Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transepidermal drug delivery: A new treatment option for areata alopecia?

Abstract Background: Transepidermal drug delivery (TED) is a new potential method in dermatology. Permeability alterations induced by ablative fractional resurfacing have been described with the aim to increasing the delivery of different substances into the skin. Objective: To evaluate clinical response and side effects of TED in areata alopecia (AA) treatment using ablative fractional methods associated with acoustic pressure ultrasound (US) to deliver triamcinolone solution into the skin. Methods and materials: Five cases of AA underwent treatment which comprised of 3 steps: 1) Ablative fractioned RF or CO2 laser 2) topical application of triamcinolone 3) acoustic pressure wave US. The number of sessions varied according to the clinical response, ranging from one to six sessions. Results: All patients had complete recovery of the area treated. Two of them treated with ablative fractional RF + triamcinolone + US had complete response after three and six sessions. The other two treated with ablative fractional CO2 + triamcinolone + US had complete response after one session. Conclusion: Fractioned ablative resurfacing associated with acoustic pressure wave US is a new option to areata alopecia treatment with good clinical result and low incidence of side effects.
Poor knowledge of university students regarding paracetamol; a wakeup call for public healthcare practitioners

Abstract Over-the-counter (OTC) use of paracetamol has drastically increased over the past few decades. Its toxicity is the foremost cause of acute liver failure in the Western world, unfortunately such cases remain undocumented in underdeveloped country like Pakistan. So far very limited studies have been reported in Pakistan, which have tackled issues related to toxicity and knowledge among public regarding OTC medicines at the national level. We assessed the prevalence of self-medication, level of awareness and knowledge regarding OTC medicines (specifically paracetamol), 352 university students through structured interview method. Awareness was scored by a ranking questionnaire. Data was coded and statistically analyzed using SPSS© 21. The survey questionnaire covered the risk perception, prevalence of self-medication and practices regarding OTC medicine use among the university students. Our results offer an indirect assessment of the knowledge among our general population as well as an estimation of misuse related harmful impact of OTC medicines. Moreover, it point out a major knowledge gap, low risk perception and significant prevalence of self-medication with paracetamol among our population, illustrating an increased potential of its adverse effects through overuse or misuse. These finding reveal a substantial need for educational intervention around OTC medicines. Serves as an eye opener for healthcare practitioners who should be proactive in commencing health awareness programs as well as superintending the irrational OTC drug use among public.
Neural rim area declines with increased intraocular pressure in urban Americans.

OBJECTIVE To determine intraocular pressure (IOP)-related differences in the neural rim area among urban Americans without known optic nerve disease. DESIGN Population-based prevalence study conducted in 16 cluster areas in East Baltimore, Md. PARTICIPANTS A population-based sample of 1521 black and 1851 white individuals aged 40 years and older without evidence of optic nerve disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Intraocular pressure-related differences in neural rim area, neural rim area-to-disc area ratio, and cup-to-disc ratio. RESULTS We analyzed optic disc photographs using the Imagenet system (Topcon Instrument Corp of America, Paramus, NJ). After adjusting for age and disc area, white Americans had a 6% decrease in neural rim area for every 10-mm Hg increase in IOP (P = .0001). In black Americans, there was a quadratic relationship between neural rim area and IOP, with little decline with IOP up to approximately 17 mm Hg, after which neural rim area declined significantly with higher IOP (P = .001). Similarly, the neural rim area-to-disc area ratio decreased and the vertical cup-to-disc ratio increased with increasing IOP in both black and white Americans. CONCLUSIONS The higher the level of IOP, the smaller was the amount of neural rim tissue in the optic disc for both black and white Americans. However, the relationship between IOP and neural rim area was different in whites and blacks.
Identification of Clusterin Domain Involved in NF-κB Pathway Regulation*

