Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of apigenin on cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin genotoxicity in vitro and in vivo

The aim of this study was to investigate the mutagenic and antigenotoxic effects of different doses of the flavonoid, apigenin, alone and in combination with the antitumor drugs, cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin, in vitro and in vivo. Using bacterial reverse mutation inhibition in vitro, with and without metabolic activation, the effect of apigenin (10 – 400 μg/plate) was studied on genotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide (800 μg/plate) and by doxorubicin (0.2 μg/plate). Subsequent to a dose-finding study in vivo, CD1 mice were treated with either cyclophosphamide (40 mg/kg, i.p.) or doxorubicin (5 mg/kg, i.p.) with or without co-administration of apigenin (1–100 mg/kg, p.o.). Micronuclei were determined microscopically in blood smears and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidative status (TAS) in whole blood, erythrocytes and plasma, respectively. Apigenin decreased doxorubicin-induced, but not cyclophosphamide-induced mutagenicity in vitro. In vivo, apigenin caused a statistically significant decrease in micronucleus frequency in response to cyclophosphamide, possibly due to active flavonoid metabolite formation or inhibition of cyclophosphamide metabolic activation. In animals treated with apigenin and doxorubicin, a significant decrease in micronucleus frequency was not observed, probably due to interindividual variability. No changes in GPX, SOD or TAS were observed in response to either cytotoxic agents or the flavonoid, possibly due to limited metabolic transformation of the drugs at the doses used. The results of the present study provide further evidence for the chemo-preventative properties of apigenin.
Effects on adolescents' lipid profile of a fitness-enhancing intervention in the school setting; the EDUFIT study.

OBJECTIVES Observational studies have reported an association among physical activity, fitness and lipid profile in youth. The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of a school-based intervention focused on increasing the number and intensity of Physical Education (PE) sessions a week, on adolescents' lipid profile. METHODS A 4-month group-randomized controlled trial was conducted in 67 adolescents (12-14 years-old) from South-East Spain, 2007. Three school classes were randomly allocated into control group (CG), experimental group-1 (EG1) and experimental group-2 (EG2). The CG received the usual PE in Spain (2 sessions/week), the EG1 received 4 PE sessions/week, and the EG2 received 4 PE sessions/week of high intensity. The main study outcomes were fasting levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) and triglycerides. All the analyses were adjusted for sex, sexual maturation, attendance and baseline value of the outcome studied. RESULTS The intervention did not positively affect cardio-metabolic parameters except for LDLc, that was marginally yet significantly reduced in EG2 (-10.4 mg/dl), compared with the CG (+4.1 mg/dl) (p = 0.04); no differences were observed however for the LDLc/HDLc ratio. No significant effects were observed in EG1. DISCUSSION Overall, a 4-month school-based physical activity intervention did not substantially influence lipid profile in adolescents. However, the results suggest that increasing both frequency and intensity of PE sessions had a modest effect on LDLc in youth. Future studies involving larger sample sizes and longer interventions should focus on the separate effects of volume and intensity of PE.
Cardioprotective effect of hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women: is the evidence biased?

Abstract Objective : To quantify the effect of selection of relatively healthy women in studies reporting reduced relative risk for cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women taking hormone replacement therapy. Design - Review of the follow up studies reported in three recent meta- analyses to determine the effect of oestrogen therapy on both total cancer and cardiovascular disease. The same standard statistical methods as in the original analyses were used. Main outcome measures : Relative risks of total cancer and cardiovascular disease. Results : In most of the follow up studies the relative risk for total cancer was below 1. The studies that showed the largest reduction in cardiovascular disease also showed the largest reduction in cancer, indicating a healthy cohort effect. Although heterogeneity within the studies prevented pooling, the best estimate for the protective effect on total cancer was a relative risk of 0.83 among women taking oestrogen (95% confidence interval 0.71 to 0.96), while in the same studies the relative risk for cardiovascular disease was 0.57 (0.50 to 0.64). Conclusions : Unintended selection of relatively healthy women for oestrogen therapy may have influenced the reported beneficial effect of oestrogen therapy on cardiovascular disease. It is unclear how much of the cardioprotection is due to this selection. Universal preventive hormonal replacement therapy for postmenopausal women is unwarranted at present.
Downregulation of p21‐activated kinase‐1 inhibits the growth of gastric cancer cells involving cyclin B1

