Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prosomeric map of the lamprey forebrain based on calretinin immunocytochemistry, nissl stain, and ancillary markers

The structural organization of the lamprey extratelencephalic forebrain is re‐examined from the perspective of the prosomeric segmental paradigm. The question asked was whether the prosomeric forebrain model used for gnathostomes is of material advantage for interpreting subdivisions in the lamprey forebrain. To this aim, the main longitudinal and transverse landmarks recognized by the prosomeric model in other vertebrates were identified in Nissl‐stained lamprey material. Lines of cytoarchitectural discontinuity and contours of migrated neuronal groups were mapped in a two‐dimensional sagittal representation and were also classified according to their radial position. Immunocytochemical mapping of calretinin expression in adjacent sections served to define particular structural units better, in particular, the dorsal thalamus. These data were complemented by numerous other chemoarchitectonic observations obtained with ancillary markers, which identified additional specific formations, subdivisions, or boundaries. Emphasis was placed on studying whether such chemically defined neuronal groups showed boundaries aligned with the postulated inter‐ or intraprosomeric boundaries. The course of diverse axonal tracts was studied also with regard to their prosomeric topography. This analysis showed that the full prosomeric model applies straightforwardly to the lamprey forebrain. This finding implies that a common segmental and longitudinal organization of the neural tube may be primitive for all vertebrates. Interesting novel aspects appear in the interpretation of the lamprey pretectum, the dorsal and ventral thalami, and the hypothalamus. The topologic continuity of the prosomeric forebrain regions with evaginated or non‐evaginated portions of the telencephalon was also examined. J. Comp. Neurol. 414:391–422, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of complications of circumcision by 'Plastibell device technique' in male neonates and infants.

OBJECTIVES To determine the effectiveness of the circumcision by Plastibell technique with comparison of complications among neonate and infant age groups. METHODS A retrospective, descriptive study was conducted in all the plastibell circumcisions performed by the first author, during the period October 2006 to December 2008 at a private hospital Karachi. The record of all the cases fulfilling the inclusion criteria were obtained and analyzed for determining the outcome and complications if any in neonates and infants and to compare it with in these two groups. RESULTS Overall 245 cases of neonates and infants were selected. Mean age of neonates and infants was 14 +/- 2 days and 3 +/- 0.5 months respectively. The plastibell circumcision was done in all the cases i.e. 90 neonates and 155 infants. Out of these, the successful rate of plastibell circumcision without any complication was recorded as 196 cases (80.00%) whereas, 49 cases (20.00%) developed complications. In neonates it was recorded as 04.44% cases, whereas this ratio was 29.03% in infants. Most common complications were delayed separation of the ring in 17 cases (6.93%), bleeding in 12 cases (4.89%), localized superficial infection in 12 cases (4.89%), and proximal migration of ring in 07 cases (2.85%). CONCLUSION The ratio of complications of circumcision by plastibell is significantly higher in infants as compared to neonates. However it is an easy, quick and safe technique. Outcome of this procedure is encouraging while infants are more prone to develop post operative complications than neonates.
Seroprevalence of measles antibody in the US population, 1999-2004.

