Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The electric activity of the motor end-plate

At the nerve-muscle junction, a specific process occurs which is not found during the propagation of impulses along nerve or muscle fibres; the nerve impulse causes acetylcholine (Ach) to be released from the motor nerve endings, and this substance depolarizes the end-plate surface of the muscle fibre by a specific chemical reaction. The transient local depolarization of the muscle fibre which is so produced has been called the end-plate potential (e.p.p.). The e.p.p., then, unlike the nerve or muscle impulse, is not itself produced by electric stimulation (direct spread of electric current from nerve to muscle has, in fact, never been demonstrated and appears to be indetectably small). On the other hand, the e.p.p. electrically stimulates the surrounding region of the muscle fibre, and so gives rise to the propagation of a new impulse.
Detection and specificity of antibodies secreted by spleen cells in mice immunized with Streptococcus mutans

Immune responses of mice to Streptococcus mutans serotype c were analyzed by means of the enzyme-linked immunospot assay to determine the predominant specificities of the antibodies developed. In general, the numbers of splenic antibody-secreting cells correlated with serum antibody levels. A low dose (10(8) CFU) of killed whole cells injected twice intraperitoneally induced antibodies mainly against surface protein antigen I/II. A higher dose (10(9) CFU) given two to six times also resulted in a predominance of antigen I/II antibody-secreting cells and, in addition, antibody responses to surface protein antigen III and lipoteichoic acid occurred. Cells producing antibodies to serotype c polysaccharide were elicited only on repeated immunization. These results agreed with the development of antibodies in rabbits repeatedly immunized intravenously with killed whole cells of S. mutans, S. rattus, and S. sobrinus, which induced specific antibodies in accordance with the surface antigens that they express. Mice immunized twice with the same dose of purified antigens I/II and III developed greater numbers of antigen I/II splenic antibody-forming cells than antigen III splenic antibody-forming cells and higher serum antibody levels to antigen I/II than to antigen III. Furthermore, a single injection of antigen I/II but not of antigen III was sufficient to induce a strong specific-antibody response. Some evidence was also obtained for weak polyclonal stimulation of spleen cells by S. mutans cells and by antigen I/II, a result which could be relevant to the induction by S. mutans of antibodies reactive with mammalian tissues. It was concluded that for the antigens examined, S. mutans elicited the strongest antibody response against antigen I/II, which was also highly immunogenic in purified form.
Two components of electrical dark noise in toad retinal rod outer segments.

1. Physiological noise in the visual transduction mechanism was studied by recording membrane current from single rod outer segments in pieces of isolated toad retina. 2. The inward current in darkness showed spontaneous fluctuations which disappeared during the response to bright light. 3. The dark noise consisted of two components, a continuous fluctuation of rms amplitude about 0.2 pA and occasional discrete events about 1 pA in size. 4. Intervals between discrete events followed the exponential distribution expected of a Poisson process with a mean rate of about one event per 50 sec (20 degrees C). 5. The amplitude and power spectrum of the discrete events resembled those of single photon effects in the same rod, suggesting that discrete events may arise from spontaneous activation of single rhodopsin molecules. 6. The temperature dependence of the mean frequency of occurrence of discrete events gave an activation energy of 22 kcal mole‐1, probably characteristic of thermal isomerization of rhodopsin. 7. The variance of the continuous component of the dark noise rose linearly with the length of the outer segment drawn into the suction electrode, indicating that this component is generated in the outer segment. 8. The power spectrum of a rod's continuous noise was usually fitted by the square of a Lorentzian with the same time constant as that of the four first‐order delays in the cell's single photon response. The shot effects composing the continuous component thus appear to be shaped by two of four sequential processes in transduction. 9. The variance and spectrum of the continuous noise are interpreted to reflect shot effects about 1/400 the size of a single photon effect occurring at a frequency of 6 x 10(3) sec‐1. 10. The rod's flash sensitivity was halved by a steady light to giving about 8 photoisomerizations sec‐1. The much lower mean rate of discrete events indicates that Io in increment sensitivity experiments on individual receptors is not set by thermal activation of rhodopsin. 11. Values of sensitivity and time‐to‐peak flash response collected from many cells in darkness were correlated by the same power law relation obtaining in the presence of backgrounds. The correlation observed would be explained if a single variable controlled both the gain and time scale of several stages of the transduction mechanism in background light and in darkness.
Long-Term Results of Stenting versus Endarterectomy for Carotid-Artery Stenosis.

