Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ACTIVITIES OF SOME ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES AND LIPID PEROXIDATION IN LIVER CANCER PATIENTS

Introduction: Liver cancer is the leading cause of death due to malignancies worldwide. The extent of free radical induced oxidative stress can be exacerbated by the decreased efficiency of antioxidant mechanisms, The present study was conducted to investigate the extent of oxidative stress and the levels of antioxidants in the circulation of liver cancer patients. Method: Plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and level of some antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and non enzymatic antioxidants vitaminC and vitamin E were estimated in the circulations of 50 liver cancer patients and an equal number of age matched normal subjects. Results: Significantly increased concentrations of plasma TBARS, significantly lowered levels of SOD, CAT, VitC and VitE were observed in liver cancer patients and may be due to their increased utilization to scavenge lipids peroxides as well as their sequestration by tumor cells. Increase levels of lipid peroxidation may be due to excessive oxidative stress.
Accelerated computation of the free space Green's function of semi-infinite phased arrays of dipoles

In this Communication, we provide an efficient algorithm for the evaluation of the semi-infinite array Green's function (SAGF) for a semi-infinite planar periodic phased array of dipoles in free space. For observation points not too far from the array plane, the algorithm uses a hybrid spectral-spatial representation of the Green's function accelerated with the Levin T method, that we show to be faster than the Shanks method. For observation points sufficiently far away from the array plane, we show that the SAGF is efficiently evaluated by using asymptotic field expressions. Asymptotics is also used to explain the loss of accuracy of the Levin T accelerator in certain regions, and a correction procedure is proposed to overcome this problem
Leukotriene C4 Transport and Metabolism in the Central Nervous System

Abstract: The transport and metabolism of radiolabeled leukotriene (LT) C4 in the CNS were investigated after intraventricular injection. Under thiopental (Pentothal) anesthesia, New Zealand white rabbits were injected intracerebroventricularly with 0.2 ml of artificial CSF containing 2.5 μCi of [3H]LTC4 (36 Ci/mmol), 0.3 μCi of [4C]mannitol, and, in some cases, 0.9 mg of probenecid, 1.8 mg of cysteine, 1.4 μg of unlabeled LTC4, or 2 mg of tolazoline HCl. After 2 h, the conscious rabbits were killed, and the quantity and nature of the 3H and 14C were determined in CSF, choroid plexus, and brain. The [3H]LTC4 recovered in CSF and brain was not extensively metabolized, as >70% of the 3H remained [3H]LTC4, although some spontaneous conversion to 11‐trans‐[3H]LTC4 occurred. Oxidized forms of [3H]LTC4, [3H]LTD4, and [3H]LTE4 did not exceed 18% in CSF and brain. After intraventricular injection of [3H]LTC4, 3H was transferred from the CSF to blood by a probenecidsensitive, but tolazoline‐insensitive, transport system in the CNS much more rapidly than mannitol. Cysteine decreased the retention of [3H]LTC4 in brain. These results are consistent with previous in vitro observations that [3H]LTC4 is transferred from CSF into blood by an efficient transport system for LTC4 in choroid plexus.
Drug Resistance and Drug Combination Features of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Inhibitor, BCH-10652 [(±)-2′-Deoxy-3′-Oxa-4′-Thiocytidine, dOTC]

