Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hepatoprotective and in vivo antioxidant activities of ethanolic extract of whole fruit of Lagenaria breviflora

Abstract Background: This study was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective and in vivo antioxidant effects of the ethanol extract of whole fruit of Lagenaria breviflora (LB) in experimental animals. Methods: Forty nine Wistar albino rats were divided into seven groups of seven. Group I served as the control group; rats in Group II were given i.p. carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) (1.5 mL/kg) alone; Groups III–VI received different concentrations of plant extract (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg) with CCL4 and Group VII received kolaviron (KV) at 200 mg/kg as a reference hepatoprotective agent. Results: There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H202) generation in the serum of CCL4 treated rats (Group II) while the serum glutathione (GSH) level decreased significantly. Pretreatment with LB extract led to a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum GSH and a significant (p<0.05) reduction in MDA and H2O2generation. The activities of marker enzymes, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), bilirubin, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) increased (p<0.05) significantly in CCL4 treated rats (Group II). Conclusions: The present study suggested that treatment with LB extract enhances the recovery from CCL4 induced hepatic damage and oxidative stress via its antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties.
Plasma ascorbic acid concentrations in the Republic of Karelia, Russia and in North Karelia, Finland.

OBJECTIVES To determine the plasma ascorbic acid concentrations among men in North Karelia (Finland) and in Pitkäranta (Republic of Karelia) and to test how a short intervention would affect the plasma concentrations. DESIGN The baseline survey was done as a cross-sectional population survey. A subsample was selected to the intervention study and randomised to treatment and control groups. SETTING North Karelia province in Finland and the Pitkäranta area in the Republic of Karelia. SUBJECTS In the cross-section population survey the stratified random sample of men between 25 and 64 years of age was 1000 in North Karelia and 500 in Pitkäranta. Participation rates were 68% and 77%, respectively. Plasma ascorbic acid measurements were made in one-third of the sample. In Pitkäranta 60 men, having very low plasma ascorbic acid concentrations, were invited to the intervention study. INTERVENTIONS A controlled intervention study was made with blackcurrant-strawberry nectar in which vitamin C content was approximately 70 mg/100 g. The treatment group drank two times daily 200 ml nectar for 4-5 weeks. After intervention plasma ascorbic acid concentration was measured from both treatment and control groups. RESULTS Plasma ascorbic acid concentrations were very different in the two areas. In Pitkäranta 93% of the men and in North Karelia only 2% of the men had plasma levels suggesting severe vitamin C deficiency. After intervention 46% of the men in the experimental group compared with 5% in the control group had plasma ascorbic acid concentrations exceeding 23 mumol/l (4.0 mg/l). CONCLUSIONS In addition to a high smoking prevalence the very low ascorbic acid concentration among men in the Republic Karelia can have an effect on the high cardiovascular disease mortality.
Anaplasia and Grading in Medulloblastomas

The variable clinical outcomes of medulloblastoma patients have prompted a search for markers with which to tailor therapies to individuals. In this review, we discuss clinical, histological and molecular features that can be used in such treatment customization, focusing on how histopathological grading can impact both patient care and research on the molecular basis of CNS embryonal tumors. Medulloblastomas span a histological spectrum ending in overtly malignant large cell/anaplastic lesions characterized by increased nuclear size, marked cytological anaplasia, and increased mitotic and apoptotic rates. These “high‐grade” lesions make up approximately one quarter of medulloblastomas, and recur and metastasize more frequently than tumors lacking anaplasia. We believe anaplastic change represents a type of malignant progression common to many medulloblastoma subtypes and to other CNS embryonal lesions as well. Correlation of these histological changes with the accumulation of genetic events suggests a model for the histological and molecular progression of medulloblastoma.
An Anatomy of U.S. Firms Seeking Trademark Registration

