Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Dimethylglycine Sodium Salt and Its Role in Providing Protection against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Oxidative Stress in Mice

In the present study, the free radical scavenging activities (against 1,1-diphenyl-2-pierylhydrazy (DPPH), 2,2'-Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6- sulphonate) (ABTS+), Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)) of dimethylglycine sodium salt (DMG-Na) were measured and compared with those of Trolox (6-hydroxy-2, 5, 7, 8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid), a commonly used antioxidant. The radical scavenging activities of DMG-Na were found to be the highest at 40 mg/ml. In Experiment 2, gastric intubation in mice with 12 mg DMG-Na/0.3 ml sterile saline solution significantly increased (P < 0.05) the body weight (BW) (28 d), organ proportion (liver and spleen), and antioxidant capacity in serum and the liver (Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Hydrogen peroxidase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and Total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC)), and significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the activities of serum Glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT) and Glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (AST) and Methane Dicarboxylic Aldehyde (MDA) contents in the serum and liver. Specifically, the effect of 12 mg DMG-Na/0.3 ml sterile saline solution, which showed the highest antioxidant capacity, was further studied using a mice model. In Experiment 3, the mice CL (CON+ lipopolysaccharide (LPS)) group showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the serum ALT and AST content; hepatic mitochondrial antioxidant capacity (Manganese Superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), Glutathione reductase (GR), GPx, Glutathione (GSH)); MDA and Protein carbonyl (PC) content; Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) level, and expression of liver antioxidant genes (Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), Glutathione peroxidase 1 (Gpx1), Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1)) relative to the mice CS (CON+ sterile saline) group. The DL (DMG+LPS) group showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in serum ALT and AST content, ROS level, and expression of liver antioxidant gene MnSOD, Gpx1, Sirt1 and a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the hepatic mitochondrial antioxidant capacity (MnSOD, GSH, GPx, GR) and MMP level relative to the CL group. These results indicate that DMG-Na could protect against the LPS-induced oxidative stress by enhancing the free radical scavenging capacity, and increasing the activity of antioxidant defense system.
Y chromosome mediates ribosomal DNA silencing and modulates the chromatin state in Drosophila

Although the Drosophila Y chromosome is degenerated, heterochromatic, and contains few genes, increasing evidence suggests that it plays an important role in regulating the expression of numerous autosomal and X-linked genes. Here we use 15 Y chromosomes originating from a single founder 550 generations ago to study the role of the Y chromosome in regulating rRNA gene transcription, position-effect variegation (PEV), and the link among rDNA copy number, global gene expression, and chromatin regulation. Based on patterns of rRNA gene transcription indicated by transcription of the retrotransposon R2 that specifically inserts into the 28S rRNA gene, we show that X-linked rDNA is silenced in males. The silencing of X-linked rDNA expression by the Y chromosome is consistent across populations and independent of genetic background. These Y chromosomes also vary more than threefold in rDNA locus size and cause dramatically different levels of PEV suppression. The degree of suppression is negatively associated with the number and fraction of rDNA units without transposon insertions, but not with total rDNA locus size. Gene expression profiling revealed hundreds of differentially expressed genes among these Y chromosome introgression lines, as well as a divergent global gene expression pattern between the low-PEV and high-PEV flies. Our findings suggest that the Y chromosome is involved in diverse phenomena related to transcriptional regulation including X-linked rDNA silencing and suppression of PEV phenotype. These results further expand our understanding of the role of the Y chromosome in modulating global gene expression, and suggest a link with modifications of the chromatin state.
Toxocariasis and Epilepsy: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective Human toxocariasis is a zoonotic infection caused by the larval stages of Toxocara canis (T. canis) and less frequently Toxocara cati (T. cati). A relationship between toxocariasis and epilepsy has been hypothesized. We conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis of available data to evaluate the strength of association between epilepsy and Toxocara spp. seropositivity and to propose some guidelines for future surveys. Data Sources Electronic databases, the database from the Institute of Neuroepidemiology and Tropical Neurology of the University of Limoges (http://www-ient.unilim.fr/) and the reference lists of all relevant papers and books were screened up to October 2011. Methods We performed a systematic review of literature on toxocariasis (the exposure) and epilepsy (the outcome). Two authors independently assessed eligibility and study quality and extracted data. A common odds ratio (OR) was estimated using a random-effects meta-analysis model of aggregated published data. Results Seven case-control studies met the inclusion criteria, for a total of 1867 participants (850 cases and 1017 controls). The percentage of seropositivity (presence of anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies) was higher among people with epilepsy (PWE) in all the included studies even if the association between epilepsy and Toxocara spp. seropositivity was statistically significant in only 4 studies, with crude ORs ranging 2.04–2.85. Another study bordered statistical significance, while in 2 of the included studies no significant association was found. A significant (p<0.001) common OR of 1.92 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50–2.44] was estimated. Similar results were found when meta-analysis was restricted to the studies considering an exclusively juvenile population and to surveys using Western Blot as confirmatory or diagnostic serological assay. Conclusion Our results support the existence of a positive association between Toxocara spp. seropositivity and epilepsy. Further studies, possibly including incident cases, should be performed to better investigate the relationship between toxocariasis and epilepsy.
Use of Embedded FPGA Resources in Implementations of Five Round Three SHA-3 Candidates

