Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neoblast‐enriched fraction rescues eye formation in eye‐defective planarian ‘menashi’Dugesia ryukyuensis

Planarians are well known for their remarkable regenerative capacity. This capacity to regenerate is thought to be due to the presence of totipotent somatic stem cells known as ‘neoblasts’, which have particular morphological characteristics. The totipotency of neoblasts was supported by Baguñà's experiment, which involved the introduction of donor cells into irradiated hosts. However, since Baguñà's experiment did not include the use of a phenotypic marker, the donor cells could not be traced. In the current study, a genetic mutant planarian, menashi, an eye‐defective mutant that lacks the pigmented area in the eyes, was established. This planarian is excellent for tracing the fate of cells after their introduction into irradiated hosts. To investigate the differentiation potency more directly, a neoblast‐rich fraction obtained from normal worms was transplanted into an X‐ray‐irradiated menashi strain. Planarians that survive X‐ray irradiation were developed, and we observed the pigment of the area in the eyes of the regenerating planarians. This result suggests that the neoblast‐rich fraction contains cells that can proliferate and differentiate. These cells can replace the cells and structures lost by X‐ray irradiation and ablation, and they can also differentiate into eye pigment cells.
Differences in local and systemic inflammatory markers in patients with obstructive airways disease.

BACKGROUND Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are characterised by airway and systemic inflammation, but little is known about differences and similarities in inflammatory markers in patients with obstructive airways disease. METHODS In 210 adult patients presenting to their general practitioners with symptoms suggestive of obstructive airways disease, lung function, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FE(NO)), blood eosinophils, and serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and IgE were measured. RESULTS hs-CRP levels were increased in COPD patients (p=0.009), whereas FE(NO), IgE, and eosinophils were increased in patients with asthma (p=0.009, p=0.041, and p=0.009, respectively). In the ROC analysis, hs-CRP had the largest area under the curve (AUC=0.651; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.552 to 0.749), with a specifity of 83% and a sensitivity of 42% for the diagnosis of COPD. FE(NO) was the most accurate marker in the diagnosis of asthma (AUC=0.618; 95% CI 0.529 to 0.706). Serum hs-CRP levels correlated with the number of smoking pack-years (r=0.218, p=0.001) and inversely with lung function parameters. CONCLUSIONS Levels of serum hs-CRP, IgE, blood eosinophils, and FE(NO) identify distinct aspects of local and systemic inflammation in patients with obstructive airways disease. This might help to differentiate between asthma and COPD in primary care patients when spirometry is not available.
Future directions in antler research

Through a series of interrogatories, unsolved problems of antler evolution, anatomy, development, physiology, and pathology are probed, with commentaries on the following prospects for future research: 1. How could these improbable appendages have evolved mechanisms to commit suicide, jettison the corpse, and regenerate new ones every year? 2. By what developmental processes are antlers able to prescribe their own morphogenesis with mirror image accuracy year after year and in some cases produce deliberate asymmetries? 3. What causes the scalp to transform into velvet skin as a deer's first antlers develop? 4. Why do healing pedicle stumps give rise to antler buds instead of scar tissue? 5. How is the unprecedented rate of antler elongation related to the diameter and length of the structure to be grown? 6. How come wound healing by pedicle skin is held in abeyance for several months until new growth resumes? 7. How is it that tropical deer regenerate antlers at any time of year, while in temperate zones deer do so in seasonal unison? 8. How do deer find enough calcium to make such massive antlers in only a few months? 9. What is the nature of the bizarre tumors that some antlers grow following castration? © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Parental anxiety as a possible predisposing factor to child dental anxiety in patients seen in a suburban dental hospital in Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between parents' anxiety level and that of the child patient. METHODS The Short Form of the Dental Anxiety Survey Schedule was administered to 81 children who were attending the dental clinic for the first time. The Dental Anxiety Scale was also used to collect relevant information from the parents. RESULTS There was no statistically significant correlation between the anxiety level of the mother (r = -0.02, P = 0.82) or the father (r = -0.59, P = 0.62) and that of their child. However, bivariate analysis showed a closer association between the anxiety levels of the mother and the child (P = 0.055) compared to that between the father and the child (P = 0.475) although this was again found not to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION Assessment and management of the anxiety level of the mother may be needed in some cases, both to manage the child effectively and to break the cycle of dental care anxiety in families.
Barriers to ecommerce in developing countries

