Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phytochemicals and antioxidant properties of different parts of Camellia sinensis leaves from Sabah Tea Plantation in Sabah, Malaysia

This study was conducted to determine the total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) as well as the antioxidant activity of 50% ethanolic extracts from different parts of Camellia sinensis (shoot, young and matured leaves). Comparison was also made between black (fermented) and green (unfermented) tea. For green tea, the results showed that the shoot contained significantly higher total phenolic content, followed by the young and matured leaves (p<0.05). The same trend was also observed for antioxidant activity as assessed using FRAP (ferric reducing/antioxidant power), DPPH (2,2-diphenyl 1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging assay and ABTS (2,2’-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline)-6-sulphonic) radical scavenging assays. As for black tea, the highest total phenolic and total flavonoid content were observed in the shoot, followed by the young and old leaves. The same trend of antioxidant activity with green tea was also observed in black tea extracts. In addition, black tea compost showed comparable high total phenolic and flavonoid content as well as antioxidant activities as assessed using different antioxidant assays. High antioxidant activity of tea leaves grown in Sabah might be contributed by phenolic phytochemicals that presence in the extracts
Predicting Specific Stress of Cotton Staple Ring Spun Yarns: Experimental and Theoretical Results

The aim of this research is to predict the yarn specific stress from fiber specific stress and fiber stress utilisation. In this paper a new approach is introduced to predict the specific stress-strain curves of cotton carded and combed yarns. The force on single fiber is worked out and these fiber forces are combined together to obtain forces acting on yarn. The theoretical model introduces the utilisation of fiber stress on the basis of the fiber specific stress-strain curve, twist angle, fiber directional distribution parameter C and contraction ratio. A comparison of experimental results suggests that the specific stress-strain curves predicted have reasonable agreement with the experimental yarn specific stress-strain curves for all types of yarns. Thus this model is valid to predict the specific stress-strain curves for carded and combed cotton ring spun yarns.
Improvement of hemoglobin levels after a switch from intravenous to subcutaneous administration of immunoglobulin in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and multifocal motor neuropathy

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is recommended treatment for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). Recent studies have demonstrated that subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) is feasible, safe, and effective in both disorders. IVIG leads to transient hemolysis and, consequently, we hypothesized that frequent small doses of SCIG exerts less hemolytic activity than a few larger doses of IVIG.
The Spanish Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule (AUDADIS): reliability and concordance with clinical diagnoses in a Hispanic population.

OBJECTIVE The study reports the process of translation into Spanish and adaptation to the Hispanic culture of the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Schedule (AUDADIS). This instrument is a structured diagnostic interview schedule specifically developed for the assessment of substance-related disorders and their comorbid disorders and disabilities. METHOD A random sample (N = 169) of adults from a primary health care clinic in Puerto Rico was selected. The test-retest reliability of the instrument was examined across time and across interviewers, and the validity was assessed by comparing computer-derived diagnoses obtained through the administration of lay interviewers with best estimate diagnoses given by board-certified psychiatrists. RESULTS For most diagnoses and symptoms studied, as well as for most of the alcohol consumption measures, the test-retest reliability of the Spanish AUDADIS was consistent with results reported in other national and international studies using this instrument. Good to excellent test-retest reliability was obtained for the diagnoses of alcohol dependence and major depression. Similarly, good to excellent agreement was obtained between the lay administered AUDADIS and best estimate diagnoses for most diagnostic categories, with the exception of dysthymia. As in other studies, the reliability and validity of the substance abuse category was poor. When agreement for this category was estimated independent of lifetime dependence, both the reliability and validity coefficients were considerably improved. CONCLUSIONS The Spanish AUDADIS generally demonstrates good to excellent levels of reliability and validity that are comparable to findings reported for this instrument in other national and international studies.
High-Throughput Identification and Screening of Novel Methylobacterium Species Using Whole-Cell MALDI-TOF/MS Analysis

