Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Effect of tail-suspension on the reproduction of adult male rats].

OBJECTIVE To study the effects on the male reproduction in adult male rats and its mechanisms through simulated weightlessness using tail-suspension, in order to do a basic works of exploring the effects on human being's reproduction in outer space. METHODS Forty Spraque-Dawley adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups, two experimental groups and two control groups. Rats in the two experimental groups were tail-suspended for 14 d and 28 d respectively, then we examined the weight and morphology of testis, the quality and amount of sperm, also tested the serum hormone by radioimmunoassay and analyzed apoptosis rate of testicular cells by TUNEL in the experimental rats and control rats. RESULTS After tail-suspension, the weight of testis, the sperm count and sperm motility significantly decreased (P <0.05), while the apoptosis rate of testicular cells and the amount of abnormal sperm markedly increased (P <0.05). The content of testosterone significantly decreased (P <0.05), but the contents of FSH and LH mildly increased (P > 0.05). These changes were not significant between two experimental groups (P > 0.05). In addition, the seminiferous tubules became atrophy with the reduction of the layers of seminiferous epithelium, and sperm amount in lumens of seminiferous tubules decreased in experimental groups. The above were more remarkable in the 28 d experimental group. CONCLUSION Simulating weightlessness has a harmful effect on reproduction of adult male rats. These may be caused by inducing apoptosis. The blocking apoptosis of testicular cells may be useful in improving the harmful effect.
NMDA receptor‐mediated transmission contributes to network ‘hyperexcitability’ in the rat insular cortex

The insular cortex (IC) plays distinct roles under physiological and pathological conditions. However, the mechanisms regulating excitability in this area remain unknown. By employing field potential and sharp‐electrode intracellular recordings in horizontal rat brain slices comprising the IC and the perirhinal cortex, we studied here the intrinsic and network characteristics of neurons in the agranular IC. These cells generated regular action potential firing with weak adaptation during intracellular injection of depolarizing current pulses, and were pyramidal in shape when neurobiotin filled. Spontaneous, field events (duration = 2.3 ± 0.25 s; intervals of occurrence = 44.9 ± 6.3 s) were identified in 22/52 slices and corresponded in IC neurons to intracellular depolarizations with action potential firing. Similar field and intracellular discharges were elicited in all slices by electrical stimuli. Antagonizing N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors blocked the spontaneous activity and reduced or abolished the stimulus‐induced discharges. In the latter cases, stimuli elicited depolarizing events that became hyperpolarizing at about −64 mV, suggesting the contribution of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor‐mediated conductances. Our findings identify for the first time some functional properties of agranular IC neurons and point at a powerful NMDA receptor‐mediated mechanism implementing network hyperexcitability. This feature may contribute to the role of IC in neurological disorders.
Clinical Dutch-English Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) tumor association prediction score accurately predicts small-cell lung cancer in the LEMS.

PURPOSE Approximately one half of patients with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) have small-cell lung carcinomas (SCLC), aggressive tumors with poor prognosis. In view of its profound impact on therapy and survival, we developed and validated a score to identify the presence of SCLC early in the course of LEMS. PATIENTS AND METHODS We derived a prediction score for SCLC in LEMS in a nationwide cohort of 107 Dutch patients, and validated it in a similar cohort of 112 British patients. A Dutch-English LEMS Tumor Association Prediction (DELTA-P) score was developed based on multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS Age at onset, smoking behavior, weight loss, Karnofsky performance status, bulbar involvement, male sexual impotence, and the presence of Sry-like high-mobility group box protein 1 serum antibodies were independent predictors for SCLC in LEMS. A DELTA-P score was derived allocating 1 point for the presence of each of the following items at or within 3 months from onset: age at onset ≥ 50 years, smoking at diagnosis, weight loss ≥ 5%, bulbar involvement, erectile dysfunction, and Karnofsky performance status lower than 70. The area under the curve of the receiver operating curve was 94.4% in the derivation cohort and 94.6% in the validation set. A DELTA-P score of 0 or 1 corresponded to a 0% to 2.6% chance of SCLC, whereas scores of 4, 5, and 6 corresponded to chances of SCLC of 93.5%, 96.6%, and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION The simple clinical DELTA-P score discriminated patients with LEMS with and without SCLC with high accuracy early in the course of LEMS.
[An experimental study of inhibiting effect of decoy oligodeoxynucleotides on the gene expression of collagen in NIH3T3 cell].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of activator protein-1 (AP-1) decoy-oligodeoxynucleotides (Decoy-ODNs) on the expression of fibroblast alpha2 type I collagen, so as to explore the gene therapy of pathologic scar. METHODS Decoy-ODNs targeting AP-1 were designed and synthesized. NIH3T3 cells were transfected by cationic liposomes. The distribution of Decoy-ODNs in the cells was investigated. The inhibiting effects of Decoy-ODNs on AP-1 were determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). And the effects of Decoy-ODNs on the collagen synthesis in the cells were analyzed by RT-PCR. RESULTS AP-1 Decoy-ODNs could competitively inhibit the AP-1 in vitro activity. Cationic liposomes could play roles by effectively transfecting Decoy-ODNs into the plasma and nucleus. The mRNA expression of fibroblast alpha2 type I collagen decreased evidently after 24 hours of Decoy-ODNs action. CONCLUSION Decoy-ODNs could inhibit the mRNA expression of fibroblast alpha2 type I collagen by antagonizing AP-1.
A testing procedure for survival data with few responders

