Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chronic intracerebral prolactin attenuates neuronal stress circuitries in virgin rats

Prolactin (PRL) has been shown to promote maternal behaviour, and to regulate neuroendocrine and emotional stress responses. These effects appear more important in the peripartum period, when the brain PRL system is highly activated. Here, we studied the mechanisms that underlie the anti‐stress effects of PRL. Ovariectomized, estradiol‐substituted Wistar rats were implanted with an intracerebroventricular cannula and treated with ovine PRL (0.01, 0.1 or 1 µg/h; 5 days via osmotic minipumps) or vehicle, and their responses to acute restraint stress was assessed. Chronic PRL treatment exerted an anxiolytic effect on the elevated plus‐maze, and attenuated the acute restraint‐induced rise in plasma adrenocorticotropin, corticosterone and noradrenaline. At the neuronal level, in situ hybridization revealed PRL effects on the expression patterns of the immediate‐early gene c‐fos and corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF). Under basal conditions, PRL significantly reduced c‐fos mRNA expression within the central amygdala. In response to restraint, the expression of both c‐fos mRNA and protein and of CRF mRNA was decreased in the parvocellular part of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of PRL‐treated compared with vehicle‐treated animals. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that chronic elevation of PRL levels within the brain results in reduced neuronal activation within the hypothalamus, specifically within the PVN, in response to an acute stressor. Thus, PRL acting at various relevant brain regions exerts profound anxiolytic and anti‐stress effects, and is likely to contribute to the attenuated stress responsiveness found in the peripartum period, when brain PRL levels are physiologically upregulated.
Effect of home bleaching agents on the roughness and surface morphology of human enamel and dentine.

AIMS Carbamide peroxide (CP) containing bleaching agents are now widely used in different concentrations. In this study, the effect of 10% and 15% CP containing home bleaching agents on the surface roughness and morphology of human enamel and dentine were evaluated in vitro. METHODS 90 non-carious human mandibular incisors were divided randomly into two equal groups (enamel and dentine). The dentine group specimens were ground to expose dentine surfaces. The samples in both groups were then randomly divided into three main groups and then divided into three subgroups, according to bleaching application times (n=15). The samples in both enamel and dentine groups were treated with 10% CP at Group 1 and 4, 15% CP at Group 2 and 5 and distilled water at Group 3 and 6. The surface roughness of the samples was analysed before bleaching (1a, 2a, 3a for enamel, 4a, 5a, 6a for dentine), after 4hr (1b, 2b, 3b for enamel, 4b, 5b, 6b for dentine) and after 28hr of bleaching application (1c, 2c, 3c for enamel, 4c, 5c, 6c for dentine) using a computerised roughness tester. The surface morphologies of treated and control specimens were also examined by SEM. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences between the surface roughness of untreated control specimens and the specimens treated with the bleaching materials (10% and 15% CP) for both enamel and dentine at any given measurement time (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Under the careful guidance of a dentist, home bleaching can be thought a reliable treatment for both stained enamel and dentine, regardless of whether 10% or 15% CP is used.
Renal allograft immunosuppression III. Triple therapy versus three different combinations of double drug treatment: two year results in kidney transplant patients

A prospective randomized trial was carried out to compare the long-term effects of triple therapy based on low-dose cyclosporin A (CyA), low-dose methylprednisolone (MP) and azathioprine (Aza) with three different double drug immunosuppressive regimens. After initial triple drug immunosuppression for 10 weeks, 128 patients were randomized into four different immunosuppressive groups: one group continued with triple therapy (group A) and the three other groups were treated with different combinations of two drugs: Aza and CyA (group B), Aza and MP (group C) and CyA and MP (group D). This report presents the 2-year results. For groups A, B, C and D, graft survivals were 75%, 78%, 84% and 81%, respectively, and patient survivals were 84%, 84%, 84% and 94%, respectively. After 2 years no patient had returned to dialysis in group C compared with one to three patients in every CyA-using group. However, at the end of the 2nd year, group C included more patients with deteriorating graft function than the other groups. Median serum creatinine was 107, 120, 139 and 129 μmol/l for groups A, B, C and D, respectively. For the patients who remained on the original randomized protocol, there were no significant differences in graft function tests between the four groups, the median creatinine being 115, 115, 118 and 113 μmol/l for groups A, B, C and D, respectively. Thus, no graft deterioration had occurred during the 2 years for these patients following the original protocol. Our results suggest that after initial triple therapy, patients with a first cadaveric kidney allograft can either continue with triple therapy or be converted to any of the double drug regimens without detriment to graft function, graft survival or patient survival for the next 2 years. This will allow more flexible and individual immunosuppressive treatment.
Tissue factor‐bearing microparticles derived from tumor cells: impact on coagulation activation

