Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reduction in vascular responsiveness to adrenomedullin during sepsis.

BACKGROUND Although sepsis is characterized by an early, hyperdynamic phase followed by a late, hypodynamic phase, the mechanism responsible for the transition from the hyperdynamic to the hypodynamic state remains unknown. Since recent studies have shown that adrenomedullin (ADM), a novel potent vasodilatory peptide, is upregulated during sepsis, the aim of this study was to determine whether the reduced vascular responsiveness to ADM is associated with the transition from the hyperdynamic phase to the hypodynamic phase of sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). At 5 and 10 h (i.e., the hyperdynamic phase of sepsis) or 20 h (the hypodynamic phase) after CLP, the thoracic aorta or small intestine was harvested and preconstricted with norepinephrine. Adrenomedullin (10(-7) M) was applied and the percentage of ADM-induced vascular relaxation in the aortic ring and isolated small intestine was determined. RESULTS The responsiveness to ADM in the thoracic aorta was not altered at 5-10 h, but decreased significantly at 20 h after CLP. Although ADM-induced relaxation in resistance blood vessels of the small intestine did not change at 5 h, it decreased markedly at 10 and 20 h after the onset of sepsis. CONCLUSIONS Since the transition from hyperdynamic to hypodynamic sepsis takes place between 10 and 20 h after CLP, it is likely that reduced vascular responsiveness to ADM may be responsible for such an event during the course of polymicrobial sepsis. In view of this, maintenance of vascular ADM responsiveness by pharmacologic agents appears to be a novel approach for preventing or delaying the occurrence of hypodynamic sepsis and septic shock.
EFFECTIVENESS OF HUMAN HAIR, BGR, AND A MIXTURE OF BLOOD MEAL AND PEPPERCORNS IN REDUCING DEER DAMAGE TO YOUNG APPLE TREES

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conferences at DigitalCommons@University ofNebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Third Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference, 1987 by an authorized administrator ofDigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
Macrophage Activation Syndrome in Patients with Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis under Treatment with Tocilizumab

Objective. To identify macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) in patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) undergoing tocilizumab (TCZ) treatment, and to confirm laboratory marker changes and responses to treatment in patients with MAS receiving TCZ. Methods. In Japan, 394 patients with sJIA were registered in an all-patient registry surveillance of TCZ as of January 15, 2012. TCZ (8 mg/kg) was administered every 2 weeks to patients with sJIA. MAS, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, or Epstein-Barr virus–associated hemophagocytic syndrome (EB-VAHS) was reported in 23 of these patients (25 events). The Safety Evaluation Committee of Tocilizumab for JIA reviewed these cases and clinically evaluated the data and laboratory findings using their own therapeutic experience. Events were categorized into 4 groups: definitive MAS, probable MAS, EB-VAHS, and non-MAS. Results. The committee’s review revealed 3 events of definitive MAS in 3 patients, 12 events of probable MAS in 11 patients, 2 events of EB-VAHS in 2 patients, and 8 events of non-MAS in 8 patients. There were 2 patients who developed 2 events: 2 events in 1 patient were classified into definitive MAS and probable MAS, and 2 events in another patient were classified into probable MAS. In patients with definitive or probable MAS, common clinical manifestations and laboratory findings of MAS were observed. Changes in laboratory data observed in patients with EB-VAHS were similar to those observed in patients with MAS. Conclusion. These results suggest that the clinical/laboratory features in the course of MAS appear to be similar among patients regardless of whether TCZ is administered. Similarities in the pathophysiological background of MAS and EB-VAHS were also suggested.
SITA Fast, a new rapid perimetric threshold test. Description of methods and evaluation in patients with manifest and suspect glaucoma.

PURPOSE To describe and evaluate the new rapid SITA Fast computerized perimetric threshold strategy. METHOD Computer simulations of visual fields were used to develop a new rapid threshold strategy, SITA Fast. In a clinical evaluation 30 patients were examined twice with each of the Full Threshold, Fastpac and SITA Fast strategies. RESULTS SITA Fast had significantly shorter test time using on average 34% of the test time when compared to the Full Threshold strategy (p<0.0001) and 53% compared to Fastpac (p<0.0001). Reproducibility, calculated as the average Root Mean Square Error, was 1.84 dB in SITA tests, and 1.99 dB and 2.02 dB with Full Threshold and Fastpac, respectively. Both SITA Fast and Fastpac showed slightly higher sensitivities on average than theoretically expected. Sensitivity differences were larger in eyes with large differences in test time. Defects detected by SITA Fast were often deep and more localised than those detected by the Full Threshold and the Fastpac strategies. CONCLUSION SITA Fast tests were considerably shorter than Fastpac tests. The low test-retest variability found in the SITA Fast tests implies that it may be a sensitive test for detection of field progression.
Endogenous neurotoxic dopamine derivative covalently binds to Parkinson's disease‐associated ubiquitin C‐terminal hydrolase L1 and alters its structure and function

