Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extracellular Ca2+ Acts as a Mediator of Communication from Neurons to Glia

Local decreases in extracellular calcium trigger signaling events in astrocytes that activate inhibitory neurotransmission. Calcium Signals Outside the Cell Excitatory glutamatergic signaling is accompanied by calcium influx into neurons through voltage-dependent calcium channels and ionotropic glutamate receptors. The crucial role of calcium as an intracellular second messenger makes it easy to overlook the consequences of a localized decrease in extracellular calcium. Here, Torres et al. explored the functional consequences of a localized decrease in extracellular calcium in hippocampal slices. They found that a localized decrease in extracellular calcium—elicited either directly through activation of a photosensitive calcium buffer or secondary to glutamate-stimulated calcium influx in neurons—evoked astrocytic release of ATP, as did high-frequency stimulation, which elicited a comparable decrease in extracellular calcium. Moreover, decreased extracellular calcium increased the activity of inhibitory interneurons bearing purinergic receptors, suggesting that, under conditions of high-intensity glutamatergic signaling, a local decline in extracellular calcium could, by stimulating astrocyte calcium signals and ATP release, activate a compensatory increase in synaptic inhibition. Defining the pathways through which neurons and astrocytes communicate may contribute to the elucidation of higher central nervous system functions. We investigated the possibility that decreases in extracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]e) that occur during synaptic transmission might mediate signaling from neurons to glia. Using noninvasive photolysis of the photolabile Ca2+ buffer diazo-2 {N-[2-[2-[2-[bis(carboxymethyl)amino]-5-(diazoacetyl)phenoxy]ethoxy]-4-methylphenyl]-N-(carboxymethyl)-, tetrapotassium salt} to reduce [Ca2+]e or caged glutamate to simulate glutamatergic transmission, we found that a local decline in extracellular Ca2+ triggered astrocytic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release and astrocytic Ca2+ signaling. In turn, activation of purinergic P2Y1 receptors on a subset of inhibitory interneurons initiated the generation of action potentials by these interneurons, thereby enhancing synaptic inhibition. Thus, astrocytic ATP release evoked by an activity-associated decrease in [Ca2+]e may provide a negative feedback mechanism that potentiates inhibitory transmission in response to local hyperexcitability.
Foreign direct investment, foreign aid and incomes inequality: Empirical insights from African and South American countries

Abstract There is growing evidence that income inequality has been increasing over the years, and that it has consequences for social stability and peace because extreme inequality often leads to civil unrest and violence. Given an increasing level of resource transfers to developing countries in the forms of foreign direct investment (FDI) and foreign aid (FA) as well as growth in international trade over the years, an interesting research question arises – how have these external financial resources affected income distribution in developing countries? This paper reports findings of the study on the effects of FDI and FA on incomes inequality in 71 African and South American countries for the period of 1970–2014. We find that FDI decreases incomes inequality while FA increases it in general. However, magnitudes of the effects are stronger for South American countries as compared to African ones.
Activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt/mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway and response to everolimus in endocrine receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer – A retrospective pilot analysis and viewpoint

Abstract Introduction: Biomarkers predictive of response to mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, everolimus, in endocrine receptor (ER)-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) are a work in progress. We evaluated the feasibility of directly measuring mTOR activity and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression and correlating their expression with response and survival. Materials and Methods: MBC patients who received everolimus with endocrine therapy (ET) after progression on an aromatase inhibitor and had adequate tissue preservation for estimation of mTOR activity and PTEN expression were selected for analysis from a prospectively maintained database. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated by Kaplan–Meier method, and correlation between mTOR activity and PTEN expression with survival was done by log-rank test. Results: Thirteen ER-positive MBC patients were available for analysis. PTEN expression was lost in 11/13 (84.6%) patients and retained in 2/13 patients (15.4%). mTOR activity was absent in four patients (30.7%), weak in six patients (46.1%), and moderate in 3 patients (23.2%). Median PFS for the entire population was 2.5 months while median OS was not reached. Patients with an absent mTOR activity showed a longer PFS (5 vs. 1.5 vs. 2 months) than those with weak and moderate activity, respectively (P = 0.043). There was no correlation between loss of PTEN expression and PFS. Conclusions: Measurement of direct mTOR activity in patients with MBC receiving everolimus/ET combination appears feasible. Absent mTOR activity may predict for longer PFS with everolimus-ET combination and requires further study.
Tax-Loss Carry Forwards and Returns

Tax loss carry forward (TLCF), the accumulated corporate losses that can be applied to future or past taxable income, form an important asset in the corporate portfolio. In our sample (1964 - 2014) TCLF was on average equal to 17% of pretax income with considerable cross sectional variation. We show that a firm’s TLCF is a complex contingent claim that has a significant non monotonic affect on the cash flow risk of assets in place. Consistent with this theoretical finding we show that TLCFs are highly significant in forecasting returns, volatility and market betas, even when a large number of controls are accounted for.
Monte Carlo Electron Track Structure Calculations in Liquid Water Using a New Model Dielectric Response Function

