Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) as a Risk Factor of Severe Preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a very common medical complication of pregnancy. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of UTI in preeclamptic pregnancies and its association with severity of this disease. METHODS This cohort study was performed on 71 women with mild preeclampsia (PE), 70 women with severe PE, and 98 healthy pregnant women from October 2012 to April 2014 in the west of Iran. Mean diastolic pressure and level of proteinuria were used as indicators of disease severity. The main criteria for diagnosis of UTI was microbial count of higher than 104 cfu/ml. RESULTS The prevalence of the UTI in severe PE patients was significantly higher than mild PE patients and non-hypertensive pregnants. 12 out of 70 women with severe PE (17.1%) and 7 out of 98 controls (7.1%) had UTI (P<0.05), also 8 out of 71 women with mild PE (11.3%) had UTI (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our data shows a significant increase in UTI in severe PE pregnancy. Thus, we can consider UTI as one of the risk factors for developing severe PE; so by screening UTI in the first visit of the pregnant women and repeating it at the second and third trimester of pregnancy we could decrease adverse effects of UTI such as severe PE in pregnant women.
A High Dimensional QSAR Study on the Aldose Reductase Inhibitory Activity of Some Flavones: Topological Descriptors in Modeling the Activity

The quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) of the Aldose Reductase (AR) inhibitory activity of 48 flavones were studied using Free-Wilson, Combinatorial Protocol in Multiple Linear Regression (CP-MLR), and Partial Least Squares (PLS) procedures. For the latter two procedures 152 Molconn-Z parameters and six indicators corresponding to the hydroxyls of flavones were used as molecular descriptors. Independently, all procedures suggested the significance of hydroxyls in modulating the activity of these compounds. The CP-MLR procedure identified 26 descriptors to model the activity. They suggested that structures rich in aromatic CH fragments, with a limited number of aliphatic fragments such as -CH2-, -CH<, and free hydroxyls at 7-, 3'-, and 4'-positions of the 2-arylbenzpyran-4-one core would be preferred for the activity. The PLS analysis agreed with the information content and the relative significance of the descriptors identified in the CP-MLR for modeling the activity. The study offers the scope to modulate the inhibitory activity of these compounds.
Protective Effects of Rosuvastatin in Experimental Renal Failure Rats via Improved Endothelial Function

Rosuvastatin is a statin (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A [HMG-CoA] reductase inhibitor) that also serves as an endothelial dysfunction salvager in many disease models. Endothelial dysfunction is assumed to play a pivotal role in the process of chronic renal failure. The authors tested rosuvastatin on a rat model of renal failure with hypertension. Renal failure was induced by 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx). Fisher rats were divided into four groups: sham (n = 10), sham + rosuvastatin (n = 10), Nx (n = 9), and Nx + rosuvastatin (n =10). After 4 weeks, the authors determined renal function, lipid profile, and urine albumin excretion, investigated small renal arteries for endothelium function in response to acetylcholine by perfused juxtamedullary nephron technique, and detected intrarenal inflammatory cytokine expression by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. 5/6 Nx significantly increased blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and systolic/diastolic blood pressure, and severe albuminuria developed. The deterioration of renal function, hypertension, and albuminuria were almost normalized by rosuvastatin therapy; in addition, rosuvastatin prevented intrarenal inflammatory cytokine expression and the impaired response to acetylcholine of the renal endothelium. Microscopically, rosuvastatin significantly inhibited the development of progressing renal fibrosis, preserved glomerular structure and tubular integrity, and significantly reduced the degree of tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. In conclusion, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor rosuvastatin can ameliorate markers of endothelium dysfunction and offers a significant protective effect against the development of renal failure caused by 5/6 Nx in rats. Rosuvastatin might, therefore, represent a novel therapeutic agent for chronic kidney disease.
Characterization of gradient echo signal decays in healthy and cancerous prostate at 3T improves with a Gaussian augmentation of the mono‐exponential (GAME) model

A biomarker of cancer aggressiveness, such as hypoxia, could substantially impact treatment decisions in the prostate, especially radiation therapy, by balancing treatment morbidity (urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, etc.) against mortality. R2* mapping with Mono‐Exponential (ME) decay modeling has shown potential for identifying areas of prostate cancer hypoxia at 1.5T. However, Gaussian deviations from ME decay have been observed in other tissues at 3T. The purpose of this study is to assess whether gradient‐echo signal decays are better characterized by a standard ME decay model, or a Gaussian Augmentation of the Mono‐Exponential (GAME) decay model, in the prostate at 3T. Multi‐gradient‐echo signals were acquired on 20 consecutive patients with a clinical suspicion of prostate cancer undergoing MR‐guided prostate biopsies. Data were fitted with both ME and GAME models. The information contents of these models were compared using Akaike's information criterion (second order, AICC), in skeletal muscle, the prostate central gland (CG), and peripheral zone (PZ) regions of interest (ROIs). The GAME model had higher information content in 30% of the prostate on average (across all patients and ROIs), covering up to 67% of cancerous PZ ROIs, and up to 100% of cancerous CG ROIs (in individual patients). The higher information content of GAME became more prominent in regions that would be assumed hypoxic using ME alone, reaching 50% of the PZ and 70% of the CG as ME R2* approached 40 s−1. R2* mapping may have important applications in MRI; however, information lost due to modeling could mask differences in parameters due to underlying tissue anatomy or physiology. The GAME model improves characterization of signal behavior in the prostate at 3T, and may increase the potential for determining correlates of fit parameters with biomarkers, for example of oxygenation status.
Lateral geniculate projections to the superficial layers of visual cortex in the tree shrew

