Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of inflammatory response associated with traumatic spinal cord injury in cutaneous wound healing and on expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-A at the wound site in rats

At the cellular level, spinal cord injury (SCI) provokes an inflammatory response that generates substantial secondary damage within the cord, but also may contribute to its repair. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of inflammatory response associated with SCI in cutaneous wound healing and on expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-A at the wound site in rats. At the 14th day analysis, the mean TGF-β1 score in trauma group (I) was significantly lower than that in control group (C) (2.60 ± 0.90 vs. 3.64 ± 0.37, respectively; p < 0.05). The mean score for PDGF-A expression in group I was similar to the corresponding value in group C (2.42 ± 0.74 vs. 2.94 ± 0.72, respectively). Compared to group C, group I had significantly lower mean scores for epidermal and dermal regeneration, but higher mean scores for granulation tissue thickness and similar scores for angiogenesis. The dermal layer contains diffuse deposition of collagen fibers that are not organised as in control rat skin, and intraepidermal and subepidermal vasocongestion is distinct. Based on the results on the parameters evaluated in the study, experimental SCI in rats results in delay in wound healing and low intensity of TGF-β1 in the dorsal wound-tissue specimens.
Fetal monitoring in labor: Implications of evidence generated by new systematic review

ST waveform analysis of fetal electrocardiogram (STAN) was introduced in clinical practice after evaluating its potential to diagnose fetal hyoxemia/acidosis in several experimental animal studies and human clinical trials in the 1980s. Many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have since been performed, and the most recent one was published in August 2015 (1). This issue of the AOGS contains a systematic review with a meta-analysis of six RCTs (26446 women) published so far (2). The total number of included women is impressive. However, the controversy surrounding the superiority of electronic fetal heart rate monitoring using cardiotocography (CTG) plus STAN, over CTG alone for monitoring fetal condition during labor, continues. Use of STAN as an adjunct to CTG is claimed to have several advantages over CTG alone. These include a reduction in the rates of fetal metabolic acidosis, operative delivery for fetal distress, and need for fetal blood sampling and improved fetal and neonatal outcomes (death or serious morbidity). The present systematic review has confirmed a lower rate of metabolic acidosis, a reduction in the rate of fetal scalp blood sampling (FBS), and a reduction in the overall rate of operative vaginal delivery. There was no reduction in the rate of operative delivery for fetal distress, and the fetal and neonatal outcomes were no different. The authors of the systematic review conclude that the overall effects of CTG plus STAN were minor, and question the place of CTG plus STAN in contemporary obstetrics. Does this mean that units currently using STAN should stop using it and should go back to using CTG alone with or without FBS back-up, or should units currently not using STAN consider its introduction based on the reported reduction in metabolic acidosis, rate of FBS and overall operative vaginal delivery rate?
Adenosine increases nasal mucociliary clearance rate in mice through A2A and A2B adenosine receptors

Mucociliary clearance (MCC) is an important mechanism of host defense in the upper and lower respiratory tract. Impaired MCC plays a critical role in the development and perpetuation of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The aim of this investigation was to determine the influence of adenosine on nasal MCC, and to determine the receptors mediating this physiology in vivo.
Yawning Detection Using Embedded Smart Cameras

Yawning detection has a variety of important applications in a driver fatigue detection, well-being assessment of humans, driving behavior monitoring, operator attentiveness detection, and understanding the intentions of a person with a tongue disability. In all of the above applications, an automatic detection of yawning is one important system component. In this paper, we design and implement such automatic system, using computer vision, which runs on a computationally limited embedded smart camera platform to detect yawning. We use a significantly modified implementation of the Viola-Jones algorithm for face and mouth detections and, then, use a backprojection theory for measuring both the rate and the amount of the changes in the mouth, in order to detect yawning. As proof-of-concept, we have also implemented and tested our system on top of an actual smart camera embedded platform, called APEX from CogniVue Corporation. In our design and implementations, we took into consideration the practical aspects that many existing works ignore, such as real-time requirements of the system, as well as the limited processing power, memory, and computing capabilities of the embedded platform. Comparisons with existing methods show significant improvements in the correct yawning detection rate obtained by our proposed method.
A Study of Fitness Distance Correlation as a Difficulty Measure in Genetic Programming