BACKGROUND In the Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stenting Trial, we found no significant difference between the stenting group and the endarterectomy group with respect to the primary composite end point of stroke, myocardial infarction, or death during the periprocedural period or any subsequent ipsilateral stroke during 4 years of follow-up. We now extend the results to 10 years. METHODS Among patients with carotid-artery stenosis who had been randomly assigned to stenting or endarterectomy, we evaluated outcomes every 6 months for up to 10 years at 117 centers. In addition to assessing the primary composite end point, we assessed the primary end point for the long-term extension study, which was ipsilateral stroke after the periprocedural period. RESULTS Among 2502 patients, there was no significant difference in the rate of the primary composite end point between the stenting group (11.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 9.1 to 14.8) and the endarterectomy group (9.9%; 95% CI, 7.9 to 12.2) over 10 years of follow-up (hazard ratio, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.44). With respect to the primary long-term end point, postprocedural ipsilateral stroke over the 10-year follow-up occurred in 6.9% (95% CI, 4.4 to 9.7) of the patients in the stenting group and in 5.6% (95% CI, 3.7 to 7.6) of those in the endarterectomy group; the rates did not differ significantly between the groups (hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.64 to 1.52). No significant between-group differences with respect to either end point were detected when symptomatic patients and asymptomatic patients were analyzed separately. CONCLUSIONS Over 10 years of follow-up, we did not find a significant difference between patients who underwent stenting and those who underwent endarterectomy with respect to the risk of periprocedural stroke, myocardial infarction, or death and subsequent ipsilateral stroke. The rate of postprocedural ipsilateral stroke also did not differ between groups. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health and Abbott Vascular Solutions; CREST ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00004732.).
Organ Hypertrophic Signaling within Caveolae Membrane Subdomains Triggered by Ouabain and Antagonized by PST 2238*

In addition to inhibition of the Na-K ATPase, ouabain activates a signal transduction function, triggering growth and proliferation of cultured cells even at nanomolar concentrations. An isomer of ouabain (EO) circulates in mammalians at subnanomolar concentrations, and increased levels are associated with cardiac hypertrophy and hypertension. We present here a study of cardiac and renal hypertrophy induced by ouabain infused into rats for prolonged periods and relate this effect to the recently described ouabain-induced activation of the Src-EGFr-ERK signaling pathway. Ouabain infusion into rats (15 μg/kg/day for 18 weeks) doubled plasma ouabain levels from 0.3 to 0.7 nm and increased blood pressure by 20 mm Hg (p < 0.001), cardiac left ventricle (+11%, p < 0.05), and kidney weight (+9%, p < 0.01). These effects in vivo are associated with a significant enrichment of α1, β1, γa Na-K ATPase subunits together with Src and EGFr in isolated renal caveolae membranes and activation of ERK1/2. In caveolae, direct Na-K ATPase/Src interactions can be demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation. The interaction is amplified by ouabain, at a high affinity binding site, detectable in caveolae but not in total rat renal membranes. The high affinity site for ouabain is associated with Src-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of rat α1 Na-K ATPase. The antihypertensive compound, PST 2238, antagonized all ouabain-induced effects at 10 μg/kg/day in vivo or 10-10-10-8 m in vitro. These findings provide a molecular mechanism for the in vivo pro-hypertrophic and hypertensinogenic activity of ouabain, or by analogy those of EO in humans. They also explain the pharmacological basis for PST 2238 treatment.
Ant colonies outperform individuals when a sensory discrimination task is difficult but not when it is easy

