Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cortisol and ACTH release in dairy cows in response to machine milking after pretreatment with morphine and naloxone

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of morphine and naloxone pretreatment on cortisol and ACTH concentrations in response to machine milking in dairy cows. In the first part of the experiment, the effects of i.v. morphine doses (0, 21, 70 and 210 mg, one dose each day) 10 min before morning milking were studied in six Brown Swiss dairy cows. In the second part, four cows were treated 1 d after the control milking with 210 mg morphine at 10 min before milking and the next day with 210 mg naloxone at 15 min before milking followed by 210 mg morphine at 10 min before milking. In addition, four other cows were treated 1 d after the control milking with 210 mg naloxone at 10 min before milking. Pretreatment with morphine significantly suppressed the machine milking-induced increase of cortisol in blood plasma as compared with controls. Naloxone pretreatment overcame the inhibitory effect of morphine and elevated milking-induced cortisol concentrations. Naloxone administration alone significantly increased cortisol concentration resulting from milking as compared with controls. However, ACTH concentrations did not change in either control or treated animals, suggesting an ACTH-independent release mechanism for cortisol during milking. We conclude that the release of cortisol in response to machine milking seems to be modulated by endogenous opioids at the adrenal level and does not appear to be under the control of ACTH.
The Potential of Smart Technologies and Micro-Generation in UK SMEs

Small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make up 99% of businesses and contribute 13% of energy demand globally. However, much of the demand-side energy research and policy attention to date has focused on the domestic, large commercial and industrial sectors. Previous research on SMEs has primarily concentrated on the drivers and barriers to the adoption of energy efficiency measures. However, less attention has been given to other areas of demand-side management in SMEs, such as the role of ‘smart’ technologies and micro-generation. The paper aims to contribute to filling this gap. To analyse the potential of smart technologies in UK SMEs, a quantitative model is developed to assess seven categories of smart technologies in ten non-domestic sectors. Overall, the results suggest that smart technologies within the UK SME market offer significant estimated annual energy savings potential of ~£8.6 billion against an estimated energy spend of ~£49.7 billion (representing ~17% savings potential on energy expenditures). From the smart technology categories examined, fleet management, integrated building management systems and smart meters have the potential to offer the greatest energy savings to SMEs, providing estimated total energy savings of ~£7.5 billion annually. To analyse the potential of micro-generation in UK SMEs, interview-based qualitative research was undertaken with 17 SMEs to explore the drivers and barriers to its adoption. The research found that the initial costs, technical feasibility and planning permission on historical buildings were the main barriers, and that the ‘green’ marketing potential of micro-generation, coupled with ethical reasons and feed-in tariffs, were the main drivers.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament Revision Reconstruction, Part 1

Background Posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions have not shown uniformly predictable results in restoration of normal posterior tibial translation. The authors are unaware of any study that has assessed the causes of failure of these operations, and they investigated 52 prior unsuccessful posterior cruciate ligament procedures to determine the factors that contributed to failure of the operations. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods The authors studied 52 prior failed posterior cruciate ligament surgeries that had been done in 41 knees (40 patients). Graft reconstructions had been done in 31 cases, primary repairs in 14, synthetic replacements in 4, and thermoplasties in 3. Medical records, operative notes, radiographs, and magnetic resonance imaging scans were reviewed, and a comprehensive knee examination was conducted. Results A single factor that caused the operations to fail was identified in 23 (44%) of 52 operations, and multiple factors were identified in 29 (56%). The most common probable causes of failure were associated posterolateral ligament deficiency (40%), improper graft tunnel placement (33%), associated varus malalignment (31%), and primary suture repair (25%). Sixteen of 21 (76%) prior posterolateral ligament procedures had failed, as had 9 of 19 (47%) prior anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions. Twenty-nine knees (71%) presented with pain with activities of daily living. Thirty-four knees (83%) had compounding problems of joint arthritis, prior meniscectomy, associated ligament deficiencies, or varus malalignment. Posterior cruciate revision surgery was done in 22 knees (54%). Eleven knees (27%) had severe joint damage that contraindicated revision, and 8 (19%) declined further operations. Conclusions Failure to restore associated ligament instabilities and incorrect tunnel placement were major factors contributing to surgical failure. The results suggest the need for greater emphasis on the initial reconstruction in graft tunnel placement, correction of associated ligament instabilities, and correction of varus osseous malalignment. Failure of concurrent posterolateral ligament reconstructions was frequently encountered, suggesting the need for higher strength augmentation procedures or anatomical graft replacement.
Adipocyte-Specific Expression and Regional Differences in the Adipose Tissue

