Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of depression and anxiety on circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with acute coronary syndromes

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are related to endothelial function and progression of coronary artery disease. There is evidence of decreased numbers of circulating EPCs in patients with a current episode of major depression. We investigated the relationships between the level of circulating EPCs and depression and anxiety in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
Resource allocation across the egg laying sequence in the wild zebra finch Taeniopygia guttata

Zebra finches have played a central role in the discovery of a variety of maternal effects over the past decade, with females shown to adjust resource allocation to their eggs in response to variables such as the appearance of their partner, their own condition, and the diet on which they are maintained. In addition to being the focus of some of the most high profile individual studies that have influenced maternal effects research in birds, the multitude of zebra finch studies together provide the most comprehensive set of data to illuminate general patterns and compare different maternally derived variables. Surprisingly, to date, virtually all of this work has focused on captive populations of the zebra finch that have been domesticated for many generations, and which are typically held under relatively constant environmental and dietary conditions. Here we report the first data on resource allocation across the egg laying sequence in a free-living wild population. Reassuringly we find that the patterns that have been found in the majority of studies of domesticated populations with respect to investment across the laying sequence were all present in the wild population. The size and mass of eggs increased through the laying sequence whilst the concentration of carotenoids significantly decreased across the laying sequence. Although there was no significant pattern with respect to testosterone across the laying sequence the first two eggs had a higher level of testosterone than the last few eggs in the clutch, which is also consistent with the findings of earlier studies in captive populations.
Effect of inorganic salts on the inclusion complex formation and solubilizing potency of cyclodextrins

The competition of hydrophobic molecules for the cyclodextrin (CD) cavity is well known and reported in the literature. However, it is not so trivial, how inorganic salts, small cations and anions may affect the inclusion complex formation, and thereby the functional properties of CDs. This topic is recently of particular interest for formulators since there are several granted patents and published patent applications on commercially available CD derivatives with certain intrinsic ion contents (in particular chloride and phosphate), such as US patents US7635773, US8410077, US9200088, US9493582 as well as US patent applications US2015284479 and US2015045311. All these documents highlight that the absence of these ions is specifically favored. On the other hand, the patent disclosing the SBE-BCD-based amiodarone formulation (US6869939) states that the advantage of using SBE-BCD is that a wider range of buffers was found compatible compared to other known (surfactant-containing) amiodarone-containing liquid formulations. Suitable buffering agents were enumerated such as phosphate and borate. In Example 10 of patent US6869939, a suitable formulation containing amiodarone HCl (50 mg/mL) in a solution containing 114 mM monobasic sodium phosphate and 30% w/v SBE-BCD is illustrating the advantageous use of phosphate ions in a SBE-BCD based formulation.
A Distinctive layering pattern of mouse dentate granule cells is generated by developmental and adult neurogenesis

New neurons are continuously added throughout life to the dentate gyrus of the mammalian hippocampus. During embryonic and early postnatal development, the dentate gyrus is formed in an outside‐in layering pattern that may extend through adulthood. In this work, we sought to quantify systematically the relative position of dentate granule cells generated at different ages. We used 5′‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine (BrdU) and retroviral methodologies to birth date cells born in the embryonic, early postnatal, and adult hippocampus and assessed their final position in the adult mouse granule cell layer. We also quantified both developmental and adult‐born cohorts of neural progenitor cells that contribute to the pool of adult progenitor cells. Our data confirm that the outside‐in layering of the dentate gyrus continues through adulthood and that early‐born cells constitute most of the adult dentate gyrus. We also found that substantial numbers of the dividing cells in the adult dentate gyrus were derived from early‐dividing cells and retained BrdU, suggesting that a subpopulation of hippocampal progenitors divides infrequently from early development onward. J. Comp. Neurol. 518:4479–4490, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Asynchronously Replicating Eu/Heterochromatic Regions Shape Chromosome Damage

In order to shed more light on the influence of DNA replication on the formation and distribution of chromosome aberrations, breakpoints (BP) produced by UV-C and AluI were assigned either to the early replicating short euchromatic arm (Xpe) or to the late replicating long heterochromatic arm (Xqh) of the Chinese hamster (CHO9) X chromosome. Early (ES) or late (LS) S-phase cells were assessed by pulse incorporating the base analogue 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immediately after UV-C irradiation (30 J/m2) or AluI (20 U) poration followed by BrdU immunodetection with FITC-tagged antibodies in metaphase spreads. Short (30 s) UV-C exposures (1 J/m2/s) induced BP preferentially in Xqh in LS cells and a random distribution of BP along Xpe and Xqh in ES cells. However, BP induced by long (5 min) UV-C exposures (0.1 J/m2/s) clustered according to arm replication time (Xpe during ES and Xqh along LS). Giemsa-stained metaphases showed elevated frequencies of UV-C induced chromatid-type aberrations and gaps, especially in cells exposed to longer UV-C irradiation. BP induced by AluI clustered in Xpe in ES but distributed randomly during LS. In contrast to UV-C, AluI did not produce an increase in the yield of gaps, neither in ES nor in LS cells. Putative mechanisms underlying the observed distributions of chromosome damage in replicating CHO9 cells exposed to UV-C and AluI are discussed.
Colony stimulating factor‐1 Is a negative regulator of the macrophage respiratory burst

