Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive monitoring of adrenocortical activity in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) by measurement of fecal cortisol metabolites.

A method for measuring glucocorticoids noninvasively in feces of roe deer was established and validated. The enzyme immunoassay (EIA) measures 11,17-dioxoandrostanes (11,17-DOA), a group of cortisol metabolites. Such measurement avoids blood sampling and reflects a dampened pattern of diurnal glucocorticoid secretion, providing an integrated measure of adrenocortical activity. After high-performance liquid chromatography, the presence of at least three different immunoreactive 11,17-DOA in the feces of roe deer was demonstrated. The physiological relevance of these fecal cortisol metabolites to adrenocortical activity was evaluated with an adrenocorticotropic hormone challenge test: cortisol metabolite concentrations exceeded pretreatment levels (31-78 ng/g) up to 13-fold (183-944 ng/g) within 8-23 h. Starting from basal levels between 13 and 71 ng/g, a suppression of adrenocortical activity after dexamethasone administration, indicated by metabolite levels close to the detection limit, was obtained 36-81 h after treatment, whereas unmetabolized dexamethasone was detectable in feces 12 h after its injection. Fecal glucocorticoid metabolite assessment via EIA is therefore of use in the monitoring of adrenocortical activity in roe deer. In a second experiment, capture, veterinary treatment, and transportation of animals were used as experimental stresses. This resulted in a 7.5-fold increase of fecal metabolites (1200 +/- 880 ng/g, mean +/- SD) compared to baseline concentrations. The administration of a long-acting tranquilizer (LAT), designed to minimize the physiological stress response, 2 days prior to a similar stress event led to a reduced stress response, resulting in only a 4-fold increase of fecal metabolites (650 +/- 280 ng/g; mean +/- SD). Therefore, LATs should be further investigated for their effectiveness in reducing stress responses in zoo and wild animals, e.g., when translocations are necessary.
Frequencies and relative levels of clustered damages in DNA exposed to gamma rays in radioquenching vs. nonradioquenching conditions

Clustered damage induced by ionizing radiation—two or more oxidized bases, abasic sites, or strand breaks within a few DNA helical turns—have been postulated to be major lethal and/or mutagenic sites. Although they have recently been shown to be induced in genomic DNAs by ionizing photons and particles, little is known of the factors that affect their yields or the relative levels of the classes of clusters. Toward this aim we have investigated the effect of DNA milieu, specifically, a nonradioquenching (phosphate) or radioquenching (Tris) solution, upon the generation of clustered lesions in a well‐defined molecule, T7 bacteriophage DNA. Irradiation of DNA in Tris reduces the yields of all clustered damages to 1–3% of the levels formed in phosphate. Further, although the percentage of the total clusters in oxidized purine clusters is largely unchanged, and the level of abasic clusters decreases, the frequencies of double‐strand breaks and oxidized pyrimidine clusters increase in the radioquenching solution. The ratio of the level of oxidized pyrimidine clusters to double‐strand breaks in a DNA in radioquenching solution is similar to that obtained in DNA in human cells, also a radioquenching environment. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 38:159–165, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dialect change in resident killer whales: implications for vocal learning and cultural transmission

Variation in vocal signals among populations and social groups of animals provides opportunities for the study of the mechanisms of behavioural change and their importance in generating and maintaining behavioural variation. We analysed two call types made by two matrilineal social groups of resident killer whales, Orcinus orca, over 12-13 years. We used a neural network-based index of acoustic similarity to identify mechanisms of call differentiation. A test for structural modification of the calls detected significant changes in one call type in both groups, but not in the other. For the modified call type, the rate of divergence between the two groups was significantly lower than the rate of modification within either group showing that calls were modified in a similar fashion in the two groups. An analysis of structural parameters detected no strong directionality in the change. The pattern of call modification could have been caused by maturational changes to the calls or, if killer whale dialects are learned behavioural traits, cultural drift in the structure of the calls together with horizontal transmission of modifications between the two groups. Such vocal matching between members of different matrilines would suggest that vocal learning is not limited to vertical transmission from mother to offspring, which has important implications for models of gene-culture coevolution. Copyright 2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
A comparison of Granger causality and coherency in fMRI‐based analysis of the motor system

