Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevention of experimental amnesia by peripherally administered cholecystokinin octapeptide in the rat

The effect of subcutaneously injected cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK‐8) on amnesia induced by electroconvulsive shock (ECS), CO2 inhalation, or cycloheximide injection was investigated in rats. In normal rats, single administration of CCK‐8 had no significant effect on the passive avoidance response. Treatment with ECS, CO2, or cycloheximide markedly decreased the latency of the passive avoidance response, but CCK‐8 in doses from 0.1 to 10 μg/kg could prevent the induced amnesia when injected 30 min before the training trials, immediately after foot shock or amnesic treatments, and 30 min before the first retention test. The results indicate that peripheral administration of CCK‐8 is effective in preventing amnesia in the rat.
Ventral specification and perturbed boundary formation in the mouse midbrain in the absence of Hedgehog signaling

Although Hedgehog (HH) signaling plays a critical role in patterning the ventral midbrain, its role in early midbrain specification is not known. We examined the midbrains of sonic hedgehog (Shh) and smoothened (Smo) mutant mice where HH signaling is respectively attenuated and eliminated. We show that some ventral (Evx1+) cell fates are specified in the Shh−/− mouse in a Ptc1‐ and Gli1‐independent manner. HH‐independent ventral midbrain induction was further confirmed by the presence of a Pax7‐negative ventral midbrain territory in both Shh−/− and Smo−/− mice at and before embryonic day (E) 8.5. Midbrain signaling centers are severely disrupted in the Shh−/− mutant. Interestingly, dorsal markers are up‐regulated (Wnt1, Gdf7, Pax7), down‐regulated (Lfng), or otherwise altered (Zic1) in the Shh−/− midbrain. Together with the increased cell death seen specifically in Shh−/− dorsal midbrains (E8.5–E9), our results suggest specific regulation of dorsal patterning by SHH, rather than a simple deregulation due to its absence. Developmental Dynamics 237:1359‐1372, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intraflagellar transport, cilia, and mammalian Hedgehog signaling: Analysis in mouse embryonic fibroblasts

Genetic studies in the mouse have shown that Intraflagellar Transport (IFT) is essential for mammalian Hedgehog (Hh) signal transduction. In this study, we take advantage of wild type and IFT mutant mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) to characterize additional aspects of the relationship between IFT and Hh signaling. Exposure to Sonic hedgehog (Shh) ligand or expression of an activated allele of Smo, SmoA1, activates an Hh reporter in wild‐type MEFs, but not in MEFs derived from embryos that lack IFT172 or the Dync2h1 subunit of the retrograde IFT motor. Similarly, decreased activity of either Sufu or PKA, two negative regulators of Hh signal transduction, activates the pathway in wild‐type, but not IFT mutant, MEFs. In contrast to wild‐type MEFs, Smo is constitutively present in the cilia of Dync2h1 mutant MEFs. This finding suggests that IFT‐dependent trafficking of Hh pathway components through the cilium is essential for their function. Developmental Dynamics 237:2030–2038, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Teste de caminhada de seis minutos em pediatria: relação entre desempenho e parâmetros antropométricos

Abstract Introduction : Anthropometric differences may influence the performance in the 6-minute walk test. Objective : To analyze publications concerning the 6MWT performed in children and adolescents and to identify the in fluence of anthropometric parameters on test performance. Materials and methods : research in the electronic databases Medline and Scielo using to the keywords: six-minute walk test, children, adolescents, anthropometric measures/ variables, growth and exercise tolerance, in the search of studies involving 6MWT in children and adolescents, that present correlation between anthropometric data and test variables. It was identified 45 studies related to the search and after examination of the titles, abstracts and full articles, it were included 13 compatible studies with the proposed theme. Results : the selected material approach the 6MWT and your application in different situa-tions: analysis of reproducibility, correlation with maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing, indications in dif-ferents diseases, reference values in healthy, effect parameter of prevention/rehabilitation program. Many studies relate the covered distance in 6MWT with age and sex, as well as with anthropometric variables, showing frequent correlation with height, beyond the age, weight and body mass index. Other data such as length and strength of lower limbs, percentage of fat mass/lean and respiratory muscle strength, related to changes in the period of ju-venile development, also seem to influence the test performance.
Development of the corneal stroma, and the collagen–proteoglycan associations that help define its structure and function

