Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of oxidative stress markers in umbilical cord blood after vaginal and cesarean delivery

Objective The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of the mode of delivery on the oxidant and antioxidant system in umbilical cord blood. Methods We performed gas analysis of umbilical venous blood and umbilical arterial blood immediately after delivery in 38 women; eighteen women had a vaginal delivery while 20 women delivered via cesarean section at over 37 weeks gestation. We examined lipid peroxide concentration by thiobarbituric acid reaction, protein carbonyl content by 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine reaction, and total antioxidant capacity by oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay. Results Lipid peroxide levels in umbilical venous blood were significantly higher in patients delivering by planned cesarean section (1.81 ± 0.06 nmol/mg protein) than those with vaginal delivery (1.24 ± 0.05 nmol/mg protein) (P < 0.05). Antioxidant capacity in umbilical venous blood was significantly higher in patients delivering by planned cesarean section (119.70 ± 0.13 µM/µL) than those with a vaginal delivery (118.70 ± 0.29 µM/µL) (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the carbonyl content of umbilical venous blood or in the lipid peroxide, carbonyl content, and total antioxidant capacity of umbilical arterial blood. Conclusion Lipid peroxidation levels and antioxidant capacity in umbilical venous blood were higher in patients delivering by planned cesarean section than those with a vaginal delivery. Therefore, we propose that both the mother and neonate are exposed to higher oxidative stress during cesarean section delivery.
Combination of transvaginal sonography and clinical examination for preoperative diagnosis of pelvic endometriosis.

BACKGROUND The aim of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of routine clinical examination (per vaginam, PV) combined with transvaginal sonography (TVS) for presurgical, non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis. METHODS Two-hundred women with symptoms suggestive of endometriosis were prospectively assessed by PV and TVS prior to laparoscopy and radical resection of disease and histological confirmation. RESULTS Prevalence of endometriosis on the right/left (r/l) ovary, r/l uterosacral ligament (USL), pouch of Douglas (POD), vagina, bladder, rectovaginal space (RVS) and rectum was 12%, 13%, 12%, 22%, 15%, 11%, 2%, 4% and 24%. Sensitivities, specificities, positive and negative predictive values and positive and negative likelihood ratios for combined use of TVS and PV resulted in 96/100%, 100/99%, 100/93%, 93/100% and -;0.04/87.0;- for the r/l ovarian endometriosis; 67/84%, 97/86%, 73/62%, 96/95% and 19.56;0.35/5.97;0.19 for the r/l USL disease; 87%, 98%, 90%, 98% and 49.11;0.14 for involvement of the POD; 82%, 99%, 95%, 98% and 145.64;0.18 for vaginal endometriosis; 88%, 99%, 78%, 99% and 84.0;0.13 for endometriosis of the RVS; 75%, 98%, 50%, 99% and 49.0;0.25 for bladder involvement and 96%, 98%, 94%, 99% and 48.56;0.04 for rectal endometriosis. CONCLUSIONS The combination of PV and TVS accurately predicts the presence of endometriosis affecting the ovaries, vagina, rectum, USL, RVS and POD in patients with suspected endometriosis. We suggest the routine combination of PV and TVS as an essential part of the standard primary assessment of pelvic pain patients with suspected endometriosis.
Connecting radio variability to the characteristics of gamma-ray blazars

We present results from four years of twice-weekly 15 GHz radio monitoring of about 1500 blazars with the Owens Valley Radio Observatory 40 m telescope. Using the intrinsic modulation index to measure variability amplitude, we find that, with >6σ significance, the radio variability of radio-selected gamma-ray-loud blazars is stronger than that of gamma-ray-quiet blazars. Our extended data set also includes at least 21 months of data for all AGN with ‘clean’ associations in the Fermi Large Area Telescope First AGN Catalog, 1LAC. With these additional data, we examine the radio variability properties of a gamma-ray-selected blazar sample. Within this sample, we find no evidence for a connection between radio variability amplitude and optical classification. In contrast, for our radio-selected sample we find that the BL Lac object subpopulation is more variable than the flat-spectrum radio quasar (FSRQ) subpopulation. Radio variability is found to correlate with the synchrotron peak frequency, with low- and intermediate-synchrotron-peaked blazars varying more than high-synchrotron-peaked ones. We find evidence for a significant negative correlation between redshift and radio variability among bright FSRQs.
Use of Aggregation to Improve the Reliability of Simple Direct Measures of Academic Performance.

