Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The toxic effects of Bisphenol A on the mouse spermatocyte GC‐2 cell line: the role of the Ca2+‐calmodulin‐Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II axis

Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine‐disrupting chemical (EDC), is known to induce male reproductive toxicity in rodents. However, its toxic effects on the germ cells are still poorly understood. It has been proposed that Ca2+ homeostasis and Ca2+ sensors, including calmodulin (CaM) and calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), play critical roles in spermatogenesis. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to investigate whether a perturbation in Ca2+‐CaM‐CaMKII signaling was involved in the BPA‐induced injury to mouse spermatocyte GC‐2spd (ts) (GC‐2) cells. Our results showed that BPA (range from 0.2 to 20 μM) induced obvious GC‐2 cell injury, including decreased cell viability, the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c and the activation of caspase‐3. However, these processes could be partially abrogated by pretreatment with a Ca2+ chelator (BAPTA/AM), a CaM antagonist (W7) or a CaMKII inhibitor (KN93). These results, taken together, indicate that BPA exposure contributes to male germ cell injury, which may be partially mediated through a perturbation in Ca2+/CaM/CaMKII signaling and the mitochondrial apoptotic process. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
3D gaze tracking with easy calibration using stereo cameras for robot and human communication

This paper presents a method to estimate the optic and visual axes of an eye and the Point Of Gaze (POG) on the bases of Listingpsilas law using stereo cameras for three-dimensional (3D) gaze tracking. By using two cameras and two light sources, the optic axis of the eye can be estimated on the basis of a spherical model of a cornea. A one-point calibration is required to estimate the angle of the visual axis from the optic axis. However, a real cornea has an aspheric shape and therefore it is difficult to estimate the POG in all the directions accurately. We have used three light sources to improve the estimation of the POG. Two light sources near the center of the pupil in the camera image are used for estimating the POG. The experimental results show that the accuracy of the estimation of the visual axis is under about 1deg.
Cancer Survivorship : Embracing the Future Supplement to Cancer Intimacy and Relationship Processes in Couples ’ Psychosocial Adaptation to Cancer

2 Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. The authors highlighted the importance of viewing cancer from a relationship perspective. This perspective not only considers the marital relationship as a resource that individual partners draw upon but also highlights the importance of focusing attention onto the relationship and engaging in communication behaviors aimed at sustaining and/or enhancing the relationship during stressful times. On the basis of existing conceptualizations, empiric research on couples and cancer, and the authors’ perspective on the literature, they formulated the relationship intimacy model of couples’ psychosocial adaptation to cancer as a first step toward building a framework for researchers and clinicians to inform their work in this area. The model proposes that patients and their partners engage in behaviors that either promote or undermine the level of closeness in their relationship and that the closeness of the marital relationship is an important determinant of patient and partner psychologic adaptation to cancer. Preliminary data from a couples’ intimacy-enhancing intervention for breast cancer patients and their partners supported the model. Of the 25 couples who consented to participate in the intervention and completed the preintervention surveys, 15 couples completed all 5 sessions, and 12 couples completed the follow-up survey. The current results suggested that the intervention improved patient and partner perceptions of the closeness of their relationship and reduced their distress. The authors also discuss limitations of the relationship intimacy model as well as future directions for empiric and clinical research on couples’ psychosocial adaptation to cancer. Cancer 2008;112(11 suppl):2541–55. 2008 American Cancer Society.
In vitro shear stress-induced platelet activation: sensitivity of human and bovine blood.