The cornea of the eye is a unique, transparent connective tissue. It is comprised predominantly of collagen fibrils, remarkably uniform in diameter and regularly spaced, organized into an intricate lamellar array. Its establishment involves a precisely controlled sequence of developmental events in which the embryonic cornea undergoes major structural transformations that ultimately determine tissue form and function. In this article, we will review corneal developmental dynamics from a structural perspective, consider the roles and interrelationships of collagens and proteoglycans, and comment on contemporary concepts and current challenges pertinent to developmental processes that result in an optically clear, mature cornea. Developmental Dynamics 237:2607–2621, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
O modelo transteorético aplicado ao consumo de frutas e hortaliças em adolescentes

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between two constructs of the Transtheoretical Model - stages and processes of change - related to the consumption of fruits and vegetables by adolescents. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 61 adolescents were surveyed. The self-liberation process was significantly distinguished (p<0.05) in all stages of change in the consumption of fruits and vegetables. RESULTS: The social support process presented significant differences (p<0.05) between the precontemplation/ contemplation and preparation stages of change only in fruit consumption. CONCLUSION: With respect to the use of the self-reassessment process, significant differences were found (p<0.05) between precontemplation/contemplation and preparation stages in vegetable consumption. Some specific processes of change were used by adolescents when moving through the stages of change. Interventions using these processes should be done to allow advances in the stages of change in the consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Live imaging of cell protrusive activity, and extracellular matrix assembly and remodeling during morphogenesis in the frog, Xenopus laevis

Cell motility and matrix assembly have traditionally been studied in isolation because of a lack of suitable model systems in which both can be observed simultaneously. With embryonic tissues from the gastrulating frog Xenopus laevis we observe stages of fibronectin fibrillogenesis coincident with protrusive activity in the overlying cells. Using live confocal time‐lapse images collected from Cy3‐tagged fibronectin and plasma membrane tethered green fluorescent protein, we describe the movement and the elaboration of a complex fibrillar network undergoing topological rearrangements of fibrils on the surface of an embryonic tissue. Discrete processes of annealing, polymerization, stretching, breaking, and recoiling are recorded. Elaboration and maintenance of the complex topology of the extracellular matrix appears to require filamentous actin. These findings support a mechanical‐model in which cell tractive forces elaborate the complex topological fibrillar network and are part of a homeostatic mechanism for the regulation of the extracellular matrix. Developmental Dynamics 237:2684–2692, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Concepts, méthode et résultats

Interpretating weak signs of business intelligence is an ill-structured problem encountered by many companies' managers. Those managers do not know how to interpret weak signs in order to extract meaning from anticipatory and fragmentary information elements. Surveys and action researches performed by our team confirm this problem and therefore, it becomes our main research focus. Because there is little underlying theory available on the subject, the design of a system helps to collect the reactions of end-users and to pick up relevant observations with a view to increase the understanding both weak sign interpretation and the business intelligence process. The method, the system and the issues that emerge from their validation are described.
Application de la logique floue à l’aide à la décision participative pour l’évaluation de l’impact sur l’environnement – cas de Tanger

The purpose of this paper is to implement a methodology based on stakeholders’ judgment with assistance of fuzzy multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methods to assess the environmental impact. Fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) is used as a multi-level decision-making tool taking into consideration human evaluation; it captures the vagueness in ordinal judgments obtained from stakeholders’ filled questionnaires and translates them into priorities which are not vague. Fuzzy ELECTRE III (ElLimination Et Choix Traduisant la REalité), the elimination and choice translating reality method, is employed to opt for a solution to mitigate the assessed impacts. This work proposes an integrated decision-making approach applied in the case study of the urban waste landfill of Tangier City in north Morocco.
Resource burden at children's hospitals experiencing surge volumes during the spring 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic.

