Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long‐term Infusion of Brain‐Derived Neurotrophic Factor Reduces Food Intake and Body Weight via a Corticotrophin‐Releasing Hormone Pathway in the Paraventricular Nucleus of the Hypothalamus

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in learning, depression and energy metabolism. However, the neuronal mechanisms underlying the effects of BDNF on energy metabolism remain unclear. The present study aimed to elucidate the neuronal pathways by which BDNF controls feeding behaviour and energy balance. Using an osmotic mini‐pump, BDNF or control artificial cerebrospinal fluid was infused i.c. v. at the lateral ventricle or into the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) for 12 days. Intracerebroventricular BDNF up‐regulated mRNA expression of corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH) and urocortin in the PVN. TrkB, the receptor for BDNF, was expressed in the PVN neurones, including those containing CRH. Both i.c. v. and intra‐PVN‐administered BDNF decreased food intake and body weight. These effects of BDNF on food intake and body weight were counteracted by the co‐administration of α‐helical‐CRH, an antagonist for the CRH and urocortin receptors CRH‐R1/R2, and partly attenuated by a selective antagonist for CRH‐R2 but not CRH‐R1. Intracerebroventricular BDNF also decreased the subcutaneous and visceral fat mass, adipocyte size and serum triglyceride levels, which were all attenuated by α‐helical‐CRH. Furthermore, BDNF decreased the respiratory quotient and raised rectal temperature, which were counteracted by α‐helical‐CRH. These results indicate that the CRH‐urocortin‐CRH‐R2 pathway in the PVN and connected areas mediates the long‐term effects of BDNF to depress feeding and promote lipolysis.
Clinical classification and analysis of 97 cases of lung abscess.

The cases of 97 patients with lung abscess were reviewed and were found to be separable into two distinct clinical groups, depending on the clinical circumstances in which the lesion developed. Group I (simple lung abscess) was composed of patients with no other disease; in group II, abscesses occurred in patients with systemic malignant or nonmalignant diseases. Several features, including age, mode of onset, site of abscess, and bacteriologic data, were found to depend on the clinical class of the patient. When compared with patients in group II, group I patients tended to be younger, to have a more insidious onset, to have abscesses in classic locations for aspiration, and to have mixed flora cultured from their sputum. The differences in mortality among the two groups of patients are striking. Two per cent of the patients in group I died (one postoperative death) as compared with 75 per cent of those in group II (one postoperative death and 29 medical deaths). The therapeutic approach used in this ser.
Frontalis Muscle Advancement: A Dynamic Structure for the Treatment of Severe Congenital Eyelid Ptosis

Forty-two consecutive patients have had severe eyelid ptosis corrected by intraorbital frontalis flap advancement as a motor unit to substitute for the function of the levator muscle. This technique has avoided the need for the linking structure necessary in the standard frontalis sling approach and has improved the direction of pull to more closely mimic that of a normal levator. This simple technique includes elevation of the innervated frontalis muscle flap and the creation of a pulley near the insertion of the orbital septum at the superior orbital rim, which redirects the lid movement along the surface of the globe rather than lifting it from the globe’s surface toward the brow. This type of displacement is produced because the muscle is directed posteriorly by the pulley, so that it conforms to the plane of the levator aponeurosis all the way down to the tarsal plate. In addition, to improve the remaining function of the levator muscle (if any) and to facilitate voluntary positioning of the eyelid, the levator aponeurosis is shortened by plication. Symmetry is created by intervention on the contralateral eyelid to provide symmetrical supratarsal creases.
Weight gain in infancy and post‐bronchiolitis wheezing

Aim: Low birth weight, high birth weight and excessive weight gain after birth may be risk factors for asthma in childhood, but their associations with wheezing in early childhood are poorly studied. The aim of the study was to evaluate birth weight, weight gain in early infancy and overweight in infancy assessed by weight for length (WFL) as risk factors for wheezing after hospitalization for bronchiolitis in early infancy.
Expression of the ubiE Gene of Geobacillus stearothermophilus V in Escherichia coli K-12 Mediates the Evolution of Selenium Compounds into the Headspace of Selenite- and Selenate-Amended Cultures