Summary. Background: Tissue factor (TF)‐bearing microparticles (MP) from different origins are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of cancer‐associated thrombosis. However, the role of circulating tumor cell‐derived TF is not well understood. Methods: TF antigen and activity were measured in MP generated in vitro from human TF‐expressing cancer cells by ELISA and clotting or thrombin generation assays, respectively. TF antigen and activity were also measured in vivo in cell‐free plasmas from mice previously injected with in vitro‐generated MP or in cell‐free plasmas from nude mice bearing orthotopically injected human cancer cells. Results: Tumor cell‐derived MP (TMP) exhibited strong TF‐dependent procoagulant activity (PCA) in vitro and in vivo. Injection of TMP into mice was associated with acute thrombocytopenia and signs of shock, which were prevented by prior heparinization. Human TF antigen and activity could be detected in mouse cell‐free plasmas up to 30 min after TMP injections. Human TF was detected in the spleen of injected mice and its clearance from circulation was delayed in splenectomized mice, suggesting the involvement of the spleen in the rapid clearance of circulating MP in vivo. Detectable levels of TF‐dependent PCA and thrombin‐antithrombin complex were found in cell‐free plasmas from mice growing pancreatic human tumors, suggesting that circulating tumor‐derived TF causes coagulation activation in vivo. Conclusions: MP derived from certain cancer cells exhibit TF‐dependent PCA both in vitro and in vivo. These results provide new information about the specific contribution of tumor‐derived MP to the hypercoagulable state observed in cancer.
Dynamic and cellular interactions of nanoparticles in vascular-targeted drug delivery (review)

Abstract Vascular-targeted drug delivery systems could provide more efficient and effective pharmaceutical interventions for treating a variety of diseases including cardiovascular, pulmonary, inflammatory, and malignant disorders. However, several factors must be taken into account when designing these systems. The diverse blood hemodynamics and rheology, and the natural clearance process that tend to decrease the circulation time of foreign particles all lessen the probability of successful carrier interaction with the vascular wall. An effective vascular-targeted drug delivery system must be able to navigate through the bloodstream while avoiding immune clearance, attach to the vascular wall, and release its therapeutic cargo at the intended location. This review will summarize and analyze current literature reporting on (1) nanocarrier fabrication methods and materials that allow for optimum therapeutic encapsulation, protection, and release; (2) localization and binding dynamics of nanocarriers as influenced by hemodynamics and blood rheology in medium-to-large vessels; (3) blood cells' responses to various types of nanocarrier compositions and its effects on particle circulation time; and (4) properties that affect nanocarrier internalization at the target site.
Causal judgments about empirical information in an interrupted time series design