“Collective intelligence” and “wisdom of crowds” refer to situations in which groups achieve more accurate perception and better decisions than solitary agents. Whether groups outperform individuals should depend on the kind of task and its difficulty, but the nature of this relationship remains unknown. Here we show that colonies of Temnothorax ants outperform individuals for a difficult perception task but that individuals do better than groups when the task is easy. Subjects were required to choose the better of two nest sites as the quality difference was varied. For small differences, colonies were more likely than isolated ants to choose the better site, but this relationship was reversed for large differences. We explain these results using a mathematical model, which shows that positive feedback between group members effectively integrates information and sharpens the discrimination of fine differences. When the task is easier the same positive feedback can lock the colony into a suboptimal choice. These results suggest the conditions under which crowds do or do not become wise.
Evolving Corporate Social Responsibility in China

With a unique cultural background and fast economic development, China’s adoption of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become the center of discussion worldwide, and its successful implementation will have great significance for global sustainability. This paper aims to explore how CSR has given way to economic growth in China since the start of economic transition and its cultural, historical and political background, and how this has affected or been affected by the economic performance of firms. Thus, the recent calls for China to adopt CSR in its industries follow a period where the country arguably had one of the strongest implementations of CSR approaches in the world. This transition is considered in the context of a case study of a Chinese state-owned enterprise (SOE) and a group of small private firms in the same industrial sector in Zhengzhou City, Henan Province over a time span of eight years. While the CSR of the SOE has been steadily decreasing along with the change of ownership structure, its economic performance did not improve as expected. On the other hand, with a steady improvement in economic performance, the small private firms are showing a great reluctance to engage in CSR. The results indicate that implementation of CSR in China needs both the manager’s ethical awareness and the change of institutional framework. The results also raise the question as to whether CSR is a universal concept with a desired means of implementation across the developed and developing world.
Surface-grating-based distributed feedback lasers fabricated using nanoimprint lithography

Distributed feedback lasers with third-order surface gratings obtained by lateral corrugations of the ridge waveguide have been fabricated using low-cost nanoimprint lithography. The lasers, emitting in the 980 nm wavelength range exhibited stable single-longitudinal-mode operation with side-mode suppression ratios up to 50 dB.
Inhalation toxicity of aerosolized pentamidine isethionate in rats and dogs.

The toxicity of inhaled aerosolized pentamidine isethionate solutions in rats and dogs was evaluated. Nose-only exposure equipment and a mass mean aerodynamic particle size of < or = 2 microns were employed. Rats received either a single inhaled dose estimated at 0, 1.4, 2.1, or 6.0 mg/kg/exposure day or 4 inhaled doses evenly spaced over 13 weeks estimated at 0, 0.35, 0.7, or 1.4 mg/kg/exposure day. Dogs were administered a single inhaled dose estimated at 0, 1.1, 3.4, or 5.0 mg/kg/exposure day. Rats administered a single inhaled dose of 6.0 mg/kg/exposure day exhibited respiratory distress. The lung-with-trachea weights of these animals were elevated relative to controls. The histopathology of acutely exposed rats consisted of dose-related neutrophil infiltration in the turbinates, larynx, and bronchi; erosion of epithelium in the turbinates and larynx; thickening of the alveoli walls with alveolar accumulation of mononuclear cells and neutrophils; and rhinitis. Rats in the highest dose group in the subchronic evaluation exhibited decreased body weight gains and reduced lung-with-trachea-to-body weight ratios relative to controls. Hematology, clinical chemistry, and urinalysis values were within normal ranges. Microscopic pulmonary tissue changes were similar to those found in acute exposure with certain lesions (e.g., mucous cell hyperplasia) suggestive of a more chronic process. In addition, lung fibrosis was seen at the highest dose. In dogs, pentamidine isethionate did not cause a change in the respiratory minute volume (not measured in rats). Elevated lung-with-trachea weights were noted in the high- dose females. Hematology, clinical chemistry, and urinalysis values were within normal ranges. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Towards General Equilibrium in a Technology-Rich Model with Empirically Estimated Behavioral Parameters

Most energy-economy policy models offered to policy makers are deficient in terms of at least one of technological explicitness, microeconomic realism, or macroeconomic completeness. We herein describe CIMS, a model which starts with the technological explicitness of the “bottom-up” approach and adds the microeconomic realism and macroeconomic completeness of the “topdown” CGE approach. This paper demonstrates CIMS’ direct utility for policy analysis, and also how it can be used to better estimate the long run capital-forenergy substitution elasticity (ESUB) and autonomous energy efficiency index (AEEI) technology parameters used in top-down models. By running CIMS under several possible energy price futures and observing their effects on capital and energy input shares and energy consumption, we estimate an economy-wide ESUB of 0.26 and an AEEI of 0.57%, with significant sectoral differences for both parameters.
Innovative High Voltage transistors for complex HV/RF SoCs in baseline CMOS

