Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PHOTODYNAMIC CYTOTOXICITY OF MAMMALIAN CELLS EXPOSED TO SUNLIGHT‐SIMULATING NEAR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT IN THE PRESENCE OF THE CARCINOGEN 7,12‐DIMETHYLBENZ(a)ANTHRACENE

Abstract— The coal‐derived carcinogen 7,12‐dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA), added to cultures of V79 Chinese hamster, C3H mouse 10T1/2, and human HeLa cells, enhances photolethality induced by the sunlight‐simulating emission from Westinghouse Sun Lamps (‐ 29˜100 nm) but only in the presence of O2. Treatment of cells with DMBA after irradiation is without lethal effect; the endoperoxide of DMBA is ineffective both before as well as after irradiation, and DMBA incubation before far‐UV exposure (254 nm) is protective. Cells rendered photosensitive by incubation with DMBA rapidly lose their sensitivity (in < 10 min, 37°C) if incubated in a DMBA‐free solution containing serum, but maintain their sensitivity at least for several hours if a serum‐free solution is used. Although DMBA enhances light‐induced killing of cells in all phases of the cycle, those undergoing DNA syntheses are preferentially sensitized. The data support photodynamic lethality due to one or both of the following: (1) the reaction with DNA of either DMBA radicals followed by oxidation, or DMBA‐produced singlet oxygen; or (2) the peroxidation of lysosomal membranes followed by the release of hydrolases including DNAses. As a model system of the combined effects of a fossil‐fuel derived polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and sunlight, the results with DMBA + near‐UV are discussed in the context of altered cell properties (e.g. neoplastic transformation) in sublethally affected cells.
Mesenchymal Conversion of Mesothelial Cells Is a Key Event in the Pathophysiology of the Peritoneum during Peritoneal Dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a therapeutic option for the treatment of end-stage renal disease and is based on the use of the peritoneum as a semipermeable membrane for the exchange of toxic solutes and water. Long-term exposure of the peritoneal membrane to hyperosmotic PD fluids causes inflammation, loss of the mesothelial cells monolayer, fibrosis, vasculopathy, and angiogenesis, which may lead to peritoneal functional decline. Peritonitis may further exacerbate the injury of the peritoneal membrane. In parallel with these peritoneal alterations, mesothelial cells undergo an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), which has been associated with peritoneal deterioration. Factors contributing to the bioincompatibility of classical PD fluids include the high content of glucose/glucose degradation products (GDPs) and their acidic pH. New generation low-GDPs-neutral pH fluids have improved biocompatibility resulting in better preservation of the peritoneum. However, standard glucose-based fluids are still needed, as biocompatible solutions are expensive for many potential users. An alternative approach to preserve the peritoneal membrane, complementary to the efforts to improve fluid biocompatibility, is the use of pharmacological agents protecting the mesothelium. This paper provides a comprehensive review of recent advances that point to the EMT of mesothelial cells as a potential therapeutic target to preserve membrane function.
Disability in optic neuritis correlates with diffusion tensor-derived directional diffusivities

Objective: To determine the potential of directional diffusivities from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to predict clinical outcome of optic neuritis (ON), and correlate with vision, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and visual evoked potentials (VEP). Methods: Twelve cases of acute and isolated ON were imaged within 30 days of onset and followed prospectively. Twenty-eight subjects with a remote clinical history of ON were studied cross-sectionally. Twelve healthy controls were imaged for comparison. DTI data were acquired at 3T with a surface coil and 1.3 × 1.3 × 1.3 mm3 isotropic voxels. Results: Normal DTI parameters (mean ± SD, μm2/ms) were axial diffusivity = 1.66 ± 0.18, radial diffusivity = 0.81 ± 0.26, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) = 1.09 ± 0.21, and fractional anisotropy (FA) = 0.43 ± 0.15. Axial diffusivity decreased up to 2.5 SD in acute ON. The decrease in axial diffusivity at onset correlated with visual contrast sensitivity 1 month (r = 0.59) and 3 months later (r = 0.65). In three subjects followed from the acute through the remote stage, radial diffusivity subsequently increased to >2.5 SD above normal, as did axial diffusivity and ADC. In remote ON, radial diffusivity correlated with OCT (r = 0.81), contrast sensitivity (r = 0.68), visual acuity (r = 0.56), and VEP (r = 0.54). Conclusion: In acute and isolated demyelination, axial diffusivity merits further investigation as a predictor of future clinical outcome. Diffusion parameters are dynamic in acute and isolated optic neuritis, with an initial acute decrease in axial diffusivity. In remote disease, radial diffusivity correlates with functional, structural, and physiologic tests of vision.
CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION

Creativity and Innovation provides a framework where future entrepreneurs and business leaders can learn to harness collective talent and creativity to (re)invent businesses and organisations. Students will gain the necessary skills and abilities to lead new and exciting innovation processes. It is a highly interactive hands-on subject with the aim of demonstrating how an individual can transform their talent and creativity into a collective and cohesive business innovation process. The course revolves around a comprehensive approach to innovation based on creativity that taps into both internal and external areas of the business model. Conceptual foundations are provided the context in which creative processes occur before shifting to the of innovating. Students approach innovation several different perspectives: the personal level (mindset), the organisational level (firm), and the environmental level (market). They will their creativity and ability to think critically learning how to apply these skills in a comprehensive manner; not only to develop innovative products or services but also to improve internal processes, reduce costs, approach new markets and develop new ventures.
Analysis of Automobile Travel Demand Elasticities With Respect To Travel Cost

This report summarizes the auto travel demand elasticities with respect to different cost variables. The dependent variable of interest is vehicle miles of travel (VMT) of personally owned vehicles by U.S. households. Trip frequency, in terms of the number of trips made per day, is also considered as a dependent variable, though it requires a conversion (i.e., a trip length assumption) to put trip frequency into VMT terms. A relationship between household-level VMT and a set of explanatory variables is established using the direct demand approach. In particular, a log-log regression model is formulated and calibrated using the 2009 National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) dataset, supplemented with the national transit database and other data sources. Household-level travel demand elasticities with regards to fuel cost, maintenance cost, transit services, income and other socioeconomic characteristics are derived from the VMT regression model. A Poisson regression model is used to describe the relationship between trip frequency and various travel cost variables. In addition, to examine the effect of travel time and cost on the mode choice between flying and driving a personal vehicle, the long distance passenger travel mode choice is represented by a discrete choice model. Using a subset of 2001 NHTS long trip samples, a binary logit choice model is developed and calibrated, which includes access distance, travel time, cost, income, and travel party size as explanatory variables. Aggregate elasticities of long distance trips by personal vehicles are derived from the discrete choice model.
Diagnostic Symptoms of Severe and Moderate Haemophilia A and B A Survey of 140 Cases

