Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in the secretion of ovarian steroid and pituitary luteinizing hormone in the peri-ovulatory period in the ewe: the effect of progesterone.

The secretion rates of oestradiol, androstenedione and progesterone and the peripheral plasma concentration of LH were measured in 12 ewes with ovarian autotransplants before and after luteal regression induced by a single intramuscular injection of a synthetic prostaglandin (PG) analogue, 16-aryloxyprostaglandin F 2alpha (I.C.I. 80996). Luteal regression was followed by a fourfold rise in the basal concentration of LH and increased secretion of oestradiol. In five out of six ewes there was a discharge of LH with the peak occurring 36--78 h after the injection of the PG analogue. The secretion of oestradiol declined from 3-68 +/- 1-08 to 0-33 +/- 0-6 (S.E.M.) ng/min in the 24 h following the LH peak (P less than 0-001). In the remaining six ewes in which progesterone was implanted subcutaneously 24 h after the injection of PG analogue, follicular development was suppressed as indicated by the low secretion of oestradiol and androstenedione. The basal concentration of LH fell to values similar to those observed during the luteal phase after the implant of progesterone. The secretion of androstenedione followed a similar pattern to that of oestradiol in those ewes which showed presumptive evidence of ovulation. These results suggest that progesterone reinforces the negative feedback effects of oestrogen in the ewe.
Evaluation of the neuroprotective effects of sodium channel blockers after spinal cord injury: improved behavioral and neuroanatomical recovery with riluzole.

OBJECT Persistent activation of voltage-sensitive Na+ channels is associated with cellular toxicity and may contribute to the degeneration of neural tissue following traumatic brain and spinal cord injury (SCI). Pharmacological blockade of these channels can attenuate secondary pathophysiology and reduce functional deficits acutely. METHODS To determine the therapeutic effects of Na+ channel blockers on long-term tissue sparing and functional neurological recovery after traumatic SCI, the authors injected Wistar rats intraperitoneally with riluzole (5 mg/kg), phenytoin (30 mg/kg), CNS5546A, a novel Na+ channel blocker (15 mg/kg), or vehicle (2-HP3CD; 5 mg/kg) 15 minutes after induction of compressive SCI at C7-T1. Functional neurological recovery of coordinated hindlimb function and strength, assessed 1 week postinjury and weekly thereafter for 6 weeks, was significantly enhanced in animals treated with riluzole compared with the other treatment groups. Seven weeks postinjury the preservation of residual tissue and integrity of descending axons were determined with digital morphometrical and fluorescent histochemical analysis. All three Na+ channel blockers significantly enhanced residual tissue area at the injury epicenter compared with control. Riluzole significantly reduced tissue loss in rostrocaudal regions surrounding the epicenter, with overall sparing of gray matter and selective sparing of white matter. Also, counts of red nuclei neurons retrogradely labeled with fluorogold introduced caudal to the injury site were significantly increased in the riluzole group. CONCLUSIONS Systemic Na+ channel blockers, in particular riluzole, can confer significant neuroprotection after in vivo SCI and result in behavioral recovery and sparing of both gray and white matter.
Phospholipase D1 Regulates Cell Migration in a Lipase Activity-independent Manner*

Cell migration, a complex biological process, requires dynamic cytoskeletal remodeling. Phospholipase D (PLD) generates phosphatidic acid, a lipid second messenger. Although PLD activity has been proposed to play a role in cytoskeletal rearrangement, the manner in which PLD participates in the rearrangement process remains obscure. In this study, by silencing endogenous PLD isozymes using small interfering RNA in HeLa cells, we demonstrate that endogenous PLD1 is required for the normal organization of the actin cytoskeleton, and, more importantly, for cell motility. PLD1 silencing in HeLa cells resulted in dramatic changes in cellular morphology, including the accumulation of stress fibers, as well as cell elongation and flattening, which appeared to be caused by an increased number of focal adhesions, which ultimately culminated in enhanced cell-substratum interactions. Accordingly, serum-induced cell migration was profoundly inhibited by PLD1-silencing. Moreover, the augmented cell substratum interaction and retarded cell migration induced by PLD1-silencing could be restored by the adding back not only of wild type, but also of lipase-inactive PLD1 into knockdown cells. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that endogenous PLD1 is a critical factor in the organization of the actin-based cytoskeleton, with regard to cell adhesion and migration. These effects of PLD1 appear to operate in a lipase activity-independent manner. We also discuss the regulation of Src family kinases by PLD1, as related to the modulation of Pyk2 and cell migration.
Effects of bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation on parkinsonian gait

