Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Male fertility: influence of testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone on seminal free L-carnitine

PurposeThis study aimed to determine the influence of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on seminal free L-carnitine in maintaining male fertility. Materials and methodsThe present study was designed as an observational study that included 61 adult men. Groups were compared and significant values were found on using the Student t-test. Pearson’s correlation was used to determine the possible relation among variables. ResultsSperm count, total motility, and normal morphology were significantly low (P<0.001) in the infertile group compared with the fertile group. Serum LH was significantly (P<0.05) higher compared with the fertile group. The mean value of serum testosterone was low and serum FSH was higher in the infertile group compared with the fertile group, but both were nonsignificant. Seminal free L-carnitine in infertile men was significantly (P<0.001) lower compared with the fertile men. Seminal free L-carnitine was positively correlated (r=0.34) with testosterone, attaining statistical significance (P<0.05). Serum LH was negatively correlated (r=−0.31) (P<0.05), whereas serum FSH was negatively correlated (r=−0.21), but failed to achieve statistical significance. ConclusionL-carnitine level in the seminal plasma showed a positive correlation with serum testosterone, a negative correlation with LH, and nonsignificant relation of FSH was found with seminal free L-carnitine.
ENHANCEMENT OF SOLUBILITY OF CANDESARTAN CILEXETIL BY SOLID DISPERSION METHOD

Candesartan cilexetil has low bioavailability (16%) and thus presents a challenge in formulating a suitable dosage form. To improve the aqueous solubility, solid dispersion formulation of candesartan cilexetil was prepared by solvent evaporation method utilizing skimmed milk powder as carrier. Five different formulations were prepared with different ratios of drug:carrier and the corresponding physical mixtures were prepared. The formulations were characterized for solubility parameters, drug release studies and drug-polymer interactions by using phase solubility studies, dissolution studies, FTIR spectrum and UV overlay spectra. Pure drug showed around 16.2 % dissolution over a period of 60 minutes. Among all the formulations, F4 [(Candesartan cilexetil : skimmed milk Powder (1:7)] was found to be best of all the trails showing fast drug release up to 87.66 %. These results suggest that solid dispersion of Candesartan cilexetil using skimmed milk as carrier is a promising approach for oral delivery of Candesartan cilexetil.
Pre-Service Teachers' Perceptions of Their Abilities to Teach Students with Special Needs by Integrating Technology in Their Classrooms

This inquiry is grounded in the theoretical framework of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK). The study investigates pre-service special education teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs, their perceptions of technology use for learning and teaching, their pedagogical approaches, and the challenges they face. A case study research design was employed to acquire quantitative data. Questionnaires were administered to a sample of 81 pre-service teachers from one teacher training college. The questionnaire also contained open-ended questions. Quantitative data was analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21 software while responses to the open-ended questions were thematically analysed. This study found that the pre-service teachers' use of technology may have developed over time and through the personal use of the devices in their classroom practices. Although the pre-service teachers had varied self-efficacy beliefs, they had positive attitudes towards the use of technology. Findings also suggest that the pre-service teachers lacked TPACK skills to use technology. Although most findings reinforce what is already known about the field, this study is unique as these results are new for Kuwait and possibly more widely for the Middle East. The study recommends that TPACK workshops may not only enhance better understanding of pre-service teachers’ perceptions and beliefs about integrating technology to teach students with special needs but also provide increased support for them to improve their attitudes towards emerging technologies. Keywords: Pre-service teachers, students with special needs, technology and integrating DOI : 10.7176/JEP/10-35-12 Publication date: December 31 st 2019
Influence of gender on DHA synthesis: the response of rat liver to low dietary alpha-linolenic acid evidences higher omega 3 a dagger 4-desaturation index in females