The heterosubstituted nucleoside analogue dOTC [(±)-2′-deoxy-3′-oxa-4′-thiocytidine, BCH-10652] is a racemic compound structurally related to 3TC (lamivudine), but has the oxygen and sulphur in the furanosyl ring transposed. Both the enantiomers (-)dOTC (BCH-10618) and (+)dOTC (BCH-10619) had equivalent activity against wild-type strains of HIV-1 in C8166 T-cells (EC50 1.0–10.0 μM) and in PBMCs (EC50 0.1–3.0 μM). Investigation of the activity of dOTC and its enantiomers against laboratory strains of HIV-1 with defined resistance to 3TC, AZT (zidovudine), ddl (didanosine), PMEA (adefovir), nevirapine and saquinavir indicated that sensitivity was maintained (< 3-fold change in EC50) in all cases, with the exception of HIV-1RF 3TC-resistant viruses. The degree of resistance recorded for dOTC (four- to sevenfold), (-)dOTC (five- to eightfold) and (+)dOTC (five- to > 18-fold) against these M184I or M184V mutants, was significantly less than that recorded for 3TC (>100-fold). In addition, the inhibitory effect of the compounds against clinical isolates of HIV-1 recovered from patients with suspected resistance to 3TC and AZT was investigated. Clinical isolates were genotyped using the Murex Line Probe Assay (LiPA) and subgrouped into wild-type, 3TC-resistant and dual 3TC/AZT-resistant, as well as undefined or mixed genotype populations. Compared with the mean EC50 values obtained with genotypically and phenotypically wild-type clinical isolates, the mean EC50 values calculated for isolates phenotypically resistant to 3TC or 3TC and AZT were only 2.6-, 1.6- and 8.2-fold higher for dOTC, (-)dOTC and (+)dOTC, respectively. When the rate of emergence of virus resistant to dOTC and its enantiomers in vitro was investigated, virus resistant to (+)dOTC was readily selected for (< 10 passages), and a methionine (ATG) to isoleucine (ATA) amino acid change at codon 184 was identified. In contrast, virus resistant to dOTC and (-)dOTC took longer to appear (15–20 passages), with a methionine (ATG) to valine (GTG) amino acid change at position 184 identified in both cases. In addition, virus passaged 20 times in the presence of dOTC also had a partial lysine (AAA) to arginine (AGA) exchange at position 65. These viruses showed only low-level resistance to dOTC and its enantiomers, but were highly resistant to 3TC. The antiviral effects of dOTC in combination with the nucleoside RT inhibitors AZT, 3TC, d4T (stavudine) and ddl, the non-nucleoside RT inhibitor nevirapine and the protease inhibitors saquinavir, ritonavir and indinavir was investigated. Two-way drug combination assays were carried out in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures by measuring the reduction in p24 viral antigen levels, and data was analysed using the MacSynergy II program. dOTC in combination with 3TC or d4T showed a moderate synergistic effect while all other combinations had an additive interaction.
Insight into the roles of selection in speciation from genomic patterns of divergence and introgression in secondary contact in venomous rattlesnakes

Abstract Investigating secondary contact of historically isolated lineages can provide insight into how selection and drift influence genomic divergence and admixture. Here, we studied the genomic landscape of divergence and introgression following secondary contact between lineages of the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) to determine whether genomic regions under selection in allopatry also contribute to reproductive isolation during introgression. We used thousands of nuclear loci to study genomic differentiation between two lineages that have experienced recent secondary contact following isolation, and incorporated sampling from a zone of secondary contact to identify loci that are resistant to gene flow in hybrids. Comparisons of patterns of divergence and introgression revealed a positive relationship between allelic differentiation and resistance to introgression across the genome, and greater‐than‐expected overlap between genes linked to lineage‐specific divergence and loci that resist introgression. Genes linked to putatively selected markers were related to prominent aspects of rattlesnake biology that differ between populations of Western Diamondback rattlesnakes (i.e., venom and reproductive phenotypes). We also found evidence for selection against introgression of genes that may contribute to cytonuclear incompatibility, consistent with previously observed biased patterns of nuclear and mitochondrial alleles suggestive of partial reproductive isolation due to cytonuclear incompatibilities. Our results provide a genome‐scale perspective on the relationships between divergence and introgression in secondary contact that is relevant for understanding the roles of selection in maintaining partial isolation of lineages, causing admixing lineages to not completely homogenize.
Is the Clock Still Ticking? An Evaluation of the Consequences of Stopping the Tenure Clock

Using a longitudinal administrative data set from a large research university, the authors empirically evaluate the consequences of using stop the clock (STC) policies for the career success of tenure track faculty. STC policies were introduced approximately 40 years ago, yet surprisingly little has been written about how they affect career outcomes. The prevalence of the ideal worker norm in academia raises the possibility of negative consequences as evaluators may treat STC policy use as a signal that the faculty member lacks sufficient commitment to his or her academic role. Consistent with this possibility, the authors find that faculty members who stop their clock for family reasons incur a salary penalty relative to faculty members who do not stop their clock, which cannot be explained by differences in productivity. Alternatively, faculty members who use the policy are not at a promotion disadvantage as compared with nonusers, and they actually have higher promotion rates.
Use of critical incident reports in medical education

