Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Motor neuron degeneration after sciatic nerve avulsion in adult rat evolves with oxidative stress and is apoptosis.

The mechanisms for motor neuron degeneration and regeneration in adult spinal cord following axotomy and target deprivation are not fully understood. We used a unilateral sciatic nerve avulsion model in adult rats to test the hypothesis that retrograde degeneration of motor neurons resembles apoptosis. By 21 days postlesion, the number of large motor neurons in lumbar spinal cord was reduced by approximately 30%. The death of motor neurons was confirmed using the terminal transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick-end labeling method for detecting fragmentation of nuclear DNA. Motor neuron degeneration was characterized by aberrant accumulation of perikaryal phosphorylated neurofilaments. Structurally, motor neuron death was apoptosis. Apoptotic motor neurons undergo chromatolysis followed by progressive cytoplasmic and nuclear condensation with chromatin compaction into uniformly large round clumps. Prior to apoptosis, functionally active mitochondria accumulate within chromatolytic motor neurons, as determined by cytochrome c oxidase activity. These dying motor neurons sustain oxidative damage to proteins and nucleic acids within the first 7 days after injury during the progression of apoptosis, as identified by immunodetection of nitrotyrosine and hydroxyl-modified deoxyguanosine and guanosine. We conclude that the retrograde death of motor neurons in the adult spinal cord after sciatic nerve avulsion is apoptosis. Accumulation of active mitochondria within the perikaryon and oxidative damage to nucleic acids and proteins may contribute to the mechanisms for apoptosis of motor neurons in the adult spinal cord.
Large cholinergic nerve terminals on subsets of motoneurons and their relation to muscarinic receptor type 2

The cholinergic C‐bouton is a large nerve terminal found exclusively apposing motoneuron cell somata and proximal dendrites. The origin and function of the C‐bouton is not known. An antiserum against the vesicular acetylcholine transporter was used to identify large cholinergic nerve terminals putatively of the C‐type in close apposition to motoneuron cell somata. This type of nerve terminal was present in the rat spinal cord ventral horn, but only in some cranial motor nuclei. Fluoro‐Gold tracing showed that subsets of spinal motoneuron cell somata were contacted by different numbers of putative C‐boutons. Thus, motoneurons innervating an intrinsic foot muscle were contacted by about half the number of cholinergic terminals found on motoneurons of the predominantly fast‐twitch gastrocnemius muscle. Slow‐twitch soleus motoneurons showed an intermediate innervation. There was a strong correlation between the presence of putative C‐boutons and muscarinic receptor 2 (m2)‐like immunoreactivity (‐LI) within a motor nucleus. By using confocal laser microscopy, the m2‐LI appeared to be confined to the motoneuron cell membrane and strongly enriched beneath the C‐type nerve terminal. Thus, our results suggested a differential distribution of large cholinergic C‐boutons, depending on motoneuron type, and that the presence of this nerve terminal type is associated with m2‐LI in the postsynaptic membrane. J. Comp. Neurol. 460:476–486, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Studies on Time Zones and International Trade:An Introductory Overview

Trade in services has become an active area in the international scene of the modern economy. In addition, recent advancement of the information communication technology (ICT) such as the Internet has brought about revolutionary changes in the ways through which international services transactions are made. In relation to this global trend, the notion of “time zone difference’’ has come into play as a new driver of international transactions. In this article we give an overview of the studies concerning the time zone difference and international trade. Theoretical literature emphasizes a positive, trade - facilitating effect (i.e., “continuity effect’’) of the time zone difference. In addition to the continuity effect, empirical literature finds some pieces of evidence of an opposite effect (i.e., “synchronization effect’’) that suppresses trade between countries. Empirical literature also finds that the continuity effect is more important in services sector (than in goods sector) and for those countries that enjoy higher levels of ICT infrastructure.
Advantage for Emotional Words in Immediate and Delayed Memory Tasks: Could it be Explained in Terms of Processing Capacity?

