Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sertoli Cell Morphological Alterations in Albino Rats Treated with Etoposide during Prepubertal Phase

Abstract Sertoli cells are very important to spermatogenesis homeostasis because they control germ cell proliferation, differentiation, and death. Damages to Sertoli cells cause germ cell death and affect fertility. Etoposide is a potent chemotherapeutic drug largely used against a variety of cancers. However, this drug also kills normal cells, especially those undergoing rapid proliferation. In the testis, etoposide acts predominantly on intermediate and type B spermatogonia. Etoposide was shown to permanently alter Sertoli cell function when administered to prepubertal rats. Based on this, we decided to investigate whether etoposide can affect Sertoli cell morphology. For this, 25-day-old rats were treated with etoposide during 8 consecutive days and killed at 32, 45, 64, 127, and 180 days old. Testes were fixed in Bouin's liquid or in a mixture of 2.5% glutaraldehyde and 2% formaldehyde for analysis under light and electron microscopes, respectively. Sertoli cells showed morphological alterations such as the presence of chromatin clumps close to the nuclear membrane, nucleus displacement, and cytoplasmic vacuolization. Some Sertoli cells also showed nuclear and cytoplasmic degenerative characteristics, suggesting that etoposide causes severe damages to Sertoli cell.
Retinal thickness in children with anisohypermetropic amblyopia

Purpose To determine the thickness of the fovea in eyes of children with anisohypermetropic amblyopia, their fellow eyes and eyes of age-matched controls. Additionally, to assess the effects of optical treatment on the foveal thickness in eyes with anisohypermetropic amblyopia. Materials and methods Twenty-one patients (6.0±2.3 years, mean±SD) with anisohypermetropic amblyopia and 25 age-matched controls (5.6±1.9 years) were studied. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was used to obtain OCT images. The foveal thickness and the thickness of the outer nuclear layer (ONL), photoreceptor inner segment (IS) layer and outer segment (OS) layer were measured by the embedded OCT software. Results The length of the OS was significantly greater in the fellow eyes (48.0±6.6 µm) than in the amblyopic eyes (42.4±4.6 µm, p=0.03). One year after the optical treatment of the anisohypermetropia, the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved and the length of the OS was significantly increased (p=0.0001). After optical treatment, there was no more significant difference in the OS length between the amblyopic eyes and the fellow eyes (p=0.95). The change of BCVA was significantly correlated with the change of the length of the OS 1 year after the treatment (r=0.52; p=0.0004). Conclusions Anisohypermetropic amblyopic eyes have qualitative and quantitative differences in the retinal microstructures of the fovea from normal eyes. An increase in the OS length was detected in the amblyopic eyes after the optical treatment. A significant correlation was found between the increased OS length and better BCVA. Trial registration number The trial registration number of the internal review board of Nara Medical University was 774.
Use of sequential Heidelberg retina tomograph images to identify changes at the optic disc in ocular hypertensive patients at risk of developing glaucoma

AIM To determine if global and segmental changes in optic disc parameters of sequential Heidelberg retina tomograph (HRT) images develop in individual ocular hypertensive (OHT) patients without white on white visual field defects. METHODS Patients and normal controls were recruited from a prospective ocular hypertension treatment trial. The subject groups consisted of 21 OHT patients who had converted to early glaucoma on the basis of visual field criteria (24-2 program on the Humphrey perimeter), 164 OHT subjects with normal visual fields, and 21 normal controls. Sequential HRT images 16–21 months apart were obtained for each subject and segmental optic disc parameters were measured to determine if any change had occurred. From the analysis of sequential HRT images of the 21 normal eyes we established normal limits of interimage variation. Individual discs in each group showing changes above the 95% limit of normal variability were then sought. RESULTS Several segmental and global optic disc parameters were found to show significant change in the converter group before confirmed visual field change, confirming our previously published results. Individual optic disc analysis using the 95% limit of normal variability data demonstrated glaucomatous change in 13 out of 21 converter eyes. 47 of the 164 OHT eyes with normal visual fields showed change in global and segmental parameters in a “glaucomatous” direction above the level expected for normal variability. The parameters which changed most frequently in the OHT eyes were: global cup volume (6.7% of discs), inferonasal cup volume (11%), inferotemporal cup volume (8.5%), and superotemporal cup area (7.3%). CONCLUSIONS We have identified change in a subset of ocular hypertensive patients which could predate the development of glaucomatous visual field loss. The HRT could be of value in the sequential follow up of those suspected of having glaucoma by identifying eyes at risk of developing glaucoma. However, further refinement of the technique is required to eliminate some of the inherent variability of the analysis method described, and to increase the ability to detect at risk individuals.
Current status of gynecological cancer care in India.