ABSTRACT The ubiE gene of Geobacillus stearothermophilus V, with its own promoter, was cloned and introduced into Escherichia coli. The cloned gene complemented the ubiE gene deficiency of E. coli AN70. In addition, the expression of this gene in E. coli JM109 resulted in the evolution of volatile selenium compounds when these cells were grown in selenite- or selenate-amended media. These compounds were dimethyl selenide and dimethyl diselenide.
Consensus statement on the loco‐regional treatment of appendiceal mucinous neoplasms with peritoneal dissemination (pseudomyxoma peritonei)

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare condition mostly originating from low malignant potential mucinous tumours of the appendix. Although this disease process is minimally invasive and rarely causes haematogenous or lymphatic metastases, expectation of long‐term survival are limited with no prospect of cure. Recently, the combined approach of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and perioperative loco‐regional chemotherapy (PLC) has been proposed as the standard of treatment for the disease. The present paper summarizes the available literature data and the main features of the comprehensive loco‐regional treatment of PMP. The controversial issues concerning the indications and technical methodology in PMP management were discussed through a web‐based voting system by internationally known experts. Results were presented for further evaluation during a dedicated session of “The Fifth International Workshop on Peritoneal Surface Malignancy (Milan, Italy, December 4–6, 2006)”. The experts agreed that multiple prospective trials support a benefit of the procedure in terms of improved survival, as compared with historical controls. Concerning the main controversial methodological questions, there was an high grade of consistency among the experts and agreement with the findings of the literature. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;98:277–282. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A New Method for Enhancing High-$k$/Metal-Gate Stack Performance and Reliability for High-$k$ Last Integration

We show that multistep deposition cum two-step annealing, comprising an ultraviolet ozone (UVO) anneal followed by a low-temperature rapid thermal anneal (RTA), can significantly improve the performance and reliability of a 7.5-Å-equivalent-oxide-thickness (EOT) HfO<sub>2</sub>/TiN gate stack, comprising a 25-Å HfO<sub>2</sub> on ~3 Å SiO<sub>x</sub>, i.e., prepared from direct HfO<sub>2</sub> deposition onto an HF-last Si surface. The method yields approximately two orders of magnitude reduction in gate current density and approximately an order of magnitude longer time to breakdown, as compared with the as-deposited gate stack. The observed improvements may be attributed to the “repair” of oxygen-vacancy defects at the HfO<sub>2</sub>/Si interface and in the HfO<sub>2</sub> bulk by the absorbed ozone, through thermal activation provided by the RTA step. The findings provide a promising means for realizing low-leakage and reliable sub-1-nm EOT HfO<sub>2</sub>/TiN stacks for high-k last integration.
Differential Effects of Mutations in NS4B on West Nile Virus Replication and Inhibition of Interferon Signaling

ABSTRACT West Nile virus (WNV) is a human pathogen that can cause symptomatic infections associated with meningitis and encephalitis. Previously, we demonstrated that replication of WNV inhibits the interferon (IFN) signal transduction pathway by preventing the accumulation of phosphorylated Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) and tyrosine kinase 2 (Tyk2) (J. T. Guo et al., J. Virol. 79:1343-1350, 2005). Through a genetic analysis, we have now identified a determinant on the nonstructural protein 4B (NS4B) that controls IFN resistance in HeLa cells expressing subgenomic WNV replicons lacking the structural genes. However, in the context of infectious genomes, the same determinant did not influence IFN signaling. Thus, our results indicate that NS4B may be sufficient to inhibit the IFN response in replicon cells and suggest a role for structural genes, or as yet unknown interactions, in the inhibition of the IFN signaling pathway during WNV infections.
The role of uninsurance and race in healthcare utilization by rural minorities.

