Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Roles of nitric oxide and nitric oxide synthases in tissue damage of obstructed ureters in rats

Objective To investigate the roles of nitric oxide (NO) and NO synthases [endothelial constitutive NO synthase (eNOS) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS)] in the pathogenesis of ureteric damage during the course of obstructive uropathy. Material and methods The expression of nitrotyrosine, eNOS and iNOS was studied in 54 Sprague–Dawley rats using immunohistochemistry with concurrent immunohistochemical staining. Results Hypertrophy and fibrotic changes of the smooth muscle of the obstructed ureters were noticed after ureteric ligation. The expression of iNOS, eNOS and nitrotyrosine in the smooth muscle layer was noticed from Days 7, 10 and 14 after ligation, respectively, increased until Day 21 post-ligation and then decreased. The expression of nitrotyrosine in the smooth muscle layer was significantly correlated with the expression of iNOS and eNOS (r=0.9698 and 0.9683, respectively; p<0.0001 for both). Conclusion NO and NO synthases may play important roles in tissue damage of the smooth muscle layer in obstructed ureters.
System identification of computer networks with random service

System theory deals with constructing models of systems to establish a relation between the inputs and the outputs of a system. System identification, as a sub area of system theory, makes this construction of the model possible by the observation of inputs and outputs. Such a construction is beneficial if a derivation of the model by first order principles, as e.g., physical laws, is difficult due to a complex or an unknown system structure. From the perception of system theory, computer networks are systems in which the data arrivals represent the inputs and the data departures the outputs of a network path. In this thesis, we establish an analytical system identification methodology for computer networks with random service by the measurement of data arrivals and data departures. To apply the developed methodology to computer networks, we implement it into practical procedures. We establish our system identification methodology in the framework of the stochastic network calculus, a system theory for computer networks. Thereby, the identification applies to linear systems that feature properties, which are characteristic for computer networks, such as multi-hop paths, various scheduling disciplines, and random service due to cross traffic, channel characteristics, or protocol behavior. This universality for linear systems is achieved by the use of a black-box model, where the system model is determined by measurements and no specific assumptions have to be made beforehand on the internal system structure. In the framework of the network calculus, the so-called service curve, which gives a complete description of a linear system, represents the system model. It specifies the coherence between time and data, thereby it provides a description of the system on arbitrary time scales. We illustrate that the area of available bandwidth estimation also belongs to system identification. On the contrary to our system identification methodology, available bandwidth estimation typically uses a gray-box model of the system, i.e., a concrete system model is assumed in advance that is parameterized by
Availability of food resources, distribution of invasive species, and conservation of a Hawaiian bird along a gradient of elevation

We evaluated how an elevation gradient affects: (1) the availability of food required by a specialist seed‐eater, Loxioides bailleui Oustalet (Drepanidinae), or palila, and hence the distribution of this endangered Hawaiian bird, and (2) the distribution of alien threats to Loxioides populations, their primary foods, and their dry‐forest habitat, and hence strategies for their conservation.
Evaluation of a pooling method for routine anti‐HCV screening of blood donors to lower the cost burden on blood banks in countries under development

A pooling system was developed for use in anti‐HCV screening of voluntary blood donors at the local Central American Red Cross blood banks, in Nicaragua, El Salvador and Honduras. The commercially available second generation anti‐HCV screening kit from Abbott Laboratories (North Chicago, IL) was used with a modification in the initial serum dilution procedure. Pools of five sera were selected for routine screening, based on comparative studies of individual samples and of pools with different sample sizes.
Serum Autoantibodies in Patients With Glaucoma

