Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum glutamic‐oxalacetic‐transaminase activity as an index of liver‐cell injury from cancer. A preliminary report

LUTAMIC:-OXAI ACETIC transaminase is wideG ly distributed in animal tissues. Its greatest concentration, however, is in heart muscle, skeIetaI muscle, brain, liver, and kidney in decreasing order.1 We have already shown that this enzyme when measured in seruni is elcvated after acutc myocardial infarction.2 This finding led us to study its concentration in liver diseases, since the enzyme is present in relatively high concentration in liver. Glutamic-oxalacetic tramaminaye is present in all human sera and will henceforth be referred to as SGO-T. Comparable concentrations are found whether chromatographic or spectrophotometric methods are eniployed.3 When serum is added to excesses of aspartic acid arid a-ketoglutaric acid buffered at optinial PH in the presence of coenzyme 1 (DPNH~) and malic dehydrogenase, SGO-T can lie measured in a spectrophotometer by the decrease in optical density resulting from the oxidation of DPNH? to DPN (Fig. 1). One unit of SGO-T activity represents a change in optical density of 0.001 per ml. per minute at wave lengths of 340 rnp. All tests done in this series of patients were performed with 0.5 nil. or 0.2 ml. of serum at room temperatures (24" to 30" C.). (The micromolar extinction coefficient of the D P N H ~ is 2.05.) The studies made after myocardial infarction indicate that the enzyme is liberated into the blood stream following injury to the ceL4 [f this also proved to be the case in liver disease, the SGO-T level therefore ought to provide an index of Iiver-cell destruction if the enzyme is released from damaged liver cells. The level and persistence of increased activity
The immunoregulatory effects of Qa‐1

Summary: The immune system is not only well equipped to control infections but also tightly controlled to prevent autoimmune disease. Despite the negative selection of T‐cell clones in the thymus, mature T cells capable of recognizing self‐antigens are present in every individual. Several types of specialized regulatory cells maintain homeostasis and prevent expansion of autoreactive T cells. In this issue of Immunological Reviews, the role of CD4+ regulatory T cells is extensively discussed. Suppression of T‐cell responses by CD8+ T cells has received less attention. Here, we review research on Qa‐1‐restricted CD8+ regulatory T cells. We focus on the role of this class Ib major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule in both CD8+ regulatory T‐cell activity and protection of activated T cells.
Impact of multiple scattering on passivity of equivalent-circuit via models

For fast analyses of multilayer printed circuit boards and packages, the parallel-plate impedance (Zpp) is often used in equivalent-circuit via models to describe the current return path for vias traversing a power/ground plane pair. Analytical algorithms for the Zpp calculation, such as the radial waveguide method, usually assumes solid planes and neglect the effect of multiple scattering among open via ports. However, this scattering can become significant when other vias lie in close proximity. Disregarding this fact can lead to potential passivity violations, especially for dense via arrays. We propose to use a new formulation for the Zpp calculation based on the contour integral method that takes the multiple scattering effect into account to resolve the passivity problem. A via array example is demonstrated and, in particular, the passivity issue is discussed.
Heart rate variability acquisition from ambulatory measurements of IPG

Stress plays a vital role in the declaration of certain illnesses, it depresses the immune system and can led to the worsening of some conditions. It is therefore of utmost importance to have a reliable tool capable of monitoring stress levels with regularity (hence, in ambulatory scenarios) and without representing a hassle (hence, with ease of use, embedded in some common objects). The main objective of this work is to present a suitable set-up capable of retrieving stress measures. For this purpose the electrocardiogram (ECG) and the impedance pletysmography (IPG) signals have been acquired and processed. The impedance signal has been studied and characterized as a suitable alternative to replace ECG in situations where the latter can not be acquired with sufficient quality. Furthermore the ECG has also been improved thanks to the IPG, the electrical signal has been recovered from noisy recordings thanks to the implementation of a filter and by using the impedance signal increasing in this manner its capabilities. The autonomic nervous system regulates among others the heart rate (HR) and is related with the fight or flight response trough the sympathetic system and to the recovery after the exposure to a stressor trough the vagal system. The study of heart rate variability (HRV) has proved to detect the activity of both systems providing a non invasive tool for stress measurements. A thorough study of the HRV and its relation with stress is carried out in this work, studying the effect of different tests as well as the influence of breath rate. All results have ultimately been used to assure the feasibility of IPG as a source of reliable information when retrieving stress levels and hence proving the potential use of this signal to new devices.
A comparison of password feedback mechanisms and their impact on password entropy

