Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of artemether and lumefantrine co-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers: physicochemical characterization and in vivo antimalarial activity

Abstract Context: Artemether and lumefantrine combination therapy is well-accepted for uncomplicated malaria treatment. However, the current available formulation has several pharmacokinetic mismatches such as drug degradation in gastrointestinal tract, erratic absorption, etc. Hence, need of the hour is the injectable formulation, which can overcome the pharmacokinetic mismatch associated with current available formulation in the market. Objective: To fabricate artemether and lumefantrine co-loaded injectable nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) formulation. Materials and methods: Artemether and lumefantrine co-loaded NLCs were fabricated using homogenization followed by ultra-sonication method. Fabricated NLCs were evalauated for their physicochemical characteristics, and suitability of the formulation for malaria treatment was evaluated using in vivo animal model (Plasmodium berghei-infected mice). Results, discussion and conclusion: Artemether and lumefantrine co-loaded NLCs had a hydrodynamic diameter of ∼145 nm with the surface charge of −66 mV. Due to the lipophilic nature of both antimalarial drugs, both single drugs-loaded and co-loaded NLCs have shown high encapsulation efficiency, which is 84% for artemether and 79% for lumefantrine. In vitro drug release study has shown a biphasic drug release pattern, which has shown 63% artemether release and 45% of lumefantrine release over a time period of 30 h. Plasmodium berghei-infected mice treated with artemether and lumefantrine co-loaded NLCs showed better antimalarial activity with respect to parasitemia progression and survivability period.
Space Network Time Distribution and Synchronization Protocol Development for Mars Proximity Link

Time distribution and synchronization in deep space network are challenging due to long propagation delays, spacecraft movements, and relativistic effects. Further, the Network Time Protocol (NTP) designed for terrestrial networks may not work properly in space. In this work, we consider the time distribution protocol based on time message exchanges similar to Network Time Protocol (NTP). We present the Proximity-1 Space Link Interleaved Time Synchronization (PITS) algorithm that can work with the CCSDS Proximity-1 Space Data Link Protocol. The PITS algorithm provides faster time synchronization via two-way time transfer over proximity links, improves scalability as the number of spacecraft increase, lowers storage space requirement for collecting time samples, and is robust against packet loss and duplication which underlying protocol mechanisms provide.
Screening patients on long term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for nephrotoxicity--why necessary and how frequently?

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely prescribed to patients with conditions as diverse as acute pain episodes, lower back pain, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and osteoarthritis. Individuals with inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions often need NSAIDs because of the limited activity of non-NSAID analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen) and the unacceptable side effect profile of corticosteroids. NSAIDs are usually prescribed on long-term basis for patients with RA, for providing symptomatic relief and do not alter the course of the disease, nor do they prevent joint destruction.
AVIAN ADENOVIRUS ISOLATED FROM BROILER AFFECTED WITH INCLUSION BODY HEPATITIS

Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) has been reported in many countries in the world. The IBH characterized presence of intra-nuclear inclusion bodies in hepatocytes in chickens. On December 2015, an onset of high acute mortality in a f lock of 12, 18 and 23day-old broiler chickens in Malacca and Johore was reported to the Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Johor Bahru, Peninsular Malaysia. The birds showed lethargy, huddling, ruff led feathers, and inappetence. At necropsy, the livers were enlarged, pale yellow, friable and with multiple petechial hemorrhages, the kidney were congested and enlarged, with hydropericardium and gizzard erosion. Large eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies were seen in hepatocytes. PCR revealed liver were positive of FAdV at expected band of 1219 bp and the nucleotide sequence share 95-99% identity with the fowl adenovirus species E, serotype 8b. Based on the acute high mortality, age of the broilers, gross and microscopic lesions (especially intranuclear inclusion bodies) and molecular finding, the condition was diagnosed as adenovirus inclusion body hepatitis.
Spiritual Well-Being, Intrinsic Religiosity, and Suicidal Behavior in Predominantly Catholic Croatian War Veterans With Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Control Study

We investigated relationships between spiritual well-being (SWB), intrinsic religiosity (IR), and suicidal behavior in 45 Croatian war veterans with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder and 32 healthy volunteers. Compared with the volunteers, the veterans had significantly lower SWB scores (p = 0.000) and existential well-being (EWB) scores (p = 0.000). Scores on the religious well-being (RWB) subscale (p = 0.108) and the IR scale did not differ significantly between the groups (p = 0.803). Veterans' suicidality inversely correlated with SWB (p = 0.000), EWB (p = 0.000), RWB (p = 0.026), and IR (p = 0.041), with the association being stronger for the EWB subscale than for the RWB subscale. Veterans who had attempted suicide at least once in their lifetime had significantly higher Suicidal Assessment Scale scores and lower EWB scores than veterans who never attempted suicide. Low EWB scores may imply an increased risk of suicidality. Some religious activities were more frequent among the veterans than among the healthy volunteers, possibly reflecting the veterans' increased help-seeking behavior due to poor EWB.
Effects of BPM on ERP Adoption in the Public Sector

