Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Collaborative work to evaluate toxicity on male reproductive organs by repeated dose studies in rats 26). Detection of 1,3-dinitrobenzene-induced histopathological changes in testes and epididymides of rats with 2-week daily repeated dosing.

As part of a collaborative work, male rats were administered 1,3-dinitrobenzene (1,3-DNB) daily at 0, 25 and 50 mg/kg/day from the age of 6 weeks for 4 weeks (4-week exp.), or at 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg/day from the age of 8 weeks for 2 weeks (2-week exp.). After the end of each administration period, all survivors were sacrificed, and their testes and epididymides were removed, weighed and examined histopathologically. The following results were obtained. In the 4-week exp. : At 50 mg/kg/day, the weights of testes and epididymides showed decrease with macroscopic atrophy. The testicular spermatogenic epithelium showed decrease in the number of sperm-spermatocytes, degeneration/necrosis, giant cell formation and vacuolation, reduction in sperm counts also being evident in the ducts of the epididymides. In the 2-week exp. : At 50 and 75 mg/kg/day, the weights of testes and/or epididymides showed decrease with macroscopic atrophy. Several histopathological changes in the testes and epididymides were essentially the same changes as in the group given 50 mg/kg/day in the 4-week exp. , with a clear relation. These results indicate that a 2-week administration period is sufficient to detect testicular and epididymal histopathological changes induced by 1,3-dinitrobenzene in male rats.
Why Do Rape Survivors Volunteer for Face-to-Face Interviews?

There is growing interest in understanding how different research methods are perceived by victims of violence and what survivors will reveal to researchers (termed meta-research or meta-studies). The purpose of this project was to conduct a qualitative meta-study on why rape survivors chose to participate in community-based, face-to-face interviews. Participants mentioned four primary reasons for why they decided to participate in this study: (a) to help other survivors, (b) to help themselves, (c) to support research on rape/sexual assault, and (d) to receive financial compensation. Implications for designing research recruitment protocols are discussed.
ZEB1 Regulates the Latent-Lytic Switch in Infection by Epstein-Barr Virus

The immediate-early (IE) BZLF1 gene of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) regulates the switch between latent and lytic infection by EBV. We previously showed that the cellular transcription factor ZEB1 binds to a sequence element, ZV, located at nt −17 to −12 relative to the transcription initiation site of the BZLF1 promoter, Zp, repressing transcription from Zp in a transient transfection assay. Here, we report the phenotype in the context of a whole EBV genome of a variant of EBV strain B95.8 containing a 2-bp substitution mutation in the ZV element of Zp that reduced, but did not eliminate, ZEB1 binding to Zp. Strikingly, epithelial 293 cells latently infected with the EBV ZV mutant spontaneously produced IE-, early-, and late-gene products and infectious virus, while wild-type (WT)-infected 293 cells did not and have never been reported to do so. Furthermore, treatment with the chemical inducers sodium butyrate and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) led to an additional order-of-magnitude production of infectious virus in the ZV mutant–infected 293 cells, but still no virus in the WT-infected 293 cells. Similarly, ZV mutant–infected Burkitt's lymphoma BJAB cells accumulated at least 10-fold more EBV IE mRNAs than did WT-infected BJAB cells, with TPA or sodium butyrate treatment leading to an additional 5- to 10-fold accumulation of EBV IE mRNAs in the ZV mutant–infected cells. Thus, we conclude that ZEB1 binding to Zp plays a central role in regulating the latent-lytic switch in EBV-infected epithelial and B cells, suggesting ZEB1 as a target for lytic-induction therapies in EBV-associated malignancies.
Differential effects of once-daily antihypertensive drugs on blood pressure, left ventricular mass and sympathetic activity: Nifedipine-GITS versus felodipine-ER versus enalapril.

