Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of honey on nocturnal cough and sleep quality for children and their parents.

C OUGH IS A COMMON SYMPTOM IN PEDIATric practice and can be particularly troubling to children and their parents, resulting in discomfort, loss of sleep, and missed schooldays and workdays. Caregivers frequently administer over-the-counter (OTC) medications to their children in an attempt to treat cough. Apart from the costs associated with such medications, some OTC medications have unwelcome and potentially dangerous adverse effects. Dextromethorphan, an opiate-derived antitussive commonly found in OTC cough and cold preparations, is generally safe but on rare occasions can be associated with adverse effects such as dystonia, ataxia, lethargy, and even death. Furthermore, several studies have shown that dextromethorphan is not more effective than placebo at reducing cough symptoms. The American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement on the use of codeineand dextromethorphancontaining cough remedies in children states that indications for the use of narcotics or dextromethorphan as antitussives in children have not been established given the lack of data for efficacy and the potential for adverse effects. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that physicians talk with parents about the risk associated with these drugs as well as the lack of data on the efficacy of codeine and dextromethorphan as antitussives.
Convective Heat Transfer and Stability of Oil –Based Nanofluid

Objectives: Design and building a dedicated device (test rig) for measuring the convective heat transfer coefficient for an oil – based nanofluid under a laminar flow regime and a uniform heat flux. Preparing a stable oil – based nanofluid. Measuring experiment the stability of oil – based on nanofluid. Methods/Statistical Analysis: The nanofluid was prepared via two steps method, with three different mixing processes. Lubricating oil was used as a host liquid with aluminum oxide (Al2O3) as nanoparticles, with two particle sizes of 80 nm and 30 nm and different concentrations of (0.2, 0.6, 1 and 2) %wt. In order to study the effect of nanofluids on heat transfer coefficient, a dedicated test rig designed and built consisting of horizontal copper pipe, oil gear pump, nanofluid tank, heater and heat exchanger as a major components of the rig in addition of the accessory components and measuring devices.The stability of the nanofluid measured experimentally with Zeta Potential Analyzer. Findings: The heat transfer coefficient increased with increasing of the particle loading and decrease the particle size, the maximum enhancement in heat transfer coefficient at 2% wt was (7.83% and 16.75%) for 80 nm and 30 nm particle sizes, respectively. The best stability was found to be with 30 nm particle size at lower particle loading of (0.2% wt) and this concentration was recommended to use due to the excellent stability, lower cost and almost unnoticeable increasing in pressure drop. The nanofluid stability decreases with increasing both the particle size and particle loading. Application/Improvements: The base fluid of the used nanofluids is lubricating oil of automobile engine and the study showed an enhancement in the heat transfer coefficient with small penalty in pressure drop especially for the samples of low concentration and smallest particle size.
Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Regulates Hydrolysis of Vasoactive Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acids

The cytochrome P450-derived epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) have potent effects on renal vascular reactivity and tubular sodium and water transport; however, the role of these eicosanoids in the pathogenesis of hypertension is controversial. The current study examined the hydrolysis of the EETs to the corresponding dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs) as a mechanism for regulation of EET activity and blood pressure. EET hydrolysis was increased 5- to 54-fold in renal cortical S9 fractions from the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) relative to the normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat. This increase was most significant for the 14,15-EET regioisomer, and there was a clear preference for hydrolysis of 14,15-EET over the 8,9- and 11,12-EETs. Increased EET hydrolysis was consistent with increased expression of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) in the SHR renal microsomes and cytosol relative to the WKY samples. The urinary excretion of 14,15-DHET was 2.6-fold higher in the SHR than in the WKY rat, confirming increased EET hydrolysis in the SHR in vivo. Blood pressure was decreased 22±4 mm Hg (P <0.01) 6 hours after treatment of SHRs with the selective sEH inhibitor N, N ′-dicyclohexylurea; this treatment had no effect on blood pressure in the WKY rat. These studies identify sEH as a novel therapeutic target for control of blood pressure. The identification of a potent and selective inhibitor of EET hydrolysis will be invaluable in separating the vascular effects of the EET and DHET eicosanoids.
Of Mice, Rats, and Men: Could Nrf2 Activation Protect against Aflatoxin Heptocarcinogenesis in Humans?

