Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vivo effects of diadenosine polyphosphates on rat renal microcirculation.

BACKGROUND Diadenosine polyphosphates (APXA) are vasoactive nucleotides that elicit effects via purinoceptors. Recent data suggest differential effects of APXA on kidney vasculature. METHODS The in vivo effects of AP3A, AP5A, and adenosine on renal microvessels and the role of purinoceptors were investigated by the application of agonists to the hydronephrotic rat kidney and preincubation with respective antagonists. RESULTS The addition of the agonists (10-7 mol/L up to 10-4 mol/L) resulted in a concentration-dependent transient vasoconstriction [interlobular artery (ILOB): adenosine 30 +/- 7%, N = 7, AP3A 35 +/- 10%, N = 5; AP5A 66 +/- 19%, N = 5; 10-5 mol/L each] lasting up to one minute, followed by a concentration-dependent vasodilation (ILOB: adenosine 10 +/- 3%, N = 6; AP3A 19 +/- 4%, N = 5; AP5A 12 +/- 5%, N = 6; 10-5 mol/L each). In ILOB and in the afferent arteriole (AFF), the constrictory effects of AP5A were more pronounced than those of AP3A and adenosine. In the efferent arteriole (EFF), vascular tone was only slightly affected by all agonists. The dilatory potency was comparable for all agonists in ILOB and EFF. No significant vasodilation occurred in AFF. The application of the selective A1 receptor antagonist DPCPX (10-5 mol/L) completely abolished the adenosine-induced vasoconstriction, whereas the A2 receptor antagonist DMPX and the P2 purinoceptor antagonists PPADS and A3P5P (all 10-5 mol/L) did not affect adenosine-induced constriction. The AP3A-induced constriction was abolished by DPCPX and was partially inhibited by PPADS. The constriction induced by AP5A was less sensitive to DPCPX but more sensitive to PPADS. In ILOB and EFF, DMPX or A3P5P abolished dilation after the addition of the agonists. The dilation after AP5A was not significantly reduced. In AFF, no significant dilation was observed with these agonists alone, but it was clearly visible in the presence of DPCPX or PPADS. CONCLUSIONS APXA evoke transient constrictions in vessels of the hydronephrotic rat kidney, which are mediated by A1 and P2 purinoceptors. The length of the phosphate chain determines the degree of vasoconstriction and the extent to which the substances exert effects on the P2 purinoceptor subtypes. ILOB and AFF are more potently affected by APXA than EFF. Afferent vasodilation is partially overridden by sustained vasoconstriction.
In vivo hyperexpression of transforming growth factor-beta1 in mice: stimulation by cyclosporine.

BACKGROUND We have demonstrated that cyclosporine (CsA) stimulates transforming growth factor (TGF) beta1 expression in vitro and that growth of mammalian cells can be arrested by CsA via a TGF-beta1-dependent mechanism. Herein, we have explored whether CsA stimulates TGF-beta1 hyperexpression in vivo. METHODS Four groups of B6AF1 mice were studied: group 1, control; group 2, CsA pretreatment; group 3, anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody pretreatment; and group 4, CsA plus anti-CD3 pretreatment. RESULTS CsA pretreatment augmented TGF-beta1 protein expression and increased intrarenal display of TGF-beta1 mRNA. This heightened TGF-beta1 expression was associated with an impaired T cell proliferative response. CONCLUSIONS Our observations, together, advance the hypothesis that CsA might function in vivo as an immunosuppressant not only by inhibiting the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., interleukin 2), but also by stimulating the expression of TGF-beta1, a potent immunosuppressive cytokine. Moreover, prevention of TGF-beta1 hyperexpression might prevent CsA-associated renal fibrosis, as TGF-beta1 is a fibrogenic cytokine.
Competing in the Marketspace: Incorporating Online Education into High Education - An Organizational Perspective

