Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of Bcl‐2, Bax, and p53 in high‐grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and localized prostate cancer: relationship with apoptosis and proliferation

Apoptosis‐regulating genes have been shown to be important in the biology of prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to examine and correlate the expression of the apoptosis‐regulating genes bcl‐2, bax, and p53 with the frequency of apoptosis and rate of proliferation in benign prostatic epithelium (BP), prostate cancer, and high‐grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN), which is currently considered the most likely precursor of prostate cancer.
Excitation/inhibition imbalance and impaired synaptic inhibition in hippocampal area CA3 of Mecp2 knockout mice

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopment disorder associated with intellectual disabilities and caused by loss‐of‐function mutations in the gene encoding the transcriptional regulator Methyl‐CpG‐binding Protein‐2 (MeCP2). Neuronal dysfunction and changes in cortical excitability occur in RTT individuals and Mecp2‐deficient mice, including hippocampal network hyperactivity and higher frequency of spontaneous multiunit spikes in the CA3 cell body layer. Here, we describe impaired synaptic inhibition and an excitation/inhibition (E/I) imbalance in area CA3 of acute slices from symptomatic Mecp2 knockout male mice (referred to as Mecp2‐/y). The amplitude of TTX‐resistant miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSC) was smaller in CA3 pyramidal neurons of Mecp2‐/y slices than in wildtype controls, while the amplitude of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSC) was significantly larger in Mecp2‐/y neurons. Consistently, quantitative confocal immunohistochemistry revealed significantly lower intensity of the alpha‐1 subunit of GABAARs in the CA3 cell body layer of Mecp2‐/y mice, while GluA1 puncta intensities were significantly higher in the CA3 dendritic layers of Mecp2‐/y mice. In addition, the input/output (I/O) relationship of evoked IPSCs had a shallower slope in CA3 pyramidal neurons Mecp2‐/y neurons. Consistent with the absence of neuronal degeneration in RTT and MeCP2‐based mouse models, the density of parvalbumin‐ and somatostatin‐expressing interneurons in area CA3 was not affected in Mecp2‐/y mice. Furthermore, the intrinsic membrane properties of several interneuron subtypes in area CA3 were not affected by Mecp2 loss. However, mEPSCs are smaller and less frequent in CA3 fast‐spiking basket cells of Mecp2‐/y mice, suggesting an impaired glutamatergic drive in this interneuron population. These results demonstrate that a loss‐of‐function mutation in Mecp2 causes impaired E/I balance onto CA3 pyramidal neurons, leading to a hyperactive hippocampal network, likely contributing to limbic seizures in Mecp2‐/y mice and RTT individuals. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Progressive Adipocyte Hypertrophy in Aquaporin-7-deficient Mice

Aquaporin-7 (AQP7) is a water/glycerol transporting protein expressed in adipocyte plasma membranes. We report here remarkable age-dependent hypertrophy in adipocytes in AQP7-deficient mice. Wild type and AQP7 null mice had similar growth at 0–16 weeks as assessed by body weight; however, by 16 weeks AQP7 null mice had 3.7-fold increased body fat mass. Adipocytes from AQP7 null mice of age 16 weeks were greatly enlarged (diameter 118 μm) compared with wild type mice (39 μm). Adipocytes from AQP7 null mice also accumulated excess glycerol (251 versus 86 nmol/mg of protein) and triglycerides (3.4 versus 1.7 μmol/mg of protein). In contrast, at age 4 weeks, adipocyte volume and body fat mass were comparable in wild type and AQP7 null mice. To investigate the mechanism(s) responsible for the progressive adipocyte hypertrophy, glycerol permeability and fat metabolism were studied in adipocytes isolated from the younger mice. Plasma membrane glycerol permeability measured by [14C]glycerol uptake was 3-fold reduced in AQP7-deficient adipocytes. However, adipocyte lipolysis, measured by free fatty acid release and hormone-sensitive lipase activity, and lipogenesis, measured by [14C]glucose incorporation into triglycerides, were not affected by AQP7 deletion. These data suggest that adipocyte hypertrophy in AQP7 deficiency results from defective glycerol exit and consequent accumulation of glycerol and triglycerides. Increasing AQP7 expression/function in adipocytes may reduce adipocyte volume and fat mass in obesity.
Minding the Gap Between Positivism and Hermeneutics in Psychoanalytic Research