Methylobacterium species are ubiquitous α-proteobacteria that reside in the phyllosphere and are fed by methanol that is emitted from plants. In this study, we applied whole-cell matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis (WC-MS) to evaluate the diversity of Methylobacterium species collected from a variety of plants. The WC-MS spectrum was reproducible through two weeks of cultivation on different media. WC-MS spectrum peaks of M. extorquens strain AM1 cells were attributed to ribosomal proteins, but those were not were also found. We developed a simple method for rapid identification based on spectra similarity. Using all available type strains of Methylobacterium species, the method provided a certain threshold similarity value for species-level discrimination, although the genus contains some type strains that could not be easily discriminated solely by 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Next, we evaluated the WC-MS data of approximately 200 methylotrophs isolated from various plants with MALDI Biotyper software (Bruker Daltonics). Isolates representing each cluster were further identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In most cases, the identification by WC-MS matched that by sequencing, and isolates with unique spectra represented possible novel species. The strains belonging to M. extorquens, M. adhaesivum, M. marchantiae, M. komagatae, M. brachiatum, M. radiotolerans, and novel lineages close to M. adhaesivum, many of which were isolated from bryophytes, were found to be the most frequent phyllospheric colonizers. The WC-MS technique provides emerging high-throughputness in the identification of known/novel species of bacteria, enabling the selection of novel species in a library and identification without 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
Kinetics of three lymphoscintigraphic agents in patients with cutaneous melanoma.

UNLABELLED Although lymphoscintigraphy is commonly used for the preoperative evaluation of patients with cutaneous melanoma and for intraoperative identification of sentinel lymph nodes, there is no consensus regarding the most useful radiopharmaceuticals or imaging times. METHODS Fifty-one consecutive patients with clinical American Joint Committee on Cancer Stage I or II melanoma were assigned to one of three groups of 17 for lymphoscintigraphy with one of three radiopharmaceuticals: 99mTc-albumin colloid (AC), 99mTc-human serum albumin (HSA) or 99mTc-sulfur colloid (SC). Colloidal agents were filtered through 0.2 microm filters. After injecting 18.5-30 MBq (500-800 microCi) of the radiopharmaceutical, dynamic monitoring over injection sites and node basins was performed to identify draining lymphatic channels and sentinel nodes. In addition, static digital and analog images were acquired from the injection site and draining node basins immediately after injection and at 30 min (early) and 2 to 4 hr (delayed) after injection. Dynamic and static images were analyzed to determine transit times to the sentinel node, the number of nodes visualized in early and delayed images, the quality of lymph node and lymph channel visualization, the sentinel-to-nonsentinel uptake ratios and the washout rates from injection sites. RESULTS Early images with all three agents provided reliable identification of sentinel lymph nodes. Technetium-99m-HSA demonstrated faster washout rates from injection sites and better definition of lymph channels than either particulate agent, whereas particulate agents were retained longer in nodes and demonstrated more nodes in delayed images than in early images. All agents demonstrated lymph channels better in early images than in delayed images. In general, variations between patients exceeded differences between agents. Sentinel nodes could not be distinguished reliably from nonsentinel nodes in delayed images alone. CONCLUSION All three agents are acceptable for cutaneous lymphoscintigraphy, but reliable identification of sentinel nodes and their afferent lymph channels requires early imaging. Delayed imaging or localization alone is unreliable and may lead to incorrect identification of the sentinel node.
The effects of different levels of superoxide dismutase in Modena on boar semen quality during liquid preservation at 17°C.

