Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Kinetic and pharmacological properties of the M‐current in rodent neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells.

1. The M‐like current IK(M,ng) in differentiated NG108‐15 mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma hybrid cells has been studied using tight‐seal, whole‐cell patch‐clamp recording. 2. When calculated from steady‐state current‐voltage curves, the conductance underlying IK(M,ng) showed a Boltzmann dependence on voltage with half‐activation voltage Vo = ‐44 mV (in 3 mM [K+]) and slope factor (a) = 8.1 mV/e‐fold increase in conductance. In 12 mM [K+] Vo = ‐38 mV and a = 6.9 mV. The deactivation reciprocal time constant accelerated with hyperpolarization with slope factor 17 mV/e‐fold voltage change. 3. The reversal potential for deactivation tail currents varied with external [K+] as if PNa/PK were 0.005. 4. Steady‐state current was increased on removing external Ca2+. In the presence of external Ca2+, reactivation of IK(M, ng) after a hyperpolarizing step was delayed. This delay was preceded by an inward Ca2+ current, and coincided with an increase in intracellular [Ca2+] as measured with Indo‐1 fluorescence. Elevation of intracellular [Ca2+] with caffeine also reduced IK(M, ng). 5. IK(M, ng) was inhibited by external divalent cations in decreasing order of potency (mM IC50 in parentheses): Zn2+ (0.011) greater than Cu2+ (0.018) greater than Cd2+ (0.070) greater than Ni2+ (0.44) greater than Ba2+ (0.47) greater than Fe2+ (0.69) greater than Mn2+ (0.86) greater than Co2+ (0.92) greater than Ca2+ (5.6) greater than Mg2+ (16) greater than Sr2+ (33). This was not secondary to inhibition of ICa since: (i) inhibition persisted in Ca(2+)‐free solution; (ii) La3+ did not inhibit IK(M, ng) at concentrations which inhibited ICa; and (iii) organic Ca2+ channel blockers were ineffective. Inhibition comprised both depression of the maximum conductance and a positive shift of the activation curve. Addition of Ca2+ (10 microM free [Ca2+]) or Ba2+ (1 mM total [Ba2+]) to the pipette solution did not significantly change IK(M, ng). 6. IK(M, ng) was reduced by 9‐amino‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroacridine (IC50 8 microM) and quinine (30 microM) but was insensitive to tetraethylammonium (IC50 greater than 30 mM), 4‐aminopyridine (greater than 10 mM), apamin (greater than 3 microM) or dendrotoxin (greater than 100 nM). 7. IK(M, ng) was inhibited by bradykinin (1‐10 microM) or angiotensin II (1‐10 microM), but not by the following other receptor agonists: acetylcholine (10 mM), muscarine (10 microM), noradrenaline (100 microM), adrenaline (100 microM), dopamine (100 microM), histamine (100 microM), 5‐hydroxytryptamine (10 microM), Met‐enkephalin (1 microM), glycine (100 microM), gamma‐aminobutyric acid (100 microM) or baclofen (500 microM). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Nitric oxide boosts TLR‐4 mediated lipocalin 2 expression in chondrocytes

Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) has recently emerged as a novel adipokine involved in different processes including arthritis and chondrocyte inflammatory response. However, little is known about its activity on chondrocyte homeostasis and its regulation by nitric oxide (NO) Hence, we performed a set of experiments aimed to achieve a better understanding of this relationship. Cell vitality was tested in the ATDC5 cell line by the MTT colorimetric assay. Protein expression and gene expression was evaluated by Western blot and real time RT‐PCR, respectively. NO production (determined as nitrite accumulation) was assayed by the Griess reaction. First, we demonstrated that LCN2 decreased murine chondrocytes vitality. Next, LCN2 co‐stimulation with LPS enhanced NOS2 protein expression by murine chondrocytes. In addition, inhibition of LPS‐induced nitric oxide production by aminoguanidine, a selective NOS2 inhibitor, significantly reduced LPS‐mediated LCN2 expression. In contrast, treatment of murine chondrocytes with sodium nitroprussiate (SNP), a classic NO donor, scarcely induced LCN2 expression. Intriguingly, SNP addition to LPS‐challenged chondrocytes, treated with aminoguanidine, provoked a strong induction of LCN2 expression. Finally, murine ATDC5 cells, co‐cultured with LPS pre‐challenged macrophages, had higher LCN2 expression in comparison with murine chondrocytes co‐cultured with non pre‐challenged macrophages. In this work we have described for the first time that NO is able to exert a control on LCN2 expression, suggesting the existence of a feedback loop regulating its expression. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1046–1052, 2013
Consistent patterns of expression of HLA class I free heavy chains in healthy individuals and raised expression in spondyloarthropathy patients point to physiological and pathological roles.

