Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Glycosphingolipid Biosynthesis Does Not Impair Growth or Morphogenesis of the Postimplantation Mouse Embryo

Abstract: Whole embryo culture (WEC) of organogenesis‐stage mouse embryos was adapted for glycosphingolipid (GSL) metabolic studies to evaluate the hypothesis that de novo GSL biosynthesis is a prerequisite for growth and morphogenesis of the early postimplantation embryo. WEC supports the growth and development of postimplantation mouse embryos to stages that are indistinguishable from those achieved in vivo. N‐Butyldeoxygalactonojirimycin (NB‐DGJ) is an N‐alkylated imino sugar that specifically inhibits biosynthesis of all glucosylceramide‐based GSLs. NB‐DGJ inhibited glucosylceramide and lactosylceramide biosynthesis nearly completely and inhibited ganglioside biosynthesis ∼90% in both the embryo and visceral yolk sac. NB‐DGJ also significantly reduced total ganglioside content in both the embryo and visceral yolk sac as estimated by the cholera toxin immunooverlay technique. A shift in expression from the structurally simple to the structurally complex gangliosides was also observed in NB‐DGJ‐treated embryos and yolk sacs. Despite causing major changes in GSL biosynthesis and composition, NB‐DGJ had no effect on embryo viability, growth, or morphology. The findings suggest that de novo GSL biosynthesis may not be a prerequisite for the growth and morphogenesis of the organogenesis‐stage mouse embryo.
Pharmacy Students’ Perceptions of and Attitudes Towards Peer Assessment Within a Drug Literature Evaluation Course

Objective. To assess pharmacy students’ perceptions of and attitudes towards the use of peer assessment within a drug literature evaluation course. Methods. A 15-item, electronic survey instrument was sent to 158 second-year pharmacy students enrolled in a 2-credit required literature evaluation course at the Purdue University College of Pharmacy. Results. One hundred fifty-two (96.2%) responses were received. Approximately 95% of students agreed that they had the necessary skills to assess their peers and 91.8% agreed that their peers possessed these skills as well. More students agreed they were comfortable receiving feedback from peers (95.7%) than agreed they were comfortable providing feedback to peers (80%). The majority of students (91.9%) agreed that peer assessment was a skill they will use in their career as a pharmacist. Conclusion. Students were more comfortable receiving feedback from peers than providing peer assessment. This skill is used by pharmacists throughout their career; therefore, students should become familiar and comfortable with the peer assessment process.
Trypanosoma cruzi Infection Selectively Renders Parasite-Specific IgG+ B Lymphocytes Susceptible to Fas/Fas Ligand-Mediated Fratricide1

The control of B cell expansion has been thought to be solely regulated by T lymphocytes. We show in this study that Trypanosoma cruzi infection induces up-regulation of both Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) molecules on B cells and renders them susceptible to B cell-B cell killing (referred to as fratricide throughout this paper) mediated via Fas/FasL. Moreover, by in vivo administration of anti-FasL blocking mAb we demonstrate that Fas-mediated B cell apoptosis is an ongoing process during this parasitic infection. We also provide evidence that B cells that have switched to IgG isotype are the preferential targets of B cell fratricide. More strikingly, this death pathway selectively affects IgG+ B cells reactive to parasite but not self Ags. Parasite-specific but not self-reactive B cells triggered during this response are rescued after either in vitro or in vivo FasL blockade. Fratricide among parasite-specific IgG+ B lymphocytes could impair the immune control of T. cruzi and possibly other chronic protozoan parasites. Our results raise the possibility that the blockade of Fas/FasL interaction in the B cell compartment of T. cruzi-infected mice may provide a means for enhancing antiparasitic humoral immune response without affecting host tolerance.
DNA cleavage by 111In-labeled oligodeoxyribonucleotides.

