Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patch clamp analysis of excitatory synaptic currents in granule cells of rat hippocampus.

1. Excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) and their underlying currents (EPSCs) were recorded from dentate granule cells in thin hippocampal slices of rats using the tight‐seal whole‐cell recording technique. 2. At resting membrane potentials (ca ‐60 to ‐70 mV), the EPSCs clearly consisted of a dominant fast and a smaller slow component. The slow EPSC component markedly increased with depolarization. This resulted in a region of negative slope conductance (between ‐50 and ‐30 mV) in the peak current‐voltage (I‐V) relation of the dual‐component EPSC in most neurones. The EPSCs reversed entirely at ‐1.2 +/‐ 2.8 mV (n = 15). 3. Using selective antagonists of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) and non‐NMDA excitatory amino acid receptors, two pharmacologically distinct components of the natural EPSCs were isolated. The non‐NMDA EPSCs displayed a linear I‐V relation. Their rise times (0.5‐1.9 ms) were independent of membrane voltage but seemed to depend critically on the precise dendritic location of the synapse. Their decay was approximated by a single exponential with a time constant ranging from 3 to 9 ms. The time course of these EPSCs was independent of changes in extracellular Mg2+. 4. The NMDA EPSCs displayed a non‐linear I‐V relation. At resting membrane potentials their peak amplitudes were 20 pA and increased steadily with depolarization to ‐30 mV. At membrane voltages positive to ‐30 mV the peak I‐V relation was linear. The rise times of NMDA EPSCs ranged from 4 to 9 ms and were insensitive to membrane voltage. 5. The NMDA EPSCs decayed biexponentially. Both time constants, tau f and tau s, increased with depolarization in an exponential manner, tau s being more voltage dependent than tau f. Lowering extracellular Mg2+ slightly reduced both rate constants but did not completely abolish their voltage sensitivity. 6. Bath application of NMDA to outside‐out patches from granule cells induced single channel currents of 52 pS in nominally Mg(2+)‐free solutions. They displayed a burst‐like single‐channel activity with clusters of bursts lasting several hundreds of milliseconds. Currents through single NMDA receptor channels reversed around 0 mV. 7. The fractional contributions of NMDA and non‐NMDA components to peak currents and synaptic charge transfer were assessed. At resting membrane potential the NMDA EPSC component accounted for 23% of the peak current and for 64% of the synaptic charge transfer. The contribution of the NMDA EPSC component to the synaptic charge transfer strongly increased with small depolarizations from rest.
Fumonisin Toxicity in Turkey Poults

The effects of dietary fumonisin B, were evaluated in young turkey poults. The experimental design consisted of 3 treatments, with 24 female turkey poults allotted randomly per treatment. Day-old poults were fed diets containing 0 mg (feed control), 100 mg, and 200 mg fumonisin B1/kg feed for 21 days. Body weight gains and efficiency of feed conversion decreased linearly with increasing dietary fumonisin. Liver, kidney, and pancreas weights increased linearly with increasing dietary fumonisin, and spleen and heart weights decreased. Serum aspartate aminotransferase levels increased with increasing dietary fumonisin, and serum cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, mean cell volume, and mean cell hemoglobin all decreased. Biliary hyperplasia, hypertrophy of Kupffer's cells, thymic cortical atrophy, and moderate widening of the proliferating and degenerating hypertrophied zones of tibial physes were present in poults fed diets containing fumonisin B1. Results indicate that fumonisin B1, from Fusarium moniliforme culture material, is toxic in young poults, and the poult appears to be more sensitive to fumonisin than the broiler chick.
An XML-based agent model for supporting user activities on the Web

In this paper we present X-Compass, an XML-based agent model for supporting a user in his Web activities. X-Compass is the result of our attempt of synthesizing, in a unique context, important guidelines currently characterizing the research in various Computer Science sectors. Indeed, it constructs and handles a rather rich, even if light, user profile; this latter is exploited for supporting the user in an efficient search of information of his interest; in this way, it behaves as a content-based Recommender System. Moreover, it is particularly suited for constructing multi-agent systems and, therefore, for implementing collaborative filtering recommendation techniques. In addition, since it widely uses XML technology, it is particularly light and capable of operating on various hardware and software platforms. The adoption of XML also facilitates the information exchange among X-Compass agents and, consequently, makes the management and the exploitation of X-Compass based multi-agent systems easier.
Agonist‐dependent Ca2+ and Mn2+ entry dependent on state of filling of Ca2+ stores in aortic smooth muscle cells of the rat.

