Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antiviral Drug Ganciclovir Is a Potent Inhibitor of the Proliferation of Müller Glia–Derived Progenitors During Zebrafish Retinal Regeneration

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the antiviral drug ganciclovir (GCV) on Müller glia dedifferentiation and proliferation and the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms in adult zebrafish. Methods A Tg(1016tuba1a:GFP) transgenic line was generated to identify injury-induced dedifferentiation of Müller glia. Mechanical retinal damage was induced by a needle-poke injury on the back of the eyes in adult zebrafish. Phosphate-buffered saline or GCV was injected into the vitreous of the eye at the time of injury or through the cornea. The GCV clearance rate from the eye was determined by a reversed-phase HPLC method. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) immunofluorescence were used to determine the effect of GCV on retinal regeneration. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL staining. Microglia were labeled by vitreous injection of isolectin IB4 conjugates. Quantitative (q)PCR and Western blot analysis were used to determine gene expression in the retina. Results Ganciclovir treatment significantly reduced the number of BrdU+ Müller glia–derived progenitor cells (MGPCs) at 4 days post injury. Further analysis showed that GCV had no impact on Müller glia dedifferentiation and the initial formation of MGPCs. Our data indicate that GCV irreversibly inhibited MGPC proliferation likely through a p53-p21cip1–dependent pathway. Interestingly, unlike control cells, GCV-treated Müller glia cells were “locked” in a prolonged dedifferentiated state. Conclusions Our study uncovered a novel inhibitory effect of GCV on MGPC proliferation and suggests its potential use as a tool to uncover molecular mechanisms underlying retinal regeneration in zebrafish.
Pralidoxime administered during cardiopulmonary resuscitation facilitates successful resuscitation in a pig model of cardiac arrest

Pralidoxime is a common antidote for organophosphate poisoning; however, studies have also reported pralidoxime's pressor effect, which may facilitate the restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after cardiac arrest by improving coronary perfusion pressure (CPP). We investigated the immediate cardiovascular effects of pralidoxime in anaesthetised normal rats and the effects of pralidoxime administration during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a pig model of cardiac arrest. To evaluate the immediate cardiovascular effects of pralidoxime, seven anaesthetised normal rats received saline or pralidoxime (20 mg/kg) in a randomised crossover design, and the responses were determined using the conductance catheter technique. To evaluate the effects of pralidoxime administration during CPR, 22 pigs randomly received either 80 mg/kg of pralidoxime or an equivalent volume of saline during CPR. In the rats, pralidoxime significantly increased arterial pressure than saline (P = .044). The peak effect on arterial pressure was observed in the first minute. In a pig model of cardiac arrest, CPP during CPR was higher in the pralidoxime group than in the control group (P = .002). ROSC was attained in three animals (27.3%) in the control group and nine animals (81.8%) in the pralidoxime group (P = .010). Three animals (27.3%) in the control group and eight animals (72.2%) in the pralidoxime group survived the 6‐hour period (P = .033). In conclusion, pralidoxime had a rapid onset of pressor effect. Pralidoxime administered during CPR led to significantly higher rates of ROSC and 6‐hour survival by improving CPP in a pig model.
Familiar and unfamiliar face recognition in crested macaques (Macaca nigra)

Many species use facial features to identify conspecifics, which is necessary to navigate a complex social environment. The fundamental mechanisms underlying face processing are starting to be well understood in a variety of primate species. However, most studies focus on a limited subset of species tested with unfamiliar faces. As well as limiting our understanding of how widely distributed across species these skills are, this also limits our understanding of how primates process faces of individuals they know, and whether social factors (e.g. dominance and social bonds) influence how readily they recognize others. In this study, socially housed crested macaques voluntarily participated in a series of computerized matching-to-sample tasks investigating their ability to discriminate (i) unfamiliar individuals and (ii) members of their own social group. The macaques performed above chance on all tasks. Familiar faces were not easier to discriminate than unfamiliar faces. However, the subjects were better at discriminating higher ranking familiar individuals, but not unfamiliar ones. This suggests that our subjects applied their knowledge of their dominance hierarchies to the pictorial representation of their group mates. Faces of high-ranking individuals garner more social attention, and therefore might be more deeply encoded than other individuals. Our results extend the study of face recognition to a novel species, and consequently provide valuable data for future comparative studies.
A Report Based on Analysis of Posture and Occupational Health of Welders in Different Welding Units

