Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the effects of dietary supplementation with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on weight bearing in dogs with osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of a food supplemented with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on weight bearing in dogs with osteoarthritis. DESIGN Randomized, double-blinded, controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS 38 client-owned dogs with osteoarthritis examined at 2 university veterinary clinics. PROCEDURES Dogs were randomly assigned to receive a typical commercial food (n = 16) or a test food (22) containing 3.5% fish oil omega-3 fatty acids. On day 0 (before the trial began) and days 45 and 90 after the trial began, investigators conducted orthopedic evaluations and force-plate analyses of the most severely affected limb of each dog, and owners completed questionnaires to characterize their dogs' arthritis signs. RESULTS The change in mean peak vertical force between days 90 and 0 was significant for the test-food group (5.6%) but not for the control-food group (0.4%). Improvement in peak vertical force values was evident in 82% of the dogs in the test-food group, compared with 38% of the dogs in the control-food group. In addition, according to investigators' subjective evaluations, dogs fed the test food had significant improvements in lameness and weight bearing on day 90, compared with measurements obtained on day 0. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE At least in the short term, dietary supplementation with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids resulted in an improvement in weight bearing in dogs with osteoarthritis.
Clinical features of BOOP in Japan.

was established by Epler et al’ in 1985 as a new entity with unknown etiology and relatively good prognosis. They analyzed 2,500 open lung biopsy specimens and distinguished the entity among those previously diagnosed as usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP)2 due to histopathologic similarity. Recently, 29 cases of BOOP diagnosed by open lung biopsy specimen, were gathered through nationwide survey in Japan by Research Committees on Interstitial Pulmonary Disease, Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan (Chief, Michiyoshi Harasawa) and Research Committees on Diffuse Pulmonary Disease, Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan (Chief, Masashi Tamura). This study was based on those cases and summarizes the clinical features of BOOP in Japan.
Use of autoantibodies in breast cancer screening and diagnosis

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and accounts for 6% of all cancer deaths. Current screening modalities for breast cancer diagnosis include mammography, digital mammography and magnetic resonance imaging; however, there is still an urgent need to develop an alternative modality of screening for earlier diagnosis. Autoantibodies to tumor-associated autoantigens can be elicited in breast cancer patients. Tumor-associated antigens vary between cancers and can be the result of a number of different events, including mutation, overexpression or altered expression patterns. The inherent amplification of signals provided by the host’s own immune system to low levels of tumor-associated antigens in early disease provides a potential route to the early diagnosis of cancer. In addition, autoantibody responses in breast cancer have been correlated with patient survival and their response to treatment.
Relapse prevention: introduction and overview of the model.

Summary As an introductory overview of the Relapse Prevention (RP) model, this article briefly describes the conceptual and clinical features of the RP approach to altering excessive or addictive behaviour patterns. In contrast with traditional approaches that overemphasize initial habit change, RP focuses more on the maintenance phase of the habit change process. From this perspective, relapse is not viewed merely as an indicator of treatment failure. Instead, potential and actual episodes are key targets for both proactive and reactive intervention strategies. RP treatment procedures include specific intervention techniques designed to teach the individual to effectively anticipate and cope with potential relapse situations. Also included are more global lifestyle interventions aimed at improving overall coping skills and promoting health and well being. Important questions raised by this relatively recent alternative to traditional approaches are discussed.
Cell cycle‐dependent expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 in human fibroblasts

