Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of iron dysregulation in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis: an Egyptian study

Background Iron is essential for virtually all types of cells and organisms. The significance of iron for brain function is reflected by the presence of receptors for transferrin on brain capillary endothelial cells. Iron imbalance is associated with proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress, which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Transferrin receptor (TfR) is the major mediator of iron uptake. Its expression is increased to facilitate iron entrance into the cell. The increased serum level of soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) may indicate an abnormal intracellular distribution of iron and a decrease in the cytoplasmic compartment. Objective Our objective is to assess the possible role of iron metabolism dysfunction in the pathogenesis of MS. Methods Thirty subjects were selected from the Neurology Department of Kasr El-Aini hospital, Cairo University: 20 MS patients, where nine patients were relapsing and progressive (secondary progressive (SP) of which six were secondary progressive active (SP-A) and three were secondary progressive stable (SP-S)), seven were relapsing–remitting active (RR-A) and four were primary progressive (PP); and 10 control subjects matched in age and sex. Each patient was subjected to a thorough general medical and neurological examination, Kurtzke MS rating scales, laboratory assessment, neuro-imaging, evoked potentials and quantitative determination of the indices of iron metabolism, such as serum iron and sTfR. Results The serum level of sTfR was significantly higher in our MS patients compared with the control group (p = 0.0001). The levels were significantly higher in SP-A (p = 0.001), SP-S (p = 0.01), RR-A (p = 0.0001) and PP (p = 0.003) patients than in controls. Iron values were within normal limits in all patients. The increased serum sTfR level in non-anemic MS patients with active disease reflects the increased iron turnover. The elevation of sTfR levels in stable patients may indicate active inflammation with ongoing oxidative damage that is not detectable by history or examination. Conclusions Iron overload and upregulation of iron-handling proteins, such as TfR, in the MS brain can contribute to pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis and iron imbalance is associated with a prooxidative stress and a proinflammatory environment, this suggest that iron could be a target for MS therapy to improve neuronal iron metabolism.
Computer model for harmonic ultrasound imaging

Harmonic ultrasound imaging has received great attention from ultrasound scanner manufacturers and researchers. Here, the authors present a computer model that can generate realistic harmonic images. In this model, the incident ultrasound is modeled after the "KZK" equation, and the echo signal is modeled using linear propagation theory because the echo signal is much weaker than the incident pulse. Both time domain and frequency domain numerical solutions to the "KZK" equation were studied. Realistic harmonic images of spherical lesion phantoms were generated for scans by a circular transducer. This model can be a very useful tool for studying the harmonic buildup and dissipation processes in a nonlinear medium, and it can be used to investigate a wide variety of topics related to B-mode harmonic imaging.
Long-term Memory of Foreign-word Learning by Short Movies for iPods

In this study, we proposed and implemented "MultiPod", an online educational system for learning foreign words. This system is based on iPods and it uses word learning materials of very short movies. Each learning material consists of a 5-second moving image that corresponds to the word to be learned, its spelling, and its pronunciation. We conducted an evaluation experiment with ten subjects in which we compared the learning method based on our system against the traditional paper-and-pen method. By the t-test for the results, we proved that there is a significant difference between the long-term effectiveness of MultiPod and that of the paper-and- pen method.
Corrosion resistance and self-cleaning behaviour of Ni/a-C: H superhydrophobic films

Superhydrophobic nickel-incorporated carbon-based (Ni/a-C:H) nanocomposite films were prepared successfully on Si substrate via the one-step electrochemical deposition method using methanol as the carbon source and nickel (II) acetylacetonate as the dopant under high voltage, atmospheric pressure and low temperature. Surprisingly, this one-step electrochemical deposited Ni/a-C:H nanocomposite films could achieve superhydrophobic surface. Results showed that without any further modifications by low surface energy materials, the water contact angle of 154.21° and sliding angle of 7.96° were obtained, which attribute to the irregular petaloid structures. In addition, the corrosion resistance tests demonstrated the Ni/a-C:H films deposited at a Ni content of 0.08 mg/ml had excellent corrosion resistance. And the self-cleaning test revealed that the Ni/a-C:H films surface had excellent self-cleaning properties, which indicated this kind of film might have a promising application in the field of drag reduction and self-cleaning.
Positive–negative-selection-mediated gene targeting in rice

