Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trefoil peptide TFF2 (spasmolytic polypeptide) potently accelerates healing and reduces inflammation in a rat model of colitis

BACKGROUND The trefoil peptides are major secretory products of mucus cells of the gastrointestinal tract and show increased expression after inflammatory or ulcerative damage. Recombinant human TFF2 (spasmolytic polypeptide) has been shown to be cytoprotective, and enhances repair in models of gastric injury. AIMS To test the healing effects of recombinant human (h)TFF2 in a rat model of chronic colitis. METHODS Colitis was induced by intracolonic administration of dinitrobenzene sulphonic acid in ethanol. Mucosal repair was quantified macroscopically, microscopically by image analysis of tissue histology, and by measuring myeloperoxidase activity. RESULTS Initial validation studies showed that maximal injury and inflammation occurred at the end of the first week after colitis induction (active phase), and that spontaneous healing was complete by eight weeks. Once daily intrarectal application of hTFF2 (2.5 mg/kg; approximately 0.5 mg/rat) for five days after maximal damage had been sustained, reduced both microscopic and macroscopic injury by 80% and inflammatory index by 50% compared with vehicle controls. In addition, endogenous concentrations of rat TFF2 and TFF3 (intestinal trefoil factor) were increased in the active phase of colitis and were reduced to basal levels by hTFF2 treatment. CONCLUSIONS This study has shown that hTFF2 enhances the rate of colonic epithelial repair, and reduces local inflammation in a rat model of colitis, and suggests that luminal application of trefoil peptides may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
Adaptations of an RNA virus to increasing thermal stress

Environments can change in incremental fashions, where a shift from one state to another occurs over multiple organismal generations. The rate at which the environment changes is expected to influence how and how well populations adapt to the ultimate environment. We used a model system, the lytic RNA bacteriophage Φ6, to investigate this question empirically. We evolved viruses for thermostability by exposing them to heat shocks that increased to a maximum temperature at different rates. We observed increases in the ability of many heat-shocked populations to survive high temperature heat shocks, and on their first exposure to the highest temperature, populations that experienced a gradual increase in temperature had higher average survival than populations that experienced a rapid temperature increase. However, at the end of the experiment, neither the survival of populations at the highest temperature nor the number of mutations per population varied significantly according to the rate of thermal change. We also evaluated mutations from the endpoint populations for their effects on viral thermostability and growth. As expected, some mutations did increase viral thermostability. However, other mutations decreased thermostability but increased growth rate, suggesting that benefits of an increased replication rate may have sometimes outweighed the benefits of enhanced thermostability. Our study highlights the importance of considering the effects of multiple selective pressures, even in environments where a single factor is changing.
Acid-Base and Electrolyte Managements in Chronic Kidney Disease and End-Stage Renal Disease: Case-Based Discussion

Acid-base and electrolyte alterations are common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney failure (ESRD). The alterations become more complex as CKD advances to ESRD, leading to morbidity and mortality. Three cases are presented illustrating some key prototypic features in CKD and ESRD. Each is accompanied by discussion of pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment options. Newer investigational results are integrated into the existing body of knowledge. Although rigorous assessment of various dialysis prescriptions is scanty, in its current state, instituting a well thought-out, multi-pronged management plan to minimize CKD/ESRD and dialysis-related electrolyte and acid-base disruptions is appropriate. There is a pressing need for prospective interventional trials in the future.
Designing of coupled inductor in interleaved critical conduction mode boost PFC converter

Boost converter in critical conduction mode (CRM) can be used for power factor correction in low power level and it also can be used in medium or high power application by using interleaving technical which can reduce the input current ripple and output capacitor rms current. In this paper, the two inductors of two-phase interleaved Boost converter in CRM is inverse coupled for copper volume reduction. The coupling effect on switching frequency is analyzed, and the design procedure including inductance, turns number and air gap is introduced step by step. Based on minimum switching frequency larger than 30 kHz, the turns number of each winding can be reduced by coupling compare with the non-coupled case.
Metabolic syndrome in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: frequency and relationship with systemic inflammation.

