Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PP.12.01: INFLUENCES OF AGE ON THE RESULTS OF BLOOD PRESSURE-REDUCTION AND AUTONOMIC NERVOUS FUNCTION IN ORTHOSTATIC CHANGES

Objective: We evaluated orthostatic upright postural blood pressure (BP) changes and autonomic nervous function during simple standing-up test in community-based subjects. The present study was conducted to evaluate the influences of age on the results of BP changes and autonomic nervous function in orthostatic changes. Design and method: A total of 1915 subjects ranging from 15 to 80 years of age (mean age = 54.0 y.o;795 males and 1120 females) were selected from the participants in a Wakayama population-based health study. They underwent a simple standing-up test, and during the test brachial BP was measured every min and the R-R intervals of ECG were continuously evaluated. To evaluate autonomic fluctuations, we calculated the coefficient of variation of the R-R interval (CVRR), the ratio of low to high frequency heart rate variability (LF/HF), and the coefficient of component variance of high frequency (CCVHF). The results of BP and autonomic function at standing were analyzed chronologically in 10-year age intervals. Results: SBP (R2 = 0.987) and pulse pressure significantly increased and heart rate (HR), log LF/HF, CCVHF and CVRR significantly decreased substantially with age at baseline. When changing positions from sitting to standing, SBP, HR, log LF/HF, CVRR significantly decreased and CCVHF significantly increased chronologically. Systolic BP when changing positions from sitting to standing was defined &dgr;SBP, &dgr; SBP was higher in males than in females (5.90 vs 4.43 mmHg, p = 0.008). &dgr; SBP significantly correlate with CVRR, CCVHF both baseline and at standing, age and gender. In multiple regression analysis, SBP changes after standing resulted to be significantly associated to CVRR at standing (&bgr;=0.122, p = 0.0001), age and gender. Conclusions: At the orthostatic position, the differences of SBP, HR, log LF/HF, CVRR significantly decreased and CCVHF significantly increased substantially with age. SBP changes after standing resulted to be significantly associated to CVRR at standing, age and gender. These results demonstrate that aging clearly influences autonomic nervous function and blood pressure-changes at standing may relate to parasympathetic nervous activity.
Vascular Permeability Factor: A Tumor-derived Polypeptide that Induces Endothelial Cell and Monocyte Procoagulant Activity, and Promotes Monocyte Migration

Summary Systemicinfusionoflowconcentrations oftumor necrosis factor/cachectin (TNF) intomicethat bearTNF-sensitivetumorsleadstoactivation ofcoagulation, fibrinformation,and occlusive thrombosisexclusively withinthetumor vascularbed.To identifymechanismsunderlyingthe localization ofthisvascularprocoagulantresponse,atumor-derivedpolypeptidehasbeenpurified tohomogeneityfromsupernatants ofmurinemethylcholanthrene A-inducedfibrosarcomas that inducesendothelial tissuefactorsynthesisandexpression(half-maximalresponseat-300 pM), and augmentstheprocoagulantresponsetoTNF ina synergistic fashion.Thistumor-derived polypeptidewas identified asthemurinehomologue ofvascularpermeability factor(VPF)based on similarmobilityon SDS-PAGE, an homologous NH2-terminalamino acidsequence,and recognitionby a monospecificantibodytoguineapigVPF . Inaddition,VPF was shown to inducemonocyteactivation, asevidencedbyexpressionoftissuefactor . Finally, VPF was shown toinducemonocytechemotaxisacrosscollagenmembranesandendothelial cellmonolayers.Taken together,theseresults indicatethatVPF canmodulatethecoagulantproperties ofendothelium andmonocytes,and canpromotemonocyte migrationintothetumor bed.Thissuggestsone mechanism throughwhich tumor-derivedmediatorscanalterpropertiesofthevesselwall. T umor vasculature, derivedfromtheingrowthofnormal vessels, isincontinuouscontactwithhostmediatorsand metabolic/regulatory productsofthetumor.Sincetheendotheliumistheactualinterface between hostand tumor, studiesintotheproperties oftumor vascularendothelium provideinsightsintotheeffects oflocalfactorson vascular function.One strikingexampleofthealteredresponsiveness oftumor vasculature isobservedafterthesystemicinfusion ofa low concentrationoftumor necrosisfactor/cachectin (TNF) intomice thatbearTNF-sensitivetumors,suchas methylcholanthreneA-inducedfibrosarcomas (methA sarcomas)'(1-3). Under theseconditions,intravascular fibrin deposition, progressing toocclusive thrombosisandassociated with afallinbloodflow,isobservedintumor vessels, but not inthenormal vessels . An importantpotentialmecha
Conditioning for the No-Huddle Offense