OBJECTIVES The objective was to describe the emergency department (ED) resource burden of the spring 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic at U.S. children's hospitals by quantifying observed-to-expected utilization. METHODS The authors performed an ecologic analysis for April through July 2009 using data from 23 EDs in the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS), an administrative database of widely distributed U.S. children's hospitals. All ED visits during the study period were included, and data from the 5 prior years were used for establishing expected values. Primary outcome measures included observed-to-expected ratios for ED visits for all reasons and for influenza-related illness (IRI). RESULTS Overall, 390,983 visits, and 88,885 visits for IRI, were included for Calendar Weeks 16 through 29, when 2009 H1N1 influenza was circulating. The subset of 106,330 visits and 31,703 IRI visits made to the 14 hospitals experiencing the authors' definition of ED surge during Weeks 16 to 29 was also studied. During surge weeks, the 14 EDs experienced 29% more total visits and 51% more IRI visits than expected (p < 0.01 for both comparisons). Of ED IRI visits during surge weeks, only 4.8% were admitted to non-intensive care beds (70% of expected, p < 0.01), 0.19% were admitted to intensive care units (44% of expected, p < 0.01), and 0.01% received mechanical ventilation (5.0% of expected, p < 0.01). Factors associated with more-than-expected visits included ages 2-17 years, payer type, and asthma. No factors were associated with more-than-expected hospitalizations from the ED. CONCLUSIONS During the spring 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, pediatric EDs nationwide experienced a marked increase in visits, with far fewer than expected requiring nonintensive or intensive care hospitalization. The data in this study can be used for future pandemic planning.
Xenopus pancreas development

Understanding how the pancreas develops is vital to finding new treatments for a range of pancreatic diseases, including diabetes and pancreatic cancer. Xenopus is a relatively new model organism for the elucidation of pancreas development, and has already made contributions to the field. Recent studies have shown benefits of using Xenopus for understanding both early patterning and lineage specification aspects of pancreas organogenesis. This review focuses specifically on Xenopus pancreas development, and covers events from the end of gastrulation, when regional specification of the endoderm is occurring, right through metamorphosis, when the mature pancreas is fully formed. We have attempted to cover pancreas development in Xenopus comprehensively enough to assist newcomers to the field and also to enable those studying pancreas development in other model organisms to better place the results from Xenopus research into the context of the field in general and their studies specifically. Developmental Dynamics 238:1271–1286, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vitro organogenesis from undifferentiated cells in Xenopus

Amphibians have been used for over a century as experimental animals. In the field of developmental biology in particular, much knowledge has been accumulated from studies on amphibians, mainly because they are easy to observe and handle. Xenopus laevis is one of the most intensely investigated amphibians in developmental biology at the molecular level. Thus, Xenopus is highly suitable for studies on the mechanisms of organ differentiation from not only a single fertilized egg, as in normal development, but also from undifferentiated cells, as in the case of in vitro organogenesis. Based on the established in vitro organogenesis methods, we have identified many genes that are indispensable for normal development in various organs. These experimental systems are useful for investigations of embryonic development and for advancing regenerative medicine. Developmental Dynamics 238:1309–1320, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Wnt won the war: Antagonistic role of Wnt over Shh controls dorso‐ventral patterning of the vertebrate neural tube

