Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cranial ontogenetic variability, sex ratio and age structure of the Red fox

Describing the sex ratio, age structure of the population and ontogenetic variability of Red fox, Vulpes vulpes (Canidae, Carnivora) skull parameters, this study is based on 416 male and 289 female skulls collected in the Czech Republic. The skulls analysed came from feral individuals, that were shot by hunters. The male to female ratio was 1:0.69 regarding the whole population. Individuals younger than one year prevailed in the population (54% males, 48% females were in their first year of life). Four growth patterns of skull dimensions were described. The first group included mainly skull length dimensions (e.g. condylobasal length). They grew rapidly until the sixth month of life, becoming stabilised afterwards. The second group comprised parameters that were stable throughout the life (e.g. cheek tooth rows). Measurements representing the third growth pattern showed continual growth (mainly width dimensions, e.g. zygomatic breadth). Conversely, smaller dimensions of postorbital breadth were observed after the sixth month of life. Postorbital breadth represented the fourth growth pattern. It was concluded, that male and female Red foxes had similar ontogenetic skull development, even though there were some differences, e.g. in jugular breadth, which increased after the age of six months in males unlike in females.
Risk factor analysis of 167 patients with high myopia.

AIM To analyze the risk factors of age, sex, course, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), diopter and fundus features of high myopes with progressive high myopia. METHODS A total of 167 patients with high myopes were categorized into four groups: group 1, age 10-29 years; group 2, age 30-49 years; group 3, age 50-69 years and group 4, age 70-89 years. The refractive errors of all patients were measured without cycloplegia with an autorefractometer. Data of the spherical equivalent (SE) of the refractive errors in diopters (D) and fundus examined by direct ophthalmoscope were used in statistical analysis. RESULTS The number of female was statistically larger than that of male (P<0.01), also the disease course was correlated to the age. The visual acuity of high myopes significantly decreased as they grew older including the higher incidence of lacquer cracker, submacular hemorrhage, Fuchs spots, chorioretinal atrophy. CONCLUSION Female maybe a risk factor of high myopia, advanced age is an important factor of visual acuity decreased. High myopes ought to be treated early to delay the progress of myopia and development of macular degeneration.
Blockade of Dendritic Cell Development by Bacterial Fermentation Products Butyrate and Propionate through a Transporter (Slc5a8)-dependent Inhibition of Histone Deacetylases

Mammalian colon harbors trillions of bacteria, yet there is no undue inflammatory response by the host against these bacteria under normal conditions. The bacterial fermentation products acetate, propionate, and butyrate are believed, at least in part, to be responsible for these immunosuppressive effects. Dendritic cells play an essential role in presentation of antigens to T lymphocytes and initiation of adaptive immune responses. Here we report that butyrate and propionate block the generation of dendritic cells from bone marrow stem cells, without affecting the generation of granulocytes. This effect is dependent on the Na+-coupled monocarboxylate transporter Slc5a8, which transports butyrate and propionate into cells, and on the ability of these two bacterial metabolites to inhibit histone deacetylases. Acetate, which is also a substrate for Slc5a8 but not an inhibitor of histone deacetylases, does not affect dendritic cell development, indicating the essential role of histone deacetylase inhibition in the process. The blockade of dendritic cell development by butyrate and propionate is associated with decreased expression of the transcription factors PU.1 and RelB. Butyrate also elicits its biologic effects through its ability to activate the G-protein-coupled receptor Gpr109a, but this mechanism is not involved in butyrate-induced blockade of dendritic cell development. The participation of Slc5a8 and the non-involvement of Gpr109a in butyrate effects have been substantiated using bone marrow cells obtained from Slc5a8−/− and Gpr109a−/− mice. These findings uncover an important mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory functions of the bacterial fermentation products butyrate and propionate.
Small‐for‐Size Syndrome After Partial Liver Transplantation: Definition, Mechanisms of Disease and Clinical Implications

Widespread application of cadaveric split or living donor liver transplantation bears considerable potential to increase the pool of available organs and thus alleviate the problem of organ shortage. Although splitting of a cadaveric liver into two grafts for adult recipients can be performed successfully, sufficient function of undersized grafts is a major concern. To minimize the risk for living donors, transplant surgeons aim at procuring the least necessary liver volume, also leading to potentially small grafts. When small partial grafts are unable to meet the functional demands, the recipients can develop a so‐called small‐for‐size syndrome (SFSS). There is currently limited data on the pathogenesis of SFSS, with clinical studies mainly focusing on portal hyperperfusion. Additional aspects include graft‐related factors such as functional and regenerative capacity, as well as recipient‐related factors, such as overall health status and severity of cirrhosis. However, there is currently no consensus on the definition of SFSS. We propose a novel definition, based on simple clinical criteria, which divides the syndrome into either nonfunction or dysfunction of a small graft after the exclusion of other causes. This definition should ease comparability of future clinical trials, and thus improve understanding of the pathogenesis of SFSS.
Quantification of manganese in human hand bones: a feasibility study

