Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of age on blood pressure and heart rate variability in hypertension.

There is confusion in the literature as to the effect of ageing on blood pressure variability. The lack of consistency in reports probably reflects differences in blood pressure measurement techniques and in the choice of statistics used to describe variability. We studied 16 hypertensives (clinical blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHg on 3 occasions) over 60 (67 +/- 5.5 years) and 16 under 60 years of age (44 +/- 8.9 years) using the Remler M 2000 ambulatory system to measure blood pressure and heart rate every 30 min during the awake hours of the day. Mean +/- s.e. m. blood pressure and heart rate for the elderly was 168 +/- 2.5/95 +/- 1.0 mmHg and 72 +/- 1.5 beats/min, corresponding values for the young being 162 +/- 5.3/103 +/- 2.1 and 78 +/- 2.5. Four statistics of variability were used: standard deviation, coefficient of variation, range and mean hourly change. Differences between old and young were found only for the range of systolic and diastolic blood pressure which was lower in the elderly (52 +/- 3.9/32 +/- 2.4 versus 67 +/- 5.2/46 +/- 4.8 mmHg, both P less than 0.05) and mean hourly change of heart rate (P less than 0.05). The standard deviation of heart rate was negatively correlated with age (r = -0.37; P less than 0.05). Only the systolic and diastolic blood pressure ranges were found to differ with age; the more rigorous tests of variability, standard deviation and coefficient of variation, were not changed. These data show that in hypertensives of different age but with roughly comparable blood pressure levels, variability of blood pressure is not consistently related to age. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Long-Term Protective and Antigen-Specific Effect of Heat-Killed Mycobacterium vaccae in a Murine Model of Allergic Pulmonary Inflammation

This report examines the effect of heat-killed Mycobacterium vaccae in a mouse model of allergic pulmonary inflammation. The s.c. administration of M. vaccae 3 wk before the immunization significantly reduced Ag-induced airway hyperreactivity and the increase in the numbers of eosinophils observed in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, blood, and bone marrow, even though no detectable changes in either cytokine (IL-4, IL-13, IL-5, and IFN-γ) or total IgE levels were observed. Furthermore, transfer of splenocytes from OVA-immunized and M. vaccae-treated mice into recipient, OVA-immunized mice significantly reduced the allergen-induced eosinophilia by an IFN-γ-independent mechanism, clearly indicating that the mechanism by which M. vaccae induces its inhibitory effect is not due to a redirection from a predominantly Th2 to a Th1-dominated immune response. The protective effect of M. vaccae on the allergen-induced eosinophilia lasted for at least 12 wk after its administration, and the treatment was also effective in presensitized mice. Moreover, the allergen specificity of the inhibitory effect could be demonstrated using a double-immunization protocol, where M. vaccae treatment before OVA immunization had no effect on the eosinophilic inflammation induced by later immunization and challenge with cockroach extract Ag. Taken together, these results clearly demonstrate that M. vaccae is effective in blocking allergic inflammation by a mechanism independent of IFN-γ, induces long term and Ag-specific protection, and therefore has both prophylactic and therapeutic potential for the treatment of allergic diseases.
Beyond the iron mask: Towards better recognition and treatment of depression associated with Parkinson's disease

This review examines the frequency of depression complicating Parkinson's disease (PD), its aetiology and clinical features, and also how it may be recognised and treated. Studies investigating the frequency of depression in PD have yielded figures ranging between 2.7% and 70%. Methodological differences account for much of the disparity. The aetiology of depression in PD is complex, and probably relates to both biological and exogenous factors. Dysfunction of multiple neurotransmitter systems, including the serotonergic system, may be involved. Mood disturbances resulting from deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus may provide a fruitful area for future research, and assist our understanding of the neural networks involved in mediating depression. Several recent studies have confirmed that depression in the PD patient is a major determinant of quality of life and that this is closely related to dysfunction in other clinically important health areas. The validity for many existing scales in the screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of depression in the PD patient has not been established. The Montgomery‐Åsberg Depression Rating Scale and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression appear to have good diagnostic sensitivity and specificity when compared with DSM‐IV criteria. Recommendations for the optimal drug treatment of depression in PD are difficult to give, due to an inexplicable dearth of sizeable, placebo‐controlled studies. A majority of physicians would probably now opt for a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor in the depressed PD patient. There is no good evidence that these drugs are associated with a worsening of motor features, but they should probably not be coprescribed with selegiline, because of the risk of causing a potentially serious serotonin syndrome. Several studies have suggested that depression in the PD patient is associated with a more rapid deterioration in cognitive and motor functions, perhaps as a surrogate marker for more extensive brainstem cell loss. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
The cell biology of lignification in higher plants.

