Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of a Commercially Available Enzyme ImmunoAssay for the Determination of Oxytocin in Plasma Samples from Seven Domestic Animal Species

The neurohormone oxytocin (OT) has a broad range of behavioral effects in mammals. It modulates a multitude of social behaviors, e.g., affiliative and sexual interactions. Consequently, the OT role in various animal species is increasingly explored. However, several issues have been raised regarding the peripheral OT measurement. Indeed, various methods have been described, leading to assay discrepancies and inconsistent results. This highlights the need for a recognized and reliable method to measure peripheral OT. Our aim was to validate a method combining a pre-extraction step, previously demonstrated as essential by several authors, and a commercially available enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for OT measurement, using plasma from seven domestic species (cat, dog, horse, cow, pig, sheep, and goat). The Oxytocin EIA kit (EnzoLifeSciences) was used to assay the solid-phase extracted samples following the manufacturer's instructions with slight modifications. For all species except dogs and cats, concentration factors were applied to work above the kit's sensitivity (15 pg/ml). To validate the method, the following performance characteristics were evaluated using Validation Samples (VS) at various concentrations in each species: extraction efficiency via spiking tests and intra- and inter-assay precision, allowing for the calculation of total errors. Parallelism studies to assess matrix effects could not be performed because of too low basal concentrations. Quantification ranges and associated precision profiles were established to account for the various OT plasma concentrations in each species. According to guidelines for bioanalytical validation of immunoassays, the measurements were sufficiently precise and accurate in each species to achieve a total error ≤30% in each VS sample. In each species, the inter-assay precision after 3 runs was acceptable, except in low concentration samples. The linearity under dilution of dogs and cats' samples was verified. Although matrix effects assessments are lacking, our results indicate that OT plasma levels can reliably be measured in several domestic animal species by the method described here. Studies involving samples with low OT plasma concentrations should pay attention to reproducibility issues. This work opens new perspectives to reliably study peripheral OT in a substantial number of domestic animal species in various behavioral contexts.
Analysis of 114 kb of DNA sequence from fission yeast chromosome 2 immediately centromere‐distal to his5

One hundred and fourteen kilobase pairs (kb) of contiguous genomic sequence have been determined immediately distal to the his5 genetic marker located about 0.9 Mb from the centromere on the long arm of Schizosaccharomyces pombe chromosome 2. The sequence is contained in overlapping cosmid clones c16H5, c12D12, c24C6 and c19G7, of which 20 kb are identical to previously reported sequence from clone c21H7. The remaining 93 781 bp of sequence contains 10 known genes (cdc14, cdm1, cps1, gpa1, msh2, pck2, rip1, rps30‐2, sad1 and ubl1), 32 open reading frames (ORFs) capable of coding for proteins of at least 100 amino acid residues in length, one 5S rRNA gene, one tRNAPro gene, one lone Tf1‐type long terminal repeat (LTR) and one lone Tf2‐type LTR. There is a density of one protein‐coding gene per 2.2 kb and 22 of the 42 ORFs (52%) incorporate one or more introns. Twenty‐one of the novel ORFs show sequence similarities which suggest functions of their products, including a cyclin C, a MADS box transcription factor, mad2‐like protein, telomere binding protein, topoisomerase II‐associated protein, ATP‐dependent DEAH box RNA helicase, G10 protein, ubiquitin‐activating e1‐like enzyme, nucleoporin, prolyl‐tRNA synthetase, peptidylprolyl isomerase, δ‐1‐pyrroline‐5‐carboxylate dehydrogenase, protein transport protein, coatomer epsilon, TCP‐1 chaperonin, β‐subunit of 6‐phosphofructokinase, aminodeoxychorismate lyase, a phosphate transport protein and a thioredoxin. The sequence has been submitted to the EMBL database under Accession Nos AL021839, AL022104, AL031786 and AL035085. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact Of Organisational Politics On Job Dissatisfaction And Turnover Intention: An Application Of Social Exchange Theory On Employees Working In Zimbabwean Small And Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

