Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radial Glial Cell–Neuron Interaction Directs Axon Formation at the Opposite Side of the Neuron from the Contact Site

How extracellular cues direct axon–dendrite polarization in mouse developing neurons is not fully understood. Here, we report that the radial glial cell (RGC)–cortical neuron interaction directs axon formation at the opposite side of the neuron from the contact site. N-cadherin accumulates at the contact site between the RGC and cortical neuron. Inhibition of the N-cadherin-mediated adhesion decreases this oriented axon formation in vitro, and disrupts the axon–dendrite polarization in vivo. Furthermore, the RGC–neuron interaction induces the polarized distribution of active RhoA at the contacting neurite and active Rac1 at the opposite neurite. Inhibition of Rho–Rho-kinase signaling in a neuron impairs the oriented axon formation in vitro, and prevents axon–dendrite polarization in vivo. Collectively, these results suggest that the N-cadherin-mediated radial glia–neuron interaction determines the contacting neurite as the leading process for radial glia-guided neuronal migration and directs axon formation to the opposite side acting through the Rho family GTPases. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Neurons are highly polarized cell lines typically with a single axon and multiple dendrites, which underlies the ability of integrating and transmitting the information in the brain. How is the axon–dendrite polarity of neurons established in the developing neocortex? Here we show that the N-cadherin-mediated radial glial cell–neuron interaction directs axon–dendrite polarization, the radial glial cell–neuron interaction induces polarized distribution of active RhoA and active Rac1 in neurons, and Rho–Rho-kinase signaling is required for axon–dendrite polarization. Our work advances the overall understanding of how extracellular cues direct axon–dendrite polarization in mouse developing neurons.
The use of sorbitol- and xylitol-sweetened chewing gum in caries control.

BACKGROUND The author compared the caries-inhibitory action of sorbitol- and xylitol-sweetened chewing gum and assessed the role of these products in caries prevention. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED The author reviewed studies including randomized field trials with substantial numbers of participants and observational studies. He did not review case studies. He found studies through a MEDLINE search and by hand searching. RESULTS When compared with sugar-sweetened gum, sorbitol-sweetened gum had low cariogenicity [corrected] when it was chewed no more than three times per day. Xylitol-sweetened gum was noncariogenic in all of the protocols tested. Some studies claimed that xylitol-sweetened gum had an anticariogenic effect, though these claims need further study. There also is good evidence that when mothers of infants and young children chew xylitol-sweetened gum, it will block transmission of mutans streptococci from mother to child. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS The evidence is strong enough to support the regular use of xylitol-sweetened gum as a way to prevent caries, and it can be promoted as a public-health preventive measure. Chewing xylitol-sweetened gum, especially for patients who like chewing gum, can be fitted readily into a regimen that includes frequent fluoride exposure, good oral hygiene and regular dental appointments.
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia/Cardiomyopathy: Patient Outcomes, Incidence of Appropriate and Inappropriate Interventions, and Complications

