Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of topical application of 10% imidacloprid-1% moxidectin to prevent Bartonella henselae transmission from cat fleas.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether monthly topical administration of a combination of 10% imidacloprid and 1% moxidectin would lessen flea (Ctenocephalides felis) transmission of Bartonella henselae among cats. DESIGN Controlled trial. ANIMALS 18 specific pathogen-free cats housed in 3 groups of 6. PROCEDURES 3 enclosures were separated by mesh to allow fleas to pass among groups yet prevent cats from contacting one another. One group was inoculated IV with B henselae, and after infection was confirmed, the cats were housed in the middle enclosure. This infected group was flanked by a group that was treated topically with 10% imidacloprid-1% moxidectin monthly for 3 months and by an untreated group. On days 0, 15, 28, and 42, 100 fleas/cat were placed on each of the 6 cats in the B henselae-infected group. Blood samples were collected from all cats weekly for detection of Bartonella spp via PCR assay, bacterial culture, and serologic assay. RESULTS B henselae infection was confirmed in the cats infected IV and in all untreated cats after flea exposure; none of the cats treated with the imidacloprid-moxidectin combination became infected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In this setting, monthly topical administration of 10% imidacloprid-1% moxidectin reduced flea infestation, compared with infestation in untreated cats, and thus prevented flea transmission of B henselae to treated cats. Regular monthly use of this flea control product in cats may lessen the likelihood of humans acquiring B henselae infection.
Multiple Defects in FcεRI Signaling in Syk-Deficient Nonreleaser Basophils and IL-3-Induced Recovery of Syk Expression and Secretion1

Human basophils respond to Ag-induced cross-linking of their high affinity IgE receptor, FcεRI, by releasing histamine and other mediators from granules, producing IL-4 and other cytokines and, as shown in this study, by forming membrane ruffles and showing increased very late Ag-4 (VLA-4)-mediated adhesion to VCAM-1-expressing target cells. We have identified five blood donors whose basophils lack detectable levels of the FcεRI-associated protein tyrosine kinase, Syk. Despite showing no obvious ultrastructural differences from normal basophils, nonreleaser basophils fail to form membrane ruffles, to show increased VLA-4-mediated adhesive activity, or to produce IL-4 in response to FcεRI cross-linking. Although Syk protein levels are suppressed in basophils from all five donors, Syk mRNA is consistently present. Furthermore, culturing nonreleaser basophils for 4 days with IL-3 restores Syk protein expression and FcεRI-mediated histamine release. Understanding the reversible suppression of Syk protein expression in nonreleaser basophils, and learning to replicate this property in patients with allergic inflammation could be a powerful and specific way to limit symptomatic disease.
Modelling of EMC screens for radio base stations. Part 2: Evaluation of turbulence models

For pt.1, see ibid., vol.I, no., p.463-70 (2004). The objective of this paper is to investigate the performance of five well-known turbulence models and two wall treatments, in order to predict the details of the flow patterns through an EMC (ElectroMagnetic Compatibility) screen. The turbulence models investigated in the present study are four different eddy-viscosity models; the standard k-/spl epsiv/ model, the renormalization group (RNG) k-/spl epsiv/ model, the realizable k-/spl epsiv/ model and the k-/spl omega/ model, as well as the Reynolds stress model (RSM). The commercial finite volume code Fluent 6.1 was used for simulation. A steady-state three-dimensional model, which serves as the most accurate representation of the model, was used in order to predict the details of the air-flow paths and pressure field. The flow was assumed to be isothermal, turbulent and incompressible. The numerical predictions were validated experimentally by using wind tunnel measurements and smoke visualization. The performances of the turbulence models are discussed and the RSM results are compared with other two-equation turbulence models. The result shows that for most of the tested turbulence models with the right wall treatment, the influence on the prediction of pressure drop and the velocity field is not large. The pressure field is over predicted about 15% and the velocity average deviation at several locations before and after the screen is less than 10%. Simulations using a hydraulic impedance surface, i.e. without a detailed modelling of the EMC screen, show that the pressure field is also over predicted and great differences are observed in the velocity field.
Acetylation and Phosphorylation of Histones and Nonhistone Chromosomal Proteins in Neuronal and Glial Nuclei Purified from Cerebral Hemispheres of Developing Rat Brain

The processes of acetylation and phosphorylation of histones and nonhistone proteins (NHPs) in neuronal and glial nuclei purified from cerebral hemispheres of rats at 1, 10, and 30 days of age were investigated. Purified neuronal and glial nuclei were incubated in the presence of [3H]acetyl‐CoA and of [γ‐32P]ATP. Histones and NHPs were extracted and fractionated by gel electrophoresis. Densitometric and radioactive patterns were obtained. The results showed an increase of acetylation and phosphorylation from 1 to 10 and 30 days of age in both neuronal and glial nuclei in almost all histone and NHP fractions. Among the histones, the H3 fraction was always more labeled than the other fractions and showed the most remarkable differences during postnatal development. In the NHP fractions, the increase in acetylation from 1 to 10 and 30 days of age was more evident in the low‐molecular‐weight region of neuronal nuclei than in the corresponding fraction of glial nuclei. The appearance of highly phosphorylated proteins (70,000–90,000 daltons)—absent at 1 day, appearing at 10 days, and more evident at 30 days of age—was observed in both neuronal and glial nuclei.
Gadobenate Dimeglumine Administration and Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis: Is There a Real Risk in Patients with Impaired Renal Function?

