Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Budesonide MMX: efficacy and safety profile in the treatment of ulcerative colitis

ABSTRACT Introduction: Ulcerative colitis is an idiopathic, chronic inflammatory disease of the colonic mucosa. Its clinical course is unpredictable, marked by alternating periods of exacerbation and remission. Traditional oral corticosteroids are still the mainstay treatment for the induction of ulcerative colitis remission in patients failing or intolerant to aminosalicylates, but the risk of side effects and complications limits their usefulness. Based on these considerations, new steroids with low systemic bioavailability, such as Beclomethasone dipropionate and Budesonide, have been developed. Areas covered: We reviewed the current literature about the efficacy, safety and the role of budesonide MMX in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. The evidence reviewed in this article is a summation of relevant scientific publications, expert opinion statements, and current practice guidelines. Expert opinion: Budesonide MMX is a novel formulation that uses a Multi‐Matrix System (MMX) technology to facilitate the release of high concentrations of active drug into the colon. Budesonide MMX at the dose of 9 mg/day for 8 weeks is effective and safe in inducing clinical and endoscopic remission in patients with mild to moderate UC, who had an inadequate response or were intolerant to either first line conventional therapy with topical and oral 5-aminosalicylic acid.
Ultrathin Metal-Organic Framework Nanosheets with Ultrahigh Loading of Single Pt Atoms for Efficient Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic H2 Evolution.

A surfactant-stabilized coordination strategy is used to make two-dimensional (2D) single-atom catalysts (SACs) with an ultrahigh Pt loading of 12.0 wt %, by assembly of pre-formed single Pt atom coordinated porphyrin precursors into free-standing metal-organic framework (MOF) nanosheets with an ultrathin thickness of 2.4±0.9 nm. This is the first example of 2D MOF-based SACs. Remarkably, the 2D SACs exhibit a record-high photocatalytic H2 evolution rate of 11 320 μmol g-1 h-1 via water splitting under visible light irradiation (λ>420 nm) compared with those of reported MOF-based photocatalysts. Moreover, the MOF nanosheets can be readily drop-casted onto solid substrates, forming thin films while still retaining their photocatalytic activity, which is highly desirable for practical solar H2 production.
Efficacy of antibiotic impregnation of inflatable penile prostheses in decreasing infection in original implants.

PURPOSE We compared infection rates in original inflatable penile prostheses implants between prostheses impregnated with InhibiZone (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, Minnesota), an antibiotic surface treatment, and prostheses without antibiotic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed patient information forms filed with the manufacturer following original implantation in the United States to implant AMS 700 series penile prostheses (American Medical Systems) between May 1, 2001 and April 30, 2003. We compared results in 4205 men, including 2261 with a mean age of 60.71 years who received prostheses with InhibiZone, a surface treatment combining rifampin and minocycline hydrochloride, and a control group of 1944 with a mean age of 61.04 years who received untreated prostheses. Followup in the treatment and control groups was 0 to 11.5 months (mean 5 and 8, respectively). In the treatment group only implants in which all components were treated were included. RESULTS The reported incidence of infection after 60 days was 0.28% in the treated group and 1.59% in the control group (p = 0.0034). After 180 days the infection rate in the treated and control groups was 0.68% and 1.61%, respectively (p = 0.0047). The treated group had an infection rate that was 82.4% lower than in the control group after 60 days and 57.8% lower after 180 days. Erectile dysfunction etiologies occurred at statistically similar rates in the 2 groups and did not impact infection rate results. CONCLUSIONS The use of InhibiZone to target postoperative infections results in a statistically significant decrease in penile prosthesis infection rates in original implants. Infection rates in the control group were consistent with those in the published literature.
Modulation of stretch reflex excitability during quiet human standing

