Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The diabetes-induced functional and distributional changes of the alpha 1-adrenoceptor of the abdominal aorta and distal mesenteric artery from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of diabetes on the function and distribution of vascular α1-adrenoceptors in the abdominal aorta and distal mesenteric artery from streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats at the level of the α1-adrenoceptor subtypes. Methods Diabetes was induced by a single intravenous injection of STZ (60 mg/kg) in 8 week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 11). Age-matched normal rats (n = 14) were used as a control group. Four weeks after STZ injection, the tilting-induced change of the mean arterial pressure was recorded. The α1-adrenoceptor subtypes mediating the contractions of the distal mesenteric artery and abdominal aorta were investigated using the agonist phenylephrine and subtype-selective antagonists that included prazocin, 5-methylurapidil and BMY 7378. The expressions of the α1-adrenoceptor subtypes of each artery were examined by immunofluorescence staining using the subtype selective antibodies. Results The recovery of the mean arterial pressure was delayed after positional change in the diabetic rats. Compared with that of the normal rats, the contractile response to phenylephrine was increased in the abdominal aortas and it was decreased in the distal mesenteric arteries in the diabetic rats. In addition, compared with the normal rats, the fluorescent intensity of all the α1-adrenoceptor subtypes was increased in the abdominal aortas and it was decreased in the mesenteric arteries of the diabetic rats. Conclusions Diabetes increased the contractility of the abdominal aorta in response to phenylephrine, yet diabetes decreased that of the mesenteric arteries in the STZ-induced diabetic rats. Those results are mainly based on the overall change of the α1-adrenoceptor, and not on the change of the specific α1-adrenoceptor subtypes.
A Multistage Wiener Chaos Expansion Method for Stochastic Advection-Diffusion-Reaction Equations

Using Wiener chaos expansion (WCE), we develop numerical algorithms for solving second-order linear parabolic stochastic partial differential equations (SPDEs). We propose a deterministic WCE-based algorithm for computing moments of the SPDE solutions without any use of the Monte Carlo technique. We also compare the proposed deterministic algorithm with two other numerical methods based on the Monte Carlo technique and demonstrate that the new method is more efficient for highly accurate solutions. Numerical tests verify that the scheme is of mean-square order $O( \frac{\Delta^{N/2}}{\sqrt{(N+1)! }})$ for diffusion and for diffusion-reaction SPDEs with constant or variable coefficients, where $\Delta$ is the time step, and $N$ is the Wiener chaos order.
Real analytic control systems

Using a suitable locally convex topology for the space of real analytic vector fields, we give a characterization of real analytic control systems. Among other things, this class of real analytic control systems has the property that, upon substitution of an open-loop control, the resulting time-varying vector field has a flow depending on initial condition in a real analytic manner. To give context to the real analytic case, we also consider the cases of finitely differentiable and smooth control systems.
Impact of diagnostic markers on early antifungal therapy

Purpose of review The early treatment of invasive fungal infection is critical but is hampered by the non-specific nature of clinical and radiological signs and the insensitivity of current laboratory diagnostic methods. If mortality due to invasive fungal infection is to be reduced, new, preemptive therapeutic strategies, targeting those patients at highest risk, are required and these will depend on the development of rapid, sensitive diagnostic methods. Such methods have become available in the form of high-resolution computed tomography scanning and serological and molecular techniques and in this review the authors describe recent studies assessing the utility of these methods and consider their role in management strategies. Recent findings Sensitive assays for the detection of fungal DNA and antigens such as galactomannan and glucan have been prospectively evaluated in the clinical setting and enable identification of patients at an earlier stage of infection. However, the sensitivity and specificity of the assays vary considerably in different studies, depending on several factors including patient selection and clinical application of the test, and issues regarding the release and circulation of galactomannan and fungal DNA remain to be clarified. Summary Rapid serological and molecular diagnostic methods facilitate the early diagnosis of invasive fungal infection and would appear to be most useful when used prospectively to screen high-risk patients. However, in order to determine the optimal approach to treatment it is essential that these tests are incorporated into management strategies and their impact on incidence of invasive fungal infection and clinical outcome evaluated in further clinical trials.
RNA-Seq workflow: gene-level exploratory analysis and differential expression

