Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A fish scale-derived collagen matrix as artificial cornea in rats: properties and potential.

PURPOSE A fish scale-derived collagen matrix (FSCM) is proposed as an alternative for human donor corneal tissue. Light scatter and light transmission of the FSCM were measured and compared with human cornea, and its short-term biocompatibility was tested in a rat model. METHODS light scatter was determined with a straylight measuring device, whereas light transmission was measured using a broadband absorption spectrometer. for evaluation of the biocompatibiliy, three approaches were used: the FSCM was implanted as an anterior lamellar keratoplasty (ALK), placed in an interlamellar corneal pocket (IL), and placed subconjunctivally (SC). Transparency, neovascularization, and epithelial damage were followed for 21 days. Morphology and cellular infiltration were assessed histologically. RESULTS The amount of scattered light was comparable to that seen in early cataract and the percentage of light transmission was similar to the transmission through the human cornea. Implantation of the FSCM as an ALK led to mild haziness only, not obscuring the pupil, despite the development of neovascularization around the sutures; IL placement led to a moderate haze, partly obscuring the pupil, and to (partial) melting of the anterior corneal lamella. The SC group exhibited local swelling and induration, which decreased over time. Histology showed a chronic inflammation varying from mild and moderate in the ALK and IL group, to severe in the SC group. CONCLUSIONS In spite of technical difficulties, it was feasible to use the FSCM for ALK, whereas IL placement led to melting of the anterior lamella. Further studies are necessary for better understanding of its immunogenicity. The light scatter and transmission data show that the first version of this FSCM is comparable to human cornea tissue in this respect.
Uterine pathologies in patients undergoing tamoxifen therapy for breast cancer: ultrasonographic, hysteroscopic and histological findings.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION To evaluate endometrial abnormalities by ultrasonography, hysteroscopy and biopsy in postmenopausal patients treated with tamoxifen as adjuvant therapy for breast cancer. METHODS The study was carried out on 113 patients who underwent vaginal ultrasonography, hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy. RESULTS There was a significative relation between ultrasonographic and hysteroscopic features (p < 0.001); 58 polyps were diagnosed at hysteroscopy, although 35 were not found at ultrasonography. A significant relation between ultrasonographic and histological findings was also documented (p < 0.005). A significant relation between histological findings and symptomatology was found (p < 0.05), although pathologies were also present in asymptomatic women. CONCLUSIONS These results show that long-term tamoxifen therapy in breast cancer patients is associated with a higher incidence of uterine pathology. No significant relation has been documented between duration of treatment and grade of endometrial lesion (p > 0.05). Ultrasonography alone is useful in asymptomatic patients because it selects patients with increased endometrial thickness who should undergo hysteroscopy. Hysteroscopy is more accurate in detecting polyps, hyperplastic and neoplastic changes. Asymptomatic tamoxifen treated women should be evaluated as symptomatic patients.
Some contrasts between degrees and the arithmetical hierarchy

The nonrecursiveness of an arithmetical set can be measured in at least two ways. One way is to consider the level of the set in the arithmetical hierarchy. Another is to consider the degree of unsolvability of the set; more precisely to look at the set of degrees recursive in the degree of the set. The Hierarchy Theorem [1] indicates a correspondence between these two ways of considering the nonrecursiveness of an arithmetical set. The results below indicate some of the contrasts between these two points of view. (It should perhaps be mentioned that, although the results are stated in terms of degrees and levels in the arithmetical hierarchy, they can also be stated, in view of the Hierarchy Theorem, strictly in terms of degrees.)
Predispersal seed predation, postdispersal seed predation and competition in the recruitment of seedlings of a native thistle in Sandhills prairie.

