Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Persistent endothelial dysfunction in calcified aortic stenosis beyond valve replacement surgery

The leading cause of aortic valve morbidity in industrialised nations is degenerative calcified aortic stenosis. A convincing body of evidence suggests the concept that degenerative aortic stenosis represents a form of atherosclerotic vascular disease.1 Endothelial dysfunction promoting abnormal vasomotion, increased leucocyte adhesion, platelet dysfunction and vascular inflammation, which have been shown extensively in atherosclerosis, was recently found in degenerative aortic valve disease.2 Decreased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability has a pivotal role in this process, and is largely determined by the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Interestingly, eNOS expression is markedly influenced by haemodynamic factors, as shear stress is the main physiological trigger to enhance eNOS expression and activity.3 In the study by Poggianti et al,2 the effects of haemodynamic parameters have not been discussed as only patients with aortic valve sclerosis but without relevant haemodynamic stenosis were studied. We hypothesised that altered haemodynamics in aortic stenosis may at least partly be responsible for endothelial dysfunction and thus potentially normalise after aortic-valve replacement. Increased low-grade systemic inflammation has also been shown in aortic stenosis4 and consequently would be expected to influence vascular function similar to that described in coronary artery disease. Thus, we investigated endothelial dysfunction and signs of inflammation in haemodynamically relevant degenerative aortic stenosis before and after valve replacement. Patients …
Coproculture study of strongyle infection of goats from Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh

The coproculture study on strongyle infection of goats was carried out from slaughter house of Mhow, Madhya Pradesh during the period from Nov. 2015 to March 2016. Out of a total of 200 samples, 130 were found positive for strongyle with an overall prevalence rate of 65% Strongyle positive faecal samples were separately pooled and subjected to coproculture. Thus, larvae obtained were identified up to the level of genera. Upon coproculture of those faecal samples found positive for strongyle type, seven genera of parasites were recognized. Haemonchus sp. (32.33%) was the predominant gastrointestinal nematode followed by Oesophagostomum sp. (22.51%), Trichostrongylus sp. (18.67%), Cooperia sp. (15.03%), Nematodirus sp. (12.65%), Ostertagia sp. (3.34%) and Bunostomum sp. (3.12%). Haemonchus was the most common type of strongyle encountered in 32.33% goats, while Bunostomum was the least recovered from 3.12% goats. The finding of this examination shows that strongyle disease is one of the real issues that could hamper wellbeing and efficiency and there is requirement for outline a program to limit and control strongyle contamination in goats in the study area.
Steady-state heating of gas insulated busbars

The alternating current flowing in the busbars of gas insulated switchgears (GIS) or substations generates Joule-heat both in the busbars and - due to eddy currents - in the metal enclosure. Besides heat conduction, the steady-state temperature of the conducting parts highly depends on the heat transfer between them and the encompassing gas insulation. The flow of the gas inside and outside the equipment that is, natural convection together with radiation determines the transferred heat. Such conjugate heat transfer problems can be treated numerically by finite element simulations. This paper compares the results of uni- and bidirectional coupling of electromagnetic and flow field simulations of a high voltage, gas insulated, three-phase busbar. It also discusses the influence of radiation on the results.
Effect of large colon ischemia and reperfusion on concentrations of calprotectin and other clinicopathologic variables in jugular and colonic venous blood in horses.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of large colon ischemia and reperfusion on concentrations of the inflammatory neutrophilic protein calprotectin and other clinicopathologic variables in jugular and colonic venous blood in horses. ANIMALS 6 healthy horses. PROCEDURES Horses were anesthetized, and ischemia was induced for 1 hour followed by 4 hours of reperfusion in a segment of the pelvic flexure of the large colon. Blood samples were obtained before anesthesia, before induction of ischemia, 1 hour after the start of ischemia, and 1, 2, and 4 hours after the start of reperfusion from jugular veins and veins of the segment of the large colon that underwent ischemia and reperfusion. A sandwich ELISA was developed for detection of equine calprotectin. Serum calprotectin concentrations and values of blood gas, hematologic, and biochemical analysis variables were determined. RESULTS Large colon ischemia caused metabolic acidosis, a significant increase in lactate and potassium concentrations and creatine kinase activities, and a nonsignificant decrease in glucose concentrations in colonic venous blood samples. Values of these variables after reperfusion were similar to values before ischemia. Ischemia and reperfusion induced activation of an inflammatory response characterized by an increase in neutrophil cell turnover rate in jugular and colonic venous blood samples and calprotectin concentrations in colonic venous blood samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results of this study suggested that large colon ischemia and reperfusion caused local and systemic inflammation in horses. Serum calprotectin concentration may be useful as a marker of this inflammatory response.
Life-Sustaining Treatment Decisions: A Social Work Response to Meet Needs of Health Care Surrogates

