Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ischemic tolerance in the rat neocortex following hypothermic preconditioning.

OBJECT Ischemic neuronal damage associated with neurological and other types of surgery can have severe consequences for functional recovery after surgery. Hypothermia administered during and/or after ischemia has proved to be clinically beneficial and its effects often rival or exceed those of other therapeutic strategies. In the present study the authors examined whether transient hypothermia is an effective preconditioning stimulus for inducing ischemic tolerance in the brain. METHODS Adult rats were subjected to a 20-minute period of hypothermic preconditioning followed by an interval ranging from 6 hours to 7 days. At the end of this interval, the animals were subjected to transient focal ischemia induced by clamping one middle cerebral artery and both carotid arteries for 1 hour. The volume of cerebral infarction was assessed 1 or 7 days postischemia. In the first series of experiments, hypothermic preconditioning (28.5 degrees C) with a postconditioning interval of 1 day reduced the extent of cerebral infarction measured 1 and 7 days postischemia. In the second series, hypothermic preconditioning (31.5 degrees C) with postconditioning intervals of 6 hours, 1 day, or 2 days (but not 7 days) reduced the extent of cerebral infarction measured 1 day postischemia. Treatment with the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin blocked the protective effect of hypothermic preconditioning. In a final series of experiments, in vitro brain slices prepared from hypothermia-preconditioned (nonischemic) animals were shown to tolerate a hypoxic challenge better than slices prepared from unconditioned animals. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that hypothermic preconditioning induces a form of delayed tolerance to focal ischemic damage. The time course over which tolerance occurs and the ability of a protein synthesis inhibitor to block tolerance suggest that increased expression of one or more gene products is necessary to establish tissue tolerance following hypothermia. The attenuation of hypoxic injury in vitro following in vivo preconditioning indicates that tolerance is due, at least in part, to direct effects on the brain neuropil. Hypothermic preconditioning could provide a relatively low-risk approach for improving surgical outcome after invasive surgery, including high-risk neurological and cardiovascular procedures.
Alterations of the Intestinal Barrier in Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorders and in Their First-degree Relatives

Objectives: Intestinal permeability (IPT) was investigated in patients with autism as well as in their first-degree relatives to investigate leaky gut hypothesis. Faecal calprotectin (FC) was also measured in patients with autism, either with or without gastrointestinal symptoms, and in their first-degree relatives. Patients and Methods: IPT results, assessed by means of the lactulose/mannitol test, were compared with adult and child controls and with FC values. Results: A high percentage of abnormal IPT values were found among patients with autism (36.7%) and their relatives (21.2%) compared with normal subjects (4.8%). Patients with autism on a reported gluten-casein–free diet had significantly lower IPT values compared with those who were on an unrestricted diet and controls. Gastrointestinal symptoms were present in 46.7% of children with autism: constipation (45.5%), diarrhoea (34.1%), and others (alternating diarrhoea/constipation, abdominal pain, etc: 15.9%). FC was elevated in 24.4% of patients with autism and in 11.6% of their relatives; it was not, however, correlated with abnormal IPT values. Conclusions: The results obtained support the leaky gut hypothesis and indicate that measuring IPT could help to identify a subgroup of patients with autism who could benefit from a gluten-free diet. The IPT alterations found in first-degree relatives suggest the presence of an intestinal (tight-junction linked) hereditary factor in the families of subjects with autism.
Interleaved Practice Improves Mathematics Learning.

A typical mathematics assignment consists primarily of practice problems requiring the strategy introduced in the immediately preceding lesson (e.g., a dozen problems that are solved by using the Pythagorean theorem). This means that students know which strategy is needed to solve each problem before they read the problem. In an alternative approach known as interleaved practice, problems from the course are rearranged so that a portion of each assignment includes different kinds of problems in an interleaved order. Interleaved practice requires students to choose a strategy on the basis of the problem itself, as they must do when they encounter a problem during a comprehensive examination or subsequent course. In the experiment reported here, 126 seventh-grade students received the same practice problems over a 3-month period, but the problems were arranged so that skills were learned by interleaved practice or by the usual blocked approach. The practice phase concluded with a review session, followed 1 or 30 days later by an unannounced test. Compared with blocked practice, interleaved practice produced higher scores on both the immediate and delayed tests (Cohen’s ds 0.42 and 0.79, respectively).
Use of cytokine polymorphisms and Epstein–Barr virus viral load to predict development of post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder in paediatric liver transplant recipients

