Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Male contribution to infertility in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

This is a retrospective study of 350 cases of male partners of infertile couples who presented at the gynaecological and urological units of Ife State Hospital branch of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital complex Ile-Ife, Nigeria within a five year (1993-1997) period. Of the 350 cases reviewed, 200 (57.6%) had normal seminal fluid parameters while 27.7% had oligozoospermia and 15.2% had azoospermia. The age and past history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) had significant effect on the result of seminal fluid analysis (p < 0.05 respectively) while the occupational status had no significant effect (p > 0.05). Most of the infertile couple presented with secondary infertility (62%) with a significant past history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) (p < 0.05). Efforts directed to the prevention of STDs should be pursued vigorously by health care providers. Education of the populace on responsible sexual habits cannot be overemphasized.
Neurotrophin‐3 targets the translational initiation machinery in oligodendrocytes

Neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) regulates oligodendrocyte (OLG) differentiation by mechanisms that remain poorly understood. Exposure of OLGs to NT‐3 induces a significant increase in the levels of myelin basic protein (MBP). However, we found that this stimulation occurs in the absence of measurable effects on MBP gene promoter activation or mRNA expression, suggesting that NT‐3 upregulates MBP protein expression by a posttranscriptional mechanism. Furthermore, NT‐3 also causes an increase in the levels of myelin‐associated glycoprotein (MAG) and myelin OLG glycoprotein (MOG), raising the possibility of a more general effect on myelin protein synthesis. Surprisingly, 35S‐methionine incorporation into total OLG proteins demonstrated a 50% increase in labeling following only a brief, 15‐min treatment with NT‐3. Such a remarkably fast response is unlikely due to transcriptional activation, reinforcing the possibility that NT‐3 may play a crucial role in regulating protein expression by a posttranscriptional mechanism. In support of this idea, we found that NT‐3 stimulates the phosphorylation of essential regulators of the initiation machinery, eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), and its inhibitory binding partner 4E binding protein 1 (4EBP1), two crucial players in controlling cap‐dependent protein synthesis. This stimulation involves the activation of pathways mediated by ERK1/2 and PI3K/mTOR, implicating these two kinase systems as modulators of protein synthesis in developing OLGs. Altogether, these observations show for the first time that NT‐3 has the capacity of targeting the translational machinery and suggest a potential stimulatory effect of this neurotrophin on myelination by direct action on protein translation in the OLGs. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multilevel regulation of low-density lipoprotein receptor and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase gene expression in normal and leukemic cells.

Altered cholesterol homeostasis has been noted in malignant cells, which led us to explore the regulation of cholesterol metabolism in normal and leukemic cells. The mean low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase activities were fivefold and threefold higher in mononuclear blood cells from 33 patients with leukemia, compared with cells from 23 healthy subjects, whereas elevations in RNA levels were twofold and 40% only. The activities of the two proteins correlated in normal cells (r = .46), whereas an inverse correlation was found in leukemic cells (r = -.40). Relatively weak correlations were found between LDL receptor RNA levels and receptor activity in normal (r = .48) and leukemic cells (r = .49), and HMG-CoA reductase RNA levels correlated (r = .53) with reductase activity in leukemic cells only. The ratios of protein activities to RNA levels in cells were constant during consecutive blood samplings and similar in leukemic blood and bone marrow cells from the same individual. During cholesterol deprivation, protein activities increased more than RNA levels, and leukemic cells with high LDL receptor activity showed a partial resistance to the suppressing effect of sterols on LDL receptor gene expression. The results demonstrate that LDL receptor RNA levels alone can not explain variation in receptor activity, suggesting post-RNA regulation of LDL receptor expression, similar to what has been described for HMG-CoA reductase. Taken together, the present results suggest multilevel regulation of both proteins and demonstrate that each cell clone, normal or malignant, has a unique ratio of protein activity to RNA level. Leukemic cells, in contrast to normal cells, can meet increased cholesterol requirements by either elevated LDL receptor activity or increased cholesterol synthesis, which is of potential interest for diagnosis and specific treatment of leukemia.
Diode Laser Hair Removal in Patients Undergoing Isotretinoin Therapy

