Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biochemical changes associated with babesiosis infested cattle

Bovine babesiosis is a blood disease. Tick transported parasites leading to hemolysis of erythrocytes and produce anemia. In this study animals selected from endemic area of babesia Bigemina infection. The acute form of disease generally characterized by rapid growth and multiplication of parasite in blood which can examine and detected under microscope. Animals were divided into 4 groups : first group act as normal healthy control (20 buffalo), second group was infected group and divided into 3 sub group (50 each) first sub group was control infected group not treated , second infected group was treated by imidocarb + Vit E and third sub group was treated by imidocarb as antibabesiosis. Blood samples were collected once and divided into 2 sample one sample put on anticoagulant for measure erythrocyte antioxidants (G6PD, SOD, GPX, GR and L.MDA) the other blood sample used for separation of serum to estimate NO, Cu. , Fe, TAC and vitamin E. Results revealed significant decrease in antioxidants enzymes and increase in oxidants including (MDA& NO) in infected group when compared with control. Vitamin E showing non significant decrease in infested animals while minerals showing different changes. All infected animals treated with imidocarb and vitamin E reveal improvement in all parameters as vitamin E ameliorate the oxidative effect of babesia by increase antioxidant effect.
Intermittent thinning of Jakobshavn Isbræ, West Greenland, since the Little Ice Age

Abstract Rapid thinning and velocity increase on major Greenland outlet glaciers during the last two decades may indicate that these glaciers became unstable as a consequence of the Jakobshavn effect (Hughes, 1986), with terminus retreat leading to increased discharge from the interior and consequent further thinning and retreat. To assess whether recent trends deviate from longer-term behavior, we measured glacier surface elevations and terminus positions for Jakobshavn Isbræ, West Greenland, using historical photographs acquired in 1944, 1953, 1959, 1964 and 1985. These results were combined with data from historical records, aerial photographs, ground surveys, airborne laser altimetry and field mapping of lateral moraines and trimlines, to reconstruct the history of changes since the Little Ice Age (LIA). We identified three periods of rapid thinning since the LIA: 1902–13, 1930–59 and 1999–present. During the first half of the 20th century, the calving front appears to have been grounded and it started to float during the late 1940s. The south and north tributaries exhibit different behavior. For example, the north tributary was thinning between 1959 and 1985 during a period when the calving front was stationary and the south tributary was in balance. The record of intermittent thinning, combined with changes in ice-marginal extent and position of the calving front, together with changes in velocity, imply that the behavior of the lower parts of this glacier represents a complex ice-dynamical response to local climate forcings and interactions with drainage from the interior.
Constrained inflaton due to a complex scalar

We reexamine inflation due to a constrained inflaton in the model of a complex scalar. Inflaton evolves along a spiral-like valley of special scalar potential in the scalar field space just like single field inflation. Sub-Planckian inflaton can induce sufficient e-foldings because of a long slow-roll path. In a special limit, the scalar spectral index and the tensor-to-scalar ratio has equivalent expressions to the inflation with monomial potential φn. The favorable values for them could be obtained by varying parameters in the potential. This model could be embedded in a certain radiative neutrino mass model
The role of intracellular sodium activity in the anti‐arrhythmic action of local anaesthetics in sheep Purkinje fibres.

The effects of lidocaine have been examined on the arrhythmogenic transient inward current (ITI) in voltage‐clamped sheep cardiac Purkinje fibres. Tension and intracellular Na activity (aiNa) were measured simultaneously. The addition of lidocaine (200‐300 microM) produced an immediate decrease of inward holding current and a gradual fall of aiNa. The relative magnitudes of the changes of current and aiNa were shown to be consistent with the outward shift of current representing principally a reduction of inward Na current. The Na pump was inhibited by reducing the external Rb concentration in a K‐free solution. This produced an after‐contraction and transient inward current (ITI) along with a rise of aiNa. The subsequent addition of lidocaine decreased the magnitude of ITI and the after‐contraction while decreasing aiNa. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) had qualitatively similar effects to lidocaine on inward holding current, aiNa, ITI and the after‐contraction. When aiNa was changed by (i) lidocaine, (ii) TTX or (iii) small changes of external Rb concentration, a hysteresis was seen in the relationship between aiNa and ITI or after‐contraction. The hysteresis was similar to that previously found between aiNa and contraction (Eisner, Lederer & Vaughan‐Jones, 1981). Despite this hysteresis, neither lidocaine nor TTX affected the relationship between magnitudes of ITI and the after‐contraction. It is suggested that the fall of aiNa is a major factor in the reduction of ITI by lidocaine. These results are discussed in relation to the anti‐arrhythmic actions of lidocaine.
Computational Analysis of Micron-particle Deposition in a Human Triple Bifurcation Airway Model

