Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hepatoprotective Activity of Yigan Mingmu Oral Liquid against Isoniazid/Rifampicin-Induced Liver Injuries in Rats

Background: To explore the hepatoprotective effect of Yigan mingmu oral liquid (YGMM) on isoniazid-rifampicin induced liver injury in rats. Methods: Total 38 SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups including control group, model group, silymarin positive control group, and three YGMM treatment groups. Model group was administered intragastrically with INH (100 mg/kg) and RIF (100 mg/kg) for 14 days. Silymarin group and YGMM treatment groups were administered intragastrically with silymarin (100 mg/kg) and different doses of YGMM (1, 2.5, 5 mg/kg) 2 hours before INH and RIF administration from day 4 to day 14. Results: Rats were sacrificed 16 hours after the last day treatment to determine the activities of serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as total bilirubin (TB) content. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Histopathological changes in liver tissues were observed under an optical microscope by using hematoxylin and eosin staining. The mice in model groups showed significantly (p < 0.05) increased levels in AST, ALT, ALP, TB and MDA compared to their control groups; and showed significantly (p < 0.05) decreased level in T-SOD. These changes were significantly (p < 0.05) reversed by the YGMM treatments in a dose-dependent manner. Hepatic pathological changes were attenuated or even reversed by silymarin or YGMM treatments. Conclusions: YGMM has a good hepatoprotective activity on isoniazid-rifampicin induced liver injuries in rats.
Financial cost of elective day of surgery cancellations

Operative care is one of the major areas of healthcare services as over 310 million surgeries are conducted yearly. Surgery cancellations is a widely used indicator when evaluating the quality of preoperative care. Cancellations cause financial lost for organizations, however there is only limited research about the costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost of elective day of surgery (DOS) cancellations in 13 operative specialties at a university hospital in Finland between September 1, 2015 and May 31, 2016 after a structured preoperative protocol was implemented to practice and a cancellation rate of 4.7% was recognized. Procedure prices conducted the data for the research and were collected from the hospital’s invoicing system. Financial loss and savings of cancellations were calculated from the total cost of procedures. As a result the total cost of DOS cancellations during the nine-month time period was 953,374.27 euros and mean loss of a single cancelled operation was 2,459.91 euros. The total of material savings for the hospital were 106,917.33 euros. As a conclusion, DOS cancellations cause unnecessary wastage, and financial aspects should be followed and evaluated systematically by setting goals and providing continuing developments.
Demographics of patients with heart failure who were over 80 years old and were admitted to the cardiology clinics in Turkey

Objective: Heart failure (HF) has a high prevalence and mortality rate in elderly patients; however, there are few studies that have focused on patients older than 80 years. The aim of this study is to describe and compare the age-specific demographics and clinical features of Turkish elderly patients with HF who were admitted to cardiology clinics. Methods: The Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease in Elderly Turkish population (ELDER-TURK) study was conducted in 73 centers in Turkey, and it recruited a total of 5694 patients aged 65 years or older. In this study, the clinical profile of the patients who were aged 80 years or older and those between 65 and 79 years with HF were described and compared based on the ejection fraction (EF)-related classification: HFrEF and HFpEF (is considered as EF: ≥50%). Results: A total of 1098 patients (male, 47.5%; mean age, 83.5±3.1 years) aged ≥80 years and 4596 patients (male, 50.2 %; mean age, 71.1±4.31 years) aged 65-79 years were enrolled in this study. The prevalence of HF was 39.8% for patients who were ≥80 years and 27.1% for patients 65–79 years old. For patients aged ≥80 years with HF, the prevalence rate was 67% for hypertension (HT), 25.6% for diabetes mellitus (DM), 54.3% for coronary artery disease (CAD), and 42.3% for atrial fibrilation. Female proportion was lower in the HFrEF group (p=0.019). The prevalence of HT and DM was higher in the HFpEF group (p<0.01), whereas CAD had a higher prevalence in the HFrEF group (p=0.02). Among patients aged 65–79 years, 43.9% (548) had HFpEF, and 56.1% (700) had HFrEF. In this group of patients aged 65-79 years with HFrEF, the prevalence of DM was significantly higher than in patients aged ≥80 years with HFrEF (p<0.01). Conclusion: HF is common in elderly Turkish population, and its frequency increases significantly with age. Females, diabetics, and hypertensives are more likely to have HFpEF, whereas CAD patients are more likely to have HFrEF.
The Impact of Diagnostic Methods of PSA on The Prevalence of Prostatitis Using Qualitative And Quantitative In Two Cities of South Eastern Nigeria