Clusterin (CLU) is a ubiquitous protein that has been implicated in tumorigenesis, apoptosis, inflammation, and cell proliferation. We and others have previously shown that CLU is an inhibitor of the NF-κB pathway. However, the exact form of CLU and the region(s) of CLU involved in this effect were unknown. Using newly generated molecular constructs encoding for CLU and various regions of the molecule, we demonstrated that the presecretory form of CLU (psCLU) form bears the NF-κB regulatory activity. Sequence comparison analysis showed sequence motif identity between CLU and β-transducin repeat-containing protein (β-TrCP), a main E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in IκB-α degradation. These homologies were localized in the disulfide constraint region of CLU. We generated a specific molecular construct of this region, named ΔCLU, and showed that it has the same NF-κB regulatory activity as CLU. Neither the α-chain nor the β-chain of CLU had any NF-κB regulatory activity. Furthermore, we showed that following tumor necrosis factor-α stimulation of transfected cells, we could co-immunoprecipitate phospho-IκB-α with ΔCLU. Moreover, we showed that ΔCLU could localize both in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus. These results demonstrate the identification of a new CLU activity site involved in NF-κB pathway regulation.
DETERMINATION OF LOAD-BEARING ELEMENT LENGTH IN PAPER USING ZERO/SHORT SPAN TENSILE TESTING

In this work, an equation is developed to allow the average length of load-bearing elements within a sheet of paper to be estimated from zero and short-span tensile tests. This was used to examine the effect of drying treatment on the average length of load-bearing element in five furnishes: two radiata pine kraft pulps, a eucalyptus globulus kraft pulp, a eucalypt NSSC pulp and a recycled pulp. For each pulp, three sets of handsheets were made. The first set of handsheets was made from the never-dried pulps. The second set of handsheets was made by forming a set of handsheets and air drying them under restraint. The air-dried handsheets were then reslushed and made into handsheets. The third set was made by oven drying a set of handsheets, reslushing them and then forming handsheets. Zero and short span tensile strength measurements were made on the fifteen different sets of handsheets to allow the average length of load-bearing elements in each case to be calculated. For all five furnishes it was found that the average length of load-bearing element was approximately equal to the measured average fibre length, independent of the type of drying treatment used to produce the handsheets.
The design and optimization of a photovoltaic tracking mechanism

The paper presents researches on increasing the efficiency of the photovoltaic conversion by designing a dual-axis tracking system that adjusts the position of the PV module in order to maximize the incident radiation. The design of the tracking system is approached as a mechatronic concept, integrating the control system in the mechanical model of the tracking mechanism. The paper proposes a design strategy based on two steps: designing the optimal tracking system that intends to minimize the actuating forces necessary to track the Sun path, and designing the optimal control law in order to minimize the energy consumption for orientation. The structural solution of the tracking system for study is developed using a method based on the multi-body systems (MBS) theory. The design steps are performed by developing the virtual prototype, which is a control loop composed by the mechanical structure connected with the dynamic model of the actuators and with the controller model.
BiP Internal Ribosomal Entry Site Activity Is Controlled by Heat-Induced Interaction of NSAP1

