Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ozone emitted during copying process--a potential cause of pathological oxidative stress and potential oxidative damage in the bodies of operators.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the impact of copying on the indoor air quality, and to investigate whether ozone emitted during such a process induces pathological oxidative stress and potential oxidative damage in the bodies of operators. METHODS 67 copying operators (CO) and 67 healthy volunteers (HV) were enrolled in a random control study, in which levels of lipoperoxide (LPO) in plasma and erythrocytes, and levels of vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and beta-carotene (beta-CAR) in plasma as well as activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometric methods. RESULTS Compared with the HV group, the average values of LPO in plasma and erythrocytes in the CO group were significantly increased (P<0.0001), while those of VC, VE and beta-CAR in plasma as well as those of SOD, CAT and GPX in erythrocytes in the CO group were significantly decreased (P<0.0001). Pearson product-moment correlation analysis showed that with increase of ozone level in copying sites and duration of exposure to ozone, the values of LPO in plasma and erythrocytes in the bodies of operators were gradually increased,while those of VC, VE, beta-CAR, SOD, CAT and GPX were decreased in the same manner. Odds ratio (OR) of risk of biochemical parameters reflecting potential oxidative damage of the copying operators ranged from 4.440 to 13.516, and 95% CI of OR was from 2.113 to 34.061. Reliability coefficient (alpha) of the biochemical parameters used to reflect the potential oxidative damage of the operators was 0.8156, standardized item alpha=0.9929, P<0.0001. CONCLUSION Findings in the present study suggest that there exist a series of free radical chain reactions and pathological oxidative stress induced by high dose ozone in the operators, thereby causing potential oxidative and lipoperoxidative damages in their bodies.
Design and analysis of SIP-based mobile VPN for real-time applications

Mobile virtual private network (MVPN) has been developed to secure mobile user's communication between untrusted external networks and protected private internal network. The IETF's solution, however, leads to some problems: where should we put the external home agent (HA), how could we trust the external HA, and overhead of three tunnels. In this paper, we propose an alternative SIP-based MVPN. Because the proposed architecture is based on SIP, the problems inherited from mobile IP are not problems in our architecture. In addition, there is no need to tunnel a packet three times as that in IETF MVPN. In this paper, we also propose analytical models to evaluate and compare the performance of the proposed SIP-based MVPN with the IETF MVPN. The results show that the proposed SIP-based MVPN can reduce packet delivery cost significantly. It is especially suitable for real-time applications.
Onset and Pattern of Tear Secretions in Full-Term Neonates

Purpose: Serial evaluations of total, basal and emotional tear secretion in full-term normal neonates to determine the time after birth when these parameters attain normal adult values. Method: Both eyes of 102 full-term normal neonates were prospectively evaluated for tear secretions in the Department of Ophthalmology, over a period of one year. Serial recording of the Schirmer I test (total tear secretions), Basal Secretion Test, and Schirmer II test (emotional tears) was done, the first one being within 6 hours of birth. All the tests were repeated in each infant until normal adult values for each test were obtained. Results: The average values of the Schirmer I test, Basal Secretion Test and Schirmer II test at birth were 23.2 (± 3.96) mm, 6.2 (±2.15) mm and 19.2 (±4.94) mm, respectively. A statistically significant correlation of birth weight but not of gestational age was found with basal secretions (p = 0.004) as well as with emotional tears (Schirmer II test, p = 0.010). At birth, 98% of infants had total tear secretion, 3.9% had basal tear secretion and 2.9% had emotional tear secretion comparable to normal adult values. All the parameters of tear secretions increased with time, so that 100% of infants had total tear secretion comparable to normal adult values within 12 hours of birth. The basal secretions took three weeks and emotional tears took four weeks to attain normal adult values in all the neonates. Conclusion: Total tear secretions were the earliest to reach normal adult values, followed by basal secretions and, lastly, emotional tears. Reduced basal tears at birth may predispose neonates to corneal drying during prolonged ocular examinations such as indirect ophthalmoscopy and procedures under general anesthesia.
The pattern of urine cytology in a tertiary health care facility Northwest Nigeria

