Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anabolic Steroids: A Fatal Attraction?

Anabolic‐androgenic steroids (AAS) are widely abused, but the potential for dependence and addiction remains unclear. Recent studies from our laboratory have shown that male and female hamsters will voluntarily self‐administer testosterone and other AAS. Furthermore, we have observed fatal androgen overdose during self‐administration. This suggests that AAS are potentially addictive, independent of their effects on muscle mass or athletic performance.
Review of Climate Change and Water-Related Diseases in Cambodia and Findings From Stakeholder Knowledge Assessments

This project aims to increase the resilience of Cambodian communities to the health risks posed by climate change–related impacts on water-related diseases. There are a number of water-related diseases that are present in Cambodia and are likely to be susceptible to climate change. These include diarrheal diseases, typhoid fever, leptospirosis, melioidosis, viral hepatitis, and schistosomiasis. Certain subsectors of Cambodia’s population may be more vulnerable than others with respect to climate change impacts on water and health, including agricultural workers and residents of flood-and drought-prone areas. The current level of understanding on the part of health professionals and other key stakeholders in Cambodia regarding the risks posed by climate change on water-sensitive diseases is relatively low. Strategies by which this understanding might be strengthened are suggested.
MRI findings in neuro-behçet's disease.

AIM To evaluate the pattern and site of involvement in neuro-Behçet's disease (NBD). MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-one patients with NBD were evaluated. Using 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), T1-weighted axial and sagittal images, gadolinium enhanced axial and coronal images and T2-weighted axial images were obtained. RESULTS The brainstem, basal ganglia, cerebral white matter, internal capsule, thalamus and spinal cord were involved in eighteen, nine, nine, seven, six and two patients, respectively. In nine patients with cerebral white matter involvement, four had subcortical involvement and three had periventricular involvement, in addition to two patients with focal deep white matter lesions. Among the brainstem lesions, pons involvement was seen in fourteen patients, all had ventrally located lesions, and nine had tegmental involvement. Midbrain involvement was seen in fourteen patients; the cerebral peduncle was involved in 11 of these. Five patients had brainstem atrophy: two cases were demonstrated at initial MRI, the other three cases were seen on follow-up MRI. Pyramidal signs, the most common neurological signs, were demonstrated in fourteen patients. Follow-up MRI was obtained 10 days to 20 months after the initial MRI in eight cases; all showed changes in size, shape and site of involvement. After gadolinium enhancement, thirteen patients demonstrated mottled non-confluent enhancement in the brainstem (eight patients), posterior limb of the internal capsule (three patients), pachymeninges (two patients) and spinal cord (two patients). CONCLUSION NBD manifests a reversible course, but chronic NBD may result in brainstem atrophy. Characteristic involvement along the corticospinal tract is well correlated with neurological signs.
Lower-extremity revascularisation without preoperative contrast arteriography in 185 cases: lessons learned with duplex ultrasound arterial mapping.

