Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CLINICAL EVALUATION OF ANTI-OXIDANT ACTIVITY OF MUSTA (CYPERUS ROTUNDUS LINN.) WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO OBESITY (STHAULYA)

Obesity is a health problem of affluence, of worldwide prevalence and is considered as the insidious creeping pandemic which is now engulfing the entire world. Obesity induces oxidative stress which is partly responsible for morbidities. The modern science fails to give a safe and effective remedy. Ayurveda can pave a way towards attaining the goal. In Ayurveda Charaka has mentioned Musta ( Cyperusrotundus Linn.) in Lekhaniyamahakashay i.e. drugs acting as scraping agents. The rhizomes of Musta (Cyperusrotundus Linn.) contains flavonoids, ascorbic acid and polyphenol which are responsible for its anti oxidant activity. Open labelled study was done on 60 patients at Ayurved Mahavidyalaya Sion, Mumbai-22 for duration of 90 days. Out of 60 patients, 30 were advised to take Mustachurna 3 gm thrice a day with warm water along with diet and exercise while 30 patients were advised diet and exercise only. Monthly assessment was done on the basis of signs and symptoms like Atitrushna (excessive Thirst), Atiksudha (excessive hunger), Atinidra (excessive sleepiness), Atisveda (excessive sweating), Daurgandhya (excessive body odour), Anutsaha (laziness), Daurbalya (tiredness) and Kshudraswasa (breathlessness). Objective improvement was done on the basis of BMI , Waist: Hip ratio , and MDA (Malondialdehyde), GSH (glutathione peroxidase) enzyme study for oxidant activity at baseline and at the end of study (after 90 days). Subjective improvement is shown in percentage. Paired t test was applied to objective parameters which was highly significant at 1% level of significance i.e. p<0.01. in patients taking Mustachurna while in other group it was significant at 5% level of significance, concluding Mustachurna definitely has anti-obesity and anti-oxidant activity.
NEC1, a novel gene, highly expressed in nectary tissue of Petunia hybrida

To study the molecular regulation of nectary development, we cloned NEC1, a gene predominantly expressed in the nectaries of Petunia hybrida, by using the differential display RT-PCR technique. The secondary structure of the putative NEC1 protein is reminiscent of a transmembrane protein, indicating that the protein is incorporated into the cell membrane or the cytoplast membrane. Immunolocalization revealed that NEC1 protein is present in the nectaries. Northern blot analyses showed that NEC1 is highly expressed in nectary tissue and weakly in the stamen. GUS expression driven by the NEC1 promoter revealed GUS activity in the outer nectary parenchyma cells, the upper part of the filament and the anther stomium. The same expression pattern was observed in Brassica napus. GUS expression was observed as blue spots on the surface of very young nectaries that do not secrete nectar and do accumulate starch. GUS expression was highest in open flowers in which active secretion of nectar and starch hydrolysis had taken place. Ectopic expression of NEC1 resulted in transgenic plants that displayed a phenotype with leaves having 3-4 times more phloem bundles in mid-veins than the wild-type Petunia. The possible role of NEC1 gene in sugar metabolism and nectar secretion is discussed.
First record of qualitative losses caused by Meghimatium pictum in vineyards of Southern Brazil and the effects of two molluscicides for its control

This research reports the terrestrial slug Meghimatium pictum (Stoliczka, 1873) (Stylommathophora: Philomycidae) as an agricultural pest for the first time in Southern Brazil vineyards. The species was found in densities exceeding 20 slugs.m-2 in Vitis labrusca L. vineyards at six municipalities of the Southern Brazil's viticulture region. It causes damage a loss by leaving residual mucus on grapes and by consuming grapes already perforated by other organisms, such as insects or birds, or mechanically damaged by in situ compression. The effectiveness of iron phosphate and metaldehyde baits on M. pictum was evaluated in laboratory experiments. Iron phosphate bait was more effective in controlling M. pictum (70%) than metaldehyde bait (15%)
Influence of wheat straw and rhizosphere on seed germination, early seedling growth and bio-chemical attributes of Trianthema portulacastrum

