Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Ligusticum porteri (Osha) Root Extract on Human Promyelocytic Leukemia Cells

Background: Ligusticum porteri roots have been traditionally used in folk medicine, but the scientific basis is unclear. Objective: To investigate the cytotoxicity, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of L. porteri root extract on human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells and H2O2-induced oxidative damaged HL-60 cells. Materials and Methods: HL-60 cells were incubated with different concentrations of root extract, and cells were harvested for viability assays on day 3 and 7. Cytokine levels (interferon-gamma [IFN-γ], interleukin-2 [IL-2], and interleukin-10 [IL-10]) and antioxidant indexes (malondialdehyde [MDA], reduced glutathione [GSH], superoxide dismutase [SOD], and catalase [CAT]) in H2O2-induced-stressed HL-60 were measured after 2 days. Results: The viability of HL-60 challenged with H2O2declined by 42% compared to unstressed cells. After 7 days of incubation with 200 or 400 μg/mL L. porteri, the viability of HL-60 cells was two-fold higher than the control. Stressed HL-60 cells treated with 100, 200, and 400 μg/mL L. porteri reduced the lipid peroxidation by 12%–13%. We noted an increase in GSH levels, SOD and CAT activities in stressed HL-60 supplemented with 400 μg/mL root extract. Treatment with 400 μg/mL L. porteri significantly (P < 0.05) increased IFN-γ and IL-2 in H2O2-challenged cells. Conclusion: Our data do not support the use of the extract as an antiproliferation and differentiation therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia. The protective function of L. porteri root extract against oxidative stress could occur through increasing GSH and higher expression of antioxidant enzymes.
Leishmanin skin test lymphoproliferative responses and cytokine production after symptomatic or asymptomatic Leishmania major infection in Tunisia

Resistance to Leishmania parasite infection requires the development of a cellular immune response that activates macrophage leishmanicidal activity. In this study we have investigated the lymphoproliferative responses and in vitro cytokine production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from individuals living in an endemic area for L. major infection in Tunisia. The results were compared with the DTH reaction of the leishmanin skin test (LST). Sixty‐seven individuals were included in the study: 22 persons (age range 9–60 years) who developed, 2 years before the present study, a parasitologically confirmed localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) that healed spontaneously, and 45 individuals (age range 18–20 years) born and living in the same area, with no previous history of LCL. LST was positive (skin induration ≥ 5 mm) in 20/22 cured cases of LCL and in 75% of healthy individuals without history of LCL. LST+ individuals expressed vigorous Leishmania‐specific lymphoproliferative responses associated with in vitro production of interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) but not IL‐4. Interestingly, IL‐10 was detected in parallel with the highest levels of IFN‐γ in PBMC supernatants from 3/20 cured LCL and 8/25 individuals without history of LCL. Our results showed a 98% concordance between the DTH reaction assessed by LST and the in vitro proliferative assay induced by soluble leishmanial antigens. Moreover, proliferative assays as well as cytokine analysis did not show any significant difference of the immune memory to parasite antigens developed by patients who had overt cutaneous leishmaniasis and those who had apparently asymptomatic infection.
The effects of larval pollution density on some laboratory characteristics of Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say.

The demonstration of the role of mosquitoes as disease vectors provided the impetus for extensive studies of these insects as laboratory animals. Notwithstanding, there has been little progress toward what might be termed the standardization of the mosquito for laboratory purposes. In particular, there may be considerable variation in the biting characteristics and behavior of Anopheles quadrimaculatus, even under well controlled laboratory conditions. Since preliminary work indicated that larval development has specific effects on the adult mosquito, the present studies were undertaken in an attempt to define some of the intrinsic factors which affect the laboratory biology of A. quadrimaculatus. This report deals with the effects of two extremes of larval population densities on some morphological and physiological characteristics of this mosquito, and the effect of copulation on the avidity of the female for a blood meal.
The Role of Tissue Doppler Imaging in Predicting Left Ventricular Filling Pressures in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: An Intraoperative Study

