Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphological Characterization and in vitro Maturation of Follicular Oocytes from the Owl Monkey (Aotus lemurinus)

Abstract: The morphological characterization of ovaries and ovarian follicular oocytes obtained from the owl monkey is detailed in the present paper. In vitro maturation of oocytes, using a method which has proved successful for other mammalian oocytes, was also evaluated and the maturation rate was compared with that obtained with squirrel monkey oocytes. The ovaries of the owl monkey are oval in shape (long axis of about 10 mm, short axis about 7 mm) and their oocytes are spherical. The mean diameter of owl monkey oocytes is significantly larger than that of squirrel monkey oocytes (145.7 ± 16.3 µm vs 112.0 ± 12.4 µm). The owl monkey oocytes were incubated in HTF medium containing 10% FBS at 37 °C (5% CO2 in air) for 22–23 hours. The in vitro maturation rate of the owl monkey oocytes was higher than that of the squirrel monkey oocytes (83.3% vs 40.0%); therefore, our maturation conditions were as suitable for them. This study is the first to detail differences in the follicular oocytes of the owl monkey and squirrel monkey. Further studies using owl monkey gametes might yield results leading to a greater understanding of primate reproduction.
Anaphylactic deaths: a clinicopathologic study of 43 cases.

The concept of anaphylaxis originates from the observations by the French physiologist Charles Richet in 1902 of the effects of actinotoxins on the blood pressure of dogs [1]. Anaphylactic shock is the classic example of the immediate type of hypersensitivity reaction; it may be defined as the failure of the peripheral circulation induced by an antigen-antibody reaction [2]. The circulatory collapse may be primary, if the circulatory reaction is the primary event, or secondary, if the circulatory collapse is the consequence of an initial respiratory insufficiency.
A critical review of cancer epidemiology in the petroleum industry, with a meta-analysis of a combined database of more than 350,000 workers.

In 1989 we published a critical review of cancer epidemiology in petroleum workers, which included as a component of the review a meta-analysis by cancer site. Subsequently we have completed three additional reviews and meta-analyses on cell-type-specific leukemias (1995), multiple myeloma (1997), and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (2000). The objective of the present investigation was to update our 1989 review and meta-analysis of nonlymphohematopoietic cancers in cohort studies of petroleum workers. Included in the present investigation were cohort studies of petroleum workers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Finland, Sweden, and Italy. Individual studies were reviewed with regard to specific cancer sites. For each cancer of interest, risk ratios from the individual studies were presented. In some studies, subcohort analyses stratified by exposure parameters such as length of employment, job category, and hire year were also reported. These subcohort or stratified analyses were reviewed and the results of these analyses were taken into consideration in our interpretation. In addition to the qualitative review of individual studies, a meta-analysis was performed to combine data from individual cohort studies of petroleum workers. The primary purpose of the meta-analysis was to provide a summary measure of risk for each cancer site. Based on a review and meta-analyses of cohort studies of more than 350,000 petroleum workers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Finland, Sweden, and Italy, we concluded that there was no increased mortality from digestive cancers (stomach, large intestine, liver, or pancreas), lung cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, or brain cancer. The summary standardized mortality ratios for these cancer sites were all below unity. Significant increases of melanoma mortality were reported in some small groups of refinery workers in the United Kingdom and upstream operation workers in Canada, but no responsible agent(s) had been identified. The observed mortality from skin cancer in all other studies was similar to the expected. In particular, no significant increase of skin cancer mortality was reported in any of the U.S. studies. Elevated mortality from prostate cancer was noted in short-term workers at a U.S. refinery and in short-term workers employed in certain crafts at U.S. crude oil operations. However, the absence of an upward trend by length of employment in these workers argued against an association between exposure to petroleum products and prostate cancer. For all petroleum workers as a whole, mortality from prostate cancer was as expected.
Hyperlipidemia and Its Significance in the Aged Population †

Starting in childhood, blood lipid levels rise progressively with each ten‐year period until age 70, when cholesterol and triglyceride levels begin to stabilize and then decline. By age 80 there is a precipitous drop to approximately the values noted in persons of the 20–30 age group. Data on 195 residents of a geriatric center are included. Despite the lower average lipid levels, 30 per cent of the elderly show some lipid abnormality. There is a definite increase in the risk of death from coronary artery disease in hyperlipidemic persons as compared to those who are normolipidemic, even during the eighth and ninth age decades. Hyperlipidemia appears to be a significant risk in the elderly, as in persons of any age, and should be treated accordingly.
Cancelled elective operations: an observational study from a district general hospital.

