Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protective Effect of Fragaria ananassa Crude Extract on Cadmium-Induced Lipid Peroxidation, Antioxidant Enzymes Suppression, and Apoptosis in Rat Testes

Cadmium is a deleterious environmental pollutant that threats both animals and human health. Oxidative stress and elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) have recently been reported to be the main cause of cellular damage as a result of cadmium exposure. We investigate, here, the protective effect of strawberry crude extracts on cadmium-induced oxidative damage of testes in rats. Four groups (n = 8) of 32 adult male Wistar rats weighing 160–180 g were used. The control group received 0.9% saline solution all over the experimental period (5 days). Group 2 was intraperitoneally injected with 6.5 mg/kg CdCl2. Group 3 was provided only with an oral administration of strawberry methanolic extract (SME) at a dose of 250 mg/kg. Group 4 was treated with SME before cadmium injection with the same mentioned doses. It was shown that cadmium exposure results in a significant decrease in both relative testicular weight and serum testosterone level. Analyzing the oxidative damaging effect of cadmium on the testicular tissue revealed the induction of oxidative stress markers represented in the elevated level of lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), and a decrease in the reduced glutathione (GSH) content. Considering cadmium toxicity, the level of the antioxidant enzyme activities including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD2), glutathione peroxidase (GPx1), and glutathione reductase (GR) were markedly decreased. Moreover, gene expression analysis indicated significant upregulation of the pro-apoptotic proteins, bcl-2-associated-X-protein (BAX), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFA) in response to cadmium intoxication, while significant downregulation of the anti-apoptotic, B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) gene was detected. Immunohistochemistry of the testicular tissue possessed positive immunostaining for the increased level of TNF-α, but decreased number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) stained cells. Administration of SME debilitated the deleterious effect of cadmium via reduction of both LPO and NO levels followed by a significant enhancement in the gene expression level of CAT, SOD2, GPX1, GR, nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NFE2L2), heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1), Bcl-2, and PCNA. In addition, the SME treated group revealed a significant increase in the level of testosterone and GSH accompanied by a marked decrease in the gene expression level of Bax and TNF-α. In terms of the summarized results, the SME of Fragaria ananassa has a protective effect against cadmium-induced oxidative damage of testes.
Combination of motherwort injection and oxytocin for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage after cesarean section

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of motherwort injection combined with oxytocin for preventing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) after cesarean section (CS). Methods: From March 2011 and February 2013, a randomized study was conducted on 165 primipara undergoing CS. 83 and 82 cases were placed into the combination of oxytocin and motherwort group and oxytocin group, respectively. Blood loss was calculated and measured during three periods: from placental delivery to the end of CS, from the end of CS to 2 h postpartum and from 2 h postpartum to 24 h postpartum. Vital signs were also measured. Results: Blood loss in the period from placental delivery to the end of CS was similar (P = 0.58) in these two arms. The quantity of total blood loss from the end of CS to 2 h postpartum (P = 0.03) and from 2 h postpartum to 24 h postpartum (P = 0.01) were significantly reduced in the combination of oxytocin and motherwort group. No significant abnormal vital signs were observed. Mild, transient side effects occurred more often in the combination of oxytocin and motherwort group. Conclusions: It is efficacious and safe that combination use of motherwort injection and oxytocin could reduce blood loss and prevent PPH after CS.
Gastric dilation‐volvulus in dogs attending UK emergency‐care veterinary practices: prevalence, risk factors and survival

