Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alpha- and Beta-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes with 5-Fluorouracil: Characterization and Cytotoxic Activity Evaluation

Cyclodextrins are natural macrocyclic oligosaccharides able to form inclusion complexes with a wide variety of guests, affecting their physicochemical and pharmaceutical properties. In order to obtain an improvement of the bioavailability and solubility of 5-fluorouracil, a pyrimidine analogue used as chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of the colon, liver, and stomac cancers, the drug was complexed with alpha- and beta-cyclodextrin. The inclusion complexes were prepared in the solid state by kneading method and characterized by Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffractometry. In solution, the 1:1 stoichiometry for all the inclusion complexes was established by the Job plot method and the binding constants were determined at different pHs by UV-VIS titration. Furthermore, the cytotoxic activity of 5-fluorouracil and its complexation products were evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on MCF-7 (breast cancer cell line), Hep G2 (hepatocyte carcinoma cell line), Caco-2 (colon adenocarcinoma cell line), and A-549 (alveolar basal epithelial carcinoma cell line). The results showed that both inclusion complexes increased the 5-fluorouracil capability of inhibiting cell growth. In particular, 5-fluorouracil complexed with beta-cyclodextrin had the highest cytotoxic activity on MCF-7; with alpha-cyclodextrin the highest cytotoxic activity was observed on A-549. The IC50 values were equal to 31 and 73 µM at 72 h, respectively. Our results underline the possibility of using these inclusion complexes in pharmaceutical formulations for improving 5-fluorouracil therapeutic efficacy.
Hydrologic Evaluation of Six High Resolution Satellite Precipitation Products in Capturing Extreme Precipitation and Streamflow over a Medium-Sized Basin in China

Satellite precipitation products (SPPs) are critical data sources for hydrological prediction and extreme event monitoring, especially for ungauged basins. This study conducted a comprehensive hydrological evaluation of six mainstream SPPs (i.e., TMPA 3B42RT, CMORPH-RT, PERSIANN-RT, TMPA 3B42V7, CMORPH-CRT, and PERSIANN-CDR) over humid Xixian basin in central eastern China for a period of 14 years (2000–2013). The evaluation specifically focused on the performance of the six SSPs in capturing precipitation and streamflow extremes. Results show that the two post-real-time research products of TMPA 3B42V7 and CMORPH-CRT exhibit much better performance than that of their corresponding real-time SPPs for precipitation estimation at daily and monthly time scales. By contrast, the newly released post-real-time research product PERSIANN-CDR insignificantly improves precipitation estimates compared with the real-time PERSIANN-RT does at daily time scale. The daily streamflow simulation of TMPA 3B42V7 fits best with the observed streamflow series among those of the six SPPs. The three month-to-month gauge-adjusted post-real-time research products can simulate acceptable monthly runoff series. TMPA 3B42V7 and CMORPH-CRT present good performance in capturing precipitation and streamflow extremes, although they still exhibit non-ignorable deviation and occurrence time inconsistency problems compared with gauge-based results. Caution should be observed when using the current TMPA, CMORPH, and PERSIANN products for monitoring and predicting extreme precipitation and flood at such medium-sized basin. This work will be valuable for the utilization of SPPs in extreme precipitation monitoring, streamflow forecasting, and water resource management in other regions with similar climate and topography characteristics.
Some quantitative aspects of the cat's eye: axis and plane of reference, visual field co‐ordinates and optics

