Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Carbon dioxide and methane emission rates from taxi vehicles in Thailand

ABSTRACT Due to the expansion of urban areas have been increasing levels of greenhouse gas emissions from taxi and passenger cars that use natural gas for vehicles (NGV) and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) as alternative fuels . The objective of this study was to evaluate the CO2 and CH4 emission of NGV and LPG taxis with different times from their engine ages compared to those from passenger cars. The driving tests were conducted at three driving speed ranges in Bangkok, Thailand. No significant differences in the CO2 emission rates from taxis and passenger cars using either NGV or LPG (174.5–227.0 g/km) were found. However, NGV taxis emitted the highest CH4 at all driving speeds, with an average emission of 1.33 g/km, higher than that from the LPG taxis. Comparing between taxis and passenger cars, the NGV taxis emitted the highest of CO2 and CH4 (13.8 ton CO2-eq/y), followed by LPG taxis (12.5 ton CO2-eq/y). The results obtained in this study can be used to create a database that supports the decision-making on development projects and to control GHG emission in Thailand.
A CASQ1 founder mutation in three Italian families with protein aggregate myopathy and hyperCKaemia

Background Protein aggregate myopathies are increasingly recognised conditions characterised by a surplus of endogenous proteins. The molecular and mutational background for many protein aggregate myopathies has been clarified with the discovery of several underlying mutations. Familial idiopathic hyperCKaemia is a benign genetically heterogeneous condition with autosomal dominant features in a high proportion of cases. Methods In 10 patients from three Italian families with autosomal dominant benign vacuolar myopathy and hyperCKaemia, we performed linkage analysis and exome sequencing as well as morphological and biochemical investigations. Results and conclusions We show, by Sanger and exome sequencing, that the protein aggregate myopathy with benign evolution and muscle inclusions composed of excess CASQ1, affecting three Italian families, is due to the D244G heterozygous missense mutation in the CASQ1 gene. Investigation of microsatellite markers revealed a common haplotype in the three families indicating consanguinity and a founder effect. Results from immunocytochemistry, electron microscopy, biochemistry and transfected cell line investigations contribute to our understanding of pathogenetic mechanisms underlining this defect. The mutation is common to other Italian patients and is likely to share a founder effect with them. HyperCKaemia in the CASQ1-related myopathy is common and sometimes the sole overt manifestation. It is likely that CASQ1 mutations may remain undiagnosed if a muscle biopsy is not performed, and the condition could be more common than supposed.
Reliability and validity of a Malay-version questionnaire assessing knowledge of breastfeeding.

BACKGROUND There is a need to identify the knowledge that mothers have about breastfeeding to help promote it. Therefore, it is important to develop a valid and reliable questionnaire to provide useful and comparable data about breastfeeding knowledge. The objectives of this study were to determine the reliability and validity of a Malay version of a questionnaire assessing breastfeeding knowledge and describe the breastfeeding knowledge level among respondents. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 January to 31 May 2008 among female staff working at the Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus. A self-administered questionnaire containing 53 items assessing breastfeeding knowledge was given to respondents. The questions were adapted and modified from a breastfeeding questionnaire developed by a team of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia paediatric nurses. Exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency reliability, and descriptive analysis of respondents' knowledge were conducted. RESULTS A total of 252 female staff participated in the study. Factor analysis constructed 10 domains of knowledge and excluded 6 items, leaving 47 items in the final questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha of the final questionnaire was 0.77. Respondents' lowest knowledge was on the practical aspects of breastfeeding. CONCLUSION The questionnaire is reliable and valid to assess the breastfeeding knowledge of Malaysian women.
Intralipid prolongs survival in a rat model of verapamil toxicity.

