Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The guanylate cyclase–coupled natriuretic peptide receptor: A new target for prevention of cold ischemia–reperfusion damage of the rat liver

The aim of our studies was to investigate hormonal prevention of hepatic preservation damage by the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and the mechanisms involved. Isolated perfusion of rat livers was performed in a nonrecirculating fashion. Twenty minutes of preischemic perfusion was performed with or without different concentrations of ANP, followed by 24‐hour storage in cold University of Wisconsin (UW) solution. Two hundred nanomoles of ANP prevented hepatocellular damage during a 2‐hour reperfusion period as indicated by a marked attenuation of the sinusoidal efflux of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), and by reduced Trypan blue uptake. Furthermore, postischemic bile flow as an indicator of liver function was significantly improved by about 60% with 200 nmol/L ANP. No protection was conveyed by 20 nmol/L ANP nor by pretreatment with 200 nmol/L ANP for only 10 minutes. The effects of ANP seemed to be mediated by the guanylate cyclase–coupled A (GC‐A) receptor and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP): whereas expression of both GC‐A and GC‐B receptors as well as of the GC‐C receptor was found, cGMP did protect from ischemia‐reperfusion damage, but selective ligands of the B and C receptor did not. To begin to determine the mechanisms of ANP‐mediated protection, different parameters were investigated: ANP had no effect on portal pressure as an indicator of hepatic circulation, nor on intracellular energy depletion determined by adenosine nucleotide concentration. However, the marked augmentation of nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) binding activity during reperfusion was prevented in ANP‐pretreated livers. In conclusion, pretreatment with ANP protects the rat liver from cold ischemia‐reperfusion damage. This effect is mediated via the GC‐A receptor and cGMP, and may be linked to an influence of ANP on NF‐κB activation. Thus, ANP signaling via the GC‐A receptor should be considered as a new pharmacological target to prevent preservation injury of the liver.
TEMPERATURE—A FACTOR IN OCULAR DEVELOPMENT?

Mean ocular temperature measured using a hand‐held infrared thermometer was 36·54°C and 36·38°C for the right and left eyes of 51 premature babies; whilst for 54 fullterm controls the corresponding figures were 36·40°C and 36·25°C. As fetal temperature at about 38·0°C is above maternal core temperature this means that the eye of the prematurely born infant experiences a thermal deficit of 1·0 to 2·0°C which is never replaced postnatally. The possibility that this reduction in temperature could influence ocular growth is discussed, with particular regard to the development of myopia which people born prematurely are prone to develop.
Cardiac atrophy after bed-rest deconditioning: a nonneural mechanism for orthostatic intolerance.