BACKGROUND Endemic measles transmission was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. To ensure that elimination can be maintained, high population immunity must be sustained and monitored. Testing for measles antibody was included in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative survey, conducted during 1999-2004. METHODS A measles-specific immunoassay was used to measure the seroprevalence of measles antibody in NHANES participants 6-49 years of age. For analysis, participants were grouped by birth cohort. RESULTS During 1999-2004, the rate of measles seropositivity in the population overall was 95.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 95.1%-96.5%). The highest seroprevalence of measles antibody was in non-Hispanic blacks (98.6% [95% CI, 98.0%-99.1%]). Those born during 1967-1976 had significantly lower levels of measles antibody (92.4% [95% CI, 90.8%-93.9%]) than did the other birth cohorts. Independent predictors of measles seropositivity in the 1967-1976 birth cohort were non-Hispanic/black race/ethnicity, more than a high school education, having health insurance, and birth outside the United States. CONCLUSIONS Measles seropositivity was uniformly high in the US population during 1999-2004. Nearly all population subgroups had evidence of measles seropositivity levels greater than the estimated threshold necessary to sustain measles elimination. Non-Hispanic whites and Mexican Americans born during 1967-1976 had the lowest measles seropositivity levels and represent populations that might be at increased risk for measles disease if the virus were reintroduced into the United States.
Effects of levetiracetam on tardive dyskinesia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam versus placebo for tardive dyskinesia (TD). METHOD This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study was conducted at the Connecticut Mental Health Center between September 2004 and April 2006. Antipsychotic-treated patients meeting Glazer-Morgenstern criteria for TD were assigned at random to receive levetiracetam 500 mg/day to 3000 mg/day or placebo for 12 weeks. After completion of 12 weeks, patients were permitted to receive open-label levetiracetam for a further 12 weeks. The principal efficacy outcome measure was improvement in the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) total score. Safety was assessed with an adverse event scale, psychiatric symptom rating scales, weight, and hematologic tests. RESULTS A total of 50 patients were randomly assigned to treatment. AIMS total scores were moderate in severity at baseline. Mixed regression models revealed that AIMS total scores declined 43.5% from baseline in the levetiracetam group compared to 18.7% for placebo (p = .022). Patients continuing levetiracetam in the open-label phase continued to improve, and patients crossed over to open-label levetiracetam improved to a similar degree as those initially assigned. Levetiracetam was well tolerated. CONCLUSION Levetiracetam appeared effective for TD in this study. The mechanisms of its therapeutic effect are unclear but may involve reducing neuronal hypersynchrony in basal ganglia. Future studies should attempt to replicate the current results. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00291213.
Psychotropic medications and the risk of sudden cardiac death during an acute coronary event.

AIMS Psychotropic medication increases cardiac mortality, but the reasons for this association are not clear. We studied the role of psychotropic drugs as a triggering factor of sudden cardiac death (SCD) during an acute coronary event. METHODS AND RESULTS The use of medication was compared between victims of SCD and survivors of an acute coronary event in a case-control study including a consecutive series of victims of SCD (n= 1814, mean age 65 ± 11 years) verified to be due to an acute coronary event at medico-legal autopsy and consecutive series of patients surviving an acute myocardial infarction (AMI; n= 1171, mean age 66 ± 12 years). The medication history was obtained from autopsy/hospital records and interviews with relatives of SCD victims and AMI patients. The use of antipsychotics [9.7 vs. 2.4%, odds ratio (OR) 4.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.9-6.6; P< 0.001] and antidepressants (8.6 vs. 5.5%, OR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.2-2.2; P= 0.003) was more common in the SCD than AMI group, but the use of benzodiazepines did not differ between the groups (11.7 vs. 13.2%; P= 0.270). The use of antipsychotics remained as a significant risk factor for SCD after adjustment for confounding variables (OR: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.8-6.5; P< 0.001). Combined use of phenothiazines and any antidepressant was associated with a very high risk of SCD (OR: 18.3, 95% CI: 2.5-135.3; P< 0.001). CONCLUSION The use of psychotropic drugs, especially combined use of antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs, is strongly associated with an increased risk of SCD at the time of an acute coronary event.
Diagnostic value of needle aspiration cytology (NAC) in the assessment of palpable inguinal lymph nodes: A study of 210 cases

