Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antagonism of forskolin effects by adenosine in isolated hearts and ventricular myocytes.

Adenosine is known to antagonize the effects of catecholamine stimulation in atrial and ventricular tissue; however, its mechanism of action is unknown. Forskolin is an inotropic agent that causes an increase in cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels independent of receptor stimulation. We sought to test whether adenosine could attenuate the effects of forskolin in isolated perfused guinea pig hearts and isolated single ventricular myocytes. In isolated perfused hearts (n = 18), forskolin caused a concentration-dependent increase in left ventricular pressure and dP/dt. Adenosine (5 microM) antagonized the forskolin (0.35 microM)-induced increase in left ventricular pressure and dP/dt by 96 +/- 2 and 92 +/- 4% (means +/- SE), respectively. In contrast, in four hearts, adenosine was ineffective in attenuating the inotropic response to dibutyryl cAMP. In isolated ventricular myocytes (n = 10) 150 nM forskolin caused a significant increase in action potential duration and plateau. In voltage-clamp experiments (n = 8), 150 nM forskolin caused a 39 +/- 3% increase in the calcium current, which was antagonized by adenosine (50 microM) by 80%. Forskolin also caused an increase in contractility, as estimated by sarcomere shortening of the cell. Adenosine, and its analogue N6-R-phenylisopropyladenosine (L-PIA), antagonized the effects of 150 nM forskolin on the action potential and on sarcomere shortening. Dibutyryl cAMP had similar effects as forskolin, but they were not antagonized by adenosine. At higher concentrations of forskolin, above 300 nM, delayed after depolarizations and sustained spontaneous activity occurred that could be abolished by L-PIA. Forskolin caused a concentration-dependent increase in cAMP, measured in isolated ventricular myocytes. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Epidermal growth factor is critical for intestinal adaptation following small bowel resection

The loss of small intestinal mucosal surface area is a relatively common clinical situation seen in both the pediatric and adult population. The most frequent causes include mesenteric ischemia, trauma, inflammatory bowel disease, necrotizing enterocolitis, and volvulus. Following surgical resection, the remnant intestine compensates or adapts to the loss of native bowel by increasing its absorptive surface area and functional capacity. Unfortunately, many patients fail to adapt adequately, and are relegated to lifelong intravenous nutrition. Research into intestinal adaptation following small bowel resection (SBR) has evolved only recently from the gross and microscopic level to the biochemical and genetic level. As understanding of this process has increased, numerous therapeutic strategies to augment adaptation have been proposed. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is an endogenous peptide that is secreted into the gastrointestinal tract and able to influence gut ontogeny, as well as mucosal healing. Early studies have demonstrated its ability to augment the adaptive process. Focusing on a murine model of massive intestinal loss, the morphological, structural, biochemical, and genetic changes that occur during the intestinal adaptive process will be reviewed. The role of EGF and its receptor as critical mediators of the adaptive process will be discussed. Additionally, the ability of EGF to augment intestinal proliferation and diminish programmed cell death (apoptosis) following SBR will be examined. Enhancing adaptation in a controlled manner may allow patients to transition off parenteral nutrition to enteral feeding and, thereby, normalize their lifestyle. Microsc. Res. Tech. 51:138–148, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Use of clinical next‐generation sequencing to identify melanomas harboring SMARCB1 mutations

SMARCB1 (INI1/BAF47/SNF5) encodes a part of a multiprotein complex that regulates gene expression through chromatin remodeling. SMARCB1 expression is lost or downregulated in multiple human tumors, including epithelioid sarcoma, meningioma and rhabdoid tumors of the brain, soft tissue and kidney.
Whistleblowing: An integrative literature review of data-based studies involving nurses

