Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of endotoxemia on the pharmacokinetics and the electroencephalographic effect of propofol in the rat.

Endotoxemia decreases the dose requirement for anesthetics but no data are available for propofol. A rat model was used in which the influence of endotoxin administration on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of propofol was investigated. Chronically instrumented rats were randomly allocated to either a control (n = 9) or an endotoxin (n = 9) group. Six hours after pretreatment with either endotoxin or its solvent, propofol was infused (150 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1)) until isoelectric periods of 5 s or longer were observed in the electroencephalogram. The changes observed in the electroencephalogram were quantified using aperiodic analysis and used as a surrogate measure of hypnosis. The righting reflex served as a clinical measure of hypnosis. The propofol dose needed to reach the electroencephalographic end point in the endotoxin-treated rats was reduced by almost 50% (p < 0.01). This could be attributed to a decrease in propofol clearance and in distribution volume related to the degree of physiologic and metabolic disturbances induced by endotoxin. To investigate changes in end organ sensitivity, the biphasic electroencephalographic effect versus effect-site concentration relationship was studied. This relationship was characterized by descriptors that showed an increased intrinsic efficacy of propofol in the endotoxin group. The effect-site concentration at the return of righting reflex was lower in the endotoxin group. Our study demonstrates that endotoxin-treated animals need a lower dose of propofol to reach the same degree of anesthetic effect which can mainly be attributed to changes in pharmacokinetics.
Distributed Model Predictive Control: An Overview and Roadmap of Future Research Opportunities

Model-predictive control (MPC) is an optimization-based control technique that uses 1) a mathematical model of a system to predict the system's behavior over a given horizon, 2) an objective function that represents what system behavior is desirable, 3) a mathematical formalization of operational constraints that have to be satisfied, 4) measurements of the state of the system at each time step, and 5) any information regarding upcoming disturbances that may be available. This article surveyed and categorized 35 distributed MPC approaches. Subsequently, several of the insights gained from the survey were presented. This study provides a picture of what features have received more or less attention over the last years, bringing about potential research niches for new approaches.
Evaluation of non-pharmacological method-transcervical foley catheter to intravaginal misoprostol and Prostaglandin E2 gel for preinduction cervical ripening

The efficacy of intracervical Foley catheter with misoprostol (PGE1) and dinoprostone (PGE2) for preinduction cervical ripening, induction of labour, mode of delivery, induction to delivery interval and maternal complications has been compared. Women who were admitted to hospital and met criteria for entrance in the trial were counseled and enrolled after informed consent. Inclusion criteria included full term singleton gestation, cephalic presentation, with one or more of the common indication for induction of labour including post-term pregnancy, preeclampsia, oligohydramnios etc. Bishop score <6 was necessary criteria for entry. Exclusion criteria included rupture of membranes, antepartum bleeding, placenta praevia, previous induction or preinduction agent during the pregnancy. Each woman was assigned to receive cervical ripening with a transcervical Foley catheter or misoprostol or dinoprostone, by selection of the next consecutive envelope. The group assigned misoprostol had 25 ? g of misoprostol placed intravaginally in post fornix, every 4 hours for a maximum 8 doses.The women assigned to the disoprostone group, received a maximum of 3 doses of vaginal gel, each containing 2 mg of dinoprostone in their post fornix once every 6 hours.In both these groups subsequent doses were withhold if regular uterine contraction was established (at least 1 in 10 minutes regularly), tachysystole (6 contraction in 10 minutes), uterine hyperstimulation or nonreassuring FHR or rupture of membranes occurred. Oxytocin was begun 4 hours after the last dose of misoprostol or dinoprostone in women who did not have spontaneous labour (regular contraction with continued cervical change). All the women underwent cardiotocography 20 minutes after administration of the medication or insertion of the catheter. Primary outcomes included change in Bishop score. Secondary outcome measures included total time for induction, delivery route, uterine tachysystole, uterine hypertonus, subject comfort. A total of 160 women were enrolled in the study. Two were excluded because of deviation from entry criteria. So of the 156 subjects, 50 were assigned to treatment with Foley Catheter, 54 with Misoprostol and 52 with Dinoprostone. The shortest mean induction to delivery was obtained with catheter (19.18h) as compared to Dinoprostone (20.12hr) and Misoprostol (21.04hr). The cervical Ripening with Foley catheter is the safe method for labour induction. Induction with Misoprostol and Dinoprostone is equally effective and safe.
The Spillover Effects of Changes in Industry Concentration

