Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of monensin-induced hyperpolarization of neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid NG108-15.

Addition of the ionophore monensin to mouse neuroblastoma-rat glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells leads to a 20 to 30-mV increase in the electrical potential across the plasma membrane as shown by direct intracellular recording techniques and by distribution studies with the lipophilic cation [3H]-tetraphenylphosphonium+ (TPP+) [Lichtshtein, D. , Kaback, H.R. & Blume, A.J. (1979) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 76, 650-654]. The effect is not observed with cells suspended in high K+ medium, is dependent upon the presence of Na+ externally, and the concentration of monensin that induces half-maximal stimulation of TPP+ accumulation is approximately 1 microM. The ionophore also causes rapid influx of Na+, a transient increase in intracellular pH, and a decrease in extracellular pH, all of which are consistent with the known ability of monensin to catalyze the transmembrane exchange of H+ for Na+. Although ouabain has no immediate effect on the membrane potential, the cardiac glycoside completely blocks the increase in TPP+ accumulation observed in the presence of monensin. Thus, the hyperpolarizing effect of monensin is mediated apparently by an increase in intracellular Na+ that acts to stimulate the electrogenic activity of the Na+,K+-ATPase. Because monensin stimulates TPP+ accumulation in a number of other cultured cell lines in addition to NG108-15, the techniques described may be of general use for studying the Na+,K+ pump and its regulation in situ.
Volatile fatty acids and lactic acid in the rumen of dairy cows receiving a variety of diets

Moore, J. H. & Tyler, C. (1955a). Bn't. J. Nutr. 9, 63. Moore, J. H. & Tyler, C. (19556). Brit. J. Nutr. 9, 81. Moore, J. H. & Tyler, C. ( 1 9 5 5 ~ ) . Brit. J. Nutr. 9, 389. Mueller, W. J. (1956). J. Nutr. 58, 29. Pigden, W. J. & Brisson, G. J. (1956). Canad. J. agric. Sci. 36, 146. Raymond, W. F. & Minson, D. J. (1955). J. Brit. Grassl. SOC. 10, 282. Schneider, W. (1955). 2. Tierernahr. 10, 269. Schurch, A. (1952). Mitt. Lebensm. Hyg. , Bern, 43, 335. Schurch, A. F. , Crampton, E. W. , Haskell, S. R. & Lloyd, L. E. (1952). J. Anim. Sci. 11, 261. Smith, A. M. & Reid, J. T. (1955). J. Dairy Sci. 38, 515. Tyler, C. (1946). J. ugric. Sci. 36, 275. Vartiovaara, U. & Roine, P. (1942). Maataloust. Aikakausk. 14, 127. I957
The EU budget – from a bargaining tool to a federal budget?

Abstract: The EU has several aspects which allow us to speak about an emerging Federal System. Generally, the EU budget is not mentioned to be among them. The budget has been characterised as poor-sized, inflexible and dependent on member state contributions. But there are several reasons for considering an evolution of the EU budget towards a genuine budget with federal characteristics. This is noticeable with regard to its spending structure, concerning the production of public goods, and the budgetary decision making process, especially regarding the role of the European Parliament. The main argument of this text is that the EU budget is evolving towards a budget in a federal sense based on the rational that all member states and the Union have common objectives rooted in common values.
Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms: Incidence of Rupture and Risk Factors

Backgrounds and Purpose— The authors evaluated the incidence of rupture of unruptured intracranial saccular aneurysm during observation. Methods— Between January 2003 and December 2006, a total of 419 patients with 529 unruptured intracranial saccular aneurysms were observed without treatment. The mean follow-up duration was 905.3 days. Aneurysm size was measured by 3-dimensional CT angiography. Clinical and 3-dimensional CT angiography follow-up were obtained every 6 months. Results— Nineteen aneurysms ruptured during observation resulting in a 1.4% rupture rate per year. A history of subarachnoid hemorrhage (hazard ratio, 7.3; 95% CI, 2.5 to 21.2), posterior circulation aneurysm (hazard ratio, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.1 to 8), and large size were significant independent predictors for aneurysm rupture. Conclusions— Size, history of subarachnoid hemorrhage, and posterior circulation aneurysms were significant risk factors for prediction of rupture of unruptured intracranial saccular aneurysms.
Test Optimization from Release Insights: An Analytical Hierarchy Approach

