Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Novel Multifunctional, Iron-Chelating Drugs M30 and HLA20 Protect Pancreatic β-Cell Lines from Oxidative Stress Damage

Increasing evidence suggests that oxidative stress (OS)-induced pancreatic β-cell impairments is involved in diabetes and diabetic complications. Our group has recently synthesized two multifunctional nontoxic, lipophilic, iron-chelating drugs, 5-{N-methyl-N-propargylaminomethyl}-8-hydroxyquinoline (M30) and 5-{4-propargylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl}-8-hydroxyquinoline (HLA20), for the treatment of various OS-mediated pathogeneses. These compounds contain the N-propargylamine cytoprotective moiety of the antiparkinsonian drug rasagiline (Azilect) and the iron-complexing component 8-hydroxyquinoline. The aim of this research was to evaluate the protective effect of the multifunctional iron-chelating drugs on rat insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells (INS-1E and RINm) against OS-induced cytotoxicity. We found that M30 and HLA20 markedly and dose-dependently inhibited H2O2-induced cytotoxicity, associated with decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species formation and increased catalase activity. In accordance, the catalase inhibitor 3-amino-1,2,4-triazol blocked the protective action of M30 against H2O2-induced damage. Both compounds significantly increased the levels of the iron-responsive protein transferrin receptor indicating their iron-chelating effect. Further mechanistic studies showed that M30 and HLA20 attenuated H2O2-induced mitochondrial membrane potential loss, decreased the release of cytochrome c into the cytoplasm, and inhibited the activation of caspase-3, suggesting that these drugs may produce cytoprotective effects via the preservation of mitochondrial function. These results indicate that the novel drugs, M30 and HLA20 display significant cytoprotective activity against OS-induced cytotoxicity in insulin producing β-cells, which might be of therapeutic use in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
The Ambiguous Intentions Hostility Questionnaire (AIHQ): A new measure for evaluating hostile social-cognitive biases in paranoia

Introduction. This study reports on the development of a new measure of hostile social-cognitive biases for use in paranoia research, the Ambiguous Intentions Hostility Questionnaire (AIHQ). The AIHQ is comprised of a variety of negative situations that differ in terms of intentionality. Items were developed to reflect causes that were ambiguous, intentional, and accidental in nature. Methods. Participants were 322 college students who completed the AIHQ along with measures of paranoia, hostility, attributional style, and psychosis proneness. The reliability and validity of the AIHQ was evaluated using both correlational and multiple regression methods. Results. The AIHQ had good levels of reliability (internal consistency and interrater reliability). The AIHQ was positively correlated with paranoia and hostility and was not correlated with measures of psychosis proneness, which supported the convergent and discriminant validity of the scale. In addition, the AIHQ predicted incremental variance in paranoia scores as compared to the attributional, hostility, and psychosis proneness measures. Ambiguous items showed the most consistent relationships with paranoia. Conclusions. The AIHQ appears to be a reliable and valid measure of hostile social cognitive biases in paranoia. Recommendations for using the AIHQ in the study of paranoia are discussed.
[Attachment patterns and aggressive behaviours in adolescents suffering from mixed disorders of conduct and emotions].

AIM The paper presents results of research concerning attachment patterns and aggressive behaviours in adolescents suffering from mixed disorders of conduct and emotions. METHOD Both the clinical and the control group completed Parental Bonding Instrument and Polish version of Buss-Durkee Inventory. The first questionnaire measures parental style as perceived by the child, it consists of two scales: care and control. The second one measures some dimensions of aggression. RESULTS The study revealed that adolescents from the clinical group perceive their parents as less protective than the control. It showed very weak relations between relations with the parents and expression of aggression. These results are discussed. CONCLUSIONS The basic conclusion is that there are differences between groups in family functioning--adolescents from the clinical group received less protection from their parents what may influence their behaviours aimed at providing them more safety. Results concerning the relation between family relations and aggression indicate that future research must take into consideration other social relations of adolescents.
COLLATERAL SHORTAGES, ASSET PRICE AND INVESTMENT VOLATILITY WITH HETEROGENEOUS BELIEFS