Trends in portable applications lead to integration of power management, power amplification and RF functionality in a single chip using the most advanced CMOS technology. The required HV transistors should be strictly realized in baseline CMOS to guarantee cost competitiveness and short time-to-market. This paper advocates innovative transistor architectures based on smart layout to address this challenge in both bulk and PD-SOI sub-100 nm CMOS.
The effects of androstenediol and dehydroepiandrosterone on the course and cytokine profile of tuberculosis in BALB/c mice

Immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis requires a T helper 1 (Th1) cytokine balance accompanied by tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and activated macrophages. These facets of the immune response are sensitive to suppression by glucocorticoids (GC), which can reactivate and exacerbate tuberculosis in man and animals. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its derivative, 3β,17β androstenediol (AED), are reported to have antiglucocorticoid properties in vivo. We therefore investigated the effects of predetermined optimal doses of these compounds, on the course of pulmonary tuberculosis in an established model in BALB/c mice in which an early phase of Th1‐mediated response accompanied by adrenal hyperplasia, is followed by a switch to Th2, progressive loss of TNF‐α expression and disease progression. Both compounds were protective, particularly AED which caused a fall in bacterial counts and prolonged survival. These effects correlated with the appearance within 3 days of cellular infiltrates rich in cells expressing interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), IL‐1α and TNF‐α, and with partial suppression of the switch to IL‐4 producing cells that occurred in controls. AED also caused enhanced development of granulomas at 14 days, and persistence of granuloma formation to 120 days, with a corresponding suppression of areas affected by pneumonia. Much of the therapeutic effect of AED and DHEA was obtained by treating for only the first 3 weeks, which is the phase of adrenal hyperplasia. These results suggest that the ratio of GC to anti‐GC steroids may play a role in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis, and further investigation could lead to novel treatment strategies.
Suspected adverse reactions, 2004

Reports to the UK Suspected Adverse Reaction Surveillance Scheme (SARSS) in 2004 increased by 22 per cent compared with 2003 The number of reports involving dogs, cats and cattle increased, while there were fewer reports involving sheep and rabbits A suspected lack of efficacy in cattle was largely responsible for the significant increase in the overall total number of reports for this species Fewer human suspected adverse reactions were reported in 2004 than 2003 – These are some of the findings under the SARSS in 2004, as discussed in the following article by Fabia Dyer, Rahel Mulugeta, Martha Spagnuolo-Weaver and Alex Tait of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate
Management of sympathetic overactivity in tetanus with epidural bupivacaine and sufentanil: experience with 11 patients.

OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy and safety of epidural bupivacaine and sufentanil for the management of sympathetic overactivity in tetanus. DESIGN Retrospective case review. SETTING Sixteen-bed surgical intensive care unit in a tertiary care centre. PATIENTS All patients referred to the unit during a 63-month period with the diagnosis of tetanus were included in the study. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS All patients (n = 11) had severe tetanus and developed sympathetic overactivity, which was managed by epidural blockade. Three patients died, but there were no fatalities directly attributable to sympathetic overactivity. Before epidural blockade, the average difference between the mean maximum and mean minimum systolic blood pressures was 78 +/- 28 (so) mm Hg. After blockade, this difference was reduced to 38 +/- 15 (so) mm Hg (p < .0001). Similar significant reductions in diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were observed. The mean hourly infusion doses of bupivacaine and sufentanil were 17 mg and 21 microg, respectively. Midazolam was the principal adjunctive sedative agent and was used in all patients (mean dose, 9 mg/hr). Additional pharmacologic agents were necessary in two patients in whom epidural blockade alone was insufficient to control sympathetic overactivity. One patient developed renal failure and there were no instances of pneumothorax. One patient developed an epidural abscess of probable hematogenous origin, which was successfully treated without neurologic sequelae. CONCLUSIONS Epidural blockade is effective in controlling sympathetic overactivity and the associated complications (renal failure, cardiac injury, and sudden death). Although a serious complication occurred in one patient, the efficacy of the technique deserves further validation.
Epidemiology of hand, foot, and mouth disease in children in Shanghai 2007–2010

