Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterizing complexity classes by higher type primitive recursive definitions

Higher type primitive recursive definitions (also known as Godel's system T) defining first-order functions can be classified into an infinite syntactic hierarchy. A definition is in the nth level of this hierarchy, a so-called rank-n definition, if and only if n is an upper bound on the levels of the types occurring in it. The author interprets these definitions over finite structures and shows that rank-2 definitions characterize PTIME, rank-3 definitions characterize PSPACE, and rank-4 definitions EXPTIME. <<ETX>>
Protease Cleavage of Reovirus Capsid Protein μ1/μ1C Is Blocked by Alkyl Sulfate Detergents, Yielding a New Type of Infectious Subvirion Particle

ABSTRACT Mammalian reovirus virions undergo partial disassembly of the outer capsid upon exposure to proteases in vitro, producing infectious subvirion particles (ISVPs) that lack protein ς3 and contain protein μ1/μ1C as endoprotease-generated fragments μ1δ/δ and φ. ISVPs are thought to be required for two early steps in reovirus infection: membrane penetration and activation of the particle-bound viral transcriptase complexes. Genetic and biochemical evidence implicates outer-capsid protein μ1 in both these steps. To determine whether the cleavage of μ1/μ1C is relevant to the unique properties of ISVPs, we analyzed the properties of novel subvirion particles that lacked ς3 yet retained μ1/μ1C in an uncleaved but cleavable form. These detergent-plus-protease subvirion particles (dpSVPs) were produced by treating virions with chymotrypsin in the presence of micelle-forming concentrations of alkyl sulfate detergents. Infections with dpSVPs in murine L or canine MDCK cells provided evidence that the cleavage of μ1/μ1C during viral entry into these cells is dispensable for reovirus infection. Additionally, dpSVPs behaved like ISVPs in their capacity to permeabilize lipid bilayers and to undergo transcriptase activation in vitro, supporting the conclusion that cleavage of μ1/μ1C to μ1δ/δ and φ during viral entry is not required for either membrane penetration or transcriptase activation in cells. The capacity of alkyl sulfate detergents to inhibit the cleavage of μ1/μ1C in a reversible fashion suggests a specific association between virus particle and detergent micelles that may mimic virus particle-phospholipid membrane interactions during reovirus entry into cells.
Nigeria-India Bilateral Trade Relations: An Analysis of Trade Complementarity Index (TCI)

This study used simple descriptive analysis and trade complementarity index to examine Nigeria-India bilateral trade relations for the period 2000-2014. Evidence from the trade composition result shows that Nigeria? s imports from India are more diversified than its exports. All the major products imported from India by Nigeria accounts for a very much significant share in its total imports while for the exports only mineral fuels seem to contribute much to the Nigeria? s exports to India. Throughout the whole period, there exist a partial match between Nigeria? s exports supply and the India? s imports demand as the trade complementarity indices lies between 31.98 and 45.21. Despite the existence of partial export and import match between Nigeria and India the trade complementarity index has been steadily increasing from 2000-2014, implying that Nigeria and India trade profiles are becoming more compatible. Thus, the study also recommends that the Nigerian government, export promotion agencies, ministries, exporters and other stakeholders should focus attention on identify realistic export opportunities in Indian markets in order to boost and diversified Nigeria? s export through the use of more scientific, realistic and empirical approach.
Determinación de factores que afectan la adherencia al tratamiento en pacientes con Diabetes Mellitus 2, que acuden a un club de diabéticos