The obese (o&) gene, the mutation of which results in severe hereditary obesity and diabetes in mice, has recently been isolated through positional cloning. In this study, we isolated a full-length human ob complementary DNA (cDNA) clone and examined the tissue distribution of ob gene expression in humans. The nucleotide sequences of the human ob cDNA coding region were 83% identical to those of the mouse and rat ob cDNA coding regions. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences revealed that the human ob protein is a 166-amino acid polypeptide with a putative signal sequence and is 84 and 83% homologous to the mouse and rat ob proteins, respectively. Northern blot analysis using the cloned human ob cDNA fragment as a probe identified a single messenger RNA (mRNA) species 4.5 kb in size found abundantly in the adipose tissues obtained from the subcutaneous, omental, retroperitoneal, perilymphatic, and mesenteric fat pads. However, no significant amount of ob mRNA was present in the brain, heart, lung, liver, stomach, pancreas, spleen, small intestine, kidney, prostate, testis, colon, or skeletal muscle. The ob mRNA level in the adipose tissue varied from region to region even in the same individual. Furthermore, in the human adipose tissue, ob gene expression occurred in mature adipocytes rather than in stromal-vascular cells. This study is the first report of the elucidation of ob gene expression in human tissues, thereby leading to better understanding of the physiological and clinical implications of the ob gene. Diabetes 44:855-858, 1995
Protein kinase C stimulation enhances the process formation of adult oligodendrocytes and induces proliferation

Oligodendrocytes (OL) isolated from adult pig brains regenerate their processes and form a network of fibers after 14–18 days in vitro (DIV). Stimulation of protein kinase C (Pk‐C) by tumour promoters such as 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA) produces at day 7 in vitro a similar network after only 20 hr. H‐7, an inhibitor of Pk‐C, as well as amiloride, which inhibits the subsequent Na+/H+ exchange, reversibly suppress this effect. Activation of the protein kinase A or calmodulin pathway do not result in an increased OL process production. Furthermore, TPA induced proliferation in a subpopulation of OL. We conclude that the stimulation of Pk‐C is of utmost importance for OL regeneration.
Multiple Serotypes of the Moderate Thermophile Thiobacillus caldus, a Limitation of Immunological Assays for Biomining Microorganisms

Phylogenetic and phenotypic analysis indicates that a moderately thermophilic isolate, C-SH12, from Australia belongs to the species Thiobacillus caldus. Antiserum generated against whole cells of T. caldus KU recognized protein antigens common to cell lysates of the three T. caldus strains KU, BC13, and C-SH12 but did not recognize whole cells of isolate C-SH12. Differences in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of strain C-SH12 and those of the other two T. caldus strains were found, and the anti-KU antiserum did not recognize the LPS from strain C-SH12. These data indicate that this T. caldus isolate belongs to a serotype different from that of strains KU and BC13.
Birt–Hogg–Dubé gene mutations in human endometrial carcinomas with microsatellite instability

