Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stimulation of the Semicircular Canals Via the Rotary Chair as a Means to Test Pharmacologic Countermeasures for Space Motion Sickness

Objective: Space motion sickness is currently treated pharmacologically with the empiric use of the H1 antihistamine promethazine, but use of this intervention is limited by the side effect of significant sedation. This creates a dilemma, as full cognition is particularly important during the same conditions likely to exacerbate the symptoms of space motion sickness. Using overstimulation of the semicircular canals with a rotary chair as a paradigm for space motion sickness, we evaluated four medications, commonly used for the treatment of terrestrial motion sickness and vertigo, for their efficacy in alleviating the simulated symptoms of space motion sickness. Study Design: Randomized, prospective, double-blind study. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Patients: Healthy male and female volunteers, 18 years of age or older, without history of neurologic or psychiatric disorders, and with no known allergies or any previous adverse reactions to the drugs used. Interventions: Lorazepam 1 mg, meclizine 25 mg, promethazine 25 mg, scopolamine 0.4 mg, or placebo. Main Outcome Measure: The ability of each treatment to control the nausea and vomiting associated with our paradigm for space motion sickness was evaluated by measuring time of rotation pre- and posttreatment and time of symptom onset pre-and posttreatment. Results: Only scopolamine effected a mean change in duration of rotation that reached statistical significance when compared with placebo (p < 0.008), with a greater than 40% increase in rotation time. Results with promethazine were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Results showed a rank order of efficacy of scopolamine > promethazine > placebo > meclizine > lorazepam. Scopolamine significantly increased rotation time, but none of the treatments resulted in a significant delay to onset of symptoms.
Functional characterisation of filamentous actin probe expression in neuronal cells

Genetically encoded filamentous actin probes, Lifeact, Utrophin and F-tractin, are used as tools to label the actin cytoskeleton. Recent evidence in several different cell types indicates that these probes can cause changes in filamentous actin dynamics, altering cell morphology and function. Although these probes are commonly used to visualise actin dynamics in neurons, their effects on axonal and dendritic morphology has not been systematically characterised. In this study, we quantitatively analysed the effect of Lifeact, Utrophin and F-tractin on neuronal morphogenesis in primary hippocampal neurons. Our data show that the expression of actin-tracking probes significantly impacts on axonal and dendrite growth these neurons. Lifeact-GFP expression, under the control of a pBABE promoter, caused a significant decrease in total axon length, while another Lifeact-GFP expression, under the control of a CAG promoter, decreased the length and complexity of dendritic trees. Utr261-EGFP resulted in increased dendritic branching but Utr230-EGFP only accumulated in cell soma, without labelling any neurites. Lifeact-7-mEGFP and F-tractin-EGFP in a pEGFP-C1 vector, under the control of a CMV promoter, caused only minor changes in neuronal morphology as detected by Sholl analysis. The results of this study demonstrate the effects that filamentous actin tracking probes can have on the axonal and dendritic compartments of neuronal cells and emphasise the care that must be taken when interpreting data from experiments using these probes.
Changes in quality of life after liver transplantation among adults. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Liver Transplantation Database (LTD).

Quality of life is an important factor to consider when assessing the value of liver transplantation. Using a large, prospective database of liver transplantation recipients from three clinical centers in the United States, we examined the quality of life of 346 adults before and 1 year after surgery. Five quality of life domains were evaluated (measures of disease, psychological distress and well-being, personal function, social/role function, and general health perception) with standardized questionnaires completed according to established protocol. The largest numbers of patients were distressed by fatigue and muscle weakness, both before transplantation and 1 year after surgery. Compared to baseline, recipients at follow-up noted fewer disease-related symptoms (P < .001) and lower levels of distress overall (P < .001). However, levels of distress due to excess appetite (P < .001), headaches (P = .02), and poor/blurred vision (P = .05) were more likely to increase than decrease. Although 57% to 64% of the recipients were distressed by each of the psychological conditions examined at follow-up, distress was more likely to decrease than increase (P < .001), and well-being was comparable to the general population. All measures of personal functioning improved significantly (P < .05). Fifty-eight percent of the patients prevented by their disease from going to work or school before transplantation were no longer so limited at follow-up. With the exception of marriage (P = .23), all facets of social/role functioning improved more often than worsened (P < .01). Perception of health improved remarkably, with 13.4 times as many recipients reporting improved health as reporting worse health (P < .001). We conclude that liver transplantation markedly improves the quality of life of patients with end-stage liver disease.
Bond Lengths in Free Molecules of Buckminsterfullerene, C60, from Gas-Phase Electron Diffraction

