Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chemical studies on the constitution of some pollen and spore membranes.

The membranes of Lycopodium clavatum spores and Pinus silvestris pollen grains are similar, and have been found to consist approximately of cellulose (10—15%), an ill-defined “xylan” fraction (10%), a lipid fraction (55—65%) which on oxidative degradation gives a mixture of non-branched mono- and di-carboxylic acids with 16 carbon atoms or less, and a lignin-like fraction estimated to be 10—15%. The significance of these results is discussed.
Contribution of glucose tolerance and gender to cardiac adiposity.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE To examine whether pericardial and myocardial fat depots may contribute to the association between diabetes and cardiovascular risk, including sex-related differences, and the role of adiponectin, we evaluated data in patients with obesity and without diabetes [nondiabetic (ND)] or with impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes and in lean ND controls. METHODS Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy were used to measure left ventricular (LV) function and abdominal sc and visceral fat areas to estimate respective masses, pericardial fat depots, and myocardial triglyceride content in 53 subjects (10 lean ND, 25 obese ND, six impaired-glucose-tolerance, and 12 type 2 diabetic patients with macrovascular disease); gender effects and adiponectin levels were evaluated in the available subset of subjects. RESULTS Myocardial and pericardial fat increased progressively across study groups. They were lower in obese women than men (P = 0.002), but cardiac steatosis caught up in hyperglycemic women (+81% vs. ND, P = 0.01). Adiponectin was inversely related with both fat depots (P < 0.01) and LV mass (P = 0.003) and positively with LV function (P = 0.03). In multiple regression analysis, myocardial and pericardial fat were independently related with plasma glucose levels, only pericardial fat mass was associated with visceral adiposity and myocardial fat with cardiac output and work. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that glycemia, gender, adiponectin, and cardiac workload are associated with, and hyperglycemia and male gender are independent positive predictors of, heart adiposity. Once glucose tolerance becomes impaired, the evolution of cardiac steatosis is more pronounced in women.
Fiber Intake and Incidence of Colorectal Cancer among 76,947 Women and 47,279 Men

Prospective cohort studies have consistently found no important link between fiber intake and risk of colorectal cancer. The recent large, prospective European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition has challenged this paradigm by suggesting significant protection by high fiber intake. We prospectively investigated the association of fiber intake with the incidence of colon and rectal cancers in two large cohorts: the Nurses' Health Study (76,947 women) and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (47,279 men). Diet was assessed repeatedly in 1984, 1986, 1990, and 1994 among women and in 1986, 1990, and 1994 among men. The incidence of cancer of the colon and rectum was ascertained up to the year 2000. Relative risk estimates were calculated using a Cox proportional hazards model simultaneously controlling for potential confounding variables. During follow-up including 1.8 million person-years and 1,596 cases of colorectal cancer, we found little association with fiber intake after controlling for confounding variables. The hazard ratio for a 5-g/d increase in fiber intake was 0.91 (95% confidence interval, 0.87-0.95) after adjusting for covariates used in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study and 0.99 (95% confidence interval, 0.95-1.04) after adjusting for additional confounding variables. Our data from two large prospective cohorts with long follow-up and repeated assessment of fiber intake and of a large number of potential confounding variables do not indicate an important association between fiber intake and colorectal cancer but reveal considerable confounding by other dietary and lifestyle factors.
The Effects of CDS Trading Initiation on the Structure of Syndicated Loans

The initiation of a credit default swap (CDS) market for an entity’s debt can introduce both negative and positive externalities to the syndicated loan market that may alter the equilibrium ownership structure in that market. We find that, after the initiation of CDS trading, both the share of loans retained by syndicate lead arrangers and the incidence of sole lending loans experienced a significant increase. Further evidence shows that this finding is consistent with CDS initiation introducing a negative externality to the syndicated loan market by reducing the effectiveness of a lead arranger’s stake in the loan so serve as a mechanism to address the adverse selection/moral hazard problem in this market. We conduct our analyses using a sample of 20,780 loan contracts from Dealscan over the period 1993-2011, and test for changes loan syndication structure using a difference-in-difference research design. We corroborate the interpretation of the main results by predicting and providing evidence that the negative externality we document is moderated for firms with greater transparency and for loans originated by a lead arranger with a strong reputation in this market. Inferences from our tests of the effects of CDS initiation are robust to using propensity score matching and the Heckman two-stage correction for self-selection bias.
Proportional assist ventilation. Results of an initial clinical trial.

