Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impaired Deformability of Red Blood Cells in Neonatal Septicemia

Introduction Sepsis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates, particularly among preterm infants. (1) Impaired microcirculatory blood flow plays a pivotal role in the development of clinical manifestations and organ dysfunctions in severe sepsis and septic shock. (2)(3)(4) If not corrected, microcirculatory dysfunction can progress to organ dysfunction and subsequently to organ failure and death. Restoration of microcirculatory dysfunction is, therefore, an important step in preventing long-term sequelae (including brain damage) and death of the patient. Both red and white blood cells must deform to pass through narrow channels whose diameters are less than those of the cells. (5) Impaired deformability of red and white blood cells may contribute to impaired microcirculatory blood flow in septicemia.
Plasma levels of oestrogen and progesterone in pregnant and lactating hamsters.

Using radioimmunoassay plasma levels of progesterone estrone (E-1) and estradiol (E-2) were determined in hamsters for each day of pregnancy and selected days of lactation. During most of pregnancy the levels of progesterone did not exceed the values found during the first 2 days of the estrous cycle; but on Day 14 of pregnancy the progesterone level abruptly increased to 29 ng/ml and then fell rapidly. Gestation lasted 16 days. When hysterectomy was performed on Day 12 of pregnancy base-line levels of progesterone (less than 2 ng/ml) occurred on Day 13 and there was no peak in progesterone like the one observed on Day 14 of normal gestation. Prolonged gestation and maternal and fetal death resulted from injection of progesterone on Day 14. E-2 peaks occurred on Days 7 (67.3 pg.ml) 11 (117.6 pg/ml) and 14 (81.8 pg/ml) of pregnancy. E-2 concentration dropped between Days 14 and 16 of pregnancy. When 50-150 mcg E-2 cyclopentylpropionate was injected between Days 12 and 16 parturition continued until the morning of Day 16. E-1 was present throughout pregnancy at levels lower than for E-2. The estrogen patterns were parellel. During lactation progesterone secretion remained relatively constant at about 10-11 ng/ml and E-1 and E-2 were not detectable in most instances.
Characterization of the Biosynthetic Pathway of Glucosylglycerate in the Archaeon Methanococcoides burtonii

ABSTRACT The pathway for the synthesis of the organic solute glucosylglycerate (GG) is proposed based on the activities of the recombinant glucosyl-3-phosphoglycerate synthase (GpgS) and glucosyl-3-phosphoglycerate phosphatase (GpgP) from Methanococcoides burtonii. A mannosyl-3-phosphoglycerate phosphatase gene homologue (mpgP) was found in the genome of M. burtonii (http://www.jgi.doe.gov ), but an mpgS gene coding for mannosyl-3-phosphoglycerate synthase (MpgS) was absent. The gene upstream of the mpgP homologue encoded a putative glucosyltransferase that was expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant product had GpgS activity, catalyzing the synthesis of glucosyl-3-phosphoglycerate (GPG) from GDP-glucose and d-3-phosphoglycerate, with a high substrate specificity. The recombinant MpgP protein dephosphorylated GPG to GG and was also able to dephosphorylate mannosyl-3-phosphoglycerate (MPG) but no other substrate tested. Similar flexibilities in substrate specificity were confirmed in vitro for the MpgPs from Thermus thermophilus, Pyrococcus horikoshii, and “Dehalococcoides ethenogenes. ” GpgS had maximal activity at 50°C. The maximal activity of GpgP was at 50°C with GPG as the substrate and at 60°C with MPG. Despite the similarity of the sugar donors GDP-glucose and GDP-mannose, the enzymes for the synthesis of GPG or MPG share no amino acid sequence identity, save for short motifs. However, the hydrolysis of GPG and MPG is carried out by phosphatases encoded by homologous genes and capable of using both substrates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the elucidation of a biosynthetic pathway for glucosylglycerate.
γδ T cells in infection‐induced and autoimmune‐induced testicular inflammation