BACKGROUND Lignin is a polyphenolic polymer that strengthens and waterproofs the cell wall of specialized plant cell types. Lignification is part of the normal differentiation programme and functioning of specific cell types, but can also be triggered as a response to various biotic and abiotic stresses in cells that would not otherwise be lignifying. SCOPE Cell wall lignification exhibits specific characteristics depending on the cell type being considered. These characteristics include the timing of lignification during cell differentiation, the palette of associated enzymes and substrates, the sub-cellular deposition sites, the monomeric composition and the cellular autonomy for lignin monomer production. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of lignin biosynthesis and polymerization at the cell biology level. CONCLUSIONS The lignification process ranges from full autonomy to complete co-operation depending on the cell type. The different roles of lignin for the function of each specific plant cell type are clearly illustrated by the multiple phenotypic defects exhibited by knock-out mutants in lignin synthesis, which may explain why no general mechanism for lignification has yet been defined. The range of phenotypic effects observed include altered xylem sap transport, loss of mechanical support, reduced seed protection and dispersion, and/or increased pest and disease susceptibility.
Do Opportunities for Formal Learning Stimulate Follow‐Up Participation in Informal Learning? A Three‐Wave Study

Informal learning is an important source of employee adaptability and expertise, yet it is unclear how it may be encouraged through human resource management (HRM) practices. In this study, we investigate how opportunities for formal learning may be used to stimulate short- and long-term participation in informal learning. In addition, we examine whether HRM system strength intensifies the relationship between opportunities for formal learning and informal learning. Using a sample of 430 respondents in 52 teams within six Dutch vocational and educational training schools, we adopt a longitudinal design to examine two types of autonomous informal learning activities (reflection and keeping up to date), and three collaborative activities (asking for feedback, knowledge sharing and innovative behavior) over two years. Opportunity for formal learning was positively related to short- and long-term participation in informal learning activities, with the exception of long-term innovation. Moreover, HRM system strength intensified these relationships. Managerial implications of these findings for encouraging informal learning activities at work are discussed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Two outbreaks of neuropathogenic equine herpesvirus type 1 with breed-dependent clinical signs

Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is a worldwide spread pathogen of horses. It can cause abortion, respiratory and neurological disease and consequentially significant economic losses in equine industries. During 2009, two outbreaks of EHV-1 were confirmed in two stud farms in Eastern Croatia. The first outbreak occurred in February following the import of 12 horses from USA, serologically negative to EHV-1 before transport. Four mares aborted in the late stage of pregnancy and one perinatal death was recorded. Other six mares showed clinical signs of myeloencephalopathy with fatal end in four. One month later, the second EHV-1 outbreak was confirmed in stud farm about 100 km further with 17 abortions, three perinatal deaths and one mild neurological case. Epidemiological data showed that the disease was probably introduced in the first stud farm during international transport. The second outbreak started with the introduction of clinically healthy stallion from the first stud farm. Molecular characterisation and phylogenetic analysis confirmed that, despite different clinical signs, the identical virus caused both outbreaks. Both horse populations were free from EHV-1 infection before the outbreak and had not been vaccinated. Significant difference in clinical signs could be explained by different breed-related risk factors.
Family Inclusiveness and Spatial Dispersion: The Spatial Consequences of Having Large and Diversified Family Configurations