The present study grew out of an investigation into the projection of the visual fields on the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) in the cat. The new methods we have developed for studying this projection using single-unit recording and the precision we have found in the projection itself directed our attention to many of the basic problems inherent in the idea of topographical localization in the visual system. The present paper is concerned with an examination of these problems particularly as they pertain to the eye. The nature of the projection of the visual fields on the LGN will be described in the following paper (Bishop, Kozak, Levick & Vakkur, 1962). In order to describe a direction in the visual field a suitable system of co-ordinates is required, the direction being defined in terms of angles from a reference axis and plane. Under experimental conditions the visual field will consist of a tangent screen or perimeter. In addition, the reference axis and plane of the visual field co-ordinate system must be defined in relation to the projection of retinal landmarks into the visual field. Unless this is the case the nature of the projection of the visual fields on to the brain centres will vary with the position of the eyes. Thus the orientation of the eyeballs should be known and for this purpose an axis and plane of reference for the eye must be defined in relation to appropriate retinal landmarks. Even before the development of vision the direction of gravity provided the vertical co-ordinate as the basic reference for the orientation of the organism in its environment. The development of vision, particularly binocular vision, has added a second fundamental reference, namely the horizontal co-ordinate determined visually from the horizon. The direction of gravity and the plane of the horizon are the axis and plane of reference used by the animal in its interpretation of the visual world. If our system
Acceptance and expectance: Cultural norms for alcohol use in Denmark

Alcohol consumption levels in Denmark are high with the risk of increased morbidity and mortality in the population. It is suggested that people's views of “normal” use of alcohol must be the platform for formulating effective alcohol education and prevention strategies. However, little is known about the cultural norms for alcohol use. The aim of this article is to examine the perceptions of cultural norms for alcohol use in Denmark among different age groups and the similarities and differences between the groups, including examining how people construct and negotiate the cultural norms for drinking. Five focus group interviews were conducted with one group per the following age groups: 16–20; 21–34; 35–44; 45–64; and 65–82. These groups consisted of both men and women with five to six participants in each group (a total of 27). Thematic analysis was performed with the aim of developing themes that reflected the cultural norms for alcohol use. The unifying theme of this research was Danish people's acceptance and expectance of social drinking. Alcohol is widely accepted and associated with mutual expectations to drink, leading to identification of cultural influences and facilitation to drink. The social drinking context plays an important role in people's perceptions of the normality of drinking. This includes the selection of particular beverages, and regularly leads to consumption above the recommended levels for low risk to health. This calls for public health attention that promotes low risk drinking in the social context and aims to prevent and reduce serious alcohol-related harm and health problems across the population.
Catestatin is useful in detecting patients with stage B heart failure

Screening patients with stage B heart failure(HF) may be one strategy for reducing human morbidity. To describe catestatin levels in different stages of HF and evaluate the diagnostic utility of catestatin for detecting stage B HF, we included 300 patients. Catestatin, BNP testing and echocardiogram were performed. Our studies showed catestatin decreased gradually from stage A to C. There was significant difference between stage A and B. Cutoff value for detecting stage B HF was 19.73 ng/ml for catestatin with 90% sensitivity and 50.9% specificity. These results may have implications in the new method to detect patients with stage B HF.
Characterization of drug-resistant influenza A(H7N9) variants isolated from an oseltamivir-treated patient in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND Patients contracting influenza A(H7N9) infection often developed severe disease causing respiratory failure. Neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors (NAIs) are the primary option for treatment, but information on drug-resistance markers for influenza A(H7N9) is limited. METHODS Four NA variants of A/Taiwan/1/2013(H7N9) virus containing a single substitution (NA-E119V, NA-I222K, NA-I222R, or NA-R292K) recovered from an oseltamivir-treated patient were tested for NAI susceptibility in vitro; their replicative fitness was evaluated in cell culture, mice, and ferrets. RESULTS NA-R292K led to highly reduced inhibition by oseltamivir and peramivir, while NA-E119V, NA-I222K, and NA-I222R caused reduced inhibition by oseltamivir. Mice infected with any virus showed severe clinical signs with high mortality rates. NA-I222K virus was the most virulent in mice, whereas virus lacking NA change (NA-WT) and NA-R292K virus seemed the least virulent. Sequence analysis suggests that PB2-S714N increased virulence of NA-I222K virus in mice; NS1-K126R, alone or in combination with PB2-V227M, produced contrasting effects in NA-WT and NA-R292K viruses. In ferrets, all viruses replicated to high titers in the upper respiratory tract but produced only mild illness. NA-R292K virus, showed reduced replicative fitness in this animal model. CONCLUSIONS Our data highlight challenges in assessment of the replicative fitness of H7N9 NA variants that emerged in NAI-treated patients.
Parameterized LMIs in Control Theory

