Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Basic fibroblast growth factor increases regional cerebral blood flow and reduces infarct size after experimental ischemia in a rat model.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The aim of this study was to ascertain whether basic fibroblast growth factors (bFGF) caused reduction in size of cerebral infarcts in Sprague-Dawley rats with experimental ischemia. METHODS In the first experiment we induced permanent occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA). Within 5 minutes after MCA occlusion, we infused bFGF (100 ng in 0.1 mL of saline) in the bFGF-treated group (n = 14) and 0.1 mL of saline alone in the control group (n = 7) into the common carotid artery ipsilateral to MCA occlusion. We harvested the brains 24 hours after MCA occlusion and determined infarct size planimetrically as a percentage of hemisphere size. In the second experiment cerebral blood flow (CBF) was continuously measured for 120 minutes after MCA occlusion in the bFGF-treated group (n = 9) and in the control group (n = 8) with the use of laser-Doppler flowmetry. RESULTS Infarct size in the bFGF-treated group decreased significantly in comparison with that in the control group (repeated-measures ANOVA, P < .0001). CBF in the transitional areas between the MCA and the anterior cerebral artery significantly increased in the bFGF-treated group in comparison with that in the control group (repeated-measures ANOVA, P < .005). An approximate 58% decrease in infarct size and a 40% increase in regional CBF were seen on bFGF treatment. CONCLUSIONS The present study suggested that intracarotid administration of bFGF (100 ng) can reduce infarct size after MCA occlusion. It was speculated that the increased CBF in the penumbral areas of MCA may contribute to contraction of infarct size.
Unrecognized preclinical Alzheimer disease confounds rs-fcMRI studies of normal aging

Objective: To determine whether, and to what degree, preclinical Alzheimer disease (AD) confounds studies of healthy aging where “healthy” is based on cognitive normality alone. Methods: We examined the effects of preclinical AD in cognitively normal older individuals using resting-state functional connectivity MRI. We investigated 2 groups of cognitively normal participants: one group with evidence of preclinical AD as assessed by CSF markers of AD and the other group with normal CSF biomarkers. Results: There were significant interactions between age and biomarker status in the default-mode, dorsal attention, and salience resting-state networks. In the group with evidence of preclinical AD, there were dramatic changes in functional connectivity with age. In the group without evidence of preclinical AD, those changes were greatly attenuated. In most regions with significant interactions of age and biomarker status, the age-related change in functional connectivity in the normal biomarker group was indistinguishable from zero. Conclusions: These results suggest that preclinical AD accounts for a substantial portion of the reported effects of aging in the extant functional connectivity literature.
Recent insights into stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1

Purpose of review Stearoyl-Coenzyme A (CoA) desaturase is a central lipogenic enzyme catalyzing the synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids - mainly oleate (C18:1). Oleate is the most abundant monounsaturated fatty acid in dietary fat and is therefore readily available. Why, then, is stearoyl-CoA desaturase a highly regulated enzyme? This review summarizes the recent and timely advances concerning the important role of stearoyl-CoA desaturase in metabolism. Recent findings Recent findings using mice that have a naturally occurring mutation in the SCD1 gene isoform as well as a mouse model with a targeted disruption of the stearoyl-CoA desaturase gene-1 (SCD1−/−) have revealed the role of de-novo synthesized oleate and thus the physiological importance of SCD1 expression. In the highlighted references, it is shown that the SCD1−/− mice have reduced body adiposity, increased insulin sensitivity, and are resistant to diet-induced obesity. The expression of several genes of lipid oxidation is upregulated, whereas lipid synthesis genes are downregulated. SCD1 was also found to be a component of the novel metabolic response to the hormone leptin. Summary SCD1, therefore, appears to be an important metabolic control point, and inhibition of its expression could be of benefit for the treatment of obesity, diabetes and other metabolic diseases.
Exner's Depression Index and the Harris-Lingoes MMPI-2 Subscales for Depression

This study examined the relationship between scores on the Harris-Lingoes MMPI-2 subscales for Depression and the categories of Exner's Rorschach Depression Index (DEPI) for 53 clients of a counselling agency. Scores on the subscale Mental Dullness related to the Depression Index as a whole and to the category Blends < 4. The subscale Subjective Depression also related to the category Blends < 4.
The association between BANK1 and TNFAIP3 gene polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta‐analysis

