Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Myocardial Production of Aldosterone and Corticosterone in the Rat

Increasing evidence suggests that mineralo- and glucocorticoids modulate cardiovascular homeostasis via the effects of circulating components generated within the adrenals but also through local synthesis. The aim of this study was to assess the existence of such a steroidogenic system in heart. Using the quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, the terminal enzymes of corticosterone and aldosterone synthesis (11β-hydroxylase and aldosterone synthase, respectively) were detected in the rat heart. This pathway was shown to be physiologically active, since production of aldosterone, corticosterone, and their precursor, deoxycorticosterone, was detected in both the homogenate and perfusate of isolated rat hearts using radioimmunoassay after Celite column chromatography. Perfusion of angiotensin II or adrenocorticotropin for 3 h increased aldosterone and corticosterone production and decreased deoxycorticosterone, suggesting that aldosterone and corticosterone are formed within the isolated heart from a locally present substrate. Chronic regulation of this intracardiac system was then examined. As in adrenals cardiac 11β-hydroxylase and aldosterone-synthase mRNAs were independently regulated by 1 week’s treatment with either low sodium and high potassium diet (which increased aldosterone synthase mRNA level only), angiotensin II (which raised level of both mRNAs), or adrenocorticotropin (which stimulated the 11β-hydroxylase gene exclusively). Changes in cardiac steroid levels during treatment were not directly related to their plasma levels suggesting independent regulating mechanisms. This study, therefore, provides the first evidence for the existence of an endocrine cardiac steroidogenic system in rat heart and emphasizes its potential physiological and pathological relevance.
Jealous Conflict in Dating Couples

80 steadily dating couples were assigned by sex to jealous or nonjealous role-playing conditions in which one partner was asked to assume a distancing role while the other was asked to overcome the distance and try to establish closeness with the partner. Using Raush, et al.'s (1974) method of studying interpersonal conflict through improvisation, it was found that persons in distant roles and experiencing jealousy used significantly more rejection and coercion, especially guilt-induction, than did subjects who experienced distance for nonjealous reasons. No sex differences were noted with regard to the use of rejection and coercion. However, men selected their issues of jealousy as sexual while women selected jealous issues which involved a loss of time and attention.
Relationships in the NHS: Bridging the Gap

The first chapter, about the agenda of this study, relates to the widespread disillusionment regarding relationships in the NHS and their impact on health. When the project started in 1996, the authors were struck by the despair that pervaded the outlooks of many healthcare professionals and managers. This despair reached far beyond concerns about the implementation of ‘‘internal market’’ mechanisms in the NHS. Although many applauded the improvement of performances, for instance in hospital care, there were many negative feelings.
Novel circulating biomarkers for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review

Currently, a liver biopsy remains the only reliable way to precisely diagnose non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and establish the severity of liver injury, presence of fibrosis, and architecture remodeling. However, the cost and the intrinsic invasive procedure of a liver biopsy rules it out as a gold standard diagnostic test, and the imaging test are not the best choice due to the price, and currently is being refined. The lack of a biomarker of NAFLD pushes to develop this new line of research. The aim of the present systematic review is to clarify and update all the NAFLD biomarkers described in the literature until recently. We highlight α‐ketoglutarate and CK18‐F as currently the best potential biomarker of NAFLD. However, due to methodological differences, we propose the implementation of international, multicenter, multiethnic studies with larger population size, and biopsy proven NAFLD diagnosis to analyze and compare α‐ketoglutarate and CK18‐F as potential biomarkers of the silent evolution of NAFLD.
The Effect of Family Literacy Interventions on Children’s Acquisition of Reading From Kindergarten to Grade 3: A Meta-Analytic Review

This review focuses on intervention studies that tested whether parent–child reading activities would enhance children’s reading acquisition. The combined results for the 16 intervention studies, representing 1,340 families, were clear: Parent involvement has a positive effect on children’s reading acquisition. Further analyses revealed that interventions in which parents tutored their children using specific literacy activities produced larger effects than those in which parents listened to their children read books. The three studies in which parents read to their children did not result in significant reading gains. When deciding which type of intervention to implement, educators will have to weigh a variety of factors such as the differences in effectiveness across the different types of intervention, the amount of resources needed to implement the interventions, and the reading level of the children.
LOCAL BUCKLING OF PULTRUDED GFRP I-SECTION SUBJECT TO BENDING

