Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The actions of the catecholamines on transmission in the superior cervical ganglion of the cat.

An elecrotphysiologic study was made of the effects of norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E) and isoproterenol (ISO) on transmission in the superior cervical ganglion of the cat. NE produced ganglionic hyperpolarization and blocked ganglionic transmission. These actions were blocked by dihydroergotamine (DHET), and enhanced by dichloroiso-proterenol (DCI) and pronethalol. After the administration of DHET, NE produced ganglionic depolarization and enhanced transmission. These actions were blocked by DCI and pronethalol. Although the actions of E on ganglionic transmission were similar to those of NE, differences were noted between the ganglionic potentials evoked by three amines. For example, although both agents evoked ganglionic hyperpolarization, the E-induced hyper-polarization was followed in many experiments by a phase of depolarization. This depolarization evoked by E was blocked by DCI and pronethalol. ISO produced a depolarization of the ganglion and enhanced transmission. These actions of ISO were blocked by the beta adrenergic blocking agents, but were unaffected by DHET. The above findings indicate that sympathetic ganglia contain two pharmacologically distinctive adrenoceptive sites. It is considered that one site, which was blocked by alpha adrenergic blocking agents, mediated catecholamine-induced inhibition and ganglionic hyperpolarization and that the other site, which was blocked by beta adrenergic blocking agents, mediated catecholamine-evoked facilitation and ganglionic depolarization.
Detecting Interaction Between Random Region and Fixed Age Effects in Disease Mapping

Summary. The purpose of this article is to draw attention to the possible need for inclusion of interaction effects between regions and age groups in mapping studies. We propose a simple model for including such an interaction in order to develop a test for its significance. The assumption of an absence of such interaction effects is a helpful simplifying one. The measure of relative risk related to a particular region becomes easily and neatly summarized. Indeed, such a test seems warranted because it is anticipated that the simple model, which ignores such interaction, as is in common use, may at times be adequate. The test proposed is a score test and hence only requires fitting the simpler model. We illustrate our approaches using mortality data from British Columbia, Canada, over the 5‐year period 1985–1989. For this data, the interaction effect between age groups and regions is quite large and significant.
Pancreatic Trauma-12-Year Experience From a Tertiary Center

Pancreatic trauma is rare and often missed during initial assessment of patients with abdominal trauma. This study reviews our experience of managing pancreatic trauma at a tertiary referral center and discusses the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Methods: A retrospective study of our prospectively maintained hepato-pancreatico-biliary database for 12 years preceding December 2007. Results: Twenty-eight patients (23 males, 10 children) with a median age of 11.5 years (range, 6-16 years) in children and 27.5 years (range, 17-54 years) in adults were identified. Nineteen of the 28 had pancreatic duct injury of which 15 were missed on initial evaluation and referred after conservative management (n = 9) or laparotomy (n = 6). Twenty-one patients developed complications including abdominal collections (n = 10), pancreatic fistulae (n = 9), and pseudocysts (n = 2). There were 2 deaths (7%), both of which were associated with multiple intra-abdominal injuries. At a median follow-up of 7.5 months (range, 3-44 months), 19 of 23 patients were asymptomatic and had been discharged from follow-up. Conclusions: Pancreatic trauma in the United Kingdom is mainly the result of blunt trauma and most commonly affects young males. The presence of pancreatic duct disruption accounts for most of the complications, and in the absence of associated injuries, mortality is rare.
Q methodology--a journey into the subjectivity of human mind.