This paper reports on the construction of a new dataset that combines data on trademark applications and registrations from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office with data on firms from the U.S. Census Bureau. The resulting dataset allows tracking of various activity related to trademark use and protection over the life-cycle of firms, such as the first application for a trademark registration, the first use of a trademark, and the renewal, assignment, and cancellation of trademark registrations. Facts about firm-level trademark activity are documented, including the incidence and timing of trademark registration filings over the firm life-cycle and the connection between firm characteristics and trademark applications. We also explore the relation of trademark application filing to firm employment and revenue growth, and to firm innovative activity as measured by R&D and patents.
Associations of Fine and Ultrafine Particulate Air Pollution With Stroke Mortality in an Area of Low Air Pollution Levels

Background and Purpose— Daily variation in outdoor concentrations of inhalable particles (PM10 <10 &mgr;m in diameter) has been associated with fatal and nonfatal stroke. Toxicological and epidemiological studies suggest that smaller, combustion-related particles are especially harmful. We therefore evaluated the effects of several particle measures including, for the first time to our knowledge, ultrafine particles (<0.1 &mgr;m) on stroke. Methods— Levels of particulate and gaseous air pollution were measured in 1998 to 2004 at central outdoor monitoring sites in Helsinki. Associations between daily levels of air pollutants and deaths caused by stroke among persons aged 65 years or older were evaluated in warm and cold seasons using Poisson regression. Results— There was a total of 1304 and 1961 deaths from stroke in warm and cold seasons, respectively. During the warm season, there were positive associations of stroke mortality with current- and previous-day levels of fine particles (<2.5 &mgr;m, PM2.5) (6.9%; 95% CI, 0.8% to 13.8%; and 7.4%; 95% CI, 1.3% to 13.8% for an interquartile increase in PM2.5) and previous-day levels of ultrafine particles (8.5%; 95% CI, −1.2% to 19.1%) and carbon monoxide (8.3; 95% CI, 0.6 to 16.6). Associations for fine particles were mostly independent of other pollutants. There were no associations in the cold season. Conclusions— Our results suggest that especially PM2.5, but also ultrafine particles and carbon monoxide, are associated with increased risk of fatal stroke, but only during the warm season. The effect of season might be attributable to seasonal differences in exposure or air pollution mixture.
Automates cellulaires : un modèle de complexités

Nous etudions le modele des automates cellulaires en adoptant successivement deux points de vue --celui des representations syntaxiques locales puis celui des dynamiques globales-- et en cherchant a etablir des liens entre eux par differentes approches ou outils --algebrique, combinatoire, et de la theorie de la calculabilite. Au cours de notre etude de la structure des regles de transition locales, nous introduisons une nouvelle classe d'automates (appeles automates cellulaires captifs) definie par une contrainte locale tres simple. Nous etablissons une loi 0-1 sur cette classe qui a pour corollaire que presque tous les automates cellulaires captifs sont intrinsequement universels. En revanche, nous montrons qu'il est indecidable de savoir si un automate cellulaire captif est intrinsequement universel ou pas. Dans une seconde partie, nous poursuivons l'etude des automates cellulaires en cherchant au contraire a nous affranchir le plus possible de leur representation syntaxique pour insister sur leurs proprietes dynamiques globales. Notre problematique devient celle de la classification et de l'etude de notions de complexite selon ce point de vue global. L'outil fondamental est celui de simulation. Nous etendons les resultats de N. Ollinger sur les structures de pre-ordre (nouvelles relations de simulations et nouvelles proprietes induisant des structures d'ideal ou de filtre) et etudions egalement l'effet du produit cartesien sur ces structures. Nous etablissons une construction qui peut s'interpreter comme un produit cartesien limite et nous permet d'exhiber des chaines infinies croissantes de longueur omega+omega dans l'un des pre-ordres etudies. Enfin, nous nous interessons aux dynamiques sequentielles et aux automates cellulaires universels pour le calcul Turing. Nous construisons un treillis infini d'automates cellulaires Turing-universels qui sont tous a distance infinie de tout automate cellulaire intrinsequement universel.
Bonus Share Issues and Announcement Effect in Indonesia Stock Exchange

