Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential Effects of Thiopental on Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors and P2X Purinergic Receptors in PC12 Cells

Background: PC12 cells, derived from rat pheochromocytoma, express neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAchRs) and P2X purinergic receptors, both of which resemble the receptors in postganglionic sympathetic neurons. The former is the established and the latter is the putative receptor to mediate fast synaptic transmission. The authors investigated effects of thiopental on these two ligand‐gated ion channels. Methods: Whole cell currents were recorded in PC12 cells without treatment of nerve growth factor, using conventional whole cell patch clamp technique. Nicotine or adenosine tri‐phosphate (ATP) 30 micro Meter was applied for 4–5 s in the absence or presence of thiopental 3–300 micro Meter. Results: Nicotine induced the rapidly decaying inward current at ‐60 mV, which exhibited the characteristics of the neuronal nAchR‐mediated current. Thiopental inhibited the nicotine‐induced inward current and accelerated the current decay in a dose‐dependent manner, resulting in the greater effects on the steady current than the peak current. IC50s for the peak and steady current were 56.7 and 7.4 micro Meter, when the anesthetic was coapplied with nicotine. Thiopental's inhibition was not associated with a change in the reversal potential and was voltage‐independent at membrane potential of ‐30 to ‐70 mV. Most of thiopental's effects seemed to require channel opening. In contrast to the nicotine‐induced current, thiopental had little effect on the current elicited by ATP. Conclusions: Thiopental, whose reported EC50 for general anesthesia is 25 micro Meter, inhibited the neuronal nAchR‐mediated current but not the P2X receptor‐mediated response in PC12 cells at clinically relevant concentrations. Inhibition may result in suppression of synaptic transmission in sympathetic ganglia.
Influence of different pretreatment methods on bioethanol production from wheat straw

Article investigates the influence of different pretreatment methods on sugar conversion and bioethanol production. Different dilute acid and alkaline pretreatment methods are compared to determine the best pretreatment method to give the highest glucose and ethanol yields under the mild operating conditions. Wheat straw is used as a raw material as it is the most widely grown cereal in Europe. Dilute sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and potassium hydroxide solutions are used for pretreatment in combination with enzymatic hydrolysis. Results indicate that the highest cellulose-to-glucose conversion rate of 316.7 g kg -1 of biomass is achieved by the pretreatment with nitric acid. The lowest glucose concentration of 221.3 g kg -1 is achieved by hydrochloric acid. In the wheat straw samples pretreated with sulfuric acid and KOH, two different approaches are used. Solid phase of half the samples is rinsed with water before adding enzymes, and the rest of the samples are not. The rinsed samples pretreated with KOH solution give the highest ethanol yield of 104.3 g kg -1 , while the lowest ethanol yield is 67.7 g kg -1 from samples pretreated with HCl solution. Unrinsed samples and rinsed samples pretreated with sulfuric acid give an ethanol yield of 78.7 g kg -1 and 92.0 g kg -1 , respectively. These results indicate that rinsing the solid phase of the samples with distilled water before hydrolysis removes most of the inhibitory compounds formed during the pretreatment with dilute acid and increases fermentation efficiency by approximately 12%.
Head and Neck Malignant Melanoma: Local Recurrence Rate Following Wide Local Excision and Immediate Reconstruction

Excision of head and neck melanoma is often limited by critical structures, which can lead to incomplete excision with positive pathologic margin and increased local recurrence rate. Complete excision with recommended margins and immediate reconstruction is possible when surgical oncologists and plastic surgeons work collaboratively. Our purpose was to evaluate local recurrence rate after excision and immediate reconstruction. We reviewed 98 consecutive patients treated for primary head and neck cutaneous melanoma at a single institution between 1999 and 2004. We assessed local recurrence rate. A total of 72 patients (73%) were followed for an average of 5.2 ± 1.7 years while 26 patients were excluded due to less than 1 year of follow-up. Adjacent tissue transfer was the most common reconstruction (87%). Local recurrence was reported in 2.8% and distant metastasis in 12.5% of patients. Immediate reconstruction after excision of head and neck melanoma can be safely performed with low local recurrence rate.
Short endurance training improves lactate removal ability in patients with heart transplants.

