Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
2, 3, 7, 8‐Tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin promotes endothelial cell apoptosis through activation of EP3/p38MAPK/Bcl‐2 pathway

Endothelial injury or dysfunction is an early event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Epidemiological and animal studies have shown that 2, 3, 7, 8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD) exposure increases morbidity and mortality from chronic cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. However, whether or how TCDD exposure causes endothelial injury or dysfunction remains largely unknown. Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to different doses of TCDD, and cell apoptosis was examined. We found that TCDD treatment increased caspase 3 activity and apoptosis in HUVECs in a dose‐dependent manner,at doses from 10 to 40 nM. TCDD increased cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX)‐2 expression and its downstream prostaglandin (PG) production (mainly PGE2 and 6‐keto‐PGF1α) in HUVECs. Interestingly, inhibition of COX‐2, but not COX‐1, markedly attenuated TCDD‐triggered apoptosis in HUVECs. Pharmacological inhibition or gene silencing of the PGE2 receptor subtype 3 (EP3) suppressed the augmented apoptosis in TCDD‐treated HUVECs. Activation of the EP3 receptor enhanced p38 MAPK phosphorylation and decreased Bcl‐2 expression following TCDD treatment. Both p38 MAPK suppression and Bcl‐2 overexpression attenuated the apoptosis in TCDD‐treated HUVECs. TCDD increased EP3‐dependent Rho activity and subsequently promoted p38MAPK/Bcl‐2 pathway‐mediated apoptosis in HUVECs. In addition, TCDD promoted apoptosis in vascular endothelium and delayed re‐endothelialization after femoral artery injury in wild‐type (WT) mice, but not in EP3−/− mice. In summary, TCDD promotes endothelial apoptosis through the COX‐2/PGE2/EP3/p38MAPK/Bcl‐2 pathway. Given the cardiovascular hazard of a COX‐2 inhibitor, our findings indicate that the EP3 receptor and its downstream pathways may be potential targets for prevention of TCDD‐associated cardiovascular diseases.
Effect of different levels of irrigation and integrated weed management practices on weeds and yield of aerobic rice

The experiment was conducted on irrigation levels and integrated weed management practices during 2013 and 2014 at College of Agriculture, Hyderabad. Results revealed that higher grain yield was recorded with scheduling of irrigations at IW/CPE ratio of 2.0 (2.55 and 2.42 t/ha) due to accumulation of higher chlorophyll content and dry matter production of crop. Net returns (` 20656 and 18347/ha) and benefit cost ratio (1.7 and 1.6) was also higher with the same irrigation level. Scheduling of irrigations at IW/CPE ratio of 1.5 was the next best treatment in aerobic rice. Out of weed management practices tested, application of pendimethalin/butachlor as pre-emergence fb chlorimuron-ethyl + metsulfuron-methyl post-emergence fb MW + HW at 45 DAS recorded lower weed population, weed dry matter and higher in weed control efficiency, which resulted higher chlorophyll and dry matter accumulation in crop and finally produced higher grain yield in pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha as PE fb MSM + CME 4.0 g/ha at 25 DAS + MW fb HW at 45 DAS (2.15 and 2.05 t/ha) and butachlor 1.0 kg/ha as PE fb MSM + CME 4.0 g/ha at 25 DAS + MW fb HW at 45 DAS (2.08 and 1.98 t/ha). The same treatments recorded higher net returns and benefit cost ratio in pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha as PE fb MSM + CME 4.0 g/ha at 25 DAS + MW fb HW at 45 DAS (1.6 and 1.5) and butachlor 1.0 kg/ha as PE fb MSM + CME 4.0 g/ha at 25 DAS + MW fb HW at 45 DAS (1.6 and 1.5). Over the pooled years, significant interaction effect of irrigation scheduling at IW/CPE ratio of 2.0 along with application of pendimethalin/butachlor as pre emergence fb chlorimuron-ethyl + metsulfuron-methyl as post-emergence fb MW + HW at 45 DAS recorded lower weed dry matter (35.1/36.4) and higher grain yield (2.85/2.80 t/ha).
Activity of isoflavone in managing polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms (Review)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal and metabolic disorder manifested in women of reproduc‑ tive age, is still being treated using drugs with side effects. As an alternative to these drugs, isoflavone, also identified as phytoestrogen, has anti‑PCOS activity. Isoflavone can help relieve PCOS symptoms by lowering the level of testosterone, which causes hyperandrogenism, thereby normalizing the menstrual cycle and restoring normal ovarian morphology. Furthermore, isoflavone influences the improvement of the metabolic profile, which changes because of PCOS, as well as the reduction of inflammatory markers and oxidative stress. However, both significant and non‑significant results have been generated on the activity of isoflavones in PCOS. The present review aims to discuss the existing literature on the effect of isoflavone on PCOS symptoms based on in vivo and clinical trial studies.
Inverse Compton Origin of the Hard X-Ray and Soft Gamma-Ray Emission from the Galactic Ridge

