Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developing grasshopper neurons show variable levels of guanylyl cyclase activity on arrival at their targets

The ability of certain grasshopper neurons to respond to exogenously applied donors of nitric oxide (NO) by producing cyclic GMP (cGMP) depends on their developmental state. ODQ, a selective blocker of NO‐sensitive guanylyl cyclase, blocks cGMP production at 10−5 M, thus confirming the nature of the response. Experiments in which the distal axon is separated from its proximal stump before application of an NO donor show that guanylyl cyclase is distributed uniformly throughout the neuron. In the locust abdomen, where segments are formed sequentially, the pattern of guanylyl cyclase up‐regulation is predictable and sequential from anterior to posterior. There are two patterns of innervation by cGMP‐expressing motor neurons. In the first, typified by muscle 187, an innervating neuron begins to be NO responsive on arrival at its muscle and continues to be so over most of the remainder of embryonic development, including the formation of motor end plates. In the second, typified by a neuron innervating muscle 191, the neuron extends well along the muscle, apparently laying down a number of sites of contact with it, before it becomes NO responsive. In both patterns, however, NO responsiveness marks the neuron's transition from growth cone elongation to the production of lateral branches. Individual muscles receive innervation from multiple motor neurons, some of which express transient NO sensitivity during development and others which do not. With the exception of the leg motor neuron SETi, the first motor neuron to reach any muscle is usually not NO responsive. We suggest that cGMP plays a role in, or reflects, the early stages of communication between a target and specific innervating neurons. J. Comp. Neurol. 394:1–13, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of airways obstruction in a general population: European Respiratory Society vs American Thoracic Society definition.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To evaluate the distribution of airways obstruction in a general population sample. METHODS Cross-sectional epidemiologic survey of a general population sample living in Po Delta area (North Italy). Data on respiratory symptoms, diseases, and risk factors were collected through standardized interviewer-administered questionnaires. Lung function tests were performed, with criteria for defining airways obstruction based on the 1995 European Respiratory Society (ERS) statement (FEV(1)/vital capacity ratio < 88% predicted and < 89% predicted in men and women, respectively), "clinical" criteria (FEV(1)/FVC ratio < 70%), and the 1986 American Thoracic Society (ATS) statement (FEV(1)/FVC ratio < 75%). RESULTS A total of 1,727 subjects aged > 25 years investigated from 1988 to 1991 were included. Prevalence rates of airways obstruction for subjects 25 to 45 years old and subjects >/= 46 years old were as follows: ERS, 10.8% and 12.2%; clinical, 9.9% and 28.8%; and ATS, 27% and 57%, respectively. When considering only moderate/severe obstruction, the rates were as follows: ERS, 0.4% and 3.6%; clinical, 0.3% and 4.4%; and ATS, 0.5% and 5.2%, respectively. The trend was confirmed after stratifying for smoking habit and the presence/absence of respiratory symptoms/diseases. The highest specificity and predictive value for any respiratory symptom/disease was shown by the ERS, and the lowest was shown by the ATS criterion, while the reverse was true for sensitivity; overall accuracy was slightly lower for the ATS criterion. Multiple logistic regression models indicated a higher number of significant associations with known risk factors for airways obstruction according to clinical and ATS criteria than ERS criterion. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of COPD in a general population depends very much on the criterion used for definition of airways obstruction. Further research is needed to reach a standardized and epidemiologically consistent criterion for airways obstruction.
Thermal imagery spectral analysis

