Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human sperm cytogenetics and the one-cell zygote

Human reproductive wastage is known to be a common event. One major cause of embryonic and fetal losses is chromosomal aberrations, identified by karyotyping spontaneous abortion material and in vitro fertilized human embryos. Karyotyping of human gametes has made it possible to document types and frequencies of chromosomal aberrations directly in eggs and sperm themselves. Our studies with human sperm from normal, healthy men support the view that chromosome-specific aneuploidy does in fact occur, and that frequencies of structural chromosomal aberrations appear to be person specific and stable over time. The types of structural aberrations identified suggest that normal human spermiogenesis may be vulnerable to breakage events or precursor lesions leading to such breakage events. After entry into egg cytoplasm and preceding the formation of first-cleavage mitotic chromosomes, the male as well as the female genome replicate their DNA in a pattern qualitatively similar to that in somatic cells. However, at present it is not known what relationship exists between spontaneous chromosome breaks seen at first cleavage and DNA replication activities. Limited data on survivors of radiotherapy lend support to the view that long-term effects on sperm chromosomal integrity can be identified. Studies on sperm cytogenetics thus have the potential more » for identifying adverse environmental effects on human spermatogenesis as monitored by this well-defined endpoint. 32 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab. « less
Physical activity pattern and its association with functional limitation, physical health, and emotional wellbeing of nurses with low back pain

Background: The working and living conditions of nurses in Africa and in the Western world settings might not be comparable. With that in mind, therefore the pattern of physical activities (PA) and its association with back pain among nurses in Africa might be different. Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the PA pattern and its association with low back pain (LBP) among the Nurses in Maiduguri, North Eastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess the physical activity, Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaires was used to asses the functional limitation while Rand 36 questionnaires was used to assess the bodily pain, physical health, and emotional wellbeing. Results: The results of the study showed 94.7% prevalence of LBP among the nurses out of which 94.27% participants had chronic (>3 months duration) LBP. Job-related physical activity, housework related physical activity, transport related physical activity, and recreational related physical activity domains measured 8565.78 ± 95.44, 3158.65 ± 56.07, 4055.80 ± 62.41, 2179.82 ± 39.67, respectively. Eighty percent of the participants were active in each of the domains of transport related and job-related physical activity while 90% and 100% of the participants were inactive in housework related and recreational related PA domains, respectively. Age group and gender did not show statistical significant effects on PA scores of the participants (P > 0.05). Standardised correlation coefficients values of −0.045, 0.061 and 0.143 between physical activity and each of functional limitation, physical health, and emotional wellbeing, respectively, were obtained, none of which was statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study it was concluded that nurses were more active in job-related and transport related PA domains and less active in housework and recreational related PA domains. Age and gender did not have significant effects on PA. Similarly, the functional limitation due to LBP, physical health and emotional wellbeing did not show significant association with PA.
Physical and chemical characterization and fatty acid composition of babassu oil.

Getulio Costa Machado Jose Benicio Paes Chaves Rosemar Antoniassi 1 Departamento de Tecnologia de Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Vicosa,Vicosa, MG. -Email: jbchaves@ufv.br 2 CTAA, EMBRAPA, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF BABASSU OIL Babassu oil hydrogenated to two melting points (28 oC and 34 oC) were analyzed by gas chromatography for fatty acid composition. Results confirmed high lauric acid content (above 44%) in samples analyzed. Acidity and peroxide values and relative density were, in general, well within normal ranges required by regulatory agencies for fat and oils quality standards. Key-words: babassu oil, physical and chemical characteristics, fatty acids. A composicao em acidos graxos confirma o alto teor de acido laurico (acima dos 44%) nas amostras de oleo de coco babacu. Os valores dos indices de acidez, de peroxido e a densidade relativa se enquadraram dentro dos recomendados pelos orgaos regulamentadores de Identidade e Qualidade de Oleos e Gorduras. Palavras-chave: oleo de babacu, caracteristicas fisicas e quimicas, acidos graxos.
ACTIVITY BUDGETS OF MALLARDS AND AMERICAN WIGEON WINTERING IN EAST-CENTRAL ALABAMA

