Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cytochemical characteristics of neurons in the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus of hatchling chicks

The goal of the present study was to identify cytochemical markers characteristic of muscle afferents in hatchling chicks. To this end, we stained neurons in the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus with a variety of markers that label subsets of neurons in avian dorsal root ganglia. We found that trigeminal mesencephalic neurons are surprisingly heterogeneous in their cytochemical make‐up, expressing, to varying degrees, substance P, cholecystokinin, carbonic anhydrase, calbindin D‐28k, parvalbumin, and S‐100β. Calbindin D28k and S‐100β appeared to be expressed equally in medial and lateral divisions of the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus. In contrast, substance P‐ and cholecystokinin‐immunoreactive neurons were more abundant in the medial division, whereas carbonic anhydrase activity and parvalbumin immunoreactivity were stronger in the lateral division. We were unable to detect met‐enkephalin, neuropeptide Y, calcitonin gene‐related peptide, vasoactive intestinal peptide, somatostatin, γ‐aminobutyric acid, or tyrosine hydroxylase in the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus. Moreover, these neurons did not appear to bind the lectin Dolichos biflorus agglutinin. The heterogeneity of expression of markers among trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus neurons, especially between neurons in the medial and lateral divisions, suggests that these neurons are functionally diverse.
A detailed microscopic study of the changes in the aorta of experimental model of postmenopausal rats fed with repeatedly heated palm oil

Hypercholesterolaemia, increase in lipid peroxidation and hyperhomocysteinaemia may contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. This study was performed to examine the effects of repeatedly heated palm oil mixed with 2% cholesterol diet on atherosclerosis in oestrogen‐deficient postmenopausal rats. Ovariectomy causes disruption of tunica intima layer of the rat aorta simulating a postmenopausal condition in females. Twenty‐four ovariectomized female Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups. The control group received 2% cholesterol diet without palm oil. A diet with 2% cholesterol content fortified with fresh, once‐heated and five‐times‐heated palm oil was given to the other treatment groups. The rats were sacrificed at the end of 4 months of study and the aortic arch tissue was processed for histomorphometry and electron microscopy. On observation, there was disruption of the intimal layer of the ovariectomized rat aorta. There was no obvious ultrastructural change in the aorta of the rats fed with fresh palm oil. The ultrastructural changes were minimal with once‐heated palm oil, in which there was a focal disruption of the endothelial layer. The focal disruption was more pronounced with five‐times‐heated palm oil. The results of this study show that the ingestion of fresh palm oil may have a protective effect on the aorta but such a protective action may be lost when the palm oil is repeatedly heated. The study may be clinically important for all postmenopausal women who are susceptible to atherosclerosis.
Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy: Clinical Observations

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy has achieved global notoriety in only 20 years since it was introduced as “Takotsubo cardiomyopathy” (which means “octopus trap” in Japanese) (Dote et al., 1991). It is also known as “left ventricular apical ballooning”, “ampulla cardiomyopathy” and “broken heart syndrome”. Stress-induced cardiomyopathy is associated with typical electrocardiographic findings and severe chest pain suggesting ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, emergency coronary angiography usually does not show significant stenosis or definite flow limitation. In general, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is markedly depressed and is recovered within the normal range within 1–2 weeks. Most cases have a good outcome and some may not even need further medical therapy if the underlying the cause is uncovered. Several hypotheses have been proposed but the pathophysiologic mechanism is incompletely understood. Here we discuss the clinical findings, diagnostic modalities, possible pathophysiologic mechanisms, prognosis and management of stress-induced cardiomyopathy.
Long non-coding RNA HOXA11-AS promotes the proliferation HCC cells by epigenetically silencing DUSP5

Hepatocellular carcinoma has been identified as the fifth most common cancer in men and the ninth in women worldwide. Despite many efforts have been made in recent years, the overall survival rate of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma still remain unsatisfied. Therefore, exploring the mechanisms underlying the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma is essential for developing novel treatments to improve patient prognosis. HOXA11-AS, transcribed from the opposite strand of the protein-coding gene HOXA11, has been identified to be associated with the malignant characteristics of several cancers. However, the biological role and molecular mechanism of HOXA11-AS in hepatocellular carcinoma still need to be further investigated. In the current study, the expression of HOXA11-AS in the hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and tissues was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function approaches were applied to investigate the proliferative function of HOXA11-AS in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Results from flow cytometric analysis of apoptosis and cell cycle distribution revealed that HOXA11-AS promoted hepatocellular carcinoma cells proliferation through regulating cell cycle and apoptosis. Gene chip technology and quantitative real-time PCR confirmed that DUSP5 was a downstream target of HOXA11-AS. RNA immune co-precipitation assays, RNA pull-down and Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that HOXA11-AS could recruit EZH2 to the promoter region of DUSP5, which therefore suppressed the transcription of DUSP5. Collectively, these findings revealed that HOXA11-AS functions as an oncogene in hepatocellular carcinoma through interacting with polycomb-repressive complex2.
Effect of 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 in rats with experimental renal osteodystrophy.

