Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Specific bile acids inhibit hepatic fatty acid uptake in mice

Bile acids are known to play important roles as detergents in the absorption of hydrophobic nutrients and as signaling molecules in the regulation of metabolism. We tested the novel hypothesis that naturally occurring bile acids interfere with protein‐mediated hepatic long chain free fatty acid (LCFA) uptake. To this end, stable cell lines expressing fatty acid transporters as well as primary hepatocytes from mouse and human livers were incubated with primary and secondary bile acids to determine their effects on LCFA uptake rates. We identified ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and deoxycholic acid (DCA) as the two most potent inhibitors of the liver‐specific fatty acid transport protein 5 (FATP5). Both UDCA and DCA were able to inhibit LCFA uptake by primary hepatocytes in a FATP5‐dependent manner. Subsequently, mice were treated with these secondary bile acids in vivo to assess their ability to inhibit diet‐induced hepatic triglyceride accumulation. Administration of DCA in vivo via injection or as part of a high‐fat diet significantly inhibited hepatic fatty acid uptake and reduced liver triglycerides by more than 50%. Conclusion: The data demonstrate a novel role for specific bile acids, and the secondary bile acid DCA in particular, in the regulation of hepatic LCFA uptake. The results illuminate a previously unappreciated means by which specific bile acids, such as UDCA and DCA, can impact hepatic triglyceride metabolism and may lead to novel approaches to combat obesity‐associated fatty liver disease. (HEPATOLOGY 2012)
Systemic therapy in advanced melanoma: integrating targeted therapy and immunotherapy into clinical practice

Purpose of review Here we review the results from relevant phase III trials and discuss treatment strategies for challenging subgroups of melanoma patients. Recent findings Targeted therapies induce rapid responses in the majority of BRAF-mutant patients, however, 50% of these responders will develop resistance within approximately 13 months. In contrast, inhibitors of checkpoints on T cells, particularly inhibitors of PD-1, induce responses in 40–55% of patients (monotherapy or whenever combined with anti-CTLA-4), and these responses tend to be durable. Data from subgroup analyses of large clinical trials, as well as patient-centred factors, help guide clinicians in their choice of first-line therapy. Summary Immune checkpoint inhibitors and MAP kinase pathway-targeted therapies have revolutionized the management of advanced melanoma, and significantly prolong the overall survival of patients with this disease. The median overall survival is over 2 years for both anti-PD-1-based therapy and combined BRAF and MEK inhibition. Without head-to-head comparison data for either therapy, choice of first-line drug treatment is difficult.
Slow Pyrolysis of Cassava Wastes for Biochar Production and Characterization

