Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determination of the Serum Protein Binding of Oxycodone and Morphine Using Ultrafiltration

Protein binding of oxycodone and morphine in human serum was determined in vitro using ultrafiltration. Binding studies were also performed using both purified human serum albumin and human α1-acid glycoprotein (AAG). Albumin was found to be the major binding protein for both oxycodone and morphine. The serum protein binding of both oxycodone and morphine was independent of drug concentration in the therapeutic range (5–100 ng/ml), but was dependent on protein concentration. In addition, bound fractions of oxycodone and morphine increased with increasing concentrations of both albumin and A AG. At physiological pH and temperature, the mean (± SD) serum protein binding of oxycodone was 45.1% (± 0.4%) and that of morphine was 35.3% (± 0.2%) A decrease in temperature from 37 to 23°C significantly increased the serum protein binding of oxycodone and morphine by 8–9% (p < 0.0001) and 7–10% (p < 0.0001), respectively, indicating the importance of maintaining the temperature at 37° C during protein binding experiments. A reduction in pH from 7.75–8.85 to 7.4 significantly reduced serum protein binding of both oxycodone and morphine by 4–5% (p < 0.0001) and 4–7% (p < 0.0001), respectively. Serum samples, to which known concentrations of oxycodone had been added and which were stored at −20° C, showing a gradual but significant decline (p < 0.0001) in serum protein binding of oxycodone from –45 to 39% during the 4-week storage period. Although serum protein binding of oxycodone and morphine is dependent on protein concentration and pH – factors that may vary in different disease states–any changes in the binding of oxycodone or morphine are unlikely to alter the pharmacological effects of these drugs because of their normally low extent of binding (45 and 35%, respectively).
Visual Outcome, Refractive Error and Specular Microscopy Parameters Following Successful DSAEK

Background: Descemet stripping and automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) has gained widespread popularity in the treatment of corneal endothelial dysfunction. In the present study, we evaluated the outcome of DSAEK in our center. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 patients, who had undergone DSAEK at least 12 months before in Khalili Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. On follow-up, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), refractive errors and specular microscopy parameters were assessed. Results: The majority of the studied eyes (49.2%) had a BSCVA within the range of 20/40 to 20/30. BSCVA was worse than 20/200 in 8 (13.3%) patients; 6 (75%) patients showed graft failure and 2 (25%) patients had graft rejection. Mean post-operative astigmatism was 0.29± 1.88 diopters. The mean refractive hyperopic shift was 1.30± 1.34 diopters. Specular microscopy indicated that 3 (5.1%) patients had cell density of less than 700 cells/mm, but in none of the patients cell density was less than 500 cells/mm. Furthermore, hexagonality of endothelial cells in 50% of the eyes was 54% to 67%. Mean coefficient of variant was 27.76%. Abnormal variations in specular microscopy findings were mostly confined to endothelial cell density, sparing other parameters. Conclusions: In general, results of this study demonstrated acceptable BSCVA in the average duration of one-year post-DSAEK regarding late complications such as graft failure, graft rejection and epithelial downgrowth.
Hepatic Overexpression of Soluble Urokinase Receptor (uPAR) Suppresses Diet-Induced Atherosclerosis in Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Deficient (LDLR-/-) Mice