Higher education traditionally has been very slow moving, with change being measured in years, or even decades. Recently, external forces have combined to challenge higher education's resistance to change. These forces range from the growth of the Internet to the emergence of a new student population to a continued decline in governmental support. Together, these changes have caused institutions to re-examine how they function and how they interact with the outside world. Distance education has become a concrete manifestation of the changes in higher education; however, the incorporation of online education often has far-reaching effects, impacting the organization financially, structurally and culturally. This paper will examine the external forces that are challenging higher education. It will further examine the managerial, organizational and cultural issues that arise as colleges and universities seek to move from the physical "marketplace" to the virtual world of the "marketspace" through the integration of distance education programs.
Interference Effects between Saccadic and Key-Press Reaction Times of Volleyball Players and Nonathletes

To investigate the interference effect in volleyball players and nonathletes (ns=10) when they executed both saccadic and key-press reaction time (RT) tasks concurrently, the two groups responded to the onset of peripheral visual stimuli as quickly as possible in single and dual conditions. In the single condition, subjects responded with either saccadic eye or key-press movement. In the dual condition, they responded concurrently with both saccadic eye and key-press movements. In both groups, the key-press RT was longer in the dual condition than in the single condition. However, the amount of key-press RT delay was remarkably smaller for the volleyball players than for nonathletes. This suggests the motor command to initiate manual movement of volleyball players might be less interfered with by a concurrent oculomotor command to initiate saccadic eye movement when compared to that of nonathletes.
Economical effects of the Weibull parameter estimation on wind energy projects

In this paper we analyze wind measurements using the Weibull probability density function (PDF). We estimate the shape factor (k) and the scale factor (c) of a Weibull PDF using maximum likelihood estimators (MLE) and the least squares estimation (LSE) method. We then compare the energy production results that would be obtained when using the parameters estimated with each method. An economical analysis is performed to show the effects of overestimating or underestimating energy production caused by an erroneous estimation of the Weibull PDF parameters. Finally a Monte Carlo simulation is performed to asses the economical risk that the shape and scale parameters represent to the outcome of the project.
High-activity, single-site mesoporous Pd/Al2O3 catalysts for selective aerobic oxidation of allylic alcohols.

Pd does it alone : Tailored heterogeneous catalysts offer exciting, alternative, clean technologies for regioselective molecular transformations. A mesoporous alumina support stabilizes atomically dispersed PdII surface sites (see picture, C light gray, O red, Pd dark gray, Al purple, H white), thereby dramatically enhancing catalytic performance in the aerobic selective oxidation of alcohols.
Alcohol suppresses insulin-like growth factor-1 gene expression in prepubertal transgenic female mice overexpressing the bovine growth hormone gene.

BACKGROUND Alcohol (ALC) delays puberty in female rats and alters the development of a normal menstrual pattern in rhesus monkeys. These actions are associated with depressed serum levels of growth hormone (GH), luteinizing hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). The mechanism of this ALC-induced depression in IGF-1 is not known, however, could be due to depressed GH and, possibly, to an alteration in the hepatic GH receptor. To assess whether ALC has a direct action at the liver, we used a transgenic mouse model that overexpresses GH, allowing assessment of potential direct actions of ALC on the level of either the GH receptor or the IGF-1-synthesizing machinery within the hepatocyte. METHODS One group of transgenic mice was fed a liquid diet containing ALC. The second group was pair-fed the companion isocaloric control liquid diet. The third group of transgenic mice was fed Lab Chow and water. The fourth group consisted of normal (nontransgenic) littermates fed Lab Chow and water. Animals received their respective diets for 5 days. Mice were killed during their late juvenile stage of development, and tissues and blood collected and frozen. RESULTS The ALC-fed transgenic mice showed a decrease (p < 0.01) in hepatic IGF-1a and IGF-1b messenger RNA levels compared with transgenic controls, and this paralleled a decrease (p < 0.01) in serum IGF-1. ALC did not alter the circulating levels of bovine GH held constant by the promotor and did not alter mouse GH receptor protein levels as analyzed by Western blotting. CONCLUSIONS Using this transgenic animal model that maintains circulating GH in the presence of ALC, we found that the ability of ALC to suppress prepubertal Igf1 gene expression can also occur independently of any alterations in the level of circulating GH. This direct effect on the hepatocyte is a postreceptor event because the GH receptor protein levels were not altered by ALC exposure.
Association of optimism-pessimism with quality of life in patients with head and neck and thyroid cancers.

OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between optimism-pessimism and quality of life (QOL) in survivors of head and neck and thyroid cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between 1963 and 2000, 190 patients completed both the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), used to assess explanatory style (optimism-pessimism), and either the 12-Item or 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12 or SF-36), used to assess QOL. The MMPIs were completed an average of 13.4 years before the QOL assessment. The QOL measures were completed an average of 12.5 years after cancer diagnosis. Patients were divided into quartiles based on their MMPI Optimism-Pessimism scale score. Analysis was performed for all patients, those with head and neck cancer, and those with thyroid cancer. Adjustments were made for age, sex, and disease stage. RESULTS For all 190 patients, optimism was associated with a higher QOL on both the mental and the physical component scales and 6 of 8 subscales of the SF-12 and SF-36. For patients with head and neck cancer, optimism was associated with higher QOL on 3 subscales but neither component scale. For patients with thyroid cancer, optimism was associated with higher QOL on both component scales and 6 subscales. After adjusting for age, sex, and disease stage, optimism was not associated with QOL in the head and neck cancer group. CONCLUSIONS Optimism was associated with a higher QOL in survivors of thyroid cancer compared with survivors of head and neck cancer. After adjusting for age, sex, and disease stage, optimism was not associated with QOL for survivors of head and neck cancer. Optimism was more associated with the mental rather than physical QOL subscales.
Testing the tidal alignment model of galaxy intrinsic alignment

Weak gravitational lensing has become a powerful probe of large-scale structure and cosmological parameters. Precision weak lensing measurements require an understanding of the intrinsic alignment of galaxy ellipticities, which can in turn inform models of galaxy formation. It is hypothesized that elliptical galaxies align with the background tidal field and that this alignment mechanism dominates the correlation between ellipticities on cosmological scales (in the absence of lensing). We use recent large-scale structure measurements from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey to test this picture with several statistics: (1) the correlation between ellipticity and galaxy overdensity, wg+; (2) the intrinsic alignment auto-correlation functions; (3) the correlation functions of curl-free, E, and divergence-free, B, modes, the latter of which is zero in the linear tidal alignment theory; (4) the alignment correlation function, wg(rp,θ), a recently developed statistic that generalizes the galaxy correlation function to account for the angle between the galaxy separation vector and the principle axis of ellipticity. We show that recent measurements are largely consistent with the tidal alignment model and discuss dependence on galaxy luminosity. In addition, we show that at linear order the tidal alignment model predicts that the angular dependence of wg(rp,θ) is simply wg+(rp)cos (2θ) and that this dependence is consistent with recent measurements. We also study how stochastic nonlinear contributions to galaxy ellipticity impact these statistics. We find that a significant fraction of the observed LRG ellipticity can be explained by alignment with the tidal field on scales 10 \hMpc. These considerations are relevant to galaxy formation and evolution.
Vertical imbalance induced by prism‐ballasted soft toric contact lenses fitted unilaterally

Fitting a prism‐ballasted soft toric contact lens unilaterally may potentially induce a vergence error that the subject cannot compensate. In the present study, a prism‐ballasted (1.5Δ base down) soft toric contact lens was fitted in the right eye only of 10 subjects with normal binocular vision. The effect on binocular vision was evaluated by measuring vertical phoria adaptation and vertical fixation disparity adaptation. The results show that the vertical vergence error induced was well compensated and fully adapted to. However, care might be needed when fitting these lenses unilaterally in subjects with vertical phoria‐related problems.
Predictors of antral follicle count during the reproductive years.

BACKGROUND We sought to identify indicators of antral follicle count which would be serviceable to clinicians seeking to estimate the number of ovarian follicles without relying on sonographic counts. METHODS We examined the relations of chronological age and four potential indicators of ovarian age-ovarian volume, FSH, dimeric inhibin B and estradiol-to antral follicle count in 176 recently pregnant women. We identified the regression models which best predict low antral follicle count (< or =10 follicles). RESULTS Chronological age, ovarian volume, FSH and inhibin B were each significantly associated with antral follicle count. Fifty-three (30.1%) women had < or =10 antral follicles. In the total sample, at the cutpoint corresponding to 80% sensitivity, the positive predictive value for a regression model with all four variables was 60%. All regression models performed less well in women <35 years (13.9% with low count) than in women > or =35 years (52.0% with low count). In older women, the positive predictive value for the model with all four variables was 79%, compared with 60% for a model with chronological age alone. CONCLUSIONS Our models provide a basis for advising women aged > or =35 years who are either trying to conceive or wish to learn whether they may postpone childbearing.
Enrichment of Hepatocytes Differentiated from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells as a Transplantable Source