PURPOSE Cancelled operations are a major drain on health resources: 8 per cent of scheduled elective operations are cancelled nationally, within 24 hours of surgery. The aim of this study is to define the extent of this problem in one Trust, and suggest strategies to reduce the cancellation rate. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH A prospective survey was conducted over a 12-month period to identify cancelled day case and in-patient elective operations. A dedicated nurse practitioner was employed for this purpose, ensuring that the reasons for cancellation and the timing in relation to surgery were identified. The reasons for cancellation were grouped into patient-related reasons, hospital clinical reasons and hospital non-clinical reasons. FINDINGS In total, 13,455 operations were undertaken during the research period and 1,916 (14 per cent) cancellations were recorded, of which 615 were day cases and 1,301 in-patients: 45 per cent (n = 867) of cancellations were within 24 hours of surgery; 51 per cent of cancellations were due to patient-related reasons; 34 per cent were cancelled for non-clinical reasons; and 15 per cent for clinical reasons. The common reasons for cancellation were inconvenient appointment (18.5 per cent), list over-running (16 per cent), the patients thought that they were unfit for surgery (12.2 per cent) and emergencies and trauma (9.4 per cent). PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS This study demonstrates that 14 per cent of elective operations are cancelled, nearly half of which are within 24 hours of surgery. The cancellation rates could be significantly improved by directing resources to address patient-related causes and hospital non-clinical causes. ORIGINALITY/VALUE This paper is of value in that it is demonstrated that most cancellations of elective operations are due to patient-related causes and several changes are suggested to try and limit the impact of these cancellations on elective operating lists.
Reversal of Flagellar Rotation in Monotrichous and Peritrichous Bacteria: Generation of Changes in Direction

Reversal of flagellar rotation can explain both the “backing up” of monoflagellated Pseudomonas citronellolis and the tumbling of multiflagellated Salmonella typhimurium. Reversals occur spontaneously and can be induced by negative gradients of attractant and by high-intensity light.
Prevention of excessive endothelin-1 release in sclerotherapy: in vitro and in vivo studies.

BACKGROUND The foam sclerotherapy technique has become one of the most commonly used treatments for superficial venous insufficiency. Despite excellent results, few visual/neurologic disturbances have been recently reported; their pathogenesis is still debated but a correlation with endothelin-1 (ET-1) release from the treated vein has been proposed. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this work was to evaluate the ET-1 release after sclerotherapy and to investigate the effects of the anti-endothelin drug aminaphtone. METHODS AND MATERIALS As in vitro sclerotherapy model, an endothelial cell culture, mimicking vascular endothelium, was pretreated with aminaphtone and exposed to detergents. Cell survival and ET-1 release were measured. In in vivo experiments, 45 rats, fed with different aminaphtone-rich diets, were subjected to sclerotherapy, and the systemic ET-1 was measured. RESULTS Aminaphtone cell exposure caused a statistically significant reduction in ET-1 release, both before and after in vitro sclerotherapy. Rats fed with aminaphtone showed a trend toward reduced mortality and a significant decrease of ET-1 release after sclerotherapy. CONCLUSION This is the first study in which an anti-endothelin agent was able to cause a significant reduction of ET-1 release during sclerotherapy. Although clinical studies are required, these findings might advocate the use of anti-endothelin agents in prophylaxis of neurologic or visual disturbances after sclerotherapy.
Is the allergen‐inhalation challenge predictive of the severity of seasonal asthmatic exacerbations?