OBJECTIVES Verapamil is a lipid-soluble calcium channel blocker with significant mortality in overdose. Previous investigators have demonstrated the benefit of lipid emulsion therapy in ameliorating toxicity from lipid-soluble agents. The authors investigated the effect of Intralipid treatment in a rat model of verapamil toxicity. METHODS Thirty sedated Wistar rats were infused with verapamil at 37.5 mg/kg/h. Five minutes after the start of infusion, animals were treated with a bolus of either 12.4 mL/kg 20% Intralipid or 12.4 mL/kg 0.9% saline. Verapamil infusion was continued until the animals were killed. Respiratory rate, heart rate, and electrocardiography were sampled every 2.5 minutes throughout. RESULTS Survival was prolonged in the Intralipid-treated group (44 +/- 21 vs. 24 +/- 9 minutes; p = 0.003). The median lethal dose was increased in the Intralipid group (25.7 mg/kg [95% confidence interval {CI} = 24.7 to 26.7] vs. 13.6 mg/kg [95% CI = 12.2 to 15.0]). A less marked decrease in heart rate was observed during verapamil infusion in the Intralipid-treated group (6.8 beats/min [95% CI = 8.3 to 5.2] for Intralipid vs. 10.7 beats/min [95% CI = 12.6 to 8.9] for saline; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Intralipid treatment prolongs survival and doubles median lethal dose in a rat model of verapamil toxicity. The mechanism of action remains to be elucidated.
SRD5A2 and HSD3B2 polymorphisms are associated with prostate cancer risk and aggressiveness

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is believed to play an important role in prostate carcinogenesis. Five alpha reductase type II (SRD5A2) and 3 beta‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II (HSD3B2) are responsible for the biosynthesis and degradation of DHT in the prostate. Two polymorphisms, a valine (V) for leucine (L) substitution at the 89 codon of the SRD5A2 gene and a (TG)n,(TA)n,(CA)n repeat polymorphism within the third intron of the HSD3B2 gene were evaluated with regard to prostate cancer risk.
Neonatal exposure of rats to recombinant follicle stimulating hormone increases adult Sertoli and spermatogenic cell numbers.

It is believed that Sertoli cells support a finite number of germ cells and that Sertoli cell number may help determine the spermatogenic capacity of the adult. In the rat, Sertoli cells divide during fetal and early postnatal life, a process controlled in part by FSH. This study examined the effect of recombinant human FSH on postnatal testicular development and the impact of neonatal FSH exposure on the adult animal. Sprague-Dawley rats received FSH (200 IU/kg s.c.) daily from birth (Day 1) until Day 5, 10, 15, and 20. In a second experiment, animals received FSH for the first 10 or 15 days of life and were killed at Day 90. Sertoli and spermatogenic cell numbers were determined by stereological methods (the optical disector technique). FSH treatment significantly (p < 0.001) increased testicular weights (135%, 193%, and 173% of controls at Days 10, 15, and 20, respectively). The absolute volume of the epithelium and interstitium increased significantly as a result of increases in tubule diameter and length. In response to FSH treatment, the number of Sertoli cells increased significantly (p < 0.01) to 168%, 139%, and 151% of control numbers at Days 10, 15, and 20, respectively. After 15 days of FSH treatment, the numbers of spermatogonia and spermatocytes also increased (169% and 220% of control, p < 0.01, p < 0.001, respectively). The labeling index of Sertoli cell nuclei, as determined by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, was unaffected by FSH treatment, with cessation of Sertoli cell division occurring as normal at Day 15. FSH treatment for the first 10 or 15 days of neonatal life resulted in testicular hypertrophy in adulthood (testis weight 118% and 124% of control, respectively). Similar increases were seen in the absolute volume of seminiferous epithelium and lumen, which were attributed to an increase in tubule length. Sertoli cell numbers increased to 113% and 149% of control after 10 and 15 days, respectively, of FSH exposure, with similar increases in round and elongated spermatid numbers. We conclude that exposure of the neonatal rat to recombinant FSH results in testicular hypertrophy with increases in seminiferous tubule volume and length and proportionate increases in Sertoli and germ cell numbers. This trophic effect of increased perinatal FSH exposure persists into adulthood to augment the spermatogenic potential of the rat.
Measuring the Behavioural Component of the S&P 500 and its Relationship to Financial Stress and Aggregated Earnings Surprises

