Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cytogenetic analysis of buccal cells from shoeworkers and pathology and anatomy laboratory workers exposed to n-hexane, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone and formaldehyde

People employed in the shoe manufacture and repair industry are at an increased risk for cancer, the strongest evidence being for nasal cancer and leukaemia. A possible causal role for formaldehyde is likely for cancer of the buccal cavity and nasopharynx. Exfoliated buccal cells are good source of tissue for monitoring human exposure to inhaled and ingested occupational and environmental genotoxicants. To assess the cytogenetic damage related to occupational exposure to airborne chemicals during shoe-making and the processes in pathology and anatomy laboratories, the micronuclei (MN) count per 3000 cells was measured in buccal smears from shoe-workers (group I, n = 22) exposed to mainly n-hexane, toluene and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and from anatomy and pathology staff (group II, n = 28) exposed to formaldehyde (FA). Eighteen male university staff were used as controls. The mean time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations of n-hexane, toluene and MEK in 10 small shoe workshops were 58.07 p.p.m. , 26.62 p.p.m. and 11.39 p.p.m. , respectively. The measured air concentrations of FA in the breathing zone of the anatomy and pathology laboratory workers were between 2 and 4 p.p.m. Levels of 2,5-hexadione (2,5-HD) and hippuric acid (HA), metabolic markers of n-hexane and toluene exposure, respectively, were significantly higher in the urine of workers in group I than in control subjects (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). The mean (±SD) MN frequencies in buccal mucosa cells from workers in group I, group II and controls were 0.62±0.45%, 0.71±0.56% and 0.33±0.30%, respectively (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05 compared with controls for group I and group II, respectively). The effects of smoking, age and duration of exposure on the frequency of micronucleated buccal cells from workers in all three groups studied were also evaluated. Overall, the results suggest that occupational exposure to organic solvents, mainly n-hexane, toluene, MEK and FA, may cause cytogenetic damage in buccal cells and that use of exfoliated buccal cells seems to be appropriate to measure exposure to organic solvents.
Morphological Changes in the T=3 Capsid of Flock House Virus during Cell Entry

ABSTRACT We report the identification and characterization of a viral intermediate formed during infection of Drosophila cells with the nodavirus Flock House virus (FHV). We observed that even at a very low multiplicity of infection, only 70% of the input virus stayed attached to or entered the cells, while the remaining 30% of the virus eluted from cells after initial binding. The eluted FHV particles did not rebind to Drosophila cells and, thus, could no longer initiate infection by the receptor-mediated entry pathway. FHV virus-like particles with the same capsid composition as native FHV but containing cellular RNA also exhibited formation of eluted particles when incubated with the cells. A maturation cleavage-defective mutant of FHV, however, did not. Compared to naïve FHV particles, i.e., particles that had never been incubated with cells, eluted particles showed an acid-sensitive phenotype and morphological alterations. Furthermore, eluted particles had lost a fraction of the internally located capsid protein gamma. Based on these results, we hypothesize that FHV eluted particles represent an infection intermediate analogous to eluted particles observed for members of the family Picornaviridae.
Life History of Decidual Cells: A Review *

ABSTRACT: Decidual cells are a distinctive cell population observed in the mammalian endometrium during pregnancy. Their appearance can also be induced with appropriate stimuli in the hormone‐primed pseudopregnant uterus. This review deals with their life history, including the dynamic morphological events during the process of decidualization, cytochemical markers for decidual cell reaction, the surface markers and functions of decidual cells, and, finally, the origin and fate of this cell class. The recent discovery of the bone marrow origin of decidual cell precursors adds a new dimension to decidual cell biology. Future studies of steps in the differentiation of the decidual cell lineage await the identification of unique lineage‐specific cell‐surface or cytoplasmic marker(s); a precise knowledge of decidual cell functions can only be obtained from a discriminating analysis using purified cell populations.
The pattern of cognitive performance in CADASIL: a monogenic condition leading to subcortical ischemic vascular dementia.

