Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Crowding effect on adult growth, pre-patent period and egg shedding of Fasciola hepatica

Fascioliasis pathogenesis depends on fluke burden. In human hyperendemic zones, individual infection intensities reach very high levels and the majority of infected subjects should be in the advanced chronic phase. The rat model offers a useful approach for pathological research in the advanced chronic period. The influence of infection intensity per rat on fluke development, pre-patent period and egg shedding (eggs/g faeces/worm) was analysed in 3 groups (I: 1–3 worms/rat; II: 4–6; III: 7–9). Ontogenetic trajectories of fluke body measures followed a logistic model. Results showed that when the burden increases, the maximum values of fluke measures decrease. The crowding effect is manifest when fluke measures approximate their maximums in the advanced chronic stage. The pre-patent period and egg production decrease when the burden increases. This means that measurements of eggs per gramme of faeces tend to underestimate the fluke burden. The present study demonstrates how to quantify the fascioliasis experimental rat model crowding effect on adult growth, pre-patent period and egg production. This quantification may be of great interest in epidemiological studies and in experimental research on the in vivo actions of different anthelminthic drugs and vaccines, pathology, immunology and resistance studies.
2000 years of migrating earthquakes in North China: How earthquakes in midcontinents differ from those at plate boundaries

Plate-tectonic theory explains earthquakes at plate boundaries but not those in continental interiors, where large earthquakes often occur in unexpected places. We illustrate this difference using a 2000-year record from North China, which shows migration of large earthquakes between fault systems spread over a large region such that no large earthquakes rupture the same fault segment twice. However, the spatial migration of these earthquakes is not entirely random, because the seismic energy releases between fault systems are complementary, indicating that these systems are mechanically coupled. We propose a simple conceptual model for intracontinental earthquakes, in which slow tectonic loading in midcontinents is accommodated collectively by a complex system of interacting faults, each of which can be active for a short period after long dormancy. The resulting large earthquakes are episodic and spatially migrating, in contrast to the more regular spatiotemporal patterns of interplate earthquakes.
Innate heart regeneration: endogenous cellular sources and exogenous therapeutic amplification

ABSTRACT Introduction: The -once viewed as heretical- concept of the adult mammalian heart as a dynamic organ capable of endogenous regeneration has recently gained traction. However, estimated rates of myocyte turnover vary wildly and the underlying mechanisms of cardiac plasticity remain controversial. It is still unclear whether the adult mammalian heart gives birth to new myocytes through proliferation of resident myocytes, through cardiomyogenic differentiation of endogenous progenitors or through both mechanisms. Areas covered: In this review, the authors discuss the cellular origins of postnatal mammalian cardiomyogenesis and touch upon therapeutic strategies that could potentially amplify innate cardiac regeneration. Expert opinion: The adult mammalian heart harbors a limited but detectable capacity for spontaneous endogenous regeneration. During normal aging, proliferation of pre-existing cardiomyocytes is the dominant mechanism for generation of new cardiomyocytes. Following myocardial injury, myocyte proliferation increases modestly, but differentiation of endogenous progenitor cells appears to also contribute to cardiomyogenesis (although agreement on the latter point is not universal). Since cardiomyocyte deficiency underlies almost all types of heart disease, development of therapeutic strategies that amplify endogenous regeneration to a clinically-meaningful degree is of utmost importance.
Empirical findings on the use of hypnosis in medicine: A critical review

Abstract Recent changes in health care have been characterized by an increased demand for empirically supported treatments in medicine. Presently, there is moderate support for the integration of hypnotic techniques in the treatment of a number of medical problems. This critical review of the research literature focuses on the empirical research on the effectiveness of hypnotic treatments as adjuncts to medical care for anxiety related to medical and dental procedures, asthma, dermatological diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, hemorrhagic disorders, nausea and emesis in oncology, and obstetrics/gynecology. Wider acceptance of hypnosis as an intervention to assist with medical care will require further research.
Characterization of meprin, a membrane-bound metalloendopeptidase from mouse kidney.

