Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Some properties of the interaction of follicle stimulating hormone with bovine granulosa cells and its inhibition by follicular fluid.

We have studied the binding of radiolabeled human follicle stimulating hormone (1251-hFSH) to bovine granulosa cells collected from follicles at varying stages of maturation as judged by size. Specific binding was time and temperature dependent, reaching its maximum after 2 h of incubation at 37#{176}Cand pH 7.5. Specific binding was saturable with respect to 1251-hFSH and receptor concentrations and could be inhibited by unlabeled purified human FSH (25 ng = 50% inhibition) and bovine FSH (35 ng = 50% inhibition), but not by large (5000 ng) amounts of bovine LH, TSH, GH, prolactin or human ACTH. Specific binding of 2 51-hFSH to granulosa cells from large follicles (>6 mm) was at least as great as to granulosa cells from medium (3-6 mm) and small (<3 mm) follicles. Fluid from bovine follicles of all sizes significantly inhibited binding of 1251-hFSH to granulosa cells in a dose related manner. The amount of FSH binding inhibition (FSH-Bl)/ml of fluid from large follicles was approximately 2-fold greater than that from small follicles and contained approximately 100-fold higher levels of FSH-Bl activity than did small follicles by virtue of increased fluid volume. FSH-Bl activity was markedly reduced by dialysis, passing a membrane having a molecular weight retention of 8000 daltons and could be detected in the dialysate. The chemical nature of the dialyzable follicular fluid FSH-Bl is not known, although it does not seem to be adsorbed by charcoal or soluble in diethyl ether.
Controllability Analysis of Linear Discrete Time Systems with Time Delay in State

The controllability issues for linear discrete-time systems with delay in state are addressed. By introducing a new concept, the minimum controllability realization index (MinCRI), the characteristic of controllability is revealed. It is proved that the MinCRI of a system with state delay exists and is finite. Based on this result, a necessary and sufficient condition for the controllability of discrete-time linear systems with state delay is established.
Respiratory infection in the rabbit: an enzootic caused by Pasteurella lepiseptica and attempts to control it by vaccination.

The existence of a respiratory disease in domestic rabbits is a problem of concern not only to the laboratory but also to the commercial breeder. The disease, known commonly as "snuffles," has been recognized since rabbits were first used as laboratory animals. The etiology of the disease has received extensive investigation by several workers, chief among them being Ferry,i who isolated an organism associated with the disease which he called Bacillus bronchosepticus, and Webster,2-4 who concluded that the causative organism was primarily Pasteurella lepisepticum. The present investigation was undertaken to determine the cause of a 50% mortality rate, with death almost invariably due to pneumonic infection or accompanied by it, in a colony consisting of about 1000 rabbits, many of which are inbred. The etiology of similar respiratory diseases in rabbits shipped from breeders and laboratories in other localities was also determined.
Relationship of race, sex, social class, and social mobility to depression in normal adults.

Summary This study examined the relationship of depression to race, sex, social class and social mobility. The sample included 34 Black female, 32 Black male, 31 White female, and 37 White male upper- and middle-class adults. A questionnaire contained a demographic background data sheet, the Zung Depression Scale, Wessman-Ricks Mood Scale, Osgood's Semantic Differential, the Buss-Durkee and Mosher guilt inventory, the Blatt, D'Afflitti, and Quinlan Depressive Experiences Questionnaire, Jackson's Personality Research Form-Succorance Scale, the Social Readjustment Scale, and the Rotter I.E. Scale. Female status, lower social class, and downward social mobility were related to greater depression. Though Blacks had a greater number of stressful life events and felt more externally oriented than Whites, there were no significant relationships between race and measures of depression. There was an interesting race by social mobility interaction, however, in which upwardly mobile Blacks and downwardly mobile Whit.
Rheumatoid arthritis in Sweden. Drug prescriptions, costs, and adverse drug reactions.

