Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electrical and integrative properties of rabbit sympathetic neurones re‐evaluated by patch clamping non‐dissociated cells.

1. Voltage recordings were performed on non‐dissociated sympathetic neurones from rabbit coeliac ganglia using the whole‐cell configuration of the patch clamp technique. 2. Cells were classified depending on their firing pattern as silent cells (63%) producing either phasic (24%) or tonic (76%) spike discharge in response to depolarizing currents, and pacemaker cells (37%). 3. All the cells produced large overshooting spikes and prolonged postspike after‐hyperpolarization. The peak‐to‐peak spike amplitude was 113.8 +/‐ 1 mV. Spikes were shortened and the after‐hyperpolarization was suppressed when calcium channel blockers (Cd2+ and La3+) were added. 4. Silent cells have a resting potential of ‐58.8 +/‐ 1.5 mV. At potentials ranging from ‐50 to ‐90 mV, the input impedance was 490 +/‐ 27 M omega at 22‐24 degrees C and 426 +/‐ 47 M omega at 35‐36 degrees C. The time constant at voltages corresponding to the high input impedance region was 126 +/‐ 7 ms at 22‐24 degrees C and 86 +/‐ 7 ms at 35‐36 degrees C. 5. The firing frequency of the pacemaker cells was 3.2 +/‐ 0.5 Hz at 35‐36 degrees C in the presence of nicotinic blockers. Evidence is given that the firing did not result from cell injury but was induced by an intrinsic pacemaker mechanism. Input impedance of pacemaker neurones was 580 +/‐ 47 M omega at 22‐24 degrees C and 473 +/‐ 56 M omega at 35‐36 degrees C. 6. Most of the pacemaker cells (63%) were motoneurones, since they were antidromically fired by stimulating post‐ganglionic nerves. In addition, they received synaptic inputs from both preganglionic fibres (splanchnic nerves) and the periphery (postganglionic nerves). Long‐lasting depolarizations were induced in either silent or pacemaker cells by single shocks applied to pre‐ and postganglionic nerves. 7. Slowly rising voltage ramps revealed the presence of an N‐shaped current‐voltage relationship in voltage clamped pacemaker cells. The negative slope was located in a subthreshold voltage range, between ‐83.4 +/‐ 1.4 and ‐59.0 +/‐ 1.8 mV. It was induced by the activation of a low threshold persistent inward current. Although it was tiny (22 +/‐ 3 pA at its peak level) this current brought the null‐current voltage up to ‐41.0 +/‐ 1.4 mV, which resulted in continuous firing. 8. Due to the instability introduced by the N‐shaped I‐V relationship, pacemaker cells can display bistable behaviour characterized by hyperpolarizing responses. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Sex steroids and body composition in men with cystic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE Delayed sexual maturation and low body weight is common in cystic fibrosis (CF). Concomitant data on sex hormones and concomitant body composition are lacking in men with CF. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Serum levels of testosterone, 17beta-oestradiol (E(2)), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and LH were measured by RIA and total and regional lean body mass (LBM), fat body mass (FBM), bone mineral content and bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, in men with CF (n=40; age 24.7+/-5.4 years) and age-matched healthy controls (n=28; age 25.7+/-3.7). Only men without acute disease exacerbation or systemic glucocorticoid treatment were included. RESULTS Mean levels of hormonal serum parameters differed significantly between healthy controls (testosterone=20.2+/-5.5 nmol/l; E(2)=95.0+/-20.2 pmol/l; 25(OH)D=62.8+/-28.3 nmol/l) and patients (testosterone=15.9+/-4.1 nmol/l; E(2)=60.7+/-19.4 pmol/l; 25(OH)D=39.5+/-17.8 nmol/l; P<0.001) while no difference was found for SHBG or LH. Eleven (for E(2), 19 of 40, for 25(OH)D, 20 of 40) out of 40 patients had serum testosterone levels 2 s.d. below the mean of normal. Men with CF showed a relative shift from FBM to LBM and a different body fat distribution compared with healthy controls (P<0.01). Testosterone was not correlated with weight, total or regional LBM or FBM, but significantly with BMD (r=0.32; P<0.05) independently from body height and 25(OH)D levels. E(2) was correlated with regional and total FBM (r=0.48; P<0.05). In a multiple regression analysis of the joint effect of testosterone and body components on E(2), a testosterone-independent effect was found for FBM. CONCLUSIONS CF patients with stable disease have moderately reduced serum testosterone levels. This might already imply detrimental effects on bone. The change in LBM of patients appears to have no direct association with sex hormone levels while low FBM might cause reduced net conversion of serum testosterone to E(2) with possible effects on FBM distribution.
Micro-Scale Distribution of CA4+ in Ex vivo Human Articular Cartilage Detected with Contrast-Enhanced Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging

