Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low concentrations of citrate reduce complement and granulocyte activation in vitro in human blood

BACKGROUND The use of acetate in haemodialysis fluids may induce negative effects in patients including nausea and increased inflammation. Therefore, haemodialysis fluids where acetate is substituted with citrate have recently been developed. In this study, we investigated the biocompatibility of citrate employing concentrations used in haemodialysis. METHODS The effects of citrate and acetate were investigated in human whole blood in vitro under conditions promoting biomaterial-induced activation. Complement activation was measured as generation of C3a, C5a and the sC5b-9 complex, and granulocyte activation as up-regulation of CD11b expression. For the experimental set-up, a mathematical model was created to calculate the concentrations of acetate and citrate attained during haemodialysis. RESULTS Citrate reduced granulocyte activation and did not induce higher complement activation compared with acetate at concentrations attained during haemodialysis. Investigating different citrate concentrations clearly showed that citrate is a potent complement inhibitor already at low concentrations, i.e. 0.25 mM, which is comparable with concentrations detected in the blood of patients during dialysis with citrate-containing fluids. Increased citrate concentration up to 6 mM further reduced the activation of C3a, C5a and sC5b-9, as well as the expression of CD11b. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that citrate is a promising substitute for acetate for a more biocompatible dialysis, most likely resulting in less adverse effects for the patients.
Significance of the Correlation Between the Expression of Interleukin 6 and Clinical Features in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background. The aims of the study were to identify the significance of interleukin (IL)-6 production and to determine whether IL-6 production influences long-term survival in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Method. A series of 90 patients with NSCLC who underwent surgery between 2005 and 2007 was analyzed. Preoperative serum IL-6 was measured, and tumor samples were immunohistochemically stained for IL-6. Results. Serum IL-6 levels were elevated in 43 of 90 cases (47.7%), and 23 (25.5%) of 90 cases stained positively for IL-6 (P = .00265). The prognosis of patients with NSCLC who had positive immunohistochemical staining was significantly worse than that for those who had negative staining, by univariate analysis (P = .0027). Multivariate analysis indicated that tumor size, postoperative stage, and overexpression of IL-6 were independent prognostic factors. Conclusions. The expression of IL-6 in tumor correlated with the concentration of serum IL-6, tumor progression, and overall survival in patients with NSCLC.
An Empirical Investigation on Mobile Banking Service Adoption in Rural Karnataka

Government of India (GOI) initialized financial inclusion campaign to quell exclusion. The campaign did not gain expected progress. Government employed technologies to speed up the process. Among banking technologies, mobile banking appeared as a possible solution for financial exclusion with wide mobile phone coverage. Inputs on rural people’s intention toward technologies for effective financial inclusion were essential. Technology adoption factors, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, attitude, perceived risk, and behavioral intention (BI), were short listed after literature review. Factors were subjected to reliability, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), multiple regression, and interaction analysis. Rural provinces in Karnataka state were surveyed. We used mixed sampling technique to reach 959 samples. Multiple regression–interaction analysis revealed age and gender moderated attitude’s path toward BI.
Penetration profile and human cadaver skin distribution of finasteride from vesicular nanocarriers

Abstract The skin accumulation of therapeutic agents affects the efficiency of topical drug delivery. In this study, in vitro distribution of finasteride of ethosomes and liposomes in human cadaver skin after percutaneous delivery were investigated. Experiments were performed using modified Franz diffusion cells. Finasteride ethosomes, liposomes or hydroethanolic solutions were used as donor medium. Drug distribution at different skin layers and depths were studied by hotplate separation and frozen horizontal slicing technique. The result showed that the accumulation of finasteride in skin ranged from 9.7–24.3 μg/cm2 at 12 or 24 hours. The ethosomes demonstrated better enhancing ability to deliver finasteride into the dermis layer than liposomes did. The finasteride concentration in the dermis layer from ethosomes was more than sevenfold higher than from liposomes. The finasteride accumulation in ethosomes group showed a distinctive reversed distribution profile. This distinctive reversed distribution profile is meaningful for exerting a favorable pharmacological effect for finasteride. The drug distribution profile in skin layers showed no significant difference between 12 and 24 hours application (p > 0.05). The study demonstrated that finasteride can be accumulated at target site more effectively and maintained at higher level through the application of novel ethosomal carriers.
Spinal tuberculosis: Our experience and a review of imaging methods