Birt–Hogg–Dubé (BHD) syndrome is a rare form of autosomal dominantly inherited genodermatosis characterized by benign hamartomatous skin lesions named fibrofolliculomas, and an increased risk for developing pulmonary cyst/pneumothorax and various forms of renal cell carcinoma. Many of the patients harbour insertion/deletion mutations in the hypermutable poly(C)8 tract in exon 11 of the BHD gene. This mutational hot spot is also reported to be a target of mutation in microsatellite instability (MSI) sporadic colorectal cancer. To test the hypothesis that the BHD gene is also a mutational target in sporadic endometrial carcinoma with microsatellite instability, 139 cases of sporadic endometrial carcinoma were screened for MSI status, and mutations of the poly(C)8 tract in exon 11 as well as other coding exons of the BHD gene. The poly(G)8 tract of the BAX gene, the poly(C)8 tract of MSH6, and methylation status of hMLH1 were also assessed. Thirty‐nine of 139 cases (28%) showed MSI. Mutations in the poly(C)8 tract of BHD were detected in five of the 39 MSI cases (12.8%). Of these, one showed additional mutation in exon 4, possibly satisfying the two‐hit hypothesis of tumour suppressor genes. BAX gene mutation was detected in ten of the 39 MSI cases (25.6%). Four tumours showed both BAX and BHD mutations, and a significant positive association was found between mutations of the two genes. No association was found between BHD status and MSH6 mutation or hMLH1 methylation. When multiple foci were microdissected and individually screened for mutation, BHD mutations were shown to have been acquired during tumour progression, after mutation of the BAX gene, in three of five cases. Taken together, these findings show that the BHD gene is a target gene in MSI endometrial carcinoma. However, its mutational frequency is lower than that of BAX, and BHD mutation tends to occur during neoplastic progression after the acquisition of mutations in another MSI target gene, BAX. Copyright © 2006 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensory Transduction in Halobacterium halobium: Retinal Protein Pigment Controls UV-Induced Behavioral Response

Abstract Both photosystems, PS 370 and PS 565, controlling behavioral responses in Halobacterium halobium [E. Hildebrand and N. Dencher, Nature 257, 46 - 48 (1975)] are reversibly inhibited when bacteria are grown in the presence of 1 mM nicotine which is known to block biosynthesis of retinal. Photobehavior can be restored within som e minutes to hours by adding retinal to nicotine-treated bacteria, PS 370 thereby reappearing earlier than PS 565. The reconstitution rate depends on the concentration and on the kind of retinal isomers applied. All-trans retinal is most effective. PS 370 becomes fully sensitive if reconstituted in the presence of nicotine. This rules out the possibility that the alkaloid may directly inhibit steps of signal transmission following photoreception. The action spectrum of PS 370 regenerated with retinal alone of H. h. , strain R1L3 (a mutant deficient in carotenoids), fails to show all secondary peaks around 450 nm which in strain R1 occur besides the prominent maximum at 370 nm. Addition of carotenoids (mainly α-bacterioruberin) to reconstituted cells of R1L3 restores the sensitivity in that spectral region. Carotenoids or flavin solely added to nicotine-treated bacteria cannot restore photobehavior. We conclude that the active pigment o f PS 370, which mediates the photophobic response to increase of light intensity (step-up response), represents a retinal protein complex and that carotenoids participate in photoreceptor function as accessory pigments. The biochemical relation of the UV-absorbing retinal protein complex to bacteriorhodopsin is discussed.
Oxalate Removal by Differing Dialysis Techniques

