Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Opsin activation of transduction in the rods of dark‐reared Rpe65 knockout mice

Rpe65 knockout mice (Rpe65−/−) are unable to synthesize the visual pigment chromophore 11‐cis retinal; however, if these animals are reared in complete darkness, the rod photoreceptors accumulate a small amount of 9‐cis retinal and its corresponding visual pigment isorhodopsin. Suction‐electrode recording of single rods from dark‐reared Rpe65−/− mice showed that the rods were about 400 times less sensitive than wild‐type control rods and that the maximum responses were much smaller in amplitude. Spectral sensitivity measurements indicated that Rpe65−/− rod responses were generated by isorhodopsin rather than rhodopsin. Sensitivity and pigment concentration were compared in the same mice by measuring light responses from rods of one eye and pigment concentration from the retina of the other eye. Retinas had 11–35% of the normal pigment level, but the rods were of the order of 20–30 times less sensitive than could be accounted for by the loss in quantum catch. This extra desensitization must be caused by opsin‐dependent activation of the visual cascade, which leads to a state equivalent to light adaptation in the dark‐adapted rod. By comparing the sensitivity of dark‐reared Rpe65−/− rods to that produced in normal rods by background light, we estimate that Rpe65−/− opsin is of the order of 2.5 × 10−5 as efficient in activating transduction as photoactivated rhodopsin (Rh*) in WT mice. Dark‐reared Rpe65−/− rods are less desensitized than rods from cyclic light‐reared Rpe65−/− mice, have about 50% more photocurrent and degenerate at a slower rate. Retinas sectioned after 9 months in darkness show a larger number of photoreceptor nuclei in dark‐reared animals than in cyclic light‐reared animals, though both have fewer nuclei than in cyclic light‐reared wild‐type retinas. Both also have shorter outer segments and a lower free‐Ca2+ concentration. These experiments provide the first quantitative measurement of opsin activation in physiologically responding mammalian rods.
STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE TUNICA INTIMA OF VARICOSE VEINS: A HISTOPATHOLOGICAL AND ULTRASTRUCTURAL STUDY

Summary Many factors have been implicated in the aetiology of varicose veins; however, there is ample evidence implicating that the defect is in the wall of the lower limb veins. In order to know the pathological changes in the tunica intima of varicose veins, the smooth muscle cells (SMCs), collagen and elastin of varicose and control patients were studied by light and electron microscopy. The morphological changes in the SMCs, collagen and elastin point to a possible secretory or phagocytic role of the SMCs in producing abnormal immature collagen or elastin fibres or in modulation of function of SMCs due to excessive production of extracellular matrix (ECM). Abbreviations: VVs, varicose veins; SMCs, smooth muscle cells; VG, Van Gieson; ECM, extracellular matrix.
LINK CONCORDANCE AND HIGHER-ORDER BLANCHFIELD DUALITY

We introduce a new technique for showing classical knots and links are not slice. As one application we show that the iterated Bing doubles of many algebraically slice knots are not topologically slice. Some of the proofs do not use the existence of the Cheeger-Gromov bound, a deep analytical tool used by Cochran-Teichner. Our main examples are actually boundary links but cannot be detected in the algebraic boundary link concordance group, nor by any ρ invariants associated to solvable representations into finite unitary groups.
Stability of the mRNA encoding some pancreatic hydrolases is modulated by dietary protein intake in the rat

Wistar rats fed on either a high-protein or a protein-free diet were examined to determine their pancreatic hydrolase mRNA stabilities in comparison with those of control animals receiving a standard diet. Actinomycin D was used to inhibit transcription and, after isolating the pancreatic RNA, the specific messengers were quantified by performing dot-blot hybridization with cDNA probes. In the rats fed on a high-protein diet, only the half-lives of anionic trypsinogen I and elastase I (EC 3.4.21.36) were affected. Interestingly, when rats were fed on the protein-free diet, most of the hydrolase mRNA half-lives showed changes, except that corresponding to lipase. In these rats, the half-life values of the mRNA coding for anionic trypsinogen I, chymotrypsinogen and procarboxypeptidase B increased, in sharp contrast with those of the amylase and elastase I mRNA, which decreased. These results strongly suggest that the mechanism whereby the biosynthesis of pancreatic hydrolases is regulated, depending on the presence or absence of proteins in the diet, is not unique and provide evidence that the stability of mRNA encoding most, if not all, the hydrolases in pancreatic cells is modulated by the dietary protein content.
A Critical Role for Ceramide Synthase 2 in Liver Homeostasis

