Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vitro and in vivo anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant activities of methanolic leaf extracts of Ocimum canum

Background: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder with a highly complex, multifaceted and intricate etiologies and thus may require management options that proffers multimodal mechanism of action. This present study evaluated the antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of the methanolic extract/fractions of leaves of Ocimum canum. Methods: The antidiabetic potential was evaluated and using STZ-induced diabetic Wistar rat model (in vivo) and inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity (in vitro). Antioxidant activity was assessed in vitro by free radical scavenging and reducing power assays and in vivo via monitoring SOD and CAT activities; GSH and MDA levels. Results: The total phenolic content (221.0±3.0 mg catechol/g of sample) and tannins (146.0±4.0 mg tannic acid/g of sample) of the crude extract; and flavonoid of the aqueous-methanol fraction (216.0.0±1.0 mg of rutin/g of sample) were found to be significantly higher relative to others. The crude extract and the aqueous-methanol fraction exhibited a significantly (p<0.05) higher percentage reduction in fasting blood glucose and a concomitant increase in serum insulin level relative to the diabetic control group. The highest radical scavenging activity and reducing power were observed in the aqueous-methanol fraction. The aqueous-methanol solvent fraction also significantly reversed the alterations in oxidative stress markers occasioned by the diabetic condition. Conclusion: In conclusion, the result of the present study has demonstrated evidently that extracts of Ocimum canum leaves ameliorates hyperglycemia and the associated oxidative stress in STZ-induced rats.
Baroreflex modulation of central angiotensin II pressor responses in conscious rabbits

We examined the cardiovascular responses to intracisternal administration of angiotensin II (Ang II) in conscious rabbits and determined the effects of removing baroreflex feedback inhibition. Administration of intracisternal bolus doses of Ang II produced short-duration dose-dependent increases in blood pressure (maximum response 30 mmHg) accompanied by bradycardia, with the dose required to produce the half maximal response averaging 5 pg. Dose-response curves to intracisternal Ang II spanned four log(dose) units from the threshold to the maximum doses (1–5 ng). After sino-aortic baroreceptor denervation the threshold for pressor responses was reduced by a factor of 1000, with the ED50 in these animals as low as 5 fg. No bradycardia was observed and the dose-pressor response curves were markedly steeper. The results suggest that in conscious rabbits Ang II receptors, presumably located in the brainstem, respond to minute intracisternal doses of Ang II. Furthermore, this site is normally inhibited by the input from arterial baroreceptors.
Isolation and characterization of dipeptidyl peptidase IV from human placenta.

Human placenta is surprisingly rich in post-proline dipeptidyl peptidase activity. Among various cell fractions, microsomes have the highest specific activity. A homogeneous enzyme preparation is obtained in a six-step purification procedure. The final preparation appears homogeneous upon dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis, but analytical isoelectric focussing reveals various active bands with isoelectric points in the range of pH 3-4. The enzyme is a glycoprotein containing about 30% carbohydrate. Treatment with neuraminidase lowers the isoelectric points but does not reduce the heterogeneity of the band pattern. The subunit molecular weight is 120000 as estimated by dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis, whereas Mr of the native enzyme is greater than 200000, as can be concluded from gel filtration experiments. The purified dipeptidyl peptidase cleaves various synthetic and natural peptides, including substance P, kentsin, casomorphin and a synthetic renin inhibitor. In general, the specificity of the placenta peptidase is similar to that of post-proline dipeptidyl peptidase from other sources. Phenylalanylprolyl-beta-naphthylamide (Km = 0.02 mM, V = 92 U/mg) is the best substrate among various synthetic peptide derivatives. Only peptides with a free N-terminal amino group and proline, hydroxyproline, or alanine in position 2 of the N-terminal sequence are cleaved. However, X-Pro-Pro-. structures, e.g. as in bradykinin, are not attacked. 1 mM bis-(4-nitrophenyl)phosphate or 1 mM diisopropylfluorophosphate completely inactivate the peptidase within 30 min at 30 degrees C (pH 8). The peptidase is also completely inhibited by 1 mM Zn2+ and by other heavy metals.
Investigations on uterine fatty lesions.

