Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reference Ranges Using Bioimpedance for Detection of Lymphedema in Chinese Women.

BACKGROUND Bioimpedance is a commonly used technique for detection of early lymphedema. The thresholds used for detection are based on impedance measurements obtained in Western populations. It is unknown whether these thresholds are applicable to a Chinese population. METHODS AND RESULTS Impedance measurements were obtained for both arms in 391 women, ranging in age from 20 to 84 years, using a standardized protocol. Frequency distributions of interlimb impedance arm ratios for both dominant:non-dominant and non-dominant:dominant were used to determine thresholds at two and three standard deviations (SDs) above the mean. Absolute impedance was significantly higher in the youngest group (20-39 years) compared to other age groups. However, there was no significant effect of age on impedance ratios. Similarly, there was no significant difference between impedance ratios determined in this study and those from recent studies in the Australia and the United States, which used similar protocols. New two and three SDs above the mean thresholds, using a weighted average from the pooled data of these studies are 1.108 and 1.153 for use when the dominant limb is at-risk and 1.072 and 1.116 when the non-dominant limb is at-risk. CONCLUSION There was no effect of ethnicity on impedance ratios. Consequently, the proposed pooled thresholds can be used, irrespective of ethnicity.
Evolved Disease-Avoidance Mechanisms and Contemporary Xenophobic Attitudes

From evolutionary psychological reasoning, we derived the hypothesis that chronic and contextually aroused feelings of vulnerability to disease motivate negative reactions to foreign peoples. The hypothesis was tested and supported across four correlational studies: chronic disease worries predicted implicit cognitions associating foreign outgroups with danger, and also predicted less positive attitudes toward foreign (but not familiar) immigrant groups. The hypothesis also received support in two experiments in which the salience of contagious disease was manipulated: participants under high disease-salience conditions expressed less positive attitudes toward foreign (but not familiar) immigrants and were more likely to endorse policies that would favor the immigration of familiar rather than foreign peoples. These results reveal a previously under-explored influence on xenophobic attitudes, and suggest interesting linkages between evolved disease-avoidance mechanisms and contemporary social cognition.
Research results of the impact of spatial and polarization value of the antennas on network capacity of wireless channels standard IEEE 802.11

We consider the experimental results and calculations of the impact of directed properties of the antennas with the range of 2.4 GHz on solving the problem of the “last mile” in wireless technology standard IEEE 802.11b. In the experiments to focus energy in a given subscriber direction there are applied electromagnetic accelerating metal-lamellar cylindrical lens along with the standard antenna of wireless access point and at the signal reception point the power of signal was speed up on 5-7 dB, and network capacity was increased on 4%. The best results of using polarization properties of antennas to enhance the information capabilities of radio systems of IEEE 802.11n standard in premises with difficult location and orientation of ray redirecting surfaces were obtained for the combination, where on the receiving and transmitting sides there where mounted three pulsators accordingly: the vertical and two next angularly -π/4 and π/4 relative to the central one. The gain of network capacity has increased in 2.4 times in comparison with the use of three parallel pulsators.
Incidence of scabies in Belgium

SUMMARY A prospective survey on scabies in Ghent, Belgium was performed in 2004. Sixty-four individual cases were reported, corresponding to a crude incidence rate of 28/100 000 inhabitants. The incidence was higher in the elderly (51/100 000 in persons aged >75 years) and a higher incidence was also found in immigrants (88/100 000). More than 40% of the registered scabies patients had symptoms for more than 4 weeks at the time of presentation. In 54% of the consultations, the patient had already consulted a physician for his/her skin problem. Of this group, 44% had not yet received any scabicidal treatment, indicating that scabies was not yet diagnosed or that an inappropriate treatment was prescribed. The observations suggest that the diagnosis and/or treatment of scabies in this region can still be improved.
Association between Fine Particulate Air Pollution and Daily Clinic Visits for Migraine in a Subtropical City: Taipei, Taiwan