Recent studies in North America have used activity budget techniques to investigate nonbreeding waterfowl ecology (e.g., Paulus 1984, Quinlan and Baldassarre 1984). Most investigations, however, spanned only one winter period and focused on one species. A multiple species approach can provide new ecological and behavioral insights (McKinney 1973) relative to nonbreeding waterfowl ecology, and studies longer than one year are necessary to determine the influence of annual effects on various
A comparison of metal introducer and bougie-guided techniques of insertion PLMATM with respect to cuff position and air leak

Background: Drain tube is an integral part of proseal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA). It can lodge a sleek device such as bougie which can act as a guiding tool to advance and position the cuff. As an alternative to metal introducer tool (MIT), we compared the two techniques for ease of insertion score, various cuff positions and air leak encountered during insertion of PLMA under nonparalysed situation. Materials and Methods: Sixty anesthetized patients were divided into two groups using computer-based randomization. PLMA was inserted into either MIT or adult introducer bougie. The primary outcome was ease of insertion (Score 1–4), cuff positions defined by suprasternal notch test, gel displacement test, gastric tube passage test and air leak. Airway pressure, seal pressure, and complications encountered were the secondary outcome. Independent t-test, Fisher's exact test, and Chi-square test were used to analyze the data. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Ease of insertion score 4.0 was observed in 18 (60%) and 29 (96.6%) patients in MIT and AIB group, respectively. Comparing the two groups for the cuff positions, hypopharynx position was significantly higher in the AIB group (P = 0.001), whereas proximal and cuff fold positions were higher in the MIT group (P = 0.02). However, there was no difference for glottis position among the groups. The significantly higher air leak was observed in the MIT group (P = 0.01). Complications related to airway were more frequent in the MIT group. Conclusions: Bougie-guided advancement appears to be a preferred technique for inserting PLMA device in its appropriate position. With the discretionary power to provide an opportunity for effective ventilation, complications are markedly reduced with this technique.
Vegetative cutting propagation of Protea hybrid 'Susara' (Proteaceae).

Summary The rooting of stem cuttings of Protea ‘Susara’ (P. magnifica x P. susannae) was examined with regard to auxin application, basal wounding and position on the shoot. Three levels of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (0, 2000 and 4000 ppm) and four types of cuttings (terminal and basal cuttings from the last flush of growth and terminal and subterminal cuttings prepared with complete growth flush from terminal and subterminal flush of growth, respectively) were used. Terminal and basal cuttings from the last flush of growth treated with 4000 ppm of IBA can be employed for the propagation of this protea. The type of cutting did not have an overall effect on rooting (P > 0.05). Terminal stem cuttings prepared with complete growth flush can also be used for the propagation of Protea ‘Susara’. The presence of auxin, or basal wounding, or a combination of both did not improve rooting significantly. Wounding negatively affected rooting. However, in similarly prepared subterminal cuttings, including the complete subterminal flush of growth, the presence of auxin (2000 or 4000 ppm of IBA) was required in order to achieve analogous results.
Controle environnemental de la physiologie et de la composition isotopique du squelette des scleractiniaires a zooxanthelles : approche experimentale