Background: Urine cytology is an important investigation in the management of urothelial cancer. It is particularly an important test in the management of urinary tract cancers because of its non-invasive nature. Objective of study to review our practice of urine cytology as a diagnostic tool in the management of urinary tract pathology.Methods: A seventeen years retrospective study from 1st January, 2001 to 31st December, 2017 where records of patients who had urine cytology in Usmanu Danfodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria were reviewed and data was extracted and analyzed using the SPSS 20.Results: Of the 766 specimens, representing 10.1% of all cytology done in UDUTH (7,554) during the period under review, the highest number of urine cytology was done in 2013 (12%). The age range of the patients was between 2 to 90 years with modal age of 60 years. Majority of the patients were between the ages of 51 to 60 years (24.7%) and male to female ratio was 6.3:1. The commonest indication for urine cytology was bladder tumour (66.8%). However, the commonest cytological diagnosis was negative (44.6%) while 19.3% showed Non Specific Chronic Inflammation and only 77 specimens were malignant representing 10.1% of the specimen.Conclusions: Despite its variable sensitivity, urine cytology remains a useful tool in evaluating suspected bladder malignancies and can serve as an adjunct to cystoscopy in these cases.
Normal values for left ventricular volumes obtained using gated PET.

BACKGROUND Accurate assessment of left ventricular (LV) volumes provides important insights into myocardial function, being particularly important for diseases of the heart in which there is progressive dilatation of the LV, such as remodeling after myocardial infarction. We have recently validated a method for measuring LV volumes using gated positron emission tomography (PET) with oxygen-15 labeled carbon monoxide (C15O). The present study was performed to establish normal values for LV volumes, in absolute units, using this technique. METHODS Forty subjects [21 males and 19 females; age 49 +/- 13 years (mean +/- SD), range 24-80; body surface area (BSA) range 1.50-2.18 m2] were studied. End diastolic (EDV) and end systolic volumes (ESV) were calculated by determining the edge of the end diastolic and end systolic blood pool images (obtained using PET with C15O) and summing the volume of the voxels comprising the blood pool. RESULTS For the overall study population, EDV was 109 +/- 20 ml and ESV 37 +/- 12 ml. When stratified according to gender, these values were: in males, EDV was 117 +/- 18 ml and ESV 42 +/- 18 ml; in females, EDV was 100 +/- 19 ml and ESV 32 +/- 8 ml. The differences between gender groups (EDV: p = 0.0027, ESV: p = 0.0029) were eliminated when volumes were corrected for BSA. CONCLUSIONS These data will form a database of normal values for comparison with pathological conditions of the heart. PET quantification of LV volumes offers a means of measurement of function using an imaging modality that can also assess regional myocardial perfusion and metabolism during the same study session.
HCF-1 Amino- and Carboxy-Terminal Subunit Association through Two Separate Sets of Interaction Modules: Involvement of Fibronectin Type 3 Repeats

ABSTRACT When herpes simplex virus infects permissive cells, the viral regulatory protein VP16 forms a specific complex with HCF-1, a preexisting nuclear protein involved in cell proliferation. The majority of HCF-1 in the cell is a complex of associated amino (HCF-1N)- and carboxy (HCF-1C)-terminal subunits that result from an unusual proteolytic processing of a large precursor polypeptide. Here, we have characterized the structure and function of sequences required for HCF-1N and HCF-1C subunit association. HCF-1 contains two matched pairs of self-association sequences called SAS1 and SAS2. One of these matched association sequences, SAS1, consists of a short 43-amino-acid region of the HCF-1N subunit, which associates with a carboxy-terminal region of the HCF-1Csubunit that is composed of a tandem pair of fibronectin type 3 repeats, a structural motif known to promote protein-protein interactions. Unexpectedly, the related protein HCF-2, which is not proteolyzed, also contains a functional SAS1 association element, suggesting that this element does not function solely to maintain HCF-1N and HCF-1C subunit association. HCF-1N subunits do not possess a nuclear localization signal. We show that, owing to a carboxy-terminal HCF-1 nuclear localization signal, HCF-1Csubunits can recruit HCF-1N subunits to the nucleus.
Induction of strong and persistent MelanA/MART‐1‐specific immune responses by adjuvant dendritic cell‐based vaccination of stage II melanoma patients

