Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of naringin on bone cells

Statin, a HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitor, was shown to increase BMP‐2 gene expression for bone formation, by blocking the mevalonate pathway in cholesterol production. We investigated the effect of naringin, a flavonoid available commonly in citrus fruits, which was also a HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitor, in UMR 106 osteoblastic cell line in vitro. The control group consisted of cells cultured without any intervention for different time intervals (24 h, 48 h, and 72 h), whereas the experimental (naringin) group consisted of cells cultured with naringin of different concentrations (0.001 µmol/L, 0.01 µmol/L, and 0.1 µmol/L) for the same time intervals of the control. Colorimetric Tetrazolium (MTT) assay, total protein content assay, and alkaline phosphatase activity were used to measure the cellular activities. Results for the naringin group showed an increase in MTT assay compared with the control and the effect was dose dependent. At high concentration (0.1 µmol), the increases ranged from 60% to 80%. In the total protein content assay, naringin also showed an increase compared with control and the effect was also dose dependent. At high concentration (0.1 µmol), the increases ranged from 9% to 20%. In the alkaline phosphatase activity assay, naringin at high concentration (0.1 µmol) significantly increased the activity up to 20%. In conclusion, naringin significantly increased bone cell activities in vitro. This is the first study specifically attempted to investigate the effect of naringin on bone cell activities. Besides statin, this provided another example of mevalonate pathway blockage in the cholesterol production pathway by HMG‐CoA reductase inhibition will increase the bone cell activities. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 24:2045–2050, 2006
Quantitative Easing and Financial Stability

The massive expansion of central-bank balance sheets in response to recent crises raises important questions about the effects of such "quantitative easing" policies, both their effects on financial conditions and on aggregate demand (the intended effects of the policies), and their possible collateral effects on financial stability. The present paper compares three alternative dimensions of central bank policy — conventional interest-rate policy, increases in the central bank's supply of safe (monetary) liabilities, and macroprudential policy (possibly implemented through discretionary changes in reserve requirements) — showing in the context of a simple intertemporal general-equilibrium model why they are logically independent dimensions of variation in policy, and how they jointly determine financial conditions, aggregate demand, and the severity of the risks associated with a funding crisis in the banking sector. In the proposed model, each of the three dimensions of policy can be used independently to influence aggregate demand, and in each case a more stimulative policy also increases financial stability risk. However, the policies are not equivalent, and in particular the relative magnitudes of the two kinds of effects are not the same. Quantitative easing policies increase financial stability risk (in the absence of an offsetting tightening of macroprudential policy), but they actually increase such risk less than either of the other two policies, relative to the magnitude of aggregate demand stimulus; and a combination of expansion of the central bank's balance sheet with a suitable tightening of macroprudential policy can have a net expansionary effect on aggregate demand with no increased risk to financial stability. This suggests that quantitative easing policies may be useful as an approach to aggregate demand management not only when the zero lower bound precludes further use of conventional interest-rate policy, but also when it is not desirable to further reduce interest rates because of financial stability concerns.
A corpus-based lexico-grammatical analysis of the Limerick corpus of Irish English (L-CIE) : some nominal and verbal features

This study proposes to use a corpus-based approach to identify and evaluate some of the discrete features of spoken Southern Irish English. The features to be analysed were chosen on the basis that they were identified in the secondary literature, predominantly Harris (1993) and Filppula (1999) and are considered by those working in the field to be representative of the forms that make SIE a distinct variety of English. The study is corpus-based. This allows the researcher to use actual incidences of speech from contemporary speakers of Southern Irish English, thus allowing for an empirical approach to the research whereby physical evidence rather than intuition is the basis for the findings. The corpus to be used, The Limerick Corpus of Irish English, containing one million words of transcribed contemporary Southern Irish English casual conversation, is sufficiently large to verify the contemporary usage of most of the patterns of Southern Irish English. The study is limited to certain non-standard forms occurring in the verb phrase, the noun phrase, the complex sentence, and in indirect questions. The research finds that, to differing degrees, these forms are all to be found in L-CIE and thus can be said to be in current usage in the genre of casual conversation in IE. The forms analysed are as follows: 3.2 The Noun Phrase 3.2. 1 The definite article (Harris 1993; Filppula 1999). 3.2. 2 Demonstratives (Harris 1993; Filppula 1999). 3.2. 3 Plural of quantity nouns (Harris 1993; Filppula 1999). 3.2. 4 Pronouns (Harris 1993; Filppula 1999). 3.3 The Verb Group 3.3. 1 Strong verbs (Harris 1993; Filppula 1999). 3.3.2 Subject-verb agreement (Harris 1993; Filppula 1999). 3.3.3. Imperatives (Harris 1993; Filppula 1999). 3.3.4 The perfect aspect (Kallen 1990; Harris 1991, 1993; Filppula 1997, 1999). 3.3. 5 Habitual aspect (Harris 1993; Filppula 1999). 3.4 The Complex Sentence and Indirect Questions 3.4. 1 Subordinating and (Harris 1993; Filppula 1999). 3.4. 2 Verb complement clauses (Harris 1993; Filppula 1999). 3.4. 3 Indirect questions (Harris 1993; Filppula 1999). Word Count: 16,987
The Pontine A5 Noradrenergic Cells which Project to the Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn are Reciprocally Connected with the Caudal Ventrolateral Medulla in the Rat