In the course of designing a clinical trial, investigators are often faced with the possibility that only a fraction of the patients will benefit from the experimental treatment. A proper clinical trial design requires prospective specification of the testing procedures to be used in the analysis. In the absence of reliable prognostic factors capable of identifying the appropriate subset of patients, there is a need for a test procedure that will be sensitive to a range of possible fractions of responders. Focusing on survival data, we propose guidelines for selecting a proper test procedure based on the anticipated proportion of responding patients. These guidelines suggest that the logrank test should be used when the fraction of responders is expected to be greater than 0.5, otherwise procedures based on weighted linear rank tests are preferable. Overall this approach provides good power properties when the treatment affects only a small proportion of patients while protecting against substantial loss of power when all patients are affected. Use of the procedure is illustrated with data from two published randomized studies. Published in 2002 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of molecular pathway aberrations in uterine serous carcinoma by genome-wide analyses.

BACKGROUND Uterine cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in women, and uterine serous carcinoma is the most aggressive subtype. However, the molecular pathogenesis of uterine serous carcinoma is largely unknown. We analyzed the genomes of uterine serous carcinoma samples to better understand the molecular genetic characteristics of this cancer. METHODS Whole-exome sequencing was performed on 10 uterine serous carcinomas and the matched normal blood or tissue samples. Somatically acquired sequence mutations were further verified by Sanger sequencing. The most frequent molecular genetic changes were further validated by Sanger sequencing in 66 additional uterine serous carcinomas and in nine serous endometrial intraepithelial carcinomas (the preinvasive precursor of uterine serous carcinoma) that were isolated by laser capture microdissection. In addition, gene copy number was characterized by single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays in 23 uterine serous carcinomas, including 10 that were subjected to whole-exome sequencing. RESULTS We found frequent somatic mutations in TP53 (81.6%), PIK3CA (23.7%), FBXW7 (19.7%), and PPP2R1A (18.4%) among the 76 uterine serous carcinomas examined. All nine serous carcinomas that had an associated serous endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma had concordant PIK3CA, PPP2R1A, and TP53 mutation status between uterine serous carcinoma and the concurrent serous endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma component. DNA copy number analysis revealed frequent genomic amplification of the CCNE1 locus (which encodes cyclin E, a known substrate of FBXW7) and deletion of the FBXW7 locus. Among 23 uterine serous carcinomas that were subjected to SNP array analysis, seven tumors with FBXW7 mutations (four tumors with point mutations, three tumors with hemizygous deletions) did not have CCNE1 amplification, and 13 (57%) tumors had either a molecular genetic alteration in FBXW7 or CCNE1 amplification. Nearly half of these uterine serous carcinomas (48%) harbored PIK3CA mutation and/or PIK3CA amplification. CONCLUSION Molecular genetic aberrations involving the p53, cyclin E-FBXW7, and PI3K pathways represent major mechanisms in the development of uterine serous carcinoma.
Comparison of biological responses of human monocytes and THP‐1 cells to chemokines of the intercrine‐β family