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease, but its pathogenesis remains elusive. A mutation in ubiquitin C‐terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH‐L1) is responsible for a form of genetic PD which strongly resembles the idiopathic PD. We previously showed that 1‐(3′,4′‐dihydroxybenzyl)‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline (3′,4′DHBnTIQ) is an endogenous parkinsonism‐inducing dopamine derivative. Here, we investigated the interaction between 3′,4′DHBnTIQ and UCH‐L1 and its possible role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic PD. Our results indicate that 3′,4′DHBnTIQ binds to UCH‐L1 specifically at Cys152 in vitro. In addition, 3′,4′DHBnTIQ treatment increased the amount of UCH‐L1 in the insoluble fraction of SH‐SY5Y cells and inhibited its hydrolase activity to 60%, reducing the level of ubiquitin in the soluble fraction of SH‐SY5Y cells. Catechol‐modified UCH‐L1 as well as insoluble UCH‐L1 were detected in the midbrain of 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine‐treated PD model mice. Structurally as well as functionally altered UCH‐L1 have been detected in the brains of patients with idiopathic PD. We suggest that conjugation of UCH‐L1 by neurotoxic endogenous compounds such as 3′,4′DHBnTIQ might play a key role in onset and progression of idiopathic PD.
Thrombocytopenia model with minimal manipulation of blood cells allowing whole blood assessment of platelet function

Abstract In vitro models of thrombocytopenia are useful research tools. Previously published models have shortcomings altering properties of platelets and other blood components. The aim of the present study was to develop a whole blood method to induce thrombocytopenia with minimal manipulation, and to describe platelet function in induced thrombocytopenia in individuals with healthy platelets. Hirudin anticoagulated blood was obtained from 20 healthy volunteers. One part of the blood was gently centrifuged at 130g for 15 minutes. The platelet-rich plasma was replaced with phosphate-buffered saline to establish thrombocytopenia. Various levels of thrombocytopenia were achieved by combining different volumes of baseline whole blood and thrombocytopenic blood. Platelet counts were measured by flow cytometry (Navios, Beckman Coulter) and routine haematological analyser (Sysmex XE-5000). Platelet function was analysed by impedance aggregometry (Multiplate® Analyzer, Roche) and by flow cytometry (Navios, Beckman Coulter) using collagen, adenosine diphosphate, thrombin receptor activating peptide-6 and ristocetin as agonists. Median baseline platelet count was 227×109/l. The in vitro model yielded median platelet counts at 51×109/l (range 26–93×109/l). We observed minor, yet significant, changes in platelet size and maturity from baseline to modelled thrombocytopenia. In the thrombocytopenic samples, significant and positive linear associations were found between platelet count and platelet aggregation across all agonists (all p-values<0.001). Platelet function assessed by flow cytometry showed minimal alterations in the thrombocytopenic samples. A new whole blood-based model of thrombocytopenia was established and validated. This new model serves as a useful future tool, particularly to explore platelet function in patients with thrombocytopenia.
Habitat fragmentation, patch size, and the recruitment and abundance of kelp forest fishes

Studies of habitat fragmentation in marine ecosystems are few, despite a high potential for disturbance and the fragmentation of macrophytes that constitute important habitats. In this study, we investigated the relative importance of habitat fragmentation and loss on the recruitment and abundance of fishes associated with giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera forests. We experimentally fragmented naturally occurring kelp forests at 3 sites along Santa Catalina Island, California, USA, into areas of 100 to 1600 m 2 . We also explored the relationship between kelp patch size and recruit- ment of fishes at smaller spatial scales by constructing kelp plots that were consistent in density but varied in area. The numerical and biomass densities of recruit, older juvenile, and adult fishes across fragment areas differed among species, resulting in linear, exponential, or asymptotic increases in numerical and biomass abundances with fragment size. Overall, fishes exhibited mostly linear rela- tionships between abundance and fragment area, suggesting that kelp-associated fishes are more affected by habitat loss than by fragmentation. When incorporating kelp forests of larger area, how- ever, formerly linear functions became non-linear, indicating that habitat fragmentation may become more important at larger spatial scales. At the scale of small kelp patches, the densities of Paralabrax clathratus and Oxyjulis californica were unrelated to patch size, and recruitment occurred in the smallest patches and was highly variable for both species. These results may provide resource man- agers with important information on the relative effects of habitat loss and fragmentation in the con- servation and management of coastal fishes.
A formal method of determining the dietary amino acid requirements of laying-type pullets during their growing period.

