Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Subcellular Localization and Characterization of Vasopressin Binding Sites in the Ventral Septal Area, Lateral Septum, and Hippocampus of the Rat Brain

[Arg8]‐Vasopressin (AVP) has been shown to exert characteristic central physiological actions in the ventral septal area of the rat brain. This study reports the characterization of receptors for AVP in synaptic plasma membranes prepared from the ventral septal area, the lateral septum, and the hippocampus. Binding of [3H]AVP was temperature and time dependent, linearly related to protein concentration, saturable, and specific. Scatchard plot analysis suggested the presence of a population of binding sites in the three brain areas with dissociation constants and maximal binding capacities, respectively, of 1.06 ± 0.39 nM and 24.0 ± 7.01 fmol/mg of protein (mean ± SEM; n = 3) for the ventral septal area, 0.92 ± 0.13 nM and 47.0 ± 4.96 fmol/mg of protein (n = 3) for the lateral septum, and 0.91 ± 0.14 nM and 25 ± 5.02 fmol/mg of protein (n = 3) for the hippocampus. In all three brain regions, the rank order of potencies of several vasopressin analogs, unrelated peptides, and other compounds for competitive displacement of ligand indicated a receptor with properties resembling those of the V1‐like receptor for AVP. These data document the presence of a high‐affinity, V1‐like vasopressin receptor in the rat ventral septal area for which the pharmacological properties are similar to those previously reported in physiological studies.
Alterations in prodynorphin, proenkephalin, and GAD67 mRNA levels in the aged human putamen: Correlation with Parkinson's disease

A real‐time quantitative PCR approach was used to quantify mRNA levels corresponding to the neuropeptides enkephalin, dynorphin, and the 67‐kDa isoform of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67) in the human putamen from young and aged individuals as well as from aged patients affected by Parkinson's disease (PD). cDNA‐specific primers were designed to amplify GAD67, proenkephalin (pENK), prodynorphin (pDYN), and the housekeeping genes glyceraldehydes‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and guanine nucleotide binding protein, β‐peptide 2‐like I (GNB2LI). GAPDH and GNB2LI mRNA levels were similarly expressed among the groups and were therefore used as endogenous reference genes. Normalized data showed that mRNA levels for both pENK and pDYN were reduced in the putamen of aged controls and aged individuals affected by PD, compared with young controls. In addition, we showed that GAD67 mRNA levels did not change during aging and PD. Further analyses showed no differences in mRNA levels, for pENK, pDYN, or GAD67 mRNA, between PD patients and aged matched controls. These findings contrast with animal models of parkinsonism, for which expression of pDYN, pENK, and GAD67 mRNA has been reported to change after striatal dopamine denervation. Compensatory mechanisms and regional differences within the human putamen as well as the severity index of the disease, clinical diagnosis, and response to phalmacological therapy are possible reasons for these results. The present study suggests that alteration of neuropeptide pathways in the human putamen may be involved in the functional deterioration of parts of the extrapyramidal system during aging. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A review on matrix factorization techniques in recommender systems

Growth of the Internet and web applications has led to vast amount of information over web. Information filtering systems such as Recommenders have become potential tools to deal with such plethora of information, help users select and provide relevant information. Collaborative Filtering is the popular approach to recommendation systems. Collaborative Filtering works on the fact that users with similar behavior will have similar interests in future, and using this notion collaborative filtering recommends items to user. However, the sparseness in data and high dimensionality has become a challenge. To resolve such issues, model based, matrix factorization techniques have well emerged. These techniques have evolved from using simple user-item rating information to auxiliary information such as time and trust. In this paper, we present a comprehensive review on such matrix factorization techniques and their usage in recommenders.
Are systemic inflammatory profiles different in patients with COPD and metabolic syndrome as compared to those with COPD alone?

