Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Opioid-Induced Mast Cell Activation and Vascular Responses Is Not Mediated by &mgr;-Opioid Receptors: An In Vivo Microdialysis Study in Human Skin

Activation of mast cells and the systemic release of histamine is a common side effect of opioids. Nevertheless, fentanyl and its derivatives show only a slight activation of mast cells with a subsequent liberation of histamine and tryptase. In this study, we used intradermal microdialysis to assess whether this stimulatory effect of opioids on mast cells depends on the activation of opioid receptors. This new approach allowed us to measure the dose-dependent release of histamine and tryptase from mast cells and the subsequent vascular and sensory effect without systemic side effects in volunteers. The opiate codeine and the synthetic opioids meperidine, fentanyl, alfentanil, sufentanil, remifentanil, buprenorphine, and the opioid antagonist naloxone were tested. Only codeine and meperidine induced mast cell activation with the release of tryptase and histamine, leading to protein extravasation, flare reactions, and itch sensations. Because naloxone did not attenuate these effects, it is unlikely that &mgr;-opioid receptors are involved in the activation of mast cells.
Quantified T1 As An Adjunct To Apparent Diffusion Coefficient For Early Infarct Detection: A High-Field Magnetic Resonance Study in a Rat Stroke Model

Background Thrombolytic treatment for acute stroke has focused attention on accurate identification of injured vs. salvageable brain tissue, particularly if reperfusion occurs. However, our knowledge of differences in acute magnetic resonance imaging changes between transient and permanent ischemia and how they reflect permanently damaged tissue remain incomplete. Aims and/or hypothesis Magnetic resonance imaging characteristics vary widely following ischemia and, at acute times, T1, T2 or apparent diffusion coefficient quantification may differentiate viable tissue from that destined to infarct. Methods High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging was performed at 9·4T following permanent or transient (90 min) middle cerebral artery occlusion in spontaneously hypertensive male rats or Wistar rats. Within 30 min, quantified maps of the apparent diffusion coefficient, T1, and T2 were performed and measures determined for sequences in the infarct and compared with that in the contralateral region. Lesion area for each magnetic resonance imaging sequence (T1, T2, apparent diffusion coefficient, and perfusion maps) was delineated for different time points using quantitative threshold measures and compared with final histological damage. Results Early extensive changes in T1 following both transient and permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion provided a sensitive early indicator of the final infarct area. Following reperfusion, small but measurable early T2 changes indicative of early development of vasogenic edema occurred in the transient but not permanent groups. In transient middle cerebral artery occlusion, at 70 min apparent diffusion coefficient decreased (P<0·001) and then pseudonormalized at 150 min. In permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion, apparent diffusion coefficient declined over time. Lesion area detected using T1 maps exceeded that with T2 and apparent diffusion coefficient at 70 and 150 min in both groups (P<0·001). Conclusions The results indicate that, independent of reperfusion, quantified T1 is superior for detecting early ischemic changes that are not necessarily detected with T2 or apparent diffusion coefficient.
Effect of resin-coating technique on dentin tensile bond strengths over 3 years.

PURPOSE The resin-coating technique has been developed to protect prepared dentin and underlying pulp tissue. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the resin-coated dentin bond durability over a period of 3 years of a resin cement and to compare it with two representative resin cements. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten bovine dentin specimens were tested for tensile bond strengths with each of the following three materials: CLAPEARL DC with a resin-coating technique (CDRC), Panavia 21 (PA21), and Super Bond C&B (SBCB) at 1 day, 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years. Mean bond strengths were compared statistically by two-way analysis of variance and Fisher's PLSD test (p < .05). The mode of failure was classified by scanning electron microscope observation and analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS The 3-year bond strengths of all resin cements were significantly lower than those at the other experimental periods except for 1 year (p < .05). There was no significant difference in mean bond strength between CDRC and SBCB (p > .05). Regarding the fracture modes, in the case of CDRC, an increase in adhesive failure at the resin-dentin interface was observed as the time period lengthened. Statistical differences were observed between SBCB and the other materials at 1 year (p < .05) and between PA21 and the other materials at 3 years (p < .05). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The mean tensile bond strengths of the three resin cements to dentin decreased at different rates during the study; the rate at which the bond decreases is likely to affect the long-term durability of restorations.
Explaining the demise of the intellectual capital statement in Denmark

