Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
&agr;7-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonist Ameliorates Nicotine Plus High-Fat Diet–Induced Hepatic Steatosis in Male Mice by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Stimulating AMPK Signaling

α7-Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) agonists confer protection against a wide variety of cytotoxic insults and suppress oxidative stress and apoptosis in various cell systems, including hepatocytes. We recently demonstrated that nicotine, when combined with a high-fat diet (HFD), triggers oxidative stress, activates hepatocyte apoptosis, and exacerbates HFD-induced hepatic steatosis in male mice. This study evaluates whether PNU-282987 (PNU), a specific α7nAChR agonist, is effective in preventing nicotine plus HFD-induced hepatic steatosis. Adult C57BL6 male mice were fed a normal chow diet or HFD with 60% of calories derived from fat and received twice-daily intraperitoneal injections of 0.75 mg/kg body weight (BW) of nicotine, PNU (0.26 mg/kg BW), PNU plus nicotine, or saline for 10 weeks. PNU treatment was effective in attenuating nicotine plus HFD-induced increase in hepatic triglyceride levels, hepatocyte apoptosis, and hepatic steatosis. The preventive effects of PNU on nicotine plus HFD-induced hepatic steatosis were mediated by suppression of oxidative stress and activation of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) together with inhibition of its downstream target sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP1c), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and acetyl-coenzyme A-carboxylase (ACC). We conclude that the α7nAChR agonist PNU protects against nicotine plus HFD-induced hepatic steatosis in obese mice. PNU appears to work at various steps of signaling pathways involving suppression of oxidative stress, activation of AMPK, and inhibition of SREBP1c, FAS, and ACC. α7nAChR agonists may be an effective therapeutic strategy for ameliorating fatty liver disease, especially in obese smokers.
Immunoglobulin allotypes of European populations. II.Gm, Am and Km(Inv) allotypic markers in Czechoslovakians.

The distribution of G1m(f,z,a, and x), G2m(n), G3m(b0, b1, b3, b5, c3, c5, g, s, t, and v), A2m(1 and 2) and Km(1) (formerly Inv[1]) allotypic determinants has been examined in a series of Czechoslovakian blood donors. The results indicate that Gmza;-;gvA2m1, Gmzax;-;gvA2m1, Gmf;n;bvA2m1 and Gmf;-;bvA2m1 are present in polymorphic frequencies. Further, 9 idiomorphic phenotypes were observed; however, without family data it was not possible to exactly define the majority of these. The observed frequencies of Gmza;g, Gmzax;g and Gmf;b and Km1 are similar to those observed previously in Czechoslovakians and similar to those observed in adjacent populations, though different from those observed in Western Europeans, primarily due to a higher frequency of Gmf;b in Czechoslovakians.
Fluorescence Imaging After Indocyanine Green Injection for Detection of Peritoneal Metastases in Patients Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery for Peritoneal Carcinomatosis From Colorectal Cancer: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of fluorescence imaging (FI) using an intraoperative injection of free indocyanine green (ICG) in the detection of peritoneal metastases (PM) due to colorectal cancer (CRC). BACKGROUND A large proportion of patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy will have local recurrence. This is, in part, related to the presence of small undetected nodules in the peritoneal cavity. Near-infrared FI-guided surgery has provided new opportunities for detection of nonvisible lesions during cancer surgery. METHODS Patients with PM from CRC admitted for cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy were selected for participation in this study (NCT02032485). Free ICG, at 0.25 mg/kg of patient weight, was intravenous (IV)-injected intraoperatively. Tumor-to-background ratio was calculated for all suspect resected PM. RESULTS Sixty-three of 78 peritoneal resected nodules in 14 patients were evaluated for fluorescence, among them, 53 were malignant (84%) and 10 benign (16%). Twenty-six were hypofluorescent, 16 moderately hyperfluorescent, and 21 hyperfluorescent. Amongst the 42 nodules of the 9 patients with nonmucinous adenocarcinoma, the mean tumor-to-background ratio was 1.92 (SD 0.67) in malignant and 1.02 (SD 0.06) in benign nodules (P = 0.0099). In 4 of 14 patients (29%), the surgery was modified by intraoperative ICG-FI, which detected additional PM not found using visualization and palpation. CONCLUSIONS This pilot study demonstrates that non-mucinous PM of CRC can be visualized intraoperatively using ICG-FI. Furthermore, ICG-FI findings resulted in modification of the planned surgery in 29% of patients.
Suitability of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale in Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale -21 (DASS-21) is a frequently used measure of emotional disturbance symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the factor structure of the DASS-21 in PD has yet to be explored. OBJECTIVE To assess whether the scale is measuring these symptoms in PD in the same way as the general population. METHODS The present study fit a series of established DASS-21 factor structures with both confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) using data from 251 participants with PD. RESULTS The 3-factor ESEM provided the best fit. The depression and stress scales fit well, however, few items on the anxiety subscale loaded clearly, with several items significantly loading onto the depression or stress factors. CONCLUSIONS Whilst the depression and stress subscales appear suitable in PD, poor loadings and internal consistency indicate the anxiety subscale may not accurately assess anxiety symptomology in PD. This may be due to the scale's reliance on physiological symptoms as indicators of anxiety, when many of these are present in PD. Thus, the anxiety subscale of the DASS-21 may not be a suitable measure of anxiety in PD.
Overexpression of Cholecystokinin-B/ Gastrin Receptor Gene in the Stomach of Naturally Occurring Cholecystokinin-A Receptor Gene Knockout Rats