OBJECTIVE To report prevalence, risk factors and clinical outcomes for presumptive gastric dilation-volvulus diagnosed among an emergency-care population of UK dogs. METHODS The study used a cross-sectional design using emergency-care veterinary clinical records from the VetCompass Programme spanning September 1, 2012 to February 28, 2014 and risk factor analysis using multivariable logistic regression modelling. RESULTS The study population comprised 77,088 dogs attending 50 Vets Now clinics. Overall, 492 dogs had presumptive gastric dilation-volvulus diagnoses, giving a prevalence of 0·64% (95% Confidence interval: 0·58 to 0·70%). Compared with cross-bred dogs, breeds with the highest odds ratios for the diagnosis of presumptive gastric dilation-volvulus were the great Dane (odds ratio: 114·3, 95% Confidence interval 55·1 to 237·1, P<0·001), akita (odds ratio: 84·4, 95% Confidence interval 33·6 to 211·9, P<0·001) and dogue de Bordeaux (odds ratio: 82·9, 95% Confidence interval 39·0 to 176·3, P<0·001). Odds increased as dogs aged up to 12 years and neutered male dogs had 1·3 (95% Confidence interval 1·0 to 1·8, P=0·041) times the odds compared with entire females. Of the cases that were presented alive, 49·7% survived to discharge overall, but 79·3% of surgical cases survived to discharge. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Approximately 80% of surgically managed cases survived to discharge. Certain large breeds were highly predisposed.
Direct Allosteric Regulation between the GAF Domain and Catalytic Domain of Photoreceptor Phosphodiesterase PDE6*

Photoreceptor cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDE6) is the central enzyme in the visual transduction cascade. The PDE6 catalytic subunit contains a catalytic domain and regulatory GAF domains. Unlike most GAF domain-containing cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases, little is known about direct allosteric communication of PDE6. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time direct, inter-domain allosteric communication between the GAF and catalytic domains in PDE6. The binding affinity of PDE6 for pharmacological inhibitors or for the C-terminal region of the inhibitory γ subunit (Pγ), known to directly inhibit PDE6 catalysis, was increased ∼2-fold by ligands binding to the GAF domain. Binding of the N-terminal half of Pγ to the GAF domains suffices to induce this allosteric effect. Allosteric communication between GAF and catalytic domains is reciprocal, in that drug binding to the catalytic domain slowed cGMP dissociation from the GAF domain. Although cGMP hydrolysis was not affected by binding of Pγ1–60, Pγ lacking its last seven amino acids decreased the Michaelis constant of PDE6 by 2.5-fold. Pγ1–60 binding to the GAF domain increased vardenafil but not cGMP affinity, indicating that substrate- and inhibitor-binding sites do not totally overlap. In addition, prolonged incubation of PDE6 with vardenafil or sildenafil (but not 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine and zaprinast) induced a distinct conformational change in the catalytic domain without affecting the binding properties of the GAF domains. We conclude that although Pγ-mediated regulation plays the dominant role in visual excitation, the direct, inter-domain allosteric regulation described in this study may play a feedback role in light adaptational processes during phototransduction.
Bacillus cereus necrotizing fasciitis in a patient with end-stage liver disease.

BACKGROUND Bacillus cereus has been increasingly recognized as a virulent pathogen, particularly in immunocompromised patients. METHODS Presented is a case report of a 24-year-old man with end-stage liver disease secondary to primary sclerosing cholangitis, who developed necrotizing fasciitis of the right lower leg due to B. cereus. The bacterium isolated from the patient was compared with environmental strains for quantity of secreted proteins as well as hemolytic and cytotoxic activities. RESULT Despite above-the-knee amputation and aggressive antibiotic therapy, the patient expired on hospital day 13. The patient isolate demonstrated a protein secretion pattern and cytotoxicity similar to those of an environmental strain known to produce exotoxins. However, the isolate did produce a larger ratio of zone of hemolysis to colony size on blood agar plates compared with the environmental strain. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, this is the only report of B. cereus as the etiology of necrotizing fasciitis in a patient with end-stage liver disease. Because the infecting bacterium correlates with the environmental strain, the severity of the patient's disease is likely related to his immunocompromised state. Therefore, B. cereus should be considered a potential pathogen rather than a contaminant.
Accurate gait analysis in post-stroke patients using a single inertial measurement unit