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the Danish Guideline Project (DGP) and its subsequent fate within participating companies since its conclusion in late 2002. Particular focus is placed on the traction that the intellectual capital statement (ICS) approach to reporting, as the principal outcome of the project, was able to acquire in practice. Design/methodology/approach - Following the reconstruction of the original sample of 102 companies that originally participated in the project, a survey using semi-structured interviews was pursued among 64 individuals who were identified as having some involvement with the guideline project and/or producing ICSs in these companies. In addition to the interviews, a range of secondary information has been used to supplement the primary data and research protocol. Findings - The project was found to have enjoyed only modest success and thereby failed to achieve any substantial traction among the participating companies and related public stakeholders. On balance, however, respondents believed that the exercise had been a positive experience, with benefits for the internal management of the companies, as well as for human capital (employees). The obstacles that radical initiatives such as the ICS continue to face should not be underestimated. Research limitations/implications - A single study of a specific initiative necessarily entails many limitations. It is conceivable that the views of some of the participants in the guideline project who are absent from the present sample may provide details of a different experience, although it is unlikely that these would seriously challenge the findings reported here. Originality/value - This study is the first to explore the fate of the critically acclaimed ICS approach among companies participating in the DGP.
Mitochondrial DNA Diversity in Tribal and Caste Groups of Maharashtra (India) and its Implication on Their Genetic Origins

Genetic relationships among caste‐groups are not uniform across the geographical regions of India. Many anthropologists have speculated on the tribal origin of some caste groups in Maharashtra and other states of India. To test this hypothesis, we used neutral mtDNA markers to study genetic relatedness among tribal and caste groups from Maharashtra. Descriptive statistics such as nucleotide diversity, gene diversity and average mismatches were found to be of the same magnitude. Phylogenetic network analysis exhibited a star‐like expansion that may date back to the peopling of Eurasia, ∼50,000 year ago. The reconstruction of mtDNA haplogroups showed that both the caste and tribal populations share similar branches of the tree. Also, the coalescence age estimation of caste and tribal populations suggests the persistence of maternal lineages with their root in early late Pleistocene. Our mtDNA analyses show some preliminary and significant evidence for the origin of prehistoric tribal and hierarchical caste societies of Maharashtra.
Eszopiclone and dexmedetomidine depress ventilation in obese rats with features of metabolic syndrome.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Obesity alters the therapeutic window of sedative/hypnotic drugs and increases the probability of respiratory complications. The current experiments used an established rodent model of obesity to test the hypothesis that the sedative/hypnotic drugs eszopiclone and dexmedetomidine alter ventilation differentially in obese rats compared with lean/fit rats. DESIGN This study used a within-groups/between-groups experimental design. SETTING University of Michigan. PARTICIPANTS Experiments were conducted using lean/fit rats (n = 21) and obese rats (n = 21) that have features of metabolic syndrome. INTERVENTIONS Breathing was measured with whole-body plethysmography after systemic administration of vehicle (control), the nonbenzodiazepine, benzodiazepine site agonist eszopiclone, or the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist dexmedetomidine. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance and appropriate post hoc comparisons. At baseline, the obese/metabolic syndrome rats had increased respiratory rates (21.6%), lower tidal volumes/body weight (-24.1%), and no differences in minute ventilation compared to lean/fit rats. In the obese rats, respiratory rate was decreased by dexmedetomidine (-29%), but not eszopiclone. In the lean and the obese rats, eszopiclone decreased tidal volume (-12%). Both sedative/hypnotic drugs caused a greater decrease in minute ventilation in the obese (-26.3%) than lean (-18%) rats. Inspiratory flow rate (VT / TI) of the obese rats was decreased by dexmedetomidine (-10.6%) and eszopiclone (-18%). Duty cycle (TI / TTOT) in both rat lines was decreased by dexmedetomidine (-16.5%) but not by eszopiclone. CONCLUSIONS Dexmedetomidine, in contrast to eszopiclone, decreased minute ventilation in the obese/metabolic syndrome rats by depressing both duty cycle and inspiratory flow rate. The results show for the first time that the obese phenotype differentially modulates the respiratory effects of eszopiclone and dexmedetomidine. These differences in breathing are consistent with previously documented differences in sleep between lean/fit and obese rats. These findings also encourage future studies of obese/metabolic syndrome rats that quantify the effect of sedative/hypnotic drugs on respiratory mechanics as well as hypoxic and hypercapnic ventilatory responses. Continued findings of favorable homology between obese humans and rodents will support the interpretation that these obese rats offer a unique animal model for mechanistic studies.
Islamic Calendar Effect on Market Risk and Return Evidence from Islamic Countries

Anomalies remain part of the market no matter it is developed or emerging one. Studies revealed that arbitragers materialize these situations and bring the markets back to efficiency. This study probed the presence of calendar anomalies in stock markets of six Islamic countries. It is empirically concluded that negative Zul-Hijjah effect presents in Malaysian stock market return and has no effect for other sample countries’ stock markets. Zul-Hijjah has negative effect on the volatility of Turkish, Morocco and Egyptian stock markets and has no effect on the volatility of other sample countries’ stock markets. Investors must consider this phenomenon while making decisions regarding investment and forming a diversified global portfolio. This field will help the investors in taking effective investment decision and for efficient resource allocation because knowledge of calendar anomalies plays a critical role to structure the optimal portfolio.
Effects of Cholestyramine on 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine-Induced Enteric Carcinoma in Germfree Rats 1

