Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reduction of cyclic AMP in the sciatic nerve of rats made diabetic with streptozotocin and the mechanism involved.

We have investigated the relationship between cyclic nucleotides and nerve function in the sciatic nerve of rats made diabetic with streptozotocin. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) content in the sciatic nerves of diabetic rats was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than in those of normal rats, while cyclic GMP content did not differ between the two groups. Administration of the stable prostacyclin analogue iloprost or dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) significantly (P < 0.05) restored the cAMP content in the sciatic nerves and motor nerve conduction velocity, which reflects nerve function. There was a positive correlation between cAMP content in the sciatic nerves and motor nerve conduction velocity in both normal and diabetic rats. Endoneurial preparations of sciatic nerves obtained from normal rats were incubated in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer containing D-glucose (30 or 5.5 mmol/l). Cyclic AMP accumulation was significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed in the buffer containing 30 mmol D-glucose/l compared with that containing 5.5 mmol/l. Iloprost (P < 0.05) and dbcAMP (P < 0.01) increased cAMP accumulations in the tissues incubated in buffer containing both 5.5 and 30 mmol D-glucose/l. When non-metabolizing hexoses, such as L-glucose or 3-O-methylglucose instead of D-glucose were used, cAMP accumulations at 30 mmol hexose/l were not significantly different from those at 5.5 mmol/l. Cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity in the sciatic nerves of diabetic rats did not change compared with that in nerves from normal rats. Although not significant, mean ATP content in the sciatic nerves of diabetic rats was about 30% lower than that in nerves of normal rats. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Chemical composition of volatile and fixed oils from of Salvia argentea L. (Lamiaceae) growing wild in Sicily

The chemical compositions of the essential oil and of the non-polar extracts (petroleum ether, dichloromethane) of the aerial parts (flowers, leaves and stems) of Salvia argentea L. were determined by GC-FID and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. 14-Hydroxy-α-humulene (40.1%) was recognised as the main constituents of the essential oil of S. argentea, together with 1,3,8-p-menthatriene (12.1%), globulol (7.4%) and β-sesquiphellandrene (5.8%). Tritriacontane (9.9% and 14.1%), heptacosane (8.4% and 10.5%), hentriacontane (8.3% and 10.9%), tetradecanal (8.4% and 10.2%) and methyldotriacontane (7.9% and 7.6%) were recognised as the main constituents of the extracts in petroleum ether and dichloromethane, respectively, whereas methyl linolenate (36.6% and 13.5%) and methyl myristoleate (10.5% and 18.5%) were recognised as the main constituents of the methylated extracts.
Serum levels of IGF1 are a useful predictor of retinopathy of prematurity

Objective: To ascertain whether insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF1) is associated with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and is a useful predictor of the disease. Although its aetiopathogenesis is multifactorial, development of the disease appears to be related to a deficiency in IGF1, a hormone that acts together with vascular endothelial growth factor in the normal angiogenesis in the retina.
Trends of Childhood Obesity in China and Associated Factors

Childhood obesity is worsening at dramatic rates and has become a public health crisis. This study investigated these trends in childhood obesity and examined parental factors that may contribute to overweight and obesity. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from height and weight measurements taken annually from 2004 to 2007 in a subsample of 136 children (2-4 years old), from the Jintan Child Health Project in China. Parental factors were assessed through a self-administered questionnaire. Prevalence rates of overweight and obesity rose from 6.6% and 2.2% in 2004 to 15.4% and 6.6% in 2007 (p < .05). Overweight was significantly associated with maternal employment (p < .05), but not with parental education level, maternal age at birth, or breast-feeding. To counter this rapid increase of obesity and overweight prevalence, nurses should regularly monitor children’s weight and advise parents, especially working mothers, on the nutritional benefits of home-cooked meals.
The Variability of Cerebrovascular Reactivity with Posture and Time

