Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ACCURACY OF EARLY PREGNANCY DIAGNOSIS AND DETECTION OF TWINS USING REAL-TIME ULTRASONOGRAPHY COMPARED TO PROGESTERONE CONCENTRATION IN BARKI GOATS

Pregnancy diagnosis was carried out in 53 Barki goats after 45, 55, and 75 days of the start of the mating season (September) using a real-time ultrasound. The calculated corresponding gestational ages were 20, 35, and 50 d for the scanning on days 45, 55, 75 of mating season, respectively. Transrectal ultrasound (TRU) data were compared to serum progesterone concentrations in pregnant and non-pregnant does. Pregnancy rate was differed insignificantly among the tested days ranging from 86 to 96%. Detection of twin pregnancy increased (P<0.01) from 9.9% at day 45 after the onset of mating season to 45.3% in days 55 and 75. Pregnant does carrying ≤19 days-old embryos either correctly or incorrectly diagnosed by TRU had high serum progesterone concentrations. Progesterone concentrations were almost similar in open does and those pregnant in singles or twins (10.9, 12.2, and 12.9 ng/ml, respectively). Progesterone concentrations tended to increase with the advance of pregnancy (10.4, 11.7, 15.0 ng/ml in days 45, 55, and 75, respectively) however insignificant. The present study revealed that early diagnosis of pregnancy and determination of number of fetuses based on serum progesterone concentrations proved to be inconclusive. Pregnancy diagnosis using ultrasound technique is recommended for higher accuracy after day 20 onwards after mating. Accurate detection of single or multiple fetuses in goat does should be carried out starting from day 30 after mating.
Regulatory Dissociation of Tctex‐1 Light Chain from Dynein Complex Is Essential for the Apical Delivery of Rhodopsin

Post‐Golgi to apical surface delivery in polarized epithelial cells requires the cytoplasmic dynein motor complex. However, the nature of dynein–cargo interactions and their underlying regulation are largely unknown. Previous studies have shown that the apical surface targeting of rhodopsin requires the dynein light chain, Tctex‐1, which binds directly to both dynein intermediate chain (IC) and rhodopsin. In this report, we show that the S82E mutant of Tctex‐1, which mimics Tctex‐1 phosphorylated at serine 82, has a reduced affinity for dynein IC but not for rhodopsin. Velocity sedimentation experiments further suggest that S82E is not incorporated into the dynein complex. The dominant‐negative effect of S82E causes rhodopsin mislocalization in polarized Madin‐Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. The S82A mutant, which mimics dephosphorylated Tctex‐1, can be incorporated into dynein complex but is impaired in its release. Expression of S82A also causes disruption of the apical localization of rhodopsin in MDCK cells. Taken together, these results suggest that the dynein complex disassembles to release cargo due to the specific phosphorylation of Tctex‐1 at the S82 residue and that this process is critical for the apical delivery of membrane cargoes.
Differential regulation of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and free alpha-subunit secretion from the gonadotrope by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH): evidence from the use of two GnRH antagonists.

