Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative ultrastructure of physiologically identified premotoneuron terminals in the trigeminal motor nucleus in the cat

Little is known about the ultrastructure of synaptic boutons contacting trigeminal motoneurons. To address this issue, physiologically identified premotor neurons (n = 5) in the rostrodorsomedial part of the oral nucleus (Vo.r) were labeled by intracellular injections of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in cats. The ultrastructure of 182 serially sectioned axon terminals from the five neurons was both qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. In addition, the effects of the glycine antagonist strychnine, GABAA antagonist bicuculline, NMDA antagonist 2‐amino‐5‐phosphonovalerate (APV), and non‐NMDA antagonist 6‐cyano‐7‐nitroquinoxaline‐2,3‐dione (CNQX) on Vo.r‐induced postsynaptic potentials in trigeminal motoneurons (n = 11) were examined to evaluate potential signaling substances of the premotor neurons. Labeled boutons made synaptic contacts with either jaw‐closing or ‐opening motoneurons. All the boutons contained pleomorphic vesicles, and most formed a single symmetric synapse either on the somata or on primary dendrites. Morphometric analyses indicated that bouton volume, bouton surface area, apposed surface area, total active zone area, and mitochondrial volume were not different between boutons on jaw‐closing and ‐opening motoneurons. Vesicle number and density, however, were higher for boutons on jaw‐closing motoneurons. The five morphological parameters were positively correlated with bouton volume. Vesicle density was the exception, which tending to be negatively correlated. Intravenous infusion of strychnine or bicuculline suppressed Vo.r‐induced inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) in jaw‐closing motoneurons. Abolition of Vo.r‐induced excitatory postsynaptic potentials in jaw‐opening motoneurons with APV and CNQX unmasked IPSPs. The present results suggest that premotor neurons in the Vo.r are inhibitory and that positive correlations between the ultrastructural parameters associated with synaptic release and bouton size are applicable to the interneurons, as they are in primary afferents. J. Comp. Neurol. 426:13–30, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Constraints imposed by pollinator behaviour on the ecology and evolution of plant mating systems

Most flowering plants rely on pollinators for their reproduction. Plant‐pollinator interactions, although mutualistic, involve an inherent conflict of interest between both partners and may constrain plant mating systems at multiple levels: the immediate ecological plant selfing rates, their distribution in and contribution to pollination networks, and their evolution. Here, we review experimental evidence that pollinator behaviour influences plant selfing rates in pairs of interacting species, and that plants can modify pollinator behaviour through plastic and evolutionary changes in floral traits. We also examine how theoretical studies include pollinators, implicitly or explicitly, to investigate the role of their foraging behaviour in plant mating system evolution. In doing so, we call for more evolutionary models combining ecological and genetic factors, and additional experimental data, particularly to describe pollinator foraging behaviour. Finally, we show that recent developments in ecological network theory help clarify the impact of community‐level interactions on plant selfing rates and their evolution and suggest new research avenues to expand the study of mating systems of animal‐pollinated plant species to the level of the plant‐pollinator networks.
Type of vascular access and mortality in U.S. hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND Vascular access (VA) complications account for 16 to 25% of hospital admissions. This study tested the hypothesis that the type of VA in use is correlated with overall mortality and cause-specific mortality. METHODS Data were analyzed from the U.S. Renal Data System Dialysis Morbidity and Mortality Study Wave 1, a random sample of 5507 patients, prevalent on hemodialysis as of December 31, 1993. The relative mortality risk during a two-year observation was analyzed by Cox-regression methods with adjustments for demographic and comorbid conditions. Using similar methods, cause-specific analyses also were performed for death caused by infection and cardiac causes. RESULTS In diabetic mellitus (DM) patients with end-stage renal disease, the associated relative mortality risk was higher for those with arteriovenous graft (AVG; RR = 1.41, P < 0.003) and central venous catheter (CVC; RR = 1.54, P < 0.002) as compared with arteriovenous fistula (AVF). In non-DM patients, those with CVC had a higher associated mortality (RR = 1.70, P < 0.001), as did to a lesser degree those with AVG (RR = 1.08, P = 0.35) when compared with AVF. Cause-specific analyses found higher infection-related deaths for CVC (RR = 2.30, P < 0.06) and AVG (RR = 2.47, P < 0.02) compared with AVF in DM; in non-DM, risk was higher also for CVC (RR = 1.83, P < 0.04) and AVG (RR = 1.27, P < 0.33). In contrast to our hypothesis that AV shunting increases cardiac risk, deaths caused by cardiac causes were higher in CVC than AVF for both DM (RR = 1.47, P < 0.05) and non-DM (RR = 1.34, P < 0.05) patients. CONCLUSION This case-mix adjusted analysis suggests that CVC and AVG are correlated with increased mortality risk when compared with AVF, both overall and by major causes of death.
Serotonin (5-HT) released by activated white blood cells in a biological fuel cell provide a potential energy source for electricity generation

