Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Excitatory actions of serotonin on GABAergic neurons of the medial septum and diagonal band of broca

The physiological and pharmacological actions of serotonin (5‐HT) on neurons in the medial septum and diagonal band of Broca (MSDB) were examined using extracellular and intracellular recording techniques in an in vitro rat brain‐slice preparation. In addition to previously described inhibitory effects, novel excitatory actions of 5‐HT on GABA‐type cells were observed. In intracellular recordings with KCl‐containing electrodes, bath‐applied 5‐HT induced a bicuculline and tetrodotoxin‐sensitive increase in the number of reverse IPSPs in both cholinergic‐ and noncholinergic‐type neurons (presumably GABAergic). In brain slices where all structures neighboring the MSDB, including the lateral septum, had been excised, a similar increase in 5‐HT‐induced IPSPs occurred, indicating that 5‐HT‐induced IPSPs in both cholinergic‐ and noncholinergic‐type neurons originate from GABAergic neurons within the MSDB itself. Accordingly, GABA‐type neurons in the MSDB were found to be directly excited by 5‐HT. MDL 100,907, a selective 5‐HT2A antagonist, blocked 5‐HT‐induced excitations in a majority of neurons (58%). ICS 205‐930, a 5‐HT3/5‐HT4 antagonist, or mianserin, a nonselective 5‐HT antagonist, blocked most MDL‐resistant responses, indicating a role for multiple 5‐HT receptor subtypes.
The 20-kD Human Growth Hormone Reduces Body Fat by Increasing Lipolysis and Decreasing Lipoprotein Lipase Activity

Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the lipolytic activity of the human growth hormone variant, 20-kD human growth hormone (20K-hGH). Methods: Obese KV-Ay mice were given daily subcutaneous injections of 20K-hGH (0.25, 0.5, 1.0 mg/kg), 22K-hGH (0.25 mg/kg) or saline as a control for 2 weeks. Body composition (fat, water and protein), lipolysis and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity were measured 24 h after the final injection. Results: Both growth hormone isoforms significantly reduced relative fat pad and whole body lipids. In addition, 20K-hGH produced an inhibition of LPL activity in adipose tissue and stimulated lipolysis in adipocytes. Conclusion: These data strongly suggest that inhibition of LPL activity in adipose tissue and stimulation of lipolysis in adipocytes by 20K-hGH treatment reduce adipose tissue mass, resulting in body fat reduction.
Advances in understanding the pathogenesis of CNS acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and potential for therapy

Central nervous system acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (CNS‐ALL) is a major clinical problem. CNS‐directed ‘prophylactic’ chemo‐ or radio – therapy is associated with significant early and long‐term toxicity. Moreover, greater than a third of the relapses occur in the CNS. To design specific, more effective and less toxic therapy and for personalized precise adjustment of prophylactic therapy there is a need for better understanding of the biology of this disease. Specifically, the precise neurotropic mechanisms of ALL are currently unclear, as is the pathogenesis of CNS relapse. Here we review and contrast the recent findings with earlier studies of pathogenesis of CNS leukaemia. We also describe the challenges in research of this devastating complication of ALL.
Persistent effects of incubation temperature on muscle development in larval haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus L.)

Muscle development and growth were investigated in haddock larvae (Melanogrammus aeglefinus L.) incubated under controlled temperatures (4, 6, 8°C) and reared post-hatch through yolk-dependent and exogenous-feeding stages in a 6°C post-hatch environment. Changes in cell number and size in superficial and deep myotomes within the epaxial muscle were investigated for 28 days following hatch. Distinct and significant differences in muscle cellularity following separate developmental strategies were observed in superficial and deep myotomes. The number of superficial myofibres increased with time and, although not in a manner proportional to temperature during the first 21 days post hatch (d.p.h.), there was observed a trend during the final 7 days of greater mean cell size that was strongly associated with increased temperature. In addition, there was an apparent correspondence between increased temperature and increased size between 21 and 28 d.p.h. Among all temperature groups the superficial myotome not only demonstrated a consistent unimodal myofibre-size distribution but one that increased in range proportional to temperature. In the deep muscle, myotomes from higher incubation temperatures had a broader range of fibre sizes and greater numbers of myofibres. The onset of a proliferative event, characterized by a significant recruitment of new smaller myofibres and a bimodal distribution of cell sizes, was directly proportional to incubation temperature such that it occurred at 14 d.p.h. at 8°C but not until 28 d.p.h. at 4°C. The magnitude of that recruitment was also directly proportional to temperature. Following hatch, those embryos from the greatest temperature groups had the largest mean deep muscle size but, as a result of the proliferative event, had the smallest-sized cells 28 days later. The muscle developmental and growth strategy as indicated by sequential changes in cellularity and cell-size distributions between myotomes in response to temperature are also discussed in light of whole animal growth and development.
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of perineural dexamethasone for peripheral nerve blocks

