Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of peripheral sympathetic blockade with dapiprazole on the fear-inhibited light reflex

Fear (e.g. associated with the threat of an electric shock) causes an increase in initial pupil diameter (IPD) and a decrease in the amplitude of the light reflex response. There is evidence for dissociation between the two responses to threat: only the reduction in light reflex response amplitude is sensitive to the anxiolytic drug diazepam. We examined the effects of peripheral sympathetic blockade with the α1-adrenoceptor antagonist dapiprazole on both responses to threat on the basis of the hypothesis that only the response of the IPD will be affected, whereas the response of the light reflex will remain unaffected. Twelve healthy volunteers (Experiment 1) and eight healthy volunteers with smaller pupils (Experiment 2) participated in one experimental session. Dapiprazole 0.5% (two drops of 20 µl, three times) was instilled in the subjects’ right or left eye while the contralateral eye was treated with placebo eye drops (artificial tear, two drops of 20 µl, three times) according to a single-blind balanced design. Pupil diameter was monitored by infrared binocular television pupillometry. At the point of maximum dapiprazole-evoked miosis, the light reflex was elicited three times in each of three Safe blocks (no possibility of electric shock), alternating with three Threat blocks (possibility of electric shock). At the end of each Safe and Threat block, subjects rated their mood and feelings on the Visual Analogue Scales. In Experiment 1, dapiprazole caused significant miosis. Threat increased subjectively rated anxiety and inhibited the light reflex. The inhibition of the light reflex was unaffected by dapiprazole. The threat-induced increase in IPD was also unaffected by dapiprazole, probably due to a ceiling effect curtailing the threat-induced increase in IPD. In the smaller pupil group in Experiment 2, where the possible contribution of a ceiling effect was minimized, dapiprazole suppressed the threat-induced increase in IPD. The inhibition of the light reflex by threat is likely to reflect central parasympathetic inhibition and is unlikely to involve the peripheral sympathetic innervation of the iris. The threat-induced increase in IPD is likely to reflect mainly central sympathetic excitation. The different central autonomic mechanisms underlying the two pupillary responses to threat may explain the dissociation between the separate effects of threat on IPD and light reflex amplitude.
Influence of Whole Body X-irradiation on the Liver and Possible Protective Effect by the Compatible Solute Ectoine in a Mouse Model

Exposure of mammals to ionizing radiation leads to the development of a complex dose-dependent series of physiological and pathological changes. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of whole body x-irradiation of male mice with a single w dose of 6 Gy on the levels of some cytokines and parameters of oxidative stress, after one and seven days, in the liver. The possible protective effect of the compatible solute ectoine, which is known to reduce cell stress effects on the molecular level, was evaluated. The x-irradiated mice showed elevated interleukins in the liver. The levels of both the pro-inflammatory (IL-1β and IL-6) and the anti-inflammatory (IL-10) interleukins reached several times the control value with quantitative differences. The disturbance by low-dose x-irradiation also affected PGE2. Malondialdehyde, used as indication of oxidative stress, was elevated in the livers of x-irradiated mice. Although, there were no statistically significant differences in the results of total glutathione among the irradiated mice as compared to control values, there were differences among the values of the reduced and oxidized forms. The calculated redox potentials, showed some variations in the different groups, but were all within the values indicating that the cells are in the proliferative phase and far from the apoptotic phase. Treatment with ectoine modulated all the tested biochemical effects induced by x-irradiation in the liver. All the tested parameters had a tendency to go back to near control values.
A strategy of splitting individual high volume cord blood units into two half subunits prior to processing increases the recovery of cells and facilitates ex vivo expansion of the infused haematopoietic progenitor cells in adults

This study was designed to maximize the recovery of the desirable cell populations contained in the cord blood (CB) freezing bag, in order to optimize donor selection for adolescents and adults. To evaluate this hypothesis, high volume CB units (CBUs) were categorized into three volume collection groups (120–139, 140–159 and ≥160 ml) and were randomly split before volume reduction into two half low volume CBUs; (a) and (b). Using the SEPAX Cell Processing System, all CBUs were standardized to 26 ml. In 128 high volume split CBUs, the WBC, mononuclear cell and CD34+ cell recoveries were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05; 80%, 79.89% and 87.41% respectively) than those of the 106 high volume nonsplit CBUs (59.7%, 62.82% and 68.62% respectively), resulting in significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) mean weights of the potential recipients. The strategy of splitting high volume CBUs into two half low volume CBUs improves the recovery of the cells and is an attractive option for ex vivo expansion, in order to facilitate the CB transplantation in adults who are not eligible for single CB transplantation because of limitations of cell dose.
MRI confirms loss of blood–brain barrier integrity in a mouse model of disseminated candidiasis

