Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prospective cohort study about the lymphocyte subpopulations’ change and impact on the pregnancy outcome in fetal growth restriction

Objective: To evaluate lymphocyte subpopulations’ change and impact on the pregnancy outcome in fetal growth restriction (FGR) through a prospective cohort study. Methods: Sixty singleton pregnancies with FGR and 20 normal pregnant women were enrolled at the third trimester of pregnancy in this study. FGR was defined according to fundal height and abdominal circumference through obstetric examination and ultrasound examination. Third trimester peripheral blood and umbilical cord blood lymphocyte subpopulations were analysed by flow cytometry. The cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes using umbilical cord blood mononuclear activated kill cells as the effector cells, K562 cells as the target cells was measured by MTT deoxidation assay. Results: There were no significant differences about the age, parity, gestational age enrolled, BMI before pregnancy between the FGR and control group. The birth weight, length and head circumference of the neonates from FGR group were less than that from normal control. The percentages of B-lymphocytes in peripheral blood at the third trimester were significantly increased in FGR group compared to that in control group (P < 0.05). In umbilical cord blood, FGR group had a higher percentage of both CD3 and CD4 lymphocyte, lower absolute cell counts and percentage of B-lymphocyte, and higher CD4/CD8 ratio than control group (P < 0.05). Most importantly, the kill cell activity of the lymphocytes in cord blood from FGR group was significantly higher than that from control group (P < 0.05). The significant positive correlations were also found that the percentage and number of B lymphocytes in umbilical cord blood with birthweight, birthlength and birth head circumference, but CD4/CD8 ratio, the kill cell activity in umbilical cord blood had negative correlations with that. The percentage of B lmyphocyte in third trimester and CD4/CD8 ratio, kill cell activity in umbilical cord blood are associated with an increased risk of prematurity and SGA birth, but contrary result was found with the percentage and number of B lmyphocyte in cord blood. Conclusions: Fetal immunological rejection could be involved in the pathogenesis of FGR. The changes of T lymphocyte subpopulations and B-cells, enhanced kill cell activity might cause FGR and preterm birth.
Use of a PCR‐based approach for sequencing whole mitochondrial genomes of insects: two examples (cockroach and dragonfly) based on the method developed for decapod crustaceans

Recent development of a PCR‐based approach for sequencing vertebrate mitochondrial genomes has attracted much attention as being more rapid and economical than traditional methods using cloned mtDNA and primer walking. Such a method has not been available for insect mitochondrial genomes, despite widespread use of them for the molecular phylogenetic, biogeographical and population genetic markers. A recently developed PCR‐based approach for sequencing whole mitochondrial genomes of decapod crustaceans, which included the design of many versatile PCR primers for the latter, was applied with the same primers sets to mitochondrial genomes of two insects, smokybrown cockroach Periplaneta fuliginosa (Serville, 1839) and skimmer dragonfly Orthetrum triangulare melania (Selys, 1883). Almost the entire region of the two mitochondrial genomes was successfully sequenced. Features of the two mitochondrial genomes are described and the usefulness of this PCR‐based approach for sequencing insect mitochondrial genomes demonstrated.
Query Optimization in DDBS

Distributed query processing is an important factor in the overall performance of a distributed database system. The database queries access the applications on the distributed database sites thus the main problem incurred is the minimization of the total operating cost i.e. communication cost and processing. The problem gets more complicated by the fact that query processing not only depends on the operations of the query, but also on the parameter values associated with the query. Query optimization is a difficult task in a distributed client/server environment as data location becomes a major factor. In order to optimize queries accurately, adequate information must be accessible to determine which data access techniques are most effective e.g. table and column cardinality, organization information, and index availability. Optimization algorithms have an important impact on the performance of distributed query processing.
The Future of Human Embryo Culture Media – Or Have We Reached the Ceiling?