Since early 1990s, our studies have revealed compelling observations that suggest that there might be a previously unrecognized role of immune system in patients with glaucomatous optic neuropathy. In general, we view the role of the immune system in glaucoma as twofold: The immune system likely acts as an “arbiter” to help determine the ultimate cell fate of retinal ganglion cells in response to conditions that “stress” retinal neurons in glaucoma. These include mechanical stress from elevated intraocular pressure or stress created by ischemia, excessive excitatory amino acids, or increased synthesis of neurotoxic substances such as TNFand nitric oxide. The second role of the immune system is its ability to facilitate autoimmune sequelae to offending stimuli. These may be autoadverse, or as Michael Schwartz has recently proposed, autoprotective in nature. The classic association of a disease process with the presence of autoantibodies generally suggests there is an adverse role for these proteins. However, in glaucoma it is unclear if all autoantibodies in patients with glaucoma are genuinely pathogenic (as they are in myasthenia gravis) or whether their presence signifies other roles, such as clues to pathologic process, bystander ‘epiphenomenon‘ of the disease process, or autoprotective responses to stress. Here, we will review evidence that suggests that autoimmune damage to the optic nerve in glaucoma may occur directly by autoantibodies (i.e. to heat shock protein 27), or indirectly by way of a “mimicked” autoimmune response to a sensitizing antigen (i.e. to heat shock protein 60 or rhodopsin), which in turn injures retinal ganglion cells. We shall also propose possible explanations for yet other autoantibodies found in increased titer in patients with glaucoma. AUTOANTIBODIES TO RHODOPSIN
Interaction of the Gifsy-1 Xis Protein with the Gifsy-1 attP Sequence

ABSTRACT The Gifsy-1 phage integrates site specifically into the Salmonella chromosome via an integrase-mediated site-specific recombination mechanism. Initial genetic analysis suggests that Gifsy-1 integrase-mediated excision of the Gifsy-1 phage is influenced by proteins encoded by both the Gifsy-1 and the Gifsy-2 phages. Our studies show that the Gifsy-1 Xis protein regulates the directionality of integrase-mediated excision of the Gifsy-1 phage. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays, DNase I footprinting, dimethyl sulfate (DMS) interference assays, and DMS protection assays were used to identify a 31-base-pair sequence in the attP region to which the Gifsy-1 protein binds. The results suggest that this recombination directionality factor binds in vitro to three imperfect direct repeats, spaced 10 base pairs apart, in a sequential and cooperative manner in the absence of other phage-encoded proteins. Our studies suggest that, while the Gifsy-1 Xis does not require additional factors for specific and high-affinity binding, it may form a microfilament on DNA similar to that described for the phage lambda Xis protein.
Kinetic study of bone ingrowth and ceramic resorption associated with the implantation of different injectable calcium-phosphate bone substitutes.

This study investigated the in vivo performance of two composite injectable bone substitutes (IBS), each with different calcium-phosphate particles granulometries [40-80 (IBS 40-80) and 200-500 microm (IBS 200-500)]. These biomaterials were obtained by associating a biphasic calcium-phosphate (BCP) ceramic mineral phase with a 3% aqueous solution of a cellulosic polymer (hydroxy-propyl-methyl-cellulose). Both materials were injected for periods of 2, 3, 8, or 12 weeks into bone defects at the distal end of rabbit femurs. Quantitative results on new bone formation, BCP resorption, and staining for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity were studied for statistical purposes. Measurements with scanning electron microscopy and image analysis showed that the final rates of newly formed bone were similar for both tested IBS after 12 weeks of implantation. Bone colonization occurred more extensively during early implantation times for IBS 40-80 than for IBS 200-500. For the latter, BCP degradation occurred regularly throughout the implantation period, whereas it was very intensive during the first 2 weeks for IBS 40-80. Positive TRAP-stained degradation cells were significantly more numerous for IBS 40-80 than for IBS 200-500 regardless of implantation time. With the granulometry of either mineral phase, both tested IBS supported extensive bone colonization, which was greater than that previously reported for an equivalent block of macroporous BCP. The resorption-bone substitution process seemed to occur earlier and faster for IBS 40-80 than for IBS 200-500. Both tested IBS expressed similar biological efficiency, with conserved in vivo bioactivity and bone-filling ability.
On the Stability of Parainfluenza Virus 5 F Proteins