Abstract Aim: To summarise and critique the research literature about whistleblowing and nurses. Background: Whistleblowing is identified as a crucial issue in maintenance of healthcare standards and nurses are frequently involved in whistleblowing events. Despite the importance of this issue, to our knowledge an evaluation of this body of the databased literature has not been undertaken. Method: An integrative literature review approach was used to summarise and critique the research literature. A comprehensive search of five databases including Medline, CINAHL, PubMed and Health Science: Nursing/Academic Edition, and Google, were searched using terms including: ‘Whistleblow*,’ ‘nurs*. ’ In addition, relevant journals were examined, as well as reference lists of retrieved papers. Papers published during the years 2007–2013 were selected for inclusion. Findings: Fifteen papers were identified, capturing data from nurses in seven countries. The findings in this review demonstrate a growing body of research for the nursing profession at large to engage and respond appropriately to issues involving suboptimal patient care or organisational wrongdoing. Conclusions: Nursing plays a key role in maintaining practice standards and in reporting care that is unacceptable although the repercussions to nurses who raise concerns are insupportable. Overall, whistleblowing and how it influences the individual, their family, work colleagues, nursing practice and policy overall, requires further national and international research attention.
Variability of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve: An anatomic basis for planning safe surgical approaches

Current surgical assumptions identify the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) running just under the inguinal ligament two fingerbreadths medial to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). On the basis of the increasing incidence of Meralgia Paresthetica associated with various surgical procedures, it is clear that surgeons are relying on an inadequate description of the nerve's course. This study provides a better understanding of the variability of the LFCN with regards to its relationship to the ASIS and the depth at which it passes deep to the inguinal ligament. A total of 35 bodies were examined yielding 65 sets of data. Dissections were performed on 26 formalin fixed cadavers and 9 fresh morgue specimens. Measurements and calculations were made with regard to the distance from the LFCN to the ASIS along the inguinal ligament, the depth of the LFCN as it crossed the inguinal ligament, and the length of the inguinal ligament. The LFCN was observed to cross the inguinal ligament 1.4 ± 0.4 cm medial to the ASIS with a standard deviation of 1.5 cm. The LFCN traversed the inguinal ligament 1.0 ± 0.1 cm deep to the ligament with a standard deviation of 0.6 cm. The LFCN runs approximately one fingerbreadth medial to the ASIS. The nerve may be found far more medial or lateral than expected with several distinct branching patterns. In addition, the LFCN crosses deeper to the inguinal ligament than previously described in the literature, with a high variability of depth between specimens. Clin. Anat. 23:304–311, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Real-time data management in ubiquitous wearable networks

Wearable devices, such as wristbands, smart-watches, eyewear, and wearable bio-monitors have become the focus of much attention in past year. One in ten U.S. consumers over the age of 18 now owns a modern activity tracker. These ubiquitous devices are a natural platform for formation of ad hoc networks. With almost 40% of users are above the age of 45, these older adopters are focused on improving overall health and extending their lives. Therefore, wearable devices can monitor lifestyle patterns, like barometer data, as well as important vitalities, such as heart rate data. Accordingly, wearable networks have to manage data streams with different importance and criticality under variety of QoS requirements. Health monitoring applications with commercial grade products require mechanisms that guarantee bounded delay and delay jitter on delay sensitive data. This paper proposes a Traffic Differentiating Queue (TDQ) for adaptive routing protocols in wearable networks to provide higher QoS guarantees for real-time health monitoring applications. The popular object-oriented network simulator NS2 is used for the cross evaluation of the proposed queue. The use of the TDQ algorithm as the routing queue provides significant improvement over the original algorithm in terms of average packet delay and throughput. The TDQ results report an average improvement of up to 1.5× over that the original routing algorithms. Moreover, jitter is generally reduced and stabilized over the varying number of connections.
High-Risk Health and Credit Behavior Among 18- to 25-Year-Old College Students

