Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit mRNAs within midbrain dopamine neurons

Many behavioral effects of nicotine result from activation of nigrostriatal and mesolimbic dopaminergic systems. Nicotine regulates dopamine release not only by stimulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on dopamine cell bodies within the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area (SN/VTA), but also on presynaptic nAChRs located on striatal terminals. The nAChR subtype(s) present on both cell bodies and terminals is still a matter of controversy. The purpose of this study was to use double‐labeling in situ hybridization to identify nAChR subunit mRNAs expressed within dopamine neurons of the SN/VTA, by using a digoxigenin‐labeled riboprobe for tyrosine hydroxylase as the dopamine cell marker and 35S‐labeled riboprobes for nAChR subunits. The results reveal a heterogeneous population of nAChR subunit mRNAs within midbrain dopamine neurons. Within the SN, almost all dopamine neurons express α2, α4, α5, α6, β2, and β3 nAChR mRNAs, with more than half also expressing α3 and α7 mRNAs. In contrast, less than 10% express β4 mRNA. Within the VTA, a similar pattern of nAChR subunit mRNA expression is observed except that most subunits are expressed in a slightly lower percentage of dopamine neurons than in the SN. Within the SN, α4, β2, α7, and β4 mRNAs are also expressed in a significant number of nondopaminergic neurons, whereas within the VTA this only occurs for β4. The heterogeneity in the expression of nAChR subunits within the SN/VTA may indicate the formation of a variety of different nAChR subtypes on cell bodies and terminals of the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic pathways. J. Comp. Neurol. 444:260–274, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Single-Wavelength Blood Oxygen Saturation Sensing With Combined Optical Absorption and Scattering

Blood oxygen saturation (SO2) reflects the oxygenation level in blood transport and tissue. Previous studies have shown the capability of non-invasive quantitative measurements of SO2 by multi-wavelength photoacoustic (PA) spectroscopy for diagnosis of brain, tumor hemodynamics, and other pathophysiological phenomena. Here, we report a newly proposed method by combining PA and scattered light signals wherein imposing a hypothesis that scattering intensity is linear to the concentrations of oxygenated hemoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin weighed by blood scattering coefficients. A rigorous theoretical relationship between PA and scattering signals is thus established, making it possible that SO2 can be measured with only one excitation wavelength after calibration. To verify the theory basis, both dual-ink phantoms and fresh porcine blood sample have been employed in the experiments. The phantom experiment is able to quantify the concentration of mixed red-green ink that is in precise agreement with pre-set values. The in vitro experiment with fresh porcine blood was conducted, and the results of the proposed single-wavelength method achieved reasonable accuracy with 5%-8% errors. These demonstrated that the proposed single-wavelength SO2 detection method is able to provide non-invasive, accurate measurement of blood oxygenation combining optical absorption and scattering.
Disruption of the F plasmid partition complex in vivo by partition protein SopA

The SopA protein plays an essential, though so far undefined, role in partition of the mini‐F plasmid but, when overproduced, it causes loss of mini‐F from growing cells. Our investigation of this phenomenon has revealed that excess SopA protein reduces the linking number of mini‐F. It appears to do so by disturbing the partition complex, in which SopB normally introduces local positive supercoiling upon binding to the sopC centromere, as it occurs only in plasmids carrying sopC and in the presence of SopB protein. SopA‐induced reduction in linking number is not associated with altered sop promoter activity or levels of SopB protein and occurs in the absence of changes in overall supercoil density. SopA protein mutated in the ATPase nucleotide‐binding site (K120Q) or lacking the presumed SopB interaction domain does not induce the reduction in linking number, suggesting that excess SopA disrupts the partition complex by interacting with SopB to remove positive supercoils in an ATP‐dependent manner. Destabilization of mini‐F also depends on sopC and SopB, but the K120Q mutant retains some capacity for destabilizing mini‐F. SopA‐induced destabilization thus appears to be complex and may involve more than one SopA activity. The results are interpreted in terms of a regulatory role for SopA in the oligomerization of SopB dimers bound to the centromere.
Effects of acute or chronic administration of chlordiazepoxide on feeding parameters using two food textures in the rat

