Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oral Cytidine 5′‐Diphosphate Choline Administration to Rats Increases Brain Phospholipid Levels

Exogenous cytidine 5′diphosphocholine (CDF‐choline) is completely metabolized to circulating cytidine and choline. Both compounds enter the brain and can be used in phosphatidylcholine (PC) synthesis via the Kennedy (CDP‐choline) cycle. We administered oral CDP‐choline to 12 month‐old rats (500 mg/kg/day) for 21, 42, or 90 days to determine whether this treatment would alter brain levels of PC and the other structural phospholipids, phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). After 42 days, brain PC levels increased significantly (p < 0.01) by 23.3%; after 90 days PC increased by 30% (p < 0.01), PS by 37.2% (p < 0.01), and PE by 13% (not significant). The ratios of each of the phospholipids to total membrane phospholipids were unchanged. These data demonstrate that repeated oral CDP‐choline administration can increase the amounts of phospholipids in brain membranes, thus providing a rationale for using this compound in brain diseases that damage neurons.
Antioxidant Properties of Fungal Endophytes Associated with the Three Medicinal Plants Gliricidia sepium, Canna indica and Gardenia jasminoides

Fungal endophytes live within tissues of living plants without causing any disease. These fungi are recognized sources of natural, bioactive compound with potential applications in agriculture, medicine, and food. Aims: This research study aimed to isolate and produce bioactive metabolites from fungal endophytes isolated from three Philippine medicinal plants and assess their antioxidant activities. Study Design: The study used exploratory research where medicinal plants were selected Original Research Article Eskandarighadikolaii et al.; JSRR, 6(3): xxx-xxx, 2015; Article no.JSRR. 2015.147 218 because these were considered to contain a wide range of endophytes which could have varied secondary metabolites that exhibit biological activities. Place and Duration of Study: Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences at the University of Santo Tomas, Manila and Center for Natural Sciences at Saint Mary’s University, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya during June 2011 to October 2012. Methodology: Medicinal plant leaf endophytes (MPLE) were isolated through surface sterilization of healthy leaves of Gliricidia sepium, Canna indica and Gardenia jasminoides. Selected MPLE were grown in vitro and extracted for their secondary metabolites. Assay of antioxidant activities was done using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) while total phenolics content was through the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The number of metabolites present was detected using thin layer chromatography. Results: A total of 73 fungal strains belonging to 23 different morphospecies endophytes were isolated from the three host plants. G. sepium had the highest number of morphospecies (32) among the three medicinal plants studied. These fungal endophytes were identified as belonging to the genera Botrytis. Curvularia, Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Penicillium, and Gliocladium. Many MPLE were identified only as mycelia sterile The MPLE crude cultures showed antioxidant activities (75-90%RSA) and total phenolic content of 134 AAE/g. There were a maximum of 11 secondary metabolites present in the crude culture extracts belonging to the class of flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolics, fatty acids and coumarins. Conclusion: Fungal endophytes are rich in tropical regions and the three Philippine medicinal plants studied are good hosts of fungal endophytes which showed antioxidant activities and secondary metabolites which can be harnessed as sources of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.
Statistical parametric mapping with 18F-dopa PET shows bilaterally reduced striatal and nigral dopaminergic function in early Parkinson’s disease

OBJECTIVE To apply statistical parametric mapping to 18F-dopa PET data sets, to examine the regional distribution of changes in dopaminergic metabolism in early asymmetric Parkinson’s disease. METHODS Thirteen normal volunteers (age 57.7 (SD 16.5) years; four women, nine men ) and six patients (age 50.3 (SD 13.5) years; three women, three men) with asymmetric (right sided) Parkinson’s disease were studied. Images from each dynamic dopa PET dataset were aligned and parametric images of18F-dopa influx (Ki) were created for each subject. The Ki images were transformed into standard stereotactic space. The Ki values of the caudate and putamen on spatially normalised images were compared with the Ki values before normalisation. The application of statistical parametric mapping (SPM) allowed statistical comparison of regional Ki values on a voxel by voxel basis between healthy volunteers and patients with Parkinson’s disease. RESULTS There was a strong correlation between the Ki values before and after spatial normalisation (r=0.898, p=0.0001). Significant decreases in the Ki values were found for the Parkinson’s desease group throughout the entire left putamen (p< 0.001) and focally in the dorsal right putamen (p< 0.001). Decreased Ki values were also shown bilaterally in the substantia nigra (p< 0.01). CONCLUSION Using (SPM) and 18F-dopa PET, reductions in both striatal and nigral brain dopaminergic function could be demonstrated in early Parkinson’s disease.
C-reactive protein and procalcitonin as predictors of anastomotic leak.