Secondary hyperoxalemia is a common feature in patients with chronic renal failure, but oxalate removal is not adequately accomplished by regular dialysis treatment. Oxalate removal in two groups of patients, 11 on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and 12 on hemodialysis (HD), was investigated. HD patients were studied during a regular bicarbonate dialysis and during hemodiafiltration (HDF) with a high convective component (UF = 66 mL/min) and AN69 filter (Hospal Filtral 12, 1.2 m2, Hospal Industrie, Meyzieu, France). All HD and HDF spent dialysate and all 24 hr CAPD effluents were collected; oxalate concentration was measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using an ion exchange column. Both oxalate flux and total extraction were statistically higher during HDF treatments (HDF = 1.87 ± 0.77 mg/min and 335.9 ± 131.5 mg/session, respectively; HD = 0.99 ± 0.74 mg/min, 226 ± 153 mg/session, respectively; p < 0.02). The positive interaction of convective and diffusive fluxes probably played a major role in oxalate removal during treatment with a high convective component; solute-membrane interactions can occur by using either cellulosic or synthetic fibers. In CAPD patients, oxalate removal (76.42 ± 50.85 mg/day) was lower than in patients on either HD or HDF, although weekly oxalate extraction was statistically no different between CAPD (535.46 ± 356 mg/week) and HD (677.72 ± 460.82 mg/week). It was concluded that HDF is more effective than HD or CAPD in oxalate removal. Long-term studies are needed to demonstrate whether these kinetic findings have clinical relevance.
Title Relationships between climate of origin and photosynthetic responses to an episodic heatwave depend on growth CO 2 concentration for Eucalyptus camaldulensis var .

Stressful episodic weather is likely to affect the C balance of trees as the climate changes, potentially altering survival. However, the role of elevated CO2 concentration ([CO2]) in tolerating off-season episodic extremes is not clear. We tested for interactive effects of elevated CO2 and springtime heat stress on photosynthesis for seven genotypes of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. var. camaldulensis, representing its widespread distribution across south-eastern Australia. We grew clonal material under glasshouse conditions of ambient (aCO2; 400 parts per million (ppm)) or elevated (eCO2; 640 ppm) [CO2], and air temperatures of 25 : 17 C (day : night), and measured the electron transport rate in PSII (ETR), stomatal conductance to water vapour (gs) and net CO2 assimilation (A). Measurements were made before, during and after a four-day temperature excursion of 35 : 27 C. ETR and A were ~17% higher for plants grown in eCO2 than in aCO2. Photosynthesis remained stable for plants in eCO2 during the heatwave. Based on the effect size ratio (eCO2 : aCO2), gs and ETRwere temporarily affected more by the heatwave than A. A reduction in ETR in eCO2 was the only lasting effect of the heatwave. There were no significant differences among genotypes. Correlations between photosynthesis and climate of origin differed for plants grown in aCO2 compared with eCO2, suggesting potential complex and multiple control points on photosynthesis. Additional keywords: chlorophyll fluorescence, electron transport, seedling growth, stomatal conductance, temperature stress. Received 21 March 2017, accepted 28 June 2017, published online 18 August 2017
Model-Based Dispatch Strategies for Lithium-Ion Battery Energy Storage Applied to Pay-as-Bid Markets for Secondary Reserve

Due to their decreasing cost, lithium-ion batteries (LiB) are becoming increasingly attractive for grid-scale applications. In this paper, we investigate the use of LiB for providing secondary reserve and show how the achieved cost savings could be increased by using model-based optimization techniques. In particular, we compare a maximum use dispatch strategy with two different cost-minimizing strategies. For the estimation of state-dependent battery usage cost, we combine an existing electro-thermal LiB model of a mature lithium-iron-phosphate battery cell with corresponding semiempirical calendar and cycle aging models. We estimate the benefit of storage operation from the system operator's point of view by gauging the avoided cost of activated reserve. Our evaluation is based on two years worth of data from the German reserve market. The proposed cost minimizing dispatch strategies yield significantly better results than a dispatch strategy that maximizes battery utilization.
Letter: autoimmune hepatitis—drug‐induced liver injury must always be excluded. Authors’ reply

