Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Case-Control Frequency Differences at Genes Pertinent to Early Autonomic Nervous System Embryologic Development

We have previously identified polymorphisms in the serotonin transporter gene promoter region and in intron 2 that were more common among sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) cases compared with control subjects. To elucidate further the genetic profile that might increase an infant's vulnerability to SIDS, we focused on the recognized relationship between autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation and SIDS. We therefore studied genes pertinent to early embryologic development of the ANS, including MASH1, BMP2, PHOX2a, PHOX2b, RET, ECE1, EDN1, TLX3, and EN1 in 92 probands with SIDS and 92 gender- and ethnicity-matched control subjects. Eleven protein-changing rare mutations were identified in 14 of 92 SIDS cases among the PHOX2a, RET, ECE1, TLX3, and EN1 genes. Only 1 of these mutations (TLX3) was identified in 2 of 92 control subjects. Black infants accounted for 10 of these mutations in SIDS cases and 2 control subjects. Four protein-changing common polymorphisms were identified in BMP2, RET, ECE1, and EDN1, but the allele frequency did not differ between SIDS cases and control subjects. However, among SIDS cases, the allele frequency for the BMP2 common polymorphism demonstrated ethnic differences; among control subjects, the allele frequency for the BMP2 and the ECE1 common polymorphisms also demonstrated ethnic differences. These data represent further refinement of the genetic profile that might place an infant at risk for SIDS.
The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2015/16: G protein‐coupled receptors

The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2015/16 provides concise overviews of the key properties of over 1750 human drug targets with their pharmacology, plus links to an open access knowledgebase of drug targets and their ligands ( www.guidetopharmacology.org ), which provides more detailed views of target and ligand properties. The full contents can be found at http://onlinelibrary.wiley. com/doi/10.1111/bph.13348/full . G protein‐coupled receptors are one of the eight major pharmacological targets into which the Guide is divided, with the others being: ligand‐gated ion channels, voltage‐gated ion channels, other ion channels, nuclear hormone receptors, catalytic receptors, enzymes and transporters. These are presented with nomenclature guidance and summary information on the best available pharmacological tools, alongside key references and suggestions for further reading. The Concise Guide is published in landscape format in order to facilitate comparison of related targets. It is a condensed version of material contemporary to late 2015, which is presented in greater detail and constantly updated on the website www.guidetopharmacology. org , superseding data presented in the previous Guides to Receptors & Channels and the Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2013/14. It is produced in conjunction with NC‐IUPHAR and provides the official IUPHAR classification and nomenclature for human drug targets, where appropriate. It consolidates information previously curated and displayed separately in IUPHAR‐DB and GRAC and provides a permanent, citable, point‐in‐time record that will survive database updates.
An Empirical Study of Liquidity and Information Effects of Order Flow on Exchange Rates

We propose a simple structural model of exchange rate determination which draws from the analytical framework recently proposed by Bacchetta and van Wincoop (2004) and allows us to disentangle the liquidity and information effects of order flow on exchange rates. We estimate this model employing an innovative transaction data-set that covers all direct foreign exchange transactions completed in the USD/EUR market via EBS and Reuters between August 2000 and January 2001. Our results indicate that the strong contemporaneous correlation between order flow and exchange rates is mostly due to liquidity effects. This result also appears to carry through to the four FX intervention events that appear in our sample. JEL Nos.: D82, G14 and G15.
Anesthetic and surgical complications in 219 cases of myotonic dystrophy