Steady laminar axisymmetric inhalation flow and wall deposition of micron-size particles in representative triple bifurcation airways have been simulated using a commercial finite-volume code with user-enhanced programs. Assuming spherical non-interacting particles (3 μm≤ d p ≤7 μm), various inlet Reynolds numbers (Re=500-2000) and Stokes numbers (St=0.02-0.23) were considered. The resulting particle deposition patterns were analyzed and then summarized in terms of deposition efficiencies, i.e. DE=DE(Re,St) Surprisingly high DE-values occur at relatively low Reynolds numbers (e.g., Re=500 ) in the third bifurcation. The quantitative results are of interest to researchers either conducting health risk assessment studies for inhaled particulate pollutants or analyzing drug aerosol inhalation and deposition at desired lung target sites.
Learning retardation and enhanced ethanol preference produced by postnatal pretreatments with ethanol in adult rats.

Male neonates of Wistar strain rats were given 0.63-2.50 g/kg/day of ethanol, i.p., for 7 successive days from day 6 to 12 after birth. The acquisition processes of the discriminated lever-press avoidance response (intertrial interval: 25 sec, warning stimuli presentation: 5 sec, foot shock intensity: 110V, 0.5 mA, 50 Hz, AC) were investigated for 20 separate sessions from day 60 after birth. The preference test for ethanol was done beginning at 120 days of age. No significant differences in body weights were detected between saline- and ethanol-pretreated groups. However, learning retardation was observed in all groups pretreated with ethanol. In these groups, slow responses to warning stimuli followed by escape responses from shocks delivered were often observed in early training sessions. An enhanced preference for ethanol was observed in all groups pretreated with ethanol for 7 successive days at maturity. These results suggest the possibility that learning ability and preference for ethanol in adult rats are strongly influenced by pretreatments with ethanol during the early postnatal period.
Use of Multiple Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests To Define the Infected-Patient “Gold Standard” in Clinical Trials of New Diagnostic Tests for Chlamydia trachomatis Infections

ABSTRACT Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) can be used to define the infected-patient “gold standard” for the purpose of designing studies of the performance of Chlamydia trachomatis diagnostic tests. It is unclear how many test results run by different NAATs and what combinations of specimens comprise the best infected-patient gold standard. We approached this question with data from a large study of the performance of a new NAAT. Data were available from three endocervical swabs and a urine specimen collected from each of 1,412 women and tested by three different NAATs. Results from all three assays were used equally in a rotating fashion to define the infected-patient gold standard. Multiple different infected-patient gold standards for estimating swab and urine specimen sensitivity and specificity for one NAAT method were created by varying the number and combinations of swab and urine comparator results with two different NAATs, The effect of changing the infected-patient gold standard definition was determined by constructing receiver-operator-like curves with calculated sensitivities and specificities for each test. The one-positive-of-two-results or two-positive-of-two-results (same or two different assays) infected-patient gold standard definitions produced low sensitivity and low specificity estimates, respectively. If four comparator NAAT results were used, the any-three-positive-of-four-results definition or the at-least-one-specimen-positive-by-each-of-two-comparator-assays definition appeared to provide better combinations of sensitivity and specificity estimates. The any-two-positive-out-of-three-results definition resulted in estimates that were as good as produced with the former two definitions. This analytic approach provides a means of clearly visualizing the effects of changing NAAT-based infected-patient gold standards and should be helpful in designing future studies of new C. trachomatis diagnostic tests.
Magnetic nanoparticle heating and heat transfer on a microscale: Basic principles, realities and physical limitations of hyperthermia for tumour therapy