Thermal imagery from the spatially enhanced broadband array spectrograph system was analyzed for target detection purposes. The push-broom sensor was operated as part of the WESTERN RAINBOW experiment in October 1995. Data from 7.8- 13.4 microns were collected in 128 wavelength bands, with 128 pixels in the cross-track direction. The data set had nominal ground-resolution of better than one meter. Analysis techniques normally used in the reflective domain, with traditional imaging spectrometers, were used for the thermal data. Analysis was done in both the radiance and emissivity domains, following careful thermal calibration and atmospheric compensation. The techniques utilized were principal components, spectral angle mapper, and spectral matched filter. All wee successful, with the first two showing a success rate comparable to that found in similar experiments in the reflective domain. The principal components techniques was successful in discriminating man- made objects and disturbed earth from the desert background, much as expected. It was also successful in distinguishing between different categories of man-made objects. Of the latter two techniques, the spectral matched filter was more successful. This relatively greater success is attributed to the sensitivity of the spectral angle mapper to calibration errors, particular in the conversion from radiance to emissivity.
Follicle numbers are highly repeatable within individual animals but are inversely correlated with FSH concentrations and the proportion of good-quality embryos after ovarian stimulation in cattle.

BACKGROUND The significance of the high variation in numbers of follicles produced during reproductive cycles in humans and cattle is unknown. METHODS We selected beef heifers with high (> or =25) or low (< or =15) numbers of ovarian follicles and determined the association with alterations in FSH and estradiol concentrations, as well as responsiveness to superstimulation and embryo quality. The variation in follicle numbers was also compared with oocyte quality in natural cycles using IVF and abattoir-sourced bovine ovaries. RESULTS Results show that: (i) FSH was lower (P < 0.03) in animals with high compared with low follicle numbers per follicle wave; (ii) after superovulation, in the high versus low follicle number group, the number of oocytes/embryos recovered after insemination (10.6 +/- 2.7 versus 4.7 +/- 0.7) and the number of transferable embryos (5.4 +/- 1.3 versus 3.8 +/- 0.8) per animal were greater (P < 0.05), whereas the proportion of transferable embryos (50.7% versus 79.8%) was lower (P < 0.05); (iii) in unstimulated animals, the numbers of high-quality oocytes harvested and in-vitro fertilized oocytes developing into blastocysts were up to 4-fold greater (P < 0.05) for ovaries with high versus low numbers of follicles, but the proportions of oocytes developing into blastocysts were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION Phenotypic classification based on numbers of follicles may be useful to improve superovulation procedures. The lower proportion of transferable embryos following superovulation of ovaries with high numbers of follicles is probably not the result of differences in the quality of oocytes before superovulation.
Control of the coronary circulation during exercise.

The cardiovascular response to exercise is typified by increases in heart rate, cardiac output, inotropic state of the cardiac chambers, whole body oxygen consumption, and blood flow to the active skeletal muscles. In most ani­ mals, some form of vasoconstriction occurs in the splanchnic region and inactive skeletal muscles. In the dog, splanchnic vasoconstriction does not occur; but contraction of the spleen does occur with exercise, and this increases the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. The response of each organ system (e.g. heart, splanchnic organs, and skeletal muscle) is an eqUilibrium between the metabolic demand for oxygen by the organ and the neural control of organ blood flow exerted by the autonomic nervous sys­ tem. The efferent autonomic nervous system activity (principally sympa­ thetic nervous system) is increased during exercise to the heart, inactive skeletal muscle, and splanchnic region. The control of the coronary circulation during exercise appears to involve a combination of neural and metabolic events. Recent reviews have dealt with the metabolic control of the coronary circulation in great detail (5,40), so this topic is not covered extensively here. Other topics reviewed recently are cardiovascular adjustments during exercise (57), coronary vascular receptors (45), coronary reflexes (27), and control of coronary flow (29). With these reviews as background, the major focus here is the relationship between the increasing autonomic nervous system activity and the control of coronary blood flow during exercise. Recent publications suggest that, like the changes in organ blood flow to active and inactive regions of the body, the neural regulation of coronary blood flow may represent an impor­ tant component of the adjustment to exercise. The major role of the neural regulation of the coronary circulation during exercise may be to limit the
VEGF in patients with non-small cell lung cancer during combination chemotherapy of carboplatin and paclitaxel.

