Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of different rearing and feeding methods on meat quality and antioxidative properties in Chinese Yellow male broilers

1. This study examined responses of male broilers during a 42-d production cycle to two different rearing and feeding methods. 2. A total of 400 Chinese Yellow male broilers were allotted randomly at 21 d into two groups; the control was a typical indoor commercial rearing method and the treatment had outdoor access with scattered feeding (OS). Each group had 5 replicates with 40 birds per replicate. 3. Growth performance was similar for both groups from 21 to 63 d of age. OS birds had significantly lower abdominal fat percentage, meat shear force, drip loss, breast meat colour b* value and significantly higher pH value compared with the controls. OS birds had significantly lower muscle fibre diameter and greater muscle fibre density. Serum glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities were significantly higher and the contents of cholesterol, lactic acid, glycogen and malondialdehyde of breast muscle were significantly lower in OS birds than controls. 4. The results suggest that the OS feeding method had no negative effects on performance (weight, gain, feed conversion rate, carcase traits) compared with controls, and appeared to be beneficial for meat quality indices and oxidative stability.
Longer survival after HIV infection for injecting drug users than for homosexual men: implications for immunology

Background: Comparisons of progression in HIV‐1 infection between injecting drug users (IDU) and homosexual men have been inconclusive due to short follow‐up periods, often with less well‐defined starting points and endpoints. In addition, comparisons of survival after infection have been to some extent obscured by higher non‐AIDS mortality in IDU. Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, homo‐/bisexual men and IDU were followed, with dates of seroconversion defined within ± 1 year by a previously negative HIV antibody test. Endpoints were CD4 cell count below 200 × 106/l, AIDS, and death from AIDS. Results: Sixty‐three homo‐/bisexual men and 125 IDU fulfilled the entry criteria, with no significant differences in age at or date for seroconversion. Mean follow‐up times were 6.7 and 7.0 years, respectively. The homo‐/bisexual group had a significantly accelerated progression rate to all three endpoints: time to CD4 cell count below 200 × 106/l (P= 0.002), to AIDS (P = 0.0003), and to death from AIDS (P < 0.0001). Adjusting for age and sex only made marginal alterations. Ten years after infection, 54% of homosexual men had developed an AIDS‐defining condition and 51% had died from AIDS, whereas the corresponding percentages in the IDU group were 26 and 15%, respectively. There was, however, no difference in overall mortality due to an almost constant, non HIV‐related, yearly mortality of some 4% in IDU. Conclusions: In our cohort there was a highly significant difference in disease progression and death from AIDS between homo‐/bisexual men and IDU. This difference was proposed to be due to the transmission route determining the initial immune response and suggested that this route may have played a more important role than virus variability on the subsequent prognosis.
INTEREST RATE DETERMINANTS IN A DEREGULATED NIGERIAN ECONOMY

The main focus of this research study is to look into the determinants of interest rates in Nigeria. Based on theoretical underpinnings three explanatory variables were included in this study which are; inflation rate, money supply and monetary policy rate in order to evaluate their impact on the trend of interest rate. Data for the study were obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria statistical bulletin and were analyzed and tested using the error correction mechanism (ECM). The result of the findings revealed that: there existed a significant relationship between interest rate and the explanatory variables selected in the study. It was recommended that an investment-friendly rate of interest is necessary for promoting economic growth; infrastructural decay should be addressed as infrastructural expenditure incurred by banks are passed to borrowers through interest rate
Cardiovascular disease in cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE:Impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes are frequently observed in cirrhosis. Overt diabetes was reported to affect long term survival of cirrhotic patients by increasing the risk of hepatocellular failure, without increasing the risk of diabetes-associated cardiovascular events.METHODS:We evaluated the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in 122 patients with cirrhosis, subdivided according to their glucose tolerance. The following parameters were considered: arterial pressure, peripheral vascular disease (ankle to brachial pressure ratio), ischemic heart disease, microalbuminuria, retinopathy. The prevalence of abnormal findings was compared with that observed in 60 randomly selected patients with non–insulin-dependent diabetes and in 40 controls.RESULTS:Noninsulin-dependent diabetic patients and patients with cirrhosis and diabetes were comparable for age, metabolic control, and smoking habits; the duration of diabetes was 5 yr longer for noninsulin-dependent diabetes. In cirrhosis, the prevalence of micro- and peripheral macroangiopathy, as well as coronary heart disease, was not different in relation to glucose tolerance, it was comparable to that of controls, and significantly lower than that observed in noninsulin-dependent diabetes.CONCLUSIONS:Cirrhotic patients, even in the presence of overt diabetes, are at low risk of cardiovascular disease. The low prevalence may be related to shorter duration of diabetic disease, also in relation to reduced life expectancy, as well as to liver disease-induced abnormalities protecting the cardiovascular system from atherosclerosis.
Dosing patterns, hematologic outcomes, and costs of erythropoietic agents in predialysis chronic kidney disease patients with anemia

