Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Abnormal reorganization of preplate neurons and their associated extracellular matrix: An early manifestation of altered neocortical development in the reeler mutant mouse

The formation of the distinct layers of the cerebral cortex begins when cortical plate neurons take up positions within the extracellular matrix (ECM)‐rich preplate, dividing it into the marginal zone above and the subplate below. We have analyzed this process in the reeler mutant mouse, in which cortical lamination is severely disrupted. The recent observation that the product of the reeler gene is an ECM‐like protein that is expressed by cells of the marginal zone indicates a critical role for ECM in cortical lamination. We have found that preplate cells in normal cortex that are tagged during their terminal division with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) are closely associated with chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), which were identified by immunolabeling; this association is maintained in the marginal zone and subplate after the preplate is divided by cortical plate formation. Cortical plate cells do not aggregate within the preplate in reeler; instead, preplate cells remain as an undivided superficial layer containing abundant CSPGs, and cortical plate neurons accumulate below them. These findings indicate that preplate cells are responsible for the formation of a localized ECM, because the association of CSPGs with preplate cells is maintained even when these cells are in abnormal positions. The failure of cortical plate neurons to aggregate within the framework of the preplate and its associated ECM and to divide it is one of the earliest structural abnormalities detectable in reeler cortex, suggesting that this step is important for the subsequent formation of cortical layers. J. Comp. Neurol. 378:173–179, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Changes in the prevalence of nasal colonization with Staphylococcus aureus in the United States, 2001-2004.

BACKGROUND Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of infection, particularly in persons colonized by this organism. Virulent strains of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) have emerged in the general community. METHODS A nationally representative survey of nasal colonization with S. aureus was conducted from 2001 through 2004 as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. MRSA isolates were identified by the oxacillin disk-diffusion method. The pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) type was determined for all MRSA isolates. A t statistic was used to compare the prevalence of colonization across biennia and across population subgroups. Cofactors independently associated with colonization were determined with backward stepwise logistic modeling. RESULTS The prevalence of colonization with S. aureus decreased from 32.4% in 2001-2002 to 28.6% in 2003-2004 (P < .01), whereas the prevalence of colonization with MRSA increased from 0.8% to 1.5% (P < .05). Colonization with MRSA was independently associated with healthcare exposure in males and with having been born in the United States, age > or =60 years, diabetes, and poverty in females. In 2003-2004, a total of 19.7% (95% confidence interval, 12.4%-28.8%) of MRSA-colonized persons carried a PFGE type associated with community transmission. CONCLUSIONS Nasal colonization with MRSA has increased in the United States, despite an overall decrease in nasal colonization with S. aureus. PFGE types associated with community transmission only partially account for the increase in MRSA colonization.
Interferometric technique for microwave measurement of high impedances

An interferometric technique for accurate and broadband measurement of microwave impedances is proposed. The method is based on the association of a vector network analyzer and a precise interferometer built up with a power divider, a phase-shifter and an attenuator. Advantages such as simplicity of operation, broadband operation and high accuracy are achieved. The technique can be applied in a wide range of applications. In particular, an experimental demonstration of a near-field microwave microscope operating in liquid media is proposed.
Corneal Refractive Therapy, Uncorrected Visual Acuity, and “E” Values: Personal Experiences

Purpose. The author describes selected aspects of his clinical experience in fitting and prescribing orthokeratology lenses to temporarily reduce or eliminate myopia. The precision of videokeratography (VK) data in determining corneal sagittal depth is examined. Treatment outcomes are analyzed after overnight wear of two proprietary corneal remodeling systems. Two case reports describing off-label treatments are presented. Methods. A retrospective analysis was performed of the baseline VK data of 25 consecutive candidates (50 eyes) for corneal remodeling, captured with a Keratron topographer. Sixteen consecutive patients fitted with Paragon corneal refractive therapy (CRT) lenses were compared against an age- and sex-matched group of patients fitted with the Mountford BE lens for 1-day, 1-week, and 1-month uncorrected visual acuity. Results. The mean ± SD of the apical radius (“Ro”) and corneal eccentricity (“E”) values was 0.03 ± 0.01 mm and 0.03 ± 0.01°, respectively, indicating a spread of 24 μm in the sagittal elevation data. Mean target myopia and 1-day uncorrected visual acuity were −1.71 ± 0.71 diopters and 20/20 ± 20/0.86, respectively, for the Paragon CRT lenses and −2.30 ± 0.89 diopters and 20/31 ± 20/20.6, respectively, for the Mountford BE lenses. Conclusions. The Paragon CRT and the Mountford BE lenses delivered impressive reductions in uncorrected visual acuity after the first night of overnight wear. The Paragon CRT lens had the advantage of not requiring a previous overnight lens trial before commencing the treatment program.
Die Zitationshäufigkeit als Qualitätsindikator im Rahmen der Forschungsleistungsmessung