Background—Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) is a cardiomyopathy characterized by ventricular arrhythmias and an abnormal right ventricle. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy may prevent sudden cardiac death in patients with ARVD/C. Currently, an overview of outcomes, appropriate and inappropriate interventions, and complications of ICD therapy in ARVD/C is lacking. Methods and Results—A literature search was performed to identify studies reporting outcome and complications in patients with ARVD/C who underwent ICD implantation. Of 641 articles screened, 24 studies on 18 cohorts were eligible for inclusion. In case of multiple publications on a cohort, the most recent publication was included in the meta-analysis. There were 610 patients (mean age, 40.4 years; 42% women), who had an ICD for primary or secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death. Risk factors for sudden cardiac death were presyncope (61%), syncope (31%), previous cardiac arrest (14%), ventricular tachycardia (58%), and ventricular fibrillation (6%). Antiarrhythmic medication consisted mostly of &bgr;-blockers (38%), amiodarone (14%), or sotalol (30%). During the 3.8-year follow-up, annualized cardiac mortality rate was 0.9%, annualized noncardiac mortality rate was 0.8%, and annualized heart transplant rate was 0.9%. The annualized appropriate and inappropriate ICD intervention rates were 9.5% and 3.7%, respectively. ICD-related complications consisted of difficult lead placement (18.4%), lead malfunction (9.8%), infection (1.4%), lead displacement (3.3%), and any complication (20.3%). Conclusions—Cardiac and noncardiac mortality rates after ICD implantation in patients with ARVD/C are low. Appropriate ICD interventions occur at a rate of 9.5%/y. Inappropriate ICD interventions and complications lead to considerable ICD-related morbidity.
Performance of urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein in acute kidney injury: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) is a proximal tubular injury candidate biomarker for early detection of acute kidney injury (AKI), with variable performance characteristics depending on clinical settings. STUDY DESIGN Meta-analysis of diagnostic test studies assessing the performance of urinary L-FABP in AKI. SETTING & POPULATION Literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov using search terms "liver-type fatty acid-binding protein" and "L-FABP. " SELECTION CRITERIA FOR STUDIES Studies of humans investigating the performance characteristics of urinary L-FABP for the early diagnosis of AKI and AKI-related outcomes, including dialysis requirement and mortality. PREDICTOR Urinary L-FABP. OUTCOMES Diagnosis of AKI, dialysis requirement, and in-hospital death. RESULTS 15 prospective cohort and 2 case-control studies were identified. Only 7 cohort studies could be meta-analyzed. The estimated sensitivity of urinary L-FABP level for the diagnosis of AKI was 74.5% (95% CI, 60.4%-84.8%), and specificity was 77.6% (95% CI, 61.5%-88.2%). The estimated sensitivity of urinary L-FABP level for predicting dialysis requirement was 69.1% (95% CI, 34.6%-90.5%), and specificity was 42.7% (95% CI, 3.1%-94.5%); for in-hospital mortality, sensitivity and specificity were 93.2% (95% CI, 66.2%-99.0%) and 78.8% (95% CI, 27.0%-97.4%), respectively. LIMITATIONS Paucity and low quality of studies, different clinical settings, and variable definitions of AKI. CONCLUSIONS Although urinary L-FABP may be a promising biomarker for early detection of AKI and prediction of dialysis requirement and in-hospital mortality, its potential value needs to be validated in large studies and across a broader spectrum of clinical settings.
[Influence of group training on pulse wave velocity in elderly women].

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of our designed group training on pulse wave velocity in elderly women. METHOD Eighty six elderly women were assigned to two groups randomly; an intervention group (69.8 +/- 7.2 yrs) and a control group (68.9 +/- 7.3 yrs). In the intervention group, subjects participated in 90-min group training twice a week for 12 weeks. Our designed training program included recreational activities, six to eight resistance exercises for circuit training using rubber tubes and light weight dumbbells, and chair-based aerobic exercise. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and the brachial-to-ankle pulse-wave velocity (baPWV) were obtained in the supine position. Functional fitness with regard to standing, walking, hand work, and self-care was also measured. RESULTS Changes in ratios of SBP, DBP and baPWV between before and after the intervention were - 3.3 +/- 8.4%, - 4.3 +/- 7.8%, and - 8.9 +/- 5.0% for the intervention group, and 1.7 +/- 7.9%, 0.9 +/- 7.7%, and 0.2 +/- 5.4% for the control group. The differences between the two groups were significant (P < 0.01). Change in ratios for standing and self-care also significantly differed (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION These results suggested that our designed group training for elderly women improves arterial function and functional fitness.
Influence of Air Pollutants on Allergic Sensitization: The Paradox of Increased Allergies and Decreased Resistance to Infection

Air pollution has long been associated with health risks such as increased susceptibility to respiratory infections and potentiation of asthmatic-type responses. Experimental evidence in rodents indicates that air pollutants including diesel exhaust particles (DEPs), gases, and metals cause lung injury, inflammation, reduce aspects of host defense, and may potentiate allergic airway responses. Here we present evidence that diesel exhaust particles delivered by inhalation or aspiration can exacerbate allergic lung disease depending on the material’s chemical properties. Genomic analysis of mouse lungs following instillation or inhalation of DEPs shows an alteration spectrum of pathways associated with immune signaling, cell metabolism, and oxidative stress. Diesel exposure also may worsen respiratory infections through depression of protective immune responses. Here we show that mice exposed to diesel and co-infected with influenza had increased influenza virus titers as well as higher levels of lung injury and inflammation in association with increased Th2 cytokines, and a concomitant decrease in Th1 polarization. A simplified model explains how the potentiation of the Th2 arm of immunity by diesel exhaust results in increased allergic sensitization, whereas cell-mediated (protective) immunity against viral infections is simultaneously reduced.
Locally adaptive MR intensity models and MRF-based segmentation of multiple sclerosis lesions