Meprin is an intrinsic protein of the brush border, a specialized plasma membrane, of the mouse kidney. It is a metalloendopeptidase that contains 1 mol of zinc and 3 mol of calcium per mol of the 85,000-Mr subunit. The enzyme is isolated, and active, as a tetramer. The behaviour of the enzyme on SDS/polyacrylamide gels in the presence and absence of beta-mercaptoethanol indicates that the subunits are of the same Mr (approx. 85,000) and held together by intersubunit S--S bridges. Eight S-carboxymethyl-L-cysteine residues were detected after reduction of the enzyme with beta-mercaptoethanol and carboxymethylation with iodoacetate. The enzyme is a glycoprotein and contains approx. 18% carbohydrate. Most of the carbohydrate is removed by endoglycosidase F, indicating that the sugar residues are N-linked. The isoelectric point of the enzyme is between pH 4 and 5, and the purified protein yields a pattern of evenly spaced bands in this range on isoelectric focusing. The peptide-bond specificity of the enzyme has been determined by using the oxidized B-chain of insulin as substrate. In all, 15 peptide degradation products were separated by h.p.l.c. and analysed for their amino acid content and N-terminal amino acid residue. The prevalent peptide-bond cleavages were between Gly20 and Glu21, Phe24 and Phe25 and between Phe25 and Tyr26. Other sites of cleavage were Leu6-Cysteic acid7, Ala14-Leu15, His10-Leu11, Leu17-Val18, Gly8-Ser9, Leu15-Tyr16, His5-Leu6. These results indicate that meprin has a preference for peptide bonds that are flanked by hydrophobic or neutral amino acid residues, but hydrolysis is not limited to these bonds. The ability of meprin to hydrolyse peptide bonds between small neutral and negatively charged amino acid residues distinguishes it from several other metalloendopeptidases.
Outcomes , and Response to Therapy Among Patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Hepatitis C

Background & Aims: The slow asymptomatic progression of chronic Hepatitis C can be interrupted by an acute exacerbation, characterized by increased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and bilirubin and other symptoms of acute hepatitis. We aimed to provide more information about the clinical presentation of acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis C. Methods: We identified 82 consecutive patients, from 2 locations in Italy, who had an acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis C from January 2005 through June 2010; we followed them for a median period of 36 months. These cases were HCV RNA positive, hepatitis B antigen-negative, and had not received anti-HCV therapy. They were matched with 82 subjects with hepatitis C without reactivation for age, sex, and HCV genotype (controls). Sixty-nine cases and 73 controls were followed for at least 2 years. Liver biopsies had been taken from 23 cases and 31 controls— once before enrollment in the study and once during the follow-up period. Results: HCV genotype 2 was detected in 46.4% of cases genotype 1 in 43.9%. Among cases, the mean level of ALT was 1063±1038 IU/dL and of total bilirubin was 15.87±7.15 mg/dL. A higher percentage of cases carried the IL-28B CC genotype than controls (40.2% vs 24.4%; P<.05). Among cases, 43.5% had a steady increase in ALT (>2-fold baseline value); for 56.5% of these patients, ALT levels returned to baseline values before the acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis. Based on comparisons of biopsies, 18 cases (78.3%) and 11 controls (35.5%) had increasing fibrosis, with Ishak scores increasing by >2 (P<.005); 14 cases (60.9%) and 3 controls (9.6%) had increases in necro-inflammation >2 points (P<.005). Thirty-two cases (46.4%) and 38 controls (52%) received treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin; a sustained viral response (SVR) was achieved by 26 cases (81.2%) and 23 controls (60.5%). Conclusion: Although an acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis is a serious medical condition, most patients achieve a SVR following treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin.
Transcriptional Control of the Antimicrobial Peptide Resistance ugtL Gene by the Salmonella PhoP and SlyA Regulatory Proteins*

