Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Active and Passive Membrane Properties of Spinal Cord Neurons that Are Rhythmically Active during Swimming in Xenopus Embryos

Cellular properties have been examined in ventrally located Xenopus spinal cord neurons that are rhythmically active during fictive swimming and presumed to be motoneurons. Resting potentials and input resistances of such neurons are ‐75 ± 2 mV (mean ± standard error) and 118 ± 17 MΩ respectively. Most cells fire a single impulse, 0.5 to 2.0 ms in duration and 48.5 ± 1.8 mV in amplitude, in response to a depolarizing current step. A minority fire several spikes of diminishing amplitude to more strongly depolarizing current. Cells held above spike, threshold fire on rebound from brief hyperpolarizing pulses. Spikes are blocked by 0.1 to 1.0 μM tetrodotoxin (TTX) and are therefore Na+‐dependent. Current/voltage (I/V) plots to injected current are approximately linear near the resting potential but become non‐linear at more depolarized levels. Cells recorded in TTX with CsCl‐filled microelectrodes show a linearized I/V plot at depolarized membrane potentials suggesting the normal presence of a voltage‐dependent K+ conductance activated at relatively depolarized levels. Most cells recorded in this way but without TTX fire long trains of spikes of near constant amplitude, pointing to a role of the K+ conductance in limiting firing in normal cells. Spike blockage with TTX reveals, in some cells, a transient depolarizing Cd2+‐sensitive and therefore presumably Ca2+‐dependent potential that increases in amplitude with depolarization. Cells in TTX, Cd2+, and strychnine, and recorded with CsCl‐filled microelectrodes to block active conductances respond to hyperpolarizing current steps with a two component exponential response. The cell time constant (τ0) obtained from the longer of these by exponential peeling is relatively long (mean 15.7 ms). These findings contribute to an increased understanding of the cellular properties involved in spinal rhythm generation in this simple vertebrate.
Regulated Diversity of Heparan Sulfate*

Large numbers of proteins in animal tissues occur immobilized in the extracellular space, at cell surfaces or in the extracellular matrix. Some are anchored through interactions with other proteins. However, current research increasingly implicates proteoglycans as scaffold structures, designed to accommodate proteins through noncovalent binding to their glycosaminoglycan side chains (1). In particular, heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans are recognized as ubiquitous protein ligands. Binding of proteins to HS chains may serve a variety of functional purposes, from simple immobilization or protection against proteolytic degradation to distinct modulation of biological activity. Because of such interactions HS proteoglycans are critically involved in a variety of biological phenomena at various levels of complexity, including organogenesis in embryonic development, angiogenesis, regulation of blood coagulation and growth factor/cytokine action, cell adhesion, lipid metabolism, etc. (2–4). In this review we outline the evidence for regulated expression of specific domains in HS chains and its relation to selective protein binding. Further, we consider the current information on HS biosynthesis, with the aim of understanding the mechanisms in control of generating specific saccharide sequences. Contrary to heparin, which is synthesized exclusively as serglycin proteoglycan in connective tissue-type mast cells (1), the structurally related HS is produced by most mammalian (and many other) cell types. A variety of core proteins have been shown to carry HS chains, including agrin and perlecan in the extracellular matrix (5) and the syndecanand glypicantype species at the cell surface (6). There is so far no evidence of any correlation between the structures of core proteins and those of the attached HS chains, whereas, conversely, the fine structure of the HS chains on a given proteoglycan species may differ between cell types (7).
A Review of the Predictive Ability of Glasgow Coma Scale Scores in Head‐Injured Patients

&NA; According to 1999 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) caused by motor vehicle accidents, firearms, and falls are recorded as a leading cause of death and lifelong disability for young adults in the United States. Researchers have investigated if correlations exist between variables in the acute stage of injury and outcome measures in TBI patients. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score is one variable that was extensively studied for its ability to predict outcome in TBI patients. However, the use of different designs and methodologies in these studies makes the interpretation of the cumulative findings difficult. Therefore the purpose of this review was to provide a summary of the research findings on the ability of the GCS scores to predict outcome in TBI patients. A search was done on MEDLINE ® and CINAHL® to identify studies that investigated the predictive ability of the GCS score. Studies that used the GCS as a variable in predicting outcome with adult patients who had sustained some type of head injury were included. GCS scores are most accurate at predicting outcome in head‐injured patients when they are combined with patient age and pupillary response and when broad outcome categories are used. The motor component of the GCS yields similar prediction rates as the summed GCS score, and better prediction occurs with very high or very low GCS scores. Information about the cumulative research findings on the predictive ability of GCS scores aids nurses in providing support and education to family members during the acute stage of injury, and in coordinating the services of members of the healthcare team, which could result in improved outcomes for both patient and family.
The role of head-in-space stability on stepping reactions in young and elderly adults

