Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship Between Growth and Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity and the Development of Ascites in Broilers Subjected to Skip-a-day Feed Restriction

The present experiment was carried out to determine whether there is any relationship between the growth and the activity of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the incidence of ascites in broiler chickens. Dietary treatments consisted of a control met NRC (1994) recommendations during 1-21 and 21- 42d and a skip-a-day feed removal with 24h fasting on 9, 11 and 13d. The skip-a-day feed restriction resulted in reduced weekly body weights and decreased weight gain (P<0.0015) and feed intake (P<0.0072) over the realimentation period (14-42d). The skip-a-day feed removal enhanced the activity of serum LDH measured at 42 days of age (P<0.026). Our data demonstrated that there were no statistically significant differences between serum LDH activity and ascitic birds.
Effects of a modified interface by silver nanoparticles/SiOC:H barrier layer against space charge injection under HVDC

Large number of studies describes phenomena associated with space charge build-up in polymeric materials and the incited consequences when high voltage direct current is imposed. Currently, the studies are oriented towards possibilities to minimize this drawback by addition of nanometric size inclusions into the bulk of the polymer material. One alternative approach is to tailor the interface of the insulating material with deep traps in order to limit and control charges injection before their penetration into the bulk. The barrier layer is composed of a mono plan of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) embedded in an organosilicon matrix (SiOC:H) issued from hexamethyldisiloxane plasma polymerization and deposited at the surface of a low density polyethylene (LDPE) film. We present a comparative study of charge density distribution between reference LDPE films and a one-face tailored sample. The impact of the barrier layer was evaluated for applied fields in the range 10 to 50 kV/mm. Results show a high efficiency of the AgNPs/SiOC:H barrier layer to limit injection of space charge at the LDPE interface, for both positive and negative charges.
Three-Dimensional Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy of Biological Specimens

Abstract A three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the cytoskeleton and a clathrin-coated pit in mammalian cells has been achieved from a focal-series of images recorded in an aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). The specimen was a metallic replica of the biological structure comprising Pt nanoparticles 2–3 nm in diameter, with a high stability under electron beam radiation. The 3D dataset was processed by an automated deconvolution procedure. The lateral resolution was 1.1 nm, set by pixel size. Particles differing by only 10 nm in vertical position were identified as separate objects with greater than 20% dip in contrast between them. We refer to this value as the axial resolution of the deconvolution or reconstruction, the ability to recognize two objects, which were unresolved in the original dataset. The resolution of the reconstruction is comparable to that achieved by tilt-series transmission electron microscopy. However, the focal-series method does not require mechanical tilting and is therefore much faster. 3D STEM images were also recorded of the Golgi ribbon in conventional thin sections containing 3T3 cells with a comparable axial resolution in the deconvolved dataset.
Changes in the pattern of Kaposi’s sarcoma at Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Tanzania (2006–2011)

Tanzania has high human immunodeficiency virus and human herpes virus-8 rates linked to Kaposi’s sarcoma. We conducted a study at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to examine changes in proportions of Kaposi’s sarcoma to all cancers over the period (2006–2011) of increased acquired immune deficiency syndrome management by anti-retroviral therapy. We included 1504 Kaposi’s sarcoma cases from Ocean Road Cancer Institute and abstracted information regarding age, gender, human immunodeficiency virus and tuberculosis, anti-retroviral therapy duration and Kaposi’s sarcoma lesions. Male Kaposi’s sarcoma patients (59.6%) were older (42.1 ± 11.5 years) than women (40.4%) (36.2 ± 9.6 years). Kaposi’s sarcoma proportions declined from 10.1% in 2003 to 7.4% in 2011. Being a woman was associated with increased oral and generalized lesions and higher numbers of lesion locations (odds ratio [OR] = 2.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.35, 3.51; OR = 1.49, CI: 1.08, 2.06; OR = 1.06, CI: 0.79, 1.41, respectively). Tuberculosis was associated with oral, generalized and number of lesion locations (OR = 2.08, CI: 1.10, 3.93; OR = 2.06, CI: 1.28, 3.33; OR = 1.88, CI: 1.19, 2.97, respectively). Anti-retroviral therapy duration showed a protective effect with oral, generalized and number of lesion locations (OR = 0.55, CI: 0.33, 0.91; OR = 0.73, CI: 0.52, 1.01; OR = 0.89, CI: 0.67, 1.18, respectively). With increasing number of patients receiving prolonged anti-retroviral therapy, future studies should investigate long-term effect of anti-retroviral therapy and tuberculosis in Tanzania and countries with human immunodeficiency virus infection.
The kidney and essential hypertension: a link to osteoporosis?