A recent redetermination of the nonthermal component of the hard X-ray to soft γ-ray emission from the Galactic ridge, using the SPI instrument on the International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL), is shown to be well reproduced as inverse Compton emission from the interstellar medium. Both cosmic-ray primary electrons and secondary electrons and positrons contribute to the emission. The prediction uses the GALPROP model and includes a new calculation of the interstellar radiation field. This may solve a long-standing mystery of the origin of this emission, and potentially opens a new window on Galactic cosmic rays.
Evidence for a pre-PETM dispersal of the earliest European crocodyloids

Abstract Crocodyloid remains from the late Paleocene of Mont de Berru (France) hosted in the collections of the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris, France) and in the Institut royal des Sciences naturelles de Belgique (Brussels, Belgium) are described for the first time. This material, although fragmentary, can be clearly referred on a morphological basis to Asiatosuchus depressifrons (Blainville, 1855), a species previously reported from several Eocene Belgian localities thanks to abundant material including a nearly complete skeleton. The Paleocene material shares with A. depressifrons the number of alveoli involved in the dentary symphysis, the exclusion of the splenials from the symphysis, and the presence of a distinct depression on the jugal. The fossil remains from Berru represent the oldest European crocodyloid. Along with the alligatoroid Diplocynodon remensis Martin, Smith, de Lapparent de Broin, Escuillié and Delfino, 2014, previously reported from the same locality, the crocodyloid A. depressifrons indicates that these genera reached Europe before the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum. Although more complete remains from outside Europe are needed to refine phylogenetic hypotheses, according to the currently established fossil record the forerunners of diplocynodontids likely dispersed from North America, whereas those related to Asiatosuchus likely dispersed from Asia.
The complex interaction between anxiety and cognition: insight from spatial and verbal working memory

Anxiety can be distracting, disruptive, and incapacitating. Despite problems with empirical replication of this phenomenon, one fruitful avenue of study has emerged from working memory (WM) experiments where a translational method of anxiety induction (risk of shock) has been shown to disrupt spatial and verbal WM performance. Performance declines when resources (e.g., spatial attention, executive function) devoted to goal-directed behaviors are consumed by anxiety. Importantly, it has been shown that anxiety-related impairments in verbal WM depend on task difficulty, suggesting that cognitive load may be an important consideration in the interaction between anxiety and cognition. Here we use both spatial and verbal WM paradigms to probe the effect of cognitive load on anxiety-induced WM impairment across task modality. Subjects performed a series of spatial and verbal n-back tasks of increasing difficulty (1, 2, and 3-back) while they were safe or at risk for shock. Startle reflex was used to probe anxiety. Results demonstrate that induced-anxiety differentially impacts verbal and spatial WM, such that low and medium-load verbal WM is more susceptible to anxiety-related disruption relative to high-load, and spatial WM is disrupted regardless of task difficulty. Anxiety impacts both verbal and spatial processes, as described by correlations between anxiety and performance impairment, albeit the effect on spatial WM is consistent across load. Demanding WM tasks may exert top-down control over higher-order cortical resources engaged by anxious apprehension, however high-load spatial WM may continue to experience additional competition from anxiety-related changes in spatial attention, resulting in impaired performance. By describing this disruption across task modalities, these findings inform current theories of emotion–cognition interactions and may facilitate development of clinical interventions that seek to target cognitive impairments associated with anxiety.
Prediction of Patients with Acute Cholecystitis Requiring Emergent Cholecystectomy: A Simple Score

