Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of testosterone supplementation on prevention of age-related penile remodeling

Abstract Erectile dysfunction develops among 46.2% of men between 40 and 70 years. Studies demonstrated substitution on detrusor muscle by collagen due testosterone deprivation. It is clear the correlation among aging and oxidative stress, accelerating apoptosis process in many tissues. This study aims to demonstrate the collagen substitution over the muscle fibers on muscle structure of rat’s penis and the effects of testosterone supplementation. Sixteen senescent Wistar rats were divided into two groups: treatment (receiving standard supplementation testosterone dose) and control (receiving equivalent saline solution). Testosterone was dosed on D0 and D56 of study. All penises were prepared with picrosirius colored histology; stereology was applied to determine the volumetric density of collagen fibers (Vv). Analysis of variance demonstrated testosterone group’s replacement therapy to be effective, while the androgenic decline continued by the time of experiment in control group (p < 0.05). Testosterone group had Vv of 20.6%, lower than control group (47.8%); t-test (p < 0.001). Pearson’s correlation demonstrated an inverse correlation between the Vv and testosterone’s levels (p < 0.001). This is a pioneer study on demonstration of structural alterations over the cavernous corpora muscle caused by deprivation of testosterone on elderly rat. These finding implicate that the testosterone levels can influence, not only the libido, but also the erectile function.
Guest Editorial: Computational Solutions to Large-Scale Data Management and Analysis in Translational and Personalized Medicine

Applying engineering precepts to biological systems has spawn the field of systems biology to investigate a network of interacting components, including the coordination of internal systems of living organisms such as endocrine, nervous, and respiratory with gene and gene product expression, and behavior and environmental factors, and understand how these components together contribute to the disease initiation and progression, biological development, and health. Proceeding from systems biology, systems medicine incorporates complex and dynamic biochemical, physiological, and environmental interactions between all components of disease and health that sustain living organisms. The current special issue includes a selected number of papers presented at the 12th IEEE International Conference on BioInformatics and BioEngineering (BIBE 2012), Nov. 11-13, 2012 under a special session with the same theme, in addition to papers submitted following an open call for papers. The Special Issue presents experiences as well as technological and scientific developments stemming from some flagship projects funded by the EU under the FP7 framework programme aiming to bring together researchers working in the fields of infrastructures and technologies for integrative biomedical research, ICT for predictive and translational medicine and the VPH community at large. A total of 15 papers are included under the following scientific subdomains: 1) mHealth,Wearable Systems and Telemonitoring Services (five papers), 2) Medical Imaging (four papers), and 3) Computational Biology (six papers).
[Chemotherapy in psychiatry].

Every word to utter from the writer involves the element of this life. The writer really shows how the simple words can maximize how the impression of this book is uttered directly for the readers. Even you have known about the content of chemotherapy in psychiatry so much, you can easily do it for your better connection. In delivering the presence of the book concept, you can find out the boo site here.
Changes of Large Molecular Weight Hyaluronan and Versican in the Mouse Pubic Symphysis Through Pregnancy1

