Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reduction of free radicals in multiple sclerosis: effect of glatiramer acetate (Copaxone®)

Free radicals have been found in high concentrations within inflammatory multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. The superoxide anion (O2 –) reacts rapidly with nitric oxide (NO), producing peroxynitrite (ONOO–). Glatiramer acetate (GA) is a specific MS immunomodulator that induces the synthesis of Th2 cytokines, and reduces the frequency of relapses and the formation of active brain lesions. Proinflammatory cytokines could play a role in free radicals production in the peripheral immune system as well as in the central nervous system (CNS). The effect of GA on iNOS, superoxide radicals (O2 –) and 3-nitrotyrosine production by peripheral blood adherent mononuclear cells (PBAMs) was assessed. Our findings demonstrate that in vitro GA reduced spontaneous and LPS-induced iNOS, 3-nitrotyrosine, NO and O2 – production, and that similar inhibition can be demonstrated ex vivo in mononuclear cells obtained from GA-treated patients. The inhibition of the production of free radicals in PBAMs may represent a new therapeutic mechanism against inflammation during MS.
Modeling Population Pharmacokinetics of Lidocaine: Should Cardiac Output Be Included as a Patient Factor?

BackgroundInclusion of cardiac output and other physiologic parameters, in addition to or instead of, demographic variables might improve the population pharmacokinetic modeling of lidocaine. MethodsThirty-one patients were included in a population pharmacokinetic study of lidocaine. After bolus injection of lidocaine (1 mg/kg), 22 or 10 blood samples per patient were taken from a radial artery. During the experiment, cardiac output was measured using a thoracic electrical bioimpedance method. The following four population pharmacokinetic models were constructed and their performances investigated: a model with no covariates, a model with cardiac output as covariate, a model with demographic covariates, and a model with both cardiac output and demographic characteristics as covariates. Model discrimination was performed with the likelihood ratio test. ResultsInclusion of cardiac output resulted in a significant improvement of the pharmacokinetic model, but inclusion of demographic covariates was even better. However, the best model was obtained by inclusion of both demographic covariates and cardiac output in the pharmacokinetic model. ConclusionsWhen population pharmacokinetic models are used for individualization of dosing schedules, physiologic covariates, e.g., cardiac output, can improve their ability to predict the individual kinetics.
Employability and Career Success: Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Reality

Employability is defined as the capacity to gain and retain formal employment, or find new employment if necessary. Reasons for unemployment are often attributed to economic factors, but psychological factors associated with employability also contribute to the problem. Consequently, industrial-organizational psychologists should be uniquely suited to contribute to policy solutions for enhancing employability. This review begins by surveying the most common research approach to employability—the study of career success—which psychologists believe is determined by cognitive abilities, personality, and educational achievement. Next, we review the literature concerning what employers actually want. This section highlights the importance of social skills (being rewarding to deal with) as a key determinant of employability. We conclude by proposing a model for understanding the psychological determinants of employability and for bridging the gap between what psychologists prescribe and what employers want.
Faecal calprotectin: a noninvasive diagnostic tool and marker of severity in pouchitis

