Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Muscle: Volume Changes in Isolated Single Fibers

Volumetric experiments on single fibers isolated from semiten-dinosus muscles of frogs, some performed in correlation with measurements of membrane potential, confirm the data obtained on whole muscles, but only for the specific range of conditions in which most of the latter experiments have been done. These conditions are restricted to media in which the anion ( Cl usually) is permanent and the K is 10 to 12.5 meqlliter, or four to five times above the normal level in Ringer's solution. When other ionic conditions are employed, phenomena are disclosed which have not previously been described. The findings throw doubt upon the validity of some generally accepted views regarding the permeability properties of the membrane of frog muscle fibers and regarding the nature of the mechanisms which regulate their volume.
Outcome of pregnancy in women with moderate or severe renal insufficiency.

BACKGROUND Pregnant women with mild preexisting renal disease have relatively few complications of pregnancy, but the risks of maternal and obstetrical complications in women with moderate or severe renal insufficiency remain uncertain. METHODS We determined the frequency and types of maternal and obstetrical complications and the outcomes of pregnancy in 67 women with primary renal disease (82 pregnancies). All the women had initial serum creatinine concentrations of at least 1.4 mg per deciliter (124 mumol per liter) and gestations that continued beyond the first trimester. RESULTS The mean (+/- SD) serum creatinine concentration increased from 1.9 +/- 0.8 mg per deciliter (168 +/- 71 mumol per liter) in early pregnancy to 2.5 +/- 1.3 mg per deciliter (221 +/- 115 mumol per liter) in the third trimester. The frequency of hypertension rose from 28 percent at base line to 48 percent in the third trimester, and that of high-grade proteinuria (urinary protein excretion, > 3000 mg per liter) from 23 percent to 41 percent. For the 70 pregnancies (57 women) for which data were available during pregnancy and immediately post partum, pregnancy-related loss of maternal renal function occurred in 43 percent. Eight of these pregnancies (10 percent of the total) were associated with rapid acceleration of maternal renal insufficiency. Obstetrical complications included a high rate of preterm delivery (59 percent) and growth retardation (37 percent). The infant survival rate was 93 percent. CONCLUSIONS Among pregnant women with moderate or severe renal insufficiency, the rates of complications due to worsening renal function, hypertension, and obstetrical complications are increased, but fetal survival is high.
Biodiversity: an essential natural resource for improving diets and nutrition.

AbstractThis chapter characterizes the biodiversity on the planet and stresses the importance of biodiversity for agriculture. It then highlights the latest research on the decline in biodiversity and its impact on food supplies, and how biodiversity links to diets. It describes some challenges in ensuring that agrobiodiversity is central to sustainable development. Finally, it identifies the gaps in knowledge that remain and some potential solutions to push biodiversity to the forefront of the 2030 sustainable development agenda.
What is the role of clinical tests and ultrasound in acetabular labral tear diagnostics?