Organizational politics has been seen as detrimental to the smooth running of firms. Despite increasing awareness of the importance of managing the negative effects of organizational politics at the workplace, research on consequences relating to employees’ perceptions of the same in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Africa, especially Zimbabwe in particular, has received little attention. This paper uses Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to test the causal relationships between the three variables which are organizational politics, job dissatisfaction and turnover intention. Amos 23.0 software has been used as it is the current software on the market for SEM usage. Therefore, using data of 154 SMEs in Zimbabwe, this paper examines the effects of employees’ perceptions of organizational politics on job dissatisfaction and turnover intentions. All the posited three hypotheses were supported by the sample data. Managerial implications of the findings are discussed and limitations and future research directions are indicated.
Daily psychosocial stressors interfere with the dynamics of urine neopterin in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: an integrative single-case study.

OBJECTIVE Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by flare-ups, the causes of which are not known. In accordance with new concepts in stress research, this study investigated whether daily psychosocial stressors interfere with immunological processes in SLE. Because such processes are unique to each individual, single-case design using time-series analysis (Box and Jenkins) was applied. METHODS A 40-year-old woman with SLE (last flare-up September 1995) was interviewed initially to determine major life events and difficulties (using the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule) in the previous 2 years. She was then observed for 63 days. Urine neopterin, an immunological parameter demonstrated to parallel disease activity in SLE patients, was measured in daily overnight urine. Daily incidents were identified weekly by the Incidents and Hassles Inventory and independently rated. Intervening factors, including infections, medication, and lifestyle, were controlled. RESULTS Retrospectively, data obtained from the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule indicated that major life events and difficulties had preceded the patient's last flare-up in 1995. Although there were no clinical signs of SLE during this prospective study of 63 days, cross-correlational analyses revealed that "moderately" stressful incidents associated with higher levels of emotional irritation (lag 0: +0.271, p < .05) predicted an increase in urine neopterin the following day (lag 1: +0.441, p < .05). Moreover, a 7-day cyclicity in neopterin levels that corresponded to the weekly examinations and interviews was found. CONCLUSIONS This study showed a causal relationship between psychosocial stressors and urine neopterin concentrations that may be related to SLE disease activity. Furthermore, the workability of an integrative approach using single-case design and time-series analysis in psychoneuroimmunology was demonstrated for the first time.
Law Enforcement Employees' Experiences of Skillful Recognition by Leaders

Law Enforcement Employees’ Experiences of Skillful Recognition by Leaders by Dimitra P. Cornelius MS, Pfeiffer University, 2000 BA, Johnson C. Smith University, 1996 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University June 2016
Cross-national variation in attitudinal measures of gender preference for children: An examination of demographic and health surveys from 40 countries

While much research has examined gender preferences for children by studying behavioral measures such as skewed sex ratios, sex imbalance in infant mortality, and sibling size and order, attitudinal measures have been analyzed less systematically. Using data from 40 Demographic and Health Surveys conducted between 2000 and 2006, this paper advances understanding of gender preferences for children in developing countries by examining attitudinal measures of gender preference cross-nationally. This paper also explores basic socioeconomic determinants of attitudinal gender preference. Findings of this study show that, while the most popular type of preference in the vast majority of countries is balance preference (preference for an equal number of girls and boys), countries and regions vary widely in prevalence of son and daughter preferences. Daughter preference is common in most of Latin America/Caribbean, some of Southeast Asia, and in about one-third of sub-Saharan African countries. Son preference is most common in North Africa, South Asia, some of Southeast Asia, and in about two-thirds of sub-Sahara African countries examined. Of the socioeconomic factors examined, lower educational attainment and lower levels of household wealth generally explain gender preferences for children, particularly in countries where son preference is pronounced.
Treinamento e desenvolvimento de pessoal: agregando valor às pessoas e à organização

