Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of resveratrol supplementation on plasma lipids: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of available evidence was conducted to obtain a conclusive result on the lipid-modulating effects of resveratrol. Seven randomized controlled trials with a total of 282 subjects (141 in each group) met the eligibility criteria. Overall, resveratrol supplementation had no significant effect on any of the lipid parameters assessed: total cholesterol (weighted mean difference [WMD] -8.70; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] -21.54-4.14; P = 0.18), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD -3.22; 95% CI -12.56-6.12); P = 0.50), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD -0.26; 95% CI -4.25-3.73; P = 0.90), and triglycerides (WMD -4.30; 95% CI -20.22-11.63; P = 0.60). These results were robust in sensitivity analysis and were not dependent on the resveratrol dose, the duration of supplementation, or the cardiovascular risk status of the population studied. While future large-scale, well-designed trials are warranted, the current evidence suggests that mechanisms other than hypolipidemic effects account for the established cardioprotective properties of resveratrol.
Phase II study of carboplatin and pemetrexed for the treatment of platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer.

PURPOSE More efficacious, less toxic combinations are needed to treat platinum-sensitive recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Pemetrexed is a multitargeted antifolate with manageable toxicity and has been combined with carboplatin to treat other cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS This is a phase II study of carboplatin area under the curve 5 with pemetrexed 500 mg/m(2) administered intravenously on day 1 every 21 days for six cycles or for up to eight cycles if clinical benefit occurred. Eligible patients had platinum-sensitive recurrent EOC, peritoneal serous cancer, or fallopian tube cancer. The primary objective was to determine response rate defined by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors; other end points included toxicities, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS Forty-five patients were accrued; 44 patients received treatment. Overall response rate was 51.1%; there were no complete responses (0%), 23 confirmed partial responses (51.1%), two unconfirmed partial responses (4.4%), 14 patients with stable disease (31.1%), and two patients with progressive disease after two cycles (4.4%). Grade 3 and 4 hematologic toxicities included neutropenia (41%), thrombocytopenia (23%), and anemia (9%); there were no episodes of febrile neutropenia. Grade 3 and 4 nonhematologic toxicities included fatigue (11%), nausea (5%), vomiting (5%), diarrhea (5%), syncope (5%), and pulmonary embolism (5%). Median PFS time was 7.57 months (95% CI, 6.44 to 10.18 months), mean OS time was 20.3 months, and median OS has not yet been reached with a mean follow-up time of 15.3 months. CONCLUSION Carboplatin/pemetrexed is a well-tolerated regimen with activity in platinum-sensitive recurrent EOC; further testing of this regimen in platinum-sensitive EOC patients is warranted.
EFFECTS OF SEROTONIN AGONISTS AND DOXAPRAM ON RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION AND HYPOXEMIA IN ETORPHINE-IMMOBILIZED IMPALA (AEPYCEROS MELAMPUS)

Respiratory depression is a common side effect when opioids are used to immobilize wildlife. Serotonergic ligands have the potential to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression. We examined whether any of three serotonergic ligands could reverse this depression in etorphine-immobilized (0.07 mg/kg) impala (Aepyceros melampus). The study took place in September–December 2007. Impala received intravenous injections of metoclopramide (10 mg/ kg, n=6), buspirone (0.05 mg/kg, n=8), pimozide (1 mg/kg, n=8), doxapram (1 mg/kg, n=6), and control solutions on separate occasions. During the immobilization, partial pressures of oxygen (PaO2, mmHg) and carbon dioxide (PaCO2, mmHg), respiratory rate (breaths/min), ventilation (l/ min), peripheral O2 saturation (%), tidal volume (l), and respiratory exchange ratio were measured before and after injection of the experimental drugs. Etorphine immobilization caused respiratory depression and hypoxia (mean±SD, PaCO2=51±2 mmHg, PaO2=40±3 mmHg). Metoclopra-mide and buspirone, but not pimozide, attenuated the hypoxic effects of etorphine; 3 min after injection, metoclopramide increased the PaO2 by 7. =66.3 mmHg and buspirone by 666.6 mmHg (F=3.9, P=0.02). These effects were similar to those of doxapram (8±7 mmHg, F=3.9; P>0.05). Neither metoclopramide nor buspirone significantly increased ventilation, but they increased PaO2 by significantly improving the alveolar-arterial oxygen partial pressure gradient (A-a gradient, F=1.4, P<0.05), indicating improved oxygen diffusion. Metoclopramide and buspirone transiently improved blood oxygenation of opioid-immobilized impala, probably by improving ventilation-perfusion ratios, without reversing catatonic immobilization.
Agricultural products fumigation poses risk of food contamination in Abakaliki, southeastern Nigeria