We read with great interest the article “The Role of Tissue Doppler Imaging in Predicting Left Ventricular Filling Pressures in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: An Intraoperative Study. '' written by Kumar K et al. They aimed to determine whether tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) obtained by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) during cardiac surgery can accurately estimate pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) using pulmonary artery catheter. They concluded that intraoperative TEE was unable to accurately predict left ventricular filling pressures (LVFP) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. We believe that this finding will act as a guide for further studies regarding measurements of LVFP. PCWP measured invasively has been widely used as a surrogate marker of LVFP and is directly associated with prognosis in patients with cardiac diseases. However, using PCWP for hemodynamic evaluation has decreased substantially over the last decade because of invasive nature. The ratio of early transmitral inflow velocity to tissue Doppler mitral annular early diastolic velocity (E/Ea) has been shown to correlate with PCWP and has been used as a prognostic marker in a variety of cardiovascular conditions. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is usually used for this measurement. Recent studies showed that TEE for TDI measurements may be used instead of TTE. Several studies investigated the prognostic significance of intraoperative E/Ea using TEE in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. They suggested that E/Ea should be used in peri‐ and postoperative management of patients undergoing cardiac surgery to predict adverse outcomes. However, this study found that there was no significant correlation between E/Ea obtained by TEE and PCWP, and they suggested that intraoperative TEE cannot be used to predict LVFP in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. We think, in this study, that some factors may have influenced the results. First, when measuring E/Ea ratio, care should be taken to have the ultrasound beam as parallel as possible to the long‐ axis movement of the mitral annulus. However, it is difficult to make the cursor parallel to the plane of mitral annulus when using TEE. Second, regional wall‐motion abnormalities may have a negative effect on the accuracy of the E/Ea ratio. Third, myocardium may be depressed by anesthetic agents. For these reasons, these results should be confirmed with further large‐scale studies.
MOOCS ARE NP-COMPLETE: IMPLICATIONS FOR PRICING POLICY, DIGITAL LEARNING TRANSACTION STREAMS AND BUSINESS MODELS

Why is the educational industry so slow in adopting crowd content opportunities? This contrasts with transaction streams observed in other industries such as advertising, music, encyclopedias and travel. To answer this question, and informed by a literature review, we develop a model of transaction streams in the MOOCs industry and prove that MOOCs pricing, optimal design and best-price search are NP-complete problems. The proof suggests computational complexity is what prevents aggregation services and provides additional insights into what should be pricing policies that foster transaction streams in digital learning. In particular, it suggests three business models to develop the full value creation potential of transaction streams in education: first, one open to aggregation at no cost (very open or open source software model); second a model centrally controlled by one academic institution (flat fee or Spotify model); finally, we propose a class of simplified pricing models (and introduce on of them, MOOCIX) to enable a third route (legal programming or blockchain model) that would enable business models with financial sustainability for the MOOC industry by creating a blockchain-based “Internet of Value” around the learning industry. We contend existing models such as Open Courseware and CCX are timid approaches that do not fall in any of the three categories above and, thus cannot explode because of computational complexity constraints. To overcome these hurdles we recommend Open Courseware, for example, could change its licensing to allow for-profit revenue from improvements (i.e. a-la-GNU-GPLx), and CCX could evolve into a Spotify-type “flat” model. We conclude reviewing briefly possible avenues of future research. Moving schools to free software is more than a way to make education a little “better”: it is a matter of doing good education instead of bad education. Richard Stallman https://www.gnu. org/education/edu-schools.en. html
Soft Actuator Mimicking Human Esophageal Peristalsis for a Swallowing Robot

