Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Essential role of stress hormone signaling in cardiomyocytes for the prevention of heart disease

Significance Stress is increasingly associated with heart disease. Glucocorticoids are primary stress hormones, yet their direct role in the heart is poorly understood. Mice lacking the glucocorticoid receptor specifically in cardiomyocytes die prematurely from heart failure. The deficiency in glucocorticoid signaling leads to the aberrant regulation of a large cohort of genes strongly associated with both cardiovascular and inflammatory disease processes. These findings reveal an obligate role for cardiomyocyte glucocorticoid receptors in maintaining normal heart function and define a paradigm for stress in cardiovascular disease. Heart failure is a leading cause of death in humans, and stress is increasingly associated with adverse cardiac outcomes. Glucocorticoids are primary stress hormones, but their direct role in cardiovascular health and disease is poorly understood. To determine the in vivo function of glucocorticoid signaling in the heart, we generated mice with cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). These mice are born at the expected Mendelian ratio, but die prematurely from spontaneous cardiovascular disease. By 3 mo of age, mice deficient in cardiomyocyte GR display a marked reduction in left ventricular systolic function, as evidenced by decreases in ejection fraction and fractional shortening. Heart weight and left ventricular mass are elevated, and histology revealed cardiac hypertrophy without fibrosis. Removal of endogenous glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids neither augmented nor lessened the hypertrophic response. Global gene expression analysis of knockout hearts before pathology onset revealed aberrant regulation of a large cohort of genes associated with cardiovascular disease as well as unique disease genes associated with inflammatory processes. Genes important for maintaining cardiac contractility, repressing cardiac hypertrophy, promoting cardiomyocyte survival, and inhibiting inflammation had decreased expression in the GR-deficient hearts. These findings demonstrate that a deficiency in cardiomyocyte glucocorticoid signaling leads to spontaneous cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, and death, revealing an obligate role for GR in maintaining normal cardiovascular function. Moreover, our findings suggest that selective activation of cardiomyocyte GR may represent an approach for the prevention of heart disease.
Effects of in Utero Exposure to DI(n-Butyl) Phthalate on Development of Male Reproductive Tracts in Sprague-Dawley Rats

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of di(n-butyl) phthalate (DBP) administration on male reproductive organ development in F1 Sprague-Dawley rats following in utero exposure. During gestation days (GD) 10–19, pregnant rats were administered daily, orally, DBP at 250, 500, or 700 mg/kg or flutamide (1, 12.5, or 25 mg/kg/d) as a positive control. The male offspring were sacrificed at 31 d of age. DBP and flutamide dose-dependently significantly increased the incidence of hypospadias and cryptorchidism in F1 male offspring. The weights of testes and accessory sex organs (epididymides, seminal vesicles, ventral prostate, levator ani plus bulbocavernosus muscles (LABC), and Cowper's glands) were significantly reduced in DBP-treated animals. Furthermore, cauda agenesis of epididymides and ventral prostate atrophy were observed in high-dose 700-mg/kg DBP males. Anogenital distance (AGD) and levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and testosterone were significantly decreased in the DBP (700 mg/kg/d)-treated groups. In particular, the expression of androgen receptor (AR) and 5α-reductase type 2 in the proximal penis was markedly depressed following administration of DBP (700 mg/kg/d) or flutamide (25 mg/kg/d). The expression of sonic hedgehog (Shh) in the urethral epithelium of the proximal penis was significantly less in the DBP (700 mg/kg/d)- or flutamide (25 mg/kg/d)-treated groups. In addition, DBP dose-dependently significantly increased the expression of estrogen receptor (ER α) in the undescended testis. Data demonstrated that in utero exposure to DBP produced several abnormal responses in male reproductive organs, and these effects may be due to disruption of the stage-specific expression of genes related to androgen-dependent organs development.
The role of real-time computerized neuropsychological examination in forensic psychiatry practice.

Neuropsychological examination (NPE) is an important tool for evaluation of cognitive functioning in clinical and forensic situations. In forensic practice, NPE usually focuses on competency to stand trial, the mental state at the time of the offense, risk for future violence and malingering/aggravation issues. Real-time computerized NPE shows more accurate results than traditional pen-and-paper tests and provides quantitative data in a relatively standard format. It permits detection of any manipulation by the examinee in "real time. " Therefore, it makes it possible not only to analyze the final results, but also to monitor closely the sequence of single acts of the assessment procedure. Thus, the computerized NPE attenuates possible examinee-related manipulations, which may distort the test results. The real-time NPE report of these elementary behavioral parameters can be used in the courts as acceptable evidence under cross-examination. This method leaves less room for bias; however, a cautious interpretation is always essential since the computerized data do not transform subjective methods into objective ones. Establishing a standard testing procedure and further utilization of real-time computerized tools could improve significantly the quality of NPE in forensic psychiatric practice.
Impact of Leadership Styles on Project Success – The Case of a Multinational Company

