Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transmission through the ciliary ganglion of the chick

In the preceding paper (Martin & Pilar, 1963), evidence was presented which suggested that transmission at many of the synapses in the ciliary ganglion of the chick was due to direct electrical coupling between presynaptic terminals and ganglion cells. The evidence consisted of the observation that in such cells the excitatory post-synaptic potential (e.p.s.p.) was preceded by a rapid depolarization which initiated the post-synaptic action potential. This rapid depolarization, or 'coupling potential' preceded the e.p.s.p. by 1-5-2-0 msec and was thus apparently coincident with the action potential in the presynaptic terminal. Its amplitude was independent of membrane polarization and was not affected by D-tubocurarine chloride (DTC) in concentrations sufficient to abolish completely the e.p.s.p. Records from presynaptic terminals in the ganglion revealed the presence of a similar coupling potential, produced in response to antidromic stimulation of the post-ganglionic nerve, indicating that the coupling was bi-directional. It was suggested that such electrical coupling was associated with caliciform nerve terminals previously described in the ganglion (Carpenter, 1911; de Lorenzo, 1960). The coupling potential was present in about 60% of the cells studied. In the remainder synaptic transmission was mediated by the e.p.s.p. These were assumed to be associated with more diffuse presynaptic terminal networks or with less well developed calices. In the present experiments transmission through the ganglion was studied by stimulating and recording from the preand postsynaptic nerve trunks. The experiments were carried out to determine whether electrical transmission was effective when the cells were not disturbed by insertion of micropipettes and, if so, to estimate the proportion of synapses at which such transmission occurred.
Salt intake and plasma atrial natriuretic peptide and nitric oxide in hypertension.

In response to a high salt intake, salt-sensitive hypertensive individuals retain more sodium and manifest a rise in blood pressure greater than that in salt-resistant individuals. In this study, we tested whether salt sensitivity might be related at least in part to reduced secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) or to abnormal nitric oxide production. We measured plasma ANP and NO2+NO3 in 7 normotensive individuals and 13 salt-sensitive and 14 salt-resistant blacks with essential hypertension under conditions of low (10 mEq/d) and high (250 mEq/d) salt intake. To evaluate possible racial differences in ANP secretion, we also measured plasma ANP in 6 salt-sensitive and 8 salt-resistant hypertensive whites during low and high salt intakes. Under low salt conditions, plasma ANP levels were not different in normotensive control subjects and salt-sensitive and salt-resistant hypertensive blacks. During high salt intake, plasma ANP levels did not change in control subjects and salt-resistant patients but decreased in salt-sensitive patients. ANP levels after high salt diet were lower (P < .01) in salt-sensitive than salt-resistant blacks. In hypertensive whites, high salt intake caused no significant change in plasma ANP. Under low salt conditions, plasma NO2+NO3 levels were higher (P < .05) in salt-sensitive (189 +/- 7.9 mumol/L) and salt-resistant (195 +/- 13.5 mumol/L) black patients than in control subjects (108 +/- 9.7 mumol/L). During high salt intake, plasma NO2+NO3 decreased significantly (P < .01) in both salt-sensitive (150 +/- 7.0 mumol/L) and salt-resistant (142 +/- 9.0 mumol/L) patients. These studies show that under conditions of high salt intake, salt-sensitive hypertensive blacks manifest a paradoxical decrease in ANP secretion. This abnormality may play a role in the reduced ability of these individuals to excrete a sodium load and in the sodium-induced rise in blood pressure. This study does not support the hypothesis that salt sensitivity depends on a deficit of nitric oxide production, but it suggests that high salt intake may alter the endothelium-dependent adaptation of peripheral resistance vessels.
The effect of teaching on team-based learning and group discussion on learning and academic motivation of operating room students in the technology of gastrointestinal surgery lesson

