Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synaptic interaction between medullary respiratory neurones during apneusis induced by NMDA‐receptor blockade in cat.

1. Termination of inspiration is an essential component of respiratory rhythm generation and its perturbation can result in apneusis, i.e. significant prolongation of mechanisms, we studied the postsynaptic events in respiratory neurones during apneustic respiratory periods, and compared them to normal respiratory cycles. 2. Experiments were performed in pentobarbitone‐anaesthetized, paralysed, thoracotomized cats ventilated with a constant volume or a cycle‐triggered constant pressure pump. Apneusis, separated by normal cycles, was induced as follows: the animal was ventilated by a cycle‐triggered pump that normally inflated the lungs during the inspiratory burst of phrenic nerve discharge. The NMDA‐receptor blocker MK‐801 [(+)‐5‐methyl‐10,11‐dihydro‐5H‐dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten‐5, 10‐iminemaleate] (0.3‐0.7 mg/kg) was administered intravenously, and, for designated breaths, inflation of the lungs was withheld during neural inspiration. 3. Membrane potential trajectories of forty‐one late expiratory (E‐2) and eight postinspiratory (PI) neurones of the caudal ventral respiratory group were analysed before and/or after MK‐801 administration, during normal and apneustic periods. 4. Before MK‐801 administration, withholding lung inflation caused modest (10‐20%) lengthening of the inspiratory period; after MK‐801 administration, withholding inflation caused apneusis. Provided that the lungs were inflated during the inspiratory phase, the temporal pattern of phrenic nerve, recurrent laryngeal nerve and membrane potential trajectories of E‐2 and PI neurones were not significantly altered by MK‐801. Apneusis following NMDA‐receptor blockade produced consistent changes in the synaptic activation patterns of E‐2 neurones. In particular, the slow late inspiratory‐related depolarization pattern of E‐2 neurones was consistently retarded during apneustic inspiratory phases when compared to normal inspiratory phases. This was due to continuation of Cl(‐)‐mediated synaptic inhibition of E‐2 neurones. Superior laryngeal nerve stimulation stopped apneusis and sustained membrane hyperpolarization of E‐2 neurones similar to lung inflation. 5. During the plateau phase of apneusis, correlated 10‐20 Hz oscillations could be observed in the integrated phrenic and recurrent laryngeal nerve activities as well as in the membrane potential of E‐2 neurones. 6. We conclude that: (i) the prolonged inhibition of E‐2 neurones during apneusis is indicative of the process responsible for the prolongation of the inspiratory phase. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The Eurotransplant Study on Twin Lung Transplants (ESOTWIN): 90 paired single-lung transplants from the same donor

Background. Despite its reduced benefit for a single recipient, the transplantation of two single-lung allografts as opposed to one bilateral lung transplant has the indisputable advantage of maximizing the number of patients that benefit from a single donor. Methods. In the period 1997 to 1999, 90 paired single-lung transplants (SLTx) from 45 donors were performed in 16 lung centers in Eurotransplant, with a complete follow-up of 1 year. Results. No significant differences between left- and right-lung allograft recipients were observed regarding age, sex, primary disease, number of human leukocyte antigen mismatches, cold ischemic time, and donor-to-recipient cytomegalovirus match. Early posttransplant outcome, as assessed by oxygenation index at 12, 24, and 48 hr, also did not differ significantly, and there were no differences in time to extubation and time spent in the intensive care unit. In the first month, six left- and three right-lung allograft recipients died. Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome developed in 5 of 39 left-lung and 10 of 42 right-lung allograft recipients. If the retrieval team was different from the transplanting team, a significantly worse 1-year posttransplant survival rate was seen in patients who underwent left SLTx compared with those who underwent right SLTx (62% vs. 92%, respectively; P =0.04). Conclusions. More fatal posttransplant complications occur in patients undergoing left SLTx compared with right SLTx. A less optimistic assessment of the left lung by the not-implanting retrieval team is warranted.
Emergence of Leptin in Infection and Immunity: Scope and Challenges in Vaccines Formulation

