Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of intraventricular beta-endorphin and morphine on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity and the release of pituitary beta-endorphin.

The effects of intraventricular (i.v.t.) morphine sulfate (MS) and beta-endorphin (beta-EP) on pituitary-adrenal activity and the release of pituitary beta-EP were studied in rats. Pituitary-adrenal activity was monitored by measuring plasma corticosterone (CS) levels. 45 min after i.v. t. injection, both MS and beta-EP caused dose-related increases in plasma CS, with beta-EP being approximately ten times more potent on a molar basis. MS injected i.v. t. at 0.3, 1.0, 3.0 and 10.0 microgram did not cause a significant reduction in pituitary immunoreactive (i.r.) beta-EP, but did cause an increase in plasma i.r. beta-EP at 3 microgram of MS. beta-EP injected i.v. t. at 1.5 microgram caused a reduction of pituitary i.r. beta-EP. Since i.v. t. -injected beta-EP may have contributed to the measured plasma i.r. beta-EP, a nonimmunoreactive analog (Des-Asn20-beta c-EP) was used to assess the change in plasma i.r. beta-EP. 5 microgram of DES-Asn20-beta c-EP injected i.v. t. caused increases in plasma i.r. beta-EP and CS, as well as a 40% reduction in pituitary i.r. beta-EP. The concomitant intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of naloxone HCl (10 mg/kg) significantly blocked the increase in plasma CS induced by 5 microgram of beta-EP. When naloxone HCl, 10 mg/kg was injected alone, a significant increase in plasma CS was found. The results indicate that i.v. t. beta-EP is more potent than MS in causing the release of pituitary ACTH and beta-EP. These findings are consistent with a role for brain endorphins in the regulation of CRF release.
Early and Limited Use of Tacrolimus to Avoid Rejection in an Alemtuzumab and Sirolimus Regimen for Kidney Transplantation: Clinical Results and Immune Monitoring

Alemtuzumab induction with 60 days of tacrolimus treatment and continuous sirolimus treatment prevented acute rejection in nine of 10 consecutive renal allograft recipients. All patients are alive with a functioning kidney graft at 27–39 months of follow‐up. Extensive immune monitoring was performed in all patients. Alloantibody detection, cytokine kinetics assay (CKA), and trans vivo delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) assay were performed every 6 months showing correlation with clinical evolution. Despite alloantibody presence in five patients, eight patients remain without the need for specific treatment and only sirolimus monotherapy in decreasing dosage. Four patients take only 1 mg sirolimus daily with levels of 3–4 ng/mL. One patient showed clinical signs of rejection at month 9 post‐transplant, with slow increase in serum creatinine and histological signs of mixed cellular (endarteritis) and humoral rejection (C4d positivity in peritubular capillaries and donor‐specific antibody (DSA)). In summary, the addition of tacrolimus therapy for 2 months to a steroid‐free, alemtuzumab induction and sirolimus maintenance protocol limited the previously shown acute rejection development. Nevertheless, alloantibody was present in serum and/or C4d present on 1‐year biopsy in half the patients. The combination of CKA and DSA monitoring or the performance of transvivo DTH correlated with immune status of the patients.
Characterization of the nanoscale properties of individual amyloid fibrils

