Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation of long chain omega‐3 PUFAs on arterial blood pressure, vascular reactivity and survival in angiotensin II‐infused Apolipoprotein E‐knockout mice

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an inflammatory vascular disease. Long chain omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n‐3 PUFAs) decrease inflammation and oxidative stress in an angiotensin II‐infused apolipoprotein E‐knockout (ApoE−/−) mouse model of AAA. This study investigated the effects of LC n‐3 PUFAs on blood pressure and vascular reactivity in fourteen angiotensin II‐infused ApoE−/− male mice. Blood pressure was obtained using a non‐invasive tail cuff method and whole blood was collected by cardiac puncture. Vascular reactivity of the thoracic aorta was assessed using wire myography and activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was determined by immunohistochemistry. A high LC n‐3 PUFA diet increased the omega‐3 index and reduced the n‐6 to n‐3 PUFA ratio. At day 10 post‐infusion with angiotensin II, there was no difference in systolic blood pressure or diastolic blood pressure in mice fed the high or low n‐3 PUFA diets. The high LC n‐3 PUFA diet resulted in a non‐significant trend for delay in time to death from abdominal aortic rupture. Vascular reactivity and eNOS activation remained unchanged in mice fed the high compared to the low LC n‐3 PUFA diet. This study argues against direct improvement in vascular reactivity in ApoE−/− mice that were supplemented with n‐3 PUFA for 8 weeks prior to infusion with angiotensin II.
Mandatory CSR law in Indonesia; new emerging policy

The changing CSR policy in Indonesia has yet to bring significantly social prosperity to its main beneficiaries.Article 74 of the Limited Company Liability Act has been passed since 6 years ago but unfortunately the provision is not well implemented until now.A lot of sectoral acts were related to the mandatory CSR provision.Some of the Acts are Environmental Management and Protection Act, Coal and Mineral Mining Act, Forestry Act, State Owned Company Act and Social Prosperity Act.Interconnected acts make the situation become worse because there are a lot of “players” on mandatory CSR itself.The aim of this papers is to examine mandatory CSR law in Indonesia (new emerging policy). This a concept paper to elaborate CSR implementation strategy framework from traditional to more responsive one. Not surprisingly if the provision cannot be well implemented, even though the government regulation has passed the Act in April, 2012 but there are some problems with its implementation and and detail mechanism of implementation is required for the fulfilment of mandatory CSR provision.Theory of legal system will be the tool of analysis in order to describe any constraint in the term of implementation.There are three key elements of the theory such as legal substance, legal structure and legal culture.Those elements would be analysed scientifically against related laws and regulations both national and sub-national level and law is as a tool of social engineering will be also additional tool of analysis for the research.Mandatory CSR is a concept in which it comes from the perspective of beneficiaries because in some cases corporations are more powerful than the country itself.In other words we can say that Mandatory CSR is a concept of Eastern society.Furthermore, in western society, they recognized CSR as a voluntary action.It can be well implemented there because their level of compliance to the law and other regulations are better than others society.The lives of human being is just like a cyclus of life, different age and place has different way of life or culture.Finally, mandatory CSR as an emerging policy will appear to be solution of new relationship standard between the government, corporation and society.
Non-fatal occupational injuries and illnesses treated in hospital emergency departments in the United States

Objectives—To estimate the number and rate of occupational injuries and illnesses treated in hospital emergency departments and to characterize the nature, event, and source of injury and illness. Setting—Twenty four hour emergency departments in hospitals in the United States. Methods—Surveillance for occupational injuries and illnesses was conducted in a national probability based sample of hospital emergency departments through the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). Worker demographics, nature of injury and disposition, and incident circumstances were abstracted from emergency department medical records, typically within 24–72 hours of treatment. Results—Approximately 3.6 million occupational injuries and illnesses were treated in emergency departments in 1998. Younger workers, particularly males, continue to have the highest rates of work related injuries. Together, lacerations, punctures, amputations, and avulsions represented one fourth of the emergency department treated injuries, mostly to hand and fingers. Sprains and strains, largely to the trunk, also accounted for one fourth of the injuries. The three leading injury events were contact with objects, bodily reactions and exertions, and falls. Conclusions—Despite apparent decreases in rates, youth continue to have a high burden of injury in the workplace. However, three fourths of all emergency department treated injuries occur to workers 20–44 years of age. Emergency department surveillance is particularly amenable to capture of young worker injuries and provides a wealth of injury details to guide prevention efforts—efforts that will likely reduce occupational injuries as these workers age. Emergency department surveillance also provides injury estimates with few demographic or employer constraints, other than the medical venue used.
From basic concepts to emerging technologies in regional anesthesia