A disynaptic pathway linking the caudal ventrolateral medulla (VLM) to the spinal cord via the A5 noradrenergic cell group of the pons has recently been described in the rat. In the present work, the projections of the A5 to the VLM and to the spinal dorsal horn were studied with double‐tracing techniques combined with immunostaining of the noradrenaline‐synthesizing enzyme dopamine‐β‐hydroxylase. Cholera toxin subunit B (CTb) injected into the VLM and fluoro‐gold injected into the spinal dorsal horn produced double retrograde labelling of A5 neurons immunoreactive for dopamine‐β‐hydroxylase, which received appositions of fibre varicosities labelled anterogradely with CTb injected into the VLM. After injecting CTb into the A5, retrogradely labelled neurons occurred in the VLM. These neurons were contacted by anterogradely labelled fibres from the A5 group. These observations indicate that the VLM cells acting upon the A5 spinally projecting neurons, which are likely to exert an α2‐adrenoreceptor‐mediated inhibition on the spinal cord, are targeted by collaterals of the A5 spinal cord‐bound axons. The A5‐VLM pathway may be the anatomical substrate of a negative feedback circuit whereby the modulatory action of the VLM on the spinal cord is self‐inhibited through activation of the A5.
Mesenchymal stromal cells and kidney transplantation: pretransplant infusion protects from graft dysfunction while fostering immunoregulation

Bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have emerged as useful cell population for immunomodulation therapy in transplantation. Moving this concept towards clinical application, however, should be critically assessed by a tailor‐made step‐wise approach. Here, we report results of the second step of the multistep MSC‐based clinical protocol in kidney transplantation. We examined in two living‐related kidney transplant recipients whether: (i) pre‐transplant (DAY‐1) infusion of autologous MSC protected from the development of acute graft dysfunction previously reported in patients given MSC post‐transplant, (ii) avoiding basiliximab in the induction regimen improved the MSC‐induced Treg expansion previously reported with therapy including this anti‐CD25‐antibody. In patient 3, MSC treatment was uneventful and graft function remained normal during 1 year follow‐up. In patient 4, acute cellular rejection occurred 2 weeks post‐transplant. Both patients had excellent graft function at the last observation. Circulating memory CD8+ T cells and donor‐specific CD8+ T‐cell cytolytic response were reduced in MSC‐treated patients, not in transplant controls not given MSC. CD4+FoxP3+Treg expansion was comparable in MSC‐treated patients with or without basiliximab induction. Thus, pre‐transplant MSC no longer negatively affect kidney graft at least to the point of impairing graft function, and maintained MSC‐immunomodulatory properties. Induction therapy without basiliximab does not offer any advantage on CD4+FoxP3+Treg expansion (ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT 00752479).
Intraocular Lens Power Measured by Partial Coherence Interferometry

Purpose To compare the accuracy of the intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation of the Zeiss IOLMaster versus conventional automated keratometry and contact acoustic biometry after personalized optimization. Methods Three hundred twenty eyes of 249 patients consecutively receiving phacoemulsification and IOL implantation with the sutureless clear cornea approach were enrolled. Preoperative biometry was derived from the Zeiss IOLMaster and an acoustic device (Alcon OcuScan RxP), and keratometry was measured by the Zeiss IOLMaster and a conventional automated keratometer (Topcon KR-8800). One month after surgery, refraction was measured and the predicted refractive errors were calculated with personalized optimization. Results For eyes responsive to all devices, IOLMaster biometry + IOLMaster keratometry had the best predictability for postoperative refraction, with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.38 ± 0.28D, followed by OcuScan RxP biometry + IOLMaster keratometry (MAE, 0.49 ± 0.34D) and OcuScan RxP biometry + KR-8800 keratometry (MAE, 0.54 ± 0.37D) (P < 0.05 for all paired comparisons). For eyes that could not be measured by IOLMaster biometry, the MAE was smaller with IOLMaster keratometry (0.62 ± 0.56D) than with KR-8800 keratometry (0.57 ± 0.52D) (P = 0.03). The variables of age, diabetes mellitus, severity of cataract, axial length, and corneal curvature were unrelated to the predictability of postoperative refraction. Conclusions The Zeiss IOLMaster yielded more accurate refractive outcomes than the conventional automated keratometry and contact acoustic biometry after personalized optimization. For eyes irresponsive to axial length measurement by the IOLMaster, keratometry of the IOLMaster was still superior to conventional automated keratometry.
Explaining energy conservation and environmental citizenship behaviors using the value-belief-norm framework