OBJECTIVES Major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) proteins exist at the cell surface in antigen presenting forms and as beta2m-independent free heavy chains (FHCs). FHCs have been implicated in spondyloarthritis, but little is known about their expression in healthy individuals. We studied FHC expression on various human cell types, comparing spondyloarthropathy patients with healthy and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient controls. METHODS MHC-I expression was analysed by flow cytometry. FHC levels were normalized for overall MHC-I to generate a relative expression level. Relative FHC levels were analysed for peripheral blood and trophoblast samples from healthy volunteers, RA and spondyloarthropathy patients. Macrophages and dendritic cells were cultured in vitro to analyse changes following activation. Peripheral blood leucocytes from patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and RA were treated with inflammatory stimuli and subsequent alterations in their relative FHC levels were analysed. RESULTS We found consistent patterns of differential relative FHC expression across lymphocyte subpopulations and particularly high expression on extravillous trophoblast. FHCs were present at higher levels in a reactive arthritis (ReA) population than in healthy controls and RA patients; differences not merely due to the presence of Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA) B27. Treatment of leucocytes from arthritic patients with bacterial lipopolysaccharide resulted in significant up-regulation of FHC compared with an HLA B27+ control population. CONCLUSIONS Our findings define normal levels and tissue expression of FHCs, and support the hypothesis that disregulation of heavy chain expression may play a pathogenic role in spondyloarthropathy.
The Effect of DA-9701 on 5-Hydroxytryptamine-Induced Contraction of Feline Esophageal Smooth Muscle Cells

Serotonin, or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a monoamine neurotransmitter found in blood platelets, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and the central nervous system (CNS) of animals and humans. The signaling pathways of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced contractions in cat esophageal smooth muscle cell (ESMC)s have been identified, but the downstream components of the 5-HT signaling pathway remain unclear. DA-9701 is the standardized extract of the Pharbitis nil Choisy seed (Pharbitidis Semen, Convolvulaceae) and the root of Corydalis yahusuo W.T. Wang (Corydalis Tuber, Papaveraceae). DA-9701 is known to have strong gastroprokinetic effects and a good safety profile. In this study, we investigated the 5-HT signaling pathway at the G-protein level, and we explored the mechanisms by which DA-9701 induces smooth muscle contraction. Freshly isolated smooth muscle cells were harvested from the feline esophagus, and cells were permeabilized to measure their length. 5-HT produced esophageal smooth muscle contractions in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, 5-HT produced a relatively long-acting contraction. 5-HT binds to the 5-HT2, 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors to induce smooth muscle contraction in feline ESMCs. These receptors, which are located in esophageal smooth muscle, are coupled to Gαq, Gαo and Gαs. These G proteins activate PLC, which leads to Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent MLCK activation, resulting in MLC20 phosphorylation and cell contraction. Conversely, DA-9701 inhibits 5-HT-induced contraction by inhibiting MLC20 phosphorylation.
Ensuring good governance of marine wildlife tourism: a case study of ray-based tourism at Hamelin Bay, Western Australia