The effects of acute or chronic administration of chlordiazepoxide on several feeding parameters were studied in the rat. Given acutely, chlordiazepoxide reduced the rate of feeding, at lower dose levels (5·0 or 10·0 mg kg−1) tended to prolong feeding duration, and at a higher dose (15·0 mg kg−1) reduced the amount of food intake. Food texture can influence feeding parameters too; but the effects of the drug did not interact with the effects of food texture. After 9 daily injections of the drug, there were several indications of the development of tolerance to the effects of the drug on the feeding parameters. A possible role of 5‐HT mechanisms in the reduction of eating rate produced by the drug is considered.
Improved identification of Staphylococcus aureus using a new agglutination test Results of an international study

A new reagent for the identification of Staphylococcus aureus, SLIDEX STAPH‐KIT, operates on the principle of a latex and red blood cell combination agglutination: red blood cells are coated with fibrinogen for the detection of clumping factor, and latex particles are sensitized with anti‐S. aureus serotype 18 monoclonal antibody for the detection of protein A and antigen 18. French strains belonging to serotype 18 are methicillin‐resistant. The performance of this reagent was compared with STAPHYSLIDE and STAPHAUREX in Europe (France, Germany, Italy), in the United States and in Japan using 548 methicillin‐resistant S. aureus strains, 392 methicillin‐sensitive S. aureus strains, and 441 non‐aureus staphylococci. The specificity of the three reagents was equivalent (98.8% for SLIDEX STAPH‐KIT, 99,1% for STAPHYSLIDE, 98.1% for STAPHAUREX). SLIDEX STAPH‐KIT (97.3%) was more sensitive than STAPHYSLIDE (93.5%) and STAPHAUREX (89.7%) for all S. aureus strains due to a higher rate of identified methicillin‐resistant S. aureus strains.
Oscillation amplitude enhancement of an electrostatic MEMS resonator via chaos control

The present work addresses the problem of chaos control in an electrostatic MEMS resonator. One of the unstable orbits immersed in the chaotic attractor is stabilized in order to produce a sustained oscillation of the movable plate composing the microstructure. The orbit is carefully chosen in order to produce a high amplitude oscillation. This approach allows the enhancement of oscillation amplitude of the resonator at a reduced control effort, since the unstable orbit already exists in the system. Parametric uncertainties in the model are considered and control laws are constructed using the technique of backstepping. Numerical simulations are carried out to confirm the validity of the developed control schemes and to demonstrate the effect of controlling orbits immersed in the chaotic attractor.
ISAR Imaging Based on Sparse Signal Representation with Multiple Measurement Vectors

A new imaging method is proposed for ISAR with multiple measurement vectors (MMV) based on sparse signal representation. As an extension of single measurement sparse signal representation, MMV can enhance the ability of suboptimal procedure to find the proper sparse solution and also offers potential robustness to noise, supposing the measurement vectors having a same sparsity structure. Simulations have shown its superior performance. Here it is first presented for ISAR imaging. Imaging result of real data shows it is a promising method for ISAR
Cuticular Lipid Composition, Surface Structure, and Gene Expression in Arabidopsis Stem Epidermis1[W]

All vascular plants are protected from the environment by a cuticle, a lipophilic layer synthesized by epidermal cells and composed of a cutin polymer matrix and waxes. The mechanism by which epidermal cells accumulate and assemble cuticle components in rapidly expanding organs is largely unknown. We have begun to address this question by analyzing the lipid compositional variance, the surface micromorphology, and the transcriptome of epidermal cells in elongating Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) stems. The rate of cell elongation is maximal near the apical meristem and decreases steeply toward the middle of the stem, where it is 10 times slower. During and after this elongation, the cuticular wax load and composition remain remarkably constant (32 μg/cm2), indicating that the biosynthetic flux into waxes is closely matched to surface area expansion. By contrast, the load of polyester monomers per unit surface area decreases more than 2-fold from the upper (8 μg/cm2) to the lower (3 μg/cm2) portion of the stem, although the compositional variance is minor. To aid identification of proteins involved in the biosynthesis of waxes and cutin, we have isolated epidermal peels from Arabidopsis stems and determined transcript profiles in both rapidly expanding and nonexpanding cells. This transcriptome analysis was validated by the correct classification of known epidermis-specific genes. The 15% transcripts preferentially expressed in the epidermis were enriched in genes encoding proteins predicted to be membrane associated and involved in lipid metabolism. An analysis of the lipid-related subset is presented.
Molecular Cloning and Functional Characterization of Three Distinct N-Methyltransferases Involved in the Caffeine Biosynthetic Pathway in Coffee Plants1