ABSTRACT Objective: Few observational studies have evaluated the use of epoetin alfa (EPO) and darbepoetin alfa (DARB) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with anemia. The objective of this study was to investigate dosing patterns, hematologic outcomes, and intervention costs with EPO and DARB in anemic CKD patients treated in an ambulatory care setting. Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective, chart review of predialysis CKD patients with anemia treated with EPO or DARB. Charts were sequentially selected from 435 EPO and 432 DARB patients naive to erythropoietic therapy and treated for ≥ 24 weeks. Hemoglobin (Hb) levels, dates, and EPO/DARB doses were recorded. Drug costs using 2005 wholesale acquisition costs (WAC) and Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) pricing were based on the mean cumulative drug dose over the 24‐week study period. Results: A total of 393 EPO and 396 DARB charts met all criteria with predominantly male subjects (EPO: 94%; DARB: 96%). Mean baseline GFR and Hb levels were similar. Once-weekly and extended dosing (≥ Q2W) was common in both groups. At Weeks 4, 8, and 12 following initiation of therapy, a greater proportion of EPO than DARB patients reached target Hb levels (≥ 11 g/dL) ( p < 0.0001); at Week 24, all patients reached target Hb levels. Mean 24‐week cumulative doses were EPO 279 336 ± 68 302 units and DARB 1084 ± 246 µg. Drug cost was higher for DARB independent of pricing utilized (WAC: EPO = $3400, DARB = $4726; FSS: EPO = $1528, DARB = $2379). Conclusions: Extended dosing (≥ Q2W) was common in EPO- and DARB-treated patients with CKD-related anemia, with EPO-treated patients experiencing a significantly greater hematologic response (at Weeks 4, 8, and 12). In addition, drug cost was 39–56% higher in the DARB group. The male predominance may limit generalizability, warranting further research in other populations.
Effect of stress on academic performance in medical students--a cross sectional study.

