Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structural and electronic properties of poly(fluorene-pyrrole) copolymer: Time dependent density functional theory investigation

The structural and electronic properties of Fluorene-Pyrrole copolymer (FPyr)n n=1−4 were theoretically investigated. Geometry optimizations of this oligomer were calculated at the B3LYP/SVP and TD-B3LYP/SVP for the ground state and the first lowest excited state, respectively. The obtained results found that (FPyr)n is non-planar structure in its ground state whereas completely planarity in the S1 state. The lowest excitation energy of this oligomer carried out at the TD-B3LYP/SVP and TDB3LYP/ SVP+ are 2.25 and 2.23 eV, respectively. The S1 ← S0 electronic transition is characterized as the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) transition which dominated in terms of oscillator strength. The fluorescence energy of (FPyr)n calculated by TD-B3LYP/ SVP and TD-B3LYP/SVP+ are 1.87 and 1.85 eV, respectively and the predicted radiative lifetimes are 0.86 and 0.89 ns, respective. These structural and electronic properties can be useful in designing of novel conducting polymer materials.
Severe adverse events during antiviral therapy in hepatitis C virus cirrhotic patients: A systematic review.

AIM To identify severe adverse events (SAEs) leading to treatment discontinuation that occur during antiviral therapy in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected cirrhotic patients. METHODS We identified all the articles published prior to December 2011 in the PubMed, Medline, Lilacs, Scopus, Ovid, EMBASE, Cochrane and Medscape databases that presented these data in cirrhotic patients. These studies evaluated the rate of SAEs leading to discontinuation of standard care treatment: Pegylated interferon (PegIFN) alpha 2a (135-180 μg/wk) or PegIFN alpha 2b (1 or 1.5 μg/kg per week) and ribavirin (800-1200 mg/d). Patients with genotype 1 + 4 underwent treatment for 48 wk, whereas those with genotypes 2 + 3 were treated for 24 wk. RESULTS We included 17 papers in this review, comprising of 1133 patients. Treatment was discontinued due to SAEs in 14.5% of the patients. The most common SAEs were: severe thrombocytopenia and/or neutropenia (23.2%), psychiatric disorders (15.5%), decompensation of liver cirrhosis (12.1%) and severe anemia (11.2%). The proportion of patients who needed to discontinue their therapy due to SAEs was significantly higher in patients with Child-Pugh class B and C vs those with Child-Pugh class A: 22% vs 11.4% (P = 0.003). A similar discontinuation rate was found in cirrhotic patients treated with PegIFN alpha 2a and those treated with PegIFN alpha 2b, in combination with ribavirin: 14.2% vs 13.7% (P = 0.96). The overall sustained virological response rate in cirrhotic patients was 37% (95%CI: 33.5-43.1) but was significantly lower in patients with genotype 1 + 4 than in those with genotype 2 + 3: 20.5% (95%CI: 17.9-24.8) vs 56.5% (95%CI: 51.5-63.2), (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Fourteen point five percent of HCV cirrhotic patients treated with PegIFN and ribavirin needed early discontinuation of therapy due to SAEs, the most common cause being hematological disorders.
Endocardial Pacing Site Affects Left Ventricular End‐ Diastolic Volume and Performance in the Intact Anesthetized Dog

We investigated how pacing from different endocardial sites affects the left ventricular three-dimensional contraction pattern and performance in intact anesthetized dogs. We used data from the motion of radiopaque markers implanted in the left ventricular endocardium in an analysis based on the polar decomposition theorem to determine the left ventricle's three-dimensional principal directions and magnitudes of deformation, and its axis and angle of rotation during the cardiac cycle. This paper also derives a new procedure that permits statistical comparison of different left ventricular cavity deformation patterns. During normal sinus rhythm and pacing from the right atrium, left ventricular septum, left ventricular apex, and right ventricular apex, the principal directions of left ventricular deformation remained relatively fixed with respect to the left ventricle's anatomy, independent of heart rate and pacing site. These directions were oriented in septum-free wall, anterior-posterior, and apex-base directions. End-systolic pressure and volume did not vary significantly among pacing sites. End-diastolic volume varied significantly among pacing sites, with right ventricular apical pacing producing the smallest end-diastolic and stroke volume. These results reveal that beats produced by right ventricular apical pacing eject less blood compared with beats produced by right atrial, left ventricular septal, or left ventricular apical pacing.
Training medical staff for pediatric disaster victims: a comparison of different teaching methods.