ABSTRACT THE NO-HUDDLE OFFENSE IS BECOMING COMMON IN AMERICAN FOOTBALL. THIS FAST-PACED, SPREAD-THE-FIELD APPROACH HAS HAD A PROFOUND EFFECT ON THE GAME. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE PHYSIOLOGICAL DEMANDS PLACED ON THE ATHLETES HAVE EVOLVED. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE IS TO PROVIDE A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE NO-HUDDLE OFFENSE ALONG WITH A BRIEF EXAMPLE OF HOW IT CAN EFFECT OFFENSIVE PRODUCTION, AND THEN DISCUSS THE MULTIFACETED APPROACH NEEDED WHEN CONDITIONING FOR THE NO-HUDDLE OFFENSE.
PP.LB03.01: MINERALOCORTICOID RECEPTOR ACTIVATION ACUTELY INCREASES EXPRESSION AND PHOSPHORYLATION OF THE THIAZIDE SENSITIVE SODIUM CHLORIDE COTRANSPORTER IN HUMANS

Objective: Distal tubular sodium retention is a potent driver of hypertension, with the thiazide sensitive sodium chloride cotransporter (NCC) and its phosphorylated form (pNCC) key players. The upstream modulators of NCC expression and phosphorylation are unclear, but some evidence suggests that mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) activation by aldosterone may be involved. The synthetic mineralocorticoid fludrocortisone is a potent MR agonist. In this project we aimed to quantify the magnitude and time course of changes in expression pNCC in human urinary exosomes, in response to activation of the MR by oral fludrocortisone administration. Figure. No caption available. Design and method: Daily “spot” morning urine samples were collected from 20 patients undergoing fludrocortisone suppression testing (100mcg q6 h) to diagnose or exclude primary aldosteronism. Urinary exosomes were isolated by progressive ultracentrifugation and NCC and pNCC expression quantified by western blot, expressed as arbitrary units of optical density (OD) / mg creatinine. Results: A progressive rise in NCC and pNCC expression was observed, with median NCC increasing >3 fold, from 3.37 OD/ug to 11.38 OD/ug. Median pNCC increased >2 fold, from 5.29 OD/ug to 14.30 OD/ug. In a mixed effects model a change of +2.12 OD/ug per day (p < 0.0005) was estimated for NCC expression, and +2.32 OD/ug per day (p < 0.0005) for pNCC. Conclusions: MR activation causes a rapid (<24 hours) and progressive increase in NCC and pNCC expression in humans. This widens the potential role of aldosterone in regulating distal sodium handling and has implications regarding treatment options for hypertension with MR blockade.
Characterisation of Schizosaccharomyces pombe wis2+, a Cyclophilin-40 homologue

Wis2 is a Cyp40 type cyclophilin, consisting of a highly conserved N-terminal cyclophilin domain and a C-terminal domain containing three tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) units and a putative calmodulin binding site. It was originally identified as a multicopy suppressor of the G2-M defect of a cdc25-22 weel-50 win 1-1 triple mutant S.pombe strain. Mammalian Cyp40s have been found in intermediate, inactive steroid hormone receptor complexes that also contain Hsp9O. It has previously been reported that there is no effect associated with either overexpression or deletion of zvis2 in wild-type or a variety of cell cycle mutant strains at the permissive or restrictive temperatures. The work described in this thesis is concerned with further genetic and molecular analysis of wis2. The aim of this work was to establish a cellular function for wis2 and to explain the effect of overexpression in the triple mutant strain described above. Using an in vitro binding assay, a number of proteins that show a physical interaction with Wis2 were isolated. These proteins were identified by peptide sequencing. Five were found to be ribosomal proteins. Another, -85kD, was identified as S.pombe Hsp90; the intensity of the interacting band is increased, and the interaction is more consistent, if the extract is made from S.pombe cells which have previously been heat shocked. Genetic analysis revealed that overexpression of wis2 lowers the restrictive temperature of a number of cdc2 mutant alleles which arrest at G2-M. This effect of enhancing a cell cycle block is in contrast to the situation in the cdc25-22 weel-
Effects of fermented rapeseed meal on antioxidant functions, serum biochemical parameters and intestinal morphology in broilers