The number of students accumulating credit card debt—and the amount of debt itself—on college campuses is increasing. If high-risk credit and health behavior are associated, health behavior interventions might apply to high-risk credit behavior. Objective: The authors' purpose was to examine these possible associations. Participants and Methods: They used a retrospective design with existing data from a sample of 45,213 US college students and several ordinal regression models, which corresponded with high priority college health issues. Results: Students with high-risk credit behavior were more likely to have driven after drinking, used amphetamines in the previous 30 days, felt functionally impaired by depression in the previous 12 months, had a higher body mass index (BMI), or had a lower grade-point average (GPA). They were less likely to have participated in vigorous physical activity, used condoms for oral or vaginal sex in the prior 30 days, or used marijuana. The findings support the notion that high-risk health and credit behaviors are associated. Conclusions: Further research could clarify the nature of this relation.
Ultraviolet B radiation‐induced production of interleukin 1α and interleukin 6 in a human squamous carcinoma cell line is wavelength‐dependent and can be inhibited by pharmacological agents

Ultraviolet (UV) B irradiation induces keratinocytes to produce among others the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL) 1 and IL‐6. The wavelength dependence of this UVB effect has not yet been assessed. We evaluated the potential of different UVB wavelength regions to release cytokines from the squamous carcinoma cell line SCL II and also assessed the effect of various putative inhibitors. Confluent monolayers of the cells were irradiated with 0.5–2.0 mJ/cm2 UVB at 280, 290, 300, 310 or 320 (each ± 5) nm. In additional experiments dexamethasone (10−9–10−5 mol/L), ascorbic acid, d‐α‐tocopherol or indomethacin (each 10−7–10−4 mol/L) were added to the culture medium 24 h before, immediately after or combined before and after irradiation with 1 mJ/cm2 UVB at 280 ± 5 nm. Supernatants of the cell cultures were recovered at 24 h after irradiation, and IL‐1α or IL‐6 were determined by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IL‐1α and IL‐6 production were induced by UVB at 280, 290 and 300 nm, the production depended on the UV dose and decreased with increasing wavelengths. Irradiation at 310 or 320 nm did not induce cytokine production up to the maximum dose used. The production of IL‐1 α/IL‐6 was inhibited up to 80/89% (10−7–10−6 mol/L before and after irradiation) by dexamethasone in a concentration‐dependent manner and with all conditions of incubation. Release of cytokines was also suppressed by indomethacin, d‐α‐tocopherol or ascorbic acid, but concentration dependence was not always evident. These results show that particularly shorter UVB radiation, which is expected to increase due to stratospheric ozone depletion, induces prominent production of proinflammatory cytokines, indicating major biological effects. Different pharmacological compounds can interfere with this effect and seem worth further evaluation with regard to their clinical effects.
Psychological characteristics of maltreated children: putative risk factors and consequences.

Although there is considerable evidence that the maltreatment of children is widespread and that it can have significant adverse effects on the victims, specific abuse-outcome patterns are not obvious beyond the link between physical abuse and aggression, and the link between sexual abuse and poor sexual adjustment. Although concepts of invulnerability or child resilience are somewhat controversial (see Rutter 1983), some children from severely maltreating backgrounds do not evidence apparent adverse outcomes (e.g. Farber & Egeland 1987, Herrenkohl et al 1991). It is unknown whether the more favorable outcomes are the result of child resilience or the influence of environmental buffers. More research clearly is needed to fully understand the behavioral risks and consequences of maltreatment.
Adverse events during radiofrequency treatment of 582 hepatic tumors.

OBJECTIVE We describe the rates and potential risk factors of complications of radiofrequency ablation of hepatic tumors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Over a 5-year period, 312 patients underwent 350 sessions of radiofrequency ablation (124 intraoperative and 226 percutaneous) for treatment of 582 liver tumors including 115 hepatocellular carcinomas and 467 metastatic tumors. The chi-square test was used for a group-to-group comparison of the occurrence of adverse events. RESULTS Thirty-seven (10.6%) adverse events and five (1.4%) deaths were related to radiofrequency treatment. The deaths were caused by liver insufficiency (n = 1), colon perforation (n = 1), and portal vein thrombosis (n = 3). Portal vein thrombosis was significantly (p < 0.00001) more frequent in cirrhotic livers (2/5) than in noncirrhotic livers (0/54) after intraoperative radiofrequency ablation performed during a Pringle maneuver. Liver abscess (n = 7) was the most common complication. Abscess occurred significantly (p < 0.00001) more frequently in patients bearing a bilioenteric anastomosis (3/3) than in other patients (4/223). We encountered five pleural effusions, five skin burns, four hypoxemias, three pneumothoraces, two small subcapsular hematomas, one acute renal insufficiency, one hemoperitoneum, and one needle-tract seeding. The 6.3% of minor complications did not require specific treatment or a prolonged hospital stay. Among the 5.7% major complications, 3.7% required less than 5 days of hospitalization for treatment or surveillance and 2% required more than 5 days for treatment. CONCLUSION Radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors is a well-tolerated technique, but caution should be exercised when treating patients with a bilioenteric anastomosis, and radiofrequency ablation during vascular occlusion in cirrhotic livers should be avoided.
Of ‘Strong’ Leadership, Crisis Communication, and Pooper Scoopers: Change in the Queensland Public Service Under Newman

