Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Postnatal differentiation of efferent ductule epithelium in goats: A light microscopic and ultrastructural study

Caprine efferent ductule epithelium contains ciliated and nonciliated cells. The latter cells are divided into three types: type II cells contain PAS‐positive granules, type III cells contain PAS‐negative vacuoles, and type I cells lack both granules and vacuoles (Goyal and Williams, Anat. Rec. 220:58–67). The objectives of this study are i) to determine when the epithelium differentiates into ciliated and nonciliated cells, ii) to determine when nonciliated cells acquire characteristics typical for type II and type III cells, and iii) to relate developmental changes in the epithelium with those in the testis. Testes and efferent ductules were examined at the light and electron microscopic levels in goats from 1–25 weeks of age. Efferent ductule epithelium contained ciliated and nonciliated cells as early as week 1. While ciliated cells were differentiated at week 1, differentiation of nonciliated cells did not occur until week ≥15. Differential features in ciliated cells included the presence of cilia at the apical border and an aggregation of mitochondria in the apical cytoplasm. Those in nonciliated cells included the presence of i) an endocytotic apparatus at week ≥15, ii) PAS‐positive granules at week ≥15, and iii) PAS‐negative vacuoles at week ≥25. The seminiferous tubules developed lumens at 12–15 weeks. Hence, while differentiation of ciliated cells occurred much before lumen formation in the seminiferous tubules, that of nonciliated cells coincided with, or occurred soon after, lumen formation, suggesting a role for testicular fluid contents in their differentiation. The goat efferent ductules can be characterized morphologically mature by 25 weeks. Anat Rec 259:1–11, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Use of cephalosporins during pregnancy and in the presence of congenital abnormalities: a population-based, case-control study.

OBJECTIVE Our purpose was to study the human teratogenic potential of cephalosporin treatment during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN Pair analysis of cases with congenital abnormalities and matched controls without congenital abnormalities was performed. The population-based data set of the Hungarian Case-Control Surveillance of Congenital Abnormalities, 1980-1996, was used. The participants included 22,865 pregnant women who had fetuses or newborn infants with congenital abnormalities, 38,151 pregnant women who had infants without any defects (population control group), and 812 mothers who were delivered of babies affected with Down syndrome (patient controls). RESULTS In the case group, 308 (1.35%) pregnant women were treated with cephalosporin. In the population and patient control groups, 440 (1.15%) and 16 (1.97%) pregnant women had similar treatments. The somewhat higher use of cephalosporins, mainly oral cephalexin, in the case and patient control groups was explained by recall bias. The comparison of the occurrence of medically documented cephalosporin treatments during the second to third months of gestation (ie, the critical period for major congenital abnormalities) in different congenital abnormality groups with the referent data of the total population control group and the patient control group did not indicate a detectable human teratogenic potential of the studied drug. CONCLUSION Treatment with the studied cephalosporins during pregnancy does not seem to present a detectable teratogenic risk to the fetus. However, further studies are needed to clarify the teratogenic and fetal toxic effects of different cephalosporins separately.
Potential Targets of 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase Inhibitor for Multiple Sclerosis Therapy

The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors or statins are newly identified immunomodulators. In vivo treatment of SJL/J mice with lovastatin reduced the duration and clinical severity of active and passive experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for multiple sclerosis. Lovastatin induced the expression of GATA3 and the phosphorylation of STAT6, whereas it inhibited tyrosine phosphorylation of Janus kinase 2, tyrosine kinase 2, and STAT4. Inhibition of the Janus kinase-STAT4 pathway by lovastatin modulated T0 to Th1 differentiation and reduced cytokine (IFN-γ and TNF-α) production, thus inducing Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10). It inhibited T-bet (T box transcription factor) and NF-κB in activated T cells and significantly reduced infiltration of CD4- and MHC class II-positive cells to CNS. Further, it stabilized IL-4 production and GATA-3 expression in differentiated Th2 cells, whereas in differentiated Th1 cells it inhibited the expression of T-bet and reduced the production of IFN-γ. Moreover, lovastatin-exposed macrophage and BV2 (microglia) in allogeneic MLRs induced the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. These observations indicate that the anti-inflammatory effects of lovastatin are mediated via T cells as well as APCs, because it modulates the polarization patterns of naive T cell activation in an APC-independent system. Together, these findings reveal that lovastatin may have possible therapeutic value involving new targets (in both APCs and T cells) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory diseases.
Design aspects of a high speed permanent magnet synchronous motor / generator for flywheel applications