Abstract In this review article we present basic principles of magnetically induced heat generation of magnetic nanoparticles for application in magnetic particle hyperthermia. After explanation of heating mechanisms, the role of particle–particle as well as particle–tissue interactions is discussed with respect to achievable heating power of the particles inside the tumour. On the basis of heat transfer theory at the micro-scale, the balance between generated and dissipated heat inside the tumour and the resulting damaging effects for biological tissue is examined. The heating behaviour as a function of tumour size is examined in combination with feasible field strength and frequency. Numerical calculations and experimental investigations are used to show the lower tumour size limit for tumour heating to therapeutically suitable temperatures. In summary, this article illuminates practical aspects, limitations, and the state of the art for the application of magnetic heating in magnetic particle hyperthermia as thermal treatment of small tumours.
[PTEN expression and its significance in human primary hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVES To explore the significance of PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10) in the development of human primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS PTEN protein expression in cancerous liver tissues and paired para-carcinoma liver tissues from 60 HCC patients was detected by immunohistochemistry and PTEN mRNA expression was analyzed by northern blot. The significance of PTEN in the development of HCC was analyzed by investigating the relationship between the expression levels of PTEN protein and mRNA, and the clinicopathological parameters of HCC patients. RESULTS PTEN protein was immunohistochemically stained in the cytoplasmic region of para-carcinoma liver tissues in all the 60 patients, while only 48.3% (29/60) of the patients were positive for PTEN protein in cancerous liver tissues. The positive rate of PTEN protein in HCC tissues were relative to the histological gading and the presence of tumor thrombus. In grade I - II, III, and IV, the positive rates were 84.0%, 23.8%, and 21.4% respectively, and in the group with tumor thrombus was 26.7%, while in the group without tumor thrombus was 55.6%. Northern blot showed that there existed four PTEN mRNA transcripts with the length of 5.5kb, 4.4kb, 2.4kb, and 1.8kb respectively. The level of PTEN mRNA expression in HCC tissues was much lower than that in the paired para-carcinoma liver tissues. The low expression level of the 5.5kb and 4.4kb transcripts was significantly associated with serum AFP value, presence of tumor thrombus, state of satellite lesion and histological grading. The low expression level of the 2.4kb transcript in HCC was significantly associated with the presence of tumor thrombus and satellite lesions in HCC patients. However, no evident relationship between the lowered expression level of the 1.8kb transcript and the clinicopathological parameters of HCC was observed in these 60 patients. CONCLUSIONS Down-regulation of PTEN expression may play an important role in the development of HCC and the expression level of PTEN may be a potential adjuvant parameter in forecasting the progress and prognosis of HCC.
Correlation of Corneal Sensation, but not of Basal or Reflex Tear Secretion, With the Stage of Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose. To examine the possible relation between corneal sensation or tear secretion and the stage of diabetic retinopathy in diabetic patients. Methods. Total reflex or basal tear secretion and corneal sensation were determined in 95 patients with type II diabetes mellitus and 58 nondiabetic control subjects. Tear secretion was measured by the Schirmer test and corneal sensation with a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. Results. Corneal sensation and total or reflex tear secretion were significantly reduced in diabetic patients compared with nondiabetic controls. The loss of corneal sensation, but not that of tear secretion, was significantly correlated with stage of diabetic retinopathy in diabetic patients who were diagnosed with no diabetic retinopathy, simple diabetic retinopathy, preproliferative retinopathy, or proliferative retinopathy. Conclusion. Both corneal sensation and total or reflex tear secretion are reduced in individuals with diabetes. The decrease in corneal sensation, but not that in each tear secretion, was correlated with the stage of diabetic retinopathy. Given that loss of corneal sensation is a manifestation of diabetic polyneuropathy, these results are consistent with the notion that both diabetic retinopathy and polyneuropathy result from a basement membrane abnormality.
Information Supply and Demand in Securitized Real Estate Markets

