Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measurement of urinary glycosaminoglycans in dogs David Clark Grant, DVM Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Veterinary Medical Sciences

Recent work in humans with protein losing nephropathies has revealed increased urine concentrations of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Differences exist between normal patients, those with glomerulonephritis (GN), and those with amyloidosis thus potentially allowing differentiation without a renal biopsy. Aims of this study were to validate a simple spectrophotometric assay used to measure canine urinary GAGs, establish a normal reference range, and determine optimal storage conditions. Urine GAG concentrations were measured in a limited number of dogs with glomerulonephritis or amyloidosis. Fourteen healthy dogs were placed in metabolic cages and all urine was collected for 24 hours. Serum and urine creatinine concentrations were measured at the beginning and end of the collection period. Urine collected at the beginning of the 24-hr period was centrifuged and the supernatant used to measure a spot GAG concentration and a spot glycosaminoglycan to creatinine ratio (GCR). A well mixed aliquot of the 24-hr sample was centrifuged, the supernatant used to measure the 24-hr total GAG, and stored at 4°C and -20°C for 1, 7, and 30 days. All dogs were used to determine effects of time and temperature (n=14), however, only dogs with an endogenous creatinine clearance > 2 ml/min/kg (n=10) were used to determine normal values. A standard absorption curve using a 1,9-dimethlymethylene blue dye and dilutions of chondroiton-4-sulfate was developed to estimate total GAG concentration. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to test for effects of storage temperature and time on stability of urinary GAG. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Relationships between spot urinary GAG concentration, spot urinary GAG to creatinine ratio (GCR) and 24-hr total GAG excretion were estimated using simple linear regression. Single urine samples were collected by cystocentesis from dogs with GN or renal amyloidosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by clinical evaluation or by histologic analysis. Urine protein, creatinine and GAG concentrations were measured. There were no time or temperature effects on urine GAG concentrations for up to 1 day at 4°C and 30 days at -20°C. Mean 24-hr total GAG excretion ± standard deviation was 1.586 ± 0.461 mg/kg of body weight. Mean spot GAG concentration and spot GCR were 5.007 ± 1.588 mg/dl and 0.023 ± 0.01 respectively. Neither spot GAG concentration (R=0.4216) nor GCR
BMC NeurologyFactors determining recurrence in transient global amnesia

Aetiology of transient global amnesia (TGA) remains uncertain, though many have been proposed, including ischaemic, migrainous or epileptic pathologies. We attempted to determine risk factors for TGA, as well as prognostic factors that may cause recurrence. We evaluated clinical history, family history and magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) studies of 93 prospective patients with TGA. Patients were followed from 2004-2016. Fifteen of 93 (16%) patients experienced a recurrence of TGA. Among precipitating events, physical activities inducing Valsalva-like manoeuvres were most common, followed by emotional stress. Eighty-four patients had possible comorbidities or risk factors for TGA, though no single risk factor was ubiquitous. Risk factors associated with recurrence were head injury (isolated vs. recurrent, 16.7% vs. 53.5%, p < 0.01), depression (isolated vs. recurrent, 15.4% vs 46.7%, p = 0.01) and family history of dementia (isolated vs. recurrent, 20.5% vs. 46.7%, p = 0.03). Of 15 patients with confirmed recurrent TGA, two developed dementia and four subjective memory impairment. DWI lesions were observed in 24 patients and were located anywhere within the hippocampus. DWI lesions were not significantly associated with outcomes (recurrence, subjective memory impairment, dementia). We have found that depression, previous head injury and family history of dementia may predict TGA recurrence.
A Novel Human Neuronal Cell Model to Study Iron Accumulation in Parkinson’s Disease