Background and purpose An acetabular labral tear is a diagnostic challenge. Various clinical tests have been described, but little is known about their diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. We investigated the diagnostic validity of clinical tests and ultra-sound as compared with MR arthrography. Patients and methods We examined 18 patients (18 hips, 2 men, median age 43 (32–56) years) with impingement test, FABER test, resisted straight leg raise test, ultrasound, and MR arthrography. They had had previous periacetabular osteotomies due to symptomatic, acetabular dysplasia. All hips showed no or only slight signs of osteoarthritis (Tönnis grade 0–1). Results MR arthrography identified labral tears in 17 of the 18 hips. Ultrasound had a sensitivity of 94%, a positive predictive value of 94%, and was false negative in only 1 case compared to MR arthrography. The impingement test had the best diagnostic ability of the clinical tests, with a sensitivity of 59% and a specificity of 100%. The positive predictive value was 100% while the negative predictive value was 13%. Interpretation The impingement test is helpful in identifying acetabular labral tears. If this test is negative and if a labral tear is still suspected, ultrasound can reliably diagnose most tears of the acetabular labrum. MR arthrography is indicated in cases where ultrasound is negative, but the patient suffers continued, specific symptoms.
[Anti-apoptotic effect of insulin in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion and its principal signaling pathway].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the signaling pathway involved in the insulin-elicited anti-apoptotic effect during myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (MI/R) in vivo. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized and subjected to 30 min of myocardial ischemia followed by 4h-reperfusion. Rats were randomly treated with intravenous infusion of saline (vehicle, 4 ml.kg(-1). h(-1)), insulin (60 U/L), or insulin + wortmannin 5 min before reperfusion and continuing throughout the 4h-reperfusion period. Cardiac myocyte apoptosis was determined both qualitatively and quantitatively by DNA laddering and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) methods. Myocardial nitric oxide (NO) was measured by using NO-specific chemiluminescence detector. Activations of Akt and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were determined by kinase activity assays using corresponding kinase activity assay kits (Cell Signaling). RESULTS In the vehicle-treated rats, MI/R caused significant cardiac myocyte apoptotic death. Treatment with insulin produced a significant anti-apoptotic effect as evidenced by a marked reduction of apoptotic index [(8.0 +/- 2.9)% vs. (19.3 +/- 4.6)% of vehicle, P < 0.01] and decreased formation of myocardial DNA fragmentation. In addition, insulin treatment produced 2.7-fold increase (P < 0.01) of myocardial Akt activity and 28% increase of myocardial NO production (P < 0.05), while p38 MAPK activity changed insignificantly as compared with that of vehicle (P > 0.05). Both insulin-induced Akt activation and anti-apoptotic effect could be abrogated by wortmannin, a phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase inhibitor. CONCLUSION In vivo treatment with insulin at the initial of reperfusion significantly reduced postischemic apoptotic death via the PI3-kinase-Akt signaling pathway. Akt, but not p38 MAPK, activation plays a key role in the insulin-induced anti-apoptotic effect in MI/R.
Aspirin and Age Related Macular Degeneration; the Possible Relationship

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is becoming the leading cause of blindness in developed countries. The exact etiology and pathophysiology of AMD is still unclear. A number of risk factors of AMD have been recognized, such as cigarette smoking, a family history of AMD and being Caucasian. On the other hand, aspirin is a widespread medication, which is thought to be associated with the prevalence or the survival of myocardial infarction and cancers. However, the evidence from the epidemiological studies has been contradictory and no persuasive conclusions have been made. Several problems, such as the parameters of aspirin use, the inclusion and exclusion of the participants and the required long-term follow-up, made it hard to conclude a definite relationship between aspirin use and AMD. Aspirin, as an anti-inflammatory agent, could prevent the inflammation and decrease the inflammatory damage, and might act as a deterrent for the progression of AMD. However, aspirin is an anticoagulant which might increase the risk of ocular hemorrhage in AMD patients. Decades ago, the use of aspirin was reported associated with decreased rates of CNV among AMD patients nevertheless recently, the association between aspirin use and increased risk of neovascular AMD was identified. Therefore, these current results should be challenged and acknowledged by well-designed, large-scale and long term follow-up studies. A consultation might be needed when aspirin is used in the neovascular AMD patients.
Voltage‐clamp analysis of transmembrane ionic currents in guinea‐pig myometrium: evidence for an initial potassium activation triggered by calcium influx.