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the different types of healthcare worker training in pediatric disaster medicine knowledge over time and to analyze the effects of training type on healthcare workers' attitude toward pediatric disaster medicine. DESIGN Prospective randomized controlled longitudinal study. SETTING Large, urban, tertiary academic children's hospital. SUBJECTS Physicians and nurses employed at Children's Hospital Los Angeles randomly selected from a global hospital e-mail server over a 3-week time frame were invited to participate and receive an incentive on completion. Forty-three controls and 42 intervention subjects (22 lecture + tabletop exercise, 20 lecture only) completed the study. Subjects with disaster training in the prior 6 months were excluded. INTERVENTIONS Subjects underwent a didactic lecture or a combination of didactic lecture and tabletop exercise. Preintervention and postintervention testing took place using a 37-question multiple-choice test on pediatric disaster medical topics. Posttesting took place immediately after intervention and then 1, 3, and 6 months after the intervention. Subjects also were surveyed before and after intervention regarding their attitudes toward pediatric disaster medicine. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES (1) Scores on a 37-question knowledge test and (2) Likert scores on self-perceptions of knowledge, comfort, and interest in pediatric disaster medicine. RESULTS Regardless of intervention type, participant scores on a postintervention pediatric disaster medicine tests over a 6-month period increased and remained well above pretest means for intervention and control pretest scores. There were no differences in scores comparing type of intervention. However, subjects who underwent the tabletop simulation had a better sense of knowledge and comfort with the topics compared with those who only underwent a didactic lecture. CONCLUSIONS Didactic lecture and tabletop exercises both increase healthcare worker's knowledge of pediatric disaster medical topics. This knowledge seems to be retained for at least 6 months postintervention. The addition of the tabletop exercise to a standard didactic lecture may increase a learner's sense of knowledge and comfort with disaster topics, which may in turn lead to increased staff participation in the event of an actual disaster.
The pleiotropic nature of symbiotic regulatory mutants: Bradyrhizobium japonicum nifA gene is involved in control of nif gene expression and formation of determinate symbiosis

In the slow‐growing soybean symbiont, Bradyrhizobium japonicum (strain 110), a nifA‐like regulatory gene was located immediately upstream of the previously mapped fixA gene. By interspecies hybridization and partial DNA sequencing the gene was found to be homologous to nifA from Klebsiella pneumoniae and Rhizobium meliloti, and to a lesser extent, also to ntrC from K. pneumoniae. The B. japonicum nifA gene product was shown to activate B. japonicum and K. pneumoniae nif promoters (using nif::lacZ translational fusions) both in Escherichia coli and B. japonicum backgrounds. In the heterologous E. coli system activation was shown to be dependent on the ntrA gene product. Site‐directed insertion and deletion/replacement mutagenesis revealed that nifA is probably the promoter‐distal cistron within an operon. NifA‐ mutants were Fix‐ and pleiotropic: (i) they were defective in the synthesis of several proteins including the nifH gene product (nitrogenase Fe protein); the same proteins had been known to be repressed under aerobic growth of B. japonicum but derepressed at low O2 tension; (ii) the mutants had an altered nodulation phenotype inducing numerous, small, widely distributed soybean nodules in which the bacteroids were subject to severe degradation. These results show that nifA not only controls nitrogenase genes but also one or more genes involved in the establishment of a determinate, nitrogen‐fixing root nodule symbiosis.
Heat shock proteins and heat therapy for type 2 diabetes: pros and cons

