Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Potential role of UGT pharmacogenetics in cancer treatment and prevention: focus on tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors

Tamoxifen (TAM) is a selective estrogen-receptor modulator that is widely used in the prevention and treatment of estrogen-receptor–positive breast cancer. Its use has significantly contributed to a decline in breast cancer mortality, since breast cancer patients treated with TAM for 5 years exhibit a 30–50% reduction in both the rate of disease recurrence after 10 years of patient follow-up and in the occurrence of contralateral breast cancer. However, in patients treated with TAM, there is substantial interindividual variability in the development of resistance to TAM therapy and in the incidence of TAM-induced adverse events, including deep-vein thrombosis, hot flashes, and the development of endometrial cancer. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) have emerged as a viable alternative to TAM, working by inhibiting aromatase activity and blocking estrone/estrodiol biosynthesis in postmenopausal women. The current third-generation AIs, anastrozole, exemestane, and letrozole, were used initially for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, demonstrating similar or greater benefit but less toxicity, compared with TAM, and are now being employed as adjuvant treatment for early breast cancer in postmenopausal women. This article will focus on the UDP-glucuronosyltransferases, a family of metabolizing enzymes that play an important role in the deactivation and clearance of TAM, anastrazole, and exemestane, and how interindividual differences in these enzymes may play a role in patient response to these agents.
[Effect of triptolide on urinary monocyte chemottractant protein-1 in patients with diabetic nephropathy].

OBJECTIVE To observe the change of urinary monocyte chemottractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN), and to explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of triptolide (TL) in treating DN. METHODS Thirty-five patients in the treated group were treated with TL plus benazepril and thirty two patients in the control group were treated with benazepril alone for six months. The change of urinary MCP-1 was measured before and after treatment. RESULTS Level of urinary MCP-1 in DN patients was significantly higher than that in healthy subjects (P < 0.01), but it could be significantly decreased after TL treatment, showing significant difference as compared with that in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Determination of urinary MCP-1 level is beneficial to know the degree of kidney inflammation in DN patients. TL can inhibit inflammatory reaction to decrease the level of urinary MCP-1, and thus improve the renal function.
Changes in corneal thickness, curvature, and anterior chamber depth during the menstrual cycle.

OBJECTIVE To determine the variations in corneal thickness values, keratometry readings, and anterior chamber depths (ACD) during the menstrual cycle of young women using the noncontact Scheimpflug imaging technique. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS Fourteen women with regular menstrual cycles who were not taking contraceptive pills were enrolled and had measurements taken every other day during a full menstrual cycle, starting from the first day. None used contact lenses or regular medication, and none had systemic disease or history of eye surgery. METHODS The thickness at the centre, superior, inferior, temporal, nasal, and thinnest point of the cornea, the keratometry readings, and the ACD values measured with the Pentacam were recorded. We used data on days 1, 3, and 5 of the studied cycle, and counting backwards, 2, 4, 6, 12, 14, and 16 days before the first day of the next cycle. RESULTS The mean differences between 2 points of time were not statistically significant (p > 0.05) for any variable. The mean difference between any 2 paired thickness measurements was less than 5.0 microm. CONCLUSIONS Contrary to our expectations and previous findings using ultrasound pachymetry, we found no clinically or statistically significant differences between the repeated measurements with the Pentacam. This could indicate that the Pentacam is a clinical tool with less variability when performing serial measurements and follow-up examinations.
A high affinity recombinant antibody to the human EphA3 receptor with enhanced ADCC activity

