Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Persistence of bovine milk xanthine oxidase activity after gastric digestion in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract Seventy rats were fasted for 20h and used in two experiments. In the first experiment fasted rats were intubated with 5ml marketed milk of known xanthine oxidase activity. After dosing, food was withheld, and rats were sacrificed at intervals. The stomach of each rat was excised and its contents assayed polarographically for xanthine oxidase activity. Activity decreased with time. At . 5 and 1.5h the recovered activities were 62 and 45%, and in some rats activity persisted up to 8h. In the second experiment, fasted rats received 2ml marketed milk. Enzyme activity dropped faster than in the first experiment. Typical gastric transit times for ingested milk were 30 to 40min. Enzyme activity in milk began to decrease at pH 6.70; below pH 3.90 the enzyme was inactivated completely. Inactivation was partly reversible at pH 2.50 and above by adjusting the pH to 7.3. When simulated gastric juice and milk were combined in ratios of 3:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3, pH's were 1.85, 2.08, 3.57, 5.16, and 5.56, and respective activities were 0, 0, 0, 14.2, and 23.8%. In one in vitro experiment, when juice and milk (1:2) were intubated at 37C for 0, . 5, 8, and 24h, their pH's were 5.20, 5.26, 5.13, and 5.15 while recovered activities were 19.2, 18.7, 14.9, and 9.9%. When juice and milk (1:2) were incubated for . 5h and followed by pancreatin solution for 0, . 5, 3.5, and 7.5h, the recovered activities were 13.5, 11.9, 7.2, and 6.1%. Considerable xanthine oxidase in milk is not inactivated in the gastrointestinal tract but is available for absorption.
Endothelium‐dependent Vasodilation in Myogenically Active Mouse Skeletal Muscle Arterioles: Role of EDH and K+ Channels

As smooth muscle cell (SMC) membrane potential (Em) is critical for vascular responsiveness, and arteriolar SMCs are depolarized at physiological intraluminal pressures, we hypothesized that myogenic tone impacts on dilation mediated by endothelium‐derived hyperpolarization (EDH). Studies were performed on cannulated mouse cremaster arterioles [diameter, 33±2 μm (n=23) at 60 mmHg; SMC Em ‐34.6±1.2 mV (n=7)]. Myogenic activity was assessed as tone developed in response to intraluminal pressure. Functional observations were related to mRNA, protein expression, and anatomy. Acetylcholine concentration‐response curves showed a modest shift following indomethacin (10 μM) and L‐NAME (100 μM), although maximal vasodilation was achieved. Residual dilation was removed by apamin (1 μM) in combination with TRAM‐34 (1 μM) or charybotoxin (0.1 μM), indicating the requirement of small (S) and intermediate (I) calcium‐activated potassium channels (KCa). Charybdotoxin, but not TRAM‐34, caused vasoconstriction, presumably through the inhibition of SMC BKCa. Expression of SK3 and IK1 was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction, while myoendothelial junctions were common, suggesting a high degree of cell coupling. Also consistent with a role for endothelial KCa channels, acetylcholine increased endothelium [Ca2+]i. Apamin and TRAM‐34 similarly blocked EDH‐mediated dilation at intraluminal pressures of 30 and 90 mmHg, suggesting that in mouse arterioles, SKCa ‐ and IKCa ‐ mediated mechanisms predominate and operate independently of physiological levels of myogenic activation.
Revised estimates of the maternal age specific live birth prevalence of Down's syndrome

Objectives: To revise the estimates of maternal age specific live birth prevalence of Down's syndrome in the absence of antenatal screening and selective termination using newly available data. Setting and Design: Data were used from the National Down Syndrome Cytogenetic Register (NDSCR), which contains information on nearly all antenatally or postnatally diagnosed cases of Down's syndrome in which a karyotype was confirmed between 1989 and 1998 in England and Wales. It is the largest single series of data on the prevalence of Down's syndrome. Results and conclusion: The prevalence does not continue increasing at an increasing rate with age above age 45 as has been previously assumed. Above this age the rate of increase declines with increasing age. The overall age pattern is sigmoidal. A new logit logistic model is proposed which fits the data well. The risk of a Down's syndrome live birth is given by: risk=1/(1+exp(7.330-4.211/(1+exp(-0.282x(age-37.23))))).
On eddy currents in a rotating disk

A DEVICE which often occurs in electric machines and instruments consists of a relatively thin conducting disk rotating between the pole pieces of a permanent magnet or electromagnet. The author has received inquiries as to the method of calculating the paths of the eddy currents and the torque in such cases. The following rather simple method, which is quite accurate for a permanent magnet, seems not to be described in the literature. It assumes that the disk is so thin that the skin effect can be neglected. This is true for all frequencies that can be produced mechanically. To facilitate calculation in the special case of circular poles it is also assumed that 2πωabγ=εa is much less than one where ω is the angular frequency of rotation in radians per second, a the pole-piece radius, b the disk thickness, and γ the electric conductivity, all in centimeter-gram-second electromagnetic units. This produces a fractional error of less than εa in the eddy current densities and of less than (εa)2 in the torque. In the case of the electromagnet the situation is complicated by the presence of the permeable pole pieces in the magnetic field of the eddy currents. This may send a large demagnetizing flux through the electromagnet. An approximate solution for this case will be considered.
The nucleotide sequences recognized by the glucocorticoid receptor in the rabbit uteroglobin gene region are located far upstream from the initiation of transcription.

