Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neovascularization grading methods in a rat model of retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE The method of counting cell nuclei above the internal limiting membrane in histologic sections is considered the standard when quantifying neovascularization (NV) in rodent oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). An alternative, more rapid method of counting clock hours in flatmounted adenosine diphosphatase (ADPase)-stained rat retinas is analogous to clinically scoring retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). In the present study, the validity of counting clock hours was evaluated by a direct comparison of these techniques. The intereye correlation of NV score and retinal vascular area were also studied. METHODS Newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to cycles of O2 (80-10%) for 7 days, followed by 5 days of room air recovery. Preretinal NV was quantified by three masked observers counting clock hours in flatmounted ADPase-stained retinas of both eyes. Retinal vascular and total retinal areas were calculated using computer-assisted analysis. Representative retinas that had been scored positive (n = 10) and negative (n = 3) for NV and room air control retinas (n = 3) were embedded in paraffin. Each entire peripheral retinal quadrant was serially sectioned at 6 microm and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Nuclei above the internal limiting membrane were then counted in a masked manner. The total number of nuclei counted per retina was defined as the nucleus count (704-938 sections per retina; 12,900 sections). Correlations were evaluated using Spearman rank coefficients. RESULTS The nucleus count was 0 to 44 in room air control retinas, 0 to 40 in negative OIR retinas, and 250 to 5634 in positive OIR retinas. The nucleus count was highly correlated with the clock hour score (r(s) = 0.95, P = 0.0001). For the paired retinas, there was a significant correlation between right and left eyes in the severity of NV (clock hours; r(s) = 0.76, P = 0.0001) and the ratio of retinal vascular area to total retinal area (r(s) = 0.81, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS The more rapid method of counting clock hours in flatmounted ADPase-stained retinas is valid for quantifying NV in rat models of ROP. Incidence and severity of NV and vascularized areas were similar between left and right eyes, which permits the use of paired retinas for complementary research techniques.
Frictional, Mechanical and Aerodynamic Properties of Onion Seeds

Some of the frictional, mechanical and aerodynamic properties of onion seeds needed for design of onion umbels thresher were identified, determined and reported as a function of moisture content in the range of 9.8-29.6% (db). As the moisture content increased from 9.8% to 29.6% (db), the angle of repose and terminal velocity were found to increase from 28.11 to 37.41 o and 1.7 to 2.6 m/s, where as rupture force was found to decrease from 116.73 to 40.14 N, respectively. The static coefficient of friction of onion seeds increased for all four surfaces, namely, plywood (0.5191-0.6381), mild steel (0.42590.5976), galvanized iron (0.4334-0.5781) and stainless steel (0.2878-0.4981) as moisture content increased from 9.8 to 29.6% (db).
Occupational lead poisoning in workers of traditional tile factories in Mashhad, Northeast of Iran.

BACKGROUND Occupational lead poisoning is a health problem in Iran. It has not previously been studied in traditional tile makers. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of lead poisoning and its complications in traditional tile workers in Mashhad, Northwest of Iran. METHODS We visited workers in two traditional tile factories and collected data by direct history taking and physical examination. Blood and urine lead concentrations were measured by heated graphite atomization technique. RESULTS Overall, 108 men with mean±SD age of 37±7.8 years were studied. The mean±SD length of daily lead exposure was 9.8±6 years. The mean±SD blood lead concentration was 520.5±323.2 μg/L. The main objective clinical findings were the presence of lead line (64.8%), peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities (37%), depressed deep tendon reflexes in the upper extremities (25.7%), tremor (23.3%), peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities (17%) and abdominal tenderness (15.1%). The subjective findings were mainly attributed to the central nervous system and included loss of memory (57%), moodiness (56.1%), agitation (47.7%), drowsiness (36.4%) and headache (29.9%). There was no statistically significant correlation between the blood lead concentration and glomerular filtration rate. However, there were significant correlations between the blood lead concentration and each of the urine lead concentration (p<0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.04), serum triglyceride level (p = 0.043), high density lipoprotein level (p = 0.012), and basophilic stippling (p = 0.048). Blood lead level, however, did not have any significant correlation with the presence of lead line. CONCLUSION In traditional tile workers, lead toxicity is not uncommon and the toxic effects of lead were found more often on the teeth (bone), central and peripheral nervous system, hematological and lipid profiles than on the renal function.
Plasma Insulin-like Growth Factors, Insulin-like Binding Protein-3, and Outcome in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Results from Intergroup Trial N9741