This study introduces a novel approach to explaining the short-term market movements of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) utilizing Big Data Analytics. While literature provides several explanations for the variation of industry returns, there has been little empirical evidence of whether these patterns are attributable to the flow of information. We extract news sentiment as a proxy for information supply based on agency news and additionally investigate web search queries as an indicator for information demand. Analyzing REIT markets in the UK and US indicates a consistent pattern across both countries. While we observe a strong positive effect of news sentiment on REIT returns and stock market volatility, the effect of online search behavior is only marginal. Further, we exhibit that particularly finance-specific news sentiment measures significantly contribute to explaining NAV spreads. Hence, the application of different metrics for information supply and demand for the UK and the US yields diverse impacts on developments in securitized real estate markets.
Effect of grain size and doping level of SiC on the superconductivity and critical current density in MgB/sub 2/ superconductor

SiC doped MgB/sub 2/ polycrystalline samples were fabricated by in-situ reaction using different grain sizes (20 nm, 100 nm, and 37 /spl mu/m) of SiC and different doping levels (0, 8, 10, 12, 15 wt%). Phases, microstructures, superconductivity, critical current density and flux pinning have been systematically investigated using XRD, SEM, TEM, and magnetic measurements. Results show that grain sizes of the starting precursors of SiC have a strong effect on the critical current density and its field dependence. The smaller the SiC grains are, the better the J/sub c/ field performance is. Significant enhancement of J/sub c/ and the irreversibility field H/sub irr/ were revealed for all the SiC doped MgB/sub 2/ with additions up to 15 wt%. A J/sub c/ as high as 20,000 A/cm/sup 2/ in 8 Tesla at 5 K was achieved for the sample doped with 10 wt% SiC with a grain size of 20 nm. Results indicate that the nano-inclusions and substitution inside MgB/sub 2/ are responsible for the enhancement of flux pinning.
Distribution of prothymosin alpha in rat and human adrenal cortex

Background: Prothymosin alpha (ProT) is a polypeptide widely distributed in the organism and expressed by cell types with a high proliferative capacity. The aim of the current work was to investigate if ProT was localized in the progenitor compartment of the adrenal cortex which, following the cell migration theory, corresponds to the zona glomerulosa.
Bowel Problems, Self-care Practices, and Information Needs of Colorectal Cancer Survivors at 6 to 24 Months After Sphincter-Saving Surgery

The aim of this study was to describe bowel problems, self-care practices, and information needs of patients who have recovered from the acute effects of sphincter-saving surgery for colorectal cancer. A retrospective, descriptive survey was conducted using a structured telephone interview and mailed questionnaires. The sample consisted of 101 patients who had undergone sphincter-saving surgery for colorectal cancer in the last 6 to 24 months. Most participants (71.3%) reported a change in bowel habits after surgery. The 6 most frequently reported gastrointestinal problems were incomplete evacuation (75.2%), excessive flatus (75.2%), urgency (73.3%), straining (61.4%), perianal soreness or itching (49.5%), and bloating (43.6%). Incontinence of feces (varying from smears to complete bowel action) was reported by 37.6% of participants. The most frequently reported information needs were related to diet (50.5%) and managing conditions such as diarrhea (31.7%), bloating/wind/gas (28.7%), pain (21.8%), and incomplete emptying of the bowel (18.8%). Patients who had recovered from the acute effects of sphincter-saving surgery for colorectal cancer reported a wide range of bowel problems and ongoing concerns about managing symptoms. Findings from this study provide valuable information to guide the development of educational resources to prevent or better manage bowel problems after surgery.
Information processing speed in multiple sclerosis: Past, present, and future