UNLABELLED We studied the fine structure of DNA damage produced by the decay of 111In incorporated into duplex and triplex DNA strands to evaluate the usefulness of this radionuclide for sequence-specific DNA cleavage. METHODS Oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODNs) were prepared with 111In attached by diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) at the 5' end or 3' end through a long chemical linker or to an internal nucleotide position through a short linker. Subsequent formation of DNA duplexes and triplexes was confirmed by gel electrophoresis. The 111In-induced breaks were assayed in denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with a single-nucleotide resolution. RESULTS 111In-labeled oligonucleotides of high specific activity (740-1554 TBq/mmol) were synthesized. The presence of the bulky 111In-DTPA group did not impede duplex or triplex formation. Localized DNA breaks were observed in all duplexes and triplexes formed. The majority of DNA breaks in duplex formations were located within +/- 10 nucleotides from the site of attachment of the 111In-bearing linker. The yield of DNA breaks per decay was 0.38 in a duplex with internally modified ODNs. This is nearly 2 times less than the yield of DNA breaks in the same duplex with 1251 attached through the same linker. The yield of DNA breaks in the pyrimidine and purine strands of DNA triplexes with 111In attached to the triplex-forming ODNs through the linkers of different length varied from 0.05 to 0.10. The distribution of DNA breaks was wider in comparison with the duplex experiment. The lower yields of breaks per 111In decay compared with 125I may be not only the result of lower deposited energy but also of the ionic repulsion of the negatively charged 111In-DTPA group from the DNA strands. CONCLUSION We have shown that decay of 111In produces highly localized DNA breaks. 111In introduced into triplex- and duplex-forming ODNs through hydrocarbon linkers produces sequence-specific DNA strand breaks with an efficiency nearly comparable with that of 1251. These findings are supportive of our proposed use of 111In-ODNs for gene-specific radiotherapy.
Madness, race and moral treatment: Robben Island Lunatic Asylum, Cape Colony, 1846-1890

The history of psychiatry in the nineteenth-century British colonies has begun to receive some attention from social historians. The Cape is no exception. Recent work by Moyle, Foster and Swartz has traced the development of a racialized psychiatry in the Cape during the course of the nineteenth century, challenging the picture drawn by Minde and others of a progressive and scientific psychiatry.2 2 By the 1890s, both in medical discourse and in institutional practice, racial difference had become part of the bedrock of Cape psychiatry. Racism in psychiatric practice was not, of
Relationship between subjective memory complaints, objective memory performance, and depression among older adults

A growing number of studies have investigated the relationship between the elderly subjective memory complaint and their actual memory performance. If memory complaints can be used as indicators of actual memory deficits, these complaints could be an invaluable test for early detection and management of dementia disorders. This study examined the relationships between the elderly subjective memory complaint and their objective memory performance while taking into account several factors such as health and depression. The individuals with subjective memory deficits scored higher on the depression scale in comparison to the individuals without subjective memory problems. However, the alert elderly subjective complaints should be taken seriously while evaluating for dementia.
Persistent and Reversible Morphine Withdrawal‐Induced Morphological Changes in the Nucleus Accumbens

Abstract: Morphine withdrawal produces a hypofunction of mesencephalic dopamine (DA) neurons which impinge upon medium spiny neurons (MSN) of the forebrain. After chronic treatment rats were either spontaneously or pharmacologically withdrawn from chronic morphine: under these two distinct conditions we studied the effects of withdrawal on spine density of MSN of the core and shell of the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) at various times (1–3–7–14 days). MSN were stained with the Golgi–Cox procedure and analyzed by a confocal laser‐scanning microscope. Our analysis shows that both spontaneous and naloxone‐induced withdrawal produces a long‐lasting but reversible reduction in spines' density in shell MSN, as compared with core MSN. This effect is selectively localized at the level of second‐order dendritic trunks and persists up to 14 days when spine density was found within control (pretreatment) values. By contrast, spine density counts of NAcc MSN from rats chronically treated with morphine, did not reveal any change over time. Collectively, the results of the present article suggest that spontaneous and pharmacologically precipitated withdrawal, but not chronic morphine, persistently but reversibly reduce spines' density under a condition of reduced mesolimbic DA transmission, and the reduction of spines' density in second‐order dendritic trunks is selectively segregated in the MSN of the shell of the NAcc. Morphine withdrawal dramatically, lastingly, and reversibly reduces spine density, selectively in second‐order dendritic trunks of NAcc shell MSN, thereby further impoverishing the already abated DA transmission. These results may be relevant in the most harmful consequences of drug addiction such as craving and loss of control over intake and are in line with recent views suggesting the hypodopaminergic state as a cardinal feature of drug dependence.
Bacteria foraging optimisation algorithm for optimal FIR filter design

