Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between lactate dehydrogenase levels and oncologic outcomes in metastatic prostate cancer: A meta‐analysis

Previous studies have provided evidence of the high expression of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in multiple solid tumors; however, its prognostic relationship with metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) remains controversial. We performed a meta‐analysis to better understand the prognostic potential of LDH in mPCa.
Feasibility of proton FLASH irradiation using a synchrocyclotron for preclinical studies.

PURPOSE It has been recently shown that radiotherapy at ultra-high dose rates (>40 Gy/s, FLASH) has a potential advantage in sparing healthy organs compared to that at conventional dose rates. The purpose of this work is to show the feasibility of proton FLASH irradiation using a synchrocyclotron as a first step toward implementing an experimental setup for pre-clinical studies. METHODS A clinical Mevion HYPERSCAN® synchrocyclotron was modified to deliver ultra-high dose rates. Pulse widths of protons with 230 MeV energy were manipulated from 1 μs to 20 μs to deliver in conventional and ultra-high dose rate. A boron carbide absorber was placed in the beam for range modulation. A Faraday cup was used to determine the number of protons per pulse at various dose rates. Dose rate was determined by the dose measured with a plane-parallel ionization chamber with respect to the actual delivery time. The integral depth dose (IDD) was measured with a Bragg ionization chamber. Monte Carlo simulation was performed in TOPAS as the secondary check for the measurements. RESULTS Maximum protons charge per pulse, measured with the Faraday cup, was 54.6 pC at 20 μs pulse width. The measured IDD agreed well with the Monte Carlo simulation. The average dose rate measured using the ionization chamber showed 101 Gy/s at the entrance and 216 Gy/s at the Bragg peak with a full width at half maximum field size of 1.2 cm. CONCLUSIONS It is feasible to deliver protons at 100 Gy/s and 200 Gy/s average dose rate at the plateau and the Bragg peak, respectively, in a small ~1 cm2 field, using a synchrocyclotron.
Oxidation of lipids during storage and proteins

The oxidative changes in lipids and proteins in m. Longissimus dorsi during storage and thermal heating were studied in pasture reared and indoor finished Brown x Limousin and Black and White x Limousin calves. Lipid oxidation was measured by determination of the amount of malondialdehyde accumulated after 24 h, 48 h, 4 th and 6 th day at 4oC and after 100 th day at -20o C. In proteins the oxidative changes were examined after determination of carbonyls formed during thermal heating with different duration. The time of storage influenced significantly (P<0.001) the oxidation in m. Longissimus dorsi of the calves from both crossbreeds, reared on pasture or indoor finished, since in the course of storage the amounts of malondialdehyde were increased. Significant influence of the rearing strategy on the lipid oxidation was observed in Brown Limousin calves (P<0.001) as the quantity of malondialhehyde remained lower for the pasture reared animals. Thermal heating induced intensive oxidative processes in proteins in the two crossbreeds and in its course the content of carbonyl substances in m. Longissimus dorsi increased significantly (P<0.001).
Evaluation of Some Plant Species for Soluble Sugar and Air Pollution Tolerance Index in Oleh Metropolis, Isoko South L. G. A., Delta State, Nigeria

Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) for seven (7) plant species growing along the Oleh metropolis in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria were analyzed. Four biochemical parameters such ascorbic acid (AA), total chlorophyll (TCh), leaf extract pH and relative water content (RWC) were used to compute the air pollution tolerance index (APTI). The fifth biochemical parametersoluble sugarwas used to further establish the extent of pollution within the vicinity. Results from analysis showed the order of tolerance as Ceiba pentandra (1.27)% > Irvingia gabonenesis (1.44)% > Dendrocalamus calostachyus (2.77)% > Hevea brasiliensis (12.78)% > Vernonia amygdalina (21.73)% > Citrus sinensis L. (27.27)% > Chrysophyllum albidum (29.38)%. Chrysophyllum albidum was comparatively the most tolerant species while Ceiba pentandra was the most sensitive species to air pollution. Also, the study revealed a significant loss of soluble sugar in all tested species at the polluted sites as compared to the control site. This could be attributed to increased respiration and decreased CO2 fixation as a result of chlorophyll deterioration. The results showed that combining variety of these parameters gave a more reliable deduction than that from individual parameter. The APTI determination provides a reliable method for screening sensitive and tolerant plants under field conditions and so, ideal for landscaping. __________________________________________________________________________________________
Capsules

