Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antibiotic growth-promoters in food animals

By Peter Hughes and John Heritage, University of Leeds, UK There has been a developing controversy surrounding the use of antibiotics as growth promoters for food animals. These drugs are used at low doses in animal feeds and are considered to improve the quality of the product, with a lower percentage of fat and a higher protein content in the meat. Other benefits of the use of antibiotic growth-promoters include control of zoonotic pathogens such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Escherichia coli and enterococci.
Randomized, Clinical Trial of Ligasure™ vs. Conventional Diathermy in Hemorrhoidectomy

AbstractPURPOSE: Hemorrhoidectomy is frequently associated with significant postoperative pain, and new techniques to reduce this pain are constantly under evaluation. The present study was conducted to determine the usefulness of the Ligasure™ system and compare it with conventional diathermy for hemorrhoidectomy. METHODS: Thirty-four consecutive patients with Grade 3 or 4 hemorrhoids requiring surgery were recruited and randomized into two groups by preoperative assignment of sealed envelopes. Patients with coexisting perianal disease, previous perianal surgery, or thrombosed hemorrhoids were excluded. All patients were anesthetized and operated on by a single team. In one group, monopolar diathermy in the coagulation mode was used to dissect hemorrhoidal tissue from the internal sphincter. In the second group, tissue was coagulated by Ligasure™ and then divided with scissors. Operating time was documented by theater staff. Postoperatively, pain scores and Cleveland Clinic incontinence scores were documented. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were randomized into each group. There were no significant differences in age, gender, or clinical symptoms between the groups. The mean operating time in the Ligasure™ group was 6 (range, 4–10) minutes compared with 11 (range, 7–20) minutes in the other group, and this was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Patients in the Ligasure™ group reported significantly less pain with first defecation and at postoperative Days 1 and 14 (P < 0.001). The mean hospital stay in both groups was one (range, 1–5) day, and there was no difference in the incontinence scores. CONCLUSIONS: Ligasure™ diathermy provides a superior alternative to conventional diathermy in hemorrhoidectomy by reducing operating time and postoperative pain.
Lipid fraction quality evaluation of Brazilian meat-based products

Lipid fraction components of meat-based products were evaluated by analysis of cholesterol, cholesterol oxidation products and fatty acid composition, with emphasis in the trans isomer. 126 samples were analyzed: being 45 of processed beef products, 36 of pork products and 45 of mixed meat products. Cholesterol and cholesterol oxides were determined by HPLC. The fatty acids were determined by gas chromatography using a CP-SIL 88 capillary column. 7-ketocholesterol (µg g-1) was found in one sample of hamburger (3.2), in two samples of frankfurter (1.6 and 2.0) and in one sample of mortadella (2.6). Significant amounts of trans fatty acids were found in two processed beef products. The cholesterol content varied from 220 in the spam to 590 mg kg-1 in the salami and the total lipid contents from 28 in the ham to 250 g kg-1 in the salami. The low oxidative degradation of the lipid fraction could be attributed to the presence of the antioxidant sodium erythorbate in the samples.
On an extension of an achievable rate region for the binary multiplying channel

Shannon showed that for the binary multiplying channel (BMC) his inner and outer hounds to the capacity region differ. Schalkwijk gave a simple coding strategy that yields rate pairs (R_{1}, R_{2}) outside the Shannon inner bound region. For the case of equal rates in both directions this strategy achieves R_{1} = R_{2} = 0.6 1914 beyond Shannon's inner bound rate R_{1} = R_{2} = 0.61695 . In this correspondence it is shown that using a result by Slepian and Wolf one can bootstrap the Schalkwijk strategy to find an even larger achievable rate region. In fact, symmetric R_{1} = R_{2} operation of the BMC now yields a common rate R_{1} = R_{2} = 0.63056 .
Sensitization of the reinforcing effects of self‐administered cocaine in rats: effects of dose and intravenous injection speed