The response to proportional assist ventilation (PAV) was tested in four normal subjects during heavy exercise and in five ventilator-dependent patients recovering from assorted medical disorders. The apparatus consisted of a rolling-seal piston coupled to a motor that generated pressure in proportion to inspired flow and inspired volume, with the gains adjusted such that the proportionality between airway pressure (Paw) and instantaneous patient-generated pressure (Pmus) was approximately 1:1 (i.e., machine-amplified patient effort by a factor of 2). Normal subjects responded to PAV by decreasing their own effort, as judged from esophageal pressure, such that the changes in ventilation and breathing pattern were rather small (VE: 64.8 +/- 3.6 during PAV versus 56.0 +/- 4.3, p less than 0.01; VT: 2.39 +/- 0.24 versus 2.02 +/- 0.17, p less than 0.05; f: 27.5 +/- 1.9 versus 28.0 +/- 2.2, NS). In patients, elastance ranged from 20 to 35 cm H2O cm/L, resistance ranged from 5 to 10 cm H2O/L/s, and maximal inspiratory pressure ranged from -16 to -65 cm H2O. After a period of observation during synchronized intermittent mechanical ventilation (SIMV) the patient was switched to PAV and maintained on it for 1 to 3 h. No patient had to be replaced on SIMV because of discomfort or deterioration in any of the monitored variables. During PAV peak airway pressure was less than half the value observed with the IMV breaths (16.6 +/- 2.4 versus 35.4 +/- 3.4 cm H2O, p less than 0.001). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Response of dairy cows to two systems of distributing annual concentrates over the lactation cycle.

Abstract Dairy cows fed a majority of their annual concentrate during early lactation were compared to cows fed approximately equivalent amounts distributed evenly throughout the year. Forage was ad libitum for both treatments. Percentages of annual concentrates consumed during days 1 to 180 postpartum of first, second, and third experimental lactations were 49.4, 49.5, and 49.4 for Treatment 1 and 73.8, 66.9, and 66.6 for Treatment 2. The 180- day fat-corrected milk for the respective lactations, 3,954, 4,210, and 4,332kg for Treatment 1 and 4,367, 4,312, and 4,169kg for Treatment 2, was different between treatments (P .05) for Treatment 1 in all three lactations, and year-end body condition did not differ between treatments (P>.05). Average milk fat per cent did not differ between treatments in any lactation either during Days 1 to 180 or the total lactation. Average milk protein per cent was lower for treatment 1 for Days 1 to 180 postpartum (P
Mid-term results of joint-preserving procedures by a modified Mann method for big toe deformities in rheumatoid patients undergoing forefoot surgeries

This study aimed to evaluate joint-preserving procedures by a modified Mann method for rheumatoid forefoot deformities and their functional outcomes in the mid-term. Eleven feet in seven patients underwent forefoot surgery using a modified Mann method for the big toe, combined with offset osteotomy or resection arthroplasty of the lesser toes. The mean follow-up period was 3.6 years. The mean score on the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot scale for rheumatoid arthritis foot and ankle joints improved from 44.0 to 72.0. The mean hallux valgus angle improved from 39.4° to 20.5° and the mean M1M5 angle improved from 31.1° to 25.8°. However, deformities involving a hallux valgus angle of more than 25.0° recurred in three feet at the latest follow-up, although the patients did not complain of any symptoms from the recurrence. Improvement in the Sharp score for joint space narrowing was observed in the big toe, indicating better congruity of the metatarsophalangeal joint. For restraint of rheumatoid forefoot deformities, a modified Mann method, combined with offset osteotomy or resection arthroplasty, was satisfactory for not only improving the foot function, but also preserving the metatarsophalangeal joint mobility.
Nestin expression in odontoblasts and odontogenic ectomesenchymal tissue of odontogenic tumours