The objective of this study was to assess the frequency, type, and severity of perioperative complications after a first surgery under general anesthesia in patients with myotonic dystrophy (DM) and to measure the association with suspected risk factors. Numerous cases of perioperative complications in DM patients have been reported. Hazards have been associated with the use of thiopentone, suxamethonium, neostigmine, and halothane. A retrospective study of perioperative complications was conducted for 219 DM patients who had their first surgery under general anesthesia at the Chicoutimi Hospital. The overall frequency of complications was 8.2% (18 of 219). Most complications (16 of 18) were pulmonary, including five patients with acute ventilatory failure necessitating ventilatory support, four patients with atelectasis, and three patients with pneumonia. Using multivariate analysis, we found that the risk of perioperative pulmonary complications (PPC) was significantly higher after an upper abdominal surgery(odds ratio (OR), 24.4; 95% CI, 4.0 to 149.3) and for patients with a severe muscular disability, as assessed by the presence of proximal limb weakness (OR, 14.1; 95% CI, 1.5 to 134.4). The likelihood of PPC was not related to any specific anesthetic drug. Because of the increased risk of PPC, careful monitoring during the early postoperative period, protection of upper airways, chest physiotherapy, and incentive spirometry are mandatory in all symptomatic DM patients, particularly those with a severe muscular disability or those who have undergone an upper abdominal surgery.
Intermittent breathing in vertebrates.

The respiratory control system of animals exhibiting intermittent breathing patterns allows significant fluctuations in all respiratory variables. The extent of these fluctuations can be quite large, particularly in those species with episodic breathing patterns. In these animals, blood gases and pH seem to be regulated within a homeostatic range. Pattern generation in these animals would seem, therefore, to be less dependent on a central rhythm generator and more closely dependent on inputs from peripheral receptor systems and higher brain stem centers. The evidence does suggest, however, that the medulla is the important region for central nervous system coordination of ventilation in these animals just as it is in rhythmic breathers. Peripheral input from mechanoreceptors associated with the lungs and chemoreceptors associated with the lungs and/or arterial blood appear important in regulating (a) the tidal volume of each breath, (b) the length of the ventilatory period, and (c) the length of the ventilatory pause. One of the more important conclusions that can be drawn from the data is that all three variables appear to be under separate control. The relative roles of the various receptor groups in the control of each respiratory variable remain unclear. Given the intermittent nature of the breathing, broad oscillations occur in the PO2, and to a lesser extent, PCO2 in lungs, blood, and presumably tissues, with accompanying pH fluctuations in body fluids. Although the functional significance of the two distinct ventilatory patterns seen in these animals remains unclear, the fact that the episodic breathing pattern can be converted to a single breath pattern experimentally, suggests that both patterns are manifestations of a common underlying control system. The data suggest that the episodic breathing pattern arises from a single breath pattern as a consequence of vagally modulated input from supramedullary centers in the brain. The similarities between the data collected from all vertebrates is striking. These similarities suggest that a common mechanism may underlie the various intermittent breathing patterns seen under physiologic conditions in all vertebrates. The conversion of continuous breathing to intermittent breathing in some fish in normoxic or hyperoxic water, as well as in squirrels entering hibernation, further suggests that both continuous and intermittent breathing are manifestations of a common control system. Although it is still too early to do more than speculate, the possibility exists that intermittent breathing may be the consequence of a reduced metabolic rate (the one factor ectotherms and hibernating and sleeping endotherms have in common) such that animals no longer need to breath continuously to meet metabolic demands. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Expression pattern of cadherins in the naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber) suggests innate cortical diversification of the cerebrum

The cerebral cortex is an indispensable region for higher cognitive function that is remarkably diverse among mammalian species. Although previous research has shown that the cortical area map in the mammalian cerebral cortex is formed by innate and activity‐dependent mechanisms, it remains unknown how these mechanisms contribute to the evolution and diversification of the functional cortical areas in various species. The naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber) is a subterranean, eusocial rodent. Physiological and anatomical studies have revealed that the visual system is regressed and the somatosensory system is enlarged. To examine whether species differences in cortical area development are caused by intrinsic factors or environmental factors, we performed comparative gene expression analysis of neonatal naked mole rat and mouse brains. The expression domain of cadherin‐6, a somatosensory marker, was expanded caudally and shifted dorsally in the cortex, whereas the expression domain of cadherin‐8, a visual marker, was reduced caudally in the neonatal naked mole rat cortex. The expression domain of cadherin‐8 was also reduced in other visual areas, such as the lateral geniculate nucleus and superior colliculus. Immunohistochemical analysis of thalamocortical fibers further suggested that somatosensory input did not affect cortical gene expression in the neonatal naked mole rat brain. These results suggest that the development of the somatosensory system and the regression of the visual system in the naked mole rat cortex are due to intrinsic genetic mechanisms as well as sensory input‐dependent mechanisms. Intrinsic genetic mechanisms thus appear to contribute to species diversity in cortical area formation. J. Comp. Neurol. 519:1736‐1747, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of cosmetic facial surgery on satisfaction with appearance and quality of life.