As platelet activation plays a critical role in physiological hemostasis and pathological thrombosis, it is important in the overall hemocompatibility evaluation of new medical devices and biomaterials to assess their effects on platelet function. However, there are currently no widely accepted in vitro test methods to perform this assessment. In an effort to develop effective platelet tests for potential use in medical device evaluation, this study compared the sensitivity of platelet responses to shear stress stimulation of human and bovine blood using multiple platelet activation markers. Fresh whole blood samples anticoagulated with heparin or anticoagulant citrate dextrose, solution A (ACDA) were exposed to shear stresses up to 40 Pa for 2 min using a cone-and-plate rheometer model. Platelet activation was characterized by platelet counts, platelet surface P-selectin expression, and serotonin release into blood plasma. The results indicated that exposure to shear stresses above 20 Pa caused significant changes in all three of the platelet markers for human blood and that the changes were usually greater with ACDA anticoagulation than with heparin. In contrast, for bovine blood, the markers did not change with shear stress stimulation except for plasma serotonin in heparin anticoagulated blood. The differences observed between human and bovine platelet responses suggest that the value of using bovine blood for in vitro platelet testing to evaluate devices may be limited.
Do we need a statin-nicotinic acid-aspirin mini-polypill to treat combined hyperlipidaemia?

This review considers the treatment for combined hyperlipidaemia (CH) with a combination formulation of three drugs: a statin, nicotinic acid (NA) and aspirin – a mini-polypill. CH is a highly atherogenic dyslipidaemia manifested either as familial combined hyperlipidaemia or dyslipidaemia related to the metabolic syndrome or Type 2 diabetes mellitus. These types of dyslipidaemia are highly prevalent in the general population. Statin plus extended-release NA is a promising treatment option for the normalisation of these atherogenic lipid alterations, regression of atherosclerosis, as well as for primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. The addition of aspirin might prove a useful adjunct that might reduce the cutaneous side effects of NA while also acting as an antiplatelet agent in high-CVD-risk patients. However, the effective dose of aspirin may need to be at least 160 mg/day. This triple combination might improve patient compliance when compared with the three drugs administered separately.
Survival benefit evaluation of radiotherapy in esophageal cancer patients aged 80 and older

Purpose To evaluate the survival benefit of radiotherapy (RT) in esophageal cancer (EC) patients aged ≥ 80. Materials and Methods Records for all EC patients aged ≥ 65 years were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Chi-square test compared the characteristic and treatment between patients aged ≥ 80 with those aged 65–79. Focusing on patients aged ≥ 80, we employed multivariable logistic regression to identify the association between selection of RT and patients’ characteristics. Survival curve was employed to visualize the survival rate and multivariable Cox proportional hazard model was established to quantify the effect of RT on overall survival (OS) and cancer special survival (CSS). Results Patients aged ≥ 80 were more likely to be white male and have localized EC (all P < 0.001). Selection of RT in patients aged ≥ 80 were associated with cancer histology (P < 0.001), grade (P = 0.024) and stage (P < 0.001). RT significantly improved the OS (hazard ratio(HR) = 0.717) and CSS (HR = 0.722) (all P < 0.001). Further stratified analysis found the improvement were only significant in the localized (OS HR = 0.662; CSS HR=0.652) and regional stage patients (OS HR = 0.571; CSS HR = 0.581) (all P < 0.001). Conclusions Our study suggested EC patients aged ≥ 80 benefit from RT only if the cancer is in localized/regional stage.
Hospital experiences of young adults with congenital heart disease: divergence in expectations and dissonance in care.

BACKGROUND Despite increasing survival for adults with congenital heart disease, little is known about hospitalization for young adult patients with this disease and for their families. Because of the complexity of the disease and its management during the life span, young adults are often hospitalized on both pediatric and adult units during a stay in the hospital. OBJECTIVES To explore the experience of hospitalization of young adults with congenital heart disease, the experience of their families, and the views of the nurses who cared for these patients and to generate substantive theory on interactions between patients, patients' families, and nurses. METHODS Semistructured interviews and naturalistic observations were conducted with young adults with congenital heart disease (mean age, 28.6 years), their family members, and nurses who cared for the patients during hospitalization (N=34). Dimensional analysis was used to analyze interviews and field notes from observations. RESULTS A grounded theory was derived, explaining how the hospital context and relationships between patients, patients' families, and nurses affect patients' hospital experiences. Expectations differed among the groups, leading to dissonance in care, as exemplified by role confusion and power struggles over control of care. This dissonance resulted in interpersonal conflict, distrust, anxiety, and dissatisfaction with the care and caring experiences. CONCLUSIONS Changes in hospital units, a better understanding of the healthcare needs of young adults with congenital heart disease, and acknowledgment of the expertise of patients and patients' families are needed to improve nursing care for these patients and their families.
Sodium Solute Symporter and Cadherin Proteins Act as Bacillus thuringiensis Cry3Ba Toxin Functional Receptors in Tribolium castaneum*