In a previous report, we investigated inflammatory responses induced by injecting Listeria monocytogenes into one testis of a mouse. We demonstrated that the contralateral testis also developed an orchitis despite the absence of bacteria, indicating that the inflammation on the uninfected, contralateral side was of autoimmune character. In both infected and autoimmune testes, γδ and αβ T cells infiltrated during the inflammation. In this paper, we present the data of a comparison of the character of γδ T cells of the infected and autoimmune testes. In both testes, γδ T cells appeared to be activated, as assessed by high CD44 and low l‐selectin expression. Analysis of T‐cell receptor (TCR) usage in both inflammation types revealed the same γδ TCR repertoire. Finally, the semi‐quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) demonstrated that γδ T cells in both types of inflammation were capable of producing interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), IL‐4, interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), IL‐10 and transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β). These results imply that γδ T cells present in infected‐induced and autoimmunity‐induced inflammation have the same characteristics and could work as immunoregulatory cells.
Tilburg University Body expressions influence recognition of emotions in the face and voice

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Management of bacterial prostatitis: what’s new?

Prostatitis is a common healthcare issue affecting 10–14% of men of all ages and ethnicities. Acute bacterial prostatitis is associated with severe, mainly Gram‐negative infection; treatment consists of broad‐spectrum antibiotic therapy for 2–4 weeks, which can be tailored according to pathogen identification and susceptibility tests. Chronic bacterial prostatitis is more difficult to diagnose as the symptoms are shared by chronic pelvic pain syndrome; only 10% of patients with chronic prostatitis symptoms actually have bacterial infection. The pathogens associated with this condition are essentially common uropathogens, although there is debate around the role of Gram‐positive bacteria. Definitive diagnosis is obtained with the Meares–Stamey four‐glass test, or the two‐glass test in routine practice, which differentiates between chronic bacterial prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. The fluoroquinolones are the first choice of therapy for chronic bacterial prostatitis, in particular levofloxacin which is as effective as ciprofloxacin but shows a better prostatic penetration and is given once daily.
Exhaled Nitric Oxide: A New Lung Function Test

Nitric oxide (NO) is produced by many cells within the respiratory tract and endogenous NO may play an important role in the physiological control of airway function and in the pathophysiology of airway diseases 1 . The fraction of exhaled NO (FE NO ) is a promising biomarker for the diagnosis, follow up and a guide to therapy in adults and children with asthma. The breath test has recently become available in many well -equipped hospitals in developed countries. However, interpretation of exhaled NO measurements may be difficult and there is a wide variation in the reported levels of NO in exhaled air, suggesting that technical factors are important . 2 .
FISH-based analysis of stable translocations in a Techa River population.

PURPOSE Measurements of symmetrical translocations by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were performed for retrospective biodosimetry in a Techa River population exposed to external (gamma-rays) and internal (90Sr, 137Cs) irradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Chromosome analyses were carried out on peripheral lymphocytes from 73 radiation-exposed residents from settlements along the Techa River (Southern Urals, Russia) located 7-148 km downstream from the site of release of liquid radioactive waste from the plutonium production facility Mayak. Thirty-nine unexposed persons from non-contaminated areas were used as controls. Whole-chromosome painting probes for chromosomes 1, 4 and 12 were used simultaneously with a pancentromeric probe. RESULTS A significantly elevated mean translocation frequency compared with controls was found for the total study group and for either of two subgroups of inhabitants residing in villages of the upper regions of the Techa River (7-60 km) during 1950 to 1951, or in villages of the lower regions (78-148 km) until the time of blood sampling. Within the first subgroup, subjects born between 1937 and 1949 showed higher translocation frequencies than those born between 1914 and 1936. Collective biodosimetry estimates for the various groups were between 0.24 and 0.54 Gy. Individual dose estimates for seven subjects with at least five translocations ranged between 0.77 and 1.80 Gy and compared well with doses reconstructed on the basis of 90Sr whole-body counts (WBC) and electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements. Individual translocation frequencies from 40 subjects with existing WBC data and calculated cumulative red bone marrow doses below 0.6 Gy fall within the 95% prediction limits of the calibration curve. CONCLUSIONS FISH-based translocation measurements can provide useful information for a retrospective biodosimetric interpretation. However, with the analysed number of cells, individual estimates required for a reliable evaluation of this highly variable exposure situation can be obtained only for a minority of subjects. In addition, influence of a temporal decline on the yield of stable translocations cannot be fully excluded.
Commercially Available Order Flow Data and Exchange Rate Movements: "Caveat Emptor"