OBJECTIVES To assess perioperative quality-of-life (QOL) changes in a facial plastic surgery patient population and to ascertain factors determinative of QOL changes. A notable paucity of objective scientific measurements of QOL exists within the facial plastic surgery literature. METHODS A 3-year prospective cohort study. The patient population, which comprised a consecutive series of patients 16 years or older, undergoing cosmetic nasal or facial surgery, was obtained from the senior author's (P.A.A.) private surgical practice. All patients presenting for surgery were offered participation. The main outcome measure was the 59-item Derriford Appearance Scale (DAS59), a valid and reliable instrument assessing psychological distress associated with self-consciousness of facial appearance. Three patient score subgroupings were established: group 1, the DAS59 scores for all patients; group 2, the DAS59 score according to sex; and group 3, the DAS59 score according to the main surgical procedure. Surveys were administered to eligible patients at the final preoperative clinic visit and at 3 months after surgery. Data from the case-control groups were analyzed by a blinded statistician with appropriate t tests. RESULTS A total of 93 patients were enrolled with a 100% response rate (82 females [88%] and 11 males [12%]). The most common procedures were rhinoplasty (49%) and surgery for the aging face (51%). Marked differences in perioperative QOL were noted across all DAS59 domains for group 1 and for all females in group 2. Male patients in group 2 analysis experienced QOL improvement only from DAS59 domain 2 (General Self-consciousness of Facial Appearance). Rhinoplasty and surgery for the aging face improved patients' QOL but differed with respect to which DAS59 domains were affected. CONCLUSIONS Quality of life was enhanced by facial plastic surgery in this patient population. Male and female patients seem to have different needs to be met from facial cosmetic surgery and correspondingly different areas of improvement in QOL. Rhinoplasty and surgery for the aging face act on different domains of QOL.
Angina at 1 year after myocardial infarction: prevalence and associated findings.

BACKGROUND Eradication of angina is a primary goal of care after myocardial infarction (MI). However, the prevalence of angina 1 year after MI and factors associated with it are unknown. METHODS From January 1, 2003, through June 28, 2004, 2498 patients with acute MI were recruited from 19 hospitals in the United States. Among this multicenter cohort of patients, angina was measured by the Seattle Angina Questionnaire 1 year after hospitalization for MI. Multivariate regression modeling identified the sociodemographic factors, clinical history, MI presentation, inpatient treatments, and outpatient treatments associated with 1-year angina, adjusted for site. RESULTS Of 1957 patients in the cohort, 389 (19.9%) reported angina 1 year after MI. After multivariate analysis, patients with 1-year angina were more likely to be younger (relative risk [RR] per 10-year decrease, 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-1.30), to be nonwhite males (RR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.16-1.96), to have had prior angina (RR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.54-2.06), to have undergone prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (RR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.51-2.44), and to experience recurrent rest angina during their hospitalization (RR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.22-1.93). Among the outpatient variables, patients with 1-year angina were more likely to continue smoking (RR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.02-1.48), to undergo revascularization after index hospitalization (percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft) (RR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.09-1.73), and to have significant new (RR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.34-2.87), persistent (RR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.29-2.75), or transient (RR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.49-2.11) depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Angina occurs in nearly 1 of 5 patients 1 year after MI. It is associated with several modifiable factors, including persistent smoking and depressive symptoms.
Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) contributes to serum resistance and pathogenicity of Escherichia coli K-1