INTRODUCTION Stress, a universal phenomenon, affects an individual's productivity either by increasing it ('eustress') or decreasing it ('distress'). It is widely acknowledged that the medical fraternity is predisposed to enormous stress. The same may be true for the budding medicos- the undergraduate medical students. In our study we attempted to identify situations that predisposed the medical students to stress and their effects on academic performance and to suggest certain coping mechanisms. OBJECTIVES firstly to explore common sources of stress in medical students, secondly to establish correlation of stress, gender, attendance, and academic performance if any. METHOD 114 medical undergraduates were assessed for the common sources of stress and the level of stress using semi structured Performa and stress scale. The results were compared and correlated with various variables like attendance, demographic factors, average marks etc. Pearson correlation coefficient was used for statistical correlation amongst different variables. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS Stress shows beneficial effects in females when compared to males. High attendance and better day to day performance in female medical students was associated with more amount of stress when compared to male students. Thus, stress among medical students should be acknowledged and attempts should be made to alleviate it.
Use of and attitudes and knowledge about pap smears among women in Kuwait.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the lifetime prevalence of Pap smear among women in Kuwait and to assess their knowledge about and attitude toward Pap smears. METHODS This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using a multistage cluster sampling method. We interviewed 299 women attending polyclinics in Kuwait using a self-administered questionnaire. Factors related to history of having a Pap smear, knowledge level, and willingness to participate in a screening program were evaluated. RESULTS The lifetime prevalence of Pap smear was found to be 37% (95% CI 33-43). Forty-four percent of women in our study had a Pap smear only once in their lives. History of having at least one Pap smear was significantly related to such factors as age, total family income, marital status, history of cervical infection, and knowledge. The level of knowledge about cervical cancer varied among the participants. Forty-six percent of women were uncertain about the symptoms of cervical cancer. About half the women recognized cervical infection, smoking, and having multiple sexual partners as risk factors for cervical cancer; however, only 10% recognized early sexual intercourse as a risk factor. Willingness to participate in a future screening program varied significantly according to educational level, employment status, and total family income. CONCLUSIONS Although cervical cancer incidence and mortality are relatively low in Kuwait, they may be underreported in the absence of a screening program. Moreover, lifetime prevalence of having a Pap smear was found to be considerably lower in Kuwait compared with developed countries.
FDI Uppers and Downers: A Macedonian Case Study

Abstract This article examines how foreign direct investments influence the performance and entrepreneurship of domestic firms, a crucial question for economies – especially transition economies – driven by the incursion of global, exogenous factors. This research uses a qualitative research methodology, and specifically a case study method. The country in question is Macedonia, a Southeast European economy. Further, the study is interested in the way foreign direct investments shape the overall business environment. Overall, the results point to the influence of foreign firms in assisting business activity. The impact of foreign investment is, in general, positive, and tends to influence the restructuring process of domestic economy.
The Casein Kinase I Protein Cck1 Regulates Multiple Signaling Pathways and Is Essential for Cell Integrity and Fungal Virulence in Cryptococcus neoformans

ABSTRACT Casein kinases regulate a wide range of cellular functions in eukaryotes, including phosphorylation of proteins that are substrates for degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Our previous study demonstrated that Fbp1, a component of the SCFFBP1 E3 ligase complex, was essential for Cryptococcus virulence. Because the Saccharomyces cerevisiae homolog of Fbp1, Grr1, requires casein kinase I (Yck1 and Yck2) to phosphorylate its substrates, we investigated the function of casein kinase I in Cryptococcus neoformans. In this report, we identified a C. neoformans casein kinase I protein homolog, Cck1. Similar to Fbp1, the expression of Cck1 is negatively regulated by glucose and during mating. cck1 null mutants showed significant virulence attenuation in a murine systemic infection model, but Cck1 was dispensable for the development of classical virulence factors (capsule, melanin, and growth at 37°C). cck1 mutants were hypersensitive to SDS treatment, indicating that Cck1 is required for cell integrity. The functional overlap between Cck1 and Fbp1 suggests that Cck1 may be required for the phosphorylation of Fbp1 substrates. Interestingly, the cck1 mutant also showed increased sensitivity to osmotic stress and oxidative stress, suggesting that Cck1 regulates both cell integrity and the cellular stress response. Our results show that Cck1 regulates the phosphorylation of both Mpk1 and Hog1 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), demonstrating that Cck1 regulates cell integrity via the Mpk1 pathway and regulates cell adaptation to stresses via the Hog1 pathway. Overall, our study revealed that Cck1 plays important roles in regulating multiple signaling pathways and is required for fungal pathogenicity.
Demonstration that orf2 Encodes the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Transactivating (Tat) Protein and Characterization of a Unique Gene Product with Partial Rev Activity

