Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Albumin anchored docetaxel lipid nanoemulsion for improved targeting efficiency – preparation, characterization, cytotoxic, antitumor and in vivo imaging studies

Abstract The aim was to develop albumin anchored docetaxel lipid nanoemulsion (ALNE) for improving tumor targeted delivery. The O/W lipid nanoemulsion, LNEs were prepared by homogenization and ultrasonication processes. The size of globules and zeta potential were measured by Malvern Zetasizer. Albumin was coupled to stearylamine containing lipid nanoemulsion (SALNE) globules using water soluble EDC reaction. The drug content and entrapment efficiencies for the LNEs were determined by the high-performance liquid chromatography. The in vitro cytotoxic studies of the delivery systems were performed on MCF-7 and Hela cells. The IC 50 values of ALNE on both the cell lines were statistically significant. The in vivo antitumor activity was tested on solid tumors induced in C57BL/6 mice. This study revealed that the percentage tumor inhibition for the groups treated with DLNE, SALNE and ALNE when compared with untreated control was found to be 55.62 ± 5.41%, 54.27 ± 4.85% and 80.01 ± 2.74%, respectively. Furthermore, in vivo distribution studies were carried out in breast cancer MDA-MB231 xenografted Balb/c mice. The LNEs were loaded with fluorescent DiD oil and the distribution in different organs after 6 h was tracked using Caliper life sciences in vivo imaging system. The studies revealed that ALNE was superior in tumor targeting activity when compared with DLNE and SALNE by 3.04 and 2.26 folds, respectively. The average radiance values of ALNE on the tumor tissue were statistically significant when compared with DLNE, SALNE at p < 0.01. In addition, this strategy can become a platform technology for other lipophilic drugs to target tumors.
Low-power hardware for neural spike compression in BMIs

Within brain-machine interface systems, cortically implanted microelectrode arrays and associated hardware have a low-power budget for data sampling, processing, and transmission. Recent studies have shown the feasibility of data transmission rate reduction using compressed sensing on detected neural spikes. They provide power savings while maintaining clustering and classification abilities. We propose and analyze here a low-power hardware implementation for spike detection and compression. The resulting integrated circuit, designed in CMOS 65nm technology, consumes 2.83 μW and provides 97% of data rate reduction.
Reproductive hormonal responses to ergotamine and ergonovine in cows during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle.

We conducted research to evaluate whether ergot alkaloids associated with endophyte-infected tall fescue could alter plasma concentrations of hormones important to reproductive function in cows. Six primiparous, estrous-cycling Holstein cows nursing calves received single i.v. injections of ergotamine tartrate, ergonovine maleate, or saline vehicle in a simple cross-over design. Each cow received one compound per estrous cycle, d 15 or 16 after estrus, and all compounds over three estrous cycles. Blood samples were collected at 20-min intervals for 40 min before and 240 min after treatments to assess plasma concentrations of prolactin, LH, FSH, and the response by PGF2alpha metabolite 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2alpha (PGFM). Ambient temperature and respiratory rates were measured hourly. Ambient temperature averaged 26 degrees C during data collection. Treatment x time was a significant source of variation for respiration rate and plasma concentrations of every hormone evaluated except FSH. Ergotamine elevated (P < .01) respiration rates 2 to 4 h after treatment. Ergotamine and ergonovine reduced (P < .001) plasma concentrations of prolactin for 2 to 4 h after treatment compared to concentrations before treatment. Plasma concentrations of LH were lowered (P < .01) by ergonovine during the 3rd h after treatment and by ergotamine during the 4th h after treatment. Most cows exhibited secretory PGFM responses after ergotamine and ergonovine treatments compared with an absence of a PGFM response in all cows after saline (P < or = .01). Results indicated that ergot alkaloids implicated as causative agents for fescue toxicosis can alter plasma concentrations of reproductive hormones during the late luteal phase of the estrous cycle in cows.
Recent developments in the government of pregnancy