1. The amino acid requirements of laying type pullets during the growing period can be estimated by measuring the growth of different components of the body and making use of nutritional constants that define the amount of each amino acid that is required for the production of the tissues being formed. 2. In this experiment, carcase analyses of each of three breeds of pullets were conducted at weekly intervals throughout the growth of the pullets, to 18 weeks of age. Measurements were made of body weight, gut-fill and feather weight, and chemical analyses consisted of water, protein, lipid and ash measurements of both the body and the feathers. Each age group comprised 10 birds of each breed. 3. Gompertz functions accurately estimated the growth of both body protein and feather protein, to 18 weeks of age, from which the rate of growth of these two components of the body could be estimated. The mature weight of pullets was overestimated by the Gompertz growth curve, which may indicate that a pullet ceases to increase in body protein content once sexual maturity has been reached. 4. Using allometric relationships between the chemical components of the body and of feathers, all the components of growth could be estimated from the growth of body protein and feather protein. These components were then added together to determine the growth rate of the body as a whole. 5. The daily amino acid requirements for 4 functions were calculated, namely, those for the maintenance of body protein and feather protein, and for the gain in body protein and feather protein. These requirements were then summed to determine the requirement of pullets on each day of the growing period. 6. Using the 'effective energy' system, the amount of energy required by these pullets was calculated for each day of the growing period, from which the desired daily food intake of the pullets could be predicted. By dividing the amino acid requirement by this daily food intake it was possible to determine the concentration of amino acids that would be needed in the diet in order to meet the requirements of a pullet. 7. The results indicate that the ratio between the requirement for lysine and for methionine and cysteine changes dramatically during the growing period, negating the concept of a fixed ratio between all the amino acids during growth. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Competition in the Chemostat: Global Asymptotic Behavior of a Model with Delayed Response in Growth

The asymptotic behavior of solutions of a model for competition between two microorganisms in the chemostat is studied. The model incorporates time delays that allow for the cellular components of each competing species to be structured to include unassimilated or “stored” nutrient. Sufficient conditions on the parameters of the model that guarantee (i) competitive exclusion and (ii) persistence of at least one of the competing organisms are determined. The results extend earlier results on the corresponding model for a single species and also extend these to include competition.
Prednisone plus Gefitinib versus Prednisone plus Placebo in the Treatment of Hormone-Refractory Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Phase II Trial

Background: Abnormal epidermal growth factor receptor expression and pre-clinical data prompted us to investigate the activity of gefitinib, a selective epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Methods: Eighty-two patients were randomly assigned to receive prednisone plus gefitinib (pG; n = 44) or prednisone plus placebo (ppl; n = 38). On progression, patients initially assigned to placebo were offered the possibility to receive gefitinib. Best prostate-specific antigen response was the primary endpoint. Results: At a median follow-up time of 29.0 months (26.0–32.0), 77 patients progressed and 51 died. Prostate-specific antigen response was recorded in 6/38 (15.8%; 95% CI 4.2–27.4) and in 5/44 (11.4%; 95% CI 2.0–20.8) patients in pG and ppl groups, respectively. There was no difference between groups in time to progression (median pG 4.0 months, range 3.5–4.5; median ppl 4.5 months, range 3.5–5.0) and survival (median pG 26.5 months, range 16.0–37.0; median ppl 20.5 months, range 14.0–27.0). Adverse events occurred in 19 patients in each arm and were generally mild. Conclusions: pG showed a good tolerability profile but only a limited therapeutic activity in hormone-refractory prostate cancer.
Complex recovery: Understanding the lives of formerly homeless adults with complex needs