SIRS, We thank Fan et al. for their letter as a comment to our manuscript. Fan et al. raise the question regarding exclusion of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) as a cause of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in our study population. This is a very important subject and we agree that DILI has to be excluded before any definite diagnosis of AIH can be established. We therefore carefully investigated all patients regarding potential drugs causing DILI before the diagnosis was established. In addition, we calculated the AIH score for each patient and the majority of patients had definite AIH (score >17; 61%) and the rest had probable AIH (score=12-17; 39%). Any drug history lowers the AIH score and none of our patients had a positive drug history. In our study, we included 21 patients with acute AIH (group 1), 18 newly diagnosed and 3 patients with acute exacerbation of known AIH. The other groups consisted of classic AIH patients with a well-established diagnosis of AIH either responder (group 2) or nonresponder (group 3) to standard therapy, or having side effects to azathioprine (group 4) but successfully treated with other immunosuppressive regimens, and finally a group of patients with overlap with PBC or PSC (group 5). The study by Dohmen et al. only included patients with a known diagnosis of AIH defining acute AIH as a patient having normal liver function or symptoms for >12 months or 26 weeks previously and only recently found to have abnormal function or symptoms for the first time. Thus, these patients are similar to the three patients with acute exacerbation in our group 1 with a majority of newly diagnosed patients presenting with acute AIH. However, Dohmen et al. found that ceroid-laden macrophages were significantly more frequent in acute AIH patients than in classic AIH patients, which support our finding of higher sCD163 levels in patients with acute AIH. This was also confirmed by the immunohistochemical demonstration of increased CD163 staining in patients with acute AIH compared to controls in our study. We appreciate that Fan and colleagues envision that our paper provided useful information on macrophage activation in AIH and we agree that further studies are warranted—especially for the use of sCD163 as a marker to be used in daily clinic in AIH patients and also for disease progression with fibrosis development and overall prognosis.
Sickness Absence and Search Unemployment

The paper presents a model that allows a unified analysis of sickness absence and search unemployment. Sickness appears as random shocks to individual utility functions, interacts with individual search and labor supply decisions and triggers movements across labor force states. The employed worker prefers absence for sufficiently severe sickness and the unemployed worker may prefer nonparticipation if the disutility of search is amplified by sickness. The decisions governing labor force transitions are influenced by social insurance benefits available for sick or unemployed workers. We examine how these benefits affect individual decisions on absence and search and the implications for employment, unemployment and nonparticipation. The normative analysis of the socially optimal benefit structure suggests that there is, in general, a case for benefit differentiation across states of non-work. In particular, there is a case for a benefit structure that rewards active job search.
A cost-effective approach to the management of endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common disease that affects a large number of women throughout the world. Whereas in the past laparoscopy was commonly used for the diagnosis and treatment of women with endometriosis and pelvic pain, recent studies have demonstrated that surgical therapy offers no better results in terms of pain relief than medical therapy with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist. Surgical therapy requires considerable experience and expertise on the part of the surgeon and the results are likely to be operator dependent. The results of the very best surgeons, as published in the medical literature, often cannot be replicated by the average gynecologist. Medical treatment, on the other hand, is not operator dependent. The efficacy of clinical diagnosis given a thorough evaluation has been proved, and the outcomes of empiric medical therapy with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist are substantial. Given the similar results obtained with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist and surgical intervention and the fact that medical treatment is less expensive, primary therapy with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist appears to be the most cost-effective approach to the management of endometriosis and pelvic pain. Because of the limited information currently available, a statement regarding endometriosis and infertility would probably be inappropriate at this time.
Parents’ perspectives on the dilemmas with intervention for infants with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder: A qualitative study

Abstract Objective: This paper explores parental experiences of choices surrounding auditory management and language and communication development for infants and children with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) in the light of the heterogeneity of condition, a poor evidence base for best outcomes in relation to management options, and the scarcity of data rooted in parent and family experience. Design: Qualitative narrative study. Study sample: Twenty-five parents of 21 children (aged four months to six years) identified with ANSD through the newborn hearing screening programme. Results: Families identify barriers to early management due to conflicting expert opinions and ANSD-specific challenges with diagnosis and prognosis in infants, and share their accounts on their own evaluations of intervention benefit in their children. Conclusions: The results are of relevance to the clinicians and other professionals involved in early intervention, management, and support of infants with ANSD.