Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Are human preferences for facial symmetry focused on signals of developmental instability

Humans find symmetrical faces more attractive than are asymmetrical faces. Evolutionary psychologists claim that our preference for symmetry can be explained in the context of mate choice because symmetry is an honest indicator of the genetic quality of potential mates. These arguments assume that asymmetry in human faces is fluctuating asymmetry (FA), because this form of asymmetry can be revealing of developmental instability. However, no study has yet examined the characteristics of facial asymmetry. Here we provide the first detailed study of the patterns of asymmetry in human faces. We measured asymmetry in 35 facial traits. Although some traits had distributions characteristic of FA, many had distributions that characterize directional asymmetry (DA); on average, both men and women had right hemi-face dominance. For DA traits we used deviations from the mean asymmetry as a measure of developmental instability. Our measures of asymmetry accounted for a moderate proportion of the variance in perceived symmetry. Importantly, only FAs and random deviations from DA contributed to people's perception of symmetry. DA was not important in symmetry judgments. Faces rated as symmetrical were also rated as attractive. Random deviations from DA were weakly related to women's attractiveness judgments of men's faces. DAs did not influence attractiveness judgments. Our data suggest that people focus on aspects of facial asymmetry that may be revealing of developmental instability. Further studies that isolate FA from other forms of asymmetry are required to accurately assess the influence of developmental instability on the quality of individuals and its potential role in mate preferences. Copyright 2004.
STUDY OF MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDE IN GASTRIC CANCER

Mucopolysaccharide components at the infiltrating periphery of gastric cancer were examined by means of histochemistry. PAS reaction and alcian blue staining were only weakly positive and no changes were observed after digestion tests. Mowry's colloidal iron reaction was positive and it almost disappeared after incubation with hyaluronidase. These results suggested that Mowry's colloidal iron reaction was most excellent of the three methods of staining for digestion test of mucopolysaccharides. The main component of the substance under discussion was indicated to be hyaluronic acid. Beyond the infiltrating front of the gastric cancer, Mowry's colloidal iron reaction was markedly intensified while the substance was negative after testicular hyaluronidase digestion, resisted to streptomyces hyaluronidase digestion. This substance was believed to be chondroitin sulfate.
The effect of management of transport and lairage conditions on broiler chicken breast meat quality and DOA (Death on Arrival)

The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of time of broiler chicken transportation and laira ge prior to slaughtering on the occurrence of PSE (Pale, Soft, Exudative) meat and Death On Arrival (DOA) under no ncommercial conditions in the Brazilian summer. Male birds (n=250) from a commercial line were subjecte d to different periods of journey (30, 90, and 180 min) and lairage (0, 90, and 180 min) before slaughterin g. The occurrence of PSE was higher in broilers subjected to shorter journeys and lairage periods, whereas DO A was more pronounced upon longer periods of transport an d lairage. The DOA occurrence percentage was much h in comparison to commercially available figures, co nfirming that broiler chickens are very sensitive tboth transport and lairage maneuvers.
Unmetabolized serum folic acid and its relation to folic acid intake from diet and supplements in a nationally representative sample of adults aged > or =60 y in the United States.