Pesticides abuse has been a major problem in world agriculture, especially in developing countries where regulations on their use is very poor. In Nigeria, farmers use pesticides without the knowledge on their health and environmental effects. Hence the residue effects of pesticide in stored agricultural products were studied at the teaching and research centre, Department of Soil Science and Environmental Management, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, southeastern Nigeria. The experiment was carried out in the laboratory storage room with Dichlorvos (DD-Force) organophosphate pesticide containing chloride and phosphate as active ingredients. Fumigated and unfumigated agricultural products were studied namely: cereal crops (rice and maize) and pulse crop (groundnut). The presence of active ingredient residue in the products was examined at 30 and 60 days after storage (DAS). All the stored agricultural produce passed the chloride and phosphate maximum residue limit. Further screening of other pesticides and produce recommended.
Estrogen Receptor Antagonist ICI182,780 Exacerbates Ischemic Injury in Female Mouse

Recent findings in animals emphasize that experimental ischemic brain damage can be strikingly reduced by estrogen; however, the neuroprotective mechanisms are not well understood. It was hypothesized that estrogen signaling via cognate estrogen receptors (ERs) within the vasculature is an important aspect of cerebral ischemic protection in the female brain, in part by amplifying intraischemic cerebral blood flow (CBF). In the present study, the hypothesis that chronic treatment with the pure ER antagonist ICI182,780 (ICI) would increase ischemic brain damage by a blood flow-mediated mechanism was investigated. Adult C57Bl/6J mice were pretreated with either subcutaneous ICI (100 μg/day) or oil/ ethanol vehicle for 1 week before 2 hours of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and 22 hours of reperfusion. End-ischemic regional CBF was evaluated in additional cohorts using [14C]iodoantipyrine autoradiography. Infarction volume as measured by cresyl violet histology was greater in the striatum of ICI-treated females (70 ± 3% of contralateral striatum vs. 40 ± 12% in vehicle-treated females). Cortical injury was not enhanced relative to control animals (39 ± 6% of contralateral cortex in ICI group vs. 27 ± 8% in vehicle-treated group). Physiologic variables and ischemic reduction of the ipsilateral cortical laser-Doppler flow signal were similar between groups. Further, ICI treatment did not alter end-ischemic cortical or striatal CBF. The deleterious effect of ICI was limited to females, as there were no differences in stroke damage or CBF between male treatment groups. These data suggest that estrogen inhibits ischemic brain injury in striatum of the female by receptor-mediated mechanisms that are not linked to preservation of intraischemic CBF.
Common mental disorders among patients in primary health care in Greenland.

INTRODUCTION There are many indications that mental health in Greenland is endangered and needs more attention. STUDY DESIGN A two-stage study of the prevalence of common mental disorders among a sample of primary health care patients. METHODS 376 randomly selected patients from general consultations in two Greenlandic towns were screened with 12 questions from the General Health Questionnaire. From these patients, a sample of 100 patients, including more high- than low-scorers, was interviewed using the SCAN (Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry) Present Examination psychiatric interview. RESULTS Estimated prevalence for the total study population of at least one psychiatric diagnosis was 49.3% (95% CI 39.7-59.0%). Most diagnoses were in the group of anxieties, somatoform disorders and depressive disorders. Many patients had more than one diagnosis. Lack of education and poor proficiency in Danish, as well as growing up in a family with severe alcohol problems, were high risk factors for a psychiatric diagnosis. Patients and physicians seemingly agreed on focusing on physical disorders at the consultation, and only a minority of mental disorders was recognised and treated as such by the physicians. CONCLUSION Mental disorders are prevalent but not sufficiently recognised and treated among patients in primary health care in Greenland. Their association with social and economic conditions calls for attention from the health services as well as from social and educational institutions.
Leverage Deviations and Acquisition Probability in the UK: The Moderating Effect of Firms’ Internal Capabilities and Deal Diversification Potential