Fifteen asthmatic patients sensitized to Parietaria pollen were studied. Before the pollen season they underwent an allergen‐inhalation challenge which was preceded and followed by a methacholine‐inhalation challenge. Pollen count, symptom score, and drug consumption were monitored daily throughout the study. A severity score was obtained by adding symptom score and drug consumption. Patients underwent a third methacholine challenge during the pollen season, after they had been exposed to a high atmospheric concentration of pollen. The severity score during the first period of the pollen season was significantly correlated with both the early and the late asthmatic responses to the allergen observed before the season (r2=0.50; P<0.005). Bronchial sensitivity to methacholine was significantly increased both after allergen challenge and after seasonal exposure, but these increases correlated neither with each other nor with the severity score. We conclude that bronchial responses to experimental exposure to allergens, but not the changes in nonspecific airway responsiveness, can, in part, predict the severity of asthma exacerbation during the pollen season.
Full-wave analysis of non-radiative wireless power transmission system in half space

This article studies the property of wireless power transmission (WPT) system by electromagnetic full-wave simulation method when half-space condition is considered. Specially, the Time Domain Integral Equation (TDIE) is applied in this simulation. With this time domain method, the WPT without the ground is analyzed and compared with the traditional method, which has demonstrated the validity and high efficiency of this simulation method. After that, TDIE is applied to analysis the impact of infinite ground to the performance of WPT system which is a common situation when the WPT system is applied. The simulation results demonstrate that the ground will increase the resonant frequency and decrease the efficiency seriously. Besides, the ground will also bring along the split of resonant frequency in the traditional under coupled area.
Algoritmos de Newton-Krylov precondicionados para métodos de pontos interiores

Metodos de pontos interiores tem sido amplamente usados na solucao de problemas de programacao linear de grande porte. A cada iteracao destes metodos e necessario resolver um sistema de equacoes lineares para calcular a direcao de Newton. Esta e a tarefa que demanda a maior parte do tempo de processamento e deve ser feita de forma eficiente. A abordagem mais utilizada em metodos de pontos interiores implementa a fatoracao de Cholesky, no entanto, esta fatoracao pode ser densa em algumas classes de problemas. Nestes casos, o uso de metodos iterativos torna-se mais interessante, desde que sejam aplicados com precondicionadores eficientes. Devido a dificuldade de encontrar estrategias de precondicionamento que apresentam bons resultados durante todas as iteracoes de pontos interiores estamos propondo uma abordagem iterativa hibrida para resolver estes sistemas. O metodo do gradiente conjugado e precondicionado nas iteracoes iniciais (fase I) usando um tipo de fatoracao incompleta de Cholesky na qual o preenchimento pode ser controlado em termos da memoria disponivel e nas ultimas iteracoes (fase II) usando um precondicionador baseado na fatoracao LU que apresenta melhores resultados nas proximidades da solucao otima. A troca de fases ocorre quando a fatoracao controlada de Cholesky comeca a perder eficiencia tornando lenta a convergencia pelo metodo do gradiente conjugado. Experimentos numericos revelam que a abordagem hibrida apresenta desempenho superior quando comparada a abordagem direta na solucao de algumas classes de problemas de programacao linear de grande porte.
Suicide mortality in the United States: differentials by industrial and occupational groups.

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to investigate variations in the risk of suicide by industrial and occupational groups. METHODS Cox proportional hazards regression models were fitted to the data from the National Longitudinal Mortality Study (1979-1989). In estimating the effects of industry and occupation, controls were made for the potentially confounding effects of age, sex, marital status, education, income, and region of residence. RESULTS It was found that persons employed in mining experienced the highest risk of suicide (RR=4.29, CI=1.59, 12.13) compared to workers in finance, insurance, and real estate. Elevated risks were also observed among business and repair services (RR=4.20, CI=1.72, 10.25), professional and related services (RR=2.92, CI=1.25,6.82), and wholesale and retail trade (RR=2.71, CI=1.17,6.25). When comparisons were made by occupational status, it was found that laborers experienced the highest risk of suicide (RR=2.12, CI=1.09,4. 12) when compared to farmers, farm managers, and farm workers. CONCLUSIONS There are differentials in the risk of suicide among industrial groups, and the industry with the highest risk is mining. The disparities in suicide remained even after the effects of socioeconomic and other variables were controlled. Further research needs to determine if the high suicide risk observed in some industrial groups may be linked to possible depressive symptomatology in the workplace.
Childhood Psychological Distress as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Early-Life Social Disadvantage and Adult Cardiometabolic Risk: Evidence From the 1958 British Birth Cohort