ABSTRACT The crystal structure of the F protein (prefusion form) of the paramyxovirus parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5) WR isolate was determined. We investigated the basis by which point mutations affect fusion in PIV5 isolates W3A and WR, which differ by two residues in the F ectodomain. The P22 stabilizing site acts through a local conformational change and a hydrophobic pocket interaction, whereas the S443 destabilizing site appears sensitive to both conformational effects and amino acid charge/polarity changes.
Gastroprotective role of bioflavonoid silymarin in animal model of acute cold-restraint stress induced gastric ulceration

Introduction: Imbalance between the aggressive and defensive factors and presence of acid- pepsin is supposed to play a major role in aetiopathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease. Recently, role of oxidative free radicals have been implicated in mediating cold-restraint stress, H.pylori, NSAID induced gastric injury. Objective: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the possible role of antioxidant bioflavonoid silymarin in acute cold- restraint stress model of gastric ulceration. Methods: Silymarin 50mg/kg was administered orally for 5 days to albino rats (n=6) on fifth day animals were subjected to cold restraint stress. After 3 hours animals were sacrificed and their stomachs were studied for adherent mucin content, and ulcer index. The results were compared with those of control (n =6) and omeprazole (n = 6) treated groups. Results and conclusion: Silymarin administration decreased the ulcer index, increased the adherent mucin content and reduced ulceration compared to control group (P<0.05). The results were parallel to standard drug omeprazole (P<0.01). Silymarin protects gastric mucosa from ulceration and increases adherent mucin. Therefore we conclude that antiulcer effect of silymarin may be mediated through its antioxidant activity.
Effects of escitalopram on attentional bias to cocaine-related stimuli and inhibitory control in cocaine-dependent subjects

Key characteristics of cocaine dependence include attentional bias to cocaine cues and impaired inhibitory control. Studies suggest that serotonin modulates both cocaine cue reactivity and inhibitory control. We investigated effects of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor escitalopram on cocaine cue reactivity and inhibitory processes in cocaine-dependent subjects. In a double-blind placebo-controlled design, cocaine-dependent subjects received placebo (n=12) or escitalopram (n=11; 10 mg on days 1–3, 20 mg on days 4–24 and 10 mg on days 25–28) orally, once daily for 4 weeks. The cocaine Stroop and immediate memory task (IMT) were administered at baseline, days 1, 4, 11, 18 and 25 after placebo or escitalopram initiation. There were no significant between-group differences in baseline performance on the cocaine Stroop task or the IMT. On day 1 (acute phase), escitalopram produced a significantly greater decrease from baseline than placebo in attentional bias measured by cocaine Stroop task 5 hours post-dose. No significant changes from baseline in attentional bias were observed on subsequent test days (chronic phase). Inhibitory control as measured by IMT commission error rate was not significantly different between two groups in either the acute or chronic phase. Consistent with preclinical data, serotonin-modulating drugs like escitalopram may have acute effects on cocaine cue reactivity in human cocaine users.
Is low dose vaginal misoprostol better than dinoprostone gel for induction of labor: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy and safety profile of low dose vaginal misoprostol with dinoprostone gel for induction of labor in term pregnancies. METHODS The study was conducted at Lady Hardinge Medical College and Smt Sucheta Kriplani Hospital on 100 pregnant women with term pregnancy after application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The women were randomized in 2 groups of 50 women each. Group I received misoprostol 25μg at every six hour vaginally for a maximum of five doses for induction of labor; while group II received dinoprostone gel 0.5 mg every six hourly for a maximum of three doses. Maternal outcomes such as mode of delivery and induction delivery interval; and fetal outcomes such as APGAR score and incidence of NICU admission were assessed in both the groups. Statistical analysis was done using student t-test and chi-square test. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the mean induction to delivery interval in both the groups (14.32±0.13 hours in Group I and 14.92±0.18 hours in Group II, p=0.75), mode of delivery, indication of cesarean section and perinatal outcome. However, significant difference was observed in requirement of oxytocin augmentation in both the groups (32% in Group I and 68% in Group II, p=0.005). CONCLUSION Vaginal misoprostol in low doses is similar in efficacy and safety to dinoprostone gel for cervical ripening and labor induction in term pregnancy.
Effects of Low-Molecular-Weight and Unfractionated Heparin on Trophoblast Function

