Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seasonal influence on sperm parameters, scrotal measurements, and serum testosterone in Ouled Djellal breed rams in Algeria

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the effect of seasonal variations on testosterone serum concentration, body weight, scrotal circumference, and some sperm parameters in rams living in a semi-arid region of eastern part of Algeria. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were taken monthly from eight Ouled Djellal rams, aged between 3 and 4 years, in the Technical Institute of Breeding “ITELV” located at Ain M’lila City. Sperm were collected by an electro-ejaculator once a month for 1 year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter: 3 times/season). Results: Mean values of volume, mass motility, live sperm, and scrotal circumference were higher during spring (p<0.05) with 1.23±0.26 mL, 3.39±1.07, 79.16±15.82%, and 36.29±1.91 cm, respectively; whereas, the sperm concentration was higher during autumn with 1.19±0.56×109 spz/ml compared to 0.46±0.13×109 spz/mL to spring. The season influenced significantly the percentage of abnormal sperm (p<0.05), especially during winter (6.47±2.12%), but had no influence on the weight of rams. Seasonal hormonal activity was high with 4.89±2.06 ng/mL and 3.09±1.35 ng/mL of testosterone in mating seasons (spring and autumn, respectively), knowing that the sexual season is not marked too much in these latitude. Conclusion: We can conclude that testosterone concentration is strongly correlated with the scrotal circumference and that the season has a significant influence on spermatic parameters, and that despite the large variations in sperm production, the rams can be used throughout the year.
Pregnancy Rates Following Transfer of Cultured Versus Non Cultured Frozen Thawed Human Embryos

Frozen embryo transfers (FET) are increasingly becoming a routine part of in-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) programs at advanced assisted reproductive technology (ART) centers throughout the world. Comparatively FET yield lower pregnancy rates than fresh embryo transfers. Cryopreseravtion offers optimum utilization of embryos produced and is advantageous for the patients with the surplus embryos, ovarian hyper stimulation, radiotherapy or chemotherapy etc. It is of prime importance to dehydrate cells i.e. withdrawal of intracellular water. This is brought about by adding permeable and non permeable cryoprotective agents (CPA). These agents help to minimize the damage to the organelles within the cell and also help to maintain the osmolar changes taking place during the freezing and thawing process. Almost all the cryoprotectants exert some degree of toxic effect to the blastomeres in direct proportion to their concentration used and the time of exposure. The toxic effect can be reduced by step wise addition of cryoprotective agent during the freezing process. Freezing and thawing may damage the morphological characteristics of embryos and survival rate of blastomeres resulting into lower implantation rates. With the varying degrees of post-thaw survival (40% to 90%) and success rate (ranging from 7% to 40%) oocytes and embryos have been frozen in almost all developmental stages, e.g. oocyte (Chen,1986, Borini et al, 2004,2006), pronuclear (Barg et al.,1990, Van den Abbeel et al.,1997, Senn et al.,2000 and Al-Hasani et al.,2007), cleavage stage on day2 and day3 post OPU (Li et al.,2007, Mauri et al.,2001, Kuwayama et al.,2005, Van der Elst et al.,1997 and Rama Raju et al., 2005), morula stage (Tao et al.,2001) and blastocyst stage (Menezo,2004, Liebermann and Tucker,2006, Clifford et al.,2007).
Characterization of Two Campylobacter jejuni Strains for Use in Volunteer Experimental-Infection Studies

