Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Oxidative Half-reaction of Xanthine Dehydrogenase with NAD; Reaction Kinetics and Steady-state Mechanism*

The reaction between reduced xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) from bovine milk and NAD has been studied in detail. An understanding of this reaction is necessary for a complete description of XDH turnover with its presumed natural electron acceptor and to address the preference of XDH for NAD over oxygen as a substrate. The reaction between pre-reduced XDH and NAD was studied by stopped-flow spectrophotometry. The reaction was found to involve two rounds of oxidation with 2 eq of NAD. The first round goes to completion, and the second round reaches a slightly disfavored equilibrium. Rapid binding of NAD with an apparentK d of 25 ± 2 μm is followed by NAD reduction at a rate constant of 130 ± 13 s−1. NADH dissociation at a rate constant of 42 ± 12 s−1completes a round of oxidation. These steps have been successfully tested and modeled to repeat themselves in the second round of oxidation. The association rate constant for NAD binding was estimated to be much greater than any rate constant measured in the oxidation by molecular oxygen, thus explaining how NAD competes with oxygen for reducing equivalents. Rate constants for NAD reduction and NADH dissociation are respectively 21- and 7-fold greater thank cat, indicating that the reductive half-reaction of the enzyme by xanthine is mostly rate-limiting in xanthine/NAD turnover. A steady-state mechanism for XDH is discussed.
STAM Protocol in Dementia

Background: The Sound Training for Attention and Memory in Dementia (STAM-Dem) is a manualized music-based protocol designed to be used in the rehabilitation of cognitive functions in elderly patients with dementia (PWD). Method: This was a multicenter, single-blind, randomized, and controlled trial that involved 51 PWD. The objective was to test the STAM-Dem efficacy. Patients in the experimental group followed the STAM-Dem for 2 weekly sessions of 45 minutes for 12 weeks (in addition to standard care). Those in the control group continued with the normal “standard care” provided. Results: In the experimental group, the instruments immediate prose memory test (MPI), deferred prose memory test (MPD), attentional matrices, activities of daily living, Music Therapy Activity Scale (SVAM) and Geriatric Music Therapy Profile (GMP) increase significantly from pre to post-test (P < .05). Conclusion: The protocol is feasible and data suggest that there was an effect on attentino (matrices) and prose memory skills (MPI and MPD). The effect size reveals a general improvement in the results of the experimental group.
A randomized controlled clinical trial to assess the efficacy of Nasya in reducing the signs and symptoms of cervical spondylosis

This work was designed to assess the efficacy of Nasya in reducing the signs and symptoms of cervical spondylosis. The patients attending the O. P. D of Department of Kaya Chikitsa and Panchakarma, Government Ayurveda College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram were enrolled and subjected to the treatment schedule. Total duration of treatment was 21days. The schedule for the first 14 days was similar in both the groups. It included Rooksha Sveda for 7days followed by Patra Pottali Sveda for 7days. During this period, 90 ml Gandharvahastadi Kashaya twice and Guggulu Tiktaka Kashaya once were given internally. After this, in the Nasya group Nasya was done for 7days with Dhanwantaram Tailam (21times Aavartita), Mridu Paka in Madhyama Matra (8Bindu). Along with this Guggulu Tiktaka Kashaya was given thrice. In the control group, Guggulu Tiktaka kashaya alone was given thrice daily. Assessments were done with regard to pain, tenderness, radiation of pain, numbness, range of movements and hand grip strength. These were done before treatment, before nasya, after treatment and after 1month follow-up. The statistical hypothesis was tested using paired ‘t’ test and ‘Z’ test for proportion. The trial proved that conventional management along with Nasya was more efficacious than conventional management alone in reducing the signs and symptoms of cervical spondylosis.
Specific dyspeptic symptoms are associated with poor response to therapy in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease

Introduction In patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD), co-existence of functional dyspepsia (FD) is known to be associated with poor response to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), but the contribution of specific dyspepsia symptoms has not yet been systematically investigated. Objective We aimed to characterize the impact of dyspepsia symptoms on response to PPIs in patients with GORD. Methods The enrolled subjects were consecutive patients with a diagnosis of GORD. All patients underwent a 24 hour pH–impedance test, while on PPI therapy. Patients were divided into two groups, refractory and responders, according to the persistence of GORD symptoms. A standardized questionnaire for FD was also administered to assess presence of dyspepsia symptoms. Results In the subgroup of refractory patients FD was more prevalent than in responders, with post-prandial fullness, nausea, vomiting, early satiation and epigastric pain being significantly prevalent in refractory GORD patients. In the multivariate analysis only early satiation and vomiting were significantly associated with poor response to PPIs. Conclusion Co-existence of FD is associated with refractory GORD. We showed that only early satiation and vomiting are risk factors for poor response to therapy with PPIs. Our findings suggest that symptoms of early satiation and vomiting would help to identify the subset of PPI-refractory GORD patients.
Informal HCI: Fixing Playability Issues As A Strategy To Improve The Skills Of Novice Programmers

Human-Computer Interaction topics have been previously used to motivate and attract students to the field of Computer Science. However, as students are growing up in contact with several interactive computational devices, one could suspect that they already possess an empirical, informal knowledge about the quality of some specific types of human-computer interfaces. This informal knowledge may influence how these students deal with the construction of interactive artifacts while learning programming fundamentals. In order to test this hypothesis, we developed a Game Design Workshop to be offered to high school students. Based on the results of its first offering, we identified that issues related to displaying the game status and score, response time of controls and graphical and sound features were quite relevant to students. Students added additional features to solve those issues in a spontaneous way. An analysis of the developed games indicates that, in order to implement the additional features, students had to learn and apply programming concepts that were new to them, such as loop boundaries and message broadcasting.
Arthropod-Borne Virus Plaques in Agar Overlaid Tube Cultures.∗ †

Summary and Conclusion A tissue culture tube overlay method for detecting virus growth and for performing titrations and serum neutralization tests with members of the arthropod-borne viruses has been described. This method was more consistent and more sensitive than cytopathogenic effects for detecting multiplication of certain arbor viruses in tissue culture. Plaque-forming unit endpoint titrations were generally higher than the cytopathogenic endpoint (TCD50) even when CPE was evident, or the endpoint (LD50) in infant mice inoculated intracerebrally. It is suggested that the tube overlay technic may be an aid in large scale screening of clinical or field specimens and in conducting serum neutralizing antibody surveys for many arthropod-borne viruses.
Scaling of the first ethmoturbinal in nocturnal strepsirrhines: Olfactory and respiratory surfaces

Turbinals (scroll bones, turbinates) are projections from the lateral wall of the nasal fossa. These bones vary from simple folds to branching scrolls. Conventionally, maxilloturbinals comprise the respiratory turbinals, whereas nasoturbinals and ethmoturbinals comprise olfactory turbinals, denoting the primary type of mucosa that lines these conchae. However, the first ethmoturbinal (ETI) appears exceptional in the variability of it mucosal covering. Recently, it was suggested that the distribution of respiratory versus olfactory mucosae varies based on body size or age in strepsirrhine primates (lemurs and lorises). The present study was undertaken to determine how the rostrocaudal distribution of olfactory epithelium (OE) versus non‐OE scales relative to palatal length in strepsirrhines. Serially sectioned heads of 20 strepsirrhines (10 neonates, 10 adults) were examined for presence of OE on ETI, rostral to its attachment to the nasal fossa wall (lateral root). Based on known distances between sections of ETI, the rostrocaudal length of OE was measured and compared to the length lined solely by non‐OE (primarily respiratory epithelium). In 13 specimens, the total surface area of OE versus non‐OE was calculated. Results show that the length of non‐OE scales nearly isometrically with cranial length, while OE is more negatively allometric. In surface area, a lesser percentage of non‐OE exists in smaller species than larger species and between neonates and adults. Such results are consistent with recent suggestions that the olfactory structures do not scale closely with body size, whereas respiratory structures (e.g., maxilloturbinals) may scale close to isometry. In primates and perhaps other mammals, variation in ETI morphology may reflect dual adaptations for olfaction and endothermy. Anat Rec, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of Nitric Oxide on Proprioceptive Signaling

