Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of increased phagocytic NADPH oxidase-dependent superoxide production with diminished nitric oxide generation in essential hypertension

Objective Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension and its complications through alterations in nitric oxide (NO) metabolism. This study was designed to investigate whether a relationship exists between phagocytic nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase-dependent superoxide anion (•O2−) production and NO generation in patients with essential hypertension. Methods Superoxide production was assayed by chemiluminescence under baseline and stimulated conditions on mononuclear cells obtained from hypertensives (n = 51) and normotensives (n = 43). NO production was evaluated by determining serum NO metabolites, nitrate plus nitrite (NOx). Results Although there were no differences in baseline •O2− production between normotensives and hypertensives, the •O2− production in phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated mononuclear cells was increased (P < 0.05) in hypertensives compared with normotensives. The PMA-induced •O2− production was completely abolished by apocynin, a specific inhibitor of NADPH oxidase. Moreover, stimulation of •O2− production by angiotensin II and endothelin-1 was higher (P < 0.05) in cells from hypertensives than in cells from normotensives. In addition, diminished (P < 0.001) serum NOx was detected in hypertensives compared with normotensives. Interestingly, an inverse correlation (r = 0.493, P < 0.01) was found between •O2− production and NOx in hypertensives. Conclusions Generation of •O2− mainly dependent on NADPH oxidase is abnormally enhanced in stimulated mononuclear cells from hypertensives. It is suggested that this alteration could be involved in the diminished NO production observed in these patients.
Retracted: Treatment of articulatory dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

Background and purpose: Neuroimaging has demonstrated that improved speech outcomes in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) subsequent to behavioural treatment approaches are associated with increased activity in the motor and pre‐motor cortex. High‐frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is capable of modulating cortical activity and has been reported to have significant benefit to general motor function in PD. It is possible that high‐frequency rTMS may also have beneficial outcomes on speech production in PD.
Spatial evaluation of crop maps by spatial production allocation model in China

Spatial Production Allocation Model (SPAM), developed by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), is one of broadest spatial models that applied a cross-entropy method to downscale the area and yield for each crop with a resolution of 5 arc minute globally for the year 2000 and 2005. To evaluate the accuracy of three staple crops (rice, wheat and maize) in China allocated by SPAM, we compared these crop maps with remote sensed cropland derived from national land cover datasets. This is done through a comparison scheme that accounts for spatial difference at the pixel level. Four types (no-existing, mis-allocated, over-estimated and reasonable) were formulated in this scheme that was used to evaluate the per-pixel area accuracy of each of the three crops on national and provincial scales. Overall, the map of maize has the highest area accuracy with a 64% percentage of reasonable pixels that covers 96% of the total maize area, in contrast, 57% (90%) and 44% (81%) for the wheat and rice map respectively. Further, crop area consistency in rain-fed cropland is better than that in irrigated cropland. Through the evaluations, we can provide decision makers with information on the SPAM products exist as well as the strengths and weaknesses. Meanwhile, some recommendations can be concluded on priorities for further work on the improvement of the reliability, utility and periodic repeatability of crop distribution products.
Blunt impact causes changes in bone and cartilage in a regularly exercised animal model

The goal of this study was to document the effect of blunt‐impact trauma on the knee in a small animal model that incorporated a known level of physical exercise after impact. We hypothesized that a single blunt impact to the patellofemoral joint, of a magnitude comparable with our earlier studies, would result in degenerative changes to cartilage and to subchondral bone of the patella. Blunt impacts were delivered to rabbit patellofemoral joints without producing bone fracture, and biomechanical and histological analyses were performed on joint tissues at various times. At 12 months, the subchondral bone plate was thicker on the impacted side than on the unimpacted side and than that of the controls at comparable locations (near where surface fissures were found on the impacted side). The instantaneous modulus of cartilage was significantly less on the impacted side than that of controls at 3, 6, and 12 months after impact. The relaxed modulus of cartilage on the unimpacted side increased with time after impact and was significantly greater than that of controls at 12 months. These facts suggest that in this exercise model, the contralateral limb should not be considered a control. The retropatellar cartilage on the impacted side was significantly less thick than that of controls at 12 months, and histological analyses of the cartilage and bone indicated early‐stage osteoarthrosis in the impacted joint. Thus, in this animal model a single subfracture blunt impact produced degeneration of joint tissues.
Wenxin Keli diminishes Ca2+ overload induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation in cardiomyocytes through inhibiting INaL and ICaL

