Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Induction of Aldose Reductase Gene Expression in LEC Rats during the Development of the Hereditary Hepatitis and Hepatoma

We examined age‐related changes in the protein and the mRNA expression of aldose reductase in livers of Long‐Evans with a cinnamon‐like color (LEC) rats, which develop hereditary hepatitis and hepatoma with aging, using Long‐Evans with an agouti color rats as controls. The levels of the protein and mRNA of aldose reductase increased after 20 weeks, at the stage of acute hepatitis, and were maintained at 60 weeks of age, while those of aldehyde reductase seemed to be constant at all ages. The expression of aldose reductase was marked in cancerous lesions in hepatoma‐bearing LEC rat liver compared to uninvolved surrounding tissues. These results indicated that elevation of aldose reductase accompanied hepatocarcinogenesis and may be related to the acquisition of immortality of the cancer cells through detoxifying cytotoxic aldehyde compounds.
ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF CASSIA KLEINII LEAF IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS AND ISOLATION OF AN ACTIVE FRACTION AND TOXICITY EVALUATION OF THE EXTRACT

Objective: (i) To study the efficacy of Cassia kleinii leaf (ethanol extract) in streptozotocin diabetic rats. (ii) To isolate the active fraction from the ethanol extract. (iii) To evaluate acute and short-term general toxicity in male mice. Methods: (i) The alcohol extract of the plant leaf was tested for its efficacy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. (ii) The extract was evaluated for its acute and short term general toxicity in male mice. (iii) The aqueous suspension of ethanol extract was successively extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and butanol. Each fraction was tested for antihyperglycemic activity using glucose tolerance test in rats. The active chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions were subjected to qualitative chemical analysis. Results: In streptozotocin-diabetic rats the alcohol extract (200 mg/kg) showed significant antidiabetic property as judged from body weight, serum glucose, lipids, cholesterol and urea, and liver glycogen levels. However, the extract did not significantly influence the levels of serum insulin in both diabetic and normoglycemic rats. The alcohol extract was devoid of any conspicuous acute and short term general toxicity in mice. The antihyperglycemic activity was found predominantly in the chloroform fraction of alcohol extract, which contained terpenoids, coumarins and saponins. Conclusion: The active fraction of Cassia kleinii leaf extract is very promising to develop standardized phytomedicine for diabetes mellitus.
The Prevalence of Osteopenia and Osteoporosis Among Malaysian Type 2 Diabetic Patients Using Quantitative Ultrasound Densitometer

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and osteoporosis are both chronic conditions and the relationship between them is complex. Objective: The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of Low Bone Mineral density (LBMD, i.e., osteopenia and osteoporosis), as well as, the difference and associations between Quantitative Ultrasound Scan (QUS) parameters with socio-demographic data and clinical related data among T2DM in Penang, Malaysia. Method: An observational, cross-sectional study with a convenient sample of 450 T2DM patients were recruited from the outpatient diabetes clinic at Hospital Pulau Pinang (HPP) to measure Bone Mineral Density (BMD) at the heel bone using QUS. In addition, a self-reported structured questionnaire about the socio-demographic data and osteoporosis risk factors were collected. Moreover, the study included the retrospective collection of clinical data from patients’ medical records. Results: The mean value of T-score for normal BMD, osteopenic and osteoporotic patients’ were (-0.41±0.44), (-1.65±0.39) and (-2.76±0.27), respectively. According to QUS measurements, more than three quarters of T2DM patients (82%) were at high risk of abnormal BMD. The results showed that QUS scores were significantly associated with age, gender, menopausal duration, educational level and diabetic related data. Moreover, the QUS parameters and T-scores demonstrated significant negative correlation with age, menopausal duration, diabetic duration and glycaemic control, as well as, a positive correlation with body mass index and waist to hip ratio. The current study revealed that none of the cardiovascular disease risk factors appear to influence the prevalence of low BMD among T2DM Malaysian patients. Conclusion: The study findings revealed that the assessment of T2DM patients’ bone health and related factor are essential and future educational programs are crucial to improve osteoporosis management.
THE CHALLENGES FACING COMMERCIAL MOTORCYCLE OCCUPATION IN ETSAKO WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined the challenges facing commercial motorcycle occupation in Edo State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted. Data were collected through questionnaires and in-depth interviews (IDIs) among selected motorcyclists, police officers and road safety officials in Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo State. A total of 255 questionnaires were administered and 10 in-depth interviews were conducted. Data analyses involved univariate and content analyses. The findings revealed that social stigmatization due to the use of motorcycles for criminal activities, lack of protection and inadequate clothing for riders, recklessness, impatience, over speeding and non-compliance to traffic rules, ban and arrest of innocent motorcyclists and payment of incessant levies are the major challenges of commercial motorcyclists in Etsako West, Edo State. The findings were discussed with reference to relevant empirical literatures, and with recommendations both for practice and future research highlighted.
Dispersion engineering via nonlocal transformation optics