Abstract We have analysed the effects of the neuromodulator nitric oxide (NO) on proprioceptive information processing by ascending intersegmental interneurons that form part of the local circuits within the terminal abdominal ganglion of the crayfish. NO modulates the synaptic inputs to ascending interneurons, enhancing the amplitude of class I interneurons and reducing the amplitude of class II interneurons. Repetitive proprioceptive stimulation leads to rapid depression in a specific set of identified interneurons but not in others. Bath application of a nitric oxide scavenger, PTIO, causes a significant decrease in the rate of depression of the interneurons showing a rapid depression, independent of interneuron class, but has no effect on the dynamic responses of the interneurons that show little initial depression. These results indicate that NO exerts multiple effects at the very first stage of synaptic integration in local circuits.
[Impact of short-time treatment of prophylactic antibiotics for surgical site infection in cervical spinal surgery].

OBJECTIVES This study is designed to determine the impact of the short-time usage of prophylactic antibiotics to prevent postoperative wound infection in spinal surgery. METHODS The medical records of 965 patients who underwent cervical spinal operation between 2009 and 2011 were collected for the assessment. These patients were divided into two groups based on antibiotic selection and duration of prophylactic antibiotic treatment:234 patients treated with prophylactic antibiotics for a short period of time were set as Group A, whereas Group B included 731 patients treated with prophylactic antibiotics for experience-based length of time. All the patients' records, including personal information, preoperational medical records, surgical records, postoperative medical information and the development of surgical site infections, were collected for analysis. RESULTS In Group A, 153 patients were treated by second generation cephalosporins and 81 patients were treated by clindamycin. The duration of treatment was 1.17 ± 0.38 days. In Group B, 41 patients were treated by penicillin, 375 and 2 patients were treated by second and third generation cephalosporins, respectively, 128 patients were treated by clindamycin, 42 patients were treated by cephamycin, 128 patients were treated by quinolone, other antibiotic was used by 1 patient and other 14 patients were treated by combinations of antibiotics. The duration of the treatment in Group B was 5.72 ± 1.63 days. The significant differences between the length of treatment time in Group A and B were observed (P < 0.001). There were no statistical differences of pre-/post-operational leukocytes number compared between Group A and B. In addition, although the neutrophils in Group A and B are 70.70% ± 9.71% and 67.09% ± 9.78% respectively, indicating a subtle difference (t = 2.921, P = 0.004), however, these numbers were in normal range; therefore, no clinical significance was found from the comparison of neutrophils in groups. A total of 7 cases (0.73%) of surgical site infection were recorded, including 4 cases (1.71%) in Group A and 3 cases (0.41%) in Group B, all of which were posterior laminoplasty. With Fisher analysis (P = 0.063), these infection rates were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS An appropriate usage of prophylactic antibiotics in a short period of time in cervical spinal surgery did not increase the rate of surgical site infection.
Pitfalls and Pearls of Wisdom in 18F-FDG PET Imaging of Tumors

18F-FDG PET imaging of tumors has pitfalls and pearls of wisdom that begin at the point of scheduling and continue through the patient interview, the resting phase, the scan itself, and the image review. Interviewing the patient at the time of scheduling, followed by placing a reminder phone call shortly before the appointment, can save a nuclear medicine department the financial loss of wasted doses and missed appointment slots in the schedule. The pitfalls and pearls of wisdom in tumor imaging are ever changing, and the technologist is in a constant state of inquiry about the patient’s disease process and ability to comply. Consideration of each item on the worksheets in this article affects every scan. On completing this article, the reader will be able to identify questions that should be asked in the scheduling and preinjection patient interviews, interpret the answers to those questions, determine how the images may be affected, and adapt the scan.
Pheochromocytoma due to unilateral adrenal medullary hyperplasia