ABSTRACT This paper focuses on stingray and eagle ray tourism in Hamelin Bay, Western Australia, and examines whether current governance arrangements are sufficient. Utilising a desk-based methodology we review the literature and analyse the relevant legal provisions and management practices to determine whether these are appropriate given growth in tourism numbers. Although stricter controls were recommended over ten years ago, and some reforms were made, we find that governance remains limited. We make recommendations for the future with implications for governance in Australia and other regions where marine-based tourism is expanding and must be sustainably managed.
Gearing-up Governance for Sustainable Development: Patterns of Environmental Policy Appraisal in Central Government

Abstract Environmental policy integration (EPI) is a widely used political strategy to institutionalise the concept of sustainable development in the everyday practice of modern governance. In recent years, there has been a strong drive to pursue EPI both within the European Union (EU) and at national level in some of its member states. The United Kingdom (UK), in particular, has been applauded by the OECD for its innovative implementation strategy, which dates back to the late 1980s. The central tool of the UK’s EPI strategy is the application of an environmental policy appraisal (EPA) to different policy options to assess their respective environmental impacts. It is especially well suited to those sectors where the root causes of environmental degradation reside – i.e. energy, transport and agriculture. Yet, despite the UK’s ‘pioneering’ EPI strategy, with EPA at its core, critics claim that in reality EPA is sparsely and weakly implemented. However, they offer little explanation for the apparent failure of EPA to take root. By using the UK as a critical case of environmental governance, this paper aims to empirically examine the real patterns of EPA, and to investigate the underlying causes behind its limited use by UK departments. It then uses the UK’s experience to identify potential lessons that can be transferred to the EU and its member states.
Nursing faculties’ knowledge and attitude on evidence-based practice

Background: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is one of the main professional competencies for health care professionals and a priority for medicine and nursing curriculum as well. EBP leads to improve effective and efficient care and patient outcomes. Nurse educators have responsibility to teach the future nurses, and an opportunity to promote patient outcomes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe nurse educators’ knowledge and attitude on EBP. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive study conducted in nursing faculties of two major universities of medical sciences affiliated to Ministry of Health and Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran. Data were gathered using a three-section questionnaire. Content and face validity was further enhanced by submitting it to nursing research and education experts. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 11 software. Results: According the results, nursing faculties’ knowledge of EBP was mainly moderate (47.1%). Significant statistical relationship was found between the level of knowledge with education and teaching experience in different nursing programs. Nurses generally held positive attitudes toward EBP (88.6%) and there was no statistical significant relationship with demographic variables. Conclusion: Nursing educators are in a position to influence nursing research in clinical practice in the future. Therefore, it is critical to achieve implementation of EBP and be a change agent for a paradigm shift toward EBP.
Microfabricated impedance sensors for concurrent tactile, biopotential, and wetness detection

Several biomedical applications require concurrent measurement of movement of the subject, sensing of the biopotentials and detection of wetness caused by bodily fluids. This paper presents the use of flexible capacitive tactile sensing arrays for concurrent monitoring of biopotential and wetness. This has been enabled by designing the cross-section of the capacitive sensor in a specific “H” shape where the movement of the capacitive plates is used for estimating the presence and the value of tactile forces. The capacitive plates act as biopotential sensors when coupled to the skin and the presence of conductive fluids in-between the plates can be sensed through impedance spectroscopy. We have designed a preliminary miniaturized circuit front-end using commercial-of-the-shelf components to interface the sensors and wirelessly transmit the data through a Bluetooth low energy link. Using the designed circuitry, the force applied to the pixel in the array has been estimated through capacitive sensing with a linear change in the capacitance with the applied force. Same sensor was used to detect EKG waveforms and sense the presence of wetness and salinity using impedance characterization.
A multiobjective evolutionary algorithm for the sizing and siting of distributed generation

In the restructured electricity industry, the engineering aspects of planning need to be reformulated even though the goal to attain remains substantially the same, requiring various objectives to be simultaneously accomplished to achieve the optimality of the power system development and operation. In many cases, these objectives contradict each other and cannot be handled by conventional single optimization techniques. In this paper, a multiobjective formulation for the siting and sizing of DG resources into existing distribution networks is proposed. The methodology adopted permits the planner to decide the best compromise between cost of network upgrading, cost of power losses, cost of energy not supplied, and cost of energy required by the served customers. The implemented technique is based on a genetic algorithm and an /spl epsiv/-constrained method that allows obtaining a set of noninferior solutions. Application examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed procedure.
An investigation of satiety in ageing, dementia, and hyperphagia.