In this issue, Johnson and colleagues provide a remarkable demonstration of the potential for “chemoprevention” of cancer from mutagenic chemicals. The authors demonstrated complete protection of rats from a carcinogenic treatment regimen with the potent dietary mutagen and hepatocarcinogen, aflatoxin B1 (AFB) by pretreatment with a synthetic oleanane triterpenoid, 1-[2-cyano-3-,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oyl]imidazole (CDDO-Im). This study is notable for two reasons: (i) Activation of the Nrf2/Keap1/ARE “antioxidant response” pathway by CDDO-Im conferred complete protection against AFB-induced hepatocellular carcinomas in the Fisher F344 rat (a strain frequently used in life-time carcinogenicity bioassays), and (ii) extensive AFB–DNA adduct formation was seen in all animals at early time points, including those treated with CDDO-Im, albeit at lower levels (∼30% of the untreated animals), suggesting a strong divergence in the association between early DNA-damaging events, and tumor formation later in life. The authors suggest that this provides compelling experimental support for the concept of carcinogenic “thresholds” for mutagenic chemicals, because the treatment reduced persistent, mutagenic adducts (AFB–FAPyr adducts) only by 70%, but nearly completely eliminated tumors after approximately 2 years and preneoplastic lesions 6 weeks after the last dose of AFB. Cancer Prev Res; 7(7); 653–7. ©2014 AACR.
Asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women

Background: Asymptomatic bacteriuria is the significant presence of bacteria in the urine of an individual without symptoms. In pregnancy, the apparent reduction in immunity of pregnant women tends to encourage the growth of pathogens. Aim: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women attending a primary health centre in Benin City, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 1,228 pregnant women were recruited for this study. All subjects were clinically identified to have no signs and symptoms of UTI. Clean catch midstream urine sample was collected from each patient into sterile universal container. The urine samples were examined microscopically and by cultural method. Identification of isolates was by standard microbiological technique. Result: A total of 556 (45.3%) were positive for significant bacteriuria. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria with respect to age (P < 0.0001). Trimester did not show any significant difference (P = 0.2006) in the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria. Escherichia coli was the most predominant organism followed closely by Staphylococcus aureus. Ciprofloxacin, Ceftriaxone and Augmentin were found to be the most effective antibiotics against the urinary isolates. Conclusion: Asymptomatic bacteriuria is not uncommon among antenatal patients in the population studied. Routine urine cultural test should be carried out on all antenatal patients in order to identify any unsuspecting infection. This measure will go a long way in reducing maternal and obstetric complications associated with pregnancy.
Impact of airborne Doppler lidar observations on ECMWF forecasts

During the Atlantic THORPEX Regional Campaign (A‐TReC) in autumn 2003, the airborne Doppler lidar of the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft‐ und Raumfahrt (DLR) was used to observe wind in predicted sensitive regions. In eight flights, the system measured a total of 1600 wind profiles that were experimentally assimilated in the global assimilation system at the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). The present study assesses the impact of these Doppler lidar measurements in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP). It is shown that lidar observations have a significant impact on the analyses as well as on forecasts owing to high accuracy and spatial resolution. The measurements reduce the errors of the 1–4 day forecasts of geopotential height, wind, and humidity over Europe throughout the troposphere. On average, Doppler lidar measurements reduce the 2–4 day forecast error of geopotential height over Europe by 3%. This is a promising result, considering that observations have been gathered from only 28.5 flight hours. Dropsondes released in the same area as the Doppler lidar was operating show good agreement for measured winds, but smaller analysis impact and less reduction of the forecast error. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
ASSESSMENT OF CREEP AND SHRINKAGE OF CONCRETE FOR THE FLINTSHIRE BRIDGE