The effects of aggregation on the reliability of measures of ' , academic performance were explored in two studies. In the first 0 study, 30 elementary-age children were tested four times on the same forms of three reading measures; group stability coefficients, withinsubject reliability coefficients. , and group correlations between variables each were calculated on the basis of one or two testings and then on the basis of aggregations over four testings. On the standardized measure and on the oral passage reading corrett rate score, aggregation had little impact; however, on the oral passage redding error rate score, aggregation substantially increased all reliablity indices. In the second study, 78 children were tested 10 times on alternate forms of two 'reading measures and one wr441gp expression measure; group stability coefficients were calculated on , . , the basis of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 testings. For the oral words-inisolation reading correct score, aggregation 'had little effect, whereas aggregating over occasions and test forms dramatically improved the stability of the oral words-in-isolation reading error score and the written 'expression score. Implications for the measurement of academic behavior are discussed.
Cross-sectional evidence on the relation between monetary policy, macroeconomic conditions and low-frequency inflation uncertainty

We examine how the interaction between monetary policy and macroeconomic conditions affects inﬂation uncertainty in the long-term. The unobservable inﬂation uncertainty is quantiﬁed by means of the slowly evolving long-term variance component of inﬂation in the framework of the Spline-GARCH model (Engle and Rangel, 2008). For a cross-section of 13 developed economies, we ﬁnd that long-term inﬂation uncertainty is high if central bank governors are perceived as less inﬂation-averse and if the conduct of monetary policy is ad-hoc rather than rule-based.
Use of cyanocobalamin to enhance anaerobic biodegradation of chloroform.

Biodegradation of chloroform (CF) was examined in a methanogenic enrichment culture grown on dichloromethane (DCM) as the sole organic carbon and energy source, with and without the addition of supplemental cyanocobalamin. In the absence of cyanocobalamin, the principal products of P4C1 CF biodegradation were 14C02 and V4C1DCM. The extent of CF reduction to DCM increased significantly when CF was biodegraded in the presence of a large amount of DCM. The addition of cyanocobalamin enhanced CF biodegradation in two ways. First, the rate of CF biodegradation increased approximately 10-fold. Second, the metallocofactor increased the extent of CF oxidation to C02 and virtually eliminated the accumulation of DCM. These effects were not observed in autoclaved cultures supplemented with cyanocobalamin. When cyanocobalamin was added to viable cultures, as much as 10 % of the [l4C1CF transformed accumulated as 14C-labeled carbon monoxide. This suggested that the oxidation of CF to C02 proceeds via net hydrolysis to CO. CF levels as high as 2.2 mM were readily transformed, without accumulation of DCM, at cyanocobalamin to CF molar ratios of 3-596. Although the organism or consortium responsible for CF biodegradation was not identified, prior work with DCM suggests that acetogenic bacteria are involved.
Changes in the Plasma Amino Acid Profile in Anorexia Nervosa

We evaluated and measured by high performance liquid chromatography the plasma amino acid levels in 11 female patients with anorexia nervosa during a period of significant loss of body weight, compared with 11 healthy age-matched controls. Total amino acid and total branched-chain amino acid levels were similar in both groups, however significantly higher levels of glycine and ornithine were found in anorexia nervosa patients, as well as significantly lower levels of leucine, tyrosine and lysine compared with controls. The glycine/valine and phenylalanine/tyrosine ratios were significantly higher in anorexia nervosa patients than in control subjects. The levels and ratios of other amino acids were within the normal range, with no significant differences between the two groups. Changes in the plasma amino acid profile in anorexia nervosa patients can be explained by chronic severe malnutrition and prolonged stress.
Estimation of vegetation water content through GA-PLS modeling of modis reflectance data