Abstract EphA3is expressed in solid tumors and leukemias and is an attractive target for the therapy. We have generated a panel of Humaneered® antibodies to the ligand-binding domain using a Fab epitope-focused library that has the same specificity as monoclonal antibody mIIIA4. A high-affinity antibody was selected that competes with the mIIIA4 antibody for binding to EphA3 and has an improved affinity of ∼1 nM. In order to generate an antibody with potent cell-killing activity the variable regions were assembled with human IgG1k constant regions and expressed in a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line deficient in fucosyl transferase. Non-fucosylated antibodies have been reported to have enhanced binding affinity for the IgG receptor CD16a (FcγRIIIa). The affinity of the antibody for recombinant CD16a was enhanced approximately 10-fold. This resulted in enhanced antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity against EphA3-expressing leukemic cells, providing a potent antibody for the evaluation as a therapeutic agent.
Use of tartaric acid isomers and citric acid in the biotyping of Salmonella typhimurium

SUMMARY The colour-change and lead acetate tests for fermentation of d–, l–and m–tartaric acids and citric acid used in the Kristensen scheme for biotyping Salmonella typhimurium were found to be unreliable because, whatever the conditions of culture, they gave different results in replicate tests of the same strains. Many genotypically non-fermenting strains gave inconsistent reactions due to the emergence of fermenting mutant bacilli in some of their test cultures. No reliable test was found for the fermentation of citric acid. A ‘turbidity’ test was found to give consistent and reliable results with the three tartaric acid isomers. It demonstrated fermentation by the significantly greater amount of growth obtained in a 24 hr. culture in Oxoid peptone water with added isomer than in a control culture without isomer. Lewis & Stocker's (1971) plate-inhibition test for fermentation of m–tartrate, which identifies m–tartrate-negative strains because m–tartrate inhibits their growth on citrate- or glycerol-containing minimal medium, was found to be as reliable as, and easier to read than, the turbidity test. Use of the turbidity test for d–and l–tartrates and the plate-inhibition test for m–tartrate in biotyping 1435 strains of S. typhimurium showed that many strains had previously been mistyped by the lead acetate test and distinguished 16 new biotypes in addition to the 22 biotypes already recognized.
Hydrogen incorporation in olivine from 2–12 GPa

Abstract We performed new experiments on incorporation of hydrogen in olivine at high pressures (2-12 GPa) and temperatures (1000-1300 °C). OH concentrations were calculated using the Bell et al. (2003) calibration applied to principal-axis infrared absorption spectra synthesized from polarized measurements on randomly oriented grains. Starting materials for the experiments included both fine-grained powders and larger single crystals. Hydrogen was incorporated during grain growth in the former case and by volume diffusion in the latter. The spectra of Fe-bearing olivines exhibit similar structure regardless of the starting material, and are dominated by bands in the wavenumber range from about 3500 to 3650 cm-1. We do not observe bands at 3525 and 3573 cm-1, which are predominant in many natural olivines as well as olivines annealed in experiments at lower pressures, and are attributed to humite-related defects. Furthermore, bands between 3300 and 3400 cm-1, attributed to high silica activity or high oxygen fugacity, are weak or non-existent. Our measurements indicate that OH solubility in Fe-bearing olivine is 2.5-4 times higher than that measured by Kohlstedt et al. (1996). Although this is largely due to the use of a new calibration in our study, correction of previous values is not straightforward. In the pure Mg-system, in contrast to Fe-bearing olivine, order-of-magnitude apparent differences in OH solubility can be obtained using different experimental procedures. This raises questions about attainment of equilibrium in experimental studies of hydrogen incorporation in nominally anhydrous minerals, particularly when crystals are grown from a hydrous melt.
Muscarinic blockade of methacholine induced airway and parenchymal lung responses in anaesthetised rats