Introduction In pouchitis, the mucosa is infiltrated by activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils capable of producing calprotectin, a stable antimicrobial myelomonocytic protein. Aim The aim is to assess the ability of faecal calprotectin to differentiate between inflamed and noninflamed ileal pouches, and to correlate this with inflammation severity using the newly developed Objective Pouchitis Score. Method Fifty-four stool samples were collected from patients who had undergone restorative proctocolectomy; 46 from patients with ulcerative colitis and eight from those with familial adenomatous polyposis coli. Faecal calprotectin concentrations were determined by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Results Of the ulcerative colitis patients, six were diagnosed with pouchitis and pre-pouch ileitis (median faecal calprotectin: 865 μg/g, with a range of 95–2350 μg/g); 13 had pouchitis alone (145, 33–3350 μg/g) and 27 were uninflamed (56, 4–705 μg/g). Of the familial adenomatous polyposis patients, one had pouchitis and pre-pouch ileitis (305 μg/g), and seven had noninflamed pouches (9, 6–26 μg/g). Stool samples obtained from pouchitis patients had significantly higher calprotectin concentrations compared with those obtained from uninflamed pouches (Mann–Whitney: P<0.0001). Faecal calprotectin concentrations correlated closely with the Objective Pouchitis Score, the Pouch Disease Activity Index and endoscopic and histological inflammatory scores (Spearman rank test: P values <0.0001). Using a faecal calprotectin threshold of ≥92.5 μg/g to define a positive result, Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis demonstrated a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 76.5%. Conclusion Faecal calprotectin measurement is a useful noninvasive tool in the diagnosis of acutely inflamed ileal pouches and correlates well with the severity of pouchitis.
Reduction of On-Load Terminal Voltage Distortion in Fractional Slot Interior Permanent Magnet Machines

On-load terminal voltage distortion can significantly reduce the flux weakening operation region of electrical machines. This paper investigates the effectiveness of several harmonics reduction methods, e.g., rotor skewing, rotor pole shaping, and stator tooth-tip shaping, on the terminal voltage distortion reduction in fractional slot interior permanent magnet machines. It is found that skewing can only reduce the peak terminal voltages, but not total harmonic distortion, while the average torque is also notably lower. However, on-load terminal voltage distortions can be greatly reduced by rotor pole or stator tooth-tip shaping with only a slight average torque drop. It is found that the local magnetic saturation is largely alleviated based on the magnetic permeance and flux path modification. Finally, these analyses are experimentally validated based on the measured torque speed curves of two prototype machines having the same stator, but different rotors with or without rotor pole shaping.
The cooperative action of bacterial fibronectin‐binding proteins and secreted proteins promote maximal Campylobacter jejuni invasion of host cells by stimulating membrane ruffling

This study was performed to elucidate the host cell scaffolding and signalling molecules that Campylobacter jejuni utilizes to invade epithelial cells. We hypothesized that the C. jejuni fibronectin‐binding proteins and secreted proteins are required for cell signalling and maximal invasion of host cells. C. jejuni binding to host cells via the CadF and FlpA fibronectin‐binding proteins activated the epidermal growth factor (EGF) pathway, as evidenced by inhibitor studies and immunoprecipitation coupled with immunoblot analysis using antibodies reactive against total and active EGF receptor. Inhibitor studies revealed maximal C. jejuni host cell invasion was dependent upon PI3‐Kinase, c‐Src and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), all of which are known to participate in cytoskeletal rearrangements. Knockdown of endogenous Dock180, which is a Rac1‐specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor, using siRNA revealed that C. jejuni invasion was significantly reduced compared with cells treated with scrambled siRNA. We further demonstrated that the C. jejuni Cia proteins are, in part, responsible for Rho GTPase Rac1 recruitment and activation, as judged by immunofluorescence microscopy and Rac1 activation. Based on these data, we present a model that illustrates that C. jejuni utilizes a coordinated mechanism involving both adhesins and secreted proteins to promote membrane ruffling and host cell invasion.
Genomic integrity of the Y chromosome sequence‐tagged‐sites in infertile and Down syndrome Jordanian males