Surrogates must possess essential patient information prior to legitimately exercising legal and moral obligations to act on patients' medical care preferences. This descriptive, in vivo study examined factors influencing surrogate and proxy decisions (N = 132) following life-sustaining treatment decisions. Patient communication and self-efficacy variables accounted for approximately 38% of the variance in surrogates' perceptions of benefits/barriers associated with decision making. Guided by patients' advanced communication, respondents (97.8%) expressed high self-reliance and significant appreciation of benefits associated with their decisions. Clarifying surrogates' and providers' understanding of patient care preferences during ICU/CCU admission may facilitate better adherence to patient wishes.
NADPH Oxidase Mediates Lipopolysaccharide-induced Neurotoxicity and Proinflammatory Gene Expression in Activated Microglia*

Parkinson's disease is characterized by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. We have previously reported that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons is mediated by the release of proinflammatory factors from activated microglia. Here, we report the pivotal role of NADPH oxidase in inflammation-mediated neurotoxicity, where the LPS-induced loss of nigral dopaminergic neurons in vivo was significantly less pronounced in NADPH oxidase-deficient (PHOX-/-) mice when compared with control (PHOX+/+) mice. Dopaminergic neurons in primary mensencephalic neuron-glia cultures from PHOX+/+ mice were significantly more sensitive to LPS-induced neurotoxicity in vitro when compared with PHOX-/- mice. Further, PHOX+/+ neuron-glia cultures chemically depleted of microglia failed to show dopaminergic neurotoxicity with the addition of LPS. Neuron-enriched cultures from both PHOX+/+ mice and PHOX-/- mice also failed to show any direct LPS-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity. However, the addition of PHOX+/+ microglia to neuron-enriched cultures from either strain resulted in reinstatement of LPS-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity, supporting the role of microglia as the primary source of NADPH oxidase-generated insult and neurotoxicity. Immunostaining for F4/80 in mensencephalic neuron-glia cultures revealed that PHOX-/- microglia failed to show activated morphology at 10 h, suggesting an important role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated from NADPH oxidase in the early activation of microglia. LPS also failed to elicit extracellular superoxide and produced low levels of intracellular ROS in microglia-enriched cultures from PHOX-/- mice. Gene expression and release of tumor necrosis factor α was much lower in PHOX-/- mice than in control PHOX+/+ mice. Together, these results demonstrate the dual neurotoxic functions of microglial NADPH oxidase: 1) the production of extracellular ROS that is toxic to dopamine neurons and 2) the amplification of proinflammatory gene expression and associated neurotoxicity.
Pyrolysis of Firwood (Abies bornmülleriana Mattf.) Sawdust: Characterization of Bio-Oil and Bio-Char