Objective Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease, arises from metabolic disorders and is driven by inappropriate recruitment and proliferation of monocytes / macrophages and vascular smooth-muscle-cells. The receptor for the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPAR, Plaur) regulates the proteolytic activation of plasminogen. It is also a coactivator of integrins and facilitates leukocyte-endothelial interactions and vascular smooth-muscle-cell migration. The role of uPAR in atherogenesis remains elusive. Methods and Results We generated C57Bl6/J low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL) and uPAR double knockout (uPAR-/-/LDLR-/-) mice to test the role of uPAR in two distinct atherosclerosis models. In LDLR-/- mice, hepatic overexpression following hydrodynamic transfection of soluble uPAR that competes with endogenous membrane-bound uPAR was performed as an interventional strategy. Aortic root atherosclerotic lesions induced by feeding a high-fat diet were smaller and comprised less macrophages and vascular smooth-muscle-cells in double knockout mice and animals overexpressing soluble uPAR when compared to controls. In contrast, lesion size, lipid-, macrophage-, and vascular smooth muscle cell content of guide-wire-induced intima lesions in the carotid artery were not affected by uPAR deficiency. Adhesion of uPAR-/--macrophages to TNFα-stimulated endothelial cells was decreased in vitro accompanied by reduced VCAM-1 expression on primary endothelial cells. Hepatic overexpression of soluble full-length murine uPAR in LDLR-/- mice led to a reduction of diet-induced atherosclerotic lesion formation and monocyte recruitment into plaques. Ex vivo incubation with soluble uPAR protein also inhibited adhesion of macrophages to TNFα-stimulated endothelial cells in vitro. Conclusion uPAR-deficiency as well as competitive soluble uPAR reduced diet-promoted but not guide-wire induced atherosclerotic lesions in mice by preventing monocyte recruitment and vascular smooth-muscle-cell infiltration. Soluble uPAR may represent a therapeutic tool for the modulation of hyperlipidemia-associated atherosclerotic lesion formation.
Seasonal pattern of tuberculosis in Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND Summer predominance of tuberculosis (TB) was reported previously in temperate regions. No consistent data were available for lower latitudes. METHOD The monthly TB notification data in Hong Kong from 1991 to 2002 were examined for seasonal fluctuation. A seasonal model was then developed after standardization by period, sex, age, history of TB, form of disease, and bacteriological status. RESULTS The raw monthly counts showed remarkably consistent seasonal fluctuation across different periods, sexes, and age groups. A sine model was fitted for 82 104 notifications (adjusted R(2) = 0.373, P < 0.001). A summer peak was observed with seasonal fluctuation of 18.4% (P < 0.001), which was substantially higher than that reported previously for temperate regions. The amplitudes of fluctuation were 35.0, 15.0, 19.0, and 20.2% for those aged < or =14, 15-34, 35-64, and >/=65 years, respectively (all P < 0.001). No gender difference was noted (18.2% vs 19.0%, P = 0.790). Seasonal pattern was detected among new cases (18.6%, P < 0.001), but not retreatment cases (5.2%, P = 0.333). Culture-positive cases showed greater fluctuation than culture-negative cases (29.4% vs 6.4%, P < 0.001). No significant difference was found between pulmonary and extrapulmonary cases (16.8% vs 21.6%, P = 0.356). TB cases notified in summer were more likely to be smear-positive [odds ratio (OR) 1.100, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.045-1.158, P < 0.001] and culture-positive (OR 1.175, 95% CI 1.121-1.232, P < 0.001) than those notified in winter, even after stratification by other key variables. CONCLUSION A consistent seasonal pattern was found, with variable amplitudes of fluctuation in different subgroups and differing disease characteristics in different seasons. These observations are suggestive of the presence of a seasonal disease-modifying factor.
"Christ offered salvation, and not an easy life": How do port chaplains make sense of providing welfare for seafarers? An idiographic, phenomenological approach analysis.

BACKGROUND The shipping industry has historically leaned towards a biomedical model of health when assessing, treating and caring for seafarers. In recent years there has been more concern for the mental health of seafarers in both the academic literature and the commercial world, however, the psychological and emotional well-being of seafarers still largely falls on the shoulders of the port chaplains. The aim of the study was to explore how port chaplains make sense of providing welfare for seafarers by taking an idiographic, phenomenological approach (IPA). MATERIALS AND METHODS Six male participants working as chaplains in United Kingdom ports took part in recorded face-to-face, semi-structured interviews covering three areas of questioning: role, identity and coping. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and data analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. RESULTS Three super-ordinate themes were identified from participants accounts; "We walk a very strange and middle path", "Exploited" and "Patching up". Rich data emerged in relation to the personal impact chaplains felt they made, which was facilitated by the historical role of the Church; this led to the second super-ordinate theme of how chaplains felt towards seafarers. Lastly, the analysis demonstrates how chaplains adapt to the limitations forced upon them to provide welfare, and a degree of acceptance at the injustice. CONCLUSIONS Results were discussed in reference to theoretical models, including self-efficacy, empathic responding and the transactional model of stress and coping. Chaplains in ports perform their role autonomously with no input from healthcare professionals. Recommendations are made for a biopsychosocial model of health involving primary care, benefiting the health and well-being of seafarers and providing support and guidance for port chaplains at the frontline of welfare for seafarers.
The Rickettsia Endosymbiont of Ixodes pacificus Contains All the Genes of De Novo Folate Biosynthesis

