Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic field restores spinal cord injury-induced tonic pain and its related neurotransmitter concentration in the brain

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is unequivocally reported to produce hyperalgesia to phasic stimuli, while both hyper- and hypoalgesia to tonic stimuli. The former is spinally mediated and the latter centrally. Besides, its management is unsatisfactory. We report the effect of magnetic field (MF; 17.96 μT, 50 Hz) on tonic pain behavior and related neurotransmitters in the brain of complete thoracic (T13) SCI rats at week 8. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into Sham, SCI and SCI+MF groups. Formalin-pain behavior was compared utilizing 5 min block pain rating (PR), 60 min session-PR, time spent in various categories of increasing pain (T0–T3) and flinch incidences. Serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), norepinepherine (NE), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate and glycine were estimated in brain tissue by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Session-PR, block-PR and number of flinches were significantly lower, while time spent in categories 0–1 was higher in the SCI versus Sham group. These parameters were comparable in the SCI+MF versus Sham group. 5-HT concentration in cortex, remaining forebrain areas and brain stem (BS), was lower while GABA and NE were higher in BS of SCI, which were comparable with Sham in the SCI+MF group. The concentration of DA, glutamate and glycine was comparable amongst the groups. The data indicate significant hypoalgesia in formalin pain while increased in GABA, NE and decreased in 5-HT post-SCI, which were restored in the SCI+MF group. We suggest beneficial effect of chronic (2 h/day × 8 weeks) exposure to MF (50 Hz, 17.96 μT) on tonic pain that is mediated by 5-HT, GABA and NE in complete SCI rats.
Low levels of activated protein C in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus do not relate to lupus anticoagulants but to low levels of factor II

Summary. The presence of lupus anticoagulants (LAC) in plasma is a major risk factor for thrombosis. An attractive hypothesis to explain a LAC‐mediated thrombotic tendency is that LAC interfere with activation of protein C, a natural antithrombotic in plasma. We investigated the relationship between LAC and protein C activation in vivo. We selected 20 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with LAC (and not using oral anticoagulants), 36 patients with SLE without LAC and 25 healthy volunteers. In these, we measured circulating levels of activated protein C (APC), prothrombin (FII), free protein S, C4BP, protein C, and antibodies to protein C, protein S, FII and β2‐glycoprotein I (β2GPI). In SLE patients (n = 56), mean levels of APC, FII and free protein S were significantly (P < 0·001) lower than those in healthy volunteers (respectively 13%, 17% and 14%). Mean protein C levels and C4BP levels were similar for SLE patients and healthy volunteers. In contrast to the above hypothesis, the decreased levels of APC could not be attributed to the presence of LAC. Levels of APC were correlated with both FII levels and protein C levels. Decreased levels of APC, FII, protein C and free protein S were related to the presence of anti‐FII antibodies. None of the patients had antibodies against protein C or protein S. In conclusion, although the mean levels of APC, FII and free protein S were significantly decreased in SLE patients, no correlation with LAC was found. However, anti‐FII antibodies were related to decreased levels of APC, FII, protein C, free protein S and C4BP. As FII levels, and not protein C levels, were decreased in SLE patients and correlated with APC levels, we conclude that the decreased FII levels are responsible for the low levels of APC.
Randomized, controlled trial of percutaneous cryoablation versus radiofrequency ablation in hepatocellular carcinoma

