Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exogenous Dopamine Application Promotes Alkali Tolerance of Apple Seedlings

Arid and semiarid apple producing areas suffer from severe alkalinity of soil, which strongly affects the yield and quality of apples. Dopamine (DA) is involved in metabolic activities in response to abiotic stress in plants. To detect the effects of exogenous DA application on the adaption of apple (Malus hupehensis) seedlings to alkali stress and as a protection from oxidative stress, 0.1 mM DA was identified as the most suitable concentration by hydroponic culture. Further experimentation showed that the growth and photosynthesis of apple seedlings were significantly inhibited under alkali stress, and more reactive oxygen species accumulated, compared with control. However, exogenous DA application suppressed the loss of the plant height, root length, chlorophyll levels, and photosynthetic capacity of apple seedlings that were caused by alkali stress. In the leaves of alkali stressed seedlings, the catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase activities were lower and hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels were higher than in the untreated plants. The presence of DA significantly alleviated such effects of alkali stress. In addition, exogenous DA application increased the antioxidant capacity of apple seedlings under alkali stress by increasing the level of chlorogenic acid. These results are significant for improving the alkali tolerance of apple in apple-producing areas with alkalized soil.
Validation of the Water Vapor Profiles of the Raman Lidar at the Maïdo Observatory (Reunion Island) Calibrated with Global Navigation Satellite System Integrated Water Vapor

The Maïdo high-altitude observatory located in Reunion Island (21 ∘ S, 55.5 ∘ E) is equipped with the Lidar1200, an innovative Raman lidar designed to measure the water vapor mixing ratio in the troposphere and the lower stratosphere, to perform long-term survey and processes studies in the vicinity of the tropopause. The calibration methodology is based on a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) IWV (Integrated Water Vapor) dataset. The lidar water vapor measurements from November 2013 to October 2015 have been calibrated according to this methodology and used to evaluate the performance of the lidar. The 2-year operation shows that the calibration uncertainty using the GNSS technique is in good agreement with the calibration derived using radiosondes. During the MORGANE (Maïdo ObservatoRy Gaz and Aerosols NDACC Experiment) campaign (Reunion Island, May 2015), CFH (Cryogenic Frost point Hygrometer) radiosonde and Raman lidar profiles are compared and show good agreement up to 22 km asl; no significant biases are detected and mean differences are smaller than 9% up to 22 km asl.
Interdependence of Self-Esteem, Depression, Social Support and Quality of Life Among Patients with Cerebrovascular Accident and Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) has been described as one of the greatest calamities that can be fall humans. SCI affects a person’s physical function and psychological wellbeing. Stroke is a rapidly developing loss of brain function(s) due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. The physical manifestation of stroke is paresis or paralysis of the muscles of the limbs of the contra lateral side, otherwise known as hemiparetic or hemiplegic side. Many a time, stroke survivors experience frustrating physical, affective, psycho social and cognitive disabilities that affect their quality of life. The study investigated the inter dependence of self esteem, depression, social support and quality of life among patients with cerebrovascular accident (stroke) and spinal cord injury (SCI). The study adopted across-sectional survey research design. A total of 60 participants (30 stroke patients and 30 SCI patients) participated in this study. The selected psycho social variables such as depression and self-esteem were assessed using Beck Depression Inventory Questionnaire (BDI) and Self Esteem Questionnaire (SE), respectively. Also, social support and quality of life were assessed using Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ6) and Short Form (SF-36) Health Questionnaire, respectively. The data obtained from this study were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The demographic profile of the respondents was summarized using frequency counts and percentages. The relationship of social support, depression, self esteem and quality of life in both SCI and stroke patients were analyzed using Spearman rho. The results obtained from this study showed that both stroke and SCI were seen more in individual’s above 41 years. However, majority of the stroke patients were married while most SCI patients were single. Also, a significant association between social support, depression and quality of life was found among stroke patients (p<0.05) but insignificant relationship was seen to exist between self-esteem and quality of life in stroke patients (p>0.05). Similarly, depression and quality of life were observed to relate significantly among SCI patients (p<0.05) but the study showed no significant association between social support, self-esteem and quality of life in SCI patients (p>0.05). It was therefore concluded that social support and depression are associated with quality of life in stroke patients while depression is associated with quality of life in SCI patients. It was therefore recommended that caregivers and families of stroke and SCI patients should be educated on the importance of social support and community re-integration on the well-being of stroke and SCI patients.
Improving the Efficiency of Robot-Mediated Rehabilitation by Using a New Organizational Model: An Observational Feasibility Study in an Italian Rehabilitation Center