ABSTRACT The development of vaccines against Campylobacter jejuni would be facilitated by the ability to perform phase II challenge studies. However, molecular mimicry of the lipooligosaccharide (LOS) of most C. jejuni strains with human gangliosides presents safety concerns about the development of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Clinical isolates of C. jejuni that appeared to lack genes for the synthesis of ganglioside mimics were identified by DNA probe analyses. Two clinical isolates from Southeast Asia (strains BH-01-0142 and CG8421) were determined to express the LOS type containing N-acetyl quinovosamine. No ganglioside structures were observed to be present in the LOSs of these strains, and pyrosequence analyses of the genomes of both strains confirmed the absence of genes involved in ganglioside mimicry. The capsule polysaccharide (CPS) of BH-01-0142 was determined to be composed of galactose (Gal), 6-deoxy-ido-heptose, and, in smaller amounts, d-glycero-d-ido-heptose, and the CPS of CG8421 was observed to contain Gal, 6-deoxy-altro-heptose, N-acetyl-glucosamine, and minor amounts of 6-deoxy-3-O-Me-altro-heptose. Both CPSs were shown to carry O-methyl-phosphoramidate. The two genomes contained strain-specific zones, some of which could be traced to a plasmid origin, and both contained a large chromosomal insertion related to the CJEI3 element of C. jejuni RM1221. The genomes of both strains shared a high degree of similarity to each other and, with the exception of the capsule locus of CG8421, to the type strain of the HS3 serotype, TGH9011.
Role of Transformational Leadership in Organizational Change: Mediating Role of Trust

To study the role of transformational leadership in organizational change and considering the mediating effect of trust the researcher conducted the study. To examine the relationship the author collected the data via questionnaires from the banking sector of Pakistan. The results are calculated by regression analysis and there is significant relationship between the transformational leadership with organizational change and trust is playing the mediating role. In the end the implications and the limitations of the research are discussed. Keywords: Transformational leadership, Organizational change, trust, banking sector.
Tétano em equino: Relato de caso

This work aimed to report the clinical case of a female horse of the Paint horse race, approximately six years old, attended at the University Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Piauí, with clinical tetanus. Disease caused by toxins, tetanospasmin and tetanolysin, produced by gram-positive and anaerobic bacteria Clostridium tetani. Because it is a toxic disease with high infection power, it can affect some domestic species, but its epidemiology is more related to equines. For infection to occur and clinical signs of the disease occur, there must be a gateway, such as an injury, or direct contact with secretions from other already infected animals. The animal once infected has clinical signs such as limb rigidity, labial trismus, muscle stiffness, muscle spasms, hyperesthesia, and tail lift. In view of the clinical signs presented, a case of tetanus was diagnosed. The treatment was then started using metronidazole tablets at a dose of 25mg/kg, every 8 hours
Recombinant tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases type 1 suppresses alkali-burn-induced corneal ulceration in rabbits.

PURPOSE To test if recombinant tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1) was effective in reducing corneal ulceration after alkali injury to the rabbit cornea. The effect of TIMP-1 was compared with that of a proven synthetic metalloproteinase inhibitor. METHODS After a defined alkali injury to the rabbit cornea, a topical treatment regimen was followed for 24 days; one group was treated with vehicle only, a second group with recombinant TIMP-1, and a third group with the synthetic metalloproteinase inhibitor. Corneas were scored for ulceration during the 24-day period and the scores for the three groups were compared. RESULTS The incidence and progression of ulceration and perforation, in the alkali-burned corneas receiving treatment with recombinant TIMP-1 or the synthetic inhibitor, were significantly less than in corneas receiving vehicle treatment alone. CONCLUSION Recombinant TIMP-1 is as effective as a proven synthetic inhibitor in ameliorating corneal ulceration and perforation after an alkali injury.
A comperative study for short-term surgical outcomes of midurethral sling procedures in obese and non-obese women with stress urinary incontinence*

Abstract There is little data comparing the surgical outcomes of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) and transobturator tape (TOT) procedures in obese women. Therefore, we aimed to compare the surgical outcomes of TOT and TVT procedures among obese women with a diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). One hundred and eighty-nine women who underwent TVT or TOT procedures due to pure SUI were included. Women in whom the body mass index (BMI) was ≥30 kg/m2 were considered as obese, while <30 kg/m2 were non-obese. And women with BMI ≥35 kg/m2 was defined as morbidly obese. At sixth month postoperative follow-up, neither the comparison of TVT and TOT results in obese women nor the comparison of TVT or TOT results between obese and non-obese women showed any significant differences in terms of objective and subjective cure rates, quality of life improvements, or intra/postoperative complications. TVT and TOT procedures also have similar effectiveness among morbidly obese women. We have concluded that TVT and TOT operations seem to be equally effective and safe surgical treatment procedures for female SUI regardless of BMI.
Improved long-term results with thymoglobuline induction therapy after cardiac transplantation: a comparison of two different rabbit-antithymocyte globulines.