Gait analysis was carried out to assess the effects of l-dopa and bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation on gait velocity, cadence, stride length, and gait kinematics in nine patients with PD. Substantial effects of bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation on gait, with an increase in gait velocity and stride length comparable to that of a suprathreshold l-dopa dose, were found. Interestingly, stride length was more improved by l-dopa and cadence more by subthalamic nucleus stimulation. In two patients with freezing during the “on” period, subthalamic nucleus stimulation failed to reduce this symptom effectively.
Schwann cells revert to non‐myelinating phenotypes in the deafened rat cochlea

Loss of sensory hair cells within the cochlea results in a permanent sensorineural hearing loss and initiates the gradual degeneration of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) − the primary afferent neurons of the cochlea. While these neurons are normally myelinated via Schwann cells, loss of myelin occurs as a precursor to neural degeneration. However, the relationship between demyelination and the status of Schwann cells in deafness is not well understood. We used a marker of peripheral myelin (myelin protein zero; P0) and a marker of Schwann cells (S100) to determine the temporal sequence of myelin and Schwann cell loss as a function of duration of deafness. Rat pups were systemically deafened for periods ranging from 2 weeks to greater than 6 months by co‐administration of frusemide and gentamicin. Cochleae were cryosectioned and quantitative immunohistochemistry used to determine the extent of P0 and S100 labelling within the peripheral processes, SGN soma and their central processes within the modiolus. SGN density was also determined for each cochlear turn. P0 labelling decreased throughout the cochlea with increasing duration of deafness. The reduction in P0 labelling occurred at a faster rate than the SGN loss. In contrast, S100 labelling was not significantly reduced compared with age‐matched controls in any cochlear region until 6 months post‐deafening. These results suggest that Schwann cells may revert to non‐myelinating phenotypes in response to deafness and exhibit greater survival traits than SGNs. The potential clinical significance of these findings for cochlear implants is discussed.
Comparison between macular pigment optical density measurements using two-wavelength autofluorescence and heterochromatic flicker photometry techniques.

PURPOSE The association of macular pigment (MP) with age-related macular degeneration has been extensively studied in recent years, and interest in a rapid, objective, and accurate technique to measure MP optical density (MPOD) has increased. The purpose of this study was to compare the MPOD values at specific loci around the fovea using the heterochromatic flicker photometry (HFP) and the two-wavelength autofluorescence (AF) methods in a young, healthy population. METHODS Ten patients (20 eyes) were enrolled. Subjects with any ocular or systemic disease were excluded. All patients underwent HFP and AF examination. The AF examination was performed using a modified scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Values for both devices were measured at four eccentricities around the fovea (0.25 degrees , 0.5 degrees, 1.0 degrees, and 1.75 degrees). Each eye was tested three times with each METHOD Statistical analysis was based on paired t-test and linear regression analysis. RESULTS At all retinal eccentricities, the HFP values were consistently lower than the HRA values (P < 0.001). There was, however, a significant correlation at almost all locations. The strongest correlation between two methods was found at 1.75 degrees from the center of the fovea (r = 0.73). CONCLUSIONS The modified-HRA AF method for MPOD generated results that were highly correlated with the standard HPF method but consistently higher at all eccentricities. These findings suggest that HRA can be reliably used in patients unable to perform HPF, which is important for wider clinical application of MP testing.
Repeat Filers Under the BAPCPA: A Legal and Economic Analysis

