Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of aqueous avocado pear ( Persea americana ) seed extract on alloxan induced diabetes rats

Background: world is facing explosive increase in diabetes mellitus. It poses a serious challenge to primary health care in developing countries, with negative consequences on the economy. This research is aim at evaluating the effect of Persea americana aqueous seed extract on alloxan induced diabetes rats. Methodology: Effects of the aqueous extract on groups of alloxan (150mg/Kg) induced diabetic rats was investigated. The blood sugar and body weight of the rats was recorded at two weeks and four weeks interval, and one week after the withdrawal of the extract. The test groups (III, IV, and V) were treated with 400mg, 800mg and 1200mg/kg body weight of the extract for 4 weeks. Results: A significant decrease (P<0.001) in blood glucose were observed in all groups compared to Group II. A significant increase in blood glucose (p<0.05) was observed one week after withdrawal of the extract. Significant increase in body weight was recorded in groups III, IV and V compared to group II at P < 0.01, 0.001 and 0.05 respectively. Conclusion: The findings may indicate anti-diabetic effects of the extract which may be due to certain mineral elements and phytochemicals, and increase in weight in could be due to proper nutrient utilization probably induced by the avocado seeds’ extract. Avocado seeds may be of beneficial effects to diabetic patients.
Lipid Emulsions as Drug Delivery Systems

Colloidal carriers used for the delivery of drugs take a variety of forms to include those that are solid-like in nature, such as microspheres and nanoparticles, and liquids in the form of emulsions, or vesicles (better known as liposomes). Natural colloidal particles (lipoproteins and chylomicrons present in circulating blood, for example) have also been investigated as potential carrier systems. The recent literature covering these different systems can be found in various detailed papers, review articles, and monographs. ’4 This article will consider recent studies on the use of lipid emulsions as drug delivery systems and will concentrate on the intravenous route of administration. The earlier literature has been reviewed by Davis and others2
Cornea Predicative Factors for Corneal Endothelial Cell Migration

METHODS. Twenty-eight cadaveric human corneas underwent ex vivo culture in either standard or Y-27632–supplemented culture medium for 14 days. The posterior surface of each cornea was manipulated to create two types of wounds: scratched wound—corneal endothelial cells (CECs) were denuded from the Descemet’s membrane (DM) to leave behind a bare but intact DM; and peeled wound—both the DM and overlying CECs were stripped to leave behind bare corneal stroma. Endothelial migration was assessed via Trypan blue staining. Morphologic traits of CECs were assessed via Alizarin red microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.
Cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction in rats.

We investigated the role of cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the remodeling of the left ventricle from 24 h to 12 wk after myocardial infarction in the rat. Infarct size planimetry, quantification of cardiomyocyte apoptosis, terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) methodology, and echocardiography (left ventricular diastolic diameter and ejection fraction) were performed. Sham-operated animals showed low rates of cardiomyocyte apoptosis (0.03%) and no change in diastolic diameter or ejection fraction during the study. Twenty-four hours after infarction, TUNEL positivity was high in the infarct areas (1.4%) and border zones (4.9%). It declined to 0.34% (P < 0.01 vs. sham) at 4 wk and 0.10% at 12 wk in the border zones. In the remote myocardium, cardiomyocyte apoptosis increased to 0.07% (P = 0.03 vs. sham) on day 1 and remained on the same level up to 4 wk. The increase in diastolic diameter 1-4 wk after infarction correlated (r = 0.60, P < 0.01) with cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the noninfarcted myocardium, which quantitatively contributed most (>50%) to the apoptotic cell loss by 4 wk.
Models of white matter injury: comparison of infectious, hypoxic-ischemic, and excitotoxic insults.