The biological responses of human monocytes and cells of the monomyelocytic THP‐1 cell line to stimulation with members of the β chemokine family are described in this report. All three chemokines tested, MCP‐1, MIP‐lα, and RANTES, elicited mobilization of intracellular free calcium in monocytes and THP‐1 cells. The magnitude of response was highest with MCP‐1 stimulation. MCP‐1 desensitized monocyte responses to MIP‐lα and RANTES, but no such desensitization was observed in THP‐1 cells. MIP‐lα or RANTES did not desensitize either monocytes or THP‐1 cells to MCP‐1 stimulation. All three chemokines elicited a potent chemotactic response in monocytes that was comparable in magnitude to that of f‐Met‐Leu‐Phe. MIP‐lα and RANTES required a fivefold higher dose than MCP‐1 to elicit a peak response. On the contrary, THP‐1 cells showed no significant chemotactic response. Studies of the desensitization of the monocyte chemotactic response indicated that all three chemokines are capable of causing complete homologous desensitization. Heterologous desensitization was observed only when monocytes were treated with MCP‐1 followed by MIP‐lα or RANTES. Studies of actin polymerization and cell polarization responses of monocytes indicated that these two responses attained peak magnitude after 10 min of stimulation with any of the chemokines. Dose‐response kinetics were similar to those of the chemotactic response. THP‐1 cells again failed to show either of these two responses. Finally, the activation potential of the chemokines was measured by their ability to induce respiratory burst. A tenfold higher concentration than that causing peak chemotactic response was required to elicit respiratory burst and no heterologous desensitization was noticed. Respiratory burst could be induced in THP‐1 cells with a direct protein kinase C activator but not with any of the chemokines. These results indicate that, of the three examples tested, MCP‐1 is the most potent member of the β chemokine family in the biological responses examined. Although a calcium response was elicited in THP‐1 cells with chemokines, a lack of subsequent responses indicates some missing links in the downstream signal transduction pathways. J. Lcukoc. Biol. 55: 756–762; 1994.
The Coronal Pulp Cavity Index: A Forensic Tool for Age Determination in Human Adults

La correlacion entre la reduccion de la cavidad coronal pulpar y la edad cronologica ha sido estudiada en una muestra de 846 dientes intactos procedentes de 433 individuos de sexo y edad conocidos. La radiografia panoramica ha sido utilizada para medir el largo (mm) de la corona (CL=coronal length) y el largo (mm) de la cavidad coronal pulpar. El indice dentario "Tooth coronal index" (TCI) segun Ikeda et al. (1985) ha sido calculado por cada diente para determinar la edad real del individuo con el metodo de la regresion. Los coeficientes de regresion varian de -0.92 (molares, muestra total, lado derecho) a -0.87 (molares femeninos) con un S. E. de estimacion de 5.88 a 6.66 anos. Las correlaciones son mas altas en los varones respecto a las mujeres. Las ecuaciones obtenidas lograron estimar la edad en una muestra de 100 dientes (no utilizados en la regresion) con un error de ± 5 anos en el 81.4% de los casos por los molares masculinos. El estudio ilustra el valor potencial de un metodo que puede ser utilizado para estimar la edad en individuos vivos y material esqueletico de edad desconocida.
TiN-Mediated Multi-Level Negative Photoconductance of the ZrO2 Breakdown Path

We present new evidence that the non-volatile negative photoconductivity (NPC) response of the ZrO2 breakdown path can be suppressed or tuned to different levels by repeated application of a positive voltage-bias on the TiN electrode prior to light exposure. A negative voltage-bias does not produce such a tuning effect but can restore the NPC response suppressed by the positive voltage-bias before a re-breakdown step. In samples with a non-metal (Si) electrode, the NPC tuning effect is absent indicating that a positively biased TiN electrode is needed to produce the tuning effect. We hypothesize that a positive voltage may induce the migration of Ti ions into the vacancy sites in the breakdown path. This then prevents the photo-assisted recombination of the interstitial-vacancy defect pairs, leading to a modulated NPC response. A negative voltage-bias expels the Ti ions back to the electrode and restores the NPC response.
Effects of 9,10-anthracenedione, 1,4-bis[(2-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-ethyl)amino]-diacetate on cell survival and cell cycle progression in cultured mammalian cells.