OBJECTIVE To examine the independent effects of minority status, residence, insurance status, and income on physician utilization, controlling for general health status and the presence of acute or chronic health problems. Of special interest was the question of utilization differences among rural minority populations, as compared with urban non-Latino whites. DATA SOURCE Data from the 1992 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). STUDY DESIGN Multivariate analyses used multiple logistic regression methods to detect independent effects of residence and minority status on whether or not individuals used physician services. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS Data were obtained from the National Health Interview Survey, 1992. The survey included information about the race/ethnicity of the respondent, health status, utilization of services, insurance status, and socioeconomic status. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The most salient determinant of utilization of healthcare services is insurance status, regardless of race/ethnicity or (rural or urban) place of residence. Racial and ethnic minorities were less likely than whites to use physician services, and use was generally lower for rural residents. The most striking differences were for rural Latinos and rural Asians/other persons. CONCLUSIONS Although the results demonstrate a need to adjust policies designed to improve utilization by accounting for particular problems faced by minority populations, they also demonstrate the primacy of addressing financial access.
Leucine, Glutamine, and Tyrosine Reciprocally Modulate the Translation Initiation Factors eIF4F and eIF2B in Perfused Rat Liver*

Leucine, glutamine, and tyrosine, three amino acids playing key modulatory roles in hepatic proteolysis, were evaluated for activation of signaling pathways involved in regulation of liver protein synthesis. Furthermore, because leucine signals to effectors that lie distal to the mammalian target of rapamycin, these downstream factors were selected for study as candidate mediators of amino acid signaling. Using the perfused rat liver as a model system, we observed a 25% stimulation of protein synthesis in response to balanced hyperaminoacidemia, whereas amino acid imbalance due to elevated concentrations of leucine, glutamine, and tyrosine resulted in a protein synthetic depression of roughly 50% compared with normoaminoacidemic controls. The reduction in protein synthesis accompanying amino acid imbalance became manifest at high physiologic concentrations and was dictated by the guanine nucleotide exchange activity of translation initiation factor eIF2B. Paradoxically, this phenomenon occurred concomitantly with assembly of the mRNA cap recognition complex, eIF4F as well as activation of the 70-kDa ribosomal S6 kinase, p70S6k. Dual and reciprocal modulation of eIF4F and eIF2B was leucine-specific because isoleucine, a structural analog, was ineffective in these regards. Thus, we conclude that amino acid imbalance, heralded by leucine, initiates a liver-specific translational failsafe mechanism that deters protein synthesis under unfavorable circumstances despite promotion of the eIF4F complex.
Maternal Perception of Prelabor Uterine Activity

Patient perception of uterine activity was assessed objectively in 44 women at risk for preterm labor using a tocodynamometer designed for ambulatory outpatient use. The monitor allowed patient-activated marking of the data whenever contractions were perceived. After instruction in self-detection of uterine activity, tocodynamometry was performed daily for 8.5 weeks per patient. Patients identified an average of 15% of their contractions during the study (range 0–78%). Numerous marks were placed in the absence of any detectable uterine activity. Of multiple obstetric variables analyzed, only multifetal gestation and preterm labor in the current pregnancy had any significant impact on perception. Results suggest that self-detection of uterine activity may not be reliable as the only means for the earliest possible detection of preterm labor.
The Functional Properties of Human Slow Skeletal Troponin T Isoforms in Cardiac Muscle Regulation*