Literature on project success mainly focused on identifying and analyzing success criteria and critical success factors. Success criteria are used for evaluating the success of a project and critical success factors are those factors which in‐ crease the potential for achieving project success. However, the interrelationships among them were rarely analyzed, although researchers highlighted the importance of these interrelationships. The aim of the paper is to identify a leadership style, of which project managers can maximize the potential for achiev‐ ing project success. Project success is analyzed from the point of view of success criteria. This approach manages the shortcoming mentioned above, the lack of analyzing interrelationships among critical success factors and success cri‐ teria. This outcome is drawn from qualitative field research at a subsidiary of a Scandinavian‐based multinational
Composition of skin secretions from three Indian breeds of cattle under thermal stress.

Abstract Six 12- to 24-month-old heifers from each of the three breeds, Hariana, Tharparkar, and Gir were used to determine composition of skin surface secretions produced under hot, humid conditions (dry bulb temperature, 40.5 C and wet bulb, 35.0 C). The secretions were collected from shaved areas on the rump by absorbing the secretions in pieces of filter paper placed over the body surface. The color ranged from dark gray to brown, indicating the presence of the pigment, melanin, All samples gave uniformly high alkaline reactions (average pH 7.8). The fluids were hypotonic to blood plasma but contained inorganic phosphorus, total and nonprotein nitrogen, reducing sugars, and lactic acid in concentrations much higher than values reported for whole blood or plasma. The results show that similar to horses, cattle sweat has high contents of total protein nitrogen and inorganic salt and a relatively high urea content. The low chloride secretion indicates that under hot conditions cattle do not have a need for large amounts of salt replacement in the diet. On the other hand, the high losses of total protein nitrogen could be a factor in the poor performance of cattle under thermal stress. The composition of the secretions from the three Indian breeds agrees with that found for European breeds of cattle and horses.
The Fall of the House

It is traditional, but in my opinion superficial, to see in 2 Kings 9 and 10, Jehu’s destruction of the House of Ahab and of the House of Baal in Samaria, simply an ’anti-Samaritan’ polemic. I propose that this narrative can be read as an integral part of the large narrative design of the Deuteronomistic work, where motifs already presented with dramatic, or even tragic, intent, are now ’carnivalized’. 1 Notably in the text of 2 Kings 9 and 10, the motif is ’House’, which has been show to be an integrating motif in the structure of the Davidic story in Samuel. Identification of a complex of ’carnivalesque’ traits in the narrative will aid in the identification of a structure in which the destruction of both ’houses’ will be seen as part of the same literary whole. One of the questions I finally intend to address is that of the possible function of the House of Ahab in this literary presentation as
Imperfect CAG Repeats Form Diverse Structures in SCA1 Transcripts*

The expanded CAG repeat in the coding sequence of the spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) gene is responsible for SCA1, one of the hereditary human neurodegenerative diseases. In the normal SCA1 alleles usually 1–3 CAT triplets break the continuity of the CAG repeat tracts. Here we show what is the structural role of the CAU interruptions in the SCA1 transcripts. Depending on their number and localization within the repeat tract the interruptions either enlarge the terminal loop of the hairpin formed by the repeats, nucleate the internal loops in its stem structure, or force the repeats to fold into two smaller hairpins. Thus, the interruptions destabilize the CAG repeat hairpin, which is likely to decrease its ability to participate in the putative RNA pathogenesis mechanism driven by the long CAG repeat hairpins.
Newly isolated strains of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi in Japan identified by using monoclonal antibodies to Karp, Gilliam, and Kato strains

Four isolated strains of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi from patients in a new endemic area of Japan were tested for antigenicities by using 12 monoclonal antibodies to Karp, Gilliam, and Kato strains. It was suggested that one isolate was Karp related and that the others were two independent strains.
Intron presence–absence polymorphism in Drosophila driven by positive Darwinian selection

Comparisons of intron–exon structures between homologous genes in different eukaryotic species have revealed substantial variation in the number of introns. These observations imply that, in each case, an intron presence–absence polymorphism must have existed in the past. Such a polymorphism, created by a recent intron-loss mutation, is reported here in a eukaryotic organism. This gene structure, detected in the jingwei (jgw) gene, segregates at high frequency (77%) in natural populations of Drosophila teissieri and is associated with a marked change in mRNA levels. Furthermore, the intron loss does not result from a mRNA-mediated mechanism as is usually proposed, but from a partial deletion at the DNA level that also results in the addition of four new amino acids to the JGW protein. Population genetic analyses of the pattern of nucleotide variation surrounding the intron polymorphism indicate the action of positive Darwinian selection on the intron-absent variant. Forward simulations suggest that the intensity of this selection is weak to moderate, roughly equal to the selection intensity on most replacement mutations in Drosophila.
Optimized blood sampling protocols and sequential design of kinetic experiments.