OBJECTIVE: Unfractionated and low-molecular-weight heparin and low-dose aspirin are used for the prevention of pregnancy loss in pregnant women with thrombophilia. We investigated the effect of these drugs on in vitro models of human extravillous trophoblast motility and differentiation. METHODS: Chorion from term placentas was digested and extravillous trophoblast isolated. Extravillous trophoblast formed giant multinuclear cells that were counted after 24, 36, and 48 hours of culture. This model was then used to investigate the effect of unfractionated, low-molecular-weight heparin and aspirin on in vitro extravillous trophoblast differentiation at both therapeutic and supratherapeutic doses. In addition, the effect of unfractionated and low-molecular-weight heparin on hepatocyte growth factor–stimulated SGHPL-4 cell (extravillous trophoblast cell line) motility was determined by time-lapse microscopy. RESULTS: At therapeutic doses unfractionated heparin promoted extravillous trophoblast differentiation. However, low-molecular-weight heparin inhibited giant multinuclear cells formation. At supratherapeutic doses, both low-molecular-weight and unfractionated heparin promoted extravillous trophoblast differentiation. Low-dose aspirin had minimal effects on the extravillous trophoblast differentiation. Both unfractionated and low-molecular-weight heparin inhibited hepatocyte growth factor–stimulated extravillous trophoblast motility at supratherapeutic doses. At a therapeutic dose of 0.25 IU/mL, only unfractionated heparin inhibited hepatocyte growth factor–stimulated motility, whereas low-molecular-weight heparin had no effect. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that unfractionated and low-molecular-weight heparin have differing effects on trophoblast differentiation and motility at therapeutic doses. This finding may be one of many factors that contribute to the clinical scenario. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2
Wiener–Hammerstein system identification – an evolutionary approach

The problem of identifying parametric Wiener–Hammerstein (WH) systems is addressed within the evolutionary optimisation context. Specifically, a hybrid culture identification method is developed that involves model structure adaptation using genetic recombination and model parameter learning using particle swarm optimisation. The method enjoys three interesting features: (1) the risk of premature convergence of model parameter estimates to local optima is significantly reduced, due to the constantly maintained diversity of model candidates; (2) no prior knowledge is needed except for upper bounds on the system structure indices; (3) the method is fully autonomous as no interaction is needed with the user during the optimum search process. The performances of the proposed method will be illustrated and compared to alternative methods using a well-established WH benchmark.
Solar Radiation Time Series Prediction

A model was constructed to predict the amount of solar radiation that will make contact with the surface of the earth in a given location an hour into the future. This project was supported by the Southern Company to determine at what specific times during a given day of the year solar panels could be relied upon to produce energy in sufficient quantities. Due to their ability as universal function approximators, an artificial neural network was used to estimate the nonlinear pattern of solar radiation, which utilized measurements of weather conditions collected at the Griffin, Georgia weather station as inputs. A number of network configurations and training strategies were utilized, though a multilayer perceptron with a variety of hidden nodes trained with the resilient propagation algorithm consistently yielded the most accurate predictions. In addition, a modeled direct normal irradiance field and adjacent weather station data were used to bolster prediction accuracy. In later trials, the solar radiation field was preprocessed with a discrete wavelet transform with the aim of removing noise from the measurements. The current model provides predictions of solar radiation with a mean square error of 0.0042, though ongoing efforts are being made to further improve the model’s accuracy. Keywords—Artificial Neural Networks, Resilient Propagation,
Impaired reproductive fitness in mothers of children with juvenile autoimmune arthropathies.