The purpose of this investigation is to determine whether the levels of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) expression are cell cycle dependent. We used a serum‐starved human foreskin fibroblast model to determine changes in COX‐2 mRNA, protein, and promoter activity in response to stimulation with interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) at G0, G1, S and G2/M phases of the cell cycle. IL‐1β (1 ng/ml) and PMA (100 nM) induced robust COX‐2 expression in the G0 cells, and the level of COX‐2 expression declined progressively after the cells had entered the cell cycle. The COX‐2 mRNA level at G1, S and G2/M phases of the cell cycle was 76%, 46%, and 30% of that at G0, respectively. A 5’‐flanking promoter fragment of COX‐2 constructed into a luciferase expression vector was transfected into cells. The promoter activity in response to PMA stimulation was significantly higher in G0 than in S phase cells. These results imply that G0 cells are the key players in inflammation and other COX‐2‐dependent pathophysiological processes. When the cells are in the proliferative phase, COX‐2 inducibility becomes restrained probably by an endogenous control mechanism to avoid COX‐2 mediated oxidative DNA damage.
Conditions estivales dans la divergence de Méditerrannée nord-occidentale-II-macroplancton et micronecton-étude qualitative et estimation quantitative des cnidaires et des euphausiacés

Au cours d'une campagne d'etude des phenomenes de production et des caracteristiques de l'ecosysteme pelagique superficiel dans la zone de divergence de Mediterranee nord-occidentale en ete, une attention particuliere a ete portee sur le macroplancton et le micronecton. Ces deux categories, representees essentiellement par des Cnidaires et des Euphausiaces, sont relativement abondantes a cette epoque de l'annee et peuvent jouer un role non negligeable dans les reseaux alimentaires de l'ecosysteme envisage. Dans cet article, les auteurs font l'analyse qualitative et quantitative de ces peuplements en s'attachant a caracteriser les trois zones prospectees pendant la campagne. [OCR NON CONTROLE]
Foreign Direct Investment, Financial Development and Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence from North African Countries

The present paper examines the causal linkage between foreign direct investment (FDI), financial development, and economic growth in a panel of 4 countries of North Africa (Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Egypt) over the period 1980-2011. The study moves away from the traditional cross-sectional analysis, and focuses on more direct evidence of the channels through which FDI inflows can promote economic growth of the host country. Using Generalized Method of Moment (GMM) panel data analysis, we find strong evidence of a positive relationship between FDI and economic growth. We also find evidence that the development of the domestic financial system is an important prerequisite for FDI to have a positive effect on economic growth. The policy implications of this study appeared clear. Improvement efforts need to be driven by local-level reforms to ensure the development of domestic financial system in order to maximize the benefits of the presence of FDI.
GENETIC EVIDENCE FOR A PLEISTOCENE POPULATION EXPLOSION

Expansions of population size leave characteristic signatures in mitochondrial “mismatch distributions. ” Consequently, these distributions can inform us about the history of changes in population size. Here, I study a simple model of population history that assumes that, t generations before the present, a population grows (or shrinks) suddenly from female size N0 to female size N1. Although this model is simple, it often provides an accurate description of data generated by complex population histories. I develop statistical methods that estimate θ0 = 2uN0, θ1 = 2uN1, and τ = 2ut (where u is the mutation rate), and place a confidence region around these estimates. These estimators are well behaved, and insensitive to simplifying assumptions. Finally, I apply these methods to published mitochondrial data, and infer that a major expansion of the human population occurred during the late Pleistocene.
Surfing Uncertainty: Prediction, Action, and the Embodied Mind.

Surfing Uncertainty: Prediction, Action, and the Embodied Mind By Andy Clark Oxford University Press. 2016. £19.99 (hb). 424 pp. ISBN 9780190217013 Our understanding of ‘how the brain works’ has expanded enormously in recent decades. Nevertheless, the relatively new field of neuroscience is
Gender Differences in the Association between Anthropometric Indices of Obesity and Blood Pressure in Japanese

