Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Acute L-Tryptophan Exposure on the Brain Serotonergic System and Behavior in the Male Medaka

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exposure to L-tryptophan (TRP) on the metabolism of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) and behavior of medaka. In the first experiment, the fish were exposed to a 0, 1, 2 or 4 g/l of TRP solution for 24 hr. Although no significant difference in the brain 5HT content was detected, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA), a major 5HT metabolite, increased in a dose-dependent fashion. In the second experiment, the fish were maintained in a 0 or 4 g/l of TRP solution for 28 hr, and then their behaviors were monitored. The fish reared in under TRP solution were divided into two groups and transferred to either fresh water or a TRP solution. The locomotion of the TRP-treated group significantly increased compared to the control group irrespective of water conditions. It was suggested that TRP exposure activated the brain 5HTnergic systems and stimulated behavior of medaka.
Analysis of radiosurgical results in patients with brain metastases according to the number of brain lesions: is stereotactic radiosurgery effective for multiple brain metastases?

OBJECT Whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT), open resection, and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) are widely used for treatment of metastatic brain lesions, and many physicians recommend WBRT for multiple brain metastases. However, WBRT can be performed only once per patient, with rare exceptions. Some patients may require SRS for multiple metastatic brain lesions, particularly those patients harboring more than 10 lesions. In this paper, treatment results of SRS for brain metastasis were analyzed, and an attempt was made to determine whether SRS is effective, even in cases involving multiple metastatic brain lesions. METHODS The authors evaluated the cases of 323 patients who underwent SRS between October 2005 and October 2008 for the treatment of metastatic brain lesions. Treatment was performed using the Gamma Knife model C or Perfexion. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to the number of lesions visible on MR images: Group 1, 1-5 lesions; Group 2, 6-10 lesions: Group 3, 11-15 lesions; and Group 4, > 15 lesions. Patient survival and progression-free survival times, taking into account both local and distant tumor recurrences, were analyzed. RESULTS The patients consisted of 172 men and 151 women with a mean age at SRS of 59 years (range 30-89 years). The overall median survival time after SRS was 10 months (range 8.7-11.4 months). The median survival time of each group was as follows: Group 1, 10 months; Group 2, 10 months; Group 3, 13 months; and Group 4, 8 months. There was no statistical difference between survival times after SRS (log-rank test, p = 0.554), although the probability of development of new lesions in the brain was greater in Group 4 (p = 0.014). Local tumor control rates were not statistically different among the groups (log-rank test, p = 0.989); however, remote disease progression was more frequent in Group 4 (log-rank test, p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS In this study, patients harboring more than 15 metastatic brain lesions were found to have faster development of new lesions in the brain. This may be due to the biological properties of the patients' primary lesions, for example, having a greater tendency to disseminate hematogenously, especially to the brain, or a higher probability of missed or invisible lesions (microscopic metastases) to treat on stereotactic MR images at the time of radiosurgery. However, the mean survival times after SRS were not statistically different between groups. According to the aforementioned results, SRS may be a good treatment option for local control of metastatic lesions and for improved survival in patients with multiple metastatic brain lesions, even those patients who harbor more than 15 metastatic brain lesions, who, after SRS, may have early and easily detectable new metastatic lesions.
Dietary fish oil diminishes the antigen presentation activity of rat dendritic cells