UNLABELLED The aim of the study was to determine the occurrence of UFLs and the dynamics of their development, as well as to evaluate the histopathology and relationship with regressive stromal changes. 3750 uterine specimens were reviewed during the period between 1984 and 2003. In the examined series of 3750 uteruses removed due to tumors or prolapse, 50 cases with four types of changes were chosen: adipocytic metaplasia of primary uterine leiomyomas (70% of cases), adipocytic metaplasia of interlobular stroma of primary uterine tumors (16%), adipocytic aggregates in the uterine muscle (8%), and pure lipomas (6%). Additionally, the cases were divided into three groups depending on the extent of fatty changes. Group 1 (48% of cases) consisted of cases in which less than 25% of the changes were present in the examined material. In group 2 (28% of cases) the fatty changes were between 25 and 50%. In group 3 (16% of cases) fatty changes constituted more than 50% of the examined specimen. The extent of adipocytic changes was connected with patient age, being significant between groups 1 and 3 (p < 0.01). Regressive stromal changes in leiomyomas occurred more often in middle-aged patients, with stage 2 lipomatosis than in other subgroups. Among 46 cases of UFLs two patients were diagnosed with a coexisting malignant uterine neoplasm (4.35%). In four patients with muscular lipomatosis, two were diagnosed with a coexisting malignant uterine tumor too (50%). CONCLUSIONS 1. Uterine fatty lesions are rarely diagnosed, although they occur more often than previously thought. 2. Mixed tumors predominate over pure lipomas. 3. The histogenesis of these lesions seems to be multi-factorial, considering the different types of UFLs. 4. The extent of uterine fatty metaplasia positively correlated with the age of operated women. 5. The coexistence of UFLs with other malignant uterine neoplasms is accidental.
Neuropeptide Y1 Receptor in Immune Cells Regulates Inflammation and Insulin Resistance Associated With Diet-Induced Obesity

Recruitment of activated immune cells into white adipose tissue (WAT) is linked to the development of insulin resistance and obesity, but the mechanism behind this is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that Y1 receptor signaling in immune cells controls inflammation and insulin resistance in obesity. Selective deletion of Y1 receptors in the hematopoietic compartment of mice leads to insulin resistance and inflammation in WAT under high fat–fed conditions. This is accompanied by decreased mRNA expression of the anti-inflammatory marker adiponectin in WAT and an increase of the proinflammatory monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). In vitro, activated Y1-deficient intraperitoneal macrophages display an increased inflammatory response, with exacerbated secretion of MCP-1 and tumor necrosis factor, whereas addition of neuropeptide Y to wild-type macrophages attenuates the release of these cytokines, this effect being blocked by Y1 but not Y2 receptor antagonism. Importantly, treatment of adipocytes with the supernatant of activated Y1-deficient macrophages causes insulin resistance, as demonstrated by decreased insulin-induced phosphorylation of the insulin receptor and Akt as well as decreased expression of insulin receptor substrate 1. Thus, Y1 signaling in hematopoietic-derived cells such as macrophages is critical for the control of inflammation and insulin resistance in obesity.
Influenza Vaccinations: Older Adults’ Decision-Making Process

