Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In Vitro–In Vivo Extrapolation Predicts Drug–Drug Interactions Arising from Inhibition of Codeine Glucuronidation by Dextropropoxyphene, Fluconazole, Ketoconazole, and Methadone in Humans

Because codeine (COD) is eliminated primarily via glucuronidation, factors that alter COD glucuronide formation potentially affect the proportion of the dose converted to the pharmacologically active metabolite morphine. Thus, in vitro–in vivo extrapolation approaches were used to identify potential drug–drug interactions arising from inhibition of COD glucuronidation in humans. Initial studies characterized the kinetics of COD-6-glucuronide (C6G) formation by human liver microsomes (HLM) and demonstrated an 88% reduction in the Michaelis constant (Km) (0.29 versus 2.32 mM) for incubations performed in the presence of 2% bovine serum albumin (BSA). Of 13 recombinant UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes screened for COD glucuronidation activity, only UGT2B4 and UGT2B7 exhibited activity. The respective S50 values (0.32 and 0.27 mM) generated in the presence of BSA were comparable with the mean Km observed in HLM. Known inhibitors of UGT2B7 activity in vitro or in vivo and drugs marketed as compound formulations with COD were investigated for inhibition of C6G formation by HLM. Inhibition screening identified potential interactions with dextropropoxyphene, fluconazole, ketoconazole, and methadone. Inhibitor constant values generated for dextropropoxyphene (3.5 μM), fluconazole (202 μM), ketoconazole (0.66 μM), and methadone (0.32 μM) predicted 1.60- to 3.66-fold increases in the area under the drug plasma concentration–time curve ratio for COD in vivo. Whereas fluconazole and ketoconazole inhibited UGT2B4- and UGT2B7-catalyzed COD glucuronidation to a similar extent, inhibition by dextropropoxyphene and methadone resulted largely from an effect on UGT2B4. Interactions with dextropropoxyphene, fluconazole, ketoconazole, and methadone potentially affect the intensity and duration of COD analgesia.
Experiencing and Managing Emotions in the Workplace

This volume contains a further selection of the best papers presented at the Seventh Emonet conference (Montreal, Canada, August 2010), following on from Volume 7 and augmented once again with invited chapters authored by leading scholars in the field. "Experiencing and managing emotions in the workplace" comprises fourteen chapters arranged in four sections: The experience of emotion; The dynamics of emotion; Regulating emotion; and The emotionally intelligent organization. These encompass a variety of methodological approaches, including qualitative and quantitative research, sourced from research conducted in organizations in the USA, Europe, and Australasia. The volume's secondary theme is "care and compassion", the theme of the Academy of Management meetings that followed the Emonet conference in Montreal. In effect, organizations that understand their members' emotions and utilize this information in their management practices become "emotionally intelligent" and capable of showing care and compassion to all stakeholders. The chapters in this book provide a rich and varied coverage of the latest developments in the study of the role of emotions in organizational settings.
Shifting paradigms: from a communicative to a context-based approach

This paper offers a critical examination of the communicative approach (CA) with specific reference to a study of the teaching and learning experiences of a group of Thai university practitioners and students. It is argued that although the fundamental tenets of the approach have served the profession well, it is now time to consider an emerging alternative paradigm in the form of a context-based approach (C-bA).
The QCD Vacuum as an Instanton Liquid

We review recent progress in understanding the importance of instanton effects in QCD. Instantons provide a mechanism for quark and gluon condensation, explain the U(1)A anomaly and the appearance of a non-perturbative vacuum energy density. In the framework of the instanton liquid model, a large number of hadronic correlation functions were calculated. The results are in good agreement with both experimental data and lattice simulations. We also review recent results on the phase structure of QCD-like theories. Instantons provide a mechanism for chiral symmetry restoration at finite temperature (or for a large number of quark flavors) connected with the formation of instanton‐anti-instanton molecules.
Effect of Alcohol on Encoding and Consolidation of Memory for Alcohol-Related Images.

BACKGROUND Drug and alcohol abusers develop strong memories for drug-related stimuli. Preclinical studies suggest that such memories are a result of drug actions on reward pathways, which facilitate learning about drug-related stimuli. However, few controlled studies have investigated how drugs affect memory for drug-related stimuli in humans. METHODS The current study examined the direct effect of alcohol on memory for images of alcohol-related or neutral beverages. Participants received alcohol (0.8 g/kg) either before viewing visual images (encoding condition; n = 20) or immediately after viewing them (consolidation condition; n = 20). A third group received placebo both before and after viewing the images (control condition; n = 19). Memory retrieval was tested exactly 48 hours later, in a drug-free state. RESULTS Alcohol impaired memory in the encoding condition and enhanced memory in the consolidation condition, but these effects did not differ for alcohol-related and neutral beverage stimuli. However, in the encoding condition, participants who experienced greater alcohol-induced stimulation exhibited better memory for alcohol-related, but not neutral beverage stimuli. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that individual differences in sensitivity to the positive, rewarding effects of alcohol are associated with greater propensity to remember alcohol-related stimuli encountered while intoxicated. As such, stimulant responders may form stronger memory associations with alcohol-related stimuli, which might then influence their drinking behavior.
THE ROLE OF COMPETITIVENESS, GENDER AND ETHNICITY IN INFLUENCING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