Transformation optics (TO) is one of the most powerful and versatile frameworks for the systematic design of artificial media. Recently (G. Castaldi et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 108, 063902, 2012), we have proposed an extension of this approach that enables the manipulation and control of nonlocal light-matter interactions, which are becoming increasingly relevant in a variety of metamaterial applications, including artificial magnetism and ultrafast nonlinear optics. Instead of spatially-changing refractive properties, we introduced a framework of transformation media that can tailor the wave interaction in the reciprocal space of spatial wave-numbers, so as to induce desired nonlocal effects. This approach relies on the increased availability of nonlocal homogenization models, and admits a powerful geometrical interpretation in terms of direct manipulation of the equifrequency contours. Overall, it allows designing artificial materials with much broader degrees of freedom, including the possibility of nonlocal signal processing.
Reject or Redemptive Fathers? A Content Analysis of Father Portrayals in Top Box Office Family Films

Reject or Redemptive Fathers? A Content Analysis of Father Portrayals in Top Box Office Family Films Cassidy Jo Wadsworth School of Communications, BYU Master of Arts More research is needed to fully understand the way in which parents, particularly fathers, are portrayed in family films and the effects those portrayals might have. Viewers, particularly parents, need to understand how the material their children view presents reality and how it may shape their children’s perspectives of the real world, particularly where the family unit and parenting role are concerned. By exploring these portrayals through the lens of Cultivation Theory, this study sought to answer this overarching question: How are fathers portrayed in family films as opposed to television? This quantitative study explores the top twenty films from the 1980s, the 1990s and the decade spanning 2004-2014 in order to ascertain this. Families within those films, particularly parents and most specifically fathers, are the primary subjects of study. Observations were made through content analysis. The findings show that fathers are portrayed more positively in family films than they are on television. The data suggests that the differences between fathers and mothers in film is not so marked and sexist as it is in television shows, and that fathers exert a stronger and more positive role in film families than they do in television families. This study begins to establish film as a genre to further be explored as a medium for family relations studies as television has been. Film is a powerful media tool in its own right and should further be studied with regard to portrayal of families in its material.
Student attitudes to studying A-level sciences

This paper reports on a study of sixth form students' attitudes to the study of sciences at Advanced level, and the factors that influenced the students in deciding whether to take those subjects. In discussions about the public understanding of science, it is often assumed that the sciences can be discussed together. In this study, attitudes to biology are shown to be significantly different from attitudes to the physical sciences; and the perception of difficulty is a major influence on student choice. Perceptions of career prospects and reasons for the gender imbalance in physical sciences gave some unexpected responses. A purposive sample of 175 able students was taken from the lower sixth (year 12) in four schools in Gloucestershire, UK. The survey compared attitudes of those studying at least one science with attitudes of those who studied none.
Evaluation of Clinicopathological and Risk Factors for Nonmalignant H. Pylori Associated Gastroduodenal Disorders in Iraqi Patients