Critical incident reports are now being widely used in medical education. They are short narrative accounts focusing on the most important professional experiences of medical students, residents, and other learners. As such, critical incident reports are ideally suited for addressing values and attitudes, and teaching professional development. This manuscript describes critical incident reports and gives examples of their use, provides a theoretical underpinning that explains their effectiveness, and describes the educational impacts of critical incident reports and similar methods that use reflective learning. The author recommends critical incident reports as an especially effective means to address learners’ most deeply held values and attitudes in the context of their professional experiences.
Cannabinoids alter spontaneous firing, bursting, and cell synchrony of hippocampal principal cells

Both natural and synthetic cannabinoid receptor (e.g., CB1) agonists such as Δ9‐THC, WIN 55,212‐2 (WIN‐2), and HU‐210 disrupt spatial cognition presumably through the inhibition of synchrony of hippocampal ensemble firing to task‐related events. Although the CB1 receptor agonist CP 55,940 also disrupts the synchronous firing of hippocampal neurons, it does not seem to affect the average firing rate. This difference is not readily explained by the chemical structure and pharmacology of the different compounds thus warranting a more detailed examination into (i) how other cannabinoids affect the spontaneous firing, bursting, and cell synchrony of hippocampal principal cells located in CA3 and CA1 subfields, and (ii) whether these effects are indeed mediated through CB1 receptors, which will be explored by the selective antagonist AM‐251. Male Long‐Evans rats surgically implanted with multielectrode arrays to hippocampal CA3 and CA1 were anesthetized and principal cells discharging at 0.25–6.0 Hz were isolated and “tracked” following the systemic administration of Tween‐80, Δ9‐THC (1 or 3 mg/kg) or WIN‐2 (1 mg/kg) or HU‐210 (100 μg/kg), and 1.5 mg/kg AM‐281. All cannabinoids except for 1 mg/kg Δ9‐THC reliably reduced average firing rates and altered “burst” characteristics, which were reversible with AM‐281 for Δ9‐THC and WIN‐2 but not for HU‐210. In addition, all cannabinoids disrupted intrasubfield and intersubfield ensemble synchrony of pyramidal cells, which is an effect insensitive to AM‐281 and thus unlikely to be CB1 mediated. We consider these cannabinoid effects on spike timing and firing/bursting of principal hippocampal neurons carried by CB1 and non‐CB1 receptors to be physiological underpinnings of the cognitive impairments inherent to cannabinoid exposure. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Review of Non-Newtonian Mathematical Models for Rheological Characteristics of Viscoelastic Composites

This study presents an overview of viscoelastic characteristics of biocomposites derived of natural-fibre-reinforced thermoplastic polymers and predictive models has been presented in order to understand their rheological behavior. Various constitutive equations are reviewed for a better understanding of their applicability to polymer melt in determining the viscosity. The models to be investigated are the Giesekus-Leonov model, the Upper Convected Maxwell (UCM) model, the White-Metzner model, K-BKZ model, the Oldroyd-B model, and the Phan-Thien-Tanner models. The aforementioned models are the most powerful for predicting the rheological behavior of hybrid and green viscoelastic materials in the presence of high shear rate and in all dimensions. The Phan-Thien Tanner model, the Oldroyd-B model, and the Giesekus model can be used in various modes to fit the relaxation modulus accurately and to predict the shear thinning as well as shear thickening characteristics. The Phan-Thien Tanner, K-BKZ, Upper convected Maxwell, Oldroyd-B, and Giesekus models predicted the steady shear viscosity and the transient first normal stress co-efficient better than the White-Metzner model for green-fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composites.
Childhood Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Clinical and Electrophysiologic Features Predictive of Outcome

