Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A caspase inhibitor blocks ischaemia‐induced delayed neuronal death in the gerbil

Caspases play a critical role in the cell death machinery in various cell types. Here we investigated the involvement of caspases in the delayed neuronal death after transient global forebrain ischaemia in the gerbil. Intrahippocampal injection of benzyloxycarbonyl‐Asp‐CH2‐dichlorobenzene (zD), an irreversible inhibitor of caspases, saved hippocampal CA1 neurones from chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation at post‐ischaemia day 4, and these neurones maintained normal morphology at day 8 post‐insult. Intrahippocampal injection of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) after ischaemic insults did not influence the neuroprotective effect of zD, suggesting that the neuroprotective effect does not depend on the inhibition of mature IL‐1β production. Animals that received zD‐injection showed significant improvement in step‐through and step‐down passive avoidance learning at post‐ischaemia days 4 and 5, suggesting that neural functions were preserved in these animals. At post‐ischaemia day 4, the cleavage of poly(ADP‐ribose)polymerase was observed, and this cleavage was almost completely suppressed in zD‐injected hippocampus, suggesting involvement of caspase‐3 and caspase‐3‐like caspase in the delayed neuronal death. Our findings indicate that caspases play important roles in the delayed neuronal death after transient global forebrain ischaemia in the gerbil, and suggest that ischaemia‐induced brain damage can be blocked by caspase inhibitors.
A comparison of magnesium sulfate with phenytoin for the prevention of eclampsia.

BACKGROUND Magnesium sulfate is used widely to prevent eclamptic seizures in pregnant women with hypertension, but few studies have compared the efficacy of magnesium sulfate with that of other drugs. Anticonvulsant prophylaxis with phenytoin for eclampsia has been recommended, but there are virtually no data to support its efficacy. Our objective was to compare magnesium sulfate with phenytoin in preventing seizures in hypertensive women during labor. METHODS We randomly assigned women with hypertension who were admitted for delivery to receive either magnesium sulfate or phenytoin. The magnesium sulfate regimen consisted of a 10-g intramuscular loading dose followed by a maintenance dose of 5 g given intramuscularly every four hours. For women with severe preeclampsia, an additional 4-g loading dose was given intravenously. The phenytoin regimen included a 1000-mg loading dose infused over a period of 1 hour, followed by a 500-mg oral dose 10 hours later. With either regimen, anticonvulsant therapy was continued for 24 hours post partum. RESULTS Ten of 1089 women randomly assigned to the phenytoin regimen had eclamptic convulsions, as compared with none of 1049 women randomly assigned to magnesium sulfate (P = 0.004). There were no significant differences in any risk factors for eclampsia between the two study groups. Maternal and infant outcomes were also similar in the two study groups. CONCLUSIONS Magnesium sulfate is superior to phenytoin for the prevention of eclampsia in hypertensive pregnant women. These results validate the long-practiced use of magnesium sulfate in the prevention of eclampsia.
Sperm binding to the human zona pellucida and calcium influx in response to GnRH and progesterone

Summary. In this study the effect of the sequential exposure of spermatozoa to progesterone and gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) upon zona binding and the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration was evaluated. Sperm aliquots were treated as follows: (a) 0.7 µmol l−1 progesterone or 0.1% DMSO (progesterone solvent) followed by 50 nmol l−1 of GnRH; (b) 50 nmol l−1 of GnRH or distilled water (GnRH solvent) followed by 0.7 µmol l−1 of progesterone. Additional aliquots were incubated with DMSO or distilled water (controls) and with 0.7 µmol l−1 of progesterone or 50 nmol l−1 of GnRH. All treatments were for 5 min. Motile spermatozoa were incubated in modified Tyrode's medium, at 37 °C, 5% CO2, 10 × 106 spermatozoa ml−1, for 4.5 h. Intracellular Ca2+ concentration and sperm‐zona binding was evaluated using fura 2 and the hemizona assay, respectively. GnRH and progesterone increased sperm‐zona binding and the Ca2+ concentration. Regarding zona binding, the effect of GnRH was significantly greater when the spermatozoa had been previously treated with progesterone (progesterone→GnRH=185 ± 116 zona‐bound spermatozoa versus DMSO→GnRH=99 ± 15, P < 0.001). On the other hand, previous treatment with GnRH did not modify their subsequent response to progesterone (GnRH→progesterone= 114 ± 19 zona‐bound spermatozoa versus distilled water→progesterone=108 ± 22, NS). The results regarding intracellular Ca2+ showed a similar pattern. These findings suggest a priming effect of progesterone upon a GnRH‐induced increase in sperm‐zona binding and intracellular Ca2+.
Trends in the prevalence of invasive fungal infections from an analysis of annual records of autopsy cases of Toho University