This work was aimed at investigating the effectiveness of genetic algorithms (GA) - partial least square (PLS) regression in estimation of canopy equivalent water thickness (EWT) from MODIS image data of the SMEX'04 site. Calibration of MODIS spectral variables (single bands, band ratios and curvatures) against the AVIRIS-derived EWT at a degraded resolution resulted in a high correlation (R2=0.77) and an equivalent well correlation was obtained for validation on the MODIS pixels not used in the calibration. The spectral variables used in the GA-PLS model include MODIS band 2 (841–875 nm), band 5 (1230– 1250 nm), and band curvatures at MODIS band 4 (545–565 nm), band 1 (620–670 nm) and band 2. A caveat for applying these spectral variables to estimate EWT in other areas is that their applicability may depend on local environmental conditions.
Fixed combinations of topical glaucoma medications

Purpose of review Topical medical therapy remains the first line of treatment in the management of glaucoma. Utilization studies and clinical trials have demonstrated that many patients with glaucoma require multiple medications to achieve adequate control of intraocular pressure. Fixed combinations of commonly used drugs have been developed, tested, and in some (but not all) cases, approved for use in the United States and abroad. In this review the authors discuss the principles of fixed combination therapy and examine the existing fixed combinations. Recent findings The first modern combination product was the dorzolamide–timolol fixed combination. It works better than either constituent and at least as well as concomitant therapy with both constituents. In comparison with newer agents, the dorzolamide–timolol fixed combination was equal in efficacy to latanoprost monotherapy, timolol and unoprostone concomitant therapy, and timolol and brimonidine concomitant therapy. Concomitant latanoprost and brimonidine demonstrated better efficacy than the dorzolamide–timolol fixed combination. The latanoprost–timolol fixed combination is available in many countries but not the United States. This combination has demonstrated modest additional efficacy over latanoprost monotherapy. The latanoprost–timolol fixed combination provided greater efficacy than concomitant timolol and brimonidine. Summary Fixed combinations offer benefits of convenience, cost, and safety, but limit individualization of dosing. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of prescribing fixed combinations facilitates success in using these products in clinical practice.
A Novel Linear Permanent-Magnet Vernier Machine With Improved Force Performance

In this paper, a linear permanent-magnet vernier machine is proposed, in which both magnets and armature windings are placed in the short mover, while the long stator consists of an iron core only. Hence, it is suitable for long-stroke applications such as urban rail transit. The proposed machine integrates two magnetization directions of magnets together, which can reduce leakage flux and enhance flux density. Meanwhile, since different topologies and different slot/pole number combinations have an effect on the winding factor, several general rules are established. It is revealed that the thrust force ripple of the proposed machine is lower than its cogging force ripple, which is explained by a built analytical model. Both the analytical model and the finite-element results are validated by experiments based on a prototype machine.
Effects of the circadian rhythm gene period 1 (per1) on psychosocial stress-induced alcohol drinking.

OBJECTIVE Circadian and stress-response systems mediate environmental changes that affect alcohol drinking. Psychosocial stress is an environmental risk factor for alcohol abuse. Circadian rhythm gene period 1 (Per1) is targeted by stress hormones and is transcriptionally activated in corticotropin releasing factor-expressing cells. The authors hypothesized that Per1 is involved in integrating stress response and circadian rhythmicity and explored its relevance to alcohol drinking. METHOD In mice, the effects of stress on ethanol intake in mPer1-mutant and wild-type mice were assessed. In humans, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in hPer1 were tested for association with alcohol drinking behavior in 273 adolescents and an adult case-control sample of 1,006 alcohol-dependent patients and 1,178 comparison subjects. In vitro experiments were conducted to measure genotype-specific expression and transcription factor binding to hPer1. RESULTS The mPer1-mutant mice showed enhanced alcohol consumption in response to social defeat stress relative to their wild-type littermates. An association with the frequency of heavy drinking in adolescents with the hPer1 promoter SNP rs3027172 and with psychosocial adversity was found. There was significant interaction between the rs3027172 genotype and psychosocial adversity on this drinking measure. In a confirmatory analysis, association of hPer1 rs3027172 with alcohol dependence was shown. Cortisol-induced transcriptional activation of hPer1 was reduced in human B-lymphoblastoid cells carrying the risk genotype of rs3027172. Binding affinity of the transcription factor Snail1 to the risk allele of the hPer1 SNP rs3027172 was also reduced. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate that the hPer1 gene regulates alcohol drinking behavior during stressful conditions and provide evidence for underlying neurobiological mechanisms.
Time-Dependent Protection of CB2 Receptor Agonist in Stroke