Electronic commerce (EC) has the potential to improve efficiency and productivity in many areas and, therefore, has received significant attention in many countries. However, there has been some doubt about the relevance of ecommerce for developing countries. The absence of adequate basic infrastructural, socio-economic and the lack of government national ICT strategies have created a significant barrier in the adoption and growth of e-commerce in developing countries. The study shows that, in order to understand the adoption and diffusion of ecommerce in developing countries, cultural issues need to be considered. In this paper, we present and discuss these issues hindering e-commerce adoption in developing countries.
Micro-mechanical properties of Oak wood and comparison with standard-sized samples

The aim of this study was to investigate micro-mechanical properties of Oak (Quercus petraea) wood and to compare with standard-size test specimens values. Bending strength, modulus of elasticity in bending, compression strength and tensile strength were determined using micro- and standard-size mechanical test samples. In the micro- and standard size samples, bending strengths were evaluated as 71,2 MPa and 99,4 MPa, modulus of elasticity in bending as 2741,3 MPa and 11394,1 MPa tensile strengths as 98,7 MPa and 93,8 MPa and compression strengths as 45,4 MPa and 46,6 MPa respectively. The results showed that the bending strength, modulus of elasticity and compression strength of the micro-size samples were lower compared to the standard-size samples, while the tensile strength was higher in the micro-size samples. The compression strength values of micro- and standard-size samples were not significantly different. The regression analyses indicated a positive linear regression between the mechanical properties of micro- and standard-size samples. Micro-size specimens can be used to estimate the mechanical properties of Oak wood when obtaining standard-size specimens is not possible.
Motor impairments at presentation of clinically isolated syndrome suggestive of multiple sclerosis: Characterization of different disease subtypes.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the frequency of motor impairments in patients with recently diagnosed clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) suggestive of MS. METHODS Following a neurological examination, patients with CIS were subdivided into two groups according to the number of functional systems involved at onset. Groups consisted of monosymptomatic (n=35, mean EDSS=1.3 ± 0.2) and polysymptomatic (n=17, mean EDSS=2.6 ± 0.1) patients. Motor assessment included peak isometric torque and fatigue index (FI) measured at the knee and ankle bilaterally and spatiotemporal parameters of gait and postural control. Lesion load and atrophy were measured on a 3.0T brain MRI using MSAnalyze computerized software. Twenty eight age- and gender-matched healthy subjects served as controls for motor assessment. RESULTS Polysymptomatic patients demonstrated reduced peak strength and FI, slower gait velocity, narrower base of support and increased sway rate compared to healthy subjects and mono-symptomatic patients. Furthermore, polysymptomatic and monosymptomatic patient median score in T2-weighted volume lesions (mm^{3}) was 4875 and 1628, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Evidence of two subtypes of CIS was established in context with MRI findings and motor deficits. Differentiating between these groups can potentially improve management of MS patients at the initial stages of the disease process.
Ankle Brachial Index as a Marker of Atherosclerosis in Chinese Patients with High Cardiovascular Risk