The spinal cord has been used as a model to dissect the mechanisms that govern the patterning of tissues during animal development, since the principles that rule the dorso‐ventral patterning of the neural tube are applicable to other systems. Signals that determine the dorso‐ventral axis of the spinal cord include Sonic hedgehog (Shh), acting as a bona fide morphogenetic signal to determine ventral progenitor identities, and members of the Bmp and the Wnt families, acting in the dorsal neural tube. Although Wnts have been initially recognized as important in proliferation of neural progenitor cells, their role in the dorso‐ventral patterning has been controversial. In this review, we discuss recent reports that show an important contribution of the Wnt canonical pathway in dorso‐ventral pattern formation. These data allow building a model by which the ventralizing activity of Shh is antagonized by Wnt activity through the expression of Gli3, a potent inhibitor of the Shh pathway. Therefore, antagonistic interactions between canonical Wnt, promoting dorsal identities, and Shh pathways, inducing ventral ones, would define the dorso‐ventral patterning of the developing central nervous system. Developmental Dynamics 239:69–76, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinicopathological and biochemical findings of late-onset hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis 16 years after liver transplantation: an autopsy case study

Liver transplantation (LT) reportedly prolonged the survival of hereditary transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis patients [1,2]. However, duration from disease onset to death in late-onset hereditary TTR amyloidosis patient is about 7 years [3], and prognostic factors for patient survival after LT is the age at the time of LT ( 50), duration of disease ( 7 years), and modified body mass index (mBMI) (5600) [4,5]. So, pathological changes in late-onset hereditary TTR amyloidosis long time after LT remain to be understood. In this study, we investigated pathological changes in an autopsied lateonset hereditary TTR amyloidosis case 16 years after LT.
POSH misexpression induces caspase‐dependent cell death in Drosophila

POSH (Plenty of SH3 domains) is a scaffold for signaling proteins regulating cell survival. Specifically, POSH promotes assembly of a complex including Rac GTPase, mixed lineage kinase (MLK), MKK7, and Jun kinase (JNK). In Drosophila, genetic analysis implicated POSH in Tak1‐dependent innate immune response, in part through regulation of JNK signaling. Homologs of the POSH signaling complex components, MLK and MKK7, are essential in Drosophila embryonic dorsal closure. Using a gain‐of‐function approach, we tested whether POSH plays a role in this process. Ectopic expression of POSH in the embryo causes dorsal closure defects due to apoptosis of the amnioserosa, but ectodermal JNK signaling is normal. Phenotypic consequences of POSH expression were found to be dependent on Drosophila Nc, the caspase‐9 homolog, but only partially on Tak1 and not at all on Slpr and Hep. These results suggest that POSH may use different signaling complexes to promote cell death in distinct contexts. Developmental Dynamics 239:651–664, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Smith–Lemli–Opitz Syndrome

Smith–Lemli–Opitz (SLO) syndrome is an autosomal recessive multiple congenital malformation syndrome due to mutations in the 7-DHCR gene. The presented boy was diagnosed prenatally with multiple congenital malformations and confirmed as SLO by autopsy and molecular diagnosis. Interestingly in this boy prenatal MRI revealed a dilated duodenum, pointing towards intestinal dysmotility which is common in SLO.
Efeito Benéfico do Exercício Físico no Controle Metabólico do Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 à Curto Prazo

The objective of our study was to analyze the effect of physical exercise on the control of glycemia in insulin treated and non-treated type 2 diabetic subjects (45 to 75 years) from Vale do Itajai, SC. Fasting glycemia (FG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1) and capillary glycemia were performed in clients of Unicardio/HSC and in participants of the Blumenau Diabetes Association (n= 33), before and after a 10 week-program of physical exercise, considering that all were re-submitted to the same evaluation after the program. The evaluation also included: lipid profile, blood pressure, heart rate and body mass index (BMI). The instruments were: FG test for laboratory evaluation and capillary glycemia. Statistical analysis used Student's "t" test and the adjusted straight line of square minima, for linear regression. The following results were obtained: average pre- and post test capillary glycemia = 179mg/dL and 148mg/dL, respectively; pre- and post test HbA1 = 9.5% and 8.5%; pre- and post test FG = 164.7mg/dL and 156.4mg/dL. We conclude that physical exercise is important for glycemic control of insulin treated and non-treated type 2 diabetic subjects, reducing both the glucose levels and HbA1.
The roles of myeloperoxidase in coronary artery disease and its potential implication in plaque rupture