PURPOSE To determine the incidence of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in patients with renal disease who received gadobenate dimeglumine at a single medical center. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was an institutional review board-approved HIPAA-compliant retrospective study with waiver of informed consent. Patients either underwent dialysis or not, had an abnormal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and/or MR angiography with gabobenate dimeglumine in 2010. Dialysis status, eGFR, time to transplantation, waiting list status, contrast material volume at index imaging, and additional imaging examinations between 2007 and 2014 were recorded. Clinical notes with and without integument examinations, pathologic records, and additional patient communication were evaluated for development of NSF through September 2014. Dates of latest documented integument examination and latest interaction were recorded. Mean, standard deviation, and median values were obtained, along with incidence percentage of NSF. RESULTS Of 401 patients (172 women, 229 men; mean age, 50 years), 75.5% were dialysis dependent (n = 303) and 24.4% (n = 98) were not undergoing dialysis, with a mean eGFR ± standard deviation of 17 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) ± 5.6 (range, 6-41 mL/min per 1.73 m(2); median, 16.3 mL/min per 1.73 m(2)). Mean and median contrast material volume at index imaging were 24 mL ± 5.7 (range, 9-45 mL). Additional contrast material volume administered was 23 mL ± 12.9 (range, 6-64 mL; median, 20 mL; n = 66). One hundred twenty-six patients (31%) received a transplant; mean time to transplantation was 1.72 years ± 1.25 (range, 0-4.46 years; median, 1.4 years). No patients received diagnoses of NSF. Mean follow-up was 2.35 years ± 1.61 (range, 0.00-4.61 years; median, 2.75 years) with documented integument examination and 3.08 years ± 1.36 (range, 0.16-4.66 years; median, 3.66 years) with direct patient communication. CONCLUSION No patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis, or nondialysis who experienced renal failure developed NSF after administration of gadobenate dimeglumine after more than 2 years' mean follow-up. Gadobenate dimeglumine may be safe in this population.
Glutamate transport, glutamine synthetase and phosphate‐activated glutaminase in rat CNS white matter. A quantitative study

Glutamatergic signal transduction occurs in CNS white matter, but quantitative data on glutamate uptake and metabolism are lacking. We report that the level of the astrocytic glutamate transporter GLT in rat fimbria and corpus callosum was ∼ 35% of that in parietal cortex; uptake of [3H]glutamate was 24 and 43%, respectively, of the cortical value. In fimbria and corpus callosum levels of synaptic proteins, synapsin I and synaptophysin were 15–20% of those in cortex; the activities of glutamine synthetase and phosphate‐activated glutaminase, enzymes involved in metabolism of transmitter glutamate, were 11–25% of cortical values, and activities of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases were 50–70% of cortical values. The glutamate level in fimbria and corpus callosum was 5–6 nmol/mg tissue, half the cortical value. These data suggest a certain capacity for glutamatergic neurotransmission. In optic and trigeminal nerves, [3H]glutamate uptake was < 10% of the cortical uptake. Formation of [14C]glutamate from [U‐14C]glucose in fimbria and corpus callosum of awake rats was 30% of cortical values, in optic nerve it was 13%, illustrating extensive glutamate metabolism in white matter in vivo. Glutamate transporters in brain white matter may be important both physiologically and during energy failure when reversal of glutamate uptake may contribute to excitotoxicity.
Long-term risk of CKD in children surviving episodes of acute kidney injury in the intensive care unit: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND The development of standardized acute kidney injury (AKI) definitions has allowed for a better understanding of AKI epidemiology, but the long-term renal outcomes of AKI in the pediatric critical care setting have not been well established. This study was designed to: (1) determine the incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children 1-3 years after an episode of AKI at a tertiary-care pediatric intensive care unit (ICU), (2) identify the proportion of patients at risk of CKD, and (3) compare ICU admission characteristics in those with and without CKD. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS Patients admitted to the British Columbia Children's Hospital pediatric ICU from 2006-2008 with AKI, as defined by AKI Network (AKIN) criteria. Surviving patients, most with short-term recovery from their AKI, were assessed at 1, 2, or 3 years after AKI. PREDICTORS Severity of AKI as defined by AKIN and several ICU admission characteristics, including demographics, diagnosis, severity of illness, and ventilation data. OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS CKD was defined as the presence of albuminuria and/or glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Being at risk of CKD was defined as having a mildly decreased GFR (60-90 mL/min/1.73 m2), hypertension, and/or hyperfiltration (GFR ≥ 150 mL/min/1.73 m2). RESULTS The proportion of patients with AKI stages 1, 2, and 3 were 44 of 126 (35%), 47 of 126 (37%), and 35 of 126 (28%), respectively. The number of patients with CKD 1-3 years after AKI was 13 of 126 (10.3% overall; 2 of 44 [4.5%] with stage 1, 5 of 47 [10.6%] with stage 2, and 6 of 35 [17.1%] with stage 3; P = 0.2). In addition, 59 of 126 (46.8%) patients were identified as being at risk of CKD. LIMITATIONS Several patients identified with AKI were lost to follow-up, with the potential of underestimating the incidence of CKD. CONCLUSIONS In tertiary-care pediatric ICU patients, ∼10% develop CKD 1-3 years after AKI. The burden of CKD in this population may be higher with further follow-up because several patients were identified as being at risk of CKD. Regardless of the severity of AKI, all pediatric ICU patients should be monitored regularly for long-term kidney damage.
Exercise Attenuates High-Fat Diet–induced Disease Progression in 3xTg-AD Mice

