Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endothelin ETA receptor antagonist did not affect development of tolerance to glyceryl trinitrate in rat

Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), extensively used for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders, is associated with rapid development of tolerance. The exact mechanism responsible for tolerance development to GTN is still not known. Recently, it has been demonstrated that GTN tolerance is associated with increased expression of endothelin (ET). This study was carried out to determine the effect of ETA receptor antagonist, BMS182874, on the development of tolerance to GTN in urethane‐anaesthetized rats. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) were continuously recorded in vehicle‐ and BMS182874 (3 mg kg−1, i.v.)‐treated rats. GTN was infused at the rate of 10 μg min−1, intravenously for 4 h. Tolerance to GTN was determined using challenge doses of GTN (10, 30 and 90 μg, i.v.). GTN produced a fall in DBP, SBP and an increase in HR. In vehicle‐treated rats, the fall in SBP before induction of GTN tolerance was 28+2, 43+4 and 52+4 mmHg with 10, 30 and 90 μg GTN, respectively. However, following GTN infusion (10 μg min−1, i.v. for 4 h) a rapid development of tolerance was observed and the fall in SBP was 1+1, 9+4 and 15+4 mmHg with 10, 30 and 90 μg GTN, respectively. Similarly, in BMS182874‐treated rats the fall in SBP in non‐tolerant rats was 28+4, 42+4 and 48+5 mmHg with 10, 30 and 90 μg GTN, respectively. In BMS182874‐treated rats following GTN infusion (10 μg min−1, i.v. for 4 h) a rapid development of tolerance was observed and the fall in SBP was 4+3, 10+2 and 13+4 mmHg with 10, 30 and 90 μg GTN, respectively. The decrease in DBP and SBP in vehicle‐ and BMS182874‐treated GTN‐tolerant rats was statistically similar. These results suggest that ETA receptor antagonist BMS182874 did not affect development of tolerance to GTN in rats.
Biomarkers in saliva for the detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma and their potential use for early diagnosis: a systematic review

Abstract Objective To determine the capacity of salivary biomarkers in the early diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Study design A systematic review of the literature was performed based on the English titles listed in the PubMed, EBSCO, Cochrane, Science Direct, ISI web Science and SciELO databases using the following search descriptors: Oral cancer, diagnosis, biomarkers, saliva and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Abstracts and full-text articles were assessed independently by two reviewers. International checklists for assessment of methodological quality were used. Levels of evidence and grades of recommendation through the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) template were recognized. The units of analysis were identified through a reference matrix. Results Through the research strategy and after application of different filters and considering choosing criteria, six studies were obtained for analysis. Salivary biomarkers for oral cancer most frequently found were mRNA and proteins for IL-8, CD44, MMP-1 and MMP-3. New peptide-biomarkers such as Cyfra 21-1 and ZNF510 were found. ZNF 510 was the only biomarker which increased in the population with tumour stage T1 + T2 and T3 + T4. Only one study showed a sensitivity and specificity of 96% when the biomarker ZNF 510 is employed to discriminate early and late tumour stages. Conclusions There is no sufficient scientific evidence to support the capacity of the identified salivary biomarkers for the early diagnosis of oral cancer (sub-clinical stages of the pathogenic period before cancer phenotypes are manifested). Salivary biomarkers, however, may be employed to discriminate between healthy and cancer patients.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected human macrophages exhibit enhanced cellular adhesion with increased expression of LFA-1 and ICAM-1 and reduced expression and/or function of complement receptors, FcgammaRII and the mannose receptor.

The entry of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) into the host macrophage and its survival in this environment are key components of tuberculosis pathogenesis. Following intracellular replication of the bacterium within alveolar macrophages, there is spread of bacilli to regional lymph nodes in the lungs and subsequent presentation of antigens to the host immune system. How this process occurs remains poorly understood, but one mechanism may involve the migration of macrophages containing Mtb across the alveoli to lymph nodes, where there is development of a protective host response with formation of granulomas composed in part of aggregated and fused, apoptotic, infected macrophages. Leukocyte integrins, including lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) and complement receptors CR3 and CR4, and their counter receptors play a major role in macrophage adhesion processes and phagocytosis. In this study, the appearance of Mtb-infected macrophages over time was examined, using inverted-phase microscopy and an in vitro culture model of human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). Prior to and immediately following infection of the MDMs with Mtb, the macrophages appeared as individual cells in monolayer culture; however, within 24 h of infection with Mtb, the MDMs began to migrate and adhere to each other. The kinetics of this response were dependent on both the m.o. i. and the length of infection. Quantitative transmission electron microscopy studies revealed that macrophage adhesion was accompanied by increases in levels of LFA-1 and its counter receptor (ICAM-1), decreases in surface levels of the phagocytic receptors CR3, CR4 and FcgammaRII, and an increase in major histocompatibility complex Class II (MHC-II) molecules at 72 h post-infection. Decreases in surface levels of CR3 and CR4 had a functional correlate, with macrophages containing live bacilli showing a diminished phagocytic capacity for complement-opsonized sheep erythrocytes; macrophages containing heat-killed bacilli did not show this diminished capacity. The modulation of macrophage adhesion and phagocytic proteins may influence the trafficking of Mtb-infected macrophages within the host, with increases in levels of LFA-1 and ICAM-1 enhancing the adhesive properties of the macrophage and decreases in phagocytic receptors diminishing the phagocytic capacity of an already-infected cell, potentially allowing for maintenance of the intracellular niche of Mtb.
Bimodal Distribution of the Blood Supply to Lower Abdominal Fat: Histological Study of the Microcirculation of the Lower Abdominal Wall

