Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of alpha lipoic acid on cerebral vasospasm following experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in the rabbit.

AIM The aim of this study is to determine the effects of a strong dithiol antioxidant, alpha lipoic acid (ALA) on cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage in a rabbit model. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-one New Zealand white rabbits were assigned to one of three groups: group 1 (control), group 2 (SAH only), group 3 (SAH+ALA). ALA was administered (100 mg/kg/day, single dose, intraperitoneally). The rabbits were sacrificed 72 hours after SAH. The basilar artery lumen areas, arterial wall thickness and endothelial apoptosis in a cross section of basilar artery were measured in all groups. The tissue MDA, SOD, GSH-Px levels were also determined. RESULTS The elevated tissue MDA levels after SAH were significantly reduced by ALA treatment. The reduced tissue SOD and GSH-Px levels after SAH were also elevated by ALA treatment. In the treatment group the average wall thickness and the mean percentages of apoptotic cells (apoptotic index) were reduced and the average cross-sectional areas of the basilar artery were increased statistically significantly. CONCLUSION ALA treatment attenuates the severity of cerebral vasospasm by its strong antioxidant, antivasospastic and antiapoptotic properties. ALA may potentially serve as agents in the prevention of cerebral vasospasm after SAH.
Theorizing Language Teacher Identity: Three Perspectives and Beyond

Language teacher identity is an emerging subject of interest in research on language teacher education and teacher development. Yet relatively little attention has been paid to the ways in which teacher identity is theorized. The present article explores ways of theorizing language teacher identity by presenting three data-based studies of teacher identity and juxtaposing the three different theoretical frameworks that they use: Tajfel's (1978) social identity theory, Lave and Wenger's (1991) theory of situated learning, and Simon's (1995) concept of the image-text. It is seen that each theoretical perspective allows us to investigate different substantive and theoretical aspects of language teacher identity and that there are strong conceptual resonances among the different approaches. While in isolation each theory has its limitations, an openness to multiple theoretical approaches allows a richer and more useful understanding of the processes and contexts of teacher identity.
Clinical Profile of Ocular Sarcoidosis in a South Indian Patient Population

Aim: To report the ocular and systemic features in patients with definite and presumed sarcoidosis presenting to a tertiary referral eye center in south India. Materials and Methods: Retrospective observational case series. Records of 51 patients with diagnosis of sarcoidosis were retrieved. A complete ophthalmic evaluation and systemic examination by a pulmonologist with appropriate laboratory investigations were done in all patients. Results were statistically analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The mean age group was 45.14 ± 10.91 years. Females were more common and 31 cases were biopsy proven. Panuveitis and thoracic involvement was the most common ophthalmic and systemic manifestations of sarcoid respectively. Posterior synechiae, granulomatous keratic precipitates, increased anterior chamber reaction, and cystoid macular edema were significantly more common in those presenting initially to an ophthalmologist. Conclusions: Sarcoidosis is increasingly recognized in south India as well. A complete review of systems with appropriate investigations is essential to prevent ocular or systemic morbidity.
Association between killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor 2DS5 gene with essential hypertension in the Chinese Han patients

Hypertension has been suggested to be mediated by immunity and inflammation. As immune system genes, killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs) genes play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. We conducted a community population‐based case–control study to analyse associations between KIR genes and hypertension. KIR genes were genotyped using sequence‐specific primer polymerase chain reaction in 380 unrelated essential hypertensives and 527 normotensives. The frequencies of KIR2DS5 gene were significantly decreased in participants with high high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) compared with participants with low hsCRP (17.02% vs 34.08%, p = .016). The presence of KIR2DS5 gene was independently associated with decreased risk of hypertension (odds ratio = 0.62; 95% confidence interval: 0.43–0.89), after adjusted for conventional risk factors, hsCRP and other KIR genes. We found that participants with KIR2DS5 gene had a decreased risk of hypertension compared with participants without KIR2DS5 gene. Our findings suggested that KIR2DS5 gene may be protective against hypertension.
The Iron Chelator Desferrioxamine (Desferal) Retards 6‐Hydroxydopamine‐Induced Degeneration of Nigrostriatal Dopamine Neurons