BACKGROUND The cardiovascular adaptation to bed rest leads to orthostatic intolerance, characterized by an excessive fall in stroke volume (SV) in the upright position. We hypothesized that this large fall in SV is due to a change in cardiac mechanics. METHODS AND RESULTS We measured pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), SV, left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), and left ventricular mass (by echocardiography) at rest, during lower-body negative pressure, and after saline infusion before and after 2 weeks of bed rest with -6 degrees head-down tilt (n=12 subjects aged 24+/-5 years). Pressure (P)-volume (V) curves were modeled exponentially by P=ae(kV)+b and logarithmically by P=-Sln[(Vm-V)/(Vm-V0)], where V0 indicates volume at P=0, and the constants k and S were used as indices of normalized chamber stiffness. Dynamic stiffness (dP/dV) was calculated at baseline LVEDV. The slope of the line relating SV to PCWP during lower-body negative pressure characterized the steepness of the Starling curve. We also measured plasma volume (with Evans blue dye) and maximal orthostatic tolerance. Bed rest led to a reduction in plasma volume (17%), baseline PCWP (18%), SV (12%), LVEDV (16%), V0 (33%), and orthostatic tolerance (24%) (all P<.05). The slope of the SV/PCWP curve increased from 4.6+/-0.4 to 8.8+/-0.9 mL/mm Hg (P<.01) owing to a parallel leftward shift in the P-V curve. Normalized chamber stiffness was unchanged, but dP/dV was reduced by 50% at baseline LVEDV, and cardiac mass tended to be reduced by 5% (P<.10). CONCLUSIONS Two weeks of head-down-tilt bed rest leads to a smaller, less distensible left ventricle but a shift to a more compliant portion of the P-V curve. This results in a steeper Starling relationship, which contributes to orthostatic intolerance by causing an excessive reduction in SV during orthostasis.
Deterioration of Pulmonary Functions in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a leading public health problem with increasing incidence and long term complications such as diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy etc. These complications are mainly a consequence of macrovascular and microvascular damages of the target organs.The presence of an extensive microvascular circulation and abundant connective tissue in the lungs, raises the possibility that lung tissue may be affected by microangiopathic process and non-enzymatic glycosylation of tissue proteins, induced by chronic hyperglycemia, there by rendering the lung a “target organ” in diabetic patients. Objectives: To study the effect of type 2 Diabetes and role of gender on pulmonary function. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study, the test group were Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients (n=50), the control group were staff of Narayana medical college (n=50). Written consent was obtained from them. The following pulmonary function parameters were recorded: Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second (FEV1) , Forced Expiratory Volume percent (FEV1/FVC %), Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), Forced Expiratory Flow 25-75% (FEF25-75%), Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV). Result: The mean FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC%, PEFR, FEF25-75%, MVV values are low in diabetics (p value <0.001) compared to non-diabetics. Also, female diabetics show greater decrease in PFT values than male diabetics Conclusion: We conclude that diabetics show a decrease in PFT values compared to non-diabetics. Also, female diabetics are more prone to respiratory dysfunction than male diabetics. The findings of present study suggest that, lung is a target organ for damage in diabetes and the glycemic exposure is a strong determinant of reduced pulmonary function in type 2 diabetics.
Sodium transport across the chorioallantoic membrane of porcine placenta involves the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC)

The properties of chorioallantoic membrane derived from Large White Landrace sows at 45, 65 and 100 days gestation are examined. Under short circuit conditions positive charge flows from fetal to maternal sides of the tissue. Na+ is shown to be the sole charge carrier as the short circuit current is inhibited reversibly by fetal applications of amiloride and replacement of Na+ by choline in the Ringer solution, and irreversibly by both fetal and maternal applications of ouabain. The initial short circuit current is smaller at day 100 compared to days 45 and 65. The dose responses to amiloride indicate that the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is involved in the movement of Na+ and that it is accessible on the fetal side of the tissue only. Immunostaining shows that the ENaC‐α subunit is present in both the allantoic membrane and the trophoblast. Uptake studies using microvillous (apical) membrane vesicles suggest it is either inactive or only weakly active at this site. The trophoblast at day 100 has a higher content of ENaC than at days 45 and 65. This is the first report of the presence of ENaC in placental tissues. The effects of ouabain indicate the presence of a Na+ pump that is more readily inhibited by applications of the drug on the maternal aspect of the tissue than on the fetal side. Differential mechanisms may be present that would allow net movement of Na+ in either direction across the chorioallantoic membrane according to the changing demands of the developing fetus.
Performances de production des cobayes ( Cavia porcellus L.) en fonction du niveau de protéines alimentaires