The impact of diagnostic methods of PSA on the prevalence of prostatitis using qualitative and quantitative in two cities of South Eastern Nigeria was carried out in Okigwe L.G. A of Imo State and Umuahia North L.G. A in Abia State, Nigeria. A total of 1000 patients were examined in the two locations, 800 for Umuahia and 200 for Okigwe. Blood specimen was collected aseptically using standards microbiological laboratory techniques. The patients were examined for, prostate specific Antigen (PSA) both for quantitative and qualitative tests. Out of 200 patients tested for PSA in Okigwe, 119 (59.5%) and 129 (64.5%) were the results obtained for quantitative and qualitative tests respectively while PSA test in Umuahia was 416 (52.0%) and 433 (54.1%) for quantitative and qualitative tests respectively. In Okigwe, the diagnosis difference with qualitative method was 10(5.0%) and in Umuahia 17(2.1). showing the total percentage diagnosis difference of 24(2.4%). In Okigwe, out of 200 patients tested for PSA using quantitative method 119(59.5) patients are positive with PSA level of 4.0ng and above and 81(40.5) patients were negative with PSA level below 4.0ng. From the 71-80 years of age had the highest number of positive PSA of 45(21.0) while 21-30 years of age were all negative to PSA testing. In Umuahia, out of 800 patient tested for PSA using quantitative method, 416(52.0) patients are positive and 384(48.0) patients were negative. From 70-80 years of age had the highest level of PSA while the age brackets of 21-40 years had the lowest PSA positive patients of 1(0.23). Statistical analysis showed significant variation in the values obtained. (P. > 0.05) as there were variations according to the location examined. Generally, the prevalence of PSA associated with increase in age, low social-economic status and poor dwelling environment were found as demographic risk factors to aggravating prostatitis. This calls for thorough/proper medical checks for men of 40 years and above to avoid the chances of developing prostatitis. The later stages of prostatitis have been associated with infertility which could have been avoided by proper diagnosis and medication because inability to urinate leads to inability to ejaculate.
Closure of a Large Lumbosacral Defect with Reverse Turnover Latissimus Dorsi Muscle Flap and Bilateral Bipedicle Flap: A Case Report

dorsi muscle flap is also among the frequently used flaps for lum-bosacral defects. According to the defect, the latissimus dorsi muscle can be elevated as a major pedi-cle from over the thoracodorsal artery and vein, as well as segmental pedicles from over the intercostal artery perforators. Latissimus dorsi muscle flap elevated as a segmental pedicle is not frequently used; however, it is very useful in closing lumbosacral defects that do not have many alternatives for their closure. In this study, a case of reconstruction with reverse turnover latissimus dorsi muscle flap and bilateral bipedicle skin flap of a patient, who was previously operated due to scoliosis and had tissue defect with the exposed fixator in the midline back. A 35-year-old female patient with scoliosis de-formity was previously operated due to scoliosis when she was 1-year old. About one year ago, a revision was required and new fixators were placed at an external center. Afterwards, the patient who developed tissue defect with the exposed fixator underwent debridement three times and vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) device treatment was performed. The patient, who was referred to us due to the defect which was not closing, was reconstructed with reverse turnover latissimus dorsi muscle flap and bilateral bipedicle skin flap. The procedures applied during the operation and postoperative follow-up results were examined. Latissimus dorsi flaps resting on secondary segmental vessels, which are named as “reverse” or “distal-based” latissimus dorsi flaps, were used to repair defects of spinal, lumbar and upper sacral regions. In most cases, the skin is not required and it is transferred as a muscle flap, and is performed as a transposition flap. The reverse turnover latissimus dorsi muscle flap ensures the successful repair of large defects of the lumbar region without microvascular anasto-mosis.
Abscopal Effect, From Myth to Reality: From Radiation Oncologists' Perspective