Analysis of work posture of workers is an effective research area in manufacturing sector in India. Manufacturing plays a significant role to develop a country. Lots of human involvements are required to successfully execute the various operations involved in this area. Long manual working hours with traditionally designed tools and un-ergonomic work posture can cause musculoskeletal disorders and other occupational health problems among welders. Prolonged working hours exceed the physical capacity of the workers that causes' discomfort, physical fatigue, joints pain, swelling, strain, sprain of ligaments and soft tissues. Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) in the form of repetitive motion injuries, cumulative trauma disorders, body fatigue and strain injuries are very common health problems of workers of different small & medium scale welding units in our country. The productivity and cost benefits of welding units are highly related with the physical comfort of the welders. The data of musculoskeletal disorder of workers of welding units was collected evaluated and validated by using RULA, OWAS and Discomfort Questionnaire and a design solution suggested.
The effect of creatine supplementation on the response of central and peripheral pulse wave velocity to high-intensity resistance exercise

Abstract Following a bout of high-intensity resistance exercise, a transient increase in arterial stiffness, as measured through central pulse wave velocity has been shown to occur. Preliminary creatine supplementation research has demonstrated the potential for creatine to alter select measures of arterial stiffness. This study examines whether creatine supplementation independently influences the resistance exercise response of both central and peripheral pulse wave velocity. Forty healthy participants completed a high-intensity knee extension protocol demonstrated to cause increases in pulse wave velocity, both before and after 7 days of supplementing with creatine (n = 21) or placebo (n = 19) at 21 g/day. Resting and post-exercise measures of blood pressure, central (immediately and 20 min post) and peripheral (25 min post) pulse wave velocity were collected. No significant difference in the response of central pulse wave velocity was observed between creatine or placebo supplementation (p < 0.05) following high-intensity resistance exercise, as both groups revealed increases from pre-exercise to immediately post-exercise (p < 0.01). Similarly, no differences between groups were apparent for the peripheral pulse wave velocity response to exercise (p = 0.4). The current evidence does not support creatine supplementation as an effective intervention for reductions in arterial stiffness occurring with resistance exercise.
Effect of Angle and Type of Customized Abutment (Castable & Cast-to) on Torque Loss and Fracture Resistance After Cyclic Loading

Implant placement with more than 25° angle and use of customized abutments are still challenging in implant dentistry. Also, casting is still the most commonly used method for fabrication of customized abutments. This study evaluated the effect of angulation and type of abutment (castable and cast-to) on torque loss and fracture resistance after cyclic loading. Two implants were mounted with 0 and 30° angle on a gypsum model. Castable and Cast-to abutments were casted by cobalt-chromium alloy on each implant (10 samples in 4 groups). Rotational freedom was measured by a video-measuring microscope. The reverse torque values before and after cyclic loading (500,000 cycles) were measured by a digital torque-meter. Abutments were subjected to fracture resistance test in a universal testing machine. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal Wallis, two-way ANOVA and repeated measures tests. Difference between castable and cast-to abutments regarding rotational freedom was not significant. Torque loss in castable abutments was significantly greater than cast-to abutments before and after cyclic loading (P < 0.05). The effect of abutment angle on torque loss before and after cyclic loading was not significant. Irrespective of the abutment angle, torque loss was significantly higher in castable groups. Considering the high fracture resistance, abutment fractures were not clinically an issue.
Factors Related to Decubitus in Patient with Bed Rest and PhysicalImmobilization : A Systematic Review

Background: Decubitus is one of nosocomial infection that caused by a very long bedrest and physical immobilization. The prevalence of decubitus was still high in Indonesia. The objective of this systematic review was to identify factors that cause decubitus in patient with bedrest and physical immobilization. Method: 15 best articles were found using PECOT framework in some databases; EBSCO, Science Direct, Scopus, ProQuest, Pub Med, Wiley and Springer Link. Those articles have been chosen based on some criteria. Result: These are factors that cause decubitus ; Medical diagnosis, nutritional deficit, using mechanical ventilator, skin integrity, age, gender, immobilization, skin type, nurse’s workload, Length of Stay (LOS), fecal incontinence, environment humidity, albumin, hemoglobin, limfosit, triceps skinfold, blood pressure, sensory perception, friction, weight, mental status, vertebra trauma, diabetic history, and hypertension. Discussion: The most dominant factor was immobilization, skin integrity, friction, nutrition, age, and gender
Production of the Mycotoxin Cyclopiazonic Acid by Penicillium commune on Solid Agar Media: Effects of Water Activity, Temperature, and Incubation Time.

The combined effects of water activity (aw), temperature, incubation time, and medium composition on cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) production by an isolate of Penicillium commune was studied using a full-factorial experimental design. An analysis of variance for the mycotoxin showed that there was a complex interaction between all these factors and that this affected the production of CPA. The minimum aw for CPA production (0.025 to 0.238 μg ml-1) in yeast extract agar was 0.90 whereas in Czapek yeast autolysate agar it was 0.85 (0.048 to 0.123 μg m1-1). The temperature range for CPA production was 20 to 30°C. The optimum temperature for CPA production was 25°C. CPA was maximally produced (3.199 to 3.993 μg ml-1) at an aw of 0.996 after 15 days of incubation.
Colonizer to Drug Resistant isolate, What is Happening to our Staphylococcus Aureus?