To examine the differential regulation of glycoprotein hormone secretion from the gonadotrope by GnRH, the Nal-Glu GnRH antagonist was administered to euthyroid women in the early follicular phase (days 1-5) of the menstrual cycle, and the results compared to previous studies with the Nal-Arg GnRH antagonist. After a 4-h period of baseline sampling at a frequency of every 10 min, a single sc dose of the GnRH antagonist was administered to each subject. Frequent sampling continued for 8 h, followed by hourly sampling for a further 16 h. LH, FSH, and free alpha-subunit were measured serially in assays with high specificity. There was a 90% concordance of LH and free alpha-subunit pulses during the baseline sampling period. Pulsatile secretion of LH and free alpha-subunit was immediately abolished at the highest dose of the Nal-Glu antagonist for at least 8 h. The maximum percent suppression of LH after administration of the Nal-Glu GnRH antagonist was 70 +/- 4%, 80 +/- 4%, and 83 +/- 1% at doses of 15, 50, and 150 micrograms/kg, respectively, compared to 51 +/- 10%, 70 +/- 5%, and 69 +/- 5% at doses of 50, 150, and 500 micrograms/kg Nal-Arg antagonist. Decreases in FSH were 28 +/- 2%, 32 +/- 7%, and 39 +/- 2%, with increasing doses of the Nal-Glu antagonist compared with 25 +/- 6%, 17 +/- 6%, and 28 +/- 4% reductions at increasing doses of the Nal-Arg antagonist. Free alpha-subunit decreased 22 +/- 4%, 23 +/- 4%, and 28 +/- 3% at increasing doses of the Nal-Glu antagonist and 12 +/- 4%, 27 +/- 4%, and 30 +/- 7% with increasing doses of the Nal-Arg antagonist. For the Nal-Glu antagonist, suppression of LH was greater than that of FSH and free alpha-subunit at all doses (P less than 0.001), while FSH suppression was greater than that of free alpha-subunit at the highest dose only (P less than 0.05). For the Nal-Arg antagonist, LH suppression was greater than that of FSH or free alpha-subunit at all doses (P greater than 0.01), and FSH suppression exceeded that of free alpha-subunit at the 50 micrograms/kg dose. Suppression of LH was greater with the Nal-Glu antagonist than with the Nal-Arg antagonist at doses of 50 and 150 micrograms/kg (P less than 0.05), and FSH suppression was greater with the Nal-Glu antagonist at 150 micrograms/kg (P less than 0.01), while the degrees of maximum suppression were similar for the two different GnRH antagonists for free alpha-subunit. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Novel Application of ProteinChip Technology Exploring Acute Rejection Markers of Rat Small Bowel Transplantation

Background. Because no biomarker that reflects small bowel allograft rejection is available, we applied surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) to develop noninvasive markers required for routine diagnosis. Methods. Heterotopic small bowel transplantation (SBT) was performed in rats, and they were divided into four experimental groups: sham-operated rats (sham), syngeneic transplants (syngeneic), allogeneic transplants (allogeneic), allogeneic transplants received FK506 (allo+FK). Plasma samples were analyzed with SELDI ProteinChip arrays to detect peaks that predominated in the allogeneic model. Possible biomarkers were identified in combination with SELDI retentate chromatography mass spectrometry (RCMS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). The identified protein was further analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Results. An increase in the level of a 14.8-kDa protein, identified as lysozyme, was observed specifically in the plasma of the allogeneic group; the levels of this protein remained unchanged in the plasma of the other groups. On the other hand, the levels of a 10.1-kDa and a 13.0-kDa protein, identified as migration inhibitory factor-related proteins (MRP), MRP-8 and MRP-14, respectively, began to increase from an early stage of acute rejection. We also observed that lysozyme-positive macrophages had strongly infiltrated the lamina propria during acute rejection. Conclusions. We identified three plasma proteins—MRP-8, MRP-14, and lysozyme—that increased during small bowel allograft rejection. The identified proteins appeared to be markers for inflammation associated with allograft rejection. This proteomic approach will be useful for the identification of candidate biomarkers.
All-trans retinoic acid down-regulates human albumin gene expression through the induction of C/EBPβ-LIP

ATRA (all-trans retinoic acid), which is a major bioactive metabolite of vitamin A and a potent regulator of development and differentiation, mediates down-regulation of the human albumin gene. However, the mechanism of ATRA-mediated down-regulation is not well understood. In the present study, deletion analysis and luciferase assays demonstrate that ATRA causes a marked decrease in the activity of the albumin promoter, the region between nt −367 and −167 from the transcription start site, where C/EBP (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein)-binding sites are tightly packed, is indispensable for ATRA-mediated down-regulation. ChIP (chromatin immunoprecipitation) assays revealed that in vivo binding of C/EBPα to the region markedly decreases upon incubation with ATRA, whereas ATRA treatment marginally increases the recruitment of C/EBPβ. We found that ATRA has the ability to differentially and directly induce expression of a truncated isoform of C/EBPβ, which is an LIP (liver-enriched transcriptional inhibitory protein) that lacks a transactivation domain, and to increase the binding activity of C/EBPβ-LIP to its response element. Overexpression of C/EBPβ-LIP negatively regulates the endogenous expression of albumin, as well as the activity of the albumin promoter induced by C/EBP transactivators such as C/EBPα and full-length C/EBPβ. In conclusion, we propose a novel model for down-regulation of the albumin gene, in which ATRA triggers an increase in the translation of C/EBPβ-LIP that antagonizes C/EBP transactivators by interacting with their binding sites in the albumin promoter.
Protection Against Intestinal Injury from Hemorrhagic Shock by Direct Peritoneal Resuscitation with Pyruvate in Rats