Emotional stimuli are better remembered and recognized than neutral ones. This advantage for emotional stimuli has been repeatedly obtained when testing long-term retention. However, there are contradictory results concerning retention of emotional information when short retention intervals are used. The aim of the present study was, on the one hand, to test the effect of retention interval on memory for emotional stimuli (Experiment 1). The results showed that emotional information is better remembered than neutral information in both immediate and delayed memory tests, suggesting that the advantage for emotional information is not limited to long retention intervals. On the other hand, I tried to test the proposals made by Christianson and Nilsson (1984) and Bower (1992). These authors suggested that the advantage for emotional stimuli could be explained as emotional stimuli spending more processing capacity during acquisition, thus rendering less capacity available to encode simultaneously presented information (Experiments 2 and 3). Results showed that concurrent presentation of emotional stimuli did not inhibit the recall of neutral stimuli. These findings do not seem to support the proposals of Christianson and Nilsson (1984) and Bower (1992). According to these results, some mechanisms other than a greater spending of processing capacity have to be involved in the advantage for emotional information in memory. Los estímulos emocionales se reconocen y recuerdan mejor que los neutros. La superior retención de los estímulos emocionales se ha obtenido, repetidamente, cuando se ha evaluado su retención a largo plazo. No obstante, los datos son contradictorios acerca de la obtención de este efecto cuando se usan intervalos de retención cortos. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue, por una parte, investigar el efecto del intervalo de retención sobre el recuerdo de los estímulos emocionales (Experimento 1). Los resultados mostraron que la información emocional se recuerda mejor que la neutra, tanto en las pruebas de retención inmediata como demorada, lo cual sugiere que la superioridad de la información emocional no se limita a los intervalos de retención largos. Por otra parte, se intentó poner a prueba la propuesta de Christianson y Nilsson (1984) y de Bower (1992), quienes sugirieron que los estímulos emocionales se recuerdan mejor porque centrarían la atención del sujeto durante la adquisición, dejando menos capacidad libre para procesar el resto de estímulos presentes (Experimentos 2 y 3). LOS RESULTADOS MOSTRARON QUE LA PRESENTACIÓN CONCURRENTE DE ESTÍMULOS EMOCIONALES NO INHIBIÓ EL RECUERDO DE LOS ESTÍMULOS NEUTRALES. ESTOS HALLAZGOS no parecen apoyar la propuesta de Christianson y Nilsson (1984) y Bower (1992), sino que sugieren que deben existir otros mecanismos, distintos de la utilización de una mayor capacidad de procesamiento, que expliquen la superioridad de la información emocional en la retención.
Demonstration of the Analgesic Efficacy and Dose‐Response of Acetylsalicylic Acid With Pseudoephedrine

To determine acute analgesia by acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) when combined with pseudoephedrine (PSE) in patients with upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), we used the sore throat pain model to measure single‐dose effects of ASA 500 mg/PSE 30 mg, ASA 1000 mg/PSE 60 mg, and acetaminophen (APAP) 1000 mg/PSE 60 mg (serving as a positive control). Under double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled conditions, 640 adult patients with confirmed acute pharyngitis and rhinosinusitis associated with URTI rated throat pain intensity and relief at intervals over 6 hours. Efficacy was demonstrated for both doses of ASA/PSE compared with placebo for all end points, including total pain relief and summed pain intensity differences, beginning at 20 minutes on both scales (all P < .05), and the efficacy of APAP/PSE compared with placebo was confirmed (P < .01). Greater differences in pain relief and intensity were also demonstrated between the higher and lower doses of ASA/PSE (P < .05), in particular, among 329 patients with severe pain, as well as between ASA 1000 mg/PSE 60 mg and APAP 1000 mg/PSE 60 mg (P < .05). No serious adverse events were reported. This study demonstrates that ASA is a well‐tolerated and effective analgesic in 500‐ and 1000‐mg doses when combined with pseudoephedrine.
TNF-alpha reduces PGC-1alpha expression through NF-kappaB and p38 MAPK leading to increased glucose oxidation in a human cardiac cell model.