ABSTRACT Atherosclerosis is the main pathophysiological process underlying coronary artery disease (CAD). Acute complications of atherosclerosis, such as myocardial infarction, are caused by the rupture of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques, which are characterized by thin, highly inflamed, and collagen-poor fibrous caps. Several lines of evidence mechanistically link the heme peroxidase myeloperoxidase (MPO), inflammation as well as acute and chronic manifestations of atherosclerosis. MPO and MPO-derived oxidants have been shown to contribute to the formation of foam cells, endothelial dysfunction and apoptosis, the activation of latent matrix metalloproteinases, and the expression of tissue factor that can promote the development of vulnerable plaque. As such, detection, quantification and imaging of MPO mass and activity have become useful in cardiac risk stratification, both for disease assessment and in the identification of patients at risk of plaque rupture. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the role of MPO in CAD with a focus on its possible roles in plaque rupture and recent advances to quantify and image MPO in plasma and atherosclerotic plaques.
Markers of oxidative/nitrative damage of plasma proteins correlated with EDSS and BDI scores in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACT Objectives: The objective of the present study was to evaluate oxidative/nitrative stress in the plasma of 50 patients suffering from the secondary progressive course of multiple sclerosis (MS), and to verify its correlation with physical and mental disability as assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Methods: Oxidative and nitrative damage to proteins was determined by the level of carbonyl groups and 3-nitrotyrosine using ELISA test. Based on the reaction with Ellman’s reagent, we estimated the concentration of oxidized thiol groups. Additionally, we measured the level of lipid peroxidation. Results: In plasma drawn from MS patients, we observed a significantly higher level of 3-NT (92%; P < 0.0003), carbonyl groups (29%; P < 0.0001) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (73%; P < 0.0001), as well as a lower concentration of thiol groups (33%; P < 0.0001), in comparison to healthy subjects. We noted positive correlations between the level of carbonyl groups or 3-NT and both diagnostic parameters, EDSS and BDI. Negative correlations were observed between concentration of -SH groups and EDSS and BDI. Conclusion: Our results indicate that impaired red-ox balance can significantly promote neurodegeneration in secondary progressive MS.
Comparative expression pattern analysis of the highly conserved chemokines SDF1 and CXCL14 during amniote embryonic development

Chemokines are secreted proteins with essential roles in leukocyte trafficking and cell migration during embryogenesis. CXCL14 displays a degree of evolutionary conservation unmatched by any other chemokine except for SDF1(CXCL12). However, its role during embryogenesis has not been studied. Here we describe the expression pattern of mouse and chicken CXCL14 during embryogenesis and compare it with that of SDF1. CXCL14 is widely expressed in embryonic ectoderm and shows a restricted and dynamic expression pattern in paraxial mesoderm, mesonephros, neural tube, and limbs. During limb development, CXCL14 marks a unique connective tissue subset that surrounds developing tendons. Comparison of CXCL14 and SDF1 reveals mostly non‐overlapping or complementary expression patterns, suggesting an interactive regulation of developmental processes by these two chemokines. Our study identifies CXCL14 as a novel marker of tendon connective tissue and provides a conceptual framework for the coordinated action of two highly conserved chemokines in embryonic development. Developmental Dynamics 239:2769–2777, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spinal Anaesthesia For Surgery Upper Part of Abdomen Cavity - Case Report

Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Silesian Medical University in Katowice, St. Barbara Memorial Hospital in Sosnowiec1 Kierownik: prof. dr hab. P. Jałowiecki Department of Emergency Medicine; Silesian Medical University, St. Barbara Memorial Hospital in Sosnowiec2 Kierownik: dr hab. L. Krawczyk 1st Department of General Surgery, St. Barbara Memorial Hospital in Sosnowiec3 p.o. Ordynatora: dr n. med. J. Kozera