Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation about wettability, water absorption or swelling of excipients through various methods and the correlation between these parameters and tablet disintegration

Abstract Objective: To evaluate parameters about wettability, water absorption or swelling of excipients in forms of powders or dosage through various methods systematically and explore its correlation with tablet disintegration. Material and methods: The water penetration and swelling of powders with different proportions of excipients including microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), mannitol, low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose (L-HPC), crospolyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPP), carboxymethyl starch sodium (CMS-Na), croscarmellose sodium (CCMC-Na) and magnesium stearate (MgSt) were determined by Washburn capillary rise. Both contact angle of water on the excipient compacts and surface swelling volume were measured by sessile drop technique. Moreover, the test about water absorption and swelling of compacts was fulfilled by a modified method. Eventually, the disintegration of tablets with or without loratadine was performed according to the method described in USP. Results and discussion: These parameters were successfully identified by the methods above, which proved that excipient wettability or swelling properties varied with the structure of excipients. For example, MgSt could improve the water uptake, while impeded tablet swelling. Furthermore, in the present study it is verified that tablet disintegration was closely related to these parameters, especially wetting rate and initial water absorption rate. The higher wetting rate of water on tablet or initial water absorption rate, the faster swelling it be, resulting in the shorter tablet disintegration time. Conclusion: The methods utilized in the present study were feasible and effective. The disintegration of tablets did relate to these parameters, especially wetting rate and initial water absorption rate.
Understanding band gaps of solids in generalized Kohn–Sham theory

Significance Semiconductors and insulators have a fundamental energy gap and absorb light at a continuum of photon energies above this gap. They also have a band structure of one-electron energies, and a band gap separating unoccupied from occupied one-electron states. When should these gaps be equal? It is known that they are not equal in the exact Kohn–Sham density-functional theory but are equal in commonly used density-functional approximations, such as the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). We show here that they are also equal (and improved) in higher level approximations, such as the meta-GGA or the hybrid of GGA with exact exchange, when the effective one-electron potential is not constrained to be a multiplication operator. The fundamental energy gap of a periodic solid distinguishes insulators from metals and characterizes low-energy single-electron excitations. However, the gap in the band structure of the exact multiplicative Kohn–Sham (KS) potential substantially underestimates the fundamental gap, a major limitation of KS density-functional theory. Here, we give a simple proof of a theorem: In generalized KS theory (GKS), the band gap of an extended system equals the fundamental gap for the approximate functional if the GKS potential operator is continuous and the density change is delocalized when an electron or hole is added. Our theorem explains how GKS band gaps from metageneralized gradient approximations (meta-GGAs) and hybrid functionals can be more realistic than those from GGAs or even from the exact KS potential. The theorem also follows from earlier work. The band edges in the GKS one-electron spectrum are also related to measurable energies. A linear chain of hydrogen molecules, solid aluminum arsenide, and solid argon provide numerical illustrations.
Pyrin Inflammasome Regulates Tight Junction Integrity to Restrict Colitis and Tumorigenesis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) increase risk for colorectal cancer. Mutations in the Mediterranean fever gene (MEFV or pyrin) are associated with hereditary autoinflammatory disease and severe IBD. Expression of MEFV, a sensor protein that the initiates assembly of the inflammasome complex, is increased in colon biopsies from patients with IBD. We investigated the role of pyrin in intestinal homeostasis in mice. METHODS Mefv-/- mice and C57/BL6 mice (controls) were given azoxymethane followed by multiple rounds of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) to induce colitis and tumorigenesis. In some experiments, Mefv-/- mice were given injections of recombinant interleukin 18 (rIL18) or saline (control) during DSS administration. Colon tissues were collected at different time points during colitis development and analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry, immunoblots, or ELISAs (to measure cytokines). Spleen and mesenteric lymph node were collected, processed, and analyzed by flow cytometry. Colon epithelial permeability was measured in mice with colitis by gavage of fluorescent dextran and quantification of serum levels. RESULTS MEFV was expressed in colons of control mice and expression increased during chronic and acute inflammation; high levels were detected in colon tumor and adjacent non-tumor tissues. Mefv-/- mice developed more severe colitis than control mice, with a greater extent of epithelial hyperplasia and a larger tumor burden. Levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL6) and chemokines were significantly higher in colons of Mefv-/- mice than control mice following colitis induction, whereas the level IL18, which depends on the inflammasome for maturation and release, was significantly lower in colons of Mefv-/- mice. Mefv-/- mice had increased epithelial permeability following administration of DSS than control mice, and loss of the tight junction proteins occludin and claudin-2 from intercellular junctions. STAT3 was activated (phosphorylated) in inflamed colon tissues from Mefv-/-, which also had increased expression of stem cell markers (OLFM4, BMI1, and MSI1) compared with colons from control mice. Administration of rIL18 to Mefv-/- mice reduced epithelial permeability, intestinal inflammation, the severity of colitis, and colon tumorigenesis. CONCLUSIONS In studies with DSS-induced colitis, we found that pyrin (MEFV) is required for inflammasome activation and IL18 maturation, which promote intestinal barrier integrity and prevent colon inflammation and tumorigenesis. Strategies to increase activity of MEFV or IL18 might be developed for the treatment of IBD and prevention of colitis-associated tumorigenesis.
A histopathological classification system of Tyr::NRASQ61K murine melanocytic lesions: A reproducible simplified classification