The PhoP/PhoQ two-component system is a master regulator that governs the ability of Salmonella to cause a lethal infection in mice, the adaptation to low Mg2+ environments, and resistance to a variety of antimicrobial peptides. We have recently established that the PhoP-activated ugtL gene is required for resistance to the antimicrobial peptides magainin 2 and polymyxin B. Here we report that ugtL transcription requires not only the PhoP protein but also the virulence regulatory protein SlyA. The PhoP protein footprinted two regions of the ugtL promoter, mutation of either one of which was sufficient to abolish ugtL transcription. Although the SlyA protein is a transcriptional activator of the ugtL gene, it footprinted the ugtL promoter at a region located downstream of the transcription start site. The PhoP protein footprinted the slyA promoter, indicating that it controls slyA transcription directly. The slyA mutant was hypersensitive to magainin 2 and polymyxin B, suggesting that the virulence attenuation exhibited by slyA mutants may be caused by hypersensitivity to antimicrobial peptides. We propose that the PhoP and SlyA proteins control ugtL transcription using a feed-forward loop design.
Clinical Consequences of Stress Shielding After Porous-Coated Total Hip Arthroplasty

From a series of 223 extensively porous-coated total hip arthroplasties, 208 hips had radiographic followup at a minimum of 2 years, which could be evaluated for radiographic evidence of stress-shielding. These patients had a mean 13.9-year followup (range, 2–18 years). We compared the outcome of 48 total hip arthroplasties that had radiographically evident stress-shielding with 160 total hip arthroplasties that did not have radiographically visible stress-shielding or that had less severe stress-shielding. Stress-shielding was more likely in females, patients with a low cortical index, and patients with larger stems. At the most recent followup, patients with stress-shielding had a lower mean walking score than patients without stress-shielding and less osteolysis. No patients with stress-shielding had femoral loosening, implant fractures, or loss of porous coating. The revision rate was 13% (six hips) among hips with stress-shielding and 21% (33 hips) among hips without stress-shielding. Fifteen-year survivorship was 93% among hips with stress-shielding and 77% among hips without stress-shielding. Stress-shielding did not produce adverse consequences in these extensively porous-coated total hip arthroplasties.
Free radical damage to cerebral cortex in Alzheimer's disease, microvascular brain injury, and smoking

Evidence supports a pathogenic role for free radical injury to brain in Alzheimer's disease; however, clinical trial results are only mildly encouraging. Examining brains from The Adult Changes in Thought study offers a unique perspective. Selectively increased free radical damage to cerebral cortex was associated with Alzheimer's disease, microvascular brain injury, and current smoking, but not with antioxidant supplement usage. Our results support suppression of free radical injury to brain as a therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease and microvascular brain injury; however, future clinical trials should consider other antioxidants or doses than those identified in our study. Ann Neurol 2009;65:226–229
Electrocochleography in the Diagnosis of Meniere's Disease

This study prospectively analyses electrocochleography (ECoG) recordings obtained from ears demonstrating symptoms highly suggestive of Meniere's disease. Comparison is made with ECoG recording from ears in which the diagnosis of Meniere's is considered unlikely (control ears). Electrocochleograph recordings were made through a transtympanic recording needle, situated in the round window niche. Analysis was made of the 1 kHz tone burst summation potential (SP) and the summation potential : action potential (SP/AP) ratio response to a 90 dB click. All patients were prospectively awarded a Meniere's score based on a 10-point scale, and comparison was made between ears awarded a score of 7 or greater (Meniere's ears;n>500), and ears awarded a score 3 or less (control ears; n>900). Results demonstrate a significant difference in the 1 kHz SP response, and the SP/AP ratio, between ? control? and ? Meniere's? ears. Furthermore, we show that SP negativity is proportional to the amplitude of the AP click response, and in patients producing an AP click amplitude exceeding 10 V, sensitivity of the tone burst test approaches 85%. This study provides further evidence suggesting the useful role of electrocochleography in determining a diagnosis of endolymphatic hydrops, and demonstrates improved sensitivity of the 1 kHz SP response, compared with SP/AP click ratio, in the diagnosis of Meniere's disease.
Incidence of Stroke on Kinmen, Taiwan