Abstract Objective: This report examines mental health recovery in a population neglected in the literature – formerly homeless adults with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse. The term ‘complex recovery’ is used to examine the onset and impact of various types of adversity over the life course. Method: Burawoy's extended case method was conducted on in-depth interviews with 74 formerly homeless adults living in housing programs in New York City. Data included verbatim transcripts, interviewer feedback forms, and case summaries. Results: Seven themes emerged: the longstanding influence of poverty, childhood hardship, social support and network depletion, substance abuse and recovery, unequal impact of gender differences, experiences of incarceration and fragmented service system. Structural as well as individual factors were found to comprise complex recovery. Conclusions: Complex recovery, which situates mental health recovery amidst homelessness and other forms of adversity, has implications for policies and practices designed to assist this vulnerable population.
Efficacy of progressive muscle relaxation training in reducing anxiety in patients with acute schizophrenia.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy of progressive muscle relaxation training on anxiety in patients with acute schizophrenia. BACKGROUND Many empirical studies have found progressive muscle relaxation training beneficial in reducing the psychological effects of anxiety. Progressive muscle relaxation training is also effective in reducing the distress symptoms associated with the symptomatology of schizophrenia. DESIGN An experimental randomised controlled trial using repeated measures. METHOD The study was designed to examine the effects of progressive muscle relaxation training on patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Study participants were acute psychiatric inpatients in Taiwan. Eighteen patients were block randomised and then assigned to an experimental or control group. The experimental group received progressive muscle relaxation training and the control group received a placebo intervention. Results from the Beck anxiety inventory were compared between groups as a pretest before intervention, on day 11 of intervention and one week post-test after the intervention was completed. Changes in finger temperature were measured throughout the experiment. RESULTS The degree of anxiety improvement was significantly higher in the progressive muscle relaxation training group than in the control group after progressive muscle relaxation training intervention (p < 0.0001) and at follow-up (p = 0.0446; the mean BAI score fell from 16.4 pretest to -5.8 post-test. After adjusting for the change in patient finger temperature, the mean change in temperature was significantly different between the two patient groups. The average body temperature increased significantly after applying the progressive muscle relaxation training to patients with schizophrenia. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that progressive muscle relaxation training can effectively alleviate anxiety in patients with schizophrenia. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Progressive muscle relaxation training is potentially an effective nursing intervention in the reduction of anxiety in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, depending on the quality of their mental status at the time of intervention. Progressive muscle relaxation training is a useful intervention as it is proven to reduce anxiety levels across a spectrum of psychiatric disorders.
Effects of cerium oxide supplementation to laying hen diets on performance, egg quality, some antioxidant enzymes in serum and lipid oxidation in egg yolk.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary cerium oxide levels (0, 100, 200, 300 or 400 mg/kg) on the laying performance, egg quality, some blood serum parameters and egg lipid peroxidation of laying hen. In total, one hundred and twenty 22-week-old brown Lohman LSL laying hens were randomly assigned to five groups equally (n = 24). Each treatment was replicated six times. Dietary supplementation of cerium oxide had no significant effect on feed intake and egg weight. The addition of cerium oxide to the laying hens' feed improved feed conversion ratio and increased (p < 0.05) egg production. Quality criteria of egg for except shell breaking strength were not affected by supplementing cerium oxide. In particular, supplementation of 200 and 300 mg/kg cerium oxide to the laying hens feed led to a significant (p < 0. 01) increase in egg shell breaking strength. Calcium and phosphorus concentration of serum increased significantly (p < 0.05) with supplementation of 100 mg/kg cerium oxide to laying hen diets. It was also observed that serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration decreased significantly with supplementation of cerium oxide in diets. Inclusion of cerium oxide resulted in a significant reduction in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) values in egg yolk in this study. It can be concluded that the addition of cerium oxide had positive effects on egg production, feed conversion ratio and egg shelf life. Based on the results of this study, it could be advised to supplement laying hens feed with cerium oxide as feed additives.
Resolution of the acute-phase response in West African patients receiving treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis.

SETTING The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana, West Africa. OBJECTIVE To evaluate simple and commonly used parameters of the acute-phase response as correlates of successful resolution of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) during drug treatment. DESIGN Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), body weight, and blood haemoglobin were measured in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative Ghanaian patients with PTB (n = 15) and in age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 15). These parameters were subsequently measured in patients after 1, 2 and 3 months of antituberculosis treatment. Serum concentrations of soluble interleukin-2-receptor-alpha (sCD25) were also measured as a comparative index of resolution of the systemic inflammatory process. RESULTS Anti-tuberculosis treatment resulted in sputum smear conversion in all 15 patients. After one month of treatment, reductions in serum CRP concentration (>20%) and increases in haemoglobin concentration (>0.4 g/dl) occurred in the majority of patients and correlated with steep reductions in serum levels of sCD25. In contrast, weight loss and elevated ESR were slower to resolve, and were insensitive early markers of response to treatment. CONCLUSION A fall in serum CRP and a rise in blood haemoglobin are correlates of the initial response to drug treatment of PTB. These parameters may assist in the evaluation of empiric trials of treatment in microbiologically unconfirmed cases of suspected PTB.
Creating a Terrain Model for Floodplain Mapping

A geographic information system ~GIS! based approach is presented for the development of a terrain model based on stream channel representation of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Hydrologic Engineering Center's River Analysis System ~HEC-RAS! hydraulic model. As input, the approach requires a completed HEC-RAS simulation, a digital elevation model ~DEM! , and a GIS representation of the stream thalweg. The process begins with export of the channel data from HEC-RAS to GIS, followed by data conversion from hydraulic model coordinates to geographic coordinates. A digital terrain model is subsequently synthesized by merging HEC-RAS data for the stream channel with comparatively lower-resolution DEM data for the floodplain. The resulting surface model provides a good representation of the general landscape and contains additional detail within the stream channel. The accuracy of the terrain model is comparable to high-resolution terrain data acquired through aerial photogrammetry and can be used in conjunction with the new generation of river hydraulic models capable of accepting GIS terrain data. An example application to Waller Creek in Austin, Texas, is presented.