BACKGROUND Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is frequent in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Systemic inflammation plays an important role in both COPD and MetS. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of MetS in COPD patients and to evaluate the status of systemic inflammation in COPD patients with MetS and those without MetS. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 98 consecutive stable COPD patients. The MetS was defined using the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation. Components of MetS and markers of systemic inflammation: C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and leukocyte count were measured. All patients underwent spirometry. The staging of COPD was made according to the Global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease (GOLD) criteria. RESULTS MetS was present in 37.8 % COPD patients. The frequencies of MetS in patients with GOLD stages I, II, III, and IV were 33.3 %, 48.8 %, 31.6 %, and 23.1 %, respectively. MetS frequencies were not significantly different between GOLD stages. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed leukocyte count and CRP level as significant independent predictors of the presence of Mets in COPD patients (OR =1.321, 95%CI: 1.007-1.628, p =0.009 and OR =1.184, 95%CI: 1.020-1.376, p =0.027 respectively). CONCLUSIONS This study shows that MetS is frequent in patients with COPD. Systemic inflammatory markers are higher in COPD patients with MetS than in patients without MetS. These findings suggest that physicians should screen COPD patients for associated MetS and elevated circulatory inflammatory markers. Management of these disorders should reduce the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in these patients. Hippokratia 2016, 20(2):110-114.
Differentiated rabbit prostatic stromal cells in primary culture display functional α1A‐adrenoceptors

BPH is characterized by uncontrolled proliferation and increased contractility of prostatic smooth muscle cells. The activation of α1‐adrenoceptors (α1‐AR) seems involved in the latter event, but the lack of in vitro models expressing these receptors has hampered a more specific characterization of their role. In order to do so, we attempted to develop a new model of rabbit cultured prostatic stromal cells (PSC) in a non‐proliferative and differentiated state.
Sequence of the pckA gene of Escherichia coli K-12: relevance to genetic and allosteric regulation and homology of E. coli phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase with the enzymes from Trypanosoma brucei and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The sequence of the pckA gene coding for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in Escherichia coli K-12 and previous molecular weight determinations indicate that this allosteric enzyme is a monomer of Mr 51,316. The protein is homologous to ATP-dependent phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinases from Trypanosoma brucei and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A potential ATP binding site was conserved in all three sequences. A potential binding site for the allosteric activator, calcium, identified in the E. coli enzyme, was only partially conserved in T. brucei and S. cerevisiae, consistent with the observation that the enzymes from the latter organisms were not activated by calcium. The published sequence of the ompR and envZ genes from Salmonella typhimurium is followed by a partial sequence that is highly homologous to pckA from E. coli. The order of these genes and the direction of transcription of the presumptive S. typhimurium pckA gene are the same as those in E. coli. The potential calcium binding site of the E. coli enzyme is conserved in the partial predicted sequence of the S. typhimurium phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, consistent with the observation that calcium activation of the S. typhimurium phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase is very similar to that observed for the E. coli enzyme. A pckA mRNA transcript was observed in stationary-phase cells but not in logarithmically growing cells. The mRNA start site was mapped relative to the sequence of the pckA structural gene.
Balanced protein/energy supplementation in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND Observational and non-randomized studies have suggested that energy/protein supplementation in pregnant women increases gestational weight gain and fetal growth. OBJECTIVES The objective of this review was to assess the effects of a balanced protein/energy supplement for pregnant women on gestational weight gain and on the outcome of pregnancy. SEARCH STRATEGY The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register was searched. Date of last search: January 2000. SELECTION CRITERIA Acceptably controlled trials of energy/protein supplementation for pregnant women in which the protein content of the supplement was 'balanced' (protein content less than 25% of total energy content). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS One reviewer assessed trial quality and extracted data. Study authors were contacted for additional information. MAIN RESULTS Thirteen trials were included. They were of variable quality. Balanced protein/energy supplementation was associated with modest increases in maternal weight gain (weighted mean difference 17 grams per week, 95% confidence interval 5-29 grams per week) and fetal growth (birth weight increase, weighted mean difference 25 grams, 95% confidence interval 4-55 grams). The reduction in risk of small for gestational birth was substantial, however (odds ratio 0. 64, 95% confidence interval 0.53-0.78). These effects did not appear to be greater in undernourished women, nor did they seem to confer long term benefits to the child. No significant effects were detected on preterm birth, but significant reductions in stillbirth and neonatal death (based on only 3 trials) appear important. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS Balanced energy/protein supplementation improves fetal growth and may reduce the risk of fetal and neonatal death. The evidence is insufficient to evaluate whether there are other potential benefits to pregnant women or their infants.
Distribution and genotypic characterization of Salmonella serovars isolated from tropical seafood of Cochin, India

Aims: To determine the distribution of Salmonella serovars in seafood and to examine the intraserovar genetic variations in Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Rissen and Salmonella Weltevreden by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐ribotyping and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)‐PCR methods.
Effects of standard and eccentric overload strength training in young women.