p21‐activated kinase 1 (Pak1), a serine/threonine kinase, has been implicated in cytoskeletal remodelling, cell motility, apoptosis and transformation. However, the role of Pak1 in gastric cancer remains unclear. In this study, we detected Pak1 expression in gastric cancer tissues from 40 patients by western blot. Overexpression of Pak1 was associated with progression, metastasis and prognosis of gastric cancer. In addition, we found that knockdown of Pak1 expression significantly inhibited anchorage‐dependent and anchorage‐independent growth in gastric cancer cells, and markedly inhibited gastric cancer cell xenograft tumor growth. In further study, data showed that Pak1 could regulate the expression of cyclin B1 at the mRNA and protein levels, and impact the subcellular distribution and the promoter activity of cyclin B1. Results from deletion and mutant analysis supplied a new NF‐κB binding sites at position ‐321 of cyclin B1 promoter, and indicated that Pak1 regulated the transcription of cyclin B1 in gastric cancer through NF‐κB. In conclusion, Pak1 may be a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target in gastric cancer. © 2009 UICC
A Recommended Practice for Condition Assessment of Ground Anchors and Soil Nails

This paper describes a recommended practice for condition assessment and evaluation of ground anchors (including soil and rock anchors) and soil nails. Although the recommended practice mainly applies to evaluation of remaining service life for existing systems, some aspects of the protocol can be applied to construction QA/QC to verify details of element installation. The protocol includes nondestructive testing (NDT) supplemented by invasive testing of selected elements for condition assessment. General concepts of NDT are described including the GRANIT ground anchor integrity test, which is a commercially available system for impact testing of rock bolts and ground anchorages. The paper presents results from case studies used to verify results from the NDT and demonstrate application of the recommended practice. At one site, selected rock reinforcements were tested by lift-off testing and then exhumed for comparison with results from a variety of NDT including the GRANIT integrity test.
Invisible colleges in the adult education research world

Invisible colleges - researchers’ networks of communicating academic work - are power-generating actors shaping research fields. A key question concerns the relation between local research communities and their dependence on global actors. A key arena is articles and citations in academic journals. An actor-network-inspired empirical investigation of the geographical origin of articles and references in the journal “Studies in the Education of Adults” and a check of references to journals in “Adult Education Quarterly” was made. The origin of articles and study objects in the International journal of Lifelong education was also analysed. Some conclusions can be drawn from the material. One is the heavy impact of “real” geographical location, i.e. the origins of texts and references are located in very specific areas on the map, i.e. in spite of the possibilities of cyberspace and global mobility. Another conclusion is the unilateral relation between an Anglo-American centre and a periphery in the distribution systems of texts. Adult education is faced with a contradictory situation between culturing invisible colleges in adult education and getting resources in the emerging economy of publications and citations through membership in other invisible colleges.
Extremal properties of eigenvalues for a metric graph

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Aesthetic Values in Mathematics: A Value-Oriented Epistemology.

Much has been said on matter of aesthetics and mathematics—perhaps most commonly articulated in relation to properties such as ‘beauty’ and ‘elegance,’ which are used to distinguish good from not-so-good mathematical products. Despite its importance in the work of mathematicians, it has been argued that aesthetics cannot be incorporated into school mathematics given students' difficulties with basic problem-solving skills (Dreyfus and Eisenberg, 1986; 1996). In contrast, this paper argues that it is both possible and desirable to incorporate aesthetic concerns into the mathematical activities of students. The argument is based on a re-articulation of both the nature and purposes of the aesthetic in school mathematics that extends beyond the objective, product-oriented interpretations more commonly discussed.
Electrophysiologic and Antiarrhythmic Effects of the New Class III Antiarrhythmic Drug KCB-328 in Experimental Canine Atrial Flutter

Background: The electrophysiologic and antiarrhythmic effects of a new class III antiarrhythmic drug (KCB-328), a delayed rectifier potassium current (IKr) blocker with minimal reverse use-dependent effect on atrial repolarization, were evaluated in the canine night atrial crush-injury model of atrial flutter (AFL). Methods: Ten anesthetized, open-chest dogs, were studied after right atrial crush-injury. Atrial effective refractory period (ERP), conduction velocity (CV), wavelength, and dispersion of refractoriness were determined during programmed stimulation (S1S2 at SISI = 200, 300, 400, and 500 msec) at four sites via a mapping plaque sutured on the right atrial free wall. Right and left ventricular ERP were similarly measured at single sites. Electrophysiological parameters were determined at baseline and following sequential cumulative doses of KCB-328 (10, 30, 100. and 300,ug/kg). Results: Sustained AFL was inducible in 7/10 dogs by rapid pacing following baseline electrophysiologic measurements. KCB-328 significantly prolonged sinus cycle length, but had no effect on PR interval, and prolonged QTc only at the highest dose level. KCB-328 significantly prolonged atrial ERP and wavelength and ventricular ERP, and significantly reduced dispersion of atrial refractoriness. KCB-328 significantly prolonged AFL cycle length, and increasing doses progressively terminated sustained AFL and prevented its reinduction by pacing. No adverse hemodynamic or ventricular proarrhythmic effects were observed. Conclusions: The electrophysiologic profile of KCB-328 in this canine model of AFL, particularly its lack of reverse use-dependent effect on atrial refractoriness, suggests that it may have significant antiarrhythmic potential in treatment of atrial arrhythmias.
A New Look at the Second-Generation Antiepileptic Drugs: A Decade of Experience