Au Cameroun, l’elevage des cobayes se pratique encore dans les cuisines et a meme le sol et leur alimentation est essentiellement a base des dechets de cuisine. Le souci d’intensifier la production necessite la determination des besoins reels du cobaye afin d’asseoir de facon rationnelle sa table de rationnement. L’objectif de ce travail est donc de determiner les taux optimums de proteines dans son alimentation en fonction de son etat physiologique. Pour cet essai, 75 femelles ont ete prealablement mises en croisement avec 12 mâles pendant une periode de 31 jours selon un dispositif factoriel de trois lots comptant 25 femelles chacun. Chaque lot recevait une ration contenant 18%, 20% ou 22% de proteine brute (PB). Apres le sevrage, 54 jeunes cobayes ont ete constitues en 3 lots homogenes de 18 animaux (9 mâles et 9 femelles) chacun. Chaque lot recevait une ration contenant 14%, 16% ou 18% de PB. Aucune difference significative (P > 0,05) n’a ete observee entre la taille de la portee et les poids des femelles allaitantes de la mise-bas au sevrage. Le poids a la naissance des cochonnets des femelles recevant la ration contenant 22% de PB (RG22) a ete significativement (p < 0,05) plus eleve que ceux issus des femelles des autres lots. Par ailleurs, les taux de fertilite (96%), de fecondite (184%), de fecondite nette (184%), de viabilite a la naissance (100%) et de viabilite au sevrage (97,83%) les plus eleves ont ete egalement enregistres chez ces femelles soumises a la ration contenant 22% de PB (RG22). Le gain total, le gain moyen quotidien (GMQ) et l’indice de consommation (IC), respectivement 60,20 g ; 2,15 g/j et 1,67 chez les mâles et 52,72 g ; 1,88 g/j et 2,63 chez les femelles, ont ete meilleurs chez les animaux nourris a la ration contenant 16% de PB (RC16). Tous ces parametres ont ete significativement (P < 0,05) meilleurs chez les mâles compares a ceux des femelles. Il en ressort que les rations contenant 22% (RG22) et 16% (RC16) de PB, conviennent respectivement aux cobayes en gestation et en croissance a l’Ouest Cameroun. Mots cles : Cobayes, proteines alimentaires, performances de reproduction, performances de croissance, Ouest-Cameroun.
Facial Structure Is a Reliable Cue of Aggressive Behavior

Facial width-to-height ratio is a sexually dimorphic metric that is independent of body size and may have been shaped by sexual selection. We recently showed that this metric is correlated with behavioral aggression in men. In Study 1, observers estimated the propensity for aggression of men photographed displaying neutral facial expressions and for whom a behavioral measure of aggression was obtained. The estimates were correlated strongly with the facial width-to-height ratio of the stimulus faces and with the actual aggression of the men. These results were replicated in Study 2, in which the exposure to each stimulus face was shortened to 39 ms. Participants' estimates of aggression for each stimulus face were highly correlated between Study 2 (39-ms exposure) and Study 1 (2,000-ms exposure). These findings suggest that the facial width-to-height ratio may be a cue used to predict propensity for aggression in others.
iopamidol for myelography. Clinical comparison of metrizamide and

A double-blind parallel comparison of iopamidol and metriza mide for myelography was performed in 36 patients. Sixteen adverse reactions were noted in 10 patients who received metri zamide. Six adverse reactions were reported in five patients who received iopamidol. There was no appreciable difference in the radiographic opacification. The development of non ionic water-soluble contrast media for myelography has resulted in improved anatomic delineation and better patient tolerance [1 , 2]. Metrizamide was the first myelo graphic contrast medium that fulfilled the need for a contrast ma lerial of low neurotoxicity and sufficient radiopacity while being miscible with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Nevertheless, adverse re actions related to the toxicity of the contrast material occur after metrizamide myelography [2-6]. Consequently, a new contrast medium, iopamidol (Bracco, Milan, Italy; and Squibb, Princeton, NJ), has been developed in the hope of finding an even less toxic material. In this investigation iopamidol was compared with metri zamide to assess relative toxicity and radiographic opacification following intrathecal injection.
Lag in maturation of the brain’s intrinsic functional architecture in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Significance It was proposed that individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) exhibit delays in brain maturation. In the last decade, resting state functional imaging has enabled detailed investigation of neural connectivity patterns and has revealed that the human brain is functionally organized into large-scale connectivity networks. In this study, we demonstrate that the developing relationships between default mode network (DMN) and task positive networks (TPNs) exhibit significant and specific maturational lag in ADHD. Previous research has found that individuals with ADHD exhibit abnormalities in DMN–TPN relationships. Our results provide strong initial evidence that these alterations arise from delays in typical maturational patterns. Our results invite further investigation into the neurobiological mechanisms in ADHD that produce delays in development of large-scale networks. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is among the most common psychiatric disorders of childhood, and there is great interest in understanding its neurobiological basis. A prominent neurodevelopmental hypothesis proposes that ADHD involves a lag in brain maturation. Previous work has found support for this hypothesis, but examinations have been limited to structural features of the brain (e.g., gray matter volume or cortical thickness). More recently, a growing body of work demonstrates that the brain is functionally organized into a number of large-scale networks, and the connections within and between these networks exhibit characteristic patterns of maturation. In this study, we investigated whether individuals with ADHD (age 7.2–21.8 y) exhibit a lag in maturation of the brain’s developing functional architecture. Using connectomic methods applied to a large, multisite dataset of resting state scans, we quantified the effect of maturation and the effect of ADHD at more than 400,000 connections throughout the cortex. We found significant and specific maturational lag in connections within default mode network (DMN) and in DMN interconnections with two task positive networks (TPNs): frontoparietal network and ventral attention network. In particular, lag was observed within the midline core of the DMN, as well as in DMN connections with right lateralized prefrontal regions (in frontoparietal network) and anterior insula (in ventral attention network). Current models of the pathophysiology of attention dysfunction in ADHD emphasize altered DMN–TPN interactions. Our finding of maturational lag specifically in connections within and between these networks suggests a developmental etiology for the deficits proposed in these models.
Effect of Relationship Marketing on the Performance of MSMES in Kenya