This study compared head kinematic responses and step latency following an anteriorly directed postural perturbation between two groups (Young, mean age 27.39; Elderly, mean age 71.9). We further attempted to demonstrate, for the first time, a positive linear relationship between sagittal plane head angular velocities and stepping responses in both groups. It was hypothesized that the Elderly would demonstrate higher head angular velocities and greater step latencies than the Young. We also hypothesized that a positive linear relationship would show that, following a perturbation, trials where head angular velocity was low yielded quicker step responses. Each participant experienced three perturbations under five different visual conditions designed to alter visual input and head/trunk coordination. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used, with α set at 0.05. For each test condition, the Elderly consistently demonstrated longer step latencies while exhibiting higher head angular velocities. For each group, a positive linear relationship was shown between the two dependent variables (Young: r=0.86; Elderly, r=0.84). During a postural perturbation, as head angular velocity increased, stepping responses were delayed.
Autoimmune thrombocytopenia in Waldenström's macroglobulinemia

Autoimmune phenomena are well‐recognised complications of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) and IgM monoclonal gammopathy. Peripheral neuropathy and cold agglutinin hemolytic anemia are the most common reported and occur in 5–10% of patients. Autoimmune thrombocytopenia has been rarely reported in WM and its incidence is not known. In this study we report the case of a 67‐year‐old man who presented with autoimmune thrombocytopenia who was subsequently found to have WM. Laboratory investigation demonstrated that platelet‐associated IgM (PAIgM) but not PAIgG was clearly elevated compared to normal controls. In addition the patient's serum reacted strongly with a panel of donor platelets analysed with an indirect platelet immunofluorescence assay utilising an anti‐IgM secondary antibody. Glycoprotein specificity could not however be demonstrated by ELISA techniques for platelet glycoproteins IIbIIIa, IaIIa, IbIXa, and IV. We also reviewed the case records of 104 additional cases of WM diagnosed at our institution between 5/93 and 5/99. Three further cases with clinically significant autoimmune thrombocytopenia were identified. The overall incidence of autoimmune thrombocytopenia (4/105, 3.8%) in this cohort of patients was similar to the incidence of peripheral neuropathy (7/105, 6.7%) and cold agglutinins (3/105, 2.9%). Am. J. Hematol. 66:116–119, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of Pellet Food Size and Polyphosphates in Preventing Calculus Accumulation in Dogs

Forty female Beagle dogs, aged 12 to 24-months were divided into four groups of ten dogs each. Results showed that increasing kibble diameter by 50.0 % was associated with a 42.0 % calculus reduction. Coating the kibbles with sodium tripolyphosphate, an anti-calculus agent, further induced a 55.0 % calculus reduction. Sodium tripolyphosphate was shown to be at least as effective as sodium hexametaphosphate. The calculus reduction effect on teeth differed based on tooth location with the most pronounced effect being observed on caudally-located crushing teeth compared with incisor and canine teeth. The relevance of scoring non-crushing teeth when testing a product with mechanical effect on plaque and calculus needs to be questioned.
An Analysis of Aggregate Lending in Japan

Aggregate bank lending has stagnated since 1990 in Japan. This observation has generated a debate on whether the supply side of the credit market had an effect on the economy in its recent slowdown. At this point, the evidence is ambiguous. The hypothesis is primarily challenged by the low level of interest rates. However, in this paper we analyse indicators that also point towards a credit crunch explanation: the development of commercial paper, as a substitute for bank lending, and survey data on the firms’ evaluation of the lending attitude of banks. We find that while aggregate lending has stagnated, there was a continued high demand for commercial paper. Using the Short-term Economic Survey of Enterprises in Japan (Tankan), we also document that small firms felt more credit constrained than larger firms until recently in Japan. This difference has been reduced, and has lost statistical significance, however, in the recent recovery since 2003. Finally, we point out that there exists a striking similarity between the recent developments in Germany and Japan in the 1990ies.
Fluoride in Caries Prevention: Is the Effect Pre- or Post-eruptive?