Eight male patients with heart transplants at least a year after the operation were submitted to a 6-wk endurance training program and explored for their blood lactate kinetics before and after exercise. The tests consisted of a bicycle exercise upgraded by 20 W every 2 min until volitional fatigue. Training induced a significant (P < 0.025) decrease in lactate concentrations from the 40-W to the 120-W exercise step and a significant increase (P < 0.025) in the time into exercise (9.87 +/- 0.87 min vs 7.17 +/- 0.90 min) at which a lactate concentration of 2 mmol.l-1 was reached. Lactate recovery curves were significantly lower (P < 0.036) after training than before training, except at minutes 1, 2, 8, and 60. The fits of a biexponential mathematical model to the lactate recovery curves reveal a significant (P < 0.036) training-induced increase (+71%) in the slow-velocity constant gamma 2v of the model. In view of the functional meaning given to this parameter, namely the ability to remove lactate, it is concluded that training lowers blood lactate concentrations during exercise and recovery in patients with heart transplants at least in part by raising the efficiency with which lactate is removed, and that the ability to remove lactate can be a valuable criterion to evaluate physical fitness.
CXCR7/CXCR4/CXCL12 Axis Regulates the Proliferation, Migration, Survival and Tube Formation of Choroid-Retinal Endothelial Cells

Background/Aims: Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) has been shown to mediate a broad range of biological processes via CXCR4, once regarded as its only receptor. CXCR7 is a recently identified receptor for SDF-1. This study aimed to investigate whether the CXCR7/CXCR4/SDF-1 axis is involved in choroidal neovascularization (CNV) formation in an in vitro hypoxic model. Methods: CXCR7 siRNA and/or CXCR4 siRNA was transfected into a hypoxic model of the choroid-retinal endothelial RF/6A cell line. CCK-8 analysis, transwell migration analysis, annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide staining, and Matrigel tube formation analysis were performed to investigate the role of CXCR4 and CXCR7 in SDF-1-induced proliferation, migration, survival and tube formation of RF/6A cells. Results: CXCR4, but not CXCR7, mediates SDF-1-induced RF/6A cell migration and proliferation under hypoxic conditions, whereas CXCR7 was exclusively involved in RF/6A cell survival. In addition, CXCR7 and CXCR4 acted together to regulate RF/6A cell tube formation. Conclusion: The CXCR7/CXCR4/SDF-1 axis plays an important role in the formation of CNV, and may become a novel target for the treatment of CNV-associated diseases.
Comparative biologic activities of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene, 7-hydroxymethyl-12-methylbenz(a)anthracene, 7,12-dehydroxy-methylbenz(a)anthracene, and 4-methoxy-7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene in the Sprague-Dawley female rat.

7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) and the 7-hydroxy-, 7,12-dihydroxy-, and 4-methoxy- derivatives were studied in parallel to determine their effects on the hemopoietic system, adrenal cortex, liver enzymic activity, and body weight in Sprague-Dawley female rats. The monohydroxy compound caused more extensive damage to hemopoietic and adrenocortical tissue than DMBA, whereas the 7,12-dihydroxy- and 4-methoxy- derivatives were inactive. Liver menadione reductase and N -2-fluorenylacetamide hydroxylase activities were stimulated by DMBA and 4-methoxy-DMBA, but not significantly by the hydroxymethyl compounds. Mean body weight was not influenced by 4-methoxy-DMBA or 7,12-dihydroxy-DMBA. DMBA induced a temporary loss of body weight, whereas 7-hydroxy-DMBA caused a significant and prolonged loss. These observations strongly support the conclusion that DMBA-induced hemopoietic and adrenocortical damage is due to its metabolite, 7-hydroxy-DMBA.
A Critical Review of the Effects of Medical Qigong on Quality of Life, Immune Function, and Survival in Cancer Patients

Background. Due to the limitations and side effects of conventional cancer treatment, especially in relation to quality of life (QOL), patients are increasingly utilizing complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to supplement health-related outcomes. However, evidence for the safety and efficacy of such treatments is lacking. The purpose of the current review was to investigate evidence for the role of one CAM, medical Qigong (MQ), in supportive care. Methods. The literature was searched for reported effects of MQ in improving QOL, immune function, and survival in cancer patients. Results. Although many studies possessed methodological limitations and small sample sizes, encouraging evidence was found for the effects of MQ on these health-related outcomes. More robust evidence in the form of randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes also reflected positive results for the role of MQ in improving QOL, mood and fatigue parameters, and reducing inflammation. Conclusion. Given such encouraging results, further research is recommended in methodologically sound approaches to further delineate the action of MQ. These findings support the utilization of MQ by cancer patients and the place for such programs in comprehensive cancer care.
Guidelines on routine cerebrospinal fluid analysis . Report from an EFNS task force

F. Deisenhammer, A. Bartos, R. Egg, N. E. Gilhus, G. Giovannoni, S. Rauer and F. Sellebjerg Department of Neurology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria; Department of Neurology, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway, and Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Neuroinflammation, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK; Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Albert-Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany; and Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
Premature pubarche in Mediterranean girls: high prevalence of heterozygous CYP21 mutation carriers

