Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Basic study on surface insulation design of solid/gas composite insulation system with embedded electrode

Solid insulated switchgear (SIS) has been developed as a substitution for medium voltage SF6 gas insulated switchgear. Its main circuits including a vacuum interrupter are coated with epoxy resin and a solid/gas insulation system is formed. For further miniaturization and higher stress design, the authors investigated the surface insulation performance of the solid/gas insulation system containing an embedded electrode. In the previous study, the authors investigated the surface breakdown characteristics. The authors also investigated the surface discharge propagation characteristics and proposed an estimation method of the surface breakdown voltage. In the present study, the authors investigated the surface breakdown characteristics numerically. The calculation was done based on the estimation method proposed previously. The divided voltage ratio, the radius of the embedded electrode, the enhancement factor of the surface insulation strength and the peak value of the surface breakdown voltage are examined. As a result, the characteristics of the parameters and the criteria for the optimum insulation design were clarified.
A Cascade of Tyrosine Autophosphorylation in the &Subunit Activates the Phosphotransferase of the Insulin Receptor*

We identified the major autophosphorylation sites in the insulin receptor and correlated their phosphoryla- tion with the phosphotransferase activity of the receptor on synthetic peptides. The receptor, purified from Fao hepatoma cells on immobilized wheat germ agglutinin, undergoes autophosphorylation at several tyro- sine residues in its &subunit; however, anti-phospho-tyrosine antibody (a-PY) inhibited most of the phos- phorylation by trapping the initial sites in an inactive complex. Exhaustive trypsin digestion of the inhibited &subunit yielded two peptides derived from the Tyr-1150 domain (Ullrich, A, Bell, J. R., Chen, E. Y., Herrera, R., Gray, A., Coussens, Grunfeld, Rosen, 0. M., and Ra-machandran, J. (1985) Nature 313, 756-761) called pY4 and pY5. Both peptides contained 2 phosphoty- rosy1 residues (ZTyr(P)), one corresponding to Tyr-1146 and the other to Tyr-1150
Warfarin and Acetaminophen Interaction

A 74‐year‐old man who was receiving warfarin for atrial fibrillation experienced an abrupt increase in his international normalized ratio (INR) after taking acetaminophen. To investigate this effect, the patient's anticoagulation therapy was stabilized, and he was given acetaminophen 1 g 4 times/day for 3 days. His INR rose from 2.3 before receiving acetaminophen to 6.4 on the day after acetaminophen was discontinued. Warfarin was stopped for 2 days, and the patient's INR returned to 2.0. Warfarin was restarted at the same dosage, and his INR remained within 2.0–3.0 for 6 months. Factor VII activity decreased from 29.4% before acetaminophen therapy to 15.5% when his INR was 6.4, and factor X activity fell from 27.0% to 20.2%. His warfarin plasma concentration was 1.54 μg/ml before acetaminophen compared with 1.34 μg/ml when his INR was 6.4. No significant changes in drug intake, clinical status, diet, or lifestyle were noted. Changes in INR of this magnitude with the addition of another drug during stable anticoagulation therapy suggest a drug interaction. The lack of an increase in warfarin plasma concentration associated with the increased INR suggests a possible pharmacodynamic mechanism for this interaction. Acetaminophen or a metabolite may enhance the effect of oral coumarin anticoagulants by augmenting vitamin K antagonism. Thus, the anticoagulant effect of warfarin may be significantly elevated after only a few days of acetaminophen therapy. Patients receiving warfarin should be counseled to have their INR monitored more frequently when starting acetaminophen at dosages exceeding 2 g/day.
Alliin obtained from leaf extract of garlic grown under in situ conditions possess higher therapeutic potency as analyzed in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Context: Garlic, Allium sativum L. (Liliaceae), possesses high therapeutic and pharmacological properties. Hypoglycemic activity is attributed to alliin (S-allyl cysteine sulfoxide), the main active principle localized in garlic cloves. Objective: To compare the production and therapeutic efficiency of alliin extracted from garlic leaves of plants grown under ex situ and in situ conditions. Materials and methods: Alliin content of leaves was quantified and aqueous leaf extracts (from ex situ and in situ grown plants) were given to normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats for five weeks. Results: Alliin production noted ~50% enhancement in leaves from plants grown under in situ conditions. Serum glucose, triglycerides, total lipids, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-, and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-cholesterol in diabetic rats treated with alliin produced from in situ grown plants noted significant reduction of ~54%, 15%, 14%, 20%, 24%, and 15%, while 35%, 14%, 10%, 12%, 17% and 11% reduction was noted in diabetic rats treated with alliin produced from ex situ grown plants in comparison with those administered with distilled water. High-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol did not show any significant change. Leaf extract of plants lowered serum enzyme levels (alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase) toward the norm better than glibenclamide. The histopathological alteration in pancreas caused by alloxan was also reduced by leaf extract. Discussion and conclusion: These findings demonstrate leaf extract obtained from plants grown under in situ condition possess higher therapeutic efficiency in comparison with leaf extract obtained from plants grown under ex situ condition. Studies suggest that environmental factors influence production of alliin and its therapeutic potential.
Acute endotoxemia in rats induces down-regulation of V2 vasopressin receptors and aquaporin-2 content in the kidney medulla.

