Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of grape seeds extract protection against paracetamol renal cortical damage in male Albino rats.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to assess the possible protective role of grape seeds extract (GSE) in ameliorating the toxic effects of paracetamol overdose on the rat renal cortical tissue. BACKGROUND Paracetamol is one of the widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Unfortunately, it was reported as the most common cause of toxic ingestion in the world. Grape seeds extract (GSE) is known to have a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. METHODS The rats were divided into 4 groups; control group, GSE group, paracetamol group and GSE with paracetamol group. Kidney specimens were processed for biochemical, histological and immunohisto-chemical studies. RESULTS The study showed marked biological changes in the form of significant increase in serum urea and creatinine levels with significant decrease in renal superoxide dismutase with paracetamol group. Furthermore, Proximal (PCT) and distal convoluted tubules showed marked degeneration, dense nuclear staining, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and partial loss of the brush borders. Most tubules were dilated, irregular and were filled with hyaline casts. PCT and DCT showed less PAS reaction and more COX-2 and caspase expression if compared with the control and the GSE groups. Concomitant administration of grape seeds extract with paracetamol revealed a noticeable amelioration of these biochemical and histological changes. Proximal and distal convoluted tubules showed less PAS reaction and more COX2 and caspase expression if compared with the control and the GSE. Concomitant administration of GSE with paracetamol revealed a noticeable amelioration of these biochemical and histological changes. CONCLUSION Grape seeds extract provided biochemical and histo-pathological improvement in paracetamol induced renal cortical toxicity. These findings revealed that this improvement was associated with a decrease in oxidative damage and apoptosis (Tab. 1, Fig. 7, Ref. 55).
Optimal design of microelectromechanical systems via reversed polynomial programming

In this paper we describe an optimal design method for micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). We observe that many MEMS device designs with a variety of design objects and constraints can be reformulated as reversed polynomial programs, which can be globally solved by, e.g., branch-and-bound methods; in consequence the optimal MEMS design can be obtained directly from specifications. In this paper, design optimization of a crab-leg resonator is formulated as a reversed polynomial program
Left‐right asymmetry in vertebrate embryogenesis

Embryonic development results in animals whose body plans exhibit a variety of symmetry types. While significant progress has been made in understanding the molecular events underlying the early specification of the antero‐posterior and dorso‐ventral axes, little information has been available regarding the basis for left‐right (LR) differences in animal morphogenesis. Recently however, important advances have been made in uncovering the molecular mechanisms responsible for LR patterning. A number of genes (including well‐known signaling molecules such as Sonic hedgehog and activin) are asymmetrically expressed in early chick embryos, well before the appearance of morphological asymmetries. One of these, nodal, is asymmetrically expressed in frogs and mice as well, and its expression is altered in mouse mutants exhibiting defects in laterality. In the chick, these genes regulate each other in a sequential cascade, which independently determines the situs of the heart and other organs.
Essential involvement of interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) in acute inflammation

Neutrophil infiltration into inflammatory sites is one of the hallmarks of acute inflammation. Locally produced chemotactic factors are presumed to mediate the sequence of events leading to the infiltration at inflammatory sites. Interleukin‐8 (IL‐8), a novel leukocyte chemotactic activating cytokine (chemokine), is produced by various types of cells upon stimulation with inflammatory stimuli and exerts a variety of functions on leukocytes, particularly, neutrophils in vitro. However, no definitive evidence has been presented on its role in recruiting and activating neutrophils in the lesions of various types of inflammatory reactions. We administered a highly specific neutralizing antibody against IL‐8 in several types of acute inflammatory reactions, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced dermatitis, LPS/IL‐1‐induced arthritis, lung reperfusion injury, and acute immune complex‐type glomerulonephritis. Anti‐IL‐8 treatment prevented neutrophil‐dependent tissue damage as well as neutrophil infiltration in these conditions. These results suggest that IL‐8 plays a causative role in acute inflammation by recruiting and activating neutrophils. J. Leukoc. Biol. 56: 559–564; 1994.
The Diagnostic Possibilities of a Modified Hysteroscopic Technique

A modified endoscopic technique for the inspection of the uterine cavity is described. The modification consists in the injection of a clear, water‐soluble and viscous dextran solution into the uterine cavity, through which a clear view of the latter is obtained. Thirty cases were examined by this method following hysterography. Comparative studies of the observations made at hysteroscopy and the hysterographic findings in these cases showed that hysteroscopy is of greater diagnostic value than hysterography because the nature and extent of any intrauterine lesion present can be assessed directly.
Poultry in Motion: A Study of International Trade Finance Practices