Provision of modified foods and drinks is one of the approaches for dysphagia management, which is based on the assumption that food with proper texture and rheological properties will allow dysphagia patients to swallow safely and maintain adequate nutrition. However, lack of information about the in vivo swallowing process and its interaction with food flow has obstructed the effective management of dysphagia. In the esophageal swallowing stage, masticated food is transported through the esophagus to the stomach by a peristaltic mechanism, which is generated by sequential contraction and relaxation of esophageal muscles. Inspired by this behavior, a soft actuator is proposed to provide a nonrisk environment aiming to facilitate investigations of the most effective properties of food for the management of the swallowing disorders. The wave-like motion is first specified according to the in vivo measurement of human esophageal peristalsis. Finite-element analysis simulations are carried out to aid the structure design before prototype manufacture. Constructed by casting silicon rubber in a three-dimensional (3-D) printed customized mold, the novel actuator has soft structure resembling its human counterpart, which has a flexible muscular structure. Multiple layers of inflatable chambers are embedded and distributed along the axis of a food passage regularly, which locates at the center of the actuator. The actuator is capable of generating a peristaltic wave and pushing a bolus along the passage. The closure of the tube and the velocity of the propagation wave are going to be adjusted to achieve the trajectories recorded experimentally, by regulating the compressed air pressure pumped into chambers actively.
First-Trimester Maternal Serum C-reactive Protein as a Predictor of Third-Trimester Impaired Glucose Tolerance

Objective: We evaluated whether first-trimester high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), a suggested marker of pregnancy-associated hyperglycemia, predicts third-trimester impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort of nondiabetic singletons enrolled at <26 weeks gestation. Study Design: We measured the association between hsCRP collected at <14 weeks among women classified as IGT (gestational diabetes screening results, 135 to <200 mg/dL) and those among normoglycemic women. Multivariable modeling estimated the association between log hsCRP and IGT, adjusted for maternal body mass index (BMI). Results: Among 300 women, 13% (39 of 300) had IGT. The hsCRP was positively associated with glucose (P = .005). Compared with normoglycemic women, women with IGT had higher log hsCRP (0.87 ± 0.66 vs 0.67 ± 0.60, P = .04), but the association was not significant in adjusted models (adjusted odds ratio 1.20, 95% confidence interval 0.65-2.21). The hsCRP did not predict third-trimester IGT in this analysis when BMI is considered. Conclusion: Early identification of women at risk of IGT remains a priority, but the contribution of maternal BMI appears greater than hsCRP.
Increased Incorporation of L-(U-14C)serine into Phosphatidylserine in Polymorphonuclear Cells from Cluster Headache Patients

It has recently been demonstrated by our group that polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) from cluster headache patients incorporate more arachidonic acid (AA) into phosphatidylserine (PS) than PMNs from controls. In the present report, the incorporation of L-(U-14C)serine into PS in PMNs from 14 healthy volunteers and 12 cluster headache patients was studied. PMNs from controls incorporated 1194 ± 578 (mean ± SD) cpm of L-(U-14 C)serine into PS, 268 ± 292 cpm into phosphatidylethanolamine, and 57 ± 71 cpm into sphingomyeline. The corresponding figures in cluster headache patients were 2365 ± 841 cpm, 291 ± 207 cpm, and 88 ± 66 cpm, respectively. Incorporation of L-(U-14C)serine into PS was significantly increased (p < 0.0004) in PMNs from cluster headache patients, whereas no significant difference was seen in other lipids. The results confirm that patients with cluster headache have an increased incorporation of precursors into PS in isolated PMNs, and they indicate that this is due to an increased de novo synthesis of PS.
Determinants of Long-run Performance of Initial Public Offerings: Evidence from India

The article examines the long-run performance of 377 initial public offerings (IPOs) made by Indian companies during the period 2005–2015. The objectives of the article are to analyze whether Indian IPOs underperform or outperform the broad market in the long run and to identify the key determinants of their long-run performance. The results show that the Indian IPOs outperform the broad market initially followed by significant underperformance in the long run. The IPOs listed on the main board during 2005–2015 yielded average initial excess returns (IERs) of about 22 per cent. However, 37 per cent of the IPOs provided negative IERs. The IPOs underperformed the broad market generating –57.33 per cent buy-and-hold abnormal return (BHAR) over 36 months after listing. Only 38 out of 377 IPOs (10 per cent) outperformed the benchmark index over a 36-month holding period. The important issue characteristics that influence the long-run performance of IPOs in India are the type of issuer (government-owned or private), lead manager prestige (LMP), promoter holding and the issue size.
Strategies for Small Business Enterprise Success in Ireland: A Case of Three Businesses