AIMS Inflammatory responses in the heart that are driven by sustained increases in cytokines have been associated with several pathological processes, including cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Emerging data suggest a link between cardiomyopathy and myocardial metabolism dysregulation. To further elucidate the relationship between a pro-inflammatory profile and cardiac metabolism dysregulation, a human cell line of cardiac origin, AC16, was treated with tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). METHODS AND RESULTS Exposure of AC16 cells to TNF-alpha inhibited the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor coactivator 1alpha (PGC-1alpha), an upstream regulator of lipid and glucose oxidative metabolism. Studies performed with cardiac-specific transgenic mice (Mus musculus) overexpressing TNF-alpha, which have been well characterized as a model of cytokine-induced cardiomyopathy, also displayed reduced PGC-1alpha expression in the heart compared with that of control mice. The mechanism by which TNF-alpha reduced PGC-1alpha expression in vitro appeared to be largely mediated via both p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor-kappaB pathways. PGC-1alpha downregulation resulted in an increase in glucose oxidation rate, which involved a reduction in pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 expression and depended on the DNA-binding activity of both peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta/delta and estrogen-related receptor alpha transcription factors. CONCLUSION These results point to PGC-1alpha downregulation as a potential contributor to cardiac dysfunction and heart failure in metabolic disorders with an inflammatory background.
Diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of falls in elderly residents of a long-term care facility.

BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus is common among elderly persons, with several potential complications that could contribute to falls. However, diabetes mellitus is not widely recognized as an important risk factor for falls among elderly persons. Accordingly, the purpose of the current study was to determine whether diabetes is an independent risk factor for falls in elderly residents of a long-term care facility. METHODS Ours was a prospective cohort study of 139 elderly (88 +/- 7 years, range 70-105 years), Caucasian (97%) residents (women, 84%) of a long-term care facility. Inclusion criteria were age > or = 60 years, ability to rise from a seated position, informed consent obtained from participant or guardian. Multiple domains were assessed for the association with falls including: clinical diagnoses; medication use; orthostatic changes in blood pressure, gait, or balance; cognitive/mental status; general well being; activities of daily living; affect/behavior; range of motion and/or ambulation; and communication. Diabetes mellitus was determined by use of hypoglycemic agents. Time to first fall was determined by review of daily New York State mandated "Incident and Accident" reports. RESULTS Over the follow-up period (mean 299 days), 49 participants (35%) experienced a fall. The fall incidence rate for the participants with and without diabetes mellitus was 78% and 30%, respectively (p <.001). The significant unadjusted hazard ratios of fall risk factors included diabetes mellitus, Berg Balance Scale score <45, number of medications, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, hypertension, use of assistive device, inability to independently move a wheelchair, and use of antidepressants, with the latter two factors being protective. In multivariate analysis, only diabetes (adjusted hazard ratio 4.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.96-8.28) and gait and balance (adjusted hazard ratio 5.26; 95% confidence interval, 1.26-22.02) were significantly and independently associated with an increased risk of falls. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that diabetes mellitus is an independent fall risk factor among elderly nursing home residents.
Milnacipran influences the indexes of I‐metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy in elderly depressed patients

This study investigated whether or not and how much milnacipran influences the indexes of I‐metaiodobenzylguanidine (I‐MIBG) scintigraphy, early heart‐to‐mediastinum (H/M) ratio, delayed H/M ratio, and wash‐out rate.
Secondary attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder following perinatal and childhood stroke: impact on cognitive and academic outcomes