The ability of functional MRI to acquire data from multiple brain areas has spurred developments not only in voxel‐by‐voxel analyses, but also in multivariate techniques critical to quantifying the interactions between brain areas. As the number of multivariate techniques multiplies, however, few studies in any modality have directly compared different connectivity measures, and fewer still have done so in the context of well‐characterized neural systems. To focus specifically on the temporal dimension of interactions between brain regions, we compared Granger causality and coherency (Sun et al., 2004 , 2005 : Neuroimage 21:647–658, Neuroimage 28:227–237) in a well‐studied motor system (1) to gain further insight into the convergent and divergent results expected from each technique, and (2) to investigate the leading and lagging influences between motor areas as subjects performed a motor task in which they produced different learned series of eight button presses. We found that these analyses gave convergent but not identical results: both techniques, for example, suggested an anterior‐to‐posterior temporal gradient of activity from supplemental motor area through premotor and motor cortices to the posterior parietal cortex, but the techniques were differentially sensitive to the coupling strength between areas. We also found practical reasons that might argue for the use of one technique over another in different experimental situations. Ultimately, the ideal approach to fMRI data analysis is likely to involve a complementary combination of methods, possibly including both Granger causality and coherency. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Siblings of children with complex care needs: their perspectives and experiences of participating in everyday life.

BACKGROUND Participating in everyday life is essential to the healthy development and emotional well-being of children. However, little is known about siblings of children with complex care needs (CCN), and their perspectives and experiences of participating in everyday life. The aim of this paper is to present research findings that add to our understanding of how siblings of children with CCN view and experience participation in everyday life. METHODS To arrive at a detailed and accurate understanding of the siblings' perspectives and experiences, we used the qualitative research design of ethnography. Sixteen siblings (seven brothers, nine sisters) of children with CCN were recruited. The siblings ranged in age between 7 and 25 years, with a mean age of 14 years. All siblings took part in opened-ended interviews and completed ecomaps to describe how they participate. Five siblings also took part in the photovoice method. Analysis involved several iterative steps, congruent with ethnography. RESULTS Four main themes emerged as follows: (1) participation is about being part of a group; (2) it feels good; (3) I love my sibling but…; and (4) promoting participation. Siblings of children with CCN identified challenges to participation and also described ways that they participate that relate to the care of their sibling. CONCLUSIONS Siblings prioritized the relationship with their sisters and brothers with CCN in their life, and a great deal of their participation was chosen with their sibling in mind. Sibling-to-sibling relationships were distinct and meaningful and, as a result, participation was always done mindfully and with the family needs at the forefront. Nonetheless, clinicians caring for children with CCN must keep in mind the challenges that siblings of children with CCN experience and provide strategies to siblings that will help to promote their participation in everyday life.
Measurement of serum total thyroxine, triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, and thyrotropin concentrations for diagnosis of hypothyroidism in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether measurement of baseline serum concentrations of total thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3), free T4, and thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone; TSH) would aid in the diagnosis of hypothyroidism in dogs. DESIGN Prospective case series. ANIMALS 54 dogs with hypothyroidism, 54 euthyroid dogs with nonthyroidal disease initially suspected to have hypothyroidism, and 150 clinically normal dogs. PROCEDURE In the 54 dogs with hypothyroidism, diagnosis was established on the basis of clinical signs, results of routine laboratory and TSH stimulation tests, exclusion of concurrent nonthyroidal disease, and a good clinical response to treatment with L-thyroxine. Blood samples were collected from all dogs and were tested for thyroid hormone and TSH concentrations. Reference ranges for hormone concentrations were established on the basis of results for the 150 clinically normal dogs. RESULTS Of the 54 hypothyroid dogs, 48 (89%) had low total T4 concentrations, 3 had low-normal concentrations, and 3 had high concentrations because of T4 autoantibodies. In contrast, only 10 (18%) euthyroid dogs had low total T4 concentrations. Only 3 of 31 (10%) hypothyroid dogs had low T3 concentrations; 23 had concentrations within the reference range, and 5 had high concentrations because of T3 autoantibodies. Only 3 of 38 euthyroid dogs had low T3 concentrations. Of the hypothyroid dogs, 53 (98%) had low free T4 concentrations and 1 had a low-normal concentration. Only 4 (7%) euthyroid dogs had low free T4 concentrations. Of the hypothyroid dogs, 41 (76%) had high TSH concentrations, and 13 had TSH concentrations within the reference range. Of the euthyroid dogs, only 4 (8%) had high TSH concentrations. Of all single hormone measurements evaluated, measurement of free T4 concentration had the highest sensitivity (0.98), specificity (0.93), and accuracy (0.95) as a test for hypothyroidism; measurement of total T4 concentration had a lower sensitivity (0.89), specificity (0.82), and accuracy (0.85). Compared with measurement of total or free T4 concentration, measurement of TSH concentration had a lower sensitivity (0.76) and accuracy (0.84) but specificity (0.93) equal to that for measurement of free T4 concentration. When T4 (total or free) and TSH concentrations were evaluated together, specificity was higher than when T4 or TSH concentration was evaluated alone. Only 1 euthyroid dog had low T4 (total and free) and high TSH concentrations. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Results indicate that measurement of serum free T4 and TSH concentrations is useful for diagnosis of hypothyroidism in dogs. About a quarter of the dogs with confirmed hypothyroidism, however, will have serum TSH concentrations within reference limits.
Evaluation of hematuria in adults.