We examined whether outer membrane protein A (OmpA) contributes to gram-negative pathogenesis by determining the effect of mutagenesis of ompA in a virulent Escherichia coli K-1 isolate. An OmpA mutant was generated by insertion of the transposon TnphoA, which was genetically modified to increase the efficiency of its delivery by conjugation. The mutant was less virulent than its parent strain in two models of E. coli K-1 infection. Equal inocula of the OmpA+ and OmpA- strains fed to neonatal rats resulted in a sevenfold-greater incidence of bacteremia at 72 h from the OmpA+ strain. The lethal effect of the OmpA- mutant was significantly less than that of the OmpA+ parent strain when inoculated onto the chorioallantoic membrane of 10-day embryonated chick eggs. There was, however, no difference between strains in growth characteristics under physiologic conditions, either in rat serum or in unembryonated chick eggs. In the presence of a 10-day chick embryo, there was a 10-fold increase in the survival and growth of the OmpA+ strain. Correction of the mutation in ompA with an E. coli K-12 ompA gene restored a level of virulence equivalent to that of the parent strain. The ompA mutant was more sensitive to the bactericidal effect of pooled human serum by the classical pathway of complement activation. These results suggest that OmpA contributes to E. coli K-1 pathogenesis by a mechanism which may involve increased serum resistance.
Reflex Cardiovascular and Respiratory Effects of Serotonin in Conscious and Anesthetized Dogs

Cardiovascular and respiratory effects of intra-left atrial or intra-left ventricular injec-tion of serotonin were studied in conscious dogs (n = 8), anesthetized closed-chest dogs (n = 13) and anesthetized open-chest dogs (n= 9). Serotonin (50-200 /ig), injected as a bolus, resulted in an initial bradycardia and hypotension followed by a delayed tachycardia and hypertension in the conscious dogs. The hypertension was seen as an increase of 21.5 ± 2.7 (mean ± SE) nun Hg from a control pressure of 102.5 ± 1.9 mm Hg, whereas the initial decrease in pressure was 22.6 ± 1.9 mm Hg. The tachycardia was 23.3 ± 3.9 beats/min above a control heart rate of 104.9 ± 3.9 beats/min whereas the bradycardia was 58.5 ± 3.7 beats/min below control. There was a significant attenuation of the hypotension in both groups of anesthetized dogs. In fact, no hypotension was elicited in the open-chest anesthetized dogs. Open-chest anesthetized dogs showed only a hypertensive response (mean increase 67.2 ± 5.5 mm Hg). Stimulation of respiration was seen in all groups of dogs. In conscious dogs there was a 214.8 ± 15.4% increase in respiratory depth and a 20.8 ± 3.1 breaths/min increase in respiratory rate. Atropine significantly reduced the bradycardia and abolished the hypotension in conscious dogs. Bilateral cervical vagotomy did not abolish the response in open-chest anesthetized dogs. We conclude that the so-called "hypertensive coronary chemoreflex" is altered dramatically by the state of the preparation and by anesthesia. Circ Res 47: 509-515, 1980
The prevalence of abnormal metabolic parameters in obese and overweight children.

BACKGROUND This retrospective study aimed to determine the prevalence of abnormal metabolic parameters in obese children and its correlation to the degree of obesity determined by body mass index (BMI). METHODS In total, 101 children seen at the Pediatric Gastroenterology Obesity Clinic at Stony Brook Children's University Hospital were enrolled in the study. The degree of obesity was characterized according to the following formula: (patient's BMI/BMI at 95th percentile) × 100%, with class I obesity >100%-120%, class II obesity >120%-140%, and class III obesity >140%. A set of metabolic parameters was evaluated in these patients. Frequency distributions of all study variables were examined using the χ(2) test of independence. Mean differences among the obesity classes and continuous measures were examined using 1-way analysis of variance. RESULTS Within our study population, we found that 80% of our obese children had a low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level, 58% had elevated fasting insulin levels, and 32% had an elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level. Class II obese children had a 2-fold higher ALT value when compared with class I children (P = .036). Fasting insulin, ALT, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels trended with class of obesity. CONCLUSION Obese children in classes II and III are at higher risk for developing abnormal laboratory values. We recommend obese children be further classified to reflect the severity of the obesity since this has predictive significance for comorbidities. Obesity classes I, II, and III could help serve as a screening tool to help communicate risk assessment.
How to effectively manage the event of bleeding complications when using anticoagulants

