Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nocturnal Activity in a Diurnal Rodent (Arvicanthis Niloticus): The Importance of Masking

It is known that day-active Nile grass rats, Arvicanthis niloticus, increase the amount of activity in the night relative to that in the day when provided with running wheels. This was confirmed in the present study. Animals without a wheel displayed 69.0% of their general activity in the L phase of a 12:12 h light-dark cycle; animals provided with wheels had only 48.6% of their wheel revolutions in the light. The contribution of direct (masking) responses to light to the increased nocturnality of animals with wheels was examined in two experiments. In experiment 1, masking was tested by exposing the animals to repeated cycles of 30 min of entraining light and 30 min of a different, usually dimmer light, during the L phase of a 12:12 h light-dark cycle. For animals with wheels, there was more running during the 30-min pulses of dim light or darkness than during the 30-min periods of entraining light. In contrast, for animals without wheels, there was more general activity during the 30-min periods of entraining light than during the 30-min pulses of dim light or darkness. In experiment 2, the animals were first exposed to a 12:12 h light-dark cycle and then put on a 1:10:1:12 h LDLD skeleton photoperiod. Animals with wheels increased their running during the subjective day of the skeleton photoperiod compared to that in the actual day of the 12:12 h light-dark cycle. Animals without wheels showed similar levels of general activity during the subjective day of the skeleton photoperiod and the actual day of the 12:12 h cycle. These experiments demonstrate that when Nile rats have running wheels, their increased nocturnal activity is associated with an increased suppression of locomotion in direct response to light. It is possible that changes in masking responses to light may be an essential and integral component of switching between diurnal and nocturnal activity profiles.
Natural atmospheric microbial conditions in a typical suburban area

Ambient outdoor concentrations and size distributions of airborne microbial particles were measured approximately weekly for 2 years in a Washington, D.C., suburban area. The study objective was to characterize microbial air quality in the vicinity of a proposed sewage sludge composting facility. During the study, 379 samples were taken at 17 stations, using Andersen microbial samplers. Concentration ranges (in viable particles per cubic meter) were as follows: airborne mesophilic fungi, 0 to 7,220 with a geometric mean of 273; thermophilic fungi, 0 to 193 with a median of 2.1; Aspergillus fumigatus, 0 to 71 with a median of 1.0; aerobic bacteria, 4.2 to 1,640 with a geometric mean of 79; and fecal streptococci, 0 to 5.7 with a median of 0. No fecal coliforms were recovered. The potentially respirable fraction (less than 8 microns) averaged 34% for total bacteria, 56% for mesophilic fungi, 91% for thermophilic fungi, and 95% for A. fumigatus. The specific sampling location was not a major factor affecting microbial particle concentrations or size distributions. Conversely, the time of year was an important determinant of viable particle concentrations for all groups of microorganisms studied. The highest concentrations were observed in summer and fall, with significantly lower levels detected in winter. In general, the microbial data did not correlate with other variables, including weather conditions, measured in this study.
Periodic High-Conductance States in Spinal Neurons during Scratch-Like Network Activity in Adult Turtles

Intense synaptic activity may alter the response properties of neurons in highly interconnected networks. Here we investigate whether the excitability and the intrinsic response properties of neurons in the spinal cord are affected by the increased synaptic conductance during functional network activity. Scratch episodes were induced by mechanical stimulation in the isolated carapace-spinal cord preparation from the adult turtle. Intracellular recordings revealed a dramatic increase in synaptic activity in interneurons and motoneurons during scratch activity. Superimposed slow depolarizing waves were phase-related to the rhythmic bouts of spike activity in the hip flexor nerve. The increase in synaptic conductance in interneurons and motoneurons varied with the scratch rhythm. During individual episodes, the conductance shifted smoothly with the scratch rhythm from near-resting levels to levels two to four times higher. In slice experiments, we found that even moderate increases in the conductance of motoneurons suppressed the slow afterhyperpolarization and the plateau potentials. We conclude that the excitability and the intrinsic response properties of spinal neurons are periodically quenched by high synaptic conductance during functional network activity.
Conversations with Eminent Labour Economists: Alison Booth

(AB): Tony is a renaissance man who has covered a lot of fields. Originally when I started out, I wanted to work on local public goods, and then I gradually shifted on to the microeconomic behaviour of trade unions and membership, which is what my thesis is called. Tony is such a broad man that was fine by him, and he had loads of good suggestions, as his work covers theory as well as empirical work. It was a bit accidental what the research ended up being about, but many people discover this when they embark on their PhD theses.
Outcomes of a comprehensive healthy lifestyle program on cardiometabolic risk factors in a developing country: the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program.

