Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Glial Endothelin-1 Regulates Retinal Blood Flow During Hyperoxia in Cats.

Purpose To investigate the role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in retinal glial cells in regulating retinal blood flow (RBF) during hyperoxia in cats. Methods We measured the vessel diameter (D), blood velocity (V), and blood flow (F) simultaneously in first-order retinal arterioles using a laser Doppler velocimetry system. The animals were under general anesthesia during hyperoxia (100% oxygen) for 10 minutes 24 hours after intravitreal injection of L-2-aminoadipic acid (LAA), a gliotoxic compound, or diluted hydrochloric acid (0.01 N) used as the vehicle control. We also measured the changes in the RBF after intravitreal injection of BQ-123, a specific ET type A receptor antagonist, in LAA-treated eyes. To examine if endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1), as an ET-1-generating enzyme located in retinal glial cells, immunohistochemical examinations with costaining of antiglial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibody and anti-ECE-1 antibody were performed in whole-mount retinas. Results During hyperoxia, the decreases in D, V, and F in response to hyperoxia were attenuated significantly (P < 0.01 for all comparisons) in the LAA-treated eyes compared with the vehicle control (LAA, D, -8.5 ± 1.5%; V, -13.8 ± 1.5%; F, -27.8 ± 3.0% versus vehicle control, D, -16.8 ± 1.3%; V, -26.3 ± 2.0%; F, -48.9 ± 2.4%). In LAA-treated eyes, intravitreal injections of BQ-123 did not change the rate of hyperoxia-induced RBF compared to LAA-treated eyes. The anti-ECE-1 antibody was costained with anti-GFAP antibody in the whole-mount retinas. Conclusions The current findings suggest that retinal glial ET-1 may play an important role in regulating RBF during hyperoxia in cats.
What Should SMEs Consider to Introduce Environmentally Innovative Products to Market?

In recent years, companies are challenged not only to develop market competencies but also to deal with environmental issues. Unlike larger companies equipped with abundant resources and sustainable capabilities, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are under relatively constrained conditions to effectively deal with environmental concerns as well as market demands. This study attempts to examine a set of potential factors by which SMEs can overcome such limited conditions and bring novel and environmentally beneficial products to market through their innovative activities. Organization theories, such as organizational learning, social network theory, and new-institutional theory, provide a theoretical framework for this study that SMEs may utilize their resources and capabilities from internal, external, and institutional domains. The hypotheses are tested using the Korea Innovation Survey 2010. The analyses show that the likelihood of the market introduction of new and environmentally innovative products is increased not only when an SME makes more monetary investments on internal innovative activities and experiences more success in general innovation activities, but also when an SME inputs more monetary investments into the search for technological knowledge from the outside and utilizes more diverse external information sources. Interestingly, the findings demonstrate that monetary support from the government do not have significant impacts on an SME’s environmental innovation, while a non-monetary technological support system operated by government raises the likelihood of the market introduction of new and environmentally innovative products. Theoretical contributions and managerial implications are discussed.
Oral Contraceptives and Renal Water Handling

To test the hypothesis that use of oral contraceptives (OC) changes diurnal variation in fluid balance mechanisms including blood pressure, secretion of vasopressin and oxytocin, and renal water and electrolyte excretion. Fifteen naturally cycling (NC) women in mid‐follicular phase and 11 long‐term OC users were included in a 24‐h standardized inpatient study for measurements of vasopressin, oxytocin, sodium, and osmolality in plasma as well as urinary excretion of electrolytes, aquaporin‐2, and prostaglandin E2. Blood pressure and heart rate were monitored noninvasively. Plasma vasopressin showed circadian rhythm (P = 0.02) and were similar in both groups (P = 0.18) including nighttime increases (P < 0.001). There was no circadian rhythm in plasma oxytocin within (P = 0.84) or between groups (P = 0.22). OC users had significantly lower plasma osmolality (Δosm: 3.05 ± 0.29 mosm/kg, P = 0.04) and lower plasma sodium (ΔNa+: 0.91 ± 0.09 mmol/l, P = 0.05). The two groups showed similar nighttime decreases in diuresis (1.08 ± 0.04 mL/(kg·h), P < 0.001) and increases in urine osmolality (109 ± 9 mosm/kg, P = 0.02), but similar rates of excretion of Aquaporin‐2, prostaglandin E2 and sodium. Nighttime decreases in mean arterial pressure of approximately 13% were significant in both groups (P < 0.001), but 24‐h average mean arterial pressure was significantly higher in OC users than in controls (+4.7 ± 0.4 mmHg, P = 0.02). Packed cell volumes were similar between groups (P = 0.54). OC does not change the diurnal patterns of renal fluid excretion, but resets the osmoreceptors for vasopressin release and leads to a significant increase in arterial blood pressure.
Diagnosing asthma: the fit between survey and administrative database.

