Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of health-related quality of life in menopause and aging

There is a great need for the accurate assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in clinical practice, research, health interventions and health planning. The menopause transition and special issues influencing the health of women as they age can affect quality of life. The assessment of these effects requires a variety of validated instruments to capture their influence in a variety of populations and for a variety of outcomes. This review identifies the important measurement properties of HRQOL instruments, determinants of health status and the currently available measures of HRQOL. Specifically, the reliability, validity and applicability of HRQOL instruments designed for use at the climacteric are individually discussed. It is important to choose validated and appropriate instruments depending on the individual or population being assessed and the relevant HRQOL issues.
Intra-group conflict and teamwork quality : The moderating role of leadership styles

The study examines the extent to which task and relations oriented leadership moderate the impact of task and relationship conflict on teamwork quality. In a sample of 37 teams, the study shows that relationship oriented leadership is beneficial for dealing with relationship conflict, but it does not have the expected positive interaction effect with task conflict. The main practical implication of the results is that in order to mitigate the negative effects of intra-group conflict on teamwork quality the leadership style should fit the type of disagreement (task versus relational) predominantly experienced by the teams.
Targeted expression of c-Src in epidermal basal cells leads to enhanced skin tumor promotion, malignant progression, and metastasis.

In this study, we generated transgenic mice that overexpressed either a constitutively active human c-src mutant (src(530)) or a wild-type human c-src (src(wt)) in epidermal basal cells driven by human keratin 14 (HK14) or bovine keratin 5 (BK5) promoters, respectively. HK14.src(530) transgenic mice developed severe epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis, and did not survive beyond 3 weeks of age. Four transgenic founders were obtained after injection of a BK5.src(wt) construct with variable phenotypes, and three lines (lines A-C) were established. BK5.src(wt) founder D exhibited a severe skin phenotype similar to HK14.src(530) transgenic mice and died 5 days after birth. Line C transgenic mice also exhibited significant epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis, and developed spontaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the skin beginning at approximately 3 months of age (70% incidence at 1 year). Mice from lines A and B did not show a marked phenotype; however, elevated human src(wt) protein in the epidermis of line B mice was clearly evident. Additional analyses of line B transgenic mice showed an enhanced responsiveness to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced epidermal hyperplasia and cell proliferation. Analysis of the susceptibility of line B mice to two-stage skin carcinogenesis revealed that papillomas and SCCs arose earlier and in greater numbers compared with nontransgenic littermates. In addition, malignant conversion occurred more rapidly, and the SCCs that developed in line B transgenic mice had a greater propensity to metastasize to peripheral lymph nodes and other organs. These observations support the hypothesis that c-src plays an important role in skin tumor promotion. In addition, the data show that elevated c-src activity enhances malignant progression and metastasis in this model system.
Characterization of the binding of 2‐mercaptobenzimidazole to bovine serum albumin

2‐Mercaptobenzimidazole (MBI) is widely utilized as a corrosion inhibitor, copper‐plating brightener and rubber accelerator. The residue of MBI in the environment is potentially harmful to human health. In this article, the interaction of MBI with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was explored using spectroscopic and molecular docking methods under physiological conditions. The positively charged MBI can spontaneously bind with the negatively charged BSA through electrostatic forces with one binding site. The site marker competition experiments and the molecular docking study revealed that MBI bound into site II (subdomain IIIA) of BSA, which further led to some secondary structure and microenvironmental changes of BSA. This work provides useful information on understanding the toxicological actions of MBI at the molecular level. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) MRI analysis in atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis

Purpose of reviewBlood oxygen level-dependent MRI (BOLD MRI) is a noninvasive technique for evaluating kidney tissue oxygenation that requires no contrast exposure, with the potential to allow functional assessment in patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. Normal cortical-to-medulla oxygenation gradients are preserved in many patients treated for several years with medical antihypertensive therapy without restoring renal blood flow. The current review is of particular interest as new methods have been applied to the analyses of BOLD MRI, opening the perspective of its wider utilization in clinical practice. Recent findingsRecent findings show that more severe vascular compromise ultimately overwhelms renal adaptive changes, leading to overt cortical hypoxia and expansion of medullary hypoxic zones. ‘Fractional kidney hypoxia’ method of analysis, developed as an alternative method of BOLD MRI analysis, avoids the assumption of discrete cortical and medullary values and decreases the bias related to operator selection of regions of interests. SummaryWe believe that thoughtful application and analysis of BOLD MRI can provide critical insights into changes in renal function prior to the onset of irreversible renal injury and may identify patients most likely to gain from measures to reverse or repair disorders of tissue oxygenation.
Identity and nature of isolated lymphoid tumors (so‐called nodal hyperplasia, hamartoma, and angiomatous hamartoma) as revealed by histologic, electron microscopic, and heterotransplantation studies