On April 20, 2005, President Bush signed into law the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA). BAPCPA was hailed by some as a sensible overhaul of the bankruptcy code aimed towards decreasing repeat bankruptcy filing rates. In this article, we consider specific changes that BAPCPA made to the Bankruptcy Code. Some of these changes were specifically targeted at the congressional view that repeat bankruptcy filings are largely the result of strategic and irresponsible behavior. This article considers whether, in actuality, BAPCPA decreased repeat filings. Our statistics show that while BAPCPA did increase the time between filings, it did not change the rate of repeat filings. Moreover, the financial description of repeat filers remained the same before and after BAPCPA. BAPCPA may have prolonged the inevitable, but it did not lower the rate of repeat filing or affect who repeatedly files for bankruptcy.The statistical and economic analysis in this article is based on a random sample of bankruptcy petitions filed in the Northern District of Texas in 2004 and 2006. The sample was restricted to the Northern District of Texas because extensive financial data had already been collected for a previous study. For each debtor, we extracted information from individual Statements of Financial Affairs and Bankruptcy Schedules and analyzed that information to consider impacts of BAPCPA on repeat filings.Part II of this article will discuss the legislative history of BAPCPA to show the assumptions underlying BAPCPA and the Congressional intent behind the provisions discussed herein. Part II will also consider BAPCPA’s legislative intent as described by scholars and courts interpreting BAPCPA soon after its enactment. Finally, Part II will describe the state of economic research and literature discussing bankruptcy and repeat filing, and describe our data in more detail.Part III of this article will discuss three specific changes to the Bankruptcy Code implemented by BAPCPA, which were aimed in particular at curbing “abusive” repeat filing. Section 362(c) was amended to limit the automatic stay for repeat cases filed within a year of earlier dismissed cases. BAPCPA amended section 707(a)(8) to increase the time debtors must wait between discharges, and added section 109(h) to require that all individual debtors obtain credit counseling before filing for bankruptcy.In addition to discussing these changes from a legal and historical perspective, Part III will also discuss whether and how each change had an impact on repeat filings.Part IV of this article will discuss the more general themes that can be observed from the data. We will detail the financial description of debtors who filed repeat cases before and after BAPCPA, and we will discuss whether BAPCPA had any broad impact on those filers.
Comparisons of chewing difficulty of consumed foods with mandibular conventional dentures and implant-supported overdentures in diabetic denture wearers.

PURPOSE This study compared the chewing difficulty of foods in diets of denture wearers with mandibular conventional and implant-supported overdentures. MATERIALS AND METHODS One-week dietary logs were evaluated for 58 subjects with controlled diabetes at baseline with their original dentures and with new dentures 6 months after treatment completion. Subjects received new maxillary and mandibular complete dentures, 21 with mandibular conventional dentures and 37 with implant-supported overdentures. A 10-point chewing difficulty rating scale (10 for most difficult-to-chew foods) was used to rate food items in the dietary logs. RESULTS ANOVA showed no differences between the chewing difficulty mean scores for all foods consumed either at baseline or posttreatment for the two groups. However, the mean scores for the combined consumption frequency of difficult-to-chew foods (6 to 10) showed a significant decrease following treatment with both types of dentures. This decline did not differ significantly between the denture types. With original dentures, more than 91% of subjects consumed foods with chewing difficulty scores of 6 to 10 at least seven times per week. With study dentures, only 21% maintained this level of consumption, with the frequency decreasing to four to six times per week in 24% and one to three times per week in 43% of subjects. The declines in consumption frequency of more difficult to chew foods with study dentures were in a higher percentage of subjects in the implant than in the conventional group. CONCLUSION After 7 months of adaptation to new dentures, patients consumed fewer difficult-to-chew foods than with their original dentures. This decline was more frequent with mandibular implant-supported overdentures than with conventional dentures. Dietary counseling should be considered as part of implant and complete denture therapy.
Cryogenic treatment of tungsten carbide reduces tool wear when machining medium density fiberboard