Genetically engineered mouse models offer essential opportunities to investigate the mechanisms of initiation and progression in melanoma. Here, we report a new simplified histopathology classification of mouse melanocytic lesions in Tyr::NRASQ61K derived models, using an interactive decision tree that produces homogeneous categories. Reproducibility for this classification system was evaluated on a panel of representative cases of murine melanocytic lesions by pathologists and basic scientists. Reproducibility, measured as inter‐rater agreement between evaluators using a modified Fleiss’ kappa statistic, revealed a very good agreement between observers. Should this new simplified classification be adopted, it would create a robust system of communication between researchers in the field of mouse melanoma models.
Floral Development at Multiple Spatial Scales in Polygonum jucundum (Polygonaceae), a Distylous Species with Broadly Open Flowers

Distyly, a special polymorph, has evolved in many groups of angiosperms and has attracted attention since Darwin’s time. Development studies on distylous taxa have helped us to understand the evolutionary process of this polymorph, but most of these studies focus on species with narrowly tubular corolla. Here, we studied the floral development of Polygonum jucundum, a distylous species with broadly open flowers, at multiple spatial scales. Results showed that the difference in stigma height between flowers of the two morphs was caused by differences in style growth throughout the entire floral development process. The observed difference in anther heights between the two morphs was because the filaments grew faster in short-styled (SS) than in long-styled (LS) flowers in the later stages of floral development. In addition, the longer styles in LS flowers than in SS flowers was because of faster cell division in the early stages of floral development. However, SS flowers had longer filaments than LS flowers primarily because of greater cell elongation. These results indicate that floral development in P. jucundum differs from that of distylous taxa with floral tubes shown in previous studies. Further, we conclude that the presence of distyly in species with open flowers is a result of convergent evolution.
Once a Utilitarian, Consistently a Utilitarian? Examining Principledness in Moral Judgment via the Robustness of Individual Differences.

Although individual differences in the application of moral principles, such as utilitarianism, have been documented, so too have powerful context effects-effects that raise doubts about the durability of people's moral principles. In this article, we examine the robustness of individual differences in moral judgment by examining them across time and across different decision contexts. In Study 1, consistency in utilitarian judgment of 122 adult participants was examined over two different survey sessions. In Studies 2A and 2B, large samples (Ns = 130 and 327, respectively) of adult participants made a series of 32 moral judgments across eight different contexts that are known to affect utilitarian endorsement. Contrary to some contemporary theorizing, our results reveal a strong degree of consistency in moral judgment. Across time and experimental manipulations of context, individuals maintained their relative standing on utilitarianism, and aggregated moral decisions reached levels of near-perfect consistency. Results support the view that on at least one dimension (utilitarianism), people's moral judgments are robustly consistent, with context effects tailoring the application of principles to the particulars of any given moral judgment.
Dairy Protein Supplementation Modulates the Human Skeletal Muscle microRNA Response to Lower Limb Immobilization

Limb immobilization results in a rapid loss of muscle size and strength. The resultant alterations in signaling pathways governing myogenesis, catabolism, and mitochondrial biogenesis are likely to include posttranscriptional regulation mediated by altered microRNAs (miRNAs). Given that protein ingestion exerts an anabolic action and may act as a countermeasure to mitigate muscle loss with immobilization, it is important to examine miRNA in this context. The objective of the study is therefore to characterize the vastus lateralis miRNA response to 14 days of disuse in males (45-60 years) randomized to receive supplementation with 20 g d-1 of dairy protein (n = 12) or isocaloric carbohydrate placebo (n = 13). Biopsies are collected before and after a 2-week immobilization period. Of the 24 miRNAs previously identified in myogenic regulation, seven (miR-133a, -206, -15a, -451a, -126, -208b, and let-7e) are increased with immobilization irrespective of group; five (miR-16, -494, let-7a, -7c, and 7d) increased only in the carbohydrate group; and eight (miR-1, -486, -23a, -23b, -26a, -148b, let-7b, and -7g) are divergently expressed between groups (suppressed with protein). The ability of protein supplementation to differentially regulate miRNAs involved in key muscle regulatory pathways following short-term limb immobilization reflects potential protective function in mitigating muscle loss during limb immobilization.
Apixaban and Rosuvastatin Pharmacokinetics in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