Neuroimaging biomarkers are an important paraclinical tool used to characterize a number of neurological diseases, however, their extraction requires accurate and reliable segmentation of normal and pathological brain structures. For MR images of healthy brains the intensity models of normal-appearing brain tissue (NABT) in combination with Markov random field (MRF) models are known to give reliable and smooth NABT segmentation. However, the presence of pathology, MR intensity bias and natural tissue-dependent intensity variability altogether represent difficult challenges for a reliable estimation of NABT intensity model based on MR images. In this paper, we propose a novel method for segmentation of normal and pathological structures in brain MR images of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients that is based on locally-adaptive NABT model, a robust method for the estimation of model parameters and a MRF-based segmentation framework. Experiments on multi-sequence brain MR images of 27 MS patients show that, compared to whole-brain model and compared to the widely used Expectation-Maximization Segmentation (EMS) method, the locally-adaptive NABT model increases the accuracy of MS lesion segmentation.
Assessing coral stress responses using molecular biomarkers of gene transcription

We present a method for detecting rapid changes in coral gene expressionat the messenger ribonucleicacid (mRNA) level. The staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis was exposed to 1 and 10 μg/L permethrin and 25 and 50 μg/L copper for 4 h. Using differential display polymerase chain reaction (PCR), mRNA associated with each toxicant exposure were reverse transcribed into complementary DNA (cDNA) fragments that were subsequently amplified and isolated. Six differentially expressed cDNA fragments were further developed into molecular probes that were used in Northern dot blots to determine the change in transcription levels of target transcripts. Changes in mRNA abundance were quantified by densitometry of chemiluminescence of digoxigenin‐labeled probes hybridizing to target mRNA transcripts. The six gene probes showed varying degrees of sensitivity to the toxicants as well as specificity between toxicants. These probes were hybridized in Southern blots to genomic DNA from A. formosa sperm, which lacks zooxanthellae, to demonstrate that the genes coding for the mRNA transcripts produced are found within the coral genome. The gene probes developed in this study provide coral biologists with a new tool for coral assessment. Gene probes are sensitive, toxicant‐specific biomarkers of coral stress responses with which gene sequence information can be obtained, providing a mechanism for identifying the stressor altering the gene expression.
Mast Cells and Wound Healing.

BACKGROUND Mast cells (MC) are ubiquitous resident cells, traditionally viewed as effector cells of allergic reactions that can store and synthesize de novo many mediators upon activation by a variety of stimuli. Exciting new insights are unveiling MC involvement in the pathogenesis of connective tissue disorders including wound healing and fibrosis. THE PROBLEM Abnormal wound repair is associated with an increased number of MC strategically located around blood vessels. Therapeutic local manipulation of MC population and reactivity may help improve and even prevent impaired repair processes for which there is no cure. BASIC/CLINICAL SCIENCE ADVANCES Chymase, a MC-restricted protease, is pre-stored in MC cytoplasmic granules with other mediators. The development of a highly specific inhibitor targeting chymase established its pivotal effect on fibrosis pathogenesis in a mouse model of silica-induced fibrosis. This novel finding evokes the potential therapeutic relevance of chymase inhibition to prevent aberrant wound healing. CLINICAL CARE RELEVANCE MC are increased in number in a variety of fibrotic diseases, compared to normal scars. Chymase has become a rising target prompting the development of chymase-specific inhibitors to be used as prophylactic or therapeutic agents. Another emerging strategy may consist in evaluating the efficacy of mast cell stabilizing drugs such as cromolyn in abnormal wound healing-drugs which are already approved for human use in other MC-driven disorders. CONCLUSION Limited treatment success of dysregulated wound healing underscores the need for novel targets be considered such as MC and/or MC-derived mediators and the necessity to design new therapeutic strategies for wounds that remain difficult to treat.
INFLUENCE OF SOME LOCAL ANESTHETICS UPON THE ADRENALINE CONTRACTION OF ISOLATED STRIPS OF RABBIT AORTA.