RÉSUMÉ Le but de cette étude était d’explorer les influences auto-évaluatives parmi les personnes plus âgées en décidant de prendre ou non le vaccin contre la grippe saisonnière. Trente-et-un receveurs et six non-receveurs (âgés de 67–91 ans) ont participé à six groupes de discussion à London, Ontario. Les réunions des groupes de discussion ont duré environ 60 minutes, ont été enregistrées sur bande audio-magnetique et transcrites mot à mot. Les principaux animateurs de la prise du vaccin étaient les recommandations et la confiance dans les professionnels de la santé, et la croyance en l’efficacité du vaccin. Les principaux obstacles étaient la peur des réactions indésirables et la croyance en la capacité de résistance des personnes âgées. L’Agence de la santé publique du Canada et les membres de professions paramédicales devraient sensibiliser les personnes âgées à un diagnostic précis des symptômes de la grippe, l’efficacité des vaccins et les populations qui sont à risque de contracter la grippe. L’accent devrait être mis sur la correction des idées fausses au sujet des effets indésirables. ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to explore the self-perceived influences among older adults in deciding whether to take or not take the seasonal influenza vaccine. Thirty-one receivers and six non-receivers (aged 67–91) participated in six focus groups in London, Ontario. The focus group meetings lasted approximately 60 minutes, were digitally audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Inductive content analysis was performed to analyse the transcripts. The major facilitators of taking the vaccine were recommendations by, and trust in, health professionals, and a belief in vaccine efficacy. The major barriers were a fear of adverse reactions and the belief in resilience of an older adult. The Canadian Public Health Agency and allied health professionals should educate older adults in accurate influenza symptoms, vaccine efficacy, and populations at risk for contracting influenza. Focus should be given on correcting misconceptions about adverse events.
Diabetes among US- and foreign-born blacks in the USA

Objective. Little is known about diabetes status among US blacks by nativity. This study aims to measure differences in diabetes among US blacks by region of birth and examines potential explanations for subgroup differences. Design. Data from 47,751 blacks aged 25–74 pooled from the 2000–2013 waves of the National Health Interview Survey were analyzed. Logistic regression models predicted self-reported diabetes. The roles of education, income, body mass index (BMI), smoking, and duration of US residence were explored. Results. Compared to the US-born, foreign-born blacks had significantly lower reported diabetes prevalence (8.94% vs. 11.84%) and diabetes odds ratio [OR: 0.75; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.62, 0.89], adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics. Further inclusion of education, income, household size, and smoking did not appreciably change the OR (0.77; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.86). Including an adjustment for BMI entirely eliminated the foreign-born advantage (OR 0.93; 95% CI: 0.78, 1.11). The foreign-born from the Caribbean/Americas had similar diabetes odds compared to the African-born. Among the foreign-born, an increased duration of US residence was associated with a higher diabetes odds, but these associations did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). Conclusion. The healthy immigrant advantage extended to diabetes among US blacks, a finding that is explained by lower levels of overweight/obesity among the foreign-born compared to the US-born. Nonetheless, more than 71.4% of the foreign-born were overweight or obese. Understanding the mechanisms through which exposure to the US environment leads to higher obesity and diabetes risk may aid prevention efforts for the rapidly growing foreign-born black subpopulation.
Predicting Functional Alternative Splicing by Measuring RNA Selection Pressure from Multigenome Alignments

High-throughput methods such as EST sequencing, microarrays and deep sequencing have identified large numbers of alternative splicing (AS) events, but studies have shown that only a subset of these may be functional. Here we report a sensitive bioinformatics approach that identifies exons with evidence of a strong RNA selection pressure ratio (RSPR) —i.e., evolutionary selection against mutations that change only the mRNA sequence while leaving the protein sequence unchanged—measured across an entire evolutionary family, which greatly amplifies its predictive power. Using the UCSC 28 vertebrate genome alignment, this approach correctly predicted half to three-quarters of AS exons that are known binding targets of the NOVA splicing regulatory factor, and predicted 345 strongly selected alternative splicing events in human, and 262 in mouse. These predictions were strongly validated by several experimental criteria of functional AS such as independent detection of the same AS event in other species, reading frame-preservation, and experimental evidence of tissue-specific regulation: 75% (15/20) of a sample of high-RSPR exons displayed tissue specific regulation in a panel of ten tissues, vs. only 20% (4/20) among a sample of low-RSPR exons. These data suggest that RSPR can identify exons with functionally important splicing regulation, and provides biologists with a dataset of over 600 such exons. We present several case studies, including both well-studied examples (GRIN1) and novel examples (EXOC7). These data also show that RSPR strongly outperforms other approaches such as standard sequence conservation (which fails to distinguish amino acid selection pressure from RNA selection pressure), or pairwise genome comparison (which lacks adequate statistical power for predicting individual exons).
Copper‐dependent co‐internalization of the prion protein and glypican‐1