ABSTRACT The long PCR technique was used to amplify the three size classes of viral mRNAs produced in cells infected by feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). We identified in the env region a new splice acceptor site that generated two transcripts, each coding for an 11-kDa protein, p11 rev , whose function is unknown. The small-size class of mRNAs included two bicistronic orf2/revmRNAs and two rev-like mRNAs, consisting only of the second exon of rev and coding for a 15-kDa protein, p15 rev . p15 rev contained the minimal effector domain of Rev and was sufficient to mediate partial Rev activity. The bicistronic mRNAs encoded two distinct proteins, one of 23 kDa corresponding to Rev and a 9-kDa protein encoded by the orf2 gene. The orf2 gene product is a protein of 79 amino acids with characteristics similar to those of the Tat (transactivator) proteins of the ungulate lentiviruses. Transient expression assays, using the FIV long terminal repeat (LTR) to drive transcription of the bacterial gene for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase demonstrated that the orf2 gene transactivates gene expression an average of 14- to 20-fold above the basal level. Deletion mutants of the FIV LTR were generated to locate sequences responsive to transactivation mediated by the orf2 gene. A 5′ deletion mutant that removed the AP1 site resulted in residual low-level transactivation by orf2. Further experiments using LTR mutants with internal deletions identified three regions located between positions −126 and −47 relative to the cap site that were important for orf2-directed transactivation. These regions include the AP1 site, a C/EBP tandem repeat, and an ATF site.
Growth response to growth hormone therapy in patients with different degrees of growth hormone deficiency.

Growth response to GH therapy in prepubertal patients with idiopathic GH deficiency (GHD) was analyzed in terms of the chronological age at the start of GH treatment and the GH secretory capacity, by using the large database provided by the International Cooperative Growth Study (ICGS) Japan. 1192 patients, aged from 3 to 10 years were divided into three groups with the following maximum GH values in GH stimulation tests: Group A: both < or = 5 ng/ml, group B: both 5-10 ng/ml, group C: one > 10 ng/ml. Analysis of age-related growth response using with delta height SDS (delta height SDS) as a response variable revealed that the group A patients responded better to GH, while there was no differences between the other groups. Simple and multiple regression analysis showed that IGF-I and chronological age (CA) negatively correlated with growth response, and target height SDS-height SDS positively correlated. These three most important predictors accounted for 49% of the variation in the growth response in group A, whereas six variables such as CA, frequency of GH injection, % overweight, GH dose, target height-height SDS, and pretreatment height velocity SDS accounted for only 28% of those in groups of B and C. These results lead us to conclude that growth response to GH is related to the degree of GH impairment with its cut-off level of 5 ng/ml. From these findings it might be suggested that treatment regimen should be tailored to individual requirements according to the degree of GHD.
Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator has Paradoxical Roles in Focal Cerebral Ischemic Injury by Thrombotic Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion with Mild or Severe Photochemical Damage in Mice

The role of endogenous tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) in focal cerebral ischemic injury (FCII) after middle cerebral artery occlusion was studied using tPA gene-deficient (KO) mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates. The middle cerebral artery was occluded by thrombi induced by three different intensities of photochemical damage, a method that was newly introduced in mice. In both WT and KO mice, the intensity-dependent increase of FCII size was observed. The FCII size in tPA WT mice was smaller than in KO mice in cases of mild damage, whereas the FCII size was larger in WT mice than in KO mice in cases of severe damage. There was no difference in FCII size between WT and KO mice in cases of moderate damage. The number of microthrombi also increased with damage intensity in both WT and KO mice, but was less in WT mice at all intensities of damage. The results support the validity of the model of thrombotic occlusion by photochemical damage in mice, and suggest that endogenous tPA protects FCII through thrombolytic action on transient occlusion of middle cerebral artery with mild damage, but deteriorates on persistent occlusion with severe damage.
Influence of Muscle Fibre Type and Fitness on the Oxygen Uptake/Power Output Slope During Incremental Exercise in Humans

