Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Facial nerve palsy after acute exposure to dichloromethane.

BACKGROUND Dichloromethane poisoning affects predominantly the central nervous and the cardiovascular systems, and results from both carboxyhemoglobin formation and direct solvent-related narcosis. Exposure is frequently occupational and related to paint-stripping. Several reports have described severe adverse effects as well as fatalities. Conflicting reports regarding peripheral nerve toxicity have been found with no reports of clinical acute toxicity heretofore. METHODS We present a case report of a patient who developed a facial nerve palsy after acute occupational exposure to Dichloromethane. The patient was part of a paint removing crew who have worked without proper protecting measures and were thus exposed to high levels of Dichoromethane. RESULTS The patient was involved in paint stripping with Dichloromethane, and developed facial nerve palsy. Other known causes of facial palsy were excluded, and although idiopathic palsy cannot be ruled out, there were no corroborating findings. Carboxyhemoglobin levels taken after a significant delay were normal. CONCLUSION This is the first article that describes a case of Facial Nerve Palsy related to acute dichloromethane exposure, indicating a possible peripheral neurotoxic effect of this solvent.
Isolation of mast cell secretory lysosomes using flow cytometry

Mast cells are specialized secretory cells of the immune system. Through exocytosis of their secretory lysosomes and secretory granules, mast cells release biologically active substances such as histamine and proteases. Mast cell secretory granules have been studied extensively but much less attention has been given to secretory lysosomes. Studies on mast cell secretory lysosomes are limited by the lack of selective markers and the difficulty to isolate this organelle from conventional lysosomes. Our goal was to develop better tools to study secretory lysosomes.
Dimensions of Patient Attitudes Regarding Doctors and Medical Care Services

The factor analytic development and validation of numerous index scores to measure patient attitudes regarding characteristics of doctors and medical care services is described. Index scores meeting factor analytic criteria and found to be reliable were used to study the nature and number of attitudinal dimensions underlying patient satisfaction. The use of index scores which have met logical and empirical criteria is in contrast to the common practice of using individual questionnaire items as the unit of analysis. Four major dimensions of patient attitudes were identified and described, including attitudes toward doctor conduct (humanness and quality) and such enabling components as availability of services, continuity/convenience of care and access mechanisms (cost, payment mechanisms, and case of emergency care). Measures of attitudes toward caring (humanness) and curing (quality/competence) aspects of doctor conduct appear to reflect the same underlying attitudinal dimension. Findings are discussed in relation to concepts and measures mentioned in the published literature and suggestions are offered for future research.
Reported Parental Characteristics in Relation to Trait Depression and Anxiety Levels in a Non-Clinical Group

Care and overprotection appear to reflect the principal dimensions underlying parental behaviours and attitudes. In previous studies of neurotically depressed patients and of a non-clinical group, subjects who scored their parents as lacking in care and/or overprotective had the greater depressive experience. The present study of another non-clinical group (289 psychology students) replicated those findings in regard to trait depression levels. In addition, associations between those parental dimensions and trait anxiety scores were demonstrated Multiple regression analyses established that 9–10% of the variance in mood scores was accounted for by scores on those parental dimensions. Low maternal care scores predicted higher levels of both anxiety and depression, while high maternal overprotection scores predicted higher levels of anxiety but not levels of depression. Maternal influences were clearly of greater relevance than paternal influences.
Central administration of corticotrophin-releasing factor in the sheep: effects on secretion of gonadotrophins, prolactin and cortisol.

Stress interferes with the normal secretion of LH and FSH from the anterior pituitary gland and therefore exerts a deleterious effect on reproductive function. Evidence suggests that the stress-induced disruption of gonadal function is due to a central action of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) to inhibit the release of LHRH into the hypophysial-portal circulation. The following studies were undertaken to investigate further the role of CRF in regulating gonadotrophin release in the sheep and to determine whether central administration of this peptide can alter the secretion of other hormones (e.g. prolactin and cortisol) known to be released under conditions of stress. In contrast to other species, injection of CRF into the third ventricle of the sheep brain caused a dose-related stimulation of LH secretion. The pulse frequency and mean levels of LH were increased significantly following central administration of CRF. In contrast to this effect, central administration of CRF did not alter the plasma concentration of FSH but caused a marked and dose-related stimulation of prolactin and cortisol secretion. The stimulatory effect of CRF on prolactin secretion was reversed by i.v. administration of the opioid antagonist naloxone, suggesting that endogenous opioid peptides mediate the central effect of CRF on the release of prolactin, but not cortisol. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that administration of CRF causes a dose-related stimulation of LH and prolactin release from the anterior pituitary gland and cortisol from the adrenal gland. In the case of prolactin, endogenous opioid peptides are likely to mediate this response. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Simulation of microbubbles during the initial stages of breakdown in cyclohexane