Background: Interaction with insect midgut receptors is required for Bacillus thuringienesis (Bt) toxicity. Results: RNAi knockdown of E-cadherin and sodium solute symporter (SSS) genes dramatically decreases Tribolium castaneum (Tc) larval susceptibility to Cry3Ba. A SSS fragment enhances Cry3Ba toxicity. Conclusion: E-cadherin and SSS but not aminopeptidase N are Cry3Ba receptors in Tc. Significance: For the first time, SSS was demonstrated as a Bt functional receptor. Understanding how Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins interact with proteins in the midgut of susceptible coleopteran insects is crucial to fully explain the molecular bases of Bt specificity and insecticidal action. In this work, aminopeptidase N (TcAPN-I), E-cadherin (TcCad1), and sodium solute symporter (TcSSS) have been identified by ligand blot as putative Cry3Ba toxin-binding proteins in Tribolium castaneum (Tc) larvae. RNA interference knockdown of TcCad1 or TcSSS proteins resulted in decreased susceptibility to Cry3Ba toxin, demonstrating the Cry toxin receptor functionality for these proteins. In contrast, TcAPN-I silencing had no effect on Cry3Ba larval toxicity, suggesting that this protein is not relevant in the Cry3Ba toxin mode of action in Tc. Remarkable features of TcSSS protein were the presence of cadherin repeats in its amino acid sequence and that a TcSSS peptide fragment containing a sequence homologous to a binding epitope found in Manduca sexta and Tenebrio molitor Bt cadherin functional receptors enhanced Cry3Ba toxicity. This is the first time that the involvement of a sodium solute symporter protein as a Bt functional receptor has been demonstrated. The role of this novel receptor in Bt toxicity against coleopteran insects together with the lack of receptor functionality of aminopeptidase N proteins might account for some of the differences in toxin specificity between Lepidoptera and Coleoptera insect orders.
Increased Cerebral Infarct Volumes in Polyglobulic Mice Overexpressing Erythropoietin

There is increasing evidence that erythropoietin (Epo) has a protective function in cerebral ischemia. When used for treatment, high Epo plasma levels associated with increases in blood viscosity, however, may counteract beneficial effects of Epo in brain ischemia. The authors generated two transgenic mouse lines that overexpress human Epo preferentially, but not exclusively, in neuronal cells. In mouse line tg21, a fourfold increase of Epo protein level was found in brain only, whereas line tg6 showed a dramatic increase of cerebral and systemic transgene expression resulting in hematocrit levels of 80%. Cerebral blood flow (CBF), as determined by bolus tracking magnetic resonance imaging, was not altered in the tg6 line. The time-to-peak interval for the tracer, however, increased approximately threefold in polyglobulic tg6 mice. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed an increase in dilated vessels in tg6 mice, providing an explanation for unaltered CBF in polyglobulic animals. Permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (pMCAO) led to similar perfusion deficits in wild-type, tg6, and tg21 mice. Compared with wild-type controls, infarct volumes were not significantly smaller (22%) in tg21 animals 24 hours after pMCAO, but were 49% enlarged (P < 0.05) in polyglobulic tg6 mice. In the latter animals, elevated numbers of Mac-1 immunoreactive cells in infarcted tissue suggested that leukocyte infiltration contributed to enlarged infarct volume. The current results indicate that moderately increased brain levels of Epo in tg21 transgenic mice were not sufficient to provide significant tissue protection after pMCAO. The results with tg6 mice indicate that systemic chronic treatment with Epo associated with elevated hematocrit might deteriorate outcome after stroke either because of the elevated hematocrit or other chronic effects.
Estimates of Illnesses, Hospitalizations and Deaths Caused by Major Bacterial Enteric Pathogens in Young Children in the United States

