Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electrophysiological and behavioral studies on taste effectiveness of alcohols in rats

Sako, Noritaka, and Takashi Yamamoto. Electrophysiological and behavioral studies on taste effectiveness of alcohols in rats. Am. J. Physiol. 276 (Regulatory Integrative Comp. Physiol. 45): R388–R396, 1999. —Electrophysiological and behavioral studies were performed in rats to analyze the gustatory effects of alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propandiol, and glycerin. When the whole bundle responses to each of the alcohols at 1.0 M were recorded from the chorda tympani (CT) and glossopharyngeal nerve (Gl), the alcohols with two or three hydroxyl groups elicited larger responses than the other alcohols in both nerves. Single-fiber analyses showed that the responses to alcohols were induced dominantly in sucrose-best fibers and were correlated well with sucrose responses in the CT, whereas the responses to alcohols were induced in quinine-best fibers and were correlated well with quinine responses in the Gl. The rats that acquired conditioned taste aversions to alcohols with two or three hydroxyl groups also avoided sucrose and quinine, although the aversion did not generalize to NaCl or HCl. These results suggest that alcohols have a taste similar to the taste of both sucrose and quinine in the rat.
Valvular heart disease in primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS): clinical and morphological findings

Purpose. To describe clinically and pathologically the valvular lesion of the primary anti phospholipid syndrome (PAPS). Patients and Methods. We studied six patients with PAPS and valvulopathy. Four of them died and had autopsy and two had valvular replacement. The study comprised 18 heart valves, 16 from autopsy and two, one mitral and one aortic, resected at surgery. Results. Murmurs and echocardiographic findings kept correlation with gross pathology. Abnormalities were found in one or more valves in all patients including two of five aortic, two of five mitral, one of four pulmonary and two of four tricuspid. Co-existence of new and old lesions was observed. Pathologic findings included intravalvular thrombosis with focal necrosis and hemorrhage, vascular proliferation, mild histiocytic/fibroblastic infiltration, laminated and verrucous fibrin deposits, laminated and/or nodular fibrosis, and focal calcifi cation. Conclusion. The PAPS valvular lesion consists mainly of superficial or intravalvular fibrin deposits and its subsequent organization: vascular proliferation, fibroblast influx, fibrosis and calcification. This results in valve thickening, fusion and rigidity leading to functional abnormalities. Inflammation is not a prominent feature of this lesion.
Lateralized Functions in the Dog Brain

Understanding the complementary specialisation of the canine brain has been the subject of increasing scientific study over the last 10 years, chiefly due to the impact of cerebral lateralization on dog behaviour. In particular, behavioural asymmetries, which directly reflect different activation of the two sides of the dog brain, have been reported at different functional levels, including motor and sensory. The goal of this review is not only to provide a clear scenario of the experiments carried out over the last decade but also to highlight the relationships between dogs’ lateralization, cognitive style and behavioural reactivity, which represent crucial aspect relevant for canine welfare.
ROP3 GTPase Contributes to Polar Auxin Transport and Auxin Responses and Is Important for Embryogenesis and Seedling Growth in Arabidopsis[C][W]