Objective: To evaluate resistant trend of multiple antimicrobial agents against Staphylococcus aureus isolates along with its prevalence. Material and Methods: This prospective descriptive study was carried out in the department of microbiology Allama Iqbal Medical College Lahore from 1st January 2015 to 25 may 2016. Simple random technique was used, and 4570 clinical samples (Pus, blood, pleural fluid, tracheal aspirate, urine, sputum, HVS) were received from ICU, Surgical Unit, Medical Unit and OPD for culture sensitivity testing, antimicrobial resistant trend was tested according to CLSI guidelines Results: Maximum isolates were recovered from surgical unit 31.9%, sample-wise maximum isolates were recovered from pus samples 26.8%. age group and genderbased distribution showed among male’s high isolation rate was observed in 21-40 years while in females 41-60-year age group. Every isolate was (100%) susceptible to linezolid, vancomycin and teicoplanin, cotrimoxazole also showed very low rate of drug resistance only 8.3%, while penicillin Doxycycline, Ciprofloxacin, Erythromycin showed 95.9%,69.8%55.4% and 48.2% drug resistance respectively, 43-45% drugresistant rate observed in case of Co-amoxiclave, Methicillin, Gentamicin, Fusidic Acid, Amikacin, and Clindamycin Conclusion: Linezolid, Vancomycin, and Teicoplanin are best therapeutic Choices against Staphylococcus aureus associated infections.
Complementary and Alternative Medical Service Use for Mental Health Problems among Chinese Americans: The Roles of Acculturation-related Factors

The author used data from the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys to examine the 12-month prevalence and predictors of the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) relative to conventional Western medical services among Chinese Americans. The author examined the differences in service utilization patterns between Chinese Americans and non-Hispanic whites and the effects of acculturation factors such as generational status and English proficiency within the population of Chinese Americans. Multinomial logistic regression analyses revealed significant heterogeneity of exclusive CAM use in response to mental health problems by race/ethnicity and generational status, as well as English proficiency, gender, age, marital status, education, employment status, having insurance, and having any probably psychiatric disorder. Specifically, first-generation Chinese immigrants lagged behind second-, third-, or higher generation Chinese Americans and non-Hispanic whites in the likelihood of using exclusive CAM services for mental health problems. In addition, this study revealed that exclusive CAM service use was more popular than the use of only conventional Western medicine or a combination of both among all Chinese Americans except for the second generations. The findings provide a more nuanced understanding of the pattern of mental health service use among Chinese Americans. Implications for policy and research are discussed.
Metabolic underpinnings of leukemia pathology and treatment

Carcinogenic transformation of white blood cells during hematopoiesis leads to the development of leukemia, a cancer characterized by incompetent immune cells and a disruption of normal bone marrow function. Leukemias are diverse in type, affected population, prognosis, and treatment regimen, yet a common theme in leukemia is the dysregulated metabolism of leukemic cells and leukemic stem cells with respect to their noncancerous counterparts.
Study of the Determinants of the Use of Breast Cancer Screening in Women 35 to 65 Years in the Region of Thies (Senegal)

Introduction: In Senegal, breast cancer is the second most common cancer of women after cervical cancer. It is a cancer accessible to clinical and radiological screening. The objective of this study was to study the determinants of the use of breast cancer screening among women aged 35 to 65 in the Thies region in 2015. Material and Methods: It was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. It was conducted with a sample of women selected using a two-stage cluster survey. The study used a questionnaire to collect data on the individual characteristics of women, knowledge, attitudes and practice on breast cancer and quality of care in an individual interview at the homes of women after consent. The data was entered on the Epi Info 3.5. 3 software and analyzed with the R 3.3. 3 software. A description of qualitative variables across proportions and quantitative variables by mean and standard deviation was performed. Parametric or non-parametric tests were used to examine the association between the dependent variable (breast cancer screening) and explanatory variables (predisposing factors, resources, health needs) according to their applicability conditions and at a risk α equal 5%. Finally, all variables with p less than 0.25 were used to construct an explanatory model by simple logistic regression. Results: The study involved 960 women aged 35 to 65 years. The average age was 43.8 years with a standard deviation of 8.3 years. The rate of breast cancer screening was 25.7%. Educated women (OR adjusted = 1.89 [1.25 - 2.85]), women who resided in urban settings (adjusted OR = 1.79 [1.05 - 3.04]), those who experienced at least one risk factor for breast cancer (OR adjusted = 2.71 [1.81 - 4.06]) were more likely to use screening breast cancer. In contrast, women with low socioeconomic status (adjusted OR = 0.66 [0.45 - 0.97]) were less likely to be screened. Conclusion: Level of education, knowledge of breast cancer and having received screening advice are factors to consider in improving the rate of breast cancer screening in Thies, and the most important remains public awareness.
Evaluation of the intertidal oligochaete Pontodrilus bermudensis beddard as dietary supplement for stimulation of reproduction in Penaeus semisulcatus de Haan (TH 102)

