Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bioreactors for Extracorporeal Liver Support

Hybrid extracorporeal liver support is an option to assist liver transplantation therapy. An overview on liver cell bioreactors is given and our own development is described. Furthermore, the prospects of the utilization of human liver cells from discarded transplantation organs due to steatosis, cirrhosis, or traumatic injury, and liver progenitor cells are discussed. Our Modular Extracorporeal Liver Support (MELS) concept proposes an integrative approach for the treatment of hepatic failure with appropriate extracorporeal therapy units, tailored to suit the actual clinical needs of each patient. The CellModule is a specific bioreactor (charged actually with primary human liver cells, harvested from human donor livers found to be unsuitable for transplantation). The DetoxModule enables albumin dialysis for the removal of albumin-bound toxins, reducing the biochemical burden of the liver cells and replacing the bile excretion of hepatocytes in the bioreactor. A Dialysis Module for continuous veno-venous hemofiltration can be added to the system if required in hepato-renal syndrome.
On the legacy of Theory Y

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief history and perspective on the influence of McGregor's Theory Y on research about and practice of management and leadership. Although best known for Theory X and Y, Douglas McGregor involved himself in more than theory. He was for a time President of Antioch College, a builder of a strong academic program of management and organizational behavior in the Sloan School of Management at Massachusetts Institute of Technology , and a pioneer in the origination of organization development.Design/methodology/approach – The legacy of Theory Y can be characterized as a set of beliefs that are antecedents to participative and involvement modes of management, that these modes are associated with success backed by considerable evidence, yet are not practiced by the majority of people in management and leadership positions. Moreover, the track record of management and leadership in the USA is not exactly exemplary, for example, at least half of those in manageme.
ACC/AHA 2007 guidelines for the management of patients with unstable angina/non-ST-Elevation myocardial infarction: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 2002 Guidelines for the Management of Patie

Angina/Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction : ACC/AHA 2007 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Unstable ISSN: 1524-4539 Copyright © 2007 American Heart Association. All rights reserved. Print ISSN: 0009-7322. Online 72514 Circulation is published by the American Heart Association. 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107. 18194
Plasma hormones and milk production performances in early lactation buffaloes supplemented with a mixture of prilled fat, sweetener and toxin binder.

The effect of combined feed supplements (prilled fat, sweetener and toxin binder) was studied on 24 apparently healthy early lactating rural and urban maintained Murrah buffaloes. The feeding of combined feed supplement was carried out for a period of 90 days. DMI, BCS, body weight were recorded at fortnightly intervals and milk composition was analyzed at weekly intervals. Blood samples were analyzed for hormones, plasma metabolites and lipid profile. The supplementation increased (p<0.01) milk yield by 13.6 and 17.0% in urban and rural Murrah buffaloes with respective increases of 20.14 and14.98% in milk fat (p 0.05) between the groups. Body weight increased in rural buffaloes in comparison to urban buffaloes. Plasma GH was higher (p<0.05) before supplementation and fluctuated non-significantly (P>0.05) during supplementation period. Mean leptin levels decreased (p<0.05) while plasma estradiol and IgG level increased during the supplementation period. Plasma progesterone and ghrelin level varied non-significantly before and during supplementation. Plasma IGF-1 and glucose levels was more and NEFA level was lower (p<0.05) during the experiment. Mean HDL, triglyceride and cholesterol concentration increased (P<0.05) during supplementation than before supplementation. Blood urea nitrogen and plasma urea level was lower before feeding and increased during the experiment. The conception rate was more and service period was less (P<0.05) in urban buffaloes as compared to rural buffaloes. The complete feed supplementation was highly economical and generated an additional income of Rs. 114.45/day/buffalo with cost benefit ratio of 1:5. It was concluded that complete feed comprising of prilled fat, sweetener and toxin binder augment overall productive performance of rural and urban buffaloes.
Unsettling orthodoxies: education for the environment/for sustainability