Resumen Objetivos: Los objetivos basicos fueron: 1) Describir los hallazgos de laboratorio y los factores de riesgo relacionados a esta patologia; 2) Evaluar el estilo de vida de los pacientes diabeticos estudiados y la adherencia a la terapia. Material y metodos: Este es un estudio epidemiologico descriptivo observacional de corte transversal de punto, que se realizo con 250 pacientes, usuarios del Club de Diabeticos del Centro de Salud de Chimbacalle, del Area de Salud N°. 4, en 2010. Los criterios de inclusion utilizados fueron pacientes que asistieron a la campana de control de laboratorio y llenaron la encuesta de adherencia al tratamiento farmacologico y no farmacologico, organizada por el club de diabeticos del mismo centro, en mayo de 2010; que son miembros activos del Club y, que firmaron el Consentimiento Informado. Se aplico los test de IMEVID, el test de Morisky-GreenLevin y la calculadora de riesgo cardiovascular del United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Group. Resultados: 81.6% son mujeres, 62.4% estan casadas, 98.4% son mestizas, 56.8% tienen tan solo instruccion primaria, y el 55.2% se dedican al trabajo domestico. 85.2% tiene sobrepeso y obesidad, 59.6% tiene niveles altos de LDL, 58% niveles bajos de HDL colesterol, 38.8% tiene HTA, 23% son fumadores. La edad promedio de edad al diagnostico de diabetes fue de 52.8±11.4 anos. Prevalencia de estilo de vida adecuado en tan solo el 34.8% (IC95%) de los pacientes; mientras la prevalencia de adherencia al tratamiento fue tan solo del 45.2% Conclusiones: Los pacientes analizados se enmarcan dentro de un perfil socio-demografico caracterizado por ser mujeres, mestizas, menores de 65 anos, con instruccion primaria (primer nivel) y que se dedican a las labores domesticas. Los pacientes analizados son mujeres diagnosticadas de DM en promedio a los 52 anos, con niveles de LDL altos y HDL bajo, con HTA asociada e hipercolesterolemia, la obesidad se presenta en un 85% de los casos y en aproximadamente 59% de los pacientes estudiados la HbA1c es mayor al 7% lo que demuestra claramente un pobre control de la glicemia individual. Se califico como estilo de vida adecuado a quienes mostraron un puntaje de estilo de vida total >a 75; encontrandose una estilo de vida adecuado en tan solo el 34.8% de los pacientes; mientras la prevalencia de adherencia al tratamiento fue tan solo del 45.2%.
Use of Digital Images for Evaluation of Factors Responsible for Visual Preference of Apples by Consumers

This research used digital images to explore some of the factors responsible for consumer preference of visual characteristics of apples (Malus ×domestica Borkh.). The images systematically varied in color and shape (Expt. A: 9 images) and type, shape, and background color (Expt. B: 10 images), while keeping apple size constant. Visual assess- ments of the apple images were collected from 144 consumers (Expt. A) and 165 consumers (Expt. B) in British Columbia (BC), Nova Scotia (NS), and New Zealand (NZ) using balanced incomplete block designs. Canadian consumers (BC and NS) preferred red apples over green or yellow. NZ consumers liked equally red and green apples, and preferred both to yellow apples. At all locations, consumers in Expt. A significantly preferred round and conical shaped apples to oblong apples. When the combined effects of type, shape, and background color were evaluated, NZ consumers rated the striped, round apples the highest, and least preferred both round and oblong, blush-type apples with yellow backgrounds. NS consumers tended to prefer blush apples regardless of type and background color, and BC consumers were more accepting of a range of apple types, shapes, and background colors.
Pregnancy outcome and placental pathology in emergent cesarean deliveries for non-reassuring fetal heart rate in laboring versus non-laboring women

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study is to correlate between pregnancy outcome and placental pathology in emergent cesarean deliveries (ECD) for non-reassuring-fetal-heart-rate (NRFHR) performed in women in their active phase of labor versus those performed in non-laboring women. Methods: A retrospective cohort study. Data were reviewed for all pregnancies necessitating ECD for NRFHR between January 2009 and December 2013. Maternal outcome, neonatal outcome, and placental pathology parameters were compared between ECDs performed during active phase of labor and those performed before the active phase of labor (non-labor group). Results: During the study period, a total of 661 ECDs were performed due to NRFHR. Compared with the active labor group (n = 335), the non-labor group (n = 326) had more pre-eclampsia (p = 0.033), small for gestational age (SGA) (p = 0.016), and preterm labor (p < 0.001). Worse composite neonatal outcome was observed in the non-labor group compared with the active labor group, p < 0.001. By a stepwise logistic regression model, non-labor was independently associated with adverse neonatal outcome (1.88 OR CI; 1.19–2.96, p = 0.007). Placental inflammatory lesions were more common in the active labor group (p= 0.043), and abnormal cord insertions were more common in the non-labor group (p = 0.002) as well as placental weight <10th% (p = 0.019). Conclusion: Higher rate of pregnancy complications, abnormal cord insertion, smaller placentas, and worse neonatal outcome are associated with ECD for NRFHR when performed before the phase of active labor.
Allogeneic compact bone‐derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation increases survival of mice exposed to lethal total body irradiation: a potential immunological mechanism

