Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Excitatory actions of GABA in developing rat hypothalamic neurones.

1. Gramicidin‐perforated patch clamp recording was employed to study GABA‐mediated responses in rat hypothalamic neurones (n = 102) with an intracellular Cl‐ concentration unaltered by the pipette solution. 2. In young cultures after 1‐7 days in vitro (DIV), GABA induced depolarizing membrane potentials (+16.5 +/‐ 1.3 mV) that often surpassed the threshold for the firing of action potentials (‐42 +/‐ 1 mV) and resulted in an increase in neuronal activity. The depolarizing responses to GABA in young cultures were dose dependent. The concentration of GABA necessary to evoke the half‐maximal depolarization (EC50) was 2.8 microM. In contrast, GABA induced hyperpolarizing membrane potentials (‐12.0 +/‐ 1.4 mV) and a decrease in neuronal activity in older neurones (20‐33 DIV). Both the depolarization and the hyperpolarization induced by GABA were blocked by bicuculline, indicating a mediation by GABAA receptors. 3. The reversal potentials of the GABA‐evoked currents were between ‐40 to ‐50 mV during the first week of culture, and shifted to below ‐70 mV after 3 weeks of culture. In parallel, neurones that were dissociated from older animals (postnatal day 5) had a more negative reversal potential for the GABA‐evoked currents than cells from younger animals (embryonic day 15), suggesting that the negative shift of the reversal potential occurs both in vitro and in vivo. Our data suggest that the mechanism for GABA‐induced depolarization is the depolarized Cl‐ reversal potential found in young but not older neurones. 4. Consistent with the depolarizing response to exogenous application of GABA, some spontaneous depolarizing postsynaptic potentials in young cultures were insensitive to AP5‐CNQX, but were eliminated by bicuculline, indicating that synaptically released GABA mediated excitatory synaptic transmission in early development. 5. By combining a rapid computer‐controlled delivery of GABA with subthreshold positive current injections into recorded neurones, we found in young cultures that the GABA‐evoked depolarization could directly trigger action potentials, facilitate some depolarizing input to fire action potentials, and shunt other depolarizing input. Whether the GABA‐induced depolarization is excitatory or inhibitory would be determined by the reversal potential of the GABA‐evoked current, and the temporal relationship between GABA‐evoked depolarizations and other excitatory events. 6. We conclude that the reversal potential of the GABA‐evoked current shifts negatively from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing in developing hypothalamus. Consequently, GABA neurotransmission may serve both excitatory and inhibitory roles during early development.
Combined therapy in advanced stages (III and IV) of follicular lymphoma increases the possibility of cure: results of a large controlled clinical trial

Abstract: Objectives: We evaluate the long‐term results of a randomized clinical trial in patients with advanced stages (III and IV) of follicular lymphoma using chemotherapy or combined therapy (chemotherapy following by adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with nodal bulky disease). Material and methods: Between 1981 and 1995, patients with follicular lymphoma were treated with combined chemotherapy, mostly anthracycline‐based regimens; patients who achieved complete response were randomly assigned either to receive adjuvant radiotherapy to sites or to nodal bulky disease or not (control group). Results: Four hundred and sixty‐nine patients were randomized; in an intent‐to‐treat analysis all were evaluable for efficacy and toxicity. Actuarial curves at 20 yr showed that event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) in the control group were 41% [95% confidence interval (CI) 36–56%) and 71% (95% CI 65–78%), respectively; these were statistically different from results for the patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy: 68% (95% CI 62–72%) and 89% (95% CI 79–96%), respectively (P < 0.01). Acute and late toxicity were minimal; only four patients (< 1%) developed myelodysplastic syndrome/acute leukemia. Cardiac toxicity was 2%, but one case was lethal. Thirty‐six patients (8%) died secondary to unrelated causes, in complete remission. Conclusions: The use of adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with poor‐prognosis follicular lymphoma increases EFS and OS with minimal toxicity. We feel that follicular lymphoma should be treated curatively because < 80% of patients will be in first complete response at < 20 yr. The use of adjuvant radiotherapy will be considered in the first line of treatment in this set of patients.
New statistical model to decode the reliability and weibull slope of high-κ and interfacial layer in a dual layer dielectric stack