We systematically reviewed the safety and efficacy of perineural dexamethasone as an adjunct for peripheral nerve blockade in 29 controlled trials of 1695 participants. We grouped trials by the duration of local anaesthetic action (short‐ or medium‐ vs long‐term). Dexamethasone increased the mean (95% CI) duration of analgesia by 233 (172–295) min when injected with short‐ or medium‐term action local anaesthetics and by 488 (419–557) min when injected with long‐term action local anaesthetics, p < 0.00001 for both. However, these results should be interpreted with caution due to the extreme heterogeneity of results, with I2 exceeding 90% for both analyses. Meta‐regression did not show an interaction between dose of perineural dexamethasone (4–10 mg) and duration of analgesia (r2 = 0.02, p = 0.54). There were no differences between 4 and 8 mg dexamethasone on subgroup analysis.
Microfinance and Family Ties: Challenge to Reduce the Loan Default in Urban Area in Thailand

Due to differences in the social structure of urban areas and rurals area, the group lending efficiency in both societies are different. Group lending with family ties can help reduce problems caused by weak social bondage among group members including the moral hazard problem in low income group lending. In the methodology, this study will test the repayment rate of group lending through the method of a field experiment game. The experiment subjects will be divided into 3 groups: 1) Random matching group 2) Self-selected group and 3) Family ties group. When the experiment ends, individual information will be collected and the results will be tested using an Ordered Logit Model. The conclusion of the research is that in urban areas the group lending with family ties gives a good outcome with a high efficiency of repayment rate, compared to the rate of repayment in random matching group lending and self-selected group lending. When considering the effect of shocks to the loan default, we found out that the family ties group is the most effective type to transfer the shock among group members. Therefore, the family ties group can be more sensitive with loan default and tends to have higher chances of group loan default under shock. The other factors that also affects the repayment rate of low income group lending in urban areas are remittance and more than one source of loan.
Efficacy of once-weekly epoetin alfa.

BACKGROUND Patients with end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis are frequently treated with epoetin alfa (recombinant human erythropoietin, rHuEPO) for anemia. The aim of this study was to determine whether successful management of anemia could be maintained by changing the dosing schedule of epoetin alfa from 2 or 3 times per week to once-weekly administration via not only the subcutaneous (s.c.) but also the intravenous (i.v.) route. METHODS Patients included in the study had hemodialysis for > 12 months, treatment with epoetin for > or = 6 months and adequate iron stores. The study consisted of a pre-study period (12 weeks), Phase I (4 weeks, patients continued prestudy regimen), Phase II (12 weeks, once-weekly i.v. or s.c. regimen with dose adjustments permitted to maintain target hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations) and Phase III (4 weeks, once-weekly i.v. or s.c. regimen without dose adjustments). RESULTS The study was completed by 203 patients (per-protocol population: i.v. group, n = 115, s.c. group, n = 88). In the majority of patients (69.4% overall: i.v. group, 67.0%, s.c. group, 72.7%), the individual Phase I Hb concentrations were maintained within +/-1.0 g/dl (+/-10 g/l) during Phase III. In 79.3% of the patients (i.v. group, 75.7%, s.c. group, 84.1%), a stable Hb concentration (decrease of < or = 1 g/dl (< or = 10 g/l)) was maintained without statistically significant dose adjustments (82.4+/-33.8 - 86.8+/-42.1 IU/kg body weight/week). Hb concentrations decreased from 11.57+/-0.83 g/dl(115.7+/-8.3 g/l) in Phase I to 11.39+/-1.09 g/dl (113.9+/-10.9 g/l) in Phase III (p < 0.05) in the entire group. The weekly dose of epoetin alfa required to maintain the individual target Hb concentrations changed from 85.1+/-34.6 IU/kg in Phase I to 92.1+/-45.1 IU/kg in Phase III in the entire population (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS With once-weekly administration of epoetin alfa, Hb concentrations can be maintained in the majority of stable hemodialysis patients, and only minimal dose adjustments are required.
Aprendizaje Atomático para el Reconocimiento Temporal Multilinge basado en TiMBL

