Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age-specific serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels: estimates from a large population-based sample

Abstract Objective Despite the wide use of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) measurement as a clinical marker for assessment of ovarian reserve, a population-based estimate for its reference values is not available. In this study, we have estimated age-specific AMH levels in a large sample of fertile women directly selected from a general population cohort. Methods All women who were naturally fertile and aged 18–50 years with regular menstrual cycles were selected from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study cohort and their blood levels of AMH were measured. Centiles for AMH distribution were estimated according to the exponential–normal 3-parameter model. We repeated the analysis after including a subgroup of women aged 40–50 years who met all the eligibility criteria except having entered natural menopause after age 40 years (n = 141). Results A total of 1015 women entered the study. The mean age was 36.7 years (standard deviation 7.5 years) and the mean body mass index was 27.0 kg/m2 (standard deviation 4.6 kg/m2). A non-linear decline of serum AMH concentration with age was observed. Age-specific AMH levels for the 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th and 95th percentiles were calculated. Results were reproduced after inclusion of 141 women aged 40–50 years who met all the eligibility criteria except having entered natural menopause after 40 years. Conclusion In this study, we have presented a nomogram of age-specific estimates of anti-Müllerian hormone in a large sample of naturally fertile women within the general population. This could help clinicians in more accurate individual interpretation of serum AMH levels in healthy women.
Levels of Enzymatic Antioxidants Activities in Mononuclear Cells and Skin Reactivity to Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate

Chemical irritants are able to produce several biological modifications of the skin, including the direct or indirect production of cytokines and reactive oxygen species leading to an inflammatory reaction. This report examines the existence of a possible correlation between the skin sensitivity to the irritant sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and the activity of the enzymatic antioxidants. In twenty-three healthy subjects the evaluation of the epidermal and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) activities of superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (Cat) demonstrate a significant correlation (r= 0,85 and p< 0,005 for SOD, and r= 0,87 and p< 0,0001 for Cat). Based on this result, on a further group of normal subjects (n=13) we studied the link between the threshold dose of skin reactivity to SDS and the activities of the enzymatic antioxidants in PBMCs. The degree of skin modification induced by SDS, applied at different concentrations for 24 hrs, was determined by means of Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL), Erythemal Index or by Visual Score (VS). The minimal dose of the irritant capable of inducing skin modifications, was significantly correlated with SOD (r=0,77) and Cat (r=0,81) activities in PBMCs, and the modification of TEWL or EI were inversely correlated with levels of antioxidants in PBMCs (r=−0,62 for SOD and r=−0,66 for Cat). Our results indicate that the skin reactivity to irritants can be modulated by the levels of antioxidants, and suggest a possible therapeutical approach in preventing irritant contact dermatitis.
Entrepreneurship and the Business Cycle: Stylized Facts from US Venture Capital Activity

We consider US Venture Capital (VC) activity as a measure of entrepreneurship and study its relationship with the business cycle. This measure addresses some biases in alternative measures such as self-employment and business ownership that have been considered in previous literature. Despite the well-known volatility in VC activity, it remains an important source of funding for entrepreneurs engaging in innovative business creation. We document key stylized facts for VC entry (seed and start-up stage) and VC exit (late stage) at the aggregate and sectoral level. VC entry is more strongly correlated and is contemporaneous with the business cycle while VC exit lags the cycle by two quarters. There is strong evidence for a bi-directional causality between entrepreneurship and economic activity. A positive shock to VC activity has a positive effect on real GDP. Our findings can help inform policies designed to support entrepreneurship.
Study of the Ultra High Pressure Homogenization (UHPH) technology for producing high quality soymilk