Research suggests that customer order flow should help predict exchange rates. We make two contributions. First, we provide a review of the recent literature on order flow and exchange rate movements. Second, we critically evaluate the practical value of customer order flow data that are commercially available to the wider market, as well as the forecasting properties of inter-dealer order flow. In line with microstructure theory, we find little evidence that the latter can forecast exchange rates, but our results also cast considerable doubt on the practical value to market practitioners of commercially available customer order flow data. Copyright (c) 2008 The Ohio State University.
Note on a six-valued extension of three-valued logic

ABSTRACT In this paper we introduce a set of six logical values, arising in the application of three-valued logics to time intervals, find its algebraic structure, and use it to define a six-valued logic. We then prove, by using algebraic properties of the class of De Morgan algebras, that this semantically defined logic can be axiomatized as Belnap's “useful” four-valued logic. Other directions of research suggested by the construction of this set of six logical values are described.
Riparian control of stream-water chemistry: Implications for hydrochemical basin models

End-member mixing analysis has been used to determine the hydrological structure for basin hydrochemical models at several catchments. Implicit in this use is the assumption that controlling end members have been identified, and that these end members represent distinct landscape locations. At the Panola Mountain Research Watershed, the choice of controlling end members was supported when a large change in the calcium and sulphate concentration of one of the end members was reflected in the stream water. More extensive sampling of groundwater and soil water indicated, however, that the geographic extent of the contributing end members was limited to the riparian zone. Hillslope solutions were chemically distinct from the riparian solutions and did not appear to make a large contribution to streamflow. The dominant control of the riparian zone on stream-water chemistry suggests that hydrological flow paths cannot be inferred from stream-water chemical dynamics.
Polychlorinated biphenyls impair blood–brain barrier integrity via disruption of tight junction proteins in cerebrum, cerebellum and hippocampus of female Wistar rats

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) comprise a ubiquitous class of toxic substances associated with carcinogenic and tumor-promoting effects as well as neurotoxic properties. Reactive oxygen species, which is produced from PCBs, alters blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity, which is paralleled by cytoskeletal rearrangements and redistribution and disappearance of tight junction proteins (TJPs) like claudin-5 and occludin. Quercetin, a potent antioxidant present in onion and other vegetables, appears to protect brain cells against oxidative stress, a tissue-damaging process associated with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders. The aim of this study is to analyze the role of quercetin on oxidative stress markers and transcription of transmembrane and cytoplasmic accessory TJPs on cerebrum, cerebellum and hippocampus of female rats exposed to PCBs. Rats were divided into the following four groups. Group I: received only vehicle (corn oil) intraperitoneally (i.p.); group II: received Aroclor 1254 at a dose of 2 mg/kg body weight (bwt)/day (i.p); group III: received Aroclor 1254 (i.p.) and simultaneously quercetin 50 mg/kg bwt/day through gavage and group IV: received quercetin alone gavage. From the experiment, the levels of hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were observed to increase significantly in cerebrum, cerebellum and hippocampus as 50%, 25% and 20%, respectively, after exposure to PCB, and the messenger RNA expression of TJP in rats exposed to PCBs is decreased and is retrieved to the normal level simultaneously in quercetin-treated rats. Hence, quercetin can be used as a preventive medicine to PCBs exposure and prevents neurodegenerative disorders.
A quantitative analysis of variability in brachial plexus anatomy