We share our experience of 2000 spinal tuberculosis (TB) cases, including both typical and atypical presentations. The aim of the study is to estimate the incidence and types of spinal TB referred to our department for diagnosis. 2000 patients were selected by convenience sampling from January 2006 to September 2010. Study design was descriptive and among 2000 mostly unknown cases without evidence of symptoms of systemic TB (1080 males and 920 females). MRI without and with IV contrast, CECT with MPR, and in some cases not fit for MRI, CT myelography, were performed. Out of 2000 cases of tuberculous spine, 1080 (54%) were male and 920 (46%) were female. Their age ranged from 8–60 years. About 90% of patients were below the age of 40 years. Peak age among the males and females was 20–29 years and 14–35 years, respectively. The most common site of involvement was dorsal spine (45%) followed by lumbo-sacral spine (33%), cervical spine (10%) and at multiple levels (12%). Biopsies were done in 240 (12%) cases. Spinal TB should always be suspected when radiographs demonstrate a destructive spinal process. Awareness and prompt management of TB spine will help in reducing the continuing morbidity of this disease.
Neurological soft signs in early stage of schizophrenia associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder

Background. Given that the obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) occurs with a much higher frequency in schizophrenia than in the general population, and, both schizophrenia and OCD are presumed to be neurodevelopmental disorders, the hypothesis of a distinct subtype of schizophrenia, the “schizo-obsessive” one, was raised. Aim. Considering the neurological soft signs as neurobiological markers in schizophrenia, the aim of this study was to verify the hypothesis of the existence of this “schizo-obsessive” endophenotype of schizophrenia, by using the Neurological Evaluation Scale (NES) in patients with schizophrenia. Method. The study was conducted in a transversal manner and consisted of the assessment of 64 patients with the maximum age of 26 years, who fulfilled the DSM IV-TR criteria of schizophrenia and/ or OCD, the assessment performed both from the social-demographic view, as well as neurologic, by means of the NES scale. Results. Patients with schizophrenia and OCD proved to have, a significant family history from a static point of view, more loaded by affective disorders, but also by schizophrenia and OCD spectrum disorders, compared to pure schizophrenics. They also proved to have a significant higher educational level and a better occupational functioning than those schizophrenic patients without OCD, despite the similarity of the number of hospitalizations episodes or the disease duration to date. Ratings on the NES scale differentiate the group of patients with schizophrenia and OCD as having the highest scores on all subscales, scores much closer to those obtained by the group of patients with schizophrenia only, the only difference with statistical significance being recorded on the sequencing subscale of complex motor acts. The analysis of cluster through linear discriminant analysis allowed the classification of patients in the 3 groups with a probability of 89.06% and 76.56% for cross-validation. Discussion. The results regarding neurological soft signs suggest that the presence of OCD in schizophrenic patients is due to peculiarities in fronto-basal ganglia circuits with possible origins in neurodevelopmental abnormalities. We considered that the early detection of neurological soft signs and their dynamic monitoring could provide useful information on the evolution of schizophrenia. Future research should take into account larger groups of patients to investigate the relationship between neurological soft signs and brain neuroimaging data, as well as the results provided by neuropsychological investigations customed in this subgroup of schizophrenia.
In Vitro Biologic Activities of the Antimicrobials Triclocarban, Its Analogs, and Triclosan in Bioassay Screens: Receptor-Based Bioassay Screens