The past decade has witnessed hundreds of reports declaring or not being able to replicable genetic association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility. BANK1 is a gene that encodes a B‐cell‐specific scaffold protein and its activation can affect B‐cell‐receptor‐induced calcium mobilization from intracellular calcium stores. TNFAIP3 encodes the ubiquitin‐modifying enzyme, also known as A20, which is a cytoplasmic zinc finger protein that inhibits nuclear factor kappa‐B (NFKB) activity and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐mediated programmed cell death. The association of BANK1 and TNFAIP3 polymorphism with SLE has been reported in several studies. The aim of this study was to assess whether combined evidence shows the association between BANK1 and TNFAIP3 polymorphism and SLE. We report the results of a meta‐analysis of genome‐wide association scans and replication in independent sets for BANK1 and TNFAIP3 polymorphism and SLE that includes 12 416 subjects with SLE and 19 113 control subjects. Meta‐odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) based on random effects models. Both of BANK1 and TNFAIP3 harbour several controversial single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We selected and identified three SNPs of BANK1 associated with SLE (rs17266594, P = 1.949e‐10; OR = 1.380; 95% CI: 1.250–1.525; rs10516487, P = 2.642e‐13; OR = 1.317; 95% CI: 1.223–1.417; rs3733197, P = 3.452e‐06; OR = 1.193; 95% CI: 1.107–1.286); one SNP of TNFAIP3 associated with SLE (rs2230926, P = 1.502e‐12; OR = 1.826; 95% CI: 1.545–2.157). This meta‐analysis demonstrates a significant association between BANK1 and TNFAIP3 gene polymorphism and SLE in multiple ethnic populations. These findings reinforce the value of large sample series for discovery and follow‐up of genetic variants contributing to the aetiology of SLE.
Role of Nestling Mourning Doves and House Finches as Amplifying Hosts of St. Louis Encephalitis Virus

Abstract Nestling mourning doves and house finches produced elevated viremias after inoculation with 2–3 log10 plaque-forming units (PFU) of St Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus and infected 67 and 70% of Culex tarsalis Coquillett that engorged upon them, respectively. Mosquito infection rates as well as the quantity of virus produced after extrinsic incubation increased as a function of the quantity of virus ingested and peaked during days 3–5 postinoculation in mourning doves and days 2–4 in house finches. Only female Cx. tarsalis with body titers ≥4.6 log10 PFU were capable of transmitting virus. Overall, 38% of females infected by feeding on mourning doves and 22% feeding on house finches were capable of transmission. The quantity of virus expectorated was variable, ranging from 0.8 to 3.4 log10 PFU and was greatest during periods when avian viremias were elevated. Our data indicated that nestling mourning doves and house finches were competent hosts for SLE virus and that the quantity of virus ingested from a viremic avian host varies during the course of the infection and determines transmission rates by the mosquito vector.
High-Voltage (2.8 kV) Implantation-Free 4H-SiC BJTs With Long-Term Stability of the Current Gain

In this paper, implantation-free 4H-SiC bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) with a high breakdown voltage of 2800 V have been fabricated by utilizing a controlled two-step etched junction-termination extension in the epitaxial base layer. The small-area device shows a maximum direct-current (dc) gain of 55 at J<sub>C</sub> = 0.33 A (J<sub>C</sub> = 825 A/cm<sup>2</sup>) and V<sub>CESAT</sub> = 1.05 V at I<sub>c</sub> = 0.107 A that corresponds to a low specific ON-state resistance of 4 mΩ · cm<sup>2</sup>. The large-area device has a maximum dc gain of 52 at J<sub>C</sub> = 9.36 A (J<sub>C</sub> = 289 A/cm<sup>2</sup>) and V<sub>CESAT</sub> = 1-14 V at I<sub>c</sub> = 5 A that corresponds to a specific ON-state resistance of 6.8 mΩ · cm<sup>2</sup>. In addition, these devices demonstrate a negative temperature coefficient of the current gain (β = 26 at 200 °C) and a positive temperature coefficient of the specific ON-state resistance (R<sub>ON</sub> = 10.2 mΩ · cm<sup>2</sup> at 200 °C). The small-area BJT shows no bipolar degradation and a low-current-gain degradation after a 150-h stress of the base-emitter diode with a current level of 0.2 A (J<sub>E</sub> = 500 A/cm<sup>2</sup>). Furthermore, the large-area BJT shows a V<sub>CE</sub> fall time of 18 ns during turn-on and a V<sub>CE</sub> rise time of 10 ns during turn-off for 400-V switching characteristics.
Clonal analysis of the differentiation potential of human adipose‐derived adult stem cells