Improving independent mobility in post-stroke patients is one of the main goals of most rehabilitation strategies. While quantitative gait assessment is crucial to provide a meaningful feedback on the recovery progress, the irregularity of hemiparetic walking prevents the use of classical Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)-based gait analysis algorithms. In this paper, we propose a novel low-cost system, which relies on a single wearable IMU attached to the lower trunk, to estimate spatio-temporal gait parameters of both hemiparetic and healthy subjects. A new procedure for temporal features' computation and two modified versions of well-known step length (i.e., spatial features) estimators are derived. In both cases, we exploit dynamic calibration constants, related to the “power” of an individual gait pattern, to deal with the typical asymmetry and inter-subject variability of hemiparetic gait. The spatio-temporal features estimated with the proposed methods are compared with ground-truth parameters extracted by an optoelectronic system. The obtained results show very high correlations between estimated and reference values.
Free Flap Reconstruction of Self-Inflicted Submental Gunshot Wounds

In this study, we review outcomes for 15 patients with self-inflicted submental gunshot wounds requiring free flap reconstruction. Patients presented to two tertiary care centers over a 7-year period. Mean age was 46 years (range, 16 to 76 years), 67% (n = 10) had a psychiatric history, and four were known to abuse illicit substances. Patients with oromandibular involvement required on average a total of 2.8 procedures, and those with midface (3.7) or combined defects (6) required more total procedures (p = 0.21). Donor sites included osteocutaneous radial forearm (n = 8), fibula (n = 4), fasciocutaneous radial forearm (n = 5), and anterior lateral thigh (n = 1). Median length of hospitalization was 8 days. Overall complication rate was 33% (n = 5), and included hematoma (n = 1), fistula (n = 1), and mandibular malunion (n = 2). Most patients were able to tolerate a regular or soft diet (92%), maintain oral competency (58%), and demonstrate intelligible speech (92%) at a median time to follow-up of 12 months. Despite the devastating nature of this injury, free flap reconstruction of self-inflicted submental gunshot wounds results in acceptable functional results for the majority of patients.
Modelling of a Particle Orientation in Bio-Based Aggregate Concretes

1 Acknowledgments . 3 Table of contents . 5 List of figures . 11 List of tables . 19 List of Symbols . 23 1 Introduction . 27 1.1 Wider context of research: Sustainability within construction . 27 1.2 Bio‐aggregate composites . 29 1.2.1 Sustainability of bio‐aggregates . 31 1.2.2 Sustainability of binders . 34 1.2.3 Sustainability of bio‐aggregate composites . 35 1.2. 4 The need for research . 38 1.3 Aims and objectives . 39 1.3. 1 PhD aim . 39 1.3. 2 Objectives . 39 1.4 Thesis layout . 43 2 Literature review . 45 2.1 Introduction . 45 2.1.1 General comments on the body of literature . 45 2.2 Properties of bio‐aggregates . 46 2.2.1 Particle properties . 47 2.2.2 Particle size distribution . 51 2.2.3 Bulk properties . 53 2.3 Properties of binders . 56 2.3. 1 Properties of lime binders . 57
A Nonparametric Mean Estimator for Judgment Poststratified Data

Summary MacEachern, Stasny, and Wolfe (2004, Biometrics60, 207–215) introduced a data collection method, called judgment poststratification (JPS), based on ideas similar to those in ranked set sampling, and proposed methods for mean estimation from JPS samples. In this article, we propose an improvement to their methods, which exploits the fact that the distributions of the judgment poststrata are often stochastically ordered, so as to form a mean estimator using isotonized sample means of the poststrata. This new estimator is strongly consistent with similar asymptotic properties to those in MacEachern et al. (2004) . It is shown to be more efficient for small sample sizes, which appears to be attractive in applications requiring cost efficiency. Further, we extend our method to JPS samples with imprecise ranking or multiple rankers. The performance of the proposed estimators is examined on three data examples through simulation.
Resting state basal ganglia network in idiopathic generalized epilepsy