Abstract: A selective increase in content of iron in the pars compacta of the substantia nigra has been implicated in the biochemical pathology of Parkinson's disease. Iron is thought to induce oxidative stress by liberation of oxygen free radicals from H2O2. Because 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) is thought to induce nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuronal lesions via metal‐catalyzed free radical formation, the effect of the iron chelator desferrioxamine was investigated on 6‐OHDA‐induced dopaminergic neuron degeneration in the rat. Intracerebroventricular injection of 6‐OHDA (250 μg) caused a 88, 79, and 70% reduction in striatal tissue content of dopamine (DA), 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, and homovanillic acid (HVA), respectively, and a 2.5‐fold increase in DA release as indicated by the HVA/DA ratio. Prior injection of desferrioxamine (130 ng i.c.v.) resulted in a significant protection (<60%) against the 6‐OHDA‐induced reduction in striatal DA content and a normalization of DA release. Dopaminergic‐reiated behavioral responses, such as spontaneous movements in a novel environment and rearing, were significantly impaired in the 6‐OHDA‐treated group. By contrast, the desferrioxamine‐pretreated rats exhibited almost normal behavioral responses. The ability of iron chelators to retard dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the substantia nigra may indicate a new therapeutic strategy in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Determining the Radiation Dose Reduction Potential for Coronary Calcium Scanning With Computed Tomography: An Anthropomorphic Phantom Study Comparing Filtered Backprojection and the Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction Algorithm for Image Reconstruction

PurposeThis study describes a method to determine the lowest possible thresholds for volume computed tomographic dose index (CTDImin) and maximum tolerable pixel noise (SDmax) values for coronary calcium scanning while maintaining accurate Agatston score values. The method was applied toa comparison between the iterative reconstruction (IR) and filtered backprojection (FBP) image reconstruction algorithms in a phantom study. Materials and MethodsAn anthropomorphic thoracic phantom with a calibration insert for the quantification of coronary calcium, containing 200, 400, and 800 mg HA/cm3 of calcium mass spheres of 1, 3, and 5 mm diameter (QRM GmbH, Moehrendorf, Germany), was scanned without (G1) and with (G2) an additional 2 cm–thick wrap of muscle-equivalent material. Electrocardiographically simulated volume scans were performed on a 320-row computed tomographic scanner (Aquilion ONE™, Toshiba Medical Systems, Otawara, Japan) set to 120 kilovolt peak [kVp] and 10 to 580 mA variations in 21 steps. For the IR, the Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction 3-dimensional algorithm (AIDR 3D) was used. Agatston scores were calculated semiautomatically on the computed tomographic console. Inclusion tests to assess the accuracy of the Agatston scores were performed to determine the CTDImin thresholds and the associated maximum pixel noise SDmax for FBP and IR from identical raw data. The inclusion tests were as follows: (1) the semiautomatic identification of the 1 mm sphere with 800 mg HA/cm3, (2) the exclusion of false-positive lesions, and (3) a statistical outlier test. Statistical differences between the Agatston score means from both image reconstruction algorithms were evaluated using the paired t test. ResultsAll Agatston scores using both reconstruction methods were normally distributed (P > 0.49). For FBP and IR, the mean ± 1&sgr; of Agatston score, CTDImin, and SDmax, respectively, were determined as follows: 697.8 ± 7.7, 7.5 mGy, and 24.4 Hounsfield unit (HU) (G1-FBP); 678.8 ± 14.3, 1.5 mGy, and 20.1 HU (G1-IR); 677.0 ± 11.6, 14.5 mGy, and 27.3 HU (G2-FBP); and 643.9 ± 13.4, 2.6 mGy, and 20.0 HU (G2-IR). The mean Agatston scores obtained using IR (both with and without the additional 2 cm muscle shell) were slightly (approximately 5%) but significantly lower (P ⩽ 0.001) than those obtained using FBP reconstruction. ConclusionsThe Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction algorithm AIDR 3D shows potential to reduce dose exposure by approximately 80% in comparison with the dose currently applied with FBP image processing. On the basis of phantom evaluation, a target noise of 20 HU for the application of this method in coronary calcium scanning is recommended to avoid loss in accuracy.
Automatically optimized near-field focusing radial line slot array