Purpose: Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-II stimulate neoplastic cell growth and inhibit apoptosis, whereas IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) inhibits the bioavailability of IGF-I and has independent proapoptotic activity. We examined the influence of baseline plasma levels of IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-3, and C-peptide on outcome among patients receiving first-line chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer. Experimental Design: The plasma levels of IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-3, and C-peptide as well as data on prognostic factors and body size were measured at baseline among 527 patients participating in a randomized trial of first-line chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer. Results: Higher baseline plasma IGFBP-3 levels were associated with a significantly greater chemotherapy response rate (P = 0.03) after adjusting for other prognostic factors, whereas neither IGF-I nor IGF-II levels significantly predicted tumor response. Higher levels of IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGFBP-3 were all univariately associated with improved overall survival (P = 0.0001 for all). In a model that mutually adjusted for IGF-I and IGFBP-3, as well as other prognostic factors, increasing baseline-circulating IGFBP-3 was associated with a significantly longer time to tumor progression (P = 0.03), whereas circulating IGF-I was not associated with disease progression (P = 0.95). Levels of C-peptide were not associated with any measure of patient outcome. Conclusion: Among colorectal cancer patients receiving first-line chemotherapy, increasing levels of IGFBP-3, an endogenous antagonist to IGF-I, are associated with an improved objective treatment response and a prolonged time to cancer progression. The IGF pathway may represent an important target for future treatment strategies.
Prospective evaluation of the ‘4Ts’ score and particle gel immunoassay specific to heparin/PF4 for the diagnosis of heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia

Summary. Background: Heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a severe disease that is often difficult to diagnose. A clinical scoring system, the ‘4Ts’ score, has been proposed to estimate its probability before laboratory testing, and a particle gel immunoassay (H/PF4 PaGIA®) has also been developed for rapid detection of HIT antibodies. Aim: To evaluate the performance of both methods when HIT is suspected clinically. Methods: Two hundred thirteen consecutive patients were included in four centers. The probability of HIT was evaluated using the 4Ts score blind to antibody test results. HIT was confirmed only when the serotonin release assay (SRA) was positive. Results: The risk of HIT was evaluated by the 4Ts score as low (LowR), intermediate (IR) or high (HR) in 34.7%, 60.6% and 4.7% of patients, respectively. The negative predictive value (NPV) of the 4Ts score was 100%, as the SRA was negative in all LowR patients. PaGIA® was negative in 176 patients without HIT (99.4%, NPV) and the negative likelihood ratio (LR–) was 0.05. PaGIA® was positive in 37 patients, including 21 with HIT (positive predictive value = 56.8%), with a positive LR of 11.4. A negative PaGIA® result decreased the probability of HIT in IR patients from 10.9% before assay to 0.6%, whereas a positive result did not substantially increase the likelihood for HIT. Conclusion: The use of the 4Ts score with PaGIA® appears to be a reliable strategy to rule out HIT.
Stress-related factors in the emergence of transient global amnesia with hippocampal lesions

