Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory regulation of constitutive transient receptor potential‐like cation channels in rabbit ear artery myocytes

In the present study we have investigated an inhibitory pathway regulating a constitutively active Ca2+‐permeable non‐selective cation conductance (Icat) in rabbit ear artery smooth muscle cells. Constitutive single channel activity of Icat was recorded in cell‐attached and inside‐out patches with similar unitary conductance values. In inside‐out patches with relatively high constitutive activity the G‐protein activator GTPγS inhibited channel activity which was reversed by the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor chelerythrine indicating a G‐protein pathway inhibits channel activity via PKC. Spontaneous channel activity was also suppressed by the G‐protein inhibitor GDPβS suggesting a G‐protein is also involved in initiation of constitutive channel activity. Bath application of antibodies to Gαq/Gα11 enhanced channel activity whereas anti‐Gα1−3/Gαo antibodies decreased basal channel activity which suggests that Gαq/Gα11 and Gαι/Gαo proteins initiate, respectively, the inhibitory and excitatory cascades. The phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor U73122 increased spontaneous activity which implies a role for PLC in the inhibitory pathway. Bath application of the diacylycerol (DAG) analogue 1‐oeoyl‐2‐acetyl‐sn‐glycerol (OAG) decreased the probability of channel opening (NPo) and this was reversed by chelerythrine. Application of the PKC activator phorbol 12, 13‐dibutyrate (PDBu) and chelerythrine, respectively, decreased and increased NPo. These data indicate that spontaneously active cation channels are inhibited by a tonic inhibitory pathway involving Gαq/Gα11‐mediated stimulation of PLC to generate DAG which activates PKC to inhibit channel opening. There were some patches with relatively low NPo and it was evident that the inhibitory pathway was particularly marked in these cases. Moreover in the latter patches GTPγS and OAG caused marked increases in NPo. Together with inhibitory effects of GDPβS and anti‐Gα1−3/Gαo antibodies the results suggest that there is constitutive Gαi/Gαo protein activity leading to channel opening via a DAG‐mediated but PKC‐independent mechanism. Finally, with whole‐cell recording it is shown that noradrenaline increases Icat and the noradrenaline‐evoked response is markedly potentiated by PKC inhibition. This latter observation shows that PKC also limits agonist‐evoked Icat in these arterial myocytes.
Prevention of simian acquired immune deficiency syndrome with a formalin-inactivated type D retrovirus vaccine

Experimental induction of simian acquired immune deficiency syndrome (SAIDS) by inoculation of juvenile rhesus monkeys with a type D retrovirus was prevented by immunization with Formalin-killed whole SAIDS retrovirus serotype 1 containing the adjuvant threonyl muramyl-dipeptide. All six immunized animals developed neutralizing antibody after three injections, while six age-matched cagemates receiving adjuvant alone were antibody free. All 12 monkeys were challenged intravenously with a potentially lethal dose of SAIDS retrovirus serotype 1. The six immunized animals failed to develop persistent viremia and remained clinically normal 8 months postchallenge. In contrast, five of six nonvaccinates developed persistent viremia, four of six developed clinical SAIDS, and two of six died with SAIDS at 10 weeks and 8 months postchallenge, respectively. These results show that prevention of a common spontaneous retrovirus-induced immunosuppressive disease in macaques is now possible by vaccination.
A Wideband Differential-Fed Dual-Polarized Microstrip Antenna Under Radiation of Dual Improved Odd-Order Resonant Modes