Robotic rehabilitation is a promising way to restore upper limb function, but new organizational models are crucial in order to improve its sustainability. We aimed to analyze the feasibility of a robot-Assisted REhabilitation Area (robotAREA) equipped with four devices, using a new organizational model in which one physiotherapist supervises up to four patients. In 33 days, 60 patients were treated in the robotAREA. Two hundred fifty-five rehabilitation sessions were analyzed, each including two, three, or four patients supervised by one physiotherapist (the R2, R3, and R4 group, respectively). For each session, the duration of (a) setup, (b) training, (c) supervision, (d) session closure, and participant satisfaction were measured. For each patient, upper limb impairment, disability, mobility, and comorbidity were recorded. The time of training in the R4 group was lower by only 2 and 3 min compared to the R2 and R3 groups, respectively, while the supervision significantly changed between the R2, R3, and R4 groups. No differences were observed in satisfaction. Moreover, according to the logistic regression analysis, when the mean disability of the group is moderate, four patients can be supervised by one physiotherapist. These results suggest that the proposed model is feasible, and the mean disability of the group could influence the proper physiotherapist/patient ratio.
Effect of Different Adjuvants on the Longevity and Strength of Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses to the HCV Envelope Glycoproteins

Infection by Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can lead to liver cirrhosis/hepatocellular carcinoma and remains a major cause of serious disease morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, current treatment regimens remain inaccessible to most patients, particularly in developing countries, and, therefore, the development of a novel vaccine capable of protecting subjects from chronic infection by HCV could greatly reduce the rates of HCV infection, subsequent liver pathogenesis, and in some cases death. Herein, we evaluated two different semi-synthetic archaeosome formulations as an adjuvant to the E1/E2 HCV envelope protein in a murine model and compared antigen-specific humoral (levels of anti-E1/E2 IgG and HCV pseudoparticle neutralization) and cellular responses (numbers of antigen-specific cytokine-producing T cells) to those generated with adjuvant formulations composed of mimetics of commercial adjuvants including a squalene oil-in-water emulsion, aluminum hydroxide/monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) and liposome/MPLA/QS-21. In addition, we measured the longevity of these responses, tracking humoral, and cellular responses up to 6 months following vaccination. Overall, we show that the strength and longevity of anti-HCV responses can be influenced by adjuvant selection. In particular, a simple admixed sulfated S-lactosylarchaeol (SLA) archaeosome formulation generated strong levels of HCV neutralizing antibodies and polyfunctional antigen-specific CD4 T cells producing multiple cytokines such as IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2. While liposome/MPLA/QS-21 as adjuvant generated superior cellular responses, the SLA E1/E2 admixed formulation was superior or equivalent to the other tested formulations in all immune parameters tested.
Gait Quality Assessment in Survivors from Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: An Instrumented Approach Based on Inertial Sensors

