Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Luteinizing hormone, oestrogen and progesterone levels in peripheral serum of anoestrous and cyclic ewes as determined by radioimmunoassay.

Jugular vein blood was collected daily from four mature ewes throughout anoestrus and the first oestrous cycle of the breeding season until 4 days after the second oestrus. The levels of oestrogen, progesterone and LH were determined by radioimmunoassay. There were fluctuations in the LH level throughout most of the observed anoestrous period with a mean plus or minus S.E. value of 2-3 plus or minus 0-9 ng/ml. High LH values of 20-0, 41-2 and 137-5 ng/ml were observed in three ewes on Day - 24 of anoestrus. A brief minor rise in progesterone level was also observed around this period. Progesterone levels were consistently low (0.11 plus or minus 0-01 ng/ml) before Day - 25 of anoestrus. A major rise occurred on Day - 12 of anoestrous and this was followed by patterns similar to those that have been previously reported for the oestrous cycle of the ewe. Random fluctuations of oestrogens deviating from a mean level of 4-40 plus or minus 0-1 pg/ml were observed during anoestrus and the mean level during the period from the first to the second oestrus was 5-2 plus or minus 0-3 pg/ml. A well-defined peak of 13-3 plus or minus 0-7 pg/ml was seen in all ewes on the day of the second oestrus. Results of the present study suggest that episodic releases of LH occur during anoestrus and periods of low luteal activity. The fluctuations in LH levels, as observed during the period of low luteal activity, i.e. before Day - 25 of anoestrus, were less pronounced during the periods of high luteal activity. The view that luteal activity precedes the first behavioural oestrus of the breeding season is supported.
NF1 gene analysis based on DHPLC

The high mutation rate at the NF1 locus results in a wide range of molecular abnormalities. The majority of these mutations are private and rare, generating elevated allelic diversity with a restricted number of recurrent mutations. In this study, we have assessed the efficacy of denaturing high‐performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC), for detecting mutation in the NF1 gene. DHPLC is a fast and highly sensitive technique based on the detection of heteroduplexes in PCR products by ion pair reverse‐phase HPLC under partially denaturing conditions. We established theoretical conditions for DHPLC analysis of all coding exons and splice junctions of the NF1 gene using the WAVEmaker software version 4.1. 40 and screened for mutations a panel of 40 unrelated NF1 patients (25 sporadic and 15 familial), genetically uncharacterized. Disruptive mutations were identified in 29 individuals with an overall mutation detection rate of 72.5%. The mutations included eight deletions (exons 4b, 7, 10a, 14, 26, and 31), one insertion (exon 8), nine nonsense mutation (exons 10a, 13, 23.1, 27a, 29, 31, and 36), six missense mutations (exons 15, 16, 17, 24, and 31), four splice errors (exons 11, 14, 36, and 40) and a complex rearrangement within exon 16. Eighteen (62%) of the identified disruptive mutations are novel. Seven unclassified and three previously reported polymorphisms were also detected. None of the missense mutations identified in this study were found after screening of 150 controls. Our results suggest that DHPLC provides an accurate method for the rapid identification of NF1 mutations. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pereskia aculeata: A plant food with antinociceptive activity

Abstract Context: Pereskia aculeata Miller (Cactaceae) is a cactus distributed from south to northeast of Brazil, where its leaves are commonly used as a vegetable, in skin wound healing, and to treat inflammation. Objectives: The objective of this study was to perform the chemical characterization and to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of the hydromethanolic fraction obtained from the methanol extract of P. aculeata leaves. Materials and methods: Chemical characterization was performed by UPLC–MS analysis. The antinociceptive activity was evaluated by the acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin, and tail-flick tests in mice, administering the single oral doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg 1 h before each test. Results: Tryptamine, abrine, mescaline, hordenine, petunidin, di-tert-butylphenol isomers, and quercetin were identified. The antinociceptive activity was inversely proportional to the administered doses in the acetic acid test, as the dose of 100 mg/kg reduced by 78% the number of writhings, while the doses of 200 and 300 mg/kg reduced by 64% and 41%, respectively. In the formalin test, the dose of 300 mg/kg inhibited by 50% and 86% the licking paw time in the first and second phases, respectively, while the doses of 200 mg/kg (45% and 62%, respectively) and 100 mg/kg (15% and 48%, respectively) were less effective. The sample did not respond to the tail-flick test. Those results suggested a peripheral and central antinociception devoid of an opioid effect. Conclusion: Pereskia aculeata not only is a plant food with high nutritional value but also presents analgesic potential. It is the first time that this bioactivity is reported for this species.
Unmet Needs of Remand Prisoners