Strategies for Small Business Enterprise Success in Ireland: A Case of Three Businesses by Usman Isa Yaru M.Econs, University College Dublin, 2004 MBA, Bayero University Kano, 1998 BSc, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 1992 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration
Work Impact of Migraine Headaches

Objective: To estimate work impact of headache among migraineurs. Methods: Data were from a U.S. nationwide mailed questionnaire of 193,477 participants in the American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention study. Lost Productive Time (LPT) was the sum of missed hours plus reduced productivity hour equivalents. The cause of LPT was self-reported. Results: The mean LPT per week was 1.8 hours for headache and 2.8 for all health related causes; 76.5% of the headache-related LPT was explained by reduced performance (ie, presenteeism). The 29% of migraine cases with 11+ headaches-d/mo accounted for 49% of overall LPT; the 19% of those with pain score of 9 to 10 on a 0 to 10 scale accounted for 33% of the overall LPT. Conclusions: Individuals with frequent and severe headaches account for a disproportionate share of the headache-related LPT.
Volumetric Assessment of Airborne Indoor and Outdoor Fungi at Poultry and Cattle Houses in the Mazandaran Province, Iran

Volumetric Assessment of Airborne Indoor and Outdoor Fungi at Poultry and Cattle Houses in the Mazandaran Province, Iran The aim of this study was to assess the volume of airborne fungi in the indoor and outdoor environment of poultry and cattle houses in the Mazandaran Province in Iran. Indoor and outdoor air of twenty cattle houses and twenty-five poultry houses were sampled using a single-stage impactor, which draws air at 20 L min-1 and impacts sampled material onto Petri plates containing malt extract agar. The plates were incubated at 30 °C for seven days, after which the resulting colonies were counted. The fungi were identified and counted microscopically and macroscopically. A total of 4,662 fungal colonies were isolated from 90 plates collected from indoor and outdoor air of cattle and poultry houses. Cladosporium (55.3 %), yeast (10.0 %), and Aspergillus (9.4 %) were the most common findings. The concentration of airborne fungi in cattle and poultry houses ranged from 10 CFU m-3 to 1700 CFU m-3 in indoor and 10 CFU m-3 to 2170 CFU m-3 in outdoor environments. Cladosporium had the highest mean indoor (424.5 CFU m-3) and outdoor (449.7 CFU m-3) air concentration in the cattle houses. In the poultry houses, the highest mean concentrations were measured for Cladosporium (551.0 CFU m-3) outdoors and yeast (440.7 CFU m-3) indoors. These levels might present an occupational risk, but threshold levels for these environments have yet to be established worldwide. Volumetrijski nalazi lebdećih spora gljivica u unutrašnjosti i izvan peradarnika i staja u iranskoj provinciji Mazandaran Cilj je ovog ispitivanja bio utvrditi razine gljivica u zraku u unutrašnjosti i izvan peradarnika i staja u iranskoj provinciji Mazandaran. Uzeti su uzorci zraka iz unutrašnjosti i izvan prostora dvadeset staja i dvadeset i pet peradarnika s pomoću jednostupanjskog impaktora s protokom zraka od 20 L min-1. Uzorkovan je zrak impaktiran na Petrijeve pločice s hranjivom podlogom od ekstrakta slada. Pločice su inkubirane sedam dana na 30 °C, a zatim su izolirane i prebrojene dobivene kolonije mikroskopski i makroskopski. Ukupno su izolirane 4.662 kolonije s 90 pločica. Najčešće su bile gljivice Cladosporium (55,3 %), kvasac (10,0 %) i Aspergillus (9,4 %). Koncentracije gljivica nošenih zrakom kretale su se od 10 CFU m-3 do 1.700 CFU m-3 u unutrašnjosti staja i peradarnika te od 10 CFU m-3 do 2.170 CFU m-3 izvan njih. Najviša srednja koncentracija u unutrašnjosti (424,5 CFU m-3) i izvan staja (449,7 CFU m-3) izmjerena je za Cladosporium. U peradarnicima najviše su srednje koncentracije u unutrašnjosti i izvan njih izmjerene za Cladosporium (551,0 CFU m-3) i kvasac (440,7 CFU m-3). Te koncentracije mogu biti povezane s rizikom od profesionalnih respiracijskih bolesti, ali još uvijek nisu utvrđene gornje dopuštene razine za ovu vrstu okoliša bilo gdje u svijetu.
Forecasting Seasonal Population Growth of Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Soybean in Illinois