An increase in the late sodium current (INaL) causes intracellular Na+ overload and subsequently intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) overload via the stimulated reverse Na+‐Ca2+ exchange (NCX). Wenxin Keli (WXKL) is an effective antiarrhythmic Chinese herb extract, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear.
The Challenge of Meeting Nutrient Needs of Infants and Young Children during the Period of Complementary Feeding: An Evolutionary Perspective123

Breast-fed infants and young children need complementary foods with a very high nutrient density (particularly for iron and zinc), especially at ages 6–12 mo. However, in low-income countries, their diet is usually dominated by cereal-based porridges with low nutrient density and poor mineral bioavailability. Complementary feeding diets typically fall short in iron and zinc and sometimes in other nutrients. These gaps in nutritional adequacy of infant diets have likely been a characteristic of human diets since the agricultural revolution ∼10,000 y ago. Estimates of nutrient intakes before then, based on hypothetical diets of preagricultural humans, suggest that infants had much higher intakes of key nutrients than is true today and would have been able to meet their nutrient needs from the combination of breast milk and premasticated foods provided by their mothers. Strategies for achieving adequate nutrition for infants and young children in modern times must address the challenge of meeting nutrient needs from largely cereal-based diets.
A Reproducible Two-Step Culture System for Isolated Primary Mouse Ovarian Follicles as Single Functional Units1

Abstract A reproducible two-step culture system for isolated mouse ovarian follicles smaller than 100 μm (type 3a follicles) was designed. First, isolated follicles were grown in single droplets of α-minimal essential medium (MEM) without (deoxy)ribonucleosides at a lower concentration of fetal bovine serum (FBS; 1%) for 6 days with mechanical prohibition of thecal cell attachment. Growing follicles reaching at least 100 μm were transferred to α-MEM medium enriched with a higher concentration (5%) of FBS to allow attachment and were cultured subsequently for an additional 12 days. Overall, more than 85% of the follicles survived the first culture step, and oocyte growth and granulosa cell proliferation had increased by 25% (P < 0.05). Follicle survival at Day 18 was related to initial follicle diameters at isolation. Average meiotic maturation rates and estrogen secretion were lower compared to those of cultures starting with early preantral follicles of 100–130 μm. Although reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed the presence of LH-receptor mRNA in thecal cells, an exogenous androstenedione replacement resulted in an increase of estrogen production, suggesting substrate insufficiency. The time needed to grow from early preantral stages to in vitro ovulation is strongly dependent on the initial follicle diameter at isolation. Morphological characteristics of cultured follicles were suggestive for combined transforming growth factor β deficiencies during in vitro culture.
Analysis of the full‐length genome of genotype 4 hepatitis E virus isolates from patients with fulminant or acute self‐limited hepatitis E