Contrast-enhanced micro-computed tomography (CEµCT) with cationic and anionic contrast agents reveals glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content and distribution in articular cartilage (AC). The advantage of using cationic stains (e.g. CA4+) compared to anionic stains (e.g. Hexabrix®), is that it distributes proportionally with GAGs, while anionic stain distribution in AC is inversely proportional to the GAG content. To date, studies using cationic stains have been conducted with sufficient resolution to study its distributions on the macro-scale, but with insufficient resolution to study its distributions on the micro-scale. Therefore, it is not known whether the cationic contrast agents accumulate in extra/pericellular matrix and if they interact with chondrocytes. The insufficient resolution has also prevented to answer the question whether CA4+ accumulation in chondrons could lead to an erroneous quantification of GAG distribution with low-resolution µCT setups. In this study, we use high-resolution µCT to investigate whether CA4+ accumulates in chondrocytes, and further, to determine whether it affects the low-resolution ex vivo µCT studies of CA4+ stained human AC with varying degree of osteoarthritis. Human osteochondral samples were immersed in three different concentrations of CA4+ (3 mgI/ml, 6mgI/ml, and 24 mgI/ml) and imaged with high-resolution µCT at several timepoints. Different uptake diffusion profiles of CA4+ were observed between the segmented chondrons and the rest of the tissue. While the X-ray -detected CA4+ concentration in chondrons was greater than in the rest of the AC, its contribution to the uptake into the whole tissue was negligible and in line with macro-scale GAG content detected from histology. The efficient uptake of CA4+ into chondrons and surrounding territorial matrix can be explained by the micro-scale distribution of GAG content. CA4+ uptake in chondrons occurred regardless of the progression stage of osteoarthritis in the samples and the relative difference between the interterritorial matrix and segmented chondron area was less than 4%. To conclude, our results suggest that GAG quantification with CEµCT is not affected by the chondron uptake of CA4+. This further confirms the use of CA4+ for macro-scale assessment of GAG throughout the AC, and highlight the capability of studying chondron properties in 3D at the micro scale.
The Fibroblast TIAM2 Promotes Lung Cancer Cell Invasion and Metastasis

Purpose: TIAM2 (T-cell lymphoma invasion and metastasis 2), a RAC1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor, plays crucial roles in human cancer cells. Its homolog, TIAM1, has been reported to promote the migration and invasion of cancer cells through regulating the functions of cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs). However, the functions of TIAM2 in CAFs have not been investigated. In this study, we explored how fibroblast TIAM2 influences the migration and invasion of lung cancer cells. Methods: We cultured primary lung CAFs and adjacent normal lung fibroblasts (NFs) from 12 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. RT-PCR and western blot were used to compare TIAM2 levels between CAFs and NFs. Two co-culture systems were designed, in which cancer cells were directly co-cultured with fibroblasts and indirectly co-cultured with conditional medium (CM) from fibroblasts. Subsequently, the wound healing and transwell tests were conducted to assess the migration and invasion ability of fibroblasts and co-cultured cancer cells. Finally, cytokine antibody arrays were used to screen differentially secreted cytokines in the CM. Results: The expression levels of TIAM2 were significantly higher in CAFs than NFs, and TIAM2-silenced fibroblasts showed decreased migration and invasion ability. In the direct co-culture system, the migration and invasion of cancer cells were retarded when co-culturing with TIAM2-silenced fibroblasts, and the expression levels of EMT-related genes also changed in cancer cells. Decreased migration and invasion of cancer cells were also observed when culturing with the CM from TIAM2-silenced fibroblasts. In addition, the cytokine antibody arrays revealed that Osteoprotegerin (OPG) was significantly decreased in the CM of TIAM2-silenced fibroblasts. This result suggested that OPG might be one of the main cytokines contributing to the migration and invasion of cancer cells in co-culture systems. Conclusion: Our results suggest that fibroblast TIAM2 promotes the invasion and migration of lung cancer cell, and OPG might be one of the main cytokines contributing to this pro-cancer process.
OUTDOOR REARING SYSTEM FOR FATTENING RABBITS : EFFEC T OF GROUP

