Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Histological changes in adult rat pancreas upon chronic administration of aspartame

Background Aspartame is the most popular artificial sweetener consumed by many individuals worldwide. Yet, there is still a debate on its consumption as an alternative to sugar. Further studies are warranted to assess the effects of aspartame on pancreas morphodynamics. Aim of the study The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of chronic aspartame administration on the histological structure of rat pancreas. Materials and methods Twenty male albino rats aged 3 months were divided into two equal groups: a control group (group I) and an experimental group (group II), which included rats that received 250▒mg/kg/day aspartame once daily for 6 months. The pancreatic tails were processed for light and electron microscopy. The pancreatic islets were evaluated by immunohistochemical stain for the identification of insulin-secreting &bgr; cells. Results In group II, binucleated acinar cells, prominent nucleoli, and a relative decrease in secretory granules were observed. Some islet cells showed an acidophilic granular cytoplasm and deeply stained nuclei. A strong positive immunoreaction for insulin was observed in &bgr; cells. Ultrastructurally, acinar cells showed euchromatic nuclei with multiple nucleoli. The proliferation and dilatation of rough endoplasmic reticulum had occurred with disturbed cell polarity. Secretory granules were deficient in most acinar cells. &bgr; Cells showed an apparent increase in the amount of secretory granules, especially immature ones, and a variable degree of vacuolation. Conclusion Chronic administration of aspartame to adult rats could exert a hyperstimulatory effect on pancreatic acinar and &bgr; cells, leading to the risk of development of pancreatitis and/or diabetes.
Cultural values reflected in Chinese and U.S. television commercials

In this article, we have content analyzed 1,105 PRC and U.S. television commercials and identified eight cultural values that dominate either Chinese or U.S. television advertising. While U.S. commercials tend to use both symbolic and utilitarian values, Chinese commercials resort more often to symbolic ones. Our findings indicate that the current Chinese advertising is a“ melting pot” of Eastern and Western cultural values and a“ doubledistorted mirror” that reflects advertising's commercial nature with a strong tendency to fit into the“ idiosyncratic” social reality in China. The openness of the “melting pot” and the closing tendency in th“e double-distorted mirror” have significant implications for advertising professionals as well as researchers. We also found that cultural values depicted in Chinese television commercials have-much to do with product categories and product origins. Commercials for imported products are currently the pacesetter for Western cultural values conveyed in Chinese television advertising, followed by commercials for joint- venturep roducts. "
Effects of VEGF on Phenotypic Severity in Children With Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia

The purpose of this study was to estimate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 serum levels in children with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) type 1 and type 2 and to correlate them to the presence of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). High VEGF levels were initially found in an infant who had been hospitalized with intestinal bleeding and suspected HHT. This case led to the evaluation of VEGF and TGF-β1 by standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 13 children with HHT and familiarity. Patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of the presence/absence of pulmonary AVMs. No significant difference was found for VEGF and TGF-β1 levels in HHT patients versus controls. Among HHT patients, serum levels of VEGF in those without AVM were significantly lower than those with AVM and normal controls. No difference for TGF-β1 levels was found in these patient subgroups. Low VEGF levels may represent a protection factor against the onset of pulmonary AVMs in HHT children. However, neither VEGF nor TGF-β1 can be used as biochemical markers for an early diagnosis in HHT. The diagnosis of HHT still requires clinical criteria, which permitted to confirm the presence of the disease in the infant with intestinal bleeding.
DARPP‐32 and Phosphatase Inhibitor‐1, Two Structurally Related Inhibitors of Protein Phosphatase‐1, Are Both Present in Striatonigral Neurons

Abstract: DARPP‐32 (dopamine‐ and cyclic AMP‐regulated phosphoprotein of Mr= 32,000) and phosphatase inhibitor‐1, two previously characterized inhibitors of protein phosphatase‐1, were identified in both the neostriatum and the substantia nigra. Phosphatase inhibitor‐1 was partially purified from bovine caudate nucleus and found to be distinct from DARPP‐32 in some of its biochemical properties. The neuronal localization of DARPP‐32 and phosphatase inhibitor‐1 within the rat neostriatum and substantia nigra was investigated by studying the effects of kainic acid. Injection into the neostriatum of kainic acid, which destroys striatonigral neurons and striatonigral fibers, decreased the amounts of DARPP‐32 and phosphatase inhibitor‐1 to the same extent, both in the lesioned neostriatum and in the ipsilateral substantia nigra. The specific activity of protein phosphatase‐1 in the neostriatum was unaffected by kainic acid. The results indicate that, in rat brain, DARPP‐32 and phosphatase inhibitor‐1 are both present in striatal neurons and in striatonigral fibers, and that they probably coexist in at least a subpopulation of striatonigral neurons. In contrast, protein phosphatase‐1 does not appear to be enriched in any specific neuronal subpopulation in the neostriatum.
B-cell outgrowth and ligand-specific production of IL-10 correlate with Th2 dominance in certain parasitic diseases.