The recent economic crisis highlights the role of financial markets in allowing economic agents, including prominent banks, to speculate on the future returns of different financial assets, such as mortgage-backed securities. This paper introduces a dynamic general equilibrium model with aggregate shocks, potentially incomplete markets and heterogeneous agents to investigate this role of financial markets. In addition to their risk aversion and endowments, agents differ in their beliefs about the future aggregate states of the economy.
Co-regulation of AS and eNOS phosphorylation by calcium 1 Protein Kinase C α Phosphorylates a Novel Argininosuccinate Synthase Site at Serine 328 During Calcium-Dependent Stimulation of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase in Vascular Endothelial Cells *

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) utilizes L-arginine as its principal substrate, converting it to L-citrulline and nitric oxide (NO). L-citrulline is recycled to L-arginine by two enzymes, argininosuccinate synthase (AS) and argininosuccinate lyase (AL), providing the substrate arginine for eNOS and NO production in endothelial cells. Together, these three enzymes, eNOS, AS and AL, make up the citrulline-NO cycle. Although AS catalyzes the rate-limiting step in NO production, little is known about the regulation of AS in endothelial cells beyond the level of transcription. In this report, we showed that AS Ser328 phosphorylation was coordinately regulated with eNOS Ser1179 phosphorylation when bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) were stimulated by either a calcium ionophore or thapsigargin to produce NO. Furthermore, using in vitro kinase assay, kinase inhibition studies, as well as protein kinase C alpha (PKCα) knockdown experiments, we demonstrate that the calcium-dependent phosphorylation of AS Ser328 is mediated by PKCα. Collectively, these findings suggest that phosphorylation of AS at Ser328 is regulated in accordance with the calcium-dependent regulation of eNOS under conditions that promote NO production, and are in keeping with the rate-limiting role of AS in the citrulline-NO cycle of vascular endothelial cells. _______________________________________
Nodal blue nevi: A study of three cases