Electron diffraction patterns of the fullerene C60 in the gaseous state have been obtained by volatilizing it from a newly designed oven-nozzle at 730�C. The many peaks of the experimental radial distribution curve calculated from the scattered intensity are completely consistent with icosahedral symmetry for the free molecule. On the basis of this symmetry assumption, least-squares refinement of a model incorporating all possible interatomic distances led to the values rg(C1-C2) = 1.458(6) angstroms (�) for the thermal average bond length within the five-member ring (that is, for the bond fusing five- and six-member rings) and rg(C1-C6) = 1.401(10) � for that connecting five-member rings (the bond fusing six-member rings). The weighted average of the two bond lengths and the difference between them are the values 1.439(2) � and 0.057(6) �, respectively. The diameter of the icosahedral sphere is 7.113(10) �. The uncertainties in parentheses are estimated 2σ values.
Cerebral Metabolic and Vasopressin and Oxytocin Responses During Osmotic Stimulation in Conscious Rats

Intravenous infusion of hypertonic saline increased plasma [Na +] and osmolality and induced a short‐latency drinking response. These changes were associated with increased glucose utilization in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei and neural lobe, and decreases in the medial septum and nucleus ambiguus. The increases in glucose utilization were more accentuated in the supraoptic nuclei than in paraventricular nuclei, indicating that they are more sensitive to osmotic stimulation than the paraventricular nuclei. In association with enhanced activity in the hypothalamo‐neurohypophysial system, plasma vasopressin and oxytocin concentrations increased, with a preferential increase of oxytocin over vasopressin. The hormonal contents in the neural lobe were not depleted by the osmotic stimulus despite the large increases of their concentrations in the plasma.
Hippocampal microcircuit dynamics probed using optical imaging approaches

Abstract Mammalian cortical structures are endowed with the capacity for plasticity, which emerges from a combination of the dynamics of circuit connectivity and function, and the intrinsic function of the neurons within the circuit. However, this capacity is accompanied by a significant risk: the capability to generate seizure discharges is also a property of all mammalian cortices. How do cortical circuits reconcile the requirement to maintain plasticity, but at the same time control seizure initiation? These issues come into particular focus in the hippocampus. The hippocampus is one of the main plasticity engines in the brain, and is also a structure frequently implicated in the generation of epileptic seizures, with temporal lobe epilepsy constituting the most prevalent form of epilepsy in the adult population. One aspect of hippocampal circuitry that is particularly prominent is its intimate interconnections with the entorhinal cortex. These interconnections create a number of excitatory synaptic loops within the limbic system, which, in addition to being important in cognitive function, can support reentrant activation and seizure generation. In the present review, using optical imaging approaches to elucidate circuit processing at high temporal and spatial resolution, we examine how two targets of entorhinal cortical input within the hippocampus, the dentate gyrus and area CA1, regulate these synaptic pathways in ways that can maintain functions important in generation of normal activity patterns, but that dampen the ability of these inputs to generate seizure discharges.
ON WEAK STABILIZATION OF SEMILINEAR WAVE EQUATIONS

If a second order semilinear conservative equation with esssentially oscillatory solutions such as the wave equation is perturbed by a possibly non monotone damping term which is effective in a non negligible sub-region for at least one sign of the velocity, all solutions of the perturbed system converge weakly to 0 as time tends to infinity. We present here a simple and natural method of proof of this kind of property, implying as a consequence some recent very general results of Judith Vancostenoble. Mathematics Subject Classification. 35B35, 35L55, 35L90. Received June 19, 2000. Revised November 11, 2000 and May 4, 2001.
A novel bioreactor and culture method drives high yields of platelets from stem cells

