Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The gamma-aminobutyric acid-B receptor agonist baclofen attenuates responding for ethanol in ethanol-dependent rats.

BACKGROUND Gamma-aminobutyric acid-B (GABA(B)) receptor agonists have been shown to suppress operant self-administration of ethanol in nondependent rats. However, little work has focused on the effects of GABA(B) receptor agonists on self-administration of ethanol in dependent animals. METHODS In the present experiment, the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen was tested for the ability to modulate both fixed- (FR) and progressive-ratio (PR) responding for ethanol in rats while nondependent and subsequently after ethanol dependence induction. Following the acquisition and stabilization of baseline operant ethanol self-administration and after dependence induction, baclofen [0.0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (IP)] was tested on FR-1 responding for ethanol. The ability of baclofen (2.0 mg/kg) to affect responding under a PR schedule of reinforcement was also evaluated. Dependence was induced in the animals by subjecting them to a 1-month intermittent vapor-exposure period in which animals were exposed to ethanol vapor for 14 h/d. Following the 1-month period, the vapor-exposed animals resumed FR-1 and PR baclofen drug testing (doses as described above) in the operant chambers at a time point corresponding to the animals being 6 hours into withdrawal (i.e., 6 hours after the ethanol vapor had been discontinued for that day). RESULTS Baclofen (0.0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg, IP) dose-dependently decreased ethanol self-administration in both nondependent and dependent rats on a FR schedule of reinforcement. However, the dose of baclofen that significantly reduced responding for ethanol was shifted to the left in the ethanol vapor-exposed animals, indicating an increased sensitivity to baclofen in animals that were chronically exposed to ethanol. When tested using a PR schedule of reinforcement, there was a significant increase in the breakpoint for the vapor-exposed animals (i.e., the animals were willing to work more in a dependent state). Baclofen (2.0 mg/kg, IP) suppressed intake for both nondependent and dependent animals. CONCLUSIONS Ethanol dependence produced increased self-administration of ethanol as reflected in increased ethanol intake and increased responding on a PR schedule of reinforcement. As baclofen suppressed ethanol self-administration and showed evidence of increased potency in dependent animals, the present experiment suggests that the GABA(B) receptor could be a potential pharmacotherapeutic target for the treatment of chronic alcoholism.
The Structural Determinants of Recovery in Wernicke′s Aphasia

Recovery of comprehension and total language in 22 Wernicke's aphasics was correlated with lesion size and extent of involvement of certain structures on CT. Recovery rates and outcomes were separately examined using 0-3 months and 0-12 months poststroke language data. Quantitative measures of structural damage were regressed on total aphasia and comprehension outcome measures. Supramarginal and angular gyri appeared to be the most significant structures in recovery in addition to initial severity and lesion size. This was confirmed by using ANOVA to compare the extent of involvement in each postcentral structure among the poor, moderate, and good recovery groups. The superior temporal and middle temporal gyri are less involved in the good recovery group. Structures posteriorly adjacent to Wernicke's area are important for compensation in Wernicke's aphasia and in the accompanying comprehension deficit. Persisting Wernicke's aphasia usually involves the supramarginal and angular gyri in addition to the superior temporal area.
The Interleukin-1β-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Pralnacasan Reduces Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Murine Colitis and T Helper 1 T-Cell Activation

The proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 are supposed to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of human inflammatory bowel disease. To exert biological activity, the precursors of both IL-1β and IL-18 need to be cleaved by the interleukin-1β-converting enzyme (ICE). IL-18 induces the synthesis of IFN-γ in T cells and NK cells. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the specific ICE inhibitor pralnacasan in dextran sulfate sodium-induced murine colitis. Colitis was induced in BALB/c mice by 3.5% dextran sulfate sodium dissolved in drinking water for 10 days. Pralnacasan was administered either intraperitoneally or orally every day. To assess in vivo efficacy, a clinical disease activity score was evaluated daily. Colon length, expression of IL-18 in colonic tissue, expression of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in paraaortal lymphocytes, and systemic production of IFN-γ in splenocytes were analyzed post mortem. Intraperitoneally administered pralnacasan significantly reduced the clinical score compared with the dextran sulfate sodium control group from day 6 to day 10. Oral administration of pralnacasan also significantly reduced the clinical score at days 8 and 9. Administration of pralnacasan i.p. reduced the expression of intracolonic IL-18 significantly. Furthermore, pralnacasan reduced the number of IFN-γ-positive lymphocytes in paraaortal lymph nodes. IFN-γ synthesis in stimulated splenocytes was significantly suppressed in all pralnacasan-treated groups. No side effects of pralnacasan were observed. In conclusion, pralnacasan is effective in the prevention of dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis. This effect is probably mediated by suppression of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-18, IL-1β, and IFN-γ.
Primary structure and binding characteristics of locust and human muscle fatty-acid-binding proteins.

The conservation between muscle fatty-acid-binding proteins (M-FABP) of Locusta migratoria flight muscle and human skeletal muscle was investigated. The locust M-FABP cDNA (632 bp) was isolated by 5' and 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The identities of the locust and human M-FABP on the cDNA and protein levels were 54% and 42%, respectively. The predicted amino acid sequence of locust M-FABP indicated a molecular mass of 14935 Da and isoelectric point 6.1. The locust M-FABP was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, anion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatographies and compared with the recombinant human M-FABP with respect to immunological and binding properties. In spite of the high sequence similarity, the proteins did not show immunological cross-reactivity. The binding parameters of locust M-FABP were analyzed with radiolabeled oleic acid by the Lipidex assay and titration microcalorimetry. Both methods revealed a Kd for oleic acid of 0.5 microM and a binding stoichiometry of 1 mol fatty acid/mol FABP. The delta H, delta G and delta S for oleic acid binding were -146 kJ.mol-1 and -36 J.mol-1 and -369 J.mol-1.K-1 respectively. All the information obtained from binding, fluorescence and displacement studies indicated that locust M-FABP has binding characteristics similar to human M-FABP. Finally the recombinant locust M-FABP was crystallized with and without oleic acid. All crystals were trigonal in the P3(1)21 space group. The unit cell dimensions were a = b = 5.89 nm and c = 14.42 nm.
Forecasting the effects of obesity and smoking on U.S. life expectancy.

BACKGROUND Although increases in obesity over the past 30 years have adversely affected the health of the U.S. population, there have been concomitant improvements in health because of reductions in smoking. Having a better understanding of the joint effects of these trends on longevity and quality of life will facilitate more efficient targeting of health care resources. METHODS For each year from 2005 through 2020, we forecasted life expectancy and quality-adjusted life expectancy for a representative 18-year-old, assuming a continuation of past trends in smoking (based on data from the National Health Interview Survey for 1978 through 1979, 1990 through 1991, 1999 through 2001, and 2004 through 2006) and past trends in body-mass index (BMI) (based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 1971 through 1975, 1988 through 1994, 1999 through 2002, and 2003 through 2006). The 2003 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey was used to examine the effects of smoking and BMI on health-related quality of life. RESULTS The negative effects of increasing BMI overwhelmed the positive effects of declines in smoking in multiple scenarios. In the base case, increases in the remaining life expectancy of a typical 18-year-old are held back by 0.71 years or 0.91 quality-adjusted years between 2005 and 2020. If all U.S. adults became nonsmokers of normal weight by 2020, we forecast that the life expectancy of an 18-year-old would increase by 3.76 life-years or 5.16 quality-adjusted years. CONCLUSIONS If past obesity trends continue unchecked, the negative effects on the health of the U.S. population will increasingly outweigh the positive effects gained from declining smoking rates. Failure to address continued increases in obesity could result in an erosion of the pattern of steady gains in health observed since early in the 20th century.
A basic study design for expedited safety signal evaluation based on electronic healthcare data

Active drug safety monitoring based on longitudinal electronic healthcare databases (a Sentinel System), as outlined in recent FDA‐commissioned reports, consists of several interlocked processes, including signal generation, signal strengthening, and signal evaluation. Once a signal of a potential drug safety issue is generated, signal strengthening and signal evaluation have to follow in short sequence in order to quickly provide as much information about the triggering drug‐event association as possible.
Changes in Relationship-Specific Attachment in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy.