Reliability study of high-κ (HK) gate dielectric based transistors has become imperative for the current and future CMOS technology nodes as the industry shifts towards replacement of conventional silicon oxynitride (SiON) with hafnium-based oxides. One of the key requirements of any oxide reliability study is a quantitative assessment of the time dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) lifetime using suitable statistical models. Direct extension of the simple statistical model used for SiON to the HK is complicated by the presence of the interfacial sub-oxide layer (IL, SiOx) which is sandwiched between the HK and Si substrate. Given the dual-layer HK-IL dielectric stack, it is necessary to develop new statistical models and electrical test algorithms that can enable us to decode the reliability and Weibull slope of the individual HK and IL layers so that the relative reliability of these two layers can be studied to identify the layer which serves as a “savior” in prolonging the front end reliability of current HK based logic devices. In this study, we propose a new cumulative damage statistical model in conjunction with a two step voltage stress electrical test algorithm for sequential HK-IL breakdown which enables us to analyze the TDDB reliability of HK and IL separately.
Dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs: Occurrence in food and dietary intake in France

PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs contamination data in food products consumed in France collected from national monitoring programmes (2001–04) and representing analytical results for almost 800 individual food samples were combined with food consumption data from the French national dietary survey to estimate PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs dietary intakes, expressed as toxic equivalents (WHO-TEQs). The mean PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs intakes were estimated as 1.8 and 2.8 pg WHO-TEQ kg−1 b.w. day−1, respectively, for adults (aged 15 years and over) and children (aged 3–14 years). The main contributors to total intake were fish and milk products for both children and adults (48 and 31% for adults and 34 and 43% for children, respectively). DL-PCBs constituted the largest contributor to contamination in most foodstuffs. A life-long intake estimate showed that a non-negligible part of the French population (between 20 and 28%) had an intake above the tolerable monthly intake for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs of 70 pg WHO-TEQ kg−1 b.w. month−1.
Factors affecting the soil arsenic bioavailability, accumulation in rice and risk to human health: a review

Abstract Arsenic (As), a class one carcinogen, reflects a disastrous environmental threat due to its presence in each and every compartment of the environment. The high toxicity of As is notably present in its inorganic forms. Irrigation with As contaminated groundwater in rice fields increases As concentration in topsoil and its bioavailability for rice crops. However, most of the As in paddy field topsoils is present as As(III) form, which is predominant in rice grain. According to the OECD-FAO, rice is the second most extensively cultivated cereal throughout the world. This cereal is a staple food for a large number of populations in most of the developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, South and South-east Asia. Rice consumption is one of the major causes of chronic As diseases including cancer for Asian populations. Thus, this review provides an overview concerning the conditions involved in soil that leads to As entrance into rice crops, phytotoxicity and metabolism of As in rice plants. Moreover, the investigations of the As uptake in raw rice grain are compiled, and the As biotransfer into the human diet is focused. The As uptake by rice crop represents an important pathway of As exposure in countries with high rice and rice-based food consumption because of its high (more than the hygienic level) As levels found in edible plant part for livestock and humans.
VALIDITY OF A FOOD-FREQUENCY QUESTIONNAIRE FOR ESTIMATING CALCIUM INTAKE IN ADOLESCENT SWIMMERS.

INTRODUCTION accurate estimates of the intake of specific nutrients such as calcium (Ca) are crucial to correctly rank or classify subjects in the distribution of intakes. Therefore, we aimed to estimate the relative validity of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for measuring Ca intake in two different groups of healthy adolescents, a normoactive control group and a physically active group of swimmers with 2 non-consecutive 24h recalls (2 x 24HR) collected as the reference method. METHODS Pearson correlations, agreement between the 24HR and the FFQ at an individual level and questionnaire's ability to assign individuals to the same quartile of intake as the 24HR were calculated. RESULTS mean daily Ca intakes were 564.6 mg (SD 232.0) and 895.9 mg (SD 343.1) for the 2 x 24HR and FFQ respectively in controls (P < 0.001); and 731.9 mg (SD 299.8) and 979.8 mg (SD 408.5) for the 2 x 24HR and FFQ respectively in swimmers (P < 0.001). Pearson correlations were 0.52 for controls and 0.47 for swimmers after correcting for intra-variability. Cross-classification analysis indicated that 73.7% of controls and 63.1% of swimmers were classified correctly or in the adjacent category. Also, the 89% of the control group and 79% of swimmers were classified correctly with the FFQ according to the dietary reference intake (DRI) of 1300 mg/d. CONCLUSIONS for both groups, the FFQ tended to overestimate Ca intake, however it demonstrated fairly good ability to classify subjects into extremes of Ca intake and identified adolescents having Ca intakes lower than the dietary reference intake.
Perceived Risk on Online Store Image Towards Purchase Intention