It was suggested that hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 4 is associated more closely with the severity of hepatitis E than genotype 3, although the virological basis remains unknown. The aim of this study was to examine whether genomic differences among genotype 4 HEVs are responsible for the development of fulminant hepatitis. Full‐length sequences of genotype 4 HEVs from three patients with fulminant hepatitis and six patients with acute self‐limited hepatitis were determined. The sequences were analyzed with those of 13 genotype 4 HEV isolates whose entire nucleotide sequence is known. Analysis of 22 full‐length sequences (fulminant hepatitis, 5; acute hepatitis, 17) revealed that C at nt 1816 and U at nt 3148 (U3148), both of which do not change the amino acid sequences, were significantly associated with fulminant hepatitis (P = 0.0489, respectively). When partial nucleotide sequences containing nt 1816 or nt 3148 were determined in 16 additional HEV isolates of genotype 4, a closer association between U3148 and fulminant hepatitis (P = 0.0018) was observed. The comparison of 86 HEV isolates of all four genotypes showed that U3148 had a stronger association with fulminant hepatitis than other nucleotides at nt 3148 (P = 0.0006). Patients infected with HEV with U3148 had a significantly lower value of the lowest prothrombin activity (P = 0.0293). Nt 3148 is located within the RNA helicase domain, and 22‐nt sequence including nt 3148 was well conserved among all genotypes. A silent substitution of U3148 in HEV may be associated with the development of fulminant hepatitis. Further studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanism. J. Med. Virol. 78:476–484, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Puriﬁcation and Characterization of the Oxygenase Component of Biphenyl 2,3-Dioxygenase from Pseudomonas sp. Strain LB400

The iron-sulfur protein of biphenyl 2,3-dioxygenase (ISP BPH ) was puriﬁed from Pseudomonas sp. strain LB400. The protein is composed of a 1:1 ratio of a large ( (cid:97) ) subunit with an estimated molecular weight of 53,300 and a small ( (cid:98) ) subunit with an estimated molecular weight of 27,300. The native molecular weight was 209,000, indicating that the protein adopts an (cid:97) 3 (cid:98) 3 native conformation. Measurements of iron and acid-labile sulﬁde gave 2 mol of each per mol of (cid:97)(cid:98) heterodimer. The absorbance spectrum showed peaks at 325 and 450 nm with a broad shoulder at 550 nm. The spectrum was bleached upon reduction of the protein with NADPH in the presence of catalytic amounts of ferredoxin BPH and ferredoxin BPH oxidoreductase. The electron para- magnetic resonance spectrum of the reduced protein showed three signals at g x (cid:53) 1.74, g y (cid:53) 1.92, and g z (cid:53) 2.01. These properties are characteristic of proteins that contain a Rieske-type [2Fe-2S] center. Biphenyl was oxidized to cis -(2 R ,3 S )-dihydroxy-1-phenylcyclohexa-4,6-diene by ISP BPH in the presence of ferredoxin BPH , ferredoxin BPH oxidoreductase, NADPH, and ferrous iron. Naphthalene was also oxidized to a cis -dihydrodiol, but only 3% was converted to product under the same conditions that gave 92% oxidation of biphenyl. Benzene, toluene, 2,5-dichlorotoluene, carbazole, and dibenzothiophene were not oxidized. ISP BPH is proposed to be the terminal oxygenase component of biphenyl 2,3-dioxygenase where substrate binding and oxidation occur via addition of molecular oxygen and two reducing equivalents. kDa, and A Protein concentrations. Protein concentrations were determined by the method of Bradford with bovine serum albumin as the standard. N-terminal amino acid sequencing. The (cid:97) and (cid:98) subunits of ISP BPH were separated by and onto a polyvinylidene diﬂuoride membrane. The amino acid sequences were then determined by and on an automated sequencer catalytic BPH following centerﬁeld, and gain. and respectively.
An easier method for performing a pancreaticojejunostomy for the soft pancreas using a fast-absorbable suture.