Background: Nestin, one of the intermediate filaments constituting the cytoskeleton, is a marker of neural stem cells or progenitor cells. Its expression is also related to tooth development and repair of dentine. Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate nestin expression in various odontogenic tumours and evaluate its usefulness for histopathological diagnosis. Methods: We studied formalin fixed, paraffin embedded specimens from 129 cases of odontogenic tumours and 9 of mandibular intraosseous myxoma. After characterisation of odontogenic ectomesenchymal tissues in these tumours using antibodies to vimentin, desmin, neurofilament, and glial fibrillary acidic protein, we immunohistochemically examined nestin expression. Results: No differentiation towards muscle and nervous tissues was found in the odontogenic ectomesenchymal tissues. Although almost all the ameloblastomas and malignant ameloblastomas were negative for nestin, odontogenic ectomesenchyme in the odontogenic mixed tumours demonstrated nestin immunolocalisation, particularly in the region adjacent to the odontogenic epithelium. Odontoblasts and their processes, pulp cells near the positive odontoblasts, and flat cells adhering to the dentine showed immunoreaction with nestin in the odontomas and odontoma-like component in the ameloblastic fibro-odontomas. Neoplastic cells in almost half cases of jaw myxoma and one case of odontogenic fibroma expressed nestin. Conclusions: The distribution of nestin in the odontogenic mixed tumours suggests that nestin expression in the odontogenic ectomesenchyme is upregulated by stimulation from odontogenic epithelium. In addition, nestin may also be involved in the differentiation from pulp cells to odontoblasts in odontogenic tumours. Therefore, nestin is a useful marker for the odontogenic ectomesenchyme and odontoblasts in odontogenic tumours. Nestin, one of the intermediate filaments constituting the cytoskeleton, is a marker of neural stem cells or progenitor cells. Its expression is also related to tooth development and repair of dentine.
Determinants of unemployment spells and exit destinations in Romania in a competing-risks approach

Abstract The purpose of this article is to analyse determinants of unemployment spells and exit destinations in Romania using a competing-risks framework. The empirical analysis is based on a nationally representative data-set of 2,376,253 unemployment spells gathered from the National Agency of Employment Romania. The effect of different covariates on the duration of unemployment spells and exit destinations is estimated.
Distinct Effects of Integrins αXβ2 and αMβ2 on Leukocyte Subpopulations during Inflammation and Antimicrobial Responses

ABSTRACT Integrins αMβ2 and αXβ2 are homologous adhesive receptors that are expressed on many of the same leukocyte populations and bind many of the same ligands. Although αMβ2 was extensively characterized and implicated in leukocyte inflammatory and immune functions, the roles of αXβ2 remain largely obscure. Here, we tested the ability of mice deficient in integrin αMβ2 or αXβ2 to deal with opportunistic infections and the capacity of cells derived from these animals to execute inflammatory functions. The absence of αMβ2 affected the recruitment of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) to bacterial and fungal pathogens as well as to model inflammatory stimuli, and αMβ2-deficient PMN displayed defective inflammatory functions. In contrast, deficiency of αXβ2 abrogated intraperitoneal recruitment and adhesive functions of monocytes and macrophages (Mϕ) and the ability of these cells to kill/phagocytose Candida albicans or Escherichia coli cells both ex vivo and in vivo. During systemic candidiasis, the absence of αXβ2 resulted in the loss of antifungal activity by tissue Mϕ and inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)/interleukin-6 (IL-6) in infected kidneys. Deficiency of αMβ2 suppressed Mϕ egress from the peritoneal cavity, decreased the production of anti-inflammatory IL-10, and stimulated the secretion of IL-6. The absence of αXβ2, but not of αMβ2, increased survival against a septic challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by 2-fold. Together, these results suggest that αMβ2 plays a primary role in PMN inflammatory functions and regulates the anti-inflammatory functions of Mϕ, whereas αXβ2 is central in the regulation of inflammatory functions of recruited and tissue-resident Mϕ.
Regional localization of dopamine and ionotropic glutamate receptor subtypes in striatolimbic brain regions