Objective:To review data from the literature regarding the efficacy and tolerability of the second-generation antiepileptic drugs which were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 1994. Methods:A MEDLINE search of the literature, as well as review of bibliographies, was performed to identify randomized controlled trials and other reports evaluating efficacy, pharmacokinetic profile, adverse effects, and drug interactions of the second-generation antiepileptic drugs. Key search terms included felbamate, gabapentin, lamotrigine, topiramate, tiagabine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, zonisamide, and pregabalin. Results:Each of the second-generation antiepileptic drugs has demonstrated statistically significant reductions in seizure frequency over baseline compared with placebo or active control. Limited studies of efficacy of the new agents compared with the traditional antiepileptic drugs found no significant differences. Each of the second-generation antiepileptic drugs has a unique pharmacokinetic and side-effect profile. Compared with the traditional agents, the second-generation antiepileptic drugs have fewer serious adverse effects, as well as drug interactions. Conclusion:Knowledge of the second-generation antiepileptic drugs has greatly expanded over the past decade. The newer agents offer many options in the treatment of epilepsy that are safe, efficacious, and well tolerated.
The effect of in vitro mycorrhization on growth characteristics, changes in endogenous hormones and performance of microplants in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plantlets were inoculated in vitro with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (Glomus intraradices) and their growth response, performance and endogenous hormonal status evaluated. A factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design consisting of two potato cultivars (Agria and Sante) and four culture media was conducted with four replications. The culture media included non-inoculated Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium (control), inoculated MS medium, inoculated half-strength MS medium and inoculated MS medium without vitamins and sugar. To do inoculation, germinated spores of fungus were transferred to the root zone of plantlets. Colonization percentage, total chlorophyll content, internodes and stolon length, shoot diameter, shoot and root fresh and dry weight, leaf area and the level of three endogenous hormones (total auxins, gibberellins and cytokinins) were determined. In addition, mini-tuber production was assayed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results demonstrated that the effect of two factors on all characteristics including mini-tuber production was different significantly. Interaction between cultivar and inoculation systems was significantly associated with endogen auxins as well as all range of mini-tuber production. The inoculated MS medium showed the better results, but it did not have significant difference to halfstrength MS in terms of plantlet performance and growing parameters. Responses of both cultivars to inoculation were very conspicuous in the production of endogen hormones. Higher endogen hormone levels were associated with elevated growth parameters, greater biomass production and better plantlet performance.
Attenuation of Allergen-Induced Responses in CCR6−/− Mice Is Dependent upon Altered Pulmonary T Lymphocyte Activation

We have established a defect in CCR6−/− mice in response to a cockroach allergen airway challenge characterized by decreased IL-5 production, reduced CD4+ T and B cells as well as decreased eosinophil accumulation. To determine the nature of the defect in CCR6−/− mice T lymphocyte populations from allergen-sensitized wild-type mice were transferred into sensitized CCR6−/− mice. The reconstituted response was characterized by an increase in IL-5 levels, eosinophil accumulation, and serum IgE levels in recipient CCR6−/− mice. Analysis of lymphocytes from draining lymph nodes of CCR6+/+ and CCR6−/− sensitized or challenged mice demonstrated a significant decrease in IL-5 and IL-13 production in CCR6−/− mice. In contrast, the systemic response in allergen-rechallenged spleen cells demonstrated no significant alteration in allergen-induced cytokine production. Transfer of isolated splenic T lymphocytes from sensitized CCR6+/+ mice induced airway hyperresponsiveness in wild-type but not CCR6−/− naive mice, suggesting that T cells alone were not sufficient to induce airway hyperresponsiveness in CCR6−/− mice. Additional analysis demonstrated decreased CD11c+, CD11b+ and CD11c, and B220 subsets of dendritic cells in the lungs of CCR6−/− mice after allergen challenge. Using in vitro cell mixing studies with isolated pulmonary CD4+ T cells and CD11c+ cells from CCR6+/+ or CCR6−/− mice, we demonstrate alterations in both CCR6−/− T cells and CCR6−/− pulmonary APCs to elicit IL-5 responses. Altogether, the defect in CCR6−/− mice appears to be primarily due to an alteration in T cell activation, but also appears to include local pulmonary APC defects.
The history of industrial hygiene: a review with special reference to silicosis.

