Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seminal Ferritin And Seminal Parameters In Patients Undergoing Chronic Hemodialysis

Background: to verify the association of seminal parameter (SP) and seminal ferritin(SF) levels in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis (CH), admitting possible antioxidative activity of SF. Methods: this was a case-control study in group of 60 men (case) in CH with more than 6 months and group of healthy men(control), aged 18-60 years, without clinical or laboratory signs of infection / inflammation. Patients underwent semen analysis, fertility index(FI) calculation, measurement of SF and hormonal profile(follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, total testosterone, and prolactin levels). Results: There were significant differences between cases and control (Table 1) in SP(p = 0.000), sex hormones (p = 0.000) and FI [0, 85(0,57) vs 5,54(1,3), p=0,000]. There was no difference between cases and control(Table 1) in SF levels (226.45 ± 51.03 vs 241.52 ± 30.52, p = 0.137) and age(49,47 ±5,56 vs 47,90 ± 6,22, p=0,229). There was no correlation (Table 2) between SF and FI(r = 0.049, p = 0.711) and SP(p> 0.05). Conclusion: the results suggest that SF is not associated with changes in seminal parameters in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis, and is not useful singly for initial evaluation of seminal parameters.
Are we missing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in pregnancy? Experience of a tertiary care hospital.

BACKGROUND Controversies persist regarding risks associated with pregnancy and delivery in women with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). To date, pregnancy outcome data for these patients is scarce. We report the experience of pregnancies with HCM in a tertiary care hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data regarding cardiac illness and obstetric profile of all women attending the cardio-obstetrics clinic from January 1990 to December 2012 were studied. The records of cardiac illness of all women were checked and all patients with HCM were included in the study. RESULTS Out of total 2016 patients booked in the cardio-obstetrics clinic between 1990 and 2012, only 4 women were found to have a diagnosis of HCM (0.2%). Of these, 2 women with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and one with non-obstructive HCM had only mild symptoms and tolerated pregnancy and labour well. One patient had HCM with restrictive physiology developed heart failure and intra-uterine fetal death. CONCLUSION HCM is underdiagnosed and rarely identified in pregnancy. Most patients with HCM tolerated pregnancy well, howeverone patient with restrictive physiology developed heart failure during her first pregnancy.
Tumor Cell Recovery from Senescence Induced by Radiation with PARP Inhibition

Inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) are clinically used as single-agent therapy for tumors with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. One approach to expanding the use of PARP inhibitors to a wider range of tumors is to combine them with cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Preclinical studies in experimental animals and tumor cells in culture indicate that PARP inhibition modestly sensitizes most tumor cells to ionizing radiation. Studies of cell behavior after these combined treatments show that radiosensitization is manifested predominantly in an increase in prolonged growth arrest and senescence, with little or no contribution from apoptosis. The secretory phenotype associated with senescence can target these tumor cells for immune surveillance, and therefore increased senescence can effectively contribute to tumor control. However, the possible recovery of senescent cells and re-entry into cell cycle after prolonged arrest also needs to be considered. Such recovery could lead to tumor recurrence, yet may not be reflected in short-term assays commonly used to assess radiosensitization.
Identification of the Induction Motor in Sinusoidal Mode

This paper presents an original method for estimation of the induction motor parameters, including iron loss, with measurements in the sinusoidal steady-state mode. Based on a change of parameter yielding a model that is linear with respect to the new set of parameters, this method allows parameter estimation with low computation cost and without being concerned by local minima problems. This method is evaluated and compared with two other methods from the literature, which are also based on sinusoidal steady-state measurements: a standard method based on two elementary tests and a method where parameters are estimated through minimization of a nonconvex distance criterion with a nonlinear programming algorithm. For the considered methods, sensitivities to measurement and modeling errors are evaluated, emphasizing the performances of the original method. Experimental results, obtained on a setup of 1.5 kW rated power, are provided.
Determinants of resource utilization in four palliative care units