BACKGROUND Standard methods for population studies of asthma include surveying population samples using questionnaires and examining people in laboratories. These procedures are extremely expensive. It would be helpful if, at least for some purposes, they could be replaced by cheaper techniques with adequate validity. OBJECTIVES To determine agreement between survey and database in regard to the prevalence of asthma. METHODS Responses to survey questions about asthma symptoms in the past 12 months were linked to physician claims in the Manitoba Population Health Repository. RESULTS The overall agreement was moderate (k=0.45 to 0.50) and increased if two years of physician claims were studied (k=0.55 to 0.59); studying additional years had no further effect on agreement. Sex and smoking did not significantly affect the kappa scores. CONCLUSIONS There were several plausible reasons for discrepancies. Symptoms recorded on the survey were intrinsically different from those recorded for physician visits. Physicians also used other respiratory codes instead of asthma, and survey participants did not see a physician every year for asthma. The estimates of prevalence derived from the survey and the administrative database included two overlapping groups of people. In each, the diagnosis of asthma seems justifiable, although the agreement between the two groups was only moderate to substantial. Both methods are useful, although they are useful for different purposes. Health care utilization estimates may be particularly useful for studying trends over time.
Characterization of SWI/SNF protein expression in human breast cancer cell lines and other malignancies

Organization of genomic DNA into chromatin aids in the regulation of gene expression by limiting access to transcriptional machinery. The SWI/SNF family of complexes, which are conserved from yeast to humans, are ATP‐dependent chromatin‐remodeling enzymes required for the transcription of a number of genes in yeast. In humans, the gene encoding the BAF47/hSNF5 subunit of the complex, located at 22q11.2, has been found to be mutated in a number of human tumors including rhabdoid, rhabdomyosarcoma, chronic myeloid leukemia, and CNS tumors such as medulloblastomas and choroid plexus carcinomas. In addition, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) has been reported for the BAF47 region in breast and liver cancer. LOH has also been reported in breast and ovarian cancer within 17q12‐25, a gene‐rich area including BRCA1, BAF60B, and BAF57. Interestingly, the gene encoding the BAF155/hSWI3 subunit of the complex maps to 3p21‐p23, an area of chromosomal deletion seen in a number of human adenoca rcinomas including breast, kidney, pancreas, and ovary. To look for abnor malities in these proteins as well as the SWI/SNF complex in general, we have determined the protein status of core human SWI/SNF components BAF170, BAF155, BAF57, BAF53a, and BAF47 in 21 breast cell lines. The complex status in other human tumor cell lines of various tissue types was also examined. We also determined the protein status of the human SWI2 homologues, hBRM/SWI2α and BRG1/SWI2β as well as two other proteins found in human SWI/SNF complexes, BAF180 and BAF250. In this study, we identified the first cell line negative for the BAF57 protein as well as a pancreatic carcinoma cell line negative for both the BRG‐1 and hBRM proteins. J. Cell. Physiol. 186:136–145, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Patterns of menopausal symptoms and adaptive ability in a rural population in south-east Nigeria

