Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aloe vera improves memory and reduces depression in mice

Abstract Objective Aloe vera (barbadensis Mill., Family Liliaceae) since ancient times has been used for the treatment of skin disorders, infection, and as a laxative. The present study was undertaken to explore the effect of A. vera (Family Liliaceae) in animal models of learning and memory, depression, and locomotion. Methods To assess learning and memory, the passive avoidance task and elevated plus-maze were used. For evaluating depression, the forced swim test and tail suspension test were performed, and to assess locomotor activity, the rota rod test and photoactometer were used. Results A. vera (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) was found to significantly increase the acquisition and retention step-down latency as compared to control in the passive avoidance task. In the elevated plus-maze, the highest administered dose (400 mg/kg, p.o.) of A. vera significantly reduced the transfer latency as compared to control. The forced swim test as well as tail suspension test showed that A. vera at all administered doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) decreased the period of immobility significantly. However, the locomotor activity did not show any significant change in the rota rod test and photoactometer. Discussion Thus from the above observations, it can be proposed that A. vera enhances learning and memory, and also alleviates depression in mice.
Erlotinib beyond progression study: Randomized phase II study comparing chemotherapy plus erlotinib with chemotherapy alone in EGFR TKI-responsive, advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that subsequently progresses.

TPS211 Background: EGFR-driven NSCLCs are dependent on the EGFR pathway for proliferation which EGFR TKIs potently block. Progression occurs when resistance to erlotinib develops-through the emergence of EGFR-T790M or MET gene amplification. This event is likely specific to any given individual tumor clone and therefore on relapse only some tumor clones carry resistance mutations, others likely remain dormant while the EGFR pathway is inhibited providing rationale for maintenance therapy. This concept is supported by clinical observations demonstrating of "tumor flares" in patients taken off of EGFR TKI therapy on progression. Similar analogies exist in prostate cancer/maintenance of castrate state, breast cancer/maintenance trastuzumab. This study seeks preliminary evidence that such a strategy can lead to meaningful benefits in advanced non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS Randomized, phase II study of pemetrexed chemotherapy versus pemetrexed chemotherapy plus erlotinib in patients who derived a clinical benefit from erlotinib but now have evidence of progressive disease ( NCT00660816 ). Pemetrexed is given at standard dose of 500 mg/m2 every 3 weeks to a maximum of 8 cycles while erlotinib is given at 150 mg oral daily dose on days 2-19 of each cycle. Our main hypothesis is that maintenance erlotinib in this patient population could extend PFS by 50%, from 3 to 4.5 months and we seek to enroll 78 patients by randomized phase II screening design to allow 80% power to detect such a difference. Standard eligibility criteria include progression following at least twelve weeks of treatment with single-agent erlotinib during which time the patients experienced a clinical benefit. 23 of planned 78 patients have been enrolled and current enrollment averages 1-2 new patients per month. An amendment to allow either pemetrexed or docetaxel as the chemotherapy base is under review to further enhance accrual. Translational studies, including EGFR and other gene mutation analyses will also be performed.
The Effect of Foreign Direct Investment Inflows on Income Inequality: Evidence from China

Abstract This paper uses data for China during the period 1982–2010 and tests the effect of FDI inflows on income inequality, which is measured by the urban Gini coefficient. A small-sample cointegration test and autoregressive distributed lag bounds test are used as the cointegration tests. According to them, the variables under consideration are not cointegrated. The GMM estimation results show that income inequality worsens with FDI flows into China. The evidence from China shows a non-linear effect of FDI inflows on income inequality.
Quinapril treatment and arterial smooth muscle responses in spontaneously hypertensive rats