ABSTRACT This trial was conducted to determine the effects of solid-state fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) on antioxidant functions, serum biochemical parameters and intestinal morphology of broilers. The rapeseed meal (RSM) was fermented with Bacillus subtilis, Candida utilis and Enterococcus faecalis. One hundred and eighty-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into three treatments: a corn-soybean meal based diet and two experimental diets in which the control diet was supplemented with 10.9% RSM or 9.41% FRSM. Results showed that the fermentation process can effectively increase crude protein or small peptides level, and decrease crude fiber level, glucosinolate, isothiocyanate, tannin and phytic acid level in RSM. The levels of serum total antioxidative capacity, total superoxide dismutase, total protein, albumin and glucose of birds fed FRSM were higher than birds fed RSM on days 21 and 42. FRSM also improved the intestinal morphology of broilers. The results indicate that FRSM can be effectively applied in broiler diets.
Point of View

This is a study that should help investigators of patients with low to moderate disability back pain select an outcome measure. The study population is a relatively low disability group. As previously pointed out, the baseline Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is helpful in defining populations–here the subjects have a mean ODI of 18.7, which might be compared with, say, a surgical population where an ODI 40 might be expected. This information is lacking with both Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ) and the patient specific activity questionnaire. This low disability sample is exactly the one where the RMQ (which was developed in a primary care setting) should excel. This study shows that RMQ has an inferior effect size to ODI both for improvement and most importantly for deterioration. There are very few studies that have focused on deterioration, so this report is of special significance. Unfortunately, there is no gold standard for improvement or deterioration, and the authors have to rely on an unvalidated single question, which may be exposed to recall bias, to measure this. I can see no alternative to this approach. It has long been assumed that RMQ was superior to ODI in low disability patients. This study provides strong evidence against this view. Many have had the hope that a patient defined outcome measure might be superior to our existing outcome measures, but it is clear that the extra complexity and expense of patient specific activity questionnaire is not justified, at least in this population. Overall the ODI has been in use for nearly 30 years and tested to its limits by many investigators. So far a better condition specific outcome measure has not been found. Version 2.1a can be found on the website http://www.orthosurg. org.uk/odi/. This differs from v2.1 in only one word in the introduction.
TWO NEW SPECIES OF THE AENICTUS PACHYCERUS SPECIES GROUP (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE: AENICTINAE) FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA

The Aenictus pachycerus species group is widespread in the eastern Oriental, Indo-Australian, and Australasian regions. The members of the group are characterised by the well-developed frontal carina and parafrontal ridge, a weakly developed subpetiolar process and a smooth and shiny fi rst gastral tergite (rarely superfi cially shagreened). Eleven worker-based species of the A. pachycerus group are recorded from Southeast Asia. Among them, two new species are here described: Aenictus kutai from Borneo (E. Kalimantan) and Aenictus sulawesiensis from Sulawesi. A key to Southeast Asian species of the species group is presented. The distribution and type locality for each species in Southeast Asia are given.
Assessment of Genetic Relationship between Six Populations of Welsh Mountain Sheep using Microsatellite Markers

This study investigated the genetic relationship between 6 populations of Welsh Mountain sheep: 5 phenotypic breed-types within the Welsh Mountain (WM) sheep breed, which have each been bred in spe - cific geographic areas of Wales, and the Black Welsh Mountain sheep breed. Based on DNA analysis using 8 microsatellite markers, observed heterozygosity levels were similar to those expected in livestock populations subjected to selective breeding (0.530-0.664), and all but one population showed evidence of inbreeding. Using Bayesian cluster and Neighbor-joining analyses, the Black Welsh Mountain sheep were identified as being the outlier group, and the remaining groups could be categorized into five distinct sub-populations, which reflects the geographical separation seen between these populations.
CLINICAL DISTRIBUTION OF BIOFILM FORMING STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AND ITS SENSITIVITY AGAINST SOME ANTIBIOTICS