1. El-Serag HB, Kanwal F. Epidemiology of hepatocellular carcinoma in the United States: where are we? Where do we go? HEPATOLOGY 2014;60:1767-1775. 2. Kim HJ, Kim HJ, Lee KE, Kim DJ, Kim SK, Ahn CW, et al. Metabolic significance of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in nonobese, nondiabetic adults. Arch Intern Med 2004;164:2169-2175. 3. Pang Q, Zhang JY, Song SD, Qu K, Xu XS, Liu SS, et al. Central obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease risk after adjusting for body mass index. World J Gastroenterol 2014 (In press). Available at: http://www.wjgnet. com/esps/ArticleInPressDetail.aspx? id511230. Accessed August 28, 2014. 4. Schlesinger S, Aleksandrova K, Pischon T, Fedirko V, Jenab M, Trepo E, et al. Abdominal obesity, weight gain during adulthood and risk of liver and biliary tract cancer in a European cohort. Int J Cancer 2013;132:645-657. 5. Ma Y, Yang Y, Wang F, Zhang P, Shi C, Zou Y, et al. Obesity and risk of colorectal cancer: a systematic review of prospective studies. PLoS One 2013;8:e53916.
ERP Indicators of Learning in Adults

This study investigated learning-related changes in the brain activity of young adults. A group of 29 undergraduate students (18–24 years) participated in a learning study that included a pretest, a training session, and a posttest. Each trial involved presentation of a complex visual stimulus and its spoken "name. " Auditory event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded in response to matching and mismatching names. In the pretest, the participants guessed whether the names were matching the figures. During training they learned the names of a set of simple elements making up the complex figures and were required to master a simple rule for combining the visual and auditory stimuli. The posttest included presentation of the combinations learned during training as well as novel pairings of the same elements. Following training the number of correct responses for learned items doubled and the amplitudes of the auditory ERPs to learned and rule transfer stimuli were more positive than brain waves to the not learned or novel items over most of the analysis window. The ERPs further differentiated between a familiarity response (late positive shift) and learning-specific changes (N2–P3 range). Overall, the findings suggest that ERPs can be a useful tool for learning assessment and offer new insights in the study of individual differences associated with the learning process.
Factors that influence blood loss and need for transfusion following total knee arthroplasty.

Background Blood loss during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains a concern, as many patients require blood transfusions, which increase risks of allergic reactions, disease transmission, and thromboembolisms. The purpose was to determine factors associated with blood loss and need for transfusion in patients receiving routine TKA. Methods The authors prospectively analyzed 150 consecutive uncemented TKAs for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), anticoagulant medication, type of anesthesia, tranexamic acid (TXA) administration, tourniquet inflation, drain placement, pre- and post-operative Haemoglobin (Hb) level (g/dL), and whether transfusion was necessary. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with Hb loss and need for transfusion with significance level set at P value<0.05. Results The cohort comprised 92 women and 58 men, aged 69.5±8.9 years. The mean Hb loss was 3.7±1.3 g/dL. The 20 patients (13%) who had transfusions also had lower preoperative Hb (12.6±1.2 g/dL) compared to the remaining patients (14.3±1.2 g/dL). Hb loss was significantly associated with preoperative Hb, TXA, and gender, but multivariable regression identified gender as a confounder and indicated that TXA reduced Hb loss by 0.92 g/dL. Multivariable regression revealed the need for transfusion was only significantly associated with preoperative Hb and indicated that a decrease of preoperative Hb by 1 g/dL nearly quadrupled the chances of needing transfusion. Conclusions Hb loss was significantly associated with preoperative Hb levels and use of TXA, while the need for transfusion was only associated with preoperative Hb levels. These findings could help identify patients at risk for blood transfusions. Level of evidence: level III, prospective case series.
The Therapeutic Potential of Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is a member of the PARP enzyme family consisting of PARP-1 and several recently identified novel poly(ADP-ribosylating) enzymes. PARP-1 is an abundant nuclear protein functioning as a DNA nick-sensor enzyme. Upon binding to DNA breaks, activated PARP cleaves NAD+ into nicotinamide and ADP-ribose and polymerizes the latter onto nuclear acceptor proteins including histones, transcription factors, and PARP itself. Poly(ADP-ribosylation) contributes to DNA repair and to the maintenance of genomic stability. On the other hand, oxidative stress-induced overactivation of PARP consumes NAD+ and consequently ATP, culminating in cell dysfunction or necrosis. This cellular suicide mechanism has been implicated in the pathomechanism of stroke, myocardial ischemia, diabetes, diabetes-associated cardiovascular dysfunction, shock, traumatic central nervous system injury, arthritis, colitis, allergic encephalomyelitis, and various other forms of inflammation. PARP has also been shown to associate with and regulate the function of several transcription factors. Of special interest is the enhancement by PARP of nuclear factor κB-mediated transcription, which plays a central role in the expression of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, and inflammatory mediators. Herein we review the double-edged sword roles of PARP in DNA damage signaling and cell death and summarize the underlying mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory effects of PARP inhibitors. Moreover, we discuss the potential use of PARP inhibitors as anticancer agents, radiosensitizers, and antiviral agents.
Game theory and risk‐based leveed river system planning with noncooperation

