Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intestinal elimination of ciprofloxacin in rabbits

The intestinal transepithelial elimination of ciprofloxacin was studied in a rabbit model. Jejunal, ileal, and cecal segments along with their intact blood vessels were isolated and perfused, and their contents were collected over a 120-min period following administration of a single parenteral dose of 27 mg of ciprofloxacin per kg of body weight. The intestinal elimination rates of ciprofloxacin were 0.126 +/- 0.084, 0.235 +/- 0.22, and 0.11 +/- 0.084 micrograms.min-1.cm-2 for the jejunal, ileal, and cecal segments, respectively. The calculated fractions of ciprofloxacin eliminated were 3.3 mg from the jejunum and 13.8 mg from the ileum, representing 19% of the administered dose. Additional amounts of 2.5 to 3.7 mg or 4.9 to 7.3% of the administered dose were eliminated from the cecum. Elimination was probably not due to a passive diffusion process but rather due to an active transepithelial transport. This intestinal elimination pattern of ciprofloxacin may explain the unusual activity of the fluoroquinolones in modifying the intestinal flora.
Cellular and molecular effects of metal oxide nanoparticles on human neuronal cells

El uso a gran escala de las nanoparticulas (NP) de oxidos metalicos en el mercado de consumo mundial se ha extendido notablemente, dando lugar a un incremento en la probabilidad de exposicion a las mismas en los seres humanos. Los potenciales efectos toxicos de estas NP en las celulas de mamiferos han sido ampliamente estudiados. Sin embargo, los estudios sobre neurotoxicidad, y los efectos especificos en el tejido nervioso son muy escasos. Por tanto, el objetivo de esta tesis ha sido evaluar el potencial toxico de NP de dioxido de titanio (TiO,), (oxido de zinc) ZnO y oxido de hierro recubiertas de silice (S-ION) en celulas neuronales humanas SH-SY5Y, para dilucidar el posible mecanismo de sus efectos adversos a nivel celular y molecular sobre el tejido nervioso humano. Tras la caracterizacion de las NP, se realizo una bateria de ensayos para evaluar la viabilidad, citotoxicidad, genotoxicidad y dano oxidativo en las celulas SH-SY5Y expuestas a las NP. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que el potencial de internalizacion de cada NP es diferente; asi las NP de TiO, y las S-ION fueron eficazmente intemalizadas, siendo esta captacion dependiente de la concentracion y del tiempo de exposicion. Por otro lado, las NP de ZnO fueron incapaces de ser internalizadas por las celulas neuronales. El potencial de las NP analizadas para inducir efectos toxicos fue dependiente del tipo de materia! Las NP de TiO, no redujeron la viabilidad y las S-ION presentaron en general baja citotoxicidad, mientras que las NP de ZnO mostraron un alto nivel de citotoxicidad. Al igual que en el caso de la citotoxicidad, el potencial genotoxico inducido por las NP de oxidos metalicos resulto diferente para cada una de ellas. Ademas, la toxicidad encontrada en celulas expuestas a NP de ZnO y a S-ION estuvo mediada por estres oxidativo; sin embargo, para las NP de Ti02 tales cambios no se relacionaron con la oxidacion. Los resultados obtenidos en este trabajo contribuyen en general a incrementar el conocimiento sobre el potencial genotoxico y citotoxico de las NP de oxidos metalicos, especificamente sobre las celulas neuronales humanas.
Classifying Change Types for Qualifying Change Couplings

Current change history analysis approaches rely on information provided by versioning systems such as CVS. Therefore, changes are not related to particular source code entities such as classes or methods but rather to text lines added and/or removed. For analyzing whether some change coupling between source code entities is significant or only minor textual adjustments have been checked in, it is essential to reflect the changes to the source code entities. We have developed an approach for analyzing and classifying change types based on code revisions. We can differentiate between several types of changes on the method or class level and assess their significance in terms of the impact of the change types on other source code entities and whether a change may be functionality-modifying or functionality-preserving. We applied our change taxonomy to a case study and found out that in many cases large numbers of lines added and/or deleted are not accompanied by significant changes but small textual adaptations (such as indentation, etc.). Furthermore, our approach allows us to relate all change couplings to the significance of the identified change types. As a result, change couplings between code entities can be qualified and less relevant couplings can be filtered out
Semen parameters in men with varicocele: DNA fragmentation, chromatin packaging, mitochondrial membrane potential, and apoptosis