In order to control the alignment and stresses of the Flintshire Bridge, accurate long-term creep and shrinkage data were required for analysis by a finite element model. Since the concrete contained mineral and chemical admixtures, the design model of BS 5400: Part 4 was deemed to be inappropriate, as the creep and shrinkage factors apply for admixture-free concrete. Consequently, laboratory tests were undertaken in which specimens were loaded at ages corresponding to the prestressing and tensioning operations of the bridge segments. Elasticity, creep and shrinkage were measured over a period of 1 year and compared with values estimated by five methods of prediction. The methods were then used to extrapolate the 1-year laboratory results to equivalent 50-year deformations of the bridge segment and to estimate the half-final deformation times and the effects of a change in mix proportions on creep and shrinkage. (A)
Effect of Reduced Dietary Crude Protein Levels on Growth Performance, Plasma Uric Acid and Electrolyte Concentration of Male Broiler Chicks

Changes in dietary electrolyte balance influence the metabolic fate of protein and many amino acids. Furthermore, acid-base condition is achieved in part by the alteration of dietary amino acids pattern and quantity. Therefore, a trial was conducted in a completely randomized design to evaluate performance, carcass characteristics, plasma electrolyte and uric acid concentrations of 19 and 28-day-old male broilers fed three experimental diets in which CP was decreased in a stepwise manner from 21 to 18%. Ileal digestible quantities of all EAA were almost equal in the diets, and the total amount of each EAA was maintained at or above NRC 1994 requirements. Decreasing dietary CP did not affect performance and appetite but increased fat deposition in the whole body and abdominal cavity, significantly. High crude protein fed chickens generally produced breast, thighs and total carcasses that were lower in fat. Reducing dietary CP increased the concentrations of main plasma electrolytes including ionized forms of the electrolytes (Na + , K + , Cl - ) but its influence on Ca ++ and HCO 3 - ions was not significant. On the other hand, plasma uric acid concentration was reduced in parallel with crude protein reduction. Therefore, although reduction of CP to 18% does not impair the performance of broiler chickens, deficiency in uric acid production in low CP diets may lead to blood electrolyte imbalance.
Dietary Resveratrol Prevents Development of High-Grade Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplastic Lesions: Involvement of SIRT1/S6K Axis

SIRT1 (mammalian ortholog of the yeast silent information regulator 2) is a NAD-dependent histone deacetylase belonging to the multigene family of sirtuins. Anecdotal and epidemiologic observations provide evidence for beneficial effects of the calorie restriction mimetic resveratrol (RES), a SIRT1 activator in preventing cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Although SIRT1 possesses both tumorigenic and antitumorigenic potential, the molecular mechanisms underlying SIRT1-mediated tumor progression or inhibition are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the role of SIRT1 in multiple human prostate cancer cell lines and prostate-specific PTEN knockout mouse model using resveratrol. Androgen-independent prostate cancer cell lines (C42B, PC3, and DU145) express higher levels of SIRT1 than androgen-responsive (LNCaP) and nontumorigenic prostate cells (RWPE-1). Resveratrol enhanced this expression without any significant effect on SIRT1 enzymatic activity. Inhibition of SIRT1 expression using shRNA enhanced cell proliferation and inhibited autophagy by repressing phosphorylation of S6K and 4E-BP1. These biologic correlates were reversed in the presence of resveratrol. Analysis of prostates from dietary intervention with resveratrol showed a significant reduction in prostate weight and reduction in the incidence of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplastic (HGPIN) lesions by approximately 54% with no significant change in body weight. Consistent with the in vitro findings, resveratrol intervention in the PTEN knockout mouse model was associated with reduction in the prostatic levels of mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) activity and increased expression of SIRT1. These data suggest that SIRT1/S6K-mediated inhibition of autophagy drives prostate tumorigenesis. Therefore, modulation of SIRT1/S6K signaling represents an effective strategy for prostate cancer prevention. Cancer Prev Res; 6(1); 27–39. ©2012 AACR.
The α-μ distribution: a general fading distribution

