Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plasma membrane and vesicular glutamate transporter mRNAs/proteins in hypothalamic neurons that regulate body weight

After synaptic release, glutamate is taken up by the nerve terminal via a plasma membrane‐associated protein termed excitatory amino acid transporter 3 (EAAT3). Following entry into the nerve terminal, glutamate is pumped into synaptic vesicles by a vesicular transport system. Three different vesicular glutamate transporter proteins (VGLUT1‐3) representing unique markers for glutamatergic neurons were recently characterized. The presence of EAAT3, glutaminase and VGLUT1‐3 was examined in mouse, rat and rabbit species at mRNA and protein levels in hypothalamic neurons which are involved in the regulation of body weight using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. EAAT3 and glutaminase mRNAs were demonstrated in all parts of the arcuate nucleus in the dorsomedial and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei and lateral hypothalamic area. VGLUT1 mRNA was present in the magnocellular lateral hypothalamic nucleus. VGLUT2 mRNA was demonstrated in a subpopulation of neurons in the arcuate nucleus and in the ventromedial and dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei and lateral hypothalamic area. Few VGLUT3 mRNA expressing neurons were scattered throughout the medial and lateral hypothalamus. EAAT3‐like immunoreactivity (‐li) was demonstrated in glutamate, neuropeptide Y (NPY), agouti‐related peptide (AGRP), pro‐opiomelanocortin (POMC), cocaine and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART), melanin‐concentrating hormone and orexin‐immunoreactive (‐ir) neurons. VGLUT2‐li could only be demonstrated in POMC‐ and CART‐ir neurons of the ventrolateral arcuate nucleus. The results show that key neurons involved in regulation of energy balance are glutamatergic and/or densely innervated by glutamatergic nerve terminals. Whereas orexigenic NYP/AGRP neurons situated in the ventromedial part of the arcuate nucleus are mainly GABAergic, it is shown that several anorexigenic POMC/CART neurons of the ventromedial arcuate nucleus are most likely glutamatergic.
Isolating and Denitrification Activity of the Dominant Bacterium in Chaohu Wetland

This passage took soil samples from Chaohu wetland at 1.5 m buried depth. Then isolated the dominant bacteria and studied its denitrification activity under the condition of different carbon sources (methanol, ethanol and acetic acid) and C/N (3:1, 5:1, 10:1). The results suggested: (1) the nitrate removal rate of isolated strain reached 90% (named as D9); (2) under the condition of C:N was 1:1, acetic acid was the best carbon source; (3) taking acetic acid as the sole carbon source, the best C:N was 3:1. These results can provide the base for the restoration of nitrate pollution in groundwater and the prevention of Lake Eutrophication.
Hair Follicle Transplantation on Scar Tissue

BackgroundHair transplantation is a continuously evolving field. The procedure was originally developed by Dr. Orentreich in 1959, but he applied it only to the androgenic alopecia. Potential applications for hair grafting extend beyond treatment of hair loss. MethodsOur study group consisted of 25 cases of 23 patients. The causes of scar resulting to hair loss were burns, operation, and trauma. The scalp strips or follicular unit extracts were harvested from occipital, posterior auricular, dog-eared scalp, adjacent scalp area, and nuchal area. The recipient sites were scalp, eyebrow, lip, and eyelid. ResultsThe follow-up cases over 6 months after operation were 18 among total 25 cases. The result after hair follicle transplantation was excellent (44.4%), good (38.9%), fair (11.1%), and poor (5.6%). ConclusionsThe hair follicle transplantation on the scar tissue is more difficult than grafting on normal tissue because the scar is accompanied by poor blood circulation and stiffness of tissue. The patients with burned scar achieved more favorable result than did others. Incision scars are deeper than burned scars, and their success rates are poor. We should recommend the patients that hair follicle transplantation on the scar may need secondary or more operations for the aesthetically better result.
Cognitive, Socioemotional and Behavioral Returns to College Quality

We exploit the variation in the admissions cutoffs across colleges of a leading Indian university in a regression discontinuity framework to estimate the causal effects of enrolling in a selective college on: cognitive attainment, behavioral preferences, and Big Five personality. We find that enrolling in a selective college improves only females' exam scores. Further, marginally admitted females in selective colleges become less overconfident and less risk averse while males in selective colleges experience a decline in extraversion and conscientiousness. Higher attendance rates among females explain the gender differences in returns to better college and peer environment.
The development of L-phase colonies for Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