Production of biochar from slow pyrolysis of biomass is a promising carbon negative procedure since it removes the net carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and produce recalcitrant carbon suitable for sequestration in soil. Biochar production can vary significantly with the pyrolysis parameter. This study investigated the impact of temperature and heating rate on the yield and properties of biochar derived from cassava plantations residues which are cassava stem (CS) and cassava rhizome (CR). The pyrolysis temperatures ranged from 400 C to 600 C while the heating rate parameter was varied from 5 C/min to 25 C/min. The experiment was conducted using the lab scale slow pyrolysis system. The increment of temperature and heating rate of slow pyrolysis for both cassava wastes had raised the fixed carbon content of the biochar but decreased the biochar yield. More biochar was produced at lower temperature and lower heating rate. Temperature gave more influence on the biochar yield as compared to the heating rate parameter. The highest biochar yield of more than 35 mf wt. % can be obtained from both CS and CR at 400 C and heating rate of 5 C/min. From the proximate analysis, the results showed that cassava wastes contain high percentage of volatile matter which is more than 80 mf wt. %. Meanwhile, the biochar produced from cassava wastes contain high percentage of fixed carbon which is about 5 8 times higher than their raw samples. This suggested that, it is a good step to convert CS and CR into high carbon biochar via slow pyrolysis process that can substantially yield more biochar, up to 37 mf wt. % in this study. Since the fixed carbon content for both CS and CR biochar produced in any studied parameter were found to be more than 75 mf wt. %, it is suggested that biochar from cassava wastes is suitable for carbon sequestration.
Association between lithium serum level, mood state, and patient-reported adverse drug reactions during long-term lithium treatment: a naturalistic follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES To assess the association between mood state and the prevalence and the severity of lithium adverse drug reactions (ADRs). METHODS A 26-year follow-up study was conducted among patients > or =18 years treated at the outpatient lithium clinic of the University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands, between November 1973 and December 2000. At each monthly scheduled visit, patients were questioned by a research nurse in a standardized manner about the presence and the severity of nine specific ADRs that frequently occur as a consequence of lithium treatment and that can be identified by the patients themselves. In addition, lithium serum level was measured and mood state was rated at each visit. RESULTS A total of 186 patients participated and the median duration of follow-up was 5.7 years (interquartile range 2.2-11.8 years). We observed an increased prevalence and severity of ADRs with increased lithium serum level (p < 0.05), also when adjusting for mood state. The prevalence and the severity of ADRs increased with decreasing mood state into the depressive range and decreased with mood state increasing into the manic range (p < 0.05), also when adjusting for lithium serum level. Taking into account the intraindividual dependency of the data resulted in a statistically significant (p < 0.001) association between, respectively, lithium serum level, mood state, and the prevalence and severity of ADRs. CONCLUSIONS Both physicians and researchers need to be aware that lithium serum level and mood state are independently associated with patient reporting and severity scoring of ADRs, which may complicate objective assessment of ADRs.
Case 20-2008 — A 57-Year-Old Woman with Abdominal Pain and Weakness after Gastric Bypass Surgery

The patient's vital signs and the results of a physical examination were normal except for a pulse of 56 beats per minute. Electrocardiography showed sinus bradycardia, with a rate of 41 beats per minute. Computed tomographic (CT) scanning of the abdomen showed two adrenal nodules: one, 3.2 cm in diameter, on the right side, and the other, 1.7 cm in diameter, on the left. Neither nodule could be further characterized. There was no evidence of bowel obstruction or intra-abdominal fluid collection. Intravenous fluids, acetaminophen, tramadol, and gabapentin were given, and the pain diminished. She was discharged on the 4th hospital day. Eight days before this admission, abdominal pain recurred. The patient was readmitted to the surgical service. A specimen of urine grew Klebsiella pneumoniae. Laboratory test results are shown in Table 1. Levofloxacin and phenazopyridine were administered. After one dose, a tonic‐clonic seizure occurred. Treatment with phenytoin was begun. CT scanning of the brain showed areas of decreased attenuation in the occipital, posterior temporal, and parietal lobes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed bilateral cortical and subcortical areas of hyperintensity in the occipital, posterior temporal, and parietal lobes on T 2 -weighted images. These areas were also hyperintense on diffusion-weighted images, with elevated diffusion on apparent diffusion-coefficient maps, suggesting posterior reversible encephalopathy. Changes related to a seizure or encephalitis could not be ruled out. Treatment with trimethoprim‐ sulfamethoxazole was begun. Electroencephalographic findings were normal. CT scanning of the abdomen after the administration of oral and intravenous contrast material showed no new abnormalities. Phenytoin was discontinued, and the patient was discharged home on the 6th hospital day. Three days later, she returned to the emergency department because of persistent lower abdominal and pelvic pain and red urine. She was readmitted to the surgical service.
Essential Constituents of the 3′-Phosphoesterase Domain of Bacterial DNA Ligase D, a Nonhomologous End-joining Enzyme*