BACKGROUND This study evaluated the outcome of a comprehensive, community-based healthy lifestyle program on cardiometabolic risk factors. The Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP) was a comprehensive action-oriented, multi-component intervention with a quasi-experimental design and reference area. METHODS IHHP targeted the population-at-large (n = 2,180,000) in three districts in central Iran. Data from independent sample surveys before (2000 - 2001) and after (2007) this program were used to compare differences in the intervention area and reference area over time after controlling for age, education level and income. The samples in 2000 - 2001 and 2007 included 6175 and 4719 participants in intervention area, and 6339 and 4853 in reference area, respectively. Multiple interventional activities were performed based on the four main strategies of healthy nutrition, increased physical activity, tobacco control and coping with stress. RESULTS The prevalence of abdominal obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and high LDL-C decreased significantly in the intervention area versus the reference area in both sexes. However the reduction in overweight and obesity was significant only in females (P < 0.05 for all). There were no significant changes in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus. In the intervention area, the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia decreased from 23.5% to 12.5% among females without any changes in females in the reference area (p < 0.0001). In males, hypercholesterolemia decreased significantly in both intervention area (18.5% to 9.6%) and reference area (14.4% to 9.8%; p = 0.005). Mean triglyceride levels had a significant decrease in the intervention area and a non-significant decrease in the reference area (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS A comprehensive healthy lifestyle program comprising preventive and promotional activities that considers both population and high risk approaches can be effective in controlling cardiometabolic risk factors in a middle-income country.
U. S. Oil Import Quotas and National Income

U.S. oil import policies have been critically reexamined by the current Administration and Congress. A Cabinet task force in February 1970 submitted a report with recommendations for replacing the present system of oil import quotas with an oil import tariff, but President Nixon decided against such a reform. ' Important questions regarding oil import policies remain unsolved, both as to the need for protecting the domestic oil industry against foreign competition and as to the appropriate nature of any policies of protection. These questions in principle ought to be approached through an evaluation, from the national standpoint, of the costs and benefits of alternative policies, and one ought to select the policy estimated to yield the largest net benefit. No satisfactory cost/benefit calculations of this kind have yet been presented. However, the present import quota system has been estimated to cost oil consumers between $3 and $7 billions per year, in the view of its opponents too high a price to pay for the uncertain benefits of a stronger domestic oil industry.2 These cost estimates essentially measure the additional expenditure for oil products incurred by oil consumers due to the excess of domestic over imported crude prices and do not measure the costs incurred by the nation as a whole. In particular, the resulting income loss of consumers is partly accounted for by income
The influences of ambient temperature and crude protein levels on performance and serum biochemical parameters in broilers.

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of ambient temperature, crude protein levels and their interaction on performance and serum biochemical parameters of broiler chickens. A total of 216 Arbor Acre broiler chickens (108 males and 108 females) were used in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement and randomly reared at two temperatures (normal temperature: 23 °C; daily cyclic high temperature: 28-32 °C) and fed on three diets with different crude protein levels (153.3, 183.3 or 213.3 g/kg, with constant essential amino acids) from 28 to 42 days of age. Daily cyclic high ambient temperature decreased final body weight, average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and serum total protein contents (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.008 respectively), but increased feed/gain, mortality, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, serum uric acid contents and serum creatine kinase activity (p = 0.008, p = 0.003, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, p = 0.003 respectively), irrespective of crude protein levels. At the ambient temperature, reducing crude protein levels resulted in an increase in feed/gain (p < 0.001), but a decrease in serum total protein and uric acid contents. Only serum creatine kinase activity in broiler chickens was interacted by daily cyclic high ambient temperature and dietary crude protein levels (p = 0.003). These results indicated that daily cyclic high ambient temperature had a great effect on performance and serum biochemical parameters in broiler chickens, whereas dietary crude protein levels affected them partially.
Synergistic COX2 Induction by IFNγ and TNFα Self-Limits Type-1 Immunity in the Human Tumor Microenvironment