Emotionally focused couple therapy (EFT; Johnson, The practice of emotionally focused couple therapy (1st/2nd edition). Brunner-Routledge, New York, 2004) is an effective treatment of relationship distress (Johnson et al., Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 1999; 6, 67). However, less is known about EFT's impact on couples' relationship-specific attachment bond. Using hierarchical linear modeling with a sample of 32 couples, we examined session-by-session changes in couples' relationship-specific attachment anxiety and avoidance and pre- to posttherapy changes in their relationship-specific attachment behaviors. Couples significantly decreased in relationship-specific attachment avoidance, and those who completed a blamer softening significantly decreased in relationship-specific attachment anxiety. Couples' attachment behavior significantly increased toward security. Finally, session-by-session decreases in relationship-specific attachment anxiety and avoidance were significant associated with increases in relationship satisfaction across sessions. These results provide empirical support for the attachment-based assumptions of EFT. Video abstract accessible by clicking here.
Opportunity Cost Neglect

To properly consider the opportunity costs of a purchase, consumers must actively generate the alternatives that it would displace. The current research suggests that consumers often fail to do so. Even under conditions promoting cognitive effort, various cues to consider opportunity costs reduce purchase rates and increase the choice share of more affordable options. Sensitivity to such cues varies with chronic dispositional differences in spending attitudes. We discuss the implications of these results for the marketing strategies of economy and premium brands.
Reported experiences from occupational therapists interacting with teachers in inclusive early childhood classrooms.

This grounded theory study described the perspectives of school-based occupational therapists working in inclusive early childhood classrooms emphasizing interactions with teaching staff. Six therapists were interviewed multiple times over several months. The participants viewed their interactions with teaching staff as challenging but potentially rewarding experiences. Viewing collaboration as valuable, their descriptions nonetheless generally omitted many collaborative features, with therapists often assigned the role of "expert. " Data analysis revealed four major themes: (1) "It's Not Like I Don't Value Collaboration" (the benefits of collaboration); (2) "Collaboration--I Can't Do It Alone" (the challenges of interactions); (3) "My Opinion, Please Ask for It" (attachment to the expert status), and (4) "Is This Collaboration? " (interactions in practice). The results of this study suggest that current recommendations for collaboration for inclusion in school-based occupational therapy are not optimally implemented in all practice settings.
Long-term effects of AVP-induced neurohumoral interaction via area postrema on body fluid and blood pressure

Nishida, Yasuhiro, Hiroshi Hosomi, and Vernon S. Bishop. Long-term effects of AVP-induced neurohumoral interaction via area postrema on body fluid and blood pressure. Am. J. Physiol. 273 (Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 42): R1696–R1703, 1997. —Arginine vasopressin (AVP) has been known to interact with the central nervous system via the area postrema (AP), resulting in suppression of renal sympathetic outflow in short-term studies. We hypothesize that if this sympathoinhibitory effect lasts long, then the neurohumoral interaction would enhance urinary output because of the suppression of neurogenic reuptake of sodium (Na1) and water. Intact (Int) and APlesioned (APX) rabbits were chronically catheterized and housed in metabolic cages. AVP was intravenously infused (0.1 mU·kg21 ·min21) for 5 consecutive days. Urine volume and urinary Na1 excretion rates in Int rabbits were lower than those in APX rabbits during AVP infusion. This smaller urinary output in Int rabbits was reconfirmed either from the daily balance of water and Na1 or from the body weight, plasma Na1 concentration, and plasma osmolality data. This result contradicted the hypothesis. Mean arterial pressure was not altered in either group of rabbits while heart rate was suppressed in the Int rabbits. These data suggest that AP-mediated long-term action of AVP augments water retention and sustains bradycardia.
Treatment of neurogenic claudication by interspinous decompression: application of the X STOP device in patients with lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis.

