Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increase in nitric oxide and cyclic GMP of rat cerebellum by radio frequency burst‐type electromagnetic field radiation.

1. Using rat cerebellum supernatant, the effects of radio frequency (RF) burst‐type electromagnetic (EM) field radiation on the production of cyclic GMP were examined under various conditions. The radiation was generated by a generator coil, and set at a 10 MHz radiation frequency, a 50% burst time, a 10 kHz burst rate and a 5 V peak‐to‐peak generator voltage. 2. When the cerebellum supernatant was incubated with both exogenous L‐arginine (nitric oxide (NO) donor) and NADPH, and irradiated by an RF burst‐type EM field, the production of cyclic GMP was increased significantly from a level of 21‐22 nmol min‐1 (g tissue)‐1 to 25‐26 nmol min‐1 (g tissue)‐1. By contrast, such an effect was not found when the cerebellum supernatant was irradiated by an RF volley‐type EM field. 3. When neither L‐arginine nor NADPH were added to the cerebellum supernatant, the production of cyclic GMP was lowered to a level of 6 nmol min‐1 (g tissue)‐1 and the radiation effect was not found. When the cerebellum supernatant was chelated with EDTA, the production of cyclic GMP was lowered to a level of 7 nmol min‐1 (g tissue)‐1 and the radiation effect was not found. 4. Incubation with Methylene Blue, a guanylate cyclase inhibitor, lowered the production of cyclic GMP to a level of 10‐12 nmol min‐1 (g tissue)‐1, and the radiation effect did not occur. On incubation with a NO synthase inhibitor, either NG‐methyl‐L‐arginine or N omega‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester, the production of cyclic GMP was lowered to a level of 10‐12 nmol min‐1 (g tissue)‐1 or 5‐9 nmol min‐1 (g tissue)‐1 respectively, and the radiation effect was not observed. 5. Using electrochemical NO probes, the production of NO in the cerebellum supernatant was detected. The concentration of NO increased gradually after the onset of the EM field radiation. The radiation effect persisted, and reached a maximum after the cessation of the radiation. 6. In an in vivo study, the arterioles of the frog web were dilated by the radiation, and this radiation effect was almost completely abolished by the addition of a NO synthase inhibitor. This indicates that radiation activates NO synthase and ultimately induces vasodilatation.
Governing trade unions in Sweden

Because the world has long seen Sweden as a pioneer of democratic socialism, the success or failure of social experiments there has had momentous impact on the development of similar programs elsewhere. Now, in this penetrating inquiry undertaken by one of Sweden's leading political scientists, the problems and practices of Swedish trade unions are fully revealed.Leif Lewin is interested in finding answers to several central questions: How democratic are Sweden's unions? How are they governed? How have they avoided the institutional inequities that plague some American unions? What sacrifices have Swedish unions had to make in order to solve their problems? Lewin has gone directly to the people concerned, receiving from some 3,000 union members and leaders the information that forms the basis of his study. But his book is more than an empirical analysis of trade union democracy. It is also a strikingly successful example for all social scientists who have struggled to apply a hypothetical model of democracy to the ambiguous, often turbulent world around them. Above all, Lewin shows how the democratic ideal of individual intellectual and moral enrichment can be approached through participation in collective decision making. Thoughtful and balanced, his book addresses many of the problems that are just now being faced by social planners, economists, and union organizers everywhere. "
Medulloblastomas With Favorable Versus Unfavorable Histology: How Many Small Blue Cell Tumor Types are There in the Brain?: On: Histopathologic grading of medulloblastomas. A pediatric oncology group study. Eberhart CG, Kepner JL, Goldthwaite PT, et al. Cancer 200294:552–560