Objectives: With an estimated seven to ten million sufferers worldwide, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder. Progress in elucidating its causes has been slow, partly due to the lack of human-relevant models. Similarly, while the contribution of iron is increasingly advocated, identifying its role in disease progression remains challenging mainly due to the lack of valid model. In this study, we created Parkinson-like conditions in a human neuron model and conducted preliminary studies on iron-related parameters to assess whether these cells replicated iron accumulation observed in Parkinsonism. Methods: ReNcell VM (human neural progenitor) were differentiated into dopaminergic neurons (dDCNs) and treated with neurotoxin 6-hydroxy dopamine (100 μM) to mimic Parkinsonism. Total intracellular, mitochondrial and cytoplasmic iron was measured by ferrozine assay. Expression of iron-related genes TFRC, SLC40A1, HAMP and SLC25A37 were assessed through real-time PCR. Results: Data showed that the treated dDCNs accumulated iron over time and exceeded levels measured in untreated dDCNs by 2.5-fold at 48 h (p<0.02). Following the treatment, the treated cells showed lower expression of TFRC (p<0.05), but substantially higher mRNA expressions of SLC40A1 (9-fold; p<0.02) and HAMP (5.7-fold; p<0.05), along with higher intracellular iron (p<0.05). Higher iron accumulation in the mitochondria than cytosol (p<0.05), was also observed with increased expression of the mitochondrial iron-importer SLC25A37 (p=0.08). Conclusion: Our Parkinsonian model demonstrates iron accumulation and elevated HAMP expression as previously described in PD phenotype. The observed mitochondrial iron shuttling, which is proposed to be one of the primary contributors of oxidative stress in PD, calls for further investigation. The differences observed in distribution of iron in our human model and with the expression of major iron-related proteins, indicate that our model reproduces the disease state successfully, and suggests that further study could help in advancing our understanding of PD.
Radar Signal Detection and Estimation Using Time-Frequency Distributions.

Abstract : This report addresses the issues related to the applications of time frequency distributions in radar signal detection and parameter estimation problems. The Wigner-Ville distribution, the ambiguity function, and the time-frequency correlation function are the time-frequency distributions considered. The analysis considers a number of alternative radar receiver structures based on discrete time-frequency distributions. Various forms of the discrete ambiguity function and the discrete Wigner-Ville distribution are studied and their properties analyzed. New interpolation formulas are developed. Derivations of receivers based on the discrete time-frequency distribution display the potential for aliasing. The effects of aliasing on the optimality of these receivers are analyzed. Sampling criteria to prevent aliasing are determined and schemes to reduce the sampling requirement are devised. Since digital devices are of fixed register length, the signals processed are quantized and the arithmetic performed is of finite precision. The effect of the related quantization error from these devices in discrete time-frequency distribution based receivers is analyzed. Issues concerning the effect of coefficient quantization due to either storage or in-place computation in the fast Fourier transform (FFT) are discussed and clarified. A bound on the mean-square magnitude of the discrete ambiguity function is developed. Simulations are utilized to verify and validate the results.
Taxonomic assessment and rearrangement of endemic Jasione supina-Complex from Turkey

Jasione supina (Campanulaceae) is a Turkish endemic and a variable species represented by 4 subspecies in the Flora of Turkey (J. supina subsp. pontica, subsp. akmanii, subsp. supina and subsp. tmolea). The morphological and anatomical characteristics of these taxa and their distribution area have been identified. Morphological characteristics of J. supina taxa such as involucral bracts, calyx and leaves have been compared with morphological characteristics given in Flora of Turkey. In consideration of collected morphological data, the description related to the Flora of Turkey has been updated and revised within the study. Besides, a new identification key has been created by correcting the existing mistakes in the earlier identification key of J. supina taxa. There has been found a high similarity between J. supina subsp. supina and J. supina subsp. akmanii in terms of morphological, anatomical and ecological characteristics. Also J. supina subsp. pontica individuals have been collected from the distribution area of J. supina subsp. akmanii (the peak of Mountain Köroğlu /Bolu and the peak of Mountain Murat/Kütahya). By considering the findings of the study, it is recommended that these two subspecies should be classified as a variety (J. supina subsp pontica (Boiss.) Damboldt var pontica stat. nov. and J. supina subsp. pontica (Boiss.) Damboldt var akmanii (Damboldt) Sezer stat. nov.).
Valorisation of household waste biomass as a bio-adsorbent of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol from aqueous medium

