Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The multiple-dosing pharmacokinetics of artemether, artesunate, and their metabolite dihydroartemisinin in rats

The present study was designed to investigate the multiple-dosing pharmacokinetics of antimalarial drugs artemether (ARM), artesunate (ARS), and their metabolite dihydroartemisinin (DHA) in rats. Rats were randomized into four groups. Two groups of rats received oral doses of ARM or ARS once daily for five consecutive days. And another two groups of rats were given a single oral dose of ARM or ARS. Plasma samples were analysed for artemisinin drugs and their active metabolite DHA, using a validated liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) method. ARM and ARS could be biotransformed to metabolite DHA almost immediately after oral administration to rats. The area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC0–t) of ARM after 5-day oral doses significantly decreased from 50.3 to 23.4 ng×h/mL (P < 0.05), and oral clearance (CL/F) of ARM increased from 10.5 to 27.2 L/min/kg (P < 0.05). The AUC0–t of its metabolite DHA of ARM significantly decreased from 42.1 to 16.4 ng×h/mL (P < 0.05), and its CL/F increased from 11.7 to 33.4 L/min/kg (P < 0.05). The 5-day oral doses of ARS did not result in significant changes (P > 0.05) in pharmacokinetic parameters of ARS, whereas its metabolite DHA exhibited lower AUC (P = 0.05), compared with that obtained after a single oral administration. The results showed ARM and its metabolite DHA exhibited time-dependent pharmacokinetic characteristics with decreased plasma drug level after five consecutive days of oral administration to rats, whereas ARS and its metabolite DHA did not show similar characteristics.
Health Problems and Risk Factors Associated with Long Haul Transport of Horses in Australia

Simple Summary Records from road transport of horses from Perth to Sydney over a two year period were analysed to explore the incidence of transport related issues and identify risk factors. Transportation resulted in health problems in 2.8% of the transported horses, and in fatalities in 0.24%. Journey duration and season were risk factors for the development of transport related health problems, while breed, sex and age did not predict disease or injury risk. Overall, this study provides statistics to inform policy development for the equine transport industry and enhance management of the transported horse. Abstract Equine transportation is associated with a variety of serious health disorders causing economic losses. However; statistics on horse transport are limited and epidemiological data on transport related diseases are available only for horses transported to abattoirs for slaughter. This study analysed reports of transport related health problems identified by drivers and horse owners for 180 journeys of an Australian horse transport company transporting horses between Perth and Sydney (~4000 km) in 2013–2015. Records showed that 97.2% (1604/1650) of the horses arrived at their destination with no clinical signs of disease or injury. Based on the veterinary reports of the affected horses; the most common issues were respiratory problems (27%); gastrointestinal problems (27%); pyrexia (19%); traumatic injuries (15%); and death (12%). Journey duration and season had a significant effect on the distribution of transport related issues (p < 0.05); with a marked increase of the proportion of the most severe problems (i.e., gastrointestinal; respiratory problems and death) in spring and after 20 h in transit. Although not statistically significant; elevated disease rate predictions were seen for stallions/colts; horses aged over 10 years; and Thoroughbreds. Overall; the data demonstrate that long haul transportation is a risk for horse health and welfare and requires appropriate management to minimize transport stress.
Health Literacy, Physician Trust, and Diabetes-related Self-care Activities in Hispanics with Limited Resources

Background. Hispanics with diabetes often have deficits in health literacy (HL). We examined the association among HL, psychosocial factors, and diabetes-related self-care activities. Methods. Cross-sectional analysis of 149 patients. Data included patient demographics and validated measures of HL, physician trust, self-efficacy, acculturation, self-care behaviors, and A1c. Results. Participants (N=60) with limited HL were older and less educated, and had more years with diabetes compared with adequate HL participants (N=89). Limited HL participants reported greater trust in their physician, greater self-efficacy, and better diet, foot care, and medication adherence. Health literacy status was not associated with acculturation or A1c. In adjusted analyses, HL status remained associated with physician trust, and we observed a notable but nonsignificant trend between HL status and medication adherence. Discussion. Lower HL was associated with greater physician trust and better medication adherence. Further research is warranted to clarify the role of HL and physician trust in optimizing self-care for Hispanics.
Synthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in preterm newborns fed formula with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