We present an automatically optimized near-field focusing radial line slot array (RLSA) antenna. The side lobe level and beamwidth of the normal component of the radiated electric field are controlled during the design process. A set theoretic approach is used to derive the RLSA aperture field distribution generating the required near field over a focusing plane at a given distance from the radiating aperture. The position and size of the slots of the RLSA antenna are automatically controlled to synthesize the derived aperture field distribution. The design approach is validated by measurements at 12.5 GHz.
Decentralized control of multiple manipulators handling an object in coordination based on impedance control of each arm

We propose a decentralized control algorithm of multiple manipulators handling a single object in coordination. The proposed algorithm is a leader-follower type; the motion command of the object is given to one of the manipulators, referred to as a leader, and the other manipulators, referred to as followers, estimate the motion of the leader by themselves through the motion of the object and handle the object based on the estimated motion. Different from the conventional leader-follower type of control algorithms, each manipulator is impedence-controlled and has equal dynamic characteristics. The stability of the resultant system with the decentralized control algorithm is also guaranteed. The proposed control algorithm is experimentally implemented in two industrial manipulators and the experimental results illustrate the validity of the system.
Are glucokinase mutations associated with low triglycerides?

Mutations in the glucokinase gene lead to an impaired sensing of blood glucose by the pancreatic β cell, causing an autosomal dominant form of type 2 diabetes, maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 2 (MODY2). Usually, MODY2 patients present with high fasting blood glucose (6–12 mmol/L) from an early age (1). This situation should significantly increase their risk for diabetic complications (2), but whereas other forms of diabetes typically lead to macrovascular complications, MODY2 patients rarely develop diabetes-related problems (3). In a family with autosomal dominant diabetes, we identified a novel C→A substitution in the glucokinase gene at nucleotide position 695 [A232D (pancreatic isoform), A231D (liver isoform)] in all affected individuals (Fig. 1⇓ ). Codon 232 is highly conserved among nine different species. The mutation was not detected in 192 control chromosomes. Studied mutations around codon 232 …
Insecticidal and repellency activity of essential oil of Eucalyptus sp. against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera, Curculionidae).

BACKGROUND The objective of this work was to evaluate the insecticidal and repellent effect of essential oils of Eucalyptus dunnii, E. saligna, E. benthamii, E. globulus and E. viminalis in the control of Sitophilus zeamais in maize grains. RESULTS The essential oils chemical composition showed that the E. benthamii presents the cis-ocimene (56.88%) as major compound. Results permitted us to verify that the evaluated species presented different insecticidal action under Sitophilus zeamais. About 100% of mortality was achieved with doses of 65, 100 and 400 microL for E. dunnii, E. saligna and E. benthamii, respectively. After regression analysis the LD(50) values were calculated and E. dunnii was shown to be the most efficient (25.03 microL), followed by E. saligna (37.93 microL) and E. benthamii (121.09 microL). Using the previously calculated LD(50) values, the repellency activity was calculated, allowing us to conclude that all species presented significant values in terms of this important parameter. CONCLUSION The essential oil of Eucalyptus sp. presented insecticidal and repellency against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). Although from an economic point of view synthetic chemicals are still more frequently used as repellents, natural products (essential oils) have the potential to provide efficient and safer repellents for humans and the environment.
[Daily living activities and oral condition among care facility residents with severe intellectual disabilities. Comparative analyses between residents receiving tooth-brushing assistance and those not receiving tooth-brushing assistance].