IFNγ and TNFα are primarily antitumor mediators, but unexpectedly synergized to enhance multiple pathways of immune suppression, using COX2 activation as the intermediary. This mechanism limits type-1 antitumor immunity and provides a rationale for targeting the COX2–PGE2 axis. Maintenance of CTL-, Th1-, and NK cell–mediated type-1 immunity is essential for effective antitumor responses. Unexpectedly, we observed that the critical soluble mediators of type-1 immune effector cells, IFNγ and TNFα, synergize in the induction of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), the key enzyme in prostaglandin (PG)E2 synthesis, and the subsequent hyperactivation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) within the tumor microenvironment (TME) of ovarian cancer patients. MDSC hyperactivation by type-1 immunity and the resultant overexpression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS/NOS2), IL10, and additional COX2 result in strong feedback suppression of type-1 immune responses. This paradoxical immune suppression driven by type-1 immune cell activation was found to depend on the synergistic action of IFNγ and TNFα, and could not be reproduced by either of these factors alone. Importantly, from a therapeutic standpoint, these negative feedback limiting type-1 responses could be eliminated by COX2 blockade, allowing amplification of type-1 immunity in the ovarian cancer TME. Our data demonstrate a new mechanism underlying the self-limiting nature of type-1 immunity in the human TME, driven by the synergistic induction of COX2 by IFNγ and TNFα, and provide a rationale for targeting the COX2–PGE2 axis to enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(4); 303–11. ©2016 AACR.
Percutaneous transcatheter snare vegetectomy in a child

Abstract Surgical vegetectomy may be indicated in patients with unresolving sepsis, heart failure, recurrent embolism, or the presence of large vegetations >10 mm in size. Percutaneous vegetectomy using a snare may be a reasonable option instead of open-heart surgery in selected patients. We describe the case of a patient with operated tetralogy of Fallot and infective endocarditis who underwent vegetectomy via a percutaneous approach.
[Airway inflammation induced by Poly(I:C) stimulation in the late stage of respiratory syncytial virus infection in mice and its mechanism].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the pathogenic mechanisms of airway inflammation and recurrent wheezing induced by recurrent respiratory virus infection after respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. METHODS Sixty-four female BALB/c mice (aged 6-8 weeks) were randomly divided into four groups: control, RSV, Poly(I:C), and RSV+Poly(I:C) (n=16 each). The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected on the 3rd day after Poly(I:C) administration, and the total cell number and differential counts in BALF were determined. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe pulmonary pathological changes. The airway responsiveness was detected. ELISA was used to measure the levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-13 (IL-13), matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in BALF. RESULTS Compared with the other three groups, the RSV+Poly(I:C) group had significant increases in the total number of inflammatory infiltrating cells in the airway, airway responsiveness, and MMP-9 level in BALF (P<0.05). The RSV+Poly(I:C) group showed more severe pulmonary tissue injuries compared with the control and RSV groups (P<0.01). Compared with the RSV group, the RSV+Poly(I:C) group showed significant reductions in the levels of IL-4 and TIMP-1 in BALF (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Viral re-infection in the late stage of RSV infection may cause an imbalance of MMP-9/TIMP-1 expression and thus contribute to aggravated airway inflammation.
The action mechanism of cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitor for treatment of experimental allergic neuritis

We previously reported the effect of a cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 inhibitor, nimesulide, on experimental allergic neuritis (EAN) in both the induction and effector phases, in contrast to the usual COX inhibitor, which was effective only when administered in the induction phase. To assess the mechanism of action of a COX‐2 inhibitor, we studied the expression of COX‐2 and assayed plasma levels of prostaglandins, and also compared the clinical effect of a COX‐2 inhibitor with a 5‐lipoxygenase (LO) inhibitor, which is responsible for another pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism. Nerves of EAN rats showed distinct expression of COX‐2, which is derived mostly from endoneurial macrophages. Treatment with a COX‐2 inhibitor had no effect on its expression. However, prostaglandin estradiol (E2) concentration of plasma was significantly lower compared with the control group. The LO inhibitor showed no clinical effect. These results suggest that a selective COX‐2 inhibitor is effective in the effector phase by its influence on macrophages that are responsible for nerve degeneration. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 22: 1704–1709, 1999
Socioeconomic inequalities in adolescent smoking across 35 countries: a multilevel analysis of the role of family, school and peers.

BACKGROUND Tobacco-related heath inequalities are a major public health concern, with smoking being more prevalent among lower socioeconomic groups. The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanisms leading to socioeconomic inequalities in smoking among 15-year-old adolescents by examining the mediating role of psychosocial factors in the peer group, family and school environment. METHODS Data were derived from the international WHO-collaborative 'Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC)' study 2005/2006, including 52 907 15-year-old students from 35 European and North American countries. Socioeconomic position was measured by the Family Affluence Scale. Multilevel logistic regression models were conducted to examine the contribution of family, school and peer factors in explaining the association between family affluence and weekly smoking. RESULTS Across countries, adolescents from low affluent families had an increased risk of weekly smoking (OR(boys) 1.14, confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.23; OR(girls) 1.36, CI 1.26-1.46) compared with adolescents from high affluent families. Family and school factors mediated the association between family affluence and smoking to a high extent up to 100% (boys) and 81% (girls) in joint analyses. The most important single factors were family structure, relationships with parents, academic achievement and school satisfaction. Peer factors did not mediate the association between family affluence and adolescent smoking. CONCLUSION The association between socioeconomic status and adolescent weekly smoking can largely be explained by an unequal distribution of family- and school-related factors. Focusing on the parent-adolescent relationship and adolescent school achievement can help to better understand inequalities in adolescent smoking behaviour.
A single center comparison of one versus two venous anastomoses in 564 consecutive DIEP flaps: Investigating the effect on venous congestion and flap survival