This study aims to assess the incidence, case-fatality rate and risk factors of stroke on Kinmen Island, Taiwan, from 1993 to 1996. A population-based stroke survey was carried out in 1993 and 1996 to collect data on all subjects in the population aged 50 years and older residing on Kinmen. There were 63 stroke events (53 first ever and 10 recurrent) identified in this period. The average annual incidence rate of first-ever stroke for people aged 50 years or older was 527 per 100,000 population (95% confidence interval, CI, 297–757). The 28-day case-fatality rate was 24.5% (95% CI 12.9–36.1%) for first-ever stroke and 60% (95% CI 29.6–90.4%) for recurrent stroke. Multivariate analyses performed with the Cox proportional hazard model revealed the following risk factors to be independent predictors of stroke: hypertension, diabetes and alcohol use. The incidence and case- fatality rate of stroke on Kinmen is similar to that of several other countries. Hypertension is the most common risk factor in this population. Due to a relatively small number of outcome events, these findings require confirmation.
Modeling biofilm accumulation and mass transport in a porous medium under high substrate loading

A packed bed biofilm reactor inoculated with pure culture Pseudomonas aeruginosa was run under high substrate loading and constant flow rate conditions. The 3.1‐cm‐diameter cylindrical reactor was 5 cm in length and packed with 1‐mm glass beads. Daily observations of biofilm thickness, influent and effluent glucose substrate concentration, and effluent dissolved and total organic carbon were made during the 13‐day experiment. Biofilm thickness appeared to rech quasi‐steady‐state condition after 10 days. A published biofilm process simulation program (AQUASIM) was used to analyze experimental data. Comparison of observed and simulated variables revealed three distinct phases of biofilm accumulation during the experiment: an initial phase, a growth phase, and a mature biofilm phase. Different combinations of biofilm and mass transport process variables were found to be important during each phase. Biofilm detachment was highly correlated with shear at the biofilm surface during all three phases of biofilm development. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Teachers' Emotions and Test Feedback.

A qualitative methodology, grounded theory, was used to examine the thoughts and emotions of teachers who delivered test feedback to students. The goal of this study was to develop a conceptual model of test-feedback processes that was grounded in observational and interview data. Seven college teachers were interviewed and observed as they planned and conducted testfeedback sessions. During the test-feedback sessions, these teachers experienced a variety of negative emotions when they encountered challenges from students in the classroom. Strategies developed by these teachers reflected their attempts to organize test feedback in ways that were consistent with their goals and beliefs, but that also limited their negative emotions and stress during the feedback session. These findings are discussed in terms of their contribution to existing research on teachers' interactive thought and emotion and on the ways that teachers cope with stress in the classroom.
Multiple outcome measures and mixed methods for evaluating the effectiveness of theory-based behaviour-change interventions: A case study targeting health professionals' adoption of a national suicide prevention guideline

Interest in behaviour-change interventions targeting health professionals' adoption of clinical guidelines is growing. Recommendations have been made for interventions to have a theoretical base, explore the local context and to use mixed and multiple methods of evaluation to establish intervention effectiveness. This article presents a case study of a behaviour-change intervention delivered to community mental health professionals in one Primary Care Trust, aimed at raising adherence to a national suicide prevention guideline. A discussion of how the theory-base was selected, the local context explored, and how the intervention was developed and delivered is provided. Time series analysis, mediational analysis and qualitative process evaluation were used to evaluate and explore intervention effectiveness. The time series analysis revealed that the intervention was not effective at increasing adherence to the guideline. The mediational analysis indicates that the intervention failed to successfully target the key barrier to adoption of the guidance, and the qualitative process evaluation identified certain intervention components that were well received by the health professionals, and also identified weaknesses in the delivery of the intervention. It is recommended that future research should seek to further develop the evidence-base for linking specific intervention strategies to specific behavioural barriers, explore the potential of theories that take into account broader social and organisational factors that influence health professionals' practice and focus on the process of data synthesis for identifying key factors to target with tailored interventions. Multiple and mixed evaluation techniques are recommended not only to explore whether an intervention is effective or not but also why it is effective or not.
Soybean stability and adaptability in Southern and Central Brazil