This paper theoretically and empirically analyzes the financing terms that support international trade. The choice of trade finance terms balances the risk that an importer defaults on an exporter and the possibility that an exporter does not deliver goods as specified. Analysis of transaction-level data from a US exporter reveals that importers located in countries with weak enforcement of contracts typically finance transactions, but these firms are able to overcome the constraints of such environments if they can establish a relationship with the exporter. Furthermore, the manner in which trade is financed shapes the impact of crises.
Central and Extrapontine Myelinolysis: Then…and Now

In this review, we emphasize neuropathologic and neurobehavioral aspects of central pontine and extrapontine myelinolysis (CPM/EPM), also known as the osmotic demyelination syndrome. The literature is reviewed from the time of the initial report in 1959 and from key developments that have occurred more recently. Particular consideration is given to pathogenic mechanisms as revealed by recent animal studies. The role of white matter pathology in neurobehavioral dysfunction is also considered. The “then” and “now” of CPM and EPM tell 2 different stories. Yet, in many respects, this expansion of information over the past nearly 50 years simply represents a continuum, as well as recognition, of the vast gaps that still persist in our understanding of this disorder.
Identity based views of the corporation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to consider advances in corporate identity scholarship on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the first special edition of corporate identity to appear in the European Journal of Marketing in 1997.Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes the form of a literature review.Findings – The notion of, what can be termed, “identity‐based views of the corporation” is introduced. Each of the ten identity based perspectives that inform the above are underpinned by a critically important question which is believed to be of considerable saliency to marketing scholars and policy advisors alike. As a precursor to an exposition of these ten perspectives, the paper discusses five principal schools of thought relating to identity and identification ((the quindrivium) which can be characterised as: corporate identity (the identity of the organisation); communicated corporate identification (identification from the organisation); stakeholder corporate identification (an indivi.
Passwords and Authentication

Computer security has been an issue since the first inception of the UNIX opearting system. Passwords were the first method of authentication, but are no longer the only method. Now there exist other methods including smartcards, voice, or biometrics, and they allow authentication against more than just the local computer or the local network and internet, such as databases and other applications. Password storage and authentication methods are increasingly important, yet most current implementations of storage are very weak, especially since one implementation of Windows passwords is optionally reversible.
Sensitive detection of aggregated prion protein via proximity ligation

The DNA assisted solid-phase proximity ligation assay (SP-PLA) provides a unique opportunity to specifically detect prion protein (PrP) aggregates by investigating the collocation of 3 or more copies of the specific protein. We have developed an SP-PLA that can detect PrP aggregates in brain homogenates from infected hamsters even after a 107-fold dilution. In contrast, brain homogenate from uninfected animals did not generate a detectable signal at 100-fold higher concentration. Using either of the 2 monoclonal anti-PrP antibodies, 3F4 and 6H4, we successfully detected low concentrations of aggregated PrP. The presented results provide a proof of concept that this method might be an interesting tool in the development of diagnostic approaches of prion diseases.
Oxygen-vacancy complexes in cerium oxide studied by 111In time-differential perturbed-angular-correlation spectroscopy.

Four defect complexes with indium tracer atoms in undoped and lightly doped CeO[sub 2] have been observed by [sup 111]In time-differential perturbed-angular-correlation spectroscopy. One complex, identified as an indium--O-vacancy pair, is always present unless the material is doped with Nb or Ta to eliminate oxygen vacancies. The binding energy of the vacancy to indium is greater than 0.35 eV. In materials doped or annealed to introduce as little as 0.05% oxygen vacancies, two different double-vacancy complexes are formed. One is apparently a complex in which the vacancies are trapped on opposite sides of the indium along [l angle]111[r angle] directions. The other is likely a complex with one oxygen vacancy near the indium and one in a more distant trap. In material sufficiently doped with Nb, the majority of dilute indium dopants are uncomplexed, but a small fraction is strongly bound to a presently unidentified impurity. At low temperatures, an electronic excitation trapped at the time of the parent [sup 111]In decay to [sup 111]Cd clouds interpretation of some details. We speculate that this aftereffect'' affects only [sup 111]Cd nuclei having no vacancies in their nearest-neighbor oxygen shell. Some complexes involving only more distantly trapped vacancies may be unobserved.
Height, Health, and Cognitive Function at Older Ages.

