Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
International Journal of Biological & Medical Research Serum Zinc Level Estimation-comparision between Normal Control and in Leprosy Patients

a a a a b Original Article Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It principally affects the cooler parts of the body, mainly skin and peripheral nerves. Leprosy involves wide range of biochemical as well as immunological changes in the body including trace elements such as zinc, copper and magnesium. After iron, zinc is the second most abundant trace element in the body. This study has been undertaken to correlate with clinical presentations wherever possible and to investigate the level of serum zinc in leprosy. Study included 63 newly diagnosed leprosy. Cases were further distributed according to clinical subtypes and were compared to controls. Venous blood samples were collected and estimation of serum zinc level has been done with serum. Maximum patients detected were of Intermediate Leprosy (26.9) where as lesser (1.58)were of Histoid type. Pure tuberculoid and Indeterminate leprosy group showed minimum decrease and pure lepromatous and Erythema nodosum leprosum group showed maximum decrease in Serum Zinc level i.e. leprosy patients with increased bacterial load have decreased serum zinc levels. This suggests that there could be a correlation of serum zinc levels and the bacillary load.
Rayleigh wave phase velocities in the Atlantic upper mantle

Phase velocity in the period range 30–130 s is measured for approximately 10,000 fundamental‐mode Rayleigh waves traversing the Atlantic basin. In order to isolate the signal of the oceanic upper mantle, paths with >30% of their length through continental upper mantle are excluded. The lateral distribution of Rayleigh wave phase velocity in the Atlantic upper mantle is explored with two approaches. One, phase velocity is allowed to vary only as a function of seafloor age. Two, a general two‐dimensional parameterization is utilized in order to capture perturbations to age‐dependent structure. In both scenarios, phase velocity shows a strong dependence on seafloor age at all periods, with higher velocity associated with older seafloor. Removing age‐dependent velocity from the 2‐D phase‐velocity maps highlights areas of anomalously low velocity, almost all of which are proximal to locations of hotspot volcanism. The age‐dependent phase velocities for the Atlantic are not consistent with a half‐space cooling model and are best explained by a plate cooling model with thickness of 75 km and mantle temperature of 1400°C. In contrast, age‐dependent phase velocities for the Pacific basin determined by Nishimura and Forsyth (1989) can be fit reasonably well by a half‐space cooling model with mantle temperature approximately 50°C warmer than the Atlantic. Comparison of Rayleigh wave phase velocity and fractionation‐corrected Na concentrations in mid‐ocean ridge basalts erupted at 87 axial ridge segments reveals a positive correlation coefficient that increases with period, as expected if along‐ridge variations in mantle potential temperature are controlling both quantities.
Generating loop graphs via Hopf algebra in quantum field theory

We use the Hopf algebra structure of the time-ordered algebra of field operators to generate all connected weighted Feynman graphs in a recursive and efficient manner. The algebraic representation of the graphs is such that they can be evaluated directly as contributions to the connected n-point functions. The recursion proceeds by loop order and vertex number.
Stability of a Class of Nonlinear Neutral Stochastic Differential Equations with Variable Time Delays

Abstract In this paper, we study the mean square asymptotic stability of a class of generalized nonlinear neutral stochastic differential equations with variable time delays by using fixed point theory. An asymptotic mean square stability theorem with a necessary and sufficient condition is proved which improves and generalizes some well-known results. Finally, two examples are given to illustrate our results.
Effects of Stimulus Duration and Type on Perception of Female and Male Speaker Age

Our abilitiy to estimate speaker age was investigated with respect to stimulus duration and type as well as speaker gender in four listening tests with the same 24 speakers, but with four different types of stimuli (ten and three seconds of spontaneous speech, one isolated word and six concatenated isolated words) Results showed that the listeners' judgements were about twice as accurate as chance, and that stimulus duration and type affected the judgements. Moreover, stimulus duration affected the listeners’ judgments of female speakers somewhat more, while stimulus type affected the judgments of male speakers more, indicating that listeners may use different strategies when judging female and male speaker age.
Direct renal interstitial volume expansion causes exaggerated natriuresis in SHR.