Purpose of reviewHeat therapy, such as sauna and hot tub, has become an increasingly regular therapeutical practice around the world since several studies have shown benefits of heat therapy in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The use of heat therapy in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus revealed a striking reduction of 1% unit in the glycated hemoglobin, suggesting this therapy for the treatment of diabetes. Herein, we shall discuss the use of heat therapy and the mechanisms involved, and suggest a provisional guide for the use of heat therapy in obesity and diabetes. Recent findingsHuman studies indicate that heat therapy reduces fasting glycemia, glycated hemoglobin, body weight, and adiposity. Animal studies have indicated that nitric oxide and the increase in heat shock protein 70 expression is involved in the improvements induced by heat therapy on insulin sensitivity, adiposity, inflammation, and vasomotricity. SummaryHeat therapy is a promising and inexpensive tool for the treatment of obesity and diabetes. We proposed that transient increments in nitric oxide and heat shock protein 70 levels may explain the benefits of heat therapy. We suggest that heat therapy (sauna: 80–100°C; hot tub: at 40°C) for 15 min, three times a week, for 3 months, is a safe method to test its efficiency.
Multilevel and spatial analysis of syphilis in Shenzhen, China, to inform spatially targeted control measures

Objectives The present study investigates the varied spatial distribution of syphilis cases in Shenzhen, China, and explores the individual-, neighbourhood- and district-level factors affecting the distribution. Methods This study uses spatial analysis and multi-level generalised estimating equations to explore the spatial distribution of reported syphilis cases among individuals in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. The spatial distribution of primary/secondary and latent cases was investigated using the Moran's I-statistic. Primary/secondary syphilis cases were compared with all syphilis cases using a three-level model with individual (n=6496), neighbourhood (n=55) and district (n=6) levels. Results A total of 6496 syphilis cases were reported in 2009 with 35.8% primary and secondary syphilis cases. Both primary/secondary syphilis cases (Moran's I value=0.33, p<0.01) and latent syphilis cases (Moran's I value=0.19, p<0.01) showed significant spatial clustering at the neighbourhood level. Adjusting for the number of reporting hospitals, the best model found that the following characteristics were associated with primary/secondary syphilis infection: individuals who are younger in age (p=0.003), male (p<0.001), migrant labourers (p=0.047) and those who live in districts with a higher gross domestic product (p<0.001). Conclusions There is substantial clustering of primary and secondary syphilis cases at the neighbourhood level in Shenzhen, suggesting the need for greater STD health service provision in these clustered neighbourhoods. Spatially targeted syphilis control measures may be useful to optimise testing, treatment and partner services.
Early Cytokine Production Is Associated with Protection from Murine Cerebral Malaria

ABSTRACT Cerebral malaria (CM) is an infrequent but serious complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection in humans. Animal and human studies suggest that the pathogenesis of CM is immune mediated, but the precise mechanisms leading to cerebral pathology are unclear. In mice, infection with Plasmodium berghei ANKA results in CM on day 6 postinoculation (p.i.), while infection with the closely related strain P. berghei K173 does not result in CM. Infection with P. berghei K173 was associated with increased plasma gamma interferon (IFN-γ) at 24 h p.i. and with increased splenic and hepatic mRNAs for a range of cytokines (IFN-γ, interleukin-10 [IL-10], and IL-12) as well as the immunoregulatory enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase. In contrast, P. berghei ANKA infection was associated with an absence of cytokine production at 24 h p.i. but a surge of IFN-γ production at 3 to 4 days p.i. When mice were coinfected with both ANKA and K173, they produced an early cytokine response, including a burst of IFN-γ at 24 h p.i. , in a manner similar to animals infected with P. berghei K173 alone. These coinfected mice failed to develop CM. In addition, in a low-dose P. berghei K173 infection model, protection from CM was associated with early production of IFN-γ. Early IFN-γ production was present in NK-cell-depleted, γδ-cell-depleted, and Jα281−/− (NKT-cell-deficient) mice but absent from β2-microglobulin mice that had been infected with P. berghei K173. Taken together, the results suggest that the absence of a regulatory pathway involving IFN-γ and CD8+ T cells in P. berghei ANKA infection allows the development of cerebral immunopathology.
Do Suppliers Benefit from Collaborative Relationships with Large Retailers? An Empirical Investigation of Efficient Consumer Response Adoption