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most versatile nosocomial (i.e. acquired in hospital) and dangerous human pathogen. In spite of the introduction of antimicrobial agents and improvements in the frequency and morbidity of staphylococcal diseases in the twentieth century, staphylococci have persisted as an important hospital and community pathogen. Thereafter, methicillin-resistant S. aureus emerged as a major pathogen worldwide. A total of 38 positive clinical isolates from various clinical samples received from different hospitals of Dehradun included from March 2014 to August 2014. 38 samples had bacterial growth, among these isolates 17(44.7%) were Staphylococcus aureus. The present study was designed to investigate antibiotic susceptibility pattern and the role of biofilm in isolates of various clinical samples (Urine, Blood, Semen and Pus), by examining the ability of isolates to form biofilm and produce signaling molecules and by developing a wound model, to relate laboratory findings with in vivo activity by exploring the possibility of detecting biofilm markers in dressings removed from chronic infections. The presence of biofilm was confirmed by specialized microscopy techniques or by detecting biofilm markers. Various antibiotics had a greater effect on viability when used at higher antibiotic concentrations (≥100 mg/L) and on younger (6h) biofilms. The antibiotics used for antibiotic susceptibility testing were Ofloxacin, Erythromycin, Amoxicillin, and Ciprofloxacin.
Presence of Plecotus macrobullaris (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in the Pyrenees

In July 2002, several bats of the genus Plecotus (Geoffroy, 1818) were captured at two localities of ‘Ordesa y Monte Perdido’ National Park (Central Pyrenees, Spain). They showed external characters that appeared intermediate between those of P. auritus and P. austriacus. Morphometric and genetic analysis have revealed that these long-eared bats should be ascribed to the recently recognized species P. macrobullaris. This study extends the distribution of this new species, whose western limit was considered, until now, to lie in the Alps, and adds a new mammal species to the Iberian fauna.
Hair Bundle Stiffness in the Turtle Utricle: Structural and Regional Variations

Vestibular hair cells are mechanotransducing sensory receptors in the vertebrate inner ear that detect movement and orientation of the head with respect to gravity. The morphologies of their ciliary bundles vary greatly for different species, endorgans, and within the same endorgan. Bundle morphology in the turtle utricle, like other species, demonstrates highly organized regional variations. These structural differences in bundles impact their mechanical behavior and the process of mechanotransduction. To further understanding of the mechanical behavior of hair bundles, this work experimentally measured the stiffness of bundles with differing morphology, the stiffness contribution of interciliary links and the mechanical properties of the kinocilium in the turtle utricle. The stiffness of hair bundles of varying structure and location along a medial to lateral transect of the utricle was examined. Bundle stiffness was greatest in the striola and demonstrated a systematic decline with location from the line of polarity reversal. The average stiffness of bundles in the striola and extrastriola were 82 ± 46 (n=48) and 9 ± 5 (n=25) μN/m, respectively. The stiff and weak bundles demonstrated characteristic morphologies. The stiffest bundles have short kinocilium, tall stereocilia, and ratios of kinocilium to tallest stereocilia height (KS) close to 1. In contrast, the compliant bundles have tall kinocilium, short stereocilia, and KS ratios ranging from 1.6 – 8. The stiffer bundles also tend to have longer array lengths and steeper slopes. Measurements of bundle stiffness in the turtle utricle are lower than those previously reported which may be attributed to morphological differences between species. The stiffness contributions of the interciliary links were also examined through their selective removal with exposure to the Ca 2+ chelator BAPTA and the protease subtilisin. BAPTA treatment reportedly breaks tip, kinocilial and ankle links while subtilisin breaks the shaft and ankle links. Following BAPTA and subtilisin treatments, bundle stiffness reduced by 65 ± 10% and 63 ± 11%, respectively. The mechanical properties of the kinocilium were measured with novel techniques. Flexural rigidity (EI) was measure while the kinocilium was fixed at the height of the tallest stereocilia using a glass supporting probe. Through both force deflection and a high speed video technique, measured values of EI ranged from 1460 – 6150 pN·μm 2 . The rotational stiffness of the kinocilium about its apical insertion was also measured. Bundles were treated with BAPTA to break the kinocilial links and separate the kinocilium from neighboring stereocilia. Using a force deflection technique, the rotational stiffness of the kinocilium was measured as 120 ± 17 pN·μm/rad.
Predator Cues during the Egg Stage Affect Larval Development in the Gray Treefrog, Hyla versicolor (Anura: Hylidae)