We describe two male patients, aged 17 and 47 years, with clinical and biochemical features of pheochromocytoma. Both patients had normal‐sized adrenal glands on abdominal CT scan and abnormal unilateral uptake of I‐123 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) on scintigraphy. The surgical adrenalectomy revealed normal macroscopic glands in both patients. Histological examination showed adrenal medullary hyperplasia with adrenal cortico‐medullary ratios of 2 : 1 and 4 : 1. Unilateral adrenalectomy resulted in amelioration of symptoms and normalization of catecholamines excretion. DNA examination for RET proto‐oncogene revealed no mutations in exons 10, 11, 13, 14 and 16. Our results suggest that diffuse adrenal medullary hyperplasia may be the initial pathological change in the adrenal gland leading, subsequently, to the development of nodular hyperplasia and adrenal medullary tumor. These results indicate that the syndrome of pheochromocytoma may occur as an unilateral adrenal medullary hyperplasia in patients without evidence for multiple endocrine neoplasia.
Cooperative Communication Newtork with Parallel Spreading Method for MC-CDMA Systems

We propose an approach that improves reliability and throughput in wireless terrestrial networks with a novel cooperation strategy based on parallel spreading method. In proposed scheme, each spread sequence is constructed as a set of sub-spread sequences by parallel spreading method. They are distributed to adjacent terminals and delivered in a collaborative fashion. By exploiting multiple radio resources to transmit data information, the system enables to obtain diversity gains similar to Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) systems. Moreover, we rotate the sub-spread sequence distribution pattern to maximize the frequency diversity. In this paper, we compare FER performance and system throughput with conventional multi-carrier systems. Simulation results demonstrate that the merits of the proposed cooperative communication scheme.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE CYTOCHEMICAL REACTION OF PEROXIDASE WITH BENZIDINE AND THE STABILITY OF THE BLUE REACTION PRODUCT

The influence of pH, temperature, time of incubation, concentration of the substrate and acceptor, addition of alcohol and salts on the cytochemical reaction of peroxidase with benzidine and H2O2 was investigated. The stability of the blue and brown reaction products towards oxidizing and reducing agents was tested. It was observed that a slightly acid pH and low temperature are main factors for the formation of a blue rather than of brown or yellow reaction products of peroxidase with benzidine. A procedure was described for the stabilization of the blue reaction product consisting in the treatment of the tissue with 70% alcohol solutions of sodium nitroprusside, buffered at pH 5.0, subsequent to the staining with benzidine. Crystallization artifacts of the blue pigment could be prevented in the absence of added salts (buffers) by regulating the amount of "benzidine blue" produced by peroxidase. The main variables used for this regulation were the time of incubation with benzidine and H2O2 at 0-4°C, and secondary variables were the concentrations of benzidine, H2O2, and added alcohol. Procedures for the staining of peroxidase in alcohol-containing and in aqueous solutions of benzidine were described and compared. The specificity of the cytochemical reaction of peroxidase with benzidine was discussed.
Motor mechanisms associated with slowing of the gastric emptying of a solid meal by an intraduodenal lipid infusion

The aim of this study was to define better the motor phenomena associated with the slowing of gastric emptying by a duodenal lipid infusion. Antral, pyloric and duodenal motility were recorded in 10 healthy subjects with a manometric assembly which incorporated multiple perfused side‐holes and a sleeve sensor positioned astride the pylorus. The gastric emptying of a standard solid meal and the distribution of the ingesta between the proximal and distal stomach were monitored with a radionuclide technique. A triglyceride emulsion was infused into the duodenum for 45 min once 25% of the meal had emptied. The infusion caused significant slowing in the rate of gastric emptying (P < 0.01). This slowing in gastric emptying was associated with the suppression of pressure waves in the distal antrum (P < 0.01) and proximal duodenum (P < 0.01), the induction of pressure waves isolated to a narrow pyloric segment (P < 0.01), and a redistribution of ingesta from the distal to proximal stomach. These findings suggest that pressure waves isolated to the pylorus, changes in the intragastric distribution of ingested food, and changes in proximal duodenal motility may all act in concert with changes in antral motility to regulate the gastric emptying of solids.
[The "hazards" of using a Gore-Tex sling in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence].