Background: The role of HSSTnT in cardiac muscle regulation is unknown. Results: HSSTnT isoforms regulate Ca2+ sensitivity and maximal force of contraction in skinned fibers in a different fashion compared with HCTnT3. Conclusion: HSSTnT isoforms despite being homologues of CTnT display distinct functional properties. Significance: The HSSTnT isoforms, when expressed in the heart, would play a specific role in desensitizing the myofilament to Ca2+. Human slow skeletal troponin T (HSSTnT) shares a high degree of homology with cardiac TnT (CTnT). Although the presence of HSSTnT has not been confirmed in the heart at the protein level, detectable levels of HSSTnT mRNA have been found. Whether HSSTnT isoforms are expressed transiently remains unknown. Because transient re-expression of HSSTnT may be a potential mechanism of regulating function, we explored the effect of HSSTnT on the regulation of cardiac muscle. At least three HSSTnT isoforms have been found to exist in slow skeletal muscle: HSSTnT1 (+exons 5 and 12), HSSTnT2 (+exon 5, −exon 12), and HSSTnT3 (−exons 5 and 12). Another isoform, HSSTnT hypothetical (Hyp) (−exon 5, +exon 12), has only been found at the mRNA level. Compared with HCTnT3 (adult isoform), Tn complexes containing HSSTnT1, -2, and -3 did not alter the actomyosin ATPase activation and inhibition in the presence and absence of Ca2+, respectively. HSSTnTHyp was not evaluated as it did not form a Tn complex under a variety of conditions. Porcine papillary skinned fibers displaced with HSSTnT1, -2, or -3 and reconstituted with human cardiac troponin I and troponin C (HCTnI·TnC) complex showed a decrease in the Ca2+ sensitivity of force development and an increase in maximal recovered force (HSSTnT1 and -3) compared with HCTnT3. In contrast, HSSTnTHyp showed an increase in the Ca2+ sensitivity of force development. This suggests that re- or overexpression of specific SSTnT isoforms might have therapeutic potential in the failing heart because they increase the maximal force of contraction. In addition, circular dichroism and proteolytic digestion experiments revealed structural differences between HSSTnT isoforms and HCTnT3 and that HSSTnT1 is more susceptible to calpain and trypsin proteolysis than the other HSSTnTs. Overall, HSSTnT isoforms despite being homologues of CTnT may display distinct functional properties in muscle regulation.
Critical Current Measurements of the Main LHC Superconducting Cables

For the main dipole and quadrupole magnets of the LHC, CERN has ordered from industry about 7000 km of superconducting Nb-Ti Rutherford type cables, delivered between 1999 and 2005. The strands of these cables are produced by six different companies, and cabled on live different machines. In the framework of the US contribution to the LHC, BNL has been testing and analyzing the electrical properties of samples of these cables. The main purpose of these tests was to qualify the critical current of the entire cable production in the frame of the quality assurance program implemented by CERN to assure the overall strand and cable performances. In total more than 2100 cable samples have been evaluated at 4.3 K in terms of critical current IC, n-value and the residual resistance ratio, RRR. This paper will present an overview of the results, and show the correlations of the critical current and n-value between virgin strands, extracted strands, and cables. Also described are correlations of IC measured at BNL and those made at the FRESCA facility in CERN. Furthermore a few trends and anomalies of the cable production that were detected from testing cables are highlighted.
An analysis of multimedia services in next generation communication systems with QoS and revenue management

We present a study that takes into account the models presented in the literature to depict the QoS and the charging strategies in a generalized multimedia environment, with particular regard to 3G mobile communication systems. In particular, we consider different services for CDMA-like systems, and we discuss how it is possible to obtain an efficient allocation for all flows, by considering a mathematical description of the users' satisfaction which integrates the constraints about quality of service. At the same time, the provider revenue is analyzed, in order to give both simple results and possibilities of improvement.
Bone mineral content in cystic fibrosis patients: correlation with fat-free mass.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the bone mineral content in well nourished patients with cystic fibrosis and to seek a correlation with fat-free mass. METHODS: Fourteen cystic fibrosis patients aged 6 to 20 years were studied and compared to 14 healthy controls matched for gender, age, and nutritional status. Bone mineral content was determined by dual energy x ray absorptiometry (DEXA). RESULTS: Nutritional inquiry showed higher ingestion of macronutrients and micronutrients by cystic fibrosis patients than by controls. Mean whole skeleton bone mineral content was 1.184 (SD 0.536) kg in cystic fibrosis patients and 1.229 (0.576) kg in controls (p = 0.84). Mean lumbar spine bone mineral content was 0.031 (0.013) kg and 0.031 (0.016) kg, respectively (p = 0.99). Anthropometry, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and DEXA showed that fat-free mass was similar in the two groups. Bone mineral content was strongly correlated to fat-free mass. Mean blood calcium, phosphorus, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and osteocalcin were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Bone mineral content and body composition are normal in a well nourished young cystic fibrosis population. Osteopenia previously reported in cystic fibrosis patients probably has nutritional origins and is therefore not related to a primary defect in bone mineral metabolism.
Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Study of Incidence and Risk Factors in NICU of Al-Minya University Hospital in Egypt