ABSTRACT During pregnancy, the mouse pubic symphysis undergoes expansion and remodeling resulting in formation of a flexible and elastic interpubic ligament allowing passage of a term fetus. In the current study, we sought to identify and characterize components of the extracellular matrix that likely play an important role in elongation and flexibility of the interpubic ligament during parturition. Mouse pubic symphyses and interpubic ligaments collected at time points during pregnancy and postpartum were utilized to evaluate collagen type, collagen content, processing and solubility, matricellular protein, and proteoglycan expression and quantitative assessment of all glycosaminoglycans. These studies revealed increased gene expression for hyaluronan synthase 1, hyaluronan synthase 2, and versican on Gestation Day 18 as well as a decline in protein expression for the versican-degrading protease a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 (ADAMTS1) motif. These findings suggest that the primary mediators of increased elongation and flexibility of the interpubic ligament at term result from increased synthesis and reduced metabolism of viscoelasticity-promoting molecules such as high molecular weight hyaluronan and versican.
Simple blood tests can predict compensated liver cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Twenty to fifty percent of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection will insidiously progress to cirrhosis after 10-20 years' follow-up. The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the role of simple non-invasive blood tests in detecting the presence of compensated liver cirrhosis in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C. METHODOLOGY One hundred and eleven biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis C patients were enrolled, 23 (20.7%) patients showed cirrhosis with class A in Child-Pugh's classification and were all asymptomatic. Liver biochemistry, complete blood count, and serum N-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen were determined and then compared between chronic hepatitis C patients with compensated cirrhosis and without cirrhosis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to predict factors associated with compensated cirrhosis. RESULTS Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed platelet count < or = 140,000/mm3 (odds ratio: 23.44, P < 0.001), globulin/albumin ratio > or = 1 (odds ratio: 31.47, P = 0.008), and AST/ALT ratio > or = (odds ratio: 6.58, P = 0.035) were significant predictors associated with hepatitis C virus-related compensated cirrhosis. Platelet count < or = 140,000/mm3 had 83% sensitivity and 85% specificity in detecting liver cirrhosis. Globulin/albumin ratio > or = 1 had 43% sensitivity, 98% specificity and AST/ALT ratio > or = 1 had 39% sensitivity, 92% specificity in detecting liver cirrhosis. Combined tests with AST/ALT > or = 1 and globulin/albumin > or = 1, platelet count < or = 140,000/mm3 and globulin/albumin > or = 1 had 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value but lower sensitivity (22% and 39% respectively), lower negative predictive value (83% and 86%, respectively) in detecting hepatitis C virus-related compensated liver cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS Simple blood tests with platelet count < or = 140,000/mm3, globulin/albumin ratio > or = 1, and AST/ALT ratio > or = 1 can indicate liver cirrhosis in follow-up patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Critical role of glioma‐associated oncogene homolog 1 in maintaining invasive and mesenchymal‐like properties of melanoma cells

Cutaneous melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer. This aggressiveness appears to be due to the cancer cells' ability to reversibly switch between phenotypes with non‐invasive and invasive potential, and microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF) is known to play a central role in this process. The transcription factor glioma‐associated oncogene homolog 1 (GLI1) is a component of the canonical and noncanonical sonic hedgehog pathways. Although GLI1 has been suggested to be involved in melanoma progression, its precise role and the mechanism underlying invasion remain unclear. Here we investigated whether and how GLI1 is involved in the invasive ability of melanoma cells. Gli1 knockdown (KD) melanoma cell lines, established by using Gli1‐targeting lentiviral short hairpin RNA, exhibited a markedly reduced invasion ability, but their MITF expression and activity were the same as controls. Gli1 KD melanoma cells also led to less lung metastasis in mice compared with control melanoma cells. Furthermore, the Gli1 KD melanoma cells underwent a mesenchymal‐to‐epithelial‐like transition, accompanied by downregulation of the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐inducing transcription factors (EMT‐TF) Snail1, Zeb1 and Twist1, but not Snail2 or Zeb2. Collectively, these results indicate that GLI1 is important for maintaining the invasive and mesenchymal‐like properties of melanoma cells independent of MITF, most likely by modulating a subset of EMT‐TF. Our findings provide new insight into how heterogeneity and plasticity are achieved and regulated in melanoma.
Gonadal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase in rats and mice.