OBJECTIVE Many patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) need continuous medication, bringing considerable costs for drugs and a need for monitoring adverse drug reactions. We studied drug exposure, drug costs, and adverse drug reactions in patients with RA in Sweden from 1987 to 1997. METHODS Prescription patterns, drug costs, and adverse drug reactions, and their distributions and trends were analyzed by cross sectional annual data. Drug exposures and costs were assessed from the National Diagnosis and Therapy Survey. All costs were recalculated to the 1997 level using the drug price index. Information on adverse drug reactions was obtained from the national pharmacovigilance system. RESULTS The drug prescription level was, on average, 2 defined daily doses (DDD) throughout the study period. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) accounted for > 40% of the drugs prescribed, methotrexate (MTX) 10%, corticosteroids 10%, and sulfasalazine 5%. Analgesics and opioids made up 14% of prescriptions - a low estimate considering the availability of over-the-counter preparations. Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) increased their proportion from 28.5 to 39.3%. Total costs were stable at $16 million US annually. NSAID costs decreased, while those of sulfasalazine, MTX, and cyclosporine increased. On average, 91 adverse drug reactions were reported annually. Hematological reactions (agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, pancytopenia) predominated, constituting 21% of reported reactions. Skin and gastrointestinal reactions, mainly mild, accounted for 15 and 14%, respectively. Deaths from adverse drug reactions were uncommon, about 3 per year, and were mainly attributed to hematological reactions. CONCLUSION The total volume as well as the total cost of drug consumption for RA in Sweden was relatively constant during our 11 year observation period, despite a notable increase in the use of DMARD. This was mainly due to a decrease in costs per DDD of NSAID, and an increased use of cyclosporine. Drug related adverse reactions were dominated by hematological reactions, and fatal events were few. This emphasizes the need for an extended evaluation of which safety procedures are most cost effective for monitoring the drugs used for RA.
Virtual Circuit Model for Low Power Scan Testing in Linear Decompressor-Based Compression Environment

Large test data volume and high test power consumption are two major concerns for the industry when testing large integrated circuits. Linear decompress or-based compression (LDC) is efficient in reducing test data volume, while X-filling during ATPG can efficiently reduce test power with low overhead. However, traditional X-filling methods cannot be reused in the LDC environment. In this paper, we propose a virtual circuit model to make the linear de-compressor transparent to the external testing. As a result, existing X-filling methods can be reused to reduce test power. Experimental results on benchmark circuits demonstrate the effciency of the proposed approach.
Biochemical and molecular characterization of a succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase involved in the catabolism of 4-hydroxybutyric acid in Ralstonia eutropha.

A succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase gene (gabD) was identified to be disrupted in a transposon-induced mutant of Ralstonia eutropha exhibiting the phenotype 4-hydroxybutyric acid-leaky. The native gabD gene was cloned by colony hybridization using a homologous gabD-specific DNA probe. DNA sequencing revealed an 1452-bp open reading frame, and the deduced amino acid sequence showed strong similarities to NADP(+)-dependent succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenases from Escherichia coli, Rhizobium sp. , Homo sapiens and Rattus norvegicus. The gabD gene was heterologously expressed in a recombinant E. coli strain harboring plasmid pSK::EE6.8. Similar to the molecular organization of the gab cluster in E. coli, additional genes encoding enzymes for the degradation of gamma-aminobutyrate are closely related to gabD in R. eutropha. Enzymatic studies indicated the existence of a second NAD(+)-dependent succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase in R. eutropha.
RBPJκ-Dependent Signaling Is Essential for Long-Term Maintenance of Neural Stem Cells in the Adult Hippocampus