Manganese is both an essential element to human health and also toxic when humans are exposed to excessive levels, particularly by means of inhalation. Biological monitoring of manganese exposure is problematic. It is subject to homeostasis; levels in blood (or serum/plasma) reflect only the most recent exposure and rapidly return to within normal ranges, even when there has been a temporary excursion in response to exposure. In this context, we have been developing a non-invasive technique for measurement of manganese stored in bone, using in vivo neutron activation analysis. Following preliminary feasibility studies, the technique has been enhanced by two significant infrastructure advances. A specially designed irradiation facility serves to maximize the activation of manganese with respect to the dose of ionizing radiation. Secondly, an array of eight NaI(Tl) crystals provides a detection system with very close to 4π geometry. This feasibility study, using neutron activation analysis to measure manganese in the bones of the hand, takes two features into account. Firstly, there is considerable magnesium present in the bone and this produces a spectral interference with the manganese. The 26Mg(n,γ)27Mg reaction produces γ-rays of 0.843 MeV from the decay of 27Mg, which interfere with the 0.847 MeV γ-rays from the decay of 56Mn, produced by the 55Mn(n,γ)56Mn reaction. Secondly, this work provides estimates of the levels of manganese to be expected in referent subjects. A revised estimate has been made from the most recent literature to explore the potential of the technique as a suitable means of screening patients and people exposed to excessive amounts of Mn who could develop many-fold increased levels of Mn in bones as demonstrated through various animal studies. This report presents the enhancements to the neutron activation system, by which manganese can be measured, which resulted in a detection limit in the hand of human subjects of 1.6 µg/g Ca. It also provides a revised estimate of expected referent levels of manganese in bone, now estimated to be 0.63 µg/g Ca and highlights the extent to which technical improvements will be required to further extend the application of the technique for in vivo measurements in non-exposed human subjects.
Quantitative histologic study of the influence of spinal instrumentation on lumbar fusions: A canine model

Histomorphometric and microradiographic studies were performed on 28 beagle hounds 1 year of age, followed up for 6 months after an L5–L6 anterior and posterior spinal destabilization procedure—Group I (n = 7), destabilized surgical controls, Group II (n = 7), posterolateral bone grafting after destabilization; Group III (n = 7), Harrington rod instrumentation and posterolateral bone grafting after destabilization; and Group IV (n = 7), Luque instrumentation, and bone grafting after destabilization. Six months postoperatively, device‐related osteoporosis occurred in spines treated with spinal instrumentation. Within the L5 vertebral body the mean trabecular width was less for the two groups with instrumentation (Groups III and IV) compared with the two groups without instrumentation (Groups I and II) (p < 0.001). The bone formation rate [mm3/(mm3 × year)] × 103, which is based on the mean distance between sequenced fluorochrome labels, for Group I (destabilized, nonfused, noninstrumented dogs) was more than twice that of the other three groups, which were all equivalent (p < 0.05). Clinical relevance: Stress shielding, or more correctly, device‐related osteoporosis, probably can occur within vertebrae in response to rigid spinal instrumentation. However, the overall mechanical properties of vertebrae underlying spinal instrumentation are probably not at increased risk of fracture because the increase in cross‐sectional area of the vertebra and incorporated fusion mass more than compensate for the loss of volumetric bone density.
Vaccinia virus proteolysis—a review

It is well known that viruses, as obligate intracellular parasites, must use their hosts' metabolic machinery in order to replicate their genomes and form infectious progeny virions. What is less well known are the details of how viruses make sure that once all the necessary proteins are made, that they assume the correct configuration at the proper time in order to catalyse the efficient assembly of infectious virions. One of the methods employed by viruses to regulate this process is the proteolytic cleavage of viral proteins. Over the past several decades, studies in numerous laboratories have demonstrated that morphogenic proteolysis plays a major and essential role during the assembly and maturation of infectious poxvirus virions. In this review we describe the history of vaccinia virus proteolysis as a prototypic viral system. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two Factor Theory: A Comparative Study in Three Types of Organizations

A study was conducted to test the two factor theory of Herzberg in three different types of organizations and at two levels of employees. Seven hundred and eighty- nine male adults from selected organizations were interviewed to reveal their sources of satisfaction and dissatisfaction. The findings indicated that differences in job attitude profiles were not very different. By and large, employees derived satisfaction from motivators and dissatisfaction from hygiene factors in all types of organizations. The findings imply that job enrichment programmes designed around motivators can be undertaken in any type of organization to motivate employees.
Design of Real-Time Self-Frame-Rate-Control Foreground Detection for Multiple Camera Surveillance System