Objective To evaluate varicocele effects on conventional semen parameters: sperm DNA fragmentation, chromatin packaging, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and sperm apoptosis. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out with semen samples from 2,399 men of couples who attended an infertility clinic. A total of 16.3% (391/2399) of the men were diagnosed with varicocele by a urologist. Results A regression analysis revealed that the percentages of sperm with DNA fragmentation, abnormal chromatin packaging, and abnormal MMP were significantly increased in individuals with varicocele, when compared to men without varicocele. Apoptosis was not influenced by varicocele. Conventional semen parameters were significantly worse in individuals with the disease. On the other hand, in men with varicocele, Spearman's correlation demonstrated that early apoptosis and abnormal MMP showed a positive and significant correlation with sperm DNA fragmentation. Conclusion Men with varicocele had worse semen parameters, including increased levels of sperm DNA fragmentation, inactive mitochondria, and abnormal chromatin packaging. These changes are possible causes of infertility in individuals with varicocele.
How Parkinson's Disease Affects Non-verbal Communication and Language Processing

In addition to difficulties that affect movement, many adults with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience changes that negatively impact on receptive aspects of their communication. For example, some PD patients have difficulties processing non-verbal expressions (facial expressions, voice tone) and many are less sensitive to ‘non-literal’ or pragmatic meanings of language, at least under certain conditions. This chapter outlines how PD can affect the comprehension of language and non-verbal expressions and considers how these changes are related to concurrent alterations in cognition (e.g., executive functions, working memory) and motor signs associated with the disease. Our summary underscores that the progressive course of PD can interrupt a number of functional systems that support cognition and receptive language, and in different ways, leading to both primary and secondary impairments of the systems that support linguistic and non-verbal communication.
Gastric volvulus: A review of 38 cases

RACIONAL: O volvo gastrico e frequentemente condicao assintomatica e diagnosticado em exame radiologico feito por outras causas. A forma aguda, no entanto, pode ter consequencias graves e letais. Ele e definido como rotacao anomala do estomago nele proprio e classificado de acordo com o tipo, extensao, direcao, causa e apresentacao clinica. OBJETIVO: Apresentar aspectos clinicos e morfologicos de volvos gastricos. em 38 pacientes. METODOS: Analise retrospectiva onde foram coletadas informacoes registradas sobre 38 pacientes a cerda da idade, surgimento do primeiro sintoma, genero, principais achados clinicos, de exames complementares, tipo do volvo, causa, procedimentos terapeuticos, recidivas e evolucao tardia. RESULTADOS: Em 75,8% o volvo foi secundario Na maioria dos pacientes a opcao de tratamento foi cirurgica. Ele era cronico em 29 e agudo em quatro pacientes. O tratamento conservador foi indicado somente aos sem condicoes clinicas para operacoes. Gastropexia anterior foi associada a alta taxa de recidiva. A sutura da pequena curvatura gastrica a capsula hepatica e colon transverso na fossa subfrencia esquerda (operacao de Tanner) parece ser o tratamento de escolha nos volvos primarios. CONCLUSAO: O tratamento do volvo gastrico deve ser feito sob medida caso a caso e de acordo com a causa da doenca.
Association between exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and the development of acute coronary syndromes: the CARDIO2000 case–control study

