Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
COMPARISON OF THE ACTH AND CORTISOL RESPONSES TO PROVOCATIVE TESTING WITH GLUCAGON AND INSULIN HYPOGLYCAEMIA IN NORMAL SUBJECTS

The glucagon stimulation test (GST) is often used to assess pituitary ACTH reserve, particularly when other tests are contra‐indicated. In a preliminary investigation, in patients with pituitary disease, we failed to demonstrate the ACTH dependence of the cortisol response. We have therefore compared the ACTH, cortisol and glucose responses to glucagon (1 mg s. c.), insulin (0.2 U/kg i. v., ITT) and placebo in six healthy male volunteers, sampling every 10 min for 6 h. During the GST, mean |Mp SD serum cortisol rose from 256 ± 80 nmol/1 to a peak of 481 ± 164 nmol/1 (range 289–717 nmol/1, P < 0.01) in comparison with 280 ± 81 nmol/1 to 602 ± 110 nmol/1 (range 493‐742 nmol/1) during the ITT (P < 0.002). The mean peak cortisol levels achieved in the two tests did not differ significantly. In the GST, plasma ACTH rose from a mean basal value of 10.9 ± 16.6 ng/1 to a mean peak level of 123 ± 76 ng/1 (P < 0.02) (ACTH ng/ 1 × 0.225 = pmol/1). The corresponding values in the ITT were 7.1 ± 16.2 ng/l and 263 ± 91 ng/1(P < 0.001). The mean peak ACTH level was significantly greater during the ITT (P < 0.05). Thus the cortisol response was ACTH dependent in both the GST and the ITT in normal subjects. Furthermore, the ACTH response was of sufficient duration to be detected by the usual procedure of sampling every 30 min. However, in clinical practice, more prolonged sampling should be undertaken during the GST, as two subjects showed their peak cortisol response after 3 h. In addition, this study suggests that the ‘normal’response to GST requires redefinition in view of four subjects in whom the peak cortisol response was less than 500 nmol/1.
Regulators of G Protein Signaling: Rapid Changes in mRNA Abundance in Response to Amphetamine

Abstract: This study examined mRNAs encoding regulators of G protein signaling (RGSs) expressed within the striatum and determined whether their expression in the caudate putamen was altered by amphetamine. RT‐PCR techniques were used to clone cDNA probes of RGSs expressed within the rat striatum. Northern blot analysis of caudate putamen and nucleus accumbens RNA determined the relative abundance of RGS mRNA expressed within the caudate putamen and adjacent nucleus accumbens to be RGS 2 > RGS 5 > RGS 16 > RGS 4 = RGS 9 > RGS 8 = RGS 3. A single injection of amphetamine rapidly and transiently induced RGS 2 mRNA. The temporal pattern of induction of RGS 2 strongly resembled that of the immediate early gene c‐fos. Levels of mRNAs of RGS 3 and 5 steadily increased over a 4‐h interval, as did that of the 6.6‐kb transcript of RGS 8. The level of RGS 9 mRNA, which shows strong striatal‐specific expression, steadily decreased over a 4‐h interval, whereas RGS 4 and 16 and the 3.9‐kb transcript of RGS 8 were not significantly affected at any point examined. The ability of amphetamine to alter RGS mRNA expression within the caudate putamen suggests these proteins may play an important role in adaptive processes to psychostimulant exposure.
An Extended Image Hashing Concept: Content-Based Fingerprinting Using FJLT

Dimension reduction techniques, such as singular value decomposition (SVD) and nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF), have been successfully applied in image hashing by retaining the essential features of the original image matrix. However, a concern of great importance in image hashing is that no single solution is optimal and robust against all types of attacks. The contribution of this paper is threefold. First, we introduce a recently proposed dimension reduction technique, referred as Fast Johnson-Lindenstrauss Transform (FJLT), and propose the use of FJLT for image hashing. FJLT shares the low distortion characteristics of a random projection, but requires much lower computational complexity. Secondly, we incorporate Fourier-Mellin transform into FJLT hashing to improve its performance under rotation attacks. Thirdly, we propose a new concept, namely, content-based fingerprint, as an extension of image hashing by combining different hashes. Such a combined approach is capable of tackling all types of attacks and thus can yield a better overall performance in multimedia identification. To demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed schemes, receiver operating characteristics analysis over a large image database and a large class of distortions is performed and compared with the state-of-the-art image hashing using NMF.
Effects of maternal folic acid supplementation and birth weight on hepatic DNA methylation status of gene promoter and mRNA expression of genes related to lipids metabolism