Purpose of review The present article details how our understanding of the basic concepts of regional anesthesia has recently evolved. We will appraise current technological advances and question the commensurate nature of the relationship between tradition and innovation. Recent findings Ultrasound localization has enhanced our understanding of the needle–nerve relationship. Intraneural injection of local anesthetic may occur with greater frequency than previously thought without inevitably leading to neurological complications. The ratio of neural to non-neural tissue varies both between and within nerves and may be an important determinant of neural injury. Ultrasonographic evidence of intraneural injection is subject to observer expertise and the resolution of the ultrasound image. Current ultrasound resolution capability does not reliably permit differentiation between intrafascicular and extrafascicular drug injection. Perineural electrical impedance may be a determinant of current threshold and conceivably distinguish between intraneural and extraneural tissue. Technology that enhances the sonographic image of both procedure needle and target nerve is the focus of current endeavors in ultrasound innovation. There is inconclusive evidence that the use of ultrasound technology has reduced the incidence of local anesthetic toxicity. Lipid emulsion therapy is now an accepted treatment for systemic local anesthetic toxicity. There are new reports on the development of an ultra long-acting local anesthetic agent that would permit lower doses and superannuate catheter-based continuous regional anesthesia techniques. Summary Over the past decade, our understanding of the fundamental concepts of regional anesthesia continues to be challenged by emerging experimental and clinical evidence.
MEASURING IMPACT OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF VIETNAMESE SOES

This research uses the non-linear model to measure the impact of capital structure on financial performance of Vietnamese state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The study results show that there are different relations between capital structure and financial performance at different thresholds. For example, in the range of (0.040; 0.703), capital structure (measured by the ratio of long-term debt on equity) is positively related to financial performance (measured by the ratio of profitability on equity), outside that range, the relation is negative. In this study, we find out that quadratic and cubic non-linear models have a significant in measuring the relationship between capital structure and financial performance.
The ThingWorld modeling system: virtual sculpting by modal forces

We describe a real-time solid modeling system that is based on the physical analogy of forming clay by applying forces. The system is implemented by simulating real materials as they react to user-supplied forces. Unlike other physically-based modeling approaches, the Thingworld system allows the user to restrict forming action to simple global deformations during the initial "roughing in" phase of modeling, and then later concern themselves with detailing. The Thingworld system also allows users to automatically model existing objects by using measurements taken from the object's surface. These measurements are used to generate artificial forces that mold the computer model much as a human would mold a clay model. Timed examples for constructing solid models are shown.
A cost analysis of endoscopic ultrasound in the evaluation of esophageal cancer

OBJECTIVE:The use of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) of suspicious lymph nodes has become an important aid in the staging of esophageal carcinoma. The economic impact of this staging strategy has not yet been described. We applied a decision analysis model to compare the costs of EUS FNA, CT-guided FNA, and surgery in the management of esophageal tumors. A cost-minimization approach was employed, as viewed from the perspective of the payer.METHODS:A decision analysis model with three management arms was designed using DATA 3.5 software, taking the entry criteria as esophageal carcinoma without evidence of distant metastases as determined by CT. Detection of tumor on celiac lymph node (CLN) FNA signified unresectability and prompted palliative treatment: chemoradiotherapy with endoscopic esophageal stenting rather than surgery. Baseline probabilities were varied through plausible ranges using sensitivity analysis. Cost inputs were based on Medicare professional fees plus Medicare facility fees. The endpoint was the cost of management per patient.RESULTS:EUS FNA was the least costly strategy ($13,811), compared to CT FNA ($14,350) and surgery ($13,992). The model outcome was sensitive to changes in both EUS FNA sensitivity and prevalence of CLN metastases. EUS FNA remained the least costly option provided the prevalence of CLN involvement was >16%; below this value, surgery became the most economical strategy.CONCLUSION:By minimizing unnecessary surgery, primarily by detecting CLN involvement, EUS FNA is the least costly staging strategy in the workup of patients with nonmetastatic esophageal cancer. Under certain circumstances, surgery is the preferred strategy.
Upper Frequency Limit of Hearing – A New Screening Method or an Illusion?

