Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation of inflammatory and allergic responses to common mold species: Results from in vitro experiments, from a mouse model of asthma, and from a group of asthmatic patients

Most studies on molds focus on Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus fumigatus. Here, we report on inflammatory and allergenic properties of more typical indoor species Aspergillus versicolor, P. chrysogenum, C. cladosporioïdes, and C. sphaerospermum that were compared to A. alternata and A. fumigatus. In a mouse model, after intranasal instillation, A. alternaria, A. versicolor, and C. sphaerospermum induced the early recruitment of neutrophils and the strong expression of inflammatory markers in the bronchoalveolar lavages fluids. A. fumigatus also induced the early accumulation of neutrophils but with lower levels of inflammatory markers. Chronic treatment induced variable response according to species: P. chrysogenum and A. fumigatus appeared strong pro-allergenic inducers compared to A. alternata and C. sphaerospermum while A. versicolor and C. cladosporioides induced a mixed pro-allergenic/pro-inflammatory response. In mold-sensitized asthmatics, mold-specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE) were detected with an in-house dot-blot assay. A. fumigatus and A. alternata were the most frequent sensitizers. Altogether, P. chrysogenum, P. brevicompactum, C. sphaerospermum, and C. cladosporïoides were the "major sensitizer" (defined as the strongest response against a single mold species) for almost 30% of the asthmatics. These results show that, not only A. alternata and A. fumigatus, but also indoor species have strong inflammatory and allergic properties and a harmful potency.
An experimental analysis of ingestion rates in an omnivorous species

Food intake is difficult to estimate under natural conditions. We investigated ingestion rates of 14 different food types in 26 captive capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella). The procedure consisted in weighing a piece of food and using a two alternative choice tests to present food to the subject, alone in its cage. We recorded the food chosen and the time it took the subject to consume the food entirely. Consumption time was converted into ingestion rates (g/s) for each food type. Ingestion rates of food types significantly differed, and the difference was significantly higher among foods than among subjects. In particular, ingestion rates of the fruits were higher than those of human‐processed food. Interestingly, food preferences were significantly related to energy intake rate, i.e., to the amount of energy ingested per unit of time, but not with ingestion rates or energy content alone. The energy acquired by eating different types of food cannot be calculated on the basis of the time spent eating unless a correction factor for each given food (or similar ones) is applied. Future controlled studies should provide field researchers with such corrections factors, possibly using foods collected in the wild. Am. J. Primatol. 70:510–513, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Long-term efficacy and safety of sitagliptin in the treatment of Japanese Type 2 diabetes (ASSET-K1) to a target of HbA1c<7%

Background: Few studies have investigated the factors related to improvement and maintenance of glycemic control with sitagliptin in Type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. Aim: To identify factors contributing to reaching and maintaining glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) <7% with sitagliptin in Japanese T2D patients. Subjects and methods: This study included 1327 patients who were: taking sitagliptin as monotherapy; switched to sitagliptin; or taking sitagliptin in combination therapy. At baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after starting sitagliptin, weight, body mass index (BMI), HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and post-prandial plasma glucose (PPG) were measured. The subjects were divided into a group that achieved HbA1c<7% at 12 months, a poor control group(HbA1c≥8% at 12 months), and a discontinued group. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify factors contributing to long-term control and maintenance with sitagliptin treatment. Results: HbA1c decreased significantly from 8.0% at baseline to 7.3%, but weight was unchanged. FPG and PPG improved significantly. The HbA1c<7% group had a significantly higher age and a significantly lower BMI at baseline than the HbA1c≥8% group and the discontinued group. On multivariate regression analysis, baseline HbA1c, baseline BMI, and Δbody weight after 12 months were significantly related to HbA1c reduction. The most common adverse event was hypoglycemia, and the most common adverse event responsible for discontinuation was constipation. Conclusions: HbA1c<7.0% was achieved in 31 % of T2D patients who had poor control with conventional treatment. Weight management is important for maintaining good long-term control with sitagliptin.
Concurrent chemo-irradiation using accelerated concomitant boost radiation therapy in loco-regionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