We have generated a mouse that cannot synthesize very long acyl chain (C22–C24) ceramides (Pewzner-Jung, Y., Park, H., Laviad, E. L., Silva, L. C., Lahiri, S., Stiban, J., Erez-Roman, R., Brugger, B., Sachsenheimer, T., Wieland, F. T., Prieto, M., Merrill, A. H., and Futerman, A. H. (2010) J. Biol. Chem. 285, 10902–10910) due to ablation of ceramide synthase 2 (CerS2). As a result, significant changes were observed in the sphingolipid profile of livers from these mice, including elevated C16-ceramide and sphinganine levels. We now examine the functional consequences of these changes. CerS2 null mice develop severe nonzonal hepatopathy from about 30 days of age, the age at which CerS2 expression peaks in wild type mice, and display increased rates of hepatocyte apoptosis and proliferation. In older mice there is extensive and pronounced hepatocellular anisocytosis with widespread formation of nodules of regenerative hepatocellular hyperplasia. Progressive hepatomegaly and noninvasive hepatocellular carcinoma are also seen from ∼10 months of age. Even though CerS2 is found at equally high mRNA levels in kidney and liver, there are no changes in renal function and no pathological changes in the kidney. High throughput analysis of RNA expression in liver revealed up-regulation of genes associated with cell cycle regulation, protein transport, cell-cell interactions and apoptosis, and down-regulation of genes associated with intermediary metabolism, such as lipid and steroid metabolism, adipocyte signaling, and amino acid metabolism. In addition, levels of the cell cycle regulator, the cyclin dependent-kinase inhibitor p21WAF1/CIP1, were highly elevated, which occurs by at least two mechanisms, one of which may involve p53. We propose a functional rationale for the synthesis of sphingolipids with very long acyl chains in liver homeostasis and in cell physiology.
Mechanoreceptors of the proximal stomach: Role in triggering transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The role of fundic tension and stretch mechanoreceptors in triggering transient lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation is still unknown. This information would be useful for the development of effective pharmacologic strategies. To elucidate this topic, gastric contractile activity was modified during isovolumetric gastric distention at 2 different volumes. METHODS LES (Dentsleeve) and gastric (barostat) motility were recorded in 21 healthy subjects during studies comprising two 30-minute isovolumetric gastric distentions (placebo and glucagon or erythromycin). Glucagon (bolus of 4.8 microg/kg plus infusion of 9.6 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1)) was administered at high intragastric volume (i.e., 75% of the threshold volume for discomfort; n = 7) and erythromycin (3 mg/kg) at high (n = 7) and low intragastric volume (i.e., at perception threshold; n = 7). RESULTS Glucagon decreased (P < 0.05) baseline intragastric pressure and abolished gastric contractions (0 vs. 16.7 +/- 2.3), whereas erythromycin increased (P < 0.05) baseline pressure and doubled (P < 0.05) the rate of gastric contractions at both volumes. Neither drug affected the rate of transient LES relaxations. Low intragastric volume induced a lower rate of transient LES relaxations (1.7 +/- 0.3 vs. 5.7 +/- 1.1; P < 0.01) and gastric contractions (11.8 +/- 2.5 vs. 20.5 +/- 3.1; P < 0.05) compared with high volume but similar baseline intragastric pressure (10.6 +/- 0.6 vs. 11.9 +/- 0.9 mm Hg). CONCLUSIONS Stretch receptors (gastric volume) seem to be more relevant than tension receptors in triggering transient LES relaxation.
Outcome of dialectical behaviour therapy for concurrent eating and substance use disorders.