Purpose – Text-based passwords created by users are typically weak. A common mitigation is to provide meaningful feedback to users regarding the relative strength of their newly created password. However, the effects of these feedback mechanisms on users to create stronger passwords have not been well studied. This study examined four different types of password feedback mechanisms to determine which, if any, are the most effective. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Undergraduate student volunteers created four different passwords and then entered the passwords into four different online password feedback mechanisms. Participants were then asked whether the feedback persuaded them to change their original password. Findings – In all cases, the feedback mechanisms significantly influenced users with lower password entropy to choose a more secure password. The password feedback mechanism that was most effective was the feedback of the estimated amount of time to break the.
Depression and associated factors in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis

Purpose. To investigate the prevalence of depression and associated factors in patients (n = 100) with lumbar spinal stenosis selected for surgical treatment. Method. Depression was assessed with the 21-item Beck Depression Inventory. Psychological well-being was assessed with Life Satisfaction Scale, Toronto Alexithymia Scale and Sense of Coherence Scale. Physical functioning and pain were assessed with the Oswestry disability index, the questionnaire devised by Stucki and the Visual Analogue Scale. All questionnaires were administered before surgical treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. Results. Twenty percent of the patients with LSS were found to have clinically important depression. In univariate analyses, subjective disability measured with the Oswestry disability index, low sense of coherence and poor life satisfaction were common in depressed patients. In the multiple logistic regression analyses, being dissatisfied with life was associated with depression. When sense of coherence score was included in the model, then only low sense of coherence was independently associated with depression. Neither socio-demographic nor pain-related factors associated with depression. Conclusions. Clinically important depression is rather common among preoperative patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. The factors associated with depression are subjective disability of everyday living and decreased life satisfaction. A low sense of coherence is an important correlate of depression. The results underline the importance of assessing depression in clinical practice dealing with these patients.
Prenatal corticosterone exposure results in altered AT1/AT2, nephron deficit and hypertension in the rat offspring

Maternal treatment with the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone has been reported to result in a nephron deficit and development of hypertension in the offspring of rats. However, it is not known whether elevated maternal corticosterone (CORT), the natural glucocorticoid, has similar effects on blood pressure and nephron endowment. The present study investigated the effects of CORT (0.8 mg kg−1 day−1) administration on embryonic day 14 (E14) and E15 of pregnancy on: (1) nephron number at postnatal day 30 (PN30); (2) blood pressure at PN120; and (3) receptors of the renal renin–angiotensin system (RRAS) (AT1Ra, AT1Rb and AT2Ra) during both embryonic (E16, E20) and adolescent (PN30) life. Plasma CORT concentrations were approximately doubled 30 min after injection. Unbiased stereological analysis revealed that maternal CORT treatment resulted in a nephron deficit of 21 and 19% in male and female offspring, respectively. Mean arterial pressures were significantly elevated in offspring of both sexes from the CORT group. Real‐time PCR revealed that CORT treatment increased expression of AT1Ra and AT2R at E16, and at PN30. Expression of AT1Rb was downregulated in embryonic life but upregulated at PN30. We believe that these results are the first to demonstrate that maternal CORT treatment results in a nephron deficit and development of hypertension in the rat offspring. Changes in the RRAS may be contributing to these phenotypes. Critically, this study suggests that increased but physiological levels of the natural glucocorticoid can programme similar changes to those seen with pharmacological doses of the synthetic glucocorticoid. This may have important implications for women experiencing significant stress during pregnancy.
Gene expression profile of endothelial cells during perturbation of the gut vascular barrier