Voltage‐clamp analysis of ionic transmembrane currents in very small strands of guinea‐pig myometrium was carried out with a double sucrose‐gap technique. It was found that the electrical activity, consisting of a spike followed by a long plateau, is controlled by, at least, four ionic conductances. (1) A fast inward current is responsible for the spike generation. Its low equilibrium potential accounts, partly, for the low amplitude of the spike. (2) The fast inward current is antagonized by an early outward current which occurs almost simultaneously. This fast outward current is blocked by TEA. Its reversal potential is about ‐95 mV. A tenfold increase in the external K‐concentration shifts the reversal potential by 50 mV. Thus, it is concluded that the initial outward current is carried by K+. (3) A slow current, whose reversal potential ranges from ‐40 to ‐10 mV, is responsible for the negative after‐potential. Cl‐depletion (to one‐ninth) does not modify this current while Na‐depletion (to one‐ninth) decreases its reversal potential by about 20 mV. (4) A late current which shows delayed rectification is elicited by long pulses. Its analysis is made difficult by the change mainly of the K‐equilibrium potential suggesting accumulation of K+ outside the cell membrane. (5) The availability of the inward current and of the slow current, determined in TEA solution, shows that both currents are half‐inactivated by a 8 mV conditioning depolarization. Using a slope factor of ‐2‐5 or ‐3 the availability curve fits the experimental values. In normal solution, the availability curve of the initial current appears complex in the hyperpolarization range. The fast outward current, which is partly inactivated at the resting potential, is restored by conditioning hyperpolarization and then antagonizes the Ca inward current more. (6) It is concluded that the fast K‐current controls the spike generation and accounts for the fast repolarization of the spike. The fast and transient increase in K‐conductance may be the result of a momentary local increase in Ca concentration at the internal surface of the membrane.
The helminth HIV connection: time to act.

In 1995, we hypothesized that helminthic infections have a major impact on the pathogenesis of AIDS in Africa by increasing the susceptibility to HIVand undermining the host capacity to generate a potent immune response against the viral infection [1]. These ideas were driven by the profound immunological changes we found in the Ethiopian immigrants (ETH) to Israel [2,3]. ETH were seemingly healthy, only 1–2% of them were infected with HIV or tuberculosis, but they were heavily infected with helminthic parasites, mainly Ascaris lumbricoides, Schistosoma mansoni, and Necator americanus [3,4]. They had a dominant TH2 immune profile with extreme elevation of eosinophils and serum IgE, elevated secretion of IL-4, IL5, and IL-10, decreased secretion of IL-2 and IFN-g, and marked degree of immune activation, manifested by elevated levels of immune activated CD4(þ) and CD8(þ) cells, with spontaneous apoptosis and lowered levels of CD4(þ) cells [2,3]. These impressive immunological impairments were normalized in ETH living in Israel for over 5 years and in whom the helminthes were eradicated [3,5,6], supporting our notion that the helminths caused the immune impairments. Being an immunologist, I thought that the profound TH2 dominance and the chronic immune activation had to have an impact on the pathogenesis of HIV infection. We hypothesized that because people infected with helminths are immune activated, they will be more prone to HIV infection, have enhanced HIV-1 replication (and thus higher viral load), transmit the virus more easily and the infection will progress faster. Due to their dominant TH2 response, they will not be able to develop potent HIV-1-specific cellular immune responses, being detrimental to the disease progression and for responding to vaccination against HIV-1 [1,7–10]. The preexisting immune activation of the host, like that found in the helminth-
Plasma Cytokine Parameters and Mortality in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

Background—Inflammatory immune activation is an important feature in chronic heart failure (CHF). Little is known about the prognostic importance of tumor necrosis factor-&agr; (TNF-&agr;), soluble TNF-receptor 1 and 2 (sTNF-R1/sTNF-R2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and soluble CD14 receptors (sCD14) in CHF patients. Methods and Results—In 152 CHF patients (age 61±1 years, New York Heart Association [NYHA] class 2.6±0.1, peak &OV0312;o2 17.3±0.6 mL · kg−1 · min−1, mean±SEM) plasma concentrations of immune variables were prospectively assessed. During a mean follow-up of 34 months (>12 months in all patients), 62 patients (41%) died. Cumulative mortality was 28% at 24 months. In univariate analyses, increased total and trimeric TNF-&agr;, sTNF-R1, and sTNF-R2 (all P ≤0.0001), sCD14 (P =0.0007), and IL-6 (P =0.005) predicted 24-month mortality. With multivariate analysis and receiver operating characteristics, sTNF-R1 emerged among all cytokine parameters as the strongest and most accurate prognosticator in this CHF population, regardless of follow-up duration and independently of NYHA class, peak &OV0312;o2, &OV0312;e/&OV0312;co2 slope, left ventricular ejection fraction, and wasting (P <0.001). The receiver operating characteristic area under the curve for sTNF-R1 was greater than for sTNF-R2 at 6, 12, and 18 months (all P <0.05). Conclusions—sTNF-R1 was the strongest and most accurate prognosticator, independent of established markers of CHF severity. Assessment of sTNF-R1 may be useful in identifying patients who are at high risk of death and in monitoring patients undergoing anti–TNF-&agr; treatment.
Litchi chinensis as a Functional Food and a Source of Antitumor Compounds: An Overview and a Description of Biochemical Pathways