BACKGROUND Unmetabolized serum folic acid (UMFA) has been detected in adults. Previous research indicates that high folic acid intakes may be associated with risk of cancer. OBJECTIVE The objective was to examine UMFA concentrations in relation to dietary and supplemental folate and status biomarkers in the US population aged > or =60 y. DESIGN Surplus sera were analyzed with the use of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2002, a cross-sectional, nationally representative survey (n = 1121). RESULTS UMFA was detected in 38% of the population, with a mean concentration of 4.4 +/- 0.6 nmol/L (median: 1.2+/- 0.2 nmol/L). The group with UMFA (UMFA+) had a significantly higher proportion of folic acid supplement users than did the group without UMFA (60% compared with 41%). UMFA+ men and women also had higher supplemental and total (food + supplements) folic acid intakes than did their counterparts without UMFA. Forty percent of the UMFA+ group was in the highest quartile of total folic acid intake, but total folic acid intake was only moderately related to UMFA concentrations (r(2) = 0.07). Serum folate concentrations were significantly higher in the UMFA+ group and were predictive of UMFA concentrations (r(2) = 0.15). Serum 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and vitamin B-12 concentrations were higher in the UMFA+ group, whereas there was no difference between the 2 UMFA groups in red blood cell folate, serum homocysteine, or methylmalonic acid concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Approximately 40% of older adults in the United States have UMFA that persists after a fast, and the presence of UMFA is not easily explained in NHANES by folic acid intakes alone. Given the possibility that excessive folic acid exposure may relate to cancer risk, monitoring of UMFA may be warranted.
Analysis of renal function in the immediate postoperative period after partial liver transplantation

Although renal dysfunction is common after liver transplantation, postoperative renal function after split liver transplantation (SLT) has not been well studied. Renal function immediately after surgery was analyzed retrospectively in 16 patients that received a SLT (SLT group). The results were compared with corresponding data from 31 matched patients that received a full‐size liver transplant (FSLT group) during the same period. Serum creatinine (SCr) was measured before surgery, and, after transplantation, daily during the first week and at days 14, 21, and 28. Renal dysfunction (RD) was defined as the requirement for renal replacement therapy (RRT) or a 100% increase in SCr if the basal value had been <1.0 mg/dL or a 50% increase in SCr if the basal value had been >1.0 mg/dL. SCr had to be at least 1.5 mg/dL for a diagnosis of RD to be considered. The classification of RD was: mild, SCr 1.5‐2.4 mg/dL; moderate, SCr 2.5‐4.0 mg/dL; or severe, SCr >4.0 mg/dL (the requirement for RRT). Both donor and recipient age and cold ischemia time were lower in the SLT group than in the FSLT group (P < 0.05). Length of surgery was longer in the SLT group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between groups with respect to Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease scores, the need for transfusions, the length of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), survival rate, individual severity index, or sepsis‐related organ failure assessment scores at the time of diagnosing RD. Immunosuppression regimens were similar in both groups. RD developed in 82% of SLT patients, but in only 58% of FSLT patients (P = not significant [NS]). Among SLT patients, RD (23.0% mild, 15.5% moderate, and 61.5% severe) was more severe (P = 0.007) than in FSLT patients (63.1% mild, 15.8% moderate, and 24.1% severe). The requirement for RRT in the SLT group (43.7%) was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than that in the FSLT group (12.9%). This finding may be due to the different incidence of sepsis in the 2 groups (SLT 37.5% vs. FSLT 9.7%; P < 0.05). In conclusion, although the number of patients studied was small, our data suggest a higher incidence of RD and a greater requirement for RRT in patients that receive a split liver graft than in those that receive a full size liver graft. Liver Transpl 12:1371‐1380, 2006. © 2006 AASLD.
Hsp90 C-Terminal Inhibitors Exhibit Antimigratory Activity by Disrupting the Hsp90α/Aha1 Complex in PC3-MM2 Cells

Human Hsp90 isoforms are molecular chaperones that are often up-regulated in malignances and represent a primary target for Hsp90 inhibitors undergoing clinical evaluation. Hsp90α is a stress-inducible isoform of Hsp90 that plays a significant role in apoptosis and metastasis. Though Hsp90α is secreted into the extracellular space under metastatic conditions, its role in cancer biology is poorly understood. We report that Hsp90α associates with the Aha1 co-chaperone and found this complex to localize in secretory vesicles and at the leading edge of migrating cells. Knockdown of Hsp90α resulted in a defect in cell migration. The functional role of Hsp90α/Aha1 was studied by treating the cells with various novobiocin-based Hsp90 C-terminal inhibitors. These inhibitors disrupted the Hsp90α/Aha1 complex, caused a cytoplasmic redistribution of Hsp90α and Aha1, and decreased cell migration. Structure–function studies determined that disruption of Hsp90α/Aha1 association and inhibition of cell migration correlated with the presence of a benzamide side chain, since an acetamide substituted analog was less effective. Our results show that disruption of Hsp90α/Aha1 interactions with novobiocin-based Hsp90 C-terminal inhibitors may limit the metastatic potential of tumors.
Relation entre I ' appartenance sexuelle et les styles personnels des journalistesdanslecontexteculturel nigerian : une enquete empirique