Purpose Little is known regarding the therapeutic role of exercise against the risk of a high-fat diet (HFD) for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD-like cognitive deficits. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of treadmill running against HFD-induced progression in AD neuropathology and cognitive impairments in the triple-transgenic AD (3xTg-AD) mice. Methods The 3xTg-AD mice were assigned to a chow diet (control, n = 10), an HFD (n = 10), or an HFD combined with exercise (HFD + EX, n = 10) group. Mice in the HFD were fed with a 60% fat diet for 20 wk. The HFD + EX mice were additionally subjected to treadmill running. Results Compared with the control mice, the HFD mice had impaired brain insulin signaling, exacerbated AD neuropathology, defects in synaptic stability/plasticity, and apoptotic neuronal cell death in conjunction with exacerbated cognitive deficits in the affected brain regions, which were all significantly alleviated in the HFD + EX mice. Conclusion The current findings suggest that treadmill running protects against AD-like disease progression and cognitive deficits caused by an HFD in the 3xTg-AD mice.
Stigma and public support for parity and government spending on mental health: a 2013 national opinion survey.

OBJECTIVE The study examined attitudes among Americans about policies to require insurance parity for mental health and substance abuse benefits and to increase government spending on mental health treatment. METHODS A Web-based public opinion survey was conducted with a national sample (N=1,517). Analyses examined how sociodemographic characteristics, political affiliation, personal experience with mental illness, and attitudes toward persons with mental illness were associated with policy support. RESULTS Sixty-nine percent supported insurance parity, and 59% supported increasing government spending. Democrats were more supportive than Republicans or Independents. Personal experience was associated with higher support for both policies, and stigmatizing attitudes were associated with less support. CONCLUSIONS Most Americans favored policies to expand insurance and funding, but stigma was associated with lower support for both policies. This finding highlights the importance of developing robust antistigma efforts, particularly in an era when mental illness is increasingly linked to dangerousness in news media portrayals.
Mothers' Perceptions of Their Children's Use of Powered Mobility

Physical therapists and occupational therapists frequently assist parents with the exploration and use of powered wheelchairs for their children with physical disabilities. The purpose of this study was to explore parents' experiences and perceptions of their children's experiences with the receipt and use of powered mobility. Qualitative methods were used to gain insight into the experiences of five mothers of children with physical disabilities who use powered wheelchairs. Information was collected during individual interviews with the mothers. Data analyses revealed five higher-level themes identified across the participants. Results of this study suggest that mothers initially perceive powered mobility as a “last resort” mobility option. The perceived effects of their children's use of powered mobility were significant and included increased personal control, independence, and opportunities to participate in age appropriate, meaningful activities. The mothers perceived that increased independence positively affected others' attitudes toward their children and allowed their children to develop more “legitimate” relationships with their peers.
Linking altitudinal gradients and temperature responses of plant phenology in the Bavarian Alps.

