Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sodium benzoate attenuates iminodipropionitrile-induced behavioral syndrome in rats

This study reports the effects of the antioxidant sodium benzoate (SB) on iminodipropionitrile (IDPN)-induced excitation with choreiform and circling (ECC) syndrome in adult female Wistar rats. Rats in four different groups (n=8) received i.p. injections of SB (0, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) daily for 10 days. IDPN (100 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered daily 30 min before SB for the first 8 days. Two additional groups served as control (vehicle) and SB alone (200 mg/kg) groups. The animals were observed daily for neurobehavioral abnormalities, including dyskinetic head movements, circling, tail hanging, righting reflex and contact inhibition of the righting reflex, characterized as the ECC syndrome. In the IDPN-alone treated group, the onset of ECC syndrome occurred on day 9 (2 out of 8 rats), whereas none of the animals treated with IDPN plus SB (100 or 200 mg/kg) showed any signs of ECC syndrome on that day. All the animals in the IDPN-alone group developed severe dyskinesia on day 11. Treatment of rats with SB significantly and dose-dependently attenuated IDPN-induced behavioral deficits.
Intrinsic, extrinsic, and amotivational styles as predictors of behavior: A prospective study.

ABSTRACT This research ascertained the role of intrinsic, extrinsic, and amotivational styles as predictors of behavioral persistence in a real-life setting. At the beginning of the academic year, 1,042 first-term junior-college students enrolled in a compulsory college course completed a scale assessing intrinsic motivation, four styles of extrinsic motivation (namely, external regulation, introjection, identification, and integration), and amotivation toward academic activities. At the end of the semester, individuals who had dropped out of the course and those who had persisted were identified. Results showed that individuals who persisted in the course had reported at the beginning of the semester being more intrinsically motivated, more identified and integrated, and less amotivated toward academic activities than students who dropped out of the course. Gender differences also emerged. These revealed that females
A mineralization-associated membrane protein plays a role in the biological functions of the peptide-coated bovine hydroxyapatite.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Anorganic bovine mineral coated with a cell-binding peptide (P-15) is superior to anorganic bovine mineral alone in the treatment of periodontal osseous defects. However, the molecular interactions between P-15 and periodontal ligament fibroblasts remain unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS We first compared the in vitro osteogenic activities between periodontal ligament fibroblasts cultured with anorganic bovine mineral alone and with the P-15/anorganic bovine mineral combination. We then harvested the periodontal ligament cell lysate, incubated it with various graft materials, and then washed it to remove unbound proteins. The bound proteins were eluted from graft materials and analyzed using electrophoresis, followed by mass spectrometry and then western blotting. Finally, a neutralizing antibody against one bound protein was added to the cell cultures to repeat the osteogenic assays to clarify its role in the in vitro effects of the P-15/anorganic bovine mineral combination. RESULTS Cells treated with P-15/anorganic bovine mineral were more viable and showed greater osteogenic activities than cells treated with anorganic bovine mineral alone and the no-graft control. Annexin II, a mineralization-associated protein, bound to P-15/anorganic bovine mineral significantly more than to anorganic bovine mineral alone. The addition of neutralizing antibody for annexin II decreased the osteogenic activities of the P-15/anorganic bovine mineral combination. CONCLUSION Annexin II of periodontal ligament fibroblasts interacted with the peptide of P-15, and was partially responsible for better in vitro osteogenesis in the P-15 graft.
[Application of the ubiquicidin 29-41 scan in the diagnosis of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis].