A wide variety of problems in control system theory fall within the class of parameterized linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), that is, LMIs whose coefficients are functions of a parameter confined to a compact set. Such problems, though convex, involve an infinite set of LMI constraints and hence are inherently difficult to solve numerically. This paper investigates relaxations of parameterized LMI problems into standard LMI problems using techniques relying on directional convexity concepts. An in-depth discussion of the impact of the proposed techniques in quadratic programming, Lyapunov-based stability and performance analysis, $\mu$ analysis, and linear parameter-varying control is provided. Illustrative examples are given to demonstrate the usefulness and practicality of the approach.
ONC201 selectively induces apoptosis in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cells via activating pro-apoptotic integrated stress response and inactivating JAK/STAT and NF-κB pathways

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are extremely symptomatic and still incurable, and more effective and less toxic therapies are urgently needed. ONC201, an imipridone compound, has shown efficacy in pre-clinical studies in multiple advanced cancers. This study was to evaluate the anti-tumor activity of ONC201 on CTCL cells. The effect of ONC201 on the cell growth and apoptosis were evaluated in CTCL cell lines (n=8) and primary CD4+ malignant T cells isolated from CTCL patients (n=5). ONC201 showed a time-dependent cell growth inhibition in all treated cell lines with a concentration range of 1.25-10.0 μM. ONC201 also induced apoptosis in tested cells with a narrow concentration range of 2.5-10.0 μM, evidenced by increased Annexin V+ cells, accompanied by accumulated sub-G1 portions. ONC201 only induced apoptosis in CD4+ malignant T cells, not in normal CD4+ T cells. The activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), a hallmark of integrated stress response, was upregulated in response to ONC201 whereas Akt was downregulated. In addition, molecules in JAK/STAT and NF-κB pathways, as well as IL-32β, were downregulated following ONC201 treatment. Thus, ONC201 exerts a potent and selective anti-tumor effect on CTCL cells. Its efficacy may involve activating integrated stress response through ATF4 and inactivating JAK/STAT and NF-κB pathways.
A measurement-specific quality-of-life satisfaction during premenopause, perimenopause and postmenopause in Arabian Qatari women

Objective: The aim of this study was to use an instrument, the menopause-specific quality-of-life satisfaction in the state of Qatar for the premenopausal, menopause and postmenopausal period. Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study was used to generate menopause symptoms experienced by Arabian Gulf women. Measurement-specific quality-of-life satisfaction questionnaires and face-to-face interviews were performed. Setting: Primary Health Care (PHC) Centers in Qatar. Materials and Methods: A multistage sampling design was used and a representative sample of 1,500 women aged 40-60 years were included during July 2012 and November 2013, and 1,158 women agreed to participate (77.2%) and responded to the study. Results: The mean age and standard deviation of the subjects was 50.9 ± 6.1. The median age of natural menopause in the present study was 49 years [mean and standard deviation 49.9 ± 2.7]. The rate of consanguineous marriages in the sample was found to be 30.3%. There were statistically significance differences between menopausal stages with regard to ethnicity, education level, occupation, type of housing condition, and consanguinity. There were statistically significance differences between menopausal stages concerning BMI groups, Systolic BP, Diastolic BP, physical activity, parity, and sheesha smoking habits. Meanwhile, the present study revealed that the most common disease was found to be diabetes mellitus (11.4%), followed by hypertension (6.6%), asthma (5.6%) and CHD (2.5%), and the majority of subjects (69.5%) had no specific disease. The most frequent symptom was aches in the back and neck (49.2%), night sweat (37.2%), low backache (35.7%), feeling nervous (35.4%) followed by aches in the muscles/joints (34.6%), hot flashes (33.3%), decreased social activities (28.3%), decreased leisure activities (47.6%), difficulty sleeping (28.9%), mood swings (25.4%), and decreased concentration (28.3%), sexual activity (24.1%) and total energy level (26.7%). The lowest reported symptoms were facial hair at 16.1% followed by dissatisfied with my personal life at 18.1%. Cronbach's alpha scores, measuring the internal consistency of questions in each domain for physical, vasomotor, psychosocial and sexual were 0.883, 0.853, 0.697 and 0.805, respectively. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient between domains indicated that there is highly significant concordance between the four domains (P < 0.001). Conclusion: A large number of factors were associated with experiencing menopausal symptoms and which had negative effects on the quality of life among Arabian women. The current study showed that climacteric symptom in menopausal Arab women is less than Western women, which may be influenced by socio-economic, genetics, environment and parity.
Effect of nickel aluminides on tribological behaviour of Zn-Al alloy