Previous studies by our group have demonstrated the ability of white blood cells to generate small electrical currents, on the order of 1-3 muA/cm2, when placed at the anode compartment of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) biological fuel cell. In this research study, an electrochemical technique is used to further investigate the electron transfer ability of activated white blood cells at interfacing electrodes in an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of electron transfer in the original biological fuel cell experiments. Cyclic voltammograms were obtained for human white blood cells using a three-electrode system. The working and counter electrodes were made from carbon felt and platinum, respectively, while the reference was a saturated calomel electrode (SCE). Oxidation peaks were observed at an average potential of 363 mV vs. SCE for the PMA/ionomycin activated white blood cells in glucose solution. However a corresponding reduction peak was not observed, suggesting irreversibility of the redox reaction. The cyclic voltammograms recorded for the white blood cells bear very close similarities to those of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT). Serotonin released by white blood cells into the extracellular environment may be irreversibly oxidized at the working electrode in the cyclic voltammetry experiments and at the PEM biological fuel cell anode in our earlier electrochemical cell studies
Transcriptomic and Physiological Insights into the Robustness of Long Filamentous Cells of Methanosaeta harundinacea, Prevalent in Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Granules

ABSTRACT Methanosaeta spp. are widely distributed in natural environments, and their filamentous cells contribute significantly to sludge granulation and the good performance of anaerobic reactors. A previous study indicated that Methanosaeta harundinacea 6Ac displays a quorum sensing-regulated morphological transition from short to long filaments, and more acetate is channeled into methane production in long filaments, whereas more is channeled into biomass synthesis in short filaments. Here, we performed transcriptomic and physiological analysis to gain insights into active methanogenesis in long filaments of M. harundinacea 6Ac. Both RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR indicated that transcription of the genes involved in aceticlastic methanogenesis and energy metabolism was upregulated 1.2- to 10.3-fold in long filaments, while transcription of the genes for the methyl oxidative shunt was upregulated in short filaments. [2-13C]acetate trace experiments demonstrated that a relatively higher portion of the acetate methyl group was oxidized to CO2 in short filaments than in long filaments. The long filaments exhibited higher catalase activity and oxygen tolerance than the short ones, which is consistent with increased transcription of the oxidant-scavenging genes. Moreover, transcription of genes for cell surface structures was upregulated in the long filaments, and transmission electron microscopy revealed a thicker cell envelope in the filaments. RNA-seq determined a >2-fold upregulation of a variety of antistress genes in short filaments, like those encoding chaperones and DNA repair systems, which implies that the short filaments can be stressed. This study reveals the genetic basis for the prevalence of the long filamentous morphology of M. harundinacea cells in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket granules.
Neuronal Circuits Are Subdivided by Differential Expression of Type-II Classic Cadherins in Postnatal Mouse Brains

