Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Animal models of spinal cord contusion injuries.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Traumatic spinal cord injury causes initial mechanical disruption of tissue, leading to a complex secondary sequence of pathophysiologic changes and neurologic impairment. These sequelae depend on the impact force delivered to the spinal cord at the time of injury. Successful clinical evaluation of the efficacy of any therapeutic regimen depends on the reliability and reproducibility of an experimental animal model. We describe a trauma device and the biomechanical parameters required to induce severe or moderate spinal cord contusion injury in cats and rats. METHODS Recovery after injury was determined by behavioral, electrophysiologic, and histologic evaluations. RESULTS Behavioral and electrophysiologic tests after injury clearly identified the experimental groups. A stable severe paraplegic state (defined as 6 months for cats and 8 weeks for rats), without evidence of behavioral or electrophysiologic recovery, was induced by a 65-Newton (N) load for cats and a 35-N load for rats. Moderate spinal cord contusion injury, from which cats and rats partially recovered after approximately 3 months and 4 weeks, respectively, was induced by a 45- and 25-N load, respectively. CONCLUSION Use of these injury conditions provides reliable animal models for studies designed to evaluate potential therapeutic regimens for spinal cord injury.
Estimation of Domestic Water Consumption in China and the United States Using Nighttime Satellite Imagery

Nighttime remote sensing imagery collected in 2000 and 2003 is exploited to estimate domestic water consumption (DWC) in China and the United States at province/state level. Sum light derived from satellite imagery has a statistically significant correlation with official DWC both in China and the United States. However, the differences of the patterns of settlement and DWC of the two countries lead to the differences of the estimation processes and the precision of estimations. These findings offer potential for compiling and mapping annual DWC in the future.
Preterm premature rupture of membranes in pregnancies complicated by human immunodeficiency virus infection: A single center's five-year experience

Objective. The objective of this study was to describe one center's five-year experience of the management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive gravidas with preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) not in labor at ≤34 weeks of gestation. Methods. This is a retrospective chart review of all HIV positive gravidas with PPROM at ≤34 weeks of gestation, who delivered between December 1, 2000 and December 31, 2005. Results. We identified 228 HIV positive gravidas of whom 19 had PPROM at ≤34 weeks of gestation. Mother-to-child transmission occurred in two of 18 surviving neonates as confirmed by a follow-up visit at six months of age. No mother-to-child transmission occurred in the 10 neonates of mothers who received antenatal highly active antiretroviral therapy and intrapartum zidovudine. Eleven neonates were delivered between 30 and 33 weeks of gestation. In this group, five of 11 gravidas received antenatal corticosteroids. The mean neonatal hospital stay was 31 days with or without prophylactic treatment of the mothers with antenatal corticosteroids. Conclusions. In this study of HIV positive patients with PPROM, the mother-to-child transmission rate of HIV did not seem to be related to the duration of rupture of membranes prior to delivery.
Association of Weather Conditions with Childhood Admissions for Wheezy Bronchitis or Asthma in Athens

Background: The association between asthma morbidity and meteorological conditions is well documented, but it is not clear to what extent more specific meteorological variables are implicated. Objectives: This study was aiming to investigate whether there is any association between specific meteorological conditions and the seasonal variation and the rate of asthma admissions among children in Athens. Methods: Data were obtained retrospectively from hospital registries of the three main Children’s Hospitals in Athens during a 23-year period (1978–2000). The meteorological database consisted of mean monthly values of eight meteorological variables. The whole period studied was divided into three time periods: 1978–1987, 1988–1993 and 1994–2000. Results: A clear seasonal trend with a permanent pattern was detected. There were more monthly asthma admissions in winter-spring and autumn for younger children, as well as a lower peak in winter and autumn and a major one in May for older children, without significant differences in between the three time periods. The results of a multiple regression analysis revealed that relative humidity and atmospheric pressure were predictors of up to 56.7% (1988–1993) and 59.2% (1994–2000) monthly asthma admissions among younger children. No relation of the time trend in asthma admissions during the periods studied for any age group with any of the meteorological variables was detected. Conclusions: Our results indicate a constant seasonal variability in asthma admissions among children in Athens, whereas relative humidity and atmospheric pressure are the more implicated meteorological variables for younger asthmatic children.
Stance foot alignment and hand positioning alter star excursion balance test scores in those with chronic ankle instability: What are we really assessing?