Rat and mouse gonadal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity was measured and characterized in control and 3-methylcholanthrene (MC)-treated animals. The ovarian AHH activity increased 2- to 3-fold in Sprague-Dawley, Lewis, and Brown-Norway rats following MC treatment. The same treatment decreased the testicular AHH activity in Sprague-Dawley rats. The induction of AHH activity after MC administration was the same in ovaries from weanling and adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Ovarian AHH activity was located in the microsomal fraction, required NADPH, and had a broad pH optimum between 7.0 and 8.8. Both carbon monoxide and antibody to cytochrome c reductase inhibited the ovarian AHH activity, suggesting that the hydroxylase is a cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase. Basal testicular and ovarian AHH activity was similar in C57BL/6N (B6) and DBA/2N mice; however, after MC treatment an increase in gonadal AHH activity was observed only in B6 mice. Treatment with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin resulted in an increase in testicular AHH activity in both B6 and DBA/2N mice. The oocyte toxicity of MC in mice and rats was different. Seven days after a single i.p. injection of MC, 80 mg/kg, 87% of the primordial oocytes were destroyed in the ovaries of B6 mice, 69% were destroyed in DBA/2N mice, and none were destroyed in Sprague-Dawley rats. These data suggest that the oocyte toxicity of MC in the mouse is related to the ovarian AHH activity, whereas no association is found between the ovarian AHH activity and oocyte toxicity in the rat.
Full dimension MIMO (FD-MIMO): The next evolution of MIMO in LTE systems

Full dimension MIMO, or FD-MIMO, has attracted significant attention in the wireless industry and academia in the past few years as a candidate technology for the next generation evolution toward beyond fourth generation and 5G cellular systems. FD-MIMO utilizes a large number of antennas placed in a 2D antenna array panel for realizing spatially separated transmission links to a large number of mobile stations. The arrangement of these antennas on a 2D panel allows the extension of spatial separation to the elevation domain as well as the traditional azimuth domain. This article discusses features and performance benefits of FD-MIMO along with the ongoing standardization efforts in 3GPP to incorporate FD-MIMO features into the next evolution of LTE. Furthermore, a design of a 2D antenna array, which plays a key role in the implementation of FD-MIMO, is also discussed. Finally, in order to demonstrate performance benefits of FD-MIMO, system-level evaluation results are provided.
Cytotoxic Necrotizing Factor 1 of Escherichia coli Stimulates Rho/Rho-Kinase-Dependent Myosin Light-Chain Phosphorylation without Inactivating Myosin Light-Chain Phosphatase in Endothelial Cells

ABSTRACT Cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 (CNF-1) is an exotoxin of Escherichia coli that constitutively activates the GTPases Rho, Rac, and CDC42. Stimulation of Rho was shown to enhance myosin light-chain (MLC) phosphorylation via Rho kinase-mediated inhibition of MLC phosphatase in endothelial cells. Here we report that 3 h after CNF stimulation of endothelial cells, RhoA was activated and MLC phosphorylation was increased in a Rho/Rho-kinase-dependent manner, but no decrease in MLC phosphatase activity could be detected. Despite continuous RhoA activation, MLC phosphatase activity was doubled after 24 h of CNF stimulation, and this coincided with decreased MLC phosphorylation and cell spreading. Rac was also activated at 3 to 24 h but did not contribute to MLC phosphorylation, and its amount gradually decreased in the CNF-stimulated cells. CDC42Hs was not activated above control values by CNF. These results suggest that CNF can induce specific decoupling (Rho kinase from MLC phosphatase) and deactivation events in Rho GTPase signaling, potentially reflecting cellular protection mechanisms against permanently active Rho GTPases.
The influence of innovation on the performance of small and medium enterprises in Zimbabwe

Abstract Based on a survey of 200 SMEs, this research investigated innovation’s influence on the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Harare, Zimbabwe. The study found that SMEs were somewhat innovative. The performance of SMEs was found to somewhat increase over the period SMEs were innovating. Innovation was found to positively predict the performance of SMEs. Organizational innovation and product innovation positively predicted the performance of SMEs while marketing innovation and process innovation did not. The influence of innovation on enterprise performance varied from industry to industry. The research has implications for managers and future researchers.
Clinician adherence to guidelines in the delivery of family-based therapy for eating disorders.