Heparan sulfate chains have been found to be associated with amyloid deposits in a number of diseases including transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Diverse lines of evidence have linked proteoglycans and their glycosaminoglycan chains, and especially heparan sulfate, to the metabolism of the prion protein isoforms. Glypicans are a family of glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐anchored, heparan sulfate‐containing, cell‐associated proteoglycans. Cysteines in glypican‐1 can become nitrosylated by endogenously produced nitric oxide. When glypican‐1 is exposed to a reducing agent, such as ascorbate, nitric oxide is released and autocatalyses deaminative cleavage of heparan sulfate chains. These processes take place while glypican‐1 recycles via a non‐classical, caveolin‐associated pathway. We have previously demonstrated that prion protein provides the Cu2+ ions required to nitrosylate thiol groups in the core protein of glypican‐1. By using confocal immunofluorescence microscopy and immunomagnetic techniques, we now show that copper induces co‐internalization of prion protein and glypican‐1 from the cell surface to perinuclear compartments. We find that prion protein is controlling both the internalization of glypican‐1 and its nitric oxide‐dependent autoprocessing. Silencing glypican‐1 expression has no effect on copper‐stimulated prion protein endocytosis, but in cells expressing a prion protein construct lacking the copper binding domain internalization of glypican‐1 is much reduced and autoprocessing is abrogated. We also demonstrate that heparan sulfate chains of glypican‐1 are poorly degraded in prion null fibroblasts. The addition of either Cu2+ ions, nitric oxide donors, ascorbate or ectopic expression of prion protein restores heparan sulfate degradation. These results indicate that the interaction between glypican‐1 and Cu2+‐loaded prion protein is required both for co‐internalization and glypican‐1 self‐pruning.
The Memphis Girls' health Enrichment Multi-site Studies (GEMS): an evaluation of the efficacy of a 2-year obesity prevention program in African American girls.

OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of a 2-year obesity prevention program in African American girls. DESIGN Memphis GEMS (Girls' health Enrichment Multi-site Studies) was a controlled trial in which girls were randomly assigned to an obesity prevention program or alternative intervention. SETTING Local community centers and YWCAs (Young Women's Christian Associations) in Memphis, Tennessee. PARTICIPANTS Girls aged 8 to 10 years (N = 303) who were identified by a parent or guardian as African American and who had a body mass index (BMI) at or higher than the 25th percentile for age or 1 parent with a BMI of 25 or higher. INTERVENTIONS Group behavioral counseling to promote healthy eating and increased physical activity (obesity prevention program) or self-esteem and social efficacy (alternative intervention). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The BMI at 2 years. RESULTS The BMI increased in all girls with no treatment effect (obesity prevention minus alternative intervention) at 2 years (mean, 0.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.40 to 0.58). Two-year treatment effects in the expected direction were observed for servings per day of sweetened beverages (mean, -0.19; 95% CI, -0.39 to 0.09), water (mean, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.40), and vegetables (mean, 0.15; 95% CI,-0.02 to 0.30), but there were no effects on physical activity. Post hoc analyses suggested a treatment effect in younger girls (P for interaction = .08). The mean BMI difference at 2 years was -2.41 (95% CI, -4.83 to 0.02) in girls initially aged 8 years and -1.02 (95% CI, -2.31 to 0.27) in those initially aged 10 years. CONCLUSIONS The lack of significant BMI change at 2 years indicates that this intervention alone is insufficient for obesity prevention. Effectiveness may require more explicit behavior change goals and a stronger physical activity component as well as supportive changes in environmental contexts.
Adolescent physical activity levels: discrepancies with accelerometer data analysis