The major impediment to the culture of penaeid shrimp in captivity is the inability to obtain ovarian maturation and spawning. The present thesis evaluates the reproductive performance of unablated Penaeus semisu/catus (green tiger shrimp), fed the intertidal oligochaete Pontodrilus bermudensis as a dietary supplement. The reproductive performance of the test group of P. semisulcatus fed P. bermudensis as dietary supplement was compared to that of the control group, fed squid and clam alone. Significant improvement was observed in the reproductive performance of test group compared to that of the control group. Maximum maturation response was observed when the worm component formed about 9% of total feed . The biochemical composition and fatty acid profile of P. bermudensis was analysed. Among the three growth stages comprising the population of P. bermudensis, the nonclitellates were found to have the most suitable biochemical composition for feeding the broodstock. The fatty acid profile of P. bermudensis revealed a preponderance of n6 fatty acids especially C20:4 n6, suggesting a possible role of prostaglandins in shrimp maturation and spawning. Experiments were conducted to develop a viable long-term method to culture the oligochaete in land based culture units. Of the three culture systems tried, P. bermudensis was found to grow well in wooden boxes with seashore sand as media with cowdung and seaweed or cow dung and leaf litter as organic amendments. A multi unit vermiculture system with periodic harvesting and loading of organic matter is proposed as part of shrimp maturation systems with minimal investment to facilitate continuous supply of worms.
Epigenetic Effects of Ethanol

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is prevalent and associated with significant mortality and socioeconomic costs globally. Despite the tremendous burden of AUD, mechanisms of alcohol (ethanol) action that underlie the development of AUD are still not known. This dissertation addresses the role of epigenetic modifications in heritability of AUD and mechanisms of ethanol by testing three distinct hypotheses: 1) paternal ethanol exposure regulates ethanol drinking and ethanol-related behavior in offspring; 2) acute ethanol induces conserved changes to histone modifications at model gene promoters in the cerebral cortex; 3) chronic intermittent vapor ethanol and withdrawal induce dynamic changes in gene regulation via discrete histone modifications in accumbal dopamine 1 receptor positive medium spiny neurons. To test these hypotheses, this dissertation developed new models for studying heritability of ethanol drinking using paternal vapor ethanol exposure and epigenetic modifications in a neuronal subtype using fluorescence activated cell sorting. The results presented in this thesis provide evidence for epigenetic effects of ethanol in mediating heritability of ethanol drinking and sensitivity to ethanol selectively in male offspring as well as ethanol-induced gene regulation in the cerebral cortex. Additionally, they set up future studies of ethanol’s epigenetic mechanisms in neuronal subtypes, which will increase sensitivity of current assays to detect cell-specific changes in gene regulation. These results are expected to have important implications for the development of drugs that target epigenetic modifying enzymes for treatment of AUD.
Association between Gly460Trp Polymorphism of αAdducin Gene and Risk Factors in Hypertensive Pakistani Population

Objective: To determine possible association between αadducin gene G460W polymorphism and risk factors like age & BMI in hypertensive Pakistani population. Material & Methods: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples from 200 patients with essential hypertension and 200 normotensive healthy individuals from Pakistani population were genotyped for G460W polymorphism by Polymerase Chain Reaction and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism. Logistic regression analysis was used to find association between ADD1 gene G640W polymorphism and risk factors like age and BMI (Body mass index) in hypertensive Pakistani population. Results: No significant association was found between G640W polymorphism and risk factors like age and obesity. Conclusion: This study showed that there is no significant association between ADD1 gene G640W polymorphism and risk factors in our selected samples from Pakistani population.
Integrating genetics, geography, and local adaptation to understand ecotype formation in the yellow monkeyflower, Mimulus guttatus

Integrating Genetics, Geography, and Local Adaptation to Understand Ecotype Formation In The Yellow Monkeyflower, Mimulus guttatus by David Bryant Lowry University Program in Genetics and Genomics Duke University Date:_______________________ Approved: ___________________________ John Willis, Supervisor ___________________________ Mohamed Noor ___________________________ Mark Rausher ___________________________ William Morris ___________________________ Greg Wray An abstract of a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the University Program in Genetics and Genomics in the Graduate School of Duke University 2010 Copyright by David Bryant Lowry 2010