Platelet (PLT) transfusion is the primary treatment for thrombocytopenia. PLTs are obtained exclusively from volunteer donors, and the PLT product has only a 5‐day shelf life, which can limit supply and result in PLT shortages. PLTs derived from stem cells could help to fill this clinical need. However, current culture methods yield far too few PLTs for clinical application. To address this need, a defined, serum‐free culture method was designed using a novel bioreactor to increase the yield of PLTs from stem cell‐derived megakaryocytes.
KAJIAN FENOMENA URBANISME PADA MASYARAKAT KOTA UNGARANKABUPATEN SEMARANG

Pembangunan ekonomi merupakan suatu proses perubahan perekonomian dari yang semula sebagian besar pedesaan dan pertanian, menjadi sebagian besar perkotaan, industri dan jasa-jasa dalam kompetisinya. Perkembangan suatu wilayah telah menyebabkan inovasi, spesialisasi, diversivitas, dan anonimitas yang dapat menciptakan cara hidup yang berbeda yang disebut dengan istilah urbanisme (Louis Wirth dalam Bintarto, 1984).
Neurochemical Markers in the Mammalian Brain: Structure, Roles in Synaptic Communication, and Pharmacological Relevance.

BACKGROUND Knowledge of molecular marker (typically protein or mRNA) expression in neural systems can provide insight to the chemical blueprint of signal processing and transmission, assist in tracking developmental or pathological progressions, and yield key information regarding potential medicinal targets. These markers are particularly relevant in the mammalian brain in the light of its unsurpassed cellular diversity. Accordingly, molecular expression profiling is rapidly becoming a major approach to classify neuron types. Despite a profusion of research, however, the biological functions of molecular markers commonly used to distinguish neuron types remain incompletely understood. Furthermore, most molecular markers of mammalian neuron types are also present in other organs, therefore complicating considerations of their potential pharmacological interactions. OBJECTIVE Here, we survey 15 prominent neurochemical markers from five categories, namely membrane transporters, calcium-binding proteins, neuropeptides, receptors, and extracellular matrix proteins, explaining their relation and relevance to synaptic communication. METHOD For each marker, we summarize fundamental structural features, cellular functionality, distributions within and outside the brain, as well as known drug effectors and mechanisms of action. CONCLUSION This essential primer thus links together the cellular complexity of the brain, the chemical properties of key molecular players in neurotransmission, and possible biomedical opportunities.
Clinical review of tuberculous peritonitis in 39 patients in Diyarbakir, Turkey

Abstract Abdominal tuberculosis (TB) is a rare manifestation, which can be overlooked on long‐lasting and non‐specific findings unless a high index of suspicion is maintained. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the diagnostic features of 39 patients hospitalized with tuberculous peritonitis (TBP) in Dicle University Hospital, Turkey between January 1994 and August 2003. Twenty‐two patients were male; patient age ranged between 1 and 59 years (mean: 16.2 ± 14.4 years). There were 21 patients (54%) under 15 years of age. Thirteen children had a history of familial TB and seven adults had prior history of TB. Six (29%) of 21 pediatric cases had bacille Calmette‐Guerin (BCG) scars and results of 5‐tuberculin units (TU) tuberculin test were positive in seven children (18%). Of all cases, the most common presenting findings were abdominal pain (95%), ascites (92%) and abdominal distention (82%). Five of the patients had accompanying pulmonary TB, and six patients (15%) had intestinal TB who were admitted to emergency service with acute abdomen, of whom three (8%) had perforation and three (8%) had ileus. Histopathologically 20 cases (51%) were proven on abdominal ultrasonography, and computed tomography revealed most commonly ascites and thickening of peritoneum. No microbiologic evidence was obtained except three positive culture results for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. As a result, TBP should be considered for diagnosis, in patients with non‐specific symptoms of abdominal pain, wasting, fever, loss of appetite, abdominal distension and even symptoms of acute abdomen, because early diagnosis and effective treatment will decrease morbidity and mortality.
Cleavage of IPS-1 in Cells Infected with Human Rhinovirus