Clinical diagnosis of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) is sometimes difficult, and obtaining an accurate assessment of trends concerning the prevalence of IFIs is a challenge. The aim of this study was to determine trends in the prevalence of IFIs from an autopsy survey. The retrospective review of autopsy records stored in Toho University was performed on all documented cases with fungal infection from 1955 to 2006. A total of 411 cases of IFIs were detected among 10 297 autopsies. The prevalence of candidiasis decreased from 3.6% (1981–93) to 2.0% (1994–2006), and that of aspergillosis increased throughout the 52‐year period and reached 2.0% (1994–2006). The prevalence of IFIs in the patient group comprising haematological disorders was significantly higher (19.9%) than in other patient groups (2.9%), of which the odds ratio was 18.4 for mucormycosis and 10.0 for aspergillosis. The lung was the most common organ involved irrespective of major fungal species, and most cases with candidiasis showed multiple‐organ infection. Results confirmed the increasing prevalence of aspergillosis and high risk of IFIs in the patient group with haematological disorders. IFIs were also detected in an immunocompromised state caused not only by primary disease but also by treatment with anti‐tumour drugs and corticosteroids.
Validation of the French Version of the Marijuana Craving Questionnaire (MCQ) Generates a Two-Factor Model

Abstract Background: Craving is a major issue in drug addiction, and a target for drug treatment. The Marijuana Craving Questionnaire-Short Form (MCQ-SF) is a useful tool for assessing cannabis craving in clinical and research settings. Objective: To validate the French version of the MCQ-SF (FMCQ-SF). Methods: Young adult cannabis users not seeking treatment (n = 679) completed the FMCQ-SF and questionnaires assessing their frequency of cannabis use and craving, cannabis use disorder criteria, and alcohol use. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis of the four-factor FMCQ-SF model did not fit the data well. Exploratory factor analysis suggested a two-factor solution (“pleasure”, characterized by planning and expectation of positive effects, and “release of tension”, characterized by relief from anxiety, nervousness, or tension) with good psychometric properties. This two-factor model showed good internal and convergent validity and correlated with cannabis abuse and dependence and with frequency of cannabis use and craving. Conclusion: Validation of the FMCQ-SF generated a two-factor model, different from the four-factor solution generated in English language studies. Considering that craving plays an important role in withdrawal and relapse, this questionnaire should be useful for French-language addiction professionals.
Characteristics of Zn2+ biosorption by Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the characteristics of Zn2+ biosorption and the release of cations during the process of Zn2+ biosorption by intact cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. METHODS The batch adsorption test was used to study the biosorption equilibrium and isotherm. Zn2+ concentration was measured with atomic adsorption spectrophotometer (AAS) AAS 6 Vario. RESULTS When the initial concentration of Zn2+ ranged between 0.08 and 0.8 mmol/L, the initial pH was natural (about 5.65), the sorbent concentration was about 1 g/L and the capacity of Zn2+ biosorption was from 74.8 to 654.8 micromol/g. The pH value increased by 0.55-1.28 and the intracellular cations (K+, Mg2+, Na+, Ca2+) of the cells were released during the process of Zn2+ biosorption. CONCLUSION Ion exchange was one of the mechanisms for Zn2+ biosorption. The biomass of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a potential biosorbent for the removal of Zn2+ from aqueous solution. More work needs to be done before putting it into practical application.
An invertebrate stomach's view on vertebrate ecology