We recently reported that a higher percentage of type I fibres in vastus lateralis and a greater peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2) were associated with a greater initial rise in V̇O2 (ΔV̇O2/ΔW, where W is work rate) following the onset of heavy constant power output exercise (above the lactate threshold, LT). It was unclear if these results were true only for heavy exercise, or if the association between fibre type and/or fitness and ΔV̇O2/ΔW would also be seen for moderate (< LT) exercise. The purpose of the present study was to compare the relationships between fibre type or peak V̇O2 and ΔV̇O2/ΔW determined for moderate (< LT) and heavy (> LT) exercise intensities during incremental exercise. Nine healthy subjects performed an incremental ramp test on a cycle ergometer. The V̇O2/Wslope was calculated for the domain of power outputs up to the LT (S1), from the LT towards peak V̇O2 (S2), and over the entire linear portion of the ΔV̇O2/ΔW response (ST), and compared to fibre type distribution determined from biopsy of the vastus lateralis, and to peak V̇O2 (as ml kg‐1 min‐1). Significant correlations between ΔV̇O2/ΔW and the proportion of type I fibres were found for each exercise domain (r is 0.69, 0.71 and 0.84 for S1, S2 and ST, respectively, P < 0.05). S1 ranged between about 9 ml min‐1 W‐1 for a low proportion of type I fibres and 11 ml min‐1 W‐1 for a high proportion of type I fibres. Similar correlations were also found between S2 (r = 0.70) and ST (r = 0.76) and peak V̇O2. These results are consistent with our previous findings during > LT constant power output exercise, and suggest that the proportion of type I fibres, and possibly fitness as indicated by peak V̇O2, is associated with greater ΔV̇O2/ΔW during the initial adjustment to < LT as well as > LT exercise. These results do not appear to be explained by classical descriptions of the kinetics of adjustment of V̇O2 following the onset of ramp or constant power output exercise. They might reflect enhanced motor unit recruitment in subjects with a greater percentage of type I fibres, and/or who are more aerobically fit. However, the underlying mechanism for these findings must await further study.
Comparative study of acute effects of single doses of fexofenadine, olopatadine, d‐chlorpheniramine and placebo on psychomotor function in healthy volunteers

Since most classical (first‐generation) antihistamines have undesirable sedative effects on the central nervous system (CNS), newer (second‐generation) antihistamines have been developed to relieve the sedative effects and to improve the patient's quality of life. However, the psychomotor profiles of second‐generation antihistamines are not fully elucidated. In this randomized, double‐blind, crossover study, the acute effects of single doses of second‐generation antihistamines, fexofenadine (120 mg) and olopatadine (10 mg), on cognitive and psychomotor performance were investigated in comparison with those of placebo and d‐chlorpheniramine (4 mg), a first‐generation antihistamine, using objective and subjective assessments, in 11 healthy Japanese volunteers. In a battery of psychomotor tests, d‐chlorpheniramine impaired tracking ability in the compensatory tracking task and caused a reduction in behavioural activity as continuously measured by wrist actigraphy. Olopatadine, like d‐chlorpheniramine, reduced the behavioural activity, while fexofenadine had no effect in any of the tests. No significant changes in the subjects' self‐ratings of drowsiness were found with the three antihistamines. These results suggest that d‐chlorpheniramine and olopatadine, but not fexofenadine, produce sedative effects on psychomotor performance, and that the CNS profile of fexofenadine is different from that of olopatadine. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nrf2 targeting by sulforaphane: A potential therapy for cancer treatment

ABSTRACT In the past decades, extensive studies have reported the potential chemopreventive activity of sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate derived from glucoraphanin, occurring in large amounts in Brassica genus plants. Sulforaphane was found to be active against several forms of cancer. A growing body of data shows that sulforaphane acts against cancer at different levels, from development to progression, through pleiotropic effects. In this review, we discuss the available experimental and clinical data on the potential therapeutic role of sulforaphane against cancer. Its effects range from the protection of cells from DNA damage to the modulation of the cell cycle via pro-apoptotic, anti-angiogenesis and anti-metastasis activities. At molecular level, sulforaphane modulates cellular homeostasis via the activation of the transcription factor Nrf2. Although data from clinical studies are limited, sulforaphane remains a good candidate in the adjuvant therapy based on natural molecules against several types of cancer.