ABSTRACT Objective: The literature has consistently shown that the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) is a reliable and valid tool to anticipate the risk of lower extremity injury, assess dynamic postural control differences among groups, and assess the effectiveness of balance training programs in both healthy individuals and people with lower extremity injuries. However, there is no standard administration technique for the SEBT in research, clinical practice, or performance settings. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to compare six different combinations (3 different foot alignments × 2 hand positions) on the SEBT performance in those with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Design: Repeated Measures Design. Setting: University Research Laboratory. Participants: Twenty-five university students with CAI (12 males, 13 females; age: 20.3 ± 2.4 years, height: 172.7 ± 7.4 cm, weight: 77.5 ± 15.3 kg., BMI: 25.9 ± 4.0 kg/m2) voluntarily participated in the study. Methods: Six different SEBT positions were used to assess dynamic postural control. Three foot positions: 1) Foot centered; 2) Toe fixed; and 3) Toe-heel changing and two hand placements: 1) Hands free and 2) Hands on the hips were used in this study. After 6familiarization trials for each condition, three Star Excursion Balance Test scores were recorded. Main outcome measures: Normalized reach distance (% of leg length) in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions as well as a composite reach score quantified dynamic postural control. Results: Both foot alignment and hand position significantly altered normalized SEBT reach distance in the anterior (p < 0.003), posteromedial (p < 0.001), posterolateral (p < 0.001), and composite reach scores (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Different foot alignments and hand constraints significantly altered normalized reach distances and the composite score in individuals with CAI. These results do not suggest that any combination of foot alignments and/or hand constraints is superior. However, changing the toe/heel position, while maintaining hands on the hips, may provide the best standardization for clinicians and researchers.
Outcomes of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia in neonates in a tertiary hospital, southeast Nigeria

Background: Malaria infestation during pregnancy is mostly asymptomatic and untreated especially in unbooked pregnancies. It presents with almost all the fetal complications of overt malaria in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia on the neonates of unbooked parturients delivered at term at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the labour ward complex of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki from March to May 2012. Unbooked pregnant women who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and gave consent were consecutively recruited. Cord blood and placenta tissue were collected for haemoglobin concentration determination and histology, respectively. Birth weights were determined with an electronic weighing machine. Statistical Analysis was done with 2008 Epi Info™ software and level of significant was set at P-value <0.05. Results: A total of 250 unbooked parturients were recruited, of which 194 (77.6%) had asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia while 227 (90.8%) had placental parasitisation. The prevalence of low birth weight in the study was 16.4%. There was significant relationship between asymptomatic malaria parasitemia and birth weight (X2 = 43.70, P-value < 0.001). There were no low-birth-weight deliveries among paturients without placental parasitemia. No neonate, however, had anaemia in the study. Conclusion: Asymptomatic malaria parasitemia and placental parasitisation by malaria parasites contribute to the outcome of the foetal birth weight. Asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia and placental parasitaemia did not result in a corresponding foetal anaemia on babies delivered.
High-endurance ultra-thin tunnel oxide in MONOS device structure for dynamic memory application

Ultra-thin tunnel oxide can conduct very high current through oxide via direct tunneling, and charge-to-breakdown increases dramatically due to less oxide damage. These facts point to a possibility of using thin tunnel oxide in the floating-gate device structure for dynamic memory applications. We have chosen MONOS structure in this study due to its immunity to pinhole-induced leakage and back-tunneling. The memory device exhibits fast WRITE/ERASE speed, high-endurance, long data retention and non-destructive READ. Further improvements are expected through process optimization. <<ETX>>
American Indian and Euro-Western negotiations

