Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Awakening Concentration of Sevoflurane in Children

Sevoflurane is frequently used as a rapidly acting drug for the induction of anesthesia. We investigated the awakening concentration (MAC-awake) of sevoflurane in ASA physical status I children (age range 2–10 yr). We also investigated the effects of two different doses of clonidine (2 and 4 &mgr;g/kg) on the MAC-awake of sevoflurane. Subjects were randomly divided into three groups and received placebo (n = 24), clonidine 2 &mgr;g/kg (n = 17), or clonidine 4 &mgr;g/kg (n = 22) orally, 100 min before the induction of anesthesia. Sedation scores were estimated, by using a five-point scale, after entry into the operating room, and anesthesia was induced and maintained with sevoflurane in oxygen and balanced nitrogen, without an additional anesthetic. After surgery, end-tidal sevoflurane was decreased stepwise by 0.2% at 15-min intervals, a standardized verbal command was played to the patients, and the MAC-awake was determined. The MAC-awake of sevoflurane alone was 0.78% ± 0.24% (mean ± sd), which decreased to 0.36% ± 0.09% and 0.36% ± 0.16% (both P <0.0001, compared with the control group) after premedication with the small and large doses of clonidine, respectively. The lack of any dose-response relationship might be explained by a plateau effect. Implications The awakening concentration of sevoflurane in unpremedicated children was 0.78%. Oral clonidine premedication at a dose of 2 &mgr;g/kg reduced the awakening concentration to 0.36%. However, an additional decrease in this value was not observed after the administration of the larger dose of clonidine premedication (4 &mgr;g/kg).
Antibiotic Resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

KatG (catalase-peroxidase) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is responsible for activation of isoniazid (INH), a pro-drug used to treat tuberculosis infections. Resistance to INH is a global health problem most often associated with mutations in the katG gene. The origin of INH resistance caused by the KatG[S315G] mutant enzyme is examined here. Overexpressed KatG[S315G] was characterized by optical, EPR, and resonance Raman spectroscopy and by studies of the INH activation mechanism in vitro. Catalase activity and peroxidase activity with artificial substrates were moderately reduced (50 and 35%, respectively), whereas the rates of formation of oxyferryl heme:porphyrin π-cation radical and the decay of heme intermediates were ∼2-fold faster in KatG[S315G] compared with WT enzyme. The INH binding affinity for the resting enzyme was unchanged, whereas INH activation, measured by the rate of formation of an acyl-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide adduct considered to be a bactericidal molecule, was reduced by 30% compared with WT KatG. INH resistance is suggested to arise from a redirection of catalytic intermediates into nonproductive reactions that interfere with oxidation of INH. In the resting mutant enzyme, a rapid evolution of 5-c heme to 6-c species occurred in contrast with the behavior of WT KatG and KatG[S315T] and consistent with greater flexibility at the heme edge in the absence of the hydroxyl of residue 315. Insights into the effects of mutations at residue 315 on enzyme structure, peroxidation kinetics, and specific interactions with INH are presented.
Effects of enalaprilat on cardiorespiratory, hemodynamic, and hematologic variables in exercising horses.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of IV administration of enalaprilat on cardiorespiratory and hematologic variables as well as inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity in exercising horses. ANIMALS 6 adult horses. PROCEDURE Horses were trained by running on a treadmill for 5 weeks. Training was continued throughout the study period, and each horse also ran 2 simulated races at 120% of maximum oxygen consumption. Three horses were randomly selected to receive treatment 1 (saline [0.9% NaCl] solution), and the remaining 3 horses received treatment 2 (enalaprilat; 0.5 mg/kg of body weight, IV) before each simulated race. Treatment groups were reversed for the second simulated race. Cardiorespiratory and hematologic data were obtained before, during, and throughout the 1-hour period after each simulated race. Inhibition of ACE activity was determined during and after each race in each horse. RESULTS Exercise resulted in significant increases in all hemodynamic variables and respiratory rate. The pH and PO2 of arterial blood decreased during simulated races, whereas PCO2 remained unchanged. Systemic and pulmonary blood pressure measurements and arterial pH, PO2, and Pco2 returned to baseline values by 60 minutes after simulated races. Enalaprilat inhibited ACE activity to < 25% of baseline activity without changing cardiorespiratory or blood gas values, compared with horses administered saline solution. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Enalaprilat administration almost completely inhibited ACE activity in horses without changing the hemodynamic responses to intense exercise and is unlikely to be of value in preventing exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage.
Racial/ethnic variation in mental health correlates of substance use among college students