Software Testing is an essential aspect to ensure software quality, reliability and consistent user experience. Digital applications such as mobile app usually follow rapid software delivery which consists of various releases. It typically uses insights from the development data such as defects, test logs for test execution optimization. Once the application is released and deployed, there is rich availability of untapped heterogeneous data which can also be effectively utilized for the next release test execution optimization. The data from the release includes direct customer feedback, application monitoring data such as user behavioral traces, device usages, release logs. In this position paper, we discuss about the various data sources and the multiple insights which can be derived from them. We also propose a framework which uses Analytical Hierarchy Process to prioritize the tests based on these insights available from the release data. The framework also recommends the prioritized and missed device configurations for next release test planning.
Optimal pacing strategy: from theoretical modelling to reality in 1500-m speed skating

Purpose Athletes are trained to choose the pace which is perceived to be correct during a specific effort, such as the 1500-m speed skating competition. The purpose of the present study was to “override” self-paced (SP) performance by instructing athletes to execute a theoretically optimal pacing profile. Methods Seven national-level speed-skaters performed a SP 1500-m which was analysed by obtaining velocity (every 100 m) and body position (every 200 m) with video to calculate total mechanical power output. Together with gross efficiency and aerobic kinetics, obtained in separate trials, data were used to calculate aerobic and anaerobic power output profiles. An energy flow model was applied to SP, simulating a range of pacing strategies, and a theoretically optimal pacing profile was imposed in a second race (IM). Results Final time for IM was ∼2 s slower than SP. Total power distribution per lap differed, with a higher power over the first 300 m for IM (637.0 (49.4) vs 612.5 (50.0) W). Anaerobic parameters did not differ. The faster first lap resulted in a higher aerodynamic drag coefficient and perhaps a less effective push-off. Conclusion Experienced athletes have a well-developed performance template, and changing pacing strategy towards a theoretically optimal fast start protocol had negative consequences on speed-skating technique and did not result in better performance.
High prevalence of stump dermatoses 38 years or more after amputation.

OBJECTIVE To highlight the prevalence and impact of skin disease at the stump site in patients who have undergone amputation. DESIGN A cross-sectional health questionnaire of Vietnam War veterans with stump dermatoses at least 38 years after major limb amputation. SETTING A research registry of veterans with combat-related amputations who agreed to participate. PARTICIPANTS Recruitment began January 1, 2006, and ended December 31, 2009, with a registry of 416 veterans. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Results of a self-reported 35-item questionnaire. Participants were later contacted by telephone or asked to complete a Web survey. RESULTS Of the 247 veterans, 119 (48.2%) reported at least 1 skin problem within the preceding year. The most common were skin breakdown (25.2%), rash (21.8%), and abrasion (21.0%). In addition, 25.2% experienced skin problems more than 50% of the time, and 37.1% had to alter or replace their prosthesis. Stump dermatoses limited or prevented prosthesis use in the preceding year for 55.6% and caused pain or discomfort at the stump site in 61.5%. CONCLUSIONS More than 38 years after major limb amputation, skin complications at the stump site continue to cause significant morbidities and contribute to prosthesis abandonment. The high prevalence of stump dermatoses stresses the importance of disease prevention, early management, and advanced treatment of skin disease.
Prediction and severity estimation of diabetes using data mining technique

Data mining plays an efficient role in prediction of diseases in health care industry. Diabetes is one of the major global health problems. According to WHO 2014 report, around 422 million people worldwide are suffering from diabetes. Diabetes is a metabolic disease where the improper management of blood glucose levels led to risk of generating abnormalities in functioning of critical organs like heart attack, kidney, eye diseases etc. Many algorithms are developed for prediction of diabetes and accuracy estimation but there is no such algorithm which will provide severity in terms of ratio interpreted as impact of diabetes on different organs of human body. The Proposed System calculates quantification of severity on different body parts like heart, kidney, eye diseases etc.
The Search for a New Identity: Post-Organ Transplant Recipients and the Internet