The study examines how Business Process Management (BPM) affects the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) adoption in the public sector with regard to the three main phases: planning, implementation, and post-implementation of the system. The research method is a multiple case study with data collection using mainly semi-structure interviews with internal ERP users. The units of analysis are three public sector institutions chosen due to their implementation of the ERP system. Research findings confirm that ERP implementation conducted without BPM initiatives is used in the public sector to cement antiquated, less than optimal methods of data flow, documentation flow, decision flow and workflow. Research also shows that the adoption of ERP partially contributes to the launch of BPM initiatives in public sector institutions. This study has value for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of public sector organizations which are obligated to operate in a cost effective manner.
Developmental Dyscalculia in Adults: Beyond Numerical Magnitude Impairment

Numerous studies have tried to identify the core deficit of developmental dyscalculia (DD), mainly by assessing a possible deficit of the mental representation of numerical magnitude. Research in healthy adults has shown that numerosity, duration, and space share a partly common system of magnitude processing and representation. However, in DD, numerosity processing has until now received much more attention than the processing of other non-numerical magnitudes. To assess whether or not the processing of non-numerical magnitudes is impaired in DD, the performance of 15 adults with DD and 15 control participants was compared in four categorization tasks using numerosities, lengths, durations, and faces (as non-magnitude-based control stimuli). Results showed that adults with DD were impaired in processing numerosity and duration, while their performance in length and face categorization did not differ from controls’ performance. Our findings support the idea of a nonsymbolic magnitude deficit in DD, affecting numerosity and duration processing but not length processing.
The epidemiology of affective disorders in the elderly: a review

It has been suggested that elderly people are predisposed to depression by age-related structural and biochemical changes that may increase their vulnerability to depression and by the fact that risk factors such as bereavement and other psychological losses, somatic diseases and institutionalization become more common with increasing age. The elderly also have a disproportionately high rate of suicide. Whether the prevalence of depression increases or decreases with age is, however, debatable. There may be a peak in the prevalence during the years before retirement, a low prevalence during the first 10–15 years thereafter, and an increase after the age of 75 years. Among the consequences of depression are social deprivation, loneliness, poor quality of life, increased use of health and home-care services, cognitive decline, impairments in activities of daily living, chronicity, suicide and increased non-suicide mortality. However, most studies report that few depressives in the community are treated with antidepressants. During recent years new antidepressants have been introduced, which are better tolerated by the elderly. At the same time, the prescription of antidepressants has increased in the community. It remains to be seen whether these changes have led to a higher rate of treatment of depression in the elderly.
Polyphasic microbial community analysis of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soils from two northern Canadian communities.

The cold-adapted bacterial communities in petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated and non-impacted soils from two northern Canadian environments, Kuujjuaq, Que. , and Alert, Nunavut, were analyzed using a polyphasic approach. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) separation of 16S rDNA PCR fragments from soil total community DNA revealed a high level of bacterial diversity, as estimated by the total number of bands visualized. Dendrogram analysis clustered the sample sites on the basis of geographical location. Comparison of the overall microbial molecular diversity suggested that in the Kuujjuaq sites, contamination negatively impacted diversity whereas in the Alert samples, diversity was maintained or increased as compared to uncontaminated controls. Extraction and sequencing analysis of selected 16S rDNA bands demonstrated a range of similarity of 86-100% to reference organisms, with 63.6% of the bands representing high G+C Gram-positive organisms in the order Actinomycetales and 36.4% in the class Proteobacteria. Community level physiological profiles generated using Biolog GN plates were analyzed by cluster analysis. Based on substrate oxidation rates, the samples clustered into groups similar to those of the DGGE dendrograms, i.e. separation based upon geographic origin. The coinciding results reached using culture-independent and -dependent analyses reinforces the conclusion that geographical origin of the samples, rather than petroleum contamination level, was more important in determining species diversity within these cold-adapted bacterial communities.
Muscle Strength Recovery in Treated Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A Prospective Study for the First 18 Months After Onset