In this paper I employ Foucault's notion of governmentality to reflect on a debate that occurred in the pages of this journal some 10 years ago. I argue that their exchanges indicate ways in which various positions are engaged in a struggle for dominance in this field, and how particular strategies are used to legitimate and maintain these positions. My purpose is not to propose a new orthodoxy – or even to critique those we have – but rather to raise questions about how the unquestioned ‘that‐which‐is’ of orthodoxies comes to be, and their effects. I also suggest that as environmental educators and researchers, we need to work harder to unsettle more often the taken‐for‐granted in environmental education so that we remain alert to our own easy acceptance of orthodoxies. Without this, we risk our exhortations to those we seek to educate – to think critically, to question assumptions, and so forth – becoming empty rhetoric if we are not practising these ourselves – examining our own, as well as others', assumptions and practices.
Conceptualizing Work—Family Balance: Implications for Practice and Research

The problem and the solution. Systematic theorizing about work—family balance has not kept pace with interest, which undermines organizations' abilities to effectively monitor work—family balance and to use work—family balance strategically. The goal of this article is to develop a better conceptual understanding of work—family balance. Work—family balance is defined as accomplishment of role-related expectations that are negotiated and shared between an individual and his or her role-related partners in the work and family domains. This article elaborates on how this definition of work—family balance addresses limitations of previous conceptualizations and describes areas for human resource development research and implications for using work—family balance strategically in management practice.
Impacts of tilling and covering treatments on the biosolids solar drying conversion from Class B to Class A

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of tillage and cover treatments of solar drying on the conversion of Class B treated sewage sludge to a Class A product. The experiments were performed over two years at Green Valley, Arizona in steel-constructed sand-filled drying beds of 1.0 m (width)×3.0 m (length)×0.6 m (depth). Freshly produced aerobically and anaerobically digested biosolids from nearby wastewater treatment plants received tillage and cover treatments for expediting solar drying and microbial inactivation. During the summer drying, covered drying bed increased faecal inactivation rate by 26% over other treatments and automated rain shield abated faecal coliform regrowth from summer rains. Tilling accelerated evaporation of moisture from the biosolids and increased the inactivation rate of faecal coliforms during the summer season. An automated retractable roof to protect the biosolids from rain aided in maintaining Class A criteria by preventing dried biosolids from re-wetting by rainfall. However, results from tilling and passive solar heating during the cold winter seasons did not improve the faecal coliform inactivation rate due mainly to lower ambient temperatures. Thus, tilling and cover treatments can be effective in accelerating biosolids solar drying and thus enhancing pathogen inactivation during the summer season. Investigation on the effects of tillage depth and frequency is recommended to determine optimal tilling practice.
On the Interpretation and Use of Mediation: Multiple Perspectives on Mediation Analysis

Mediation analysis has become a very popular approach in psychology, and it is one that is associated with multiple perspectives that are often at odds, often implicitly. Explicitly discussing these perspectives and their motivations, advantages, and disadvantages can help to provide clarity to conversations and research regarding the use and refinement of mediation models. We discuss five such pairs of perspectives on mediation analysis, their associated advantages and disadvantages, and their implications: with vs. without a mediation hypothesis, specific effects vs. a global model, directness vs. indirectness of causation, effect size vs. null hypothesis testing, and hypothesized vs. alternative explanations. Discussion of the perspectives is facilitated by a small simulation study. Some philosophical and linguistic considerations are briefly discussed, as well as some other perspectives we do not develop here.
The role of discriminant functions in screening beta thalassemia trait and iron deficiency anemia among laboratory samples