Empirical information available for causal judgment in everyday life tends to take the form of quasi-experimental designs, lacking control groups, more than the form of contingency information that is usually presented in experiments. Stimuli were presented in which values of an outcome variable for a single individual were recorded over six time periods, and an intervention was introduced between the fifth and sixth time periods. Participants judged whether and how much the intervention affected the outcome. With numerical stimulus information, judgments were higher for a pre-intervention profile in which all values were the same than for pre-intervention profiles with any other kind of trend. With graphical stimulus information, judgments were more sensitive to trends, tending to be higher when an increase after the intervention was preceded by a decreasing series than when it was preceded by an increasing series ending on the same value at the fifth time period. It is suggested that a feature-analytic model, in which the salience of different features of information varies between presentation formats, may provide the best prospect of explaining the results.
Obstetric management of incompetent cervix and bulging fetal membranes.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of emergency cerclage on perinatal outcome in patients with incompetent cervix. STUDY DESIGN In this descriptive retrospective study, the charts of all patients admitted from 1985 to 1992 with a diagnosis of incompetent cervix and cervical dilatation > or = 2 cm were reviewed. Cervical dilatation at the time of cerclage placement, subsequent pregnancy duration and neonatal outcome were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using the paired Student t test. RESULTS During the eight-year period, 42 patients were admitted with a diagnosis of incompetent cervix, cervical dilatation > or = 2 cm, and underwent emergency cerclage. Cerclage resulted in a median (range) continuation of pregnancy of 30 (2-102) days. In 20 of these patients the membranes were not bulging through the external cervical os, and pregnancy was extended a median of 50 (30-102) days. The remaining 22 patients presented with membranes bulging into the vagina, and emergency cervical cerclage resulted in a median pregnancy extension of 16 (2-98) days. Parturients with bulging membranes were then analyzed according to cervical dilatation. Cerclage success was significantly lower when attempted at a cervical dilation > or = 4 cm. Median pregnancy duration was 6 (2-15) versus 21 (5-98) days in patients with cervical dilatation < 4 cm. CONCLUSION The results of this study support emergency cerclage in patients without bulging membranes. The data do not support the use of emergency cervical cerclage in patients with bulging membranes and dilatation > or = 4 cm. In those patients, the use of cerclage should be individualized.
Lasers Use in Dental Implantology

Objective: The purpose of this literature review was to evaluate the present use of different laser systems in implant dentistry. Materials and Methods: A literature search of MEDLINE-PubMed for articles published, describing the use of lasers in implant dentistry, was performed and articles were critically reviewed by the investigators to determine the strength of evidence. Results: The literature review reveals a limited number of randomized clinical trials with regard to laser use in dentistry. Although many case studies indicate extensive use of lasers and promising results in dental implantology, lasers may be used for uncovering submerged implants atraumatically to prevent crestal bone loss, recontouring periimplant soft tissues and sculpting emergence profile for prosthetic components, raising surgical flaps, osseous recontouring, and creating parabolic tissue architecture. Additionally, bone harvesting of block grafts, window preparation in sinus lift procedures, ridge splitting, and debridement of extraction sockets for immediate implant placement were described. Conclusions: Aside from the many benefits associated with the use of lasers in implant-related procedures, there are also risks to consider from the laser irradiation on the implant surface and the periimplant tissues. Therefore, an appropriate training on laser use is mandatory to increase the clinical outcome and to control the potential of complications.
Title : Initiating and maintaining recreational walking: A longitudinal study on the influence of neighborhood green space

Objective This study examined prospective relationships of green space attributes with adults initiating or maintaining recreational walking. Methods Postal surveys were completed by 1036 adults living in Adelaide, Australia, at baseline (two time points in 2003–04) and follow-up (2007–08). Initiating or maintaining recreational walking was determined using self-reported walking frequency. Green space attributes examined were perceived presence, quality, proximity, and the objectively-measured area (total and largest) and number of green spaces within a 1.6km buffer drawn from the center of each study neighborhood. Multilevel regression analyses examined the odds of initiating or maintaining walking separately for each green space attribute.
Identification, classification, and analysis of beta‐bulges in proteins

A β‐bulge is a region of irregularity in a β‐sheet involving two β‐strands. It usually involves two or more residues in the bulged strand opposite to a single residue on the adjacent strand. These irregularities in β‐sheets were identified and classified automatically, extending the definition of β‐bulges given by Richardson et al. (Richardson, J.S., Getzoff, E.D., & Richardson, D.C., 1978, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 75, 2574–2578). A set of 182 protein chains (170 proteins) was used, and a total of 362 bulges were extracted. Five types of β‐bulges were found: classic, G1, wide, bent, and special. Their characteristic amino acid preferences were found for most classes of bulges. Basically, bulges occur frequently in proteins; on average there are more than two bulges per protein. In general, β‐bulges produce two main changes in the structure of a β‐sheet: (1) disrupt the normal alternation of side‐chain direction; (2) accentuate the twist of the sheet, altering the direction of the surrounding strands.
Effect of pinealectomy and plane of nutrition on wool growth in Merino sheep