Background: Information processing speed (IPS) is a prevalent cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS). Objectives: This review aims to summarize the methods applied to assess IPS in MS and its theoretical conceptualization. A PubMed search was performed to select articles published between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2013, resulting in 157 articles included. Results: The majority (54%) of studies assessed IPS with heterogeneous samples (several disease courses). Studies often report controlling for presence of other neurological disorders (60.5%), age (58.6%), education (51.6%), alcohol history (47.8%), or use of steroids (39.5%). Potential confounding variables, such as recent relapses (50.3%), history of developmental disorders (19.1%), and visual problems (29.9%), were often neglected. Assessments used to study IPS were heterogeneous (ranging from simple to complex tasks) among the studies under review, with 62 different tasks used. Only 9.6% of articles defined the construct of IPS and 22.3% discussed IPS in relation to a theoretical model. Future directions: The challenges for the upcoming decade include clarification of the definition of IPS as well as its theoretical conceptualization and a consensus on assessment. Based on the results obtained, we propose a new theoretical model, the tri-factor model of IPS.
Taxonomic sufficiency in distinguishing natural spatial patterns on an estuarine shoreline

Studies of marine benthic communities have shown that pollution impacts can often be detected without identifying taxa to the species level, thus saving considerable time and cost. We tested whether differences among unpolluted intertidal communities along weak estuarine physical gradients could similarly be detected with various species aggregates. We used a spatially hierarchi- cal sampling design to study species-rich, low-shore communities from pebble-sand beaches in Puget Sound, Washington. Previous research showed that weak north-south gradients in salinity, wave energy, and proportion of fine sediments correlate clearly with species richness of the benthic epibiota and macroinfauna. In this study, we found similar correlations with data aggregated to the family level but weaker correlations at higher levels (class, phylum, or trophic groupings). Multivari- ate analyses of community data at the species level show distinct separation among geographically distinct areas; similar spatial patterns are visible almost as clearly when data are gathered at lower resolution in the field or when species-level data are aggregated to families. Higher-level aggrega- tions cause spatial patterns to become progressively less distinct. Much of this effectiveness of family- level aggregation stems from the biota being family-rich but with few species per family. For this biota, monitoring programs using only families or other readily identifiable taxa should be able to detect many potential changes in community patterns in space or time. Incorporating occasional sur- veys using identification and analysis at the species level would add the capacity to examine biodi- versity and possible within-family changes in species abundances.
IMPORTANCE OF THE GAL &agr;1–3 GAL ANTIGEN IN DISCORDANT ISLET XENOTRANSPLANTATION: IMMUNOSUPPRESSION, WHICH INHIBITS PORCINE ISLET XENOGRAFT REJECTION IN ORDINARY MICE, IS EQUALLY EFFECTIVE IN GAL-KNOCKOUT MICE

Background. Islet xenotransplantation will most likely be performed in diabetic patients treated with immunosuppressive drugs. The importance of the galactosyl alpha(1–3) galactose (Gal&agr;1–3Gal) antigen in immunosuppressed islet xenograft recipients has not been studied. Methods. Fetal porcine islet-like cell clusters (ICCs) were transplanted into the renal subcapsular space of both Gal-knockout mice and ordinary mice. Transplantations were performed in untreated mice and mice immunosuppressed with cyclosporine A (CsA) plus 15-deoxyspergualin (DSG). Studies were also performed in immunosuppressed Gal-knockout mice that had been actively immunized against Gal&agr;1–3Gal. Evaluation was performed 12 days after transplantation using morphologic techniques. The levels of serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM to the Gal&agr;1–3Gal antigen or to the ICCs were determined. Results. No difference in the morphologic appearance could be seen between ordinary mice and Gal-knockout mice. No deposits of IgG, IgM, or C3 could be detected. Almost no difference could be seen between immunosuppressed Gal-knockout mice and immunosuppressed ordinary mice. In immunosuppressed, immunized Gal-knockout mice, the results were similar. In ordinary mice treated with CsA+DSG, the levels of anti-Gal IgM were lower than they were in untreated mice, whereas the levels of anti-Gal IgG were similar. In Gal-knockout mice (including immunized animals) treated with CsA+DSG, the levels of anti-Gal IgG and IgM were lower than they were in untreated Gal-knockout mice. Conclusions. After renal subcapsular transplantation, antibodies against Gal&agr;1–3Gal have no major influence on islet xenograft rejection in the pig-to-mouse model. Immunosuppression, which inhibits rejection in the pig-to-mouse model, is equally effective when transplantation is performed across the Gal&agr;1–3Gal barrier.