Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Good enough? The ‘wicked’ use of testosterone for defining femaleness in women’s sport

Abstract Since the 1930s, sports administrators have insisted on various mechanisms to assess ‘femaleness’ for the purpose of competition in women’s sport. Most recently, the criterion has turned to testosterone. Specifically, if a woman naturally produces testosterone that registers in what sport authorities consider an ‘unnatural’ range, she must suppress that testosterone to compete in women’s events. The testosterone threshold will undoubtedly expand to include cis, intersex, and trans sportswomen, despite their respective and significant differences. Taken together, these types of regulations are confusing and contradictory, quite possibly sexist, and most assuredly ‘wicked’, as Rittel and Webber formulated with regard to ‘wicked problems’. A historical analysis of the regulations for ‘femaleness’ in sport, contextualized with other testosterone-related policies, reveals the impossibility of sex determination, the faulty assertion that testosterone is a ‘male hormone’, and the prioritization of sporting rights over human rights.
Fluid volume assessment in hemodialysis patients

Achievement of normal volume status is crucial in hemodialysis (HD), since both volume overload and volume depletion have been associated with adverse outcome and events. The main objectives of this thesis were to find out the prevalence of volume overload and to identify the best clinical parameter or set of parameters that can predict volume overload in HD patients along with the development of volume management protocol. Another objective was investigating the literature about the use of sodium profiling in alleviating intradialytic side effects. Volume status of 194 HD patients in 2 hemodialysis units was assessed by multifrequency bio-impedance spectroscopy. Of all patients 48% (n=94) were volume expanded. ECFV depletion was present in 9% of patients (n=17). Interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) was not different between hypovolemic, normovolemic and hypervolemic patients. Only 50% of the volume overloaded patients were hypertensive (>140/90mmHg). Paradoxical hypertension was common (31% of all patients) in our HD population, however, its incidence was not different between patients. not be Only 4 clinical parameters (edema, lower BMI, of the parameters and helpful bedside method
Endoscopically assisted Balloon Dacryocystoplasty and Silicone Intubation versus Silicone Intubation Alone in Adults with Incomplete Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

Purpose To compare the success rate of endoscopically assisted balloon daciyocystoplasty (DCP) and silicone intubation (DCP-SI) with endoscopically assisted silicone intubation alone (SI) in adults with incomplete nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction. Methods In a retrospective nonrandomized comparative case series, 62 eyes of 55 adult patients with incomplete NLD obstruction underwent endoscopic probing and either SI (n=39 eyes) or DCP-SI (n=23 eyes) under general anesthesia. The last follow-up examination included diagnostic probing and irrigation if there was not success. Success was defined as disappearance of the symptoms and failure as partial improvement or absence of improvement at last follow-up. Results Patients ranged from 20 to 85 years of age (mean: 60.93, SD: 15.60). Tubes were removed between 6 and 20 weeks (mean: 7.49, SD: 2.25) postoperatively. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 63 months (mean: 14.60, SD: 10.33). Success rate of the eyes with SI (21/39, 53.84%) and DCP-SI (14/23, 60.86%) were not statistically different (p=0.60). Complications included slight nasal and canalicular bleeding in almost all eyes in both groups which was easily controlled, slit punctum in four eyes with bicanalicular intubation (4/50, 8%), and monocanalicular tube lost in three eyes prematurely. Conclusions Success rate of endoscopic DCP-SI had no statistically significant difference from silicone intubation alone in treatment of incomplete NLD obstruction in adults.
Prevalence of hypertension among the adults in Mahalakshmipuram vs Allipuram