This work identifies the role of ROP3 GTPase in embryo development and auxin-dependent plant growth and shows that ROP3 is important to maintain the proper polarity of auxin efflux carriers PIN1 and PIN3 at the plasma membrane. The results link cell polarity to auxin-dependent patterning through the activity of ROP3. ROP GTPases are crucial for the establishment of cell polarity and for controlling responses to hormones and environmental signals in plants. In this work, we show that ROP3 plays important roles in embryo development and auxin-dependent plant growth. Loss-of-function and dominant-negative (DN) mutations in ROP3 induced a spectrum of similar defects starting with altered cell division patterning during early embryogenesis to postembryonic auxin-regulated growth and developmental responses. These resulted in distorted embryo development, defective organ formation, retarded root gravitropism, and reduced auxin-dependent hypocotyl elongation. Our results showed that the expression of AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR5/MONOPTEROS and root master regulators PLETHORA1 (PLT1) and PLT2 was reduced in DN-rop3 mutant embryos, accounting for some of the observed patterning defects. ROP3 mutations also altered polar localization of auxin efflux proteins (PINs) at the plasma membrane (PM), thus disrupting auxin maxima in the root. Notably, ROP3 is induced by auxin and prominently detected in root stele cells, an expression pattern similar to those of several stele-enriched PINs. Our results demonstrate that ROP3 is important for maintaining the polarity of PIN proteins at the PM, which in turn ensures polar auxin transport and distribution, thereby controlling plant patterning and auxin-regulated responses.
Additional Benefits of Reduction Mammaplasty: A Systematic Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND Reduction mammaplasty is commonly described with regard to its qualitative benefits. The authors sought to perform a systematic review of the literature focusing on functional outcomes after reduction mammaplasty with regard to physical and psychological symptom improvement, including weight-related effects, exercise, and eating behaviors, in addition to aesthetic outcomes. METHODS A systematic review of the English literature was performed using the PubMed database to evaluate outcomes following reduction mammaplasty from 1977 to 2010. Studies were chosen that addressed the physical and psychological benefits of reduction mammaplasty using a validated questionnaire. RESULTS Women who undergo reduction mammaplasty have a functional improvement in musculoskeletal pain, headaches, sleep, and breathing. Psychological benefits are vast and include improved self-esteem, sexual function, and quality of life, in addition to less anxiety and depression. After reduction mammaplasty, women appear to exercise more and have a reduction in eating disorders. CONCLUSION The authors present a comprehensive review of the literature with regard to the physical and emotional concerns women with macromastia experience and the broad benefits reduction mammaplasty could have for their daily functions and quality of life postoperatively. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic, III.
Short‐ and Long‐term Consequences of Corticotropin‐releasing Factor in Early Development

Abstract: Corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) mediates various stress‐related responses in adult animals. Little is known about the effects of CRF during early development. Young mammals often vocalize when isolated in novel surroundings. Heightened levels of CRF inhibit vocalizing in isolated rat and guinea pig pups. Still lower levels of CRF may facilitate or permit vocalizing in rat pups. In guinea pigs, CRF appears to move pups from an initial active, to a subsequent passive, stage of behavioral responsiveness. CRF activity prior to birth can also affect the young. Exposing pregnant female rats to stressors during the last trimester of pregnancy alters the morphological and behavioral development of the offspring. Effects of gestational stress can be mimicked by injecting pregnant females with CRF during the last trimester. CRF appears to mediate both short‐ and long‐term responses to stressors during development in rodents.
Plan Execution and Recovery in Multi Agent Systems for Space Applications

The paper addresses the problem of supervising the execution of actions concurrently executed by a team of cooperating agents in a partially observable environment. Since the agents cooperate by exchanging services or by executing joint-actions, causal dependencies among actions arise. As a consequence a failure in the action of an agent can have harmful effects on the execution of the actions assigned to other agents. The paper formalizes a distributed approach to the supervision task where each agent supervises its own actions (sub-plan). In presence of an action failure, the supervision task aims at singling out a subset of goals (missing goals) which an agent is no longer able to achieve and which have to be achieved for overcoming the harmful effects of the failure.
Organizational Stress: Focusing on Ways to Minimize Distress