Objectives Prior research on the relationship between early adversity and adult chronic disease has often relied on retrospective reports of a limited range of exposures and has not considered childhood psychological distress as a mediator. We investigate whether distress in childhood is one pathway by which early social disadvantage leads to greater cardiometabolic risk in middle adulthood. Methods Data are from the 1958 British Birth Cohort study (sample n = 6027). We created an early social disadvantage index based on 16 exposures related to family and socioeconomic hardship from birth to age 7. Childhood psychological distress was ascertained from internalizing and externalizing symptoms at ages 7, 11, and 16 years. Cardiometabolic risk was assessed with a Z-standardized score derived from 9 immune, cardiovascular, and metabolic biomarkers measured at age 45. We used linear regression models and formal tests of mediation to assess relationships between disadvantage, distress, and subsequent cardiometabolic risk. Results Higher social disadvantage predicted increased adult cardiometabolic risk (&bgr; = 0.05; 95% CI = 0.03–0.07). Mediation analyses revealed a significant direct (path c′; &bgr; = 0.03; 95% CI = 0.01–0.05) and indirect (path ab; &bgr; = 0.02; 95% CI = 0.01–0.02) effect of social disadvantage on cardiometabolic risk, adjusting for potential confounders. Child psychological distress accounted for 37% (95% CI = 34–46%) of the observed association. Conclusions Results suggest childhood distress may be one factor on the pathway linking early disadvantage to higher risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases. Such results may point to the importance of blocking the translation of psychosocial to biological risk during a potentially sensitive developmental window.
High-grip Stair Climber with Powder-filled Belts

It is desirable to have a mobile robot that can move and perform various tasks over irregular terrain. However, conventional systems are not reliable or sufficiently adaptable for practical application. A traditional method for climbing stairs is to use grouser-attached tires or tracks that can grip the edges of the stairs. However, with this method, usually only one grouser on each side of the vehicle grips the stairs because the spacing between the grousers does not necessarily coincide with the distance between the steps. In the present paper, a new stair-climbing crawler with high gripping force on the stairs is developed. Powder-filled blocks are attached to the face of the tracks so that the belt can change shape to match the edge of the steps. A large friction force is therefore obtained due to the soft deformation of the blocks at every point along the belt. The results from these stair-climbing experiments prove that the newly developed crawler with powder-filled belts is more reliable than other experimental crawlers when ascending and descending stairs. The current crawler, with powder-filled belts, can carry heavy loads. The maximum payload capacity is approximately 60 kg when ascending stairs at an angle of 30°. Furthermore, the proposed crawler can change direction when climbing stairs or obstacles, which improves the turning efficiency of the crawler.
B Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines as Efficient APC to Elicit CD8+ T Cell Responses Against a Cytomegalovirus Antigen1