In many parasitic infections, dominant T helper cell (Th) type-2 CD4+ T cell responses exacerbate the disease. We have previously demonstrated that lacto-N-fucopentaose-III (LNFPIII), a sugar found on soluble egg antigens (SEA) of Schistosoma mansoni, stimulates splenic B cells from parasite-infected mice to proliferate and produce IL-10, a cytokine that promotes the generation of Th2 immune responses. In the present study, we extend our observations on ligand-specific activation of IL-10 producing B cells to leishmaniasis and lymphatic filariasis. We report here that infection with Leishmania major increases the splenic B220+ B cell subset in BALB/c mice, but not BALB/c. xid (lacking B-1 cells and carrying defective B-2 cells). In addition, these B cells secrete large amounts of IL-10 in vitro in response to stimulation with soluble leishmanial extract (LSE), LNFPIII, or SO4-Lewis(x). We also observed that injection of LSE increased the level of peritoneal exudate (PeC) B-1 cells (CD5+B220+) in BALB/c mice, but not C57BL/6, as compared to buffer-injected controls. Further, LSE elicited PeC B cells secreted IL-10 in response to LSE as well as to the sugars tested. A similar differential secretion of IL-10 by splenic B cells from BALB/c and BALB/c.xid was seen after S. mansoni infection. Likewise, injection of soluble microfilarial extract (MFX) resulted in an increase in percentage of PeC B-1 cells in BALB/c mice, but not C57BL/6, and these cells secreted IL-10 in response to stimulation with MFX or phosphorylcholine (PC). Collectively, these results suggest a correlation between expansion of ligand-specific IL-10 producing B and B-1 cells with dominance of Th2-type T cells in mice with the susceptible phenotype for these diseases.
Administration of Erythropoietin Fails to Improve Long-Term Healing or Cardiac Function After Myocardial Infarction in the Rat

Erythropoietin (epo), initially recognized and used clinically to increase erythropoiesis, has been shown to have beneficial effects on various other tissues in the setting of hypoxia and ischemia. Epo has been shown to reduce apoptosis after myocardial infarction, but few studies have evaluated the long-term effects of epo treatment on left ventricular (LV) remodeling, cardiac function, and blood flow after healing of a permanent coronary artery occlusion. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of epo treatment on the healed heart 6 weeks after myocardial infarction. Anesthetized rats underwent coronary artery occlusion and were treated with erythropoietin (5000 units/kg/day, n = 21) or saline (n = 20) the day before surgery, the day of, then for 5 days. At 6 weeks LV ventriculography to assess LV volumes and ejection fractions and histologic assessment of infarct size and LV cavity and wall dimensions were performed. Overall epo had no effect on LV remodeling or cardiac function. There were no significant differences in infarct morphology, infarct size (44 ± 3% of the LV circumference versus 39 ± 3%), LV cavity area, scar thickness, LV systolic volume, or ejection fraction (44 ± 3% versus 39 ± 3%) between the epo and saline groups, respectively. However, for any given size of myocardial infarct, LV ejection fraction was significantly higher in erythropoietin hearts and LV systolic volumes lower. Thus, in our model, treatment with epo had no long-term beneficial effect on LV remodeling after myocardial infarction but may have exerted some positive effect on LV function.
Competition and Cooperation in Decentralized Push and Pull Assembly Systems

