Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Elevated Blood Lactate Is Not a Primary Cause of Anorexia in Tumor-Bearing Rats

Tumor-bearing (TB) rats exhibit elevated concentrations of lactate in blood contiguous with the development of anorexia. Continuous intravenous infusion of lactate into non-TB rats reduced food intake at plasma concentrations lower than those observed in anorectic TB rats. Levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY) were elevated in the ventromedial (VMH) and dorsomedial hypothalamic regions of lactate-infused rats. The addition of the enhancer of pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, dichloroacetate (DCA), to the drinking water of TB rats (0.1-0.4%) normalized blood lactate concentration but had no significant effect on anorexia. However, the elevated concentration of NPY in the VMH of anorectic TB rats was also normalized by the DCA treatment. No alterations in regional hypothalamic levels of corticotropin-releasing factor were observed within any treatment conditions. These results suggest that, although hyperlactatemia may be involved in maintaining elevated NPY concentrations in anorectic TB rats, it does not appear to be a significant factor in the etiology of experimental cancer anorexia.
Herzerkrankungen in der Schwangerschaft

Zusammenfassung Kardiovaskuläre Erkrankungen bei werdenden Müttern sind häufig. Wir fassen kurz den aktuellen Wissensstand zu Schwangerschaften zusammen, die durch präexistente maternale Herzerkrankungen kompliziert werden. Wir erklären, weshalb die Schwangerschaft ein Stressmodel für das kardiovaskuläre System ist und wie sich dies bei präexistenten Kardiomyopathien auswirkt. Ausführlich behandeln wir hypertensive Komplikationen in der Schwangerschaft und die peripartale Kardiomyopathie im Hinblick auf Ätiologie, Risikofaktoren, Pathophysiologie, Diagnose, Behandlungskonzept und Prognose. Zum Schluss legen wir dar, dass kardiovaskuläre Erkrankungen in der Schwangerschaft immer interdisziplinär betrachtet werden sollten, um eine gute Heilung der Mutter und möglichst keine Schädigung des Fötus zu erreichen
Ventajas potenciales de aliskiren, el primer inhibidor de la renina

Optimal and most efficient antihipertensive therapy must achieve a best possible renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibition. This strategy is a key point as a therapeutic target in order to prevent cardiovascular disease. Treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers has shown to offer an appropriate blood pressure lowering effect, which translates in cardiovascular mortality reduction. Nevertheless, a high population of hypertensives included in each and every stage of the cardiovascular continuum does not attain prevention of the development of target organ damage and its latter regression in order to avoid cardiovascular events. Appearance of a new family of antihipertensive drugs, direct renin inhibitors, as aliskiren, has aroused great interest due to its increasing number of evidences that endorses its antihipertensive effectiveness and organ protection, both in monotherapy and as a pharmacological combination with a good tolerability and security
Technical Efficiency and its Determinants in Agricultural Production

The paper examines the technical efficiency of agricultural production system in India using state level data for the period 1990-91 to 2004-05. The states taken into consideration are: West Bengal and Bihar representing the eastern zone of India; Gujarat and Maharashtra represent the western zone; Punjab and Haryana represent the northern zone while Tamil Nadu and Karnataka represent the southern zone. Stochastic production frontier model using panel data, as proposed by Battese and Coelli (1995), is used for estimating the efficiency variations among the above mentioned states and over the years. The integrated effect model is considered to find out determinants of variation of efficiencies. Agricultural production is considered to be a function of net irrigated area, institutional credit, consumption of fertilizers and consumption of pesticides. State level mean efficiency estimates of crop production ranges from 0.8844 to 0.3407 during the years of our study. The variables those are found to be statistically significant for the variations in technical efficiency among farmers are rural literacy rate, total state road length per unit of area and ratio of net state domestic product from agriculture to total NSDP. The major inputs associated with the variation in crop output were found to be net irrigated area, consumption of fertilizers and consumption of pesticides.
Association of axon guidance factor Semaphorin 3A with poor outcome in pancreatic cancer

