Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improvement of aqueous solubility of fenretinide and other hydrophobic anti-tumor drugs by complexation with amphiphilic dextrins

This study relates to the preparation of a series of amphiphilic dextrins and their evaluation as complexing agents for anti-tumor hydrophobic drugs such as fenretinide, paclitaxel, etoposide, and camptothecin. The amphiphilic dextrins were obtained by conjugation of low molecular weight dextrin (average molecular weight 1670, average polymerization degree 9.33 glucose monomer) with hydrocarbon chains at substitution degree of about 0.1 mole hydrocarbon chain per mole of glucose monomer, as confirmed by 1H-NMR spectra. The conjugates were highly soluble in water and dissolved with formation of nano-aggregates endowed with hydrophobic inner cores able to host hydrophobic drugs by complexation. Complexation raised hydrophobic drugs aqueous solubility; the best results were obtained with fenretinide. Solid complexes with fenretinide were prepared by using three differents approaches: the kneading method, the co-solubilisation method, and the co-precipitation method. Kneading method provided the complexes endowed with the best functional properties. Thermogravimetric analysis on solid samples suggested a notable thermal stability up to 300°C for both the conjugated dextrins and the solid complexes. In differential scanning calorimetry profiles no significant differences were observed among amphiphilic dextrins and complexed drug, indicating that the guest molecule exists in an amorphous state in the solid matrices. Particle size analysis confirmed the dimensional suitability of the complexes for parenteral administration. Moreover, sustained drug release, in vitro, has been observed from all the complexes analyzed. Regarding the biological effects, the cytotoxicity of complexed fenretinide towards HTLA-230 neuroblastoma cell line was always higher than the free drug, suggesting that complexation increased drug bioavailability. These findings, taken together, indicated that these biodegradable, self-assembling dextrin conjugates may be regarded as new potential complexing agents for hydrophobic drugs and, in particular, for fenretinide, to increase drug solubility, bioavailability, and thus therapeutic efficacy.
The Impact of US Financial Uncertainty Shocks on Emerging Market Economies: An International Credit Channel

I document that US financial uncertainty shocks, measured by an increase in VIX, have a substantial impact on the output of emerging market economies (EMEs) without a material impact on US output during the last two decades. To understand this puzzling phenomenon, I propose a credit channel as a propagation mechanism of US financial uncertainty shocks to EMEs. I augment a boom-bust cycle model of EMEs by Schneider and Tornell (Rev Econ Stud 71(3):883–913 2004) with a portfolio choice model of constrained international investors. As international investors pull their money from EMEs—to satisfy their Value-at-Risk constraints—in response to financial uncertainty shocks, borrowing costs increase and domestic credit contracts. Higher borrowing costs and a decline in domestic credit, in turn, lead to a fall in investment in the non-tradable sector that causes a real depreciation via currency mismatch prevalent in EMEs and a decline in total output through sectoral linkages. The empirical regularity obtained by estimating structural VARs of 18 EMEs is consistent with the prediction of the model.
Black Pearls: Examining the Science Identity Development of African American Girls in a Culturally Relevant STEM Counterspace

Author(s): SMITH, MICHELLE RENEE | Advisor(s): Cooper, Robert | Abstract: The science community has an extensive history of exclusivity at multiple stages, including the P-20 education and professional levels. African American girls remain an underrepresented population within the STEM-fields despite their demonstrated interest and aptitude in science. Within the STEM-circuit, African American girls who once showed interest and promise in STEM, are pushed out due to negative experiences within science spaces where many are marginalized and their interests are suppressed. Critical science education scholars have called for culturally relevant pedagogical practices that honor the cultures and experiences of students of color (Emdin, 2010) and science education scholars have led the charge to examine the experiences and identity development of girls of color in science (Calabrese Barton, et al. 2012; Hanson, 2009). This study builds on preexisting work by centering its focus on the science identity development of African American girls within a culturally relevant science counterspace. To challenge the dominant discourse concerning their science education experiences, their identity development is analyzed through a critical race, Black feminist theoretical lens. Through a multiple qualitative methods design, this project illuminates the identity development of African American girls within the counterspace by utilizing a three-dimensional model that examines their competence, performance, and recognition in science (Carlone a Johnson, 2007). The culturally relevant curriculum employed within the counterspace allowed participants to learn through their interests and build critical consciousness through engaging in meaningful dialogue concerning the role of race and gender on the underrepresentation of African American women in STEM.
Analysis of combined CSF biomarkers in AD diagnosis.