The objective was to develop a score, to stratify patients with acute cholecystitis into high, intermediate, or low probability of gangrenous cholecystitis. The probability of gangrenous cholecystitis (score) was derived from a logistic regression of a clinical and pathological review of 245 patients undergoing urgent cholecystectomy. Sixty-eight patients had gangrenous inflammation, 132 acute, and 45 no inflammation. The score comprised of: age > 45 years (1 point), heart rate > 90 beats/min (1 point), male (2 points), Leucocytosis > 13,000/mm3 (1.5 points), and ultrasound gallbladder wall thickness > 4.5 mm (1 point). The prevalence of gangrenous cholecystitis was 13% in the low-probability (0–2 points), 33% in the intermediate-probability (2–4.5 points), and 87% in the high probability category (>4.5 points). A cutoff score of 2 identified 31 (69%) patients with no acute inflammation (PPV 90%). This scoring system can prioritize patients for emergent cholecystectomy based on their expected pathology.
Etude du comportement différé des sols et ouvrages géotechniques

Le travail de recherche presente dans ce memoire se situe dans le domaine de la geomecanique. Il a pour but l'etude du comportement differe des sols mous en confrontant les resultats obtenus par modelisation numerique aux experimentations et observations sur site. Dans une premiere partie, l'etat actuel des recherches concernant les principales actions menees sur l'interpretation du fluage (consolidation secondaire), dans le but d'estimer les deformations differees d'ouvrages. Cette presentation donne un apercu historique de ce phenomene et les differentes methodes proposees pour l'utilisation des resultats du fluage pour la construction en geotechnique. Dans une seconde partie, l'etude se penchera sur les essais au pressiometre, ainsi que les essais au Diflupress. L. D, essai pressiometrique de longue duree developpe pour l'etude in-situ du fluage. L'objectif de cette partie est de rappeler la complexite de la notion de module de deformation, notamment en fonction de l'amplitude des deformations. Dans une troisieme partie, on presente les modeles de comportement, employes dans les simulations numeriques. Puis, les modeles HSM (Hard Soil Model) et SSM (Soft Soil Model) dans le code Plaxis sont decrits avant de detailler le modele SSCM (Soft Soil Creep Model) qui sera utilise dans la suite de cette etude. Ce modele est valide sur differents types d'ouvrages et differents sols fins. Dans une quatrieme partie, nous presentons la simulation de l'essai pressiometrique, et nous etudions la dependance du module pressiometrique 'EM' et la pression limite 'p1' en fonction de : differents parametres intrinseques du sol (module de Young E ou de cisaillement G, coefficient de Poisson [nu], angle de frottement [phi], angle de dilatance [psi], C cohesion, coefficient de terre au repos K0. . . ), des caracteristiques geometriques de la sonde (diametre, hauteur). Dans une cinquieme partie, nous presentons la validation du modele SSCM sur des essais homogenes de laboratoire (triaxial et oedometre), et nous analysons le comportement de deux ouvrages en remblai et d'un grand radier.
Erythroplasia of Queyrat. Treatment with topical 5‐fluorouracil

Seven adult men with biopsy‐confirmed erythroplasia of Queyrat (EQ) were cured of their disease with topically applied 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) under occlusion. Post‐treatment biopsy specimens revealed normal histologic findings and recurrence‐free follow‐up periods extended up to 70 months. It is suggested that topical 5‐FU is the treatment of choice for histologically confirmed EQ because of its superior results compared with those of surgery or radiation therapy. Our view is corroborated by several single case reports of EQ similarly treated.
Development of a Clinical Registry-Based 30-Day Readmission Measure for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery

Background— Reducing readmissions is a major healthcare reform goal, and reimbursement penalties are imposed for higher-than-expected readmission rates. Most readmission risk models and performance measures are based on administrative rather than clinical data. Methods and Results— We examined rates and predictors of 30-day all-cause readmission following coronary artery bypass grafting surgery by using nationally representative clinical data (2008–2010) from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Database linked to Medicare claims records. Among 265 434 eligible Medicare records, 226 960 (86%) were successfully linked to Society of Thoracic Surgeons records; 162 572 (61%) isolated coronary artery bypass grafting admissions constituted the study cohort. Logistic regression was used to identify readmission risk factors; hierarchical regression models were then estimated. Risk-standardized readmission rates ranged from 12.6% to 23.6% (median, 16.8%) among 846 US hospitals with ≥30 eligible cases and ≥90% of eligible Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services records linked to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons database. Readmission predictors (odds ratios [95% confidence interval]) included dialysis (2.02 [1.87–2.19]), severe chronic lung disease (1.58 [1.49–1.68]), creatinine (2.5 versus 1.0 or lower:1.49 [1.41–1.57]; 2.0 versus 1.0 or lower: 1.37 [1.32–1.43]), insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (1.45 [1.39–1.51]), obesity in women (body surface area 2.2 versus 1.8: 1.44 [1.35–1.53]), female sex (1.38 [1.33–1.43]), immunosuppression (1.38 [1.28–1.49]), preoperative atrial fibrillation (1.36 [1.30–1.42]), age per 10-year increase (1.36 [1.33–1.39]), recent myocardial infarction (1.24 [1.08–1.42]), and low body surface area in men (1.22 [1.14–1.30]). C-statistic was 0.648. Fifty-two hospitals (6.1%) had readmission rates statistically better or worse than expected. Conclusions— A coronary artery bypass grafting surgery readmission measure suitable for public reporting was developed by using the national Society of Thoracic Surgeons clinical data linked to Medicare readmission claims.
Whole Genome-Based Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis Reveals Genetic Diversity in Candida africana

This study aimed at investigating the genetic diversity of a panel of Candida africana strains recovered from vaginal samples in different countries. All fungal strains were heterozygous at the mating-type-like locus and belonged to the genotype A of Candida albicans. Moreover, all examined C. africana strains lack N-acetylglucosamine assimilation and sequence analysis of the HXK1 gene showed a distinctive polymorphism that impair the utilization of this amino sugar in this yeast. Multi-locus sequencing of seven housekeeping genes revealed a substantial genetic homogeneity among the strains, except for the CaMPIb, SYA1 and VPS13 loci which contributed significantly to the classification of our set of C. africana strains into six existing diploid sequence types. Amplified fragment length polymorphism fingerprint analysis yielded greater genotypic heterogeneity among the C. africana strains. Overall the data reported here show that in C. africana genetic diversity occurs and the existence of this intriguing group of C. albicans strains with specific phenotypes associated could be useful for future comparative studies in order to better understand the genetics and evolution of this important human pathogen.
Clinical Features and Impairment in Women with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), BPD Without PTSD, and Other Personality Disorders with PTSD

The aims of this study were to examine differences in clinical features, impairment, and types of childhood traumas among women with borderline personality disorder (BPD), women with BPD and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and those with other personality disorders and PTSD. Using baseline data from the Collaborative Longitudinal Study of Personality Disorders, 186 women were divided into 3 groups (BPD+PTSD, BPD, PTSD), based on structured diagnostic interviews for Axis I and Axis II disorders and compared on selected clinical variables. The additional diagnosis of PTSD in borderline women did not significantly increase the degree of borderline pathology and psychiatric morbidity but did significantly increase general dysfunction and the occurrence of hospitalization. The additional diagnosis of BPD in women with PTSD significantly increased the features of suicide proneness and impulsiveness. Both groups of women with PTSD reported significantly more types of childhood traumas relative to borderline women without PTSD. Consistent with other research, the findings suggest that PTSD does not appear to alter the central features of BPD. The clinical implications of our findings are considered.
Glucose Stimulation Induces Dynamic Change of Mitochondrial Morphology to Promote Insulin Secretion in the Insulinoma Cell Line INS-1E