BACKGROUND It is generally believed that any intervention in skin while on isotretinoin or within 6 months after the treatment can lead to prolonged healing and scarring. OBJECTIVE The objective was to evaluate the side effects of laser hair removal in patients undergoing isotretinoin treatment. METHODS Seven female patients undergoing isotretinoin therapy for acne were treated with a diode laser with a wavelength of 810 nm, a contact-cooling device, and a variable pulse width of 50 to 1000 ms. All volunteers received first treatment in the axillary or bikini area at 21 J/cm2 (80 W) and the second treatment was done in the same area at 24 J/cm2 (90 W). Six volunteers received additional treatments of chin area with a fluence of 21 or 24 J/cm2. All volunteers were evaluated and photographed 1 week and 1 month after each treatment and degree of erythema, pigmentary change, vesiculation, swelling, and scarring was documented. RESULTS There was no erythema, pigmentary change, swelling, or scarring at any follow up visits. One volunteer presented with a bulla 1 week after second treatment, which was resolved at 1-month follow-up. All volunteers were satisfied with the degree of hair removal with two treatments. CONCLUSION This limited study suggests that diode laser hair removal is safe in patients undergoing isotretinoin therapy.
The Cancer/Testis Antigen Prostate-associated Gene 4 (PAGE4) Is a Highly Intrinsically Disordered Protein*

The cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) are an important group of heterogeneous proteins that are predominantly expressed in the testis in the normal human adult but are aberrantly expressed in several types of cancers. Prostate-associated gene 4 (PAGE4) is a member of the CT-X family of CTAs that in addition to testis, is highly expressed in the fetal prostate, and may also play an important role both in benign and malignant prostate diseases. However, the function of this gene remains poorly understood. Here, we show that PAGE4 is a highly (100%) intrinsically disordered protein (IDP). The primary protein sequence conforms to the features of a typical IDP sequence and the secondary structure prediction algorithm metaPrDOS strongly supported this prediction. Furthermore, SDS-gel electrophoresis and analytical size exclusion chromatography of the recombinant protein revealed an anomalous behavior characteristic of IDPs. UV circular dichroism (CD) and NMR spectroscopy confirmed that PAGE4 is indeed a highly disordered protein. In further bioinformatic analysis, the PredictNLS algorithm uncovered a potential nuclear localization signal, whereas the algorithm DBS-Pred returned a 99.1% probability that PAGE4 is a DNA-binding protein. Consistent with this prediction, biochemical experiments showed that PAGE4 preferentially binds a GC-rich sequence. Silencing PAGE4 expression induced cell death via apoptosis and in mice carrying PCa xenografts, siRNA-mediated knockdown of the PAGE4 mRNA attenuated tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, overexpressing PAGE4 protected cells from stress-induced death. To our knowledge, PAGE4 is the first example of a CTA that is an IDP with an anti-apoptotic function.
Design and Performance of Generalized Interconnection Networks

This paper introduces a general class of self-routing interconnection networks for tightly coupled multiprocessor systems. The proposed network, named a "generalized shuffle network (GSN)," is based on a new interconnection pattern called a generalized shuffle and is capable of connecting any number of processors M to any number of memory modules N. The technique results in a variety of interconnection networks depending on how M nd N are factored. The network covers a broad spectrum of interconnections, starting from shared bus to crossbar switches and also includes various multistage interconnection networks (MIN's).
Value of MR cholangiopancreatography in evaluating choledochal cysts.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this retrospective study was to clarify whether MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is a suitable replacement for ERCP in evaluation of the choledochal cyst. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixteen patients (six adult and 10 pediatric) with choledochal cysts underwent MRCP using a half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo sequence. Extent of the cyst, defects within the biliary tree, and presence or absence of the anomalous junction of the pancreaticobiliary duct were evaluated. Findings were compared with those of ERCP. RESULTS MRCP better defined the proximal biliary tree than did ERCP in two patients. Defects within the biliary tree were diagnosed correctly on MRCP in eight patients; however, two defects within the distal common bile duct were missed in pediatric patients. The presence of the anomalous junction of the pancreaticobiliary duct was revealed accurately by MRCP in all adult patients but was revealed accurately in only four of the 10 pediatric patients. CONCLUSION MRCP appears to offer diagnostic information that is equivalent to that of ERCP for assessment of choledochal cysts in adults. In pediatric patients, MRCP should not replace ERCP; however, MRCP can play an important role as a noninvasive examination and should be considered a first-choice imaging technique for evaluation of choledochal cysts.
The shear modulus of connections between tendon fascicles