Background Radiation‐induced injury after accidental or therapeutic total body exposure to ionizing radiation has serious pathophysiological consequences, and currently no effective therapy exists. This study was designed to investigate whether transplantation of allogeneic murine compact bone derived‐mesenchymal stem cells (CB‐MSCs) could improve the survival of mice exposed to lethal dosage total body irradiation (TBI), and to explore the potential immunoprotective role of MSCs. Methods BALB/c mice were treated with 8 Gy TBI, and then some were administered CB‐MSCs isolated from C57BL/6 mice. Survival rates and body weight were analyzed for 14 days post‐irradiation. At three days post‐irradiation, we evaluated IFN‐&ggr; and IL‐4 concentrations; CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cell (Treg) percentage; CXCR3, CCR5, and CCR7 expressions on CD3+ T cells; and splenocyte T‐bet and GATA‐3 mRNA levels. CB‐MSC effects on bone marrow hemopoiesis were assessed via colony‐forming unit granulocyte/macrophage (CFU‐GM) assay. Results After lethal TBI, compared to non‐transplanted mice, CB‐MSC‐transplanted mice exhibited significantly increased survival, body weight, and CFU‐GM counts of bone marrow cells (P<0.05), as well as higher Treg percentages, reduced IFN‐&ggr;, CXCR3 and CCR5 down‐regulation, and CCR7 up‐regulation. CB‐MSC transplantation suppressed Th1 immunity. Irradiated splenocytes directly suppressed CFU‐GM formation from bone marrow cells, and CB‐MSC co‐culture reversed this inhibition. Conclusion Allogeneic CB‐MSC transplantation attenuated radiation‐induced hematopoietic toxicity, and provided immunoprotection by alleviating lymphocyte‐mediated CFU‐GM inhibition, expanding Tregs, regulating T cell chemokine receptor expressions, and skewing the Th1/Th2 balance toward anti‐inflammatory Th2 polarization.
Physiological response to long-term peripheral and central leptin infusion in lean and obese mice.

Recent data have identified leptin as an afferent signal in a negative-feedback loop regulating the mass of the adipose tissue. High leptin levels are observed in obese humans and rodents, suggesting that, in some cases, obesity is the result of leptin insensitivity. This hypothesis was tested by comparing the response to peripherally and centrally administered leptin among lean and three obese strains of mice: diet-induced obese AKR/J, New Zealand Obese (NZO), and Ay. Subcutaneous leptin infusion to lean mice resulted in a dose-dependent loss of body weight at physiologic plasma levels. Chronic infusions of leptin intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) at doses of 3 ng/hr or greater resulted in complete depletion of visible adipose tissue, which was maintained throughout 30 days of continuous i.c. v. infusion. Direct measurement of energy balance indicated that leptin treatment did not increase total energy expenditure but prevented the decrease that follows reduced food intake. Diet-induced obese mice lost weight in response to peripheral leptin but were less sensitive than lean mice. NZO mice were unresponsive to peripheral leptin but were responsive to i.c. v. leptin. Ay mice did not respond to subcutaneous leptin and were 1/100 as sensitive to i.c. v. leptin. The decreased response to leptin in diet-induced obese, NZO, and Ay mice suggests that obesity in these strains is the result of leptin resistance. In NZO mice, leptin resistance may be the result of decreased transport of leptin into the cerebrospinal fluid, whereas in Ay mice, leptin resistance probably results from defects downstream of the leptin receptor in the hypothalamus.
Diagnostic and therapeutic potential of the gut microbiota in patients with early hepatocellular carcinoma