Deficiency of leptin (ob/ob) and/or desensitization of leptin signaling (db/db) and elevated expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3) reported in obesity are also reported in a variety of pathologies including hypertriglyceridemia, insulin resistance, and malnutrition as the risk factors in host defense system. Viral infections cause the elevated SOCS3 expression, which inhibits leptin signaling. It results in immunosuppression by T-regulatory cells (Tregs). The host immunity becomes incompetent to manage pathogens' attack and invasion, which results in the accelerated infections and diminished vaccine-specific antibody response. Leptin was successfully used as mucosal vaccine adjuvant against Rhodococcus equi. Leptin induced the antibody response to Helicobacter pylori vaccination in mice. An integral leptin signaling in mucosal gut epithelial cells offered resistance against Clostridium difficile and Entameoba histolytica infections. We present in this review, the intervention of leptin in lethal diseases caused by microbial infections and propose the possible scope and challenges of leptin as an adjuvant tool in the development of effective vaccines.
Penetration of ceftriaxone into human pleural fluid

The pharmacokinetics of ceftriaxone were studied for seven patients with pleural effusion of various etiologies. All patients received 1 g of antibiotic, administered as an intravenous bolus. The pleural fluid had a high total protein content (6.0 g/dl). Ceftriaxone levels in plasma and in pleural fluid were determined by the agar well diffusion technique. Total and free drug concentrations in pleural fluid reached 7 to 8.7 and 3.8 to 2.3 micrograms/ml, respectively, in 4 to 6 h. The disappearance of the drug from the pleural fluid was very slow. In these patients, therapeutic ceftriaxone levels were present for at least 53 h in pleural fluid.
THE ROLE OF RELATIONSHIP POWER IN COUPLE DECISIONS ABOUT CONTRACEPTION IN THE US

Summary Most analyses of the contraceptive decision-making in which couples engage are based on the reports of only one partner, usually the female partner. This study uses information from the 2006 National Couples Survey conducted in the US, which was obtained from both partners in intimate heterosexual relationships to investigate the relative impact of the male and female partner's method preferences on the type of method they use together. It also investigates the extent to which differences in power between the partners, measured on multiple dimensions, may weigh the decision-making process toward one partner or the other. The results suggest that men's and women's method preferences are both significantly related to the couples' method choice. Further, there is no evidence of a significant gender difference in the magnitude of these relationships, although women in married and cohabiting relationships appear to have greater power over method choice than women in dating relationships. The analysis also finds that structural power as measured by relative education and income affects partner differences in the relationship between preferences and method choice, but is more important for married and cohabiting couples than for dating couples. In contrast, relationship-based power sources, including relative commitment and relative relationship alternatives, have significant effects only for dating couples.
Detection of gait initiation Failure in Parkinson's disease based on wavelet transform and Support Vector Machine

Gait initiation Failure (GIF) is the situation in which patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) feel as if their feet get “stuck” to the floor when initiating their first steps. GIF is a subtype of Freezing of Gait (FOG) and often leads to falls and related injuries. Understanding of neurobiological mechanisms underlying GIF has been limited by difficulties in eliciting and objectively characterizing such gait phenomena in the clinical setting. Studies investigating the effects of GIF on brain activity using EEG offer the potential to study such behavior. In this preliminary study, we present a novel methodology where wavelet transform was used for feature extraction and Support Vector Machine for classifying GIF events in five patients with PD and FOG. To deal with the large amount of EEG data, a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to reduce the data dimension from 15 EEG channels into 6 principal components (PCs), retaining 93% of the information. Independent Component Analysis using Entropy Bound Minimization (ICA-EBM) was applied to 6 PCs for source separation with the aim of improving detection ability of GIF events as compared to the normal initiation of gait (Good Starts). The results of this analysis demonstrated the correct identification of GIF episodes with an 83.1% sensitivity, 89.5% specificity and 86.3% accuracy. These results suggest that our proposed methodology is a promising non-invasive approach to improve GIF detection in PD and FOG.
Herpes simplex virus type 2 infection among young uncircumcised men in Kisumu, Kenya