A low profile differential-fed dual-polarized microstrip patch antenna (MPA) with bandwidth enhancement is proposed under radiation of the first and second odd-order resonant modes. First, all of even-order modes are fully suppressed by using a differentially feeding scheme instead of the single probe feed. Next, the radiation pattern of a square MPA is theoretically analyzed. It is demonstrated that the traditional monopole-like radiation of the second odd-order mode in the H-plane, i.e., TM21 mode, can be transformed into the broadside radiation by etching out a narrow slot at the center of the radiating patch. After that, an array of shorting pins is symmetrically embedded underneath the radiating patch so as to progressively push up the resonant frequency of the TM01 mode (or TM10 mode), while almost maintaining that of TM21 mode (or TM12 mode) to be unchanged. With these arrangements, a wide impedance bandwidth with stable radiation peak in the broadside direction is achieved for the MPA under this dual modes operation. Finally, the dual-polarized MPA is fabricated and measured. The measured results are found in good agreement with the simulated ones in terms of the reflection coefficient, radiation pattern, and realized gain, demonstrating that the MPA’s impedance bandwidth ( $\vert S_{\mathrm { {dd11}}}\vert <-10$ dB) is tremendously increased up to about 8% with a high differential port-to-port isolation of better than 22.6 dB. In particular, a low profile property of about 0.024 free-space wavelength and the stable radiation pattern are also achieved.
Clinical Course of Asymptomatic Adult Moyamoya Disease

Background: As regular medical check-ups are becoming more common, the prevalence of asymptomatic moyamoya disease (MMD) is increasing. However, the definition and clinical features are still unclear. The lack of precision has hampered the establishment of guidelines for the management of asymptomatic MMD. The purpose of this study was to define and clarify the clinical characteristics of asymptomatic MMD in adults. Methods: We identified all adults (aged ≥18 years) with MMD who underwent digital subtraction angiography or magnetic resonance angiography at our institution from 1995 through 2010. The authors defined asymptomatic MMD as asymptomatic or nonspecific symptom without any infarction or ischemia on magnetic resonance imaging. In our MMD registry, 40 patients (74 hemispheres) were identified and enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Their demographic, radiological and clinical findings were evaluated. The log-rank test was used to assess prognostic factors. Pearson's correlation test and the Mann-Whitney U test were used to identify correlation angiographic staging and age or perfusion status. Results: Overall, 6 patients underwent indirect bypass surgery and 36 received antiplatelet medication. On initial single positron emission tomography (35 patients, 67 affected hemispheres), basal and acetazolamide stress brain perfusion were decreased in 19 (28.4%) and 22 (32.8%) hemispheres, respectively. Among 70 angiographically evaluated hemispheres, 6 were unilateral MMD; 27 of 64 affected hemispheres (42.2%) had transdural collateral at evaluation. Age (p = 0.309, Pearson's correlation test) and hemodynamic impairment (p = 0.614, Mann-Whitney U test) did not correlate with angiographic staging. During a median 32-month (range 6-203) clinical follow-up, 3 nonsurgically treated patients had a transient ischemic attack, which was associated with decreased vascular reserve (p < 0.001, log-rank test) and smoking (p = 0.017). Other variables did not show a significant association with clinical progression. During a median 24-month (range 12-108) radiological follow-up, 3 patients displayed angiographic progression and 3 displayed new hemodynamic abnormalities. Radiological progressions were related to hypertension only (p = 0.022). In this case series, there was no case of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Conclusion: The findings suggest that asymptomatic MMD in adults is not a stable disease in our definition. However, stroke rate (0%) was lower than previous reports. Lifestyle modification, stroke risk factor control and/or antiplatelet medication seem to be appropriate initial treatments for patients with normal cerebrovascular reserve. A clear definition of asymptomatic MMD and further clarification of its clinical course are needed to set precise treatment guidelines.
INFLUENCE OF BETA‐BLOCKADE ON CIRCULATING PLASMA LEVELS OF 3‐METHOXY‐4‐HYDROXY PHENYLETHYLENE GLYCOL (MHPG) DURING EXERCISE IN MODERATE HYPERTENSION

1. The effect of exercise testing and β‐blockade on plasma norepinephrine (PNE), and secretion of its metabolite 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylethylene glycol (MHPG), was assessed in 28 mild‐to‐moderate hypertensives before and after the administration of dilevalol, a new β‐blocker with β2‐agonism.
Cannabis Sativa Smoke Inhalation Decreases Bone Filling Around Titanium Implants: A Histomorphometric Study in Rats