1. The properties of intracellular Ca2+ stores of intact‐ and of saponin‐skinned A7r5 (an established cell line from embryonic rat aorta) smooth muscle cells were studied by measuring 45Ca2+ and 54Mn2+ fluxes. 2. Application of 5 microM‐vasopressin to intact cells increased the fractional loss of 45Ca2+ in Ca2(+)‐free solution by a factor of 5.2. This effect was not influenced by a pre‐incubation with 10 microM‐ryanodine. Caffeine (25 mM) did not stimulate the fractional loss of 45Ca2+ from intact cells. 3. In skinned cells 10 microM‐IP3 (inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate) and 5 microM‐A23187 (a calcium ionophore) released the same amount of 45Ca2+. This release did not require GTP and was not affected by a pre‐incubation with 10 microM‐ryanodine. Caffeine (25 mM) did not release stored Ca2+. 4. NaF (1 mM) plus 10 microM‐AlCl3 inhibited by 72% the 45Ca2+ uptake by the IP3‐sensitive store of skinned cells at 0.15 microM‐Ca2+. Cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase did not stimulate this ATP‐dependent 45Ca2+ uptake, nor could the presence of phospholamban be demonstrated immunologically. 5. The 45Ca2+ uptake by cells which had been depleted of Ca2+ with 5 microM‐vasopressin was 69% higher than the uptake obtained without such proceeding depletion. This enhanced 45Ca2+ uptake did not occur through voltage‐operated Ca2+ channels, because blockade of these channels with verapamil, or depolarization of the plasma membrane by increasing [K+] from 5.9 to 59 mM in the presence of verapamil, did not modify this uptake. 6. A similar increase of the 54Mn2+ uptake occurred in intact cells with a depleted Ca2+ store. If, however, the cells were first skinned and subsequently exposed to 54Mn2+, the ATP‐dependent 54Mn2+ uptake amounted to less than 6% of the ATP‐dependent 45Ca2+ uptake. 7. If intact cells were first exposed to a 45Ca2(+)‐ or 54Mn2(+)‐containing solution, and subsequently skinned in a non‐radioactive intracellular solution, the addition of 10 microM‐A23187 to these cells released stored Ca2+ or Mn2+. The amount of released Ca2+ was only slightly larger than the amount of released Mn2+. If the intracellular store was depleted before loading, the amount of Ca2+ or Mn2+ released by the ionophore increased by 68 and 28%, respectively. 8. It is concluded that A7r5 smooth muscle cells do not express a Ca2(+)‐induced Ca2+ release mechanism, but do contain an IP3‐induced Ca2+ release mechanism which can release approximately all intracellularly accumulated 45Ca2+. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
A Glance at the Role of Exotoxins in Opportunistic Bacterial Infections

The production and the mechanism of action of exotoxins from Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are presented. The attack to the immune host's defenses is the main virulence factor of opportunistic bacteria in implant infections, favoring the invasion and colonization of compromised periprosthesis tissues.
Clinical pharmacology of etoricoxib: a novel selectiveCOX2 inhibitor