OBJECTIVES To clarify 1) differences in daily living activities and oral condition among care facility residents with severe intellectual disabilities and 2) chronological changes in daily living activities and oral condition for residents receiving tooth-brushing assistance and those never receiving tooth-brushing assistance. METHODS Subjects were 44 residents at a care facility for individuals with severe intellectual disabilities, who underwent dental screening in July 1994 and October 2003. At each time point, daily living activities, behavior during oral health guidance, behavior during dental health screening and oral condition were compared between residents receiving tooth-brushing assistance (assistance group) and those not receiving tooth-brushing assistance (independent group). Furthermore, chronological changes were analyzed for residents requiring assistance at both screenings, those requiring assistance only at the second screening, and those not requiring assistance at either screening. RESULTS 1) In the assistance group, 100% and 36.4% of residents were unable to brush their teeth independently in 1994 and 2003, respectively. Significant differences between the assistance and independent groups were observed in all items of behavior during dental health screening in 1994, but not in 2003. No significant intergroup differences in oral condition were observed in 1994, but differences were seen in 2003; when compared to the assistance group, the number of lost teeth was significantly higher in the independent group, while the number of remaining teeth was lower. 2) Regarding changes over the nine-year period, a significantly greater proportion of residents not requiring assistance at either screening and those requiring assistance only at the second screening finally required assistance in bathing. As for oral condition, no significant changes in healthy teeth were observed in residents requiring assistance at both screening time points, while significant increases in dental caries and filled teeth and a significant decrease in the number of healthy teeth were observed in residents requiring assistance only at the second screening and those not requiring assistance at either screening. CONCLUSIONS Over the nine-year period, the subjects of tooth-brushing assistance changed, and assistance was given to those able to brush their teeth independently in addition to those unable to brush their teeth independently. The number of healthy teeth did not change in residents receiving tooth-brushing assistance during this period, but in residents never receiving tooth-brushing assistance, decrease was noted. Therefore, even for individuals able to brush their teeth independently, some form of tooth-brushing assistance is needed to sufficiently prevent oral diseases.
Therapy for shigellosis. II. Randomized, double-blind comparison of ciprofloxacin and ampicillin.

Ciprofloxacin, 500 mg every 12 h, was compared with ampicillin, 500 mg every 6 h, both given for 5 days, in the treatment of 121 adult males hospitalized with severe shigellosis. Treatment was randomized and double-blinded. At the completion of treatment, there was resolution or marked improvement in symptoms in 57 (95%) of 60 ciprofloxacin-treated patients, 23 (88%) of 26 ampicillin-treated patients infected with an ampicillin-susceptible strain of Shigella, and 15 (43%) of 35 ampicillin-treated patients infected with an ampicillin-resistant strain of Shigella (ampicillin-R group) (P less than .01, ciprofloxacin or ampicillin groups vs. ampicillin-R group). Bacteriologic failure was less common (P less than .025) in the ciprofloxacin group (0/60) than in the ampicillin (3/26, 12%) or ampicillin-R groups (5/35, 14%). Ciprofloxacin-treated patients had a mean of 29 stools during the study, compared with 46 for ampicillin-treated patients (P = .004). Thus ciprofloxacin seems to be an effective, and perhaps superior, alternative to ampicillin in treating patients with shigellosis.
Face Transplantation: Outcomes, Concerns, Controversies, and Future Directions