DNA ligase D (LigD) catalyzes end-healing and end-sealing steps during nonhomologous end joining in bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa LigD consists of a central ATP-dependent ligase domain fused to a C-terminal polymerase domain and an N-terminal 3′-phosphoesterase (PE) module. The PE domain catalyzes manganese-dependent phosphodiesterase and phosphomonoesterase reactions at a duplex primer-template with a short 3′-ribonucleotide tract. The phosphodiesterase, which cleaves a 3′-terminal diribonucleotide to yield a primer strand with a ribonucleoside 3′-PO4 terminus, requires the vicinal 2′-OH of the penultimate ribose. The phosphomonoesterase converts the terminal ribonucleoside 3′-PO4 to a 3′-OH. Here we show that the PE domain has a 3′-phosphatase activity on an all-DNA primer-template, signifying that the phosphomonoesterase reaction does not depend on a 2′-OH. The distinctions between the phosphodiesterase and phosphomonoesterase activities are underscored by the results of alanine-scanning, limited proteolysis, and deletion analysis, which show that the two reactions depend on overlapping but nonidentical ensembles of protein functional groups, including: (i) side chains essential for both ribonuclease and phosphatase activity (His-42, His-48, Asp-50, Arg-52, His-84, and Tyr-88); (ii) side chains important for 3′-phosphatase activity but not for 3′ ribonucleoside removal (Arg-14, Asp-15, Glu-21, Gln-40, and Glu-82); and (iii) side chains required selectively for the 3′-ribonuclease (Lys-66 and Arg-76). These constellations of critical residues are unique to LigD-like proteins, which we propose comprise a new bifunctional phosphoesterase family.
Warp-Knitted Textile as a Strain Sensor: Characterization Procedure and Application in a Comfortable Wearable Goniometer

Long-term and minimally invasive joint angular measurements are required for monitoring everyday activities, motor rehabilitation sessions, and sport training. In this paper, we designed an innovative wearable device composed of a light, comfortable, and low-cost textile strain-resistance sensor. First, we proposed a methodology to characterize and to calibrate a commercial knitted textile. This characterization procedure represents an interesting result per se. It has been conducted on a single material, but its general characteristics make it suitable for analyzing the behavior of any conductive and stretchable fabrics. Second, we developed a wearable sensor (a goniometer) and we validated it using the humanoid robot SABIAN. Dynamic tests demonstrated that our wearable device is suitable for scenarios, where the accuracy of measurements is less relevant than the ability to continuously track joint movements in a not-obtrusive way.
Amelanotic melanoma mimicking an atypical fibrohistiocytic lesion.

To the Editor: The incidence of melanoma continues to rise; therefore, awareness of unusual clinicopathologic variants is essential. Heretofore, 6 patients have been described with melanomas that histologically mimicked atypical fibrohistiocytic lesions; however, to the best of our knowledge, none have clinically resembled a xanthomatous lesion. A 64-year-old white man presented with a papule of unknown duration on his back. His medical history was significant for multiple nonmelanoma skin cancers. On examination, the patient had diffuse mottled pigmentation on his trunk and extremities characterized by confluence of hyperpigmented and hypopigmented macules. On his left mid back, there was an irregularly shaped pedunculated yellowish papule measuring 5 · 6 mm surrounded by an erythematous border (Fig. 1 and insert). A shave biopsy revealed a pleomorphic dermal proliferation of epithelioid cells arranged in a vaguely nested pattern that exhibited peripheral collagen trapping (Fig. 2A). The majority of cells had abundant amphophilic to finely granular cytoplasm with vesicular nuclei, admixed with cells that had foamy to vacuolated cytoplasm and hyperchromatic nuclei (Fig. 2B). Multinucleated Touton-like giant cells were scattered throughout the lesion, and rare cells contained melanin pigment (Fig. 2C). Adjacent to the dermal proliferation, there were irregular shaped nests along the dermal–epidermal junction associated with a brisk lichenoid infiltrate and focal pagetoid scatter. Immunohistochemical (IHC) stains showed diffuse staining of the proliferation with S100, HMB-45, Melan-A, and MITF, as well as with CD68 and CD10 (Figs. 3A, B). Approximately, 5% of the dermal cells labeled with Ki-67. The patient underwent wide excision with negative sentinel node biopsy. No evidence of disease has been noted during his 13-month follow-up. Although most melanomas pose little diagnostic difficulty, those that are amelanotic can be clinically mistaken for various nonmelanotic neoplasms, or less commonly inflammatory dermatoses. The diagnosis becomes more challenging if the lesion has an unusual architectural pattern and/or the melanocytes have peculiar cytologic appearance. The overlapping cytomorphological features of histiocytes and melanocytes have been well described. Both cells can have an epithelioid phenotype with abundant finely granular or vacuolated cytoplasm, form multinucleated giant cells, and lack pigment deposition. The architectural features of melanoma and histiocytic proliferations can also be similar; both lesions can present as diffuse dermal infiltrates that fail to show evidence of maturation that are arranged in a nested or fascicular growth pattern, and both can exhibit focal epidermotropism.
NEUROLOGICAL SYMPTOMS IN PHARMAGOTHERAPY OF PSYCHOSES