Governments have historically offered their workforce a public service bargain founded on stable pay and conditions and job security. However, while the Westminster system aims for public service employment to be protected from the whims of government, public servants are nonetheless affected by the political environment in which they operate and changes to this bargain can occur with a new government. This paper focuses on a Queensland public service change process that resulted in large-scale forced redundancies, non-renewal of temporary contracts and legislative changes that nullified the provisions in job security, organisational change and redundancy policies. Using communication as a lens through which to understand leadership, it examines how the government communicated with the public service about this organisational change, immediately before and after the 2012 election. In particular, through analysis of public and media commentary, speeches and Hansard records, it examines Premier Newman’s change leadership and communication by contrasting pre-election messages to the public service with post-election messages about the public service and the justifications for change during this period of downsizing. This analysis is used to reflect on political leadership, communication, fair treatment, and trust in public service change.
Mainstreaming tribals through financial literacy – a review of literature

Purpose - The present paper is an attempt to understand the various concepts related to financial literacy. For the development of this paper, secondary data have been considered by visiting various sources of information. The reviews are made on four parameters, which include social exclusion among tribes, government initiatives for tribal development, socio-economic condition of tribes and impact of financial literacy on the lives of tribes. The purpose of this paper is to identify the variables and to undertake an empirical research on this topic. It is found that excluded from income-generating activities, formal education, political system are not getting adequate exposure for maintaining the standard of living. Mostly, the changing economic scenario of consumers, discrimination of wage and employment, lack of capital and financial literacy leads to the mismanagement of money. The financial products are the various causes of financial exclusion and need to be addressed through adequate financial literacy. Moreover, the study attempts to understand the various reasons of financial exclusion and to comprehend the empirical research on the topic as well. Design/methodology/approach - The present paper is based on the secondary data. In this regard, various sources of information have been visited to collect the data. Findings - The study finds that owing to exclusion from income-generating activities, lack of formal education, absence of patronage political in adequate means for maintaining an acceptable standard of living, caste discriminations, poverty and migration, exploitation in the hands of money lenders, marginal increase in income, absence of infrastructure, unemployment, lack of financial literacy and its resultant mismanagement of money among the tribal community has pushed them to the utter stage of poverty universally. Originality/value - The paper can help administrators and the policymakers of different regions across the world to take appropriate measures to focus on educating the people on different financial products and to increase the accessibility. Moreover, the paper can help research scholars to build platform of their research banking upon the data presented in this study.
Cadmium(II), unlike nickel(II), inhibits 8-oxo-dGTPase activity and increases 8-oxo-dG level in DNA of the rat testis, a target organ for cadmium(II) carcinogenesis.