El Mhandi L, Calmels P, Camdessanché JP, Gautheron V, Féasson L: Muscle strength recovery in treated Guillain-Barré syndrome: a prospective study for the first 18 months after onset. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2007;86:716–724. Objective:To assess the recovery in muscle strength and functional capacities in subjects with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) for 18 months after onset. Design:Six GBS patients were treated and transferred to our rehabilitation center within the first week of recovery. Results:Isometric and isokinetic strength increased significantly during the first 6 months (P < 0.01). Between 6 and 18 months, muscle strength increased less rapidly (P < 0.05). We showed a significant negative correlation between plateau period duration and knee extensors, elbow flexors muscles strength recovery (&rgr; = −0.82; P = 0.05). At 6 months, manual muscle testing and functional independence motor total scores were close to normal levels. At 18 months, all patients satisfied the criteria for a full recovery. However, they felt difficulties after prolonged exercise. Conclusions:Until 18 months of recovery, dynamometric measures still showed significant strength improvement. This underscores the need for a minimal 24 months of clinical follow-up with an individualized rehabilitation management program.
A Matrix Method for the Fuzzy Analytic Network Process

In this paper, the fuzzy analytic network process (FANP) is proposed. For achieving this purpose, two problems are highlighted and overcome in this paper. First, the postulate of the reciprocal matrix should be released, because this property is not satisfied in the fuzzy comparison matrix. Second, the convergent problem for raising the fuzzy supermatrix to limiting power should be appropriately handled. In this paper, we directly fuzzify Cogger and Yu's method for obtaining the fuzzy local vectors, because their method releases the postulate of the reciprocal matrix in the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Then, we derive the particular matrix problem for obtaining the fuzzy global weight vector so that the convergent problem in a fuzzy limiting supermatrix can be overcome.
Differences in Undercoverage and Nonresponse between City Neighbourhoods in a Telephone Survey

Two explanations of differences in undercoverage and nonresponse between neighbourhoods in a telephone survey among the inhabitants of the City of Groningen were studied: differences in population composition between neighbourhoods or in their social disorganization. Logistic multilevel analyses were performed on a sample of 7,000 inhabitants and all 14 city neighbourhoods. Differences in undercoverage and nonresponse between neighbourhoods could be attributed for the greater part to variations in the population composition of the neighbourhoods. Social disorganization had no effect on nonresponse and only a small one on undercoverage: people in neighbourhoods in decay (indicated by prolonged vacancies and relatively frequent criminal offenses) more often had no telephone or an unlisted number than people in other neighbourhoods.
Helical CT Pulmonary Angiography Predictors of In-Hospital Morbidity and Mortality in Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Purpose To determine if CT variables predict in-hospital morbidity and mortality in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). Materials and Methods CT scans and charts of 173 patients with CT scans positive for PE were reviewed. CT scans were reviewed for leftward ventricular septal bowing, increased right ventricle (RV) to left ventricle (LV) diameter ratio, clot burden, increased pulmonary artery to aorta diameter ratio, and oligemia. Charts were reviewed for severe morbidity and mortality outcomes: death from pulmonary emboli or any cause, and cardiac arrest. Charts were also reviewed for milder morbidity outcomes: intubation, vasopressor use, or admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) and for multiple comorbidities. Results No CT predictor was significantly associated with severe morbidity or mortality outcomes. Ventricular septal bowing and increased RV/LV diameter ratio were both associated with subsequent admission to an ICU (P = 0.004 and P = 0.025, respectively). Oligemia (either lung) was associated with subsequent intubation; right lung oligemia was associated with the subsequent use of vasopressors. After controlling for history of congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and pulmonary disease, both septal bowing and an increased RV/LV diameter ratio remained associated with admission to an ICU. Conclusion No CT variables predicted severe in-hospital morbidity and mortality (death from pulmonary embolism, death from any cause, or cardiac arrest) in patients with PE. However, ventricular septal bowing and increased RV/LV diameter ratio were both strongly predictive of less severe morbidity, namely, subsequent ICU admission, and oligemia was associated with subsequent intubation and vasopressor use.
LETM1, a novel gene encoding a putative EF-hand Ca(2+)-binding protein, flanks the Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) critical region and is deleted in most WHS patients.

Deletions within human chromosome 4p16.3 cause Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS), which is characterized by severe mental and developmental defects. It is thought that haploinsufficiency of more than one gene contributes to the complex phenotype. We have cloned and characterized a novel gene (LETM1) that is deleted in nearly all WHS patients. LETM1 encodes a putative member of the EF-hand family of Ca(2+)-binding proteins. The protein contains two EF-hands, a transmembrane domain, a leucine zipper, and several coiled-coil domains. On the basis of its possible Ca(2+)-binding property and involvement in Ca(2+) signaling and/or homeostasis, we propose that haploinsufficiency of LETM1 may contribute to the neuromuscular features of WHS patients.
Reactive Oxygen Species on Neural Transmission a