The abscopal effect is mediated by a systemic anti-tumor immune response and reflects the regression of non-irradiated metastatic lesions at a distance from the primary site of irradiation. This review will focus on understanding the biological rationale behind the abscopal effect of radiotherapy (RT), which has a recently renewed interest as a result of the successes achieved with immunotherapy and RT in combination. Both RT and immunotherapy are standard components of modern treatment regimens. Combination of these two modalities results in an increased response in the irradiated lesions themselves and the metastatic regions distant from the site of irradiation. We will summarize the abscopal effect of radiotherapy, in particular, the synergistic effect of RT and immunotherapy.
Biological control of insect pests by insect parasitoids and predators: the BIOCAT database.

The structure of the BIOCAT database, which contains records of the introductions of insect natural enemies for the control of insect pests worldwide, and is now available online, is explained. It is a useful summary of biological control effort and a guide to factors which may influence the success of introduction programmes, but is not detailed enough for making firm predictions.
Carcass composition, conformation and muscularity in Texel lambs of different breeding history, sex and leg shape score

Wolf, B. T. , Jones, D. A. , Owen, M. G. (2001). Carcass composition, conformation and muscularity in Texel lambs of different breeding history, sex and leg shape score. Animal Science, 72, (3), 465-475. Sponsorship: MLC
Calcium Dynamics and Intercellular Communication in Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells in Vitro

Tissue blood flow is controlled by changes in the diameter of the arteries and arterioles through coordinated contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) within the vascular wall. The contraction of SMCs is primarily regulated by the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). An increase in [Ca2+]i, in response to stimuli, can propagate from cell to cell, as an intercellular Ca2+ wave along the vessel wall and can activate the process of contraction. The aim of this thesis is to elucidate the mechanisms underlying intercellular Ca2+ wave propagation between SMCs. In the first part of this thesis, we used A7r5 cells, a rat aortic SMC line, loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ dye Fluo-4 to study intercellular Ca2+ wave propagation. Local mechanical stimulation evoked a Ca2+ wave in the stimulated cell that failed to propagate to neighboring cells. Using primary cultured rat mesenteric smooth muscle cells (pSMCs) instead, intercellular Ca2+ wave propagation was observed. To understand the difference in junctional communication between A7r5 and pSMCs, we investigated the expression of connexin37 (Cx37), Cx40, Cx43 and Cx45. RNA and protein analysis demonstrated that Cx40 – in contrast to A7r5 cells – is not expressed in pSMCs. To confirm that coexpression of Cx40 and Cx43 interfered with junctional communication, we used 6B5N cells, a clone of A7r5 cells with a higher Cx43:Cx40 expression ratio. Junctional communication, assessed by transfer of Lucifer Yellow and propagation of Ca2+ waves, was comparable between 6B5N cells and pSMCs. In addition, Ca2+ wave propagation was inhibited with the connexin-mimetic peptide 43Gap 26, that targets Cx43. Our results demonstrate that Cx43 gap junctions are primarily involved in mediating intercellular Ca2+ waves between pSMCs, and the coexpression of Cx43 with Cx40 may interfere with Cx43 gap junction formation, affecting cell-cell communication. In the second part of this thesis, we applied the microcontact printing technique to culture pSMCs on collagen lines. The aligned arrangement of the cells facilitates the observation of Ca2+ wave progression from one cell to another. To induce a Ca2+ wave, a single pSMC was locally stimulated with a micropipette (transientmechanical stimulation) or by microejection of KCl. Mechanical stimulation evoked two distinct Ca2+ waves: 1) a fast wave (∼2 mm/s) that propagated to all observed neighbouring cells, and 2) a slow wave (∼20 µm/s), that was most often limited in propagation to the first cell. KCl induced only fast Ca2+ waves of the same velocity as the mechanically-induced fast waves. Inhibition of gap junctions, voltage-operated calcium channels, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and ryanodine receptors, showed that the fast wave was due to gap junction mediated membrane depolarization and subsequent Ca2+ influx, whereas, the slow wave was due to Ca2+ release primarily through IP3 receptors. Together, these results suggest a mechanism by which intercellular Ca2+ waves can propagate between SMCs of the arterial wall.
Expression and regulation of monocyte chemoattractant protein-3 (MCP-3) in fibrosis