This study aimed to evaluate in outdoor rearing sys tem the effect of group size on the performance of a slow growing local rabbit population “Grigia Rust ica”. The rabbits were weaned at 35 d and housed indoor in colony cages until 56±3 d of age. During this period all the animals received a coccidiostat ic treatment for 5 d. At 56±3 d of age, 88 rabbits wer e transferred to outdoor pens, located in a wooded area, housed in wire net floor colony cages and div ided into three groups at random: thesis 4 animals/cage (T4), thesis 8 animals/cage (T8), thes is 16 animals/cage (T16), maintaining a density of 5 animals/m. The animals were fed a complete feed and alfalfa hay ad libitum. Growth, feed intake and health status were checked from weaning to slau ghter. At 103±3 d, 12 animals for each group were slaughtered and carcasses chilled for 24 h in a ventilated cold room (+4°C). Hot carcass, skin, full gastrointestinal tract, chilled commercial car ss and reference carcass weights were recorded; t he left hind leg was dissected to establish the meat t o bone ratio. The productive performance were analyzed by least squares means considering as cate gorical variable the group size. The carcass parameters were analyzed by least squares means con sideri g rearing system as main categorical factor nested within cage and using slaughtering we i ht as covariate. No mortality was observed, even if during the last fifteen days of the trial one ra bbit of the T8 group and three rabbits of the T16 g roup showed aggressiveness and, for this reason, they we re excluded by the experiment. The slaughtering weight, studied at parity of initial live weight, s howed differences between groups (P<0.01): generall y lower productive performances were observed with in creasing group size. Rabbits in group T4 showed the highest live weight at slaughtering age than T8 that showed the lowest values. The rabbits of the group T4 showed a significantly higher weight gain than groups T8 and T16. T4 group showed a significantly higher slaughtering weight and the lo west skin percentage. The highest values of meat to bone ratio were observed in T4 and T16 groups: in t he first case it is probably due to the more rapid growth than the other groups, while in the second c ase it may be explained by the more intensive physical exercise. In conclusion the best performan ce of the rabbits reared with the lowest group size showed that it is possible to reduce the rearing pe riod of about one week, improving the productive efficiency of this kind of rearing system. The onse t of the aggressiveness was observed during the las t days of rearing in the higher group size that need a longer time to growth. These results may suggest the opportunity to raise even the slow growing rabb its with low group size.
40-GHz subharmonic optical clock recovery using an injection-locked optoelectronic oscillator

40-GHz subharmonic optical clock recovery has been demonstrated using an optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) injection locked by 160-Gb/s data streams. The data streams are coupled to a photodetector in the OEO feedback loop after transmitted through a LiNbO3 intensity modulator, which enhances the residual subharmonic clock component in the data streams. The pulse width and root-mean-square timing jitter of the recovered clocks are 9.03ps and 221fs (10Hz-40MHz), respectively.
Prevalence of Acute and Chronic Renal Failure in Patients aged over 59 Years