This paper examines the importance of “spillover” effects of changes in industry concentration among vertically related industries over the period 1978-2006. Specifically, we investigate the timing, magnitude, and direction of the relation between changes in industry concentration across vertically related industries. We document that changes in customer industry concentration are positively related to subsequent changes in supplier industry concentration consistent with the existence of significant spillover effects. While we find evidence that countervailing power motives explain in part the observed relation, we find robust evidence that new entry in vertically related industries is also an important determinant of the observed relation. We also document several interesting patterns in the data regarding the timing and direction of spillover effects.
The Influence of the Rail Material on the Multishot Performance of the Rapid Fire Railgun

The rapid fire railgun (RAFIRA), a unique railgun that can be operated in multishot mode, is well suited for the study of the influence of different rail materials on velocity and electrical contact of the armature and/or the wear of different rail materials. That is why we performed experiments with RAFIRA operated in multishot mode (firing rate of 50 Hz), using different rail materials (CuCr and Dural) and various shot energies. For these experiments, the shot energy for RAFIRA was raised, for the first time, up to the maximum energy at a disposal of 1.45 MJ per shot with projectile masses of over 120 g. In this way, we were able to show that the influence of the rail material depends on the applied shot energy: for low shot energies (<;1 MJ), CuCr rails show better results in terms of velocities and exit times of the projectiles. This effect vanishes for high shot energies (> 1 MJ). Whereas in terms of electrical contact, Dural rails show both less erosion and the capability to maintain a solid sliding contact until shot out for all energies applied.
The effect of treatment with 13‐cis‐retinoic acid on the metabolic burst of peripheral blood neutrophils from patients with acne

The N‐formylmethionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine (f‐MLP)‐induced metabolic burst activity of peripheral blood neutrophils isolated from acne patients undergoing treatment with 13‐cis‐retinoic acid at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg/day was investigated using a luminol‐enhanced chemiluminescence assay. The mean and median chemiluminescence response were significantly greater (P < 0.05) in patients receiving 13‐cis‐retinoic acid than in untreated acne patients or age‐matched controls. Pre‐incubation of neutrophils with 13‐cis‐retinoic acid (10 nmol/l) did not affect the chemiluminescence response to formyl peptide. A sequential study over 20 weeks in seven patients demonstrated that chemiluminescence peaked after 2–8 weeks of treatment. In three patients this was accompanied by a worsening of their acne. These studies suggest that, in the initial phase, treatment with 13‐cis‐retinoic acid may exacerbate, through pro‐inflammatory priming of neutrophils, certain neutrophil‐mediated inflammatory processes in acne.
Frequency of Otorhinolaryngologies' Manifestations in Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Summary Introduction: The tuberculosis continues being a world problem and in the last years had an increase in his incidence mainly by the growing number of patients with HIV. The tuberculosis has like an etiologic agent the Mycobacterium tuberculosis that possesses a period of latency generally prolonged between the initial infection and the illness. That illness can affect diverse organs and systems. M Method: This study is descriptive, transversal and prospective. Within, patients diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis by the service of pneumologia of the outpatient clinic Araújo Lima of the Federal University of the Amazon (UFAM), in Manaus, between the period of July of 2005 and May of 2006 were submitted to otorhinolaryngological exam in search of manifestations of the illness. Objectives: The main objective of the study was estimate the predominance of otorhinolaryngological manifestations in patients with tuberculosis and to describe the frequencies of the different manifestations. Results: They were analyzed 15 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis confirmed by the baciloscopia, being 7 of the female sex and 8 of the male sex. The majority of the patients were young adults between the third and fourth decade of life (46,7%). Only one of the patients had co-infection with the HIV virus. Conclusion: The otorhinolaryngological affection by the tuberculosis was observed in 2 patients corresponding to 13.33% of the sample, being a patient with tubercular medium otitis and a patient with linfoadenopatia cervical.
A Compact and Wideband Electromagnetic Bandgap Structure Using a Defected Ground Structure for Power/Ground Noise Suppression in Multilayer Packages and PCBs