INTRODUCTION The introduction of the Internet into our lives has been explosive and wide-spanning. While five years ago, few people had access to the ‘information highway’ and the World Wide Web (WWW) had not even been invented yet, today the first phrase is already considered “cliché” and the second has become a household word. Undeniably the Internet’s impact has gone beyond the military, education, and business, which were its first users. It has changed our lives and in many cases the way we see, talk to, interact with, and confront each other. At its core, the Internet is a communication medium. As such, it can enable social interactions between people in different parts of the world and at different times. The last technological innovation that changed the way we communicate so drastically was the telephone. Its social impact has been dramatic and the Internet is already influencing our lives just as significantly. In this chapter I describe the use of a small part of the Internet by a specific social group. I will discuss the issues surrounding the use of an Internet-based newsgroup dedicated to rgan transplantation. My observations will prima-
Impact of switching activity on the energy minimum voltage for 65 nm sub-VT CMOS

This paper presents an analysis on energy dissipation of designs when operated in sub-threshold (sub-VT) regime. Four reference architectures are used to investigate the impact of switching activity μe on energy and energy minimum voltage (EMV). The designs are synthesized in a 65 nm low-leakage CMOS technology with high-threshold voltages cells. A sub-VT energy model is applied to characterize the designs in the sub-VT domain. The simulation results show that with low μe the EMV of a design moves closer to the threshold voltage and visa versa, up to a change of 104mV for the observed architectures. Furthermore a loss in frequency by one order of magnitude is observed. It is also observed that for these architectures operation at a sub-optimal frequency leads to loss in energy dissipation. However, by correct selection of operational clock frequency the energy dissipation is reduced by order of magnitudes.
Cardiovascular morbidity, mortality and pharmacotherapy in patients with schizophrenia

Background Patients with schizophrenia have excess cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Previous studies suggest that this may be partly due to inadequate somatic treatment and care, such as non-optimal use of lipid-lowering and antihypertensive pharmacotherapy, but longitudinal studies on such aetiological pathways are scarce. Method We investigated the use of lipid-lowering and antihypertensive pharmacotherapy, and the risk of hospitalization for and death from coronary heart disease and stroke among patients with schizophrenia in a birth cohort of 12 939 subjects (Helsinki Birth Cohort Study). This cohort was followed for over 30 adult years by using national databases on cardio- and cerebrovascular hospitalizations and mortality and on reimbursement entitlements and use of drugs for treatment of hypertension, dyslipidaemia, coronary heart disease and diabetes. Results Individuals with schizophrenia had a higher risk of hospitalization for coronary heart disease [hazard ratio (HR) 1.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–2.57], and mortality from this disease was markedly higher (HR 2.92, 95% CI 1.70–5.00), particularly among women (p=0.001 for women, p=0.008 for men). Women with schizophrenia had also marginally increased stroke mortality (p=0.06). However, patients with schizophrenia used less lipid-lowering (odds ratio 0.47, 95% CI 0.27–0.80) and antihypertensive drug treatment (HR 0.37, 95% CI 0.22–0.61). Conclusions In this longitudinal study, coronary heart disease morbidity was increased and coronary heart disease mortality markedly increased in patients, especially in women with schizophrenia. These patients nevertheless received less antihypertensive and lipid-lowering treatment.
CD40 and OX40 ligand are differentially regulated on asthmatic airway smooth muscle

Background: CD40 and OX40 Ligand (OX40L) are cell‐surface molecules expressed on airway smooth muscle (ASM) that can enhance inflammatory cell activation and survival. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) on ASM CD40 and OX40L expression.
Exogenous factors in the immunotoxicity of oral PMN

Current evidence indicates that periodontal disease is frequently due to inappropriate levels of gingival granulocyte functions. Reason of this failure may be the toxic effects of a number of local or systemic exogenous factors, capable of spreading through the gingival crevice environment, and strongly conditioning the granulocyte activities. The wide list includes bacteria and granulotoxic products, hedonistic drugs (mainly tobacco), and chemotherapeutic agents (especially antimicrobials used for preventing or reducing the accumulation of dental plaque). Almost always, their presence induces a time- and/or dose-dependent toxicity.
10-channel very low noise ENG amplifier system using CMOS technology

In this paper the design, fabrication and testing of a 10-channel array of identical amplifiers suitable for velocity selective electroneurogram (ENG) recording is described. The overall gain per channel is 10,000 and the total input-referred rms noise in a bandwidth 1 Hz-5 kHz is 290 nV per channel. The active area is 12 mm/sup 2/ and the power consumption is 24 mW from /spl plusmn/2.5 V power supplies.
Serum S-100B protein in severe head injury.