Background Concerns have been raised about the biological and toxicologic effects of the antimicrobials triclocarban (TCC) and triclosan (TCS) in personal care products. Few studies have evaluated their biological activities in mammalian cells to assess their potential for adverse effects. Objectives In this study, we assessed the activity of TCC, its analogs, and TCS in in vitro nuclear-receptor–responsive and calcium signaling bioassays. Materials and methods We determined the biological activities of the compounds in in vitro, cell-based, and nuclear-receptor–responsive bioassays for receptors for aryl hydrocarbon (AhR), estrogen (ER), androgen (AR), and ryanodine (RyR1). Results Some carbanilide compounds, including TCC (1–10 μM), enhanced estradiol (E2)-dependent or testosterone-dependent activation of ER- and AR-responsive gene expression up to 2.5-fold but exhibited little or no agonistic activity alone. Some carbanilides and TCS exhibited weak agonistic and/or antagonistic activity in the AhR-responsive bioassay. TCS exhibited antagonistic activity in both ER- and AR-responsive bioassays. TCS (0.1–10 μM) significantly enhanced the binding of [3H]ryanodine to RyR1 and caused elevation of resting cytosolic [Ca2+] in primary skeletal myotubes, but carbanilides had no effect. Conclusions Carbanilides, including TCC, enhanced hormone-dependent induction of ER- and AR-dependent gene expression but had little agonist activity, suggesting a new mechanism of action of endocrine-disrupting compounds. TCS, structurally similar to noncoplanar ortho-substituted poly-chlorinated biphenyls, exhibited weak AhR activity but interacted with RyR1 and stimulated Ca2+ mobilization. These observations have potential implications for human and animal health. Further investigations are needed into the biological and toxicologic effects of TCC, its analogs, and TCS.
Elucidating the biophysical processes responsible for the chromatic attributes of peripheral cyanosis

The purple or blue coloration of hands and feet, known as peripheral cyanosis, can represent one of the initial signs of potentially life threatening medical conditions. Consequently, procedures aimed at its early detection and interpretation can help health-care professionals to select the appropriate treatment for these conditions. The effectiveness of such procedures, in turn, depends on the correct assessment of the biophysical processes responsible for eliciting this abnormal skin appearance. However, despite the diverse body of existing clinical research involving cyanosis, the interplay between physiological changes and the optical phenomena leading to cyanotic responses remains not fully understood. In this paper, we methodically examine this interplay through controlled in silico experiments. Among other relevant aspects, the results of our experiments demonstrate that Rayleigh scattering, a light attenuation phenomenon overlooked by previous studies on peripheral cyanosis, plays a pivotal role in the manifestation of cyanotic chromatic attributes. We believe that the insights derived from our experiments can contribute to the development of more effective protocols for the screening of medical conditions associated with peripheral cyanosis etiology.
Conservative management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma

AIM Our aim was to review the current literature describing the endoscopic management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Review of published, peer-reviewed articles relating the primary ureteroscopic or percutaneous management of upper tract TCC was performed using the MEDLINE database. RESULTS Historically, the gold-standard management for upper tract TCC consists of nephroureterectomy with excision of a bladder cuff. The employment of endoscopic management with these neoplasms was initially instituted in individuals with imperative indications, including bilateral disease, solitary kidney, and/or renal insufficiency. For individuals treated with ureteroscopy, recurrence rates range from 30 to 71% and cancer-specific survival rates from 50 to 93%. Results are dependent primarily on tumor grade and stage. In individuals with low-stage, low-grade tumors treated percutaneously, recurrence rates, and cancer-specific survival rates are 18-33% and 94-100%, respectively. Adjuvant therapy has been employed with thiotepa, mitomycin, and BCG, but none have been able to demonstrate a statistically significant difference in recurrence or cancer-specific survival rates. CONCLUSIONS Endoscopic management is a safe and effective treatment alternative to nephroureterectomy in the management of upper tract TCC. Survival outcomes are comparable, but renal preservation therapy offers the advantage of reduced morbidity, complications, and the potential for better quality of life. Recurrence and disease progression are not uncommon and underscore the need for strict tumor surveillance.
Synthesis of NoC Interconnects for Multi-core Architectures