ABSTRACT Rhinoviruses are prevalent human pathogens that are associated with life-threatening acute asthma exacerbations. The innate immune response to rhinovirus infection, which may play an important role in virus-induced asthma induction, has not been comprehensively investigated. We examined the innate immune response in cells infected with human rhinovirus 1a (HRV1a). Beta interferon (IFN-β) mRNA was induced in HRV1a-infected cells at levels significantly lower than in cells infected with Sendai virus. To understand the basis for this observation, we determined whether components of the pathway leading to IFN-β induction were altered during infection. Dimerization of the transcription factor IRF-3, which is required for synthesis of IFN-β mRNA, is not observed in cells infected with HRV1a. Beginning at 7 h postinfection, IPS-1, a protein that is essential for cytosolic sensing of viral RNA, is degraded in HRV1a-infected cells. Induction of apoptosis by puromycin led to the cleavage of IPS-1, but treatment of HRV1a-infected cells with the pan-caspase inhibitor, zVAD, did not block cleavage of IPS-1. IPS-1 is cleaved in vitro by caspase-3 and by the picornaviral proteinases 2Apro and 3Cpro. Expression of HRV1a and polioviral 2Apro and 3Cpro led to degradation of IPS-1 in cells. These results suggest that IPS-1 is cleaved during HRV1a infection by three different proteases. Cleavage of IPS-1 may be a mechanism for evasion of the type I IFN response, leading to a more robust infection.
Relationship between sRAGE and eotaxin-3 with CRP in hypertensive patients at high cardiovascular risk.

BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Western countries and is highly prevalent in patients with kidney disease. Traditional risk factors for CVD often accompany kidney dysfunction, and chronic kidney disease per se is considered an additional risk factor. Risk stratification for CVD remains suboptimal even after the introduction of global risk assessment by various scores. This has prompted the search for novel markers of cardiovascular risk, and several biomarkers have been suggested as candidates, together with C-reactive protein (CRP). The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between novel biomarkers of vascular inflammation (soluble form of the receptor for advanced glycation end products [sRAGE] and eotaxin-3) with CRP in a population of hypertensive patients at high cardiovascular risk. METHODS Plasma sRAGE, high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) and eotaxin-3 were measured in 399 hypertensive patients (265 men, mean age 58 ± 8 years)with diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome or organ damage. RESULTS Plasma concentrations of sRAGE, eotaxin-3 and hs-CRP were not different between diabetic and nondiabetic subjects. Univariate analysis showed that plasma levels of sRAGE and eotaxin-3 were not associated with hs-CRP in either subgroup. CONCLUSION Our study confirms the robust and widely studied role of CRP as an important marker of vascular inflammation. We also postulate the possible involvement of sRAGE and eotaxin, 2 novel biomarkers, in CVDs. On the basis of our results, we can put forward the hypotheses that hs-CRP, s-RAGE and eotaxin are reliable but unrelated cardiovascular risk markers.
Functional organization of crayfish abdominal ganglia. III. Swimmeret motor neurons