BACKGROUND It has previously been shown that M1 cholinergic receptors are involved in the parenchymal response to inhaled methacholine in puppies using the M1 selective antagonist pirenzepine. Although M3 receptors are responsible for acetylcholine induced bronchoconstriction in isolated rat lung, the role of M1receptors has not been determined in the rat in vivo. METHODS Anaesthetised, paralysed, open chested Brown Norway rats were mechanically ventilated and the femoral vein cannulated for intravenous injection of drugs. Low frequency forced oscillations were applied to measure lung input impedance (Zl) and computerised modelling enabled separation of Zl into airway and parenchymal components. Atropine (500 μg/kg iv) and pirenzepine (50, 100 or 200 μg/kg iv) were administered during steady state constriction generated by continuous inhalation (1 mg/ml) or intravenous (10 or 15 μg/kg/min) administration of methacholine. RESULTS Continuous inhalation of methacholine produced a 185% increase in frequency dependent tissue resistance (G) which was effectively inhibited by atropine 500 μg/kg iv (p<0.01, n = 6). Pirenzepine (50, 100 or 200 μg/kg) had a minimal effect on the parenchymal response to inhaled methacholine. A 258% increase in airway resistance (Raw) was induced by continuous intravenous infusion of methacholine and this response was effectively abolished by pirenzepine (p<0.001, n = 5). Cutting the vagi in the cervical region did not alter baseline airway mechanics. Vagotomy did not affect lung responses to intravenous methacholine nor the ability of pirenzepine to reduce these responses. CONCLUSIONS In the rat, M1-subtype receptors are functional in airways but not in the tissue.
IPL-P

A great deal of research has been done on solid-state storage media such as flash memory and non-volatile memory in the past few years. While NAND-type flash memory is now considered a top alternative to magnetic disk drives, different types of non-volatile memory have also begun to appear in the market recently. Although some advocates of storage class memory (SCM) predicted that flash memory would give way to SCM in the very near future, we believe that they will co-exist, complementing each other, for a while until the hurdles in its manufacturing process are lifted and storage class memory becomes commercially competitive in both capacity and price. This demo presents an improved design of In-Page Logging (IPL) by augmenting it with Phase Change RAM (PCRAM) in its log area. IPL is a buffer and storage management strategy that has been proposed for flash memory database systems. Due to the byte-addressability of PCRAM and its faster speed for small reads and writes, the IPL scheme with PCRAM can improve the performance of flash memory database systems even further by storing frequent log records in PCRAM instead of flash memory. We report a few advantages of this new design that will make IPL more suitable for flash memory database systems.
Voltage‐dependent calcium entry underlies propagation of slow waves in canine gastric antrum

Electrical slow waves in gastrointestinal (GI) muscles are generated by interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), and these events actively propagate through networks of ICC within the walls of GI organs. The mechanism by which spontaneously active pacemaker sites throughout ICC networks are entrained to produce orderly propagation of slow waves is unresolved. A three‐chambered partition bath was used to test the effects of agents that affect metabolism, membrane potential and voltage‐dependent Ca2+ entry on slow wave propagation in canine antral smooth muscle strips. Slow waves evoked by electrical field stimulation actively propagated from end to end of antral muscle strips with a constant latency between two points of recording. When the central chamber of the bath was perfused with low‐temperature solutions, mitochondrial inhibitors, reduced extracellular Ca2+ or blockers of voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channels, active propagation failed. Depolarization or hyperpolarization of the tissue within the central chamber also blocked propagation. Blockade of propagation by reduced extracellular Ca2+ and inhibitors of dihydropyridine‐resistant Ca2+ channels suggests that voltage‐dependent Ca2+ entry may be the ‘entrainment factor’ that facilitates active propagation of slow waves in the gastric antrum.
Helminth parasites of two sympatric lizards, Enyalius iheringii and E. perditus (Leiosauridae), from an Atlantic Rainforest area of southeastern Brazil