Background: High blood pressure (BP) is ranked as the third most important risk factor for attributable burden of disease in south Asia (2010). Hypertension (HTN) exerts a substantial public health burden on cardiovascular health status and healthcare systems in India. Aim: to assess the prevalence of hypertension Setting and Design: The study was conducted in Mahalakshmipuram (coastal area) and Allipuram (non-coastal area) by using a descriptive design. Materials and Methods: A total of 500 samples were included in this study. Among this, 250 samples belongs to coastal area and 250 samples belongs to non-coastal area by using convenience sampling technique. Statistical Analysis Used: The collected data was organized, tabulated, analyzed and interpreted by using descriptive and inferential statistics based on the objectives of the study. Results: In Mahalakshmipuram, Out of 250 samples, With regard to the category of the blood pressure 16(6.4%) had stage-I hypertension, 2(0.8%) had stage-II hypertension, 0(0.00%) had stage-III hypertension, 39(15.6%) had grade-I isolated systolic hypertension, and 2(0.8%) had grade-II isolated systolic hypertension. Known Hypertensive cases are 39(15.6%), Newly diagnosed cases are 20(8.00%). With regard to BMI, among 250 samples 29(11.6%) were overweight and 8(3.2%) were obese. in Allipuram, among 250 samples, 141(56.4%) had stage-I hypertension, 18(7.2%) had stage-II hypertension, 0(0.00%) had stage-III hypertension, 54(21.6%) had grade-I hypertension, and 14(5.6%) had grade-II hypertension. Known Hypertensive cases are 151(60.4%). Newly diagnosed cases are 47(18.8%). With regard to BMI among 250 samples 43(17.2%) were overweight and 37(14.8%) were obese. Conclusion: The above results shown that blood pressure values are high in the Allipuram (non-coastal area) than Mahalakshmipuram (coastal area).
Comparison between dexmedetomidine versus morphine added to bupivacaine in paravertebral block in patients scheduled for modified radical mastectomy

Purpose The aim of the paper was to compare between dexmedetomidine (DM) versus morphine added to bupivacaine in paravertebral block (PVB) for perioperative analgesia in modified radical mastectomy in relation to hemodynamic stability, efficacy of pain relief, and possible complications. Patients and methods A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted on 45 American Society of Anesthesiologists I–II patients undergoing elective unilateral modified radical mastectomy. Patients were randomly allocated into three groups: group B (n=15) received 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine (as control group), group D (n=15) received 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine+100 μg DM, and group M (n=15) received 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine+2 mg morphine. Hemodynamic parameters, area of local anesthesia, postoperative oxygen saturation and respiratory rate, visual analog scale (VAS) score, shoulder restriction score, time to first dose, and total amounts of supplementary analgesia (meperidine hydrochloride) were recorded. Postoperative sedation was evaluated using Ramsay sedation scale, and postoperative nausea and vomiting were evaluated using postoperative nausea and vomiting impact scale score. Other side effects were also recorded. Results There were no significant differences between the three studied groups at baseline regarding heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2), and respiratory rate. There was a significant reduction in heart rate in group D since the initiation of skin incision till the end of operation. There was a significant reduction in mean arterial blood pressure in the three groups from the starting of skin incision till the end of operation, but it was more evidenced in group D. Arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and respiratory rate were comparable between the three groups at all measuring times. There was significantly lower postoperative VAS score, longer time to first dose, and lower consumption of meperidine hydrochloride in group D than group B and group M. The present study did not show any serious intraoperative or postoperative complications in the three studied groups. Conclusion The addition of DM to bupivacaine in PVB provides a significant clinical benefit by decreasing VAS score, decreasing postoperative use of analgesics, and prolonging the onset of postoperative analgesic requirement without serious adverse effects and is superior to morphine as an adjuvant in PVB.
Impact of Dietary, Socioeconomic, and Physical Factors on Obese and Overweight Schoolchildren Living in Sidi-Bel-Abbes (West of Algeria) and Ain Defla (Centre)

