Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prostanoid Release from Ex Vivo Perfused Canine Arteries and Veins: Effects of Prolonged Perfusion, Intermittent Perfusion, as well as Exposure to Exogenous Arachidonic Acid, Thrombin and Bradykinin

Summary Regulation of prostanoid release from ex vivo perfused vessel segments is not fully understood. A series of perfusion experiments were performed with canine arteries and veins to define certain regulatory phenomena. Arteries were perfused with pulsatile flow of 90 ml/min at a pressure of 100 mmHg, and veins with nonpulsatile flow of 90 ml/min at a pressure of 7 mmHg. Segments were perfused with Hanks' balanced salt solution for five 15-min periods with the perfusate exchanged after each study period. With onset of perfusion, there was an initial burst of prostacyclin release to 127 ± 40 pg/mm2, declining to 32 ± 10 pg/mm2 after 60 minutes (p <0.005). If perfusion continued for 5.5 hours, there was a stable release period between 1 and 3 hours, followed by a very slow decline. At that time addition of arachidonic acid (AA) increased prostacyclin release six-fold (p <0.01). Vessels perfused for 1 hour and then rested for another hour, responded to reperfusion at the second onset of flow with a two-fold increase in prostacyclin release (p <0.01). Vessels perfused with thrombin, bradykinin or A A (either added to each perfusate or only to the last perfusate) exhibited greater prostacyclin release than did control segments. Release of thromboxane steadily declined with time in all parts of the study, and only increased with the addition of A A to the perfusate. These data indicate that vessel segments subjected to ex vivo perfusion do not maximally utilize enzyme systems responsible for prostanoid production, and after 1 hour perfusion have not depleted their phospholipids, and maintain functioning levels of phospholipase and cyclooxygenase activity. This perfusion model allows for the study of prostacyclin and thromboxane release from arteries and veins and their response to various drugs and other stimuli.
Computation of Pacemakers Immunity to 50 Hz Electric Field: Induced Voltages 10 Times Greater in Unipolar Than in Bipolar Detection Mode

Thisstudy aims to compute 50 Hz electric field interferences on pacemakers for diverse lead configurations and implantation positions. Induced phenomena in a surface-based virtual human model (standing male grounded with arms closed, 2 mm resolution) are computed for vertical exposure using CST EM® 3D software, with and without an implanted pacemaker. Induced interference voltages occurring on the pacemaker during exposure are computed and the results are discussed. The bipolar mode covers 99% of the implanted pacing leads in the USA and Europe, according to statistics. The tip-to-ring distance of a lead may influence up to 46% of the induced voltage. In bipolar sensing mode, right ventricle implantation has a 41% higher induced voltage than right atrium implantation. The induced voltage is in average 10 times greater in unipolar mode than in bipolar mode, when implanted in the right atrium or right ventricle. The electric field threshold of interference for a bipolar sensing mode in the worst case setting is 7.24 kV·m−1, and 10 times higher for nominal settings. These calculations will be completed by an in vitro study.
Functional coupling of a μ opioid receptor to G proteins and adenylyl cyclase: modulation by chronic morphine treatment

A cloned μ opioid receptor was used to study its coupling to signal transduction pathways and its involvement in morphine‐induced opioid dependence in stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Membrane binding assays with a μ‐selective agonist [3 H]DAMGO showed that one cell line expresses a high level of μ opioid receptors with a B max of ∼ 630 fmol/mg membrane protein and a K d of 0.47 nM for DAMGO. Stimulation of the transfected cells with DAMGO led to an increase in the low K m GTPase activity, indicative of activation of guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins (G proteins), and this effect was blocked by the opioid antagonist naloxone. In addition, binding of the μ opioid receptor to DAMGO was affected by GTP and nonhydrolizable GTP analogs, Gp(NH)pp and GTP‐γ‐S. These results suggest a functional coupling between the μ opioid receptor and G proteins. Furthermore, DAMGO treatment of the cells produced a dose‐dependent inhibition of the intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level, with an EC 50 value of approximately 30 nM. Chronic treatment of the cells with morphine not only elevated the basal and forskolin‐stimulated cAMP levels after morphine withdrawal, but also increased the extent of the DAMGO‐induced reduction of intracellular cAMP levels. The whole cell binding assay with [3 H]DAMGO, on the other hand, did not detect receptor down‐regulation after chronic morphine treatment. These results suggest that chronic morphine treatment may trigger a compensatory mechanism in cellular signaling pathways to offset the inhibitory input from the μ receptor without down‐regulation of the surface receptor number, and that withdrawal of chronic inhibition leads to elevated activities of adenylyl cyclase to provide a basis for system sensitization.
Signaling through FGF receptor‐2 is required for lens cell survival and for withdrawal from the cell cycle during lens fiber cell differentiation