Recent studies have indicated that type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R) agonists reduce neurodegeneration after brain injury through anti-inflammatory activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the time-dependent interaction of CB2R and inflammation in stroke brain. Adult male rats were subjected to right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). CB2R mRNA expression was significantly elevated >20 fold on day 2, peaked >40-fold on day 5, and normalized on day 10 post-stroke. Inflammatory markers IBA1 and TLR4 were significantly upregulated 15 fold until day 5 after MCAo. Because of the delayed upregulation of CB2R and IBA1, we next treated animals daily with CB2R agonist AM1241 or anti-inflammatory PPAR-γ agonist pioglitazone from 2 to 5 days after MCAo. Delayed treatment with pioglitazone significantly reduced abnormal neurological scores and body asymmetry as well as brain infarction in stroke animals. No behavioral improvement or reduction in brain infarction was found in animals receiving AM1241. Pioglitazone, but not AM1241, significantly reduced IBA1 expression in the stroke cortex, suggesting that delayed treatment with AM1241 failed to alter ischemia-mediated IBA-1 upregulation. In contrast, pretreatment with AM1241 significantly reduced brain infarction and neurological deficits. In conclusion, our data support a time-dependent neuroprotection of CB2 agonist in an animal model of stroke. Delayed post- treatment with PPAR-γ agonist induced behavioral recovery and microglial suppression; early treatment with CB2R agonist suppressed neurodegeneration in stroke animals.
Children's enacted interpersonal strategies: their relations to social behavior and negative emotionality

Examined were the relations of children's responses to hypothetical social problem situations with use of an enactive (puppet) procedure to (a) children's general social behavior at school, (b) behavior in potential social conflict situations (i.e., when angered and reactions to interpersonal problems as rated by adults), and (c) temperamental characteristics (i.e., emotional intensity and negative affect) that previously have been related to children's social competence. Children's enacted friendliness and aggression (primarily for boys) were consistently correlated with behavior in problem contexts; they were not significantly correlated with their general social behavior. Girls' enacted assertiveness was associated with high levels of social interaction and negative modes of coping with problems
In vivo imaging reveals a phase-specific role of STAT3 during central and peripheral nervous system axon regeneration

In the peripheral nervous system (PNS), damaged axons regenerate successfully, whereas axons in the CNS fail to regrow. In neurons of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), which extend branches to both the PNS and CNS, only a PNS lesion but not a CNS lesion induces axonal growth. How this differential growth response is regulated in vivo is only incompletely understood. Here, we combine in vivo time-lapse fluorescence microscopy with genetic manipulations in mice to reveal how the transcription factor STAT3 regulates axonal regeneration. We show that selective deletion of STAT3 in DRG neurons of STAT3-floxed mice impairs regeneration of peripheral DRG branches after a nerve cut. Further, overexpression of STAT3 induced by viral gene transfer increases outgrowth and collateral sprouting of central DRG branches after a dorsal column lesion by more than 400%. Notably, repetitive in vivo imaging of individual fluorescently labeled PNS and CNS axons reveals that STAT3 selectively regulates initiation but not later perpetuation of axonal growth. With STAT3, we thus identify a phase-specific regulator of axonal outgrowth. Activating STAT3 might provide an opportunity to “jumpstart” regeneration, and thus prime axons in the injured spinal cord for application of complementary therapies that improve axonal elongation.
EXTINCTION RATES SHOULD NOT BE ESTIMATED FROM MOLECULAR PHYLOGENIES