Dieser Beitrag widmet sich den Problemen und Anwendungsfeldern der Forschungsleistungsmessung mit Hilfe von Zitationen. Dazu ist zunachst grundlegend zu klaren, weshalb Zitationen als Indikator fur Forschungsleistung geeignet sind und wo die Grenzen dieses Konzepts liegen. Darauf aufbauend sollen die gangigen Methoden zur Erstellung wissenschaftlicher Rankings vorgestellt und kritisch bewertet werden. Dabei stellt sich heraus, dass fur eine deutschsprachige Sozialwissenschaft wie die Betriebswirtschaftslehre, an deren Beispiel in diesem Beitrag argumentiert wird, zahlreiche Besonderheiten zu berucksichtigen sind. Bei der Wahl der geeigneten Rankingmethode muss bedacht werden, dass die Publikationen z. T. in deutscher Sprache erscheinen und neben wissenschaftlichen Zeitschriften auch Monographien und Sammelbande wichtige Publikationsmedien sind. Bei Berucksichtigung dessen lasst sich folgern, dass zitationsbasierte Verfahren trotz ihrer spezifischen Schwachen die fur viele Zwecke am besten geeignete Methodik darstellen.
Contrôle moléculaire de la croissance sous déficit hydrique : analyse cinématique et régulation de l'expression des aquaporines TIP1 dans l'apex de la racine du peuplier

Cette etude porte sur le controle moleculaire de l'expansion cellulaire dans l'apex de la racine du peuplier. L'etude a ete focalisee sur la regulation de l'expression des aquaporines TIP1s sous deux niveaux de deficit hydrique. Un cadre conceptuel, combinant analyse de la densite de transcrits a haute resolution spatiale et un formalisme de la mecanique des fluides, a ete etabli pour decrire la regulation de l'expression des genes dans le temps et l'espace, le long de l'apex. Deux etats de croissance contrastes ont ete etudies : un ou la croissance de l'apex de la racine est retablie (apres 3 jours de stress modere, 80 mosmol kg-1, 100 g L-1 de polyethylene glycol PEG a 3500 g mol-1) et un ou elle est reduite (apres 3 jours de stress fort, 250 mosmol kg-1, 200 g L-1 de PEG). L'analyse cinematique a revele une sensibilite differentielle de la vitesse d'allongement relatif (REGR) selon le niveau de stress et la position le long de l'apex. Au niveau moleculaire, nous montrons que lorsque la croissance est reduite, les pics de densite de transcrits des TIP1s sont plus forts et decales dans les premiers millimetres de l'apex, zone ou la croissance des cellules est maintenue. Cependant les niveaux d'induction/repression n'etaient jamais plus eleves que dans la condition temoin, soulignant qu'une forte densite de transcrits n'est pas forcement synonyme d'une forte induction de l'expression. Focalise sur la combinaison de deux processus dynamiques, l'expansion cellulaire et l'expression des genes, cette etude a mis en evidence que les conclusions tirees de l'analyse de ces processus sont influencees par la facon dont le temps, l'espace sont consideres
Molar-Based Targeted Metabolic Profiling of Cyanobacterial Strains with Potential for Biological Production