The long arm of the Y chromosome contains nonoverlapping regions termed azoospermia factor (AZF) with great influence on male fertility. Microdeletions at these regions minimise the males' ability to father offsprings. In this preliminary study, we attempted to screen the presence or absence of twenty Y chromosome's sequence‐tagged sites (STS) associated with fertility in infertile and Down syndrome (DS) males. Genomic DNA from 35 fertile, 74 infertile and 22 karyotyped DS males was extracted and amplified in multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) containing 20 primer pairs that amplify Y‐specific STS that cover functional regions associated with AZF and spermatogenesis‐related genes. Our results indicated the integrity of the Y chromosome at the 20 fertility markers for both the fertile and Down syndrome males. However, the results of the infertile males showed the presence of microdeletions at these Y‐specific STS. Three samples showed Y chromosome microdeletion when blood and seminal fluid genomic DNA were assayed, while two samples showed microdeletion only when seminal fluid genomic DNA was assayed. The current study demonstrated that the molecular genetic aspect of infertility should be given proper attention when dealing with infertility cases. Furthermore, our results indicate the importance of genetic counselling in managing infertility cases.
Intravenous injection of liquid halothane.

1. Digiovanni AJ, Galbert MW, Wahle WM. Epidural injection of autologous blood for postlumbar-puncture headache. 11. Additional clinical experiences and laboratory investigation. Anesth Analg 1972;51:226-32. 2. Franz RC, Coetzee w]. The thromboelastographic diagnosis of hemostatic defects. Surg Annu 1981;13:75-107. 3. Nagda KK. Procoagulant activity of cerebrospinal fluid in health and disease. Indian J Med Res 1989;74107-10. 4. Rosenberg PH, Heavner JE. In vitro study of the effects of epidural blood patch on leakage through a dural puncture. Anesth Analg 1985;64:5014.
The costly burden of an inauthentic self: insecure self-esteem predisposes to emotional exhaustion by increasing reactivity to negative events

ABSTRACT Background and objectives: A long research tradition has investigated the impact of stress on university students by assuming that individuals have a limited reservoir of resources, and that negative events and circumstances progressively drain resources thereby producing exhaustion. A recent research tradition, instead, has focused on the detrimental consequences of discrepant levels of implicit (ISE) and explicit (ESE) self-esteem on the development of stress-related symptoms. The present research attempted to merge the aforementioned approaches, with the aim of explaining significant predictors of stress. Design: Within the framework of a Longitudinal Structural Equation Model, we followed a moderated-mediated approach. Method: A sample of university students (N = 209; 66% females) completed a questionnaire battery including measures of ISE, ESE, perceptions of negative events, and emotional exhaustion. Participants were assessed once a week for eight consecutive weeks. Results: ISE significantly moderated the relationship between ESE and negative events; in turn, the latter significantly predicted emotional exhaustion. Monte Carlo method for assessing mediation showed that negative events significantly mediated the relationship between incongruent self-esteem and emotional exhaustion. Conclusions: The detrimental role of incongruent self-esteem has been corroborated. Practical implications and suggestions for future research dealing with stress in a university setting were provided.
Genomic alterations with impact on survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma identified by array comparative genomic hybridization

Risk assessment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is currently based on clinicopathological parameters. To identify genomic markers that can predict overall survival in ESCC, we performed array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) on a screening set of 35 tumor samples from ESCC patients. Prognosis association of the genes selected on the basis of the array CGH results was further validated by real‐time PCR in two independent sample sets (n = 151 and 84). Genomic analysis revealed seven high‐level amplifications and two homozygous deletions. Gain of 11q13.2 and loss of 7q34 and 18q21.1–q23 were associated with poor outcome. Gain of 11q13.2 was an independent prognostic factor and was selected for further validation. In both validation sets of samples, copy number increase of CPT1A in 11q13.2 was correlated with short overall survival (P = 0.015, n = 151 and P = 0.044, n = 84). Multivariate analysis confirmed that CPT1A gain provided prognostic information in ESCC (HR, 1.643; 95% CI: 1.076–2.509; P = 0.022; HR, 2.488; 95% CI: 1.235–5.013; P = 0.011). Immunohistochemistry showed significant correlation between strong expression of CPT1A protein and poor outcome of ESCC patients (P = 0.018, n = 73). Our data suggest that gain of CPT1A may be a candidate prognostic factor. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Aberrant expansion of segmented filamentous bacteria in IgA-deficient gut