The generation of new neurons from neural stem cells in the adult hippocampal dentate gyrus contributes to learning and mood regulation. To sustain hippocampal neurogenesis throughout life, maintenance of the neural stem cell pool has to be tightly controlled. We found that the Notch/RBPJκ-signaling pathway is highly active in neural stem cells of the adult mouse hippocampus. Conditional inactivation of RBPJκ in neural stem cells in vivo resulted in increased neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells in the adult hippocampus at an early time point and depletion of the Sox2-positive neural stem cell pool and suppression of hippocampal neurogenesis at a later time point. Moreover, RBPJκ-deficient neural stem cells displayed impaired self-renewal in vitro and loss of expression of the transcription factor Sox2. Interestingly, we found that Notch signaling increases Sox2 promoter activity and Sox2 expression in adult neural stem cells. In addition, activated Notch and RBPJκ were highly enriched on the Sox2 promoter in adult hippocampal neural stem cells, thus identifying Sox2 as a direct target of Notch/RBPJκ signaling. Finally, we found that overexpression of Sox2 can rescue the self-renewal defect in RBPJκ-deficient neural stem cells. These results identify RBPJκ-dependent pathways as essential regulators of adult neural stem cell maintenance and suggest that the actions of RBPJκ are, at least in part, mediated by control of Sox2 expression.
Dendritic cells as mediators of tumor‐induced tolerance in metastatic melanoma

Escape from immune surveillance is critical for tumor progression in metastatic melanoma. We assessed the function of melanoma‐derived dendritic cells (DCs) in patients presenting simultaneously with responding (rM) or progressing (pM) melanoma metastases. These rare coincidences allowed us to compare syngeneically the function of tumor DCs. CD83+ DCs were purified freshly from large responding (rDCs) or progressing (pDCs) metastases following chemo‐immunotherapy. rDCs were 5 times more potent inducers of allogeneic T‐cell proliferation than the pDCs that were used as control. Phenotypic analysis showed a marked depression of CD86 expression on pDCs. Culture supernatants from pM showed production of Th2‐type cytokines [interleukin‐10 (IL‐10)], whereas a Th1 pattern [IL‐2], interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), IL‐12) predominated in rM. The IL‐10 detected in progressing metastases was directly derived from melanoma cells. Culture supernatants from metastases applied to DC‐supported allo‐MLR assays suppressed T‐cell responses by 50–75% in the case of pM, but not rM. Finally, in a co‐stimulation‐dependent anti‐CD3 tolerance assay, pDCs (but not rDCs) induced anergy in syngeneic CD4+ T cells. Anergy could be overcome by addition of IL‐12 or IL‐2. Our results show that melanoma‐derived factors convert DC‐antigen presenting cell function to tolerance induction against tumor tissue, changing tumor DCs to “silencers” of anti‐tumoral immune responses. Int. J. Cancer 73:309–316, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dynamic Output Feedback Control for Continuous-Time T–S Fuzzy Systems Using Fuzzy Lyapunov Functions

A novel relaxation approach is proposed for the analysis and dynamic output feedback control of continuous-time Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy systems using fuzzy Lyapunov functions. Previous relaxation methods for T–S fuzzy systems have some drawbacks in relaxing quadratic functions depending on normalized fuzzy weighting functions. They often introduce conservatism or lead to computational difficulty in analysis and control synthesis. Different from previous works, the proposed approach employs linear fractional transformation mechanism and full-block <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$S$</tex-math></inline-formula>-procedure to reduce the conservatism in analysis. Furthermore, the relaxation technique proposed in this paper can be used in solving the controller synthesis problem effectively. As a result, a design procedure of a nonparallel distributed compensation output feedback controller, which ensures asymptotic stability and optimizes <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\mathcal L}_2$</tex-math></inline-formula> gain performance of the closed-loop systems, is provided. Several examples have been used to illustrate the advantages and efficiency of the proposed method extensively.
The value of screening for cognition, depression, and frailty in patients referred for TAVI