Le squelette des scleractiniaires a zooxanthelles (coraux) constitue une base de donnees sur les parametres environnementaux potentiellement importante. Leur utilisation est de plus en plus frequente dans la reconstitution des paleoenvironnements des zones tropicales, pour lesquelles peu de sources d'informations sont actuellement disponibles. L'utilisation de coraux cultives en aquarium permet de controler tres precisement tous les parametres environnementaux et de n'en faire varier qu'un seul a la fois. Une technique experimentale permettant la culture de coraux (stylophora pistillata, acropora sp. Et montipora verrucosa) en conditions controlees a ete mise au point avec succes. Cette methode permet d'echantillonner avec une grande precision le squelette et les tissus neoformes. Cette technique a ete utilisee afin de determiner des relations entre certains parametres environnementaux et les isotopes stables du squelette (et des tissus). Ainsi, une diminution du 1 8o s q l a ete mise en evidence lorsque la temperature ou la salinite de l'eau augmentait. Le 1 8o s q l semblait aussi affecte par la photosynthese : le 1 8o s q l augmentait lorsque la photosynthese etait stimulee. En revanche, le 1 3c s q l semblait plutot influence par la calcification : une stimulation de ce parametre entrainait une augmentation du 1 3c s q l. Une relation entre la temperature et le 1 3c s q l a ete mise en evidence chez acropora sp. Cette nouvelle approche experimentale ouvre de nombreuses perspectives dans le domaine de la validation des traceurs geochimiques (isotopes stables et elements traces). Les efforts doivent a present porter sur la mise en culture de colonies d'autres genres, notamment porites.
Phytochemical Screening, In vitro and In vivo Antioxidant Activities of Aqueous Extract of Anacardium occidentale Linn. and its Effects on Endogenous Antioxidant Enzymes in Hypercholesterolemic Induced Rabbits

Oxidative stress has been shown to play important role in the development of various diseases. In this study, researchers investigated the existence of phytochemical constituents of Anacardium occidentale Linn. (AO) leaf and evaluate its in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activities in aqueous extract form. Phytochemical screening of AO was performed according to the standard method while in vitro antioxidant activities were performed via DDPH free radical scavenging and Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay. In vivo antioxidant activities were evaluated in hypercholesterolemic induced adult male New Zealand white rabbits. Phenolic, flavonoids, steroids and triterpenes were found in the leaf of AO. The freeze dried aqueous extract showed no significant different compared to BHT in in vitro antioxidant analysis when assessed using the FRAP assay. Supplementation of aqueous extract of AO (100, 200 mg/kg/day) to the hypercholesterolemic induced rabbits caused a significant decreased (p<0.05) of malondialdehyde and significant increased (p<0.05) of superoxide dismutase and catalase levels at the end of the study period compared to the groups received high cholesterol diet alone. Aqueous extract of AO possess the ability to act as an antioxidant in vitro and in vivo and also was able to increase the level of superoxide dismutase and catalase in experimental hypercholesterolemia. The presence of flavonoids in the extract could be attributed to the antioxidative effect of the plant.
Effects of Omega‐3‐acid Ethyl Esters on LDL Particle Size in Subjects with Hypertriglyceridemia Despite Statin Therapy

Small, dense LDL are more atherogenic than larger LDL particles. It has been hypothesized that individuals shift from a predominance of larger (pattern A) to smaller LDL particles (pattern B) when the fasting triglyceride (TG) concentration exceeds a threshold, typically in the range of 100–250 mg/dL. The present investigation assessed the influence of TG‐lowering with prescription omega‐3‐acid ethyl esters on LDL size in men and women with TG 200 to 499 mg/dL while on statin therapy. After 8 weeks on simvastatin 40 mg/d, 254 subjects were randomly assigned to 4 g/d of Omacor® (3.4 g/d EPA + DHA) or placebo for an additional 8 weeks. Median LDL particle size increased in the omega‐3 treated group (19.90 to 20.20 nm, p=0.007 vs. placebo). Median changes from baseline were 0.60, 0.40, 0.15 and −0.20 nm, when the on‐treatment TG concentrations were <150, 150–199, 200–249 and ≥250 mg/dL, respectively (p<0.001). In these on‐treatment TG subsets, pattern B was present in 36, 50, 82 and 84% of subjects (p<0.001), compared to 68, 79, 93, and 73%, respectively, at baseline. The association of on‐treatment TG category with the change in LDL particle size remained highly significant (p<0.001) after adjusting for the degree of TG‐lowering. These results support the concept of a TG threshold for conversion from LDL subclass pattern B to A.
Ireland