Our recent studies of tree shrew striate cortex have focused on the organization of lateral geniculate projections to layer IV and the projections from IV to layer III. Although these pathways play an important role in determining the response properties of layer III neurons, there are additional pathways from the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) that terminate directly in layer III. Previous studies provided evidence that these projections originate from layers 6 and 3 of the LGN and terminate in different subdivisions of layer III. In this study we used injections of biocytin to examine the projections of layers 6 and 3 to the cortex in more detail.
Preparation of surface multiple-coated polylactide acid drug-loaded nanoparticles for intranasal delivery and evaluation on its brain-targeting efficiency

Abstract Purpose: To prepare a mixture of multiple-coated aniracetam nasal polylactic-acid nanoparticles (M-C-PLA-NP) and evaluate its stability preliminarily in vitro and its brain-targeting efficiency in vivo. Methods: The solvent diffusion–evaporation combined with magnetic stirring method has been chosen for the entrapment of aniracetam. The M-C-PLA-NP was characterized with respect to its morphology, particle size, size distribution and aniracetam entrapment efficiency. The in vivo distribution was studied in male SD rats after an intranasal administration. Results: In vitro release of M-C-PLA-NP showed two components with an initial rapid release due to the surface-associated drug and followed by a slower exponential release of aniracetam, which was dissolved in the core. The AUC0→30 min of M-C-PLA-NP in brain tissues resulted in a 5.19-fold increase compared with aniracetam solution. The ratios of AUC in brain to that in other tissues obtained after nasal application of M-C-PLA-NP were significantly higher than those of aniracetam solution. Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that M-C-PLA-NP demonstrated its potential on increasing the brain-targeting efficiency of drugs and will be used as novel brain-targeting agent for nasal drug delivery.
Multiresistant Pseudomonas keratitis

resistance to trans-scleral outflow of intraocular protein and secondary compression of the vortex veins by thickened sclera. Histochemical scleral analysis has shown irregular arrangement of collagen fibres with abnormal deposits of glycosaminoglycans, predominantly dermatan sulphate between collagen bundles. Surgical management aims to bypass the thickened sclera and provide an alternative outflow route for intraocular fluid. Surgical techniques described include fullor partial-thickness sclerostomy and orbital vein decompression. Decompression of the vortex vein is, however, technically challenging and not essential for resolution of subretinal and suprachoroidal fluid. This case highlights how UES may affect the second eye after an extended interval even in non-nanopthalmic eyes.
Adolescent Boys in Gujarat, India: Their Sexual Behavior and Their Knowledge of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases

We assessed the sexual behavior patterns of 368 unmarried, sexually active adolescent boys (294 rural, 74 urban) and their knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and correct use of condoms. The mean knowledge score for STDs was low and significantly associated with educational level (p<.0001). The mean awareness score for correct use of condoms was 0.42 on a scale of 10 and significantly associated with employment status and age at first coitus (p<.001). There was a negative correlation (-0.17) between literacy and knowledge of correct use of condoms. Selection of the first sexual partner, usually a prostitute, was influenced by employment status, age at first coitus, and literacy level. These data suggest that sexually active adolescent boys in Gujarat, India are inadequately prepared to protect themselves against STDs and, therefore, that it is imperative to impart to them some knowledge of safe sex.
Variation , Covariation , and Functions : Foundational Ways of Thinking Mathematically *