The development of COX2 inhibitors with improved biochemical selectivity (such as etoricoxib and valdecoxib) over that of commercially available coxibs has been driven by the potential advantage of safety using higher coxib doses for increased efficacy. Etoricoxib has been approved in the UK as a once-daily medicine for symptomatic relief in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and acute gouty arthritis. It is currently approved with additional indications (i.e., for relief of acute pain associated with dental surgery, for primary dysmenorrhoea and for chronic musculo-skeletal pain, including chronic lower-back pain) in Mexico, Brazil and Peru. Etoricoxib has an in vitro COX1/COX2 IC50 ratio of 344, the highest of any coxib. The administration of therapeutic doses of etoricoxib to healthy subjects does not affect COX1 activity in circulating platelets and gastric biopsies. The profound inhibition of monocyte COX2 activity at 24 h after dosing, as predicted by a pharmacological half-life of ~ 22 h, supports a once-daily dosing regimen of etoricoxib. In randomised, well-controlled clinical trials, etoricoxib has been shown to have a comparable clinical efficacy with traditional NSAIDs. Combined analysis of efficacy trials with etoricoxib versus non-selective NSAIDs has shown that the drug halves both investigator-reported upper gastrointestinal perforation, ulcers and bleeds (PUBs) and confirmed PUBs, and reduces the need for gastroprotective agents and gastrointestinal comedications by ~ 40%. The risk of lower extremity oedema and hypertension adverse experiences with etoricoxib was low and generally similar to comparator NSAIDs in a combined analysis of eight Phase III studies in OA, RA, chronic low-back pain and surveillance endoscopy. Large, randomised clinical trials have been planned to confirm the renal, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular safety of etoricoxib.
DOES THE CAREGIVING ENVIRONMENT MEDIATE THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN AN INSTITUTIONAL INTERVENTION AND CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES?

Most institutions described in the literature do not provide rearing environments conducive to promoting typical development (e.g., Rosas & McCall, in review; Van IJzendoorn, Bakermans-Kranenburg, & Juffer, 2007a). Institutions typically lack adequate structural (low child-caregiver ratios, small group sizes and trained caregivers) and process (responsive and positive interactions with caregivers) quality characteristics known to contribute to children's overall development. A socio-emotional institutional intervention combining caregiver training (to encourage caregivers to be more socially responsive in their interactions with infants and young children in every aspect of life in the orphanage) and structural changes (i.e., group size, caregiver-child ratios, and constant caregivers) aimed to create an environment in which caregiver-child relationships were more likely to develop. Results indicate that intervention-produced changes in caregiving quality significantly mediated the intervention effects on children's developmental outcomes. It is notable that the overall caregiving quality accounted for almost half the variance (43%) of the total effect of the intervention on children's developmental scores. Reduction of group size and children-to-caregiver ratios, fewer more consistent caregivers, and other factors providing a more family-like environment appear to support improvements in process quality which in turn had positive effects on children's development.
Investigating suitable positions in power transformers for installing UHF antennas for partial discharge localization

One of the critical points in the UHF partial discharge (PD) localization in power transformers is the installation position of the UHF antennas inside the transformer or on its tank. In the UHF localization method which is based on comparing the differences of the arrival times of the partial discharge electromagnetic waves, ideally at least four antennas must be used to have an effective localization. Mechanical limitations such as the existence of iron tank and high electric field intensity inside transformer must be considered in installing UHF antenna. Beside these problems, the effect of antennas positions on localization accuracy must be taken into account. The positions of the antennas have a direct relation with arrival time differences for potential PD positions inside transformer. In this paper a method to identify best places for antennas installation is proposed to obtain more accurate defect localization.
Neighborhood Disorder, Perceived Social Cohesion, and Social Participation Among Older Americans: Findings From the National Health & Aging Trends Study

Objective: This research explores whether physical neighborhood disorder or perceived social cohesion is associated with participation in social activities among older Americans (age 65+). Method: Using the first wave of the National Health & Aging Trends Study (NHATS; N = 6,383), a series of logistic regression models were created to assess the odds of participation. Results: Low social cohesion was associated with decreased odds of visiting friends and family (odds ratio [OR] = 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.52, 0.82]) and participating in organizations (OR = 0.68; 95% CI = [0.53, 0.88]). Presence of neighborhood disorder was associated with decreased odds of visiting friends and family (OR = 0.62; 95% CI = [0.47, 0.82]), participating in organizations (OR = 0.66; 95% CI = [0.48, 0.89]), and going out for enjoyment (OR = 0.68; 95% CI = [0.53, 0.86]). Physical capacity and activity value moderated the relationship between neighborhood disorder/cohesion and attending religious services. Discussion: Improving neighborhood disorder and social cohesion may increase social participation among older adults.
Combining Information of Autonomic Modulation and CGM Measurements Enables Prediction and Improves Detection of Spontaneous Hypoglycemic Events