Abstract: Objective: Currently there are no tests to accurately identify paediatric liver transplant patients at risk for post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). Herein we describe the use of cytokine polymorphisms and real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) viral load to identify patients at risk for PTLD development.
Central Adenosine Signaling Plays a Key Role in Centrally Mediated Hypotension in Conscious Aortic Barodenervated Rats

We tested the hypothesis that clonidine-evoked hypotension is dependent on central adenosinergic pathways. Five groups of male, conscious, aortic baroreceptor-denervated (ABD) rats received clonidine (10 μg/kg i.v.) 30 min after i.v. 1) saline, 2) theophylline (10 mg/kg), or 3) 8-(p-sulfophenyl)theophylline (8-SPT) (2.5 mg/kg) or 1 h after i.p. 4) dipyridamole (5 mg/kg) or 5) an equal volume of sesame oil. Blockade of central (theophylline) but not peripheral (8-SPT) adenosine receptors abolished clonidine hypotension. In contrast, dipyridamole substantially enhanced the bradycardic response to clonidine. In additional groups, intracisternal (i.c.) dipyridamole (150 μg) and 8-SPT (10 μg) enhanced and abolished, respectively, clonidine (0.6 μg i.c.)-evoked hypotension. Because clonidine is a mixed I1/α2 agonist, we also investigated whether adenosine signaling is linked to the I1 or the α2A receptor by administering the selective I1 (rilmenidine, 25 μg) or α2A [α-methylnorepinephrine (α-MNE), 4 μg] agonist 30 min after central adenosine receptor blockade (8-SPT; 10 μg i.c.) or artificial cerebrospinal fluid. The hypotensive response elicited by rilmenidine or α-MNE was abolished in 8-SPT-pretreated rats. To delineate the role of the adenosine A2A receptor in clonidine-evoked hypotension, i.c. clonidine (0.6 μg) was administered 30 min after central adenosine receptor A2A blockade [5-amino-7-(2-phenylethyl)-2-(2-furyl)-pyrazolo[4,3-ϵ]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c]-pyrimidine (SCH58261); 150 μg i.c. ]. The latter virtually abolished the hypotensive and bradycardic responses elicited by clonidine. In conclusion, central adenosine A2A signaling plays a key role in clonidine-evoked hypotension in conscious aortic barodenervated rats.
An Integrated Approach to Computer‐Based Automated Tracing and Its Validation for 200 Common Carotid Arterial Wall Ultrasound Images

Objective. Most of the algorithms for the segmentation of the common carotid artery (CCA) wall require human interaction to locate the vessel in the ultrasound image. The aim of this article is to show an accurate algorithm for the computer‐based automated tracing of the CCA in longitudinal B‐mode ultrasound images. Methods. Two hundred images (100 normal CCAs, 50 CCAs with an increased intima‐media thickness, 30 with fibrous plaques, and 20 with anechoic plaques) were processed to delineate the region of interest containing the CCA. The strategy is an integrated approach (carotid artery layer extraction using an integrated approach [CALEXia]) consisting of geometric feature extraction, line fitting, and classification. The output of the algorithm is the tracings of the proximal and distal adventitia layers. Performance of the algorithm was validated against human tracings considered the ground truth. Results. The mean distance errors ± SD using this integrated approach were 1.05 ± 1.04 pixels (0.07 ± 0.07 mm) for proximal or near adventitia and 2.68 ± 3.94 pixels (0.17 ± 0.24 mm) for distal or far adventitia. Sixteen of 200 images were not perfectly traced because of the presence of both plaques and blood backscattering. The computational cost ensures the possibility for near real‐time detection. Conclusions. Although the CALEXia algorithm automatically detects the CCA, it is also robust and validated over a large database. This can constitute a general basis for a completely automated segmentation procedure widely applicable to other anatomies.
Influence of diabetes on 5-year mortality and morbidity in a randomized trial comparing CABG and PTCA in patients with multivessel disease: the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation (BARI)