To the Editor—thank you for the opportunity to answer the comments made by Dr ortega-Deballon and his colleagues and for the interest shown to our study. in our article, in order to homogenize the results in tables 4 and 5, we decided to describe all the variables using the mean and standard deviation. as a matter of fact, when describing procalcitonin, the dispersion of the values was important, and, for this variable, the median would have better described its distribution and relation with the cutoff proposed. in fact, median and interquartile ranges for procalcitonin at postoperative day 5 in patients without major anastomotic leak were 0.17 ng/ml and 0.09–0.35 ng/ml, situating the anastomotic leak cutoff (0.31 ng/ml) at the 72nd percentile. these data coincide with the results described in table 6 (specificity 0.72 for procalcitonin at postoperative day 5 in detecting major anastomotic leak). in regard of the second comment, we concluded our article by stating that both procalcitonin and C-reactive protein are reliable indicators to rule out the presence of major anastomotic leak. in our opinion, they are complementary, and they both must be taken under consideration before discharging the patient. We do not think that our results are challenged by the 2 articles cited in Dr ortega-Deballon's letter. lagoutte et al in their article included 100 patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery and defined as anastomotic leak all intraabdominal infections regardless of their clinical impact and their management; they concluded that the area under the reC-Reactive Protein and Procalcitonin as Predictors of Anastomotic Leak
Structures of old-growth beech forests in the Pollino and Cilento areas

In Italia vi sono diversi boschi nei quali l’assenza di impatti significativi legati alle attivita umane per un periodo di tempo sufficientemente lungo, ha consentito alle dinamiche naturali di esprimersi, dando luogo a cenosi strutturalmente complesse e ricche di biodiversita. Per tali caratteristiche, questi popolamenti forestali possono essere considerati boschi vetusti. L’analisi della struttura, della componente viva e di quella morta, consente di individuare e definire lo stadio evolutivo del bosco e il grado di complessita del sistema. Il presente lavoro ha lo scopo di definire, attraverso l’esame della struttura della biomassa viva e morta, lo stadio evolutivo di alcune faggete vetuste nell’Appennino Meridionale (Campania e Basilicata), in relazione al disturbo antropico subito nel passato (forme colturali) e, successivamente, per cause naturali (abbandono colturale da lungo tempo). Per ciascun caso di studio sono stati analizzati i profili strutturali con i relativi parametri biometrici ricavati dall’analisi di plot di 5000 m2 di superficie. Per l’analisi della struttura orizzontale sono stati utilizzati gli indici del gruppo NBSI (NBSI-Neighbourhood Based Structural Indices), e quello di Latham per la descrizione della struttura verticale. Per la stima della necromassa sono stati considerati gli alberi morti in piedi (standing dead trees e snag), quelli morti a terra (dead downed trees) e i frammenti legnosi (lying wood pieces) e le ceppaie (stumps). L’eta delle piante e stata determinata contando il numero di anelli presenti su carotine prelevate a 1,30 m da terra. I risultati ottenuti hanno messo in evidenza la presenza di alberi di 300-350 anni di eta, l’indice di Latham un profilo verticale piuttosto articolato, tipico di strutture assai complesse. La necromassa e risultata piuttosto elevata, variando da 50 a 90 m3ha-1. L’analisi della struttura orizzontale ha evidenziato come la morte per senescenza di grossi alberi o per eventi perturbativi molto forti, ha determinato l’apertura di gaps, nei quali si e affermata la rinnovazione naturale, generando cosi uno stadio multicoorte. Le caratteristiche strutturali dei popolamenti e i caratteri della necromassa sono risultati tipici delle fasi piu mature della dinamica forestale e consentono di considerare le faggete prese in considerazione vetuste per eta,struttura e biomassa.
Antioxidants and Cancer III: Quercetin

Quercetin is a flavonoid molecule ubiquitous in nature. A number of its actions make it a potential anti-cancer agent, including cell cycle regulation, interaction with type II estrogen binding sites, and tyrosine kinase inhibition. Quercetin appears to be associated with little toxicity when administered orally or intravenously. Much in vitro and some preliminary animal and human data indicate quercetin inhibits tumor growth. More research is needed to elucidate the absorption of oral doses and the magnitude of the anti-cancer effect. (Altern Med Rev 2000;5(3):196-208)
Maintenance of the Epithelial Barrier in a Bronchial Epithelial Cell Line is Dependent on Functional E-cadherin Local to the Tight Junctions