The conversion rate of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) into docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is determined by dietary and non-dietary factors. Higher capacity of DHA synthesis has been evidenced in females, indicating that sex factors influence the conversion pathway. To evaluate the extent to which sexual dimorphism of DHA synthesis is subordinated to nutritional handling, we measured the omega 3 a dagger 4-desaturation index in male and female rats receiving adequate or inadequate amounts of ALA. The omega 3 a dagger 4-desaturation index was drawn from the DHA to docosapentaenoic acid (omega 3DPA) ratio in liver phospholipids. Male and female rats born to omega 3-deficient dams were fed a supplemented diet supplying low, inadequate, intermediate, or adequate ALA (5, 20, 100, or 300 mg ALA/100 g diet, respectively). Control rats from both gender received the adequate diet from fetal life. Compared with control, low ALA feeding induced the omega 3 a dagger 4-desaturation index to increase by 38 and 70% in the phosphatidylethanolamine fraction of males and females, respectively, and by 67% in phosphatidylcholine in females only. Supplementations with increased doses of ALA progressively smoothed this gender effect. Moreover, the analysis of our data from a previous study shows that ovariectomy decreased, whereas estradiol treatment increased the omega 3 index to values comparable with those of diet-matched males and intact females, respectively. Females are more prone than males to increase their index of omega 3 a dagger 4-desaturation, especially in response to low supplies in ALA. Estradiol supports the omega 3 index, suggesting that this hormone plays a role in the effect of gender on DHA synthesis.
Andraegoidus Aurivillius: new species, synonymies and key to the species (Insecta: Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Andraegoidus translucidus sp. nov. is described from Bolivia (Santa Cruz). The following synonyms are proposed: Andraegoidus homoplatus hassenteufeli Fuchs, 1958 = Andraegoidus homoplatus (Dupont, 1838), and Andraegoidus lacordairei punctipennis Hudepohl, 1985 = Andraegoidus lacordairei (Dupont, 1838). A key to the species of this genus is provided. The geographical distribution of Andraegoidus lacordairei is now widened to Trinidad and Tobago (Talparo).
European Corn Borer: A Nonpreference Mechanism of Leaf Feeding Resistance and Its Relationship to 1,4-Benzoxazin-3-One Concentration in Dent Corn Tissue

A nonpreference mechanism of resistance, as indicated by larval movement off the host plant, plays an impor tant role in the resistance of dent corn, Zea mays L. , to leaf feeding by Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner). When compared with the other inbred lines, the high level of leaffeeding resistance found in the inbred line, CI31A, can be attributcd to its increased level of non preference. Whorl concentrations of 2-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2H.1, 4-benzoxazin-3 (4H) one (HMBOA) and 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2H-I, 4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (DIMBOA) were significantly different between inbred lines. The data indicate that DIMBOA is a primary chemical factor in the expression of non preference.
Changes in the Migratory Direction of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters Lichenostomus chrysops (Meliphagidae) During Autumn Migration

Yellow-faced Honeyeaters Lichenostomus chrysops are well known diurnal migrants in eastern Australia. Each year, large flocks move northward during autumn and early winter. Despite an intensive banding effort (Pur- chase 1985), neither the exact routes nor the location of the wintering areas have been identified with certainty. Numerous observations, however, allow at least a rough estimate of the course of their migration. Large flocks of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters flying north-east have been observed in the Canberra region (Davey et al. 1984) and at various locations along the east coast and adjacent ranges of New South Wales (Hindwood 1948; Hindwood 1956; Liddy 1966). Only limited records are available from Queensland. In May and June, Robertson (1958) observed Yellow- faced Honeyeaters migrating on a north-westerly course over East Brisbane (27"30'S, 153"E). Members of this species have also been found further north in eastern Queensland between 26"s and 19"s. Blakers et al. (1984) suggested that most of them are migrants, as there are no breeding records of the species in that region. A proba- bly isolated breeding population of the Yellow-faced Honeyeater also occurs in the Atherton region (17"S, 145"E) of north Queensland (Gill 1970; Blakers et al. 1984). Bravery (1970) reported that numbers increased between May and July in this region, indicating an influx of migrating birds to the local population. Taken together, these observations suggest that the main stream of migration follows the
Study of Expression of VASP in Gastric Carcinoma