Two quite different cultures are to be found within psychoanalysis, one more clinical in orientation, more focused on meaning and interpretation, and relying primarily on the traditional case study method, the other more research-oriented, focused on cause-and-effect relationships, and relying primarily on methods borrowed from the natural and social sciences. The history of this divide is reviewed and arguments, pro and con, about the potential contributions of specific types of empirical investigation are discussed. Increasingly, it seems, criticisms concerning the scientific status of psychoanalysis are being responded to by empirical research. This has contributed to a growing recognition within the scientific community of the credibility of aspects of psychoanalytic theories and of the effectiveness of psychodynamic treatment. However, some segments of the psychoanalytic community are concerned that this increase in the quantity and quality of empirical research on psychoanalytic concepts risks creating an empirical one-sidedness, while other segments are concerned that not engaging in systematic empirical research can lead to intellectual isolation, fragmentation, stagnation, and orthodoxy. To counter this polarizing tendency, a recommendation is made for methodological pluralism. Adopting this stance could contribute to an enriched understanding of the clinical process and to the development of new research methodologies to investigate complex psychodynamic hypotheses, thus bridging the gap between the two psychoanalytic cultures, as well as the gap between research and clinical practice.
Globus sensation: pharyngoesophageal function, psychometric and psychiatric findings, and follow-up in 88 patients.

BACKGROUND The globus sensation has been widely regarded as psychogenic, but organic disorders were found to be etiologically significant. OBJECTIVE To investigate the structural, functional, psychological, and psychiatric factors possibly eliciting the globus sensation and influencing its course. METHODS Eighty-eight patients, 67 women and 21 men (aged 22-71 years), referred to 2 tertiary care centers underwent history taking, otolaryngological examination, pharyngoesophageal videofluoroscopy and manometry, psychosocial evaluation, psychometric tests, psychiatric interview, and when indicated, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, esophageal bolus transport, gastroesophageal reflux, and gastric emptying studies. According to revealed disorders, therapy was initiated, and the outcome was studied. RESULTS Only 15 patients had normal pharyngoesophageal function; of these 15, 6 had chronic tonsillitis or pharyngitis, 3 had thyroid adenomata, 4 had cervical spondylosis, and 1 each had dry oropharyngeal mucosa and chronic bronchitis. Of the other 73 patients, 2 had pharyngeal dysfunction, 24 had achalasia, 1 had diffuse esophageal spasms, 3 had "nutcracker esophagus," 30 had nonspecific esophageal motor disorders, and 13 had gastroesophageal reflux. Psychometry revealed no more anxiety and depression than in general medical outpatients. Of 58 patients interviewed, 37 met criteria for psychiatric disorders. Psychometric scores and psychiatric characteristics were unrelated to the sensation's course. Therapy was recommended, but only 26 patients were treated accordingly; 22 received nonspecific treatment. Follow-up 3 to 59 months later revealed that the sensation had vanished in 13 patients who had received specific treatment, 5 who had received nonspecific treatment, and 6 who had received no treatment; it was alleviated in 10 who had received specific treatment, 13 who had received nonspecific treatment, and 9 who had received no treatment; and it was unchanged in 3 who had received specific treatment, 5 who had received nonspecific treatment, and 23 patients who had received no treatment. CONCLUSIONS Pharyngoesophageal disorders may be sensed only vaguely, inducing the globus sensation. Psychological and psychiatric characteristics could be relevant to the discomfort experienced but are unlikely to be etiologically significant.
Cross–scale ecological dynamics and microbial size spectra in marine ecosystems

Evaluating the component features of ‘scaling’ planktonic size spectra, commonly observed in marine ecosystems, is crucial for understanding the ecological and evolutionary processes from which they emerge. Here, we develop a theoretical framework that describes such spectra in terms of the size distributions of individual species, and test it against actual datasets of microbial size spectra from the Atlantic Ocean. We describe characteristics of size probability distributions of component species that are sufficient to support the observational evidence and infer that, when a power law describes the community size spectrum (thus suggesting critical self–organization of microbial ecosystem structure and function), a related power law links the total number of individuals of a given species to its mean size.
Paternal smoking and birthweight in Shanghai.