In beginning this chapter we immediately faced a dilemma. There is nothing that can be called “the concept of function. ” The phrase “concept of function,” regardless of its meaning, immediately calls into question whom we envision having it. Is it a mathematician, a teacher, a student, or a researcher in mathematics education? A student’s conception of function will not be as developed as that held by a mathematician, and a mathematician’s conception of function may not include detailed information that a math education researcher has about how students’ function understanding develops. Another dilemma in writing this chapter is that different researchers in mathematics education have had different conceptions of function and therefore held different norms for “students’ understanding of function. ” Because there are many meanings and ways of thinking that various individuals and groups hold that could fit under the heading concept of function, we avoid speaking as if there is a standard, generally accepted meaning of function against which others should be compared. Instead, we specify the meanings and ways of thinking that we envision a person having a concept of function holds. We organized this chapter into six parts to capture the broad swath of issues surrounding the idea of covariation as a foundation for function in mathematics; the ways that covariation can be conceived among students, teachers, and researchers; and implications of various forms of reasoning covariationally. Specifically, we (1) provide a brief overview of how conceptions of function evolved historically and the central role that covariation played; (2) clarify what we mean by variational and covariational reasoning and where these meanings came from; (3) examine research on students’ and teachers’ variational and covariational reasoning in selected areas; (4) comment briefly, with a covariational lens, on past research on students’ and teachers’ conceptions of function; (5) discuss curricular treatments of function, again with a covariational lens; and (6) outline possible directions for future research.
Violence and drug use in rural teens: national prevalence estimates from the 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to compare national estimates of drug use and exposure to violence between rural and urban teens. METHODS Twenty-eight dependent variables from the 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey were used to compare violent activities, victimization, suicidal behavior, tobacco use, alcohol use, and illegal drug use across rural, urban, and suburban teens across the country. RESULTS Overall, rural teens were equally or more likely than both suburban and urban teens to report experiencing many measures of violent behavior, victimization, suicide behaviors, and drug use. Among all teens, nonwhites reported equal or higher rates of violent behavior and victimization than whites, but these associations disappeared within the rural-only population. CONCLUSIONS Rural areas do not appear to provide a strongly protective effect against risk behaviors in teens and may be a risk factor in itself. Community prevention efforts should focus on reaching rural areas and segmenting program content based on need. Where white teens might benefit from an emphasis on preventing tobacco and alcohol use, nonwhite teens would benefit from an emphasis on preventing violence and victimization.
Comitogenicity of eicosanoids and the peroxisome proliferator ciprofibrate in cultured rat hepatocytes

Several hypolipidemic drugs and environmental contaminants induce hepatic peroxisome proliferation and hepatic tumors when administered to rodents. These chemicals increase the expression of the peroxisomal β‐oxidation pathway and the cytochrome P‐450 4A family, which metabolize lipids, including eicosanoids and their precursor fatty acids. We previously found that the peroxisome proliferator ciprofibrate decreases the level of eicosanoids in the liver and in cultured hepatocytes. In this study, we examined the effect of prostaglandins E2 and F2α (PGE2 and PGF2α), leukotriene C4 (LTC4) and the peroxisome proliferator ciprofibrate on DNA synthesis in cultured hepatocytes. Primary rat hepatocytes were cultured on collagen gels in serum‐free L‐15 medium with varying concentrations of eicosanoids and ciprofibrate, and the absence or presence of growth factors. Ciprofibrate lowered hepatocyte eicosanoid concentrations; the addition of eicosanoids restored their levels. After a 48‐h exposure with [3H]‐thymidine, DNA synthesis was determined by measuring [3H]‐thymidine incorporation into DNA. The addition of PGE2, PGF2α, and LTC4 to cultures along with ciprofibrate increased DNA synthesis, whereas treatment with ciprofibrate or eicosanoids alone resulted in a much smaller increase. The addition of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to the eicosanoid‐ciprofibrate combination increased DNA synthesis more than EGF or the eicosanoid‐ciprofibrate combination alone. The PGF2α‐ciprofibrate combination also was comitogenic with transforming growth factor‐α and hepatocyte growth factor. The addition of both ciprofibrate and prostaglandins also blocked the growth inhibitory effect of transforming growth factor‐β on DNA synthesis induced by EGF. These results show that the eicosanoids PGE2, PGF2α, and LTC4 are comitogenic with the peroxisome proliferator ciprofibrate in cultured rat hepatocytes. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Testicular and epididymal sperm content in grazing Cashmere bucks: seasonal variation and prediction from measurements in vivo.