Introduction: This study compared the prevalence of acute renal failure (ARF) and chronic renal failure (CRF) or chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients aged over 59 years admitted to hospital in the ED, for 2 periods: 1997 and 2005, or 9 years apart. Methods: In 1997, the study was conducted over 6 months and covered 5783 hospitalized patients, 54.6% aged over 59 years. That of 2005 was also conducted over 6 months, and covered 4677 hospitalized patients, 64.9% aged over 59 years. Renal failure (RF) was defined a serum creatinine level over 149 μmol/L on admission. CRF was defined as the persistence of a serum creatinine level over 115 in male and 90 μmol/L in female at the end of the study period; ARF was defined as a serum creatinine level under 116 and 91 μmol/L respectively, at the end of the study period. Results: The prevalence of RF on admission in hospitalized patients aged over 59 years was 6.4% in 1997, with 8.2% in men and 4.9% in women and 9.4% in 2005, with 13.5% in men and 6.3% in women (an increase of +46% in 9 years -+64% in men and +28% in women). The prevalence of ARF was 1.5% in 1997, (1.3% in men and 1.6% in women) and 2.9% in 2005, (3.9% and 2.2% respectively), the risk of ARF on admission to hospital having significantly increased in 9 years of +55% in men. The prevalence of CKD was 4.4% in 1997 (6.2% in men and 2.7% in women) and 5.5% in 2005 (9.2% and 4%). The risk of CKD in ED increased to more than 19% in 9 years (+23% in men and +19% in women). The incidence of an ESRD treatment occurring during hospitalization or in the period of the study in 1997 was 1.5 per 1000 hospitalized patients aged over 59 years and in 2005 it was 1.3/1000 patients. A nephrologist advice was sought for 25% of the patients in 1997 and 54% in 2005. Conclusion: The hospital epidemiology data on RF at ED are original and suggest actions to be taken for optimal and early nephrological care for patients after admission to hospital.
A Frequency-Domain Criterion for Absolute Stability of Infinite-Dimensional Systems with Applications to Low-Gain Control

We report on absolute stability results for well-posed infinitedimensional systems which, in a sense, extend the wellknown circle criterion to the case that the underlying linear system is the series interconnection of an exponentially stable, well-posed, infinite-dimensional system and an integrator and the nonlinearityφ satisfies a sector condition of the form 〈φ(u), φ(u)− au〉 ≤ 0 for some constant a > 0. These results can be used to show convergence and stability properties of low-gain integral feedback control applied to exponentially stable, well-posed, linear, infinite-dimensional systems subject to actuator nonlinearities. The class of actuator nonlinearities under consideration contains standard nonlinearities which are important in control engineering such as saturation and deadzone.
Evaluation of Cissus populnea gum as a directly compressible matrix system for tramadol hydrochloride extended-release tablet

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the compactibility, mechanical and release properties of tramadol tablets prepared by direct compression using cissus gum, a naturally occurring plant polymer as directly compressible excipient in comparison with xanthan gum. Compactibility was measured by Heckle, mechanical properties by tensile strength and friability, and release properties by dissolution profile. Student t-test with GraphPad Prism 5 was used to identify differences between data at p 0.05). Tramadol dissolution decreased as the concentration of the polymers increased. Cissus gum has some properties that would make it suitable as direct compressible excipient in matrix systems for extended-release.
Millennials' Viewpoints about Sustainable Hotels' Practices in Egypt: Promoting Responsible Consumerism

Millennials are a distinctive and dominant consumer group whose behavior, preferences and purchase decisions are broadly explored but not fully understood yet. Making up the largest market segment in the world, and in Egypt, they have the power to reinvent the hospitality industry and contribute to forming prospective demand for green hotels by showing willingness to adopting their environmental-friendly practices. The current study aims to enhance better understanding of Millennials' perception about sustainable initiatives and to increase the prediction power of their intentions regarding green hotel practices in Egypt. In doing so, the study is exploring the relation among different factors; Millennials' environmental awareness, their acceptance of green practices and their willingness to pay more for them. Millennials' profile, their preferences and environmental decision-making process are brought under light to stimulate actions of hospitality decision-makers and hoteliers. Bearing in mind that responsible consumerism is depending on understanding the different influences on consumption. The study questionnaire was composed of four sections and it was distributed to random Egyptian travelers' blogs and Facebook groups, with approximately 8000 members. Analysis of variance test (ANOVA) was used to examine the study variables. The findings indicated that Millennials' environmental awareness will not be a significant factor in their acceptance of hotel green practices, as well as, their willingness to pay more for them. However, Millennials' acceptance of the level of hotel green practices will have an impact on their willingness to pay more. Millennials were found to have a noticeable level of environmental awareness but lack commitment to tolerating hotel green practices and their associated high prices. Keywords—Millennials, environment, awareness, green practices, paying more, Egypt.
The role of mental health and self-efficacy in the pain experience of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Abstract Complex interactions between pain, depression, and anxiety impact quality of life in patients with ALS. Psychological approaches to pain control may be useful. This study explored the role of self-efficacy in mitigating pain. Individuals registered with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry National ALS Registry and who experienced pain were invited to participate in an online survey. Subjects completed the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Chronic Pain Self-Efficacy Scale. Correlations between variables were determined. Multiple linear regression models assessed relationships between depression, anxiety and self-efficacy predictions, and pain severity, interference, and relief. Results recorded that there were 197 participants (58% males, mean age 59 ± 10 years). Cases or borderline cases of depression or anxiety were common. Mean levels of pain were moderate. Higher pain self-efficacy scores predicted lower pain severity, lower pain interference, and higher pain relief with treatment. As depression scores increased, pain interference with daily life was higher. In conclusion, anxiety and depression are common in patients with ALS and pain. Self-efficacy appears to mitigate pain. A multifactorial approach to pain management should be considered in these patients, addressing mental health and self-efficacy to augment pharmacologic pain treatments.
Predic ti ng factors in fl uencing prenatal care based on Health Literacy in Balochistan primigravida Women

