Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Budesonide foam for mild to moderate distal ulcerative colitis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Budesonide is a second‐generation steroid with prominent topical effects and minimal systemic activity for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). We perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized placebo‐controlled trials to assess the efficacy and safety of budesonide foam in mild‐to‐moderate distal UC.
The [URE3] Prion in Candida

ABSTRACT Ure2p, normally a regulator of nitrogen catabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, can be a prion (infectious protein) by forming a folded in-register parallel amyloid called [URE3]. Using S. cerevisiae as a test bed, we previously showed that Ure2p of Candida albicans (CaUre2p) can also form a prion, but that Ure2p of C. glabrata (CgUre2p) cannot. Here, we constructed C. glabrata strains to test whether CgUre2p can form a prion in its native environment. We find that while CaUre2p can form a [URE3] in C. glabrata, CgUre2p cannot, although the latter has a prion domain sequence more similar to that of ScUre2p than that of CaUre2p. This supports the notion that prion formation is not a conserved property of Ure2p but is a pathology arising sporadically. We find that some [URE3albicans] variants are restricted in their transmissibility to certain recipient strains. In addition, we show that the C. glabrata HO can induce switching of the C. glabrata mating type locus.
Avoidance of dietary sodium — a simple questionnaire

Patients who are advised to reduce their sodium intake need intensive counselling and regular feedback on their progress. Urinary tests can indicate a high sodium intake, but the dietary source remains unknown until the patient has answered detailed questions. We have developed a sodium‐intake check‐list for this purpose and have investigated whether it is comprehensive enough to replace the urinary test. The most heavily‐salted foods in the typical Western diet are listed in 21 questions, which are to be answered in relation to the previous three days' intake with a frequency rating of “zero” to “eight or more”; the check‐list score is the sum of the scores for all 21 items. For 190 college students who were eating their regular diet, the scores were distributed normally and internally were reliable (Cronbach coefficient α = 0.75). They were significantly different (P < 0.001) from the scores of the 40 persons who were attending a low‐sodium advisory service. The range of the urinary sodium excretion rate for 39 persons in the latter group was 9‐181 mmol/24 h. The correlation between the urinary sodium excretion results and those of the check‐list was r = 0.701, which is an acceptable figure considering that the urine excretion data were, for practical reasons, derived from a single 24‐h sample. As the absolute sodium excretion is itself only an estimate of dietary behaviour, we consider that this simple questionnaire, as based on a three‐day recall, is useful in the management of patients who are ingesting “salt‐free” diets, both as an adjunct and as an alternative to urinary testing in routine clinical use.
Oxygen transport dynamics after resuscitation with a conjugated hemoglobin solution.

HYPOTHESIS Pyridoxalated hemoglobin polyoxyethylene conjugate (PHP), a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier, is effective in restoring hemodynamic balance and oxygen delivery after moderate hemorrhage but may be less effective in off-loading oxygen at the tissue level. DESIGN Before-after trial. SETTING Animal research laboratory of an academic institution. PARTICIPANTS Ten female Yorkshire swine. INTERVENTIONS Anesthetized swine underwent a 25% controlled hemorrhage followed by resuscitation with crystalloid plus either shed blood or PHP. Hemodynamic parameters, including heart rate, mean arterial pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, and cardiac index were continuously monitored. Arterial and mixed venous blood samples were collected at baseline, after hemorrhage, after resuscitation, and every 15 minutes for 90 minutes after resuscitation. Oxygen delivery and consumption, oxygen extraction ratios, and percentage of contribution to oxygen delivery and consumption were determined in whole blood, red blood cells, and plasma by using a compartmentalized approach. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Intergroup and intragroup comparisons were performed for hemodynamic parameters and oxygen transport dynamics. RESULTS Heart rate returned closer to baseline levels in the PHP group (P<.05) and mean pulmonary arterial pressure was transiently elevated after infusion of PHP (P =.028), but otherwise no significant differences in hemodynamic balance were observed. The extraction ratio from the red blood cells in the PHP group more than doubled, whereas the extraction ratio from plasma remained constant. The percentage of contribution of plasma, including PHP, to oxygen delivery exceeded 20% (P <.05), but the relative contribution to oxygen consumption did not markedly change from baseline. CONCLUSIONS Pyridoxalated hemoglobin polyoxyethylene conjugate is at least as effective as shed blood in restoring hemodynamic balance and oxygen delivery after moderate hemorrhage. There is a disproportionately low contribution from plasma to oxygen consumption, which suggests that PHP may act as an oxygen sink in moderate anemia.
Exhaled volatile organic compounds in individuals with a history of high altitude pulmonary edema and varying hypoxia-induced responses