Cancer has become an important public health problem with over 800,000 new cases occurring every year in India. It is estimated that there are nearly 2.5 million cases in the country with nearly 400,000 deaths occurring due to cancer. Cancers of the female reproductive tract and breast has a high incidence amongst Indian women. Cancer registries have also highlighted that more than 70% of cancers in females occur in the age group of 35-64, and that these cancers exercise an adverse influence on the productive role of women in our society. Over 70% of patients report for diagnostic and treatment services at an advanced stage of disease, resulting in poor survival and high mortality rates. More than 50% were compliant to treatment protocol, less than 30% default during adjuvant therapy and 20% default after the preliminary investigation. Overall, 30% complete follow up in the regional institutes and 70-80% in private comprehensive care centers for five years.
Adjuvant Radiotherapy in Breast Cancer: The Treatment of Lymph Node Areas

Adjuvant radiotherapy decreases the risk of locoregional recurrences threefold, according to the results of many randomized trials and overviews. In patients treated with total mastectomy, the risk of local recurrence is mainly related to the number of involved axillary nodes, i.e. about 25%, 35% and 55% at 10 years when 1-3, 4-9 and 10 or more nodes are involved, respectively. In contrast, at 10 years, less than 15% of patients with negative axillary nodes relapse locally. The effect of adjuvant radiotherapy on distant metastases and overall survival is a controversial issue. On the one hand, recent results are compatible with the existence of a mechanism of secondary dissemination generated from locoregional tumor nests. The beneficial effect of radiotherapy can be observed whether with or without adjuvant systemic treatment. On the other hand, a deleterious late toxic effect, mainly cardiac, has also been shown. The importance of improvements in radiation techniques and quality assurance to obtain a positive balance in terms of overall survival is emphasized.
Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Clinical Specimens from Cystic Fibrosis Patients by Use of Chromogenic Selective Agar

ABSTRACT We evaluated the use of a chromogenic selective medium (MRSA ID) as a useful tool for the detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patient samples. Fifty-four MRSA isolates were detected by MRSA ID, while only 24/54 (44%) (odds ratio [OR], 2.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.63 to 4.76) were detected by conventional methods. A chromogenic selective medium for MRSA detection may improve its surveillance in CF patients.
Exploring Depression & Anxiety among College Going Students

Adjustment to college life and attending a university for the first time can be a stressful experience for most college students. Because of the challenges faced when adapting to these life changes, college students are at risk for developing mental health issues. The development of symptoms of depression and anxiety can further aggravate and leads to difficulty in adapting to the demands imposed upon by academic pressures of different course. Adolescent by itself is a period of adjusting to the changes in one’s body and at emotional, cognitive and behavioral level. Mental health issues like depression and excessive anxiety can lead to difficulty in academics, relationships, and other important day to day life challenges. The aim of the current research was to a) Examine Depression in a group of college going Boys b)Examine Anxiety in a group of college going Girls. The measures used were a) Beck Depression Inventory ( Beck, 1961) to examine Depression and b) Beck Anxiety Inventory ( Beck, 1961) to examine Anxiety. After having sought the written permission from the management, the data was collected in group using convenient sampling technique. Descriptive statistics like mean and SD and inferential statistics like t test was used examine group differences. The results indicate that girls reported more symptoms of depression and anxiety in comparison to boys as revealed through the questionnaires. The findings of the current investigation also revealed that professional students reported more symptoms of depression and anxiety than the non-professional students. The current research highlights the need for mental health evaluation and interventions for the college going students. The colleges and the Universities need to set up mental health clinics in colleges and universities and employ trained mental health counselors and clinical psychologists to cater the emerging mental health needs of the students.
Vacant Lots: Productive Sites for Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in Mérida City, México