This paper presents a general fading distribution - the /spl alpha/-/spl mu/ distribution - that includes the Nakagami-m and the Weibull as special cases. One-Sided Gaussian, Rayleigh, and Negative Exponential distributions are also special cases of the /spl alpha/-/spl mu/ Distribution.
Aldo Keto Reductase 1B7 and Prostaglandin F2α Are Regulators of Adrenal Endocrine Functions

Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), represses ovarian steroidogenesis and initiates parturition in mammals but its impact on adrenal gland is unknown. Prostaglandins biosynthesis depends on the sequential action of upstream cyclooxygenases (COX) and terminal synthases but no PGF2α synthases (PGFS) were functionally identified in mammalian cells. In vitro, the most efficient mammalian PGFS belong to aldo-keto reductase 1B (AKR1B) family. The adrenal gland is a major site of AKR1B expression in both human (AKR1B1) and mouse (AKR1B3, AKR1B7). Thus, we examined the PGF2α biosynthetic pathway and its functional impact on both cortical and medullary zones. Both compartments produced PGF2α but expressed different biosynthetic isozymes. In chromaffin cells, PGF2α secretion appeared constitutive and correlated to continuous expression of COX1 and AKR1B3. In steroidogenic cells, PGF2α secretion was stimulated by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and correlated to ACTH-responsiveness of both COX2 and AKR1B7/B1. The pivotal role of AKR1B7 in ACTH-induced PGF2α release and functional coupling with COX2 was demonstrated using over- and down-expression in cell lines. PGF2α receptor was only detected in chromaffin cells, making medulla the primary target of PGF2α action. By comparing PGF2α-responsiveness of isolated cells and whole adrenal cultures, we demonstrated that PGF2α repressed glucocorticoid secretion by an indirect mechanism involving a decrease in catecholamine release which in turn decreased adrenal steroidogenesis. PGF2α may be regarded as a negative autocrine/paracrine regulator within a novel intra-adrenal feedback loop. The coordinated cell-specific regulation of COX2 and AKR1B7 ensures the generation of this stress-induced corticostatic signal.
A double-blind, side-by-side comparison study of low fluence long pulse dye laser to coolant treatment for wrinkling of the cheeks

BACKGROUND: Nonablative laser resurfacing with various lasers and light sources can improve skin texture and fine lines. The 595 nm pulsed dye laser has been reported to improve rhytides through nonablative mechanisms, minimizing the side effects and recovery period associated with traditional ablative resurfacing techniques. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the long pulse flashlamp pumped pulsed dye laser (LPDL) in improving rhytides and stimulating collagen synthesis and dermal remodeling. METHODS: The cheeks of 15 women with moderate to severe photoaging were treated on one side with a series of four monthly LPDL treatments, while the contralateral cheek was treated with cryogen coolant only. Clinical grading was performed at monthly intervals for up to 3 months after the fourth LPDL treatment. Skin biopsy before treatment and at 4-6 weeks was also performed for histologic evaluation and staining for type I procollagen. RESULTS : Eleven of 15 patients demonstrated improvement of the laser-treated cheek while only three of 15 patients the demonstrated improvement on the cryogen-treated cheek. A statistically significant ( p = 0.0035) improvement in clinical grading of photodamage was noted in the treated side versus the control. In those patients who improved with LPDL treatment, an improvement of 18.1% in the mean pre- and post-treatment clinical grading scores was observed. Histologic evaluation demonstrated an increase in activated fibroblasts with positive procollagen staining on the LPDL-treated cheek. CONCLUSION: The 595 nm LPDL may be used in the treatment of moderate to severe wrinkles. A mild improvement may be expected with minimal to no side effects.
Genetic Variants of FOXP2 and KIAA0319/TTRAP/THEM2 Locus Are Associated with Altered Brain Activation in Distinct Language-Related Regions