The purpose of this study is to find out the bonus effect of stock announcement events on stock trading volume and stock returns in Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX). The research method used in this study is event study. The research population consisted of companies that made the announcement of bonus shares for the period January 2001 January 2013, the research sample was selected from 23 companies by using purposive sampling technique. Data analysis techniques to test the hypothesis using t-test with One-Sample Test, PairedSample Test and One-Way Anova Test. The result of the research shows that (1) The announcement of bonus shares has no effect the stock trading volume; (2) The announcement of bonus shares has no effect the stock returns; (3) The average value of trading volume of shares prior to the announcement of bonus shares is equal to after the announcement of bonus shares; (4) The average return value of shares prior to the announcement of bonus shares is equal to after the announcement of bonus shares; (5) The average value of stock trading volume is relatively the same among each industry sector that has announced bonus shares; (6) The average value of stock returns is relatively the same among each industry sector that has announced bonus shares.
Factors associated with increasing campylobacteriosis incidence in Michigan, 2004–2013

SUMMARY This study was conducted to examine the incidence trend of campylobacteriosis in Michigan over a 10-year period and to investigate risk factors and clinical outcomes associated with infection. Campylobacter case data from 2004 to 2013 was obtained from the Michigan Disease Surveillance System. We conducted statistical and spatial analyses to examine trends and identify factors linked to campylobacteriosis as well as ecological associations using animal density data from the National Agricultural Statistics Service. An increasing trend of Campylobacter incidence and hospitalization was observed, which was linked to specific age groups and rural residence. Cases reporting ruminant contact and well water as the primary drinking source had a higher risk of campylobacteriosis, while higher cattle density was associated with an increased risk at the county level. Additional studies are needed to identify age-specific risk factors and examine prevalence and transmission dynamics in ruminants and the environment to aid in the development of more effective preventive strategies.
Personal Communication in an Automated World: Evidence from Loan Payments

We examine the effect of personal, two-way communication on the behavior of borrowers, who have fallen behind on their consumer loan payments. While the lender has informed all borrowers about the delinquency through an automatically generated letter, some borrowers also receive a phone call from a randomly assigned bank agent. We find that borrowers, who speak with a bank agent typically for only a few minutes, are significantly more likely to make timely payments and significantly less likely to default. This finding holds in a subset of hard-to-reach borrowers as well as when we instrument for the call with exogenous variation in borrowers’ reachability. The effect of the call is also persistent. Borrowers, who receive a call, are significantly less likely to become delinquent again. Personal aspects of the call, such as the likeability of the agent’s voice, significantly affect payment behavior, while the surprise element of the call does not. Our results suggest that the form of communication significantly affects borrowers’ payment behavior.
Blood parameters indicative of oxidative stress are associated with symptom expression in chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract Full blood counts, ESR, CRP, haematinics and markers for oxidative stress were measured for 33 patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and 27 age and sex matched controls. All participants also completed symptom questionnaires. CFS patients had increases in malondialdehyde (P <0.006), methaemoglobin (P <0.02), mean erythrocyte volume (P <0.02) and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (P <0.04) compared with controls. Multiple regression analysis found methaemoglobin to be the principal component that differentiated between CFS patients and control subjects. Methaemoglobin was found to be the major component associated with variation in symptom expression in CFS patients (R2 = 0.99, P <0.00001), which included fatigue, musculoskeletal symptoms, pain and sleep disturbance. Variation in levels of malondialdehyde and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate were associated with variations in cognitive symptoms and sleep disturbance (R2 = 0.99, P <0.00001). These data suggest that oxidative stress due to excess free radical formation is a contributor to the pathology of CFS and was associated with symptom presentation.
Developmental Parameters and Seasonal Phenology of Calepitrimerus vitis (Acari: Eriophyidae) in Wine Grapes of Western Oregon

