Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modulation by intracellular ATP and cyclic AMP of the slow inward current in isolated single ventricular cells of the guinea‐pig.

Effects of ATP and of cyclic AMP on membrane current systems were investigated in isolated single ventricular cells from guinea‐pig hearts by applying the suction electrode method. The intracellular milieu was dialysed with various solutions which were perfused continuously through the suction pipette. The presence of ATP, cyclic AMP and EGTA in the perfusion solution kept the plateau phase of the action potential almost intact for as long as 30 min. With depolarizing voltage‐clamp pulses from holding potentials between ‐30 and ‐40 mV, the slow inward current (isi) was activated at potentials positive to ‐20 mV. The inactivation time course of isi was fitted by two exponential components in the potential range between ‐10 mV and +30 mV. By increasing ATP from 2 to 9.5 mM in the solution, the amplitude of isi was increased and the slow component of inactivation was accelerated. The steady‐state current‐voltage relationship (I‐V curve), exhibited a negative slope that became steeper after increasing the ATP concentration. The current was shifted towards the outward direction between ‐40 mV and ‐10 mV and became more inward between ‐10 mV and +40 mV. Increase of the cyclic AMP concentration from 30 to 60 microM also enhanced the amplitude of isi, but the negative slope in the steady‐state I‐V curve was unaffected. Assuming that the concentration of free Ca2+ in the cell was well buffered at a low level by the EGTA‐Ca buffer solution in the pipette, it was concluded that [ATP]i and [cyclic AMP]i exert a direct influence on membrane current systems of the ventricular cell.
Higher neutrophil infiltration mediated by osteopontin is a likely contributing factor to the increased susceptibility of females to alcoholic liver disease

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a major public health problem in the United States and women are known to be more susceptible to ALD. However, the precise mechanism for increased susceptibility of females to ALD is not completely understood. The present study is based on the hypothesis that induction of osteopontin (OPN), a matricellular protein, is the likely contributing factor for higher neutrophil recruitment in females during alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH). ASH was induced in male and female Sprague‐Dawley rats by feeding them a Lieber‐DeCarli diet containing ethanol (EtOH) for 6 weeks, followed by a single injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 mg/kg, ip). Liver injury, measured by plasma transaminase elevations and confirmed by haematoxylin and eosin‐stained liver sections, revealed ∼25‐fold higher liver injury in the female ASH model compared with the males. Although steatosis, necrosis, and neutrophil infiltration were evident in both male and female rats, hepatic neutrophilic necrotic foci were noted as early as 2 h after LPS injection in the EtOH‐treated female rats. Hepatic neutrophil infiltration correlated with higher expression of cleaved (cOPN) and uncleaved OPN in the EtOH + LPS‐treated female rats compared with the males. OPN secretion was localized predominantly in the biliary epithelium and females had significantly higher OPN mRNA than their male counterparts in the ASH model. The ability of OPN to attract neutrophils was further confirmed in vivo, in a peritonitis rat model, and by neutralizing OPN (nOPN) antibody experiments. Hepatic neutrophil infiltration was largely inhibited (∼50%) by nOPN antibody. Flow cytometry experiments revealed OPN‐mediated up‐regulation of the CD11b neutrophil adhesion molecule. In conclusion, these data suggest that higher hepatic expression of OPN is the likely reason for higher and early hepatic neutrophil infiltration making females more susceptible to ALD during ASH. Copyright © 2006 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vangl1 Protein Acts as a Downstream Effector of Intestinal Trefoil Factor (ITF)/TFF3 Signaling and Regulates Wound Healing of Intestinal Epithelium*