Speed of drug onset is assumed to be an important determinant of the abuse liability of a drug. Studies in human and non‐human primates suggest that the subjective and reinforcing effects of cocaine can be influenced by route of administration and/or speed of intravenous injection. Sensitization to the reinforcing effects of cocaine was studied in rats and the effects of various injection durations (i.e. speed of injection) on the development of sensitization was examined using a progressive ratio schedule. In addition, the effects of cocaine dose on sensitization and the effects of injection duration on the acute reinforcing effects of cocaine were examined. The initial study demonstrated that the development of sensitization (i.e. progressive increases in breakpoints) was dose‐dependent. A robust sensitization of the reinforcing effects of cocaine was replicated in animals receiving cocaine at the highest rate (i.e. shortest duration; 5 s), but not in animals receiving the same dose over 25 or 50 s. Subsequent testing revealed that injection duration did not have profound effects on the acute reinforcing effects of cocaine (assessed by breakpoints or rate of responding on a fixed ratio schedule). These findings are similar to recent studies demonstrating that the development of sensitization, but not the acute responsivity, to cocaine's locomotor‐activating effects are influenced by rate of intravenous injection. Taking these findings together, we hypothesize that the process of drug addiction involves both the acute reinforcing effects and the development of sensitization.
Blockade of ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization by sodium butyrate: descriptive analysis of gene regulations in the striatum.

BACKGROUND Behavioral sensitization induced by repeated ethanol (EtOH) exposure may play a critical role in the development of alcohol dependence. Because recent data demonstrate that histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) may be of interest in the treatment of addiction, we explored the effect of the HDACi sodium butyrate (NaB) on EtOH-induced behavioral sensitization (EIBS) in DBA/2J mice. We also investigated gene regulations in the striatum of sensitized mice using epigenetic- and signal transduction-related PCR arrays. METHODS Mice were injected with saline or EtOH (0.5 to 2.5 g/kg) once a day for 10 days. Mice received NaB (200 to 600 mg/kg) 30 minutes before each injection (prevention protocol) or once daily between days 11 and 16 (reversal protocol). At day 17, brains were removed 30 minutes after a saline or EtOH challenge to assess gene and proteins levels. RESULTS Only the intermediate EtOH doses (1.0 and 2.0 g/kg) were effective in inducing EIBS, and both doses were associated with specific gene regulations in the striatum. The induction of sensitization by 1.0 g/kg (but not 2.0 g/kg) EtOH was dose-dependently prevented or reversed by NaB. Among the 168 studied genes, EIBS blockade was associated with specific gene regulations (bcl-2, bdnf, hdac4, pak1, penk, tacr1, vip…) and changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor in both striatum and prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that EIBS is associated with specific gene regulations in the striatum depending on the EtOH dose and that NaB can be useful in blocking some long-lasting neuro-adaptations to repeated EtOH administrations.
Urinary excretion of cytokines and complement SC5b-9 in idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis.

Idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis (iMGN) has previously been shown to be associated with urinary excretion of terminal complement complexes while increased urinary levels of cytokines have been reported in mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. In the present cross-sectional study urinary excretion of IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and soluble C5b-9 (SC5b-9) was examined for 23 patients with iMGN, 16 patients with diabetic nephropathy (DNP), and 17 healthy subjects. IL-1 beta excretion (pg/mg crea) was significantly higher in iMGN patients (375, range 162-11,000) than in DNP patients (39, range 22-59, P < 0.001) or healthy controls (151, range 23-481, P < 0.001). TNF-alpha excretion rate (pg/mg crea) was clearly higher (38, range 21-700) in iMGN patients than in DNP patients (14, range 8-52, P < 0.001) or healthy subjects (11, range 7-26, P < 0.001). Median IL-6 excretion (pg/mg crea) was only marginally higher in iMGN patients (73, range 0-850) than in healthy subjects (64, range 3-158, P = 0.02) but significantly higher than in DNP patients (29, range 17-47, P < 0.001). No significant correlation with corresponding serum values was observed for urinary IL-6 or TNF-alpha excretion. Urinary IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha correlated with decreased renal function. Five of 23 patients showed progression of iMGN over a follow-up of 6 months. The excretion of all cytokines, TNF-alpha in particular, was significantly higher in patients with a progressive disease than in the other patients. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Lifelong rapamycin administration ameliorates age‐dependent cognitive deficits by reducing IL‐1β and enhancing NMDA signaling