Objecctive:To explore the influence of expression for VASP on the generation and metastasis of gastric carcinomas.Method:Human gastric tissues with adenocarcinomas (n=42) were used.Normal gastric tissue specimens (n=16) were taken from resected carcinomas of patients who underwent surgical resection.Carcinomas were classified by pathological staging and histopathological grades.The expression and distribution of VASP were observed by immunohistochemistry.Results:Normal gastric tissues showed no VASP expression while the macrophages and lymphocytes of connective tissue had the strongest immunoreactivity for VASP.Carcinomas (epithelium mucosae, glandular epithelium, vascular endothelial cell, vascular smooth muscle cell) had a significantly greater VASP expression than normal epithelium (P0.05). Moreover, VASP expression in adenocarcinomas increased significantly with more advanced tumor stage (P0.01). Conclusion:The spatial and differential expression of VASP in normal gastric tissue and gastric carcinomas suggests that VASP is likely to be involved in the differentiation of normal gastric cells leading to carcinomas.The significant increase in the expression of VASP in carcinomas parallel to pathological staging suggests that VASP may regulate the invasive behavior of gastric carcinomas as carcinoma invasion is increased in more advanced tumors.
Dimensional Accuracy of Digitalized Stone Models Obtained from Alginic Acid Polymer and Poly-dimethyl-siloxane Impressions

The prognosis of the prosthetic rehabilitation is linked to the proper transfer of the clinical data to the dental laboratory, in the digital or conventional workflow. The aim of the present study was to compare the dimensional accuracy of analog and digitalized models, focusing on the influence of impression polymeric materials on the final digital model. Methods: The master model with standard reference points and the three groups of test models, obtained by alginic acid polymer impression (group A) and condensation-cured poly(dimethyl siloxane) in two impression techniques (1-step putty/lightbody-group 1T, 2-steps putty/ light-body-group 2T), were measured in four standardized points before and after digitization. The differences from the master model and between the pair analog and digital models was calculated and statistically analysed using Mann-Whitney tests (2 groups), and one-way Anova (3 groups) with post-hoc Tukey's Test was applied for pairwise analysis (α=0.05). Results: All analog and digitalized model tests showed altered dimensions from the master model. A general reduction of the digitalized models, in sagittal and transversal dimensions, was observed, comparing to the reference model. The impression material was a significant factor influencing dimensional accuracy. Conclusions: a statistically significant difference was found between most of the models and the master model. However, through digitalization, some of the errors were compensated. The digital models from alginic acid polymer group (group A) registered the highest trueness, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) from the reference model.
Polymorphism analysis of the promoter of cow lactoferrin gene with PCR-RFLP and its correlation with subclinical mastitis

CMT was used to detect the incidence of mastitis. One hundred twenty cows were selected and assigned into 2 groups, 60 animals in each group: control group (healthy cows), experimental group (cows with subclinical mastitis) and the relationship between cow′s subclinical mastitis and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) of the promoter of cow lactoferrin gene was explored. The results showed that polymorphism existed in the promoter of bovine lactoferrin gene, which suggested that this polymorphism could be associated with mastitis susceptibility.
Evaluation of corrosion and scaling potential of drinking groundwater in Gonbad-e Kavus

The present study has been undertaken to assess the corrosion and scaling potential of groundwater quality in Gonbad-e Kavus. The water quality indicators used were temperature, pH, total hardness, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), Cl–, SO4, and Ca2+. The important of water quality indices including Langelier saturation index (LSI), the Ryznar stability index (RSI), aggressiveness index (AI), Puckorius scaling index (PSI), and Larson–Skold index (LRI) has been investigated for 20 water wells supplying the drinking water of study area in 2018. The mean values of LSI, RSI, AI, PSI, and LRI were obtained to be 0.15 ± 0.01, 7.0 ± 0.06, 10.12 ± 1.49, 6.18 ± 0.08, and 0.41 ± 0.05, respectively. The result of the preset study showed that all water resources in Gonbad-e Kavus were corrosive based on the RSI, AI, and PSI indices. But according to LSI, water of the resources was scale forming. LRI index was in not corrosive condition. Therefore, water in these areas will need a special attention. This study demonstrated the application of water quality indices for the estimation water chemical stability and appeared to be promising techniques regarding water quality management that would be useful to environmental experts and policymakers for proper management and treatment of water.
Teratogenesis by glyphosate based herbicides and other pesticides. Relationship with the retinoic acid pathway