The main objective of the study was to examine the effect of relationship marketing on the performance of MSMEs in Kenya. The study was guided by positivism research philosophy. It utilized a descriptive survey design. The study population included 8,526 licensed MSMEs in Tharaka-Nithi County. Stratified sampling and random sampling techniques were employed to arrive at the study sample. Data was collected using questionnaires. Quantitative data was analyzed using both the descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics included frequency distributions, mean and measures of dispersion while the inferential statistics were t-test, multiple regression analysis, Karl-Pearson correlation coefficient and F-test. The findings of this study revealed that relationship marketing was strongly and positively correlated to performance of MSMEs. From the descriptive findings, it was also evident that MSME owners/managers that adopted relationship marketing perceived their firms’ performance to be growing. Further, the bivariate regression findings suggested that relationship marketing accounted for 48.2% of the variation in performance of MSMEs. The effect of relationship marketing on performance of MSMEs was also positive and significant. The study recommends that MSME owners’ in Kenya should embrace relationship marketing as a strategy towards better firm performance. Initiatives such as timely customer feedback, customer involvement and orientation while enhancing firm’s reliability and accountability towards the customers are sure to culminate to superior performance. Key Words: Relationship Marketing, Performance, MSMEs, Tharaka-Nithi County and Kenya.
The approximate algorithm for analysis of the strand separation transition in superhelical DNA using nearest neighbor energetics

We present a computational method to analyze the propensity of superhelically stressed DNA to undergo strand separation events, as is required for the initiation of both transcription and replication. We build in silico models to analyze the statistical mechanical equilibrium distribution of a population of identical, stressed DNA molecules among its states of strand separation. In this phenomenon, which we call stress induced duplex destabilization (SIDD), a state energy is determined by the energy cost of opening the specific separated base pairs in that state, and the energy relief from the relaxation of stress this affords. We use experimentally measured values of all energy parameters, including the nearest neighbor energetics known to govern DNA base pair stability. We perform a statistical mechanical analysis in which the approximate equilibrium distribution is calculated from all states whose free energies do not exceed a user-defined threshold. This provides the most general and efficient computational approach to the analysis of this phenomenon. The algorithm is implemented in C++.
A Role for Glutathione Transferase Omega 1 (GSTO1-1) in the Glutathionylation Cycle