The main aim of this study is to identify purchase intention among Malaysian online consumer towards online store. A recent data provided by MCMC indicate that only 9.3 percent of Internet users in Malaysia admitted doing online purchasing despite huge number reflects Malaysian is heavy Internet users. This is due to the factors that the consumers are feared towards risk they may get during shopping online and this can affect their purchase intention activities. The finding identified that privacy risk and delivery risk are significant to purchase intention among online consumers in Malaysia. Meanwhile, financial risk, product performance risk, time risk, psychological risk, social risk and after-sale risk are not significant to purchase intention. This indicated that Malaysian online consumers tend to care their personal information has been misused by third parties within their permission in order to prevent privacy risk in online shopping activities.
Effect of Temperature on Syntesis of Hydroxyapatite from Cockle Shells ( Anadara Granosa )

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) has been synthesized from biowaste cockle shells (Anadara Granosa) by precipitation method at various temperatures on synthesis. HAp synthesis result has been analyzed by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD). The result showed that HAp was successfully produced from cockle shells. It was found that temperature of synthesis had effects on morphology, Ca/P ratio, crystallinity and crystallite size. Temperature synthesis at 40oC was identified as the optimum temperature to produce HAp as indicated by pattern of pure HAp, the Ca/P value close to theory, well-defined morphology and the presence of functional group.
Effect of various dehydration methods on proximate composition and retention of antioxidants in different fruit powders

Present study was carried out to assess the effect of various dehydration techniques such as sun drying, solar drying, drying after freezing (Freeze for one hour followed by drying using lab scale air oven), vacuum drying and drying using lab scale air oven on physiochemical and retention of antioxidant in different fruit powder prepared from Bael (Aegle marmelos), Sour Sop (Annona muricata) and Palmyra (Borassus flabellifer). Moisture content, Total Ash, Crude fiber %, Fat %, Crude protein %, ascorbic acid and β-Carotene were tested. All fruit powders prepared by using sun drying showed minimum moisture content and the highest level of moisture content was recorded by the samples dehydrated using vacuum drying. Among different drying treatments the highest fat percentage recorded by the solar dried sample and there is no any significant difference (α= 0.05) between sun drying and vacuumed drying. Higher concentration of β-Carotene was recorded in vacuum dried samples both in bael and Palmyra fruit powders and it significantly different (α= 0.05) from other treatments tested. Maximum retention of ascorbic acid content (26.59 Mcg/100g) was recorded by the soursop powder prepared by vacuum drying.
ADENINE NUCLEOTIDES AND SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION IN THE in vitro RAT HIPPOCAMPUS

1 The effects of adenosine and various derivatives were examined in the in vitro hippocampal slice preparation from rat. 2 The amplitudes of extracellularly recorded field potentials from the CA1 region were depressed by adenosine, and this effect could be antagonized by methylxanthines. Because presynaptic field potentials were unaffected by adenosine, while the field e.p.s.p. was depressed, adenosine would appear to act at a synaptic site to depress transmission. 3 Adenosine deaminase, which breaks down adenosine to inosine, increased the amplitude of synaptic responses, while hexobendine, which blocks reuptake of adenosine, had a depressant effect. This strongly suggests that the endogenous release of adenosine from the hippocampal slice preparation is sufficient to exert a tonic inhibitory influence on the amplitude of synaptic responses. 4 Cyclic adenosine 3′,5′‐monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and its dibutyryl derivative had depressant effects on the amplitude of field responses which were blocked by theophylline, suggesting that they are able to act at the extracellular adenosine receptor. (−)‐Isoprenaline (which raises tissue cyclic AMP levels), and the 8‐p‐chlorophenylthio derivative of cyclic AMP both increased the amplitude of population spike responses, and these effects were not blocked by theophylline, suggesting that the physiological effects of adenosine are not mediated via a cyclic AMP‐dependent mechanism. 5 Since adenosine is not the transmitter at this CA1 pyramidal cell synapse, but is apparently present in the extracellular compartment in sufficient concentrations to affect the synaptic physiology of this region, this provides strong evidence in favour of the concept of a neuromodulatory role for adenosine in the central nervous system.
Cerebellar strokes: a clinical outcome review of 79 cases.