Fat necrosis is a common postoperative complication in transverse rectus abdominis muscle flap breast reconstruction. A histological quantification of the blood supply to the lower abdominal fat was undertaken to define this problem further. One hundred eighty sections, 1.5 cm2 in size, were studied from one half of the lower abdomen in 10 fresh cadavers. These represent three different depths of fat (superficial, middle, deep) and six different anatomic areas (upper, middle, and lower sectors of the medial and lateral parts of the hemiabdomen). The average diameter, number of blood vessels, and the total vascular area were measured in each section. The average diameter of the blood vessels was greater in the superficial compared with the mid fat layer (p = 0.02). The total vascular area was greater in the deep compared with the mid fat layer (p = 0.01) and the superficial fat layer (p = 0.05). The number of blood vessels was also significantly higher in the deep fat layer compared with the mid fat layer (p = 0.001) and the superficial fat layer (p = 0.01). The lower medial area of the lower anterior abdominal wall contained the largest number and average diameter of blood vessels whereas the mid lateral area contained the smallest number and average diameter; however, this did not reach significance (p = 0.1 and 0.2). The results of this study are in keeping with the bimodal vascular supply to the subcutaneous fat of the anterior abdominal wall. The deep and the superficial fat layers are supplied more richly with vessels with a larger diameter whereas the intermediate fat layer is supplied from the terminal branches of these vessels.
Comparative study of different energy management strategies for dual-source electric vehicles

This paper presents a comparative analysis between a pure battery electric vehicle and a dual-source electric vehicle endowed with a multi-level energy management strategy. The energy management of multi-source electric vehicles is a crucial aspect to obtain an effective contribution of the power sources, namely one with high specific energy and another with high specific power. This issue is particularly relevant for electric vehicles subject to high accelerations, breaking and those performing a large number of start and stop in its driving cycle. A comprehensive energy management system architecture with different management levels is presented and compared with a rule-based strategy (power disaggregation) and a pure battery electric vehicle. Simulations have been performed for two different urban driving cycles (NYCC and ARTEMIS low power urban) in order to validate and compare the effectiveness of the strategies under study. The results obtained show the usefulness of the proposed multi-level energy management strategy based on an integrated rule-based meta-heuristic approach versus an energy management strategy directed by the power disaggregation concept. The proposed approach increases the electric vehicle performance due to a better usage of the sources, which leads to a reduced installed power capacity.
Prevention of Hemodilution-Induced Inhibition of Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction by N-Acetylcysteine in Dogs

We investigated the possible contributions of reactive oxygen species and of viscosity changes to hemodilution-induced inhibition of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) in dogs. Fourteen isoflurane-anesthetized dogs were randomly assigned to receive N-acetylcysteine (NAC) 200 mg/kg IV (n = 7) or placebo (n = 7). Mean pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa) was measured with cardiac output maintained constant by a manipulation of venous return in hyperoxia (fraction of inspired oxygen, 0.4) and in hypoxia (fraction of inspired oxygen, 0.1) at baseline and after stepwise reductions in hematocrit from 40% to 20%. Measured Ppa was compared with predicted Ppa by using a viscoelastic model. HPV was expressed as hypoxic Ppa minus hyperoxic Ppa. Hemodilution was associated with a decrease in HPV from 7 ± 1 mm Hg to 3 ± 1 mm Hg (P < 0.01), and this was completely prevented by NAC (HPV was unchanged, from 8 ± 1 to 8 ± 1 mm Hg; not significant). Hemodilution in the model decreased HPV from 8 ± 1 mm Hg to 6 ± 1 mm Hg (P < 0.05). We conclude that hemodilution-induced inhibition of HPV is in part explained by viscosity changes and can be prevented by the administration of NAC, which is possibly explained by the scavenging of reactive oxygen species.
Esperanza y Vida: A Culturally and Linguistically Customized Breast and Cervical Education Program for Diverse Latinas at Three Different United States Sites