BACKGROUND The new proposed diagnostic criteria for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) underline the value of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers. The first aim of the study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of CSF biomarker Abeta1-42, T-tau, and P-tau in differentiating AD patients in our cohort by means of "pure" biomarkers and in form of a combined analysis of these biomarkers. The second aim of the study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of these markers for predicting incipient AD in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS We studied 102 CSF samples: 33 AD [mean age at baseline 71.2 (54-86)], 16 MCI [mean age at baseline 71.3 (57-78)], 24 non AD dementia, including 7 vascular dementia, 4 frontotemporal degeneration, 5 dementia with Lewy Body, and 8 with other dementia [mean age at baseline 72.7 (51-87)] and 32 non-demented neurological patients [mean age at baseline 71.3 (45-87) referred to as control (CO) later in the text]. A double sandwich ELISA (Innotest beta amyloid Abeta1-42, hTau and P-tau181 by Innogenetics, Gent, Belgium) was performed to quantify the concentration of the above biomarkers. The three biomarkers were then combined in the IATI index [(measured Ab1-42)/(240 + 1.18 *measured tau)], and in the ratios Abeta1-42/T-tau, Abeta1-42/P-tau, T-tau/Abeta1-42 and P-tau/Abeta1-42. RESULTS Abeta1-42, T-tau and P-tau181 concentration showed statistically significant differences between AD and CO (327.2 pg/mL +/- 150.2 pg/mL and 659.4 pg/mL +/- 254.2 pg/mL; 508.2 pg/mL +/- 360.2 pg/mL and 305.3 pg/mL +/- 228.9 pg/mL; 82.2 pg/mL +/- 26.1 pg/mL and 45.3 pg/mL +/- 26.4 pg/mL, respectively, p < 0.05), while the difference between AD and MCI was statistically different only for Abeta1-42 (327.2 pg/mL +/- 150.2 pg/mL and 600.8 +/- 271.9 pg/mL, respectively, p < 0.05). The IATI index was 0.5 +/- 0.3 in AD, 0.9 +/- 0.6 in MCI, 1.37 +/- 0.9 in non AD dementia and 1.26 +/- 0.8 in non-demented neurological patients. With a cut-off fixed at 1 the sensitivity and specificity of the IATI index in discriminating AD from CO was 84% and 52%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms the great significance of CSF biomarker measurements in AD diagnosis in clinical routine. It is understood that a clinical diagnostic work-up is necessary in the process. Moreover, a biochemical profile of CSF biomarkers requires further investigations.
A Hierarchical Multilevel Markov Chain Monte Carlo Algorithm with Applications to Uncertainty Quantification in Subsurface Flow

In this paper we address the problem of the prohibitively large computational cost of existing Markov chain Monte Carlo methods for large-scale applications with high-dimensional parameter spaces, e.g., in uncertainty quantification in porous media flow. We propose a new multilevel Metropolis--Hastings algorithm and give an abstract, problem-dependent theorem on the cost of the new multilevel estimator based on a set of simple, verifiable assumptions. For a typical model problem in subsurface flow, we then provide a detailed analysis of these assumptions and show significant gains over the standard Metropolis--Hastings estimator. Numerical experiments confirm the analysis and demonstrate the effectiveness of the method with consistent reductions of more than an order of magnitude in the cost of the multilevel estimator over the standard Metropolis--Hastings algorithm for tolerances $\varepsilon < 10^{-2}$.
Engaging Cervical Spinal Cord Networks to Reenable Volitional Control of Hand Function in Tetraplegic Patients