GROSS hematuria (GH) or microscopic hematuria (MH) may be a clue to serious urologic disease, including malignancy. However, there is no consensus concerning either the level of MH to evaluate or the extent of the evaluation.1-5In recent series, 39% to 90% of those with MH on screening urinalysis were not tested further.3-5In those who were evaluated, an intravenous pyelogram (IVP) and cystoscopy were commonly not performed. With these points in mind, I will review the subject of hematuria in adults. DEFINITION AND DEMOGRAPHICS OF MH The marked variations in the reported upper limit of normal for urinary red blood cells (RBCs) in subjects without apparent renal disease are primarily due to the different methods of quantification (Table 1) and to the lack of control of activities just prior to urine collection that may induce transient MH (eg, mild trauma, exercise, viral illness, sexual activity, or digital
Institutional Repository Evolving rules-based control

An approach to control non-linear objects based on evolving Rule-based (eR) models is presented in the paper. Fuzzy rules, representing the structure of the controller are generated based on data collected during the process of control using newly introduced technique for on-line identification of Takagi-Sugeno type of fuzzy rule-based models. Initially, the process is supposed to be controlled for few time steps by any other conventional type of controller (P, PID or a fuzzy one with a fixed structure determined off-line). Then, in on-line mode the output of the plant under control (including its dynamic) and the respective control signal applied has been memorised and stored. These data has been used to train in a non-iterative way the eR model representing the fuzzy controller, which aim is to control the plant at a given set point. The indirect adaptive control approach has been used in combination with the newly introduced on-line identification technique based on unsupervised learning of antecedent and consequent parts separately. This approach exploits the quasi-linear nature of Takagi-Sugeno models and builds-up the control rule-base structure and adapts it in on-line mode. The method is illustrated with an example from air-conditioning systems, though it has wider potential applications.
Barley yellow dwarf virus in aphids caught in suction traps, 1969-73.