1 The effects of long‐term angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibition with quinapril on arterial function were studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats, Wistar‐Kyoto rats serving as normotensive controls. 2 Adult hypertensive animals were treated with quinapril (10 mg kg−1 day−1) for 15 weeks, which reduced their blood pressure and the concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide in plasma and ventricular tissue to a level comparable with that in normotensive rats. 3 Responses of mesenteric arterial rings in vitro were examined at the end of the study. Compared with normotensive and untreated hypertensive rats, responses to noradrenaline were attenuated in hypertensive animals on quinapril, both force of contraction and sensitivity being reduced. Quinapril also attenuated maximal contractions but not sensitivity to potassium chloride. Nifedipine less effectively inhibited vascular contractions in normotensive and quinapril‐treated than in untreated hypertensive rats. 4 Arterial relaxation responses by endothelium‐dependent (acetylcholine) and endothelium‐independent (sodium nitrite, isoprenaline) mechanisms were similar in normotensive and quinapril‐treated rats and more pronounced than in untreated hypertensive rats. 5 Cell membrane permeability to ions was evaluated by means of potassium‐free solution‐induced contractions of endothelium‐denuded denervated arterial rings. These responses were comparable in normotensive and quinapril‐treated rats and less marked than in untreated hypertensive rats. 6 Intracellular free calcium concentrations in platelets and lymphocytes, measured by the fluorescent indicator quin‐2, were similar in normotensive and quinapril‐treated rats and lower than in untreated hypertensive rats. 7 In conclusion, quinapril treatment improved relaxation responses and attenuated contractions in arterial smooth muscle of hypertensive rats. These changes may be explained by diminished cytosolic free calcium concentration, reduced cell membrane permeability, and alterations in dihydropyridine‐sensitive calcium channels following long‐term angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibition.
Predictors of psychosocial adjustment in people with physical disease.

AIMS The purpose of this paper was to examine the demographic, medical and psychosocial variables that result in the deterioration of psychosocial adjustment in patients with physical disease, the meaning their illness has for them and their coping style. METHODS The study was carried out in inpatient clinics of the Istanbul Faculty of Medicine (n = 198). The following evaluation instruments were used: a semi-structured questionnaire, the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale-Self Report (PAIS-SR), the Meaning of Illness Questionnaire (MIQ), the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale, the Multivariate Perceived Social Support Questionnaire and the Ways of Coping Inventory (WCI). Variables to be related with psychosocial adjustment were analysed by using Forward Logistic Regression. RESULTS The mean age of patients was 36.9 (SD 12.9) (18-65), 55% of which were women, the average PAIS-SR score was 1.02 (SD 0.41) (0.7-2.26); 47% of the patients had poor adjustment scores. Univariate analysis showed that psychosocial adjustment was affected by having children (p = 0.02), anxiety, depression, locus of control, perceived social support (p < 0.001), information level about their illness and its treatment (p = 0.01), the subscales of WCI [escape-avoidance (p < 0.001), distancing (p = 0.002), planned problem solving (p < 0.001), positive re-appraisal (p = 0.02)]. The psychosocial adjustment of patients with respiratory or infectious illnesses or bone-muscle-skeletal disorders was even less (p = 0.03). All 33 items of the MIQ were found to have a significant impact on psychosocial adjustment (p < 0.001). According to the regression analysis, the best predictors of psychosocial adjustment were: depression (p < 0.001) and the meaning of illness for patient (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Having a physical illness is an important stress factor. In providing assistance, a number of factors should be taken into consideration, including how the patient perceives his illness, the impact the illness has on the patient's life, and a determination of the degree of depression being experienced by the patient. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The study indicated some predictors in the assessment of psychosocial adjustment and care of patients with physical illness. In daily clinical practice, among the patients with physical illness, those with a negative perception of their illness and those who define depression should be given special attention for psychosocial support.
Transient Simulation of Severe Slugging and Riser Topside Choking

A transient model was developed using OLGA to study the dynamic behavior of sever slugging in a pipeline-riser system.The simulated test loop,with 50.8 mm ID,has a 114 m long horizontal loop connected to a 19 m long pipe which is inclined to-2 degree from horizontal,followed by a 15.3 m high vertical riser.The flow pattern map obtained numerically was tested against previous experimental results,as well as the detailed characteristics of severe slugging such as,pressure at the riser base,liquid holdup at the riser topside,slug frequency,etc.Topside choking,as a common slug control method,was also simulated using present model and compared with the experimental results.The results showed that the four flow patterns observed in experiments could be reproduced well in the simulation.However,the detailed characteristics of severe slugging cannot be predicted accurately by the code,and there are still large discrepancies between the experimental results and simulation in the process of topside choking.It is recommended that further research should be done on the mechanism of topside choking.
Aromatic stacking interactions govern catalysis in aryl‐alcohol oxidase