Abstract: The effects of surgical pinealectomy and plane of nutrition on wool growth and plasma prolactin concentrations in young Merino wethers were investigated. In young pinealectomized wethers maintained at a low live weight under conditions of minimal stress, the decline of conditioned clean wool production on midside patches was slowed when compared to pineal‐intact controls. This difference appeared to be due in part to the observed greater secondary wool follicle density in the pinealectomized wethers; mean fiber diameter was affected to a smaller extent, while staple length growth rate was not significantly altered. Circulating prolactin profiles showed a seasonal variation (high in summer, low in winter) in both pinealectomized and control wethers. There was no difference in wool production between pinealectomized and control wethers when the diet of the same wethers was subsequently supplemented with formaldehyde‐treated cottonseed meal. While the role of melatonin in the regulation of wool growth remains to be determined, it is suggested that the hormone may have a transient effect on wool production in young wethers under conditions of limited nutrition, but not at higher nutritional levels, and that melatonin may be involved in partitioning of nutrients to the wool follicle.
[Enrichment Characteristics and Source Analysis of Metal Elements in PM₂.₅ in Autumn in Nanchang City].

PM₂. ₅ samples were collected in six different functional zones in Nanchang City during autumn in 2013. PM₂. ₅ mass concentration and enrichment characteristics of eighteen metal elements (Mg, Al, K, Ca, Ti, V, Ba, Co, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, As and Hg) were analyzed. The pollution sources of the above elements in PM₂. ₅ were discussed based on the results of multivariate statistical analysis. The results showed that the average daily mass concentration of PM₂. ₅ during autumn in Nanchang City met the secondary standard limit (≤ 75 µg · m⁻³) of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (GB 3095-2012). The enrichment factors of Mn, Ti, Al and V were lower than 1.0, indicating that these elements were barely enriched. The enrichment factors of Fe, Cr, Co, K, Mg, Ba, Ca, Cu and As ranged from 1.7 to 7.8, suggesting the influence of both natural sources and anthropogenic sources. Hg, Zn, Pb, Ni and Cd were obviously affected by anthropogenic emissions since their enrichment factors ranged from 21. 9 to 481.2. The combined results of correlation analysis, principal components analysis and cluster analysis revealed the pollution sources of these metals in PM₂. ₅: Mg, K, Al, Ca and Ti mainly came from natural soil and building material dust; As and Hg were mainly from coal combustion; Ba, Ni and Mn were mainly from industrial emission of metal smelting; V, Cu, Fe, Cd, Pb, Cr and Co mainly came from traffic sources; Zn was influenced by metal smelting and coal burning.
Periacetabular Bone Densitometry after Total Hip Arthroplasty with Highly Porous Titanium Cups: A 2-Year Follow-Up Prospective Study

Introduction Trabecular Titanium is an advanced cellular solid structure, composed of regular multiplanar hexagonal interconnected cells that mimic the morphology of the trabecular bone. This biomaterial demonstrated improved mechanical properties and enhanced osteoinduction and osteoconduction in several in vitro and in vivo studies. The aim of this study was to assess Trabecular Titanium osseointegration by measuring periacetabular changes in bone mineral density (BMD) with dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Methods 89 patients (91 hips) underwent primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) with acetabular Trabecular Titanium cups. Clinical (Harris Hip Score (HHS), SF-36) and radiographic assessment were performed preoperatively, and postoperatively at 7 days and at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. DEXA analysis was performed only postoperatively, using the BMD values measured at 7 days as baselines. Results After an initial decrease from baseline to 6 months, BMD increased and progressively stabilised in all 3 regions of interest (ROIs). Median (IQR) HHS and SF-36 increased from 48 (39-62) and 49 (37-62) preoperatively to 99 (96-100) and 86 (79-92) at 24 months, indicating a considerable improvement in terms of pain relief, functional recovery and quality of life. BMD patterns and radiographic evaluation showed evident signs of periacetabular bone remodelling and osseointegration; all cups were stable at the final follow-up without radiolucent lines, loosening or osteolysis. No revisions were performed. Conclusions After an initial reduction in periacetabular BMD, all 3 ROIs exhibited stabilisation or slight recovery. Although clinical outcomes and functional recovery proved satisfactory, longer follow-ups are necessary to assess this cup long-term survivorship.
Lacto-N-fucopentaose III Found on Schitosoma mansoni Egg Antigens Functions as Adjuvant for Proteins by Inducing Th2-Type Response1