After introduction of the phenothiazines in the therapy of psychoses it was soon evident that these compounds produce a series of so-called extrapyramidal symptoms (Labhardt, 1954) besides the anti-psychotic effect. It has been much discussed whether the extrapyramidal symptoms are a necessary condition for obtaining anti-psychotic effect (Fliigel, 1956) or an inevitable consequence of the treatment (Haase, 1961 ), or a therapeutically beneficial effect of the phenothiazines on the central nervous system (Bordeleau & Gratton, 1958; Delay & Deniker, 1959). Several authors conclude that extrapyramidal symptoms are not necessary for obtaining anti-psychotic effect (Faurbye et al., 1959; Goldman, 1961; Cole & Clyde, 1961), and Uhrbrand & Faurbye (1960) regard the extrapyramidal symptoms as harmful side effects and assert that they may be irreversibIe. Cases with chronic extrapyramidal symptoms were also seen by Sigwald at al. (1959) ; Kruse ( 1960) ; Chatagnon et al. (1961) ; Druckman, Seelinger & Thulin ( 1962). In the following are presented some investigations on the so-called extrapyramidal symptoms during long term treatment of psychoses with psychopharmaca and a discussion of the mechanism of their appearance.
Archaeological Commentary on the Isotopic Study of the Greenland Thule Culture

Abstract — An archaeological commentary is given on the results of the first isotopic study of the Greenland Thule culture. To test the isotopic data derived from human remains from the graves, comparative archaeological data of the faunal and artifactual material from the sites are presented. To make the two data sets comparable, the faunal material are presented in NISP and the artifactual material are presented as technounits. The three data sets given, i.e., the isotopic, the faunal, and the artifactual, confirm that the Inuit were heavily reliant on marine protein and resources. Exceptions are those from Northeast Greenland, whose isotopic signatures show evidence of consumption of terrestrial protein as well, a statement confirmed by the archaeological material, faunal as well as artifactual, showing that ca. 20% and 40% of bones as well as technounits found on coastal and inland sites, respectively, are related to terrestrial resources. The conclusion made is that the isotopic analyses are valid in archaeological contexts and support the archaeological material. Concerning the substantial use of inland resources in Northeast Greenland compared with the ethnographically documented intensive caribou hunting in West Greenland, the former region still remains most enigmatic from a cultural point of view.
Some Studies from the ARGOS Mission

Abstract : The Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite (ARGOS) mission, launched in February 1999, is carrying out several remote sensing experiments to measure and monitor neutral atmospheric and ionospheric species on a continual basis. Proper inversion techniques need to be developed to extract the altitudinal, latitudinal and temporal variations of these species.
Factores motivacionales como predictores de la intención de ser físicamente activos en jóvenes jugadores de baloncesto.

El objetivo principal del presente estudio fue analizar el poder de prediccion del clima motivacional percibido, la satisfaccion de las necesidades y la motivacion intrinseca sobre la intencion de seguir siendo fisicamente activo de los jovenes jugadores de baloncesto. Se administro un cuestionario a 261 jugadores de baloncesto de edades comprendidas entre los 12 y los 17 anos. Los resultados del analisis de regresion mostraron que el clima motivacional que implica tarea, la competencia, la relacion con los demas y la motivacion intrinseca predecia de forma positiva y estadisticamente significativa la intencion de ser fisicamente activo (F = 24.02; p < .001), obteniendo una varianza explicada del 32%. Coincidimos con otros estudios, en destacar la importancia de que los entrenadores intenten fomentar un clima motivacional de implicacion a la tarea en sus deportistas, asi como facilitar la satisfaccion de sus necesidades psicologicas basicas y la motivacion intrinseca, ya que estas estrategias favorecen la intencion de continuar con la practica deportiva. Por tanto, climas en las que los entrenadores fomenten y valoren el esfuerzo, la mejora personal, el aprendizaje cooperativo, las relaciones sociales entre los companeros, donde el deportista se sienta competente y motivado, van a ser propicios para que estos deportistas mantengan la practica.
Chaperone functions common to nonhomologous Epstein-Barr virus gL and Varicella-Zoster virus gL proteins

