Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of repeated administration of methotrexate (MTX) on rat ovary: measurement of serum antimullerian hormone (AMH) levels

Objective: To evaluate the possible effect of methotrexate (MTX) on rat ovaries by measuring serum antimullerian hormone (AMH), the novel marker of the ovarian reserve. Methods: Pretreatment serum AMH levels were measured in 15 Wistar albino rats. MTX was given in 1 mg/kg dose in days 1, 3, 5, and 7. Serum AMH levels were measured twenty-four hours after each MTX administration. Pre- and post-treatment serum AMH levels were compared. Results: Pretreatment median serum AMH was 102.4 ng/mL (25%: 41.9; 75%: 179.8). The median serum AMH levels were 70.6 ng/mL (25%: 54.08; 75%: 125.5); 136.1 ng/mL (25%: 57.3; 75%: 223.09); 121.2 ng/mL (25%: 52.5; 75%: 151.5); and 104.7 ng/mL (25%: 65.8; 75%: 265.5) after the first, second, third, and fourth methotrexate administrations, respectively. The ratio of the final (eighth day) median serum AMH level to the pretreatment median AMH level was 1.27 (25%: 0.84 and 75%: 2.57). Wilcoxon related samples test showed that final AMH was significantly higher as compared to the second day AMH measurement (p = 0.041). Conclusion: MTX administration did not cause a statistically significant change between pretreatment and final serum AMH levels in rats. There was no decrease in AMH levels indicating a decrease in ovarian reserve.
Nature and timing of some sporulation-specific protein changes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

During meiosis and spore formulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, changes that occur in a/alpha diploids, but not in isogenic nonsporulating a/a diploids, have been detected in cellular polypeptides. These were found by the technique of prelabeling growing cells with 35SO4(2-) and suspending them in sulfur-free sporulation medium. Under the conditions used, about 400 polypeptides were detected by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and 45 were altered during sporulation; of these, 21 changes were specific to a/alpha strains. These alterations were mainly due to the appearance of new polypeptides or to marked increases in the concentrations of a few polypeptides produced during vegetative growth. They could have been due either to modifications of existing polypeptides present in growing cells or to de novo synthesis of new gene products. They occurred at characteristic times during sporulation; whereas the majority of changes took place early (within the first 6 h in sporulation conditions), there were several changes characterizing the later stages of sporulation. Ten of the 35SO4(2-)-labeled polypeptides were also labeled with 32P in the presence of [32P]orthophosphate; of these, three were previously found to be sporulation specific. One of these was phosphorylated at all stages of sporulation and was labeled when [32P]orthophosphate was added either during growth of the culture of 1 h after transfer to sporulation medium. Another was labeled in the same way by adding 32P at either time, so that by 7 h in sporulation medium it was phosphorylated, but was dephosphorylated by 24 h. The third sporulation-specific peptide was labeled in extracts prepared at 7 h in sporulation medium (but not at 24 h) when [32P]-orthophosphate was added during presporulation growth, but not when [32P]-orthophosphate was added 1 h after transfer of the culture to sporulation medium. This polypeptide appeared early during sporulation; it is probably phosphorylated as it appears and is dephosphorylated at some time between 7 h and 24 h of sporulation.
Bimolecular Complementation Defines Functional Regions of Herpes Simplex Virus gB That Are Involved with gH/gL as a Necessary Step Leading to Cell Fusion

ABSTRACT Herpes simplex virus (HSV) entry into cells requires four membrane glycoproteins: gD is the receptor binding protein, and gB and gH/gL constitute the core fusion machinery. Crystal structures of gD and its receptors have provided a basis for understanding the initial triggering steps, but how the core fusion proteins function remains unknown. The gB crystal structure shows that it is a class III fusion protein, yet unlike other class members, gB itself does not cause fusion. Bimolecular complementation (BiMC) studies have shown that gD-receptor binding triggers an interaction between gB and gH/gL and concurrently triggers fusion. Left unanswered was whether BiMC led to fusion or was a by-product of it. We used gB monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to block different aspects of these events. Non-virus-neutralizing MAbs to gB failed to block BiMC or fusion. In contrast, gB MAbs that neutralize virus blocked fusion. These MAbs map to three functional regions (FR) of gB. MAbs to FR1, which contains the fusion loops, and FR2 blocked both BiMC and fusion. In contrast, MAbs to FR3, a region involved in receptor binding, blocked fusion but not BiMC. Thus, FR3 MAbs separate the BiMC interaction from fusion, suggesting that BiMC occurs prior to fusion. When substituted for wild-type (wt) gB, fusion loop mutants blocked fusion and BiMC, suggesting that loop insertion precedes BiMC. Thus, we postulate that each of the gB FRs are involved in different aspects of the path leading to fusion. Upon triggering by gD, gB fusion loops are inserted into target lipid membranes. gB then interacts with gH/gL, and this interaction is eventually followed by fusion.
Normal Haematological Values in the Central American Population