Tight junctions (TJ) are essential components of polarized epithelia, and E-cadherin is important for their formation and maintenance. The bronchial epithelial cell line, 16HBE14o- expresses E- and P-cadherin, but not N-cadherin. E- and P-cadherin levels changed during culture, the former increasing after confluence, and the latter were markedly reduced. All detectable E-cadherin was bound to g - and n -catenins. We investigated involvement of E-cadherin with epithelial integrity using an E-cadherin specific, function-blocking antibody, SHE78-7. Surprisingly, apical SHE78-7 exposure caused a prompt fall in transepithelial resistance (TER), while TER remained unchanged for 8 hrs after basal exposure then dropped. SHE78-7 exposure increased epithelial permeability to mannitol, inulin, and 9.5 kDa and 77 kDa dextrans and caused fragmentation and loss of the tight junction protein, ZO-1, from the cell borders in some areas. Ultrastructural studies showed that all junctional intercellular contact was lost in the center of SHE78-7 induced lesions. Near the lesion periphery, epithelial structure was maintained, but TJs were dysfunctional as shown by ruthenium red penetration. Analysis of epithelial penetration by SHE78-7 revealed discrete, local defects in the apical barrier at the top of some cell hills that permitted rapid access of the antibody to E-cadherin near the apical surface. In contrast, after basal exposure, antibody initially engaged with E-cadherin nearer the basal surface and only accessed apical E-cadherin later. Taken together with the TER measurements, these data suggest compartmentalization of E-cadherin function within 16HBE14o- cells, with only the apical E-cadherin adjacent to the tight junctions contributing to the function of the latter.
Predicting fiber composite damage and failure

Considerable effort has been put into the development of models describing damage and failure of fiber composites. This paper aims at providing an overview of models for intralaminate fracture of continuous fiber-reinforced polymer composites under quasi-static load. The models are grouped into homogeneous ones, those with some effect of inhomogeneity between fibers and the matrix, and fully inhomogeneous ones. Even a world-wide competition was not able to decide for the one and only homogeneous model. Accounting for the inhomogeneity between fibers and the matrix allows being more close to the real behavior on the account of higher computational effort. They suffer, however, from the difficulty to gather reliable material data. In summary, it must be concluded that a fully satisfying solution is not yet available. Consequently, for the time being, a real test remains the authentic way to secure structural strength.
Theory and practice of continuous improvement in shop-floor teams

Most publications about Continuous Improvement (CI) stress the importance, and describe practical applications, of CI. Practicable, i.e. useful and usable, theories that help organisations to make appropriate decisions when adopting, implementing, operating and continuously improving a CI system are relatively few. Concentrating on one particular form of CI, i.e., shop-floor improvement teams, the aim of the present article is to contribute to the development of such a practicable theory about CI. Based on insights given by contingency theory and empirical observations, the article explores and explains the functioning of shop-floor improvement teams and their contribution to the CI.
Parathyroid sonography: Imaging and intervention

This article reviews the role of high‐resolution sonography as an imaging modality for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with parathyroid disease. Included is a discussion of sonographic anatomy and technique, disease processes of the parathyroid glands and their sonographic appearances, preoperative imaging, and the use of sonography as a guide for diagnostic and therapeutic intervention in parathyroid disease. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2007
Social influences on the acquisition of sex‐typical foraging patterns by juveniles in a group of wild tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus nigritus)

Foraging traditions in primates are becoming the subject of increasing debate. Recent evidence for such a phenomenon was recently provided for wild Cebus capucinus [Fragaszy & Perry, 2003]. To better understand the bases of animal traditions, one should examine intrapopulation behavioral variability and the influence of social context on within‐group transmission of specific foraging patterns. We studied the variability of foraging patterns across age and sex classes, and the proximity patterns of juveniles to adults of both sexes in a group of wild tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus nigritus) living in the Iguazú National Park, Argentina. Foraging activity was examined for a period of 9 months in terms of proportions of focal samples devoted to foraging on certain food targets, microhabitats, and supports, and using specific foraging patterns. Proximity analyses were performed to reveal patterns of association between juveniles and adults. Sex differences in foraging behavior were present and overrode age differences. Overall, males ate more animal foods, foraged more for invertebrates on woody microhabitats (especially large branches), palms, and epiphytes, and used lower and larger supports than females. Females ate more fruits, foraged more on leaves and bamboo microhabitats, and used smaller supports than males. Juveniles were similar to adults of the same sex in terms of food targets, foraging substrates, and choice of supports, but were less efficient than adults. Proximity patterns indicated that juvenile males stayed in close spatial association with adult males and preferentially focused their “food interest” on them. This phenomenon was less evident in juvenile females. The degree to which juveniles, especially males, showed some of the sex‐typical foraging patterns correlated positively with their proximity to adults of the same sex. These findings suggest that the acquisition of foraging behaviors by juvenile males is socially biased by their closeness to adults of the same sex. Am. J. Primatol. 65:335–351, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy: resource utilization and burden of illness