OBJECTIVE Subcortical ischemic vascular lesions, which are closely related to small vessel disease, are a common substrate of cognitive impairment and dementia. Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a monogenic variant of small vessel disease resulting from mutations in NOTCH3. Mutation carriers almost invariably develop cognitive deficits and eventually dementia. The current study describes the profile of cognitive abnormalities in CADASIL subjects. METHOD A cross-sectional study of 65 mutation carriers (mean age=47.3 years, SD=10.5) and 30 matched comparison subjects (mean age=47.2 years, SD=14.0) was conducted. Participants underwent a series of assessments that included ratings of global cognition, the cognitive portion of the Vascular Dementia Assessment Scale, and specific tests of executive function and attention with measures of processing speed and error monitoring. RESULTS CADASIL subjects had pronounced impairments of the timed measures (Stroop II and III, Trail Making Test, symbol digit, digit cancellation). Measures of error monitoring (Stroop III, Trail Making Test, symbol digit, maze task) were also significantly affected but to a lesser extent. Prominent deficits further included verbal fluency and ideational praxis. Recall, orientation, and receptive language skills were largely preserved. Subgroup analyses indicated a similar profile in subjects with early and advanced impairment of global cognitive performance. CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight processing speed as the most substantial area of cognitive impairment in CADASIL subjects, with less pronounced yet significant deficits in other aspects of executive performance and attention. This profile of cognitive impairment is present at an early stage and enables the construction of targeted test batteries for clinical trials. It is hypothesized that the profile of dysfunction described here represents the core of the cognitive syndrome associated with small vessel disease and subcortical ischemic vascular lesions.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN THE EL PARAÍSO VALLEY: THE ROLE OF SECONDARY CENTERS IN THE MULTIETHNIC LANDSCAPE OF CLASSIC PERIOD COPAN

Abstract Investigations of Classic period (a.d. 400–900) settlement in the El Paraíso Valley, western Honduras, have identified a pattern of paired centers that suggests a previously unrecognized model of political organization in the Maya area. In the El Paraíso Valley, the largely contemporary, equally-sized, and proximate centers of El Cafetal and El Paraíso differ radically from one another in their spatial organization, construction techniques, architectural embellishment, use of open space, and portable material culture. Analysis of these differences suggests that El Cafetal was inhabited by an autochthonous population while El Paraíso was founded under the auspices of the Copan dynasty as an administrative outpost. We suggest that the juxtaposition of these two sites results from a regional strategy of sociopolitical integration implemented by Copan rulers that was adapted to the ethnically diverse regions along the edge of the Copan kingdom.
Perceived Helpfulness of Online Consumer Reviews: The Role of Message Content and Style

The rise of online reviews written by consumers makes possible an examination of how the content and style of these word-of-mouth messages contribute to their helpfulness. In this study, consumers are asked to judge the value of real online consumer reviews to their simulated shopping activities. The results suggest the benefits of moderate review length and of positive, but not negative, product evaluative statements. Non-evaluative product information and information about the reviewer were also found to be associated with review helpfulness. Stylistic elements that may impair clarity (such as spelling and grammatical errors) were associated with less valuable reviews, and elements that may make a review more entertaining (such as expressive slang and humor) were associated with more valuable reviews. These findings point to factors beyond product information that may affect the perceived helpfulness of an online consumer review. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nodal Staging of Rectal Cancer: High-Resolution Pelvic MRI Versus 18F-FDGPET/CT

Aim: To compare high-resolution pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) for the preoperative assessment of nodal staging in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients who had surgery for rectal cancer were retrospectively enrolled during a 6-month period. Each patient underwent high-resolution pelvic MRI and PET/CT preoperatively within the same week. An experienced radiologist predicted nodal staging on MR, and an experienced nuclear medicine physician similarly predicted nodal staging on PET/CT. Their predictions were compared with pathologic staging results, retrospectively. Results: The accuracies of nodal status prediction from MR and PET/CT were 83% and 70%, respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging had a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 67%, whereas PET/CT had a sensitivity of 61% and a specificity of 83%. A combination of MRI and PET/CT revealed a sensitivity of 94%, a specificity of 83%, and an accuracy of 90%. Conclusion: High-resolution pelvic MRI was more accurate than PET/CT for the prediction of regional nodal status. Magnetic resonance imaging had a high sensitivity and PET/CT had a high specificity for N staging in rectal cancer.
Methods for Assessing Size at Birth and Postnatal Growth and Development in Bats