White matter damage (WMD) in preterm neonates is strongly associated with adverse outcome. The etiology of white matter injury is not known but clinical data suggest that ischemia-reperfusion and/or infection-inflammation are important factors. Furthermore, antenatal infection seems to be an important risk factor for brain injury in term infants. In order to explore the pathophysiological mechanisms of WMD and to better understand how infectious agents may affect the vulnerability of the immature brain to injury, numerous novel animal models have been developed over the past decade. WMD can be induced by antenatal or postnatal administration of microbes (E. coli or Gardnerella vaginalis), virus (border disease virus) or bacterial products (lipopolysaccharide, LPS). Alternatively, various hypoperfusion paradigms or administration of excitatory amino acid receptor agonists (excitotoxicity models) can be used. Irrespective of which insult is utilized, the maturational age of the CNS and choice of species seem critical. Generally, lesions with similarity to human WMD, with respect to distribution and morphological characteristics, are easier to induce in gyrencephalic species (rabbits, dogs, cats and sheep) than in rodents. Recently, however, models have been developed in rats (PND 1-7), using either bilateral carotid occlusion or combined hypoxia-ischemia, that produce predominantly white matter lesions. LPS is the infectious agent most often used to produce WMD in immature dogs, cats, or fetal sheep. The mechanism whereby LPS induces brain injury is not completely understood but involves activation of toll-like receptor 4 on immune cells with initiation of a generalized inflammatory response resulting in systemic hypoglycemia, perturbation of coagulation, cerebral hypoperfusion, and activation of inflammatory cells in the CNS. LPS and umbilical cord occlusion both produce WMD with quite similar distribution in 65% gestational sheep. The morphological appearance is different, however, with a more pronounced infiltration of inflammatory cells into the brain and focal microglia/macrophage ("inflammatory WMD") in response to LPS compared to hypoperfusion evoking a more diffuse microglial response usually devoid of cellular infiltrates ("ischemic WMD"). Furthermore, low doses of LPS that by themselves have no adverse effects in 7-day-old rats (maturation corresponding to the near term human fetus), dramatically increase brain injury to a subsequent hypoxic-ischemic challenge, implicating that bacterial products can sensitize the immature CNS. Contrary to this finding, other bacterial agents like lipoteichoic acid were recently shown to induce tolerance of the immature brain suggesting that the innate immune system may respond differently to various ligands, which needs to be further explored.
Long-term filtration performance of nonwoven geotextile-sludge systems

A study of the filtration behaviour of contaminated wastewater treatment sludges was conducted. The laboratory portion of the study included a series of filtration tests with different nonwoven geotextiles. Filtration performance of the sludge-nonwoven-geotextile systems was also observed in field test cells by exhuming geotextile samples from the cells after exposure followed by analysis. The results indicated that the sludges could be filtered with nonwoven geotextiles selected on the basis of geotextile permittivity. The standard gradient ratio test did not always reflect the filtration performance, and therefore other clogging ratios should be considered. Two commonly used geotextile constriction sizes, O95 and O50, could not be related to either clogging or piping. Additionally, ratios of geotextile constriction size to soil particle size in the existing filter criteria did not always predict the observed filtration performance.
Differential Mycobacterium bovis BCG Vaccine-Derived Efficacy in C3Heb/FeJ and C3H/HeOuJ Mice Exposed to a Clinical Strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

ABSTRACT The global epidemic caused by the bacterial pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis continues unabated. Moreover, the only available vaccine against tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), demonstrates variable efficacy. To respond to this global threat, new animal models that mimic the pathological disease process in humans are required for vaccine testing. One new model, susceptible C3Heb/FeJ mice, is similar to human tuberculosis in that these animals are capable of forming necrotic tubercle granulomas, in contrast to resistant C3H/HeOuJ mice. In this study, we evaluated the impact of prior BCG vaccination of C3Heb/FeJ and C3H/HeOuJ mice on exposure to a low-dose aerosol of Mycobacterium tuberculosis W-Beijing strain SA161. Both BCG-vaccinated murine strains demonstrated reduced bacterial loads 25 days after infection compared to controls, indicating vaccine efficacy. However, during chronic infection, vaccine efficacy waned in C3H/HeOuJ but not in C3Heb/FeJ mice. Protection in vaccinated C3Heb/FeJ mice was associated with reduced numbers of CD11b+ Gr1+ cells, increased numbers of effector and memory T cells, and an absence of necrotic granulomas. BCG vaccine efficacy waned in C3H/HeOuJ mice, as indicated by reduced expression of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and increased expressions of interleukin-17 (IL-17), IL-10, and Foxp3 by T cells compared to C3Heb/FeJ mice. This is the first murine vaccine model system described to date that can be utilized to dissect differential vaccine-derived immune efficacy.
Proinflammatory cytokine and ligands modulate cardiac peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors

Background Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPAR) mediate inflammatory processes and alter cardiac function. However, it is not clear whether inflammatory cytokines or PPAR ligands regulate PPARs in the cardiomyocytes to modulate cardiac functions. We investigated the effects of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and PPAR ligands on the expression of PPARs in HL‐1 cardiomyocytes.
The Relationship Between Size and Return for Foreign Real Estate Investments

Executive Summary. In this study, we utilize a relatively new database to examine whether small foreign real estate firms have higher returns than large foreign real estate firms. We examine this issue from the perspective of a U.S. investor who forms portfolios of international real estate firms on the basis of U.S. dollar market value of equity. Using eleven years of foreign real estate data for more than 1200 observations in twenty countries, we find that large firms have higher returns and lower risk than small firms. These results hold when returns are denominated in either local currency or dollars. Further, the relationship between firm size and return is monotonic across portfolio groupings.
Do structural constraints of the industry matter for corporate failure prediction?

ABSTRACT We hypothesize and find empirical evidence that two structural constraints of the industry are informative in the corporate failure prediction, industry concentration and dependence on customers and suppliers. Using an extensive database on corporate failures and bankruptcies in the U.S. market from 1998 to 2009 we find that the probabilities of failure and bankruptcy are significantly higher for firms in highly concentrated industries. The probability of bankruptcy is higher for firms in industries with stronger customer dependency, but this factor does not affect failure probabilities. Also in the case of failures the model's fit is noticeably higher than in the case of bankruptcies.
Teaching Medical Students Ultrasound to Measure Liver Size: Comparison With Experienced Clinicians Using Physical Examination Alone

Background: Ultrasound is increasingly recognized as a valuable addition to medical school curriculum. Purpose: In this study, we tested the ability of rising second year students to learn and conduct an ultrasound examination of vertical liver span at the point of care. Methods: Six patients from a GI clinic volunteered to have their liver size measured. Ten students were trained to measure vertical liver span with ultrasound. Four physicians were recruited to measure liver span with standard methods. Student and physician measurements were compared to each other and to a reference ultrasound measurement for accuracy and variability. Results: Compared to the reference, students overestimated liver size an average of 1.5 cm. Physicians underestimated liver size an average of 6.7 cm. Variance in student measurements for each patient was 10% to 17% and among physicians 20% to 50%. Conclusion: With limited instruction and clinical experience medical students can obtain liver size measurements with ultrasound that are more accurate and have less variability than those by physicians using physical examination. Given the ease with which students can learn to use ultrasound and the teaching and clinical value of ultrasound, ultrasound should be considered as a standard of medical education in the future.
Similar immunogenetics of Barrett’s oesophagus and cervical neoplasia: is HPV the common denominator?