Each month, for 15 months, the testes and epididymides were recovered from five Australian cashmere bucks selected at random from a group of mature bucks (initial n = 116) at pasture (location 29 degrees S, 153 degrees E). The extent of seasonal change in testicular and epididymal sperm reserves was determined and indirect methods for predicting these reserves were developed. Paired testicular weight exhibited clear seasonal variation from 137 g in August to 269 g in February. The total elongated spermatid content of the testes, determined by homogenization, showed a very similar seasonal pattern, ranging from 13.8 x 10(9) in September to 36.2 x 10(9) in March. Seasonal changes of similar timing were observed for paired epididymal weight and sperm content. Although changes in total testicular spermatid content were largely the result of change in testicular weight (R2 = 0.72, P < 0.001), the elongated spermatid content of testicular parenchyma (mean, 127 x 10(6) g-1) exhibited significant seasonal variation with elevated values between February and June, suggestive of an increase in the efficiency of spermatogenesis. Daily sperm production, calculated by means of a spermatogenic time divisor for sheep, ranged from 2.76 x 10(9) in September to 7.23 x 10(9) in February. Scrotal circumference, scrotal volume and testicular length x diameter2 were identified as accurate predictors of testicular weight (R2 > or = 0.87) and sperm content (R2 > or = 0.70). The results demonstrate that: (a) cashmere bucks exhibit considerable seasonal variation in spermatogenesis associated primarily with changes in testicular mass but also with changes in the efficiency of spermatogenesis; and (b) indirect measures of testicular size are good predictors of testicular elongated sperm content. When the correct spermatogenic time divisor for goats is determined, such indirect measures may be used to predict daily sperm production.
High-Performance Low-Cost Dual 15 GHz/30 GHz CMOS LC Voltage-Controlled Oscillator

A CMOS LC voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) capable of covering both the Ku and Ka bands is presented. The Ku-band frequency source is generated from a low-noise cross-coupled LC VCO. A PMOS push-push frequency doubler, together with the inductor of the low-band LC VCO, is adopted to boost the low Ku-band toward high Ka-band. This proposed VCO is implemented in a standard 0.18 μm CMOS with 1.35 V supply voltage. The dual-band VCO consumes a small active area of 0.49 mm × 0.2 mm and low DC power of 3 mW at both bands. At 1 MHz (10 MHz) offset, the measured output phase noises are -109.30 dBc/Hz (-130.54 dBc/Hz) at 15.126 GHz and -102.33 dBc/Hz (-124.10 dBc/Hz) at 30.251 GHz.
Functional identification of the input‐output transforms of motoneurones in the rat and cat

1 We studied the responses of rat hypoglossal and cat lumbar motoneurones to a variety of excitatory and inhibitory injected current transients during repetitive discharge. The amplitudes and time courses of the transients were comparable to those of the synaptic currents underlying unitary and small compound postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) recorded in these cells. Poisson trains of ten of these excitatory and ten inhibitory current transients were combined with an additional independent, high‐frequency random waveform to approximate band limited white noise. The white noise waveform was then superimposed on long duration (39 s) suprathreshold current steps. 2 We measured the effects of each of the current transients on motoneurone discharge by compiling peristimulus time histograms (PSTHs) between the times of occurrence of individual current transients and motoneurone discharges. We estimated the changes in membrane potential associated with each current transient by approximating the passive response of the motoneurone with a simple resistance‐capacitance circuit. The relations between the features of these simulated PSPs and those of the PSTHs were similar to those reported previously for real PSPs: the short‐latency PSTH peak (or trough) was generally longer than the initial phase of the PSP derivative, but shorter than the time course of the PSP itself. Linear models of the PSP to PSTH transform based on the PSP time course, the time derivative of the PSP, or a linear combination of the two parameters could not reproduce the full range of PSTH profiles observed. 3 We also used the responses of the motoneurones to the white noise stimulus to derive zero‐, first‐ and second‐order Wiener kernels, which provide a quantitative description of the relation between injected current and discharge probability. The convolution integral computed for an injected current waveform and the first‐order Wiener kernel should provide the best linear prediction of the associated PSTH. This linear model provided good matches to the PSTHs associated with a wide range of current transients. However, for the largest amplitude current transients, a significant improvement in the PSTH match was often achieved by expanding the model to include the convolution of the second‐order Wiener kernel with the input. 4 The overall transformation of current inputs into firing rate could be approximated by a second‐order Wiener model, i.e. a cascade of a dynamic, linear filter followed by a static non‐linearity. At a given mean firing rate, the non‐linear component of the response of the motoneurone could be described by the square of the linear component multiplied by a constant coefficient. The amplitude of the response of the linear component increased with the average firing rate, whereas the value of the multiplicative coefficient in the non‐linear component decreased. As a result, the overall transform could be predicted from the mean firing rate and the linear impulse response, yielding a relatively simple, general description of the motoneurone input‐output function.
Event-related potentials during controlled and automatic target detection.

The present study investigated the role of attentional resources in the performance of controlled and automatic detection tasks. The amplitude of the P300 component of the event-related potential has been shown to be a sensitive index of the attentional resources allocated to the perceptual processing of sensory stimuli. We found that P300s elicited in both automatic and controlled detection were large and of comparable amplitude, suggesting the involvement of a limited-capacity mechanism in both tasks. This result is in agreement with previous behavioral studies showing equivalent dual-task trade-offs with both search tasks (Hoffman & Nelson, Note 1). In contrast, P300 latency was considerably reduced in the automatic task, suggesting that the main effect of practice in the detection task is to improve the discriminability of targets and distractors.