Three broad axes of change in the contemporary government of pregnancy are presented as a case study of governance: the subjectification of the foetus, antenatal risk management and liberal government of pregnancy. Qualifying studies that privilege popular visual representation of the foetus, the formation of the ‘public foetus’ is argued to be the object and effect of a co-patterning of lingual and visual distinctions across a variety of biomedical text types. The second axis of change, risk management of pregnancy, is shown to be a clinical risk technique conforming to neither insurantial nor neoliberal risk organization, thereby suggesting the heterogeneity of risk technologies. Lastly, struggles to govern pregnancy consistently with patient autonomy/freedom display what Foucault termed the ‘polymorphism’ of liberalism as a political rationality. The practices of freedom develop polymorphicly in relation to claims of unfreedom; the rationality of liberal governance establishes the practices of freedom .
Astroglial and neuronal proteins in cerebrospinal fluid as markers of CNS involvement in Lyme neuroborreliosis

Is Lyme neuroborreliosis, even in its early phase, a parenchymatous disorder in the central nervous system (CNS), and not merely a meningitic process? We quantified cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of four nerve and glial cell marker proteins in Lyme neuroborreliosis patients with pretreatment durations of 7–240 days. AH 23 patients had meningo‐radiculitis, and six had objective signs of encephalopathy. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAp) pretreatment levels in CSF, and the light subunit of neurofilament protein (NFL) levels were related to clinical outcome and declined significantly after treatment (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively). NFL was detectable in 11 out of 22 patients, and pre‐and post‐treatment NFL levels were associated with the duration of neurological symptoms within 100 days prior to treatment. Neuron‐specific enolase (NSE) concentrations also decreased after therapy (P < 0.001), while CSF levels of glial S‐100 protein remained unchanged. The pretreatment duration of disease was related to postinfectious sequelae. GFAp, NSE and NFL levels in CSF are unspecific indicators of astroglial and neuronal involvement in CNS disease. The findings in the present study are in agreement with the hypothesis that early and late stages of Lyme neuroborreliosis damage the CNS parenchyma.
Development of chitosan–pullulan composite nanoparticles for nasal delivery of vaccines: in vivo studies

Abstract Here, we aimed at developing chitosan/pullulan composite nanoparticles and testing their potential as novel systems for the nasal delivery of diphtheria toxoid (DT). All the chitosan derivatives [N-trimethyl (TMC), chloride and glutamate] and carboxymethyl pullulan (CMP) were synthesised and antigen-loaded composites were prepared by polyion complexation of chitosan and pullulan derivatives (particle size: 239–405 nm; surface charge: +18 and +27 mV). Their immunological effects after intranasal administration to mice were compared to intramuscular route. Composite nanoparticles induced higher levels of IgG responses than particles formed with chitosan derivative and antigen. Nasally administered TMC–pullulan composites showed higher DT serum IgG titre when compared with the other composites. Co-encapsulation of CpG ODN within TMC-CMP-DT nanoparticles resulted in a balanced Th1/Th2 response. TMC/pullulan composite nanoparticles also induced highest cytokine levels compared to those of chitosan salts. These findings demonstrated that TMC-CMP-DT composite nanoparticles are promising delivery system for nasal vaccination.
Residual Disease After Cone Biopsy: Completeness of Excision and Follow‐Up Cytology As Predictive Factors

Residual disease was identified in the hysterectomy specimen in 19 of 65 patients (29%) previously found to have cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and in four of 19 (21%) found to have early stromal invasion on histologic examination of a cone biopsy. Residual disease was found in six of 34 cases (18%) of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and zero of 12 cases of early stromal invasion after complete excision, and in 13 of 31 cases (42%) of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and four of seven cases (57%) of early stromal invasion after incomplete excision by cone biopsy. Sixteen of 28 women (57%) with abnormal cytology after cone biopsy were found to have residual disease at the time of hysterectomy. In contrast, no residual disease was found in 35 patients who had no evidence of cytologic abnormality after the initial treatment. The finding of abnormal cytology after cone biopsy is shown to be a more useful prognostic indicator than histologic examination of excision margins. Therefore, we believe that a policy of expectant management, based on regular cytologic examination, is justified when histologic assessment has shown the lesion to extend to the line of excision.
Price discovery of German index derivatives during financial turmoil