OBJECTIVE Despite the significant recent progress in cerebral monitoring, it is still difficult to quantify the extent of primary brain injury and ongoing secondary damage after head injury. The objective of our study was to investigate S-100B protein as a serum marker of brain damage after severe head injury. METHODS Eighty-four patients with severe head injury (Glasgow Coma Scale score < or =8) were included in this prospective study. Venous blood samples for S-100B protein were obtained as soon as possible after admission and every 24 hours thereafter, for a maximum of 10 consecutive days. Serum levels of S-100B protein were compared with outcome after 6 months, clinical variables, and the category of the Marshall classification of initial computed tomographic findings. RESULTS Patients who died had significantly higher serum S-100B values compared with those who survived (median, 2.7 microg/L versus 0.54 microg/L; P < 0.0001, Mann-Whitney U test). Nineteen (58%) of 33 patients who died had peak S-100B values of 2 microg/L or higher, compared with 4 (8%) of the 51 surviving patients (P < 0.0005, Fisher's exact test). There was also a strong correlation between S-100B values and computed tomographic findings. Logistic regression analysis in a model with age, Glasgow Coma Scale score, intracranial pressure, and computed tomographic findings revealed S-100B as an independent predictor of outcome. Persistent elevation of S-100B levels for 2 to 6 days, even in patients with favorable outcome, may reflect ongoing secondary damage after severe head injury. CONCLUSION S-100B may be a promising serum marker for assessing the extent of primary injury and the time course of secondary damage after severe head injury.
Use of imaging to evaluate gout and other crystal deposition disorders

Purpose of reviewThis review summarizes recent advances in plain radiography and advanced imaging for gout, calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal arthropathy and basic calcium phosphate crystal arthropathy. Recent findingsPlain radiography has diagnostic utility in the crystal-induced arthropathies. A gout radiographic damage index has been recently validated. High-resolution ultrasonography may improve noninvasive diagnosis of the crystal-induced arthropathies, and allow monitoring of intra-articular tophi in clinical trials. Computed tomography provides excellent definition of tophi and bone erosion, and three-dimensional computed tomography assessment of tophus volume is a promising outcome measure in gout. Magnetic resonance imaging is also a reliable method for assessment of tophus size in gout, and has an important role in detection of complications of disease in clinical practice. Emerging imaging techniques include three-dimensional ultrasonography and dual-energy computed tomography. Advanced imaging modalities also offer new insights into the mechanisms of cartilage and bone damage in the crystal-induced arthropathies. SummaryPlain radiography and advanced imaging techniques may assist with diagnosis, assessment of disease complications and monitoring of crystal-induced arthropathies. Further study of these techniques will provide significant improvement in patient care and further aid in the understanding of disease pathogenesis.
Increased blastocyst formation of cloned porcine embryos produced with donor cells pre-treated with Xenopus egg extract and/or digitonin

Summary Pre-treating donor cells before somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT, ‘cloning’) may improve the efficiency of the technology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the early development of cloned embryos produced with porcine fibroblasts pre-treated with a permeabilizing agent and extract from Xenopus laevis eggs. In Experiment 1, fetal fibroblasts were permeabilized by digitonin, incubated in egg extract and, after re-sealing of cell membranes, cultured for 3 or 5 days before use as donor cells in handmade cloning (HMC). Controls were produced by HMC with non-treated donor cells. The blastocyst rate for reconstructed embryos increased significantly when digitonin-permeabilized, extract-treated cells were used after 5 days of culture after re-sealing. In Experiment 2, fetal and adult fibroblasts were treated with digitonin alone before re-sealing the cell membranes, then cultured for 3 or 5 days and used as donor cells in HMC. Treatment with digitonin alone increased the blastocyst rate, but only when fetal, and not adult fibroblasts, were used as donor cells, and only after 3 days of culture. In conclusion, we find a time window for increased efficiency of porcine SCNT using donor cells after pre-treatment with permeabilization/re-sealing and Xenopus egg extract. Interestingly, we observe a similar increase in cloning efficiency by permeabilization/re-sealing of donor cells without extract treatment that seems to depend on choice of donor cell type. Thus, pre-treatment of donor cells using permeabilizing treatment followed by re-sealing and in vitro culture for few days could be a simple way to improve the efficiency of porcine cloning.
Molecular Subtyping of Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum in Lisbon, Portugal