Litchi is a tasty fruit that is commercially grown for food consumption and nutritional benefits in various parts of the world. Due to its biological activities, the fruit is becoming increasingly known and deserves attention not only for its edible part, the pulp, but also for its peel and seed that contain beneficial substances with antioxidant, cancer preventive, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory functions. Although literature demonstrates the biological activity of Litchi components in reducing tumor cell viability in in vitro or in vivo models, data about the biochemical mechanisms responsible for these effects are quite fragmentary. This review specifically describes, in a comprehensive analysis, the antitumor properties of the different parts of Litchi and highlights the main biochemical mechanisms involved.
Substantial changes in central nervous system neurotransmitters and neuromodulators accompany phase change in the locust

SUMMARY Desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria) can undergo a profound transformation between solitarious and gregarious forms, which involves widespread changes in behaviour, physiology and morphology. This phase change is triggered by the presence or absence of other locusts and occurs over a timescale ranging from hours, for some behaviours to change, to generations, for full morphological transformation. The neuro-hormonal mechanisms that drive and accompany phase change in either direction remain unknown. We have used high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to compare amounts of 13 different potential neurotransmitters and/or neuromodulators in the central nervous systems of final instar locust nymphs undergoing phase transition and between long-term solitarious and gregarious adults. Long-term gregarious and solitarious locust nymphs differed in 11 of the 13 substances analysed: eight increased in both the brain and thoracic nerve cord (including glutamate, GABA, dopamine and serotonin), whereas three decreased (acetylcholine, tyramine and citrulline). Adult locusts of both extreme phases were similarly different. Isolating larval gregarious locusts led to rapid changes in seven chemicals equal to or even exceeding the differences seen between long-term solitarious and gregarious animals. Crowding larval solitarious locusts led to rapid changes in six chemicals towards gregarious values within the first 4 h (by which time gregarious behaviours are already being expressed), before returning to nearer long-term solitarious values 24 h later. Serotonin in the thoracic ganglia, however, did not follow this trend, but showed a ninefold increase after a 4 h period of crowding. After crowding solitarious nymphs for a whole larval stadium, the amounts of all chemicals, except octopamine, were similar to those of long-term gregarious locusts. Our data show that changes in levels of neuroactive substances are widespread in the central nervous system and reflect the time course of behavioural and physiological phase change.
Prostaglandin E 2 regulates B cell proliferation through a candidate tumor suppressor , Ptger 4

The Rockefeller University Press $30.00 J. Exp. Med. Vol. 205 No. 13 3091-3103 www.jem. org/cgi/doi/10.1084/jem.20081163 3091 Recognition of foreign antigens by BCRs expressed on the surface of mature naive B cells triggers their massive proliferation, which is critically important for the eff ective defense of the organism against invading pathogens ( 1 ). Antigen-activated B cells undergo clonal expansion in dynamic structures called germinal centers (GCs) where much of the diversity of the Ig genes is generated by somatic hypermutation and class-switch recombination ( 2 ). These molecular processes require frequent DNA strand breaks that can, when deregulated, provide a rich source for the genesis of B cell lymphomas ( 3 ). For instance, the hallmark of Burkitt ’ s lymphoma and some cases of diff use large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a reciprocal chromosomal translocation where the MYC protooncogene comes under the control of an active Ig locus, resulting in constitutive expression of MYC ( 4 ). However, although this and other translocations are thought to cause many types of B cell lymphoma, additional transforming events that override the normal mechanisms controlling B cell proliferation are needed for malignant transformation. Indeed, mutations aff ecting the expression level or the activity of tumor suppressor genes, as well as genomic amplifi cations and hypermutations of multiple protooncogenes have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of B cell lymphomas (for review see reference [ 3 ]). Despite the aggressive behavior of several types of B cell lymphoma, data gathered over the past few years have demonstrated that BCR signaling is essential for the survival of neoplastic B lymphoma cells, which also holds true for their nonmalignant counterparts ( 5 – 8 ). Observations that the majority of non-Hodgkin ’ s lymphomas persistently express BCR and that IgH translocations almost never aff ect the functionality of Ig alleles, as well as the discovery of autoreactive BCR in certain neoplasms, indirectly suggests the need for BCR-derived survival and proliferation signals ( 3 ). Correspondingly, BCR CORRESPONDENCE Xavier Gidrol: xavier.gidrol@cea.fr
Active Transport of Potassium by the Giant Neuron of the Aplysia Abdominal Ganglion