INTRODUCTION Cerebellar infarcts and haemorrhages are relatively uncommon, accounting for less than 10% of all strokes. The objective of the present study was to quantify and compare the outcomes of patients with cerebellar infarct and those of patients with cerebellar haemorrhage, as well as to identify the risk factors that predict poor outcome in patients with cerebellar stroke. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of consecutive patients admitted to National University Hospital, Singapore, between 2004 and 2006, within one week of cerebellar stroke onset. Baseline data included demographics, concomitant comorbidities, and the presence or absence of brainstem compression and hydrocephalus (on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging). The Glasgow Outcome Scale and modified Rankin Score were used to assess outcome at discharge and at six months after discharge. RESULTS A total of 79 patients with cerebellar stroke were admitted during the study period. Of these 79 patients, 17.7% died and 31.6% had poor outcomes at six months after discharge. Patients with cerebellar haemorrhage were found to be more likely to have poor outcomes as compared to patients with cerebellar infarct, both at discharge (odds ratio [OR] 4.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-14.1) and at six months after discharge (OR 5.2, 95% CI 1.6-17.2). When compared to small lesions (< 5 cm(3)), lesions > 20 cm(3) were significantly associated with poorer outcomes and the development of hydrocephalus and brainstem compression. CONCLUSION Cerebellar strokes are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The outcomes of patients with cerebellar haemorrhage are more likely to be worse than those of patients with cerebellar infarct.
Is calcium a mediator of infarct size reduction with preconditioning in canine myocardium?

BACKGROUND The cellular mechanisms by which brief episodes of ischemia protect or "precondition" the heart and limit infarct size caused by a later period of sustained coronary artery occlusion remain unresolved. We propose that calcium may be an important mediator in eliciting this cardioprotection. METHODS AND RESULTS To test this hypothesis, anesthetized dogs received a 15-minute intracoronary infusion of 20 mmol/L CaCl2 or saline before undergoing 1 hour of coronary occlusion and 4 hours of reperfusion (protocol 1). Collateral blood flow during occlusion was measured with radiolabeled microspheres, area at risk of infarction (AR) was delineated by injection of blue dye, and area of necrosis (AN) was determined by tetrazolium staining. AN/AR was reduced from 20+/-5% in the saline-treated controls to 9+/-3% in CaCl2-treated dogs (P<.05). Additional animals underwent 10 minutes of preconditioning ischemia or a comparable waiting period before the 1-hour test occlusion (protocol 2). Administration of 5-(N,N-dimethyl)-amiloride (an inhibitor of calcium influx via Na+-H+ and Na+-Ca2+ exchange) before the preconditioning stimulus attenuated the protective effect of ischemic preconditioning: AN/AR was 12+/-1%, larger than the value of 4+/-1% observed in preconditioned dogs that received saline (P<.05) and comparable to the values of 12+/-3% and 14+/-3% seen in saline- and dimethylamiloride-treated controls. CONCLUSIONS Brief intracoronary infusion of CaCl2 mimicked, whereas treatment with dimethylamiloride blocked, infarct size reduction with preconditioning, thereby implicating calcium as a mediator of preconditioning in this canine model.
Development of the human aortic arch system captured in an interactive three‐dimensional reference model