Values of shear moduli in collagenous composites such as tendon are necessary to understand their mechanical properties fully. Simple shear tests were used to measure the initial shear modulus longitudinal and transverse to the fascicle direction in three tendons of the bovine hind limb: calcaneus, superfical digital flexor and deep digital flexor. The shear modulus was similar in both directions and in all three tendons, although the superficial digital flexor tendon may be marginally stiffer than the other two tendons. Tendon fascicles are laterally bounded by a loose sheath of crossed-ply fibres. Slippage between tendon fascicles may dominate the shear behaviour of the whole tissue. The absolute values of the shear moduli measured (2.94 – 6.38 kPa) are small, indicating that lateral force transmission between fascicles by shear is not efficient at small strains.
Early detection of Toxoplasma infection by molecular monitoring of Toxoplasma gondii in peripheral blood samples after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND Isolated case reports have shown that recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCTs) who develop toxoplasmosis may have circulating Toxoplasma gondii DNA in peripheral blood before the onset of clinical symptoms. METHODS We prospectively studied 106 T. gondii-seropositive adult recipients of HSCTs for the incidence of reactivation of toxoplasmosis in the first 6 months after transplantation. Toxoplasmosis infection (TI) was defined by a positive result of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of peripheral blood specimens, whereas toxoplasmosis disease (TD) was defined as an invasive infection. RESULTS The incidence of TI was 16% (95% confidence interval [CI], 8%-21%), whereas the incidence of TD was 6% (95% CI, 1%-10%). In the 16 patients with TI, the incidence of disease was 38%, whereas it was 0% in patients without TI (P<.0001). In most patients, the onset of TD or treatment for TI was preceded by an increase in the parasite load in peripheral blood samples, as determined by quantitative PCR. CONCLUSIONS Toxoplasmosis occurs more commonly after HSCT than has previously been suggested, and routine PCR testing of peripheral blood specimens may be an appropriate tool for guiding preemptive therapy in patients at very high risk of developing invasive disease.
A reconfigurable wideband streaming channeliser for RF sensing applications: A multiple GPU-based implementation

This paper describes the design and implementation of a reconfigurable, software-defined spectral channeliser for radio frequency (RF) spectrum sensing applications. The software-based design targets a parallel, multi-core processor architecture in the form of a graphics processing unit (GPU) and incorporates a polyphase filter bank design. Our implementation provides continuous channelisation of RF intercept data across a scalable number of GPU processing engines. On modern generation GPUs, such as the Tesla K40c, we found that our GPU-hosted channeliser satisfies real-time processing requirements for a current microwave intercept receiver with electronic warfare applications. Specifically, a system with an instantaneous collection bandwidth of 500 MHz and a digital sample rate of 1.333 GSa/s. The configurable nature of our channeliser was not done at the expense of performance, in that a similar computational efficiency was achieved across multiple channel sizes. Our analysis also includes a profiling of the computational load on the GPU and comparing it to that of a single core, high performance, CPU implementation. We found that we were able to achieve up to 40x improvement in performance with our implementation on a single GPU and this result scaled linearly when additional GPU resources were utilised.
Elimination of L-A double-stranded RNA virus of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by expression of gag and gag-pol from an L-A cDNA clone

We report that expression of a nearly full-length cDNA clone of the L-A double-stranded RNA virus causes virus loss in a wild-type strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We show that in this system exclusion of the L-A virus is independent of the presence of the packaging site or of cis sites for replication and transcription and completely dependent on expression of functional recombinant gag and gag-pol fusion protein. Thus, this exclusion is not explained in terms of overexpression of packaging signals. Mutation of the chromosomal SKI2 gene, known to repress the copy number of double-stranded RNA cytoplasmic replicons of S. cerevisiae, nearly eliminates the exclusion. We suggest that exclusion is due to competition by proteins expressed from the plasmid for a possibly limiting cellular factor. Our hypotheses on exclusion of L-A proteins may also apply to resistance to plant viruses produced by expression of viral replicases in transgenic plants.
A prospective 20‐year longitudinal follow‐up of dementia in persons with Down syndrome

Goal To examine dementia characteristics, age at onset and associated co‐morbidities in persons with Down syndrome. Method A total of 77 people with Down syndrome aged 35 years and older were followed up from 1996 to 2015. The diagnosis of dementia was established using the modified ICD 10 Criteria and a combination of objective and informant‐based tests. Cognitive tests included the Test for Severe Impairment and the Down Syndrome Mental Status Examination; adaptive behaviour was measured using the Daily Living Skills Questionnaire, and data from the Dementia Questionnaire for People with Intellectual Disabilities have been available since 2005. Results Over the 20‐year period, 97.4% (75 of 77) persons developed dementia with a mean age of dementia diagnosis of 55 years (SD = 7.1, median = 56 years). Clinical dementia was associated with cognitive and function decline and seizure activity. Risk for dementia increased from 23% in those aged 50 years to 80% in those aged 65 years and above. There were no differences by level of ID. Conclusion The previously reported high risk levels for dementia among people with Down syndrome were confirmed in this data as was the relationship with late onset epilepsy. The value of the instruments utilised in tracking decline and helping to confirm diagnosis is further highlighted.
Comparative study of serum zinc, copper and selenium in horses withstrangles and healthy horses