ABSTRACT TheBiP protein, a stress response protein, plays an important role in the proper folding and assembly of nascent protein and in the scavenging of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum lumen. Translation of BiP is directed by an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) in the 5′ nontranslated region of the BiP mRNA. BiP IRES activity increases when cells are heat stressed. Here we report that NSAP1 specifically enhances the IRES activity of BiP mRNA by interacting with the IRES element. Overexpression of NSAP1 in 293T cells increased the IRES activity of BiP mRNA, whereas knockdown of NSAP1 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) reduced the IRES activity of BiP mRNA. The amount of NSAP1 bound to the BiP IRES increased under heat stress conditions, and the IRES activity of BiP mRNA was increased. Moreover, the increase in BiP IRES activity with heat treatment was not observed in cells lacking NSAP1 after siRNA treatment. BiP mRNAs were redistributed from the heavy polysome to the light polysome in NSAP1 knockdown cells. Together, these data indicate that NSAP1 modulates IRES-dependent translation of BiP mRNA through an RNA-protein interaction under heat stress conditions.
Oral Candida colonization and its relation with predisposing factors in HIV-infected children and their uninfected siblings in Brazil: the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate predisposing factors such as orofacial manifestations, immunosuppression status and antiretroviral therapy in relation to oral colonization by Candida spp. in Brazilian HIV-infected children and their uninfected siblings in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). METHODS Whole stimulated saliva was collected from 65 HIV-infected children (HIV+) and 40 uninfected siblings (HIV-), followed by assessment of orofacial manifestation, caries indexes and the number of cavitated dentinal carious teeth (CDT). The salivary samples were cultured and the colonies were counted. After which they were identified by sugar assimilation and fermentation (API 20C). Data was analyzed using chi-square, Mann-Whitney, Spearman tests and logistic regression. RESULTS Regarding positive growth, HIV+ presented 80% (52/65) and HIV- 57.5% (23/40) (P = 0.013). Absence of antiretroviral therapy and HAART increased the probability of Candida isolation (P < 0.05). Mean CD4%, immune-status and history of recurrent oral candidiasis (OC) had no influence on Candida isolation. Mixed Candida spp. cultures were observed in HIV+ (40%) and HIV- (52%): C. albicans was more frequently found in both groups, with a higher prevalence in HIV+ (P = 0.05); other non-albicans species were isolated in HIV+ and HIV-. Low prevalence of orofacial manifestations was observed in HIV+ (10.7% of OC). There was an association between means of CDT and Candida growth (P < 0.05) and a positive correlation between number of CDT and Candida cfu-counts in HIV+ and HIV-. Mean CD4% and immune-status had no influence on Candida isolation. Absence of antiretroviral therapy and HAART increased the probability of Candida isolation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The HIV infected children had a significantly higher prevalence of oral Candida spp. compared to their uninfected siblings. Absence of HAART and presence of dentinal carious teeth increased significantly Candida spp. colonization in these children.
Does melatonin induce apoptosis in MCF‐7 human breast cancer cells in vitro?

Melatonin inhibits proliferation of the estrogen‐responsive MCF‐7 human breast cancer cells. The objective of this work was to assess whether melatonin not only regulates MCF‐7 cell proliferation but also induces apoptosis. In this experiment we used 1,25‐dihydroxycholecalciferol (D3) as a positive control because it inhibits MCF‐7 cell proliferation and induces apoptosis. MCF‐7 cells were cultured with either 1 nM melatonin, 100 nM D3 or its diluent to determine their effects on cell proliferation, cell viability, cell‐cycle phase distribution, population of apoptotic cells, and expression of p53, p21WAF1, bcl‐2, bcl‐XL and bax proteins. After 24 or 48 hr of incubation, both melatonin and D3‐treatment significantly decreased the number of viable cells in relation to the controls, although no differences in cell viability were observed between the treatments. The incidence of apoptosis, measured as the population of cells falling in the sub‐G1 region of the DNA histogram, or by the TUNEL reaction, was similar in melatonin‐treated and control cells whereas, as expected, apoptosis was higher among cells treated with D3 than in controls. The expression of p53 and p21WAF1 proteins significantly increased after 24 or 48 hr of incubation with either melatonin or D3. No significant changes in bcl‐2, bcl‐XL and bax mRNAs were detected after treatment with melatonin whereas in D3‐treated cells, a significant drop in bcl‐XL was observed. These data support the hypothesis that melatonin reduces MCF‐7 cell proliferation by modulating cell‐cycle length through the control of the p53–p21 pathway, but without clearly inducing apoptosis.
Gender differences in social network characteristics and psychological well-being among Hong Kong Chinese: The role of future time perspective and adherence to Renqing

Gender differences in social network characteristics are well documented in the literature. Socioemotional selectivity theory emphasizes the importance of future time perception on selection of social partners whereas cultural studies stress the roles of Renqing (relationship orientation) on social interactions. This study examined the effects of future time perspective and adherence to Renqing on social network characteristics, and their associations with psychological well-being of 321 Chinese men and women, aged 28–91 years. Results showed that adherence to Renqing partially accounted for gender differences in the number of relatives, even after controlling for the effects of extraversion and structural factors. Moreover, women, but not men, with lower adherence to Renqing and more limited future time perspective were found to be happier when they had fewer close friends in their social networks.
An incompatibility system determined by three factors in a species of Psathyrella (Basidiomycetes).