Objective: To investigate the association between environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure (at least 30 minutes a day) and the risk of developing acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Design and setting: The CARDIO2000 is a case–control study which was conducted in Greece from 2000 to 2001. Cases included 847 individuals with a first event of ACS and 1078 cardiovascular disease-free controls. Cases and controls were frequency matched on age (within three years of age), sex, and region. Main outcome measures: ACS was defined as a diagnosis of first acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina. Main independent variable: Exposure to ETS was measured by self report as follows: after the second day of hospitalisation for the cases, and at the entry for the controls, participants were asked whether they were currently exposed to tobacco smoke from other people (home and/or work) for more than 30 minutes a day. The responses were categorised into three levels: no exposure, occasional exposure (< 3 times per week), and regular exposure. In addition participants were asked how many years they had been exposed. Because these were self reported assessments and prone to bias, the results were compared to reports obtained from subjects' relatives or friends, using the Kendal's τ coefficient that showed high agreement. Results: 731 (86%) of the patients and 605 (56%) of the controls reported current exposure of 30 minutes per day or more to ETS. Among current non-smokers, cases were 47% more likely to report regular exposure to ETS (odds ratio (OR) 1.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26 to 1.80) compared to controls. Exposure to ETS at work was associated with a greater risk of ACS compared to home exposure (+97% v +33%). The risk of ACS was also raised in active smokers (OR 2.83, 95% CI 2.07 to 3.31) regularly exposed to ETS. Conclusions: This study supports the hypothesis that exposure to ETS increases the risk of developing ACS. The consistency of these findings with the existing totality of evidence presented in the literature supports the role of ETS in the aetiology of ACS.
Prevalence of Dental Caries in permanent Mandibular First Molars in Adult Patients Visiting OPD of Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics (18 to 44 years) a Cross Sectional Study

Dental caries is a widespread global oral disease and a significant economic problem in developed countries, which has a direct impact on the quality of life. The mandibular first molar is the first tooth to erupt and has the longest exposure to the oral cavity and is very important with regard to bearing all the masticatory load and in maintaining a functionally desirable occlusion. Dental caries can ultimately lead to the extraction of first mandibular molars if not treated early. Therefore this study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of caries in 1 permanent mandibular molars, in terms of the proportion of persons affected. The patients visiting the OPD were randomly selected using simple random sampling method with a sample size of 994. Case history was taken and Caries were clinically diagnosed in mandibular first molars. Out of the 994 patients examined, 81.58% of patients showed presence of caries in permanent mandibular first molars in the age group of 18-45 years the study showed that there is a very high prevalence and susceptibility of dental caries in permanent mandibular first molars.
Effect of oestrogen on myofibre size and myosin expression in growing rats

This study examined the effect of oestrogen deprivation and replacement on plantaris muscle size and myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform composition in rats during a period of physiological growth. Seven‐week‐old female Sprague–Dawley rats were assigned to one of the three treatment groups: (1) control animals (Sham); (2) ovariectomized animals without oestrogen replacement (OVX/CO); and (3) ovariectomized animals with 17β‐oestradiol replacement (OVX/E2). OVX/CO and OVX/E2 animals were pair‐fed with Sham animals to rule out the potentially confounding effects of differences in food intake and weight gain. Rats were killed 4 weeks after surgery and the plantaris muscle was removed for analysis. Ovariectomy had no effect on muscle fibre size, but reduced the relative amount of type IIx MHC. This was reversed with oestrogen replacement, suggesting that the reduction in type IIx MHC expression was an oestrogen‐mediated effect. Oestrogen replacement reduced type IIb MHC expression and fast muscle fibre size. Changes in fast fibre size and type IIb MHC expression were not seen with ovariectomy, indicating that these changes were not simply due to the presence of oestrogen in the ovariectomized, oestrogen‐replaced animals. These results suggest that another ovarian hormone may counteract the effect of oestrogen on fast fibre size and type IIb MHC expression in intact animals.
A fixed assignment based window access scheme for enhancing QoS of vehicular adhoc networks

In this paper, we propose a new MAC scheme for Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communications that ensures fairness and reassignment of unused TDMA slots. The proposed TDMA based scheduling scheme allocates TDMA slots to the vehicles evenly and continuously monitors the network for unused slots. Our scheme ensures reassignments of unused slots by using “capture effect” and “time slot reassignment” mechanism. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme outperforms the conventional protocols in terms of successfully transmitted data packets, average delay and data loss ratio.
Are We Learning to Make Better Plans?