Pools of human adipose‐derived adult stem (hADAS) cells can exhibit multiple differentiated phenotypes under appropriate in vitro culture conditions. Because adipose tissue is abundant and easily accessible, hADAS cells offer a promising source of cells for tissue engineering and other cell‐based therapies. However, it is unclear whether individual hADAS cells can give rise to multiple differentiated phenotypes or whether each phenotype arises from a subset of committed progenitor cells that exists within a heterogeneous population. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that single hADAS are multipotent at a clonal level. hADAS cells were isolated from liposuction waste, and ring cloning was performed to select cells derived from a single progenitor cell. Forty‐five clones were expanded through four passages and then induced for adipogenesis, osteogenesis, chondrogenesis, and neurogenesis using lineage‐specific differentiation media. Quantitative differentiation criteria for each lineage were determined using histological and biochemical analyses. Eighty one percent of the hADAS cell clones differentiated into at least one of the lineages. In addition, 52% of the hADAS cell clones differentiated into two or more of the lineages. More clones expressed phenotypes of osteoblasts (48%), chondrocytes (43%), and neuron‐like cells (52%) than of adipocytes (12%), possibly due to the loss of adipogenic ability after repeated subcultures. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that hADAS cells are a type of multipotent adult stem cell and not solely a mixed population of unipotent progenitor cells. However, it is important to exercise caution in interpreting these results until they are validated using functional in vivo assays. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
[Dynamic observation of enalapril on the expression of TGF-beta1, CTGF, Smad7 and alpha-SMA in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction].

OBJECTIVE To dynamically observe the effect of enalapril on the expression of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), and Smad7 in the obstructed kidney after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in rats, and to investigate the effect of enalapril on transdifferentiation of renal tubular epithelial cells. METHODS The model rats were induced by ligating the left ureter. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into a normal control (sham-surgery) group, a model group, and a treatment group (enalapril 10 mg/ (kg * d) by gastric gavage from 24 h before the obstruction day). Rats were sacrificed on day 3, 7, 14, 21 after UUO was initiated. Sections of the renal tissue were stained with hematoxylin and eosin stain, which were used for histological and morphometric studies of the pathological change of the obstructed kidney. Real-time PCR was performed to examine the expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA and CTGF mRNA, and Western blot was performed to examine the expression of Smad7, alpha-SMA, and CTGF in the obstructed kidney. RESULTS The score of renal interstitial lesion increased with the extension of obstruction. The expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA, CTGF mRNA, alpha-SMA and CTGF increased in the model group with the extension of obstruction; but Smad7 expression decreased. Compared with the UUO group,the degree of renal interstitial lesion and the expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA, CTGF mRNA, alpha-SMA and CTGF were decreased, but the expression of Smad7 increased in the treatment group. Enalapril could significantly decrease TGF-beta1 mRNA on day 3, 7, 14, 21 after UUO. Enalapril could significantly affect the expression of CTGF mRNA,alpha-SMA,CTGF and Smad7 on day 3, 7, 14 after UUO initiation. CONCLUSION Enalapril significantly alleviates renal interstitial fibrosis by suppressing the expression of TGF-beta1, CTGF and alpha-SMA, upregulating the expression of Smad7, and has better effect at early stage (within 14 days after the UUO).
Pathogenesis of arterial hypertension.