In this paper, we present results of the comprehensive study devoted to the optimization of FPGA implementations of SHA-2 and five SHA-3 finalists using embedded FPGA resources, such as Digital Signal Processing (DSP) units and Block Memories. Our methodology involves implementing, characterizing, and comparing all algorithms with a focus on minimizing the amount of reconfigurable logic resources, and achieving a better balance between the use of reconfigurable and embedded resources. All designs are implemented using four FPGA families, representing major low-cost and high-performance families of Xilinx and Altera.
Infraclavicular brachial plexus block: Comparison of posterior cord stimulation with lateral or medial cord stimulation, a prospective double blinded study

Background: Infraclavicular approach to the brachial plexus sheath provides anesthesia for surgery on the distal arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand. It has been found that evoked distal motor response or radial nerve-type motor response has influenced the success rate of single-injection infraclavicular brachial plexus block. Aim: We conducted this study to compare the extent and effectiveness of infraclavicular brachial plexus block achieved by injecting a local anesthetic drug after finding specific muscle action due to neural stimulator guided posterior cord stimulation and lateral cord/medial cord stimulation. Methods: After ethical committee approval, patients were randomly assigned to one of the two study groups of 30 patients each. In group 1, posterior cord stimulation was used and in group 2 lateral/medial cord stimulation was used for infraclavicular brachial plexus block. The extent of motor block and effectiveness of sensory block were assessed. Results: All four motor nerves that were selected for the extent of block were blocked in 23 cases (76.7%) in group 1 and in 15 cases (50.0%) in group 2 (P:0.032). The two groups did not differ significantly in the number of cases in which 0, 1, 2, and 3 nerves were blocked (P>0.05). In group 1, significantly lesser number of patients had pain on surgical manipulation compared with patients of group 2 (P:0.037). Conclusion: Stimulating the posterior cord guided by a nerve stimulator before local anesthetic injection is associated with greater extent of block (in the number of motor nerves blocked) and effectiveness of block (in reporting no pain during the surgery) than stimulation of either the lateral or medial cord.
Points of view: reconceptualising literacies through an exploration of adult and child interactions in a virtual world

This article explores theoretical and methodological issues in literacy studies emerging from an investigation of how children and adults make meanings when virtual worlds are embedded in classroom contexts. Drawing on the work of Law and Mol and Kwa's exploration of ‘baroque complexity’, it highlights the importance of recognising and interrogating multiplicity in examining interactions through and around texts. The implications of this, we suggest, go beyond research into literacies in digital environments to raise questions about how we theorise and research literacies more generally. In particular, this leads us to re-examine the use of the literacy event as a unit of analysis. We argue that these issues are particularly important at a time when diverse and multiple literacies collide with educational policies that reduce literacies to ‘the basics’ and to simple models that prescribe what is learned.
Neurophysiologic, neuroimaging and biochemical studies in children and adolescents with Down syndrome

