Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Yoga, bioenergetics and eating behaviors: A conceptual review

Yoga is an ancient oriental discipline that emerged from mystical and philosophical concepts. Today it is practiced in the west, partly due to the promotion of its benefits to improve the lifestyle and overall health. As compared to non-Hatha Yoga (HY) practitioners, healthier and better-eating patterns have been observed in those who practice it. Agreement with the brought benefits, HY can be used as a therapeutic method to correct abnormal eating behaviors (AEB), obesity, and some metabolic diseases. However, the energy expenditure during traditional protocols of HY is not high; hence, it is not very effective for reducing or maintaining body weight or to improve cardiovascular conditioning. Even so, several observational studies suggest significant changes in eating behaviors, like a reduction in dietary fat intake and increments in that of fresh vegetables, whole grains and soy-based products, which in turn may reduce the risk for cardiovascular diseases. Given the inconsistency of the results derived from cross-sectional studies, more case–control studies are needed to demonstrate the efficacy of HY as an alternative method in the clinical treatment of disordered eating and metabolic diseases.
[The level of microbial contamination and frequency of surgical site infections at the department of orthopedic and traumatologic surgery of the clinical hospital center in Kragujevac].

INTRODUCTION The level of microbial contamination is an important risk factor for surgical site infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of surgical site infections in regard to the level of microbial contamination at the Department of Orthopedic and Traumatologic Surgery of the Clinical Hospital Center in Kragujevac. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study included 474 patients who underwent surgery in the period from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2002 at the Department of Orthopedic and Traumatologic Surgery of the Clinical Hospital Center in Kragujevac. Hospital infections were identified using CDC definitions, modified to fit our circumstances. The traditional classification of surgical sites in regard to the level of microbial contamination includes three categories: clean, contaminated and dirty. RESULTS The incidence of surgical site infections was higher at the Orthopedic Surgery Ward (5.94%) compared to Traumatologic Surgery Ward (5.02%). Additionally, a significantly higher frequency of deep surgical site infections, which were classified as clean were established at the Orthopedic Surgery Ward, in regard to the level of microbial contamination, whereas the greatest frequency of surface infections in clean surgical sites (p=0. 000) were established at the Traumatologic Surgery Ward. Surgical site infections were more frequent in patients undergoing multiple surgeries at the Orthopedic Surgery Ward zhan in those treated at the Traumatologic Surgery Ward (p=0.037). CONCLUSION It is of utmost importance to estimate the frequency of surgical stie infections and identify associated risk factors in order to undertake adequate measures for their prevention and control.
Correlates of HIV Risk Behaviors among Homeless and Unstably Housed Young Adults

