Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lead Induced Infertility in Swiss Mice and Role of Antioxidants

In the present study, effects of lead toxicity on fertility of female Swiss mice have been investigated. Implantation sites, litter size, body weight of pups and histopathology of ovary were investigated. Lead toxicity was induced by lead acetate given orally for 3 months. The treatment of lead poisoning through chelating agents can remove essential elements, resulting in kidney damage. Oxidative damage associated with presence of lead has been illustrated as one possible mechanism involved in lead toxicity which suggests that antioxidant (vitamin C and E) might play a role in the treatment of lead induced infertility. The role of vitamins in treating/preventing chronic reproductive lead toxicity in animals is receiving wide attention. Therefore, along with above study, therapeutic effects of ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol on lead induced reproductive toxicity have also investigated. In lead treated group, there was decline in fertility, less number of implantation sites, decreased in litter size, decreased in body weight of pups and damage in ovary was observed. With supplementation of ascorbic acid along with lead witch induced in fertility, implantations were visible in uterus but no litter was born. Ascorbic acid could not prevent ovary damage. In lead+ vitamin E and lead+ vitamin C+ vitamin E treated groups there was improved fertility outcomes, increase in number of implantation sites, body weight of pups were also increased and ovaries were protected. Only vitamin C and E treated groups were nearly similar to control. Keyword: Lead toxicity, Fertility, Oxidative stress, Ascorbic acid, Alpha-tocopherol.
The quality of life of mothers of children with spina bifida

Spina bifida (SB) is a common birth defect associated with significant lifelong morbidity. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of life and psychological status of mothers of children with SB. In this study, we included 30 mothers with children with SB and 30 mothers of healthy children. The groups were similar for background variables (child’s age, sex, and number of siblings; mother’s age, marital status; economic status of the families, and presence of health insurance). The 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were administered to all mothers. Except for social functioning and mental health, all SF-36 subscale scores were significantly lower and the mean STAI and BDI scores were higher for mothers of children with SB (P<0.001). SF-36, STAI, and BDI scores were not associated significantly with the child’s age, sex, number of siblings, and mother’s age. This study shows that the quality of life is affected negatively for mothers of children with SB. The clinician should pay close attention to the psychosocial status of mothers of these children within the scope of disease management.
Rapid Geodetic Shortening Across the Eastern Cordillera of NW Argentina Observed by the Puna‐Andes GPS Array

We present crustal velocities for 29 continuously recording GPS stations from the southern central Andes across the Puna, Eastern Cordillera, and Santa Barbara system for the period between the 27 February 2010 Maule and 1 April 2014 Iquique earthquakes in a South American frame. The velocity field exhibits a systematic decrease in magnitude from ~35 mm/yr near the trench to <1 mm/yr within the craton. We forward model loading on the Nazca‐South America (NZ‐SA) subduction interface using back slip on elastic dislocations to approximate a fully locked interface from 10 to 50 km depth. We generate an ensemble of models by iterating over the percentage of NZ‐SA convergence accommodated at the subduction interface. Velocity residuals calculated for each model demonstrate that locking on the NZ‐SA interface is insufficient to reproduce the observed velocities. We model deformation associated with a back‐arc décollement using an edge dislocation, estimating model parameters from the velocity residuals for each forward model of the subduction interface ensemble using a Bayesian approach. We realize our best fit to the thrust‐perpendicular velocity field with 70 ± 5% of NZ‐SA convergence accommodated at the subduction interface and a slip rate of 9.1 ± 0.9 mm/yr on the fold‐thrust belt décollement. We also estimate a locking depth of 14 ± 9 km, which places the downdip extent of the locked zone 135 ± 20 km from the thrust front. The thrust‐parallel component of velocity is fit by a constant shear strain rate of −19 × 10−9 yr−1, equivalent to clockwise rigid block rotation of the back arc at a rate of 1.1°/Myr.
Cow's milk protein allergy and common gastrointestinal symptoms in infants