Recent advances have been made in the genetics of two human communication skills: speaking and reading. Mutations of the FOXP2 gene cause a severe form of language impairment and orofacial dyspraxia, while single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located within a KIAA0319/TTRAP/THEM2 gene cluster and affecting the KIAA0319 gene expression are associated with reading disability. Neuroimaging studies of clinical populations point to partially distinct cerebral bases for language and reading impairments. However, alteration of FOXP2 and KIAA0319/TTRAP/THEM2 polymorphisms on typically developed language networks has never been explored. Here, we genotyped and scanned 94 healthy subjects using fMRI during a reading task. We studied the correlation of genetic polymorphisms with interindividual variability in brain activation and functional asymmetry in frontal and temporal cortices. In FOXP2, SNPs rs6980093 and rs7799109 were associated with variations of activation in the left frontal cortex. In the KIAA0319/TTRAP/THEM2 locus, rs17243157 was associated with asymmetry in functional activation of the superior temporal sulcus (STS). Interestingly, healthy subjects bearing the KIAA0319/TTRAP/THEM2 variants previously identified as enhancing the risk of dyslexia showed a reduced left-hemispheric asymmetry of the STS. Our results confirm that both FOXP2 and KIAA0319/TTRAP/THEM2 genes play an important role in human language development, but probably through different cerebral pathways. The observed cortical effects mirror previous fMRI results in developmental language and reading disorders, and suggest that a continuum may exist between these pathologies and normal interindividual variability.
Learning Document Representations Using Subspace Multinomial Model

Subspace multinomial model (SMM) is a log-linear model and can be used for learning low dimensional continuous representation for discrete data. SMM and its variants have been used for speaker verification based on prosodic features and phonotactic language recognition. In this paper, we propose a new variant of SMM that introduces sparsity and call the resulting model as `1 SMM. We show that `1 SMM can be used for learning document representations that are helpful in topic identification or classification and clustering tasks. Our experiments in document classification show that SMM achieves comparable results to models such as latent Dirichlet allocation and sparse topical coding, while having a useful property that the resulting document vectors are Gaussian distributed.
The Role of Cholecystokinin in Peripheral Taste Signaling in Mice

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a gut hormone released from enteroendocrine cells. CCK functions as an anorexigenic factor by acting on CCK receptors expressed on the vagal afferent nerve and hypothalamus with a synergistic interaction between leptin. In the gut, tastants such as amino acids and bitter compounds stimulate CCK release from enteroendocrine cells via activation of taste transduction pathways. CCK is also expressed in taste buds, suggesting potential roles of CCK in taste signaling in the peripheral taste organ. In the present study, we focused on the function of CCK in the initial responses to taste stimulation. CCK was coexpressed with type II taste cell markers such as Gα-gustducin, phospholipase Cβ2, and transient receptor potential channel M5. Furthermore, a small subset (~30%) of CCK-expressing taste cells expressed a sweet/umami taste receptor component, taste receptor type 1 member 3, in taste buds. Because type II taste cells are sweet, umami or bitter taste cells, the majority of CCK-expressing taste cells may be bitter taste cells. CCK-A and -B receptors were expressed in both taste cells and gustatory neurons. CCK receptor knockout mice showed reduced neural responses to bitter compounds compared with wild-type mice. Consistently, intravenous injection of CCK-Ar antagonist lorglumide selectively suppressed gustatory nerve responses to bitter compounds. Intravenous injection of CCK-8 transiently increased gustatory nerve activities in a dose-dependent manner whereas administration of CCK-8 did not affect activities of bitter-sensitive taste cells. Collectively, CCK may be a functionally important neurotransmitter or neuromodulator to activate bitter nerve fibers in peripheral taste tissues.