Although the expression of the uteroglobin gene in the lung is regulated by glucocorticoids, no binding sites for the glucocorticoid receptor are found in the promoter region nor can they be observed in the coding sequences. Instead a fragment situated 2.6 kb upstream from the start of transcription of the uteroglobin gene shows a high affinity for the receptor. Deoxyribonuclease I and methylation protection studies show three contiguous binding sites located within this fragment. All three sites show homology to the glucocorticoid receptor binding sites described for other genes. Two of them encompass the hexanucleotide 5′‐TGTTCT‐3′, and the other binding site contains the homologue hexanucleotide, 5′‐AGTCCT‐3′, but the contacts between the receptor and the hexanucleotides are equivalent to those found in other functional regulatory elements for glucocorticoids. These elements may therefore be responsible for the glucocorticoid regulation of uteroglobin gene expression by acting over a relatively long stretch of nucleotide sequences.
Chemerin level in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia and its relation with disease severity and neonatal outcomes

Abstract The aims of this prospective study were to detect maternal serum chemerin level in patients with preeclampsia and investigate its association with disease severity and neonatal outcomes. Maternal serum chemerin levels were significantly elevated in severe preeclamptic women (394.72 ± 100.01 ng/ml) compared to mild preeclamptic women (322.11 ± 37.60 ng/ml) and healthy pregnant women (199.96 ± 28.05 ng/ml) (p = .001). Maternal serum chemerin levels were positively correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, C-reactive protein levels, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, proteinuria, AST, ALT, and duration of hospitalisation. Gestational week at delivery, birthweight, and APGAR scores at 1 and 5 min were negatively correlated with maternal serum chemerin level. A maternal serum chemerin level of >252.0 ng/ml indicated preeclampsia with 95.5% sensitivity and 95.7% specificity. There was a positive correlation between maternal serum chemerin level and severity of preeclampsia. Additionally, adverse neonatal outcomes were significantly associated with high maternal serum chemerin levels.
Does Urbanization Affect Rural Poverty? Evidence from Indian Districts

Although a high rate of urbanization and a high incidence of rural poverty are two distinct features of many developing countries, there is little knowledge of the effects of the former on the latter. Using a large sample of Indian districts from the 1983-1999 period, the authors find that urbanization has a substantial and systematic poverty-reducing effect in the surrounding rural areas. The results obtained through an instrumental variable estimation suggest that this effect is causal in nature and is largely attributable to the positive spillovers of urbanization on the rural economy rather than to the movement of the rural poor to urban areas. This rural poverty-reducing effect of urbanization is primarily explained by increased demand for local agricultural products and, to a lesser extent, by urban-rural remittances, the rural land/population ratio, and rural nonfarm employment.
Process Evaluation of Recruitment for a Cancer Screening Trial in Primary Care

Many cancer screening studies are conducted in primary care settings, yet few systematically analyze recruitment challenges found at these sites. During a randomized trial promoting colorectal cancer screening, we implemented a process evaluation of recruitment. Recruiters maintained logs that registered the numbers of patients entering the clinic, approached by recruiters, declining to participate, and reasons for nonapproach and nonparticipation. One half of age-eligible patients were approached (n = 1,489), and half of those who met basic eligibility requirements agreed to engage further (n = 527). A small proportion of patients (n = 98) completed the 15-min assessment before their appointment. Major reasons for nonapproach included previous approach, patients called to the exam room, and appearing ill. The major reason for nonparticipation was “not interested”; a few patients did not want to share contact information. Some participants exited the assessment midway because of further ineligibility or time limitations. Best-practice recommendations for recruitment in primary care are discussed.
Experimental Investigation of Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) Face-to-Face vs. Blackboard

This paper investigates the effects of group members' relationships on collaborative learning. Close relationships may have a positive impact on collaboration as members already know each other well enough to feel comfortable in discussion and assign roles according to each others' strengths and weaknesses. It was therefore hypothesized that a group member's (1) level of motivation will positively enhance the member's participation, (2) closeness will lead to more participation and motivation towards group work, (3)closeness will lead to richer discussion, and (4) closeness will lead to better group performance. To investigate these hypotheses, 20undergraduate students collaborated in three groups of 5-8. The results confirmed that higher motivation led to more participation. There was insufficient evidence about the expectations concerning closeness. However, interaction was more important than social relationships.
Role of KRAS and EGFR as biomarkers of response to erlotinib in National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group Study BR.21.