The intestinal trefoil factor (ITF/TFF3) protects intestinal epithelia from a range of insults and contributes to mucosal repair. However, the signaling events that mediate healing responses are only partially understood. To identify ITF signaling pathways, proteins that were Ser/Thr phosphorylated in response to ITF stimulation were immunoprecipitated from human colon carcinoma cell lines and identified by mass spectrometry. We demonstrated that Van Gogh-like protein 1 (also designated Vang-like 1 or Vangl1), a protein with four transmembrane domains, was Ser/Thr phosphorylated in response to ITF stimulation. Vangl1 was present in normal human colon and all intestinal epithelial cell lines (IEC) tested. In transfected IEC, FLAG-Vangl1 was mostly present in the Nonidet P-40 soluble fraction as detected by Western blotting, corresponding to the localization of endogenous protein in cytoplasmic vesicular structures by confocal microscopy with rabbit polyclonal anti-human Vangl1 antibody (α-Vangl1). Vangl1 cell membrane association increased with differentiation, as demonstrated by co-localization with E-cadherin in differentiated IEC. Increased Vangl1 phosphorylation after stimulation with ITF corresponded to decreased cell membrane association with E-cadherin. Functionally, Vangl1 overexpression enhanced ITF unstimulated and stimulated wound closure of IEC, whereas siRNA directed against Vangl1 inhibited the migratory response to ITF. Vangl1 protein may serve as an effector mediating the ITF healing response of the intestinal mucosa.
Implications of the difference between true and predicted breeding values for the study of natural selection and micro‐evolution

The ability to predict individual breeding values in natural populations with known pedigrees has provided a powerful tool to separate phenotypic values into their genetic and environmental components in a nonexperimental setting. This has allowed sophisticated analyses of selection, as well as powerful tests of evolutionary change and differentiation. To date, there has, however, been no evaluation of the reliability or potential limitations of the approach. In this article, I address these gaps. In particular, I emphasize the differences between true and predicted breeding values (PBVs), which as yet have largely been ignored. These differences do, however, have important implications for the interpretation of, firstly, the relationship between PBVs and fitness, and secondly, patterns in PBVs over time. I subsequently present guidelines I believe to be essential in the formulation of the questions addressed in studies using PBVs, and I discuss possibilities for future research.
Deep Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism in Neurologic and Neurosurgical Disease

Patients with neurologic disease are at high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) (deep venous thrombosis [DVT] or pulmonary embolism [PE]) because of relative immobility or an increased risk of hypercoagulable states. Patients with spinal cord injuries, brain tumors, and strokes are at particularly high risk for VTE. Well-established risk assessment tools and a number of well-defined diagnostic tests to establish a VTE diagnosis are available. Unfortunately, physicians, in both the inpatient and outpatient settings, often do not have a sufficiently high level of clinical suspicion for DVT or PE, and the diagnosis is sometimes missed. The treatment of VTE is anticoagulation unless the patient is at unacceptably high risk for serious bleeding complications. The duration of anticoagulation depends on the presence of underlying hypercoagulable states and a prior history of VTE.
TUBERCULOSTATIC ACTIVITY OF NORMAL HUMAN SERA.

This study demonstrated that normal human sera possess an inhibitory activity for growth of tubercle bacilli. This tuberculostasis could not be shown upon dilution of the serum in various media devised for growth of tubercle bacilli. The analyses of the constitutents of these media with respect to their antituberculostatic activity showed that phosphate and citrate act as antagonists in the antimycobacterial activity. Investigation of the tuberculostatic factor showed the following: It is heat-stable at 56°C but loses its activity at 65°C or higher temperatures.It is composed of two parts, one which is heat-sensitive and nondialyzable and a second which is heat-stable and dialyzable; both parts are required for tuberculostatic activity.Both parts of the tuberculostatic factor are organic and their molecular weight may be higher than 30,000.The factor or its one part can be adsorbed from serum by heavy emulsions of tubercle bacilli. Study of the distribution of tuberculostatic factor showed that it is present in tuberculinnegative and tuberculin-positive people. The analysis of “racial sera,” as to the level of tuberculostatic activity suggested no difference among the races. Out of 92 sera investigated, 7 demonstrated low degree of tuberculostatic activity. Because of equal distribution of these “weak” sera among the racial groups, this might indicate an individual rather than a racial characteristic.
Mutations in the WRN Gene in Mice Accelerate Mortality in a p53-Null Background