This paper presents a novel search algorithm, called bacteria foraging optimisation BFO for the design of linear phase positive symmetric FIR low pass, high pass, band pass and band stop filters, realising the respective ideal filter specifications. BFO is a population-based evolutionary optimisation concept used to solve nonlinear optimisation problem where each individual maintains the propagation of genes. BFO favours propagation of genes of those animals which have efficient foraging strategies and eliminate those animals that have weak foraging strategies i.e., method of finding, handling and taking in food. All animals with their own physiological and environmental constraints, try to maximise the consumption of energy per unit time interval. The performances of BFO-based FIR filter designs have proven to be superior as compared to those obtained by real coded genetic algorithm RGA and standard particle swarm optimisation PSO optimisation techniques. The simulation results justify that BFO is the best optimiser among the other optimisation techniques, not only in the convergence speed but also in the accuracy and the optimal performances of the designed filters.
Improved understanding of peripheral T-cell lymphomas.

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are rare and heterogeneous non-Hodgkin lymphomas that have been separated by clinical presentation, histology, immunohistochemistry markers, infectious agents, and genetic abnormalities. They may have extranodal dissemination and are often aggressive, especially when they express cytotoxic markers. The international T-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Study Group collaboration has highlighted differences in the frequency of these entities in different geographic areas. [1,2] For example, HTLV-1+ adult T-cell lymphomas are found in Japan and nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma occurs predominantly in Asian countries. The most common PTCLs are unique and not able to be classified by a specific marker or tumor antigen, and are known as peripheral T-cell lymphomas, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS).
Restriction endonuclease analysis of DNA from Chlamydia trachomatis biovars

DNA from a total of 60 Chlamydia trachomatis isolates was examined by restriction endonuclease analysis. Strains from all established biovars and serovars were tested. There was great diversity between the mouse biovar and the lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) and trachoma biovars. The LGV and trachoma biovar isolates generated similar fragment patterns; however, distinct fragments appeared to be unique to both biovars, thus allowing differentiation of these two major groups. In most cases, strains of the same serovar could be differentiated from one another when a battery of restriction enzymes was used. In addition, in some cases, certain restriction fragments appeared to be characteristic of strains from a particular geographical location. The DNA patterns generated by all C. trachomatis isolates differed greatly from the DNA patterns generated from the Chlamydia psittaci isolates tested, including TWAR, a human C. psittaci strain.
NONNEGATIVE GENERALIZED DOUBLY STOCHASTIC MATRICES WITH PRESCRIBED ELEMENTARY DIVISORS

This paper provides sufficient conditions for the existence of nonnegative generalized doubly stochastic matrices with prescribed elementary divisors. These results improve previous results and the constructive nature of their proofs allows for the computation of a solution matrix. In particular, this paper shows how to transform a generalized stochastic matrix into a nonnegative generalized doubly stochastic matrix, at the expense of increasing the Perron eigenvalue, but keeping other elementary divisors unchanged. Under certain restrictions, nonnegative generalized doubly stochastic matrices can be constructed, with spectrum \Lambda = {\lambda_1,\lambda_2 2, . , \lambda_n} for each Jordan canonical form associated with \Lambda
Effects of Family Size on Household Food Security in Osun State, Nigeria

