Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nitric Oxide and β-Adrenergic Mechanisms Modify Contractile Responses to Norepinephrine in Ovine Fetal and Newborn Cerebral Arteries

ABSTRACT: Ovine fetal cerebral arteries exhibit an enhanced contractile response to norepincphrine (NE) compared with newborns and adults. It is possible that β-adrenergic receptors and/or nitric oxide (NO), a putative endothelium-dependent relaxing factor, differentially modulate cerebrovascular responsiveness to NE as a function of development. The present study evaluated the effect of the β-adrenoceptor antagonist, propranolol, and the NO synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-1. -arginine methyl ester (LNAME), on the contractile response of isolated middle cerebral artery (MCA) and basilar artery (BA) to NE during fetal development. MCAs isolated from four preterm fetal lambs (105 d of gestation), seven near-term fetal lambs (125–130 d of gestation), and eight newborn lambs (2–7 d of age) were evaluated using organ baths. BAs isolated from the near-term fetal and newborn lambs were also evaluated. Contractile reactivity of MCAs to NE decreased significantly during fetal maturation as manifested by a marked decrease in Fmax (maximal relative contractile force generated) and an increase in EC50 (Fmax - 100 ± 7, 41 ± 7, and 28 ± 8% of KCl contraction; EC50 - 0.14 ± 0.03, 1.09 ± 0.36, and 1.07 ± 0.22 μM for preterm fetus, near-term fetus, and newborn lamb MCAs, respectively, p < 0.05). Propranolol treatment (10-5 M) increased Fmax (2-fold) only for newborn lamb MCAs. Pretreatment with LNAME (10 4M) markedly enhanced the contractile response to NE (7-fold decrease in EC50 and 2-fold increase in Fmax, P < 0.05) for near-term fetus MCAs, whereas preterm fetus and newborn lamb MCAs were unaffected by the inhibitor. BAs were unresponsive to NE except for near-term fetus BAs in the presence of LNAME. The effect of NO-synthase inhibition on NE contractility was dependent on developmental age, being prominent near term. The data suggest that, in the more mature fetus, NO, presumably derived from endothelium, behaves as a functional antagonist to sympathetic vasoconstriction of the cerebrovasculature, and its apparent absence permits unrepressed sympathetic vasoconstriction in the premature brain.
Financial instability and banks' balance sheets : a note

Following the recent financial crisis, it is sometimes argued that financial institutions should be regulated to a greater extent than before in order to prevent a recurrence of global financial crises. It is argued here that since banks create liquidity ex nihilo in exchange for financial collaterals whose nominal values are subject to market fluctuations, in general, banks’ regulation can have only a limited effect on the stability of the financial system. Monetary policy of central banks (i.e., setting short term interest rate) is essential to monitor asset prices and thereby create a stable financial environment.
A New Facultative Alkaliphilic, Potassium Solubilizing, Bacillus Sp. SVUNM9 Isolated from Mica Cores of Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh, India

A new facultative alkaliphilic Bacillus species isolated from mica mines of Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, India. This strain is gram positive, rod shaped, motile bacteria capable of growth in aerobic conditions up to pH 12.0 exhibiting optimum growth at pH 10.0. The strain is oxidative, catalase positive, urease positive, able to hydrolyse starch, gelatine, able to utilize lactose, D- glucose and sucrose and produce acids. It also converts nitrate into nitrite. Further, exhibited positive results for methyl red and Voges Proskauer reaction. The strain showed optimum growth at 0.5% NaCl and able to thrive even at higher concentration of sucrose. The 16S rDNA sequence showed 99% similarity with Bacillus sp19(HQ433576) and closest relative is Bacillus amyloliquifaciens (JN086147). The efficiency of this strain for potassium dissolution from insoluble mica was evaluated in vitro. Modified Alexandrov’s medium supplemented with 0.1% mica powder was used to investigate the potassium solubilising activity of the Bacillus spSVUNM9 strain. Final pH, total acidity, soluble K content and released organic acids were determined in culture media after 21days of incubation. The K content was increased to 2.5times greater than the control. Mineral potassium solubilisation was directly related to the pH drop by the strain. The analysis of the culture medium by high pressure liquid chromatography identified gluconic acid as the main organic acid released by Bacillus sp.SVUNM9. This study is the first report on the isolation and characterization of native potassium solubilising bacteria from mica ore.
Antimicrobial susceptibilities of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli to 12 beta-lactam agents and combinations with beta-lactamase inhibitors