A recent study using a commercial formulation of glyphosate based herbicides (GBH) showed that treatments with a 1 / 5000 dilution (430 ! M of glyphosate) were sufficient to induce reproducible malformations in embryos of the South African clawed frog Xenopus laevis, a widely used vertebrate model for embryological studies (Paganelli et al. 2010). The phenotypes observed include shortening of the trunk, cephalic reduction, microphthalmy, cyclopia, reduction of the neural crest territory at neurula stages and craniofacial malformations at tadpole stages. In addition GBH inhibits the anterior expression domain of the morphogen Sonic Hedgehog (shh) and reduces the domain of the cephalic marker otx2, prevents the subdivision of the eye field and impairs craniofacial development. Moreover, in recent experiments with another commercial formulation of GBH, the malformations observed before were reproduced in a dose-dependent manner, even at dilutions of 1 / 500000, which produced developmental abnormalities in 17 % of the embryos, without lethality (unpublished results).
CO) VARIANCE COMPONENTS OF WEANING WEIGHT IN BREAD CHAROLAIS

(CO) VARIANCE COMPONENTS OF WEANING WEIGHT IN BREAD CHAROLAIS The genetic variability of weaning weight (WW) in Charolais cattle was studied using a sample of 16 484 calf records. They were the progeny of 99 sires and 5 867dams born between 1988 and 2002 in two cattlebreeding enterprises. The pedigree file comprised 22 721 individuals. Data analysis was made through the MTDFREML program (Boldman et al. 1995) using six different models. In all cases the animal random effect and the fixed effects (year, herd and calf sex) were included. Weaning ages and dams’ age (linear and quadratic) at calving were considered as covariables. The rest of the models mixed maternal and permanent environmental effects as well as the correlations between direct and maternal effects. Average WW at 199 days of age was 146.5 kg. In general, the direct heritability effect (ha) for the six models was approximately 0.03, for maternal effect (hm), 0.15 and there was a poor and positive correlation between direct and maternal effects. It is concluded that the maternal effect has higher response to selection than the direct effect and that there are no opposite effects between them.
QUANTIFYING THE DOMINANCE OF LITTLE FIRE ANT (Wasmannia auropunctata) AND ITS EFFECT ON CROPS IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

