Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Salt balance and long-term blood pressure control.

Most of us are well aware of the many studies showing that segregated groups of people who live with meager intakes of salt usually maintain entirely normal blood pressures throughout their lives (1-4). At the other extreme, populations in which salt intake is greater than the norm have an especially high incidence of hypertension (5, 6). One of the most graphic examples of relationships between salt intake and blood pressure was recorded by Prior and his colleagues (1, 2): the natives living on the island of Pukapuka and some other Pacific islands have a daily salt intake many times less than that of persons living in the Western culture, and their arterial pressures do not increase as they age. Yet, many of these natives have migrated to New Zealand and have taken up the cultural and dietary habits of the European New Zealanders. Subsequently, these migrants expe­ rience an incidence of increasing arterial pressure similar to that in the other new Zealanders of different racial stock.
Lead poisoning and the deceptive recovery of the critically endangered California condor

Endangered species recovery programs seek to restore populations to self-sustaining levels. Nonetheless, many recovering species require continuing management to compensate for persistent threats in their environment. Judging true recovery in the face of this management is often difficult, impeding thorough analysis of the success of conservation programs. We illustrate these challenges with a multidisciplinary study of one of the world’s rarest birds—the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus). California condors were brought to the brink of extinction, in part, because of lead poisoning, and lead poisoning remains a significant threat today. We evaluated individual lead-related health effects, the efficacy of current efforts to prevent lead-caused deaths, and the consequences of any reduction in currently intensive management actions. Our results show that condors in California remain chronically exposed to harmful levels of lead; 30% of the annual blood samples collected from condors indicate lead exposure (blood lead ≥ 200 ng/mL) that causes significant subclinical health effects, measured as >60% inhibition of the heme biosynthetic enzyme δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase. Furthermore, each year, ∼20% of free-flying birds have blood lead levels (≥450 ng/mL) that indicate the need for clinical intervention to avert morbidity and mortality. Lead isotopic analysis shows that lead-based ammunition is the principle source of lead poisoning in condors. Finally, population models based on condor demographic data show that the condor’s apparent recovery is solely because of intensive ongoing management, with the only hope of achieving true recovery dependent on the elimination or substantial reduction of lead poisoning rates.
Cell-Specific Expression of the Murine CD21 Gene Depends on Accessibility of Promoter and Intronic Elements1

The murine complement receptor type 2 gene (Cr2/CD21) is transcriptionally active in murine B and follicular dendritic cells, but not in murine T cells. We have previously shown that altering chromatin structure via histone deacetylase inhibitors results in CD21 expression in murine T cells, and that the minimal CD21 promoter provided appropriate cell-specific expression of luciferase reporter constructs only in the presence of the first third of intron 1, fragment A. We extend this work by showing that replacing the CD21 gene promoter with the SV40 promoter resulted in the loss of this cell-specific control. Further delineation of intronic regulatory elements by fragmentation also resulted in the loss of cell-specific gene expression, suggesting that multiple CD21 promoter and intronic elements interact for appropriate CD21 gene expression. To assess this model, we performed EMSAs to define protein binding sites within promoter and intronic regions and DNase I hypersensitivity assays to determine chromatin accessibility. Multiple DNA binding factors were shown to be present in B and T cell extracts; a minority demonstrated B cell specificity. However, the DNase I sensitivity of T cell CD21 regulatory elements was not comparable to that of B cells until the histone acetylation status of the gene was altered. Taken together, these data suggest that chromatin remodeling facilitates cell-specific CD21 gene expression by modulating access of transcription factors to regulatory elements in the promoter and intron.
Energy management strategy for a grid-tied residential microgrid based on Fuzzy Logic and power forecasting

This paper extends a previous design of an energy management strategy based on Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC) for a residential grid-tied microgrid including a Hybrid Renewable Energy System (HRES) and an Energy Storage System (ESS). The main goal of the proposed design is to improve the grid power profile while satisfying the constraints established by the ESS. The strategy extension includes generation and demand forecasting in order to predict the future behavior of the microgrid. According to the forecast error and the battery State-of-Charge (SOC) the proposed strategy increases/decreases the grid power with the purpose of smoothing the power exchanged with the grid. The performance of the proposed strategy is verified through comparative numerical simulations using real data measured at the microgrid of the Public University of Navarre (UPNa).
Clinical Classification as a Predictor of Therapeutic Outcome After Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection

A retrospective analysis was done on 100 patients who had received cervical epidural steroid injections for neck pain and cervical radiculopathy to identify the predictors of outcome after such treatment. Potential predictors of outcome were assessed individually and then simultaneously with a multiple-regression model. Patients with radicular symptoms and signs had the best pain relief in contradistinction to those with axial (neck) pain. A clinical classification model predicting the outcome and an algorithm for the use of such injections in the treatment of cervical radiculopathy were developed.
Effects of nitric oxide on blood-brain barrier permeability in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).