BACKGROUND The aim of this retrospective single center analysis was to compare possible long-term benefits of two different rabbit-antithymocyte globuline (ATG) induction therapies after cardiac transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 484 primary cardiac transplanted patients received induction therapy with two different rabbit-ATGs (thymoglobuline: n=342, ATG-fresenius: n=142). All patients received immunosuppressive maintenance therapy with cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisolone. Cardiac rejection was assessed by serial endomyocardial biopsies. Surveillance of graft arteriosclerosis was performed by angiograms 1, 3, and 5 years after transplantation. RESULTS Five-year survival was significantly better in the thymoglobuline group (76 vs. 60%). Thymoglobuline patients had a lower rate of death from rejection (2.3 vs. 10%; P<0.01) and graft arteriosclerosis (0.88 vs. 5.6%; P<0.01). After 5 years, freedom from rejection was 72% in the thymoglobuline group compared to 42% in the ATG-fresenius group (P<0.01). Graft arteriosclerosis appeared in 14% of thymoglobuline patients and in 28% of ATG-fresenius patients (P<0.01). Viral infections occurred more often in thymoglobuline patients (53 vs. 39%, P<0.05) although there was no difference in appearance of cytomegalovirus disease (17 vs. 13%). Freedom from posttransplant malignant disease was comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSION These results suggest that there are differences between rabbit ATG products. The superior prevention of rejection with thymoglobuline may be the reason for the lower rate of graft arteriosclerosis.
Natural antibodies against phosphorylcholine as potential protective factors in SLE.

OBJECTIVE We have recently reported that natural antibodies against phosphorylcholine (anti-PC) have atheroprotective properties. Here we compare anti-PC with other autoantibodies in SLE patients with and without cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS Twenty-six women (52 +/- 8.2 yrs) with SLE and a history of CVD (SLE cases) were compared with 26 age-matched women with SLE without CVD (SLE controls) and 26 age-matched population-based control women (controls). PC was conjugated with BSA (PC-BSA) or keyhole-limpet haemocyanin (PC-KLH). Anti-PC and antibodies against phosphatidylserine (anti-PS) and BSA (anti-BSA) were studied by ELISA. Anti-PC-IgG were extracted from intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Activation of endothelial cells by platelet-activating factor (PAF) was studied with FACScan. RESULTS IgG anti-PC-BSA and anti-PC-KLH were decreased among SLE-cases and SLE-controls as compared with controls (P < 0.005 and P < 0.05), respectively. SLE cases were more prevalent in the lowest 25th percentile of anti-PC-IgM (and IgG) as compared with controls (P < 0.05) but anti-PC-IgM levels did not differ significantly between groups. Among SLE controls, anti-PC-BSA were associated negatively with organ damage (SLICC) and disease activity (SLEDAI) (P < 0.05). Among SLE cases, anti-PC-BSA and anti-PC-KLH were associated negatively with SLICC (P = 0.021; P = 0.010) and anti-PC-BSA was negatively associated with SLEDAI (P < 0.039). Anti-PS-IgG and anti-BSA-IgG were raised among SLE cases as compared with other groups (P < 0.05) and did not cross-react with anti-PC. Anti-PC-IgG could be extracted from IVIG and inhibited PAF-induced expression of adhesion molecules. CONCLUSION Low levels of anti-PC could be of importance in SLE. Anti-BSA and anti-PS and low levels of anti-PC could contribute to development of CVD in SLE.
Hepatitis C virus in intravenous drug users