Objectives. Homeless young adults are exposed to multiple risk factors for HIV infection. We identified HIV risk behaviors and their correlates among homeless young adults in Portland, Oregon. Methods. We conducted a community-based, cross-sectional survey of HIV risk behaviors among homeless young adults aged 18–25 years in 2010. Participants completed three study components: (1) an interviewer-administered survey of HIV risk behaviors; (2) a brief, client-centered HIV risk-based counseling session; and (3) rapid HIV testing. Results. Among 208 participants, 45.8% identified as racial/ethnic minority groups, 63.8% were male, and 35.7% self-identified as nonheterosexual. Six participants, all from sexual minority groups, had positive HIV screening results (two newly identified, four previously known) for a seropositivity rate of 2.9%. Female sex, belonging to a sexual minority group, frequent traveling between cities, depression, and alcohol use to intoxication were significantly associated with unprotected sex in univariate analysis. Female sex and high perceived risk of HIV were significantly associated with unprotected sex in multivariate analysis. Conclusions. Our findings support the need for enhanced HIV prevention interventions for homeless young adults.
Epidemiology and Natural History of the Cardiorenal Syndromes in a Cohort with Echocardiography.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES It is unknown whether echocardiographic parameters are independently associated with the cardiorenal syndrome. No direct comparison of the natural history of various cardiorenal syndrome types has been conducted. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS Our retrospective cohort study enrolled adult patients with at least one transthoracic echocardiography between 2004 and 2014 at a single health care system. Information on comorbidities was extracted using condition-specific diagnostic codes. All-cause mortality was the primary outcome among patients with cardiorenal syndrome types 1-4. Myocardial infarction and stroke were the secondary outcomes. RESULTS In total, 30,681 patients were included, and 2512 (8%) developed at least one of the cardiorenal syndromes: 1707 patients developed an acute form of the syndrome (type 1 or 3), 128 patients developed type 2, and 677 patients developed type 4. In addition, 16% of patients with type 2 and 20% of patients with type 4 also developed an acute cardiorenal syndrome, whereas 14% of patients with acute cardiorenal progressed to CKD or chronic heart failure. Decreasing left ventricular ejection fraction, increasing pulmonary artery pressure, and higher right ventricular diameter were independently associated with higher incidence of a cardiorenal syndrome. Acute cardiorenal syndrome was associated with the highest risk of death compared with patients with CKD without cardiorenal syndrome (hazard ratio, 3.13; 95% confidence interval, 2.72 to 3.61; P<0.001). Patients with cardiorenal type 4 had better survival than patients with acute cardiorenal syndrome (hazard ratio, 0.48; 95% confidence interval, 0.37 to 0.61; P<0.001). Patients with acute cardiorenal syndrome and type 4 had increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke compared with patients with CKD without cardiorenal syndrome. CONCLUSIONS Up to 19% of patients with a chronic form of cardiorenal syndrome will subsequently develop an acute syndrome. Development of acute or type 4 cardiorenal syndrome is independently associated with mortality, the acute form having the worst prognosis.
Modeling E-Coupon Proneness as a Mediator in the Extended TPB Model to Predict Consumers' Usage Intentions

Purpose – Given the growing importance of e‐coupons as promotional devices, predicting consumers' e‐coupons redemption intention is essential to the evaluation of this promotion strategy. This paper aims to address this issue. An extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) research model which further includes consumers' e‐coupon proneness as a mediator is built in this study to predict consumers' usage intentions of e‐coupons.Design/methodology/approach – This research collected research data on a questionnaire collection web site, because most e‐coupon users are also internet surfers. There were 626 valid surveys returned as the data input for structural equation model (SEM) analysis.Findings – The results from this empirical study reveal that failure to include e‐coupon proneness as a mediator in the extended TPB model can lead to an inability to explain consumers' usage intentions of e‐coupons well. Moreover, given such a totally new environment, the direct influences of consumers' perceived behavioral .
Atomic resolution crystal structures of HIV‐1 protease and mutants V82A and I84V with saquinavir

Saquinavir (SQV), the first antiviral HIV‐1 protease (PR) inhibitor approved for AIDS therapy, has been studied in complexes with PR and the variants PRI84V and PRV82A containing the single mutations I84V and V82A that provide resistance to all the clinical inhibitors. Atomic resolution crystal structures (0.97–1.25 Å) of the SQV complexes were analyzed in comparison to the protease complexes with darunavir, a new drug that targets resistant HIV, in order to understand the molecular basis of drug resistance. PRI84V and PRV82A complexes were obtained in both the space groups P21212 and P212121, which provided experimental limits for the conformational flexibility. The SQV interactions with PR were very similar in the mutant complexes, consistent with the similar inhibition constants. The mutation from bigger to smaller amino acids allows more space to accommodate the large group at P1′ of SQV, unlike the reduced interactions observed in darunavir complexes. The residues 79–82 have adjusted to accommodate the large hydrophobic groups of SQV, suggesting that these residues are intrinsically flexible and their conformation depends more on the nature of the inhibitor than on the mutations in this region. This analysis will assist with development of more effective antiviral inhibitors. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Design of restricted complexity adaptive regulators