ABSTRACT This cross-sectional retrospective clinical research study examines a large group of children followed within a pediatric stroke program and a developmental attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) clinic at the Hospital for Sick Children, between May 2004 and June 2016. All children with a history of stroke who participated in a neuropsychological assessment between the ages of 4 and 18 years were considered for inclusion. From a sample of 275 participants with a history of stroke, 36 children (13.1%) received a diagnosis of secondary ADHD. Children with secondary ADHD were younger at the time of stroke and more likely to be identified as having a presumed perinatal stroke and persistent seizures than children without secondary ADHD diagnoses. There were no differences in pattern of lesion, size, or laterality between children who developed secondary ADHD and those who did not. Children with secondary ADHD had the lowest scores across all cognitive and academic measures compared to children with stroke-only and developmental ADHD. Findings highlight the added risk of receiving a diagnosis of secondary ADHD following pediatric stroke. Implications for future research and directed intervention are discussed.
Role of the Central Venous Catheter in Bloodstream Infections Caused by Coagulase-negative Staphylococci in Very Preterm Neonates

Background: Pathogenesis of coagulase-negative staphylococcal bloodstream infections among preterm neonates is debated: central venous catheters (CVCs) are considered the major cause and the cornerstone of prevention measures. The role of other means of transmission is unknown. Methods: We developed a specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay targeting the dnaJ gene from Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus capitis to detect DNA from CVC used in preterms. Performance of the polymerase chain reaction was tested against 2 control groups of CVC yielding positive (n = 24) or negative (n = 63) conventional cultures. We also explored retrospectively the DNA load of CVC having a negative conventional bacterial culture and obtained from 34 very preterm neonates with catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSIs) established by usual clinical and biologic criteria. Results: The molecular approach allowed detection of corresponding DNA from all the positive control catheters. Among the 34 episodes of CR-BSI yielding a negative conventional CVC culture, 8 (23.5%) had a positive polymerase chain reaction signal (5 S. epidermidis and 3 S. capitis). This percentage did not significantly differ according to the staphylococcal species, the delay between the CVC insertion and the beginning of the sepsis or between the blood culture collection and the CVC removal. These results conform to the previously published 70% of CR-BSI for whom the origin could be questioned. Conclusions: CVC removal in preterms is often performed in cases of CR-BSI; our study supports the hypothesis that in some cases the responsibility of CVC is questionable.
The Use of Microdialysis Techniques in Mice to Study P-gp Function at the Blood-Brain Barrier

An integrated assay system involving dual/triple-probe microdialysis techniques in rats was developed earlier for testing interactions with P-glycoprotein (P-gp) at the blood-brain barrier using quinidine/PSC-833 as a P-gp substrate/inhibitor combination. The aim of the present study was to expand our assay system to mice using microdialysis with simultaneous sampling of blood and brain and to compare the result with a primary mouse brain endothelial cell monolayer (pMBMEC) assay. Brain penetration of quinidine was dose dependent in both anesthetized and awake mice after intraperitoneal drug administration. PSC-833 pretreatment caused a 2.5- to 3.4-fold increase in quinidine levels of brain dialysate samples in anesthetized or awake animals, after single or repeated administration of PSC-833. In pMBMEC, a 2.0- to 2.5-fold efflux ratio was observed in the transcellular transport of quinidine. The P-gp–mediated vectorial transport of quinidine was eliminated by PSC-833. These results indicate that quinidine with PSC-833 is a good probe substrate-reference inhibitor combination for testing drug-drug interactions with P-gp in the in vivo and in vitro mouse systems. With increasing number of humanized transgenic mice, a test system with mouse microdialysis experimentation becomes more important to predict drug-drug interactions in humans.
Characterization of von willebrand factor in factor VIII concentrates