AIMS This paper introduces a relatively new research methodological tool, known as Q method, useful in exploring issues related to human subjectivity. DESCRIPTION Q methodology is unique as it combines the strengths of both qualitative and quantitative research traditions. The sequential steps involve generation of ideas about the research topics, clarification and refinement of the ideas, and rank ordering these ideas by the respondents in a quasinormal distribution. The data are extracted with by-person factor analysis and useful in exploring arrays of attitude either cross-sectionally or longitudinally over a period of time. CONCLUSION Q methodology can be used to analyse opinions, perceptions, and attitudes in both clinical and non-clinical settings. It is a preferred method of human subjectivity study as it provides more in-depth analysis of complex subjectivity issues.
Transposon‐mediated resistance to Bacillus sphaericus in a field‐evolved population of Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae)

The binary toxin is the major active component of Bacillus sphaericus, a microbial larvicide used for controlling some vector mosquito‐borne diseases. B. sphaericus resistance has been reported in many part of the world, leading to a growing concern for the usefulness of this environmental friendly insecticide. Here we characterize a novel mechanism of resistance to the binary toxin in a natural population of the West Nile virus vector, Culex pipiens. We show that the insertion of a transposable element‐like DNA into the coding sequence of the midgut toxin receptor induces a new mRNA splicing event, unmasking cryptic donor and acceptor sites located in the host gene. The creation of the new intron causes the expression of an altered membrane protein, which is incapable of interacting with the toxin, thus providing the host mosquito with an advantageous phenotype. As a large portion of insect genomes is composed of transposable elements or transposable elements‐related sequences, this new mechanism may be of general importance to appreciate their significance as potent agents for insect resistance to the microbial insecticides.
Possible Anaphylaxis after Propofol in a Child with Food Allergy

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of anaphylaxis due to propofol in a child with allergies to egg and peanut oil. CASE SUMMARY: A 14-month-old boy with a history of reactive airway disease was hospitalized for treatment of respiratory symptoms. The patient had documented allergies to egg, peanut oil, and mold. Within the first few hours after admission, acute respiratory decompensation occurred, and arrangements were made to transfer the patient to our tertiary-care hospital. Prior to transfer, he was emergently intubated under sedation and paralysis with propofol and rocuronium. When emergency air transport arrived, the patient was hypotensive and tachycardic. His symptoms of anaphylaxis were managed throughout the flight and, upon arrival at our institution, the patient was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. He improved over a 5-day hospital course, and his caregivers were instructed to avoid propofol in the future. The patient's anaphylactic reaction following propofol was rated as a possible adverse drug reaction using the Naranjo probability scale. DISCUSSION: The use of propofol in pediatric patients for procedural sedation has gained increased favor. Since the propofol formulation contains both egg lecithin and soybean oil, its use is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivities to these components. Several other drugs have a food component, resulting in contraindications and warnings in product labeling. CONCLUSIONS: Propofol should be avoided in patients with allergies to egg and/or soybean oil, if possible. Clinicians should consider the potential for adverse drug events in patients with select food allergies.
Anatomical differences in the human inferior colliculus relate to the perceived valence of musical consonance and dissonance

Helmholtz himself speculated about a role of the cochlea in the perception of musical dissonance. Here we indirectly investigated this issue, assessing the valence judgment of musical stimuli with variable consonance/dissonance and presented diotically (exactly the same dissonant signal was presented to both ears) or dichotically (a consonant signal was presented to each ear – both consonant signals were rhythmically identical but differed by a semitone in pitch). Differences in brain organisation underlying inter‐subject differences in the percept of dichotically presented dissonance were determined with voxel‐based morphometry. Behavioral results showed that diotic dissonant stimuli were perceived as more unpleasant than dichotically presented dissonance, indicating that interactions within the cochlea modulated the valence percept during dissonance. However, the behavioral data also suggested that the dissonance percept did not depend crucially on the cochlea, but also occurred as a result of binaural integration when listening to dichotic dissonance. These results also showed substantial between‐participant variations in the valence response to dichotic dissonance. These differences were in a voxel‐based morphometry analysis related to differences in gray matter density in the inferior colliculus, which strongly substantiated a key role of the inferior colliculus in consonance/dissonance representation in humans.
A case of cervical cancer with aggressive tumor growth: possible autocrine growth stimulation by G-CSF and Il-6.