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among Latinas in the United States. In addition, Latinas experience a disproportionate burden of cervical cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality compared with non-Hispanic White women. Lower use of breast and cervical cancer screening services may contribute to these disparities. To address the underutilization of breast and cervical cancer screening among diverse subgroups of Latinas, a peer-led education program called Esperanza y Vida (“Hope and Life”) was developed and administered at 3 sites (2 in New York and 1 in Arkansas). Immigrant Latina women and their partners were educated about the importance of breast and cervical cancer screening, with the goals of increasing their knowledge about these cancers and their screening behavior. An analysis of the intervention's findings at baseline among female participants demonstrated significant sociodemographic, interpersonal, cultural, health care system, and program variability in 3 distinct geographic regions in the United States. These data indicate the need for and feasibility of customizing cancer outreach and educational programs for diverse Latina subgroups living in various U.S. regions, with implications for informing the expansion and replication of the program in other regions of the country.
The low dose ACTH stimulation test is less sensitive than the overnight metyrapone test for the diagnosis of secondary hypoadrenalism

The 1 μg ACTH stimulation test has been advocated as a sensitive indicator of the integrity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in patients with suspected hypopituitarism. The aim of our study was to define the normal response to 1 μg ACTH stimulation in a control population and to study the sensitivity and specificity of the test in a group of patients with suspected pituitary disease.
On the Existence and Uniqueness of a Solution for Some Frequency-Dependent Partial Differential Equations Coming from the Modeling of Metamaterials

Several systems coming from the theory of linear wave propagation are investigated, on a bounded domain, in the presence of frequency-dependent materials like metamaterials. For each system we show generic well-posedness results under assumptions that are relevant for some models in the literature. This means existence and uniqueness of a solution for all frequencies except for a discrete locally finite and possibly empty set of frequencies. Finally, some examples of materials are studied, like a periodic array of split-ring resonators (SRR), a chiral metamaterial based on the $\Omega$-particle resonator model, a bi-anisotropic metamaterial made from SRR, absorbing boundary conditions of perfectly matched layers type for the acoustics waves, an example of acoustic metamaterial having negative bulk modulus and an elastic metamaterial.
Genetic Association Analysis of Alpha-1-Antichymotrypsin Polymorphism in Parkinson’s Disease

α1-Antichymotrypsin (ACT) gene has been suggested as a susceptibility factor for Parkinson’s disease (PD) and might be related to the onset of PD. We replicated these findings in a Chinese population. The results demonstrated that the ACT genotypic and allelic distributions showed no significant differences between the PD patient and the control groups. The age at onset was younger in the heterozygotes than in the homozygotes (p = 0.042). We suggest that the ACT polymorphism might play some role in the pathogenesis of PD, especially in the onset.
Pathways Through Financial Crisis

Malaysia did not turn to the International Monetary Fund for assistance when pressure from the 1997-1998 East Asian financial crisis hit the coun- try. The country was less vulnerable than its neighbors, not least because it had earlier imposed limits on foreign borrowing and prudential regula- tions and supervision of the banking sector. Although Malaysia's pathway through the 1997-1998 crisis included an orthodox adjustment program of the type the IMF would have required, this program was soon reversed in favor of reflationary monetary policies and the imposition of a short-term capital control regime. These responses took place against a backdrop of political intrigue and drama, but they reflected an underlying pragmatism and recent history of using capital controls and of not turning to the IMF.
Innovation in the Well- Functioning Public Agency

In business firms innovation is increasingly seen as the key to competitive success. For the better part of a decade leading American companies have been changing their cultures, and gearing themselves for adaptability, invention, and constant learning. ' Many observers of government wonder whether public agencies should pursue innovation with equal vigor and, if so, whether lessons from the private sector apply. But what do public managers think? Do they believe that innovation is as important to the success of their agencies as do managers of private firms? By what means, if any, do they think innovation should be pursued? And what limits would they put on the exercise of creative initiative by public employees? This article reports what nine senior managers in state and local government had to say. It finds them in substantial agreement about what innovation means, the role it plays in public agencies, the role they think it should play, and how it best should be managed. Further, it suggests that these managers' views are grounded in an unquestioning acceptance of the traditional distinction between policy and administration first put forward by Woodrow Wilson (1887), and an equally strong rejection of the notion, embodied in the public administration model that flowed from this distinction, that administrative discretion should be suppressed. Put differently, they challenge the claim, embedded in the rules governing their agencies, that administrative work is best performed in a steeply hierarchical, highly segmented, rule-driven bureaucracy.2
Stock-Market Expectations: Econometric Evidence that Both REH and Behavioral Insights Matter