This study seeks to examine the impact of competition on student academic performance across different gender and ethnic groups. This study is based on real observations of the performance of 266 undergraduate Accounting students in taxation courses at the University of Malaya. It has been found that competition has different impacts on gender and ethnic groups. Prior to the introduction of the competition, this study found females outperformed males for both ethnic groups. The post competition results suggest academic performance among Chinese males significantly improved but not those of Bumiputera males. In the case of Bumiputeras, competition has widened the performance gap between males and females. This suggests that Chinese males are motivated by competition whilst no evidence exists to support the same effect among Bumiputra males. This result questions the motivational effects of competition toward improving the academic performance of male Bumiputeras which may suggest that the new generation of Bumiputeras is moving away from a patriarchal society.
Does coffee consumption alter plasma lipoprotein(a) concentrations? A systematic review

ABSTRACT Coffee consumption alters plasma lipid and cholesterol concentrations, however, its effects on lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) have received little study. The aim of this PRISMA compliant systematic review was to examine the role of coffee on serum Lp(a). This study was prospectively registered (PROSPERO 2015:CRD42015032335). PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Central were searched from inception until 9th January 2016 to detect trials and epidemiological studies investigating the impact of coffee on serum Lp(a) concentrations in humans. We identified six relevant publications describing nine experimental trials of various designs. There were a total of 640 participants across all studies and experimental groups. In short-term controlled studies, consumption of coffee, or coffee diterpenes was associated with either a reduction in serum Lp(a) of ≤11 mg/dL (6 trials, 275 participants), or no effect (2 trials, 56 participants). Conversely, one cross-sectional study with 309 participants showed serum Lp(a) was elevated in chronic consumers of boiled coffee who had a median Lp(a) of 13.0 mg/dL (range 0–130) compared with consumers of filtered coffee who had median Lp(a) 7.9 mg/dL (range 0–144). The effect of coffee on Lp(a) is complex and may follow a biphasic time-course. The type of coffee and the method of preparation appear to be important to determining the effect on Lp(a).
Mandibular changes during initial alignment with SmartClip self-ligating and conventional brackets: A single-center prospective randomized controlled clinical trial

Objective To test the null hypothesis that SmartClip self-ligating brackets are more effective than conventional brackets for initial mandibular alignment and identify influential factors. Methods Fifty patients were randomly allocated to two equal treatment groups by using an online randomization program: self-ligating group (SmartClip brackets) and conventional group (Gemini brackets). The archwire sequence was standardized. Changes in anterior irregularity index, intercanine width, and intermolar width were assessed on plaster models at 8th and 16th weeks. Changes in incisor position and inclination were assessed on lateral cephalometric radiographs at 16 weeks. Intragroup and intergroup comparisons were performed with paired t-test and Student's t-test, respectively. Multiple linear regression was performed to identify variables affecting improvement in anterior ambiguity. Results Data of 46 patients were analyzed; those missing an appointment (n = 2) or showing bracket breakage (n = 2) were excluded. Incisor inclination (p < 0.05), intercanine width (p < 0.05), and intermolar width (p > 0.05) increased at 8 and 16 weeks in both the groups; no significant intergroup differences were noted (p > 0.05). Initial anterior irregularity index and intercanine width change were significantly associated with improvement in anterior irregularity (p < 0.001). Conclusions The null hypothesis was rejected. Bracket type has little effect on improvement in anterior ambiguity during initial mandibular alignment.
Delayed Breastfeeding Initiation Increases Risk of Neonatal Mortality