The aim of this study was to develop a prototype generator with electro-acoustical connection, verify the parameters of the new apparatus, perform clinical trials in patients with normal hearing. A digital oscilloscope and artificial ear were used to check electrical and sound parameters. Sound intensity in the 0.5-20 kHz frequency range was 86.8 ± 9 dB SPL. This was followed by clinical trials involving 44 volunteers (17 men and 27 women) with an average age of 20. Before the experiment, each volunteer was examined by audiological tests to rule out damage to the auditory pathway. The upper frequency limit of hearing procedure consisted of binaural administration of constant-intensity signal with a frequency smoothly varying within the 20 kHz - 0.5 kHz range. The volunteer was told to release a signaling button when he heard the acoustic signal. At that moment, the generator stopped at a given frequency that was displayed on a digital scale unit. The test procedure was repeated three times in each subject and the arithmetic mean of three measurements was used in further analysis. The entire procedure, both technical and clinical, was conducted in an audiometric silent chamber, in which it was possible to control the acoustic conditions. Comparison of results of a prototype apparatus to the results obtained in previously research showed that the developed apparatus specifications meet their objectives. In clinical studies, the upper frequency limit of hearing results were as follows: in the group of 17 people only one person was below 75 percentile, two were at 75 percentile, ten at 50 percentile, and four were at 25 percentile. The results show that the modification of the apparatus involving the use of less expensive components has allowed to obtain the technical parameters and results comparable to the others authors and, therefore, the apparatus built by the authors of this paper may be used as a screening apparatus.
Investigation of the distribution and control of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis PT6 in layer breeding and egg production

Investigations were carried out in a layer breeder hatchery, a layer parent rearing farm, a layer parent farm and in a commercial pullet rearing and cage layer farm where Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) PT6 had become established. PT6 was initially found in focal points in the hatchery, such as hatcher ventilation ducting, tray wash areas and waste areas, but improved disinfection was followed by a rapid disappearance of contamination. Several different phage types of S. Enteritidis were found in the hatchery but most of these proved to be genotypically identical with PT6. Investigations of contaminated layer breeder and rearing sites showed that the terminal disinfection programmes in place were effective in that no carry-over of infection occurred and the organism was rapidly eliminated from the organization. Infection with PT6 originating from chicks was investigated on a commercial pullet rearing farm. After several rounds of treatment with a fluoroquinolone antibiotic and competitive exclusion, no Salmonella was found in faeces or cloacal swabs but was present in dust in one of six houses. Sampling carried out after cleaning and disinfection confirmed clearance of the organism from the site, but infection did become established in a commercial laying house receiving the birds.
Intima-media thickness: indicator of cardiovascular risk and measure of the extent of atherosclerosis

The measurement of intima-media thickness (IMT) of large superficial arteries, especially the carotid, using high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography has emerged as one of the methods of choice for determining the anatomic extent of atherosclerosis and for assessing cardiovascular risk. IMT measurement obtained by ultrasonography correlates very well with pathohistologic measurements and the reproducibility of this technique is good. Population studies have shown a strong correlation between carotid IMT and several cardiovascular risk factors, and it has also been found to be associated with the extent of atherosclerosis and end-organ damage of high-risk patients. Therefore, increased carotid IMT is a measure of athero-sclerotic burden and a predictor of subsequent events. Because of its quantitative value, carotid IMT measurement is more and more frequently used in clinical trials to test the effects of different preventive measures, including drugs. More recently, there has been interest in the clinical use of this technique for detecting preclinical (asymptomatic) atherosclerosis and for identifying subjects at high risk. Measurement of carotid IMT could influence a clinician to intervene with medication and to use more aggressive treatment of risk factors in primary prevention, and in patients with atherosclerotic disease in whom there is evidence of progression and extension of atherosclerotic disease. For more extensive use of this method in clinical practice a consensus concerning the standardization of methods of measurement and precise definition of threshold between normal and pathologic IMT value is urgently needed.
Polymorphisms and haplotype structures in genes for transforming growth factor β1 and its receptors in familial and unselected breast cancers

Alterations in TGF‐β signaling appear to be associated with an altered risk of developing cancer, including breast cancer. We carried out a case‐control study on 8 polymorphisms, including 5 in the TGF‐β1 gene (G‐800A, C‐509T, Leu10→Pro, Arg25→Pro and Thr263→Ile), a polyalanine polymorphism (9A→6A) in the TGF‐βRI gene and 2 (G‐875A and A‐364G) in the TGF‐βRII gene, using samples from 2 different populations, Polish familial and Finnish unselected breast cancer cases, together with ethnically and geographically matched controls. Additionally, familial breast cancer cases with respective controls from Sweden and Germany were studied in the Leu10→Pro polymorphism, making the total number of familial cases 659. Allele, genotype and haplotype analysis on the TGF‐β1 gene as well as an analysis of the combinations of genotypes of the TGF‐β1 and its receptor genes in each individual were performed. Population differences in the allele and genotype distributions were found from 5 of the polymorphisms and 3 common haplotypes from the TGF‐β1 gene between the Finnish and other populations. However, no statistically significant difference between the breast cancer and healthy control groups was found for any of the 8 polymorphisms nor did the haplotype or genotype combination analysis reach statistical significance. Thus, none of the studied polymorphisms from the TGF‐β1 and its receptor genes was found to influence significantly susceptibility to breast cancer. The possible contribution of 6A/6A homozygosity in the TGF‐βRI gene to breast cancer needs to be confirmed in an independent study. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Substance use amongst secondary school students in a rural setting in South Africa: Prevalence and possible contributing factors