An island nation in north-western Europe, the Republic of Ireland is one of the highest income countries in the world. According to the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook Database, Ireland is among the ten wealthiest countries in the world as measured by gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, purchasing power-parity (PPP) calculations. In 2007, estimated GDP per capita in Ireland was $40,805. This has not always been the case. For more than two hundred years it served as one of Europe’s poorest countries, with Irish peasants migrating elsewhere for better economic opportunities. In 1960, Ireland was outside the top twenty countries in terms of GDP per capita, well below nearly all of its European neighbors. Then in the 1990s, the Irish economy took off with annual growth in GDP increasing by an average of 5.14 percent per year from 1990-1995. In the second half of the decade, the economy grew even more rapidly at an average rate of 9.66 percent. In a little over two decades Ireland has drastically improved its standard of living.
Pre- and Post- birth Causes of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Background: Acutelymphoblasticleukemia(ALL)isamalignancyof lymphoidprogenitorsinbonemarrow,peripheralblood,and extra medullar, which accounts for 1/4 of childhood cancers. Objectives: Regarding the uncertainties of the exact causes of the disease and the importance of identifying risk factors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, this study aimed at investigating the causes of pre- and post - natal birth in children with ALL. Methods: This case - control study was performed on 156 patients with ALL and 85 patients without ALL in a 4 - year period in Ali Asghar, Shahid Faghihi, and Shahid Motahari Hospitals in Shiraz, Iran between January 2013 and March 2017. The student’s t and Chi-squaretestswereused. Toevaluaterelationshipsbetweenvariousvariables,Pearson’sorSpearman’scorrelationanalyseswere used. The data were analyzed, using the SPSS 16 software. Results: Based on the ﬁndings of this study, the presence of Dawn’s syndrome and familial history of leukemia and brain tumors wereidentiﬁedasriskfactorsfortheincidenceof ALLinchildren. Therewasnosigniﬁcantrelationshipwiththehistoryof abortion, radiation exposure, economic status, place of residence, birth rate, etc. Conclusions: The results indicate that among pre- and post - birth causes, the presence of Down syndrome and familial history of leukemia and brain tumors were as risk factors for the incidence of ALL in children. Due to the fact that therapeutic protocols are usefulforthetreatmentof ALLinchildren,theresultsof thisstudyandsimilarstudiescanbeeﬀectiveinpreventingandmanaging the disease in children.
Determinants of drug utilisation during childhood

Paediatric pharmacology is a neglected area in terms of rational use of drugs. Wide differences have been observed in children’s exposure to drugs between and within countries and regions. The aim of the current thesis is to investigate the determinants of drug prescription in paediatrics. Pharmacoepidemiology and the use of administrative databases can be a useful tool for this scope. Data collected in regional and multiregional administrative prescription databases were analysed. Prevalence data by sex and age were calculated by dividing the number of drug users by the total number of male and female residents in each age group. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed with the aim to identify the determinants of drug prescriptions. The studies showed quantitative and qualitative differences in drug prescription to children and adolescents among Italian regions and within regions. The prescription of a great number of different, redundant, active substances, even among experienced paediatricians, was found. A North-South trend was found in antiasthmatic and antibiotic prevalence, with an important association with average income at the area level. A confirmation of the high prevalence of these drugs and poor qualitative profile was also found. Large heterogeneity was found in psychotropic drug prevalence among different Italian regions. Psychotropic drugs were scantly prescribed and some of the most used drugs were prescribed off-label. The analyses of the prescription of generic antibiotics showed that generic formulations are scantly prescribed by Italian paediatricians, and the lowest prescription rate of generic drugs was found in paediatricians who prescribe more antibiotics. Some quality indicators for antibiotic prescribing were developed at the paediatrician level. The youngest paediatricians and those who were not exposed to educational interventions showed a significantly worse quality of prescribing. The thesis provide some useful data for policy makers in order to improve the rational drug use in children.
Comparison Study of Calcium Intake, Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome in Brazilian Women