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) play important roles in many aspects of development, including lens development. The lens is derived from the surface ectoderm and consists of an anterior layer of epithelial cells and elongated, terminally differentiated fiber cells that form the bulk of the tissue. FGF signaling has been implicated in lens induction, proliferation, and differentiation. To address the role of FGFs in lens development, we inactivated FGF receptor‐2 (Fgfr2) using a Cre transgene that is expressed in all prospective lens cells from embryonic day 9.0. Inactivation of Fgfr2 shows that signaling through this receptor is not required for lens induction or for the proliferation of lens epithelial cells. However, Fgfr2 signaling is needed to drive lens fiber cells out of the cell cycle during their terminal differentiation. It also contributes to the normal elongation of primary lens fiber cells and to the survival of lens epithelial cells. Developmental Dynamics 233:516–527, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lessons Learned from the Hip and Knee Musculoskeletal Outcomes Data Evaluation and Management System

In 1994 the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons established an outcomes initiative. The Musculoskeletal Outcomes Data Evaluation and Management System had two goals: (1) to create validated patient-based functional health questionnaires that would become the gold standard for musculoskeletal research, and (2) to collect data from practicing orthopaedists using these instruments. We assessed the adequacy of the hip and knee portion of the Musculoskeletal Outcomes Data Evaluation and Management System data collection process to learn how to improve these processes. Database elements included demographic and clinical information and health and well-being scales. Only 715 records or 578 patients of the initial 2419 records (30%) had complete baseline and followup information for either hip or knee replacement procedure. Only 17% of the patients who had a knee replacement and 20% of the patients who had a hip replacement returned for followup between 7 and 9 months. The Musculoskeletal Outcomes Data Evaluation and Management System achieved its goal regarding the development of validated questionnaires, but the data collection component did not. The project’s implementation and management were flawed. This experience offers the field of orthopaedics valuable lessons that can be applied to future large-scale data collection efforts.
Do Smokers Get More Back Pain?

Recently smoking has been increasingly implicated as a possible risk factor for low-back pain. One explanation for this finding is confounding by occupation. To investigate this possibility, the relationship between smoking and self-reported back pain was studied within 13 occupations. A relationship between smoking and back pain was observed only in occupations that require physical exertion. The relationship between smoking and other musculoskeletal pain also was explored. Pain in the extremities turned out to be related more clearly to smoking than to pain in the neck or the back. This suggests confounding or a general influence of smoking on pain. It is concluded that prevention of back pain could be a beneficial side-effect of anti-smoking campaigns. However, the prime target for prevention of low-back pain would have to be other factors.
Margin-Free Spondylectomy for Extended Malignant Spine Tumors: Surgical Technique and Outcome of 13 Cases