Background. Paralysis of the upper limbs from spinal cord injury results in an enormous loss of independence in an individual’s daily life. Meaningful improvement in hand function is rare after 1 year of tetraparesis. Therapeutic developments that result in even modest gains in hand volitional function will significantly affect the quality of life for patients afflicted with high cervical injury. The ability to neuromodulate the lumbosacral spinal circuitry via epidural stimulation in regaining postural function and volitional control of the legs has been recently shown. A key question is whether a similar neuromodulatory strategy can be used to improve volitional motor control of the upper limbs, that is, performance of motor tasks considered to be less “automatic” than posture and locomotion. In this study, the effects of cervical epidural stimulation on hand function are characterized in subjects with chronic cervical cord injury. Objective. Herein we show that epidural stimulation can be applied to the chronic injured human cervical spinal cord to promote volitional hand function. Methods and Results. Two subjects implanted with a cervical epidural electrode array demonstrated improved hand strength (approximately 3-fold) and volitional hand control in the presence of epidural stimulation. Conclusions. The present data are sufficient to suggest that hand motor function in individuals with chronic tetraplegia can be improved with cervical cord neuromodulation and thus should be comprehensively explored as a possible clinical intervention.
THE PROPENSITY TO COOPERATE AMONG PEASANT FARMERS IN ALGERIA: AN ANALYSIS FROM BIVARIATE APPROACH

This paper analyzes farmers’ decision to transact with the cooperatives, i.e., the propensity to cooperate. We aim to empirically analyze the driving factors affecting both cooperative membership and purchasing decisions of farmers in Algeria. The survey data was conducted within the National Program of Research including 625 sampled farmers. The study distin-guishes four types of participation according to farmers’ decision of membership and pur-chasing inputs. The empirical results from the Bivariate Probit regression model suggest that specialization, human capital, access to services, and geographic location are significant fac-tors that influence farmers’ propensity to cooperate and participation behavior as a devoted membership. This empirical finding has important implications for Algerian policy-makers in their efforts to promote efficient agricultural markets through producer cooperatives and other agricultural policies.
Haemoglobin-based oxygen carriers

Haemoglobin-based oxygen carriers are being developed for use in blood replacement therapies, either for perioperative haemodilution or for resuscitation from haemorrhagic blood loss. There is a high demand for these products because of risks associated with blood transfusions and pending worldwide blood shortages. Development of these products has required new technologies in protein engineering; since the haemoglobin is cell-free in solution, the molecule must be modified to be retained within blood circulation. Three classes of haemoglobin are under development: intramolecular cross-linked, intermolecular polymerised and surface conjugated with polyethylene glycol. Two products based on cross-linking chemistry have been discontinued because of serious adverse events and/or increased mortality rate in Phase III clinical trials. Three products based on polymerisation chemistry are in ongoing Phase III clinical trials. A new product based on surface conjugation is in preclinical evaluation. Although cross-linked and polymerised products have shown to be safe in preclinical and early Phase I/II clinical trials, they have had difficulty in proving efficacy. The primary adverse effect for the majority of cross-linked or polymerised products is a haemodynamic response, leading to increased vascular resistance to blood flow. The physiological mechanisms are still incompletely understood, so that safety and efficacy cannot be completely dissociated. New understandings on the mode of action of these products will help to define their utility and application. New products are under development, designed specifically to maximise blood flow and tissue perfusion and therefore, oxygenation.
Ages of onset and rates of syndromal and subsyndromal comorbid DSM-IV diagnoses in a prepubertal and early adolescent bipolar disorder phenotype.