Restos culturais de trigo (Triticum aestivum) em decomposicao e o solo da rizosfera foram avaliados quanto a supressao da atividade contra Trianthema portulacastrum, uma planta daninha de verao comum no Paquistao. Dois estudos independentes foram realizados em vasos. Palha de trigo foi incorporada ao solo em taxas de 4, 6 e 8 g kg-1, cinco dias antes da semeadura de P. trianthema. Vasos sem incorporacao de palha foram mantidas como testemunha. No segundo estudo, o solo foi coletado das profundidades de 15 e 30 cm de profundidade de um campo recentemente cultivado com trigo imediatamente apos a sua colheita e foi usado como meio de cultura. Solo de uma area intencionalmente nao cultivada do mesmo campo foi utilizado como controle. A atividade supressora foi medida em termos de dinâmica de germinacao, crescimento de plântulas, e atributos bioquimicos como o conteudo de clorofila, fenolicos totais soluveis, proteinas soluveis e enzimas antioxidantes. Germinacao, crescimento, teores de clorofila e proteina soluvel de P. trianthema foram todos influenciados negativamente. Teores mais altos de fenolicos e maiores atividades de enzimas antioxidantes foram observadas em resposta a incorporacao de residuos de trigo e seu solo rizosferico. Ambos os estudos estabeleceram influencia fitotoxica de palha de trigo e do solo da rizosfera de trigo sobre P. trianthema, o que pode ser explorado no futuro para o manejo desta especie com uma abordagem sustentavel.
The activity of 5'deiodinase type I is remarkably increased in breast cancer

A possible relationship between the thyroid gland and its hormones and human breast cancer has been suggested for many years, although published data is still confusing. In the past it has been reported [1-3] that Japanese women suffering from Hashimoto's thyroiditis have a five times higher risk of developing breast cancer than women without thyroid disorders. The authors of this report suggested [4] that mild hypothyroidism present in NOWOTWORY Journal of Oncology • 2003 • volume 53 Number 5• 526–530
Improving the Quality of Care Through Pain Assessment and Management

Education about safe pain management will help prevent undertreatment of pain and the resulting harmful effects. Safety includes the use of appropriate tools for assessing pain in cognitively intact adults and cognitively impaired adults. Otherwise pain may be unrecognized or underestimated. Use of analgesics, particularly opioids, is the foundation of treatment for most types of pain. Safe use of analgesics is promoted by utilizing a multimodal approach, that is, using more than one type of analgesic to treat the individual’s pain. Opioid use is often avoided or inadequate for fear of causing life-threatening respiratory depression. Nurse monitoring of sedation levels when opioids are initiated is one way to assure safety. While nondrug techniques pose minimal safety issues, the current evidence does not support that these techniques produce consistent, predictable pain management outcomes.
A randomized trial in patients with gemcitabine refractory pancreatic cancer. Final results of the CONKO 003 study

4508 Background: For nearly ten years gemcitabine (G) was standard first line therapy for patients (pts) with advanced pancreatic cancer (APC). There is no consensus about second line therapy after disease progression while receiving G, but 5-FU-based regimens are considered. Randomized second line studies in APC are very rare. Our phase II study (ASCO 2002) showed activity of the OFF (oxaliplatin/folinic acid (FA)/5-Fluorouracil (FU) [24h] ) regimen in 23 pts. To examine the impact and the side effects of oxaliplatin we initiated a multicenter phase III study to compare OFF and FF in pts with G refractory APC. Methods: Pts with CT/ MRT confirmed PD on G in first line therapy, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) >60%, controlled pain, adequate hematological, renal and liver functions were eligible. Pts were stratified according to duration of first line therapy, KPS and tumor stage. We planned to randomized 165 pts to outpatient treatment with FF (5-FU 2g/m² (24h)/ FA 200 mg/m² (30min) on d1, d8, d15 and d.
I. Normal Subjects

