Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vagal and spinal afferent innervation of the rat esophagus: A combined retrograde tracing and immunocytochemical study with special emphasis on calcium‐binding proteins

Vagal afferent neurons contain a variety of neurochemical markers and neuroactive substances, most of which are present also in dorsal root ganglion cells. To test for the suitability of the calcium‐binding protein calretinin as a specific marker for vagal afferent fibers in the periphery, immunocytochemistry for this protein was combined with retrograde tracing. Nerve fibers in the rat esophagus, as well as vagal and spinal sensory neurons innervating the esophagus, were investigated for co‐localization of calretinin with calbindin, calcitonin gene‐related peptide, and NADPH diaphorase. The results indicated that calretinin immunocytochemistry demonstrates neuronal structures known as vagal afferent from other studies, in particular intraganglionic laminar endings. A few enteric neurons whose distribution was unrelated to intraganglionic laminar endings also stained for calretinin. Strikingly, calretinin immunoreactivity was absent from spinal afferent neurons innervating the rat esophagus. In intraganglionic laminar endings and nodose ganglion cells calretinin was highly co‐localized with calbindin but not with calcitonin gene‐related peptide. On the other hand, calbindin was also found in spinal afferents to the esophagus where it was co‐localized with calcitonin gene‐related peptide. Vagal afferent neurons innervating the esophagus were never positive for NADPH diaphorase. Thus, calretinin appears to be a more specific marker for vagal afferent structures in the esophagus than calbindin, which is expressed by both vagal and spinal sensory neurons. Calretinin immunocytochemistry may be utilized as a valuable tool for investigations of subpopulations of vagal afferents in certain viscera. J. Comp. Neurol. 398:289–307, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prediction of Fractures and Major Cardiovascular Events in Men Using Serum Osteoprotegerin Levels: The Prospective STRAMBO Study

Fragility fractures and cardiovascular diseases often coincide. However, data on shared risk factors and markers are scarce. Our aim was to assess the independent associations of serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels with the risk of fracture and cardiovascular outcomes (acute coronary syndrome, cardiac death) in older men. A cohort of 819 home‐dwelling men aged 60 to 87 years was followed prospectively for 8 years. Serum OPG was measured at baseline by ELISA. Bone mineral density (BMD) at femoral neck and Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) were assessed by DXA. Clinical risk factors and Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) were assessed. The incident events (self‐reported peripheral fractures and acute coronary syndrome, cardiac death reported by a proxy) confirmed by a health professional were retained for the statistical analysis. Incident vertebral fractures were assessed on lateral DXA scans after 4 and 8 years. Hazard risk (HR) was assessed using the Cox model. After adjustment for FRAX corrected for femoral neck BMD and TBS, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and prior falls, the risk of fracture was twofold higher in the highest versus the lowest OPG quartile (HR 2.35; 95% CI, 1.35 to 4.10). The risk of vertebral and nonvertebral fracture was higher in the highest versus the lowest OPG quartile (OR 2.76 [95% CI, 1.08 to 7.05] and HR 2.46 [95% CI, 1.23 to 4.92]). The risk of major osteoporotic fracture was higher in the fourth versus the first OPG quartile (HR 2.43; 95% CI, 1.16 to 5.10). The risk of cardiovascular outcome (adjusted for confounders) was higher in the highest versus the lowest OPG quartile (HR 3.93; 95% CI, 1.54 to 10.04). The risk of fracture and cardiovascular outcome was higher in the highest OPG quartile versus the lower quartiles combined (HR 2.06 [95% CI, 1.35 to 3.14] and HR 2.98 [95% CI, 1.60 to 5.54], respectively). In conclusion, in older men, higher serum OPG levels represent an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and fracture risk. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Improvement in pediatric critical care outcomes.