In this paper, we propose a compact and wideband electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structure using a defected ground structure (DGS) to significantly enhance the wideband suppression of power/ground noise coupling in multilayer packages and printed circuit boards. The proposed EBG structure is implemented simply by adding a rectangular-shaped DGS which is etched periodically onto the ground plane without changing any other geometrical parameter from a mushroom-type EBG structure. The DGS effects on the fL and fU are thoroughly analyzed using the dispersion characteristics. We experimentally verified that the proposed EBG structure achieved the wideband power/ground noise suppression (below -40 dB) between 2.5 and 16.2 GHz. In addition, we demonstrated the considerable reduction in fL from 3.4 to 2.5 GHz and a significant increase in fU from 9.1 to 16.2 GHz when compared with the mushroom-type EBG structure.
Transdermal dihydrotestosterone treatment of 'andropause'.

Male ageing coincides on average with progressive impairment of testicular function. The most striking plasma changes are an increase in sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and a decrease in non SHBG-bound testosterone, which is the only testosterone subfraction effectively bioavailable for target tissues. In healthy subjects the bioavailable testosterone declines by approximately 1% per year between 40 and 70 years but a more pronounced decline has been observed in non-healthy groups, especially in high cardiovascular risks groups. Relative androgen deficiency is likely to have unfavourable consequences on muscle, adipose tissue, bone, haematopoiesis, fibrinolysis, insulin sensitivity, central nervous system, mood and sexual function and might be treated by an appropriate androgen supplementation. The potential risk for prostate has been the main reason for limiting indications of such treatment. Testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are two potent androgens which have opposite effects regarding aromatase activity, an enzyme present in prostate stroma and suspected to have a pathogenic influence through local oestradiol synthesis. T is the main substrate for aromatase and oestradiol synthesis while DHT is not aromatizable and, at sufficient concentration, decreases T and oestradiol levels. A 1.8 years survey of 37 men aged 55-70 years treated with daily percutaneous DHT treatment suggested that high plasma levels of DHT (> 8.5 nmol/l) effectively induced clinical benefits while slightly but significantly reducing prostate size. Early stages of prostate hypertrophy require synergic stimulation by both DHT and oestradiol, and suppressing oestradiol instead of DHT seems easier and better adapted to the specific situation of aged hypogonadic men. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
From Currency Unions to a World Currency: A Possibility?

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the main macroeconomic determinants of benefits and costs by undertaking processes of monetary integration, and investigate the possibility that currency unions could be lead to the creation of a global currency in the future. In particular, we will consider two main costs and benefits predicted by the theory of Optimum Currency Areas: (i) the business-cycle correlation between the candidateâ€™s economy and that of the currency zone as a whole, and (ii) the candidate economyâ€™s inflationary bias. Using this methodology, the results of the paper provide empirical evidence of the existence of several optimal currency areas in the world. Moreover, the creation of a world common currency area is not as unrealistic as it might seem at first sight.
ReviewThe Dark Side of Testosterone Deficiency : I . Metabolic Syndrome and Erectile Dysfunction