According to basic finance theory, a derivative’s price is derived from the value of its underlying asset and therefore incorporates the same informational content as the fundamental. Empirically however, this prediction can often be refuted due to liquidity and trading cost aspects. Using a unique high-frequency data set, this paper studies the price formation of the German equity index market, the DAX, in a multivariate framework and breaks it down into its four main market segments. For the period under consideration from July 2007 to December 2009, which is characterized by severe financial turmoil, I find that the futures market leads in terms of price discovery, closely followed by the exchange-traded fund. Further, the time series behavior of the information share measures clearly suggests a sensitivity towards the market environment. I show that the informational contribution to price discovery is affected by the financial crisis and that short-selling constraints weaken the price discovery role of certain markets.
The Effects of Increased Abdominal Pressure on Lung and Chest Wall Mechanics During Laparoscopic Surgery

We tested the hypothesis that increases in pressure in the abdomen (Pab) exerted by CO2 insufflation during laparoscopy would increase elastance (E) and resistance (R) of both the lungs and chest wall.We measured airway flow and airway and esophageal pressures of 12 anesthetized/paralyzed tracheally intubated patients during mechanical ventilation at 10-30/min and tidal volume of 250-800 mL. From these measurements, we used discrete Fourier transformation to calculate E and R of the lungs and chest wall. Measurements were made at 0, 15, and 25 mm Hg Pab in the 15 degrees head-down (Trendelenburg) posture and at 0 and 15 mm Hg Pab in the 10 degrees head-up (reverse Trendelenburg) posture. Lung and chest wall Es and Rs while head-down increased at Pab = 15 mm Hg, and both Es increased further at Pab = 25 mm Hg (P < 0.05). Both Es and Rs also increased while head-up at Pab = 15 mm Hg (P < 0.05), but increases in lung E and R were less than while head-down (P < 0.05). The increases in lung E and R at Pab = 15 mm Hg in either posture were positively correlated to body weight or body mass index, whereas the increases in chest wall E and R were negatively correlated to the same factors (P < 0.05). Lung and chest wall mechanical impedances increase with increasing Pab; the increases depend on body configuration and are greater while head-down. These changes should be considered in patients where increases in impedance may be critical, such as in obese patients and those with pulmonary disease. (Anesth Analg 1995;81:744-50)
Tilted implants as an alternative to maxillary sinus grafting: a clinical, radiologic, and periotest study.

BACKGROUND Owing to mechanical and anatomic difficulties, implant treatment in the atrophic maxilla represents a challenge. The maxillary sinus floor augmentation procedure is still not universally accepted because of its complexity and its unpredictability. PURPOSE In this study, a combination of tilted and axial implants was used in patients with severely resorbed posterior maxillae as an alternative to sinus grafting. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-five patients were rehabilitated with 29 fixed partial prostheses supported by 101 Brånemark System implants. Fifty-nine implants were installed in an axial and 42 in a tilted direction. The average follow-up period was 37 months (range: 21-87 mo post loading). RESULTS After 5 years, the implant cumulative success rate was 95.2% (survival: rate 100%) for the tilted implants and 91.3% (survival rate: 96.5%) for the axial implants, and the prosthesis survival rate was 100%. At the fifth year, the average marginal bone loss was 1.21 mm for the tilted implants and 0.92 mm for the axial ones. The mean Periotest values (PTV) at loading time were -2.62 and -3.57, and after 5 years the PTVs were -4.73 and -5.00 for the tilted and the axial implants, respectively. During the follow-up, all prostheses but two were mechanically stable, retightening of 18 abutment screws and of 5 gold screws in 14 prostheses was done, and fracture of two abutment screws and two occlusal surfaces was experienced. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that the use of tilted implants is an effective and safe alternative to maxillary sinus floor augmentation procedures.
Investigating impacts of battery energy storage systems on electricity demand profile