Abstract Zinc-aluminium alloys are known to possess excellent bearing properties, particularly at high load and low speeds. The present work investigates the effect of nickel additions on the dry sliding wear and friction characteristics of a Zn-Al alloy at low load and high speed. Along with grain refinement, the presence of nickel improves the adhesive wear resistance as well as the friction characteristics of the Zn-Al alloy. The tribological behaviour of the alloy is explained on the basis of the nature of its microconstituents.
Analysis of π-Phase-Shifted Fiber BraggGratings for Ultrasonic Detection

Using numerical simulations, we investigated the responses of the π-phase-shifted fiber Bragg gratings (πFBGs) impinged by pressure ultrasonic waves. The effect of the grating length, grating refractive index modification depth, and ultrasonic frequency on the wavelength sensitivity and intensity sensitivity of the πFBG ultrasonic sensor for ultrasonic waves of different wavelengths was analyzed. The directivity of a πFBG sensor was also studied. Our analysis revealed several unique πFBG response characteristics and will be useful in the design and optimization of fiber-optic ultrasonic sensors that use a πFBG as the sensing element.
New kids on the block: Diagnostic and prognostic microRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common malignant cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Molecular profiling of changes in gene expression has improved our understanding of the HCC mechanism, allowing the identification of biomarkers for HCC diagnosis and HCC patient stratification for prognosis and therapy. Recently, a new group of molecules, microRNAs, has been discovered to be aberrantly expressed in HCC and some of them are functionally involved in HCC carcinogenesis and progression. Further, certain microRNAs are associated with HCC or related to HCC subtypes, implying the potential of microRNAs for HCC patient stratification of diagnosis and prognosis. Some of these HCC-associated microRNAs have been validated in independent cohorts, paving the way for developing clinically useful platforms to assess HCC risk, aiding HCC diagnosis, and assisting in HCC patient stratification with the potential for personalized adjuvant therapy. Here, we mainly focus on the diagnostic and prognostic roles of miRNAs as a group of new biomarkers for HCC.
Temperature acclimation rate of aerobic scope and feeding metabolism in fishes: implications in a thermally extreme future

Temperature acclimation may offset the increased energy expenditure (standard metabolic rate, SMR) and reduced scope for activity (aerobic scope, AS) predicted to occur with local and global warming in fishes and other ectotherms. Yet, the time course and mechanisms of this process is little understood. Acclimation dynamics of SMR, maximum metabolic rate, AS and the specific dynamic action of feeding (SDA) were determined in shorthorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius) after transfer from 10°C to 16°C. SMR increased in the first week by 82% reducing AS to 55% of initial values, while peak postprandial metabolism was initially greater. This meant that the estimated AS during peak SDA approached zero, constraining digestion and leaving little room for additional aerobic processes. After eight weeks at 16°C, SMR was restored, while AS and the estimated AS during peak SDA recovered partly. Collectively, this demonstrated a considerable capacity for metabolic thermal compensation, which should be better incorporated into future models on organismal responses to climate change. A mathematical model based on the empirical data suggested that phenotypes with fast acclimation rates may be favoured by natural selection as the accumulated energetic cost of a slow acclimation rate increases in a warmer future with exacerbated thermal variations.
A Voxel-based Morphometric Analysis of Cerebral Gray Matter in Subcortical Ischemic Vascular Dementia Patients and Normal Aged Controls