This paper describes the research of slow pyrolysis of fi rwood (Abies bornmulleriana Mattf.) saw- dust by using fi xed-bed reactor. The effect of temperature ranging between 350 and 600 °C on gas, liquid and solid products was examined. The maximum bio-oil yield of 45.9 % was obtained at the final pyrolysis temperature of 500 °C. The elemental analysis and heating value of bio-oil and bio-char were determined, and then the chemi- cal composition of the bio-oil was investigated using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques such as Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ( 1 H-NMR). The liquid product was mainly composed of phenolics, including 2-methoxy-phenol, 2-methyl-phenol, phenol, as well as aldeyhdes, acids, esters, alcohols and ketones. The chemical characterization has shown that the bio-oil obtained from residues of forestry production, such as fi rwood sawdust, can be used as an environmental feedstock, which is an ideal candidate for alternative fuels. Moreover the bio-char can be used as an energy source and active carbon.
What Impact Does Spinal Deformity Correction for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Make on Quality of Life?

Study Design. Literature review. Objective. To identify scientifically sound studies that have reported changes in quality of life (QOL) after spinal deformity correction in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and to discuss these findings. Summary of Background Data. Few studies have been published. Most are retrospective cohort studies and lack both preoperative and postoperative data for the outcome in terms of QOL. Methods. A review of existing literature with the emphasis on spinal fusion for AIS and outcome as measured by health-related QOL was performed. Results. Thirteen studies of various quality were found after reviewing the papers. Only 3 of them contained both preoperative and postoperative data on QOL, using the SRS-22/-24. They all reported a statistically significant improvement in some of the domain scores. The clinical implications of these findings are unclear, as the minimal clinically important differences for SRS-22/-24 have not yet been established. Conclusion. Weak evidence (Level IV) exists in the literature that spinal deformity correction for AIS does not significantly impact QOL in short-term or mid-term. The interpretation of this must be that there were no serious adverse events after surgery.
The influence of LH and/or FSH on Leydig and Sertoli cell morphology after testicular involution in the Djungarian hamster, Phodopus sungorus, induced by hypophysectomy or short photoperiods *

Summary. In the Djungarian hamster, Phodopus sungorus, the morphological alterations of Sertoli and Leydig cells were investigated under the influence of gonadotropins (LH and/or FSH) after testicular regression induced either by hypophysectomy or photoinhibition. Stimulation with LH or LH/FSH lead to a redifferentiation of morphological features of Leydig cells such as nuclear structure, smooth endoplasmic reticulum and size of cell and nucleus area within 7 days of hormone treatment. Similarly, stimulation with FSH or LH/FSH caused redifferentiation of Sertoli cell nuclear structure, rough endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear size within 7 days. Incomplete restoration of Leydig and Sertoli cell morphology was observed under FSH and LH treatment respectively. In both Leydig and Sertoli cells combined LH and FSH application resulted in an increased response in respect to morphological redifferentiation, possibly indicating paracrine regulatory mechanisms. In all groups treated an intact blood‐testis barrier (BTB) was reestablished after a minimum of 7 days, indicating that the existence of the blood‐testis barrier is not dependent on specific gonadotropin supply but on the developmental stage of the seminiferous epithelium. Sham‐operated animals showed increased cell and nucleus area of Leydig cells in comparison to photostimulated animals. After testicular involution as well as after LH or FSH treatment there were no significant morphological differences between hypophysectomized and photoinhibited animals in respect to the documented ultrastructural and morphometrical characteristics. These data suggest that the Djungarian hamster is an excellent animal model for studying reproductive functions in the male because its photoperiodicity makes invasive methods such as hypophysectomy unneccesary.
The Modified Tanh Method for Solving the Improved Eckhausequation and the (2+1)-dimensional Improved Eckhaus Equation

