Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Melatonin ameliorates hippocampal nitric oxide production and large conductance calcium‐activated potassium channel activity in chronic intermittent hypoxia

Abstract: Melatonin protects against hippocampal injury induced by intermittent hypoxia (IH). IH‐induced oxidative stress is associated with decreases in constitutive production of nitric oxide (NO) and in the activity of large conductance calcium‐activated potassium (BK) channels in hippocampal neurons. We tested the hypothesis that administration of melatonin alleviates the NO deficit and impaired BK channel activity in the hippocampus of IH rats. Sprague–Dawley rats were injected with melatonin (10 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle before daily IH exposure for 8 hr for 7 days. The NO and intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) levels in the CA1 region of hippocampal slices were measured by electrochemical microsenor and spectrofluorometry, respectively. The activity of BK channels was recorded by patch‐clamping electrophysiology in dissociated CA1 neurons. Malondialdehyde levels were increased in the hippocampus of hypoxic rats and were lowered by the melatonin treatment. Levels of NO under resting and hypoxic conditions, and the protein expression of neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) were significantly reduced in the CA1 neurons of hypoxic animals compared with the normoxic controls. These deficits were mitigated in the melatonin‐treated hypoxic rats with an improved [Ca2+]i response to acute hypoxia. The open probability of BK channels was decreased in the hypoxic rats and was partially restored in the melatonin‐treated animals, without alterations in the expression of channel subunits and unitary conductance. Acute treatment of melatonin had no significant effects on the BK channel activity or on the [Ca2+]i response to hypoxia. Collectively, these results suggest that melatonin ameliorates the constitutive NO production and BK channel activity via an antioxidant mechanism against an IH‐induced down‐regulation of nNOS expression in hippocampal neurons.
Cole–Cole parameters for the dielectric properties of porcine tissues as a function of age at microwave frequencies

We have applied the Cole–Cole expression to the dielectric properties of tissues in the frequency range 0.4–10 GHz. The data underpinning the model relate to pig tissue as a function of age. Altogether, we provide the Cole–Cole parameters for 14 tissue types at three developmental stages.
Reducing the Bulk in the Bulk Synchronous Parallel Model

For over two decades the dominant means for enabling portable performance of computational science and engineering applications on parallel processing architectures has been the bulk-synchronous parallel programming (BSP) model. Code developers, motivated by performance considerations to minimize the number of messages transmitted, have typically pursued a strategy of aggregating message data into fewer, larger messages. Emerging and future high-performance architectures, especially those seen as targeting Exascale capabilities, provide motivation and capabilities for revisiting this approach. In this paper we explore alternative configurations within the context of a large-scale complex multi-physics application and a proxy that represents its behavior, presenting results that demonstrate some important advantages as the number of processors increases in scale.
Quality of Life as a Treatment Outcome in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

We attempted to determine the responsiveness and validity of the Quality of Well‐Being (QWB) scale in 20 consecutive children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis. The QWB score was determined for 6‐day periods immediately before and after hospital admission, and at 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up. With the instrument's scale of zero‐1, responsiveness was indicated by significant changes in QWB score (0.09), physical (0.019), social (0.021), and symptom‐problem complexes (0.04) domains, and all pulmonary function tests from before to after treatment of an acute exacerbation. Only the symptom‐problem complex domain significantly changed from after treatment to 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up. Validity was shown by significant correlations between before and after QWB scores and forced vital capacity (r=0.476), residual volume total lung capacity ratio (r=0.452), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (r=0.358), and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity (r=0.35).
Phonological Mismatch Makes Aided Speech Recognition in Noise Cognitively Taxing: Retracted Article