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of maternal folic acid supplementation and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) on epigenetic modification of hepatic gene expression and lipid metabolism in weanling piglets. Thirty-two primiparous sows were randomly divided into two dietary groups: control group (C, 1.3 mg/kg folic acid) and folic acid supplemented group (FS, 30 mg/kg folic acid) during gestation. Blood and liver samples of piglets were collected at d 28 postnatal. Intrauterine growth retardation pigs had lower plasma triglyceride, liver triglyceride and total fat than that of normal birth weight (NBW) pigs. Although plasma nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) was higher for NBW piglets, the birth weight effect was negated in IUGR piglets born to sows fed a FS diet. Hepatic fatty acid synthase (FAS) and Acyl-CoA oxidase (AOX) activities were lower and higher in IUGR piglets, respectively. Methylation status of peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) promoter was lower in IUGR pigs from sows fed a control diet than other groups. Folic acid supplementation reduced the promoter methylation status of glucocorticoid receptor (GR). The mRNA expressions of PPARα, AOX, FAS, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), and leptin were differentially affected by birth weight. However, mRNA expression of PPARα and FAS in IUGR pigs from sows fed a FS diet was not different from that of NBW pigs. Expression of GR was higher in pigs from mothers fed a FS diet than their counterpart. The present study demonstrated that IUGR changed lipid metabolism and mRNA expression of genes related to this process, and maternal folic acid supplementation was an effective way to prevent the changes by regulating DNA methylation of promoter.
Metabolic Enzymes of Mycobacteria Linked to Antioxidant Defense by a Thioredoxin-Like Protein

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) mounts a stubborn defense against oxidative and nitrosative components of the immune response. Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (Lpd) and dihydrolipoamide succinyltransferase (SucB) are components of α-ketoacid dehydrogenase complexes that are central to intermediary metabolism. We find that Lpd and SucB support Mtb's antioxidant defense. The peroxiredoxin alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (AhpC) is linked to Lpd and SucB by an adaptor protein, AhpD. The 2.0 angstrom AhpD crystal structure reveals a thioredoxin-like active site that is responsive to lipoamide. We propose that Lpd, SucB (the only lipoyl protein detected in Mtb), AhpD, and AhpC together constitute a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced)–dependent peroxidase and peroxynitrite reductase. AhpD thus represents a class of thioredoxin-like molecules that enables an antioxidant defense.
A clinical decision model identifies patients at risk for delayed diagnosed injuries after high-energy trauma

Objective Tertiary trauma survey is widely implemented in trauma care to identify all injuries in trauma patients. However, various studies consistently show that some trauma patients have missed injuries. In this study, we developed a clinical decision model to identify patients who are at risk for delayed diagnosed injuries. Methods During a period of 18 months, we collected the medical records of all the adult patients who presented after a high-energy trauma at the emergency department of a Dutch trauma centre. The type of trauma, patient characteristics, the radiology studies performed, Glasgow Coma Scale, Revised Trauma Score, and Injury Severity Score (ISS) were registered. We thoroughly screened all medical records for delayed diagnosed injuries. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to identify the variables associated with the outcome delayed diagnosed injuries and to develop a clinical prediction model. Results We included 475 patients. Thirteen (2.7%) patients with delayed diagnosed injuries were identified. Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed several models with the ISS, ICU admittance, and CT-head as predictive variables. The model we proposed with the ISS could identify patients who are at a risk for delayed diagnosed injuries with a sensitivity of 92.3% and a specificity of 86.4%. Conclusion Our newly developed clinical decision model can identify patients who are at a risk for delayed diagnosed injuries and who should undergo an intensified search for potential unidentified injuries.
GENETIC STUDY: Association between the nociceptin receptor gene (OPRL1) single nucleotide polymorphisms and alcohol dependence