—0 —+1 SI Z E AT BI RT H A N D POST NATA L growth and development are important lifehistory traits (Case, 1978; Ricklefs, 1979; Ernest, 2003) because they refl ect major components of parental eff ort (Millar, 1977; Oftedal, 1984; Kirkwood, 1985; Costa et al., 1986; Gittleman and Oftedal, 1987; Oftedal and Gittleman, 1988; Harvey and Read, 1988; Read and Harvey, 1989; Promislow and Harvey, 1990; Ernest, 2003). Although analyses of these and other traits have become increasingly incorporated into lifehistory analyses of bats (Kurta and Kunz, 1987; Kunz and Stern, 1995; Hayssen and Kunz, 1996; Kunz and Hood, 2000; Barclay and Harder, 2003), they have seldom been included in lifehistory analyses of other mammals (e.g., Millar, 1981; Western and Ssemakula, 1982; Martin, 1984; Martin and McLarnon, 1985; Wootton, 1987; Harvey and Read, 1988; Read and Harvey, 1989; Promislow and Harvey, 1990; Sterns, 1992; Ernest, 2003; Rolf, 2003; Charnov and Morgan, 2006; Bielby et al., 2007). Except for Kurta and Kunz (1987), Kunz and Stern (1995), Hayssen and Kunz (1996), Kunz and Hood (2000), and Barclay and Harder (2003), size at birth and postnatal growth in bats have seldom been considered in an ecological, evolutionary, or lifehistory context. Despite the various published summaries of size at birth (Kleiman and Davis, 1979; Tuttle and Stevenson, 1982; Kurta and Kunz, 1987; Hayssen and Kunz, 1996; Kunz and Hood, 2000; Barclay and Harder, 2003) and postnatal growth in bats (Orr, 1970; Kleiman and Davis, 1979; Tuttle and Stevenson, 1982; Kunz and Stern, 1995, Kunz and Hood, 2000), few studies have considered intrinsic and extrinsic factors that could infl uence variation in these traits. In this chapter, we provide an overview of studies on size and developmental state at birth (Fig. 14.1A) and postnatal growth and development (Fig. 14.1B), review methods for assessing these traits, identify research needs, propose hypotheses, and suggest directions for future study. Methods for Assessing Size at Birth and Postnatal Growth and Development in Bats
Analysis of DAR IMPATT Diode for Some Frequency Bands

The analysis of DAR IMPATT diodes has been realized on basis of the precise drift-diffusion nonlinear model. The admittance characteristics of the DAR diode were analyzed in very wide frequency band from 30 up to 360 GHz. The energy characteristics have been optimized for the second high frequency band near the 220 GHz.
Regulation of the Yeast Triacylglycerol Lipase Tgl3p by Formation of Nonpolar Lipids*