BACKGROUND Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is frequent in patients with COPD, almost 50% of patients with COPD had one or more components of metabolic syndrome (MS). Moreover, it was demonstrated that BMI might be one of the determinants of COPD phenotype. Chronic comorbid diseases affect health outcomes in COPD, in fact, patients with COPD mainly die of non-respiratory disorders such as cardiovascular disease. Inflammation plays a key role in COPD and MS but we do not know the real inflammatory profile of these patients. A better understanding of the origin and consequences of systemic and local inflammation, and of potential therapies, will most likely lead to better care of patients with COPD. METHODS We compared 64 consecutive, consenting smoker patients with COPD and MS (mean age: 62.7 +/- 0.7 years) with this serum inflammatory profile (hsCRP: 1.9 +/- 0.01 mg/dL, TNF-alpha: 6,4 +/- 0.1 pg/mL, adiponectin: 4.7 +/- 0.01 mg/L) versus 69 COPD smoker patients matched for age (mean age 61.4 +/- 0.4 years) with following serum inflammatory cytokine (CRP: 0.9 +/- 0.01 mg/dL, TNF-alpha: 3.9 pg/mL +/- 0.01, adiponectin: 9.3 +/- 0.01 mg/L). COPD and MS was diagnosed according to the GOLD criteria respectively IFD 2005 criteria. Data were expressed as mean +/- SE (standard error). Comparisons of parameters among the two groups were made by Student unpaired t test. The level of statistical significance was set as p < 0.05. RESULTS Serum TNF-alpha and high-sensitivity CRP levels in patients with COPD and MS were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of COPD alone. Plasma adiponectin levels in patients with COPD were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in subjects with COPD and MS. CONCLUSIONS Patients with COPD and MS have a more exacerbated systemic inflammatory profile and a significantly reduced specific adipose response represented by adiponectin than patients with COPD alone. These results help us to better understand the inflammatory pattern in patients with COPD with metabolic disorders and permit us to sustain the regulatory role of adiponectin in metabolism balance. It is possible that this association between COPD and MS with a specific inflammatory pattern (high serum levels of CRP and TNF-a but with low plasma levels of adiponectin) to explain the high rate of death adjudicated as due to cardiovascular causes.
The use of in-class debates as a teaching strategy in increasing students’ critical thinking and collaborative learning skills in higher education

This paper will explore the use of debates as an in-class teaching strategy that has the potential to heighten students’ critical thinking and collaborative learning skills. Students undertaking a childhood studies degree had weekly debates that linked media represented topics to theoretical content from their current module. This module covered a range of theoretical and practical perspectives in relation to the child, family and society. Therefore, the topics of weekly debates included the changing nature of childhood, the diversity of family relationships, childhood obesity and the differing ways in which children are socialised. Data was collected using a card-sort and in-class structured interview questions. The study focused on accessing students’ perspectives on the use of these weekly debates. The study found most students held differing, complex perspectives on either the benefit of enhancing collaborative learning or critical thinking skills. The findings suggest that fourteen of the sixteen students in this study did not prefer the use of debates in comparison to other teaching strategies. This is because some students sought more structure in the use of in-class debates to enhance their theoretical understanding. This paper concludes by considering recommendations for the module that include the possibility of using peer-assessment to ensure full student participation.
Selective Treatment of Duodenal Ulcer with Perforation

Selective treatment of duodenal ulcer with perforation has been based on several premises: 1) The natural history of the ulcer following closure of a perforation is generally favorable with an acute and unfavorable with a chronic ulcer. 2) An upper gastrointestinal series with water soluble contrast media can reliably document a spontaneously sealed perforation. 3) With a spontaneous seal, nonsurgical therapy is an acceptable option and is preferable for an acute ulcer or a chronic ulcer with poor surgical risk. 4) The treatment of choice for an unsealed perforation of an acute ulcer is simple surgical closure. 5) The treatment of choice of perforation of a chronic ulcer with acceptable surgical risk is an ulcer definitive operation. Sixty cases of perforation of duodenal ulcer have been treated. Nonsurgical therapy was employed without complication in eight cases with radiologically documented spontaneous seal. Truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty in 36 cases and truncal vagotomy and antrectomy in two cases were each without mortality. Four fatalities occurred among 13 cases of closure and omental patch, each a case with severe associated disease. The mortality was 6.7% among the 60 cases; 2.4% for chronic ulcer and 16% for acute ulcer.
Randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effect of foot trimming before and after first calving on subsequent lameness episodes and productivity in dairy