Just as individuals can experience symptoms resulting from stress, so can organizations. What is organizational stress, and what are its causes? What are the consequences of it? Most importantly, what can we do to reduce the impact of stress within our organizations? Two higher education HR professionals from the University of Idaho explore these questions. Introduction There is relatively little research on the causes and the implications of organizational stress, and there is no one acceptable definition. We consider organizational stress to be the result of those factors in an organization that cause stress for the individual employee, and in turn, have negative organizational consequences. For example, because of organizational needs or changes, factors such as increased workloads or changes in reporting relationships may occur. Such changes to the organizational climate or structure may precipitate a stressful environment among the employees. The employees' stress may cause negative consequences, including absenteeism, burnout, lack of trust, performance problems, or an erosion of positive communication and interaction. The following example is one familiar in a university context: A university may find that it is experiencing increasing financial difficulties. Therefore, an executive decision is made to initiate a hiring freeze and begin program consolidation. As employees leave and positions are left unfilled, the remaining employees assume extra assignments. The stress of an increased workload and the learning curve to acquire new skills leaves the remaining employees overworked and fearful for their jobs, as they worry that their positions will be eliminated or redesigned. The stress felt by employees can be manifested in many ways. One consequence could be that the incumbents become resentful and overly protective of their jobs. The individual may abandon any sense of team spirit and refuse to share information or resources with colleagues. Another potential outcome is that employees lose faith in the organization, and their performance suffers due to a feeling of lack of control.
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION – CREATINE : CHEAP ERGOGENIC SUPPLEMENT WITH GREAT POTENTIAL FOR HEALTH AND DISEASE

The appearance in print of the present volume of the “Subcellular Biochemistry” Series entitled “Creatine and Creatine Kinase in Health and Disease”, edited by Gajja S. Salomons and Markus Wyss, seems entirely timely. The importance and physiological significance of creatine kinase (CK) as well as the pleiotropic effects of creatine (Cr) and phosphocreatine (PCr) in health and disease have been largely underappreciated historically. Based on new discoveries in recent years, however, they are currently attracting much interest and even experience center stage attention, for instance with the recently announced large clinical Cr study with Parkinson’s patients in the USA (Couzin, 2007). The comprehensive earlier review on “Creatine and Creatinine Metabolism” by Markus Wyss and KaddurahDaouk (2000), as well as the most recent review on Cr by John and Margaret Brosnan (2007), give a pre-taste of this new and exciting era of CKand Cr-related research to come. The volume presented here, as well as a new book on “Molecular Systems Bioenergetics: Energy for Life, Basic Principles, Organization and Dynamics of Cellular Energetics”, edited by Valdur A. Saks (2007), provide a comprehensive overview of the field, with emphasis on complementary facets of this broad topic. The Saks book focuses on new data and theories derived mainly from basic science, taking a holistic systems biology approach to explain CK and related phosphotransfer systems, including mathematical modeling of metabolic and signaling networks related to bioenergetics. Conversely, the present volume links the basics of the CK
Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibition Prevents Oxidative Stress-Associated Blood–Brain Barrier Disruption after Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia

Oxidative stress generated during stroke is a critical event leading to blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption with secondary vasogenic edema and hemorrhagic transformation of infarcted brain tissue, restricting the benefit of thrombolytic reperfusion. In this study, the authors demonstrate that ischemia-reperfusion–induced BBB disruption in mice deficient in copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) was reduced by 88% (P < 0.0001) and 73% (P < 0.01), respectively, after 3 and 7 hours of reperfusion occurring after 1 hour of ischemia by the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases. Accordingly, the authors show that local metalloproteinase-generated proteolytic imbalance is more intense in ischemic regions of SOD1 mice than in wild-type litter mates. Moreover, active in situ proteolysis is, for the first time, demonstrated in ischemic leaking capillaries that produce reactive oxygen species. By showing that oxidative stress mediates BBB disruption through metalloproteinase activation in experimental ischemic stroke, this study provides a new target for future therapeutic strategies to prevent BBB disruption and potentially reperfusion-triggered intracerebral hemorrhage.
Retracted: Effects of thymoquinone (volatile oil of black cumin) on rheumatoid arthritis in rat models

Many studies have been carried out in recent years on the pharmacological effects of nigella sativa seeds that have uncovered their antiinflammatory and immunological effects. The objective of this study was to explore the antiinflammatory effects of thymoquinone on arthritis in rat models. Rats with arthritis induced by Freund's incomplete adjuvant were assigned into five groups: group 1: controls 0.9% NaCl (n = 7); group 2: 2.5 mg/kg thymoquinone (n = 7); group 3: 5 mg/kg thymoquinone (n = 7); group 4: Bacilli Chalmette Guerin (BCG) 6 × 105 CFU (n = 7); group 5: methotrexate 0.3 mg/kg (n = 7). Signs of inflammation on the claw and radiological signs were searched for and TNF‐alpha and IL‐1beta were measured. The results of control and other groups were compared. As a result, thymoquinone, confirmed clinically and radiologically, suppressed adjuvant‐induced arthritis in rats. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intrapulmonary Delivery of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Survival and Attenuates Endotoxin-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice1