Swimmerets are limbs on several segments of the crayfish abdomen that are used for forward swimming and other behaviors. We present evidence that the functional modules demonstrated previously in physiological experiments are reflected in the morphological disposition of swimmeret motor neurons. The single nerve that innervates each swimmeret divides into two branches that separately contain the axons of power‐stroke and return‐stroke motor neurons. We used Co++ or biocytin to backfill the entire pool of neurons that innervated a swimmeret, or functional subsets whose axons occurred in particular branches. Each filled cell body extended a single neurite that projected first to the Lateral Neuropil (LN), and there branched to form dendritic structures and its axon. All the motor neurons that innervated one swimmeret had cell bodies located in the ganglion from which their axons emerged, and the cell bodies of all but two of these neurons were located ipsilateral to their swimmeret. Counts of cell bodies filled from selected peripheral branches revealed about 35 power‐stroke motor neurons and 35 return‐stroke motor neurons. The cell bodies of these two types were segregated into different clusters within the ganglion, but both types sent their neurites into the ipsilateral LN and had their principle branches in this neuropil. We saw no significant differences in the numbers or distributions of these motor neurons in ganglia A2 through A5. These anatomical features are consistent with the physiological evidence that each swimmeret is controlled by its own neural module, which drives the alternating bursts of impulses in power‐stroke and return‐stroke motor neurons. We propose that the LN is the site of the synaptic circuit that generates this pattern. J. Comp. Neurol. 419:233–243, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structural Parsing of Natural Language Text in Tamil Language Using Dependency Model

Parsing is an important process of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Computational Linguistics which is used to understand the syntax and semantics of natural language sentences confined to the grammar. Parsing models need syntax and semantic coverage for better interpretation of natural language sentences. Though statistical parsing with trigram language models gives better performance through tri-gram probabilities and large vocabulary size, it has some disadvantages like lack of support in syntax, free ordering of words and long distance relationship which are the challenging features of the Tamil language. Grammar based structural parsing provides solutions to some extent. To overcome these disadvantages, structural component is to be involved in statistical approach which results in hybrid models like phrase and dependency models. To add the structural component, balance the vocabulary size and meet the challenging features, lexicalized and statistical parsing (LSP) is to be employed with the ass.
DO VARIATIONS IN SUBSTITUTION RATES AND MALE MUTATION BIAS CORRELATE WITH LIFE‐HISTORY TRAITS? A STUDY OF 32 MAMMALIAN GENOMES

Life‐history traits vary substantially across species, and have been demonstrated to affect substitution rates. We compute genome‐wide, branch‐specific estimates of male mutation bias (the ratio of male‐to‐female mutation rates) across 32 mammalian genomes and study how these vary with life‐history traits (generation time, metabolic rate, and sperm competition). We also investigate the influence of life‐history traits on substitution rates at unconstrained sites across a wide phylogenetic range. We observe that increased generation time is the strongest predictor of variation in both substitution rates (for which it is a negative predictor) and male mutation bias (for which it is a positive predictor). Although less significant, we also observe that estimates of metabolic rate, reflecting replication‐independent DNA damage and repair mechanisms, correlate negatively with autosomal substitution rates, and positively with male mutation bias. Finally, in contrast to expectations, we find no significant correlation between sperm competition and either autosomal substitution rates or male mutation bias. Our results support the important but frequently opposite effects of some, but not all, life‐history traits on substitution rates.
St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum): drug interactions and clinical outcomes.

AIMS The aim of this work is to identify the medicines which interact with the herbal remedy St John's wort (SJW), and the mechanisms responsible. METHODS A systematic review of all the available evidence, including worldwide published literature and spontaneous case reports provided by healthcare professionals and regulatory authorities within Europe has been undertaken. RESULTS A number of clinically significant interactions have been identified with prescribed medicines including warfarin, phenprocoumon, cyclosporin, HIV protease inhibitors, theophylline, digoxin and oral contraceptives resulting in a decrease in concentration or effect of the medicines. These interactions are probably due to the induction of cytochrome P450 isoenzymes CYP3A4, CYP2C9, CYP1A2 and the transport protein P-glycoprotein by constituent(s) in SJW. The degree of induction is unpredictable due to factors such as the variable quality and quantity of constituent(s) in SJW preparations. In addition, possible pharmacodynamic interactions with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors and serotonin (5-HT(1d)) receptor-agonists such as triptans used to treat migraine were identified. These interactions are associated with an increased risk of adverse reactions. CONCLUSIONS In Sweden and the UK the potential risks to patients were judged to be significant and therefore information about the interactions was provided to health care professionals and patients. The product information of the licensed medicines involved has been amended to reflect these newly identified interactions and SJW preparations have been voluntarily labelled with appropriate warnings.