Background: Tgl3p from yeast serves as the major triacylglycerol lipase but also as lysophospholipid acyltransferase. Results: Formation of nonpolar lipids strongly affects subcellular localization and function of Tgl3p. Conclusion: Tgl3p activity is mainly regulated by the presence/absence of lipid droplets. Significance: The yeast lipase/acyltransferase Tgl3p is an important player in lipid homeostasis. Tgl3p, the major triacylglycerol lipase of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is a component of lipid droplets but is also present in the endoplasmic reticulum in a minor amount. Recently, it was shown that this enzyme can also serve as a lysophospholipid acyltransferase (Rajakumari, S., and Daum, G. (2010) Mol. Biol. Cell 21, 501–510). Here, we describe the effects of the presence/absence of triacylglycerols and lipid droplets on the functionality of Tgl3p. In a dga1Δlro1Δare1Δare2Δ quadruple mutant lacking all four triacylglycerol- and steryl ester-synthesizing acyltransferases and consequently the lipid droplets, the gene expression of TGL3 was only slightly altered. In contrast, protein level and stability of Tgl3p were markedly reduced in the absence of lipid droplets. Under these conditions, the enzyme was localized to the endoplasmic reticulum. Even the lack of the substrate, triacylglycerol, affected stability and localization of Tgl3p to some extent. Interestingly, Tgl3p present in the endoplasmic reticulum seems to lack lipolytic as well as acyltransferase activity as shown by enzymatic analysis and lipid profiling. Thus, we propose that the activity of Tgl3p is restricted to lipid droplets, whereas the endoplasmic reticulum may serve as a parking lot for this enzyme.
The prognostic values of CA125, CA19.9, NSE, AND SCC for stage I NSCLC are limited.

OBJECTIVE Amongst the current detections of tumor markers, measurement of serum tumor markers is the most convenient and the safest way. However, there are few promising serum tumor markers with confirmed prognostic value in NSCLC (non-small-cell lung cancer, NSCLC). Therefore, scientists only grafted the useful tumor markers, such as CA125, CA19.9, NSE, SCC, CEA and CYFRA21.1 which have been found in other solid tumors. However, previous reports about this issue remain controversial. This study is to analyze the prognostic values of these 6 markers in stage I NSCLC. METHODS One hundred and sixty four patients with stage I NSCLC who underwent operation by single-surgery-team in Department I of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital between March 2000 and March 2011 were included. These patients had measurement of CA125, CA19.9, NSE, SCC, CEA and CYFRA21.1 using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay one week before operation. The relationship between the level of these 6 tumor markers and long term survival rate was analyzed. RESULTS The positive rate for CA125, CA19.9, NSE, SCC, CEA and CYFRA 21.1 in the 121 adenocarcinoma patients was 5.7%, 5.7%, 18.3%, 5.3%, 18.3%, and 20.7% respectively; whereas 3.1%, 2.6%, 23.8%, 26.8%, 14.0%, and 42.9% in 43 non-adenocarcinoma patients, respectively. In univariate analysis, the overall 5 year survival rate of patients with elevated CYFRA21.1 level was lower than that of patients with normal level in ADC subgroup (54.5% vs. 83.8%, p < 0.05) and in all 164 cases (49.5% vs. 76.4%, p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, the level of CYFRA21.1 was an independent prognostic factor. But the other 5 markers didn't show significant prognostic value. CONCLUSIONS We found that the prognostic values of CA125, CA19.9, NSE, and SCC for stage I NSCLC are limited. CYFRA21.1 might be a hopeful prognostic serum tumor marker for stage I NSCLC.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Noninvasive Assessment of Lung Fibrosis Onset and Progression: Cross-Validation and Comparison of Different Magnetic Resonance Imaging Protocols With Micro–Computed Tomography and Histology in the Bleomycin-Induced Mouse Model