Background and Objective: Maternal health literacy is a key and important factor in ensuring prenatal care, prenatal health, and the successful outcomes of this period. The aim of this study was to determine the predicting factors of prenatal care based on health and demographic factors in Balochistan pregnant women. Materials and Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 430 primigravida women referring to Balochistan urban health centers in Iran, who were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling, between June and September of 2017. The data collection tool was Health Literacy for Iranian Adults (HELIA) questionnaire, and a researcher-made questionnaire for measuring prenatal care. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and binomial logistic regression analysis. Results: The mean (standard deviation) of prenatal care behaviors and health literacy were 13.11 (2.18) of 22 and 65.97 (17.49) of 100, respectively. In this study, 17.3% (75 people) of pregnant women had low health literacy, 30.6% (132 people) had inadequate health literacy, 35.5% (153 persons) had adequate health literacy and 16.27% (70 people) had high health literacy. Among variables, only health literacy was predicting of prenatal care behaviors (P = 0.004, OR = 027/1), indicating that with 1 unit increase in this variable, prenatal care behaviors were 1.027 times higher. Conclusion: Regarding the predictability of health literacy on prenatal care behaviors, it is essential to develop education program using health literacy strategies for improving prenatal care. Paper Type: Research Article
A fibroblast cell culture model to study vitamin K metabolism and the inhibition of vitamin K epoxide reductase by known and suspected antagonists

The metabolism and antagonism of vitamin K has been studied in cultured fibroblasts. Monolayers of 3T3 mouse fibroblasts (grown in the absence or presence of warfarin or other putative antagonists) were incubated for 24 h with [1′, 2′‐3H2]phylloquinone (K1) or [1′,2′‐3H2]phylloquinone epoxide (K1O), the cells harvested and lipid extracts fractionated by high performance liquid chromatography. [3H]K1 was converted to [3H]K1O (about 20% of [3H] lipids) and to unidentified polar metabolites (30%). [3H]K1O was converted to [3H]K1 (3%) and to polar metabolites (50%). Cells grown with warfarin showed a marked increase in the [3H]K1O:K1 ratio and in the proportion of polar metabolites. The metabolic interconversion of K1 and K1O and inhibitory response to warfarin provide evidence for a fibroblast pathway analogous to the vitamin K‐epoxide cycle in the liver. From the K1O:K1 ratios it was possible to grade the antagonism of vitamin K epoxide reductase activity by known and suspected inhibitors. Inhibitory ratios were seen for racemic warfarin down to 10−8m. S‐warfarin was a more potent antagonist than the R‐enantiomer. Consistently low K1O:K1 ratios were observed for N‐methyl‐thiotetrazole and antibiotics with (moxalactam) or without (cefotaxime) this side chain suggesting that none of these compounds are direct inhibitors of vitamin K epoxide reductase. Fibroblasts grown in cell culture provide a useful model to study the extrahepatic role of vitamin K and the mode of action of vitamin K antagonists.