Summary. A total of 6787 subjects were studied, representative of the Central American populations but without clinical evidence of haematological disease. Out of this sample, 452 individuals fulfilled the following conditions: they were hook‐worm free, with values of serum iron > 50 μg/100 ml; saturation of transferrin > 20%; serum folates (L. casei) > 5 ng/ml; and serum vitamin B12 (E. gracilis) > 150 Pg/ml. These individuals were considered adequately nourished from the erythropoietic point of view, and they constituted the ‘normal’ sample from which values for haemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood cell count, and red blood cell indices were calculated. These subjects were grouped by age and sex, and according to the altitude above sea level of their place of residence (0‐750 and 751–1500 m).
Myths, Mix-ups, and Mishandlings: Understanding the Eurozone Crisis

Abstract The Eurozone crisis has been wrongly interpreted as either a crisis of fiscal profligacy or of deteriorating unit-labor cost competitiveness (caused by rigid labor markets), or a combination of both. Based on these diagnoses, crisis countries have been treated with the bitter medicines of fiscal austerity, wage reductions, and labor market deregulation—all in the expectation that these would restore cost competitiveness and revive growth (through exports), while at the same time allowing for fiscal consolidation and private debt deleveraging. The medicines did not work and almost killed the patients. The problem lies with the diagnoses: the real cause of the crisis resides in unsustainable private sector debt leverage, which was aided and abetted by the liberalization of European financial markets and a “global banking glut. ”
Functional redundancy of CDP-ethanolamine and CDP-choline pathway enzymes in phospholipid biosynthesis: ethanolamine-dependent effects on steady-state membrane phospholipid composition in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

It has been established that yeast membrane phospholipid content is responsive to the inositol and choline content of the growth medium. Alterations in the levels of transcription of phospholipid biosynthetic enzymes contribute significantly to this response. We now describe conditions under which ethanolamine can exert significant influence on yeast membrane phospholipid composition. We demonstrate that mutations which block a defined subset of the reactions required for the biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine (PC) via the CDP-choline pathway cause ethanolamine-dependent effects on the steady-state levels of bulk PC in yeast membranes. Such an ethanolamine-dependent reduction in bulk membrane PC content was observed for both choline kinase (cki) and choline phosphotransferase (cpt1) mutants, but it was not observed for mutants defective in cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase, the enzyme that catalyzes the penultimate reaction of the CDP-choline pathway for PC biosynthesis. Moreover, the ethanolamine effect observed for cki and cpt1 mutants was independent of the choline content of the growth medium. Finally, we found that haploid yeast strains defective in the activity of both the choline and ethanolamine phosphotransferases experienced an ethanolamine-insensitive reduction in steady-state PC content, an effect which was not observed in strains defective in either one of these activities alone. The collective data indicate that specific enzymes of the CDP-ethanolamine pathway for phosphatidylethanolamine biosynthesis, while able to contribute to PC synthesis when yeast cells are grown under conditions of ethanolamine deprivation, do not do so when yeast cells are presented with this phospholipid headgroup precursor.
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE SPECTRUM OF NON FERMENTING GRAM NEGATIVE BACILLI ISOLATED IN THE ORTHOPEDIC TRAUMATOLOGY CLINIC OF "SF. SPIRIDON" CLINICAL EMERGENCY HOSPITAL IAŞI.

AIM The retro-prospective analysis of antibiotic sensitivity of non-fermenting gram negative bacilli strains circulating in the Orthopedics-Traumatology Clinic from "Sf. Spiridon" Emergency Clinical Hospital in view of determining the trend of the resistance phenomenon and indicating the most useful treatment for the infections caused by these strains. MATERIAL AND METHODS The retrospective component was conducted from 01.01. 2003 to 31.12. 2012, and the result of the diffusimetric antibiograms was taken from the hospital's informatics system; the prospective component of the study involved the collection of pathological products from the patients admitted during January-December 2013, who showed clinical suspicion of infection, in compliance with the general collection norms for the products destined for the bacteriological exam. RESULTS From the total 167 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated and identified from the patients, 48 (28.74%) were sensitive to at least one antibiotic from each tested class, 29 (17.39%) were resistant to a single antibiotic and the rest of 90 (53.89%) showed multiple resistance. We noticed a statistically significant difference between the number of strains sensitive to at least one antibiotic from each tested class and those with multiple resistance (p < 0.05). For the strains of Acinetobacter baumanii combined resistance was identified for 121 (87.04%), out of which 55 (39.56%) were resistant to two classes of antibiotics and the other (47.48%) to all three classes. The most frequently met was the association of resistance to quinolones and aminoglycosides, namely for a number of 49 strains (35.25%); only 3.59% of them were simultaneously sensitive to the three classes of antibiotics. CONCLUSION The already high percentages and the rising trends of antibiotic resistance of non-fermenting gram-negative bacteria described in this study confirm the continuous decrease of the efficiency of antimicrobial agents and underline the necessity of a global strategy which aims at all health sectors regarding the rational use of antibiotics, on the one hand, and the continuation of studies concerning the surveillance of the antimicrobial resistance phenomenon, on the other hand.
Curved continuously inhomogeneous and anisotropic higher order finite elements for accurate large-domain electromagnetic modeling