Research examining the quality of local planning often treats planning problems as isolated incidents occurring in public decision making. Comprehensive plans and policy statements are evolving instruments, undergoing continual revisions. This article examines the degree to which the quality of local plans changes over an eight-year period with respect to natural hazards mitigation. Jurisdictions in Florida and Washington were sampled in 1991 and in 1999 to determine the extent to which their plans’ hazard mitigation components changed and to identify factors driving communities to adopt stronger policies. Results indicate the plans of local jurisdictions improved and that legal reform, repetitive damage to property, and citizen participation can facilitate an adaptive learning process. This article discusses policy implications and provides recommendations for improving learning capabilities to prepare plans that prevent natural hazards.
Degradation of Chlorinated Dibenzofurans and Dibenzo-p-Dioxins by Two Types of Bacteria Having Angular Dioxygenases with Different Features

ABSTRACT Two kinds of bacteria having different-structured angular dioxygenases—a dibenzofuran (DF)-utilizing bacterium,Terrabacter sp. strain DBF63, and a carbazole (CAR)-utilizing bacterium, Pseudomonas sp. strain CA10—were investigated for their ability to degrade some chlorinated dibenzofurans (CDFs) and chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs) (or, together, CDF/Ds) using either wild-type strains or recombinant Escherichia coli strains. First, it was shown that CAR 1,9a-dioxygenase (CARDO) catalyzed angular dioxygenation of all mono- to triCDF/Ds investigated in this study, but DF 4,4a-dioxygenase (DFDO) did not degrade 2,7-diCDD. Secondly, degradation of CDF/Ds by the sets of three enzymes (angular dioxygenase, extradiol dioxygenase, and meta-cleavage compound hydrolase) was examined, showing that these enzymes in both strains were able to convert 2-CDF to 5-chlorosalicylic acid but not other tested substrates to the corresponding chlorosalicylic acid (CSA) or chlorocatechol (CC). Finally, we tested the potential of both wild-type strains for cooxidation of CDF/Ds and demonstrated that both strains degraded 2-CDF, 2-CDD, and 2,3-diCDD to the corresponding CSA and CC. We investigated the sites for the attack of angular dioxygenases in each CDF/D congener, suggesting the possibility that the angular dioxygenation of 2-CDF, 2-CDD, 2,3-diCDD, and 1,2,3-triCDD (10 ppm each) by both DFDO and CARDO occurred mainly on the nonsubstituted aromatic nuclei.
Intensity, Duration, and Location of High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Tinnitus Relief

Background and Objective. Tinnitus is the perception of a phantom sound. The aim of this study was to compare current intensity (center anode 1 mA and 2 mA), duration (10 minutes and 20 minutes), and location (left temporoparietal area [LTA] and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex [DLPFC]) using 4 × 1 high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) for tinnitus reduction. Methods. Twenty-seven participants with chronic tinnitus (>2 years) and mean age of 53.5 years underwent 2 sessions of HD-tDCS of the LTA and DLPFC in a randomized order with a 1 week gap between site of stimulation. During each session, a combination of 4 different settings were used in increasing dose (1 mA, 10 minutes; 1 mA, 20 minutes; 2 mA, 10 minutes; and 2 mA, 20 minutes). The impact of different settings on tinnitus loudness and annoyance was documented. Results. Twenty-one participants (77.78%) reported a minimum of 1 point reduction on tinnitus loudness or annoyance scales. There were significant changes in loudness and annoyance for duration of stimulation, F(1, 26) = 10.08, P < . 005, and current intensity, F(1, 26) = 14.24, P = . 001. There was no interaction between the location, intensity, and duration of stimulation. Higher intensity (2 mA) and longer duration (20 minutes) of stimulation were more effective. Conclusions. A current intensity of 2 mA for 20-minute duration was the most effective setting used for tinnitus relief. The stimulation of the LTA and DLPFC were equally effective for suppressing tinnitus loudness and annoyance.
Disinfection Treatment of Heated Scallop-Shell Powder on Biofilm of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 Surrogated for E. coli O157:H7