BACKGROUND Patients with diabetes mellitus have increased morbidity and mortality after coronary revascularization. The Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation (BARI), a trial of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) versus coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) in patients with multivessel disease, reported a 5-year survival advantage of CABG over PTCA in patients with treated diabetes mellitus (TDM). This report examines these findings in more detail. METHODS AND RESULTS Eighteen clinical centers randomly assigned 1829 patients with multivessel coronary disease to undergo initial CABG or PTCA. Patients were followed an average of 5.4 years. TDM was defined as a history of diabetes with use of oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin at study entry. Nineteen percent of the randomized population (353 patients) met these criteria. TDM patients had more unfavorable baseline characteristics than other patients, but among TDM patients, these characteristics were similar between the CABG and PTCA groups. Better average 5.4-year survival with CABG was due to reduced cardiac mortality (5.8% versus 20.6%, P=.0003), which was confined to those receiving at least one internal mammary artery graft. CONCLUSIONS Patients with TDM assigned to an initial strategy of CABG have a striking reduction in cardiac mortality compared with PTCA. Long-term internal mammary artery graft patency may contribute to this improved outcome by reducing the fatality of follow-up myocardial infarction.
A Community-based Behavior Modification Intervention for Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity, caused by reduced physical activity and increased food consumption, has reached epidemic proportions. We hypothesized that a single practitioner could enable a child to reduce BMI by educating towards a healthier lifestyle and then reinforcing the message in a structured manner. In this study, intervention group participants and their parents received a half-hour talk on exercise and diet, repeated after 3 months. They were instructed to fill weekly diaries and were called weekly by telephone. Controls received the initial instruction only. Twenty-seven (14 intervention) obese children were recruited. Anthropometric parameters, fitness and biochemical data were collected before intervention and after 6 months in both groups. Sustained but not statistically significant improvements in attitude, BMI SDS and LDL-cholesterol were noted in the intervention group. These promising results support a need for further work to evaluate the efficacy and applicability of our approach in the population at large.
Sec6‐dependent sorting of fungal extracellular exosomes and laccase of Cryptococcus neoformans

The cell wall of pathogenic fungi such as Cryptococcus neoformans, provides a formidable barrier to secrete virulence factors that produce host cell damage. To study secretion of virulence factors to the cell periphery, sec6 RNAi mutant strains of C. neoformans were tested for virulence factor expression. The studies reported here show that SEC6 RNAi mutant strains were defective in a number of virulence factors including laccase, urease as well as soluble polysaccharide and demonstrated attenuated virulence in mice. Further analysis by transmission electron microscopy detected the production of abundant extracellular exosomes in wild‐type strains containing empty plasmid, but a complete absence in the iSEC6 strain. In addition, a green fluorescent protein–laccase fusion protein demonstrated aberrant localization within cytoplasmic vesicles in iSEC6 strains. In contrast, iSEC6 strains retained normal growth at 37°C, as well as substantially normal capsule formation, phospholipase activity and total secreted protein. These results provide the first molecular evidence for the existence of fungal exosomes and associate these vesicles with the virulence of C. neoformans.
N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide Independently Predicts Protein Energy Wasting and Is Associated with All-Cause Mortality in Prevalent HD Patients