Objective: To assess resources mobilized per day and per patient receiving palliative care (PC) and to explain the observed cost variability. Study setting: We conducted a prospective study in four French PC units. Study design/data collection: For each patient, socio-demographic and medical data were collected (using a case-report form developed specifically for this purpose) and a daily cost for the provision of care was estimated. Three methods were used to analyse causal relationships. The first method was to ask the PC staff, individually and in group meetings, their own perception of the relationship between daily costs and the other variables; the remaining two methods used the data collected in the prospective study: correlational analysis and segmentation. The database contained 140 hospitalization sequences. Principal findings: The daily cost per patient was, on average, t434 (standard deviation: t73) and ranged from t301 to t667. Beyond differences in resources between PC units in this study, six variables were predictive of higher costs: degree of anxiety of patients and/or their families; proximity of death; extreme dependence; ENT cancer; relatively young age of the patient; and provision of certain procedures (drip, syringe driver, aspiration, oxygen therapy). Conclusions: These elements suggest using, not a single rate to finance this type of care, but modifying this tariff according to the characteristics of the patients. They raise the question about the criteria to be used if such a step were to be taken.
Dynamic control of torque in overmodulation and in the field weakening region

At high angular velocity, the induction motor is operated in the ﬁeld weakening range due to the voltage limit of the inverter. Field oriented vector control (FOC) is unsuitable for this operation duetocoupling, non-linearities,andsaturationof linear current controllers. A proposed direct torque control space vector modulation (DTC–SVM) scheme using SVM does not use coordinate transforms or current controllers to achieve DTC. Control of the stator ﬂux vector allows for dynamic change in the torque in all regions,including ﬁeld weakening with the six-step operation. This paper describes the torque control dynamic in the ﬁeld weakening range, using a step change in stator ﬂux vector magnitude and it’s angular velocity. The method is demonstrated experimentally.
Suspected fragrance allergy requires extended patch testing to individual fragrance allergens

This study has been performed to evaluate the efcacy of fragrance mix (FM) as a screen for fragrance allergy. Patients were included if they had had positive allergic reactions to FM, to 1 of the 8 ingredients of FM, to 1 of 14 other fragrance materials, or to their own perfume. 91 patients were studied. There were 65 women and 23 men (in 3, their sex was not recorded) allergic to FM on patch testing. The mean (±SD) age was 48.4±18.6 years. 22 patients gave a past history of atopic eczema. Dermatitis of the hands (31%) and face (26%) were the most common presenting complaints. 85 patients (93%) had a positive allergic patch test reaction to FM. 22 of the 40 tested to the extended fragrance series were positive to other perfumes as well, and of these, there were 14 reactions (in 9 patients) to allergens not in the FM. In addition, 6 patients were positive only to separately tested fragrance constituents and not to the FM. In conclusion, FM is an accurate screen for fragrance contact sensitivity. However, patch testing to an extended series is needed if there is clinical suspicion of perfume allergy, as otherwise about 7% of patients allergic to fragrances will be missed.
Variables Associated With Perceived Work Role Performance Among Professionals in Multidisciplinary Mental Health Teams Overall and in Primary Care and Specialized Service Teams, Respectively

This study had a dual purpose (1) to identify variables associated with perceived work role performance (WRP) among 315 mental health professionals (MHPs) in Quebec and (2) to compare variables related to WRP in MH primary care teams (PCTs) and specialized service teams (SSTs), respectively. WRP was measured using an adapted version of the work role questionnaire. Variables were organized within five areas: individual characteristics, perceived team attributes, perceived team processes, perceived team emergent states, and geographical and organizational context. Half of the WRP variables were linked to team processes. Knowledge sharing correlated with WRP in both MH PCTs and SSTs. Team attributes had more impact on MH PCTs, while team processes and team emergent states played a larger role among SSTs. The association between WRP and knowledge sharing confirms the need for a systematic training program to promote interdisciplinary collaboration. Integration strategies (e.g., service agreements) could improve collaboration between MH PCTs and SSTs and help MHPs perform more effectively within PCTs.
Thermal and catalytic pyrolysis of plastic waste