We report the detailed mechanical characterization of individual amyloid fibrils by atomic force microscopy and spectroscopy. These self-assembling materials, formed here from the protein insulin, were shown to have a strength of 0.6 ± 0.4 GPa, comparable to that of steel (0.6–1.8 GPa), and a mechanical stiffness, as measured by Young's modulus, of 3.3 ± 0.4 GPa, comparable to that of silk (1–10 GPa). The values of these parameters reveal that the fibrils possess properties that make these structures highly attractive for future technological applications. In addition, analysis of the solution-state growth kinetics indicated a breakage rate constant of 1.7 ± 1.3 × 10−8 s−1, which reveals that a fibril 10 μm in length breaks spontaneously on average every 47 min, suggesting that internal fracturing is likely to be of fundamental importance in the proliferation of amyloid fibrils and therefore for understanding the progression of their associated pathogenic disorders.
Spatial-temporal analysis of polyethylene glycol-reduced aluminium accumulation and xyloglucan endotransglucosylase action in root tips of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Aluminium (Al) toxicity and drought are two major limiting factors for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) production on tropical acid soils. Polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000)-induced osmotic stress (OS) simulating drought stress reduces Al accumulation in the entire root tips of common bean by alteration of cell-wall (CW) porosity, which might be regulated by two genes encoding xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase, PvXTH9 and PvXTHb The aim of this research was to understand the spatial and temporal regulation of both XTH genes in PEG-mediated Al accumulation in the root tips. METHODS In this study the spatial and temporal expression patterns of Al-inhibited root elongation, Al accumulation, XTH gene expression and xyloglucan endotransglucosylase (XET) enzyme action in the root tips were analysed under PEG-induced OS by a combination of physiological and molecular approaches such as quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and in situ fluorescence detection of XET in root tips. KEY RESULTS The results showed that Al accumulation, expression of XTH genes and XET action were distinctly reduced in the apical 0-2, 2-7 and 7-12 mm zones under OS, implying a potential regulatory role of XTH genes and XET enzyme in CW Al accumulation in these zones. CONCLUSIONS The results provide novel insights into the physiological and molecular mechanisms of CW structure modification as a response of plant roots to OS, which will contribute to mitigate Al and drought stresses, severely limiting crop yields on acid soils.
Co-dependency: A Disease of Inequality?

This article is an attempt to review various approaches towards co-dependency including pathologising characteristics associated with women as a social entity. A critique from feminist perspective, role of unequal distribution of power and resources is discussed alongside the power strategies of control exercised in intimate heterosexual relationships. As co-dependency has been observed to promote an identity based on powerlessness and co-dependency model increases separation from the family of origin rather than association, an empowerment approach to support the clients is discussed with implications for the future practice.
Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor expression is increased in the hippocampus of 5‐HT2C receptor knockout mice

Several studies have suggested a close interaction between serotonin (5‐HT) and BDNF; however, little is known of the specific relationship between BDNF and the 5‐HT2C receptor. Therefore, in this study we investigated BDNF expression in 5‐HT2C receptor knockout mice (5‐HT2CKO). We also assessed functional consequences of any changes in BDNF using a behavioral test battery. Western blot analysis demonstrated a significant 2.2‐fold increase in the expression of the mature form of BDNF in 5‐HT2CKO mice when compared with wild‐type controls (WT) in the hippocampus (P = 0.008), but not frontal cortex or striatum. No differences in the expression of the pro‐BDNF isoform were found, and the ratio of mature/pro BDNF was significantly increased in 5‐HT2CKO (P = 0.003). BDNF mRNA expression in the hippocampus was not different between the genotypes. Hence, increased mature BDNF levels in 5‐HT2CKO hippocampus are most likely due to increased extracellular cleavage rates of pro‐BDNF to its mature form. Protein expression of the BDNF receptor, tropomycin‐related receptor B (TrkB), was also unchanged in the hippocampus, frontal cortex and striatum. With repeated training in a 10‐day win‐shift radial arm maze task, 5‐HT2CKO and WT showed similar decreases of the number of working memory and reference memory errors. In addition, no genotype specific differences were observed for passive or active avoidance learning. 5‐HT2CKO showed modest locomotor hyperactivity but no differences in tests for anxiety, sensorimotor gating, or depressive‐like behaviors; however, in the tail suspension test 5‐HT2CKO showed significantly reduced climbing (P < 0.05). In conclusion, loss of 5‐HT2C receptor expression leads to a marked and selective increase in levels of the mature form of BDNF in the hippocampus. Despite this marked increase, 5‐HT2CKO show only subtle behavioral changes. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression and function of the ion channel TRPA1 in vagal afferent nerves innervating mouse lungs