There is little known about the impact of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on drug metabolism and transport. We examined the pharmacokinetics of oral apixaban (2.5 mg) and rosuvastatin (5 mg) when administered simultaneously in subjects with magnetic resonance imaging–confirmed NAFLD (N = 22) and healthy control subjects (N = 12). The area under the concentration-time curve to the last sampling time (AUC0–12) values for apixaban were not different between control and NAFLD subjects (671 and 545 ng/ml × hour, respectively; P = 0.15). Similarly, the AUC0–12 values for rosuvastatin did not differ between the control and NAFLD groups (25.4 and 20.1 ng/ml × hour, respectively; P = 0.28). Furthermore, hepatic fibrosis in NAFLD subjects was not associated with differences in apixaban or rosuvastatin pharmacokinetics. Decreased systemic exposures for both apixaban and rosuvastatin were associated with increased body weight (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). In multivariable linear regression analyses, only participant weight but not NAFLD, age, or SLCO1B1/ABCG2/CYP3A5 genotypes, was associated with apixaban and rosuvastatin AUC0–12 (P < 0.001 and P = 0.06, respectively). NAFLD does not appear to affect the pharmacokinetics of apixaban or rosuvastatin.
P3 Event-Related Potential Reactivity to Smoking Cues: Relations With Craving, Tobacco Dependence, and Alcohol Sensitivity in Young Adult Smokers

The current study tested whether the amplitude of the P3 event-related potential (ERP) elicited by smoking cues is (a) associated with the degree of self-reported craving reactivity, and (b) moderated by degree of tobacco dependence. Because alcohol and cigarettes are frequently used together, and given recent evidence indicating that individual differences in alcohol sensitivity influence reactivity to alcohol cues, we also investigated whether alcohol sensitivity moderated neural responses to smoking cues. ERPs were recorded from young adult smokers (N = 90) while they participated in an evaluative categorization oddball task involving 3 types of targets: neutral images, smoking-related images, and images of drinking straws. Participants showing larger P3 amplitudes to smoking cues and to straw cues (relative to neutral targets) reported greater increases in craving after cue exposure. Neither smoking status (daily vs. occasional use) nor psychometric measures of tobacco dependence consistently or specifically moderated P3 reactivity to smoking cues. Lower alcohol sensitivity was associated with larger P3 to smoking cues but not comparison straw cues (relative to neutral targets). This effect was further moderated by tobacco dependence, with the combination of lower sensitivity and higher dependence associated with especially pronounced P3 reactivity to smoking cues. The findings suggest the smoking-cue elicited P3 ERP component indexes an approach-oriented incentive motivational state accompanied by a subjective sense of cigarette craving. Self-reported low sensitivity to the pharmacologic effects of alcohol may represent a marker of drug cue reactivity and therefore deserves attention as a potential moderator in smoking cue exposure studies.
Waist to Height Ratio Is an Independent Predictor for the Incidence of Chronic Kidney Disease

Objective Obesity is a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease. The association between waist to height ratio (WheiR) and CKD is unclear. This study evaluated the association between WheiR and CKD. Design and Methods In this longitudinal cohort study, 4841 Japanese workers (3686 males, 1155 females) 18 to 67 years of age in 2008 were followed up until 2011. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate of <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation for Japanese) or dipstick proteinuria (≥1+). Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the relationship between WheiR and development of CKD. Results A total of 384 (7.9%) participants (300 men and 84 women) were found to have new CKD. The incidence of CKD was 13.7, 24.2, 37.9 and 43.7 per 1000 person-years of follow-up in the lowest, second, third and highest quartiles of WheiR, respectively. After adjustment for potential confounders, the adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for CKD were 1.00 (reference), 1.23 (0.85, 1.78), 1.59 (1.11, 2.26) and 1.62 (1.13, 2.32) through the quartiles of WheiR, respectively. WheiR had a significant predictive value for the incidence of both proteinuria and low estimated glomerular filtration rate. After subdivision according to gender, the relationship between WheiR and the incidence of CKD was statistically significant in the unadjusted model. However, after adjusting for potential confounders, WheiR was significantly associated with the incidence of CKD in females, whereas it was not significant in males. Conclusions WheiR, which is commonly used as an index of central obesity, is associated with CKD. There was a significant gender difference in the relationship between CKD and WheiR.
A Multilocus Species Delimitation Reveals a Striking Number of Species of Coralline Algae Forming Maerl in the OSPAR Maritime Area