The amount of plastic waste is growing every year and with that comes an environmental concern regarding this problem. Pyrolysis as a tertiary recycling process is presented as a solution. Pyrolysis can be thermal or catalytical and can be performed under different experimental conditions. These conditions affect the type and amount of product obtained. With the pyrolysis process, products can be obtained with high added value, such as fuel oils and feedstock for new products. Zeolites can be used as catalysts in catalytic pyrolysis and influence the final products obtained.
Oxidation-induced Misfolding and Aggregation of Superoxide Dismutase and Its Implications for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis*

The presence of intracellular aggregates that contain Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) in spinal cord motor neurons is a pathological hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Although SOD1 is abundant in all cells, its half-life in motor neurons far exceeds that in any other cell type. On the basis of the premise that the long half-life of the protein increases the potential for oxidative damage, we investigated the effects of oxidation on misfolding/aggregation of SOD1 and ALS-associated SOD1 mutants. Zinc-deficient wild-type SOD1 and SOD1 mutants were extremely prone to form visible aggregates upon oxidation as compared with wild-type holo-protein. Oxidation of select histidine residues that bind metals in the active site mediates SOD1 aggregation. Our results provide a plausible model to explain the accumulation of SOD1 aggregates in motor neurons affected in ALS.
Emotion Evaluation and Social Inference Impairments in Huntington's Disease.

BACKGROUND Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterised by motor, cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Recent research has established that individuals with HD display reduced discrimination of emotional facial expressions and impaired higher-order social cognitive skills, including 'theory of mind'. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to further characterise the emotion evaluation and theory of mind deficits in HD in an ecologically-valid context, and determine their impact on socially-relevant functional abilities. METHODS A sample of 17 HD participants and 24 healthy controls were assessed using The Awareness of Social Inference Test (TASIT), together with additional self- and informant rated measures of cognition, social communication, empathy and neuropsychiatric symptoms. RESULTS Participants with HD showed significant difficulties in evaluating negative emotions, and understanding sincere, sarcastic and 'paradoxical sarcastic' statements, compared with controls. The ability to evaluate positive emotions was negatively correlated with behavioural problems, but no other clinical, behavioural or communication measures correlated significantly with TASIT subscales. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that social cognitive difficulties in symptomatic HD may be underpinned by more generalised impairments, related to deciphering social exchanges, as opposed to a selective theory of mind deficit. Such difficulties have the potential to place significant strain on interpersonal relationships, and thus warrant thorough clinical assessment, using ecologically-valid tools, to promote early detection and development of person-centred interventions.
Inhibition of Glycosylation Induces Formation of Open Connexin-43 Cell-to-Cell Channels and Phosphorylation and Triton X-100 Insolubility of Connexin-43 (*)

We transfected the cDNA for the cell-to-cell channel protein connexin-43 (Cx43) into Morris hepatoma H5123 cells, which express little Cx43 and lack gap junctional communication (open cell-to-cell channels). We found that cells overexpressing Cx43 nonetheless lacked open cell-to-cell channels, but that inhibition of glycosylation by tunicamycin induced open channels in these cells. Tunicamycin also induced biochemical changes in Cx43 protein; the level increased, and a considerable fraction became phosphorylated and Triton X-100 insoluble, in contrast to untreated cells where Cx43 was non-phosphorylated and Triton X-100 soluble. Although tunicamycin caused the formation of open channels, channels were not found aggregated into gap junctional plaques, as they are when they have been induced by elevation of intracellular cAMP. The results suggest that although Cx43 itself is not glycosylated, other glycosylated proteins influence Cx43 posttranslational modification and the formation of Cx43 cell-to-cell channels.
Pre-pyloric mechanisms regulating gastric motor function in the conscious dog.