The formation of a vapor microbubble has previously been suggested to be the initial mechanism in the process of dielectric failure of dielectric liquids. The bubble is generated by a rapid, highly localized heating of a volume close to a highly stressed electrode, caused by electric currents in the liquid at high voltages. A numerical model is presented in order to investigate the dynamics of a single microbubble in the point-plane geometry in cyclohexane. A condition for the formation of a vapor bubble is discussed. Thereafter, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model of two-phase flow with phase transition is used to study the dynamics of the bubble from generation to collapse, under a highly divergent electrostatic field in a subcooled liquid. The amount of subcooling in the simulations is 5 K, and it is found that convergence gets significantly weaker as the amount of subcooling increases. The bubble dynamics is also simulated considering the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) processes in the liquid and vapor phases. Finally, it is shown how the electrostatic forces on the dielectric will cause a bubble to detach from the electrode.
Technical, allocative and scale efficiency of Malaysian REITs: The preliminary finding

Problem/Purpose – The paper examined the technical, allocative and scale efficiency in Malaysian Real Estate Investment Trust (M-REITs) to determine best practice for operations to enhance the performance of M-REITs. Design/methodology/approach – Sixteen Malaysian REITs from 2013 to 2014 are examined in terms of input and output variables in the efficiency measurement using the non-parametric approach to benchmark and determine which of the REITs are efficient. Input orientation Variable Return to Scale Data Envelopment Analysis (VRS-DEA model) is used for the year 2014 and 2013 using the DEAP version 2.1. Findings – There were low scores of cost efficiencies for the Malaysian REITs in 2014 and 2013 with 39.90% and 41.60% respectively. The negative inefficient value for the cost inefficiencies is identified in the allocative inefficiencies for both years, showing the mix of inputs to be not correctly utilised. REIT 10 and REIT 16 (of which, one is Islamic) are found to be technical, allocative and scale efficient for both years. For 2014, scale inefficient is identified as the source for technical inefficiency which means Malaysian REITs are not operating at the right scale with 50% operating at economies of scale. Managerial inefficiency however became the source for technical inefficiency in 2013 showing inputs to not be fully minimised to produce more outputs. Research limitations/implications – These preliminary findings highlight that extending the period of understudy particularly post the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) to date, will better establish the key efficiency for Malaysian REITs. Originality/value - The development of the empirical framework determine the source of inefficiency for Malaysian REITs. This will assist the REIT managers and the stakeholder in the formulation of best-practice strategy to enhance the efficiency performance and profitability for Malaysian REITs.
Interplay between global regulators of Escherichia coli : effect of RpoS, Lrp and H‐NS on transcription of the gene osmC

The transcription of the osmC gene of Escherichia coli is regulated as a function of the phase of growth. It is induced during the decelerating phase, before entry into stationary phase. osmC expression is directed by two overlapping promoters, osmCp1 and osmCp2. osmCp2 is mainly transcribed by E‐σs, the RNA polymerase using the σs (RpoS) sigma factor, and is responsible for the growth phase regulation. Transcription from osmCp1 is independent of σs. The leucine‐responsive protein (Lrp) has been shown to bind the osmC promoter region in band shift experiments. In vivo analysis using osmC–lacZ transcriptional fusions demonstrated that Lrp affects the expression of both promoters. It represses the transcription of osmCp1 and activates the transcription of osmCp2 by E‐σs. An absence of Lrp results in an increase in the amount of RpoS during exponential growth in minimal medium. The nucleoid‐associated protein H‐NS also represses osmC transcription from both promoters. However, this happens through different mechanisms. The effect on osmCp2 is probably mediated by the increase in σs concentration in the cytoplasm of hns− mutants, while the effect on osmCp1 is independent of σs. No binding of H‐NS to the promoter region DNA could be detected, indicating that the effect on osmCp1 could also be indirect.
Differential regulation by IL-4 and IL-10 of radiation-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production and ICAM-1 expression by human endothelial cells.

Radiation exposure results in an inflammatory reaction with acute as well as subacute consequences. Leukocyte infiltration is one of the predominant early histological changes and involves both cytokines and adhesion molecules. Endothelial cells play a key role in this reaction. We have previously shown the increased production of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-8 and the upregulation in intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) expression by HUVEC following gamma ray exposure. In the present study, we used the cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 to regulate these radiation-induced manifestations. Human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) were treated with IL-4 and IL-10 (50 pg/ml) either before or after 10- Gy irradiation. Three and seven days after irradiation, IL-6 and IL-8 production by HUVEC (either treated or non-treated) was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Our results show that IL-4, when added after irradiation, reversed the radiation-induced increase in IL-8 production, although slightly increased IL-6 production. IL-10 decreased both IL-8 and IL-6 production when added after irradiation. ICAM-1 expression was evaluated 3 days after irradiation by flow cytometry. The radiation-induced upregulation in ICAM-1 expression remained unaffected by the use of IL-4. Altogether, our results show that radiation-induced endothelial cell activation may be ameliorated by IL-4 and/or IL-10, which is of significance in designing strategies for cytokine-mediated intervention and/or therapy of radiation damage.
Fasted Exercise and Increased Dietary Protein Reduces Body Fat and Improves Strength in Jockeys