BACKGROUND Endotoxemia can lead to fluid metabolism alterations despite unchanged or elevated plasma vasopressin (VP) levels, suggesting a refractoriness of the kidney to the effect of the peptide. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection on the expression of V2 receptors and aquaporin-2 in the kidney. METHODS Plasma VP and urine osmolality, and binding of [3H]VP to kidney membranes, Western blot, and immunohistochemical analysis of aquaporin-2, in situ hybridization for V2 VP receptors and cytokines mRNAs were measured in the kidney 3 to 24 hours after LPS injection, 250 microg/100 g, intraperitoneally. RESULTS LPS injection caused prolonged decreases in urine osmolality (up to 24 hours) without significant changes in plasma levels of sodium or VP. This was associated with marked decreases in V2 VP receptor mRNA and VP receptor number in the kidney, which were evident for up to 12 hours after LPS injection. Aquaporin-2 in kidney inner medulla was also reduced by about 50%. LPS induced interleukin (IL)-1beta in the kidney medulla by 3 hours, reached maximum at 6 hours, and started to decline by 12 hours, while it increased IL-6 mRNA significantly only at 3 hours. Interleukin mRNA expression was absent in kidneys of control rats. In vitro incubation of kidney medulla slices with IL-1beta reduced VP binding. CONCLUSION The inflammatory response to acute endotoxemia down regulates V2 VP receptors and aquaporin-2 of the kidney inner medulla resulting in prolonged impairment of the renal capacity to concentrate urine.
Breast carcinoma with basal differentiation: a proposal for pathology definition based on basal cytokeratin expression

Aim: To assess the expression and coexpression of a range of different biomarkers that have been used to define breast carcinomas with a basal phenotype (BP) and their relationship with prognosis in an attempt to refine the definition of BP and to evaluate the reliability of using a single biomarker to identify these tumours.
Circadian Rhythm Phenotype of 5-HT₇ Receptor Knockout Mice: 5-HT and 8-OH-DPAT-Induced Phase Advances of SCN Neuronal Firing