Well organized large systems tend to consist of a large number of small pieces of code each of which captures a single semantic unit. These pieces of code are strung together to form larger semantic phrases, which are in turn components of even larger phrases. The smallest semantic units in a polynomial manipulation system might be the routines that add and multiply the coefficients of the polynomials. These routines are combined (used as subroutines) to form the routines that add and multiply polynomials, which are components in the factoring and greatest common divisor routines. When a system is built in a top down manner, the larger phrases are formed first and are used to define the semantic components of the smaller phrases. Bottom up software design begins with the small phrases and generates the large phrases. In practice a combination of these two approaches is often used. The manner in which the routines are initially connected is usually simple, but in time the addition of new capabilities and features, and the necessities of performance enhancement generally cause the dependency structure to become quite complex.
Does habitat type modify group size in roe deer and red deer under predation risk by Iberian wolves

We examined whether group size in red deer (Cervus elaphus L., 1758) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus (L., 1758)) under predation risk by Iberian wolves (Canis lupus L., 1758) is affected by the type of habitat in which the deer reside. We hypothesized that group size (i) would be larger in open than in closed habitats, since it is an antipredator response, and (ii) would vary more with habitat type in the species that had higher wolf predation rates. In the study area, wolves were the only predator of wild ungulates, with roe deer being the main target prey. We performed monthly transects along paths to observe the group size of red and roe deer. In roe deer, the mean group size was significantly higher in open than in closed habitats, serving as an antipredator response. However, in red deer, habitat type did not affect group size. The results indicate that under predation risk by wolves the habitat type influences the grouping behavior of roe deer but not red deer. Furthermore, compared with forests, .
Sulfur Response of Maize in Western Nigeria1

Studies of S deficiency, a problem in certain crops in Africa, have yielded inconclusive and incomplete information. There is little information on the S status of soil in the forest-savanna zone. Field trials were carried out with maize (Zea mays L.) at six locations in the forest and savanna zones of western Nigeria. Sulfur was applied at 0, 7.5, 15.0, 30.0, and 60.0 kg S/ha. Significant yield increases were observed with rates of S application from 7.5 to 30 kg S/ha. The response was more distinctly evident in the savanna than in the forest zone. Silking percentage was enhanced and grain quality improved with S application. No significant residual effect of the applied S was observed in the savanna zone, which was probably due to heavy leaching of the applied S. On these soils S response was observed where the amount of extractable S, extracted with either KH₂PO₄, Ca(H₂PO₄)₂, or NH₄C₂H₃O₂ was below 4 ppm S. There was no response to S when extractable S levels were equal to or greater than 8.5, 10.0, and 12.0 ppm when soils were extracted with Ca(H₂PO₄)₂, NH₄C₂H₃0, and KH₂PO₄, respectively. The critical S level in the ear leaf was estimated at about 0.14% S. Although there was a strong correlation between % N and % S in the ear leaf, the N:S ratio was not related to critical S levels in plants.
Observations on water distribution in soybean seed during hydration processes using nuclear magnetic resonance imaging

Water in seeds plays an important role not only in physiological but also in chemical processes. In addition to the requirements of water for germination, seeds of legumes used for human consumption require hydration to prepare them for cooking. The site of water entry, however, and its movement during imbibition in legumes and particularly in soybean is still not clear. One of the best and most precise methods of tracing water movement in plant tissue is nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging. In our study, we applied NMR imaging to reveal the water distribution in soybean seeds during the first 24 h of hydration. It has been found that hydration during this period is a multistage process. Water enters the seed through the micropyle and hilum and the concentration of water there is very high during the entire imbibition process. Inside the seed, water first fills the voids between cotyledons, and between the cotyledons and the seed coat. Water then enters the embryonic axis, and from it, is distributed.
Evaluation of blood flow velocity to determine the effect of fortifiers on intestinal hemodynamics