As SoC applications demand high performance and integration density, SoC designers consider multiple aspects during the design phase. This paper presents a Network-on-Chip (NoC) design methodology for generating high quality interconnects for multi-core System-on-Chip architectures. The design process incorporates the main objectives of low power and high performance during topology synthesis. A rendezvous interaction performance analysis method is presented where Layered Queuing Network models are invoked to observe the asynchronous interactions between NoC components and identify possible performance degradation within the on-chip multi-core network. Several experiments are conducted using various SoC benchmark applications to compare the power and performance outcomes of our proposed technique.
Dual and Pseudo-Dual in the Arabic Dialects

Almost all known varieties of vernacular Arabic are characterized by a functional and formal split of the old dual morpheme -ayn. It serves as a dual marker when appended to some nouns, as a plural marker with others; the two functions entail morphophonemic, sometimes also phonetic and syntactic, differences. Some of the features studied can be traced back to the ninth century; others are later developments.
BAG2 Interferes with CHIP-Mediated Ubiquitination of HSP72

The maintenance of cellular proteostasis is dependent on molecular chaperones and protein degradation pathways. Chaperones facilitate protein folding, maturation, and degradation, and the particular fate of a misfolded protein is determined by the interaction of chaperones with co-chaperones. The co-factor CHIP (C-terminus of HSP70-inteacting protein, STUB1) ubiquitinates chaperone substrates and directs proteins to the cellular degradation systems. The activity of CHIP is regulated by two co-chaperones, BAG2 and HSPBP1, which are potent inhibitors of the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. Here, we examined the functional correlation of HSP72, CHIP, and BAG2, employing human primary fibroblasts. We showed that HSP72 is a substrate of CHIP and that BAG2 efficiently prevented the ubiquitination of HSP72 in young cells as well as aged cells. Aging is associated with a decline in proteostasis and we observed increased protein levels of CHIP as well as BAG2 in senescent cells. Interestingly, the ubiquitination of HSP72 was strongly reduced during aging, which revealed that BAG2 functionally counteracted the increased levels of CHIP. Interestingly, HSPBP1 protein levels were down-regulated during aging. The data presented here demonstrates that the co-chaperone BAG2 influences HSP72 protein levels and is an important modulator of the ubiquitination activity of CHIP in young as well as aged cells.
Evaluation of accreditation program in non-governmental organizations' health units in Egypt: short-term outcomes.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of accreditation of non-governmental organizations' health units on patient satisfaction and provider satisfaction and the output of accreditation on compliance to some accreditation standards. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Sixty non-governmental health units were selected as follows: 30 units already submitted for accreditation in three governorates and 30 pair-matched units not programmed for accreditation. Matching was done according to the socioeconomic standard and administration type, and from the same governorate. Satisfaction was measured by an interview questionnaire using the Likert scale. Assessment of compliance to some accreditation standards was done using a checklist. RESULTS Mean patient satisfaction scores were significantly higher among the accredited non-governmental health units regarding: cleanliness, waiting area, waiting time, unit staff and overall satisfaction. No significant differences were noticed in provider satisfaction except for the overall satisfaction score. Most of the checked standards had compliance above 90% in the accredited units and were significantly higher than in the non-accredited units. CONCLUSION Accreditation of the non-governmental health units has a positive effect regarding patient satisfaction and the continuation of performance according to the accreditation standards compared with non-accredited health units. This short-term effect was shown within the first year from accreditation. Future research is needed to assess long duration effects of applying accreditation in non-governmental health units.
Clustering Affective Qualities of Classical Music: Beyond the Valence-Arousal Plane