The transient global amnesia (TGA) is a rare amnesic syndrome that is characterized by an acute onset episode of an anterograde and retrograde amnesia. Its origin is still debated, but there is evidence for psychological factors involved in TGA. In neuroimaging, selective lesions in the CA1 field of the hippocampus can be detected, a region that is particularly involved in the processing of memory, stress and emotion. The aim of this study was to assess the role of psychological stress in TGA by studying the prevalence of stress related precipitating events and individual stress-related personality profiles as well as coping strategies in patients. The hypothesis of a functional differentiation of the hippocampus in mnemonic and stress-related compartments was also evaluated. From all 113 patients, 18% (n = 24) patients experienced emotional and psychological stress episodes directly before the TGA. In a cohort of 21 acute patients, TGA patients tend to cope with stress less efficiently and less constructively than controls. Patients who experienced a stress related precipitant event exhibited a higher level of anxiety in comparison to non-stress patients and controls. However, there was no difference between the general experience of stress and the number of stress inducing life events. The majority of patients (73%) did show typical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions in the CA1 region of the hippocampal cornu ammonis. There was no clear association between stressful events, distribution of hippocampal CA1 lesions and behavioral patterns during the TGA. Disadvantageous coping strategies and an elevated anxiety level may increase the susceptibility to psychological stress which may facilitate the pathophysiological cascade in TGA. The findings suggest a role of emotional stress factors in the manifestation of TGA in a subgroup of patients. Stress may be one trigger involved in the emergence of transient lesions in the hippocampal CA1 region, which are thought to be the structural and functional correlate of TGA.
Now You'll Feel It, Now You Won't: EEG Rhythms Predict the Effectiveness of Perceptual Masking

Do ongoing brain states determine conscious perception of an upcoming stimulus? Using the high temporal resolution of EEG, we investigated the relationship between prestimulus neuronal oscillations and the perceptibility of two competing somatosensory stimuli embedded in a backward masking paradigm. We identified two prestimulus EEG signatures predictive for a suprathreshold yet weak target stimulus to become perceptually resistant against masking by a stronger distractor stimulus: (i) over left frontal cortex a desynchronization of the regional beta rhythm (∼20 Hz) 500 msec prior to a perceived target, and (ii) a subsequent additional attenuation of both mu (∼10 Hz) and beta “idling” rhythms over those pericentral sensorimotor cortices which are going to process the upcoming target stimulus. Furthermore, across subjects the probability for target perception strongly correlates with the individual absolute level of pre-target amplitudes in these frequency bands and locations. These signatures significantly differed from the EEG characteristics preceding detected and undetected single stimuli. We suggest that the early activation of left frontal areas involved in top–down attentional control is critical for preventing backward masking and leads the preparation of primary sensory cortices: The ensuing prestimulus suppression of sensory idling rhythms warrants an intensified poststimulus processing, and thus, effectively promotes conscious perception of suprathreshold target stimuli embedded into an ecologically relevant condition featuring competing environmental stimuli.
Comparison of dye-dilution and plethysmographic blood flow measurements: an evaluation of the influence of invasive techniques on blood flow and on arterial and femoral venous substrate variables in man.

1. In eight healthy volunteers we compared leg blood flow, as determined in a calf segment by strain-gauge plethysmography, with the flow measured by a constant-rate infusion of Indocyanine Green dye into the femoral artery. The representativeness of the calf segment was evaluated by complementary measurements with additional strain gauges attached around the proximal and distal crural and the distal thigh segments (n = 6). Furthermore, we investigated the influence of the catheterization procedure and a simulated vascular puncture, as well as repeated venous occlusions, on blood flow and on arterial and femoral venous substrate concentrations and blood gases (n = 8). 2. The leg blood flow measured by dye dilution was 0.31 +/- 0.03 litre/min (mean +/- SEM). The blood flow in the calf segments was 14.8 +/- 1.6 ml min-1 litre-1 and no difference between the legs was observed. Extended to the whole leg the plethysmographic blood flow was 0.17 +/- 0.01 litre/min and thus lower (43 +/- 7%, P less than 0.001) than the flow determined by the indicator-dilution method. Blood flow in the legs was not influenced by catheterization or sham punctures of the vessels or by repeated venous occlusions. 3. The concentrations of glucose, lactate and glycerol, as well as blood gas variables, in arterial and femoral venous blood did not change during the study or decreased so slightly (pH and lactate) that the arteriovenous difference was not influenced. 4. We conclude that the blood flow of the total leg cannot be satisfactorily estimated from strain-gauge plethysmography of a single calf segment. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Dynamical Modeling of the Cell Cycle and Cell Fate Emergence in Caulobacter crescentus