A cryogenic treatment (-306°F) was applied to C2 tungsten carbide (WC -6% Co) and compared with untreated carbide to determine if tool wear could be reduced during turning tests with medium density fiberboard (MDF). Both the tool force data and observation of the cutting edges indicate that tool wear was reduced. The cryogenic treatment appeared to have an effect upon the cobalt binder by changing phase or crystal structure so that more cobalt binder was retained during cutting.
Cytoarchitecture and musculotopic organization of the facial motor nucleus in Cebus apella monkey

The architecture and musculotopic organization of the facial motor nucleus in the Cebus apella monkey (a New World primate) were investigated using histological techniques and a multiple labelling strategy, in which horseradish peroxidase‐conjugated neuroanatomical tracers (CTB‐HRP and WGA‐HRP) and fluorescent tracers were injected into individual facial muscles. The facial motor nucleus was formed by multipolar motoneurons and had an ovoid shape, with its rostrocaudal axis measuring on average 1875 µm. We divided the nucleus into four different subnuclei: medial, intermediate, dorsal and lateral. Retrograde labelling patterns revealed that individual muscles were innervated by longitudinal functional columns of motoneurons. The columns of the orbicularis oculi, zygomaticus, orbicularis oris, auricularis superior, buccinator and platysma muscles were located in the dorsal, intermediate, lateral, medial, lateral and intermediate subnuclei, respectively. However, the motoneuron columns of the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle and frontalis muscle could not be associated with a specific subnucleus. The present results confirm previous studies regarding the musculotopic organization of the facial motor nucleus. However, we observed some particularities in terms of the relative size of each column in C. apella, which might be related to the functional and behavioral importance of each muscle in the particular context of this primate.
Antibiotic-supersusceptible mutants of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium

The outer membrane (OM) of many gram-negative bacteria, such as strains of the family Enterobacteriaceae, acts as an effective permeability barrier against various noxious agents, including antibiotics (31, 32, 35, 36, 54). The diffusion of hydrophobic antibiotics through the enterobacterial OM is very restricted because of the lack of glycerophospholipid bilayers, the effective pathway for hydrophobic diffusion (33-35). In addition, large hydrophilic drugs are excluded; they cannot traverse the narrow porin pores, the channels for small hydrophilic nutrients (30-32). The structural integrity of the OM is attributable to its unique lipopolysaccharide (LPS) constituent; adjacent LPS molecules are apparently joined electrostatically by Mg2+, Ca2+, and polyamines to form a stable "roof of tiles" on the surface of the OM (25, 33, 36). Mutants that have a defective OM permeability barrier function are useful in various fields of basic and applied research. The mutagenicity screening tests developed by Ames et al. (1) use LPS-defective deep rough mutants of Salmonella typhimurium; the OM of such strains is a less effective barrier against hydrophobic mutagens than is that of wild-type S. typhimurium. Many probes and drugs used in studies of bacterial cell physiology and biochemistry are hydrophobic and cannot penetrate the wild-type OM but cross the defective OM (34, 35, 54). In biotechnology, bioconversion processes and the production of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli can greatly benefit from mutants that allow maximal diffusion of substrates and release of synthesized periplasmic proteins, respectively. Finally, the use of OM-defective mutants in antibiotic screening panels has led to the discovery of novel antibacterial substances that are active against gram-negative bacteria and inactive or much less active against gram-positive bacteria (12). This review briefly summarizes the recent salient data on the OM-defective antibiotic-supersusceptible mutants of E. coli and S. typhimurium. Furthermore, the review compares the phenotypes of the mutants and shows that some of the very recently reported mutants carry the most supersusceptible phenotype.
Effects of dot height uniformity on the performance of 1.3 /spl mu/m InAs quantum dot lasers