Background: N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has been demonstrated to be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in end-stage renal disease patients. We hypothesized that common confounders, such as protein-energy wasting (PEW) and inflammation could modulate this relationship. Methods: NT-proBNP was measured in 222 prevalent hemodialysis (HD) patients (55.4% male, mean age 66 years, range 51–74) using commercial ELISA. Levels were related to clinical characteristics, biochemical markers and survival. Results: NT-proBNP levels were positively associated with IL-6 (ρ = 0.37, p <0.001) and C-reactive protein (ρ = 0.25, p <0.001), but negatively associated with serum IGF-1 (ρ = –0.34, p < 0.001), handgrip strength (ρ = –0.30, p <0.001) and body weight (ρ = –0.20, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, an NT-proBNP level above the cutoff of the receiver-operating curve (9,761 pg/ml) was associated with PEW (odds ratio = 2.30, p = 0.008) even following adjustment for age, dialysis vintage, inflammation and the Davies score. As expected, NT-proBNP predicted clinical CVD (odds ratio = 1.90, p = 0.05) and all-cause mortality (Cox regression hazard ratio = 1.57, p = 0.03) also after adjustment for confounders. Patients with an NT-proBNP above the cutoff also exhibited a higher mortality (Kaplan-Meier χ2 = 13.95, p < 0.001). Conclusion: We demonstrate a novel association between NT-proBNP and PEW, which may be part of the explanation for the strong links between NT-proBNP and mortality in HD patients.
CALCIUM/CALMODULIN-DEPENDENT KINASE II IS REQUIRED FOR PLATELET-ACTIVATING FACTOR PRIMING

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) primes the macrophage proinflammatory response to inflammatory stimuli, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The cellular events responsible for this priming or reprogramming remain unresolved, but may occur through an increase in cytosolic calcium, inducing calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase (CaMK) activation. To study this, differentiated THP-1 cells were used to study the effect of CaMK II and IV inhibition on PAF-induced reprogramming of TLR4-mediated events. LPS induced p38, ERK 1/2, and JNK/SAPK phosphorylation, NF-κB and AP-1 activation, and TNF-α and IL-10 production. PAF pretreatment selectively increased LPS-induced ERK 1/2, JNK/SAPK, NF-κB and AP-1 activation, and TNF-α production. Inhibition of CaMK II prevented PAF-induced priming of these events. Inhibition of CaMK IV prevented LPS-induced ERK 1/2, JNK/SAPK, NF-κB and AP-1 activation, and TNF-α production, but increased IL-10 production with or without PAF pretreatment. Neither CaMK II nor IV inhibition had any affect on p38 activity. These data suggest that the function of CaMK II is essential for PAF-induced macrophage priming. This priming event is mediated in part by modulation of ERK 1/2, JNK/SAPK, NF-κB, and AP-1 activation. CaMK IV, on the other hand, is not specific for priming by PAF and appears to have a direct link in TLR4-mediated events.
Isolation and Expression of the Lysis Genes of Actinomyces naeslundii Phage Av-1

ABSTRACT Like most gram-positive oral bacteria, Actinomyces naeslundii is resistant to salivary lysozyme and to most other lytic enzymes. We are interested in studying the lysins of phages of this important oral bacterium as potential diagnostic and therapeutic agents. To identify the Actinomyces phage genes encoding these species-specific enzymes in Escherichia coli, we constructed a new cloning vector, pAD330, that can be used to enrich for and isolate phage holin genes, which are located adjacent to the lysin genes in most phage genomes. Cloned holin insert sequences were used to design sequencing primers to identify nearby lysin genes by using whole phage DNA as the template. From partial digestions of A. naeslundii phage Av-1 genomic DNA we were able to clone, in independent experiments, inserts that complemented the defective λ holin in pAD330, as evidenced by extensive lysis after thermal induction. The DNA sequence of the inserts in these plasmids revealed that both contained the complete lysis region of Av-1, which is comprised of two holin-like genes, designated holA and holB, and an endolysin gene, designated lysA. We were able to subclone and express these genes and determine some of the functional properties of their gene products.
Effects of International Sanctions on Exports in Iran with an Approach to Business Attraction

Today, international sanctions are used as a means to achieve political objectives. Iran has been repeatedly put under sanction and it has had various consequences. This paper estimates the impact of economic sanctions on Iran’s exports to member countries of the ECO, OPEC and ASEAN Union during the period 1992-2013 using the gravity model approach and the OLS estimation method based on panel data. Estimation results show that sanctions have a negative impact on the volume of Iran’s exports to member countries of the OPEC but it has no impact on exports to the ECO and ASEAN. Finally, it is recommended that Iran shifts its diplomacy from West to East and choose its Eastern neighbors for doing business transactions in order to neutralize the effects of sanctions.
Significant Difference in the Yields of Sukuk Bonds versus Conventional Bonds