Transient receptor potential (TRP) A1 and TRPM8 are ion channels that have been localized to afferent nociceptive nerves. These TRP channels may be of particular relevance to respiratory nociceptors in that they can be activated by various inhaled irritants and/or cold air. We addressed the hypothesis that mouse vagal sensory nerves projecting to the airways express TRPA1 and TRPM8 and that they can be activated via these receptors. Single cell RT‐PCR analysis revealed that TRPA1 mRNA, but not TRPM8, is uniformly expressed in lung‐labelled TRPV1‐expressing vagal sensory neurons. Neither TRPA1 nor TRPM8 mRNA was expressed in TRPV1‐negative neurons. Capsaicin‐sensitive, but not capsaicin‐insensitive, lung‐specific neurons responded to cinnamaldehyde, a TRPA1 agonist, with increases in intracellular calcium. Menthol, a TRPM8 agonist, was ineffective at increasing cellular calcium in lung‐specific vagal sensory neurons. Cinnamaldehyde also induced TRPA1‐like inward currents (as measured by means of whole cell patch clamp recordings) in capsaicin‐sensitive neurons. In an ex vivo vagal innervated mouse lung preparation, cinnamaldehyde evoked action potential discharge in mouse vagal C‐fibres with a peak frequency similar to that observed with capsaicin. Cinnamaldehyde inhalation in vivo mimicked capsaicin in eliciting strong central‐reflex changes in breathing pattern. Taken together, our results support the hypothesis that TRPA1, but not TRPM8, is expressed in vagal sensory nerves innervating the airways. TRPA1 activation provides a mechanism by which certain environmental stimuli may elicit action potential discharge in airway afferent C‐fibres and the consequent nocifensor reflexes.
Humidification of oxygen with unheated humidifiers in tropical climates

In developing countries, oxygen therapy in hospitals is frequently humidified with unheated bubble‐through humidifiers. We assessed the efficacy of humidification under such circumstances. The water temperature in the humidifier and the ambient air temperature were measured and compared to the oxygen flow rate. It was calculated that oxygen was cooled in the humidifier by 6.12°C (95% Cl: 5.88; 6.35) per liter of flow for flow rates up to 2 l/min. Using the average temperatures on the hospital ward in January and August, and the WHO‐recommended flow rates of 0.5 l/min and 1 l/min, the relative humidity of the oxygen delivered to a child was estimated to be between 34% and 56%. We conclude that unheated bubble‐through humidifiers achieve low humidity in oxygen in tropical climates. Some of the complications associated with the use of nasopharyngeal catheters for the delivery of oxygen might be explained by this, as oxygen of low humidity and temperature is delivered directly into the posterior nasopharynx. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1996; 22:125–128. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative Genomics of Ralstonia solanacearum Identifies Candidate Genes Associated with Cool Virulence

Strains of the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex in the phylotype IIB group are capable of causing Bacterial Wilt disease in potato and tomato at temperatures lower than 24°C. The capability of these strains to survive and to incite infection at temperatures colder than their normally tropical boundaries represents a threat to United States agriculture in temperate regions. In this work, we used a comparative genomics approach to identify orthologous genes linked to the lower temperature virulence phenotype. Six R. solanacearum cool virulent (CV) strains were compared to six strains non-pathogenic at low temperature (NPLT). CV strains can cause Bacterial Wilt symptoms at temperatures below 24°C, while NPLT cannot. Four R. solanacearum strains were sequenced for this work in order to complete the comparison. An orthologous genes comparison identified 44 genes present only in CV strains and 19 genes present only in NPLT strains. Gene annotation revealed a high percentage of genes compared with whole genomes in the transcriptional regulator and transport categories. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis identified 265 genes containing conserved non-synonymous SNPs in CV strains. Ten genes in the pathogenicity category were identified in this group. Comparisons of type 3 secretion system, type 6 secretion system (T6SS) clusters, and associated effectors did not indicate a correlation with the CV phenotype except for one T6SS VGR effector potentially associated with the CV phenotype. This is the first R. solanacearum genomic comparative analysis of multiple strains with different temperature related virulence. The candidate genes identified by this comparison are potential factors involved in virulence at low temperatures that need to be investigated. The high percentage of transcriptional regulators among the genes present only in CV strains supports the hypothesis that temperature dependent regulation of virulence genes explains the differential virulence phenotype at low temperatures. This comparison contributes to find new possible connections of temperature dependent virulence to the previously described complex regulatory system involving quorum-sensing, phenotype conversion (phcA), acyl-HSL production and responses to SA. It also added novel candidate T6SS effectors and useful detailed information about the T6SS in R. solanacearum.
Scope effects in contingent valuation : an application to the valuation of irrigation water quality improvements in Infulene Valley Mozambique