With ascent to altitude, certain individuals are susceptible to high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), which in turn can cause disability and even death. The ability to identify individuals at risk of HAPE prior to ascent is poor. The present study examined the profile of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and pulmonary artery systolic pressures (PASP) before and after exposure to normobaric hypoxia (12% O2) in healthy males with and without a history of HAPE (Hx HAPE, n = 5; Control, n = 11). In addition, hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR), and PASP response to normoxic exercise were also measured. Auto-regression/partial least square regression of whole gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) data and binary logistic regression (BLR) of individual GC peaks and physiologic parameters resulted in models that separate individual subjects into their groups with variable success. The result of BLR analysis highlights HVR, PASP response to hypoxia and the amount of benzyl alcohol and dimethylbenzaldehyde dimethyl in expired breath as markers of HAPE history. These findings indicate the utility of EBC VOC analysis to discriminate between individuals with and without a history of HAPE and identified potential novel biomarkers that correlated with physiological responses to hypoxia.
Immobilization of lipase from Candida rugosa on synthetic polymer beads for use in the synthesis of fatty esters

Lipase from Candida rugosa was immobilized on three different supports, i.e. Amberlite XAD7, poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) and celite. With the conditions tested, maximum adsorption can be achieved after 30 min. The activities of the immobilized lipases were determined by the esterification reaction of oleic acid and butanol. The immobilized lipases were found to be very effective in the esterification reaction. The immobilized activities generally were high in apolar organic solvents with log P values from 2·0 to 4·0. The preference for fatty acids as acyl donors differed in all cases of immobilized lipases. Lipase immobilized on XAD7 and PMMA exhibited high preference of acyl donors (fatty acids) with chain lengths 12–18 and 8–18, respectively. Lipase immobilized on celite, however, showed high activity in all cases of fatty acids. The nucleophile (alcohol) selectivity studies showed that lipase immobilized on XAD7 and celite was more accessible to alcohols of chain lengths 3–12. However, lipase immobilized on PMMA showed a significant preference towards alcohols of chain lengths from 3 to 10.
A study of wound infections in two health institutions in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

The microbiological analysis of wound infection in 102 patients was undertaken in the outpatient departments of the University Teaching Hospital and the Health Centre in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The location and type of wound was considered and identification of bacterial isolates was determined by standard microbiological techniques. Forty per cent of wound types was attributed to trauma and in most cases, were located at the extremities. A total of one hundred and sixty two bacterial isolates were obtained from wound cultures. In 39 cases, cultures were monomicrobial, 55 cultures were polymicrobial but no bacterial isolate was obtained in eight cases. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant microorganism (25%) followed by Escherichia coli (12%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (9%). The diversity of microorganisms and the high incidence of polymicrobic flora in this study give credence to the value of identifying one or more bacterial pathogens from wound cultures. Continuous dialogue between the microbiology department and wound care practitioners and education of patients on personal hygiene is strongly advised.
A compact high gain opamp for Bio-medical appli-cations in 45nm CMOStechnology

In this paper a low OpAmp compensation technique suitable for the bio-medical application has been proposed and intuitive explained the existing compensation techniques. The Present technique relies on the passive damping factor control rather power hungry damping. Implemented in 45nm CMOS technology and simulated with Spectre. Simulation results shows that 100dB dc gain, well compensated 25MHz bandwidth OpAmp while driving a 1pF capacitive load. Draws with 12uW power consumption from 1V supply and occupying 0.004875mm2 silicon areas.
Simple sequences are rare in the Protein Data Bank

