Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rapid electric responses of oats to phytochrome show membrane processes unrelated to pelletability.

The electric potential difference changes observed on etiolated oat coleoptiles in response to phytochrome transformation have been further studied using contacts on the coleoptile surface. Results are given, at 0.4 second resolution, for the first 1.5 minutes after saturating flashes of light each lasting 1 second.Responses to initial red (662 nanometers), to far red (about 700 nanometers and above) 10 minutes later, and to second red 10 minutes later still, all have time courses that are approximately Gaussian sigmoid in shape. The response to far red is of opposite sign to the response to red. Approximate magnitudes of the three changes, 1 minute after the light flash, are +6 millivolts for red, -10 millivolts for far red, +3.5 millivolts for the second red. It is argued that the observations reflect a hyperpolarization of the plasmalemma of coleoptile cells following red light and depolarization following far red. The response to red is not produced by a change in membrane permeability to K(+). The mechanism could include a change to Na(+) or Cl(-) permeability or a modulation of an electrogenic pump: enhanced H(+) extrusion, Ca(2+) extrusion, or Cl(-) uptake. The response to far red could be produced by the reverse of one of those changes.The Gaussian curve is fitted to the data to determine the time at which the responses begin. Each response begins 4.5 seconds after the start of the flash of light. These delays are not related to the time course of phytochrome pelletability or redistribution in the cell. The delays may be due to some interaction of the transformed phytochrome with the plasma-lemma. Alternatively, the transformed phytochrome may interact quickly with some other structure which initiates a signal that takes 4.5 seconds to reach the plasmalemma.
Control of cell proliferation by a porous chitosan scaffold with multiple releasing capabilities

Abstract The aim of this study was to develop a porous chitosan scaffold with long-acting drug release as an artificial dressing to promote skin wound healing. The dressing was fabricated by pre-freezing at different temperatures (−20 and −80 °C) for different periods of time, followed by freeze-drying to form porous chitosan scaffolds with different pore sizes. The chitosan scaffolds were then used to investigate the effect of the controlled release of fibroblast growth factor-basic (bFGF) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) on mouse fibroblast cells (L929) and bovine carotid endothelial cells (BEC). The biocompatibility of the prepared chitosan scaffold was confirmed with WST-1 proliferation and viability assay, which demonstrated that the material is suitable for cell growth. The results of this study show that the pore sizes of the porous scaffolds prepared by freeze-drying can change depending on the pre-freezing temperature and time via the formation of ice crystals. In this study, the scaffolds with the largest pore size were found to be 153 ± 32 μm and scaffolds with the smallest pores to be 34 ± 9 μm. Through cell culture analysis, it was found that the concentration that increased proliferation of L929 cells for bFGF was 0.005 to 0.1 ng/mL, and the concentration for TGFβ1 was 0.005 to 1 ng/mL. The cell culture of the chitosan scaffold and growth factors shows that 3.75 ng of bFGF in scaffolds with pore sizes of 153 ± 32 μm can promote L929 cell proliferation, while 400 pg of TGFβ1 in scaffolds with pore size of 34 ± 9 μm can enhance the proliferation of L929 cells, but also inhibit BEC proliferation. It is proposed that the prepared chitosan scaffolds can form a multi-drug (bFGF and TGFβ1) release dressing that has the ability to control wound healing via regulating the proliferation of different cell types.
Shorter hospital stay associated with fastrack postoperative care pathways and laparoscopic intestinal resection are not associated with increased physical activity

Objective Recent prospective studies have shown that ‘fast track’ postoperative care protocols (FT) can reduce hospitalization after major intestinal surgery to 4.5 days, as compared to the 7–10 days with traditional management (TR) and 2.5 days after laparoscopic surgery (LC). We used computerized actigraphy (CA) to evaluate physical activity using TR, FT and LC approaches.
Serotonin transporter gene polymorphism in eating disorders: Data from a new biobank and META-analysis of previous studies