Understanding the factors that contribute to age‐related cognitive decline is imperative, particularly as age is the major risk factor for several neurodegenerative disorders. Levels of several cytokines increase in the brain during aging, including IL‐1β, whose levels positively correlate with cognitive deficits. Previous reports show that reducing the activity of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) extends lifespan in yeast, nematodes, Drosophila, and mice. It remains to be established, however, whether extending lifespan with rapamycin is accompanied by an improvement in cognitive function. In this study, we show that 18‐month‐old mice treated with rapamycin starting at 2 months of age perform significantly better on a task measuring spatial learning and memory compared to age‐matched mice on the control diet. In contrast, rapamycin does not improve cognition when given to 15‐month‐old mice with pre‐existing, age‐dependent learning and memory deficits. We further show that the rapamycin‐mediated improvement in learning and memory is associated with a decrease in IL‐1β levels and an increase in NMDA signaling. This is the first evidence to show that a small molecule known to increase lifespan also ameliorates age‐dependent learning and memory deficits.
TAp63 Is Important for Cardiac Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells and Heart Development

p63, a member of the p53 family, is essential for skin morphogenesis and epithelial stem cell maintenance. Here, we report an unexpected role of TAp63 in cardiogenesis. p63 null mice exhibit severe defects in embryonic cardiac development, including dilation of both ventricles, a defect in trabeculation and abnormal septation. This was accompanied by myofibrillar disarray, mitochondrial disorganization, and reduction in spontaneous calcium spikes. By the use of embryonic stem cells (ESCs), we show that TAp63 deficiency prevents expression of pivotal cardiac genes and production of cardiomyocytes. TAp63 is expressed by endodermal cells. Coculture of p63‐knockdown ESCs with wild‐type ESCs, supplementation with Activin A, or overexpression of GATA‐6 rescue cardiogenesis. Therefore, TAp63 acts in a non‐cell‐autonomous manner by modulating expression of endodermal factors. Our findings uncover a critical role for p63 in cardiogenesis that could be related to human heart disease. STEM CELLS 2011;29:1672–1683
A multicentre evaluation of the autograft procedure for young patients undergoing aortic valve replacement: update on the German Ross Registry†.

OBJECTIVES Conventional aortic valve replacement (AVR) in young, active patients represents a suboptimal solution in terms of long-term survival, durability and quality of life. The aim of the present work is to present an update on the multicentre experience with the pulmonary autograft procedure in young, adult patients. METHODS Between 1990-2013, 1779 adult patients (1339 males; 44.7 ± 11.6 years) underwent the pulmonary autograft procedure in 8 centres. All patients underwent prospective clinical and echocardiographic examinations annually. The mean follow-up was 8.3 ± 5.1 years (range 0-24.3 years) with a total cumulative follow-up of 14 288 years and 662 patients having a follow-up of at least 10 years. RESULTS The early (30-day) mortality rate was 1.1% (n = 19). Late (>30 day) survival of the adult population was comparable with the age- and gender-matched general population (observed deaths: 101, expected deaths: 91; P = 0.29). Freedom from autograft reoperation at 5, 10 and 15 years was 96.8, 94.7 and 86.7%, respectively, whereas freedom from homograft reoperation was 97.6, 95.5 and 92.3%, respectively. The overall freedom from reoperation was 94.9, 91.1 and 82.7%, respectively. Longitudinal modelling of functional valve performance revealed a low (<5%) probability of a patient being in higher autograft regurgitation grades throughout the first decade. Similarly, excellent homograft function was observed throughout the first 15 years. CONCLUSION The autograft principle results in postoperative long-term survival comparable with that of the age- and gender-matched general population and reoperation rates within the 1%/patient-year boundaries and should be considered in young, active patients who want to avoid the shortcomings of conventional prostheses.
Intravenous paracetamol as an adjunctive analgesic in post-operative pain management after total abdominal hysterectomy