Caffeine is synthesized from xanthosine throughN-methylation and ribose removal steps. In the present study, three types of cDNAs encodingN-methyltransferases were isolated from immature fruits of coffee (Coffea arabica) plants, and designated asCaXMT1, CaMXMT2, andCaDXMT1, respectively. The bacterially expressed encoded proteins were characterized for their catalytic properties. CaXMT1 catalyzed formation of 7-methylxanthosine from xanthosine with aK m value of 78 μm, CaMXMT2 catalyzed formation of 3,7-dimethylxanthine (theobromine) from 7-methylxanthine with a K m of 251 μm, and CaDXMT1 catalyzed formation of 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine (caffeine) from 3,7-dimethylxanthine with aK m of 1,222 μm. The crude extract of Escherichia coli was found to catalyze removal of the ribose moiety from 7-methylxanthosine, leading to the production of 7-methylxanthine. As a consequence, when all three recombinant proteins and E. coli extract were combined, xanthosine was successfully converted into caffeine in vitro. Transcripts for CaDXMT1 were predominantly found to accumulate in immature fruits, whereas those for CaXMT1and CaMXMT2 were more broadly detected in sites encompassing the leaves, floral buds, and immature fruits. These results suggest that the presently identified threeN-methyltransferases participate in caffeine biosynthesis in coffee plants and substantiate the proposed caffeine biosynthetic pathway: xanthosine → 7-methylxanthosine → 7-methylxanthine → theobromine → caffeine.
The effect of patient age on contrast enhancement during CT of the pancreatobiliary region.

OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to assess whether it is possible to reduce the dose and rate of contrast material injection in elderly patients in triple-phase contrast-enhanced CT of the pancreatobiliary region with an MDCT scanner. SUBJECTS AND METHODS One hundred twelve patients were divided into three groups: contrast injection at 0.08 mL/kg body weight/s (an upper limit of 5 mL/s) over 30 seconds in patients 60 years old or younger (group 1, n = 49), the same contrast injection as group 1 in patients more than 60 years old (group 2, n = 32), and contrast injection at 0.07 mL/kg body weight/s (an upper limit of 4.5 mL/s) over 30 seconds in patients more than 60 years old (group 3, n = 31). Contrast enhancement in the aorta, portal venous system, pancreas, and liver was assessed quantitatively. Two radiologists blinded to the patients' clinical information and the injection protocol used to acquire the CT images graded the degree of contrast enhancement using a 5-point scoring system. The results for the different groups were statistically compared. RESULTS Contrast enhancement in the main phases for all organs was significantly more intense in group 2 than in groups 1 and 3. Cases in which pancreatic enhancement in the pancreatic phase was graded as excessive were more frequently observed in group 2. No statistically significant differences were observed between groups 1 and 3 in either quantitative or visual assessment for enhancement of any organ in any phase. CONCLUSION We recommend reducing the dose and rate of contrast material injection by at least 10% for elderly patients undergoing MDCT examination of the pancreatobiliary region.
Attention deficit in Alzheimer's disease is not simulated by an anticholinergic/antihistaminergic drug and is distinct from deficits in healthy aging

Objective. : To evaluate attention deficit in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its relationship to attention deficits associated with aging and with medications altering alertness. Methods. : Ten patients with probable AD, 10 healthy old controls, and 15 young controls performed a covert orienting of spatial attention task. Young controls performed the task an additional time after ingestion of diphenhydramine 1 mg/kg. Reaction times were obtained following valid, neutral, and invalid cues. Results. : In all groups, the reaction times were shortest for the validly cued stimuli and longest for the invalidly cued stimuli. Additionally, the AD patients performed disproportionately worse following the invalid cue than did the control groups. Young controls given diphenhydramine had decreased subjective alertness, performed worse than they did before drug but better than the old controls or AD patients, and had no disproportionate impairment with the invalid cue. Conclusions. : AD patients have disproportionate problems shifting spatial attention compared with age-matched controls. Impaired attentional performance in AD cannot be simulated in young subjects by ingestion of a combined antihistamine/anticholinergic agent at a dose sufficient to produce significant changes in alertness.
Correlation of T‐helper secretory differentiation and types of antigen‐presenting cells in squamous intraepithelial lesions of the uterine cervix