To investigate which of four anthropometric variables of obesity has the strongest association with blood pressure (BP), and to investigate whether there are gender differences in these relationships in Asian adults, we evaluated the associations of four anthropometric variables, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and waist-to-height ratio, with BP and the prevalence of hypertension in a cross-sectional study. A total of 4,557 employees of a metal-products factory in Toyama, Japan (2,935 men and 1,622 women, aged 35 to 59 years) were included in the study. Waist circumference in men and BMI in women had the strongest associations with BP. As for the age-adjusted rate ratio (RR) of the prevalence of hypertension for one standard deviation increase in each anthropometric variable, RR was the highest for waist circumference in men (RR, 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31–1.58), and for BMI in women (RR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.38–1.88). The associations of waist circumference in men and BMI in women remained significant after adjustment for each of the other variables. The associations of waist-to-height ratio with BP and the prevalence of hypertension were a little weaker than those of waist circumference for both men and women. In conclusion, among four anthropometric variables of obesity—i.e., BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio—waist circumference had the strongest association with BP and the prevalence of hypertension in men and BMI had the strongest association with BP and hypertension in women. Waist circumference in men and BMI in women should be given more importance in the screening of and guidelines on hypertension in Asians.
Major causes of intestinal obstruction in Libya

The object of this study is to focus attention on the causes of intestinal obstruction in Libya. In this study, spread over 30 months and involving 114 patients, the most common cause was the entrapment of bowel in an external hernia. Postoperative adhesions accounted for obstruction in a third of our patients, and 59 per cent of them followed appendicectomy. Biliary lithiasis is the most common surgical disease in Libya, yet there was only one instance of gallstone ileus in this series. Sigmoid volvulus and intestinal lymphoma were also rare, and tubercular stricture and Crohn's disease were remarkable by their absence. There were no cases of idiopathic intussusception during or immediately following Ramadan.
Characterization of the Drosophila myeloid leukemia factor

In human, the myeloid leukemia factor 1 (hMLF1) has been shown to be involved in acute leukemia, and mlf related genes are present in many animals. Despite their extensive representation and their good conservation, very little is understood about their function. In Drosophila, dMLF physically interacts with both the transcription regulatory factor DREF and an antagonist of the Hedgehog pathway, Suppressor of Fused, whose over‐expression in the fly suppresses the toxicity induced by polyglutamine. No connection between these data has, however, been established. Here, we show that dmlf is widely and dynamically expressed during fly development. We isolated and analyzed the first dmlf mutants: embryos lacking maternal dmlf product have a low viability with no specific defect, and dmlf‐– adults display weak phenotypes. We monitored dMLF subcellular localization in the fly and cultured cells. We were able to show that, although generally nuclear, dMLF can also be cytoplasmic, depending on the developmental context. Furthermore, two differently spliced variants of dMLF display differential subcellular localization, allowing the identification of regions of dMLF potentially important for its localization. Finally, we demonstrate that dMLF can act developmentally and postdevelopmentally to suppress neurodegeneration and premature aging in a cerebellar ataxia model.
Cannabis-Induced Psychotic-Like Experiences Are Predicted by High Schizotypy