Systemic sclerosis is a multisystem connective tissue disease characterised by skin thickening and widespread, but variable, visceral fibrosis. The aetiopathogenesis is likely to involve immunological activation and microvascular dysfunction leading to excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) with increased production of collagen type I in lesional tissues. This implies a dysregulated repair process probably as a consequence of aberrant crosstalk between fibroblasts and inflammatory cells. It has been proposed that a hierarchical cascade of soluble mediators in which initial induction of proinflammatory cytokines expressed by the inflammatory infiltrate may lead to expression of profibrotic mediators including TGFβ. A salient feature of the inflammatory response is directional migration of leucocytes into subendothelial tissues orchestrated by chemokines in a spatially and temporally-regulated multistep process. Work described in this thesis explores the expression of chemokine, monocyte chemoattractant protein-3 (MCP-3/CCL7) in SSc and in murine models for SSc: type 1 tight skin mouse (Tsk1) and a transgenic mouse strain (TβRIIΔk) in which there is fibroblast-directed disruption of TGFβ signalling. The hypothesis that crosstalk between MCP-3 and TGFβ may modulate the signalling response in the fibrotic microenvironment was also explored. Overexpression of MCP-3 was demonstrated on cDNA expression profiling and protein analysis of neonatal Tsk1 and TβRIIΔk fibroblasts. This was supported by immunohistochemical studies on dermal tissues. Similar upregulation dermal patterns of MCP-3 protein expression were observed in the early stage of diffuse cutaneous SSc. Activation of collagen reporter genes by MCP-3 in transgenic mouse fibroblasts and wildtype neonatal mouse fibroblasts harbouring proα2(Ι)collagen promoter reporter gene constructs is mediated via sequences within the proximal promoter and is partly dependent on TGFβ. This coinduction between the two factors in the fibrotic response is also demonstrated by activation of TGFβ signalling pathways by MCP-3 leading to type I collagen secretion. In addition, MCP-3 gene expression is stimulated by TGFβ. Comparison of downstream signalling pathways that regulate collagen gene activation by both cytokines confirms the central role of MAPK pathway activation in mediating the effects of both factors. An additive effect of these two agonists was demonstrated for key TGFβ-regulated genes on comparative microarray analysis. Overall, these results demonstrate that overexpression of MCP-3 is a key biochemical feature of early stage SSc and murine models of SSc, and suggest a novel role for this chemokine as a profibrotic mediator in addition to its role in regulating leucocyte recruitment. Furthermore, there is a potentially important interplay between MCP-3 and TGFβ in modulation of the signalling response in the fibrotic microenvironment.
Supervivencia del himenóptero bracónido Opius concolor Szep. parásito de Dacus oleae Gmelin. en Olivares de Jaén

JIMENEZ, A. ; E. CASTILLO y E. LORITE, 1990: Supervivencia del himenoptero braconido Opius concolor Szep. parasito de Dacus oleae Gmelin en olivares de Jaen. Bol. San. Veg. Plagas, 16 (1): 97-103. After three years (1985-1987) of releases of O. concolor in an olive grove near the town of Jaen, the presence of their descendants has been observed in October 1988 en Dacus oleae, pupa obtained from olive fruits attacked by the fly, showing the posibility of the introduced insect parasitoid overwintering. Several population parameters of D. oleae from 1988, a year with no O. concolor releases, have been compared with those from years 1985-1986 and 1987, showing that the trend of decrease in D. oleae catches started in 1985 is maintained.
The Effectiveness of Stress Reduction-Based Cognitive Therapy on Perceived Stress and Migraine Symptoms of Women Suffering from Migraine