BACKGROUND The non-invasive diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis is a difficult one. Studies confirm MRI as the gold standard with 92% sensitivity and 94% specificity. Scintigraphy combined with Tc99-Ga67 used to be the procedure of choice before the advent of PET with labeled glucose, which has a high sensitivity and specificity, but cannot distinguish a focus of infection from inflammation. Scintigraphy with UBI29-41 is an infection-specific study that was recently described in the literature. There are no studies showing its value in the diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis. OBJECTIVE The purpose of the study is to show that the Tc99-UBI29-41 scan has 99% sensitivity for vertebral osteomyelitis. METHODS This is a study of a diagnostic test. The case series was composed of the records of UBI scans performed at the Nuclear Medicine Department, HcHMAE. The scans were interpreted in a blind and independent fashion by 2 experienced observers. The final diagnosis was obtained with the histopathologic study or a microbiologic culture or with the clinical findings after a follow-up of at least 6 months. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and the positive and negative probability ratio were determined, always using a 95% confidence interval (CI). The sample size necessary to show 99% sensitivity with a 95% CI and a statistical power of 80% was 15 patients. The concordance with the kappa index was determined. RESULTS Twenty-seven patients with suspected vertebral osteomyelitis were included; 15 males and 12 females, with a mean age of 50 years (SD = 16). Fourteen patients had a history of surgery and 12 had metallic implants. Nine patients had a history if spinal infiltrations. The number of patients with a positive scan was 20. The sensitivity for detecting pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis was 100% (CI: 0.901-1) and the specificity was 87.5% (CI: 0.647-0.875). The positive predictive value was 0.95 (CI: 0.859-0.950), and the negative predictive value was 1 (CI: 0.739-1). The intra- and interobserver kappa value was 1. CONCLUSIONS The UBI scan showed 100% sensitivity and 88% specificity for vertebral osteomyelitis. Although the role of this method in the diagnostic protocol of the patient with suspected vertebral osteomyelitis has not yet been defined, the scan was useful in this group of patients to arrive at a certain diagnosis.
Information system for translation into ukrainian sign language on mobile devices

The information system for translation into sign language on mobile devices is discussed. The system comprises of dictionaries, ontology database, weighted affix context-free grammar (WACFG) parser, algorithm for transformation of constituency tree into dependency tree, and an algorithm for synthesis of Ukrainian sign language glosses. Simple video sequencing is utilized for sign language synthesis, however any other sign animation tool can be used. Tasks that require further research are defined.
Effect of high-intensity resistance training on performance of competitive distance runners.

In a recent study competitive road cyclists experienced substantial gains in sprint and endurance performance when sessions of high-intensity interval training were added to their usual training in the competitive phase of a season. The current study reports the effect of this type of training on performance of 20 distance runners randomized to an experimental or control group for 5 to 7 weeks of training. The experimental group replaced part of their usual competitive-phase training with 10 x ? 30-minute sessions consisting of 3 sets of explosive single-leg jumps (20 for each leg) alternating with 3 sets of resisted treadmill sprints (5 x ? 30-second efforts alternating with 30-second recovery). Before and after the training period all runners completed an incremental treadmill test for assessment of lactate threshold and maximum running speed, 2 treadmill runs to exhaustion for prediction of 800- and 1500-m times, and a 5-km outdoor time trial. Relative to the control group, the mean changes (+/-90% confidence limits) in the experimental group were: maximum running speed, 1.8% (+/- 1.1%); lactate-threshold speed, 3.5% (+/-3.4%); predicted 800-m speed, 3.6% (+/- 1.8%); predicted 1500-m speed, 3.7% (+/- 3.0%); and 5-km time-trial speed, 1.2% (+/- 1.1%). We conclude that high-intensity resistance training in the competitive phase is likely to produce beneficial gains in performance for most distance runners.
Muscle contractile properties as an explanation of the higher mean power output in marmosets than humans during jumping