This study assesses if gender has any influence on how Nigerian males and females perceive their communication styles. Using Norton's (1978) instrument of communicator style to collect the data, it attempts to answer three research questions, namely: (1) Will physical gender affect self-reported communicator style in the Nigerian environment? (2) What variable or combination of variables best predicts a good and effective Nigerian communicator? and (3) What type of inter-relationship exists between the variables of communicator style construct? It found no significant gender influence on self-reported communication style of Nigerians, unlike the findings of Montgomery and Norton (1981) among North Americans. It also found that friendly style was the best predictor of a good Nigerian communicator. *Dr. Evelyn Onyekwere is a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Anambra State University of Technology at Enugu, Nigeria.
Public preferences for the allocation of donor liver grafts for transplantation.

To investigate the nature of public preferences in the allocation of donor liver grafts for transplantation a social conjoint analysis (CA) technique was developed for a questionnaire survey. A convenience sample of academic and non-academic employees of a British University were invited to participate in the survey. Respondents were presented with eight choice situations in which they were asked to allocate 100 donor liver grafts between two groups of 100 individuals in urgent need of a transplant. The groups of individuals differed in terms of the length of time spent waiting, the life years gained following transplantation, age, personal responsibility for their illness and whether they were primary or re-transplant candidates. Only two respondents (0.7%) consistently chose to give all of the donor organs to the group of individuals with the highest expected length of survival whilst seven respondents (2%) exhibited strict egalitarian preferences, allocating equal numbers of donor organs to both groups irrespective of their characteristics. The vast majority of respondents indicated that they would be prepared to sacrifice some gain in the efficiency of the transplantation programme for an increase in equity or fairness in the allocation of donor livers. Using social CA it was possible to establish the relative weight attached to each characteristic in determining individual's allocation decisions.
Estimation de la frontière libre des options américaines au voisinage de l'échéance

Un probleme essentiel dans l'etude des options de vente americaines en Finance est la determination de la frontiere d'exercice qui est, en termes mathematiques, une frontiere libre. Nous donnons ici un equivalent de cette frontiere libre au voisinage de l'echeance dans le cas des options americaines
Isolated antibodies against the core antigen of hepatitis B virus in HIV‐infected patients

The aim of this study was to describe the frequency and significance of isolated antibodies against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antigen (HBc) in 2185 HIV‐infected patients of the Aquitaine Cohort. Antibodies against HBc were found in 372 subjects (17%). Patients with isolated anti‐HBc antibodies were more frequently coinfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) (58.2%) than those who were anti–HB surface (HBs) antibody positive (22.9%, P<0.001) and those who were dually reactive anti‐HBs/anti‐HBc antibody positive (27.3%, P<0.001). These results suggest interactions between HBV and HCV. As observed in patients not infected with HIV, the ‘anti‐HBc‐alone’ serological profile could reflect essentially late immunity with undetectable anti‐HBs antibodies. However, an occult HBV infection cannot be ruled out.
Postpartum Hemorrhage After Vaginal Birth: An Analysis of Risk Factors