OBJECTIVES Although maternal active smoking has been established to be associated with fetal growth retardation, evidence of an effect of environmental tobacco smoke exposure on birthweight is still limited and inconclusive. This study addressed the relationship between prenatal environmental tobacco smoke exposure and birthweight and fetal growth retardation in Shanghai, China. METHODS Data on 1785 full-term live-born normal infants of nonsmoking mothers were used from the Shanghai Birth Defects and Perinatal Death Monitoring conducted between October 1986 and September 1987. Environmental tobacco smoke exposure was defined as exposure to paternal smoking. RESULTS Infants with environmental tobacco smoking exposure were, on average, 30 g lower in birthweight than nonexposed infants, after adjustment for gestational age, parity, maternal age, and occupation. CONCLUSION Consistent with previous research, this study suggests that environmental tobacco smoking exposure may have a modestly adverse effect on birthweight.
Compliance Analysis of PMU Algorithms and Devices for Wide-Area Stabilizing Control of Large Power Systems

For the first time, IEEE Std. C37.118. 1-2011 now provides metrics for PMU dynamic performance in terms of classes P and M filter designs. This paper attempts to determine whether fulfilling these requirements makes the PMU inherently well suited for stability control applications such as wide-area power system stabilizers (PSSs). In this aim, we considered two different frequency-adaptive approaches for class-P and -M compliance to ensure operation over a wide frequency range. The first is based on a finite-impulse response (FIR) with no overshoot in either the phase or the amplitude step responses, while the second is Kalman filter-based (EKF), which allows for a more refined out-of-band interference rejection at the cost of a phase step response with overshoot. These two approaches are benchmarked against Hydro-Québec`s existing PSS requirements and the conclusion is that the total vector error-based response time is not indicative of the phase lag within the frequency band of interest, nor of the 3-dB bandwidth under sinusoidal amplitude/frequency modulation phenomena, which are key criteria when specifying PSS PMUs. Using simulated and field-recorded network fault responses, we also show that a class-M PMU is unsatisfactory for wide-area stabilizing control, unless its performance is improved during the fault period, which is not covered by Std. C37.118. 1-2011.
Polarization effects in molecular mechanical force fields

The focus here is on incorporating electronic polarization into classical molecular mechanical force fields used for macromolecular simulations. First, we briefly examine currently used molecular mechanical force fields and the current status of intermolecular forces as viewed by quantum mechanical approaches. Next, we demonstrate how some components of quantum mechanical energy are effectively incorporated into classical molecular mechanical force fields. Finally, we assess the modeling methods of one such energy component—polarization energy—and present an overview of polarizable force fields and their current applications. Incorporating polarization effects into current force fields paves the way to developing potentially more accurate, though more complex, parameterizations that can be used for more realistic molecular simulations.
Ultradian rhythm of growth hormone secretion and sleep in the adult male rat.