Here we walk through an end-to-end gene-level RNA-Seq differential expression workflow using Bioconductor packages. We will start from the FASTQ files, show how these were aligned to the reference genome, and prepare a count matrix which tallies the number of RNA-seq reads/fragments within each gene for each sample. We will perform exploratory data analysis (EDA) for quality assessment and to explore the relationship between samples, perform differential gene expression analysis, and visually explore the results.
Subjective Well-being in Patients With Chronic Tension-type Headache: Effect of Acupuncture, Physical Training, and Relaxation Training

BackgroundEpisodic tension-type headache is a common problem affecting approximately 2 of 3 of the population. The origin of tension-type headache is multifactorial, but the pathogenesis is still unclear. In some individuals episodic tension-type headache transforms into chronic tension-type headache (CTTH). Subjective symptoms related to the central nervous system might affect patients subjective well-being and quality of life. ObjectiveThis study compared 3 nonpharmacologic treatments; acupuncture, relaxation training, and physical training on subjective well-being in patients with CTTH. MethodsNinety consecutive patients with CTTH were randomly allocated to acupuncture, relaxation training, or physical training. At baseline 88 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls were compared with the patients with CTTH. Subjective, central nervous system-related symptoms that might affect patients' subjective well-being and quality of life were assessed with the Minor Symptom Evaluation Profile, which contains 24 self-administered standardized items with visual analog scale responses. Fifteen items are categorized into 3 dimensions: contentment, vitality, and sleep. Assessments were made before treatment, immediately after, and 3 and 6 months after the last treatment. ResultsBaseline values of the total score of the 24 items and the 3 dimensions were generally lower in patients with tension-type headache compared with the reference group. No significant differences were found among the 3 treatment groups during the baseline period. All treatments proportionally improved the subjective, central nervous system-related symptoms in patients with CTTH. The 3-month follow-up, the total score of the Minor Symptom Evaluation Profile was significantly improved in the physical training group compared with the acupuncture group (P=0.036). Total mean over period was also highest in the physical training group compared with the acupuncture group (P=0.025). The vitality and sleep dimension was significantly improved at the 6-month follow-up in the relaxation training group compared with the acupuncture group (P=0.04). ConclusionsPhysical training and relaxation training seem to be preferable nonpharmacologic treatments for improvement of central nervous system-related symptoms and subjective well-being for patients with CTTH.
Determination of optical properties in heterogeneous turbid media using a cylindrical diffusing fiber

For interstitial photodynamic therapy (PDT), cylindrical diffusing fibers (CDFs) are often used to deliver light. This study examines the feasibility and accuracy of using CDFs to characterize the absorption (μa) and reduced scattering (μ′s) coefficients of heterogeneous turbid media. Measurements were performed in tissue-simulating phantoms with μa between 0.1 and 1 cm−1 and μ′s between 3 and 10 cm−1 with CDFs 2 to 4 cm in length. Optical properties were determined by fitting the measured light fluence rate profiles at a fixed distance from the CDF axis using a heterogeneous kernel model in which the cylindrical diffusing fiber is treated as a series of point sources. The resulting optical properties were compared with independent measurement using a point source method. In a homogenous medium, we are able to determine the absorption coefficient μa using a value of μ′s determined a priori (uniform fit) or μ′s obtained by fitting (variable fit) with standard (maximum) deviations of 6% (18%) and 18% (44%), respectively. However, the CDF method is found to be insensitive to variations in μ′s, thus requiring a complementary method such as using a point source for determination of μ′s. The error for determining μa decreases in very heterogeneous turbid media because of the local absorption extremes. The data acquisition time for obtaining the one-dimensional optical properties distribution is less than 8 s. This method can result in dramatically improved accuracy of light fluence rate calculation for CDFs for prostate PDT in vivo when the same model and geometry is used for forward calculations using the extrapolated tissue optical properties.
Die Wirkung materieller Incentives auf den Rücklauf einer schriftlichen Panelbefragung