DOI: 10.4328/ACAM.20160 Received: 2020-03-12 Accepted: 2020-04-09 Published Online: 2020-04-19 Printed: 2020-11-01 Ann Clin Anal Med 2020;11(6):616-619 Corresponding Author: Nuriye Emiroğlu, Department of Neonatology, Necmettin Erbakan University, 42080, Konya, Turkey E-mail: nuriyetarakci@hotmail.com P: +90 3322236000 F: +903322236182 Corresponding Author ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2444-4725 Abstract Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of human milk fortifier (HMF) formulas on feeding intolerance and intestinal hemodynamics using superior mesenteric artery blood flow velocity (SMA-BFV). Material and Method: The study was conducted on 36 infants born at a gestational age ranging from 26 to 326 weeks. Doppler-ultrasound (USG) was used to measure SMA-BFV. Demographic characteristics, the amount of gastric residue, and the number of stool passages were recorded for each of the patients in this study. Results: The superior mesenteric artery peak systolic velocity (SMA-PSV) increment after HMF was statistically significant (P=0.0011). A statistically significant increase was found in the amount of gastric residue and a significant decrease was found in the number of stool passages after the addition of HMF (p=0.0001 and p=0.034, respectively). Discussion: The use of HMF to achieve appropriate feeding and growth in preterm infants leads to an increase in SMA-BFV, a reduction in the number of stool passages, and an increase in the amount of gastric residue. It does not adversely affect intestinal hemodynamics.
Influence of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on the productivity of groundnut

Field experiments were conducted at the Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur in 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 to study the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on the number of pods per plant, 100-seed weight, pod yield per ha, shelling percentage, seed oil content, N and P use efficiency of groundnut. Four levels of nitrogen (0, 20, 40, and 60 kg N/ha), four levels of phosphorus (0, 13, 26, and 39 kg P/ha) and three varieties of groundnut (Dhaka-1, Zhingabadam, and Basantibadam) were the experimental materials. Application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers exerted significant effects on all the parameters under study. The highest pod yield in Basantibadam was obtained with 60 kg N and 39 kg P/ha while 60 kg N and 26 kg P/ha gave the highest yield in Dhaka-1 and Zhingabadam. Dhaka-1 and Zhingabadam had more shelling percentage and oil content compared to Basantibadam. A decreasing trend in oil content was observed at higher doses of N and P application across the varieties. The N use efficiency increased upto 40 kg N/ha for both Zhingabadam and Basantibadam for Dhaka-1, while 20 kg N/ha for Dhaka-1 groundnut. The P use efficiency was found to be higher at 26 kg P/ha for Basantibadam and 13 kg P/ha for Dhaka-1 and Zhingabadam. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 32(2) 2007: 283-290.
A Description of Laboratory-Reared Larvae of the Yellow Crab, Cancer Anthonyi Rathbun (Decapoda, Brachyura), and Comparisons With Larvae of Cancer Magister Dana and Cancer Productus Randall1)

[Larven der ,,yellow crab" Cancer anthonyi Rathbun wurden im Laboratorium uber funf Zoea-Stadien und ein Megalopa-Stadium aufgezogen. Fur die mit Artemia Nauplien gefutterten Larven betrug die Gesamtentwicklungszeit bis zum ersten Krabben-Stadium 36 bzw. 45 Tage bei 22° bzw. 18° C. Die Larven von C. anthonyi werden detalliert beschrieben und mit den Larven von C. productus und C. magister verglichen. Es ergaben sich kleine Unterschiede zwischen den Larven dieser drei Arten. , Larven der ,,yellow crab" Cancer anthonyi Rathbun wurden im Laboratorium uber funf Zoea-Stadien und ein Megalopa-Stadium aufgezogen. Fur die mit Artemia Nauplien gefutterten Larven betrug die Gesamtentwicklungszeit bis zum ersten Krabben-Stadium 36 bzw. 45 Tage bei 22° bzw. 18° C. Die Larven von C. anthonyi werden detalliert beschrieben und mit den Larven von C. productus und C. magister verglichen. Es ergaben sich kleine Unterschiede zwischen den Larven dieser drei Arten. ]
The effects of alcohol withdrawal on memory, confabulation, and suggestibility