ABSTRACT Developmental parameters of protogyne Calepitrimerus vitis (Nalepa) (Acari: Eriophyidae) were determined at 12, 15, 17, 22, 25, 28, 31, and 34°C to better understand seasonal activity, population growth, and ultimately more effectively manage pest mites in wine grapes. Net reproductive rate (Ro) was greater than zero at all temperatures with the maximum Ro (9.72) at 25°C. The lowest estimated Ro (0.001) occurred at 34°C. There was a gradual decrease in mean generation time (T) as temperatures increased from 17 to 31°C. The shortest and longest generation time was recorded at 31°C (T = 5.5 d) and 17°C (T = 17.5 d). Rates of natural increase were lowest at 17°C (0.035) and increased with increasing temperatures, respectively. The peak rate of natural increase value (0.141) was at 25°C. Estimations for minimum and maximum developmental thresholds were 10.51 and 39.19°C, respectively, while the optimum developmental temperature was 26.9°C. The thermal constant for egg to adult development was estimated at 87.7DD. The highest fecundity was observed at 25°C. These parameters indicated that mites begin feeding at the onset of shoot growth when tissue is most susceptible in spring. Historical weather data showed that vines are in this susceptible growth stage for longer periods in the cool Willamette Valley compared with warmer Umpqua and Applegate/ Rogue Valley regions. Estimation of degree-days indicated when deutogyne mites move to overwintering refuge sites. Degree-day accumulations indicated up to 14 generations per growing season.
Effect of sodium fusidate and ofloxacin on Staphylococcus aureus colonization and infection in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

The effectiveness of sodium fusidate and ofloxacin to eliminate nasal and catheter exit-site Staphylococcus aureus colonization and to prevent infections was compared in 31 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). In a prospective randomized study, 9 patients were treated with topical 2% sodium fusidate ointment applied in the anterior nares and in the pericatheter skin twice daily for 5 days; 9 subjects received oral ofloxacin 200 mg taken every 48 hours for 5 days and 13 subjects were in the control group. Treatment courses were repeated at one-month intervals. Mean duration of follow-up was 7.8 months (242 patients-month). Follow-up samples from the nares and the catheter exit-site were obtained every month from all participants to determine the presence of S. aureus. Development of S. aureus exit-site infection and peritonitis were assessed. During the study, S. aureus was recovered from 45%, 59% and 52% of the samples from the nares and/or exit-site in the sodium fusidate, ofloxacin and control groups, respectively (p = 0.13). S. aureus grew less frequently (p < 0.01) in samples from the exit-site in the sodium fusidate than in the other two groups. Eradication of nasal colonization (two negative cultures within one month) was observed in 43%, 40% and 33% of the cases in the sodium fusidate, ofloxacin and control groups, respectively (p > 0.50). The corresponding figures for exit-site eradication were 43%, 33% and 11%, respectively (p = 0.34). Twenty-four S. aureus-associated infection episodes (12 of exit-site and 12 of peritonitis) were diagnosed in 16 of the 31 patients. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Effects of HIV Medications on the Quality of Life of Older Adults in New York City

A three-equation model is used to estimate the multiple effects of antiretroviral medications (ARVs) on the quality of life (QoL) of the elderly with HIV in New York City. The transmission mechanism involves the ARVs having a direct effect on QoL via the side effects of the medications and two other effects (one indirect and one reverse) both working through feelings of depression. On a scale of 0 to 100, ARVs raise the QoL by 1 percentage point. This was because there was a large positive indirect effect of ARVs on QoL of 28 percentage points via the reduction in depression, which offsets both the 24 percentage-point reduction due to the direct effect and the 3 percentage-point decline from the reverse effect. Now, QoL effects can be applied to the additional life years generated by ARVs to form the quality adjusted life years outcome measure for use in economic evaluations of ARVs.
Self-Efficacy, Expectancies, and Abstinence Acceptance: Further Evidence for the Addicted-Self Model of Cessation of Alcohol- and Drug-Dependent Behavior