Abstract The present study assessed the effects of a diet and exercise intervention in jockeys on body composition, metabolism, bone and mental health. 10 jockeys followed an individually prescribed 6-wk diet (Carbohydrate=2.5–3.5 g/kg, Protein=2.5 g/kg, Fat=1.0 g/kg). Body mass (59.2±4.6 vs. 57.6±4.5 kg), fat mass (7.5±3.5 vs. 6.2±2.6) and body fat (13.1±5.9 vs. 11.5±4.9%) all decreased (P<0.05) from pre to post-intervention whilst lean mass (47.1±5.3 vs. 47.0±5.5 kg) was maintained (P=0.80). RMR (1703±329 vs. 1975±313 kcal.d-1), VO2max (3.8±0.8 vs. 4.1±0.7 L/min− 1) chest strength (65±11 vs. 71±13 kg), leg strength (160±28 vs. 175±29 kg) and jumping height (40±6 vs. 48±5 cm) significantly increased (P<0.05). Bone health (DXA) did not change (P>0.05) at hip (−1.04±1.29 vs. − 0.76±0.71) or lumbar sites (−1.32±0.76 vs. − 1.31±0.77). Psychometrics (GHQ-12 and EAT-26) remained unchanged (10.3±4.3 vs. 8.9±3.8 and 14.8±9.6 vs. 11.0±5.6, P>0.05, respectively). This approach represents a marked difference from jockeys’ habitual weight-making that largely involves dehydration and food deprivation.
Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (apical hypertrophy): an overview.

Clinical and laboratory data of apical hypertrophy were reviewed based on our experience of over 200 consecutive patients, of whom 126 patients were followed up by myself for more than 1 year (1 to 29 years). Emphasis was placed on various aspects of electrocardiography including the natural course and "wax and wane" phenomenon of giant negative T waves (GNT). Recent diagnostic modality, i.e., cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was also stressed. Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (apical hypertrophy) was mainly discovered by annual health check including electrocardiography and characterized by giant negative T waves (GNT; -1.0-(-)4.2 mV) in the left precordial leads (V4 or V5) in middle-aged men. Transition from normal T wave to negative T wave required several years and remained usually unchanged thereafter. This change may occur rather abruptly on rare occasions. Disappearance of GNT may also occur slowly and progressively in patients, in whom apical aneurysm had developed. The diagnosis may be obtained with echocardiography, left ventriculography or ultrafast computed tomography, but was most accurate with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, by which identification of the diversity of hypertrophy was achieved, because the multiple short-axis views were accurately obtained in addition to the exact long-axis view. Hypertrophy was not simple but quite complex in both morphology and grade. Gene abnormality may be present even in cases of apical hypertrophy. The prognosis of apical hypertrophy in Japan has been benign, and heart failure due to atrial fibrillation and left ventricular aneurysm due to the destruction of hypertrophied muscle are thought to have prognostic importance, but these were rare in our series.
Testing of remapping for reading enhancement for patients with central visual field losses

Retinal pathology often results in visual field loss. Age related macular degeneration (ARMD) and Stargardt's disease (a congenital disease) typically affects the central macular region of the retina, resulting in visual field loss to the region of the retina with the highest resolution. Due to the central visual field losses, patients with ARMD and Stargardt's disease often experience difficulty in visual tasks, such as reading and facial recognition. NASA Johnson Space Center has developed an electronic remapper that can warp an image from one coordinate system to another on a television screen. The remapper can be used with patients with central visual field loss to redistribute information projecting off of the macular lesion (corresponding to the central scotoma) and onto the still functioning peripheral retina. The purpose of this research project was to investigate whether remapping of text around the central scotoma improved reading performance (increased reading rate) for patients with ARMD or Stargardt's disease. The subjects moved the text on the stage and read aloud random words of equal difficulty viewed on a closed circuit television screen. Reading speeds for normal and remapped text were obtained. Reading rates were determined for both free viewing and with stabilization of the position of the screen relative to the eye rotations. Results of these experiments are discussed.
Superpixel-Based Segmentation for 3D Prostate MR Images