OBJECTIVE To investigate satiety in young, middle-aged, and elderly healthy adults, and in nonhyperphagic and hyperphagic elderly people with dementia. Previous work suggested hyperphagia in dementia was due to increased hunger and absence of satiation. METHODS The primary measure of satiety was the amount of food eaten in an ad libitum meal, given 1 hr after a fixed preload. Three types of preload were used, high- and low-energy milkshakes and water. The effect of age was investigated by comparing the three groups of healthy adults. The effect of dementia was investigated by comparing the two demented groups with healthy elderly. RESULTS Measurements suggested that accuracy of compensation for preload energy differences decreased with age and was absent in people with dementia. DISCUSSION Lack of compensatory response in the elderly, particularly those with dementia, indicates the need for monitoring food intake to prevent over- or undereating.
Estimation bayésienne d'un modèle DSGE pour une petite économie ouverte: Cas de la RD Congo

The aim of this work was to estimate a DSGE-SOE model for the DR Congo by referring to the Bayesian techniques for the quarterly data from 2002q1 to 2016q4 in order to analyze the relations between the main macroeconomic variables and to simulate the " impact of some major shocks on their evolution. The results of model estimation were generally satisfactory, especially with respect to the convergence tests of Brooks and Gelman (1998). The results of the analysis of historical decomposition have revealed the influence of exchange rate and output shocks on internal and external productivity shocks as the main determinants of the policy rate and interest rate movements. domestic inflation. An analysis of the historical decomposition of the rate of exchange rate depreciation has indicated the notorious influence of exchange rate and monetary policy shocks in the explanation of exchange rate depreciation during the last three quarters of the year 2016.
The evolving networks of debtor-creditor relationships with addition and deletion of nodes: a case of P2P lending

P2P lending activities have grown rapidly and have caused the huge and complex networks of debtor-creditor relationships. The aim of this study was to study the underlying structural characteristics of networks formed by debtor-creditor relationships. According attributes of P2P lending, this paper model the networks of debtor-creditor relationships as an evolving networks with addition and deletion of nodes. It was found that networks of debtor-creditor relationships are scale-free networks. Moreover, the exponent of power-law was calculated by an empirical study. In addition, this paper study what factors impact on the exponent of power-law besides the number of nodes. It was found that the both interest rate and term have significantly influence on the exponent of power-law. Interest rate is negatively correlated with the exponent of power-law and term is positively correlated with the exponent of power-law. Our results enriches the application of complex networks
Mind-body therapies for the treatment of fibromyalgia. A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness of mind-body therapy (MBT) for fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) by systematically reviewing randomized/quasirandomized controlled trials using methods recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration. METHODS Nine electronic databases, 69 conference proceedings, and several citation lists were searched for relevant trials in any language. Eligible trials were scored for methodological quality using a validated instrument. Information on major outcomes was extracted. Insufficient data reporting prevented statistical pooling, therefore a best-evidence synthesis was performed. RESULTS Thirteen trials involving 802 subjects were included. Seven trials received a high methodological score. Compared to waiting list/treatment as usual, there is strong evidence that MBT is more effective for self-efficacy, limited evidence for quality of life, inconclusive evidence for all other outcomes. There is limited evidence that MBT is more effective than placebo (for pain and global improvement); inconclusive evidence that MBT is more effective than physiotherapy, psychotherapy, or education/attention control for all outcomes; strong evidence that moderate/high intensity exercise is more effective than MBT (for pain and function). There is moderate evidence that MBT plus exercise (MBT+E) is more effective than waiting list/treatment as usual (for self-efficacy and quality of life); limited evidence that MBT+E is more effective than education/attention control; inconclusive for other outcomes. There is inconclusive evidence for MBT+E vs other active treatments for all outcomes. Longterm within-groups results show greatest benefit for MBT+E. CONCLUSION MBT is more effective for some clinical outcomes compared to waiting list/treatment as usual or placebo. Compared to active treatments, results are largely inconclusive, except for moderate/high intensity exercise, where results favor the latter. Further research needs to focus on the synergistic effects of MBT plus exercise and/or plus antidepressants.
The Activity of Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase throughout the Lactation Cycle of the Guinea Pig Mammary Gland