Summary Oral administration of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) induced intestinal neoplasms in germfree rats. A supplement of 2% cholestyramine resin in the diet increased the frequency of DMH-induced intestinal tumors and accelerated malignant transformation. Bile acids in the cecal content were determined with and without cholestyramine in order to obtain a correlation between the bile acid metabolism and the enteric carcinogenesis.
Echolocating bats use future-target information for optimal foraging

Significance This study shows how an animal dynamically and rationally controls its sensing and navigates to capture multiple prey items. To perform this study, we extracted sonar attention and flight attention of foraging wild bats from both empirical data and mathematical modeling. We show that the bats directed their sonar and flight attention toward not only an immediate prey but also the next prey. In addition, numerical simulation shows a possibility that the bats select suitable flight paths for the consecutive capture. Hence, wild echolocating bats plan their flight paths by distributing their attention among multiple prey items, which means that the bats do not forage in a hit-or-miss fashion but rather spatially anticipate their future targets for optimum routing. When seeing or listening to an object, we aim our attention toward it. While capturing prey, many animal species focus their visual or acoustic attention toward the prey. However, for multiple prey items, the direction and timing of attention for effective foraging remain unknown. In this study, we adopted both experimental and mathematical methodology with microphone-array measurements and mathematical modeling analysis to quantify the attention of echolocating bats that were repeatedly capturing airborne insects in the field. Here we show that bats select rational flight paths to consecutively capture multiple prey items. Microphone-array measurements showed that bats direct their sonar attention not only to the immediate prey but also to the next prey. In addition, we found that a bat’s attention in terms of its flight also aims toward the next prey even when approaching the immediate prey. Numerical simulations revealed a possibility that bats shift their flight attention to control suitable flight paths for consecutive capture. When a bat only aims its flight attention toward its immediate prey, it rarely succeeds in capturing the next prey. These findings indicate that bats gain increased benefit by distributing their attention among multiple targets and planning the future flight path based on additional information of the next prey. These experimental and mathematical studies allowed us to observe the process of decision making by bats during their natural flight dynamics.
Gonadectomy increases neurogenesis in the male adolescent rhesus macaque hippocampus

New neurons are continuously produced in the subgranular zone of the adult hippocampus and can modulate hippocampal plasticity across life. Adolescence is characterized by dramatic changes in sex hormone levels, and social and emotional behaviors. It is also an age for increased risk of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, which may involve altered hippocampal neurogenesis. The extent to which testosterone and other testicular hormones modulate hippocampal neurogenesis and adolescent behavioral development is unclear. This study aimed to determine if removal of testicular hormones during adolescence alters neurogenesis in the male rhesus macaque hippocampus. We used stereology to examine levels of cell proliferation, cell survival and neuronal differentiation in late adolescent male rhesus macaques (4.6‐yrs old) that had previously been gonadectomized or sham operated prior to puberty (2.4‐yrs old). While the absence of adolescent testicular hormones had no effect on cell proliferation, cell survival was increased by 65% and indices of immature neuronal differentiation were increased by 56% in gonadectomized monkeys compared to intact monkeys. We show for the first time that presence of circulating testicular hormones, including testosterone, may decrease neuronal survival in the primate hippocampus during adolescence. Our findings are in contrast to existing studies in adults where testosterone tends to be a pro‐survival factor and demonstrate that testicular hormones may reduce hippocampal neurogenesis during the age typical of schizophrenia onset. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Primary epstein‐barr virus infections in African infants. II. Clinical and serological observations during seroconversion

Of 27 Ghanaian infants examined monthly for the first 15 months of life and once more at 21 months, 12 acquired primary Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) infections by the age of 1 year and 9 others seroconverted during the subsequent period of observation. The seroconversions were not accompanied by significant clinical or physical signs of illness and in none of the infants was a diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis (IM) suspected on the basis of hematologic observations. The 12 early seroconverters, providing the most extensive follow‐up data, showed transient IgM antibody responses to EB viral capsid antigen (VCA) which in some cases initially exceeded the corresponding IgG antibodies in titer. Peak VCA‐specific IgG titers were noted 2 months after seroconversion and were comparable to those seen in IM. Most of the infants developed antibodies to the EBV‐induced early antigen complex which were directed, however, against the R (restricted) component, as observed in Burkitt's lymphoma, and not against the D (diffuse) component, as noted in IM. Low titers of VCA‐specific IgA antibodies emerged in five of the cases. Usually, EBV‐neutralizing antibodies were already present in the first anti‐VCA‐positive serum but antibodies to the EBV‐associated nuclear antigen (EBNA) and antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytolysis (ADCC) became detectable only months after seroconversion. No heterophil antibody responses, or at most barely significant ones, were recorded. Attempts to demonstrate EBV in throat swab specimens met with limited success, suggesting a low degree of viral excretion during silent seroconversions. Possible explanations for the differences between clinical, hematologic and serologic responses to primary EBV infections in infancy and later in life are discussed.
The Impact of U.S. Supply Shocks on the Global Oil Price