OPRL1 encodes the nociceptin receptor, which has been shown to be involved in alcohol dependence in previous studies. In the present study, we investigated the association between genetic polymorphisms of OPRL1 and alcohol dependence in a Scandinavian population. We genotyped 15 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning the OPRL1 locus and found that SNP rs6010718 was significantly associated with both Type I and Type II alcoholics (P < 0.05). Linkage disequilibrium and haplotype analysis identified two haplotype blocks in this region. Furthermore, two haplotypes composed of five tag SNPs showed significant association with alcohol dependence. These findings suggest that genetic variants of the OPRL1 gene play a role in alcohol dependence in the Scandinavian population, warranting further investigation at the OPRL1 locus.
Effect of Glyburide on Glycemic Control, Insulin Requirement, and Glucose Metabolism in Insulin-Treated Diabetic Patients

Glycemic control and glucose metabolism were examined in 5 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and 8 insulin-treated non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients before and after 2 mo of therapy with glyburide (20 mg/day). Glycemic control was assessed by daily insulin requirement, 24-h plasma glucose profile, glucosuria, and glycosylated hemoglobin. Insulin secretion was evaluated by glucagon stimulation of C-peptide secretion, and insulin sensitivity was determined by a two-step euglycemic insulin clamp (1 and 10 mU ·kg−1 · min−1) performed with indirect calorimetry and [3−3H]glucose. In the IDDM patients, the addition of glyburide produced no change in daily insulin dose (54 ± 8 vs. 53 ± 7 U/day), mean 24-h glucose level (177 ± 20 vs. 174 ± 29 mg/dl), glucosuria (20 ± 6 vs. 35 ± 12 g/day) or glycosylated hemoglobin (10.1 ± 1.0 vs. 9.5 ± 0.7%). Furthermore, there was no improvement in basal hepatic glucose production (2.1 ± 0.2 vs. 2.4 ± 0.1 mg · kg−1 · min−1), suppression of hepatic glucose production by low- and high-dose insulin infusion, or in any measure of total, oxidative, or nonoxidative glucose metabolism in the basal state or during insulin infusion. C-peptide levels were undetectable (<0.01 pmol/ml) in the basal state and after glucagon infusion and remained undetectable after glyburide therapy. In contrast to the IDDM patients, the insulin-treated NIDDM subjects exhibited significant reductions in daily insulin requirement (72 ± 6 vs. 58 ± 9 U/day), mean 24-h plasma glucose concentration (153 ± 10 vs. 131 ± 5 mg/dl), glucosuria (14 ± 5 vs. 4 ± 1 g/day), and glycosylated hemoglobin (10.3 ± 0.7 vs. 8.0 ± 0.4 %) after glyburide treatment (all P ≤ .05). However, there was no change in basal hepatic glucose produc-tion (1.7 ± 0.1 vs. 1.7 ± 0.1 mg kg−1 min−1), suppression of hepatic glucose production by insulin, or insulin sensitivity during the two-step insulin-clamp study. Both basal (0.14 ± 0.05 vs. 0.32 ± 0.05 pmol/ ml, P < .05) and glucagon-stimulated (0.24 ± 0.07 vs. 0.44 ± 0.09 pmol/ml) C-peptide levels rose after 2 mo of glyburide therapy and both were correlated with the decrease in insulin requirement (basal: r = .65, P = .08; glucagon stimulated: r = .93, P < .001). These data indicate that in IDDM subjects, the addition of glyburide to insulin does not affect insulin requirement, glycemic control, or insulin sensitivity. In contrast, in insulin-treatedNIDDM patients, glyburide produces a modest decrease in insulin dose and improves glycemic control without altering insulin sensitivity. This improvement in glucose metabolism primarily reflectsan increase in endogenous insulin secretion.
High and Low Contrast Acuity and Clinical Contrast Sensitivity Tested in a Normal Population