BACKGROUND. Breastfeeding promotion is a key child survival strategy. Although there is an extensive scientific basis for its impact on postneonatal mortality, evidence is sparse for its impact on neonatal mortality. OBJECTIVES. We sought to assess the contribution of the timing of initiation of breastfeeding to any impact. METHODS. This study took advantage of the 4-weekly surveillance system from a large ongoing maternal vitamin A supplementation trial in rural Ghana involving all women of childbearing age and their infants. It was designed to evaluate whether timing of initiation of breastfeeding and type (exclusive, predominant, or partial) are associated with risk of neonatal mortality. The analysis is based on 10947 breastfed singleton infants born between July 2003 and June 2004 who survived to day 2 and whose mothers were visited in the neonatal period. RESULTS. Breastfeeding was initiated within the first day of birth in 71% of infants and by the end of day 3 in all but 1.3% of them; 70% were exclusively breastfed during the neonatal period. The risk of neonatal death was fourfold higher in children given milk-based fluids or solids in addition to breast milk. There was a marked dose response of increasing risk of neonatal mortality with increasing delay in initiation of breastfeeding from 1 hour to day 7; overall late initiation (after day 1) was associated with a 2.4-fold increase in risk. The size of this effect was similar when the model was refitted excluding infants at high risk of death (unwell on the day of birth, congenital abnormalities, premature, unwell at the time of interview) or when deaths during the first week (days 2–7) were excluded. CONCLUSIONS. Promotion of early initiation of breastfeeding has the potential to make a major contribution to the achievement of the child survival millennium development goal; 16% of neonatal deaths could be saved if all infants were breastfed from day 1 and 22% if breastfeeding started within the first hour. Breastfeeding-promotion programs should emphasize early initiation as well as exclusive breastfeeding. This has particular relevance for sub-Saharan Africa, where neonatal and infant mortality rates are high but most women already exclusively or predominantly breastfeed their infants.
Interference Due to Lipaemia in Routine Photometric Analysis—Survey of an Underrated Problem

Traditionally external quality assessment schemes (EQAS) distribute samples spectrally similar to a normal serum. This does not allow laboratories to assess the performance of their methods at measuring lipaemic samples. The Irish EQAS distributed a sample with a supplied lipid diluent. A sample of the same batch had previously been circulated as a normal distribution to obtain baseline values. Most analytes were affected by the lipaemia. The degree of interference was instrument/method dependent and a wide range of values was reported for each analyte: total protein 51–134 g/L (baseline 65 g/L); albumin 33–56 g/L (baseline 42 g/L); calcium 2·12–6·10 mmol/L (baseline 2·34 mmol/L); urate 38–1100μmol/L (baseline 195μmol/L); creatinine 6–199μmol/L (baseline 140μmol/L); glucose 4·2–9·5 mmol/L (baseline 4·8 mmol/L); total bilirubin 1–192μmol/L (baseline 36μmol/L); urea 1·1–8·1 mmol/L (baseline 3·8 mmol/L); aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 12–105 iu/L (baseline 44 iu/L); iron 4·3–107μmol/L (baseline 26·8μmol/L); inorganic phosphorus 1·12–4·96 mmol/L (baseline 1·59 mmol/L); and cholesterol 2·5–17·1 mmol/L (baseline 4·1 mmol/L). In situations where no clearing of the lipid occurs in the reagent, interference can be minimized by taking a sample blank reading or using a kinetic procedure. If clearing of the lipid does occur, time must be allowed for this to be completed before analytical readings are taken.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Clinical Practices for Patients With Dementia Among Mental Health Providers in China: City and Town Differences

Mental health providers are the major resource families rely on when experiencing the effects of dementia. However, mental health resources and manpower are inadequate and unevenly distributed between cities and towns in China. This study was conducted to examine similarities and differences in knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practices concerning dementia and working with family caregivers from mental health providers’ perspectives in city versus town settings. Data were collected during focus group discussions with 40 mental health providers in the Xicheng (city) and Daxing (town) districts in Beijing, China in 2011. Regional disparities between providers’ knowledge of early diagnosis of dementia and related counseling skills were identified. Regional similarities included training needs, dementia-related stigma, and low awareness of dementia among family caregivers. Culturally sensitive education specific to dementia for mental health providers and a specialized dementia care model for people with dementia and their family caregivers are urgently needed. Implications for geriatric practitioners and educators are discussed.
Space-division multiplexed transmission over 4200-km 3-core microstructured fiber

We experimentally demonstrate multiple-input-multiple-output transmission of a combined 3-space-, and 2-polarization-, and 5-wavelength-division multiplex in a 3-core microstructured fiber over 4200 km. This is the record transmission distance for spatial-division multiplexing in a fiber.
Supply–demand balance and metabolic scaling

It is widely accepted that metabolic rates scale across species approximately as the 3/4 power of mass in most if not all groups of organisms. Metabolic demand per unit mass thus decreases as body mass increases. Metabolic rates reflect both the ability of the organism's transport system to deliver metabolites to the tissues and the rate at which the tissues use them. We show that the ubiquitous 3/4 power law for interspecific metabolic scaling arises from simple, general geometric properties of transportation networks constrained to function in biological organisms. The 3/4 exponent and other observed scaling relationships follow when mass-specific metabolic demands match the changing delivery capacities of the network at different body sizes. Deviation from the 3/4 exponent suggests either inefficiency or compensating physiological mechanisms. Our conclusions are based on general arguments incorporating the minimum of biological detail and should therefore apply to the widest range of organisms.
Quantitative studies on bovine immunoglobulins