SUMMARY: INTRODUCTION Little is known about the processes involved in the conversion of bacteria to the L-phase but extreme changes occur in the morphology of various species during L-phase induction. Few reports are available on the development of the L-phase of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Studies by Dienes, Bandur & Madoff (1964) were largely unsuccessful due to the lack of a suitable medium. However, Roberts (I 966) cultured gonoccocal L-forms on medium osmotic ally stabilized with sucrose, and more recently Lawson & Douglas (1973) reported successful induction and maintenance using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as an osmotic stabilizer. We have shown that it is possible to induce gonococcal L-forms by incorporating PVP in a commercial, dehydrated medium for N. gonorrhoeae (Waitkins & Geary, unpublished observations) and have now used this medium, with an agar-block impression staining technique, to trace the development of L-forms of gonococci. Lawson & Douglas (1973) found that PVP was far more efficient than sucrose for stabilizing gonococcal L-forms; we have confirmed this, and have attempted to explain the difference by comparing the effects of these stabilizers on the morphology of the developing L-form.
Glutamate and tachykinin receptors in central sensitization of withdrawal reflexes in the decerebrated rabbit

This study assessed the involvement of NMDA and group I metabotropic glutamate receptors, and tachykinin NK1 and NK3 receptors, in central sensitization of withdrawal reflexes in the decerebrated rabbit. Reflexes evoked in the ankle flexor tibialis anterior and the knee flexor semitendinosus by electrical stimulation at the base of the toes were enhanced for 29–63 min after application of 20% mustard oil to the tips of the toes. Selective antagonists of mGlu1, mGlu5, NMDA and NR2B‐subunit‐containing NMDA glutamate receptors, as well as NK1, and NK3 receptors, and a non‐selective blocker of all tachykinin receptors, were assessed for their effects on the magnitude and duration of the increase in reflexes induced by mustard oil. Dizocilpine, an antagonist of all NMDA receptors (1 mg intrathecal) abolished facilitation of tibialis anterior reflexes and significantly reduced the magnitude and duration of increase of the semitendinosus response. The NR2B‐subtype selective antagonist CP‐101,606 decreased the magnitude of facilitation of both reflexes but had no effect on duration of enhancement. Selective antagonists for the mGlu1 (CPCCOEt, 1–3 mg intrathecal), mGlu5 (MPEP, 0.2–1 mg intrathecal), NK1 (L‐733,060, 0.3 mg intrathecal) or NK3 (SR 142,801, 1 mg kg−1i.v.) receptors had no effect on the amplitude or duration of sensitization. However, the non‐selective tachykinin receptor blocker ZD‐6021 (0.3 mg intrathecal) reduced the amplitude but not the duration of sensitization in the flexor reflexes. Combination of ZD‐6021 with CP‐101,606 (doses as above) decreased both aspects of the sensitization response. Dizocilpine reduced reflexes evoked from the heel per se, and dizocilpine, CP‐101,606 and ZD‐6021 reduced arterial blood pressure. Otherwise the drugs used had no effects on baseline variables. The present data confirm the importance of NMDA receptors as a critical part of the process of central sensitization, provide no evidence for a role of metabotropic glutamate receptors, and show that simultaneous blockade of all tachykinin receptors is required to reveal their role in hyperalgesia. The data further indicate that a combined pharmacological approach offers a potential way forward for the development of new antihyperalgesic agents.
Levels of Catechols in Epileptogenic and Nonepileptogenic Regions of the Human Brain

Abstract: Recent reports about tyrosine hydroxylase and α1‐adrenoceptors in epileptic foci have suggested increased regional catecholaminergic activity, which may serve a compensatory, inhibitory role. We measured levels of catechols, including the precursor 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (Dopa) and the catecholamines dopamine (DA) and nor‐epinephrine (NE), in surgically removed foci identified by electrocorticography and in nonepileptogenic sites from 23 patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy. The following values (mean ± 1 SD) were obtained: DOPA = 142 ± 60 ng/g of protein in the focus vs. 115 ± 39 ng/g in the nonfocus (p < 0.01); DA = 168 ± 85 vs. 106 ± 54 ng/g (p < 0.001); and NE = 267 ± 117 vs. 181 ± 80 ng/g (p < 0.001). The results are consistent with increased catecholaminergic activity in epileptic foci.
Kernel-based fuzzy and possibilistic c-means clustering