A number of type-II classic cadherin cell-cell adhesion molecules are expressed in the brain. To investigate their roles in brain morphogenesis, we selected three type-II cadherins, cadherin-6 (cad6), -8 (cad8) and -11 (cad11), and mapped their expressions in the forebrain and other restricted regions of postnatal mouse brains. In the cerebral cortex, each cortical area previously defined was delineated by a specific combinatorial expression of these cadherins. The thalamus and other subcortical regions of the forebrain were also subdivided by differential expression of the three cadherins; e.g., the medial geniculate body expressed only cad6; the ventral posterior thalamic nucleus, cad6/cad11; and the anteroventral thalamic nucleus, cad6/cad8. Likewise, in the olivocerebellar system, each subdivision of the inferior olive expressed a unique set of the three cadherins, and the cerebellar cortex had parasagittal stripes of cad8/cad11 expressions. Close analysis of these cadherin expression patterns revealed that they are correlated with neuronal connection patterns. Examples of these correlations include that cad6 delineates the auditory projection system, cad6/cad8/ cad11 are expressed by part of the Papez circuit, and cad6/cad8 are expressed by subdivisions of the olivo-nuclear circuit. Together with the recent finding that the cadherin adhesion system is localized in synaptic junctions, our findings support the notion that cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion plays a role in selective interneuronal connections during neural network formation.
Design and implementation of new non-contiguous carrier aggregation in release 10

The aim of Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) is to support a maximum throughput exceed 1 Gbps to the increase in data usage due to smart phones and bandwidth up to 100 MHz to an exponential growth in video downloads. LTE-A downlink physical layer allows a mobile to transmit and receive on up to four component carriers (CCs) in non-contiguous CCs case, each of which has a maximum bandwidth of 20 MHz, this technique is well-known as carrier aggregation (CA); LTE-Advanced carrier aggregation can support contiguous spectrum and non-contiguous spectrum. The paper presents a new design of non-contiguous component carriers (CCs) in order to reach 100 MHz to have range of CC up to 100 MHz instead of maximum 80 MHz in the LTE-Advanced. The system is designed and implemented in three main cases; the first when it has two CCs broadcasted on the 60 MHz and the second case when the system has three CCs broadcasted on the 80 MHz, while the third case the number of component carriers is increased to four (80 MHz) so that the data will be broadcasted over bandwidth of 100 MHz. These cases are analyzed to show the main performance of LTE-Advanced after increasing the bandwidth of non-contiguous CCs. The main outcome from this work is increasing the throughput of the system.
Developing Stability of Posterior Mandibular Implants Placed With Osteotome Expansion Technique Compared With Conventional Drilling Techniques

&NA; Clinical decisions regarding the stability and osseointegration of mandibular implants positioned using the bone expansion techniques are conflicting and limited. The objective was to evaluate the stability of implants placed using 2 surgical techniques, selected according to the initial width of the mandibular posterior edentulous ridge, with D3 bone density, during a 12‐week period. Fifty‐eight implants in 33 patients were evaluated. Thirty‐two implants in 24 patients were positioned using the osteotome expansion technique, and 26 fixtures in 17 patients were installed using the conventional drilling technique. The implant stability quotient values were recorded at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 postsurgery and evaluated using analysis of variance, independent, and paired t tests. Calibrated according to the stability reading of a 3.3‐mm diameter implant, the osteotome expansion group was associated with a lower bone density than the conventional group (64.96 ± 6.25 vs 68.98 ± 5.06, P = .011). The osteotome expansion group achieved a comparable primary stability (ISQb‐0, P=.124) and greater increases in secondary stability (ISQb‐12, P=.07) than did the conventional technique. A D3 quality ridge with mild horizontal deficiency is expandable by using the osteotome expansion technique. Although the 2 groups presented similar implant stability quotient readings during the study period, the osteotome expansion technique showed significant improvement in secondary stability. The healing patterns for these techniques are therefore inconsistent.
Economic impact of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy surgical site infection in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the economic impact of surgical site infection after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective study STUDY POPULATION Dogs that had unilateral TPLO and did (n = 32) or did not (controls; 32) develop a surgical site infection. METHODS Medical and billing records were reviewed to identify postoperative care and costs, which were compared between groups. RESULTS Age, weight, gender, and initial surgical costs did not differ between groups. Postoperative costs were higher for dogs that developed SSIs ($1559) than for controls ($212, P < .0001), as were number of postoperative recheck visits (P < .0001) and time until final case closure (P = .0002). Dogs with surgical site infection (SSI) returned for a mean (±SD) 4.1 ± 2.9 (range, 1-13) postoperative visits attributable to SSI management: mean outpatient visits 3.0 ± 2.5; mean inpatient stays, 1.2 ± 0.74; and mean hospitalization, 4.3 ± 4.1 days. Postoperative costs attributable to SSI management ranged from $145 to $5022. Implants were removed in 22 (69%) dogs with SSIs. Bacteria were isolated from the surgical site or implant of 23 (72%) dogs with SSIs. There was a significant difference in cost when bacteria were isolated ($1836 versus $853, P = .002), but no impacts on likelihood of implant removal (16/23, 70% versus 6/9, 67%, P = 0.87). Staphylococcus pseudintermedius was predominant. CONCLUSIONS SSI after TPLO are associated with a significant cost. These data help quantify those costs, to facilitate a greater understanding of the impact of SSI, and the need for infection control.
SCHEDULE TO INJECT IN VITRO MATURED OOCYTES MAY INCREASE PREGNANCY AFTER INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION

To ascertain the value of using immature oocytes in an intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) program, the authors designed a schedule, at 5 p.m. on day 1 (the day of oocyte retrieval) and at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on day 2, to recognize and inject the in vitro matured (IVM) oocytes. For the 1166 oocytes retrieved in 107 ICSI cycles, 128 (11.0%) were at the stage of metaphase I (MI) and 113 (9.7%) at germinal vesicle. Routine ICSI for metaphase II oocytes was performed at 2 p.m. on day 1 (initial ICSI). In culture medium of human tubal fluid with 15% maternal serum, 85.1% (205/241) immature oocytes progressed to maturation in which 16.4% (21/128) of MI oocytes matured at 5 p.m. of day 1. The rate of normal fertilization for IVM oocytes (58.5%) was not significantly different from that of initial ICSI (64.0%). One patient received a transfer of two fertilized IVM oocytes alone that were injected at 5 p.m. of day 1, maturing from the MI stage, and achieved a normal pregnancy. The fertilized IVM oocytes were replaced along with the embryos from initial ICSI for 40 cycles that led to 14 (35%) clinical pregnancies. In 43 fertilized IVM oocytes donated for research, we observed that cleavage (95.3%) to the 2- to 4-cell stage was not distinct from that of initial ICSI (94.6%); however, the percentage of embryos of grade I and II morphology was significantly smaller (24.4% vs. 62.5%). Only five (11.6%) developed to blastocysts in vitro. Twenty-one fertilized IVM oocytes were frozen for future transfer. A schedule to inject IVM oocytes in ICSI cycles may generate more accessible embryos for fresh transfer or cryopreservation to increase the chance of pregnancy, although the embryo quality was relatively poor.
X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) Arg399Gln polymorphism significantly associated with prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (Pca) is one of the noncutaneous cancers occurring worldwide. Its high morbidity and mortality make it a concern. X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) Arg399Gln polymorphism (rs25487) has been reported to be related to Pca. However, the conclusions are controversial. In this study, PubMed, HuGENet and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases were combined with a comprehensive literature search. Four models including dominant (AA + AG vs. GG), recessive (AA vs. AG+GG), codominant (AA vs. AG, AA vs. GG) and per-allele analysis (A vs. G) were applied. Finally, 15 studies with 18 sets of data were included. A positive association was discovered in pooled results for recessive (odds ratio [OR]=1.202, 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.060-1.363, I2=46.20%), codominant (AA vs. AG; OR=1.258, 95% CI, 1.099-1.439, I2=38.50%; AA vs. GG; OR=1.283, 95% CI, 1.027-1.602, I2=51.70%) and allele analysis (OR=1.116, 95% CI, 1.001-1.244, I2=58.00%). In ethnicity subgroup analysis, these 4 models were also significant in the Asian subgroup. However, for whites, only 2 models seemed to be significant (AA vs. AG+GG: OR=1.525, 95% CI, 1.111-2.093, I2=52.60%; AA vs. AG: OR=1.678, 95% CI, 1.185-2.375, I2=30.70%). In further analysis, we regrouped the data based on race, in which pooled results and Asian subgroup were again shown to be positive. In the next analysis, expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL), linkage disequilibrium (LD), TagSNP and functional analysis were used. The results showed that the SNP was a tag and functional SNP with LD block in both Asians and whites. In summary, we suggest that XRCC1 Arg399Gln might be significantly associated with development of Pca.
Simple and effective label-free electrochemical immunoassay for carbohydrate antigen 19-9 based on polythionine-Au composites as enhanced sensing signals for detecting different clinical samples

Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) is an important biomarker for the early diagnosis and clinical monitoring of pancreatic cancer. Reliable, simple, and accurate methods for the detection of CA19-9 are still urgently needed. In this study, polythionine-Au composites (AuNPs@ PThi) were designed and prepared through one-pot reaction using HAuCl4 as the co-oxidant and raw material in thionine solution containing FeCl3 as the oxidant. AuNPs@PThi-immobilized glassy carbon electrode was used as a sensitive redox probe for electrochemical interface. AuNPs@PThi not only favored the amplification of electrochemical signals but also facilitated excellent environmental friendliness for bioassay. Maximizing the electrochemical properties of AuNPs@PThi, an effective label-free electrochemical immunoassay for the ultrasensitive and reliable detection of CA19-9 was developed. Under optimal conditions, the linear range of the proposed immunosensor was estimated to range from 6.5 to 520 U/mL, with a detection limit of 0.26 U/mL at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The prepared immunosensor for CA19-9 detection showed high sensitivity, stability, and reproducibility. Furthermore, the fabricated immunosensor based on AuNPs@PThi can effectively detect and distinguish clinical serum samples of pancreatic cancer and normal control with accuracy and convenience.
Minimising preoperative anxiety with music for day surgery patients - a randomised clinical trial.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of musical intervention on preoperative anxiety and vital signs in patients undergoing day surgery. BACKGROUND Studies and systematic meta-analyses have shown inconclusive results of the efficacy of music in reducing preoperative anxiety. We designed a study to provide additional evidence for its use in preoperative nursing care. DESIGN Randomised, controlled study. METHOD Patients (n = 183) aged 18-65 admitted to our outpatient surgery department were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (music delivered by earphones) or control group (no music) for 20 minutes before surgery. Anxiety, measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and vital signs were measured before and after the experimental protocol. RESULTS A total of 172 patients (60 men and 112 women) with a mean age of 40·90 (SD 11·80) completed the study. The largest number (35·7%) was undergoing elective plastic surgery and 76·7% of the total reported previous experience with surgery. Even though there was only a low-moderate level of anxiety at the beginning of the study, both groups showed reduced anxiety and improved vital signs compared with baseline values; however, the intervention group reported significantly lower anxiety [mean change: -5·83 (SD 0·75) vs. -1·72 (SD 0·65), p < 0·001] on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS Patients undergoing day surgery may benefit significantly from musical intervention to reduce preoperative anxiety and improve physiological parameters. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Finding multimodal approaches to ease discomfort and anxiety from unfamiliar unit surroundings and perceived risks of morbidity (e.g. disfigurement and long-term sequelae) is necessary to reduce preoperative anxiety and subsequent physiological complications. This is especially true in the day surgery setting, where surgical admission times are often subject to change and patients may have to accommodate on short notice or too long a wait that may provoke anxiety. Our results provide additional evidence that musical intervention may be incorporated into routine nursing care for patients undergoing minor surgery.