Bond yields of Treasury and corporate bonds are observed in a listed exchange. This article reports the findings on the market yield behaviour of two types of debt securities in the same exchange, the sharia-compliant sukuk bonds and the normal conventional bonds. There are 17 exchanges where sukuk bonds are traded, and the outstanding value is estimated at US$ 1,200 billion. The average yields of sukuk Treasury bonds are significantly higher (premium) than that of conventional Treasury bonds. On the other hand, investors in the sukuk corporate bonds receive slightly lower returns (discount) of about 25 basis points in the case of long-term sukuk bonds. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to verify these differences using appropriate advanced econometric methods. These results have far-reaching implications for the market practices as well as for teaching of bond pricing behaviour since this new form of debt markets is growing at about 17 per cent a year. JEL Classification: F23, F31, G12
Pronounced chemical response of Subarctic lakes to climate‐driven losses in surface area

Losses in lake area have been observed for several Arctic and Subarctic regions in recent decades, with unknown consequences for lake ecosystems. These reductions are primarily attributed to two climate‐sensitive mechanisms, both of which may also cause changes in water chemistry: (i) increased imbalance of evaporation relative to inflow, whereby increased evaporation and decreased inflow act to concentrate solutes into smaller volumes; and (ii) accelerated permafrost degradation, which enhances sublacustrine drainage while simultaneously leaching previously frozen solutes into lakes. We documented changes in nutrients [total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP)] and ions (calcium, chloride, magnesium, sodium) over a 25 year interval in shrinking, stable, and expanding Subarctic lakes of the Yukon Flats, Alaska. Concentrations of all six solutes increased in shrinking lakes from 1985–1989 to 2010–2012, while simultaneously undergoing little change in stable or expanding lakes. This created a present‐day pattern, much weaker or absent in the 1980s, in which shrinking lakes had higher solute concentrations than their stable or expanding counterparts. An imbalanced evaporation‐to‐inflow ratio (E/I) was the most likely mechanism behind such changes; all four ions, which behave semiconservatively and are prone to evapoconcentration, increased in shrinking lakes and, along with TN and TP, were positively related to isotopically derived E/I estimates. Moreover, the most conservative ion, chloride, increased >500% in shrinking lakes. Conversely, only TP concentration was related to probability of permafrost presence, being highest at intermediate probabilities. Overall, the substantial increases of nutrients (TN >200%, TP >100%) and ions (>100%) may shift shrinking lakes towards overly eutrophic or saline states, with potentially severe consequences for ecosystems of northern lakes.
Police human resource policy in the Lodz voivodeship as a determinant of knowledge and organization’s effective operation

Motivation: Human capital is the driving force of an organization that has a significant impact on its development and effective operation. The success of the organization depends to a great extent on its social potential. Successful recruitment ensures that the best employees ensure high quality work, which respectively translates into organizational development and competitiveness (Oleksyn, 2010, pp. 34–36). The development of the organization is based on knowledge acquisition, skills and raising qualifications by its members. Aim: The aim of the paper is to analyze the conditionings related to the management of the Police organizational units, which influence the appropriate recruitment of police officers for particular positions. The publication also attempts to investigate the importance of appropriate recruitment for the effectiveness of actions taken by police officers. The article presents issues exemplifying the analysis of human resource management in the field of human resource policy playing an important role in the Police. The empirical part of the article was based on an analysis of the subject literature and police internal materials, but also on the basis of participant observation and expert interview. The paper presents an analysis of the recruitment process of police officers for vacant posts in the Police units of the Lodz garrison, introduced by the Human Resource Policy Concept. Results: Although the Police was established to protect citizens’ security and public order, its development and effective functioning are needed to further serve society. In order to do this, it is indispensable to recruit and employ proper and competent workers. Therefore, the recruitment and selection process is so significant. Appointing a police officer with the right knowledge, competence and skills to a specific position, has positive implications for the organization. This also improves public perception of the Police force.