Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pirfenidone Treatment Decreases Transforming Growth Factor‐β1 and Matrix Proteins and Ameliorates Fibrosis in Chronic Cyclosporine Nephrotoxicity

Chronic cyclosporine (CsA) nephrotoxicity is characterized by tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Pirfenidone (PFD) is a novel antifibrotic compound that was shown to prevent and even reverse fibrosis. The mechanism of action of PFD is unclear but involves inhibition of transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β). Salt‐depleted rats were administered CsA, CsA + PFD, vehicle (VH) or VH + PFD and sacrificed at 28 days. Physiologic and histologic changes were studied in addition to TGF‐β1, plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) and biglycan mRNA expressions by Northern blot. TGF‐β1 immunohistochemistry was also performed. Treatment with PFD ameliorated CsA‐induced fibrosis by about 50% (p < 0.05). CsA‐induced decrease in creatinine clearance improved with PFD but the difference was not significant. TGF‐β1, PAI‐1 and biglycan mRNA expressions increased with CsA (p < 0.05 vs. VH) but strikingly improved with PFD treatment (p < 0.05 vs. CsA), which brought the levels down to VH levels. PFD treatment also decreased TGF‐β1 protein expression by 80%. These results demonstrate that PFD can attenuate renal fibrosis in this model. PFD was associated with a decrease in TGF‐β1 expression, which, in turn, was associated with a decrease in matrix deposition. These experiments suggest that PFD can be clinically useful for preventing chronic CsA nephrotoxicity and may prove to be helpful in other progressive renal diseases.
Effect of Compressed Carbon Dioxide on Microbial Cell Viability

ABSTRACT In order to study the influence of compressed carbon dioxide, over a range of pressures (1.5 to 5.5 MPa) and exposure times (up to 7 h), on the survival of Escherichia coli,Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Enterococcus faecalis, a new pressurizable reactor system was conceived. Microbial cells were inoculated onto a solid hydrophilic medium and treated at room temperature; their sensitivities to inactivation varied greatly. The CO2 treatment had an enhanced efficiency in cell destruction when the pressure and the duration of exposure were increased. The effects of these parameters on the loss of viability was also studied by response-surface methodology. This study showed that a linear correlation exists between microbial inactivation and CO2 pressure and exposure time, and in it models were proposed which were adequate to predict the experimental values. The end point acidity was measured for all the samples in order to understand the mechanism of microbial inactivation. The pHs of the treated samples did not vary, regardless of the experimental conditions. Other parameters, such as water content and pressure release time, were also investigated.
A Five-Year Longitudinal Study of Hearing in a Danish Rural Population Aged 31–50 Years

Abstract This paper aims to report changes in hearing sensitivity over five years in a rural population aged 31–50 years and to identify risk factors associated with hearing deterioration. The study is prospective and based on data from pure tone audiometry and questionnaires in the Ebeltoft Health Promotion Project in Denmark. A representative sample of 705 subjects had a complete follow-up, including audiometry. The median hearing deterioration was 2.5 dB at 3–4 kHz and 0 dB at 0.5–2 kHz. There was a high degree of individual variability in deterioration. The overall deterioration of hearing sensitivity of the population was largely predicted from the cross-sectional findings reported previously. In the analysis of risk factors, hearing deterioration was defined as an average deterioration 10 dB/5 years at 3–4 kHz in at least one ear. Deterioration was present in 23.5% of the sample. The 41–50-year-olds had a relative risk of deterioration of 1.32 (95% CI 1.01–1.73) compared with the 31–40-year-olds. Males had a relative risk of 1.35 (1.03–1.76) compared with females. The risk was not significantly elevated for a range of other possible risk factors confirmed by logistic regression analysis. In conclusion, deterioration in hearing sensitivity on population level can be predicted on the basis of cross-sectional findings. Hearing sensitivity deteriorated mainly at 3–4 kHz. The deterioration increased with age and was higher in males than in females. Other risk factors were not found. The present study does not support the hypothesis that hypertension or tobacco smoking is associated with deterioration in hearing.
New KIBS on the bloc: the role of local manufacturing for start-up activity in knowledge-intensive business services

ABSTRACT This study investigates the effect of local manufacturing on start-up activity across knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) industries by relying on the natural experiment of German reunification. KIBS did not exist in the former socialist East Germany. The findings show that local manufacturing affected the co-location of new KIBS firms in East Germany while there was no such effect for West Germany, where the KIBS sector was already well established. The East German effect was fading over time when the KIBS sector became more established. The result suggests that strengthening the industrial base in peripheral regions could induce knowledge-intensive start-up activity.
Picosecond optoelectronic study of superconducting microstrip transmission lines