Herpesviruses encode the complex-forming, essential glycoproteins gH and gL. Maturation and transport of gH are dependent on coexpression of its chaperone, gL. The gL proteins of alpha herpesviruses and gamma herpesviruses do not have a significant percentage of amino acid sequence homology. Yet, as we report herein, the diverse gL glycoproteins of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) were functionally interchangeable, although membrane expression and maturation of gH were separate functions for these viruses. In VZV both functions were performed by a single protein. EBV required two separate glycoproteins, one of which can be replaced by its homologous protein from VZV, a distant relative of EBV. Collectively, these results suggested that VZV gL is a simpler form of the gL chaperone protein than EBV gL.
Design and development process of patient-centered computer-based support system for patients with schizophrenia spectrum psychosis

Background. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness requiring self-management skills and information about the illness, its treatment, and where to get help with daily routines. Despite the systematic development of computer-based approaches in mental health, less systematic development of such methods can be found for patients with schizophrenia or psychosis. Objective. The aim is to describe the design and development process of patient-centered computer-based support system (Mieli.Net portal) for patients with schizophrenia spectrum psychoses. Methods. The process with a mixed methods approach includes four phases: analysis of users' needs, development of key patient information areas, development of a software prototype and to pilot the portal, and user evaluation by health care staff. Results. The computer-based patient support system is a promising health-promoting service to schizophrenic patients. It is important, that users of technology are involved in the development process, which will ensure that sites are user-friendly, information can be personalized, and mental patients' voices are heard in the development of patient education. Conclusions. The effectiveness needs to be evaluated carefully in future clinical trials. This will offer valuable information for policymakers, organizations and health care practitioners about the usability of web-based patient education in the area of mental health care.
Evaluation of respiratory and cutaneous doses and urinary excretion of alkylphosphates by workers in greenhouses treated with omethoate, fenitrothion, and tolclofos-methyl.

This research evaluated exposure pathways across work tasks for three organophosphate pesticides in a group of greenhouse workers. During reentry in ornamental plant greenhouses, five male workers were monitored for five consecutive days. Skin contamination (excluding hands) was evaluated with nine pads of filter paper placed on the skin. Hand contamination was assessed by washing with 95% ethanol. Respiratory exposure was evaluated by personal air sampling. The respiratory dose was based on a lung ventilation of 20 L/min. The doses absorbed were estimated assuming 10% skin penetration and 100% lung retention. Urinary alkylphosphates were assayed in the 24-hour urine samples of the days on which exposure was evaluated. Respiratory exposure was usually less than skin contamination, being 4.5 +/- 8.4%, 9.9 +/- 10.0%, and 49.5 +/- 26.6% (mean +/- standard deviation) of total exposure for omethoate, tolclofos-methyl, and fenitrothion, respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed that urinary alkylphosphate (nmol/24 hours) (y) was significantly correlated (r = 0.716, p < 0.001) with the respiratory doses of the three active ingredients absorbed the same day (x1) and with the cutaneous dose absorbed the previous day (x2). The relationship was expressed by the equation y = 0.592x2 + 0.117x, + 156.364. The doses of omethoate absorbed by one worker were more than 45 times the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 1.41 nmol/kg body weight (b.w.) The ADI for fenitrothion and tolclofos-methyl (10.8 and 212.6 nmol/kg body weight, respectively) were never exceeded. High absorption by one worker underlines the importance of correct use of protective clothing. In this study the hands were always a source of contact with the pesticides. Greater precautions should be taken to reduce contamination (clean gloves, constant use of gloves).