The mechanism to maintain homeostasis of the gut microbiota remains largely unknown despite its critical role in the body defense. In the intestines of mice with deficiency of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), the absence of hypermutated IgA is partially compensated for by the presence of large amounts of unmutated IgM and normal expression levels of defensins and angiogenins. We show here a predominant and persistent expansion of segmented filamentous bacteria throughout the small intestine of AID–/– mice. Reconstitution of lamina propria IgA production in AID–/– mice recovered the normal composition of gut flora and abolished the local and systemic activation of the immune system. The results indicate that secretions of IgAs rather than innate defense peptides are critical to regulation of commensal bacterial flora and that the segmented filamentous bacteria antigens are strong stimuli of the mucosal immune system.
Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA- MRSA): molecular background, virulence, and relevance for public health

Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) are frequently found in nosocomial environments as the main pathogen in several infections. In 1961, reports of nosocomial S. aureus resistant to methicillin, the drug of choice against penicillin-resistant strains, required new alternatives and vancomycin started being used to treat infections caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) was first reported in 1990 affecting patients without risk factors for infection with MRSA of hospital origin. MRSA of community origin harbor the genes responsible for the synthesis of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), a toxin associated with skin and soft tissue infections and that carries the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type IV. CA-MRSA emergence has caused great impact on the worldwide medical community since the presence of this pathogen in patients without risk factors represents a high risk to public health.
20(S)‐protopanaxadiol‐aglycone downregulation of the full‐length and splice variants of androgen receptor

As a public health problem, prostate cancer engenders huge economic and life‐quality burden. Developing effective chemopreventive regimens to alleviate the burden remains a major challenge. Androgen signaling is vital to the development and progression of prostate cancer. Targeting androgen signaling via blocking the production of the potent ligand dihydrotestosterone has been shown to decrease prostate cancer incidence. However, the potential of increasing the incidence of high‐grade prostate cancers has been a concern. Mechanisms of disease progression after the intervention may include increased expression of androgen receptor (AR) in prostate tissue and expression of the constitutively active AR splice variants (AR‐Vs) lacking the ligand‐binding domain. Thus, novel agents targeting the receptor, preferentially both the full‐length and AR‐Vs, are urgently needed. In the present study, we show that ginsenoside 20(S)‐protopanaxadiol‐aglycone (PPD) effectively downregulates the expression and activity of both the full‐length AR and AR‐Vs. The effects of PPD on AR and AR‐Vs are manifested by an immediate drop in proteins followed by a reduction in transcripts, attributed to PPD induction of proteasome‐mediated degradation and inhibition of the transcription of the AR gene. We further show that although PPD inhibits the growth as well as AR expression and activity in LNCaP xenograft tumors, the morphology and AR expression in normal prostates are not affected. This study is the first to show that PPD suppresses androgen signaling through downregulating both the full‐length AR and AR‐Vs, and provides strong rationale for further developing PPD as a promising agent for the prevention and/or treatment of prostate cancer.
The Interpretation and Utility of Bone Mineral Density by Dual Energy X‐ray Absorptiometry in Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a robust and independent risk factor for osteoporotic fracture. Data obtained as part of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n = 6270) reports a doubling in the risk of hip fracture among those with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 ml/minute compared to those with an eGFR ≥60 ml/minute (1). A cross-sectional study of 5481 men and women reported that those with an eGFR <65 ml/minute had an approximate 1.5-fold increase in the risk of hip, spine, and wrist fractures compared to those with an eGFR ≥65 ml/minute (2). Not only is fracture risk increased, but there is a “dose dependent” relationship between fracture risk and declining renal function. Using data from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (n = 9704; all women aged 65 and older), we reported that compared to women with an eGFR ≥60 ml/minute, hip fracture risk was increased by 1.5-fold among those with an eGFR between 30 and 59 ml/minute and was doubled among women with an eGFR <30 ml/ minute (3). Among healthy men and women, low bone mineral density (BMD) by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is a strong and consistent risk factor for fracture, and treatments that increase BMD by DXA decrease fracture risk. DXA measures areal BMD (reported in g/cm). It is a static assessment of bone (i.e., it does not capture rates of bone turnover) and does not provide information about cortical and trabecular microarchitecture (4). Until recently, the clinical utility of BMD by DXA to assess fracture risk in those with CKD has been unclear. Patients with CKD may have mineral bone disorder (MBD) that could increase fracture risk independently of BMD. There may also be specific disturbances in cortical and trabecular bone microarchitecture that are not reflected by BMD. And perhaps, more importantly, there have been few studies that report on the diagnostic ability of DXA to predict fracture in CKD. Indeed, it was due to the lack of data on BMD and fracture in CKD that the 2009 Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines (section 3.2.2) in part stated the following: “In patients with stages 3–5D (dialysis) CKD with evidence of CKD MBD we suggest that BMD testing not be performed routinely. ” (5).
Metamaterials for High-Frequency Electronics