The basal ganglia, a brain structure related to motor control, is implicated in the modulation of epileptic discharges generalization in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). Using group independent component analysis (ICA) on resting‐state fMRI data, this study identified a resting state functional network that predominantly consisted of the basal ganglia in both healthy controls and patients with IGE. In order to gain a better understanding of the basal ganglia network(BGN) in IGE patients, we compared the BGN functional connectivity of controls with that of epilepsy patients, either with interictal epileptic discharges (with‐discharge period, WDP) or without epileptic discharge (nondischarge period, NDP) while scanning. Compared with controls, functional connectivity of BGN in IGE patients demonstrated significantly more integration within BGN except cerebellum and supplementary motor area (SMA) during both periods. Compared with the NDP group, the increased functional connectivity was found in bilateral caudate nucleus and the putamen, and decreases were observed in the bilateral cerebellum and SMA in WDP group. In accord with the proposal that the basal ganglia modulates epileptic discharge activity, the results showed that the modulation enhanced the integration in BGN of patients, and modulation during WDP was stronger than that during NDP. Furthermore, reduction of functional connectivity in cerebellum and SMA, the abnormality might be further aggravated during WDP, was consistent with the behavioral manifestations with disturbed motor function in IGE. These resting‐state fMRI findings in the current study provided evidence confirming the role of the BGN as an important modulator in IGE. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Novel Network NOMA Scheme for Downlink Coordinated Three-Point Systems

In this paper, we propose a network non-orthogonal multiple access (N-NOMA) technique for the downlink coordinated multipoint (CoMP) communication scenario of a cellular network, with randomly deployed users. In the considered N-NOMA scheme, superposition coding (SC) is employed to serve cell-edge users as well as users close to base stations (BSs) simultaneously, and distributed analog beamforming by the BSs to meet the cell-edge user's quality of service (QoS) requirements. The combination of SC and distributed analog beamforming significantly complicates the expressions for the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) at the reveiver, which makes the performance analysis particularly challenging. However, by using rational approximations, insightful analytical results are obtained in order to characterize the outage performance of the considered N-NOMA scheme. Computer simulation results are provided to show the superior performance of the proposed scheme as well as to demonstrate the accuracy of the analytical results.
Two Economists' Musings on the Stability of Locus of Control

Empirical studies of the role of non-cognitive skills in driving economic behavior often rely heavily on the assumption that these skills are stable over the relevant time frame. We analyze the change in a specific non-cognitive skill, i.e. locus of control, in order to directly assess the validity of this assumption. We find that short- and medium-run changes in locus of control are rather modest on average, are concentrated among the young or very old, do not appear to be related to the demographic, labor market, and health events that individuals experience, and are unlikely to be economically meaningful. Still, there is no evidence that locus of control is truly time-invariant implying that the use of lagged measures results in an errors-in-variables problem that could downward bias the estimated wage return to locus of control by as much as 50 percent. Those researchers wishing to analyze the economic consequences of non-cognitive skills should consider (i) restricting their analysis to the working-age population for whom there is little evidence of systematic change in skill levels and (ii) accounting for error in the skill measures they employ.
二相ステンレス鋼溶接部の組織,耐食性に及ぼすNi,Nの影響

22% Cr-3% Mo duplex stainless steels in which Ni and N contents were varied independently were prepared and base metal and TIG weld metal were subjected to pitting corrosion tests in 6% FeCl3. The critical pitting temperature at which pitting corrosion occurred was evaluated and the pitting site was observed. The pitting test results were examined metallurgically from the viewpoint of the precipitation of Cr carbide and nitride and the distribution of elements between ferrite phase and austenite phase.Since the pitting corrosion resistance of austenite phase is mainly dominant in base metal, the decrease of Ni and the increase of N cause the increase of N in austenite phase and improve the total corrosion resistance. As the decrease of Ni and N reduces the generation of austenite phase and results in the precipitation of Cr carbide and nitride in weld metal, the decrease of Ni and N deteriorates the pitting corrosion resistance of weld metal.
Large Scale Unconstrained Optimization