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of alcohol withdrawal on the accuracy of information obtained during an interview, and in the ability of participants to cope with interrogative pressure. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group 1: patients to be tested psychologically on the second or third day of their admission. Group 2: patients who were to be assessed towards the end of their 10-day stay in hospital (i.e. after 6 or more days). The participants were a group of 75 patients admitted as inpatients to a detoxification centre in Iceland. They completed measurements of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, Mini-Mental State, state and trait anxiety, suggestibility, memory, confabulation and compliance. Significant differences emerged, as predicted, with regard to impaired cognitive abilities and heightened anxiety symptoms, but no differences were found for suggestibility, confabulation and compliance. However, a significantly larger Shift score on the Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scale was observed on the third day as an in-patient, as compared with that obtained on the second day of admission and for patients in Group 2. The main conclusion from the study is that, on the third day of detoxification, patients become significantly less able to cope with interrogative pressure. This has practical implications for police interviewing.
Syntaxin 1A up-regulates GABA transporter expression by subcellular redistribution

Neurotransmitter transporters are regulated through a variety of signal transduction mechanisms which appear to operate in order to maintain appropriate levels of transmitter in the synaptic cleft. One such mechanism is the trafficking of the transporter in association with synaptic vesicle release machinery. This report examines the specifics of trafficking regulation of the rat brain GABA transporter GAT1 by syntaxin 1A, a plasma membrane component of the SNARE complex which is involved in vesicle membrane fusion. In hippocampal neurons, botulinum neurotoxin 1C, which specifically cleaves syntaxin 1A, down-regulates plasma membrane GAT1 levels as assessed by surface biotinylation, suggesting that syntaxin 1A is a positive regulator of GAT1 surface expression. The up-regulation correlates with a decrease in intracellular GAT1 levels and is complete within several minutes. These data suggest that syntaxin 1A mediates the redistribution of GAT1 on a time scale important for the rapid regulation of extracellular GABA levels. Expression of different syntaxin 1A constructs in Xenopus oocytes suggests that several portions of the syntaxin 1A molecule are required for the trafficking of GAT1. These data suggest that the trafficking of GAT1 will be subject to regulatory control by the many molecules known to interact with various domains of syntaxin 1A.
In vitro degradation and dissolution behaviours of microspheres prepared by three low molecular weight polyesters

Three low-molecular weight polyesters, poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA), copoly(lactic acid/glycolic acid) (PLGA) and poly(delta-valerolactone) (PV), were used to prepare water-soluble sodium diclofenac-loaded microspheres by using the oil-in-oil (o/o) emulsification-solvent evaporation method. Their micromeritic and physicochemical properties, and degradation and dissolution behaviours were determined in vitro. The results indicate that high encapsulation efficiency and better monodispersity might be achieved by the o/o emulsification-solvent evaporation method, depending on the amount of drug loading used. The slower evaporation of organic solvent from the system during microencapsulation seemed to modify the crystallinity of drug and polyester in the microspheres, determined by powder x-ray diffractometry and differential scanning calorimetry. The in vitro degradation rate of all the microspheres in pH7.4 phosphate buffer solution showed first-order kinetics and ranked in the order of PLGA>PLA>PV microspheres. Furthermore, the first-order release rate was also found in all the microspheres after an initial drug burst and ranked in the order of PLGA>PLA>PV microspheres, too. The relationship between degradation and dissolution behaviours of these microspheres is discussed.
The Placebo Effect and White Coat Effect in Isolated Systolic Hypertension and Systo-diastolic hypertension