Background: Cannabis use has been identified as a possible risk factor for developing schizophrenia. In a previous paper we reported preliminary evidence that cannabis use increases the likelihood of psychosis-like experiences in non-clinical respondents who scored highly on a measure of schizotypy. We now present findings from pooled data from 3 new follow-up studies comprising a sample of 477 respondents, of whom 332 reported using cannabis at least once. Sampling and Methods: As in our previous study, the psychological effects of cannabis were assessed with the Cannabis Experiences Questionnaire, from which 3 subscales can be derived; encompassing pleasurable experiences, psychosis-like experiences and after-effects. The respondents also completed the brief Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire. Results: Cannabis use was reported by 70% of the sample. Use per se was not significantly related to schizotypy. However, high scoring schizotypes were more likely to report both psychosis-like experiences and unpleasant after-effects associated with cannabis use. The pleasurable effects of cannabis use were not related to schizotypy. Exploratory factor analysis of the pooled data from this study and our previous report (providing a sample of >400 cannabis users) suggested a 3-factor solution. These were characterised as a psychotic-dysphoric index (factor 1), an expansive index (factor 2) and an intoxicated index (factor 3). Schizotypy was highly correlated with factors 1 and 3, though not with factor 2. Conclusion: High scoring schizotypes who use cannabis are more likely to experience psychotic-dysphoric phenomena and intoxicating effects during and after use. Our results confirm and expand the findings reported in our previous study. They are consistent with the hypothesis that cannabis use may be a risk factor for full psychosis in this group.
Detection of quinolone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The present National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) guideline for testing Neisseria gonorrhoeae quinolone susceptibility defines only a susceptible category for ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, lomefloxacin, and ofloxacin, while susceptible, intermediate, and resistant categories are defined for fleroxacin. To further define the criteria for detection of quinolone resistance in gonococci, by standard disk diffusion and agar dilution methodologies recommended by the NCCLS, we tested 29 strains of quinolone-resistant N. gonorrhoeae (QRNG) recently isolated from ofloxacin-treated patients who were considered clinical failures. Regression analyses were performed on these results together with those of another 20 strains showing reduced susceptibility and 13 fully susceptible strains (ofloxacin MICs of < or = 0.25 microgram/ml). With 5-micrograms ofloxacin disks, resistance in 27 (93.1%) of the QRNG strains (MICs of > 1 microgram/ml) was detected by the criterion of a zone diameter of < 22 mm, while in the remaining 2 (6.9%), the disks failed to detect resistance. A cluster of 15 highly resistant strains showed ofloxacin MICs of > 4 micrograms/ml and zone diameters of < 13 mm. When tested with 5-micrograms ciprofloxacin disks, the corresponding values for resistance and high-level resistance of these QRNG strains were < 25 mm (MICs of > 0.5 micrograms/ml) and < 15 mm (MICs of > 2 micrograms /ml), respectively. Six strains for which ofloxacin MICs were > or = 8 micrograms/ml showed no zones at all with both 5-micrograms ofloxacin and 5-micrograms ciprofloxacin disks. These QRNG strains are now firmly established in the Southeast Asia region, and it is important for clinical laboratories to recognize these clinically resistant strains and to monitor their spread.
Aspiration and the gradient structure of English prefixed words

Building on work examining the phonetic properties of prefixed and pseudoprefixed English words ( mis-times vs. mistakes ), we investigate aspiration in 110 English words beginning with mis-and dis, produced by 16 native speakers of American English. We find that some items show considerable cross-speaker variation, but most are stable. Aspiration can occur even before an unstressed syllable ( dis-[p h ]ossessed ), suggesting that not only word-initial but also some stem-initial voiceless stops are aspirated in English, either because of their prosodic position (prosodic-word-initial) or because of influence of the stem’s freestanding pronunciation. Frequency factors correlate with an item’s propensity to aspirate, supporting the view that whole-word and decomposed representations compete.
Maternal Serum Vitamin D and Beta Carotene Levels in Preeclampsia Women

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy specific syndrome characterized by new onset hypertension and proteinuria. The pathogenesis of preeclampsia involves a number of biological processes that may be directly or indirectly affected by antioxidants, vitamin D and beta carotene. We have estimated the role of vitamin D and beta carotene in 30 patients of preeclampsia (Group III) compared with 30 non pregnant (Group II) and 30 pregnant females (Group I). Beta carotene was estimated by spectroscopic method of Sobel and Snow and vitamin D was measured by High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The levels of beta carotene (134.2+9.75 μg/dl vs 165.1+64.9 μg/dl and 173.1+51.7 μg/dl) and vitamin D (16.8+2.14 μg/l vs 31.6+9.33 μg/l and 32.4+7.34 μg/l) were significantly lower in group III as compared to group II and I [p< 0.001]. Also positive correlation between vitamin D and beta carotene patients was found in group III (correlation coefficient r=0.179294). Hence we concluded that PE patients had lower vitamin D and beta carotene levels and assessment of these parameters in pregnant women could be useful in the early identification of preeclampsia.
The Toxin-Antitoxin System of the Streptococcal Plasmid pSM19035