The hospital records of 27 children with the diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome were retrospectively reviewed. Based on the time to recovery, patients were divided into two groups: group 1 consisted of children whose times to complete or partial recovery extended beyond 2 months from onset of the disease; group 2 consisted of children who attained a full recovery within 2 months from onset of the disease. The clinical and electrophysiologic features of the two groups were statistically compared for their predictive value of outcome. Three clinical features (maximum disability score at presentation, intubation, and cranial nerve involvement) were predictive of poor outcome, whereas one electrophysiologic feature (conduction block) was predictive of favorable outcome. There was also a significant correlation between maximum disability score at presentation and the probability of intubation. (J Child Neurol 2001;16:477-483).
A reliable clustering algorithm base on LEACH protocol in wireless mobile sensor networks

Wireless sensor network which is composed of a large number of low-cost, low-power, multifunctional sensor nodes deployed in a remote environment to monitor and analyze the data collected in the physical world in a timely manner. Based on the feature of nodes with limited energy, people have done some deep research on the prolongation of the lifetime in the WSN. In this paper, we focus on reducing energy load among all the nodes and present an improved algorithm LEACH-D based on LEACH. The algorithm combines the ideas of adjusting the threshold function about the nodes, a fixed radius of the clustering and a multi-hop communication mechanism among the cluster heads to achieve advanced in terms of system lifetime energy load among all the nodes. Simulation results show that the new strategy of cluster-heads election can improve the network's lifetime effectively.
A novel chromosomal translocation t(3;5)(q12;p15.3) and loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 22 in a multifocal follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma presenting with skin metastases

Classic genetic rearrangements in papillary carcinoma of the thyroid involve the RET‐ or TRK proto‐oncogenes. We report a novel chromosomal translocation t(3;5)(q12;p15.3), confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization, in a multifocal follicular variant of a papillary carcinoma of the thyroid in a 79‐year‐old woman, with skin metastases as a presenting symptom. Three years earlier, another cutaneous metastasis on her scalp was misdiagnosed as hidradenoma. Four tumour foci were recognized in the thyroid, two with a follicular variant of papillary carcinoma. To detect loss of heterozygosity, 14 chromosomes were investigated with 59 microsatellite markers. A clonal relationship was detected between the two foci of tumour in the thyroid gland containing follicular variant of papillary carcinoma and one of the skin lesions tested, all demonstrating loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in the same region of chromosome 22. Based on earlier reports, the low rate of LOH detected is in agreement with the diagnosis papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. Whole body scintigraphy performed after ablative therapy with radioiodine revealed multiple metastases in the lungs and skeleton. After repeated radioiodine therapy, thyroglobulin under thyroxine suppression became undetectable and post‐therapeutic scintigraphy revealed important regression of metastases.
Botulinum toxin A injections and occupational therapy in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial

To investigate the effects of repeated botulinum toxin A (BoNT‐A) injections combined with occupational therapy, including a splint, compared with occupational therapy alone on hand function in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (USCP), in all International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) domains.
Multiband superconductivity in Pb, H under pressure and CaBeSi from ab initio calculations

Superconductivity in Pb, H under extreme pressure and CaBeSi, in the framework of the density functional theory for superconductors, is discussed. A detailed analysis on how the electron–phonon and electron–electron interactions combine together to determine the superconducting gap and critical temperature of these systems is presented. Pb, H under pressure and CaBeSi are multigap superconductors. We will address the question under which conditions does a system exhibits this phenomenon. The presented results contribute to the understanding of multiband and anisotropic superconductivity, which has received a lot of attention since the discovery of MgB2, and show how it is possible to describe the superconducting properties of real materials on a fully ab initio basis.
P300 and sleep‐related positive waveforms (P220, P450, and P900) have different determinants