In their review on the management of functional gastrointestinal disorders and cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) in infants (1), Vandenplas et al discuss infantile colic, regurgitation and constipation and the relationship between these symptoms, which are common in infants, to CMPA. The group starts by stating that CMPA can only be diagnosed by a double blind placebo controlled food challenge. However, this can be replaced by an open challenge in infants as long as the challenge is performed under the supervision of an experienced team (2, 3). The authors acknowledge that sensitisation to cow's milk indicates possible CMPA and the need for a challenge to reach a proper diagnosis of CMPA. But then they make some some statements that I feel blur the message (1).
A multilevel analysis of the demands--control model: is stress at work determined by factors at the group level or the individual level?

This study explored the extent to which negative health-related outcomes are associated with differences between work groups and with differences between individuals within work groups using R.A. Karasek's (1979) demands-control model. The sample consisted of 260 employees in 31 working groups of a national bank in the Netherlands. Results suggest that job demands and job control should be conceptualized as having both group- and individual-level foundations. Support for Karasek's demands-control model was found only when these variables were split into the 2 parts, reflecting shared perceptions and employees' subjective assessment, respectively. One of the most appealing practical implications is that absence rates among homogeneous work groups can be reduced by enhancing actual control on the job.
Sign problem in the numerical simulation of many-electron systems.

We discuss the problems that arise in the numerical simulation of many-electron systems when the measure of the functional integrals is not positive definite. We present theoretical arguments and numerical data which indicate that the expectation value of the sign of the measure decreases exponentially as the inverse temperature {beta} increases, unless the measure is forced to be positive by an explicit symmetry. We therefore conclude that a recent proposal for dealing with the sign problem due to Sorella {ital et} {ital al}. Leads to an uncontrolled approximation. In the cases we have studied it is a good approximation for the ground-state energy, and we present a method for calculating the correction needed to make it exact. However, for some physical quantities, such as the {ital d}-wave pair field susceptibility, the neglect of signs can yield misleading results.
Thermal Effects on Kerr Comb Generation in a CaF2 Whispering-Gallery Mode Microcavity

We numerically investigate the dynamics of Kerr comb generation in a calcium fluoride whispering gallery mode (WGM) microcavity taking thermal effects into account. Soliton pulse generation is investigated in the presence of thermooptic (TO) and thermal expansion (TE) effects and particularly when the TO effect is negative. We found that, with optimized cavity parameters, self-induced cavity resonance shifts resulting from a negative TO effect allow the system to generate a soliton pulse with no wavelength scanning or dynamic power optimization, which are usually needed to achieve a soliton pulse with silica and other WGM microcavity systems. A negative TO effect automatically tunes the cavity resonance so that the cavity will achieve a soliton state. The competition between the TO and TE effects is also investigated in detail.
Occupational asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis caused by senna

Occupational sensitization to senna is seldom reported. We describe a 21‐year‐old male atopic factory worker who developed IgE‐mediated asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis 5 months after exposure to senna while he was working for a company manufacturing hair dyes. In the bronchial challenge test with senna, he exhibited a strong reaction. The skin prick test gave a 12‐mm wheal reaction. The radioallergosorbent test (RAST) with senna was highly positive (33.6 PRU/ml, class 4), and could not be inhibited with pollens or foods. In protein staining with SDS‐PAGE, two heavy bands were detected in senna at about 14 and 25 kDa, and two faint bands were visible at 19 and 21 kDa. In IgE immunoblotting with the patient's serum, one heavy band was detected at about 16 and four faint bands at 23, 25, 28, and 38 kDa. The patient became symptom free after he had changed his job within the same company.
Modelling storm response on gravel beaches using XBeach-G