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography has been used in a variety of clinical contexts to assess cerebrovascular reserve by measuring carbon dioxide reactivity. Reproducibility with time and altered position of the patient is examined in the present study. Carbon dioxide reactivity was determined in 10 healthy volunteers using TCD. Hypocarbia was produced by voluntary hyperventilation, and hypercarbia was produced by rebreathing from a circuit primed with 7% carbon dioxide. Each patient was studied in the supine position twice (1 week apart) and once in the seated position. Carbon dioxide reactivity was determined from linear regression analysis of paired middle cerebral artery flow velocity and end-tidal carbon dioxide values. Analysis of covariance for repeated measures was used for statistical analysis. Both the absolute slope and the relative slope (absolute slope expressed as a percentage of flow velocity at 40 mm Hg) were compared. In the supine position, flow velocity, absolute and relative slopes, and mean arterial pressure were similar from one week to the next at all carbon dioxide levels. In contrast, flow velocity, mean arterial pressure (adjusted for hydrostatic gradient), and absolute slope were decreased in the seated position (p < 0.05). No difference was observed when the relative slope was used for comparison. We conclude that absolute carbon dioxide reactivity is reproducible over time but may be influenced by position. Relative reactivity (relative slope), however, was both time and position independent.
Changing Income Inequality: A Distributional Paradigm for Canada

This paper examines the major changes in income inequality in Canada since the 1970s and collects them as a distributional paradigm for Canada. It focuses on labour market changes in terms of shares of workers and earnings shares for lower earners, middle-class workers and higher earners in a flexible general framework. Polarization of full-time workers, loss of middle-class earnings share and increase in a higher earnings gap are highlighted. Changing returns to human capital, role of demographics and cohort effects and declining labour share are examined. The paper also reviews evidence of changing economic mobility and estimating the role of inequality of opportunity.
Aberrant TGFβ Signalling Contributes to Dysregulation of Sphingolipid Metabolism in Intrauterine Growth Restriction.

CONTEXT Sphingolipids function as key bioactive mediators that regulate cell fate events in a variety of systems. Disruptions in sphingolipid metabolism characterize several human pathologies. OBJECTIVE In the present study we examined sphingolipid metabolism in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), a severe disorder complicating 4-7% of pregnancies at increased risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality, which is characterized by placental dysfunction and augmented trophoblast cell death rates. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Placentae from early severe IUGR with documented abnormal umbilical artery Doppler defined as absence or reverse of end diastolic velocity and a birth weight below the fifth percentile for gestational age were collected (n = 58). Placental tissues obtained from healthy, age-matched preterm and term deliveries (n = 46; TC, n=28) were included as controls. RESULTS Sphingolipid analysis by tandem mass spectrometry revealed elevated sphingosine and decreased ceramide levels in placentae from pregnancies complicated by IUGR relative to age-matched controls. Sphingosine accumulation was due to accelerated ceramide breakdown via increased acid ceramidase (ASAH1) expression/activity caused by augmented TGFβ signalling via the ALK5/SMAD2 pathway. In addition, a marked reduction in sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) expression/activity due to impaired TGFβ signalling via ALK1/SMAD1 contributed to the sphingosine buildup in IUGR. Of clinical significance, ALK/SMAD signalling pathways were differentially altered in IUGR placentae. CONCLUSIONS Altered TGFβ signalling in IUGR placentae causes dysregulation of sphingolipid metabolism, which may contribute to the increased trophoblast cell death typical of this pathology.
The use of covered stents in aortoiliac obstructions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION During the past decade, endovascular treatment has become the treatment of choice for all types of aortoiliac occlusive disease, including TASC C and D lesions. Patency rates, however, are still below those of open surgical techniques. One propagated technique to improve patency rates is the use of covered stents. This review assessed the available literature on covered stents for aortoiliac occlusive disease. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION An extensive search was performed of the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases. All studies reporting on covered stents, including stent grafts for endovascular aneurysm repair, were included. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS We identified 19 studies comprising 12 single-arm series, 6 retrospective series, and 1 randomized controlled trial. The meta-analysis did not show a significant difference in primary patency at 1, 2, and 3 to 5 years for covered stents compared with bare-metal stents (91.7% vs. 88.5%, 85.4% vs. 80.9%, and 80.7% vs. 72.0%, respectively). Several studies found a significant difference in TASC C and D lesions in favor of covered stents. CONCLUSIONS High-quality evidence supporting the use of covered stents for aortoiliac occlusive arterial disease is limited. The use of covered stents in TASC C and D lesions may improve patency rates. However, because the TASC classification is very heterogeneous, more research is needed to identify specifically which lesion characteristics might benefit most from covered stent placement.
Never Let Them See You Cry