Several cytokines have previously been shown to prime macrophages for enhanced release of oxygen radicals in response to subsequent stimulation. We now demonstrate that the presence of the macrophage‐specific colony stimulating factor‐1 (CSF‐1) inhibits the priming of murine macrophages by a variety of agents including tumor necrosis factor α, granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulating factor, interferon‐γ, and bacterial lipopolysaccharide. CSF‐1 is also able to reduce the respiratory burst in the absence of priming. Our results indicate that CSF‐1 is a potent negative regulator of the macrophage respiratory burst which acts to oppose the priming (enhancing) action of macrophage activating agents. We propose that CSF‐1 may have a potentially important and previously unrecognized, role as a Physiological regulator which restricts or terminates the activation of macrophages in order to prevent an uncontrolled inflammatory reaction.
Microstructure, Mechanical and Corrosion Behaviors of CoCrFeNiAl0.3 High Entropy Alloy (HEA) Films

The HEA-CoCrFeNiAl0.3 thin film in this study has been successfully developed by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering to meet the increasing demand in engineering applications. Its microstructure and surface profile were investigated accordingly. The as-synthesized HEA film was found to have a homogeneous element distribution and ultra-smooth surface, exhibiting a typical face-centered cubic (FCC) solid solution. The film showed better mechanical properties than its bulk counterpart, with a Young’s modulus and hardness of ~201.4 GPa and ~11.5 GPa, respectively. Furthermore, corrosion tests demonstrated decreased sensitivity to localized corrosion in comparison to the commercial 304 stainless steel in NaCl solution.
Silicone Gel Breast Implant Failure: Evaluation of Properties of Shells and Gels for Explanted Prostheses and Meta-analysis of Literature Rupture Data

After 30 years of clinical use, the 1992 Food and Drug Administration moratorium on silicone gel breast implants (SGBIs) resulted from a paucity of scientific data concerning their safety. The frequency of rupture and reoperative procedures was not known, nor were reliable data available for changes in the physical properties of shells and the composition of gels that might lead to SGBI failure. For this reason the authors conducted large-cohort meta-analyses of failure data for SGBIs based on numerous literature reports and also investigated systematically shell and gel properties from explanted SGBIs. They report their failure analysis data for more than 9,770 SGBIs (an update of an earlier study of more than 8,000 implants) as well an examination of the properties of shells and gels for 74 explanted SGBIs that ranged in age from 2 to 19 years (mean implanted age, 9.9 years). The explants tested were from several different manufacturers. For the modest-size explant cohort that was tested, 31 of 74 implants (42%) were found to be ruptured (some extensively). Even many intact shells were so weakened that only 51 shells had sufficient strength to enable preparation of samples for testing of mechanical properties and for analysis of composition by solvent extraction. Shells were found to contain 15 to 25% of extractable silicone. Exhaustive extraction of gels showed that they actually contained very little crosslinked silicone—85 to 95% being extractable soluble silicone fluid. Tensile and tear strengths of explanted silicone elastomer shells were lower than unimplanted prostheses and were generally well below reported manufacturers’ values. This updated large-cohort failure analysis continues to show that shell rupture is related directly to implant duration (e.g., from analysis of variance statistics, 26% failure at 3.9 years, 47% at 10.3 years, 69% at 17.8 years;p ≤ 0.001). However, for the relatively small series of explants for which physical property data are reported, no significant correlation was observed between implant duration and the degradation of implant strength. It therefore appears most reasonable to conclude that after early weakening of shells as a result of swelling of the shell elastomer by diffusion of silicone oil from the gel, SGBI failure can occur in a time-dependent manner as a result of continuing implant motion and cyclic stresses that are exacerbated by stress concentration at thin areas, defects, and folds in the shells.
Study of Adenosine Deaminase Levels Along With Alanine and Aspartate Aminotransferase, Total Proteins and A/G Ratio in Cirrhosis