This paper describes preliminary studies related to the problem of designing adaptive regulators when the structure of the control law is restricted. The design of restricted complexity regulators is of practical importance. For example, if the true system has infinite order then any practical control law will be of restricted complexity. Alternatively if the true system has finite order but the order is imprecisely known or is time varying, then the control law may again be of restricted complexity. Even in situations where the order of the system is known, sensitivity considerations may make the use of a restricted complexity control law desirable. This paper examines several different approaches to the design of restricted complexity adaptive regulators. It is shown that restricted complexity regulators can be readily designed and may offer several advantages over conventional regulators.
Isolation and characterization of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells with hematopoiesis-supportive function and other potentials.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Adult bone marrow (BM) is the major source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) for cell therapy. However, aspiration of BM involves invasive procedures. We isolated MSC from human full term umbilical cord tissues (UC). The biological characteristics of MSC derived from UC (UC-MSC) were further determined and compared with normal adult bone marrow-derived MSC (BM-MSC). DESIGN AND METHODS MSC were isolated from UC by enzyme digestion and cultured in appropriate growth medium. The isolation efficiency, cell yield, colony-forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F) frequency, growth kinetics, phenotypic characteristics, multi-lineage differentiation capacity, cytokine spectrum as well as hematopoiesis-supportive function of UC-MSC were determined and compared with those of BM-MSC. RESULTS MSC were successfully isolated from all 36 UC and six BM samples we collected for this study. The mean number of nucleated cells isolated from UC was 1yen106/cm and the yield of adherent cells was 8.6yen105/cm. UC-MSC shared most of the characteristic of BM-MSC, including fibroblastic-like morphology, immunophenotype, cell cycle status, adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potentials, and hematopoiesis-supportive function. The CFU-F frequency was higher in UC nucleated cells (1:1609 +/- 0.18) than in BM nucleated cells (1:35700 +/- 0.01) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, in comparison with BM-MSC, the UC-MSC had a higher proliferation capacity and lower levels of expression of CD106 and HLA-ABC (p < 0.05). Immunofluoresent and western blot assays revealed that UC-MSC had a higher percentage of neuron specific enolase-positive cells than had BM-MSC after neuronal induction. Finally, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that UC-MSC had a cytokine spectrum very similar to that of BM-MSC, including expression of the mRNA of stem cell factor, leukemia inhibitor factor, macrophage-colony stimulating factor, Flt3-ligand, interleukin-6, vascular endothelial growth factor and stromal-derived factor-1, but UC-MCS additionally expressed mRNA of granulocyte macrophage and granulocyte colony-stimulating factors. After co-culture with CD34+ cord blood cells for 5 weeks, no significant difference in colony-forming cells was observed between the CD34+ cells/UC-MSC and CD34+ cells/BM-MSC co-cultures (p > 0.05). INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS We have established a protocol to isolate abundant MSC from human umbilical cords with a 100% success rate. The comparative study indicates that UC is an excellent alternative to BM as a source of MSC for cell therapies.
Architecture, memory and interface technology integration of an industrial/ academic configurable system-on-chip (CSoC)

This paper describes the actual status and results of a dynamically configurable system-on-chip (CSoC) integration, consisting of a SPAR C-compatible LEON processor-core, a commercial coarse-grain XPP-array of suitable size from PACT XPP Technologies AG, and application-tailored global/local memory topology with efficient Amba-based communication interfaces. The given adaptive architecture is synthesized within an industrial/academic SoC project onto 0.18 and 0.13 /spl mu/m UMC CMOS technologies at Universitaet Karlsruhe (TH). Due to exponentially increasing CMOS mask costs, essential aspects for the industry are now adaptivity of SoCs, which can be realized by integrating reconfigurable re-usable hardware parts on different granularities into configurable systems-on-chip (CSoCs).
Possibility of Si resonant plasma-wave transistor as THz detector

In this paper, we show a possibility of Si resonant plasma-wave transistor (R-PWT) as THz detector. Κ the channel mobility of strained Si R-PWT is 400 cm·V<sup>−1·</sup>s<sup>1</sup>, R-PWT can be operated as THz detector when channel length l= 21–28 nm.
Model of Induction Heating of Rotating Non-Magnetic Billets and its Experimental Verification