Stretch reflex excitability was measured during quiet standing by using a bilateral electro-hydraulic actuator to apply perturbations of angular position to the ankle. Subjects were instructed to stand quietly while pulse displacements were applied at random time intervals. Position, torque, gastrocnemius soleus EMG, tibialis anterior EMG, heel position, tibia angle, femur angle, and sacrum angle were measured. Activation level and reflex excitability varied substantially from trial to trial - reflex torque decreased as the background torque level increased; while reflex EMG increased when background torque increased. This behavior is consistent with previous findings in prone subjects. Reflex torque for a given activation level was found to vary with the initial torque derivative. Negative torque derivatives produced greater reflex excitation then their positive counterparts. These findings suggest that reflex excitability in quiet human standing is modulated to optimize balance.
PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF ICARIIN ON COGNITIVE DEFICITS INDUCED BY CHRONIC CEREBRAL HYPOPERFUSION IN RATS

1 Icariin is a major constituent of flavonoids derived from the Chinese medicinal herb Epimedium revicornum Maxim. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether icariin has protective effects on learning ability and memory in a rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. 2 Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion was induced by permanent ligation of the common carotid artery in Wistar rats for 4 months. One month after permanent artery occlusion, rats were adminitered icariin at doses of 0, 30, 60 or 120 mg/kg per day, p.o. , for 3 months. Neurobehavioural and neurobiochemical parameters were examined to evaluate the effects of icariin on cognitive deficits induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. 3 The Morris water maze test revealed that learning ability and memory were severely impaired in untreated rats, but were significantly improved in icariin‐treated rats. Icariin treatment also ameliorated chronic cerebral hypoperfusion‐induced oxidative stress in the brain, as evidenced by reduced malondialdehyde formation and maintained superoxide dismutase activity. In addition, the decreased hippocampal levels of acetylcholine, acetylcholinesterase and choline acetyltransferase associated with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion were significantly prevented by icariin treatment. 4 In conclusion, icariin protects against cognitive deficits induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in rats. These effects appear to be mediated through its anti‐oxidant effects, as well as its effects on the circulatory and cholinergic systems.
Comparison of three different farrowing systems: skin lesions and behaviour of sows with special regard to nursing behaviour in a group housing system for lactating sows

While group housing (GH) is mandatory in the European Union for the greater part of pregnancy, single housing in farrowing crates (FCs) during lactation that restrict sows in most of their natural behaviour patterns is still practised on a large scale. Research is urgently needed to develop alternative farrowing systems that improve sows’ welfare. Therefore, sows in three different farrowing systems – pens with FC, loose housing (LH) pens and GH for six sows – were compared regarding the level of skin injuries and their active and resting behaviour. A skin injury score was assessed for 15 body parts of 102 sows in six batches on 3 days (days 1, 14 and 34). In total, the active and resting behaviour of 77 sows in six batches was examined on 3 days (days 18, 25 and 32) between 0700 h and 1900 h by means of a scan sampling method. The suckling behaviour and the level of cross-suckling were analysed in GH by means of direct observation in four batches during three 4-h sampling periods (days 17, 24 and 31). No significant differences were found in total skin injuries when the sows entered the systems (day 1), but GH sows showed significantly higher total skin injuries compared to FC and LH sows in the middle (day 14) and at the end (day 34) of the lactation period. A significant difference between FC and LH sows was never seen. Differences were found for the proportion of different body postures between the three systems. The odds for lying in lateral recumbency versus standing and sitting versus standing were significantly higher for FC and LH sows compared to GH sows. Additionally, sows were significantly more likely to be standing as opposed to lying in lateral recumbency as the lactation period progressed. Cross-suckling was a frequent behaviour in GH, seen in 35.0% of all successful suckling bouts. However, only an average of 0.56 piglets per successful suckling bout was observed cross-suckling, suggesting only a few piglets were engaged in cross-suckling. In conclusion, the skin injury score was only moderately increased in GH compared to FC and LH and comparable to pregnant group-housed sows, both free farrowing systems seemed to be an environmental enrichment for lactating sows and good management cannot prevent the occurrence of cross-suckling in a GH system, but can probably reduce it.
Trehalose is required for conformational repair of heat‐denatured proteins in the yeast endoplasmic reticulum but not for maintenance of membrane traffic functions after severe heat stress

Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells grown at physiological temperature 24°C require preconditioning at 37°C to acquire tolerance towards brief exposure to 48–50°C. During preconditioning, the cytosolic trehalose content increases remarkably and in the absence of trehalose synthesis yeast cannot acquire thermotolerance. It has been speculated that trehalose protects proteins and membranes under environmental stress conditions, but recently it was shown to assist the Hsp104 chaperone in refolding of heat‐damaged proteins in the yeast cytosol. We have demonstrated that heat‐denatured proteins residing in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) also can be refolded once the cells are returned to physiological temperature. Unexpectedly, not only ER chaperones but also the cytosolic Hsp104 chaperone is required for conformational repair events in the ER lumen. Here we show that trehalose facilitates refolding of glycoproteins in the ER after severe heat stress. In the absence of Tps1p, a subunit of trehalose synthase, refolding of heat‐damaged glycoproteins to bioactive and secretion‐competent forms failed or was retarded. In contrast, membrane traffic operated many hours after severe heat stress even in the absence of the TPS1 gene, demonstrating that trehalose had no role in thermoprotection of membranes engaged in vesicular traffic. However, cytosolic proteins were aggregated and protein synthesis abolished, resulting finally in cell death.
Notch Activation Induces Endothelial Cell Cycle Arrest and Participates in Contact Inhibition: Role of p21Cip1 Repression

ABSTRACT Although previous studies demonstrate that appropriate Notch signaling is required during angiogenesis and in vascular homeostasis, the mechanisms by which Notch regulates vascular function remain to be elucidated. Here, we show that activation of the Notch pathway by the ligand Jagged1 reduces the proliferation of endothelial cells. Notch activation inhibits proliferation of endothelial cells in a cell-autonomous manner by inhibiting phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (Rb). During cell cycle entry, p21Cip1 is upregulated in endothelial cells. Activated Notch inhibits mitogen-induced upregulation of p21Cip1 and delays cyclin D-cdk4-mediated Rb phosphorylation. Notch-dependent repression of p21Cip1 prevents nuclear localization of cyclin D and cdk4. The necessity of p21Cip1 for nuclear translocation of cyclin D-cdk4 and S-phase entry in endothelial cells was demonstrated by targeted downregulation of p21Cip1 by using RNA interference. We further demonstrate that when endothelial cells reach confluence, Notch is activated and p21Cip1 is downregulated. Inhibition of the Notch pathway at confluence prevents p21Cip1 downregulation and induces Rb phosphorylation. We suggest that Notch activation contributes to contact inhibition of endothelial cells, in part through repression of p21Cip1 expression.
A Community-Wide Walking Promotion Using Maps and Events for Japanese Older Adults

Objective: This study evaluated the effect of a community-wide walking intervention (involving walking maps and events) on older residents’ walking and environmental perceptions. Method: In this nonrandomized quasi-panel study, older adults living in an intervention and control site were recruited at baseline and follow-up. All households in the intervention site received maps and were invited to participate in a walking event monthly. The intervention lasted for 21 months. The outcomes were walking frequency, duration, and perceptions of local environments. Results: We did not find a significant improvement in walking frequency or duration in the intervention site relative to the control site. However, there was a significant increase in the awareness of others being active and a marginal increase in the perception of aesthetics in the intervention site. Discussion: The increased awareness of others being active may be a positive step in the stages of change toward engagement in physical activity.
Live cell imaging of meiosis in Arabidopsis thaliana