The article aims to identify the possibilities of inclusion of people through training and development, carrying out the study at the Center of continuous training of the Fire Department of Santa Catarina. It was developed as a participatory research, through non-structured interviews with open questions, in a Itajai Valley corporation covering three municipalities along the highway BR 470, which has a high traffic accident rate. The selection process for volunteer firefighters had 46 candidates, among them the brothers "P". In the first stage of the selection, the result presented by the brothers was unsatisfactory, but by decision of the Continuing Training Center both received the opportunity to continue, considering not only performance, but their education, simplicity, humbleness and interest. During the training the resourcefulness of the brothers "P" was observed, being notorious the application of knowledge in daily life, autonomy, forward thinking and judgment in decision making. At the end of the course the P brothers were the ones who had 100% attendance and considering their initial difficulties, they stood out in the program, being approved with merit. Both opted to take work at the corporation on Sundays with fixed schedule. What was observd was a unique experience that has occurred in training for volunteer firefighters and the various aspects of human development, considering the decision of being willing to learn, motivation; influence of the context, knowledge; team spirit and, above all, the value of human dignity in the simplest aspects, such as friendliness and the desire to do good.
Improved Survival of Fulminant Liver Failure by Transplantation of Microencapsulated Cryopreserved Porcine Hepatocytes in Mice

The aim of this study was to establish hepatocyte isolation in pigs, and to evaluate function of isolated hepatocytes after encapsulation, cryopreservation, and transplantation (Tx) in a mouse model of fulminant liver failure (FLF). After isolation, porcine hepatocytes were microencapsulated with alginate-poly-L-Lysine-alginate membranes and cryopreserved. In vitro, albumin production of free and encapsulated hepatocytes were measured by enzyme linked-immunoadsorbent assay. In vivo, encapsulated hepatocytes were transplanted into different groups of mice with FLF and the following experimental groups were performed: group 1, Tx of empty capsules; group 2, Tx of free primary porcine hepatocytes; group 3, Tx of fresh encapsulated porcine hepatocytes; group 4, Tx of cryopreserved encapsulated porcine hepatocytes. In vitro, fresh or cryopreserved encapsulated porcine hepatocytes showed a continuous decreasing metabolic function over 1 week (albumin and urea synthesis, drug catabolism). In vivo, groups 1 and 2 showed similar survival (18% and 25%, respectively, p > 0.05). In groups 3 and 4, Tx of fresh or cryopreserved encapsulated porcine hepatocytes significantly increased survival rate to 75% and 68%, respectively (p < 0.05). Primary porcine hepatocytes maintained metabolic functions after encapsulation and cryopreservation. In mice with FLF, Tx of encapsulated xenogeneic hepatocytes significantly improved survival. These results indicate that porcine hepatocytes can successfully be isolated, encapsulated, stored using cryopreservation, and transplanted into xenogeneic recipients with liver failure and sustain liver metabolic functions.
Systemic effects of oral tolerance on inflammation: mobilization of lymphocytes and bone marrow eosinopoiesis

Oral tolerance is a T‐cell mediated phenomenon defined by inhibition of immune responsiveness to a protein previously contacted by the oral route. Oral tolerance may prevent autoimmune and allergic diseases that involve the recruitment and/or activation of different cell types including mast cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes and lymphocytes. The mechanisms by which oral tolerance avoids these immunological disorders are still controversial. Herein we used a murine model of ovalbumin (OVA)‐induced peritonitis to investigate the effect of oral tolerance on allergic inflammation. Frequency of leucocyte subpopulations was evaluated by global and differential cell counts in peritoneal lavage fluid, peripheral blood, and bone marrow. Changes on lymphocyte subsets and adhesion molecules expression by these cells were analysed by flow cytometry. As compared with OVA‐immune mice, intraperitoneal challenge of tolerant animals with OVA resulted in a significantly milder peritonitis, mostly affecting neutrophils and eosinophils; a concomitant reduction in total white blood cell counts was also observed, mainly because of lower neutrophil and eosinophil counts. Eosinophils, but not neutrophils, were also reduced in the bone‐marrow of OVA‐challenged tolerant mice. No changes occurred in total peritoneal lymphocyte counts in OVA‐tolerant mice, however, there was a significant decrease in CD3+ CD8+ T cells and an increase in B cells (CD45R+) in these animals as compared to immune OVA‐challenged animals. Altered expression of CD18 and CD54, respectively, in blood and peritoneal lymphocytes was also noted. These results suggest that, in addition to local specific effects, oral tolerance has systemic effects on the mobilization of leucocytes and bone‐marrow eosinopoiesis.
Combination lithium and divalproex sodium in pediatric bipolarity.