AIM: To determine the risk factors associated with H. pylori infection and possible correlation with clinicopathological parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Gastroduodenal biopsies were examined by rapid urease test and Gram staining. Cag A cytotoxin was detected by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Risk of H. pylori acquisition reported as following: Males have 1.38 fold, rural residents have 0.63 fold, Nonsmokers have 0.39 fold, mild smokers have 18 fold, and moderate smokers have 1.4 fold while heavy smokers have 1 fold. A person who’s in contact with animals has 1.52 fold risks. Illiterates and patients with primary education have 5.36 & 3 fold risk respectively. Patients under proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy have 1.02 fold. Patients under NSAID therapy have 3.48 fold while nonalcoholic Patients have 0.75 fold. Patients using tap water have 0.45 fold risk. H. pylori infection positively correlated with age, weight loss, and heartburn. H. pylori inversely correlated with endoscopic diagnosis, Cag A positivity, and education level. Cag A positivity correlated with animal contact and NSAID usage. CONCLUSIONS: Several life style factors, education, animal contact, using of PPI, and NSAIDs increase the risk of H. pylori infection. Weight loss and heartburn cardinal signs for H. pylori infection. Endoscopic diagnosis and clinicopathological parameters not strictly associated with Cag A positivity.
Low-Level Laser-Accelerated Peripheral Nerve Regeneration within a Reinforced Nerve Conduit across a Large Gap of the Transected Sciatic Nerve in Rats

This study proposed a novel combination of neural regeneration techniques for the repair of damaged peripheral nerves. A biodegradable nerve conduit containing genipin-cross-linked gelatin was annexed using beta-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) ceramic particles (genipin-gelatin-TCP, GGT) to bridge the transection of a 15 mm sciatic nerve in rats. Two trigger points were irradiated transcutaneously using 660 nm of gallium-aluminum arsenide phosphide (GaAlAsP) via laser diodes for 2 min daily over 10 consecutive days. Walking track analysis showed a significant improvement in sciatic functional index (SFI) (P < 0.01) and pronounced improvement in the toe spreading ability of rats undergoing laser stimulation. Electrophysiological measurements (peak amplitude and area) illustrated by compound muscle action potential (CMAP) curves demonstrated that laser stimulation significantly improved nerve function and reduced muscular atrophy. Histomorphometric assessments revealed that laser stimulation accelerated nerve regeneration over a larger area of neural tissue, resulting in axons of greater diameter and myelin sheaths of greater thickness than that observed in rats treated with nerve conduits alone. Motor function, electrophysiological reactions, muscular reinnervation, and histomorphometric assessments all demonstrate that the proposed therapy accelerated the repair of transected peripheral nerves bridged using a GGT nerve conduit.
Frugivory of Neosilba Species (Diptera: Lonchaeidae) and Thepytus echelta (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) on Psittacanthus (Santalales: Loranthaceae) in Ecotonal Cerrado-South Pantanal, Brazil

ABSTRACT This paper presents a survey of the insects that feed on fruits of Psittacanthus Martius (Santalales: Loranthaceae), a hemiparasitic mistletoe genus that infects trees in Brazil and other neotropical countries. The aim of the study was to identify candidate insects for biological control of Psittacanthus mistletoes. Unripe and mature fruits were collected in several localities of Cerrado, bordering South Pantanal, Southwestern Brazil, from 29 Apr 1998 to 30 Jul 2000. A total of 24,710 fruits (54 samples) of Psittacanthus acinarius infecting 15 species from 10 plant families were evaluated. Psittacanthus acinarius (Mart.) was the most abundant and frequent species of mistletoe parasitizing trees in the ecotonal Cerrado-Pantanal. From 24,710 fruits of Psittacanthus acinarius were obtained 1,812 insect larvae including 1,806 Neosilba McAlpine (Diptera: Lonchaeidae) species and 6 Thepytus echelta (Hewitson) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). From these emerged 1,550 Neosilba spp. adults and 6 T. echelta. Neosilba pantanense Strikis was described from this research. Larvae of T. echelta occurred in fruits of P. acinarius parasitizing Cecropia pachystachya Trécul (Urticaceae) and Anadenanthera colubrina (Vellozo) Brenan (Fabaceae). Larvae of Neosilba caused no adverse effects on the germination of infected fruits of Psittacanthus, because they do not eat the embryo or viscin tissues. This differs from the larvae of T. echelta that interrupted the germination of seeds by feeding on those tissues. Thepytus echelta may be a promising insect for the biological control of P. acinarius in the ecotonal Cerrado-Pantanal, although its abundance and frequency were low throughout the sampling period.
Inhibitory Effects of a Cyclosporin Derivative, SDZ PSC 833, on Transport of Doxorubicin and Vinblastine via Human P‐Glycoprotein