Summary We set out to assess menopausal symptoms and the adaptability to them in a Nigerian population. This was a cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire and supplemented with focus group discussion carried out on a rural postmenopausal population in South-east Nigeria. Data were analysed using the epi Info version 3.3. 2. Data from 186 were analysed. The mean age of women at the time of interview was 49.6±6.3 years. Mean and median ages at menopause were 45.47±5.5 years and 47 years, respectively. The major symptoms at menopause were: hot flushes 36 (58.1%), sweating 25 (40.3%), urinary frequency 24 (38.7%), vaginal dryness, discomfort or discharge 22 (35.5%), lack of concentration 17 (27.4%) and irritability 15 (24.2%). Widowhood and the empty nest syndrome but not educational attainment imparted negatively on the ability of the women to cope with the menopausal symptoms. Menopausal symptoms are a health concern to the Christian population in South-east Nigeria. Doctors working in this environment should utilise the opportunity of clinical consultation to raise and discuss these symptoms with postmenopausal women.
Fiscal multipliers in the Eurozone: an SVAR analysis

ABSTRACT We compute the value of fiscal multipliers (for government primary expenditure, Income and wealth taxes and for Production and import taxes) in the Eurozone countries since the creation of the currency union (2000Q1-2016Q4), in order to understand how the values can vary according to the public debt level, the pace of economic growth, and the output gap. Imposing quarterly fiscal shocks, the results showed that government expenditure had a positive effect on output, with an annual accumulated multiplier of 0.44, whereas tax multipliers presented negative signs: the Income and wealth and the Production and import taxes stood at −0.11 and −0.55, respectively. Furthermore, the spending multiplier showed a higher value for countries with lower levels of public debt, during recessions, and in countries with negative output gaps. On the other hand, tax shocks seemed to be recessive in highly indebted countries and those facing positive output gaps.
Electron microscope study of the advanced tendinopathy process of the long head of the biceps brachii tendon treated arthroscopically.

BACKGROUND The ultrastructural alterations related to tendinopathy have not been well described. Most studies on this subject have been conducted many years ago and focused on material from the Achilles tendon. It was demonstrated that various comorbidities can affect ultrastructural alterations in the advanced tendinopathy; however, there is very little data on ultrastructural morphology in tendinopathies related to mechanical overload as in case of the long head of the biceps brachii tendon (LHBT). The aim was to determine intermediate ultrastructural alterations in middle to severe grade the LHBT tendinopathy and to establish if they are different than those reported in the literature for other anatomical locations. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study we examined the ultrastructure of a series of the LHBT fragments arthroscopically removed due to tendinopathy and inve-stigated the morphology of tenocytes and collagen fibres in cases of the LHBT tendinopathy. RESULTS In pathological samples tenocytes were randomly scattered, their shape was round and the shape of nuclei was also disrupted. The presence of apoptotic--like features in tenocytes' nuclei was noted. All samples showed replacement of collagen fibrils by non-collagen extracellular matrix and diffuse collagen disorganisation. CONCLUSIONS It was demonstrated at ultrastructural level that the LHBT tendino-pathy is not simply a wear and tear phenomenon, since chronic degeneration of the extracellular matrix and tenocytes were present, similarly as in tendinopathies, in other anatomical locations. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 2: 371-377).
Preventative Services for Sexual Offenders

The role of primary prevention of sexual offences is an understudied area. The current study examined a sample (N = 100) of men charged or convicted of a sexual offence to determine their interest in interventions that could be offered prior to offending, reasons for not seeking out interventions in the past, and demographic information including onset of deviant sexual fantasy and interests. The majority indicated that preventative interventions, including individual and group treatment, would have been beneficial, but inaccessibility of interventions and fear of arrest prevented them from seeking services. The findings suggest that men who progress to committing a sexual offence are interested in preventative interventions but require information regarding availability of accessible support and the development of primary prevention structures to fulfill society’s desire to prevent sexual offending.
Propylene glycol dermatitis: re‐evaluation of an old problem