Liver is the most bio-chemically complex organ. It plays a vital role in the metabolism and in the detoxification and elimination of toxic substances. Alcohol is the most common cause of hepatic injury terminating in cirrhosis. Acetaldehyde metabolite formed during the metabolism of ethanol is very reactive compound and is the mediator of tissue and organ damage. Many individuals with liver disease maintain normal function despite extensive liver damage. In such cases measurement of liver enzymes which are released into circulation as a result of liver cell injury, through non-specific may be helpful to assess the severity of liver damage. Main aim of the study is to evaluate the serum adenosine deaminase activity (ADA) along with other known markers of liver function such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST),, Total proteins and A/G ratio in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, infective hepatitis and to assess the utility of these parameters as diagnostic and prognostic indicators of liver function. This study was done at Gandhi Hospital secunderabad; The patients included in the study were selected from out-patient and wards of Gastroenterology department of Gandhi hospital. Oral informed consent was taken from the persons who were included in the study. 12 individuals aged between 25-60 yrs were taken as controls. Most of them were males. 12 patients clinically diagnosed as alcoholic cirrhosis, confirmed by history, abdominal ultrasound scan and altered liver functions and 11 patients with viral hepatitis(serologically positive for HbsAg) were selected for study. In our study raised serum ADA levels are seen in cirrhosis patients when compared to normal individuals. Serum transaminases showed moderate raise when compared to normal individuals. Serum AST levels were greater than ALT. The serum AST: ALT ratio is >1. The total serum proteins showed marked reduction when compared to normal individuals. Serum albumin is reduced to greater extent. Serum globulins were increased when compared to normal individuals, resulting in reversal of normal A/G ratio. The reverse of A/G ratio indicates the severity of disease.
The role of fibroblasts in tissue engineering and regeneration

Fibroblasts are mesenchymal cells that can be readily cultured in the laboratory and play a significant role in epithelial–mesenchymal interactions, secreting various growth factors and cytokines that have a direct effect on epidermal proliferation, differentiation and formation of extracellular matrix. They have been incorporated into various tissue‐engineered products such as Dermagraft® (Advanced BioHealing, La Jolla, CA, U.S.A.) and Apligraf® (Novartis, Basel, Switzerland) and used for a variety of clinical applications, including the treatment of burns, chronic venous ulcers and several other clinical applications in dermatology and plastic surgery. In this article we review the cell biology of dermal fibroblasts and discuss past and current experience of the clinical use of cultured fibroblasts.
Is it possible to train patients to limit weight bearing on a lower extremity?

Orthopedic patients are often instructed on how much weight to bear on an injured or postoperative extremity. Although specific weight-bearing instructions are given to a majority of lower-extremity orthopedic patients, the ability of patients to comply with these instructions is questioned in the medical literature. This study compared the effectiveness of new forms of clinical interventions designed to train patients on weight bearing, focusing on the use of biofeedback devices designed to offer real-time feedback to partial weight-bearing patients. Twenty healthy patients aged 20 to 30 years completed 3 interventions: (1) verbal instructions on weight bearing, (2) training with a bathroom scale, and (3) training with a biofeedback device.Patients given touchdown weight-bearing instructions (25 lb) initially bore an average of 63.57±6.24 lb when given verbal instructions. This was reduced to 44.75±5.69 lb after training with a bathroom scale (P<.001), and was further reduced to 26.2±1.57 lb with biofeedback training (P=.011). Likewise, patients given partial weight-bearing instructions (75 lb) initially bore an average of 92.28±7.85 lb. No improvement occurred with the use of a bathroom scale (at 75 lb), which showed an average of 90.82±7.19 lb (P=1.000). Training with a biofeedback device improved the average weight bearing to 69.67±3.18 lb (P=.014). Biofeedback training led to superior compliance with touchdown and partial weight-bearing instructions. Because partial weight-bearing instructions are commonly given to orthopedic patients, training with such a device may be appropriately considered.
Increased Gray Matter Volume and Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Somatosensory Cortex and their Relationship with Autistic Symptoms in Young Boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been widely recognized as a complex neurodevelopmental disorder. A large number of neuroimaging studies suggest abnormalities in brain structure and function of patients with ASD, but there is still no consistent conclusion. We sought to investigate both of the structural and functional brain changes in 3–7-year-old children with ASD compared with typically developing controls (TDs), and to assess whether these alterations are associated with autistic behavioral symptoms. Firstly, we applied an optimized method of voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis on structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) data to assess the differences of gray matter volume (GMV) between 31 autistic boys aged 3–7 and 31 age- and handness-matched male TDs. Secondly, we used clusters with between-group differences as seed regions to generate intrinsic functional connectivity maps based on resting-state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fcMRI) in order to evaluate the functional impairments induced by structural alterations. Brain-behavior correlations were assessed among GMV, functional connectivity and symptom severity in children with ASD. VBM analyses revealed increased GMV in left superior temporal gyrus (STG) and left postcentral gyrus (PCG) in ASD children, comparing with TDs. Using left PCG as a seed region, ASD children displayed significantly higher positive connectivity with right angular gyrus (AG) and greater negative connectivity with right superior parietal gyrus (SPG) and right superior occipital gyrus (SOG), which were associated with the severity of symptoms in social interaction, communication and self-care ability. We suggest that stronger functional connectivity between left PCG and right AG, SPG, and SOG detected in young boys with ASD may serve as important indicators of disease severity. Our study provided preliminary functional evidence that may underlie impaired higher-order multisensory integration in ASD children.
Physicochemical composition and glycemic index of whole grain bread produced from composite flours of quality protein maize and wheat