OBJECTIVE To determine in vivo effects of nitric oxide (NO) on blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). ANIMALS 148 carp. PROCEDURES Carp received glyceryl trinitrate (1 mg/kg) as an NO donor or received no treatment (control group). Nitrite and nitrate concentrations in carp sera were determined 0.25, 1, 3, 6, 8, 12, and 24 hours after treatment. In control and treatment groups, BBB permeability was analyzed by assessment of leakage of Evans blue dye into various brain areas at 6, 12, and 24 hours after glyceryl trinitrate treatment. Brain edema was determined by means of the wet-dry weight method and assessed with light microscopy on H&E-stained preparations of tissues obtained 6 and 24 hours after glyceryl trinitrate treatment. RESULTS Treatment with glyceryl trinitrate induced endogenous synthesis of NO, which was upregulated 6 and 8 hours after treatment. Increased NO synthesis was associated with increased permeability of the BBB, which developed 6 hours after treatment with the NO donor. Although the BBB became impermeable again by 12 hours after glycerol trinitrate treatment, brain edema still persisted 24 hours after treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In this study, treatment with an NO donor caused reversible opening of the BBB and brain edema in common carp. An intact BBB is important to prevent influx of potentially harmful substances into the brain. This investigation highlighted the possibility of BBB disarrangement caused by NO, a substance found in the CNS of all vertebrates evaluated.
Stem Cell Based Therapies for Glaucoma

Glaucoma remains one of the leading causes of worldwide blindness. In England and Wales glaucoma is a major or contributory factor for 12-14% of all registrations for blindness and partial sight, second only to macular degeneration (Bunce et al., 2010). The worldwide burden is more significant, with glaucoma being the second leading cause of global blindness after cataract (Resnikoff et al., 2004). It has been estimated that 60.5 million people worldwide would be affected by glaucoma by 2010, with the figure expected to rise to 80 million by 2020 (Quigley and Broman, 2006). Current treatments for glaucoma comprise the lowering of intraocular pressure by eye drops, laser procedures or drainage surgery. However, as implied by the statistics above, many patients experience significant visual loss due to degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) despite the advances in the treatments currently available. The need for novel therapies exists for such patients, in particular those with end stage glaucoma, where maintenance of a small number of surviving RGCs may yet permit a reasonable quality of life (Much et al., 2008). Stem cell therapies developed in the laboratory and translated to clinical practice provide an exciting and realistic hope for those affected by degenerative retinal diseases including glaucoma. This chapter will discuss three mechanisms by which stem cell therapies may potentially offer hope to patients with glaucoma, namely local retinal ganglion cell replacement, retina and optic nerve regeneration and stem cell mediated neuroprotection.
A Cable-Suspended Intelligent Crane Assist Device for the Intuitive Manipulation of Large Payloads

This paper presents a cable-suspended crane system to assist operators in moving and lifting large payloads. The main objective of this work is to develop a simple and reliable system to help operators in industry to be more productive while preventing injuries. The system is based on the development of a precise and reliable cable angle sensor and a complete dynamic model of the system. Adaptive horizontal and vertical controllers designed for direct physical human-robot interaction are then proposed. Different techniques are then proposed to estimate the payload acceleration in order to increase the controller performances. Finally, experiments performed on a full-scale industrial system are presented.
The evolution of meiosis: Recruitment and modification of somatic DNA‐repair proteins

Several DNA‐damage detection and repair mechanisms have evolved to repair double‐strand breaks induced by mutagens. Later in evolutionary history, DNA single‐ and double‐strand cuts made possible immune diversity by V(D)J recombination and recombination at meiosis. Such cuts are induced endogenously and are highly regulated and controlled. In meiosis, DNA cuts are essential for the initiation of homologous recombination, and for the formation of joint molecule and crossovers. Many proteins that function during somatic DNA‐damage detection and repair are also active during homologous recombination. However, their meiotic functions may be altered from their somatic roles through localization, posttranslational modifications and/or interactions with meiosis‐specific proteins. Presumably, somatic repair functions and meiotic recombination diverged during evolution, resulting in adaptations specific to sexual reproduction. BioEssays 27:795–808, 2005. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diferencias entre mujeres y hombres en el mercado de trabajo: desempleo y salarios

En este trabajo se muestran las diferencias entre mujeres y hombres en el mercado de trabajo espanol, centrando el interes en las brechas existentes en terminos de salarios y tasas de desempleo, y se ofrece una reflexion desde la teoria economica sobre el por que de dichas diferencias. Ademas, se pone de manifiesto el significativo papel que juega la discriminacion en contra de las mujeres en la explicacion de dichas brechas salariales y los efectos que ello genera en terminos de desigualdad y pobreza economica.
A Chlorophyte Alga Utilizes Alternative Electron Transport for Primary Photoprotection1[OPEN]