Much is known of the pathogenesis of spontaneous hypertension in human beings and experimental hypertension in animals, despite the short time during which modern investigative methods have been used. Because the various types of experimental renal hypertension have received the greatest share of study is insufficient reason for one's assuming that they necessarily mirror more exactly essential hypertension in human beings. Several years ago, some clinicians overstepped judicious bounds in proclaiming that the cause of human hypertension had been reproduced in animals, a view wisely not expressed at that time by the inspirer of some of this work, Harry Goldblatt. But there are certainly enough similarities between experimental renal hypertension and essential hypertension to justify the hope that elucidation of the mechanism of the former will aid in the understanding of the latter. For some years, the view was held that hypertension was due to humoral agents. A poor case
Analysing recursive preprocessing of BKZ lattice reduction algorithm

Lattice problems are considered as the key elements in many areas of computer science as well as in cryptography; the most important of which is the shortest vector problem and its approximate variants. Algorithms for this problem are known as lattice reduction algorithms. Currently, the most practical lattice reduction algorithm for such problems is the block Korkine–Zolotarev (BKZ) algorithm and its variants. The authors optimise both the pruning and the preprocessing parameters of the recursive (aborted, extreme pruned) preprocessing of the BKZ lattice reduction algorithm and improve the results from Asiacrypt'11 by Chen and Nguyen. The authors derive approximate closed-form complexity formulas (based on the sandpile model assumption model by Hanrot et al.) for the enumeration time which allow a simple estimation of complexity without running the simulation algorithm (by Chen and Nguyen) and asymptotically suggests a modified extreme pruning bounding profiles with different parameters. Hence, the authors’ contributions are in optimising and improving the analysis of the complexity upper bound estimates presented by Chen and Nguyen, based on the same recursive-BKZ preprocessing model.
Factors That Influence Influenza Vaccination Among Healthcare Workers in a French Geriatric Hospital

In a geriatric hospital in France, only 80 (21%) of 390 healthcare workers (HCWs) were vaccinated against influenza. Predictive factors for accepting influenza vaccination were occupation as a physician (odds ratio [OR], 9.79), previous receipt of influenza vaccination (OR, 36), and desire to protect their own health (OR, 2.42) and residents' health (OR, 3.68). Predictive factors for refusing influenza vaccination were occupation as a nurse (OR, 6.41) or nursing assistant (OR, 4.04) and belief that homeopathic medication is more effective than the vaccine (OR, 5.75).
Social branding to decrease smoking among young adults in bars.

OBJECTIVES We evaluated a Social Branding antitobacco intervention for "hipster" young adults that was implemented between 2008 and 2011 in San Diego, California. METHODS We conducted repeated cross-sectional surveys of random samples of young adults going to bars at baseline and over a 3-year follow-up. We used multinomial logistic regression to evaluate changes in daily smoking, nondaily smoking, and binge drinking, controlling for demographic characteristics, alcohol use, advertising receptivity, trend sensitivity, and tobacco-related attitudes. RESULTS During the intervention, current (past 30 day) smoking decreased from 57% (baseline) to 48% (at follow-up 3; P = .002), and daily smoking decreased from 22% to 15% (P < .001). There were significant interactions between hipster affiliation and alcohol use on smoking. Among hipster binge drinkers, the odds of daily smoking (odds ratio [OR] = 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.30, 0.63) and nondaily smoking (OR = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.42, 0.77) decreased significantly at follow-up 3. Binge drinking also decreased significantly at follow-up 3 (OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.53, 0.78). CONCLUSIONS Social Branding campaigns are a promising strategy to decrease smoking in young adult bar patrons.
Effects of risperidone and haloperidol on tachykinin and opioid precursor peptide mRNA levels in the caudate‐putamen and nucleus accumbens of the rat