ABSTRACT We assessed the potential for vacant lots and other nonresidential settings to serve as source environments for Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) in Mérida City, México. Mosquito immatures were collected, during November 2011–June 2013, from residential premises (n = 156 site visits) and nonresidential settings represented by vacant lots (50), parking lots (18), and streets or sidewalks (28). Collections totaled 46,025 mosquito immatures of 13 species. Ae. aegypti was the most commonly encountered species accounting for 81.0% of total immatures, followed by Culex quinquefasciatus Say (12.1%). Site visits to vacant lots (74.0%) were more likely to result in collection of Ae. aegypti immatures than residential premises (35.9%). Tires accounted for 75.5% of Ae. aegypti immatures collected from vacant lots. Our data suggest that vacant lots should be considered for inclusion in mosquito surveillance and control efforts in Mérida City, as they often are located near homes, commonly have abundant vegetation, and frequently harbor accumulations of small and large discarded water-holding containers that we now have demonstrated to serve as development sites for immature mosquitoes. In addition, we present data for associations of immature production with various container characteristics, such as storage capacity, water quality, and physical location in the environment.
Plasma Thrombin-Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor Antigen Concentration and Genotype in Relation to Myocardial Infarction in the North and South of Europe

The thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) is a recently described inhibitor of fibrinolysis that decreases plasminogen binding to the fibrin surface. The plasma TAFI concentration is almost entirely genetically determined. We investigated whether plasma TAFI levels and polymorphisms located in the TAFI gene could constitute risk markers of myocardial infarction (MI). Plasma TAFI antigen (Ag) levels were assayed by ELISA and 2 TAFI gene polymorphisms (Ala147Thr and C+1542G in the 3′ untranslated region) were determined in a large European case-control study. This study compared 598 men recruited 3 to 6 months after MI with 653 age-matched controls from North Europe (Stockholm, Sweden, and London, England) and South Europe (Marseilles, France, and San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy). A TAFI Ag value above the 90th percentile was associated with a significantly lower risk of MI (odds ratio 0.55, P <0.02), indicating that elevated TAFI may be protective against MI. As previously shown, the 2 TAFI gene polymorphisms were in strong linkage disequilibrium and were associated with the TAFI Ag concentration, with carriers of the Thr147 and 1542C alleles having higher levels (P <0.0005). These effects were similar in controls and cases and in each center. There was a difference in allele frequency between cases and controls for the Ala147Thr polymorphism, with Thr147 allele carriers being more frequent in controls than in cases in 2 centers, Stockholm (P =0.03) and San Giovanni Rotondo (P =0.03); the odds ratio for the entire cohort was 0.78 (P <0.05). In conclusion, patients with a recent MI presented lower values of TAFI Ag and higher frequencies of the “TAFI-decreasing” alleles. The geographical differences observed do not contribute to explaining the North-South gradient in MI risk in Europe.
Mechanisms Underlying Sawtoothed Grain Beetle (Oryzaephilus surinamensis [L.]) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) Infestation of Consumer Food Packaging Materials

Abstract The sawtoothed grain beetle, Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.), is an extremely destructive pest of packaged consumer food products. The beetle is not believed to chew directly through packaging materials, but to use openings or flaws in damaged or improperly sealed packages to gain entry. We investigated the behavioral mechanisms by which the sawtoothed grain beetle infests packages with flaws. Significantly more sawtoothed grain beetles infested consumer food packages that had been punctured with 0.4 mm diameter holes, to simulate packaging flaws that preclude adults, than when packages had no flaws. In a test arena, females laid more eggs into or near the hole in a plastic packaging film, when they were able to contact the food through the hole than when they could not contact the food. First instar larvae placed either 1 mm or 1 cm away entered holes when food was present, indicating that packages could become infested if eggs were laid near holes. In the absence of food, neither adults nor larvae responded to holes. This study has shown the importance of sound packaging in preventing insect infestation.
Modulation by Growth Factors of the Expression of Interleukin 3 and Granulocyte-macrophage Colony-stimulating Factor Receptor Common Chain βc