This study was undertaken to determine whether there was an association between fine particle (PM2.5) levels and daily clinic visits for migraine in Taipei, Taiwan. Daily clinic visits for migraine and ambient air pollution data for Taipei were obtained for the period from 2006–2011. The odds ratio of clinic visits was estimated using a case-crossover approach, controlling for weather variables, day of the week, seasonality, and long-term time trends. Generally, no significant associations between PM2.5 levels and migraine visits were observed on cool days. On warm days, however, for the single pollutant model (without adjustment for other pollutants), increased clinic visits for migraine were significantly associated with PM2.5 levels, with an interquartile range (IQR) rise associated with a 13% (95% CI = 8%–19%) elevation in number of migraine visits. In bi-pollutant model, PM2.5 remained significant after the inclusion of sulfur dioxide (SO2) or ozone (O3) on warm days. This study provides evidence that higher levels of PM2.5 increase the risk of clinic visits for migraine in Taipei, Taiwan.
A simple proof of Heymann's lemma

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The Integrase of the Conjugative Transposon Tn916 Directs Strand- and Sequence-Specific Cleavage of the Origin of Conjugal Transfer, oriT, by the Endonuclease Orf20

ABSTRACT Orf20 of the conjugative transposon Tn916 was purified as a chimeric protein fused to maltose binding protein (MBP-Orf20). The chimeric protein possessed endonucleolytic activity, cleaving both strands of the Tn916 origin of conjugal transfer (oriT) at several distinct sites and favoring GT dinucleotides. Incubation of the oriT DNA with purified Tn916 integrase (Int) and MBP-Orf20 resulted in strand- and sequence-specific cleavage of oriT at a TGGT motif in the transferred strand. This motif lies immediately adjacent to a sequence in oriT previously shown to be protected from DNase I cleavage by Int. The endonucleolytic cleavages produced by Orf20 generated a 3′ OH group that could be radiolabeled by dideoxy ATP and terminal transferase. The production of a 3′ OH group distinguished these Orf20-dependent cleavage events from those catalyzed by Int at the ends of Tn916. Thus, Orf20 functions as the relaxase of Tn916, nicking oriT as the first step in conjugal DNA transfer. Remarkably for a tyrosine recombinase, Tn916 Int acts as a specificity factor in the reaction, conferring both strand and sequence specificities on the endonucleolytic cleavage activity of Orf20.
308‐nm Excimer Laser for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

BACKGROUND Alopecia areata is loss of hair from localized or diffuse areas of hair-bearing area of the skin. Recently there are reports of efficacy of the 308-nm excimer radiation for this condition. OBJECTIVE To study the effect of the 308-nm excimer laser in the treatment of alopecia areata. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighteen patients with 42 recalcitrant patches (including 1 adult with alopecia totalis) were enrolled in this study. The lesions were treated with the 308-nm excimer laser twice a week for a period of 12 weeks; one lesion on each patient was left as a control for comparison. RESULTS There were 7 males and 11 females in this study. Regrowth of hair was observed in 17 (41.5%) patches. Thirteen of the 18 lesions in scalp showed a complete regrowth of hair. The extremity regions failed to show a response. Atopic diatheses had an unfavorable effect on the outcome in our patients. CONCLUSION The 308-nm excimer laser is an effective therapeutic option for patchy alopecia areata of the scalp and for some cases with patchy alopecia areata of the beard area. It does not work for patchy alopecia areata of the extremities.
Evaluation of fresh frozen plasma usage at a medical college hospital ­ A two year study

Aims: The aim of this is study was to evaluate the usage of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) according to indications and to reduce inappropriate usage. Methods: A two year retrospective study was conducted in Medical College Hospital blood bank. Based on the guidelines published by College of American Pathologists, National Health and Medical Research Council and Australasian Society for Blood Transfusion FFP usage were categorized into appropriate and inappropriate. Pre and post­transfusion INR/PT were recorded and the effect of FFP were studied in patients who received FFP. Results: During two years 1884 units of FFP were used for 945 patients. Only 454 (48%) requests were appropriate and 491 (52%) were inappropriate requests. Absence of bleeding or surgical intervention was the commonest reasons for inappropriate FFP use. Mean improvement in the pre­transfusion INR per unit of FFP was 0.75 (median 0.56, range 0–3.7) of which 33% showed significant improvement in the pre­transfusion INR. Conclusion: Our results showed a 48% appropriate and 52% inappropriate use of FFP in patients. Inappropriate FFP use could be reduced by educating the staff, by establishing
Differential effects of triglycerides on in vitro glucose clearance by sheep aortic endothelial and arterial smooth muscle cells