Aryl‐alcohol oxidase (AAO, EC 1.1.3.7) generates H2O2 for lignin degradation at the expense of benzylic and other π system‐containing primary alcohols, which are oxidized to the corresponding aldehydes. Ligand diffusion studies on Pleurotus eryngii AAO showed a T‐shaped stacking interaction between the Tyr92 side chain and the alcohol substrate at the catalytically competent position for concerted hydride and proton transfers. Bi‐substrate kinetics analysis revealed that reactions with 3‐chloro‐ or 3‐fluorobenzyl alcohols (halogen substituents) proceed via a ping–pong mechanism. However, mono‐ and dimethoxylated substituents (in 4‐methoxybenzyl and 3,4‐dimethoxybenzyl alcohols) altered the mechanism and a ternary complex was formed. Electron‐withdrawing substituents resulted in lower quantum mechanics stacking energies between aldehyde and the tyrosine side chain, contributing to product release, in agreement with the ping–pong mechanism observed in 3‐chloro‐ and 3‐fluorobenzyl alcohol kinetics analysis. In contrast, the higher stacking energies when electron donor substituents are present result in reaction of O2 with the flavin through a ternary complex, in agreement with the kinetics of methoxylated alcohols. The contribution of Tyr92 to the AAO reaction mechanism was investigated by calculation of stacking interaction energies and site‐directed mutagenesis. Replacement of Tyr92 by phenylalanine does not alter the AAO kinetic constants (on 4‐methoxybenzyl alcohol), most probably because the stacking interaction is still possible. However, introduction of a tryptophan residue at this position strongly reduced the affinity for the substrate (i.e. the pre‐steady state Kd and steady‐state Km increase by 150‐fold and 75‐fold, respectively), and therefore the steady‐state catalytic efficiency, suggesting that proper stacking is impossible with this bulky residue. The above results confirm the role of Tyr92 in substrate binding, thus governing the kinetic mechanism in AAO.
Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis in a Male Teenager - A Case Report with Emphasis on HRCT Findings

Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) is a rare pulmonary disorder with characteristic imaging features. It usually affects young adults and is associated with cigarette smoking. PLCH is listed in the gamut for cystic lung disease and should be considered by the radiologist if the appropriate findings are identified. The authors report an advanced case of PLCH in a young male with a smoking load of 6 pack-year. The prognosis is variable with frequent regression, stabilization, or recurrence of disease. GJMR-D Classification: NLMC Code: WI 800 PulmonaryLangerhansCellHistiocytosisinaMaleTeenagerACaseReportwithEmphasisonHRCTFindings Strictly as per the compliance and regulations of: Radiology, Diagnostic and Instrumentation Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis in a Male Teenager A Case Report with Emphasis
Comparison of growth and reproduction performance of broodstock Pacific white shrimp
 Litopenaeus vannamei
 reared in oceanic and brackish water

This study provides a preliminary evaluation of feasibility of brackish water breeding. Shrimps were initially cultured at brackish water. Shrimps were reared at different stages (5, 6, 7 and 8 months, respectively), and 300 female shrimps were selected from each stage for growth at an enhanced salinity of 30 ppt. When the shrimps were sexually mature, the reproductive characteristics (mating rate, egg number and nauplii number) of the broodstock shrimps, quality of nauplii (malformation rate of nauplii) and quality of postlarvae (survival rate and desalination stress) were tested to evaluate of the effects of brackish water (10 ppt) on these shrimps. Oceanic water (30 ppt) for rearing shrimps was used as control group. Histopathological analysis of gonads and hepatopancreases from oceanic and brackish water shrimp was performed. The results showed that shrimps cultured for a maximum of 8 months in brackish water remained sexually mature. There were no significant differences regarding the quality of shrimps in the oceanic water and brackish water. However, the brackish water cultured shrimps were easily adapted to salinity changes. Our results demonstrate the good feasibility of the present scheme, in which the broodstock shrimps were cultured at a salinity of 10 ppt.
Differential expression of galectin-3 in advancing thyroid cancer cells: a clue toward understanding tumour progression and metastasis.