This study addressed the notion that the progression of cervical cancer is associated with a T‐helper 2 (TH2) immunodeviation by analysing cytokine expression in 60 cervical biopsy specimens, spanning the spectrum from normal cervical tissue to high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs). The biopsies were analysed by immunohistochemistry for the expression of TH1 [interleukin‐2 (IL2), interferon gamma (IFNγ)] and of TH2‐type cytokines (IL4, IL6). Positive cells were usually observed in the subepithelial connective tissue, where most CD4+ cells were also detected. The density of IL2+ cells was significantly lower in high‐grade SILs than in normal tissues taken either from the ectocervix or from the transformation zone. In contrast, significantly higher densities of IL4+ cells and, to a lesser degree, IL6+ cells were found in SIL biopsies compared with histologically normal tissues taken from the adjacent ectocervical region. A significantly higher IL4+/CD4+ cell ratio was also found in high‐grade SILs (82 per cent) than in normal cervical biopsies taken from the transformation zone of healthy women showing squamous metaplasia (27 per cent). The elevated density of TH2+ cells in SIL biopsies was associated with both the expression of HLA‐DR by keratinocytes and a diminished number of intraepithelial Langerhans' cells (CD1a+). In conclusion, the increased TH2+/CD4+ cell ratio in SIL biopsies suggest the presence, during cervical carcinogenesis, of a TH2 immunodeviation that could participate in the immunoescape of preneoplastic cervical keratinocytes. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PCR/SSCP detects reliably and efficiently DNA sequence variations in large scale screening projects.

A simple and fast method with high reliability is necessary for the identification of mutations, polymorphisms and sequence variants (MPSV) within many genes and many samples, e.g. for clarifying the genetic background of individuals with multifactorial diseases. Here we review our experience with the polymerase chain reaction/single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR/SSCP) analysis to identify MPSV in a number of genes thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of multifactorial neurological disorders, including autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) and neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson s disease (PD). The method is based on the property of the DNA that the electrophoretic mobility of single stranded nucleic acids depends not only on their size but also on their sequence. The target sequences were amplified, digested into fragments ranging from 50-240 base pairs (bp), heat-denatured and analysed on native polyacrylamide (PAA) gels of different composition. The analysis of a great number of different PCR products demonstrates that the detection rate of MPSV depends on the fragment lengths, the temperature during electrophoresis and the composition of the gel. In general, the detection of MPSV is neither influenced by their location within the DNA fragment nor by the type of substitution, i.e., transitions or transversions. The standard PCR/SSCP system described here provides high reliability and detection rates. It allows the efficient analysis of a large number of DNA samples and many different genes.
Prevalence of Child Maltreatment in the Netherlands

The first nationwide prevalence study of child maltreatment in the Netherlands (NPM-2005) was designed as a replication of the National Incidence Studies (NISs) conducted in the United States. Child maltreatment cases were reported by 1,121 professionals from various occupational branches, trained in a detailed registration system of six types of abuse and neglect. In addition, cases registered by the Dutch Child Protection Services (CPS) were analyzed. For 2005, the overall prevalence rate was estimated to be 107,200 (95% CI 102,054-112,882) maltreated children aged 0-18 years, or 30 cases per 1,000 children. Neglect was the most prevalent type (56% of all cases) and sexual abuse had the lowest rate (4%). Of the maltreated children, 47% experienced more than one type of maltreatment. Major risk factors were very low parental education and unemployment. It is worrisome that CPS agencies only see the tip of the iceberg as only 12.6% of all maltreatment cases were reported to the CPS. Training of professionals in observing and reporting child maltreatment is badly needed. The absence of a legal obligation to report in the Netherlands needs reconsideration.
Fetal Fibronectin Signaling Induces Matrix Metalloproteases and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in Amnion Cells and Preterm Birth in Mice*