ABSTRACT pSM19035 of the pathogenic bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes is a low-copy-number plasmid carrying erythromycin resistance, stably maintained in a broad range of gram-positive bacteria. We show here that the ω-ε-ζ operon of this plasmid constitutes a novel proteic plasmid addiction system in which the ε and ζ genes encode an antitoxin and toxin, respectively, while ω plays an autoregulatory function. Expression of toxin Zeta is bactericidal for the gram-positive Bacillus subtilis and bacteriostatic for the gram-negative Escherichia coli. The toxic effects of ζ gene expression in both bacterial species are counteracted by proper expression of ε. The ε-ζ toxin-antitoxin cassette stabilizes plasmids in E. coli less efficiently than in B. subtilis.
High Current Gain Silicon Carbide Bipolar Power Transistors

Silicon carbide NPN bipolar junction transistors were fabricated and a current gain exceeding 60 was obtained for a BJT with a breakdown voltage BVCEO=1100 V. A reduction of the current gain was observed after contact annealing at 950 degC and this was attributed to degradation of the oxide passivation. Device simulations with varying emitter doping resulted in a maximum current gain for an emitter doping around 1middot10 cm19. Resistive turn-off measurements were performed and a minimum collector-emitter voltage (VCE) rise-time of 40 ns was found. The VCE rise-time showed a clear dependence on the on-state base current thus indicating a significant stored charge
Targeted overexpression of BSP in osteoclasts promotes bone metastasis of breast cancer cells

Bone is one of the most common sites of breast cancer metastasis while bone sialoprotein (BSP) is thought to play an important role in bone metastasis of malignant tumors. The objective of this study is to determine the role of BSP overexpression in osteolytic metastasis using two homozygous transgenic mouse lines in which BSP expression is elevated either in all the tissues (CMV‐BSP mice) or only in the osteoclasts (CtpsK‐BSP mice). The results showed that skeletal as well as systemic metastases of 4T1 murine breast cancer cells were dramatically increased in CMV‐BSP mice. In CtpsK‐BSP mice, it was found that targeted BSP overexpression in osteoclasts promoted in vitro osteoclastogenesis and activated osteoclastic differentiation markers such as Cathepsin K, TRAP and NFAT2. MicroCT scan demonstrated that CtpsK/BSP mice had reduced trabecular bone volume and bone mineral density (BMD). The real‐time IVIS Imaging System showed that targeted BSP overexpression in osteoclasts promoted bone metastasis of breast cancer cells. The osteolytic lesion area was significantly larger in CtpsK/BSP mice than in the controls as demonstrated by both radiographic and histomorphometric analyses. TRAP staining demonstrated a twofold increase in the number of osteoclasts in the bone lesion area from CtpsK/BSP mice compared with that from wild type mice. We conclude that host tissue‐derived BSP also plays important roles in breast cancer metastasis through inducing tumor cell seeding into the remote host tissues. Furthermore, osteoclast‐derived BSP promotes osteoclast differentiation in an autocrine manner and consequently promotes osteolytic bone metastasis of breast cancer. J. Cell. Physiol. 218: 135–145, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Malignancy arising in extragonadal endometriosis. A case report and summary of the world literature

A case of clear cell carcinoma arising in endometriosis of the retroperitoneum is presented. It occurred 5 years after supracervical hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy and following 4 years of estrogen therapy. The literature concerning malignancy developing in extragonadal endometriosis has been reviewed and is summarized as follows: 1) 45 cases have been compiled, of which 32 were carcinomas and 13 sarcomas; 2) adenocarcinoma was the most common histologic type, although virtually every tumor of müllerian derivation has been described; 3) the typical patient was nulliparous and perimenopausal; 4) the rectovaginal septum was the most common site, and in general the frequency of malignancy in a given site parallels the frequency of endometriosis in that location; 5) simultaneous tumors of the uterus or ovary were present in seven cases (15%); 6) prognosis appeared affected by site and histologic type; 7) a history of prior pelvic irradiation to effect castration was present in three (9%) of the patients with adenocarcinoma; and 8) four (12%) of the patients with adenocarcinoma were subjected to exogenous estrogens or estrogen‐secreting ovarian tumors. Cancer 40:3065‐3073, 1977.