This study uses the double-bounded bid elicitation format to test whether the willingness to pay (WTP) of 244 randomly selected residents of Maputo and Matola cities for wastewater quality improvements in the Infulene Valley is sensitive to internal and external scope. The Infulene Valley was selected because its wastewater is used as an input in vegetable irrigation. WTP was elicited and compared when the level of wastewater treatment was 100 % and when it was 50 %. The results show that the majority of those interviewed display high levels of knowledge regarding the risks associated with poor quality irrigation water, and that they have attitudes and perceptions receptive to a policy that aims to improve irrigation water quality. The WTP responses passed the bottom up (t= 15.28, p=0.000) and top down (t=14.07, p=0.000) internal and external (t=13.43, p=0.000) scope tests, suggesting that the level of wastewater treatment significantly influences households’ WTP. The following variables were statistically significant in the WTP model: income, age, education level, household size, gender, whether the household considers water scarcity as a priority issue, knowledge of the unsuitability of Infulene Valley water for vegetable irrigation, and whether the household is aware that the Infulene Valley is an important supplier of fresh vegetables to Maputo and Matola residents. The study concluded that the level of water treatment (high quality of treated wastewater) is a
Prediction of Recurrent Hemoptysis With MDCT Angiography

Objective: To identify the computed tomography (CT) findings to predict recurrent bleeding in patients with massive hemoptysis. Methods: Fifty-eight patients with massive hemoptysis underwent both CT and conventional bronchial angiography for bronchial artery embolization. Retrospective analysis was done to analyze the statistical differences in the initial CT findings between the nonrecurrent and recurrent hemoptysis groups using the Mann-Whitney U test and the &khgr;2 or Fisher exact test. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to find predictive variables for the recurrence of hemoptysis. Results: After embolization, recurrence of hemoptysis was observed in 15 of 58 patients (26%). The diameter of bronchial (P = 0.001) and nonbronchial systemic arteries (P < 0.05), total number of dilated bronchial and nonbronchial systemic arteries (P = 0.001), pleural thickening (P = 0.01), extrapleural fat thickening (P = 0.004), and enhancing vascular structures within the extrapleural fat layer (P = 0.04) were significantly different in the nonrecurrent and recurrent hemoptysis groups. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that the total number of dilated bronchial and nonbronchial systemic arteries (odds ratio, 3.540; 95% confidence interval: 1.175, 10.662; P = 0.025) was a significant CT variable associated with the recurrence of hemoptysis. Conclusions: CT bronchial angiography may help in the prediction of recurrent bleeding in patients with massive hemoptysis.
Medicaid and the Cost of Improving Access to Nursing Home Care

The Medicaid program can improve the access of Medicaid patients in nursing home care by raising the rate of return on Medicaid patients care. However, increases in the return also induce nursing homes to lower quality. To quantify this tradeoff, the author derives expressions for three elasticities: (1) the elasticity of access with respect to Medicaid expenditures, (2) the elasticity of access with respect to quality, and (3) the elasticity of Medicaid expenditures with respect to the rate of return. Using New York State data, he finds that a 10 percent increase in Medicaid expenditures induces a 4.1 percent increase in Medicaid patient care and a reduction in nursing home expenditures on services provided patients by about 3.4 percent. Copyright 1992 by MIT Press.
Functional Interaction of Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein C with Poliovirus RNA Synthesis Initiation Complexes