ABSTRACT The muscle mass-specific mean power output (PMMS,mean) during push-off in jumping in marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) is more than twice that in humans. In the present study it was tested whether this is attributable to differences in muscle contractile properties. In biopsies of marmoset m. vastus lateralis (VL) and m. gastrocnemius medialis (GM) (N=4), fibre-type distribution was assessed using fluorescent immunohistochemistry. In single fibres from four marmoset and nine human VL biopsies, the force–velocity characteristics were determined. Marmoset VL contained almost exclusively fast muscle fibres (>99.0%), of which 63% were type IIB and 37% were hybrid fibres, fibres containing multiple myosin heavy chains. GM contained 9% type I fibres, 44% type IIB and 47% hybrid muscle fibres. The proportions of fast muscle fibres in marmoset VL and GM were substantially larger than those reported in the corresponding human muscles. The curvature of the force–velocity relationships of marmoset type IIB and hybrid fibres was substantially flatter than that of human type I, IIA, IIX and hybrid fibres, resulting in substantially higher muscle fibre mass-specific peak power (PFMS,peak). Muscle mass-specific peak power output (PMMS,peak) values of marmoset whole VL and GM, estimated from their fibre-type distributions and force–velocity characteristics, were more than twice the estimates for the corresponding human muscles. As the relative difference in estimated PMMS,peak between marmosets and humans is similar to that of PMMS,mean during push-off in jumping, it is likely that the difference in in vivo mechanical output between humans and marmosets is attributable to differences in muscle contractile properties. Summary: During jumping, the muscle mass-specific power of marmosets is more than twice that of humans. This difference in mechanical output in vivo is explained by differences in skeletal muscle contractile properties.
Othering: Difference Understood?? A 10‐Year Analysis and Critique of the Nursing Literature

It has been 10 years since Advances in Nursing Science (ANS) published the first article that articulated othering within a nursing framework. This issue's topic, Critique and Replication, provided an opportunity for analysis of the influence of the original ANS article on the visibility and application of othering within nursing literature. Comprehensive searches of major health databases identified 32 publications citing the original ANS article. The analysis focused on exclusionary and inclusionary othering, role taking, and constructions of the other. Results indicate that although othering has become more visible within nursing literature, exclusionary othering dominates. The article concludes with thoughts for moving beyond othering and toward engagement.
Evaluation of IGL-1 preservation solution using an orthotopic liver transplantation model.

AIM To compare, in a pig liver transplantation model, the protective effect of UW with that of IGL-1, a high-sodium preservation solution containing polyethylene glycol (PEG) as an oncotic supply. METHODS All livers were harvested and grafted orthotopically according to standard techniques. The livers were washed out and preserved for 7 h in IGL-1 (n = 6) or in UW solution (n = 7) at 4 degree centigrade. In a sham group (n = 4), the livers underwent a 60-min warm ischemia at 37 degree centigrade. The hepatocellular injury was assessed in organ preservation solution washed out from the graft at the end of ischemic storage (before revascularization), and in serum 2 h after reperfusion and daily for up to 6 d. RESULTS Livers preserved in IGL-1 solution released markedly less AST than that preserved in the UW solution before and after revascularization (P < 0.05). Besides, the activity of creatine kinase-BB, a marker of sinusoidal lining cells injury, was higher in the UW group than in the IGL-1 group (P < 0.05). Histological results showed less necrotic regions in livers preserved in IGL-1 solution; however, no difference was observed for inflammation. CONCLUSION IGL-1 liquid effectively protects parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells against preservation-reperfusion injuries.
In Vitro Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity of Chitosan Isolated from Podophthalmus Vigil

Article history: Received on: 30/08/2012 Revised on: 09/09/2012 Accepted on: 15/09/2012 Available online: 28/09/2012 In the present study, Chitin has been extracted from Podophthalmus vigil. The obtained chitin was transformed into the more useful chitosan we evaluated the antimicrobial activity of different concentrations (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) of chitosan against 10 species of bacteria and fungi by agar-disc diffusion method. As the concentration of chitosan increased, the antimicrobial effect was strengthened. In the conjugated diene method, the total antioxidant activity of chitosan was ranging from 18.37% to 79.58% at varying concentrations (0.1 to 10mg/ml). The reducing capability ranged from of 0.12% to 0.48% at varying concentration (0.1 to 10mg/ml). The 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging potential of chitosan ranged from 18.08% to 55.56% at varying concentrations (0.1 to 10mg/ml). The chelating ability of chitosan from Podophthalmus vigil on ferrous ions was ranging from 25.82% to 73.54% for the concentration between 0.1-10mg/ml. Hydroxyl radicals scavenging activity of chitosan (0.1252 mg/ml) was found to be higher than the ascorbic acid and the range was from 23.18% to 93.28%. Superoxide anion radical was ranging from 5.21% to 65.81% for the concentration between 0.125-2 mg/ml. overall, chitosan from Podophthalmus vigil was good in antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, and may be used as a source of antioxidants, as a possible food supplement or ingredient in the pharmaceutical industry.
Phase II study of monthly pasireotide LAR (SOM230C) for recurrent or progressive meningioma