Gene targeting (GT) refers to the designed modification of genomic sequence(s) through homologous recombination (HR). GT is a powerful tool both for the study of gene function and for molecular breeding. However, in transformation of higher plants, non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) occurs overwhelmingly in somatic cells, masking HR-mediated GT. Positive–negative selection (PNS) is an approach for finding HR-mediated GT events because it can eliminate NHEJ effectively by expression of a negative-selection marker gene. In rice—a major crop worldwide—reproducible PNS-mediated GT of endogenous genes has now been successfully achieved. The procedure is based on strong PNS using diphtheria toxin A-fragment as a negative marker, and has succeeded in the directed modification of several endogenous rice genes in various ways. In addition to gene knock-outs and knock-ins, a nucleotide substitution in a target gene was also achieved recently. This review presents a summary of the development of the rice PNS system, highlighting its advantages. Different types of gene modification and gene editing aimed at developing new plant breeding technology based on PNS are discussed.
The role of hopelessness and meaning in life in a clinical sample with non‐suicidal self‐injury and suicide attempts

Background: Non‐suicidal self‐injury (NSSI) and suicide attempts (SA) lie on a continuum of self‐harm, and literature has shown that patients with suicidal intent constitute a more severe group. Method: This study aimed to explore differences in the facets of hopelessness (Beck Hopelessness Scale) and meaning in life (Purpose in Life Test) in a clinical sample of 150 patients with a diagnosis of a mental disorder with: a) no NSSI/SA, b) only NSSI, or c) SA/NSSI and SA. Results: The results showed statistically significant differences between the groups in the affective dimension, but they showed similar levels of meaning in life in both groups. Conclusion: These findings highlight that affective hopelessness can lead to suicide attempts, and that meaning in life underlies the continuum of self‐harm. Implications for psychotherapeutic interventions are discussed. Resumen El papel de la desesperanza y el sentido de la vida en una muestra clínica con autolesiones no suicidas e intentos suicidas. Antecedentes: las autolesiones no suicidas y los intentos de suicidio se sitúan en el continuo de las conductas autolesivas, en el que los pacientes con una historia de intentos de suicidio constituyen el grupo de mayor gravedad. Método: en este trabajo nos planteamos explorar diferencias en desesperanza y sus distintas facetas (Escala de Desesperanza de Beck), así como en sentido de la vida (Purpose in Life Test) en una muestra clínica compuesta por 150 pacientes con un diagnóstico de trastorno mental: a) sin autolesiones no suicidas ni intentos de suicidio, b) únicamente con autolesiones no suicidas o c) con intentos de suicidio/ambos tipos de conductas. Resultados: los resultados mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos en desesperanza afectiva y niveles similares en sentido de la vida. Conclusiones: estos resultados subrayan que la desesperanza afectiva se relaciona con los intentos suicidas, y que los niveles bajos de sentido de la vida están a la base de las conductas autolesivas. Se discuten las implicaciones terapéuticas derivadas de estos resultados.
A study of bone turnover markers in gestational diabetes mellitus