To obtain reliable data on the epidemiology, co-morbidities and risk factor profile of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), we evaluated the clinical significance of the ankle brachial index (ABI) as an indicator of PAD in Chinese patients at high cardiovascular (CV) risk. ABI was measured in 5,646 Chinese patients at high CV risk, and PAD was defined as an ABI<0.9 in either leg. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with PAD. A total of 5,263 patients were analyzed, 52.9% male, mean age 67.3 years, mean body mass index (BMI) 24.2 kg/m2, mean systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) 139/80.7 mmHg. The prevalence of PAD in the total group of patients was 25.4%, and the prevalence was higher in females than in males (27.1% vs. 23.9%; odds ratio [OR]: 1.64). Patients with PAD were older than those without PAD (72.3±9.9 years vs. 65.6±11.7 years; OR: 1.06), and more frequently had diabetes (43.3% vs. 31.3%; OR: 2.02), coronary heart disease (CHD) (27.0% vs. 18.8%; OR: 1.67), stroke (44.4% vs. 28.3%; OR: 1.78), lipid disorders (57.2% vs. 50.7%; OR: 1.3) and a smoking habit (42.7% vs. 38.6%; OR: 1.52). The ORs for the PAD group compared with the non-PAD group demonstrated that these conditions were inversely related to ABI. Statin, angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitors and antiplatelet agents were only used in 40.5%, 53.6% and 69.1% of PAD patients, respectively. The data demonstrated the high prevalence and low treatment of PAD in Chinese patients at high CV risk. A lower ABI was associated with generalized atherosclerosis. Based on these findings, ABI should be a routine measurement in high risk patients. Aggressive medication was required in these patients.
The Impact of Designed TPACK- Object Based Game on the Performance of JSS 2 Students in Mathematics

This paper sees to the design of Instructional Object Based Game (IOBG) using Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework and it imparts on the performance of students learning in mathematics as investigated from two sets of subjects. The sample consists of 200 Junior Secondary School 2 (JSS 2) students selected from 20 co- educational schools within Lagos Island and Eti-Osa educational Zones of Lagos State, Nigeria. Multi stage stratified random sampling was used to avoid interclass mixed. 50% proportionate on each zone and stratified simple random sampling technique was adopted to give non mixed schools within the zones equal chance of being taken. The first sets of subjects were learning in relation to game and performance, while the other set (control group) was treated with Mathematics Achievement Test (MAT) (conventional method). Lessons of 40 minutes on substitution were conducted for the two groups for two weeks, twice per week, which was conducted in each school for 4 weeks in the whole of the two zones. After the lessons the groups were treated with MAT and IOBG, control and experimental groups respectively. A quasi-experimental control group design with repeated measures analysis of covariance was adopted. Two separate summary results of ANCOVA showed that F (1,199) = 12.88 @ p = 0.013 and F(1,193) = 13.00 @ p = 0.00 implied that the use of OBG (game) in teaching and learning had significant effect on the performance of learners in mathematics. Calculated mean scores and 2-way ANCOVA result showed that gender has no significant influence on the performance of learners in either with the used of OBG or MAT.
Logic and Theism: Index of Names

Part I. Divinity: 1. 'GOD' and 'god', and God Part II. Arguments for the Existence of God: 2. Classical ontological arguments 3. Modern modal ontological arguments 4. Kurt Godel's ontologischer beweis 5. First causes: the second way 6. Ultimate reasons: Proofs of a contingentia mundi 7. Look 'round' 8. Clouds of witnesses - on 'of miracles' Part III. On Parts of the Common Conception of Traditional Theology: 9. Romancing the stone 10. God knows (go figure) Part IV. Arguments against the Existence of God: 11. Atheologies, demonstrative and empirical 12. The logical problem of evil Part V. Practical Arguments for and against Theistic Beliefs: 13. Pascalian wagers.
Renal Hemodynamics and Albumin Excretion Rate in Patients With Diabetes Secondary to Acquired Pancreatic Disease