PURPOSE To investigate the feasibility of combining concomitant boost-accelerated radiation regimen (ACB) with full-dose mono-chemotherapy using cisplatin and to assess its local response and acute toxicity patterns in patients with advanced loco-regional head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Between July 2004 and August 2005, a pilot study involving 27 patients with stage III to IVB (AJCC-6th) HNSCC of the oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx who met the eligibility criteria was undertaken. Twenty-four of these patients (median age--53 years) were analyzable. The radiation dose was 72 Gy in 42 fractions over 6 weeks, delivered in one daily fraction of 1.8 Gy during the first 3.5 weeks and two fractions per day, 1.8 Gy and 1.5 Gy boost-separated by > 6 h interval, during the last 2.5 weeks. cisplatin, 100 mg/m2, was given in intravenous (i.v.) infusion on day 1 and day 22. Tumor and clinical status were assessed and acute toxicities were graded. RESULTS Out of 27 patients, 24 patients received both radiation and chemotherapy as per protocol and were available for analysis. The loco-regional response rates were as follows: an overall response of 95.8% (23 patients), a complete response of 79.1% (19 patients), a partial response of 16.7% (4 patients) and progressive disease in 4.2% (1 patient). Dysphagia, nausea, vomiting and bone marrow suppression were the most common side effects and were associated with cisplatin administration. One patient (3.7%) died of complications (pneumonia and sepsis), 3 patients (12.5%) had acute grade 4 toxicity and 21 patients (87.5%) had acute grade 3 (17 patients) or grade 2 (4 patients) toxicity. CONCLUSION This data shows that it is feasible to combine ACB and full-dose mono-chemotherapy using cisplatin with manageable, although substantial, toxicity. The compliance to therapy was high and the loco-regional response achieved compared favorably with ACB alone or other concurrent chemoradiation regimens using standard or altered fractionation regimens tested by the Institute. It also compares well with the available literature. An extended phase II trial; and a new phase III trial, comparing ACB plus cisplatin against standard radiation plus cisplatin, are being planned at the Institute to determine whether the use of ACB in the concurrent chemoradiation setting further improves outcome.
Characteristics and Treatment of Women with Antenatal and Postpartum Depression

Objective: Investigations of the efficacy of treatment for non-psychotic pregnancy-related mood disorders are scarce. Thus, a prospective, longitudinal study of six months duration, involving ninety-six index cases and forty-five healthy women as a reference group, was implemented to determine the response of mood, parenting stress and dyadic adjustment to an eclectic management. Method: In this naturalistic study, the index cases were offered treatment consistent with their symptoms, context, and level of compliance. All women received individual psychotherapy combining strategies from Interpersonal and Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy and/or Marital Interventions and Pharmacology. Rating scales (Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Child Stress Inventory) scored monthly, were used to measure the response to treatment over time. Results: Depressive symptoms are generally alleviated by the second to third month of treatment. Dyadic discord accentuated by traditional sex role expectations and child care stress exacerbated by low self-esteem persisted throughout the trial at levels significantly different from the untreated reference group. Conclusions: Short-term interventions are cost-effective for the relief of mood disorders. However, creative solutions, during an era of economic restraints, are required to extend treatment sufficiently to address couple conflicts and facilitate the transition to parenthood for index cases.
Homeopathic drug discovery: theory update and methodological aspect

