Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three brainstem areas involved in respiratory rhythm generation in bullfrogs

For most multiphasic motor patterns, rhythm and pattern are produced by the same circuit elements. For respiration, however, these functions have long been assumed to occur separately. In frogs, the ventilatory motor pattern produced by the isolated brainstem consists of buccal and biphasic lung bursts. Previously, two discrete necessary and sufficient sites for lung and buccal bursts were identified. Here we identify a third site, the Priming Area, important for and having neuronal activity correlated with the first phase of biphasic lung bursts. As each site is important for burst generation of a separate phase, we suggest each major phase of ventilation is produced by an anatomically distinct part of an extensive brainstem network. Embedding of discrete circuit elements producing major phases of respiration within an extensive rhythmogenic brainstem network may be a shared architectural characteristic of vertebrates.
Electrophysiological diversity of pyramidal‐shaped neurons at the granule cell layer/hilus border of the rat dentate gyrus recorded in vitro

In the rat dentate gyrus, pyramidal‐shaped cells located on the border of the granule cell layer and the hilus are one of the most common types of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐immunoreactive neurons. This study describes their electrophysiological characteristics. Membrane properties, patterns of discharge, and synaptic responses were recorded intracellularly from these cells in hippocampal slices. Each cell was identified as pyramidal‐shaped by injecting the marker Neurobiotin intracellularly (n =17).
Error analysis of water level measured from a bottom mounted ocean platform

The U.S. NOAA National Ocean Service Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) has been pursuing an effort to develop and test a real-time oceanographic and meteorological observing system, named “The Hermit,” for collection and transmission of real-time measurements at remote coastal sites with limited infrastructure. One of The Hermit's primary sensors is a conductivity, temperature, pressure sensor (CTP), for measuring water level. The CTP sensor is mounted onto a platform that is lowered to the seabed and left for a period of 90 days or longer. The identification of potential sources of water level measurement error from this system is critical in mitigating errors in final data products. Additionally, because of the broad range of CO-OPS' water level data applications, identifying measurement error sources is critical for assessing the applications for which a new measurement system type may or may not be suitable. This paper presents and evaluates four sources of water level measurement error associated with bottom mounted pressure sensors: long-term sensor drift, vertically referencing water level, biofouling, and platform settling.
Nested case-control study on the risk factors of colorectal cancer.

AIM To investigate the risk factors of colon cancer and rectal cancer. METHODS A nested case-control study was conducted in a cohort of 64 693 subjects who participated in a colorectal cancer screening program from 1989 to 1998 in Jiashan county, Zhejiang, China. 196 cases of colorectal cancer were detected from 1990 to 1998 as the case group and 980 non-colorectal cancer subjects, matched with factors of age, gender, resident location, were randomly selected from the 64 693 cohort as controls. By using univariate analysis and multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio (OR) and its 95 % confidence interval (95 %CI) were calculated between colorectal cancer and personal habits, dietary factors, as well as intestinal related symptoms. RESULTS The multivariate analysis results showed that after matched with age, sex and resident location, mucous blood stool history and mixed sources of drinking water were closely associated with colon cancer and rectal cancer, OR values for the mucous blood stool history were 3.508 (95 %CI: 1.370-8.985) and 2.139 (95 %CI: 1.040-4.402) respectively; for the mixed drinking water sources, 2.387 (95 %CI: 1.243-4.587) and 1.951 (95 %CI: 1.086-3.506) respectively. All reached the significant level with a P-value less than 0.05. CONCLUSION The study suggested that mucous blood stool history and mixed sources of drinking water were the risk factors of colon cancer and rectal cancer. There was no any significant association between dietary habits and the incidence of colorectal cancer.
Morning stiffness in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis is associated more strongly with functional disability than with joint swelling and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