Localization of dopamine (D1‐, D2‐like, and D4) and ionotropic glutamate (NMDA, AMPA, and KA) receptor subtypes within the striatolimbic forebrain remains incomplete, but basic to understanding the functional organization of this important brain region. We found that frontal cortical ablation supported colocalization of D4 and NMDA receptors on corticostriatal afferents to caudate‐putamen and nucleus accumbens in rat forebrain. Local injection of kainic acid into caudate‐putamen, nucleus accumbens, or hippocampus produced massive local postsynaptic losses of D1‐ and D2‐like, as well as NMDA, AMPA, and KA receptors, and kainic acid ablation of hippocampal–striatal projections indicated the selective expression of presynaptic NMDA and KA autoreceptors. Degeneration of nigrostriatal dopamine projections with 6‐hydroxydopamine showed that all three glutamatergic subtypes exist as heteroceptors on nigrostriatal dopaminergic terminals. Our findings suggest common interactions between excitatory glutamatergic and inhibitory dopaminergic receptors in rat forebrain. Further localization of these receptor subtypes in striatolimbic forebrain should help to clarify their contributions to the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders and their treatment. J. Neurosci. Res. 55:401–410, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Vocal fold vibration amplitude, open quotient, speed quotient and their variability along glottal length: Kymographic data from normal subjects

Abstract Quantitative knowledge about healthy vocal fold vibration characteristics provides the basis for an objective assessment of vocal fold vibrations. In this study, using high-speed videolaryngoscopy the alterations of the relative vibration amplitudes, open quotients, and speed quotients were analyzed along the glottal length in 30 male and 30 female healthy subjects. The maximum vibration amplitude was identified at 41.1% ± 10.8% and 46.5% ± 18.0% of the visible glottal length in females and males, respectively. The average open quotients decreased in females and males from posterior to anterior, while the speed quotients did not change systematically. The reported normative values can be used to distinguish normal and abnormal vibrations in clinical practice when aiming at quantitative diagnosis of functional voice disorders.
MicroRNA evolution, expression, and function during short germband development in Tribolium castaneum

MicroRNAs are well-established players in the development of multicellular animals. Most of our understanding of microRNA function in arthropod development comes from studies in Drosophila. Despite their advantages as model systems, the long germband embryogenesis of fruit flies is an evolutionary derived state restricted to several holometabolous insect lineages. MicroRNA evolution and expression across development in animals exhibiting the ancestral and more widespread short germband mode of embryogenesis has not been characterized. We sequenced small RNA libraries of oocytes and successive intervals covering the embryonic development of the short germband model organism, Tribolium castaneum. We analyzed the evolution and temporal expression of the microRNA complement and sequenced libraries of total RNA to investigate the relationships with microRNA target expression. We show microRNA maternal loading and sequence-specific 3′ end nontemplate oligoadenylation of maternally deposited microRNAs that is conserved between Tribolium and Drosophila. We further uncover large clusters encoding multiple paralogs from several Tribolium-specific microRNA families expressed during a narrow interval of time immediately after the activation of zygotic transcription. These novel microRNAs, together with several early expressed conserved microRNAs, target a significant number of maternally deposited transcripts. Comparison with Drosophila shows that microRNA-mediated maternal transcript targeting is a conserved process in insects, but the number and sequences of microRNAs involved have diverged. The expression of fast-evolving and species-specific microRNAs in the early blastoderm of T. castaneum is consistent with previous findings in Drosophila and shows that the unique permissiveness for microRNA innovation at this stage is a conserved phenomenon.
Treatment outcome among Rwandan and Burundian refugees with sputum smear-positive tuberculosis in Ngara, Tanzania.

SETTING Tuberculosis programme in six camps (Benaco, Musuhura, Lumasi, Lukole, Keza and Kitali) for Rwandan and Burundian refugees in Ngara district, Tanzania, where treatment was directly observed throughout. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the treatment outcome of sputum smear-positive tuberculosis cases recruited in refugee camps in Ngara, and to determine the cumulative frequency of conversion of sputum smears by direct microscopy. DESIGN Retrospective review of tuberculosis registers from January 1995 to December 1999. RESULTS Of 546 patients with smear-positive tuberculosis who were notified in the programme, 363 (66.5%) had completed treatment and were bacteriologically cured after 7 months, 10.9% had died, 7.1% had defaulted and 14.5% had transferred out. Sputum conversion after the 2-month intensive phase was 88%, and increased to 99% after 7 months of chemotherapy. CONCLUSION The involvement of the Tanzania NTLP in collaboration with health NGOs has led to a satisfactory outcome. These data suggest that it is possible for tuberculosis control programmes to perform successfully in refugee settings.
Maturidade perceptomotora e sua relação com idade e variáveis contextuais: um estudo com o Bender (B-SPG)

