9 cells and suggests that novel silencer elements remain. Enhanced expression of the HSC1 vector in primitive stem cells is well suited for blood gene therapy applications.
New oral anticoagulants and the risk of intracranial hemorrhage: traditional and Bayesian meta-analysis and mixed treatment comparison of randomized trials of new oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation.

IMPORTANCE Randomized studies have shown a decreased risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) with use of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs). However, it is unclear whether the magnitude of benefit is similar for all NOACs currently available. OBJECTIVE To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantitatively assess the rates of ICH within the framework of both conventional and Bayesian statistics. DATA SOURCES The MEDLINE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and EBSCO databases, supplemented with conference abstracts, were searched up to December 1, 2012, with no language restriction. STUDY SELECTION Randomized trials comparing NOACs vs a comparator and reporting on ICH events. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS The NOACs were pooled to perform a comparison with all comparators and among themselves in both traditional frequentist and Bayesian random-effects models using vague priors and Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation with Gibbs sampling, calculating pooled odds ratios and associated 95% confidence intervals as well as numbers needed to treat and 95% credible intervals for the Bayesian analysis. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Intracranial hemorrhage events associated with NOACs in comparison with comparators, expressed as odds ratios. RESULTS Six studies (1 administering dabigatran etexilate mesylate, 2 administering rivaroxaban, and 3 administering apixaban) enrolling a total of 57,491 patients were included for analysis. The NOACs significantly reduced the risk of ICH against all comparators (odds ratio = 0.49; 95% CI, 0.36-0.65). Each of the 3 drugs reduced the risk of ICH, with Bayesian indirect comparison analysis not revealing a significant credible difference between the specific medications. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Novel oral anticoagulants are uniformly associated with an overall reduced risk of ICH when used for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. Any of the currently available NOACs can be considered first line for patients at high risk for ICH.
Similar Safety and Efficacy of Once- and Twice-Daily Lopinavir/Ritonavir Tablets in Treatment-Experienced HIV-1–Infected Subjects at 48 Weeks

Objectives:To compare the safety and antiviral activity of once (QD) or twice (BID) daily lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) in combination with investigator-selected nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) in treatment-experienced subjects. Methods:Subjects failing treatment with HIV-1 RNA > 1000 copies per milliliter received LPV/r tablets 800/200 mg QD (n = 300) or 400/100 mg BID (n = 299) with investigator-chosen nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Efficacy was determined by the intent-to-treat time to loss of virologic response (ITT-TLOVR) algorithm. Safety, tolerability, adherence, impact of baseline protease mutations on virologic response, and emergence of resistance on therapy were assessed. Results:Demographics were comparable across groups. By intent-to-treat time to loss of virologic response, 166 QD subjects (55.3%) and 155 BID subjects (51.8%) were responders at week 48 (P = 0.413), with similar mean increases in CD4+ T-cell count. QD subjects demonstrated better adherence than BID subjects. The occurrence of treatment-related moderate/severe adverse events was comparable for all events except nausea, which was reported more frequently among BID-treated subjects. Emergence of new protease resistance mutations on treatment was similarly infrequent in both groups. Conclusion:LPV/r dosed QD resulted in increased treatment adherence and was as efficacious as BID LPV/r while providing similar safety, tolerability, and limited resistance evolution.
Analyzing risk factors for late posttraumatic seizures: a prospective, multicenter investigation.

OBJECTIVES To ascertain the natural history and to stratify risks for the development of late posttraumatic seizures in individuals with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN Prospective, observational study of individuals with TBI admitted to 4 trauma centers within 24 hours of injury. SETTING Four tertiary care trauma centers in urban areas. PARTICIPANTS A total of 647 individuals (>/=16 y) with any of the following abnormal computed tomography (CT) scan findings: extent of midline shift and/or cisternal compression or presence of any focal pathology (eg, punctate, subarachnoid, or intraventricular hemorrhage; cortical or subcortical contusion; extra-axial lesions) during the first 7 days postinjury or best Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of </=10 during the first 24 hours post-TBI. Subjects were enrolled from August 1993 through September 1997 and followed for up to 24 months, until death or their first late posttraumatic seizures. INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Cumulative probability, relative risk, and survival analyses were used to stratify risks for development of late postttraumatic seizures on the basis of demographic factors, etiology of injury, initial GCS, early posttraumatic seizures, time post-TBI, types of intracerebral lesion by CT scan, and number and types of intracranial procedures. RESULTS Sixty-six individuals had a late posttraumatic seizures; 337 had no late posttraumatic seizures during full 24-month follow-up; 167 had no late posttraumatic seizures during time followed (<24 mo); and 54 were placed on anticonvulsants without a late posttraumatic seizures, whereas 23 died before their first late posttraumatic seizures. The highest cumulative probability for late posttraumatic seizures included biparietal contusions (66%), dural penetration with bone and metal fragments (62.5%), multiple intracranial operations (36.5%), multiple subcortical contusions (33.4%), subdural hematoma with evacuation (27.8%), midline shift greater than 5mm (25.8%), or multiple or bilateral cortical contusions (25%). Initial GCS score was associated with the following cumulative probabilities for development of late posttraumatic seizures at 24 months: GCS score of 3 to 8, 16.8%; GCS score of 9 to 12, 24.3%; and GCS score of 13 to 15, 8.0%. CONCLUSIONS Stratification by CT scan findings and neurosurgical procedures performed were the most useful findings in defining individuals at highest risk for late posttraumatic seizures.
Management of the Primary Varicose Veins With Venous Ulceration With Assistance of Endoscopic Surgery