Prognostically favorable and unfavorable variants of medulloblastoma have recently been identified, corresponding to medulloblastoma with extensive nodularity and large cell/anaplastic medulloblastoma, respectively. In an effort to identify clinically relevant grading criteria for medulloblastoma in general, 330 Pediatric Oncology Group (POG) cases were carefully reviewed for presence and extent of histologic anaplasia, nodularity, and desmoplasia. The resulting data was statistically analyzed using event-free and overall patient survival as endpoints. Significant anaplasia (moderate to severe) was identified in 24% of cases and was strongly associated with decreased survival times. Additionally, those with diffuse or extensive anaplasia fared worse than those with only focal anaplasia. Although the study confirmed the favorable prognosis for the rare cases of medulloblastoma with extensive nodularity, lesser degrees of nodularity or desmoplasia were not associated with a statistically significant survival advantage. Medulloblastoma grading based on anaplasia demonstrated a statistically stronger association with patient outcome than clinical staging. Therefore, histologic grading of medulloblastomas seems warranted as a routine diagnostic aid.
Short Run Causal Relationship between Inflation and Stock Returns - An Empirical Study of BRICS Markets

Equity investment is assumed to be a good hedge against inflation since long time. This paper examines short run causal relationship between inflation and stock return in emerging BRICS markets. The study covers a comprehensive period of 13 years from the year 2000 to 2013 using quarterly data. The regression results reveal a significant positive relationship between changes in inflation and stock returns only in case of Brazil. But, Granger causality results reveal unidirectional causality from stock return to changes in inflation in Russia, India and South Africa and bidirectional causality in China. Hence, there seem to be a cause and effect relationship between stock returns and inflation in emerging markets. The results are of pertinent importance in today's context where emerging markets are facing the problems of rising inflation and volatile stock returns. The policy regulators need to understand these dynamics between inflation and stock returns to ensure better regulation of the markets. For investors particularly large and institutional investors the study findings support trading based on inflation forecasts efficiency of Indian stock market.
Purification and characterization of urotensin II from the brain of a teleost (trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss) and an elasmobranch (skate, Raja rhina).

Peptides related to urotensin II have been isolated in pure form from an extract of whole brain of a teleost, the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and of an elasmobranch, the longnose skate (Raja rhina). The primary structure of the trout peptide [Gly-Gly-Asn-Ser-Glu-Cys-Phe-Trp-Lys-Tyr-Cys-Val] is similar to that of urotensin II peptides isolated from the urophyses of other teleost fish. For example, trout urotensin II contains only one amino acid substitution (Thr4-->Ser) compared with urotensin II beta 1 isolated from the urophysis of the carp. The primary structure of the skate peptide [Asn-Asn-Phe-Ser-Asp-Cys-Phe-Trp-Lys-Tyr-Cys-Val] is the same as urotensin II isolated from the caudal spinal cord region of the dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula. The data provide chemical evidence to support the conclusion of earlier morphological studies [Yulis, C. R. , and Lederis, K. (1988) Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 70, 301-311) that certain species of fish possess an extensive extraurophyseal distribution of urotensin II-immunoreactive neurons.
Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of an Endo-β-1,3-glucanase of the Hyperthermophilic ArchaeonPyrococcus furiosus *

We report here the first molecular characterization of an endo-β-1,3-glucanase from an archaeon.Pyrococcus furiosus is a hyperthermophilic archaeon that is capable of saccharolytic growth. The isolated lamA gene encodes an extracellular enzyme that shares homology with both endo-β-1,3- and endo-β-1,3-1,4-glucanases of the glycosyl hydrolase family 16. After deletion of the N-terminal leader sequence, alamA fragment encoding an active endo-β-1,3-glucanase was overexpressed in Escherichia coli using the T7-expression system. The purified P. furiosus endoglucanase has highest hydrolytic activity on the β-1,3-glucose polymer laminarin and has some hydrolytic activity on the β-1,3-1,4 glucose polymers lichenan and barley β-glucan. The enzyme is the most thermostable endo-β-1,3-glucanase described up to now; it has optimal activity at 100–105 °C. In the predicted active site of glycosyl hydrolases of family 16 that show predominantly endo-β-1,3-glucanase activity, an additional methionine residue is present. Deletion of this methionine did not change the substrate specificity of the endoglucanase, but it did cause a severe reduction in its catalytic activity, suggesting a structural role of this residue in constituting the active site. High performance liquid chromatography analysis showed in vitrohydrolysis of laminarin by the endo-β-1,3-glucanase proceeds more efficiently in combination with an exo-β-glycosidase from P. furiosus (CelB). This most probably reflects the physiological role of these enzymes: cooperation during growth of P. furiosus on β-glucans.
Predictive Factors for Lymph Node Metastasis in Early Gastric Cancer With Submucosal Invasion: Analysis of a Single Institutional Experience