The correlation between growth hormone (GH) secretion and the sleep‐wakefulness cycle in the adult male rat was studied by serial blood sampling at 10 min intervals. Electroencephalograms (e.e.g.s) recorded continuously during the blood sampling were scored into wakefulness and sleep, and the amount of sleep for every 10 min was plotted against the GH value as assessed by radioimmunoassay. The power spectrum analysis and the least‐squares method applied to the time series of GH concentrations in the control rat revealed that the mean (+/‐ S.E. of the mean) periodicity was 2.93 +/‐ 0.10 h for the period from 00.00 to 12.00 h in five rats and 2.85 +/‐ 0.06 h for the period from 12.00 to 24.00 h in eight rats. For the animals in which the e.e.g. was recorded simultaneously with blood samplings from 12.00 to 24.00 h, the cross‐correlation analysis performed between the time series of the amount of sleep and the GH value revealed a significant positive correlation at time lags of 0‐10 min in six and at time lags of 20‐50 min in four out of fourteen rats. The number of animals having a positive correlation at short time lags seemed relatively less, but in most animals, there was observed a definite relationship that each GH peak occurred with a consistent time lag ranging from 40 to 70 min following the onset of sleep cycle. Sleep deprivation performed from 13.00 to 16.00 h during the sampling period from 11.00 to 19.00 h was effective in preventing high‐level GH pulses which otherwise should appear during this time of the day. Concurrent measurements of corticosterone concentrations in the sleep‐deprivation experiment revealed that peak values of corticosterone secretory episodes were not influenced by sleep deprivation. These findings indicate that the GH secretion in the adult rat is also correlated with the sleep‐wakefulness cycle, although somewhat differently from the immature rat.
Can routine oral care with antiseptics prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients receiving mechanical ventilation? An update meta-analysis from 17 randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND Whether oral antiseptics could reduce the risk of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients receiving mechanical ventilation remains controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to assess the effect of oral care with antiseptics on the prevalence of ventilator associated pneumonia in adult critically ill patients. METHODS A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase and Web of Science were performed to identity relevant studies. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials of mechanically ventilated adult patients receiving oral care with antiseptics. The quality of included studies was assessed by the Jadad score. Relative risks (RRs), weighted mean differences (WMDs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and pooled using a fixed-effects model or random-effects model. Heterogeneity among the studies was assessed with I (2) test. RESULTS 17 studies with a total number of 4249 met the inclusion criteria. Of the 17 studies, 14 assessed the effect of chlorhexidine, and 3 investigated the effect of povidone-iodine. Overall, oral care with antiseptics significantly reduced the prevalence of VAP (RR=0.72, 95% CI: 0.57, 0.92; P=0.008). The use of chlorhexidine was shown to be effective (RR=0.73, 95% CI: 0.57, 0.93; P=0.012), whereas this effect was not observed in povidone-iodine (RR=0.51, 95% CI: 0.09, 2.82; P=0.438). Subgroup analyses showed that oral antiseptics were most marked in cardiac surgery patients (RR=0.54, 95% CI: 0.39, 0.74; P=0.00). Patients with oral antiseptics did not have a reduction in intensive care unit (ICU) mortality (RR=1.11, 95% CI: 0.95, 1.29; P=0.201), length of ICU stay (WMD=-0.10 days, 95% CI: -0.25, 0.05; P=0.188), or duration of mechanical ventilation (WMD=-0.05 days, 95% CI: -0.14, 0.04; P=0.260). CONCLUSION Oral care with antiseptics significantly reduced the prevalence of VAP. Chlorhexidine application prevented the occurrence of VAP in mechanically ventilated patients but povidone-iodine did not. Further large-scale, well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to identify the findings and determine the effect of povidone-iodine application.
Effect of lactation on conceptus-maternal interactions at the initiation of implantation in cattle: I. Effects on the conceptus transcriptome and amino acid composition of the uterine luminal fluid †