Recently, cyanobacteria have become one of the most attractive hosts for biochemical production due to its high proliferative ability and ease of genetic manipulation. Several researches aimed at biological production using modified cyanobacteria have been reported previously. However, to improve the yield of bioproducts, a thorough understanding of the intercellular metabolism of cyanobacteria is necessary. Metabolic profiling techniques have proven to be powerful tools for monitoring cellular metabolism of various organisms and can be applied to elucidate the details of cyanobacterial metabolism. In this study, we constructed a metabolic profiling method for cyanobacteria using 13C-labeled cell extracts as internal standards. Using this method, absolute concentrations of 84 metabolites were successfully determined in three cyanobacterial strains which are commonly used as background strains for metabolic engineering. By comparing the differences in basic metabolic potentials of the three cyanobacterial strains, we found a well-correlated relationship between intracellular energy state and growth in cyanobacteria. By integrating our results with the previously reported biological production pathways in cyanobacteria, we found putative limiting step of carbon flux. The information obtained from this study will not only help gain insights in cyanobacterial physiology but also serve as a foundation for future metabolic engineering studies using cyanobacteria.
Rapid resolution of suicidal ideation after a single infusion of an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist in patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder.

OBJECTIVE Suicidal ideation is a medical emergency, especially when severe. Little research has been done on pharmacologic interventions that could address this problem. Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-asparate antagonist, has been reported to have antidepressant effects within hours. We examined the effects of a single dose of ketamine on suicidal ideation in subjects with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD). METHOD Thirty-three subjects with DSM-IV-diagnosed MDD received a single open-label infusion of ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) and were rated at baseline and at 40, 80, 120, and 230 minutes postinfusion with the Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI), the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory. The study was conducted between October 2006 and January 2009. RESULTS Suicidal ideation scores decreased significantly on the SSI as well as on the suicide subscales of other rating instruments within 40 minutes; these decreases remained significant through the first 4 hours postinfusion (P < .001). Ten subjects (30%) had an SSI score ≥ 4 at baseline; all these scores dropped below 4 (9 dropped by 40 minutes and 1 by 80 minutes). For those patients with a starting score below 4 on the SSI, only 1 reached a score of 4. Depression, anxiety, and hopelessness were significantly improved at all time points (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Suicidal ideation in the context of MDD improved within 40 minutes of a ketamine infusion and remained improved for up to 4 hours postinfusion. Future studies with ketamine in suicidal ideation are warranted due to the potential impact on public health. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00088699.
A comparative study of intrathecal clonidine and dexmedetomidine on characteristics of bupivacaine spinal block for lower limb surgeries

Introduction: Intrathecal clonidine or dexmedetomidine has improved the quality of spinal anesthesia, this clinical study was undertaken to assess the behavior of intrathecal clonidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in augmenting sensory block in patients undergoing lower limb surgeries. Materials and Methods: We studied 150 patients, between 18 and 60 years of age, patients were randomly divided into three groups of 50 each Group B: 0.5% bupivacaine 15 mg + 0.5 ml normal saline Group C: 0.5% bupivacaine 15 mg + 50 μg clonidine Group D: 0.5% bupivacaine 15 mg + 5 μg dexmedetomidine. Onset and duration of sensory block and motor block, the highest level of sensory blockade, duration of analgesia, and side-effects were assessed. Results: The onset of motor block was faster in Group C and Group D as compared to Group B, The time to reach Bromage scale 3 was fastest in Group C followed by Group D P < 0.001. The duration of sensory, motor blockade and duration of analgesia was longer in Groups C and D as compared to Group B, longest in Group D followed by C and B. The time to regression time to S1 dermatome was. It was longest in Group D followed by Group C and then Group B. Intergroup comparison B to C, B to D and C to D was significant. Duration of analgesia was significantly prolonged in Group C and Group D (P < 0.001) with a mean duration of 309.6 ± 50.99 min in Group C and 336.8 ± 55.38 min in Group D as compared to 204.8 ± 16.81 min in Group B. Intergroup comparison B to C, B to D and Group C to D was significant. Duration was longest in Group D followed by Group C and then Group B. Conclusion: Supplementation of bupivacaine spinal block with a low dose of intrathecal dexmedetomidine (5 μg) or clonidine (50 μg) produces a significantly shorter onset of motor and sensory block and a significantly longer sensory and motor block than bupivacaine alone.
Developmental expression of neural cell adhesion molecules in the mouse neocortex and olfactory bulb