The 'kernel method' has attracted great attention with the development of support vector machine (SVM) and has been studied in a general way. In this paper, this 'method' is extended to the well-known fuzzy c-means (FCM) and possibilistic c-means (PCM) algorithms. It is realized by substitution of a kernel-induced distance metric for the original Euclidean distance, and the corresponding algorithms are called kernel fuzzy c-means (KFCM) and kernel possibilistic c-means (KPCM) algorithms. And some test results are given to illustrate the advantages of the proposed algorithms over the FCM and PCM algorithms.
Novel cardiovascular risk factors in premature coronary atherosclerosis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE Several mediators of inflammation are associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the general population, but their relationship to accelerated atherosclerosis associated with an inflammatory disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is not known. METHODS We compared concentrations of cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha, and VEGF), inflammatory enzymes (MPO and MMP-9), acute-phase reactants (ESR, CRP, and SAA) and adhesion molecules (VCAM, ICAM, and E-selectin) in 109 patients with SLE and 78 controls. The relationship between inflammatory markers and coronary atherosclerosis detected as calcified plaque by electron beam CT was determined in patients with SLE. RESULTS Concentrations of all markers of inflammation other than VCAM, MMP-9, and IL-1alpha were significantly higher in SLE. In multivariable analyses adjusting for Framingham risk score, cumulative corticosteroid dose, and diabetes, E-selectin (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.08-3.33), VCAM (OR 1.99, 1.18-3.37), ICAM (OR 2.30, 1.13-4.7), and TNF-alpha (OR 2.36, 1.10-5.06) were significantly associated with the severity of coronary calcium. CONCLUSION Concentrations of adhesion molecules and TNF-alpha are associated with coronary atherosclerosis in SLE independent of the Framingham risk score.
Drosophila synaptotagmin I null mutants show severe alterations in vesicle populations but calcium‐binding motif mutants do not

Synaptotagmin I is a synaptic vesicle protein postulated to mediate vesicle docking, vesicle recycling, and the Ca2+ sensing required to trigger vesicle fusion. Analysis of synaptotagmin I knockouts (sytINULL mutants) in both Drosophila and mice led to these hypotheses. Although much research on the mechanisms of synaptic transmission in Drosophila is performed at the third instar neuromuscular junction, the ultrastructure of this synapse has never been analyzed in sytINULL mutants. Here we report severe synaptic vesicle depletion, an accumulation of large vesicles, and decreased vesicle docking at sytINULL third instar neuromuscular junctions. Mutations in synaptotagmin I's C2B Ca2+‐binding motif nearly abolish synaptic transmission and decrease the apparent Ca2+ affinity of neurotransmitter release. Although this result is consistent with disruption of the Ca2+ sensor, synaptic vesicle depletion and/or redistribution away from the site of Ca2+ influx could produce a similar phenotype. To address this question, we examined vesicle distributions at neuromuscular junctions from third instar C2B Ca2+‐binding motif mutants and transgenic wild‐type controls. The number of docked vesicles and the overall number of synaptic vesicles in the vicinity of active zones was unchanged in the mutants. We conclude that the near elimination of synaptic transmission and the decrease in the Ca2+ affinity of release observed in C2B Ca2+‐binding motif mutants is not due to altered synaptic vesicle distribution but rather is a direct result of disrupting synaptotagmin I's ability to bind Ca2+. Thus, Ca2+ binding by the C2B domain mediates a postdocking step in fusion. J. Comp. Neurol. 496:1–12, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association of Polymorphism (Val66Met) of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor with Suicide Attempts in Depressed Patients