The use of pultruded glass fiber reinforced polymer (pGFRP) has increased significantly in the last few years, especially in aggressive environments. The structural performance of pGFRP members is strongly dependent on their buckling behavior, because of the association of low elastic properties and relatively thin-walled sections adopted. The aim of this study is to present the results of an ongoing experimental work focused on evaluating the local buckling behavior of GFRP I-beams subject to 4-point bending tests. Lateral deflections were measured with displacement transducers and the curvature at compression flange during loading was measured with back-to-back strain gages. A finite element model using actual material properties and bracing conditions was adopted to ensure behavior governed by local buckling and to determine critical bending moment. The influence of web-to-flange rotational stiffness on the behaviour is discussed and, finally, experimental critical loads obtained using Southwell and Koiter techniques are compared to those obtained using analytical expressions recently proposed in literature and to computational analysis
Age-specific anti-Müllerian hormone and electrocardiographic silent coronary artery disease

Abstract Objective: To explore the relationship between age-specific anti-Müllerian hormone level, as a predictor of ovarian reserve status, and electrocardiographic silent coronary artery disease in a population-based, prospective cohort, the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Methods: For the present study, 1015 reproductive-aged participants in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study met our eligibility criteria. According to the Whitehall criteria, silent coronary artery disease was defined as an electrocardiogram showing possible or probable coronary heart disease using Minnesota codes. By excluding those with a history of coronary heart disease and silent coronary artery disease at the initiation of the study (n = 49), there were 108 events of silent coronary artery disease at electrocardiograms among 752 women followed for 9.5 ± 0.9 years (missing data: n = 214); the association between this outcome with age-specific anti-Müllerian hormone levels was explored after adjustment for confounding variables using logistic regression analysis. Cardiovascular disease risk scores were assessed for all participants using the guidelines of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association. Results: There were 108 events of silent coronary artery disease over the 10-year follow-up. Logistic regression analysis, considering age-specific anti-Müllerian hormone and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk score as independent variables, revealed an odds ratio of 1.146 (95% confidence interval 1.008–1.303) for cardiovascular disease risk score (p = 0.038) and odds ratio of 1.002 (95% confidence interval 0.996–1.009) for age-specific anti-Müllerian hormone (p = 0.526). Conclusion: No association has been found between age-specific anti-Müllerian hormone levels and events of silent coronary artery disease in a 10-year follow-up of reproductive-aged women.
Inflammation after trauma: Microglial activation and traumatic brain injury

Patient outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is highly variable. The underlying pathophysiology of this is poorly understood, but inflammation is potentially an important factor. Microglia orchestrate many aspects of this response. Their activation can be studied in vivo using the positron emission tomography (PET) ligand [11C](R)PK11195 (PK). In this study, we investigate whether an inflammatory response to TBI persists, and whether this response relates to structural brain abnormalities and cognitive function.
Screening for poststroke major depression: a meta-analysis of diagnostic validity studies

Background Major depression is common in stroke patients and associated with increased rates of disability and mortality. Identifying depression may improve mental and physical health. The aim of this review was to determine the most accurate tool for detecting poststroke depression. Methods Seven databases were searched up to November 2012. Two authors selected studies using International Classification of Disease or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual diagnosis of depression as the reference standard. Two authors extracted data and assessed methodological quality. Included studies were synthesised using meta-analyses. Results A total of 24 included studies provided data on 2907 participants. The Center of Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CESD) (sensitivity: 0.75; 95% CI 0.60 to 0.85; specificity: 0.88; 95% CI 0.71 to 0.95), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) (sensitivity: 0.84; 95% CI 0.75 to 0.90; specificity:0.83; 95% CI 0.72 to 0.90) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 (sensitivity: 0.86; 95% CI 0.70 to 0.94; specificity: 0.79; 95% CI 0.60 to 0.90) appeared to be the optimal measures for screening measures. However, the clinical utility of all tools was modest for case-finding. Interpretation There are a number of possible instruments that may help in screening for poststroke depression but none are satisfactory for case-finding. Preliminary data suggests the CESD, HDRS or the PHQ-9 as the most promising options. Although it should be noted such scales should not be used in isolation but followed up with a more detailed clinical assessment. While there is promising data for the PHQ-2 in other populations, it performed less well than other measures.
Enterococcal Cerebellopontine Angle Abscess in a 12-year-old Female

Despite advances in imaging and antibiotic treatment, brain abscess is still encountered occasionally. Various aerobic and anaerobic bacteria have been reported as causative agents of brain abscess but only a few cases of enterococcal brain abscesses have been reported. Here we report a case of brain abscess in a 12-year-old female patient, who presented with a history of fever, chills, headache, convulsions since seven days and history of altered sensorium and aphasia since the last two days. The patient had chronic suppurative otitis media of both ears following trauma and presented with ear discharge. The diagnosis of brain abscess was done by computerized tomography scan and the pus was aspirated by left suboccipital burr hole operation. Enterococcus species was cultured from the aspirated pus sample. The patient responded to surgical drainage and antibiotic treatment.
Progression to AIDS and death in the era of HAART.