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are expected to play an important part in future distribution networks. This paper analyses its impacts on the electricity demand profile through different scenarios of residential BESS uptake within the network serviced by a 33 kV/11 kV distribution substation in the state of Queensland, Australia. Two scenarios are considered: residential customers with rooftop photovoltaic (PV) and residential customers with rooftop PV and BESS. The load profiles of these scenarios are used to construct an aggregate demand profile. Load profile of customers with rooftop PV is characterised by the average demand reduction. BESS integration with rooftop PV is characterised by the average and peak demand reduction. These characteristics are reflected in the aggregate demand profile in proportion with the BESS uptake within the analysed network.
Crustal and uppermost mantle structure beneath the United States

This paper presents a new model of the shear velocity structure of the crust and uppermost mantle beneath the contiguous U.S. The model is based on more than a decade of USArray Transportable Array (TA) data across the U.S. and derives from a joint Bayesian Monte Carlo inversion of Rayleigh wave group and phase speeds determined from ambient noise and earthquakes, receiver functions, and Rayleigh wave ellipticity (H/V) measurements. Within the Bayesian inverse theoretic framework, a prior distribution of models is posited and a posterior distribution is inferred beneath all of the more than 1800 TA stations across the U.S. The resulting mean and standard deviation of the mean of the posterior distribution at each station summarize the inversion results, which are then interpolated onto a regular 0.25°×0.25° grid across the U.S. to define the final 3‐D model. We present arguments that show that the standard deviation of the posterior distribution overestimates the effect of nonsystematic errors in the final model by a factor of 4–5 and identify uncertainties in density and mantle Q as primary potential sources of remaining systematic error in the final model. The model presents a great many newly resolved structural features across the U.S. that require further analysis and dedicated explication. We highlight here low‐velocity anomalies in the upper mantle that underlie the Appalachians with centers of anomalies in northern Georgia, western Virginia, and, most prominently, New England.
The Effects of Community and Family Violence Exposure on Anxiety Trajectories During Middle Childhood: The Role of Family Social Support as a Moderator

This 2-year longitudinal study investigated the relations between community and school violence exposure, witnessing intimate partner violence (IPV), family social support, and anxiety, within a sample of 100 school-age children (39% female, M age = 9.90 years). Using multilevel modeling, we found heterogeneity across children in terms of their initial levels of anxiety and their trajectories of anxiety over time. Initial community and school violence exposure and witnessing IPV were both positively associated with initial levels of anxiety. Over time, change in both community and school violence exposure and witnessing IPV positively covaried with anxiety. Further, gender, initial family social support, and change in family social support significantly moderated the effect of change in community and school violence exposure on anxiety.
Economic Impact of Dengue: Multicenter Study across Four Brazilian Regions

Background Dengue is an increasing public health concern in Brazil. There is a need for an updated evaluation of the economic impact of dengue within the country. We undertook this multicenter study to evaluate the economic burden of dengue in Brazil. Methods We estimated the economic burden of dengue in Brazil for the years 2009 to 2013 and for the epidemic season of August 2012- September 2013. We conducted a multicenter cohort study across four endemic regions: Midwest, Goiania; Southeast, Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro; Northeast: Teresina and Recife; and the North, Belem. Ambulatory or hospitalized cases with suspected or laboratory-confirmed dengue treated in both the private and public sectors were recruited. Interviews were scheduled for the convalescent period to ascertain characteristics of the dengue episode, date of first symptoms/signs and recovery, use of medical services, work/school absence, household spending (out-of-pocket expense) and income lost using a questionnaire developed for a previous cost study. We also extracted data from the patients’ medical records for hospitalized cases. Overall costs per case and cumulative costs were calculated from the public payer and societal perspectives. National cost estimations took into account cases reported in the official notification system (SINAN) with adjustment for underreporting of cases. We applied a probabilistic sensitivity analysis using Monte Carlo simulations with 90% certainty levels (CL). Results We screened 2,223 cases, of which 2,035 (91.5%) symptomatic dengue cases were included in our study. The estimated cost for dengue for the epidemic season (2012–2013) in the societal perspective was US$ 468 million (90% CL: 349–590) or US$ 1,212 million (90% CL: 904–1,526) after adjusting for under-reporting. Considering the time series of dengue (2009–2013) the estimated cost of dengue varied from US$ 371 million (2009) to US$ 1,228 million (2013). Conclusions The economic burden associated with dengue in Brazil is substantial with large variations in reported cases and consequently costs reflecting the dynamic of dengue transmission.
Popliteal lymph node metastasis from primary cutaneous melanoma.