ABSTRACT Werner's syndrome (WS) is a human disease with manifestations resembling premature aging. The gene defective in WS, WRN, encodes a DNA helicase. Here, we describe the generation of mice bearing a mutation that eliminates expression of the C terminus of the helicase domain of the WRN protein. Mutant mice are born at the expected Mendelian frequency and do not show any overt histological signs of accelerated senescence. These mice are capable of living beyond 2 years of age. Cells from these animals do not show elevated susceptibility to the genotoxins camptothecin or 4-NQO. However, mutant fibroblasts senesce approximately one passage earlier than controls. Importantly,WRN−/− ;p53−/− mice show an increased mortality rate relative toWRN+/− ;p53−/− animals. We consider possible models for the synergy betweenp53 and WRN mutations for the determination of life span.
Omental Transposition to the Brain for Alzheimer's Disease

ABSTRACT: Omental transposition (OT) to revascularize the brain was first performed in animals in the late 1960s, where it was shown that blood vessels originating from the omentum crossed through the omental‐cerebral interface prior to developing into large‐sized vessels that penetrated directly and deeply into the underlying brain. The additional cerebral blood flow coming from the omentum was of sufficient volume to protect an animal's brain from cerebral infarction even in the presence of middle cerebral artery ligation. It was also learned that the omentum was a rich source for neurotransmitters and omentum‐derived nerve growth substance. OT to the brain is now being done for a variety of conditions which include strokes, TIAs, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease. Of recent interest is the published information that OT may play some role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The placement of the omentum on an AD brain has led to a profound decrease in senile plaque formation. The omentum may ultimately prove to be beneficial in reversing or at least stabilizing the dementia associated with the devastation of AD.
The American Association for Respiratory Care and the National Lung Health Education Program: assuring quality in spirometry.

There is no doubt that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important disease in the United States. Not only does COPD produce progressive disability and loss of function over many years, it also is very costly to the health care system.1 The good news is that COPD can be prevented and managed to significantly improve the patient’s quality of life and limit the related societal health care costs.2 The critical prevention strategy is smoking cessation. Even for established disease, however, there is an array of symptom-controlling medications that improve function and outcome. In addition, in hypoxemic patients oxygen improves both quality of life and survival. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs benefit patient function and provide cost-effective disease management. Finally, the recently completed National Emphysema Treatment Trial showed that in selected emphysema patients lung-volume-reduction surgery improves function and survival.3
The effect of three different doses of tranexamic acid on blood loss after cardiac surgery with mild systemic hypothermia (32 degrees C).

OBJECTIVE Prophylactic administration of tranexamic acid (TA), an antifibrinolytic agent, decreases bleeding after cardiac surgery with systemic hypothermia (25 degrees C to 29 degrees C). Warmer systemic temperatures during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may reduce bleeding and thus alter the requirement for TA. The effect of three different doses of TA on bleeding after cardiac surgery with mild systemic hypothermia (32 degrees C) is evaluated. DESIGN Double-blind, prospective, randomized study. SETTING University hospital. PARTICIPANTS One hundred fifty adult patients undergoing aortocoronary bypass or valvular cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS Patients received TA, 50 (n = 50), 100 (n = 50), or 150 (n = 50) mg/kg intravenously before CPB with mild systemic hypothermia. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Blood loss through chest drains over 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery and total hemoglobin loss were measured. Autotransfused blood, transfused banked blood and blood products, and coagulation profiles were measured. Analysis of variance on log-transformed data for blood loss and confidence intervals (CIs) of 0.95 were calculated and transformed to milliliters of blood. No patient was re-explored for bleeding. Blood loss at 6 hours was statistically greater in the 50-mg/kg group compared with the other two groups (p = 0.03; p = 0.02). Total hemoglobin loss was statistically greater in the 50-mg/kg group compared with the 150-mg/kg group (p = 0.04). There was no statistical difference in blood tranfusion rate or coagulation profiles among the three groups. However, preoperative hemoglobin level was statistically lower in the 150-mg/kg group compared with the other two groups (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION Of the three doses of TA studied, the most efficacious and cost-effective dose to reduce bleeding after cardiac surgery with mild hypothermic systemic perfusion is 100 mg/kg.
Drain Volume Required for a Target Peritoneal Clearance: Formulae Based on Peritoneal Transport Type and Body Size