Introduced most probably intentionally, as a biological control against nutfall bugs (Amblypelta sp) in coconut and cocoa, the Little Fire Ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) has for more than 30 years continued to spread and colonise a number of different environments in the Solomon Islands. To date, no studies have investigated the ecological impact of these ants. The impact of Little Fire Ants was measured on (1) the overall ant fauna within subsistence gardens, (2) the prevalence of additional insect pests in subsistence gardens, and (3) the significant pest Tarophagus sp. of one crop taro and its natural predator Cyrtohinus fulvus. Ant fauna was surveyed on two study areas in garden sites of four common subsistence crops: potato, cassava, taro and yam; a total of 36 gardens per study area with three trials per garden, using baiting and hand collecting. The existence of insect pests that form a relationship with W. auropunctata was measured in the same gardens by standardised visual searches, plus some identification and collecting from randomly selected crop within the gardens. The impact of W. auropunctata on the significant taro pest Tarophagus sp. and its natural predator Cyrtohinus fulvus was measured in 56 taro gardens with half of the gardens infested with Little Fire Ants. Twenty five taro plants were randomly selected in each taro garden and sampled using standardized visual identification. Sites with W. auropunctata had significantly lower mean abundance of other ant species than gardens free of W. auropunctata. A number of hemipteran insects (most of them pests) were also observed to have developed relationships with W. auropunctata. Although there was no significant difference in the mean population density of C. fulvus per taro plant between taro plants infested and free of W. auropunctata, significantly more Tarophagus were found on taro plants in the presence of W. auropunctata than in the absence of W. auropunctata. Three conclusions are drawn here, (1) the presence of W. auropunctata leads to a reduction in the ant fauna at a site, and is likely to lead to ecological damage to other invertebrates and vertebrates, (2) the presence of W. auropunctata in the subsistence crops may have lead to the development of harmful relationships between hemipteran pests and W. auropunctata, and (3) the presence and dominance of W. auropunctata on subsistence crops may provide an environment that
Determining Method for Dengue Epidemic Threshold in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Introduction : Dengue fever is an illness by arthropod-borne viral disease that become known pandemic to the most tropical countries. In 2014, Malaysia reported 108 698 cases of dengue fever with 215 deaths which increased tremendously compared to 49 335 cases with 112 deaths in 2008 and 30 110 cases with 69 deaths in 2009. This study aimed to identify the best method in determining dengue outbreak threshold for Negeri Sembilan and hopefully these methods can be standardized as it can help to send uniform messages to inform the general public and make the outbreak analysis comparable within and between countries. Methodology : Using retrospective Negeri Sembilan country dataset from 1st epid week of 2011 till the 52nd epid week of 2016. The data were split into two periods: 1) a 3-year historic period (2011–2013), used to calibrate and parameterise the model, and a 1-year evaluation period (2014); 2) a 2-year historic period (2014–2016), used to calibrate and parameterise the model, and a 1-year evaluation period (2016), used to test the model. E-dengue is a registration system for confirm case dengue by Ministry of Health. Data include details of cases, district locality, records on the outbreak and epidemiological week (Sunday to Saturday). The variables were captured using the Excel spreadsheet. Analysis method included endemic channel method, moving average or deviation bar chart and recent mean. Result: Seremban as big district and facing with heavy dengue cases, all three methods (endemic curve, current mean and moving mean) showed promising results. Meanwhile comparing with small district of Port Dickson and Tampin with fewer dengue cases and outbreak recorded, the suitable method is by using endemic channel for epidemic threshold. Conclusion: Simpler methods such as the endemic channel, recent mean and moving mean may be more appropriate in urban district. Whereas in rural or district with minimal dengue cases, Endemic Channel would be the most suitable method for epidemic threshold. However, both methods require a consistent updated graph threshold as time progress.
Therapeutic effect of nurse-led clinics in patients with T2DM: a systematic review

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of nurse-led clinics (NLCs) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods We searched randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to the therapeutic effect of patients with T2DM in PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Web of science, CBM, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang databases from the beginning to June 2016. The methodological quality assessment was used to assess the included studies according to "bias risk assessment" recommended by Cochrane Handbook 5.1. 0 software, and the data were extracted and analyzed by using the RevMan 5.1 software. Results Totally 15 RCTs with 2 204 patients were included in this study. The Meta-analysis showed that: compared with the control group, NLC intervention can further decrease the HbA1c level of patients with T2DM [MD=-1.11, 95%CI(-1.47, -0.75), P<0.001]; improve patients′ adherence to medication [RR=1.28, 95%CI(1.20, 1.35)], diet control [RR=1.68, 95%CI(1.52, 1.86)], exercise reinforcement [RR=1.32, 95%CI(1.22, 1.43)], and regular blood glucose monitoring [RR=1.68, 95%CI(1.30, 2.17)]; and improve patients′ quality of life. Meta-regression analysis showed that the effect of NLC were positively related to the baseline level of HbA1c (r=-0.33, P<0.05). Conclusions The application of NLC can improve the therapeutic effect of patients with T2DM, and improve their treatment compliance and quality of life. Key words: Meta-analysis; Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Nurse-led clinic; Systematic review
Taxonomic notes on Chloranthus henryi Hemsl. and its allies

WT5BZ]Taxonomically revised in this paper are Chloranthus henryi Hemsl. and its allies on the basis of character analysis and type examination. Four species, i.e. C. serratus (Thunb.) Roem. et Schult. , C. henryi, C. sessilifolius K. F. Wu and C. oldhami Solms Laub. , are recognized. C. monostachys R. Br. , C. hupehensis Pamp. and C. serratus var. taiwanensis K. F. Wu are reduced as new synonyms of C. serratus, C. henryi and C. oldhami , respectively. As C. philippinensis Merr. and C. verticillatus Merr. are found to be more similar to C. oldhami than to C. henryi , they are both treated as conspecific with C. oldhami rather than with C. henryi . After a careful examination of the syntypes and their photos of C. henryi , C. multistachys P'ei and C. hupehensis , lectotypes of these names are designated.