BACKGROUND Patients with tumors that produce hematopoietic growth factors, such as G-CSF, sometimes exhibit leukemoid reactions. Squamous cell carcinomas of the uterine cervix producing such factors are rarely reported. CASE A 56-year-old woman had severe leukocytosis (>50 x 10(3)/microl) and fever without evidence of infection after radical hysterectomy for treatment of her cervical cancer. The parametrial recurrent mass appeared after the operation and exhibited extremely aggressive growth. Serum levels of G-CSF and IL-6 were extremely high, and immunohistochemical analysis and RT-PCR assays revealed that G-CSF and IL-6 as well as their receptors were produced in tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS This is a case of cervical cancer which exhibited an aggressive clinical course, possibly due to autocrine stimulation of cell growth by G-CSF and IL-6.
Prospective step sections for small skin biopsies.

CONTEXT In our laboratory, for small skin biopsies or curetted specimens, 3 slides are prepared before the case is reviewed by the dermatopathologist. OBJECTIVE To examine the utility of these "prospective" step sections in improving diagnostic accuracy and turnaround time. DESIGN Five hundred consecutive cases, in which step sections had been cut prior to slide review, were studied. For each specimen, 3 slides, each consisting of 1 ribbon of tissue containing 4 to 6 sections, were obtained at 50-microm intervals from the paraffin block. RESULTS Fifty-eight biopsies (12%) were nondiagnostic using slide 1 alone. Step sections provided a diagnosis in 19 of 58 cases. In an additional 15 cases (3%) in which a diagnosis was possible using slide 1, deeper levels resulted in a change in diagnosis. Thus, in 34 (7%) of 500 biopsies, deeper levels resulted in improved diagnostic accuracy. In addition, the pathologist would have ordered step sections in a further 117 cases (23%) to clarify the diagnosis rendered on level 1 or to exclude other lesions. Thus, 30% of small skin biopsies would have required deeper levels if step sections had not been obtained prior to slide review. CONCLUSIONS In our laboratory, the use of prospective step sections is essentially cost-neutral and case turnaround time is improved by 9% to 45%. Step sections result in a changed diagnosis in 7% of small skin biopsy specimens.
Ecto‐ATPases and 5′‐nucleotidases in the caveolae of smooth muscle. Enzyme‐histochemical evidence may indicate a role for caveolae in neurotransmission.

We have demonstrated the localization of ecto‐Ca‐ATPase and 5′‐nucleotidase activity in the caveolae of smooth muscle cells of guinea pig vas deferens and the ileum longitudinal muscle strips with a cerium‐precipitation enzyme‐cytochemical method. The activities seemed to be strongest in the caveolae. Since the simultaneous presence of the 5′‐nucleotidase activity supports the hypothesis that this ecto‐Ca‐ATPase activity does not have a pump function, but, together with 5′‐nucleotidase, may play a role in neurotransmission, these specific membrane invaginations, the caveolae, have a functional relationship with transverse tubules of striated muscle.
First Trimester Aneuploidy Screening Using Nuchal Iranslucency, Free Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin and Maternal Age

Summary: Screening for aneuploidy using maternal age has a low detection rate and high false positive rate. Second trimester maternal serum screening increases trisomy 21 detection and decreases die false positive rate. First trimester screening would enable definitive diagnosis with chorionic villus sampling, and simple surgical termination of affected pregnancies would still be an option. Nuchal translucency (NT), free beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (fβHCG) and maternal age were assessed in 302 patients before chorionic villus sampling. NT positively and fβHCG negatively correlated with gestation, but neither correlated with maternal age nor with each other. Both NT and fβHCG were increased in trisomy 21. NT was increased and fβHCG was decreased in trisomy 18. Multivariate discriminant analysis enabled 87.5% detection of trisomy 21 in this high‐risk population, for a 14% false positive rate. In a simulated normal population, using a risk cut‐off of 1 in 250, 71% detection was achieved for a 7% false positive rate. The combination of NT, fβHCG and maternal age is a simple, readily available and viable first trimester screening strategy.
NSP: Physical compact model for stacked-planar and vertical Gate-All-Around MOSFETs