Emerging video surveillance technologies are based on foreground detection to achieve event detection automatically. Integration foreground detection with a modern multi-camera surveillance system can significantly increase the surveillance efficiency. The foreground detection often leads to high computational load and increases the cost of surveillance system when a mass deployment of end cameras is needed. This paper proposes a DSP-based foreground detection algorithm. Our algorithm incorporates a temporal data correlation predictor (TDCP) which can exhibit the correlation of data and reduce computation based on this correlation. With the DSP-oriented foreground detection, an adaptive frame rate control is developed as a low cost solution for multi-camera surveillance system. The adaptive frame rate control automatically detects the computational load of foreground detection on multiple video sources and adaptively tunes the TDCP to meet the real-time specification. Therefore, no additional hardware cost is required when the number of deployed cameras is increased. Our method has been validated on a demonstration platform. Performance can achieve real-time CIF frame processing for a 16-camera surveillance system by single-DSP chip. Quantitative evaluation demonstrates that our solution provides satisfied detection rate, while significantly reducing the hardware cost.
Fc gamma receptor IIa (CD32) heterogeneity in patients with recurrent bacterial respiratory tract infections.

Fc gamma RIIa (CD32) is the sole IgG Fc receptor capable of interaction with human IgG2, the main IgG subclass of bacterial capsular polysaccharides. The two genetically determined allotypes of human Fc gamma RIIa, Fc gamma RIIa-R131 and IIa-H131 alleles, have functionally different reactivities with human IgG2. The capacity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) homozygous for Fc gamma RIIa-H/H131 for IgG2 opsonized bacteria is significantly higher than phagocytosis by PMNL homozygous for Fc gamma RIIa-R/R131, independent of the Fc gamma RIIb-NA1/NA2 (CD16) allelic polymorphism. To test the clinical significance of these Fc gamma R polymorphisms, Fc gamma RIIa and Fc gamma RIIIb phenotypes of 48 children with recurrent bacterial respiratory tract infections were determined. Fc gamma RIIa-H/H131 was less than half that observed in 123 healthy adults (P = .01). IgG2 responses were low in 25 of 48 patients after immunization with pneumococcal vaccine. These results suggest that Fc gamma RIIa polymorphism may contribute to increased susceptibility to infections with encapsulated bacteria in a childhood population with low IgG2 anti-carbohydrate antibodies.
Stromal myofibroblasts are drivers of invasive cancer growth

Tissue integrity is maintained by the stroma in physiology. In cancer, however, tissue invasion is driven by the stroma. Myofibroblasts and cancer‐associated fibroblasts are important components of the tumor stroma. The origin of myofibroblasts remains controversial, although fibroblasts and bone marrow‐derived precursors are considered to be the main progenitor cells. Myofibroblast reactions also occur in fibrosis. Therefore, we wonder whether nontumorous myofibroblasts have different characteristics and different origins as compared to tumor‐associated myofibroblasts. The mutual interaction between cancer cells and myofibroblasts is dependent on multiple invasive growth‐promoting factors, through direct cell–cell contacts and paracrine signals. Since fibrosis is a major side effect of radiotherapy, we address the question how the main methods of cancer management, including chemotherapy, hormonotherapy and surgery affect myofibroblasts and by inference the surrogate endpoints invasion and metastasis. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Monitoring glycaemic control: is there evidence for appropriate use of routine measurement of glycated haemoglobin?

Abstract Background: Regardless of the available recommendations to perform glycated haemoglobin testing at a 2- to 3-month frequency, there is increasing evidence of an inappropriate laboratory use of this test in clinical practice. Methods: Data from our Laboratory Information System were analysed for glycated haemoglobin test orders over a 3-year period using Microsoft® Excel to calculate the order intervals and the test frequency for each patient. To assess the appropriateness of repeat testing, only data for patients who had at least two separate glycated haemoglobin test results were included in the analysis. Inappropriate test orders were defined as any order for a given patient taking place within a 29- or 89-day period following the previous order. Results: The results of our investigation demonstrate that inappropriate laboratory utilisation of this test is commonplace (26% of total repeat orders within 90 days), especially for inpatients (63.7% of inpatient repeat orders in less than 90 days). When stratifying glycated haemoglobin test results according to the >7% threshold, the frequency of inappropriate laboratory use (>90 days) was surprisingly greater among inpatients with a previous value of <7% than among those with a previous value of >7% (57.6% vs. 42.4%). The frequency of inappropriate glycated haemoglobin repeat test orders was lower among outpatients with a previous value of <7% than in outpatients with a previous value of >7% (64.8% vs. 35.2%). Conclusions: We conclude that more accurate application of the current recommendations would be advisable to decrease unnecessary testing and prevent avoidable health expenditure. Clin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:1065–7.
Assessment of climate change impact on flow regimes over the Gomti River basin under IPCC AR5 climate change scenarios