OBJECTIVE Clinicians have been shown to drift away from protocol in their delivery of evidence-based treatments. This study explores this phenomenon in the delivery of family-based therapy (FBT) for eating disorders, and the clinician characteristics that might explain such therapist drift. METHOD The participants were 117 clinicians who reported using FBT for eating disorders. They completed an online survey, which included questions relating to clinician characteristics, caseload, and reported use of FBT manuals and core therapeutic tasks, as well as a measure of anxiety. RESULTS The use of core FBT tasks was higher than for other therapies, but there were still noteworthy gaps between recommended and reported practice. Approximately a third of clinicians reported delivering "FBT" that deviated very substantially from evidence-based protocols, often appearing to be on an individual therapy basis. Using an FBT manual to guide treatment delivery was associated with greater adherence to recommended techniques. Clinician caseload and anxiety were associated with differences in the use of specific FBT tasks. DISCUSSION Consistent with previous research regarding clinicians' use of other therapies, the delivery of FBT for the eating disorders is not homogeneous. CONCLUSION Further investigation of this phenomenon is needed to determine the impact of deviating from treatment protocols on the effectiveness of FBT for the eating disorders.
Statin Therapy Significantly Reduces Risk of Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias in Patients With an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

A few observational studies have shown the protective effect of statins on preventing ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF). However, the disparate study results prompt further exploration of this concept. We performed a meta-analysis to assess whether statin therapy is associated with a decrease in the incidence or recurrence of VT/VF in patients with an implantable cardioverter–defibrillator (ICD). The MEDLINE® and Cochrane databases were searched from 1980 to July 2009 for studies examining the effect of statins on VT/VF in recipients of ICDs. We retrieved all prospective cohort studies that examined this association. The endpoint was defined as appropriate ICD therapy for VT/VF. The quality of individual studies was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale.Seven prospective cohort studies met our inclusion criteria with a total of 2278 patients with a mean follow-up of 19.7 months. Pooled analysis of the eligible studies revealed that statin therapy was associated with a 45% reduction in the risk of developing VT/VF in recepients of ICDs [pooled odds ratio (pOR): 0.55; 95% confidence interval: 0.34–0.90; heterogeneity I2 = 81%, P = 0.02]. In a subgroup analysis, the magnitude of the risk reduction in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy was 54% (pOR: 0.46, P = 0.05). Sensitivity analysis including studies with higher methodological qualities alone showed a significant protective effect (pOR: 0.48, P = 0.01). There was no evidence of publication bias in the analysis.Our meta-analysis suggests an association between the use of statin and a reduction in the VT/VF occurrence in recipients of ICDs, mainly in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Air Pollution from Incinerators and Reproductive Outcomes: A Multisite Study

Background: The few studies that have investigated the relationship between emissions from municipal solid-waste incinerators and adverse pregnancy outcomes have had conflicting results. We conducted a study to assess the effects of air emissions from the eight incinerators currently in operation in the Emilia-Romagna Region of Italy on reproductive outcomes (sex ratio, multiple births, preterm births, and small for gestational age [SGA] births). Methods: We considered all births (n = 21,517) to women residing within a 4-km radius of an incinerator at the time of delivery during the period 2003–2010 who were successfully linked to the Delivery Certificate database. This source also provided information on maternal characteristics and deliveries. Each newborn was georeferenced and characterized by a specific level of exposure to incinerator emissions, categorized in quintiles of PM10, and other sources of pollution (NOx quartiles), evaluated by means of ADMS-Urban system dispersion models. We ran logistic regression models for each outcome, adjusting for exposure to other pollution sources and maternal covariates. Results: Incinerator pollution was not associated with sex ratio, multiple births, or frequency of SGA. Preterm delivery increased with increasing exposure (test for trend, P < 0.001); for the highest versus the lowest quintile exposure, the odds ratio was 1.30 (95% confidence interval = 1.08–1.57). A similar trend was observed for very preterm babies. Several sensitivity analyses did not alter these results. Conclusions: Maternal exposure to incinerator emissions, even at very low levels, was associated with preterm delivery.
beta2-Adrenoceptor Density of Human Lymphocytes After Nitroprusside-Induced Hypotension