AIM The current study examined the preliminary efficacy of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) adapted for concurrent eating disorders (EDs) and substance use disorders (SUDs). METHOD A matched randomized controlled trial was carried out with 25 female outpatients diagnosed with concurrent ED and SUD. Participants randomized to the intervention condition received DBT, whereas those randomized to the control condition received treatment as usual (TAU), both for a period of 1 year. A series of measures related to disordered eating, substance use and depression were administered to the participants at the beginning of treatment and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months into treatment, followed by 3-month and 6-month follow-up assessments. FINDINGS Participants randomized to the DBT condition evidenced a superior retention rate relative to their counterparts in the TAU condition at various study time points, including post-treatment (80% versus 20%) and follow-up (60% versus 20%). Due to the unexpected elevated dropout rates and the worsening of ED-SUD symptomatology in the TAU condition, recruitment efforts were terminated early. Results from the DBT condition revealed that the intervention had a significant positive effect on behavioural and attitudinal features of disordered eating, substance use severity and use, negative mood regulation and depressive symptoms. Finally, increases in participants' perceived ability to regulate and cope with negative emotional states were significantly associated with decreases in emotional eating and increases in levels of confidence in ability to resist urges for substance use. CONCLUSION Results suggest that the adapted DBT might hold promise for treating individuals with concurrent ED and SUD. KEY PRACTITIONER MESSAGE The current study is the first study to report positive effects of DBT on individuals with concurrent eating and substance use disorders. Although the results require replication and extension, they suggest that the DBT may be promising for this population. The results suggest that clinicians treating individuals with concurrent eating and substance use problems should be particularly cautious of poor treatment retention and treatment complications. The results bear upon the highly salient and important issue of whether individuals with concurrent substance use need to be excluded from research studies and treatment programmes.
Observations on Septicemia of Cattle Caused by a Haemophilus-Like Organism

A septicemia caused by a Haemophilus-like organism occurs singly and multiplicate in feedlot and pastured cattle and has been reproduced experimentally. Clinically the disease may be peracute and neurologic, acute and respiratory, subchronic to chronic and arthritic, or an amalgam. Grossly, lesions are widespread but most prevalent are multifocal hemorrhagic necrosis of the brain, meningitis, polyarthritis, polyserositis, and pseudomembranous or ulcerative laryngitis. Histologically, there are intense vasculitis, thrombosis, infarction, and a purulent exudate. The lesions of the experimental infection in cattle and mice resemble the natural ones.
A context-aware ubiquitous learning approach for providing instant learning support in personal computer assembly activities

Personal computer assembly courses have been recognized as being essential in helping students understand computer structure as well as the functionality of each computer component. In this study, a context-aware ubiquitous learning approach is proposed for providing instant assistance to individual students in the learning activity of a computer-assembly course. In addition to comparing the learning achievements and learning satisfaction of the students who learned with context-aware ubiquitous learning and conventional technology-enhanced instruction, the computer-assembling performance, cognitive load, learning perceptions, as well as the learning attitudes of the students are also discussed. It was found that those students utilizing context-aware ubiquitous learning achieved better effects than those with conventional technology-enhanced learning. Moreover, with context-aware ubiquitous learning, the field-independent students presented higher acceptance of cognitive load, and more positive learning experience, learning perceptions, learning satisfaction, and learning attitudes than the field-dependent students.
Postpartum Teens’ Perception of the Food Environments at Home and School

Background. An environment that supports healthy eating is one factor to prevent obesity. However, little is known about postpartum teen’s perceptions of their home and school environments and how this relates to dietary behaviors. Purpose. This study explores the relationship between home and school environments and dietary behaviors for postpartum teens. Design. Conducted cross-sectionally during 2007-2009 across 27 states and included 889 postpartum teens enrolled in Parents as Teachers Teen Program. Data included measures of sociodemographics and perceptions of school and home food environments. A 7-day recall of snack and beverage frequency assessed dietary behaviors. Logistic regression explored associations between baseline environment measures and dietary behaviors at baseline and postintervention (approximately 5 months after baseline) for the control group. Results. Respondents reported greater access and selection (i.e., variety of choices) of healthy foods and beverages at home than school. At baseline, fruit and vegetable intake was associated with home selection (1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI: 1.3, 2.9]) and availability (1.8, 95% CI [1.3, 2.6]), sweet snack consumption was associated with selection (1.5, 95% CI [1.0, 2.1]), and total snack consumption and sugar-sweetened beverage intake were associated with selection (snack: 2.1, 95% CI [1.5, 3.0]; beverage: 1.7, 95% CI [1.2, 2.4]) and availability (snack: 2.1, 95% CI [1.4, 3.1]; beverage: 1.5, 95% CI [1.0, 2.3]). Water intake at baseline and at the postintervention for control group teens was associated with selection (1.6, 95% CI [1.1, 2.2]). No significant associations were identified between the school environment and dietary behaviors. Conclusions. Interventions should target improvements in the home environment for high-risk, postpartum teens.
Noise-reducing algorithms do not necessarily provide superior dose optimisation for hepatic lesion detection with multidetector CT.