The influence of serum immunoglobulins on the incidence of calf pneumonia, and the relationship between sub-clinical pneumonia, and calf serum Ig levels, is discussed. Monospecific antisera were used to measure levels of IgG1, IgG2, IgM and IgA in the sera of bull calves aged around 2 1/2 weeks. These calves were selected retrospectively according to their disease record up to six months of age. A clear association was found between low levels of IgG1, IgG2 and IgA in the "2 1/2-week" sample and subsequent susceptibility to pneumonia at around 2 1/2 months of age. Calves showing signs of pneumonia had low levels of IgG1 (45-5 per cent had less than 8 mg per ml compared with "now-pneumonic" calves which had relatively high levels (only 9.5 per cent had less than 8 mg per ml). In contrast, older calves bled at monthly intervals and found to have pneumonic lesions at slaughter had significantly evevated levels of both IgGa and IgG2.
Compressional Pc5 type pulsations in the morningside plasma sheet

Abstract. We study compressional pulsations in Pc5 frequency range observed in the dawn-side at distances of about 10 RE , close to the magnetic equator. We use data obtained during two events of conjunctions between Equator-S and Geotail: 1000–1700 UT on 9 March 1998, and 0200–0600 UT on 25 April 1998. In both events, pulsations are observed after substorm activity. The pulsations are antisymmetric with respect to the equatorial plane (even mode), and move eastward with phase velocity close to plasma velocity. The pulsations tend to be pressure balanced. We also discuss possible generation mechanisms of the pulsations.Key words. Magnetospheric physics (magnetospheric configuration and dynamics; MHD waves and instabilities; plasma sheet)
Dynamic optical coherence tomography of skin blood vessels – proposed terminology and practical guidelines

Dynamic optical coherence tomography (D‐OCT) has recently been introduced in dermatology. In contrast to ‘Standard’ OCT imaging, which exclusively relies on the morphological analysis of the tissue, D‐OCT allows the in vivo visualization of blood flow. Preliminary D‐OCT data showed differences in the vascularization of nevus to melanoma transition, suggesting that this technology may help to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions.
Safety of Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Compensated Cirrhotic Patients During Transplant Candidacy Period

Background. Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection with isoniazid (INH) or rifampin (RIF) is controversial in liver transplant candidates due to potential hepatotoxicity. In this study, treatment of latent tuberculosis during transplant candidacy period is explored, and relevant literature is reviewed. Methods. Liver transplant candidates with latent tuberculosis infection by positive tuberculin skin test (>5 mm) were prospectively enrolled and treated with 9 months of INH or 4 months of RIF, and were monitored monthly for their liver enzyme profiles, adverse effects, compliance, and completion rate. Results. Four of nine patients with INH had asymptomatic, mild elevations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) versus none of five patients in the RIF group. Two cases of elevations were attributed to INH. Two other cases were attributed to alcoholism or active chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Only one patient in the INH group experienced symptoms possibly attributed to INH hepatotoxicity. Compliance was 100% per patient reporting. Completion rates were 79% for INH and 100% for RIF. No fulminant hepatic failure or death was observed. Conclusion. Treatment of latent tuberculosis in liver transplant patients during their candidacy with INH or RIF appears to be a safe, viable option, if carefully monitored for adverse effects and liver enzymes.
Health Behaviors, Knowledge, Life Satisfaction, and Wellbeing in People with Mental Illness across Four Countries and Comparisons with Normative Sample

Background People with chronic mental illness have poorer physical health and higher mortality than the general population. We investigated lifestyle factors in people with mental illness across four countries and compared with a normative sample. Design and methods Data were collected from N = 672 people (Germany, n = 375; Palestine, n = 192; London, n = 63; Australia, n = 42) with substance abuse disorder (n = 224), schizophrenia (n = 158), mood disorders (n = 227), and somatoform disorders (n = 63). The General Health Behaviour Questionnaire measured behaviors and knowledge related to nutrition, physical activity, alcohol, smoking, sleep, life satisfaction, and wellbeing. The normative samples were derived from a German population (N = 1,019). Data were analyzed using ANOVAs and t-tests. Results The Palestine sample did not differ from the Western samples on reported life satisfaction and wellbeing. However, they reported unhealthier diets, less physical activity, and lower knowledge about the impact of diet, physical activity, smoking, and sleep on health than the Western samples. Comparing the Western and normative samples, people with mental illness reported lower intake of healthy foods/drinks, higher intake of unhealthy foods, higher exercise, higher alcohol consumption, less cigarettes, less sleep, and more sleep problems. Their knowledge was lower for nutrition, physical activity, and smoking. All participants reported lower life satisfaction and wellbeing than the normative sample (P-values <0.001). Conclusion Education on health-related lifestyle factors present important targets for primary care, quality of life and prevention of illness in people with mental illness. Further research will clarify specific predictors of health behaviors in each country.