Collaborative manufacturer–retailer relationships based on efficient consumer response (ECR) have become ubiquitous over the past decade. Yet academic studies of ECR adoption and its impact on marketing relationships are relatively scarce. Inspired by the relational view of competitive advantage, the authors empirically investigate whether the extent to which suppliers of a major retailer adopt ECR has a beneficial impact on their outcomes. The results demonstrate that whereas ECR adoption has a positive impact on supplier economic performance and capability development, it also generates greater perceptions of negative inequity on the part of the supplier. However, retailer capabilities and supplier trust moderate some of these main effects. The overall results are robust with respect to differences in supplier size as well as between branded and private-label suppliers.
Efficacy of simulated, slow release sodium bicarbonate in stabilizing ruminal milieu and acid-base status in lactating dairy cattle.

Four primiparous, ruminally fistulated, lactating Holstein cows were assigned to a 4 X 4 Latin square to study the effects of NaHCO3 infusion time on ruminal milieu and systemic acid-base balance. Sodium bicarbonate, approximating . 8% of diet DM, was mixed with water and infused into the rumen for 1, 2, 4, or 6 h postfeeding to simulate different timed-release rates of NaHCO3. All cows received a corn silage and concentrate diet mixed at a 40:60 ratio on a DM basis and fed in amounts that were consumed within 1 h. Ruminal fluid, blood, and urine samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 h postfeeding. Length of infusion time did not alter ruminal, blood, or urine pH, but all three variables were affected by sampling time, with the 5, 1, and 3-h sampling intervals yielding the lowest values for the three measurements, respectively. Ruminal VFA molar percentages of acetate, propionate, butyrate, isovalerate, and valerate were not influenced by infusion interval but were all different due to time of sampling. Blood pCO2 and HCO3 were affected by sampling time but not by infusion interval. With the exception of blood HCO3, all treatment X sampling time interactions were nonsignificant. It appears that timed release of NaHCO3 does not alter ruminal function or acid-base balance.
Systemic cytokine response following exercise-induced muscle damage in humans

Abstract Background: Muscle adaptation which occurs following eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage has been associated with an acute inflammatory response. The purpose of this study was to investigate serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor kB ligand (OPG/RANKL) concentrations following muscle damage. We measured changes for several days following muscle damage. Methods: Ten healthy young males performed an eccentric exercise protocol using their quadriceps. Blood samples were withdrawn before and at 6 h, 2 days, 5 days and 16 days post-exercise. Functional and clinical measurements were performed before, and on days 1, 2, 5, 8, 12 and 16 post-exercise. Results: The exercise protocol resulted in muscle damage, indicated by changes in biochemical markers. An increase in IL-6 and OPG, and a decrease in RANKL concentrations were seen at 6 h and on day 2 post-exercise; the OPG:RANKL ratio was increased at 6 h post-exercise (p<0.05). Conclusions: Changes in IL-6 and OPG/RANKL system may represent systemic responses in muscle inflammation and repair processes. However, further studies are needed to elucidate a potential systemic and/or local role of the OPG/RANKL system in skeletal muscle repair. Clin Chem Lab Med 2009;47:777–82.
In vitro and In vivo Antioxidant Activity of Flavonoid Extracted from Mulberry Fruit (Morus alba L.)

Background: Many plants possess antioxidants that exhibit additive or synergistic activities. Objective: In this study, an ethanol-extracted flavonoid extracted from mulberry fruit (FEM) was evaluated for the antioxidant activity in vitro and the hemolysis in red blood cell (RBC) and lipid peroxidation in liver in vivo. Materials and Methods: Antioxidant activities in vitro were measured by quantifying its 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, reducing power, and Fe2+-chelating ability. FEM inhibits hemolysis in RBCs and effects of lipid peroxidation in the liver were estimated. Results: The total content of flavonoid compounds was 187.23 mg of quercetin equivalents per grams dried material. In the in vitro assays, FEM demonstrated a strong antioxidant effect, especially in DPPH scavenging activity and reducing power. Mouse RBC hemolysis induced by H2O2was significantly inhibited by FEM in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The effects of FEM on lipid peroxidation in liver, mitochondria, and microsome were investigated. The percentage of inhibition at high concentration (100 μg/mL) of FEM was 45.51%, 39.36%, and 42.78% for liver, mitochondria, and microsomes, respectively. These results suggest that the FEM possesses a strong antioxidant activity both in vivo and in vitro.
Lixisenatide, a novel GLP‐1 receptor agonist: efficacy, safety and clinical implications for type 2 diabetes mellitus