The study investigated effects of family size on household food security in Osun state, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was employed to select 110 respondents for the study. A well structured questionnaire was used in collecting information from the respondents. The data were subjected to descriptive and Tobit regression analysis. The results of the study indicated that about 60.9% had family size of 5and 8 members. Only 24.5% were food secure. Coping strategies employed include borrowing money, relying on less preferred and less expensive food. The constraints faced includes, poor access to credit (84.5%), and lack of input (81.8%). The study concludes that large family size has negative impact on house food security. The study recommended that government and non government agency should intensified effort on importance of family planning and advocate small family size in rural area.
Genetic evaluation of grain sorghum hybrids in Brazilian environments using the REML/BLUP procedure

When it comes to recommending sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor) cultivars, it is essential to carry out a genetic evaluation of the agronomic traits of promising genotypes from several common environments where the crop is cultivated. This study consisted of a genetic evaluation of 52 experimental grain sorghum hybrids and eight commercial cultivars. Hybrids were evalu- ated in 19 experiments representing the most varied cultivation conditions in Brazil. Traits of agronomic interest such as grain yield, fl owering and plant height were analysed. Genotypic eval- uation was performed following the REML/BLUP (Restricted Maximum Likelihood/Best Linear Un- biased Predictor) procedure; the MHPRVG (Harmonic Mean of Relative Performance of Genotypic Values) method was also employed to study stability and adaptability. Hybrids which stood out in terms of highest grain yield based on genotypic values, stability and adaptability were 0306037, 1G150, DKB 599, 0306039, 1G282 and 0307671. Of these, only 1G282 showed restrictions as to plant height. For fl owering, experimental hybrids showed shorter cycles than commercial cultivars, confi rming the effi ciency of genetic improvement for this trait. With the analysis of grain yield considering days to fland plant height as covariates, it was observed that most of the hybrids of greater performance, showed grain yield to be positively infl uenced by plant height and days to fl
Multiple organ failure can be predicted as early as 12 hours after injury.

BACKGROUND The failure of therapies aimed at modulating systemic inflammatory response syndrome and decreasing multiple organ failure (MOF) has been attributed in part to the inability to identify early the population at risk. Our objective, therefore, was to develop predictive models for MOF at admission and at 12, 24 and 48 hours after injury. METHODS Logistic regression models were derived in a data set with 411 adult trauma patients using indicators of tissue injury, shock, host factors, and the Acute Physiology Score-Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III (APS-APACHE III). RESULTS MOF was diagnosed in 78 patients (19%). Injury Severity Score, platelet count, and age emerged as predictors in all models. Transfused blood, inotropes, and lactate were significant predictors at 12, 24, and 48 hours, but not at admission. The APS-APACHE III emerged only in the 0- to 48-hour model and offered minimal improvement in predictive power. Good predictive power was achieved at 12 hours after injury. CONCLUSION Postinjury MOF can be predicted as early as 12 hours after injury. The APS-APACHE III added little to the predictive power of tissue injury, shock and host factors.
Consumption attitudes and adoption of new consumer products: a contingency approach

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to further current understanding of the relationship between consumption attitudes and new product adoption and how the relationship may be contingent upon consumers' other characteristics.Design/methodology/approach – Following a contingency framework, five consumption attitudes derived from Schwartz's value systems framework were examined, along with demographic variables, for their associations with consumer new product adoption (NPA). Negative binominal regression models were estimated using syndicated data from a large urban Chinese consumer sample to test the main and interactive effect hypotheses.Findings – Consumption attitudes have significant effects on NPA. Consumers' adoption of market innovations is associated negatively with their attitude toward existing products and positively with independent decision making and preference for high‐tech products. Further, the magnitude of the effects of consumption attitudes depends on consumers' demographic characte.
Phenotypic analysis of Phytophthora parasitica by using high throughput phenotypic microarray.

