Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of nitric oxide in non‐adrenergic, non‐cholinergic inhibitory junction potentials in canine ileocolonic sphincter

1 Electrical field stimulation causes neurally‐mediated relaxation of the ileocolonic sphincter that is due to activation of non‐adrenergic and non‐cholinergic (NANC) nerves. Recent studies have suggested that nitric oxide (NO) is the neurotransmitter that mediates relaxation. 2 Using intracellular recording techniques, we have tested whether NANC inhibitory junction potentials (i.j.ps) in the canine ileocolonic sphincter are also mediated by NO. 3 Electrical field stimulation elicited excitatory and inhibitory junction potentials: e.j.ps were blocked by atropine (10−6 m) and tetrodotoxin (TTX; 10−6 m); i.j.ps were also blocked by TTX and partially blocked by apamin (10−6 m). I.j.ps were unaffected by atropine, phentolamine and propranolol (all at 10−6 m). 4 The arginine analogues, l‐NG‐nitroarginine methyl ester (l‐NAME) and NG‐monomethyl‐l‐arginine (l‐NMMA), decreased the amplitude of i.j.ps and l‐arginine, but not d‐arginine, partially restored the i.j.ps. 5 I.j.ps were also inhibited by oxyhaemoglobin (1%), but not by methaemoglobin. 6 Exogenous NO (10−7 m to 3 × 10−5 m) caused concentration‐dependent hyperpolarizations that were similar in amplitude to the NANC nerve‐evoked i.j.ps. Hyperpolarizations to NO were unaffected by l‐NAME, but were blocked by oxyhaemoglobin. 7 Tetrodotoxin, l‐NAME and oxyhaemoglobin all caused depolarization of resting membrane potential. 8 The specific guanosine 3′:5′‐cyclic monophosphate phosphodiesterase inhibitor, M&B 22948, caused hyperpolarization, increased the maximum level of hyperpolarization reached during i.j.ps, and increased the duration of i.j.ps. 9 These data further support the hypothesis that NANC neurotransmission in the ileocolonic sphincter is mediated by NO or an NO‐releasing compound. The data also suggest that tonic release of NO, possibly from spontaneous firing of NANC nerves, may regulate resting membrane potential and tone in this sphincter.
Probiotics and Allergic Diseases — Usefulness of Animal Models — From Strains Selection to Mechanistic Studies

The prevalence of allergies has dramatically and rapidly increased over the past decades in areas with a “westernized” or “industrialized” lifestyle. This increase and the dichotomy in the rate of allergic disease between industrialized and developing countries are two lines of evidence suggesting that environmental changes are a major factor in the development of allergies. There is mounting evidence that the microbiota is a key environmental factor that influences oral tolerance. Alterations in the sequential establishment of gut microbiota observed in western countries could therefore be responsible for a T-helper balance deviation toward a Th2 profile, a major factor in the rise of allergic diseases. Likewise treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics in infancy leading to microbiota alterations and dysbiosis, is associated with increased susceptibility to allergy [1]. Indeed recent epidemiological studies have linked factors influencing microbiota establishment and risk of allergy [2,3]. Hence, increasing evidences suggest that the composition of the microbiota influences intestinal barrier functions [4,5] and both local [6] and systemic immune responses [7]. A specific signature of the microbiota has been associated with allergy sensitivity [8-10]. This hypothesis has been confirmed by studies using mice models which have shown that the gut microbiota is likely to play a role in the development of oral tolerance. We and other have shown that the lack of gut microbiota in germ free mice is associated with the development of Th2 and IgE responses to dietary antigens [11,12]. The specific gut microbiota observed in mice with food allergy by Noval-Rivas et al was able of transmitting disease susceptibility to naive germ-free recipients [9]. In humans, several studies highlighted differences in the composition of bacterial communities in the feces of subject with or without allergic diseases; however, available epidemiological studies remain controversial [13]. Numerous studies support that a
Inequity in work and intimate relationships: a Spillover–Crossover model