Introduction: Recent post-mortem studies of suicide victims have implicated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in suicide. Therefore, it was decided to examine the possible role of a gene in the regulation of BDNF activity in relation to suicidal behaviour among depressed patients. Method: A series of 170 depressed patients were evaluated for their history of suicide attempts and genotyped for the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism (SNP ID: rs6265). Depressed patients who had (n = 97) or had not (n = 73) attempted suicide were compared. Results: Depressed patients who carried the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism variant (GA + AA) appeared to show a significantly increased risk of suicidal behaviour. The risk of a suicide attempt was also significantly higher among those reporting higher levels of childhood emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Secondary analyses suggested that depression severity was a significant risk factor only in the wild-type BDNF genotype, and that the risk of suicide attempts was more predictable within the wild-type group. Conclusion: These preliminary data suggest that BDNF may play a role in the suicidal behaviour of depressed patients.
EFFECTS OF SIMULTANEOUS EXPOSURE OF SURFACTANT TO SERUM PROTEINS AND FREE RADICALS

Free radicals (FRs) and serum proteins have both been implicated in the pathophysiology of surfactant dysfunction during acute lung injury (ALI). This study examines how these 2 distinct mechanisms interact to contribute to altered surfactant function in this setting. Calf lung surfactant (2 mg/mL) was incubated with no additives (C = control), and with low = (LD = 125 μ M FeCl 2 ; 250 μ M H 2 O 2) and high-dose (HD = 250 μ M FeCl 2 500 μ M H 2 O 2) Fenton reaction reagents to generate hydroxyl radical. Each condition was studied with (1) no protein (N); and with 25%, 200%, and 800% (weight protein/weight phospholipid) protein added as (2) bovine albumin, (3) bovine fibrinogen, (4) hemoglobin, or (5) calf serum. Lipid (LFR) and protein (PFR) free-radical products, and modifications in the tertiary structure of Surfactant Protein A(SPA) on Western blot, were observed in NLD and NHD samples. Added proteins reduced PFR changes as well as SPA structural changes. Protection was greatest for fibrinogen, hemoglobin, and serum, and least for albumin. Minimal to no dysfunction, assayed by pulsating surfactometry, was observed in all samples. These findings indicate that addition of serum proteins to surfactant at 2 mg/mL protects against, rather than promotes, FR-mediated chemical changes in surfactant lipid and protein constituents.
Perineal ultrasound evaluation of urethral angle and bladder neck mobility in women with stress urinary incontinence

Objectives 1. To assess the reproducibility of an electronic ultrasonographic technique for the measurement of urethral angulation; 2. To test the ability of measurement of the urethral angle and bladder neck mobility to predict genuine stress incontinence; 3. To compare ultrasound variables in stress incontinent women and in controls.
Overweight, body image, and depression in Asian and Hispanic adolescents.

OBJECTIVES To prospectively investigate associations between overweight and depressive symptoms in Asian and Hispanic adolescents. METHODS Data included 780 Hispanic and 375 Asian students. Structural equation model was used to prospectively explore moderation effects of gender, ethnicity, and acculturation on associations of overweight, body image dissatisfaction, and depressive symptoms. RESULTS Significant mediation effect was found only in Asian girls (mediation effect = 0.16, P < 0.05) and girls with high acculturation (mediation effect = 0.17, P < 0.05). Overweight significantly predicted higher body image dissatisfaction, which in turn was significantly related to depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Our findings help understanding the association of overweight and experience of depressive symptoms.
Land Development Suitability Evaluation of Pingtan Island Based on Scenario Analysis and Landscape Ecological Quality Evaluation

With the acceleration of urbanization and industrialization, regional development is becoming increasingly disordered. Thus, how to balance economic development and ecological protection is a key question. To comprehensively evaluate land development suitability, an evaluation index system for construction land and farmland suitability was established in this study based on natural and social-economic information. After selecting an island in China as the main case study in this work, the reference method was applied in grading and value assigning for all indices. In addition, the analytic hierarchy process and expert evaluation method were used to determine the index weighting. After scenario analysis was adopted in the study to analyze the impact of the policy orientation on the suitability evaluation, we finally evaluated the landscape ecological quality of different scenarios. Results showed the landscape ecological quality of a coordinated development scenario was the highest. The results indicated that coordinated development which takes the ecological protection and urban development into account may be a better choice for land planning.
Increase in skin perfusion pressure after maggot debridement therapy for critical limb ischaemia