I examine the role of the U.S. shale oil boom in driving global oil prices. Using a structural vector autoregressive (SVAR) model that identifies separate oil supply shocks for the U.S. and OPEC, I find that U.S. supply shocks can account for up to 13% of the oil price variation over the 2003-2015 period. This is considerably more than what has been found in other studies. Moreover, while U.S. oil production has increased substantially since 2010, U.S. oil supply shocks first started to contribute negatively to oil prices beginning in late 2013. This mismatch implies a temporary friction in the transmission of U.S. supply shocks to the rest of the world likely caused by logistical and technological challenges observed in the downstream supply chain.
THE ROLE OF SNAP AND HABIT FORMATION ON HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION BEHAVIOR

OF DISSERTATION THE ROLE OF SNAP AND HABIT FORMATION ON HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION BEHAVIOR This collection of essays examines the impact of two antecedents of household food consumption: SNAP and habit formation to nutrients. Household food choice invariably plays a substantial role in health outcomes such as obesity. Low-income households may be especially vulnerable to obesity as they face a more restricted set of food choices due to income constraints and may have less information on healthy eating relative to high-income households. This dissertation unravels this dynamic by providing causal estimates of the effect of two major determinants of food choice. Chapter 2 and chapter 3 test the impact of SNAP participation on consumption of foods that are likely to cause obesity. With some exceptions, SNAP restricts benefits to be spent only on unprepared grocery food items from participating retailers. Chapter 2 considers the broad category of Food Away From Home (FAFH) which is shown to be less healthy than meals prepared at home and shows that SNAP significantly reduces FAFH expenditure of participants. However, the magnitude of this decrease is not large enough to have a tangible impact on obesity. Chapter 3 considers household expenditure on carbonated soda, which is the key source of sugar intake among low-income households. Not only is carbonated soda SNAP-eligible, it is cheaper when purchased with SNAP benefits relative to cash because benefits are exempt from all sales taxes. Results show that SNAP participation leads to a significant rise in carbonated soda sales in low-income counties. I also find that the SNAP tax exemption does not lead to higher consumption among participants relative to non-participants. Chapter 4 tests habit formation to dietary fat using purchases of ground meat and milk products. Products in both categories have salient fat content information on the packaging. Products within each category differ only by fat content and are usually identical otherwise. Differences in habit formation are, therefore, caused by different levels of fat content. Results show a positive association between habit formation and fat content for all products in the ground meat category and all products, except fat-free milk, in the milk category. However, this relationship is modest leading to the conclusion that policy interventions, such as a saturated fat tax, might be effective in discouraging consumption of high fat products.
The immunological response of Thai infants to haemophilus influenzae type B polysaccharide-tetanus conjugate vaccine co-administered in the same syringe with locally produced diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine.

OBJECTIVE Comparing the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of three vaccine combinations. These were GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals' (GSK) Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Hib-TT, Hiberix) administered with the local Government Pharmaceutical Organization's (GPO) diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis whole cell (DTPw) vaccine, Hib-TT mixed with GPO's DTPw vaccine, or Hib-IT mixed with GSKs' DTPw vaccine (Tritanrix). MATERIAL AND METHOD An open, randomized, controlled, single center study of three hundred and sixty infants. They were randomized into three groups to receive either Hib-TT Hiberix mix with GPOs' DTPw vaccine (group 1), Hib-TT mixed with GPO's DTPw vaccine (group 2), or Hib-TT mixed with GSKs' DTPw vaccine (Tritanrix; group 3) at two, four and six months of age. RESULT One month after the third dose, all subjects had antibodies level against Hib polyribosylribitol phosphate (PRP) > or = 0.15 microg/ml. All 11 subjects except two (in group 2) had anti-PRP levels > or = 1.0 microg/ml. The geometric mean concentrations were similar in all three groups. Over 96% of the subjects in all three groups demonstrated an immunological response to diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis antigens. There was no diference among the three groups in terms of severe local reaction and fever. CONCLUSION The present study showed that the combined vaccines produced an effective antibody response with no increase in reactogenicity compared to separately administrated vaccines.