This paper presents aspects of the design solution for a high speed, high efficiency permanent magnet machine used as a motor/generator (M/G) unit in a flywheel energy storage system. The motor is operated in a vacuum with passive cooling; thus the right choice of permanent magnet properties and ability to withstand demagnetization due to the temperature variation and armature reaction is important for the M/G design. Additionally, the M/G is operated with magnetic bearings so radiation is the only heat transfer method for rotor losses. Because of that, special measures are directed toward reducing the rotor losses. Analytical design results obtained by using a commercial motor design software package are presented. An investigation of the armature reaction and magnet demagnetization is performed using the magnetic circuit method and 2D finite element analysis (FEA). The results of the transient 2D FEA are presented. The value of the axial force applied to the rotor due to the stator slots skew as a function of stator current is determined using 3D FEA simulation. The final design results in good torque performance over the entire operating range
A beam steering single-arm rectangular spiral antenna with large azimuth space coverage

A novel beam steering single-arm rectangular spiral antenna operating at 3.3 GHz is analyzed using Ansys HFSS. There are 5 switches mounted on the spiral arm. If PIN diodes are used as switches, only one bias signal is required for actuation. Based on different operation of the switches, two cases with maximum beam directions spaced around 1500 in φ-plane are achieved. Both cases have maximum right hand circular polarization (RHCP) gain of approximately 5 dBi and meanwhile cross polarization is suppressed to a very low level. The variation with frequency of the maximum gain, maximum beam direction, and axial ratio is inspected. The proposed design has a 100-MHz bandwidth with good matching, stable maximum beam direction, maximum gain, and circular polarization purity for both cases.
Does the molecular staging in pelvic lymph nodes improve the detection of relevant prostate cancer metastases? An assessment after 6 years

To assess the course of cancer‐free survival and thus determine how reliably reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) can detect prostate‐specific antigen (PSA)‐expressing cells, as patients with untreated lymph node‐positive prostate cancer tend to have a poor prognosis, whereas those treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) and immediate adjuvant hormonal therapy show excellent local disease control and a disease‐free survival comparable with that of patients with negative lymph nodes, but the detection of micrometastatic disease in pelvic lymph nodes remains a major challenge.
Torc1/Torc2 inhibitor, Palomid 529, enhances radiation response modulating CRM1‐mediated survivin function and delaying DNA repair in prostate cancer models

P529, a Torc1/Torc2 inhibitor, has demonstrated its potential as a radiosensitizer. However the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon still need to be elucidated. Aim of this study is to dissect molecular mechanisms regulating the radiosensitizing properties of P529 in a wide panel of prostate cancer models.
The Effect of HIV Infection, Immunodeficiency, and Antiretroviral Therapy on the Risk of Hepatic Dysfunction