This paper proposes a method for segmenting the prostate on magnetic resonance (MR) images. A superpixel-based 3D graph cut algorithm is proposed to obtain the prostate surface. Instead of pixels, superpixels are considered as the basic processing units to construct a 3D superpixel-based graph. The superpixels are labeled as the prostate or background by minimizing an energy function using graph cut based on the 3D superpixel-based graph. To construct the energy function, we proposed a superpixel-based shape data term, an appearance data term, and two superpixel-based smoothness terms. The proposed superpixel-based terms provide the effectiveness and robustness for the segmentation of the prostate. The segmentation result of graph cuts is used as an initialization of a 3D active contour model to overcome the drawback of the graph cut. The result of 3D active contour model is then used to update the shape model and appearance model of the graph cut. Iterations of the 3D graph cut and 3D active contour model have the ability to jump out of local minima and obtain a smooth prostate surface. On our 43 MR volumes, the proposed method yields a mean Dice ratio of 89.3 ±1.9%. On PROMISE12 test data set, our method was ranked at the second place; the mean Dice ratio and standard deviation is 87.0±3.2%. The experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms several state-of-the-art prostate MRI segmentation methods.
Environmental Corporate Governance Practices: An Analysis of Structural Relations

The aim of this study is to analyze the structural relations between strategy, environmental performance and disclosure, in view of the lack of research on these endogenous relations. To analyze these relations, an environmental governance proxy was developed for Brazilian companies, which consists of five dimensions. Hence, from an economic perspective, a trend is expected for companies to disclose more information and maintain an environmental governance structure, so as to avoid or reduce potential political costs. Using the structural equation technique, 573 Brazilian companies were analyzed. According to the results, the Brazilian companies’ mean compliance level with environmental governance practices is 49.2%. In addition, there is evidence of a positive association between the governance structure and the environmental management system (GSEM) and (1) environmental performance (EP) and (2) environmental disclosure level (DISC). In addition, the level of conflict of interests positively affects disclosure. The results demonstrate that the latent variables GSEM and EP exert a direct and indirect positive effect on DISC. In other words, companies with a more structured environmental management system have obtained better performance indicators and, consequently, are more encouraged to disseminate environmental information and reduce political costs.
Electroencephalography in patients with cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Electroencephalography has not been completely quantified in patients with cirrhosis. We investigated the electroencephalogram (EEG) dynamics in patients with cirrhosis. METHODS We performed closed-eye EEGs on 175 patients with cirrhosis (age, 55 ± 11 years; 24% Child-Pugh class A, 48% class B, and 285 class C), conducted clinical and psychometric assessments for hepatic encephalopathy (HE), and followed the patients for 1 year. EEG characteristics were assessed in the frequency domain, in the frontal (F3-F4) and parietal (P3-P4) derivations. Intrahemispheric (frontoparietal, right, and left) and interhemispheric (F3-F4 and P3-P4) coherence were computed. The EEGs of 50 healthy volunteers (age, 56 ± 17 years) served as controls. RESULTS Compared with controls, the EEGs of patients with cirrhosis had a reduced frequency in the posterior derivations (P3/P4 mean dominant frequency, 9.1 ± 1.8 and 8.9 ± 1.7 Hz vs 10.4 ± 1.3 and 10.2 ± 1.3 Hz, respectively; P < .01) and an increase in interhemispheric parietal relative coherence within the theta band (22.3% ± 5.5% vs 18.9% ± 3.5%; P < .01). These features were more prominent in patients with Child class C and in patients with a history of overt HE; they correlated with hyperammonemia and hyponatremia. The decrease in EEG frequency, along with the increase in interhemispheric theta coherence in the posterior derivations, was inversely associated with survival and the occurrence of overt HE during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS In patients with cirrhosis, alterations in the EEG were significantly associated with the severity of liver disease and HE; the EEG might be used in determining prognosis.
Mode of Action: Reduction of Testosterone Availability—Molinate-Induced Inhibition of Spermatogenesis

Molinate is a preemergent herbicide that has been demonstrated to affect reproduction in the rat via alterations in sperm production. A wealth of standard toxicological studies and targeted research efforts relating to this adverse effect is available, and these were used to evaluate the utility of the Human Relevance Framework (HRF) for noncancer health effects. The hypothesized mode of action involved inhibition of the hydrolysis of cholesterol from high-density lipoprotein in the rat testes, followed by an androgen withdrawal syndrome on spermatogenesis. Some evidence is available that a similar mode of action would not be operable in humans. Despite the wealth of studies conducted in the rat, the weight of evidence is insufficient to define the mode of action for reproductive toxicity in the male rat. A principal deficiency in the database was discordance between the exposure levels observed to cause biochemical disturbances in the testes related to the hypothesized mode of action and the dose levels observed to induce the adverse outcome on spermatogenesis. For this reason, a complete MOA/human relevance analysis is not possible and, based on traditional risk assessment principles, any toxic effects are assumed to be relevant for human risk assessment.