Despite existing evidence that gait disorders are a common consequence of severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI), the literature describing gait instability in sTBI survivors is scant. Thus, the present study aims at quantifying gait patterns in sTBI through wearable inertial sensors and investigating the association of sensor-based gait quality indices with the scores of commonly administered clinical scales. Twenty healthy adults (control group, CG) and 20 people who suffered from a sTBI were recruited. The Berg balance scale, community balance and mobility scale, and dynamic gait index (DGI) were administered to sTBI participants, who were further divided into two subgroups, severe and very severe, according to their score in the DGI. Participants performed the 10 m walk, the Figure-of-8 walk, and the Fukuda stepping tests, while wearing five inertial sensors. Significant differences were found among the three groups, discriminating not only between CG and sTBI, but also for walking ability levels. Several indices displayed a significant correlation with clinical scales scores, especially in the 10 m walking and Figure-of-8 walk tests. Results show that the use of wearable sensors allows the obtainment of quantitative information about a patient’s gait disorders and discrimination between different levels of walking abilities, supporting the rehabilitative staff in designing tailored therapeutic interventions.
Connecting through Technology: Smartphone Users’ Social Cognitive and Emotional Motivations

Smartphones provide various services not only for social purposes but also for personal desires. This study aims to understand the multi-dimensional motivations of smartphone users. An extended motivational framework was developed using perceived benefits (i.e., expected benefits) and social influence (i.e., social identity achieved from mobile social media) from a social cognitive perspective, which was then expanded to incorporate the second-order construct of emotional attachment (i.e., emotional desires). This study examines the effects of motivations on value perceptions, which consequently explains current smartphone use. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used, and data collected from 738 current smartphone users were analyzed. Regarding the results, expected benefits (i.e., information seeking, entertained activity, self-reactiveness, and immediate access), social influence (i.e., social identity achieved from mobile social media), and emotional desires (i.e., emotional attachment) explained value perceptions (i.e., social, hedonic, and utilitarian values) which positively influence the recent use of smartphones.
Epidemiological characteristics of liver cancer in Niger (1992 - 2006)

The present work aims to bring out the epidemiological characteristics of liver cancer in Niger, especially as no previous studies have worked on the national epidemiology of cancer in Niger. This is a retrospective study in the period 1992 to 2006. The data were collected from the Laboratory of Pathological Anatomy and Cytology of the Faculty of Health Sciences of Niamey, which receives all the swabs intended for the histological analysis from all the Nigerien territory. Among the 5238 cases of cancer, the liver cancer represented 12.3% and came in the second position behind the breast cancer. 242 deaths were registered among liver cancer patients, which makes a specific lethality of 37%. The sex-ratio for males to females of liver cancer cases was 2.3 and the difference was highly significant. However, the specific lethality, which was 37.03% in male patients and 37.69% in female ones, did not display any significant sex difference. The mean age of liver cancer patients was 47.67 ± 14.20 years, and the comparison of the means of age did not display any significant difference between males and females in terms of age. The farmers were the socio-professional group the most affected by liver cancer with 61% of all cases. The patients practicing household activities showed the highest specific lethality, followed by farmers. The study of the repartition of patients according to their origin showed that the major part was from Niamey region with 69%. Because of the seriousness of the liver cancer problem in Niger, the health authorities should pay more attention to this pathology through efficient fight strategies. Key words: Cancer, liver, epidemiological profile, lethality, Niger.
Implications for Pathogenesis and Therapy

IDDM is a chronic inflammatory disease in which there is autoimmune-mediated organ-specific dtstmction of the insulin-producing p-cells in the pancreatic islets of Langerhans. 'lhe migration of autoreactive lymphocytes and other leukocytes from the bloodstream into the target organ is of clear importance in the etiology of many organ-specific autoimmunelinflanunatoqy disorders, including IllDM. In IDDM, this migration results in lymphocytic invasion of the islets (formation of insulitis) and subsequent destruction of p-cells. Migration of lymphocytes from the bloodstream into tissues is a complex process involving sequential adhesioe and activation events. This migration is controlled in part by selective expression and functional regulation of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) on the surface of lymphocytes and vascular endothelial cells or in the extracellular matrix. Understanding the mechanisms that regalate lymphocyte migration to the pancreatic islets will lead to further understanding of the pathogenesis of IaDM. In this article, we summaxize the recent advances regarding the function of CAMs in the development of IDDM in animal models and in humans and discuss the potential for developing CAM-based therapies for IDDM. Diabetes 45: 705-710, 1996
Impaired Glucose Tolerance : Modifiable Risk Factors

As impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) seem to be two ends of a spectrum, we studied whether there was any differences in the presence of modifiable risk factors for macrovascular disease in the two conditions. We compared the prevalence of known hypertension, smoking, alcohol ingestion and physical exercise in a group of 31 individuals with IGT (22 men,9 women) and an age matched cohort of 214 persons with newly diagnosed NIDDM (167men,47 women). There was no statistical difference in the prevalence of risk factors studied between the two groups. In conclusion, identifying risk factors and application of intervention methods to correct them is necessary in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance.
Changing narratives of prostate cancer 1990-2010.

3 List of tables . 10 List of figures . 11 Acronyms . 12 Introduction . 13 Chapter 1 1.1 Overview of prostate cancer . 14 1.1.1 Morbidity and mortality trends . 14 1.1.2 Testing and screening . 16 1.1.3 Symptoms . 17 1.1.4 Diagnosis . 20 1.1.5 Risk . 21 1.1.5.1 Age risk . 21 1.1.5.2 Family history . 22 1.1.5.3 Ethnicity . 23 1.1.6 Management and forms of treatment . 23 1.2 Social actors and structures around PCa . 25 1.3 Research questions and aims . 26 1.4 Study design . 27 1.5 Data collection . 28 1.6 Data analysis . 30 1.7 Structure of thesis . 30 Literature review . 31 Chapter 2 2.
Vasopressin is involved in endothelin receptor antagonist-induced fluid retention in rat. Differential effect of selective ETA and dual ETA/ETB receptor antagonists

Endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) are associated with varying degrees of fluid retention. As endothelin B (ETB) receptors have been involved in natriuresis and diuresis, it was paradoxical to observe that ETA-selective ERAs cause a significant risk of fluid overload in patients. Aim of the present study was to understand the contribution of each ET receptor subtype in the mechanism of fluid retention in rats. Changes in fluid balance were assessed after administration of the prototypic ETA-selective sitaxentan and the dual ETA/ETB receptor antagonist bosentan, by measuring haematocrit (Hct), haemoglobin (Hb), plasma volume (PV), body fluid content and renal excretory function. Acutely, sitaxentan caused marked dose-dependent decreases in Hct and Hb, whereas bosentan had a lesser effect. Chronic studies confirmed this difference and showed that sitaxentan increased PV (+50%) and elevated total body fluid content (+15%) compared with vehicle, while bosentan had a small non-significant effect (+16% for PV and +8% for total body water content). In addition, sitaxentan, but not bosentan, reduced water excretion and increased plasma vasopressin (AVP) concentration (3-fold increase) compared with vehicle-treated rats. In Brattleboro rats lacking AVP and in Wistar rats treated with either the AVP V2 receptor antagonist tolvaptan, or the ETB-selective antagonist BQ-788, hemodilution induced by sitaxentan was markedly reduced. These results demonstrate that ERAs, particularly ETA-selective antagonists cause fluid retention by activating the AVP system via secondary stimulation by endothelin of the uninhibited ETB receptors.
Thermal, dielectric and compressive properties of hollow glass microsphere filled epoxy-matrix composites