This paper reviews advances in Newton quasi Newton and conjugate gradi ent methods for large scale optimization It also describes several packages developed during the last ten years and illustrates their performance on some practical problems Much attention is given to the concept of partial separa bility which is gaining importance with the arrival of automatic di erentiation tools and of optimization software that fully exploits its properties
Employee Knowledge Sharing Capabilities in Public &amp; Private Organizations: Does Organizational Context Matter?

Sharing knowledge and information is an important factor in discourses on e-governance, national security and human capital management in public administration. This article analyzes the influences of organizational culture, structure, and IT on employee knowledge sharing capabilities in five public and five private sector organizations in South Korea. According to the data, social networks, performance-based reward systems, and employee usage of IT applications are significant variables affecting employee knowledge sharing activities in the public and private organizations that were the focus of this study. Furthermore, the data show that while IT application usage is the most important factor determining employee knowledge sharing capabilities in the five government ministries, an end-user IT focus is the most important factor influencing knowledge sharing abilities in the five private-sector corporations. The results also indicate that the surveyed private sector employees have stronger perceptions of knowledge sharing abilities in their organizations compared to the surveyed public sector employees. Lessons and implications of this study for management leadership are presented.
Radical Innovation: how mature companies can outsmart upstarts

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Simvastatin decreases lipopolysaccharide-induced pulmonary inflammation in healthy volunteers.

RATIONALE Simvastatin inhibits inflammatory responses in vitro and in murine models of lung inflammation in vivo. As simvastatin modulates a number of the underlying processes described in acute lung injury (ALI), it may be a potential therapeutic option. OBJECTIVES To investigate in vivo if simvastatin modulates mechanisms important in the development of ALI in a model of acute lung inflammation induced by inhalation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in healthy human volunteers. METHODS Thirty healthy subjects were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Subjects were randomized to receive 40 mg or 80 mg of simvastatin or placebo (n = 10/group) for 4 days before inhalation of 50 microg LPS. Measurements were performed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) obtained at 6 hours and plasma obtained at 24 hours after LPS challenge. Nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) was measured in monocyte-derived macrophages. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Pretreatment with simvastatin reduced LPS-induced BALF neutrophilia, myeloperoxidase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, matrix metalloproteinases 7, 8, and 9, and C-reactive protein (CRP) as well as plasma CRP (all P < 0.05 vs. placebo). There was no significant difference between simvastatin 40 mg and 80 mg. BALF from subjects post-LPS inhalation induced a threefold up-regulation in nuclear NF-kappaB in monocyte-derived macrophages (P < 0.001); pretreatment with simvastatin reduced this by 35% (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Simvastatin has antiinflammatory effects in the pulmonary and systemic compartment in humans exposed to inhaled LPS.
Fiscal Adjustment to Cyclical Developments in the OECD: An Empirical Analysis Based on Real-Time Data

We explore how fiscal policies in the OECD have responded to unexpected information about the economy during the period 1995-2006. In particular, we first estimate standard fiscal rules using ex-ante data (i.e. forecasts). We then estimate how fiscal policy reacts to new information, especially on the business cycle. In this second step, we use various approaches in dealing with potential endogeneity and changes in data construction methodology after the ex ante data were released. All variants lead to similar results. There are marked differences between ex-ante behaviour and responses to new information, as well as between fiscal policy of the EU countries and the other OECD countries. In particular, the EU countries react in a pro-cyclical way to unexpected changes in the output gap, while the responses of the other OECD countries are a-cyclical. However, ex ante fiscal policy is a-cyclical for the EU countries and counter-cyclical for the other countries.