First, Drs. Vardis and Pollack (1) claim that the veracity of the database is unknown because the details of the data collection, standardization of definitions, resampling procedures, and sample completeness were not reported. Because sites voluntarily agreed to collect data for a 1-yr period, the resampling of patient records was not possible. Our data collection procedures did include nurse training, standardization of data collection procedures, and assurances of sample completeness, as reported in "Materials and Methods. " Furthermore, we also reported that data from five institutions were not used because of concerns regarding the completeness of their data. The data from the remaining institutions were 98% complete.
Cortical and subcortical contributions to the attentive processing of speech

The neuroanatomical correlates of attentive listening were investigated with functional magnetic resonance imaging and an attention task in which listeners responded only to words that combined two specific attributes of voice and semantic content. This task was performed under two different attentive listening conditions: (i) diotically, with words presented sequentially, and (ii) dichotically, with male and female voices presented simultaneously but segregated to different ears. For both conditions, functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed bihemispheric but right-lateralized activity patterns in mid-prefrontal, anterior cingulate, and inferior parietal areas, as well as significant anterior insular and subcortical activation. Manipulating attentional demands under different listening conditions revealed an important role for right anterior insula, striatum, and thalamus in the regulation of attentive listening to spoken language.
The Redeemer in an “Irredeemable Text” (1 Timothy 2:9–15)

In the ongoing debate about the meaning of 1 Timothy 2:9–15 some have branded it an “irredeemable text of terror” while for others it contains “God’s eternal design for men and women. ” In this article it is argued that both these views fail to give due cognisance to the declared intention of the author of this passage. It is demonstrated how, in a strategy of accommodation, the author uses traditional material to further his (and God’s) aim to save all people by bringing them to the knowledge of the truth about Jesus Christ, the Redeemer. In the final hermeneusis it is proposed that the legitimate and authoritative application of 1 Timothy 2:9–15 lies in its intended soteriological focus and strategy and not in the endorsement of any social or socio-political agenda.
Manifold Learning Approaches to Compressing Latent Spaces of Unsupervised Feature Hierarchies

Mark De Deuge Doctor of Philosophy The University of Sydney June 2015 Manifold Learning Approaches to Compressing Latent Spaces of Unsupervised Feature Hierarchies Field robots encounter dynamic unstructured environments containing a vast array of unique objects. In order to make sense of the world in which they are placed, they collect large quantities of unlabelled data with a variety of sensors. Producing robust and reliable applications depends entirely on the ability of the robot to understand the unlabelled data it obtains. Deep Learning techniques have had a high level of success in learning powerful unsupervised representations for a variety of discriminative and generative models. Applying these techniques to problems encountered in eld robotics remains a challenging endeavour. Modern Deep Learning methods are typically trained with a substantial labelled dataset, while datasets produced in a eld robotics context contain limited labelled training data. The primary motivation for this thesis stems from the problem of applying large scale Deep Learning models to eld robotics datasets that are label poor. While the lack of labelled ground truth data drives the desire for unsupervised methods, the need for improving the model scaling is driven by two factors, performance and computational requirements. When utilising unsupervised layer outputs as representations for classi cation, the classi cation performance increases with layer size. Scaling up models with multiple large layers of features is problematic, as the sizes of subsequent hidden layers scales with the size of the previous layer. This quadratic scaling, and the associated time required to train such networks has prevented adoption of large Deep Learning models beyond cluster computing. The contributions in this thesis are developed from the observation that parameters or lter elements learnt in Deep Learning systems are typically highly structured, and contain related elements. Firstly, the structure of unsupervised lters is utilised to construct a mapping from the high
Contact phase of blood coagulation in diabetes mellitus

Abstract. The first phase of the intrinsic coagulation system was studied in twenty‐six diabetic outpatients. The parameters tested were kallicrein, prekallicrein, factor XI and factor XII activities. Kallicrein and factor XI showed significantly elevated activities as compared with a normal control group (P<0·05 and <0·001, respectively). Factor XI and factor XII levels were higher in non‐insulin dependent than in insulin dependent diabetics. We found that the kallicreinprekallicrein system was activated in our diabetic patients and that such activation could probably be secondary to lesions of the vascular endothelium present in long‐term diabetics. No correlation was found between glycaemia and activity levels of this system. Our data represent another demonstration of the existence of a hypercoagulable state in diabetes mellitus.
EXPOSURE TO MILD HYPOXIA AND IMPLICATIONS FOR DECISION MAKING