In the present paper we investigate the influence that material incentives have on the response rate and the panel mortality of a two-wave mail survey panel. We can show that incentives increase the response rate significantly, this effect being stronger in the first panel wave than in the second. Furthermore, we can demonstrate that there is no hysteresis effect and that the effect of one incentive is independent of the other one. There is no evidence of incentive effects on the sample composition. 1 Einleitung und Problemstellung Daß materielle Incentives, also kleine Geschenke an die zu interviewenden Personen, die Ausschöpfungsquote schriftlicher Befragungen erhöhen, hat sich in empirischen Untersuchungen immer wieder eindrucksvoll bestätigt (vgl. zuletzt Hare et al. 1998). Bekannt sind darüber hinaus auch diejenigen Eigenschaften von Incentives, die einem hohen Rücklauf 1 Für wertvolle Hinweise und Anregungen danken wir Manu Pötschke, Friederika Priemer und Annette Schmitt. 2 Kai Arzheimer ist wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter am Institut für Politikwissenschaft der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, 55099 Mainz.
Influence of Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass on Obstetric and Perinatal Outcomes: A Comparative Study

Objective: To analyze the obstetric and neonatal outcomes in pregnancies after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) compared with matched control pregnancies. Methodology: A cross-sectional study of the analytical type with pregnant women matched by age and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) was carried out. Group 1 (G1) comprised 60 pregnant women who did not previously undergo RYGB and Group 2 (G2) 30 pregnant women who previously underwent RYGB. Results: In G1 mean age was 29.2 ± 4.9 and mean pre-pregnancy BMI was 26.3 ± 3.34 G2. In G2 was 30.3 ± 4.4 and 27.4 ± 3.3, respectively. In relation to gestational intercurrences, 36.7% of pregnant women in G2 showed urinary tract infection (UTI) (p<0.001), 76.7% anemia (p<0.001). Both in G1 and G2, NBs were classified as having appropriate birth weight. As regards, the gestational age at birth, 88.3% of NBs in G1 and 96.5% in G2 were considered born at term. Among the NBs in G1, a total of 81.7% was classified as AGA NBs, 10% as LGA NBs and 8.3% as SGA NBs. In G2, 72.4% were classified as AGA NBs and 24.1% as SGA NBs, (p=0.036). Conclusion: No compromise of perinatal outcomes was observed. However, it was observed the significantly higher prevalence of anemia and UTI in G2 and Due to decreased the incidence of macrosomia, the chances of normal birth (NB) increases after RYGB. Neonatal outcomes and course of pregnancy improve, if conception occurs minimum 18 months after surgery.
Bilingualism and morphological awareness: a study with children from general education and Spanish-English dual language programs

Existing research on the impact of bilingualism on metalinguistic development has concentrated on the development of phonological awareness. The present study extended the scope of existing research by focusing on morphological awareness, an aspect of metalinguistic awareness that becomes increasingly important beyond the initial phase of literacy development. Participants included three groups of fourth-grader children from the same school with comparable SES and non-verbal IQ: (a) monolingual English-speaking children from a general education programme, (b) Spanish-speaking children from a Spanish–English dual-language programme and (c) English-speaking children from the same Spanish–English dual-language programme. Researcher-developed measures of vocabulary and morphological awareness were administered. Results suggested that bilingual education can have a positive impact on the development of morphological awareness through cross-language transfer as well as increased sensitivity to structural language features. The findings contribute to a growing body of research on how bilingual experience may shape children’s metalinguistic development.
Results of excision of thymoma in cats and dogs: 20 cases (1984-2005).