INTRODUCTION Abnormalities of calcium metabolism independent of changes in intracellular calcium have been described in patients with essential hypertension. These include increased urinary calcium excretion for a given salt intake, a raised parathyroid hormone level, an increase in urinary cyclic AMP, a tendency for a low serum ionized calcium level, a raised 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D level and an increased intestinal calcium reabsorption. These changes have been seen as a consequence of a primary renal calcium leak. HYPOTHESIS We propose that these changes are secondary to a genetic defect in the ability of the kidney to excrete sodium. On the high salt intake in most Western countries (i.e. approximately 170 mmol/day sodium) compensatory mechanisms occur to try to overcome this defect. These compensatory mechanisms are responsible for the rise in blood pressure, but also cause an increase in central blood volume which is the direct cause of the increase in urinary calcium excretion. This causes a slightly negative calcium balance, and the other abnormalities of calcium metabolism can then be seen as a compensatory response to try to restore calcium balance to normal. DISCUSSION This hypothesis explains the increase in kidney stones in essential hypertension and predicts that hypertensives, in the long term, will be more likely to develop bone demineralization (osteoporosis), as has been demonstrated in some animal models of hypertension. Increases in salt intake will not only cause a further rise in blood pressure, but will also increase urinary calcium excretion and aggravate the other abnormalities. A moderate reduction in salt intake from 170 to 70 mmol/day will lower the blood pressure and will tend to correct the abnormalities of calcium metabolism. It should simultaneously reduce the incidence of renal stones and the long-term risk of bone demineralization.
CUTANEOUS AND PULMONARY MYCOSIS IN GREEN ANACONDAS (EUNCECTES MURINUS)

Abstract Two dead, captive green anacondas (Eunectes murinus), including one male and one female, submitted for necropsy were in poor body condition, having multiple, scattered, dark red foci on the scales and mottled lungs. Both snakes had severe mycotic dermatitis. In addition, the male snake had mycotic stomatitis, and the female snake had mycotic pneumonia. Trichophyton sp. , Verticillium sp. , and Alternaria sp. were isolated from the dermal lesions. The pulmonary lesions were morphologically consistent with Aspergillus sp. Bacterial organisms isolated from skin and internal organs included Chryseobacterium meningosepticum, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Providencia rettgeri. Mycotic diseases can be devastating to reptiles, and suboptimal husbandry and captivity were likely the predisposing factors that led to opportunistic invasion in these snakes.
Learning and Visualizing Modulation Discriminative Radio Signal Features

Abstract : In this work we explore the adaptation of convolutional autoencoders to complex-valued temporal domain radio signals. We propose a method for accomplishing online semi-supervised learning with a tied-weight convolutional autoencoder applied to a modulation classification task and provide some initial results. We also demonstrate a novel application of class activation maps (CAMs) to obtain interpretable visualizations of modulation-discriminative temporal structure in input signals. Finally, we show that our visualization method may be successfully applied to pre-trained models with negligible impact on classification performance on an automated modulation classification (AMC) task. This work was done as part of the BIAS (Biologically Inspired Autonomous Sensing) project, funded from the Naval Innovative Science and Engineering (NISE) Program.
Mapping Drug Interactions at the Covalent Topoisomerase II-DNA Complex by Bisantrene/Amsacrine Congeners*