Ticks and other arthropods often are hosts to nutrient providing bacterial endosymbionts, which contribute to their host’s fitness by supplying nutrients such as vitamins and amino acids. It has been detected, in our lab, that Ixodes pacificus is host to Rickettsia species phylotype G021. This endosymbiont is predominantly present, and 100% maternally transmitted in I. pacificus. To study roles of phylotype G021 in I. pacificus, bioinformatic and molecular approaches were carried out. MUMmer genome alignments of whole genome sequence of I. scapularis, a close relative to I. pacificus, against completely sequenced genomes of R. bellii OSU85-389, R. conorii, and R. felis, identified 8,190 unique sequences that are homologous to Rickettsia sequences in the NCBI Trace Archive. MetaCyc metabolic reconstructions revealed that all folate gene orthologues (folA, folC, folE, folKP, ptpS) required for de novo folate biosynthesis are present in the genome of Rickettsia buchneri in I. scapularis. To examine the metabolic capability of phylotype G021 in I. pacificus, genes of the folate biosynthesis pathway of the bacterium were PCR amplified using degenerate primers. BLAST searches identified that nucleotide sequences of the folA, folC, folE, folKP, and ptpS genes possess 98.6%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 98.5% and 99.0% identity respectively to the corresponding genes of Rickettsia buchneri. Phylogenetic tree constructions show that the folate genes of phylotype G021 and homologous genes from various Rickettsia species are monophyletic. This study has shown that all folate genes exist in the genome of Rickettsia species phylotype G021 and that this bacterium has the genetic capability for de novo folate synthesis.
MicroRNAome Comparison between Intramuscular and Subcutaneous Vascular Stem Cell Adipogenesis

Background As an important factor affecting meat quality, intramuscular fat (IMF) content is a topic of worldwide concern. Emerging evidences indicate that microRNAs play important roles in adipocyte differentiation. However, miRNAome has neither been studied during porcine intramuscular preadipocyte differentiation, nor compared with subcutaneous preadipocytes. The objectives of this study were to identify porcine miRNAs involved in adipogenesis in primary preadipocytes, and to determine whether intramuscular and subcutaneous adipocytes differ in the expression and regulation of miRNAs. Results miRNAomes in primary intramuscular and subcutaneous adipocytes during differentiation were first sequenced using the Solexa deep sequencing method. The sequences and relative expression levels of 224 known (98.2% in miRbase 18.0) and 280 potential porcine miRNAs were identified. Fifty-four of them changed in similar pattern between intramuscular vascular stem cells (IVSC) and subcutaneous vascular stem cells (SVSC) differentiation, such as miR-210, miR-10b and miR-99a. Expression levels of 10 miRNAs were reversely up-or down-regulated between IVSC and SVSC differentiation, 19 were up-or down-regulated only during IVSC differentiation and 55 only during SVSC differentiation. Additionally, 30 miRNAs showed fat-depot specific expression pattern (24 in cells of intramuscular origin and 6 in cells of subcutaneous origin). These adipogenesis-related miRNAs mainly functioned by targeting similar pathways in adipogenesis, obesity and syndrome. Conclusion Comparison of miRNAomes in IVSC and SVSC during differentiation revealed that many different miRNAs are involved in adipogenesis, and they regulate SVSC and IVSC differentiation through similar pathways. These miRNAs may serve as biomarkers or targets for enhancing IMF content, and uncovering their function in IMF development will be of great value in the near future.
BMI-referenced cut points for pedometer-determined steps per day in adults.