The clinical and histopathologic features of 2 examples of isolated lymphoid tumors (so‐called nodal hyperplasia, lymphoid, or angiomatous lymphoid hamartoma) occurring in an 11‐year‐old girl and a 42‐year‐old man are presented. This designation for this lesion appears at present more appropriate than those expressed parenthetically since considerations suggest that it may represent a heterogeneous group of neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions comprised of prototype and transitional forms of lymphocytes, reticulum cells, and plasma cells. Occasional cells morphologically indistinguishable from Sternberg‐Reed cells were encountered in the most recent of 4 biopsies obtained over a 6‐year period in the young girl and in only several of many sections prepared from the tumor removed from the adult patient of this report. Other features of Hodgkin's disease or other recognized malignant lymphomas were lacking, and the clinical course in both has been otherwise uneventful for 6 and 1 years, respectively. Ultrastructural study of the lesion from the adult revealed features in some reticulum cells similar to those observed in cells comprising overt reticulum cell sarcoma. Virus‐like particles resembling those depicted as occurring in some murine as well as human leukemias and malignant lymphomas were also noted. Similar particles were also observed in cells comprising “primary” growths and metastases noted following heterotransplantation of aliquots of this lesion to the cheek pouch of unconditioned hamsters. This information strongly suggests that some of these lesions may possess a malignant biological potential, being in this regard analogous to the situation experienced with the nodal lesion apparently induced by antiepileptic drugs.
Clinical Trials in Orthopedic Surgery

Abstract: A clinical trial may be defined as a “planned experiment” that involves patients, and it is designed to elucidate the most appropriate treatment of future patients with a given medical condition. The first step in designing a clinical trial is to select the best study type. The major types are the case report, the case series, case control studies, cohort study, and the most rigorous of all study designs; the randomized controlled trial (RCT). The basic design features of an RCT are randomization including stratification, permuted blocks, timing and blinding, measurement of outcome, sample size, analysis, and feasibility.
A randomized study comparing IGL-1 to the University of Wisconsin preservation solution in liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND Institut Georges Lopez-1 (IGL-1) is a new preservation solution with lower potassium and lower viscosity than University Wisconsin solution (UW). These characteristics which improve liver preservation lead us to evaluate clinical effects of IGL-1 in a randomized controlled study with UW. MATERIAL/METHODS From June 2007 to July 2009, after exclusion of partial graft, combined transplantation and fulminant hepatic failure, 140 deceased donor allografts were randomly assigned to IGL-1 (n=48) or UW (n=92) solution. Variables concerning donors and recipients were collected including liver tests (total serum bilirubin, prothrombin time and transaminases) were analyzed until postoperative day 30. Incidences of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT), primary non function (PNF) and biliary non anastomotic strictures (NAS) were analyzed. The comparative analysis of costs was realized. RESULTS Donor and recipients characteristics were similar in both groups. Volume of preservation solution utilized for harvesting was identical. Duration of cold ischemia (472±142 vs. 477±122 min), surgery (427±97 vs. 437±94 min) and proportion of extended criteria donor was similar. Postoperative kinetic and level liver tests were similar. Rate of PNF (2% vs. 4%), early retransplantation (6% vs. 7%), incidence of biliary NAS (2% vs. 3%) and HAT (6% vs. 4%) were similar. Mean intensive care unit (ICU) stay was similar (5.6 vs. 6.1 days). However costs related to preservation solution for one liver procurement were 992.0 for IGL-1 vs. 1609.0 Euros for UW. CONCLUSIONS Results of this randomized study shows that the efficacy and safety of IGL-1 are comparable to those of the reference UW with a lower cost.
ABVD in older patients with early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma treated within the German Hodgkin Study Group HD10 and HD11 trials.

PURPOSE Older patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) account for approximately 20% of all HL patients. ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine) chemotherapy is regarded as standard of care in these patients. However, little is known on feasibility and efficacy of ABVD in this age group. PATIENTS AND METHODS We analyzed the feasibility and efficacy of four cycles of ABVD in older patients age 60 to 75 years with early-stage HL who were treated within the German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG) HD10 and HD11 trials; results were compared with those of younger patients treated within these trials. RESULTS In total, 1,299 patients received four cycles of ABVD, and 117 of those patients were older than age 60 years (median, 65 years). In 14% of older patients, treatment was not administered according to protocol, mainly because of excessive toxicity. The mean delay of treatment was twice as high in the older patients (2.2 v 1.2 weeks). Fifty-nine percent of older patients achieved a relative dose-intensity of at least 80% compared with 85% of younger patients. Major toxicity (WHO grade 3 and 4), including leucopenia, nausea, infection, and others, was documented in 68% of older patients with a treatment-related mortality of 5%. Complete response was achieved in 89% of older patients, 3% had progressive disease, and 11% relapsed. At a median observation time of 92 months, 28% of the patients had died, and the 5-year progression-free survival estimate was 75% (95% CI, 66% to 82%). CONCLUSION In patients age ≥ 60 years with HL, four cycles of ABVD is associated with substantial dose reduction, treatment delay, toxicity, and treatment-related mortality.
Polyphenols content and antioxidant activities of Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg (Dandelion) leaves