Aim. This study investigated the prevalence and consequences of heterozygous CYP21A2 mutations in premature pubarche (PP) girls. Main finding. We investigated 36 French Mediterranean girls with isolated PP. We performed synacthen testing with 17OHP and 21-deoxycortisol evaluation, along with molecular analysis of the CYP21A2 gene in girls with abnormal elevation of one of these two adrenal steroids. Three girls (8.3%) had nonclassical adrenal hyperplasia, secondary to compound heterozygosity that associated at least one severe mutation for the three girls. A heterozygous mutation of the CYP21A2 gene was confirmed by molecular biology in eight girls (22%); a deletion of the CYP21A2 gene was found in one of them. Biological hyperandrogenism was found in the prepubertal CYP21A2 mutation carriers, whereas the four heterozygous girls who were followed long enough to have reached pubertal age presented biological and clinical hyperandrogenism. Conclusions. We underline the high prevalence of heterozygous CYP21A2 mutations in girls with PP and demonstrate the usefulness of systematic screening by synacthen testing, both to improve their future clinical management and to prevent the transmission of classical adrenal hyperplasia to future offspring. Because of the severe metabolic and cardiovascular consequences of hyperandrogenism, long-term follow-up of these heterozygous patients is mandatory.
An outbreak of hepatitis E in an urban area of Bangladesh

We investigated an outbreak of jaundice in urban Bangladesh in 2010 to examine the cause and risk factors and assess the diagnostic utility of commercial assays. We classified municipal residents reporting jaundice during the preceding 4 weeks as probable hepatitis E cases and their neighbours without jaundice in the previous 6 months as probable controls. We tested the sera collected from probable cases and probable controls for IgM anti‐hepatitis E virus (HEV), and the IgM‐negative sera for IgG anti‐HEV using a commercial assay locally. We retested the IgM‐positive sera for both IgM and IgG anti‐HEV using another assay at the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA. Probable cases positive for IgM anti‐HEV were confirmed cases; probable controls negative for both IgM and IgG anti‐HEV were confirmed controls. We explored the local water supply and sanitation infrastructure and tested for bacterial concentration of water samples. Probable cases were more likely than probable controls to drink tap water (adjusted odds ratio: 3.4; 95% CI: 1.2–9.2). Fifty‐eight percentage (36/62) of the case sera were IgM anti‐HEV positive; and 75% of the IgM‐positive samples were confirmed positive on retesting with another assay at CDC. Compared to confirmed controls, cases confirmed using either or both assays also identified drinking tap water as the risk factor. Two tap water samples had detectable thermotolerant coliforms. Research exploring decentralized water treatment technologies for sustainable safe water might prevent HEV transmission in resource‐poor cities. Detection of serological markers in a majority of probable cases implied that available diagnostic assays could adequately identify HEV infection during outbreaks.
Role of PI3-Kinase and PI4-Kinase in Actin Polymerization During Bovine Sperm Capacitation1

Abstract We have recently demonstrated the involvement of phospholipase D (PLD) in actin polymerization during mammalian sperm capacitation. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of phosphatidylinositol 3- and 4-kinases (PI3K and PI4K) in actin polymerization, as well as the production of PIP2(4,5), which is a known cofactor for PLD activation, during bovine sperm capacitation. PIK3R1 (p85 α regulatory subunit of PI3K) and PIKCB (PI4K β) in bovine sperm were detected by Western blotting and immunocytochemistry. Wortmannin (WT) inhibited PI3K and PI4K type III at concentrations of 10 nM and 10 μM, respectively. PI4K activity and PIP2(4,5) production were blocked by 10 μM WT but not by 10 nM WT, whereas PI3K activity and PIP3(3,4,5) production were blocked by 10 nM WT. Moreover, spermine, which is a known PI4K activator and a component of semen, activated sperm PI4K, resulting in increased cellular PIP2(4,5) and F-actin formation. The increases in PIP2(4,5) and F-actin intracellular levels during sperm capacitation were mediated by PI4K but not by PI3K activity. Activation of protein kinase A (PKA) by dibutyryl cAMP enhanced PIP2(4,5), PIP3(3,4,5), and F-actin formation, and these effects were mediated through PI3K. On the other hand, activation of PKC by phorbol myristate acetate enhanced PIP2(4,5) and F-actin formation mediated by PI4K activity, while the PI3K activity and intracellular PIP3(3,4,5) levels were reduced. These results suggest that two alternative pathways lead to PI4K activation: indirect activation by PKA, which is mediated by PI3K; and activation by PKC, which is independent of PI3K activity. Our results also suggest that spermine, which is present in the ejaculate, regulates PI4K activity during the capacitation process in vivo.
Superoxide Dismutase and Glutathione Peroxidase Levels in Patients with Long Standing Type 2 Diabetes in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycaemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. It is associated with increased oxidative stress. This study evaluates the levels of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and gluthathione peroxidase (GPx), as a measure of antioxidant status in Type 2 diabetics. A total of 182 subjects were involved in the study, of which 109 were diabetics (Test) and 73 non-diabetics (Controls). The criterion for the classification as a diabetic was based on subjects having glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels ≥ 6.5%. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used as an aid in the collection of demographic and lifestyle data from the subjects. HbA1c was estimated quantitatively by immunochemical method. SOD and GPx was measured by the sandwich-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Glucose oxidase method was used for the determination of fasting plasma glucose (FPG). Mean SOD and GPx values in the diabetic subjects were significantly lower (p 0.05) in the levels of SOD and GPx in diabetic subjects with respect to age differences, even though the enzyme levels decreased with increasing age. FPG and HbA1c levels were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the diabetics as compared to the controls. Type 2 diabetes is associated with decreased antioxidative status as the levels of the antioxidant enzymes SOD and GPx were significantly reduced in the diabetic subjects. The increasing duration of the illness further depresses the antioxidative system. As the disease condition progresses, antioxidative parameters are further depleted, showing an increase in oxidative stress. It is thus recommended that antioxidative therapy be incorporated in the management/therapy of Type 2 diabetics, to supplement the endogenous anti-oxidative system, as this could prevent or delay progression of the disease and the development of late diabetic complications.
A prospective study of proneness to acute respiratory illness in the first two years of life.