The important role of the valence and arousal dimensions in representing and recognizing affective qualities in music is well established. There is less evidence for the contribution of secondary dimensions such as potency, tension and energy. In particular, previous studies failed to find significant relations between computable musical features and affective dimensions other than valence and arousal. Here we present two experiments aiming at assessing how musical features, directly computable from complex audio excerpts, are related to secondary emotion dimensions. To this aim, we imposed some constraints on the musical features, namely modality and tempo, of the stimuli.The results show that although arousal and valence dominate for many musical features, it is possible to identify features, in particular Roughness, Loudness, and SpectralFlux, that are significantly related to the potency dimension. As far as we know, this is the first study that gained more insight into the affective potency in the music domain by using real music recordings and a computational approach.
The Museum Wearable: real-time sensor-driven understanding of visitors' interests for personalized visually-augmented museum experiences

This paper describes the museum wearable: a wearabl e computer which orchestrates an audiovisual narration as a function of the visitor's interests gathered from his/her physical path in the museum and length of stops. The wearable is made by a lightweight and small computer that people carry inside a shoulder pack. It offers an audiovisual augmentation of the surrounding environment using a small, lightweight eye-piece display (often called private-eye) attached to conventional headphones. Using custom built infrared location sensors distributed in the museum space, and statistical mathematical modeling, the museum wearable builds a progressively refined user model and uses it to deliver a personalized audiovisual narration to the visitor. This device will enrich and personalize the museum visit as a visual and auditory storyteller that is able to adapt its story to the audience's interests and guide the public through the path of the exhibit.
Role of Inflammatory Mediators in the Pathogenesis of Epilepsy

Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic brain disorders worldwide, affecting 1% of people across different ages and backgrounds. Epilepsy is defined as the sporadic occurrence of spontaneous recurrent seizures. Accumulating preclinical and clinical evidence suggest that there is a positive feedback cycle between epileptogenesis and brain inflammation. Epileptic seizures increase key inflammatory mediators, which in turn cause secondary damage to the brain and increase the likelihood of recurrent seizures. Cytokines and prostaglandins are well-known inflammatory mediators in the brain, and their biosynthesis is enhanced following seizures. Such inflammatory mediators could be therapeutic targets for the development of new antiepileptic drugs. In this review, we discuss the roles of inflammatory mediators in epileptogenesis.
Options for Inactivation, Adjuvant, and Route of Topical Administration of a Killed, Unencapsulated Pneumococcal Whole-Cell Vaccine

ABSTRACT We previously reported that ethanol-killed cells of a noncapsulated strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae, given intranasally with cholera toxin as an adjuvant, protect rats against pneumonia and mice against colonization of the nasopharynx and middle ear by capsulated pneumococci of various serotypes. The acceleration of pneumococcal clearance from the nasopharynx in mice is CD4+ T cell-dependent and interleukin 17A (IL-17A) mediated and can be antibody independent. Here, anticipating human studies, we have demonstrated protection with a new vaccine strain expressing a nonhemolytic derivative of pneumolysin and grown in bovine-free culture medium. Killing the cells with chloroform, trichloroethylene, or beta-propiolactone—all used without postinactivation washing—produced more-potent immunogens than ethanol, and retention of soluble components released from the cells contributed to protection. Two sequential intranasal administrations of as little as 1 μg of protein (total of cellular and soluble combined) protected mice against nasopharyngeal challenge with pneumococci. Nontoxic single and double mutants of Escherichia coli heat-labile toxin were effective as mucosal adjuvants. Protection was induced by the sublingual and buccal routes, albeit requiring larger doses than when given intranasally. Protection was likewise induced transdermally with sonicates of the killed-cell preparation. Thus, this whole-cell antigen can be made and administered in a variety of ways to suit the manufacturer and the vaccination program and is potentially a solution to the need for a low-cost vaccine to reduce the burden of childhood pneumococcal disease in low-income countries.