Several local anesthetic agents have been tested for their ability to counteract adrenaline-and noradrenaline-induced contractions of the spirally cut strip of rabbit aorta. The method used includes a calibrated spiral spring arrangement attached to a conventional strain gauge transducer. This device which is very useful also for several other isolated organs, is described in detail. All the local anesthetics tested possess anti-adrenaline activity in appropropiate concentrations (1–3 mM), but procaine, mepivacaine and o-methyl-α-propylamino-propionanilide (L 67) are about 5 times more active than lidocaine and cocaine in this respect. The antagonism is non-specific in nature and contractions induced by histamine are counteracted in a similar manner. The results are discussed in relation to the known anesthetic properties of the agents. The conclusion is drawn that the non-specific anti-adrenaline action varies independently of the local anesthetic effect as measured in vitro on the isolated nerve preparation.
Study of the outcome of patients transferred to a level I hospital after stabilization at an outlying hospital in a rural setting.

OBJECTIVE To determine the characteristics and outcome of transferred trauma patients in a rural setting. METHODS We conducted a case-control study of all trauma admissions to a rural Level I trauma center to examine a 3.5-year (1993-1996) comparison of trauma patients admitted directly with those transferred (RTTP) after being initially stabilized at an outlying hospital. We used prehospital times, Injury Severity Score (ISS), LD50ISS (the ISS at which 50% of patients died), Revised Trauma Score, probability of survival, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, and observed survival as main outcome measures. RESULTS RTTPs (39.4%) spent an average of 182+/-139 minutes at the outlying hospital and 72+/-42 minutes in transport to the trauma center. Proportionately more head/neck and patients with multiple injuries composed the RTTP group. The RTTP were more severely injured (ISS 11.1+/-8.5; Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II 16.2+/-5.8; Revised Trauma Score 7.44+/-1.1) than the trauma patients admitted directly (ISS 7.9+/-5.3; Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II 13.1+/-6.3; Revised Trauma Score 7.8+/-0.4; p < 0.05). However, both groups had the same LD50ISS (ISS = 35). When logistic regression was applied with death as the dependent variable, both ISS and age contributed significantly (p = 0.0001) but transfer status did not (p = 0.473). CONCLUSION Rural trauma centers admit a high percentage of RTTP. These RTTP have a higher injury severity and acuity than their trauma patients admitted directly counterparts. Trauma care in rural areas that involves initial stabilization at outlying hospitals does not adversely affect mortality.
Inflammatory breast metastases of ovarian cancer: a case report.

BACKGROUND Metastasis to the breast from extramammary malignancies is rare. CASE A 35-year-old woman presented with bilaterally inflammatory breast involvement, 2 years after the diagnosis of stage IIIC epithelial ovarian cancer. Neoplastic tissue was immunohistochemically positive using antibodies against OC125 and negative for gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 (BRST-2) and estrogen receptor in biopsy material in the breast. Combination chemotherapy consisting of paclitaxel, cisplatin, and anthracycline was started. She died 18 months after the breast metastasis. CONCLUSION Ovarian carcinoma usually presents with signs and symptoms related to the tumor burden within the abdominal cavity. The finding of isolated, distant metastases such as breast involvement without intraabdominal disease is extremely rare. Determining the origin of the primary tumor is important in directing the actual therapy.
Statins, Glucocorticoids, and Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: Their Influence on Implant Healing