Optimal risk‐based levee designs are usually developed for economic efficiency. However, in river systems with multiple levees, the planning and maintenance of different levees are controlled by different agencies or groups. For example, along many rivers, levees on opposite riverbanks constitute a simple leveed river system with each levee designed and controlled separately. Collaborative planning of the two levees can be economically optimal for the whole system. Independent and self‐interested landholders on opposite riversides often are willing to separately determine their individual optimal levee plans, resulting in a less efficient leveed river system from an overall society‐wide perspective (the tragedy of commons). We apply game theory to simple leveed river system planning where landholders on each riverside independently determine their optimal risk‐based levee plans. Outcomes from noncooperative games are analyzed and compared with the overall economically optimal outcome, which minimizes net flood cost system‐wide. The system‐wide economically optimal solution generally transfers residual flood risk to the lower‐valued side of the river, but is often impractical without compensating for flood risk transfer to improve outcomes for all individuals involved. Such compensation can be determined and implemented with landholders' agreements on collaboration to develop an economically optimal plan. By examining iterative multiple‐shot noncooperative games with reversible and irreversible decisions, the costs of myopia for the future in making levee planning decisions show the significance of considering the externalities and evolution path of dynamic water resource problems to improve decision‐making.
ECOLOGÍA ISOTÓPICA EN LA PUNA SECA ARGENTINA: UN MARCO DE REFERENCIA PARA EL ESTUDIO DE LAS ESTRATEGIAS DE PASTOREO EN EL PASADO

El objetivo de este trabajo consiste en comprender las causas de variacion en las composiciones isotopicas de pasturas y camelidos domesticados de la Puna Seca Argentina, a fin de construir un marco de referencia para la interpretacion de las composiciones isotopicas de materiales provenientes de contextos arqueologicos del area. Se presentan 26 pares de valores de d13C y d15N medidos sobre dos rebanos de llamas manejados por pastores contemporaneos que emplean tecnicas tradicionales de pastoreo. Al mismo tiempo, se midieron 93 pares de valores de d13C y d15N sobre las pasturas consumidas por estas llamas en tres unidades vegetales diferentes situadas en distintas cotas. Los resultados presentados demuestran la existencia de diferencias en las composiciones isotopicas de las distintas comunidades vegetales, determinadas por la altitud y la humedad disponible en el ambiente. Este contraste en los valores isotopicos de la vegetacion entre ambas cotas altitudinales determina la existencia de diferencias en los valores de d13C y d15N de los dos rebanos de llamas muestreados. En este trabajo se discuten las dimensiones de variabilidad isotopica de la actividad pastoril contemporanea en la Puna Seca Argentina a partir de los valores de d13C y d15N medidos sobre pasturas y llamas.
Frequency diverse array with beam scanning feature

In this paper, the radiation characteristics of frequency diverse array (FDA) are explored by EM simulation. An intuitive beam scanning feature is observed from the transient field simulation results. The scanning speed is proved to be related to the frequency increment between two neighboring elements. Moreover, the relation between beam angle and time is derived for pulsed applications and verified mathematically.
Any Defining Role of Mast Cell or Mast Cell Density in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