INTRODUCTION Galectin-3 is a member of the beta-galactoside-binding protein family that plays an important role in cell-to-cell adhesion and in cell-to-matrix interaction. Cellular expression of galectin-3 is correlated with cancer aggressiveness and metastasis. METHODS We examined the differential expression of galectin-3 in a collection of 142 cases of thyroid lesions, including 108 cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and 34 cases of follicular carcinoma (FCA). An immunohistochemical method was applied and semiquantitative scoring was performed on the staining intensity of the positive tissue. Scoring was done on cells at the central portion of the tumour foci and on cells at the periphery that were adjacent to the neighbouring normal thyroid tissue matrix. RESULTS A significantly higher expression (p is 0.001) of galectin-3 was observed in the advancing peripheral thyroid cancer cells compared to the centrally located cells that were not in close contact with the neighbouring stromal tissue in cases with PTC compared to those with FCA. CONCLUSION This finding supported the role of galectin-3 in its cell-to-cell adhesion and cell-to-matrix interaction. Galectin-3 is a potential tumour marker for indicating local and distance metastasis, especially in cases with PTC.
Enhanced Machine Learning Engine Engineering Using Innovative Blending, Tuning, and Feature Optimization

Investigated into and motivated by Ensemble Machine Learning (ML) techniques, this thesis contributes to addressing performance, consistency, and integrity issues such as overfitting, underfitting, predictive errors, accuracy paradox, and poor generalization for the ML models. Ensemble ML methods have shown promising outcome when a single algorithm failed to approximate the true prediction function. Using meta-learning, a super learner is engineered by combining weak learners. Generally, several methods in Supervised Learning (SL) are evaluated to find the best fit to the underlying data and predictive analytics (i.e., “No Free Lunch” Theorem relevance). This thesis addresses three main challenges/problems, i) determining the optimum blend of algorithms/methods for enhanced SL ensemble models, ii) engineering the selection and grouping of features that aggregate to the highest possible predictive and non-redundant value in the training data set, and iii) addressing the performance integrity issues such as accuracy paradox. Therefore, an enhanced Machine Learning Engine Engineering (eMLEE) is inimitably constructed via built-in parallel processing and specially designed novel constructs for
Role of Gamma Knife surgery in the treatment of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas.

OBJECT The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) in the management of dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs). METHODS The authors performed a retrospective analysis of a group of 22 patients who underwent GKS for dAVFs at the University of Tokyo Hospital between 1991 and 2009. The patients underwent CT or MR imaging with contrast enhancement every 6 months after GKS; when obliteration of a dAVF was indicated by these images, patients also underwent angiography. Follow-up in these patients ranged from 12 months to 100 months (median 33 months) after GKS. RESULTS Obliteration of the dAVF was confirmed by neuroimaging in 12 patients (55%). According to a Kaplan-Meier analysis, obliteration rates for the dAVFs were 51% at 3 years and 80% at 5 years. The obliteration rate for lesions without cortical venous drainage (CVD) was 86%, which was significantly higher than the rate for dAVFs with CVD (47%) (p = 0.007). Hemorrhage at presentation (p = 0.03), a target volume less than 1.5 cm(3) (p = 0.009), and Cognard Type III or IV dAVF (p = 0.005) were factors associated with a higher obliteration rate. Among 10 patients whose dAVFs were not obliterated by the initial GKS, 5 patients underwent additional treatment and complete obliteration was achieved in all. Relief of tinnitus was obtained in 5 (83%) of 6 patients with transverse-sigmoid sinus dAVFs, and ophthalmic symptoms improved in 2 (67%) of 3 patients with cavernous sinus dAVFs. No patient experienced interval hemorrhage or radiation-induced complications after treatment. CONCLUSIONS Gamma Knife surgery is a safe and effective treatment for dAVF. It can be a first line of therapy in the multidisciplinary treatment strategy for dAVFs, especially when significant morbidity is anticipated with other therapeutic options. One should be very careful about recommending GKS for patients harboring dAVFs with CVD because of the expected natural history of such a lesion and the possibility of other therapeutic options.
Cytokeratin expression profiles in thyroid carcinomas.