Abstract This study among 267 Greek teachers and their partners tested and expanded the recently proposed Spillover–Crossover model (SCM) of well-being. Accordingly, experiences built up at work spill over to the home domain, and then influence the partner. The authors integrated equity theory in the model by formulating hypotheses about exchange in interpersonal relationships. Structural equation modeling analyses supported the spillover hypothesis that teachers who lose their work engagement as a result of an inequitable relationship with their students invest less in the relationship with their partner. In addition, the results supported the crossover hypothesis that teachers' relationship investments, in turn, show a negative relationship with inequity in the intimate relationship as perceived by the partner; and inequity in the intimate relationship contributed to partner depression. The findings are discussed in light of the SCM of well-being.
Cervical nerve root blocks: indications and role of MR imaging.

PURPOSE To examine whether magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of the cervical spine can predict pain relief after selective computed tomography (CT)-guided nerve root block and thus assist in the appropriate selection of patients who are suitable for this procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty consecutive patients with cervical radicular pain were examined with MR imaging and then treated with CT-guided cervical nerve root blocks (CNRBs). Various MR imaging findings were assessed and compared in terms of associated pain relief after CNRB. Pain relief was graded (0%-100%) by using a visual analogue scale (VAS). The relationship between MR imaging findings and level of pain relief was tested by using Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS The mean percentage of pain reduction at VAS grading was 46%. There was a significant relationship between pain relief level and both location of disk herniation (mean pain reductions of 41% at median or mediolateral locations and 64% at foraminal locations, P =.034) and location of nerve root compromise (mean pain reductions of 19% at intraspinal, 45% at foraminal entrance, and 58% at foraminal locations; P =.019). There was an inverse relationship between pain relief level and absence or presence of spinal canal stenosis (mean pain reductions of 29% when stenosis present and 53% when stenosis absent, P =.013). Other parameters were not significantly related to pain relief. CONCLUSION MR imaging of the cervical spine assists in the appropriate selection of patients suitable for CNRB. Patients with foraminal disk herniation, foraminal nerve root compromise, and no spinal canal stenosis appear to have the greatest pain relief after this procedure.
Underlying the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis Aberrant Expression of Apoptosis-Related Molecules in Endometriosis : A Possible Mechanism

Endometriosis, a disease affecting 3% to 10% of women of reproductive age, is characterized by the ectopic growth of endometrial tissue under the influence of estrogen. It is also becoming recognized as a condition in which ectopic endometrial cells exhibit abnormal proliferative and apoptotic regulation in response to appropriate stimuli. Apoptosis plays a critical role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and represents a normal function to eliminate excess or dysfunctional cells. Accumulated evidence suggests that, in healthy women, endometrial cells expelled during menstruation do not survive in ectopic locations because of programmed cell death, while decreased apoptosis may lead to the ectopic survival and implantation of these cells, resulting in the development of endometriosis. Both the inability of endometrial cells to transmit a ‘‘death’’ signal and the ability of endometrial cells to avoid cell death have been associated with increased expression of antiapoptotic factors and decreased expression of preapoptotic factors. Further investigations may elucidate the role of apoptosis-associated molecules in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Medical treatment with apoptosis-inducing agents may be novel and promising therapeutic strategy for endometriosis.
Preliminary insight into cloud computing adoption in a developing country

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of cloud computing adoption (CCA) in a developing country context through the lens of the technology, organisation and environment (TOE) framework. Design/methodology/approach – The study was carried out using the quantitative research methodology based on a survey of 305 organisations from different industries in Ghana. Based on the TOE framework, a conceptual model consisting of ten hypotheses were proposed and tested through a confirmatory factor analysis and logistic regression analysis. Findings – The findings indicate that relative advantage, security concern, top management support, technology readiness, competitive pressure and trading partners’ pressure were the TOE factors found to be significant in CCA in a developing country context. Conversely, firm size, scope, compatibility and regulatory support were found to be insignificant. Originality/value – This study provides insights into CCA across different industries in a dev.
SECULAR RESONANCE SWEEPING OF THE MAIN ASTEROID BELT DURING PLANET MIGRATION