Since affecting hemostasis, all the anticoagulant drugs carry a risk of bleeding. Minor bleeds may be managed without the need to reverse the anticoagulant effect, which is instead a key step to ensure efficacious hemostasis in major and life-threatening bleeding. Drug withdrawal applies to all anticoagulants. Unfractionated heparin can be neutralized by protamine, which may partly neutralize low-molecular-weight heparins. There is no antidote for fondaparinux, and recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) may be considered for critical bleeding. For vitamin K antagonists-induced major bleeding, rapid reversal with prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC) or plasma and intravenous vitamin K to confer lasting correction are recommended. PCC, activated PCC and rFVIIa are suggested for major bleeding related to new direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC), despite proper studies are lacking. Premarketing studies are ongoing on new antidotes (idarucizumab, andexanet, aripazine), which appear to be suitable for the treatment of DOAC-induced life-threatening hemorrhage.
NROM: A novel localized trapping, 2-bit nonvolatile memory cell

This paper presents a novel flash memory cell based on localized charge trapping in a dielectric layer and on a new read operation. It is based on the storage of a nominal /spl sim/400 electrons above a n/sup +//p junction. Programming is performed by channel hot electron injection and erase by tunneling enhanced hot hole injection. The new read methodology is very sensitive to the location of trapped charge above the source. This single device cell has a two physical bit storage capability. The cell shows improved erase performances, no over erase and erratic bit issues, very good retention at 250/spl deg/C, and endurance up to 1M cycles. Only four masks are added to a standard CMOS process to implement a virtual ground array. In a typical 0.35 /spl mu/m process, the area of a bit is 0.315 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ and 0.188 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ in 0.25 /spl mu/m technology. All these features and the small cell size compared to any other flash cell make this device a very attractive solution for all NVM applications.
Facilitation of noradrenaline release from sympathetic nerves through activation of ACTH receptors, β‐adrenoceptors and angiotensin II receptors

1 In rabbit pulmonary artery and left atrial strips previously incubated with [3H]‐noradrenaline, the active fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH1–24, 0.1 μm) significantly enhanced the stimulation‐induced (S‐I) outflow of radioactivity when a cocktail containing corticosterone (40 μm), cocaine (30 μm) and propranolol (4 μm) was present, but not in the absence of these drugs. In rabbit pulmonary artery a facilitatory effect of ACTH1–24 (0.1μm) was also observed when only cocaine (30 μm) was present. 2 ACTH1–24 (0.1 μm) did not affect the S‐I outflow of radioactivity from rat atria, rat pulmonary artery or guinea‐pig pulmonary artery, either in the presence or in the absence of the cocktail containing corticosterone (40 μm), cocaine (30 μm) and propranolol (4 μm). These results suggest that the presence of facilitatory prejunctional ACTH receptors may be restricted to rabbit sympathetic nerve endings. 3 Angiotensin II (0.01 μm), but not isoprenaline (0.1 μm) or ACTH1–24 (0.1μm), significantly enhanced the S‐I outflow of radioactivity from rabbit pulmonary artery. In the presence of phentolamine (1 μm) to block inhibitory α2‐adrenoceptors, the facilitatory effect of angiotensin II (0.01 μm) was significantly enhanced, and a significant facilitatory effect of isoprenaline (0.1 μm) and of ACTH1–24 (0.1 μm) was then revealed. These results suggest that feedback inhibition of noradrenaline release, mediated through the prejunctional α2‐adrenoceptor mechanism, buffers increases in noradrenaline release during activation of facilitatory prejunctional receptors. 4 In rabbit pulmonary artery, two concentrations of 8‐Br‐cyclic AMP, (270 or 540 μm), enhanced the S‐I outflow of radioactivity in the presence of phentolamine (1 μm) to a similar extent. In the presence of 8‐Br‐cyclic AMP (270 μm) and phentolamine, the facilitatory effects of isoprenaline (0.1 μm) and of ACTH1–24 (0.1 μm) were blocked, whereas that of angiotensin II (0.01 μm) was not changed. These results suggest that both prejunctional β‐adrenoceptors and ACTH receptors enhance noradrenaline release by generating cyclic AMP. The mechanism by which angiotensin II facilitates noradrenaline release is probably independent of the cyclic AMP second messenger pathway.