OBJECTIVE Lithium carbonate (Li) or divalproex sodium (DVPX) may be effective for some juveniles with bipolar disorder. Many youths with bipolar disorder do not respond to DVPX or Li monotherapy. An open-label study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of combination DVPX and Li therapy with youths diagnosed with bipolar disorder. METHOD Patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for bipolar I or bipolar II disorder, ages 5 to 17 years, were treated prospectively for up to 20 weeks with DVPX + Li. Assessments included the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R), and the Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS). The a priori definition of clinical remission utilized included four contiguous weekly ratings of YMRS </=12.5, CDRS-R </=40, CGAS >/=51, clinical stability, and no evidence of mood cycling. RESULTS Ninety patients (66 males, 24 females) were treated. Significant improvement (p <.0001) in all outcome measures was observed by week 8 as well as at the end of study. The mean time in study was 11.3 weeks. Forty-seven percent (n = 42) met a priori criteria for remission. CONCLUSIONS Symptoms of mania and depression in juvenile bipolar disorder may be safely and effectively treated acutely with DVPX + Li.
MicroRNA Expression Profiling of Oral Carcinoma Identifies New Markers of Tumor Progression

Oral squamous cell carcinoma, the most frequently occurring malignant head and neck tumour, generally exhibits poor prognosis and metastases are the main cause of death. The discovery of reliable prognostic indicators of tumour progression could greatly improve clinical practice. MicroRNAs are involved in the regulation of basic cellular processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Since miRNAs have been shown to be abnormally expressed in different tumours their importance as potential cancer prognostic indicators is increasing. To define the role of miRNA in OSCC tumours we investigated the expression profile of 15 OSCC (8 without metastasis and 7 with lymph node metastasis) using microarray analysis. Thirteen miRNA were significantly overexpressed (miR-489, miR-129, miR-23a, miR-214, miR-23b, miR-92, miR-25, miR-210, miR-212, miR-515, miR-146b, miR-21, miR-338) and 6 miRNA were underexpressed (miR-520h, miR-197, miR-378, miR-135b, miR-224, miR-34a) in oral tumours. Underexpression of mir-155, let-7i, mir-146a was found to characterize progression to metastastatic tumours. Further investigations will elucidate whether differentially expressed miRNAs will help to better classify OSCCs, thus improving diagnoses and patient care.
A clinical pilot study: High frequency chest wall oscillation airway clearance in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Respiratory complications are common in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with respiratory failure representing the most common cause of death. Ineffective airway clearance resultant from deficient cough frequently contributes to these abnormalities. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) administered through the Vest™ Airway Clearance System when added to standard care in preventing pulmonary complications and prolonging the time to death in patients with ALS. This is a single center study performed at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center (HMC). Nine patients with a diagnosis of ALS and concurrently receiving non‐invasive ventilatory support with bi‐level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) were recruited from the outpatient clinic at HMC. Four patients were randomized to receive standard care and five patients to receive standard care plus the addition of HFCWO administered twice‐daily for 15 min duration. Longitudinal assessments of oxyhemoglobin saturation, forced vital capacity (FVC), and adverse events were obtained until time of death. Pulmonary complications of atelectasis, pneumonia, hospitalization for a respiratory‐related abnormality, and tracheostomy with mechanical ventilation were monitored throughout the study duration. No differences were observed between treatment groups in relation to the rate of decline in FVC. The addition of HFCWO airway clearance failed to improve time to death compared to standard treatment alone (340 days +/− 247 vs. 470 days +/− 241; p = 0.26). The random allocation of HFCWO airway clearance to patients with ALS concomitantly receiving BiPAP failed to attain any significant clinical benefits in relation to either loss of lung function or mortality. This study does not exclude the potential benefit of HFCWO in select patients with ALS who have coexistent pulmonary diseases, pre‐existent mucus‐related pulmonary complications, or less severe levels of respiratory muscle weakness.
Dermoid tumor with involvement of the frontal lobes