A high prevalence of obese women cannot achieve the recommended daily intake of calcium. The aim of the study is to compare intake of dietary sources of calcium in Brazilian obese and no obese women and relationship between their consumption and metabolic syndrome occurrence. 84 Brazilian women was an assessment by food frequency intake of calcium source stratified into levels and compared to Food Guide for the Brazilian Population. Metabolic syndrome was defined as the presence of ≥ 3 criteria on National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III. Anthropometric data were obtained through measurement body weight, height and waist circumference. The subjects were divided into Obese and Eutrophic Group, were matched by age 41 ± 10 and 39 ± 7 years. Were evaluated 44 obese and 40 eutrophics (52.4% obese), weight 112.3 ± 14.8 kg and 63.6 kg ± 8.3, body mass index between 36.6-63.2 kg/m2 and mean 24.3 kg/m2. The association between the presence of metabolic syndrome and obesity was present in 41.7% (P<0.001) of the total sample and an expressive way in obese (71%). When evaluated intake frequency of calcium food sources between groups, were observed the statistical difference in consumption of conventional yoghurt (P=0.021) and sardines (P=0.018). The data revealed very low daily consumption of high bioavailability calcium sources (milk and dairy products); especially in reference to rarely ingest milk and dairy products. No significant difference was found when the presence of criteria of metabolic syndrome was evaluated with consumption of calcium source. Metabolic syndrome was prevalent in obese but it was not possible to infer the relationship between consumption of calcium food sources and metabolic syndrome. Calcium intake was below recommendations in both groups. It becomes an evident need for nutritional education to stimulate consumption of calcium food sources part of an adequate diet to protect for obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Stapler versus handswen in small intestinal anastomosis

Many factors can affect small intestinal resection and anastomosis and can adjust the type and methods of anastomosis. Common indications of small intestinal resection anastomosis includes: Small bowel obstruction, intussusception, carcinoma of the small intestine, traumatic perforation, ulcerative colitis and crohn`s disease. Contraindications for intestinal anastomosis includes: Sever sepsis, fecal contamination, poor neutritional status, unhealthy bowel condition and disseminated malignancy.
Studies in artificial evolution

We define artificial evolution as a particular class of genetic algorithms. Artificial evolution genetic algorithms require a clear separation between genotype and the information encoded in the genotype. The genotype is represented as a linear string, and the genetic operators of recombination and mutation operate randomly at the lowest level of organization of the string, without reference to any syntactic nor semantic structure that may be encoded there. We view the genotype as encoding a program; the fitness of the genotype is determined by decoding and executing the program, perhaps in an environment that is shared by the other members of the population. To achieve realistic population dynamics, we simulate large populations (at least tens of thousands of individuals in each generation). We apply artificial evolution to three classes of problems: the study of natural evolution, the evolution of complex behavior in artificial organisms, and function optimization. We simulate elaborations of Kirkpatrick's analytic model of sexual selection, exploring the effects of relaxing the simplifying assumptions (required for the analytic solution). We demonstrate that both the equilibrium and non-equilibrium dynamics are strongly affected by the details of the model. We also simulate the effect of host-parasite coevolution on the evolution of a recombination rate modifier gene, which is a test of the parasite hypothesis for the maintenance of sexual reproduction. Our results empirically demonstrate a strong correlation between the rate of parasite evolution and the equilibrium recombination rate in the host species. We also use artificial evolution to evolve foraging behavior in colonies of artificial ants. This study attacks the problem of representing a computer program both as a function that produces complex behavior and as a bitstring that is subject to a genetic algorithm. We introduce the connection descriptor artificial neural network (ANN) encoding scheme that places both the connection strengths and the connectivity pattern under genetic control, and use this encoding to evolve ant-like behavior. Our study concludes with the application of artificial evolution to function optimization. We perform a head-to-head comparison of conventional selection and mating schemes to those that involve spatial structure. We have found that spatial structure leads to much faster and robust discovery of optimal partitions.