PURPOSE we have previously reported our experience with lower-extremity duplex-ultrasound arterial mapping (DUAM) compared to contrast arteriography (CA) to predict lower-extremity bypass sites. The present study evaluates arterial revascularisation procedures for chronic limb ischaemia based on DUAM. MATERIALS AND METHODS from January 1998 to July 1999, 195 patients (128 men, 67 women) underwent 211 lower-extremity revascularisation procedures based on DUAM. Indications for surgery were tissue loss, severe claudication, rest pain and popliteal aneurysm in 57%, 25%, 14% and 4% of the limbs, respectively. The mean age was 72+/-12 years and risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, tobacco use, coronary artery and end-stage renal disease were present in 53%, 58%, 53%, 50% and 12% of the patients, respectively. Previous revascularisation procedures had been performed in 23% of the limbs. Preoperative evaluation consisted of DUAM alone (185) or of a combination of DUAM and CA (29 limbs). CA was deemed necessary due to a combination of technical difficulties that jeopardized adequate sonographic imaging and presence of disadvantaged run-off for medico-legal reasons. DUAM consisted of direct imaging of all major arteries from the distal aorta to the pedal circulation. Optimal inflow and outflow bypass anastomotic sites were selected according to a diagram based on DUAM. Adequacy of the inflow was additionally assessed by common-femoral-artery waveform and confirmed by intraoperative pressure measurements. Post-bypass CA was obtained to verify patency of the run-off. RESULTS DUAM procedure time averaged 75+/-26 min. For patients who underwent only DUAM, the distal anastomosis was to the popliteal artery in 91 cases and to tibial or pedal arteries in 58 cases. Distal anastomosis was proximal to a significant lesion in two cases that required jump grafts. Cumulative patency rates at 1 and 3 months for popliteal bypasses were 96% and 90%, and for infrapopliteal bypasses 90% and 83%, respectively. Inflow procedures to the femoral artery, patch and balloon angioplasties accounted for the remaining 40 cases. Four primary amputations were performed after CA confirmed DUAM findings. CONCLUSIONS contrary to general belief, these data show that high-quality arterial ultrasonography represents a safe alternative to preoperative CA, even for infrapopliteal bypasses. This non-invasive approach may be especially useful for patients with contrast allergy or impaired renal function.
The Influence of Cell Source and Donor Age on the Tenogenic Potential and Chemokine Secretion of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Background Cellular therapy is proposed for tendinopathy treatment. Bone marrow- (BM-MSC) and adipose tissue- (ASC) derived mesenchymal stromal cells are candidate populations for such a therapy. The first aim of the study was to compare human BM-MSCs and ASCs for their basal expression of factors associated with tenogenesis as well as chemotaxis. The additional aim was to evaluate if the donor age influences these features. Methods Cells were isolated from 24 human donors, 8 for each group: hASC, hBM-MSC Y (age ≤ 45), and hBM-MSC A (age > 45). The microarray analysis was performed on RNA isolated from hASC and hBM-MSC A cells. Based on microarray results, 8 factors were chosen for further evaluation. Two genes were additionally included in the analysis: SCLERAXIS and PPARγ. All these 10 factors were tested for gene expression by the qRT-PCR method, and all except of RUNX2 were additionally evaluated for protein expression or secretion. Results Microarray analysis showed over 1,400 genes with a significantly different expression between hASC and hBM-MSC groups. Eight of these genes were selected for further analysis: CXCL6, CXCL12, CXCL16, TGF-β2, SMAD3, COLLAGEN 14A1, MOHAWK, and RUNX2. In the subsequent qRT-PCR analysis, hBM-MSCs showed a significantly higher expression than did hASCs in following genes: CXCL12, CXCL16, TGF-β2, SMAD3, COLLAGEN 14A1, and SCLERAXIS (p < 0.05, regardless of BM donor age). In the case of CXCL12, the difference between hASC and hBM-MSC was significant only for younger BM donors, whereas for COLLAGEN 14A1—only for elder BM donors. PPARγ displayed a higher expression in hASCs compared to hBM-MSCs. In regard to CXCL6, MOHAWK, and RUNX2 gene expression, no statistically significant differences between groups were observed. Conclusions In the context of cell-based therapy for tendinopathies, bone marrow appears to be a more attractive source of MSCs than does adipose tissue. The age of cell donors seems to be less important than cell source, although cells from elder donors show slightly higher basal tenogenic potential than do cells from younger donors.
Effectiveness of levamisole and tarantula cubensis extract in the treatment of teat Papillomatosis of cows

Papillomatosis is widespread in cattle and is often observed on the skin of udders. For treatment, anthelmintic, immunomodulator and homeopathic drugs are administered. The objective of the study was to examine the therapeutic effect of levamisole and tarantula cubensis extract in the treatment of papilloma observed in the teats of cows. Sixteen Holstein cows between the age of 2-3 years were used as study material. The cows with Papillomatosis were randomly assigned into two equal groups. The animals in the first group (n=8) were treated with intramuscular double doses of levamisole (5 mg/kg) applied one week apart. The second group of animals (n=8) was treated with two subcutaneous doses of 10 ml of Tarantula cubensis extract one week apart. Four animals in the first group recovered while 8 animals in the second group recovered. The total serum oxidant levels of the animals treated with Tarantula cubensis extract and levamisole on the 15th day was found to be significantly lower than the serum levels of same animals on day 0 of the treatment (P<0.05). The results of this study revealed that tarantula cubensis extract applied in normal therapeutic doses was more effective in the treatment of teat papillomatosis than levamisole.
GUARANTEED COST CONTROL FOR A CLASS OF UNCERTAIN SWITCHED DELAY SYSTEMS: AN AVERAGE DWELL-TIME METHOD