OBJECT Interspinous process decompression (IPD) theoretically relieves narrowing of the spinal canal and neural foramen in extension and thus reduces the symptoms of neurogenic intermittent claudication (NIC). The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of IPD with nonoperative treatment in patients with NIC secondary to degenerative spondylolisthesis. METHODS The authors conducted a randomized controlled study in patients with NIC; they compared the results obtained in patients treated with the X STOP IPD device with those acquired in patients treated nonoperatively. The X STOP implant is a titanium alloy device that is placed between the spinous processes to reduce the canal and foraminal narrowing that occurs in extension. In a cohort of 75 patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis, 42 underwent surgical treatment in which the X STOP IPD device was placed and 33 control individuals were treated nonoperatively. Patients underwent serial follow-up evaluations. The Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and radiographic assessment were used to determine outcomes. Two-year follow-up data were obtained in 70 of 75 patients. Statistically significant improvement in ZCQ and SF-36 scores was seen in X STOP device-treated patients but not in the nonoperative control patients at all postoperative intervals. Overall clinical success occurred in 63.4% of X STOP device-treated patients and only 12.9% of controls. Spondylolisthesis and kyphosis were unaltered. CONCLUSIONS The X STOP device was more effective than nonoperative treatment in the management of NIC secondary to degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.
FROM STRUCTURE TOPOLOGY TO CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. I. STRUCTURAL HIERARCHY AND STEREOCHEMISTRY IN TITANIUM DISILICATE MINERALS

The structural hierarchy and stereochemistry have been considered for 24 titanium disilicate minerals that contain the TS (Titanium Silicate) block, a central trioctahedral (O) sheet, and two adjacent (H) sheets of [5]- and [6]-coordinated polyhedra and (Si2O7) groups. The TS block is characterized by a planar cell based on translation vectors t 1 and t 2, with t 1 ≈ 5.5 and t 2 ≈ 7 A, and t 1 ∧ t 2 close to 90°. The general formula of the TS block is A2 P B2 P M2 H M4 O (Si2O7)2 X4+n, where M2 H and M4 O are cations of the H and O sheets; MH represents Ti (= Ti + Nb), Zr, Mn2+, Ca; MO represents Ti, Zr, Mn2+, Ca, Na; A P and B P represent cations at the peripheral ( P ) sites, i.e . , Na, Ca, Ba; X represents the anions O, OH, F and H2O; n = 0, 2, 4. Cations in each sheet of the TS block form a close-packed layer, and the three layers are cubic close-packed. There are three topologically distinct TS blocks, depending on the type of linkage of two H sheets and the central O sheet. The H sheets of one TS block are invariably identical and attach to the O sheet in the same way. All structures consist of a TS block and an I (intermediate) block that comprises atoms between two TS blocks. Usually, the I block consists of alkali and alkaline-earth cations, (H2O) groups and oxyanions (PO4)3−, (SO4)2− and (CO3)2−. These structures naturally fall into four groups, based on differences in topology and stereochemistry of the TS block. In Group I, Ti = 1 apfu , Ti occurs in the O sheet, and (Si2O7) groups link to a Na polyhedron of the O sheet (linkage 1). In Group II, Ti = 2 apfu , Ti occurs in the H sheet, and (Si2O7) groups link to two M2+ octahedra of the O sheet adjacent along t 2 (linkage 2). In Group III, Ti = 3 apfu , Ti occurs in the O and H sheets, and (Si2O7) groups link to the Ti octahedron of the O sheet (linkage 1). In Group IV, Ti = 4 apfu (the maximum possible content of Ti in the TS block), Ti occurs in the O and H sheets, and (Si2O7) groups link to two Ti octahedra of the O sheet adjacent along t 1 (linkage 3). The stability of the TS block is due to an extremely wide range in Ti(Nb)–O bond lengths, 1.68–2.30 A, which allows the chemical composition of the TS block to vary widely. In a specific structure, only one type of TS block and only one type of I block occur. The TS block propagates close-packing of cations into the I block. General structural principles have been developed for these 24 titanium disilicates, and the relation between structure topology and chemical composition has been established for minerals based on the TS block.
Electrospray‐ionization mass spectrometry as a tool for fast screening of protein structural properties