Recent studies suggest that vertebrate genetic material ingested by invertebrates (iDNA) can be used to investigate vertebrate ecology. Given the ubiquity of invertebrates that feed on vertebrates across the globe, iDNA might qualify as a very powerful tool for 21st century population and conservation biologists. Here, we identify some invertebrate characteristics that will likely influence iDNA retrieval and elaborate on the potential uses of invertebrate‐derived information. We hypothesize that beyond inventorying local faunal diversity, iDNA should allow for more profound insights into wildlife population density, size, mortality, and infectious agents. Based on the similarities of iDNA with other low‐quality sources of DNA, a general technical framework for iDNA analyses is proposed. As it is likely that no such thing as a single ideal iDNA sampler exists, forthcoming research efforts should aim at cataloguing invertebrate properties relevant to iDNA retrieval so as to guide future usage of the invertebrate tool box.
Iron and vitamin deficiencies, endocrine and immune status in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVES To study the prevalence of iron and vitamin deficiencies, endocrine disorders and immunological parameters in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (1 degree SS). DESIGN AND SUBJECTS At the time of the establishment of the diagnosis of 1 degree SS in 43 consecutive patients, a clinical examination including haematological analyses was performed. The patients' medical records were also reviewed. SETTING Patients referred for diagnosis to The University Hospital, Linköping, a secondary or tertiary referral hospital serving the middle part of southern Sweden. RESULTS In total, current or previously treated iron and vitamin deficiencies were registered for 63% of the 1 degree SS patients (iron 51%, vitamin B12 25%, folate 9%). Current low ferritin was noted in 24%, low iron saturation in 37%, decreased vitamin B12 in 13% and folate in 9%. Thyroid disease was found in a total of 33% and 30% had had autoimmune thyroiditis. Three patients (7%) had verified diabetes mellitus. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was raised in 65% of the patients and 84% had a polyclonal increase of Ig. Rheumatoid factor (RF) was detected in 85%, antinuclear antibody (ANA) in 74%, anti-SS-A in 88% and anti-SS-B in 73% of the patients. CONCLUSION Iron and vitamin deficiencies and thyroid diseases are common in patients with 1 degree SS. Since these disorders often are treatable and may affect the patients' distress as well as their immune and exocrine function, an active, recurrent search for deficiencies, endocrine diseases and other frequently recorded disorders is recommended.
Melatonin and N‐tert‐butyl‐α‐phenylnitrone block 60‐Hz magnetic field‐induced DNA single and double strand breaks in rat brain cells

ABSTRACT: In previous research, we have found an increase in DNA single‐and double‐strand breaks in brain cells of rats after acute exposure (two hours) to a sinusoidal 60‐Hz magnetic field. The present experiment was carried out to investigate whether treatment with melatonin and the spin‐trap compound N‐tert‐butyl‐α‐phenylnitrone (PBN) could block the effect of magnetic fields on brain cell DNA. Rats were injected with melatonin (1 mg/kg, sc) or PBN (100 mg/kg, ip) immediately before and after two hours of exposure to a 60‐Hz magnetic field at an intensity of 0.5 mT. We found that both drug treatments blocked the magnetic field‐induced DNA single‐and double‐strand breaks in brain cells, as assayed by a microgel electrophoresis method. Since melatonin and PBN are efficient free radical scavengers, these data suggest that free radicals may play a role in magnetic field‐induced DNA damage.
Dietary trans octadecenoic acids upregulate the liver gene encoding Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-α in transition dairy cows