ObjectivesBleomycin instillation is frequently used to model lung fibrosis, although the onset and severity of pathology varies highly between mice. This makes non–invasive fibrosis detection and quantification essential to obtain a comprehensive analysis of the disease course and to validate novel therapies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of lung disease progression and therapy may provide such a sensitive in vivo readout of lung fibrosis, bypassing radiotoxicity concerns (when using micro-CT [&mgr;CT]) and elaborate invasive end point measurements (histology). We aimed to optimize and evaluate 3 different lung MRI contrast and acquisition methods to visualize disease onset and progression in the bleomycin-induced mouse model of lung fibrosis using a small-animal MRI scanner. For validation, we compared the MRI results with established &mgr;CT and histological measures of lung fibrosis. Materials and MethodsFree-breathing bleomycin-instilled and control mice were scanned in vivo with respiration-triggered conventional, ultrashort echo time and self-gated MRI pulse sequences (9.4 T) and &mgr;CT at baseline and weekly at days 7, 14, 21, and 28 after bleomycin instillation. After the last imaging time point, the mice were killed and the lungs were isolated for criterion standard histological analysis of lung fibrosis and quantification of lung collagen content for validation of the imaging results. The agreement between quantitative MRI and &mgr;CT data and standard measurements was analyzed by linear regression. ResultsAll 3 MRI protocols were able to visualize and quantify lung pathology onset and progression in individual bleomycin-instilled mice. In vivo MRI results were in excellent agreement with in vivo &mgr;CT and criterion standard histological measures of lung fibrosis. Ultrashort echo time MRI appeared particularly useful for detecting early disease; self-gated MRI, for improved breathing motion handling. DiscussionMagnetic resonance imaging sensitively visualizes and quantifies lung fibrosis in vivo, which makes it a noninvasive, translatable, safe, and potentially more versatile alternative to invasive methods or &mgr;CT, thereby stimulating pathogenesis and preclinical research.
Investigating the influence of inspector capability factors with four inspection techniques on inspection performance

We report on a controlled experiment with over 170 student subjects to investigate the influence of inspection process, i.e., the defect detection technique applied, and inspector capability factors on the effectiveness and efficiency of inspections on individual and team level. The inspector capability factors include measures on the inspector's experience, as well as a pre-test with a mini-inspection. We use sampling to quantify the gain of defects detected from selecting the best inspectors according to the pre-test results compared to the performance of an average team of inspectors. Main findings are that inspector development and quality assurance capability and experience factors do not significantly distinguish inspector groups with different inspection performance. On the other hand the mini-inspection pre-test has considerable correlation to later inspection performance. The sampling of teams shows that selecting inspectors according to the mini-inspection pretest considerably improves average inspection effectiveness by up to one third.
Concentration of attention as a predisposition of performance in junior categories in endurance sports

BACKGROUND: From the chosen studies done in endurance multithlon athletes and endurance athletes generally (Nideffer, 1995; Nideffer & Bond, 1989; Nideffer & Bond, 1998; Nideffer, 2000; Hatlova, 2000 and others) it follows that one of the most important psychological predispositions for maximal performance is the ability to concentrate one's attention.OBJECTIVE: The aim was to find out differences in concentration of attention in extremely endurance-loaded adolescents. The research involved 57 triathletes of age 15-22 years, members of youth sport centers in the Czech Republic, divided into groups according to particular competition categories (15-17 and 18-22). We supposed that there is statistical and subject matter significance in differences in the values measured in tests of concentration of attention between the youth category (15-17 years) and the junior category and K23 (18-22 years). METHODS: We used standardized psychodiagnostic tests (Jirasek's numeric square, Numeric rectangle, the Bourdon test and Disjunctive reaction time Ⅱ). To compare differences in results of both groups of triathlon athletes we used, on the basis of F-test results, the t-test for independent samples with equal variance. Factor validity was verified by means of confirmative factor analysis. To develop standards of performance in particular tests for both categories we converted results into standardized values (T-points) which points out intra and inter individual differences more precisely concerning the defined model-a norm.RESULTS: The results indicate that the group of older triathletes shows a significantly higher level of concentration of attention. Differences were, in all examined diagnostics, statistically significant (Jirasek's test before physical load t=2.127, p=0.037, ω^2=0.062; Jirasek's test after physical load t=2.970, p=0.004, ω^2=0.123; Numeric rectangle t=-3.307, p=0.002, ω^2=0.150; the Bourdon test=-3.331, p=0.002, ω^2=0.150; Disjunctive test t=4.95, p=6.79(superscript *)10^(-6), ω^2=0.296). On the basis of the verified validity of the test battery (Goodness of Fit Index [GFI]=0.960, [RMR]==0.042) we present standards for both age categories in all verified tests.CONCLUSIONS: We found out that the ability to concentrate attention increases with age in junior categories. The data were statistically more significant in the group of older triathlon athletes (18-22 years) than in the group of younger triathletes (15-17 years). Differences were, in all examined diagnostics, statistically significant.