Down syndrome (DS) is one of the most common autosomal mutations. The overexpression of the β-amyloid precursor protein gene, located on chromosome 21, causes an increased production of the specific amyloid. People with DS show early Alzheimer-like dementia. We focused on some aspects involved in pathogenesis of brain accelerated degenerative processes: oxidative stress, the role of cytokines and electrophysiological and neuroimaging changes in children and adolescents with DS. Our results disclosed the disturbances of lipid peroxidation processes increased with age. We found that proinflammatory cytokines: interleukin-2, interleukin-6 and TNF-α may be involved in the pathogenesis of brain accelerated degenerative processes in DS. Quantitative analysis of the REM sleep from DS group disclosed reduction of the power mainly in the alpha when comparing the healthy group. In our other study, we examined a cohort of patients with DS evaluated over a 13-year period at our Department. Incidence of epilepsy in children with DS was higher than in the general population. Good control of seizures was obtained in 40% of children with DS. Quantitative analysis of EEG revealed a poor background brain activity in patients with DS and epilepsy. In the MRI study, we demonstrated a significantly smaller total brain volume, significantly smaller frontal and temporal lobes volumes including significantly smaller hippocampus and amygdale volumes. 1HMRS examinations disclosed the abnormal metabolism of stimulatory amino acids in children with DS.
Relationship Between Serum Zinc Level and Microvascular Complications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Previous studies suggested that zinc level was related to a certain diabetic microvascular complication. However, the relationship between zinc level and all the microvascular complications in type 2 diabetic patients remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between zinc level and each diabetic microvascular complication and identify the features related to low serum zinc level. Methods: We included the hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) at our department from May 30, 2013 to March 31, 2014. We initially compared the serum zinc levels between patients with specific microvascular complications and those without. We then analyzed the association between zinc level and each microvascular complication. Furthermore, we identified the unique features of patients with high and low serum zinc levels and analyzed the risk factors related to low zinc level. Results: The 412 patients included 271 with microvascular complications and 141 without any microvascular complications. Serum zinc level was significantly lower in patients with diabetic retinopathy (P < 0.001), diabetic nephropathy (DN, P < 0.001), or diabetic peripheral neuropathy (P = 0.002) compared with patients without that specific complication. Lower zinc level was an independent risk factor for DN (odds ratio = 0.869, 95% confidence interval = 0.765–0.987, P < 0.05). The subjects with lower serum zinc level had manifested a longer duration of diabetes, higher level of hemoglobin A1c, higher prevalence of hypertension and microvascular complications, and lower fasting and 2-h C-peptide levels. Conclusions: Lower serum zinc level in T2D patients was related to higher prevalence of diabetic microvascular complications, and represented as an independent risk factor for DN. Patients with lower zinc level were more likely to have a longer duration of diabetes, poorer glucose control, and worse &bgr;-cell function.
In vitro Toxicity of A-431 Carcinoma Cells with Antibodies to Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Epithelial Glycoprotein-1 Conjugated to Radionuclides Emitting Low-Energy Electrons

Purpose: The ability of antibodies (Abs) conjugated to radionuclides emitting low-energy electrons to specifically kill nonadherent lymphoma target cells in vitro was demonstrated previously. This study extends this work to adherent carcinoma cells. The fact that these cells are spread out on plastic can potentially make it more difficult to deliver radiation to the nucleus from decays in the cytoplasm or on the cell surface. Experimental Design: The Abs tested were anti-epidermal growth factor receptor and anti-epithelial glycoprotein-1, conjugated to indium-111 or iodine-125, which emit low-energy Auger and conversion electrons. Conjugates of the β-particle emitter, iodine-131, also were tested, for comparison. Abs were incubated with the cells for 2 days, and then the treated cells were assayed for colony-forming units. The radiation dose delivered to the nucleus was calculated from the cumulative decays per cell. Results: With conjugates of 111In, very potent killing was obtained with both of the Abs, with 100% kill (approximately 4–5 logs) even at subsaturating Ab concentrations. Lower levels of kill were obtained with 125I or 131I conjugates. Conjugates with 131I, a β-particle emitter, produced greater nonspecific toxicity. The greater potency of 111In could be attributed to the higher specific activity that was obtained routinely with this radiolabel, up to 70 mCi/mg. Uptake of radioactivity peaked at approximately 200 cpm per cell. Dosimetry calculations, using subcellular S values, demonstrated that the toxicity observed was consistent with the amount of radiation delivered to the nucleus. Conclusions: These results are similar to previous results obtained with B lymphoma cells and indicate that this approach is applicable to a wide range of tumor types. Radionuclides emitting low-energy electrons are effective at killing target cells with relatively little nonspecific toxicity, if sufficient activity is delivered to the cell. Most Abs to high-density cell surface antigens would probably be effective.
The Roles of Collusion, Organisational Orientation, Justice Avoidance, and Rationalisation on Commission of Fraud: A Model Based Test

Several previous studies have pointed out the need for the use of a more robust statistical methodology in order to gain a better understanding of all forms of fraud. In this paper, we studied the aetiology of fraud proposed by Cressey (1973) by examining two models that incorporated rationalisation into causal relationships within a fraud commission model and hence of a fraud risk model. A sample of 122 Indonesian respondents, who had ever encountered any forms of fraud, was used to test two theory based structural equations models. Because of the poor fit of the two theoretical models to the data as shown by the SRMR index and because the path between rationalisation and commission of fraud was found to be non-significant, an exploratory research process was used to derive a further model. The outcome of this process was the introduction of additional paths into the second theoretical model. This model was tested using another sample of 122 respondents and produced a good fit to the data. Significant direct and indirect drivers of commission of fraud were identified and these extended the theory and introduced the consideration of a wider range of fraud risk factors for the global audit profession. Collusion was perceived to be the strongest direct influence on commission of fraud with a lesser effect arising from opportunity for fraud and a final direct influence arising from the avoidance of justice. In addition, organisational orientation was perceived to provide another indirect influence on the commission of fraud. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of these findings.
Towards Decentralization of Multi-robot Navigation Functions