To follow the dynamics of meiosis in the model plant Arabidopsis, we have established a live cell imaging setup to observe male meiocytes. Our method is based on the concomitant visualization of microtubules (MTs) and a meiotic cohesin subunit that allows following five cellular parameters: cell shape, MT array, nucleus position, nucleolus position, and chromatin condensation. We find that the states of these parameters are not randomly associated and identify 11 cellular states, referred to as landmarks, which occur much more frequently than closely related ones, indicating that they are convergence points during meiotic progression. As a first application of our system, we revisited a previously identified mutant in the meiotic A-type cyclin TARDY ASYNCHRONOUS MEIOSIS (TAM). Our imaging system enabled us to reveal both qualitatively and quantitatively altered landmarks in tam, foremost the formation of previously not recognized ectopic spindle- or phragmoplast-like structures that arise without attachment to chromosomes.
Release of Adenosine from Rat Hippocampal Slices by Nitric Oxide Donors

Abstract: In the present study we have used perfused hippocampal slices to examine the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) can evoke the release of adenosine from nervous tissue. ATP stores were labeled by incubation with [3H]adenine. Electrical field stimulation at 5 Hz for 5 min evoked the release of 3H‐purines, and this was enhanced by the NO donor S‐nitroso‐N‐acetylpenicillamine (SNAP). Stimulation at 10 Hz for 15 min evoked a larger release of 3H‐purines, which was enhanced in a concentration‐dependent manner by both SNAP and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), with SNP being 100‐fold less potent than SNAP. N‐Acetylpenicillamine (N‐AP) was without effect. SNAP had a markedly reduced, although significant, effect when given in the absence of field stimulation. Using HPLC it was found that SNAP enhanced the release of both endogenous and labeled adenosine in a concentration‐dependent manner. At the highest concentration used (1 mM), SNAP increased electrically evoked release of endogenous adenosine 100‐fold and unstimulated adenosine release eightfold. The ability of SNAP to enhance adenosine release was eliminated in the added presence of hemoglobin (10 µM), further supporting the proposal that the effects of SNAP were due to the liberation of NO. These data provide direct evidence that NO evokes a concentration‐dependent release of adenosine from both stimulated and unstimulated nerves of the hippocampus. It is suggested that such NO‐stimulated adenosine release may contribute to some of the reported effects of NO donors in the nervous system.
Seeing in the dark: molecular approaches to the study of bat populations

Whilst the use of molecular genetic techniques is widespread in the fields of population and evolutionary biology, their application within the mammalian order Chiroptera neither reflects the species richness nor the ecological and behavioural diversity of the order. This is despite the fact that the Chiroptera are problematic to study using more direct observational techniques. Here, we standardize and synthesise the current data, assess the contribution of molecular research to the study of bat species and highlight the importance of its continued and expanded use. At an inter‐population level, molecular studies have demonstrated a great diversity of population genetic structure within the order. Among populations of migratory species, genetic structure appears universally low, and hence seasonal movement is likely to be the prevailing influence. However, for sedentary species an array of factors including dispersal ability, extrinsic barriers to gene flow and historical events may determine the extent of genetic partitioning among populations. Intrinsic factors such as wing morphology or roost requirements may also influence population genetic structure in sedentary bat species, a proposal which requires further research. Molecular studies have also made important contributions towards an understanding of social organisation in bats. Evidence indicates that in many polygynous species male mating success does not translate directly into reproductive success, perhaps as a result of multiple mating by females. Estimates of relatedness within and genetic structure among colonies are, in general, very low; a finding which has important implications regarding theories concerning the formation and persistence of bat social groups. Molecular studies have provided new and important insights into the ecology of bats, and have opened up exciting and previously unexplored avenues of research. The data from these studies suggest not only a predictive framework for future studies, but also the use of genetic data in the management and conservation of bat species.
Time-domain ν-gap robustness analysis for shift-invariant systems

A ν-gap measure of distance between linear time-invariant systems is defined in terms of projections onto system graphs directly, without appealing to the existence of normalised strong graph representations as in the literature. A robust stability result is derived by exploiting an assumption on the compactness of a Hankel-type operator in a similar manner to recent developments on time-varying generalisation of the ν-gap metric. For a class of distributed-parameter systems, the proposed ν-gap reduces to the original frequency-domain definition.
Effect of route of delivery and formulation of postoperative nutritional support in patients undergoing major operations for malignant neoplasms.