Background: Glutathionylation is a major post-translational modification that regulates protein function. Results: Human glutathione transferase Omega 1 (GSTO1-1) can catalyze the deglutathionylation of protein thiols in vitro and in cell culture. Conclusion: GSTO1-1, but not GSTO2-2, catalyzes the deglutathionylation of actin and other proteins under physiological conditions. Significance: Genetic variation in GSTO1-1-catalyzed deglutathionylation may influence the function of multiple proteins in signaling pathways. The glutathionylation of intracellular protein thiols can protect against irreversible oxidation and can act as a redox switch regulating metabolic pathways. In this study we discovered that the Omega class glutathione transferase GSTO1-1 plays a significant role in the glutathionylation cycle. The catalytic activity of GSTO1-1 was determined in vitro by assaying the deglutathionylation of a synthetic peptide by tryptophan fluorescence quenching and in T47-D epithelial breast cancer cells by both immunoblotting and the direct determination of total glutathionylation. Mutating the active site cysteine residue (Cys-32) ablated the deglutathionylating activity of GSTO1-1. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the expression of GSTO1-1 in T47-D cells that are devoid of endogenous GSTO1-1 resulted in a 50% reduction in total glutathionylation levels. Mass spectrometry and immunoprecipitation identified β-actin as a protein that is specifically deglutathionylated by GSTO1-1 in T47-D cells. In contrast to the deglutathionylation activity, we also found that GSTO1-1 is associated with the rapid glutathionylation of cellular proteins when the cells are exposed to S-nitrosoglutathione. The common A140D genetic polymorphism in GSTO1 was found to have significant effects on the kinetics of both the deglutathionylation and glutathionylation reactions. Genetic variation in GSTO1-1 has been associated with a range of diseases, and the discovery that a frequent GSTO1-1 polymorphism affects glutathionylation cycle reactions reveals a common mechanism where it can act on multiple proteins and pathways.
Microsurgical endodontic retreatment of a maxillary molar with a separated file: a case report.

BACKGROUND A separated instrument complicated orthograde endodontic retreatment of a maxillary molar tooth with apical periodontitis. METHODS The tooth was treated utilizing microsurgical techniques that employed an operating microscope, ultrasonics, micro-instrumentation and mineral trioxide aggregate as a root-end filling material. RESULTS Healing was evident at a 12-month review appointment. CONCLUSIONS Microsurgical techniques have significantly improved the outcomes for healing of periapical lesions when compared to traditional approaches to endodontic surgery. Success rates have been shown to be comparable with conventional orthograde treatment.
Thermal modeling and experimental verification using large-sized stacked chips

This paper introduces a thermal design method for 3D integration, using stacked thermal chips consisting of 100 polysilicon heaters in a 30 mm by 30 mm area on each chip to verify thermal models. For each heater, two levels of thermal load can be selected. Thermal effects from hot-spots in stacked chips were measured and verified in simulation results. Through this investigation, thermal models with a cooling plate were established. The resulting thermal design simulations can be applied to different conditions by varying both the power map of stacked chips and the flow rate of coolant supply toward an optimized operation point.
The Occupation, Marriage, and Fertility Choices of Women: A Life-Cycle Model

An extensive literature in labor economics recognizes that the life-cycle labor force participation of a woman is highly associated with her family choices. There is, however, virtually no study going further to incorporate female occupational choices. This paper attempts to fill this gap in labor supply literature by examining the interrelatedness of occupation, marital status and fertility choices of women over the life cycle. A discrete choice dynamic utility maximization model is constructed to investigate how relevant determinants influence a woman’s career and family path and how these decisions interplay with each other. Using longitudinal data on women from the 1979 youth cohort of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, I estimate my model through the maximum likelihood estimation method in a dynamic programming fashion which takes into account the uncertainties from random arrivals of job opportunities, unexpected failure of birth control and temporary shocks to family earnings. The estimation results of structural parameters indicate that women’s lifecycle patterns of occupation, marriage and contraceptive behaviors vary significantly with their observable characteristics such as age, education, ability, race, and the presence of young children.
Advanced Glycation End Products in Vitreous : Structural and Functional Implications for Diabetic

PURPOSE. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) form irreversible cross-links with many macromolecules and have been shown to accumulate in tissues at an accelerated rate in diabetes. In the present study, AGE formation in vitreous was examined in patients of various ages and in patients with diabetes. Ex vivo investigations were performed on bovine vitreous incubated in glucose to determine AGE formation and cross-linking of vitreous collagen.