Recent in vivo and in vitro work suggests that mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we tested the effect of administering MSC directly into the airspaces of the lung 4 h after the intrapulmonary administration of Escherichia coli endotoxin (5 mg/kg). MSC increased survival compared with PBS-treated control mice at 48 h (80 vs 42%; p < 0.01). There was also a significant decrease in excess lung water, a measure of pulmonary edema (145 ± 50 vs 87 ± 20 μl; p < 0.01), and bronchoalveolar lavage protein, a measure of endothelial and alveolar epithelial permeability (3.1 ± 0.4 vs 2.2 ± 0.8 mg/ml; p < 0.01), in the MSC-treated mice. These protective effects were not replicated by the use of further controls including fibroblasts and apoptotic MSC. The beneficial effect of MSC was independent of the ability of the cells to engraft in the lung and was not related to clearance of the endotoxin by the MSC. MSC administration mediated a down-regulation of proinflammatory responses to endotoxin (reducing TNF-α and MIP-2 in the bronchoalveolar lavage and plasma) while increasing the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. In vitro coculture studies of MSC with alveolar macrophages provided evidence that the anti-inflammatory effect was paracrine and was not cell contact dependent. In conclusion, treatment with intrapulmonary MSC markedly decreases the severity of endotoxin-induced acute lung injury and improves survival in mice.
Hypoxia Induces Apoptosis through HIF-1α Signaling Pathway in Human Uterosacral Ligaments of Pelvic Organ Prolapse

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in women uterosacral ligament tissues with pelvic organ prolapse and women with normal uterine support structures and illuminate its relationship with apoptosis. Samples were collected from 38 women with pelvic organ prolapse and 31 age matched controls. The expression levels of HIF-1α and BNIP3 in the uterosacral ligaments were measured using immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, and Western blot. To assess apoptosis we performed TUNEL assay and Western blot analyses. Lastly, the short form of the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7 (PFIQ-7) was used to evaluate prognosis of surgical patients and twenty patients finished the follow-up. The expressions of HIF-1α and BNIP3 in the uterosacral ligaments were significantly higher in patients with pelvic organ prolapse than in control group. Pearson's correlation test revealed significant positive correlations between HIF-1α and apoptosis index. Similarly, Western blot analysis showed the expression of proapoptosis proteins (Bax and Bad), Cytochrome-c, cleaved caspase-3, and caspase-9 in patients with pelvic organ prolapse was upregulated. The PFIQ-7 scores were higher in HIF-1α positive group than in the negative group. Hypoxia may contribute to the pathological process of pelvic organ prolapse by increasing apoptosis via activating HIF-1α signaling pathway.
Hepatitis D virus: an update

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection involves a distinct subgroup of individuals simultaneously infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and characterized by an often severe chronic liver disease. HDV is a defective RNA agent needing the presence of HBV for its life cycle. HDV is present worldwide, but the distribution pattern is not uniform. Different strains are classified into eight genotypes represented in specific regions and associated with peculiar disease outcome. Two major specific patterns of infection can occur, i.e. co‐infection with HDV and HBV or HDV superinfection of a chronic HBV carrier. Co‐infection often leads to eradication of both agents, whereas superinfection mostly evolves to HDV chronicity. HDV‐associated chronic liver disease (chronic hepatitis D) is characterized by necro‐inflammation and relentless deposition of fibrosis, which may, over decades, result in the development of cirrhosis. HDV has a single‐stranded, circular RNA genome. The virion is composed of an envelope, provided by the helper HBV and surrounding the RNA genome and the HDV antigen (HDAg). Replication occurs in the hepatocyte nucleus using cellular polymerases and via a rolling circle process, during which the RNA genome is copied into a full‐length, complementary RNA. HDV infection can be diagnosed by the presence of antibodies directed against HDAg (anti‐HD) and HDV RNA in serum. Treatment involves the administration of pegylated interferon‐α and is effective in only about 20% of patients. Liver transplantation is indicated in case of liver failure.
A Field Survey for Establishing Priorities in the Development of HLT Resources for Dutch