The in vitro activities of 12 beta-lactam agents against 100 thermophilic Campylobacter strains were tested. Beta-Lactamase production was detected in 88% of all strains tested. Clavulanic acid was the best inhibitor by susceptibility testing. The beta-lactams which displayed high levels of in vitro activity against Campylobacter isolates were imipenem, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, and cefepime and, to a lesser degree, amoxicillin, ampicillin, and cefotaxime.
The Transcription-Dependent Dissociation of P-TEFb-HEXIM1-7SK RNA Relies upon Formation of hnRNP-7SK RNA Complexes

ABSTRACT The positive transcription elongation factor P-TEFb controls the elongation of transcription by RNA polymerase II. P-TEFb is inactivated upon binding to HEXIM1 or HEXIM2 proteins associated with a noncoding RNA, 7SK. In response to the inhibition of transcription, 7SK RNA, as well as HEXIM proteins, is released by an unknown mechanism and P-TEFb is activated. New partners of 7SK RNA were searched for as potential players in this feedback process. A subset of heterogeneous ribonuclear proteins, hnRNPs Q and R and hnRNPs A1 and A2, were thus identified as major 7SK RNA-associated proteins. The degree of association of 7SK RNA with these hnRNPs increased when P-TEFb-HEXIM1-7SK was dissociated following the inhibition of transcription or HEXIM1 knockdown. This finding suggested that 7SK RNA shuttles from HEXIM1-P-TEFb complexes to hnRNPs. The transcription-dependent dissociation of P-TEFb-HEXIM1-7SK complexes was attenuated when both hnRNPs A1 and A2 were knocked down by small interfering RNA. As hnRNPs are known to interact transiently with RNA while it is synthesized, hnRNPs released from nascent transcripts may trap 7SK RNA and thereby contribute to the activation of P-TEFb.
Is gait speed or walking distance a better predictor for community walking after stroke?

OBJECTIVE To determine if gait speed or walking distance is a better predictor for community walking after stroke. METHODS Data from the FIT-Stroke trial were used in a cross-sectional design. Community walking was measured with a self-administered questionnaire. The 5-m timed walk and the 6-min walk were used to assess gait speed and walking distance. With bivariate regression analyses the association between gait speed or walking distance and community walking was tested and possible confounders were identified. Discriminative properties of gait speed and walking distance for community walking were investigated by means of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS 79% of 241 patients were classified as community walkers. Standing balance, fear of falling and time post-stroke were found to be significant confounders in the relationship between gait speed and community walking. No significant confounders were found for the association between walking distance and community walking. There was no significant difference between the area under the curve of the ROC curves of gait speed (0.86), walking distance (0.89) and gait speed adjusted for confounding (0.89). CONCLUSION Gait speed and walking distance are equally appropriate predictors for community walking after stroke, whereas the contribution of confounders is limited.
Response of a Human Melanoma Cell Line to Low and High Ionizing Radiation

Abstract: Effects of single irradiation with gamma rays and protons on human HTB140 melanoma cell growth were compared. Exponentially growing cells were irradiated close to the Bragg peak maximum of the unmodulated 62 MeV protons, as well as with 60Co gamma rays. Applied doses ranged from 8 to 24 Gy. Viability of cells and proliferation capacity were assessed 7 days after irradiation. Induction of apoptosis and cell cycle phase redistribution were observed 6 and 48 h after irradiation. Significant inhibitory effects of both irradiation qualities were detected 7 days after irradiation. Important reduction of HTB140 cell viability was observed after irradiation with protons. Almost linear and highly significant (P < 0.001) decrease of cell proliferation was observed 7 days after irradiation with gamma rays and protons, as compared to nonirradiated controls. Protons induced apoptosis, both 6 and 48 h after irradiation. With the increase of post‐irradiation incubation time, number of apoptotic cells decreased. Exposure of HTB140 cells to gamma rays did not provoke apoptotic cell death. Important number of cells in G1‐S phase, detected by the cell cycle phase redistribution analyses, suggested high metabolic activity of irradiated melanoma cells within the first 48 h. Both irradiation qualities caused modest G2‐M arrest 6 and 48 h after irradiation, thus supporting results that illustrated high radioresistance of HTB140 cells.
Controlled and automatic forms of memory and attention: process purity and the uniqueness of age-related influences.