BACKGROUND Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPs) that play pivotal roles in growth and neurodevelopment. OBJECTIVE We aimed to quantify the synthesis of LCPs in preterm infants fed infant formula containing LCPs. DESIGN Twenty-two preterm infants were randomly assigned to either the no-LCP group (fed formula without LCPs; n = 11) or the LCP group (fed formula with LCPs; n = 11). Dietary LCPs had higher (13)C content than did the endogenously synthesized LCPs, which were derived from linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids. The (13)C content of major selected plasma fatty acids was measured by using gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry at birth and at age 1, 3, and 7 mo. Absolute LCP synthesis and the percentage of LCP synthesis relative to dietary intake were calculated. RESULTS Percentage AA synthesis was 67.2 +/- 7.8%, 35.9 +/- 9.8%, and 29.0 +/- 10.3%, and that of DHA was 41.7 +/- 14.9%, 10.5 +/- 8.1%, and 7.4 +/- 6.2% at 1, 3, and 7 mo old, respectively. Absolute AA synthesis was 26.7 +/- 4.2, 14.4 +/- 3.9, and 11.6 +/- 4.1 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) and that of DHA was 12.6 +/- 4.5, 3.2 +/- 2.5, and 2.3 +/- 1.9 mg x kg(-1) . d(-1) at 1, 3, and 7 mo old, respectively. AA and DHA synthesis decreased significantly (P < 0.01) with time, and AA synthesis was significantly (P < 0.01) greater than DHA synthesis. CONCLUSIONS By this novel approach, we measured endogenous LCP synthesis in infants receiving dietary LCPs over long periods. By age 7 mo, LCP synthesis was dramatically lower in preterm infants fed LCPs.
Type III Polyglandular Autoimmune Syndromes in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

INTRODUCTION Type III Polyglandular Autoimmune Syndrome (PAS III) is composed of autoimmune thyroid diseases associated with endocrinopathy other than adrenal insufficiency. This syndrome is associated with organ-specific and organ-nonspecific or systemic autoimmune diseases. The frequency of PAS syndromes in diabetic children is unknown. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of PAS III in children with diabetes mellitus type 1. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study consisted of 461 patients with diabetes mellitus type 1(T1DM), who were 1-19 years of age. TSH, free thyroxin, TPO autoantibodies, and thyroglobulin autoantibodies were determined annually. Autoimmune Hashimoto's thyroiditis was diagnosed in children with positive tests for TPO Ab and Tg Ab and thyroid parenchymal hypogenicity in the ultrasound investigation. Elevated TSI antibodies were used to diagnose Graves' disease. Additionally, Anti-Endomysial Antibodies IgA class were determined every year as screening for celiac disease. During clinical control, other autoimmune diseases were diagnosed. Adrenal function was examined by the diurnal rhythm of cortisol. RESULTS PAS III was diagnosed in 14.5% children: PAS IIIA (T1DM and autoimmune thyroiditis) was recognized in 11.1 % and PAS III C (T1DM and other autoimmune disorders: celiac disease, and JIA, psoriasis and vitiligo) in 3.5% children. PAS IIIA was more prevalent in girls than in boys - 78.4% versus 21.6% (p<0.05). PAS III was observed between 1-5 years of life in 66.6% children; the frequency decreased in consecutive years and successively increased in the adolescence period to 22.7%. CONCLUSIONS PAS III occurs in 14.5% of children with DM type1 and the incidence is positively correlated with patients' age and female gender. Children with PAS III should be carefully monitored as a group at risk for the development of other autoimmune diseases.
The Mechanism of Orientation Selectivity in Primary Visual Cortex without a Functional Map