SUMMARY Suction traps operating at low level (1 5 m) were used to catch live alate Rhopalosiphum padi, Macrosiphum (Sitobion) avenae and Metopolophium dirhodum which were tested for transmission of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). The first species caught and infective was R. padi, followed by M. (S.) avenae infective some 2–3 wk later and M. dirhodum 3–4 wk later still. Never more than 11-5% of the annual catch of any species transmitted BYDV and the proportion fluctuated from week to week and between seasons in different years. The relative abundance of infective vectors of ths three species varied; annual numbers of infective M. (S.) avenae and M. dirhodum varied inversely with infective R. padi, the latter also usually transmitted severer virus. The results of the infectivity tests have been compared with the catches of these aphids by the Rothamsted Insect Survey and show that numbers of alate aphids do not necessarily indicate the likely incidence of BYDV.
Cytomegalovirus-specific T cell immunotherapy promotes restoration of durable functional antiviral immunity following allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND The profound immunodeficiency associated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is permissive to uncontrolled replication of latent human herpesviridae such as cytomegalovirus. Morbidity and mortality associated with viral dissemination or its treatment are significant. Although adoptive cellular therapy with virus-specific T cells offers the potential for accelerating pathogen-specific immune reconstitution, the risk of induction of graft-versus-host disease and the logistics of production of clonal T cell populations restrict application. METHODS We investigated the ability of cytomegalovirus-specific mixed CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell lines, generated by short-term ex vivo culture of donor lymphocytes with donor monocyte-derived dendritic cells pulsed with virus lysate, to restore antiviral immunity in 30 allogeneic transplant recipients at high risk of both uncontrolled viral replication and of graft-versus-host disease. RESULTS There were no immediate toxicities and no excess of graft-versus-host disease. Massive in vivo expansions of cytomegalovirus-specific T lymphocytes occurred, temporally associating with periods of viral replication, suggesting that antigen exposure was necessary for optimal cytomegalovirus-specific immune reconstitution. The expanding populations maintained functional competence in ex vivo re-stimulation assays, promoting reconstitution of durable functional cytomegalovirus-specific immunity and effectively preventing recurrent viral infection and late cytomegalovirus disease. CONCLUSIONS These data confirm the ability of cellular immunotherapy to hasten reconstitution of antiviral immunity following allogeneic transplantation, indicating that significant clinical benefits may be conferred in terms of reduction of secondary viral infection episodes, potentially reducing exposure to the toxicities of antiviral drugs.
FPSO electrical network optimization for significant savings: where lies the cost?

In the past decade, the cost of FPSO projects has increased significantly while the oil price dropped drastically. This paper aims to outline several technical options often specified in FPSO electrical network (architecture and switchgear) and analyses their impact on the installation global cost, footprint and weight reduction. A specification on a particular equipment may not have a significant impact on the equipment itself, but it could lead to a huge reduction on some other parts of the electrical network. For example, use of a “higher” low voltage does not really impact the motors cost but will significantly reduce the size of the cables and the space required for their installation. Unnecessary over specifications linked to habits could generate also additional costs in the electrical architecture. Simplifications exist with the same level of reliability and operability, for instance a 2xN architecture can be optimized into innovative N + 2 architecture. This paper explains several options representing a potential 20% cost reduction of the FPSO electrical installation with additional footprint and weight reduction.
Plasma lipids in a London population and their relation to other risk factors for coronary heart disease.

SUMMARY Fasting plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol concentrations have been measured in a random sample of 502 men and 503 women London local government employees, aged 16 to 64 years. In subjects aged 35 to 54 years, the frequency of 'hypercholesterolaemia', defined by one recently recommended criterion of plasma cholesterol . 7-1 mmol/l, was 28-0 per cent in the men and 30 4 per cent in the women. The frequency of 'hypertriglycerid-aemia' (plasma triglyceride >2-0 mmol/l) in the same age group was 24 8 per cent for the men and 6-0 per cent for the women.
Inhibition of mRNA Maturation by Compounds Which Have a Flavonoid Skeleton