Estimates of controlled and automatic processes hypothesized to underlie performance in a memory task and in an attention task were derived for 115 participants from 18 to 78 years of age using the process-dissociation procedure. Participants also performed speed and neuropsychological tests that were suspected to be negatively related to age. Process estimates showed good reliability (from .76 to .98), and the qualitative distinction between processes was supported by the overall pattern of correlations among measures. However, only estimated automatic processes exhibited unique variance, as they were either weakly related or unrelated both to performance on the other tests and to each other. Estimates of the control processes, in contrast, shared considerable variance with measures from other tests, and there were no unique, or independent, age-related effects on these measures. The results highlight the need to distinguish between process purity and the uniqueness of age-related influences in accounting for age differences in cognition.
Genetic influence on dysmorphogenesis in embryos from different rat strains exposed to ethanol in vivo and in vitro.

BACKGROUND The aim was to investigate the susceptibility of embryos from 2 rat strains (U and H) to a 48 hours ethanol exposure in early pregnancy, both in vivo and in vitro. METHODS The embryos were studied on gestational days 9 to 11. We used 1 ethanol dose in vivo (6 g/kg x 2), 3 different ethanol concentrations in vitro (88 mM, 132 mM, 176 mM) and also attempted to diminish the teratogenic effect in vitro by supplying the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 0.5 mM) to the culture medium. RESULTS The U embryos were more damaged by ethanol than the H embryos, both in vivo and in vitro. NAC addition diminished, but failed to completely normalize, the embryonic maldevelopment. Ethanol increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in the U embryos both in vivo and in vitro, but not in the H embryos. Furthermore, ethanol caused increased Caspase-3 immunostaining in U embryos, but not in H embryos. Ethanol exposure in vivo did not alter CuZnSOD and MnSOD mRNA levels in U and H embryos. In vitro, however, the ethanol-exposed U embryos increased their CuZnSOD and MnSOD mRNA levels, whereas the CuZnSOD mRNA was unchanged and MnSOD mRNA decreased in the H embryos, in neither strain did NAC exert any effect. The U embryos increased catalase gene expression in response to ethanol in vivo, but decreased catalase mRNA levels in vitro, changes normalized by NAC. The H embryos did not alter catalase mRNA levels in vivo, but increased gene expression in vitro, with no NAC effect. Ethanol affected the gene expression of the other ROS scavenging enzymes and the developmental genes studied - Bmp-4, Ret, Shh, Pax-6 - similarly in the 2 strains. CONCLUSIONS The findings support a role for genetic predisposition, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in ethanol teratogenicity, and suggest that the teratogenic predisposition of the more susceptible U rats may reside, at least in part, in the regulation of the ROS scavenging enzymes in the U embryos.
Gene–environment interactions in psychopathology throughout early childhood: a systematic review