Abstract The historical development of industrial hygiene is presented with silicosis as the unifying theme. The development of protective, evaluative, and control measures is followed. Silicon (L. silex, flint) … Next to oxygen, the most abundant element; characteristic of all abundant and important rocks except carbonates. It makes up about one-fourth of the crust of the earth. Silicon is not found free; it occurs chiefly as the oxide, silica (SiO2) (sand, quartz, rock crystal, amethyst, agate, flint, jasper, opal, etc.)1
Internet Addiction and Psychosocial Maladjustment: Avoidant Coping and Coping Inflexibility as Psychological Mechanisms

This 6 month prospective study systematically tested some multivariate models that advanced the understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying Internet addiction and psychosocial maladjustment. On the basis of previous theories, avoidant coping and coping inflexibility were proposed as underlying mechanisms. Participants were 271 Chinese undergraduates (75% women, Mage=20.49) who took part in both phases of this study. Structural equation modeling was performed to obtain the best fit models for both the cross-sectional and the prospective data. The cross-sectional model testing revealed statistically significant mediating effects for both avoidant coping (β=0.149 [95% CI 0.071-0.226], p=0.002) and coping flexibility (β=0.048 [95% CI 0.013-0.081], p=0.032). The prospective model testing further showed that avoidant coping mediated the relationship between Internet addiction and Time 2 psychosocial maladjustment (β=0.141 [95% CI 0.065-0.216], p=0.005), as well as that between coping flexibility and Time 2 psychosocial maladjustment (β=-0.096 [95% CI -0.161 to -0.031], p=0.015). This study was the first to establish theory-driven models, which unveiled an inflexible, avoidant coping style as psychological mechanisms that explained the link between Internet addiction and psychosocial maladjustment.
A Case Study Testing the Impact of Scale on Arctic Sea Ice Thickness Distribution

We examine the variability of sea ice thickness distribution from the 20 km x 20 km nested UK submarine survey taken on 18 March 2007 in the Beaufort Sea. The survey is centered about a U.S. Navy ice camp. From 1-7 April 2007, two weeks later, a ground survey team measured the snow and ice thickness within a 2 km circle of the ice camp during an NSFsponsored science program. Because sea ice drifts, the ice camp was additionally equipped with a GPS buoy to provide a Lagrangian reference reporting position continuously from 15 March to 15 April. Results include a draft-to-thickness conversion ratio of 1.27 (including snow load effects) using a statistical mode matching algorithm. We find a mean of 2.99m for the ground survey and 3.07 ± 0.21m (average and range) for 2 km incremental scales of the submarine survey relative to the camp. When truncating all submarine survey subsets to the 8m limit of the ground survey, we find even closer agreement (2.95 ± 0.20m). The range of mean thicknesses over all scales is less than instrument uncertainties. This leads to the conclusion that the mean thickness is nearly scale invariant in support of modeling assumptions using a continuum approach with grid cell resolutions from 2 – 20 km. The largest differences between scales are variations in relative amounts of deformed ice with level-to-slightly deformed first-year ice dominating near the camp. Beyond the camp, we find increased proportions of new ice, associated deformation, and deformation of thick first-year and multi-year ice categories. The result is an increased skewing, broadening, and flattening of the thickness distribution away from the strong narrow peak found close to the camp. Hence while the mean thickness is does not change over these scales, the thickness distribution does, and this difference may have a fundamental impact on modeling calculations, especially heat fluxes, material behavior, momentum fluxes, and certainly local biogeochemical interactions.
Disownership and disembodiment of the real limb without visuoproprioceptive mismatch

The brain is able to sustain multiple bodily representations, and it is still unclear whether real body parts can be disembodied during the embodiment of fake or illusory body parts. The current experiment attempted to disembody the real hand without the visuoproprioceptive mismatch thought to compromise disembodiment in the rubber hand illusion by providing asynchronous feedback of the hand viewed in its actual location. Participants disowned their real hand and claimed ownership of a synchronous fake hand as measured by ownership questionnaires and skin conductance responses to perceived threat. In contrast, the body schema, as indexed by manual pointing, was only mildly affected, further supporting the distinction between bodily representations. Conflicts in time were more disruptive than conflicts in space for body ownership, while the effect was less so for body schema, schema being more affected by the proximity of vision and proprioception.
Reducing intersubject variability in motor unit number estimation

Motor unit number estimation (MUNE) attempts to directly assess the number of functioning motor units present in a muscle. It is an important addition to the electrodiagnostic evaluation; however, both intrasubject and intersubject reliability must be minimized for this technique to be clinically useful. A number of MUNE techniques have been developed. We propose a change in the way of calculating the MUNE, using the statistical technique described by Daube, and show that this modification reduces intersubject variability and improves test–retest reliability in normal subjects. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 22: 1457–1460, 1999