The modified tanh method is one of most direct and effective algebraic method for obtaining exact solutions of nonlinear partial differential equations. The method can be applied to nonintegrable equations as well as to integrable ones. In this paper,we look for exact soliton solutions of the improved Eckhaus equation and the (2+1)-dimensional improved Eckhaus equation. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: 47F05; 35B05; 35Dxx.
[Expression of desmoglein 3 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: research of 22 cases].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression of desmoglein 3 (DSG3), a candidate target gene in the antisense RNA (aRNA) from the purified nasopharyngeal tissues in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS Specimens of nasopharyngeal tissues were harvested from 22 NPC patients, aged 44 +/- 11 (NPC group), and 12 normal persons or patients with nasopharyngeal infectious diseases, aged 46 +/- 14. Microdissection technique was used to get homogenous tissue cells from which total RNA was isolated (control group). aRNA was amplified from the total RNA by "in vitro transcription" (IVT). The expression of DSG3 gene was identified using these aRNA by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (sqRT-PCR). RESULTS The average expression level of DSG3 in the NPC group was 3.536 +/- 2.689, significantly higher than that of the control group (0.95 +/- 0.23, df = 32, t = 3.307, P = 0.002). The expression level of DSG3 in the whole expression profiling of the NPC group was 1.06 +/- 1.60, significantly higher than that of the control group (0.48 +/- 0.23, df = 16, t = 2.145, P = 0.048). CONCLUSION The whole genome expression profiling detected by sqRT-PCR can be used to shift the marker genes from biopsy tissue samples. DSG3 may be a tumor candidate gene in NPC.
ANTIMULLERIAN HORMONE SERUM CONCENTRATIONS IN NORMOOVULATORY AND ANOVULATORY WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE

Background Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), produced by growing pre-antral and early antral ovarian follicles, has been shown to be a useful marker for ovarian ageing. Serum AMH concentrations are elevated during reproductive life in anovulatory women, especially in those patients exhibiting polycystic ovaries (PCO) and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Objectives The aim of our study is to compare the AMH concentrations in anovulatory women with normoovulatory women of similar age. Patients and Methods The study included 70 anovulatory normogonadotrophic women (50 cases with PCOS and 20 cases with Non-PCOS anovulatory women) and 30 cases control group (normal ovulatory women). PCOS patients was diagnosed according to the Rotterdam definition, Serum AMH was measured with a second-generation immunoassay in both groups.
In vitro antibacterial activity of the crude methanol extract of Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz. flower (Lythraceae)

The antibacterial activity of the crude methanol extract of Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz. flower was evaluated at two different concentrations by the agar well diffusion method. The methanol extract of the flower exhibited antibacterial activity at varied levels except against Bacillus subtilis and Micrococcus flavus. The methanol extract was most active against Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes. The extract was more active against Gram-negative bacteria as compared to Gram-positive. The inhibitory effect of the extract was compared with standard antibiotics, amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin.
New antigenic candidates in multiple sclerosis: Identification by serological proteome analysis

Myelin antigen targets that are clearly associated with pathogenic events in multiple sclerosis (M.S.) patients remain to be defined. We recently demonstrated that the analysis of global IgG antibody response against human brain antigens using one‐dimensional (1‐D) immunoblotting, allowed us to discriminate M.S. patients from controls (both healthy subjects and patients with Sjögren's syndrome). Additionally, this approach also differentiated the three clinical forms of M.S. Indeed, 42 brain antigenic bands (26 from healthy brain and 16 from the M.S. brain) showed the discriminant IgG immune responses. The aim of our study was to characterize the 26 discriminant antigenic bands detected in healthy brain. Protein identification was successively performed by 1‐D and two‐dimensional (2‐D) immunoblottings using sera from 18 M.S. patients, followed by mass spectrometry (MS) analysis and a database search. One hundred and two antigenic spots were then detected on 2‐D immunoblots, with M.S. sera against healthy brains. Sixty‐four spots were successfully matched with 2‐D Coomassie brillant blue stained gels, which were further selected for MS analysis and annotated leading to the identification of 14 of the 26 discriminant antigens. Thus, serological proteome analysis may provide a useful tool for the identification of potentially new M.S.‐associated antigens, whose relevance to physiopathological events remains to be defined.
Enhanced Antibacterial Activities of Leonuri Herba Extracts Containing Silver Nanoparticles