This paper deals with the problem of guaranteed cost robust control for a class of uncertain switched delay systems composed of controllable and uncontrollable subsystems. By making use of the scheme of average dwell time and under the condition that the activation time ratio between controllable subsystems and uncontrollable ones is not less than a specified constant, the state feedback controllers are derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) such that the resulting closed-loop system is exponentially stable for all admissible uncertainties and has a weighted guaranteed cost upper bound. As an example, the controller design for an AV-8A Harrier VTOL aircraft illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
IL‐17 regulates gene expression and protein synthesis of the complement system, C3 and factor B, in skin fibroblasts

Human IL‐17 is a cytokine secreted by CD4+‐activated memory T cells with the profile of effects of a Th1 cytokine. The effects of IL‐17 on many cellular constituents of joints suggest that it may participate in inflammatory joint diseases. Proteins of the complement system are known to be regulated by pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines. The purpose of this work was to study the effect of IL‐17 alone and combined with tumour necrosis factor (TNF) on the expression and synthesis of factor B and C3. Fibroblasts were stimulated with the relevant cytokine or cytokines, pulse labelled with 35S‐methionine, and the newly synthesized proteins were immunoprecipitated and subjected to SDS–PAGE. Gene expression was determined by Northern blot analysis. IL‐17 10 ng/ml induced increases in gene expression and protein synthesis of C3, 2·25 ± 0·26‐ and 2·7 ± 0·7‐fold, respectively, with concomitant non‐significant effects on factor B, 1·5 ± 0·45‐ and 2·2 ± 1·2‐fold, respectively. When both IL‐17 and TNF were present simultaneously, the synthesis of factor B increased by 85% more than the expected additive effects of these cytokines separately, while for C3 the effect of both cytokines was 19% lower than the expected additive effect (observed/expected = 0·81). IL‐4 reduced the synergistic effect by 50%. We conclude that IL‐17 has a regulatory role on C3 expression and synthesis and an amplifying effect on TNF‐induced factor B synthesis. Taken together with the evidence that TNF is a major cytokine involved in the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis, it suggests that IL‐17 has a proinflammatory role in the inflammation process of joints. The distinct effects of IL‐4, IL‐17 and TNF on the synthesis of factor B in fibroblasts suggest that factor B and the alternative pathway of the complement system may play an important role in joint inflammation.
A multistage model for maternal morbidity during antenatal, delivery and postpartum periods

There is acute dearth of information regarding factors affecting complications during different stages of childbearing in Bangladesh. This study employs a multistage model that involves transitions at different stages to complications. The proposed model appears to display more meaningful explanation concerning the impact of different factors on the incidence of complications taking into account types of transitions. Two alternative models are also presented in this paper in order to demonstrate possible simplifications of the proposed model. This study uses data from a prospective survey on Maternal Morbidity in Bangladesh. The survey was conducted during the period 11 1992–12 1993. A total of 1020 pregnant women were followed during pregnancy, delivery and 90 days after delivery. This study reveals some very important findings regarding the potential impact of antenatal visits, economic status, whether the index pregnancy was desired or not and number of pregnancies prior to the index pregnancy. It is observed that slightly more than 50 per cent of the women suffer from at least one of the major complications (haemorrhage, excessive vomiting, oedema and fits/convulsion) during pregnancy. It is noteworthy that if a woman suffers from one or more of the major complications during pregnancy, then it is more likely that she will suffer from complications during delivery. This study reveals that the women who suffer from one or more of the major complications during pregnancy are expected to have a substantially higher risk of suffering from complications during postpartum period, irrespective of no complications or complications during delivery. Generally speaking, higher economic status can reduce the complications at the postpartum stage, although women belonging to higher economic status may suffer from complications during pregnancy and delivery at a higher rate. It is surprising that antenatal visit is positively associated with incidence of complications during pregnancy and delivery, but antenatal visit reduces complications at the postpartum stage. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studies on the Components of Essential Oil of Zanthoxylum Armatum by Gc-Ms