PURPOSE According to the force-velocity relationship of human skeletal muscle, the maximal load one can lift is limited by the concentric movement phase, and the eccentric phase is always underloaded. In the present study, we hypothesized that acute exercise training using an eccentric overload compared with standard loading would lead to greater neuromuscular and strength adaptations. METHODS Sedentary women (age 20.9 yr) were tested for concentric and eccentric three-repetition maximum (3RM), maximal isokinetic eccentric and concentric and isometric force and associated EMG activity of selected thigh muscles before and after 7 consecutive days of exercise training of the left quadriceps. The exercise program was designed so that the total weight lifted was similar between the eccentric overload (EO, N = 10) and standard group (ST, N = 10), but EO exercised with about 50% greater eccentric load whereas the controls did not exercise (N = 10). RESULTS There was a 22% increase in the total weight lifted over 7 d. On the average, EOs compared with STs strength gains were approximately twofold greater. Changes in EMG paralleled the changes in muscle strength without changes in biceps femoris coactivity during knee extension. CONCLUSION Because the strength gains were achieved by exercising at low intensities and over a short time period, exercise prescription of eccentric overloading appears especially suitable for elders, individuals deconditioned due to an injury, and the chronically diseased.
Organization of projections from the anterior hypothalamic nucleus: A Phaseolus vulgaris‐leucoagglutinin study in the rat

Anterior hypothalamic nucleus (AHN) projections were examined with the Phaseolus vulgaris‐leucoagglutinin (PHA‐L) method in adult male rats. Labeled axons from the AHN follow three major routes. 1) A large ascending pathway ends densely in the telencephalon, particularly in the lateral septal nucleus. Axons along this route provide moderate to dense input to the medial and lateral preoptic areas, and a few are also observed in the septofimbrial nucleus and fimbria; the latter end in the temporal hippocampus. A few axons reach the amygdala through the bed nuclei of the stria terminalis, which receive a moderate input, and then the stria terminalis, and others reach it by way of the ansa peduncularis. 2) The second pathway travels dorsal to the AHN, ending densely in rostral perifornical regions of the lateral hypothalamic area, and the rostral ventrolateral tip of the nucleus reuniens. The parataenial and rostral paraventricular thalamic nuclei also receive a significant input. Some fibers and boutons were also observed in the rhomboid, interanterodorsal, and mediodorsal nuclei, and others course through the stria medullaris to the lateral habenula. 3) the largest pathway descends through dorsal and ventral routes in the medial hypothalamic zone before ending massively in the periaqueductal gray. Dorsal route fibers provide inputs to the zona incerta and posterior hypothalamic nucleus, whereas more ventral axons generate dense terminal fields in the ventromedial nucleus capsule and core, and dorsal premammillary nucleus. The retrochiasmatic area, dorsomedial nucleus, and medial supramammillary nucleus also receive significant inputs, and a few axons end in the subparafascicular nucleus, superior colliculus, and mammillary body. The caudalmost axons were seen in the pontine central gray and reticular formation. These pathways are bilateral, usually with a distinct ipsilateral predominance. The overall pattern of efferents from anterior, central, and posterior parts of the AHN is similar, whereas the relative densities of particular terminal fields may vary considerably. Projections from adjacent parts of the retrochiasmatic and perifornical areas are also described. The results are discussed in terms of neural circuitry that may be involved in mediating interactions between animals. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Integrating Biophysical and Sociocultural Methods for Identifying the Relationships between Ecosystem Services and Land Use Change: Insights from an Oasis Area

Identifying the relationships between ecosystem services (ESs) and land use change is crucial for ES management and sustainable regional development. The Manas region in China has witnessed dramatic reclamation activities in its desert areas that resulted in ecological problems. The changes in eight ESs, including crop production (CP), livestock production (LP), soil conservation (SC), water yield (WY), sand fixation (SF), carbon sequestration (CS), habitat quality (HQ), and nature landscape recreation (NLR), were investigated by using biophysical and questionnaire methods. At the regional scale, provisioning services (i.e., CP and LP) showed some performance improvements, whereas most of the regulating services (i.e., WY, CS, and HQ) along with NLR showed a performance decline. Five ES bundles—Upper Mountain, Foothill, Oasis, Oasis–Desert Transition, and Desert bundle—were identified at the township scale via k-means clustering. From 2000 to 2015, the Oasis bundle sprawled as a result of oasisization, whereas the Oasis–Desert Transition and Foothill bundles decreased. We performed a questionnaire survey and a statistical analysis to identify the causes behind the performance improvement/decline of these ESs and found that the land use changes in the Manas region had a significant impact on these services. More than 50% of the survey respondents identified land use changes as the primary driver of the changes in some ESs (i.e., CP, CS, HQ, and NLR). In the correlation and partial correlation analyses, oasisization was significantly and positively correlated with CP but was negatively correlated with WY, CS, HQ, and NLR. We enhanced the reliability of our conclusions by integrating biophysical and sociocultural methods into our investigation of ES and land use change. In view of the huge losses in regulating and cultural services, the Manas region should limit its desert reclamation activities to control the expansion of its oasis and to improve the quality of its cropland. Our results can help formulate effective ES management and land use decisions in the Manas region or similar areas.
Alemtuzumab induction and triple maintenance immunotherapy in kidney transplantation from donors after cardiac death