Rats were fed for 6 weeks on a low fat (LF) diet or on high fat diets containing safflower oil [SO; rich in n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)] or fish oil (FO; rich in n‐3 PUFAs). Lymph‐borne dendritic cells (L‐DC) were isolated after cannulation of the thoracic duct and were used as antigen [keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)] ‐presenting cells in an ex vivo assay that used KLH‐sensitized spleen lymphocytes as the responder cells. FO feeding significantly diminished the antigen presentation activity of L‐DC compared with L‐DC from rats fed each of the other diets. The antigen presentation activity of L‐DC from rats fed the SO diet was greater than that of L‐DC from rats fed the LF diet. Feeding the FO diet significantly reduced both the proportion of CD2‐positive L‐DC and the level of CD2 expression on L‐DC compared with feeding each of the other diets; the proportions of L‐DC staining positive for CD40, CD18, CD54, CD11a, and MHC II were unaffected by diet. However, FO feeding reduced the level of expression of CD18, CD11a, MHC II, and CD54 on L‐DC compared with feeding the other two diets; the level of expression of CD40 was unaffected by diet. This is the first study to report effects of dietary fatty acids on dendritic cells. The suppressive effect of FO feeding may account for some of the beneficial effects of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids observed in clinical settings, such as prolonged survival of grafts and diminished chronic inflammatory responses. However, such an effect may also be detrimental because host defense toward bacterial and other antigens could be compromised. J. Leukoc. Biol. 62: 771–777; 1997.
NF-k B , Autoimmunity and Mycobacteria

Many autoimmune diseases feature functional or genetic defects that can alter NF-kB function. In an animal model of type 1 diabetes and Sjogren’s syndrome, a defective proteasome prevents NK-kB-induced gene transcription by precluding cleavage of IkBa from NF-kB in the cytoplasm. Polymorphisms in such NK-kB related genes as SUMO4, NOD2, IKBL, IRF-5, TNFAIP3, TNF, TNFR1, TNFR2, IL-10 and DLG-5 have been associated with autoimmune diseases. Each of these genes has interactions with members of the NF-kB pathway and when defective can disrupt NF-kB function. Treatment of autoimmune diseases can also take advantage of the NF-kB pathway. TNF and the TNF-inducer mycobacterium bacillus calmette-guerin (BCG) selectively destroy autoreactive but not normal T lymphocytes through NF-kB dysregulation. BCG also induces proliferation of immunosuppressive T-regulatory cells by induction of transmembrane TNF, its preferential binding to TNFR2, and transcription of pro-survival genes via the normally functioning NF-kB pathway. Thus, the NF-kB pathway can play a central role in autoimmunity and its treatment. ABBREVIATIONS BCG: Bacillus Calmette-Guerin; T Cells: T-Lymphocytes; TNF: Tumor Necrosis Factor; NOD Rat: Non-Obese Diabetic Rat. INTRODUCTION This short article reviews the numerous types of genetic and functional defects altering NF-kB activity across autoimmune diseases, ranging from type 1 diabetes to lupus to multiple sclerosis. This article also reviews the benefits of the mycobacterium Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) in the treatment of autoimmune diseases through two different NF-kB-related mechanisms. In immune cells, NF-kB’s mode of activation varies according to cell type, state of activation, or developmental stage [1,2]. In T-lymphocytes (T cells), which mediate some types of autoimmunity, NF-κB normally is precluded from reaching the nucleus because its subunits are tightly bound to the inhibiting protein IκBα [3]. In response to induction by cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and other signals, IκBα is phosphorylated, ubiquinated, and then degraded by a proteasome. Once liberated from IκBα, NF-κB translocates to the nucleus where it binds to target DNA segments, initiating expression of various genes, including those encoding cytokines (e.g., IL-2, TNF-, and IFN-β), pro-apoptotic genes, or anti-apoptotic Central Faustman et al. (2015) Email: JSM Microbiology 3(1): 1020 (2015) 2/6 genes [4]. These life and death functions are vital for shaping the T cell repertoire and curtailing T cell proliferation after antigen exposures. More comprehensive reviews of the relationship between T cells, NFkB and autoimmunity are available [5-7].
The tension free vaginal tape operation for women with mixed incontinence: Do preoperative variables predict the outcome?