Polyclonal antibodies to N‐CAM and L1 and monoclonal antibodies to epitopes of N‐CAM (designated 12F11, 8A2, and 12F8) were used to investigate the spatial and temporal distribution of these neural cell adhesion molecules during the development of mouse cortex and olfactory bulb. The aim of the study was to correlate developmental events such as cell migration, dendritic and axonal outgrowth, and synaptogenesis with the appearance and disappearance of specific molecules involved in cell‐cell interactions. Western transfer studies indicated that 12F8 antibody recognized polysialic acid found on embryonic N‐CAM; 8A2 antibody primarily recognized the 140 kD component of N‐CAM while the 12F11 antibody recognized the 180 and the 140 kD forms. The study demonstrates a high degree of cell surface molecular specialization of different compartments in developing neocortex and olfactory bulb. L1 is found on a variety of unmyelinated fiber tracts including thalamocortical fibers, olfactory nerve, and inner plexiform layer of the olfactory bulb. In contrast, N‐CAM epitope recognized by 12F11 antibody is present on olfactory nerve fibers but appears later and is much weaker than L1 on thalamocortical fibers and is absent from the olfactory lobe inner plexiform layer. Dendritic regions are best labeled by 12F8 antibody; the epitope becomes faint in adult cortex but remains strongly expressed in olfactory bulb. This study reveals that widespread N‐CAM expression in the central nervous system is constituted by a diversity of local expression of different molecular forms of N‐CAM; their different anatomical distributions suggest they may each have unique roles.
E2F1 Promotes Cytokine Mediated Cell Survival via a Mechanism That Is Separable from Its Cell Cycle Regulatory Effects

Cytokines are important regulators of lymphocyte proliferation and survival during immune responses. The retinoblastoma pathway constitutes an important intracellular network that forms the basis of cell cycle regulation and cellular proliferation in all mammalian cells. Transcription factors of the E2F family form a central component of this pathway, and represent important targets for activation by mitogenic cytokines such as interleukin‐2 (IL‐2). We have previously described a model for study of the E2F1 transcription factor by stable overexpression in the cytokine‐dependent lymphoid progenitor cell line BaF‐B03. In this model of IL‐2 receptor signalling, E2F1 overexpressing BaF‐B03 cells exhibit cytokine‐independent cellular proliferation and survival, thereby supporting the concept that E2F activation is a critical step in the genesis of clonal expansion of antigen‐primed lymphocytes. Here, we provide evidence linking E2F1 to a serum‐dependent cell survival pathway that is separable from its cell cycle regulatory effects. Our data show that the serum glycerophospholipid lysophosphatidic acid is capable of mediating this survival effect via a mechanism that is sensitive to chemical inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase. IL‐2 mediated cell survival, but not cell cycle progression, is dependent upon this serum‐dependent cell survival pathway. The findings presented here provide an insight into how mitogenic cytokines such as IL‐2 regulate the apparently separate processes of lymphocyte proliferation and survival via recruitment of the retinoblastoma pathway.
Early treatment with parenteral penicillin in meningococcal disease.

OBJECTIVE--To measure the effect of parenteral antibiotics given before admission to hospital on mortality and on bacteriological investigations in meningococcal disease. DESIGN--Retrospective review of hospital notes and laboratory and public health medicine department records. SETTING--Three health districts in south west England. SUBJECTS--Patients with meningococcal disease in Gloucester district presenting between 1 January 1982 and 31 December 1991 (n = 190); patients with meningococcal disease in Plymouth (n = 118) and Bath (n = 73) districts presenting between 1 January 1988 and 31 December 1991 (total = 381). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Number of deaths from meningococcal disease. RESULTS--Parenteral antibiotic given by general practitioners was associated with a substantial reduction in mortality (from 9% to 5%; relative risk 0.6, 95% confidence interval 0.2 to 1.5); patients with a rash were more likely to be given parenteral antibiotics, and mortality was further reduced (from 12% to 5%; 0.5, 0.2 to 1.4). In a district where such treatment was regularly encouraged its use increased from 5% to 40% of cases over 10 years (p = 0.00001). Treatment with parenteral antibiotics before admission made isolation of meningococci from blood and cerebrospinal fluid less likely but did not affect nasopharyngeal cultures. CONCLUSIONS--General practitioners should carry benzylpenicillin in their emergency bags at all times and should administer it promptly, preferably intravenously, whenever meningococcal disease is suspected, unless the patient has had an anaphylactic reaction to penicillin. Specimens for culture should include a nasopharyngeal swab.
The electroretinogram of the rhodopsin knockout mouse