Over the past half-decade, the fundamental physical properties of left-handed(LH) metamaterials (MMs) have been established both theoretically and experimentally,and several novel MM-based microwave applications with unique characteristics have already been proposed. This paper provides a recall of the main properties of MMs and an overview of their demonstrated applications and concepts. Moreover,it suggests numerous potential future applications and points out important challenges to meet to design MMs for the next generation of microwave and optical devices.
Exclusion performance in visual simple discrimination in dogs (Canis familiaris)

based on exclusion have been investigated in different species because of its emergent nature, leading to evidence of rudimentary symbolic behavior in non-verbal organisms. Simple discrimination procedures provide a simple method to investigate exclusion performance, in which each trial consists of the simultaneous presentation of two stimuli, one with a positive function (S+) and one with a negative function (S-). In exclusion probe trials, an undefined stimulus (UnS) is presented with a familiar S - , and choices based on exclusion may lead to choosing the UnS, excluding the previously known S - . Novelty control trials (S + /UnS) are also conducted to assess the possible preference for the UnS. In this case, if performance is not controlled by novelty, then the subjects must choose the S + and not the UnS. The present study investigated exclusion performance in visual simple simultaneous discrimination tasks in eight dogs. The results indicated that seven of eight dogs showed evidence of exclusion performance (p < .05). These findings corroborate the literature that shows that dogs are capable of responding by exclusion, suggesting that potentially symbolic behavior may rely on basic behavioral learning and conditioning principles.
The effects of non-specific and specific concepts on tactical creativity in team ball sports

Abstract The main aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of various training approaches in team ball sports for the development of tactical creativity. Altogether, 135 children aged about 7 years took part in a 15-month field-based study. They participated either in non-specific treatment groups, a specific handball, soccer or field hockey group, or a control group. General and game-oriented tactical creativity were chosen as outcome measures. Our analysis of treatment-related effects showed that the non-specific groups displayed improvements in general creativity, whereas the specific groups showed improvements in the game-oriented creativity in which they were trained. Furthermore, clear transfer-related effects were observed. The analysis of group-related effects indicated no differences between the approaches. Only the soccer-specific group performed better in nearly all creative values. In conclusion, a non-specific concept appears to be a promising alternative to traditional specific treatments. This is further substantiated by several pedagogical, psychological, and medical arguments.
A Note on the Inception Score

Deep generative models are powerful tools that have produced impressive results in recent years. These advances have been for the most part empirically driven, making it essential that we use high quality evaluation metrics. In this paper, we provide new insights into the Inception Score, a recently proposed and widely used evaluation metric for generative models, and demonstrate that it fails to provide useful guidance when comparing models. We discuss both suboptimalities of the metric itself and issues with its application. Finally, we call for researchers to be more systematic and careful when evaluating and comparing generative models, as the advancement of the field depends upon it.