The objective of this study was to assess both independent and combined effects of 20 routine foot trimming of heifers at 3 weeks pre-calving and 100 days post calving on the first 21 lactation lameness and lactation productivity. A total of 419 pre-calving dairy heifers were 22 recruited from one heifer rearing operation over a 10-month period. Heifers were randomly 23 allocated into one of four foot trimming regimens; pre-calving foot trim and post-calving 24 lameness score (Group TL), pre-calving lameness score and post-calving foot trim (Group 25 LT), pre-calving foot trim and post-calving foot trim (Group TT), and pre-calving lameness 26 score and post-calving lameness score (Group LL, control group). All heifers were scored for 27 lameness at 24 biweekly time points for 1 year following calving, and first lactation milk 28 production data was collected.
Oscillin, an extracellular, Ca2+‐binding glycoprotein essential for the gliding motility of cyanobacteria

Electron microscopic studies have demonstrated that various gliding filamentous cyanobacteria have trichome surfaces with a common structural organization. They contain an S‐layer attached to the outer membrane and an array of parallel fibrils on top of the S‐layer. In all species studied, the helical arrangement of these fibrils corresponds to the sense of rotation of the organism during the gliding movement. We have investigated the surface fibrils of Phormidium uncinatum using electron microscopic, spectroscopic and biochemical techniques. The fibrils consist of a single rod‐shaped protein, which we refer to as oscillin. Oscillin is a 646 amino acid residue protein (Mr 65 807; pI 3.63) and appears to be glycosylated. Sequence analysis reveals a two‐domain structure: a 554 residue domain contains 46 repeats of a Ca2+‐binding motif; it is followed by a 92 residue C‐terminal domain, which might mediate its export. Filaments that do not express oscillin lose their ability to move. Homology studies suggest that similar proteins play comparable roles in other motile cyanobacteria. The structure of oscillin appears to favour a passive role in gliding.
Effects of levobupivacaine and bupivacaine on rat myometrium

Objective: To study the effect of levobupivacaine and bupivacaine on the contractility of isolated uterine muscle strips from pregnant and non-pregnant female rats. Methods: Full-thick myometrial strips were prepared from 18-to 21-day pregnant (n=8) and non-pregnant rats (n=7). After contractions became regular, strips were exposed to cumulative concentrations of the two drugs from 10−8 to 10−4 mol/L, amplitude and frequency of the uterine contraction was recorded. Results: Two local anesthetics caused a concentration dependent inhibition on contractility of myometrial strips from pregnant and non-pregnant rats. In the myometrium from non-pregnant rats,-logIC50 of levobupivacaine and bupivacaine were 4.85 and 4.25 respectively. In the myometrium from pregnant rats, similar concentrations of levobupivacaine and bupivacaine were observed,-logIC50 were 2.7 and 2.9 respectively. Levobupivacaine produced an increase in amplitude of contractions, while bupivacaine showed an increased trend in frequency. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that levobupivacaine and bupivacaine may inhibit myometrium contractility. The inhibitory effect of levobupivacaine or bupivacaine is not enhanced by gestation in rat. Levobupivacaine may have more positive influence than bupivacaine in pregnant myometrium.
Human Natural Killer-1 Sulfotransferase (HNK-1ST)-induced Sulfate Transfer Regulates Laminin-binding Glycans on α-Dystroglycan*