In the 14 February issue of AIDS, Moore and colleagues describe an increased risk of death for patients initiating HAARTwith CD4 cell counts < 200 cells/ml who have CD4 cell count increases of < 25 cells/ml during treatment [1]. This cohort study was restricted to antiretroviral drug-naive patients whose HIV RNA became undetectable (< 500 copies/ml) within the first 9 months of treatment, which should be an approximate guide to good adherence with the initial HAART regimen received and to its efficacy. Previous cohort studies correlating baseline CD4 cell counts with clinical progression during treatment may have included patients with poor adherence to treatment or with prior resistance to components of the HAART regimen received, which may also have correlated with low CD4 cell count.
Potential Impacts of PCBs on Sediment Microbiomes in a Tropical Marine Environment

Within the tropical marine study site of Guanica Bay, Puerto Rico, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are subjected to coastal and oceanic currents coupled with marine microbial and geochemical processes. To evaluate these processes a hydrodynamic model was developed to simulate the transport of PCBs within nearshore and offshore marine areas of Guanica Bay. Material transport and circulation information from the model were matched with measurements from samples collected from within the bay. These samples, consisting of both intertidal and submerged sediments, were analyzed for physical characteristics (organic carbon, grain size, and mineralogy), microbial characteristics (target bacteria levels and microbial community analyses), presence of PCBs, and PCB-degrading enzymes. Results show that the bay geometry and bathymetry limit the mixing of the extremely high levels of PCBs observed in the eastern portion of the bay. Bay bottom sediments showed the highest levels of PCBs and these sediments were characterized by high organic carbon content and finer grain size. Detectable levels of PCBs were also observed within sediments found along the shore. Microbes from the bay bottom sediments showed a greater relative abundance of microbes from the Chloroflexi, phylum with close phylogenetic associations with known anaerobic PCB-degrading organisms. Based on quantitative PCR measurement of the biphenyl dioxygenase gene, the intertidal sediments showed the greatest potential for aerobic PCB degradation. These results elucidate particular mechanisms of PCB’s fate and transport in coastal, tropical marine environments.
Public knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy in Majmaah

Objectives: Epilepsy is very common in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, occurring in 6.54 out of every 1000 individuals. The current study was conducted to determine the level of public awareness of and attitudes toward epilepsy in the city of Majmaah, Saudi Arabia. Subjects and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in Majmaah, Saudi Arabia. The study population included respondents derived from preselected public places in the city. Stratified random sampling was used, and the sample size was made up of 706 individuals. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection from respondents after receiving their verbal consent. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 2.0. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Majmaah University. Results: The results showed that 575 (81.4%) of the respondents had heard or read about epilepsy. Almost 50% of the respondents knew someone who had epilepsy, and 393 (55.7%) had witnessed what they believed to be a seizure. Results showed that 555 (78.6%) respondents believed that epilepsy was neither a contagious disease nor a type of insanity. It was found that 335 (47.5%) stated that epilepsy was a brain disease, and almost one-quarter of the respondents said that the manifestation of an epileptic episode is a convulsion. Regarding attitude, 49% and 47.3% of respondents stated that they would not allow their children to interact with individuals with epilepsy and would object to marrying an individual with epilepsy, respectively. Conclusion: Although knowledge about epilepsy is improving, it is still not adequate. The study showed that the attitude toward epilepsy is poor.
Building of the Amsterdam‐Saint Paul plateau: A 10 Myr history of a ridge‐hot spot interaction and variations in the strength of the hot spot source

The Amsterdam-Saint Paul plateau results from a 10 Myr interaction between the South East Indian Ridge and the Amsterdam-Saint Paul hot spot. During this period of time, the structure of the plateau changed as a consequence of changes in both the ridge-hot spot relative distance and in the strength of the hot spot source. The joint analysis of gravity-derived crust thickness and bathymetry reveals that the plateau started to form at similar to 10 Ma by an increase of the crustal production at the ridge axis, due to the nearby hot spot. This phase, which lasted 3-4 Myr, corresponds to a period of a strong hot spot source, maybe due to a high temperature or material flux, and decreasing ridge-hot spot distance. A second phase, between similar to 6 and similar to 3 Ma, corresponds to a decrease in the ridge crustal production. During this period, the hot spot center was close to the ridge axis and this reduced magmatic activity suggests a weak hot spot source. At similar to 3 Ma, the ridge was located approximately above the hot spot center. An increase in the hot spot source strength then resulted in the building of the shallower part of the plateau. The variations of the melt production at the ridge axis through time resulted in variations in crustal thickness but also in changes in the ridge morphology. The two periods of increased melt production correspond to smooth ridge morphology, characterized by axial highs, while the intermediate period corresponds to a rougher, rift-valley morphology. These variations reveal changes in axial thermal structure due to higher melting production rates and temperatures.
Suicidal Behavior in Schizophrenia: A Test of the Demoralization Hypothesis