Constitutive small antennae, alternative electron transport, and an efficient PSII turnover capacity enable Desmodesmus armatus to photosynthesize efficiently. The green alga Desmodesmus armatus is an emerging biofuel platform that produces high amounts of lipids and biomass in mass culture. We observed D. armatus in light-limiting, excess-light, and sinusoidal-light environments to investigate its photoacclimation behaviors and the mechanisms by which it dissipates excess energy. Chlorophyll a/b ratios and the functional absorption cross section of PSII suggested a constitutively small light-harvesting antenna size relative to other green algae. In situ and ex situ measurements of photo-physiology revealed that nonphotochemical quenching is not a significant contributor to photoprotection; however, cells do not suffer substantial photoinhibition despite its near absence. We performed membrane inlet mass spectrometry analysis to show that D. armatus has a very high capacity for alternative electron transport (AET) measured as light-dependent oxygen consumption. Up to 90% of electrons generated at PSII can be dissipated by AET in a water–water cycle during growth in rapidly fluctuating light environments, like those found in industrial-scale photobioreactors. This work highlights the diversity of photoprotective mechanisms present in algal systems, indicating that nonphotochemical quenching is not necessarily required for effective photoprotection in some algae, and suggests that engineering AET may be an attractive target for increasing the biomass productivity of some strains.
Risk factors for early-onset, ventilator-associated pneumonia in critical care patients: selected multiresistant versus nonresistant bacteria.

BACKGROUND Ventilator-associated pneumonia is the leading nosocomial infection in critically ill patients. The frequency of ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria has increased in recent years, and these pathogens cause most of the deaths attributable to pneumonia. The authors, therefore, evaluated factors associated with selected multidrug-resistant ventilator-associated pneumonia in critical care patients. METHODS The authors prospectively recorded potential risk factors at the time of intensive care unit admission. An endotracheal aspirate was obtained in all patients who met clinical criteria for pneumonia. Patients were considered to have ventilator-associated pneumonia only when they met the clinical criteria and aspirate culture was positive for bacteria 48 h or more after initiation of mechanical ventilation. Pediatric patients were excluded. Adult patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia were first grouped as "early-onset" (< 5 days) and "late-onset," determined by episodes of ventilator-associated pneumonia, and then, assigned to four groups based on the bacteria cultured from their tracheal aspirates: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumanii, methicillin-resistant staphylococci, and all others. The first three bacteria were considered to be multidrug resistant, whereas the others were considered to be antibiotic susceptible. Potential risk factors were evaluated with use of univariate statistics and multivariate regression. RESULTS Among 486 consecutive patients admitted during the study, 260 adults underwent mechanical ventilation for more than 48 h. Eighty-one patients (31%) experienced 99 episodes of ventilator-associated pneumonia, including Pseudomonas(33 episodes), methicillin-resistant staphylococci (17 episodes), Acinetobacter(9 episodes), and nonresistant bacteria (40 episodes). Sixty-six of these episodes were early onset and 33 episodes were late onset. Logistic regression analysis identified three factors significantly associated with early-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by any one of the multidrug-resistant bacterial strains: emergency intubation (odds ratio, 6.4; 95% confidence interval, 2.0-20.2), aspiration (odds ratio, 12.7; 95% confidence interval, 2.4-64.6), and Glasgow coma score of 9 or less (odds ratio, 3.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-11.3). A. baumanii-related pneumonia cases were found to be significantly associated with two of these factors: aspiration (odds ratio, 14.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-133.8) and Glasgow coma score (odds ratio, 6.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-32.6). CONCLUSIONS The authors recommend that patients undergoing emergency intubation or aspiration or who have a Glasgow coma score of 9 or less be monitored especially closely for early-onset multidrug-resistant pneumonia. The occurrence of aspiration and a Glasgow coma score of 9 or less are especially associated with pneumonia caused by A. baumanii.
Active Multimodal Stimulation in Rehabilitation of paretic upper limb after stroke: technical procedure

The development of non-invasive transcranial stimulation techniques and their influence in Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) rehabilitation is increasing since nineties. There are several treatments for sensitive and motor upper limb recovery after a neurological injury, whose individual scientific evidence is remarkable. The purpose of this project is to describe the instrument's performance for an active multimodal stimulation in paretic upper limb rehabilitation after stroke.
Altered glycosylation of mucin glycoproteins in colonic neoplasia

Considerable alteration of cellular carbohydrates such as glycolipids and glycoproteins occurs in colonic neoplasia. Some of these changes are also observed at certain embryonic stages of differentiation and are, therefore, considered onco‐developmental changes. In colon cancer cells, many of the phenotypic markers for malignancy have been found on carbohydrate moieties, and some have been found on the peptide portion of mucin glycoproteins. The changes in carbohydrate antigens include altered expression of core region carbohydrates, extension of backbone structures and modification of peripheral carbohydrate structures that may arise due to abnormal glycosylation processes. Altered glycosylation may also result in the exposure of the peptide moiety of the mucin glycoprotein. Therefore, these altered mucin glycoprotein structures may serve as tumor markers. Howerver, it remains to be determined whether they will be useful as intermediate endpoint markers.
Electrophysiology of guinea‐pig cerebellar nuclear cells in the in vitro brain stem‐cerebellar preparation.