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of superoxide dismutase (SOD) on the quality of boar semen during liquid preservation at 17°C. Semen samples from 10 Duroc boars were collected and pooled, divided into five equal parts and diluted with Modena containing different concentrations (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 U/mL) of SOD. During the process of liquid preservation at 17°C, sperm motility, acrosome integrity, membrane integrity, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) content were measured and analyzed every 24 h. Meanwhile, effective survival time of boar semen during preservation was evaluated and analyzed. The results indicated that different concentrations of SOD in Modena showed different protective effects on boar sperm quality. Modena supplemented with SOD decreased the effects on reactive oxygen species on boar sperm quality during liquid preservation compared with that of the control group. The added 200 U/mL SOD group showed higher sperm motility, membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, effective survival time and T-AOC activity. Meanwhile, the added 200 U/mL SOD group showed lower MDA content and H2 O2 content. In conclusion, addition of SOD to Modena improved the boar sperm quality by reducing oxidative stress during liquid preservation at 17°C and the optimum concentration was 200 U/mL.
Squamous Cell Cancer of the Anal Canal in HIV-Infected Patients Receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy: A Single Institution Experience

Background:Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients are at increased risk for squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCCA) and the incidence of SCCA has increased in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy. The outcome of SCCA in HIV-positive patients has not been evaluated in prospective trials and the published literature is limited to retrospective case series. The aim of this study is to describe the treatment, toxicity, and overall survival (OS) in patients with and without HIV infection. Methods:We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients treated for invasive SCCA at Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University from 1991 to 2007 and collected data regarding HIV status, demographics, stage at diagnosis, treatment, response to treatment, toxicity, and survival. Results:Forty-five patients with SCCA were identified, of whom 13 were HIV-positive and 32 were HIV-negative. HIV-positive patients were younger (median age, 45 vs. 57 years) and had a higher frequency of men (89% vs. 37%). Patients were balanced for presenting stage at diagnosis and rates of local recurrence were found to be similar between the 2 groups. HIV-positive patients were less likely to receive full dose chemoradiotherapy. Except for dermatitis, the incidence of grade 3 to 4 toxicities was similar in both groups. Median OS was 33.5 months for HIV-positive patients and 71.8 months for HIV-negative patients. Although limited by the small size of the study, the OS was not statistically significantly different by HIV status (P = 0.787). Conclusion:Although the HIV-positive patients received lower dose chemoradiotherapy, no major difference in local control or overall survival was observed.
How to Evaluate Phase Differences between Trial Groups in Ongoing Electrophysiological Signals

A growing number of studies endeavor to reveal periodicities in sensory and cognitive functions, by comparing the distribution of ongoing (pre-stimulus) oscillatory phases between two (or more) trial groups reflecting distinct experimental outcomes. A systematic relation between the phase of spontaneous electrophysiological signals, before a stimulus is even presented, and the eventual result of sensory or cognitive processing for that stimulus, would be indicative of an intrinsic periodicity in the underlying neural process. Prior studies of phase-dependent perception have used a variety of analytical methods to measure and evaluate phase differences, and there is currently no established standard practice in this field. The present report intends to remediate this need, by systematically comparing the statistical power of various measures of “phase opposition” between two trial groups, in a number of real and simulated experimental situations. Seven measures were evaluated: one parametric test (circular Watson-Williams test), and three distinct measures of phase opposition (phase bifurcation index, phase opposition sum and phase opposition product) combined with two procedures for non-parametric statistical testing (permutation, or a combination of z-score and permutation). While these are obviously not the only existing or conceivable measures, they have all been used in recent studies. All tested methods performed adequately on a previously published dataset (Busch, Dubois & VanRullen, 2009). On a variety of artificially constructed datasets, no single measure was found to surpass all others, but instead the suitability of each measure was contingent on several experimental factors: the time, frequency and depth of oscillatory phase modulation; the absolute and relative amplitudes of post-stimulus event-related potentials for the two trial groups; the absolute and relative trial numbers for the two groups; and the number of permutations used for non-parametric testing. The concurrent use of two phase opposition measures, the parametric Watson-Williams test and a non-parametric test based on summing inter-trial coherence values for the two trial groups, appears to provide the most satisfactory outcome in all situations tested. Matlab code is provided to automatically compute these phase opposition measures.
Temporal Change of Raman Spectra of Carbon Tetrachloride Under Laser-Driven Shock Compression