Recent advances in therapies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have led to the development of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1 RAs), which, unlike insulin and sulphonylurea, are effective, with a low risk of hypoglycaemia. Lixisenatide is recommended as a once‐daily GLP‐1 RA for the treatment of T2DM. In persons with T2DM, lixisenatide 20 µg once‐daily given by bolus subcutaneous injection improves insulin secretion and suppresses glucagon secretion in a glucose‐dependent manner. Compared with the longer‐acting GLP‐1 RA liraglutide, lixisenatide achieved a significantly greater reduction in postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) during a standardized test breakfast in persons with T2DM otherwise insufficiently controlled on metformin alone. This is primarily due to the greater inhibition of gastric motility by lixisenatide compared with liraglutide. The efficacy and safety of lixisenatide was evaluated across a spectrum of T2DM in a series of phase III, randomized, placebo‐controlled trials known as the GetGoal programme. Lixisenatide monotherapy or as add‐on to oral antidiabetic agents or basal insulin achieved significant reductions in glycated haemoglobin, PPG and fasting plasma glucose, with either weight loss or no weight gain. The most frequent adverse events were gastrointestinal and transient in nature. Lixisenatide provides an easy, once‐daily, single‐dose, add‐on treatment to oral antidiabetic agents or basal insulin for the management of T2DM, with little or no increased risk of hypoglycaemia and a potential beneficial effect on body weight.
Spatial-temporal investigation of breakdown of long air gaps by lightning voltages up to 2.4 MV

The breakdown behavior of long rod-Plane air gaps by Lightning Impulses (1.2/50 μs) has been investigated and the results of a new measurement system are reported in this paper. A series of up to eight photos (made by a high-speed camera) have recorded the expansion of discharge activities during the breakdown process. The pre-discharge current and voltage have been measured as well. The modern measurement techniques have made possible the synchronization of the photos with the current and voltage measurements in nanosecond-ranges. The combination of the measured current, voltage, and photos can precisely explain the breakdown process. The experiments have been carried out with the lightning impulses up to û=2.4 MV and the air gaps up to s=4 m. Despite of such high voltages, the experimental system has been verified to be appropriate for measuring the pre-discharge current in mA-ranges.
Multiple Interactions between Pullulanase Secreton Components Involved in Stabilization and Cytoplasmic Membrane Association of PulE

ABSTRACT We report attempts to analyze interactions between components of the pullulanase (Pul) secreton (type II secretion machinery) fromKlebsiella oxytoca encoded by a multiple-copy-number plasmid in Escherichia coli. Three of the 15 Pul proteins (B, H, and N) were found to be dispensable for pullulanase secretion. The following evidence leads us to propose that PulE, PulL, and PulM form a subcomplex with which PulC and PulG interact. The integral cytoplasmic membrane protein PulL prevented proteolysis and/or aggregation of PulE and mediated its association with the cytoplasmic membrane. The cytoplasmic, N-terminal domain of PulL interacted directly with PulE, and both PulC and PulM were required to prevent proteolysis of PulL. PulM and PulL could be cross-linked as a heterodimer whose formation in a strain producing the secreton required PulG. However, PulL and PulM produced alone could also be cross-linked in a 52-kDa complex, indicating that the secreton exerts subtle effects on the interaction between PulE and PulL. Antibodies against PulM coimmunoprecipitated PulL, PulC, and PulE from detergent-solubilized cell extracts, confirming the existence of a complex containing these four proteins. Overproduction of PulG, which blocks secretion, drastically reduced the cellular levels of PulC, PulE, PulL, and PulM as well as PulD (secretin), which probably interacts with PulC. The Pul secreton components E, F, G, I, J, K, L, and M could all be replaced by the corresponding components of the Out secretons of Erwinia chrysanthemi and Erwinia carotovora, showing that they do not play a role in secretory protein recognition and secretion specificity.