The inhibitory effects of SDZ PSC 833 (PSC833), a non‐immunosuppressive cyclosporin derivative, on the P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp)‐mediated transport of doxorubicin and vinblastine were compared with those of cyclosporin A (Cs‐A). The transcellular transport of the anticancer drugs and PSC833 across a monolayer of LLC‐GA5‐COL150 cells, which overexpress human P‐gp, was measured. Both PSC833 and Cs‐A inhibited P‐gp‐mediated transport of doxorubicin and vinblastine in a concentration‐dependent manner and increased the intracellular accumulation of doxorubicin and vinblastine in LLC‐GA5‐COL150 cells. The values of the 50%‐inhibitory concentration (IC50) of PSC833 and Cs‐A for doxorubicin transport were 0.29 and 3.66 μM, respectively, and those for vinblastine transport were 1.06 and 5.10 μM, respectively. The IC50 of PSC833 for doxorubicin transport was about 4‐fold less than that for vinblastine transport, suggesting that the combination of PSC833 and doxorubicin might be effective. PSC833 itself was not transported by P‐gp and had higher lipophilicity than Cs‐A. These results indicated that the inhibitory effect of PSC833 on P‐gp‐mediated transport was 5‐ to 10‐fold more potent than that of Cs‐A, and this higher inhibitory effect of PSC833 may be related to the absence of PSC833 transport by P‐gp and to the higher lipophilicity of PSC833.
Clinical and radiographic comparison of implants in regenerated or native bone: 5-year results.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to test whether or not implants associated with bone regeneration show the same survival and success rates as implants placed in native bone in patients requiring both forms of therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-four patients (median age of 60.3 years, range 18-77.7 years) had been treated 5 years before the follow-up examination. Machined screw-type implants were inserted following one of two surgical procedures: (1) simultaneously with a guided bone regeneration (GBR) procedure, which involved grafting with xenogenic bone substitute material, autogenous bone or a mixture of the two and defect covering with a bio-absorbable collagen membrane (test) and (2) standard implantation procedure without bone regeneration (control). For data recording, one test and one control implant from each patient were assessed. Examination included measurements of plaque control record (PCR), probing pocket depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP), width of keratinized mucosa (KM), frequency of situations with supra-mucosal location of the crown margin, implant survival assessment and radiographic examination. Radiographs were digitized to assess the marginal bone level (MBL). Differences between groups were tested using the one-sample t-test. The estimation of survival rate was based on Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS The follow-up period of the 34 GBR and 34 control implants ranged from 49 to 70 months (median time 57 months). Cumulative survival rates reached 100% for the GBR group and 94.1% for the control group without statistical significance. No statistically significant differences for clinical and radiographic parameters were found between the two groups regarding PCR, BOP, PPD, KM and MBL. CONCLUSION The present study showed that, clinically, implants placed with concomitant bone regeneration did not performed differently from implants placed into native bone with respect to implant survival, marginal bone height and peri-implant soft tissue parameters.
Solo doctors and ethical isolation