Design of optimal blood sampling protocols for kinetic experiments is discussed and evaluated, with the aid of several examples--including an endocrine system case study. The criterion of optimality is maximum accuracy of kinetic model parameter estimates. A simple example illustrates why a sequential experiment approach is required; optimal designs depend on the true model parameter values, knowledge of which is usually a primary objective of the experiment, as well as the structure of the model and the measurement error (e.g., assay) variance. The methodology is evaluated from the results of a series of experiments designed to quantify the dynamics of distribution and metabolism of three iodothyronines, T3, T4, and reverse-T3. This analysis indicates that 1) the sequential optimal experiment approach can be effective and efficient in the laboratory, 2) it works in the presence of reasonably controlled biological variation, producing sufficiently robust sampling protocols, and 3) optimal designs can be highly efficient designs in practice, requiring for maximum accuracy a number of blood samples equal to the number of independently adjustable model parameters, no more or less.
Percutaneous transhepatic portal embolization using foam ethanolamine oleate and carbon dioxide (CO2): a pilot study

Background Percutaneous transhepatic portal embolization (PTPE) can induce atrophy of the embolized- and hypertrophy of the residual area. These effects are advantageous in patients scheduled for extended hepatectomy. Purpose To evaluate the clinical safety and effectiveness of foam sclerotherapy with foam ethanolamine oleate (EO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) for PTPE before hepatectomy. Material and Methods We performed sclerotherapy for PTPE in 15 patients with: hepatocellular carcinoma (HHC; n = 9), bile duct carcinoma (n = 5), or metastatic liver tumor from colon cancer (n = 1). The foam contained 5% EO iopamidol (EOI) and CO2 at a 1:2 ratio. We compared the percentage of the pre- and post-PTPE future liver remnant (FLR) volumes and calculated the percent FLR volume (%FLR) increase after PTPE. Results The amount of EOI used (range, 14–20 mL; median, 16.8 mL) was based on the volume of the target portal vein. Technical success was achieved in 14 of 15 patients (93%); the other patient presented with computed tomography evidence of recanalization 1 week after PTPE. The FLR volume before and after portal vein embolization was 599 ± 342 and 691 ± 318 cm3, respectively (P < 0.01); the mean %FLR volume increase was 29.5%. There was no significant difference in the mean platelet count, total bilirubin, total aspartate aminotransferase, and total creatinine before and after PTPE. One patient suffered intra-abdominal bleeding that required transcatheter arterial embolization. No other patients developed major complications higher than grade 3. Conclusion Sclerotherapy using foam EOI and CO2 is clinically safe and effective for PTPE before hepatectomy.
Radar-derived standwise forest inventory

The application of remote sensing methods in the estimation of forest stand characteristics, especially biomass and stem volume, has been intensively investigated during the last few years. The new methods, however, have not been accurate enough for operational standwise inventory with a required accuracy typically of 15% for main stand characteristics (stem volume, basal area, and mean height). The present work demonstrates the feasibility of a nonimaging helicopter-borne ranging scatterometer for standwise forest inventory. The radar-derived stand profiles were compared with the standwise field inventory data by applying multivariate data analysis methods. The 1300 ha Teijo test site, locating 130 km west of Helsinki, was divided into 18 parallel radar flight lines with a 150 m spacing. A total of 28 radar variables, including profile information and ground and crown backscatter contributions at 5.4 and 9.8 GHz (polarizations VV, HV, and HH), were used in regression model development. The capability of a ranging radar to classify development class, land use class, bog type and fertility (site) class was demonstrated for the first time. The accuracy of the radar-derived estimates for mean height was 1.6 m (13%) meeting the requirement of operational use. The obtained stem volume accuracy of 31 m/sup 3//ha (26%) was slightly better than has been obtained by aerial photographs. The accuracy of stem volume estimation could be easily improved by decreasing the space between flight lines. However, this leads to considerable increase in flight costs, and, therefore, a scanning ranging radar capable of producing three-dimensional (3D) images of forests would be a better alternative.
An optimized color transformation for the analysis of digital images of hematoxylin & eosin stained slides

Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining is ubiquitous in pathology practice and research. As digital pathology has evolved, the reliance of quantitative methods that make use of H&E images has similarly expanded. For example, cell counting and nuclear morphometry rely on the accurate demarcation of nuclei from other structures and each other. One of the major obstacles to quantitative analysis of H&E images is the high degree of variability observed between different samples and different laboratories. In an effort to characterize this variability, as well as to provide a substrate that can potentially mitigate this factor in quantitative image analysis, we developed a technique to project H&E images into an optimized space more appropriate for many image analysis procedures. We used a decision tree-based support vector machine learning algorithm to classify 44 H&E stained whole slide images of resected breast tumors according to the histological structures that are present. This procedure takes an H&E image as an input and produces a classification map of the image that predicts the likelihood of a pixel belonging to any one of a set of user-defined structures (e.g., cytoplasm, stroma). By reducing these maps into their constituent pixels in color space, an optimal reference vector is obtained for each structure, which identifies the color attributes that maximally distinguish one structure from other elements in the image. We show that tissue structures can be identified using this semi-automated technique. By comparing structure centroids across different images, we obtained a quantitative depiction of H&E variability for each structure. This measurement can potentially be utilized in the laboratory to help calibrate daily staining or identify troublesome slides. Moreover, by aligning reference vectors derived from this technique, images can be transformed in a way that standardizes their color properties and makes them more amenable to image processing.
Epidemiological Study of Organophosphorus Compounds Insecticides Types Related To Acutely Intoxicated Patients Presented To Poison Control Center ( PCC-ASU ) – Egypt

Background: Organophosphorus compounds are the most commonly used type of insecticides in Egypt. There are more than 40 different types known and used nowadays either individually or in mixed forms. This study aimed to detect the different types of organophosphorus compounds insecticides(OPC)used in the Egyptian environment detected by studying the acutely intoxicated patients presented to PCC-ASU and correlating it to the severity of their presentations and epidemiological backgrounds. Materials and Methods: Seventy acutely intoxicated patients of both sexes were included in this study after being informed of the purpose of this study and consenting to their participation. Ethical committee approval was obtained and an informed written consent was signed by participants or their guardians to be included in this study. Socio-demographic data were collected including : age, sex, mode of intoxication, social class, residence and occupation. Biochemical tests included: Determination of serum potassium level ,serum creatinine level, serum amylase activity, pseudo cholinesterase activity and organophosphorus insecticides type by gas chromatography . The obtained data and results were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS windows version (18), and different statistical parameters were utilized in the analysis and interpreted accordingly . Results: The study found 26% of intoxicated patients were from age group (10-20) 26% were from age group (30-40). 46% of the of patients were exposed due to suicidal attempts, 40% were accidentally exposed and 14% were due to occupational hazard. 56% of the studied cases were from urban residents. 23% of total numbers of suicidal cases were unemployed, where 50% of them are from low socio-economic status.The study detected 7 different OPC (Malathion, Dimethoate, Chloropyrofois, Phenthoate, Prothiphos, Profenfos, and Ethion). Serum Amylase and creatinine levels were significantly high in severe group.Pseudocholinestrase level was decreased significantly in deceased, severe and moderate group . Conclusions: Although the basic mechanisms of acute toxicities are thought to be similar for all OPC but major differences in their clinical presentation course were noted. Main conclusions: OPCtypes differentiation according to their animal LD50 did not accord with their human toxicities. Although the basic mechanism of toxicity is thought to be the same for all OPs, this study found major differences in the clinical course of humans poisoned by particular OPC despite of identical treatment. The differencesare fundamentally important for management. The study also shows that the relative human toxicity of OPC may not be related to animal toxicity. The widely used approach of differentiating according to their animal LD 50 did not accord with human toxicity and is probably of limited value in risk assessment or management of acute human intoxication
Approche multi-échelle du vieillissement thermo-oxydatif du polyéthylène utilisé dans les applications de génie civil et de BTP

Les travaux de cette these ont porte sur la caracterisation multi-echelle du polyethylene(PE) en vue d'evaluer l'impact du vieillissement thermo-oxydatif. Cette etude a apporte un premier element de reponse quant a l'efficacite de quelques methodes de dosage des hydroperoxydes. Les resultats obtenus ont revele une difference des concentrations en hydroperoxydes titrees par iodometrie par rapport a celles titrees par SO2 et MDSC lors de la deuxieme periode c'est-a-dire lors de la decomposition des hydroperoxydes. Cette difference semble directement reliee a l'apparition de double liaison. Les methodes de dosage par SO2 et MDSC semblent etre plus fiables. A l'echelle macromoleculaire, la chute de la masse molaire en poids Mw jusqu'a une valeur asymptotique de deux traduit des phenomenes de coupures de chaines lies. A l'echelle microstructurale, l'augmentation de Xc est liee aux phenomenes de recuit et de chimicristallisation responsables de la formation et de l'epaississement des lamelles secondaires respectivement. Lors de la seconde periode, l'augmentation de Mw liee a la diminution de Xc est due a la reticulation qui est confirmee par l'apparition des doubles liaisons et l'observation d'un gel lors de la dissolution du PEhd. Ces phenomenes de reticulation ont lieu au sein de la phase amorphe mais egalement a l'interphase avec la phase cristalline