-Platte thistle (Cirsium canescens Nutt.) is a native monocarpic plant species of Sandhills prairie. We concurrently tested three biological interactions that could influence its recruitment and population density: (1) predispersal flower and seed consumption by insects; (2) postdispersal loss of seeds to vertebrates, and (3) seedling competition with established plants. Few previous experimental studies have analyzed more than one of these processes at a time. Each interaction had a significant negative impact on seedling establishment. Insect seed predation caused major losses that were magnified in each succeeding life history stage. A 3-fold reduction in viable seeds by insects led to a 6-fold decrease in seedling establishment and a 6to 37-fold reduction in the eventual number of new adults. Germination was low (1.7%) and 80% of the seedlings were in exclosure cages, particularly in those cages placed in an open disturbed area instead of in the grassland. Competition between seedlings and established grasses led to a 9.5-fold decrease in seedling survival. Platte thistle populations were thus limited successively, first by seed predation and then by competition with established grasses. Both processes therefore reinforce selection for the fugitive life history observed in this species.
Use of complementary or alternative medicine in a general population in Great Britain. Results from the National Omnibus survey.

BACKGROUND A representative sample of the adults in England, Scotland and Wales was interviewed to estimate levels of use of complementary or alternative medicines (CAMs) and their socio-economic correlates. METHODS The Omnibus survey is a multi-purpose survey carried out in the United Kingdom by the Office for National Statistics on behalf of non-profit making organizations. The survey is carried out in 2 out of 3 months each quarter using a stratified random, probability sample of households. An eight-question module was added to the interview schedule of the survey in March 2001. Topics included practitioner-based use of 23 named CAM therapies in the past 12 months. The resulting data were analysed in conjunction with socio-economic and demographic variables. RESULTS A response rate of 65 per cent (1794/2761) was achieved. An estimated 10.0 per cent of the population [95 per cent confidence interval (CI) 8.7-11.5 per cent] had received any CAM therapy from a practitioner in the past year. No individual therapy was used by more than 2 per cent of the sample. An estimated 6.5 per cent (95 per cent CI 5.4-7.6) had used one of the five main therapies: acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic, osteopathy or herbal medicine. Estimates of CAM use were similar in England, Scotland and Wales. There was a significant positive association between CAM use and non-manual social class (p < 0.002), age left full-time education (p < 0.001), and gross income over pounds sterling 15,600 (p < 0.001). More than half (52 per cent) of the respondents that had used CAM in the past year had not told their general practitioner. CONCLUSIONS Strong correlations between the use of CAM and gross socio-economic indicators are demonstrated in the survey. Repeated national surveys of this type could provide a useful vehicle for collecting information about changing patterns of CAM use on a routine basis.
Influence of Hand Rearing and Bird Age on the Fecal Microbiota of the Critically Endangered Kakapo

ABSTRACT The critically endangered New Zealand parrot, the kakapo, is subject to an intensive management regime aiming to maintain bird health and boost population size. Newly hatched kakapo chicks are subjected to human intervention and are frequently placed in captivity throughout their formative months. Hand rearing greatly reduces mortality among juveniles, but the potential long-term impact on the kakapo gut microbiota is uncertain. To track development of the kakapo gut microbiota, fecal samples from healthy, prefledged juvenile kakapos, as well as from unrelated adults, were analyzed by using 16S rRNA gene amplicon pyrosequencing. Following the original sampling, juvenile kakapos underwent a period of captivity, so further sampling during and after captivity aimed to elucidate the impact of captivity on the juvenile gut microbiota. Variation in the fecal microbiota over a year was also investigated, with resampling of the original juvenile population. Amplicon pyrosequencing revealed a juvenile fecal microbiota enriched with particular lactic acid bacteria compared to the microbiota of adults, although the overall community structure did not differ significantly among kakapos of different ages. The abundance of key operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was correlated with antibiotic treatment and captivity, although the importance of these factors could not be proven unequivocally within the bounds of this study. Finally, the microbial community structure of juvenile and adult kakapos changed over time, reinforcing the need for continual monitoring of the microbiota as part of regular health screening.
IMPROVEMENT OF MECHANICAL PERFORMANCES OF BRAIDED POLYESTER SUTURES