Evidence is given for a trifactorial system of incompatibility in an isolate identified as Psathyrella coprobia . The three factors are designated A, B and C. They are thought to be inherited independently. The function of factor A is most probably the same as that of factor A of bifactorial species. Factor B is concerned with the initiation of fruit body primordia, while all three factors must be heterozygous for the occurrence of nuclear migration and the formation of mature fruit bodies.
Antiretroviral Treatment Simplification With 3 NRTIs or 2 NRTIs Plus Nevirapine in HIV-1-Infected Patients Treated With Successful First-Line HAART

Objectives:To assess the virologic noninferiority of an antiretroviral treatment simplification with coformulated zidovudine/lamivudine/abacavir (group 1) vs. coformulated zidovudine/lamivudine plus nevirapine (group 2) in HIV-1-infected patients receiving successful first-line highly active antiretroviral therapy. Methods:This is a prospective, multicenter, open-label, comparative, randomized, noninferiority study. A delta of 15% for differences in virologic suppression <200 copies/mL between groups was prespecified with a 1-sided 0.025 significance level. Results:A total of 134 patients were included into this study: 68 were allocated to group 1 and 66 to group 2. By intention-to-treat analysis (switch equals failure), the percentage of virologic suppression <200 copies/mL (<50 copies/mL) at week 48 was 71.0% (65.1%) and 73.0% (63.3%) in groups 1 and 2, respectively (estimate for differences [<200 copies/mL]: −2.1, 95% CI: −17.4-13.1, P = 0.783). Thirteen and 14 patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively, discontinued therapy due to adverse events. Dyslipidemia improved in both groups, with a higher improvement in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.049) in group 1. Conclusions:Group 1 is not inferior to group 2 regarding virologic suppression <200 copies/mL. Both strategies improve lipid profile.
Single Phase Pressure Drop and Flow Distribution in Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers

Brazed plate heat exchangers (BPHE) have been widely used in the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration industry, but refrigerant distribution among parallel plate channels is still one of the main issues. Maldistribution of refrigerant among different plate channels is greatly affected by the pressure changes along the inlet and outlet header, and it would generally decrease the performance of BPHE by causing higher pressure drop and poor utilization of heat transfer area. In this paper, the experimental and simulative methods are used to study the single-phase pressure drop and flow distribution in a U-type BPHE. Experiments are conducted to measure the pressure changes along the inlet and outlet header, as well as the pressure difference through each plate channel. And the CFD tool is used to simulate the flow details in the inlet and out header of the BPHE.
Some studies of the protein-binding of steroids and their application to the routine micro and ultramicro measurement of various steroids in body fluids by competitive protein-binding radioassay.

ABSTRACT A method utilizing the steroid-binding properties of corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG, transcortin) was described in 1963 for the routine determination of corticoids in 1 ml of plasma (J Clin Endocr 23: 293, 1963) and later modified to reduce the time required (J Clin Endocr 24: 919, 1964). A 100-fold increase in sensitivity has now been achieved by using tritiated steroids in place of 14C-labeled steroids, by utilizing the CBG's of species other than man, and by using adsorption in place of dialysis or gel filtration. The use of several insoluble adsorbing agents (Fuller's earth, Florisil, coated charcoal) to separate protein-bound and unbound steroids was investigated and their effects on specificity were studied. The use of these techniques in plasma, urine and cerebrospinal fluid was vindicated. With these methods, cortisol can be measured routinely in 0.01 ml of plasma or 0.1 ml of cerebrospinal fluid, and progesterone in 0.3 ml of plasma. Compound S (11-desoxycortisol), corticosterone, .
Stress ulcer prophylaxis in the intensive care unit: is it indicated? A topical systematic review

Stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) is regarded as standard of care in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, recent randomized, clinical trials (RCTs) and meta‐analyses have questioned the rationale and level of evidence for this recommendation. The aim of the present systematic review was to evaluate if SUP in the critically ill patients is indicated. Data sources: MEDLINE including MeSH, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Participants: patients in the ICU. Interventions: pharmacological and non‐pharmacological SUP. Study appraisal and synthesis methods: Risk of bias was assessed according to Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation, and risk of random errors in cumulative meta‐analyses was assessed with trial sequential analysis. A total of 57 studies were included in the review. The literature on SUP in the ICU includes limited trial data and methodological weak studies. The reported incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding varies considerably. Data on the incidence and severity of GI bleeding in general ICUs in the developed world as of today are lacking. The best intervention for SUP is yet to be settled by balancing efficacy and harm. In essence, it is unresolved if intensive care patients benefit overall from SUP. The following clinically research questions are unanswered: (1) What is the incidence of GI bleeding, and which interventions are used for SUP in general ICUs today? ; (2) Which criteria are used to prescribe SUP? ; (3) What is the best SUP intervention? ; (4) Do intensive care patients benefit from SUP with proton pump inhibitors as compared with other SUP interventions? Systematic reviews of possible interventions and well‐powered observational studies and RCTs are needed.
Notice of RetractionCigarette Smoking, Glutathione S-Transferase P1 Genetic Variant, and Cardiovascular Fitness

Smoking is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Glutathione S-transferases are involved in the detoxification of many harmful substances found in tobacco smoke. This study investigated the relation of Ile105Val variant of glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) gene to cardiovascular fitness with special reference to interaction with cigarette smoking. 232 unrelated ethnic Han Chinese men were recruited. GSTP1 genotypes were examined by a PCR-RFLP method. Cardiovascular fitness was assessed using a step test. Results showed that there was a strong association between cigarette smoking and poor step index, regardless of the adjustment for age and body mass index. Ile105Val variant was associated with step index neither in all subjects nor in nonsmokers. Whereas compared with Ile homozygote smokers, Val allele smokers had higher step index, regardless of the adjustment for age and body mass index. In conclusion, Our findings suggest that cigarette smoking may decrease cardiovascular fitness in normal persons, and GSTP1 Val allele may paly a protective role in cardiovascular fitness in smokers.
D1 dopamine receptors in the mouse prefrontal cortex: Immunocytochemical and cognitive neuropharmacological analyses

Dopamine D1 receptors have critical neuromodulatory influences on the working memory functions of the prefrontal cortex, a brain region affected in many neuropsychiatric disorders. When D1 receptor agents are administered to rats or monkeys performing working memory tasks, an “inverted U” dose/response function is typically observed, whereby either too little or too much D1 receptor stimulation impairs working memory. There are two subtypes of D1 receptors, the D1A and the D1B (also known as the D1 and D5, respectively), but the relative contributions of these subtypes to prefrontal cortical function are not known, as there are no pharmacological agents that can distinguish between these receptors. Thus, genetically altered mice are needed to address this question. However, it is not known whether the mouse prefrontal cortex contains both D1A and D1B receptor subtypes, nor is it known whether mice will exhibit responses to D1 receptor agonists similar to those seen in rats and monkeys. The current study examined these issues by immunostaining the mouse brain with specific antibodies directed at the D1A and D1B receptor subtypes and by assessing the effects of increasing doses of a D1 receptor agonist, SKF81297, on spatial working memory performance in mice. Results indicate that mice are generally similar to monkeys and rats, expressing both D1A and D1B receptors in the prefrontal cortex and exhibiting an inverted “U” dose/response curve when administered SKF81297. Synapse 47:101–108, 2003. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.