Monte Carlo track structure codes provide valuable information for understanding radiation effects down to the DNA level, where experimental measurements are most difficult or unavailable. It is well recognized that the performance of such codes, especially at low energies and/or subcellular level, critically depends on the reliability of the interaction cross sections that are used as input in the simulation. For biological media such as liquid water, one of the most challenging issues is the role of condensed-phase effects. For inelastic scattering, such effects can be conveniently accounted for through the complex dielectric response function of the media. However, for this function to be useful it must fulfill some important sum rules and have a simple analytic form for arbitrary energy- and momentum-transfer. The Emfietzoglou-Cucinotta-Nikjoo (ECN) model offers a practical, self-consistent and fully analytic parameterization of the dielectric function of liquid water based on the best available experimental data. An important feature of the ECN model is that it includes, in a phenomenological manner, exchange and correlation effects among the screening electrons, thus, going beyond the random-phase approximation implicit in earlier models. In this work, inelastic cross sections beyond the plane wave Born approximation are calculated for low-energy electrons (10 eV–10 keV) based on the ECN model, and used for Monte Carlo track structure simulations of physical quantities relevant to the microdosimetry of low-energy electrons in liquid water. Important new developments in the physics of inelastic scattering are discussed and their effect on electron track structure is investigated by a comparison against simulations (under otherwise identical conditions) using the Born approximation and a simpler form of the dielectric function based on the Oak Ridge National Laboratory model. The results reveal that both the dielectric function and the corrections to the Born approximation may have a sizeable effect on track structure calculations at the nanometer scale (DNA level), where the details of inelastic scattering and the role of low-energy electrons are most critical.
Prevalence of open-angle glaucoma, glaucoma suspect, and ocular hypertension in thyroid-related immune orbitopathy.

To the Editor: We were fascinated to read the article by Behrouzi et al, which demonstrated that ocular hypertension can and does occur in patients with thyroid orbitopathy (TO). In this study they assessed 2 cohorts of patients consisting of a case group with TO, and age-matched and sexmatched controls, for open-angle glaucoma, glaucoma suspect status, and ocular hypertension. However, at no stage in the article did they describe measuring the intraocular pressure (IOP) in any other position than primary gaze. This is significant, because it was pointed out by Braley in 1953 and other authors since, that IOP regularly elevates in upgaze in TO, and less so in normals. In 1998, we showed that in upgaze in a patient with TO, the IOP elevated from 20mm Hg to 54mm Hg, and more than that, the optic nerve was transiently compromised as evidenced by spontaneous arterial pulsations that were photographed with the fundus camera. To achieve a pressure of 20mm Hg, this patient had to look slightly downwards, as in primary gaze, the pressure was considerably higher than 20mm Hg. Glaucomatologists do not regularly take into account the patient’s head posture and eye position when measuring IOP. Thus, if IOP is found to be elevated in primary gaze, the IOP may be normal in slight downgaze in TO. The fact that patients with significant TO are recognized as having a backward abnormal head posture to minimize the discomfort of looking in primary gaze, by allowing their eyes to move down, emphasizes the point that even in the primary position, IOP may be falsely elevated. Thus for Behrouzi et al not to have taken this into consideration when assessing their 2 cohorts may reflect an intrinsic error in their measurement of IOP. In the clinical setting, we feel it is mandatory to assess the IOP of the glaucoma patient with TO by measuring it first in the primary position, and then in slight downgaze if there is any doubt that it might be suspiciously elevated. We then also measure it in upgaze, as marked elevations of IOP can occur in TO; this is recognized as being a useful diagnostic feature.
Differential behavioral effects of gonadal steroids in women with and in those without premenstrual syndrome.

BACKGROUND The symptoms of women with premenstrual syndrome improve in response to suppression of ovarian function, although these women have no evidence of ovarian dysfunction. We undertook a study to determine the role of estrogen and progesterone in this syndrome. METHODS We first studied the effect of ovarian suppression with leuprolide, an agonist analogue of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, or placebo on symptoms in 20 women with the premenstrual syndrome. Ten women whose symptoms improved during leuprolide treatment were given estradiol and progesterone in a double-blind, crossover design, each for four weeks, during continued leuprolide administration. Women without premenstrual syndrome (normal women) participated in a similar protocol. Outcomes were assessed on the basis of daily self-reports by the patients and biweekly rater-administered symptom-rating scales. RESULTS The 10 women with premenstrual syndrome who were given leuprolide had a significant decrease in symptoms as compared with base-line values and with values for the 10 women who were given placebo. The 10 women with premenstrual syndrome who were given leuprolide plus estradiol or progesterone had a significant recurrence of symptoms, but no changes in mood occurred in 15 normal women who received the same regimen or in 5 women with premenstrual syndrome who were given placebo hormone during continued leuprolide administration. CONCLUSIONS In women with premenstrual syndrome, the occurrence of symptoms represents an abnormal response to normal hormonal changes.
Fetal Abnormal Growth Associated With Substance Abuse