OBJECTIVE To compare the level of morning stiffness in a cohort of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), assessed on a self-report questionnaire, to levels of patient self-report scores and clinical and laboratory variables. METHODS A total of 337 patients with recent onset RA since 1998 were assessed for tender and swollen joint counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), physician global assessment, and radiographs of the hands and feet, as well as Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MDHAQ) scores for functional disability, pain, fatigue, global status, morning stiffness, and number of symptoms. Regression models were used to estimate possible associations between these variables and morning stiffness. RESULTS At study entry, 70 patients (21%) reported no morning stiffness, 52 (15%) reported morning stiffness < 15 minutes, 52 (15%) for 16-59 minutes, and 163 (49%) for >/= 1 one hour. At baseline and in longitudinal analyses, morning stiffness was significantly associated with functional disability scores on the MDHAQ and with other patient self-report data, and was associated at lower levels with swollen and tender joint counts and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). CONCLUSION The degree of morning stiffness appears to reflect functional disability and pain more than traditional markers of inflammation such as joint counts and ESR in patients with early RA. Inclusion of morning stiffness as a marker of inflammatory activity in classification criteria for RA, inclusion criteria for most clinical trials in RA, and RA remission criteria, may be open to reassessment.
Rates of breast cancer surgery in Canada from 2007/08 to 2009/10: retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND Surgery is a common and important component of breast cancer treatment. We assessed the rates of breast cancer surgery across Canada from 2007/08 to 2009/10. METHODS We used hospital and day surgery data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information to assemble a cohort of women who had undergone breast cancer surgery. We identified the index surgical procedure and subsequent surgical procedures performed within 1 year for each woman included in the analysis. We calculated the crude mastectomy rate for each province, and we calculated the adjusted mastectomy rate for select jurisdictions using a logistic regression model fitted using age, neighbourhood income quintile and travel time. RESULTS In total, 57 840 women underwent breast cancer surgery during the study period. Among women with unilateral invasive breast cancer, the crude mastectomy rate was 39%. Adjusted rates for mastectomy varied widely by province (26%-69%). The rate of re-excision within 1 year for women who had breast-conserving surgery as their index procedure was 23% and varied by province in terms of frequency and type (mastectomy or repeat breast-conserving surgery). Among women who underwent mastectomy for unilateral invasive breast cancer, 6% also underwent contralateral prophylactic mastectomy, and 7% had immediate breast reconstruction following surgery. Of mastectomy procedures, 20% were performed as day surgery; for breast-conserving surgery, 70% were performed as day surgery. INTERPRETATION There is substantial interprovincial variation in surgical care for breast cancer in Canada. Further research is needed to better understand such variation, and continued monitoring should be the focus of quality initiatives.
[Expressions of CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 in renal tubular epithelial cells induced by IFN-γ].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) on the releases of CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) and explore their functions. METHODS After stimulated by IFN-γ for different time, the HK-2 cells were analyzed by real-time PCR to detect the expressions of CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 mRNA, and were tested by ELISA to quantify the releases of CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 in supernatants. After activation of lymphocytes, cells were examined by flow cytometry to determine the CXCR3 expression, while chemotaxis assay was applied to evaluate the chemotactic effect of the supernatants of IFN-stimulated HK-2 cells on lymphocytes. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the expressions of CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 mRNA in the IFN-stimulated group were significantly increased 12 h after stimulation, and peaked at 48, 24 and 24 h, respectively. The levels of CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 proteins began to rise at 12 h and reached the peak at 72, 48 and 72 h, respectively. Compared with the control group, the expression of CXCR3 was markedly increased in the activated lymphocytes. The activated lymphocytes were recruited by the culture supernatants of IFN-stimulated HK-2 cells and the pretreatment of CXCR3 antibody inhibited this chemotactic effect. CONCLUSION IFN-γ can significantly up-regulate the expressions of chemokines such as CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 at both mRNA and protein levels in HK-2 cells.
The Trade-Off between Inflation and Interest Rate: A Dynamic Least Squares Method for Turkish Economy in the Context of Fisher Hypothesis