Behavioral finance views stock-market investorsâ€™ expectations as largely unrelated to fundamental factors. Relying on survey data, this paper presents econometric evidence that fundamentals are a major driver of investorsâ€™ expectations. Although expectations are also in part extrapolative, this effect is transient. The paperâ€™s approach underscores the central importance of opening models to structural change and imposing discipline on econometric analysis through specification testing. Our findings support the novel hypothesis that rational market participants, faced with unforeseeable change, base their forecasts on both fundamentals - the focus of the REH approach - and the psychological and technical considerations underlying behavioral finance.
Impact of a mixed chain length omega-3 fatty acid diet on production variables in commercial free-range laying hens

1. Previous studies found beneficial effects on the prevalence of keel fractures and bone health in laying hens receiving a short chain ω3 fatty acid diet. However, subsequent work using a mixed short and long chain ω3 diet (MCD) found little benefit to bone health and substantial production losses. 2. The current study examined commercial use of a mixed chain length ration in multiple farms and flocks and identified a detrimental effect on productivity including: mortality, number of poor quality eggs, hen daily average, feed consumption, and increased egg weight. 3. Production data were acquired from 11 flocks housed on 5 farms and modelled using MlwiN, a statistical package developed for analysis of hierarchical data. Production responses were individually modelled with duration of exposure to the diet, age of introduction, flock size and farm, included as prediction variables. 4. Analysis indicated birds receiving the MCD manifested dramatic increases in mortality, poor quality eggs, mean egg weight, feed consumption and decreased production in comparison to control flocks receiving a standard ration. Increased exposure time appeared to increase the magnitude of the diet effect. 5. Although no data were collected to explain the potential mechanisms of this diet, the authors discuss several possible scenarios including excessive long chain ω3 content overwhelming eicosanoid regulatory capacity and changes in behaviour patterns.
Circling, deafness, and yellow coat displayed by yellow submarine (ysb) and light coat and circling (lcc) mice with mutations on chromosome 3.

We describe here two mouse mutants, yellow submarine (Ysb) and light coat and circling (Lcc). Ysb arose as the result of insertions of a transgene, pAA2, into the genome. Lcc is an independent, radiation-induced mutation. Both mutants are characterized by recessive circling behavior and deafness, associated with a non-segregating, semi-dominant yellow coat color. Complementation tests showed that Ysb and Lcc are allelic. We attribute the yellow coat in Ysb and Lcc mice to the absence of black awl overhairs, increased agouti zigzag underhairs, and the presence of agouti awls with long subapical yellow pigment. Chromosomal mapping and genomic characterization showed the Ysb and Lcc mutations involve complex chromosomal rearrangements in overlapping regions of mouse chromosome 3, A2/A3-B/C and B-E1, respectively. Ysb and Lcc show for the first time, to our knowledge, the presence of genes in the B-C region of chromosome 3 important for balance and hearing and the pigmentation and specification of coat hair.
Effect of an intervention to improve the cardiovascular health of family members of patients with coronary artery disease: a randomized trial

Background: Family members of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) have higher risk of vascular events. We conducted a trial to determine if a family heart-health intervention could reduce their risk of CAD. Methods: We assessed coronary risk factors and randomized 426 family members of patients with CAD to a family heart-health intervention (n = 211) or control (n = 215). The intervention included feedback about risk factors, assistance with goal setting and counselling from health educators for 12 months. Reports were sent to the primary care physicians of patients whose lipid levels and blood pressure exceeded threshold values. All participants received printed materials about smoking cessation, healthy eating, weight management and physical activity; the control group received only these materials. The main outcomes (ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol; physical activity; fruit and vegetable consumption) were assessed at 3 and 12 months. We examined group and time effects using mixed models analyses with the baseline values as covariates. The secondary outcomes were plasma lipid levels (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides); glucose level; blood pressure; smoking status; waist circumference; body mass index; and the use of blood pressure, lipid-lowering and smoking cessation medications. Results: We found no effect of the intervention on the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol. However, participants in the intervention group reported consuming more fruit and vegetables (1.2 servings per day more after 3 mo and 0.8 servings at 12 mo; p < 0.001). There was a significant group by time interaction for physical activity (p = 0.03). At 3 months, those in the intervention group reported 65.8 more minutes of physical activity per week (95% confidence interval [CI] 47.0–84.7 min). At 12 months, participants in the intervention group reported 23.9 more minutes each week (95% CI 3.9–44.0 min). Interpretation: A health educator–led heart-health intervention did not improve the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol but did increase reported physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption among family members of patients with CAD. Hospitalization of a spouse, sibling or parent is an opportunity to improve cardiovascular health among other family members. Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov, no NCT00552591.