Study Design. Description of surgical technique and retrospective review of 13 cases. Objectives. To describe the surgical technique of margin-free spondylectomy and the outcome of 13 cases and to discuss the advantages and limitations of the procedure. Summary of Background Data. Recently, spondylectomy became a standard procedure by several pioneers. For extended malignant spine tumors involving pedicles or epidural space, however, performing an “en bloc” resection with a tumor-free margin remains a challenge. Methods. Our procedure consists of a combined anterior and posterior procedure with one or two stages. In the anterior procedure, tumor vertebrae are covered by the pleura or psoas muscles as a barrier. The posterior procedure includes decompression through the intact posterior elements, coverage of the tumor with all possible soft tissue barriers, and en bloc extirpation by rotating the tumor vertebrae around the spinal cord. We performed this procedure in 13 cases: 3 chondrosarcoma, 3 giant cell tumor, 1 osteosarcoma, 1 chordoma, and 5 metastases. Results. Neurologic status and pain improved in all cases except asymptomatic cases. There was no local recurrence, except in 2 cases (chondrosarcoma with extirpation of 5 vertebrae, chordoma with multiple previous surgeries). Two cases of chondrosarcoma were disease-free 14 years and 13 years after surgery, respectively. Conclusion. Although the best chance for a cure in extended malignant tumors of the spine is realized through wide resection, the procedure is not yet standardized. Margin-free spondylectomy is technically demanding, but the procedure can be used with a confidence as a more radical surgery for tumors extending to the epidural space and the unilateral pedicle. A key to success is the surgical technique, including a 360° dissection around the tumor vertebrae, instrumentation, and removal of the lesion with all possible soft tissues maintained intact to function as a barrier, like the dura mater.
Alterations of the phenotype of colonic macrophages in inflammatory bowel disease

Background: Intestinal macrophages play an important role in mucosal inflammation. In normal colonic mucosa we recently demonstrated a unique macrophage phenotype with attenuated immune functions. Here we present an analysis of the alterations of the phenotype of colonic macrophages in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: Intestinal macrophages were isolated from biopsies of patients with IBD (n = 20). Flow cytometric triple fluorescence analysis was applied to study CD14, CD16, CD33, HLA‐DR, CD44, CD11b, CD11c and CD3/CD19 expression. Results: In IBD there was an increase in expression not only of CD14 compared to control mucosa (36.0%±13.2% vs. 10.5%±3.8%, P<0.0001) but also of CD16 (28.6%±10.3% vs. 10.1%±3.9%, P<0.0001), HLA‐DR (53.1%±15.9% vs. 27.3%± 9.2%, P<0.0005), CD11b (42.8%±14.2% vs. 17.4%±6.8%, P<0.0001) and CD11c (35.1% ± 15.9% vs. 17.8%±10.4%, P<0.005.). Furthermore, a hitherto undescribed new population of macrophages could be detected by flow cytometry only in patients with ulcerative colitis (CD16++, CD11b++, CD14low, CD33low, CD11c‐) accounting for 5.8% of all cells isolated. Conclusion: In contrast to colonic macrophages from normal mucosa, there is a significantly higher expression of CD14, CD16, HLA‐DR, CD11b and CD11c in IBD, indicating additional macrophage populations in the inflamed mucosa. This may reflect either a recruitment of new cells from the circulation or a change in phenotype of resident cells.
Smart Integrated Renewable Energy Systems (SIRES) for rural communities

More than one billion people are living in energy-deprived rural areas of the world with little or no access to basic energy and other needs. In this work, a Smart Integrated Renewable Energy System, or in short “SIRES”, is proposed to “energize” the rural areas and not just “electrify” them. It is a viable and effective strategy to provide basic needs such as biogas for cooking, water for domestic and irrigation purposes and electrical energy for lighting, communication, cold storage, educational and small- scale industrial purposes, by smartly matching them to available resources. It will promote sustainable socio economic development and improve the living environment by fulfilling the fundamental energy requirements with the help of low cost renewable technologies and intelligent energy management systems.
Diagnosis of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria by Fluorescent Clostridium septicum Alpha Toxin