Post operative pain is one of the important factor which affects the recovery of a patient especially in major surgeries and in elderly patients. Poor pain control is associated with increased morbidity and mortality also affecting the psychological condition of the patient. Recently multimodal analgesia is advocated wherein multiple drugs acting on different receptors are used to reduce the toxicity of using a single drug and improve the quality of analgesia. In our study 54 patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy under GA were considered. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Towards the end of the surgery one group received 1 gm iv paracetamol and other received NS and the same repeated 6th hourly for 24 hrs. Postoperatively patient was started on PCA morphine with 1mg on demand and a lockout interval of 10 mins. Pain was assessed using visual analogue scale at frequent intervals and a rescue dose of morphine 2mg was given if VAS score was > 3. Patient was assessed with respect to pain, total dose of morphine consumed and satisfaction scores. The total dose of morphine consumed in 24 hrs was significantly more in the control group. The pain scores were comparable in both the groups. Usage of paracetamol as an adjuvant was associated with a 50% reduction in morphine consumption in the postoperative period with better satisfaction scores.
Modelling the impact of fungal spore ice nuclei on clouds and precipitation

Some fungal spore species have been found in laboratory studies to be very efficient ice nuclei. However, their potential impact on clouds and precipitation is not well known and needs to be investigated. Fungal spores as a new aerosol species were introduced into the global climate model (GCM) ECHAM5-HAM. The inclusion of fungal spores acting as ice nuclei in a GCM leads to only minor changes in cloud formation and precipitation on a global level; however, changes in the liquid water path and ice water path as well as stratiform precipitation can be observed in the boreal regions where tundra and forests act as sources of fungal spores. Although fungal spores contribute to heterogeneous freezing, their impact is reduced by their low numbers as compared to other heterogeneous ice nuclei.
THE ROLE OF SURFACE TENSION IN STABLE SINGLE-BUBBLE SONOLUMINESCENCE

A theory for stable bubble oscillations in high pressure sound fields is presented. It is based on the strong influence of the surface tension on the dynamics of small bubbles and takes into account rectified diffusion and the resonancelike response of small bubbles to very strong acoustic pressure amplitudes. This theory provides an explanation for the existence of small, stably oscillating bubbles that have been observed in experiments on sonoluminescence. [S0031-9007(96)02169-2] PACS numbers: 43.25. + y, 43.35. + d, 47.55. Bx, 78.60. Mq
Diminished striatal [123I]iodobenzovesamicol binding in idiopathic cervical dystonia

Striatal dysfunction is thought to underlie many dystonias. We used [123I]iodobenzovesamicol single‐photon emission computed tomography imaging to determine the density of cholinergic terminals in the striatum and other brain regions in 13 subjects with idiopathic cervical dystonia. Striatal [131I]iodobenzovesamicol binding was reduced. These results support a role for striatal dysfunction in idiopathic dystonias and suggest diminished striatal cholinergic interneuron density in cervical dystonia. Ann Neurol 2003;53:528–532
Concurrent Plasma Epinephrine, Norepinephrine and 17‐Hydroxycorticosteroid Levels During Conditioned Emotional Disturbances in Monkeys

&NA; In studies involving biochemical measurement of plasma 17‐OH‐CS, norepinephrine, and epinephrine levels during conditioned emotional disturbances in monkeys, elevations in 17‐OH‐CS and norepinephrine levels were observed in a variety of experimental situations. The regulation of epinephrine secretion, however, appeared to have a more selective basis. In relatively stereotyped, predictable situations such as avoidance and CER, patterns of 17‐OH‐CS and norepinephrine elevation, with little or no change in plasma epinephrine levels, were observed. In first experience situations and rather complicated, multiple‐schedule conditioning procedures, a pattern of marked 17‐OH‐CS, norepinephrine, and epinephrine elevations were observed. These experiments suggest that several interacting elements may be necessary for marked epinephrine release during anticipatory responses. An effort has been made to identify some of these elements in terms of both environmental and biological factors that appear to be common to those situations in which marked epinephrine elevations were observed. It is suggested that the element of uncertainty or unpredictability, in combination with such factors as the threat of a noxious stimulus and the anticipation of coping activity, may be a particularly critical factor in the determination of epinephrine release during emotional disturbances.
Levodopa Reduces Muscle Tone and Lower Extremity Tremor in Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract Objective We have quantified the effects of levodopa treatment in Parkinsonian subjects during maintained stance. Methods Electromyographic muscle activity during quiet stance was assessed in subjects with Parkinson’s disease, who exhibited a fluctuating response to levodopa, and in age-matched control subjects. Stance stability was also assessed from mean displacement and velocity of the center of pressure excursions during stance. Results Lower extremity and trunk muscles showed high amplitude activity in all Parkinson’s subjects when “off”, and a 4–5 Hz tremor in three of these subjects. When “on”, the amplitude of muscle activity was reduced in the distal muscles more than the proximal, while tremor was suppressed in all muscles. Corresponding to the excessive muscle activity, the Parkinson’s subjects had increased velocity and variability of velocity in the anterior-posterior center of foot pressure excursions, but the mean displacement of the center of pressure excursion was not different from the controls. The velocity of center of pressure excursions in the Parkinson’s subjects “on”, approached those of the control subjects suggesting that the excessive distal muscle amplitude and tremor contributed to the high velocity of the center of pressure. Conclusions These findings suggest that dopaminergic systems are involved in the regulation of muscle tone during stance. Depletion of dopaminergic transmission results in increased muscle tone and tremor in the lower extremities which may contribute to changes in posture and stability.
Health professionals' perspectives in exercise referral: implications for the referral process