El consumo de licuado de soja esta experimentado un notable incremento debido a su consideracion de producto saludable. El licuado de soja, ademas de ser una alternativa a la leche de vaca, sobre todo para las personas que poseen alguna intolerancia a los productos derivado de la leche, tiene componentes bioactivos (flavonoides, vitamina E y poliaminas) que pueden contribuir a prevenir algunas dolencias cronicas prevalentes en la sociedad actual. En este estudio se planteo la utilizacion de una tecnologia emergente, la ultra alta presion de homogenizacion (UHPH) para la obtencion de licuado de soja. Esta tecnologia no termica consiste en la aplicacion de presiones de hasta 400 MPa utilizando un sistema de homogenizacion, especialmente disenado para producir un efecto conservador, al mismo tiempo que se mejora la estabilidad coloidal y se mantiene la calidad nutricional y sensorial. Con esta hipotesis de partida, la UHPH podria ser una tecnologia alternativa a las comunmente aplicadas a nivel industrial. Por ello, en el planteamiento de este trabajo se incluyo el estudio comparativo de la UHPH con los tratamientos termicos de pasteurizacion y UHT. En la primera parte de esta tesis se llevaron a cabo diferentes tratamientos UHPH (200 y 300 MPa con temperaturas de entrada de 55, 65 y 75oC) con la finalidad de seleccionar las condiciones optimas para obtener productos de buena calidad, tanto de almacenamiento en refrigeracion, como de larga duracion de almacenamiento a temperatura ambiente. El estudio se realizo a dos niveles independientes. Por una parte se evaluaron parametros caracteristicos de la calidad quimica, coloidal, enzimatica y microbiologica de licuados de consumo habitual, y por la otra, se realizo un estudio con licuados inoculados con diversas cepas microbianas para conocer su cinetica de destruccion frente a tratamientos UHPH. De estos estudios se concluyo que los tratamientos a 300 MPa produjeron licuado de soja con muy buena estabilidad coloidal y quimica y que, aplicando una temperatura de entrada de 85oC en combinacion con dicha presion, se alcanzo una excelente reduccion de las esporas bacterianas. La segunda parte del trabajo consistio en el estudio de la evolucion durante el almacenamiento de los licuados UHPH tratados en las condiciones optimas seleccionadas del estudio previo. De este modo, se obtuvieron tanto licuados frescos similares a los pasteurizados, como licuados de larga duracion, similares a los tratados por UHT. Para lograr este proposito, se evaluaron una serie de aspectos, tales como microbiologicos, estabilidad coloidal, cambios de color, parametros quimicos y sensoriales que permitieron evaluar la calidad global de los productos de soja, asi como su aceptacion por los consumidores. Los licuados de soja fresco y de larga duracion alcanzaron respectivamente 1 y 6 meses de caducidad con mejor calidad que aquellos tratados termicamente.
Using Twitter in Clinical Education and Practice.

Faculty and residents are faced with many competing demands on their time, including the need to stay current with the literature and new clinical developments in the specialty. Using technologies available at one’s fingertips allows us to stay current in our fields of interest as clinicians and educators but may seem overwhelming and intimidating at first. To address this challenge, we outline how Twitter can be used as a professional tool to efficiently stay up-to-date in medicine and education.
High-Resolution Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Reveals the Contrasting Subcellular Distribution of Arsenic and Silicon in Rice Roots1[C][W][OA]

Rice (Oryza sativa) takes up arsenite mainly through the silicic acid transport pathway. Understanding the uptake and sequestration of arsenic (As) into the rice plant is important for developing strategies to reduce As concentration in rice grain. In this study, the cellular and subcellular distributions of As and silicon (Si) in rice roots were investigated using high-pressure freezing, high-resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry, and transmission electron microscopy. Rice plants, both the lsi2 mutant lacking the Si/arsenite efflux transporter Lsi2 and its wild-type cultivar, with or without an iron plaque, were treated with arsenate or arsenite. The formation of iron plaque on the root surface resulted in strong accumulation of As and phosphorous on the epidermis. The lsi2 mutant showed stronger As accumulation in the endodermal vacuoles, where the Lsi2 transporter is located in the plasma membranes, than the wild-type line. As also accumulated in the vacuoles of some xylem parenchyma cells and in some pericycle cells, particularly in the wild-type mature root zone. Vacuolar accumulation of As is associated with sulfur, suggesting that As may be stored as arsenite-phytochelatin complexes. Si was localized in the cell walls of the endodermal cells with little apparent effect of the Lsi2 mutation on its distribution. This study reveals the vacuolar sequestration of As in rice roots and contrasting patterns of As and Si subcellular localization, despite both being transported across the plasma membranes by the same transporters.
Altered brain activation during response inhibition in obstructive sleep apnea