Objective: A subset of meningiomas recur after surgery and radiation therapy, but no medical therapy for recurrent meningioma has proven effective. Methods: Pasireotide LAR is a long-acting somatostatin analog that may inhibit meningioma growth. This was a phase II trial in patients with histologically confirmed recurrent or progressive meningioma designed to evaluate whether pasireotide LAR prolongs progression-free survival at 6 months (PFS6). Patients were stratified by histology (atypical [World Health Organization grade 2] and malignant [grade 3] meningiomas in cohort A and benign [grade 3] in cohort B). Results: Eighteen patients were accrued in cohort A and 16 in cohort B. Cohort A had median age 59 years, median Karnofsky performance status 80, 17 (94%) had previous radiation therapy, and 11 (61%) showed high octreotide uptake. Cohort B had median age 52 years, median Karnofsky performance status 90, 11 (69%) had previous radiation therapy, and 12 (75%) showed high octreotide uptake. There were no radiographic responses to pasireotide LAR therapy in either cohort. Twelve patients (67%) in cohort A and 13 (81%) in cohort B achieved stable disease. In cohort A, PFS6 was 17% and median PFS 15 weeks (95% confidence interval: 8–20). In cohort B, PFS6 was 50% and median PFS 26 weeks (12–43). Treatment was well tolerated. Octreotide uptake and insulin-like growth factor–1 levels did not predict outcome. Expression of somatostatin receptor 3 predicted favorable PFS and overall survival. Conclusions: Pasireotide LAR has limited activity in recurrent meningiomas. The finding that somatostatin receptor 3 is associated with favorable outcomes warrants further investigation. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class IV evidence that in patients with recurrent or progressive meningioma, pasireotide LAR does not significantly increase the proportion of patients with PFS at 6 months.
Detection and correction for EPID and gantry sag during arc delivery using cine EPID imaging.

PURPOSE Electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) have been studied and used for pretreatment and in-vivo dosimetry applications for many years. The application of EPIDs for dosimetry in arc treatments requires accurate characterization of the mechanical sag of the EPID and gantry during rotation. Several studies have investigated the effects of gravity on the sag of these systems but each have limitations. In this study, an easy experiment setup and accurate algorithm have been introduced to characterize and correct for the effect of EPID and gantry sag during arc delivery. METHODS Three metallic ball bearings were used as markers in the beam: two of them fixed to the gantry head and the third positioned at the isocenter. EPID images were acquired during a 360° gantry rotation in cine imaging mode. The markers were tracked in EPID images and a robust in-house developed MATLAB code was used to analyse the images and find the EPID sag in three directions as well as the EPID + gantry sag by comparison to the reference gantry zero image. The algorithm results were then tested against independent methods. The method was applied to compare the effect in clockwise and counter clockwise gantry rotations and different source-to-detector distances (SDDs). The results were monitored for one linear accelerator over a course of 15 months and six other linear-accelerators from two treatment centers were also investigated using this method. The generalized shift patterns were derived from the data and used in an image registration algorithm to correct for the effect of the mechanical sag in the system. The Gamma evaluation (3%, 3 mm) technique was used to investigate the improvement in alignment of cine EPID images of a fixed field, by comparing both individual images and the sum of images in a series with the reference gantry zero image. RESULTS The mechanical sag during gantry rotation was dependent on the gantry angle and was larger in the in-plane direction, although the patterns were not identical for various linear-accelerators. The reproducibility of measurements was within 0.2 mm over a period of 15 months. The direction of gantry rotation and SDD did not affect the results by more than 0.3 mm. Results of independent tests agreed with the algorithm within the accuracy of the measurement tools. When comparing summed images, the percentage of points with Gamma index <1 increased from 85.4% to 94.1% after correcting for the EPID sag, and to 99.3% after correction for gantry + EPID sag. CONCLUSIONS The measurement method and algorithms introduced in this study use cine-images, are highly accurate, simple, fast, and reproducible. It tests all gantry angles and provides a suitable automatic analysis and correction tool to improve EPID dosimetry and perform comprehensive linac QA for arc treatments.
Chemoreduction with topical mitomycin C prior to resection of extensive squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva.