Objective:An accurate assessment of a potential lymph node metastasis is an important issue for the appropriate treatment of early gastric cancer. Minimizing the amount of invasive procedures used in cancer treatment is critical for improving the patient's quality of life. Therefore, this study analyzed the predictive risk factors for a lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer with a submucosal invasion. Methods:The data from 1043 patients surgically treated for early gastric cancer with submucosal invasion between 2002 and 2005 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into 3 layers according to their depth: SM1, SM2, and SM3. The clinicopathological variables predicting a lymph node metastasis were evaluated. Results:A lymph node metastasis was observed in 19.4% of patients. The tumor size, histologic type, Lauren classification, tumor depth, and perineural invasion showed a positive correlation with the rate of lymph node metastasis and N category by univariate analysis. Multivariate analyses revealed the tumor size (≥2 cm) and lymphatic involvement to be significantly and independently related to lymph node metastasis. The presence of lymphatic involvement was the strongest predictive factor for a lymph node metastasis, being observed in 43.8% of cases in which a lymph node metastasis had been revealed. No lymph node metastasis was observed in the 12 cases with no lymphatic involvement, SM1 invasion, and tumor size <1 cm. Conclusions:Lymphatic involvement and tumor size are independent risk factors for a lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer with submucosal invasion. Minimal invasive treatment, such as endoscopic mucosal resection, may be possible in highly selective submucosal cancers with no lymphatic involvement, SM1 invasion, and tumor size <1 cm.
Size and Filterability of Human and Hamster Pulmonary Macrophages Exposed to Cigarette Smoke

Pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) obtained from healthy human cigarette smokers generated greater pressure in filtration through small cylindrical pores than PAM from nonsmoking controls. A well standardized hamster smoking model was employed to study the structural basis for the impaired PAM filtration acompanying cigarette smoke exposure. Hamsters also demonstrated increased PAM filtration pressure through cylindrical pores less than half a cell diameter in size after inhalation of cigarette smoke, but not after exposure to vapor phase smoke that had been strained through a particle filter. Cigarette smoker PAM were equally filterable as control through larger diameter channels, and showed comparable improvements in filterability with cytochalasin B treatment. Altered PAM filtration was associated with the formation of characteristic cytoplasmic smoker inclusions, an increase in cell size, and loss of redundant, ruffled surface membrane. The study of smoker and control PAM separated into different sizes on the basis of variations in cell density suggested that discrepancies in cell size were insufficient to explain the filtration disparity. A loss of availability of surface membrane for deformation appeared to be the most important factor responsible for the impaired filtration.
Monitoring heat-induced changes in soft tissues with 1D transient elastography

In this paper 1D transient elastography was employed in fresh bovine skeletal muscle samples to assess the shear elastic modulus μ while the tissue was locally heated by means of an electrical resistance. The investigation is based on the study of the time shift of the shear wave propagation produced by the local temperature variation. The experiments show that the thermal expansion contribution to the time shift is negligible when compared with the shear wave speed variation. In such a case, the quantification of μ as a function of temperature becomes possible. Repeated experiments in different samples lead to a reproducible behavior of μ as a function of temperature. Irreversible elasticity changes are produced when the temperature exceeds a certain critical value Tc. The proposed method allows estimating this value as well as the spatial extension of the resulting thermal lesion. This point is important when considering applications in monitoring focused ultrasound surgery (FUS) because the surrounding normal tissue should remain unaffected.
A morphometric study of the celiac trunk and review of the literature