Abstract Objective: We explored the effects of direct peritoneal resuscitation with pyruvate-peritoneal dialysis solution (PDS) following intravenous resuscitation (VR) on intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats with hemorrhagic shock (HS). Methods: Fifty rats were randomly assigned equally to five groups. In group sham, a surgical operation was performed on rats without shock or resuscitation. In group VR, rats were subjected only to VR. In groups NS, LA, and PY, direct peritoneal resuscitation was performed with normal saline (NS), lactate-based PDS (Lac-PDS), and pyruvate-based PDS (Pyr-PDS), respectively, after VR. Mean arterial pressure was monitored in the right common carotid artery. Two hours after resuscitation, the lactate level in arterial blood and the wet weight/dry weight ratio of the intestine were determined. The intestinal mucosal damage index was estimated, and ultrastructural changes in the intestinal mucosa were observed. Malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide, and tumor necrosis factor &agr; levels were also measured. Results: Two hours after HS and resuscitation, the increase in arterial blood lactate and intestinal wet weight/dry weight ratio declined significantly in rats from Groups LA and PY compared with groups VR and NS, whereas group PY was more advantageous in the changes of these parameters. The intestinal mucosal damage index and ultrastructural changes were also improved in groups LA and PY when compared with groups VR and NS. Protection was more apparent with Pyr-PDS than Lac-PDS. Hemorrhagic shock resulted in a significant increase in malondialdehyde levels and myeloperoxidase activity and was accompanied by overexpression of tumor necrosis factor &agr; and a reduction in nitric oxide levels. These changes were significantly attenuated by Lac-PDS and Pyr-PDS at 2 h after resuscitation, and Pyr-PDS showed more effective protection for the intestine than Lac-PDS. Conclusions: Direct peritoneal resuscitation with Lac-PDS and Pyr-PDS after VR alleviated intestinal injury from HS in rats, and Pyr-PDS was superior to Lac-PDS in its protective effect. Mechanisms of action might include the elimination of free oxygen radicals, reduction of neutrophil infiltration, inhibition of the inflammatory response, and regulation of intestinal mucosal blood flow and barrier function.
Application of liquid‐based cytology test of bronchial lavage fluid in lung cancer diagnosis

The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic significance of the liquid‐based cytologic test (LCT) and conventional smear (CS) in bronchial lavage fluid (BLF) in lung cancer patients, as well as the evaluation of LCT applications in BLF for different types of lung cancer. A total of 210 patients were divided into two groups of LCT and CS. The positive rates of the two groups were compared by stratified analysis of different bronchoscopic appearances. The positive rate of LCT and CS groups was 35.84% and 11.835%, respectively, which indicated a statistical significance between the two groups (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the detection rate of squamous carcinoma in the LCT group was (72.7%), which was higher than that of the CS group (41.7%) (P = 0.041). However, there was no difference between the biopsy and biopsy combined with LCT groups (P = 0.417), in terms of direct bronchoscopic appearance. We concluded that LCT was superior to CS in BLF that was acquired by bronchoscopy from lung cancer patients. Moreover, LCT was better than CS in diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. LCT could be used as an important complement of bronchoscope biopsy and could have the potential to be widely applied.
A modified secure digital image steganography based on Discrete Wavelet Transform

Steganography, the secret image is embedded in the cover image and transmitted in such a way that the existence of information is undetectable. The digital images, videos, sound files and other computer files can be used as carrier to embed the information. In this paper, we propose a modified secure and high capacity based steganography scheme of hiding a large-size secret image into a small-size cover image. Arnold transformation is performed to scrambles the secret image. Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) is performed in both images and followed by Alpha blending operation. Then the Inverse Discrete Wavelet Transformation (IDWT) is applied to get the stego image. We have investigated the performance of our scheme by comparing various qualities of the stego image and cover image. The results show that the proposed algorithm for modified steganography is highly secured with certain strength in addition to good perceptual invisibility.
Effect of Hypnosis on Allergic Skin Responses in Asthma and Hay-fever