BACKGROUND Recent meta-analyses suggest that once-daily dihydropyridines and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors cause similar decreases in left ventricular (LV) mass for comparable decreases in blood pressure (BP). However, some dihydropyridines, such as felodipine-extended release (ER), still increase sympathetic activity and may, therefore, be less effective in decreasing LV mass. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effects of long term antihypertensive treatment with nifedipine-gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) and felodipine-ER compared with enalapril on LV mass relative to the extent of BP control (assessed by 24 h ambulatory BP monitoring) and sympathetic activity (assessed by plasma catecholamine concentrations). PATIENTS AND METHODS Enalapril was started at 10 mg/day, felodipine-ER at 5 mg/day and nifedipine-GITS at 30 mg/day, all once daily. Doses were increased to 20 mg/day, 10 mg/day or 60 mg/day, respectively, if the office BP remained 160/90 mmHg or greater at the end of the dosing interval. Evaluable echocardiograms were obtained for 116 patients at the end of the study (30 weeks of treatment). RESULTS On 24 h ambulatory BP monitoring, nifedipine-GITS caused a consistent decrease in BP throughout the 24 h dosing interval, whereas felodipine-ER caused a more marked fall in BP during the day, and enalapril's effects diminished during the night and had disappeared by the morning. Only felodipine-ER significantly increased supine and standing plasma noradrenaline by more than 50% similarly after six, 18, and 30 weeks of treatment. In BP responders (decrease in systolic BP 10 mmHg or greater), enalapril and nifedipine-GITS caused clear decreases in LV mass by 12 to 16 g/m2, whereas felodipine-ER was less effective (decrease by only 6 g/m2, P<0.01 versus enalapril). CONCLUSIONS Once-daily dihydropyridines should not be regarded as one homogeneous class and, compared with felodipine-ER, nifedipine-GITS exhibits a better profile regarding 24 h BP control, sympathetic activation and regression of LV mass.
Loss of Chaotic Trabecular Structure in OPG‐Deficient Juvenile Paget's Disease Patients Indicates a Chaogenic Role for OPG in Nonlinear Pattern Formation of Trabecular Bone

The RANK‐RANKL‐OPG system of osteoclast regulation may play a key role in determining chaotic structure in trabecular bone. Iliac trabecular bone from juvenile Paget's disease patients deficient in functional OPG shows parallel, anisotropic structure instead of normal chaotic structure. Evidence from experimental systems suggests that RANK‐RANKL‐OPG controls key nonlinear “chaogenic” parameters, such as friction, forcing frequency, feedback, and boundary forcing.
Contrast and Depth Perception: Effects of Texture Contrast and Area Contrast

Many objects in natural scenes have textures on their surfaces. Contrast of the texture surfaces (the texture contrast) reduces when the viewing distance increases. Similarly, contrast between the surfaces of the objects and the background (the area contrast) reduces when the viewing distance increases. The texture contrast and the area contrast were defined by the contrast between random dots, and by the contrast between the average luminance of the dot pattern and the luminance of the background, respectively. To examine how these two types of contrast influence depth perception, we ran two experiments. In both experiments two areas of random-dot patterns were presented against a uniform background, and participants rated relative depth between the two areas. We found that the rated depth of the patterned areas increased with increases in texture contrast. Furthermore, the effect of the texture contrast on depth judgment increased when the area contrast became low.
Safety and efficacy of concomitant chemotherapeutic wafers and iodine-125 seeds for recurrent glioblastoma