Neural alterations and aberrantly expressed nerve‐specific factors promoting tumor progression are known to contribute to pancreatic cancer's extremely poor prognosis. Despite hints that axon guidance factor semaphorin 3A (SEMA3A) may function as a tumor inhibitor, its clinical importance and therapeutic potential have not yet been explored. The present study investigated the role of SEMA3A and its receptors—plexins A1–A4 (PLXNA1–A4) and neuropilin‐1 (NRP1)—in pancreatic cancer. QRT‐PCR and immunohistochemical analyses revealed overexpression of SEMA3A, NRP1 and PLXNA1 in metaplastic ducts, malignant cells and nerves of cancerous specimens, and showed that elevated levels of corresponding mRNA (6.8‐fold, 2.0‐fold and 1.5‐fold, respectively) clearly correlated with negative clinicopathological manifestations such as shorter survival (SEMA3A and PLXNA1) and a lesser degree of tumor differentiation (NRP1) in Stages I–III patients. High SEMA3A expression in pancreata of Stage IV M1 patients and in peritoneal metastases, and consequent functional studies indicated that poor clinical outcome might be related to the ability of SEMA3A to promote dissemination and invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cells through activation of multiple pathways involving Rac1, GSK3b or p42/p44 MAPK, but not E‐ to N‐cadherin switch, MMP‐9 or VEGF induction. Thus, this study is the first to quantify expression of the SEMA3A system in human malignancy and to show that overexpression of SEMA3A by nerves and transformed cells leads to a SEMA3A‐rich environment which may favor malignant activities of tumor cells. Furthermore, negative clinicopathological correlations suggest that SEMA3A might represent a novel intervention target but not a treatment option for pancreatic cancer patients. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Design and optimization of a high power density machine for flooded industrial pump

This paper presents the design optimization procedure of a high power-density, permanent magnet synchronous machine for industrial pump applications. The designed machine drives an electric, oil flooded pump. In order to achieve higher torque-density, a fractional slot machine (8 poles, 9 slots) with double layer (concentrated) winding has been selected after a preliminary trade-off study, which considered several slot/pole combinations and winding configurations. The developed machine provides low torque ripple and short end windings, which contribute to lower axial length and higher efficiency. The electromagnetic performances have been evaluated by using finite element method and the lamination geometry has been optimized through a genetic. The final results are presented highlighting the achieved design targets.
Technique to control Data Dissemination and to support data accessibility in Meagerly Connected Vehicles in Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANETS)

To boost the safety and for the comfort of road traffic users Vehicular Ad Hoc Network (VANET) is envisaged by the automotive industry as one of the key to future technology. Including safety, traffic management, and infotainment, VANETs could maintain a large number of applications. Depending on the consistent working of these applications skilled transmission of different types of messages with required excellence of service works. Especially to aid security applications in VANET broadcasting in Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANET) is a technique to be used. A capable data transaction technique is required for a safety application to transmit data to the vehicles. Bordering on emergency to vehicles, collision and reverberation, driver assistance are comes under safety applications. Similarly, data transaction and traffic related information are comes under non-safety applications. The Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) have been measured as a significant communication infrastructure by Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks. Existing protocols are not suitable for sustaining delay tolerate applications in thinly connected vehicular networks. So, in this research, an idea of helper node is introduces, where a moving vehicle hold the packet awaiting a new vehicle moves into its nearby area and forwards the packet. Predicable vehicle mobility is followed, which is limited by the traffic pattern and road outline. The results produced from this approach depicts that the proposed VADD protocols surpass existing solutions in terms of throughput, privacy, data packet delay and packet loss.
Mucosal healing in inflammatory bowel disease: results from a Norwegian population-based cohort.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Mucosal healing (MH) in inflammatory bowel disease may be an important sign of efficacy of treatment and a prognostic marker of long-term disease. The aim of the study was to examine both the possible predictors of mucosal healing and the impact of healing on subsequent course of disease. METHODS In 740 incident patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD) between 1990 and 1994 (before biologic therapy was available), demographics and symptoms were recorded. Clinical and endoscopic evaluations were done at baseline before treatment and repeated after 1 and 5 years in 495 patients. RESULTS In UC patients, education longer than 12 years and extensive disease at diagnosis were significant predictors of MH after 1 year (adjusted P = .004 and P = .02, respectively). MH was significantly associated with a low risk of future colectomy (P = .02). In patients with CD, fever at diagnosis and medical treatment without steroids were significant predictors for MH (adjusted P = .03 and P = .01, respectively). MH was significantly associated with less inflammation after 5 years (P = .02), decreased future steroid treatment (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS Several factors predicted subsequent MH. Education as predictor may implicate the importance of coping, compliance, or lifestyle. MH after 1 year of treatment is predictive of reduced subsequent disease activity and decreased need for active treatment. The present results give further strength to the use of mucosal healing as a clinical indicator and treatment goal in inflammatory bowel disease.
The pyrazolyl-urea GeGe3 inhibits tumor angiogenesis and reveals dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK)1 as a novel angiogenesis target