A simple sequence is abundant in the proteins that have been sequenced to date. But unusual protein features, such as a simple sequence, are not present in the same high frequency within structural databases. A subset of these simple sequences, a group with a highly repetitive nature has been shown to be abundant in eukaryotes but not in prokaryotes. In this study, an examination of the eukaryotic proteins in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) has revealed a large deficiency of low complexity, highly repetitive protein repeats. Through simulated databases of similar samples of eukaryotic proteins taken from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database, it is shown that the PDB contains a significantly less highly repetitive, simple sequence than artificial databases of similar composition randomly derived from NCBI. When the structural data for those few PDB sequences that did contain a highly repetitive simple sequence is examined in detail, it is found that in most cases the tertiary structure is unknown for the regions consisting of a simple sequence. This lack of a simple sequence both in the PDB database and in the structural information suggests that this type of simple sequence may produce disordered structures that make structural characterization difficult. Proteins 2002;48:134–140. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Relationship Between Shift Work and the Onset of Hypertension in Male Japanese Workers

Learning ObjectivesRecall the prevalence of hypertension in this study of Japanese steel company employees during nearly 5 years of follow-up.Describe the observed differences between day workers and shift workers in blood pressure, body size, and life style.Specify the risk of hypertension in shift workers compared to day workers, and the life style and clinical factors that were significantly associated with its occurrence. We assessed the effect of shift work on the onset of hypertension. The design of this study was that of a cohort study from 1991–2001. In sum, 5338 workers comprised this cohort. The event was the onset of hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg and/or medication). Pooled logistic regression analysis was performed, including job schedule type, age, body mass index, lifestyle, and the results of blood chemistries as covariates. The odds ratio of the onset of hypertension in shift workers for daytime workers was 1.10 and significant. Our study revealed that shift work independently affected the onset of hypertension, and suggested that shift work is a risk factor for the onset of hypertension.
Phenotype-genotype Correlation in CD36 Deficiency Types I and II

Summary CD36 deficiency was studied with attention to the phenotypegenotype relationship. The diagnosis of CD36 deficiency was made when CD36 was negative on platelets (type II) or on both platelets and monocytes (type I). Among 827 apparently healthy Japanese volunteers, the type I and II deficiencies were found in 8 (1.0%) and 48 (5.8%), respectively. The T for C substitution at nt478 for Pro90Ser and the insertion of A at nt1159 constituted the major causes of type I and II deficiencies. The dinucleotide deletion at nt539 had a minor role. In two family studies, we found a previously unreported polymorphic site in the 5’-proximal flanking region and the 3’-untranslated region. Including these new polymorphisms, DNA sequence other than the three known mutations affecting CD36 expression was not observed in the CD36 gene, calling into question the previous hypothesis that a platelet-specific silent allele exists near or at the CD36 gene.
Wavelength Blue-Shifting and Gain Spectral Bandwidth of InAs/InP Quantum Dots for Laser Applications Around $1.55~\mu$ m

It was found experimentally that growing an ultrathin GaP interlayer/sublayer before InAs quantum dots (QDs) grown on InGaAsP barrier lattice-matched to InP (001) substrates is an efficient way to tune the emission wavelength of InAs/InP QD lasers to $1.55~\mu \text{m}$ range at room temperature (RT). However, the impact of interlayers/sublayers in InAs/InP QD lasers has not been carefully investigated and analyzed theoretically, and the existing physic model cannot predict the emission wavelength of InAs/InP QD lasers engineered by interlayers/sublayers. In this paper, an improved model, which consists of a three-step strain analysis, is applied to precisely predict measured photoluminescence emissions of various QD samples with the GaP interlayer/sublayer that have a specific thickness or chirped/varied thicknesses at both RT and low temperature. It is found that the impact of the GaP sublayers is to enhance quantum confinement instead to stop As/P exchange. Finally, a new method of emission spectrum blue-shifting and gain spectral bandwidth enhancement of an InAs/InP QD laser is proposed and found to be more efficient. By optimizing sublayer thickness and double capping, a total gain spectral bandwidth of 245.7 nm, as an example, is predicted and peak wavelength is shortened to 1500 nm.
Effect of Malic Acid on Growth Performance , Carcass Characteristics , and Feed Efficiency in the Broiler Chickens