1. Oh KT, Polk TD, Boldt HC, Turner JF Jr. Systemic small noncleaved cell lymphoma presenting as a posterior choroidal mass. Am J Ophthalmol. 1998;125:560-562. 2. Fredrick DR, Char DH, Ljung BM, Brinton DA. Solitary intraocular lymphoma as an initial presentation of widespread disease. Arch Ophthalmol. 1989;107:395-397. 3. Chambers JD, Mosher ML Jr. Intraocular involvement in systemic lymphoma. Surv Ophthalmol. 1966;11:562-564. 4. Weisenthal R, Frayer WC, Nichols CW, Eagle RC. Bilateral ocular disease as the initial presentation of malignant lymphoma. Br J Ophthalmol. 1988;72:248-252. 5. Guyer DR, Green WR, Schachat AP, Bastacky S, Miller NR. Bilateral ischemic optic neuropathy and retinal vascular occlusions associated with lymphoma and sepsis: clinicopathologic correlation. Ophthalmology. 1990; 97:882-888. 6. Jensen OA, Johansen S, Kiss K. Intraocular T-cell lymphoma mimicking a ring melanoma: first manifestation of systemic disease: report of a case and survey of the literature. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 1994;232: 148-152. 7. Braylan RC, Orfao A, Borowitz MJ, Davis BH. Optimal number of reagents required to evaluate hematolymphoid neoplasias: results of an international consensus meeting. Cytometry. 2001; 46:23-27. 8. Dean JM, Novak MA, Chan CC, Green WR. Tumor detachments of the retinal pigment epithelium in ocular/central nervous system lymphoma. Retina. 1996;16:47-56. Chemoreduction With Topical Mitomycin C Prior to Resection of Extensive Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Conjunctiva
The Vascular and Biochemical Effects of Cilostazol in Diabetic Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease

Objectives: Cilostazol improves walking in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). We hypothesized that cilostazol reduces diabetic complications in PAD patients. Methods: Diabetic PAD patients were prospectively recruited to a randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, using cilostazol 100mg twice a day. Clinical assessment included ankle-brachial index, arterial compliance, peripheral transcutaneous oxygenation, treadmill walking distance and validated quality of life (QoL) questionnaires. Biochemical analyses included glucose and lipid profiles. All tests were at baseline, 6, and 24 weeks. Results: 26 diabetic PAD patients (20 men) were recruited. Cilostazol improved absolute walking distance at 6 and 24 weeks (86.4% vs. 14.1%, P = .049; 143% vs. 23.2%, P = .086). Arterial compliance and lipid profiles improved as did some QoL indices for cilostazol at 6 and 24 weeks. Blood indices were similar at baseline and at follow-up points for both treatment groups. Conclusions: Cilostazol is a well-tolerated and efficacious treatment, which improves claudication distances in diabetic PAD patients with further benefits in arterial compliance, lipid profiles, and QoL.
Molecular analysis of genetic diversity in Brassica species.

Brassica species are the most important source of vegetable oil and the second most important oilseed crop in the international oilseed market after soybean. Genetic improvement of the seed quality made Brassica a source for high quality edible oil for human consumption and high quality protein meal for feeding animals. To improve yield and quality of oil content of Brassica, presence of sufficient genetic diversity in the germplasm is an important prerequisite. On an average, 45.8 and 25.8 alleles were amplified using RAPD and Brassica specific SSR primer sets, respectively. Mean genetic distance estimates ranged from 26-89% and 5-61%, respectively. Size of scorable fragments ranged from approximately 250 to >2000 bp. A high level of genetic dissimilarity (GD= up to 100%) was estimated among the 14 genotypes. Entries were grouped in clusters using cluster analysis. On the basis of dendrogram, most diverse genotypes were identified, that can be used in future brassica breeding program.