The gut microbiota is involved in the maintenance of the homeostasis of the human body and its alterations are associated with the development of different pathological conditions. The liver is the organ most exposed to the influence of the gut microbiota, and recently important connections between the intestinal flora and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been described. In fact, HCC is commonly associated with liver cirrhosis and develops in a microenvironment where inflammation, immunological alterations, and cellular aberrations are dramatically evident. Prevention and diagnosis in the earliest stages are still the most effective weapons in fighting this tumor. Animal models show that the gut microbiota can be involved in the promotion and progression of HCC directly or through different pathogenic mechanisms. Recent data in humans have confirmed these preclinical findings, shedding new light on HCC pathogenesis. Limitations due to the different experimental design, the ethnic and hepatological setting make it difficult to compare the results and draw definitive conclusions, but these studies lay the foundations for a pathogenetic redefinition of HCC. Therefore, it is evident that the characterization of the gut microbiota and its modulation can have an enormous diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic potential, especially in patients with early stage HCC.
Staging investigations in chondrosarcoma: Is evaluation for skeletal metastases justified? Analysis from an epidemiological study at a tertiary cancer care center and review of literature

South Asian Journal of Cancer ♦ January-March 2016 ♦ Volume 5 ♦ Issue 1 3 and tumors >10 cm treated by mastectomy alone. The authors recommended adjuvant radiation therapy for these patients. [5] Study Hassouna et al. points out the impact of radical surgery for malignant PT. the 5‐year overall and disease‐free survivals were 28.5% and 15.6% versus 72.7% and 73.6% when the surgery was radical. [6] They found tumor size and margins status to be the independent predictors for LR. However study by Barth et al.[7] showed that WLE with postoperative radiotherapy has equivalent outcome in terms of local control when compared to radical surgery. The authors showed 100% local control in margin negative PT treated with WLE and radiotherapy. In another French multicentric study with a larger number of patients (n = 443) RT significantly decreased LR and total mastectomy had better results than WLE. [8] The current study failed to derive any impact of extent of surgery. The distant metastases rate in malignant PT varies considerably, ranging from 6.6% to 70%. Most of them occur in lung (84.5%) and bone (39%). [1,9] We had an isolated distant failure rate of 21% and the most common site of distant metastasis was lung. Studies by Kapiris et al.[9] and West et al.[10] showed that among patients having metastases, 60% to 85% had already developed LRs. We had two patients who had both local relapse and distant metastasis. The current study observed a superior loco‐regional control. Such improved loco‐regional control can be attributed to uniform use of adjuvant radiation in all the patients. Hence systemic failure emerged to be the predominant pattern of failure. Still no confirmatory conclusion can be drawn from our study due to lack of controls. We also admit the inherent limitations in the current study because of its retrospective nature. Some informations could not be furnished because of non‐availability of the representative tissue blocks because of prolonged study duration. The sample size was small and the follow‐up duration was also short in comparison to some of the other contemporary series. Conclusion Phyllodes tumor represents a heterogeneous group of tumors with an unpredictable outcome. The prognosis depends on the histological and biological characteristics of the tumors rather than their clinical behavior. Margin status and grade correlated with survival in the current study. Mode of surgery did not have any impact on disease control and survival. Our experience supports use of adjuvant radiation for select group of patients with adverse pathological features to optimize local control. Chemotherapy can be explored for metastatic disease. References
Distribution of accumulated prion protein in a cow with bovine spongiform encephalopathy

BOVINE spongiform encephalopathy (bse) is one of a number of fatal neurodegenerative diseases known as prion diseases. In such diseases, accumulation of prion protein (PrP) is observed in various organs, including the central nervous system. The distribution of accumulated PrP varies depending on
Sonographic evaluation of the posterior cruciate ligament in amputated specimens and normal subjects.

The purpose of this study was to define the sonographic appearance and echogenicity of the normal posterior cruciate ligament. We examined the posterior cruciate ligament of five amputated specimens and five normal subjects using a 10 MHz linear array transducer. One K‐wire was inserted into the substance of the posterior cruciate ligament of the amputated knee specimens to verify the location of the ligament on the sonogram. Various angles of insonation were used to examine the echogenicity of the posterior cruciate ligament. The results showed that the in situ posterior cruciate ligament appeared as a hypoechoic band relative to the surrounding tissue on sonograms, but it appeared hyperechoic when it was isolated and immersed in a water bath. The specific spatial orientation of the posterior cruciate ligament and anisotropy phenomenon contributed to the hypoechogenicity of the posterior cruciate ligament in situ on sonogram.
Preconditioning with Sevoflurane Reduces Changes in Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide during Ischemia–Reperfusion in Isolated Hearts: Reversal by 5-Hydroxydecanoic Acid