There are a number of similarities between cervical cancer and oesophageal adenocarcinoma. As cervical cancer is overwhelmingly associated with oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, the possibility that HPV is also associated with the aetiology of oesophageal adenocarcinoma needs to be examined. This paper presents the evidence for such an association and a discussion of what further studies would be needed to confirm such an association. HPV has been identified as the major aetiological factor in cervical carcinogenesis,1 being detected in 90–100% of cervical cancer specimens compared with 20% of controls.2 In addition, the HPV viral genome has been identified in most of the precursor lesions of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.3 HPVs are epitheliotropic and were thought to preferentially infect squamous epithelia only. However, it is now known that much of the virus is present at the squamo–columnar junction. Moreover, a consistent, strong and robust association between infection by high-risk HPV types and risk of development of adenocarcinoma of the cervix has been demonstrated.4 5 The role of HPV-mediated tumorigenesis in cervical cancer raises the question of the possible pathogenic role of the virus in oesophageal squamous and adenocarcinoma, oropharyngeal cancers and other non-genital malignancies. The recent demonstration of an association between HPV infection and oropharyngeal cancers, and the demonstration that this association may be related to direct or indirect orogenital transmission, reveals the exposure of the upper gastrointestinal tract to HPV infection.6 There is some evidence for a plausible role for HPV in the pathogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus.7 High-risk-type HPV infections (predominantly HPV16 and HPV18) are detected in about 15% and 23% of patients with oesophageal squamous carcinoma using PCR and in situ hybridisation techniques, respectively.7 HPV detection rates in oesophageal cancer are highly variable in different geographical areas of …
Long-Term Follow-up of Depressive Pseudodementia of the Aged *

Forty-four elderly patients of both sexes (mean age 76.5 years) suffering from depressive pseudodementia were intensively treated for the depression. When that cleared up, cognitive function reverted to premorbid level. Patients were regularly interviewed and retested at six months intervals for four to 18 years (average 8). Some patients experienced, during the follow-up period, a recurrence of the depression for which they were again successfully treated. At the end of the observation period, 39 of the 44 patients (89%) had developed a dementia syndrome of the Alzheimer type.
Online Buying Behavior of College Students

The paper is an attempt to find out factors influencing online buyers, as well as those factors which affect non buyers for not to shop online. As buyers market can be divided into number of segments which facilitate marketers to design their strategies that leads them toward success. Therefore finding base for segmentation is the key task of marketers. The paper may help to segment market on the basis of gender by finding out various factors that affect by male and female buyer. Instrument is executed on 246 samples in four colleges of Satara, to find out influencing factors using factor analysis. Result of the research indicates that there is significant association between gender and goods purchased online and there is no any significant association between gender and spending on online shopping.
Pro‐apoptotic activity of mBNIP‐21 depends on its BNIP‐2 and Cdc42GAP homology (BCH) domain and is enhanced by coxsackievirus B3 infection

Our previous study reported that mouse BNIP‐21 (mBNIP‐21) induces apoptosis through a mitochondria‐dependent pathway. To map the functional domains of mBNIP‐21, we performed mutational analyses and demonstrated that the BNIP‐2 and Cdc42GAP homology (BCH) domain is required for apoptosis induction by mBNIP‐21 targeting the mitochondria and inducing cytochrome c release. This pro‐apoptotic activity was enhanced by coxsackievirus infection. However, deletion of the Bcl‐2 homology 3 (BH3)‐like domain, a well‐known cell ‘death domain’ in proapoptotic Bcl‐2 family proteins, did not affect the activity of mBNIP‐21. These data were further supported by transfection of a mouse Bax (mBax) mutant, whose BH3 was replaced by the mBNIP‐21 BH3‐like domain. This replacement significantly reduced the pro‐apoptotic activity of mBax. We also found that the predicted calcium binding domain has no contribution to the mBNIP‐21‐induced apoptosis. Further mapping of the motifs of BCH domain demonstrated that deletion of the hydrophobic motif proximal to the C‐terminal of the BCH significantly reduced its proapoptotic activity. These findings suggest that mBNIP‐21, as a member of the BNIP subgroup of the Bcl‐2‐related proteins, functions without need of BH3 but its BCH domain is critical for its activity in inducing cell elongation, membrane protrusions and apoptotic cell death.
A Climatology of Waves in the Equatorial Region