A significant percentage of stage II melanoma patients (tumor thickness >1 mm) remain at risk of tumor recurrence after primary tumor excision. In this study, we used tumor antigen‐pulsed dendritic cells as an adjuvant for immunization of these “high‐risk” melanoma patients after resection of the primary tumor. A total of 13 patients were included and vaccinated 6 times every 14 days with autologous dendritic cells pulsed with a MelanA/MART‐1 peptide in combination with a recall antigen. Antigen‐specific immune responses were monitored before, during and up to 1 year after the last vaccination. The majority of patients exhibited increased recall antigen‐specific CD4+ T cell responses upon vaccination. MelanA/MART‐1‐specific CD8+ T cells were expanded in 9/13 patients resulting in increased frequencies of memory cells in these patients. CD8+ T cells acquired the capacity to secrete IFN‐γ, to proliferate in culture in response to the tumor antigen used for vaccination and postvaccine samples contained MelanA/MART‐1‐specific T cells that recognized also the natural MelanA/MART‐1‐antigen expressed by tumor cells. Moreover, vaccination induced a long‐lived tumor antigen‐specific DTH‐reactivity in the majority of the patients, detectable even 12 months after the last immunization. These data demonstrate for the first time that vaccination with tumor antigen‐pulsed dendritic cells in a clinically adjuvant setting induces strong and persistent antigen‐specific T‐cell responses in tumor‐free stage II melanoma patients, suggesting that tumor protective T cell immunity can be achieved. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ex-post evaluation of tax reforms: the case of the Italian Partial Ace

This paper is the first attempt to provide an ex-post evaluation of the impact of the much debated Italian Partial ACE scheme (better known as �Dit�) in the period between 1997 and 2000. In its essence, this scheme allowed for partial deductibility of the cost of equity thus partially offsetting full deductibility of interests paid on debt and approaching financial neutrality. We start from a description of the Italian Partial ACE scheme to show main determinants of the choice between debt and equity. Then, we construct an econometric model to explain the choice to use the Italian Partial ACE by Italian corporations in year 2000. Applying this model to a sample containing more than 16.000 observations and controlling also for the tax position of the firm and for heterogeneity of legal types we find that while, as expected, profitability is positively related to the probability to use the Italian Partial ACE in year 2000 this probability is related in an unexpected way to the interest rate. We propose two alternative explanations of these results and thereby indicate directions for future research.
Perceived Impact of IDA Participation Among Hawaiians

Indigenous peoples face many challenges in terms of social development and the lingering effects of colonization. Asset-based social welfare interventions have shown positive effects in both the long- and short-terms. Some Indigenous com munities are now exploring how asset-based interventions might promote social development. This qualitative descriptive study explores the perceived impact of a large asset-building intervention—the Individual Development Account (IDA) program—for Indigenous Native Hawaiians. Participants felt that the culturallybased program material led to their empowerment and that they gained lasting skills. Participants attributed skills development and psychological changes and tangible asset gains to the IDA program. Notably barriers to succeed in the program included the lack of flexibility of the program’s savings requirements and life events forcing an exit from the program. To improve, social development asset-based programs must address the challenges faced by some participants.
Gender differences in thyroid function and obesity among finnish women and men : the FIN-D2D-study