We have recently demonstrated that induction of Th2 responses by Schistosoma mansoni egg Ag is largely due to carbohydrates on the Ag functioning as adjuvants. Lacto-N-fucopentaose III (LNFPIII), a polylactosamine sugar, is the predominant carbohydrate found in S. mansoni egg Ag. Therefore, using neoglycoprotein, we investigated whether LNFPIII induces in vivo Th2 response and functions as an adjuvant. Following intranasal immunization with LNFPIII linked to human serum albumin (HSA) (HSA-LNFPIII), BALB/c mice mounted a strong Th2 response and produced significantly higher levels of total IgE as well as HSA-specific IgG, IgG1, and IgE. HSA-LNFPIII was over 1000-fold more potent in inducing Ab production as compared with HSA alone. Although LNFPIII itself did not function as an epitope for either IgG or IgE, its conjugation with protein was essential for the adjuvant activity. Moreover, fucose residue on LNFPIII was crucial for induction of Ab production. Nasal lymphocytes from mice immunized with HSA-LNFPIII produced IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10, but not IFN-γ following in vitro stimulation with HSA or HSA-LNFPIII. In addition, these activated nasal lymphocytes also showed a significant increase of B7-2 expression on B220-positive cells. Furthermore, not only intranasal but also both i.p. and s.c. immunization with HSA-LNFPIII induced significant production of HSA-specific Abs compared with the immunization with HSA alone, suggesting that the activity of LNFPIII was not restricted on particular route of immunization. These results demonstrate that Lewis type carbohydrate LNFPIII can function as an adjuvant by their ability to induce a Th2 response.
Differential Effects of Alcohol on Excitatory and Inhibitory Puberty-Related Peptides in the Basal Hypothalamus of the Female Rat.

BACKGROUND An increase in development of excitatory inputs along with a decline in inhibitory inputs ultimately govern the timely increased secretion of hypothalamic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) at the time of puberty. As chronic alcohol (ALC) exposure acts at the hypothalamic level to suppress LHRH secretion and delay puberty, we assessed its ability to differentially affect the expression of key puberty-related proteins. METHODS ALC was administered to female rats from days 27 to 33, at which time animals were killed and tissues collected for protein expression. In the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH), we assessed kisspeptin (Kp) 10, an excitatory peptide critical for prepubertal LHRH secretion, and Lin28b, a peptide with an inhibitory influence on puberty. As a direct mechanism of action of Lin28b was not known, we determined whether its central administration could induce dynorphin (DYN), a peptide that is inhibitory on LHRH secretion. Also, ALC's effect on DYN protein expression was assessed, as well as its effect on DYN release in vitro. RESULTS ALC markedly suppressed (p < 0.01) the expression of the excitatory Kp protein, while at the same time increased (p < 0.001) the expression of inhibitory Lin28b protein. Subsequently, we showed for the first time that the central administration of Lin28b stimulated (p < 0.01) the synthesis of DYN. Finally, ALC also induced (p < 0.01) the protein expression and stimulated (p < 0.01) the in vitro release of DYN from the MBH. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that ALC can simultaneously and differentially alter both excitatory and inhibitory influences governing pubertal development, show for the first time a mechanism of action by which Lin28b exerts its prepubertal inhibitory tone, and further demonstrate the negative influences of ALC on the pubertal process.