Global climate change influences ecosystems across the world. Alpine plant communities have already experienced serious impacts, and will continue to do so as climate change continues. The aim of our study was to determine the sensitivity of woody and herbaceous species to shifts in temperature along an altitudinal gradient. Since 1994, park rangers have been making phenological observations at 24 sites from 680 to 1425 m a.s. l. Each year 21 plant species were observed once or twice weekly from March to July; with a main focus on flowering and leaf unfolding. Our study showed a very high degree of dependence of phenophases and species on inter-annual temperature variation and altitude. Averaged over all species and phenophases, there was a delay of 3.8 days with every 100 m increase in altitude and, across all elevations, an advance of phenophases of 6 days per 1 °C increase in temperature. Temperature lapse rates assessed indirectly by phenology, as the quotient of altitudinal to temperature response coefficients, were higher than directly calculated from March to July mean temperatures, most likely due to snow effects. Furthermore, a significant difference in sensitivity to temperature change was found between growth forms (herbs versus trees). Sensitivity was less pronounced in events occurring later in the season. Our results show that species reactions will differ in magnitude during global warming. Consequently, impacts of shifts in the timing of phenological events on plant migration and plant-pollinator interactions due to rising temperatures should be considered at the species level.
Quantification of venous reflux parameters using duplex scanning and air plethysmography

Objective: To compare different duplex-and air plethysmography (APG)-derived parameters between patients with relatively early and those with advanced chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), and to investigate the indicative parameters reflecting the progression of CVI. Methods: Design: Prospective study at the University Hospital. Patients: In total 686 limbs in 574 patients at various clinical stages of CVI were included. The clinical manifestations were categorized according to the CEAP (clinical, aetiologic, anatomic and pathophysiologic) classification, and the patients were divided into two groups: group I (C1-3EP,SAS,D,PPR,O, relatively early stage of CVI) and group II (C4-6EP,SAS,D,PPR,O, advanced CVI). The distribution of venous insufficiency including the sapheno-femoral junction (SFJ), great saphenous vein (GSV), sapheno–popliteal junction (SPJ), common femoral vein (CFV), femoral vein (FV), popliteal vein (POPV), thigh perforators (TPV) and calf perforators (CPV) was determined by duplex ultrasound. The main duplex-derived parameters assessed were the reflux time (RT; s), peak reflux velocity (PRV; cm/s) and peak reflux flow (PRF; mL/s). The venous reflux was assumed to be present if the duration of reflux was ≥0.5 s. The data obtained by APG were on VV (mL), VFI (mL/s), EF (%) and RVF (%). Results: There was no significant difference in overall superficial venous reflux between the groups (P=0.331). The frequency of deep and perforating vein incompetence differed only when superficial reflux was included in group II. The VFI and RVF were significantly higher in secondary CVI than in primary CVI (P=0.0001, 0.003, respectively). In the secondary CVI, patients with reflux and obstruction showed significantly higher RVF than those with reflux alone (P=0.003). The RT did not improve the discrimination power between the groups. In contrast, the PRV had significant discrimination power at the SFJ (P<0.0001) and SPJ (P=0.022), and in the GSV (P<0.0001), the FV (P=0.017), and the POPV (P=0.0003). The PRF was significantly higher in group II at the SFJ (P<0.0001), in the GSV (P=0.002), in the CFV (P=0.011), in the FV (P=0.027), and the POPV (P=0.016). Conclusions: This present study has suggested the importance of superficial venous insufficiency in the development of advanced CVI. In the secondary CVI, obstruction affects the RVF alone. The PRV and PRF are better parameters than the RT for discrimination of clinical severity in both superficial and deep venous insufficiency, and should be used to quantify venous valvular insufficiency.
Nitric oxide protects the ultrastructure of pancreatic acinar cells in the course of caerulein‐induced acute pancreatitis

Nitric oxide (NO) as a unique biologicalmediator that has been implicated in many physiological and pathophysiological processes may have a significant influence on the course of acute pancreatitis and the recovery process. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a NO synthase inhibitor or a substrate for NO endogenous production on the ultrastructural features of the acinar cells in the course of caerulein‐induced acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis was induced in the rats by a supramaximal dose of caerulein. During acute pancreatitis induction, the rats were treated with l‐arginine (the substrate for NO synthesis), NG‐nitro‐ l‐arginine (L‐NNA, NO synthase inhibitor), l‐arginine + L‐NNA or saline. Light and electron microscopy examinations were performed in all groups after pancreatitis induction and additionally after 7 and 14 days of recovery. The study demonstrated that the NO synthase inhibitor given during pancreatitis induction in rats enhances the damage to the acinar cells, detected ultrastructurally, and increases the cellular inflammatory infiltration. In the later period, the considerable damage to the mitochondria and the changes in secretory compartment were observed, including dilated cisternae of Golgi apparatus, focal degranulation of rough endoplasmic reticulum, and reduced number of zymogen granules and condensing vacuoles. l‐arginine reversed to some extent the deleterious effect of L‐NNA, although when administered alone it had no apparent effect on the ultrastructure of pancreatic acinar cells compared with untreated animals. The obtained results indicate that the NO synthase inhibitor enhances the ultrastructural degenerative alterations in the pancreatic acinar cells in the course of caerulein‐induced acute pancreatitis and confirm the protective role of endogenous nitric oxide in this disease.