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effects of epoch length and cut point selection on adolescent physical activity intensity quantification using vertical axis and vector magnitude (VM) measurement with the ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer. Four hundred and nine adolescents (211 males; 198 females) aged 12–16 years of age wore accelerometers during waking hours. The GT3X+ acceleration counts were reintegrated into 1, 5, 15, 30 and 60 s epoch lengths for both vertical axis and VM counts. One cut point was applied to vertical axis counts and three different cut points were applied to VM counts for each epoch length. Significant differences (P < 0.01) in mean total counts per day were observed between vertical axis and VM counts, and between epoch lengths for VM only. Differences in physical activity levels were observed between vertical and VM cut points, and between epoch lengths across all activity intensities. Our findings illustrate the magnitude of differences in physical activity outcomes that occur between axis measurement, cut points and epoch length. The magnitude of difference across epoch length must be considered in the interpretation of accelerometer data and seen as a confounding variable when comparing physical activity levels between studies.
Symmetry based perceptually lossless compression of 3D medical images in spatial domain

A perceptual model developed in spatial domain based on background luminance is combined with lossless compression frame work to remove visually redundant information. Block matching is applied on anatomical symmetry present in medical images to remove intra slice and inter slice correlations. The obtained results show better compression gains against lossless compression techniques, without any degradation in visual quality.
Securing solar energy-harvesting road-side unit using an embedded cooperative-hybrid intrusion detection system

This study deals with the design and implementation of an Embedded Cooperative-Hybrid Intrusion Detection System (ECHIDS) for a solar energy harvested Road Side Unit(RSU). In order to offer a high level of defense against the various attacks and to cope against the limited processing and energy resources of RSU, we suggest a cooperative IDS approach. In this approach, the RSUs do not depend only on their local view to make conclusions about the security status of their network, but also cooperate with their VANET server by exchanging security reports to create a more global and precise idea about the security situation of the whole network, the possible attacks and their origins. The other main contribution in this paper is the attempt to insert a Hybrid Intrusion Detection System functionality (combines all the three IDS techniques :signature based IDS, anomaly based IDS and behavioral based IDS) into the RSU itself. Each one of these IDSs has its own resistance strategy against certain classes of attacks which enhances RSUs’ immunity. The suggested IDS was prototyped using an experimental model based on the Ubicom IP2022 network processor development kit and different practical tests were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the suggested solutions.
Learning detectors of malicious web requests for intrusion detection in network traffic

This paper proposes a generic classification system designed to detect security threats based on the behavior of malware samples. The system relies on statistical features computed from proxy log fields to train detectors using a database of malware samples. The behavior detectors serve as basic reusable building blocks of the multi-level detection architecture. The detectors identify malicious communication exploiting encrypted URL strings and domains generated by a Domain Generation Algorithm (DGA) which are frequently used in Command and Control (C&C), phishing, and click fraud. Surprisingly, very precise detectors can be built given only a limited amount of information extracted from a single proxy log. This way, the computational requirements of the detectors are kept low which allows for deployment on a wide range of security devices and without depending on traffic context such as DNS logs, Whois records, webpage content, etc. Results on several weeks of live traffic from 100+ companies having 350k+ hosts show correct detection with a precision exceeding 95% of malicious flows, 95% of malicious URLs and 90% of infected hosts. In addition, a comparison with a signature and rule-based solution shows that our system is able to detect significant amount of new threats.
Design and Analysis of a 90 nm mm-Wave Oscillator Using Inductive-Division LC Tank

A 60 GHz voltage-controlled oscillator with an inductive division LC tank has been designed in 90 nm CMOS. The analysis of the oscillator shows that the presence of higher harmonics, the capacitance nonlinearity and the very high K VCO are critical for the phase noise performance of oscillators. Therefore, a pseudo-differential amplifier is employed in this design because of its high linearity. Furthermore, the proposed inductive division reduces the phase noise by increasing the signal amplitude across the varactor, without affecting the operation mode of the cross-coupled pair transistors. It also helps to increase the tuning range by isolating the varactor from the parasitic capacitances of the transistors and interconnects. The mm-wave oscillator is fabricated in a 90 nm CMOS technology. Under 0.7 V supply, the oscillator achieves a tuning range from 53.2 GHz to 58.4 GHz, consuming 8.1 mW. At 58.4 GHz, the phase noise is -91 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset. Under 0.43 V supply, the oscillator achieves a tuning range from 58.8 to 61.7 GHz. At 61.7 GHz, the phase noise is -90 dBc/Hz @1& MHz offset with a power consumption of only 1.2 mW.