BACKGROUND Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor related to tumor growth and metastasis. However, little is known about the clinical significance of circulating VEGF in cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eighteen patients with non-small cell lung cancer received chemotherapy using carboplatin and paclitaxel. Plasma levels of VEGF were analyzed at baseline and after 2 cycles of chemotherapy. RESULTS Partial remission was observed in 3 patients (16.7%), stable disease in 10 patients (55.6%) and progressive disease in 5 patients (27.8%). Patients with partial remission or stable disease had significantly lower levels of plasma VEGF than did patients with progressive disease, both at baseline (p=0.0341) and after 2 cycles of chemotherapy (p=0.0265). There were no significant changes of plasma VEGF during chemotherapy. CONCLUSION Pretreatment plasma levels of VEGF are a useful marker for predicting disease control by chemotherapy.
Gastric Adenocarcinoma Arising from Fundic Gland Polyps in a Patient with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Syndrome

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a rare hereditary syndrome characterized by multiple colorectal polyps and early development of colorectal cancer. Although FAP uniformly involves the large bowel, it may also produce lesions in the stomach and upper intestinal tract. Fundic gland polyps are the most common gastric lesion in FAP. In the general population, these polyps are considered benign and have no malignant potential. However, in FAP patients, fundic gland polyps have been occasionally recognized as precursor lesions from which invasive cancer may develop. Herein, we present a case of gastric adenocarcinoma arising from fundic gland polyps in an FAP patient. We also review reported cases of gastric cancer in FAP and FAP variant patients in an effort to better understand the pathology, clinical course, and optimal screening and treatment strategies for this disease manifestation.
A Comparison of Fourstar™ Briquets and Natular™ Xrt Tablets in a North Shore Suburb of Chicago, IL

Abstract Stormwater catch basins are the primary source of mosquitoes targeted by the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District, in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Over a 17-wk period (June to September 2011), 3 clusters of catch basins located within a 0.7-km2 area were monitored weekly with dipper samples of immature mosquitoes. During the 2nd week of monitoring, Natular™ XRT tablets (6.25% spinosad) were applied to northernmost cluster and FourStar™ Briquets (6% Bacillus sphaericus, 1% Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) were applied to the southernmost cluster; the remaining middle cluster was kept untreated. Following 15 wk of monitoring in 20 basins in each cluster, both Natular and FourStar reduced immature numbers in treated catch basins for 8 consecutive weeks. These results suggest, if effectively timed, a single application of either larvicide may last an entire season.
Intracranial Arterial Dissection Related to HIV Infection. A Case Report with Histology.

SUMMARY There are many reasons for patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to develop cerebrovascular disease. The HIV virus itself however may be a cause of vessel wall pathology. We present a clinical and pathological study of a patient who was HIV positive and presented with a subarachnoid haemorrhage. Cerebral angiography and later histology confirm that there was extensive vessel wall injury with dissection and a false aneurysm of the right middle cerebral artery.
Control of Murine Cytomegalovirus in the Lungs: Relative but Not Absolute Immunodominance of the Immediate-Early 1 Nonapeptide during the Antiviral Cytolytic T-Lymphocyte Response in Pulmonary Infiltrates

ABSTRACT The lungs are a major organ site of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, pathogenesis, and latency. Interstitial CMV pneumonia represents a critical manifestation of CMV disease, in particular in recipients of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). We have employed a murine model for studying the immune response to CMV in the lungs in the specific scenario of immune reconstitution after syngeneic BMT. Control of pulmonary infection was associated with a vigorous infiltration of the lungs, which was characterized by a preferential recruitment and massive expansion of the CD8 subset of α/β T cells. The infiltrate provided a microenvironment in which the CD8 T cells differentiated into mature effector cells, that is, into functionally active cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL). This gave us the opportunity for an ex vivo testing of the antigen specificities of CTL present at a relevant organ site of viral pathogenesis. The contribution of the previously identified immediate-early 1 (IE1) nonapeptide of murine CMV was evaluated by comparison with the CD3ɛ-redirected cytolytic activity used as a measure of the overall CTL response in the lungs. The IE1 peptide was detected by pulmonary CTL, but it accounted for a minor part of the response. Interestingly, no additional viral or virus-induced antigenic peptides were detectable among naturally processed peptides derived from infected lungs, even though infected fibroblasts were recognized in a major histocompatibility complex-restricted manner. We conclude that the antiviral pulmonary immune response is a collaborative function that involves many antigenic peptides, among which the IE1 peptide is immunodominant in a relative sense.
A high rate of durable responses with romidepsin, bortezomib, and dexamethasone in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