Introduction: Most important differential diagnosis for microcytosis and hypochromia is beta thalassemia trait (BTT) and iron deficiency anemia. Aim: To study the utility of discriminant functions (DFs) and red cell indices in distinguishing BTT and iron deficiency anemia. Methods: The study is observational (cross sectional). A total of 350 patients, 43 BTT, and 307 iron-deficiency anemia reflecting actual disease prevalence were included. Their complete red blood cell parameters, hemoglobin A2, and serum ferritin level wherever required were obtained. Receiver operator characteristic curve was drawn for each DF and results compared with other studies. Results: Among the six DFs, the highest sensitivity (97.7%) and specificity (98.6%) was shown, respectively, by Shine and Lal (S and L) and England and Fraser index (E and F) in identifying cases of BTT. Youden index of the Mentzer index (MI) was the highest (69.0) and S and L, the lowest (13.2) indicating MI to be the most efficient and the S and L, the least in differentiating the two entities. Red cell distribution width index (RDWI) showed the highest accuracy (91.6%), whereas S and L showed the least accuracy (29.6%). Conclusion: MI was the most efficient in discriminating BTT from iron deficiency anemia (IDA). RDWI stands to be the most accurate. S and L could at best be used as screening tool rather than DF. No study except one agreed with us because convenient sampling used in other studies generated bias in their results. Statistically, this study bears far more relevance than other studies because the sample distribution reflects the prevalence of IDA and BTT in the community.
Melatonin agonists for treatment of sleep and depressive disorders

Melatonin the hormone secreted by the pineal gland has been effective in improving sleep both in normal sleepers and insomniacs and has been used successfully in treating sleep and circadian rhythm sleep disorders. The lack of consistency in the reports published by the authors is attributed to the differential bioavailabilty and short half-life of melatonin. Sleep disturbances are also prominent features of depressive disorders. To overcome this problem, melatonergic agonists with sleep promoting properties have been introduced in clinical practice. Ramelteon, the MT1/ MT2 melatonergic agonist, has been used in a large number of clinical trials involving chronic insomniacs and has been found effective in improving the total sleep time and sleep efficiency of insomniacs and has not manifested serious adverse effects. The development of another MT1/MT2 melatonergic agonist agomelatine with antagonsim to 5-HT2c serotonin receptors has been found useful not only in treating sleep problems of patients but also as a first line antidepressant with earlier onset of actions in patients with major depressive disorder. An agonist for MT3 melatonin receptor has also been found effective in animal models of depression.
Victimization by Bullying and Harassment in High School: Findings from the 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey in a Southwestern State

ABSTRACT This study analyzed data on victimization by bullying and harassment on school property in a large, diverse, random sample of high school students in Arizona using data from the 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. No gender differences in frequency of victimization were detected, but differences by grade, Body Mass Index category, academic performance, depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts and actions, and feelings of safety were statistically significant, although the magnitude of the differences, as measured by effect sizes, were generally small. Implications of the findings for schools are discussed.
Protease Inhibitors and their Relation to Protease Activity in Human Milk

Summary: Protease inhibitors and protease (caseinolytic, elastinolytic and esterolytic) activity were analysed in 190 milk samples from 94 mothers from day 1 to day 160 after delivery The main protease inhibitors in human milk are α1-antichymotrypsin and α1-antitrypsin. As measured by electroimmunoassay, the level of α1-antichymotrypsin in day 1 colostrum was higher than that in normal serum. Trace amounts of inter-α-trypsin inhibitor, α2-antiplasmin, α2-macroglobulin, antithrombin III, or antileukoprotease could be demonstrated. According to their protease inhibiting activity, the 53 milk samples from day 1–3 could be divided into two groups. (1) Presence of protease inhibiting activity (n = 35). Both α1-antitrypsin and α1-antichymotrypsin appeared intact and were able to form complexes with added trypsin or chymotrypsin although the major part of α1-antichymotrypsin showed a retarded electrophoretic mobility. The proteolytic activity was undetectable or low in these samples. (2) No protease inhibiting activity, in spite of the presence of immunoreactive inhibitors (n = 18). α1-Antichymotrypsin had a precipitate pattern similar to group 1, whereas α1-antitrypsin had a major fraction with slightly retarded mobility and two minor peaks in the α-1and β-regions. These precipitate patterns were unchanged on addition of human trypsin or chymotrypsin compatible with the presence of nonreactive inhibitor only. These samples had a caseinolytic and esterolytic activity with an electrophoretic mobility in the β-region.All samples from day 4 and later had a demonstrable protease inhibiting activity.Speculation: About two-thirds of colostral milk samples have a protease inhibiting activity, i.e., can inhibit proteolytic enzymes present in or added to human colostrum. One-third has no protease inhibiting activity, and possess free protease activtiy. These different properties of human colostrum may cause differences in the absorption of proteins in newborn infants.
Potentially Fatal Bleeding in Acute Pancreatitis: Pathophysiology, Prevention, and Treatment