O presente estudo teve como objetivos avaliar o aspecto maturacional medido pelo teste, e verificar se ha diferencas significativas no desempenho em cada idade. Alem disso, tambem foram verificadas diferencas quanto ao ano escolar, sexo e tipo de escola. Participaram do estudo 298 criancas, sendo 155 do sexo masculino (52%), com idades variando de 6 a 10 anos (M=8,24; DP=1,34). Cursavam do primeiro ao quinto ano do ensino fundamental e eram provenientes de escolas publica (47%) e particular (53%), do interior de Minas Gerais. O Teste Gestaltico Visomotor de Bender – Sistema de Pontuacao Gradual (B-SPG) foi aplicado coletivamente, viabilizada pela projecao das figuras. Considerando as pontuacoes obtidas em relacao a idade, observou-se melhora do desempenho, e consequente da diminuicao das medias encontradas, visto que os erros sao pontuados. Esses resultados foram confirmados pela prova de correlacao de Pearson e pela analise de variância ANOVA, que evidenciaram o aspecto maturacional no que diz respeito as distorcoes apresentadas em cada idade. No que se refere ao ano escolar, diferencas de media tambem se apresentaram significativas. Quando comparadas as pontuacoes por sexo e por tipo de escola, nao foram encontrados valores significativos nas analises realizadas. Foi possivel evidenciar que o B-SPG mostrou-se sensivel em captar as diferencas relacionadas a idade e ao ano escolar, confirmando o aspecto maturacional avaliado pelo teste.
Clinical evaluation of a combined in-office and take-home bleaching system.

BACKGROUND Tooth whitening is one of the fastest growing areas in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. An increasing number of patients are demanding faster ways to bleach their teeth. Therefore, clinicians are being pushed to seek quicker and easier means to bleach their patients' teeth, while maintaining safety in bleaching procedures. METHODS The authors included in the clinical trial 10 subjects 18 years of age or older, each of whom had six caries-free maxillary anterior teeth without restorations on the labial surfaces and no tooth sensitivity. For each subject, one-half of the maxillary arch received a 35 percent hydrogen peroxide (Group 1) gel application for 30 minutes, and the other one-half of the maxillary arch received a 38 percent hydrogen peroxide (Group 2) gel application for 30 minutes. The in-office bleaching treatment was maintained and reinforced using a 10 percent carbamide peroxide at-home bleaching agent for 60 minutes. Subjects repeated both the in-office and take-home bleaching treatments for three consecutive days. RESULTS The shade change was 8.5 for Group 1 and 9 for Group 2. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = .3434). An average shade rebound of two shades was recorded at seven days for both treatment systems. No sensitivity was reported during or after the bleaching treatment. CONCLUSIONS When combined with 10 percent carbamide peroxide at-home applications, use of the Group 1 and Group 2 bleaching materials resulted in significant tooth lightening. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS By using the clinical technique presented, clinicians can reduce the time required to complete tooth-whitening treatment. Using the correct tray design and improved chemical formulations of tooth whiteners may reduce gingival and tooth sensitivity, thus increasing safety.
Compact Antenna Array With Port Decoupling for LTE-Standardized Mobile Phones

A compact dual-element antenna has been designed at 710 MHz for newly emerging long-term evolution (LTE) personal wireless communication standard applications. The proposed antenna consists of two printed meander-line monopoles with edge-to-edge separation of nearly ¿/45. The antenna elements are printed on FR-4 substrate and are located at the top edge of the ground plane measuring 50 × 87 mm2. An LC-components-based branchline hybrid coupler is used to decouple the antenna elements. The prototype antenna has been evaluated through the scattering parameters, radiation patterns, envelope cross correlation, and the channel capacity measurements. Isolation between the ports is better than 35 dB with matched ports at 710 MHz. The antenna offers reasonable multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) performances that make it suitable for LTE-standardized mobile phones.