Antenarrative (before-the-narrative) analysis reveals features of historical Native American and Euro-Western negotiations which contributed to undesired and unintended outcomes, while sometimes overlooking the resplendent possibilities of living stories. This study uncovers the antenarrative processes in existing accounts of three particular indigenous cultures negotiating with Euro-Westerners. These three case examples include two negotiations that were partial victories accompanied by lingering resentments, and one success. In the latter, participants were able to use elements of living story to break an impasse and achieve lasting success based on mutually beneficial outcomes. Breaking out of restrictive linear and cyclical antenarratives, and instead incorporating spiral and rhizomatic ones, opens more options for negotiators. Power-equal perspectives, along with the diversity-accommodating nature of rhizomatic (decentered and networked) ways of telling stories, can help negotiating parties to co-create upsurging spirals of win–win stories for mutual benefit.
Convergence in Human Development Levels across Regions

In recent years, the issue of income convergence has been an area of intense research and investigation. The idea of convergence based on the neo-classical growth model predicts that if different countries are at different points relative to their balanced growth paths, poorer countries or regions will grow faster than the rich ones—the socalled β(beta) convergence. Evidence of this ‘catch-up’ effect is interpreted as support for the neo-classical growth model. Various studies have examined the real convergence hypothesis in different parts of the world with mixed results (Baumol, 1986; Barro and Salai-i-Martin, 1992 and Mankiw et al., 1992). One of the most generally accepted results is that while there is no evidence of convergence among a broad sample of countries, the convergence hypothesis holds when examining more homogenous group of countries or clubs (Pritchett, 1997; Jones, 1997). The majority of empirical investigations is based on per capita income and the general conclusion is that countries converge to their steady-state level of per capita income at a slow rate of approximately 2 to 3 per cent per year (Sala-i-Martin, 1996a, b, 1997). It is increasingly recognised in development discourse that sustainability of economic growth requires development of social outcomes (like health, education etc.) as well. The Human ARTICLES / 8 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012
Electroacupuncture diminishes P2X2 and P2X3 purinergic receptor expression in dorsal root ganglia of rats with visceral hypersensitivity

Electroacupuncture at Shangjuxu (ST37) and Tianshu (ST25) can improve visceral hypersensitivity in rats. Colorectal distension was used to establish a rat model of chronic visceral hypersensitivity. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect P2X2 and P2X3 receptor expression in dorsal root ganglia from rats with chronic visceral hypersensitivity. Results demonstrated that abdominal withdrawal reflex scores obviously increased following establishment of the model, indicating visceral hypersensitivity. Simultaneously, P2X2 and P2X3 receptor expression increased in dorsal root ganglia. After bilateral electroacupuncture at Shangjuxu and Tianshu, abdominal withdrawal reflex scores and P2X2 and P2X3 receptor expression decreased in rats with visceral hypersensitivity. These results indicated that electroacupuncture treatment improved visceral hypersensitivity in rats with irritable bowel syndrome by reducing P2X2 and P2X3 receptor expression in dorsal root ganglia.
Trading Lightly: Cross-Impact and Optimal Portfolio Execution

We model the impact costs of a strategy that trades a basket of correlated instruments, by extending to the multivariate case the linear propagator model previously used for single instruments. Our specification allows us to calibrate a cost model that is free of arbitrage and price manipulation. We illustrate our results using a pool of US stocks and show that neglecting cross-impact effects leads to an incorrect estimation of the liquidity and suboptimal execution strategies. We show in particular the importance of synchronizing the execution of correlated contracts.
ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement: Evaluating Trade Creation and Trade Diversion Effects