Reflex mechanisms regulating gastric motor function were studied in four conscious dogs, whose stomachs had been surgically divided into separate corporal and antral pouches. Interactions between the corpus and antrum were investigated in fasted animals by balloon distension of each region. During the quiescent phase (phase I) of the migrating motor complex (MMC), distending the corpus with volumes greater than 80 ml resulted in contractions of the corpus, which persisted for as long as the distending stimulus was applied. This corporal distension also initiated antral contractions which were greater if the antrum was moderately distended and also greater with a larger corporal distending volume up to 300 ml. Graded 5 ml inflation of the antrum during the quiescent phase of the MMC stimulated antral contractions. This antral response to antral distension was augmented when the corpus was inflated but was only statistically significant with antral volumes below 25 ml. Distension of the antrum with volumes greater than 12.5 ml caused inhibition of corporal contractions during both the active phase of a migrating complex or when stimulated by corporal inflation. The degree of inhibition was proportional to the distending stimulus and was present for the duration of the applied distension. For antral volumes of 50 ml the inhibition persisted for a variable time after the stimulus was withdrawn. The inhibition of corporal activity by antral distension was still effective after blocking acid secretion with cimetidine (100 mg), which would eliminate spillage of acid into the jejunum as a cause of the inhibition. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Integration of viral sequences into the c-myc gene in two mammary adenocarcinomas induced by polyomavirus in athymic nude mice

We report the analysis of polyomavirus (Py) DNA integration into chromosomal DNA of two Py-induced mammary adenocarcinomas of athymic nude mice. Prior observations had established that these tumors had high levels of episomal Py DNA, making analysis of integration sites difficult. Propagation of tumor cells in culture allows the isolation of lines which have lost episomal Py DNA but are still tumorigenic and thus can be used for in situ and Southern analysis of Py sequences. The data reported here support the conclusion that Py DNA integrated into and next to the c-myc gene, adding further importance to this tumor system which, in its modifications of c-myc expression, appears to be similar to some human mammary cancers. In situ hybridization experiments on metaphase chromosomes of tumor cells showed that (i) in both cases, there was a single integration site at the same position on the same chromosome in all cells of a given tumor, and (ii) integration sites were different in the two tumors; in one, it was located on chromosome 15, near the c-myc proto-oncogene, and in the other, it was situated in the distal part of chromosome 1. We have demonstrated a probable rearrangement between chromosome 1 and chromosome 15, in the region of Py insertion, thus suggesting that a specific site on chromosome 15 is involved in tumorigenesis. The discovery that Py DNA was integrated at specific sites in host chromosomes raised the questions of whether such integrations were correlated with the activation of specific oncogenes. The rearrangements of the c-myc proto-oncogene observed on Southern blot analysis for both tumors, along with similar integration patterns of Py sequences, the overexpression of the c-myc gene, and the synthesis of abnormal oversized hybrid transcripts between c-myc and Py genes, favor this hypothesis. Finally, the analysis of episomal Py DNA in various tumors shows viral populations presenting a specific deletion in a part of the Py late region. This deleted region in the episomal virus genome was systematically found integrated in chromosomal DNA, thus arguing for the importance of Py integration in the induction of mammary tumor.
Series Divisions of Research & Statistics and Monetary Affairs Federal Reserve Board , Washington , D . C . Variance Risk Premia , Asset Predictability Puzzles , and Macroeconomic Uncertainty