Induction heating of non-magnetic cylindrical billets is modeled. The billet rotates in static magnetic field generated by appropriately distributed permanent magnets. The mathematical model of the process consists of two second-order partial differential equations describing the distributions of magnetic and temperature fields. Its solution is solved numerically in the quasi-coupled formulation respecting all important non-linearities. The computations are carried out by the code Agros2-D, based on a fully adaptive higher-order finite element method. Some results are verified experimentally on an industrial prototype of the device. Presented are also other important results obtained by measurements.
Circulating microRNA expressions in colorectal cancer as predictors of response to chemotherapy

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death in the Western world. Chemotherapy has been shown to improve outcomes in patients with CRC; however, only selected patients would benefit from this treatment. We aimed to identify predictors of response to chemotherapy in CRC using circulating microRNAs (miRNAs). We studied differential miRNA expression by miRNA array from serum of 253 patients who had chemotherapy treatment. We screened the differentially expressed serum miRNAs with TaqMan low-density arrays using pooled CRC patient serum samples. Differential expression was validated using hydrolysis probe-based stem–loop quantitative reverse transcription PCR in individual samples. We performed additional unsupervised cluster to analyse the differential expression of serum miRNA between the chemosensitive and chemoresistant patients. A distinct miRNA expression signature in response to chemotherapy was identified. The TaqMan low-density array results demonstrated that 17 serum miRNAs could predict chemosensitivity and chemoresistance. The quantitative reverse transcription PCR analysis further identified a profile of five serum miRNAs (miR-20a, miR-130, miR-145, miR-216 and miR-372) as a biomarker for predicting the chemosensitivity of CRC. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of this five-serum miRNA signature were 0.841 and 0.918 for the two sets of serum samples, respectively. We identified a group of miRNA predictors in response to chemosensitivity for CRC patients. This could lead to a significant improvement in chemotherapy regimen selection strategy and personalized CRC management.
Expression of rat transforming growth factor alpha mRNA during development occurs predominantly in the maternal decidua

Previous studies have shown that transforming growth factor alpha is expressed during rodent development. To establish the site(s) of transforming growth factor alpha mRNA expression during rat embryogensis, we performed in situ hybridization and Northern blot analyses on samples of embryonic and maternal tissues at various gestational ages. Our results indicate that the high levels of transforming growth factor alpha mRNA that are observed during early development are the result of expression in the maternal decidua and not in the embryo. Decidual expression appears to be induced after implantation, peaks at day 8, and then slowly declines through day 15 at which time the decidua is being resorbed. Expression of transforming growth factor alpha mRNA is highest in that region of the decidua adjacent to the embryo and is low or nondetectable in the uterus, placenta, and other maternal tissues. The developmentally regulated expression of transforming growth factor alpha mRNA in the decidua, together with the presence of epidermal growth factor receptors in this tissue, suggests that transforming growth factor alpha stimulates proliferation locally through an autocrine mechanism. Since epidermal growth factor receptors are present in the embryo and placenta, transforming growth factor alpha produced in the decidua may also act on these tissues through paracrine or endocrine mechanisms.
GADD45a is a novel candidate gene in inflammatory lung injury via influences on Akt signaling