Background: Homeopathy treats patient on the basis of totality of symptoms and is based on the principle of ‘like cures like’. It uses ultra-low doses of highly diluted natural substances as remedies that originate from plants, minerals or animals. Objective: The objectives of this review are to discuss concepts, controversies and research related to understanding homeopathy in the light of modern science. Methods: Attempts have been made to focus on current views of homeopathy and to delineate its most plausible mechanism(s) of action. Results: Although some areas of concern remain, research carried out so far both in vitro and in vivo validates the effects of highly diluted homeopathic medicines in a wide variety of organisms. Conclusion: The precise mechanism(s) and pathway(s) of action of highly diluted homeopathic drugs are still unknown.
MEMS-based reconfigurable antennas

In this paper, two frequency reconfigurable antennas using the ON/OFF states of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS), are presented. A multifrequency planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) is designed with a L-shaped open slot upon its main plate. As a proof-of-principle, an ON state RF MEMS switch, modeled by a piece of copper (1x1 mm/sup 2/), is inserted into the slot to achieve frequency switching (while OFF state is modeled without the piece of copper). According to the switch position alone the slot, the GSM operating frequency is not detuned while the other standards become reconfigurable. To validate our concept, a thermal MEMS switch, designed and developed at CEA-LETI is used. The MEMS switch is presented and its scattering parameters are measured and compared with simulated results from an equivalent RLC circuit. The active device is then inserted in the slot to valid the simulated frequency behaviour of the PIFA. Based on the same concept, a planar antenna is designed. It consists in a printed PIFA on a high-resistivity silicon substrate (10 k/spl Omega/.cm). The antenna resonates in the 2.4 GHz WLAN band but the insertion of two small gaps in its main aim which model the OFF state of a MEMS switch allows the antenna to work in the 5.150-5.875 GHz HIPERLAN 2 frequency bands.
National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis The Comparison of Complexity Measures for Cartographic Lines

The concept of ’line complexity’ is often used in cartography in relation to geometric shape of linear features. The concept is particularly important in automated line generalization. Many measures have been applied over the years in an attempt to describe the shape of irregular one-dimensional features in a quantifiable manner. All of them are narrowly focused on single characteristics of complexity, and moreover they remain in an unknown relationship to one another. This project reviews methods and techniques of capturing the complexity of lines. Further, it explores the existing relationships between eight measures of geometric shape of lines. The measures selected for the analysis involve such characteristics of shape as density of detail, length, angularity, and fractal dimension. The analysis performed on an especially designed test data set, comprising of both natural and cultural features, involves principal components analysis. The recommendations for future research on the topic are presented.
The hepoxilins and some analogues: a review of their biology

The hepoxilin pathway was discovered over two decades ago. Products in this pathway are derived through the 12S‐lipoxygenase/hepoxilin synthase enzyme system and contain intrinsic biological activity. This activity relates to the reorganization of calcium and potassium ions within the cell, and in inflammation and insulin secretion. Although the natural hepoxilins are chemically unstable, chemical analogues (PBTs) have been synthesized with chemical and biological stability. The PBTs antagonize the natural hepoxilins. The PBTs showed bioavailability, excellent tolerance and stability in vivo. In proof of principle studies in vivo in animal models, the PBTs have shown actions as anti‐inflammatory agents, anti‐thrombotic agents, anti‐cancer agents and anti‐diabetic agents. These studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the base structure of the hepoxilin (and PBT) molecule and serve as an excellent framework for the design and preparation of second‐generation compounds with improved pharmaceutical properties as therapeutics for the above‐mentioned diseases.
Enhanced skin delivery of aceclofenac via hydrogel-based solid lipid nanoparticles

The aim of the present study was to develop solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and formulate a hydrogel for enhanced topical delivery of aceclofenac (ACF). The SLN were prepared by the ultrasonic emulsification method and optimized on the basis of stirring speed and lipid content. The optimized formulation was characterized for particle size (189 ± 9.2 nm), polydispersity index (PDI) (0.162 ± 0.02), zeta potential (−32.51 ± 0.12 mV), entrapment efficiency (86.51 ± 2.46%), surface morphology, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In vivo performance of ACF-loaded SLN hydrogel showed prolonged inhibition of edema, as compared to that observed using plain ACF hydrogel, after 24 h. The results demonstrated that the ACF–SLN formulation for skin targeting could be a promising carrier for topical delivery of ACF.
Infliximab for juvenile idiopathic arthritis‐associated uveitis