Abstract Non-absorbable sutures are monofilaments or braided structures generally made of polyamide, polyester or polypropylene. The success of a suture is widely linked to its mechanical performance features, such as tensile strength and dimensional stability. We introduced an additional treatment in the manufacture of non-absorbable braided sutures made of polyester. This treatment is based on heat setting of the textile structure by using textile-industry stabilisstabilisation techniques. Boiling water, saturated vapour and dry heat have been tested to stabilise a braided polyester suture. The three techniques involved longitudinal and transversal shrinkages. Heat setting with saturated vapour, and especially with dry heat, increased the breaking strength of the textile structure.
Dipolar anisotropy fiber imaging in a goat knee meniscus

This study describes a method of utilizing unaveraged dipolar effects to characterize and compute collagen fiber tracks using magnetic resonance imaging. The technique yields information about fiber structure with some similarities to what can be obtained in brain using diffusion tensor imaging, but relies on a completely different physical mechanism, namely, unaveraged homonuclear dipolar interactions. The method is probably only appropriate for highly ordered collagen rich tissues. A goat knee meniscus was embedded in a spherical epoxy ball and the magnetic resonance signal intensity was examined as a function of sample orientation to a 3T static field using a three‐dimensional gradient echo sequence. Unaveraged dipolar interactions caused a sixfold signal variation with orientation. After correction for coil sensitivity and registration of the images, a principal dipolar direction was computed for each voxel. The data were analyzed and viewed as dipolar direction and standard deviation (anisotropy) maps. Circumferential fibers within the meniscus were visualized as fiber tracks grown using diffusion tensor imaging software. The acronym dipolar anisotropy fiber imaging is proposed for this technique. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antimicrobial activity of borate-buffered solutions

A minimal salts medium adjusted to physiological pH and osmolality was buffered with either 0.3% phosphate or 1.2% borate and evaluated for antimicrobial activity. The borate-buffered medium, either with or without a carbon source, exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against 15 Pseudomonas strains, 12 strains of enteric bacteria, and 7 strains of staphylococci. The borate-buffered system appears suitable for use as a generic vehicle for ophthalmic pharmaceutical agents.
Morphometrical and molecular characterization of Bursaphelenchus species from Slovenia

SummaryThe environmental conditions in Slovenia are relatively favourrable for the colonisation and spread of the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, a very dangerous pathogenic species which was recently identified in Europe in Portugal. To determine the presence of B. xylophilus in Slovenia and to introduce proper measures against its emergence and spread, a survey of Bursaphelenchus species was conducted in Slovenia from 2002 to 2005. Approximately 120 ha of conifer forests in Slovenia were surveyed for the presence of Bursaphelenchus species. In total, 206 wood samples were taken from the conifer forests. B. hofmanni, B. mucronatus were found for the first time in Slovenia, while B. xylophilus was not detected. Additionally, the species Aphelenchoides stammeri which is morphologically very similar to Bursaphelencus was found. All species have been described morphologically and characterized by ITS-RFLP analysis. Sequences of ribosomal DNA for B. hofmanni, B. mucronatus were analysed.
Evaluation of the palate dimensions of patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare the transverse and vertical palate dimensions of two groups of children, one diagnosed as having perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) and the other without any respiratory pathology. DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING Institute of Paediatrics and Child Care of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. SAMPLE AND METHODS The sample consisted of 101 children with the diagnoses of PAR (mean age 6.5) and 91 without any respiratory pathology (mean age 7.3). From 192 patients, 65% was in mixed dentition phase and 35% in primary dentition. Each subject underwent an intra-oral clinical examination using three-dimensional Korkhaus compass to measure the intermolar distance, intercanine distance and palate depth. RESULTS The allergic group showed greater averages of palate depth (P = 0.00), both in the primary dentition phase (11.53 mm x 10 mm) and in the mixed dentition (11.96 mm x 10.21 mm). There was no statistically significant difference for intermolar and intercanine distances, either in primary or mixed dentition (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION The transverse dimension of the palate did not vary significantly between the groups, which seems to confirm that the main influence of alteration of the breathing pattern from nasal to mouth occurs on the vertical plane.
Automated volumetry of hippocampus is useful to confirm unilateral mesial temporal sclerosis in patients with radiologically positive findings