Background: Our aim was to study the relationship between thyroid function and body weight in a large Finnish adult population, taking into account the effect of gender, because the results of previous studies are conflicting. Methods: A random sample of 4500 Finnish subjects aged 45–74 years old was selected from the National Population Register. The participation rate was 64%. Height, weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure were measured. Medications used, current smoking, the use of alcohol, and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) wereas queried. Thyroid values (free T4, free T3, and TSH) were measured in 1307 men and 1434 women. Subjects receiving thyroid hormone (N=92) were excluded. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 59.7 years and their mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.4 kg/m2. After adjustment for age, LTPA, and current smoking, TSH showed no linearity (p=0.09) across increasing BMI; in women TSH ranged from 1.85 ± 1.15 to 2.02 ± 1.29 IU/L and in men, from 1.79 ± 1.19 to 2.04 ± 1.33 IU/L (p=0.13). FT3 -values increased from 3.85 ± 0.67 to 3.97 ± 0.59 pmol/L in women (p=0.004), but not in men, with increasing BMI. FT4 -values decreased from 13.78 ± 2.07 to 13.31 ± 1.91 pmol/L with increasing BMI in men (p<0.001 for linearity), but not in women. Conclusions: TSH values did not increase along with BMI in men and women with BMI, but FfT3 levels increased in women, and FfT4 levels decreased in men along with increasing BMI. The reasons for these gender differences need further research. Correspondence to: Juha Saltevo, Department of Medicine, Central Finland Central Hospital, 40620 Jyväskylä, Finland, Tel: +34 948425600; E-mail: juha. saltevo@ksshp.fi
Anthropometric Measurement and Analysis of the External Nasal Soft Tissue in 119 Young Han Chinese Adults

A random sample of 119 young, healthy Han Chinese adults (56 men and 63 women) between the age of 18 and 25 years (mean, 22.7 y) in PR China was obtained for this study. By the guidance of standard methods, based on Farkas's anthropometric measurements in craniofacial region, 12 nasal soft tissue landmarks and 12 linear and 3 angular measurements were chosen. The linear measurements were taken directly, whereas the angular measurements were taken by photogrammetric method. Eight nasal proportion indices were calculated according to the linear measurements. The application of the independent-samples t-test showed sex dimorphism in most parameters of the nasal region. All the linear measurements were larger in men than in women, whereas all the angular measurements were smaller in men than in women. The significant differences in partial parameters between men and women have been proved. Ten of 12 linear measurements, 1 of 3 angular measurements, and 3 of 8 nasal proportion indices showed significant sexual dimorphism (P < 0.01). Compared with other racial/ethnic groups, the nasal anthropometric measurements and proportion indices of Han Chinese adults were different, to some extent. This study could provide credible and objective reference material for plastic and maxillofacial surgeons for the external nasal soft tissue evaluation and planning of the cosmetic nasal surgery. Besides, these results could be a useful guidance for preoperative and postoperative evaluations of secondary rhinoplasty in nasal deformity associated with cleft lip and palate.
Suppression of Plasmodium cynomolgi in Rhesus Macaques by Coinfection with Babesia microti

ABSTRACT Both Plasmodium and Babesia species are intraerythrocytic protozoans that infect a wide range of hosts, including humans, and they elicit similar inflammatory responses and clinical manifestations that differ markedly in severity. We recently reported that a rhesus macaque that was chronically infected with Babesia microti was able to control infection with Plasmodium cynomolgi (a parasite of macaques with characteristics very similar to those of Plasmodium vivax) better than naïve monkeys. To confirm this and to investigate the underlying immunopathology, six naïve rhesus monkeys were infected with B. microti. After 24 days, four of these monkeys and four naïve rhesus monkeys were challenged with P. cynomolgi blood-stage parasites. B. microti persisted at low levels in all monkeys, and the clinical parameters were comparable to those of noninfected controls. There was a significant decrease in P. cynomolgi parasitemia in animals coinfected with B. microti compared to the parasitemia in animals infected with P. cynomolgi alone. This decrease in P. cynomolgi parasitemia correlated with increases in the levels of proinflammatory monocytes at the time of P. cynomolgi infection and with higher C-reactive protein (CRP) serum levels 1 week after malaria infection. Therefore, we conclude that ongoing infection with B. microti parasites leads to suppression of malaria infection.
Antipsychotic prescribing patterns in Germany: a retrospective analysis using a large outpatient prescription database

&NA; Data of prescribing practices for antipsychotics are of great interest with respect to quality of care. Consequently, we analysed all prescriptions under the statutory health insurance redeemed at pharmacies in Southern Germany between July 1999 and December 2001. The database covers prescriptions for approximately 25 million people. Up to 6% of the population were prescribed an antipsychotic at least once during the study period. Most prescriptions were for conventional antipsychotics and written by non‐specialists. Patients receiving second generation antipsychotics were more likely to receive continuous antipsychotic therapy. For a large proportion of patients, antipsychotic polypharmacy, as well as comedication for somatic illnesses, were observed. In particular, drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders were frequently co‐prescribed. Physicians should consider patients' cardiovascular and metabolic risk profile when making treatment choices. The data suggest that the majority of antipsychotics are used for the treatment of disorders other than schizophrenia. It is important to raise awareness among non‐specialists about the indications, efficacy and side‐effects of the antipsychotics because these physicians account for the majority of antipsychotic prescriptions.
Monte Carlo-based analysis of PET scatter components.