Variations and mutations in the human genome, such as 22q11.2 microdeletion, can increase the risk for congenital defects, including aortic arch malformations. Animal models are increasingly expanding our molecular and genetic insights into aortic arch development. However, in order to justify animal‐to‐human extrapolations, a human morphological, and molecular reference model would be of great value, but is currently lacking. Here, we present interactive three‐dimensional reconstructions of the developing human aortic arch system, supplemented with the protein distribution of developmental markers for patterning and growth, including T‐box transcription factor TBX1, a major candidate for the phenotypes found in patients with the 22q11.2 microdeletion. These reconstructions and expression data facilitate unbiased interpretations, and reveal previously unappreciated aspects of human aortic arch development. Based on our reconstructions and on reported congenital anomalies of the pulmonary trunk and tributaries, we postulate that the pulmonary arteries originate from the aortic sac, rather than from the sixth pharyngeal arch arteries. Similar to mouse, TBX1 is expressed in pharyngeal mesenchyme and epithelia. The endothelium of the pharyngeal arch arteries is largely negative for TBX1 and family member TBX2 but expresses neural crest marker AP2α, which gradually decreases with ongoing development of vascular smooth muscle. At early stages, the pharyngeal arch arteries, aortic sac, and the dorsal aortae in particular were largely negative for proliferation marker Ki67, potentially an important parameter during aortic arch system remodeling. Together, our data support current animal‐to‐human extrapolations and future genetic and molecular analyses using animal models of congenital heart disease. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The herpes simplex virus type 1 regulatory protein ICP27 coimmunoprecipitates with anti-Sm antiserum, and the C terminus appears to be required for this interaction

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) immediate-early regulatory protein ICP27 is required for the inhibition of host cell splicing during viral infection and for the reorganization of antigens associated with the small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs). To determine what effect ICP27 had on splicing proteins that might cause their redistribution, we looked at proteins that were immunoprecipitated with anti-Sm antisera. No significant changes were seen in the migration or amounts of several snRNP common and snRNP-specific proteins from infected cells labeled with [35S]methionine, suggesting that the synthesis of these proteins was not altered by viral infection. However, when cells were labeled with 32Pi, differences were seen in the phosphorylation of at least two proteins depending on whether ICP27 was expressed. One protein, which had an apparent molecular mass of about 85 kDa, was highly phosphorylated during wild-type HSV-1 infection but much less so during infection with an ICP27 null mutant. The other protein, which migrated at the position of the U1 70-kDa protein and was precipitated with U1-specific antiserum, was also more highly phosphorylated when ICP27 was expressed during infection. Furthermore, a phosphoprotein with an apparent molecular mass of 63 kDa was found to coimmunoprecipitate with anti-Sm antisera during wild-type HSV-1 infection. ICP27 has an apparent molecular mass of 63 kDa, and immunoblot analysis confirmed that ICP27 coimmunoprecipitated with snRNPs. Analysis of mutations throughout the ICP27 protein demonstrated that the region that was required for this interaction was the C terminus of the protein, which includes a cysteine-histidine-rich region that resembles a zinc-finger-like motif. These data suggest that ICP27 interacts with snRNPs during infection and that it fosters changes in the phosphorylation state of at least two proteins that immunoprecipitate with snRNPs, although these studies do not demonstrate whether it does so directly or indirectly.
Techno-economic analysis of diesel and hydrogen production via Fusion-Biomass Hybrid Model

Fusion-biomass hybrid model is a new alternatives to produce more energy generating synergy effects by efficiently utilizing the high temperature heat from fusion reactor that might be considerably wasted by thermal cycle, and also energy loss from biomass combustion or biochemical processes. The underlying process of this fusion-biomass hybrid model is endothermic reaction of high temperature heat from the fusion blanket of Dual Coolant Lithium Lead. This paper aims at making an economic analysis of diesel and hydrogen production via carbon neutral process of fusion-biomass hybrid model. Thermal output change of fusion reactor matching with biomass plant capacity is investigated to know the levelized cost of fuels (LCOF). A sensitivity analysis is performed to learn the LCOF according to variables. Lastly, net present value (NPV) change depending on fusion heat cost change gives implication for the deployment in the future. The results can help in deciding which product is economically justified in the circumstances of technical and cost limitation.