In this paper, we study a decentralized assembly system consisting of a single assembler who buys complementary components from independent suppliers under two contracting schemes: push and pull. In both schemes, the component suppliers are allowed to freely form coalitions (or alliances) among themselves to better coordinate their pricing or production decisions. We show that the sole driver of the inefficiency in a push system, which is due to horizontal decentralization of suppliers, is the number of alliances that were formed. Specifically, it is shown that in a push system, the assembler's profit, the total profit of all suppliers and the consumers' surplus are all decreasing in the number of coalitions, and are thus maximized when the grand coalition is formed. We further carry out a stability analysis of coalition structures to verify to what extent suppliers can reduce or eliminate the inefficiency due to their decentralization by forming alliances. We show that in a push system with more than two suppliers and a power demand distribution, myopic suppliers would act independently, resulting with a least efficient channel, which makes all channel members, as well as the end consumers, worse off. On the other hand, we prove that farsighted suppliers would form the grand coalition and thus be able to completely eliminate the inefficiency stemming from their decentralization. Finally, it is shown that, in contrast to a push system, in a pull system the suppliers can easily coordinate their production quantities to eliminate the inefficiency due to their decentralization.
Anthropometric, physiological and performance characteristics of elite team-handball players

Abstract The objective of this study was to provide anthropometric, physiological, and performance characteristics of an elite international handball team. Twenty-one elite handball players were tested and categorized according to their playing positions (goalkeepers, backs, pivots, and wings). Testing consisted of anthropometric and physiological measures of height, body mass, percentage body fat and endurance ([Vdot]O2max), performance measures of speed (5, 10, and 30 m), strength (bench press and squat), unilateral and bilateral horizontal jumping ability, and a 5-jump horizontal test. Significant differences were found between player positions for some anthropometric characteristics (height and percentage body fat) but not for the physiological or performance characteristics. Strong correlations were noted between single leg horizontal jumping distances with 5-, 10-, and 30-m sprint times (r = 0.51–0.80; P < 0.01). The best predictors of sprint times were single leg horizontal jumping with the dominant leg and the distance measured for the 5-jump test, which when combined accounted for 72% of the common variance associated with sprint ability. In conclusion, performance abilities between positions in elite team-handball players appear to be very similar. Single leg horizontal jumping distance could be a specific standardized test for predicting sprinting ability in elite handball players.
Aerobic training reverses airway inflammation and remodelling in an asthma murine model

Aerobic training (AT) decreases dyspnoea and exercise-induced bronchospasm, and improves aerobic capacity and quality of life; however, the mechanisms for such benefits remain poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the AT effects in a chronic model of allergic lung inflammation in mice after the establishment of airway inflammation and remodelling. Mice were divided into the control group, AT group, ovalbumin (OVA) group or OVA+AT group and exposed to saline or OVA. AT was started on day 28 for 60 min five times per week for 4 weeks. Respiratory mechanics, specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG1, collagen and elastic fibres deposition, smooth muscle thickness, epithelial mucus, and peribronchial density of eosinophils, CD3+ and CD4+, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, interferon-γ, IL-2, IL-1ra, IL-10, nuclear factor (NF)-κB and Foxp3 were evaluated. The OVA group showed an increase in IgE and IgG1, eosinophils, CD3+, CD4+, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, NF-κB, collagen and elastic, mucus synthesis, smooth muscle thickness and lung tissue resistance and elastance. The OVA+AT group demonstrated an increase of IgE and IgG1, and reduction of eosinophils, CD3+, CD4+, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, NF-κB, airway remodelling, mucus synthesis, smooth muscle thickness and tissue resistance and elastance compared with the OVA group (p<0.05). The OVA+AT group also showed an increase in IL-10 and IL-1ra (p<0.05), independently of Foxp3. AT reversed airway inflammation and remodelling and T-helper cell 2 response, and improved respiratory mechanics. These results seem to occur due to an increase in the expression of IL-10 and IL-1ra and a decrease of NF-κB.
Cognitive impairment and mortality in older community residents.