Despite the clear societal importance of gravel beaches and barriers in protecting coastal areas from flooding, there are currently no reliable numerical models for predicting the morphological response of gravel beaches to storm events. This paper synthesises the results of a research project (NUPSIG) aimed at reducing this shortfall through an integrated research approach, involving field experimentation, comprehensive beach monitoring and innovative numerical modelling. In particular, the authors introduce a storm impact model for gravel beaches and barriers developed during the project (XBeach-G), present a brief validation of the model using field data and describe a user-friendly graphical user interface for the model. Finally, the model is applied in two case studies to demonstrate the use of the model in decision-making processes related to coastal flooding and beach maintenance.
The contribution of melanin to microbial pathogenesis

Melanins are enigmatic pigments that are produced by a wide variety of microorganisms including several species of pathogenic bacteria, fungi and helminthes. The study of melanin is difficult because these pigments defy complete biochemical and structural analysis. Nevertheless, the availability of new reagents in the form of monoclonal antibodies and melanin‐binding peptides, combined with the application of various physical techniques, has provided insights into the process of melanization. Melanization is important in microbial pathogenesis because it has been associated with virulence in many microorganisms. Melanin appears to contribute to virulence by reducing the susceptibility of melanized microbes to host defence mechanisms. However, the interaction of melanized microbes and the host is complex and includes immune responses to melanin‐related antigens. Production of melanin has also been linked to protection against environmental insults. Interference with melanization is a potential strategy for antimicrobial drug and pesticide development. The process of melanization poses fascinating problems in cell biology and provides a type of pathogenic strategy that is common to highly diverse pathogens.
Lymphangiogenesis: fuel, smoke, or extinguisher of inflammation’s fire?

Lymphangiogenesis is a recognized hallmark of inflammatory processes in tissues and organs as diverse as the skin, heart, bowel, and airways. In clinical and animal models wherein the signaling processes of lymphangiogenesis are manipulated, most studies demonstrate that an expanded lymphatic vasculature is necessary for the resolution of inflammation. The fundamental roles that lymphatics play in fluid clearance and immune cell trafficking from the periphery make these results seemingly obvious as a mechanism of alleviating locally inflamed environments: the lymphatics are simply providing a drain. Depending on the tissue site, lymphangiogenic mechanism, or induction timeframe, however, evidence shows that inflammation-associated lymphangiogenesis (IAL) may worsen the pathology. Recent studies have identified lymphatic endothelial cells themselves to be local regulators of immune cell activity and its consequential phenotypes – a more active role in inflammation regulation than previously thought. Indeed, results focusing on the immunocentric roles of peripheral lymphatic function have revealed that the basic drainage task of lymphatic vessels is a complex balance of locally processed and transported antigens as well as interstitial cytokine and immune cell signaling: an interplay that likely defines the function of IAL. This review will summarize the latest findings on how IAL impacts a series of disease states in various tissues in both preclinical models and clinical studies. This discussion will serve to highlight some emerging areas of lymphatic research in an attempt to answer the question relevant to an array of scientists and clinicians of whether IAL helps to fuel or extinguish inflammation. Impact statement Inflammatory progression is present in acute and chronic tissue pathologies throughout the body. Lymphatic vessels play physiological roles relevant to all medical fields as important regulators of fluid balance, immune cell trafficking, and immune identity. Lymphangiogenesis is often concurrent with inflammation and can potentially aide or worsen disease progression. How new lymphatic vessels impact inflammation and by which mechanism is an important consideration in current and future clinical therapies targeting inflammation and/or vasculogenesis. This review identifies, across a range of tissue-specific pathologies, the current understanding of inflammation-associated lymphangiogenesis in the progression or resolution of inflammation.
Iodine-123-alpha-methyl tyrosine in gliomas: correlation with cellular density and proliferative activity.