Abstract Background and aims: The aim of the current study was to assess the impact of environmental factors; food, socio-economic, and physical activity, on a group of obese children living in Ain-Defla (Center Algeria) and Sidi-Bel-Abbes (West Algeria). Material and methods: The protocol was carried out on a cohort of 125 school children aged of 5 to 11 years, including 64 boys and 61 girls, and 139 school children, including 93 boys and 46 girls in Ain Defla and Sidi-Bel-Abbes respectively. Concerning the classification of obesity and overweight, we referred to the International Obesity Task Force and the French References' curves. Results: Regarding dietary intake our results showed that 34% of students from both regions took their breakfast, compared to 66% who did not take. Furthermore, 73% of students skipped at least one meal, however 23% respected meals frequency i.e. 4 meals a day. Regarding socio-economic factors and physical activity, our findings showed that obesity rates were high (36%) among children whose fathers are workers. However, for mothers who are housewives, obesity increases among their children (88%). The relationship was reversed between the parents' education level and the Body Mass Index. We found an opposite relationship between Body Mass Index and physical activity, and investigated children use screen devices for long time periods. Conclusions: Our study showed a positive relationship between obesity and overweight and environmental factors.
Species in the Age of Discordance

Biological lineages move through time, space, and each other. As they do, they diversify, diverge, and grade away from and into one another. One result of this is genealogical discordance; i.e., the lineages of a biological entity may have different histories. We see this on numerous levels, from microbial networks, to holobionts, to population-level lineages. This paper considers how genealogical discordance impacts our study of species. More specifically, I consider this in the context of three framing questions: (1) How, if at all, does genealogical discordance challenge, modify, or revise how we conceive of species? (2) How has growing appreciation of genealogical discordance impacted scientific practice? Of systematics in particular? (3) How do lineages at different levels diverge and diversify? All told, genealogical discordance enriches and complicates our taxonomic ontology, as well as the practice of reconstructing phylogenies. This presents both challenges and opportunities for the study of divergence and diversification.
Response to corticosteroids in Ulcerative Colitis may be related to modulation of mTOR signaling pathway genes by microRNAs

Kragujevac, Serbia Background: Acute dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis is a well-established murine model of colitis, because of the high degree of uniformity, reproducibility and similarities to acute human colitis. DSS induces mucosal injury and inflammation which is accompanied with migration of inflammatory cells in the colon. Because of their immunomodulatory characteristics, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are considered as promising therapeutic agents for the therapy of immune mediated diseases. Recently published studies suggested therapeutic potential of MSC for the treatment of colitis, but the mechanisms remain unknown. The main aim of this study was to evaluate possible cellular targets of MSC in the pathology of acute colitis. Methods: DSS (3%, molecular weight 40kDa) was dissolved in water and given to C57Bl/6 mice in place of normal drinking water (ad libitum) for 7 days. Mouse bone marrow-derived MSC (2 x 106 cells) were intravenously injected daily. Disease Activity Index (DAI: weight loss, stool consistency, visible blood in feces), was used to assess the clinical signs of colitis. The histology score of colitis was calculated as the sum of "infiltration" and "damage of epithelium" sub-scores for each mouse. The cellular make up of colon and phenotype of colon-infiltrated immune cells was determined by flow cytometry. Results: DAI and histology score were significantly attenuated in DSS+MSC-treated mice (n=16) compared to DSS-only treated animals (n=16). This was associated with the reduced infiltration of innate immune cells in the colon, particularly antigen presenting cells (CD11c+CD11b+ inflammatory dendritic cells and F4/80+CD11b+macrophages). In addition, intravenous injection of MSC attenuate expression of major histocompatibility complex II and co-stimulatory molecules on antigen presenting cells. The percentage of protective CD3+NK1.1+ NKT cells and F480+CD206+ alternatively activated macrophages was higher in colons of DSS+MSC-treated mice compared to DSS-only treated animals. Injection of MSC did not affect infiltration and phenotype of CD45+Ly6G+CD11cneutrophils, CD45+SinglecF+CD11ceosinophils and FcERI+CD117+mast cells. Conclusions: MSC attenuate function of inflammatory antigen presenting cells in colon and protect from acute DSS-induced colitis
Development of Chitosan/TiO2 Nanocomposite for Multifunctional Sunscreen Application