Background: Many enteric pathogens disproportionately affect young children. However, higher incidences of laboratory-confirmed illness may be explained, at least in part, by higher rates of medical care-seeking and stool sample submission in this age group. We estimated the overall number of bacterial enteric illnesses among children <5 years old in the United States caused by Campylobacter, Escherichia coli O157, nontyphoidal Salmonella, Shigella and Yersinia enterocolitica. Materials and Methods: We used a statistical model that scaled counts of laboratory-confirmed illnesses from the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network up to an estimated number of illnesses in the United States, adjusting for the surveillance steps needed for an illness to be laboratory diagnosed (medical care sought, stool sample submitted, bacterial culture performed, laboratory tested for pathogen, laboratory test sensitivity). Results: We estimated that 5 bacterial enteric pathogens caused 291,162 illnesses each year among children <5 years old, resulting in 102,746 physician visits, 7830 hospitalizations and 64 deaths. Nontyphoidal Salmonella caused most illnesses (42%), followed by Campylobacter (28%), Shigella (21%), Y. enterocolitica (5%) and E. coli O157 (3%). The estimated annual number of physician visits ranged from 3763 for E. coli O157 to 44,369 for nontyphoidal Salmonella. Nontyphoidal Salmonella was estimated to cause most hospitalizations (4670) and deaths (38). Conclusions: Bacterial enteric infections cause many illnesses in US children. Compared with the general population, enteric illnesses among children <5 years old are more likely to be diagnosed. However, overall rates of illness remain higher in children after adjusting for underdiagnosis in both groups.
ERCP and CT diagnosis of pancreas divisum and its relation to etiology of chronic pancreatitis.

AIM:To inquire into the ERCP and CT features of pancreas divisum (PD) and its role in the etiology of chronic pancreatitis.METHODS:Fourteen patients with PD were analyzed in regard to the findings in ERCP and CT,the activities of serum amylase and the incidence of pancreatitis.Dorsal ductography via minor papilla cannulation was performed in six of them.RESULTS:The length of dorsal and ventral pancreatic duct was 16.56cm ± 2.52cm and 5.55cm ± 1.46cm. Most of the patients had dilatation of dorsal (10/14) and ventral (8/14) duct and the stenosis of dorsal duct terminal (10/14). Delayed clearance of contrast in dorsal duct was found in 8 patients. The size and contour of the pancreas were normal in all the patients at conventional CT. Pancreatitis was identified in 13 patients.CONCLUSION:Dorsal ductography was necessary in the diagnosis of PD. Conventional CT play little role in the diagnosis of PD.Patients with PD run a higher risk of pancreatitis due to the stenosis of the minor papilla.
Chloride transport-driven alveolar fluid secretion is a major contributor to cardiogenic lung edema

Significance This study describes a novel mechanism for the formation of cardiogenic lung edema, a potentially fatal complication of left heart disease that was previously attributed to passive fluid filtration across an intact alveolo-capillary barrier. Instead, we demonstrate that a major part of cardiogenic edema results from active epithelial secretion of Cl− and secondary fluid flux into the alveolar space. Transepithelial Cl− secretion is triggered by inhibition of epithelial Na+ uptake and mediated via cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransporter 1 (NKCC1), providing a mechanistic explanation for extrarenal effects of furosemide in lung edema. Alveolar fluid clearance driven by active epithelial Na+ and secondary Cl− absorption counteracts edema formation in the intact lung. Recently, we showed that impairment of alveolar fluid clearance because of inhibition of epithelial Na+ channels (ENaCs) promotes cardiogenic lung edema. Concomitantly, we observed a reversal of alveolar fluid clearance, suggesting that reversed transepithelial ion transport may promote lung edema by driving active alveolar fluid secretion. We, therefore, hypothesized that alveolar ion and fluid secretion may constitute a pathomechanism in lung edema and aimed to identify underlying molecular pathways. In isolated perfused lungs, alveolar fluid clearance and secretion were determined by a double-indicator dilution technique. Transepithelial Cl− secretion and alveolar Cl− influx were quantified by radionuclide tracing and alveolar Cl− imaging, respectively. Elevated hydrostatic pressure induced ouabain-sensitive alveolar fluid secretion that coincided with transepithelial Cl− secretion and alveolar Cl− influx. Inhibition of either cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) or Na+-K+-Cl− cotransporters (NKCC) blocked alveolar fluid secretion, and lungs of CFTR−/− mice were protected from hydrostatic edema. Inhibition of ENaC by amiloride reproduced alveolar fluid and Cl− secretion that were again CFTR-, NKCC-, and Na+-K+-ATPase–dependent. Our findings show a reversal of transepithelial Cl− and fluid flux from absorptive to secretory mode at hydrostatic stress. Alveolar Cl− and fluid secretion are triggered by ENaC inhibition and mediated by NKCC and CFTR. Our results characterize an innovative mechanism of cardiogenic edema formation and identify NKCC1 as a unique therapeutic target in cardiogenic lung edema.
RE1 silencing transcription factor/neuron‐restrictive silencing factor regulates expansion of adult mouse subventricular zone‐derived neural stem/progenitor cells in vitro