We investigated whether the two output pathways of the striatum are differently affected by the novel atypical drug risperidone and the conventional typical antipsychotic drug haloperidol. To this end, changes in mRNA levels of preproenkephalin‐A, preproenkephalin‐B, and preprotachykinin were determined in the rat striatum following chronic drug treatment for 14 days, using quantitative in situ hybridization. Furthermore, we studied the contribution of the dopamine D2 and serotonin 5‐HT2A antagonist components of risperidone in establishing its effects on neuropeptide mRNA levels in the striatum. The results showed that both risperidone and haloperidol had major effects on the preproenkephalin‐A mRNA and thus on the indirect striatal output route, whereas they had minor effects on preproenkephalin‐B and preprotachykinin mRNA, contained by the direct output route. When both drugs were administered in the same dose, preproenkephalin‐A mRNA was much more elevated by haloperidol than by risperidone. However, when doses of risperidone and haloperidol were modified to attain comparable dopamine D2 receptor occupancy, the drugs had comparable effects on preproenkephalin‐A mRNA levels. It was further found that 5‐HT2A/C receptor blockade with ritanserin had only modest effects on preproenkephalin‐B and preprotachykinin mRNA levels and did not affect preproenkephalin‐A mRNA levels. We conclude that risperidone and haloperidol, administered in the same dose, differently affect the striatal output routes. Furthermore, the results suggest that the effects of risperidone on neuropeptide mRNA levels are fully accounted for by its D2 antagonism and that no indication exists for a role of 5‐HT2A receptor blockade in this action. Synapse 28:302–312, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Microalgae: a novel ingredient in nutrition

Microalgae are known for centuries, but their commercial large-scale production started a few decades ago. They can be grown in open-culture systems such as lakes or highly controlled close-culture systems, have higher productivity than the traditional crops and can be grown in climatic conditions and regions where other crops cannot be grown, such as desert and coastal areas. The edible microalgae are the green algae (chlorophyta) and the cyanobacteria. Microalgae contain substances of high biological value, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins, amino acids, pigments, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. They are promising sources for novel products and applications and they can be used in the diet of humans and animals as natural foods with health benefits. Moreover, they can find use in the protection of the environment, as well as in pharmaceuticals, biofuel production and cosmetics.
Dual regulation by phospho‐OmpR of ssrA/B gene expression in Salmonella pathogenicity island 2

Expression of genes located on Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 (SPI‐2) is required for systemic infection in mice. This region encodes a type III secretion system, secreted effectors and the two‐component regulatory system SsrA/B (also referred to as SpiR), as well as additional uncharacterized genes. In the present work, we demonstrate that phospho‐OmpR (OmpR‐P) functions as an activator at the spiC–ssrA/B locus. There are two promoters at spiR; one is upstream of ssrA and the other upstream of ssrB. Our results indicate that, in contrast to many two‐component regulatory systems, regulation of the sensor kinase SsrA appears to be uncoupled and distinct from regulation of the response regulator SsrB. OmpR regulation of ssrA/B is one of only a few examples known in which a two‐component response regulator directly regulates the expression of another two‐component regulatory system.
Application of cytochrome P450 BM3 mutants as biocatalysts for the profiling of estrogen receptor binding metabolites of the mycotoxin zearalenone

The estrogenic mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEN) can undergo hepatic reductive metabolism to form the estrogenic α and β isomers of zearalenol. ZEN also undergoes cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (P450)-mediated oxidative metabolism to form monohydroxylated products, but until now nothing is known about the estrogenic potency of these metabolites. This study aimed at investigating the metabolism of ZEN by different P450 isoforms and to determine the estrogen receptor α (ERα) affinities of the in vitro P450-generated ZEN metabolites in an online high-resolution screening (HRS) setup. Human liver microsomes (HLM), recombinant P450s, and mutants of the bacterial P450 BM3 were used to investigate the oxidative metabolism of ZEN. It was shown that mutants of the bacterial P450 BM3 could be used to produce the human relevant 13- and 15-OH-ZEN catechol metabolites at such levels that their ERα affinity could be determined in an HRS setup, which was not possible with HLM. It was demonstrated that P450-mediated hydroxylation at the 13 and 15 positions of ZEN resulted in a loss of ERα affinity. The approach presented here can be used for the elucidation of the metabolism of other endocrine disrupting compounds and xenobiotics to get clear pictures of the total effects of these compounds and their metabolites.
Imaging features and appropriate treatment strategy of a rare biliary tract neoplasm

DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0366-6999.20113163 Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China (Yang XW, Yang J, Zhang BH, Shen F, Wang K and Wu MC) Correspondence to: Dr. ZHANG Bao-hua, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China (Tel and Fax: 86-21-81875261. Email: zhbh_1@tom. com) Short communication