Context: Using of varied teaching methods may be effective in motivating to learn better. Aims: The present study aimed to compare the effect of teaching based on team-based learning (TBL) and group discussion methods on academic motivation and learning of operating room students in the technology of gastrointestinal surgery lesson in Qom University of Medical Sciences. Settings and Design: This semi-experimental study was conducted among two groups of continuous and discontinuous undergraduate course students of operating room in Qom University of Medical Sciences in 2016–2017. The sampling method was the census. A combination of the TBL method and lecture was conducted randomly among group of continuous undergraduate course students (21 persons) and group discussion among discontinuous undergraduate course students (14 persons). Material and Methods: Hartler's motivation questionnaire completed by the students at the first and last semesters. The test was also carried out immediately after the end of the term and four months after that. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed using frequency, percent, and independent and paired t-test in SPSS 13 software. Results: Comparison of educational motivation score in both groups before and after the intervention was not significant (P > 0.05). Academic motivation, after the intervention, was significant in both groups (P > 0.05). Comparison of scores did not differ between the two groups immediately after training and 4 months later (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Considering the lack of significant difference between TBL and group discussion in learning and increasing the level of academic motivation of students due to the use of these two methods, it is suggested that TBL and the group discussion replace with the common teaching methods, including lectures.
A novel 10-hydroxycamptothecin-glucoside from the fruit of Camptotheca acuminata

Abstract Glycosides were isolated from the fruit of Camptotheca acuminata and identified using NMR, MS, UV and IR spectrometries. 10-O-(1-β-D-glycosyl) camptothecin (1) was identified for the first time in a natural material. In addition, compounds 2–4 were firstly reported from the fruits of C. acuminata and indentified as syringaresinol-4, 4′-O-bis-β-D-glucoside (2), hyperoside (3) and pumiloside (4), respectively. Two known compounds, vincoside-lactam (5) and strictosidinic acid (6), were also obtained.
Continuous Time Analysis of Fleeting Discrete Price Moves

ABSTRACT This article proposes a novel model of financial prices where (i) prices are discrete; (ii) prices change in continuous time; (iii) a high proportion of price changes are reversed in a fraction of a second. Our model is analytically tractable and directly formulated in terms of the calendar time and price impact curve. The resulting càdlàg price process is a piecewise constant semimartingale with finite activity, finite variation, and no Brownian motion component. We use moment-based estimations to fit four high-frequency futures datasets and demonstrate the descriptive power of our proposed model. This model is able to describe the observed dynamics of price changes over three different orders of magnitude of time intervals. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
The association between living through a prolonged economic depression and the male:female birth ratio--a longitudinal study from Cuba, 1960-2008.

The Trivers-Willard hypothesis suggests that populations respond to scarcity by decreasing the ratio of males to females at livebirth. Cuba experienced an extreme economic depression in the 1990s called the "special period. " Using time-series analysis, the authors studied the impact of this event on the male:female sex ratio at birth in Cuba from 1960 to 2008. From 1990 to 1993, the per capita gross domestic product in Cuba decreased by 36%. By use of a definition of the special period from 1991 to 1998, there was a prolonged increase in the male:female ratio of livebirths during this period of economic depression (P < 0.001), from 1.06 at baseline to a peak of 1.18. This association persisted when using alternative definitions of the duration of economic depression in sensitivity analyses. Once the period of economic depression was over, the male:female ratio returned to the baseline value. These data suggest that, in Cuba, contrary to the Trivers-Willard hypothesis, the human population responded to conditions of scarcity by increasing the ratio of males to females at livebirth. These data may be relevant in the modeling of demographic projections in countries that experience prolonged economic depression and in understanding adaptive human reproductive responses to environmental change.
Evaluation of Traumatic Spine by Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Its Correlation with Cliniconeurological Outcome