Normal function of the central nervous system requires an intricate balance of numerous electrical and chemical processes. Neurons process both excitatory and inhibitory inputs that govern their level of excitability. Synthesis, breakdown, uptake, and release mechanisms control the availability of neurotransmitters. Neuronal excitability is modulated through membrane currents, second messengers, and the extracellular microenvironment. Glial cells play an important role in maintaining the equilibrium of the nervous system. We are now finding that many of these processes are vulnerable to reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are generated in excess in many nervous system pathologies, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Down's syndrome, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which have very different etiologies and symptoms. ROS could be a primary factor, targeting different processes and causing slightly different perturbations of the nervous system's balance. Disruptions of the homeostasis of the nervous system by free radicals can manifest itself in any number of ways, including hyperexcitability, impaired neuronal plasticity, and even cell death. Our laboratory has been characterizing the effects of ROS on neural transmission in an effort to elucidate the consequences of freeradical exposure and to understand the functional interactions that underlie the diversity of observed symptoms.
Sensitivity and predictive value of anti-GM1/galactocerebroside IgM antibodies in multifocal motor neuropathy

Background Increased titres of serum IgM antibodies to GM1 ganglioside are often associated with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). Testing for IgM antibodies to other antigens including GM2, the mixture of GM1 and galactocerebroside (GM1/GalC) and the disulfated heparin disaccharide NS6S were reported to increase the sensitivity of antibody testing in MMN even if it is unclear whether the specificity and positive (PPV) or negative predictive value (NPV) for MMN were also affected. Methods We measured IgM antibodies to GM1, GM2, galactocerebroside, GM1/GalC and NS6S in 40 consecutive patients with MMN and 142 controls with other neuropathies or related diseases and compared their sensitivity, specificity and PPV for MMN. Results With the only exception of anti-GM2 and, partially, anti-NS6S antibodies, IgM antibodies to the antigens tested were more frequent in MMN than in controls. Increased titres of anti-GM1 IgM were found in 48% of MMN patients with a specificity of 93% and PPV for MMN of 66%. Anti-GM1/GalC antibodies were present in all anti-GM1 positive MMN patients and in 11 additional patients (28%) with MMN raising the sensitivity of antibody testing to 75%. The specificity (85%) and PPV (59%) for MMN was, however, moderately reduced compared to anti-GM1 IgM, even if they rose with increasing anti-GM1/GalC titres. IgM antibodies to GM2, NS6S and galactocerebroside were found in 8%, 23% and 60% of MMN patients but had a low specificity and PPV for MMN. Conclusions Testing for anti-GM1/GalC IgM significantly increased the sensitivity of antibody testing in MMN compared to anti-GM1 alone (p=0.021) and may represent a preferred option for GM1 reactivity testing in MMN.
Knowledge and Preferences Regarding Antidepressant Medication Among Depressed Latino Patients in Primary Care

Abstract US Latinos are less likely to utilize mental health services than non-Latino whites and to take antidepressant medications. This mixed-method study followed a subset (N = 28) of a research sample of depressed Latino immigrant primary care patients, who took depression medication, with a telephone interview to study their knowledge about and experiences with antidepressant medications. Most (82%) reported taking medication for 2 months or more, and 75% reported feeling better, whereas more than half reported side effects. Most (61%) agreed that antidepressants are generally safe and helpful in treating depression (68%); however, many believed they could be addictive (39%). Fifty percent of patients who discontinued their medication did not inform their providers. Twelve of the 28 patients also participated in focus groups about interactions with providers and made suggestions for conveying information about antidepressants. Patients suggested videos as a format to disseminate medication information because they do not require written comprehension. Other patient recommendations are presented.
Transforming Growth Factor-1 Increases Survival of Human Melanoma through Stroma Remodeling 1

Transforming growth factor (TGF)is growth inhibitory for normal epithelial cells and melanocytes but can stimulate mesenchymal cells. Resistance to its inhibitory effects is characteristic of human melanoma, the growth of which may instead be promoted by TGF, because its production is increased with melanoma progression. Whether TGFhas an autocrine function for melanoma cells or is important for paracrine stimulation of the tumor stroma is not known. In this study, TGF1 was expressed in melanoma cells via adenoviral gene transfer, and tumor growth was analyzed in vitro, in human skin grafts, and in mixtures with fibroblasts that were injected s.c. into immunodeficient mice. The TGF1 produced by the melanoma cells activated the fibroblasts to produce matrix within and around the tumor mass, whereas control tumors showed less stroma and more cell death. High expression of collagen, fibronectin, tenascin, and 2 integrin was detected in the TGF1expressing tumors by immunohistochemistry. Number and size of lung metastases were significantly increased. cDNA expression array analysis of TGF1-transduced fibroblasts embedded in type I collagen and of TGF1-transduced melanoma cells demonstrated induction of types XV, XVIII, and VI collagens, tenascin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-I, vascular endothelial growth factor, cysteine-rich fibroblast growth factor receptor-1, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor, which could be linked to promotion of growth and survival in melanoma. These data suggest that remodeling of the neighboring stroma, which provides a supporting scaffolding and a positive feedback stimulation of tumor growth, is an important function of TGF1 in melanoma.