Introduction: Gestational diabetes is defined as carbohydrate intolerance resulting in hyperglycemia of variable severity with the first recognition during pregnancy. Established risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are maternal age, obesity, family history of diabetes, etc. Vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and various other hormones are known for their function in maintaining calcium and phosphorous homeostatic. Furthermore, Vitamin D, PTH serum ionized calcium, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) have been reported to be altered with glucose homeostasis. The present study compares the bone markers in pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at outpatient antenatal check-up clinic and outpatient diabetic clinics at J. N. Medical College and Hospital, Aligarh. One hundred pregnant females, of which fifty with GDM and fifty without GDM, were included in the study from January 2014 to November 2015. Detailed history, physical examination, and anthropometric measurement were done. Bone turnover markers in the form of Vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, serum ionized calcium, and serum ALP were measured in pregnant women who had gestational diabetes which was compared with normal pregnant women. Results: In our study, the mean age of participate of GDM group was 28.2 ± 3 years, while the mean age group in non-GDM group was 25.44 ± 2.78 years. Ionized calcium in GDM was found to be 4.606 ± 0.354 mEq/L, while in non-GDM, it was 4.548 ± 0.384 mEq/L, P = 0.430. Vitamin D came out to be 21.80 ± 9.48 ng/ml, while it was 32.346 ± 8.37 ng/ml in non-GDM group. Serum PTH in GDM group was 71.436 ± 36.189 pg/ml and 37.168 ± 8.128 pg/ml in nondiabetic gestational group. Serum ALP in GDM group was 9.1 ± 4.56 KA U/dl and 6.98 ± 2.2 KA U/dl in nondiabetic gestational group, P - 0.0038. In GDM group, there was a significant negative linear correlation between PTH and 25-hydroxyvitamin D with research correlation coefficient r = −0.9073, P = 0; there was a significant positive linear correlation coefficient between PTH and ALP with Persian correlation coefficient r = 0.6597, P = 0; there was no statistically significant correlation between PTH and ionized calcium r = 0.1416, P = 0.3267. Conclusion: All GDM subjects should ideally be screened for serum calcium, vitamin D, PTH, ALP. If found impaired should immediately be corrected in order to prevent its adverse effects on maternal and fetal outcome. Vitamin D supplementation should ideally be initiated in all GDM females even if the above parameters are not investigated in Indian setup.
SnO2 Nanosheets for Selective Alkene Gas Sensing

SnO2 nanosheets with the (101) crystal face mainly exposed were prepared to investigate their sensing properties. The SnO2 nanosheets were ∼150 nm in size and well-dispersed on the sensor chip. The gas sensing properties of the SnO2 nanosheets were investigated for CH4, C2H4, C2H6, C3H6, C3H8, 1-C4H8, cis-2-C4H8, trans-2-C4H8, iso-C4H8, and n-C4H10 gases. Additionally, the relationship between the sensor signal response of the SnO2 nanosheets and the orbital energy of the target gas molecules was investigated. It was found that the sensor exhibited remarkable selectivity to alkene gases which have high HOMO energies. The presence of partially unoccupied oxygen sites was confirmed from crystal structure analysis. In addition, defects on the surface of the SnO2 nanosheets were certainly identified from the surface analysis. On the basis of these results, it was determined that the gas selectivity for alkene gases of the SnO2 gas sensor was improved by the formation of oxygen vacancy defects. This effect is .
Thermal BEC Black Holes

We review some features of Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) models of black holes obtained by means of the horizon wave function formalism. We consider the Klein–Gordon equation for a toy graviton field coupled to a static matter current in a spherically-symmetric setup. The classical field reproduces the Newtonian potential generated by the matter source, while the corresponding quantum state is given by a coherent superposition of scalar modes with a continuous occupation number. An attractive self-interaction is needed for bound states to form, the case in which one finds that (approximately) one mode is allowed, and the system of N bosons can be self-confined in a volume of the size of the Schwarzschild radius. The horizon wave function formalism is then used to show that the radius of such a system corresponds to a proper horizon. The uncertainty in the size of the horizon is related to the typical energy of Hawking modes: it decreases with the increasing of the black hole mass (larger number of gravitons), resulting in agreement with the semiclassical calculations and which does not hold for a single very massive particle. The spectrum of these systems has two components: a discrete ground state of energy m (the bosons forming the black hole) and a continuous spectrum with energy ω > m (representing the Hawking radiation and modeled with a Planckian distribution at the expected Hawking temperature). Assuming the main effect of the internal scatterings is the Hawking radiation, the N-particle state can be collectively described by a single-particle wave-function given by a superposition of a total ground state with energy M = Nm and Entropy 2015, 17 6894 a Planckian distribution for E > M at the same Hawking temperature. This can be used to compute the partition function and to find the usual area law for the entropy, with a logarithmic correction related to the Hawking component. The backreaction of modes with ω > m is also shown to reduce the Hawking flux. The above corrections suggest that for black holes in this quantum state, the evaporation properly stops for a vanishing mass.
Evaluation of four sensitive troponin assays for risk assessment in acute coronary syndromes using a new clinically oriented approach for comparison of assays