Effects of feeding calcium salts of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) or trans octadecenoic acids (trans 18[ratio ]1) on lipid metabolism and hepatic contents of mRNA encoding carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1), microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) were examined in 15 early post-partum Holstein cows. Dietary treatments were initiated at approximately 4 weeks prior to expected calving dates and continued for 7 weeks post partum. Treatments prepartum consisted of 1) a basal diet (Control), 2) basal diet+150 g/d of CLA mix (CLA), or 3) basal diet+150 g/d of trans 18[ratio ]1 mix (TRANS). Intakes of calcium salts of CLA and trans 18[ratio ]1 mixes were adjusted to 225 g/d during the 7-week post-partum treatment period. Blood samples were collected at weeks 1, 2 and 4 post partum and plasma was harvested immediately for subsequent hormone and metabolite assays. Concentrations of insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and leptin in blood did not vary among cows fed the three diets. Plasma nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations decreased between weeks 1 and 4 of lactation and were lower in cows fed the diet supplemented with trans 18[ratio ]1 than in those fed a control diet at week 2 post partum. Periparturient fat supplementation had no detectable effects on CPT1 mRNA content in the liver. Steady-state concentration of MTP mRNA in the liver was greater in the TRANS treatment group than in the control group at week 1 post partum. Feeding trans 18[ratio ]1 supplements to transition dairy cows upregulated hepatic PPARα mRNA content during the first month of lactation. Under the present experimental conditions, dietary CLA had minimal effects on plasma and hepatic lipid metabolite concentrations in early lactation Holstein cows. Results indicate that dietary trans fatty acids may affect liver lipid metabolism in post-partum dairy cows through alterations in PPARα gene expression.
Counterexample-driven genetic programming

Genetic programming is an effective technique for inductive synthesis of programs from training examples of desired input-output behavior (tests). Programs synthesized in this way are not guaranteed to generalize beyond the training set, which is unacceptable in many applications. We present Counterexample-Driven Genetic Programming (CDGP) that employs evolutionary search to synthesize provably correct programs from formal specifications. CDGP employs a Satisfiability Modulo Theories (SMT) solver to formally verify programs in the evaluation phase. A failed verification produces counterexamples that are in turn used to calculate fitness and so drive the search process. When compared against a range of approaches on a suite of state-of-the-art specification-based synthesis benchmarks, CDGP systematically outperforms them, typically synthesizing correct programs faster and using fewer tests.
Improving the coverage of neonatal BCG vaccination.

BACKGROUND It is recommended that neonates at higher risk of contracting tuberculosis (such as in certain ethnic groups) should be vaccinated with BCG as soon as possible after birth. In Milton Keynes, during the late 1980s, there was anecdotal evidence to suggest that many higher-risk cases were not receiving BCG vaccination. The objectives of the study were to audit the neonatal BCG vaccination programme and to develop a system for improving and monitoring coverage. METHOD Two main sources of data were used: the obstetric computer, which gave the denominator of women considered to be in a higher-risk group, and the community child health computer, which gave the numerator of BCG vaccinations given. A case note audit was used to check the quality of these data. A computer-generated reminder was used to make sure that the antenatal assessment of risk was known about immediately after delivery. RESULTS Estimated vaccine coverage rose from about 20 per cent (1988-1990) to 78 per cent by 1993. The audit suggested that about 8 per cent of vaccinations were not being recorded and 9 per cent were given unnecessarily. In addition, about 2 per cent were picked up postnatally and 1 per cent were missed completely. CONCLUSION Improved coverage and adequate monitoring can be achieved using the two computerized systems. This methods has applications to other conditions where antenatal assessment can predict risk for a neonate, such as Hepatitis B or sickle cell disease.
Age at menopause and prevalence of its different types in contemporary Greek women

ObjectiveThis study attempted to estimate the mean age at menopause and also characterize and quantify its types and frequencies in Greek women who have recently become postmenopausal. DesignA retrospective analysis of hospital records was used to record the frequency of natural, spontaneous or induced premature, and delayed natural menopause; the mean age at menopause of each group; and their possible interrelationships with major events of reproductive history in 1,747 women visiting an endocrine clinic 1 to 5 years after menopause. A group of 438 postmenopausal women drawn from 4,000 cases from the nongynecological clinics of this hospital comprised the control group. ResultsNatural menopause was found in 1,333 (76.3%) women with a median age of 51 (95% CI, 50.8-51.2) and mean ± SD of 48.7 ± 3.8 years. Medically induced menopause after the age of 40 was recorded in 204 women (11.7%), spontaneous premature in 127 (7.1%), medically induced premature in 60 (3.7%), and delayed menopause in 26 (1.5%), with mean ages of 43.6 ± 1.7, 35.1 ± 3.3, 37.2 ± 1.6, and 59.6 ± 2.1 years, respectively. No significant differences in mean age at menopause or its types were noted between the two groups. Furthermore, no significant correlations among the parameters examined could be demonstrated except between smoking and age at menopause in the spontaneous premature menopause subgroup (P < 0.05). Finally, ovarian autoantibodies were found in 6.7% of the tested women with premature menopause. ConclusionsNatural menopause occurred at a mean age of 48.7 years in Greek women, who displayed an unexpectedly high prevalence of spontaneous or induced premature cessation of menstruation.
DEVELOPMENT OF A QUESTIONNAIRE TO MEASURE HEARING-RELATED HEALTH STATE PREFERENCES FRAMED IN AN OVERALL HEALTH PERSPECTIVE