In vitro neuronal recordings in the SCN have clearly documented shifts in the peak of unit activity following the application of serotonergic agents, and yet selectivity issues with these very tools have limited progress in establishing the precise receptor mechanisms. As an alternative strategy, mice werebred (C57BL/6J) lacking 1 serotonin receptor, the 5-HT7, to serve as a null background for this subtype; earlier work had documented the involvement of 5-HT7 receptors in the phase advances elicited by 8-OH-DPAT, a mixed 5-HT1A/7 agonist, in SCN slices prepared from rat donors. Single-unit recordings in sequential electrode passes revealed peaks of activity that occurred at nearly the same time in the knockout (KO; ZT4.2 ± 0.6) and wild-type animals (WT; ZT4.3 ± 0.1), where ZT0 marks the beginning of the light phase in a 12:12 LD cycle. Bath application of 8-OH-DPAT produced a phase advance in neuronal firing (2.1 ± 0.5 h) when applied 1 circadian cycle earlier at ZT6 (10 μM, 10 min), but surprisingly, the mean phase advance in slices prepared from KO mice (2.3 ± 0.1 h) was no different. Coapplication of 8-OH-DPAT with WAY-100,635 (10 μM), a highly selective 5-HT1A antagonist, significantly reduced the phase advance, both in experiments with WT and KO mice, suggesting the greater importance of this serotonin sub-type independent of genetic modification. 5-HT itself (0.5 ±M, 10 min) at ZT6 also yielded phase advances that were indistinguishable in slices prepared from WT and KO mice (1.8 ± 0.4 h and 2.1 ± 0.2 h, respectively) and that were also sensitive to WAY-100,635. Unlike the pattern with 8-OH-DPAT, however, 5-HT-induced phase advances, in both WT and KO mice, were blocked by ritanserin, in this paradigm useful as a 5-HT5A/7 antagonist (in addition to its more typical role as a 5-HT2A/2C antagonist). Serotonin antagonists when administered alone were without effect in slices from WT mice but produced significant phase shifts when administered to those from KO animals. Taken together, these results highlight the importance of the species used in establishing receptor mechanism. More provocatively, they support the involvement of multiple serotonin receptors in shifting the phase of circadian rhythms at ZT6.
Enhancing positive attitudes towards disability: evaluation of an integrated physiotherapy program

Purpose: This study explored whether attitudes towards disability in second year undergraduate physiotherapy students could be enhanced by an on-campus integrated curriculum program. Methods: A pre-post design was used. Year 2 (pre-clinical) students participated in a 12-week program focused on optimising attitudes towards people with acquired or developmental neurological disability. The Discomfort subscale of the Interaction with Disabled Persons scale, rated on a six-point Likert scale, was applied prior to and at completion of the 12-week program, and compared to year 4 students, just prior to graduation. Qualitative data from year 2 reflective narratives was also gathered. Results: Forty-seven second year and 45 fourth year physiotherapy students participated. The difference in Discomfort subscale scores between weeks 1 and 12 of year 2 was statistically significant (p = 0.0016). The difference in Discomfort subscale scores between year 2 week 1 and year 4 students was also statistically significant (p = 0.040). There was no significant difference in attitudes between students at the end of year 2 and the end of year 4 (p = 0.703). Qualitative data supported the development of more positive attitudes towards neurological disability across the 12 week year 2 pre-clinical program. Conclusion: Student attitudes towards people with acquired and/or developmental neurological disabilities can be enhanced through an on campus integrated curriculum program. Implications for Rehabilitation Student attitudes towards disability can be enhanced through an on campus integrated curriculum program. Pre-clinical student attitudes towards disability can achieve levels comparable to that found in senior students following field work experience.
Plasma brain natriuretic peptide concentrations in patients with chronic mitral regurgitation.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS OF THE STUDY Patients with chronic mitral regurgitation (MR) are often referred for surgery only after irreversible left ventricular (LV) dysfunction has developed. Our aim was to determine whether plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentrations could serve as a marker for early LV dysfunction in this condition. METHODS Twenty-two patients with isolated chronic MR and echocardiographic evidence of at least moderate regurgitation were studied. RESULTS Plasma BNP concentrations were significantly higher in patients than in normal volunteers (20.85 +/- 16.9 versus 3.37 +/- 0.9 pmol/l; p = 0.007). Concentrations increased with increasing severity of symptoms and were highest in those in NYHA class IV, but did not correlate with LV dimensions, fractional shortening or left atrial size. Of note, two asymptomatic patients with high BNP concentrations were referred for surgery within the 12-month follow up period due to symptom progression. CONCLUSIONS Plasma BNP concentrations are elevated in most patients with isolated chronic MR, including those who are asymptomatic with normal LV dimensions. The significance of these findings is uncertain, but they suggest that changes in ventricular physiology occur early in the disease process and before they can be detected echocardiographically. Longitudinal studies are required to determine if patients with high BNP levels have an adverse prognosis and if this can be altered by earlier surgical intervention.
Girl Friend, Boy Friend, Girlfriend, Boyfriend: Broadening our Understanding of Heterosocial Competence