ii TABLE OF CONTENTS. iii LIST OF TABLES.v LIST OF FIGURES. vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. viü 1.0 INTRODUCTION.1 1.1 INSULIN.3 1.2 INSULIN REGULATION. 4 1.3 INSULIN RECEPTORS. 5 1.4 GLUCOSE TRANSPORT. 6 1.5 HYPERLIPIDEMIA.11 1.6 MUSCLE CELLS.12 1.7 ENDOTHELIAL CELLS.13 1.8 SIGNIFICANCE. 13 1.9 HYPOTHESIS.14 1.10 SPECIFIC AIMS. 15 1.11 RATIONALE FOR THE EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN.17 2.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS. 20 2.1 MATERIALS AND REAGENTS.20 2.2 METHODS. 21 2.2.1 Endothelial cell (EC) isolation. 21 2.2.2 Smooth muscle cell isolation (SMC). 21 2.2. 3 Modified glucose assay for microtiter plate using GAGO-20 Glucose Assay Kit. 22 2.2. 4 Baseline glucose clearance. 23 2.2. 5 Cell counting. 23 2.2. 6 Lactate dehydrogenase analysis. 24 2.2. 7 Glucose clearance in the presence of triglycerides. 25 3.0 STATISTICAL ANALYSIS.27 4.0 RESULTS.28 4.1 TO ESTABLISH AN IN VITRO EXPERIMENTAL MODEL TO ENABLE DETECTION OF INSULIN-DEPENDENT GLUCOSE CLEARANCE IN AORTIC ENDOTHELIAL AND ARTERIAL SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS (SPECIFIC AIM 1). 28 4.2 TO EXAMINE GLUCOSE CLEARANCE UNDER NORMAL GLYCEMIC AND HYPERGLYCEMIC CONDITIONS IN GLUCOSE-STARVED (AND NON-STARVED) EC AND SMC (SPECIFIC AIM 2). 32 4.3 TO EXAMINE THE EFFECT OF TWO WIDELY DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF TRIGLYCERIDES ON GLUCOSE CLEARANCE BY BOTH CELL TYPES (SPECIFIC AIM 3). 36
Study the effect of Mobile (Cell Phone) on the Heart Electricity

Electrical and electronic devices, wireless cellular telephones and other mobile personal communication services are the fastest growing field in the world. However, there is uncertainty about the health effects of Radio Frequency (RF). The main aim of the present work is to study the effect of cell phone on human health and especially on a heart rate by exposing a human to the radiation emitted from cell phone (EMF) and registering an ECG to the heart at different exposure times.
An Open-Source Semi-Automated Processing Chain for Urban Object-Based Classification

This study presents the development of a semi-automated processing chain for urban object-based land-cover and land-use classification. The processing chain is implemented in Python and relies on existing open-source software GRASS GIS and R. The complete tool chain is available in open access and is adaptable to specific user needs. For automation purposes, we developed two GRASS GIS add-ons enabling users (1) to optimize segmentation parameters in an unsupervised manner and (2) to classify remote sensing data using several individual machine learning classifiers or their prediction combinations through voting-schemes. We tested the performance of the processing chain using sub-metric multispectral and height data on two very different urban environments: Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in sub-Saharan Africa and Liege, Belgium in Western Europe. Using a hierarchical classification scheme, the overall accuracy reached 93% at the first level (5 classes) and about 80% at the second level (11 and 9 classes, respectively).
A PET study of dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2 receptor occupancy in patients with schizophrenia treated with therapeutic doses of ziprasidone.