AIM To clarify the usefulness of a new method for performing a pancreaticojejunostomy by using a fast-absorbable suture material irradiated polyglactin 910, and a temporary stent tube for a narrow pancreatic duct with a soft pancreatic texture. METHODS Among 63 consecutive patients with soft pancreas undergoing a pancreaticoduodenectomy from 2003 to 2006, 35 patients were treated with a new reconstructive method. Briefly, after the pancreatic transaction, a stent tube was inserted into the lumen of the pancreatic duct and ligated with it by a fast-absorbable suture. Another tip of the stent tube was introduced into the intestinal lumen at the jejunal limb, where a purse-string suture was made by another fast-absorbable suture to roughly fix the tube. The pancreaticojejunostomy was completed by ligating two fast-absorbable sutures to approximate the ductal end and the jejunal mucosa, and by adding a rough anastomosis between the pancreatic parenchyma and the seromuscular layer of the jejunum. The initial surgical results with this method were retrospectively compared with those of the 28 patients treated with conventional duct-to-mucosa anastomosis. RESULTS The incidences of postoperative morbidity including pancreatic fistula were comparable between the two groups (new; 3%-17% vs conventional; 7%-14% according to the definitions). There was no mortality and re-admission. Late complications were also rarely seen. CONCLUSION A pancreaticojejunostomy using an irradiated polyglactin 910 suture material and a temporary stent is easy to perform and is feasible even in cases with a narrow pancreatic duct and a normal soft pancreas.
Use of gait parameters to predict the effectiveness of botulinum toxin injection in the spastic rectus femoris muscle of stroke patients with stiff knee gait.

BACKGROUND Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection in the rectus femoris (RF) is commonly used to treat decreased peak knee flexion in swing phase of the gait in hemiplegic patients. However, the effect of BTX-A varies between 5° to 10° depending on the studies. Peak knee flexion also increases during fast gait and could constitute a way to predict the effect of BTX-A injection in the RF. AIM To determine if changes in gait parameters during fast gait before injection could predict the effect of RF BTX-A injection on peak knee flexion in hemiplegic patients. DESIGN Prospective observational study. SETTING A neurological rehabilitation department in a university hospital POPULATION Twenty two hemiplegic patients with stiff knee gait mainly due to spasticity of the RF and treated by RF-BTX-A-injection. METHODS Patients' gait was analyzed using a 3D motion analysis system and force plates. The gait recordings were performed before (PRE-RF-BTX-A:spontaneous and fast gait speed) and one month after RF-BTX-A-injection (POST-RF-BTX-A:spontaneous gait speed). Correlations between the percentage change in gait parameters during fast gait before RF-BTX-A-injection and the percentage increase in peak knee flexion POST-RF-BTX-A injection at spontaneous speed were analyzed. RESULTS The percentage improvement in peak knee flexion in the fast gait condition before injection was the only parameter correlated with the percentage increase in peak knee flexion POST-RF-BTX-A injection. This was confirmed by a stepwise linear regression. The percentage increase in peak knee flexion POST-RF-BTX-A injection was also correlated with the percentage increase in knee flexion angular velocity at toe-off in the fast gait condition. CONCLUSION The percentage increase in peak knee flexion in swing during fast gait before injection is a useful predictor of the increase in peak knee flexion following RF BTX-A injection in chronic stroke patients with RF spasticity. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT In stroke patients with SKG which is mainly caused by spasticity of the RF muscle, evaluating changes which occur during fast gait might help the therapist to identify patients who would benefit the most from BTX-A injection in the RF muscle.
Decreased Density of Neurons in the Medial Preoptic Nucleus and Increased Testicular Weights for Rats Exposed Perinatally to an 0.5 Hz Rotating Magnetic Field

Pregnant Wistar rats were exposed to either 0.5 Hz Rotating Magnetic Fields (50 micro T to 300 micro T or 1.5m T to 3.0 m T) or to sham field or control environments for 3 days before to 3 days after the day of birth. The adult male offspring that had been exposed perinatally to the RMF displayed significantly heavier testicle weights but fewer neurons within the medial preoptic nucleus (MPO) and caudal ventromedial hypothalamus relative to sham field controls (effect size about 30%). There was no statistically significant difference between the two ranges of RMF intensities for these measures. RMF-exposed rats relative to sham-field exposed rats did not differ with respect to spleen weights, body weights, or mounting (reproductive) activity. The heavier testicle weights replicated previous studies and suggest that permanent, selective alterations in neuronal density can also occur subsequent to perinatal exposure to relatively weak, extremely low frequency magnetic fields.
Enriching the care of patients with dementia in acute settings? The Dementia Champions Programme in Scotland