Esta investigacion ha sido parcialmente financiada bajo los proyectos QALL-ME (FP6-IST- 033860), TEXT-MESS (TIN-2006-15265-C06-01) y GV06/028; y bajo la beca de investigacion BFPI06/182
Reassessment of occupational exposure limits.

BACKGROUND Although the Netherlands currently has its own procedure for evaluating chemical compounds and setting occupational exposure limits (OELs), most of these limits were originally adopted in the 1970s from threshold limit values (TLVs) set by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). However, beginning in the late 1980s, criticism about non-scientific considerations being used to set TLV's suggested that TLVs might not offer sufficient health protection to workers. This situation prompted the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment to request that the Health Council of the Netherlands reassess the health protection of MAC values that were contained in the 1994 Dutch MAC list. METHODS Criteria documents were prepared for 161 compounds. They were evaluated by a committee of the Health Council of the Netherlands consisting of international experts who reassessed the toxicological hazards of these substances and recommended, whenever possible, health-based OELs. The results of the reassessment by the Health Council were compared with the MAC values of the 1994 Dutch MAC list, ACGIH TLVs, and existing German OELs. RESULTS The toxicological database met the committee's criteria for a health-based OEL for only about 40% of the compounds. CONCLUSIONS Many older MAC values were either too high or not scientifically supported and therefore not health-based.
Parkinsonism: siblings share Helicobacter pylori seropositivity and facets of syndrome

Objective ‐ Given a history of peptic ulcer is more frequent in parkinsonism, to investigate the role of Helicobacter pylori in its pathogenesis and of cross‐infection in familial aggregation. Methods ‐ Facets of parkinsonism were quantified in 33 elderly subjects with idiopathic parkinsonism and in their 39 siblings with double the number of controls, all obeying inclusion/exclusion criteria. Specific‐IgG antibody was assayed. Results ‐ Siblings, compared with controls, had brady/hypokinesia of gait (P > 0.002), bradykinesia of hands (P = 0.01), abnormal posture (P = 0.001), rigidity (P <0.001) and seborrhoea/seborrhoeic dermatitis (P = 0.02). Both parkinsonians and siblings differed from controls in the odds of being H. pylori seropositive [odds ratios 3.04 (95% C.I.: 1.22, 7.63) and 2.94 (1.26, 6.86) respectively, P <0.02], seropositivity being found in 0.70 of sufferers. Conclusion ‐ Familial transmission of chronic infection plus part of syndrome links Helicobacter with causality. Seropositivity not being universal throughout parkinsonism, consequent on gastric atrophy sporadic antibiotic exposure, might explain less aggressive disease in older sufferers.
Dubins-RRT Path Planning and heading-Vector control Guidance for a UUV Recovery

When a UUV (unmanned underwater vehicle) completes a speciﬁc mission, it needs to return to the recovery platform autonomously safely in an unknown environment. So the works of path planning and guidance control for a UUV are indispensable and signiﬁcant. In this paper, ﬁrst a smooth and practical Dubins path back to the recovery platform is planned. In particular, the combined Dubins-RRT path (rapidly exploring random tree based on Dubins path) is introduced with densely spread obstacles. Then the UUV is guided along the Dubins-RRT path to the target by heading-vector control. The algorithm is simple and subjects to the kinematics constraints of UUV. The eﬀectiveness of the algorithm is proved by the simulation in real geographical condition.
Bertrand Under Uncertainty: Private and Common Costs