Scholars in management and economics have shown increasing interest in isolating the behavioural dimension of market evolution. Indeed, by improving forecast accuracy and precision, this exercise would certainly help firms to anticipate economic fluctuations, thus leading to more profitable business and investment strategies. Yet, how to extract the behavioural component from real market data remains an open question. By using monthly data on the returns of the constituents of the S&amp;P 500 index, we propose a Bayesian methodology to measure the extent to which market data conform to what is predicted by prospect theory (the behavioural perspective), relative to the (standard) subjective expected utility theory baseline. We document a significant behavioural component that reaches its peaks during recession periods and is correlated to measures of financial volatility, market sentiment and financial stress with expected sign. Moreover, the behavioural component decreases around macroeconomic corporate earnings news, while it reacts positively to the number of surprising announcements.
NIDDM-Y in First Nation Children in Canada

Prevalence of NIDDM-Y in children in many First Nations communities in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario is now severalfold greater than the prevalence of IDDM in the general pediatric population. Rates vary among First Nations communities in Canada owing to inconsistent screening programs and different genetic risk. The number of undiagnosed, asymptomatic cases is predicted to be at least 2× greater than the known cases. Serious complications of diabetes are known to occur in the early third decade of life and within 10 years of diagnosis. Long-term follow-up data are scarce. Nonpharmacologic management in youths has been successful in short-term studies but generally unsuccessful in achieving long-term acceptable glycemic control. The safety and efficacy of pharma cologic interventions have not been proven in this age group, particularly the prepubertal group. NIDDM-Y fits the WHO criteria for a disease appropriate for screening. There is an urgent need for consistent community-based screening programs and randomized controlled trials of pharmacologic interventions to test the safety and efficacy of these agents in primary prevention and secondary prevention of complications in youths. Clin Pediatr. 1998;37:89-96
Predicting Cellular Rejection With a Cell-Based Assay: Preclinical Evaluation in Children

Background Allospecific CD154+T-cytotoxic memory cells (CD154+TcM) predict acute cellular rejection after liver transplantation (LTx) or intestine transplantation (ITx) in small cohorts of children and can enhance immunosuppression management, but await validation and clinical implementation. Methods To establish safety and probable benefit, CD154+TcM were measured in cryopreserved samples from 214 children younger than 21 years (National Clinical Trial 1163578). Training set samples (n = 158) were tested with research-grade reagents and 122 independent validation set samples were tested with current good manufacturing practices-manufactured reagents after assay standardization and reproducibility testing. Recipient CD154+TcM induced by stimulation with donor cells were expressed as a fraction of those induced by HLA nonidentical cells in parallel cultures. The resulting immunoreactivity index (IR) if greater than 1 implies increased rejection-risk. Results Training and validation set subjects were demographically similar. Mean coefficient of test variation was less than 10% under several conditions. Logistic regression incorporating several confounding variables identified separate pretransplant and posttransplant IR thresholds for prediction of rejection in the respective training set samples. An IR of 1.1 or greater in posttransplant training samples and IR of 1.23 or greater in pretransplant training samples predicted LTx or ITx rejection in corresponding validation set samples in the 60-day postsampling period with sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values of 84%, 80%, 64%, and 92%, respectively (area under the receiver operator characteristic curve, 0.792), and 57%, 89%, 78%, and 74%, respectively (area under the receiver operator characteristic curve, 0.848). No adverse events were encountered due to phlebotomy. Conclusions Allospecific CD154+T-cytotoxic memory cells predict acute cellular rejection after LTx or ITx in children. Adjunctive use can enhance clinical outcomes.
Prevalence of primary aldosteronism among Asian hypertensive patients in Singapore.