Reports of eosinophilic granulomata in the gastro-intestinal tract have been appearing for over 25 years, but until recently the aetiology of these lesions has remained obscure. There is now evidence that at least some cases, especially those occurring in Western Europe, may be caused by the parasite Eustoma rotundatum, which commonly occurs in North Sea herrings, and may be ingested in uncooked or salted herring products, such as " roll-mops. " The cases of two patients with an eosinophilic granuloma of the small intestine are reported, one of whom is a fishmonger. A series of 89 cases, with a total of 96 lesions, collected from the literature are reviewed. In about half the cases the lesion was in the stomach or pyloric antrum, and presented with gastric or pyloric symptoms. In a further third the small intestine was involved, causing intestinal obstruction. The granuloma may occur in two forms, diffuse or localized. The histological features are described. Aetiology is discussed, and it is is suggested that eosinophilic granuloma represents a local allergic response to E. rotundatum, due to an immune state acquired by repeated reinfection with the parasite. There is no specific treatment, but the prognosis is good, and conservative management is advocated rather than major resections whenever possible. Steroids have been used on several occasions.
Co-occurrence of posttraumatic stress disorder with positive psychotic symptoms in a nationally representative sample.

The association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and positive psychotic symptoms was examined in the National Comorbidity Survey (N = 5,877). The Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was used to make DSM-III-R (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition, Revised; American Psychiatric Association, 1987) diagnoses. Posttraumatic stress disorder was found to be associated with an increased likelihood of endorsing one or more psychotic symptoms after adjusting for sociodemographics, psychiatric and medical comorbidity (odds ratios (OR) = 1.83; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.43-2.45; p < . 001). The co-occurrence of PTSD with psychotic symptoms was marked by greater levels of severity (higher total number of PTSD symptoms, greater levels of comorbidity, and high distress) compared with PTSD alone. This is the first population-based study to investigate PTSD in relation to endorsement of positive psychotic symptoms, and a strong association was obtained.
Contact allergy due to colophony

Degradation of abietic, levopimaric and dehydroabietic acids after exposure to air and light over a period of one to several months, as well its examination of degraded French tall oil rosin and Portuguese colophony, led to the isolation of numerous oxidation products. These compounds were synthesized and consigned to experimental sensitization in guinea pigs. From 20 substances studied as acids or as their methyl esters, in the present and preceding paper, at least 2 can be named: 8.12‐peroxydo‐δ13(14)‐dihydroabietic acid and 12 α‐hydroxyabietic acid, that contribute a great deal to colophony allergy by both their sensitizing capacity and their determined concentration in the mixture of degradation products. We recommend the preparation of a new mixture oxidation products for patch testing in the diagnosis of contact allergy to colophony.
A new method to predict contractile force for pneumatic muscle actuators

This study focuses on a new method based on energy conservation and experimental results to predict contractile force for pneumatic muscle actuators (PMAs). The quasi-static behaviour of PMAs was acquired through experimentation on a single actuator with a resting length of 100 mm (3.94 in.) and a diameter of 10 mm (0.39 in.) from Festo Corporation. Relationship between contractile force, pressure and displacement was measured in a quasi-static testing bed. With the use of energy conservation, the elastic modulus of the bladder and surrounded threads as a whole, which was expressed as E(p, ε) = a(p) + b(p) * ε−0.86 + δ(p, ε), was calculated after establishing the model between contractile force and displacement. a(p) and b(p) in E(p, ε) can be expressed as the linear functions of internal pressure p, and ε is contraction ratio. δ(p, ε) is a compensation function. Then predicted contractile force F(p, ε) of the PMAs was acquired on the basis of the function of E(p, ε), and utilization ratios of the elastic modulus and predicted contractile force were shown under some level of errors. The method was finally validated by predicting the contractile force of the PMA in some given pressures.
Aggrecan Turnover in Human Intervertebral Disc as Determined by the Racemization of Aspartic Acid*

