Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its relationship with epileptic severity in a pediatric department of tertiary care hospital

Aim To evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pediatric epileptic patients and to assess if there is any correlation between vitamin D level and disease severity in epileptic patients. Objective To estimate vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency as percentage of enrolled patients in pediatric department and to identify if there is any correlation between vitamin D deficiency and factors such as age, sex, BMI, total serum calcium levels, antiepileptic drugs, and types of seizures. Patients and methods A prospective interventional clinical study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital between September 2018 and February 2019. We included 30 pediatric epileptic patients of age group 1–14 years from whom the blood samples were withdrawn and were sent to the laboratory for the estimation of vitamin D levels. Results The data collected was analyzed using statistical method χ2 and analysis of variance in Prism 8.0 version. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its correlation with epilepsy was determined. In this study, we found that there was a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pediatric epileptic patients (23 patients out of 30–73%). The other risk factors for vitamin D deficiency found in this study are children of age group 5–10 years (43%), malnourished patients (40%), hypocalcemic patients (40%), and patients who use antiepileptic drugs for more than 2 years (57%). Conclusion Based on the aforementioned scientific analysis, it can be concluded that there is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pediatric patients with epilepsy. So, vitamin D3 supplements should be given for all epileptic children even before the initiation of antiepileptic therapy. Patients’ parents were educated on the importance of vitamin D.
Endoscopic sphincterotomy to prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis in patients with biliary neoplasms: a multicenter retrospective cohort study

Abstract Background and aims Treatment of biliary neoplasms often involves multiple endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-related procedures. Endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) may prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). This retrospective, multicenter cohort study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of ES for prevention of PEP in patients with biliary neoplasm. Methods Patients with biliary duct neoplasm who underwent ERCP between January 2006 and December 2016 were enrolled. The frequency of PEP was compared between the ES and non-ES groups using propensity score analysis. The effectiveness of ES in subgroups of patients who underwent biliary duct stent placement, intraductal ultrasound (IDUS), and transpapillary biliary duct biopsy was analyzed by logistic regression. Results Of the 362 patients enrolled, 84 (23.2 %) developed PEP. Propensity score matching for PEP risk factors in 172 ERCP procedures showed that the frequency of PEP in the ES group was lower than that in the non-ES group (19.7 % vs. 33.7 %). Non-ES was also an independent risk factor for PEP in patients who underwent intraductal ultrasound and transpapillary biliary duct biopsy (RR = 4.54 and 5.26), but was not an independent risk factor for PEP in patients with biliary duct stents. In addition, there was no evidence that the frequency of PEP was statistically different between patients with plastic stents and metal stents in the ES and non-ES groups (P = 0.14 and 0.10). Conclusions ES is an effective technique to prevent PEP in patients with biliary neoplasms. In particular, ES is a safe technique to prevent PEP when performing IDUS and transpapillary biliary duct biopsy.
A murine model demonstrates capsule-independent adaptive immune protection in survivors of Klebsiella pneumoniae respiratory tract infection

ABSTRACT Klebsiella pneumoniae represents a growing clinical threat, given its rapid development of antibiotic resistance, necessitating new therapeutic strategies. Existing live-infection models feature high mortality rates, limiting their utility in the study of natural adaptive immune response to this pathogen. We developed a preclinical model of pneumonia with low overall mortality, in which previously exposed mice are protected from subsequent respiratory tract challenge with K. pneumoniae. Histologic analyses of infected murine lungs demonstrate lymphocytic aggregates surrounding vasculature and larger airways. Initial exposure in RAG1 knockout mice (lacking functional B and T cells) failed to confer protection against subsequent K. pneumoniae challenge. While administration of isolated K. pneumoniae capsule was sufficient to provide protection, we also found that initial inoculation with K. pneumoniae mutants lacking capsule (Δcps), O-antigen (ΔwecA) or both conferred protection from subsequent wild-type infection and elicited K. pneumoniae-specific antibody responses, indicating that non-capsular antigens may also elicit protective immunity. Experiments in this model will inform future development of multivalent vaccines to prevent invasive K. pneumoniae infections. Summary: This novel mouse model of nonlethal pulmonary Klebsiella pneumoniae infection allows for the exploration of mechanisms required to mount a protective memory response to K. pneumoniae in the lung.
Geometric approximation model of inter-lidar interference