In this study, the Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) analysis is applied to test the impact of inflation on interest rate directly and indirectly with the help of six control variables for Turkish economy in the period 1980-2012. First of all, Johansen-Juselius cointegration test is applied in order to determine the long-run relationships among the variables and the results show the validity of long-run nexus among the variables. Granger causality test is applied to determine the causal relationships among the variables and the causal linkages among the variables are found that are compatible with the expectations. The findings of the DOLS analysis indicate that inflation rate, current account balance, external debt service, Money supply, exchange rate and process of economic growth have statistically significant effects on the interest rate.
Growth hormone and connective tissue in exercise

Over the last few years, growth hormone (GH) has become increasingly popular as doping within different sports. However, the precise mechanisms behind the ergogenic (performance enhancing) effects of GH in athletes are still being debated. Besides a well‐documented stimulatory effect of GH on carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism, and a possible anabolic effect on myofibrillar muscle protein, we suggest a role for GH as an anabolic agent in connective tissue in human skeletal muscle and tendon. Given the importance of the connective tissue for the function of skeletal muscle and tendon, a strengthening effect of GH on connective tissue could fit with the ergogenic effect of GH experienced by athletes.
Improved Serodiagnosis of Posttransfusion Hepatitis C Virus Infection by a Second‐Generation Immunoassay Based on Multiple Recombinant Antigens

Serial serum samples from 35 patients with posttransfusion non‐A, non‐B hepatitis in a prospective study were tested for antibody to hepatitis C virus (HCV) by a multiple recombinant antigen based immunoassay [anti‐HCV (2nd); Abbott], Of them, 23 were positive for anti‐C100, and 27 were positive for HCV RNA by polymerase chain reaction. By anti‐HCV (2nd), 28 patients were positive, and all except 1 of the 28 patients were positive for HCV RNA. A total of 24 patients, who became HCV RNA positive at the acute stage and who were negative for both anti‐C100 and anti‐HCV (2nd) before transfusion, were considered to have posttransfusion hepatitis C. The mean time to seroconversion for anti‐HCV (2nd) was 7.5 or 12.1 weeks after the onset of hepatitis or the date of transfusion, respectively, and was generally 6 weeks earlier than that detected by anti‐C100. However, seroconversion was delayed in 2 hepatitis B surface antigen carriers as compared with anti‐C100. The anti‐C100 assay detected 20 (83%) and the anti‐HCV (2nd) all 24 patients with documented posttransfusion hepatitis C. The second‐generation test is, therefore, better than conventional anti‐C100 for the early diagnosis of HCV infection.
INSULIN AND GROWTH HORMONE SECRETION IN A LEUKAEMIC GIRL WITH HYPOTHALAMIC SYNDROME

Abstract Schilirò, G. , Russo, A. , Sciotto, A. and Vigo, R. (Paediatric Clinics I and II, University of Catania, Catania, Italy). Insulin and growth hormone secretion in a leukaemic girl with hypothalamic syndrome. Acta Paediatr Scand, 66:261, 1977. —The authors report a girl with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia presenting hypothalamic syndrome characterized by meningeal leukaemia, hyperphagia and obesity. Insulin and growth hormone secretion, studied with arginine and insulin stimulation tests, showed a high peak of serum insulin and no response of growth hormone. Insulin and growth hormone responses to these tests reverted to normal after intrathecal methotrexate.
Postoperative pain in thoracic surgery: re-evaluating the benefits of VATS when coupled with epidural analgesia.

Background In order to evaluate the reduced postoperative pain of complete video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (cVATS), a study was conducted to compare acute postoperative pain between cVATS and open thoracotomy employing continuous epidural analgesia (EA). Methods A total of 62 patients, 49 males and 13 females with a mean age of 54.8 years, who had undergone thoracic surgery at our institution from November 2013 to June 2015 were enrolled in this study. We statistically investigated differences in the intensity of postoperative pain between cVATS with or without EA and between cVATS and open thoracotomy under EA. The degree of pain was measured using a visual analog scale, nine times for three days after the surgery. Results The mean postoperative pain scores were stronger in the cVATS without EA group than in the group treated with EA at every single observation point, although there were no significant differences. When employing EA, no significant differences were found between cVATS and open thoracotomy. Conclusions The use of EA may overshadow the benefits of using cVATS over open thoracotomy.
Bicarbonate reabsorption and NHE-3 expression: abundance and activity are increased in Henle's loop of remnant rats.