OBJECTIVE Ziprasidone is an atypical antipsychotic drug that shows a higher affinity for serotonin 5-HT(2) receptors compared with dopamine D(2) receptors in vitro. The affinity of ziprasidone for these receptors in vivo in patients was examined in a positron emission tomography (PET) study. METHOD The authors conducted a PET study to evaluate D(2) occupancy (using [(11)C]raclopride) and 5-HT(2) occupancy (using [(18)F]setoperone) in brain regions of interest in 16 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder randomly assigned to receive 40, 80, 120, or 160 mg/day of ziprasidone, which reflected the recommended dose range. PET scanning was done after 3 weeks of administration and at trough plasma levels, i.e., 12-16 hours after the last dose. RESULTS The mean 5-HT(2) receptor occupancy was significantly higher than the mean D(2) receptor occupancy (mean=76%, SD=15%, and mean=56%, SD=18%, respectively). The estimated plasma ziprasidone concentration associated with 50% maximal 5-HT(2) receptor occupancy was almost four times lower than that for D(2) receptor occupancy. CONCLUSIONS These data affirm that ziprasidone is similar to other novel antipsychotics in having greater 5-HT(2) than D(2) receptor occupancy at therapeutic doses and suggest that the optimal effective dose of ziprasidone is closer to 120 mg/day than to the lower doses suggested by previous PET studies. The relatively high D(2) receptor occupancy, even at trough plasma levels, suggests that ziprasidone is more similar to risperidone and olanzapine in receptor occupancy profile than to clozapine and quetiapine. Since ziprasidone plasma levels show significant (more than twofold) variation within a single dose cycle, studies that are aimed at peak plasma levels (6 hours after the last dose) and that examine extrastriatal regions are required to fully characterize the in vivo occupancy profile of ziprasidone.
Inhibitory Effects of Bee Venom on Growth of A549 Lung Cancer Cells via Induction of Death Receptors

This study was to investigated the effects of the bee venom on inhibition of cell growth via upregulation of death receptor expression in the A549 human lung cancer cells. Bee venom(1-5 μg/ml) inhibited the growth of A549 lung cancer cells by the induction of apoptotic cell death in a dose dependent manner. Consistent with apoptotic cell death, expression of TNFR1, Fas, death receptors(DR) 3, 4 and 6 was increased in the cells. Expression of DR downstream pro-apoptotic proteins including caspase-3, -9 and Bax was concomitantly increased, but the expression of Bcl-2, NF-kB were inhibited by treatment with bee venom in A549 cells. Moreover, deletion of DR3, DR4 by small interfering RNA significantly reversed bee venom-induced cell growth inhibitory effect, whereas Apo3L strengthened anti-proliferative effect of bee venom through enhancement of DR3 expression. These results suggest that bee venom should exert anti-tumor effect through induction of apoptotic cell death in lung cancer cells via enhancement of death receptor expression, and that bee venom could be a promising agent for preventing and treating lung cancer.
Surgical Strategies for the Management of Necrotizing Pancreatitis

The surgical management of necrotizing pancreatitis continues to evolve and now includes multiple alternatives to traditional open debridement – minimally invasive strategies have been developed with the intent to decrease the physiologic stress associated with this procedure. Proponents of each procedure report their technical success and the “safety and feasibility” of their favored strategy. However, extension into routine clinical practice is limited by considerable variation in technique and lack of widespread expertise. No single approach is optimal for all patients. The strategy for drainage/debridement among the breadth of techniques now available must be individualized according to patient presentation and anatomy. The purpose of this review is to present the current state of interventions for necrotizing pancreatitis and provide a practical guide to understanding the indications and application of these procedures.
MAIZE (ZEA MAYS) LEAF ANGLE AND EMERGENCE AS AFFECTED BY SEED ORIENTATION AT PLANTING