Background: α-Dystroglycan undergoes extensive glycosylation required for the interaction between α-dystroglycan and its ligands such as laminin. Results: HNK-1ST suppressed the glycosylation and reduced the ligand binding activity of α-dystroglycan. Conclusion: The sulfotransferase activity of HNK-1ST is essential for the modulation of α-dystroglycan. Significance: This study identifies a novel role for HNK-1ST as a regulator of the functional glycans on α-dystroglycan other than HNK-1 biosynthesis. Retinoic acid (RA) is a well established anti-tumor agent inducing differentiation in various cancer cells. Recently, a robust up-regulation of human natural killer-1 sulfotransferase (HNK-1ST) was found in several subsets of melanoma cells during RA-mediated differentiation. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the tumor suppression mediated by HNK-1ST remains unclear. Here, we show that HNK-1ST changed the glycosylation state and reduced the ligand binding activity of α-dystroglycan (α-DG) in RA-treated S91 melanoma cells, which contributed to an attenuation of cell migration. Knockdown of HNK-1ST restored the glycosylation of α-DG and the migration of RA-treated S91 cells, indicating that HNK-1ST functions through glycans on α-DG. Using CHO-K1 cells, we provide direct evidence that HNK-1ST but not other homologous sulfotransferases (C4ST1 and GalNAc4ST1) suppresses the glycosylation of α-DG. The activity-abolished mutant of HNK-1ST did not show the α-DG-modulating function, indicating that the sulfotransferase activity of HNK-1ST is essential. Finally, the HNK-1ST-dependent incorporation of [35S]sulfate groups was detected on α-DG. These findings suggest a novel role for HNK-1ST as a tumor suppressor controlling the functional glycans on α-DG and the importance of sulfate transfer in the glycosylation of α-DG.
Cloning of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa phosphomannose isomerase genes and their expression in alginate-negative mutants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The phosphomannose isomerase (pmi) gene of Escherichia coli was cloned on a broad-host-range cosmid vector and expressed in Pseudomonas aeruginosa at a low level. Plasmid pAD3, which harbors the E. coli pmi gene, contains a 6.2-kilobase-pair HindIII fragment derived from the chromosome of E. coli. Subcloning produced plasmids carrying the 1.5-kilobase-pair HindIII-HpaI subfragment of pAD3 that restored alginic acid production in a nonmucoid, alginate-negative mutant of P. aeruginosa. This fragment also complemented mannose-negative, phosphomannose isomerase-negative mutants of E. coli and showed no homology by DNA-DNA hybridization to P. aeruginosa chromosomal DNA. By using a BamHI constructed cosmid clone bank of the stable alginate producing strain 8830, we have been able to isolate a recombinant plasmid of P. aeruginosa origin that also restores alginate production in the alginate-negative mutant. This new recombinant plasmid, designated pAD4, contained a 9.9-kilobase-pair EcoRI-BamHI fragment with the ability to restore alginate synthesis in the alginate-negative P. aeruginosa. This fragment showed no homology to E. coli chromosomal DNA or to plasmid pAD3. Both mucoid and nonmucoid strains of P. aeruginosa had no detectable levels of phosphomannose isomerase activity as measured by mannose 6-phosphate-to-fructose 6-phosphate conversion. However, P. aeruginosa strains harboring the cloned pmi gene of E. coli contained measurable levels of phosphomannose isomerase activity as evidenced by examining the conversion of mannose 6-phosphate to fructose 6-phosphate.
Key Information Systems Management Issues in Estonia for the 2000s and A Comparative Analysis