The number of exercise referral schemes expanded rapidly across the UK during the 1990s. Health professionals are thought to be one of the most credible sources of health advice for patients and, hence, are thought to have a pivotal role to play in exercise referral schemes. The aim of the study was to investigate the exercise referral process from the health professional's perspective, specifically examining perceived barriers to referral, priority given to an exercise referral scheme in day-to-day consultations, perceived importance of their role in the process and referring practices. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were utilized with 49% (n = 71) of general practitioners and practice nurses (collectively referred to as health professionals throughout), in a large North West borough (population size approximately 287 000) responding to a postal survey and 11 health professionals (general practitioners n = 9 and practice nurses n = 2) volunteering to take part in a semi-structured interview. Barriers to the referral of patients included lack of time, lack of feedback regarding the patients referred, medico-legal responsibility, a feeling that patients may not take exercise advice given and the belief that physical activity promotion is not a priority during routine consultations. Health professionals refer individuals to an exercise referral scheme on an unsystematic basis and express mixed opinions regarding their perceived role in patient physical activity behaviour change. This study calls for closer partnership working, involving training for promoting physical activity in general practice. Also, greater feedback with regard to patient benefits is needed, in order to overcome some of the practical and perceived barriers for health professionals when referring patients to an exercise referral scheme.
Swelling‐activated cation channels mediate depolarization of rat cerebrovascular smooth muscle by hyposmolarity and intravascular pressure

1 Increases in intravascular pressure depolarize vascular smooth muscle cells. Based on the attenuating effects of Cl− channel antagonists, it has been suggested that swelling‐activated Cl− channels may be integral to this response. Consequently, this study tested for the presence of a swelling‐activated Cl− conductance in both intact rat cerebral arteries and isolated rat smooth muscle cells. 2 A 50 mosmol l−1 hyposmotic challenge (300 to 250 mosmol l−1) constricted rat cerebral arteries. This constriction contained all the salient features of a pressure‐induced response including smooth muscle cell depolarization and a rise in intracellular Ca2+ that was blocked by voltage‐operated Ca2+ channel antagonists. The hyposmotically induced depolarization was attenuated by DIDS (300 μm) and tamoxifen (1 μm), a response consistent with the presence of a swelling‐activated Cl− conductance. 3 A swelling‐activated current was identified in cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells. This current was sensitive to Cl− channel antagonists including DIDS (300 μm), tamoxifen (1 μm) and IAA‐94 (100 μm). However, contrary to expectations, the reversal potential of this swelling‐activated current shifted with the Na+ equilibrium potential and not the Cl− equilibrium potential, indicating that the swelling‐activated current was carried by cations and not anions. The swelling‐activated cation current was blocked by Gd3+, a cation channel antagonist. 4 Gd3+ also blocked both swelling‐ and pressure‐induced depolarization of smooth muscle cells in intact cerebral arteries. 5 These findings suggest that swelling‐ and pressure‐induced depolarization arise from the activation of a cation conductance. This current is inhibited by DIDS, tamoxifen, IAA‐94 and gadolinium.