The requirement to ensure that glider pilots are functioning at a sufficiently competent level must be based on their ability to perform rule-based and knowledge-based decision making. When the implication for decision making is combined with the now, well documented, variability in individual response to a hypoxic insult, the results of this study suggest that competitive glider pilots should consider using supplementary oxygen at altitudes significantly below 10,000 ft in order to maintain a high level of blood oxygen saturation to improve their rule-and knowledge-based decision making abilities.
A prospective study evaluating the presence of Rickettsia in Danish patients with sarcoidosis

Rickettsia helvetica has previously been proposed as an aetiological agent in sarcoidosis. The purpose of the present study was to detect possible signs of Rickettsia infection in a Danish population of patients with sarcoidosis. Twenty-six patients with newly diagnosed sarcoidosis were prospectively enrolled in the study. The diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy in 18 and by clinical characteristics in 8 patients; 11 patients with different non-sarcoid lung diseases were recruited as controls. We obtained information regarding tick exposure and sarcoid disease manifestations by a structured interview. Evidence of rickettsial infection was assessed by an immunofluorescence assay testing for antibodies towards Rickettsia as well as specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on lung biopsy specimens. We performed fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) on the biopsies to detect rickettsial and eubacterial rRNA. One sarcoidosis patient had serum rickettsial IgG antibodies above the chosen cut-off level. We found no positive rickettsial PCR or FISH analyses in any of the biopsy specimens. One sarcoid patient sample and 1 control sample contained unidentified bacteria. There was no difference in the reported frequency of tick bite between patients and controls. In conclusion, we found no evidence of Rickettsia being involved in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis in Denmark.
Antioxidant function of melanin in black fungi

1,8-Dihydroxynaphthalene melanin in Wangiella dermatitidis and Alternaria alternata was titrated in vivo with the oxidants permanganate, hypochlorite, and H2O2. Melanized strains neutralized more oxidant and withstood higher concentrations of permanganate and hypochlorite than albino strains did. H2O2 killing required 1,000-fold higher concentrations, and melanin did not protect W. dermatitidis against H2O2.
Correlation between melanogenic and catalase activity in in vitro human melanocytes: a synergic strategy against oxidative stress

UV‐induced DNA damage can lead to melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Understanding the mechanisms employed by melanocytes to protect against UV is therefore a key issue. In melanocytes, catalase is the main enzyme responsible for degrading hydrogen peroxide and we have previously shown that that low basal levels of catalase activity are associated with the light phototype in in vitro and ex vivo models. Here we investigate the possible correlation between its activity and melanogenesis in primary cultures of human melanocytes. We show that while the total melanin concentration is directly correlated to the level of pigmentation, the more the degree of pigmentation increased, the lower the proportion of pheomelanin present. Moreover, in human melanocytes in vitro, catalase‐specific mRNA, protein and enzymatic activity were all directly correlated with total cellular melanin content. We also observed that immediately after a peroxidative treatment, the increase in reactive oxygen species was inversely associated with pigmentation level. Darkly pigmented melanocytes therefore possess two protective strategies represented by melanins and catalase activity that are likely to act synergistically to counteract the deleterious effects of UV radiation. By contrast, lightly pigmented melanocytes possess lower levels of melanogenic and catalase activity and are therefore more susceptible to accumulate damage after UV exposition.
New Insights Into the FGF 23-Klotho Axis