The ballistic transport of picosecond digital signals along terminated microstrip lines is a key feature of single flux quantum (SFQ) logic. In this work, we have used fast photoconductors driven by a femtosecond laser to measure directly for the first time the propagation and termination of picosecond pulses along Nb microstrip lines. Electrical pulses as short as 0.8 ps full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) have been measured. After propagating distances of 200 /spl mu/m, 1 mm, and 6.5 mm, the pulses broadened to 1.0, 1.2, and 1.8 ps (FWHM), respectively. In the frequency domain, attenuation is found to be negligible up to the gap frequency of Nb(0.7 THz), beyond which attenuation increases rapidly. We have also measured the reflections of the picosecond pulses off different terminations: open circuit, short circuit, and various resistors. The effective suppression of reflections with matched resistive loads is demonstrated up to frequencies approaching 1 THz. <<ETX>>
A Quadrature Pulse Generator for Short-Range UWB Vehicular Radar Applications Using a Pulsed Oscillator and a Variable Attenuator

A new quadrature tunable pulse generator is presented in this paper using 0.13 μm CMOS for 22-29 GHz ultrawideband (UWB) vehicular radar. A quadrature inductor-capacitor (LC) oscillator is quickly switched on and off for the duration of the pulse, and the amplitude envelope is modulated with an impulse using a variable passive CMOS attenuator. The impulse is realized using a glitch generator (CMOS nand gate) and its duration can be changed over a wide range (375 ps to more than 1 ns). The switching technique used in the quadrature oscillator creates a large initial voltage for fast startup (0.5 ns) and locks the initial phase of the oscillations to the input clock for pulse coherence. The measured phase noise thus matches that of the clock signal, with a relatively low phase noise of -70 dBc/Hz and -100 dBc/Hz at 1kHz and 1 MHz offsets respectively. The entire circuit operates in switched-mode with a low average power consumption of less than 2.2 mW and 14.8 mW at 50 MHz and 600 MHz pulse repetition frequencies, or below 11 pJ of energy for each of the four differential quadrature pulses. It occupies an active area of less than 0.41 mm2 .
Anatomical variants in the floor of the third ventricle; implications for endoscopic third ventriculostomy

Longstanding hydrocephalus and raised intracranial pressure can lead to unusual anatomical variants in the floor of the third ventricle, which may be important when performing endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Two middle aged patients with symptomatic longstanding hydrocephalus had scans that showed ventricular hydrocephalus, an empty sella, and a dilated infundibular recess which herniated into the sella turcica. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy confirmed that instead of the tuber cinerum and infundibular recess, the anterior inferior floor of the third ventricle was hanging down ventral to the pons into the sellar floor. Third ventriculostomy to the prepontine cistern was made on the dorsal wall of the dilated infundibular recess to the area surrounded by the dorsum sellae, the basilar artery trunk, and the left superior cerebellar artery, with good symptomatic control. Association of the empty sella and persistence of the infundibular recess must be carefully evaluated by MRI before attempting endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Herniation of the anterior inferior floor of the third ventricle into the empty sella can lead to loss of anatomical landmarks that require special attention during third ventriculostomy.
Absence of serological evidence for foamy virus infection in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Foamy virus (FV) infection has been implicated in the pathogenesis of sporadic motor neuron disease (MND) by means of serological assays. To confirm these results we tested serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 23 cases of clinically verified non‐familial MND and 11 cases of suspected non‐familial MND for the presence of FV infection as determined by Western blot (WB) and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Using the same tests we also screened sera from 87 healthy chimpanzees for the presence of FV antibodies. None of the human samples in question tested positive. However, the testing revealed that 84 of 87 chimpanzees (96.6%) were seropositive for FV, indicating that combined WB and IFA are suitable methods for the serodiagnosis of FV infection. Given these results an association of FV infection and sporadic MND is highly improbable. Furthermore a suggested therapeutic trial with anti‐retroviral drugs appears unjustified. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The nature of the growth pattern and of the metabolic response to fasting in the rat are dependent upon the dietary protein and folic acid intakes of their pregnant dams and post-weaning fat consumption