OBJECTIVE To compare the dose-optimisation potential of a smoothing filtered backprojection (FBP) and a hybrid FBP/iterative algorithm to that of a standard FBP algorithm at three slice thicknesses for hepatic lesion detection with multidetector CT. METHODS A liver phantom containing a 9.5-mm opacity with a density of 10 HU below background was scanned at 125, 100, 75, 50 and 25 mAs. Data were reconstructed with standard FBP (B), smoothing FBP (A) and hybrid FBP/iterative (iDose(4)) algorithms at 5-, 3- and 1-mm collimation. 10 observers marked opacities using a four-point confidence scale. Jackknife alternative free-response receiver operating characteristic figure of merit (FOM), sensitivity and noise were calculated. RESULTS Compared with the 125-mAs/5-mm setting for each algorithm, significant reductions in FOM (p<0.05) and sensitivity (p<0.05) were found for all three algorithms for all exposures at 1-mm thickness and for all slice thicknesses at 25 mAs, with the exception of the 25-mAs/5-mm setting for the B algorithm. Sensitivity was also significantly reduced for all exposures at 3-mm thickness for the A algorithm (p<0.05). Noise for the A and iDose(4) algorithms was approximately 13% and 21% lower, respectively, than for the B algorithm. CONCLUSION Superior performance for hepatic lesion detection was not shown with either a smoothing FBP algorithm or a hybrid FBP/iterative algorithm compared with a standard FBP technique, even though noise reduction with thinner slices was demonstrated with the alternative approaches. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE Reductions in image noise with non-standard CT algorithms do not necessarily translate to an improvement in low-contrast object detection.
ANTIPYRETIC ACTIVITY OF ETHANOL AND AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF ROOT OF ASPARAGUS RACEMOSUS IN YEAST INDUCED PYREXIA

ABSTRACT Objective : To evaluate and compare the in vivo antipyretic activity of the aqueous and the ethanol extract of root of Asparagus racemosus . Methods : The presence of phytochemicals like flavonoids and saponins were identified by TLC and the invivo antipyretic activity was determined by brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia method. Results : The results showed that the ethanol extract of root of Asparagus racemosus possessed significant antipyretic effect compared to the aqueous extract which may be attributed to the presence of flavonoids and saponins in the extracts whose presence were observed in TLC. Conclusion : This study provides evidences for the antipyretic activity of Asparagus racemosus which could partly contribute to its ethno medical use. Key Words: Asparagus racemosus, Antipyretic effect , flavonoids ,saponins, TLC
Applicationof a Non-Ionic Detergent ( Tween-20 ) and Solid-PhaseStaphylococcus

We describe two techniques for radioimmunoassay of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) in human plasma, each involving use of a non-ionic detergent, Tween-20, to expose antigenic sites, and one involving “lgG SORB” (a suspension of killed staphylococci) as a solid-phase separator. Tween-20 (3.75 gIL) decreased nonspecific binding and unmasked the antigenic sites on the apoA-l molecule in plasma to the same extent as did a tedious delipidation procedure, without altering the binding affinity between apoA-l and apoA-l antibodies as determined by Scatchard analysis (K5 _2.83 X 108 L/mol). The widely accepted double-antibody immunoprecipitation technique for separating bound and unbound ‘25l-labeled apoA-l is timeconsuming, owing to extended periods of incubation and centrifugation. lgG SORB effectively separates bound from unbound 125l-labeled apoA-I and the reaction is complete within 10 mm. On comparing concentrations of apoA-l in human plasma by the conventional second-antibody (y) and solid-phase lgG SORB methods (x), we found results by the two techniques to be reasonably identical (r 0.98, y 1.2x 0.17). The mean concentrations of apoA-l in plasma from 65 normal and five hyperlipidemic patients were 1.33 (SD 0.32) and 0.78 (SD 0.35) g/L, respectively, and apoA-l and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly correlated (r = 0.72, p <0.00 1).
Time Limits for Intestinal Ischemia and Congestion: An Experimental Study in Rats