We examined the cholecystokinin (CCK)-B/gastrin receptor, H+/K+-ATPase and somatostatin gene expression, the histology and immunohistochemistry of gastrin and somatostatin of the stomach, plasma gastrin levels, and gastric acid secretion in naturally occurring CCK-A receptor gene knockout (Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty, OLETF) rats. The CCK-B/gastrin receptor, H+/K+-ATPase and somatostatin mRNAs were determined by Northern transfer analysis. The gastric acid secretion and the plasma gastrin level were measured in vivo. The levels of CCK-B/gastrin receptor mRNA in the forestomach and the glandular stomach in OLETF rats were 2-fold higher than those of control rats, although those of H+/K+-ATPase and somatostatin mRNAs were not different. Histological examination revealed thickening of the fundic mucosa, and hyperplasia and hypertrophy of parietal cells, although immunohistochemistry of gastrin and somatostatin revealed no significant difference from the control rats. Gastric acid secretion stimulated by gastrin or histamine was enhanced, whereas the fasting plasma gastrin level was not significantly different from that in control rats. The overexpression of CCK-B/gastrin receptor mRNA and the hyperfunction of parietal cells were observed in rats without CCK-A receptor gene expression.
Do Patient Profiles Influence the Effects of Massage? A Controlled Clinical Trial

Considerable scientific evidence has been published on the effectiveness of massage in different conditions, but it remains unclear whether this effectiveness is modulated by the profile of patients. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a 21-min myofascial therapy protocol on stress responders and nonresponders stressed in the laboratory with a cold pressor test. Dependent variables included heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure, and salivary markers such as flow rate, cortisol, immunoglobulin A (IgA), and α-amylase activity. A controlled, repeated measures, single-blind trial was conducted in 30 Caucasian students with a mean (SD) age of 20.70 (4.50) years. We found no significant between-group differences in descriptive characteristics or in any preintervention outcome measure. Analysis of covariance revealed significant increases in HRV index (F = 0.18, p = .01), salivary flow rate (F = 0.16, p = .02), and salivary IgA concentration (F = 4.36, p = .04) and significant decreases in the low-frequency domain (F = 0.18, p = .04) and LF–high-frequency ratio (F = 0.18, p = .01) in the stress responder group in comparison to the nonresponder group. In conclusion, a better response to massage was observed in stress responders than in nonresponders across various HRV parameters and salivary measures.
Neurotoxic Lesions Induced by Monosodium Glutamate Result in Increased Adenopituitary Proopiomelanocortin Gene Expression and Decreased Corticosterone Clearance in Rats