This article stresses the critical role of family inclusiveness for shaping the spatiality of families. Some individuals have a rather exclusive definition of their family, focusing on partner, children, siblings and parents. Others develop inclusive definitions of family by considering extended kin, step relatives and friends as significant family members. Family inclusiveness is hypothesized to account for a large share of the dispersion of family members throughout space. Data consisted of a stratified sample of 300 mothers of school-aged children living in the cosmopolitan city of Geneva. The results show that spatial dispersion of families increases with the number of family members considered significant. Inclusion of family members beyond the nuclear family of origin is paradoxically associated with a localised family context. Overall, this study emphasises the importance of family inclusiveness as a key dimension for understanding family spatiality in globalized societies.
Overall survival and brain death frequency following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

ABSTRACT Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major cause of mortality that is responsible for over 300,000 deaths in the United States each year. Underlying cardiac etiologies remain the most common culprit. Despite medical advances in the treatment of coronary artery disease, the mortality following OHCA remains dismal. Additionally, of those who survive the initial event, many are left with debilitating and irreversible anoxic brain injuries. Therefore, improving survival as well as neurologic outcome is of primary importance in this group. Our goal was to evaluate the underlying etiologies, neurologic outcomes, and cardiac interventions being performed in patients with OHCA presenting to our large tertiary care center. We retrospectively reviewed 181 charts of patients presenting to our emergency department over a 1-year time period with a diagnosis of OHCA. Following exclusion criteria, 130 patients remained, with 17 of those surviving to hospital admission. Of the 17 initial survivors, only 9 survived to hospital discharge and only 6 of those obtained good neurologic outcomes. Additionally, there was no mortality benefit in the 4 patients who had coronary angiography or percutaneous intervention.
Anatomical hotspots of fractionated electrograms in the left and right atrium: do they exist?

Aims Targeting of complex fractionated electrograms (CFEs) in the atria is not yet beneficial in treating drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). In order to gain insight into potential anatomical hotspots of fractionated electrograms, a structured literature search was performed. Methods and results PubMed was searched for studies describing fractionation during human atrial electrophysiological measurements (n = 565), of which 36 articles described the pre-ablation distribution of fractionated electrograms for the left atrium and/or right atrium in at least four regions. Fractionation was commonly found in high proportions within all regions of both atria, without clear preference for specific regions. Furthermore, no differences in the fractionation distribution between paroxysmal AF and persistent AF patients were observed. Conclusion Whereas atrial inhomogeneous conduction is widely believed to play a key role in AF initiation and perpetuation, different electrophysiological causes for fractionation and the influence of measurement properties complicate identification of the arrhythmogenic substrate. Thereby, simply targeting all CFEs would be short-sighted. Further research is warranted on how to distinguish 'physiologic CFEs' from 'pathologic CFEs', with only the latter reflecting potential targets for ablative therapy of AF.
Weight gain in a controlled study of risperidone in children, adolescents and adults with mental retardation and autism.

As part of an ongoing, prospective, ABA design, double-blind crossover study of risperidone versus placebo for the treatment of aggressive, destructive and self-injurious behavior in persons aged 6-65 years with mental retardation (MR) and autism, we measured the weight of 19 subjects at each study visit. We compared mean weight gain during the 16-week acute phase and 24-week open maintenance phase with that during the initial and middle placebo phases statistically, using a linear mixed model procedure. Results of the linear mixed model analysis showed that relative weight gain observed during the acute and maintenance drug phases was significantly greater than that observed during the initial and middle placebo phases respectively (p = .0001 and p = .0001). Over approximately a year, children aged 8-12 (n = 5) gained a mean of 8.2 kg (range = 2.7-17.7 kg); adolescents (n = 6) aged 13-16 gained a mean of 8.4 kg (range 3.6-15.5 kg); adults aged 21-51 (n = 8) gained a mean of 5.4 kg (range 0-9.5 kg). Weight gain observed in this controlled study of risperidone treatment in children, adolescents, and adults with MR and autism was significant. It may be greater in this population than in others reported and in this study was not limited to an acute effect only. Rate of weight gain diminished rapidly on tapering and stopping the drug. Further studies are urgently needed, including those incorporating diet and exercise programming.
Gardening matters: a political ecology of female horticulturists, commercialization, water access, and food security in Botswana