BACKGROUND The goal of this study was to establish preliminary criterion-referenced cut points for adult pedometer-determined physical activity (PA) related to weight status defined by body mass index (BMI). METHODS Researchers contributed directly measured BMI and pedometer data that had been collected (1) using a Yamax-manufactured pedometer, (2) for a minimum of 3 days, (3) on ostensibly healthy adults. The contrasting groups method was used to identify age- and gender-specific cut points for steps/d related to BMI cut points for normal weight and overweight/obesity (defined as BMI <25 and >or=25 kg/m2, respectively). RESULTS Data included 3127 individuals age 18 to 94 years (976 men, age = 46.8 +/- 15.4 years, BMI = 27.3 +/- 4.9; 2151 women, age = 47.4 +/- 14.9 years, BMI = 27.6 +/- 6.4; all gender differences NS). Best estimated cut points for normal versus overweight/obesity ranged from 11,000 to 12,000 steps/d for men and 8000 to 12,000 steps/d for women (consistently higher for younger age groups). CONCLUSIONS These steps/d cut points can be used to identify individuals at risk, or the proportion of adults achieving or falling short of set cut points can be reported and compared between populations. Cut points can also be used to set intervention goals, and they can be referred to when evaluating program impact, as well as environmental and policy changes.
The use of null models and partial least squares approach path modelling (PLS-PM) for investigating risk factors influencing post-weaning mortality in indoor pig farms

SUMMARY Although post-weaning mortality (PWM) in pig farming is mainly due to the effect of pathogens, farm type or swine management are also directly or indirectly involved. In this work, we used null models and the partial least squares approach (PLS) to structural equation modelling, also known as PLS path modelling (PLS-PM), to explore whether farm type, swine management and pathogens, including porcine circovirus type 2, swine influenza virus, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and Aujeszky's disease virus, directly or indirectly influenced PWM in 42 Spanish indoor pig farms. The null model analysis revealed that contact with multiple combinations of viruses could occur by chance. On the other hand, PLS-PM showed that farm characteristics do not influence virus infections, and thus neither farm type nor associated management practices shaped PWM due to pathogens. Accordingly, preventive programmes aimed at controlling PWM in intensive farming should prioritize the control of major pig pathogens.
Detection of Endotoxin Contamination of Graphene Based Materials Using the TNF-α Expression Test and Guidelines for Endotoxin-Free Graphene Oxide Production

Nanomaterials may be contaminated with bacterial endotoxin during production and handling, which may confound toxicological testing of these materials, not least when assessing for immunotoxicity. In the present study, we evaluated the conventional Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay for endotoxin detection in graphene based material (GBM) samples, including graphene oxide (GO) and few-layered graphene (FLG). Our results showed that some GO samples interfered with various formats of the LAL assay. To overcome this problem, we developed a TNF-α expression test (TET) using primary human monocyte-derived macrophages incubated in the presence or absence of the endotoxin inhibitor, polymyxin B sulfate, and found that this assay, performed with non-cytotoxic doses of the GBM samples, enabled unequivocal detection of endotoxin with a sensitivity that is comparable to the LAL assay. FLG also triggered TNF-α production in the presence of the LPS inhibitor, pointing to an intrinsic pro-inflammatory effect. Finally, we present guidelines for the preparation of endotoxin-free GO, validated by using the TET.
Towards unconstrained face recognition

In this paper, we argue that the most difficult face recognition problems (unconstrained face recognition) will be solved by simultaneously leveraging the solutions to multiple vision problems including segmentation, alignment, pose estimation, and the estimation of other hidden variables such as gender and hair color. While in theory a single unified principle could solve all these problems simultaneously in a giant hidden variable model, we believe that such an approach will be computationally, and more importantly, statistically, intractable. Instead, we promote studying the interactions among mid-level vision features, such as segmentations and pose estimates, as a route toward solving very difficult recognition problems. In this paper, we discuss and provide results showing how pose and face segmentations mutually influence each other, and provide a surprisingly simple method for estimating pose from segmentations.
Sperm ubiquitination and DNA fragmentation in men with occupational exposure and varicocele