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical function in rats with brain lesions induced by neonatal monosodium glutamate (MSG) treatment (4 mg/g, 5 administrations, i.p.) was evaluated in the present study. Using in situ hybridization we found increased proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA levels in the adenopituitary and normal corticotropin-releasing hormone mRNA levels in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in MSG-treated rats. The total content of pituitary adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) was not changed, while pituitary ACTH concentration was higher in MSG-treated compared to control rats. The number of ACTH-immunostained cells per a constant area of adenohypophysial section, as measured by immunohistochemistry, was unchanged indicating that no significant condensation of corticotropes occurred. Basal plasma ACTH concentrations were not different, whereas morning corticosterone levels were elevated in rats with MSG treatment. While ACTH response to stress stimuli was similar in both groups of rats, corticosterone response to exogenous ACTH (500 ng/kg, i.v., Synacthen), short-lasting handling and immobilization was of the same magnitude but prolonged in MSG-treated rats. Based on the decline of [3H]corticosterone in plasma, a decreased corticosterone clearance rate was found in MSG-treated rats. These findings suggest that MSG treatment results in increased POMC gene expression per corticotrope of the atrophic pituitary resulting in maintenance of normal pituitary ACTH stores and plasma ACTH levels. Elevated basal levels of corticosterone in plasma as well as prolonged corticosterone responses to stimulations in rats treated with MSG seem to be due to a decreased clearance rate of corticosterone.
The nurses' work process in different countries: an integrative review.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the characteristics of nurses' work process in different countries. METHOD We have used the integrative review method and selected 84 publications (articles, theses and dissertations) in national and foreign thesis banks and databases. We analyzed the evidence based on dialectical materialism. RESULTS The rejection of managerial tasks hides the singularity of nurses' work, due to the failure to understand the inseparable nature of managerial and healthcare tasks, given that it is what provides the expertise to coordinate the nursing work process and guide the healthcare work processes. The social and technical division is present in the work process in all countries studied, albeit in different ways. The nurse's position in the healthcare work process is subordinated to that of the physician. CONCLUSION The characteristics are similar. The rejection of the dual nature of the work by nurses themselves due to alienation results in the non-recognition of their own work.
Paediatric abstract publication rates for the American Society of Echocardiography Meeting

Abstract Background Abstract presentations of scientific information at meetings are important for broadcasting new information. Publication of these studies should be the final goal, but minimal data exist documenting publication rates, especially for paediatric sub-speciality meetings. The goal of this study was to document the manuscript publication rate for paediatric cardiac echocardiography abstracts and to determine whether there were differences between abstracts that were published versus not published. Methods Paediatric cardiac echocardiography abstracts presented from 2007 to 2011 at the American Society of Echocardiography Meetings were reviewed. Characteristics of the abstracts were noted. A Medline/Pubmed search was performed using keywords, first author, and senior author criteria to determine publication. Fisher’s exact tests or χ2 tests were used for analysis. Results A total of 194 abstracts were reviewed. In all, 27 abstracts were oral presentations and 167 were poster presentations. A total of 124 abstracts were prospective studies and 70 were retrospective studies; 11 abstracts were basic science studies and 183 were clinical studies. Altogether, 25 abstracts dealt with three-dimensional echocardiography, 15 with fetal echocardiography, 56 with deformation analysis, 79 with standard transthoracic echocardiography, and 19 were in the other category. A total of 73 abstracts were subsequently published – with a 37.6% publication rate – 2.1±1.7 years after initial presentation. There were no significant differences in publication rates based on the above-noted variables. Conclusion A paediatric cardiac echocardiography abstract publication rate of 37.6% is comparable to previous published publication rates for other meetings. No differences in variables analysed were noted between published versus unpublished abstracts.
Examining the influence of gender and sexual motivation in college hookups

ABSTRACT Objective: Hooking up is common in college, and has been linked to heavy drinking. Hookups have positive as well as negative consequences, and thus the motivations for hooking up are complex. Yet, little research has focused on these motivations. The present study examined the role that gender and drinking patterns play in the relationship between sexual motivation and penetrative hookups. Participants: Heavy drinking college students (N = 396) completed online surveys between September/October 2009. Method: Sexual motivation, alcohol, and hooking up were assessed. Results: Enhancement motives and drinking frequency predicted more frequent oral and vaginal sex when hooking up, while peer and partner motives predicted anal sex. Men endorsed greater enhancement motives, peer motives, and hookup oral and vaginal sex. For men, coping motives predicted oral and vaginal sex and peer motives predicted anal sex. Conclusions: Results provide greater insight into the reasons why college students engage in penetrative hookups.
When do trade‐offs occur? The roles of energy constraints and trait flexibility in bushcricket populations

In many animal species, the expression of sexually selected traits is negatively correlated with traits associated with survival such as immune function, a relationship termed a ‘trade‐off’. But an alternative in which sexually selected traits are positively correlated with survival traits is also widespread. We propose that the nature of intertrait relationships is largely determined by overall energy expenditure, energy availability and trait flexibility, with trade‐offs expected when individuals are subject to energy constraints. We tested this hypothesis in Ephippiger diurnus, a European bushcricket in which males are distinguished by two prominent sexually selected traits, acoustic calls and a large spermatophore transferred to the female at mating, and where immune function may be critical in survival. Ephippiger diurnus are distributed as small, isolated populations that are differentiated genetically and behaviourally. We analysed songs, spermatophores and the immune function in male individuals from eight populations spanning a range of song types. As predicted, we only found trade‐offs in those populations that expended more energy on song and were less flexible in their ability to adjust that expenditure. Ultimately, energy constraints and resulting trade‐offs may limit the evolution of song exaggeration in E. diurnus populations broadcasting long calls comprised of multiple ‘syllables’.
Long-term interferon-alpha therapy induces autoantibodies against epidermis.