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is considered the most important public health threat of the 21st century. This syndrome is characterized by a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors including increased central abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, reduced high-density lipoprotein, high blood pressure, increased fasting glucose, and hyperinsulinemia. These factors increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and/or type 2 diabetes. Although the etiology of this syndrome is thought to stem from obesity and physical inactivity, the extent of interactions of the individual MetS components with one another remains poorly defined. Obesity, diabetes, hypogonadism, and specific hormone and metabolic profiles have been implicated in the pathophysiology of CVD. The evolving role of androgens in MetS and CVD is of paramount importance. Reduced androgen levels associated with hypogonadism or androgen deprivation therapy increase cardiovascular risk factors and produce marked adverse effects on cardiovascular function. MetS has been associated with hypogonadism and erectile dysfunction (ED), and MetS may be considered a risk factor for ED. It is suggested that MetS, diabetes, and CVD will increase in the upcoming decades. Thus, it is critically important to develop a better understanding of how obesity, diabetes and hypogonadism contribute to androgen deficiency and the various pathophysiologic states of vascular disease. In this review we discuss the current literature pertaining to androgen deficiency, MetS, and ED, because the relationship of these factors is of scientific and clinical importance. Specifically, we will focus on exploring the relationships between hypogonadism, obesity, MetS, and ED.
Observation of Response Strategies in Cycling Time Trials

Athletes in sprint events use various mental and physical starting strategies prior to beginning a race. Included among these strategies are sensory-set and motor-set strategies. A sensory-set strategy is one in which the athlete concentrates on reacting as fast as possible to an auditory or visual stimulus. A motor-set strategy is one in which the athlete consciously attends to a component of a well-learned skill rather than to the stimulus which evokes the initiation of the skill. The purpose of this study was to observe differences in starting techniques of 20 championship cyclists in the one-kilometer time-trial sprint race. Analysis showed that 10 highly proficient cyclists responded significantly faster after the auditory stimulus and recorded faster 1/2-lap split times than 10 proficient cyclists. Strategy selection and use of elite cyclists should be investigated further to examine efficient starting strategies and procedures.
Biliary glycoprotein (CD66a), a cell adhesion molecule of the immunoglobulin superfamily, on human lymphocytes: structure, expression and involvement in T cell activation

The biliary glycoproteins (BGP or CD66a), a group of different splice variants of a single gene, are members of the carcinoembryonic antigen family and the immunoglobulin superfamily. Recently, we detected CD66a on IL‐2 activated lymphocytes. In this study we characterized the structure and the expression pattern of BGP on human lymphocytes and investigated its role in T cell activation. Lymphocytes express 2 of the 13 known splice variants, i.e. BGPa and BGPb, which are glycosylated in a lymphocyte‐specific manner. Both BGPa and BGPb have the long cytoplasmic tail, which contains two immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based inhibitory motif (ITIM)‐like motifs, but differ in their extracellular region containing 4 and 3 immunoglobulin‐like domains, respectively. On PBL BGP is expressed in small amounts only on B cells and Th cells. Stimulation with IL‐2 leads to a strong up‐regulation of BGP by these cells, and induces de novo BGP expression on γ δ T cells, CD8+ and CD56+ cells, but not on CD16+ lymphocytes. This up‐regulation of BGP seems to be part of the physiological process of T cell activation, since stimulation with anti‐CD3 mAb is sufficient to induce BGP up‐regulation. Based on the presence of the two ITIM‐like motifs, one may expect that BGP inhibits T cell activation, but surprisingly, engagement of BGP enhances the proliferation of anti‐CD3‐stimulated T cells.
Geriatric Medicine Leadership of Health Care Transformation: To Be or Not To Be?

Geriatric Medicine is well-suited to inform and lead health-care system redesign to address the needs of seniors with complex conditions. We posit that geriatricians must urgently consider how to “brand” Geriatric Medicine in a manner that garners active support from those outside the specialty, including how to adapt practice patterns to better meet the needs of patients and of the health-care system.
Genetic and Functional Characterization of Cyclic Lipopeptide White-Line-Inducing Principle (WLIP) Production by Rice Rhizosphere Isolate Pseudomonas putida RW10S2