The authors developed formulae calculating the daily drain volume (DV) required for a target normalized peritoneal clearance of urea (Kt/Vur) or creatinine (Ccr, Kt/Vcr) in peritoneal dialysis (PD). DV depends on the target clearance, the peritoneal solute transport type, and the size of the person as expressed by body surface area (BSA) or body water (V). To illustrate the formulae, we constructed nomograms for the following weekly target clearances: Ccr = 60 L/171.73 m2, Kt/Vur=2.0, Kt/Vcr=1.8 (the value corresponding to a Ccr of 60 L/1.73 m2 in a linear regression of the two parameters in 476 clearance studies in continuous ambulatory PD [CAPD] patients). The PD schedules studied included CAPD, continuous cycling PD (CCPD) with one 2 L daytime dwell, and a combination of daytime CAPD and nighttime automated PD (APD) with 2 hr dwell times. Peritoneal transport was characterized as low, low-average, high-average, or high by the dialysate-to-plasma (D/P) creatinine concentration ratio in a peritoneal equilibration test (PET). The D/P value entered for each transport type was the appropriate 95% lower confidence limit of the mean D/P in actual studies (2 hr and 4 hr D/P from 102 PET studies and 5.5 hr D/P from 476 clearance studies in CAPD patients). For high transport, the required DV values were similar in all three PD schedules studied. For low transport, the required DV was much larger, comparatively, for CCPD and CAPD-APD than for CAPD. Furthermore, the DV values required for a weekly Kt/Vur of 2.0 were comparatively less than the DV values required for a weekly Kt/Vcr of 1.8 (Ccr of 60 L/1.73 M2). Calculation of the DV required for different PD schedules, a target peritoneal clearance, and the patients's size is feasible when the patient's peritoneal transport characteristics are known. This calculation also allows the selection of the least costly PD schedule. Current target values for urea and creatinine clearance are incompatible in anuric PD patients.
A family of non-isolated ZVS DC-DC converter based on a new active clamp cell

A new ZVS cell is proposed based on the active clamping technique. With a small clamping diode in the cell the voltage ringing caused by the auxiliary inductor is eliminated, and the circulating loss is minimized. A new ZVS boost converter is presented and analyzed in detail to demonstrate the operation principle of the new ZVS cell. Utilizing this cell a new family of ZVS DC-DC converter can be constructed based on typical non-isolated DC-DC converters. A 500 W/200 kHz ZVS boost prototype is made to verify the analysis
Occupational exposure to diesel exhaust and lung cancer: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES We undertook a meta-analysis of epidemiological studies investigating the relationship between occupational diesel exhaust exposure and lung cancer. METHODS Thirty of 47 studies initially identified as potentially relevant met specified inclusion criteria. We extracted or calculated 39 independent estimates of relative risk and derived pooled estimates of risk for all studies and for numerous study subsets by using a random-effects model. We also examined interstudy heterogeneity by using linear metaregressions. RESULTS There was substantial heterogeneity in the pooled risk estimates for all studies combined and for most subsets. Several factors consistent with higher study quality, however, contributed to increased pooled estimates of risk and lower heterogeneity, including (1) adjustment for confounding by cigarette smoking and other covariates, (2) having a lower likelihood of selection bias, and (3) having increased study power. CONCLUSION This analysis provides quantitative support for prior qualitative reviews that have ascribed an etiologic role to occupational diesel exhaust exposure in lung cancer induction. Among study populations most likely to have had substantial exposure to diesel exhaust, the pooled smoking-adjusted relative risk was 1.47 (95% confidence interval = 1.29, 1.67).
Direct adaptive neural controller for the active control of earthquake‐excited nonlinear base‐isolated buildings