This study examined Drake's model that individuals with schizophrenia with good premorbid adjustment and insight into their illness are more vulnerable to becoming demoralized and therefore suicidal. One hundred sixty-four patients with schizophrenia (N = 115) or schizoaffective disorder (N = 49) were assessed for depressive symptoms and DSM-III-R depression, premorbid functioning, insight and suicidal behavior using The Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies and the Premorbid Adjustment Scale. Premorbid adjustment, insight and past MDE did not discriminate attempters from nonattempters, contrary to the model. However, consistent with the model, the interaction between good premorbid adjustment and insight predicted severity of depressive symptoms, and the psychological symptoms of depression significantly differentiated attempters from nonattempters, whereas the somatic symptoms did not. This study provides support for some aspects of the demoralization model.
Brazed Joint Interface Bonding Strength of AR500 Steel and AA7075 Aluminium Alloy

The joining of aluminium alloys to steels has been extensively studied, especially in the automotive sector. However, aluminium alloys are known to be difficult to join with steels when methods involving fusion welding are used because of the hot cracking problem. Hence, a high-strength joint between these dissimilar metals would be of benefit especially in reducing the weight of products. In this work, the torch-brazing method was applied to join AR500 steel with AA7075 aluminium alloy using Al–Si–Zn base filler metal at various flame times. The effects of the brazing work on the intermetallic phase formation and the mechanical strength of the joints were investigated. In this work, the maximum shear load obtained was 6460 N and the presence of the intermetallic phases had reduced the shear strength of the brazed joints. However, the torch-brazing process using Al–Si–Zn filler metal had successfully facilitated the joining of these dissimilar metals.
Association Analysis of Polymorphisms in Genes Related to Oxidative Stress in South Indian Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Retinopathy

Abstract Background: Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and is polygenic with a multitude of genes contributing to disease susceptibility. The present study aimed at exploring the association between DR and seven polymorphisms in oxidative stress-related genes, i.e. ACE, eNOS, p22phox subunit of NAD(P)H oxidase, PARP-1 and XRCC1 in South Indian T2DM subjects. Materials and methods: The study included 149 T2DM subjects with DR (diagnosed through funduscopic examination) and 162 T2DM patients with no evidence of DR. The selected polymorphisms were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Taqman allele discrimination assay. Results: There was no significant difference in the genotype and allele distribution of ACE ins/del, eNOS-786T>C, 894G>T, 4a4b and p22phox 242C>T polymorphisms between T2DM groups with and without DR. Contrastingly, there appeared to be a significant association of PARP-1 Val762Ala and XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphisms with DR, wherein 762Ala allele seemed to confer significant protection against DR (p = 0.01; OR = 0.51 [0.3–0.86]), while the presence of 399Gln allele was associated with an enhanced risk for DR (p = 0.02; OR = 1.52 [1.07–2.15]). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a significant and independent association of Val762Ala and Arg399Gln polymorphisms and other putative risk factors with DR in T2DM individuals. Conclusions: The polymorphisms in the DNA repair genes PARP-1 and XRCC1 tended to associate significantly with DR. While Val762Ala polymorphism was associated with reduced susceptibility to DR, the Arg399Gln polymorphism contributed an elevated to risk for DR in South-Indian T2DM individuals.
Exploring the Relationship between Research Impact and Collaborations for Information Science

In this study, we examine whether internal and external collaboration (considering institutional and national levels) among scientific associates with research impact relates to research performance. We extract data from Scopus, a bibliometric database, searching for journal publications having 'information science' phrase in their title or keywords or abstracts and retrieve totally 4,579 publications. Spearman correlation rank test is used to examine the hypotheses. Analysis of collected data shows that publication's impact is significantly and positively associated with collaboration indicators based on authors' affiliations. However, internal collaborations at both institutional and national levels show stronger associations with publications' impact than external collaborations do.
Indolent palatal swelling: Catch 22

We present an interesting but intriguing case of an indolent palatal swelling. The lesion was asymptomatic causing little discomfort to the patient and thus was an incidental clinical finding. Provisional diagnosis was a benign, minor salivary gland tumor. Clinical differential diagnoses included benign lymphoepithelial lesion or mucus extravasation phenomenon. Nevertheless, we also considered malignancies such as mucoepidermoid carcinoma, lymphoma, and neoplasm of the maxillary sinus. However, the histopathology revealed a rare clinicopathologic entity prompting immediate treatment of the lesion.