This paper uses the case of solo doctors to explore whether working in relative isolation from one’s peers may be detrimental to ethical decision-making. Drawing upon the relevance of communication and interaction for ethical decision-making in the ethical theories of Habermas, Mead and Gadamer, it is argued that doctors benefit from ethical discussion with their peers and that solo practice may make this more difficult. The paper identifies a paucity of empirical research related to solo practice and ethics but draws upon more general medical ethics research and a study that identified ethical isolation among community pharmacists to support the theoretical claims made. The paper concludes by using the literary analogy of Soderberg’s Doctor Glas to illustrate the issues raised and how ethical decision-making in relative isolation may be problematical.
Prevalence of and risk factors for depressive symptoms among young adolescents.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence, risk factors, and risk behaviors associated with depressive symptoms in a nationally representative, cross-sectional sample of young adolescents. DESIGN A school-based survey collected through self-administered questionnaires in grades 6, 8, and 10 in 1996. SETTING Schools in the United States. PARTICIPANTS 9863 students in grades 6, 8, and 10 (average ages, 11, 13, and 15). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Depressive symptoms, substance use, somatic symptoms, scholastic behaviors, and involvement in bullying. RESULTS Eighteen percent of youths reported symptoms of depression. A higher proportion of females (25%) reported depressive symptoms than males (10%). Prevalence of depressive symptoms increased by age for both males and females. Among American Indian youths, 29% reported depressive symptoms, as compared with 22% of Hispanic, 18% of white, 17% of Asian American, and 15% of African American youths. Youths who were frequently involved in bullying, either as perpetrators or as victims, were more than twice as likely to report depressive symptoms than those who were not involved in bullying. A significantly higher percentage of youths who reported using substances reported depressive symptoms as compared with other youths. Similarly, youths who reported experiencing somatic symptoms also reported significantly higher proportions of depressive symptoms than other youths. CONCLUSIONS Depression is a substantial and largely unrecognized problem among young adolescents that warrants an increased need and opportunity for identification and intervention at the middle school level. Understanding differences in prevalence between males and females and among racial/ethnic groups may be important to the recognition and treatment of depression among youths.
RtGender: A Corpus for Studying Differential Responses to Gender

Like many social variables, gender pervasively inﬂuences how people communicate with one another. However, prior computational work has largely focused on linguistic gender difference and communications about gender, rather than communications directed to people of that gender, in part due to lack of data. Here, we ﬁll a critical need by introducing a multi-genre corpus of more than 25M comments from ﬁve socially and topically diverse sources tagged for the gender of the addressee. Using these data, we describe pilot studies on how differential responses to gender can be measured and analyzed and present 30k annotations for the sentiment and relevance of these responses, showing that across our datasets responses to women are more likely to be emotive and about the speaker as an individual (rather than about the content being responded to). Our dataset enables studying socially important questions like gender bias, and has potential uses for downstream applications such as dialogue systems, gender detection or obfuscation, and debiasing language generation.
Title Beta-blocker management of refractory hemoptysis in cystic fibrosis : A novel treatment approach Permalink

Background/objective: Recurrent hemoptysis is a debilitating complication of cystic fibrosis (CF) and likely results from mucosal erosions into abnormal bronchial blood vessels due to chronic respiratory infection. We hypothesize that the use of beta-blockade will decrease mean arterial pressure resulting in lower bronchial artery blood flow and, subsequently, decrease the frequency and severity of hemoptysis, rate of hospitalizations, and usage of intravenous antibiotics. Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed on 12 CF patients with recurrent hemoptysis, aged 13–40 years old, along with a follow-up telephone survey to assess the effectiveness of beta-blockade for hemoptysis, tolerance of inhaled respiratory medications, activity tolerance, and potential adverse effects. A beta-blocker, specifically atenolol, was initiated in all subjects within 24 hours after experiencing recurrent hemoptysis episodes. Results: A majority of patients (72.7%) had complete cessation of hemoptysis. There were significant decreases in the frequency of hemoptysis (p = 0.02) and the amount of hemoptysis (p = 0.004). The rate of hospitalizations significantly decreased from 1.33 to 0.67 (p = 0.05) after initiation of atenolol. There was a trend toward statistical significance in the reduction of intravenous antibiotics use (p = 0.08). No statistical difference was found when comparing the preand post-treatment means of forced expiratory volume in 1-second (p = 0.59). Very minimal adverse effects were observed with only one patient reporting intermittent facial flushing. Conclusion: Beta-blockade, particularly with atenolol, appears to successfully treat, if not resolve, recurrent hemoptysis refractory to conservative therapy in CF. Beta-blocker therapy appears to maintain an effective safety profile in CF.