Interleukin 3 (IL-3), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin 5 (IL-5) exert their biological activities through interaction with cell-surface receptors that consist of two subunits, a specific α subunit and a common β transducing subunit (β c). We have evaluated the effect of growth factors on the expression of β c in normal monocytes. Addition of either GM-CSF or M-CSF to monocytes elicited a marked increase of β c chain expression, a phenomenon seemingly related to a stimulation of the transcriptional activity of this gene mediated through an enhancement of the PU.1 DNA binding activity. Interestingly, during the activation of β c chain expression by growth factors a switch from the synthesis of the truncated β IT to the full-length β c was observed. Similar observations have been made also in the growth factor-dependent erythroleukemic cell line TF-1, showing that GM-CSF deprivation elicited a marked decrease of β c chain expression.
Molecular Pathogenesis of Genetic and Inherited Diseases Increased Expression of Wild-Type or a Centronuclear Myopathy Mutant of Dynamin 2 in Skeletal Muscle of Adult Mice Leads to Structural Defects and Muscle Weakness

From the Department of Translational Medicine and Neurogenetics,* Institut de Gntique et de Biologie Molculaire et Cellulaire, U964, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, UMR7104, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, and the Department of Génétique Humaine, Collège de France, Illkirch, France; the Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris, UMRS974, Paris, France; and the Department of Neuromuscular Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
Common-Ground-Type Transformerless Inverters for Single-Phase Solar Photovoltaic Systems

This paper proposes a family of novel flying capacitor transformerless inverters for single-phase photovoltaic (PV) systems. Each of the new topologies proposed is based on a flying capacitor principle and requires only four power switches and/or diodes, one capacitor, and a small filter at the output stage. A simple unipolar sinusoidal pulse width modulation technique is used to modulate the inverter to minimize the switching loss, output current ripple, and the filter requirements. In general, the main advantages of the new inverter topologies are: 1) the negative polarity of the PV is directly connected to the grid, and therefore, no leakage current; 2) reactive power compensation capability; and 3) the output ac voltage peak is equal to the input dc voltage (unlike neutral-point-clamped and derivative topologies, which requires twice the magnitude of the peak ac voltage). A complete description of the operating principle with modulation techniques, design guidelines, and comprehensive comparisons is presented to reveal the properties and limitations of each topology in detail. Finally, experimental results of 1-kVA prototypes are presented to prove the concept and theoretical analysis of the proposed inverter family for practical applications.
An anti-angiogenic reverse thermal gel as a drug-delivery system for age-related wet macular degeneration.

Reverse thermal gels have numerous biomedical implications, as they undergo physical gelation upon temperature increases and can incorporate biomolecules to promote tissue repair. Such a material is developed for the sustained release of bevacizumab (Avastin), a drug used to treat age-related macular degeneration. The polymer, poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(serinol hexamethylene urethane) (ESHU), forms a physical gel when heated to 37 °C and shows good cytocompatibility with ocular cells. ESHU is capable of sustaining bevacizumab release over 17 weeks in vitro, and the release kinetics can be altered by changing the drug dose and the ESHU concentration. These results suggest that ESHU is biologically safe, and suitable for ocular drug delivery.
Selection of Brahman crossbred-breeding bulls based on phenotypic performance