A model of experimental renal osteodystrophy was established in the rats with chronic renal failure induced by partial nephrectomy and therapeutic effects of 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 (1 alpha-OH-D3) were studied. Male Wistar rats weighing 180 g were 5/6 nephrectomized and fed a normal diet (Ca and P : 1%) for 6 months. After the surgery, serum creatinine levels increased 60% and thereafter continued to rise gradually with their growth for 4 to 5 months, followed by rapid increase. The serum phosphorus levels were also elevated concomitantly and the serum calcium concentrations were normal. Marked bone resorption accompanied with hypertrophy of parathyroid glands was observed by histological examinations (Tetrachrome-Fuchsin stain, contact microradiography and H-E stain). The bone resorption seemed to be due to secondary hyperparathyroidism. Treatment with 0.25 micrograms/kg/day p.o. of 1 alpha-OH-D3 for 10 days in the uremic state resulted in remarkable new bone formation which was confirmed by histological examinations. These results clearly demonstrated that the reduction of nephron mass play a critical clue of renal osteodystrophy and 1 alpha-OH-D3 appears to have a good potential for clinical use in patients with renal failure and metabolic bone diseases.
Quantitative extraction of amphotericin B from serum and its determination by high-pressure liquid chromatography

Therapeutic concentrations of amphotericin B in serum were measured by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with detection at 386 nm. Complete recovery of the drug and the internal standard from a 1-ml serum sample was achieved by pretreating the sample with guanidine hydrochloride and extracting it with a disposable reversed-phase phenyl extraction column. The method was sensitive to 0.005 micrograms of amphotericin B per ml and linear to at least 5 micrograms/ml. Coefficients of variation were 4.8% within-run and 6.3% between-run.
Early Neurogenesis and Teratogenesis in Whole Mouse Embryo Cultures. Histochemical, Immunocytological and Ultrastructural Study of the Premigratory Neuronal‐glial Units in Normal Mouse Embryo and in Mouse Embryos Influenced by Cocaine and Retinoic Acid

Abstract. Yolk sacs of postimplantation mouse embryos were cultured in a mixture of human and rat sera. The central nervous system of these cultured normal embryos was studied from the stage of 5–9 somites (approximately 8.5 postcoital days) to 20–21 somites (approximately 9.5 postcoital days) and compared with in vivo embryos at the same stages. This developmental period covers most of the neural tube closure, the early premigratory differentiation of the neuroectodermal epithelium, and the glial commitment of a population of germinative cells. The neuronal and glial elements of the in vitro cultivated embryos were found to be identical to the corresponding neural tissue in in vivo embryos (light and electron microscopic comparisons); the morphological identity between the in vivo and in vitro embryos was confirmed by morphometry and by stainings revealing the differentiation of the glial elements and precursors. The study of the neuronal-glial units in this material revealed that the fascicular organization of the radial glial cells occurs before the stage of 20 somites. When submitted to a single low dose of retinoic acid at the 7-somite stage, the expression of the epitope recognized by radial cell 2(RC2), a glial marker, is delayed in the in vitro embryos 12–16 hours, but the glycogen and the other glial parameters mature in time. The in vitro embryos exposed to cocaine at the 7-somite stage displayed a prosencephalon remaining deprived of almost all glial cytological features during the entire culture period, although the other developmental parameters evolved normally. This in vitro whole embryo model seems to be a powerful tool for studying early neurogenesis and teratogenesis.
The Body Projects of University Students with Type 1 Diabetes

Young adults with type 1 diabetes are a “forgotten group. ” Their perspectives are rarely addressed by research studies, meaning that we know little about the reasons why they engage (or not) in diabetes self-care practices. The limited work that has investigated these young people's perspectives suggests that they experience a tension between being healthy and being normal. In this article, I examine this tension from the viewpoints of a particular group of young adults with diabetes: university students. I examine what being normal means for these students and how their attempts to be normal impact upon their diabetes control. I argue that normalcy for these students is constructed and maintained through the body. Respondents attempt to be normal by engaging in what Shilling refers to as “body projects. ” Each of the body projects that students are involved in developing is intended to produce a particular kind of normal embodied identity that is unaffected by diabetes. Unfortunately, the constitutional practices of particular body projects often undermine those of others, and can be risky for students' diabetes control. As such, students have to reach a balance between their different body projects. This article helps to address the lack of research on the perspectives of young adults with diabetes, and contributes to theoretical research on the concept of body projects.
Mitochondrial DNA structure of an isolated Tunisian Berber population and its relationship with Mediterranean populations