A debate exists concerning whether exclusion harms self-esteem. We hypothesized that social exclusion does harm self-esteem, but that this effect is evident only when self-presentational concerns to “appear fine” are minimal or people are unable to alter their report of self-esteem. In the first three studies, participants’ explicit and implicit self-esteem were measured following an exclusion or comparison condition where self-presentational pressures were likely high. Because respondents can easily control their reports on explicit measures, but not on implicit ones, we hypothesized that exclusion would result in lower self-esteem only when implicit measures were used. Results confirmed this hypothesis. In the final study, self-presentational concerns were directly manipulated. When self-presentational concerns were high, only implicit self-esteem was lowered by exclusion. But, when such concerns were low, this impact on self-esteem was seen on implicit and explicit measures. Implications for the sociometer hypothesis and the recent self-esteem debate are discussed.
Building on community-based health insurance to expand national coverage: the case of Ghana.

The experience of Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme holds important lessons for low- and middle-income countries seeking to implement universal health coverage. A new HFG case study describes how Ghana developed its current system and what can be learned from this process. The case study traces the evolution of Ghana’s health financing from a strictly cash-and-carry system to one in which a third of the population is covered by the national insurance plan. An important intermediate step in this process was the rise of local mutual health organizations which provided limited insurance coverage to small pools of enrollees. The case study explains how the government drew upon the experience and expertise of these mutual health organizations in creating the National Health Insurance Scheme which was launched in 2003. The creation of the system was also heavily influenced by electoral politics. The case study demonstrates how important elements of the current system such as the earmarking of value-added taxes to pay for coverage and the absence of cost-sharing were shaped by political considerations.
Imported disease in emergency departments: an undiscovered country?

BACKGROUND The incidence of imported disease within the emergency department (ED) is not known, but a significant number of patients present to medical services after return from traveling. Unless practitioners in ED are aware of the potential for nonendemic disease in the population of patients they attend, there is a possibility that imported diseases will not be diagnosed in the acute setting. METHOD A questionnaire was sent to all medical practitioners involved in assessing patients presenting to the EDs of hospitals. This questionnaire consisted of five clinical scenarios describing acute presentations of imported diseases but without a travel history included. Responses were requested to ascertain whether practitioners would elucidate the travel history and consequently establish the correct diagnosis. RESULTS A response rate of 96% was achieved. When presented with a clinical scenario suggesting imported disease, travel history is only elicited in 16% of cases by the acute care practitioners. A correct diagnosis was given in 22% of responses. Interestingly, there was generally no significant correlation between eliciting a travel history and establishing the correct diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS When presented with a clinical scenario that describes an imported disease, medical practitioners in EDs do not routinely establish a travel history or consider the diagnosis of imported disease. There may be a high potential for imported disease to be missed in the ED.
European influence and economic development