Objectives: The working memory framework for Ease of Language Understanding predicts that speech processing becomes more effortful, thus requiring more explicit cognitive resources, when there is mismatch between speech input and phonological representations in long-term memory. To test this prediction, we changed the compression release settings in the hearing instruments of experienced users and allowed them to train for 9 weeks with the new settings. After training, aided speech recognition in noise was tested with both the trained settings and orthogonal settings. We postulated that training would lead to acclimatization to the trained setting, which in turn would involve establishment of new phonological representations in long-term memory. Further, we postulated that after training, testing with orthogonal settings would give rise to phonological mismatch, associated with more explicit cognitive processing. Design: Thirty-two participants (mean = 70.3 years, SD = 7.7) with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (pure-tone average = 46.0 dB HL, SD = 6.5), bilaterally fitted for more than 1 year with digital, two-channel, nonlinear signal processing hearing instruments and chosen from the patient population at the Linköoping University Hospital were randomly assigned to 9 weeks training with new, fast (40 ms) or slow (640 ms), compression release settings in both channels. Aided speech recognition in noise performance was tested according to a design with three within-group factors: test occasion (T1, T2), test setting (fast, slow), and type of noise (unmodulated, modulated) and one between-group factor: experience setting (fast, slow) for two types of speech materials—the highly constrained Hagerman sentences and the less-predictable Hearing in Noise Test (HINT). Complex cognitive capacity was measured using the reading span and letter monitoring tests. Prediction: We predicted that speech recognition in noise at T2 with mismatched experience and test settings would be associated with more explicit cognitive processing and thus stronger correlations with complex cognitive measures, as well as poorer performance if complex cognitive capacity was exceeded. Results: Under mismatch conditions, stronger correlations were found between performance on speech recognition with the Hagerman sentences and reading span, along with poorer speech recognition for participants with low reading span scores. No consistent mismatch effect was found with HINT. Conclusions: The mismatch prediction generated by the working memory framework for Ease of Language Understanding is supported for speech recognition in noise with the highly constrained Hagerman sentences but not the less-predictable HINT.
σ-1 Receptor Agonist SKF10047 Inhibits Glutamate Release in Rat Cerebral Cortex Nerve Endings

σ-1 Receptors are expressed in the brain, and their activation has been shown to prevent neuronal death associated with glutamate toxicity. This study investigates the possible mechanism and effect of [2S-(2α,6α,11R*]-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-6,11-dimethyl-3-(2-propenyl)-2,6-methano-3-benzazocin-8-ol (SKF10047), a σ-1 receptor agonist, on endogenous glutamate release in the nerve terminals of rat cerebral cortex. Results show that SKF10047 inhibited the release of glutamate evoked by the K+ channel blocker 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), and the σ-1 receptor antagonist N-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-N-methyl-2-(dimethylamino)ethylamine (BD1047) blocked this phenomenon. The effects of SKF10047 on the evoked glutamate release were prevented by the chelating extracellular Ca2+ions and the vesicular transporter inhibitor bafilomycin A1. However, the glutamate transporter inhibitor dl-threo-β-benzyl-oxyaspartate did not have any effect on the action of SKF10047. SKF10047 decreased the depolarization-induced increase in the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]C), but did not alter 4-AP-mediated depolarization. Furthermore, the effects of SKF10047 on evoked glutamate release were prevented by blocking the Cav2.2 (N-type) and Cav2.1 (P/Q-type) channels, but not by blocking the ryanodine receptors or the mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchange. In addition, conventional protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors abolished the SKF10047 effect on 4-AP-evoked glutamate release. Western blot analyses showed that SKF10047 decreased the 4-AP-induced phosphorylation of PKC and PKCα. These results show that σ-1 receptor activation inhibits glutamate release from rat cortical nerve terminals. This effect is linked to a decrease in [Ca2+]C caused by Ca2+ entry through presynaptic voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and the suppression of the PKC signaling cascade.
Stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma

Single autologous transplantation High-dose treatment (HDT) with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has been shown to increase survival and time to progression in multiple myeloma (IMM) compared with conventional chemotherapy. In the French IFM90-study [1], 200 patients were randomised to receive prolonged standard treatment with i.v. combination chemotherapy, or a short phase by induction treatment with the same regimen, followed by high-dose melphalan � / TBI and autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). Median survival was signficantly better in the ABMT-arm, � /60 months, vs. 37 months in the chemotherapy arm, and also event-free survival was superior, 27 months vs. 18 months. These differences are sustained in a long term follow-up, where actuarial survival at 7 years was 43% and 25%, and EFS was 16% and 8% in the ABMT- and chemotherapy arms, respectively. However, these latter differences were only observed in patients under the age of 60 at the time of inclusion in the study, while there was no benefit in older patients [1a]. Similar results have been demonstrated in a more recently published study from the British MRC [2]: 401 patients were randomized to receive either standard chemotherapy (cVAMP) or cVAMP followed by high-dose melphalan and autologous SCT. Median overall survival (OS) was signficantly superior in the ASCT-arm� / 51 months */ compared with 42 months in the cVAMP-group. The difference was most pronounced in patients with a high beta-2-microglobulin (b-2-m) value at diagnosis, i.e. with a poorer prognosis.
Modulation of ERK and JNK activity by transient forebrain ischemia in rats

The mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase families of ERK and JNK participate in numerous intracellular signaling pathways and are abundantly expressed in the CNS. Activation of ERK and JNK during reperfusion of ischemic tissue is implicated in promoting cell death, insofar as inhibition of either pathway reduces neuronal cell death. However, ERK or JNK activation provides protection in other neuronal injury models. In this study, we monitored the concurrent modulation of ERK and JNK activity in the hippocampus, neocortex, and striatum during ischemia and immediately upon reperfusion in a rat model of transient global ischemia. All three regions incur a similar reduction in blood flow during occlusion but show different extents and temporal patterns of injury following reperfusion. ERK and JNK were active in the normal rat forebrain, and phosphorylation was reduced by ischemia. Upon reperfusion, ERK was rapidly activated in the hippocampus, neocortex, and striatum, whereas JNK phosphorylation increased in the hippocampus and striatum but not in the neocortex. The response of JNK vs. ERK more closely reflects the susceptibility of these regions. JNK1 was the predominant phosphorylated isoform. A minor pool of phosphorylated JNK3 increased above the control level after reperfusion in hippocampal but not in neocortical particulate fractions. In addition, a novel 32–35‐kDa c‐Jun kinase activity was detected in the hippocampus, neocortex, and striatum. The results show that ERK and JNK activities are rapidly, but not identically, modulated by ischemia and reperfusion and indicate that the MAP kinase pathways contribute to regulating the response to acute CNS injury. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gentamicin and Gentamicin C1 in the Treatment of Complicated Urinary Tract Infections: Comparative Study of Efficacy, Tolerance, and Pharmacokinetics

The clinical efficacy, patient tolerance, and pharmacokinetics of gentamicin and the single component gentamicin C1 were studied after single and multiple doses in elderly male patients. Patient tolerance was extremely good at the dose levels used. There was some evidence of renal function impairment due to repeated intramuscular doses of gentamicin, but not gentamicin C1. The antibiotics were equally effective against the organisms present in the urine of these patients. The pharmacokinetics of the two antibiotic forms were similar, although gentamicin C1 appeared to have a larger distribution space.
Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Associated with Systemic Sclerosis