The aim of this study was to quantify the lengths of nerve segments within the brachial plexus. Twenty cadavers were dissected bilaterally, giving a total of 40 brachial plexuses for measurement. Individual lengths of plexus segments were measured and recorded, and means and standard deviations were calculated for all data. Differences between the means were statistically evaluated using the Student's t‐test. Only 3 of 16 segments were found to be longer in women on average, which included the anterior division of the superior trunk, the anterior division of the middle trunk and the posterior division of the inferior trunk. All three cords (medial, lateral, and posterior) were found to be significantly different between genders, the longer segments being in males. Significant bilateral differences were also observed when right and left brachial plexuses from each cadaver were compared. Extra lateral heads (ELHs) to the median nerve were found in 50% of brachial plexuses, the anatomy of which varied bilaterally as well as between genders. Awareness of this variability is important both to anatomists and to clinicians who operate on and around the brachial plexus. Clin. Anat. 23:210–215, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Understanding students' motivation in project work: a 2 x 2 achievement goal approach.

BACKGROUND The project work (PW) initiative was launched in 2000 by the Ministry of Education, Singapore, to encourage application of knowledge across disciplines, and to develop thinking, communication, collaboration, and metacognitive skills. Although PW has been introduced for a few years, few studies have examined the motivation of students in PW, especially with the use of the recently proposed 2 x 2 achievement goal framework. AIM To use a cluster analytic approach to identify students' achievement goal profiles at an intra-individual level, and to examine their links to various psychological characteristics and perceived outcomes in PW. SAMPLE Participants were 491 Secondary 2 students (mean age = 13.78, SD = 0.77) from two government coeducational schools. METHOD Cluster analysis was performed to identify distinct subgroups of students with similar achievement goal profiles. One-way MANOVAs, followed by post hoc Tukey HSD tests for pairwise comparisons were used to determine whether there was any significant difference amongst clusters in terms of the psychological characteristics and perceived outcomes in PW. RESULTS Four distinct clusters of students were identified. The cluster with high achievement goals and the cluster with moderately high goals had the most positive psychological characteristics and perceived outcomes. In contrast, the cluster with very low scores for all four achievement goals had the most maladaptive profile. CONCLUSION The study provides support for the 2 x 2 achievement goal framework, and demonstrates that multiple goals can operate simultaneously. However, it highlights the need for cross-cultural studies to look into the approach-avoidance dimension in the 2 x 2 achievement goal framework.
Reducing Falls in a Definitive Observation Unit: An Evidence‐Based Practice Institute Consortium Project

Fall prevention poses a major challenge to healthcare personnel. Fall prone patients must be accurately identified and staff must adhere to evidence-based practices that have distinct value for preventing falls. This article describes a Definitive Observation Unit (DOU) and its evidence-based fall-prevention protocol based on nationally recognized standards. Despite the adoption of the protocol, fall occurrence rates remained above California Nursing Outcomes Coalition benchmarks. There were variations among nurses, physicians and physical therapists in regard to the value of fall prevention program components such as pre-formatted orders, physical therapy referrals and documentation.This authors report results of a study using an evidence-based practice (EBP) framework for evaluating an interdisciplinary, multifactorial fall prevention protocol. Results indicated that staff champions and resources are essential elements for changing practices that are vital to fall reduction.
Long-term Exposure to Nicotine, via Ras Pathway, Induces Cyclin D1 to Stimulate G1 Cell Cycle Transition*

Nicotine, a major component in tobacco, has been implicated as a potential factor that promotes the development of lung cancer. However, the molecular mechanism of its action is still unclear. In this study, we have shown that, via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, persistent exposure of mouse epithelial cells to nicotine elicits Ras signaling and subsequent Raf/MAP kinase activity, accompanied by a significant increase in cyclin D1 promoter activity and its protein expression. AP-1 is required for activation of the cyclin D1 promoter. The induction of cyclin D1 expression and its promoter activity by nicotine is abolished by the suppression of Raf/MAP kinase signaling. Furthermore, upon nicotine treatment, the cells do not arrest in the G1 phase of the cell cycle following serum starvation. The perturbation of the G1 cell cycle checkpoint is caused by the deregulation of retinoblastoma/E2F activity. Therefore, our data indicated that by targeting the Ras pathway, long-term exposure to nicotine disrupts cell cycle restriction machinery and thus potentiates tumor development.
A wideband automotive antenna for actual and future mobile communication 5G/LTE/WLAN with low profile