In this work, a predictive and physical compact model for NanoWire/NanoSheet (NW/NS) Gate-All-Around (GAA) MOSFET is presented. Based on a novel methodology for the calculation of the surface potential including quantum confinement, this model is able to handle arbitrary NW/NS cross-section shape of stacked-planar and vertical GAA MOSFETs (circular, square, rectangular). This Nanowire Surface Potential (NSP) based model, validated both by numerical simulations and experimental data, is demonstrated to be very accurate in all operation regimes of GAA MOSFETs.
Characterization of mutual relations between Geotrichum candidum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in milk: A quantitative approach

The growth interactions between Geotrichum candidum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG were studied in milk. The effect of temperature on the growth rate of the fungus was modelled using the cardinal temperature model with inflection. The secondary modelling was applied also on the other data set containing the growth rates of G. candidum in co-culture with a commercial starter culture. The low temperature in combination with L. rhamnosus GG in co-culture showed the most negative effect on the growth rate of G. candidum. On the other hand, neither L. rhamnosus GG nor the starter culture had significant effect on the optimum and maximum temperature parameters calculated for growth of G. candidum. Their values ranged from 28.9 ℃ to 31.3 ℃ and 35.3 ℃ to 37.3 ℃, respectively. The quantitative data presented in the study showed a non-specific effect of lactic acid bacteria on the growth rate of G. candidum observed mainly around the optimal temperature.
Control of exercise hyperpnea during hypercapnia in humans.

Previous studies have yielded conflicting results on the ventilatory response to CO2 during muscular exercise. To obviate possible experimental errors contributing to such variability, we have examined the CO2-exercise interaction in terms of the ventilatory response to exercise under conditions of controlled hypercapnia. Eight healthy male volunteers underwent a sequence of 5-min incremental treadmill exercise runs from rest up to a maximum CO2 output (VCO2) of approximately 1.5 l . min-1 in four successive steps. The arterial PCO2 (PaCO2) at rest was stabilized at the control level or up to 14 Torr above control by adding 0-6% CO2 to the inspired air. Arterial isocapnia (SD = 1.2 Torr) throughout each exercise run was maintained by continual adjustment of the inspired PCO2. At all PaCO2 levels the response in total ventilation (VE) was linearly related to exercise VCO2. Hypercapnia resulted in corresponding increases in both the slope (S) and zero intercept (V0) of the VE-VCO2 curve; these being directly proportional to the rise in PaCO2 (means +/- SE: delta S/ delta PaCO2, 2.73 +/- 0.28 Torr-1; delta V0/ delta PaCO2, 1.67 +/- 0.18 l . min-1 . Torr-1). Thus the ventilatory response to concomitant hypercapnia and exercise was characterized by a synergistic (additive plus multiplicative) effect, suggesting a positive interaction between these stimuli. The increased exercise sensitivity in hypercapnia is qualitatively consistent with the hypothesis that VE is controlled to minimize the conflicting challenges due to chemical drive and the mechanical work of breathing (Poon, C. S. In: Modelling and Control of Breathing, New York: Elsevier, 1983, p. 189-196).
Viability of pathogenic and nonpathogenic free-living amoebae in long-term storage at a range of temperatures

The long-term storage of pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains of both Naegleria and Acanthamoeba spp. were tested on Page amoeba saline agar slopes for 24 months at room temperature and for 8 months at -10, 4, 10, and 15 degrees C. Acanthamoeba strains showed better survival potential than Naegleria strains, particularly when they were stored at temperatures equal to or lower than room temperature.
Steroid‐free, tacrolimus‐basiliximab immunosuppression in pediatric liver transplantation: Clinical and pharmacoeconomic study in 50 children