The anatomy of the celiac trunk and its branches was examined in 77 adult human cadavers of Caucasian (Hellenic) origin. The celiac trunk followed the normal pattern, namely trifurcation to the common hepatic, splenic, and left gastric arteries, in 90.9% of the dissections (70/77). Two different types of trifurcation were observed: (a) a true tripod when the celiac trunk ended in a complete trifurcation (74.0%, 57/77) and (b) a false tripod when the three arteries did not have a common origin (16.9%, 13/77). Such a clear predominance of the true tripod is not reported elsewhere. Anatomic variations were found in 9.1% (7/77). Bifurcation of the celiac trunk into splenic and left gastric artery (splenogastric trunk) was observed in one specimen (1.3%), whereas the common hepatic artery emerged directly from the aorta. Absence of the celiac trunk was also found in two individuals (2.6%). The celiac trunk presented additional branches (lumbar and inferior phrenic arteries) in 5.2% (4/77). The median level of origin of the celiac trunk was at the upper third of L1 (22.7% to 17/75). The total length of the celiac trunk ranged from 1.1 to 5.0 cm, whereas the mean length was 2.8 cm (standard deviation = 0.80 cm, standard error of mean = 0.09 cm) irrespective of the existence of variations. The mean length of the celiac arteries which formed a false tripod was found to be larger than those of the arteries which formed a true tripod but only a weak statistically significant difference was established (P = 0.073). Clin. Anat. 26:741–750, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Structural Basis for Catalysis and Inhibition ofN-Glycan Processing Class I α1,2-Mannosidases*

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) class I α1,2-mannosidase (also known as ER α-mannosidase I) is a critical enzyme in the maturation of N-linked oligosaccharides and ER-associated degradation. Trimming of a single mannose residue acts as a signal to target misfolded glycoproteins for degradation by the proteasome. Crystal structures of the catalytic domain of human ER class I α1,2-mannosidase have been determined both in the presence and absence of the potent inhibitors kifunensine and 1-deoxymannojirimycin. Both inhibitors bind to the protein at the bottom of the active-site cavity, with the essential calcium ion coordinating the O-2′ and O-3′ hydroxyls and stabilizing the six-membered rings of both inhibitors in a 1C4conformation. This is the first direct evidence of the role of the calcium ion. The lack of major conformational changes upon inhibitor binding and structural comparisons with the yeast α1,2-mannosidase enzyme-product complex suggest that this class of inverting enzymes has a novel catalytic mechanism. The structures also provide insight into the specificity of this class of enzymes and provide a blueprint for the future design of novel inhibitors that prevent degradation of misfolded proteins in genetic diseases.
Psychopathology and personality aspects of adults with Möbius sequence

To the Editor: Möbius syndrome (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, no. 157900), or better Möbius sequence (MS), is a rare, non-progressive congenital condition of still not fully understood aetiology and pathogenesis (1, 2). Today, there is no agreement on the minimal diagnostic criteria (3). Until now, most studies have focused on physical anomalies, whereas systematic studies on psychopathology and personality aspects of adults with MS are completely missing (3). Therefore, the aim of this study was to fill this gap. With support of the German Möbius foundation, all patients aged 17 years or older who were known to the foundation were anonymously asked to participate in a nationwide study. Inclusion criteria were congenital facial weakness (unior bilateral) and concomitant impairment of ocular abduction (unior bilateral), minimal diagnostic criteria that have been applied in most studies (4, 5–7). By mail, all subjects received a special questionnaire to compile personal, somatic and psychosocial history; Derogatis’ Symptome Checklist 90-Revised [SCL-90-R] [(8); German version (9)]; and the Freiburger Personality Inventory-Revised [FPI-R] (10). Results were analysed using SPSS 12.0. Twenty-two (13 women, nine men) out of 29 subjects (75.9%) sent back filled-out questionnaires; one female did not meet inclusion criteria. Participants’ mean age was 29.9 years (range: 17– 57 years). Nineteen probands had bilateral facial paralysis, 20 showed bilateral impairment of ocular abduction, and 15 subjects had malformations of the extremities. Familial cases of MS could not be found. Apart from one proband who had attended a special school for pupilswith learning difficulties, all participants had attended at least primary school. Eighteen out of 21 probands went to university, received training for a profession or had a job. Only six participants (28.6%) lived togetherwithapartner and threehadownchildren. Fifteen of 21 participants reported about former psychiatric problems: depression (nine participants), anxiety disorders (three participants), eating disorders (two participants), and suicidal tendencies (oneparticipant). Eight subjects suffered from actual psychiatric disorders, predominantly major depression (six probands). Three patients had psychopharmacotherapy and six participants reported about actual suicidal thoughts.
Evaluation of Circuit-Training Intensity for Firefighters