This paper presents a nonlinearly parameterized controller for the adaptive control of base‐isolated buildings subjected to a set of near‐fault earthquakes. The control scheme is based on discrete direct adaptive control, wherein the system response is minimized under parameter uncertainties. Stable tuning laws for the controller parameters are derived using the Lyapunov approach. The controller utilizes a linear combination of nonlinear basis functions, and estimates the desired control force online. The measurements that are necessary to generate the control force to reduce the system responses under earthquake excitations are developed based on the adaptive systems theory. The main novelty in this paper is to approximate the nonlinear control law using a nonlinearly parameterized neural network, without an explicit training phase. A perturbed model is used to initialize the controller parameters in order to simulate the uncertainty in the mathematical modeling that typically exists in representing civil structures. Performance of the proposed control scheme is evaluated on a full‐scale nonlinear three‐dimensional (3‐D) base‐isolated benchmark structure. The lateral‐torsion superstructure behavior and the bi‐axial interaction of the nonlinear bearings are incorporated. The results show that the proposed controller scheme can achieve good response reductions for a wide range of near‐fault earthquakes, without a corresponding increase in the superstructure response. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Classification and quantitative estimation of cognitive stress from in-game keystroke analysis using EEG and GSR

This paper presents a novel approach to classify cognitive stress, at an inter-personal level, induced by a proposed Stroop-Tetris game using Electroencephalogram (EEG), Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) and Photoplethysmogram (PPG). Features are derived from each sensor aimed at discriminating low and high cognitive stress, followed by feature reduction. Leave-one-subject-out cross-validation across the data shows high median accuracies in classification individually for EEG, GSR and PPG analysis (72.75%, 69.30% and 64.75% respectively), which was further enhanced to 77.25% by employing feature level fusion. A novel metric derived from the keystrokes of the subjects is introduced to quantify real-time stress. An intra-personal regression model to relate EEG features with the real-time stress metric demonstrates high correlation and low p-value between predicted and actual values of this metric.
Positive expiratory pressure physiotherapy for airway clearance in people with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND Chest physiotherapy is widely prescribed to assist the clearance of airway secretions in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Positive expiratory pressure (PEP) devices provide constant back pressure to the airways during expiration. This may improve clearance by building up gas behind mucus via collateral ventilation. Given the widespread use of PEP devices, there is a need to determine the evidence for their effect. OBJECTIVES To determine the effectiveness and acceptability of PEP devices compared to other forms of physiotherapy as a means of improving mucus clearance and other outcomes in people with CF. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group trials register comprising of references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches and handsearching of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings. The electronic database CINAHL was also searched from 1982 to 2001. Most recent search of the Group's register: November 2003. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials in which PEP was compared with any other form of physiotherapy in people with CF. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two reviewers independently applied the inclusion and exclusion criteria to publications and assessed the quality of the included studies. MAIN RESULTS Thirty-three studies were identified and twenty studies involving 429 participants met review inclusion criteria. Most included studies had low scores on a scale of study quality. Sixteen of these studies involving 257 participants were cross-over in design. Data were not published in sufficient detail in these studies to perform meta-analysis.Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was the most frequently measured outcome. Single interventions or series of treatments continued for up to one month demonstrated no significant difference in effect between PEP and other methods of airway clearance on FEV1. Long-term studies had equivocal or conflicting results regarding the effect on FEV1. Patient preference was reported in nine studies. In all studies with an intervention period of at least one month, measures of patient preference were in favour of PEP. The results for the remaining outcome measures were not examined or reported in sufficient detail to provide any high level evidence. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS There was no clear evidence that PEP was a more or less effective intervention overall than other forms of physiotherapy. There was limited evidence that PEP was preferred by participants compared to other techniques but this finding is from studies of low quality.