Abstract. Signal interference between two light detection and ranging (lidar) scanners can occur when the transmitted laser energy from one lidar is coupled into a second lidar either by scattering or direct transmission. By ray tracing lidar transmission paths, it is shown that signal interference can be modeled with the coincidence of intersections between two lidars’ optical axes and a scattering target or medium. A geometric analysis of intersecting transmission paths is presented for circularly scanning lidars from which theoretical interference risks between two lidars may be deduced. Using the geometric rules proposed here for interference, a Monte Carlo simulation is presented that models interference risks and occurrences. This geometric approximation simplifies analysis by ignoring radiometry for scanners within proximity to one another. Simulation results are used to introduce the concept of intersection point density from which one may assess areas of greatest interference risk for two-lidar, in-plane scanning lidar configurations. It is shown from the intersection point density that the risk for signal interference between two lidars exponentially increases as targets are located closer to and between the two scanners. Simulation results are compared to previously published experimental observations of interference to demonstrate the theory’s potential for interference modeling.
The 5-HT receptor knockout mouse and anxiety

Department of Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA; Joan and Sanford I. Weil College of Cornell University, Department of Pharmacology, New York, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Proteomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; PsychoGenics Inc., Hawthorne, New York, USA; Department of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York, USA
The effects of acutely administered cocaine on responding maintained by a progressive-ratio schedule of food presentation

Lever pressing in rats (N = 5) was reinforced under a progressive-ratio (PR) schedule of food presentation, in which the number of responses required increased exponentially. The session was terminated when 1 h passed without completion of the scheduled ratio. Doses of cocaine (5.6–42.0 mg/kg; one subject received a dose of 56.0 mg/kg) as well as saline were administered i.p. prior to the session.
Latent inhibition is attenuated by noise and partially restored by a 5-HT2A receptor antagonist

Latent inhibition (LI) is a model of attention, which is a cognitive process that can be modulated by stressors such as chronic intermittent broadband noise, e.g. caused by building work, which is particularly stressful to rats. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of chronic noise stress, caused by a building project, on LI, and its interaction with SR 46,349B, a 5-HT2A receptor antagonist. Control groups from LI experiments conducted during periods of chronic intermittent noise were compared with control groups from LI experiments conducted in normal quiet conditions. The interaction of SR 46,349B with the effects of chronic noise stress was then tested. Chronic intermittent noise attenuated LI, an effect which was partially reversed by SR 46,349B, 2.4mg/kg i.p. Attenuation of LI by chronic intermittent noise and reversal of this effect by SR 46,349B support suggestions that stress can modulate attention and that 5-HT2A receptors are involved in mediating the effects of chronic stress. & 2002 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Studies in animal models and humans suggesting a role of nerve growth factor in schizophrenia-like disorders

( ) ( ) Neurotrophic factors, such as nerve growth factor NGF and brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF , are known to play a crucial role in growth, differentiation and function in a variety of brain neurons during development and in adult life. We have recently shown that environmental changes, aggressive behavior and anxiety-like responses alter both circulating and brain basal NGF levels. In the present review, we present data obtained using animal models which ( ) suggest that neurotrophic factors, particularly NGF and BDNF, might be implicated in mechanism s leading to a condition associated with schizophrenic-like behaviors. The hypothesis that neurotrophins of the NGF family can be implicated in some maldevelopmental aspects of schizophrenia is supported by findings indicating that the constitutive levels of NGF and BDNF are affected in schizophrenic patients. Q 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Hypericum perforatum L. St. John’s Wort in healthy human volunteers

( ) Hypericum perforatum L. St. John’s Wort is a complex herb that has been used for centuries for its putative medicinal properties, and has current therapeutic relevance as a treatment of mild to moderate depression. Recently, two studies in rodents have suggested that hypericum may also have memory-enhancing effects. It has a complex pharmacology, in that acute administration modulates numerous neurotransmitter systems that have previously been observed to either augment or impair a variety of memory processes in humans. This study aimed to examine whether acute administration of standardized hypericum extract could exert a nootropic effect in normal human subjects. The study employed a double-blind, crossover, repeated-measures design. Twelve healthy young subjects completed the Cognitive Drug Research ( ) ( ) CDR memory battery, following administration of placebo, 900 mg and 1800 mg hypericum Blackmore’s Hyperiforte . The findings suggested that hypericum does not have an acute nootropic effect in healthy humans at these doses. However, there was some evidence for an impairing effect on accuracy of numeric working memory and delayed picture recognition at the higher dose. This observed impairment could be due to a sensitivity of these specific tasks to ( modulation by neurotransmitters that have been noted to have memory-impairing effects e.g. -aminobutyric acid ( ) ) GABA , serotonin . 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Sex differences in ( – )-pentazocine antinociception: Comparison to morphine and spiradoline in four rat strains using a thermal nociceptive assay