Molecular phylogenies contain information about the tempo and mode of species diversification through time. Because extinction leaves a characteristic signature in the shape of molecular phylogenetic trees, many studies have used data from extant taxa only to infer extinction rates. This is a promising approach for the large number of taxa for which extinction rates cannot be estimated from the fossil record. Here, I explore the consequences of violating a common assumption made by studies of extinction from phylogenetic data. I show that when diversification rates vary among lineages, simple estimators based on the birth–death process are unable to recover true extinction rates. This is problematic for phylogenetic trees with complete taxon sampling as well as for the simpler case of clades with known age and species richness. Given the ubiquity of variation in diversification rates among lineages and clades, these results suggest that extinction rates should not be estimated in the absence of fossil data.
IR Observations of MS 1054–03: Star Formation and Its Evolution in Rich Galaxy Clusters

We study the IR properties of galaxies in the cluster MS 1054-03 at z = 0.83 by combining MIPS 24 μm data with spectra of more than 400 galaxies and a very deep K-band-selected catalog. Nineteen IR cluster members are selected spectroscopically, and an additional 15 are selected by their photometric redshifts. We derive the IR luminosity function of the cluster and find strong evolution compared to the similar-mass Coma Cluster. The best-fitting Schechter function gives L = 11.49 L☉ with a fixed faint-end slope, about 1 order of magnitude larger than that in Coma. The rate of evolution of the IR luminosity from Coma to MS 1054-03 is consistent with that found in field galaxies, and it suggests that some internal mechanism, e.g., the consumption of the gas fuel, is responsible for the general decline of the cosmic SFR in different environments. The mass-normalized integrated SFR within 0.5R200 in MS 1054-03 also shows evolution compared with other rich clusters at lower redshifts, but the trend is less conclusive if the mass selection effect is considered. A nonnegligible fraction (13% ± 3%) of cluster members are forming stars actively, and the overdensity of IR galaxies is about 20 compared to the field. It is unlikely that clusters only passively accrete star-forming galaxies from the surrounding fields and have their star formation quenched quickly afterward; instead, many cluster galaxies still have large amounts of gas, and their star formation may be enhanced by the interaction with the cluster.
Managing Active Learning Processes in Large First Year Physics Classes: The Advantages of an Integrated Approach

Turning lectures into interactive, student-led question and answer sessions is known to increase learning, but enabling interaction in a large class seems an insurmountable task. This can discourage adoption of this new approach – who has time to individualize responses, address questions from over 200 students and encourage active participation in class? An approach adopted by a teaching team in large first-year classes at a research-intensive university appears to provide a means to do so. We describe the implementation of active learning strategies in a large first-year undergraduate physics unit of study, replacing traditional, content-heavy lectures with an integrated approach to question-driven learning. A key feature of our approach is that it facilitates intensive in-class discussions by requiring students to engage in preparatory reading and answer short written quizzes before every class. The lecturer uses software to rapidly analyze the student responses and identify the main issues faced by the students before the start of each class. We report the success of the integration of student preparation with this analysis and feedback framework, and the impact on the in-class discussions. We also address some of the difficulties commonly experienced by staff preparing for active learning classes.
Iatrogenic possibilities of orthodontic treatment and modalities of prevention

The benefits of orthodontic treatment are numerous and in most cases, the benefits outweigh the possible disadvantages. Orthodontic treatment can play an important role in enhancing esthetics, function, and self-esteem in patients. However, it carries with it the risks of enamel demineralization, tissue damage, root resorption, open gingival embrasures in the form of triangular spaces, allergic reactions to nickel, and treatment failure in the form of relapse. These potential complications are easily avoidable by undertaking certain precautions and timely interventions by both the orthodontist and the patient. The orthodontist must ensure that the patient is aware of the associated risks and stress the importance of the patient's role in preventing these untoward outcomes. The decision whether to proceed with the orthodontic treatment is essentially a risk-benefit analysis, where the perceived benefits of commencing treatment outweigh the potential risks. This article provides an overview of the iatrogenic possibilities of orthodontic treatment and the role of the patient as well as the orthodontist in preventing the associated risks.