To identify structural determinants for the sequence-specific recognition of covalent topoisomerase II-DNA complexes by anti-cancer drugs, we investigated a number of bisantrene congeners, including a 10-azabioisoster, bearing one or two 4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl hydrazone side chains at positions 1, 4, or 9 of the anthracene ring system. The studied bisantrene/amsacrine (m-AMSA) hybrid and bisantrene isomers were able to poison DNA topoisomerase II with an intermediate activity between those of bisantrene and m-AMSA. Moving the side chain from the central to a lateral ring (from C-9 to C-1/C-4) only slightly modified the drug DNA affinity, whereas it dramatically affected local base preferences of poison-stimulated DNA cleavage. In contrast, switching the planar aromatic systems of bisantrene andm-AMSA did not substantially alter the sequence specificity of drug action. A computer-assisted steric and electrostatic alignment analysis of the test compounds was in agreement with the experimental data, since a common pharmacophore was shared by bisantrene,m-AMSA, and 9-substituted analogs, whereas the 1-substituted isomer showed a radically changed pharmacophoric structure. Thus, the relative space occupancy and electron distribution of putative DNA binding (aromatic rings) and enzyme binding (side chains) moieties are fundamental in directing the specific action of topoisomerase II poisons and in determining the poison pharmacophore.
Novel Five‐Membered Iminocyclitol Derivatives as Selective and Potent Glycosidase Inhibitors: New Structures for Antivirals and Osteoarthritis

A novel 5‐membered iminocyclitol derivative was found to be a potent and selective inhibitor of the glycoprotein‐processing α‐glucosidase with a Ki value of 53 nM. This compound was further derivatized to antiviral agents against Japanese encephalitis virus, dengue virus serotype 2 (DEN‐2), human SARS coronavirus, and human β‐hexosaminidase (Ki=2.6 nM), a new target for the development of osteoarthritis therapeutics.
Determination of volumetric cerebrospinal fluid absorption into extracranial lymphatics in sheep

Boulton, M. , M. Flessner, D. Armstrong, J. Hay, and M. Johnston. Determination of volumetric cerebrospinal fluid absorption into extracranial lymphatics in sheep. Am. J. Physiol. 274 (Regulatory Integrative Comp. Physiol. 43): R88–R96, 1998. —We estimated the volumetric clearance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through arachnoid villi and extracranial lymphatics in conscious sheep. Catheters were inserted into both lateral ventricles, the cisterna magna, multiple cervical lymphatics, thoracic duct, and jugular vein. Uncannulated cervical vessels were ligated. 125I-labeled human serum albumin (HSA) was administered into both lateral ventricles. 131I-HSA was injected intravenously to permit calculation of plasma tracer loss and tracer recirculation into lymphatics. From mass balance equations, total volumetric absorption of CSF averaged 3.37 6 0.38 ml/h, with 2.03 6 0.29 ml/h (,60%) removed by arachnoid villi and 1.35 6 0.46 ml/h (,40%) cleared by lymphatics. With projected estimates for noncannulated ducts, total CSF absorption increased to 3.89 6 0.33 ml/h, with 1.86 6 0.49 ml/h (48%) absorbed by lymphatics. Additionally, we calculated total CSF drainage to be 3.48 6 0.52 ml/h, with 54 and 46% removed by arachnoid villi and lymphatics, respectively, using previously published mass transport data from our group. We employed estimates of CSF tracer concentrations that were extrapolated from relationships observed in the study reported here. We conclude that 40–48% of the total volume of CSF absorbed from the cranial compartment is removed by extracranial lymphatic vessels.
Urge incontinence and impaired detrusor contractility in the elderly

Among the elderly, both urge incontinence and elevated residual urine are common. When they occur together, they present a challenging clinical problem, called detrusor hyperactivity with impaired contractile function (DHIC). Impaired detrusor contractility has two aspects: elevated post‐void residual urine volume and reduced detrusor contraction strength. Geriatric urge incontinence, especially in combination with reduced bladder sensation, is associated with specific cortical abnormalities: frontal and global cortical underperfusion and cognitive impairment. We have investigated, in 73 elderly incontinent patients, whether either aspect of impaired contractility is associated with urge incontinence, reduced sensation or these cortical abnormalities. For post‐void residual urine, there are no significant associations. Detrusor contraction strength, however, is significantly increased (not impaired) if there is urge incontinence, reduced bladder sensation, or cortical underperfusion. Thus, DHIC appears to be a coincidental occurrence of two common conditions with different etiological factors. Neurourol. Urodynam. 21:126–131, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Title : Widespread Inter-Chromosomal Epistasis Regulates Glucose Homeostasis and Gene Expression