This paper presents predictability evidence from the difference between implied and expected variances or variance risk premium that: (1) the variance difference measure predicts a significant positive risk premium across equity, bond, and credit markets; (2) the predictability is short-run, in that it peaks around one to four months and dies out as the horizon increases; and (3) such a short-run predictability is complementary to that of the standard predictor variables—P/E ratio, forward spread, and short rate. These findings are potentially justifiable by a general equilibrium model with recursive preference that incorporates stochastic economic uncertainty. Calibration evidence suggests that such a framework is capable of reproducing the variance premium dynamics, especially its high skewness and kurtosis, without introducing jumps. The calibrated model can also qualitatively explain the equity premium puzzle and the bond risk premia in short horizons. JEL classification: G12, G13, G14.
Water permeability of mammalian cells as a function of temperature in the presence of dimethylsulfoxide: Correlation with the state of the membrane lipids

The water permeability of V‐79 Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts was determined by measuring the rate of cell shrinkage in hypertonic medium using a cell sizer. The water permeability appears to follow Arrhenius kinetics as a function of temperature with a sharp discontinuity at 21°C. An activation energy of 7.0±1.6 kcal/mole was found below 21°C and 22.8±3.1 kcal/mole above 21°C. The correlation time of rotation of the spin label 2,2‐dimethyl‐5‐dodecyl‐5‐methyloxazolidine‐N‐oxide was measured as a function of temperature in the cellular membranes, and shows a break at 20°C. A discontinuity was also found in the membrane to water partitioning of the spin label 2,2‐dimethyl‐5‐pentyl‐5‐butyloxazolidine‐N‐oxide near 20°C. These breaks may correspond to a membrane lipid phase transition. Dimethylsulfoxide, in the concentration range of 0.2–0.5 M, decreases the water permeability by a factor of two.
Mycoplasmas induce transcription and production of tumor necrosis factor in a monocytic cell line, THP-1, by a protein kinase C-independent pathway

We demonstrated that mycoplasmas (MP), previously shown to augment the antitumor activity of murine peritoneal macrophages, also induce cytotoxic activity in a human monocytic cell line, THP-1. THP-1 cells were induced to produce cytotoxic activity by MP in a time- and dose-dependent manner. By using neutralization by antibody against tumor necrosis factor (TNF), the cytotoxic activity was shown to be due to TNF released from the MP-stimulated cells. Studies with inhibitors of second-messenger pathways and Northern RNA blot analysis indicated that a Ca2(+)-dependent, but not protein kinase C-dependent, biochemical pathway is involved in MP-induced TNF production by THP-1 cells and that MP induce TNF production in the cells at the level of transcription. MP, unlike other bacteria, lack cell walls and lipopolysaccharide. The possible involvement of a TNF production mechanism distinct from that triggered by lipopolysaccharide is discussed.
Financial Liberalization and Stock Markets Integration for Asean-5 Countries

This paper examines the relationship of financial liberalization and stock markets integration among ASEAN-5 (Note 1) stock markets: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Three sample periods are covered based on the progress of financial liberalization. By using Johansen and Juselius multivariate cointegration procedures, Granger-causality tests and variances decomposition analysis, the results indicate no long-run relationship during Singapore stock market liberalization in the first period. However, long-run relationship established between ASEAN-5 stock markets in the second period when Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia have liberalized their stock markets and the third period following the Philippines liberalization. The long run integration relationships and the short-run causality relationships among ASEAN-5 markets have both increased after the financial liberalization. Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines markets have received increased influences from other stock markets in the progress of financial liberalization whereas Singapore remains unaffected by the others. Stock markets that liberalize earlier will have greater influence on other stock markets.
CPW-Fed Dual-Mode Double-Square-Ring Resonators for Quad-Band Filters

We propose the improved CPW-fed configurations with dual-mode double-square-ring resonators (DMDSRR) for quad-band applications. The resonant frequency equations of DMDSRR are introduced for simply designing quad-band bandpass filter (BPF). Resonant frequencies can be controlled by tuning the perimeter ratio of the square rings. To obtain lower insertion loss, higher out-of-band rejection level and wider bandwidth of quad-band, the improved CPW-fed and dual-mode perturbations are designed. The proposed filter is successfully simulated and measured. It can be applied to 0.95, 1.26, 1.89 and 2.29 GHz systems.