Climate change impact on flow regimes in the Gomti River basin, India was studied using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) driven by climate change scenarios generated from multiple general circulation model (GCM) projections. The SWAT-CUP (SWAT-Calibration and Uncertainty Programs) was used for calibration and validation of SWAT using multi-site data. Climate change scenarios were generated from multiple GCM projections using the hybrid-delta ensemble method. Calibration of SWAT using the nine most sensitive parameters showed that the model performed reasonably well with P-factor >0.7 and R-factor <1.0. The annual rainfall is projected to increase by 3.4–4.5, 4.7–10.0, and 5.0–18.0% during the 2020s, 2050s, and 2080s respectively under different Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs). There is a decrease in rainfall during the winter season. The annual streamflow is projected to increase by 1–9, 1–22, and 2–38% during the 2020s, 2050s, and 2080s, respectively. However, winter and summer streamflow is projected to decrease. Magnitude and frequency of high flows is also projected to increase in the range of 3.6–27.3 and 12–87%, respectively under different RCPs. The results of this study will be helpful in developing suitable water management adaptation plans for the study basin.
Financial Literacy And Financial Inclusion Strategy Model As Leverage Welfare Of Industrial Community Tourism Regency Of Gresik East Java

Small industries over the past few years business conditions have not shown significant progress. Small industries have problems in the field of finance that is not able to separate between business finances with household finances, not having financial planning including business investment, not optimizing in utilizing banking facilities. The hypothesis of the research is H1: Financial literacy and financial inclusion have significant effect to society's welfare is, H2: Significant financial literacy indicator is old age, financial behavior and self control, H3: Significant financial inclusion indicator is banking facility, banking service and product banking H4: A significant indicator of society welfare is the economic and viable needs of the economy. The result of hypotheses shows that the relationship between Financial Literacy by using indicators of Old Age, Financial Behavior, Self Control on Society welfare is significant with T-statistics of 19.471 (> 1,966). Financial Inclusion using Banking Facility indicators, Banking Services and Banking Products is not significant with T-statistics 1,218 (1,966). Financial Literacy measured using the old age which has a value of 0.681> 0.50, Financial Literacy as measured by using Financial Behavior which has a value of 0.893> 0.50, Financial Literacy as measured by using Self Control has a value of 0.752> 0.50. Financial Inclusion as measured by using Banking Facility that has a value of 0.838> 0.50, Financial Inclusion as measured by Banking Services which has a value of 0.861> 0.50, and Financial Inclusion as measured by using Banking Products that have a value of 0.980> 0, 50. The society welfare variable measured by using life requirement has a value of 0.925> 0.50 and measured by using Mapan Ekonomi has a value of 0.932> 0.50.
Vítor Constâncio: Understanding inflation dynamics and monetary policy in a low inflation environment

Understanding inflation dynamics has become particularly important in present times, in view of the prolonged low inflation phase. The traditional relationship between slack in the economy and inflation seems to have weakened significantly in some countries. This requires a careful examination since that relationship – the Phillips curve – is the traditional cornerstone of the transmission mechanism giving central banks control of inflation. Inflation dynamics since the Great Recession have shown signs of instability that have led to a sequence of systematic forecast errors. The two puzzles of “missing disinflation” in 2009–11 followed by “excessive disinflation” after 2012 triggered a surge of new research around the Phillips curve and its possible demise.
Identification of the promoter region involved in the autoregulation of the transcriptional activator ALCR in Aspergillus nidulans

The ALCR protein is the transcriptional activator of the ethanol utilization pathway in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. This activator belongs to a family of fungal proteins having a conserved DNA-binding domain containing six cysteines (C6 class) with some striking features. At variance with other motifs of this class, the binding domain of ALCR is strongly asymmetrical in relation to the central cysteines and moreover was predicted to adopt a helix-turn-helix structure. This domain of ALCR was synthesized in Escherichia coli and purified as a glutathione-S-transferase fusion protein. Our results show that the transcriptional activator ALCR is a DNA-binding protein. The DNA-binding motif contains zinc that is necessary for the specific DNA binding. The ALCR peptide binds upstream of the coding region of alcR to two specific targets with different affinities that are characterized by a conserved 5-nucleotide core, 5'-CCGCA-3' (or its reverse). One site, the lower-affinity binding site, is a direct repeat, and the other, the higher-affinity binding site, is a palindromic sequence with dyad symmetry. Therefore, the ALCR binding protein is able to recognize one DNA sequence in two different configurations. An alcR mutant obtained by deletion of the two specific targets in the cis-acting region of the alcR gene is unable to grow on ethanol and does not express any alcohol dehydrogenase activity. These results demonstrate that the binding sites are in vivo functional targets (UASalc) for the ALCR protein in A. nidulans. They corroborate prior evidence that alcR is autoregulated.