Abstract 9,10-Anthracenedione, 1,4-bis[[2-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-ethyl]amino]-diacetate (NSC 287513), at concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 10.0 µg/ml, altered the cell cycle kinetics of Chinese hamster, Friend leukemia, and SK-L7 cells cultivated in vitro ; the drug had little effect on cycle progression of normal phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes. The major effect, following a 2- to 18-hr exposure to drug, was a block of cell cycle progression at the G 2 -M phases as determined by flow cytometry. Although the mode of blocking action was concentration dependent, the results were similar for both a 2- and 18-hr drug treatment. Blocked cells typically had an increased amount of cellular RNA and in some cases abnormally large nucleoli. The terminal point of action in Friend leukemia cells occurred about 3 hr prior to mitosis, or within the last quarter of S phase. Unique to Friend leukemia cells was the observation that after drug treatment, at concentrations of 0.05 to 0.2 µg/ml for 2 to 18 hr followed by cell transfer to normal media, approximately 30% of the cells entered the cycle at a higher ploidy level. Survival curves on treated log phase Chinese hamster cells indicated that the cell kill response was straight line exponential; 50% survival (measured by colony formation) occurred following a 2-hr treatment at 0.7 µg/ml. Stationary-phase-treated Chinese hamster cells were much more resistant to the drug action; 50% survival was observed following a 2-hr treatment at 10 µg/ml. The data suggest that, although the drug-induced cycle block is specific to the G 2 phase, the drug-induced kill is not cycle phase specific.
Developmental regulation of alternatively spliced acetyl-CoA carboxylase-alpha mRNAs encoding isozymes with or without an eight amino acid domain upstream of the Ser-1200 phosphorylation motif in the mammary gland.

Expression of a variant acetyl-CoA carboxylase-alpha (ACC-alpha) mRNA encoding an isozyme either comprising (+24nt) or lacking (Delta24nt) an eight amino acid domain proximal to the Ser-1200 phosphorylation motif has been investigated in ovine and rat mammary tissue throughout pregnancy and lactation. The ratio of the Delta24nt mRNA: +24nt mRNA in ovine tissues varied from 0.1-0.25 (spleen, lung, muscle, heart, adipose tissue, brain) to 0.6-0.8 (pancreas, liver, kidney) to approximately 5.0 (lactating mammary gland). The sixfold increase in total ACC-alpha mRNA expression in mammary gland during lactation was due entirely to a tenfold increase in the level of the Delta24nt species as the level of expression of the +24nt species remained unaltered between pregnancy and lactation. This mode of expression of the +24nt and Delta24nt mRNAs was similar in rat mammary gland. Between day 20 of pregnancy and day 4 of lactation the ratio of the Delta24nt : +24nt mRNA increased from 2:1 to 10-20:1. Forced involution reduced the ratio of the two mRNAs to levels observed throughout pregnancy. Treatment of lactating rats with bromocryptine reduced the ratio of the Delta24nt : +24nt mRNA to relative levels observed after forced involution, suggesting that the exonic splicing responsible for the generation of the two mRNA isoforms is prolactin responsive.
Ethical Problems in Home Healthcare

The introduction of sophisticated technology and the increased complexity of client care have caused a concomitant increase in ethical concerns in home care. In this pilot study, the author examined ethical problems from the perspectives of home care providers. The most common type of ethical problems cited were difficulties with payer regulations and the competence of coworkers.
Combating innate inflammation: a new paradigm for acute treatment of stroke?

Interference with early steps of platelet adhesion/activation by inhibition of the von Willebrand factor (vWF) receptor glycoprotein (GP)Ib, its ligand vWF, or the collagen receptor GPVI, profoundly limits infarction in the mouse stroke model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). A similar pathogenic role was revealed for coagulation factor XII (FXII). Although these findings strongly suggest that microvascular thrombus formation is the leading pathophysiological event in acute stroke, recent studies have shown that these molecules have the additional capacity to guide inflammatory processes, thereby providing an intriguing alternative mechanistic explanation for these observations. Surprisingly, mice lacking T cells are also protected from acute stroke, and these T cell effects are antigen independent. Thus, acute ischemic stroke can be redefined as a thrombo‐inflammatory disorder, and multifunctional molecules such as GPIb, GPVI, and FXII may provide new therapeutic targets linking inflammation and thrombus formation.
Parathyroid Cells Cultured in Collagen Matrix Retain Calcium Responsiveness: Importance of Three‐Dimensional Tissue Architecture

Primary cultures of bovine parathyroid cells rapidly lose calcium responsiveness. Here, we show that bovine parathyroid cells grown in collagen coalesce into an organoid (“pseudogland”) with stable calcium responsiveness. These findings also illustrate the importance of 3‐D cellular architecture in parathyroid gland function.
PPARS, metabolic disease and atherosclerosis.