OBJECTIVE To study rates and ages of onset of DSM-IV syndromal and subsyndromal comorbidity in a prepubertal and early adolescent bipolar disorder phenotype (PEA-BP) (N = 93) compared to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (N = 81). METHOD The WASH-U-KSADS was given by raters blinded to subject group separately to mothers about their children and to children about themselves. PEA-BP was defined as DSM-IV mania with at least one cardinal symptom of mania (elation or grandiosity) to avoid diagnosing using only symptoms that overlapped with those for ADHD. Syndromal diagnoses required a CGAS score of 60 or less to ensure severity at a level of definite "caseness. " RESULTS PEA-BP subjects were aged 10.9 (SD = 2.6) at baseline and 6.8 (SD = 3.4) at onset of first mania episode. Rates of oppositional defiant disorder and total number of comorbidities were significantly higher in the PEA-BP group than the ADHD group. In PEA-BP subjects, mean ages of onset of ADHD occurred before the first manic episode, and obsessive compulsive, oppositional defiant, social phobia, generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, and conduct disorders occurred after. CONCLUSIONS Onsets of ADHD before mania and of oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder after mania have clinical and research implications. These include the need to examine for mania symptoms in children with ADHD and/or oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder and to develop scales to differentiate preschool mania from ADHD. Comparison with other studies demonstrated the importance of DSM system and severity scales in reporting comorbidity rates.
Adoption of environmental management systems and organizational changes: the case of the French industrial firms

The aim of this article is to analyze the relationship between Environmental Management System (EMS) adoption and firms? organizational changes. The objective is to study the organizational changes associated with EMS adoption, and to shed light on the process of change and adaptation within the firm? s internal organization, as well as between the firm and its external partners. We study organizational changes associated with EMS thanks to an unique nationwide database in France (Organizational Changes and Computerization survey of 2006). Results show that EMS adoption is associated with a tendency toward flatter hierarchies and the development of collective labor practices. They reveal a strong complementarity with the formalization of practices such as logistical arrangements and adoption of certification systems. It also involves informal modes of coordination with external partners rather than formal constraints. JEL Codes: Q55, L6, O3
Widespread antibiotic resistance of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli and Shigella species

Background: Antibiotic resistance of enteric pathogens particularly Shigella species, is a critical world-wide problem and monitoring their resistant pattern is essential, because the choice of antibiotics is absolutely dependent on regional antibiotic susceptibility patterns. During summer 2013, an unusual increase in number of diarrheal diseases was noticed in Isfahan, a central province of Iran. Therefore, the antibiotic resistance of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli and Shigella species isolated were evaluated. Materials and Methods: According to the guideline on National Surveillance System for Foodborn Diseases, random samples from patients with acute diarrhea were examined in local laboratories of health centers and samples suspicious of Shigella spp. were further assessed in referral laboratory. Isolated pathogens were identified by standard biochemical and serologic tests and antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out by disc diffusion method. Results: A total of 1086 specimens were obtained and 58 samples suspicious of Shigella were specifically evaluated. The most prevalent isolated pathogen was Shigella sonnei (26/58) followed by E. coli (25/58) and Shigella flexneri (3/58). A large number of isolated bacteria were resistant to co-trimoxazole (Shigella spp: 100%, E. coli: 80%), azithromycin (Shigella spp: 70.4%, E. coli: 44.0%), ceftriaxone (Shigella spp: 88.9%, E. coli: 56.0%) and cefixime (Shigella spp: 85.2%, E. coli: 68.0%). About88.3% of S. sonnei isolates, one S. flexneri isolate, and 56% of E. coli strains were resistant to at least three antibiotic classes (multidrug resistant). Conclusion: Due to high levels of resistance to recommended and commonly used antibiotics for diarrhea, continuous monitoring of antibiotic resistance seems essential for determining best options of empirical therapy.
Axial Loading of the Spine during CT and MR in Patients with Suspected Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of compressive axial loading in imaging of the lumbar spine in patients with clinically suspected spinal stenosis. Material and Methods: A total of 84 patients were examined, 50 with CT (after intrathecal contrast administration) and 34 with MR. First the dural sac cross-sectional area (CSA) was determined with the patient in the supine psoas relaxed position (PRP). Then the CSA was determined during supine axial compression in slight extension (ACE), obtained with a specially designed loading device. A measurement error study was performed. Results: A minimum difference in CSA of 15 mm2 between PRP and ACE was found to be significant. In 40/50 (80%) of CT-examined patients and in 26/34 (76%) of MR-examined patients a significant difference in CSA was found. In 25/84 (30%) of the patients there was a significant difference at more than one level. Conclusion: for an adequate evaluation of the CSA, CT or MR studies should be performed with axial loading in patients who have symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis.
Expectations and quality of life of cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy

Summary Expectations, real or false, affect the way patients respond to their illnesses. We assessed therapy-related expectations in relation to global quality of life in 55 cancer patients before and after radiotherapy. Factor analysis indicated that therapy-related expectations come into three broad categories—pain/emotional control, healing and tumour/symptom control. 35 patients expected ‘healing’ even though curative treatment was intended in only 19 and all patients had been fully informed. The expectation of healing was associated with high quality of life, and the same was true of perception of healing after radiotherapy. In the group as a whole, quality of life was little altered by radiotherapy, but it became substantially worse in those patients who had expected healing but perceived that this had failed, even though physician-assessed Karnofsky status did not change. These findings indicate that the expectation of healing, in cancer patients, is a component of a good global quality of life, whereas more limited expectations (pain control, tumour control) relate to lower quality of life. Patients’ expectations deserve further study as a novel approach to improving care.
Pediatric lupus in Asia

Of all patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 15—20% are diagnosed during childhood, with disease onset prior to the age of 16 years. Because disease expression in SLE is influenced by environment factors and differs between racial and ethnic groups. The aims of this review were to describe prevalence, clinical manifestations, common infectious complications, and outcome of pediatric-onset SLE in Asia. The prevalence of pediatric-onset SLE was 6.3—19.3 per 100,000 in Asia. The ratio of female to male was 4.7—6.2. The mean age at diagnosis of pediatric-onset SLE was 8.6—13.5 years. The most common clinical features of pediatric-onset SLE in Asia were cutaneous rashes, arthritis, hematological involvement and nephritis. The occurrence of nephritis varies from 29% to 81%. The most common histopathology of lupus nephritis was diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (WHO Class-IV) which occurred in 39.4—54% of case of lupus nephritis. Pediatric-onset SLE patients with infections have poor outcomes than uninfected patients. Gram-negative bacilli are the most common microorganisms responsible for bacteremia in Asian patients with SLE. Recurrent major infections predict poorer disease outcome and associated organ damage in pediatric-onset SLE. Improving the survival of SLE patients was reported in Asia in recent decades. The survival was 92% at the age of 5 years, 86% at 10 years and 79% at 15 years in children with SLE in Taiwan in 2008.
Examining data privacy breaches in healthcare

Examining Data Privacy Breaches in Healthcare by Tanshanika T. Smith MBA, Southern Polytechnic State University, 2003 MS, Southern Polytechnic State University, 2002 BBA, Georgia State University, 1998 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration
Activation of ribosomal RNA genes in porcine embryos produced in vitro or by somatic cell nuclear transfer

The onset of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis occurs during the second half of the third cell cycle, that is, at the four‐cell stage, in porcine embryos developed in vivo. In the present study the onset of rRNA synthesis was investigated in porcine embryos produced in vitro (IVP) or by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with an rDNA probe and subsequent visualization of the nucleolar proteins by silver staining. In the 205 IVP embryos investigated, all two‐cell embryos (n = 34) were categorized as transcriptionally inactive. At the late four‐cell stage (n = 45), 38% of the embryos contained 1–3 nuclei with signs of rRNA transcription, indicating an asynchronous transcription initiation. This pattern continued in the following stages, as 78% (n = 47), 47% (n = 42) and 83% (n = 37) of the embryos revealed a mixture of transcriptionally inactive and active cells at the eight‐cell, 16‐cell and blastocyst stage, respectively. In the 143 SCNT embryos investigated, all two‐cell embryos (n = 34) and early four‐cell embryos (n = 12) were also transcriptionally inactive. At the late four‐cell stage (n = 33) and at the eight‐cell stage (n = 24) there were equal proportions of transcriptionally active and inactive embryos and essentially all embryos that developed to the 16‐cell stage (n = 21) and further to the blastocyst stage (n = 19) contained only transcriptionally active cells. In conclusion, porcine embryos produced in vitro had an asynchronous pattern of rRNA transcription initiation when compared to SCNT and in vivo developed porcine embryos. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 35–41, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.