8-Oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine 5'-triphosphate pyrophosphohydrolase (8-oxo-dGTPase) is an enzyme which prevents incorporation into DNA of promutagenic 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) from a deoxynucleotide pool damaged by endogenous oxidants. Its inhibition may thus be carcinogenic. We previously found that Cd(II) inhibited 8-oxo-dGTPase in both cell free systems and cultured cells. To verify this finding in a relevant animal model, we investigated the effects of Cd(II) on cellular 8-oxo-dGTPase activity and nuclear DNA 8-oxo-dG levels in the rat testis, a target organ for Cd(II) carcinogenesis. Ni(II), which does not induce testicular tumors in rats and is a weaker in vitro inhibitor of 8-oxo-dGTPase than Cd(II), was investigated as a comparison. Male F344/NCr rats were given a single s.c. dose of 20 micromol Cd(II) acetate, 90 micromol Ni(II) acetate or 180 micromol sodium acetate (controls) per kg body wt and killed 2, 8, 24 or 48 h later (three rats/time point). Cd(II) caused a gradual decrease in testicular 8-oxo-dGTPase activity with time. It became significant only after 8 h post-injection (P < 0.05) and resulted in a final 50% loss of the enzyme activity at 48 h (P < 0. 01). Although the results for Ni(II) at 8 h and later were apparently lower than the controls, the decrease did not reach statistical significance. Treatment of rats with Cd(II) led to an early and progressive increase (from 130% at 2 h to 200% at 48 h versus the controls) of the 8-oxo-dG level in testicular DNA (P < 0. 05 or better). Ni(II) acetate also tended to raise the testicular 8-oxo-dG level, but the increase was transient, with an apparent maximum at 8 h, and did not approach statistical significance (P < 0. 2). Thus, Cd(II), unlike Ni(II), is able to inhibit 8-oxo-dGTPase activity and to raise 8-oxo-dG levels in rat testicular DNA. However, the time course of both effects indicates that 8-oxo-dGTPase inhibition is most likely not the sole cause of the increase in 8-oxo-dG.
Exploratory Research of ISO 14001:2015 Transition among Portuguese Organizations

The purpose of this paper is the assessment of the ISO 14001:2015 transition process among Portuguese ISO 14001 certified organizations, including those that successfully have already achieved ISO 14001:2015 certification. A considerable number of the surveyed companies proceeded with the transition to the ISO 14001:2015 by introducing slight adjustments and were supported by external consultants. Nearly all of the respondent companies (97%) intend to transition until 15th September 2018. The highest ranked reported benefit is the “integrated approach with other management sub-systems” with a well-consolidated perception from the surveyed companies. This is aligned with the ISO 14001:2015 goal of improving the compatibility of management standards supported on the Annex SL. “Alignment with business strategy”, “improved top management commitment” and “improved internal and external communication” are also perceived to obtain significant benefits from ISO 14001:2015. The statistical tests carried out (Kruskal–Wallis) confirmed that the perception of some achieved ISO 14001:2015 certification benefits is dependent on the size of the organization. Concerning the motivations to proceed with certification, results suggest that there is not a particular company profile that is compelled to certify their EMS based on a specific type of motivation (Internal or External). Due to ISO 14001:2015 novelty, these exploratory results should be subjected to additional research confirmation.
Carbohydrate Content and Enzyme Metabolism in Developing Canola Siliques

Little biochemical information is available on carbohydrate metabolism in developing canola (Brassica napus L.) silique (pod) wall and seed tissues. This research examines the carbohydrate contents and sucrose (Suc) metabolic enzyme activities in different aged silique wall and seed tissues during oil filling. The silique wall partitioned photosynthate into Suc over starch and predominantly accumulated hexose. The silique wall hexose content and soluble acid invertase activity rapidly fell as embryos progressed from the early- to late-cotyledon developmental stages. A similar trend was not evident for alkaline invertase, Suc synthase (SuSy), and Suc-phosphate synthase. Silique wall SuSy activities were much higher than source leaves at all times and may serve to supply the substrate for secondary cell wall thickening. In young seeds starch was the predominant accumulated carbohydrate over the sampled developmental range. Seed hexose levels dropped as embryos developed from the early- to midcotyledon stage. Hexose and starch were localized to the testa or liquid endosperm, whereas Suc was evenly distributed among seed components. With the switch to oil accumulation, seed SuSy activity increased by 3.6-fold and soluble acid invertase activity decreased by 76%. These data provide valuable baseline knowledge for the genetic manipulation of canola seed carbon partitioning.