The relative contributions of additive versus non-additive interactions in the regulation of complex traits remains controversial. This may be in part because large-scale epistasis has traditionally been difficult to detect in complex, multi-cellular organisms. We hypothesized that it would be easier to detect interactions using mouse chromosome substitution strains that simultaneously incorporate allelic variation in many genes on a controlled genetic background. Analyzing metabolic traits and gene expression levels in the offspring of a series of crosses between mouse chromosome substitution strains demonstrated that inter-chromosomal epistasis was a dominant feature of these complex traits. Epistasis typically accounted for a larger proportion of the heritable effects than those due solely to additive effects. These epistatic interactions typically resulted in trait values returning to the levels of the parental CSS host strain. Due to the large epistatic effects, analyses that did not account for interactions consistently underestimated the true effect sizes due to allelic variation or failed to detect the loci controlling trait variation. These studies demonstrate that epistatic interactions are a common feature of complex traits and thus identifying these interactions is key to understanding their genetic regulation. CC-BY-NC 4.0 International license peer-reviewed) is the author/funder. It is made available under a The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not . http://dx.doi. org/10.1101/132175 doi: bioRxiv preprint first posted online May. 1, 2017;
E-0702, a new cephalosporin, is incorporated into Escherichia coli cells via the tonB-dependent iron transport system

E-0702, a new cephalosporin with a potent antipseudomonal action, was synthesized. In the study of the mode of action of this antibiotic in Escherichia coli, it was found that mutants which acquired resistance to E-0702 were isolated spontaneously and could be shown to be susceptible to its closely related derivatives, E-0702-060 and E-0702-061, and other representative beta-lactam antibiotics. In these mutants, no increased production of beta-lactamase was detectable. No apparent differences between the resistant mutants and the parental strains were observed in the affinity of E-0702 for penicillin-binding proteins. Furthermore, no significant reduction in or loss of both OmpF and OmpC porin proteins in the outer membrane was observed. The mutation was mapped to the tonB gene, which is known to be essential for the iron transport system of bacteria. The bactericidal action of E-0702 was rapidly expressed against iron-starved cells in which the iron transport system was induced, whereas the bactericidal action against iron-supplemented cells was ineffective. It is suggested that E-0702 is incorporated into bacterial cells as a chelator of iron via the tonB-dependent iron transport system, after which its strong and rapid bactericidal action is manifested.
A comparison of unilateral and bilateral pedicle screw fixation combined with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for lumbar degenerative diseases

Background Bilateral transpedicular screw fixation in conjunction with interbody fusion is widely used to treat lumbar degenerative diseases; however, there are some disadvantages of using this fixation system. This study comparatively analyzes the results of unilateral and bilateral pedicle screw fixation combined with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for one‐level lumbar degenerative diseases. Methods Sixty‐six cases with one‐level lumbar degenerative diseases were studied. The patients were divided according to surgical approach into a unilateral group (Group A) and a bilateral group (Group B). The patients were evaluated for pain by visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Operating time, blood loss, duration of hospitalization, and complication rate were also evaluated. Patients were examined at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively and every year thereafter. Results Group A patients' average preoperative VAS and ODI scores were 7.03 ± 0.98 and (64.22±6.38)%, respectively, significantly decreased to 2.91 ± 0.88 and (14.42±2.08)%, respectively, at the last follow‐up (P = 0.000). In Group B, the average preoperative VAS and ODI scores were 6.79±0.86 and (63.22±4.70)%, respectively, significantly decreased to 3.12±0.96 and (14.62±2.08)%, respectively, at the last follow‐up (P=0.000). No significant difference in the duration of hospitalization was found between groups. Operating time and blood loss of (125.9±13.0) minutes and (211.4±28.3) ml, respectively, in Group A were significantly less than (165.2±15.3) minutes and (258.6±18.3) ml, respectively, in Group B (P=0.000). All patients achieved good bone union and had no pseudarthrosis at the last follow‐up. Conclusions There are no clinical differences between unilateral and bilateral pedicle screw fixation combined with TLIF for one‐level lumbar degenerative diseases. Unilateral fixation reduces operating time, bleeding, and cost of hospitalization.
Predictors of Lung Transplant Survival in Eurotransplant