ABSTRACT It has been widely demonstrated that tolerance against gut microbiota is compartmentalized to mucosal sites where microbes mostly reside. How the commensal bacteria are excluded from the entrance into the blood stream via intestinal capillaries that are located beneath the gut epithelium was not clear. We recently described the existence of a new anatomical structure, the ‘gut vascular barrier’ (GVB), both in murine and human intestines that plays a fundamental role in avoiding indiscriminate trafficking of bacteria from the gut into the blood circulation. The vascular barrier integrity could be altered by Salmonella typhimurium, a pathogen capable of systemic dissemination, through the modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Here we have analyzed the differences in gut endothelial gene expression profiles during Salmonella infection and have identified some interesting characteristics of endothelial to mesenchymal transition. These findings add new insights in the gut-liver axis.
Hierarchical Structure of Personality in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

The personalities in coronary heart disease have often been investigated using the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16 PF) of Cattell. The aims of this study were to verify the third-order factor structure of 16 PF and to assess the third-order factors in a group of patients with acute myocardial infarction as compared with a group of normal subjects. The primary 16 factor scores of the over-all population of infarcted patients and normal subjects were factored and the results rotated obliquely (dquart solution) to produce nine second-order factors. In a second step the nine second-order factors extracted were processed again by factor analysis and the third-order structure was achieved. The five third-order factors obtained were named Inhibition (α), Internal Feeling (β), Maladaptation (γ), Self-concern and Control (δ), plus an Unidentified Factor (ε). The patients with acute myocardial infarction were significantly different from normal subjects in scores on α, β, γ, and δ. The profile analysis of these four third-order psychological variables differentiated the two groups. In conclusion, the patients with acute myocardial infarction are characterized by difficulties in communication, emotional expression, and adaptation to stress and by a tendency to strong self-control and poor attention to their internal feelings.
Circadian variation of aqueous dynamics in young healthy adults.

PURPOSE Recent research indicates that intraocular pressure (IOP) does not decrease significantly during the nocturnal period, although aqueous humor flow decreases by 50% or more at night. This study was undertaken to investigate whether changes in outflow facility, episcleral venous pressure, or uveoscleral flow at night could account for the nocturnal IOP. METHODS Sixty-eight eyes of 34 healthy subjects (age, 18-44 years; mean, 29) were studied. Aqueous humor flow rate, IOP, and outflow facility were measured with pneumatonometry, anterior chamber fluorophotometry, and Schiotz tonography respectively, in each eye during the mid-diurnal (2-4 PM) and mid-nocturnal (2-4 AM) periods. Nocturnal IOP, flow rate, and outflow facility were compared to the same variables during the diurnal period. Mathematical models based on the modified Goldmann equation were used to assess the conditions under which these results could be reconciled. RESULTS Supine IOP decreased slightly from 18.9 +/- 2.7 mm Hg in the mid-diurnal period to 17.8 +/- 2.5 mm Hg in the mid-nocturnal period (mean +/- SD, P = 0.001). Aqueous flow rate decreased from 2.26 +/- 0.73 to 1.12 +/- 0.75 microL/min (mean +/- SD, P < 0.001). There was a nonsignificant trend toward a nocturnal decrease of outflow facility (diurnal, 0.27 +/- 0.11 microL/min/mm Hg; nocturnal, 0.25 +/- 0.08 microL/min/mm Hg; mean +/- SD, P = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS Outflow facility measured by tonography does not decrease enough during the nocturnal period to compensate for the decreased aqueous humor flow rate. Modeling results indicate that the experimental results could be reconciled only if nocturnal changes in episcleral venous pressure and/or uveoscleral flow occurred.
Overuse of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in acute myeloid leukemia, aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.