Objective: To determine, in a single tertiary obstetric hospital, the incidence of and risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) after a vaginal birth. Methods: PPH was defined as measured blood loss greater than 1,000 mL and/or need for a transfusion. Results: Over a 4-year period, 13,868 of 19,476 women delivered vaginally, with a PPH rate of 5.15%. Identified risk factors for PPH were Asian race, maternal blood disorders, prior PPH, history of retained placenta, multiple pregnancy, antepartum hemorrhage, genital tract lacerations, macrosomia (>4 kg), and induction of labor, as well as chorioamnionitis, intrapartum hemorrhage, still birth, compound fetal presentation, epidural anesthesia, prolonged first/second stage of labor, and forceps delivery after a failed vacuum. Conclusions: Identification of risk factors for PPH after a vaginal delivery may afford prophylactic treatment of such women with reduction of morbidity.
Survey of aflatoxin M1 in cow's milk for human consumption in Kerman Province of Iran

The aim of this study was to assess levels of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in milk samples from Kerman, Iran. AFM1 was detected in 72 samples, ranging in concentration from <0.01 to 0.41 µg l−1. The samples were analyzed using immunoaffinity column for clean-up and HPLC for determining AFM1. Milk samples were collected from six dairy farms. AFM1 was found in ∼50% of the milk samples. The average level of AFM1 was below the tolerance limit (0.05 µg l−1), but 50% of the samples had greater levels than the maximum tolerance limit accepted by EU and the Iranian national standard. The method detection limit and limit of quantification were 0.01 and 0.03 µg l−1, respectively, and recovery of the method was 87%. The results showed that AFM1 contamination is a serious problem for public health. To achieve a low level of AFM1 in milk, cattle feed must be monitored regularly for aflatoxin contamination and protected from fungal contamination as much as possible.
In vitro comparative evaluations of the postantifungal effect: synergistic interaction between flucytosine and fluconazole against Candida albicans

Summary. In vitro comparative evaluations were performed to study the efficacy of combinations of flucytosine and fluconazole in producing a postantifungal effect (PAFE) on Candida albicans. Initial studies were done to determine MIC, FIC (fractional inhibitory concentration) and optimal PAFE parameters. A turbidometric method was used to measure yeast cell growth following exposure to different concentrations of the two drugs for periods of 0.5, 1 or 2 h at temperatures of 30 d̀C and 37 d̀C. The PAFE was determined by the difference in time (h) required for growth of the control and test cultures to reach the 0.5 absorbance level following removal of the drug by dilution. Ten strains of C. albicans were then assayed (30 d̀C; 2 h exposure time) and a synergistic PAFE was evidenced with the two drugs at concentrations well below their individual MICs. PAFEs ranging from 3.8 to 10.5 h, which persisted for 1.2–2.5 h longer than those achieved with either agent separately, were evidenced when flucytosine and fluconazole were combined (flucytosine: fluconazole ratios of 1: 16–1: 32) at concentrations ranging from 0.024 to 0.098 μg ml‐1 and 0.78 to 1. 56μg ml“1 respectively. The concentrations of each agent required to produce an optimal PAFE varied according to the C. albicans strain being assayed.
SOME FACTORS AFFECTING TWINNING RATE AND ITS EFFECTS ON POSTPARTUM REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF FRIESIAN COWS

A total number of 1243 records of calving cases of 585 dairy Friesian cows during 8 consecutive years from 1997 to 2004 collected from Sakha Animal Production Research Station belonging to Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center were used to study the effect of sire, live body weight (LBW) and age of dam and calving season on twinning rate and its consequent effects on postpartum reproductive performance of dairy Friesian cows. Results indicated that, the average of twinning rate was 4.67% and freemartin rate was 0.64%. Sire, live body weight, age of dam and calving season had significant (P<0.05) effects on twinning rate. Twinning rate increased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing live body weight and age of dams. Winter season significantly showed the lowest (P<0.05) twinning rate (3.76%) and autumn season had the highest rate (6.20%). Twins calving affected significantly (P<0.05) all the reproductive performance under consideration except the period from calving to the first service and gestation period. In this respect, the service period, days open and calving interval were longer, number of services per conception was higher, while conception rate was lower for twins compared with single calving. The percentages of retained placenta, dystocia, abortion and born death calf were significantly (P<0.05) higher with twins calving compared to single calving. These results indicated that, several factors (genetic and environmental) affected on twinning rate in dairy Friesian cows. Calving interval for cows calved single or twins was in rate accepted, while retained placenta, dystocia, abortion and born death calf were nearly duplicate in cows calved twins compared to that of single calving.
Quantitative Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection of Ehrlichia chaffeensis