Background: Spinal trauma is associated with long-term disability. Early detection can lead to prompt and accurate diagnosis, expeditious management, and avoidance of unnecessary procedures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) helps to accurately depict the presence and extent of spinal cord injury (SCI) in these patients. Purpose: This study was aimed to look for various MRI findings which are predictive of initial neurological deficit in patients with spinal trauma and to correlate the findings with resultant neurological outcome. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted over a period of 18 months from January 2016 to June 2017 in 57 patients with spinal trauma who underwent MRI spine. Neurological status of patients was assessed at the time of admission and discharge in accordance with the American Spine Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale. Various MRI parameters were evaluated for correlation with the severity of the spinal injury. Results: Patients with cord transection, cord hemorrhage, and epidural hematoma had initial high-grade ASIA impairment scale. Patients with cord transection and cord hemorrhage did not show any improvement in their neurological status during their hospital stay. Patients with only cord edema and epidural hematoma showed favorable neurological outcome. Cord contusion showed lesser neurological recovery, as compared with cord edema and normal cord. Conclusion: MRI findings in acute SCI correlated well with the initial neurological deficits on admission and at the time of discharge. MRI should be recommended in all patients with suspected spinal trauma both as a diagnostic and prognostic indicator.
Olfactory epithelium in young adult and aging rats as seen with high‐resolution scanning electron microscopy

The present study uses mainly scanning electron microscopy to demonstrate the three‐dimensional internal cell structures of rat olfactory epithelial cells. The aldehyde‐prefixed osmium‐DMSO‐osmium (AODO) method devised by Tanaka and Mitsushima (1984) was applied to the present study to disclose intracellular structures such as endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, and lysosomes. The spatial distribution pattern of these structures in olfactory and supporting cells is discussed, paying special attention to the formation of lipofuscin‐like granules present in aged rats. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Number of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts or Giardia spp cysts shed by dairy calves after natural infection.

OBJECTIVE To determine the total number of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts and Giardia spp cysts shed by dairy calves during the period when they are most at risk after natural infection. ANIMALS 478 calves naturally infected with C. parvum and 1,016 calves naturally infected with Giardia spp. PROCEDURE Oocysts or cysts were enumerated from fecal specimens. Distribution of number of oocysts or cysts versus age was used to determine the best fitting mathematic function. Number of oocysts or cysts per gram of feces for a given duration of shedding was computed by determining the area under the curve. Total number of oocysts or cysts was calculated by taking the product of the resultant and the expected mass of feces. RESULTS Intensity of Cparvum oocyst shedding was best described by a second-order polynomial function. Shedding increased from 4 days of age, peaked at day 12, and then decreased. An infected 6-day-old calf would produce 3.89 x 10(10) oocysts until 12 days old. Pattern of shedding of Giardia spp cysts was best described by exponential functions. Intensity of shedding increased from 4 days of age, peaked at day 14, and then decreased. An infected calf would produce 3.8 x 10(7) cysts from day 50 until day 56. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The large number of oocysts and cysts shed indicates that shedding by dairy cattle poses a risk for susceptible calves and people. Estimates reported here may be useful to aid in designing cost-effective strategies to manage this risk.
Effects of 20-Hydroxyecdysone and Serotonin on Neurite Growth and Survival Rate of Antennal Lobe Neurons in Pupal Stage of the Silk Moth Bombyx mori in vitro

Abstract Effects of 20-hydroxyecdysone and serotonin on the morphological development and the survival of antennal lobe neurons from day-2 pupal brains of the silk moth Bombyx mori were investigated in vitro. Four morphologically distinct neuronal types could be identified in the cultured antennal lobe neurons: unipolar, bipolar, multi-polar and projection neurons. Antennal lobe neurons in culture with 20-hydroxyecdysone and serotonin showed different patterns of the morphological development from those described in Manduca sexta. Projection neurons extend their neurites remarkably by 20-hydroxyecdysone in B. mori, but there is no extension from antennal lobe neurons in M. sexta. Multi-polar neurons conspicuously increase only formation of new branches from their primary neurites by serotonin in B. mori, but there are both extension and branching of the neurites in M. sexta. On day-5, antennal lobe neurons in lower titers of 20-hydroxyecdysone had significantly higher survival rates than those in higher titers. Neurons cultured for 7 days at different levels of 20-hydroxyecdysone generally showed significantly lower survival rates than neurons cultured for 5 days under the same conditions.
Etanercept in the Treatment of Vitiligo