Abstract This study reports key information system (IS) management issues in Estonia, for a second time since 1993. The study enlists the views of knowledgeable practitioners from both the information technology (IT) and non-IT (business managers) fields. The primary objective was to compare and contrast the findings in the previous study with the present effort. Other secondary objectives included investigating the views across professional classifications and sectors. Further, a comparison between Estonia (an emerging economy) and Norway (a developed country) was made. The findings of the study indicate the following: 1) the past decade has produced salient changes in the ranking of key IS issues for Estonia, 2) there are significant differences in key IS issues across professional groupings (IT and non-IT), 3) a convergence of opinions regarding key IS issues seems to be noticeable in Estonian public and private sectors, and 4) there is a significant difference in the ranking of comparable issues between Estonia and Norway. The implications of the study for both research and practice are discussed.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-δ activation ameliorates albuminuria by preventing nephrin loss and restoring podocyte integrity in type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-δ is a ligand-activated transcription factor in regulating gene expression and is believed to play an important role in various kidney diseases including diabetic nephropathy. This study investigated the efficacy of GW610742, a highly specific agonist for PPAR-δ, for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. METHODS Type 2 diabetic Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats were randomized into an untreated diabetic group (n = 9) and a GW610742-treated diabetic group (n= 9). The GW610742 was administered (10 mg/kg/day) orally for 11 weeks. Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka rats (n = 9) were used as a non-diabetic control. RESULTS Albuminuria was markedly increased and renal PPAR-δ expression was decreased in diabetes. Diabetic albuminuria and renal injury markers, such as glomerular basement membrane thickening, decreased number of slit pores between podocyte foot processes, decreased nephrin expression, increased desmin expression and increased CCL2 expression, were significantly reversed through the treatment with GW610742. PPAR-δ agonist GW610742 markedly increased nephrin expression in cultured podocytes. Nephrin mRNA expression was markedly decreased in response to high glucose in cultured podocytes and effectively prevented by GW610742. CONCLUSIONS PPAR-δ activation by GW610742 ameliorates albuminuria by preventing diabetes-induced nephrin loss and restoring podocyte integrity, implying that GW610742 may be a potential therapeutic agent for diabetic nephropathy.
Low-level laser therapy during postnatal development modulates degeneration and enhances regeneration processes in the hindlimb muscles of dystrophic mice.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to determine whether low-level laser therapy (LLLT) at early stages postpartum could affect regeneration and degenerative processes in skeletal muscles of the dystrophic mdx mouse. BACKGROUND DATA LLLT has been found to modulate various biological processes. It was previously shown that LLLT can markedly promote the process of skeletal muscle regeneration and angiogenesis, as well as reduce apoptosis in skeletal muscle fibers in culture. METHODS AND RESULTS Eight newborn mdx mice were used. Ga-Al-As diode laser (810 nm) was applied at a power density of10 mW/cm(2) to the surface (area of 0.0255 cm(2)) of hindlimb muscle for 120 sec (fluence of 1.2 J/cm(2)) once a week for 4 consecutive weeks, commencing 1 week post-birth. The contralateral leg served as an untreated (sham) control. Mice were euthanized 2 days following the last laser application, and the muscles were processed for histology. Histological sections were scored for degenerative muscle foci. Statistical analysis revealed a score of 2.91±0.17 in the control, untreated group, which was significantly higher (p<0.001) than the value in the laser-treated group (1.56±0.49), indicating less degenerative foci in the laser-treated muscles. Histology also indicated regeneration (numerous myotubes) in the laser-treated mice, and no regeneration in the non-laser-treated mice. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that LLLT applied to mdx mice during postnatal development may have a significant beneficial effect in the induction of regenerative capacity and reduction of degenerative muscle foci in these mice, with possible direct clinical relevance.
The Morbidity and Mortality Conference: The Delicate Nature of Learning from Error

The morbidity and mortality conference (M&MC) appears to have sprung from the efforts of physicians to improve practice through the examination of medical errors and bad outcomes. The modern M&MC has had limited examination (and almost none outside surgery and anesthesia), but may be straying from the precepts from which it evolved. Learning from one's errors is important, but confronting them is difficult and is particularly delicate when done in conference. If the effort is successful, it can serve as a model. If unsuccessful, it can instead convey the lesson that attempting to learn from error is at best unproductive and at worst unpleasant. Thus, the M&MC is a double-edged sword, and particular attention should be given to the way that it is conducted. The authors review the historical roots and current literature on the M&MC, discusses relevant literature on medical error, and offers a definition, guiding principles, and a set of guidelines for a modern internal medicine M&MC. The ideas are presented not as a blueprint, but rather to stimulate a debate on the merits of establishing a framework for a working model, in order to refocus on the tradition of self-analysis and critical thinking in a manner that is productive for all participants.
Model-Independent and Quasi-Model-Independent Search for New Physics at CDF

Data collected in Run II of the Fermilab Tevatron are searched for indications of new electroweak scale physics. Rather than focusing on particular new physics scenarios, CDF data are analyzed for discrepancies with respect to the standard model prediction. A model-independent approach (Vista) considers the gross features of the data, and is sensitive to new large cross section physics. A quasi-model-independent approach (Sleuth) searches for a significant excess of events with large summed transverse momentum, and is particularly sensitive to new electroweak scale physics that appears predominantly in one final state. This global search for new physics in over three hundred exclusive final states in 927 pb^-1 of ppbar collisions at sqrt(s)=1.96 TeV reveals no such significant indication of physics beyond the standard model.