ABSTRACT The objectives of this study were to evaluate the reproducibility of a molecular method for the subtyping of Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum and to discriminate strains of this microorganism from strains from patients with syphilis. We studied 212 specimens from a total of 82 patients with different stages of syphilis (14 primary, 7 secondary and 61 latent syphilis). The specimens were distributed as follows: genital ulcers (n = 9), skin and mucosal lesions (n = 7), blood (n = 82), plasma (n = 82), and ear lobe scrapings (n = 32). The samples were assayed by a PCR technique to amplify a segment of the polymerase gene I (polA). Positive samples were typed on the basis of the analysis of two variable genes, tpr and arp. Sixty-two of the 90 samples positive for polA yielded typeable Treponema pallidum DNA. All skin lesions in which T. pallidum was identified (six of six [100%]) were found to contain enough DNA for typing of the organism. It was also possible to type DNA from 7/9 (77.7%) genital ulcer samples, 13/22 (59.1%) blood samples, 20/32 (62.5%) plasma samples, and 16/21 (76.2%) ear lobe scrapings. The same subtype was identified in all samples from the same patient. Five molecular subtypes (subtypes 10a, 14a, 14c, 14f, and 14g) were identified, with the most frequently found subtype being subtype 14a and the least frequently found subtype being subtype 10a. In conclusion, the subtyping technique used in this study seems to have good reproducibility. To our knowledge, subtype 10a was identified for the first time. Further studies are needed to explain the presence of this subtype in Portugal, namely, its relationship to the Treponema pallidum strains circulating in the African countries where Portuguese is spoken.
Difference of the clinical course and outcome between dapsone-induced methemoglobinemia and other toxic-agent-induced methemoglobinemia

Abstract Context: Acquired methemoglobinemia is a potentially fatal condition that leads to tissue hypoxia. Although the clinical features of methemoglobinemia depend on the methemoglobin levels, the clinical course would differ depending on the causative agents. Objective: We attempted to clarify this issue by comparing the clinical course of methemoglobinemia caused by dapsone and that caused by other toxic agents. Materials and methods: A retrospective case–control study was performed. All patients with methemoglobinemia and who were admitted to the emergency department (ED) of our hospital from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2014 were included. Results: Of the 34 patients with methemoglobinemia, 15 ingested dapsone (14 with acute overdose and one with chronic therapeutic use) and 19 had been exposed to other toxic agents, such as sodium nitrites, indoxacarb, primaquine, and lidocaine. The clinical characteristics and the course of dapsone-induced and other toxic-agent-induced methemoglobinemia were compared. There was no significant difference in clinical presentation and methemoglobin level (38.5% vs. 35.0%, p = 0.456) upon their ED arrival between the two groups. However, the methemoglobin level after use of methylene blue and the total dose of methylene blue were higher in patients with dapsone-induced methemoglobinemia than in those with other agent-induced methemoglobinemia (11.9% vs. 1.7%, p = 0.001, 455 mg vs. 144 mg, p = 0.006). The majority of dapsone-induced methemoglobinemia (93.3%) required more than 72 h for normalization of the methemoglobin level, despite the use of methylene blue. Five of the study patients died due to multiorgan failure, and all of whom were inpatients with dapsone-induced methemoglobinemia. Conclusion: The clinical course of dapsone-induced methemoglobinemia was worse than that of other toxic-agent-induced methemoglobinemia despite no significant difference in their initial clinical presentation. Continuous treatment with serial monitoring of the serum methemoglobin is necessary for patients with dapsone-induced methemoglobinemia.