Objectives Growing interest focuses on the association between 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and eating disorders (ED), but published findings have been conflicting. Methods The Italian BIO.VE. D.A. biobank provided 976 samples (735 ED patients and 241 controls) for genotyping. We conducted a literature search of studies published up to 1 April 2015, including studies reporting on 5HTTLPR genotype and allele frequencies in obesity and/or ED. We ran a meta-analysis, including data from BIO.VE. D.A. – comparing low and high-functioning genotype and allele frequencies in ED vs. controls. Results Data from 21 studies, plus BIO.VE. D.A. , were extracted providing information from 3,736 patients and 2,707 controls. Neither low- nor high-functioning genotype frequencies in ED patients, with both bi- and tri-allelic models, differed from controls. Furthermore, neither low- nor high-functioning allele frequencies in ED or in BN, in both bi- and triallelic models, differed from control groups. After sensitivity analysis, results were the same in AN vs. controls. Results remained unaltered when investigating recessive and dominant models. Conclusions 5HTTLPR does not seem to be associated with ED in general, or with AN or BN in particular. Future studies in ED should explore the role of ethnicity and psychiatric comorbidity as a possible source of bias.
Aufgaben- und Rollenpluralität des beruflichen Bildungsperso- nals - Ergebnisse einer empirischen Untersuchung

Der vorliegende Beitrag beschaftigt sich mit der Fragestellung, inwieweit das Bildungspersonal in der beruflichen Bildung auf die zunehmende Aufgabenvielfalt im Zuge gesellschaftlicher Veranderungsprozesse vorbereitet ist. Basierend auf einer theoretischen Darstellung gesellschaftlicher und okonomischer Wandlungstendenzen und dem damit einhergehenden wachsenden Anforderungsportfolio an Jugendliche und das Bildungspersonal soll anhand eines wissenschaftlich begleiteten Projekts aufgezeigt werden, welche konkreten Herausforderungen fur das berufspadagogische Personal im Rahmen der Ausbildungstatigkeit bestehen. Das Projekt „Xenos-Mentoren“ hatte zum Ziel, das Bildungspersonal fur ethische und gesellschaftspolitische Fragestellungen innerhalb der Berufsausbildung zu sensibilisieren und diese zu einer aktiven Rollenwahrnehmung als Mentor gegenuber den Jugendlichen zu befahigen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass den padagogischen Akteuren durchaus bewusst ist, einem erweiterten Aufgabenspektrum gegenuberzustehen und dass sie diesem mit verschiedenen uber die Rolle des Fachmanns hinausgehenden Rollen begegnen mussen. Insofern wird konstatiert, dass durch die Ubernahme weiterer Rollen, wie die des Beraters, Motivators oder Erziehers eine plurale Rollenidentitat unterstellt werden kann. 1 Einleitung Die berufliche Bildung in Deutschland ist ein wesentlicher Faktor fur die Sicherung der Wertschopfung der Unternehmen in einem kompetitiven Marktumfeld. Neben dem bildungsokonomisch legitimierten Anspruch, beruflich verwertbare Kompetenzen zu entwickeln, verfolgt sie jedoch auch eine padagogische Intention. Demnach kommt der beruflichen Bildung auch eine gesellschaftspolitische Verantwortung zu, die sich in der Aufgabe manifestiert, Jugendliche auf dem schwieriger gewordenen Weg der Identitatsentwicklung zu begleiten und sie zu gesellschaftlicher Partizipation zu befahigen. Ausgehend von okonomischen und gesellschaftlichen Veranderungstendenzen, so wird im Folgenden konstatiert, erhohen sich die beruflichen Anforderungen an die Jugendlichen. Aufgrund sozialer und leistungsbezogener Defizite wird die okonomische und gesellschaftliche Integration insbesondere fur die Gruppe der benachteiligten Jugendlichen erschwert. Als potenzielle Folgeerscheinung nehmen gesellschaftliche Probleme wie Alkohol, Drogenkonsum, Gewalt etc. zu. Um diesen Jugendlichen Perspektiven im Bildungs- und Beschaftigungssystem und bessere Chancen auf soziale Teilhabe zu geben, bedarf es einer gezielten Vorbereitung auf die gestiegenen Anforderungen der Arbeitswelt. Fur das berufliche Bil
The Cysteine-rich Region of T1R3 Determines Responses to Intensely Sweet Proteins*