BACKGROUND The bulk of bicarbonate reabsorption along the loop of Henle (LOH) is localized at the level of the thick ascending limb (TAL) and is mainly dependent on the presence of luminal Na+-H+ exchanger (NHE-3). We investigated whether the reduction of renal mass is associated with alterations in LOH bicarbonate transport coupled to changes in NHE-3 gene expression and in vivo activity. METHODS Sham-operated and remnant rats (4/6 nephrectomy) were studied 15 days after the surgery. To measure net bicarbonate reabsorption (JHCO3-) superficial loops were perfused by in vivo micropuncture. Perfusate was an end-like proximal solution containing 3H-methoxy-inulin. NHE-3 gene expression was quantified by competitive PCR using an internal standard of cDNA that differed from the wild-type NHE-3 by a deletion of 76 bp. Western blot experiments were performed on TAL suspension using anti-NHE-3 antibodies. RESULTS At various LOH bicarbonate loads, JHCO3- was constantly larger in remnant rats as compared to sham-operated animals. NHE-3 mRNA abundance was estimated to be 0.339 +/- 0.031 attomoles (amol)/ng-1 total RNA in sham-operated (N = 5) and it increased to 0.465 +/- 0.023 in remnant rats (N = 5, P < 0.01). Western blot experiments showed a significant increase of NHE-3 protein abundance in TAL of remnant rats as compared to sham-operated animals. Finally, by means of a specific NHE-3 inhibitor, S-3226, in vivo microperfusion experiments demonstrated that NHE-3 in vivo activity along the LOH was substantially increased in remnant rats in addition to the non-NHE-3 bicarbonate transport. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that the reduction of renal mass increases mRNA, protein abundance and in vivo activity of NHE-3 along the TAL. This may explain, at least in part, the augmented transepithelial bicarbonate transport along the LOH. Such an effect will counterbalance the increased glomerular bicarbonate load, thus preventing urinary bicarbonate loss and mitigating the ensuing metabolic acidosis.
Correlation of the Sweetness of Variants of the Protein Brazzein with Patterns of Hydrogen Bonds Detected by NMR Spectroscopy*

In sequence-function investigations, approaches are needed for rapidly screening protein variants for possible changes in conformation. Recent NMR methods permit direct detection of hydrogen bonds through measurements of scalar couplings that traverse hydrogen bonds (transhydrogen bond couplings). We have applied this approach to screen a series of five single site mutants of the sweet protein brazzein with altered sweetness for possible changes in backbone hydrogen bonding with respect to wild-type. Long range, three-dimensional data correlating connectivities among backbone 1HN, 15N, and 13C′ atoms were collected from the six brazzein proteins labeled uniformly with carbon-13 and nitrogen-15. In wild-type brazzein, this approach identified 17 backbone hydrogen bonds. In the mutants, altered magnitudes of the couplings identified hydrogen bonds that were strengthened or weakened; missing couplings identified hydrogen bonds that were broken, and new couplings indicated the presence of new hydrogen bonds. Within the series of brazzein mutants investigated, a pattern was observed between sweetness and the integrity of particular hydrogen bonds. All three “sweet” variants exhibited the same pattern of hydrogen bonds, whereas all three “non-sweet” variants lacked one hydrogen bond at the middle of the α-helix, where it is kinked, and one hydrogen bond in the middle of β-strands II and III, where they are twisted. Two of the non-sweet variants lack the hydrogen bond connecting the N and C termini. These variants showed greater mobility in the N- and C-terminal regions than wild-type brazzein.
Renin reactivity in normal, hypertensive, and uremic plasma.