84 ly for the remaining 4 weeks. The response was assessed by using a digital camera at biweekly intervals in order to increase the accuracy of clinical comparison. Photos of all depigmented areas were taken at each visit using a mounting platform for the camera, which enabled the lesions to be photographed at exactly the same distance and angle. All digital images were analyzed using a program created in Matlab, Mathworks Inc., that was able to determine the size of the lesions and to compare consecutive digital photos of the same patient and indicate any changes in size or shape over time [8] . Monthly complete blood counts with a blood smear examination were performed for the first 3 months of treatment. Etanercept was well tolerated during the treatment period and none of the patients reported any of the previously documented cutaneous adverse events associated with etanercept [9] . All patients completed the study. In all four cases there was no increase in the pigmented area; however, no aggravation in the depigmented areas was observed. Patients’ data and treatment results are summarized in table 1 . Melanocytes and keratinocytes display a functional, close relationship mediated at least in part by keratinocyte-derived cytokines, which seem to be important for the survival and activity of melanocytic cells. Grimes et al. [10] suggest that suppression of TNFafter topical tacrolimus application may be associated with repigmentation of vitiligo. The aforementioned studies appear to confirm the results of Krasagakis et al. [11] regarding the effects of TNFon normal melanocyte growth and differentiation. The lack of therapeutic response of vitiligo to TNFinhibitors observed in our study may be attributable to several reasons. The dosage of the therapeutic agent may have been insufficient. The dosage selection was scheduled on the basis of the confirmed therapeutic effect of analogous doses of anti-TNFagents in various autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. The duration of treatment may also have been insufficient to trigger a measurable response. Since one of our major concerns was the patients’ safety, a priority was given to the known anti-TNFsafety profile already established in patients with the aforementioned autoimmune disorders, and as a consequence we did not consider multiple dosage regimens or longer treatment schedules. Cutaneous immune blocking of TNFwithout concomitant synergic drug therapy may not be sufficient to prompt a response.
Development and standardization of a "do-eat" activity of daily living performance test for children.

BACKGROUND The Do-Eat was developed to evaluate daily task performance abilities among children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). This study investigated the tool's reliability and validity. METHOD Participants were 59 children ages 5 to 6.5 years; 30 children diagnosed with DCD according to the DSM-IV-TR; and a control group of 29 children, who were matched for age, gender, and sociodemographic background. RESULTS Both the Do-Eat and the accompanying Parent Questionnaire yielded high internal consistency (alpha s = .89-.93). Construct validity was demonstrated by significant between-group differences on the Do-Eat (t[57] = 14.09, p<.001) and the Parent Questionnaire (t[57] = 3.64, p<.001). Significant correlations between children's scores on the sensory-motor component of the Do-Eat and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children final score confirmed concurrent validity (r = -.86, p<.001). CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that the Do-Eat is a reliable, valid tool for identifying children at risk for DCD.
Association of lipid profile levels in premenopausal and postmenopausal women with breast cancer : a meta-analysis

Background: Published epidemiological evidence of the association between circulating lipids and lipoproteins and breast cancer (BC) in premenopausal and/or postmenopausal women remains controversial. A metaanalysis was therefore designed to estimate a more accurate association. Methods: Systematic literature retrieval was performed on the databases of Web of Science, PubMed and Cochrane library up to December 1th, 2015. Only studies reporting the data on the association of lipid components with premenopausal and/or postmenopausal BC patients were included. The pooled estimates of standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by fixed-effect model or random-effect model. Results: A total of 12 studies which documented 9 investigations in premenopausal and postmenopausal women and 3 investigations in postmenopausal women containing 1042 BC patients and 1283 normal controls were included in the systematic review. In premenopausal group, the pooled SMD of triglyceride (TG) was 0.33 (95% CI: 0.07 to 0.59). In postmenopausal group, the pooled SMDs of triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were 0.94 (95% CI 0.33 to 1.55), and -0.62 (95% CI: -1.11 to -0.13), respectively. No significant differences were noted for total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) between premenopausal and postmenopausal cases and controls. Conclusions: The study showed that TG levels were higher in both premenopausal and postmenopausal BC compared with controls. An inverse association between levels of HDL-C and BC was detected among postmenopausal women. The results should be interpreted with caution on account of methodological flaws.
Pattern of breast ultrasound findings in Zaria, North Western Nigeria