A wide variety of chemically diverse compounds taste sweet, including natural sugars such as glucose, fructose, sucrose, and sugar alcohols, small molecule artificial sweeteners such as saccharin and acesulfame K, and proteins such as monellin and thaumatin. Brazzein, like monellin and thaumatin, is a naturally occurring plant protein that humans, apes, and Old World monkeys perceive as tasting sweet but that is not perceived as sweet by other species including New World monkeys, mouse, and rat. It has been shown that heterologous expression of T1R2 plus T1R3 together yields a receptor responsive to many of the above-mentioned sweet tasting ligands. We have determined that the molecular basis for species-specific sensitivity to brazzein sweetness depends on a site within the cysteine-rich region of human T1R3. Other mutations in this region of T1R3 affected receptor activity toward monellin, and in some cases, overall efficacy to multiple sweet compounds, implicating this region as a previously unrecognized important determinant of sweet receptor function.
An update on falls

Purpose of reviewFalls among elderly persons create immense social problems because of their association with physical decline, serious psychosocial consequences, negative impact on the quality of life, and markedly reduced survival. In addition, falls pose high costs to the public health service. For these reasons, falls remain a popular topic for research. Here, we review several interesting developments that have been published during the past year. Recent findingsConsiderable attention has been focused on early identification of fallers and prevention strategies for falls or injuries. A remaining challenge is to implement such strategies into daily clinical practice, at acceptable costs and with good acceptance. New evidence has been generated to suggest the importance of high-level processing for postural control, but it remains difficult to predict falls based upon a simple dual tasking test. Neuroimaging studies are now beginning to provide new insights into the role of cortical structures in balance regulation, and how cortical dysfunction might contribute to falls. Posturography studies using multidirectional moving platforms or computer models of balance have provided new insights into falling mechanisms, in particular the role of abnormal protective responses (stepping or grasping) and the negative effects of stiffening. Other studies have shown how a fear of falling, a common sequel to falls, may lead to secondary degeneration of postural control, thus completing a vicious loop. SummaryWhile these examples illustrate that falls research is very much ongoing, one cannot speak of true progress until the scientific evidence can be implemented into real life, with falls being prevented effectively in individual cases.
Ethyl Pyruvate Protects Colonic Anastomosis From Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Ethyl pyruvate is a simple derivative in Ca+2- and K+-containing balanced salt solution of pyruvate to avoid the problems associated with the instability of pyruvate in solution. It has been shown to ameliorate the effects of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in many organs. It has also been shown that I/R injury delays the healing of colonic anastomosis. In this study, the effect of ethyl pyruvate on the healing of colon anastomosis and anastomotic strength after I/R injury was investigated. Anastomosis of the colon was performed in 32 adult male Wistar albino rats divided into 4 groups of 8 individuals: (1) sham-operated control group (group 1); (2) 30 minutes of intestinal I/R by superior mesenteric artery occlusion (group 2); (3) I/R+ ethyl pyruvate (group 3), ethyl pyruvate was administered as a 50-mg/kg/d single dose; and (4) I/R+ ethyl pyruvate (group 4), ethyl pyruvate administration was repeatedly (every 6 hours) at the same dose (50 mg/kg). On the fifth postoperative day, animals were killed. Perianastomotic tissue hydroxyproline contents and anastomotic bursting pressures were measured in all groups. When the anastomotic bursting pressures and tissue hydroxyproline contents were compared, it was found that they were decreased in group 2 when compared with groups 1, 3, and 4 (P < .05). Both anastomotic bursting pressure (P = .005) and hydroxyproline content (P < .001) levels were found to be significantly increased with ethyl pyruvate administration when compared with group 2. When ethyl pyruvate administration doses were compared, a significant difference was not observed (P > .05). Ethyl pyruvate significantly prevents the delaying effect of I/R injury on anastomotic strength and healing independent from doses of administration.
Glycoprotein changes in the rat sperm plasma membrane during maturation in the epididymis