It is well recognised from many clinical trials that there is a blood pressure lowering effect when placebo is administered to patients with essential hypertension (''placebo effect''). The reduction in blood pressure, however, may also be partly due to loss of the alerting response (''white coat effect'') as a result of familiarisation with the clinical environment. To investigate the hypothesis that there may be a more marked placebo effect and white coat effect in isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) compared with systodiastolic hypertension (SDH), we studied 78 patients with hypertension: 34 had ISH and 44 patients had SDH. The 34 patients with ISH were older (68.7 vs 54.9 years), had a higher SBP (192.2 vs 169.6 mmHg) and lower DBP (85.5 vs 102.0 mmHg) when compared to patients with SDH. Amongst the patients with ISH, there were no significant changes in mean blood pressures pre-placebo (paired t-test, p = NS). In the placebo period, there was a significant reduction in systolic blood pressures at all three points, and a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressures after 2 and 3 months placebo (paired t-test, p < 0.05). There was a mean reduction in mean systolic blood pressure at visit 1 by 5.2%, visit 2 by 5.1% and visit 3 by 4.6%, when compared to mean pre-placebo systolic blood pressures (p < 0.05). The mean reduction in diastolic blood pressure was 5.8% at visit 2 and 3.5% at visit 3, when compared to mean pre-placebo diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05). At the 4-week visit after receiving placebo, the mean systolic blood pressure decreased by 9.4 mmHg (p = 0.003) and mean diastolic blood pressure by 2.7 mmHg (p = NS) in the patients with ISH. In patients with SDH, there were no statistically significant changes in recorded BP readings following the introduction of placebo. We suggest blood pressures in some patients with ISH may settle with careful follow up and initiation of treatment in these patients could potentially be delayed for at least 3 months, as therapy may not prove necessary.
Production of BSA-loaded alginate microcapsules: Influence of spray dryer parameters on the microcapsule characteristics and BSA release

The aim of this study was to optimize the production of BSA-loaded alginate microcapsules by spray drying and to study the release of bovine serum albumin fraction V (BSA) under gastric simulated conditions. Microcapsule yield, BSA release, microcapsule size and size distribution were characterized following the application of different production parameters including inlet air temperature, inlet air pressure and liquid feed rate. The microcapsules were incubated in 0.1 N HCl and BSA release was quantified over time. The yields were higher with the pressure of 3 bar compared to 4 bar and with a feed rate of 0.45 vs. 0.2 ml s−1. A high feed rate (0.45 vs. 0.2 ml s−1) allows one to obtain microcapsules with a low BSA release (p = 0.0327). The increase of the atomizer inlet temperature leads to microcapsules with a higher BSA release (p = 0.0230). A higher air pressure of 4 bar compared to 3 bar resulted in a lower microcapsule size (2.55 vs. 2.80 µm) and led to a narrower size distribution (0.92 vs. 1.07). In conclusion, the spray dryer parameters influenced the alginate microcapsule characteristics as well as subsequent protein release into a simulated gastric medium.
Paclitaxel-containing High-dose Chemotherapy in High-risk Breast Cancer Patients

Despite standard-dose adjuvant chemotherapy, the prognosis for patients with breast cancer and extensive axillary lymph node involvement at diagnosis is poor. The efficacy of a paclitaxel-containing, high-dose chemotherapy protocol in 21 high-risk breast cancer patients is assessed. After standard-dose chemotherapy followed by peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) mobilization, high-dose therapy with paclitaxel, carboplatin, and cyclophosphamide and CD34-selected PBSC rescue was given. Hematologic reconstitution after high-dose therapy was rapid. Main toxicity included diarrhea grade I or II in about half of the patients and infections were observed in 19%. Five-year probabilities for relapse and failure-free survival were 32% and 62%, respectively. High-dose consolidation with paclitaxel, carboplatin, and cyclophosphamide achieves a high failure-free survival in patients with high-risk breast cancer with acceptable toxicities and stable, long-term hematopoietic reconstitution. Evaluation of the benefit of high-dose therapy in these patients in larger prospective, randomized trials is warranted and currently under way.