A summery review of several topics in higher order computational electromagnetic (CEM) are presented. First, constant speed parametrization (CSP) mapping between the parent and the final computational domain is presented. Next, we construct, numerically model, and analyze transformation-based metamaterial invisibility cloaks. These cloaks are continuously inhomogeneous and anisotropic. Finally, we nonrigorously implement symmetric second-order absorbing boundary condition (ABC) coupled with higher order curl-conforming basis functions and curved finite elements. We point out the differences that exist when the second-order ABC is used in low-and high-order CEM. Each topic is covered by at least one numerical example.
Extracellular Pyrophosphate in the Kidney: How Does It Get There and What Does It Do

Pyrophosphate (PPi) is well known as a regulator of calcification, and the ANKH (ANK in mouse) protein has a role in the membrane transport of PPi. Earlier work concentrated on bones and joints, but ANKH is also likely to have important roles in the kidney, with newer studies focusing on vascular calcification in renal failure. Renal calcification can occur due to a naturally occurring ANK mouse mutation, yet other ANK mutations do not cause a renal phenotype. Despite evidence over 10 years of ANKH’s involvement in PPi transport, efflux of PPi via ANKH has never been demonstrated. Rather than physically moving PPi, the ANKH protein may assist its membrane transport in other ways such as by hydrolysis and compartmentalisation. Protein complexes may account for effects of ANKH that are specific to particular tissues. In the kidney, recent localisation data may be helpful in suggesting physiological roles for ANKH, such as its co-localisation with aquaporin-2 and cilial proteins. Such diverse functions would reflect the ubiquitous nature of ANKH in tissues and its profound evolutionary conservation.
Clinical features and neuroimaging (CT and MRI) findings in presumed Zika virus related congenital infection and microcephaly: retrospective case series study

ObjeCtive To report radiological findings observed in computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the first cases of congenital infection and microcephaly presumably associated with the Zika virus in the current Brazilian epidemic. Design Retrospective study with a case series. PartiCiPants hypoplasia of the cerebellum and the brainstem.
Symptom-specific self-referential cognitive processes in bipolar disorder: a longitudinal analysis

Background Although depression and mania are often assumed to be polar opposites, studies have shown that, in patients with bipolar disorder, they are weakly positively correlated and vary somewhat independently over time. Thus, when investigating relationships between specific psychological processes and specific symptoms (mania and depression), co-morbidity between the symptoms and changes over time must be taken into account. Method A total of 253 bipolar disorder patients were assessed every 24 weeks for 18 months using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), the Bech–Rafaelsen Mania Assessment Scale (MAS), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Questionnaire (RSEQ), the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS), the Internal, Personal and Situational Attributions Questionnaire (IPSAQ) and the Personal Qualities Questionnaire (PQQ). We calculated multilevel models using the xtreg module of Stata 9.1, with psychological and clinical measures nested within each participant. Results Mania and depression were weakly, yet significantly, associated; each was related to distinct psychological processes. Cross-sectionally, self-esteem showed the most robust associations with depression and mania: depression was associated with low positive and high negative self-esteem, and mania with high positive self-esteem. Depression was significantly associated with most of the other self-referential measures, whereas mania was weakly associated only with the externalizing bias of the IPSAQ and the achievement scale of the DAS. Prospectively, low self-esteem predicted future depression. Conclusions The associations between different self-referential thinking processes and different phases of bipolar disorder, and the presence of the negative self-concept in both depression and mania, have implications for therapeutic management, and also for future directions of research.
The influence of white-coat hypertension on left atrial phasic function