A beef breed development project was carried out in the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) in 2009 in selected areas of Bangladesh. Under this project, semen of Brahman bulls were imported from the USA and used to inseminate indigenous cows to produce graded calves. The present study was undertaken to select graded Brahman bulls of the aforesaid project for breeding purpose. Using the data of Brahman grade-1 population, 4 (four) bulls were selected based on external appearance, phenotypic performance and libido. Records on 233 Brahman grade-1 calves (127 male and 106 female) were analyzed by SAS computer program. Birth weight, yearling weight and average daily gain were estimated by considering sex and area groups. The birth weight was found to be 22.25±5.60 Kg for male and 20.33±3.88 Kg for female calves (average 21.38±4.98 Kg). The yearling weight of male and female calves was found to be 222.07±73.21 and 191.76±69.04 Kg, respectively. Highest yearling weight and average daily gain were found in Charghat (401.11±39.75 kg and 1034.82±107.90 g, respectively) while lowest values were in Thakurgaon area (152.69±52.74 Kg 369.42±141.94 g, respectively). The average daily gain male and female calves were 547.42±193.7 and 470.34±184.52 g, respectively. Area and sex had highly significant (p<0.001) effects on birth weight, yearling weight and average daily gain of calves. The average daily gain of four selected graded Brahman bull calves was 731 g. The estimated selection differential and selection intensity for average daily gain of the four bulls were 183.53 g and 2.263, respectively. The growth performance along with estimated selection intensity and selection differential for average daily gain indicated that these selected graded Brahman breeding bulls may generate a good opportunity to improve indigenous cattle for beef purposes. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/bjas.v41i2. 14101 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2012. 41 (2): 60-66
Progression of carotid artery intima–media thickening in HIV-infected and uninfected adults

Objectives:To compare the rate of change in intima–media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery among uninfected subjects and HIV-infected subjects receiving or not receiving protease inhibitor (PI) regimens over a 144 week period. Design:This prospective, matched cohort study enrolled 133 subjects into 45 triads (groups of three subjects matched by age, sex, race/ethnicity, smoking status, blood pressure, and menopause) from university based outpatient HIV clinics. Each triad consisted of one subject from each of the following groups: 1, HIV-infected subjects with continuous use of PI therapy for ≥ 2 years; 2, HIV-infected subjects without prior PI use; 3, HIV-uninfected subjects. Methods:Standardized ultrasound images of carotid IMT were collected at weeks 0, 2, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 144. The main outcome was the yearly progression rate of carotid IMT (mm/year). Results:The median yearly IMT progression rate in groups 1, 2, and 3 was 0.0096, 0.0058, and 0.0085 mm/year, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in progression between groups 1 and 2, or between the combined HIV-positive groups and the HIV-negative control group. A multicovariate model examining predictors of progression in carotid IMT among all subjects contained low density lipoprotein cholesterol and homocysteine. Among HIV subjects, predictors included nadir CD4 cell count and ritonavir use. Conclusions:HIV infection and PI use did not contribute substantially to the rate of carotid IMT progression in our matched study.
Activity of antibiotics against Fusarium and Aspergillus

Background/aims: To study the susceptibility of Fusarium and Aspergillus isolated from keratitis to amoxicillin, cefazolin, chloramphenicol, moxifloxacin, tobramycin and benzalkonium chloride (BAK). Methods: 10 isolates of Fusarium and 10 isolates of Aspergillus from cases of fungal keratitis at Aravind Eye Hospital in South India were tested using microbroth dilution for susceptibility to amoxicillin, cefazolin, chloramphenicol, moxifloxacin, tobramycin and BAK. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) median and 90th percentile were determined. Results: BAK had the lowest MIC for both Fusarium and Aspergillus. Chloramphenicol had activity against both Fusarium and Aspergillus, while moxifloxacin and tobramycin had activity against Fusarium but not Aspergillus. Conclusions: The susceptibility of Fusarium to tobramycin, moxifloxacin, chloramphenicol and BAK and of Aspergillus to chloramphenicol and BAK may explain anecdotal reports of fungal ulcers that improved with antibiotic treatment alone. While some of the MICs of antibiotics and BAK are lower than the typically prescribed concentrations, they are not in the range of antifungal agents such as voriconazole, natamycin and amphotericin B. Antibiotics may, however, have a modest effect on Fusarium and Aspergillus when used as initial treatment prior to identification of the pathological organism.