Plant of genus Taraxacum known as dandelion have long been used in tradition medicinal. Extracts from dandelion possess anti-influenza virus, anti-fertility and anti-retrovirus activity, antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. Chicoric acid also known as dicaffeyltartaric acid and belongs to phenylpropanoids is one of the main constituent of T. officinale. The current investigation was conducted to determinate the total polyphenols and total dihydroxycinnamic derivatives contents, and to evaluate the antioxidant capacities in aqueous and ethanol-water extracts prepared from T. officinale leaves. Total phenolic content was determined by using the Folin-Ciocalteau method. The antioxidant capacities in the forms of DPPH, FRAP and CuPRAC were evaluated by spectrophotometric methods. The results indicated that TPC, chicoric acid concentration, DPPH, FRAP and CuPRAC values were higher in 50% ethanol extract of T. officinale leaves: 33.90 ± 0.57 mg GAE/ g DW, 3.1 g/ 100g DW, 136.3 mM TE/ g DW (DPPH method), 131.5 mM TE / g DW (FRAP method) and 407.8 mM TE/ g DW (CuPRAC method). The results clearly demonstrated the Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg leaves are rich source of polyphenols possess high antioxidant properties. The high yield of cichoric acid make this plant valuable source of commercial production.
Adaptive accommodation of failures in second-order flight control actuators with measurable rates

In this paper effective failure detection, identification and reconfiguration (FDIR) algorithms are developed for a class of linearized aircraft models and second-order actuator dynamics. Assuming that the actuator dynamics are fast, a baseline controller is designed and, using the singular perturbation arguments, shown to achieve the control objective. Typical failures in flight control actuators described by first and second order dynamics are considered next, and the FDI algorithms are derived for the latter case. This is followed by the design of a corresponding adaptive reconfigurable controller, and the main theorem is proved stating that all the signals in the system are bounded and that the tracking error converges to zero asymptotically despite multiple simultaneous actuator failures. The properties of the proposed FDIR algorithms are evaluated through numerical simulations of the F-18 aircraft.
Pathogenesis and management of hypertension after kidney transplantation

Arterial hypertension is frequently encountered after renal transplantation and is associated not only with increased cardiovascular complications but also with decreased allograft survival. Adequate blood pressure control is, thus, as essential as immunologic surveillance for the long-term transplant care. Nevertheless, randomized control trials assessing treatment targets in these patients are not available and most of the evidence comes from studies in patients with native chronic kidney disease or the general population. In this regard, the renal transplant recipient is treated according to recommendations that are applicable to nontransplanted individuals at high cardiovascular risk. However, the accepted treatment targets for the nontransplanted population are recently being disputed and this makes the management of posttransplant hypertension even more challenging.
Carbon source-dependent inhibition of xyl operon expression of the Pseudomonas putida TOL plasmid

TOL plasmid-encoded degradation of benzyl alcohol by Pseudomonas putida is inhibited by glucose and other compounds related to the main carbohydrate metabolism in Pseudomonas species. We report here that this effect is exerted at the level of expression of the xyl catabolic operons, and two xyl promoters, Pu and Ps, were identified as the primary targets of this inhibition. xyl promoter activation was also inhibited by glucose in the heterologous Escherichia coli system, apparently not however by the classical mechanism of enteric catabolite repression.
Axial tomography in live cell laser microscopy

Abstract. Single cell microscopy in a three-dimensional (3-D) environment is reported. Cells are grown in an agarose culture gel, located within microcapillaries and observed from different sides after adaptation of an innovative device for sample rotation. Thus, z-stacks can be recorded by confocal microscopy in different directions and used for illustration in 3-D. This gives additional information, since cells or organelles that appear superimposed in one direction, may be well resolved in another one. The method is tested and validated with single cells expressing a membrane or a mitochondrially associated green fluorescent protein, or cells accumulating fluorescent quantum dots. In addition, axial tomography supports measurements of cellular uptake and distribution of the anticancer drug doxorubicin in the nucleus (2 to 6 h after incubation) or the cytoplasm (24 h). This paper discusses that upon cell rotation an enhanced optical resolution in lateral direction compared to axial direction can be utilized to obtain an improved effective 3-D resolution, which represents an important step toward super-resolution microscopy of living cells.
Lactational Exposure of Han/Wistar Rats to 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin Interferes with Enamel Maturation and Retards Dentin Mineralization