Visual acuities obtained with a high contrast Bailey- Lovie chart (HCBL) and a low contrast Bailey-Lovie chart (LCBL) were compared with clinical contrast sensitivity function (CSF) measurements in a group of normal subjects with a wide range of refractive errors. We found high and significant correlations for the measurements obtained with the visual acuity tests, and between measurements obtained with the acuity tests and the CSF chart. These results indicate that the CSF test provides little additional information as a screening test in routine practice, and could probably be restricted in its use to patients in whom ocular disease is suspected.
A Direct Interaction between the Survival Motor Neuron Protein and p53 and Its Relationship to Spinal Muscular Atrophy*

Mutations in the SMN1(survival motor neuron1) gene cause spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). We now show that SMN protein, the SMN1 gene product, interacts directly with the tumor suppressor protein, p53. Pathogenic missense mutations in SMN reduce both self-association and p53 binding by SMN, and the extent of the reductions correlate with disease severity. The inactive, truncated form of SMN produced by the SMN2 gene in SMA patients fails to bind p53 efficiently. SMN and p53 co-localize in nuclear Cajal bodies, but p53 redistributes to the nucleolus in fibroblasts from SMA patients. These results suggest a functional interaction between SMN and p53, and the potential for apoptosis when this interaction is impaired may explain motor neuron death in SMA.
Establishment and Characterization of a Human Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor Cell Line from the Cerebral Hemisphere

The primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) comprise a class of malignant nervous system neoplasms that afflict children. These tumors consist of cells that are morphologically identical to the primitive neuroepithelial cells normally seen in early stages of neural embryogenesis, supporting the notion that PNET result from a disturbance in the process of normal neuronal or glial differentiation. In the central nervous system, PNET occur most commonly in the cerebellum (medulloblastomas), but only occasionally in the cerebral hemispheres. We report here the establishment and characterization of a new human cell line (PFSK) derived from a PNET from the cerebral hemisphere of a child. The growth characteristics of PFSK cells were typical of an immortalized, transformed cell line. Cytogenetic and molecular genetic studies showed that three different sublines were present. In one of these sublines, sequences from chromosome 17 had been lost during establishment in culture. Immunocytochemical studies showed that PFSK cells expressed nestin, an intermediate filament protein normally expressed by neuroepithelial stem cells during neurulation. The PFSK cells did not express antigens typically found in terminally differentiated neurons or glia, indicating that this tumor cell line might represent neuroepithelial stem cells prior to commitment to a neuronal or glial lineage.
Usefulness of Free Testosterone/Cortisol Ratio during a Season of Elite Speed Skating Athletes

Free testosterone/cortisol ratio (FTCR) was used in eight elite speed skaters (five males, three females), during an eight-month season, to study the effectiveness of the hormonal parameter as a marker of the condition of overstrain and/or incomplete recovery. We did not find values lower than 0.35 x 10(-3). We confirmed the reliability of the criterion of FTCR decrease of 30% or more to indicate temporary incomplete recovery from intensive training and residual weariness and, consequently, of reduced effectiveness for competitive purposes; a formula was used in this case to calculate FTCR. When FTCR was calculated by using directly measured FT, we remarked that such threshold criterion could not be used and the significant decrease was of 18% or more. The major problem of FTCR is the limitation of its use to male athletes, although the trend found in females was similar to that presented in males. FTCR is a useful index in elite speed skaters: broader application of this index and further investigation are required to set testing times, to use direct measurement of free testosterone and, finally, to find an equivalent support for women.
The microsurgical anatomy of the superior hypophyseal artery.