Two hundred sixty-two cases of primary varicose veins in which the lesions extended to the areas of the lower third of the leg and/or the ankle were treated with the assistance of endoscopic surgery. The conditions of varicose veins were classified by the reporting standards in venous disease. The number of cases in lesions of C2, C4, C5, and C6 were 60, 156, 31, and 15, respectively. They were also classified into 4 clinicoanatomic types according to varicositic changes in normal veins. The number of cases in types I, II, III, and IV were 57, 88, 42, and 75, respectively. The incidence of skin changes resulting from varicosity were 100%, 90.5%, 53%, and 50% in types I, II, III, and IV, respectively. The incidence of skin changes in this series was 77.6%. About one fourth of the cases having skin changes progressed to C5 and/or C6 lesions. Early and radical treatment of varicose veins could prevent the occurrence of skin changes and subsequently avoid the incidence of C5 and/or C6 lesions. The mean number of incisions in each limb was 2.9. With good illumination and magnified monitor view, the varicose veins and incompetent perforating veins were radically excised, but the normal veins were preserved. Forty-six cases of C5 and C6 lesions were followed up at least 1 year postoperatively. Four cases were lost from follow-up. In all cases except 1, there has been no recurrence. The conditions of skin changes improved subsequently. The recurrent rate of ulceration was 2.4%. In treatment of primary varicose veins with or without ulceration, surgery with assistance of endoscopic surgery achieved a low recurrence of ulcerations and minimal operative scarring.
Low‐affinity nerve‐growth factor receptor (P75NTR) can serve as a receptor for rabies virus

A random‐primed cDNA expression library constructed from the mRNA of neuroblastoma cells (NG108) was used to clone a specific rabies virus (RV) receptor. A soluble form of the RV glycoprotein (Gs) was utilized as a ligand to detect positive cells. We identified the murine low‐affinity nerve‐growth factor receptor, p75NTR. BSR cells stably expressing p75NTR were able to bind Gs and G‐expressing lepidopteran cells. The ability of the RV glycoprotein to bind p75NTR was dependent on the presence of a lysine and arginine in positions 330 and 333 respectively of antigenic site III, which is known to control virus penetration into motor and sensory neurons of adult mice. P75NTR‐expressing BSR cells were permissive for a non‐adapted fox RV isolate (street virus) and nerve growth factor (NGF) decreased this infection. In infected cells, p75NTR associates with the RV glycoprotein and could be precipitated with anti‐G monoclonal antibodies. Therefore, p75NTR is a receptor for street RV.
Non-visual crypsis: a review of the empirical evidence for camouflage to senses other than vision

I review the evidence that organisms have adaptations that confer difficulty of detection by predators and parasites that seek their targets primarily using sensory systems other than vision. In other words, I will answer the question of whether crypsis is a concept that can usefully be applied to non-visual sensory perception. Probably because vision is such an important sensory system in humans, research in this field is sparse. Thus, at present we have very few examples of chemical camouflage, and even these contain some ambiguity in deciding whether they are best seen as examples of background matching or mimicry. There are many examples of organisms that are adaptively silent at times or in locations when or where predation risk is higher or in response to detection of a predator. By contrast, evidence that the form (rather than use) of vocalizations and other sound-based signals has been influenced by issues of reducing detectability to unintended receivers is suggestive rather than conclusive. There is again suggestive but not completely conclusive evidence for crypsis against electro-sensing predators. Lastly, mechanoreception is highly understudied in this regard, but there are scattered reports that strongly suggest that some species can be thought of as being adapted to be cryptic in this modality. Hence, I conclude that crypsis is a concept that can usefully be applied to senses other than vision, and that this is a field very much worthy of more investigation.