Up to 20% of children and adolescents worldwide suffer from mental health problems. Epidemiological studies have shown that some of these problems are already present at an early age. The recognition that psychopathology is a result of an interaction between individual experiences and genetic characteristics has led to an increase in the number of studies using a gene–environment approach (G×E). However, to date, there has been no systematic review of G×E studies on psychopathology in the first 6 years of life. Following a literature search and a selection process, 14 studies were identified and most (n=12) of the studies found at least one significant G×E effect. This review provides a systematic characterization of the published G×E studies, providing insights into the neurobiological and environmental determinants involved in the etiology of children’s psychopathology.
Metabolic Effects of Alterations in Meal Frequency in Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE The effects of altering meal frequency on measures of glucose and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetes were examined by comparing isocaloric dietary regimens in which daily food intake was provided by three or nine meals each day. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 13 free-living men and women with type 2 diabetes or persistently impaired glucose tolerance participated in a randomized crossover study in which three- and nine-meal regimes were followed for 4-week periods. Fasting plasma lipid and lipoprotein, glucose and insulin concentrations were measured at weekly intervals and glucose, insulin, and triglyceride responses following a 75-g glucose load at weeks 2 and 4 of each diet period. Dietary intake was also recorded during these weeks. RESULTS Nutrient intakes and all measures of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism were similar on the three- and nine-meal regimes. CONCLUSIONS This longer-term study could not confirm the potential benefits of increased meal frequency suggested by comparable 4-week studies in type 2 diabetic individuals and acute experiments in individuals with diabetes. However, as there were no adverse effects of consuming nine meals per day, it would seem appropriate that meal frequency in those with type 2 diabetes should be left to personal choice, provided that energy balance is maintained.
Stability of Suspension Formulations of Lansoprazole and Omeprazole Stored in Amber-Colored Plastic Oral Syringes

OBJECTIVE: To determine the stability of lansoprazole and omeprazole suspensions at ambient and refrigerated temperatures using HPLC. DESIGN: The contents of lansoprazole and omeprazole capsules were suspended in separate flasks containing sodium bicarbonate 8.4% to concentrations of 3 and 2 mg/mL, respectively. The contents of each flask were drawn into six amber-colored oral syringes, with one-half of the syringes stored at 22 °C (ambient) and the other half at 4 °C. Lansoprazole and omeprazole concentrations were determined by a stability-indicating HPLC assay at baseline and at 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours, and on days 4, 7, 14, 21, 30, 45, and 60 after mixing. Both omeprazole and lansoprazole were considered stable if they retained ≤90% of the baseline drug concentration. RESULTS: Omeprazole was stable for up to 14 days at 22 °C and 45 days at 4 °C. Lansoprazole was stable for eight hours at 22 °C and for 14 days at 4 °C. CONCLUSIONS: When compared with ambient or refrigerated storage conditions, omeprazole was stable for a longer duration than lansoprazole. Pharmacists may use these results to guide compounding and storage of proton-pump inhibitor suspensions.
Association between the Presence of Aminoglycoside-Modifying Enzymes and In Vitro Activity of Gentamicin, Tobramycin, Amikacin, and Plazomicin against Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase- and Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacter Species

ABSTRACT We compared the in vitro activities of gentamicin (GEN), tobramycin (TOB), amikacin (AMK), and plazomicin (PLZ) against 13 Enterobacter isolates possessing both Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (KPC+/ESBL+) with activity against 8 KPC+/ESBL−, 6 KPC−/ESBL+, and 38 KPC−/ESBL− isolates. The rates of resistance to GEN and TOB were higher for KPC+/ESBL+ (100% for both) than for KPC+/ESBL− (25% and 38%, respectively), KPC−/ESBL+ (50% and 17%, respectively), and KPC−/ESBL− (0% and 3%, respectively) isolates. KPC+/ESBL+ isolates were more likely than others to possess an aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme (AME) (100% versus 38%, 67%, and 5%; P = 0.007, 0.06, and <0.0001, respectively) or multiple AMEs (100% versus 13%, 33%, and 0%, respectively; P < 0.01 for all). KPC+/ESBL+ isolates also had a greater number of AMEs (mean of 4.6 versus 1.5, 0.9, and 0.05, respectively; P < 0.01 for all). GEN and TOB MICs were higher against isolates with >1 AME than with ≤1 AME. The presence of at least 2/3 of KPC, SHV, and TEM predicted the presence of AMEs. PLZ MICs against all isolates were ≤4 μg/ml, regardless of KPC/ESBL pattern or the presence of AMEs. In conclusion, GEN and TOB are limited as treatment options against KPC+ and ESBL+ Enterobacter. PLZ may represent a valuable addition to the antimicrobial armamentarium. A full understanding of AMEs and other aminoglycoside resistance mechanisms will allow clinicians to incorporate PLZ rationally into treatment regimens. The development of molecular assays that accurately and rapidly predict antimicrobial responses among KPC- and ESBL-producing Enterobacter spp. should be a top research priority.
Fifteen Genetic Loci Associated With the Electrocardiographic P Wave