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of needle aspiration cytology (NAC) in the assessment of palpable inguinal lymph nodes, which were analyzed in 210 cases. NAC in all the cases were performed by the conventional aspiration method and cytologic examination was done on site after staining smears with the Papanicolaou method. In addition, Diff‐Quik‐stained air‐dried smears, Papanicolaou‐stained fixed smears, and filter preparations from needle washings and hematoxylin‐eosin‐stained sections of cell blocks were studied. The NAC diagnosis was supported by examining cell blocks in 92/210 cases which showed a reliable histologic architecture; further support was also obtained with a tissue biopsy in 9/12 cases of inflammatory lesions, 7/7 cases with a suspicious diagnosis, 20/26 cases of melanomas, 15/15 cases of lymphomas, and/or a comparison with the primary tumor in other cases of metastatic tumors. Additionally, immunoperoxidase and/or histochemical stains were done. Twelve cases were diagnosed as inflammatory lesions and 88 cases were regarded as negative (normal cellular elements n = 40; reactive elements n = 48). In 58 cases a variety of metastatic tumors were diagnosed (melanoma n = 26; others n = 32) and in 15 cases a diagnosis of lymphoma was made. Seven cases were diagnosed as suspicious of malignancy and 30 cases were unsatisfactory due to scanty/acellular samples (despite 2–3 repeat samplings). However, in five of these malignant tumors were later found on a biopsy which was done due to a persistent and continued enlargement of lymph node(s). The sensitivity was 91.7%, specificity 98.2%, positive predictive value (PPV) 97.7. %, and negative predictive value (NPV) was 95.45%. Based on our study we feel that NAC as a first line of investigation is not only useful in the diagnosis of lesions in inguinal lymph nodes, but can also help in deciding on an appropriate management. Also, histologic architecture from cell blocks can be correlated with cytology and such material can be used for histochemical and immunomarker studies. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2003;28:175–180. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Plastins: versatile modulators of actin organization in (patho)physiological cellular processes

AbstractMany actin-binding proteins are expressed in eukaryotic cells. These polypep-tides assist in stabilizing and rearranging the organization of the actin cytoskeleton in response to external stimuli, or during cell migration and adhesion. Here we review a particular set of actin-binding proteins called plastins. Plastins (also called fimbrins) belong to a subclass of actin-binding proteins known as actin bundling proteins. Three isoforms have been characterized in mammals: T-plastin is expressed in cells from solid tissue, whereas L-plastin occurs predominantly in hematopoietic cells. The third isoform, I-plastin, is specifically expressed in the small intestine, colon and kidney. These proteins share the unique property of cross-linking actin filaments into tight bundles. Although plastins are primarily involved in regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, they possess some unique features. For instance, they are implicated in invasion by pathogenic bacteria such as Shigella flexneri and Salmonella typhimurium. Also, L-plastin plays an important role in leukocyte function. T-plastin, on the other hand, is possibly involved in DNA repair. Finally, both T- and L-plastin are implicated in several diseases, and L-plastin is considered to be a valuable marker for cancer.
The Current Distribution, Resistance and Internal Inductance of Linear Power System Conductors—A Review of Explicit Equations

This paper reviews the present state of knowledge of explicit equations for calculating the dc and ac current distributions and the resistances and internal inductances per-unit length of linear electrical conductors used in power transmission and distribution systems. These conductors may be homogeneous wire or rod, tubular, triangular, elliptical or rectangular busbars, helically stranded nonmagnetic conductors (AAC or AAAC), or bimetallic stranded conductors, such as the commonly used aluminum conductor steel reinforced (ACSR). In general, the current density in an isothermal homogeneous conductor is uniform with direct current (dc), but with alternating current (ac), skin effect, and proximity effect, can cause nonuniform distribution of current, hence, increased resistance and decreased internal inductance. With stranded steel-cored conductors, the dc density within each section is inversely proportional to its resistivity. However, with ac at power frequency, the spiraling of the currents in the nonferrous layers causes a longitudinal magnetic flux in the steel core, which results in hysteresis and eddy current power loss in the core, and a circular magnetic flux in the nonferrous wires, which results in a nonuniform distribution of current density between the layers of nonferrous wires. These effects give rise to increased resistance and reduced internal inductance. The effects of current amplitude, frequency, temperature, and tensile stress on conductor properties are discussed.
Decreased basal mucus secretion by Slp2‐a‐deficient gastric surface mucous cells