We have systematically investigated the growth parameters of InAs quantum dots (QDs) so as to preserve the uniformity of dot height for 1.3 /spl mu/m QD laser diodes. Devices that are prepared using the optimized growth conditions exhibit threshold current as low as 50 mA, and internal quantum efficiency as high as 63% under continuous-wave operation.
Robust stability of parameter uncertain systems with limited data rates

This article investigates the robust stability problem for parameter uncertain systems with limited data rates. A time-varying recursive allocation (TVRA) algorithm is proposed to solve the modal decomposition and data-rate allocation problems that have to be faced for a multi-dimensional uncertain system. Sufficient conditions for robust stability of the feedback loop are derived. A positive critical lower bound of data rates is presented, below which there exists no quantisation, coding and control scheme to stabilise an unstable parameter uncertain plant. Simulation results show the validity of the proposed scheme.
Fitzpatrick Skin Type, Individual Typology Angle, and Melanin Index in an African Population: Steps Toward Universally Applicable Skin Photosensitivity Assessments.

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program under Grant No. (grant number NSF DGE-1144153) and an international travel allowance co-funded through the Graduate Research Opportunities Worldwide (GROW) and United States Agency for International Development agencies. CSIR Parliamentary Grant funding, Cancer Association of South Africa ad-hoc grant. Cancer Society of New Zealand Inc. and the University of Otago.
Heat Shock Protein 70 Gene Polymorphisms in Japanese Patients With Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease

Background Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is nonatopic asthma, and the role of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 in AERD remains unknown. We analyzed HSP70 gene polymorphisms in Japanese patients with AERD. Methods The single-nucleotide polymorphisms in HSPA1B-179C>T and 1267A>G gene were examined in patients with AERD and those with aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA). All patients were in a stable condition. Results There were significant differences in total serum IgE levels, peripheral blood eosinophil count, and prevalence of atopy between AERD and ATA. The patients with AERD showed higher frequencies of the CT/TT genotype of the HSPA1B-179C>T than that of the CC genotype compared to ATA (P < 0.001). They showed higher frequencies of the GG genotype of the HSPA1B1267A>G than that of the GA/AA genotype compared to ATA (P < 0.001). These differences were irrespective of the sex for the genotypes analyzed. The frequency of HSPA1B-179C/1267A haplotype was significantly higher in AERD compared to ATA (P < 0.001; odds ratio, 3.154; 95% confidence interval, 1.916-5.193). Among the clinical and hematological characteristics investigated, AERD showed a significant variance in peripheral blood eosinophil count according to the association of the 2 HSP70 gene polymorphisms (P = 0.033), but not in ATA. Conclusions Our findings first suggest that the association between HSPA1B-179C>T and 1267A>G gene sequence variations might be implicated in the development of AERD.
Limb salvage and amputation in Type 3C tibial fractures.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of limb salvage and primary amputation treatments in patients with Type 3C tibia fractures and compare with normative population data. METHODS Limb salvage was performed in 20 patients and primary amputation in 14 patients with Type 3C tibia fractures between 1993 and 2009. Mean follow-up period was 5.3 years. Treatment times, complications, number of operations and return-to-work status of groups were compared. The Short Form-36 (SF-36) was used to assess quality of life and domains were compared among the patient groups and normative data. RESULTS Limb salvage patients had longer treatment periods with more operations and complications than the primary amputation group. Return-to-work percentage was 59% in the limb salvage group and 71% in the amputation group. There was no statistical difference in all SF-36 domains for limb salvage and primary amputation patients. Physical functioning, social functioning, limitation due to emotional problems and pain were statistically lower in all patients than in the general population. CONCLUSION Type 3C tibia fractures treated with both limb salvage and primary amputation have negative effects on quality of life. Patients should be informed about limited functional capacity, pain complications and problems with return-to-work at the end of treatment. In addition, high rates of limb salvage can be achieved with proper conditions in suitable patients.