OBJECTIVE To provide long-term follow-up information for a series of dogs and cats with invasive and noninvasive thymomas treated by excision alone. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 9 cats and 11 dogs with thymoma. PROCEDURES Medical records were reviewed. The following factors were analyzed for their effect on prognosis: age of dog or cat, invasiveness of the tumor, percentage of lymphocytes in the mass (percentage lymphocyte composition) on histologic evaluation, and mitotic index of the mass. RESULTS All patients were treated with excision of the tumor alone. Median overall survival time for the cats was 1,825 days, with a 1-year survival rate of 89% and a 3-year survival rate of 74%. Median overall survival time for the dogs was 790 days, with a 1-year survival rate of 64% and a 3-year survival rate of 42%. Recurrence of thymoma was observed in 2 cats and 1 dog, and a second surgery was performed in each, with subsequent survival times of 5, 3, and 4 years following the first surgery. Percentage lymphocyte composition of the mass was the only factor that was significantly correlated with survival time; animals with a high percentage of lymphocytes lived longer. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results of this study indicated that most cats and dogs with thymomas did well after excision. Even cats and dogs with invasive masses that survived the surgery and the few cats and dogs with recurrent thymomas or paraneoplastic syndromes had a good long-term outcome. Excision should be considered an effective treatment option for dogs and cats with thymomas.
Relations between emotion, illusory word perception, and orthographic repetition blindness: Tests of binding theory

This study reports effects of meaning and emotion (taboo vs. neutral words) on an illusory word (IW) phenomenon linked to orthographic repetition blindness (RB). Participants immediately recalled rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) lists consisting of two critical words (C1 and C2) containing shared letters, followed by a word fragment: for example, lake (C1) brake (C2) ush (fragment). For neutral critical words, participants often recalled C1, but not C2 or the fragment, reporting instead a nonoccurring or illusory word: here, brush (a blend of C2 and the fragment). Forward RB (defined as reduced report of orthographically similar C2s) was more common for neutral than for taboo C2s, and taboo IWs were reported significantly more often than were neutral IWs. Moreover, when both C2 and the potential IW were taboo, a new phenomenon emerged: Participants reliably reported both the IW and the intact C2. These and other results supported a binding theory of the IW phenomenon and orthographic RB.
Extracellular concentration of homocysteine in human cell lines is influenced by specific inhibitors of cyst(e)ine transport

Abstract Despite the growing evidence that plasma homocysteine is a cardiovascular risk factor, the mechanism behind the vascular injuries is still unknown. Studies of the cellular uptake systems for homocysteine are scarce, but membrane transporters of cyst(e)ine seem to be involved. In the present study the cellular uptake of extracellular homocysteine in HeLa and hepatoma cell lines is investigated by using several different transport inhibitors for cellular uptake of cyst(e)ine. It is shown that systems A and Xc-are the main transport systems for homocysteine uptake in HeLa cells. It is also confirmed that the magnitude of homocysteine uptake in hepatoma cells is lower than in HeLa cells. However, in the presence of high amounts of extracellular homocysteine both cell types exhibited a high elimination of homocysteine, which was inhibited by the presence of inhibitors of systems A or Xc-. It is possible that there is normally a high turnover of homocysteine in cell cultures, which is not detected by occasional determinations of homocysteine concentrations. The complex pattern of homocysteine production, release, uptake and distribution between different cells in the body is important to examine further in order to possibly be able to modulate the elimination of homocysteine from circulation and thereby lower the riskof cardiovascular disease.
Prevalence of migraine headache in Canada.