Introduction Massive bleeding may complicate the course of either acute or chronic pancreatitis. Although the latter is more frequently involved when bleeding occurs in the acute form, a poorer prognosis is to be expected. Abscess, severe inflammation, regional necrosis, and pseudocysts may cause major vessel erosion, with or without pseudoaneurysm formation, whose eventual rupture may result in massive bleeding into the gastrointestinal tract, retroperitoneum, and peritoneal cavity. Aims To define the most important pathophysiologic mechanisms and factors that might contribute to a better understanding, better prevention, and more efficient treatment of severe hemorrhage complicating acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Awareness of high-risk conditions occurring during the natural evolution of the disease (from extensive local severe enzymatic damage to late septic sequelae), avoidance of a too early and too aggressive approach to sterile pancreatic necrosis, and providing prompt and effective treatment of local septic complications, when they occur, are crucial steps for bleeding prevention. Methodology Forty-four cases of severe bleeding following acute pancreatitis that were reported during the last decade since 1992 (including the six cases reported here) are reviewed, analyzed, and summarized. Results The overall mortality rate was 34.1%. Splenic artery, portal vein, spleen, and unspecified peripancreatic vessels were the most commonly involved sources of bleeding, with associated mortality rates of 33.3%, 50.0%, 30%, and 28.5%, respectively. Massive hemorrhage was more frequently associated with severe necrosis, with a mortality rate of 37.9%. Conclusion The increased use of diagnostic and interventional radiology, in association with prompt surgical treatment, appears to be the way to improve survival rates in cases of arterial bleeding. Venous bleeding due to lesion of major peripancreatic veins or diffuse bleeding represents a therapeutic challenge, and treatment of these conditions should be tailored to the individual case, as no general rule can be suggested. In extreme cases, open packing or salvage emergency pancreatectomy may represent the only chances for survival.
Effects of Piper sarmentosum extract on the growth performance, antioxidant capability and immune response in weaned piglets

The biological properties of Piper sarmentosum render it a potential substitute for antibiotics in livestock feed. This study evaluated the effects of P. sarmentosum extract (PSE) on the growth performance, antioxidant capability and immune response of weaned piglets. Eighty 21-d-old weaned piglets were selected and randomly allocated to one of four dietary treatments with five replicates of four pigs each. The dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet supplemented with 0 (T0), 50 (T50), 100 (T100) or 200 (T200) mg/kg PSE. The feeding trial lasted 4 weeks. The results revealed that the T50 group had the highest average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) throughout the feeding trial (p < 0.05). Additionally, the T50 group had higher (p < 0.05) serum glutathione peroxidase activity (GSH-Px) and lower (p < 0.05) serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels than the T0 group at 4 weeks post-weaning (p < 0.05). Serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) decreased, while serum levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) increased by PSE supplementation at 4 weeks post-weaning (p < 0.05). PSE supplementation upregulated the mRNA expression of IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β and downregulated the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the ileal mucosal layer of piglets (p < 0.05). In summary, our study findings revealed that PSE supplementation improved the antioxidant capability, and reduced inflammation, which may be beneficial to weaned piglet health.
Breast-feeding and the risk of bronchial asthma in childhood: a systematic review with meta-analysis of prospective studies.