Objectives: To identify factors associated with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection among men aged 18–24 in Kisumu, Kenya. Methods: Baseline data from a randomised trial of male circumcision were analysed. Participants were interviewed for sociodemographic and behavioural risks. The outcome was HSV-2 by antibody status. Risk factors were considered singly and in combination through logistic regression models. Results: Among 2771 uncircumcised men, 766 (27.6%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 26.0% to 29.3%) tested antibody positive for HSV-2. The median age at first sex was 16 years, and the median number of lifetime sexual partners was four. HSV-2 seroprevalence increased from 19% among 18-year-olds to 43% among 24-year-olds (p<0.001). In multivariable analysis, statistically significant risks for infection were increasing age (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.22–2.58), being married or having a live-in female partner (AOR = 1.80; 95% CI 1.28 to 2.53), preferring “dry” sex (AOR = 1.39; 95% CI 1.14 to 1.69), reported penile cuts or abrasions during sex (AOR = 1.58; 95% CI 1.32 to 1.91), increasing lifetime sex partners (multiple response categories; AORs ranging from 1.65 to 1.97), and non-student occupation (multiple response categories; AORs ranging from 1.44 to 1.93). Risk decreased with reported condom used at last sex (AOR = 0.82; 95% CI 0.68 to 0.99). Conclusion: Primary prevention efforts should be initiated at an early age. The same behavioural interventions used currently for HIV prevention—abstinence, reducing the number of sex partners and increasing condom use—should be effective for HSV-2 prevention.
Human Force Discrimination during Active Arm Motion for Force Feedback Design

The goal of this study was to analyze the human ability of external force discrimination while actively moving the arm. With the approach presented here, we give an overview for the whole arm of the just-noticeable differences (JNDs) for controlled movements separately executed for the wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints. The work was originally motivated in the design phase of the actuation system of a wearable exoskeleton, which is used in a teleoperation scenario where force feedback should be provided to the subject. The amount of this force feedback has to be calibrated according to the human force discrimination abilities. In the experiments presented here, 10 subjects performed a series of movements facing an opposing force from a commercial haptic interface. Force changes had to be detected in a two-alternative forced choice task. For each of the three joints tested, perceptual thresholds were measured as absolute thresholds (no reference force) and three JNDs corresponding to three reference forces chosen. For this, we used the outcome of the QUEST procedure after 70 trials. Using these four measurements we computed the Weber fraction. Our results demonstrate that different Weber fractions can be measured with respect to the joint. These were 0.11, 0.13, and 0.08 for wrist, elbow, and shoulder, respectively. It is discussed that force perception may be affected by the number of muscles involved and the reproducibility of the movement itself. The minimum perceivable force, on average, was 0.04 N for all three joints.
The effect of pallet distance on torso kinematics and low back disorder risk

Intervention research for prevention of occupational low back injuries has focused on the effects of reducing extreme torso flexion and the external moment. Little is known about prevention strategies for torso twisting and lateral bending. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of pallet distance with regard to a constant lift origin on the torso kinematics and a measure of low back disorder risk. Fifteen male participants transferred 11.3 kg boxes from a constant origin to six different regions on a pallet. Two pallet distances with regard to the lift origin were investigated. ANOVA indicated that increasing the pallet distance resulted in increases in torso kinematics (velocities and accelerations) as well as a measure of risk of low back disorder. The increases in torso kinematics (e.g. twisting and lateral awkward postures and bending velocities) occurred mostly at the lower height regions on the pallet. It is concluded that increasing the pallet distance with regard to the lifting origin, with the intention to influence the participant to take a step during a palletizing task does not appear to be an effective intervention strategy to reduce the risk of low back disorder associated with torso kinematics.
Efficient methods for electromagnetic characterization of 2-D geometries in stratified media

Numerically efficient method of moments (MoM) algorithms are developed for and applied to 2-D geometries in multilayer media. These are, namely, the spatial-domain MoM in conjunction with the closed-form Green's functions, the spectral-domain MoM using the generalized pencil of functions (GPOF) algorithm and FFT algorithm to evaluate the MoM matrix entries. These approaches are mainly to improve the computational efficiency of the evaluation of the MoM matrix entries. Among these, the spectral-domain MoM using the GPOF algorithm is the most efficient approach for printed multilayer geometries. The assessment of the efficiency of this method is performed on several problems, by comparing the matrix fill times for these three approaches.
Disability-Adjusted Life Years for Cancer in 2010–2014: A Regional Approach in Mexico

The disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were used to estimate the regional (state of Colima, Mexico) cancer burden in 2010–2014. The years of life lost (YLL) were estimated with mortality data and years lived with disability (YLD) using incidence data. The DALYs were calculated as the arithmetic addition of YLL and YLD. Sex and cancer site-specific estimations were made and DALY rates were used to identify the leading causes of disease burden. Data from 2532 deaths were analyzed and, for all malignant tumors combined, 18,712.9 DALYs and 20,243.3 DALYs were estimated in males and females respectively. The overall contribution of YLL in DALY estimates was higher among females (93.7% vs. 87.4%). Age-standardized DALY rates (and 95% confidence intervals, CI) per 100,000 inhabitants were used to rank the leading causes of disease burden and, among males, malignant tumors from the prostate, lower respiratory tract, and colon and rectum accounted the highest rates (45.7, 95% CI 32.7–59.3; 37.6, 95% CI 25.7–49.9; and 25.9, 95% CI 16.0–36.1 DALYs). Breast, cervix uteri, and lower respiratory tract cancer showed the highest burden in females (66.0, 95% CI 50.3–82.4; 44.4, 95% CI 31.5–57.7; and 20.9, 95% CI 12.0–30.0 DALYs). The present study provides an indication of the burden of cancer at the regional level, underscoring the need to expand cancer prevention, screening, and awareness programs, as well as to improve early diagnosis and medical treatment.
Evaluation of the effect of Islamic fasting on lung volumes and capacities in the healthy persons.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the changes in pulmonary volumes during and after Islamic fasting. METHODS It is a cohort study conducted on 117 healthy subjects selected on a random basis from employees, professors and students of Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, between December 1999 and January 2000. All of them underwent spirometry 10 days prior to Ramadan, 2 times during Ramadan, and one time 10 days post-Ramadan. In first visit, in addition to spirometry they underwent medical examination to make sure they are healthy. All of their spirometries and background information were collected. Repeated measurements analysis of variance method was used to compare the measurements. RESULTS Approximately 69% of subjects were male and the mean age was 23.9 years. Mean fasting time was 27.8 days. The mean difference in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1%) was significant between the 4 visits (p=0.01). The mean FEV1% increased both during fasting and after Ramadan (p=0.017). The mean vital capacity and peak expiratory flow rate values increased during Ramadan significantly (p=0.043, p<0.001). Although the mean maximum mid-expiratory flow decreased in the beginning of Ramadan and significantly increased subsequently (p=0.02), MEF50% (p=0.004) and MEF75% (p=0.047) increased in the beginning of Ramadan and decreased subsequently. CONCLUSION As a whole, fasting increases lung volumes and might improve pulmonary function. This finding seems to be relevant to the changes in weight during Ramadan.
Long non‐coding RNA linc00261 suppresses gastric cancer progression via promoting Slug degradation

Gastric cancer (GC) remains a threat to public health with high incidence and mortality worldwide. Increasing evidence demonstrates that long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical regulatory roles in cancer biology, including GC. Previous profiling study showed that lncRNA linc00261 was aberrantly expressed in GC. However, the role of linc00261 in GC progression and the precise molecular mechanism remain unknown. In this study, we report that linc00261 was significantly down‐regulated in GC tissues and the expression level of linc00261 negatively correlated with advanced tumour status and clinical stage as well as poor prognostic outcome. In vitro functional assays indicate that ectopic expression of linc00261 suppressed cell invasion by inhibiting the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). By RNA pull‐down and mass spectrum experiments, we identified Slug as an RNA‐binding protein that binds to linc00261. We confirmed that linc00261 down‐regulated Slug by decreasing the stability of Slug proteins and that the tumour‐suppressive function of linc00261 can be neutralized by Slug. linc00261 may promote the degradation of Slug via enhancing the interaction between GSK3β and Slug. Moreover, linc00216 overexpression repressed lung metastasis in vivo. Together, our findings suggest that linc00261 acts a tumour suppressor in GC by decreasing the stability of Slug proteins and suppressing EMT. By clarifying the mechanisms underlying GC progression, these findings may facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies for GC.
Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Tractography-Based Parcellation of the Human Lateral Premotor Cortex Identifies Dorsal and Ventral Subregions with Anatomical and Functional Specializations