The Government of Botswana and its partners have sought to address household food insecurity and poverty by experimenting with gardening initiatives of various sizes and commercial orientation. We use a multi-method approach, incorporating both econometric analysis and qualitative data, viewed through the theoretical lens of feminist political ecology, to determine how effective these women’s gardening initiatives are in addressing household food insecurity. We compare the relationship between commercial orientation and food security for women who rely on borehole water, tap water, and river water. We find that food security status improves with commercial orientation only when women are already experienced with the commercial market and/or when commercialization helps cover unavoidable water costs. When women have access to a reliable source of inexpensive water (as the river water users do), they can sustainably pursue subsistence-oriented horticulture and may in fact see greater food security benefits from consuming what they grow than from selling it. This study’s results call into question claims that commercialized horticulture will improve food security without first addressing the gendered dynamics of water access.
Tridimensional Personality of Adolescents with Internet Addiction and Substance Use Experience

Objective: This study aimed to examine the differences in personality characteristics between adolescents with and without Internet addiction and substance use experience as defined by the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ), and to compare personality characteristics among groups of adolescents with both Internet addiction and substance use experience (comorbid group), those with only Internet addition (Internet addiction group), those with only substance use experience (substance experience group), and those without Internet addiction or substance use experience (control group). Method: In the cross-sectional investigation, we recruited 3662 students (2328 boys and 1334 girls) from high schools in southern Taiwan. Our investigation was conducted using the TPQ, the Chen Internet Addiction Scale, and Questionnaires for Experience in Substance Use. Results: Adolescents with Internet addiction were more likely to have substance use experience. High novelty seeking (NS), high harm avoidance (HA), and low reward dependence (RD) predicted a higher proportion of adolescents with Internet addiction. High NS, low HA, and low RD predicted a higher proportion of adolescents with substance use experience. Of the 4 groups, the Internet addiction group had the highest HA scores and the comorbid group had the lowest HA scores. Conclusion: Adolescents with high NS and low RD should be provided with effective strategies for preventing Internet addiction and substance use. In addition, the Internet addiction group and the comorbid group should be provided with different preventative strategies focused on HA.
EU agricultural policy and productivity of soil in countries varying in terms of intensity of agricultural production

Summary It was emphasised in the work whether there are differences in soil productivity of FADM farms from countries belonging to EU-15 and EU-12, and whether CAP subsidies impact the degree of these differences. For this purpose, a comparative analysis was conducted for the soil productivity indicators (taking into account the value of CAP subsidies in the value of production from agricultural activity and without such subsidies) as well as a statistical assessment of differences between those indicators in EU-15 and EU-12 countries based on the Mann-Whitney U test. EU-FADN data was used in the work. The timeframe covered the period of 2007-2013, the spatial scope covered EU-27 countries while the subject scope covered farms representative for particular EU-15 and EU-12 countries. A hypothesis was made that including subsidies from the Common Agricultural Policy in the total production generated from farming causes absence of the significance of differences, in the productivity of soils from EU- 15 and EU-12 countries. As a result of the conducted analyses, it was confirmed that CAP subsidies increase the difference in the scope of soil productivity between farms from EU-15 and EU-12 countries. A bigger level of differences occurred between FADN farms from countries composing EU-15.
Monetary and financial stability trade-off