We calculate the eccentricity excitation of asteroids produced by the sweeping ν6 secular resonance during the epoch of planetesimal-driven giant planet migration in the early history of the solar system. We derive analytical expressions for the magnitude of the eccentricity change and its dependence on the sweep rate and on planetary parameters; the ν6 sweeping leads to either an increase or a decrease of eccentricity depending on an asteroid's initial orbit. Based on the slowest rate of ν6 sweeping that allows a remnant asteroid belt to survive, we derive a lower limit on Saturn's migration speed of ∼0.15 AU Myr−1 during the era that the ν6 resonance swept through the inner asteroid belt (semimajor axis range 2.1–2.8 AU). This rate limit is for Saturn's current eccentricity and scales with the square of its eccentricity; the limit on Saturn's migration rate could be lower if its eccentricity were lower during its migration. Applied to an ensemble of fictitious asteroids, our calculations show that a prior single-peaked distribution of asteroid eccentricities would be transformed into a double-peaked distribution due to the sweeping of the ν6 resonance. Examination of the orbital data of main belt asteroids reveals that the proper eccentricities of the known bright (H ⩽ 10.8) asteroids may be consistent with a double-peaked distribution. If so, our theoretical analysis then yields two possible solutions for the migration rate of Saturn and for the dynamical states of the pre-migration asteroid belt: a dynamically cold state (single-peaked eccentricity distribution with mean of ∼0.05) linked with Saturn's migration speed ∼4 AU Myr−1 or a dynamically hot state (single-peaked eccentricity distribution with mean of ∼0.3) linked with Saturn's migration speed ∼0.8 AU Myr−1.
Molecular characterization of veterinary important trematode and cestode species in the mithun Bos frontalis from north-east India

Abstract Helminth infections in the mithun Bos frontalis, including the liver fluke Fasciola gigantica, hepato-gastric amphistomes Explanatum explanatum, Paramphistomum epiclitum and Calicophoron calicophorum, and the cestodes Echinococcus granulosus and E. ortleppi were studied in north-east India over a 2-year period from 2012 to 2014. Cystic echinococcosis caused by E. granulosus and E. ortleppi was found to be highly prevalent in the mithun, with E. ortleppi being reported for the first time. Molecular markers, including the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS-2), 28S rDNA and mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase sub-unit1 (nad1) were used to confirm the identification of the trematode and cestode species.
Expanded Roles of the Origin Recognition Complex in the Architecture and Function of Silenced Chromatin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

ABSTRACT The silenced chromatin at the cryptic mating-type loci (HML and HMR) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae requires a cell cycle event between early S phase and G2/M phase to achieve repression. Although DNA replication per se is not essential for silencing, mutations in many of the proteins involved in DNA replication affect silencing. Each of the four silencers, which flank the silenced loci, includes an origin recognition complex (ORC) binding site (ACS). ORC directly interacted with Sir1 and recruits Sir1 to the silencers. This study describes additional roles for ORC in the architecture of silenced chromatin. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis, we found that ORC physically interacts throughout the internal regions of HMR as well as with silencers. This interaction depended on the presence of Sir proteins and, in part, on the HMR-I silencer. ORC remained associated with the internal regions of HMR even when these regions were recombinationally separated from the silencers. Moreover, ORC could be recruited to the silencers lacking an ACS through its Sir1 interaction.
Duloxetine 60 mg for chronic low back pain: post hoc responder analysis of double-blind, placebo-controlled trials