Abstract Introduction: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a debilitating complication of diabetes and accounts for significant morbidity by pre-disposing the foot to ulceration and lower extremity amputation. Using a large US commercial claims database, this study analyzes the drug class usage and co-morbidities associated with DPN as well as estimates the associated economic burden. Methods: Patients older than 18 and diagnosed with DPN were followed longitudinally for 2 years pre- and post-diagnosis date. Patients were analyzed for age, gender, hospital visits, ER and doctor’s office visits, pharmacy claims, co-morbidities, and drug classes prescribed pre- and post-DPN diagnosis. The economic impact post-diagnosis of DPN was compared to the patients’ pre-diagnosis resource use. Results: In total, 10,982 incident DPN patients were identified, with a median age of 61 years, and an equal gender distribution. Post-DPN diagnosis, there was a 20% increase in the number of patients visiting hospitals and a 46% increase in the number of visits to hospitals. Further, there was a 46% increase in the annual cost per patient associated with visits to the hospitals, emergency room (ER), doctor’s office, and pharmacy claims. As per the analysis presented in this study, increase in the number of visits, cost per visit, and number of patients visiting hospitals, ER and doctor’s offices added up to a 46% increase in aggregated cost associated with Medical Resource Utilization (MRU) owing to DPN, with the highest increase (60%) in costs associated with hospitalization of patients with DPN. Conclusion: This study highlights the high economic burden associated with DPN. The results indicate that resource use significantly increases post-diagnosis of DPN, which leads to an increase in costs for payers. A noticeable proportion of patients with DPN had a pain co-diagnosis signifying the need for treatments that can effectively manage painful DPN.
Quantum Dot Passively Mode-Locked Laser Optimization for High-Power and Short Pulses

The performance optimization of monolithic two-section passively mode-locked quantum-dot lasers is investigated using the finite-difference traveling-wave model changing simultaneously the length of the saturable absorber and the cavity reflectivity. We demonstrate that, by properly choosing these two parameters, a reduction in the pulse width from 4.4 ps to 930 fs and an increase in the product of the peak power and the average power from 0.012 to 0.2 W2 were obtained. In addition, clear trends and design guidelines are extracted from the simulation results and explained.
Risk factors for occlusive lesions of intracranial arteries in stroke‐free Japanese

The aim of this study was to identify relevant risk factors for occlusive lesions of the intracranial arteries in stroke‐free population. The subjects of this study were 425 patients without a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack and without any abnormality on a neurological examination who consecutively visited a neurology clinic between January 1994 and June 2001 requesting medical evaluation for possible cerebrovascular diseases. Subjects included 245 men and 180 women ranging in age from 33 to 89 years (mean ± SD = 64.0 ± 10.0 years). We performed cervical and intracranial magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in all subjects. Using a validated rating scheme of MRA for occlusive lesions, we evaluated the degree of stenoses in the extracranial portion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the intracranial arteries including the intracranial portion of the ICA, middle cerebral artery (MCA) stem, intracranial portion of the vertebral artery (VA), and basilar artery (BA). More than 25% stenoses were regarded as significant lesions in this study. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that significant and independent predictors for extracranial ICA lesions were age, hyperlipidemia, and ischemic heart disease (IHD), those for intracranial ICA lesions were age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and IHD, those for MCA lesions were age and hypertension, those for intracranial VA lesions were hyperlipidemia and IHD, and those for BA lesions were hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The present study suggested that atherosclerosis of the intracranial VA was related to hyperlipidemia and IHD as was the case for the extracranial carotid artery, whilst atherosclerosis of other sites of intracranial arteries was associated with hypertension and diabetes mellitus in stroke‐free Japanese.
Computational simulations integrating inhibition kinetics of tyrosinase by oxalic acid

Tyrosinase inhibition studies are important for agricultural and medicinal applications. Computational predictions and enzymatic assays via kinetics may be used to detect effective inhibitors of tyrosinase. We predicted the 3D structure of tyrosinase from Agaricus bisporus , used a docking algorithm to simulate binding between tyrosinase and oxalic acid (OA), and studied the reversible inhibition of tyrosinase by OA. Simulations were successful (binding energies for Dock6.3 = -18.76 and AutoDock4.2 = -2.47 kcal/mol), suggesting that OA interacts with the LYS224 residue that is predicted by both programs. OA inhibited tyrosinase in a mixed-type manner with a Ki = 3.16 ± 1.8 mM and IC 50 = 8.0 ± 0.5 mM. Measurements of intrinsic and ANS-binding fluorescences showed that OA induced changes in the active site structure. Our results suggest that the strategy of predicting tyrosinase inhibition based on carboxyl groups and orientation may prove useful for the screening of potential tyrosinase inhibitors.