Within the embryology laboratory one of the central components is embryo culture media. The fundamental goal/role of the laboratory and therefore the culture media has been to maintain the inherent viability of the gametes/embryos before replacement to the mother. Over the last 10-15 years there have been major advancements in this area, with culture media developing from simple salt solutions into highly complex defined media, specifically designed to reduce stress to the embryo and maintain high pregnancy rates. As a direct result of these advancements in culture media formulation and increased awareness of the contribution of QA/QC, single embryo transfer is now a realistic outcome for a majority of patients. Although the role of culture media in stress reduction and viability maintenance may have reached its ceiling, with likely only incremental increases in pregnancy rates to be made in the future, there may be a new role for culture media as a therapeutic device evolving from the goal of maintaining the inherent viability to improving the viability of the gametes and embryos.
Role of cannabinoid CB2 receptor in the reinforcing actions of ethanol

This study examines the role of the cannabinoid CB2 receptor (CB2r) on the vulnerability to ethanol consumption. The time‐related and dose‐response effects of ethanol on rectal temperature, handling‐induced convulsions (HIC) and blood ethanol concentrations were evaluated in CB2KO and wild‐type (WT) mice. The reinforcing properties of ethanol were evaluated in conditioned place preference (CPP), preference and voluntary ethanol consumption and oral ethanol self‐administration. Water‐maintained behavior schedule was performed to evaluate the degree of motivation induced by a natural stimulus. Preference for non‐alcohol tastants assay was performed to evaluate the differences in taste sensitivity. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and μ‐opioid receptor gene expressions were also measured in the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens (NAcc), respectively. CB2KO mice presented increased HIC score, ethanol‐CPP, voluntary ethanol consumption and preference, acquisition of ethanol self‐administration, and increased motivation to drink ethanol compared with WT mice. No differences were found between genotypes in the water‐maintained behavior schedule or preference for non‐alcohol tastants. Naïve CB2KO mice presented increased μ‐opioid receptor gene expression in NAcc. Acute ethanol administration (1–2 g/kg) increased TH and μ‐opioid receptor gene expressions in CB2KO mice, whereas the lower dose of ethanol decreased TH gene expression in WT mice. These results suggest that deletion of the CB2r gene increased preference for and vulnerability to ethanol consumption, at least in part, by increased ethanol‐induced sensitivity of the TH and μ‐opioid receptor gene expressions in mesolimbic neurons. Future studies will determine the role of CB2r as a target for the treatment of problems related with alcohol consumption.
Proposing a Model to Predict Efficiency and Related Risk by Using Stochastic Data Envelopment Analysis Technique and the Imperialist Competitive Algorithm

This paper proposes a new model which provides some insights on using Stochastic Data Envelopment Analysis (SDEA) technique in the future performance appraisal for similar units of an organization. This research contributes to advance current knowledge by proposing new model in which, regardless of having benefits of DEA, resolve some head problems of the context. For instance: 1) the efficiency estimate impossibility, 2) liability to measuring of acceptable risk taking for managers in regards to achieving each units predetermined efficiency, and 3) the unreal distribution of weights to inputs and outputs of the DEA model. We used from Imperialist Competitive Algorithm (ICA) refereeing to have a nonlinear and complexity model. ICA is one of the newest evolutionary optimization algorithms. Finally, in order to reach a better understanding of the proposed model by considering ICA, it was applied to predict efficiencies for a number of Iranian Bank branches. The high correlation between real efficiencies (were obtained with real outputs and DEA model) and predicted efficiencies (were obtained with proposed model) for all of branches in finish of the predicted financial period, which represented the validity of the proposed model.
Pulmonary physiology in interstitial lung disease: recent developments in diagnostic and prognostic implications