Purpose:Although the harmful effect of tobacco smoking on titanium implants has been documented, no studies have investigated the effects of cannabis sativa (marijuana) smoking. Thus, this study investigated whether marijuana smoke influences bone healing around titanium implants. Materials:Thirty Wistar rats were used. After anesthesia, the tibiae surface was exposed and 1 screw-shaped titanium implant was placed bilaterally. The animals were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: control (n = 15) and marijuana smoke inhalation (MSI) 8 min/d (n = 15). Urine samples were obtained to detect the presence of tetra-hidro-cannabinoid. After 60 days, the animals were killed. The degree of bone-to-implant contact and the bone area within the limits of the threads of the implant were measured in the cortical (zone A) and cancellous bone (zone B). Results:Tetra-hidro-cannabinoid in urine was positive only for the rats of MSI group. Intergroup analysis did not indicate differences in zone A-cortical bone (P > 0.01), however, a negative effect of marijuana smoke (MSI group) was observed in zone B-cancellous bone for bone-to-implant contact and bone area (Student's t test, P < 0.01) values. Conclusions:Considering the limitations of the present study, the deleterious impact of cannabis sativa smoke on bone healing may represent a new concern for implant success/failure.
Synthesis of Some New Thienyl and 1,3-Thiazolyl-aminoketones with Anti-inflammatory Activity

Summary Eight thienyl and 1,3-thiazolyl-aminoketones were synthesised and tested as anti-inflammatory agents. pKa and log P were theoretically calculated. The compounds were tested for antioxidant activity, as hydroxyl radical scavengers, as superoxide anion scavengers and for their ability to interact with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl stable free radical (DPPH). The effects of the synthesised compounds on inflammation were studied using the carrageenan induced mice paw oedema model. Both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities depended on some structural characteristics of the synthesised compounds.
Establishment and characterization of MRT cell lines from genetically engineered mouse models and the influence of genetic background on their development

Malignant rhabdoid tumors (MRTs) are rare, aggressive cancers occuring in young children primarily through inactivation of the SNF5(INI1, SMARCB1) tumor suppressor gene. We and others have demonstrated that mice heterozygous for a Snf5 null allele develop MRTs with partial penetrance. We have also shown that Snf5+/− mice that lack expression of the pRb family, due to TgT121 transgene expression, develop MRTs with increased penetrance and decreased latency. Here, we report that altering the genetic background has substantial effects upon MRT development in Snf5+/−‐ and TgT121;Snf5+/− mice, with a mixed F1 background resulting in increased latency and the appearance of brain tumors. We also report the establishment of the first mouse MRT cell lines that recapitulate many features of their human counterparts. Our studies provide further insight into the genetic influences on MRT development as well as provide valuable new cell culture and genetically engineered mouse models for the study of CNS‐MRT etiology.
Preoperative Assessment for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and the Prediction of Postoperative Respiratory Obstruction and Hypoxaemia

Patients scheduled for elective surgery requiring general anaesthesia and hospital admission were assessed for risk of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) using history, body mass index and upper airway examination to determine any relation between OSA risk and the rate of respiratory events after surgery. Anaesthesia and postoperative analgesia were at the discretion of the treating anaesthetist, who was made aware of any suspicion of OSA. Respiratory monitoring for apnoeas (central or obstructive), hypopnoeas and oxygen desaturations was continuous for a 12-hour period on the first postoperative night. We used automated analysis and visual scanning of respiratory recordings, but sleep stages were not assessed. Patients classified as OSA risk had more respiratory obstructive events per hour than controls (38±22 vs. 14±10) and an increased proportion of the 12-hour monitored period with oxygen saturation <90% (7±12% vs. 2±5% of the 12-hour period). Perioperative morphine dose was predictive of central apnoeas for both OSA risk and control patients (P=0.002). This study suggests that preoperative suspicion of OSA should lead to increased postoperative monitoring and efforts to minimise sedation and opioid dose. It also supports the routine use of supplemental oxygen with patient-controlled opioid analgesia.
On absorption times and Dirichlet eigenvalues