Nanosecond time‐resolved Raman spectroscopy has been performed to study a molecular response of carbon tetrachloride under laser‐driven shock compression at laser power density of about 5 GW/cm2. Intense Raman peaks of CCl4 at 213, 314, and 459 cm−1 in the Stokes and anti‐Stokes region were clearly observed simultaneously at single‐shot experiment. These peaks showed a blue shift (high frequency shift) and became broad under compression. The intensity of these peaks increased along with the propagation of shock wave. The temporal change of frequency shift and full width at half‐maximum (FWHM) of peaks showed the different behavior depending on each vibrational mode. The anti‐Stokes and Stokes ratio for each peak increased during shock compression due to the shock induced temperature rise. The temporal change of temperature estimated by Raman spectroscopy showed agreement with that of calculated temperature within present experimental resolution.Nanosecond time‐resolved Raman spectroscopy has been performed to study a molecular response of carbon tetrachloride under laser‐driven shock compression at laser power density of about 5 GW/cm2. Intense Raman peaks of CCl4 at 213, 314, and 459 cm−1 in the Stokes and anti‐Stokes region were clearly observed simultaneously at single‐shot experiment. These peaks showed a blue shift (high frequency shift) and became broad under compression. The intensity of these peaks increased along with the propagation of shock wave. The temporal change of frequency shift and full width at half‐maximum (FWHM) of peaks showed the different behavior depending on each vibrational mode. The anti‐Stokes and Stokes ratio for each peak increased during shock compression due to the shock induced temperature rise. The temporal change of temperature estimated by Raman spectroscopy showed agreement with that of calculated temperature within present experimental resolution.
Roles of IP3R and RyR Ca2+ Channels in Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and β-Cell Death

OBJECTIVE—Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetes, but the roles of specific ER Ca2+ release channels in the ER stress–associated apoptosis pathway remain unknown. Here, we examined the effects of stimulating or inhibiting the ER-resident inositol trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) and the ryanodine receptors (RyRs) on the induction of β-cell ER stress and apoptosis. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Kinetics of β-cell death were tracked by imaging propidium iodide incorporation and caspase-3 activity in real time. ER stress and apoptosis were assessed by Western blot. Mitochondrial membrane potential was monitored by flow cytometry. Cytosolic Ca2+ was imaged using fura-2, and genetically encoded fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)–based probes were used to measure Ca2+ in ER and mitochondria. RESULTS—Neither RyR nor IP3R inhibition, alone or in combination, caused robust death within 24 h. In contrast, blocking sarco/endoplasmic reticulum ATPase (SERCA) pumps depleted ER Ca2+ and induced marked phosphorylation of PKR-like ER kinase (PERK) and eukaryotic initiation factor-2α (eIF2α), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP)–associated ER stress, caspase-3 activation, and death. Notably, ER stress following SERCA inhibition was attenuated by blocking IP3Rs and RyRs. Conversely, stimulation of ER Ca2+ release channels accelerated thapsigargin-induced ER depletion and apoptosis. SERCA block also activated caspase-9 and induced perturbations of the mitochondrial membrane potential, resulting eventually in the loss of mitochondrial polarization. CONCLUSIONS—This study demonstrates that the activity of ER Ca2+ channels regulates the susceptibility of β-cells to ER stress resulting from impaired SERCA function. Our results also suggest the involvement of mitochondria in β-cell apoptosis associated with dysfunctional β-cell ER Ca2+ homeostasis and ER stress.
Functional Image of Dynamic Computed Tomography in Diagnostic and Prognostic Evaluation of Ischemic Stroke Within the First 6 Hours