OBJECTIVE To assess kidney function and AER in patients with PD. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Thirty-three patients with PD (age 52 ± 7 yr, duration of disease 11 ± 6 yr, BMI 24 ± 3 kg/m2) and 33 patients with IDDM were matched for sex, BMI, and duration of disease. GFR and RPF were determined by single injection of [51Cr]EDTA and [125I]hippurate. AER was measured by radioimmunoassay in a single timed overnight urine collection. RESULTS GFR and RPF were, respectively, 113 ± 35 and 441 ± 145 ml · min−1 · 1.73 m2 in patients with PD and 123 ± 30 and 549 ± 94 (P < 0.001) in IDDM. FF was significantly higher in patients with PD (0.26 ± 0.05 vs. 0.22 ± 0.03; P < 0.001). Prevalence of hyperfiltration (GFR > 135 ml · min−1 · 1.73 m2) was similar in both groups (30% in patients with PD vs. 28% in those with IDDM). Geometric mean of urinary AER was 10.4 μg/min (range 1–186) in patients with PD and 11.2 (1–198) in IDDM patients. Some 30.3% of patients with PD and 18% of those with IDDM were microalbuminuric (AER > 20 μg/min). By multiple regression analysis, AER was significantly related to systolic (P < 0.04) and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.01) and to BMI (P < 0.03) in patients with PD. Retinopathy was more frequent in microalbuminuric patients with PD than in those without elevated AER. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that early renal abnormalities occur similarly in patients with PD and IDDM.
Highly deoxynivalenol contaminated oats and immune function in horses

The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of deoxynivalenol (DON) on cellular and humoral immune parameters in horses. A feeding trial using naturally contaminated oats with high (20.2 mg/kg) and low (0.49 mg/kg) levels of DON was conducted. Two groups of five mares were fed 2 kg oats daily with high or low DON levels for two weeks, using a crossover design with a three-week wash-out period. No adverse effects on general health were observed. Only minor diet-related changes in differential blood counts and serum biochemistry were noted. Serum haptoglobin concentration was significantly elevated after feeding DON (p = 0.04). Lymphocyte subsets (CD4+ CD8+, CD2+, CD21+, MHCII+) and lymphocyte proliferation data (concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, pokeweed mitogen) were not different between feeding-groups. It can be concluded that daily DON intakes as high as 6.9 to 9.5 mg/100 kg BW appear to have no major impact on the measured immune response of horses, indicating that this species has a high tolerance for DON.
Xenoestrogenic gene exression: Structural features of active polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Estrogenicity was assessed using the Saccharomyces cerevisiae‐based Lac‐Z reporter assay and was reported as the logarithm of the inverse of the 50% molar β‐galactosidase activity (log[EC50−1]). In an effort to quantify the relationship between molecular structure of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and estrogenic gene expression, a series of PAHs were evaluated. With noted exceptions, the results of these studies indicate that the initial two‐dimensional structural warning for estrogenicity, the superpositioning of a hydroxylated aromatic system on the phenolic A‐ring of 17‐β‐estradiol, can be extended to the PAHs. This two‐dimensional‐alignment criterion correctly identified estrogenicity of 22 of the 29 PAHs evaluated. Moreover, the estrogenic potency of these compounds was directly related to the size of the hydrophobic backbone. The seven compounds classified incorrectly by this structural feature were either dihydroxylated naphthalenes or aromatic nitrogen‐heterocyclic compounds; all such compounds were false positives. Results with dihydroxylated naphthalenes reveal derivatives that were nonestrogenic when superimposed on the phenolic A‐ring of 17‐β‐estradiol had the second hydroxyl group in the position of the C‐ring or were catechol‐like in structure. Structural alerts for nitrogen‐heterocyclic compounds must take into account the position of the hydroxyl group and the in‐ring nitrogen atom; compounds with the hydroxyl group and nitrogen atom involved with the same ring were observed to be nonactive.
Mesh–free Ventral Rectopexy for Women with Complete Rectal and Uterovaginal Prolapse