Background:Limited data exists regarding the effect of chronic HIV infection on the liver. We sought to characterize the hepatic risks of HIV infection, immunodeficiency, and cumulative use of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods:Adult HIV infected and 10:1 age-matched and sex-matched HIV-uninfected individuals were followed for incident hepatic dysfunction or hepatic dysfunction-related death. Multivariable Poisson regression models were used to obtain incident rate ratios, adjusting for multiple hepatic risk factors including alcohol/drug abuse, hepatitis B and C, and diabetes. Results:We identified 20,775 HIV-infected and 215,158 HIV-uninfected individuals. HIV-infected individuals had a significantly greater overall risk compared with HIV-uninfected individuals of both hepatic dysfunction and hepatic dysfunction-related death. The highest risk was seen in patients with low CD4 cell counts not on ART [adjusted rate ratio of hepatic dysfunction–related death 59.4; (95% confidence interval: 39.3 to 89.7), P < 0.001; hepatic dysfunction, adjusted rate ratio 15.7 (95% confidence interval: 11.4 to 21.6), P < 0.001]. In an HIV-infected only model, factors that increased risk included low CD4 cell count, high HIV RNA level, alcohol/drug abuse, hepatitis B or C coinfection, and diabetes. Longer cumulative exposure to ART did not increase risk, regardless of therapy class. Conclusions:HIV-infected individuals have a higher risk of hepatic dysfunction and hepatic dysfunction–related death compared with HIV-uninfected individuals, even with adjustment for known hepatic risk factors. Hepatic outcomes were associated with lower CD4+ T-cell counts but not with longer cumulative ART exposure. These findings provide indirect evidence supporting early use of ART to reduce the risk for hepatic-related complications.
Pituitary response to GnRH and ovariectomy in Booroola-Awassi and Awassi ewe lambs.

Booroola-Awassi ewe lambs were heterozygous (F+) for a major gene F, influencing their ovulation rate, while Awassi lambs were non-carriers (++). Basal plasma FSH concentration (mean +/- s.e.m.) in Booroola-Awassi ewe lambs at 4 weeks of age was significantly higher than in Awassi lambs of the same age (5.06 +/- 0.60 and 2.04 +/- 0.32 ng/ml respectively; P less than 0.001). After GnRH administration, FSH increased from 3.89 +/- 1.10 to 10.58 +/- 1.30 ng/ml in Booroola-Awassi (N = 6) and from 1.87 +/- 0.29 to 4.64 +/- 0.33 ng/ml in Awassi (N = 6) ewe lambs (P less than 0.05). Ovariectomy caused an increase in plasma FSH in Booroola-Awassi (N = 4) and Awassi (N = 4) ewe lambs. At 1 week after ovariectomy plasma FSH increased from 5.96 +/- 1.02 to 7.06 +/- 1.05 ng/ml in F+ and from 1.67 +/- 1.06 to 5.21 +/- 0.66 ng/ml in ++ ewe lambs, suggesting a stronger negative feed-back effect exerted by the ovaries of Awassi lambs. At 15 weeks after ovariectomy FSH values were similar in Booroola-Awassi (18.28 +/- 1.96 ng/ml) and Awassi (16.07 +/- 0.70 ng/ml) lambs. Although the overall pattern of pituitary response to ovariectomy was similar in the F+ and ++ ewe lambs, Booroola-Awassi lambs had small ovaries (132.5 +/- 24.9 mg) and follicular development did not proceed beyond the preantral stage in 3/4 animals, and Awassi lambs had large ovaries (600.0 +/- 233.9 mg) (P less than 0.05) with many preantral and antral follicles. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
MGMT Gene Silencing and Benefit from Temozolomide in Glioblastoma

background Epigenetic silencing of the MGMT (O 6 -methylguanine–DNA methyltransferase) DNArepair gene by promoter methylation compromises DNA repair and has been associated with longer survival in patients with glioblastoma who receive alkylating agents. methods We tested the relationship between MGMT silencing in the tumor and the survival of patients who were enrolled in a randomized trial comparing radiotherapy alone with radiotherapy combined with concomitant and adjuvant treatment with temozolomide. The methylation status of the MGMT promoter was determined by methylation-specific polymerase-chain-reaction analysis. results The MGMT promoter was methylated in 45 percent of 206 assessable cases. Irrespective of treatment, MGMT promoter methylation was an independent favorable prognostic factor (P<0.001 by the log-rank test; hazard ratio, 0.45; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.32 to 0.61). Among patients whose tumor contained a methylated MGMT promoter, a survival benefit was observed in patients treated with temozolomide and radiotherapy; their median survival was 21.7 months (95 percent confidence interval, 17.4 to 30.4), as compared with 15.3 months (95 percent confidence interval, 13.0 to 20.9) among those who were assigned to only radiotherapy (P=0.007 by the log-rank test). In the absence of methylation of the MGMT promoter, there was a smaller and statistically insignificant difference in survival between the treatment groups. conclusions Patients with glioblastoma containing a methylated MGMT promoter benefited from temozolomide, whereas those who did not have a methylated MGMT promoter did not have such a benefit.
MORTALITY IN FLEDGLING GREAT HORNED OWLS FROM BLACK FLY HEMATOPHAGA AND LEUCOCYTOZOONOSIS