SUMMARY Maize (Zea mays) seed orientation at planting can influence emerging leaf angle. If leaf angle were consistent among plants without leaf overlap, large numbers of these bilaterally symmetrical plants could be arranged to optimize light interception and possibly increase grain yields or maintain grain yield with a lower population. The objectives were to evaluate the effect of seed orientation in soil on the angle of maize leaves relative to the planted row and on emergence rate. Seeds were planted 2.5 cm deep in diverse combinations of flat, cotyledon down, cotyledon up, on their side, radicle up and radicle down. Each seed orientation was repeated 10 times. Data on days to emergence and leaf angle were collected. In three experiments, maize seeds planted flat with the cotyledon up resulted in homogenous and faster emergence, and maize leaves aligned perpendicular to the direction of the maize row. Similar results were achieved with maize seeds planted parallel to the row with the radicle down. Random placement of maize seeds resulted in random orientation of maize leaves and lower emergence rates. The effects of controlled leaf geometry could facilitate planting higher populations with the potential for increasing grain yield and/or allow the maintenance of grain yields while reducing seed rates.
The first detection of okadaic acid and its derivatives in Korean bivalves by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Lipophilic toxin profiles associated with diarrhetic shellfish poisoning in Korean bivalves were investigated by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Okadaic acid (OA), dinophysistoxins (DTX), pectenotoxins (PTX) and yessotoxin (YTX) in bivalves were quantified by LC-MS. Thirty-eight bivalve samples were collected from five different areas on the south coast of Korea during January to June 2006. Dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX1) and OA were found in some samples of both mussel Mytilus edulis and oyster Crassostrea gigas. The levels of DTX1 and OA found in the hepatopancreas of the samples were 0.04–0.23 μg/g and 0.03–0.08 μg/g, respectively. Dinophysistoxin-3 was found in the hepatopancreas of the short-necked clam Ruditapes philippinarum at a concentration of 0.06 μg/g. PTX and YTX were not detected from all of the samples examined. This is the first report of the unambiguous identification of OA and its derivatives, by LC-MS, in Korean bivalves.
A comparative genetic study of serologically distinct Haemophilus influenzae type 1 immunoglobulin A1 proteases

The bacterial immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) proteases are putative virulence factors secreted by a number of human pathogens capable of penetrating the mucosal barrier. Among Haemophilus influenzae strains, the IgA1 protease is found in several allelic forms with different serological neutralizing properties. A comparison of the primary structures of four serologically distinct H. influenzae IgA1 proteases suggests that this variation is caused by epitopes of the discontinuous conformational type. Analysis of the homologies among the four iga genes indicates that the variation results from transformation and subsequent homologous recombination in the iga gene region among H. influenzae strains. We find evidence for gene rearrangements, including transpositions in the iga gene region encoding the secretory part of the IgA1 preprotease. The amino acid sequence of the C terminus of the preprotease (the beta-core), which is assumed to be involved in secretion of the protease by forming a pore in the outer membrane, is highly conserved. In contrast to conserved areas in the protease domain, the nucleotide sequence encoding the beta-core showed a striking paucity of synonymous site variation.
Effect of Temperatures on Polymerization Stress and Microleakage of Class V Composite Restorations

The loss of interfacial integrity was identified as one of the major causes for replacement of resin composite restorations. Preheating procedure has been proven to enhance flowability and adaptation of resin composites and increase their degree of conversion. The purpose of this study was to investigate polymerization contraction stress produced in resin composites after preheating to 37℃ and 60℃, and measure microleakage of Class V restorations restored with preheated composites. Three resin composites (GC Kalore, Gradia Direct X, Filtek Supreme XT) at room temperature, 37℃, and 60℃ were investigated. Maximum contraction stress of the composites (n = 5) was evaluated in a modified low-compliance device. Samples were light-cured for 40 seconds and the maximum force was recorded during 15 minutes. Calculations were done to adjust for the system’s compliance and obtain linear shrinkage values of composites. Data were analyzed by Multivariated Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and Tukey’s test for multiple comparisons (α = 0.05). Seventy-two Class V cavities were prepared on the buccal surfaces of extracted premolars and divided into 9 groups. The teeth were restored with composites at 3 temperatures and were thermo-cycled between 5℃ and 55℃ with a one-minute dwell-time for 1000 cycles. The teeth were sealed with wax and nail vanish before placed in 0.5% toluidine blue dye for 24 hours. The teeth were embedded in self-curing resin and sectioned bucco-lingually with a slow-speed diamond saw, providing 3 sections per restoration. Microleakage was rated by two evaluators using a 0 - 4 ordinal scale at the occlusal and cervical margins under light microscope. Microleakage data were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U test (α = 0.05). Results indicate that preheating composites to 37℃ and 60℃ significantly increased polymerization contraction stress of composites (p < 0.05). A significantly greater amount of leakage was found at the cervical margins (p < 0.05). For all tested materials, preheating composites to 60℃ resulted in significantly less microleakage at the cervical margin.