Background: Patients with recurrent malignant gliomas have a uniformly poor prognosis. However, further treatment is often warranted at the time of recurrence. Low-activity implanted brachytherapeutic devices, such as iodine-125 seeds, and implantable chemotherapeutic devices such as 1, 3-bis (2-chloroethyl)-nitrosourea (BCNU) impregnated polymer wafers (Gliadel®) have been shown to be safe and modestly effective, but a comparison of combination therapy versus Gliadel® implantation alone has not been performed. Methods: We retrospectively examined 24 patients following re-resection of recurrent glioblastoma, with 17 patients undergoing implantation of both Gliadel® and iodine-125 seeds, and 7 patients undergoing implantation of Gliadel® only. Outcomes examined included adverse events, survival after re-resection (SAR), and time to tumor progression after re-resection (PAR). Results: Implantation of both Gliadel® and low activity iodine-125 seeds is safe with only two wound infections noted, a complication rate comparable to previous reports. The combination appears to confer a median SAR benefit if the activity per tumor resection volume exceeds 0.8 mCi/mL (60 versus 31 weeks, P = 0.02), and this benefit remained significant on multivariate analysis (HR =0.26 [CI:0.07-0.93], P = 0.03). Gross total resection of tumor was also significantly associated with longer time to PAR (HR =5.4 [CI: 1.13-26.0], P = 0.03). Conclusions: The concomitant use of Gliadel® and low activity iodine-125 seeds following re-resection of recurrent glioblastoma is safe. Our study demonstrated a significant benefit in SAR if the iodine-125 activity per tumor volume is greater than 0.8 mCi/mL. While our sample size is small, our results are in agreement with previous studies demonstrating the efficacy of combination treatment.
Blunted anticipation but not consummation of food rewards in depression

Anhedonia is a core symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD) and is associated with worse treatment outcomes. While its narrow definition as a hedonic or consummatory deficit evolved to encompass anticipatory and motivational reward facets, it remains unclear where reward deficits manifest. Since evidence that metabolic hormones influence reward processing accumulates, investigating their role in alleviating reward deficits may provide crucial insights. To address these gaps, we conducted a study with 103 participants, including 52 patients with MDD and 51 healthy control participants (HCPs). After overnight fasting, blood samples were collected to determine the concentration of ghrelin, glucose, insulin, and triglycerides in serum/plasma. Participants then completed a taste test with repeated ratings of wanting and liking for snacks before and after tasting, allowing to gradually move from reward anticipation to consummation. Patients with MDD showed decreased wanting (p = .046) but not liking for food rewards during visual anticipation. However, these group differences disappeared once patients inspected and tasted the food as patients increased wanting relative to HCPs (p = .004), providing strong evidence against the hypothesis of a consummatory deficit (Bayes Factors > 9). In contrast to a narrow definition of anhedonia, higher scores on the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) were more strongly associated with reduced anticipatory food wanting (p = .010), not liking, and more pronounced increases in wanting with reward proximity (p = .037). Across groups and phases, acyl ghrelin was associated with higher wanting and liking ratings, while poor glycemic control was associated with anhedonia. Overall, our study demonstrates that MDD and its cardinal symptom, anhedonia, are associated with a reduced anticipation of rewards rather than an impaired ability to experience pleasure. Since ghrelin was associated with elevated reward ratings, targeting the gut-brain axis could be a promising avenue for treating reward deficits.
Modelling and mapping of above ground biomass (AGB) of oil palm plantations in Malaysia using remotely-sensed data

ABSTRACT Estimating accurate above ground biomass (AGB) of oil palm plantation in Malaysia is crucial as it serves as an important indicator to assess the role of oil palm plantations in the global carbon cycle, particularly whether it serves as carbon source or sink. Research on oil palm AGB in Malaysia using remote sensing is almost insignificant and it has known that remote sensing provides easy, inexpensive and less time consuming over larger areas. Therefore, this study focuses on evaluating the potential of Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data with combination of field data survey to predict AGB estimates and mapping the oil palm plantations. The relationships of AGB with individual TM bands and various selected vegetation indices were examined. In addition, various possibilities of data transform were explored in statistical analysis. The potential models selected were obtained using backward elimination method where R2, adjusted R2 (R2adj), standard error of estimate (SEE), root mean squared error (RMSE) and Mallows’s Cp criterion were examined in model development and validation. It was found that the most promising model provides moderately good prediction of about 62% of the variability of the AGB with RMSE value of 3.68 tonnes (t) ha-1. In conclusion, Landsat TM offers the low cost AGB estimates and mapping of oil palm plantations with moderate accuracy in Malaysia.
Rapid and Reliable Genotyping of the C181T Polymorphism in the Bradykinin B2 Receptor Gene