Lateral premotor cortex (PM) in the macaque monkey can be segregated into structurally and functionally distinct subregions, including a major division between dorsal (PMd) and ventral (PMv) parts, which have distinct cytoarchitecture, function, and patterns of connectivity with both frontal and parietal cortical areas. The borders of their subregions are less well defined in the human brain. Here we use diffusion tractography to identify a reproducible border between dorsal and ventral subregions of human precentral gyrus. We derive connectivity fingerprints for the two subregions and demonstrate that each has a distinctive pattern of connectivity with frontal cortex and lateral parietal cortex, suggesting that these areas correspond to human PMd and PMv. Although putative human PMd has a high probability of connection with the superior parietal lobule, dorsal prefrontal cortex, and cingulate cortex, human PMv has a higher probability of connection with the anterior inferior parietal lobule and ventral prefrontal cortex. Finally, we assess the correspondence between our PMd/PMv border and local sulcal and functional anatomy. The location of the border falls at the level of the gyral branch that divides the inferior precentral sulcus from the superior precentral sulcus and corresponded closely to the location of a functional border defined using previous functional magnetic resonance imaging studies.
Temperature-Dependent Conformational Changes in Herpes Simplex Virus ICP4 That Affect Transcription Activation

ABSTRACT The C-terminal 500 amino acids of herpes simplex virus type 1 ICP4 are required for full activator function and viral growth and are known to participate in interactions consistent with the role of ICP4 as an activator of transcription. Oligonucleotide mutagenesis was used to target stretches of amino acids that are conserved with the ICP4 analogs of other alphaherpesviruses and were also predicted to be exposed on the surface of the molecule. Seven mutants were isolated that possessed one to three amino acid changes to the residue alanine in four regions between residues 1000 and 1200. The mutants generated were analyzed first in transfection assays and subsequently after introduction into the viral genome. A number of phenotypes representing different degrees of functional impairment were observed. In transient assays conducted at 37°C, mutant M2 was indistinguishable from wild-type ICP4. Mutants M6 and M7 were marginally impaired. M3, M4, and M5 were more significantly impaired but still able to activate transcription, and M1 was completely impaired. In the context of the viral genome, M1, M3, and M7 were found to be temperature sensitive for growth. All three overproduced immediate-early (IE) proteins at the nonpermissive temperature (NPT). M3 and M7 produced early but not late proteins, and M1 produced neither early nor late proteins, at the NPT. The ICP4 proteins synthesized by all of the mutants tested were able to bind to specific ICP4 binding sites in electrophoretic mobility shift experiments. However, the DNA-protein complexes formed with the ICP4 from M1, M3, or M7 produced at the NPT possessed altered mobility. These complexes were not supershifted by a monoclonal antibody that recognizes an epitope in the C terminus; however, they were supershifted by a monoclonal antibody that recognizes the N terminus. The results suggest that the mutant forms of ICP4, while able to bind to DNA, are conformationally altered at the NPT, thus impairing the ability of the protein to activate transcription to different extents. The complete lack of ICP4 function characteristic of the M1 protein, and the inability of all the mutants to attenuate IE gene expression, suggest that the mutations additionally affect functions of the N terminus to different extents.
In vitro skin absorption and decontamination of sulphur mustard: comparison of human and pig‐ear skin

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of an in vitro skin diffusion cell system as a model for assessing decontaminants against the chemical warfare agent sulphur mustard (SM). The in vitro absorption rates of SM through heat‐separated human (157 ± 66 µg cm−2 h−1) and pig‐ear (411 ± 175 µg cm−2 h−1) epidermal membranes were in agreement with previous in vivo studies that quoted skin absorption rates of 150 and 366 mu g cm−2 h−1, respectively.