The nutritional cues which induce different phenotypes from a single genotype in developing offspring are poorly understood. How well prenatal nutrient availability before birth predicts that after birth may also determine the offspring's response to later metabolic challenge. We investigated the effect of feeding pregnant rats diets containing protein at 180 g/kg (Control) or 90 g/kg (protein-restricted, PR) and either 1 or 5 mg folic acid/kg on growth and metabolic response to fasting in their offspring, and also the effect of diets with different fat contents (40 g/kg (Fat4) or 100 g/kg (Fat10)) after weaning. Offspring of dams fed the PR diet with 5 mg/kg folic acid were significantly lighter than other offspring. The PR offspring fed the Fat4 diet had lower plasma TAG than the Control offspring, but this relationship was reversed when offspring were fed Fat10. Increasing the folic acid content of the Control or PR maternal diets induced opposing effects on plasma TAG, NEFA, β-hydroxybutyrate and glucose concentrations in offspring fed Fat4. The effect was accentuated in offspring fed the Fat10 diet such that these metabolites were increased in the Control offspring, but reduced in the PR offspring. These data show for the first time that maternal dietary folic acid intake alters offspring phenotype depending upon dietary protein intake, and that this effect is modified by fat intake after weaning. Prevention by increased folic acid intake of an altered metabolic phenotype by maternal protein-restriction may be at the expense of somatic growth.
Spatial Patterns of Fasting and Fed Antropyloric Pressure Waves in Humans

1 Gastric mechanics were investigated by categorizing the temporal and spatial patterning of pressure waves associated with individual gastric contractions. 2 In twelve healthy volunteers, intraluminal pressures were monitored from nine side hole recording points spaced at 1.5 cm intervals along the antrum, pylorus and duodenum. 3 Pressure wave sequences that occurred during phase II fasting contractions (n= 221) and after food (n= 778) were evaluated. 4 The most common pattern of pressure wave onset along the antrum was a variable combination of antegrade, synchronous and retrograde propagation between side hole pairs. This variable pattern accounted for 42% of sequences after food, and 34% during fasting (P < 0.05). Other common pressure wave sequence patterns were: purely antegrade ‐ 29% after food and 42% during fasting (P < 0.05); purely synchronous ‐ 23% fed and 17% fasting; and purely retrograde ‐ 6% fed and 8% fasting. The length of sequences was shorter after food (P < 0.05). Some sequences ‘skipped’ individual recording points. 5 The spatial patterning of gastric pressure wave sequences is diverse, and may explain the differing mechanical outcomes among individual gastric contractions. 6 Better understanding of gastric mechanics may be gained from temporally precise correlations of luminal flows and pressures and gastric wall motion during individual gastric contraction sequences.
Women University Presidents: Career Paths and Educational Backgrounds

During the past few decades, research and scholarly dialogue focused on the topic of academiccareers has increased. Although academe is just one of numerous industries whose career systemsmight be studied, it is a large and growing sector (Baruch & Hall, 2004). And, according to Baruch andHall (2004), "with the accelerated level of available knowledge and the pressing need to develophuman capital, there is a growing need for research on careers in academe" (p. 237). Rubin (2004)wrote of the development, attraction, and retention of outstanding leaders as one of eight fundamentalchallenges in higher education today. Yet, little research exploring the development of existinguniversity presidents has been published, and even less on the development of women leaders inacademia. It is imperative that the backgrounds, experiences, and perceptions of women presidentsbe studied so that commonalities can be discovered. This will assist women interested in personal andcareer development, as well as the educators, administrators, and consultants who will be designingfuture leadership development interventions.
Ross syndrome, an entity included within the spectrum of partial disautonomic syndromes

Ross syndrome is a degenerative peripheral nervous system disorder defined by the following triad: unilateral or bilateral segmental anhidrosis, hyporeflexia of deep tendon reflexes and Adie's tonic pupils. The most disturbing symptom is segmental compensatory hyperhidrosis. It has only occasionally been reported in the dermatological literature. We present a 35‐year‐old woman with chronic hepatitis C who developed the characteristic triad of Ross syndrome within 1 month. The patient was otherwise healthy except for an aneurysm of the left medium brain artery not responsible for the syndrome.
Prevention of UV-induced damage to the anterior segment using class I UV-absorbing hydrogel contact lenses.