ABSTRACT We had previously demonstrated that a cellular protein specifically interacts with the 3′ end of poliovirus negative-strand RNA. We now report the identity of this protein as heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) C1/C2. Formation of an RNP complex with poliovirus RNA was severely impaired by substitution of a lysine, highly conserved among vertebrates, with glutamine in the RNA recognition motif (RRM) of recombinant hnRNP C1, suggesting that the binding is mediated by the RRM in the protein. We have also shown that in a glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-down assay, GST/hnRNP C1 binds to poliovirus polypeptide 3CD, a precursor to the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, 3Dpol, as well as to P2 and P3, precursors to the nonstructural proteins. Truncation of the auxiliary domain in hnRNP C1 (C1ΔC) diminished these protein-protein interactions. When GST/hnRNP C1ΔC was added to in vitro replication reactions, a significant reduction in RNA synthesis was observed in contrast to reactions supplemented with wild-type fusion protein. Indirect functional depletion of hnRNP C from in vitro replication reactions, using poliovirus negative-strand cloverleaf RNA, led to a decrease in RNA synthesis. The addition of GST/hnRNP C1 to the reactions rescued RNA synthesis to near mock-depleted levels. Furthermore, we demonstrated that poliovirus positive-strand and negative-strand RNA present in cytoplasmic extracts prepared from infected HeLa cells coimmunoprecipitated with hnRNP C1/C2. Our findings suggest that hnRNP C1 has a role in positive-strand RNA synthesis in poliovirus-infected cells, possibly at the level of initiation.
A Novel Elliptical-Cylindrical Antenna Array for Radar Applications

With the advancement of radar technology, detecting objects, determining the structure of the target, and estimating the direction and the speed is prominently increasing. There is no doubt that small cross section targets are hardly identified and determined. This problem demands the need for antenna pattern synthesizing with a high gain and highly reduced sidelobe level (SLL). In this paper, an optimization technique called self-adaptive differential evolution (SaDE) that can be able to learn and behave intelligently is integrated to determine an optimal set of excitation weights in the design of elliptical-cylindrical antenna array (ECAA). In this work, the SaDE-optimized hyper beam is proposed to achieve qualified radar performances. Nonuniform excitation amplitudes of the individual array elements of ECAA are performed to obtain reduced SLL, high directivity, and flexible radiation pattern which are crucial in radar applications. With increased antenna gain, small cross section objects can be accurately identified and determined even in volatile environment where there are different natures of interferences. Besides, the proposed work enables steering electronically and it allows scanning very rapidly across a wide range of elevation and azimuth planes. To evaluate the improved performance of the proposed optimization scheme, comparison is done with genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), biogeography-based optimization (BBO), and invasive weed optimization (IWO) against different parameters. In general, the proposed work of pattern synthesis has resulted in much better reduction in SLL and first null beamwidth (FNBW) than both the uniformly excited and thinned ECAA. The results of this study clearly revealed that the SLL is highly reduced at a very directive beamwidth. The proposed antenna array offers high system availability over wide range of radar applications.
Is vaginal birth after cesarean safe? Experience at a community hospital.

OBJECTIVE We sought to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of promoting a trial of labor after prior cesarean birth in a community hospital. STUDY DESIGN A 4-year prospective cohort study was conducted of all patients who had prior cesarean births (N = 1481). A comparison of outcomes was performed between those who elected repeat cesarean delivery (n = 727) and those who attempted a trial of labor after previous cesarean(s) (n = 754). RESULTS We found that the vaginal birth after cesarean attempt rate was 50.9% and declined significantly during the last 2 years of the study. The elective repeat cesarean rate was 49.1% and increased significantly during the last 2 years of the study. In addition, we found that neonatal outcomes were similar, with the exception of 2 neonatal deaths caused by uterine rupture. Twelve uterine ruptures occurred (1.6%), and 11 of the 12 ruptures involved either induction or augmentation of labor, or both. CONCLUSIONS A trial of vaginal birth after cesarean is safe provided that induction of labor is not used. The uterine rupture rate of 1.6% is higher than reported in the literature; this may reflect underreporting by community hospitals.