Stimulus factors known to influence the amplitude of the well known endogenous event‐related potential (ERP) component P300 were manipulated to determine whether they have the same, or a different, influence on the amplitude of positivities of the sleep ERPs identified as P220, P450, and P900. Behavioral responsiveness and ERPs were recorded as subjects moved from wakefulness to sleep while performing an oddball task. The task consisted of sequential presentation of target and non‐target tone stimuli with instructions to respond to targets with a finger–lift response. The probability of the target and non‐target stimuli was varied (0.2/0.8, 0.5/.05 and 0.8/0.2) across three test conditions. While subjects were awake, P300 was maximal parietally with amplitude inversely related to the relative probability of the evoking stimulus and directly related to its task relevance. Positive waveforms (P220, P450, P900) recorded in sleep were largest at frontal and central recording sites. P220 and P900 amplitudes were inversely related to stimulus probability. P220 was smaller following target relative to non‐target stimuli. Processes underlying P220, P450, and P900 sleep‐related waveforms are different from those underlying the P300 component seen in alert wakefulness. The sleep positivities may be state‐related waveforms subject to modulation by psychological processes.
DESIGNING A DISTRIBUTION NETWORK USING A TWO LEVEL CAPACITY LOCATION ALLOCATION PROBLEM: FORMULATION AND EFFICIENT GENETIC ALGORITHM RESOLUTION WITH AN APPLICATION TO A MOROCCAN RETAIL COMPANY

Distribution network design as a strategic decision has long-term effect on tactical and operational supply chain management. In this research, a supply chain design problem based on a two level capacity location allocation problem (TLCLAP) is presented. A product must be transported from a set of seaport to meet stores demands, passing out by intermediate warehouses. The objective is to locate the warehouses, allocate warehouse to seaport in the first distribution network level and allocate stores to warehouse for in the second one. The finality is to minimize the global cost of the underlying two-level costs thereby satisfying store demand and warehouse capacity constraints. In this study, a new mathematical model for the twolevel capacitated facility location allocation, with restrictions in the real-world environments of logistics distribution is given. In order to solve the model, an efficient Genetic Algorithm (GA) for TLCLAP in distribution logistic network has been developed for optimal distribution network design.
Biometric Identity Verification Using Intra-Body Propagation Signal

We propose to utilize an electromagnetic wave through a human body as biometrics. The electromagnetic wave (intra-body propagation signal) is generated at a relatively shallow depth in the human body through a pair of electrodes pasted on the human skin. The biological tissue of each individual human being is different from that of others, so that the transfer characteristic of the intra-body propagation signal is also different mutually. By using such a difference, it is expected to authenticate personal identification. In addition, liveness detection can be realized simultaneously using the intra-body propagation signal. It is effective on the detection of spoofing using artificial bodies. In this paper, we examine the individual feature in the intra-body propagation signal based on the spectrum analysis. As a result, the verification rate of 58% is obtained using the similarity of the power spectrum especially in the 30-60 MHz sub-band.
Complex relationship of obesity and obesity paradox in heart failure – higher risk of developing heart failure and better outcomes in established heart failure

Abstract Heart failure (HF) and obesity are major public health problems. Studies have shown that obesity may increase the risk of developing new HF but after patients have developed HF, obesity may be associated with improved outcomes. This paradoxical association of obesity with HF remains poorly understood. It is believed that the obesity paradox may in part be due to the inherent limitations of body mass index (BMI) as a measure of obesity. BMI may not appropriately measure important components of body mass like body fat, fat distribution, lean body mass, and body fluid content and may not be ideal for examining the relationship of body composition with health outcomes. Differentiating between body fat and lean body mass may explain some of the paradoxical association between higher BMI and better prognosis in patients with HF. Paradoxical outcomes in HF may also be due to phenotypes of obesity. Future studies need to develop and test metrics that may better measure body composition and may serve as a better tool for the estimation of the true association of obesity and outcomes in HF and determine whether the association may vary by obesity phenotypes. KEY MESSAGES Obesity predisposes to heart failure in all age groups. But obesity in heart failure is an area of controversy, because of obesity paradox, the apparent protective effect of overweight and mild obesity on mortality after development of heart failure. Traditional markers of obesity do not measure different components of body weight like muscle mass, fat, water, and skeletal weight. Body Mass Index in heart failure subjects does not measure accurately body fat or fluid retention. So new markers of obesity like visceral adiposity index, body composition analysis, sarcopenic status assessment may be helpful in the assessment of heart failure outcomes. Different phenotypes of obesity may be responsible for the different morbidity, mortality as well as therapeutic outcomes in heart failure.