Cardiovascular responses to submaximal graded upright exercise were investigat- ed by pulmonary and subclavian arterial catheterization in nine healthy young men before and after smoking a single cigarette. At rest, after smoking, the mean cardiac index (Cl) and mean heart rate (HR) increased, while arteriovenous oxygen difference (AVDO2), stroke index (SI) and mean PA pressure remained unchanged. During successively increasing levels of exercise, the HR was greater and the SI lower than values for comparable work before smoking; the AVCO2, v02, PA presure, systemic vascular resistance, lactate production, VE and arterial Po9 did not change significantly. By decreasing the sfroke volume response to exercise, smoking a single cigarette significantly alters the hemody- namic response to exercise in a direction opposite to physical training.
In vitro differentiation of endothelial cells from AC133-positive progenitor cells

Recent findings support the hypothesis that the CD34+-cell population in bone marrow and peripheral blood contains hematopoietic and endothelial progenitor and stem cells. In this study, we report that human AC133+ cells from granulocyte colony-stimulating factor–mobilized peripheral blood have the capacity to differentiate into endothelial cells (ECs). When cultured in the presence of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the novel cytokine stem cell growth factor (SCGF), AC133+ progenitors generate both adherent and proliferating nonadherent cells. Phenotypic analysis of the cells within the adherent population reveals that the majority display endothelial features, including the expression of KDR, Tie-2, Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1, and von Willebrand factor. Electron microscopic studies of these cells show structures compatible with Weibel-Palade bodies that are found exclusively in vascular endothelium. AC133-derived nonadherent cells give rise to both hematopoietic and endothelial colonies in semisolid medium. On transfer to fresh liquid culture with VEGF and SCGF, nonadherent cells again produce an adherent and a nonadherent population. In mice with severe combined immunodeficiency, AC133-derived cells form new blood vessels in vivo when injected subcutaneously together with A549 lung cancer cells. These data indicate that the AC133+-cell population consists of progenitor and stem cells not only with hematopoietic potential but also with the capacity to differentiate into ECs. Whether these hematopoietic and endothelial progenitors develop from a common precursor, the hemangioblast will be studied at the single-cell level.
Are Adolescents and Young Adults More Likely Than Older Women to Choose Commercial and Private Sector Providers of Modern Contraception

This study tests the hypothesis suggested by many smaller studies that young people prefer to use private providers to access contraceptive methods. It examines the patterns in young womens levels of sexual activity use of modern methods of contraception and sources of modern contraception by age group and union status using Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data. In addition while controlling for other important explanatory variables the study seeks to answer the question of whether young women are more likely to choose private sector providers than older women. Results indicate that young women ages 15--24 have higher levels of sexual experience in Africa than in the Latin American Caribbean or Asian countries included in this analysis. Overall proportions of young women currently using modern contraceptive methods in Africa however are quite low when compared with countries included in the analysis from the Latin American Caribbean and Asian regions. Data examining whether young women are more likely than older women to choose private sector providers--while controlling for important explanatory variables--reveal mixed results. In Africa data for most countries indicate that young women are significantly more likely to choose private and commercial sector providers. In two of the four countries examined in Asia young women were significantly more likely to choose the private sector. Only in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries were young women generally less likely to choose private and commercial sector providers than older women. (authors)
Multiple functions of cold-inducible RNA-binding protein in biological systems

Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) is an 18-kDa nuclear protein belonging to the family of cold-shock proteins. It is widely expressed in various tissues and upregulated in response to various cellular stresses. Originally, CIRP was found to stabilize specific mRNAs to facilitate their translation, which results in a survival advantage for cells under stress. Hypothermia-induced CIRP has been shown to protect the neuronal system. Recently, CIRP was found to be a multifunctional protein. In addition to acting as a damage-associated molecular pattern molecule to promote inflammation, it was also found to affect tumorigenesis. CIRP was also found to regulate telomerase activity and cardiac repolarization. Therefore, biological activities of CIRP in novel systems should receive more attention. This review will provide a brief introduction to the recent studies of CIRP with the aim of inspiring future research of novel CIRP functions.
A systematic approach to the definition of stroke