A longitudinal study of children from ages 7 to 18 showed that, if enamel lesions were included, the overall number was the same in fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas. However, a significant reducing effect of pre-emptive fluoride could be seen in the number of dentinal lesions in a fluoridated area, provided that fluoride was also consumed post-eruptively for a considerable period of time. A precise estimation of both pre- and post-eruptive effects was obtained when teeth were classified according to their eruption time as related to the onset of water fluoridation. About 66% of the greatest reduction in pit and fissure caries came from pre-emptive fluoride, while in smooth surfaces, this effect was reduced to 25%. In approximal surfaces, the reduction was due half to pre- and half to post-eruptive fluoride. Post-eruptive fluoride became more important with decreasing severity of caries attack. Thus, assuming a continuing decline in dental caries, the majority of such populations will benefit most from the use of topical fluorides. However, in high-risk groups, supplementation of pre-emptive fluoride can still be of major importance.
Comparing the conditions for small business and entrepreneurship in Sweden and Australia: Lessons for the European Charter for Small Enterprises

A growing body of literature is concerned with explaining cross-national performance of small business and entrepreneurs in advanced economies. This literature has considered a range of policy and institutional variables which create an environment supportive of small firms and entrepreneurial activities including macroeconomic variables such as taxation, labour market regulation, social security and income policy; regulatory factors such as establishment legislation, bankruptcy policy, administrative burdens, compliance costs, deregulation and competition policy; and cultural factors such as social and cultural norms that support entrepreneurship. However, this literature has not always distinguished between the policy environment of small firms operating in different industry sectors. The purpose of this paper is to examine the institutional and policy environment of small firms in knowledge intensive sectors. The characteristics of the business environment of particular relevance to knowledge intensive firms are somewhat different from the conditions for entrepreneurship and small business success more generally. This paper compares the science, technology and industry infrastructure of Australia, Denmark, Sweden with other OECD countries. The purpose of the paper is to identify cross-national differences in the business environment of small knowledge intensive firms. The paper seeks to explore whether particular institutional environments appear to be more supportive of small firms in knowledge intensive sectors.
A Neuropsychological Study of Dissociation in Cortical and Subcortical Functioning in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Tower of Hanoi Task

Several biological models of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) have focused on the roles frontal cortex and basal ganglia dysfunctions play in the expression of the disorder. From a neuropsychological point of view, previous reports have underlined the possible involvement of the prefrontal cortex in declarative functions and the basal ganglia in procedural ones. A possible dissociation of cortical and subcortical functioning has been studied using the Hanoi Tower Task to explore different neuropsychological aspects of problem-solving procedures. Our results indicate that differential cortical and subcortical dysfunctions could contribute to OCD pathophysiology and that procedural and declarative forms might be independent of each other.
25-Hydroxycholecaliferol and fractures of the proximal.

Plasma 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-H.C.C.) has been measured in 67 consective cases of fracture of the proximal femur. The values found in these patients were not different from values found in these patients were not different from those in control groups at the same time of the year. Plasma 25-H.C. C. was not correlated to plasma calcium or phosphorus, the Ca times P product, or the alkaline phosphatase. X-rays showed Looser zones in only 1 patient, in whom the lowest plasma 25-H.C. C. was found. Osteomalacia is not uncommon among elderly people in Denmark, but it is more likely to depend on a decline in the renal efficiency to convert 25-H.C. C. to 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol than a low dietary intake of vitamin D.
Pathogenesis of Arteriolar Necrosis of Malignant Hypertension.∗

Summary Repeated intracarotid injections of warm, sterile, Ringer's solution, carried out under high pressure in control rats, caused transient rises of intra-aortic (lower abdominal) blood pressure, up to 194 mm Hg above the basal level. Thirty rats thus treated failed to show the development of arterial or arteriolar lesions of any kind, in the kidney or any other organ or tissue, when they were sacrificed at the end of 4 days after the completion of the injections. The results of this study fail to confirm the finding of Byrom and Dodson of necrotizing arterial and arteriolar lesions in the kidney as a result of repeated sudden increases of systemic intra-arterial tension, and do not lend support to their contention that elevated blood pressure alone is a sufficient condition for the production of the arteriolar lesions characteristic of malignant hypertension.
Family Support Is Associated With Behavioral Strategies for Healthy Eating Among Latinas

Background. Healthy eating is important for obesity control. Dietary interventions target the adoption of behavioral strategies to increase fiber and decrease fat consumption. However, little is known about the contributions of psychosocial factors to the use of these strategies. Purpose. This study examined psychosocial correlates of behavioral strategies for healthy eating among Latinas. Method. Participants included 361 Latino mothers living along the U.S.–Mexico border in California. Data included measures of sociodemographics, acculturation, and psychosocial determinants of healthy eating. A 30-item dietary behavioral strategies scale assessed strategies to increase fiber and decrease fat consumption. Results. Family interactions regarding dietary habits (β = .224, p < .001) and financial status (β = .148, p = .029) were associated with the use of strategies to decrease fat consumption. Positive family interactions regarding dietary habits (β = .226, p < .001), fewer barriers to obtaining fruits and vegetables (β = −.207, p < .001), and more family support for vegetable purchasing (β = .070, p = .047) were associated with use of strategies to increase fiber consumption. Conclusions. Future interventions would benefit from improving family systems associated with healthy eating.
The Association Between Pain Drawings and Computed Tomographic/Discographic Pain Responses