Recent studies using the ratio of plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) to PRA as the screening test for primary aldosteronism in hypertensive populations suggested that the prevalence may be as high as 5-15%, with well over half of the subjects having normal serum potassium concentrations. Despite an increasing clinical awareness of this entity, many clinicians are reluctant to consider routine screening for primary aldosteronism in essential hypertensive patients because there are few community-based prevalence studies of primary aldosteronism in different populations. Furthermore, genetic and environmental differences may affect the prevalence and presentation of primary aldosteronism in distinct populations. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of primary aldosteronism in the predominantly Chinese population in Singapore. Three hundred and fifty unselected adult hypertensive patients attending two primary care clinics had random ambulatory measurements for PAC (nanograms per dL) and PRA (nanograms per mL/h). Serum urea, creatinine, and electrolyte measurements were obtained simultaneously. Subjects with renal insufficiency (serum creatinine, >140 micromol/L) and those treated with glucocorticoids or spironolactone were excluded. Screening was considered positive if the PAC: PRA ratio was more than 20 and the PAC was more than 15 ng/dL (>416 pmol/L). Primary aldosteronism was confirmed with the determination of PAC after 2 L saline administered iv over 4 h. Adrenal computed tomographic (CT) scans were performed in biochemically confirmed cases of primary aldosteronism. Further localization with adrenal vein sampling was carried out in selected patients with equivocal findings on adrenal CT scan. Sixty-three (18%) of the 350 hypertensive patients (215 women and 135 men; age range, 23-75 yr) were screened positive for primary aldosteronism. Only 13 of these 63 subjects (21%) were hypokalemic (serum potassium, <3.5 mmol/L). Confirmatory studies were carried out in 56 (89%) of the subjects with a positive PAC:PRA ratio. Using a PAC above 10 ng/dL (>277 pmol/L) after saline infusion as the diagnostic cut-off, 16 of the 56 patients had biochemically confirmed primary aldosteronism. Hypokalemia was found in 6 of the 16 patients (37.5%) with primary aldosteronism. Subtype evaluation with adrenal CT scan and adrenal vein sampling indicated that half of the patients with primary aldosteronism may have had potentially curable unilateral adrenal adenoma. Our data suggest that primary aldosteronism occurs in at least 5% of the adult Asian hypertensive population, and approximately half of these individuals may have potentially curable, unilateral, aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma. Our findings also confirm the poor predictive value of hypokalemia in both the diagnosis and the exclusion of primary aldosteronism.
Broad and efficient control of major foodborne pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli by mixtures of plant-produced colicins

Significance Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli-contaminated food products are among the leading causes of bacterial enteric infections in the United States and worldwide. Currently, other than thermal inactivation, there are no effective methods to control pathogenic bacteria in food. We investigated colicins, nonantibiotic antimicrobial proteins produced by certain E. coli strains and active against other strains of the species, as potential pathogen control agents. We demonstrate that most colicins can be expressed at high yields in plants and are fully functional. We show that mixtures of colicins applied at low concentrations are highly and broadly active against all major pathogenic E. coli strains of concern for foodborne illness. We propose plant-produced colicins as an inexpensive food treatment for the broad control of pathogenic E. coli strains. Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is one of the leading causes of bacterial enteric infections worldwide, causing ∼100,000 illnesses, 3,000 hospitalizations, and 90 deaths annually in the United States alone. These illnesses have been linked to consumption of contaminated animal products and vegetables. Currently, other than thermal inactivation, there are no effective methods to eliminate pathogenic bacteria in food. Colicins are nonantibiotic antimicrobial proteins, produced by E. coli strains that kill or inhibit the growth of other E. coli strains. Several colicins are highly effective against key EHEC strains. Here we demonstrate very high levels of colicin expression (up to 3 g/kg of fresh biomass) in tobacco and edible plants (spinach and leafy beets) at costs that will allow commercialization. Among the colicins examined, plant-expressed colicin M had the broadest antimicrobial activity against EHEC and complemented the potency of other colicins. A mixture of colicin M and colicin E7 showed very high activity against all major EHEC strains, as defined by the US Department of Agriculture/Food and Drug Administration. Treatments with low (less than 10 mg colicins per L) concentrations reduced the pathogenic bacterial load in broth culture by 2 to over 6 logs depending on the strain. In experiments using meats spiked with E. coli O157:H7, colicins efficiently reduced the population of the pathogen by at least 2 logs. Plant-produced colicins could be effectively used for the broad control of pathogenic E. coli in both plant- and animal-based food products and, in the United States, colicins could be approved using the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) regulatory approval pathway.
Cefotaxime and desacetylcefotaxime pharmacokinetics in infants and children with meningitis