This study was performed with growing chicken (1 to 56 d of age) to evaluate the effects of malic acid on broiler chicken performance. Malic acid was added to the water and offered to chicken freely from first to end of experiment with constant concentration. The treatments were zero (as a control), 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15 percent of malic acid which dissolved in water and given to them in waterer pan. The effect of treatments was investigated using 192 broiler chickens. The experimental design was a completely randomized with four treatments and four replicates. Each of four replicates was contain 12 pieces of chicken. Corn and soybean based diet were fed in mesh form, and the chickens had free access to diet and water. At the end of trial, two birds (one male and another female which selected phenotypically) from each pen were slaughtered. Blood sample has been taken just before slaughter of birds for serum analyzing. No significant difference (P> 0.05) was observed between treatments for weight gain and feed conversion, but treatment with 0.15% malate showed lowest feed intake (P = 0.0590). Highest water consumption has been observed in water with 0.05% malate concentration. This amount was 3.82% higher than control (P = 0.0769) meanwhile water with 0.15% malate showed lowest water consumption among malic acid treatments. The difference between 0.05 and 0.15 percent of malate was 3.76% for water consumption (P = 0.0811). Reduction of serum cholesterol was observed in birds on 0.05% malate (P<0.05), meanwhile highest serum glucose was belong to 0.10% malate concentration (P<0.05). Added malate to the water resulted in differences in liver composition. Chicks given 0.15% added malate had lowest liver dry matter and glycogen, and highest protein (P<0.05). Result showed significant interaction between treatment and sex for percentage yield of breast (P = 0.0466).
Perfect Graphs and Orthogonally Convex Covers

We consider the problem of covering simple orthogonal polygons with convex orthogonal polygons. In the case of horizontally or vertically convex polygons we show that the polygon covering problem can be reduced to the problem of covering a permutation graph with minimum number of cliques. In general, orthogonal polygons can have concavities (dents) with four possible orientations. In the case where the polygon has three dent orientations, we show that the polygon covering problem can be reduced to the problem of covering a weakly triangulated graph with a minimum number of cliques. Since weakly triangulated graphs are perfect, we obtain the following duality relationship: the minimum number of orthogonally convex polygons needed to cover an orthogonal polygon P with at most three dent orientations is equal to the maximum number of points of P, no two of which can be contained together in an orthogonally convex covering polygon. Finally, we show that in th case of orthogonal polygons with all four dent orientations, the above duality relationship fails to hold.
A Theoretical Analysis of the Lean Startup's Product Development Process

Lean startup paradigm is emerging as a best practice for early product development for entrepreneurs and is widely adopted by entrepreneurship curricula in business schools. Despite its influence, there is no theoretical underpinning, leading to lack of clarity in its generalizability and explanation of implementation challenges in practice. We present a stylized model of the lean startup implementation problem. We show how the (vertical) quality of minimum viable product impacts learning about consumer’s (horizontal) taste, and also how product-market characteristics impact its effectiveness.
The insulin‐like growth factor‐I/binding protein axis: physiology, pathophysiology and therapeutic manipulation

Abstract. Insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) is a single‐chain polypeptide which has multiple metabolic actions and effects on the differentiation and proliferation of a wide variety of cell types. IGF‐I has endocrine, paracrine and autocrine actions and is bound in the circulation to a complex system of binding proteins which alter its bioavailability and activity. Thus its physiology is complex and is altered in a number of pathological states. This review will discuss these states and the actual and proposed therapeutic applications of recombinant human IGF‐I (rhIGF‐I).
Vertical distribution of the methanotrophic community after drainage of rice field soil.