We report results from a study exploring the combination of romidepsin, bortezomib, and dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) previously treated with > 1 prior therapy. The primary objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the combination using a novel accelerated dose-escalation schedule in patients with relapsed or refractory MM. The secondary objective was to determine overall response (OR), time to progression (TTP), and overall survival (OS). The MTD identified was bortezomib 1.3 mg/m(2) (days 1, 4, 8, and 11), dexamethasone 20 mg (days 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, and 12), and romidepsin 10 mg/m(2) (days 1, 8, and 15) every 28 days. Thrombocytopenia (64%) was the most common ≥ grade 3 hematologic toxicity. Peripheral neuropathy occurred in 76% of patients (n = 19) (≥ grade 3, 8%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1%-26%). Maintenance romidepsin 10 mg/m(2) (on days 1 and 8 of a 28-day cycle) proved feasible, with 12 patients receiving a median of 7.5 cycles (range: 1-29). An OR (M-protein) of > minor response (MR) was seen in 18 of 25 patients (72%); 2 (8%) had complete remissions (CRs) and 13 (52%) had partial responses (PRs), including 7 (28%) with very good PRs (VGPRs). The median TTP was 7.2 (95% CI: 5.5-19.6) months, and the median OS was > 36 months. This regimen shows activity with manageable toxicity and warrants further evaluation. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials. gov as NCT00431990.
Interactions visuo-proprioceptives dans les pathologies dégénératives du rachis cervical relevant d'un traitement chirurgical

La proprioception cervicale joue un role important dans le controle postural, mais la nature exacte de sa contribution est controversee. Dans certains cas de « coup du lapin », une atteinte posturale a ete demontree, sans que l'atteinte du rachis cervical puisse etre tenue pour seule responsable. Malgre la forte prevalence des pathologies cervicales degeneratives, leurs consequences posturales ont ete peu etudiees dans la litterature scientifique. Il n'existe aucune publication centree sur les deux types de pathologie responsables de nevralgies cervicobrachiales : les hernies discales cervicales et l'arthrose cervicale. Cette etude a eu pour but d'evaluer le controle postural de deux groupes de patients presentant une pathologie cervicale degenerative avec et sans stimulation optocinetique avant et apres traitement chirurgical. Dix-sept patients presentant une radiculalgie ont ete inclus dans cette etude et repartis en deux groupes selon l'origine arthrosique ou discale de la compression neurologique. Tous les patients ainsi que 31 temoins ont ete soumis a un examen de posturographie statique comprenant 12 enregistrements : les quatre premiers enregistrements ont ete realises la tete dans l'axe (a 0°) : yeux fermes, yeux ouverts sans stimulation optocinetique, yeux ouverts avec stimulation optocinetique dans le sens horaire, puis antihoraire. Ces quatre situations sensorielles ont ete repetees tete tournee 30° a gauche, puis 30° a droite. Les patients ont a nouveau ete soumis a ces 12 enregistrements six semaines apres l'intervention. Aucun patient ne s'est plaint de sensations vertigineuses que ce soit en pre ou en postoperatoire. Avant intervention, les yeux fermes, le groupe hernie discale etait plus stable que le groupe arthrose. Apres intervention, la contribution visuelle au controle postural avait diminue dans les deux groupes dans un environnement visuel dynamique, alors que dans un environnement visuel stable, elle n'avait diminue que dans le groupe arthrose. L'importance relative des informations visuelles et proprioceptives pour le controle postural varie selon le type de pathologie et la chirurgie tend a reduire la contribution visuelle surtout pour les patients presentant une arthrose cervicale
Collagen barrier membranes decrease osteoclastogenesis in murine bone marrow cultures.