Abstract Background: Measurement of cardiac troponin T or I (cTnT; cTnI) is useful for risk prediction in acute coronary syndromes. The objective of the present study was to compare the prognostic capacity of four sensitive cardiac troponin assays using a new method for comparison. Methods: Cardiac troponin was analyzed in serum samples from 1335 patients with acute coronary syndrome using the Elecsys high sensitivity TnT (hs-cTnT), ARCHITECT STAT high sensitivity TnI (hs-cTnI), Access AccuTnI (Acc-cTnI) and Architect cTnI (Arc-cTnI) assays. All patients were followed for 30 days regarding death and acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and for 1 year regarding mortality. Results: By receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses, there were only minor differences in the area under the curves (AUC) between the assays. At a given sensitivity of 85% the hs-cTnT, Arc-cTnI and Acc-cTnI assays showed comparable specificities, while 90% or higher sensitivity was only possible to achieve with the hs-cTnT, hs-cTnI and Acc-cTnI assays. The highest odds ratios for death/AMI at 30 days and death at 1 year, respectively, were reached by cut-off levels yielding 95% sensitivity; these cut-off levels were below the respective 99th percentile levels. Conclusions: By the adoption of a new method for the comparison of cardiac troponin assays we showed that the hs-cTnT, hs-cTnI and Acc-cTnI assays had comparable prognostic properties, while the Arc-cTnI assay had inferior prognostic sensitivity.
Beneficial effects of 2 years of administration of parenteral testosterone undecanoate on the metabolic syndrome and on non-alcoholic liver steatosis and C-reactive protein

Abstract Background: Elderly men often show a concurrence of a decline of testosterone with attributes of the metabolic syndrome. This study tested the effects of normalization of testosterone. Materials and methods: A total of 122 hypogonadal men (18–83 years, mean 59.6±8.0 years; n=11<45 years, n=25<55 years, n=53<65 years) were included in the study. Their baseline testosterone levels were between 0.14 and 4.51 ng/mL (n>4.90 ng/mL) and were treated with parenteral testosterone undecanoate for 2 years as the sole intervention (administration at 0 and 6 weeks, and thereafter every 12 weeks). Results: Plasma testosterone increased from 3.3±1.9 ng/mL to 4.1±1.5 ng/mL (p<0.01) at 3 months, and then stabilized at 6.8±1.3 ng/mL after the first 6 months. There was a remarkable progressive linear decline in body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference over the entire study period. Plasma cholesterol decreased significantly over the first 12 months, and then stabilized. Plasma glucose, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and C-reactive protein decreased significantly and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased significantly over the 24-month study period in a non-linear manner. There was a significant decrease in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels over the first 9 and 12 months, and then values leveled off. Changes in variables were largely correlated with changes in testosterone levels. At baseline, 47 out of 122 subjects fulfilled the metabolic syndrome criteria as defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program (2001); after 2 years of testosterone treatment, this number had declined to 11 out of 122 subjects. Conclusion: With testosterone treatment over 2 years, the most significant improvement of the metabolic syndrome was noted over the first 12 months, but over the following 12 months further improvement was also observed. With regard to safety of testosterone administration to mainly elderly men, a number of safety measures were carried out.
Emission Laws and Influence Factors of Greenhouse Gases in Saline-Alkali Paddy Fields