OBJECTIVE We studied the phenotypic characterization of Phytophthora parasitica Dastur var. nicotianae. METHODS Phenotypic characterization of the pathogen was studied to provide information for disease management program by using BIOLOG phenotype MicroArray (PM ). Using PM plates 1 to 10, 950 different phenotypic characterizations were tested. RESULTS P. parasitica was able to metabolize 74% of tested carbon sources, 96% of nitrogen sources, 100% of sulfur sources, and 98% of phosphorus sources. Most informative utilization patterns for carbon sources of P. parasitica were organic acids and carbohydrates, and for nitrogen were various amino acids. The pathogen presented 285 different nitrogen pathways. It had wide range adaptabilities in osmolytes with up to 1% sodium chloride, up to 3% potassium chloride, up to 5% sodium sulfate, up to 20% ethylene glycol, up to 2% sodium formate, up to 5% urea, and up to 2% sodium lactate. It also exhibited active metabolism under pH values between 3.5 and 10, with optimal pH of around 7.0. The pathogen showed both decarboxylase and deaminase activities in the presence of various amino acids. CONCLUSION These phenotypic characterizations of P. parasitica provided the theoretical basis for the next study of the pathogen in physiology and metabolism, and provided potential new way for tobacco black shank management.
Efficacy of sildenafil therapy for pulmonary hypertension in dogs : a systematic review

El objetivo de esta revisión sistemática fue evaluar la eficacia del sildenafil en el tratamiento de la hipertensión pulmonar (HP) en perros y, cuando posible, proponer recomendaciones a favor o en contra de su uso. Se realizaron búsquedas electrónicas en seis bases de datos internacionales. El criterio de inclusión fue estudios clínicos in vivo que evaluaron la eficacia del sildenafil en el tratamiento de la HP de origen natural. El sistema de clasificación se diseñó para considerar aspectos como la forma de distribución y enmascaramiento de los tratamientos experimentales, número de animales empleados, asociación con otros medicamentos, métodos de diagnóstico para HP, evaluaciones de la respuesta clínica al tratamiento y efectos adversos. Un total de cinco artículos fueron obtenidos. En general, la condición clínica y la calidad de vida de los animales mejoraron después de la terapia con el sildenafil, y la incidencia de efectos adversos fue poco común. Los hallazgos ecocardiográficos proporcionaron evidencia de cambios en la presión arterial pulmonar que podrían asociarse con alteraciones en la actividad física y tiempo de supervivencia. Aún así, la calidad metodológica de los estudios fue baja, ya que sólo un estudio fue un ensayo clínico al azar, placebo-controlado y doble ciego. Con poca evidencia, este estudio permitió establecer que el sildenafil es una terapia importante que puede tener un papel terapéutico positivo en el tratamiento de HP canina. Se recomienda realizar estudios prospectivos al azar, ciegos y controlados con un mayor número de animales para evaluar la actividad física y los efectos adversos del sildenafil y otras drogas, así como la eficacia de este medicamento en perros.
School Context and the Gender Gap in Educational Achievement

Today, boys generally underperform relative to girls in schools throughout the industrialized world. Building on theories about gender identity and reports from prior ethnographic classroom observations, we argue that school environment channels conceptions of masculinity in peer culture, fostering or inhibiting boys’ development of anti-school attitudes and behavior. Girls’ peer groups, by contrast, vary less strongly with the social environment in the extent to which school engagement is stigmatized as un-feminine. As a consequence, boys are more sensitive than girls to school resources that create a learning-oriented environment. To evaluate this argument, we use a quasi-experimental research design and estimate the gender difference in the causal effect of peer socioeconomic status (SES) as an important school resource on test scores. Our design is based on the assumption that assignment to 5th-grade classrooms within Berlin’s schools is as good as random, and we evaluate this selection process with an examination of Berlin’s school regulations, a simulation analysis, and qualitative interviews with school principals. Estimates of the effect of SES composition on male and female performance strongly support our central hypothesis, and other analyses support our proposed mechanism as the likely explanation for gender differences in the causal effect.
Treatment of head lice

Pediculosis capitis, or head lice, is a common infestation among children worldwide. Multiple therapies exist for the treatment of this condition, including topical pediculicides and oral medications. When used in combination with environmental decontamination, these drugs can be very effective in eradicating head lice infestation without significant adverse events. The present study discusses the use of available over‐the‐counter and prescription treatments, including pyrethroids and permethrin, lindane, malathion, ivermectin, and trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole, in the treatment of head lice.