We have used alemtuzumab in combination with triple maintenance immunosuppression in renal transplantation from donors after cardiac death between 2002 and 2006. We compared outcomes of induction therapy with alemtuzumab with interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) receptor antagonists (RA) and anti‐lymphocyte antibodies. We used a retrospective sequential study design to examine 170 recipients of kidneys from donor after cardiac death (DCD) for survival, graft survival, time to first rejection, glomerular filtration and complications. Patients were stratified into high‐risk and low‐risk groups based on the following criteria: panel of reactive antibodies >20%, retransplants, Afro‐American race. Induction with alemtuzumab was compared with anti‐thymocyte globulin (ATG) in the high‐risk and with IL‐2RA in the low‐risk group. Patients received triple immunosuppression with steroids, mycophenolate mofetil and calcineurin inhibitors. Patient survival, graft survival, rejection rate and glomerular filtration rate did not significantly differ between patients treated with alemtuzumab versus IL‐2RAs or ATG. There was a trend towards reduced graft‐ and patient survival in the alemtuzumab group. There was an increased incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in the alemtuzumab‐induced group and a trend towards increased BK virus and bacterial infections. Induction of DCD kidney transplants with alemtuzumab compared to IL‐2RA and ATG has no significant impact on acute rejection. It appears however that CMV infections are increased in patients induced with alemtuzumab. We therefore conclude that induction with alemtuzumab does not confer any advantage over traditional induction agents.
Clinical implications of chemotherapy-induced tumor gene expression in human breast cancers

Importance of the field: There has been much interest in generating gene signatures to predict treatment response in breast cancer. Areas covered in this review: There are at least 15 published studies that describe baseline tumor gene signatures predicting chemotherapy sensitivity. As an extension of these baseline studies, there have been at least 8 published studies evaluating chemotherapy-induced tumor genomic changes over time in human breast cancers. What the reader will gain: Studies on chemotherapy-induced gene expression changes were reviewed in detail. Drug-induced biological changes within the tumor shed light on mechanisms of drug resistance and provided valuable insights regarding genes and pathways that were regulated by different drugs, including therapeutic targets that could be exploited to overcome resistance. One study also suggested post-chemotherapy gene signatures to be more predictive of response and survival than the unchallenged baseline signatures. Take home message: Studies on chemotherapy-induced changes, although informative, are logistically demanding to execute, often with significant attrition of collected samples resulting in small datasets. They are further limited by heterogeneity of study population, chemotherapy regimens used, timing of the post-therapy sample and definition of response endpoint, making cross-comparisons of studies and data interpretation difficult. Future studies should address these limitations, and should involve larger sample sets and prospective studies for validation.
Systemic Adverse Events: A Comparison between Topical and Peribulbar Anaesthesia in Cataract Surgery

Aims: To evaluate the safety of topical anaesthesia (TA) versus peribulbar anaesthesia (PBA) in patients undergoing routine cataract surgery on the basis of systemic adverse events. Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 2,020 consecutive cases of cataract surgery performed by one surgeon on 1,621 patients with PBA (n = 1,010; between 1998–1999) or TA (n = 1,010; between 1999–2001) were evaluated on the basis of intra-operative and early postoperative adverse events requiring medical intervention. Results: The rate of pre-existing risk factors in patients undergoing cataract surgery is high (97%). Complications are significantly less frequent in TA than in PBA in the intra-operative (p < 0.001) and postoperative (p = 0.022) courses. The incidence of intra-operative complications is higher in elderly patients (≧65 years of age) than in younger patients (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results from the present study indicate that intra-operative complications are less likely in patients that receive TA, suggesting the use of TA for routine cataract surgery both in young patients and particularly in elderly patients when there are no contraindications in the individual case.
The Mediating Role of Rights and Freedoms on Wealth and Population Health

Do nations with greater rights and freedoms enjoy better health? This study examined the combined influences of national levels of socioeconomic status, and rights and freedoms on population level health. The World Health Organization Framework of Social Determinants of Health—which encapsulates the social inequality and rights and freedoms arguments—was applied to a large cross-national sample of 120 nations. Using pathway analyses, four final models explored the direct and mediated relations of rights and freedoms on wealth and population health. Health indicators included life expectancy, infant mortality, and risk of non-communicable disease. Indicators for health behaviors included suicide rates, alcohol, and tobacco use. Results support the rights and freedoms gradient of health, in recognition of the crucial role of rights and freedoms in the determination of health. Keywords: rights; freedoms; wealth; health; health behaviors; gradient of health.