OBJECTIVE To analyze the use of the Gore-Tex in the treatment of exertion incontinence. METHODS During 1991, two gynecology units used the Mouchel technique and a Goebell-Stoeckel type technique in 72 patients with exertion incontinence, alone in 36 and in combination with a cure for prolapsus in 36 others. Results were analyzed with the chi 2 squared test and the Student's test for paired series. RESULTS The rate of incontinence was 65% with a range from 60 to 66.7% according to the type of technique used and whether a cure for prolapsus was also performed. Gore-Tex was not well tolerated in 23/72 cases. Rejection was seen in 20 to 37.5% according to the type of vaginal suture and the type of protection. CONCLUSION The high rate of rejection suggests prudence in using Gore-Tex.
The Effect of Antioxidants Supplementation to Cryopreservation Protocol on Seminal Attributes and Sperm Membrane Characteristics in Sirohi Goat Saraswat

Antioxidants partially ameliorated the negative effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced during cryopreservation. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of reduced glutathione, ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol on the quality of frozen-thawed buck spermatozoa. Ejaculates were collected by artificial vagina from 8 bucks and microscopically evaluated at 37 0 C. The semen samples were diluted in a Tris–based extender including glutathione reduced (7mM), ascorbic (9mM), vitamin E (4.5mM) and Control. Sperm motility, viability, acrosome integrity, functional membrane integrity and DNA integrity were evaluated immediately after dilution and post thaw. Supplementation with reduced glutathione (7mM) improved (P<0.05) post thaw motility, normal acrosomes, HOST and DNA integrity immediately after thawing whereas ascorbic acid (9mM) supplementation improved (P<0.05) live sperm count post thaw. However α-tocopherol (4.5mM) supplementation did not show any significant effect on progressive motility, acrosome integrity, plasma membrane integrity and DNA integrity. In conclusion, reduced glutathione (7mM) supplementation in Tris egg yolk extender improved motility, viability, acrosome integrity, functional membrane integrity and DNA integrity of frozen–thawed buck spermatozoa.
Regional Determinants of Exurban Land Use in the US Midwest

As urban areas continue to disperse and decentralize, new urban growth is increasingly occurring in peri-rural or exurban areas. The US Midwest (the East North-Central Regional Census Division) typifies the transformation of the countryside as agricultural employment declines, and both jobs and people move out into formerly rural areas proximate to larger urban centers. Many of the factors underlying this urbanization process are linked to higher-ordered processes at regional and even global scales. For example, rising household incomes, changing preferences for low-density development, adoption of new information and production technologies, and improved regional infrastructure are all associated with regional economic growth and are among the primary influences hypothesized to influence urbanization patterns. This analysis explores the association between regional factors and resulting exurban residential land use in areas within all Metropolitan Statistical Areas but outside core urbanized areas in the region, representing the potential commutershed and access to centers of commerce. First, a crosstabulation of exurbanization and economic growth was conducted to develop a broad typology of the regional growth-exurbanization link for the period 1980 – 2000. Then, a panel regression model is estimated which specifies the density of residential and commercial/industrial land use in these exurban areas as a function of regional economic structure at the level of the MSA as a whole, controlling for relevant geographical and infrastructural factors. Lastly, a cross-sectional analysis using spatially explicit data is conducted for the year 2000 to test whether the spatial pattern (i.e., fragmented or compact) of exurban land use directly relates to these regional factors.
A Novel Combined Biomonitoring System for BOD Measurement and Toxicity Detection using Microbial Fuel Cells

Microbial fuel cell enriched with electrochemically-active bacteria using sludge was successfully applied as BOD and toxicity detection biosensors. The current from the microbial fuel cells was proportional to concentration up to 200 mg/L of BOD5 with high linearity. A microbial fuel cell could be also applied to a toxicity detection biosensor. An electric current signal change was observed in the presence of toxic substances (singular/complex) such as cadmium, lead, chromium(VI), mercury, cyanide, arsenic, PCB, organophosphorus and surfactant. By combining the principles of BOD measurement and toxicity detection, a novel biomonitoring system that could simultaneously monitor BOD concentration and the presence of toxic substances in aqueous system could be developed.