We present data on helminths harboured by two sympatric species of Enyalius Wagler, 1830 (E. iheringiii Boulenger, 1885 and E. perditus Jackson, 1978) from the Atlantic Rainforest of the Ilha de São Sebastião, in São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil. Six helminth species were found in the hosts: five nematodes (Cosmocerca sp., Oswaldocruzia burseyi Durette-Desset, Anjos et Vrcibradic, 2006, Oswaldocruzia fredi Durette-Desset, Anjos et Vrcibradic, 2006, Rhabdias sp., and Strongyluris oscari Travassos, 1923), and one acanthocephalan (Acanthocephalus sp.). Overall helminth prevalences were relatively high for both species [6/6 (100%) for E. iheringii and 9/14 (64%) for E. perditus]. The helminth assemblages from both host species were depauperate and dominated by generalist helminths with direct life-cycles.
A Novel Treatment Approach to a Type II Endoleak at Endograft Implantation Using Components of an Endosensor Monitoring Device

Purpose: There continues to be debate regarding optimal management of type II endoleaks following endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Case Report: We present an intraoperative treatment approach to type II endoleaks using components of the EndoSure Intrasac Pressure Monitor System. Our technique can easily be reproduced with commercially available guidewires and catheters. We also present a literature review that identifies type II endoleak characteristics associated with a high rate of persistence (high-risk endoleaks) and could benefit from early treatment. Conclusions: If a high-risk type II endoleak is identified intraoperatively, those patients may benefit from our model of an early intervention strategy. Early definitive treatment of the endoleaks could result in lower morbidity and reintervention rates.
Daily glucose profiles in Japanese people with normal glucose tolerance as assessed by continuous glucose monitoring.

BACKGROUND Little information is available regarding glucose fluctuations in postprandial states and during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in Japanese people with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). METHODS Glucose profiles of 27 Japanese people were measured for 4 days by using continuous glucose monitoring. A 75-g OGTT was conducted on the second day, and 24 subjects diagnosed with NGT by a 75-g OGTT were enrolled. The subjects were monitored for their postprandial glucose profile in their ordinary daily life on the third day. RESULTS The results of our study have shown that the median time (interquartile range) to maximum glucose levels in OGTT was 38 (25-49) min after glucose load and that the median time to maximum glucose levels after breakfast, lunch, and dinner was 40 (31-75), 50 (30-70), and 45 (36-50) min, respectively. The median increase in glucose during OGTT was 45 (35-66) mg/dL, and that after breakfast, lunch and dinner was 21 (12-32), 37 (27-48), and 44 (25-63) mg/dL, respectively. Those with a higher insulinogenic index reached their maximum glucose levels in a shorter time (r = -0.46, P = 0.025) and had smaller glucose increments during OGTT (r = -0.49, P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS This study is the first report to document the glucose profile of Asian people with NGT.
EEG reactivity correlates with neuropsychological test scores in Down's syndrome

Introduction – Down's syndrome patients express a neurodegenerative disorder and mental retardation. We studied the reactivity of EEG and its correlation with neuropsychological test score in Down's syndrome. Material and methods – We studied 32 patients with Down's syndrome and 31 controls for blocking of occipital EEG activity. The temporo‐occipital EEG with eyes open (EO) was compared with resting EEG with eyes closed (EC), (EC/EO ratio). Results – Both Down patients and controls showed significant diminution of alpha, beta and theta activity and decrease of EEG frequency with EO. However, there was a significant impairment in Down patients in the EC/EO ratio in alpha band, compared to controls. The controls had no correlation of the alpha EC/EO ratio with age or gender. The Down patients showed a significant correlation of this variable with age which is in accordance with a gradually progressing disease. They had also significant correlations of the alpha EC/EO ratio and neuropsychological test scores which indicates that this ratio may be a more general measure of cerebral or hemispherical dysfunction than a mere impairment of visual activation. Down patients also showed significant differences in resting EEG variables, compared to the controls, even if the conventional EEG showed normal or mildly slowed dominant occipital rhythm in most of the patients. The correlation analysis between resting EEG and EC/EO ratio variables pointed out that they are relatively independent, representing different factors in the regulation of EEG. Conclusions – We believe that the alpha EC/EO ratio of EEG add a new domain in the assessment of cerebral dysfunction in Down's syndrome.
Effect of Tropical Waves on the Tropical Tropopause Transition Layer Upwelling