UNLABELLED This study quantifies the different scatter components in PET and examines how the different components degrade reconstructed PET images. METHODS We simulated the measurement of various phantoms using Monte Carlo (MC) calculations and compared the MC-generated projections and images with the corresponding experimental data. The coincidences were subdivided in four classes: primaries, object scatter (scattered in the object only), gantry scatter (scattered in the scanner only) and mixed scatter (scattered both in the object and the scanner). RESULTS In the projections of the line sources, the gantry scatter was closely located around the source position, whereas the object scatter was smeared over the whole field of view and could be parameterized well by a monoexponential function. The mixed scatter had nearly the same distribution as the object scatter, but with a smaller amplitude. The calculations and experimental data were in excellent agreement; i.e., led to the same parameterization of the scatter distribution functions and to a similar localization of the scatter components in the reconstructed images. CONCLUSION The spatial distribution of the scatter components justifies the widely-used assumption that it is sufficient to restrict experimental scatter correction techniques to the object scatter. Furthermore, it is possible to derive the parameters for the scatter kernels, which are needed for the convolution-subtraction algorithm, by MC simulations.
Coping With Adversity: Testing the Origins of Resiliency in Mental Health

This paper examines the multi-dimensional nature of resiliency to risk in mental health, and tests regression models of differential resiliency, based on two hospital- based clinical research projects. The first project involves adult children of problem drinkers, individuals who are at greater risk to alcohol abuse given their parents' pathology. The second involves schizophrenics diagnosed with varying disposi tions to depression. The analyses reveal that for both adult children of problem drinkers and for schizophrenics, individuals have varying degrees of susceptibility to adversity and that these variations are based, to a large degree, on psychosocial concerns. Furthermore, the results show quite clearly that men and women suffer to varying degrees when exposed to the same kinds of adversity, and that the causal origins of resiliency are different for men and women.
A Human Stem Cell‐Based Model for Identifying Adverse Effects of Organic and Inorganic Chemicals on the Developing Nervous System

The aim of our study was to investigate whether a human neural stem cell line derived from umbilical cord blood (HUCB‐NSC) can serve as a reliable test model for developmental neurotoxicity (DNT). We assessed the sensitivity of HUCB‐NSCs at different developmental stages to a panel of neurotoxic (sodium tellurite, methylmercury chloride, cadmium chloride, chlorpyrifos, and L‐glutamate) and non‐neurotoxic (acetaminophen, theophylline, and D‐glutamate) compounds. In addition, we investigated the effect of some compounds on key neurodevelopmental processes like cell proliferation, apoptotic cell death, and neuronal and glial differentiation. Less differentiated HUCB‐NSCs were generally more sensitive to neurotoxicants, with the notable exception of L‐glutamate, which showed a higher toxicity to later stages. The relative potencies of the compounds were: cadmium chloride > methylmercury chloride ≫ chlorpyrifos ≫ L‐glutamate. Fifty nanomolar methylmercury chloride (MeHgCl) inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in early‐stage cells. At the differentiated stage, 1 μM MeHgCl induced selective loss of S100β‐expressing astrocytic cells. One millimolar L‐glutamate did not influence the early stages of HUCB‐NSC development, but it affected late stages of neuronal differentiation. A valuable system for in vitro DNT assessment should be able to discriminate between neurotoxic and non‐neurotoxic compounds and show different susceptibilities to chemicals according to developmental stage and cell lineage. Although not exhaustive, this work shows that the HUCB‐NSC model fulfils these criteria and may serve as a human in vitro model for DNT priority setting. STEM CELLS 2009;27:2591–2601