Abstract We aimed to investigate the association between white-coat hypertension (WCH) and left atrial (LA) phasic function assessed by the volumetric and speckle tracking method. This cross-sectional study included 52 normotensive individuals, 49 subjects with WCH and 56 untreated hypertensive patients who underwent a 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring and complete two-dimensional echocardiographic examination (2DE). WCH was diagnosed if clinic blood pressure (BP) was elevated and 24-h BP was normal. We obtained that maximum, minimum LA and pre-A LAV volumes and volume indexes gradually and significantly increased from the normotensive subjects, throughout the white-coat hypertensive individuals to the hypertensive patients. Passive LA emptying fraction (EF), representing the LA conduit function, gradually reduced from normotensive to hypertensive subjects. Active LA EF and the parameter of the LA booster pump function increased in the same direction. Similar results were obtained by 2DE strain analysis. The LA stiffness index gradually increased from normotensive controls, throughout white-coat hypertensive subjects to hypertensive patients. Clinic systolic BP was associated with LA passive EF (β= −0.283, p = 0.001), LA active EF (β = 0.342, p < 0.001), LA total longitudinal strain (β= −0.356, p < 0.001), LA positive longitudinal strain (β= −0.264, p = 0.009) and LA stiffness index (β = 0.398, p < 0.001) without regard to age, BMI, left ventricular structure and diastolic function in the whole study population. In the conclusion, WCH significantly impacts LA phasic function and stiffness. Clinic systolic BP was associated with functional and mechanical LA remodeling in the whole study population.
Market and Plan: The Evolution of Socialist Social Structures in History and Theory1

THE BEGINNING OF THE LAST DECADE of the 20th century, the forward momentum of post-capitalist societies has been blocked, and the concepts of socialism, based in Marxist theory, have consequently been called into question. The resulting ferment creates both the opportunity and the need for reexamination of the theory of the socialist economy. In this paper, I will explore some ingredients for a newly invigorated theoretical socialism, based on the extensive historical experience in the 20th century with post-capitalist social and economic development. This project has the clear intention of helping to put socialism back on the offensive, in both theory and practice. It rests on two premises. First, if capitalism2 is historically limited and immanently contradictory, then its transcendence eventuates in a qualitatively distinct and superior form of social organization, to which the term "socialism" is applied. The fundamental argument for socialism, then, cannot rest on pragmatic compromises, as in some version of market socialism or Mikhail Gorbachev's "regulated market economy"; socialism's qualitative distinction and superiority must be established at a high level of abstraction, consistent with the general critique of capitalism. Second, the experiences of existing socialist societies - the Soviet Union from the 1930s, the countries of Eastern Europe from 1 I am grateful to Michael Lebowitz and Frank T. Fitzgerald for useful suggestions and criticisms of an earlier draft of this paper. 2 "Capitalism" may be defined, for present purposes, as a system in which means of production are owned and controlled by a minority upper-and-ruling class, and a significant portion of output appropriated by that class, by means of purchase of laborpower from a majority, non-owning working class, in a general context of private property and markets.
Children's referential understanding of novel words and parent labeling behaviors: similarities across children with and without autism spectrum disorders*

ABSTRACT This study examined two facets of the use of social cues for early word learning in parent–child dyads, where children had an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or were typically developing. In Experiment 1, we investigated word learning and generalization by children with ASD (age range: 3;01–6;02) and typically developing children (age range: 1;02–4;09) who were matched on language ability. In Experiment 2, we examined verbal and non-verbal parental labeling behaviors. First, we found that both groups were similarly able to learn a novel label using social cues alone, and to generalize this label to other representations of the object. Children who utilized social cues for word learning had higher language levels. Second, we found that parental cues used to introduce object labels were strikingly similar across groups. Moreover, parents in both groups adapted labeling behavior to their child's language level, though this surfaced in different ways across groups.
The influence of low level doping on the thermal evolution of SAC alloy solder joints with Cu pad structures

The behaviour or BGA solder joints with Cu pad structures was studied as a function of reflow conditions, thermal aging and Pb-free alloy composition. All Pb-free solder compositions studied were slight compositional modifications of the standard Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC 305) alloy. Emphasis was placed on studying the effect of low level doping with Co, Fe, In, Ni, Zn and Cu with respect to two anomalous behaviours, found in this system, and which depend on the source of plated Cu: the variability within the rate of elemental Cu consumed under the same reflow and thermal aging conditions, depending on the source of plated Cu; and the variability, depending on Cu plating source, in Kirkendall void formation and growth, during thermal aging, in the Cu-Cu3Sn interfacial solder joint region. To assess and characterize the effects of these dopants on these behaviours and on the solder, itself, parts were sampled and tested after various reflow and thermal aging conditions, using ball pull testing, metallurgical cross sectioning, polarized light microscopy, SEM examination and hardness testing of the solder. Low level Zn additions to the standard SAC 305 solder have a significant effect on solder joint interfacial intermetallic compound structures and on the basic interfacial, Kirkendall voiding phenomenon. Low level Zn additions drastically reduce the rate of formation in the interfacial, Cu3Sn phase, significantly reduce the Cu pad consumption rate, during reflow and thermal aging, and dramatically lower the Kirkendall void formation at the interface, during thermal aging. The effects of the other alloying elements, defined above, on the interfacial intermetallic compound formation, solidification behaviour, solder properties and interfacial void formation are less dramatic; but, are, also, discussed in detail