Substance abuse remains a major concern in pregnancy. The current review summarizes the best available literature on the subject. The findings of most studies are confounded by multiple drug use and environmental and social factors that by themselves are known to adversely affect the pregnancy outcomes of interest. Overall, however, substance abuse during pregnancy was associated with negative effects on birth weight and head circumference.
Evaluation of Intravenous Paracetamol Administration on Postoperative Pain and Recovery Characteristics in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Purpose In this study, the effects of intravenous paracetamol treatment on early postoperative period analgesia and recovery characteristics after laparoscopic cholecystectomy have been evaluated. Methods Forty patients whose American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and randomly divided into 2 equal groups. In the first group, 1 g paracetamol was given to the patients intravenously after intubation before start of the surgery in 15 minutes. The 100 mL 0.9% NaCl was infused intravenously for the control group in 15 minutes. Postoperative pain was evaluated and recovery characteristics were evaluated. Results Verbal and visual pain scores of the paracetamol group were significantly lower than control group (P<0.05). First morphine requirement and total administered morphine dose and duration of staying in recovery room were significantly decreased in the paracetamol group (P<0.05). Conclusions Beside its effective analgesic properties, paracetamol administration during per operative period supports effective and faster recovery.
Sodium current in human jejunal circular smooth muscle cells.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Sodium channels are key regulators of neuronal and muscle excitability. However, sodium channels have not been definitively identified in gastrointestinal smooth muscle. The aim of the present study was to determine if a Na(+) current is present in human jejunal circular smooth muscle cells. METHODS Currents were recorded from freshly dissociated cells using patch-clamp techniques. Complementary DNA (cDNA) libraries constructed from the dissociated cells were screened to determine if a message for alpha subunits of Na(+) channels was expressed. Smooth muscle cells were also collected using laser-capture microdissection and screened. RESULTS A tetrodotoxin-insensitive Na(+) channel was present in 80% of cells patch-clamped. Initial activation was at -65 mV with peak inward current at -30 mV. Steady-state inactivation and activation curves revealed a window current between -75 and -60 mV. The Na(+) current was blocked by lidocaine and internal and external QX314. A cDNA highly homologous to SCN5A, the alpha subunit of the cardiac Na(+) channel, was present in the cDNA libraries constructed from dissociated cells and from smooth muscle cells collected using laser-capture microdissection. CONCLUSIONS Human jejunal circular smooth muscle cells express a tetrodotoxin-insensitive Na(+) channel, probably SCN5A. Whether SCN5A plays a role in the pathophysiology of human gut dysmotilities remains to be determined.
The chronic aquatic toxicity of a microbicide dibromonitrilopropionamide

The chronic aquatic toxicities of a microbicide dibromonitrilopropionamide (DBNPA) in Daphnia magna and rainbow trout were evaluated. DBNPA can significantly affect the reproduction and survival of D. magna. The lowest observed effective concentration (LOEC) and the no observed effective concentration (NOEC) of DBNPA to D. magna were 0.053 and 0.072 mg L−1, respectively, and the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) at a concentration of 0.01 mg L−1. Meanwhile, DBNPA affected the growth of juvenile rainbow trout at a concentration of 0.01875 mg L−1 after 28-day exposure. The results showed that DBNPA has chronic deleterious effects on aquatic organisms.
When the History of Ideas Meets Theory: Arthur Lewis and the Classical Economists on Development

Lewis claimed that his 1954 model of economic development in a dual economy was based on the classical framework originally advanced by Smith, Malthus, Ricardo and Marx. The present paper provides a detailed investigation of how Lewis adopted and adapted classical concepts such as productive/unproductive labor, economic surplus, subsistence wages, reserve army, capital accumulation etc. The Lewis 1954 model is set in the context of other growth and development models put forward at the time by Harrod, Domar, Swan, Kaldor, Solow, Nurkse, Rosenstein-Rodan, Myint and others. The heuristic role of the history of economic thought in Lewis’s works is examined, as well as the influence of his LSE background. Lewis elaborated models of dual economies on both domestic and international levels, with distinct aims and results.
Long‐term loss of osteoclasts and unopposed cortical mineral apposition following limited field irradiation