The limitation of targeting VEGF/VEGFR2 signalling to stop angiogenesis in cancer therapy has been blamed on re-activation of alternative receptor tyrosine kinases by compensatory angiogenic factors. Targeting MAPK and PI3K signaling pathways in endothelial cells may be an alternative or complementary approach. Herein we aimed to evaluate the antitumor and antiangiogenic potential of a novel pyrazolyl-urea kinase inhibitor, GeGe3, and to identify its kinase targets. We found GeGe3 to inhibit the proliferation of HUVEC and endothelial tube formation. GeGe3 impaired inter-segmental angiogenesis during development of zebrafish embryos. In mice, GeGe3 blocked angiogenesis and tumor growth in transplanted subcutaneous Lewis Lung Carcinomas. Screening for GeGe3-targeted kinases revealed Aurora B, Aurora C, NEK10, polo-like kinase (PLK)2, PLK3, DMPK1 and CAMK1 as candidate targets. Biochemical analysis of these kinases showed DMPK1 regulation upon VEGF challenge. Investigation of the role of DMPK1 in endothelial cells revealed DMPK1 as a novel mediator of angiogenesis that controls the activation of MAPK signaling, proliferation and migration. GeGe3 alters angiogenesis by targeting DMPK in tumor endothelial cells and pericytes. The pyrazolyl-urea GeGe3, a novel blocker of MAPK and PI3K pathways, strongly inhibits physiological and tumor angiogenesis. We also report GeGe3-targeted kinase DMPK as a novel mediator of angiogenesis.
Description and evaluation of an introductory course to Matlab for a heterogeneous group of university students

This paper presents the experience of the authors in teaching the Matlab™ software to students with different levels of academic training, even though all of them belong to the field of Science. Matlab™ is a worldwide standard in technical programming and computing, and its use is still growing; therefore, it is taught in many different university degree programs (Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, etc.). The course analyzed in this paper contains examples of different fields of knowledge to show the students the versatility and power of this tool. At the end of each course, which consists of 30 h, the students expressed their opinions about the content in a private opinion poll (questionnaire). The results of these opinion polls show that the methodology followed is considered appropriate and useful by the students who attended the course. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 18: 750–756, 2010; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com; DOI 10.1002/cae.20282
Influence of ghrelin on the gastric accommodation reflex and on meal‐induced satiety in man