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of KRAS and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) genotype on the response to erlotinib treatment in the BR.21, placebo-controlled trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS We analyzed 206 tumors for KRAS mutation, 204 tumors for EGFR mutation, and 159 tumors for EGFR gene copy by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). We reanalyzed EGFR deletion/mutation using two highly sensitive techniques that detect abnormalities in samples with 5% to 10% tumor cellularity. KRAS mutation was analyzed by direct sequencing. RESULTS Thirty patients (15%) had KRAS mutations, 34 (17%) had EGFR exon 19 deletion or exon 21 L858R mutations, and 61 (38%) had high EGFR gene copy (FISH positive). Response rates were 10% for wild-type and 5% for mutant KRAS (P = .69), 7% for wild-type and 27% for mutant EGFR (P = .03), and 5% for EGFR FISH-negative and 21% for FISH-positive patients (P = .02). Significant survival benefit from erlotinib therapy was observed for patients with wild-type KRAS (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.69, P = .03) and EGFR FISH positivity (HR = 0.43, P = .004) but not for patients with mutant KRAS (HR = 1.67, P = .31), wild-type EGFR (HR = 0.74, P = .09), mutant EGFR (HR = 0.55, P = .12), and EGFR FISH negativity (HR = 0.80, P = .35). In multivariate analysis, only EGFR FISH-positive status was prognostic for poorer survival (P = .025) and predictive of differential survival benefit from erlotinib (P = .005). CONCLUSION EGFR mutations and high copy number are predictive of response to erlotinib. EGFR FISH is the strongest prognostic marker and a significant predictive marker of differential survival benefit from erlotinib.
mTORC1 signaling in Parkinson disease and L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia: A sensitized matter

Parkinson's disease is caused by the progressive loss of dopamine innervation to the basal ganglia and is commonly treated with the dopamine precursor, L-DOPA. Prolonged administration of L-DOPA results in the development of severe motor complications, or dyskinesia, which seriously hamper its clinical use. Recent evidence indicates that L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID) is associated with persistent activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) in the medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the striatum, the main component of the basal ganglia. This phenomenon is secondary to the development of a strong sensitization at the level of dopamine D1 receptors, which are abundantly expressed in a subset of MSNs. Such sensitization confers to dopaminergic drugs (including L-DOPA) the ability to activate the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1/2, which, in turn promote mTORC1 signaling. Using a mouse model of LID, we recently showed that administration of the allosteric mTORC1 inhibitor, rapamycin, reduces dyskinesia. This finding is discussed with respect to underlying mechanisms and potential significance for the development of future therapeutic interventions.
Transformerless Inverter for Single-Phase Photovoltaic Systems

When no transformer is used in a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system, a galvanic connection between the grid and the PV array exists. In these conditions, dangerous leakage currents (common-mode currents) can appear through the stray capacitance between the PV array and the ground. In order to avoid these leakage currents, different inverter topologies that generate no varying common-mode voltages, such as the half-bridge and the bipolar pulsewidth modulation (PWM) full-bridge topologies, have been proposed. The need of a high-input voltage represents an important drawback of the half-bridge. The bipolar PWM full bridge requires a lower input voltage but exhibits a low efficiency. This letter proposes a new high-efficiency topology that generates no varying common-mode voltage and requires the same low-input voltage as the bipolar PWM full bridge. The proposed topology has been verified in a 5-kW prototype with satisfactory results
Are Leptin and Cytokines Involved in Body Weight Gain during Treatment with Antipsychotic Drugs?