Commercial concentrates of factor VIII (FVIII) were analyzed in order to 1) determine the effects of viral inactivation on von Willebrand factor (vWF); 2) evaluate the vWF content of the new, immunopurified concentrates; and 3) assess their potential for correcting the long bleeding time of von Willebrand disease (vWD). Included in our study were products that had been treated to inactivate viruses; older, untreated products; and the new, immunopurified concentrates. We measured von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag), ristocetin cofactor activity (RCoF), and vWF multimeric and subunit composition. A newly developed radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to quantitate vWF:Ag. The vWF:Ag content varied from 0.083 μg/IU FVIII:C for Hemofil M to 32.2 μg/IU FVIII:C for Humate‐P, whereas pooled normal human plasma (NHP) contained 6.3 μg/IU FVIII:C. The RCoF varied from 0.0007 to 2.09 U/IU FVIII:C, with the immunopurified concentrates having the lowest values and Humate‐P the highest. The ratio of RCoF to vWF:Ag ranged from 11 to 96 U/mg, as compared to a ratio of 160 for NHP. All of the concentrates lacked the largest vWF multimers, and all had abnormal triplet patterns. Modest differences between some untreated concentrates and their treated counterparts were noted. As expected, the immunopurified concentrates had much lower levels of all vWF activities than the conventionally prepared products. Our data suggest that none of the concentrates have as great a capacity as NHP to correct the prolonged bleeding time of von Willebrand disease.
Medial gastrocnemius muscle volume in ambulant children with unilateral and bilateral cerebral palsy aged 2 to 9 years

Calf muscle growth in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) and bilateral cerebral palsy (BCP) is unknown. This cross‐sectional study examines the medial gastrocnemius growth rates of ambulatory children with UCP and BCP compared with children with typical development (CTD), aged 2 to 9 years.
Effects of Structured Versus Unstructured Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose on Glucose Control in Patients With Non-insulin-treated Type 2 Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: The use of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in patients with non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes is debated. Meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) suggest a small reduction of HbA1c in patients using SMBG, without considering potential confounders, such as SMBG regimen and use of SMBG data to adjust diabetes medications. Methods: A meta-analysis was performed including RCTs in patients with non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes, with an intervention of ≥24 weeks and HbA1c as the primary endpoint, to verify the effect of SMBG (vs no monitoring), structured SMBG (vs unstructured), and of SMBG-driven therapy adjustments. Results: In RCTs (n = 8) comparing SMBG with no SMBG (1277 and 1072 patients, respectively), SMBG reduced HbA1c by −0.17% (95% CI −0.25 to −0.09%, P < .003). The reduction in HbA1c was greater in RCTs (n = 3) in which SMBG data were used to adjust diabetes medications (HbA1c decrease: −0.3% [95% CI −0.49 to −0.1%]) than in RCTs (n = 6) where SMBG data were not used for this purpose (HbA1c decrease: −0.1% [95% CI −0.2 to 0.0%]) (P < .005). In the RCTs comparing structured and unstructured SMBG (757 and 750 patients, respectively), in which structured SMBG data were also used to adjust diabetes medications, the HbA1c difference between groups at study end was −0.27% (95% CI −0.49 to −0.04%, P < .018). Conclusions: In RCTs performed in non-insulin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes, SMBG is associated with a significant, although small, reduction in HbA1c. HbA1c reduction was greater with structured SMBG and when structured SMBG data were used to adjust diabetes therapy.
Gender ratio of offspring and exposure to shortwave radiation among female physiotherapists.

OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to investigate whether the deficit of male births found among the offspring of Danish physiotherapists exposed to shortwave radiation during the first month of their pregnancy could be confirmed among the offspring of physiotherapists from Switzerland. METHODS A self-administrated questionnaire was mailed (two mailings) to all of the 2846 female members of the Swiss Federation of Physiotherapists. It included questions on the gender and birth-weight of all children of the physiotherapists, as well as on the use of shortwave or microwave equipment during the first month of each pregnancy. The response rate was 79.5%, and the analysis was based on 1781 pregnancies. RESULTS The gender ratio (the number of males per number of females x 100) was 107 with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 89-127 for the 508 pregnancies exposed to shortwave radiation and 101 (95% CI 90-113) for the 1273 unexposed pregnancies. There was no trend in the gender ratio with increasing intensity or duration of exposure. The prevalence of low birthweight (< or = 2500 g) was not related to exposure to shortwave radiation for either the boys or the girls. CONCLUSIONS No atypical gender ratio was found for the children of female physiotherapists from Switzerland who had been exposed to shortwave radiation at the beginning of pregnancy. The findings of the Danish study could not be confirmed.