1. Intracellular recordings were obtained from cerebellar nuclear neurones in the isolated brain stem‐cerebellar preparation of guinea‐pigs in vitro. The electrical properties of the cells were quite similar to those reported in in vitro slice studies. They had an average resting potential of ‐56.7 +/‐ 1.8 mV, an input resistance of 23.8 +/‐ 4.9 M omega, and a time constant of 12.5 +/‐ 2.7 ms. The action potentials had an average amplitude of 57.3 +/‐ 5.28 mV (n = 20). 2. In addition to the ionic mechanisms required for the generation of the fast action potential, cerebellar nuclear neurones displayed a low‐threshold Ca2+‐dependent spike which produced a powerful rebound excitation following anodal break. This type of electroresponsiveness was absent in the slice preparation. 3. The anodal break response was further enhanced by the presence of a non‐inactivating Na+ conductance similar to that described in Purkinje cells. 4. Following electrical stimulation of the cerebellar cortex or the underlying white matter, excitatory and inhibitory synaptic potentials (EPSP‐IPSP sequences) could be recorded in cerebellar nuclear neurones. The EPSPs were elicited by direct activation of collaterals of mossy or climbing fibre afferents. The IPSPs followed direct or orthodromic Purkinje cell activation. 5. The integrity of the olivo‐cerebellar system was tested by the administration of harmaline which produced powerful EPSP‐IPSP sequences or pure IPSPs in cerebellar nuclear neurones. These IPSPs were often followed by a rebound firing of the cells. 6. These results indicate that the olivo‐cerebellar pathway, in addition to its activation of the cerebellar cortex, exerts a powerful and complex set of synaptic events on cerebellar nuclear cells. As such it is a true afferent system, having a distinct role in cerebellar physiology.
The Interaction between Protein‐Derived Immunogenic Peptides and Ia

The interaction between Ia and immunogenic peptides derived from soluble protein antigens was studied by direct binding measurements in equilibrium dialysis, by inhibition of binding in equilibrium dialysis, and by antigen competition in a functional assay of presentation to T cells by fixed accessory cells. These studies indicated that (1) OVA 323–339 binds to IAd but not IEd, IAk, or IEk and HEL 46–61 binds to IAk but not IAd, IEd, or IEk. (2) This binding correlated with the MHC restriction observed in the immune response to these peptides. (3) The pattern of inhibition of antigen presentation obtained with a panel of 9 unrelated but also antigenic peptides suggests that there are very few, and perhaps only one, interaction site on IAd and IEk for antigen. (4) The pattern of inhibition of antigen presentation correlated with the inhibition of binding to Ia, further indicating that antigenic competition at the accessory cell level is due to competition for interaction sites on Ia.
Role of vitamin D in neonatal skeletal development in rats.

The role of vitamin D in rat pup growth and skeletal development without the influence of nutritional factors was investigated. Pups from vitamin D-replete and vitamin D-deficient dams receiving identical amounts of milk for 20 days were compared. Body weight gain, femur ash content and histomorphometric analyses of diaphysial and distal femur were determined. Up to 20 days of age, growth and skeletal development of the pups were completely normal in the absence of vitamin D. Skeletal changes found in vitamin D deficiency were not observed, i.e., there was no increased volume of osteoid or lack of bone mineralization as demonstrated by tetracycline labeling and ash content. Only increased cortical porosity was found in vitamin D-deficient pups. Therefore, abnormalities previously attributed to vitamin D deficiency in neonatal rats can be corrected by sufficient milk consumption and are thus not a direct function of vitamin D.
Optimal policies search for sensor management : Application to the ESA radar

This paper introduces a new approach to solve sensor management problems. Classically sensor management problems can be well formalized as partially-observed Markov decision processes (POMPD). The original approach developped here consists in deriving the optimal parameterized policy based on a stochastic gradient estimation. We assume in this work that it is possible to learn the optimal policy off-line (in simulation) using models of the environement and of the sensor(s). The learned policy can then be used to manage the sensor(s). In order to approximate the gradient in a stochastic context, we introduce a new method to approximate the gradient, based on infinitesimal perturbation approximation (IPA). The effectiveness of this general framework is illustrated by the managing of an electronically scanned array radar. First simulations results are finally proposed.