This paper gives a stochastic representation in spectral terms for the absorption time T of a finite Markov chain which is irreducible and reversible outside the absorbing point. This yields quantitative informations on the parameters of a similar representation due to O'Cinneide for general chains admitting real eigenvalues. In the discrete time setting, if the underlying Dirichlet eigenvalues (namely the eigenvalues of the Markov transition operator restricted to the functions vanishing on the absorbing point) are nonnegative, we show that T is distributed as a mixture of sums of independent geometric laws whose parameters are successive Dirichlet eigenvalues (starting from the smallest one). The mixture weights depend on the starting law. This result leads to a probabilistic interpretation of the spectrum, in terms of strong random times and local equilibria through a simple intertwining relation. Next this study is extended to the continuous time framework, where geometric laws have to be replaced by exponential distributions having the (opposite) Dirichlet eigenvalues of the generator as parameters. Returning to the discrete time setting we consider the influence of negative eigenvalues which are given another probabilistic meaning. These results generalize results of Karlin and McGregor and Keilson for birth and death chains.
Effect of Selenium and Vitamin E on cryopreservation of semen and reproductive performance of animals (a review)

Livestock is a major sector nowadays converting into an industry. Buffalo is one of the major constituents of the animal sector and is liked mostly due to its milk and meat in the Asian countries. Use of artificial insemination technique has improved meat and milk quality in this animal. Artificial insemination is one of best and quick technique to improve reproductive efficiency. However, the major problem with this reproductive technique is a reduction in the quality of semen during freezing and thawing. The production of reactive oxygen species during the process of cryopreservation hampers the motility of spermatozoa. The reactive oxygen species decreases cellular viability by initiation of lipid per oxidation of bio-membranes. To minimize this damage, antioxidants are used as cryoprotectants against the lipid per oxidation of bio-membranes. There are many antioxidants used to counteract the problems occurring during cryopreservation. In this review the beneficial effects of Selenium and Vitamin E as antioxidants on cryopreservation of semen are considered to be monitored.
Hepatic metabolism of colloidal gold‐low‐density lipoprotein complexes in the rat: Evidence for bulk excretion of lysosomal contents into bile

Rats were treated with 17α‐ethinyl estradiol to induce high levels of low‐density lipoprotein receptors in hepatocytes. When these rats were given intravenous injections of low‐density lipoprotein‐colloidal gold complexes, most of the gold (labeled with 195Au) appeared to be taken up by Kupffer cells, as were complexes of colloidal gold with albumin or polyvinylpyrrolidone. However, when these rats were also administered gadolinium chloride, which blocks Kupffer cell activity, most of the low‐density lipoprotein‐gold (but not gold complexed with albumin or polyvinylpyrrolidone) was taken up into hepatocytes by receptor‐mediated endocytosis and concentrated in peribiliary lysosomes, as determined by electron microscopy. Colloidal gold taken up as a complex with low‐density lipoprotein was excreted into the feces via the common bile duct at a maximal rate of about 5% daily, 4 to 12 days after injection. Thereafter, the rate of gold excretion fell off until reaching a plateau after 3 weeks. At this late time, most of the colloidal gold was shown by electron microscopy to be in Kupffer cells, whereas earlier (6 days after injection) it was contained mainly in older hepatocytic lysosomes, identified by lipofuscin granules. It is concluded that, in rats, hepatocytic lysosomes empty most of their contents into bile every week or two, apparently by exocytosis.
Efficacy of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acupuncture (AP) in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea (PD). Methods: A clinical prospective, placebo-controlled trial included 57 women with PD. Of these, 30 were treated with manual AP points: Du 20 (Baihui), bilateral Li 4 (Hegu), Ren 3 (Zhongji), Ren 4 (Guanyuan), Ren 6 (Qihai), bilateral Gb 34 (Yanglingquan), bilateral Ub 23 (Shenshu), bilateral Lp 6 (Sanyinjao) and auriculoacupuncture points (Shenmen); 27 women were treated with placebo AP. AP treatments were considered successful if PD did not occur any more, medication of PD became unnecessary or PD symptoms did not occur for 2 years after the AP treatment. Results: The occurrence of PD in nulliparae was statistically relevant (p < 0.001). Statistically relevant was also the decrease in medication in women to whom AP had been applied (p < 0.0001), which was not the case in the placebo group (p > 0.5). Conclusions: The success rate of AP for the treatment of PD symptoms within 1 year after the AP treatment is 93.3% in the first group and 3.7% in the placebo group.
Use of methadone for neuropathic pain.