OBJECTIVE To assess the reproductive fitness of mothers of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). METHODS A mail survey assessing pregnancy outcome was carried out among mothers of children with JIA (JIA mothers) treated at a tertiary paediatric rheumatology centre. The best friends of the JIA mothers served as controls. Besides family history, sociodemographics and reproductive outcomes were measured, including the number of pregnancies, pregnancy complications and gestational age at the time of delivery. RESULTS JIA mothers (n = 227) and controls (n = 235) had similar sociodemographics and racial backgrounds. On average, JIA mothers reported a greater number of conceptions than controls (3.5 vs 3.1; P = 0.01) but had significantly higher rates of pregnancy complications (25% vs 15%; P<0.001). Corrected for differences in the absolute number of pregnancies between groups, the chances of having a miscarriage [mean (s.d.), 0.12 (0.18) vs 0.09 (0.16); P = 0.02] or preterm delivery [0.08 (0.21) vs 0.04 (0.15); P<0.02] were significantly greater among JIA mothers than controls. CONCLUSIONS Mothers of children with JIA have impaired reproductive fitness. This phenomenon is unlikely to be the result of difficulty with conception but rather to be due to higher rates of pregnancy loss and premature delivery.
Prices and Volatilities in the Corporate Bond Market

We document a strong positive cross-sectional relation between corporate bond yield spreads and bond return volatilities. As corporate bond prices are generally attributable to both credit risk and illiquidity as discussed in Huang and Huang (2012), we apply a decomposition methodology to quantify the relative contributions of credit and illiquidity. Overall, our credit and illiquidity proxies can explain almost three quarters of the yield spread-bond volatility relation with credit and illiquidity contributing in a 70:30 ratio. Furthermore, we find that the credit portion of the yield spread-bond volatility relation is important even after controlling for equity volatility. The relation between yield spreads and volatilities is robust to different sample periods, including the financial crisis. We also find the ratio to be smaller for the investment-grade sub-sample, consistent with credit risk being relatively more important for understanding the yield spread-volatility relation in speculative-grade bonds.
Nicolau Syndrome following Intramuscular Diclofenac Administration: A Case Report

Nicolau syndrome (livedoid dermatitis) is a rare adverse reaction of a still largely unidentified pathogenesis at the site of intramuscular drug injection. The typical presentation is pain around the injection site soon after injection, followed by erythema, livedoid patch, haemorrhagic patch, and finally necrosis of skin, subcutaneous fat, and muscle tissue. The phenomenon has been related to the administration of a variety of drugs, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and penicillin. We report a case of Nicolau syndrome following an intramuscular injection of diclofenac. The large ulceration over the right buttock was positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and histology revealed subcutaneous fat necrosis and non-specific inflammation with no evidence of malignancy or vasculitis. The lesion required multiple debridements and a partial-thickness skin graft. Subcutaneous injection, rather than intramuscular injection, was found to be a determining factor in this case. Clinicians must be cautious in the use of proper injection procedures, including appropriate needle length, in order to minimise complications.
Self-regulation predictors of medication adherence among ethnically different pediatric patients with renal transplants.

OBJECTIVE To predict medication adherence among ethnically different pediatric patients with renal transplants between the ages of 6 and 20 years old, using self-regulation variables including motivation, perceived control and responsibility, and perceived support. METHODS Twenty-six African American children and 42 Caucasian children were verbally administered the Self-Regulation of Medication Adherence Battery to assess their (1) motivation to be medication adherent, (2) perceived control of and responsibility for medication adherence, and (3) perceived support of medication adherence from their primary caregiver. Four measures were used to assess medication adherence: self-ratings, nephrologists' ratings, cyclosporine levels, and pill count/refill histories. RESULTS For the African American patients, regression analyses revealed that responses to motivation and perceived control questions that focused on self-efficacy were unique predictors of medication adherence as rated by their primary nephrologist. For the Caucasian patients, one motivation question regarding how often they forget to take their medication predicted their self-reported adherence. CONCLUSIONS Facilitating their beliefs that they can regularly take their medications may help promote medication adherence among African American children with renal transplants, whereas for Caucasian children, providing cues and reminders to take their medications may help. We discuss implications of the results for multimodal assessment of medication adherence and for ethnic group-specific medication adherence research and interventions.