Monetarna i financijska stabilnost bitne su za postizanje makroekonomske stabilnosti. Zadatak ostvarivanja ovih dviju stabilnosti može ponekad biti konfliktan, a buduci da je ovaj zadatak velikim dijelom u rukama monetarnih vlasti, postavlja se stoga pitanje koliki znacaj treba dati monetarnoj, a koliki financijskoj stabilnosti kada se donose odluke monetarne politike. Cini se da danas financijska stabilnost dobiva sve znacajniju ulogu u monetarnoj politici zbog njenih posljedica na inflaciju i output. Ovaj rad sintetizira dosadasnja razmatranja spomenutog međuodnosa, kompilira moguce ex ante i ex post mjere kojima centralne banke mogu djelovati na financijsku stabilnost, analizira konkretno ponasanje centralnih banaka u trenutnoj 2007. /2008. financijskoj krizi te pokusava dokuciti koje mogucnosti centralnim bankama stoje na raspolaganju da ukljuce financijsku stabilnost unutar monetarne strategije. Nacin na koji to mogu uciniti je ukljucivanjem financijskih neravnoteža pri modeliranju monetarnih mjera, sagledavanjem „leaning against the wind“ politike te analiziranjem ciljanja inflacije kao strategije koja istovremeno ostvaruje i monetarnu i financijsku stabilnost. U nacelu, optimalna monetarna politika kojom bi se istovremeno jamcile ove dvije stabilnosti otvara podrucje koje je jos uvijek nedovoljno istraženo i ostavlja prostor za daljnji rad.
Fasting regulates the expression of adiponectin receptors in young growing pigs.

Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived hormone that can improve insulin sensitivity. Its functions in regulating glucose utilization and fatty acid metabolism in mammals are mediated by 2 subtypes of adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2). This study was conducted to determine the effect of fasting on the expression of adiponectin and its receptors. The expression of adiponectin was not affected in s.c. adipose tissue, but adiponectin expression increased in visceral adipose tissue after fasting. In contrast, expression of both AdipoR mRNA was increased in the liver and s.c. adipose tissue of 24-h-fasted pigs compared with fed pigs, but the mRNA in muscle and visceral adipose tissue was not affected by fasting. A third putative adiponectin receptor, T-cadherin, was cloned and the mRNA expression was determined. T-Cadherin has been recognized to act as a vascular adiponectin receptor in vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Our data showed that the expression of T-cadherin was decreased in the muscle of fasted pigs, suggesting that the expression of T-cadherin can be regulated by feeding status. In summary, in young pigs, adiponectin mRNA was up-regulated by fasting in visceral, but not s.c. , adipose tissue, whereas AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 mRNA were increased in s.c. , but not visceral, adipose tissue. The adiponectin receptor, T-cadherin, was expressed in s.c. and visceral adipose tissue and in muscle, but only muscle mRNA expression was decreased by fasting.
The Effect of Propranolol and Phentolamine on Serum Gastrin Concentration in Response to Respiratory Acidosis in Normal Man

Abstract. Serum gastrin concentration and basal acid secretion were studied in normal subjects under the influence of respiratory acidosis induced by CO2 rebreathing. During the intragastric instillation of 100 ml/h 0. 5 M bicarbonate a significant increase of gastrinaemia from 130 to 158 pg/ml (p < 0. 01) occurred in ten subjects during respiratory acidosis (pCO2 62 torr, pH 7. 25). Under, the intragastric instillation of 100 ml/h 0. 1 N HC1 the rise of gastrin concentration in response to CO2 rebreathing (pC02 68 torr, pH 7. 20) was not significant. The relationship between the decrease of pH and the increase of the gastrin concentration was shifted in the direction of a greater systemic acidosis compared to the results performed in the presence of a neutral intragastric pH. 50 μg/kg propranolol intravenously produced a decrease of gastrin concentrations from 145 to 127 pg/ml (p < 0. 01) and a total suppression of hyper‐gastrinaemia in respons'e to CO2 rebreathing, suggesting activation of beta‐cell receptors in respiratory acidosis. The infusion of phentolamine in a dose of 0. 6 to 1. 8 mg/min. resulted in a rise of gastrin concentration from 140 to 165 pg/ml (p < 0. 01) which was not further elevated during respiratory acidosis. The basal acid secretion showed a significant rise in response to CO2 rebreathing, which was abolished by the administration of propranolol.