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a hematopoietic stem cell disorder, is caused by the loss of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins on the cell membrane. PNH can be simply diagnosed by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies against GPI-anchored proteins or fluorescent-tagged aerolysin, a bacterial toxin that binds GPI anchored proteins. Clostridium septicum alpha toxin is homologous to aerolysin and specifically binds GPI-anchored proteins. Previously, we found that an alpha toxin m45 mutant with two amino acid changes, S189C/S238C, lost cytotoxicity but still possessed binding activity for GPI-anchored proteins. To use this mutant toxin as a diagnostic probe in flow cytometry, we constructed the EGFP-AT(m45) expression vector, comprising a S189C/S238C alpha toxin mutant with EGFP and His tags at the N and C termini, respectively. The recombinant EGFP-AT(m45) was easily purified using single-step affinity chromatography against His tag from Escherichia coli. EGFP-AT(m45) bound to CHO and HeLa cells in a similar manner to monoclonal antibodies against GPI-anchored proteins or aerolysin. In whole blood from a PNH patient, GPI-deficient granulocytes could be differentiated by EGFP-AT(m45) using the same procedure as that employed with commercially available monoclonal antibodies. Therefore, nontoxic EGFP-conjugated C. septicum alpha toxin could be used clinically for PNH diagnosis.
Ghrelin-AMPK Signaling Mediates the Neuroprotective Effects of Calorie Restriction in Parkinson's Disease

Calorie restriction (CR) is neuroprotective in Parkinson's disease (PD) although the mechanisms are unknown. In this study we hypothesized that elevated ghrelin, a gut hormone with neuroprotective properties, during CR prevents neurodegeneration in an 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) model of PD. CR attenuated the MPTP-induced loss of substantia nigra (SN) dopamine neurons and striatal dopamine turnover in ghrelin WT but not KO mice, demonstrating that ghrelin mediates CR's neuroprotective effect. CR elevated phosphorylated AMPK and ACC levels in the striatum of WT but not KO mice suggesting that AMPK is a target for ghrelin-induced neuroprotection. Indeed, exogenous ghrelin significantly increased pAMPK in the SN. Genetic deletion of AMPKβ1 and 2 subunits only in dopamine neurons prevented ghrelin-induced AMPK phosphorylation and neuroprotection. Hence, ghrelin signaling through AMPK in SN dopamine neurons mediates CR's neuroprotective effects. We consider targeting AMPK in dopamine neurons may recapitulate neuroprotective effects of CR without requiring dietary intervention. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The neuroprotective mechanisms of calorie restriction (CR) in Parkinson's disease are unknown. Indeed, the difficulty to adhere to CR necessitates an alternative method to recapitulate the neuroprotective benefits of CR while bypassing dietary constraints. Here we show that CR increases plasma ghrelin, which targets substantia nigra dopamine to maintain neuronal survival. Selective deletion on AMPK beta1 and beta2 subunits only in DAT cre-expressing neurons shows that the ghrelin-induced neuroprotection requires activation of AMPK in substantia nigra dopamine neurons. We have discovered ghrelin as a key metabolic signal, and AMPK in dopamine neurons as its target, which links calorie restriction with neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease. Thus, targeting AMPK in dopamine neurons may provide novel neuroprotective benefits in Parkinson's disease.
[Serum omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between serum omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (omega-3PUFA) and insulin resistance (IR) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS This trial involved 51 patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus with NAFLD (G4 group), 50 patients of type 2 diabetes alone (G3 group), 45 patients of NAFLD alone (G2 group) and 42 healthy control subjects (G1 group). Serum omega-3PUFA profile was analyzed with capillary gas chromatography. Insulin resistance was assessed by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). ALT, AST, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and serum lipids were measured. RESULTS The levels of HOMA-IR were higher in G4 group than those in G3, G2 and G1 group (4.90 + or - 2.54 vs 2.38 + or - 1.23, 2.20 + or - 1.15, 1.13 + or - 0.42; P < 0.05). The level of ALT, AST, GGT, TC, TG, LDL-C were higher in G4 group than those in G3, G2 and G1 group (P < 0.05). The level of omega-3PUFA was significantly lower in G4 group than those in G3, G2 and G1 group (5.68 + or - 2.02 vs 7.17 + or - 2.38, 6.97 + or - 2.32, 10.08 + or - 2.76; P < 0.05). omega-3PUFA concentration was negatively correlated with HOMA-IR, TC, TG and LDL-C (r = -0.491, -0.376, -0.462, -0.408, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Serum omega-3PUFA is significantly decreased in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and NAFLD. Serum omega-3PUFA is negatively correlated with insulin resistance. omega-3PUFA plays a very important role in the development of diabetes mellitus and NAFLD.
The Use of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocol in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Surgery for Colorectal Cancer--A Comparative Analysis of Patients Aged above 80 and below 55.