ABSTRACT A real-time PCR assay was developed for the detection of Ehrlichia chaffeensis. The assay is species specific and provides quantitative results in the range 10 to 1010 gene copies. The assay is not inhibited by the presence of tick, human, or mouse DNA and is compatible with high sample throughput. The assay was compared with previously described assays for E. chaffeensis.
Psychosocial recovery following ICU: experiences and influences upon discharge to the community.

While appropriate referrals to community services upon discharge home may address the physical needs of former intensive care patients, the psychological needs may be overlooked. This pilot study describes the recovery period following discharge to home of former intensive care unit (ICU) patients and their significant others, and identifies factors influencing recovery and the role of community support in the recovery period.Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five patients and four significant others, 6 to 15 weeks following discharge from the ICU. Data were analysed using constant comparison to identify recurring categories and themes. The recovery period was characterized by the patients' focus on physical recovery with the major theme described as 'moving on', incorporating normalizing life, return to usual routines, and leaving behind the ICU experience. Factors influencing the recovery period included individual attitudes, prior experiences, the ICU experience and support of family and friends. Community support was not commonly utilized with participants describing a perceived stigma attached to asking for professional help. Attention to physical needs and care often masked the psychological support received, particularly from family members. Despite awareness of community supports, patients were generally reluctant to avail themselves of any of these services.
Japanese children's acquisition of prosodic Politeness expressions

This paper presents a perception experiment to measure the ability of Japanese children in fourth and fifth grade elementary school to recognize culturally encoded expressions of politeness and impoliteness in their native language. Audio-visual stimuli were presented to listeners, who rate the politeness degree and a possible situation where such an expression could be used. Analysis of results focuses on the differences and the similarities between adult listeners and children, for each attitude and modality. Facial information seems to be retrieved earlier than audio ones, and expressions of different degrees of Japanese politeness, including expressions of kyoshuku, are still not understood around 10 years of age.
BIOACTIVATION OF 4-METHYLPHENOL (p-CRESOL) VIA CYTOCHROME P450-MEDIATED AROMATIC OXIDATION IN HUMAN LIVER MICROSOMES

It has previously been proposed that 4-methylphenol (p-cresol) is metabolically activated by oxidation of the methyl group to form a reactive quinone methide. In the present study a new metabolism pathway is elucidated in human liver microsomes. Oxidation of the aromatic ring leads to formation of 4-methyl-ortho-hydroquinone, which is further oxidized to a reactive intermediate, 4-methyl-ortho-benzoquinone. This bioactivation pathway is fully supported by the following observations: 1) one major and two minor glutathione (GSH) adducts were detected in microsomal incubations of p-cresol in the presence of glutathione; 2) a major metabolite of p-cresol was identified as 4-methyl-ortho-hydroquinone in microsomal incubations; 3) the same GSH adducts were detected in microsomal incubations of 4-methyl-ortho-hydroquinone; and 4) the same GSH adducts were chemically synthesized by oxidizing 4-methyl-ortho-hydroquinone followed by the addition of GSH, and the major conjugate was identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and NMR as 3-(glutathione-S-yl)-5-methyl-ortho-hydroquinone. In addition, it was found that 4-hydroxybenzylalcohol, a major metabolite derived from oxidation of the methyl group in liver microsomes, was further converted to 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde. In vitro studies also revealed that bioactivation of p-cresol was mediated by multiple cytochromes P450, but CYP2D6, 2E1, and 1A2 are the most active enzymes for formation of quinone methide, 4-methyl-ortho-benzoquinone, and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, respectively. Implications of the newly identified reactive metabolite in p-cresol-induced toxicity remain to be investigated in the future.