UNLABELLED Amino acid transport rate in gliomas can be assessed using SPECT and the amino acid L-123I-alpha-methyl tyrosine (IMT). This study attempted to correlate the uptake of IMT by gliomas with the proliferative activity and cellular density of these neoplasms. METHODS The study used 27 patients with gliomas, including 18 patients with high-grade tumors and nine patients with low-grade neoplasms. Amino acid transport rate was determined using IMT and the triple-headed SPECT camera. Proliferative activity was immunohistochemically assessed as the relative number of cells expressing the Ki-67 nuclear antigen; cellular density was evaluated using light microscopy. RESULTS Relative IMT uptake correlated significantly with the proliferative fraction of tumor cells (r = 0.6, p < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between IMT uptake and cellular density (r = 0.25, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION The uptake of the SPECT radiopharmaceutical IMT is related to proliferative activity rather than to the cellular density of gliomas.
The Multi-Blade Boron-10-based neutron detector for high intensity neutron reflectometry at ESS

The Multi-Blade is a Boron-10-based gaseous detector introduced to face the challenge arising in neutron reflectometry at pulsed neutron sources. Neutron reflectometers are the most challenging instruments in terms of instantaneous counting rate and spatial resolution. This detector has been designed to cope with the requirements set for the reflectometers at the upcoming European Spallation Source (ESS) in Sweden. Based on previous results obtained at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) in France, an improved demonstrator has been built at ESS and tested at the Budapest Neutron Centre (BNC) in Hungary and at the Source Testing Facility (STF) at the Lund University in Sweden. A detailed description of the detector and the results of the tests are discussed in this manuscript.
Preparing New Teachers To Teach Science: The Role of the Science Teacher Educator.

America is currently facing a shortage of teachers especially in the areas of math, science and technology. This shortage is particularly severe in urban centers such as New York City, where the number of new teachers needed within the next five to ten years is projected at more than twenty five thousand. The political, economic and logistical pressures this need places on large school systems come at a time when teacher education programs in the state are being forced to reduce the time spent in schools of education. Consequently, the trend in cities such as New York is for administrators to look for expedient operations capable of producing large numbers of teachers quickly. This paper seeks to challenge the prevailing attitudes toward teacher education. With a focus on science education, we attempt to articulate the expert knowledge and skills needed to prepare exemplary science teachers. We argue that before the public's mandate for scientific literacy for all Americans can be achieved, familiar views about the teaching and learning of science must often be challenged through processes requiring time, expertise, and support in professional programs purposely designed to develop exemplary science teachers. In doing so, we hope to define the role the science teacher educator as it pertains to meeting the current goals of science education.
How often should sitting and rising from a chair be evaluated in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy?

ABSTRACT Objective To determine how often sitting/rising from a chair should be assessed in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients to avoid redundant/missing data. Methods Sitting/rising from a chair was evaluated in 26 DMD children (5-12 yrs), in three-month intervals, over twelve months, with the Functional Evaluation Scale (domain sitting/rising from a chair). Scores were compared by effect sizes (ES) and standardized response means (SRM) (responsiveness analysis). Results Sit-to-stand showed low-to-moderate responsiveness in three-month intervals (ES:0.23-0.32; SRM:0.36-0.68), moderate-to-high responsiveness in six-month intervals (ES:0.52-0.65; SRM:0.76-1.28), high responsiveness at nine-month (ES:0.84-0.91; SRM:1.26-1.64) and twelve-month intervals (ES:1.27; SRM:1.48). Stand-to-sit showed low responsiveness in three-month intervals (ES:0.26-0.49; SRM:0.37-0.42), moderate responsiveness in six-month intervals (ES:0.50-0.78; SRM:0.56-0.71), high responsiveness in nine-month (ES:0.94-1.00; SRM:0.84-1.02) and twelve-month intervals (ES:1.13; SRM:1.52). Conclusion Six months or longer intervals for reassessment are indicated to evaluate sitting/standing from a chair in DMD patients.
Oblique lateral radiographs and bitewings; estimation of organ doses in head and neck region with Monte Carlo calculations.