The fractional exhaled concentration of nitric oxide (FENO) has been shown to be reduced in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) but has not been adequately studied in PAH associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc). We measured FENO at an expiratory flow rate of 50 mL/s in 21 treatment-naive patients with SSc-associated PAH (SSc-PAH), 94 subjects with SSc without pulmonary involvement, and 84 healthy volunteers. Measurements of FENO at additional flow rates of 100, 150, and 250 mL/s were obtained to derive the flow-independent nitric oxide exchange parameters of maximal airway flux (J′awNO) and steady-state alveolar concentration (CANO). FENO at 50 mL/s was similar (P = 0.22) in the SSc-PAH group (19 ± 12 parts per billion [ppb]) compared with the SSc group (17 ± 12 ppb) and healthy control group (21 ± 11 ppb). No change was observed after 4 months of targeted PAH therapy in 14 SSc-PAH group patients (P = 0.9). J′awNO was modestly reduced in SSc group subjects without lung disease (1.2 ± 0.5 nl/s) compared with healthy controls (1.64 ± 0.9; P < 0.05) but was similar to that in the SSc-PAH group. CANO was elevated in individuals with SSc-PAH (4.8 ± 2.6 ppb) compared with controls with SSc (3.3 ± 1.4 ppb) and healthy subjects (2.6 ± 1.5 ppb; P < 0.001 for both). However, after adjustment for the diffusing capacity of CO, there was no significant difference in CANO between individuals with SSc-PAH and controls with SSc. We conclude that FENO is not useful for the diagnosis of PAH in SSc. Increased alveolar nitric oxide in SSc-PAH likely represents impaired diffusion into pulmonary capillary blood.
The representation of imagined objects in action sequences: a developmental study.

OVERTON, WILLIS F. , and JACKSON, JOSEPH P. The Representation of Imagined Objects in Action Sequences: A Developmental Study. CHmD DEVELOPMENT, 1973, 44, 309-314. 3-, 4-, 6-, and 8-year-old children were asked to pretend they were using various common objects in action sequences appropriate to the objects. The results supported the predictions that young children would have difficulty performing the actions; that somewhat older children would perform the actions but their gestural representations of the objects would entail the use of a body part as the object; and finally, that older children would represent objects symbolically. In addition, the results indicated action sequences directed toward the self were symbolically mediated earlier than sequences directed toward the external world.
Duration of Disease May Predict Response to Infliximab in Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis

Background: Infliximab (IFX) is an established treatment modality for moderate to severe pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC). The purpose of this study was to identify clinical and laboratory parameters, which predict response to IFX in pediatric UC defined by colectomy as the primary outcome measure. Postsurgical complications were examined as well. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on children younger than 19 years who received IFX therapy at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas for the treatment of UC from January 2005 to April 2012. Demographics, laboratory data, clinical subtype, duration of disease, transfusion requirement, number of IFX infusions, concurrent medications, and postoperative complication with regard to IFX exposure were examined. Results: Forty-seven patients (22 male and 25 female; average age at diagnosis: 11.4 y) received IFX. Twenty-six (55.3%) required colectomy, 20 (42.6%) of which occurred within a year of therapy initiation. Disease duration <20 months before IFX initiation, increased the likelihood of a colectomy within a year [OR: 3.8 (95% CI, 1.6-13.3), P=0.044]. Blood transfusion requirement before IFX was associated with higher rates of colectomy within a year [OR: 9.78 (95% CI, 2.2-43.3), P=0.0028]. Preoperative exposure to IFX within 8 weeks did not significantly increase postoperative complications (P=0.26). Serum albumin levels at diagnosis did not predict colectomy. Conclusions: Shorter disease duration and need for blood transfusion may be useful indicators of limited response to IFX in pediatric UC.
Ultracold chemical reactions of a single Rydberg atom in a dense gas

Within a dense environment ($\rho \approx 10^{14}\,$atoms/cm$^3$) at ultracold temperatures ($T 140$ compared to $1\,\mu\text{s}$ at $n=90$. In addition, a second observed reaction mechanism, namely Rb$_2^+$ molecule formation, was studied. Both reaction products are equally probable for $n=40$ but the fraction of Rb$_2^+$ created drops to below 10$\,$% for $n\ge90$.
The relation between selected health behaviour and body mass index amongst adolescents living in urban and rural areas in south-western Poland.