This study examined response inhibition during a Go–NoGo task in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Fourteen OSA patients and 14 controls were studied with functional magnetic resonance imaging. Compared to controls, the OSA group showed more false positives (error of commission) during the NoGo trials with decreased brain activation in the left postcentral gyrus, cingulate gyrus and inferior parietal lobe, as well as right insula and putamen. This is consistent with previous findings of impaired performance and decreased brain activation in OSA patients during a working memory task, suggesting that compromised brain function in response to cognitive challenges may underlie some of the cognitive deficits seen in patients with OSA.
Surgery-First Approach in Skeletal Class III Malocclusion Treated With 2-Jaw Surgery: Evaluation of Surgical Movement and Postoperative Orthodontic Treatment

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical movement and postoperative orthodontic treatment (POT) of the surgery-first approach for the correction of skeletal class III malocclusion. The samples consisted of 11 patients with skeletal class III malocclusion who underwent nonextraction treatment and 2-jaw surgery (Le Fort I osteotomy impaction of the posterior maxilla, IPM; bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy setback of the mandible). The wafer was removed 4 weeks after surgery. Mean (SD) durations of POT and total treatment were 8.91 (3.14) and 12.18 (3.57) months, respectively. Lateral cephalograms were obtained during the initial examination (T0), immediately after surgery (T1), and after debonding (T2). Sixteen variables were measured. Paired t-test was performed for statistical analysis. The maxilla rotated clockwise, and the nasolabial angle increased by IPM (FH-palatal plane angle, FH-occlusal plane angle, P < 0.01; nasolabial angle, P < 0.05) and well maintained during POT. The mandible was repositioned backward by bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy setback of the mandible (SNB, Pog-N perp, P < 0.001) and relapsed forward during POT (SNB, P < 0.01; Pog-N perp, P < 0.05). U1-SN decreased by IPM (P < 0.001) and relapsed labially owing to class III mechanics during POT (P < 0.01); eventually, no significant difference was found between T0 and T2 stages. Although IMPA increased by POT, there was no significant difference between T0 and T2 stages. The mandible seems to relapse forward immediately after wafer removal and before labioversion of the lower incisors. Accurate prediction of POT is crucial in controlling dental alignment, incisor decompensation, arch coordination, and occlusal settling. Long-term wearing and selective grinding of the wafer for labioversion of the lower incisors and use of miniplates/miniscrews to control the inclination of the upper incisor and to prevent relapse of the mandible are needed.
Osteoclasts and their precursors are present in the induced‐membrane during bone reconstruction using the Masquelet technique

In 2000, Masquelet reported a long bone reconstruction technique using an induced membrane formed around a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) spacer placed in the defect with appropriate stabilization followed by secondary bone graft after PMMA removal. This reconstruction procedure allows rapid and safe bone reformation for septic, traumatic, neoplastic or congenital bone defects. A rat model of the Masquelet technique was developed to further characterize the biological activities of this induced membrane. Our model allows healing of a critical‐sized femoral defect (8 mm) by means of this procedure over a period of 18 weeks. Comparison of induced membranes obtained 3, 4, 5 and 6 weeks after PMMA insertion indicated that this tissue changes over time. Several mineralization spots and bone cells were observed in contact with the PMMA, when assessed by Alizarin Red, Von Kossa, Alkaline phosphatase and Tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase staining of the membranes. CTR (calcitonin receptor)‐ and RANK (Receptor Activator of Nuclear factor Kappa B)‐ positive mononuclear cells were detected in the induced membrane, confirming the presence of osteoclasts in this tissue. These cells were observed in a thin, highly cellular layer in the induced membrane in contact with the PMMA. Together, these findings suggest that the membrane is able to promote osteointegration of autologous corticocancellous bone grafts during the Masquelet technique by creating local conditions that may be favourable to graft bone remodelling and osteointegration. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sharpening our critical edge: Occupational therapy in the context of marginalized populations