OBJECTIVES When bitewing radiographs are not possible (e.g. patients with special needs), oblique lateral radiographs may offer an alternative. The aims of this study were to assess the impact of horizontal projection angulation, focus-to-skin distance, exposure time and age of the patient on the equivalent radiation dose of several organs in the head and neck region by means of personal computer X-ray Monte Carlo (PCXMC) calculations and to assess the dose obtained from conventional bitewing radiographs. METHODS PCXMC v. 2.0 software (STUK(®), Helsinki, Finland) was used to estimate the equivalent radiation doses and the total effective dose. Three exposure times, five age categories, two focus-to-skin distances and eight horizontal geometric angulations were assumed. The organs involved were the thyroid gland, oesophagus, salivary glands, bone marrow, oral mucosa, skull, cervical spine and skin. A similar calculation was also performed for bitewings taken with a rectangular collimator. Results and conclusion Bitewings taken with rectangular collimation decrease the radiation burden of the patient to 50%, compared with circular collimation. In the oblique lateral radiographs, focus-to-skin distance, patient's age and beam collimation had a significant impact on the equivalent doses measured in this study. Exposure time had a significant impact on the equivalent doses of the salivary glands, oral mucosa, skull and skin. Horizontal angulations had a significant impact on the equivalent doses of the thyroid gland, bone marrow, oral mucosa, skull and cervical spine. The total effective radiation dose was significantly influenced by all parameters investigated in this study.
Vasomotor symptoms and metabolic syndrome in Korean postmenopausal women

Objective:This study aims to evaluate the association between vasomotor symptoms and risk of metabolic syndrome in Korean postmenopausal women. Methods:We carried out a cross-sectional study of 1,906 Korean postmenopausal women (aged 45-65 y) who were attending a routine health checkup at an institution in Korea from January 2010 to December 2012. To assess vasomotor symptoms, we created a dichotomous variable (none or present) using Menopause Rating Scale results. Metabolic syndrome was defined by the updated criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). Results:In total, 1,906 women were included in the analysis; 1,105 (58.0%) women reported some degree of vasomotor symptoms. Women with vasomotor symptoms were younger and had shorter duration of menopause, higher body mass index, larger waist circumference, more adverse lipid profile, and higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome compared with women without vasomotor symptoms. On multivariate analysis, vasomotor symptoms were associated with metabolic syndrome after adjusting for confounding factors, including age, body mass index, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, duration of menopause, alcohol consumption, current smoking, and physical exercise level (odds ratio, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.3-2.4; P < 0.001). Conclusions:The presence of vasomotor symptoms is associated with metabolic syndrome in Korean postmenopausal women. Lipid abnormalities and obesity seem to be important metabolic components associated with these symptoms. Vasomotor symptoms, if validated in longitudinal studies, may possibly serve as warning signs for identifying women at high risk for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.
Lipid and protein oxidation in hepatic homogenates and cell membranes exposed to bile acids

Cholestasis occurs in a variety of hepatic diseases and causes damage due to accumulation of bile acids in the liver. The aim was to investigate the effect of several bile acids, i.e. chenodeoxycholic, taurochenodeoxycholic, deoxycholic, taurodeoxycholic, ursodeoxycholic, lithocholic and taurolithocholic (TLC), in inducing oxidative damage. Hepatic tissue of male Sprague-Dawley rats was incubated with or without 1 mM of each bile acid, with or without 0.1 mM FeCl3 and 0.1 mM ascorbic acid for the purpose of generating free radicals. Several bile acids increased lipid and protein oxidation, with TLC being the most pro-oxidative (657% and 175% in homogenates and 350% and 311% in membranes, respectively). TLC also enhanced iron-induced oxidative stress to lipids (21% in homogenates and 29% in membranes) and to proteins (74% in membranes). This enhancement was dose- and time-dependent and was reduced by melatonin. These results suggest that bile acids differentially mediate hepatic oxidative stress and may be involved in the physiopathology of cholestasis.
Nerve conduction velocity and evoked potential latencies in streptozotocin‐diabetic rats: effects of treatment with an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor

Diabetes mellitus is associated with deficits in cerebral function. Vascular disorders may play a role in the pathogenesis and provide a potential target for treatment. The present study examined if prevention and intervention treatment with the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril could improve peripheral and central neurophysiological deficits in streptozotocin‐diabetic rats.