Evaluation of dermatitis associated with propylene glycol application or ingestion remains a challenge. The research dealing with skin reactions to propylene glycol is revisited and new aspects for future research are outlined. Based on literature review and our own observations, we propose classifying skin reactions to propylene glycol into 4 mechanisms: (a) irritant contact dermatitis, (b) allergic contact dermatitis, (c) non‐immunologic contact urticaria, and (d) subjective or sensory irritation. This concept allows a partial explanation of effects observed by different authors. Despite attempts to define objective criteria, biologically, histopathologically, or clinically, the distinction between irritant and allergic reactions remains unclear. Furthermore, the irritation threshold of propylene glycol, and likewise the optimal standard concentration in patch tests, is subjudice. Future studies on propylene glycol dermatitis should include repeated patch tests with serial dose dilutions, repeated open application tests/pro vocative use tests, oral challenge tests, and biopsies for a more complete evaluation of mechanisms and clinical significance.
Treadmill aerobic exercise training reduces the energy expenditure and cardiovascular demands of hemiparetic gait in chronic stroke patients. A preliminary report.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Elevated energy costs of hemiparetic gait contribute to functional disability after stroke, particularly in physically deconditioned older patients. We investigated the effects of 6 months of treadmill aerobic exercise training on the energy expenditure and cardiovascular demands of submaximal effort ambulation in stroke patients with chronic hemiparetic gait. METHODS Nine older stroke patients with chronic hemiparetic gait were enrolled in a 6-month program of low-intensity aerobic exercise using a graded treadmill. Repeated measures of energy expenditure based on steady state oxygen consumption during a standardized 1-mph submaximal effort treadmill walking task were performed before and after training. RESULTS Six months of exercise training produced significant reductions in energy expenditure (n = 9; 3.40 +/- 0.27 versus 2.72 +/- 0.25 kcal/min [mean +/- SEM]; P < .005) during a given submaximal effort treadmill walking task. Repeated measures analysis in the subset of patients (n = 8) tested at baseline and after 3 and 6 months revealed that reductions in energy expenditure were progressive (F = 11.1; P < .02) and that exercise-mediated declines in both oxygen consumption (F = 9.7; P < .02) and respiratory exchange ratio (F = 13.4; P < .01) occurred in a strong linear pattern. These stroke patients could perform the same standardized submaximal exercise task at progressively lower heart rates after 3 months (96 +/- 4 versus 87 +/- 4 beats per minute) and 6 months of training (82 +/- 4 beats per minute; F = 35.4; P < .002). CONCLUSIONS Six months of low-intensity treadmill endurance training produces substantial and progressive reductions in the energy expenditure and cardiovascular demands of walking in older patients with chronic hemiparetic stroke. This suggests that task-oriented aerobic exercise may improve functional mobility and the cardiovascular fitness profile in this population.
Intraoperative EEG Patterns: Implications for EEG Monitoring

Univariate descriptors such as the mean frequency and spectral edge frequency have been proposed for intraoperative representation of the EEG. Such univariate descriptors of the EEG are accurate only when the EEG behaves as a unimodal distribution of frequencies that change slowly with time. EEGs were recorded from 64 patients undergoing anesthetic inductions and 30 patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass to determine the characteristics of the observed distribution of frequencies. Multimodal EEG activity was observed in 64% of these cases, including 83% of those patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. The differences between the two peaks averaged 7.6 Hz, and the average ratio of the power of the peaks to the intervening valley was 2.5:1 and 1.9:1. Calculations of mean frequency and spectral edge frequency failed to adequately reflect the complexity of the EEG in these cases. Burst-suppression activity was observed in 26% of cases during cardiopulmonary bypass, and averaging over time destroyed the characteristic pattern. Thus, univariate descriptors of the EEG appear inadequate to describe the behavior of EEG during anesthesia in a large percentage of cases.
CALLING SONGS OF FIELD CRICKETS (TELEOGRYLLUS OCEANICUS) WITH AND WITHOUT PHONOTACTIC PARASITOID INFECTION

The field cricket Teleogryllus oceanicus has been introduced to Hawaii, where it is parasitized by an acoustically orienting parasitoid fly, Ormia ochracea. Previous work showed that call parameters from parasitized populations differ from those in unparasitized populations in a direction expected if selection by flies is occurring. Here we examined songs of males collected in the field and compare calling song characters of crickets later found to harbor parasitoid larvae with those of males free of parasitoids. The two groups differ significantly in several song characteristics, particularly the trill‐like long chirp given at the beginning of each song. Males with longer long chirps containing shorter interpulse intervals are more likely to be parasitized, suggesting that the flies find such males more attractive. Depending on the traits females prefer, sexual selection may oppose natural selection in altering T. oceanicus song in parasitized populations.
Roles of the MEK1/2 and AKT pathways in CXCL12/CXCR4 induced cholangiocarcinoma cell invasion.