ABSTRACT. With a view to the characterisation of presenting symtoms, a survey was made of 140 boys diagnosed as having haemophilia A or B, severe or moderate form, in Sweden during the years 1960–1987. Mean age at diagnosis was nine months for the severe cases and 22 months for the moderate cases. Although the heredity was known in 59/140 cases, 35 had had bleeding episodes before diagnosis had been established, thus emphasising the importance of genetic information and carrier identification in haemophilia families. Of the presenting symptoms, subcutaneous bleedings constituted 41% while joint and muscle bleedings were uncommon; 16% were bleedings in conjunction with puncture of vessels, injections or surgery. Fourteen percent had anaemin and received blood‐transfusion at diagnosis; 9% were diagnosed post‐neonatally but 20% had shown abnormal bleeding tendency already in the neonatal period; seven boys (5%) had intracranial haemorrhages, five of them neonatally. A thorough family history and an extensive investigation of bleedings in the neonatal period should make early diagnosis possible.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of postoperative paralytic ileus and adhesive intestinal obstruction associated with abdominal surgery: experience with 626 patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS The results of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy for treatment of postoperative paralytic ileus and adhesive intestinal obstruction associated with abdominal surgery are unknown. METHODOLOGY A retrospective review of postoperative paralytic ileus and adhesive intestinal obstruction associated with abdominal surgery in 626 patients required 758 admissions who underwent HBO therapy was undertaken to examine the efficacy of HBO therapy. RESULTS The overall resolution rates for patients receiving HBO therapy in cases of postoperative paralytic ileus and adhesive intestinal obstruction were 92% and 85%, respectively. Among patients who were more than 75 years old, the therapies resolved 35 (97%) of 36 cases of postoperative paralytic ileus and 42 (81%) of 52 cases of adhesive intestinal obstruction, which was comparable to the results for patients less than 75 years old. The mortality rate was 1.2% overall. Complications related to HBO therapy occurred in 3.8% of the admissions, and most of them were not serious. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that HBO therapy might deserve further assessment for use in management of postoperative paralytic ileus and adhesive intestinal obstruction as a new modality. HBO therapy is safe and non-invasive, and may be useful in the elderly patients, since mortality was relatively low in this series.
The effect of 3 weeks high altitude skiing training on isokinetic muscle function of cross-country skierst

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of three week high altitude ski training on the myocardial performance of cross country skiers and to provide basic data for the future improvement of cross country skiers'. The subjects were 6 cross country skiing male college athletes. To investigate the effects of periodic and high altitude training on cross country skiers, a general linear model ANOVA with repeated measure And analyzed using the Paired Samples t-test. In high altitude ski training for 3 weeks, the body composition did not change but the isokinetic muscular function of the shoulder joint, hip joint, knee joint, and ankle joint was decreased. Therefore, further study is needed if it is considered that continuous strength training should be performed during the ski training period such as SP period.
An InP-Based Mid-Wave Infrared Up-Converter Utilizing Cascade Carrier Transportation

Semiconductor-based up-conversion infrared (IR) photodetectors have the advantages of pixelless imaging and being free from thermal mismatch between photodetector and read-out integrated circuit. Profited by cascade carrier transportation, cascade IR up-converters (CIUPs) provide a fresh idea to ease the contradiction between dark current and responsivity. For GaAs-based mid-wave IR CIUP, a strained InGaAs/AlGaAs material system is an essential configuration, in spite of the limitation of lattice-mismatched epitaxy. An InGaAs/InAlAs material system lattice-matched to InP substrate is a promising alternative to the strained InGaAs/AlGaAs structures. In this letter, an InP-based mid-wave IR CIUP is demonstrated with a 4.7-μm peak response wavelength and 1.19-μm peak emission wavelength. For the up-conversion system, the dark-current-limited detectivity reaches 1.1×1011 Jones at 78 K and 1.3 V CIUP bias, and the background-limited infrared performance condition is achieved at 107 K with the detectivity of 1.2 × 1010 Jones.
Blood Flow Increase by Cervical Spinal Cord Stimulation in Middle Cerebral and Common Carotid Arteries

The effect of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) on cerebral blood flow (CBF) has, in the past, been evaluated by semiquantitative techniques, but has not been used to treat CBF diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of cervical SCS on regional blood flow by both semiquantitative and quantitative methods. Thirty‐five patients with cervical SCS‐implanted devices were enrolled. The following parameters were measured before and after cervical SCS: systolic and diastolic velocity (cm/s) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) by transcranial Doppler (TCD) and volume blood flow quantification (ml/min) in the common carotid artery (CCA) by color Doppler. During cervical SCS there was a significant and bilateral increase in systolic (21%) and diastolic (26%) velocity in the MCA and in CCA blood flow (50%). We conclude that cervical SCS increases blood flow in the middle cerebral artery and common carotid artery. The consistent increase supports the potential usefulness of cervical SCS as an adjuvant treatment for cerebral blood flow diseases.
ACYL GLUCURONIDATION OF FLUOROQUINOLONE ANTIBIOTICS BY THE UDP-GLUCURONOSYLTRANSFERASE 1A SUBFAMILY IN HUMAN LIVER MICROSOMES