A needs assessment protocol which examines 11 problem areas was devised. This was administered to 277 prisoners on remand at Brixton Prison. We found high levels of unmet need for housing, treatment of substance abuse and neurotic symptoms. Twenty-nine per cent were transferred to hospital under the provisions of the Mental Health Act and about a third of those at liberty to do so complied with a discharge plan. Diversion and discharge planning can potentially meet the unmet needs of remand prisoners.
Loss of Keratinocyte Focal Adhesion Kinase Stimulates Dermal Proteolysis Through Upregulation of MMP9 in Wound Healing

Objective:To investigate how epithelial mechanotransduction pathways impact wound repair. Background:Mechanical forces are increasingly recognized to influence tissue repair, but their role in chronic wound pathophysiology remains unknown. Studies have shown that chronic wounds exhibit high levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), a key proteolytic enzyme that regulates wound remodeling. We hypothesized that epithelial mechanosensory pathways regulated by keratinocyte-specific focal adhesion kinase (FAK) control dermal remodeling via MMP9. Methods:A standard wound model was applied to keratinocyte-specific FAK knockout (KO) and control mice. Rates of wound healing were measured and tissue was obtained for histologic and molecular analyses. Transcriptional and immunoblot assays were used to assess the activation of FAK, intracellular kinases, and MMP9 in vitro. A cell suspension model was designed to validate the importance of FAK mechanosensing, p38, and MMP9 secretion in human cells. Biomechanical testing was utilized to evaluate matrix tensile properties in FAK KO and control wounds. Results:Wound healing in FAK KO mice was significantly delayed compared with controls (closure at 15 days compared with 20 days, P = 0.0003). FAK KO wounds demonstrated decreased dermal thickness and collagen density. FAK KO keratinocytes exhibited overactive p38 and MMP9 signaling in vitro, findings recapitulated in human keratinocytes via the deactivation of FAK in the cell suspension model. Functionally, FAK KO wounds were significantly weaker and more brittle than control wounds, results consistent with the histologic and molecular analyses. Conclusions:Keratinocyte FAK is highly responsive to mechanical cues and may play a critical role in matrix remodeling via regulation of p38 and MMP9. These findings suggest that aberrant epithelial mechanosensory pathways may contribute to pathologic dermal proteolysis and wound chronicity.
Export of Electronics Equipment Waste

Abstract Electronics equipment waste (“e-waste”) includes discarded computers, computer monitors, television sets, and cell phones. Less than 10% of e-waste is currently recycled. The United States and other developed countries export e-waste primarily to Asia, knowing it carries a real harm to the poor communities where it will be discarded. A 2006 directive bans the use of lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and certain brominated flame retardants in most electronics products sold in the ED. A similar directive facilitates the development and design of clean electronics products with longer lifespans that are safe and easy to repair, upgrade, and recycle, and will not expose workers and the environment to hazardous chemicals. These useful approaches apply only regionally and cover only a fraction of the hazardous substances used in electronics manufacture, however. There is an urgent need for manufacturers of electronics products to take responsibility for their products from production to end-oflife, and for much tighter controls both on the transboundary movement of e-waste and on the manner in which it is recycled. Manufacturers must develop clean products with longer lifespans that are safe and easy to repair, upgrade, and recycle and will not expose workers and the environment to hazardous chemicals.
Toward Improvements of Oomycete Transformation Protocols