samples. The loaf height(2.50-3.95 cm), volume (291.00-415.00 cm 3 ) and specific volume(1.72-2.42 cm 3 /g) decreased significantly with increasing level of quality protein maize, however, loaf length was not affected by the substitution of quality protein maize. The result of the functional properties showed that final viscosity, water absorption and swelling capacity increased with increasing level of quality protein maize. The result of the glycemic response showed that the inclusion of quality protein maize resulted in decline in the blood glucose content (glycemic index) of the products. The bread samples were generally acceptable however; bread with 100% wheat was the most preferred. The result of the sensory properties showed that there was significant difference (p<0.05) in the texture and taste of 100% wheat bread and the other samples. The study concluded that substitution of quality protein maize with wheat produced acceptable whole grain loaves that have positive effect on the reduction of blood glucose level.
Impact of Workers’ Remittances on Household Welfare in District Jhang (A Case Study of Tehsil 18 Hazari)

The inflow of foreign remittances is continuously increased in Pakistan and it has been estimated that about 13186.58 $ million received in the last fiscal year [23]. The main purpose of this study was to check the impact of remittances on household welfare as well as poverty of the household in Tehsil 18 Hazari, District jhang, Punjab, Pakistan. Household expenditures were used as a proxy variable to measure the welfare of household. Primary data were collected from the 9 union councils of Tehsil 18 Hazari. The size of sample was around 280, out of which 140 migrated households while 140 were non migrated. The results derived by application of OLS and logit model, revealed that education of household head, total number of animals, monthly income and foreign remittances were beneficial for improving the welfare of household while size of the house, marital status and dependency ratio negatively affected household welfare.
The influence of a DC electric field on high power microwave window flashover in air and N2 environments

Observed delay times for high power microwave surface flashover are influenced significantly by the presence of a DC electric field. The experimental setup to investigate theses influences is comprised of an S-band magnetron operating at 2.85 GHz with a pulse rise time shortening switch assembly that produces a 50 ns rise time at a ∼ 2.5 MW power level. A wire electrode charged to ±20 kV is inserted into the dielectric interface perpendicular to the electric field of the TE10 mode to provide a DC electric field in the flashover region. Tests have been conducted in pure N2 at 125 torr in order to provide an environment composed of primarily electrons and positive ions. The average measured delay of window flashover with a DC field pointing into the dielectric has been observed to increase by ∼50%. Additionally, effective emission rates of seed electrons initiating breakdown have shown a decrease from 14 e/µs to 2 e/µs, indicating the removal of charged species from the high microwave field region due to charge drift in the applied DC field. An overview of the experimental setup is given along with a statistical analysis of delay times measured in Air as well as N2. The open question of where seed electrons originate from and the quantification of the primary processes involved will be addressed.
Determinants of species richness in generalist and specialist Mediterranean butterflies: the negative synergistic forces of climate and habitat change

Although it is well established that butterfly richness is affected by climate and human factors (e.g. habitat disturbance and degradation) at different spatial scales, the drivers behind these changes vary greatly according to the geographical region and the ecology of the species concerned. It is essential that this variation be understood if trends in diversity are to be predicted with any degree of confidence under a scenario of global change. Here we examine patterns of butterfly species richness among groups differing in degree of habitat specialization, diet breadth and mobility in the north-west Mediterranean Basin, a European hotspot for this taxon. We analyze a large number of butterfly communities and take into consideration the main potential drivers, that include climatic, geographic and resource variables, landscape structure and human environmental impact at different spatial scales. Our study shows that both climatic and anthropogenic factors play an important role in determining butterfly species richness in the north-west Mediterranean Basin, but that their relative impact differs between specialist and generalist groups. At lower altitudes, water availability, a product of the interplay between temperature and rainfall, and negative effects of temperature appear as the most determinant factors. Maximum diversity was observed at mid-altitudes, which reveals the importance from a conservation point of view of Mediterranean mountain ranges. The results suggest serious population declines in specialist species restricted to mountain areas as a result of climate warming in combination with habitat loss caused by the abandonment of grazing and mowing. They also suggest negative trends for generalist species due to an increase in aridity in combination with an increase in intensification of human land use in lowland areas. Such synergies are expected to lead to rapid declines in Mediterranean butterfly populations in the coming years, thereby posing a severe threat for the conservation of European biodiversity.