Fission and fusion of mitochondrial tubules are the major processes regulating mitochondrial morphology. However, the physiological significance of mitochondrial shape change is poorly understood. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in pancreatic β-cells requires mitochondrial ATP production which evokes Ca2+ influx through plasma membrane depolarization, triggering insulin vesicle exocytosis. Therefore, GSIS reflects mitochondrial function and can be used for evaluating functional changes associated with morphological alterations of mitochondria. Using the insulin-secreting cell line INS-1E, we found that glucose stimulation induced rapid mitochondrial shortening and recovery. Inhibition of mitochondrial fission through expression of the dominant-negative mutant DLP1-K38A eliminated this dynamic mitochondrial shape change and, importantly, blocked GSIS. We found that abolishing mitochondrial morphology change in glucose stimulation increased the mitochondrial inner membrane proton leak, and thus significantly diminished the mitochondrial ATP producing capacity in response to glucose stimulation. These results demonstrate that dynamic change of mitochondrial morphology is a previously unrecognized component for metabolism-secretion coupling of pancreatic β-cells by participating in efficient ATP production in response to elevated glucose levels.
The Role of Surgery and Hyperalimentation in Therapy of Gastrointestinal‐Cutaneous Fistulae

Thirty-eight patients with external gastrointestinal fistulas arising from different levels of the gastrointestinal tract, observed and treated at the Massachusetts General Hospital, from December 1970 to April 1973, are analyzed. Surgical complications were the causes of fistulization in 77% of the cases. The treatment program included parenteral nutrition through a subclavian line in all cases. The 38 patients were fed parenterally for a total of 2311 days. Spontaneous fistula closure occurred in only 11 of the 38 patients. Surgical procedures were necessary in 71.05% of the cases to control fistula complications or persistent fistula drainage. Operative success rate was 70.4%. Parenteral nutrition effects on metabolic parameters, fistula secretion, nutritional status, morbidity and mortality of fistulas are discussed. Parenteral nutrition hazards are also presented. Overall mortality in this series was 21%. Roles of parenteral nutrition and surgery in the total management of external gastrointestinal fistulas are suggested.
Sporadic adenoma in ulcerative colitis: endoscopic resection is an adequate treatment

Background and aims: In studies with small numbers of cases, it has been shown that endoscopic resection of adenomas in ulcerative colitis represents adequate treatment. In a larger study cohort with more prolonged follow up, we assessed the reliability of this finding. Methods: Between 1988 and 2002, 148 consecutive patients, mainly from private gastroenterologists’ practices, with ulcerative colitis were diagnosed as having an adenoma. In 60 patients, histological diagnosis was established in biopsies and in 87 patients in polypectomy specimens; one patient underwent proctocolectomy following diagnosis. The outcome of these patients was analysed after a mean follow up period of 6.0 (3.63) years. Results: Among 60 patients, surprisingly without endoscopic treatment, 48.3% developed ulcerative colitis associated neoplasia in the same colon segment (23.3% low grade intraepithelial neoplasia; 8.3% high grade intraepithelial neoplasia; 16.7% carcinoma). Among 87 patients undergoing polypectomy of the adenoma, follow up revealed colitis associated neoplasia in other segments of colon in 4.6% of cases. Conclusion: Development of adenocarcinomas in a total of 6.7% of the overall patient group, and in 2.3% of those undergoing polypectomy, indicates that biopsy based diagnosis of an adenoma in ulcerative colitis must be considered to mandate endoscopic resection of the lesion; 40% of affected patients did not receive any form of endoscopic removal of the lesion. This shows that the most recent guidelines are not followed in a considerable number of patients with ulcerative colitis in private practice in Germany. Although polypectomy of the adenoma represents adequate therapy, further regular follow up examinations are nevertheless necessary.
Manifesting the academic psychological contract

The level of research undertaken on the academic psychological contract, and its influence on academic’s behaviour is limited. This paper seeks to consider the academic psychological contract, by reviewing its manifestation within the role of and the influence on their undertaking of the role. Particularly important is academics’ interpretation of the role and what they consider important. Within this, the paper considers in-role and extra-role activities and what may be the grey areas in which time is spent. The research adopts the combined usage of phenomenology with interpretivist processes to investigate the insights of eighteen academics at nine UK University Business Schools. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect to consider the constructs’ manifestation. Key aspects of behaviour were identified as discretionary effort and autonomy and managerialism with links to academic citizenship.