OBJECTIVE Collagen barrier membranes (CBM) are used for guided bone regeneration to support the process of graft consolidation. It remains, unknown however, whether CBM can affect the consolidation of bone grafts by controlling the differentiation of progenitor cells into bone-resorbing osteoclasts and bone-forming osteoblasts. MATERIAL AND METHODS To gain an insight into the underlying mechanisms, we performed in vitro bone marrow cultures on CBM (Bio-Gide under conditions that favor osteoclastogenesis and osteoblastogenesis, respectively. Measures of osteoclastogenesis were based on the number of tartrate-resistant acid-phosphatase-positive (TRAP+) multinucleated cells. Resorption assays revealed the activity of mature osteoclasts. Osteoblastogenesis was determined by alkaline-phosphatase activity. Viability was investigated utilizing the MTT assay. RESULTS Cultivation of murine bone marrow on CBM reduced the number of TRAP+ multinucleated cells compared with cultures on tissue culture plates. Inhibition of osteoclastogenesis was observed on the porous and the dense CBM surfaces. The majority of TRAP+ cells were mononucleated and the decreased osteoclastogenesis was not due to changes in cell viability. Furthermore, CBM are inert regarding the resorptive activity of mature osteoclasts. Moreover, osteoblastogenesis was not reduced when bone marrow cells were grown on the surface of CBM. CONCLUSIONS These in vitro findings demonstrate that CBM can reduce the formation but not the activity of multinucleated osteoclasts. Our data further reveal that the formation of osteogenic cells from their progenitors is not reduced by the CBM. Overall, our results suggest that the beneficial effects of CBM during graft consolidation may involve their direct impact on osteoclastogenesis.
Molecular Epidemiology and Mechanisms of Carbapenem Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

ABSTRACT The contributions of different mechanisms of resistance to carbapenems among a collection of imipenem- and meropenem-nonsusceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were investigated. This screening included the recently reported extended-spectrum cephalosporinases (ESACs) weakly hydrolyzing carbapenems. Eighty-seven percent of the studied isolates were resistant to imipenem. Genes encoding metallo-β-lactamases or carbapenem-hydrolyzing oxacillinases were not identified. The main mechanism associated with imipenem resistance was the loss of outer membrane protein OprD. Identification of overexpressed ESACs and loss of OprD were observed for 65% of the isolates, all being fully resistant to imipenem. Resistance to meropenem was observed in 78% of the isolates, with all but one also being resistant to imipenem. Overexpression of the MexAB-OprM, MexXY-OprM, or MexCD-OprJ efflux systems was observed in 60% of the isolates, suggesting the contribution of efflux mechanisms in resistance to meropenem. The loss of porin OprD and the overproduction of ESACs were observed in 100% and 92% of the meropenem-resistant isolates, respectively. P. aeruginosa can very often accumulate different resistance mechanisms, including ESAC production, leading to carbapenem resistance.
Escherichia coli mutants defective in chemotaxis toward specific chemicals.

Mutants of Escherichia coli K12 have been found which fail to carry out chemotaxis toward certain chemicals only. One mutant exhibits greatly reduced chemotaxis toward L-serine but has no detectable defect either in uptake or in oxidative metabolism of that compound. Another mutant is not attracted to D-galactose and certain related sugars. There is a correlation between the galactose chemotaxis defect and a defect in galactose uptake, perhaps indicating a common component for chemotaxis and uptake systems. The results are discussed in terms of a model for chemotaxis in which attractants are detected by specific "chemoreceptors. "