For integration into flat mounting volumes in cars a new wideband antenna is presented covering all frequency bands for cell phone LTE and 5G starting with the LTE low band at 698 MHz up to the WLAN frequency bands at 6 GHz. The performance of the antenna as a single part is shown by way of measurement and simulation and a pair of antennas is measured in a car on a turntable regarding its mutual coupling and influences of the mounting environment. It can be shown that for all the considered frequency bands the gain of the wideband antenna is deviating by only around 2.5 dB from the gain of a set of monopole antennas which are ideally matched for the different frequency bands.
Anger, hostility and aggression in the first days of acute stroke

In acute stroke patients, anger can disturb management and rehabilitation and creates a stressful situation for family, health‐care providers and other patients. We aim to describe the presence of anger and its association with demographic, clinical, psychiatric, lesion variables and functional outcome in acute stroke patients. We screened anger prospectively in 202 consecutive acute stroke patients (≤4 days) using eight items from three psychiatric scales (Catastrophic Reaction Scale, Mania Rating Scale and Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale). Anger was present if the patient scored in at least one item. Anger was detected in 71 (35%) patients and 26 of these were severely angry (≥4 points). There was no association between anger and the considered variables. Analysis of the items extracted two factors: (i) the emotional‐cognitive and (ii) the behavioural components of anger. These components were independent of each other in 26 patients. In 38 patients we found a dissociation between clinical observation and patients’ subjective expression. Anger was frequent in acute stroke patients. Anger was probably triggered by the brain lesion, which interfered with the emotional control. The lack of an association with clinical and imaging variables suggests a contribution of psychological/psychosocial dimensions.
Occurrence of Neutrophil Extracellular DNA Traps (NETs) in Pre‐Eclampsia

Abstract: Manifest pre‐eclampsia is associated with activation of peripheral neutrophils as well as elevations in maternal cell‐free DNA. For this reason, we were very intrigued by recent reports indicating that activated circulatory neutrophils secrete nuclear DNA to generate extracellular DNA lattices, termed NETs (neutrophil extracellular traps). Our preliminary data indicate that placental syncytiotrophoblast microparticles, which are released in elevated amounts in pre‐eclampsia, can induce NETs in isolated neutrophils. Furthermore, we found evidence for the increased presence of NETs directly in the intervillous space of pre‐eclamptic placentae. Therefore, these newly discovered entities may be implicated in the underlying etiology of this disorder.
Residential Biofuels in South Asia: Carbonaceous Aerosol Emissions and Climate Impacts

High concentrations of pollution particles, including “soot” or black carbon, exist over the Indian Ocean, but their sources and geographical origins are not well understood. We measured emissions from the combustion of biofuels, used widely in south Asia for cooking, and found that large amounts of carbonaceous aerosols are emitted per kilogram of fuel burnt. We calculate that biofuel combustion is the largest source of black carbon emissions in India, and we suggest that its control is central to climate change mitigation in the south Asian region.
Karyotype Analysis of Seven Varieties of Taro Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott. from Bangladesh

Nuclear and chromosome characteristics of seven varieties of Colocasia esculenta were studied. Interphase chromosome value was found to range from 2119.85 (cytotype-3) to 5346.12 (cytotype-7). Heterochromatin values varied from 23.17 (cytotype-2) to 44.52% (cytotypt-6) in meristematic cells. Karyotype studies revealed that somatic chromosome number was 28 in cytotype-1, 2, 5, 6 and 7; 42 in cytotype-3 and 21 in cytotype-4. The longest chromosome (5.54 μm) was observed in cytotyopt-2 and shortest (1.3 μm) in cytotype-3 and 6. Key words: Karyotype, Nuclear phenotype, Colocasia esculenta. DOI:10.3329/jbs.v16i0. 3735 J. bio-sci. 16: 15-18, 2008