Abstract Background: Douiret is an isolated Berber population from South-Eastern Tunisia. The strong geographic and cultural isolation characterising this population might have contributed to remarkable endogamy and consanguinity, which were practiced for several centuries. Aim: The objective of this study is to evaluate the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genetic structure of Douiret and to compare it to other Mediterranean populations with a special focus on major haplogroup T. Subjects and methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples of 58 unrelated individuals collected from the different patrilineal lineages of the population. The hypervariable region 1 of the mtDNA was amplified and sequenced. For comparative analyses, additional HVS1 sequences (n = 4857) were compiled from previous studies. Results: The maternal background of the studied sample from Douiret was mainly of Eurasian origin (74%) followed by Sub-Saharan (17%) and North African (3%) lineages. Douiret harbours the highest frequency of haplogroup T in the Mediterranean region, assigned to the unique subclade T1a (38%). Phylogenetic analysis showed an outlier position of Douiret at the Mediterranean level. Conclusions: The genetic structure of Douiret highlights the presence of founders, most likely of Near/Middle Eastern origin, who conquered this area during the Middle/Late Upper Palaeolithic and Neolithic dispersals.
Informed consent and the Facebook emotional manipulation study

This article argues that the study conducted by Facebook in conjunction with Cornell University did not have sufficient ethical oversight, and neglected in particular to obtain necessary informed consent from the participants in the study. It establishes the importance of informed consent in Internet research ethics and suggests that in Facebook’s case (and other, similar cases), a reasonable shift could be made from traditional medical ethics ‘effective consent’ to a ‘waiver of normative expectations’, although this would require much-needed change to the company’s standard practice. Finally, it gives some practical recommendations for how to implement such consent strategies, and how the ethical oversight gap between university-led research and industry-led research can be bridged, potentially using emerging Responsible Research and Innovation frameworks which are currently gathering momentum in Europe.
Susceptibility of Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) Life Stages to Elevated Temperatures used During Structural Heat Treatments

ABSTRACT Heat treatment of food-processing facilities involves using elevated temperatures (50– 60°C for 24–36 h) for management of stored-product insects. Heat treatment is a viable alternative to the fumigant methyl bromide, which is phased out in the United States as of 2005 because of its adverse effects on the stratospheric ozone. Very little is known about responses of the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (F.) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae), a pest associated with food-processing facilities, to elevated temperatures. Responses of L. serricorne life stages to elevated temperatures were evaluated to identify the most heat-tolerant stage. Exposure of eggs, young larvae, old larvae, and adults during heat treatment of a food-processing facility did not clearly show a life stage to be heat tolerant. In the laboratory, exposure of eggs, young larvae, old larvae, pupae, and adults at fixed times to 46, 50, and 54°C and 22% RH indicated eggs to be the most heat-tolerant stage. Time-mortality responses at each of these three temperatures showed that the time for 99% mortality (LT99) based on egg hatchability and egg-to-adult emergence was not significantly different from one another at each temperature. Egg hatchability alone can be used to determine susceptibility to elevated temperatures between 46 and 54°C. The LT99 based on egg hatchability and egg-to-adult emergence at 46°C was 605 and 598 min, respectively, and it decreased to 190 and 166 min at 50°C and 39 and 38 min at 54°C An exponential decay equation best described LT99 as a function of temperature for pooled data based on egg hatchability and egg-to-adult emergence. Our results suggest that during structural heat treatments eggs should be used in bioassays for gauging heat treatment effectiveness, because treatments aimed at controlling eggs should be able to control all other L. serricorne life stages.
Mechanical Properties of the Achilles Tendon Aponeurosis Are Altered in Athletes With Achilles Tendinopathy

Background: Achilles tendinopathy is a considerable problem for active people. The degenerative processes associated with tendinopathy may be associated with changes in the inherent mechanical properties of the musculotendinous unit. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare Achilles tendon–aponeurosis strain between male athletes with and without Achilles tendinopathy. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Fifteen healthy men (age, 35 ± 9 years; height, 1.78 ± 0.05 m; mass, 79 ± 11 kg) and 14 men with midportion Achilles tendinopathy (age, 40 ± 8 years; height, 1.77 ± 0.06 m; mass, 80 ± 9 kg) who were all running over 20 km per week participated in the study. Each participant was tested in a single session that involved maximal isometric plantar flexion efforts being performed on a calf-raise apparatus while synchronous real-time ultrasonography of the triceps surae aponeurosis was recorded. Achilles tendon–aponeurosis strain (%) was calculated by dividing tendon displacement during plantar flexion by resting tendon length (intrarater reliability: intraclass correlation coefficient = .92). Results: Participants in the Achilles tendinopathy group (5.2% ± 2.6%) had significantly (P = .039) higher Achilles tendon–aponeurosis strain compared with the control group (3.4% ± 1.8%). In contrast, there were no significant between-group differences for maximal isometric plantar flexion force. Conclusion: Achilles tendon–aponeurosis strain is higher in male athletes with tendinopathy than those without. The results of this study provide a rationale for current clinical approaches to management of Achilles tendinopathy, whereby repetitive mechanical loading may impart a positive benefit through reduced compliance of the musculotendinous unit.
Pharmacokinetics of vancomycin in adult cystic fibrosis patients