Despite decades of research, uncertainty remains about what motivates individuals to engage in pro-environmental behavior. The multifaceted and complex nature of energy conservation, like other forms of pro-environmental behavior, still poses a challenge to efforts at accurately explaining or predicting it. This paper examines the extent to which variables in the value-belief-norm framework are able to explain engagement in energy conservation and environmental citizenship behavior in an institutional setting. The results indicate that valuebelief-norm constructs, which largely reflect environmental considerations, were more successful at explaining subjects’ pro-environmental citizenship behavior than their energy conservation behavior. Individuals’ personal norms and selftranscendence values were found to be the most influential precursors of their pro-environmental behavior. Subjects’ behavior-specific beliefs also influenced their pro-environmental behavior and were mediated by their personal norms. The implications of our results for the design of pro–energy conservation intervention are discussed.
Neurodevelopmental outcome following open heart surgery in infancy: 6-year follow-up

Abstract Background: Children undergoing open heart surgery are at risk of neurological injury. A cohort of 35 patients, who had undergone cardiac surgery during infancy, had a significant reduction in Bayley Scale of Infant Development scores at a 12-month assessment. This cohort has now reached an appropriate age to reassess developmental progress. Methods: Detailed psychometric testing was conducted on 20 children from the original cohort using the Weschler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, the Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning, and the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test. Parents completed the Connor’s Rating Scale, the Behaviour Rating Scale of Executive Functioning, and the Child Behaviour Checklist. Results: The mean age of the cohort at assessment was 6.6 (standard deviation 0.4) years. Mean scores on all tests of intelligence, memory, academic achievement, and executive function fell within the average range. Of the children, 20–35% were found to have significant difficulties across these areas. Mean scores in the areas of social, emotional, behavioural, and psychological functioning also fell within the average range. Of the children studied, 35% had clinically significant problems in these areas. There was only a weak association between the 12-month scores and the Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient at 6 years. Conclusion: Detailed psychometric testing of these children suggests that they generally function in the average range; however, a significant proportion falls below age expectations in all the areas assessed. This highlights the importance of long-term follow-up with routine developmental screening to allow identification of a subgroup that may benefit from early educational and behavioural intervention.
Empirical waypoint navigator for overactuated autonomous underwater vehicle using novel kinematic-dynamic controller pair and control allocation techniques

Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) is a field of growing interest due to its potential applications in ocean exploration, surveillance, inspection of undersea equipment, defence, and finding sunken ships, aircraft and other lost artifacts. This paper addresses the challenges involved in designing the controller for an open-frame AUV that is described by the complex nonlinear kinematic and dynamic models. The motion control system for navigating to desired way points is proposed for a neutrally buoyant, overactuated, open-frame AUV using a kinematic-dynamic controller pair technique. The proposed controller generates virtual control inputs which are distributed among different actuators using novel control allocation technique. The numerical simulations of the proposed control technique on the Matsya AUV show that the linear control design gives adequate response characteristics for the nonlinear coupled dynamics of the AUV.
Giving Advice on Cost Effective Measures for a Cleaner Baltic Sea: A Challenge for Science

Abstract The Baltic Sea is one of the world's seas that is most severely affected by human activities. Although there is an international agreement that nutrient input to the Baltic should be reduced, the measures taken so far have not resulted in major reductions in nutrient inputs nor in environmental improvements. The reasons for this are partly due to lack of knowledge on large-scale relationships and couplings between physics, biogeochemistry and ecological properties. But there is also a lack of overall drainage basin-wide analyses on cost-effective measures. There is a danger in making the wrong decisions, e.g. implement reduction schemes that are at worst ineffective or at best, far from cost effective. Researchers from many disciplines are faced with a common challenge: To develop a decision-support system, which can be used as the scientific base for cost-effective measures for the entire Baltic Sea. Such an effort is now being made within the research program MARE (http://www.mare.su.se).
A SELF – ASSESSMENT OF THE PROFESSIONAL STRESS AMONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the different sources of stress among elementary school teachers in Metro Manila. One hundred ninety one (191) teachers were randomly chosen both from the private and public schools. A survey questionnaire was developed to gather the respondents’ answer on stress. Data were analysed using SPSS software. Percentages, Means, T-test, One-way ANOVA and Correlation, Post-Hoc tests were used. This study reports that of the four sources of stress identified, the pupils’ behaviour and achievement recorded a significant difference in terms of age, gender, number of years of teaching experience and type of school (either public or private schools). It is recommended, therefore, for teachers to be given in-service trainings on behaviour management and classroom discipline of students. This would enable the teachers to be prepared in dealing with students’ misbehaviour in their classes, and in turn be able to focus on class instruction to improve achievement. For future researches, a more objective measure is necessary to be used in this area to provide an objective parameter in measuring stress on elementary public school teachers rather than relying on self – assessment.
Brain stem convergence of pelvic viscerosomatic inputs via spinal and vagal afferents