Background Ischemia causes an imbalance in mitochondrial metabolism and accumulation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). We showed that anesthetic preconditioning (APC), like ischemic preconditioning, improved mitochondrial NADH energy balance during ischemia and improved function and reduced infarct size on reperfusion. Opening adenosine triphosphate–sensitive potassium (KATP) channels may be involved in triggering APC. The authors tested if effects of APC on NADH concentrations before, during, and after ischemia are reversible by 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD), a putative mitochondrial KATP channel blocker. Methods Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide fluorescence was measured in 60 guinea pig Langendorff-prepared hearts assigned into five groups: (1) no treatment before ischemia; (2) APC by exposure to 1.3 mm sevoflurane for 15 min; (3) 200 &mgr;m 5-HD from 5 min before to 15 min after sevoflurane exposure; (4) 35 min 5-HD alone; and (5) no treatment and no ischemia. Sevoflurane was washed out for 30 min, and 5-HD for 15 min, before 30-min ischemia and 120-min reperfusion. Results Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide was reversibly increased during sevoflurane exposure before ischemia, and the increase and rate of decline in NADH during ischemia were reduced after APC. 5-HD abolished these changes in NADH. On reperfusion, function was improved and infarct size reduced after APC compared with other groups. Conclusion Anesthetic preconditioning was evidenced by improved mitochondrial bioenergetics as assessed from NADH concentrations during ischemia and by attenuated reperfusion injury. Reversal of APC by bracketing sevoflurane exposure with 5-HD suggests that APC is triggered by mitochondrial KATP channel opening or, alternatively, by attenuated mitochondrial respiration without direct involvement of mitochondrial KATP channel opening.
Calibration and Uncertainty Analysis for Computer Simulations with Multivariate Output

Model calibration analysis is concerned with the estimation of unobservable modeling parameters using observations of system response. When the model being calibrated is an expensive computer simulation, special techniques such as surrogate modeling and Bayesian inference are often fruitful. In this paper, we show how the flexibility of the Bayesian calibration approach can be exploited to account for a wide variety of uncertainty sources in the calibration process. We propose a straightforward approach for simultaneously handling Gaussian and non-Gaussian errors, as well as a framework for studying the effects of prescribed uncertainty distributions for model inputs that are not treated as calibration parameters. Further, we discuss how Gaussian process surrogate models can be used effectively when simulator response may be a function of time and/or space (multivariate output). The proposed methods are illustrated through the calibration of a simulation of thermally decomposing foam.
Clinical significance of vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor in multiple myeloma

Summary. Angiogenesis is a crucial process in the progression of multiple myeloma (MM). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are multifunctional cytokines that potently stimulate angiogenesis including tumour neovascularization. Serum levels of VEGF and HGF were measured in 52 patients with MM by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum levels of VEGF and HGF were elevated in MM patients compared with healthy controls (VEGF: mean 0·31 ng/ml and 0·08 ng/ml respectively, P < 0·01; HGF: mean 2·17 ng/ml and 0·45 ng/ml, respectively, P < 0·001). In serial samples taken after chemotherapy, serum VEGF and HGF levels were correlated with M‐protein levels. Serum levels of VEGF were higher in patients with extramedullary plasmacytomas than in patients without them (P < 0·05). They were also significantly higher in a group of patients who showed poor response to chemotherapy (P < 0·01). Serum levels of HGF were higher in patients with complications such as anaemia, hypercalcaemia and amyloidosis than in patients without these complications (P < 0·01, P < 0·05, P < 0·05 respectively). Both serum VEGF and HGF levels were significant predictors of mortality (P = 0·01, P = 0·02, respectively, log‐rank test). The present study demonstrated that serum levels of VEGF and HGF are significantly elevated and dependent on the severity of MM, suggesting that measurement of VEGF and HGF may be useful for assessing disease progression and for predicting the response to chemotherapy in MM patients.