Abstract Approximately 65–75 days postpartum (dpp), the estrous cycles of nonlactating (dried off immediately postpartum: n = 12) and lactating (n = 13) Holstein Friesian cows were synchronized and on day 7 a single blastocyst derived from superovulated nulliparous Holstein Friesian heifers was transferred to each cow. A control group of nulliparous heifers (n = 8) were synchronized, inseminated to a standing heat, and slaughtered on the same day as nonlactating and lactating recipients (day 19; estrus = day 0). The uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum was flushed with 10 ml phosphate-buffered saline and the conceptus, and uterine luminal fluid (ULF) was snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen. Gene expression analysis of the conceptus was performed by RNA sequencing, while amino acid composition of ULF was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. No differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were observed between conceptuses recovered from nonlactating and lactating cows. Eight DEGs were identified between conceptuses recovered from nonlactating cows and heifers. A total of 269 DEGs (100 up- and 169 downregulated) were identified between conceptuses recovered from lactating cows compared to heifers. Alanine, glycine, serine, threonine, arginine, leucine, and valine were significantly lower in abundance in ULF recovered from heifers compared to nonlactating or lactating cows. This study demonstrates that the environment in which the embryo develops post the blastocyst stage can have an effect on the conceptus transcriptome and amino acid composition of the ULF but this was mainly observed between the two extreme groups in terms of metabolic status (nulliparous heifers vs postpartum lactating cows). Summary Sentence Exposure of embryos from a common pool to a uterine environment under different metabolic statuses alters conceptus transcriptome and composition of uterine fluidmainly between extremes of metabolic status.
α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity from Ethyl Acetate Extract of Antidesma bunius (L.) Spreng Stem Bark Containing Triterpenoids

Background: Buni (Antidesma bunius [L.] Spreng) has been used as a traditional antidiabetic agent in Asia. Objective: The mechanism of antidiabetic properties was studied in this study by determine its α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Method: Inhibition of α-glucosidase was performed in all fraction of Buni stem bark with acarbose and miglitol as standards. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of acarbose and miglitol was 5.75 and 59.76 μg/mL respectively while ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction was the most active fraction with IC50of 19.33 μg/mL. Three isolates (B1, B2, and B3) were found in the EtOAc fraction and elucidated by infrared, 1hydrogen-nuclear magnetic resonance, 13carbon-nuclear magnetic resonance, and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance. Result: The chemical structures of the isolates were identified by the spectrum then compared with literature which concluded that B1 is friedelin, B2 is β-sitosterol, and B3 is betulinic acid. Inhibition of the α-glucosidase assay showed IC50values of B1, B2, and B3 were 19.51, 49.85, and 18.49 μg/mL, respectively. Abbreviations used: IC50: Half maximal inhibitory concentration; H-NMR: Hydrogen-nuclear magnetic resonance; C-NMR: Carbon nuclear magnetic resonance; 2D-NMR: Two dimensional-nuclear magnetic resonance; EtOH: Ethanol; EtOAc: Ethyl acetate; MeOH: Methanol; CHCl3: Chloroform; DMSO: Dimethyl sulfoxide; EtF: Ethyl acetate fraction; Na2CO3: Sodium carbonate; IR: Infrared; TGR5: Transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor 5; EC50: Half maximal effective concentration
Linear catch-up growth does not increase the risk of elevated blood pressure and reduces the risk of overweight in males

Objectives To analyse if size at birth is associated with blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) at conscription in males, and if linear catch-up growth in height modifies these associations. Design A population-based cohort study of 276 033 single-born males aged 17–24. Information from the Swedish Birth Register was individually linked to the Swedish Conscript Register. Systolic blood pressure was standardized for final height. Results Compared to males not being small for gestational age at birth, males being light for gestational age [< −2 standard deviation scores (SDS)] were at increased risk of high systolic blood pressure [odds ratio (OR) 1.33; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.20–1.46], and a short adult stature was associated with a further increased risk [OR 1.65 (CI 1.13–2.40)]. Being born short for gestational age (< −2 SDS) was associated with a slightly increased risk of high systolic blood pressure [OR 1.16 (CI 1.04–1.29)], and linear catch–up growth in height did not increase this risk. Males born short for gestational age, who also were short at conscription, had an increased risk of a high BMI [OR 1.65 (CI 1.25–2.19)]. Conclusions Males born light for gestational age have an increased risk of high systolic blood pressure, especially if they end up with short adult stature. Being born short for gestational age is associated with a slightly increased risk of high systolic blood pressure, and catch-up growth is not associated with a further risk. Lack of catch-up growth is, among males born short for gestational age, associated with an increased risk of overweight.