Background: Current surgical risk assessment tools fall short of appreciating geriatric risk factors including cognitive deficits, depressive, and frailty symptoms that may worsen outcomes post-transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). This study hypothesized that a screening tool, SMARTIE, would improve detection of these risks pre-TAVI, and thus be predictive of postoperative delirium (POD) and 30-day mortality post-TAVI. Design: Prospective observational cohort study, using a historical cohort for comparison. Participants: A total of 234 patients (age: 82.2±6.7 years, 59.4% male) were included. Half were screened using SMARTIE. Methods: The SMARTIE cohort was assessed for cognitive deficits and depressive symptoms using the Mini-Cog test and PHQ-2, respectively. Measures of frailty included activities of daily living inventory, the Timed Up and Go test and grip strength. For the pre-SMARTIE cohort, we extracted cognitive deficits, depression and frailty symptoms from clinic charts. The incidence of POD and 30-day mortality were recorded. Bivariate chi-square analysis or t-tests were used to report associations between SMARTIE and pre-SMARTIE groups. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to identify independent predictors of POD and 30-day mortality. Results: More patients were identified with cognitive deficits (χ2=11.73, p=0.001), depressive symptoms (χ2=8.15, p=0.004), and physical frailty (χ2=5.73, p=0.017) using SMARTIE. Cognitive deficits were an independent predictor of POD (OR: 8.4, p<0.01) and 30-day mortality (OR: 4.04, p=0.03). Conclusion: This study emphasized the value of screening for geriatric risk factors prior to TAVI by demonstrating that screening increased identification of at-risk patients. It also confirmed findings that cognitive deficits are predictive of POD and mortality following TAVI.
Gender, affiliation, assertion, and the interactive context of parent-child play.

Ninety-eight young U.S. children (mean age = 48 months) with either European, Latin American, or multiple ethnic backgrounds were videotaped with their mothers and their fathers on separate occasions in their families' homes. Parent-child pairs played for 8 min each with a feminine-stereotyped toy set (foods and plates) and a masculine-stereotyped toy set (track and cars). Levels of affiliation (engaging vs. distancing) and assertion (direct vs. nondirect) were rated on 7-point scales every 5 s from the videotapes for both parent and child. Overall, the play activity accounted for a large proportion of the variance in parents' and children's mean affiliation and assertion ratings. Some hypothesized gender-related differences in behavior were also observed. In addition, exploratory analyses revealed some differences between the different ethnic groups. The results highlight the importance of role modeling and activity settings in the socialization and social construction of gender.
Parenteral ziprasidone: a new atypical neuroleptic for emergency treatment of psychosis in Parkinson's disease?

This is a report on a case series of five patiens with psychosis in Parkinson's disease who were treated successfully with an intramuscular injection of ziprasidone (10–20 mg) for acute agitation. No deterioration of motor function or other clinically relevant side effects were seen. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Do neonatal pain and stress program the brain's response to future stimuli?

Pain in the newborn period is probably a cultural phenomenon, unforeseen by evolution. This would ‘‘explain’’ why pain-modulating mechanisms are immature at birth. Pain and stress in newborn altricial or semi-altricial animals program the brain with long-term consequences for behaviour, apparent even in adult age. Clinical observations suggest that pain suffered in the newborn period can program later perception of pain. Long-term consequences of neonatal unphysiologic stress in humans are unknown. Studies aimed at an alleviation of pain and stress associated with medical interventions and other care procedures in the newborn constitute an important research area, not least with regard to possible long-term consequences. A paper by Larsson et al. in this issue is one in a series of studies by this group examining practical aspects of how to manage the pain associated with invasive procedures in the newborn (1). This is an essential research field not least because pain and the associated stress in the very young may influence the subject’s future behaviour—for example Larsson et al. refer to a study showing that in rats painful stimuli in early life can alter the social behaviour in adult life. I will comment on possible long-term effects of pain and stress very early in life partly with reference to animal studies, since it is not unlikely that what holds true for certain animals might be relevant also for our own species, when it concerns such fundamental biological phenomena as pain and stress.
Stabilin-1 is expressed in human breast cancer and supports tumor growth in mammary adenocarcinoma mouse model