ABSTRACT This study investigated mental health indicators, substance use, and their relationships, by race/ethnicity. A probability sample of 1,053 students at two California universities self-reported their frequency of substance use and rated their experience with indicators of mental health. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-square tests, and multivariate censored regression models were estimated to examine which indicators of mental health were associated with each substance use form by race/ethnicity. Results from the one-way ANOVA and chi-square tests showed differences in substance use prevalence and mental health by race/ethnicity. For example, students who identified as White demonstrate a higher prevalence for every form of substance use in comparison to the Asian, Latino, and “All other” categories. Results from the regression showed, among Whites, inattention was associated with prescription stimulant misuse, and psychological distress was associated with marijuana use. Among Latinos, inattention was associated with cocaine and prescription stimulant use. Among Asians, psychological distress was associated with tobacco use and the misuse of prescription painkillers. Findings highlight the need to ensure subpopulations receive needed services.
Regulation of NCAM by growth factors in serum‐free myotube cultures

Regulation of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) was examined in primary cultures of chick skeletal muscle grown in serum‐free defined medium. Relative levels of NCAM (per μg protein) increased 20–30% in myotubes grown on Matrigel, a reconstituted basement membrane preparation, compared to those grown on collagen; total NCAM levels on Matrigel were increased 40–55% due to the additional increase in total protein. A dose dependent increase in relative NCAM levels in myotubes grown on Matrigel in defined medium was observed with the addition of adsorbed horse serum, while relative NCAM levels in myotubes grown on collagen were unaffected by altering the serum concentration. Thus, extracellular matrix molecules and soluble factors exert trophic effects on myotube NCAM expression. Similar developmental changes in the expression of the different molecular size forms of NCAM occurred in myotubes grown on collagen and Matrigel: levels of 150K and 135K Mr forms decreased during development, while 125K remained prominent in older myotubes. Relative NCAM levels were specifically enhanced 11–26% by several factors: nerve growth factor, thyroxine, insulin‐like growth factor II, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, veratridine (a sodium ion channel agonist), and nisoldipine (a calcium ion channel agonist). Total protein and overall myotube development in serum‐free cultures were enhanced by fetuin, insulin‐like growth factor II, acidic fibroblast growth factor, calcitonin gene‐related peptide, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, and veratridine. Thus, changes in extracellular matrix, intracellular calcium, and sodium ions, as well as extracellular trophic factors, such as nerve growth factor, thyroxine, and insulin‐like growth factor II, may regulate muscle NCAM expression during embryonic development. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
p56lckis not essential for the T‐cell response to allo‐MHC antigens

In mice lacking the src family protein tyrosine kinase, p 56lck (lck−/−), a greatly reduced number of peripheral T cells is observed due to a profound blockage of the thymocyte development. The peripheral T cells in lck−/−mice exhibit proliferative response after T‐cell receptor (TCR)‐crosslinking, but can not respond to viral antigens. In this report, we examined the allo‐responses of peripheral T cells in the lck−/−mice and the following results were thus obtained. (1) After an intravenous injection of fully allogeneic [ allo‐major histocompatability complex (MHC)] spleen cells, an increase of interleukin (IL)‐2Rα+ cells was observed in both the CD4+ or CD8+ peripheral T cells of the lck−/− mice and the increase was similar to those in the lck+/+ littermate, with only a somewhat delayed and prolonged time kinetics observed in the CD4+ T cells of the lck−/− mice. (2) the lck−/− mice rejected the fully allogeneic trunk skin grafts several days later than the lck+/+ mice, but did not reject the minor allogeneic grafts. (3) The peripheral T cells of the graft‐rejected lck−/−mice exhibited a weaker but significantly proliferative response, while the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activities to allo‐MHC antigens in vitro were comparable to those in lck+/+ mice. While the response to the minor allo‐antigens was shown by the peripheral T cells in the lck+/+ mice with minor allogeneic skin grafts but not by those in the lck−/− mice with the grafts. These results thus suggest that p56lck is not essential for peripheral T cells to both respond and exhibit effector functions to allo‐MHC antigens.
Identification and characterization of microRNAs in Eucheuma denticulatum by high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis

ABSTRACT Eucheuma denticulatum, an economically and industrially important red alga, is a valuable marine resource. Although microRNAs (miRNAs) play an essential role in gene post-transcriptional regulation, no research has been conducted to identify and characterize miRNAs in E. denticulatum. In this study, we identified 134 miRNAs (133 conserved miRNAs and one novel miRNA) from 2,997,135 small-RNA reads by high-throughput sequencing combined with bioinformatics analysis. BLAST searching against miRBase uncovered 126 potential miRNA families. A conservation and diversity analysis of predicted miRNA families in different plant species was performed by comparative alignment and homology searching. A total of 4 and 13 randomly selected miRNAs were respectively validated by northern blotting and stem-loop reverse transcription PCR, thereby demonstrating the reliability of the miRNA sequencing data. Altogether, 871 potential target genes were predicted using psRobot and TargetFinder. Target genes classification and enrichment were conducted based on Gene Ontology analysis. The functions of target gene products and associated metabolic pathways were predicted by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis. A Cytoscape network was constructed to explore the interrelationships of miRNAs, miRNA-target genes and target genes. A large number of miRNAs with diverse target genes will play important roles for further understanding some essential biological processes in E. denticulatum. The uncovered information can serve as an important reference for the protection and utilization of this unique red alga in the future.
L’exposition du problème dans des phone-in avec des experts : comparaison d’interactions françaises et syriennes

L’objet de cet article est la facon dont les auditeurs construisent leurs prises de parole dans des emissions radiophoniques interactives syriennes et francaises. Il trouve sa source dans l’observation d’une emission de radio syrienne dans laquelle les auditeurs telephonent a un avocat pour lui soumettre des problemes, obtenir ou verifier des informations. Dans cette emission, l’exposition du probleme par les auditeurs semble etre davantage l’objet d’elaborations conjointes avec les autres participants que dans des emissions francaises comparables. L’etude qui suit cherche a identifier sur quoi se fonde cette impression a partir d’une approche comparative. Elle conduit aussi a une reflexion sur les cadres participatifs, et plus globalement sur la mise en place de la comparaison elle-meme.
High‐dose oral dextromethorphan versus placebo in painful diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists relieve neuropathic pain in animal models, but side effects of dissociative anesthetic channel blockers, such as ketamine, have discouraged clinical application. Based on the hypothesis that low-affinity NMDA channel blockers might have a better therapeutic ratio, we carried out two randomized, double-blind, crossover trials comparing six weeks of oral dextromethorphan to placebo in two groups, made up of 14 patients with painful distal symmetrical diabetic neuropathy and 18 with postherpetic neuralgia. Thirteen patients with each diagnosis completed the comparison. Dosage was titrated in each patient to the highest level reached without disrupting normal activities; mean doses were 381 mglday in diabetics and 439 mglday in postherpetic neuralgia patients. In diabetic neuropathy, dextromethorphan decreased pain by a mean of 24% (95% CI: 6% to 42%, p = 0.011, relative to placebo. In postherpetic neuralgia, dextromethorphan did not reduce pain (95% CI: 10% decrease in pain to 14% increase in pain, p = 0.72). Five of 31 patients who took dextromethorphan dropped out due to sedation or ataxia during dose escalation, but the remaining patients all reached a reasonably well-tolerated maintenance dose. We conclude that dextromethorphan or other low-affinity NMDA channel blockers may have promise in the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy.
T‐cell differentiation of human and  non‐human primate CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells using porcine thymic stroma