Strangles disease which was caused by Streptococcusequi is one of the common infectious diseases among horses that annually affect many horses in different regions. Role of elements such as zinc, copper and selenium in the immune system and antioxidant activity in horses has been distinctly determined. The objective of this study was to evaluate the serum profile of zinc, copper, ceruloplasmin and selenium in horses with Strangles and to compare these values with healthy horses. 21 horses with Strangles based on clinical signs and laboratory-based experiments (culture from respiratory secretions and fluids draining lymph nodes) was identified from horse clubs around Tabriz-Iran and after taking a complete history of each horse, blood samples were obtained from jugular vein and after clotting, serum was separated. Simultaneously, blood samples of 18 healthy horses were taken. Mean concentrations of zinc of serum in Strangles affected horses were significantly lesser than control group (P=0.001). mean concentrations of copper and ceruloplasmin of serum of Strangles affected horses were more than healthy horses, this increase was NOT significant in the case of copper but was significant in the case of ceruloplasmin(P=0.547 and P=0.002, respectively). Mean concentrations of selenium was similar to zinc and suggested significant decrease in horses with Strangles (P=0.003). In the group of sick horses we observed increase in serum copper with increase in ceruloplasmin and this correlation was significant (P=0.002 and r=0.938) but, in the group of healthy horses this increase was NOT significant. Mean of any of the measured parameters between the different age groups showed no significant difference in the patient group and there was not any correlation between age of sick horses and mean concentrations of above elements. The eventual result is that in horses with Strangles mean serum values of zinc and selenium is reduced and ceruloplasmin as a inflammatory factor is amplificated and in treatment of these animals injection of supplemental components with zinc and selenium is recommended.
State Theory and the Dependency Principle: An Institutionalist Critique of the Business Climate Concept

In the continuing literature on state theory and political power, "the dependency principle" has gained wide acceptance among political scientists and sociologists as an important concept for explaining the symbiotic relationship between state elites and the capitalist class.1 The dependency principle asserts that the decision-making power and policy capabilities of the state in capitalist society are, for various reasons, dependent upon the success and continuity of the capital accumulation process. Therefore, state elites must adopt policies that enhance "business confidence" in the short run and that promote a favorable business climate over the long run.2 In more stringent applications of the principle, theorists such as Nicos Poulantzas and Claus Offe argue that the state's dependency on capital is "so absolutely compelling as to turn those who run the state into the merest of functionaries and executants of policies imposed upon them by 'the [capitalist] system"' [King 1986, 77]. 3 Even in less stringent formulations of the concept, theorists such as Fred Block [1977, 6-28; 1980, 227-42], Stephen Elkin [1987, chap. 2], and Charles Lindblom [1982, 32432] suggest that the "privileged position of business" in a market economy systematically promotes a natural alliance between state elites and the capitalist class. Where state elites promote a favorable business climate with public policy, they will be rewarded with high rates of private investment, economic growth, and employment stability. Interestingly, even though the dependency principle has been formulated by liberal and radical state theorists, its explanatory power relies on the assumption that
Regional Labor Market Performance in Europe

The labor market effects of the recent financial and economic crisis are rather heterogeneous across countries and regions. Such differences in labor market performance among industrialized countries are an issue of ongoing research. The objective of this article is to analyze labor market disparities among European regions and to provide evidence on the factors behind these differences. Whereas previous research focused on the effects of national labor market institutions, we also take structural characteristics of regions into account and investigate differences in labor demand responsiveness and their potential determinants. The data set covers the Nomenclature des unités territoriales statistiques 2 regions in the EU15 for the period 1980 to 2008. We employ an error correction model that is combined with spatial residual correlation. Our findings point to substantially distinct wage and output elasticities of employment among European countries and regions. Moreover, the rate of adjustment to disequilibrium is subject to significant variation across units of observation. There is robust evidence that labor market institutions affect the adjustment speed of regional labor markets and the wage elasticity of employment. Moreover, the findings suggest that some characteristics of regional labor markets matter as well. However, corresponding results are less robust compared with the evidence on labor market institutions.
Perceived control and self-efficacy, subjective well-being and lifestyle behaviours in young Iranian women

This study examined whether young Iranian women’s perceived control and self-efficacy, as a component of cognitive social capital, predicts health and well-being. A total of 391 women aged between 18 and 35 years completed a survey including scales measuring control and self-efficacy and health outcomes including quality of life, satisfaction with life and lifestyle behaviours. Statistical analyses indicated that participants had low perceived control and influence over community affairs together with high perceived control over their personal lives. Multiple regression analyses indicated the predictive role of control and self-efficacy for well-being outcomes suggesting the potential role for health interventions targeting control and self-efficacy.