Abstract Bradykinin is not only a mediator of pain and inflammation but also a potent vasodilator and is likely to contribute to the cardioprotective effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. The B2 receptor (B2-R) mediating most of the inflammatory and cardiovascular effects of bradykinin represents a candidate gene likely involved in the complex genetic causes of common chronic disorders such as hypertension. The C181T polymorphism of the B2-R gene influences the potency of bradykinin and there is evidence of a possible role of this polymorphism in the development of hypertension and end-stage renal disease. We developed and validated a new, rapid, and reliable method for the detection of the C181T polymorphism based on the hybridization probes format on the LightCycler™, which is superior to the conventional PCR-RFLP method commonly used to detect this polymorphism. It allows the solid evaluation of large patient populations with the best time.
Hippocampal amide proton transfer values are associated with cerebral small vessel disease imaging markers and total burden: a community-based cross-sectional study

Background Neurodegeneration has been suggested to be associated with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). The association between different CSVD imaging markers and the extent of neurodegeneration could be indirectly confirmed by examining the relationship between CSVD imaging markers and the hippocampal amide proton transfer (APT) values. The associations between hippocampal APT values with CSVD imaging markers and CSVD total load need to be further validated. The aim of this study was to investigate potential variations in hippocampal APT values among individuals with CSVD imaging markers and varying degrees of CSVD total burden. Methods A cross-sectional study (retrospective analysis of prospectively-acquired data) was conducted at Nanxishan Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. From May 2020 to June 2021, 165 individuals (age, 40–76 years; male/female, 103/62) were included in this study. The inclusion criteria for the participants were as follows: The presence of lacunar infarction (LI), and/or cerebral microbleed (CMB); moderate-to-severe enlarged perivascular space (EPVS) (>20); deep white matter hyperintensity (WMH) > Fazekas 2 or periventricular WMH > Fazekas. The exclusion criteria comprised the following: History of craniocerebral operation; Cases with significant pathology incidentally identified during magnetic resonance (MR) scan; Drug or alcohol abuse. The differences of hippocampal APT values between CSVD imaging makers presence or absence groups and different CSVD total burden groups were compared using independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The correlations between APT values and CSVD imaging markers were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis. A mediation analysis model was used to investigate the mediating effect of the hippocampal APT values in the association between CSVD total loads and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score was assessed. Results The hippocampal APT values among different CSVD total load groups were significantly different (P<0.001). The hippocampal APT values were significantly different between the imaging markers presence and absence groups. The P values for the LI, WMH EPVS, and CMB presence or absence groups were <0.001, <0.001, 0.034, and 0.002, respectively. The hippocampal APT values were significantly correlated with CMB (P<0.01), LI (P<0.01) and WMH (P<0.01). The mediation models demonstrated that the APT values of the hippocampus partially mediated the association between CSVD total load and MoCA score, the proportion of mediation attributable was calculated as 17.50%. Conclusions Hippocampal APT values were associated with CSVD imaging markers and total burden. Hippocampal APT values may serve as a biomarker for the early detection of neurodegeneration in CSVD patients.
Validity and reliability of the self‐care behaviour scale for patients with left ventricular assist device

Abstract Aims To evaluate the validity and reliability of the self‐care behaviour scale for patients with left ventricular assist devices. Design Methodological study. Methods The English version of the scale was translated into Korean, and it was then back‐translated into English. Survey data were collected from 32 patients with left ventricular assist device in South Korea, and construct validity, content validity and reliability were analysed. Results The original self‐care behaviour scale comprises three domains and 33 items, whereas the Korean self‐care behaviour scale comprises 27 items and five domains: device management, wound management, symptom monitoring, activated healthcare system and self‐care management. Cronbach's alpha for the overall scale was 0.94, and that for the five domains ranged from 0.36 to 0.90. The intraclass correlation coefficient for the overall scale was 0.89, and the five domains ranged from 0.71 to 0.88. Conclusion The newly evaluated scale would be valid and reliable in measure self‐care behaviour for patients with a left ventricular assist device. Implications for the profession and/or patient care Patients can manage the left ventricular assist device on their own based on evidence and use it as a tool for effective communication with medical professionals.
Error of the two-step BDF for the incompressible Navier-Stokes problem