Abstract: Transplantation of swine thymic tissue has been proposed as an approach to reconstitute the immune system of HIV‐infected individuals. This is an attractive strategy because miniature swine are readily available as donors and porcine tissue is resistant to infection with HIV‐1. Demonstration that porcine thymus tissue supports primate T‐cell differentiation is critical to the ultimate utility of this approach. Using a thymic stroma culture system we have previously described [Rosenzweig M, Marks DF, Zhu H et al. In vitro T lymphopoiesis of human and rhesus CD34+ progenitor cells. Blood 1996; 87: 4040], we demonstrate that porcine thymus tissue is able to promote the in vitro T‐lymphocyte differentiation of both human and non‐human primate hematopoietic progenitor cells. CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors differentiated into both double positive (CD4+CD8+) and single positive thymocytes expressing CD4 or CD8 alone. A polyclonal T‐cell repertoire was evident. In addition, the T cells responded appropriately to mitogen and were permissive to infection with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). These data demonstrate the ability of porcine thymus to support T‐cell differentiation of both human and non‐human hematopoietic progenitor cells and support in vivo studies of transplantation of swine thymic tissue as a strategy for immune reconstitution in AIDS.
Model of a Testing-and-Quarantine Strategy to Slow-Down the COVID-19 Outbreak in Guadeloupe

Using a stochastic epidemic model explicitly considering the entire population of Guadeloupe (1), we explore the domain of solutions presenting an efficient slowing down of the COVID-19 epidemic spread during the post-containment period. The considered model parameters are the basic reproduction number R0 to simulate the effects of social distancing, the time delay {delta}TQ elapsed between the detection of a symptomatic person and her/his placement in quarantine to suppress her/his contagiousness, and the number Na of asymptomatic people tested positively and isolated. We show that acceptable solutions are obtained for a wide range of parameter values. Thanks to a good control of the initial epidemic spread resulting from an early containment and efficient communication by the sanitary and administrative authorities, the present situation corresponds to a pre-epidemic state. The most safe solutions are a combinations of social distancing, numerous testing to perform a systematic isolation of symptomatic patients and guided detection of asymptomatic people in the entourage of localised symptomatic patients.
Evaluating adherence to recommended diets in adults: the Alternate Healthy Eating Index

Abstract Objective The Healthy Eating Index (HEI), designed to assess adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Food Guide Pyramid, was previously associated with only a small reduction in major chronic disease risk in US adult men and women. We assessed whether an alternate index would better predict risk. Design Dietary intake reported by men and women from two prospective cohorts was scored according to an a priori designed Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI). In contrast with the original HEI, the AHEI distinguished quality within food groups and acknowledged health benefits of unsaturated oils. The score was then used to predict development of CVD, cancer or other causes of death in the same population previously tested. Subjects 67 271 women from the Nurses' Health Study and 38 615 men from the Health Professionals' Follow-up Study. Results Men and women with AHEI scores in the top vs. bottom quintile had a significant 20% and 11% reduction in overall major chronic disease, respectively. Reductions were stronger for CVD risk in men (RR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.49–0.75) and women (RR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.60–0.86). The score did not predict cancer risk. Conclusions The AHEI was twice as strong at predicting major chronic disease and CVD risk compared to the original HEI, suggesting that major chronic disease risk can be further reduced with more comprehensive and detailed dietary guidance.
Differences in distribution of T-scores and Z-scores among bone densitometry tests in postmenopausal women (a comparative study).