Background: The function of fetal fibronectin (fFN) in the pathogenesis of preterm labor is not known. Results: fFN activates MMP-1, MMP-9, and COX-2 in mesenchymal cells and causes preterm labor in mice. Conclusion: fFN is biologically active and plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of preterm labor. Significance: Signaling of fFN in fetal membranes is important in the pathophysiology of premature preterm rupture of the membranes. Fetal fibronectin (fFN) in cervical and vaginal secretions has been used as a predictor of preterm delivery. Here, we clarified the pathological function of fFN on cell type-specific matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and prostaglandin synthesis in fetal membranes. Treatment of amnion mesenchymal cells with fFN resulted in dramatic increases in MMP-1 and MMP-9 mRNA and enzymatic activity as well as COX-2 mRNA and prostaglandin E2 synthesis, activating both NFκB and ERK1/2 signaling. Fetal FN-induced increases in MMPs and COX-2 were mediated through its extra domain A and Toll-like receptor 4 expressed in mesenchymal cells. Lipopolysaccharide and TNF-α increased the release of free FN in medium of amnion epithelial cells in culture. Finally, injection of fFN in pregnant mice resulted in preterm birth. Collectively, these results indicate that fFN is not only a marker of preterm delivery but also plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of preterm labor and premature rupture of fetal membranes.
Increased Photosensitivity in HL60 Cells Expressing Wild‐Type p53

Loss of p53 function has been correlated with decreased sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiation therapy in a variety of human tumors. Comparable analysis of p53 status with sensitivity to oxidative stress induced by pho‐todynamic therapy has not been reported. In the current study we examined photosensitivity in human promye‐locytic leukemia HL60 cells exhibiting either wild‐type p53, mutated p53 or deleted p53 expression. Experiments were performed using a purpurin, tin ethyl etiopurpurin (SnET2)‐, or a porphyrin, Photofrin (PH)‐based photo‐sensitizer. Total SnET2 accumulation was comparable in all three cell lines. Uptake of PH was highest in cells expressing wild‐type p53 but incubation conditions could be adjusted to achieve equivalent cellular PH levels during experiments that analyzed photosensitivity. Survival measurements demonstrated that HL60 cells expressing wild‐type p53 were more sensitive to PH‐ and SnET2‐mediated photosensitization, as well as to UVC irradiation, when compared to HL60 cells exhibiting deleted or mutated p53 phenotypes. A rapid apoptotic response was observed following purpurin‐ and porphyrin‐induced photosensitization in all cell lines. Results of this study indicate that photosensitivity is increased in HL60 cells expressing wild‐type p53 and that photosensitizer‐medi‐ated oxidative stress can induce apoptosis through a p53‐independent mechanism in HL60 cells.
Docking Protein Gab2 Is Phosphorylated by ZAP-70 and Negatively Regulates T Cell Receptor Signaling by Recruitment of Inhibitory Molecules*

To maintain various T cell responses and immune equilibrium, activation signals triggered by T cell antigen receptor (TCR) must be regulated by inhibitory signals. Gab2, an adaptor protein of the insulin receptor substrate-1 family, has been shown to be involved in the downstream signaling from cytokine receptors. We investigated the functional role of Gab2 in TCR-mediated signal transduction. Gab2 was phosphorylated by ZAP-70 and co-precipitated with phosphoproteins, such as ZAP-70, LAT, and CD3ζ, upon TCR stimulation. Overexpression of Gab2 in Jurkat cells or antigen-specific T cell hybridomas resulted in the inhibition of NF-AT activation, interleukin-2 production, and tyrosine phosphorylation. The structure-function relationship of Gab2 was analyzed by mutants of Gab2. The Gab2 mutants lacking SHP-2-binding sites mostly abrogated the inhibitory activity of Gab2, but its inhibitory function was restored by fusing to active SHP-2 as a chimeric protein. A mutant with defective phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase binding capacity also impaired the inhibitory activity, and the pleckstrin homology domain-deletion mutant revealed a crucial function of the pleckstrin homology domain for localization to the plasma membrane. These results suggest that Gab2 is a substrate of ZAP-70 and functions as a switch molecule toward inhibition of TCR signal transduction by mediating the recruitment of inhibitory molecules to the TCR signaling complex.