Several problems that often occur on the skin are acne and sunburn due to UV exposure. Acne is caused by the activity of bacteria dwelling on the surface of skin. This study has successfully synthesized several multifunctional cream based on chitosan loading in the chitosan/TiO2 nanocomposite. Multifunctional sunscreen defined by anti-bacterial and sunscreens performance with photocatalytic technology. Multifunctional sunscreen is made by Chitosan/TiO2 nanocomposite as active ingredient. Nanocomposite which has been synthesized is characterized by FT-IR, UV-Vis DRS, and SEM-EDX. To make Multifunctional sunscreen, the nanocomposite chitosan/TiO2 as active ingredient is mixed with water and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as natural emulsifier. The result of testing the disinfection of bacteria Escheria coli by nanocomposite chitosan/TiO2 showed the bacteria can be eliminated up to 99.7% within 2 hours. As sunscreens, creams have the ability to moderate protection under UV rays with SPF values from 21.30 to 22.77.
Studies in Specific Hypersensitiveness: V. The Preparation of Fluid Extracts and Solutions for Use in the Diagnosis and Treatment of the Allergies with Notes on the Collection of Pollens

From the beginning of his work upon the diagnosis and specific treatment of the allergies (hay fever, asthma, the urticarias), Robert A. Cooke (1, 2) has employed for both the diagnostic and therapeutic injections, fluid extracts of the various materials containing the exciting agents of these conditions. These extracts were originally made with physiological salt solution to which was added the usual percentage of carbolic acid. The preparations were standardized according to their nitrogen content. Cooke and also Cooke and Vander Veer, and Vander Veer, have reported their successes in the use of these extracts as diagnostic and therapeutic preparations At the time when these investigators became associated with the writer in the organization that has been established in the New York Hospital for the diagnosis and treatment of the allergies, some of the extracts that had been in use were subject to certain disadvantages.
Interpretation of Magnetic Anomalies of the Caiabis Basin, Southwestern Amazonian Craton, Brazil

In this expanded abstract, we have studied the airborne magnetic data on the Caiabis Basin, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Using processing techniques like regional-residual separation by spectral analysis, anomaly centralization by vertical integration and estimative of magnetic source depth by Werner Deconvolution, we have proposed that the magnetic anomalies from Caiabis Basin may be related to: basement; lineaments; manganese ore and; sediments/basement interface in the Porto dos Gauchos seismic zone. In this last case, we also verified that the magnetic source depth estimates provided by Werner solutions are agreement with other depth estimates given in seismic studies.
Role of the transcriptional regulator SP140 in resistance to bacterial infections via repression of type I interferons

Type I interferons (IFNs) are essential for anti-viral immunity, but often impair protective immune responses during bacterial infections. An important question is how type I IFNs are strongly induced during viral infections, and yet are appropriately restrained during bacterial infections. The Super susceptibility to tuberculosis 1 (Sst1) locus in mice confers resistance to diverse bacterial infections. Here we provide evidence that Sp140 is a gene encoded within the Sst1 locus that represses type I IFN transcription during bacterial infections. We generated Sp140-/- mice and find they are susceptible to infection by Legionella pneumophila and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Susceptibility of Sp140-/- mice to bacterial infection was rescued by crosses to mice lacking the type I IFN receptor (Ifnar-/-). Our results implicate Sp140 as an important negative regulator of type I IFNs that is essential for resistance to bacterial infections. Impact Statement Repression of type I interferons by SP140 is essential for resistance to Legionella pneumophila and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
The influence of the basil on colour, odour and taste of frankfurters