In Okamoto spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), elevated arterial blood pressure is not transmitted to the renal interstitium, and therefore pressure natriuretic and diuretic responses are attenuated. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of increasing renal interstitial hydrostatic pressure (RIHP) by direct renal interstitial volume expansion (DRIVE) on natriuresis and diuresis of SHR and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Unilateral nephrectomy and implantation of two polyethylene (PE) matrices were performed 3-4 wk before the acute experiment. Four groups of rats, two experimental and two time control, were used. A control clearance period was taken in all groups. In experimental groups and at the beginning and middle of the second period DRIVE was accomplished by bolus injection of a solution of 2.5% human albumin in saline directly into interstitium through one of the PE matrices. In time-control groups saline was infused in renal interstitium at the beginning of the second period. The second PE matrix was used to continuously measure RIHP in all groups. In experimental groups, DRIVE produced a significant increase in RIHP from 3.8 +/- 0.4 to 5.7 +/- 0.8 mmHg (P less than 0.05) in SHR and 4.3 +/- 0.4 to 7.1 +/- 0.5 mmHg (P less than 0.05) in WKY. In both groups the significant increase in RIHP was associated with significant increases in urinary sodium excretion (UNaV), fractional excretion of sodium (FENa), and urine flow rate (V). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The effect of number of nodes per cutting and potassium fertilizer on the growth, yield and yield components of sweet potatoes (ipomoea batatas poir)

The effects of number of nodes per cutting (3,5 and 7) and different levels of potassium fertilizer application (0, 60 and 120 kg K/ha) on the growth, yield and yield components of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Poir) cultivar ITS 2 were investigated on Toji series soils which fall within the coastal savanna acrisols. Many of the characters measured increased with increase in node number up to 7-nodes. The 5 and 7-node cuttings established earlier and produced higher dry matter (DM) during the first few weeks of growth than the 3-node cuttings. The 5 and 7-node cuttings also gave significantly higher tuber yields than 3-node cuttings. There was no apparent advantage of the 7-node cuttings over the 5-node cuttings in all the characters studied. Similarly, there were no significant effects due to the number of nodes per cutting on leaf area development at 6 weeks after planting till time of harvesting. Number of nodes per cutting did not have any significant effect on tuber and vine DM yield as well as tuber length to diameter ratio. Potassium fertilization did not have significant effect on any of the characters investigated although it increased tuber DM yield slightly. (Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science, 1997, 30(1): 53-62)
Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy in East and West

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy, a vasculopathy characterised by the deposition of amyloid fibrils in the arteries and arterioles in the cerebral cortex and meninges, has been reported to be associated with intracerebral haemorrhage and cognitive impairment in the elderly. Advances in neuroimaging and validation of the clinical diagnostic criteria aid in making a correct clinical diagnosis. Associations with Alzheimer's disease, asymptomatic microbleeds and white matter changes on neuroimaging have an influence on the clinical treatment for patients with probable cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Reviewing the reports from Asian countries, we found that patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy have a strong age-related prevalence and a consistent association with dementia, but a weaker correlation with intracerebral haemorrhage, most likely due to a higher incidence of hypertensive intracerebral haemorrhage. Involvement of the occipital lobe arteries by CAA is common in all races and ethnicities, while frontal lobe arteries may be more frequently involved in the East compared to the West. The clinical impact of cerebral amyloid angiopathy on intracerebral haemorrhage and cognitive impairment could be increasingly obvious in Asian countries with ageing populations, especially with improving control of hypertension, the leading cause of intracerebral haemorrhage.
Sadistic Homosexual Pedophilia: Treatment with Cyproterone Acetate: A Single Case Study

This single case study demonstrates the effects of antiandrogen treatment on a subject with a very serious sexual deviation and a poor prognosis. It assesses the effects of cyproterone acetate (CPA) on an individual with a serious chronic organic brain syndrome combined with sadistic homosexual pedophilia. Furthermore, this individual had failed to respond to a behavioural treatment program and long-term milieu therapy. Finally, this case study is the first report of CPA differentially affecting penile responses to deviant and non-deviant stimuli.
Development of Real-Time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Assays to Track Treatment Response in Retinoid Resistant Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