The division of Caulobacter crescentus, a model organism for studying cell cycle and differentiation in bacteria, generates two cell types: swarmer and stalked. To complete its cycle, C. crescentus must first differentiate from the swarmer to the stalked phenotype. An important regulator involved in this process is CtrA, which operates in a gene regulatory network and coordinates many of the interactions associated to the generation of cellular asymmetry. Gaining insight into how such a differentiation phenomenon arises and how network components interact to bring about cellular behavior and function demands mathematical models and simulations. In this work, we present a dynamical model based on a generalization of the Boolean abstraction of gene expression for a minimal network controlling the cell cycle and asymmetric cell division in C. crescentus. This network was constructed from data obtained from an exhaustive search in the literature. The results of the simulations based on our model show a cyclic attractor whose configurations can be made to correspond with the current knowledge of the activity of the regulators participating in the gene network during the cell cycle. Additionally, we found two point attractors that can be interpreted in terms of the network configurations directing the two cell types. The entire network is shown to be operating close to the critical regime, which means that it is robust enough to perturbations on dynamics of the network, but adaptable to environmental changes.
An automaton-theoretic approach to safety and security in real-time systems

A new plant variety of the Bromeliaceae, or pineapple, family, Ananas comosus, has been developed as an interspecific cross between Pineapple Research Institute hybrid clone 58-1184 and Pineapple Research Institute (PRI) hybrid clone 59-443, and has been named hybrid CO-2. This hybrid clone generally resembles the parent varieties, but is distinguished therefrom in that this plant produces a sweeter, more viamin C rich fruit, which is low in parasitic fruit diseases, and tolerant or resistant to the physiological disorder called internal browning. This plant has more uniform yellow color, good fruit appearance after refrigerated storage, and produces acceptable crop yields of saleable fresh pineapple.
EGF receptor and p185erbB‐2‐specific single‐chain antibody toxins differ in their cell‐killing activity on tumor cells expressing both receptor proteins

Many human tumors over‐express erbB‐2 and EGF receptors. The membrane localization of these receptor tyrosine kinases make them appropriate targets for directed tumor therapy. We have used recombinant DNA technology to produce single‐chain antibody exotoxin A (scFv‐ETA) fusion proteins which specifically bind the erbB‐2 and EGF receptors. The scFv portion is composed of the heavy‐ and light‐chain variable domains of monoclonal antibodies which recognize the extracellular portion of each receptor. We have previously described the anti‐tumor activity of the bacterially produced scFv(FRP5)‐ETA directed to the erbB‐2 receptor. In this paper we describe the characteristics of scFv(225)‐ETA, a protein which binds the EGF receptor. The bacterially produced recombinant protein binds to the receptor with high affinity and inhibits the in vitro growth of the EGF receptor over‐expressing tumor cell lines A431 and MDA‐MB468. Combination treatment with scFv‐(FRPS)‐ETA and scFv(225)‐ETA led to an additive inhibitory effect on the in vitro growth of A431 cells. SKBR3 cells expressing low levels of EGF receptor but high levels of p 185erbB‐2 were not affected by scFv(225)‐ETA treatment but were sensitive to scFv(FRP5)‐ETA. Stimulation of SKBR3 cells and HCII RI#11 mouse mammary epithelial cells expressing the human erbB‐2 with EGF led to an increase in scFv(FRP5)‐ETA activity, showing that the EGF‐induced activation of erbB‐2 can potentiate the action of the erbB‐2‐directed toxin. Treatment of athymic nude mice with scFv(FRP5)‐ETA and the combination of both scFv‐ETA proteins led to the transient arrest of growth of established A431 tumors. scFv(22S)‐ETA treatment alone was the most effective, leading to tumor shrinkage during the course of treatment, whereas treatment with the parental monoclonal antibody 225 led to retarded tumor growth. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exhaled Hydrogen Sulfide Predicts Airway Inflammation Phenotype in COPD