Background. We previously reported that hepatocytes can be differentiated from embryonic stem (ES) cells by way of embryoid body (EB) formation and are transplantable into the mouse liver. However, the transplantation of EB-derived cells frequently resulted in teratoma formation in the recipient liver. In the present study, we eliminated the tumorigenic cells from EB outgrowths and examined the effects of enriched ES–cell-derived hepatocyte transplantation into an injured liver. Methods. On day 15 in culture, the EBs were partially disaggregated and subcultured. Hepatocytes in the subcultured cells were examined by the expression of hepatocyte markers. Undifferentiated cells contaminating in the EB-derived cells were eliminated by Percoll discontinuous gradient centrifugation. Furthermore, undifferentiated cells, endothelial cells, and macrophages were eliminated by magnetic cell sorting using platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM)-1 and Mac-1 antibodies. These enriched ES–cell-derived hepatocytes were then transplanted into the injured mouse liver. Results. Percoll centrifugation and PECAM-1 antibodies eliminated the undifferentiated cells expressing Oct-3/4 from the EB-derived cells. ES–cell-derived hepatocytes showed expression of liver-related genes, synthesis of urea and glycogen, and structural characteristics during subculture. A transplantation study showed that the enriched ES–cell-derived hepatocytes integrated into the injured mouse liver and produced no teratomas. When the ES–cell-derived hepatocytes were transplanted into a CCl4-injured liver, the liver function was subsequently improved. Conclusions. Functional hepatocytes can be differentiated from mouse ES cells by way of EB formation. The elimination of undifferentiated cells from the EBs provides transplantable cells for liver failure without tumorigenicity.
Taxonomy: A Precursor to Understanding Ecological Interactions among Schistosomes, Snail Hosts, and Snail-Eating Fishes

Abstract We have observed a dramatic decrease in the abundance of snail-eating fishes and an increase in the prevalence of schistosomiasis among village residents and expatriate tourists at Lake Malawi, Africa, over the past two decades. We hypothesized that these observations were linked by a cause-and-effect relationship and that the observed decrease in fish molluscivores permitted an increase in the abundance of snails that are intermediate hosts to schistosomes; we proposed a sampling protocol to determine these relationships. Initially, we thought that intensive study of the interactions among fish, intermediate-host snails, and human schistosomes in southern Lake Malawi could be applied to other areas throughout the lake. More than two-thirds of the cichlid species in Lake Malawi are undescribed, the taxonomy of the Bulinus snails is poorly known, and not all strains of Schistosoma hematobium have been identified. Before we can identify the interactions among these components of the system and effe.
Screening for retinopathy of prematurity: evaluation and modification of guidelines

Aims: To evaluate current screening guidelines for ROP (retinopathy of prematurity) and to determine whether they can be modified. Methods: In accordance with the authors’ present criterion, infants born in Stockholm County, Sweden, from 1 August 1998 to 31 July 2000, with a gestational age of ≤32 weeks, were screened for ROP. The effectiveness of screening was studied. Results: The incidence of ROP was 25.5% in this study. A dropout group comprising almost 20% of the population studied (≤32 weeks), was never referred, were lost to follow up, or died before screening was completed. No infant with a gestational age of >31 weeks at birth developed severe ROP (stages 3–5) and no infant with a gestational age of >29 weeks was treated for ROP. Conclusion: 80% of infants in this population with a gestational age at birth of ≤32 weeks, the current screening criterion, were effectively screened for ROP. The authors recommend that the screening criterion be lowered to ≤31 weeks since no infant with severe ROP would have been missed.
Applying a palliative care approach in residential care: Effects on nurse assistants' work situation