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a serious complication of prematurity treatment and can lead to blindness unless recognized and treated early. Objective: To estimate the incidence of ROP in preterm infants in our NICU, to identify the risk factors which predispose to ROP, and to assess the outcome of these cases. Materials and Methods: ROP prospective screening survey was performed enrolling all prematures admitted to the NICU from January 2009 to December 2010, with a gestational age of 32 weeks or less at birth and a birth weight of 1500 g or less. Infants whom gestational age was >32 weeks or birth weight was >1500 g were included if they exposed to oxygen therapy for more than 7 days. Also infants who were born between 32 and 34 weeks gestational age were examined if they had a course of instability (like sepsis, asphyxia or ventilation). A total of 172 infants (88 females) had retinal evaluation by indirect ophthalmoscopy from the 4th postnatal week and followed up periodically. Perinatal risk factors for ROP were assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Infants who progressed to stage 3 ROP with plus disease were given laser therapy. Results: Out of the studied 172 infants, 33 infants (19.2%) developed ROP in one or both eyes; 18 (54.5%) cases stage 1, 9 (27.3%) cases stage 2 and 6 (18.2%) cases stage 3 with plus disease. None of the studied neonates presented ROP at stages 4 or 5. The six cases diagnosed as ROP stage 3 with plus disease underwent laser ablative therapy. Laser was effective in treatment and decreasing the progression of ROP. Univariate analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between the occurrence of ROP and gestational age (P=0.000), sepsis (P=0.004), oxygen therapy (P=0.018), and frequency of blood transfusions (P=0.030). However, nonsignificant relationship was found between the occurrence of ROP and sex, mode of delivery, birth weight, respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus, intraventricular hemorrhage, hypotension, phototherapy, duration of oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, and CPAP (all P>0.05). Gestational age, sepsis, oxygen therapy and frequency of blood transfusions remained significant variables after logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: The incidence of ROP in this study was 19.2%; low gestational age, sepsis, oxygen therapy and frequent blood transfusions were significant risk factors for ROP. Laser was effective in treatment and decreasing the progression of ROP. As this is a unit-based study, a comprehensive countrywide survey on ROP in Egypt is recommended to determine any regional differences in disease incidence.
IS IT A REAL RESPIRATORY PATHOGEN ?

Simkania negevensis, a recently discovered Chlamydia-like organism, has been associated with respiratory infections such as pneumonia, bronchiolitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in children and adults. The aim of the present study was to evaluate S. negevensis in the etiology of pediatric community-acquired pneumonia, bronchiolitis and asthma exacerbation in our region. Overall, 102 patients and 46 healthy controls were included in the study. S. negevensis was investigated by real time PCR (Primer Design, UK) in nasopharyngeal swab samples. It failed to be detected in either the study or control group. In conclusion, our results suggest that S. negevensis is not an important respiratory pathogen in our region.
Taking Stock: A review of more than twenty years of research on empowerment at work

Today, more than 70 per cent of organizations have adopted some kind of empowerment initiative for at least part of their workforce (Lawler et al., 2001). To be successful in today’s global business environment, companies need the knowledge, ideas, energy, and creativity of every employee, from front line workers to the top level managers in the executive suite. The best organizations accomplish this by empowering their employees to take initiative without prodding, to serve the collective interests of the company without being micro-managed, and to act like owners of the business (O’Toole and Lawler, 2006). So what do we know about empowerment in work organizations? In this chapter, I will conduct an in-depth review of the literature on empowerment at work. I start by framing the two classic approaches to empowerment – social-structural and psychological – before outlining the current state of the literature. I then close the chapter by discussing key debates in the field and emergent directions for future research.
Holland ’ s Theory 1 HOLLAND ’ S THEORY IN AN INTERNATIONAL

Holland’s RIASEC theory was designed to meet the vocational needs of people in the U.S. in the mid-twentieth century. This article reviews literature relevant to the applicability of the RIASEC model’s structure and Holland-based assessments in global cultures and contexts for which they were not originally intended. We examined literature produced after a 1996 meta-analysis of a similar topic, which proved to be mixed but somewhat more supportive of the international applicability of RIASEC structure and Holland-based assessments. The discussion includes a commentary on the applicability of Holland’s theory in a post-modern world with its global economy and rapid change.