In the context of mergers and acquisitions, we provide evidence to suggest that a firm's deviation from its optimal financial leverage may impede its ability to undertake future expansions. We also find the negative effect of leverage deviation on acquisition probability to be moderated by firms’ existing capabilities. Further, we find those deviating firms to have better prospects of achieving growth when they pursue cross‐industry and/or cross‐country mergers and acquisitions. Overall, our findings imply that deviations from the optimal financial leverage may be costly to firms but this cost is not symmetric across all firms and all deal types.
A review of Yorùbá Automatic Speech Recognition

Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) has recorded appreciable progress both in technology and application. Despite this progress, there still exist wide performance gap between human speech recognition (HSR) and ASR which has inhibited its full adoption in real life situation. A brief review of research progress on Yorùbá Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) is presented in this paper focusing of variability as factor contributing to performance gap between HSR and ASR with a view of x-raying the advances recorded, major obstacles, and chart a way forward for development of ASR for Yorùbá that is comparable to those of other tone languages and of developed nations. This is done through extensive surveys of literatures on ASR with focus on Yorùbá. Though appreciable progress has been recorded in advancement of ASR in the developed world, reverse is the case for most of the developing nations especially those of Africa. Yorùbá like most of languages in Africa lacks both human and materials resources needed for the development of functional ASR system much less taking advantage of its potentials benefits. Results reveal that attaining an ultimate goal of ASR performance comparable to human level requires deep understanding of variability factors.
The preparation of γ-crystalline non-electrically poled photoluminescant ZnO–PVDF nanocomposite film for wearable nanogenerators

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) films are filled with various mass fractions (wt%) of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) to fabricate the high performance of a wearable polymer composite nanogenerator (PCNG). The ZnO-NPs can induced a fully γ-crystalline phase in PVDF, where traditional electrical poling is not necessary for the generation of piezoelectric properties. The PCNG delivers up to 28 V of open circuit voltage and 450 nA of short circuit current by simple repeated human finger imparting (under a pressure amplitude of 8.43 kPa) that generates sufficient power to turn on at least 48 commercial blue light emitting diodes (LEDs) instantly. Furthermore, it also successfully charged the capacitors, signifying practical applicability as a piezoelectric based nanogenerator for self-powering devices. The applicability of PCNG by wearable means is clarified when it gives rise to a sensible response, say up to 400 mV of output voltage synchronized with the PCNG embedded human finger in a bending and releasing gesture. UV-visible absorption spectral analysis revealed the possibility of estimating a change in the optical band gap value (Eg), refractive index (n) and optical activation energy (Ea) in different concentrations of ZnO-NP incorporated PVDF nanocomposite films, and it possesses a useful methodology where ZnO-NPs can be used as an optical probe. Near blue light emission is observed from photoluminescence spectra, which are clearly shown from a Commission Internationale de L’Eclairage (CIE) diagram. The piezoelectric charge coefficient of the nanocomposite film is estimated to be −6.4 pC/N, where even electrical poling treatment is not employed. In addition, dielectric properties have been studied to understand the role of molecular kinetic and interfacial polarization occurring in nanocomposite films at different applied frequencies.
Use of repeated biopsies to monitor endometrial oxytocin receptors in the cow