Does asymmetric information about costs in a homogeneous‐good Bertrand model soften competition? Earlier literature has shown that the answer (perhaps counter‐intuitively) is “no,” while assuming (i) private (i.e., independent) cost draws and (ii) no drastic innovations. I first show, in a fairly general setting, that by relaxing (i) and instead allowing for sufficiently much common (interdependent) cost draws, asymmetric information indeed softens competition. I then study a specification that yields a closed‐form solution and show that relaxing (ii) but not (i) does not alter the result in the earlier literature. While relying on specific functional forms, this specification is quite rich and might be useful in applications. It allows for any (positive) degree of interdependence between the cost draws, for any demand elasticity, and for any number of firms. The closed‐form solution is simple and in pure strategies.
Complete Genome Sequences of Plasmid-Bearing Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni Strains Isolated from Retail Chicken Liver

ABSTRACT Complete genome sequences of Campylobacter coli strains WA333, YF2105, BG2108, MG1116, and BP3183 and Campylobacter jejuni strain IF1100 isolated from retail chicken liver showed the presence of 1,841,551-, 1,687,232-, 1,695,638-, 1,665,146-, 1,695,360-, and 1,744,171-bp circular chromosomes, respectively. These isolates also contained plasmids ranging in size from 5,209 to 55,122 bp.
High power external cavity semiconductor laser with wavelength tuning over C, L, and S-bands using single-angled-facet gain chip

An InP-based single-angled-facet (SAF) gain chip comprised of a curved ridge waveguide is used to make an external cavity semiconductor laser. Wide wavelength tuning over C, L, and S-bands (155 nm) is demonstrated with an output power of more than 80 mW over the entire tuning range and a peak output power of 130 mW.
The Financial Fragility of the Emerging Countries and the Role of International Lender of Last Resort

There is also a question of the place for an international lender of last resort. In domestic crises, government or the central bank has responsibility. At the international level, there is neither a world government nor any world bank adequately equipped to serve as a lender of last resort, although some would contend that the International Monetary Fund since Bretton Woods in 1944 is capable of discharging this role.
The virtual intestine: in silico modeling of small intestinal electrophysiology and motility and the applications

The intestine comprises a long hollow muscular tube organized in anatomically and functionally discrete compartments, which digest and absorb nutrients and water from ingested food. The intestine also plays key roles in the elimination of waste and protection from infection. Critical to all of these functions is the intricate, highly coordinated motion of the intestinal tract, known as motility, which is coregulated by hormonal, neural, electrophysiological and other factors. The Virtual Intestine encapsulates a series of mathematical models of intestinal function in health and disease, with a current focus on motility, and particularly electrophysiology. The Virtual Intestine is being cohesively established across multiple physiological scales, from sub/cellular functions to whole organ levels, facilitating quantitative evaluations that present an integrative in silico framework. The models are also now finding broad physiological applications, including in evaluating hypotheses of slow wave pacemaker mechanisms, smooth muscle electrophysiology, structure–function relationships, and electromechanical coupling. Clinical applications are also beginning to follow, including in the pathophysiology of motility disorders, diagnosing intestinal ischemia, and visualizing colonic dysfunction. These advances illustrate the emerging potential of the Virtual Intestine to effectively address multiscale research challenges in interdisciplinary gastrointestinal sciences. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2016, 8:69–85. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1324
Membrane-associated Ubiquitin Ligase Complex Containing gp78 Mediates Sterol-accelerated Degradation of 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A Reductase*