We present an approach to genetic programming difficulty based on a statistical study of program fitness landscapes. The fitness distance correlation is used as an indicator of problem hardness and we empirically show that such a statistic is adequate in nearly all cases studied here. However, fitness distance correlation has some known problems and these are investigated by constructing an artificial landscape for which the correlation gives contradictory indications. Although our results confirm the usefulness of fitness distance correlation, we point out its shortcomings and give some hints for improvement in assessing problem hardness in genetic programming.
Inflammation and Glucose Intolerance

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS — We prospectively examined routine leukocyte counts collected at the first prenatal visit in a cohort of 2,753 nulliparous euglycemic women, 98 (3.6%) of whom were later diagnosed with GDM. Subjects were divided into quartiles of leukocyte count, and the results of third-trimester glucose screening tests and the incidence of GDM among these quartiles were compared. Logistic regression was used to calculate univariate and multivariable-adjusted relative risks (RRs) of GDM according to leukocyte quartiles.
Validation of myocardial perfusion reserve measurements using regularized factor images of H(2)(15)O dynamic PET scans.

UNLABELLED The use of H(2)(15)O PET scans for the measurement of myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) has been validated in both animal models and humans. Nevertheless, this protocol requires cumbersome acquisitions such as C(15)O inhalation or (18)F-FDG injection to obtain images suitable for determining myocardial regions of interest. Regularized factor analysis is an alternative method proposed to define myocardial contours directly from H(2)(15)O studies without any C(15)O or FDG scan. The study validates this method by comparing the MPR obtained by the regularized factor analysis with the coronary flow reserve (CFR) obtained by intracoronary Doppler as well as with the MPR obtained by an FDG acquisition. METHODS Ten healthy volunteers and 10 patients with ischemic cardiopathy or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy were investigated. The CFR of patients was measured sonographically using a Doppler catheter tip placed into the proximal left anterior descending artery. The mean velocity was recorded at baseline and after dipyridamole administration. All subjects underwent PET imaging, including 2 H(2)(15)O myocardial perfusion studies at baseline and after dipyridamole infusion, followed by an FDG acquisition. Dynamic H(2)(15)O scans were processed by regularized factor analysis. Left ventricular cavity and anteroseptal myocardial regions of interest were drawn independently on regularized factor images and on FDG images. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) and MPR were estimated by fitting the H(2)(15)O time-activity curves with a compartmental model. RESULTS In patients, no significant difference was observed among the 3 methods of measurement-Doppler CFR, 1.73 +/- 0.57; regularized factor analysis MPR, 1.71 +/- 0.68; FDG MPR, 1.83 +/- 0.49-using a Friedman 2-way ANOVA by ranks. MPR measured with the regularized factor images correlated significantly with CFR (y = 1.17x - 0.30; r = 0.97). In the global population, the regularized factor analysis MPR and FDG MPR correlated strongly (y = 0.99x; r = 0.93). Interoperator repeatability on regularized factor images was 0.126 mL/min/g for rest MBF, 0.38 mL/min/g for stress MBF, and 0.34 for MPR (19% of mean MPR). CONCLUSION Regularized factor analysis provides well-defined myocardial images from H(2)(15)O dynamic scans, permitting an accurate and simple measurement of MPR. The method reduces exposure to radiation and examination time and lowers the cost of MPR protocols using a PET scanner.
The Iron Age I Settlement and Its Residential Houses at al-Lahun in Moab, Jordan

This article examines the remains of the Iron Age I (end of the 12th century—11th century B.C.E.) fortified settlement and its residential structures at the site of al-Lahun, excavated between 1986 and 1996. The settlement is one of many contemporary sites in the southern Levant, but one of the few excavated in Jordan. The results obtained from the excavations may contribute to a better understanding of the Iron Age I in the region of ancient Moab and Jordan in particular, and the southern Levant in general.
Human cathepsins F and W: A new subgroup of cathepsins.