In F344, Lewis, Sprague–Dawley (SD) and Wistar rats, baseline latencies decreased with increases in water temperature, and at each water temperature latencies were longer in males than in their female counterparts. Morphine and spiradoline produced maximal or near maximal antinociceptive effects in males and females of each strain. Whereas morphine was generally more potent in males, sex differences were not consistently observed with spiradoline. In contrast, there were marked sex differences with ( – )-pentazocine, and in each strain ( – )-pentazocine was more potent and produced a greater maximal effect in males. The magnitude of the sex differences varied markedly across strains, with ( – )-pentazocine being 2.5fold more potent in males of the F344 strain, but 11-fold more potent in males of the Wistar strain. When collapsed across nociceptive stimulus intensities, sex differences were largest in the Wistar and Lewis strains and smallest in the SD and F344 strains. The present findings indicate that there are marked sex differences in ( – )-pentazocine antinociception, and that the magnitude of this effect is genotype dependent. Behavioural Pharmacology 14:77–85 c 2003 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Behavioural disturbances associated with hyperdopaminergia in dopamine-transporter knockout mice

( IrI) Mice lacking the dopamine transporter DAT are characterized by high extracellular dopamine levels and spontaneous hyperlocomotion. We performed a detailed analysis of the behavioural phenotype of DAT IrI mice in order to identify other behavioural impairments associated with the hyperdopaminergic tone of these mutant mice. In particular, we investigated locomotor activity, exploration, and social and maternal behaviours, which are known to be regulated by dopamine. DAT IrI mice were easily aroused by novelty and always responded with hyperlocomotion, which interfered with habituation to the testing environment, exploratory behaviour in an open field and the coping response to forced swimming stress. Social behaviours such as interaction with an unknown congener or aggressiveness were not modified in DAT IrI mice compared with DAT HrI and DAT HrH mice, although the maternal behaviour of mutant females was severely disturbed. Haloperidol and clozapine reversed the hyperactivity in DAT IrI mice, with a rightward shift of the dose-response curve compared with control animals, suggesting a dopamine-mediated effect. These results emphasize the role of dopamine regulation in locomotion, exploration and maternal behaviours and suggest that mice with a genetic deletion of DAT may represent a useful model to elucidate the altered behavioural processes accompanying pathological conditions associated with hyperdopaminergic function. Q 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Behavioural changes in rats treated with a neurotoxic dose regimen of dextrorotatory amphetamine derivatives

Repeated administration of amphetamine derivatives is reported to induce neurotoxicity in rat brain. Methamphetamine (MA) impairs the function of both the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy) affects primarily the latter system. The neurochemical deficits induced by these amphetamines have been described in detail, but relatively few data have been reported regarding the behavioural consequences of the neurotoxic treatment. The aim of the present study was to investigate shortand long-term behavioural consequences of treatment with neurotoxic doses of ( + )MA or ( + )MDMA. Spontaneous locomotor activity in novel surroundings and cognitive function (avoidance behaviour) were evaluated. Rats were treated with four s.c. injections of 10mg/kg ( + )MA or ( + )MDMA with a 2-hour interval between each injection. Behavioural tests were then carried out 3 days, 1, 2 and 4 weeks after these treatments. A reduction of spontaneous locomotor activity in novel surroundings was detected 3 days after the treatment with the study drugs, but not after 1, 2 and 4 weeks. No change in passive and active avoidance learning was observed. The lack of marked behavioural changes after a neurotoxic dose regimen indicates that some compensatory mechanisms may develop and counterbalance the neurochemical changes induced by these amphetamine compounds. Behavioural Pharmacology 14:199–206 c 2003 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Stress hormones enhance retrieval of fear conditioning acquired either one day or many months before

Centro de Memo¤ ria, Departamento de Bioqu|¤mica, Instituto de Ciencias Ba¤ sicas da Sau¤ de, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre; Departamento de Ciencias Fisiolo¤ gicas, Setor de Farmacologia, Fundac# a$ o Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande, Brazil; Instituto de Biolog|¤a Celular y Neurociencia Eduardo De Robertis, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Cocaine-like subjective effects of nicotine are not blocked by the D1 selective antagonist ecopipam (SCH 39166)

The effects of ecopipam (a D1 selective antagonist) or triazolam pretreatment on the subjective and physiological effects of intravenously administered nicotine were examined in 10 cigarette-smoking cocaine abusers. Under double-blind, randomized conditions, subjects received oral capsule pretreatment (0, 30 or 100 mg ecopipam, or 0.25 mg/70 kg triazolam), followed 120 min later by an intravenous injection of 2 mg/70 kg nicotine or saline. Subjective ratings, heart rate and blood pressure were assessed before and repeatedly after each intravenous injection. Compared to oral placebo pretreatment, both ecopipam and triazolam pretreatment produced significant elevations in subject-reported capsule effect and observer ratings of sleepiness/sedation. Nicotine increased ratings of ‘drug effect’, ‘rush’, ‘high’, ‘stimulated’, ‘liking’, ‘good effects’ and ‘bad effects’, and produced modest increases in heart rate and blood pressure. Following both intravenous saline and nicotine injection, ecopipam tended to reduce heart rate and blood pressure. Although both ecopipam and triazolam lowered several subjective ratings following intravenous saline injection, neither ecopipam nor triazolam affected nicotine subjective effects. In contrast to Romach et al. (Arch Gen Psychiatry 56: 1101–1106, 1999), who showed that pretreatment with ecopipam blocked cocaine subjective effects, the current study found no attenuation of the subjective effects of nicotine, and thus, provides no support for the hypothesis that D1 receptors mediate the cocaine-like subjective effects of nicotine. Behavioural Pharmacology 14:111–120
Does locomotor response to novelty in rats predict susceptibility to develop sensitization to cocaine and PHNO?