BACKGROUND Changes to the body and its proportions, especially body mass, are frequently and critically assessed by the young according to peer pressure and opinions prevalent in their living and home surroundings, as well as through role models created by the media; particularly those promoting fashions for having a slim figures. The desire to achieve this ideal, is thus responsible for adolescents undertaking a variety of actions/behaviour to regulate their body weight. OBJECTIVE To compare healthy lifestyle behaviour in secondary school pupils living in towns and the countryside who have variable weights and heights associated with a self-assessment of body mass. MATERIAL AND METHODS Subjects were n = 1,279 pupils aged 13-15 years, attending secondary school. Those from the countryside environments were n = 273 (136 boys and 137 girls), whilst those from urban areas, (towns) were n = 1,006 (512 boys and 494 girls). Both weights and heights were measured and the Body Mass Index (BMI) determined. Threshold values for overweight, obesity and underweight, were used to assign BMI groups according to the procedure of Cole et al. Perceptions on how subjects assessed their body weight and remedial actions so arising, were surveyed using the Youth Risk Behaviour Survey (YRBS) questionnaire. The relationships between the factors studied were subjected to log-linear analysis and their significance evaluated by Chi2 test using a significance level of p < or = 0.05. RESULTS No significant differences were found in the observed frequencies of overweight, obesity and underweight groups between students from the different environments studied. Pupils having a normal body mass constituted 68.9% of total subjects. There were also no differences seen in body weight perception between the various environments. Approximately 70% of subjects properly assessed their own body mass, however the methods of its assessment differed between boys and girls. The main ways adopted for regulating body mass was found to be exercise and diet in both student groups. Significantly more girl pupils living in towns, (54.9%) did physical exercises, aimed at weight reduction, compared to those living in the countryside (43.8%). CONCLUSIONS Only small differences in observed frequencies of height-weight were seen between urban and rural dwelling pupils; the same being true for lifestyle behaviour in controlling weight. Irrespective of residence, two thirds of pupils, aged 13-16 years, correctly assessed their own body mass. In children and adolescents, improving self-awareness of body proportions can be achieved through educating on what the significance of having a healthy BMI is, effective ways of its estimation and safe methods for regulation.
Inhibition of Thymidine Kinase Activity and Deoxyribonucleic Acid Synthesis in L Cells Infected with the Meningopneumonitis Agent

The activities of enzymes related to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis were studied in uninfected L cells and in L cells infected with Chlamydia psittaci (strain meningopneumonitis). The meningopneumonitis agent multiplied normally but failed to induce the synthesis of thymidine kinase in LM (TK−) cells which contain no thymidine kinase in the uninfected state. It was concluded that this microorganism has no thymidine kinase of its own and that it does not depend on the functioning of the host enzyme for synthesizing its DNA. Exposure of clone 5b L cells to the meningopneumonitis agent was followed by a decline in their thymidine kinase activity to nearly zero levels, whereas the levels of uridine kinase and thymidylate synthetase remained unchanged. Inhibition of thymidine kinase activity in L cells occurred soon after infection and required new protein synthesis by the meningopneumonitis agent. This inhibition occurred before inhibition of host DNA synthesis, but it was not an essential prelude to the latter inhibition. On the basis of this and previous investigations and in light of present knowledge of the mammalian cell cycle, it was postulated that the meningopneumonitis agent inhibits macromolecular synthesis in L cells by preventing the initiation of a new cell cycle.
Attitudes of Housestaff toward a Prior-Authorization-Based Antibiotic Stewardship Program

Affiliations: 1. Division of Pharmacotherapy, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York; 2. Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York; 3. Arnold and Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Brooklyn, New York; 4. Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York; 5. Department of Infection Control and Prevention, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York. Address correspondence to Yanina Dubrovskaya, PharmD, 550 First Avenue, Division of Pharmacotherapy, New York, NY 10016 (yanina.dubrovskaya@ nyumc.org). Received September 30, 2011; accepted December 10, 2011; electronically published March 15, 2012. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2012;33(4):427-429 © 2012 by The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. All rights reserved. 0899-823X/2012/3304-0021$15.00. DOI: 10.1086/664765