We measured the internal potassium activity, ai K, and membrane potential, Em, simultaneously in 111 R2 giant neurons of Aplysia californica. ai K was 165.3 ± 3.4 mM, Em was -47.8 ± 0.9 mv, and E K calculated using the Nernst equation was -76.9 ± 0.05 mv. Such values were maintained for as long as 6 hr of continuous recording in untreated cells, ai K fell exponentially after the following treatments: cooling to 0.5°–4°C, ouabain, zero external potassium, 2,4-dinitrophenol, and cyanide. The effects of cooling and zero potassium were reversible. Potassium permeability was calculated from net potassium flux using the constant field equation and ranged from 2.6 to 18.5 x 10-8 cm/sec. We conclude that potassium is actively transported into this neuron against a 30–40 mv electrochemical gradient.
Characterization of an IncFII Plasmid Encoding NDM-1 from Escherichia coli ST131

Background The current spread of the gene encoding the metallo-ß-lactamase NDM-1 in Enterobacteriaceae is linked to a variety of surrounding genetic structures and plasmid scaffolds. Methodology The whole sequence of plasmid pGUE-NDM carrying the bla NDM-1 gene was determined by high-density pyrosequencing and a genomic comparative analysis with other bla NDM-1-negative IncFII was performed. Principal Findings Plasmid pGUE-NDM replicating in Escherichia coli confers resistance to many antibiotic molecules including β-lactams, aminoglycosides, trimethoprim, and sulfonamides. It is 87,022 bp in-size and carries the two β-lactamase genes bla NDM-1 and bla OXA-1, together with three aminoglycoside resistance genes aacA4, aadA2, and aacC2. Comparative analysis of the multidrug resistance locus contained a module encompassing the bla NDM-1 gene that is actually conserved among different structures identified in other enterobacterial isolates. This module was constituted by the bla NDM-1 gene, a fragment of insertion sequence ISAba125 and a bleomycin resistance encoding gene. Significance This is the first characterized bla NDM-1-carrying IncFII-type plasmid. Such association between the bla NDM-1 gene and an IncFII-type plasmid backbone is extremely worrisome considering that this plasmid type is known to spread efficiently, as examplified with the worldwide dissemination of bla CTX-M-15-borne IncFII plasmids.
Mothers’ expectations and other factors affecting breastfeeding at six months in Greece

The objective of this study is to determine the factors influencing breastfeeding duration in Greece. A total of 145 women were interviewed, on the third day post-partum. Women were followed up by telephone interviews at three and six months post-partum. Chi-square test and binomial sequential logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results from this study show that baby-friendly hospital, antenatal courses, mother’s perception of her capability to successfully breastfeed her infant, mother’s intention to breastfeed for a duration of six months or more, mother’s and father’s education level, introduction of complementary foods or fluids, caesarean delivery, smoking and ethnicity were significantly associated with the duration of breastfeeding. In conclusion, additional antenatal and postnatal framework is necessary. Mothers’ prediction of the duration of breastfeeding is an additional tool for identification of women with a high probability for early weaning.