It has been suggested that the locomotor response of rats to novelty is positively correlated with motor stimulant effects of acute injections with psychomotor stimulants, and liability to self-administer these drugs. In addition, response to novelty ( appears to be inversely correlated with an individual’s susceptibility to develop behavioural sensitization an increase in ) the behavioural response to a given dose of stimulant after repeated treatments . To test some of these putative relationships, 96 rats were allocated to one of two subgroups based on a median split of locomotor responses to novelty. ( ) Animals then received 10 successive injections of either vehicle, cocaine 10 mgrkg , or the direct D agonist, 2 ( ) ( ) H -4-propyl-9-hydroxynaphthoxazine PHNO: 15 mgrkg , and locomotor activity was monitored. Conditioning tests and additional sensitization and cross-sensitization tests were conducted. Results showed that locomotor responses to novelty are not significantly correlated with locomotor effects of either acute injection with cocaine or PHNO, or rate of development of behavioural sensitization to these drugs. However, locomotor responses to novelty did predict level of locomotor and stereotypy responses to cocaine, and to a lessor extent to PHNO. Cocaine-treated, but not PHNO-treated, rats exhibited drug-conditioned-like effects. Cross-sensitization between cocaine and PHNO was not observed, indicating independent mechanisms for sensitization. It is concluded that the locomotor response to novelty can predict level of locomotion and stereotypy produced by cocaine and PHNO, but does not predict the degree or rate of behavioural sensitization to either of these drugs. Q 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Acute and chronic e¡ects of the neuroactive steroid pregnanolone on schedule-controlled responding in rhesus monkeys

This study used schedule-controlled responding to examine the acute and chronic effects of the neuroactive steroid and positive c-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) modulator pregnanolone. Pregnanolone, the positive GABAA modulator triazolam, the GABAA chloride channel site antagonist pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) and the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist ketamine were administered to monkeys (n 1⁄4 4) responding under a multiple fixed ratio (FR/FR) schedule of food presentation and stimulus shock termination (SST), before, during and after daily treatment with pregnanolone (3.2 mg/kg subcutaneously). Pregnanolone decreased responding in a doseand time-related manner, with a duration of action of o2 h. Mutual antagonism occurred between pregnanolone and PTZ in the food component, and PTZ antagonized pregnanolone in the SST component. Daily treatment with pregnanolone increased the sensitivity to PTZ 24 h but not 2 h after daily pregnanolone administration, and daily pregnanolone treatment did not alter the sensitivity to pregnanolone, triazolam or ketamine. Baseline responding in the food component was decreased in some monkeys 24 h after daily pregnanolone administration and in all monkeys 48 h after discontinuation of daily pregnanolone treatment. These results suggest that positive GABAA modulation is one mechanism by which pregnanolone decreases FR responding, and that dependence resulting from daily pregnanolone treatment is not necessarily accompanied by tolerance to pregnanolone. Failure of pregnanolone to confer tolerance under these conditions might suggest that neuroadaptations at the GABAA receptor complex vary according to the site at which positive GABAA modulation occurs. & 2002 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Acute behavioral and physiological e¡ects of moda¢nil in drug abusers

Modafinil, a novel stimulant, is effective in the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy. It is biochemically and pharmacologically distinct from prototypical stimulants such as D-amphetamine, cocaine, and methylphenidate. The present experiment was designed to assess the acute behavioral effects of oral modafinil, cocaine, and placebo in participants (n1⁄4 9) with recent histories of cocaine use (i.e. positive urine for cocaine or benzoylecgonine during the initial screening interview). Drug effects were assessed with a battery of self-reported drug-effect questionnaires, performance measures, and physiological indices. Cocaine, but not modafinil, produced stimulant-like self-reported drug effects (e.g. increased ratings of High and Stimulated). Modafinil and cocaine dose-dependently increased heart rate and blood pressure. The results of the present study suggest that modafinil has minimal abuse potential, but should be viewed cautiously because of the relatively small sample size. Future studies should further characterize the abuse potential of modafinil using other behavioral arrangements, such as drug discrimination or drug self-administration. A full characterization of the abuse potential of modafinil will become important as the use of this drug increases. & 2002 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.