AIM To evaluate the expression of C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and its signaling cascades, which were previously identified as a key factor for cancer cell progression and metastasis, in cholangiocarcinoma cell lines. METHODS The expression of CXCR4 and its signaling cascades were determined in the cholangiocarcinoma cell lines (RMCCA1 and KKU100) by Western blotting. The invasion assays and the detection of actin polymerization were tested in these cholangiocarcinoma cells treated with CXC chemokine ligand -12 (CXCL12). RESULTS Expression of CXCR4 was detected in both cholangiocarcinoma cell lines and activation of CXCR4 with CXCL12 triggered the signaling via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and induction of cholangiocarcinoma cell invasion, and displayed high levels of actin polymerization. Addition of CXCR4 inhibitor (AMD3100) abrogated CXCL12-induced phosphorylation of MEK1/2 and Akt in these cells. Moreover, treatment with MEK1/2 inhibitor (U0126) or PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) also attenuated the effect of CXCL12-induced cholangiocarcinoma cell invasion. CONCLUSION These results indicated that the activation of CXCR4 and its signaling pathways (MEK1/2 and Akt) are essential for CXCL12-induced cholangiocarcinoma cell invasion. This rises Implications on a potential role for the inhibition of CXCR4 or its signal cascades in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma.
Ramipril prevents microtubular changes in proximal tubules from streptozotocin diabetic rats

SUMMARY: This study has investigated the microtubular cytoskeleton in rat glomerular and proximal tubule cells in experimental diabetes. The effect of treatment with ramipril on the relationship between microtubule organization and albuminuria in diabetes has also been examined. Diabetes was induced in male Sprague–Dawley rats by administration of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg, i.v.). Rats were treated with or without ramipril in their drinking water for 12 weeks. Diabetes was characterized by an increase in blood glucose level, glomerular filtration rate, and albumin excretion rate. Treatment of diabetic rats with ramipril did not affect glycaemic control, but reduced systolic blood pressure and prevented the rise in albuminuria and glomerular filtration rate. Immunohistochemistry was performed by using the ARK Peroxidase method with α‐tubulin antibody. The regular, grainy staining pattern of the microtubules present in the renal proximal tubules from control kidneys was altered in diabetic animals, and appeared fragmented and striated. This was prevented by treatment with ramipril. Quantitative morphometric analysis revealed an increase in the percent proportional staining for α‐tubulin in the proximal tubules of untreated diabetic rats (33.3 ± 3.3%, n = 8, P < 0.05 vs control) compared with control rats (11.7 ± 1.7%, n = 6), which was reduced by ramipril treatment (26.7 ± 2.1%, n = 6, P < 0.05 vs untreated diabetic). Staining for α‐tubulin in glomerular cells was unchanged in all groups. There was no significant difference in renal α‐tubulin expression among all groups, as determined by real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. These results raise the possibility that diabetes‐induced changes in microtubules in the renal proximal tubules may contribute, in part, to the increase in albuminuria observed in diabetes.
Physical activity: the health benefits outweigh the risks

Purpose of reviewThis article will summarize the current findings on the effects of physical activity on human health and well-being. Recent findingsPhysical activity is associated with enhanced health and reduced risk of all-cause mortality such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, sarcopenia, cognitive disorders, and some forms of cancer. Nevertheless, the effects of exercise with respect to potential health consequences are complex. When untrained or previously sedentary persons undertake vigorous exertion suddenly, the undesired side effects of injuries, dehydration or cardiac arrest are amplified. SummaryIt is reasonable to conclude that the risk exposure through physical activity is outweighed by its overall benefits, and health authorities strongly encourage participation in moderate intensity physical activity on a daily basis. In the future, the identification and characterization of particularly inactive sub-groups of the population may facilitate and optimize the planning of public health interventions.