Sera from 172 intravenous drug users were tested for the presence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti‐HCV). The results were analysed in relation to aspects of the history of drug use and evidence of liver disease. The presence of anti‐HCV was strongly associated with duration of intravenous drug use. Two‐thirds of patients were anti‐HCV seropositive within two years of commencing regular intravenous drug use, and there was 100% seropositivity among people injecting drugs for more than eight years. Seropositivity for hepatitis C virus closely paralleled exposure to hepatitis B virus, which was also endemic in this population. In contrast, only one patient tested positive for antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus. The presence of anti‐HCV correlated poorly with biochemical markers of hepatitis. About half the patients with anti‐HCV had normal serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, whereas an abnormal liver biochemistry was frequently observed in anti‐HCV seronegative subjects. Previous studies of non‐A, non‐B hepatitis that have used abnormal liver biochemistry as a marker have underestimated the prevalence of chronic hepatitis among intravenous drug users; the use of a specific screening test reveals that infection with hepatitis C virus is very common in this population.
Cardiopulmonary function and oxygen delivery during total liquid ventilation

Total liquid ventilation (TLV) with perfluorocarbons has shown to improve cardiopulmonary function in the injured and immature lung; however there remains controversy over the normal lung. Hemodynamic effects of TLV in the normal lung currently remain undetermined. This study compared changes in cardiopulmonary and circulatory function caused by either liquid or gas tidal volume ventilation.
A mathematical theory of communication: Meaning, information, and topology

This article proposes a new mathematical theory of communication. The basic concepts of meaning and information are defined in terms of complex systems theory. Meaning of a message is defined as the attractor it generates in the receiving system; information is defined as the difference between a vector of expectation and one of perception. It can be sown that both concepts are determined by the topology of the receiving system. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 16: 10–26, 2011 (I wish to thank Dwight Read for several very useful suggestions.)
Detection and isolation of H1N1 influenza virus from pigs in Korea

neoplastic mesothelial cells and macrophages was not possible cytomorphologically. In this report, ultrasonography proved to be a useful tool for diagnosis as well as prognosis. The ascites and nodular lesions could be clearly imaged and, together with the results of abdominocentesis, allowed a tentative diagnosis of neoplasia. Non-inflammatory ascites due to other disorders (Braun 1997, Milne and others 2001), such as right-sided cardiac insufficiency, thrombosis of the caudal vena cava and portal hypertension, could be ruled out in this case based on the results of the clinical and ultrasonographic findings. The differential diagnosis also included other tumours, such as carcinoma and sarcoma (Barker 1993), serosal tuberculosis and fat necrosis. The diagnosis could easily have been confirmed intra vitam by means of transcutaneous ultrasoundguided biopsy of the nodules; however, the condition and prognosis of the cow precluded this procedure.
Supply Chain Management & RFID: an Analysis of Research Productivity

Radio frequency identification (RFID) & Supply chain management (SCM) are an integral part of today's business world. RFID increases productivity and convenience. There are several studies conducted in the past to examine the question of productivity of the authors. However, prior studies have not discussed in detail the research productivity patterns of individual RFID & SCM authors together, across a relatively large number of journals and a lengthy time frame. Previous studies have also not established any benchmark of individual research productivity, regarding both the number of publications, i.e. quantity and the impact of those published papers, i.e. quality, required to place among the leading contributors in the field of RFID & SCM collectively. The present study examined 631 global publications on "RFID & Supply Chain Management" downloaded from Scopus database during 1999-2015. The positioning and associated percentiles of individual authors were calculated and prepared six quality and quantity metrics from equal credit method and direct count method; authors identify the aggregate productivity standards necessary for an individual author to be ranked at various places in the field of RFID & SCM together.
Performance Appraisal Systems: Procedural and ImplementationIssues in Papua New Guinea

With almost all organizations worldwide using a performance appraisal system, it continues to be a subject of importance and interest among human resource specialists. Although it is generally accepted as a western practice, performance appraisal now features in the management repertoires of organizations in countries around the world, both developed and developing nations. Yet, despite the apparent popularity of these systems, there is a dearth of information about their uses and implementation in non-western environments according to previous studies. This paper therefore, reports some of the results of a study on performance appraisal in Papua New Guinea, a non-western developing country.
Cotrel‐Dubousset Instrumentation in Idiopathic Scoliosis