The 1998/99 Statistics Canada National Population Health Survey reports that 7.9% of Canadians over age 12 have been diagnosed with migraine headaches. Females are more than 3 times as likely to experience them than males (11.7% compared with 3.8%); this gender difference persists across all age
Risk factors for an adverse outcome in early invasive colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Various histologic findings exist for managing patients with malignant polyps. Our goal was to determine the criteria for a conservative approach to patients with locally excised early invasive carcinoma. METHODS In 292 early invasive tumors (local resection followed by laparotomy [80 tumors, group A], local resection only [41 tumors, group B], and primarily laparotomy [171 tumors, group C], potential parameters for nodal involvement were analyzed. The status of the endoscopic resection margin also was examined for the risk for intramural residual tumor. RESULTS Unfavorable tumor grade, definite vascular invasion, and tumor budding were the combination of qualitative factors that most effectively discriminated the risk for nodal involvement in patients in groups A-C. The nodal involvement rate was 0.7%, 20.7%, and 36.4% in the no-risk, single-risk, and multiple-risks group, respectively. Thirty-two and 9 patients from group B were assigned to the no-risk and one-risk group, respectively; extramural recurrence occurred in 2 patients with risk factors. Considering quantitative risk parameters for submucosal invasion (i.e., width > or =4000 microm or depth > or =2000 microm), nodal involvement (including micrometastases) was not observed in the redefined no-risk group that accounted for about 25% of the patients from groups A and C. An insufficiency of endoscopic resection could be evaluated most precisely based on the coagulation-involving tumor, rather than the 1-mm rule for the resection margin. CONCLUSIONS Provided that the criterion of sufficient excision is satisfied, the absence of an unfavorable tumor grade, vascular invasion, tumor budding, and extensive submucosal invasion would be the strict criteria for a wait-and-see policy.
Polyphenol Composition and Antioxidant Capacity of Three Lysimachia Species

The polyphenol composition and antioxidant properties of three Lysimachia species (L. nummularia L., L. vulgaris L. and L. punctata L.) and their column chromatographic fractions were investigated. The antioxidant activity of herb extracts and 54 different column chromatographic fractions was evaluated using in vitro DPPH• and ABTS•+ decolorization tests. The total polyphenol content was determined by spectrophotometric methods. The phenolic compounds of extracts of different Lysimachia species and their bioactive fractions were characterized by online chromatographic methods. For identification of the compounds, UV spectral data, accurate molecular mass and formula, as well as MS and fragmentation patterns given by LC-DAD-ESI/MS/MS and LC-ESI-TOF analyses were used. Quantification of the compounds was performed by LC-DAD using an external standard method. In the extracts, caffeic acid derivatives, chlorogenic acid, free flavonoid aglycones, and 11 various flavonoid glycosides were identified. Flavonoid composition of Lysimachia extracts showed significant differences. L. punctata extracts had the strongest DPPH• and ABTS•+ radical scavenger activity (IC50=43.3 μg/mL and 21.3 μg/mL), due to their high myricitrin and quercetin-hexoside content. Correlation between polyphenol content and radical scavenging activity of each column chromatographic fractions is also included.
Vaporware as a Means of Entry Deterrence

Firms in the computer industry are often accused of vaporware, the untruthful pre-announcement of a new version of their product. By claiming they have a new product, critics argue, these firms try to deter potential entrants. The paper analyzes this phenomenon. It shows that vaporware is an equilibrium strategy in a signaling game in which the possibility to market a new product is private information. In this model, the possibility of vaporware can hurt consumers, also in the case the incumbent does have a new version of its product. The welfare effects of vaporware are ambiguous.
A mixed blessing: slum tourism

“History is written by the rich, and so the poor get blamed for everything. ” Slum tourism is an emerging industry in India. Most of us are familiar with the word ‘tourism’, but ‘slum tourism’ or ‘poorism’ is a new subject. It is proving to be one of the big businesses of the international tourism market. Because of its uniqueness to regular tourism, the new form of this tourism is an opening for tourists to learn more about the real life situations of the poor relate to them and their circumstances. Western countries’ richest people like to see the poor people's life style. South Africa, Brazil, India are emerging countries for this type of tourism. For those who fancy a chance to see how the other half of the world lives without the luxurious amenities of life, goes to these special tours to the underprivileged neighborhood of the world. Slum tourism business increased by 25 percent after the movie Slumdog Millionaire was released. Slum tourism has become a niche segment in the global tourism industry. Slums are an apparent misfortune for every country but this paper traces an apparent misfortune that eventually has good results.