Background: Mesh rectopexy may be associated with infective complications, erosion into the vagina or rectum, and disintegration or dislodgement. A mesh-free rectopexy will avoid these complications. Objective of the study was to perform mesh-free ventral rectopexy and assess its safety and effectiveness. Materials and Methods: Nine women with complete rectal and uterovaginal prolapse were treated with total abdominal hysterectomy, closure of the vaginal vault, extirpation of the pouch of Douglas and suture of anterior rectal wall to the posterior vaginal wall (ventral suture rectopexy). The ventral suture rectopexy was achieved by three pairs of interrupted silk sutures, 2.5 cm above each other, and the first pair very close to the pelvic floor. This composite structure (anterior rectal wall and posterior vaginal wall), sits astride the perineal body. Intussusception and subsequent prolapse of the sutured rectum and vaginal wall is prevented. Vaginal vault prolapse was prevented by the suture of each round ligament of the uterus to the corresponding lateral vaginal fornix. No mesh was used. Results: Nine multiparous women aged between 52 and 70 years had the procedure. The mean operative time was 135 minutes (range 110-220). The follow-up period was between 29 months and 7 years. Full continence was restored in all patients within eight weeks of the operation. Bowel habit returned to once daily in four patients and once every other day in the remaining five patients, within thirteen weeks of surgery. One patient had intermittent mucus discharge per rectum for six months. This stopped without a specific treatment. There has been no known recurrence in these nine patients. One patient developed wound infection as a complication. There was no mortality. All the patients are now asymptomatic. Conclusion: Ventral suture rectopexy is a safe and effective treatment for complete rectal prolapse in a selected group of patients.
Daily affect in Parkinson disease is responsive to life events and motor symptoms.

OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to examine the daily affective experiences of patients with Parkinson disease (PD) and to determine their association with daily events and motor symptoms. Specifically, it was intended to test the hypothesis that PD, even in the absence of depression, is associated with anhedonia. METHOD Nondepressed male subjects with PD (N=24) and a comparison group of healthy elderly males (N=23) completed daily affect rating scales and, for the patients with PD, a supplemental self-assessment questionnaire of PD-related symptoms for 4 consecutive weeks. The effect of daily events and PD-related symptoms on daily affect was examined using linear and logistic mixed regression models. RESULTS Overall, patients with PD reported significantly less positive and more negative affect than healthy peers over time. There were similar, and expected, associations between negative events and affect in both groups. Although patients with PD reported far fewer positive events than control subjects, they reported as great an improvement in affect in response to them. Regarding self-reported PD-related symptoms, only increasing severity of core motor symptoms was independently associated with worse affect. CONCLUSIONS Although the conclusions of this study are tempered by a comparison group that is not optimal, our results suggest that patients with PD do not demonstrate anhedonia in response to positive life events. The gross intergroup difference in daily events suggests the potential value of interventions that emphasize daily engagement in positive experiences to improve positive affective tone.
HEMATOLOGY AND PLASMA CHEMISTRY OF THE PLOUGHSHARE TORTOISE (ASTROCHELYS YNIPHORA) IN A CAPTIVE BREEDING PROGRAM

Abstract Blood samples from 172 captive and 40 wild, healthy, juvenile and adult, ploughshare tortoises (Astrochelys yniphora) were analyzed to determine hematological and biochemical reference intervals. Hematological analytes included packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell count (WBC), and WBC differential estimates. Biochemical analysis included total protein measured by photometry (TP) and by refractometry (TPr), albumin (ALB), creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), bile acids (BA), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), urea (UREA), and uric acid (UA). The jugular vein was identified as the preferred venipuncture site as subcarapacial vein venipuncture resulted in regular hemodilution. In due consideration of small sample sizes in some of the groups studied, adult tortoises had significantly higher plasma GLDH activity and TPr, TP, ALB, BA, and UREA concentrations and significantly lower AST activity and P concentration than juveniles. Captivity had a significant influence in some reference intervals, with captive adults presenting significantly higher WBC, and estimated counts of all white cell types as well as UREA and TPr than wild counterparts. Captive juveniles also showed significantly higher estimated monocyte and lower estimated eosinophil and basophil counts. Although these differences most likely reflect local environmental or dietary differences, without representing pathology or a deviation from the normal, they question the applicability of reference values from captive animals to wild animals and vice versa. Significant sex differences were only observed for PCV and UA. The reported reference intervals may serve as benchmarks for clinical assessment and conservation of this critically endangered species.