The electroretinogram (ERG) of the rhodopsin knockout (rho−/−) mouse of Humphries et al. (1997) (Humphries et al., 1997) was studied for evidence of light-evoked rod activity and to describe the cone function. The rho−/− retina develops normal numbers of rod and cone nuclei, but the rods have no outer segments, and no rhodopsin is found by immunohistochemistry. The dark-adapted ERG threshold was elevated 4.7 log units above wild-type (WT) control mice, indicating that any residual rod responses were reduced >50,000-fold, consistent with a complete functional knockout. The dark-adapted rho−/− ERG had a cone waveform, and the spectral sensitivity peaked near 510 nm for both dark-adapted and light-adapted conditions, without evidence of a Purkinje shift. The light-adapted ERG b-wave amplitude of young rho−/− mice was the same as WT. The amplitude remained steady up to postnatal day P47, but thereafter it declined to only 1–2% by P80 when no cone outer segments remained. Cone b-wave threshold of dark-adapted rho−/− mice was −1.07 ± 0.39 log cd-s/m2 (n = 17), which is 1.27 log units more sensitive than light-adapted thresholds against a rod-suppressing Ganzfeld background of 1.61 log scotopic cd/m2. This indicates that dark-adapted WT responses to still dimmer stimuli are exclusively rod driven with minimal cone intrusion. Above this cone threshold intensity, the dark-adapted b-wave of WT will be a summation of rod and cone responses. Threshold versus intensity (TVI) studies gave no evidence of a rod influence on the mouse cone b-wave.
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors and breastfeeding: a systematic review

The postnatal period represents a critical phase for mothers because of physiological hormonal changes, the increase of emotional reactions and a greater susceptibility for the onset/recrudescence of psychiatric disorders. Despite the evidence of an increasing utilization of antidepressant drugs during breastfeeding, there is still few reliable information on the neonatal safety of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective noradrenergic reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) [serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs)] in nursing mothers. The aim of this study is to provide a systematic review on the neonatal safety profile of these drugs during breastfeeding, also assessing the limits of available tools.
Upregulation of miR-199a/b contributes to cisplatin resistance via Wnt/β-catenin-ABCG2 signaling pathway in ALDHA1+ colorectal cancer stem cells

Cisplatin resistance in colorectal cancer largely results from the colorectal cancer stem cells which could be targeted to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy. MicroRNAs are possible modulators of cancer stem cell characteristics and maybe involved in the retention of cancer stem cell chemoresistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the biological function of miR-199a/b on cisplatin resistance in colorectal cancer stem cells and its related mechanisms. Here, ALDHA1+ cells from primary colorectal cancer tissues behaved similar to cancer stem cells and were chemoresistant to cisplatin. The presence of a variable fraction of ALDHA1 was detected in 9 out of 10 colorectal cancer specimens. Significantly, increased miR-199a/b expression was detected in ALDHA1+ colorectal cancer stem cells, accompanied by a downregulation of Gsk3β and an overexpression of β-catenin and ABCG2. In patient cohort, enhanced miR-199a/b expression in colorectal cancer tissues was associated with cisplatin response and poor patient survival. In addition, 80% of colorectal cancer samples showed lower level of Gsk3β than their adjacent normal counterparts. Furthermore, Gsk3β was the direct target of miR-199a/b. MiR-199a/b regulated Wnt/β-catenin pathway by targeting Gsk3β in ALDHA1+ colorectal cancer stem cells. By blocking Wnt/β-catenin pathway, we implied that ABCG2 lies downstream of Wnt/β-catenin pathway. ABCG2 was further demonstrated to contribute cisplatin resistance in ALDHA1+ colorectal cancer stem cells and can be regulated by miR-199a/b. Thus, our data suggested that upregulation of miR-199a/b in ALDHA1+ colorectal cancer stem cells contributed to cisplatin resistance via Wnt/β-catenin-ABCG2 signaling, which sheds new light on understanding the mechanism of cisplatin resistance in colorectal cancer stem cells and facilitates the development of potential therapeutics against colorectal cancer.