To investigate surface glycoprotein changes during post‐testicular maturation, plasma membranes were isolated from proximal caput, distal caput, and cauda epididymal rat spermatozoa. Membrane glycoproteins were identified on Western blots of SDS‐PAGE fractionated samples using biotinylated lectins and Vectastain reagents; these were compared to glycoproteins present in cauda epididymal luminal fluid. Lens culinaris agglutinin, Pisum sativum agglutinin, peanut agglutinin, wheat germ agglutinin, Ricinus communis agglutinin, Ulaex europaeus agglutinin, and Dolichol biflorus agglutinin each bound a specific subset of the polypeptides present. Several types of glycoprotein changes were noted including their appearance, loss, alteration of staining intensity, and alteration of electrophoretic mobility. Some maturation‐dependent sperm surface glycoproteins co‐migrated with glycoproteins present in epididymal fluid. This approach of direct analysis of the glycoproteins in purified plasma membranes identifies a broader spectrum of maturation‐related surface changes occurring within the epididymis than are noted with surface labeling procedures.
Histological analysis of CD11c‐DTR/GFP mice after in vivo depletion of dendritic cells

To investigate the dependence of individual immunological processes on DC, a transgenic mouse system (CD11c‐DTR/GFP mice) has been developed that allows conditional depletion of CD11c+ DC in vivo through administration of diphtheria toxin. We have performed careful histological analysis of CD11c‐DTR/GFP mice at different time points after diphtheria toxin injection and confirmed the transient depletion of CD11c+ cells from lymph nodes and spleen. Unexpectedly, the injection of diphtheria toxin completely depleted marginal zone and metallophilic MΦ from the spleen and their sinusoidal counterparts from the lymph nodes. This finding limits the use of CD11c‐DTR/GFP mice for the analysis of the role of DC to models and read outs that are proven to be independent of marginal zone and sinusoidal MΦ.
The sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide inhibits LPS- but not TNF-alpha-induced maturation of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells by inhibition of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

BACKGROUND Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent antigen-presenting cells, and the manipulation of DC maturation provides a strategy for the treatment of allergic and inflammatory diseases. OBJECTIVE In this study we examined the effect of the anti-inflammatory sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide (PTL) on DC maturation induced by LPS or TNF-alpha. METHODS Human monocyte-derived DCs generated by means of culture with GM-CSF and IL-4 were pretreated with PTL and subsequently stimulated with LPS or TNF-alpha. RESULTS PTL inhibited the upregulation of CD80, CD83, CD86, CD40, and MHC class II; the allostimulatory function; the production of TNF-alpha and IL-12; and the downregulation of FITC-labeled dextran uptake in human monocyte-derived DCs stimulated with LPS but not with TNF-alpha. The inhibitory effect of PTL on DC maturation was preceded by inhibition of the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase but not the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB. CONCLUSION These results might offer PTL not only as a promising compound for the treatment of LPS-induced disorders, including sepsis or septic shock, by inhibition of excessive DC maturation but also as a tool to further dissect the signaling pathways involved in DC maturation.
Détection et prévention d'intrusion : présentation et limites

Ce rapport de recherche a pour objectif de fournir (i) une presentation generale des techniques et familles de detection et de prevention d'intrusion, ainsi que (ii) une description pertinente des limites technologiques de chacune des solutions presentees. Les resultats de cette recherche (limites et fonctionnalites des outils evoques) sont issus a la fois d'une analyse scrupuleuse de la litterature specifique recente et de retours d'experience d'administrateurs systeme.
The Provision and Nature of ADHD Services for Children/Adolescents in the UK: Results from a Nationwide Survey

The Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Observational Research in Europe (ADORE) project aims to describe the relationship between prescribed treatment regimen and quality of life in ADHD patients across Europe over a 2-year period. As an adjunct to the ADORE study, a survey was conducted to assess the availability and range of ADHD treatment services in the UK. A questionnaire was developed to assess service provision at 20 UK ADORE sites. These data give information regarding the assessment process (i.e. the formal psychological instrumentation used), whether information is requested from schools, and what other medical and allied health care specialities are frequently involved in the diagnosis. Results of the survey provide an important insight into the ADHD-related services provided by ADORE centres, as well as highlighting the availability and limitations of such services.
Children's cortisol levels and quality of child care provision.