Single medullary reticular formation (MRF) neurons receive ascending spinal inputs from multiple somatic and pelvic visceral territories. MRF neurons were examined for responses to both pelvic (PN) and vagus (abdominal branches: VAG-abd) nerve stimulation, which dually innervate certain pelvic viscera. Recordings in 12 urethane-anesthetized male rats were performed. Of 121 PN-responsive MRF neurons, 50% responded to VAG-abd. Twenty-seven (22%) responded to colonic distention. All 121 neurons responded to noxious stimulation of somatic territories, including many areas outside the perigenital region (including the hindpaws, ears, face). These data demonstrate input originating from different spinal and cranial nerves. The functional significance of this viscerosomatic convergence to MRF is unknown, but could relate to sensory/autonomic integration for coordinating multiple bodily functions, including reproductive and eliminative events.
Pretreatment platelet count predicts survival outcome of patients with de novo non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia

Background Pretreatment platelet count has been reported as a potential tool to predict survival outcome in several solid tumors. However, the predictive value of pretreatment platelet count remains obscure in de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) excluding acute promyelocytic leukemia (M3). Methods We conducted a retrospective review of 209 patients with de novo non-M3 AML in our institute over a period of 8 years (2007–2015). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the optimal platelet (PLT) cutoff in patients. We analyzed the overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) using the log-rank test and Cox regression analysis. Results By defining the platelet count 50 × 109/L and 120 × 109/L as two cut-off points, we categorized the patients into three groups: low (<50 × 109/L), medium (50–120 × 109/L) and high (>120 × 109/L). On univariate analysis, patients with medium platelet count had longer OS and DFS than those with low or high platelet count. However, the multivariate analysis showed that only longer DFS was observed in patients with medium platelet count than those with low or high platelet count. Conclusion Our findings indicate that pretreatment platelet count has a predictive value for the prognosis of patients with non-M3 AML.
The concept of melancholia and antidepressant treatment

Why have we on this occasion chosen this particular topic? At first glance it does not seem too interesting, as among psychiatrists, clinical psychopharmacologists and other highly ranged scientists who work with molecular biology, there appears to be a firm conviction that the introduction of DSM-III (1) in 1980 presented a major innovation in clinical psychiatry, which put an end to the insecurity and disagreement found before 1980 regarding the diagnostics and classifications of depressive disorders. It is correct that the introduction of DSM-III was a paradigmatic change from nosological to syndromatical diagnostics and classifications. It is also correct that the previous classifications of depressive disorders were based on prototypical descriptions of the illness with unknown, but presumed aetiologies, with ill-defined boundaries and low reliability, which was suggested to impede the quality of research and of clinical psychiatry (2). In this context, DSM-III introduced a purely descriptive non-aetiological classification with operationally defined categories based on diagnostic criteria with proven high reliability. DSM-III became an immediate success both in research settings and in clinical psychiatry. Its use spread all over the world in the decade following its introduction, with DSM-IV (3) and ICD-10 (4) taking over in 1994. Little attention, however, was focussed on validity of the classification systems. In other words, did this mean that these classification systems for example in randomized clinical trials (RCT) with antidepressants included the correct patients in the efficacy studies? Or was it still necessary to use both qualitative diagnostic rating scales as well as quantitative rating scales, the latter to be able to classify the severity of depression? Did we have to abandon the schooled aetiological and biological way of thinking, presented by Kraepelin in 1899, by his introduction of the concept of “endogenous depression”? (5). The debate during the recent years shows that this is not the case. More and more data show us that tricyclic antidepressants compared with, for example, SSRIs have a significantly better effect in the treatment of severe depressions and recent studies question whether placebo controlled studies show that SSRIs are more effective than placebo (6-15). Consequently, the credibility of the randomized controlled studies is challenged. But it is all clear that we cannot overlook the existence of subtypes of depression, such as endogenous depression or melancholia and moderate to severe depressions (16, 17), which are not specifically mentioned in most of the RCT-studies. The significance of these problems regarding treatment of depressive patients in the year 2003 is unknown (17). Hence, in the following we have chosen to make a historical review with special focus on the concept of melancholia and antidepressant treatment, thereby trying to enlighten whether the present debate has roots all the way back to the past. CONFERENCIA MAGISTRAL