Introduction Duloxetine has demonstrated efficacy in chronic low back pain (CLBP). We examined the predictors of response to duloxetine for CLBP. Patients and methods This was a post hoc analysis of pooled data from 4 double-blind, ran-domized, placebo-controlled trials of duloxetine (60 mg/day for 12–14 weeks) in adult patients with CLBP. Primary outcome was proportion of patients with ≥30% reduction in Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) average pain (“pain reduction”) at 12–14 weeks. The proportion of patients with ≥30% and ≥50% (secondary outcome) pain reduction in duloxetine and placebo groups was compared. Variables for responder analyses were early improvement (≥15% pain reduction at Week 2), sex, age, baseline BPI average pain score, duration of CLBP, and number of painful body sites according to the Michigan Body Map (≥2 vs 1 [isolated CLBP]; 1 trial); relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Results Compared with placebo (n = 653), a greater proportion of duloxetine-treated patients (n = 642) achieved ≥30% (59.7% vs 47.8%; P < 0.001) and ≥50% pain reduction (48.6% vs 35.1%; P < 0.001). Among duloxetine-treated patients, early improvement was associated with greater likelihood of ≥30% (RR [95% CI], 2.91 [2.30–3.67]) or ≥50% (3.24 [2.44–4.31]) pain reduction. Women were slightly more likely than men to achieve ≥30% (RR [95% CI], 1.14 [1.00–1.30]) or ≥50% (1.17 [0.99–1.38]) pain reduction. Response rates were similar between age, CLBP duration, and baseline BPI average pain score subgroups. Patients with ≥2 painful sites were more likely to respond to duloxetine 60 mg relative to placebo than patients with isolated CLBP (RR, duloxetine vs placebo [95% CI]: ≥30% reduction, ≥2 painful sites 1.40 [1.18–1.66], isolated CLBP 1.07 [0.78–1.48]; ≥50% reduction, ≥2 painful sites 1.51 [1.20–1.89], isolated CLBP 1.23 [0.81–1.88]). Conclusion Early pain reduction was indicative of overall response. Patients with multiple painful sites had more benefit from duloxetine than patients with isolated CLBP.
Episodes in Consciousness viewed as Brain State Space Transitions

In the framework of Dynamical Systems Theory and based on evidence for processes of consciousness being discontinuous, it is here proposed to consider episodes of conscious awareness in the light of non-equilibrium brain state space transitions. The relevant theoretical background is reviewed as are the known landmarks of brain network configurations and their role for conveying oscillatory activity of certain frequencies. This raises the questions: what kind of state space transformations can such systems undergo, and could the relation between sensory-motor cognition and its conscious registration be of the same category of events as are exemplified by state transitions in non-equilibrium physical systems: the formation of a novel physical reality at the macroscopic level, characterized by a different qualitative phenomenology ? Approaches for empirical validation of this view by suitably designed brain imaging studies, and for computational simulations of the proposed principle are discussed; the latter guided by new directions in the Physics of complex systems, in place of the extant forms of reductionist explanations.
Pulmonary function in children and adolescents with postinfectious bronchiolitis obliterans.

OBJECTIVE To describe the pulmonary function in children and adolescents with postinfectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO), as well as to evaluate potential risk factors for severe impairment of pulmonary function. METHODS The pulmonary function of 77 participants, aged 8-18 years, was assessed by spirometry and plethysmography. The following parameters were analyzed: FVC; FEV1; FEF25-75%; FEV1/FVC; RV; TLC; RV/TLC; intrathoracic gas volume; and specific airway resistance (sRaw). We used Poisson regression to investigate the following potential risk factors for severe impairment of pulmonary function: gender; age at first wheeze; age at diagnosis; family history of asthma; tobacco smoke exposure; length of hospital stay; and duration of mechanical ventilation. RESULTS The mean age was 13.5 years. There were pronounced decreases in FEV1 and FEF25-75%, as well as increases in RV and sRaw. These alterations are characteristic of obstructive airway disease. For the parameters that were the most affected, the mean values (percentage of predicted) were as follows: FEV1 = 45.9%; FEF25-75% = 21.5%; RV = 281.1%; RV/TLC = 236.2%; and sRaw = 665.3%. None of the potential risk factors studied showed a significant association with severely impaired pulmonary function. CONCLUSIONS The patients with PIBO had a common pattern of severe pulmonary function impairment, characterized by marked airway obstruction and pronounced increases in RV and sRaw. The combination of spirometric and plethysmographic measurements can be more useful for assessing functional damage, as well as in the follow-up of these patients, than are either of these techniques used in isolation. Known risk factors for respiratory diseases do not seem to be associated with severely impaired pulmonary function in PIBO.
A Review of the Effects of Multiple Stressors on Aquatic Organisms and Analysis of Uncertainty Factors for Use in Risk Assessment