The aims of our study were (1) to investigate subjective and objective outcomes after tension free vaginal tape (TVT) operations in mixed incontinent women, (2) to detect if preoperative subjective and objective variables predict the outcome, and (3) to evaluate whether the surgical outcome is different for women who preoperatively find stress incontinence, urge incontinence, or urge and stress incontinence equally the predominant bother.
Genetic analysis indicates that the human foamy virus Bel-1 protein contains a transcription activation domain of the acidic class

Human foamy virus encodes a nuclear regulatory protein, termed Bel-1, that serves as a potent activator of viral transcription. Mutational analysis has identified a small, discrete activation domain within Bel-1 that is highly active in both higher and lower eukaryotic cells. Here, we demonstrate that the activation domain of Bel-1 is highly dependent on the ADA2 transcriptional adaptor for biological activity in yeast cells, a property previously shown to be a hallmark of the VP16 class of acidic transcriptional activators (S. L. Berger, B. Pina, N. Silverman, G. A. Marcus, J. Agapite, J. L. Regier, S. J. Triezenberg, and L. Guarente, Cell 70:251-265, 1992). Using genetic selection in yeast cells, we have derived a set of point mutants within the Bel-1 activation domain that display a qualitatively similar loss in activation potential when examined in either yeast or human cells. These data indicate that the Bel-1 activation domain functions similarly in both lower and higher eukaryotes and strongly suggest that Bel-1 belongs to the VP16 class of acidic transcription factors.
Electromyographic Evaluation of the Effect of Lined Dentures on Masticatory Muscle Activity in Edentulous Subjects.

AIM The purpose of this study was to examine changes in relative electromyographic (EMG) activities of temporal and masseter muscles after relining the dentures with silicone and acrylic-resin based denture liners. MATERIALS AND METHODS Conventional complete dentures were fabricated for 20 edentulous patients. One month after completing adjustments of the dentures, electromyography of the masseter and temporalis muscle during maximum intercuspation was recorded. The dentures were then relined with a silicone denture liner and after an adaptation period of one month, were again subjected for electromyographic evaluation. Further, the dentures were relined with acrylic denture liner and subjected to electromyographic evaluation. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15.0. Intergroup comparisons were done using ANOVA followed by post-hoc assessments using Tukey HSD test. RESULTS Mean amplitude and duration with conventional dentures was found to be significantly lower as compared to silicone lined and acrylic lined dentures for all the comparisons. Statistically, no significant difference between silicone lined and acrylic lined dentures was observed for any of the comparisons. CONCLUSION Within the limitations of this experimental design, it was concluded that relining significantly increases electromyographic activity of the masseter and temporalis muscles. Thus, resulting in an improved biting force, chewing efficiency and masticatory performance. There were no significant differences between silicone and acrylic based denture liners for both electromyographic variables.
A comparison of the analgesic efficacy of 0.25% levobupivacaine combined with 0.005% morphine, 0.25% levobupivacaine alone, or 0.005% morphine alone for the management of postoperative pain in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery.

UNLABELLED We compared the relative efficacy of the combination of the single-isomer local anesthetic levobupivacaine and the opioid analgesic morphine versus both drugs alone for postoperative epidural analgesia after major abdominal surgical procedures. Thoracic epidural anesthesia was produced and maintained with levobupivacaine 0.75% in combination with general inhaled anesthesia without opioids. Patients were randomized to one of three postoperative treatment groups: 1) a combination of levobupivacaine 0.25% and morphine 0.005%; 2) levobupivacaine 0.25%; or 3) morphine 0.005%. Postoperatively, all epidural infusions were commenced at a rate of 4 mL/h. Patients could receive a 4 mL-bolus dose and an increase in the epidural infusion rate by 2 mL/h on request for supplemental analgesia. Patients were also allowed ketorolac as a supplemental analgesic at any time after the first analgesic request. Patients in the combination group had longer times to request for supplemental analgesia as compared with the levobupivacaine only group (P < 0.05) and a trend toward longer time to request as compared with the morphine only group (P = 0.066). Patients in the combination group had lower visual analog scale pain scores at rest and activity at 4 and 8 h and fewer requests for supplemental ketorolac (P < 0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrates a significant improvement in postoperative analgesic efficacy with the combination of levobupivacaine and morphine for continuous epidural analgesia after major abdominal surgical procedures. IMPLICATIONS A significant improvement in postoperative analgesic efficacy is demonstrated with the thoracic epidural administration of the combination of the single-isomer local anesthetic levobupivacaine 0.25% and morphine 0.005% in patients after major abdominal surgical procedures as compared with either drug used alone.
Threat Appraisal, Coping, and Emotions Across Pregnancy Subsequent to Perinatal Loss