Human cathepsin F is a recently described papain-like cysteine protease of unknown function. To investigate the evolutionary relatedness to other human cathepsins, we determined the genomic organization and the chromosomal localization of cathepsin F and isolated its putative promoter region. The gene of human cathepsin F (CTSF) is composed of twelve exons and eleven introns and was found to be similar to that of cathepsin W but different from the cathepsins K, S, L, O, B, and C. The splice sites of nine out of the eleven introns were identical to those determined in the cathepsin W gene (CTSW), whereas introns one and ten were unique for CTSF. The 4. 7 kb gene was mapped to the long arm of chromosome 11 at position q13.1-3, a locus shared with CTSW. Phylogenetic analysis of human cathepsin protein sequences demonstrated that (i) cathepsins F and W are evolutionarily separated from other human cathepsins, and (ii) cysteine proteases closely related to human cathepsin W and F are also expressed in parasites and mammals. Based on these phylogenetic findings, on the presence of a particular protein motif ("ERFNAQ") in the propeptides of cathepsins F and W as well as the genomic organization and chromosomal localization of their genes, we concluded that F and W form a novel subgroup of cathepsin proteases. We suggest the naming "cathepsin F-like" proteases distinct from the previously described cathepsins "L- and B-like" subgroups.
Hypovolemia Induced Orthostatic Hypotension in Presyncopal Astronauts and Normal Subjects Relates to Hypo-Sympathetic Responsiveness

Circulating blood volume is reduced during spaceflight, leaving astronauts hemodynamically compromised after landing. Because of this hypovolemia, crew members are able to withstand a postflight 10 minute upright tilt test only if they are able to mount a hyper-sympathetic response. Previous work from this laboratory has shown that about 30% of astronauts, primarily female, have postflight sympathetic responses to tilt that are equal to or less than their preflight responses and thus, they become presyncopal. Part of the mission of the cardiovascular lab at the Johnson Space Center is to identify susceptible crewmembers before flight so that individualized countermeasures can be prescribed. The goal of this study was to develop a ground based model of hypovolemia that could be used for this purpose We tested the hypothesis that hypovolemia alone, in the absence of spaceflight, would reproduce the landing day rate of presyncope during upright tilt in normal volunteers. Further, we hypothesized that, during hypovolemia, subjects who had sympathetic responses that were equal to or less than their normovolemic responses would become presyncopal during upright tilt tests. We studied 20 subjects, 13 male and 7 female, on two separate occasions: during normovolemia and hypovolemia. We induced hypovolemia with intravenous furosemide 40 hours prior to the experiment day, followed by a 10MEq Na diet. On the normovolemia and hypovolemia test days, plasma volume, tilt tolerance and supine and standing arterial pressure, heart rate and plasma norepinephrine levels were measured. A two factor, repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to examine the differences between group (presyncopal vs. non-presyncopal) and day (normovolemia vs. hypovolemia) effects. There were no differences in baseline arterial pressure between normovolemia and hypovolemia or between presyncopal and non-presyncopal groups, but heart rates were higher with hypovolemia in both groups (presyncopal: 70 5 bpm vs. 63 3 bpm, P = 0.003, non-presyncopal: 59 2 bpm vs. 52 2 bpm, P = 0.003). Similar to patterns reported after flight, non-presyncopal subjects had greater norepinephrine responses to tilt during hypovolemia compared to normovolemia (580 79 vs. 298 37 pg/ml, P < 0.05), but presyncopal subjects did not (180 44 vs. 145 32 pg/ml, P = NS). This new model has the potential to accelerate the development of countermeasures and save flight resources. It can be used to identify astronauts who will become presyncopal on landing day, so that prospective, individualized countermeasures can be developed. In addition, it can also be used to screen candidate countermeasures prior to requests for bed rest or inflight resources.
Ultrastructural aspects of the oesophageal and reproductive systems of the equine parasite Strongylus vulgaris