ABSTRACT The adsorption of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) from an aqueous solution onto raw biomass (RB) and treated biomass (TB), obtained from municipal solid waste (MSW) in the city of Mostaganem, was investigated. The effects of pH and contact time on TCP adsorption were determined, and the chemical activation of natural biomass was performed using a phosphoric acid solution. The adsorption capacity was found equal to 78.18 mg/g and 93.38 mg/g for RB and TB, respectively. The Langmuir, Freundlich and Langmuir–Freundlich adsorption models were applied to describe the related isotherms. The Langmuir–Freundlich equation provided a very satisfactory description of TCP adsorption on both types of biomass. The kinetic study results showed that the adsorption of TCP onto both bio-sorbents can be described by the pseudo-second-order equation controlled by intra-particle diffusion. The thermodynamic constants obtained revealed that the process was spontaneous and exothermic.
Time-Dependent Traffic Flow Features at a Freeway Bottleneck Downstream of a Merge

Time-Dependent Traﬁc Flow Features at a ﬁeeway Bottleneck Downstream of :1 Merge by Robert Lawrence Bertini B.S- (California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo) 1988 M.S. (San Jose State University) 1991 A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering-Civil and Environmental Engineering in the GRADUATE DIVISION of the UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY Committee in charge: Professor Michael J. Cassidy, Chair Professor Gordon F‘. Newell Professor John A. Rice Fall 1999
Rat liver carbohydrate alterations in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) currently belongs to the most widespread human pathologies, affecting about 4% of the world adult population. Despite the pivotal role of the liver in the development of metabolic disorders, the influence of DM on hepatic glycoconjugates remains obscure. The aim of the present investigation was to use a set of lectins with different carbohydrate affinities to investigate impairment in rat liver glycoconjugates influenced by streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus. The lectin panel included 7 conventional lectins – Con A, SNA, RCA, WGA, PNA, SBA, and HPA, supplemented with the original fucose-specific lectin preparation from Laburnum anagyroides bark (LABA). Tissue samples were fixed in 4% neutral formalin, embedded in paraffin, and subjected to lectin-peroxidase-diaminobenzidine staining. In control rats a strong reactivity against Con A, LABA, SBA and SNA with cytoplasmic granularities of hepatocytes was detected, while RCA, WGA and HPA showed a strong reactivity with vascular endothelium, and WGA and HPA with bile capillaries. Experimental diabetes was associated with a redistribution of Con A and LABA receptor sites from centrolobular hepatocytes to hepatocytes with peripheral localization. Among the most remarkable observations was DMinduced exposure of lectin reactivity with hepatocyte and endothelial cell nuclei. The endothelial lining of sinusoidal hemocapillaries, of central veins, and portal tract vessels also displayed a significant and differential rearrangement of carbohydrate determinants when influenced by DM. Diabetes-induced activation of Kupffer cells was accompanied by the expression of SNA, PNA and SBA receptor sites within the cytoplasm of these cells, which was lectin-negative in control specimens. The results reported provide a new insight into the pathogenesis of DM-induced impairment of hepatic carbohydrates, and demonstrate the applicability of the original fucose-specific lectin preparation to experimental histopathology.
A Study of Icariin Modulating Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Depression Based on Quantitative CSF Proteomics