Background: With increasing level of breast cancer awareness among Nigerians, more patients are presenting with breast symptoms. Ultrasound is relied upon significantly since mammographic facilities are few and breast magnetic resonance imaging is either too expensive or unavailable. Our study aimed at presenting the breast ultrasound findings among symptomatic and asymptomatic patients at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective review of 603 patients who were referred from Surgical and general out-patient departments of our hospital for breast ultrasound scan between January 2015 and July 2017. Whole breast scans were performed using a single Mindray DC-8 (2011) Ultrasound machine, fitted with a 7–12 MHz transducer. The findings were described, recorded, and a final assessment category assigned using the American College of Radiology (ACR) Breast Imaging Reports and Data systems (BI-RADS) classification as follows: 1 (negative), 2 (benign), 3 (probably benign), 4 (suspicious), 5 (highly suggestive for malignancy), and 6 (known biopsy proven malignancy). Histological diagnoses were sought for abnormal ultrasound findings. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software for Windows version 20, Chicago, IL. Results: The patients comprised of 591 females and 12 males, with a mean age of 35.7 ± 13.0 years. The most common indication was breast lump (44.3%). BI-RADS 1 was the most common category (44.6%), followed by BI-RADS 3 (25.9%). Mass lesion was the most frequent sonographic finding (45.3%). Others were calcifications, 33 (5.5%); architectural distortion, 67 (11.1%); edema, 52 (8.6%); vascular lesion, 1 (0.16%); and ductal abnormalities, 55 (9.1%). The incidence of breast cancer increased with increasing age. Conclusion: Our predominant ultrasound findings were negative (normal or benign). This supports the use of ultrasound as a first-line diagnostic breast imaging modality in our community. Its added advantage of availability, radiation safety, and less cost makes it an indispensable tool.
CONSENSUS CONTROL OF DISCRETE-TIME MULTI-AGENT SYSTEMS

In this paper has been studied the problem of consensusability for singleinput discrete-time MASs over directed communication graphs with fixed topology. The control input of each agent can only use its local state and the states of its neighbors. The results obtained in this paper extend some recent known results for the case when the network topology is a weighted digraph jointly containing a spanning tree.
Expression of endothelins and their receptors in cells from human periodontal tissues.

OBJECTIVE The present study investigated the presence of ET-1 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from patients with periodontitis, and the expression of endothelins (ETs) and their receptors mRNA in cultured cells from human periodontal tissues. BACKGROUND ET was originally discovered as a potent vasoconstrictive peptide from endothelial cells. It has been reported that ETs are produced by various cells besides endothelial cells. ETs are related to inflammatory and sclerotic lesions, such as arteriolosclerosis and hepatic cirrhosis. Therefore, ETs may be involved in periodontal disease. However, the roles of ETs in development and progression of periodontal disease are not clear. METHODS ET-1 released from the cultured cells was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. mRNA expressions for ETs and their receptors were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Northern blotting analysis. RESULTS ET-1 levels in GCF from patients with periodontitis were higher than those from healthy subjects. Human gingival keratinocytes (HGK) expressed mRNA for ETs and their receptors, ET-Ar and ET-Br. ET-1 mRNA expression and ET-1 peptide production from HGK were enhanced by interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that ET-1 plays a significant role in periodontal disease.