ABSTRACT The secondary metabolite mediating the GacS-dependent growth-inhibitory effect exerted by the rice rhizosphere isolate Pseudomonas putida RW10S2 on phytopathogenic Xanthomonas species was identified as white-line-inducing principle (WLIP), a member of the viscosin group of cyclic lipononadepsipeptides. WLIP producers are commonly referred to by the taxonomically invalid name “Pseudomonas reactans,” based on their capacity to reveal the presence of a nearby colony of Pseudomonas tolaasii by inducing the formation of a visible precipitate (“white line”) in agar medium between both colonies. This phenomenon is attributed to the interaction of WLIP with a cyclic lipopeptide of a distinct structural group, the fungitoxic tolaasin, and has found application as a diagnostic tool to identify tolaasin-producing bacteria pathogenic to mushrooms. The genes encoding the WLIP nonribosomal peptide synthetases WlpA, WlpB, and WlpC were identified in two separate genomic clusters (wlpR-wlpA and wlpBC) with an operon organization similar to that of the viscosin, massetolide, and entolysin biosynthetic systems. Expression of wlpR is dependent on gacS, and the encoded regulator of the LuxR family (WlpR) activates transcription of the biosynthetic genes and the linked export genes, which is not controlled by the RW10S2 quorum-sensing system PmrR/PmrI. In addition to linking the known phenotypes of white line production and hemolytic activity of a WLIP producer with WLIP biosynthesis, additional properties of ecological relevance conferred by WLIP production were identified, namely, antagonism against Xanthomonas and involvement in swarming and biofilm formation.
Bone morphogenetic protein-4 inte racts with activin and GnRH to modulate gonadotrophin secretion in LbT2 gonadotrophs

We have shown previously that, in sheep primary pituitary cells, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP)-4 inhibits FSHb mRNA expression and FSH release. In contrast, in mouse LbT2 gonadotrophs, others have shown a stimulatory effect of BMPs on basal or activin-stimulated FSHb promoter-driven transcription. As a species comparison with our previous results, we used LbT2 cells to investigate the effects of BMP-4 on gonadotrophin mRNA and secretion modulated by activin and GnRH. BMP-4 alone had no effect on FSH production, but enhanced the activinCGnRH-induced stimulation of FSHb mRNA and FSH secretion, without any effect on follistatin mRNA. BMP-4 reduced LHb mRNA up-regulation in response to GnRH (Gactivin) and decreased GnRH receptor expression, which would favour FSH, rather than LH, synthesis and secretion. In contrast to sheep pituitary gonadotrophs, which express only BMP receptor types IA (BMPRIA) and II (BMPRII), LbT2 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Society for Endo distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is prop Journal of Endocrinology (2008) 196, 497–507 0022–0795/08/0196–497 q 2008 Society for Endocrinology Printed in Great cells also express BMPRIB. Smad1/5 phosphorylation induced by BMP-4, indicating activation of BMP signalling, was the same whether BMP-4 was used alone or combined with activinGGnRH. We hypothesized that activin and/or GnRH pathways may be modulated by BMP-4, but neither the activin-stimulated phosphorylation of Smad2/3 nor the GnRH-induced ERK1/2 or cAMP response elementbinding phosphorylation were modified. However, the GnRH-induced activation of p38 MAPK was decreased by BMP-4. This was associated with increased FSHb mRNA levels and FSH secretion, but decreased LHb mRNA levels. These results confirm 1. BMPs as important modulators of activin and/or GnRH-stimulated gonadotrophin synthesis and release and 2. important species differences in these effects, which could relate to differences in BMP receptor expression in gonadotrophs. Journal of Endocrinology (2008) 196, 497–507
Genetic Polymorphism in FecB Gene in Iraqi Sheep Breeds Using RFLP-PCR Technique

This study was conducted to identify polymorphism in Booroola gene (FecB) in five Iraqi sheep breeds (Hamdani, Karadi, Arabi, Naeimi and Awassi). About fifty mature ewes (Ten for each breed used as pooled samples) were genotype for the Booroola (BMPRIB) receptor. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for amplification of a fragment with 140 bp at this locus. For genotyping of individuals at Booroola locus, the resulted amplified fragments were digested using AvaII restriction enzyme. AvaII restriction enzyme was used to detect possible mutation (G|GACC). The results showed no differences in the band patterns of digested products only the wild type alleles (Fec++) were detected and all breeds for this locus were monomorphism. Considering the phenotypic records in these breeds, the result revealed that the genetic factor responsible for litter size is not related to report of Booroola major gene and research should continue to search for other major genes ( such as FecH, FecX and FecG) in these sheep breeds.