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is mediated by two membrane-bound ubiquitin ligases, Doa10 and Hrd1. These enzymes are found in distinct multiprotein complexes that allow them to recognize and target a variety of substrates for proteasomal degradation. Although multiprotein complexes containing mammalian ERAD ubiquitin ligases likely exist, they have yet to be identified and characterized in detail. Here, we identify two ER membrane proteins, SPFH2 and TMUB1, as associated proteins of mammalian gp78, a membrane-bound ubiquitin ligase that bears significant sequence homology with mammalian Hrd1 and mediates sterol-accelerated ERAD of the cholesterol biosynthetic enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. Co-immunoprecipitation studies indicate that TMUB1 bridges SPFH2 to gp78 in ER membranes. The functional significance of these interactions is revealed by the observation that RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown of SPFH2 and TMUB1 blunts both the sterol-induced ubiquitination and degradation of endogenous reductase in HEK-293 cells. These studies mark the initial steps in the characterization of the mammalian gp78 ubiquitin ligase complex, the further elucidation of which may yield important insights into mechanisms underlying gp78-mediated ERAD.
Small Increases in the Level of Sox2 Trigger the Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

Previous studies have demonstrated that the transcription factor Sox2 is essential during the early stages of development. Furthermore, decreasing the expression of Sox2 severely interferes with the self‐renewal and pluripotency of embryonic stem (ES) cells. Other studies have shown that Sox2, in conjunction with the transcription factor Oct‐3/4, stimulates its own transcription as well as the expression of a growing list of genes (Sox2:Oct‐3/4 target genes) that require the cooperative action of Sox2 and Oct‐3/4. Remarkably, recent studies have shown that overexpression of Sox2 decreases expression of its own gene, as well as four other Sox2:Oct‐3/4 target genes (Oct‐3/4, Nanog, Fgf‐4, and Utf1). This finding led to the prediction that overexpression of Sox2 in ES cells would trigger their differentiation. In the current study, we initially engineered mouse ES cells for inducible overexpression of Sox2. Using this model system, we demonstrate that small increases (twofold or less) in Sox2 protein trigger the differentiation of ES cells into cells that exhibit markers for a wide range of differentiated cell types, including neuroectoderm, mesoderm, and trophectoderm but not endoderm. We also demonstrate that elevating the levels of Sox2 quickly downregulates several developmentally regulated genes, including Nanog, and a newly identified Sox2:Oct‐3/4 target gene, Lefty1. Together, these data argue that the self‐renewal of ES cells requires that Sox2 levels be maintained within narrow limits. Thus, Sox2 appears to function as a molecular rheostat that controls the expression of a critical set of embryonic genes, as well as the self‐renewal and differentiation of ES cells.
Circulating citrullinated vimentin fragments reflect disease burden in ankylosing spondylitis and have prognostic capacity for radiographic progression.

OBJECTIVE Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has been considered a seronegative rheumatic disease based on absent or low levels of antibodies against citrullinated proteins. The present study was undertaken to evaluate whether a citrullinated and matrix metalloproteinase-degraded fragment of vimentin (VICM) could be a prognostic biomarker in AS. METHODS VICM was measured in serum samples from healthy controls (n=35), control patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (n=47), and patients with AS (n=201). The optimal cutoff for diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Baseline and 2-year spine radiographs were available from 118 AS patients, and were scored using the modified Stoke AS Spine Score (mSASSS). We assessed correlations with patient demographic characteristics (age, disease duration), disease activity (Bath AS Disease Activity Index [BASDAI], C-reactive protein level), and disease severity (mSASSS) using Spearman's rho. The independent association of VICM with 2-year radiographic progression, defined as a change of >0 in the mSASSS or the development of a new syndesmophyte, was analyzed by multivariate regression. RESULTS Levels of degraded VICM were significantly higher in both RA patients and AS patients than in healthy controls (both P<0.001). AS patients with the highest levels of VICM had the largest burden of disease (P<0.01), i.e., highest mSASSS score and BASDAI. VICM levels were significantly and independently associated with radiographic progression after 2 years (β=0.69, P=0.0005). Patients with both a high VICM level and a high baseline mSASSS had the highest risk of radiographic progression (odds ratio 13 for mSASSS change, 32 for new syndesmophytes), with progression occurring in 67% of these patients. CONCLUSION The present findings show that serum VICM may be of prognostic value in AS. The data also suggest that citrullination may be relevant in AS pathogenesis.