Abstract Objectives: The aim was to investigate the effects of an intervention that applies a palliative care approach in residential care upon nurse assistants' level of strain, job satisfaction, and view of leadership. Method: A quasi-experimental, pretest and posttest design was used. Study circles with workshops involving nurse assistants (n = 75) and their superiors (n = 9) focusing on emotional and existential issues in palliative care were evaluated using a questionnaire answered by the nurse assistants at baseline (November 2009), post-intervention (May 2010), and six-month follow-up (November 2010) in comparison with controls (n = 110). Results: Directly after the intervention, the job satisfaction of the nurse assistants decreased and they perceived the leadership more negatively than before the intervention. Six months later, strain as a result of criticism from residents and their superiors and having difficulty in balancing emotional involvement had decreased. Significance of results: The intervention initially seemed to decrease the well-being of the nurse assistants, which could be the result of their increased awareness of the residents' and relatives' needs, in combination with limited support. More emphasis should be placed on the role of leadership when implementing changes in practice.
Idiopathic spinal myoclonus: A clinical and neurophysiological assessment of a movement disorder of uncertain origin

Spinal Myoclonus (SM) is characterized by brief and sudden movements caused by the activation of muscles belonging to adjacent spinal myotomes. Recent reports have indicated that “typical” clinical and electrophysiological features of SM can be mimicked voluntarily. A useful tool that can distinguish between organic and psychogenic jerks is the detection of a Bereitschaftspotential (BP). In this study, we looked for evidence of a BP in a cohort of patients with idiopathic SM. A clinical and neurophysiological assessment of 20 patients affected by idiopathic SM was performed. A video EEG‐EMG multichannel recording was performed in each patient to detect BP. An expert neurophysiologist (PB) reviewed the BP recordings and divided them into those showing a definite, possible, and no BP. A clinical assessment of the videoed movements was performed by two neurologists expert in movement disorders (KB and MJE) who indicated if the movements were compatible with organic or psychogenic myoclonus. A definite or possible BP was recorded in 15 out of 20 patients. Clinical raters agreed in their clinical opinion on 15 patients (75%). All patients where both raters agreed the movements appeared to be organic had definite or possible BP. BP are commonly seen in patients with idiopathic SM. There is discordance between clinicians in their clinical rating of SM as organic or psychogenic, but even in those patients where movements appear clinically to be organic, a BP is commonly detected, indicating that the aetiology is psychogenic. This suggests that BP recordings are a useful adjunct to clinical assessment in the accurate diagnosis of patients with idiopathic SM. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Levetiracetam in chronic daily headache: A double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled study

Introduction: Chronic daily headache (CDH) represents a temporal profile of headache (15+ days/month; 4+ hours/day; >6 months). We report the first comprehensive and largest levetiracetam (LEV) trial in CDH. Methods: A 27-week, multi-centre, randomised, placebo-controlled, cross-over, phase III B study assessed efficacy of a target of 3 g/day LEV of 6 placebo tablets/day in CDH. Primary efficacy was headache-free rate (HFR) while secondary parameters were loss of diagnostic criteria; severity; duration; disability; associated features; pain; and quality of life. Results: Ninety-six patients were recruited (baseline HFR 10.4 ± 14.6%; median 0%). At onset of history 73 (74.1%) had migraine +/− aura and 35 (36.5%) had tension-type headache (TTH). Over the six months preceding recruitment 54 (56.3%) had migraine and 42 (43.8%) had TTH. Headache history was 22.6 ± 15.0 years (median 20.0). Eighty-eight received placebo and 89 received LEV with >80 receiving stable dose in either arm. LEV achieved 3.9% increased HFR over placebo, showing a trend but not significance. There was 9.9% increase in loss of CDH diagnostic criteria re: headache days/month for LEV over placebo (p = .0325), reduced disability (p = .0487) and reduced pain severity for LEV (p = .0162). The Short-Form Quality of Life assessment instrument (SF-36) showed impaired mental health on LEV (p = .001). Discussion: These findings conflict with reports of LEV efficacy, mandating placebo control in headache trials. Primary efficacy equated to one extra headache-free day/month with reduced disability and pain intensity. Mental health was reduced on LEV. The 10% loss of diagnostic criteria, decreased intensity and disability suggest a subpopulation with CDH where LEV remains a therapeutic option.