BACKGROUND: The role of exhaled H2S as a marker of airway inflammation and its relationship with COPD severity remain to be determined. METHODS: Airway inflammation was classified in 77 COPD subjects based on the presence of inflammatory cells in induced sputum. We investigated the association between disease phenotype and exhaled H2S, lung function, and plasma levels of several inflammatory factors, including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-8, and leukotriene B4. RESULTS: In total, 33.77% of enrolled COPD subjects were diagnosed with eosinophilia. These subjects had a longer disease course, smoked fewer cigarettes, and experienced more frequent exacerbation events before study enrollment. However, they also had worse lung function and larger residual volume, they demonstrated greater changes in FEV1 following bronchodilator inhalation. Although levels of plasma inflammatory factors did not significantly differ between subjects with and without eosinophilia, subjects without eosinophilia had significantly higher levels of exhaled H2S (9.19 ± 2.74 vs 7.24 ± 1.68 parts per billion, P = .01). Furthermore, exhaled H2S levels were negatively correlated with induced sputum eosinophils (r = −0.45, P = .05), and positively correlated with inspiratory capacity in COPD subjects (r = 0.51, P = .026), but did not correlate significantly with plasma inflammatory factors. A cut-off value of 7.10 parts per billion of exhaled H2S predicted a non-eosinophilic phenotype with 68.6% sensitivity and 77.9% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Exhaled levels of H2S were lower in subjects with eosinophilia. Increased levels of exhaled H2S predicted a non-eosinophilic phenotype in our study population.
Surface charging and charge decay in solid dielectrics

This paper presents the results of an investigation into surface charging and charge decay in solid dielectrics such as Teflon (PTFE), epoxy (filled with alumina) and polyethylene. The experiments were carried out in atmospheric air and SF/sub 6/ environment. Impulse and AC voltage were used to generate charges, by partial discharges, in a point/insulation sample/plane electrode arrangement. The results showed that surface charging and charge decay are influenced by several parameters such as ambient gas, surface resistivity, voltage level and polarity and subsequent voltage application.
Cannabis-induced Moto-Cognitive Dysfunction in Wistar Rats: Ameliorative Efficacy of Nigella Sativa.

BACKGROUND Cannabis is a widely used illicit drug with various threats of personality syndrome, and Nigella sativa has been widely implicated as having therapeutic efficacy in many neurological diseases. The present study investigates the ameliorative efficacy of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on cannabis-induced moto-cognitive defects. METHODS Scopolamine (1 mg/kg i.p.) was given to induce dementia as a standard base line for cannabis (20 mg/kg)-induced cognitive impairment, followed by an oral administration of NSO (1 ml/kg) for 14 consecutive days. The Morris water maze (MWM) paradigm was used to assess the memory index, the elevated plus maze was used for anxiety-like behaviour, and the open field test was used for locomotor activities; thereafter, the rats were sacrificed and their brains were removed for histopathologic studies. RESULTS Cannabis-like Scopolamine caused memory impairment, delayed latency in the MWM, and anxiety-like behaviour, coupled with alterations in the cerebello-hippocampal neurons. The post-treatment of rats with NSO mitigated cannabis-induced cognitive dysfunction as with scopolamine and impaired anxiety-like behaviour by increasing open arm entry, line crossing, and histological changes. CONCLUSIONS The observed ameliorative effects of NSO make it a promising agent against moto-cognitive dysfunction and cerebelo-hippocampal alterations induced by cannabis.
Influence of Formal Education on Cognitive Reserve in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

The concept of cognitive reserve (CR) and its influence on cognitive impairment has attracted increasing interest. One hundred twenty-eight patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) from Southern Germany were evaluated during the years 2000 to 2012. Twenty-seven neuropsychological (NP) tests were applied regarding basic cognitive functions, attention, executive functions, visual perception and construction, memory and learning, problem solving, and language. By this retrospective approach, a comprehensive NP profile of the investigated individuals was established. An effect of timespan of formal education on CR was observed. Enrichment by reading, physical activities, and challenging vocational practices had more profound effects in patients who had undergone a shorter educational period compared to a longer educational period. In summary, our study demonstrates that the advantage of longer formal education periods, compared to shorter formal education periods, can be counterbalanced by high frequencies of reading, physical activities, and challenging vocational practices in patients with MS.