Synaptotagmin‐like protein (Slp) 2‐a is a putative Rab27A/B‐effector protein and is implicated in intracellular membrane transport. However, the precise tissue distribution of Slp2‐a protein and its functions remain largely unknown. In this study we used a specific anti‐Slp2‐a antibody to investigate the tissue distribution of Slp2‐a in mice and found that Slp2‐a is most abundantly expressed in mouse stomach. Co‐immunoprecipitation experiments indicated that Slp2‐a interacts with Rab27A/B in vivo. We also discovered that Slp2‐a and Rab27A/B are predominantly localized at the apical region of gastric‐surface mucous cells, where mucus granules are accumulated. Analysis of Slp2‐a mutant mice generated by homologous recombination showed a reduced number of mucus granules, a deficiency of granule docking with the apical plasma membrane in the gastric‐surface mucous cells and reduction of mucus secretion by Slp2‐a‐deficient gastric primary cells. Based on these results, we propose that Slp2‐a is part of the mucin secretory machinery in surface mucous cells of mouse stomach.
[Effect of TGF-beta1 stimulation on the smad signal transduction pathway of human peritoneal mesothelial cells].

OBJECTIVE To explore whether the Smad signal transduction pathway in human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) influences the process of human peritoneal fibrosis stimulated by TGF-beta1. METHODS HPMCs were isolated from normal human omentum and 95% of the primary cultured cells was confirmed to be HPMCs. The third generation of cultured cells was stimulated by 5 ng/ml TGF-beta1. Immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, ELISA, and RT-PCR were employed to investigate the follows: the protein expression of p-Smad2/3 and its migration in HPMCs; the protein and mRNA expressions of SMAD 7 in cells; and the expressions of extracellular fibronectin (FN) protein, intracellular FN mRNA, as well as intracellular collenge-I (COL1) protein and mRNA. RESULTS The protein expression of p-Smad2/3 in HPMCs obviously increased 15 min (29% p-Smad2/3-positive cells) after TGF-beta1 stimulation, peaking from 30 min (81% ) to 1 h (84%) and dropping after 2 h (37%); Meanwhile, p-Smad2/3 mainly distributed in cytoplasm at 15 min, concentrated in cell nucleus and peri-nucleus from 30 min to 1 h, and distributed in cytoplasm again at 2 h. The protein expression of SMAD7 in cells obviously increased 24 h after TGF-beta1 stimulation, peaking at 48 h. The mRNA expression of SMAD7 time-dependently increased. The expressions of extracellular FN protein, intracellular FN mRNA, as well as intracellular COL1 protein and mRNA significantly increased and all of them displayed time dependency. CONCLUSION The SMAD signal transduction pathway of HPMCs can be specifically activated by TGF-beta1 and influence the process of human peritoneal fibrosis. With the stimulation of TGF-beta1, the protein and mRNA expressions of SMAD 7 (an inhibitor of SMAD pathway) significantly increase as a result of feedback.
Postexercise potentiation of the H-reflex in humans.

UNLABELLED Post-muscle activation effects on segmental reflexes reveal divergent results dependent upon the manner in which the muscle is activated. Electrically activating triceps surae invokes a potentiation of the Achilles' tendon reflex and the soleus (S) H-reflex termed posttetanic potentiation. In contrast, brief volitional activation produces a subsequent potentiation of tendon reflexes, whereas H-reflexes become depressed. PURPOSE The present investigation explored the effect of an intense bout of volitional resistance exercise on the S and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) H-reflexes to determine if a potentiation of the H-reflex could be induced with physiological stimuli. METHODS LG and S H-reflexes were obtained from 10 college age men and women before and after a vigorous bout (eight sets of 10 repetitions) of concentric-eccentric triceps surae exercise. RESULTS Every subject displayed an initial depression of the LG (P < 0.01) and S H-reflex (P < 0.05) immediately postexercise, consistent with postactivation depression. As a group, there was a significant (P > 0.01) potentiation of the LG H/M ratio following the depression. Five of 10 subjects demonstrated this potentiation, which often lasted 10 min postexercise. The other five subjects displayed a longer and more profound early depression followed by a return to control levels. CONCLUSION The data suggest that at least two overlapping processes are occurring, a brief depression followed by or superimposed over a longer lasting potentiation. Possible neural mechanisms and implications to strength training are discussed.
Multipotential hematopoietic blast colony-forming cells exhibit delays in self-generation and lineage commitment