The development accounting literature identifies political institutions as fundamental development determinants. Forms of government or executive constraints are thought to shape economic institutions (e.g., property rights) which provide the necessary incentives for economic growth. The consensus in this literature is that European influence affects economic development, presumably via the adoption of European institutions. But how exactly did European influence in the distant past induce positive economic outcomes today? While previous approaches rely on “language,” “settler mortality,” “legal origins,” or the “number of European settlers” as indirect proxies of European influence, we propose a direct and quantifiable mechanism: the adoption of European constitutional features. We construct a dataset of all constitutional dimensions in all countries from 1800-2008, and find that nations experience growth spurts after adopting features of European constitutions. The growth effects are influenced (negatively) by periods of political turmoil, but they are independent of colonial backgrounds. These results imply that countries have been able to overcome adverse initial conditions over the last 200 years by adjusting European influence via the adoption of European constitutional features. Our constitutional dataset is also sufficiently detailed to identify which dimensions of European constitutions matter for development, namely legislative rules and provisions that curtail executive power.
nAChR‐mediated calcium responses and plasticity in Drosophila Kenyon cells

In Drosophila, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) mediate fast excitatory synaptic transmission in mushroom body Kenyon cells, a neuronal population involved in generation of complex behaviors, including responses to drugs of abuse. To determine whether activation of nAChRs can induce cellular changes that contribute to functional plasticity in these neurons, we examined nicotine‐evoked responses in cells cultured from brains of late stage OK107‐GAL4 pupae. Kenyon cells can be identified by expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP+). Nicotine activates α‐bungarotoxin‐sensitive nAChRs, causing a rapid increase in intracellular calcium levels in over 95% of the Kenyon cells. The nicotine‐evoked calcium increase has a voltage‐gated calcium channel (VGCC) dependent component and a VGCC‐independent component that involves calcium influx directly through nAChRs. Thapsigargin treatment reduces the nicotine response consistent with amplification by calcium release from intracellular stores. The response to nicotine is experience‐dependent: a short conditioning pulse of nicotine causes a transient 50% reduction in the magnitude of the response to a test pulse of nicotine when the interpulse interval is 4 h. This cellular plasticity is dependent on activation of the VGCC‐component of the nicotine response and on cAMP‐signaling, but not on protein synthesis. These data demonstrate that activation of nAChRs induces a calcium‐dependent plasticity in Kenyon cells that could contribute to adult behaviors involving information processing in the mushroom bodies including responses to nicotine. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2007
Antinociceptive activity of intrathecally administered cannabinoids alone, and in combination with morphine, in mice.

The antinociceptive effects of various cannabinoids, alone and in combination with opiates, were evaluated in antinociceptive tests in mice. The cannabinoids tested produce marked antinociceptive effects after i.t. administration to mice. The rank order of potency for the drugs using the tail-flick test was levonantradol greater than CP-55,940 = CP-56,667 greater than 11-hydroxy-delta 9-THC greater than delta 9-THC greater than delta 8-THC; dextronantradol was inactive at a dose of 25 micrograms/mouse. Respective ED50 values in the tail-flick test were 0.4, 12.3, 4.2, 15, 45 and 72 micrograms/mouse. Although pretreatment with morphine somewhat enhanced the effects of delta 9-THC, pretreatment of the mice with naloxone (1 mg/kg s.c. or 1 micrograms/mouse i.t.) failed to block the antinociceptive effects of the cannabinoids, indicating that the cannabinoid-induced antinociception does not occur due to direct interaction with the opiate receptor. Pretreatment of mice with 3.13 micrograms/mouse and 6.25 micrograms/mouse of delta 9-THC shifted the ED50 of morphine to 0.15 and 0.05 micrograms/mouse, respectively (a 4-and a 12-fold shift). The shifts in the dose-response curve of the morphine were parallel. Naloxone administration (1 mg/kg s.c.) completely blocked the antinociceptive effects of the combination of 6.25 micrograms of delta 9-THC with morphine. The AD50 for naloxone blockade of the drug combination was 0.24 (0.06-0.94) mg/kg s.c. and the pA2 was 7.7 (6.7-8.9). The pA2 for naloxone blockade of the dimethylsulfoxide-morphine combination was 6.9 (5.7-8.1). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Aortobifemoral Grafting: Factors Influencing Long-Term Results