Molecular detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) has become established to assess remission status and guide therapy in patients with ProMyelocytic Leukemia–RARA+ acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). However, there are few data on tracking disease response in patients with rarer retinoid resistant subtypes of APL, characterized by PLZF–RARA and STAT5b–RARA. Despite their rarity (<1% of APL) we identified 6 cases (PLZF–RARA, n = 5; STAT5b–RARA, n = 1), established the respective breakpoint junction regions and designed reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays to detect leukemic transcripts. The relative level of fusion gene expression in diagnostic samples was comparable to that observed in t(15;17) – associated APL, affording assay sensitivities of ∼1 in 104−105. Serial samples were available from two PLZF–RARA APL patients. One showed persistent polymerase chain reaction positivity, predicting subsequent relapse, and remains in CR2, ∼11 years post-autograft. The other, achieved molecular remission (CRm) with combination chemotherapy, remaining in CR1 at 6 years. The STAT5b–RARA patient failed to achieve CRm following frontline combination chemotherapy and ultimately proceeded to allogeneic transplant on the basis of a steadily rising fusion transcript level. These data highlight the potential of RT-qPCR detection of MRD to facilitate development of more individualized approaches to the management of rarer molecularly defined subsets of acute leukemia.
CUTEr and SifDec: A constrained and unconstrained testing environment, revisited

The initial release of CUTE, a widely used testing environment for optimization software, was described by Bongartz, et al. [1995]. A new version, now known as CUTEr, is presented. Features include reorganisation of the environment to allow simultaneous multi-platform installation, new tools for, and interfaces to, optimization packages, and a considerably simplified and entirely automated installation procedure for unix systems. The environment is fully backward compatible with its predecessor, and offers support for Fortran 90/95 and a general C/C++ Application Programming Interface. The SIF decoder, formerly a part of CUTE, has become a separate tool, easily callable by various packages. It features simple extensions to the SIF test problem format and the generation of files suited to automatic differentiation packages.
Testing homogeneity on large scales in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release One

The assumption that the Universe is homogeneous and isotropic on large scales is one of the fundamental postulates of cosmology. We have tested the large-scale homogeneity of the galaxy distribution in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release One (SDSS-DR1) using volumelimited subsamples extracted from the two equatorial strips that are nearly two-dimensional. The galaxy distribution was projected on the equatorial plane and we carried out a 2D multifractal analysis by counting the number of galaxies inside circles of different radii, r ,i nthe range 5‐150 h −1 Mpc centred on galaxies. Different moments of the count-in-cells were analysed to identify a range of length-scales (60‐70 h −1 Mpc to 150 h −1 Mpc ), where the moments show ap ower-law scaling behaviour, and to determine the scaling exponent that gives the spectrum of generalized dimension Dq . I fthe galaxy distribution is homogeneous, Dq does not vary with q and is equal to the Euclidean dimension, which in our case is 2. We find that Dq varies in the range 1.7‐2.2. We also constructed mock data from random, homogeneous point distributions and from lambda cold dark matter (�CDM) N-body simulations with bias b = 1, 1.6 and 2, and analysed these in exactly the same way. The values of Dq in the random distribution and the unbiased simulations show much smaller variations and these are not consistent with the actual data. The biased simulations, however, show larger variations in Dq and these are consistent with both the random and the actual data. Interpreting the actual data as a realization of
Crop Allelopathy and Its Role in Ecological Agriculture

Summary A number of crops exhibit allelopathic interactions that play a significant role in the complex environment of agroecosystems. Several studies have shown that allelopathic crops reduce growth, development and yield of other crops growing simultaneously or subsequently in the fields. Another aspect of interest regarding crop allelopathy is that allelochemicals may exhibit inhibitory effect on the same crop which is commonly called as crop autotoxicity. It is predominantly common in fields where sole cropping under reduced or no-tillage system is practiced. Though any crop part can be allelopathic, including even the pollens, but decomposing crop residues exhibit more influence on other plants. Furthermore, the extent of allelopathy by a crop plant varies with age, part and type of cultivar being used. Nowadays allelo-pathic crops are being used as an important tool in managing weeds and harmful pests under sustainable pest management programs. In this context several cover/smother and green manure .
Genetic modification of the O-polysaccharide of Francisella tularensis results in an avirulent live attenuated vaccine.