Neurons in primary visual cortex (V1) display substantial orientation selectivity even in species where V1 lacks an orientation map, such as in mice and rats. The mechanism underlying orientation selectivity in V1 with such a salt-and-pepper organization is unknown; it is unclear whether a connectivity that depends on feature similarity is required, or a random connectivity suffices. Here we argue for the latter. We study the response to a drifting grating of a network model of layer 2/3 with random recurrent connectivity and feedforward input from layer 4 neurons with random preferred orientations. We show that even though the total feedforward and total recurrent excitatory and inhibitory inputs all have a very weak orientation selectivity, strong selectivity emerges in the neuronal spike responses if the network operates in the balanced excitation/inhibition regime. This is because in this regime the (large) untuned components in the excitatory and inhibitory contributions approximately cancel. As a result the untuned part of the input into a neuron as well as its modulation with orientation and time all have a size comparable to the neuronal threshold. However, the tuning of the F0 and F1 components of the input are uncorrelated and the high-frequency fluctuations are not tuned. This is reflected in the subthreshold voltage response. Remarkably, due to the nonlinear voltage-firing rate transfer function, the preferred orientation of the F0 and F1 components of the spike response are highly correlated.
Psychological Problems and Cigarette Smoking in Tehran University Students in 2010

Background The present study aimed at comparing psychological problems between smoker and non-smoker students and also males and females. Materials and Methods A total of 22 faculty members of public and private universities in Tehran were selected through random sampling and 913 students from the same universities were selected through convenient sampling and enrolled in this study with a 2-step sampling method. Hopkins Symptom Checklist was used for data collection. Results Significant differences were detected between smoker and non-smoker students in Hopkins score, depression, anxiety and somatization. In addition, smoker women gained higher Hopkins scores, somatization, anxiety and interpersonal sensitivity scores compared to smoker males. Conclusion Incidence of signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety and other psychological disorders was higher among smoker individuals. Therefore, smoking control strategies should further focus on this subject.
Klein-Nishina effects in the spectra of non-thermal sources immersed in external radiation fields

We provide a systematic numerical and analytical study of Klein-Nishina (KN) effects in the spectrum produced by a steady-state, non-thermal source where rapidly accelerated electrons cool by emitting synchrotron radiation and Compton up-scattering ambient photons produced outside the source. We focus on the case where q, the ratio of the ambient radiation field to source magnetic field energy densities, significantly exceeds unity. We show that the KN reduction in the electron Compton cooling rate causes the steady-state electron spectrum to harden at energies γ? γ KN , where γ KN = 1/4∈ 0 and ∈ 0 = hv 0 /m e c 2 is the characteristic ambient photon energy. This hardening becomes noticeable in the synchrotron radiation from electrons with energies as low as 0.1 γ KN and changes the synchrotron spectral index relative to its Thomson limit value by as much as Aa ∼0.75 for q >> 1. The source synchrotron spectrum thus shows a high-energy 'bump' or excess, even though the electron acceleration spectrum has no such excess. In contrast, the low-energy Compton gamma-ray spectrum shows little distortion because the electron hardening compensates for the KN decline in the scattering rate. For sufficiently high electron energies, however, Compton cooling becomes so inefficient that synchrotron cooling dominates - an effect omitted in most previous studies. The hardening of the electron distribution thus stops, leading to a rapid decline in Compton gamma-ray emission, i.e. a strong spectral break whose location does not depend on the maximum electron energy. This break can limit the importance of Compton gamma-ray pair production on ambient photons and implies that a source's synchrotron luminosity may exceed its Compton luminosity even though q > 1. We discuss the importance of these KN effects in blazars, micro-quasars and pulsar binaries.
Call for Revolution: A New Approach to Describing Allograft Deterioration

I propose a set of definable entities in the renal transplant course, eliminating the need for the term ‘chronic rejection’. The status of a renal transplant can be defined by the presence and extent of rejection (T‐cell‐mediated or antibody‐mediated); allograft nephropathy (parenchymal atrophy, fibrosis, and fibrous intimal thickening in arteries); transplant glomerulopathy; specific diseases; and factors which could accelerate progression. The level of function and the slope of the loss of function should be separately determined. This approach can be applied both in research and in clinical practice, and can be adapted to other organ transplants.
Regulation of nisin biosynthesis and immunity in Lactococcus lactis 6F3