BACKGROUND To determine the character of T-score and Z-score value distribution in individually selected methods of bone densitometry and to compare them using statistical analysis. METHODS We examined 56 postmenopausal women with an age between 43 and 68 years with osteopenia or osteoporosis according to the WHO classification. The following measurements were made in each patient: T-score and Z-score for: 1) Stiffness index (S) of the left heel bone, USM (index). 2) Bone mineral density of the left heel bone (BMDh), DEXA (g of Ca hydroxyapatite per cm2). 3) Bone mineral density of trabecular bone of the L1 vertebra (BMDL1), QCT (mg of Ca hydroxyapatite per cm3). The densitometers used in the study were: Ultrasonometer to measure heel bone, Achilles plus LUNAR, USA; DEXA to measure heel bone, PIXI, LUNAR, USA; QCT to measure the L1 vertebra, CT, SOMATOM Plus, Siemens, Germany. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Differences between measured values of T-scores (Z-scores) were evaluated by parametric or non-parametric methods of determining the 95% confidence intervals (C.I.) RESULTS Differences between Z-score and T-score values for compared measurements were statistically significant; however, these differences were lower for Z-scores. CONCLUSIONS Largest differences in 95% C.I. , characterizing individual measurements of T-score values (in comparison with Z-scores), were found for those densitometers whose age range of the reference groups of young adults differed the most, and conversely, the smallest differences in T-score values were found when the differences between the age ranges of reference groups were smallest. The higher variation in T-score values in comparison to Z-scores is also caused by a non-standard selection of the reference groups of young adults for the QCT, PIXI and Achilles Plus densitometers used in the study. Age characteristics of the reference group for T-scores should be standardized for all types of densitometers.
Plant scents modify innate colour preference in foraging swallowtail butterflies

Flower-visiting insects exhibit innate preferences for particular colours. A previous study demonstrated that naive Papilio xuthus females prefer yellow and red, whereas males are more attracted to blue. Here, we demonstrate that the innate colour preference can be modified by olfactory stimuli in a sexually dimorphic manner. Naive P. xuthus were presented with four coloured discs: blue, green, yellow and red. The innate colour preference (i.e. the colour first landed on) of the majority of individuals was blue. When scent from essential oils of either orange flower or lily was introduced to the room, females’ tendency to select the red disc increased. Scents of lavender and flowering potted Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, however, were less effective. Interestingly, the odour of the non-flowering larval host plant, Citrus unshiu, shifted the preference to green in females. In males, however, all plant scents were less effective than in females, such that blue was always the most favoured colour. These observations indicate that interactions between visual and olfactory cues play a more prominent role in females.
Serial cloning of pigs by somatic cell nuclear transfer: Restoration of phenotypic normality during serial cloning

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (scNT) is a useful way to create cloned animals. However, scNT clones exhibit high levels of phenotypic instability. This instability may be due to epigenetic reprogramming and/or genomic damage in the donor cells. To test this, we produced transgenic pig fibroblasts harboring the truncated human thrombopoietin (hTPO) gene and used them as donor cells in scNT to produce first‐generation (G1) cloned piglets. In this study, 2,818 scNT embryos were transferred to 11 recipients and five G1 piglets were obtained. Among them, a clone had a dimorphic facial appearance with severe hypertelorism and a broad prominent nasal bridge. The other clones looked normal. Second‐generation (G2) scNT piglets were then produced using ear cells from a G1 piglet that had an abnormal nose phenotype. We reasoned that, if the phenotypic abnormality of the G1 clone was not present in the G2 and third‐generation (G3) clones, or was absent in the G2 clones but reappeared in the G3 clones, the phenotypic instability of the G1 clone could be attributed to faulty epigenetic reprogramming rather than to inherent/accidental genomic damage to the donor cells. Blastocyst rates, cell numbers in blastocyst, pregnancy rates, term placenta weight and ponderal index, and birth weight between G1 and G2 clones did not differ, but were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than control age‐ and sex‐matched piglets. Next, we analyzed global methylation changes during development of the preimplantation embryos reconstructed by donor cells used for the production of G1 and G2 clones and could not find any significant differences in the methylation patterns between G1 and G2 clones. Indeed, we failed to detect the phenotypic abnormality in the G2 and G3 clones. Thus, the phenotypic abnormality of the G1 clone is likely to be due to epigenetic dysregulation. Additional observations then suggested that expression of the hTPO gene in the transgenic clones did not appear to be the cause of the phenotypic abnormality in the G1 clones and that the abnormality was acquired by only a few of the G1 clone's cells during its gestational development. Developmental Dynamics 236:3369–3382, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.