PURPOSE To determine whether class I ultraviolet (UV) light-blocking contact lenses prevent UV-induced pathologic changes in a rabbit model. METHODS Twelve rabbits were assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups (n = 4), as follows: senofilcon A (class I UV blocking) contact lenses; lotrafilcon A contact lenses (no reported UV blocking); no contact lens. The contralateral eye was patched without a contact lens. Animals received UV-B (1.667 J/cm(2)) exposure daily for 5 days. Postmortem tissue was examined as follows: in the cornea, the expression of matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) was evaluated by zymography, and apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL and caspase-3 ELISA; ascorbate in the aqueous humor was evaluated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; crystalline lens apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL and caspase-3 ELISA. RESULTS Exposed corneas showed a significant increase in MMP-2 and -9, TUNEL-positive cells, and caspase-3 activity in the lotrafilcon A group compared with the senofilcon A group (all P = 0.03). A significant decrease in aqueous humor ascorbate was observed in the exposed lotrafilcon A lens-wearing group compared with the exposed senofilcon A lens-wearing group (P = 0.03). Exposed crystalline lenses had significantly increased caspase-3 activity in the lotrafilcon A group compared with the senofilcon A group (P = 0.03). Increased numbers of TUNEL-positive cells were noted in both the lotrafilcon A and the non-contact lens groups. CONCLUSIONS The authors show that senofilcon A class I UV-blocking contact lenses are capable of protecting the cornea, aqueous humor, and crystalline lens of rabbits from UV-induced pathologic changes.
The role of Politics and Economics in the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Adoption

La adopción de las NIIF desde 2005 ha conllevado beneficios, pero la investigación también ha demostrado que su efecto no ha sido uniforme en los distintos países debido a las diferencias institucionales y en los incentivos. La teoría contractual ofrece un marco teórico para la investigación de las consecuencias económicas y de los incentivos de los grupos de interés para ejercer presión, pero la investigación sobre la actividad de los políticos para interferir en la contabilidad es escasa. El objetivo de este estudio es mostrar el papel de los gobiernos en la contabilidad. Para ello se muestran los cambios acontecidos en el proceso de adopción de las NIIF en la UE para incrementar la interferencia política en nombre del “interés público”, destacando el caso del sector financiero. Se concluye que todas las partes involucradas deberían comprometerse a buscar el equilibrio entre normas basadas en principios y mecanismos de control para mejorar el proceso de comparabilidad con las NIIF.
Applications of Polymers as Pharmaceutical Excipients in Solid Oral Dosage Forms

Over the last few decades, polymers have been extensively used as pharmaceutical excipients in drug delivery systems. Pharmaceutical polymers evolved from being simply used as gelatin shells comprising capsule to offering great formulation advantages including enabling controlled/slow release and specific targeting of drugs to the site(s) of action (the “magic bullets” concept), hence hold a significant clinical promise.
Microbial community structure and population dynamics of granules developed in expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactors for the anaerobic treatment of low-strength wastewater at low temperature

The anaerobic biological treatment of sucrose-based, low-strength wastewater was investigated in expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactors at low temperatures over a 300-day trial period. During the trial, the operating temperature was lowered in a stepwise manner from 20°C to 5°C. As a result, the reactors exhibited sufficient performances until 10°C operation. The COD removal rate was 3.1–3.8 kgCOD m− 3 day− 1 at 10°C. In particular, the COD removal rate increased gradually through the low-temperature operation; indeed, the later stages of the 10°C operation attained a rate similar to those achieved at 20°C and 15°C. This finding is especially practical for applications of psychrophilic methane fermentation. Additionally, the structure of the microbial community in the granular sludge was analyzed by clone analysis based on 16S rRNA genes and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). As a result, the percentage of the phylum Firmicutes, which were assumed to be Anaerobivrio sp. and Lactococcus sp. , greatly increased from 0.7% to 8.0% of the total cells, especially in the surface layer of the granular sludge. These bacteria would contribute to the degradation of the sucrose substrate anaerobically at ambient temperatures. Moreover, the results suggest that a Methanospirillum species, which is a H2-utilizing methanogen, increased from 0.5% to 6.7% during the low-temperature incubation, with a significant increase of methanogenic activity from H2/CO2 at 20°C. Thus, the Methanospirillum species detected in this study may have a key role as hydrogen scavenger during hydrogen-metabolism in low-temperature conditions.
The data revolution comes to higher education: identifying students at risk of dropout in Chile

ABSTRACT Enrolment in higher education has risen dramatically in Latin America, especially in Chile. Yet graduation and persistence rates remain low. One way to improve graduation and persistence is to use data and analytics to identify students at risk of dropout, target interventions, and evaluate interventions’ effectiveness at improving student success. We illustrate the potential of this approach using data from eight Chilean universities. Results show that data available at matriculation are only weakly predictive of persistence, while prediction improves dramatically once data on university grades become available. Some predictors of persistence are under policy control. Financial aid predicts higher persistence, and being denied a first-choice major predicts lower persistence. Student success programmes are ineffective at some universities; they are more effective at others, but when effective they often fail to target the highest risk students. Universities should use data regularly and systematically to identify high-risk students, target them with interventions, and evaluate those interventions’ effectiveness.