Stabilin-1 is a multifunctional scavenger receptor expressed on alternatively-activated macrophages. Stabilin-1 mediates phagocytosis of “unwanted-self” components, intracellular sorting, and endocytic clearance of extracellular ligands including SPARC that modulates breast cancer growth. The expression of stabilin-1 was found on tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) in mouse and human cancers including melanoma, lymphoma, glioblastoma, and pancreatic insulinoma. Despite its tumor-promoting role in mouse models of melanoma and lymphoma the expression and functional role of stabilin-1 in breast cancer was unknown. Here, we demonstrate that stabilin-1 is expressed on TAM in human breast cancer, and its expression is most pronounced on stage I disease. Using stabilin-1 knockout (ko) mice we show that stabilin-1 facilitates growth of mouse TS/A mammary adenocarcinoma. Endocytosis assay on stabilin-1 ko TAM demonstrated impaired clearance of stabilin-1 ligands including SPARC that was capable of inducing cell death in TS/A cells. Affymetrix microarray analysis on purified TAM and reporter assays in stabilin-1 expressing cell lines demonstrated no influence of stabilin-1 expression on intracellular signalling. Our results suggest stabilin-1 mediated silent clearance of extracellular tumor growth-inhibiting factors (e.g. SPARC) as a mechanism of stabilin-1 induced tumor growth. Silent clearance function of stabilin-1 makes it an attractive candidate for delivery of immunomodulatory anti-cancer therapeutic drugs to TAM.
The well-being of gays, lesbians and bisexuals in Botswana.

AIMS To investigate the level of well-being of gays, lesbians and bisexuals (GLBs) in Botswana, how this level of well-being could be promoted and whether their health care needs were met by health care professionals. RATIONALE It is illegal to engage in same-sex activities in Botswana, punishable by imprisonment. Although Botswana's citizens have one of Africa's best health care systems, little is known about the health status, health care needs and general well-being of Botswana's GLBs. This survey attempted to uncover some of these potential health care needs, impacting on the GLBs' well-being. DESIGN/METHODS The research framework adopted was the health and human rights approach, placing dignity before rights. A survey design, with structured questionnaires, was used. Snow-ball sampling techniques were used. RESULTS Results indicated that varying degrees of distress were experienced by 64% of the GLBs in this study. The GLBs identified a need for human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) education and had concerns about their general health, discrimination against them and vulnerability to violence including sexual assaults. CONCLUSIONS The well-being of the GLBs in Botswana was influenced by both positive internal acceptance of their sexual orientation and negative external acceptance by society. Health care professionals played insignificant roles in the promotion of GLBs' well-being, and could make greater inputs into health education efforts, and more significant contributions towards enhancing the GLBs' levels of well-being. Enhanced collaboration between health professionals and human rights activists are recommended to reduce violations of Botswana's GLBs' dignity and to improve their quality of life, including enhanced access to and utilization of health care services.
Phase II, Open-Label Study of Brivanib as Second-Line Therapy in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose: Brivanib, a selective dual inhibitor of fibroblast growth factor and VEGF signaling, has recently been shown to have activity as first-line treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This phase II open-label study assessed brivanib as second-line therapy in patients with advanced HCC who had failed prior antiangiogenic treatment. Experimental Design: Brivanib was administered orally at a dose of 800 mg once daily. The primary objectives were tumor response rate, time to response, duration of response, progression-free survival, overall survival (OS), disease control rate, time to progression (TTP), and safety and tolerability. Results: Forty-six patients were treated. Best responses to treatment with brivanib (N = 46 patients) using modified World Health Organization criteria were partial responses for two patients (4.3%), stable disease for 19 patients (41.3%), and progressive disease for 19 patients (41.3%). The tumor response rate was 4.3%; the disease control rate was 45.7%. Median OS was 9.79 months. Median TTP as assessed by study investigators following second-line treatment with brivanib was 2.7 months. The most common adverse events were fatigue, decreased appetite, nausea, diarrhea, and hypertension. Conclusion: Brivanib had a manageable safety profile and is one of the first agents to show promising antitumor activity in advanced HCC patients treated with prior sorafenib. Clin Cancer Res; 18(7); 2090–8. ©2012 AACR.