586 (CKD). Hyperphosphatemia, and the homeostatic mechanisms controlling phosphate metabolism, have received particular attention over the past decade. The phosphate-regulating hormone fibroblast growth factor23 (FGF23) was discovered through studies of rare hypophosphatemic disorders, whereas Klotho, which subsequently turned out to be a co-receptor for FGF23, was identified in a mouse model showing hyperphosphatemia and multiple aging-like traits. The FGF23–Klotho endocrine axis is a pivotal regulator of mineral metabolism. In CKD, early onset of Klotho deficiency contributes to renal FGF23 resistance and a maladaptive increase in circulating FGF23. FGF23 is an early biomarker of renal injury and increased FGF23 predicts adverse clinical outcomes, in particular cardiovascular disease. A paradigm of FGF23 excess and Klotho deficiency is proposed, in which FGF23 preferentially stimulates left ventricular hypertrophy, and loss of Klotho augments fibrosis, endothelial dysfunction, and vascular calcification. The clinical benefit of FGF23 and Klotho measurements remain uncertain, nevertheless, the FGF23–Klotho axis is a solid candidate for a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target in CKD. Semin Nephrol 34:586-597 C 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
HEART RATE VARIABILITY AND BAROREFLEX SENSITIVITY IN SUBJECTS WITHOUT HEART DISEASE

Healthy subjects show wide interindividual variation in their heart rate behavior, but the factors affecting heart rate dynamics are not well known. This research was undertaken to evaluate heart rate variability (HRV) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in a large random sample of subjects without evidence of heart disease, and to estimate the relation of heart rate behavior to age, sex and cardiovascular risk factors. Short-term HRV was analyzed from 15-minute periods of standardized recording in supine and upright positions using time and frequency domain measures, and BRS was calculated using the Valsalva maneuver in an original randomly selected population of 600 hypertensive and 600 control middle-aged subjects. In addition, HRV was analyzed from the same segments using new measures based on fractals and complexity (chaos theory) of R–R interval dynamics in the same random population, and from 24-hour period in 114 healthy subjects aged from 1 to 82 years. Large interindividual variation was observed in the measures of HRV and BRS in middle-aged subjects; coefficient of variation (CV) of the standard deviation of R–R intervals (SDNN) 39% (54 ± 21 ms) and CV of BRS 49% (9.9 ± 4.9 ms/mmHg). In healthy middle-aged men, SDNN was weakly related to age (r = -0.19, p < 0.01), HDL cholesterol (0.19, p < 0.01), serum insulin (-0.23, p < 0.001) and triglyceride (-0.25, p < 0.001) levels. In women, SDNN was only related to insulin levels (r = -0.23, p < 0.001). BRS was related to systolic blood pressure (r = -0.31 and -0.30, in men and women respectively, p < 0.001 for both) and blood glucose (r = -0.25, p < 0.01) and serum insulin levels (r = -0.34, p < 0.001) in women. Lesser intersubject variation was observed in the nonlinear measures of HRV; CV 14% of short-term scaling exponent (a1), a measure of fractal-like correlation properties of HRV, (1.21 ± 0.17) and CV 12% of approximate entropy, a measure of complexity, (1.13 ± 0.14). Neither a1 or ApEn was related to any risk factors. Women had lower overall short-term HRV (p < 0.01) and BRS (p < 0.001), but a higher spectral high-frequency component of HRV, higher ApEn and lower a1 (p < 0.001 for all) compared to men. The impairment in overall HRV was confined to the hypertensive subjects with metabolic features of the insulin resistance syndrome (IRS, n = 69), but the BRS and spectral high-frequency component were also impaired in hypertensive subjects without IRS compared to normotensive subjects. The 24-hour cardiac interbeat interval dynamics changed markedly from childhood to old age. Children showed similar complexity and fractal correlation properties of R–R intervals as young adults. Healthy aging resulted in R–R interval dynamics with higher regularity and predictability and altered fractal
Determination of the Toxicities of Fenpropathrin (Pyrethroid) and Neem Formulation (RB-a+PBO+Tx-100) Against Alphitobius diaperinus Adults and Their Effects on Transaminases