Since the early 1990s, electrospray‐ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) has encountered growing interest as a complementary tool to established biochemical and biophysical methods for investigating protein structure and conformation. Nowadays, applications of ESI‐MS to protein investigation span from the area of analytical biochemistry to that of structural biology. This review focuses on applications of this technique to the analysis of protein conformational properties and molecular interactions, underscoring their possible relevance for molecular biotechnology, although representing a still very young field. An introductive section presents the major issues related to theoretical and technical aspects of ESI‐MS under non‐denaturing conditions. Examples from our work and from the literature illustrate which kind of information can be obtained concerning key issues in biotechnology such as stability and aggregation of proteins under both near‐native and challenging conditions, and interactions with other proteins, ligands and cofactors.
Response to Comment on “Nuclear Genomic Sequences Reveal that Polar Bears Are an Old and Distinct Bear Lineage”

Nakagome et al. reanalyzed some of our data and assert that we cannot refute the mitochondrial DNA–based scenario for polar bear evolution. Their single-locus test statistic is strongly affected by introgression and incomplete lineage sorting, whereas our multilocus approaches are better suited to recover the true species relationships. Indeed, our sister-lineage model receives high support in a Bayesian model comparison.
The effect of immunosuppression on viral encephalitis, with special reference to cyclophosphamide.

Cyclophosphamide altered not only the pathological picture of virus encephalitis, but also enhanced the invasiveness of viruses and produced fatal forms of disease to which monkeys were otherwise resistant. Normal patas monkeys infected either i.c. or intranasally (i.n.) with louping ill developed clinical encephalitis from which they recovered, but when cyclophosphamide was administered the disease proved fatal. Normal rhesus monkeys inoculated i.n. with virulent western equine encephalitis virus developed neither clinical disease nor CNS lesions, but after treatment with cyclophosphamide they developed fatal encephalitis. The viruses of louping ill, Venezuelan equine encephalitis and Western equine encephalitis when given without an immunosuppressant usually gave rise to acute inflammatory CNS pathology, but when the monkeys were given cyclophosphamide, the inflammatory reaction was replaced by a degenerative process causing both neuronal necrosis and spongy degeneration.
Antihypertensive Effects of Acetic Acid and Vinegar on Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

To clarify the possibility of a preventive effect of dietary vinegar on blood pressure, long-term administration of vinegar or the acetic acid to SHR was examined. As a result, it was observed that acetic acid itself, the main component of vinegar, significantly reduced both blood pressure (p<0.05) and renin activity (p<0.01) compared to controls given no acetic acid or vinegar, as well as vinegar. There were no significant differences in angiotensin I-converting enzyme activity in various organs. As for the mechanism of this function, it was suggested that this reduction in blood pressure may be caused by the significant reduction in renin activity and the subsequent decrease in angiotensin II. From this study, it was also suggested that the antihypertensive effect of vinegar is mainly due to the acetic acid in it.
Cumulus Convection in the Atmosphere with Vertical Wind Shear : Numerical Experiment

The behavior of cumulus convection in a prevailing wind with vertical shear is studied by integrating a set of dynamic equations numerically. The motion is considered under the solenoidal condition in a vertical two dimensional plane. Aside from the eddy exchange, the pseudo-adiabatic process is assumed in which the motion is moist adiabatic in saturated ascending air and dry adiabatic in the remaining air. The comparison between both cases, with and without vertical shear, is made concerning the time dependent evolution of convections and their energy conversion. In a prevailing wind field with vertical shear, the axial symmetry of the convection is destroyed and the axis of the convection cell tilts downwind with height. This results in the interaction between the convective motion and the prevailing wind which transforms the kinetic energy of the convection into that of the prevailing wind. Therefore, vertical wind shear tends to suppress the development of the convection in the vertical plane parallel to the wind. Moreover, the discrepancy which develops between the central axes of updraft and the warm regions of the convection decreases the conversion of potential to kinetic energyone which contributes to the development of the convection.