Abstract From 2001 to 2004, 252 fifty-plant samples were collected from commercial soybean, Glycine max L. , fields in three townships (93-km2 area) in Illinois. Townships were sampled every 3 wk from late June or early July when aphids (Aphis glycines Matsumura) first invaded the townships to early August. We used linear regression of 18 mean township field densities to calibrate several simple models to predict the change in aphid population density in a township from one sampling date to the next. The best exponential model for the complete data set has an r2 = 0.54, Y2 = Y1exp(0.09659 × DAY), where Y1 and Y2 are the first and second samples of aphids separated by a 3-wk period (the number of days, DAY). Our intrinsic rate of increase for the population is much lower than rates calculated in other studies. The best single-variable linear model has an r2 = 0.88, Y2 = Y1 + 0.1084 × Y1xDAY. The latter model indicates the value of including monitoring data in the prediction. The best two-variable model has an R2 = 0.98, Y2 = Y1 + 0.08136 × Y1xDAY + 0.000080 × N12xDAY, where N12xDAY is the interaction term for initial, squared, sample density of the season multiplied by the number of days between samples. The latter two models indicate that the change in the population density is greater for more dense populations. Degree-days were generally inferior to days as the time component in the simple models.
Hippocampal neuronal position selectivity remains fixed to room cues only in rats alternating between place navigation and beacon approach tasks

To study the relationship between brain representations and behaviour, we recorded hippocampal neuronal activity in rats repeatedly alternating between two different tasks on a circular platform with four reward boxes along the edge. In the beacon approach task, rewards were provided only at the pair of diametrically opposite boxes that was illuminated. In the place navigation task, rewards were available only at the boxes positioned near the north‐east and south‐west corners of the room. Performance levels were high and rats rapidly reoriented to changes in lamp cues in the beacon approach task. Neuropsychological studies show that rats with hippocampal lesions readily employ beacon approach strategies, while place navigation is severely impaired. Previous studies suggested that the neurons might change their behavioural correlates as the rat performed the respective tasks. However, of 34 hippocampal ‘place cells’ recorded, all showed position selectivity fixed with respect to room cues, even in the beacon approach task where coding the position of the rat in the room was of no use for locating rewards. Whether or not hippocampal signals are actually employed for ongoing behaviour would then be decided by structures downstream from the hippocampus. If this is the case, then the ‘counterproductive’ room referred place‐related discharges in the beacon approach task would be a background representation. This would provide support for proposals of multiple memory systems underlying different types of information processing and contrasts with the popular notion that local neuronal activity levels are selectively increased to the degree that the brain region is required for the ongoing function.
Merging Fields: Stem Cells in Neurogenesis, Transplantation, and Disease Modeling

Traditionally, applied stem cell research has been segregating into strategies aiming at endogenous repair and cell transplantation. Recent advances in both fields have unraveled unexpected potential for synergy between these disparate fields. The increasing dissection of the step‐wise integration of adult‐born neurons into an established brain circuitry provides a highly informative blueprint for the functional incorporation of grafted neurons into a host brain. On the other hand, in vitro recapitulation of developmental differentiation cascades permits the de novo generation of various neural cell types from pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) cells. Advanced tools in stem cell engineering enable not only genetic selection and instruction of disease‐specific donor cells for neural replacement but also the exploitation of stem cells as transgenic cellular model systems for human diseases. In a comparative approach we here illuminate the functional integration of neurons derived from endogenous and transplanted stem cells, the evolving technologies for advanced stem cell engineering and the impact of cloned and mutated stem cells on disease modeling.