Background: We have previously tested, in a laboratory setting, a novel algorithm that enables prediction of hypoglycemia. The algorithm integrates information of autonomic modulation, based on heart rate variability (HRV), and data based on a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device. Now, we investigate whether the algorithm is suitable for prediction of hypoglycemia and for improvement of hypoglycemic detection during normal daily activities. Methods: Twenty-one adults (13 men) with T1D prone to hypoglycemia were recruited and monitored with CGM and a Holter device while they performed normal daily activities. We used our developed algorithm (a pattern classification method) to predict spontaneous hypoglycemia based on CGM and HRV. We compared 3 different models; (i) a model containing raw data from the CGM device; (ii) a CGM* model containing data derived from the CGM device signal; and (iii) a CGM+HRV model-combining model (ii) with HRV data. Results: A total of 12 hypoglycemic events (glucose levels < 3.9 mmol/L, 70 mg/dL) and 237 euglycemic measurements were included. For a 20-minute prediction, model (i) resulted in a ROC AUC of 0.69. If a high sensitivity of 100% was chosen, the corresponding specificity was 69%. (ii) The CGM* model yielded a ROC AUC of 0.92 with a corresponding sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 71%. (iii) The CGM+HRV model yielded a ROC AUC of 0.96 with a corresponding sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 91%. Conclusions: Data shows that adding information of autonomic modulation to CGM measurements enables prediction and improves the detection of hypoglycemia.
Neuroimaging in dementia: a practical guide

Over 800 000 people in the UK are demented. Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, vascular dementia and frontotemporal lobar degeneration account for the majority. Although detailed clinical assessment forms the basis of evaluating a patient with cognitive impairment, structural and functional imaging techniques are increasingly being used. Neuroimaging can identify changes to supplement the clinical diagnosis and help to distinguish dementia subtypes. This may be important for treatment, prognosis and care planning. Furthermore, early changes on structural and functional imaging may have a role in preclinical detection, perhaps allowing people to start any treatments early. In this review, we explain the tools available to the neuroradiologist and examine the implications of imaging findings in assessing patients with cognitive impairment or dementia.
Persistent Effects of Prenatally Administered Scopolamine

Acute effects of anticholinergic drugs on behavior are well documented (Warburton, 1975); however, evidence of chronic effects of these drugs administered prenatally is practically nonexistent. Three groups of pregnant rats were given daily injections of 2.4 mg/kg scopolamine, 1.2 mg/kg scopolamine, or 1.0 or . 5 cc saline. A fourth group served as a no-injection control. Treatment was continued throughout pregnancy and 17 offspring were subsequently tested in a shock-drinking conflict situation. Offspring of the low-dose scopolamine group tolerated significantly more shock than other groups.
Metal-Silver Based Electrodes as Sensitive Surfaces for Electrochemical Detection of Thio-Heterocycles

The electrodeposition of various metal films [lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), antimony (Sb), nickel (Ni), and tin (Sn)] onto silver (Ag)/quartz crystal substrate is studied using a electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance. The surface morphologies and crystal nanostructures of the dendrites are characterized by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The composite of the modified bimetallic alloy electrode is characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammatry. SEM images show particle sizes ranging from 73 to 280 nm with an average of 215 nm of metal films on the Ag/quartz electrodes. The modified metal Ag/quartz alloy electrodes are used to determine the thio-heterocycle in various supporting electrolytes. We found the electrocatalytic property of zinc is better than that of the other metals and un-coated Ag/quartz.
A Case of giant cell myocarditis and malignant thymoma: A postmortem diagnosis by needle biopsy