Background: Pregnancies after perinatal loss are known to be anxiety-filled. Stress in pregnancy and the response to it, often seen as anxiety and depression, have known negative consequences for obstetric outcomes, parenting, and infant behaviors. Women have reported fluctuating emotions in response to events in their subsequent pregnancies, but these pregnancies have not been studied longitudinally. Objectives: To test Lazarus' theory of stress, coping, and emotions in this population, and to understand the patterns of threat appraisal, coping, and emotional states of women across pregnancy after perinatal loss. Methods: In this predictive correlational study, 82 women pregnant after loss (PAL) were followed, and the study was guided longitudinally by Lazarus' theory of stress, coping, and emotions. Obstetric and loss history, and assigned fetal personhood were gathered at intake (Time 1). Measures completed at 10-week intervals (one time each trimester) included Moneyham Threat Index (threat appraisal), Ways of Coping Checklist-Revised (relative coping), Pregnancy Anxiety Scale (pregnancy anxiety), Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist-Revised (emotional states), and Stress in Life (stress). Time 3 sample size was 70. Results: Threat appraisal was correlated with assigned fetal personhood and gestational age of past loss. Pregnancy subsequent to loss was perceived as a threat, and threat appraisal strongly predicted pregnancy anxiety. Pregnancy anxiety, reported at moderate levels on average, decreased over time; threat appraisal, coping, and other emotions were stable across pregnancy. Coping did not mediate these effects, but relative coping was correlated with emotional status as theorized, with problem-focused coping used more than emotion-focused coping. Discussion: Women find pregnancy after loss stressful and a threat, and this appraisal remains across pregnancy. Because pregnancy anxiety is common, and highest in early pregnancy, providers should address worries and fears with all women early in PAL. Interventions must be tested in future studies.
Bone regeneration in dehiscence-type defects at chemically modified (SLActive) and conventional SLA titanium implants: a pilot study in dogs.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to evaluate bone regeneration in dehiscence-type defects at titanium implants with chemically modified (mod) and conventional sand-blasted/acid-etched (SLA) surfaces. MATERIAL AND METHODS Standardized buccal dehiscence defects (height: 3 mm, width: 3 mm) were surgically created following implant site preparation in both the upper and lower jaws of four beagle dogs. modSLA and SLA implants were inserted bilaterally according to a split-mouth design. The animals were sacrificed after 2 and 12 weeks (n=2 animals each). Dissected blocks were processed for histomorphometrical analysis: defect length, new bone height (NBH), percent linear fill (PLF), percent of bone-to-implant contact (BIC-D) and area of new bone fill (BF). RESULTS Wound healing at SLA implants was predominantly characterized by the formation of a dense connective tissue at 2 and 12 weeks, without significant increases in mean NBH, PLF, BIC-D or BF values. In contrast, modSLA implants exhibited a complete defect fill at 12 weeks following implant placement. In particular, histomorphometrical analysis revealed the following mean values at 12 weeks: NBH (3.2+/-0.3 mm), PLF (98%), BIC-D (82%) and BF (2.3+/-0.4 mm(2)). CONCLUSION Within the limits of the present study, it was concluded that modSLA titanium surfaces may promote bone regeneration in acute-type buccal dehiscence defects at submerged implants.
Synovial Fluid Findings in Children With Knee Monoarthritis in Lyme Disease Endemic Areas