The 24-hour time-line for symptoms in the current definition of stroke is arbitrary. Moreover, this definition does not include silent stroke, encourage acute stroke therapy and consider dramatic recovery after successful therapy. Silent stroke, which is five times more common than symptomatic stroke, is a risk factor for future stroke and is associated with adverse neurological and cognitive functions. Whilst pathological confirmation remains the gold standard in defining stroke and its underlying etiology, widely available neuroimaging has greatly obviated the need for post-mortem examination. Modern multimodal neuroimaging permits confirmation of infarction and/or hemorrhage in the central nervous system, reveals the location and size of the vascular lesion, excludes the stroke mimics and evaluates the relevant cerebrovascular anatomy. Nevertheless, neuroimaging may be limited to an unenhanced computed tomography of the brain. Furthermore, stroke symptoms may resolve either spontaneously or upon successful thrombolysis despite development of new infarction or hemorrhage. It was timely for the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to publish an updated definition of stroke in July 2013. This updated definition of stroke incorporates both clinical and tissue criteria and comprises of ten possible definitions of stroke. The latter include silent infarction and silent hemorrhage. One problem of the updated definition is major overlaps among the definitions. Another problem is the non-systematic nature of the definitions. This editorial proposes a comprehensive and systematic approach to the definition of stroke by incorporating the following factors: level of certainty, presence and nature of symptoms, duration of symptoms, pathological types, and underlying etiologies.
HUMAN TOXOCARIASIS: A REPORT OF 3 CASES

Toxocariasis is a worldwide helminthic zoonosis due to the infection of human by larvae of Toxocara canis or Toxocara cati. In this study, three cases of human visceral larva migrans are reported. The first case was a 5 year old male referred to hospital with the symptoms of abdominal pain, loosing appetite, tenderness, cashexia, fever and 9.5gr/dl haemoglobin. Abdominal sonography revealed an echohetrogeny 49×20×54mm in. RUQ and indicated an abscess of fecalis mass. Laparatomy was carried out and 26cm of large intestine including secum, attached small intestine and appendix (5cm) in length and ilocecal lymph node measured 2.5×1.5×0.7cm were removed. Histopathological indicated toxocariasis. The second patient was a two years old girl admitted with symptoms of abdominal pain, tenderness, loosing appetite and loosing weight for two months. The patient was anemic and hypereosinophilic (46%). Physical examination indicated a solid mass in RUQ. Abdominal sonography revealed a solid hypoechoic mass with margin measured 88×44×63mm. The solid mass was removed after laparatomy. Histopathological examination verified the serological test against toxocara toward toxocariasis. The third case was a 46 year old female admitted with the symptoms of abdominal pain in RUQ, right tenderness, leukocytosis and eosinophilia (10%). The clinical diagnosis was appendicitis. Appendectomy was carried out. The appendix was inflamed and around the colon was highly inflamed as well. Serological test on serum sample of the patient against toxocariasis was positive.
Diversity and spatial and temporal variation of benthic macroinvertebrates with respect to the trophic state of Lake Figueira in the South of Brazil

Benthic macroinvertebrates are widely used in evaluations of environmental impact and recommended in biomonitoring, but little used in Brazilian lentic environments. One of the main objectives has been to explain and predict the distribution of those species according to environmental characteristics. Thus, the study aims to characterize the predominant fauna of the Lake Figueira sediment and its relationship with organic matter and depth, analyzing seasonal variation in communities and aiming to select bioindicators of the trophic state. Sampling was carried out from January 2008 to January 2009, along the lagoon fetch, with an Ekmann-Birge dredge (area 225 cm2). Taxon richness was not significantly related with depth and organic matter content, but those variables were highly correlated (r = 0.962; r2 = 0.926 and p < 0.001). The constant oxygenation of the whole water column allows the occurrence of organisms, independent of depth and organic matter content. Chironomidae was the most abundant taxon and from the frequency of occurrence, abundance and clustering analysis it was possible to select Larsia sp. , Goeldichironomus maculatus, Xenochironomus sp. , Aedokritus sp. Cladopelma forcipis, Cryptochironomus brasiliensis, Nilothauma sp.1 and Caladomyia sp. C, Tanytarsus sp. , Tanytarsus rhabdomantis and Chironomus gr. salinarius as potential indicators related with the spatiotemporal faunal distribution of Lake Figueira.
Miscellaneous botanical notes XX