To the Editor. Newguidelines for the use of G-CSFindicate that G-CSF administration should be stopped when the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) reaches 5,000/|il. It is additionally stated that cessation of G-CSF should be considered when the ANCreaches 2,000/fil. However, I think that these recommendedvalues ofANCare too high in cases with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), aplastic anemia and MDS,for several reasons. The beneficial effects of G-CSFon AMLsuch as shortened duration of hospitalization, decreased incidence of severe infection, increased complete response rate and improved long-term outcome have not been completely established (1). Primary prophylactic administration in AMLshould be reserved for patients whoare expected to be at risk of febrile neutropenia which occurs in more than 40%of the patients ( 1 ). To recover myelosuppression after chemotherapy in AML,an ANCvalue of at most 1,500/jil followed by steady recovery, is sufficient to stop G-CSF in the absence of documented infection in usual cases, and especially in cases of relapsed or refractory AML(2). The use of G-CSF together with antibiotics may be reasonable in febrile neutropenia with high risk factors such as pneumonia, sepsis and fungal infection (1). Prolonged administration of G-CSFcould increase the growth of residual leukemic blasts causing relapse or secondary leukemia, since the leukemic blasts in AMLhave receptors for G-CSF(3). It is usually difficult to obtain the ANCvalues of 5,000/|J,l in patients with severe aplastic anemia and MDS.Prolonged overuse of G-CSF in aplastic anemia may induce MDSwith monosomy 7 and transformation into AML(4). Patients with MDSsuch as refractory anemia with an excess of blasts could be transformed to AML. There are few studies supporting the long-term continuous use of G-CSFin these patients. Intermittent administration may be considered in patients with severe neutropenia and recurrent infection (1). The use of G-CSFfor these disorders should be modest also from the standpoint of cost benefit. The present annotation regarding the ANCvalue is not always applicable to non-hematological malignancies.
Design and magnetic field analysis of a dual-rotor permanent-magnet synchronous wind generator

Study on dual-rotor generator technology can promote the wind power industry since it has compact structure and higher performances. This paper proposes a novel dual-rotor permanent-magnet synchronous wind-driven generator which can apparently improve the utilization coefficient of wind energy, and then introduces its operation principle, structure and design. After that, the magnetic field of the designed dual-rotor permanent-magnet synchronous wind-driven generator is analyzed based on Maxwell software. The results show that it can output higher voltage and power than a conventional PMSG with the same volume and speed, thus proving that it can lower the starting speed and work well at low wind speed.
Acquired elliptocytosis of myelodysplastic syndrome.

[Figure][1] A 75-year-old man with a 5-year history of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) subsequently developed worsening fatigue, dizziness, and dyspnea on exertion. There was no family history of hematologic diseases. On examination he was cachectic with no hepatosplenomegaly and petechiae,
Exposure of personnel to sevoflurane during paediatric anaesthesia: influence of professional role and anaesthetic procedure