Background Although Lyme and septic arthritis of the knee may have similar clinical presentations, septic arthritis requires prompt identification and treatment to avoid joint destruction. We sought to determine whether synovial fluid cell counts alone can discriminate between Lyme, septic, and other inflammatory arthritis. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children aged 1 to 18 years with knee monoarthritis who presented to 1 of 2 pediatric emergency departments located in Lyme endemic areas. We included children who had both a synovial fluid culture and an evaluation for Lyme disease. Septic arthritis was defined as a positive synovial fluid culture or synovial fluid pleocytosis (white blood cell [WBC] ≥40,000 cells/&mgr;L) with a positive blood culture. Lyme arthritis was defined as positive Lyme serology without a positive bacterial culture. All other children were considered to have other inflammatory arthritis. We compared the synovial fluid counts by arthritis type. Results We identified 384 children with knee monoarthritis, of whom 19 (5%) had septic arthritis, 257 (67%) had Lyme arthritis and 108 (28%) had other inflammatory arthritis. Children with other inflammatory arthritis had lower synovial WBC and absolute neutrophil count, as well as percent neutrophils, than those with either Lyme or septic arthritis. There were no significant differences in the synovial fluid WBC, absolute neutrophil count, and percent neutrophils for children with Lyme and septic arthritis. Conclusions In Lyme endemic areas, synovial fluid results alone do not differentiate septic from Lyme arthritis. Therefore, other clinical or laboratory indicators are needed to direct the care of patients with knee monoarthritis.
Breeding programme and infrastructure: The case of Red Maasai sheep in Kenya

The aim of this thesis was to study potential breeding strategies for indigenous livestock in Eastern and Southern Africa under low input production systems. The thesis covered a study of the status of supportive infrastructure for use of animal genetic resources. The case of Red Maasai sheep was studied as a model for design of strategies for improvement of an indigenous breed under threat. Studies [I-II] were performed through participatory approaches by use of structured interviews, while [III] comprised analyses of data collected at a research station, and [IV] was based on simulations. The infrastructure in the countries studied was weak and organizations needed more farmer involvement [I]. Countries with least university training in animal breeding also had least developed activities for animal genetic resources. A significant genotype by environment interaction was shown for Red Maasai and Dorper sheep in two different environments in Kenya [II]. Dorper was superior to Red Maasai for live weight in the less harsh environment, whereas breed differences were small in the harsh environment. Body size and milk production were highly ranked for both breeds. Red Maasai was appreciated for reproduction and adaptive traits and Dorper mainly for its larger body size. Dorper ram lambs were heavier live but did not have heavier carcasses than Red Maasai [III]. When basing their payment on assessed live weight, evaluators substantially undervalued Red Maasai lambs economically compared to Dorper. Opportunities for substantial genetic gain in live weight and carcass weight of Red Maasai sheep were shown in [IV]. When conditions are harsh, purebreeding of Red Maasai was superior to crossbreeding. The use of Dorper as a terminal sire breed to produce crossbred lambs for slaughter may be practised if environmental conditions are favourable and survival rates are high. It was shown that a nucleus breeding programme could sustainably improve the productivity of an indigenous breed, while contributing to biological diversity.
Inferring properties and revealing geographical impacts of intercity mobile communication network of China using a subnet data set

This article provides a novel and practical approach for investigating the characteristics of intercity telecommunication network whose overall and complete information is unavailable. Using a mobile phone call data set covering 4.39 million subscribers registered in a particular region, we construct two intercity mobile communication subnets and infer characteristics of the whole intercity mobile communication network of China. Results confirm that intercity communication intensity is characterized by the gravity model. The communication intensity based on mobile call number decreases along the distance with a scaling exponent 0.5, whereas the scaling exponent for the communication intensity based on mobile call duration is 0.4. Moreover, we uncover the rank-size distribution of tie strength (mobile call number and duration) between a city and its neighbours. The rank-size law of tie strengths between cities is mainly determined by the rank-size distribution of cities. The distance between cities plays a less decisive role than the size distribution in the network, but significantly impacts mobile communication patterns. The call duration of individual intercity mobile communication is generally positively correlated to the communication distance, explaining why the distance decay of communication intensity based on call durations is slower than that based on call numbers. The contribution of this research is twofold. First, we identify the distance decay effect in intercity mobile communications of China and uncover the dominant impact of the rank-size distribution of cities. Second, a method for estimating the properties of the whole network according to the observed interactions of its subnets is developed.