Corticosteroid‐free immunosuppression (IS) may be potentially beneficial for transplanted patients, particularly children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and cost of such strategy in primary pediatric liver transplantation (LT). Fifty pediatric LT recipients were prospectively treated with a steroid‐free, tacrolimus‐basiliximab–based IS (group TB). A group of 34 children transplanted under a conventional tacrolimus‐steroids regimen served as control series (group TS). Groups TB and TS were compared regarding patient and graft survival, rejection incidence, infectious complications, and growth, as well as cost of the transplant procedure. Patient and graft survivals at 3 years were 96% and 94% in group TB, versus 91% and 88% in group TS (P = 0.380 and P = 0.370, respectively). Rejection‐free graft survival at 3 years was 72% in group TB, versus 41% in group TS (P = 0.007). Patients in group TB had significantly less viral infections than patients in group TS (P = 0.045). Height standard deviation score was significantly enhanced in children from group TB, when compared to group TS. Medical care costs were similar in both groups. Steroid avoidance together with basiliximab immunoprophylaxis was not harmful in terms of allograft acceptance, and even seemed to be beneficial in the long term. Liver Transpl, 2008. © 2008 AASLD.
A history of algorithms: from the pebble to the microchip

A Source Book for the History of Mathematics, but one which offers a different perspective by focusinng on algorithms. With the development of computing has come an awakening of interest in algorithms. Often neglected by historians and modern scientists, more concerned with the nature of concepts, algorithmic procedures turn out to have been instrumental in the development of fundamental ideas: practice led to theory just as much as the other way round. The purpose of this book is to offer a historical background to contemporary algorithmic practice.
TGF-βi Promotes Islet β-Cell Function and Regeneration

TGF-βi is a secreted protein and is capable of binding to both extracellular matrix (ECM) and cells. It thus acts as a bifunctional molecule enhancing ECM and cell interactions, a lack of which results in dysfunction of many cell types. In this study, we investigated the role of TGF-βi in the function and survival of islets. Based on DNA microarray followed by quantitative PCR confirmation, TGFβi gene showed drastic increase in expression in islets after culture. We demonstrated that recombinant TGF-βi could preserve the integrity and enhance the function of cultured islets. Such a beneficial effect was mediated via signaling through FAK. Exogenous TGF-βi was capable of sustaining high-level FAK phosphorylation in isolated islets, and FAK knockdown by small interfering RNA in islets resulted in compromised islet function. TGF-βi transgenic (Tg) islets showed better integrity and insulin release after in vitro culture. In vivo, β-cell proliferation was detectable in Tg but not wild-type pancreata. At age above 12 mo, Tg pancreata contained giant islets. Tg mice displayed better glucose tolerance than that of the controls. Tg islets were more potent in lowering blood glucose when transplanted into syngeneic mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, and these transplanted islets also underwent regeneration. Our results indicate that TGF-βi is a vital trophic factor promoting islet survival, function, and regeneration. At least some of its beneficial effect was mediated by signaling through FAK.
FOXD3 Regulates Migration Properties and Rnd3 Expression in Melanoma Cells

Forkhead transcription factor, Foxd3, plays a critical role during development by controlling the lineage specification of neural crest cells. Notably, Foxd3 is highly expressed during the wave of neural crest cell migration that forms peripheral neurons and glial cells but is downregulated prior to migration of cells that give rise to the melanocytic lineage. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and is derived from melanocytes. Recently, we showed that FOXD3 expression is elevated following the targeted inhibition of the B-RAF–MEK (MAP/ERK kinase)–ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase)1/2 pathway in mutant B-RAF melanoma cells. Because melanoma cells are highly migratory and invasive in a B-RAF–dependent manner, we explored the role of FOXD3 in these processes. In this study, we show that ectopic FOXD3 expression inhibits the migration, invasion, and spheroid outgrowth of mutant B-RAF melanoma cells. Upregulation of FOXD3 expression following inhibition of B-RAF and MEK correlates with the downregulation of Rnd3, a Rho GTPase and inhibitor of RhoA–ROCK signaling. Indeed, expression of FOXD3 alone was sufficient to downregulate Rnd3 expression at the mRNA and protein levels. Mechanistically, FOXD3 was found to be recruited to the Rnd3 promoter. Inhibition of ROCK partially restored migration in FOXD3-expressing cells. These data show that FOXD3 expression downregulates migration and invasion in melanoma cells and Rnd3, a target known to be involved in these properties. Mol Cancer Res; 9(5); 545–52. ©2011 AACR.