Abstract Ghrelin increases gastric tone in the fasting state and enhances gastric emptying in gastroparesis. The aims of the study were to evaluate the effect of ghrelin on postprandial gastric tone and on meal‐induced satiety in health. Ten healthy volunteers underwent a barostat study on two occasions. After determination of intra‐abdominal pressure (minimal distending pressure, MDP), isobaric volume measurement was performed for 90 min at MDP + 2 mmHg. After 20 min, ghrelin (40 μg) or saline was administered i.v. over 30 min in a double‐blind‐randomized cross‐over design, followed 10 min later by a liquid meal (200 mL, 300 kcal). Stepwise isobaric distentions (+2 mmHg per 2 min) were performed 60 min after the meal. Data (mean ± SEM) were compared using paired Student’s t‐test and anova. Separately, a satiety drinking test (15 mL min−1 until satiety score 5) was performed on 10 subjects twice, after treatment with placebo or ghrelin. Ghrelin infusion significantly inhibited gastric accommodation (mean volume increase adjusted means 108.0 ± 50 vs 23.0 ± 49 mL, P = 0.03, ancova with the premeal postinfusion volume as covariate) and reduced postprandial gastric volumes (197.2 ± 24.6 vs 353.5 ± 50.0 mL, P = 0.01). Pressures inducing perception or discomfort during postprandial gastric distentions were not altered. During satiety testing, ghrelin did not alter nutrient volume ingested till maximal satiety (637.5 ± 70.9 vs 637.5 ± 56.2 mL, ns). Ghrelin administered during the meal significantly inhibits gastric accommodation in health, but this is not associated with early satiation.
The Epidemiology of Lower Extremity Amputations in Diabetic Individuals

The Diabetes Control Activity has established diabetes control programs in 20 states. Each has investigated the extent and nature of diabetes morbidity within its state by means of a descriptive analysis of selected health status indicators. Data from six states are included: 100% of hospital discharges from Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Maine and approximately 50% from Minnesota, Illinois, and Ohio were pooled to provide a profile of lower extremity amputations (LEA) in diabetic individuals. The purposes of this study were to identify diabetic persons at high risk of amputation for targeting preventive programs as well as to establish a baseline for monitoring trends over time. Discharge data provided by hospital abstracting services were examined for 1976–1978. Results indicate that 45% of all LEAs are performed on patients with diabetes. An age-adjusted LEA rate of 59.7/10,000 diabetic individuals was computed. Diabetes-related amputation rates increase with age and are higher in males. The overwhelming majority of LEAs are either toe or above the knee, with few performed on the foot. The relative risk of LEAs for the diabetic cqmpared with the nondiabetic population is highest in the under- 45 age group (28), although the attributable risk is highest in the older population (91.5/10,000 diabetic individuals). Overall, diabetic persons have a 15 times higher risk of LEA than nondiabetic individuals.
Inventory Information System using Technique of Data Mining Companies Warehousing

The mechanism of procurement of goods that were done manually, but now it can be facilitated by the existence of web-based procurement system. This system is designed using the data mining technique to find any parts of the goods data that often requested based on a monthly period/year and knowing the type of goods are the most requested and the most frequently consumed the preparation. This research uses a decision tree method and CARTS ( Classifcation and Regression Tree ) algorithm for exploring the data. The design method of this system using object-oriented development with UML modeling system. Inventory information system software is used to facilitate the process of procurement of goods and the existing equipment on the warehousing company multi-user web-based by the mechanisms of the process of the administration and procurement of goods made online. This application is supporting the administration process of procurement of goods in each company warehouse. This application is equipped with features to request the procurement of goods, maintenance procurement of goods and procurement of goods online report. The purpose of this research is to produce a web-based inventory information system that make easier and speed up the process of inventory and procurement of goods in a company warehouse
RanGAP-Mediated Nuclear Protein Import in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Is Augmented by Lysophosphatidylcholine