Acyl glucuronidation is an important metabolic pathway for fluoroquinolone antibiotics. However, it is unclear which human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes are involved in the glucuronidation of the fluoroquinolones. The in vitro formation of levofloxacin (LVFX), grepafloxacin (GPFX), moxifloxacin (MFLX), and sitafloxacin (STFX) glucuronides was investigated in human liver microsomes and cDNA-expressed recombinant human UGT enzymes. The apparent Km values for human liver microsomes ranged from 1.9 to 10.0 mM, and the intrinsic clearance values (calculated as Vmax/Km) had a rank order of MFLX > GPFX > STFX >> LVFX. In a bank of human liver microsomes (n = 14), the glucuronidation activities of LVFX, MFLX, and STFX correlated highly with UGT1A1-selective β-estradiol 3-glucuronidation activity, whereas the glucuronidation activity of GPFX correlated highly with UGT1A9-selective propofol glucuronidation activity. Among 12 recombinant UGT enzymes, UGT1A1, 1A3, 1A7, and 1A9 catalyzed the glucuronidation of these fluoroquinolones. Results of enzyme kinetics studies using the recombinant UGT enzymes indicated that UGT1A1 most efficiently glucuronidates MFLX, and UGT1A9 most efficiently glucuronidates GPFX. In addition, the glucuronidation activities of MFLX and STFX in human liver microsomes were potently inhibited by bilirubin with IC50 values of 4.9 μM and 4.7 μM, respectively; in contrast, the glucuronidation activity of GPFX was inhibited by mefenamic acid with an IC50 value of 9.8 μM. These results demonstrate that UGT1A1, 1A3, and 1A9 enzymes are involved in the glucuronidation of LVFX, GPFX, MFLX, and STFX in human liver microsomes, and that MFLX and STFX are predominantly glucuronidated by UGT1A1, whereas GPFX is mainly glucuronidated by UGT1A9.
How Do Patients Expect Apps to Provide Drug Information?

Patients use various sources to obtain information on pharmaceutical drugs they take. Mobile health care applications (apps) providing drug information to users are increasingly made available and of in-creasing importance for the health care domain. However, apps usually only offer functionality that medical professionals or developers consider useful for patients, although their expectations are not likely to meet patient expectations. In our mixed methods study, we identify 33 features patients expect in apps for drug information provision with interviews and empirically assess their perceived importance in an online survey. Results indicate that patients desire personalization features for provided information but not for the app interface. This work contributes to research and practice by identifying and empirically ranking drug information provision features patients find important. We furthermore establish a foundation for future research on effective mobile drug information provision and provide insights for practice on development of patient-centered mobile health apps.
The Impact of Immigration on Swiss Wages: A Fixed Effects Two Stage Least Squares Analysis