We explored the mechanistic involvement of the growth arrest and DNA damage‐inducible gene GADD45a in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐ and ventilator‐induced inflammatory lung injury (VILI). Multiple biochemical and genomic parameters of inflammatory lung injury indicated that GADD45a–/– mice are modestly susceptible to intratracheal LPS‐induced lung injury and profoundly susceptible to high tidal volume VILI, with increases in microvascular permeability and bronchoalveolar lavage levels of inflammatory cytokines. Expression profiling of lung tissues from VILI‐ challenged GADD45a–/– mice revealed strong dysregulation in the B‐cell receptor signaling pathway compared with wild‐type mice and suggested the involvement of PI3 kinase/Akt signaling components. Western blot analyses of lung homogenates confirmed ~50% reduction in Akt protein levels in GADD45a–/– mice accompanied by marked increases in Akt ubiquitination. Electrical resistance measurements across human lung endothelial cell monolayers with either reduced GADD45a or Akt expression (siRNAs) revealed significant potentiation of LPS‐induced human lung endothelial barrier dysfunction, which was attenuated by over‐expression of a constitutively active Aktl transgene. These studies validate GADD45a as a novel candidate gene in inflammatory lung injury and a significant participant in vascular barrier regulation via effects on Akt‐mediated endothelial signaling. — Meyer, N. J., Huang, Y. , Singleton, P. A. , Sammani, S. , Moitra, J., Evenoski, C. L. , Husain, A. N. , Mitra, S. , Moreno‐ Vinasco, L. , Jacobson, J. R. , Lussier, Y. A. , Garcia, J. G. N. GADD45a is a novel candidate gene in inflammatory lung injury via influences on Akt signaling. FASEBJ. 23, 1325–1337 (2009)
Evaluation of systemic inflammatory response in cardiovascular surgery via interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and neopterin.

AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, and neopterin as a sign of systemic inflammatory response syndrome after open-heart surgery. In this study, we evaluated the influences on the levels of IL-6, IL-8, and neopterin of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and valve replacement surgeries with and without the use of extracorporeal circulation (ECC). MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective study was performed in 30 patients. In this study, we evaluated patients who underwent valve replacement surgery (group 1, n = 10), CABG with ECC (group 2, n = 10), or CABG using the beating-heart technique (group 3, n = 10). With the Human Investigation Ethics Committee consent, blood samples were obtained from the patients before the surgery (T0) and after 1 hour (T1), 4 hours (T2), 24 hours (T3), and 48 hours (T4) of protamine injection. IL-6, IL-8, and neopterin levels were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. RESULTS The demographic data and preoperative and operative characteristics of the patients were similar. Neopterin IL-6 and IL-8 levels significantly increased first at the fourth hour after the surgery. When compared to the levels before the surgery, this increase was statistically significant. Unlike the other 2 groups of patients, those who experienced CABG with the beating-heart technique (group 3) had decreased neopterin levels at the first hour after the surgery, but this decrease was not statistically significant. Neopterin levels increased later in the OPCAB group, but these increased levels were not as high as the neopterin levels of groups 1 and 2. Neopterin reached maximum levels at the 24th hour and, unlike groups 1 and 2, in group started to decrease at the 48th. CONCLUSIONS Complement activation, cytokine production, and related cellular responses are important factors during open-heart surgery. It is certain that ECC activates the complement systems, and activated complement proteins cause the production of several cytokines. In our study, neopterin levels in patients who underwent beating-heart method surgery were lower than those in the other groups, and these levels started to decrease at the 48th hour. These data suggest that the systemic inflammatory response was less activated in that patient group. The beating-heart method might be an important alternative in CABG surgery to minimize the complications and mortality related to surgery.
Giant Cervıcal Polyp with Mesonephric Duct Remnants: Unusual Cause of Vaginal Bleeding in an Adolescent Girl

Background: Cervical polyps (CP) are quite common in adults, they are extremely rare in children and adolescents. CP containing mesonephric duct remnants (MDR) are few millimeters in size and seldom grossly visible. Case: A 14-year-old female admitted with massive vaginal bleeding with an intact wide hymeneal opening. Pelvic MRI revealed 47 mm × 25 mm × 35 mm polypoid mass originating from the endometrial cavity. During vaginoscopy, a polypoid mass was detected at 9 o'clock position of right lip of ectocervix and was totally excised. Light microscopy showed CP including small round or branched glands containing inspissated eosinophilic secretions and patchy chronic inflammatory infiltrate. The patient was diagnosed as gaint CP containing MDR. Conclusion: Giant CP is an uncommon variant of classical polyps and exhibit distinct clinical and pathologic features. However, MDR are benign lesions of cervix, detailed histopathological evaluation should be performed to all CP to differentiate malignant lesions.