Pulmonary function changes in interstitial lung disease are characterized by loss of lung volume, increase in ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity, and decrease in carbon monoxide diffusion capacity. Recent developments in the assessment of respiratory mechanics in infiltrative lung disease have elucidated volume and flow dependence of lung and total respiratory resistance and elastance related to the viscoelastic properties of the respiratory system. A new, simple test of applying negative expiratory pressure at the mouth during tidal expiration can be used to generate expiratory flow-volume curves to detect flow limitation in patients with restrictive as well as obstructive disorders. This method is useful in patients who are weak, uncoordinated, or who cough during forced maneuvers. Poor prognostic signs in interstitial lung disease include male gender, paucity of lymphocytes on bronchoalveolar lavage, extensive radiographic infiltration, absence of cellular histologic findings on lung biopsy, presence of right-axis deviation, persistent or progressive decrease in lung volumes, and diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide.
Young peoples' stigmatizing attitudes and beliefs about anorexia nervosa and muscle dysmorphia.

OBJECTIVE The nature and extent of stigma toward individuals with anorexia nervosa and muscle dysmorphia remains underexplored. This study investigated attitudes and beliefs likely to be conducive to stigmatization of individuals with these conditions. METHOD Male and female undergraduate students (n = 361) read one of four vignettes describing a fictional male or female character with anorexia nervosa or muscle dysmorphia, after which they responded to a series of questions addressing potentially stigmatizing attitudes and beliefs toward each character. RESULTS Characters with anorexia nervosa were more stigmatized than characters with muscle dysmorphia, female characters were more stigmatized than male characters, and male participants were more stigmatizing than female participants. A large effect of character diagnosis on masculinity was observed, such that characters with anorexia nervosa were perceived as less masculine than characters with muscle dysmorphia, and this effect was more pronounced among male participants. However, no significant corresponding effects were observed for femininity. DISCUSSION Females with anorexia nervosa may be particularly susceptible to stigmatization, especially by males. Anorexia nervosa and muscle dysmorphia are perceived as "female" and "male" disorders respectively, in line with societal gender role expectations, and this stigmatization is tied more strongly to perceptions of sufferers' masculinity than femininity.
The hospitalization of children with developmental disorders.

Hospitalization is a difficult experience for a normal child. The hospitalization of a developmentally disabled child can be especially traumatic, both for the child who can not understand what is happening to him and for hospital personnel who are unaccustomed to dealing with such children. This article discusses the hospitalization of children with developmental disorders using the theoretical perspective of developmental psychology. The following issues are considered: 1) Does the child's disorder represent a delayed or a deviant course of development? , 2) Is the child's deficit global, affecting all areas of functioning, or specific, limited to one area? , and 3) Does a disorder early in development necessarily predict later problems, or are children able to compensate for certain deficits? Suggestions for improving the care of children with developmental disorders in hospitals are offered based on research and clinical observations.
Comparison of Electrical Generators used for Wind Power Generation

The main purpose of this paper is to provide the non-specialist engineer of a qualitative practical guide for the initial selection of the technology to use in a wind generation system. We achieve this by documenting the comparative and absolute advantages and disadvantages of the usage of SRG's, PMSG's and DFIG's in wind turbines. Also the most general operation and control characteristics of each machine are presented, as well as those collateral considerations of the machines implementation, i.e.: cost, power electronics usage, interconnectivity, etc. Finally, a comparative table which can be used for the initial selection of the generator for specific applications is presented.
Complex formation between CREB and Tax enhances the binding affinity of CREB for the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 21-base-pair repeats