BACKGROUND Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia, is a highly virulent microbe. One significant virulence factor of F. tularensis is the O-polysaccharide (O-PS) portion of the organism's lipopolysaccharide. METHODS A wzy (O-antigen polymerase) deletion mutant of Ft. live attenuated vaccine strain (Ft.LVS), designated Ft.LVS::Δwzy, was created and evaluated as a live attenuated vaccine. Specifically, the mutant's virulence potential and its protective efficacy against type A and type B strains were investigated by challenge of immunized mice. RESULTS F. tularensis LVS::Δwzy expressed only 1 repeating unit of O-PS and yet, upon immunization, induced O-PS-specific antibodies. Compared with Ft.LVS, the mutant was highly sensitive to complement-mediated lysis, significantly attenuated in virulence, and was recovered in much lower numbers from the organs of infected mice. Intranasal immunization with Ft.LVS::Δwzy provided protection against subsequent intranasal infection with the highly virulent type A strain SchuS4 and with Ft.LVS. Immunization with Ft.LVS::Δwzy elicited both humoral and cell-mediated immunity. CONCLUSIONS Ft.LVS::Δwzy was avirulent in mice and, despite expressing only 1 repeating unit of the O-PS, induced antibodies to the full-length O-PS. Vaccination with Ft.LVS::Δwzy protected mice against intranasal challenge with both type A and type B strains of F. tularensis and induced functional immunity through both humoral and cellular mechanisms.
Modified Open-Door Laminoplasty Using a Ceramic Spacer and Suture Fixation for Cervical Myelopathy

Purpose To introduce a new simple technique using suture anchors and ceramic spacers to stabilize the elevated laminae in open-door cervical laminoplasty. Although ceramic spacers were placed in the opened laminae and fixed with nylon threads in this series, it was occasionally difficult to fix the nylon threads to the lateral mass. Materials and Methods Study 1: A preliminary study was conducted using a suture anchor system. Sixteen consecutive patients who underwent surgery for cervical myelopathy were prospectively examined. Study 2: The second study was performed prospectively to evaluate the feasibility of this new technique based on the result of the preliminary study. Clinical outcomes were examined in 45 consecutive patients [cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM)] and 43 consecutive patients (OPLL). The Japanese Orthopedic Association scoring system (JOA score), axial neck pain, and radiological findings were analyzed. Results 1) In one case, re-operation was necessary due to dislodgement of the ceramic spacer following rupture of the thread. 2) In all patients, postoperative CT scans showed that the anchors were securely inserted into the bone. In the CSM group, the average JOA score improved from 9.5 points preoperatively to 13.3 at follow-up (recovery 51%). In the OPLL group, the average JOA score improved from 10.1 (5-14) points preoperatively to 14.4 (11-16) at follow-up (recovery 62%). There were no serious complications. Conclusion The use of the suture anchor system made it unnecessary to create a hole in the lateral mass and enabled reliable and faster fixation of the HA spacers in open-door laminoplasty.
Impaired Regulatory T-Cell Response and Enhanced Atherosclerosis in the Absence of Inducible Costimulatory Molecule

Background— T-cell–mediated immunity contributes to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, but little is known about how these responses are regulated. We explored the influence of the inducible costimulatory molecule (ICOS) on atherosclerosis and associated immune responses. Methods and Results— Bone morrow chimeras were generated by transplanting ICOS-deficient or wild-type bone marrow into irradiated atherosclerosis-prone, LDR receptor–deficient mice, and the chimeric mice were fed a high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks. Compared with controls, mice transplanted with ICOS-deficient marrow had a 43% increase in the atherosclerotic burden, and importantly, their lesions had a 3-fold increase in CD4+ T cells, as well as increased macrophage, smooth muscle cell, and collagen content. CD4+ T cells from ICOS-deficient chimeras proliferated more and secreted more interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α than T cells from control mice, which suggests a lack of regulation. FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) were found to constitutively express high ICOS levels, which suggests a role for ICOS in Treg function. ICOS-deficient mice had decreased numbers of FoxP3+ Treg and impaired in vitro Treg suppressive function compared with control mice. Conclusions— ICOS has a key role in regulation of atherosclerosis, through its effect on regulatory T-cell responses.
129X1/SvJ Mouse Strain Has a Novel Defect in Inflammatory Cell Recruitment1

Vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) has been reported to contribute to innate immunity. To verify prior in vitro and cell-based observations supporting this role, we assessed the ability of a recently developed DBP-null mouse line to recruit neutrophils and macrophages to a site of chemical inflammation. The interrupted DBP allele had been generated by homologous recombination in 129X1/SvJ embryonic stem cells and these cells were subsequently used to generate a line of DBP−/− (null) mice. Initial studies revealed a marked defect in the ability of these DBP−/− mice to recruit cells to the peritoneum after localized thioglycolate injection. However, progressive outcrossing of the DBP−/− mice to the C57BL/6J strain, conducted to provide a uniform genetic background for comparison of DBP-null and control mice, resulted in a progressive increase in cell recruitment by the DBP−/− mice and a loss in their apparent recruitment defect when compared with the DPB wild-type controls. These data suggested that the observed recruitment phenotype initially attributed to the absence of DBP was not linked to the DBP locus, but instead reflected the underlying genetic composition of the 129X1/SvJ ES cells used for the initial DBP gene disruption. A profound cell recruitment defect was confirmed in the 129X1/SvJ mice by direct analysis. Each of three commonly used inbred lines was discovered to have a distinct level of cell recruitment to a uniform stimulus (C57BL/6J > BALB/c > CD1 > 129X1/SvJ). Thus, this study failed to support a unique role for DBP in cellular recruitment during a model inflammatory response. Instead, the data revealed a novel and profound defect of cell recruitment in 129X1/SvJ mice, the strain most commonly used for gene deletion studies.
Testing General Relativity with the Multipole Spectra of the SDSS Luminous Red Galaxies

As a test of general relativity on cosmological scales, we measure the \gamma parameter for the growth rate of density perturbations using the redshift-space distortion of the luminous red galaxies in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). Assuming the cosmological constant model, which matches the results of the WMAP experiment, we find \gamma=0.62+1.8(\sigma_8-0.8) \pm 0.11 at 1-sigma confidence level, which is consistent with the prediction of general relativity, \gamma\simeq0.55\sim0.56. Rather high value of \sigma_8(\geq0.87) is required to be consistent with the prediction of the cosmological DGP model, \gamma\simeq0.68.
Results, questions, perspectives of a study on human Polyomavirus BK and molecular actors in prostate cancer development.

BACKGROUND Prostate cancer (PC) is a common tumor in Western countries. Several risk factors play significant roles. MYC, BIRC5/survivin, CDC25 and P53 may contribute to PC risk. As demonstrated, human Polyomavirus BK (BKV) could affect cellular homeostasis contributing to PC pathogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Biological samples were collected from PC patients. Viral RNA was searched using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), whereas a qualitative PCR was employed to find particular viral sequences. Proper size amplicons were analyzed. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected in p53 coding regions by means of a specific PCR. C-MYC, BIRC5/survivin and CDC25 gene expression was investigated using a Retro Transcriptional Quantitative PCR. RESULTS Viral DNA copy number was higher in cancer tissues taken from Gleason score 9 patients with Gleason score 7. Different p53 mutated compared to patients exons were found according to tumor advanced stage and a statistical significant correlation was found between Gleason score and p53 mutational rate. C-MYC, BIRC5/survivin and CDC25 expression was de-regulated according to the literature. CONCLUSION The presence of BKV and its variants in transformed cells does not exclude viral pressure in cell immortalization. Expression of other target genes evidenced a significant change in their regulation, useful for cancer drug discovery and therapies.