AIMS The aim of this study was to establish the cytokeratin expression profile of different types of thyroid carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS The expression of cytokeratins (CKs) 1, 4, 6, 7, 10/13, 18, 19 and 20 in 153 thyroid carcinomas were examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS All papillary carcinomas (n=86) and follicular carcinomas (n=19) showed expression of CK7 and CK18. The staining was often diffuse. CK19 staining was expressed in all papillary carcinomas and the staining was often diffuse. The staining was noted in 68% of follicular carcinomas and the staining was often focal. No difference in the expression was noted between the minimally invasive and widely invasive follicular carcinomas. Poorly differentiated carcinomas (n=10) showed CK7, CK18, CK19 expression in 60%, 60% and 40%, respectively. Anaplastic carcinomas (n=25) expressed CK7 in 84%, CK18 in 80%, CK19 in 76% and CK10/13 in 16%. Medullary carcinomas (n=13) showed CK7 expression in 100%, CK18 in 85% and CK19 in 77%. None of the medullary carcinomas showed diffuse positivity to CK19. All the thyroid carcinomas were negative for CKs 1, 4, 6 and 20. CONCLUSIONS Cytokeratin expression profile for each type of thyroid carcinoma was established.
Ecological genetics of sediment browsing behaviour in a planktonic crustacean

Zooplankton can display complex habitat selection behaviours that influence the way they interact with their environments. Some species, although primarily pelagic, can exploit sediment‐borne particles as a food source or use sediments as a refuge from pelagic predation. However, this strategy may increase the exposure to other risks such as benthic predation and infection from sediment‐borne parasite transmission stages. The evolution of habitat selection behaviour in these species is thus expected to be influenced by multiple and possibly contrasting selective forces. Here, we study the browsing behaviour of the water flea Daphnia magna on bottom sediments. First, we demonstrated genetic variation for sediment browsing among D. magna genotypes from natural populations sampled across a broad geographic range. Next, we used an F2 recombinant panel to perform a QTL analysis and identified three regions in the D. magna genome contributing to variation in browsing behaviour. We also analysed the correlation between our data and previously published data on the phototactic behaviour of genotypes from the same F2 panel. Clonal means of the two behavioral traits were not correlated, suggesting that they may evolve independently. Browsing behaviour is likely to be a relevant component of habitat selection in D. magna, and its study may help to incorporate the interactions with the sediment into eco‐evolutionary models of this key freshwater species.
New Zealanders' attitudes toward physician-assisted dying.

OBJECTIVES Physician-assisted dying (PAD) is legal in several countries in Europe and some states of the United States. Despite regular societal debate in New Zealand about assisted dying, little is known about what the New Zealand public think about this issue. The present study was the first to examine New Zealanders' attitudes toward assisted dying in the context of various parameters of patient suffering, and as a public policy issue. METHODS Stratified random sampling techniques were used to elicit 677 participants from the electoral roll. They completed an anonymous questionnaire asking about the most appropriate medical response to patients who explicitly request assistance in dying, as well as their opinions around legalization of PAD. RESULTS Overall, 78% felt PAD was the most appropriate response in certain situations while 82% felt it should be legalized. When the patient was suffering from loss of dignity, PAD was considered the most appropriate response to patients' requests for assistance in dying by 75% of respondents; when the patient was suffering from intractable pain, 65% of respondents considered PAD the most appropriate response. Almost 65% of those who wanted PAD to be legalized felt it should only be accessible to those suffering unbearably with little hope of recovery, and 46% felt that the presence of mental illness should be an exclusionary factor. CONCLUSIONS The results have highlighted the high value respondents place on patient autonomy with regards to end-of-life choices; however the choice to hasten death is not a 'right' that should be available to all. RESULTS have clearly shown that New Zealanders believe regulation will play a key role in maintaining compliance with any assisted dying legislation, and in restricting access, so that only patients who are suffering intolerably and hopelessly are able to legally gain medical assistance to end their life.