Although well accepted in the patient undergoing Harrington instrumentation, the validity of King's criteria in patients undergoing correction of idiopathic scoliosis using the Cotrel-Dubousset system has been questioned. The cases of 64 patients with Type II (N = 40) and Type III (N = 24) idiopathie scollosis treated with Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation were reviewed. The average curve correction for Type II spinal curvature was 69.4% after surgery and 57.8% at follow-up examination. Decompensation was evident in 40% of the curves that were fused beyond the stable vertebra. However, the patients were only aware of their trunk decompensation if it was larger than 10 mm, and this was found in 35% of the patients. Decompen-sation occurred in 60% of those that were fused short of or to the stable vertebra. Only 42% of this group were aware of their decompensation. Decompensation was measured to the left of the spine in all patients. The difference between the subgroups based on the choice of distal fusion levels was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The average curve correction for Type III scoliosis was 62.9% after surgery and 54.6% at the time of follow-up examination. There was no correlation between caudal fusion levels and the incidence of decompensation with Type III curves. It was concluded that there was no statistically significant relationship between choice of distal fusion level and the amount of decompensation, thereby indicating that the use of King's criteria for the solection of fusion levels in patients undargoing correction of idlopathic scoliosis using the Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation may not be useful.
On the role of viruses in the evolution of immune responses.

Mutual influences of viruses on the immune system and vice versa which lead to a biological balance are considered, with clinical and/or experimental findings. Numbers and turnover of immune cells can be correlated with numbers and growth rate of viruses; certain viruses apparently have adapted to systemic or local immune effector mechanisms. The biological balance of viruses and immune system guarentees overall protection of both host and parasite. It alos may lead to conditions where immune protective mechanisms causes cell and tissue damage leading to disease. Immunologically mediated disease may be influenced by immune regulation via HLA antigen and may therefore explain HLA-disease associations. Finally, the different specificities of antibodies vs. T Cells and the differing kinetics of their immunological memory are outlined and correlated with immune escape, immune protection and the resulting possible evolutionary pressures on viruses
Political Institutions and the Legislative Success of Brazilian Presidents: an Analysis of the Cardoso, Lula and Rousseff Governments

It is known that Brazilian presidents are able to approve most of their own legislative bills. However, it is still unclear what factors influence and explain the variation in presidents’ level of legislative success between different governments and even within an individual term. Seeking to understand this phenomenon, this article analyzes the legislative success of Brazilian presidents, based on the governments of Cardoso, Lula and Rousseff. More precisely, I examine the impact of prerogatives and exclusive policy matters on presidents [. ]
Analisis Determinan Tingkat Pengetahuan Pelaku UMKM Mengenai SAK ETAP Serta Pengaruhnya Terhadap Kemudahan Akses Ke Lembaga Keuangan

Penelitian ini ingin menganalisis apakah tingkat pengetahuan pelaku UMKM mengenai SAK ETAP akan berbeda apabila latar belakang pendidikan, jenjang pendidikan dan usia yang dimiliki berbeda. Penelitian ini juga menganalisis pengaruh tingkat pengetahuan pelaku UMKM mengenai SAK ETAP terhadap kemudahan akses ke lembaga keuangan. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah uji beda Mann Whitney dengan menggunakan variabel dummy untuk melihat perbedaan tingkat pengetahuan pelaku UMKM mengenai SAK ETAP pada kategori latar belakang pendidikan, jenjang pendidikan dan usia yang berbeda serta uji regresi sederhana untuk menganalisis pengaruh tingkat pengetahuan pelaku UMKM mengenai SAK ETAP terhadap kemudahan akses ke lembaga keuangan. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa terdapat perbedaan tingkat pengetahuan pelaku UMKM mengenai SAK ETAP pada kategori latar belakang pendidikan dan jenjang pendidikan sedangkan pada kategori usia tidak ditemukan perbedaan. Dalam penelitian ini juga dapat disimpulkan bahwa tidak terdapat pengaruh yang signifikan tingkat pengetahuan pelaku UMKM mengenai SAK ETAP terhadap kemudahan akses ke lembaga keuangan.