Disseminated candidiasis primarily targets the kidneys and brain in mice and humans. Damage to these critical organs leads to the high mortality associated with such infections, and invasion across the blood–brain barrier can result in fungal meningoencephalitis. Candida albicans can penetrate a brain endothelial cell barrier in vitro through transcellular migration, but this mechanism has not been confirmed in vivo. MRI using the extracellular vascular contrast agent gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid demonstrated that integrity of the blood–brain barrier is lost during C. albicans invasion. Intravital two‐photon laser scanning microscopy was used to provide the first real‐time demonstration of C. albicans colonizing the living brain, where both yeast and filamentous forms of the pathogen were found. Furthermore, we adapted a previously described method utilizing MRI to monitor inflammatory cell recruitment into infected tissues in mice. Macrophages and other phagocytes were visualized in kidney and brain by the administration of ultrasmall iron oxide particles. In addition to obtaining new insights into the passage of C. albicans across the brain microvasculature, these imaging methods provide useful tools to study further the pathogenesis of C. albicans infections, to define the roles of Candida virulence genes in kidney versus brain infection and to assess new therapeutic measures for drug development. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Degradation of the Isoflavone Biochanin A and Its Glucoside Conjugates by Ascochyta rabiei

Strains of Ascochyta rabiei which are pathogenic to chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) readily catabolized the main chickpea isoflavone biochanin A (5,7-dihydroxy-4′-methoxyisoflavone). 3′-Hydroxylation and O-demethylation reactions led to the isoflavones pratensein, genistein, and orobol, which were rapidly further degraded. Dihydrogenistein and p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid were also identified as catabolites. Biochanin A-7-O-glucoside was degraded, leading to aglycone and pratensein. Biochanin A-7-O-glucoside-6″-O-malonate, the main phenolic constituent of chickpea, was very slowly degraded without subsequent accumulation of catabolites.
Usefulness of the Jump-and-Reach Test in Assessment of Vertical Jump Performance

The objective was to estimate the reliability and criterion-related validity of the Jump-and-Reach Test for the assessment of squat, countermovement, and drop jump performance of 32 male Brazilian professional volleyball players. Performance of squat, countermovement, and drop jumps with different dropping heights was assessed on the Jump-and-Reach Test and the measurement of flight time, then compared across different jump trials. The very high reliability coefficients of both assessment methods and the lower correlation coefficients between scores on the assessments indicate a very high consistency of each method but only moderate covariation, which means that they measure partly different items. As a consequence, the Jump-and-Reach Test has good ecological validity in situations when reaching height during the flight phase is critical for performance (e.g., basketball and volleyball) but only limited accuracy for the assessment of vertical impulse production with different jump techniques and conditions.
Emerging themes in the revision of the classification of somatoform disorders

Abstract The somatoform disorders, as currently defined in DSM-IV and ICD-10, have been criticized for their complexity and poor clinical utility. In this paper we consider these criticisms as well as the conceptual question of whether there is sufficient evidence for classifying them as mental and behavioural disorders. The review suggests that, as currently defined, somatoform disorders do not fulfil a recently articulated set of criteria for mental and behavioural disorders. In particular, the disorders are not defined according to positive psychological and behavioural disorders and evidence is sparse to support their classification as different and distinct diagnoses. Any revision of the disorders should not be based on ‘medically unexplained’ symptoms. Rather, the relevant diagnoses should include a combination of bothersome somatic symptoms with several other psychological features including beliefs about somatic symptoms and evidence of marked concerns about health and illness. Finally, the review presents a set of proposals for the revision of these disorders, by the Somatic Disorders and Dissociative Disorders Working Group of the WHO International Advisory Group for the Revision of ICD-10 Mental and Behavioural Disorders, which attempt to take account of the criticisms and current understanding of somatic experiences.
Micro-CT study of the root canal anatomy of maxillary canines