The present study was undertaken to assess the influence of nitroprusside-induced hypotension on beta2-adrenoceptor density. Twenty-four patients undergoing noseseptum corrections under general anesthesia were allocated randomly to a nitroprusside or control group. beta2-Receptor density on lymphocytes was measured by binding studies using (-)125 I-iodocyanopindolol. Lymphocyte subpopulations B, T, T (helper), Tsuppressor, and natural killer cells were determined simultaneously by flow cytometry. Five of 12 nitroprusside-treated patients developed significant intraoperative increases of epinephrine levels (+ 69% versus preoperatively) which were not seen in the remaining seven patients. In these five patients, beta2-receptor density of unfractionated lymphocytes was 26% lower (P < 0.05) on the first day after surgery compared with preoperative values. Since no changes in proportions of lymphocyte subpopulations were observed, these results are not caused by redistribution phenomena inducing a decrease of subsets with a high number of beta receptors. These findings suggest that beta2-adrenergic responsiveness might be diminished after nitroprusside treatment in some patients. (Anesth Analg 1995;81:1250-4)
Preseason Maximal Aerobic Power in Professional Soccer Players Among Different Divisions

Abstract Marcos, MA, Koulla, PM, and Anthos, ZI. Preseason maximal aerobic power in professional soccer players among different divisions. J Strength Cond Res 32(2): 356–363, 2018—The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the anthropometric, maximal oxygen uptake (V[Combining Dot Above]O2max), and positional differences of first division (D1) professional football players from players of second (D2) and third (D3) divisions in Cyprus football leagues. Four hundred twenty-one professional male football players participated in this study. All subjects underwent anthropometric and body composition evaluation. In addition, they performed an incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) on a treadmill for V[Combining Dot Above]O2max evaluation. The results were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance, between subjects design revealing significant effects among the divisions. Tukey's honest significant difference (HSD) tests demonstrated that players from D1 scored significantly higher on V[Combining Dot Above]O2max and lasted significantly longer on the treadmill than participants of D2 and D3 (p ⩽ 0.05). Similar findings were demonstrated when D2 was contrasted against D3 players. Goalkeepers, defenders, and forwards demonstrated significantly higher anthropometric measurements, whereas wingers and midfielders demonstrated significantly higher V[Combining Dot Above]O2max (p ⩽ 0.05) than goalkeepers and defenders. The findings of this study clearly demonstrated that cardiovascular fitness, as determined by CPET, is an important fitness parameter that differentiates professional football players who play at a more advanced level. This could be attributed to the different seasonal schedules that allow for longer transition time for lower division players and thus favoring greater detraining effects. Emphasis should be given by fitness professionals on transition period training to minimize the detraining effects especially in lower divisions.
Ideas and Challenges for Securing Wireless Implantable Medical Devices: A Review

Implantable medical devices (IMDs) are normally used for monitoring and treating various medical conditions. These days, wireless modules have become an intrinsic part of many modern IMDs. So, doctors can use device programmers wirelessly to configure parameters in the IMDs. However, such a wireless technology exposes the IMDs to security attacks. In this paper, we analyze potential threats faced by the IMDs and discuss security solutions proposed in the existing literature to counter these threats. Securing an IMD involves three design tradeoffs that require a careful consideration. The first one is security versus accessibility in an emergency situation. We compare the IMD security schemes in the literature in terms of their merits and disadvantages. The second one is the tradeoff between the security schemes for supporting emergency access and those for supporting normal check-up access to the IMDs. This normal check-up access to the IMDs should avoid extra resource consumptions, which is different from the requirement in the emergency access. The third one is between the requirements of strong security and limited resources. The IMD, as a tiny wireless device used for medical purposes, has very limited resources when compared with a generic wireless sensor device/node. We analyze various schemes that aim to conserve the underlying resources of an IMD and also counter battery denial of service attacks from different perspectives. Based on the literature review, we analyze general concerns in the IMD security design from the system engineering point of view, and discuss possible future research directions.