Skin perfusion pressure (SPP) is the perfusion pressure at the skin level, and it can serve as an index of peripheral circulation in the skin and subcutaneous tissue. We report a 78‐year‐old man with critical limb ischaemia who, despite having undergone several catheter interventions, still had severe ulcers with exposed bone on his right foot. We performed transmetatarsal amputation. The tissue around the surgical site became necrotic several days later, and did not respond to conservative therapy. Therefore, we opted for maggot debridement therapy (MDT), given that maggots favour necrotic tissue. After the therapy, SPP around the ulcer increased from 12 to 54 mmHg on the dorsal aspect, and from 17 to 44 mmHg on the plantar aspect. Wound healing was successfully activated by MDT, leading to complete healing within 2.5 months after MDT. We believe that MDT probably contributed to increase the blood supply to the ischaemic wound.
[Association of IL-10 gene polymorphisms with gastroduodenal diseases in Hubei Han population].

OBJECTIVE To study the distribution of IL-10 gene polymorphisms in patients with gastroduodenal diseases in Hubei Han population and their association with helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection. METHODS Six hundred and five patients with gastroduodenal diseases (220 gastric cancer, 196 chronic gastritis and 189 gastroduodenal ulcer) and 624 healthy controls were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method for IL-10 -1082, -819, -592 gene polymorphisms. Hp infection status was determined by ELISA. RESULTS (1) There was significant difference of IL-10 -1082 AG+GG genotypes between gastric cancer group and gastric cancer-free and healthy control groups (P<0.05). (2) There was no significant difference of IL-10 -592 and IL-10 -819 gene polymorphisms among gastric cancer, gastric cancer-free and healthy control groups (P>0.05). (3) The frequency of IL-10 -1082 AG+GG genotypes in the Hp positive gastric cancer patients was significantly higher than that of control groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS (1) Genotypes AG+GG of IL-10 -1082 were associated with gastric cancer in Hubei Han population. (2) The IL-10 -1082 AG+GG genotypes were associated with Hp infection in patients with gastric cancer.
Proprioceptive Accuracy in Two Dimensions

Slow arm movements were made over a smooth horizontal table at shoulder height. With visual cues excluded, target position was indicated by the index finger of the nonmoving arm touching the underside of the table. 11 students (mean age 21.9 yr.) and 24 children (mean age 10.3 yr.) were compared. Both groups showed an ‘overlap effect’: movements with the right hand went too far to the left, while movements with the left hand went too far to the right. The children as a group were significantly less accurate than the students and showed a significant asymmetry in that movements with the dominant hand were more accurate than those with the nondominant hand.
Primary breast carcinoma of the vulva: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND In 1872, Hartung was the first to describe the case of a fully formed mammary gland arising in the left labium majora of a 30-year-old woman. Since Hartung's initial report, 38 additional cases of ectopic vulvar breast tissue have been described. This case report describes the rare occurrence of primary mammary adenocarcinoma arising within the vulva. CASE A 64-year-old G4P4 white female presented with a 4-year history of a 2 x 1 cm firm, indurated, raised lesion of the left lateral mons. A wide local excision with ipsilateral inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy was performed. Given histological findings characteristic of both invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma, in conjunction with the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors within the tumor, a diagnosis of infiltrating adenocarcinoma arising within ectopic breast tissue was made. CONCLUSIONS Thirty-nine reported cases of ectopic breast tissue arising within the vulva have been reported in the world literature. Though the diagnosis of primary breast carcinoma arising within the vulva is based primarily upon histologic pattern, estrogen and progesterone receptor positivity provide supporting evidence. Given the rarity of this condition, guidelines for therapy are unavailable; we therefore suggest looking to the current management of breast cancer in order to establish a sensible approach.
Internet Self-Efficacy, the Need for Cognition, and Sensation Seeking as Predictors of Problematic Use of the Internet

We conducted a study of the relationships between Internet self-efficacy, sensation seeking, the need for cognition, and problematic use of the Internet. The study was based on a randomly selected sample of 979 adult Internet users. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis of these subjects' responses on a questionnaire consisting of relevant items indicated that Internet self-efficacy and sensation seeking positively predicted problematic Internet use. Contrastingly, the need for cognition was significantly negatively associated with problematic Internet use.