Study Design Pain drawings were scored and their relationship to discographic pain responses was investigated. Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a relationship between patients indicating pain in nonanatomic patterns on pain drawings (possibly suggestive of a tendency to overreport pain) and discographic pain responses, and in particular, if patients with abnormal drawings were more likely to provide false-positive discographic pain reports. Summary of Background Data Patients with abnormal pain drawings have been found to have elevated scores on the hysteria and hypochondriasis scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Elevations on these same two scales have been related to discordant discographic pain reports. Methods Pain drawings were completed by 170 patients the day of, but before computed tomography/discography. The drawings were scored as described by Ransford et al and classified as normal or abnormal. The number of levels at which a patient reported pain and the incidence of false-positive computed tomographic/discographic pain reports were compared for the two pain drawing groups. Results Patients with abnormal drawings reported pain at more levels than patients with normal ones. When dealing specifically with false-positive pain reports (pain reproduction on the injection of a nondisrupted disc), among the 105 patients in the normal group, only 13 (12.3%) reported false-positive pain. This was significantly less than the 50.0% (18 of 36) reporting false-positive pain in the abnormal group. The overall accuracy of pain drawings in differentiating patients with false-positive pain reports was 78.0% (110 of 141). Conclusions There is a relationship between pain drawings and discographic pain responses. Pain drawings can help identify patients who may be likely to report pain on injection of a nondisrupted disc. While it was not totally sensitive to this occurrence, it can help identify at least some of the patients in whom pain responses should be interpreted cautiously.
Radiofrequency ablation for pancreatobiliary disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been recognized for its potential in palliative treatment for pancreatic cancer as well as malignant biliary strictures. The purpose of this review is to describe the technology, endoscopic technique, and reported outcomes of endoscopic RFA in the management of malignant biliary strictures and unresectable pancreatic cancer. RECENT FINDINGS Intraductal biliary RFA is safe and feasible and appears to confer a survival advantage. Pancreatic endoscopic ultrasound-guided RFA is a promising new technique and may result in either resolution of tumor or reduction in size. SUMMARY Intraductal biliary RFA and pancreatic endoscopic ultrasound-guided RFA are important modalities in malignant biliary obstruction and unresectable pancreatic cancer. Intraductal biliary RFA should be used as an adjunct to biliary stenting. Further trials are needed to determine if RFA leads to a benefit in pancreatic cancer treatment. Two prospective trials are currently underway to determine if intraductal biliary RFA indeed confers a survival advantage in malignant obstruction.
Bank Competition and Financial Stability: Friends or Foes?

Theory makes ambiguous predictions about the relationship between market structure and competitiveness of the banking system and banking sector stability. Empirical studies focusing on individual countries provide similarly ambiguous results, while cross-country studies point mostly to a positive relationship between competition and stability in the banking system. Where liberalization and unfettered competition have resulted in fragility, this has been mostly the consequence of regulatory and supervisory failures. The advantages of competition for an efficient and inclusive financial system are strong, and regulatory and supervisory policies should focus on an incentive-compatible environment for banking rather than try to fine-tune market structure or the degree of competition.
The Impact of Terrorism on Financial Markets: An Empirical Study

Uncertainty is one of the factors negatively affecting financial markets. Terrorism and terrorist activities are located in the factors that trigger this uncertainty. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of the uncertainties created by terrorist activities on financial markets. In this context, the effects of terrorism on financial market indexes for 35 countries for the period of 2003-2011 are studied. The Global Terrorism Index derived from Vision of Humanity and annual average stock market indexes obtained from World Federation of Exchanges are used. In this regard, firstly, unit root tests were applied to investigate whether variables are stationary or not. Then, Pedroni and Kao cointegration tests were conducted and a long term relationship between variables were found. A causual relationship either from stock markets to terrorist incidents or from terrorist incidents to stock markets has not been observed in the Granger Causality analysis. The results of the analysis shows that the short term effects of terrorist incidents on stock markets are fixed by the market mechanism in the long term.
Repeatedly Heated Vegetable Oils and Lipid Peroxidation

Deep frying is the most common and one of the oldest methods of food preparation worldwide. It involves heat and mass transfer. To reduce the expenses, the oils tend to be used repeatedly for frying. When heated repeatedly, changes in physical appearance of the oil will occur such as increased viscosity and darkening in colour [1], which may alter the fatty acid composition of the oil. Heating causes the oil to undergo a series of chemical reactions like oxidation, hydrolysis and polymerization [2]. During this process, many oxidative products such as hydroperoxide and aldehydes are produced, which can be absorbed into the fried food [3].