The Addicted-Self Model of the cessation of alcohol- and drug-dependent behaviors is outlined briefly, and five hypotheses consistent with the predictions of the model are examined. All five hypotheses are confirmed, broadening the support for the Addicted-Self Model of recovery. These findings also suggest modifications of the assumptions underlying alcohol and drug expectancy research. These modifications are discussed, and directions for further research are suggested.
Dietary factors in oral leukoplakia and submucous fibrosis in a population-based case control study in Gujarat, India.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the relationship of specific nutrients and food items with oral precancerous lesions among tobacco users. DESIGN A population-based case-control study. SETTING Villages in Palitana taluk of Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, India. SUBJECTS AND METHODS An interviewer-administered food frequency questionnaire, developed and validated for this population, was used to estimate nutrient intake in blinded, house-to-house interviews. Among 5018 male tobacco users, 318 were diagnosed as cases. An equal number of controls matched on age (+/- 5 years), sex, village, and use of tobacco were selected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Odds ratios (OR) from multiple logistic regression analysis controlling for relevant variables (type of tobacco use and economic status). RESULTS A protective effect of fibre was observed for both oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) and leukoplakia, with 10% reduction in risk per g day-1 (P < 0.05). Ascorbic acid appeared to be protective against leukoplakia with the halving of risk in the two highest quartiles of intake (versus the lowest quartile: OR = 0.46 and 0.44, respectively; P < 0.10). A protective effect of tomato consumption was observed in leukoplakia and a suggestion of a protective effect of wheat in OSF. CONCLUSION In addition to tobacco use, intake of specific nutrients may have a role in the development of oral precancerous lesions.
The microtubule motor protein KIF13A is involved in intracellular trafficking of the Lassa virus matrix protein Z

The small matrix protein Z of arenaviruses has been identified as the main driving force to promote viral particle production at the plasma membrane. Although multiple functions of Z in the arenaviral life cycle have been uncovered, the mechanism of intracellular transport of Z to the site of virus budding is poorly understood and cellular motor proteins that mediate Z trafficking remain to be identified. In the present study, we report that the Z protein of the Old World arenavirus Lassa virus (LASV) interacts with the kinesin family member 13A (KIF13A), a plus‐end‐directed microtubule‐dependent motor protein. Plasmid‐driven overexpression of KIF13A results in relocalization of Z to the cell periphery, while functional blockage of endogenous KIF13A by overexpression of a dominant‐negative mutant or KIF13A‐specific siRNA causes a perinuclearaccumulation and decreased production of both Z‐induced virus‐like particles and infectious LASV. The interaction of KIF13A with Z proteins from both Old and New World arenaviruses suggests a conserved intracellular transport mechanism. In contrast, the intracellular distribution of the matrix proteins of prototypic members of the paramyxo‐ and rhabdovirus family is independent of KIF13A. In summary, our studies identify for the first time a molecular motor protein as a critical mediator for intracellular microtubule‐dependent transport of arenavirus matrix proteins.
Modélisation mathématique de processus métastatiques

Cette these traite de l'etude d'un modele mathematique de croissance tumorale metastatique et de ses eventuelles applications en clinique. Il y est developpe en particulier une etude theorique et numerique des modeles presentes. La premiere partie du manuscrit traite de l'etude d'un modele de croissance metastatique non traitee ou il est introduit un nouvel outil in silico: l'Index Metastatique qui pourrait permettre de quantifier l'etat metastatique metastatique d'un patient donne et qui pourrait ainsi venir renforcer les classifications tumorales deja existantes. La deuxieme partie traite de l'etude du modele enrichi de maniere a prendre en compte l'action d'un traitement par chimiotherapie. Il y est presente une etude theorique et numerique du modele modifie ainsi que des exemples de simulation visant a etudier l'evolution de l'index metastatique inflechi par l'action du traitement. La derniere partie de ce manuscrit est consacree a l'etude des potentialites du modele en termes d'applications cliniques. Il y est decrit en particulier une maniere de rendre compte de la fiabilite du modele en confrontant les simulations avec des resultats provenant d'une etude clinique. Enfin il est etudie quelques pistes pour raffiner la classification de l'etat de la maladie d'un patient et de comment determiner les traitements les plus efficaces afin de minimiser la survenue de recidives.