In this paper we describe a survey of Dutch language resources that has been carried out within the framework of a project launched by the Dutch Language Union (Nederlandse Taalunie) with the aim of strengthening the position of Dutch in Human Language Technologies (HLT). In this paper we present a so-called BLARK (Basic LAnguage Resources Kit). Based on the information collected in the survey, a priority list has been drawn up for materials that need to be developed to complete the BLARK specific for Dutch. The method employed and reported in this paper is not specific for Dutch and can be adopted for other languages.
Maintenance Trends in ERP Systems

During the late 1990’s, many Japanese firms replaced their legacy and traditional enterprise information systems with ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems. These systems cannot continue in use without maintenance. However, the maintenance of ERP systems differs from maintenance of traditional custom-built information systems. Moreover, maintenance requirements are known to change throughout in the operational phase. This study investigated the actual occurrence frequency of maintenance tasks classified into 6 categories during each month in five years (60 months) of ERP operation after go-live in three case studies of Japanese manufacturing firms. Through this investigation, this study identified clear the maintenance trends common to three firms, based on the maintenance occurrence frequencies in each firm.
Surgical Treatment of Adult Idiopathic Cavus Foot with Plantar Fasciotomy, Naviculocuneiform Arthrodesis, and Cuboid Osteotomy: A Review of Thirty-nine Cases

### Definition Idiopathic cavus foot (ICF) is a complex deformity that can be morphologically defined as a dorsiflexed and varus hindfoot, a plantar flexed forefoot, and subsequent elevation of the plantar arch frequently associated with claw deformity of the toes 1 ( Fig. 1 ). In addition, ICF can be also functionally defined as a foot in a persistent or prevalent state of supination 2. Fig. 1: The typical morphologic appearance of a cavus foot. ### Etiology The etiology of ICF is yet unknown. However, ICF should be considered to be a deformity caused by a neurologic disorder that we are not able to diagnose. Although an accurate neurologic (clinical and electrophysiological) evaluation can identify the cause of cavus foot deformity in some patients 3,4, Lelievre maintained that ICF is caused by a neurologic disorder in which the only symptom is the cavus foot 5. ### Pathogenesis The exact pathogenesis of ICF is not yet clear. Ombredanne and Mathieu 6 described the normal foot as a structure in which the balance of muscles (intrinsic and extrinsic), soft tissues, and bones maintains the normal anatomy and function ( Fig. 2 ). When this balance is disturbed because of a prevalence of the invertor muscles, the foot becomes deformed. The most widely accepted theory maintains that the first metatarsal bone is plantar flexed because of an imbalance between a strong peroneus longus muscle and a weak tibialis anterior 7 ( Fig. 3 ). Fig. 2: Mechanical model of the foot in which the balance of muscles, soft tissues, and bones maintains the normal anatomy and function. (Modified from: Ombredanne L, Mathieu P. Traite de chirurgie orthopedique. Paris: Masson; 1937.) Fig. 3: When the balance is disturbed because of weakness of the tibialis anterior muscle, the foot becomes deformed as a whole, producing a cavus deformity. (Modified from: Ombredanne L, …
A novel energy detection algorithm based on power distribution difference

Aim at the shortcoming of energy detection under low SNR, a novel energy detection algorithm based on power distribution difference (NED-BPDD)is proposed. The article analyzes the power distribution difference of frequency signal, defines the ratio of the some sub-band power to the reference sub-band power which has the minor power as the decision statistic and then derives the closed form expression of decision threshold based on constant false alarm probability criterion (CFAR). The simulation results show that NED-BPDD is robustness to noise uncertainty and has low computational complexity.