Objective: To critically review published literature on the causal association between leptin, cytokines, and excessive body weight gain (BWG) induced by antipsychotic drugs (APs). Methods: We completed a Medline search using the words leptin, cytokines, antipsychotic drugs, neuroleptics, psychotropic drugs, weight gain, and obesity. We also included our empirical research on this topic in the discussion. We examined the relation between leptin, cytokines (mainly tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α] and its soluble receptors), and AP-induced BWG, using the biological sciences' current theories of causality. Results: In the general field of weight regulation, there is scarce experimental evidence that leptin or TNF-α by themselves can induce obesity. Serum levels of leptin and TNF-α rather increase simultaneously as BWG occurs. This has also been reported during AP-induced BWG, with the equivocal exception of a study with clozapine. Some researchers have suggested that the absence of the expected correlation between leptin and body mass index (BMI) or serum insulin levels, and the lack of sex-related differences in leptin levels in AP-treated patients, may point to a causal relation. This contention requires more experimental support. In addition, future clinical studies must carefully control for sex and BMI. Conclusions: No conclusive evidence has been provided that leptin or TNF-α may induce obesity either in drug-free subjects or in AP-treated patients. In most cases, the elevated serum levels of these hormones appear to be a consequence rather than a cause of obesity. That does not mean that such an elevation is innocuous, since it may impair blood pressure and also carbohydrate and lipid metabolism regulation. Hence, all efforts should be made to prevent or attenuate BWG during treatment with APs.
Comparison of Polymerase Chain Reaction and Immunohistochemistry Assays for Analysing Human Papillomavirus Infection in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) are two well-known techniques used for the diagnoses of genetic diseases, tumours and different pathogens. PCR basically amplify regions of DNA within a single molecule which may have etiologic significance, it is a method for in vitro amplification of specific DNA or RNA sequences, whereas IHC is used to verify tissue constituents (the antigens) with the utilization of specific antibodies that can be visualized through staining. AIM To compare and analyse PCR and IHC for their sensitivity to detect Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was based on samples retrospectively collected from 47 patients with primary OSCC who were diagnosed and treated at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, during the period of January 2010 to December 2013. Inclusion criteria were complete clinicopathologic data, adequate clinical follow up and availability of sufficient paraffin- embedded tumour material. HPV general and type specific 16 and 18 were investigated by means of PCR. HPV immunoreactivity was further investigated by means of IHC. RESULTS Among the 47 evaluated patients, 32 (68.1%) were male and 15 (31.9%) were female, PCR detected the presence of HPV in 32 (68.1%) patients while IHC showed no positive test results. p53 was positive in 32 (68.1%) patients and negative in 15 (31.9%). HPV type 16 being most prevalent showing positivity in 27 (57.4%) patients whereas, type 18 was positive in only 1 (2.1%) patient. CONCLUSION We concluded that PCR is more sensitive and reliable when diagnosing and detecting HPV for OSCC rather than IHC as results from IHC were all negative and insignificant, hence PCR should be the first initial diagnostic test for detecting HPV due to its better sensitivity and successful detection of HPV.
Alexithymia and Perception of Emotional Information: A Review of Experimental Psychological Findings

La alexitimia representa un constructo de las caracteristicas de personalidad que se caracteriza principalmente por dificultades para poder identificar y verbalizar emociones. El presente estudio provee una resena de los resultados de estudios psicologicos basados en metodos conductistas, con respecto al procesamiento automatico y controlado de la informacion emocional externa (es decir, originandose fuera del cuerpo). Se ha comprobado que la alexitimia es un fenomeno asociado a alteraciones en la capacidad de nombrar y reconocer emociones faciales y estimulos lexicos en un nivel de procesamiento controlado. Ademas, existe evidencia preliminar de una relacion entre la alexitimia y un deficit de atencion para estimulos lexicos emocionales de tipo automatico. En la gran mayoria de estudios anteriores, los rasgos alexitimicos han sido evaluados por instrumentos de autoevaluacion. Para poder obtener conclusiones mas firmes sobre la percepcion de las emociones en la alexitimia, conviene complementar en una investigacion futura, medidas autodescriptivas con medidas objetivas o directas de la alexitimia, tales como metodos de entrevistas estandarizados.
Purification and Characterization of Allene Oxide Cyclase from Dry Corn Seeds

Allene oxide cyclase (AOC; EC 5.3.99.6) catalyzes the cyclization of 12,13(S)-epoxy-9(Z),11,15(Z)-octadecatrienoic acid to 12-oxo- 10,15(Z)-phytodienoic acid, the precursor of jasmonic acid (JA). This soluble enzyme was purified 2000-fold from dry corn (Zea mays L.) kernels to apparent homogeneity. The dimeric protein has a molecular mass of 47 kD. Allene oxide cyclase activity was not affected by divalent ions and was not feedback-regulated by its product, 12-oxo-l0,15(Z)-phytodienoic acid, or by JA. ([plus or minus])-cis- 12,13-Epoxy-9(Z)-octadecenoic acid, a substrate analog, strongly inhibited the enzyme, with 50% inhibition at 20 [mu]M. Modification of the inhibitor, such as methylation of the carboxyl group or a shift in the position of the epoxy group, abolished the inhibitory effect, indicating that both structural elements and their position are essential for binding to AOC. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are often used to interfere with JA biosynthesis, did not influence AOC activity. The purified enzyme catalyzed the cyclization of 12,13(S)-epoxy-9(Z),11,15(Z)-octadecatrienoic acid derived from linolenic acid, but not that of 12,13(S)-epoxy-9(Z),11- octadecadienoic acid derived from linoleic acid.