Three cases of blue nevi associated within lymph nodes were identified. These nodal blue nevi were all incidentally discovered in relation to axillary lymph nodes removed as part of modified radical mastectomy procedures for carcinoma of the breast. Only one lymph node from each axillary dissection contained the lesion. In one case, gross examination revealed black streaks in the capsule of the lymph node, providing the first reported macroscopic illustration of the blue nevus within the capsule of a lymph node. The lesions each occupied small portions of the lymph node capsules, with penetration into perinodal fibroadipose tissue in two cases and extension along intranodal fibrous trabeculae in the third case. Histologically, heavily pigmented dendritic and bipolar nevus cells were admixed with melanophages. Ultrastructural examination of one case documented the presence of mature melanosomes and possible basement membrane material. None of the patients had notable skin lesions and all were free of disease at last follow-up. Nodal blue nevi are probably an unusual variant of the nevus aggregate associated with lymph nodes. These lesions limited to the nodal capsule and supporting stroma should not be mistaken for malignant melanoma.
C 3-4 level cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is uncommon at the C3-4 level. Fourteen patients with C3-4 CSM were treated over a period of 3 years. The radiological factors contributing to CSM at the C3-4 level were studied. These factors included the assessment of static and dynamic canal diameters, retrolisthesis, posterior osteophytes and degenerative spinal segmental fusion on plain X-rays; and, the anteroposterior cord compression ratio (APCR) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The clinical status of the patients was assessed by the modified Japanese orthopedic association scale (mJOAS). The mean difference between the static and dynamic canal diameters was statistically significant at C34 (p < 0.01). The APCR obtained at different levels showed a significant compression at the C3-4 level in comparison to the lower level. There was a correlation between the APCR and the preop mJOAS, r=0.6 (p<0.05). The mean mJOAS improved from 9.35 to 14.35 at follo-up. The recovery rate calculated using the modified Hirabayashi rate was 66.9%. Degenerative changes at lower cervical segments predispose to increased mobility and spondylotic changes at the C3-4 level. The patients in this study were young as compared to those reported in the international literature.
Comparative Effects of Two Different Forms of Selenium on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Healthy Men: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Epidemiologic and laboratory studies indicate that dietary selenium protects against prostate cancer. Results from clinical trials suggest that selenium-enriched yeast (SY) but not selenomethionine (SeMet) may be effective at reducing prostate cancer risk. Our objectives were to directly compare for the first time the effects of SeMet and SY on prostate cancer relevant biomarkers in men. We performed a randomized double blind, placebo-controlled trial of SY (200 or 285 μg/day) and SeMet (200 μg/day) administered for 9 months in 69 healthy men. Primary endpoints included blood levels of selenium-containing compounds and oxidative stress biomarkers [urine 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and 8-iso-prostaglandin-F2α (8-iso-PGF2α) and blood glutathione (GSH)]. Secondary endpoints included plasma glucose and PSA levels. Compliance was high in all groups (>95%). Plasma selenium levels were increased 93%, 54%, and 86% after 9 months in SeMet and low- and high-dose SY groups, respectively, and returned to baseline levels after a 3-month washout (P < 0.05). Levels of 8-OHdG and 8-iso-PGF2α were decreased 34% and 28%, respectively, after 9 months in the high-dose SY group (P < 0.05). These decreases were greatest in individuals with low baseline plasma levels of selenium (<127 ng/mL). No changes in serum PSA or blood glucose and GSH were observed. Overall, we showed for the first time, reductions in biomarkers of oxidative stress following supplementation with SY but not SeMet in healthy men. These findings suggest that selenium-containing compounds other than SeMet may account for the decrease in oxidative stress. Cancer Prev Res; 7(8); 796–804. ©2014 AACR.
Assessing self-care component of activities and participation domain of the international classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF) among people living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract Disability experience of persons with HIV illness has shifted from issues related to physical well-being to those concerning performance of daily life activities. This study aimed to find out the nature of self-care among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in rural tertiary care center. The objectives were to determine reported self-care by performance qualifier of PLWHA and to find out reported self-care by capacity qualifier of PLHIV. A cross sectional study was conducted among the 194 PLHIV in rural tertiary care hospital. The Self-Care (d5) component of Activities and Participation domain (d) of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) was used. Among the 194 PLHIV patients studied, 82% were male. The average age was 36.87 years (SD±9.01) with a median of 35 years, varying from 15 to 65 years. Over 65% of the study group experienced one or more impairments. As HIV disease has become a more lifelong, unpredictable, but medically manageable condition, there is a need for more collaboration with other disability groups in order to identify commonalities in their experiences and to share collective concerns.
Lifting the barriers to growth in UK small businesses: 2004 biennial survey of FSB membership

This report presents the results of the third biennial survey of FSB membership. Responses were received from 18,635 FSB members drawn from all regions of the UK. This study builds on the two previous FSB biennial survey reports 'Barriers to Survival and Growth in UK Small Firms' published in 2000 and 'Lifting the Barriers to Growth in UK Small Businesses' published in 2002. Many of the issues raised in the two earlier reports are also featured in this study. These include issues relating to small business growth, employment, finance, business advisory services and legislation. Where possible, the results of the three surveys are compared in order to explore changes over time in small business attitudes and in their business environment. This survey also examines a range of current business issues and their effects on the small business sector. These include issues relating to bank switching, the National Minimum Wage uprate, new employment directives, environmental compliance and business related crime.
The treatment of balanitis xerotica obliterans

Balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO), ®rst described in 1928 by Stuhmer, is now considered to be the male genital variant of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSA). This common penile disease can involve the prepuce, the glans (Fig. 1) or the urethra, either individually or in any combination. BXO was regarded as an exclusively adult disease until a case was documented in a 7-year-old boy in 1962 [1]. Further reports of prepubertal BXO followed during the 1970s and currently it is recognized as a common cause of acquired phimosis and meatal stenosis in schoolboys, and has even been identi®ed in the ®rst year of life (unpublished communication). It remains speculation as to whether this represents a genuine change in prevalence and behaviour of this disease, or merely greater clinical awareness and recognition. The aetiology of BXO remains obscure. Genetic factors have been implicated in association with HLA subtypes [2], which may explain our observation of brothers, or of fathers and sons, presenting with this condition. Several publications [3,4] including ours, noted an increased incidence of other auto-immune type conditions (e.g. diabetes, vitiligo, alopecia), not only among patients, but also their close relatives. An infective aetiology has also been considered although initial studies on viruses [5], spirochetes [6] and acid-fast bacilli [7] were inconclusive or unsubstantiated.
Meta-analysis of calcium bioavailability: a comparison of calcium citrate with calcium carbonate.

OBJECTIVE To perform a meta-analysis of data from available published trials comparing the bioavailability of calcium carbonate with that of calcium citrate. DATA SOURCES The whole set was comprised of 15 studies involving 184 subjects who underwent measurement of calcium absorption from calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. Category A excluded four studies for lack of physiological relevance, use of a mixed preparation with low content of calcium carbonate, or wide variability in results. Category B was comprised of five studies (from Category A) involving 71 subjects who took calcium supplements on an empty stomach. Category C was comprised of six studies (from Category A) involving 65 subjects who took calcium preparations with meals. METHOD The meta-analysis of calcium absorption data from calcium carbonate and calcium citrate, with calculation of effect size and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS Calcium absorption from calcium citrate was consistently significantly higher than that from calcium carbonate by 20.0% in the whole set, by 24.0% in Category A, by 27.2% on an empty stomach, and by 21.6% with meals. CONCLUSION Calcium citrate is better absorbed than calcium carbonate by approximately 22% to 27%, either on an empty stomach or co-administered with meals.
Experimentally Calibrated Thermal Stator Modeling of AC Machines for Short-Duty Transient Operation

This paper presents an approach to the thermal design of an ac machine where the application requires low-duty transient operation. To provide accurate temperature predictions, the design process has been informed with experimental data from tests on a stator-winding sector (motorette). These have been shown to be a time and cost-effective means of calibrating the thermal model of a full machine assembly, prior to manufacture of the final design. Such an approach is usually adopted in design analysis of machines with a concentrated winding topology. Here, the motorette testing has been extended to a machine with a distributed winding. Several alternate slot liner and impregnating materials have been evaluated to maximize the heat transfer from the winding body into the machine periphery, and a total of nine stator section samples have been manufactured and tested. The performance tradeoffs between the various combinations are discussed in detail alongside their ability to satisfy the design requirements. Based upon these experimental results, the most promising designs have been selected for transient duty analysis against the design specification. A lumped parameter thermal model has been used for this purpose and calibrated using the data from the subassembly testing. Experimental results on the full machine assembly are presented, showing good correlation with the motorette calibrated thermal model.
Effects of brain natriuretic peptide on renal nerve activity in conscious rabbits.

Responses of renal nerve activity (RNA) to intravenous infusion of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were examined in chronically instrumented conscious rabbits with all baroreflexes intact, sinoaortic baroreceptor denervation (SAD), and SAD plus vagotomy. In intact rabbits, an infusion of BNP at a rate of 0.3 microgram.kg-1.min-1 for 30 min decreased mean arterial pressure (MAP) by 8 +/- 1 mmHg and increased RNA by 48 +/- 4% but did not alter heart rate (HR). The decrease in MAP in SAD rabbits (20 +/- 3 mmHg) was greater than in intact rabbits, whereas RNA increased less (21 +/- 7%). After SAD plus vagotomy, BNP lowered MAP by 25 +/- 4 mmHg, whereas RNA was not altered significantly. To further examine the effects of BNP on baroreflex control of HR and RNA, the baroreceptors were stimulated or unloaded by raising or lowering MAP by injections of phenylephrine or glyceryl trinitrate, respectively. The maximum change in each HR or RNA response to phenylephrine or glyceryl trinitrate was plotted against the maximum change in each MAP response and a logistic function curve was fitted to the MAP-HR and MAP-RNA relationship. BNP did not alter the slope of either curve but shifted both curves to the left. These results indicate that 1) in intact rabbits, BNP increases RNA due to sinoaortic and cardiopulmonary baroreflexes and 2) BNP resets the baroreflex control of HR and RNA to a lower arterial pressure.
Corporate governance structure and board of directors remuneration policies: evidence from Spain