Plants from the moderate climate zone are rarely used as seasoning in pasteurised sausages. Seasoning plants of the family Lamiaceae belong to this group (marjoram, basil, savory, sage, thyme). One of the reasons these herbs are rarely used to season meat products is the presence of the plant pigment, chlorophyll that can have undesirable influence on colour, odour and taste of meat products. The aim of this paper was to assess the influence of basil on colour, odour and taste of vacuum-packed frankfurters during 28 days of storage. Powdered, dried basil (0.1%, 0.3% and 0.5%) was added to frankfurters while control frankfurters were produced without herbs or spices. Assessment of colour, odour and taste acceptability of the frankfurters was performed by a panel of five assessors using a quantitative descriptive test, and the results of the ranking test were analysed statistically. When used at the level of 0.1% in the sausages, basil did not have negative influence on frankfurter colour, while larger quantities 0.3% and 0.5% adversely affected frankfurter colour. Basil in the smaller amounts of 0.1% and 0.3% stimulated development of a pleasant odour and taste in the frankfurters, while 0.5% basil had an undesirable effect on these sensory attributes.
Does Weight Loss improve Fertility with respect to Semen Parameters— Results from a Large Cohort Study

Objective: To determine whether weight loss in obese men improves seminal parameters. Design: Prospective interventional study. Setting: Infertility clinic and weight loss centers. Patient: All men attending infertility center and weight loss programmes from April 2012 to May 2015 (n = 105). Intervention: Diet counseling and exercise. Main Outcome Measure: Collected reproductive parameters included semen analysis (ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, progressive and non-progressive motility) data. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated for all patients with comparisons to reproductive parameters before and after weight loss by using paired-t test and Chi-square tests. Result: The mean BMI was significantly higher before weight loss (33.2) than after weight loss (30.4) in obese men. The weight loss had significant positive correlation with percentage of progressive sperm motility (p = < 0.001) and static percentage (p = < 0.001). Weight loss had non-significant correlation with semen volume (p = 0.083), concentration (p = 0.418) and non progressive motile sperm (p = 0.361). Conclusion: In one of the largest cohorts of male fertility and obesity, semen parameters demonstrated mild but significant relationships with BMI and semen parameters, possibly contributing to subfertility in this population.
The prognostic importance of bilaterality in patients with papillary thyroid cancer

Objective: Despite the high frequency of bilateral disease in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), the importance of bilaterality in the prognosis of the disease is still unclear. In this study, we aimed to figure out the effects of bilaterality in the prognosis of the disease. Material and Method: A total of 113 patients with PTC, who were treated in our clinic with total thyroidectomy between 2011 and 2014, were divided into three groups: Group 1, patients with unilateral disease with single focus; Group 2, patients with unilateral disease with multiple foci; Group 3, patients with bilateral disease with multiple foci. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the presence of bilateral disease, compared to unilateral disease, in terms of lymphovascular invasion (p=0.001), the diameter of the tumor (p=0.028), extra- thyroidal disease (p=0.012), T stage of the disease (p=0.042) and lymph node metastasis (p=0.001). Conclusion: Patients with bilateral papillary thyroid cancer are more likely to have larger tumors, higher extra- thyroidal dissemination rates, advanced T stages, lymph node metastasis and more aggressive tumors when compared to unilateral disease. Due to these considerations, the surveillance of the patients with bilateral papillary thyroid disease should be done more carefully and effectively.
Impact of supply chain linkages on the performance of enterprises specializing in aluminum profiles: The case of Vietnam

Article history: Received August 25, 2019 Received in revised format November 20, 2019 Accepted November 29 2019 Available online December 8 2019 The objective of this paper is to assess the impact of supply chain linkage on the performance of aluminum profiles enterprises in Northern Vietnam. After qualitative research results, the research team has discovered a new variable in the linkage model which is the Policy linkage. The study performs official quantitative research on 289 aluminum profiles in Northern Vietnam and the results were analyzed on SPSS 22 and Smart PLS 3.0 software. The results indicate that the links in the supply chain include: Supply linkage, customer linkage, policy linkage and internal linkage all contribute significantly to supply chain management efficiency. Moreover, the supply chain management efficiency had a positive effect on business performance of aluminum profiles in the northern region of Vietnam. Finally, the study gives solutions and recommendations to help aluminum bar enterprises shape the northern region of Vietnam to better link in the supply chain and improve business performance. license Growing Science, Canada 2020 by the authors; ©