The following pages provide additional material for our paper “Height, Health and Cognitive Function at Older Ages,” forthcoming in American Economic Review Papers and Proceedings, May 2008. In our discussion of Table 1 in Section II of the paper, we mention that the association between height and our measures of wellbeing hold throughout the distribution of height for both men and women. Here we present fan regression results for our measures of well being, regressed against heights for men and women separately, from the 5th to the 95th percentiles of the height distributions for non-Hispanic white adults ages 50 and above in the HRS in waves 3 to 7.
Cytokines influence mRNA expression of cytochrome P450 3A4 and MDRI in intestinal cells.

Inflammation and infection may have the potential to increase the bioavailability of drugs. This effect could be because of a reduced metabolism of xenobiotics in the liver and/or the intestines, or because of alterations in small intestinal permeability, mucosal flow, and expression of drug efflux transporters such as P-glycoprotein (Pgp). To assess the impact on intestinal epithelium of some proinflammatory cytokines and macrophages on permeability and mRNA expression of CYP3A4 and MDRI (multidrug resistance, coding for Pgp), we used the Caco-2 cell line as a model. Exposure to proinflammatory cytokines and macrophages decreased the mRNA expression of CYP3A4 and increased the expression of MDR1 mRNA in the Caco-2 cells. In parallel, the cell layer permeability, as measured by sodium fluorescein flux, increased for all cytokine and macrophage treatments, whereas the effect on transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) varied. Our findings suggest that inflammation and infection trigger several different cellular responses that may affect drug bioavailability; that is hampered CYP3A4 expression, increased permeability of the epithelial cell layer, and enhanced Pgp-mediated counteractive transport.
Defining attributes of patient safety through a concept analysis.

AIM The aim of this study was to report an analysis of the concept of patient safety. BACKGROUND Despite recent increase in the number of work being done to clarify the concept and standardize measurement of patient safety, there are still huge variations in how the term is conceptualized and how to measure patient safety data across various healthcare settings and in research. DESIGN Concept analysis. DATA SOURCES A literature search was conducted through PubMed and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Plus using the terms 'patient safety' in the title and 'concept analysis,' 'attributes' or 'definition' in the title and or abstract. All English language literature published between 2002-2014 were considered for the review. METHODS Walker and Avant's method guided this analysis. RESULTS The defining attributes of patient safety include prevention of medical errors and avoidable adverse events, protection of patients from harm or injury and collaborative efforts by individual healthcare providers and a strong, well-integrated healthcare system. The application of Collaborative Alliance of Nursing Outcomes indicators as empirical referents would facilitate the measurement of patient safety. CONCLUSION With the knowledge gained from this analysis, nurses may improve patient surveillance efforts that identify potential hazards before they become adverse events and have a stronger voice in health policy decision-making that influence implementation efforts aimed at promoting patient safety, worldwide. Further studies are needed on development of a conceptual model and framework that can aid with collection and measurement of standardized patient safety data.
Isoenzymatic Characterization of Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae) of the Marrakech Area, Morocco

Abstract This study reports the genetic characterization of urban and rural populations of Phlebotomus (Phlebotomus) papatasi Scopoli (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Marrakech, Morocco. Using isoenzymatic analysis, four Moroccan populations were compared with other Mediterranean basin populations from Spain, Cyprus, and Syria. Morphological anomalies were noted in the male genitalia of 5.3% of the specimens collected from Marrakech area. Qualitative analysis of zymogram profiles revealed nine polymorphic enzymes (HK, PGM, PGI, 6PGD, MDH1, MDH2, ICD2, FUM, and ACO) and three monomorphic enzymes (ME, ICD1, and αGPDH). Genetic distances clearly separated the populations of western Mediterranean countries (Morocco and Spain) from eastern countries (Syria and Cyprus), but they could not be used to differentiate between urban and rural populations in Marrakech area.
Free choice Petri nets

1. Introduction 2. Analysis techniques for petri nets 3. S-systems and T-systems 4. Liveness in free choice 5. The coverability theorems 6. The rank theorem 7. Reduction and synthesis 8. Home markings 9. Reachability and shortest sequences 10. Generalizations Index List of symbols List of main results.
FFPopSim: an efficient forward simulation package for the evolution of large populations

Motivation: The analysis of the evolutionary dynamics of a population with many polymorphic loci is challenging, as a large number of possible genotypes needs to be tracked. In the absence of analytical solutions, forward computer simulations are an important tool in multi-locus population genetics. The run time of standard algorithms to simulate sexual populations increases as 8L with the number of loci L, or with the square of the population size N. Results: We have developed algorithms to simulate large populations with arbitrary genetic maps, including multiple crossovers, with a run time that scales as 3L. If the number of crossovers is restricted to at most one, the run time is reduced to L2L. The algorithm is based on an analogue of the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and allows for arbitrary fitness functions (i.e. any epistasis). In addition, we include a streamlined individual-based framework. The library is implemented as a collection of C++ classes and a Python interface. Availability: http://code.google. com/p/ffpopsim/. Contact: richard.neher@tuebingen.mpg. de Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
SyCHOSys: Compiled Energy-Performance Cycle Simulation