Background Since 2005, 17 facial allotransplantations have been performed worldwide. The brief summary of current cases with ongoing concerns is presented in this article. Methods Fifteen publications were reported for 10 facial allotransplantations. For the remaining 7 transplantations, information was gathered from scientific meeting presentations and media releases. The summary of current cases in terms of etiology, indications, results, complications, and outcomes are based on these data. The discussion of ongoing concerns, controversies, and overview of future implications is accomplished by reviewing the literature of ethical debates, experimental studies, clinical studies, and personal opinion. Results Two of the 17 face transplant recipients died. Overall survival rate was 88%. No early graft loss due to technical failure was reported. All reported cases that have more than 1-year follow-up had at least 1 acute rejection episode, which was reversible with treatment. Opportunistic infections and metabolic complications were observed as adverse effects. Motor recoveries were slower than the sensorial recoveries, as expected. Functional and aesthetic outcomes were satisfactory. Concerns and controversies about concomitant face and hand transplantation, recipient blindness, recipient age, primary reconstruction option in facial trauma cases, funding, graft failure risks, and future treatment options are discussed. Conclusions Because of uncertainty about long-term outcomes, immunosuppression-related concerns and ethical debates limit worldwide application of facial allotransplantation. However, in selected group of patients, it is a unique reconstruction method with promising outcomes. Further research and investigation in transplant immunology and treatment hold the key to advance this treatment option.
Circuit Breaker Technologies for Advanced Ship Power Systems

The AC power systems on navy ships use circuit breakers based on traditional commercial technology. New naval power systems employ higher voltage DC distribution and use solid state power converters that actively (and instantaneously) limit the available fault current. When conventional circuit breakers are used in these systems, they have a relatively long clearing time, causing the voltage to collapse for a significant time. The application of fast-acting solid state circuit breakers, based on IGBTs and IGCTs will eliminate such voltage dips and result in a superior power system. Solid state circuit breakers also offer advantages when used in traditional ship power systems by limiting fault currents to levels far below those dictated by the supplying generators. This leads to lower magnetic and thermal stresses on distribution components, lower energy delivered to faults, faster fault isolation and minimal voltage disturbance.
Oxidative Stress-related Alteration of the Copy Number of Mitochondrial DNA in Human Leukocytes

The role of oxidative stress in the regulation of the copy number of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in human leukocytes is unclear. In this study, we investigated the redox factors in plasma that may contribute to the alteration of mtDNA copy number in human leukocytes. A total of 156 healthy subjects of 25–80 years of age who exhibited no significant difference in the distribution of subpopulations of leukocytes in blood were recruited. Small-molecular-weight antioxidants and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in plasma and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and 4,977 bp deletion of mtDNA in leukocytes were determined. The mtDNA copy number in leukocytes was determined by real-time PCR. The results showed that the copy number of mtDNA in leukocytes was changed with age in a biphasic manner that fits in a positively quadratic regression model (P=0.001). Retinol (P=0.005), non-protein thiols (P=0.001) and ferritin (P=0.004) in plasma and total glutathione in erythrocytes (P=0.046) were the significant redox factors that correlated with the mtDNA copy number in leukocytes in a positive manner. By contrast, α-tocopherol levels in plasma (P=0.001) and erythrocytes (P=0.033) were negatively correlated with the mtDNA copy number in leukocytes. Three oxidative indices including the incidence of 4,977 bp deletion of mtDNA (P=0.016) and 8-OHdG content in leukocytes (P=0.003) and TBARS in plasma (P=0.001) were all positively correlated with the copy number of mtDNA in leukocytes. Taken these findings together, we suggest that the copy number of mtDNA in leukocytes is affected by oxidative stress in blood circulation elicited by the alteration of plasma antioxidants/prooxidants and oxidative damage to DNA.
Reading on LCD vs e‐Ink displays: effects on fatigue and visual strain

Citation information: Siegenthaler E, Bochud Y, Bergamin P & Wurtz P. Reading on LCD vs e‐Ink displays: effects on fatigue and visual strain. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2012, 32, 367–374. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2012. 00928.x
Wheat allergy: diagnostic accuracy of skin prick and patch tests and specific IgE

Background: Food allergy makes an important contribution to the pathogenesis of atopic eczema in infants. However, clinical data on cereal allergy are scanty. The objective was to study the relevance of patch testing, skin prick tests, and the concentration of wheat‐specific IgE antibodies (CAP RAST) in correlation with oral wheat challenge in infants with suspected wheat allergy. In particular, we aimed to determine whether the patch test could increase the diagnostic accuracy in detecting wheat allergy.