In March 1962 Mr. A. Hoogerwerf collected swamp and savannah plants in the extreme South of New Guinea, about 25 km WNW. of Merauke, near a place Kurik, c. 10 km north of the mouth of the Kali Kumbe. There the Government was planning to start a mechanical rice plant with polders, as has been done in Suriname. As the experimental plot was menaced by too many birds, Mr. Hoogerwerf, an ornithologist, was making an investigation of the avifauna and collected plants in and around the marshes in order to verify later on which plants the birds fed. Among his collection there were many interesting plant species, especially sedges; Fimbristylis blepharolepis Kern was even a new species. Cyperus cf. angustatus R.Br. , Rhynchospora heterochaeta Blake, and Fimbristylis dictyocolea Blake proved new for Malesia, Scleria laxa R.Br, new for the Papuan flora. Further there were much species belonging to the Australian element as Hardenbergia retusa Bth. , Philydrum lanuginosum Gaertn. , Calogyne pilosa R.Br. , Phacellothrix cladochaeta F. v. M. , Leptocarpus, Ceratanthus longicornis F. v. M. , etc.
Stability studies of intravenous cyclosporine preparations stored in non-PVC containers

In the present study, the stability of intravenous cyclosporine preparations (0.2 and 2.5 mg/mL in 0.9% sodium chloride injection or 5% dextrose injection) stored in polypropylene (PP) syringes, polypropylene–polyolefin (PP-PO) bags and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) bags was evaluated. A methanol-based high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed and validated to be stability-indicating by stress degradation tests. The test solutions were aseptically prepared and stored at 25 °C. Chemical stability was evaluated by HPLC assay. Physical stability was assessed by visual inspection and a dynamic light scattering (DLS) method. All samples were chemically stable (> 98% of recovered cyclosporine) and physically stable when stored in polypropylene–polyolefin bags for 14 days. When stored in polypropylene syringes, some impurities were leached. However, no leaching was detected when the syringes were exposed to undiluted intravenous cyclosporine for 10 minutes. The preparations of 2.5 mg/mL were chemically and physically stable as stored in ethylene vinyl acetate bags for a period of 14 days (> 98% of recovered cyclosporine), while significant cyclosporine adsorption occurred on the samples of 0.2 mg/mL (< 90 % of recovered cyclosporine) after 14 days. Kinetic study showed that good linear correlations were achieved by plotting the adsorption amount versus square root of contact time (r 2 > 0.97). A novel diffusion model was established and successfully predicted long-term drug stability. In conclusion, polypropylene–polyolefin bags were the best choice; syringes were inferior because of leachables. However, they were safe for preparation and transferring undiluted intravenous cyclosporine. Ethylene vinyl acetate bags cannot be recommended due to cyclosporine adsorption.
Applying Provenance to Social Simulation

Provenance is the formal documentation of the processes leading to the generation of an artefact. In this article, we introduce the concept of provenance and the Open Provenance Model, an emerging standard ontology for recording provenance. We argue that there are specific forms of provenance that it would be useful to capture in the construction and use of social simulations.
Histochemical study on rat tear film and ocular surface epithelial cells

PURPOSE: To investigate the histochemistry of the tear film, conjunctival goblet cells and corneal superficial epithelial cells by an in vivo cryofixation with the freeze-substitution method. METHODS: Following rapid freezing of the eyeballs by an isopentane-propane mixture cooled by liquid nitrogen directly, the specimens were freeze-substituted and then embedded in Lowicryl K4M resin at low temperature, or in epoxy resin for histochemical study, using light and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: The tear film was weakly positive with periodic acid-Schiff staining, but negative with alcian blue at pH 2.5 or pH 1.0 and high iron diamine staining. Conjunctival goblet cells were positively stained by all these techniques. There was a gradually weakening staining intensity of mucus from the goblet cells to the conjunctival surface. With the periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver protein method the tear film was weakly stained, while glycocalices, vesicles, glycogen in epithelial cytoplasm and the mucus secretory granules of goblet cells were all intensely stained. CONCLUSIONS: The tear film consists mainly of dilute mucus and contains either neutral or acid glycoproteins.