Black fly feeding alone and in concert with Leucocytozoon spp. infection caused mortality in fledgling great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) in the Yukon, Canada 1990 to 1991. These mortalities occurred during a year of food shortage corresponding with a decline in the population of snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), the main prey for great horned owls. We hypothesize an interaction between food availability and the consequences of host-parasite interactions.
THE TAFES MULTI-FAMILY GROUP INTERVENTION FOR KOSOVAR REFUGEES: A FEASIBILITY STUDY

The object of this study was to describe a feasibility study of the Tea and Families Education and Support (TAFES) intervention used in a group of newly resettled adult refugees from Kosova. The subjects were 86 newly resettled Kosovar refugees in Chicago who gave informed consent to participate in an investigation of the TAFES intervention. All subjects received family home visits, and most participated in the TAFES multi-family groups. The instruments were administered to adult participants before and 3 months after the intervention. The TAFES program had contact with 61 Kosovar refugee families, of which 42 families (69%) engaged in TAFES groups, including families with educated and working members. Several characteristics were associated with engaging in TAFES groups and included lower monthly family income and higher age of the first child. The uncontrolled postintervention assessments demonstrated increases in social support and psychiatric service use associated with engagement in the TAFES group. Participants also showed time changes in scale scores assessing trauma mental health knowledge, trauma mental health attitudes, and family hardiness. This study provides preliminary evidence that multi-family support and education groups are a feasible and possibly beneficial intervention for newly resettled refugees and indicates the need for further studies.
Management of Open Distal Lower Extremity Wounds With Exposed Tendons Using Porcine Urinary Bladder Matrix.

Open wounds of the distal third of the leg and foot with an exposed tendon present a challenge in wound management and in attaining stable, durable coverage. The mobility of the tendon often leads to chronic inflammation that impedes wound closure, while the desiccation of the exposed tendon leads to progressive tendon necrosis. For the authors' cases, the ability of extracellular matrix (ECM) products to modulate wound bed inflammation and facilitate constructive remodeling of a wound seemed a reasonable approach in treating these wounds, especially in patients who are often poor surgical candidates for more advanced reconstructive procedures. METHODS The authors reviewed 13 patients who had open wounds of the distal third of the leg and/or foot that had associated tendon involvement in the wound (Achilles, 6; tibialis anterior, 6; and peroneal, 1). Patients' wounds were treated to total closure. The clinical course and patient management is reviewed herein. RESULTS The authors found newer ECM products can provide a more optimal method of management of patients with exposed tendons, as compared to prolonged negative pressure wound therapy. CONCLUSION Furthermore, the authors conclude the use of newer ECM products yields a more stable, less scarred, reconstructed wound that more closely resembles normal foot and ankle appearance compared to other more complex reconstructive operative procedures.
Is Obesity More Than a Double Burden among People with Mobility Disability? The Effect of Obesity on HRQoL and Participation in Society

Obesity is more common in individuals with mobility disability than in those without this condition. Individuals with mobility disability also have lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and are limited in their participation in society. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the body mass index (BMI) status and the association of overweight or obesity on HRQoL and participation in society among those with mobility disability in comparison to those without mobility disability. This cross-sectional study was based on a health survey conducted in Sweden in 2012 (n = 18,322; age, 18–64 years). Logistic regression with and without interaction analysis was applied. Effect modification by overweight status was significant for, moderate pain. For obesity, effect modification was seen for low general health, pain (moderate and severe), and not participating in work. BMI was higher among those with mobility disability, but no associations between overweight or obesity and HRQoL or participation in society were observed for those with mobility disability. Overweight and obesity did not add an additional burden to mobility disability, probably because mobility disability is associated with low HRQoL and low participation in society. Despite these results, population obesity prevention strategies are still needed.
Readiness of U.S. Nurses for Evidence-Based Practice: Many don’t understand or value research and have had little or no training to help them find evidence on which to base their practice.