The essential oil of Zanthoxylum armatum was extracted through hydro distillation and analyzed by GC-MS. Hydrocarbon fraction (17.35%) of the oil was much lower and oxygenated compounds comprised fairly high portion of essential oil (39.21%). Percentages of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes found were 47.33% and 10.83% respectively. Oxygenated monoterpenes comprised major profile of chromatogram of essential oil of Zanthoxylum armatum i.e. 37.23% where as monoterpene hydrocarbons were 10.09%. Alcoholic percentage was much higher i.e. 26.76% and 15-hexadecanoloide (6.58%) the only cyclic ester was found in relatively high percentage.
Copper increases the ability of 6‐hydroxydopamine to generate oxidative stress and the ability of ascorbate and glutathione to potentiate this effect: potential implications in Parkinson's disease

Copper is an essential metal for the function of many proteins related to important cellular reactions and also involved in the synaptic transmission. Although there are several mechanisms involved in copper homeostasis, a dysregulation in this process can result in serious neurological consequences, including degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. 6‐Hydroxydopamine is a dopaminergic neurotoxin mainly used in experimental models of Parkinson's disease, whose neurotoxicity has been related to its ability to generate free radicals. In this study, we examined the effects induced by copper on 6‐OHDA autoxidation. Our data show that both Cu+ and Cu2+ caused an increase in •OH production by 6‐OHDA autoxidation, which was accompanied by an increase in the rate of both p‐quinone formation and H2O2 accumulation. The presence of ascorbate greatly enhanced this process by establishing a redox cycle which regenerates 6‐OHDA from its p‐quinone. However, the presence of glutathione did not change significantly the copper‐induced effects. We observed that copper is able to potentiate the ability of 6‐OHDA to cause both lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, with the latter including a reduction in free‐thiol content and an increase in carbonyl content. Ascorbate also increases the lipid peroxidation induced by the action of copper and 6‐OHDA. Glutathione protects against the copper‐induced lipid peroxidation, but does not reduce its potential to oxidize free thiols. These results clearly demonstrate the potential of copper to increase the capacity of 6‐OHDA to generate oxidative stress and the ability of ascorbate to enhance this potential, which may contribute to the destruction of dopaminergic neurons.
Characteristics of a dusty nonthermal plasma from a particle-in-cell Monte Carlo simulation.

Nonthermal dusty plasmas can be found in plasma-processing applications as well as in space phsyics. A model based on a particle-in-cell Monte Carlo simulation has been developed to study the physical properties of such plasmas and the plasma-dust particle interactions. Assuming a uniform dusty plasma with a given size and concentration of dust particles, the model provides self-consistently the average electric field necessary to sustain the plasma for a given current density flowing through it, the charge and floating potential of the dust particles, the potential distribution, and the velocity distribution functions of electrons and positive ions. The model has been applied to situations where the distance between dust particles is much smaller than the electron Debye length (particulates interact electrostatically with each other) as well as situations where the distance between dust particles is larger than the Debye length (particulates are isolated electrostatically from each other). Questions concerning the momentum and energy transfer from electrons and ions to dust particles are also discussed. Simple scaling laws are also derived and compared with the numerical results.
Use of CAM in local African-American communities: community-partnered research.