AIMS To document the incidence of popliteal lymph node involvement by metastatic melanoma and to consider the implications of this information for clinical management. METHODS From the computerized database of the Sydney Melanoma Unit, all patients with primary melanomas located at or distal to the knee were identified and their records were examined. Experience with those patients who developed popliteal node metastases was then reviewed. RESULTS Thirteen of 4262 patients (0.31%) with primary melanomas of the distal lower limb developed popliteal node metastases. Six of the 13 patients had previous, synchronous or subsequent groin node metastases. CONCLUSIONS Popliteal lymph node involvement by metastatic melanoma is a rare event. The study results suggest only two indications for full popliteal node clearance-either a histologically positive sentinel node in the popliteal fossa or clinical evidence of metastatic disease in a popliteal node.
Association of Risk Factors, Antimicrobial Resistance Trends and Occurrence of blaTEM, bla SHV and blaCTX M in Escherichia coli Causing Bacteremia.

PURPOSE Escherichia coli are the most frequent cause of gram negative bloodstream infection. This study was done to evaluate the association of risk factors, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and detection of TEM, SHV and CTX M genes in the extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) producing E.coli. MATERIALS AND METHODS 11,133 blood samples were processed in BacT/Alert bottles. Bacteria grown were identified and antibiotic susceptibility patterns were studied using VITEK2 system. ESBL production was tested using phenotypic method, VITEK system and by PCR. Statistical package SPSS Version 11.5 was used to do the analysis. RESULTS Blood culture positive isolates were 1530 (13.7%), among which 108 were identified as Escherichia coli. The most common risk factor associated with E.coli bacteremia was diabetes and common source was UTI. E.coli were resistant to Ampicillin (86%), Piperacillin (82.4%), Ceftazidime (80.6%), Ceftriaxone (80.6%), Cefipime (77%), Aztreonam (80.6%) and Fluoroquinolones (80%). Isolates were sensitive to Carbapenems and combination drugs. ESBL was produced by 76%. CTX M bla (betalactamase) gene was common in all the ESBL isolates. CONCLUSION ESBL producing E.coli isolates were observed to be multi drug resistant. Owing to the high prevalence of ESBL.Carbapenems are clearly the drug of choice for empirical treatment in these cases.Ertapenem may be used to prevent development of carbepenem resistant pseudomonas or acinetobacter isolates in the hospital settings. To limit the earlier development of resistance to carbepenems, it is better to de-escalate to combination drugs like piperacillin tazobactum with aminoglycosides after the susceptibility report.
Androgen and estrogen (alpha) receptor distribution in the periaqueductal gray of the male Rat.

The midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) has been strongly implicated in numerous behaviors heavily influenced by the gonadal steroids estrogen and testosterone, including reproductive behavior, autonomic regulation, and antinociception. However, the location of receptors for these steroids within the PAG has not been carefully characterized. Immunocytochemical techniques were used to map the distribution of neurons immunoreactive for the androgen (AR) and estrogen receptor (alpha subtype; ERalpha) along the rostrocaudal axis of the PAG in the male rat. The results show that the PAG contains a large population of both androgen and estrogen receptor containing neurons. Neurons immunoreactive for either receptor were concentrated within the caudal two-thirds of the PAG. At midlevels of the PAG, ERalpha and AR immunoreactive neurons were located primarily within the dorsomedial and lateral PAG. In the caudal third of the PAG, immunoreactive cells were distributed primarily within the dorsal half. The distributions of ERalpha and AR were remarkably similar, and it is likely that some PAG neurons contain receptors for both gonadal steroids, similar to what has been previously reported for the male rat hypothalamus. The results of this study suggest that the PAG may provide the anatomical substrate for steroid mediated changes in nociceptive thresholds and reproductive behavior.