Heterosocial interactions, or social interactions with other-sex peers, are theorized to serve a number of unique developmental functions for adolescents (e.g., companionship, intimacy, experimentation with sex-role behaviors and sexual activity). Yet despite the importance of heterosocial competence in adolescent social development, there exists little research on the construct. Early research, although informative, reflects a narrow focus on heterosocial anxiety associated with date initiation situations. More recent research has broadened its purview to include investigations of the relation of heterosocial competence to the normative development of romantic relationships, as well as depression, anxiety, and violence in adolescent relationships. To facilitate further research, an expanded, well-defined description of the construct of adolescent heterosocial competence is needed that includes other-sex interactions in casual relationships, friendships, and romantic relationships. In this article we detail the historical and current definitions of the construct and encourage a broader understanding in the context of the developmental psychopathology framework. We follow with a review of our decade-long efforts to better operationally define and assess the construct by summarizing the development and validation of two measures: The Measure of Adolescent Heterosocial Competence and the Measure of Adolescent Heterosocial Competence-Young Adult Version. Finally, we suggest directions for future research.
Association of the atherogenic index of plasma and oxidative stress status with weight gain during non-complicated pregnancy

Abstract Background: Pregnancy is a stressful condition linked with altered lipid profile, increased oxidative stress and increased inflammation processes. The purpose of the present study was to determine the associations between those alterations with increased weight gain during pregnancy. Methods: The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and oxidative stress status parameters were determinated in 50 healthy and 172 pregnant women with non-complicated pregnancy. Pregnant women were divided in four groups according to body mass index (BMI) values (BMI quartiles). Results: Oxidative stress parameters were significantly lower in the control group compared with all the pregnant women quartiles. Unexpectedly, differences in oxidative stress parameters between BMI quartiles groups were not significant. The antioxidant defence parameters remained quite similar in the different BMI quartiles. Weight gain and paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activities were independently associated with increased AIP while weight gain and triglyceride concentration were found to be significant predictors of PON1 activities. Conclusions: The results of our current study indicate the association of maternal weight gain during pregnancy and altered lipid profile, elevated oxidative stress and changed antioxidative capacity of PON1. Taken together all these facts indicate possible increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) development in later life if the weight gain during pregnancy is excessive.
Five‐Year Outcomes in Kidney Transplant Patients Converted From Cyclosporine to Everolimus: The Randomized ZEUS Study

ZEUS study was an open‐label, 12‐month, multicenter study in which 300 de novo kidney transplant recipients were randomized to continue receiving cyclosporine (CsA) or convert to everolimus at 4.5 months posttransplant. Five‐year follow‐up data were available for 245/269 patients (91.1%) who completed the core 12‐month study (123 everolimus, 109 CsA). At 5 years, adjusted estimated GFR was 66.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 with everolimus versus 60.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 with CsA; the mean difference was 5.3 mL/min/1.73 m2 in favor of everolimus (95% CI 2.4, 8.3; p < 0.001 [intent‐to‐treat population]). In a post hoc analysis of patients remaining on study drug at 5 years (everolimus 77, CsA 86), mean difference was 8.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 (95% CI 4.3, 12.1; p < 0.001) in favor of everolimus. The cumulative incidence of biopsy‐proven acute rejection postrandomization was 13.6% with everolimus versus 7.5% with CsA (p = 0.095), largely accounted for by grade I rejection (16/21 patients and 7/11 patients, respectively). Postrandomization, graft loss, mortality, serious adverse events and neoplasms were similar in both arms. In conclusion, conversion of kidney transplant patients to everolimus at 4.5 months posttransplant is associated with a significant improvement in renal function that is maintained to at least 5 years. The increase in early mild acute rejection did not affect long‐term graft function.
Prevalence and causes of self-reported work-related stress in head teachers.