BACKGROUND Cortisol levels are increasingly being used as an indicator of stress levels. Research suggests that children who attend child care demonstrate higher cortisol levels than children in their homes, suggesting that child care acts as a risk factor for poor child outcomes. However, it is also suggested that quality influences outcomes. METHODS Cortisol levels were measured through samples of saliva taken from children (3-5 years of age) attending long-day care centres in Perth, Western Australia. Quality of the programme was measured using industry national quality assurance indicators designed for child care centres. The analysis employed a 2 (time of collection: average am cortisol, average pm cortisol) by 3 (centre quality: high, satisfactory, unsatisfactory) split plot ANOVA with repeated measures on the time factor. RESULTS Cortisol levels of children attending high-quality programmes demonstrated a decline across the child care day. Levels in children attending unsatisfactory programmes demonstrated an increase across the day. CONCLUSIONS Although we do not yet know how high, and for how long, cortisol levels need to be elevated for risk of undesirable outcomes to increase, this research signals the importance of emphasizing the need for high-quality care for young children.
Induction of Angiotensin I-converting Enzyme Transcription by a Protein Kinase C-dependent Mechanism in Human Endothelial Cells*

Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) has been implicated in various cardiovascular diseases; however, little is known about the ACE gene regulation in endothelial cells. We have investigated the effect of the protein kinase C activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) on ACE activity and gene expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Our results showed a 3- and 5-fold increase in ACE activity in the medium and in the cells, respectively, after 24-h stimulation by PMA. We also observed an increase in the cellular ACE mRNA content starting after 6 h and reaching a 10-fold increase at 24 h in response to 100 ng/ml PMA as measured by ribonuclease protection assay. This effect was mediated by an increased transcription of the ACE gene as demonstrated by nuclear run-on experiments and nearly abolished by the specific PKC inhibitor GF 109203X. Our results indicate that PMA-activated PKC strongly increases ACE mRNA level and ACE gene transcription in HUVEC, an effect associated with an increased ACE secretion. A role for early growth response factor-1 (Egr-1) as a factor regulating ACE gene expression is suggested by both the presence of an Egr-1-responsive element in the proximal portion of the ACE promoter and the kinetics of the Egr-1 mRNA increase in HUVEC treated with PMA.
Estimation of energy consumed by software in processor caches

We present a comprehensive high-level estimation framework for power consumed by the software in the processor caches. We demonstrate the framework on two types of caches commonly used in a modern day processor ARM1136 viz., L1 Data Cache and L2 Unified Cache. The major contribution of this paper is a linear energy model for the caches. The energy characterization starts with recognition of different types of operations in the caches. Further the energy of each operation is divided into sequential and non-sequential part depending on whether the operation is stand alone or happens in a burst with other operations. There is also an idle energy component of the cache since the cache may be inactive for considerable amount of time. The average error magnitude of the energy model when applied on the ARM1136 L1 Data Cache and L2 Unified Cache with a large suite of benchmarks is 1.7%, whereas the maximum error is less than 4.0%.
Indoleamine‐Sensitive Adenylate Cyclase in Rabbit Retina: Characterization and Distribution

Abstract: Previous histological, electrophysiological, and biochemical reports have addressed the hypothesis that serotonin functions as a neurotransmitter in mammalian retinas. We have tested the effect on the levels of cyclic AMP of the application of exogenous serotonin, 5‐methoxytryptamine, melatonin, and 5‐methoxydimethyl‐tryptamine to isolated, incubated rabbit retinas. All indoleamines tested significantly elevated intracellular levels of cyclic AMP in both light‐ and dark‐adapted, incubated, intact retinas, provided a phosphodiesterase inhibitor was present. In homogenates of rabbit retina, all indoleamines tested also markedly increased adenylate cyclase activity over basal levels. Maximal activity was observed with 50 μM indoleamine; addition of GTP augmented this increase. The increase in enzyme activity persisted in the presence of known antagonists of dopamine and serotonin 5‐HT2‐receptors, but was blocked by the mixed 5‐HT1, 5‐HT2‐antagonist lysergic acid diethylamide. The retinal locations of this response have also been identified using layer microdissection techniques on freeze‐dried samples obtained from rabbit eyecups suprafused with indoleamine plus phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Cyclic AMP levels were measured in discrete retinal layers of both light‐ and dark‐adapted suprafused eyecups, and increased levels were observed primarily in the inner and outer plexiform layers, which contain the synapses of the retinal neurons.