The intracellular mechanism responsible for the mitogenic effects of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is unclear. Import of proteins from the cytoplasm into the cell nucleus is integral to the regulation of gene expression and cell growth. We hypothesized that LPC exerts its intracellular effects through alterations in nuclear protein import. Rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells incubated with LPC induced a significant increase in cell proliferation in both quiescent cells (63.2 ± 6.48% of control) and cells grown in 1% fetal bovine serum (FBS) (28.3 ± 7.35% of control). Vascular smooth muscle cells were preincubated with LPC then microinjected with a marker protein for nuclear import. A significant stimulation of nuclear protein transport was observed. Using a conventional nuclear protein import assay in permeabilized cells, a significant stimulation of import (72.3 ± 5.2% of control) was again observed when the cytosolic nuclear import cocktail was treated with LPC. This effect was not observed with other lysophosphatidyl species. LPC also activated the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) ½ mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, and this was blocked by 2′-amino-3′-methoxyflavone (PD98059), which inhibits the activation of ERK ½. The stimulation of nuclear import was also blocked by PD98059. LPC-induced MAPK activation augmented GTP hydrolysis by RanGAP, a RanGTPase activating protein and a critical regulatory component of nuclear protein import, and this stimulation was again blocked by PD98059. We conclude that LPC alters gene expression and cell proliferation through striking effects on nuclear protein import via a MAP kinase-induced activation of RanGAP. This may play an important role in cancer and atherosclerosis and other disorders involving accelerated cell growth/proliferation.
Specific Recognition of Parental Terminal Protein by DNA Polymerase for Initiation of Protein-primed DNA Replication*

The linear genome of Bacillus subtilis phage φ29 has a protein covalently linked to the 5′ ends, called parental terminal protein (TP), and is replicated using a free TP as primer. The initiation of phage φ29 DNA replication requires the formation of a DNA polymerase/TP complex that recognizes the replication origins located at the genome ends. The DNA polymerase catalyzes the formation of the initiation complex TP-dAMP, and elongation proceeds coupled to strand displacement. The same mechanism is used by the related phage Nf. However, DNA polymerase and TP from φ29 do not initiate the replication of Nf TP-DNA. To address the question of the specificity of origin recognition, we took advantage of the initiation reaction enhancement in the presence of Mn2+, allowing us to detect initiation activity in heterologous systems in which DNA polymerase, TP, and template TP-DNA are not from the same phage. Initiation was selectively stimulated when DNA polymerase and TP-DNA were from the same phage, strongly suggesting that specific recognition of origins is brought through an interaction between DNA polymerase and parental TP.
Influence of bond investment on financial performance of insurance companies listed at Nairobi securities

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of bond investment on financial performance of insurance companies listed at Nairobi securities exchange. Theory underpinning this study was Arbitrage Pricing Theory. The study adopted descriptive research design. Target population of the study included 6 insurance companies listed in Nairobi Stock Exchange. The target respondents were finance officers, internal auditors, credit managers, operations managers, valuers and underwriters. Thus the total target population was 36 respondents from the six insurance companies listed in Nairobi stock exchange. The study used questionnaires to collect data. Questionnaires were tested for validity and reliability. The collected data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics and was presented in tables and relevant discussions. Findings indicated that bond investment had a significant influence on financial performance of insurance companies. Hence the study concluded that bond investment have a significant influence on financial performance of insurance firms listed in NSE. The study recommended that the management of insurance firms should focus their attention on coming up with policies to guide their decisions in bond investments. Keyword: Asset Allocation Asset, Bond Investment, Financial Performance, Insurance Companies, Nairobi Securities INTRODUCTION The insurance industry contributes to economic efficiency and fosters economic growth in several ways. First, insurance improves risk allocation of an economy and reduces transaction costs. Second, by protecting existing assets, insurers provide economic agents with a more stable financial basis. Third, insurers foster governance through their asset holdings by encouraging risk mitigation through warranties and/or risk exclusions, and direct monitoring of risks. Fourth, insurance can be an alternative and supplemental financial support in the event of economic losses caused by, for example, accidents, catastrophes and bankruptcies (Grundl, Dong & Gal, 2016). The primary purpose of the insurance business is the spreading of risks. Because the risks associated with different policies are not perfectly correlated, the total risk of a portfolio of policies is smaller than the sum of the policies’ risks. Thus, insurance functions as a mechanism to diversify Property and Casualty (PC) insurers and Life and Health (LH) insurers’ risks, similar International Journal of Business Management and Economic Review Vol. 1, No. 05; 2018