Anoxic soils, such as flooded rice fields, are major sources of the greenhouse gas CH(4) while oxic upland soils are major sinks of atmospheric CH(4). Nevertheless, CH(4) is also consumed in rice fields where up to 90% of the produced CH(4) is oxidized in a narrow oxic zone around the rice roots and in the soil surface layer before it escapes into the atmosphere. After 1 day drainage of rice field soil, CH(4) oxidation was detected in the top 2-mm soil layers, but after 8 days drainage the zone of CH(4) oxidation extended to 8 mm depth. Simultaneously, the potential for CH(4) production decreased, but some production was still detectable after 8 days drainage throughout the soil profile. The vertical distribution of the methanotrophic community was also monitored after 1 and 8 days drainage using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis after PCR amplification with primer sets targeting two regions on the 16S rRNA gene that are relatively specific for methylotrophic alpha- and gamma-Proteobacteria, and targeting two functional genes encoding subunits of key enzymes in all methanotrophs, i.e. the genes for the particulate methane monooxygenase (pmoA) and the methanol dehydrogenase (mxaF). Drainage stimulated the methanotrophic community. Eight days after drainage, new methanotrophic populations appeared and a distinct methanotrophic community developed. The population structure of type I and II methanotrophs was differently affected by drainage. Type II methanotrophs (alpha-Proteobacteria) were present throughout the soil core directly after drainage (1 day), and the community composition remained largely unchanged with depth. Only two new type II populations appeared after 8 days of drainage. Drainage had a more pronounced impact on the type I methanotrophic community (gamma-Proteobacteria). Type I populations were not or only weakly detected 1 day after drainage. However, after 8 days of drainage, a large diversity of type I methanotrophs were detected, altough they were not evenly distributed throughout the soil core but dominated at different depths. A distinct type I community structure had developed within each soil section between 0 and 20 mm soil depth, indicating the widening of suitable habitats for methanotrophs in the rice field soil within 1 week of drainage.
Pain Complaints in Depressed Inpatients

Pain complaints were assessed in 150 depressed inpatients at admission (D0), after 10 days (D10) and 28 days of treatment (D28) using the Symptom Check List, 90 items, revised version (SCL-90R). Pain complaints were present in 92% of patients at D0, several pain complaints being reported by 76% of patients. Headache and chest pain were more frequent in women, whereas myalgia and numbness were more frequent in men. Pain complaints were related to depressive and anxious complaints as assessed by the SCL-90R, but not to age, suicide attempts and depression severity as assessed by the psychiatrist. Pain complaints decreased between D0 and D10, whereas depression scores decreased both between D0 and D10 and between D10 and D28. As compared to responders to treatment at D28, nonresponders had lower Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale scores at D0 and higher pain complaint scores at D0 and D10.
Incorporation of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids into duck egg yolks

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of different levels of refined cod liver oil (RCLO) on laying performance, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids composition (n-3 PUFAs) and the organoleptic evaluation of duck egg yolks. A total of 180 30 wk old laying Tsaiya ducks, at the beginning of peak production, were allotted into 6 treatments with 3 replicates each. Ducks were fed one of the 6 experimental diets, supplemented with 2% tallow (control) and graded levels of RCLO at 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6% to a corn-soybean diets, respectively, for 6 wks. All of the experimental diets were formulated to be both isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum throughout the experimental period. The results indicated that the RCLO supplementation levels did not affect (p>0.05) egg production, egg mass, feed intake, feed efficiency or body weight change. Egg weight was the lightest when the ducks received the 6% RCLO diet. The eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and total n-3 PUFAs contents in the yolks increased with increasing RCLO supplementation. The taste and general acceptability of the hard-boiled eggs were not significantly different among the treatments. However, a fishy flavor was much higher when ducks were fed diets supplemented with 5% and 6% RCLO diets. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2003. Vol 16, No. 4 : 565-569)