Abstract The enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) has been measured in the guinea pig mammary gland throughout the pregnancy-lactation cycle. This is of interest since the primary importance of PEPCK is thought to be its role in gluconeogenesis and it is questionable whether or not gluconeogenesis occurs in the mammary gland. The enzyme activity, present in both the cytosol and mitochondria, was shown to follow the lactation profile. During the transition into lactation, cytosolic PEPCK activity increases 11-fold and mitochondrial PEPCK activity 43-fold while tissue weight increases 4-fold. Fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase was found to increase at a rate only slightly greater than that of the tissue weight. The increase in mitochondrial PEPCK activity is thus about 10 times greater than that of general tissue expansion, whereas the cytosolic PEPCK activity increase is only 2-fold greater. The activity of fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase appears to be merely keeping pace with general tissue expansion. The mitochondrial enzyme constitutes 59 ± 3% of the total gland PEPCK activity in the prepartum state and 86 ± 2% at midlactation. Therefore, mitochondrial PEPCK is the isoenzyme undergoing the greater increase during the transition into lactation in the guinea pig mammary gland and thus would appear to play the more important role in the conversion of oxalacetate to phosphoenolpyruvate in this tissue.
Serum lipid level and lifestyles are associated with carotid femoral pulse wave velocity among adults: 4.4-year prospectively longitudinal follow-up of a clinical trial

ABSTRACT Lifestyle modifications are recommended as the initial treatment for high blood pressure. The influence of dyslipidemia might be via moderate arterial stiffness, which results in hypertension and cardiovascular disease. We used data from a subgroup of the lifestyle, level of serum lipids/carotid femoral-pulse wave velocity (CF-PWV) Susceptibility BEST Study, a population-based study of community-dwelling adults aged 45–75 years. The serum lipid level and CF-PWV were measured at baseline, and lifestyle such as smoking status, sleeping habits, and the level of oil or salt intake was determined with the use of a validated questionnaire during follow-up. Arterial stiffness was determined as CF-PWV using an electrocardiogram after a mean follow-up of 4.4 years. Regression coefficients (95% CIs), adjusted for demographics, risk factors, cholesterol, and triglycerides (TGs), were calculated by linear regression. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the association between the variables with CF-PWV independently. In the results, glucose and total cholesterol (TC) were associated with higher CF-PWV (p = 0.000) and lower-destiny lipoprotein was associated with lower CF-PWV (p = 0.001) after adjustments for age, sex, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate. There were significant associations observed for current salt intake in relation to CF-PWV (p-trend = 0.038) without adjustment. This association was retained after adjustments for covariates and had statistical significance (p-trend = 0.048) in model 3, which adjusted age, sex, baseline CF-PWV, mean arterial pressure, heart rate waist circumference, education, smoking status, physical activity, diabetes mellitus (DM), heart disease, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, TGs, antihypertensive medicine, nitrate medicine, and antiplatelet medicine. Linear regression showed statistically significant associations between LDL and CF-PWV in the fully adjusted models (model 1 p = 0.010, model 2 p = 0.020, model 3 p = 0.017). Logistic regression analysis showed that CF-PWV was independently associated with age (p = 0.000), TC (p = 0.000), TGs (p = 0.000), and homo-cysteine (p = 0.000), and their odds ratios were 0.781, 3.424, 0.075, and 1.046, respectively. Our results showed a positive association between LDL and arterial stiffness, and suggested that less smoking status, sleeping disorder, and salt intake were associated with less arterial stiffness.