We investigated to determine the time limits for intestinal ischemia and congestion. The experimental models were produced by clamping both ends and the intended feeder vessels of an approximately 1-cm length of rat jejunum. The results showed that in arteriovenous occlusion, the time required for the recovery rate to reach 50% was 7.03 hours. The time required for the recovery rate to reach 50% was 6.81 hours when arterial occlusion alone was performed and 3.70 hours when venous occlusion alone was performed. The difference between the two was statistically significant (p < 0.01). Consequently, it was found that the degree of intestinal damage due to venous occlusion was greater than the damage resulting from arteriovenous and arterial occlusion.
Aging and vascular responses to flavanol-rich cocoa

Objectives Strong evidence has secured aging as a powerful predictor of both cardiovascular risk and endothelial dysfunction, yet specific treatment is not available. We tested the hypothesis that vascular responsiveness to flavanol-rich cocoa increases with advancing age. We have previously shown that flavanol-rich cocoa induced peripheral vasodilation, improving endothelial function via a nitric oxide (NO)-dependent mechanism. Methods We studied blood pressure and peripheral arterial responses to several days of cocoa in 15 young (< 50 years) and 19 older (> 50) healthy subjects. Results The nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor Nω-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME) induced significant pressor responses following cocoa administration only among the older subjects: systolic blood pressure (SBP) rose 13 ± 4 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 6 ± 2 mmHg (P = 0.008 and 0.047, respectively); SBP was significantly higher in the older subjects (P < 0.05). Flow-mediated vasodilation, measured by tonometry in the finger, was enhanced with flavanol-rich cocoa in both groups, but significantly more so among the old (P = 0.01). Finally, basal pulse wave amplitude (PWA) followed a similar pattern. Four to six days of flavanol-rich cocoa caused a rise in PWA in both groups. At peak vasodilation following acute cocoa intake on the final day, both groups showed a further, significant rise in PWA. The response in the older subjects was more robust; P < 0.05. L-NAME significantly reversed dilation in both groups. Conclusions Flavanol-rich cocoa enhanced several measures of endothelial function to a greater degree among older than younger healthy subjects. Our data suggest that the NO-dependent vascular effects of flavanol-rich cocoa may be greater among older people, in whom endothelial function is more disturbed.
Silymarin Inhibits Endothelial Progenitor Cells' Senescence and Protects Against the Antiproliferative Activity of Rapamycin: Preliminary Study

Rapamycin, an antiproliferative agent used on drug-eluting stents, induces endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) senescence through telomerase inactivation and may impair the reendothelization of an injured arterial wall, leading to thrombosis. We examined whether silymarin, a complex of flavonolignans with hepatoprotective and antioxidative properties, can protect EPCs against rapamycin-induced senescence. Mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood of healthy volunteers. EPCs were cultured in endothelial cell growth medium-2 in the presence or absence of rapamycin (0.1 ng/mL) and/or silymarin (12.5-50 μg/mL). EPCs senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity, telomerase activity, and prolifertive activity were measured. The influence on tubular-like structure formation in vitro was investigated, and colony-forming assay on methylcellulose plates was performed. Silymarin increased telomerase activity 3-fold, reduced the number of senescent cells, and increased EPC proliferative activity (up to 64%) in comparison with cells cultured with rapamycin alone. Moreover, silymarin partially prevented impairment of tubular-like structure formation in Matrigel by rapamycin. These findings suggest that silymarin counteracts the inhibitory effects of rapamycin in EPCs. Silymarin may protect EPCs against the antiproliferative effects of rapamycin and restore their reconstructive ability.