The biosynthetic genes of the nisin-producing strain Lactococcus lactis 6F3 are organized in an operon-like structure starting with the structural gene nisA followed by the genes nisB, nisT, and nisC, which are probably involved in chemical modification and secretion of the prepeptide (G. Engelke, Z. Gutowski-Eckel, M. Hammelmann, and K.-D. Entian, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 58:3730-3743, 1992). Subcloning of an adjacent 5-kb downstream region revealed additional genes involved in nisin biosynthesis. The gene nisI, which encodes a lipoprotein, causes increased immunity after its transformation into nisin-sensitive L. lactis MG1614. It is followed by the gene nisP, coding for a subtilisin-like serine protease possibly involved in processing of the secreted leader peptide. Adjacent to the 3' end of nisP the genes nisR and nisK were identified, coding for a regulatory protein and a histidine kinase, showing marked similarities to members of the OmpR/EnvZ-like subgroup of two-component regulatory systems. The deduced amino acid sequences of nisR and nisK exhibit marked similarities to SpaR and SpaK, which were recently identified as the response regulator and the corresponding histidine kinase of subtilin biosynthesis. By using antibodies directed against the nisin prepeptide and the NisB protein, respectively, we could show that nisin biosynthesis is regulated by the expression of its structural and biosynthetic genes. Prenisin expression starts in the exponential growth phase and precedes that of the NisB protein by approximately 30 min. Both proteins are expressed to a maximum in the stationary growth phase.
Precision Comparison of Sine Waveforms With Pulse-Driven Josephson Arrays

The equivalence of two sinusoidal waveforms synthesized by pulse-driven Josephson arrays using two Josephson arbitrary waveform synthesizers (JAWS) has been investigated by a direct, high-precision comparison. The arrays are based on double-stacked SNS-type Josephson junctions (superconductor-normal conductor-superconductor) with NbxSi1-x as barrier material. Two arrays, consisting of 4000 junctions each, are arranged on one silicon chip and are connected in opposite voltage direction directly at the chip at 4.2 K. Careful phase tuning between the two JAWS systems allowed the minimization of the residual ac voltage, which was characterized by a fast digitizer and a lock-in amplifier. For an output voltage of 8.8 mV, a difference voltage of 0.14 nV with 0.25 nV uncertainty was measured, i.e., (1.6 ±2.9) × 10-8 in relative units. This result demonstrates the excellent agreement of both voltages and therefore the quantization of the JAWS itself.
Effect of Whole Body Vibration on Human Performance1

The effects of whole-body vibration at frequencies of 5, 7, and 11 c/s from 25–35 per cent of the human tolerance levels (defined by amplitude levels within each frequency) are to seriously reduce operator efficiency in performing tasks representative of those encountered in aerospace flight. Within the limits of the vibration conditions studied, the following conclusions were drawn from the research: (1) Decrements in vertical tracking performance ranged from 34 to 14 per cent. (2) Decrements in horizontal tracking performance ranged from 10 to 48 per cent. (3) The magnitude of the tracking performance decrements was related to the magnitude of integrated absolute Gz (output) measured at the sternum. (4) More procedural errors were committed under vibration than under static conditions.
A Heavy Tailed Expectation Maximization Hidden Markov Random Field Model with Applications to Segmentation of MRI

A wide range of segmentation approaches assumes that intensity histograms extracted from magnetic resonance images (MRI) have a distribution for each brain tissue that can be modeled by a Gaussian distribution or a mixture of them. Nevertheless, intensity histograms of White Matter and Gray Matter are not symmetric and they exhibit heavy tails. In this work, we present a hidden Markov random field model with expectation maximization (EM-HMRF) modeling the components using the α-stable distribution. The proposed model is a generalization of the widely used EM-HMRF algorithm with Gaussian distributions. We test the α-stable EM-HMRF model in synthetic data and brain MRI data. The proposed methodology presents two main advantages: Firstly, it is more robust to outliers. Secondly, we obtain similar results than using Gaussian when the Gaussian assumption holds. This approach is able to model the spatial dependence between neighboring voxels in tomographic brain MRI.
Characteristics of Headache in Migraine Without Aura and Episodic Tension-Type Headache in The Turkish Population According to the IHS Classification

We evaluated the characteristics of headache in migraine without aura and episodic tension-type headache diagnosed according to the International Headache Society (IHS) Classification. Fifty migraine without aura and 50 tension-type headache patients were selected prospectively. Fifty-eight percent of migraineurs had pain of a pulsating quality; 88% had severe pain and 74% had unilateral pain; aggravation by routine physical activity was reported by 96%. Episodic tension-type headache was of a pressing quality in 52%, moderate in 40%, bilateral in 82% and aggravated by routine physical activity in 16%. Nausea and/or vomiting, photophobia and phonophobia were reported significantly more commonly in migraineurs than tension-type headache patients.
Expression of Xylella fastidiosa Fimbrial and Afimbrial Proteins during Biofilm Formation