This paper reports a case of fulminant giant cell myocarditis arising in association with a malignant thymoma causing death in a 46‐year‐old woman. Although the diagnosis was suspected in life, postmortem examination was required for confirmation of giant cell myocarditis. Consent was obtained only for percutaneous needle biopsy of the heart. In order to respect the family's wishes and harvest sufficient diagnostic myocardium, a simple needle‐based biopsy technique was devised. A bone marrow trephine needle was attached to a 20 ml syringe and, with suction, multiple passes were used to fill 15 tissue cassettes. The cores were placed immediately in formalin and B5 fixatives. High‐quality tissue preservation was obtained without crush artefact. Immunohistochemical studies of the biopsy tissue confirmed that the giant cells were of macrophage derivation.
Sudden infant death due to pulmonary embolism.

To the Editor: With great interest we read the most recent case report of fatal pulmonary embolism in a 12-month-old boy by de la Grandmaison and Durigon (1). Recently, we have seen embolism of both pulmonary arteries as a cause of sudden death in an 11-year-old boy after surgery for epiphysiolysis capitis femoris. Postoperative prophylaxis of thrombosis was performed lege artis by subcutaneous heparin injections and physiotherapy. When the boy first got out of bed 4 days after surgery, he suddenly felt unwell. Shortly thereafter, he lost consciousness. Resuscitation was performed but yielded no success. The clinical cause of death remained unclear, and a medicolegal autopsy was performed. At external examination, an obese boy with two fresh but unobtrusive operation scars over both hips was seen. At autopsy, acute embolism of both pulmonary arteries, extending to the small branches of the vessels, was found. No pulmonary infarct was seen. Despite thorough examination of the body veins, the source of the embolism could not be detected. The operation sites were unobtrusive with no signs of inflammation. No other preexisting pathologic conditions of the inner organs were present. A hypercoagulable state, however, could not be ruled out. Sudden death due to pulmonary embolism has been reported to occur very rarely in children (2). The main risk factors have been described as congenital heart disease, recent surgery, indwelling intravenous devices, sepsis, arteriovenous malformation, occult malignancy, and prolonged immobility (2). Most likely, the operation was the predisposing condition for the formation of thrombosis in the present case. Obesity as a possible additional risk factor was also present. Signs of preexisting congenital malformations, sepsis, or malignancy, as well as idiopathic arterial calcification (3), were not found at autopsy. Signs of exsiccosis, identified as the predisposing factor for thrombosis by de la Grandmaison and Durigon (1), were also not present. In earlier studies, pulmonary emboli have been reported to arise from cardiac, mesenteric, or cerebral veins, as well as from the superior and inferior vena cava (4), whereas in adults, the deep pelvic and leg veins are the most common sources of pulmonary embolism. In our case, however, the source of the embolus could not be identified at autopsy. No thrombus was found in the superior or inferior vena cava or in the cardiac, mesenteric, or cerebral veins. Likewise, the deep leg and pelvic veins as well as the renal veins were free of thrombotic material, suggesting that the whole thrombus, from an unknown origin, had become detached and was carried to the pulmonary arteries. This case illustrates once more that pulmonary embolism has to be considered as a cause of sudden death in children after surgery, even if careful prophylaxis against thrombosis is performed.
Germline mutations in NF1 patients with malignancies

We have analyzed 98.5% of the coding region of the NF1 gene at the cDNA level in seven NF1 patients who developed malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Seven germline mutations were detected in six individuals: a 6‐bp in‐frame deletion in exon 28, a splice acceptor mutation in intron 31 resulting in a premature stop of translation, a missense mutation in exon 38, and three total NF1 gene deletions. In one of the patients with a total NF1 gene deletion, a missense mutation in exon 16 on the other NF1 allele was detected. These data indicate that NF1 patients developing malignant neoplasms can have any type of NF1 germline mutation such as a total gene deletion, a frameshift mutation, an in‐frame deletion, or a missense mutation. We conclude that in our series no specific type of NF1 germline mutation was found in NF1 individuals with malignancies, but that large NF1 gene deletions were more frequently found in this group than reported for the general population of NF1 individuals. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 26:376–380, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.