Background This study aimed to describe the anatomy of maxillary canines from a Western Mexican sub-population using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Material and Methods Maxillary canines (n=32) were scanned at 19. 6µm voxel resolution. Number and location of canals, the distance between the cemento-enamel junction and apex, occurrence of accessory and lateral canals, presence of oval canals, number of foraminas as well as two- (area, perimeter, roundness, aspect ratio, major and minor diameters) and three-dimensional (volume, surface area, and SMI) analysis were performed. Data of two-dimensional analyses at 5 different apical levels was statistically compared using Kruskal-Wallis tests (α=0.05). Results Overall, 31 specimens had one root with a main canal (Vertucci type I). Mean distance from the apex to the cemento-enamel junction was 16.32±2.27. Apical foraminas were present in 14 specimens (43.75%). No statistical differences were found in the two-dimensional analyses between the foramen and the 1 and 2mm apical levels (P >0.05). Conclusions Maxillary canines presenting one root canal were present in a high percentage of cases (96%). The prevalence of long oval canals was <12% at the apical third and at least 37% of the sample showed more than one point of exit in the last apical 3mm. Key words:Maxillary canine, micro-computed tomography, root canal anatomy.
A Ten-year Survey of Giardia Cysts in Drinking Water Supplies of Seoul, the Republic of Korea

To understand the distribution of Giardia cysts in drinking water supplies in Seoul, Korea, we collected water samples quarterly at 6 intakes in the Han River, its largest stream and 6 conventional water treatment plants (WTPs) serving drinking water, from 2000 to 2009. Giardia cysts in each of 10 L water were confirmed in 35.0% of intake water samples and the arithmetic mean was 1.65 cysts/10 L (range 0-35 cysts/10 L). The lowest cyst density was observed at Paldang and Kangbuk intakes, and the pollution level was higher at 4 intakes downstream. It seemed that these 4 intakes were under influence of Wangsuk stream at the end of which cysts were found in all samples with the mean of 140 cysts/10 L. The annual mean number of cysts was 0.21-4.21 cysts/10 L, and the cyst level at the second half of the 10 years was about 1/5 of that at first half on average. The cysts were more frequently found in winter, and their mean density was 3.74 cysts/10 L in winter and 0.80-1.08 cysts/10 L in other seasons. All finished water samples collected at 6 WTPs were negative for Giardia in each of 100 L sample for 10 years and cyst removal by physical process was average 2.9-log. It was concluded that conventional water treatment at 6 WTPs of Seoul appears to remove the cysts effectively under the present level of their source water. Domestic wastewater from the urban region could be an important source of Giardia pollution in the river.
LIVER FAILURE AND LIVER DISEASE

Increased portal pressure during variceal bleeding may have an influence on the treatment failure rate, as well as on shortand long-term survival. However, the usefulness of hepatic hemodynamic measurement during the acute episode has not been prospectively validated, and no information exists about the outcome of hemodynamidy defined high-risk patients treated with early portal decompression. Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement was made within the first 24 hours after admission of 116 consecutive patients with cirrhosis with acute v a r i d bleeding treated with a single session of sclerotherapy injection during urgent endoscopy. Sixty-four patients had an HVPG less than 20 mm Hg (low-risk [LR] group), and 52 patients had an HVPG greater than or equal to 20 mm Hg (high-risk [HR] group). HR patients were randomly allocated into those receiving transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS; HR-TIPS group, n = 26) within the first 24 hours after admission and those not receiving TIPS (HR-non-TIPS group). The HR-non-TIPS group had more treatment Mures (50% vs. 12%, P = .0001), transfusional requirements (3.7 & 2.7 vs. 2.2 f 2.3, P = .002), need for intensive care (16% vs. 3%, P < .05), and worse actuarial probability of survival than the LR group. Early TIPS placement reduced treatment failure (129'0, P = .003), in-hospital and 1-year mortality (1 1% and 31%, respectively P < .05). In conclusion, increased portal pressure estimated by early HVPG measurement is a main determinant of treatment failure and survival in variceal bleeding, and early TIPS placement reduces treatment failure and mortality in high risk patients defined by hemodynamic criteria. (HEPATOLOGY 2004;40:793801.)
Re: Malomo OO, Kuti O, Orji EO, Ogunniyi SO, Sule SS. A randomised controlled study of non-closure of peritoneum at caesarean section in a Nigerian population. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2006; 26:429 – 432