BACKGROUND The protective effect of breast-feeding on the development of childhood asthma remains a matter of controversy. We conducted a systematic review of prospective studies that evaluated the association between exclusive breast-feeding during the first 3 months after birth and asthma. STUDY DESIGN We searched the 1966-1999 MEDLINE database and reviewed reference lists of relevant articles to identify 12 prospective studies that met pre-stated inclusion criteria. Methodological aspects of the studies, duration and exclusivity of breast-feeding, and outcomes were assessed. Effect estimates were abstracted by the investigators, using a standardized approach. RESULTS The summary odds ratio (OR) for the protective effect of breast-feeding was 0.70 (95% CI 0.60 to 0.81). The effect estimate was greater in studies of children with a family history of atopy (OR = 0.52) than in studies of a combined population (OR = 0.73). CONCLUSIONS Exclusive breast-feeding during the first months after birth is associated with lower asthma rates during childhood. The effect, caused by immunomodulatory qualities of breast milk, avoidance of allergens, or a combination of these and other factors, strengthens the advantage of breast-feeding, especially if a family history of atopy is present.
Reward and Punishment Allocation in the Indian Culture

Two scenario studies examined justice perceptions in Indian samples. Study 1 investigated the effect of allocator-recipient relationship and internal/external locus of merit and need on both reward and punishment allocation in a distributive context, involving a meritorious and a needy recipient. Between merit, need and equality, subjects showed a clear equality orientation, in both allocation rule preference and perceived fairness of a given allocation. This finding was inconsistent with the strong need orientation reported in several Indian studies. In order to obtain more information on punishment alone, Study 2 was conducted in order to investigate a non-distributive context, involving internal/external locus of merit and need, and choice of punishment and perceived fairness of a given set of punishments, seriousness of the offence, guilt of the offender and the importance of need and merit. In both studies, the effect of situational variables did not emerge as expected. The apparent absence of effects of the situational variables was interpreted as the expression of a cognitive strategy to combine all the contextual information. The equality orientation found in Study 1 was interpreted as the resultant of such a combination. One part of this combination was in terms of the merit and need rules. It was suggested that subjects thought in terms of merit and need, instead of merit or need. Some evidence for this suggestion was obtained in Study 2. Need and merit were rated as being similar in importance when deciding a fair punishment. Attention was drawn to several aspects of justice perception, especially those related to punishment that requires further detailed investigation with modified methods.
Endothelial cell proliferation associated with abrupt reduction in shear stress is dependent on reactive oxygen species.

We have shown previously that flow-adapted endothelial cells respond to cessation of flow with cell membrane depolarization and increased production of reactive oxygen species, resulting in activation of transcription factors and increased DNA synthesis. This study utilized flow cytometry to evaluate cellular proliferation with ischemia and to determine the role of reactive oxygen species and apoptosis. PKH26-labeled rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells were seeded in an artificial capillary system and subjected to flow at 5 dynes/cm(2) for 96 h or for 72 h followed by 24 h of simulated "ischemia. " Ischemia resulted in a 2.5-fold increase in the cellular proliferation index. Cell-cycle analysis showed G0/G1 arrest and decreased S plus G2/M during flow adaptation, whereas ischemia resulted in a three-fold increase of cells in S plus G2/M phases. Apoptotic cells as detected by TUNEL and annexin V binding assays were ~5% of total cells with no differences between static, flow-adapted, and "ischemic" groups. Reactive oxygen species production during a 1-h period following onset of ischemia was confirmed by oxidation of the fluorophore, dichlorofluorescein, and was inhibited by cromakalim, a K(ATP) channel agonist, or diphenyleneiodonium, a flavoprotein inhibitor. Cromakalim and diphenyleneiodonium also markedly inhibited cell proliferation in the flow-adapted ischemic cells, but had no effect on subconfluent cells cultured under static conditions. These results indicate reactive oxygen species-dependent endothelial cell proliferation in flow-adapted microvascular endothelial cells as a response to ischemia and indicate that this response is not a consequence of apoptosis.