Abel, MG, Mortara, AJ, and Pettitt, RW. Evaluation of circuit-training intensity for firefighters. J Strength Cond Res 25(10): 2895–2901, 2011—Firefighters are required to perform a variety of strenuous occupational tasks that require high levels of both aerobic and anaerobic fitness. Thus, it is critical that firefighters train at an appropriate intensity to develop adequate levels of aerobic and anaerobic fitness. Circuit training is a unique training method that stresses both energy systems and therefore may be a viable training method to enhance firefighter preparedness. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare the aerobic and anaerobic intensities of a circuit-based workout to physiological data previously reported on firefighters performing fire suppression and rescue tasks. Twenty career firefighters performed a workout that included 2 rotations of 12 exercises that stressed all major muscle groups. Heart rate was recorded at the completion of each exercise. Blood lactate was measured before and approximately 5 minutes after the workout. The workout heart rate and post–workout blood lactate responses were statistically compared to data reported on firefighters performing fire suppression and rescue tasks. The mean circuit-training heart rate was similar to previously reported heart rate responses from firefighters performing simulated smoke-diving tasks (79 ± 5 vs. 79 ± 6% maximum heart rate [HRmax], p = 0.741), but lower than previously reported heart rate responses from firefighters performing fire suppression tasks (79 ± 5 vs. 88 ± 6% HRmax, p < 0.001). The workout produced a similar peak blood lactate compared to that when performing firefighting tasks (12 ± 3 vs. 13 ± 3 mmol·L−1, p = 0.084). In general, the circuit-based workout produced a lower cardiovascular stress but a similar anaerobic stress as compared to performing firefighting tasks. Therefore, firefighters should supplement low-intensity circuit-training programs with high-intensity cardiovascular and resistance training (e.g., ≥85% 1-repetition maximum) exercises to adequately prepare for the variable physical demands of firefighting.
The age‐specific prevalence of human papillomavirus and risk of cytologic abnormalities in rural Nigeria: Implications for screen‐and‐treat strategies

Cervical screening for carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is being considered for low‐income countries. Effectiveness requires targeted screening in older women in whom prevalent infections are more likely to be persistent and predictive of precancer. Some studies in West Africa have found unusually high HPV prevalences across all adult ages, which may reduce the positive predictive value (PPV) of HPV‐based screening, if positivity in older women does not sufficiently predict elevated risk. We conducted a population‐based study in rural Nigeria to identify HPV prevalence and associated cervical abnormalities. Using stratified random sampling, we enrolled women age 15+. Nonvirgins had a cervical exam including liquid‐based cytology and PCR HPV DNA testing from residual cytology specimens. Two‐thirds of invited women participated, and 14.7% had detectable carcinogenic HPV, a proportion that did not decline with age (p‐trend = 0.36) and showed slight peaks in the 15–29 and 60–69 age groups. Among women of the age typically considered for screen‐and‐treat programs (30–49 years), 12.8% were HPV positive, and the PPV for high‐grade or worse cytology was 16.4%. Comparatively, women age < 30 were more likely to be HPV positive (18.9%, p = 0.03) with a lower PPV (4.2% p = 0.05). Among women age 50+ (typically excluded from screening in resource‐poor settings because inexpensive treatment is not available), HPV positivity was 14.2% with a PPV of 13.9%. In Irun and similar settings where HPV does not decline with age, HPV‐based screen‐and‐treat programs might be feasible for mid‐adult women because prevalence is sufficiently low and positivity predicts elevated risk of more easily treated precancer.