ABSTRACT. Some of the most important plant pathogens worldwide are oomycetes, and billions of dollars are expended annually to suppress diseases they cause. More efficient disease suppression technologies will be derived from a better understanding of the basic biology of these organisms, but inefficient transformation currently limits basic molecular investigations. Of the various approaches, transformation of protoplasts using polyethylene glycol/calcium chloride remains most successful, but the frequency of stable transformation remains low and inconsistent. Here we report that modifications of a protocol, previously used for Arabidopsis mesophyll cells, successfully releases protoplasts from four different oomycetes (Phytophthora citricola, Phytophthora infestans, Phytophthora sojae, and Pythium aphanidermatum). The protoplasts of all oomycetes were able to take up DNA and regenerate, with protoplast release as well as regeneration being most efficient in P. aphanidermatum. In addition to a good protoplast production system, more effective transformation vectors may improve stable transformation rates. We constructed, and evaluated 17 novel candidate transformation vectors for their ability to drive transient expression of the β‐glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene in P. infestans and P. aphanidermatum. Five of the newly constructed vectors were also evaluated in P. sojae and P. citricola, and exhibited a similar pattern of transcriptional activity as in P. infestans and P. aphanidermatum. One of the newly constructed vectors, pDBHAMT35G, containing a chimeric promoter, supported the highest GUS expression in P. infestans and P. citricola, and could potentially be useful for future studies.
Three Essays on Estimating and Forecasting Residential Markets

This dissertation covers three different aspects of estimating and forecasting residential real estate markets. Chapter 1: The first chapter aims to examine whether there are differences between the long and short-term relationship of house prices and interest rates. The elasticity of house prices to monetary policy changes, e.g. via interest rates, is from a theoretical perspective and in the long-run negative. However, house prices adapt in the short-run dynamically to economic, financial, institutional and demographic factors. In this chapter, we confirm the aforementioned negative relationship for the Nordic housing markets but provide evidence of drastic deviations in the short run, especially in the context of the financial crisis. Chapter 2: The second chapter tests the prediction accuracy of two innovative methods proposed along the hedonic debate: The Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) and the Generalized Additive Model (GAM). We compare the predictions of linear, spatial and non-linear hedonic models based on a very large dataset in Germany. The results provide evidence for a clear disadvantage of the GWR model in out-of-sample forecasts. However, the simplicity of the OLS approach is not substantially outperformed by the semi-parametric approach. Since sample size is essential when estimating and forecasting hedonic models this study covers more than 570,000 observations which is – to the authors' knowledge – one of the largest datasets used for spatial real estate analysis. Chapter 3: Google Trends offers virtually unlimited, instantaneously available, spatially and textually adjustable and, in addition, free data. Real estate markets appear to be particularly well-suited for search volume related studies, as the “products” of this market involve a large financial commitment, which demands an extensive information gathering process. Although Google Trends data can be accessed already since 2008, many interpretation and usage misunderstandings can be found amongst the literature. Therefore, the third chapter will focus on two main objectives: Firstly, I will give an overview of what Google data is in the first place and what the potential pitfalls are. Secondly, I will conduct an empirical analysis to find out, whether the results are still in line with the literature after accounting for those difficulties.
Flow‐mediated dilatation in the superficial femoral artery is nitric oxide mediated in humans

Flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial and radial arteries is an important research tool for assessment of endothelial function in vivo, and is nitric oxide (NO) dependent. The leg skeletal muscle vascular bed is an important territory for studies in exercise physiology. However, the role of endothelial NO in the FMD response of lower limb arteries has never been investigated. The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of NO to FMD in the superficial femoral artery in healthy subjects. Since physical inactivity may affect endothelial function, and therefore NO availability, spinal cord‐injured (SCI) individuals were included as a model of extreme deconditioning. In eight healthy men (34 ± 13 years) and six SCI individuals (37 ± 10 years), the 5 min FMD response in the superficial femoral artery was assessed by echo‐Doppler, both during infusion of saline and during infusion of the NO synthase blocker NG‐monomethyl‐l‐arginine (l‐NMMA). In a subset of the controls (n= 6), the 10 min FMD response was also examined using the same procedure. The 5 min FMD response in controls (4.2 ± 0.3%) was significantly diminished during l‐NMMA infusion (1.0 ± 0.2%, P < 0.001). In SCI, l‐NMMA also significantly decreased the FMD response (from 8.2 ± 0.4% during saline to 2.4 ± 0.5% during l‐NMMA infusion). The hyperaemic flow response during the first 45 s after cuff deflation was lower in both groups during infusion of l‐NMMA, but the effect of l‐NMMA on FMD persisted in both groups after correction for the shear stress stimulus. The 10 min FMD was not affected by l‐NMMA (saline: 5.4 ± 1.6%, l‐NMMA: 5.6 ± 1.5%). Superficial femoral artery FMD in response to distal arterial occlusion for a period of 5 min is predominantly mediated by NO in healthy men and in the extremely deconditioned legs of SCI individuals.
Barbed versus smooth poly- propylene three-loop pulley sutures for repair of canine gastrocnemius tendon