Abstract The ultrastructure of the dorsal oesophageal gland ampulla and its relationship with the oesophagus, oesophageal ultrastructure, and control mechanisms in oesophageal activity were studied. Terminal ducts of the sub-ventral glands open through the oesophageal crown at the base of the buccal cavity. The terminal duct of the dorsal oesophageal gland running through the dorsal gutter opens to the exterior at the rim ‘groove’ of the buccal capsule. The posterior oesophageal region is clavate and the cuticle of the lumen folds to form outlet valves, ‘valvulae’. An inconspicuous oesophago-intestinal valve (three lobes) connects oesophagus and intestine and is visualized in the open and shut position. In the female reproductive tract, with the exception of the uterus, the cells lie on a thick, irregular (convoluted) basal lamina. The apical plasma membrane of the uterus, and seminal receptacle, extend into the lumen by microvilli-like projections with which spermatozoa make intimate contact. The lumen of the uterus is filled with oocytes, fertilized and unfertilized. Testicular cells have two parts linked by a rachis. Spermatocytes are elongated with a large nucleus, distinct nuclear membrane, and many granules. The apical membrane of the rachis forms long microvilli-like projections with balloon-like tips. The amoeboid spermatozoa contain membrane specializations, a nucleus devoid of a membrane, and are enclosed by a pseudopodial-like extension.
Cortisol in human milk: The good, the bad, or the ugly?

We found that breast-milk cortisol and cortisone concentrations peaked at 0700 h and declined during the afternoon, mirroring saliva analysis that was conducted at the same time (3). The early-morning peak was approximately five times as high as the nadir. Moreover, cortisone (which can be converted to cortisol by 11b-reductase activity) was much more abundant in breast milk than cortisol (3). Recently, another group demonstrated replication of this typical diurnal pattern in human milk (4).
Human CD4+ T lymphocytes with remarkable regulatory functions on dendritic cells and nickel-specific Th1 immune responses.

The contribution of T helper (Th) and T cytotoxic (Tc) type 1 lymphocytes in the expression of allergic contact dermatitis to haptens has been amply documented. Conversely, the existence of T cell-based regulatory mechanisms has been poorly investigated. Here, we examined the properties of a subset of nickel-specific CD4+ T cells displaying the cytokine profile (IL-10 , IL-5 , IFN-gamma+/-, IL-4+/-) of T regulatory cells 1 (Tr1) and with the potential to down-modulate immune responses to nickel. Tr1 clones were isolated from skin challenged with NiSO4 and peripheral blood of nickel-allergic patients, and from the blood of healthy individuals. Tr1 clones expressed CD25, CD28, CD30, CD26, and the IL-12 receptor beta2 chain upon activation, whereas the lymphocyte activation antigen-3 was present on 50% of the clones. Monocytes precultured with Tr1 cells in the presence of nickel, or treated with Tr1-derived supernatant, exhibited a markedly diminished capacity to stimulate nickel-specific Th1 responses. Tr1 supernatants also blocked the differentiation of dendritic cells (DC) from monocytes, as well as DC maturation and IL-12 production induced by lipopolysaccharide. As a consequence, the ability of DC to stimulate nickel-specific Th1 and Tc1 responses was greatly impaired. These inhibitory effects were completely prevented by IL-10, but not IL-5, neutralization. In aggregate, the results indicate that Tr1 cells can potently regulate the expression of Th1-mediated allergic diseases via release of IL-10.
Laminar distribution of NMDA receptors in cat and monkey visual cortex visualized by [3H]‐MK‐801 binding

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter of the mammalian central nervous system. Two major classes of glutamate receptors have been reported. The actions of glutamate on its N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA)‐type receptor may underlie developmental and adult plasticity as well as neurotoxicity.
Risk factors for fracture in adult kidney transplant recipients.