Late‐onset fragility fractures are a common complication following radiotherapy for metastatic disease and soft tissue sarcomas. Using a murine hindlimb focal irradiation model (RTx), we quantified time‐dependent changes in osteoclasts and mineral apposition rate (MAR). Mice received either a single, unilateral 5 Gy exposure or four fractionated doses (4 × 5 Gy). Osteoclast numbers and MAR were evaluated histologically at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 26 weeks post‐RTx. Radiation induced an early, transient increase in osteoclasts followed by long‐term depletion. Increased osteoclast numbers correlated temporally with trabecular resorption; the resorbed trabeculae were not later restored. Radiotherapy did not attenuate MAR at any time point. A transient, early increase in MAR was noted in both RTx groups, however, the 4 × 5 Gy group exhibited an unexpected spike in MAR eight weeks. Persistent depletion of osteoclasts permitted anabolic activity to continue unopposed, resulting in cortical thickening. These biological responses likely contribute to post‐radiotherapy bone fragility via microdamage accumulation and matrix embrittlement in the absence of osteoclastic remodeling, and trabecular resorption‐induced decrease in bone strength. The temporal distribution of osteoclast numbers suggests that anti‐resorptive therapies may be of clinical benefit only if started prior to radiotherapy and continued through the following period of increased osteoclastic remodeling. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:? –? , 2015.
Glycosidase inhibitors: inhibitors of N‐linked oligosaccharide processing

The biosynthesis of the various types of N‐linked oligosaccharide structures involves two series of reactions: 1) the formation of the lipid‐linked saccharide precursor, Glc3Man9(GlcNAc)2‐pyrophosphoryl‐dolichol, by the stepwise addition of GlcNAc, mannose and glucose to dolichyl‐P, and 2) the removal of glucose and mannose by membrane‐bound glycosidases and the addition of GlcNAc, galactose, sialic acid, and fucose by Golgilocalized glycosyltransferases to produce different complex oligosaccharide structures. For most glycoproteins, the precise role of the carbohydrate is still not known, but specific N‐linked oligosaccharide structures are key players in targeting of lysosomal hydrolases to the lysosomes, in the clearance of asialoglycoproteins from the serum, and in some cases of cell:cell adhesion. Furthermore, many glycoproteins have more than one N‐linked oligosaccharide, and these oligosaccharides on the same protein frequently have different structures. Thus, one oligosaccharide may be of the high‐mannose type whereas another may be a complex chain. One approach to determining the role of specific structures in glycoprotein function is to use inhibitors that block the modification reactions at different steps, causing the cell to produce glycoproteins with altered carbohydrate structures. The function of these glycoproteins can then be assessed. A number of alkaloid‐like compounds have been identified that are specific inhibitors of the glucosidases and mannosidases involved in glycoprotein processing. These compounds cause the formation of glycoproteins with glucose‐containing high mannose structures, or various high‐mannose or hybrid chains, depending on the site of inhibition. These inhibitors have also been useful for studying the processing pathway and for comparing processing enzymes from different organisms. —Elbein, A. D. Glycosidase inhibitors: inhibitors of N‐linked oligosaccharide processing. FASEB J. 5: 3055‐3063; 1991.
Assessing the Value of Overseas On-Market Share Buybacks

Overseas on-market share buybacks are buybacks by domestic firms conducted wholly or partly on a foreign exchange. Compared with a 2.3 percent average abnormal market response on announcement for domestic buybacks, we find a significantly lower 0.7 percent response for overseas buybacks. Further, portfolios of overseas relative to domestic buybacks have a significantly negative buy-and-hold abnormal return difference of -20.6 percent over a two-year horizon. Regardless of measurement, this difference in longer-term returns is both materially and statistically important and is only partly driven by conventional buyback explanatory variables of: larger firm size, high growth opportunities, lower overall cash balance and higher profitability. We find that the overseas nature of the buyback itself, especially for cross-listed firms, is economically and statistically significant in influencing the negative post-buyback event medium-term abnormal returns. Two key implications of our results, which are applicable and relevant for all stock markets, are: (i) overseas buybacks have signaling benefits for future performance, and (ii) improved disclosure of both the intention and extent of any overseas buybacks is desirable as it provides useful information.
Comparison between vertical silicon NW-TFET and NW-MOSFETfrom analog point of view

In this work a comparison of the analog performance between vertical silicon Nanowires Tunnel Field Effect Transistors (NW-TFETs) and nanowires MOSFETs (NW-MOSFETs) is performed mainly focusing on the basic analog characteristics at room and high temperatures for the first time. The opposite transconductance trend as a function of temperature and the much lower (better) output conductance obtained for NW-TFETs when compared to NW-MOSFETs contribute to an important improvement of the intrinsic voltage gain, making the NW-TFETs a good alternative for analog applications.