A transcervical biopsy technique was used for the repeated collection of samples of bovine endometrium from individual cows to monitor the development of oxytocin receptors. The collection of biopsies from three cyclic cows at two-day intervals between days 13 and 17 after oestrus did not result in any shortening of the length of the cycle (mean +/- sem 22.0 +/- 0.5 days). Furthermore, the assay of serial blood samples from three cows around the time of biopsy on days 15 and 17 demonstrated that the technique did not induce any release of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha). Oxytocin receptors were undetectable (< 20 fmol/mg protein) on days 13 and 15 of the cycle, increased to a mean of 121 +/- 16 fmol/mg protein on day 17 (before luteolysis), and were highest in samples collected at oestrus (498 +/- 84 fmol/mg protein). To determine whether a single biopsy of endometrium would give a representative measure of the concentration of uterine oxytocin receptors, the concentrations were determined in samples of caruncular and intercaruncular endometrium collected from the upper, middle and lower proportions of uteri from three oestrous animals at slaughter. The concentrations were similar in both types of tissue (caruncular 730 +/- 15 fmol/mg protein, intercaruncular 727 +/- 48 fmol/mg protein) and there were no differences between the three regions of the uterus.
Populist Political Communication: Toward a Model of Its Causes, Forms, and Effects

In his famous book, Social science concepts: A systematic analysis (1984), Giovanni Sartori (1984) is hard on his fellow scholars in the social sciences. Bemoaning a lack of conceptual clarity and a widespread collective ambiguity of social science concepts, he diagnoses a “state of chaos” in most social science disciplines and calls for concept reconstruction as “a highly needed therapy” (pp. 41-42). Although Sartori did not explicitly refer to populism in the context of these remarks, it seems fair to say that they apply to this concept. Populism surely ranks among the most popular and, at the same time, most contested concepts in the social sciences. Numerous articles and chapters have been written about how populism should best be dened and which elements “really” constitute populism. However, there is still no consensus about what the term should describe. Of course, it can be argued that it is usual for social science concepts to be contested and that alternative conceptualizations and denitions provide scholars with the opportunity to select the specic version of a concept that suits them and their research interests best. Nonetheless, problems like collective conceptual ambiguity, lack of precision, and the widespread use of different terms for describing the same phenomena (synonymy) or of the same term for describing different phenomena (homonymy) can have negative consequences. Most importantly, such inconsistencies hamper scientic discourse and communication between science and society. Further, they endanger the comparability of ndings and, as a consequence, impede the accumulation and integration of research results, theory building, and the thorough explanation of the social phenomena at hand.
Enhanced Expression of Thymidylate Synthase May Be of Prognostic Importance in Advanced Cervical Cancer

The enhanced expression of thymidylate synthase (TS) has been associated with a poor prognosis in patients with several types of epithelial tumors. To determine the association between TS expression and the prognosis of patients with advanced cervical cancer after radiation therapy, we immunohistochemically assayed TS levels in paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 66 patients with stage IIIb cervical cancer using a polyclonal antibody to recombinant human TS. In the 30 patients with high TS expression, the cumulative 5- and 8-year survival rates were 36.8% (95% CI: 17.4–56.2) and 31.6% (95% CI: 12.4–50.7), respectively. In contrast, the 36 patients with low TS expression showed a significantly (p < 0.001) better prognosis, with cumulative 5- and 8-year survival rates of 87.2% (95% CI: 75.5–99.0) and 69.2% (95% CI: 50.7–87.7), respectively. These results suggest that TS expression may be useful in determining the prognosis of patients with advanced cervical cancer.
Clinical symptoms and IgE responses to common food proteins in atopic and healthy children

The appearance of symptoms suggestive of allergy through the first 4 years of life was studied prospectively in eighty‐six healthy newborn babies. Blood samples were obtained at birth, at 3,8,25 and 48 months of age and analyzed for levels of total serum IgE and for IgE antibodies to some common foods. The occurrence of IgE antibodies was related to atopic manifestations and to a detailed history of infant feeding and family history of allergy. All infants with elevated cord blood IgE (more than 1.3 kU/1) developed manifestations of atopy. Specific IgE antibodies against egg, cow's milk and soy were demonstrated at 3, 8, 25 and 48 months in nine, twenty‐three, six and two children respectively. Egg was a more potent sensitizing agent than cow's milk, IgE antibodies to egg being present in thirty‐one samples, to cow's milk in eleven and to soy in five samples. Nine infants developed IgE antibodies to eggs or cow's milk before the introduction of these nutrients into the food. The IgE antibody levels were generally low in healthy non‐atopic children and did, with one exception, not reach RAST class 1. In contrast, the levels of IgE antibodies to egg or cow's milk were higher in eleven blood samples from atopic children. We conclude that transient low IgE antibody responses to food proteins appear relatively often even in healthy infants. High concentrations of IgE antibodies however are almost exclusively seen in infants with atopic disease. Sensitization may appear early in infancy sometimes even before the offending food has been introduced into the diet.
Spatio-Temporal Features of Urban Heat Island and Its Relationship with Land Use/Cover in Mountainous City: A Case Study in Chongqing