Post-transcriptional modifications of nascent mRNA include 5’ capping, splicing and 3’ end polyadenylation, resulting in the emergence of mature mRNA. Recent findings indicate that mRNA splicing inhibitors can be potential anti-cancer candidates. Soy-isoflavone fractions displayed an inhibitory effect of mRNA processing among a number of dietary components. Two major components of the isoflavone fraction, daidzin and genistin did not have an inhibitory activity against mRNA maturation. The aglycone form of them also failed to inhibit mRNA maturation. Instead, compounds with flavone skeleton inhibited the mRNA maturation in the nucleus. Considering that the structural difference between flavone and isoflavone compounds is that B-ring is attached either on the 2’ or 3’ position of C-ring, respectively, anti-mRNA maturation activity may require a defined structural basis. These data indicate that compounds with flavone skeleton specifically alter the mRNA processing step.
Anaesthesia and the Mucopolysaccharidoses: A Survey of Techniques and Problems

Mucopolysaccharide infiltration of tissues in Hurler, Hunter, San Filippo, Maroteaux-Lamy, Morquio and Scheie syndromes causes problems to anaesthetists in the management of the airway and in myocardial function. Recent experience at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, is presented with illustrations highlighting these problems.
Physico-Chemical Stability of Mixtures of Fosaprepitant used in Clinical

Fosaprepitant dimeglumine is a new drug indicated to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with highly emetogenic cisplatin-based and moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy in adults. Due to its complexity in managing, since it requires reconstitution and dilution before intraveonous administration, it is necessary to evalu- ate physico-chemical stability of fosaprepitant at concentrations used in our routine clinical practice and at differ- ent conditions of storage to expand the information datasheet (fosaprepitant 150 mg in 150 mL of 0.9 g/dl sodium chloride (NaCl) at ambient conditions and light for 24 hours) and simplify preparation technique conforming to the fluid marketed branches. These studies should be carried out following the recommendations International Confer- ence on Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines for evaluate stability and the criteria of the United States Pharmacopeia to maintain quality and safety of the preparation. So, stability study of fosaprepitant 150 mg in 50, 100 and 250 mL of 0.9 g/dl NaCl at room temperature/refrigerated and protective from/exposed to ambient light has been carried out. An HPLC method has been developed and validated according to ICH guidelines to evaluate chemical stability of fosaprepitant. Physical stability study has been carried out by visual inspection, measure of pH and gravimetry to control evaporation. The results shown in this paper represent the first evidence of the physico-chemical stability of the mixtures of fosaprepitant 150 mg in 50, 100 and 250 mL of 0.9 g/dl NaCl are physico-chemically stable for 7 days at room temperature (27.0 ± 0.9°C) and refrigerated (4.9 ± 1.5°C); and exposed to ambient light, 15 days at room temperature and refrigerated and protected from light and 12 days fosaprepitant reconstituted and stored refriger- ated and exposed to light.
Five cases with central diabetes insipidus and hypogonadism as first presentation of neurosarcoidosis.

OBJECTIVES We retrospectively reviewed 5 patients with neurosarcoidosis, who all presented with central diabetes insipidus and hypogonadism. DESIGN This was a single-centre, retrospective analysis of 5 cases with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. METHODS Case analysis included clinical, biochemical, and endocrinological evaluation and frequent CT/MRI scans of involved organs as primary evaluation and in response to immunosuppressive therapy. RESULT Neurosarcoidosis was diagnosed in all patients. Two patients had no proven extracerebral manifestation and had a stable disease over 3 and 5 years. One patient showed deterioration with corticosteroids alone but partial remission after additional cyclophosphamide. Pituitary dysfunction remained unchanged in all patients, despite total clinical and radiological remission in two patients. However, one of these patients died of acute granulomatous meningoencephalitis after two years of follow-up. CONCLUSION Although the presenting symptoms of neurosarcoidosis may vary, the occurrence of central diabetes insipidus associated with typical radiological features is suggestive of neurosarcoidosis. However, there is an increasing number of case reports on lymphocytic hypophysitis. Without the bioptic diagnosis, the differentiation between potentially lethal isolated neurosarcoidosis and lymphocytic hypophysitis is difficult. These cases demonstrate the difficulties in diagnosing neurosarcoidosis and reflect experiences with follow-up parameters.