Intraparenchymal location of a dermoid tumor is extremely rare, and there are only four reports in the literature. This article presents a patient with a dermoid tumor with trilobulated components; an extra‐axial component in the basal frontal/ethmoidal region, and two intra‐axial components located in each frontal lobe. In addition, two small fat‐density lesions anterior to the component in the left frontal lobe were present, probably due to partial intraparenchymal rupture of the tumor. The pathogenesis of intra‐axial locations is still controversial, and this article proposes that in at least some cases intraparenchymal rupture of dermoids can cause intra‐axial dermoids.
Epithelial marker genes are expressed in cultured embryonic rat lung and in vivo with similar spatial and temporal patterns.

Explants of embryonic lung are often used to characterize lung growth, bronchial tree pattern, and cell differentiation. Most investigators culture lungs for 3-7 days in defined media lacking, e.g., added growth factors or hormones. If growth and differentiation are comparable to that in vivo, these cultures show considerable promise for identifying developmental regulatory molecules and target genes, and for elucidating molecular responses. We used in situ hybridization and RT-PCR to compare times and sites of expression of mRNAs of six epithelial genes in cultured and uncultured fetal rat lungs. These genes, expressed in distal lung of adult rats, are surfactant proteins (SP) A, B, and C; LAR, a receptor-type tyrosine phosphatase; Clara cell secretory protein (CC10, CCSP); and T1alpha. SP-A, SF-B, LAR, and CC10 are expressed by both Clara and Type II cells in adult animals. SP-C and T1alpha are unique markers for Type II and Type I cells, respectively. SP-C, LAR, and T1alpha are expressed before the lung is explanted (Day 13.5); SP-A, -B, and CC10 mRNAs are first detected later. The onset of expression is similar in vivo and in vitro. Although the patterns of expression differ for each mRNA, their sites of expression in culture match those in vivo relative to the bronchial tree. The explanted embryonic lung appears to be an excellent experimental model.
Freeze-dried Lactobacillus plantarum 299v increases iron absorption in young females—Double isotope sequential single-blind studies in menstruating women

Background The probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum 299v has earlier been shown to increase iron absorption when added to foods. However, it is not known if the same probiotic strain in a freeze-dried format included in a capsule increases the iron absorption. Objective The aim of this study was to test the hypotheses that non-heme iron absorption from a light meal is promoted by a simultaneous intake of freeze-dried Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v, DSM 9843). Study design With a single blinded placebo controlled sequential design, iron absorption from a light breakfast meal administered with or without capsules containing 1010 cfu freeze-dried Lp299v was studied in healthy female volunteers of fertile age. The methodology used was a double isotope technique (59Fe and 55Fe). Two studies were performed using the same protocol. Results In study 1, the absorption of iron from a meal without Lp299v was found to be 17.4 ± 13.4%, and from an identical meal with Lp299v was found to be 22.4 ± 17.3% (mean ± SD). This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.040, n = 14). In study 2, the absorption of iron from a meal without Lp299v was found to be 20.9 ± 13.1%, and from an identical meal with Lp299v found to be 24.5 ± 12.0% (mean ± SD, n = 28), which again was statistically significant (p = 0.003). Conclusion Freeze-dried Lp299v enhances the absorption of iron when administered together with a meal with a high iron bioavailability. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02131870
Clustering of Multiple Sclerosis in Galion, Ohio, 1982-1985

Epidemiologic evidence indicates that the outbreak of 30-40 cases of multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating syndromes in Galion, Ohio, USA, during 1982-1985 was related to an excess concentration of heavy-metal wastes, especially of cadmium and chromium in sewage and river water. Both multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis were diagnosed by board-certified neurologists