Background. An emerging and important area of occupational therapy practice involves engaging with various individuals and population groups who live in marginalizing conditions that result in health inequities. Purpose. This paper calls for more critical and intersectional analyses of occupational therapy in the context of marginalized populations. Key Issues. Intersectionality has the potential to reveal important and complex interactions among social systems that create and sustain marginalization and to inform more nuanced, contextualized, and socially responsive forms of occupational therapy. Central to this process is the co-construction of knowledge with people who experience marginalization. Engaging in this work requires occupational therapists to undertake ongoing critical reflexivity to attend to our sociohistorical positioning of power and privilege in relation to marginalized populations. Implications. Complicating our discourse on marginalized populations is imperative to enacting our critical potential in working toward social justice and health equity.
Site-Specific Proteolytic Cleavage of the Amino-terminus of Herpes Simplex 1 Virus Type-1 ( HSV-1 ) Glycoprotein K ( gK ) on Virion Particles Inhibits Virus 2 Entry

4 5 Nithya Jambunathan, Sona Chowdhury, Ramesh Subramanian, Vladimir N. Chouljenko, 6 Jason D. Walker and Konstantin G. Kousoulas* 7 8 9 10 Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine and Department of Pathobiological 11 Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine 12 13 14 15 Running title: HSV-1 glycoprotein K (gK) functions in virus entry 16 17 18 *Corresponding Author 19 vtgusk@lsu.edu 20 Tel. : (225) 578-9682 21 Fax: (225) 578-9701 22 23 Copyright © 2011, American Society for Microbiology and/or the Listed Authors/Institutions. All Rights Reserved. J. Virol. doi:10.1128/JVI.06268-11 JVI Accepts, published online ahead of print on 12 October 2011
The anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of non-narcotic analgesic drug mixtures in rats.

The effects of non-narcotic analgesics have been examined, separately and in admixture, on carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema and on yeast-induced hyperalgesia and hyperthermia in adult rats. The efficacy of the drugs was evaluated using the kinetics of drug-receptor interaction. In addition, the hypothesis was tested that the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of the drug mixtures used equal the addition of the activities of the individual drugs and could be predicted from their intrinsic activities and affinities. Dose-dependent inhibition of paw oedema, hyperalgesia and hyperthermia was observed after oral administration of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), paracetamol, phenacetin (60, 125, 250 and 500 mg.kg--1), and caffeine (12.5, 25, 50 and 100 mg.kf--1). Over the dose-ranges used, the anti-inflammatory activities of paracetamol, phenacetin and caffeine tended to be smaller than that of aspirin. The dose producing a semi-maximal effect for caffeine was lower than that for aspirin which in turn was comparable to that for paracetamol or phenacetin. The analgesic activities of phenacetin and caffeine were classified as stronger than that of aspirin, whereas the efficacy of paracetamol was similar. Paracetamol and aspirin were comparable as antipyretics. The antipyretic activity of phenacetin was higher but that of caffeine was lower than that of aspirin. For caffeine the dose producing a semi-maximal effect was lower than that of aspirin. Within the dose-ranges used, low doses of mixtures of aspirin with either paracetamol, phenacetin or caffeine exhibited anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities which were not different from the activities expected on the basis of addition. Incidentally, at some of the higher dose levels potentiation of the activity of the drugs was found. Low doses of the triple combinations: aspirin + paracetamol + caffeine and aspirin + phenacetin + caffeine showed anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities which were not different from those expected on the basis of addition, but the activities observed with higher doses of these combinations indicated potentiation. It is concluded that, in the rat, the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of dual and triple combinations of aspirin, paracetamol, phenacetin and caffeine at least equal the activities expected on the basis of addition.
Complete morphologies of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons in the mouse