We have used the racemization of aspartic acid as a marker for the “molecular age” of aggrecan components of the human intervertebral disc matrix (aggregating and non-aggregating proteoglycans as well as the different buoyant density fractions of aggrecan). By measuring the d/lAsp ratio of the various aggrecan species as a function of age and using the values of the racemization constant, ki, found earlier for aggrecan in articular cartilage, we were able to establish directly the relative residence time of these molecules in human intervertebral disc matrix. For A1 preparations taken from normal tissue, turnover rates of 0.059 ± 0.01 and 0.063 ± 0.01/year correspond to half-life values of 12 ± 2.0 and 11.23 ± 1.9 years for nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus, respectively; the turnover rates of 0.084 ± 0.022 and 0.092 ± 0.034/year for degenerate tissue correspond to half-life values of 8.77 ± 2.2 and 8.41 ± 2.8 years, suggesting increased rate of removal of small aggrecan fragments. For the large monomer, fraction A1D1, turnover is 0.13 ± 0.04/year, corresponding to a half-life of 5.56 ± 1.58 years, similar to 3.4 years in human articular cartilage. For the binding region (A1D6), turnover is 0.033 ± 0.0012/year, corresponding to a half-life of 21.53 ± 0.6 years, similar to 23.5 years in articular cartilage. A1 preparations from nucleus pulposus contain a lower proportion of aggregating proteoglycans as compared with annulus fibrosus, suggesting increased proteolytic modification in the nucleus pulposus. d/lAsp values in aggregating and non-aggregating proteoglycans of a 24-year-old individual show similar results, suggesting that the non-aggregating molecules are synthesized initially as aggregating proteoglycans, which thereafter undergo cleavage and detachment from hyaluronan.
Risk factors for asthma in Iraqi children.

Background: Although a large number of studies of asthma had been conducted, the etiology of childhood asthma is not yet established. Both life style factors and environmental exposure during early life may play important roles. Objective: To evaluate the risk factors for asthma in Iraqi primary school children. Patients and Methods: The sample consisted of 2875 children, who were between 11 and 14 years of age at the time of enrollment in the Regional Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (RSAAC) and were subsequently followed up at their schools. Results: The prevalence of asthma when assessed by interview was 7.2% [95% confidence interval (CI) 6.3% - 8.3%], while it was 8.9% [95% CI 7.9 % - 10.0%] when assessed by clinical examination. There was no significant difference between the prevalence of asthma in males and females. Exposure to wood or oil smoke (Odds-ratio (OR)=2.40, 95% CI 1.84–3.17; P<0.001); cats and dogs (OR=2.95, 95% CI 2.15–4.04; P<0.001); herbicides and /or pesticides (OR=1.68, 95% CI 1.16–2.43; P=0.005); farm animals, farm crops or dust (exposure to animals OR= 2.97, 95% CI 2.02–4.37; P<0.001; exposure to farm crops (OR=2.17, 95% CI 1.33–3.55; P=0.002); and breastfeeding (OR=8.5, 95% CI 6.10-11.84; P<0.001) were significantly associated with asthma. Family history of asthma (OR=4.11, 95% CI 3.16-5.34; P<0.001) and atopy (OR=2.33, 95% CI 1.79-3.04; P<0.001) were associated with an increased prevalence of asthma. In addition, family history of smoking was associated with asthma (OR=1.52, 95% CI 1.17-1.97; P=0.001). Presence of skin problems (OR=2.40, 95% CI 1.63-3.55; P<0.001), gastro intestinal problems (OR=5.64, 95% CI 2.23-14.25; P<0.001) and food allergy (OR=6.08, 95% CI 2.96-12.52; P<0.001) were significantly associated with asthma in childhood. Maternal education (p<0.001) and social status (p=0.001) may be a risk markers for asthma in childhood. Conclusion: These results suggest that both environmental exposure and lifestyle factors are important risk factors for childhood asthma in Iraqi children. Both indoor and outdoor environmental exposure may play a crucial role in the etiology of childhood asthma.