Background and objective: This study was performed to determine the individual exposure of paediatric operating theatre personnel to sevoflurane and to evaluate the impact of inhalation induction and various airway approaches on exposure to airborne sevoflurane. Methods: Mean individual environmental (workplace air) exposure to sevoflurane and a biomarker of exposure (urinary sevoflurane) were monitored in 36 subjects (10 anaesthetists, 10 surgeons, 12 nurses and 4 auxiliary personnel) working in two paediatric operating rooms. Results: Environmental and urinary values were significantly greater in anaesthetists compared with other groups, with median values of 0.65 ppm (interquartile range 1.36; 95th percentile 4.36) for breathing zone sevoflurane and 2.1 μgL−1 urine (interquartile range 2.6; 95th percentile 7.6) for urinary sevoflurane. Anaesthetists exceeded the 2 ppm maximum allowed environmental concentration recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in 4 of 22 cases (18.1%). A positive correlation was found between the number of patients undergoing inhalational induction each day and mean values of breathing zone and urinary sevoflurane. An increase in the number of daily laryngeal mask insertions, or the use of rigid bronchoscopy, are statistically related to higher environmental and urinary values (P < 0.01 and <0.00001 for breathing zone sevoflurane, P < 0.05 and <0.01 for urinary sevoflurane, respectively). Conclusions: Anaesthesia with sevoflurane can pose a hazard of chronic exposure with anaesthetists having the highest risk. Endotracheal intubation offers considerable protection against exposure. Routine anaesthesia using a standard facemask, a laryngeal mask or rigid bronchoscopy are risk factors for increased anaesthetic exposure.
Isolation of the thymidylate synthetase gene (TMP1) by complementation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The structural gene (TMP1) for yeast thymidylate synthetase (thymidylate synthase; EC 2.1.1.45) was isolated from a chimeric plasmid bank by genetic complementation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Retransformation of the dTMP auxotroph GY712 and a temperature-sensitive mutant (cdc21) with purified plasmid (pTL1) yielded Tmp+ transformants at high frequency. In addition, the plasmid was tested for the ability to complement a bacterial thyA mutant that lacks functional thymidylate synthetase. Although it was not possible to select Thy+ transformants directly, it was found that all pTL1 transformants were phenotypically Thy+ after several generations of growth in nonselective conditions. Thus, yeast thymidylate synthetase is biologically active in Escherichia coli. Thymidylate synthetase was assayed in yeast cell lysates by high-pressure liquid chromatography to monitor the conversion of [6-3H]dUMP to [6-3H]dTMP. In protein extracts from the thymidylate auxotroph (tmp1-6) enzymatic conversion of dUMP to dTMP was barely detectable. Lysates of pTL1 transformants of this strain, however, had thymidylate synthetase activity that was comparable to that of the wild-type strain.
Self-Report and Observer Ratings of Personality Functioning: A Study of the OPD System

Recent considerations around DSM–5 criteria of personality disorders (PDs) demand new concepts of assessing levels of personality functioning. Of special interest are multiperspective approaches accounting for clinicians’ as well as patients’ points of view. The study investigates observer-rated and self-assessed levels of personality functioning measured by the level of structural integration as defined by the Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis System (OPD). Both perspectives were positively related. The combination of both measures was most efficient in discriminating among 3 diagnostic groups of varying degrees of personality dysfunction. Future studies should take into account expert ratings as well as self-report data.
An investigation into the effects of the hierarchical structure of tendon fascicles on micromechanical properties

Abstract During physiological loading, a tendon is subjected to tensile strains in the region of up to 6 per cent. These strains are reportedly transmitted to cells, potentially initiating specific mechano-transduction pathways. The present study examines the local strain fields within tendon fascicles subjected to tensile strain in order to determine the mechanisms responsible for fascicle extension. A hierarchical approach to the analysis was adopted, involving micro and macro examination. Micro examination was carried out using a custom-designed rig, to enable the analysis of local tissue strains in isolated fascicles, using the cell nuclei as strain markers. In macro examination, a video camera was used to record images of the fascicles during mechanical testing, highlighting the point of crimp straightening and macro failure. Results revealed that local tensile strains within a collagen fibre were consistently smaller than the applied strain and showed no further increase once fibres were aligned. By contrast, between-group displacements, a measure of fibre sliding, continued to increase beyond crimp straightening, reaching a mean value of 3.9 per cent of the applied displacement at 8 per cent strain. Macro analysis displayed crimp straightening at a mean load of 1 N and sample failure occurred through the slow unravelling of the collagen fibres. Fibre sliding appears to provide the major mechanism enabling tendon fascicle extension within the rat-tail tendon. This process will necessarily affect local and cellular strains and consequently mechanotransduction pathways.
Design of Dynamic Detector for Atomicity Races in ARINC-653 Applications

This paper presents a dynamic detector, called Race-653 that locates atomicity races in ARINC-653 applications using an on-the-fly analysis technique. Race-653 consists of 653-Monitor and 653-Detector modules. The 653-Monitor collects monitored information during an execution of the applications, such as processes, semaphores, and accesses for each shared resource. The 653-Detector reports atomicity races by checking violations of a synchronization discipline based on semaphore. We implemented the detector as a PIN tool using PIN binary instrumentation framework and evaluated accuracy of the tool on a simulation system for integrated modular avionics.