Dear Sir, I read an article by Zaidi et al. titled to “A study on assessment of mast cell (MCs) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)” with great interest. [1] We are concerned about their meandering conclusion presuming close association between OSCC development and MC. Since the role of MCs in the tumor stroma has been very controversial so far, it needs further clarification. Furthermore, my interest in this study is that we have recently demonstrated human MC-mediated cytotoxicity against different human tumor cells in vitro. [2,3] Here, we want to emphasize anti-tumor effects of MC in the light of recent literature and our findings as well.
Cellular location and temperature‐dependent assembly of IncHI1 plasmid R27‐encoded TrhC‐associated conjugative transfer protein complexes

Conjugal transfer of IncHI plasmid DNA between Gram‐negative bacteria is temperature sensitive, as mating is optimal between 22°C and 30°C but is inhibited at 37°C. R27, isolated from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, is an IncHI1 plasmid of 180 kbp that has been sequenced completely. The gene encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) was inserted into R27 in frame with trhC. TrhC is a mating pair formation (Mpf) protein that is essential for plasmid transfer and H‐pilus production. Fluorescence microscopy allowed visualization of the TrhC–GFP fusion protein, and Escherichia coli cells were examined for the subcellular localization and temperature‐dependent production of TrhC–GFP. At 27°C, TrhC–GFP was found at the periphery of cells as discrete foci, indicating an association of TrhC within protein complexes in the bacterial cell membrane, whereas at 37°C, little fluorescence was detected. These foci probably represent the intracellular position of protein complexes involved in conjugative transfer, as the formation of foci was dependent upon the presence of other Mpf proteins. During temperature shift experiments from 37°C to 27°C, a long lag period was required for generation of GFP foci. Conversely, during short shifts from 27°C to 37°C, the GFP foci remained stable. These results suggest that the expression of transfer genes in the Tra2 region of R27 is temperature dependent. Subcellular localization of TrhC was verified by cellular fractionation. Expression patterns of TrhC–GFP were confirmed with immunoblot analysis and reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR). These results allow us to propose mechanisms to explain the temperature‐sensitive transfer of R27.
Limited Costimulatory Molecule Expression on Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells Impairs T Cell Activation

Background/Aims: MHC molecules are upregulated on renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (TEC) under inflammatory conditions. This allows TEC to act as ‘non-professional’ antigen-presenting cells (APC). The aim of this study was to compare the costimulatory molecule expression pattern and the T cell activation capacity between renal TEC and professional APC, e.g. bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DC). Methods: Flow cytometry analysis was used to study the costimulatory molecule surface expression on TEC or BM-DC. Ovalbumin-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell activation induced by TEC or BM-DC was compared, in terms of T cell proliferation, cytokine production and CTL activity. Results: TEC did not constitutively express significant amounts of costimulatory molecules. Stimulation of TEC with IFN-β or IFN-γ, but not other tested cytokines, enhanced the expression of PD-L1, ICOS-L and CD40. Compared to BM-DC, TEC only induced suboptimal T cell activation. Blockade of PD-L1 on both APC strongly increased T cell activity. Furthermore, high PD-L1-expressing TEC were more resistant to the cytolysis by CTL. Conclusion: The low costimulatory molecule expression may explain the suboptimal T cell activation by TEC. The IFN-upregulated negative costimulatory molecule PD-L1 on TEC may play a protective role to limit tissue injury during renal parenchymal immune responses.
Xenon alters right ventricular function

Background: In contrast to other volatile anesthetics, xenon produces less cardiovascular depression with fewer fluctuations of various hemodynamic parameters, but reduces cardiac output (CO) in vivo. Besides an increase in left ventricular afterload and reduction of heart rate, an impairment of the right ventricular function might be an additional pathophysiological mechanism for the reduction of CO. Therefore, we used an animal model to study the effects of xenon as a supplemental anesthetic on right ventricular function, especially right ventricular afterload.
Interaction Between Borrelia burgdorferi and Immature Human Dendritic Cells