Interest in the anatomy of the proximal segment of the intracranial internal carotid artery has been kindled by the recognition that there are multiple potential sites of aneurysm formation in this region. These various aneurysm locations have characteristic hemodynamic and clinical features as well as surgical considerations. Recently recognized as a distinct clinical and anatomical entity are aneurysms that are hemodynamically related to the superior hypophyseal artery. Although aneurysms arising in proximity to the superior hypophyseal artery are not rare, the anatomy of this vessel arising from the medial or posteromedial aspect of the proximal internal carotid artery is poorly understood. We performed a cadaveric microsurgical anatomical study of 20 internal carotid arteries between the ophthalmic and posterior communicating arteries to develop a better understanding of the anatomical relationships of the superior hypophyseal artery. There were an average of 1.8 superior hypophyseal arteries arising from each carotid artery with an average diameter of 0.22 mm. The origin of the superior hypophyseal arteries was within 5 mm of the ophthalmic artery origin in 85% of the specimens. There were two distinct patterns of superior hypophyseal artery anatomy. In 42%, a large, dominant superior hypophyseal artery branched like a candelabra with smaller branches to the pituitary stalk, optic nerve, and chiasm. The average diameter of the larger branches was 0.3 mm. In the absence of a large dominant branch, two or three medial vessels were found. In one specimen, an incidental aneurysm was discovered at the origin of the superior hypophyseal artery on the medial aspect of the internal carotid artery at the origin of a large candelabra-like branch. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Two tests of a stochastic dynamic programming model of daily singing routines in birds

Many hypotheses have been put forward to account for the dawn chorus in birds. Few of these, however, are able to account for variation in song output over the whole day, or for differences in daily singing routines between species, individuals, seasons and environmental conditions. One hypothesis that does offer a more general explanation is based on a stochastic dynamic programming (SDP) model of daily singing routines. This model relates the relative costs and benefits of feeding and singing at different times of day to the size of a bird's fat reserves and calculates the optimal daily routines of singing and foraging that will maximize the amount that the bird can sing while avoiding starvation. The use of SDP models in behavioural ecology has become well established, but they remain largely untested empirically. I tested two predictions of the SDP model of daily routines of singing, using free-living European robins Erithacus rubecula. The results supported both predictions: (1) food supplementation causing unpredictable short-term increases in foraging success increased subsequent song output; and (2) changes in ambient temperature were positively associated with changes in subsequent song output. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
Free Radical Scavenging Activity-Guided Isolation of a Diterpenoid from Plectranthus punuctatus

Free radical scavenging activity-guided investigation of the acetone extract of Plectranthus punuctatus (L'Her) (Lamiaceae) resulted in the isolation of a novel diterpenoid 3,11,12,14,19-pentahydroxy-5,8,11,13-abietatraen-7-pyran[4,6]-16-dione whose structure was elucidated based on spectral evidence. The isolated compound showed a significant antioxidant activity in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and deoxyribose degradation assays with IC50 values of 9.65 μg/mL and 5.25 μg/mL, respectively.
The validation of the turnover intention scale

Orientation: Turnover intention as a construct has attracted increased research attention in the recent past, but there are seemingly not many valid and reliable scales around to measure turnover intention. Research purpose: This study focused on the validation of a shortened, six-item version of the turnover intention scale (TIS-6). Motivation for the study: The research question of whether the TIS-6 is a reliable and a valid scale for measuring turnover intention and for predicting actual turnover was addressed in this study. Research design, approach and method: The study was based on a census-based sample ( n = 2429) of employees in an information, communication and technology (ICT) sector company ( N = 23 134) where the TIS-6 was used as one of the criterion variables. The leavers (those who left the company) in this sample were compared with the stayers (those who remained in the employ of the company) in this sample in respect of different variables used in the study. Main findings: It was established that the TIS-6 could measure turnover intentions reliably (α= 0.80). The TIS-6 could significantly distinguish between leavers and stayers (actual turnover), thereby confirming its criterion-predictive validity. The scale also established statistically significant differences between leavers and stayers in respect of a number of the remaining theoretical variables used in the study, thereby also confirming its differential validity. These comparisons were conducted for both the 4-month and the 4-year period after the survey was conducted. Practical/managerial implications: Turnover intention is related to a number of variables in the study which necessitates a reappraisal and a reconceptualisation of existing turnover intention models. Contribution/value-add: The TIS-6 can be used as a reliable and valid scale to assess turnover intentions and can therefore be used in research to validly and reliably assess turnover intentions or to predict actual turnover.