The basal forebrain cholinergic system modulates neuronal excitability and vascular tone throughout the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. This system is severely affected in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and drug treatment to enhance cholinergic signaling is widely used as symptomatic therapy in AD. Defining the full morphologies of individual basal forebrain cholinergic neurons has, until now, been technically beyond reach due to their large axon arbor sizes. Using genetically-directed sparse labeling, we have characterized the complete morphologies of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons in the mouse. Individual arbors were observed to span multiple cortical columns, and to have >1000 branch points and total axon lengths up to 50 cm. In an AD model, cholinergic axons were slowly lost and there was an accumulation of axon-derived material in discrete puncta. Calculations based on published morphometric data indicate that basal forebrain cholinergic neurons in humans have a mean axon length of ∼100 meters. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.02444. 001
Pressure Waves Due to Arcing Faults in a Substation

The collapse of the building housing a large substation following an arcing fault motivated the measurements of the amplitude of the pressure wave generated by an AC arc with current from 10 A to 80 kA and with arc length from 8 mm to 15 m, burning in air for up to one second. At low arc power there is a correspondance between the pressure amplitude and the rate of change of the power which is not true for high arc power due to absorption. However, the pressure is very large and should be taken into account in the design of substations. An empirical formula is given relating the pressure variation amplitude to the short-circuit current and the response time of the protection system.
Unbalanced adult production and perception in prosody

Previous work on the production and comprehension of focus-to-prosody mapping make different claims on the existence of a production-precedingcomprehension asymmetry in acquisition, whereby children pass through a stage of producing the right prosodic pattern but not using the focus-to-prosody mapping to the fullest extent in their comprehension, before reaching adult-like behaviour in both. The question that arises is whether there is an asymmetry in adults’ use of prosody to mark and interpret focus as well. We found that adults’ production correlated negatively with their comprehension. This puzzling result can be explained by exploring the data: many participants performed at the expected ’adult’ level in one of the two skills, but not in both. We have therefore shown for the first time that adults are not balanced in their production and comprehension of prosody, which has important implications for acquisition.
Spectrum of Clinical Signs and Genetic Characterization of Gelatinous Drop-Like Corneal Dystrophy in a Colombian Family

Purpose: To describe the clinical signs of gelatinous drop-like corneal dystrophy (GDLD) in a consanguineous Colombian family and determine the underlying genetic cause. Methods: We performed ocular examination of available family members and bidirectionally Sanger sequenced the GDLD-associated gene, TACSTD2. In one individual, the presence of subepithelial amyloid was confirmed with biopsy. Results: The parents were consanguineous and 5 of their 10 children had GDLD. Typical mulberry subepithelial deposits with subepithelial vascularization were present in 3 individuals; 2 individuals only had mild polymorphic anterior stromal opacity. We identified a homozygous TACSTD2 missense mutation, c.551A>G, p.(Tyr184Cys), in the affected family members. Both parents were heterozygous for the mutation, and unaffected siblings were either heterozygous or homozygous wild-type for this allele. In the Colombian population, this mutation has a minor allele frequency of 0.53%. Conclusion: The clinical presentation of GDLD in this family was variable and does not solely support an age-dependent progression of the phenotype, suggesting that environmental or other genetic factors can modify phenotypic expression. The relatively high prevalence of this mutation in the Colombian population suggests that other individuals may have undiagnosed subclinical disease.