Assessment of sperm ubiquitination and DNA fragmentation as sperm functional markers are proposed to complement routine semen analysis. This study focuses on the evaluation of these markers in infertile men with varicocele or exposed to occupational background. The results were compared with normozoospermic men. Semen parameters in both groups were lower than those in the control group. Ubiquitination median, as a marker for functionality of the ubiquitin–proteasome system, was also lower in both groups. The ubiquitination median showed a significant positive correlation with motility in both groups, while it showed only a negative correlation with sperm morphology in the varicocele group. DNA fragmentation showed a significant correlation with semen parameters, in total varicocele and also total exposure groups. In conclusion, significant difference of sperm ubiquitination between normal and study groups further validates that sperm ubiquitination as a potential molecular marker for sperm evaluation in addition to routine semen analysis in clinical laboratories.
Frequency dependence of viscous and viscoelastic dissipation in coated micro-cantilevers from noise measurement

We measure the mechanical thermal noise of soft silicon atomic force microscope cantilevers. Using an interferometric setup, we obtain a resolution down to 10−14 m Hz−1/2 on a wide spectral range (3–105 Hz). The low frequency behavior depends dramatically on the presence of a reflective coating: almost flat spectra for uncoated cantilevers versus a 1/f like trend for coated ones. The addition of a viscoelastic term in models of the mechanical system can account for this observation. Use of Kramers–Kronig relations validate this approach with a complete determination of the response of the cantilever: a power law with a small coefficient is found for the frequency dependence of viscoelasticity due to the coating, whereas the viscous damping due to the surrounding atmosphere is accurately described by the Sader model.
Local search for distributed asymmetric optimization

Distributed Constraints Optimization (DCOP) is a powerful framework for representing and solving distributed combinatorial problems, where the variables of the problem are owned by different agents. DCOP algorithms search for the optimal solution, optimizing the total gain (or cost) that is composed of all gains of all agents. Local search (LS) DCOP algorithms search locally for an approximate such solution. Many multi-agent problems include constraints that produce different gains (or costs) for the participating agents. Asymmetric gains of constrained agents cannot be naturally represented by the standard DCOP model. The present paper proposes a general framework for Asymmetric DCOPs (ADCOPs). The new framework is described and its differences from former attempts are discussed. New local search algorithms for ADCOPs are introduced and their advantages over existing algorithms and over former representations are discussed in detail. The new proposed algorithms for the ADCOP framework are evaluated experimentally and their performance compared to existing algorithms. Two measures of performance are used: quality of solutions and loss of privacy. The results show that the new algorithms significantly outperform existing DCOP algorithms with respect to both measures.
Microstructure of cotton fibrous assemblies based on computed tomography

This paper describes for the first time the analysis of inner microstructure of cotton fibrous assemblies using computed tomography. Microstructure parameters such as packing density, fractal dimension as well as porosity including open porosity, closed porosity and total porosity are calculated based on 2D data from computed tomography. Values of packing density and fractal dimension are stable in random oriented fibrous assemblies, and there exists a satisfactory approximate linear relationship between them. Moreover, poles analysis indicates that porosity represents the tightness of fibrous assemblies and open poles are main existence.
Vowel space characteristics of speech directed to children with and without hearing loss.

PURPOSE This study examined vowel characteristics in adult-directed (AD) and infant-directed (ID) speech to children with hearing impairment who received cochlear implants or hearing aids compared with speech to children with normal hearing. METHOD Mothers' AD and ID speech to children with cochlear implants (Study 1, n=20) or hearing aids (Study 2, n=11) was compared with mothers' speech to controls matched on age and hearing experience. The first and second formants of vowels /i/, /ɑ/, and /u/ were measured, and vowel space area and dispersion were calculated. RESULTS In both studies, vowel space was modified in ID compared with AD speech to children with and without hearing loss. Study 1 showed larger vowel space area and dispersion in ID compared with AD speech regardless of infant hearing status. The pattern of effects of ID and AD speech on vowel space characteristics in Study 2 was similar to that in Study 1, but depended partly on children's hearing status. CONCLUSION Given previously demonstrated associations between expanded vowel space in ID compared with AD speech and enhanced speech perception skills, this research supports a focus on vowel pronunciation in developing intervention strategies for improving speech-language skills in children with hearing impairment.