Dear Sir I was interested to read the study by O.O. Malomo et al. concerning the non-closure of the peritoneum at caesarean section. This study indeed confirms the findings of previous studies, which have demonstrated small increases in postoperative morbidity associated with closure of the peritoneum. However, perhaps of greater importance in determining whether or not to close the peritoneum at caesarean section, is whether postoperative adhesions are increased following non-closure, as some studies have suggested (Lyell et al. 2005; Myers and Bennett 2005). This is the question that needs to be clarified before the conclusion stated, that ‘non-closure of the peritoneum should be adopted at caesarean section’, can be justified, and we believe that further studies are required to address this issue.
[Evaluation of association between 9 genetic polymorphism and myocardial infarction in the Siberian population].

AIM to evaluate association between genetic polymorphism (SNPs) and myocardial infarction (identified in recent GWAS) as markers of high risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in Siberian population. Patients were divided into 2 groups - MI patients and control group (ratio 1:2) and presented the sapmle of population of Novosibirsk (9400 patients, 45-69 years) within international project HAPIEE (Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial factors In Eastern Europe). 200 patients with MI (129 men, 71 women) were included. Control group - individuals without MI (420) matched for age and sex. Genomic DNA was extracted from venous blood by phenol-chloroform extraction. Gene polymorphism of genes tested by real-time PCR according to protocol (probes TaqMan, Applied Biosystems, USA) with the use of ABI 7900HT. The following SNPs were studied: rs28711149, rs499818, rs619203, rs10757278 and rs1333049 (hr. 9), rs1376251, rs2549513, rs4804611, rs17465637. The association of SNP and MI was confirmed for 4 of 9 studied SNPs: rs1333049 (hr. 9), rs10757278 (hr. 9), rs499818 (hr. 6), rs619203 gene ROS1. Heart rate was associated with rs1333049 and rs10757278. Glucose level was associated with rs619203, rs28711149 and rs1376251. Total cholesterol and atherogenic index was associated with rs28711149. For the first time in Russian population the associations of GWAS with myocardial infarction SNPs was detected for rs619203, rs499818, rs1333049 and rs10757278. These genetic markers can be used for assessing the risk of myocardial infarction in Russian population.
EFFECTS OF A SHORT‐TERM INTERVAL TRAINING PROGRAM ON PHYSICAL FITNESS IN PREPUBERTAL CHILDREN

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of a 7-week interval-training program on different aspects of physical fitness in children who were 8–11 years old. Forty-six boys and 54 girls (9.7 ± 0.8 years) were divided into an experimental group and a control group. The 2 groups performed selected tests from the European physical fitness test battery before and after training. Training consisted of 2 specific 30-minute sessions per week of short high-intensity, intermittent-running aerobic exercises at velocities ranging from 100–130% of maximal aerobic speed. After training, the experimental group demonstrated a significant improvement in the standing broad jump (9.6%, p < 0.001, F = 12.9) and 20-meter shuttle run (5.4%, p < 0.001, F = 14.4), whereas for the control group, no significant changes were observed. It was concluded that a high-intensity, intermittent-running program improved children's aerobic performance and explosive strength.
The urinary MHPG/creatinine ratio and its relationship to platelet monoamine oxidase activity in abstinent alcoholics

This study was designed to assess the baseline noradrenergic turnover of subgroups of postwithdrawal abstinent alcoholics and healthy controls. The method chosen was an overnight fasting urine sample of the breakdown product of norepinephrine, MHPG, related to urinary creatinine. A comparison was made with platelet monoamine oxidase activity and also within subgroups of the study population. This study found no difference between alcoholics and controls, nor between subgroups of postwithdrawal alcoholics in their level of urinary MHPG corrected for creatinine, and no significant correlation with major subject characteristics or with platelet monoamine oxidase. There was a trend, however, towards a significant correlation with duration of abstinence from alcohol, and there was a correlation with a history of fighting when drinking alcohol, but not with sociopathic traits overall. Within the type 2 alcoholics there was a significant correlation with a history of fighting when drinking and a negative correlation with behavioral tolerance to alcohol. It is possible that only the subset of type 2 alcoholics with certain antisocial characteristics have noradrenergic abnormalities. Although no statistical difference was found between the different groups under study, the information is helpful in increasing understanding of the noradrenergic system in abstinent alcoholics.
Detection of Norovirus and Sapovirus from diarrheic dogs and cats in Japan