The study of greenhouse gas emissions has become a global focus, but few studies have considered saline-alkali paddy fields. Gas samples and saline-alkali soil samples were collected during the green, tillering, booting, heading and grain filling stages. The emission fluxes of CO 2 , CH 4 , and N 2 O as well as the pH, soil soluble salt, available nitrogen, and soil organic carbon contents were detected to reveal the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission laws and influence factors in saline-alkali paddy fields. Overall, GHG emissions of paddy soil during the growing season increased, then decreased, and then increased again and peaked at booting stage. The emission fluxes of CO 2 and CH 4 were observed as having two peaks and a single peak, respectively. Both the total amount of GHG emission and its different components of CO 2 , CH 4 , and N 2 O increased with the increasing reclamation period of paddy fields. A positive correlation was found between the respective emission fluxes of CO2, CH 4 , and N 2 O and the available nitrogen and SOC, whereas a negative correlation was revealed between the fluxes of CO 2 , CH 4 , and N 2 O and soil pH and soil conductivity. The study is beneficial to assessing the impact of paddy reclamation on regional greenhouse gas emissions and is relevant to illustrating the mechanisms concerning the carbon cycle in paddy soils.
Molecular lesions in childhood and adult acute megakaryoblastic leukaemia

While acute megakaryoblastic leukaemia (AMKL) occurs in children with (DS‐AMKL) and without (paediatric non‐DS‐AMKL) Down syndrome, it can also affect adults without DS (adult non‐DS‐AMKL). We have analysed these subgroups of patients (11 children with DS‐AMKL, 12 children and four adults with non‐DS‐AMKL) for the presence of molecular lesions, including mutations and chromosomal abnormalities studied by sequencing and single nucleotide polymorphism array‐based karyotyping, respectively. In children, AMKL was associated with trisomy 21 (somatic in non‐DS‐AMKL), while numerical aberrations of chromosome 21 were only rarely associated with adult AMKL. DS‐AMKL was also associated with recurrent somatic gains of 1q (4/11 DS‐AMKL patients). In contrast to trisomy 21 and gains of 1q, other additional chromosomal lesions were evenly distributed between children and adults with AMKL. A mutational screen found GATA1 mutations in 11/12 DS‐AMKL, but mutations were rare in paediatric non‐DS‐AMKL (1/12) and adult AMKL (0/4). JAK3 (1/11), JAK2 (1/11), and TP53 mutations (1/11) were found only in patients with DS‐AMKL. ASXL1, IDH1/2, DNMT3A, RUNX1 and CBL mutations were not found in any of the patient group studied, while NRAS mutation was identified in two patients with paediatric non‐DS‐AMKL.
Development of functional milk desserts enriched with resistant starch based on consumers’ perception

Sensory characteristics play a key role in determining consumers’ acceptance of functional foods. In this context, the aim of the present work was to apply a combination of sensory and consumer methodologies to the development of chocolate milk desserts enriched with resistant starch. Chocolate milk desserts containing modified waxy maize starch were formulated with six different concentrations of two types of resistant starch (which are part of insoluble dietary fiber). The desserts were evaluated by trained assessors using Quantitative Descriptive Analysis. Moreover, consumers scored their overall liking and willingness to purchase and answered an open-ended question. Resistant starch caused significant changes in the sensory characteristics of the desserts and a significant decrease in consumers’ overall liking and willingness to purchase. Consumer data was analyzed applying survival analysis on overall liking scores, considering the risk on consumers liking and willing to purchase the functional products less than their regular counterparts. The proposed methodologies proved to be useful to develop functional foods taking into account consumers’ perception, which could increase their success in the market.
The relationship between organizational climate and quality of chronic disease management.

OBJECTIVE To test the utility of a two-dimensional model of organizational climate for explaining variation in diabetes care between primary care clinics. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING Secondary data were obtained from 223 primary care clinics in the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system. STUDY DESIGN Organizational climate was defined using the dimensions of task and relational climate. The association between primary care organizational climate and diabetes processes and intermediate outcomes were estimated for 4,539 patients in a cross-sectional study. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS All data were collected from administrative datasets. The climate data were drawn from the 2007 VA All Employee Survey, and the outcomes data were collected as part of the VA External Peer Review Program. Climate data were aggregated to the facility level of analysis and merged with patient-level data. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Relational climate was related to an increased likelihood of diabetes care process adherence, with significant but small effects for adherence to intermediate outcomes. Task climate was generally not shown to be related to adherence. CONCLUSIONS The role of relational climate in predicting the quality of chronic care was supported. Future research should examine the mediators and moderators of relational climate and further investigate task climate.