Background: Venous complications have been reported as the more frequently encountered vascular complications seen in the transfer of deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA) perforator (DIEP) flaps, with a variety of techniques described for augmenting the venous drainage of these flaps to minimize venous congestion. The benefits of such techniques have not been shown to be of clinical benefit on a large scale due to the small number of cases in published series. Methods: A retrospective study of 564 consecutive DIEP flaps at a single institution was undertaken, comparing the prospective use of one venous anastomosis (273 cases) to two anastomoses (291 cases). The secondary donor vein comprised a second DIEA venae commitante in 7.9% of cases and a superficial inferior epigastric vein (SIEV) in 92.1%. Clinical outcomes were assessed, in particular rates of venous congestion. Results: The use of two venous anastomoses resulted in a significant reduction in the number of cases of venous congestion to zero (0 vs. 7, P = 0.006). All other outcomes were similar between groups. Notably, the use of a secondary vein did not result in any significant increase in operative time (385 minutes vs. 383 minutes, P = 0.57). Conclusions: The use of a secondary vein in the drainage of a DIEP flap can significantly reduce the incidence of venous congestion, with no detriment to complication rates. Consideration of incorporating both the superficial and deep venous systems is an approach that may further improve the venous drainage of the flap. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010.
Dose-response relationships for chronic exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in a rat tumor promotion model: quantification and immunolocalization of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 in the liver.

The mechanisms responsible for the braod spectrum of effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) are not entirely clear but seem to involve an initial interaction with the Ah receptor. A major uncertainty in risk assessment for TCDD is the lack of adequate dose-response relationships following chronic exposure to TCDD. Induction of cytochrome P-450 enzymes (CYP1A1 and CYP1A2) is one of the most sensitive responses to TCDD and its structural analogues. We have used a two-stage model for hepatocarcinogenesis in female Sprague-Dawley rats to evaluate dose-response relationships for induction of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 in diethylnitrosamine-initiated as well as in noninitiated rats. After initiation with a single dose of diethylnitrosamine, TCDD was administered biweekly by p.o. gavage at doses equivalent to 3.5, 10.7, 35.7, and 125 ng/kg/day for 30 weeks. CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 concentrations were quantified in hepatic microsomes by radioimmunoassay and localized in hepatic tissue slices by immunohistochemical techniques. Radioimmunoassay data revealed a maximum induction of 200-fold for CYP1A1 and 10-fold for CYP1A2 and there were no statistically significant differences between initiated and noninitiated rats. Induction at the lowest dose (3.5 ng/kg/day) was 20-fold for CYP1A1 and 3-fold for CYP1A2. Mathematical analysis indicates that the best fit of the induction data are inconsistent with a threshold for this response. There was a linear relationship between administered dose and TCDD liver concentration over the entire dose range of the study. This indicates that induction of CYP1A2 does not significantly alter the distribution of TCDD in our chronic dosing regimen. Immunolocalization of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 revealed the same localization and induction pattern for both isozymes in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. However, the hepatic distribution pattern was not uniform with the most intense staining observed around central veins. These studies help to clarify dose-response relationships for dioxin-mediated effects and demonstrate different sensitivity of hepatocytes to the effects of TCDD.
Análisis del endeudamiento en los Ayuntamientos: un Estudio Empírico

RESUMEN En los últimos años se ha incrementado el interés por estudiar aspectos relacionados con la deuda pública. En este contexto, el presente trabajo pretende analizar las variables que mejor explican el endeudamiento en uno de los niveles del sector público en España: el sector local. Para ello, hemos obtenido una muestra de 180 ayuntamientos de la Comunidad Autónoma Valenciana durante un período de siete años (1994–2000), aplicando la econometria de regresiones de datos de panel. La principal conclusión a la que se ha llegado es que las variables que mejor explican el recurso al endeudamiento son el resultado presupuestario no financiero, los ingresos de capital y los gastos de capital.