Abstract The presence of predators can induce changes in the morphology and behavior of the potential prey. In this study, we examined the effects of different predator-induced changes in water chemistry experienced during the egg stage on larval development in the Gray Treefrog, Hyla versicolor. The potential predators of amphibian eggs and tadpoles used in this study included larval odonates, crawfish, and leeches. Tadpoles from eggs exposed to leech-induced changes in water chemistry were consistently smaller throughout their larval development than the tadpoles in the control and other potential predator treatments. Size at metamorphosis did not differ significantly among treatments, but the tadpoles in the leech treatment were significantly older at metamorphosis than tadpoles in the other treatments. These results highlight some of the potential fitness consequences for larval H. versicolor that received predator cues during the egg stage.
CALCIUM-CONTAINING STRUCTURES IN

Electron probe microanalysis has revealed that vesicular or cisternal structures containing electron-dense material in frog ependymal glial cells contain deposits of calcium and phosphorus. The so-called "osmiophilic particles" in human astrocytes also contain calcium. It is suggested that these organelles are storage sites of calcium.
AVALIAÇÃO FUNCIONAL E MOLECULAR DE ADAPTAÇÕES NO METABOLISMO ENERGÉTICO HEPÁTICO AO FINAL DO PERÍODO DE

CAMPOS-RODRIGUES, S. Functional and molecular evaluation of energy metabolism adaptations in liver from pregnant rats. 2011. 54 p. Masters thesis (Human Physiology) Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 2011. The involvement of the liver in maternal glucose homeostasis is still unclear. This study evaluated the hepatic glucose production in pregnant rats and some of the hepatic metabolic pathways involved in metabolic disorders mediated by the liver in late pregnancy.There was a decrease in liver glycogen content and plasma glucose in pregnant rats. The rate of gluconeogenesis decreased as well as the contents of IR tyrosine phosphorylation after insulin stimulus, but the pSer-AKT, PEPCK, SHP2 contents, SHP2-IR association and the expression of PEPCK remained unaltered. The content of PTP1B and its association with IR decreases in the presence of insulin. The content of G6Pase, AMPK and the phosphorylation of AMPK α/1 and consequently the phosphorylation of ACC decreases in liver from pregnant animals. Triglyceride levels and the expression of FAS was increased in pregnant rats whereas the triglycerides reduced in the liver. The expression of G-6-Pase, MEs, LXR, SREBP1 and PFK decreased in the liver of pregnant rats. The results indicate no insulin resistance in the liver of pregnant rats, and that hepatic metabolic activity in this period is focused on de novo fatty acids synthesis.
Disturbances in mitochondrial DNA maintenance in neuromuscular disorders and valproate-induced liver toxicity

Mitochondrial DNA depletion and deletions are related to mutations in the nuclear genes responsible for replication and maintenance of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The POLG1 gene encodes the enzyme responsible for replication of mtDNA. A particular feature of the POLG1 mutations is an increased risk of acute liver failure (ALF) upon exposure to sodium valproate (VPA), but the pathomechanism is not resolved. The present work studies the molecular genetic aetiology and clinical phenotypes associated with mtDNA depletion and deletion. Another objective was an investigation of clinical phenotypes in POLG1 mutations and disentangling the pathomechanism of VPA-induced ALF in POLG1 mutations. Mitochondrial toxicity of VPA was examined using HepG2 cells as an experimental in vitro model. In this work, mtDNA depletion was associated with severe neonatal-onset encephalopathy. Furthermore, mtDNA depletion was found in muscle dystrophy as a secondary finding to muscle degradation. Multiple mitochondrial DNA deletions were found in two patients with Kearns-Sayre syndrome suggesting a genetic origin of the disease. POLG1 p.R722H mutation has been previously reported as a neutral polymorphism, but we found evidence suggesting that POLG1 p.R722H could be a pathogenic mutation in a homozygous or compound heterozygous state. We identified retrospectively five patients, who required liver transplant after VPA-induced ALF. All five patients harboured POLG1 mutations supporting the evidence of POLG1 mutations as a risk factor for VPA-induced ALF. Previously, patients with POLG1 mutations have been considered unsuitable for liver transplantation, but we found that homozygous POLG1 mutations and adolescent or adult-onset disease predicted a good outcome following liver transplantation. In vitro studies on HepG2 cells showed that VPA disturbs mitochondrial respiration. Our results expand the phenotypes and molecular genetic features in mitochondrial DNA depletion and deletion syndromes. We found evidence that POLG1 mutations are not a contraindication for liver transplantation; rather, mutation status and age at onset affect survival. This finding should be taken in consideration in the treatment of VPA-induced ALF. Furthermore, our findings indicate that sodium valproate is toxic to mitochondria and should be avoided in patients with mitochondrial disease.