We present the results and respective determinant factors of 283 consecutive aortobifemoral bypasses. This prospective study included 283 patients with aortoiliac atherosclerotic occlusive disease treated by aortobifemoral reconstructions. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts were used in 136 patients and Dacron® grafts in 147 patients. The 30-day mortality rate was 11 patients (3.9%). Perioperative (< 30 days) graft failure occurred in 6 patients (2.1%), whereas in 14 (5.25%) patients, it occurred during the follow-up period. There were 3 (1.05%) distal anastomotic pseudoaneurysms and 5 (1.7%) graft infections, with no statistical difference between the two types of grafts. The type of prosthesis did not influence cumulative graft patency. The end-to-end configuration of proximal anastomosis and a simultaneously performed femoropopliteal bypass significantly increased the graft patency (p < .05). The associated occlusion of the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries decreased the cumulative graft patency in comparison with that of the patients without artery disease (p < .05). Our results showed that in the aortobifemoral position, there was no significant difference in the patency, anastomotic pseudoaneurysms, and graft infection between PTFE and Dacron grafts. However, the PTFE grafts had a significantly higher rate (p < .05) of distal anastomotic stenosis, which was mostly caused by neointimal hyperplasia.
Influence of on-load voltage distortion on torque-speed characteristic of interior permanent magnet machines

The on-load voltage distortion in interior permanent magnet (IPM) machine refers to the terminal voltage distorted by armature reaction. In this paper, the mechanism of the on-load voltage distortion have been investigated with the aid of frozen permeability method based on both fractional and integer slot IPM machines. It reveals that the local magnetic saturation caused by armature reaction will distort the on-load back-EMFs and dq-axis inductances, which consequently leads to terminal voltage distortion. Due to the geometric feature of IPM rotors, the armature reaction fluxes become more difficult to circulate with the increase of current angle, which further enhances the fluctuation of dq-axis inductances and is found to be the main reason for the terminal voltage distortion in flux weakening operations. Then, the variations of both on-load back-EMFs and dq-axis inductances due to armature reaction are investigated. Consequently, the torque ripples under different current angles are analysed. Meanwhile, the flux weakening performances under fixed DC link voltages are also calculated, which shows the terminal voltage distortion may largely reduce the flux weakening operation region and cause the control of the drive system difficulty. Finally, a 42-slot/8-pole IPM machine is tested to validate the analyses, which also reveals that the phase currents would be distorted if ignoring the peak voltage caused by on-load voltage distortion.
[Randomized controlled clinical trials of acupuncture treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome].

OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of acupuncture on the fatigue degree in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). METHODS Seventy CFS patients were equally randomized into control and treatment groups according to randomized block design. Acupuncture was applied to Baihui (GV 20), Danzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12), etc., for patients in treatment group, and to non-acupoints (2 cm respectively to the abovementioned acupoints) for those in control group. The treatment was given once every other day, 14 times altogether. The fatigue degree and the therapeutic effect were assessed by Chalder's fatigue scale (FS). RESULTS A total of 64 cases (32/group) were finished in this study. After the treatment, the physical FS (5.0 +/- 2.4 vs 6.8 +/- 1.5), mental FS (1.8 +/-1.8 vs 3.1 +/- 1.5) and the total FS (6.8 +/- 3.8 vs 9.9 +/- 2.5) in treatment group, physical FS (5.0 +/- 2.5 vs 6.4 +/- 1.5) and the total FS (7.5 +/- 3.4 vs 9.6 +/- 2.8) in control group decreased significantly compared with pre-treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). There was no marked change in mental FS (2.5 +/- 11.6 vs 3.2 +/- 11.6) in control group after the treatment (P > 0.05). Comparison between two groups showed no significant differences in the 3 indexes (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture can relieve CFS patients' physical and mental fatigue and the therapeutic effect of acupuncture of acupoints is relatively better than that of non-acupoints in reducing mental fatigue.