The regulation of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) gene expression is dependent on three cis-acting elements, known as the 21-bp repeats, in the long terminal repeat. Each of the 21-bp repeats contains a nonpalindromic cyclic AMP response element (CRE) sequence which is capable of binding members of the ATF/CREB family of transcription factors. The HTLV-1 transactivator protein Tax is able to markedly stimulate the in vitro binding of CREB to the CRE sites present in each of the 21-bp repeats but not to CRE sites present in cellular promoters. The ability to Tax to stimulate CREB binding to different CRE sites correlates with the ability of Tax to activate gene expression from these sites. We wished to determine how sequence differences between the somatostatin CRE and the 21-bp repeat were involved in this different response to Tax. Scatchard analysis indicated that CREB bound to the somatostatin CRE with a single class of high-affinity binding while CREB bound to the 21-bp repeats with a biphasic binding pattern, indicating the presence of both low- and high-affinity binding. Tax increased the affinity of CREB binding but not that of another ATF/CREB protein, CREB2, to the 21-bp repeat. However, Tax did not increase affinity of binding of CREB to the somatostatin CRE. To determine the mechanism by which Tax increased dCREB binding affinity, immobilized oligonucleotides corresponding to either the 21-bp repeat or the somatostatin CRE were used to demonstrate that Tax formed a highly specific complex with CREB on the 21-bp repeat but not on the somatostatin CRE. These results indicate that formation of a complex between Tax and CREB results in specific high-affinity binding of this ternary complex to the HTLV-1 21 bp repeats.
Betaine for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Results of a randomized placebo‐controlled trial

Based on animal studies and pilot studies in humans, betaine, a methyl donor for the remethylation of homocysteine, may be a therapeutic agent for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We evaluated the safety and efficacy of betaine for patients with NASH and whether betaine positively modified factors postulated to be “second hits” and underlying mechanisms of NASH. We conducted a randomized placebo‐control study of 55 patients with biopsy‐proven NASH who received either oral betaine (20 g daily) or placebo for 12 months. Pre‐ and posttreatment variables were analyzed using the paired t test or Wilcoxon rank test. Treatment groups were comparable at baseline. Of the 35 patients (17 betaine, 18 placebo) who completed the study, 34 patients (16 betaine, 18 placebo) underwent posttreatment liver biopsy. Patients randomized to betaine had a decrease in steatosis grade. No intra‐ or intergroup differences or changes in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score or fibrosis stage were noted. Elevations of insulin, glucose, and proinflammatory cytokines and the reduced antioxidant status noted in NASH patients did not improve with betaine therapy. The antiinflammatory agent adiponectin was significantly reduced in both groups and did not change with therapy. Lastly, S‐adenosylhomocysteine was approximately twice normal and was not reduced by betaine therapy. Conclusion: Compared to placebo, betaine improved hepatic steatosis and may protect against worsening steatosis. High‐dose betaine supplementation failed to reduce S‐adenosylhomocysteine and did not positively affect any of the second hit mechanisms postulated to contribute to NASH that we studied. Although betaine has been proven effective in treating hepatic steatosis in several animal models, translating novel therapeutic options noted in animal studies to humans with NASH will prove challenging. (HEPATOLOGY 2009.)
A segmentation technique for maxillary sinus using the 3-D level set method

In this paper, we propose an improved model, called three-dimensional (3-D) level set method, for active contours to detect maxillary sinuses in cone beam computed tomography(CBCT) images. This method is based on the techniques of two-dimensional(2-D) level set method and active contour without edges (or Chan-Vese) method. This model can detect the maxillary sinus correctly not only in normal cases, but also in special cases such as low intensity regions, blurring regions, or multiple regions which normally occur in the CBCT images. Although, the energy decreasing speed of the 3-D level set method is faster than the 2-D level set method, this method takes more computation time than the 2-D level set method. The combination of the parameters depends on the input images. Although some of these parameters are quite sensitive to adjust, the effects of each parameter are discussed. Results show the advantages of the proposed method over the 2-D level set method.
Species Differences in UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase Activities in Mice and Rats

UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), expressed in various tissues including liver and intestine, catalyze phase II metabolic biotransformation. There is little information on species differences between mice and rats in UGT activities, especially in intestine. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the species differences between mice and rats in UGT activities using duodenal and liver microsomes. For estradiol 3-O-glucuronidation in duodenal microsomes, the kinetic data in mice were fit to the Hill equation. However, the Hill coefficient was low in rats (n = 1.1), suggesting that rat estradiol 3-O-glucuronidation followed the Michaelis-Menten equation rather than the Hill equation. For 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) O-glucuronidation, the Km values were different between mice and rats. The intrinsic clearance (CLint) values for mycophenolic acid (MPA) O- and morphine 3-O-glucuronidation in male mouse duodenum were 3- and 17-fold lower than those in rat, respectively. In male liver, the CLint values for 4-NP O-, propofol O-, MPA O-, and morphine 3-O-glucuronidation and the CLmax value for 4-methylumbelliferone O-glucuronidation in mice were higher than those in rats. The CLmax value for estradiol 3-O-glucuronidation in mice was lower than that in rats. Also, there were strain differences among C57BL/6J, BALB/c, C3H/HeJ, DBA/2, ddY, and ICR mice in UGT activities in duodenum. We clarified that the species differences in UGT activity evaluated by the CLint or CLmax values in liver and duodenum varied according to the substrate.
Voluntary ingestion of nut paste for administration of buprenorphine in rats and mice

An adequate analgesic strategy is important to improve the postoperative recovery and welfare of laboratory rats and mice. It is desirable that the method for administering the drug is non-invasive and stress-free. We have previously validated a method for administering buprenorphine in a nut paste for voluntary ingestion. This method has many advantages over parenteral administration. To use the method in a successful way, however, it is important to prepare and administer the mix correctly. The present paper describes in detail how to implement the method, by means of habituation, presentation, adequate concentrations and amounts of buprenorphine/nut paste, and dosage of buprenorphine to rats and mice.
Cytoskeletal regulation of calcium‐permeable cation channels in the human syncytiotrophoblast: role of gelsolin

The human syncytiotrophoblast (hST) is the most apical epithelial barrier that covers the villous tree of the human placenta. An intricate and highly organized network of cytoskeletal structures supports the hST. Recently, polycystin‐2 (PC2), a TRP‐type nonselective cation channel, was functionally observed in hST, where it may be an important player to Ca2+ transport. Little is known, however, about channel regulation in hST. In this report, the regulatory role of actin dynamics on PC2 channels reconstituted from hST apical membranes was explored. Acute addition of cytochalasin D (CD, 5 μg ml−1) to reconstituted hST apical membranes transiently increased K+‐permeable channel activity. The actin‐binding proteins α‐actinin and gelsolin, as well as PC2, were observed by Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses in hST vesicles. CD treatment of hST vesicles resulted in a re‐distribution of actin filaments, in agreement with the effect of CD on K+ channel activity. In contrast, addition of exogenous monomeric actin, but not prepolymerized actin, induced a rapid inhibition of channel function in hST. This inhibition was obliterated by the presence of CD in the medium. The acute (<15 min) CD stimulation of K+ channel activity was mimicked by addition of the actin‐severing protein gelsolin in the presence, but not in the absence, of micromolar Ca2+. Ca2+ transport through PC2 triggers a regulatory feedback mechanism, which is based on the severing and re‐formation of filamentous actin near the channels. Cytoskeletal structures may thus be relevant to ion transport regulation in the human placenta.
Nonlinear smoothing filters based on rank estimates of location

A class of nonlinear filters that are based on the rank estimates (R-estimates) of location parameters in statistical theory is introduced. It is shown how moving-window rank filters (R-filters) can be defined starting from rank estimates of location. These filters utilize the relative ranks of the observations in each window to produce an output value. The idea of rank Winsorization is extended to that of averaging only observations which lie within small temporal neighborhoods. This leads to a definition of the class of generalized Wilcoxon (GW) filters, which are parameterized by three parameters, namely the degrees of temporal and rank Winsorization and the degree of averaging. The GW filters can be defined to have desirable characteristics of edge preservation, detail retention, and impulse rejection, in addition to the property of Gaussian noise smoothing. Performance characteristics of these filters are considered through analysis and simulation. The filters show that all three well-known classes of robust location estimates, the L-, M-, and R-estimates, can be applied to nonlinear smoothing of signals. >