SUMMARY We retrospectively analysed the epidemiological data of all hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) cases from the largest paediatric infectious diseases centre in Shanghai between 2007 and 2010. A total of 28 058 outpatients were diagnosed with HFMD, of which 3948 (14·07%) were hospitalized, 730 (2·60%) had complications with neurological disorders and pulmonary oedema/haemorrhage, and 11 (0·04%) died. The peak season was the summer months. Boys were more affected than girls. Since 2008, the major population group affected has shifted from native Shanghainese children attending preschool to migrant children and younger children cared for at home. Children aged 1–4 years constituted 82·27% of cases. EV-A71 was tested in clinical samples taken from severe cases in 2009 and 2010, and from most inpatients in 2010. EV-A71 was positive in 99·17% and 86·31% of severe cases, respectively in 2009 and 2010. All 12 cases with pulmonary oedema or haemorrhage were infected with EV-A71. Ten (90·90%) of 11 fatal cases were attributable to EV-A71 infection. In 2010, EV-A71-positive cases accounted for 54·12% of inpatients. The dominant circulation of EV-A71 led to the outbreak of HFMD and occurrence of severe and fatal cases.
[The role of marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells in the prevention and treatment of acute graft-versus-host in mice.].

OBJECTIVE To observe the prevention and treatment of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) by murine marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vivo. METHODS Allogeneic aGVHD model was established with lethally irradiated BALB/c recipients receiving allogeneic BM (BMC) and spleen cells (SP) from C57BL/6 with or without mMSCs at different dose and different time posttransplantation. Six groups were set up, group 1 (irradiation control group); group 2 (i.v. BMC only); group 3 (i.v. SP+ BMC); group 4 (i.v. SP + BMC + 1 x 10(5) mMSC at day 0); group 5 (i.v. SP + BMC +5 x 10(5) mMSC at day 0); group 6 (i.v. SP + BMC +1 x 10(5) mMSC at day 7). The survival was monitored daily. mMSCs infected with adenoviral vector (Ad-GFP) were injected into aGVHD model to observe the distribution of MSCs in vivo. RESULTS (1) Addition of donor mMSCs significantly controlled the lethal GVHD. The survival time (day) in group 1 was 13.5 +/- 2.6, group 3 11.1 +/- 4.0, group 4 26.4 +/- 7.7, group 5 22.7 +/- 9.2, group 6 22.9 +/- 8.2, respectively. The difference between groups 4-6 and group 3 was statistically significant (P < 0.01), but there was no difference among groups 4-6 (P = 0.28); There was less lymphocyte infiltration and architectural disruption in the intestine and spleen of groups 4-6 than that of group 3; (2) mMSCs significantly reduced IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha in the serum of recipient mouse; the levels of IFN-gamma in groups 3, 4, 5, 6 were (607.9 +/- 157.1), (143.6 +/- 37.5), (117.0 +/- 77.8), (131.4 +/- 63.4) ng/L, respectively. And of TNF-alpha were (52.31 +/- 17.95), (6.02 +/- 3.99), (5.21 +/- 0.28), (22.39 +/- 18.21) ng/L, respectively. mMSCs had no effect on allogeneic T cell proliferation in GVHD model but increased apoptosis of allogeneic T cells. The percentage of CD3(+) Annexin V(+)PI(-) in each group were (10.3 +/- 6.6)%, (13.5 +/- 13.8)%, (19.7 +/- 6.0)%, (16.6 +/- 7.3)%, respectively. (3) After intravenous infusion, large numbers of GFP-MSCs lodged in lungs and intestines while small numbers in the liver, spleen and kidney. CONCLUSIONS MSCs has no effect on proliferation but induce apoptosis of allo-reactive T cells; MSCs can inhibit the second activation of allogeneic T cells, significantly reduce the secretion of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha; MSCs might be able to repair GVHD target tissues by extensive distribution to lungs, intestines, and liver of the animals.