Potent and readily accessible APC are critical for development of immunotherapy protocols to treat viral disease and cancer. We have shown that B lymphoblastoid cell lines (BLCL) that stably express CMV phosphoprotein 65 (BLCLpp65), as a result of retroviral transduction, can be used to generate ex vivo CTL cultures that possess cytotoxicity against CMV and EBV. In this report, we demonstrate that the EBV-specific cytotoxicity in the BLCLpp65-primed culture had a spectrum of EBV-Ag recognition similar to that of the BLCL-primed counterpart, suggesting that retroviral transduction and expression of the CMV Ag would not compromise the Ag-presenting capacity of BLCL. In addition, BLCLpp65 appeared to present multiple natural pp65 epitopes, because pp65-specific CTL, which recognized different CMV clinical isolates, were generated in BLCLpp65-primed cultures from individuals with various HLA backgrounds. Consistent with a polyclonal expansion of virus-specific CTL, T cell lines established from the BLCLpp65-primed CTL cultures expressed different TCR-Vβ. Although most of the virus-specific T cell isolates were CD8+, EBV-specific CD4+ lines were also established from BLCLpp65-primed cultures. Western blot analysis revealed that the CD8+ lines, but not the CD4+ line, expressed granzyme B, consistent with features of classic CTL. Thus, our results suggested that BLCL stably expressing a foreign Ag might be used as a practical APC to elicit CD8+ T cell responses.
Angiotensin‐receptor blockers and diuretics—Advantages of combination

Surveys have shown that in as many as half of patients treated for hypertension, blood pressure (BP) is not controlled to target levels; many more persons have undertreated hypertension. Uncontrolled hypertension is a serious risk factor for cardiovascular events such as stroke, heart failure, myocardial infarction and target‐organ disease. Studies have shown that strict BP control significantly reduces the occurrence of these cardiovascular outcomes; however, in the majority of patients, effective BP control requires two or more antihypertensive agents. The combination of an angiotensin‐receptor blocker (ARB) and a thiazide diuretic is appealing, since these agents have complimentary effects on BP reduction, left ventricular hypertrophy and progression of renal disease. In addition, this combination provides excellent tolerability. The combination of an ARB and a thiazide diuretic may be of particular value in patient populations who tend to have poor BP control on monotherapy, or have additional cardiovascular or renal risk factors.
Ultra-Low Leakage Silicon-on-Insulator Technology for 65 nm Node and Beyond

We report 65 nm ground-rule, partially depleted, low-power silicon-on-insulator (LPSOI) CMOS devices with total leakage current /Off down to 10 pA / mum at supply voltage V DD = 1.2 V. NFET / PFET drive current IDSAT = 550/250 muA /mum at /off = 100 pA/mum and gate length LG ~ 55 nm are achieved with a single tensile liner film. Innovative junction engineering techniques such as low-damage junction pre- amorphization implants (PAI), source-side high-damage PAI, high-energy halo, and drain-side tilted source/drain (S/D) implants are evaluated for their effectiveness in minimizing SOI floating body effect for low leakage design. Our result suggests that there is no fundamental limit for low leakage application of SOI.
Chagas Disease: A Global Neglected Disease that Require Continuous Medical Education

Objective: In endemic zones of Chagas disease the knowledge of the professional health teams is very important for the success of control of the zoonosis. For this reason, we want to evaluate the knowledge of the parasite diseases in health team before and after an educational intervention. Methods: We selected 166 professional who were related which Chagas disease to who the BEII (before educational intervention inquiry) was applied. The questions related with epidemiological, basic, diagnostic, clinical, chemotherapeutic and preventive aspects, had different grades of complexity and stratification according to the professional competences. The approval criterion was 60% of corrected answers. The educational intervention was focused on self-learning by printed and digital interactive material. 30 days was the study period, after the time an AEII (after educational intervention inquiry) was applied. Results: The approval of the BEII fluctuated between 11.6% to 28.89%, and the AEII fluctuated between 68.75% and 89.66% (p=0.0001). By profession, the percentage of approval of the BEII and AEII was 13.98% and 66.20% (paramedics); 14.29% to 85.71% (medical technicians); 19.35% and 83.87% (medical doctors); 27.27% and 90% (midwives); 41.18% and 100% (nurses), respectively (p=0,0001). The global percentage of approval before and after the educational intervention was 19.28% and 77.70%, respectively (chi2=107.27). Conclusions: The members of the health team in endemic areas of Chile, don’t have the necessary knowledge on Chagas disease. An adequate educational intervention will allow the acquisition of new knowledge and revert a negative initial diagnosis. The teaching in this global parasitosis must be continuous. Teaching-learning of Chagas disease is not only important in countries where the disease is endemic, but also in no endemic countries where the disease exists through immigration.