The pharmacokinetics and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) penetration of cefotaxime (Ctx) and desacetylcefotaxime (dCtx) were evaluated in 13 infants and children with meningitis after dose 6 of Ctx in a multiple-dose intermittent intravenous infusion regimen (50 mg/kg every 6 h). Model-dependent and noncompartmental pharmacokinetic parameters were determined and were found to be congruous. The disposition of both Ctx and dCtx was described adequately by a one-compartment, open model. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic parameters are reported. The mean Ctx serum concentration at 0.25 h postinfusion was 121.2 micrograms/ml, and the mean CSF concentration at 1 h postinfusion was 6.2 micrograms/ml. The CSF/serum ratio was variable (0 to 20%), with a mean penetration of 10.1%. The mean Ctx elimination half-life, apparent steady-state volume of distribution, and total body clearance were 0.8 h, 0.361 liter/kg, and 0.289 liter/h per kg, respectively. For Ctx, 61% of the dose was excreted unchanged in the urine during the 6-h postinfusion period, and the estimated renal clearance was 0.174 liter/h per kg. No significant correlations were observed between Ctx pharmacokinetic parameters and demographic parameters. The mean peak concentration of dCtx in serum (21.6 micrograms/ml) occurred at approximately 1.5 h postinfusion, and the mean concentration in CSF at 1 h postinfusion was 5.6 micrograms/ml. The CSF/serum ratio was extremely variable (0 to 103%), and the mean penetration was 28.8%. The mean apparent elimination half-life for dCtx was 2.1 h. In infants and children with normal renal function, a 50-mg/kg dose of Ctx administered every 6 h should provide adequate concentrations in serum and CSF in the majority of patients with meningitis.
Synthesis of zeolites Na-A and Na-X from tablet compressed and calcinated coal fly ash

Zeolites Na-A and Na-X are important synthetic zeolites widely used for separation and adsorption in industry. It is of great significance to develop energy-efficient routines that can synthesize zeolites Na-A and Na-X from low-cost raw materials. Coal fly ash (CFA) is the major residue from the combustion of coal and biomass containing more than 85% SiO2 and Al2O3, which can readily replace the conventionally used sodium silicate and aluminate for zeolite synthesis. We used Na2CO3 to replace the expensive NaOH used for the calcination of CFA and showed that tablet compression can enhance the contact with Na2CO3 for the activation of CFA through calcination for the synthesis of zeolites Na-A and Na-X under mild conditions. We optimized the control variables for zeolite synthesis and showed that phase-pure zeolite Na-A can be synthesized with CFA at reactant molar ratio, hydrothermal reaction temperature and reaction time of 1.3Na2O: 0.6Al2O3: 1SiO2: 38H2O at 80°C for 6 h, respectively, while phase-pure zeolite Na-X can be synthesized at 2.2Na2O: 0.2Al2O3: 1SiO2: 88H2O at 100°C for 8 h, respectively. The composition, morphology, specific surface area, vibration spectrum and thermogravimetry of synthesized Na-A and Na-X were further characterized.
DNA replication origin and transcriptional enhancer in c‐myc gene share the c‐myc protein binding sequences.

We have previously reported that c‐myc protein, or protein(s) complexed with c‐myc protein, binds to the region upstream of the first exon of the c‐myc gene and that this region contains an origin of cellular DNA replication (ori) and also a transcriptional enhancer. Here we show by Southwestern blotting that c‐myc protein binds directly to a 7 bp sequence within the above region. Furthermore, we show that the c‐myc protein binding sequences are indispensable for both ori and enhancer functions, but that additional sequences are required for maximal ori and enhancer activities. Thus, c‐myc protein is a sequence specific factor which is apparently used both in initiation of DNA replication and in regulation of RNA transcription.