Background: A headache is considered as one of the most common physical complaints and a type of debilitating neurodegenerative disorder that affects people's social, communicative and occupational tasks. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of stress reduction-based cognitive therapy on perceived stress and migraine symptoms in women suffering from migraine. The instruments used in this study included the Perceived Stress Questionnaire and Migraine Disability Assessment Questionnaire. The present study data were analyzed using the covariance analysis. Methods: The present study adopted a pretest-posttest with control group design. The statistical population of the present study included all patients suffering from migraine who went to the medical centers in Tehran in 2017. In this study, convenient sampling and random assignments were used. In fact, amongst the migraine patients, 30 patients were selected through a convenient sampling method that were then randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received an intervention in a three-month period in ten 90-minute sessions, whereas the control group did not receive this intervention during the research process. The patients were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. Results: The results of data analysis showed that stress reduction-based cognitive therapy was effective on perceived stress and migraine symptoms in women suffering from migraine (P-value < 0.001), that is to say, this treatment can reduce perceived stress and migraine symptoms in women suffering from migraine Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that cognitive therapy based on stress reduction can be used as an effective treatment to reduce stress and migraine symptoms in women with migraine As the study findings revealed, it can be concluded that cognitive therapy based on stress reduction can be used as an effective treatment to reduce stress and migraine symptoms for women suffering from migraine. Keywords: Cognitive Therapy, Migraine Symptoms, Stress
Annual cycle of protozooplankton (ciliates, flagellates and sarcodines) in relation to phyto- and metazooplankton in Lake Neumühler See (Mecklenburg, Germany)

The seasonal changes of the abundance and biomass of protozooplankton were investigated by a live-counting technique in the mesoeutrophic Lake Neumuhler See. In addition, the biomass of metazoans and phytoplankton was studied. During the annual cycle, the percentage contribution of the different protozoan groups changed significantly. Ciliates dominated the biomass in late spring, summer and autumn, heterotrophic nanoflagellates (<15 μm, HNF) were most important in late summer and in winter, whereas large heterotrophic flagellates (LHF) were dominant in early spring. Ciliates (mainly oligotrichs, less important were peritrichs, prostomatids and heterotrichs) formed 50 % of protozoan biomass on annual average, HNF (mainly chrysomonads, less important were kathablepharids and choanoflagellates) 29 %, LHF (mainly dinoflagellates, less important were chrysomonads) 19 % and sarcodines (mainly heliozoans and testacean, less important were naked amoebae) 2 %, respectively. Protozooplankton percentage contribution to total zooplankton biovolume ranged between 3 % and 78 % and was about 21 % of annual average total biovolume. Maximum percentage contributions of protozoans were registered in early spring and during summer. Since the metabolic rates of protozoans are several times higher than those of metazooplankton protozooplankton should be considered as important within the pelagic material flux of Lake Neumuhler See as the metazooplankton. The seasonal dynamics of the protozoan community may well be explained by changes in the impact of bottom-up and top-down effects. Small centric diatoms may have supported the growth of protozoans in early spring ; copepods and daphnids probably exerted a strong grazing pressure during late spring. High temperatures and low predation pressure may have supported a protozoan peak during summer which was then probably reduced by metazoan predation (rotifers). Small cryptomonades should have supported a short-term maximum of protozoans in autumn. Protozoan herbivory probably had an important impact on phytoplankton mortality during the early spring bloom.
Validity and reliability of a standalone low-end 50-Hz GNSS receiver during running

The aim of the investigation was to verify the validity and reliability of a low-end 50-Hz Global Navigation Satellite System receiver (GNSSr) for different soccer-specific run distances and average speed assessments. Six soccer players were assessed on two different days while performing eight different running paths with changes of direction for a final total of 44 runs. During the runs, each participant was equipped with the GNSSr, while the time for each single run was recorded using a photocell gate. Reference vs. receiver assessment correspondences for distance and average speed were evaluated by calculating the standard error of the estimate (SEE), coefficient of variation (CV), and mean bias. Residual vs. predicted value comparison was performed by means of Bland-Altman plots. Finally, calculating the intra-class correlations coefficient (ICC) assessed the test-retest reliability of the measurement. Receiver distance assessment showed an SEE of 0.52 m (0.73%), and mean bias of 0.06 m. Receiver average speed assessment showed an SEE of 0.02 m·s-1 (0.74%) and mean bias of 0.001 m·s-1. The Bland-Altman plot showed a small difference between the two assessments with the 95% limits of agreement=±1.08 m/0.046 m·s-1. Receiver distance/speed assessment was found to be reliable, with ICC=0.999. In spite of its low cost, the new low-end GNSSr provides valid and reliable assessments of distance and average speed for young adults performing several standardized running actions of differing lengths within delimited setup spaces.