Background and purpose We evaluated two methods to identify mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS): visual inspection by experienced epilepsy neuroradiologists based on structural magnetic resonance imaging sequences and automated hippocampal volumetry provided by a processing pipeline based on the FMRIB Software Library. Methods This retrospective study included patients from the epilepsy monitoring unit database of our institution. All patients underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging in 1.5T and 3T scanners with protocols that included thin coronal T2, T1 and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and isometric T1 acquisitions. Two neuroradiologists with experience in epilepsy and blinded to clinical data evaluated magnetic resonance images for the diagnosis of MTS. The diagnosis of MTS based on an automated method included the calculation of a volumetric asymmetry index between the two hippocampi of each patient and a threshold value to define the presence of MTS obtained through statistical tests (receiver operating characteristics curve). Hippocampi were segmented for volumetric quantification using the FIRST tool and fslstats from the FMRIB Software Library. Results The final cohort included 19 patients with unilateral MTS (14 left side): 14 women and a mean age of 43.4 ± 10.4 years. Neuroradiologists had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 73.3% to detect MTS (gold standard, k = 0.755). Automated hippocampal volumetry had a sensitivity of 84.2% and specificity of 86.7% (k = 0.704). Combined, these methods had a sensitivity of 84.2% and a specificity of 100% (k = 0.825). Conclusions Automated volumetry of the hippocampus could play an important role in temporal lobe epilepsy evaluation, namely on confirmation of unilateral MTS diagnosis in patients with radiological suggestive findings.
EAL Domain Protein YdiV Acts as an Anti-FlhD4C2 Factor Responsible for Nutritional Control of the Flagellar Regulon in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium

ABSTRACT Flagellar operons are divided into three classes with respect to their transcriptional hierarchy in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. The class 1 gene products FlhD and FlhC act together in an FlhD4C2 heterohexamer, which binds upstream of the class 2 promoters to facilitate binding of RNA polymerase. In this study, we showed that flagellar expression was much reduced in the cells grown in poor medium compared to those grown in rich medium. This nutritional control was shown to be executed at a step after class 1 transcription. We isolated five Tn5 insertion mutants in which the class 2 expression was derepressed in poor medium. These insertions were located in the ydiV (cdgR) gene or a gene just upstream of ydiV. The ydiV gene is known to encode an EAL domain protein and to act as a negative regulator of flagellar expression. Gene disruption and complementation analyses revealed that the ydiV gene is responsible for nutritional control. Expression analysis of the ydiV gene showed that its translation, but not transcription, was enhanced by growth in poor medium. The ydiV mutation did not have a significant effect on either the steady-state level of flhDC mRNA or that of FlhC protein. Purified YdiV protein was shown in vitro to bind to FlhD4C2 through interaction with FlhD subunit and to inhibit its binding to the class 2 promoter, resulting in inhibition of FlhD4C2-dependent transcription. Taking these data together, we conclude that YdiV is a novel anti-FlhD4C2 factor responsible for nutritional control of the flagellar regulon.
Angle-Corrected Imaging Transcranial Doppler Sonography versus Imaging and Nonimaging Transcranial Doppler Sonography in Children with Sickle Cell Disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Nonimaging transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) and imaging TCD (TCDI) are used for determination of the risk of stroke in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). The purpose was to compare angle-corrected, uncorrected TCDI, and TCD blood flow velocities in children with SCD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 37 children (mean age, 7.8 ± 3.0 years) without intracranial arterial narrowing determined with MR angiography, were studied with use of TCD and TCDI at the same session. Depth of insonation and TCDI mean velocities with and without correction for the angle of insonation in the terminal internal carotid artery (ICA) and middle (MCA), anterior (ACA), and posterior (PCA) cerebral arteries were compared with TCD velocities with use of a paired t test. RESULTS: Two arteries were not found on TCDI compared with 15 not found on TCD. Average angle of insonation in the MCA, ACA, ICA, and PCA was 31°, 44°, 25°, and 29°, respectively. TCDI and TCD mean depth of insonation for all arteries did not differ significantly; however, individual differences varied substantially. TCDI velocities were significantly lower than TCD velocities, respectively, for the right and left sides (mean ± SD): MCA, 106 ± 22 cm/s and 111 ± 33 cm/s versus 130 ± 19 cm/s and 134 ± 26 cm/s; ICA, 90 ± 14 cm/s and 98 ± 27 cm/s versus 117 ± 18 cm/s and 119 ± 23 cm/s; ACA, 74 ± 24 cm/s and 88 ± 25 cm/s versus 105 ± 23 cm/s and 105 ± 31 cm/s; and PCA, 84 ± 27 cm/s and 82 ± 21 cm/s versus 95 ± 23 cm/s and 94 ± 20 cm/s. TCD and angle-corrected TCDI velocities were not statistically different except for higher angle-corrected TCDI values in the left ACA and right PCA. CONCLUSION: TCD velocities are significantly higher than TCDI velocities but are not different from the angle-corrected TCDI velocities. TCDI identifies the major intracranial arteries more effectively than TCD.
The distribution of the anti‐HIV drug, 2′3′‐dideoxycytidine (ddC), across the blood–brain and blood–cerebrospinal fluid barriers and the influence of organic anion transport inhibitors