Summary Objective: To compare the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and load to 1 and 3 mm gap formation of smooth (3-metric) and knotless barbed (4-metric) polypropylene sutures placed in a three-loop pulley pattern for canine gastrocnemius tendon repair. Study design: In vitro. Sample size: Thirty-three paired bonetendon units with one of each pair assigned to each suture type. Barbed suture size was based on previously published materials testing results. Methods: Each unit was placed in a servohydraulic testing machine and tested under single cycle tensile loading until repair failure. Results: There was a significantly higher UTS for smooth polypropylene compared to the barbed polypropylene repairs. The loads resulting in 1 and 3 mm gaps for the barbed repairs were consistently significantly less than the corresponding smooth polypropylene repair values. Conclusion: The knotted smooth polypropylene repair was consistently stronger than the knotless barbed polypropylene repair when placed in a three-loop pulley pattern for gastrocnemius repair. Clinical significance: Knotless barbed polypropylene suture should not be considered equivalent to knotted smooth polypropylene of comparable tensile strength when placed in a three-loop pulley pattern for canine gastrocnemius tendon repair. The low failure loads of the barbed repair are probably due to failure of the barbs to anchor consistently throughout the tendon in the knotless configuration.
On the performance of Mach-Zehnder-Interferometer (MZI) optical modulator on silicon-on-insulator (SOI)

In recent years, there has been a significant interest in the development of optical waveguide modulators using Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) substrates motivated by the potential to provide a reliable low-cost alternative to other photonic materials. Objective: In this paper, Multimode Interference (MMI) device is used to develop the MZI structure of the optical modulator. Meanwhile, the electrical part of the modulator utilizes the forward biased P-I-N structure. The effect of varying MMI width to the performance of the MZI optical modulator on SOI was investigated. The effect of varying MMI width to the insertion loss (IL), extinction ratio (ER) and modulation efficiency (VπL) of the device were carried out. Results: The investigated MMI widths are 22, 30 and 38 μm. Smallest MMI width, which is 22 μm has recorded the lowest value of insertion loss with 3.30 dB and the best extinction ratio of 25.60 dB. However, the best modulation efficiency was observed for the MMI width of 38 μm with 0.1696 V.cm. Conclusion: Appropriate selection of MMI width is vital to ensure optimum performance of the MZI modulator.
Optimizing Phytoremediation of Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soil by Exploiting Plants' Stress Adaptation

Soil phytoextraction is based on the ability of plants to extract contaminants from the soil. For less bioavailable metals, such as Pb, a chelator is added to the soil to mobilize the metal. The effect can be significant and in certain species, heavy metal accumulation can rapidly increase 10-fold. Accumulation of high levels of toxic metals may result in irreversible damage to the plant. Monitoring and controlling the phytotoxicity caused by EDTA-induced metal accumulation is crucial to optimize the remedial process, i.e. to achieve maximum uptake. We describe an EDTA-application procedure that minimizes phytotoxicity by increasing plant tolerance and allows phytoextraction of elevated levels of Pb and Cd. Brassica juncea is tested in soil with typical Pb and Cd concentrations of 500 mg kg−1 and 15 mg kg−1, respectively. Instead of a single dose treatment, the chelator is applied in multiple doses, that is, in several small increments, thus providing time for plants to initiate their adaptation mechanisms and raise their damage threshold. In situ monitoring of plant stress conditions by chlorophyll fluorescence recording allows for the identification of the saturating heavy metal accumulation process and of simultaneous plant deterioration.
Use of plasma exchange in patients with heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia: A report of two cases and a review of the literature

Heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), which is characterized by thrombocytopenia and potentially serious thromboses, may develop in patients exposed to heparin anticoagulation. HIT is caused by antibodies to the heparin/platelet factor 4 (PF4) complex. Management of HIT involves discontinuation of heparin and anticoagulation with a nonheparin alternative such as a direct thrombin inhibitor (DTI). This poses a challenge in the management of patients who need to undergo cardiopulmonary bypass surgery (CPB), because CPB requires anticoagulation with heparin and standardized protocols for use of DTIs are not widely available. We report two patients with HIT who underwent successful CPB with heparin anticoagulation following plasma exchange (PE) to reduce heparin/PF4 antibody titers. Case 1 is a 46‐year‐old male with cardiac amyloidosis who needed urgent placement of a left ventricular assist device. Case 2 is a 34‐year‐old woman with acute myocarditis who needed placement of a biventricular assist device. Both patients had positive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay assays for heparin/PF4 antibodies and clinical evidence of HIT before PE. Following PE and subsequent CPB, neither patient had clinical or laboratory evidence of HIT. The literature regarding the use of PE for the treatment of complications of HIT and as prophylaxis before CPB is reviewed. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Product market competition and productivity shocks

ABSTRACT I investigate the interaction effects of competition and productivity shocks on stocks’ earnings and returns. I find that the sensitivities of earnings and returns to productivity shocks are negatively associated with competition intensity. I also find that the excess returns of productivity shocks-sorted portfolios are lower when competition intensity is high, even after controlling for known return predictors. Overall, the empirical evidence shows firms are less exposed to productivity shocks when competition is high. As such, this study provides a possible mechanism through which the structure of product markets affects stock returns.
Antimicrobial peptide response to blood translocation of bacterial DNA in Crohn's disease is affected by NOD2/CARD15 genotype

Background: Blood translocation of bacterial‐DNA has been described in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). The host's immune cell types cooperate to respond against bacterial insults. Some antimicrobial peptides are inducible after culture with bacterial products and a linkage has been established between them and NOD2/CARD15. The aim was to test whether defensins and cathelicidin (LL‐37) expression and NOD2/CARD15 mutations in blood neutrophils are related to molecular bacterial translocation events in CD patients. Methods: Fifty consecutively admitted CD patients and 15 healthy controls were included. Clinical and analytical characteristics of patients were considered. NOD2/CARD15 genotyping, presence of bacterial‐DNA, defensin and cathelicidin gene, and protein levels in neutrophils and serum cytokine levels were studied. Results: Twenty patients (40%) presented bacterial‐DNA in blood. Eleven were active and 9 were in remission. Bacterial‐DNA was not present in controls. NOD2/CARD15 mutations were identified in 25 patients (50%), 15 of which were in remission. Sixty percent of bacterial‐DNA(+) and 43% of bacterial‐DNA(−) patients showed a NOD2/CARD15 mutation. &bgr;‐Defensin 2 and LL‐37 mRNA and protein levels were upregulated in bacterial‐DNA(+) patients. &bgr;‐Defensin 2 and LL‐37 expression correlated with bacterial‐DNA concentration only in patients with a wildtype NOD2/CARD15 genotype. Cultured neutrophils of bacterial‐DNA(‐) patients confirmed the muramyl dipeptide‐independent association between DEFB2 and LL‐37 with bacterial‐DNA concentration in wildtype NOD2/CARD15 patients. Cytokine levels were increased in bacterial‐DNA(+) patients and correlated with bacterial‐DNA concentration. NOD2/CARD15 genotype did not influence this correlation. Conclusions: &bgr;‐Defensin 2, LL‐37, and proinflammatory cytokines are increased in CD patients with bacterial‐DNA in a concentration‐dependent manner. NOD2/CARD15 plays a key role in the regulation of this response. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2010;)