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The present study was designed to detect the abnormalities of the cerebral grey-matter density in subcortical ischemic vascular dementia patients by FSL-VBM method to promote the early diagnosis of it. METHODS: Nine subcortical ischemic vascular dementia patients and nine age-matched normal controls underwent MRI brain structure scanning that was performed on a SIEMENS AVANTO 1.5 Tesla scanner and standard T1-weighted high-resolution anatomic scans of MPRAGE sequence were obtained. The 3-demensional MPRAGE images were processed with FSL-VBM package and the cerebral gray matter density was compared between the subcortical ischemic vascular dementia patients and normal controls. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the cerebral gray matter density of subcortical ischemic vascular dementia patients was found significantly decreasing, including brain regions of thalamus, parietal lobe, frontal lobe and temporal lobe (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The cerebral gray matter density alterations have closed correlation with cognitive dysfunction in subcortical ischemic vascular dementia patient and can be detected by MRI. MRI has some potential value in the diagnosis of them.
Transmission of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus to Human Volunteers Visiting a Swine Farm

ABSTRACT Transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from animals to humans is of great concern due to the implications for human health and the health care system. The objective was to investigate the frequency and duration of MRSA carriage in human volunteers after a short-term exposure in a swine farm. The experimental study included 34 human volunteers staying 1 h in a MRSA-positive swine farm in four trials. In two of the trials, the influence of farm work involving pig contact was studied using a crossover design. The quantities of MRSA in nasal swabs, throat swabs, and air samples were measured at different time points and analyzed in relation to relevant covariates. This investigation showed that, overall, 94% of the volunteers acquired MRSA during the farm visit. Two hours after the volunteers left the stable, the nasal MRSA count had declined to unquantifiable levels in 95% of the samples. After 48 h, 94% of the volunteers were MRSA-negative. Nasal MRSA carriage was positively correlated to personal exposure to airborne MRSA and farm work involving pig contact and negatively correlated to smoking. No association was observed between MRSA carriage and face touching behavior, nasal methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) carriage, age, or gender. The increase in human MRSA carriage among the volunteers with pig contact seems to be dependent on the increased concentration of airborne MRSA of the surrounding air and not directly on physical contact with pigs. MRSA was not detected in any of the throat samples. IMPORTANCE The experimental approach made it possible to elucidate the contributions of airborne MRSA levels and farm work to nasal MRSA carriage in a swine farm. Short-term exposure to airborne MRSA poses a substantial risk for farm visitors to become nasal carriers, but the carriage is typically cleared within hours to a few days. The risk for short-term visitors to cause secondary transmissions of MRSA is most likely negligible due to the observed decline to unquantifiable levels in 95% of the nasal samples after only 2 h. The MRSA load in the nose was highly correlated to the amount of MRSA in the air and interventions to reduce the level of airborne MRSA or the use of face masks might consequently reduce nasal contamination.
A Class of Quasi-Z-Source Inverters

In this paper, theoretical results are shown for several novel inverters. These inverters are similar to the Z- source inverters presented in previous works, but have several advantages, including in some combination; lower component ratings, reduced source stress, reduced component count and simplified control strategies. Like the Z-Source inverter, these inverters are particularly suited for applications which require a large range of gain, such as in motor controllers or renewable energy. Simulation and experimental results are shown for one topology to verify the analysis. Also, a back-to-back inverter system featuring bidirectionality on both inverters, as well as secondary energy storage with only a single additional switch, is shown.