Exposure to environmental dioxins via mother’s milk may be one causative factor of mineralization defects in children’s teeth. A prerequisite for the completion of enamel mineralization is the removal of enamel matrix. To test the hypothesis that dioxins interfere with enamel maturation, we administered lactating Han/Wistar rats a single dose of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD; 50 or 1000 μg/kg) on the day after delivery and analyzed tissue sections of the pup heads at post-natal days (Pn) 9 and 22. By Pn22, the first and second molars of the exposed pups, but not controls, showed retention of enamel matrix. Predentin was thicker than normal. Immunostaining for the aryl hydrocarbon/dioxin receptor (AhR) and cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) in ameloblasts and odontoblasts was reduced, suggesting that TCDD interferes with tooth mineralization via AhR. Extinction of AhR may lead to abolition of CYP1A1 expression as a sign of impaired dental cell function.
The Same Photoperiodic Clock May Control Induction and Maintenance of Diapause in the Spider Mite Tetranchus urticae

In the spider mite Tetranychus urticae, both diapause induction (which takes place during the larval and nymphal stages) and diapause maintenance (in the adult female) are under photoperiodic control. The question of whether or not the same photoperiodic clock is involved in both photoperiodic reactions was investigated in eight strains of the spider mite, originating from different localities in Europe. The methods employed consisted of (1) determination of the relative importance of the photophase and scotophase in the two photoperiodic reactions; (2) comparison of photoperiodic response curves for diapause induction and diapause maintenance; and (3) determination of the effect of light breaks on the capacity of long nights to maintain diapause, and comparison with the effect of light breaks in diapause induction experiments.
Autonomic nervous system activity and psychiatric severity in schizophrenia

Aims: Schizophrenia patients have a mortality rate two to three‐fold higher than that of the general population. Despite the disorder's widespread recognition, how and to what extent autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity contributes to schizophrenia remains inconclusive. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to determine the extent of ANS activity depression with respect to healthy, well‐matched control subjects and the severity of psychiatric disorders as determined using the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale among schizophrenia patients with special reference to antipsychotic dose.
Dissociation of recollection-related neural activity in ventral lateral parietal cortex

fMRI responses to recognition memory test items in two regions of ventral lateral parietal cortex—the angular gyrus and the temporo-parietal junction (TPJ)—are enhanced when recognition is accompanied by recollection. According to the “episodic buffer” hypothesis, ventral parietal recollection effects reflect processes involved in maintaining or representing recollected information. According to the “attention to memory” hypothesis, however, the effects reflect attentional re-orienting to the products of recollection. The present experiment addressed the question of whether these operations map on to the angular gyrus and TPJ, respectively. Subjects were scanned during a memory test that required a remember/know/new and a source memory judgment, allowing recollected items to be segregated by amount of contextual information recollected. Angular gyrus activity tracked the amount of recollected information, whereas activity in the TPJ was enhanced for items endorsed as recollected, but was insensitive to the amount of information recollected. Thus, the two regions likely support functionally dissociable processes.
The effect of egg powder inclusion in the pre-starter diet on the immune response of male broiler chickens

Abstract. A completely randomised design was performed to evaluate the effect of inclusion of egg powder in the pre-started diet (1–7 day age) on the immune response of male broiler chickens. Experimental pre-starter diets formulated to have 0, 20, 40 or 60 g/kg egg powder. The relative weight of lymphoid organs (spleen and bursa) was reduced, in days 7 and 42 of age, by graded inclusion of egg powder in the pre-starter period ( P ≤0.05). The highest antibody titre against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in days 7 and 42 of age was for chickens fed the diet containing 60 g/kg egg powder in the pre-starter diet ( P ≤0.05). At day 7 of age, birds fed the diet containing egg powder had a higher antibody titre against Infectious bursal disease virus (IB) compared to the control group ( P ≤0.05), but at day 42 of age, there was no significant difference between the treatments ( P >0.05). There was no difference ( P >0.05) among the treatments for the titre against sheep red blood cells and immune response against dinitrochlorobenzene. It was concluded that the inclusion of egg powder to the pre-starter diet could significantly enhance the immune response of the male broiler chickens.
THE IMPACT OF LIFE EXPECTANCY ON ECONOMIC GROWTH IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Will the improvement of life expectancy contributes to economic growth in a country? The response to this question is essential in the debates on health policy in the world in general and in developing countries (DC) in particular. The objective of this study is the impact of life issue through an analysis of the impact of life expectancy on the growth of Gross National Income (GNI) per capita in DC. Using a dynamic panel of 141 DC over the period 2000- 2013, the study concludes that the improvement in life expectancy positive affects economic growth in DC. However, the results are mixed when classifying DC according to their level of income. We observe that the effect is not significant in the middle-income DC.