Chronic neuropathic pain is often considered to be a common complication of injury to the central or peripheral nervous system and the pain itself is usually assumed to be intractable. Both of these assumptions are inaccurate. For example, numbness and tingling in glove and stocking distribution are common accompaniments of longstanding diabetes mellitus, but only about 10% of patients with diabetic neuropathy consider these sensory changes to be painful (1). Anticonvulsant and antidepressant treatments provide effective analgesia in up to 50% of patients with chronic neuropathic pain (2) and there is a growing body of high-quality evidence that controlled-release opioid analgesics provide substantial pain relief in a further subset of patients (3-6). Even with polypharmacy, this still leaves perhaps 20% to 30% of chronic neuropathic pain sufferers lacking adequate analgesia, and side effects can be problematic. In addition, central pain appears to be more refractory to opioid treatment than pain due to peripheral nerve injury (7).
Development and Validation of the Schedule for Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality Brief Self-Description Rating Form (SNAP-BSRF)

The Schedule for Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality full-length (SNAP) and short versions (SNAP-SRF and SNAP-ORF) were developed as measures of normal-range and more pathological personality traits. This study investigated the validity of the SNAP Brief Self-Description Rating Form (SNAP-BSRF), an alternative version of the SNAP Self-Description Rating Form (SNAP-SRF) revised for further brevity. The scales of the SNAP-BSRF showed good convergence with the SNAP-SRF and the SNAP Other-Description Rating Form (SNAP-ORF) scales. A three-factor structure consistent with extant literature was found for the SNAP-BSRF using an exploratory structural equation modeling approach. Scales from the SNAP-BSRF showed meaningful associations with self-reported internalizing symptoms. Results suggest that this new version is a reasonable substitute for the SNAP-SRF and will be useful when a very brief measure of adaptive and maladaptive personality is needed.
9-(Dicyanomethylidene)fluorene–tetrathiafulvalene (1/1)

The title compound, C16H8N2·C6H4S4, crystallizes with the fluorene derivative placed in a general position and two half tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) molecules, each completed to a whole molecule through an inversion center. The fluorene ring system is virtually planar (r.m.s. deviation from the mean plane = 0.027 Å) and the dicyano group is twisted from the fluorene plane by only 3.85 (12)°. The TTF molecules are also planar, and their central C=C bond lengths [1.351 (8) and 1.324 (7) Å] compare well with the same bond length in neutral TTF (ca 1.35 Å). These features indicate that no charge transfer occurs between molecules in the crystal; the compound should thus be considered a cocrystal rather than an organic complex. This is confirmed by the crystal structure, in which no significant stacking interactions are observed between molecules.
Joint association of obesity and metabolic syndrome with incident mobility limitation in older men and women--results from the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study.

BACKGROUND Although both obesity and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) are known risk factors for decline in physical function, the joint association of obesity and metabolic alterations with risk of incident mobility limitation is unknown. METHODS Data are from 2,984 women and men aged 70-79 years participating in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study without mobility limitation at baseline. Obesity was defined as body mass index greater than or equal to 30 kg/m(2) and the MetS as meeting greater than or equal to 3 of the ATP III criteria. Mobility limitation was defined as any difficulty walking one-quarter mile or climbing 10 steps during two consecutive semiannual assessments for more than 6.5 years. RESULTS Incidence of mobility limitation was 55% in women and 44% in men. In women, adjusted risk of developing mobility limitation was progressively greater in nonobese participants with the MetS (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.24-1.80), obese participants without the MetS (HR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.51-2.53), and obese participants with the MetS (HR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.78-2.63) relative to the nonobese without the MetS. In men, the corresponding adjusted HRs (95% CI) were 1.07 (0.87-1.32), 1.64 (1.19-2.25), and 1.41 (1.12-1.78). Elevated inflammatory markers partly explained the association between obesity, the MetS, and mobility limitation, particularly in nonobese and obese participants with the MetS. CONCLUSIONS Obesity itself, independent of its metabolic consequences, is a risk factor for mobility limitation among obese older adults. In addition, having the MetS increases the risk of functional decline in older nonobese women but not in men.