Maerl beds are sensitive biogenic habitats built by an accumulation of loose-lying, non-geniculate coralline algae. While these habitats are considered hot-spots of marine biodiversity, the number and distribution of maerl-forming species is uncertain because homoplasy and plasticity of morphological characters are common. As a result, species discrimination based on morphological features is notoriously challenging, making these coralline algae the ideal candidates for a DNA barcoding study. Here, mitochondrial (COI-5P DNA barcode fragment) and plastidial (psbA gene) sequence data were used in a two-step approach to delimit species in 224 collections of maerl sampled from Svalbard (78°96’N) to the Canary Islands (28°64’N) that represented 10 morphospecies from four genera and two families. First, the COI-5P dataset was analyzed with two methods based on distinct criteria (ABGD and GMYC) to delineate 16 primary species hypotheses (PSHs) arranged into four major lineages. Second, chloroplast (psbA) sequence data served to consolidate these PSHs into 13 secondary species hypotheses (SSHs) that showed biologically plausible ranges. Using several lines of evidence (e.g. morphological characters, known species distributions, sequences from type and topotype material), six SSHs were assigned to available species names that included the geographically widespread Phymatolithon calcareum, Lithothamnion corallioides, and L. glaciale; possible identities of other SSHs are discussed. Concordance between SSHs and morphospecies was minimal, highlighting the convenience of DNA barcoding for an accurate identification of maerl specimens. Our survey indicated that a majority of maerl forming species have small distribution ranges and revealed a gradual replacement of species with latitude.
Intensive Care Admissions for Severe Chikungunya Virus Infection, French Polynesia

During the 2014–2015 chikungunya outbreak in French Polynesia, 64 patients with confirmed chikungunya virus infection were admitted into intensive care. Sixty-three were nonpregnant adults; 11 had an atypical form, 21 had severe sepsis or septic shock, and 18 died. These findings indicate that critical illness frequently complicates the course of chikungunya virus infection.
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Chronically Impairs Sleep- and Wake-Dependent Emotional Processing

Study Objectives A single traumatic brain injury (TBI), even when mild (ie, concussion), can cause lasting consequences. Individuals with a history of chronic (>1-year prior) mild TBI have an increased risk of mood disturbances (eg, depression, suicide). This population also has lingering sleep alterations, including poor sleep quality and changes in sleep stage proportions. Given these sleep deficits, we aimed to test whether sleep-dependent emotional memory consolidation is reduced in this population. We utilized a mild TBI group (3.7 ± 2.9 years post injury) and an uninjured (non-TBI) population. Methods Participants viewed negative and neutral images both before and after a 12-hour period containing sleep ("Sleep" group) or an equivalent period of time spent awake ("Wake" group). Participants rated images for valence/arousal at both sessions, and memory recognition was tested at session two. Results The TBI group had less rapid eye movement (REM), longer REM latency, and more sleep complaints. Sleep-dependent memory consolidation of nonemotional images was present in all participants. However, consolidation of negative images was only present in the non-TBI group. A lack of differentiation between the TBI Sleep and Wake groups was due to poor performance in the sleep group and, unexpectedly, enhanced performance in the wake group. Additionally, although the non-TBI participants habituated to negative images over a waking period, the TBI participants did not. Conclusions We propose disrupted sleep- and wake-dependent emotional processing contributes to poor emotional outcomes following chronic, mild TBI. This work has broad implications, as roughly one-third of the US population will sustain a mild TBI during their lifetime.
Comprehensive Gas Chromatography: Food and Metabolomocs Applications

ABSTRACT Since the comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) technique is becoming more and more available for scientists as well as for laboratories performing routine analyses, the most successful field of applications are petrochemical, food and essential oil analysis. However, this technique coupled with TOF-MS (P.1, l. 27) could be even more successfully used in the field of metabolomics. The review presents briefly the concept of comprehensive 2D GC and the principles of the technique. Certain specific applications are discussed to show the usefulness of GC × GC combined with different detectors for determination of compounds not always easy to measure with other techniques.
Proteomic Analysis of MG132-Treated Germinating Pollen Reveals Expression Signatures Associated with Proteasome Inhibition

Chemical inhibition of the proteasome has been previously found to effectively impair pollen germination and tube growth in vitro. However, the mediators of these effects at the molecular level are unknown. By performing 2DE proteomic analysis, 24 differentially expressed protein spots, representing 14 unique candidate proteins, were identified in the pollen of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) germinated in the presence of the MG132 proteasome inhibitor. qPCR analysis revealed that 11 of these proteins are not up-regulated at the mRNA level, but are most likely stabilized by proteasome inhibition. These differentially expressed proteins are predicted to function in various pathways including energy and lipid metabolism, cell wall synthesis, protein synthesis/degradation and stress responses. In line with this evidence, the MG132-induced changes in the proteome were accompanied by an increase in ATP and ROS content and by an alteration in fatty acid composition.