The urban heat island (UHI) becomes more and more serious with the acceleration of urbanization. Many researchers have shown interest in studying the UHI by using remote sensing data, but these studies rarely examine the mountainous cities. Studies on UHI in mountainous cities often used empirical parameters to estimate the land surface temperature (LST), and lacked satellite-ground synchronous experiments to test the accuracy. This paper revised the parameters in the mono-window algorithm used to retrieve the LST according to the characteristics of mountainous cities. This study examined the spatial and temporal patterns of the UHI intensity in Chongqing, a typical mountainous city, and its relationship with land cover from 2007 to 2016 based on the Landsat 5 TM and Landsat 8 TIRS data and the improved method. The accuracy of the LST derivation increased by about 1 ◦C compared to the traditional method. The high LST areas increased and extended from the downtown to suburban area each year, but the rate of change decreased. The UHI is dramatically impacted by the rivers. There is a good relationship between the urban sprawl and the UHI. The LST was reduced by about 1 ◦C within a 300 m distance from large urban fringe green spaces. The urban landscape parks had a strong effect relieving the UHI at a 100 m distance. The LST was reduced by about 0.5 ◦C. This study greatly improves the accuracy of LST derivation, and provides reliable parameters for the UHI researched in mountainous cities.
c-MET as a potential therapeutic target and biomarker in cancer

The receptor tyrosine kinase c-MET and its ligand, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), regulate multiple cellular processes that stimulate cell proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis. This review provides an overview of the evidence to support c-MET or the HGF/c-MET signaling pathway as relevant targets for personalized cancer treatment based on high frequencies of c-MET and/or HGF overexpression, activation, amplification in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), gastric, ovarian, pancreatic, thyroid, breast, head and neck, colon and kidney carcinomas. Additionally, the current knowledge of small molecule inhibitors (tivantinib [ARQ 197]), c-MET/HGF antibodies (rilotumumab and MetMAb) and mechanisms of resistance to c-MET-targeted therapies are discussed.
Pedunculopontine tegmental stimulation evokes striatal dopamine efflux by activation of acetylcholine and glutamate receptors in the midbrain and pons of the rat

The pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus appears to influence striatal dopamine activity via cholinergic and glutamatergic afferents to dopaminergic cells of the substantia nigra pars compacta. We measured changes in striatal dopamine oxidation current (dopamine efflux) in response to electrical stimulation of the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus using in vivo electrochemistry in urethane‐anaesthetized rats. Pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus stimulation evoked a three‐component change in striatal dopamine efflux, consisting of: (i) an initial rapid increase of 2 min duration; followed by (ii) a decrease below prestimulation levels of 9 min duration; then by (iii) a prolonged increase lasting 35 min. Intra‐nigral infusions of the ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonist kynurenate (10 µg/µL) or the nicotinic cholinergic receptor antagonist mecamylamine (5 µg/0.5 µL) selectively attenuated the rapid first component, while systemic injections of the muscarinic cholinergic antagonist scopolamine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) diminished the second and third components. In addition, intra‐pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus infusions of the M2 muscarinic antagonist methoctramine (50 µg/µL) selectively abolished the inhibitory second component, while intranigral infusions of scopolamine (200 µg/µL) selectively abolished the prolonged third component. Intra‐nigral infusions of the metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist (+)‐α‐methyl‐4‐carboxyphenylglycine (2 µg/µL) had no effect on pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus‐elicited striatal dopamine efflux. These results suggest that the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus utilizes nicotinic and ionotropic glutamate receptors in the substantia nigra to mediate rapid activation, M2‐like muscarinic autoreceptors in the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus to mediate decreased activation, and muscarinic receptors in the substantia nigra (probably of the M5 subtype) to mediate prolonged activation, of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system.