Although the depositions of many antibiotics are altered in cystic fibrosis patients, that of vancomycin has not been studied. To assess vancomycin pharmacokinetics, 10 adult cystic fibrosis patients were given a parenteral dose of vancomycin (15 mg/kg) during the first 72 h of hospitalization for acute bronchopulmonary exacerbation. Blood samples were obtained at 0, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 15, and 24 h. The mean (standard deviation) weight, measured creatinine clearance, and Taussig clinical score were 51 (13) kg, 130 (39) ml/min/1.73 m2, and 64 (13), respectively. Multicompartmental pharmacokinetic parameters were best described by a two-compartment model. The mean (standard deviation) volume of distribution, total body clearance, and terminal elimination rate constant were 0.58 (0.15) liter/kg, 91 (19) ml/min/1.73 m2, and 0.123 (0.05) h-1, respectively. These values were consistent with vancomycin pharmacokinetic parameters obtained in previous studies of healthy adult volunteers. Vancomycin dosages predicted by using a two-compartment Bayesian model were approximately 15 mg/kg every 8 to 12 h. There were poor correlations between clinical score or creatinine clearance and any pharmacokinetic parameter (r values of < 0.32). The coefficient of correlation between urine flow rate and total body clearance was 0.7 (P < 0.05). Adult cystic fibrosis patients exhibit a disposition of vancomycin similar to that exhibited by healthy adults, and thus cystic fibrosis does not alter vancomycin pharmacokinetics.
CHRONIC LIVER DISEASES: EPIDEMIOLOGY, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT Prevalence and natural history of subclinical hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhosis

Background and Aims:The natural history of subclinical hepatic encephalopathy (SHE) is unknown. The present study was conducted to study the prevalence and the natural history of SHE in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. Methods: One hundred and sixty-five patients with cirrhosis of the liver were studied. A total of nine psychometric tests (trail making and Wechsler adult intelligence scale-performance (WAIS-P) tests) were administered. Subclinical hepatic encephalopathy was present if two or more psychometric tests were abnormal. Seventy-two patients (SHE 40, without SHE 32) also underwent serial psychometric testing on follow-up visits at 6–8 week intervals. Results: Subclinical hepatic encephalopathy was present in 103 (62.4%) patients. The number and figure connection, block design and picture completion tests were the most useful in the detection of SHE. Severity of SHE, as assessed by the number of abnormal tests, was greater in patients with more severe liver disease. During follow up, SHE tended to persist or worsen in patients with poorer liver function. Although other clinical complications were similar in different groups, overt hepatic encephalopathy developed more commonly in those patients who had SHE at entry compared to those who did not (22.6 vs 5.6%, P = 0.044). Among the patients with SHE, the development of overt hepatic encephalopathy was more common in patients with Child’s score of > 6 than with Child’s score of £ 6 (40 vs 5%, P = 0.019). Conclusions: We conclude that SHE is common in cirrhosis. The natural history of SHE is worse in patients with advanced cirrhosis and SHE probably predisposes the cirrhotic patient to overt hepatic encephalopathy. © 2001 Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd.
Characterization of phiCFP‐1, a virulent bacteriophage specific for Citrobacter freundii

Citrobacter freundii, a Gram‐negative bacterium, causes many opportunistic infections. Bacteriophage phiCFP‐1 was isolated and characterized by its ability to lyse the multidrug‐resistant clinical C. freundii strain P10159. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the phage has an icosahedral head and a short tail, making it a Podoviridae family member. In a single‐step growth experiment, phiCFP‐1 exhibited an eclipse period of 20 min and a burst size of 100 particles per cell. Its genome assembled as a circular molecule when genomic sequencing was completed. However, based on genome content and organization, it was categorized as a classic T7‐related phage, and such phages are known to have linear genomes with direct terminal repeats. With the quick and simple method established herein, the 38,625‐bp linear double‐stranded DNA with 229‐bp direct terminal repeats was accurately identified. The genome contained 43 putative open reading frames and no tRNA genes. Using a proteomics‐based approach, seven viral and two host proteins from purified phiCFP‐1 particles were identified. Comparative genomics and recombination analyzes revealed close genetic relatedness among phiCFP‐1, phiYeO3‐12/vB_YenP_AP5 (from Yersinia enterocolitica O3), and phiSG‐JL2 (from Salmonella enterica). J. Med. Virol. 88:895–905, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.