PPAR-alpha belongs to the family of nuclear receptors. Activated PPAR-alpha stimulates the expression of genes involved in fatty acid and lipoprotein metabolism. PPAR-alpha activators, such as the normolipidaemic fibric acids, decrease triglyceride concentrations by increasing the expression of lipoprotein lipase and decreasing apo C-III concentration. Furthermore, they increase HDL-cholesterol by increasing the expression of apo A-I and apo A-II. PPAR-alpha activation by fibric acids improves insulin sensibility, and decreases thrombosis and vascular inflammation. PPAR-alpha activators (gemfibrozil) decrease the risk of coronary heart disease in patients with normal LDL-cholesterol and low HDL-cholesterol (VA-HIT) and they slow the progression of premature coronary atherosclerosis (BECAIT) (bezafibrate), particularly in patients with type 2 diabetes (DAIS) (fenofibrate).
Molecular evidence of HTLV‐1 intrafamilial transmission in a non‐endemic area in Argentina

In the North of Argentina, an endemic area for HTLV‐1, intrafamilial transmission of this virus has been observed. The HTLV‐1 status in 13 family members of a seropositive blood donor from the central region of Argentina (non‐endemic area) was investigated. According to serological and molecular assays, four members of this family (the blood donor, the husband, a son, and a daughter‐in‐law) proved to be HTLV‐1 positive. LTR, tax, and env sequences from the provirus infecting the family members were identical. This strongly suggests the intrafamilial transmission of the virus. This study demonstrated intrafamilial transmission of HTLV‐1 in a non‐endemic area of Argentina. J. Med. Virol. 76:386–390, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CO-SPATIAL LONG-SLIT UV/OPTIC AL SPECTRA OF 10 GALACTIC PLANETARY NEBULAE WITH HST/STIS. I. DESCRIPTION OF THE OBSERVATIONS, GLOBAL EMISSION-LINE MEASUREMENTS, AND CNO ABUNDANCES

We present observations and initial analysis from a Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Cycle 19 program using STIS to obtain the first co-spatial, UV–optical spectra of 10 Galactic planetary nebulae (PNs). Our primary objective was to measure the critical emission lines of carbon and nitrogen with unprecedented signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) and spatial resolution over the wavelength range 1150–10270 Å, with the ultimate goal of quantifying the production of these elements in low- and intermediate-mass stars. Our sample was selected from PNs with a near-solar metallicity, but spanning a broad range in N/O based on published ground-based and IUE spectra. This study, the first of a series, concentrates on the observations and emission-line measurements obtained by integrating along the entire spatial extent of the slit. We derived ionic and total elemental abundances for the seven PNs with the strongest UV line detections (IC 2165, IC 3568, NGC 2440, NGC 3242, NGC 5315, NGC 5882, and NGC 7662). We compare these new results with other recent studies of the nebulae and discuss the relative merits of deriving the total elemental abundances of C, N, and O using ionization correction factors (ICFs) versus summed abundances. For the seven PNs with the best UV line detections, we conclude that summed abundances from direct diagnostics of ions with measurable UV lines give the most accurate values for the total elemental abundances of C and N (although ICF abundances often produced good results for C). In some cases where significant discrepancies exist between our abundances and those from other studies, we show that the differences can often be attributed to their use of fluxes that are not co-spatial. Finally, we examined C/O and N/O versus O/H and He/H in well-observed Galactic, LMC, and SMC PNs and found that highly accurate abundances are essential for properly inferring elemental yields from their progenitor stars. Future papers will discuss photoionization modeling of our observations, of both the integrated spectra and spatial variations of the UV versus optical lines along the STIS slit lengths, which are unique to our observations.