It has previously been suggested that in addition to renin and renin substrate concentrations, other factors in plasma may also influence the rate of angiotensin production. The present study was performed to compare the reactivity of exogenous renin in plasma of normal subjects with that in plasma of hypertensive patients and uremic patients. During a 30-min in vitro incubation after the addition of exogenous renin, angiotensin I generation, determined by radioimmunoassay, in plasma of patients with essential hypertension (28.0 ng/ml ± 2.1 se) was greater than that of normal subjects (22.6 ng/ml ± 1.3 se). Angiotensin generation was more strikingly increased in plasma of uremic patients (41.0 ng/ml ± 3.6 se) and patients with renovascular hypertension (32.0 ng/ml ± 2.8 se). These differences are not related to differences of endogenous renin activity, renin substrate concentration, or angiotensinase activity. Plasma from normal subjects, but not from uremic patients or from patients with renovascular hyp.
Contribution of high‐resolution correlative imaging techniques in the study of the liver sieve in three‐dimensions

Correlative microscopy has become increasingly important for the analysis of the structure, function, and dynamics of cells. This is largely due to the result of recent advances in light‐, probe‐, laser‐ and various electron microscopy techniques that facilitate three‐dimensional studies. Furthermore, the improved understanding in the past decade of imaging cell compartments in the third dimension has resulted largely from the availability of powerful computers, fast high‐resolution CCD cameras, specifically developed imaging analysis software, and various probes designed for labeling living and or fixed cells. In this paper, we review different correlative high‐resolution imaging methodologies and how these microscopy techniques facilitated the accumulation of new insights in the morpho‐functional and structural organization of the hepatic sieve. Various aspects of hepatic endothelial fenestrae regarding their structure, origin, dynamics, and formation will be explored throughout this paper by comparing the results of confocal laser scanning‐, correlative fluorescence and scanning electron‐, atomic force‐, and whole‐mount electron microscopy. Furthermore, the recent advances of vitrifying cells with the vitrobot in combination with the glove box for the preparation of cells for cryo‐electron microscopic investigation will be discussed. Finally, the first transmission electron tomography data of the liver sieve in three‐dimensions are presented. The obtained data unambiguously show the involvement of special domains in the de novo formation and disappearance of hepatic fenestrae, and focuses future research into the (supra)molecular structure of the fenestrae‐forming center, defenestration center and fenestrae‐, and sieve plate cytoskeleton ring by using advanced cryo‐electron tomography. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differences of opinion in sovereign credit signals during the European crisis

Motivated by the European debt crisis and the new European Union regulatory regime for the credit rating industry, we analyse differences of opinion in sovereign credit signals and their influence on European stock markets. Rating disagreements have a significant connection with subsequent negative credit actions by each agency. However, links among Moody’s/Fitch actions and their rating disagreements with other agencies have weakened in the post-regulation period. We also find that only S&P’s negative credit signals affect the own-country stock market and spill over to other European markets, but this is concentrated in the pre-regulation period. Stronger stock market reactions occur when S&P has already assigned a lower rating than Moody’s/Fitch prior to taking a further negative action.
Sealing of occlusal hidden caries lesions: an alternative for curative treatment?

The bacterial composition of the dentine of thirty molars with sealed occlusal surfaces (Delton tinted) was examined. Undiagnosed hidden caries was present at the time of treatment. Although clinically assessed as good (age 3.4 years, s.d. 2.1), 47 percent of the sealants had a marginal defect, when assessed with SEM. The dentine of the treated teeth was of a soft consistency. The median of the number of microorganisms was 400 (range 0-3.10(5)) cfu per sample. Mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were found in 53 percent of the samples. No relationship was found between the number of microorganisms and the marginal adaptation of the sealant, when examined under SEM; neither was a relationship found between the age of the sealant and the number of microorganisms (Kendall's Tau-C = 0.17, n.s. and -0.01, n.s., respectively). At present, there are insufficient grounds for treating nonvisible lesions (with a radiolucency on the bitewing) with a resin sealant.