ABSTRACT The present study attempts to provide insight into the trade creation and trade diversion effects of ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement in goods, which came into force in 2010. The paper applies a theoretically consistent gravity model and uses empirically robust procedures such as ordinary least squares and pseudo-Poisson maximum likelihood in order to analyze the ex post effects of the agreement at an aggregate level. The results reveal that standard gravity variables are statistically significant and report expected signs, yet a reduction in export flows has been observed following the implementation of the free trade agreement, giving rise to pure trade diversion effects.
Behavioural Responses of Lion-Tailed Macaques (Macaca silenus) to a Changing Habitat in a Tropical Rain Forest Fragment in the Western Ghats, India

This study reports critical changes in the behaviour patterns of lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) inhabiting a continuously changing and deteriorating rain forest fragment in the Western Ghats, India. The study area, a privately owned rain forest patch in a tea/coffee garden called Puthuthotam, has suffered two massive selective logging episodes. Over the years, the native rain forest trees have been largely replaced by non-native/pioneer species resulting in loss of canopy contiguity and significant changes in other vegetation parameters. The almost wholly arboreal lion-tailed macaque now spends a considerable amount of time on the ground in this area. The species has also experienced a major shift in its diet, ranging patterns and other activities.
Familiality of the puerperal trigger in bipolar disorder: results of a family study.

OBJECTIVE Puerperal psychosis, an episode of mania or psychosis precipitated by childbirth, follows approximately one in 1,000 deliveries. The evidence of clinical, outcome, and genetic studies supports the hypothesis that the majority of puerperal psychotic episodes are manifestations of an affective disorder diathesis with a puerperal trigger. Family studies of puerperal psychosis consistently demonstrate familial aggregation of psychiatric (particularly affective) disorder and suggest a major overlap in the familial factors predisposing to puerperal psychosis and bipolar disorder. The single large study that used direct interview of relatives suggested that familial factors play a role in vulnerability to puerperal triggering itself. The authors' goal was to test this hypothesis further. METHOD They conducted a study of the occurrence of episodes of puerperal psychosis in families multiply affected with bipolar disorder participating in an ongoing molecular genetic study of bipolar disorder in sibling pairs. RESULTS Episodes of puerperal psychosis followed 81 (26%) of 313 deliveries to 152 parous women with bipolar disorder, 58 (38%) of whom had at least one puerperal psychotic episode. Puerperal episodes clustered in families. Episodes of puerperal psychosis occurred in 74% (N=20) of the 27 parous women with bipolar disorder who had a family history of puerperal psychosis in a first-degree relative but in only 30% (N=38) of the 125 women with bipolar disorder with no such family history. CONCLUSIONS These results conclusively demonstrate that familial (probably genetic) factors are implicated in susceptibility to triggering of puerperal episodes in women with bipolar disorder. These findings have implications for future research and will be of use clinically in the management of women with bipolar disorder who are considering pregnancy.
Comparison of potential protective effects of melatonin, indole‐3‐propionic acid, and propylthiouracil against lipid peroxidation caused by potassium bromate in the thyroid gland