AIM To determine the general and transplant-specific risk factors for fractures in kidney transplant recipients. METHODS We conducted a cohort study of all adults who received a kidney-only transplant (n = 2723) in Ontario, Canada between 2002 and 2009. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression to determine general and transplant-specific risk factors for major fractures (proximal humerus, forearm, hip, and clinical vertebral). The final model was established using the backward elimination strategy, selecting risk factors with a P-value ≤ 0.2 and forcing recipient age and sex into the model. We also assessed risk factors for other fracture locations (excluding major fractures, and fractures involving the skull, hands or feet). RESULTS There were 132 major fractures in the follow-up (8.1 fractures per 1000 person-years). General risk factors associated with a greater risk of major fracture were older recipient age [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) per 5-year increase 1.11, 95%CI: 1.03-1.19] and female sex (aHR = 1.81, 95%CI: 1.28-2.57). Transplant-specific risk factors associated with a greater risk of fracture included older donor age (5-year increase) (aHR = 1.09, 95%CI: 1.02-1.17) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) caused by diabetes (aHR = 1.72, 95%CI: 1.09-2.72) or cystic kidney disease (aHR = 1.73, 95%CI: 1.08-2.78) (compared to glomerulonephritis as the reference cause). Risk factors across the two fracture locations were not consistent (major fracture locations vs other). Specifically, general risk factors associated with an increased risk of other fractures were diabetes and a fall with hospitalization prior to transplantation, while length of time on dialysis, and renal vascular disease and other causes of ESRD were the transplant-specific risk factors associated with a greater risk of other fractures. CONCLUSION Both general and transplant-specific risk factors were associated with a higher risk of fractures in kidney transplant recipients. Results can be used for clinical prognostication.
Ramadan diet restrictions modify the circadian time structure in humans. A study on plasma gastrin, insulin, glucose, and calcium and on gastric pH.

The rule of Ramadan (1 month of food and water intakes restricted to night hours) is followed by the majority of the Moslem fraction of the human population, but the possible consequences of this long-lasting modification of food intake schedule on public health have not yet been extensively documented. Therefore, a group of healthy control subjects and a group of healed duodenal ulcer patients were studied before (controls), during (both groups), and after (both groups) the month of Ramadan. The time-restricted food and water intakes were associated with variations of gastric pH, plasma gastrin, insulin, glucose, and calcium documented on a circadian basis. All of the studied biological variables, except insulin, underwent changes in their 24-h mean concentration (e.g. decrease in gastric pH, increase in plasma gastrin), some of which were still present 1 month after the end of Ramadan. The circadian patterns of all the studied variables were altered during the month of Ramadan. Some differences between the group of healthy control subjects and the group of healed duodenal ulcer patients may suggest a greater susceptibility of the latter to the modifications of feeding and sleeping schedule, which could possibly be a risk factor for the disease.
Incorporation of Propionibacteria in Fermented Milks as a Probiotic

Propionibacteria are mainly found in dairy products and fermented milks but are found in other foods as well. Dairy propionibacteria have recently shown to exert potential probiotic activities such as production of propionic acid, vitamins, bacteriocins, essential enzymes, and other vital metabolites. Furthermore, stimulating the immune system and lowering the blood cholesterol level are some of their favorable effects. They have a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activities, inhibiting the growth of gram-positive and some gram-negative bacteria, as well as some yeasts and molds. At industrial scale, they are used in cheese making, especially Swiss (hard) cheeses, as dominant starter cultures. There is a rising trend to use propionibacteria in fermented milks as probiotic. The current paper reviews the characteristics of propionibacteria related to their use in fermented milks either as starter culture or probiotic, methods for the enumeration of propionibacteria, and their functional (in vivo) efficiency.