We present a navigation function through which a group of mobile agents can be coordinated to achieve a particular formation, both in terms of shape and orientation, while avoiding collisions between themselves and with obstacles in the environment. Convergence is global and complete, subject to the constraints of the navigation function methodology. Algebraic graph theoretic properties associated with the interconnection graph are shown to affect the shape of the navigation function. The approach is centralized but the potential function is constructed in a way that facilitates complete decentralization. The strategy presented will also serve as a point of reference and comparison in quantifying the cost of decentralization in terms of performance.
On the Image Model of a Buried Horizontal Wire

It is common practice in the engineering analysis process to use an approximate image method for the computation of the current in buried horizontal conductors (in the literature, this is often referred to as the “modified image” or “reflection coefficient” method). According to this approach, the earth/air interface is replaced by a positive mirror image of the charge and current in the conductor, and its field is multiplied by a suitable reflection coefficient. Different opinions on the validity of this approximation have been expressed in published debates, but more systematic analysis of the error introduced by this approach is not available in the literature. To establish the amount of error, we compare the computation results of the image model with the rigorous Sommerfeld integral method for a wide range of parameters. Contrary to widespread opinion, our results suggest that the modified image (or reflection coefficient) method in EFIE-based solutions (e.g., the Pocklington equation) leads to a large error (larger than 20%) in the low-frequency range for the computation of the current distribution in conductors longer than 10 m. In such a case, MPIE-based methods are preferred for use to achieve a smaller error (approximately 5%). Guidelines for the application of image models related to the conductor, earth and excitation parameters, upper frequency limit, and modeling method are presented.
Mobility assays confirm the broad host‐range activity of the Minos transposable element and validate new transformation tools

Fast and reliable methods for assessing the mobility of the transposable element Minos have been developed. These methods are based on the detection of excision and insertion of Minos transposons from and into plasmids which are co‐introduced into cells. Excision is detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with appropriate primers. Transposition is assayed by marker rescue in Escherichia coli, using a transposon plasmid that carries a tetracycline resistance gene and a target plasmid carrying a gene that can be selected against in E. coli. Using both assays, Minos was shown to transpose in Drosophila melanogaster cells and embryos, and in cultured cells of a mosquito, Aedes aegypti, and a lepidopteran, Spodoptera frugiperda. In all cases, mobility was dependent on the presence of exogenously supplied transposase, and both excision and transposition were precise. The results indicate that Minos can transpose in heterologous insect species with comparable efficiencies and therefore has the potential to be used as a transgenesis vector for diverse species.
International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities

People with intellectual disabilities, estimated at approximately 60 million worldwide, represent one of the largest groups of people with lifelong disabilities. As they age, most – those with minimal life difficulties – continue to live independent lives, yet others – those with more severe life difficulties – remain dependent on lifelong support from their families or from charitable organizations. As a result, because of compelling needs associated with their aging, special attention needs to be given to this segment of the world’s growing elderly population.
Association between Dental Caries and Adiposity Status (General, Central, and Peripheral Adiposity) in 12-Year-Old Children

Background/Aims: To investigate the cross-sectional relationship between dental caries experience and adiposity status (general, central, and peripheral adiposity) in 12-year-old children in Hong Kong. Methods: A random sample of 668 12-year-old students was recruited. Clinical assessment for dental caries (DMFT) was conducted using WHO criteria. Anthropometric measurements for body height, body weight, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference and triceps skinfold thickness (TRSKF) were performed to assess general adiposity (weight-height ratio, body mass index); central adiposity (WC; waist-hip ratio, WHR), and peripheral adiposity (TRSKF). Associations between adiposity indices and dental caries experience [prevalence DMFT >0, ‘high' experience (DMFT ≥ SiC Index value) and ‘very high' experience (DMFT ≥ SiC10 Index value)] were examined in bivariate and multivariate regression analyses. Results: The response rate was 76.9% (n = 514/668). Regression analyses (adjusted for oral hygiene practice, snacking habits, and socio-demographic factors) identified that WHR z score was associated with ‘high' dental caries experience (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.05, 1.70, p = 0.02), and that WHR z score was associated with ‘very high' dental caries experience (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.10, 2.11, p = 0.01). TRSKF z score was associated with ‘very high' dental caries experience (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.10, 1.96, p = 0.01). Conclusions: In a population-based sample of 12-year-old children in Hong Kong, dental caries experience was associated with adiposity. Central and peripheral, but not general adiposity was associated with dental caries experience.