Potassium bromate (KBrO3) is a prooxidant and carcinogen, inducing thyroid tumors. Melatonin and indole‐3‐propionic acid (IPA) are effective antioxidants. Some antioxidative effects of propylothiouracil (PTU)—a thyrostatic drug—have been found. The aim of the study was to compare protective effects of melatonin, IPA, and PTU against lipid peroxidation in the thyroids, collected from rats treated with KBrO3, and in homogenates of porcine thyroids, incubated in the presence of KBrO3. Wistar rats were administered KBrO3 (110 mg/kg b.w., i.p., on the 10th day of the experiment) and/or melatonin, or IPA (0.0645 mmol/kg b.w., i.p., twice daily, for 10 days), or PTU (0.025% solution in drinking water, for 10 days). Homogenates of porcine thyroids were incubated for 30 min in the presence of KBrO3 (5 mM) plus one of the antioxidants: melatonin (0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, 7.5 mM), or IPA (0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 mM), or PTU (0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 mM). The level of lipid peroxidation products (MDA + 4‐HDA) was measured spectrophotometrically in thyroid homogenates. In vivo pretreatment with either melatonin or with IPA or with PTU decreased lipid peroxidation caused by KBrO3—injections in rat thyroid gland. Under in vitro conditions, PTU (5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 mM), but neither melatonin nor IPA, reduced KBrO3‐related lipid peroxidation in the homogenates of porcine thyroids. In conclusion, melatonin and IPA may be of great value as protective agents under conditions of exposure to KBrO3. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Telomere attrition and diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disease characterized by dysfunction of various organs. Recent studies have shown a close relationship between DM and telomere attrition in leukocytes. In patients with DM or impaired glucose tolerance, excessive oxidative stress induces damage to telomeres and shortens their length. Furthermore, it is suggested that telomere length is a good surrogate marker for mortality and diabetic complications in DM patients. We recently found that telomere length in pancreatic β‐cells is also shortened in DM patients, potentially leading to an impaired capacity for proliferation and insulin secretion, and accelerated cell death. In contrast, leukocyte telomere length has also been reported in patients with obesity or insulin resistance, both of which are frequently associated with type 2 DM. In an animal model, it has been shown that telomere attrition in adipose tissue induces insulin resistance. Taken together, the available data suggest that hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and telomere attrition in pancreatic β‐cells and adipocytes create a vicious cycle that underlies the pathophysiology of type 2 DM. Inhibition of telomere attrition in various organs, including pancreatic β‐cells, could be a new approach for preventing the progression of DM and its complications. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16 (Suppl. 1): 66–74.
In vitro biomechanical comparison of dynamic compression plates with a rough contact surface and a polished contact surface for fixation of osteotomized equine third metacarpal bones.

OBJECTIVES To compare the number of cycles to failure of 4.5 mm broad dynamic compression plates (DCP), 4.5 mm broad limited-contact dynamic compression plates (4.5-LC-DCP), and 5.5 mm broad limited-contact dynamic compression plates (5.5-LC-DCP) having a rough (denoted by a prefix R-) versus a standard smooth contact surface for the fixation of osteotomized equine 3rd metacarpal (MC3) bones. STUDY DESIGN Experimental. ANIMAL POPULATION Fifteen pairs of adult equine cadaveric MC3 bones. METHODS Fifteen pairs of equine MC3 were divided into 3 test groups (5 pairs each) for comparison of (1) R-DCP fixation with DCP fixation, (2) R-4.5-LC-DCP fixation with 4.5-LC-DCP fixation, and (3) R-5.5-LC-DCP fixation with 5.5-LC-DCP fixation to repair osteotomized equine MC3 bones under palmarodorsal 4-point bending cyclic fatigue testing. For each group an 8-hole plate with rough contact surface was applied to the dorsal surface of one randomly selected bone from each pair and a corresponding 8-hole plate with smooth contact surface was applied dorsally to the contralateral bone from each pair. All plates and screws were applied using standard ASIF techniques. All MC3 bones had mid-diaphyseal osteotomies. Mean number of cycles to failure for each method were compared using a paired t-test within each group. Significance was set at P < . 05. RESULTS Mean cycles to failure ± standard deviation was significantly greater for the R-DCP fixation (230,025 ± 23,129) compared with the DCP fixation (103,451 ± 14,556), for the R-4.5-LC-DCP fixation (99,237 ± 14,390) compared with the 4.5-LC-DCP fixation (46,464 ± 6325) and for the R-5.5-LC-DCP fixation (65,113 ± 7796) compared with the 5.5-LC-DCP fixation (34,224 ± 3835). CONCLUSION For the fixation of osteotomized MC3 bones, the constructs with plates having rough contact surface were superior to the corresponding constructs with plates having standard smooth contact surfaces in resisting cyclic fatigue under palmarodorsal 4-point bending.