Adult neural stem cell (aNSC) activity is tuned by external stimuli through the recruitment of transcription factors. This study examines the RE1 silencing transcription factor (REST) in neural stem/progenitor cells isolated from the subventricular zone of adult mouse brain and provides the first extensive characterization of REST‐mediated control of the cellular and molecular properties. This study shows that REST knockdown affects the capacity of progenitor cells to generate neurospheres, reduces cell proliferation, and triggers cell differentiation despite the presence of growth factors. Genome‐ and transcriptome‐wide analyses show that REST binding sites are significantly enriched in genes associated with synaptic transmission and nervous system development and function. Seeking candidate regulators of aNSC function, this study identifies a member of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family, BMP6, the mRNA and protein of which increased after REST knockdown. The results of this study extend previous findings, demonstrating a reciprocal control of REST expression by BMPs. Administration of exogenous BMP6 inhibits aNSC proliferation and induces the expression of the astrocytic marker glial fibrillary acidic protein, highlighting its antimitogenic and prodifferentiative effects. This study suggests that BMP6 produced in a REST‐regulated manner together with other signals can contribute to regulation of NSC maintenance and fate. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Impact of Hospital Nursing Characteristics on 30‐Day Mortality

BackgroundEvidence indicates that hospital nursing characteristics such as staffing contribute to patient outcomes. Less attention has been given to other hospital nursing characteristics central to optimal professional practice, namely nurse education and skill mix, continuity of care, and quality of the work environment. ObjectiveTo assess the relative effects and importance of nurse education and skill mix, continuity of care, and quality of work environment in predicting 30-day mortality after adjusting for institutional factors and individual patients characteristics. MethodA cross-sectional analysis of outcome data for 18,142 patients discharged from 49 acute care hospitals in Alberta, Canada, for diagnoses of acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, or stroke between April 1, 1998, and March 31, 1999, was done. Mortality data were linked to patient demographic and comorbidity factors, institutional characteristics, and hospital nursing characteristics derived from a survey of all registered nurses working in acute care hospitals. ResultsUsing multilevel analysis, it was determined that the log-odds for 30-day mortality varied significantly across hospitals (variance = .044, p < .001). Patient comorbidities and age explained 44.2% of the variance in 30-day mortality. After adjustment for patient comorbidities and demographic factors, and the size, teaching, and urban status of the study hospitals in a fixed-effects model, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of the significant hospital nursing characteristics that predict 30-day mortality were as follows: 0.81 (0.68–0.96) for higher nurse education level, 0.83 (0.73–0.96) for richer nurse skill mix, 1.26 (1.09–1.47) for higher proportion of casual or temporary positions, and 0.74 (0.60–0.91) for greater nurse-physician relationships. The institutional and hospital nursing characteristics explained an additional 36.9%. DiscussionHospital nursing characteristics are an important consideration in efforts to reduce the risk of 30-day mortality of patients.