Background— The P wave on an ECG is a measure of atrial electric function, and its characteristics may serve as predictors for atrial arrhythmias. Increased mean P-wave duration and P-wave terminal force traditionally have been used as markers for left atrial enlargement, and both have been associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation. Here, we explore the genetic basis of P-wave morphology through meta-analysis of genome-wide association study results for P-wave duration and P-wave terminal force from 12 cohort studies. Methods and Results— We included 44 456 individuals, of which 6778 (16%) were of African ancestry. Genotyping, imputation, and genome-wide association study were performed at each study site. Summary-level results were meta-analyzed centrally using inverse-variance weighting. In meta-analyses of P-wave duration, we identified 6 significant (P<5×10−8) novel loci and replicated a prior association with SCN10A. We identified 3 loci at SCN5A, TBX5, and CAV1/CAV2 that were jointly associated with the PR interval, PR segment, and P-wave duration. We identified 6 novel loci in meta-analysis of P-wave terminal force. Four of the identified genetic loci were significantly associated with gene expression in 329 left atrial samples. Finally, we observed that some of the loci associated with the P wave were linked to overall atrial conduction, whereas others identified distinct phases of atrial conduction. Conclusions— We have identified 6 novel genetic loci associated with P-wave duration and 6 novel loci associated with P-wave terminal force. Future studies of these loci may aid in identifying new targets for drugs that may modify atrial conduction or treat atrial arrhythmias.
Eight weeks of dynamic stretching during warm-ups improves jump power but not repeated or single sprint performance

Abstract There is abundant research involving the acute effects of stretching on subsequent performance; however, there is little information on dynamic stretch training programmes on range of motion (ROM), power and speed measures. It was the objective of this research to examine the training consequences of active dynamic stretching (ADS) and static dynamic stretching (SDS). A repeated measures design compared the effects of 8 weeks of warm-ups incorporating two dynamic stretch modalities: ADS and SDS on squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), 20-m sprint performances and repeated sprint ability (RSA) and hip ROM in 37 male soccer players. SJ height (SDS: 4.6%; ADS: 5.3%; p <0.05), CMJ height (SDS: 5.3%; ADS: 3.4%; p<0.05), CMJ force (SDS: 7.2%; ADS: 12.7%; p<0.001) and CMJ peak power (SDS: 3.9%; ADS: 3.3%; p<0.05) increased significantly after SDS and ADS training compared to the control group (no significant change). Sprint performance and RSA were not affected by either of the dynamic stretch training regimens. The SDS and ADS training programmes elicited similar improvements in flexibility (SDS: 57.6%; ADS: 45.1%; p<0.01) compared to the non-significant changes in the control group. The inclusion of ADS and SDS within the regular warm-up of an 8-week training programme can improve not only flexibility but also jump power measures as well.
Reviving the American Dream: The Economy, the States, and the Federal Government

The Federal government, while displaying strong competence and leadership in the international arena appears unable to cope with the domestic problems that worry most Americans. For nearly two decades, the US economy has been performing below par; wage earners have found their take home pay buying less; young people wonder if they will do as well as their parents and whether they will be able to afford a house; banks are crumbling and must be bailed out with taxpayers' money; governments, companies, and families struggle with high levels of debt. In this book for everyone concerned about the future of the country, Alice Rivlin asserts that Americans must ask themselves why the government is so paralyzed on the domestic front and what they can do about it. Bringing together economic and political issues, she raises questions about what economic policy should be and which level of our federal system should be responsible for carrying it out. In a controversial new proposal, she contends that the productivity of the economy would increase if many responsibilities of the federal government were passed to the states. Rivlin explains that the federal government should be charged with carrying out tasks for which national uniformity is essential, such as social insurance. But there are many tasks, such as education and housing, for which states should have clear responsibility. In order for states to do this, however, they will need adequate revenues, so Rivlin proposes a system of common shared taxes. The book offers a new vision of a more productive US economy and a more effective government structure. Rivlin stresses that unless a substantial number of citizens begin to think and talk about what kind of economy they want and what their elected leaders should do, realizing the American dream may become an impossible dream.