OBJECTIVE Cognitive impairment among the elderly has been linked to mortality in studies of clinical populations. The purpose of this study was to examine the mortality risk associated with cognitive impairment among elderly populations in the community. METHODS Cognitive impairment and other social and health factors were assessed in 1855 elderly community residents. This sample was reinterviewed periodically to assess changes in health and survival. RESULTS At baseline 33% of the sample were mildly impaired and 8% were severely impaired. Across a 48-month observation period the survival probability was . 85 for the cognitively unimpaired, . 69 for the mildly impaired, and . 51 for severely impaired respondents. When adjustments were made for the effects of other health and social covariates, severely impaired persons were twice as likely to die as unimpaired persons. Those who were mildly impaired were also at an increased risk. CONCLUSIONS Other investigators have found that cognitive impairment is a significant predictor of dementia. We found that it is a significant predictor of mortality as well. Early detection of impaired cognition and attention to associated health problems could improve the quality of life of these older adults and perhaps extend their survival.
SYNTHESIS AND STRUCTURE OF N, N'-BUTYLENE-N, N'-HEXYLENEBIS(2-OXY-1-NAPHTHALDIMINE)

The title compounds were synthesized in the reaction of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde and corresponding aliphatic diamines. Standard TGA and DSC procedures were applied to characterize both compounds 1 and 2. The stereochemistry of the compounds in solid state was determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1: C26H24N2O2, orthorhombic, space group Pbca, a = 8.142(2) A, b = 9.097(3) A, c = 28.812(8) A, R = 0.032. Compound 2: C28H28N2O2, orthorhombic, space group Pbcn, a = 23.738(2) A, b = 8.9933(8) A, c = 10.4206(8) A, R = 0.038. The molecules of both compounds 1 and 2 have an imposed centre of inversion in the middle of the aliphatic chain bridging two naphthaldimine moieties. The well known crystallographic D2h bond length pattern as well as quinoid effects were observed in the fused ring system in both cases. In both Schiff bases, the N? H O type of intramolecular hydrogen bond was established. An additional intermolecular three-centre hydrogen bond links the molecules in 1.
Dimensions and morphology of the cornea in three strains of mice.

PURPOSE To use a histologic approach to obtain dimensional and morphologic information on the cornea in three commonly used strains of mice. METHODS Adult mice (three each of 129/SVJ, C57BL/6, and BALB/c) were euthanatized, and the eyes were enucleated, immersed in 2% glutaraldehyde fixative, and prepared for light and transmission electron microscopy. The full corneal, epithelial, stromal, and posterior limiting lamina (PLL) with endothelium thicknesses were measured at the same location centrally and peripherally. RESULTS All three strains showed a statistically significant (P < 0.001) decrease in overall thickness in the peripheral compared with the central cornea. The decrease was due to a reduced thickness of both the epithelium and the stroma. The stroma and epithelium contributed to approximately two thirds and one third of the total corneal thickness, respectively. The epithelium had the classic stratified layout and consisted of 13.00 +/- 1.41 layers centrally versus 10.33 +/- 1.37 peripherally. Some adaptation of stromal tissue was found immediately adjacent to the epithelial basement membrane, but a clearly defined anterior limiting lamina did not exist. The stroma was organized into lamellae but lacked the anterior branching and interweaving reported in humans and had unmyelinated nerve fibers within micrometers of the endothelium. The PLL was 2.17 +/- 0.3 microm thick and was divided into pre- and postnatal layers, with striated bodies in the postnatal portion. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that in the three strains of mice examined, the cornea becomes significantly thinner toward the periphery. Dimensionally, proportionally, and anatomically the three strains used appeared to be similar. However, morphologic differences were observed compared with other mammals, and awareness of these differences is important when using the mouse as an animal model applicable to the human.
Fatal perforative peritonitis (study of 38 cases).

The etiology, clinical features and treatment of thirty-eight cases of fatal perforative peritonitis were studied. The commonest cause of fatal peritonitis in this series was found to be ileal perfo­ration. Early diagnosis, intensive post-operative management includ­ing fluid and electrolyte balance, and employment of potent anti­biotics like gentamycin and kanamycin would definitely help in reducing mortality of peritonitis.
Activation of the phospholipase C pathway by ATP is mediated exclusively through nucleotide type P2‐purinoceptors in C2C12 myotubes