Abstract Propagating anomalies of moisture and moist deep convection in the Tropics are organized into a variety of large-scale modes. These include (but are not limited to) the so-called intraseasonal oscillations, convectively coupled waves similar to those predicted by shallow water theory on the equatorial beta plane, and tropical-depression-type disturbances. Along with the annual and diurnal cycles, these modes act and interact to control much of the variance of tropical convection. Analyses of 10 yr of outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) and precipitable water (PW) data are carried out to develop comparative climatologies of these wavelike modes. The analysis relaxes the commonly used cross-equatorial symmetry constraints, which allows study of the portions of the wavelike processes that are asymmetric across the equator. Mean background states are found for OLR and for PW as functions of day of the year. Examination of anomalies together with the background reveals much about how the waves are affec.
DIFFERENT TEAM DEFENSE TACTICS AND HEART RATE DURING A FIELD HOCKEY MATCH

Modern professional training in different sports is based on many variables observed during training matches and competitions [4, 5, 6]. The recording of physical activity and measurement of different physiological parameters of players during a match can be useful to estimate demands during a field hockey game. This issue has been discussed in relation to different sports by many researchers [3, 5]. One of such variables is the heart rate, which displays an internal picture of body’s reaction to diverse physical and psychological loads. Monitoring the heart rate is used to control adaptation changes during a training process and qualify the types of exercise [2] to prepare better individual exercise loads for competitors. The researchers and coaches note that the replacement of natural grass with an artificial playing surface has changed different elements of field hockey games such as players’ technical, tactical and physiological requirements [3]. Field hockey has become a swift and skill-based game [1], in which numerous changes of action require a high level of endurance and velocity preparation [4]. The above transformations point to the question of relationships between energy cost, heart rate and tactical tasks in field hockey. Publications on this subject have been rare and very often they are merely theoretical presumptions. There are different defense and attack systems in field hockey. The most popular team defense tactics in field hockey are: man-to-man marking, zone marking and combination of both. In man-to-man marking, one defender takes on a specific responsibility for one opponent. Although the opponent may have difficulty escaping and using space, this system requires a huge amount of discipline from every player on the team. With zone marking, each defender takes responsibility for an opponent entering their zone of defense. The zone concentrates on the region of greatest danger but also ensures that cover is provided around the zone should the point of attack be changed to another area on the field [1]. But which system is better and more effective for a team? Which tactics system permits to realize the assumptions of the game with lower energetic expenditure? Which system lets the players achieve the final effect (win) at the lower cost? The available literature gives no clear answer to these questions. The main objective of this study was to examine the heart rate responses and estimate energy expenditure of competitive field hockey played in two different team defense tactics: man-to-man marking and zone marking, to see which one will turn out to be useful in planning tactical solutions with reference to players’ capabilities.
Management consultant, client relationships: a study of their impact on consultancy outcomes in SMEs

This thesis examines what aspects of the ‘consultant client relationship’ (CCR) affect the adoption of a consultant’s recommendations in the context of a small or medium enterprise (SME). In addition, it explores how clients judge the success of consultancy projects and come to recognise lessons learned from a consultancy. The CCR is explored in terms of three key aspects, identified from the literature, trust, power and what is labelled here the ‘comfort zone’. These three aspects are examined in three case studies developed from interviews of client/owners in a government sponsored program to assist SMEs through consultant development of business plans. In each case, client’s identified contextual factors from their experiences of the CCR as important in determining their sense of a project’s ‘success’. The findings of this study point to the CCR as being complex and involving a number of multi-faceted aspects, that do not appear to be given significance in the consulting literature or are in need of further clarification. Such overlooked aspects of the CCR include: the use of power in the CCR, the influence of gender relations on the CCR and the importance of communication flows, obligation, reciprocity and commitment. In addition to influencing the adoption of a consultant’s recommendations, the CCR also appears to influence three factors that SME clients place emphasis on when judging the success of a project financial change in the business, new knowledge on operating a SME learnt through the consultancy and any new perspectives on their business gained as a result of the consultancy.