Murine hematopoietic blast colony-forming cells (BL-CFCs) are able to generate up to 30,000 progeny blast cells within 10 d in agar cultures. Contained in these populations are large numbers of lineage-committed progenitor cells in the granulocytic and macrophage lineages. Sequential analyses of blast colonies revealed that self-generation of BL-CFCs occurs but is surprisingly late in clonal expansion, as is the emergence of progenitor cells committed to megakaryocytic and eosinophil lineages. Self-generating BL-CFCs were highly enriched in lineage− Kit+ Sca1+ CD34− Flt3R− populations, and colonies generated by such cells contained colony-forming units–spleen and formed erythroid and lymphoid progeny in vivo. The data suggest the existence of a hierarchical structure in BL-CFC populations with at least a subset being cells assayable as colony-forming units–spleen. Because BL-CFCs can self-generate and are able to generate lymphoid and myeloid populations, BL-CFCs appear to be ideal cells in which to analyze the processes of self-generation and lineage commitment in clonal in vitro cultures.
Archaeological And Historical Conclusions

The first part of this chapter discusses the overall picture of elAhwat as it emerges from various factors: its location, environment, the contemporaneous sites in its vicinity, its architecture (design and masonry), pottery, small finds, stones, flint, economy of the population, and special finds — among them the iron furnace. The second part of the chapter attempts to identify the possible inhabitants of the site, based on an analysis of historical sources of the period. Several of the conclusions have already been discussed in the introductory chapter or touched upon in other chapters of this volume, while here various interpretations will be elaborated.
The Genus Hyalomma: VII. Redescription of all Parasitic Stages of H. (Euhyalomma) dromedarii and H. (E.) schulzei (Acari: Ixodidae)

Abstract The ticks, Hyalomma (Euhyalomma) dromedarii Koch, 1844 and Hyalomma (Euhyalomma) schulzei Olenev, 1931, are considered to be the species most closely associated with camels. H. dromedarii can behave as a three-, two-, or one-host species, with the two-host life cycle seemingly most common. Camels are the main hosts of the adults, which also parasitize other domestic animals. Nymphs and larvae can use the same hosts, especially camels, as the adults, but can also parasitize rodents, leporids, hedgehogs, and birds. H. dromedarii is widely distributed in North Africa, the northern regions of West, Central, and East Africa, Arabia, Asia Minor, the Middle East, and Central and South Asia. H. schulzei is a two-host species. Camels are the principal hosts of the adults, with some records from cattle and goats, whereas the immature stages infest hares, burrowing rodents, and hedgehogs. H. schulzei has a more limited geographic distribution in Asia and Egypt than H. dromedarii, and with the exception of southeastern Iran, it is a fairly uncommon tick. Among other features that are fairly similar, males of H. dromedarii can be distinguished from those of H. schulzei by a narrow, subtriangular parma, usually very large subanal shields, and a long dorsal prolongation of the spiracular plates. Males of H. schulzei have a broad and rectangular parma, paramedian festoons that protrude posteriorly, smaller subanal shields, and a very short dorsal prolongation of the spiracular plates. The females of H. dromedarii can be distinguished from those of H. schulzei by a narrow V-shaped genital aperture compared with a very wide, deep, U-shaped genital aperture. Here all the parasitic stages of both species are illustrated and redescribed, and characteristics that distinguish the adults from those of other closely related species are supplied. Data on their hosts, geographic distribution and disease relationships are also provided.