BACKGROUND This study sought explanations for the proneness to respiratory events in young Australian children. METHODS Prospective respiratory symptom diaries on 836 children collected data on respiratory symptoms and episodes. Questionnaires to mothers and birth and pregnancy records provided 56 known and possible predictors which were tested against two summary respiratory outcomes in each of the first and second years of life. RESULTS The two summary respiratory variables recorded for first and second year of life give four outcome variables. In fitting multivariate regression models to predict outcomes, use of child care in early childhood and mothers' experience of respiratory illness in the 12 months before birth were significant predictors for all four outcomes. Number of siblings was a predictor for three of the four outcomes. Sleep difficulty during pregnancy in the mother, and respiratory hospitalization of the infant in the first year, were significant predictors for both first-year outcomes. Unexpected and unexplained findings emerged for alcohol intake during pregnancy, passive smoking and breastfeeding in relation to the second year respiratory outcomes. Less than 9% of variance in outcome scores was explained in any of the four multiple regression models but this rose to between 24% and 31% when a corresponding score from the other year was added to the model. CONCLUSIONS Proneness to respiratory illness is an important entity; its determinants are largely unknown and events in pregnancy or the perinatal period explain only a small proportion of the between-infant variability.
A survey of doctors' attitudes to smoking.

Many doctors who used to smoke cigarettes have, since the risks became known, stopped smoking and there is now a far smaller proportion of cigarette smokers among doctors than among the general public (R.C.P., 1962; Doll and Hill, 1964). This abstention from cigarette smoking should, on the evidence of the effects of cigarette smoking, have given these doctors the expectation of a longer and healthier life, but it is possible that it has deprived them of the benefits of smoking which many smokers claim. The Committee on Smoking and Air Pollution of the Royal College of Physicians, concerned about this balance of benefit and deprivation, asked us to enquire whether doctors who had stopped smoking thought that they had suffered any consequent inconveniences which might have outweighed the advantages.
Teratogenicity of mycophenolate confirmed in a prospective study of the European Network of Teratology Information Services

After maternal exposure to mycophenolate in pregnancy a high number of fetal losses and a specific pattern of birth defects consisting of microtia, cleft lip, and other anomalies have been reported. However, so far, prospective data on pregnancy outcome allowing quantitative risk assessment are missing. We report on 57 prospectively ascertained pregnancies after maternal therapy with mycophenolate (mycophenolate mofetil or mycophenolate sodium) identified by European Teratology Information Services (ETIS) through their risk consultation process. The outcome of these prospective pregnancies was as follows: 16 spontaneous abortions, 12 elective terminations of pregnancy (ETOP) (including two late terminations for multiple malformations consistent with mycophenolate embryopathy), and 29 liveborn infants. The probability of spontaneous abortion was about 45% (95% CI 29 to 66%) estimated using survival analysis technique. Six out of 29 live born infants had major congenital defects: Two with external auditory canal atresia (EACA) (with and without microtia), one with tracheo‐esophageal atresia, one with severe hydronephrosis, one with an atrial septal defect (ASD) and one with a myelomeningocele. Thus, at least four fetuses/infants of our prospective case series had a clinical phenotype consistent with mycophenolate embryopathy. Our results confirm a high incidence of major malformations (26%) after first trimester exposure to mycophenolate. Apart from exposure to mycophenololate, the underlying maternal disease and concomitant medication may also have contributed to the other poor pregnancy outcomes such as a high rate of spontaneous abortions, prematurity (62%), and low birth weight (31%). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.