This report describes the determination of the toxicity of two pesticides, neem formulation (RB-a+PBO+Tx-100) and fenpropathrin, on Alphitobius diaperinus adults. The mortalities caused by the two compounds were found to be 70% for a 117.8mg/cm 2 dose of neem formulation, and 88% for a 1.96 mg/cm 2 dose of synthetic pyrethroid, fenpropathrin (Danitol). The LD 50 value of Danitol was found to be 0.2749 mg/cm 2 , and that of neem formulation was found to be 58.92 mg/cm 2 . Danitol-treated Alphitobius diaperinus adults showed inhibitions of 44.66% and 45.91% in GPT and GOT activity, respectively, Whereas insects treated with neem formulation showed inhibitions of 52.48% and 12.15% in GPT and GOT activity, respectively.
Effects of maternal administration of aluminum chloride on the development of the skeletal system of albino rat fetuses - protective role of saffron

SUMMARY Aluminum is widely used in food packaging and additives. Aluminum chloride (AlCl3) was known to cause maternal toxicity and embryolethality. Previous studies have demonstrated the antioxidant effects of saffron. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of maternal administration of aluminum chloride during the period of embryogenesis on the development of the skeletal system of albino rat fetuses and the protective role of saffron. Twenty four virgin female albino rats were used throughout this study. One male rat was introduced into a cage with two females for mating. Once the pregnancy was confirmed, pregnant rats were divided into the following groups: Control, AlCl3 treated (200 mg/ kg) and AlCl3+S treated (AlCl3 200 mg/kg and saffron 200 mg/kg in water extract). Rats received treatments daily from the 6th to 15th day of gestation intragastrically and sacrificed on the 20 th day. The fetuses were obtained through Caesarian section, stained with Alizarin red and examined for skeletal development. AlCl3 treated rats showed toxic manifestations and decreased weight gain and their fetuses revealed increased embryolethality and a higher number of bones showed delayed ossification. AlCl3 +S treated animals revealed improvement in maternal weight gain, embryolethality and bone ossification. We conclud that AlCl3 induces delay in bone development, and saffron ameliorates its effects.
DSM control of perishable inventory systems with remote supply source and uncertain demand

In this paper, we apply the concept of discrete sliding modes (DSMs) in designing efficient supply policy for a class of perturbed processes with delay - goods flow control in supply chain. In the considered systems, the stock used to satisfy the unknown, time-varying demand placed at a goods distribution center is replenished with delay from a remote supply source. The order quantity is fixed, leaving the time between the consecutive orders as a decision variable, which perfectly suits the switched nature of input signals obtained in DSM control systems. It is shown that under the proposed nonlinear policy the stock level does not exceed the assigned storage space. Moreover, it is also demonstrated that the stock is never entirely depleted, which guarantees full demand satisfaction and maximum service level.
Occurrence and possible biological role of the endocannabinoid system in the sea squirt Ciona intestinalis

A cannabinoid receptor orthologue (CiCBR) has been described in the sea squirt Ciona intestinalis. Here we report that CiCBR mRNA expression is highest in cerebral ganglion, branchial pharynx, heart and testis of C. intestinalis, and that this organism also contains cannabinoid receptor ligands and some of the enzymes for ligand biosynthesis and inactivation. Using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, the endocannabinoid anandamide was found in all tissues analysed (0.063–5.423 pmol/mg of lipid extract), with the highest concentrations being found in brain and heart. The endocannabinoid 2‐arachidonoylglycerol (2‐AG) was fivefold more abundant than anandamide, and was most abundant in stomach and intestine and least abundant in heart and ovaries (2.677–50.607 pmol/mg of lipid extract). Using phylogenomic analysis, we identified orthologues of several endocannabinoid synthesizing and degrading enzymes. In particular, we identified and partly sequenced a fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) orthologue, showing 44% identity with human FAAH and containing nearly all the amino acids necessary for a functional FAAH enzyme. Ciona intestinalis also contained specific binding sites for cannabinoid receptor ligands, and an amidase enzyme with pH‐dependency and subcellular/tissue distribution similar to mammalian FAAHs. Finally, a typical C. intestinalis behavioural response, siphon reopening after closure induced by mechanical stimulation, was inhibited by the cannabinoid receptor agonist HU‐210, and this effect was significantly attenuated by mammalian cannabinoid receptor antagonists.