BackgroundHippocampal neurogenesis dysfunction is one of the main pathogenesis of depression. Icariin (ICA) has significant anti-depression and anti-hippocampal damage effects but could not effectively cross the blood-brain-barrier and accumulate in brain. Based on the proteomics of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), this study aimed to explore the mechanism of ICA against hippocampal neurogenesis dysfunction in depression.MethodsIn vivo, rats were exposed to 6-week CUMS and treated by ICA to observe the effects of ICA on depressive symptoms, cognitive functions, neurogenesis and number of neurons in DG. Tandem mass tag (TMT) proteomics were used to screen the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in CSF co-regulated by CUMS and ICA. Parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) was used to validate 10 DEPs that were related to cell proliferation and survival. In vitro, CSF was conducted on primary hippocampal neural stem cells (NSCs) to observe the proliferation and differentiation under high-corticosterone (CORT) concentration.Results﻿It was shown that ICA could alleviate depressive symptoms, learning-memory dysfunction, neurogenesis dysfunction and neuronal loss in DG of depression rats and ICA-CSF could effectively repair the CORT-induced damage. A total of 52 DEPs co-regulated by CUMS and ICA in CSF were screened and mainly involved in ribosome pathway, PI3K-Akt pathway and IL-17 pathway. Rps4x, Rps12, Rps14, Rps19, Hsp90b1, Hsp90aa1 and HtrA1 were validated by PRM.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that to regulate the expression of proteins in CSF may be involved in the effects of ICA against hippocampal neurogenesis dysfunction in depression.
HLA-DR regulates macrophage phenotypic transformation and affects malignant behavior in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are an important immune cell component of the tumor microenvironment. This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of TAMs phenotype transformation and the role in the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods Co-culture conditions were employed to determine the phenotypic effects of TAMs on ESCC cell biological behavior. Tumor metastasis related molecules VEGF-C and MMP-9 produced by TAMs was evaluated by qRT-PCR and western blot. Expression of HLA-DR was knocked down in TAMs in vitro to determine the effects on macrophage polarization and the biological behavior of ESCC. We determined whether co-injection with M2 TAMs and macrophages depletion affected tumor growth in vivo tumor challenge model. Associations between HLA-DR, TAM density, and clinical outcomes were evaluated in patients with ESCC.Results TAMs in ESCC samples were found to closely reflect the M2 phenotype of TAMs, and exhibited low expression of HLA-DR. Which was involved in ESCC tumor invasion and metastasis. Low expression of HLA-DR positively correlated with high-density of M2 TAMs, indicating high invasiveness and poor prognosis in patients with ESCC. Downregulation of HLA-DR in TAMs led to additional M2-type TAM polarization and more VEGF-C and MMP-9 secretion, promoted the malignant transformation of ESCC.Conclusions These results demonstrate that downregulation of HLA-DR promote the transformation of M2 TAMs, and participate in the invasion and metastasis of ESCC.
The water footprint of oil palm crop in Phetchaburi province

This study quantifies the water footprint of oil palm at the Chaipattana-Mae Fah Luang Reforestation Project in 2006-2010. For green, blue and grey WFs of oil palm production (land preparation, cultivation, harvesting and transportation steps) are assessed by the water footprint assessment framework as followed [1]. The crop evapotranspiration is calculated with the CROPWAT version 8.0 models. Considering the water footprint of oil palm crop is 10,150 m 3 / ton; 1333, 4,657 and 4,160 m 3 /ton of green, blue and grey WFs, respectively. An oil palm yields average is 3.09 tons/ha (0.49 tons/rai). The crop water used of oil palm is 2.2x10 4 m 3 /ha/year (3.5x10 3 m 3 /rai/year) and the efficiency of crop water used is 0.2 kg/m 3 . The water used in the study area has appeared especially in oil palm growth stage and blue water consumption is higher than rainwater. So the trend of water irrigation demand is increasing. WF value of oil palm can reduce by increasing productivity of oil palm per area as possible because a yield factor can make significantly for WF value too.
Light and Scanning Electron Microscopic Examination of the Chicken Oviduct during the Embryonic and Posthatching Stages