The brain and CSF distribution of the HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitor, 2′3′‐dideoxycytidine (ddC), was investigated by the in situ brain perfusion and isolated incubated choroid plexus methods in the guinea pig. Multiple‐time brain perfusions indicated that the distribution of [3H]ddC to the brain and CSF was low and the unidirectional rate constant (Kin) for the brain uptake of this nucleoside analogue (0.52 ± 0.10 µL/min/g) was not significantly different to that for the vascular marker, [14C]mannitol (0.44 ± 0.09 µL/min/g). The influence of unlabelled ddC, six organic anion transport inhibitors and 3′‐azido 3′‐deoxythymidine (AZT) on the CNS uptake of [3H]ddC was examined in situ and in vitro. ddC, probenecid and 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid altered the distribution of [3H]ddC into the brain and choroid plexuses, indicating that the limited distribution of [3H]ddC was a result of an organic anion efflux transporter, in addition to the low lipophilicity of this drug (octanol‐saline partition coefficient, 0.047 ± 0.001). The CNS distribution was also sensitive to p‐aminohippurate and deltorphin II, but not digoxin, suggesting the involvement of organic anion transporters (OAT1/OAT3‐like) and organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATP1/OATPA‐like). AZT did not effect the accumulation of [3H]ddC, indicating that when these nucleoside analogues are used in anti‐HIV combination therapy, the CNS distribution of ddC is unchanged.
PRODUCT MARKET STRUCTURE AND EARNINGS QUALITY: EVIDENCE TEHRAN STOCK EXCHANGE

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between product market structure and earnings quality in listed companies of Tehran Stock Exchange. To achieve this goal, we used Herfindahl - Hirschman Index, Lerner and Adjusted Lerner Indexes to measure product market structure and discretionary accruals for earnings quality. Our sample consists of 1144 out of 143 observations of firms for the period of 2008-2012. Using Panel Data Method, we found a significant positive relationship Herfindahl -Hirschman Index and earnings quality. Furthermore, the results show a significant positive relationship between the Lerner Index and the Adjusted Lerner Index and earnings quality. This finding means that no matter how the competition is more in the industry; the earnings quality will be higher.