OVERVIEW:Evidence-based practice is a systematic approach to problem solving for health care providers, including RNs, characterized by the use of the best evidence currently available for clinical decision making, in order to provide the most consistent and best possible care to patients. Are RNs in the United States prepared to engage in this process? This study examines nurses’ perceptions of their access to tools with which to obtain evidence and whether they have the skills to do so. Using a stratified random sample of 3,000 RNs across the United States, 1,097 nurses (37%) responded to the 93-item questionnaire. Seven hundred sixty respondents (77% of those who were employed at the time of the survey) worked in clinical settings and are the focus of this article. Although these nurses acknowledge that they frequently need information for practice, they feel much more confident asking colleagues or peers and searching the Internet and World Wide Web than they do using bibliographic databases such as PubMed or CINAHL to find specific information. They don’t understand or value research and have received little or no training in the use of tools that would help them find evidence on which to base their practice. Implications for nursing and nursing education are discussed.
Linking Predation Risk, Herbivore Physiological Stress and Microbial Decomposition of Plant Litter

The quantity and quality of detritus entering the soil determines the rate of decomposition by microbial communities as well as recycle rates of nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) sequestration1,2. Plant litter comprises the majority of detritus3, and so it is assumed that decomposition is only marginally influenced by biomass inputs from animals such as herbivores and carnivores4,5. However, carnivores may influence microbial decomposition of plant litter via a chain of interactions in which predation risk alters the physiology of their herbivore prey that in turn alters soil microbial functioning when the herbivore carcasses are decomposed6. A physiological stress response by herbivores to the risk of predation can change the C:N elemental composition of herbivore biomass7,8,9 because stress from predation risk increases herbivore basal energy demands that in nutrient-limited systems forces herbivores to shift their consumption from N-rich resources to support growth and reproduction to C-rich carbohydrate resources to support heightened metabolism6. Herbivores have limited ability to store excess nutrients, so stressed herbivores excrete N as they increase carbohydrate-C consumption7. Ultimately, prey stressed by predation risk increase their body C:N ratio7,10, making them poorer quality resources for the soil microbial pool likely due to lower availability of labile N for microbial enzyme production6. Thus, decomposition of carcasses of stressed herbivores has a priming effect on the functioning of microbial communities that decreases subsequent ability to of microbes to decompose plant litter6,10,11. We present the methodology to evaluate linkages between predation risk and litter decomposition by soil microbes. We describe how to: induce stress in herbivores from predation risk; measure those stress responses, and measure the consequences on microbial decomposition. We use insights from a model grassland ecosystem comprising the hunting spider predator (Pisuarina mira), a dominant grasshopper herbivore (Melanoplus femurrubrum),and a variety of grass and forb plants9.
Visual marker-guided mobile robot solution for automated item picking in a warehouse

To keep up with the boom in e-commerce, fulfillment companies need to leverage robotics and automation to speed up delivery of orders to clients. In this paper, we present a mobile robot with suction grippers designed for item picking in an e-commerce fulfillment warehouse. The robot uses a novel visual marker that we have developed called VITag, to navigate towards the location of the items to be picked, identify them, and generate plans how to approach them. Through the marker, the robot finds the optimum path to the items and the most efficient way to pick them. To improve picking efficiency, the robot derives a picking list (order of how to pick the items) from the order list (items to pick) and its knowledge of the shelf content. The SMACH library for ROS is also used to enable the robot to do high level planning more quickly. Simulation and initial tests show the feasibility of the system.