Risk assessment procedures use toxicity tests in which organisms are subjected to chemicals under otherwise constant and favorable experimental conditions. Because variable and suboptimal environmental conditions are common aspects of natural ecosystems, the hazard of underestimation of risk arises. Therefore, an uncertainty factor is used in the extrapolation of results of standard toxicity tests to field situations. The choice for these uncertainty factors is based on little ecological evidence. This review discusses studies on the toxicity of various chemicals to aquatic organisms, modified by temperature, nutritional state and salinity, excluding papers on changes in bioavailability of compounds. Collected data were analyzed quantitatively to evaluate the validity of toxicity data obtained from standard toxicity tests in the laboratory under field conditions. Generally, organisms living under conditions close to their environmental tolerance limits appeared to be more vulnerable to additional chemical stress. Usually, increasing temperature and decreasing food or nutrient level raised toxicity. The influence of salinity was less clear; metal toxicity increased with decreasing salinity, toxicity of organophosphate insecticides increased with higher salinity, while for other chemicals no clear relationship between toxicity and salinity was observed. The interactions can be explained by several physical and physiological processes, acting on factors such as bioavailability, toxicokinetics, and sensitivity of organisms. Quantitative analysis of data indicated that an uncertainty factor for the laboratory to field extrapolation should be smaller than one for an ecosystem in a temperate region, while a factor greater than one would be appropriate for systems nearby discharge points of cooling water. The factor should be greater than one when varying nutritional state is concerned, but smaller than one with respect to salinity. Dependent on the effect parameter used, the differences in toxicity between laboratory and relevant field situations ranged from a factor of 2.6 to 130 and 1.7 to 15 for the two temperature conditions and 1.2 to 10 for nutritional state. A salinity increase from freshwater to marine water decreased toxicity by a factor of 2.1. However, as less extreme salinity changes are more relevant under field conditions, the change in toxicity is probably much smaller. To obtain uncertainty factors that sufficiently protect natural systems without being overprotective, additional research is required.
Herbicide Transport in Goodwater Creek Experimental Watershed: II. Long‐Term Research on Acetochlor, Alachlor, Metolachlor, and Metribuzin 1

Lerch, R.N. , E.J. Sadler, C. Baffaut, N.R. Kitchen, and K.A. Sudduth, 2010. Herbicide Transport in Goodwater Creek Experimental Watershed: II. Long‐Term Research on Acetochlor, Alachlor, Metolachlor, and Metribuzin. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 1‐15. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2010. 00504.x
Product Families On-Chip - Combining the Software Product Family Paradigm with Run-Time Reprogrammable Hardware Technology

Hardware and software can be co-designed as a single system to obtain high-performance computing solutions that use a minimum of resources such as CPU cycles and memory. Hardware/software co-design is often a complex and time consuming process. Software functionality is typically developed independently from hardware functionality and functional elements are not reused across similar products. Co-design is particularly important in system on-chip (SoC) development where an entire system consisting of both software and hardware is integrated on a single chip. Developing high-performance computing solutions in the form of SoCs in a repeatable manner is technically possible, but knowing how to apply software concepts in a hardware context and vice versa is still demanding at best. This paper summarizes the concepts and considerations that outline a case study that aims at combining the software product family paradigm with run-time reprogrammable hardware technology. The goal of the study is to define a formal framework for developing product families on-chip in a repeatable manner.
Marital status, life-strains and depression.

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