Admission to hospital has been found to have a negative impact on people with dementia. The Scottish Dementia Champions programme was developed to prepare health and social service Dementia Champions working in acute settings as Change Agents. The programme was initially delivered to a cohort of 100 health professionals via blended learning, and comprised five study days, a half day spent in a local community setting, and e-learning. In order to complete the programme and graduate, participants were required to complete and submit reports relating to three work-based activities. The evaluation of the project adopted a two-pronged approach: Impact on programme participants was assessed by scores derived from the Approaches to Dementia Questionnaire (ADQ) (Lintern, 1996) completed at Study Days 1 and 5, and analysis of qualitative data derived from the three written assignments. Participants were asked to evaluate course materials and input for each of the five study days, as well as satisfaction with delivery. Analysis of data derived from the ADQ and 100 reflective reports of the community experience indicate that participants’ perceptions of people with dementia shifted significantly during the Programme. Participants identified a range of issues which should be addressed with a view to improving the experiences of people with dementia in acute settings, and put in place actions to bring about change. The format of the programme provided a cost effective means to prepare NHS and Social Service Dementia Champions as Change Agents for practice within a relatively short period of time, and would be transferrable to other staff groups as well as different organisational structures in other countries.
ICT curriculum and course structure: the great balancing act

This paper reports on an ICT curriculum development process that involved balancing a number of constraints that, in the words of an external academic advisory panel, resulted in a "very coherent, strong, contemporary" ICT curriculum. Instigated by an external school review that recommended the implementation of a single degree, the curriculum had to contain the knowledge requirements for students to develop the necessary skills for a set of ICT graduate level career outcomes identified by the local and national ICT industry. Due to a shrinking staff profile coupled with pressure for increased research output the School was instructed to offer only thirty undergraduate coursework units. Finally, the curriculum and course structure had to be attractive to domestic and international applicants and the curriculum also had to inspire graduate progression to a research higher degree.
Assessment of abnormal DNA repair responses and genotoxic effects in lead exposed workers.

BACKGROUND One of the main sources of occupational exposure to lead (Pb) in Turkey is in workers of battery industries. Genotoxic studies in human populations exposed to this metal have had conflicting results. METHODS Genotoxic effects of Pb were studied in blood cell samples from workers of battery manufactures exposed to Pb compounds by chromosomal aberration (CA) assay and X-ray induced challenge (XRC) assay to assess DNA damage and interference with DNA repair processes after an in vitro exposure of X-ray (1 Gy). The battery manufacturers (n=23) and 23 people who were not occupationally exposed to lead compounds were selected as a control group and classified into categories according to their blood lead levels. RESULTS The CA frequencies in the exposed and control group were not significantly different (P>0.05) by conventional CA (CCA) assay, however, the XRC assay demonstrated significantly elevated CAs (P<0.05). Statistically non-significant but reduced DNA repair responses have also been observed in lead exposed workers. CONCLUSION The results of this study showed significant increases in the CAs by XRC assay in Pb exposed workers compared to CCA assay. Our data suggests that Pb exposure may cause reduction in DNA repair capacity and these individuals will be more prone to DNA damage. Therefore, preventive measures should be improved against genotoxic risk in workplaces.
Species differences in drug plasma protein binding

Comparison of the human plasma protein binding data for a variety of drug discovery compounds indicates that compounds tend to be slightly more bound to human plasma proteins, than compared to plasma proteins from rats, dogs or mice. However, the majority of measurements from the pre-clinical species fall within 5-fold of the human plasma value, although there are some compounds that do show significantly different interspecies plasma protein binding.