Antigen uptake and the following maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) are pivotal to the initiation of specific antimicrobial immune responses. DCs also play an important role in the recruitment and activation of the cells of the innate immune system. We have examined the interactions of DCs with Borrelia burgdorferi to find explanations for the difficulties the human immune system has in dealing with the bacterium. Phagocytosis of B. burgdorferi by immature DCs and the effect of the bacterium on the maturation and interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) secretion of DCs were studied. Borreliae were phagocytized and processed into fragments by DCs; narrow tube‐like pseudopods and broad pseudopods were used for the engulfment. The immature DC population gained a heterogeneous appearance within 2 h of incubation with the borreliae. A 24 h coculture with borreliae induced maturation and IL‐8 secretion in the DCs in a manner comparable with the effect of lipopolysaccharides. All strains studied, including a mutant strain lacking outer surface proteins A and B, were capable of inducing these responses. Thus, our results did not show any clear inadequacy concerning the way DCs are dealing with B. burgdorferi. However, further studies on the subject are required.
A New Deconvolution Method based on Maximum Entropy and Quasi-moment Truncation Technique

A reflecting fluorescence microscope has a reflecting fluorescence illumination optical system, an observation optical system, and a specimen supporting means for mounting a specimen. In this case, an optical member for attenuating excited light supplied from the reflecting fluorescence illumination optical system is interposed between the specimen and the specimen supporting means. Thus, an observation in which little auto-fluorescent light is produced and a contrast is good can be carried out.
Blue Light- and Low Temperature-Regulated COR27 and COR28 Play Roles in the Arabidopsis Circadian Clock

COR27 and COR28 are regulated by light and low temperature and, in turn, regulate the circadian clock, freezing tolerance, and flowering time. Light and temperature are two key environmental signals that profoundly affect plant growth and development, but underlying molecular mechanisms of how light and temperature signals affect the circadian clock are largely unknown. Here, we report that COR27 and COR28 are regulated not only by low temperatures but also by light signals. COR27 and COR28 are negative regulators of freezing tolerance but positive regulators of flowering, possibly representing a trade-off between freezing tolerance and flowering. Furthermore, loss-of-function mutations in COR27 and COR28 result in period lengthening of various circadian output rhythms and affect central clock gene expression. Also, the cor27 cor28 double mutation affects the pace of the circadian clock. Additionally, COR27 and COR28 are direct targets of CCA1, which represses their transcription via chromatin binding. Finally, we report that COR27 and COR28 bind to the chromatin of TOC1 and PRR5 to repress their transcription, suggesting that their effects on rhythms are in part due to their regulation of TOC1 and PRR5. These data demonstrate that blue light and low temperature-regulated COR27 and COR28 regulate the circadian clock as well as freezing tolerance and flowering time.
Suicide Ideation and Deliberate Self-Harm among Ex-Prisoners of War

The current study aims to assess the relations among war captivity, PTSD, suicidal ideation (SI), and deliberate self-harm (DSH) among former prisoners of war (ex-POWs). Israeli ex-POWs (N = 176) and a matched control group of combat veterans (controls; N = 118) were assessed using self-report measures. Ex-POWs with PTSD reported higher levels of both SI and DSH compared to ex-POWs and comparable veterans without PTSD. Furthermore, captivity-related variables as well as PTSD symptom clusters were positively related to both SI and DSH. However, only loss of emotional control in captivity and posttraumatic intrusion and emotional numbing symptoms, predicted SI. Ex-POWs with PTSD endorse high levels of SI and DSH. Among ex-POWs, both SI and DSH share similar captivity-related and posttraumatic symptoms correlates but only posttraumatic intrusion and emotional numbing symptoms predict SI.