BACKGROUND While interferon (IFN) is known for its immunoregulatory properties, it has also been shown to induce autoimmune disorders such as lupus erythematosus, hypothyroidism, antiphospholipid syndrome and, recently, bullous pemphigus-like eruptions. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the percentage of antibodies against epidermis induced by IFN-alpha therapy, as detected by indirect immunofluorescence and Western blotting (WB). METHOD We have studied the sera of 47 patients treated with low doses of IFN-alpha 2a for malignant melanoma or cutaneous T cell lymphoma for a period of 12 months. These sera were tested by standard IIF and WB. RESULTS 32% of patient sera were positive after 6 months of treatment. Antibodies against epidermis were most often of the pemphigus type as confirmed by WB. Two types of labeling were noted for anti-basement membrane antibodies: basal cytoplasmic pattern in 4 sera and along the dermal side of the basal keratinocytes in 2 sera. CONCLUSION This study brings biological arguments to confirm the direct role of IFN-alpha in the development of pemphigus-like eruption, and emphasizes the need for clinical follow-up of patients treated with IFN-alpha over a long period of time.
Texture signature based facial expression recognition using NARX

Texture characteristics among the landmark points reflected in human faces are important features in the recognition of facial expression. In this paper, we propose a salient feature based facial expression on texture characteristics. Detection of effective landmarks are performed by appearance based models and corresponding texture regions are extracted from face images. Local Binary Pattern (LBP) is used to compute the texture feature. Texture feature is used for normalizing texture signatures. In addition, we introduce stability indices corresponding to texture features which are exploited as features in the present scope. Moreover, statistical features such as moment, skewness, kurtosis and entropy are also supplemented to the feature set. These salient features together are used as an input to Nonlinear AutoRegressive with eXogenous (NARX) for recognition of the human facial expression. The Cohn-Kanade (CK+), Japanese Female Facial Expression (JAFFE), MMI and MUG benchmark databases are used to conduct the experiments and the results justify the effectiveness of the proposed procedure.
Regulation of PTP-1 and Insulin Receptor Kinase by Fractions from Cinnamon: Implications for Cinnamon Regulation of Insulin Signalling

Bioactive compound(s) extracted from cinnamon potentiate insulin activity, as measured by glucose oxidation in the rat epididymal fat cell assay. Wortmannin, a potent PI 3′-kinase inhibitor, decreases the biological response to insulin and bioactive compound(s) from cinnamon similarly, indicating that cinnamon is affecting an element(s) upstream of PI 3′-kinase. Enzyme studies done in vitro show that the bioactive compound(s) can stimulate autophosphorylation of a truncated form of the insulin receptor and can inhibit PTP-1, a rat homolog of a tyrosine phosphatase (PTP-1B) that inactivates the insulin receptor. No inhibition was found with alkaline phosphate or calcineurin suggesting that the active material is not a general phosphatase inhibitor. It is suggested, then, that a cinnamon compound(s), like insulin, affects protein phosphorylation-dephosphorylation reactions in the intact adipocyte. Bioactive cinnamon compounds may find further use in studies of insulin resistance in adult-onset diabetes.
Primary and Secondary Organ Failures Cause Mortality Differentially in Acute Pancreatitis and Should be Distinguished

Objective The aim of this study was to study the development of early and late organ failure (OF) and their differential impact on mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods Consecutive patients (N = 805) with acute pancreatitis were included in an observational study. Organ failure was categorized as primary if it occurred early due to pancreatitis per se and secondary if it occurred late due to infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN). Primary outcome was a relative contribution of primary OF, secondary OF, and IPN to mortality. Results Of the 614 patients (mean age, 38.8; standard deviation, 14.6 years; 430 males) in a derivation cohort, 274 (44.6%) developed OF, with 177 having primary OF and 97 secondary OF due to sepsis. Primary OF caused early mortality in 15.8% and was a risk factor for IPN in 76% of patients. Mortality in patients with primary OF and IPN was 49.5% versus 36% in those with IPN and secondary OF (P = 0.06) and 4% in those with IPN but without OF (P < 0.001). The results of the 191 patients in the validation cohort confirmed the relative contribution of primary and secondary OF to mortality. Conclusion Primary and secondary OF contributed to mortality independently and are distinct in their timing, window of opportunity for intervention, and prognosis.