Although previous national surveys have shown an increase in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the U.S. population, racial and ethnic minority populations were under-represented in these surveys. As a result, a profile of the CAM user as white, female, affluent, middle-aged and well educated has emerged. Representing the mainstream population, these previous studies did not take into account the racial and ethnic minority populations who may have their own healing traditions and who may hold different beliefs, use different terminology, and have unique patterns of CAM use. In partnership with community-based organizations and community residents, a culturally sensitive survey instrument and protocols were designed and tested to gather data on lower income, urban African-Americans' use of, attitudes toward, and understanding of CAM. The major findings of this pilot research are 1. ) Community-partnered research can help researchers gain access to sensitive data and design culturally appropriate studies; 2. ) CAM terminology varies by cultural group; 3. ) Certain forms of CAM (folk or family practices) are commonly found in African-American populations; and 4. ) Factors that affect CAM use--including age, lack of access to conventional medicine, cultural heritage, and dissatisfaction with conventional medicine.
C4d in pediatric renal allograft biopsies: A marker for negative outcome in steroid‐resistant rejection

Abstract: Recently, deposition of C4d, reflecting complement activation via the classical pathway, has been established as marker of antibody‐mediated rejection. As C4d can be detected in paraffin sections, it allows for retrospective analysis in populations with low case loads, such as in pediatric transplantation. In this study we re‐evaluated consecutive renal transplant biopsies obtained since 1990 in 36 children (18 boys, 18 girls) who had received their allograft (nine living, 27 cadaveric) at an age of 10.12±4.4 yr. Clinical indications for biopsy were 16 acute steroid resistant rejections (ASRs), 11 chronic rejections and nine other diagnoses. Overall, C4d deposition was found in nine cases (25%), eight of them with diagnosed ASR. Six out of these eight allografts were lost during 36 months of clinical follow‐up, a significantly higher rate than in C4d‐negative biopsies (p<0.05). C4d status therefore turned out to be an excellent predictor for inferior graft survival following ASR. None of the other histopathologic markers were sensitive for humoral rejections. In conclusion, the high prevalence of C4d‐positive staining in ASR demonstrates the importance of the humoral part of the immune system in pediatric transplantation. The worse outcome of C4d‐positive rejections despite massive immunosuppressive therapy clearly indicates the need for innovative therapies in this high‐risk population.
New Modeling Approach and Equivalent Circuit Representation for Current-Mode Control

Constant on-time current-mode control has been widely used to improve light-load efficiency, because it can reduce the switching frequency to save switching-related loss. Therefore, an accurate model for constant on-time control is indispensable to system design. However, available models for constant on-time control are unable to provide accurate physical insight or predict system response very well. This paper introduces a new modeling approach for constant on-time control. The inductor, the switches, and the pulsewidth-modulated modulator are treated as a single entity and modeled based on the describing function method. The fundamental difference between constant on-time control and constant-frequency peak-current-mode control is analyzed through the proposed model. This proposed modeling method can be easily extended to other current-mode controls, including V2 controls. A simple equivalent circuit representation is proposed for the sake of easy understanding and simulation of current-mode controls. Simulation and experimental results are used to verify the proposed model.
How to Measure and Estimate the Power Quality Parameters in Ship Systems?

This paper deals with the problem of power quality estimation in ship systems during their exploitation stage. The exemplary results of experimental research have been shown and present rules concerning power quality in ship's networks have been discussed. Especially, two methods of THD defining have been compared on the basis of chosen ship voltage waveforms. Further, some proposals for improving these rules have been laid
Cumulative Sensitization and Disease in a Beryllium Oxide Ceramics Worker Cohort

Objective:We followed a cohort of 136 beryllium oxide ceramics workers from 1992 to 2003, including those who left employment, for beryllium sensitization and chronic beryllium disease (CBD). Methods:We invited the cohort’s participation in current worker surveys in 1992, 1998, 2000, and 2002–2003, and in former worker surveys in 2000–2001 and 2003. We calculated 11-year cumulative incidences (after 1992 initial survey) of sensitization and CBD, both crude and corrected for interval censoring; and period prevalences (including 1992 findings), crude and corrected. Results:In 1992, point prevalences were 6% sensitized and 4% CBD. We obtained follow-up on 83% of 128 not sensitized in 1992. Crude cumulative incidences for sensitization and CBD were 13% and 9%, respectively; corrected were 15% and 11%. Crude period prevalences for sensitization and CBD were 16% and 11%, respectively; corrected were 20% and 14%. Corrected period prevalences for pre-1992 machining work were 30% and 20%. Conclusions:With repeated testing over 11 years, total sensitization and CBD in this cohort were triple initial 1992 survey results.