The incompressible Navier-Stokes problem is discretized in time by the two-step backward differentiation formula. Error estimates are proved under feasible assumptions on the regularity of the exact solution avoiding hardly fulfillable compatibility conditions. Whereas the time-weighted velocity error is of optimal second order, the time-weighted error in the pressure is of first order. Suboptimal estimates are shown for a linearisation. The results cover both the two- and three-dimensional case.
Incidence of severe pre-eclampsia, postpartum haemorrhage and sepsis as a surrogate marker for severe maternal morbidity in a European population-based study: the MOMS-B survey.

OBJECTIVE To describe the incidence of three conditions of acute severe maternal morbidity in selected regions in nine European countries. DESIGN A population-based questionnaire survey. SETTING Eleven regions in nine countries of Europe. POPULATION All the pregnant women in each region who had delivered during the period covered by the study. METHODS Standard definitions of three severe obstetric conditions, pre-eclampsia, postpartum haemorrhage and sepsis were established by a steering committee. A common questionnaire was used in each participating country. The incidence of the three obstetric conditions and characteristics of the study women were compared. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Incidence of three severe obstetric conditions: pre-eclampsia, postpartum haemorrhage and sepsis. RESULTS The study identified 1734 women with at least one of the three conditions, with 847 experiencing severe haemorrhage, 793 experiencing severe pre-eclampsia and 142 experiencing severe sepsis. There were wide variations in incidence of three conditions combined, ranging from 14.7 per thousand deliveries in Brussels, Belgium to 6.0 per thousand deliveries in Upper Austria. CONCLUSIONS This study sets a simple and straightforward approach to the definition of three severe obstetric conditions and allows population-based comparisons between developed countries in Europe, even though difficulties may have been present with applying the definition across countries. The reported incidence of these severe obstetric conditions in general and severe haemorrhage varied significantly between countries. Overall, severe haemorrhage in particular was the most common of the three conditions, followed closely by severe pre-eclampsia.
Assessment of Impact of Dietary Patterns on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients

Objective Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is characterized by episodic cessations of breathing due to upper airway obstruction during sleep, which may cause disturbances in dietary patterns resulting from appetite-related hormonal changes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between OSAS and nutritional and dietary patterns. Materials and Methods A total of 20 female and 53 male OSAS patients aged > 30 years were enrolled. Demographic data, as well as data on smoking and alcohol habits, were noted, anthropometric measures were made, and a questionnaire regarding chronic diseases including OSAS and four questionnaires on recent food intake frequency and content of nutrition were filled out. The content of nutrition was noted under seven categories: meat, legumes, milk and dairy products, fruits and vegetables, bread and cereals, fat and carbohydrates, and beverages. Results The severity of OSAS (assessed by the apnea-hypopnea index. AHI) was positively correlated with the body mass index (BMI), the circumferences of the waist, chest, and buttocks, and, in males, with the circumference of the neck as well. There was no correlation between the AHI and nutritional habits in terms of the frequency of meals or snacks, the scores on the Snoring, Tiredness, Observed Apnea, and High Blood Pressure-Body Mass Index, Age, Neck Circumference, and Gender (STOP-BANG) Questionnaire and the corresponding macro- and micronutrients. Worsening apnea scores led to increased intake of macronutrients of carbohydrate and protein and micronutrients of niacin and pyridoxine ( p < 0.05), and decreased intake of fat ( p < 0.05). Conclusion The present study demonstrated an association between OSAS severity and recent food intake, manifested in increased intake of carbohydrates, niacin, and pyridoxine, and decreased fat intake.