OBJECTIVE To study the effect of the route of delivery and formulation of postoperative nutritional support on host defense, protein metabolism, infectious complications, and outcome. DESIGN Prospective, randomized, clinical trial. SETTING Department of Surgery at a university hospital. PATIENTS Two hundred sixty candidates for pancreaticoduodenectomy or gastrectomy for cancer. INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomly allocated into 3 groups during surgery. Starting 6 hours after operation, the first group received a standard enteral formula (standard group; n = 87); the second, the same enteral formula enriched with arginine, omega-3 fatty acids, and RNA (immunonutrition group; n = 87); and the third, total parenteral nutrition (parenteral group; n = 86). The 3 regimens were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. The nutritional goal was 105 kJ/kg per day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Immune response by phagocytosis ability of polymorphonuclear cells, interleukin (IL)-2 receptor levels, and delayed hypersensitivity response; protein synthesis by IL-6 and prealbumin; tolerance of enteral feeding; incidence of postoperative complications; and length of hospital stay. RESULTS The immunonutrition group had a significantly better recovery of the immune parameters on postoperative day 8 compared with the other groups. Linear regression analysis showed an inverse correlation between IL-6 and preambulin levels (r = 0.766) only in the immunonutrition group. Only 11 patients (6.3%) in both enteral groups did not reach the nutritional goal. Postoperative infection rate was 14.9% (13/87) in the immunonutrition group, 22.9% (20/87) in the standard group, and 27.9% (24/86) in the parenteral group (P = .06). Mean +/- SD length of hospital stay was 16.1 +/- 6.2, 19.2 +/- 7.9, and 21.6 +/- 8.9 days in the immunonutrition, standard, and parenteral groups, respectively (P = .01 vs standard group; P = .004 vs parenteral group). CONCLUSIONS Early postoperative enteral feeding is a valid alternative to parenteral feeding in patients undergoing major surgery. Immunonutrition enhances the host response, induces a switch from acute-phase to constitutive proteins, and improves outcome.
Effect of nuclear factor kappa B on intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression and neutrophil infiltration in lung injury induced by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion in rats.

AIM To investigate the role of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) in the pathogenesis of lung injury induced by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), and its effect on intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression and neutrophil infiltration. METHODS Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided randomly into control, I/R and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) treatment groups, n=8 in each. I/R group and PDTC treatment group received superior mysenteric artery (SMA) occluding for 1 h and reperfusion for 2 h. PDTC group was administrated with intraperitoneal injection of 2% 100 mg/kg PDTC 1 h before surgery. Lung histology and bronchia alveolus lung fluid (BALF) protein were assayed. Serum IL-6, lung malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) as well as the expression level of NF-kappaB and ICAM-1 were measured. RESULTS Lung injury induced by intestinal I/R, was characterized by edema, hemorrhage and neutrophil infiltration as well as by the significant rising of BALF protein. Compared to control group, the levels of serum IL-6 and lung MDA and MPO increased significantly in I/R group (P=0.001). Strong positive expression of NF-kappaB p65 and ICAM-1 was observed. After the administration of PDTC, the level of serum IL-6, lung MDA and MPO as well as NF-kappaB and ICAM-1 decreased significantly (P<0.05) when compared to I/R group. CONCLUSION The activation of NF-kappaB plays an important role in the pathogenesis of lung injury induced by intestinal I/R through upregulating the neutrophil infiltration and lung ICAM-1 expression. PDTC as an inhibitor of NF-kappaB can prevent lung injury induced by intestinal I/R through inhibiting the activity of NF-kappaB.