This article aimed at exploring the effects of common systemic medications used in the United States and their effects on periimplant bone healing. An electronic search for articles evaluating the influence of systemic medications on periimplant bone healing was conducted using the PubMed (MEDLINE) database. Statins, when administered locally or systemically, were found to increase bone formation and density. A reduction in bone turnover and bone-to-implant contact was observed in animal models examining the effect of glucocorticoids on periimplant bone healing. Continued use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during or after implant placement was associated with reduced bone-to-implant contact, bone area, and bone density. Evidence seems to suggest that statins improve implant osseointegration. However, glucocorticoids and NSAIDs showed conflicting results. Therefore, more randomized clinical trials are needed to validate the effect of glucocorticoids and NSAIDs on periimplant bone healing.
Inhibitory Effects of Volatile Anesthetics on K+ and Cl− Channel Currents in Porcine Tracheal and Bronchial Smooth Muscle

Background K+ and Ca2+-activated Cl− (ClCa) channel currents have been shown to contribute to the alteration of membrane electrical activity in airway smooth muscle. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of volatile anesthetics, which are potent bronchodilators, on the activities of these channels in porcine tracheal and bronchial smooth muscles. Methods Whole-cell patch clamp recording techniques were used to investigate the effects of superfused isoflurane (0–1.5 minimum alveolar concentration) or sevoflurane (0–1.5 minimum alveolar concentration) on K+ and ClCa channel currents in dispersed smooth muscle cells. Results Isoflurane and sevoflurane inhibited whole-cell K+ currents to a greater degree in tracheal versus bronchial smooth muscle cells. More than 60% of the total K+ currents in tracheal smooth muscle appeared to be mediated through delayed rectifier K+ channels compared with less than 40% in bronchial smooth muscle. The inhibitory effects of the anesthetics were greater on the delayed rectifier K+ channels than on the remaining K+ channels. Cl− currents through ClCa channels were significantly inhibited by the anesthetics. The inhibitory potencies of the anesthetics on the ClCa channels were not different in tracheal and bronchial smooth muscle cells. Conclusions Volatile anesthetics isoflurane and sevoflurane significantly inhibited Cl− currents through ClCa channels, and the inhibitory effect is consistent with the relaxant effect of volatile anesthetics in airway smooth muscle. Different distributions and different anesthetic sensitivities of K+ channel subtypes could play a role in the different inhibitory effects of the anesthetics on tracheal and bronchial smooth muscle contractions.
Real Exchange Rate Misalignment of Asian Currencies

This paper examines the size of real exchange rate (RER) misalignment in seven developing Asian counties and Japan. An analytical framework is developed to estimate the equilibrium RERs, which are then used to derive the RER misalignments. The estimation results from the model indicate that RERs have been misaligned in most of the Asian countries during the sample period, although not to the extent claimed in some studies. The real exchange behaviour in these countries is mostly consistent with the economic fundamentals and the magnitude of measured RER misalignment is not alarming.
Seasonal Metabolic Acclimatization Varies in Direction and Magnitude among Populations of an Afrotropical Passerine Bird

Avian metabolic responses demonstrate considerable diversity under fluctuating environmental conditions, a well-studied example being the seasonal upregulation of basal metabolic rate (BMR) and summit metabolism (Msum) in temperate species experiencing harsh winters. Fewer studies have examined seasonal metabolic acclimatization in subtropical or tropical species. We investigated seasonal metabolic variation in an Afrotropical ploceid passerine, the white-browed sparrow-weaver (Plocepasser mahali; ∼47 g), at three sites along a climatic gradient of approximately 7°C in winter minimum air temperature (Ta). We measured Msum (n ≥ 10 per site per season) in a helox atmosphere, BMR of the same birds at thermoneutrality (Ta ≈ 30°C), and resting metabolic rates at 5°C ≤ Ta ≤ 20°C. Patterns of seasonal adjustments in BMR varied among populations in a manner not solely related to variation in seasonal Ta extremes, ranging from BMR ∼52% higher in winter than in summer to no seasonal difference. Greater cold tolerance was found in a population at a colder desert site, manifested as higher Msum (∼25% higher) and lower helox temperature at cold limit values compared with a milder, mesic site. Our results lend support to the idea that greater variance in the pattern of seasonal metabolic responses occurs in subtropical and tropical species compared with their temperate-zone counterparts and that factors other than Ta extremes (e.g., food availability) may be important in determining the magnitude and direction of seasonal metabolic adjustments in subtropical birds.