Background and Purpose It is important to make a diagnosis before a low-density area appears on computed tomography for appropriate management of acute ischemic stroke. We report the diagnostic and prognostic usefulness of functional image of dynamic computed tomography for acute ischemic stroke. Methods Forty-seven patients with ischemic strokes within 6 hours of ictus underwent dynamic computed tomography in which functional images were obtained. These findings were compared with angiographic findings, follow-up computed tomography, and clinical outcome. Results The functional images were categorized into three groups: (1) cortical type: abnormalities on time to peak image and/or corrected mean transit time image involving mainly cortical structures (29 cases); (2) noncortical type: abnormalities on either or both images limited to noncortical structures (7 cases); and (3) normal type: no abnormalities on both images (11 cases). Cortical type as a diagnostic test for arterial trunk occlusion had a good sensitivity (100%), specificity (95%), and accuracy (98%). Infarction volume on follow-up computed tomography correlated with extension of prolonged time-to-peak area (r=.80, P < .01) and that of prolonged corrected mean transit time area (r=.81, P < .01). Cortical type was associated with significantly unfavorable outcome (P < .01). Conclusions Functional image of dynamic computed tomography findings predicted arterial trunk occlusion, infarction volume, and clinical outcome. Therefore, this technique would be useful not only for indicating definitive angiography and subsequent therapy but for evaluating the effectiveness of surgical or medical recanalization.
Corruption, Income Distribution, and Growth

This paper uses an encompassing framework developed by Murphy et al. (1991, 1993) to study corruption and how it affects income distribution and growth. We find that (1) corruption affects income distribution in an inverted U-shaped way, (2) corruption alone also explains a large proportion of the Gini differential across developing and industrial countries, and (3) after correcting for measurement errors, corruption seems to retard economic growth. But the effect is far less pronounced than the one found in Mauro (1995). Moreover, corruption alone explains little of the continental growth differentials. In countries where the asset distribution is less equal, corruption is associated with a smaller increase in income inequality and a larger drop in growth rates.
Image and video upscaling from local self-examples

We propose a new high-quality and efficient single-image upscaling technique that extends existing example-based super-resolution frameworks. In our approach we do not rely on an external example database or use the whole input image as a source for example patches. Instead, we follow a local self-similarity assumption on natural images and extract patches from extremely localized regions in the input image. This allows us to reduce considerably the nearest-patch search time without compromising quality in most images. Tests, that we perform and report, show that the local self-similarity assumption holds better for small scaling factors where there are more example patches of greater relevance. We implement these small scalings using dedicated novel nondyadic filter banks, that we derive based on principles that model the upscaling process. Moreover, the new filters are nearly biorthogonal and hence produce high-resolution images that are highly consistent with the input image without solving implicit back-projection equations. The local and explicit nature of our algorithm makes it simple, efficient, and allows a trivial parallel implementation on a GPU. We demonstrate the new method ability to produce high-quality resolution enhancement, its application to video sequences with no algorithmic modification, and its efficiency to perform real-time enhancement of low-resolution video standard into recent high-definition formats.
Placental vascular pathology and increased thrombin generation as mechanisms of disease in obstetrical syndromes

Obstetrical complications including preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, preterm labor, preterm prelabor rupture of membranes and fetal demise are all the clinical endpoint of several underlying mechanisms (i.e., infection, inflammation, thrombosis, endocrine disorder, immunologic rejection, genetic, and environmental), therefore, they may be regarded as syndromes. Placental vascular pathology and increased thrombin generation were reported in all of these obstetrical syndromes. Moreover, elevated concentrations of thrombin-anti thrombin III complexes and changes in the coagulation as well as anticoagulation factors can be detected in the maternal circulation prior to the clinical development of the disease in some of these syndromes. In this review, we will assess the changes in the hemostatic system during normal and complicated pregnancy in maternal blood, maternal–fetal interface and amniotic fluid, and describe the contribution of thrombosis and vascular pathology to the development of the great obstetrical syndromes.