The present study aimed to study the sequence of developing the oviduct of the Alexandria chicken during the embryonic and posthatching period by using the light and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) examination. The Mullerian duct began to appear as left and right urogenital ridges composed of stratified cuboidal epithelium at the ventrolateral aspect of the mesonephros at the 5-day-old embryo. At the 6-day-old embryo, the left urogenital ridge canalized and the tubal wall surrounded a circular lumen composed of three cellular components; inner simple columnar epithelium, multilayers of mesenchymal cells, and outer stratified cuboidal epithelium. At the 8-day-old embryo, the inner tubal layer became composed of simple-to-pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium, the density of the mesenchymal cells increased, and the outer layer became simple squamous epithelium at the medial aspect of the duct and stratified epithelium at the lateral aspect of the duct. The left oviduct of the 1-day-old chick resembled the oviduct of 8-day-old embryo except the SEM observations of the tunica mucosa of the 1-day-old chick which showed extensive mucosal folds with many straight cilia. At the 1-week-old chick, the left oviduct showed a folded lumen surrounded by simple columnar ciliated epithelial layer followed by a layer of mesenchymal cells, many layers of smooth muscles surrounded the mesenchymal cells layer and outer simple squamous epithelium layer. At the 1-month-old chick, the left oviduct wall was composed of five layers surrounded by a star-shaped lumen.
The Impact of Job Satisfaction and Organization Commitment on Organizational Citizenship Behavior of Public School Teachers in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka

A teacher is a person who plays a significant role in the school and considered as the “second parent” of a student’s life. Teacher is the only person who is capable of imparting knowledge and shaping the youths to the wider scope of knowledge. Teachers are capable of living and molding the youths such that teachers’ power is paramount as they determine the fate of the society. Teachers are at the core of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); in particular, teachers are central to meeting goals and are extremely important character in the society, that moulds the lives of the next generation, who will become the leaders in the country in future. According to Zeinabadia&Salehib (2011), if a teacher is well educated and committed to their job then only the success of student will be decided and it will responsible citizen and a leader to the country.
THE EFFECTS OF DURATION AND BACKGROUND NOISE LEVEL ON PERCEIVED NOISEINESS

Abstract : Judgment tests were conducted to investigate the effect of duration and background noise on the perceived noisiness of sounds. The tests were conducted in an anechoic chamber with 18 subjects. Aircraft noise recordings were employed in the background level test, and the results indicate that the presence of background noise reduces the judged noisiness of an aircraft flyover. The duration tests utilized stimuli with two different time patterns and various spectrum shapes over a range of durations from 4 to 64 seconds. Combining the results of these tests with those of a previous study provided duration information over the range from 1-1/2 to 64 seconds. These data suggest that the dependence of perceived noisiness on duration might well be a function with a continuously decreasing slope, varying from -6 to -2 PNdB per doubling of duration over the range of durations tested. For practical purposes, we have approximated the data by straight-line segments for various ranges of duration.
Serum Levels of 25-Hydroxyvitamin-D and C-Reactive Protein in Acne Vulgaris Patients

Objective: Acne vulgaris is a disease of pilosebaceous unit. Although multiple factors contribute to the development of acne, inflammation is the key component in the pathogenesis. Creactive protein (CRP) is a well-known marker of inflammation and there are few reports studying the antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin D in acne. In the present study, the aim was to compare serum vitamin D and CRP levels in acne patients with control subjects. Material and Methods: 65 patients with acne vulgaris, and 41 healthy subjects were enrolled in this crosssectional study. Serum vitamin D and CRP levels of both groups were evaluated. Results: No significant association was found between the occurence of acne vulgaris and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and CRP levels (p=0.692, p=0.300, respectively). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency was determined to be equivalent in both acne patients and healthy subjects. This result might be due to the affection of the whole Turkish population with the same problem. Larger size studies which investigate the status of vitamin D levels in patients with acne, could provide making more precise interpretations.