Four types of hollow glass microspheres, having the density of 0.125–0.60 g/cm3, were filled into epoxy-matrix, and volume fraction of hollow glass microsphere was varied from 0% to 60%. The thermal, dielectric and compressive properties of the composites were investigated. The results show that the thermal conductivity, dielectric constant (Dk) and loss (Df) and compressive modulus and strength of the composites show decreased trend with increasing hollow glass microsphere content or decreasing hollow glass microsphere density, which indicates that the properties of the composites are mainly dependent on the characteristics of hollow glass microsphere. By comparing the experimental data and theoretical predictions, it is found that the properties of the composites, especially for thermal conductivity, are also related to the voids in epoxy-matrix. To conveniently predict thermal conductivity and Dk in the investigated materials system, theoretical models reported in the literature are analyzed and compared with the experimental data. Finally, suitable models are recommended. In addition, the thermal conductivity and dielectric properties of the composites were investigated as a function of testing temperature. This work indicates that thermal, dielectric and compressive properties of epoxy-matrix composites can be tailored by adjusting hollow glass microsphere content and density, which makes hollow glass microsphere filled composites a promising candidate in related fields.
EFFECT OF PROPRIOCEPTIVE NEUROMUSCULAR FACILITATION STRETCHING AND DYNAMIC SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION ON HAMSTRING FLEXIBILITY IN SUBJECTS WITH LOW BACK ACHE - SINGLE BLINDED RANDOMISED CONTROLLED STUDY

Low Back Ache (LBA) is the second most common cause of disability. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is a form of flexibility training that involves both the stretching and contraction of the muscle group being targeted. Recent advances have shown that Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilization (DSTM) is an effective means to produce beneficial effects such as increase in muscle perfusion and decrease muscle stiffness in improving hamstring flexibility in patients with LBA. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of PNF stretching and DSTM on hamstring flexibility in subjects with LBA.103 subjects satisfying selection criteria in the age group of 20-35 years were randomly allotted in to PNF or DTSM group and were assessed for hamstring flexibility and pain using Active Knee Extension (AKE) test and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) respectively. Subjects were treated as per their group allotment for four weeks. Within group analyses showed significant difference in both outcome measures with p less than 0.0001. This study concludes that Dynamic Soft Tissue Mobilization is more effective than Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Contract Relax Antagonist Contract stretching in improving hamstring flexibility and decreasing pain in low back ache subjects.
Desigualdades socioeconómicas en los gastos y comprometimiento de la renta con medicamentos en el Sur de Brasil

OBJETIVO: Descrever as desigualdades socioeconomicas referentes ao uso, gastos e comprometimento de renda com a compra de medicamentos. METODOS: Estudo transversal de base populacional com 1.720 adultos de area urbana de Florianopolis, SC, em 2009. Realizou-se a selecao da amostra por conglomerados e as unidades primarias foram os setores censitarios. Investigou-se o uso de medicamentos e os gastos com sua compra nos 30 dias anteriores, por meio de entrevista. Uso, gasto e comprometimento de renda devido a medicamentos foram analisados segundo a renda familiar per capita, a cor da pele auto-referida, idade e o sexo dos individuos, ajustado para amostra complexa. RESULTADOS: A prevalencia de uso de medicamentos foi de 76,5% (IC95%: 73,8;79,3), maior entre as mulheres e naqueles com maior idade. A media de gastos com medicamentos foi igual a R$ 46,70, com valores mais elevados entre as mulheres, os brancos, os com idade mais elevada e entre os mais ricos. Enquanto 3,1% dos mais ricos comprometeram mais de 15% de seus rendimentos na compra de medicamentos, esse valor chegou a 9,6% nos mais pobres. A proporcao de pessoas que tiveram de comprar medicamentos apos tentativa fracassada de obtencao pelo Sistema Unico de Saude foi maior entre os mais pobres (11,0%), mulheres (10,2%) e naqueles com maior idade (11,1%). Grande parte dos adultos comprou medicamentos contidos na Relacao Nacional de Medicamentos Essenciais (19,9%) ou na Relacao Municipal de Medicamentos Essenciais (28,6%), com diferencas significativas segundo sexo, idade e renda. CONCLUSOES: Existe desigualdade socioeconomica, de idade e de genero no comprometimento de renda com a compra de medicamentos, com piores condicoes para os mais pobres, os de maior idade e para as mulheres.