Immigration has always been an important economic issue for Switzerland and thus a hotly debated topic in Swiss politics. Over the last forty years, the total share of foreigners (relative to permanent Swiss residents) has risen steadily from 9.3% in 1960 to 19.3% in 2000. With the forthcoming ratification of the Second Bilateral Treaties between the European Union (EU) and Switzerland, immigration and its impact on the Swiss economy, in particular on the Swiss labor market, will become even more important since immigration restrictions between member countries of the EU and Switzerland will, to a large extent, be eliminated. Currently the Swiss parliament is also working on a new naturalization law and is attempting a partial revision of the asylum act. Therefore, it is not surprising that unions and politicians are becoming more concerned about the effects of immigration on the wages of Swiss nationals. Surprisingly, there has not been much research undertaken regarding the consequences to the Swiss labor market even though there exists a vast international literature on the effects of immigration on domestic labor markets. ∗Thanks to Kurt Schmidheiny (Tufts University), George Sheldon (University of Basel), Tobias Wenzel (University of Mannheim), Philippe Deschamps and Henner Kleinewefers (University of Fribourg) for support and valuable comments. John Theal (University of Lausanne) and Shauna Selvarajah (University of Fribourg) proofread the paper. All remaining errors are (unfortunately) the sole responsibility of the author.
Flow limitation and dynamic hyperinflation during exercise in COPD patients after single lung transplantation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE Using the negative expiratory pressure (NEP) method, we have previously shown that patients receiving single lung transplantation (SLT) for COPD do not exhibit expiratory flow limitation and have little dyspnea at rest. In the present study, we assessed whether SLT patients exhibit flow limitation, overall hyperinflation, and dyspnea during exercise. METHODS Expiratory flow limitation assessed by the NEP method and inspiratory capacity maneuvers used to determine end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) and end-inspiratory lung volume (EILV) were performed at rest and during symptom-limited incremental cycle exercise in eight SLT patients. RESULTS At the time of the study, the mean (+/- SD) FEV(1), FVC, functional residual capacity, and total lung capacity (TLC) amounted to 55 +/- 14%, 67 +/- 12%, 137 +/- 16%, and 110 +/- 11% of predicted, respectively. At rest, all patients did not experience expiratory flow limitation and were without dyspnea. At peak exercise, the maximal mechanical power output and maximal oxygen consumption amounted to 72 +/- 20% and 65 +/- 8% of predicted, respectively, with a maximal dyspnea Borg score of 6 +/- 3. All but one patient exhibited flow limitation and dynamic hyperinflation; the EELV and EILV amounted to 74 +/- 5% and 95 +/- 9% TLC, respectively. The patient who did not exhibit flow limitation during exercise had the lowest dyspnea score. CONCLUSION Most SLT patients for COPD exhibit expiratory flow limitation and dynamic hyperinflation during exercise, whereas maximal dyspnea is variable.
Awareness of the Consumption of Dietary Supplements among Students in a University in Saudi Arabia

The dietary supplement market in Saudi Arabia is growing alongside the number of Saudis consuming dietary supplements. It is therefore increasingly important for healthcare personnel to understand the consumption rate of dietary supplements, whether they are used wisely, and the know-how concerning their use and dosage. The purpose of this study was to clarify the overall awareness of dietary supplement consumption among female students of Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Using a descriptive approach, data were collected from 759 female students (mean age = 22.1 ± 1.7 years) via an electronic survey. All participants reported having consumed dietary supplements at some point, and 32.3% were taking them at the time of the survey. They took supplements primarily for aesthetic reasons (e.g., hair and skin health) and preferred purchasing supplements at pharmacies. Nearly all (89.9%) participants could define supplements correctly, and 43.6% reported that supplements improved health. More than half the sample believed that supplements are safe. While a large proportion of participants correctly identified the recommended number of daily servings of fruits and vegetables, relatively few actually consumed that recommended amount. More than one-third of participants consumed more than one type of supplement simultaneously, and more than half reported that they would use supplements when necessary in the future. The results of this study suggest a need for long-term studies on the consumption of nutritional supplements among Saudis and its impact on health.
Are Popular Narratives Regarding Recent Commodity Price Spikes Accurate?

This paper reviews both the theory and empirical evidence regarding how commodity futures market work, including the role of the speculator. The paper also discusses how difficult it is to apportion causality for commodity price spikes when inventories-relative-to-consumption become sufficiently low and therefore to be skeptical about popular narratives regarding commodity price spikes. The paper concludes that modern commodity futures markets are the result of 160 years of trial-and-error efforts. Before performing surgery on these institutions, we suggest that “speculative” regulatory proposals should not adopted whose ultimate effects are unknown.