We report an efficient and powerful green process to enhance the antibacterial activities of the Leonuri herba extract. Plant sources, especially leaves and herbs, are precious for the generation of gold and silver nanoparticles. Various kinds of polyphenols and hydroxyl groups are capable of processing a reduction reaction to generate metals from its corresponding salts. We have prepared gold and silver nanoparticles with 70% ethanol and water extracts. No other toxic chemicals were utilized and the extracts played dual roles as reducing and stabilizing agents. For the generation of nanoparticles, both oven incubation and autoclaving methods were applied and the reaction conditions were optimized. Surface plasmon resonance band indicated that the formation of nanoparticles was successful. Images of high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed mostly spherical nanoparticles ranging from 9.9 to 13.0 nm in size. A water extract containing silver nanoparticles exhibited remarkable (approximately 127‐fold) enhancement in antibacterial activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae when compared with the water extract alone. In addition, antibacterial activity towards Gram‐negative bacteria was greater than that against Gram‐positive bacteria. The process reported here has the potential to be a new approach to improve the antibacterial activities of plant extracts. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Passification of Uncertain Singular Semi-Markovian Jump Systems With Actuator Failures Via Sliding Mode Approach

This paper investigates the problem of robust passivity-based sliding mode control (SMC) for uncertain singular systems with semi-Markov switching and actuator failures. The attention is focused on designing a common sliding surface to weaken the jumping effect and developing a sliding mode controller to accommodate to actuator faults for passification of the singular semi-Markovian jump system. Based on linear matrix inequality technique, sufficient conditions are derived to ensure the closed-loop system to be stochastically admissible and robustly passive. Then the finite-time reachability of the sliding surface is guaranteed by the proposed SMC law. Finally, a numerical example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the obtained result.
Effects of selenium and of arsenic on the genesis of spontaneous mammary tumors in inbred C3H mice.

Exposure of female virgin C3H /St mice to two ppm of selenite in the drink­ ing water for 15 months lowered the incidence of spontaneous mammary tumors to 10 percent relative to the observed incidence of 82 percent in untreated controls. Arsenic in the drinking water in form of arsenite, at levels of 10 ppm, reduced the tumor incidence to 27 percent but caused a significant enhancement of the growth rate of spontaneous or transplanted mammary tumors. The present results provide a pertinent example for the cancer pro­ tecting effect of the essential trace element selenium. A comparison of the female breast cancer death rate in the Continental United States indicates that the breast-CA mortality is lower in areas with abundant or high dietary selenium supply than in regions deficient in this element.
Novel synthetic small‐molecule activators of AMPK as enhancers of autophagy and amyloid‐β peptide degradation

AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a metabolic sensor involved in intracellular energy metabolism through the control of several homeostatic mechanisms, which include autophagy and protein degradation. Recently, we reported that AMPK activation by resveratrol promotes autophagy‐dependent degradation of the amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptides, the core components of the cerebral senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease. To identify more potent enhancers of Aβ degradation, we screened a library of synthetic small molecules selected for their structural similarities with resveratrol. Here, we report the identification of a series of structurally related molecules, the RSVA series, which inhibited Aβ accumulation in cell lines nearly 40 times more potently than did resveratrol. Two of these molecules, RSVA314 and RSVA405, were further characterized and were found to facilitate CaMKKβ‐dependent activation of AMPK, to inhibit mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), and to promote autophagy to increase Aβ degradation by the lysosomal system (apparent EC50 ~1 µM). This work identifies the RSVA compounds as promising lead molecules for the development of a new class of AMPK activating drugs controlling mTOR signaling, autoph‐agy, and Aβ clearance. —Vingtdeux, V. , Chandakkar, P., Zhao, H. , d'Abramo, C. , Davies, P., Marambaud, P. Novel synthetic small‐molecule activators of AMPK as enhancers of autophagy and amyloid‐β peptide degradation. FASEB J. 25, 219–231 (2011). www.fasebj. org