This paper analyses the effect of corporate governance structure’s development on the total amount and composition of the remuneration packages received by Spanish listed firms’ board members. We study the possible influence of the firms’ ownership structure and board features on remuneration policies. Our main results suggest that firm’s size and profitability, together with certain corporate governance characteristics, such as the ownership concentration, the directors’ ownership stake and the existence of a nomination and remuneration committee, affect the directors’ compensation schemes in the Spanish stock market.
Nitric oxide in gingival crevicular fluid and nitric oxide synthase expression in the gingiva of patients with sickle cell disease.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to biochemically measure the production of nitric oxide in gingival crevicular fluid and immunohistochemically measure the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the gingiva of patients with sickle cell disease. Additionally, we aimed to obtain insight into the immunopathology of sickle cell disease by comparing inducible nitric oxide synthase levels in patients with sickle cell disease and controls using gingiva and gingival crevicular fluid. METHODS The study included 20 sickle cell disease patients and 20 healthy controls. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to measure inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in gingiva and nitric oxide levels in gingival crevicular fluid were spectrophotometrically measured. RESULTS Nitric oxide levels in the patients and controls did not differ significantly (21.2±4.5 and 23.1±2.3 μM L-1, respectively, p>0.05). There weren't any statistically significant differences in infiltrated inflammatory cells, density of inflammatory cells that stained with inducible nitric oxide synthase, or nitric oxide expression in gingiva between the patient and control groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge this is the first study to examine the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the gingiva and gingival crevicular fluid in patients with sickle cell disease. Using the gingiva and gingival crevicular fluid we were unable to observe sickle cell disease-associated inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and a difference in nitric oxide levels.
Efficiency of Higher Education in Turkey: A Bootstrapped Two-Stage DEA Approach 1

The purpose of higher education is to provide training for individuals based on contemporary teaching methods, to meet the needs of the nation and country in the fields of training and education, scientific research, press and consulting services. For this purpose, the role of higher education institutions is great. Higher education institutions that shape today's information society are an important actor in providing economic development and growth, and competitive advantage to countries in the international arena, as well as in providing prestige and high level of income to individuals. In this regard, efficiency of higher education institutions in academic and research activities and investigating the factors that determine the efficiency are also important. Aim of this paper is to deal a two- stage data envelopment analysis for 51 public universities in Turkey in 2006-2010. The first stage is concerned with data envelopment analysis to measure the bootstrapped efficiency of the universities. This is followed by factors that affect the efficiency of the universities random effects Tobit model in the second stage. The results of the model demonstrate that, Turkish public universities are efficiency 37% in 2006, 39% in 2007, 47% in 2008, 35% in 2009, 37% in 2010. Also, number of female student has a positive and important effect on relative efficiency of universities in Turkey.
Evaluate Helpfulness in Amazon Reviews Using Deep Learning

Understanding how users perceive reviews’ quality is crucial since it can reveal insights on what drives a user’s purchasing decisions. We examine this problem by looking at Amazon review data and its helpfulness rating. We proceed by casting it as a binary classification problem using deep learning models such as RNN and LSTM. Despite presence of preferential attachment and other social biases, our results suggest that users value keywords and relevancy over sentence structure and readability. In addition, it also seem to suggest that users may have a limited “attention span” for reading each review.