ABSTRACT Complete sequencing of the Xylella fastidiosa genome revealed characteristics that have not been described previously for a phytopathogen. One characteristic of this genome was the abundance of genes encoding proteins with adhesion functions related to biofilm formation, an essential step for colonization of a plant host or an insect vector. We examined four of the proteins belonging to this class encoded by genes in the genome of X. fastidiosa: the PilA2 and PilC fimbrial proteins, which are components of the type IV pili, and XadA1 and XadA2, which are afimbrial adhesins. Polyclonal antibodies were raised against these four proteins, and their behavior during biofilm development was assessed by Western blotting and immunofluorescence assays. In addition, immunogold electron microscopy was used to detect these proteins in bacteria present in xylem vessels of three different hosts (citrus, periwinkle, and hibiscus). We verified that these proteins are present in X. fastidiosa biofilms but have differential regulation since the amounts varied temporally during biofilm formation, as well as spatially within the biofilms. The proteins were also detected in bacteria colonizing the xylem vessels of infected plants.
NEUROSECRETION OF CRUSTACEAN HYPERGLYCEMIC HORMONE EVOKED BY AXONAL STIMULATION OR ELEVATION OF SALINE K+ CONCENTRATION QUANTIFIED BY A SENSITIVE IMMUNOASSAY METHOD

A sandwich-type enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was utilized to quantify crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (as Carcinus maenas equivalents) released by single X-organ­sinus gland systems of the crab Cardisoma carnifex during continuous perifusion. Basal rates of secretion (20­60 pg min-1) were stable for at least 4 h. Electrical stimulation (600 stimuli in 5 min) of the axon tract increased secretion two- to threefold, but only if it resulted in neural activity that was propagated to the terminals of the sinus gland. No difference was observable when stimuli were given repetitively or as a series of trains. Perifusion with saline having ten times the normal K+ concentration augmented secretion by as much as fivefold. Augmented secretion of crustacean hyperglycemic hormone evoked by either electrical or K+ stimulation appeared abruptly but declined slowly (over tens of minutes) after stimulation was stopped. K+-evoked secretion of crustacean hyperglycemic hormone was maintained without decrement for at least 1 h. Basal secretion increased in saline from which Ca2+ had been omitted, but decreased in saline containing Mn2+. Neither electrical stimulation nor high [K+] augmented secretion in Ca2+-deficient saline or if Mn2+ was present. Introduction of Mn2+ during K+-evoked secretion immediately reduced release to unstimulated levels; secretion resumed promptly upon removal of Mn2+. Tetrodotoxin reversibly blocked both electrical and secretory responses to axonal stimulation, but it did not block basal or K+-evoked secretion. Release of crustacean hyperglycemic hormone by isolated axon terminals was augmented two- to threefold by perifusion with saline having ten times the normal K+ concentration. The responses were similar to those of the intact systems, having a rapid onset, well-maintained secretion and a long 'tail' of secretion after removal of the K+ stimulus.
[Cholecystectomy in Norway 1990-2002].

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to investigate cholecystectomy incidence and laparoscopy rates in Norway (1990-2002). METHODS Data were compiled from the Norwegian Patient Registry based on codes for cholecystectomy. RESULTS From 1990 to 2000-02, age-adjusted incidence rate (per 10,000 inhabitants) for cholecystectomy increased from 2.9 to 4.1 for men and from 7.0 to 11.8 for women. Incidence rates varied between counties. The proportion undergoing laparoscopic surgery increased from 1% in 1990 to 89% in 2000-02. Over the same period the length of postoperative inpatient stay decreased from 7.3 days to 3.3 days. 94% of electively admitted patients were operated by laparoscopic technique in 2000-02. Among patients admitted on an emergency basis, women below 50 were more often operated by laparoscopic technique than older women and men. CONCLUSION Substantial changes in the treatment of gallstone disease occurred in Norway over the period 1990 -2002. Increased incidence rates for cholecystectomy and reduced length of postoperative inpatient stay were observed after the introduction of cholecystectomy by laparoscopic technique.