SyCHOSys (Synchronous Circuit Hardware Orchestration System) generates high-speed energy-performance cycle simulators by compiling a processor description into efficient C++ code. This framework can custom compile a cycle simulator with arbitrary mixed levels of simulation detail ranging from gate-level to purely behavioral models. In addition, SyCHOSys can compile detailed energy statistics gathering code into the simulator and generate a custom analysis tool to combine the resulting statistics with capacitance values extracted from circuit layout information to give energy dissipation. To increase simulation speed, we group circuit nodes having the same switching activity and only count transitions once per group. We have also developed energy estimation techniques that exploit the properties of well-designed low-power microprocessors to improve the accuracy of simple transition-sensitive energy models. We evaluate SyCHOSys using a custom datapath circuit, and show close agreement ( 7% error) with SPICE energy numbers, while simulating over 7 orders of magnitude faster than SPICE and 5 orders of magnitude faster than PowerMill. We also describe a structural energy-performance simulation of a pipelined MIPS processor built with SyCHOSys that can track all internal signal node transitions at 16 kHz.
An efficient method for solving electrostatic problems

Electrostatic problems are those that deal with the effects of electric charges at rest. For modern electron and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), an accurate electrostatic analysis is both essential and indispensable. We know that if we use the conventional boundary element method for electrostatic problems that have singularity due to degenerate boundaries, the coincidence of the boundaries gives rise to a difficult, or ill-conditioned, problem. The coincidence is when different elements use the same nodes, but there is a free-edge between the elements. The dual boundary element method (DBEM) provides fast, accurate, and efficient solutions. We compare results between finite element method (FEM) and DBEM analyses to prove DBEM's superiority. Because model creation requires the most effort in electrical engineering practices, we strongly recommend DBEM for industrial applications.
Age-related changes in the renin-aldosterone system. Physiological effects and clinical implications.

Age-related changes in the renin-aldosterone system in normal humans are well documented. The most pronounced changes are observed at the extremes of life: plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone levels are highest in the newborn, and lowest in the elderly population. There is a close temporal and directional relationship between the age-related decrease in plasma renin activity and the age-related decrease in plasma aldosterone. The renin-aldosterone system is also influenced by sex and race. The activation of the renin-aldosterone system in newborns and infants probably represents an important physiological mechanism designed to maintain positive sodium balance. The decreases in plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone levels observed in elderly persons are usually only modest, and are not associated with clinical alterations in fluid or electrolyte metabolism. The superimposition of a disease process, or the injudicious prescription of a drug, inhibiting renin release or angiotensin II production, could theoretically facilitate sodium wasting in newborns or infants, or precipitate hyporeninaemic hypoaldosteronism in older adults. The primary clinical importance of age-related changes in the renin-aldosterone system relates to its impact on the proper classification of an individual's renin-aldosterone profile when attempting to diagnose a clinical condition (e.g. low, normal or high renin hypertension). This is particularly true for newborns, infants and children to age 4, and for adults entering the sixth decade of life.
Patterns of Sweet Taste Liking: A Pilot Study

Two distinct patterns of sweet taste liking have been described: one showing a peak liking response in the mid-range of sucrose concentrations and the other showing a monotonic liking response at progressively higher sucrose concentrations. Classification of these patterns has been somewhat arbitrary. In this report, we analyzed patterns of sweet taste liking in a pilot study with 26 adults including 14 women and 12 men, 32.6 ± 14.5 years of age with body mass index 26.4 ± 5.1 kg/m2 (mean ± SD). Sweet taste liking was measured for 10 levels of sucrose solutions (0.035 M to 1.346 M). Participants rated their liking of each solution using a visual analog scale with 0 indicating strongly disliking and 100 strongly liking. The cluster analysis demonstrated two distinct groups: 13 liked relatively low sucrose concentrations and liked high sucrose concentrations less, and 13 liked high sucrose concentrations greatly. If we use the 0.598 M sucrose solution alone and a cutoff liking score of 50, we can distinguish the two clusters with high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (100%). If validated in additional studies, this simple tool may help us to better understand eating behaviors and the impact of sweet taste liking on nutrition-related disorders.