BACKGROUND Work-related stress (WRS) is the leading cause of occupational ill-health in the education sector in the UK. Headship is believed to be a stressful role although there is little current research into stress in head teachers. Changes in the education sector since the late 1980s have meant that the findings of many existing studies are outdated. AIM To investigate prevalence and causes of self-reported, WRS in head teachers in West Sussex, UK. METHODS A cross-sectional study using postal questionnaire in a population of 290 head teachers and principals. The measuring instrument was a short stress evaluation tool (ASSET) plus additional questions derived from previous studies. Stress cases were defined as respondents who felt their work was 'very or extremely stressful'. RESULTS Prevalence of self-reported, WRS was 43%. Using ASSET scoring, work overload and work-life imbalance were the key stressors. Females were significantly more stressed than males for a number of stressors including overload and control. Although there was some evidence that primary head teachers fared worse than their secondary counterparts, once the confounding effects of gender were included, there were few significant differences. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of self-reported stress in head teachers in West Sussex is significantly increased compared to recent studies of workers in the UK. The recurring theme in existing studies of workload as a main stressor is confirmed in the findings of this study. Gender and type of school does affect outcome and female head teachers have more reported stressors than their male colleagues.
Regulation of Microglia by CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells: Selective Analysis in CD45‐congenic Normal and Toxoplasma gondii‐infected Bone Marrow Chimeras

Microglia, the resident macrophage population of the central nervous system, is rapidly activated in murine Toxoplasma encephalitis (TE). However, the precise contribution of microglia to intracerebral immune reactions and the in vivo regulation of microglial activity are still poorly understood. To selectively analyse microglial reactions in TE, we have established a model of radiation‐induced CD45‐congenic bone marrow chimeras between CD45.2+ C57BL/6 (recipient) and CD45.1+ B6.SJL (donor) mice. These chimeras allow a differentiation of radioresistant CD45.2+ microglia from all other leukocytes, which exhibit the CD45.1+ haplotype. In the normal brain, microglia produced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐10, and IL‐15 mRNA. In TE, marked microglial activation was observed with a de novo expression of IL‐12p40 and inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA, upregulation of IL‐1β and TNF‐α mRNA, a continuous production of IL‐10, and IL‐15 mRNA, an induction of major histocompatibility class I and II antigens, intercellular adhesion molecule‐1, and leukocyte function‐associated antigen‐1. Furthermore, selective depletion of CD4+ and/or CD8+ T cells in the chimeras revealed that microglial cytokine production was critically regulated by CD8+T cells, whereas expression of cell surface molecules was less dependent on T cells. These findings demonstrate a specific regulation of microglia by T lymphocytes during the course of TE.
Neuropeptide Y: An Endogenous Inhibitor of Norepinephrine‐Stimulated Melatonin Secretion in the Rat Pineal Gland

The biosynthesis of the hormone melatonin (MEL) by the mammalian pineal gland has been thought to be regulated strictly by stimulatory factors, most predominantly norepinephrine (NE), released from the sympathetic nerve fibers which heavily innervate the gland. Evidence from many investigators suggests that sympathetic fibers may colocalize other neuroactive factors in addition to NE. One of these factors is neuropeptide Y (NPY), which has been found in the nerve fibers of the pineal gland. The present study sought to explore potential interactions between NE and NPY in the regulation of pineal MEL secretion. Specific, saturable, and reversible binding of 125I‐NPY to intact cultured pine‐ alocytes was measured with an affinity constant of 1 nM and an NPY binding site density of 0.04 pmol/mg of protein. In addition, cell culture studies revealed that NPY represents a potent (IC50 of 0.4 nM) endogenous inhibitor of NE‐stimulated MEL secretion. However, this inhibition is accompanied by only a modest reduction (35%) of cyclic AMP accumulation. These findings reinforce the view that the mammalian pineal gland, which appears to integrate both inhibitory as well as stimulatory signals, is an important model of autonomic function, particularly in the context of biological rhythmicity.