The ability of heated scallop-shell powder (HSSP) to disinfect Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 biofilm was investigated. On account of its cryotolerance and cell surface characteristics, the E. coli strain is reportedly a useful surrogate for E. coli O157: H7 in surface attachment studies. In this study, an E. coli ATCC 25922 biofilm was formed on a glass plate, and immersed in a slurry of HSSP. Following treatment, the disinfection ability of the HSSP toward the biofilm was non-destructively and quantitatively measured by conductimetric assay. The disinfection efficacy increased with HSSP concentration and treatment time. HSSP treatment (10 mg/mL, pH 12.5) for 20 min completely eliminated biofilm bioactivity (approximately 108 CFU/cm2 in non-treated biofilms). In contrast, treatment with NaOH solution at the same pH, and treatment with sodium hypochlorite (200 mg/mL) reduced the activity by approximately one to three log10. Fluorescence microscopy confirmed that no viable cells remained on the plate following HSSP treatment (10 mg/mL). Although alkaline and sodium hypochlorite treatments removed cells from the biofilm, under these treatments, many viable cells remained on the plate. To elucidate the mechanism of HSSP activity against E. coli ATCC 25922, the active oxygen generated from the HSSP slurry was examined by chemiluminescence analysis. The luminescence intensity increased with increasing concentration of HSSP slurry. The results suggested that, besides being alkaline, HSSP generates active oxygen species with sporicidal activity. Thus, HSSP treatment could also be effective for controlling biofilms of the toxic strain E. coli O157: H7, implicated in food poisoning.
PCR-based, rapid diagnosis of parasitism of Lygus spp. (Hemiptera: Miridae) by Peristenus relictus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Abstract Several species of Lygus (Heteroptera: Miridae: Mirini) are serious crop pests in North America where their parasitism rate by native nymphal parasitoids is generally lower than in Europe. Peristenus relictus (Ruthe) (formerly P. stygicus Loan) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Euphorinae) is the predominant nymphal parasitoid of several Lygus spp. in the warm Mediterranean region and has been a candidate for introduction against Lygus hesperus Knight and L. lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) in the southern US. We report a rapid, sensitive, and specific PCR-based assay for diagnosis of P. relictus immature stages within Lygus nymphs that entails three steps: DNA extraction, PCR of the partial mitochondrial COI gene, and agarose gel electrophoresis. The PCR-based methodology is species-specific because the target DNA of other sympatric, congeneric species was not amplified with use of the primers developed for P. relictus diagnosis. The sensitivity of the PCR method, assessed through spike tests, was established by the detection of a ratio of 1:10,000 P. relictus DNA to Lygus DNA. Molecular diagnosis of parasitism of field collected nymphs is achievable in one day, eliminating the need to rear nymphs to obtain adult parasitoids for morphological identification.
Metacognitive strategies in student learning: Do students practise retrieval when they study on their own?

Basic research on human learning and memory has shown that practising retrieval of information (by testing the information) has powerful effects on learning and long-term retention. Repeated testing enhances learning more than repeated reading, which often confers limited benefit beyond that gained from the initial reading of the material. Laboratory research also suggests that students lack metacognitive awareness of the mnemonic benefits of testing. The implication is that in real-world educational settings students may not engage in retrieval practise to enhance learning. To investigate students’ real-world study behaviours, we surveyed 177 college students and asked them (1) to list strategies they used when studying (an open-ended free report question) and (2) to choose whether they would reread or practise recall after studying a textbook chapter (a forced report question). The results of both questions point to the same conclusion: A majority of students repeatedly read their notes or textbook (despite the limited benefits of this strategy), but relatively few engage in self-testing or retrieval practise while studying. We propose that many students experience illusions of competence while studying and that these illusions have significant consequences for the strategies students select when they monitor and regulate their own learning.