The use of effective methodologies for the identification of more stable lines with wide adaptation is an indispensable tool in genetic improvement. Diverse methods of estimation are presently available, each one with specific features. This study evaluated the adaptability and stability of 21 soybean lines/cultivars grown in 78 environments in the southern and central regions of Brazil, between 2001 and 2003, using four methodologies. In the stability analyses, the four methods led to the same results. In the analyses of adaptability, the methods Eberhart and Russel (1966) and of Cruz et al. (1989) presented basically the same results, though the latter presented additional information regarding the adaptability of lines to favorable and unfavorable environments. The analysis by the AMMI method led to the establishment of the models AMMI3 (Central Region) and AMMI4 (southern region), making the analysis of adaptability by biplots very complex. Six stable lines were identified in the central region and two in the South.
Nonarticular Tenderness and Functional Status in Patients with Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis

Objective. To investigate the degree of nonarticular tenderness and functional status in patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH). We assessed these variables’ correlation with their clinical, radiographic, and constitutional measurements and with metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods. Eighty-seven patients with DISH were compared with 65 controls without DISH. Examination of nonarticular tenderness was performed by thumb palpation. Tenderness was scored for the 18 fibromyalgia tender points (TP), and 4 control points. Nonarticular tenderness was expressed by the number of TP and by the total tenderness score (TTS). The Short Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ II) was administered to all participants. Clinical and laboratory data were collected from all patients. Patients were classified as having MS by both the National Cholesterol Education Program and World Health Organization definitions. Results. There was a statistically significant difference in TTS between controls and patients with DISH. The mean tenderness of many individual TP was significantly higher in the DISH group compared with the control group. TP counts, TTS, and body mass index (BMI) positively correlated with the HAQ II. There was a linear trend in intensity of T-spine bony bridges (BB) and the total number of TP as well as many individual TP. Patients with DISH were more likely to be affected by MS. No correlation was found between TP count, TTS, and MS. Conclusion. Patients with DISH have a lower pain threshold than patients who do not have DISH. TP count and TTS correlate with the functional status, BMI, waist circumference, and high-grade BB. No correlation was observed between pain threshold and MS.
MOLECULARLY IMPRINTED POLYMERS FOR 90SR URINE BIOASSAY

A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) comprising dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DCH18C6) was synthesized as a Sr-selective sorbent for urine bioassay purposes. MIP particles (326 ± 2 nm diameter) were formed using acetone and acetonitrile (1:3 v/v) as the porogen, methacrylic acid (MAA) as the functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the cross-linker. The DCH18C6-MIP particles were impregnated with additional DCH18C6 and treated further with NaOH to attain better binding affinity for Sr2+. The effects of pH, ionic strength and amount of particles were evaluated for optimal extraction of 90Sr2+ from urine samples, as measured by liquid scintillation analysis (LSA). After up to 94% of 90Y was removed by precipitation with TiO2, DCH18C6-MIP particles were applied for selective SPE of 90Sr remaining in the urine matrix for final LSA.
The Influence of Product Type on Online Trust

Trust is a critical factor in establishing a successful relationship between consumers and vendors. This paper investigates the impact of the product type being sought on consumers’ trust within an online environment. An empirical study involving 227 online shoppers was conducted to develop and validate a structural equation model for online trust incorporating the factors of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and enjoyment as representative variables of a consumer’s experience within a company’s Website. Results from this study indicate significant variations in the experience and trust levels of tangible versus intangible product shoppers.