This study was undertaken to assess the influence of patient/donor and center factors on lung transplantation outcome. Outcomes of all consecutive first cadaveric lung transplants performed at 21 Eurotransplant centers in 1997–99 were analyzed. The risk‐adjusted center effect on mortality was estimated. A Cox model was built including donor and recipient age and gender, primary disease, HLA mismatches, patient's residence, cold ischemic time, donor's cause of death, serum creatinine, type of lung transplant, respiratory support status, clinical condition and percentage predicted FEV1. The center effect was calculated (expressed as the standardized difference between the observed and expected survival rates), and empirical and full Bayes methods were applied to evaluate between‐center differences. A total of 590 adults underwent lung transplantation. The primary disease (p=0.01), HLA‐mismatches (p = 0.02), clinical condition(p < 0.0001) and the patient's respiratory support status (p = 0.05) were significantly associated with survival. After adjusting for case‐mix, no between‐center differences could be found. An in‐depth empirical Bayes analysis showed the between‐center variation to be zero. Similar results were obtained from the full Bayes analysis. Based on these data, there is no scientific basis to support a hypothesis of possible association between center volume and lung survival rates.
Factors Affecting the Use of Market Research Information: A Path Analysis

The authors evaluate several factors affecting the attention given to or “use” of specific market research information by marketing managers. They apply path analysis to test a model of research use involving 11 variables. Factors found to be especially important are organizational structure, technical quality, surprise, actionability, and researcher-manager interaction. The topic and findings of the study relate to a central activity of the marketing profession—the application of knowledge—and to the use of an important product—market research. Both the knowledge system of marketing and the behavior of managers as consumers of research products have been relatively neglected.
Restless legs syndrome in monozygotic twins: Clinical correlates

Article abstract—To better understand genetic characteristics of restless legs syndrome (RLS) and identify nongenetic factors that may influence phenotype, the authors studied 12 identical twins in which at least one member expressed RLS. Ten of the 12 twin pairs were concordant for RLS symptoms. Despite the high concordance rate, the disease severity, age at onset, and symptom descriptions often varied between twins. Birth order, birth weight, and serum ferritin levels did not predict RLS severity or age at onset.
Pharmacotherapy of haemophilia A

Introduction: Haemophilia A is due to factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency. The main treatment is replacement therapy with FVIII concentrates. However, these concentrates carried a high risk of blood-borne viral infections and still have a high risk of inducing anti-FVIII inhibitors. Areas covered: An overview of products available and therapeutic options for haemophilia A management in order to help in decision making. A literature search using Medline with the keywords: ‘haemophilia’, ‘factor VIII’, ‘therapy’, ‘inhibitor’, ‘concentrate’, ‘bleeding’, ‘prophylaxis’, ‘on demand’, ‘plasma-derived’, ‘recombinant’, ‘coagulation factors’, ‘immunotolerance’ was performed. The years 1960 – 2010 are included. Expert opinion: Progress in management of patients with haemophilia A has allowed increased life expectancy and quality of life. There is evidence that prophylaxis prevents or, at least, slows down arthropathy development when started early in childhood. FVIII concentrates have achieved high levels of blood-borne pathogen safety. However, treatment is frequently complicated by development of FVIII-neutralizing inhibitors, which prevent control of bleeding and predispose to a high morbidity and mortality risk. Bypassing agents are effective in bleeding treatment in a high percentage of cases. Prophylaxis with bypassing agents and their use in combination are offering opportunities in management of inhibitor patients. More evidence is necessary to understand how to prevent and manage this complication.