Abstract An initial-value problem is employed with a GCM to investigate the role of the convectively driven Rossby and Kelvin waves for tropopause transition layer (TTL) upwelling in the tropics. The convective heating is mimicked with a prescribed heating field, and the Lagrangian upwelling is identified by examining the evolution of passive tracer fields whose initial distribution is identical to the initial heating field. This study shows that an overturning circulation, induced by the tropical Rossby waves, is capable of generating the TTL upwelling. Even when the heating is placed in the eastern Pacific, the TTL upwelling occurs only over the western tropical Pacific, indicating that the background flow plays a crucial role. The results from a Rossby wave source analysis suggest that a key feature of the background flow is the strong absolute vorticity gradient associated with the Asian subtropical jet. In addition, static stability is relatively weak over the western Pacific, suggesting that this ma.
A new approach to compare the predictive power of metabolic syndrome defined by a joint interim statement versus its components for incident cardiovascular disease in Middle East Caucasian residents in Tehran

Background Metabolic syndrome (MS) has an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, whether the concept of MS, applying the new joint interim statement definition, has a greater impact on incident CVD than its individual components is debated. Methods The authors related MS and its components to CVD incidence in 1856 men and 2392 women, Iranian adults aged ≥40 years, free of CVD at baseline, using Cox proportional hazards models. To examine whether MS would improve prediction of CVD beyond that achieved by its components; model fitness, discrimination and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) statistics were used. Results During a median follow-up of 8.6 years, there were 244 CVD events in men and 189 in women. MS resulted in HRs (95% CIs) of 1.97 (1.50 to 2.57) in men and 2.25 (1.57 to 3.21) in women after adjusting for CVD risk factors; in another model including all the five MS components, high blood pressure in both genders [men: 1.99 (1.48 to 2.67), women: 1.62 (1.14 to 2.30)), high waist circumference (≥94.5 cm) in men (1.47 (1.12 to 1.93)) and high fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in women (1.88 (1.39 to 2.55)) remained as independent predictors of CVD after adjusting for CVD risk factors. Adding the MS variable to this model did not yield any improvement in model fitness, C-statistic or significant IDI value. Conclusion In the Middle East population, MS did not provide CVD predictive risk information beyond its individual components; clinical focus should remain on hypertension in both sexes, high FPG in women and central adiposity in men rather than MS.
Extending Philological Research with Methods of 3D Computer Graphics Applied to Analysis of Cultural Heritage

Philological research on ancient cuneiform texts with the goal of analyzing and reconstructing manuscripts from a large quantity of available unsorted tablet fragments is a time consuming task. As the number of tablet fragments and the number of signs on the fragments both exceed values which can be handled by means of conventional manual research methods in a reasonable amount of time, the use of computer aided research methods is an obvious choice. In this paper, we present a novel unified approach for integrating methods of computer graphics into the process of analyzing and joining cuneiform tablet fragments. We will cover a selection of essential research scenarios and identify aspects where those methods can be applied to enhance and extend traditional philological research processes or even help to access formerly unavailable layers of information. This is achieved by integrating methods for visualization, interactive 3D script feature extraction, script analysis, virtual fragment joining and intuitive measurement and annotation tools in our fast and easy to use software framework CuneiformAnalyser, designed for large data sets. Unlike other approaches, our solution integrates for the first time methods to support every aspect of the manuscript analysis and reconstruction process in a single system.
A Hybrid Approach to Synthesis of Microwave Coupled-Resonator Filters

A new hybrid approach to synthesizing generalized Chebyshev microwave coupled-resonator filter is proposed in this paper. The proposed method combines the advantages of both direct synthesis by similarity transformations and numerical synthesis by optimizations. In the method, a coupling matrix is first transformed into a middle configuration called midway coupling matrix by optimization methods. Then any other structures are realized from this midway coupling matrix by direct synthesis upon the availability of similarity transformation