Background: Infliximab is a murine–human recombinant antitumour necrosis factor monoclonal antibody recently introduced for the treatment of autoimmune diseases in which tumour necrosis factor is thought to be a key mediator. Its role in the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis‐associated uveitis is as yet undefined.
hsp65 Sequencing for Identification of Rapidly Growing Mycobacteria

ABSTRACT Partial sequencing of the hsp65 gene was used for the identification of rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM). A 441-bp fragment (A. Telenti, F. Marchesi, M. Balz, F. Bally, E. Böttger, and T. Bodmer, J. Clin. Microbiol. 31:175–178, 1993) was amplified and sequenced by an automated fluorescence-based method involving capillary electrophoresis. Type strains of 10 RGM species were first studied. Each species had a unique nucleotide sequence, distinguishing it clearly from the other species. A panel of strains from the four main RGM species responsible for human infections, Mycobacterium abscessus, Mycobacterium chelonae,Mycobacterium fortuitum, and Mycobacterium peregrinum, was also studied. There were few sequence differences within each of these species (<2% of bases were different from the type strain sequence), and they had no effect on species assignment.hsp65 sequencing unambiguously differentiated M. chelonae and M. abscessus, two species difficult to identify by classical methods and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The devised procedure is a rapid and reliable tool for the identification of RGM species.
Transport of glutathione at blood-brain barrier of the rat: inhibition by glutathione analogs and age-dependence.

We showed previously that glutathione (GSH) may cross the blood-brain barrier intact by a saturable low affinity transport process (Km approximately 6 mM) (Kannan et al., J. Clin. Invest. 85: 2009-2013, 1990). In the present report, breakdown and resynthesis of GSH as the mechanism of apparent GSH uptake were excluded further because > 87% of injected 35S-cysteine taken up at the blood-brain barrier remained unchanged with negligible incorporation into GSH. In an effort to characterize further this GSH transport system, we have studied the influence of a number of potential inhibitors on brain uptake index (BUI) of GSH in rats pretreated with a gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase inhibitor, acivicin. The BUIs of tracer 35S-GSH uptake in the presence or absence of 1 to 20 mM cysteine, glutathione disulfide, gamma-glutamylglutamate, gamma-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide and 2-aminobicyclo(2,2,1)heptane-2-carboxylic acid did not differ significantly from each other. However, S-alkyl glutathiones (hexyl and octyl), sulfobromophthalein-glutathione, glutathione monoethyl ester, probenecid (5 mM) and ophthalmic acid (10 mM) inhibited GSH uptake significantly. Inhibition of GSH uptake by sulfobromophthalein-glutathione and GSH-monoethyl ester was concentration-dependent with apparent Ki approximately 0.016 and 0.083 mM, respectively. There was a decline in GSH-BUI as a function of age in both acivicin and nonacivicin-pretreated rats during the growth and developmental period from 25 to 135 days of age (100-500 g b.wt.). The decrease in BUI with age was specific for GSH; cysteine uptake did not change and no difference in diffusible (H2O) and nondiffusible (sucrose) components was found in this age range. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Early Detection of Alzheimer's Disease by Combining Apolipoprotein E and Neuroimaging a

New treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) are more likely to slow or halt disease progression rather than to reverse existing neuronal damage. Identifying persons with mild cognitive complaints who are at risk for AD will allow investigators to apply anti-dementia treatments before extensive brain damage develops. The discovery of the apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 allele (APOE epsilon 4) as a major risk factor for AD offers promise of assisting in early detection and prediction of Alzheimer's disease, particularly when genetic assessments are combined with other biomarkers such as neuroimaging. Studies of relatives at risk for familial AD using neuroimaging (positron emission tomography [PET]) and genetic assessments of APOE suggest that at-risk relatives with APOE epsilon 4 have lower parietal metabolism than those without APOE epsilon 4. Additional techniques that might increase sensitivity and specificity include longitudinal assessment of clinical and brain functional change, pharmacological challenges of short-acting anticholinergic agents, and memory activation paradigms during functional scanning. Such strategies should eventually assist in early detection of AD and in vivo therapeutic monitoring of brain function during experimental anti-dementia treatment trials.
Sodium reduction in cooked meat products by using commercial potassium phosphate mixtures

In addition to salt (NaCl), sodium phosphate also increases the sodium content of meat products. Thus, the effects of replacing sodium phosphate with potassium phosphate on sodium content and properties of low-salt cooked bologna-type sausage and cooked ham were studied. Four sausage formulations were prepared. In formulations 1 and 2, the target sodium content was 0.55 g Na/100 g, and in recipes 3 and 4, 0.63 g Na/100 g. The salt content in formulation 2 was the same as in formulation 3, namely 1.2% NaCl, but the sodium content in the former was lower. In the cooked hams of recipes 1 and 2, the salt content was 1.4%, and in recipes 3 and 4, 1.8%. Sodium phosphate was used in recipes 1 and 3, and potassium phosphate in recipes 2 and 4. Very low-salt (i.e. 1.0 –1.4% NaCl) meat products can be prepared providing that phosphates are added. Further reduction of sodium content in low-salt meat products is possible by replacing sodium phosphate with potassium phosphate. The extent of sodium reduction depends on the phosphates used and their sodium content, being equivalent to a sodium content of 0.2% NaCl or more. The replacement resulted in no adverse effects. Alkaline phosphates are also recommended in very low-salt products to minimize risk of purge.
A dynamically configurable-radix pipelined FFT algorithm for real time applications

An efficient pipelined Fast Fourier Transform with a dynamically configurable-radix processing element is presented. The architectural design used is the single-path delay feedback. The proposed design significantly optimizes the latency and the hardware utilization of multipliers to 87.5% with a simple and low cost architecture. The proposed architecture is scalable to support multiples of 1024 points using additional stages. The proposed design was implemented on an FPGA. Furthermore, additional stages could be added to reach any FFT size.
The brazilian credit market for small and medium-sized firms: an adaptive marketing approach

In this work, the Brazilian credit market for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is analyzed from an adaptive marketing perspective, in which marketing activities such as segmentation, customer relationship management, pricing and product development are determined by the utility that market players get when they satisfy the demand. The existence of information asymmetry and transaction costs is identified to limit and drive marketing initiatives in the studied credit market. From a sample of 65,535 credit proposals analyzed by a large Brazilian bank from January 2004 to September 2006, the bank’s utility in a credit transaction is studied. Additionally, 17,149 credit transactions provided by the bank to the small business segment from April 2006 to March 2007 are investigated. Finally, a data set with 1,636 registers, obtained from the merge of the mentioned samples of proposals and transactions, is investigated in terms of the relations between interest rates and the collateral committed in credit proposals. The results reveal the existence of an adaptive marketing environment, in which small business borrowers are credit rationed and accept to pay higher interest rates than other segments. Credit products based on liquid collateral and high interest rates are designed to opportunistically supply this rationed small business segment. Also, the bank’s utility from a credit transaction is affected by the private information it captures along its relationships with customers. Findings imply that the Brazilian financial marketing system does not perform a formative function in economic development, which would be to foster the demand for productive credit by means of low-priced loans to small and medium-sized enterprises. However, a formative marketing system is not likely to occur in an environment characterized by imperfect information, like the Brazilian credit market. This study provides relevant information to those who are interested in the development of productive credit markets, like professionals of financial institutions; public and monetary policy makers; and small and medium-sized business entrepreneurs whose businesses face the need for external funding.