Introduction This study determined the prevalence of substance abuse amongst rural secondary school learners in a selected province of South Africa. Methodology The study adopted a quantitative approach using a descriptive survey design. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire from a total of 338 randomly selected learners, age 14 to 18 years, from 10 secondary schools that make up a rural Vhembedzi circuit in the Limpopo Province. Permission to enter the circuit and the schools was obtained from the circuit manager and parents’ or learners’ informed consent was obtained prior to data collection. Results The majority of the participants (94% male, 98% female) had never used substances. Most of the learners started using substances between the ages 15 to 20 years. The majority of learners who were using substances were male. Of the respondents, all the female (100%) students reported to have stopped substance abuse. The majority (63% male, 50% female) of the learners tried to stop substance abuse but failed. Most of the learners (72% male, 71% female) did not have family members who were substance users. The majority of the students attested that substances can be easily obtained in their communities or villages. The majority (68%) of the leaners knew that substance abuse is dangerous to health. Conclusion and recommendation Rural secondary school learners in South Africa have a low prevalence rate of substance abuse. Hence, there is a need for a counselling program in each school to provide support and refer such learners to an appropriate institution for rehabilitation.
Estimation of Age‐at‐Death for Adult Males Using the Acetabulum, Applied to Four Western European Populations *

Abstract: Methods to estimate adult age from observations of skeletal elements are not very accurate and motivate the development of better methods. In this article, we test recently published method based on the acetabulum and Bayesian inference, developed using Coimbra collection (Portugal). In this study, to evaluate its utility in other populations, this methodology was applied to 394 specimens from four different documented Western European collections. Four strategies of analysis to estimate age were outlined: (a) each series separately; (b) on Lisbon collection, taken as a reference Coimbra collection; (c) on Barcelona collection, taken as a reference both Portuguese collections; and (d) on London collection taken as reference the three Iberian collections combined. Results indicate that estimates are accurate (83–100%). As might be expected, the least accurate estimates were obtained when the most distant collection was used as a reference. Observations of the fused acetabulum can be used to make accurate estimates of age for adults of any age, with less accurate estimates when a more distant reference collection is used.
Inflammation in Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in the United States. Although CAD was formerly considered a lipid accumulation–mediated disease, it has now been clearly shown to involve an ongoing inflammatory response. Advances in basic science research have established the crucial role of inflammation in mediating all stages of CAD. Today, there is convincing evidence that multiple interrelated immune mechanisms interact with metabolic risk factors to initiate, promote, and ultimately activate lesions in the coronary arteries. This review aims to provide current evidence pertaining to the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of CAD and discusses the impact of inflammatory markers and their modification on clinical outcomes.
Enzymatic Properties of Terephthalate 1,2-Dioxygenase of Comamonas sp. Strain E6

The tphA1 II and tphA2 II A3 II genes of Comamonas sp. E6 perhaps code for the terephthalate (TPA) 1,2-dioxygenase (TPADO). To characterize E6 TPADO, these genes were expressed in a His-tagged form in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant proteins were purified. TPADO activity was reconstituted from TphA1II and TphA2IIA3II, indicating that TPADO consists of a reductase (TphA1II) and a terminal oxygenase component (TphA2II and TphA3II). TphA1II contains FAD, and the presence of a plant-type [2Fe-2S] cluster was suggested. These results indicate that TPADO is a class IB aromatic ring-hydroxylating dioxygenase. NADH and NADPH were effective as electron donors for TphA1II, but NADPH appeared to be the physiological electron donor, based on the kinetic parameters. TPADO showed activity only toward TPA, and Fe2+ was required for it. The Km values for TPA and the V max were determined to be 72±6 μM and 9.87±0.06 U/mg respectively.
Chromatin organization and nuclear microenvironments in cancer cells

Nuclear morphometric descriptors such as nuclear size, shape, DNA content and chromatin organization are used by pathologists as diagnostic markers for cancer. However, our knowledge of events resulting in changes in nuclear shape and chromatin organization in cancer cells is limited. Nuclear matrix proteins, which include lamins, transcription factors (Sp1) and histone modifying enzymes (histone deacetylases), and histone modifications (histone H3 phosphorylation) have roles in organizing chromatin in the interphase nucleus, regulating gene expression programs and determining nuclear shape. Histone H3 phosphorylation, a downstream target of the Ras‐mitogen activated protein kinase pathway, is involved in neoplastic transformation. This article will review genetic and epigenetic events that alter chromatin organization in cancer cells and the role of the nuclear matrix in determining nuclear morphology. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 2004–2015, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.