UNLABELLED Age is one of the principal risk factors for colorectal adenocarcinoma. To date, older patients were believed to achieve worse treatment results in comparison with younger patients due to reduced vital capacity. However, papers have emerged in recent years which confirm that the combination of laparoscopy and postoperative care based on the ERAS protocol improves treatment results and may be particularly beneficial also for elderly patients. The aim of the study was to compare the outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer in combination with the ERAS protocol in patients aged above 80 and below 55. MATERIAL AND METHODS The analysis included patients aged above 80 and below 55 undergoing elective laparoscopic colorectal resection for cancer at the 2nd Department of General Surgery of the Jagiellonian University. They were divided into two groups according to their age: ≥ 80 years of age (group1) and ≤ 55 years of age (group 2). Both groups were compared with regard to the outcome of surgery: length hospital stay, complications, hospital readmissions, degree of compliance with the ERAS protocol, and recovery parameters (tolerance of oral nutrition, mobilisation, need for opioids, restored gastrointestinal function). RESULTS Group 1 comprised 34 patients and group 2, 43 patients. No differences were found between both groups in terms of gender, BMI, tumour progression or surgical parameters. Older patients typically had higher ASA scores. No statistically significant differences were found with regard to the length hospital stay following surgery (5.4 vs 7 days, p=0.446481), the occurrence of complications (23.5% vs 37.2%, p=0.14579) or hospital readmissions (2.9% vs 2.4%). The degree of compliance with the ERAS protocol in group 1 and 2 was 85.2% and 83.0%, respectively (p=0.482558). Additionally, recovery parameters such as tolerance of oral nutrition (82.4% vs 72.1%, p=0.28628) and mobilisation (94.1% vs 83.7%, p=0.14510) within 24 hours of surgery did not differ among the groups. However, a smaller proportion of older patients required opioids in comparison with younger patients (26.5% vs 55.8%, p=0.00891). CONCLUSIONS Similar levels of compliance with the ERAS protocol may be achieved among patients aged ≥ 80 and younger patients. When laparoscopy is combined with the ERAS protocol, age does not seem to be a significant factor that could account for worse outcomes. Therefore, older patients should not be excluded from perioperative care based on ERAS principles.
Can frequent precipitation moderate the impact of drought on peatmoss carbon uptake in northern peatlands?

Northern peatlands represent a large global carbon store that can potentially be destabilized by summer water table drawdown. Precipitation can moderate the negative impacts of water table drawdown by rewetting peatmoss (Sphagnum spp.), the ecosystem's key species. Yet, the frequency of such rewetting required for it to be effective remains unknown. We experimentally assessed the importance of precipitation frequency for Sphagnum water supply and carbon uptake during a stepwise decrease in water tables in a growth chamber. CO2 exchange and the water balance were measured for intact cores of three peatmoss species (Sphagnum majus, Sphagnum balticum and Sphagnum fuscum) representative of three hydrologically distinct peatland microhabitats (hollow, lawn and hummock) and expected to differ in their water table-precipitation relationships. Precipitation contributed significantly to peatmoss water supply when the water table was deep, demonstrating the importance of precipitation during drought. The ability to exploit transient resources was species-specific; S. fuscum carbon uptake increased linearly with precipitation frequency for deep water tables, whereas carbon uptake by S. balticum and S. majus was depressed at intermediate precipitation frequencies. Our results highlight an important role for precipitation in carbon uptake by peatmosses. Yet, the potential to moderate the impact of drought is species-specific and dependent on the temporal distribution of precipitation.
Does advertising stimulate sales or mainly deliver signals? A multivariate analysis

The main purpose of this article is to empirically examine the Galbraithian hypothesis that advertising adjusts aggregate demand to the changing industrial development and consequently stimulates sales. The causal relations between sales and advertising are tested in the context of a vector autoregressive system using the US aggregate data over the post-Second World War period. Our empirical results fail to support the Galbraithian thesis, and suggest instead the presence of a potent reverse causality running from aggregate sales to advertising. We use the signalling theory to interpret our results.