Norovirus (NoV) and sapovirus (SaV) are important causes of human diarrhea. In this study, between 2007 and 2014 fecal samples were collected from 97 dogs and 83 cats with diarrhea and examined to determine the prevalence of NoV and SaV infections in Japan. To detect caliciviruses, approximately 300 bases targeting the polymerase gene were amplified using RT‐PCR and subjected to phylogenetic and homology analyses. Specific PCR products were obtained from four canine and nine feline samples: two canine and one feline isolate were classified as NoV, two canine isolates as SaV and the remaining eight feline isolates as vesivirus (VeV). The three NoV isolates were classified into the same clade as that of known canine and feline NoVs; their homologies (75.9–92.3%) were higher than those with human genogroup IV (GIV) NoVs (59.1–65.9%). The homology of the feline NoV isolate with previously reported feline NoV isolates was particularly high (91.7–92.3%). Regarding SaV, the two canine isolates were classified into the same clade as known canine SaVs and their homologies (72.5–86.5%) were higher than those with other mammal SaVs (20.7–58.0%). The eight feline VeV isolates were assumed to be feline calicivirus. The present study is the first report of the presence of NoV‐ and SaV‐infected dogs and cats in Japan. The findings suggest there are species‐specific circulations of NoV and SaV among dogs and cats, in Japan.
Consumo alimentar na comunidade caiçara da Praia do Bonete, Ilhabela, São Paulo

Esta dissertacao apresenta um estudo sobre o consumo alimentar na comunidade caicara da Praia do Bonete, localizada no extremo sul da Ilha de Sao Sebastiao (Sao Paulo, Brasil), com o objetivo de investigar as influencias das recentes mudancas economicas e ambientais sobre a populacao. Como parâmetro para avaliacao utilizou-se o habito alimentar (consumo, tabus e preferencias), pois este fornece um indicativo da qualidade de vida e permite avaliar a relacao da populacao com o seu ambiente socio-cultural e biologico. No primeiro capitulo foi realizado um historico da ocupacao da regiao da Mata Atlântica e, especificamente, da Ilha de Sao Sebastiao; e tambem uma caracterizacao socio-economica da populacao da Praia do Bonete. No segundo capitulo, considerando a importância dos processos de escolha na determinacao do consumo alimentar de uma populacao, foi analisado o ranking de preferencias e aversoes e os tabus alimentares, em relacao as proteinas animais, dado que estes parâmetros sao determinantes das escolhas alimentares de uma populacao. Finalmente, no terceiro capitulo, foi verificado de que forma as mudancas ocasionadas pelos novos fatores socio-economicos e ambientais (turismo crescente e criacao do Parque Estadual da Ilhabela) estao influenciando o habito alimentar da populacao da Praia do Bonete. Os dados foram obtidos entre julho de 2003 e junho de 2004, atraves de entrevistas estruturadas com os chefes de 20 unidades domesticas. Os resultados mostraram que estas mudancas nao se processaram bruscamente e nem de forma homogenea em toda a populacao, resultando num cenario em que as unidades domesticas possuem diferencas quanto as caracteristicas socio-economicas e ao habito e escolhas alimentares. As preferencias e tabus alimentares seguem padroes ja abordados pela literatura para outras populacoes caicaras, e apresentam peculiaridades locais, como o tabu por carnes de caca, devido a legislacao ambiental. Em relacao a dieta, os resultados indicaram um aumento da diversidade de itens consumidos e uma perda da auto-suficiencia alimentar. Esta perda pode refletir negativamente em toda a comunidade, pois conforme aumenta a dependencia de alimentos extra-locais, a seguranca alimentar das familias diminui e o conhecimento local sobre o ambiente e perdido, podendo resultar numa perda da resiliencia do sistema socio-ecologico Abstract