1 The presence of a nucleotide receptor and a discrete ATP‐sensitive receptor on C2C12 myotubes has been shown by electrophysiological experiments. In this study, the ATP‐sensitive receptors of C2C12 myotubes were further characterized by measuring the formation of inositol(1,4,5)trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) and internal Ca2+. 2 The nucleotides ATP and UTP caused a concentration‐dependent increase in Ins(1,4,5)P3 content with comparable time courses (EC50: ATP 33 ± 2 μm, UTP 80 ± 4 μm). ADP was less effective in increasing Ins(1,4,5)P3 content of the cells, while selective agonists for P1‐, P2X‐ and P2Y‐purinoceptors, adenosine, α,β‐methylene ATP and 2‐methylthio ATP, appeared to be ineffective. 3 Under Ca2+‐free conditions, the basal level of Ins(1,4,5)P3 was lower than in the presence of Ca2+, and the ATP‐ and UTP‐induced formation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 was diminished. 4 The Ins(1,4,5)P3 formation induced by optimal ATP and UTP concentrations was not additive. ATP‐ and UTP‐induced Ins(1,4,5)P3 formation showed cross‐desensitization, whereas cross‐desensitization was absent in responses elicited by one of the nucleotides and bradykinin. 5 The change in Ins(1,4,5)P3 content induced by effective nucleotides was inhibited by suramin. Schild plots for suramin inhibition of Ins(1,4,5)P3 formation in ATP‐ and UTP‐stimulated myotubes showed slopes greater than unity (1.63 ± 0.09 and 1.37 ± 0.11, respectively). Apparent pA2 values were 4.50 ± 0.48 and 4.41 ± 0.63 for ATP and UTP, respectively. 6 Stimulation of the cells with ATP or UTP induced a rapid increase in intracellular Ca2+, followed by a slow decline to basal levels. Ca2+ responses reached lower maximal values and did not show the slow phase in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. The ATP and UTP‐evoked increase in intracellular Ca2+ was not additive and showed cross‐desensitization. Cross‐desensitization was absent in myotubes stimulated with one of the nucleotides and bradykinin. 7 These results show that ATP‐ and UTP‐induced formation of Ins(1,4,5)P3, Ca2+ release from internal stores and Ca2+‐influx from the extracellular space are mediated exclusively via the nucleotide type P2‐purinoceptor in mouse C2C12 myotubes.
Ventilatory effects of subarachnoid fentanyl in the elderly

Twenty‐eight elderly patients scheduled for urological surgery were randomly assigned to receive, in a double‐blind study, subarachnoidhyperbaric bupivacaine 15 mg with 50 μg (group A, n = 7), 25 μg (group B, n = 7), or 12.5 μg (group C, n = 7) of fentanyl or 1 ml of saline (group D, n = 7) in a total volume of 4 ml. The pattern of breathing and the ventilatory response to CO2 were studied before and 90, 150 and 480 min after the subarachnoid injection. In group A, mild pruritus and sedation occurred in five patients, while nausea, vomiting and periodic breathing occurred in two. In group B, mild pruritus and sedation were observed in four patients, while nausea and vomiting occurred in two. No significant differences in minute ventilation, respiratory drive and respiratory timing were observed between the groups. Patients receiving fentanyl 50 ug showed a percentual change from baseline values as function of time (slope V̇E/PE'co2 significantly below baseline at 90 and 150 min (p < 0.05). However, the baseline values in this group reverted after 480 min. No side effects were observed in groups C or D. It is concluded that subarachnoid fentanyl 50 μg can cause an early respiratory depression and its use as a postoperative analgesic should be avoided in the elderly.
Leucocyte Alloantigens in the Kidney I. SEROLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION

Summary Glomeruli have been prepared from 12 sets of human cadaver kidneys. They have been used to absorb polyspecific leucocyte alloantisera, and leucocyte alloantigens have been demonstrated in 11 out of 12 sets of glomeruli. In three cases, alloantigens detected on the patient's leucocytes were shown to be present in the glomeruli. In one case, the glomeruli contained, in addition, an antigen not detected on the leucocytes by cytotoxicity. In one case, using a monospecific alloantiserum, the antigen T12 was detected on leucocytes and glomeruli.
Using part-of-speech tags as deep-syntax indicators in determining short-text semantic similarity

This paper presents POST STSS, a method of determining short-text semantic similarity in which part-of-speech tags are used as indicators of the deeper syntactic information usually extracted by more advanced tools like parsers and semantic role labelers. Our model employs a part-of-speech weighting scheme and is based on a statistical bag-of-words approach. It does not require either hand-crafted knowledge bases or advanced syntactic tools, which makes it easily applicable to languages with limited natural language processing resources. By using a paraphrase recognition test, we demonstrate that our system achieves a higher accuracy than all existing statistical similarity algorithms and solutions of a more structural kind. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR 32047]