Objectives: The objective was to develop the Audiological Disabilities Preference Index (ADPI), a measure to determine health state preferences associated with audiological disabilities. The ADPI consists of a hearing-related health state description, hearing-related health state valuation, and transformation of the latter to the overall health scale. Research questions were: a) to determine the feasibility of ADPI in an older hearing-impaired population; b) to assess gain in health state preference after hearing aid fitting; c) to evaluate the reliability of ADPI using hypothetical health states; and d) to compare the results of ADPI with the EuroQol. Methods: The ADPI, the marker states, and the EuroQol were administered to 78 first-time hearing aid users before and 12 and 25 weeks after hearing aid fitting. Results: The ADPI was feasible in an older hearing-impaired population (mean age, 69.1 years). After hearing aid fitting, all dimensions of audiological disability improved (p < .001). Change in hearing-specific health state and the latter framed in overall health were 0.27 and 0.12, respectively (p < .001). The mean values of the marker states were stable, but the intraclass correlation coefficients were low. Correlations between ADPI and hearing loss and the EuroQol, respectively, were low, while moderate with hearing aid satisfaction. There was a slight change on the EuroQol visual analog scale, with only an improvement in the feeling dimension (p < .05). Conclusions: The ADPI provides a practical and useful method to assess hearing-related health state preferences needed for clinical decision making and cost-effectiveness analysis.
Gender (in) accounting: insights, gaps and an agenda for future research

Purpose - The study aims to raise awareness of the issues to foster further debate in the area of gender (in) accounting. In the process, opportunities for future research are identified and outlined. Design/methodology/approach - Literature review and a discussion of the implications lead to the identification of opportunities for future research. Findings - Women are under-represented at senior levels in all walks of life. Where women reach senior positions, they are often paid less than men in similar positions. Countries and organisations with more gender equality do better. Social implications - Organisations and countries will be better off if they have a good representation of women at all organisational levels in all walks of life. Originality/value - The authors’ perspectives of the prior literature and the identification of future research opportunities around gender (in) accounting are presented.
Involuntary unemployment and financial frictions in estimated DSGE models

Thanks to their internal consistency. DSGE models, built on microecoc behavor, have become prevalenl for business cycle and policy analysis in institutions. The recent crisis and governments' concern about persistent unemployment advocate for mechanism, capturing imperfect adjustments in credit and labor markets. However, popular models such as the one of Smets and Wouters (2003-2007), although unsophisticated in their representation of these markets, are able to replicate the data as well as usual econometric tools. It is thus necessary to question the benefits of including these frictions in theoretical models for operational use.ln this thesis, I address this issue and show that microfounded mechanisms specific to labor and credit markets can significantly alter the conclusions based on the use of an estimated DSGE model, fom both a positive and a normative perspective.For this purpose, I build a two-country model of France and the rest of the euro area with exogenous rest of the world variables, and estimate it with and without these two frictions using Bayesian techniques. By contrast with existing models, I propose two improvements of the representation of labor markets. First, following Pissarides (2009), only wages in new jobs are negotiated by firms and workers, engendering stickiness in the average real wage. Second, I develop a set of assumptions to make labor market participation endogenous and unemployment involuntary in the sense that the unemployed workers are worse-off that the employed ones. Yet, including this setup in the estimated model is left for future research.Using the four estimated versions of the model, I undertake a number of analyses to highlight the role of financial and labor market frictions : an historical shock decomposition of fluctuations during the crisis, the evaluation of several monetary policy rules, a counterfactual simulation of the crisis under the assumption of a flexible exchange rate regime between France and the rest of the euro area and, lastly, the simulation of social VAT scenarios.