Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Medication Adherence in Older Renal Transplant Recipients

This project examined patterns, predictors, and outcomes of medication adherence in a convenience sample of 37 renal transplant recipients aged 55 years or older in a Mid-Southern U.S. facility using an exploratory, descriptive, longitudinal design. Electronic monitoring was conducted for 12 months using the Medication Event Monitoring System. An alarming 86% of the participants were nonadherent with medications. Four clusters of medication taking and timing patterns were identified with evening doses presenting particular challenges. Depression, self-efficacy, social support, and medication side effects did not predict medication adherence. There was no significant difference in medication adherence scores between those with and without infections. Medication adherence pattern data from electronic monitoring provides an opportunity for health care professionals to move away from blaming the patient by attempting to identify predictors for medication nonadherence. Medication dose taking and timing patterns could be explored with patients so that medication adherence interventions could target specific patient patterns.
How to Measure Word Length in Spoken and Written Chinese

Abstract Choosing an appropriate measurement unit of word length is a key prerequisite for word length distribution studies, since the measurement unit varies with different types of language or text. Taking Chinese as an example, this study explores the word length distributions of Chinese spoken and written language based on a data source consisting of 20 dialogue texts (spoken language) and 20 prose texts (written language), in which the lengths of words are variously determined in terms of pinyin letter, phoneme, syllable for spoken Chinese and stroke, component, character for written Chinese respectively. With the aim of selecting the most appropriate word length measurement unit, empirical word length distribution models, synergetic linguistic theories and Menzerath’s law are used in this study. Results show that the syllable is the most appropriate measurement unit for spoken Chinese, and the component the most appropriate measurement unit for written Chinese. Chinese word length distributions can be described with the Poisson or Binomial distribution families, among which Extended Logarithmic and Mixed Poisson are the most generally accepted models for spoken and written Chinese respectively.
Studies of cadmium chelator efficacy using mammalian cell cultures.

An experimental system is presented for the assessment of the efficacy of chelating agents against cadmium. Mammalian cells in vitro can be employed to screen compounds that modify metal uptake, metal toxicity and metal mobilization from metal-loaded cells and can thus identify likely, or exclude unsuitable, candidates for the therapy or prevention of metal intoxification. Examples are given of possible cadmium antidotes. As a first step the toxicity of the chelating agents for different cells lines did not show appreciable differences. For the testing of the chelating agents a highly Cd-sensitive cell line was selected, which also exhibited a well measurable Cd uptake. The influence of the chelators on cadmium incorporation was studied and correlated with the results of experiments where the metal and the antidotes were simultaneously applied. Chelating agents causing reduced Cd uptake generally also depressed Cd toxicity. However, two or the compounds which led to increased cellular Cd incorporation did not modify metal cytotoxicity in a corresponding fashion. These paradoxical findings indicate complex interactions between chelators, metals and cells. Finally, cells were pre-treated with Cd and exposed to chelating agents. Only one of the substances tested, i.e., diethyldithiocarbamate, was capable of affecting Cd release from the cells. The results obtained with this model system show good agreement with finding reported in vivo.
Covariability of Components of Poleward Atmospheric Energy Transports on Seasonal and Interannual Timescales

Abstract Vertically integrated atmospheric energy and heat budgets are presented with a focus on the zonal mean transports and divergences of dry static energy, latent energy, their sum (the moist static energy), and the total (which includes kinetic energy), as well as their partitioning into the within-month transient and quasi-stationary components. The latter includes the long-term mean and interannual variability from 1979 to 2001 and, in the Tropics, corresponds to the large-scale overturning global monsoon and the embedded Hadley and Walker circulations. In the extratropics, it includes the quasi-stationary planetary waves, which are primarily a factor in the Northern Hemisphere winter. In addition to the mean annual cycle, results are presented for the interannual variability. In the extratropics, poleward transports of both latent and dry static energy reinforce one another. However, the results highlight strong cancellations between the transports of latent and dry static energy in the Tropics a.
Diet and incident ischaemic heart disease: the Caerphilly Study

The Caerphilly Prospective Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD) Study is based on a sample of 2512 men aged 45–59 years when first seen. Nutrient intakes, estimated using a self-administered semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, are available for 2423 men (96%). Amongst these, 148 major IHD events occurred during the first 5 years of follow-up. Associations were examined between these events and baseline diet. Incident IHD (new events) was negatively associated with total energy intake: men who went on to experience an IHD event had consumed 560 kJ (134 kcal)/d (6%) less at baseline than men who experienced no event (P = 0.01). The relative odds of an IHD event was 1.5 among men in the lowest fifth of energy intake, compared with 1.3,1.2,0.9 and 1.0 respectively for the other four fifths (P < 0.05). The difference in energy intake was reflected in lower intakes of every nutrient examined. When expressed as a percentage of total energy, mean intakes of men who experienced an IHD event were virtually identical to those of men who did not. There was some evidence suggesting a positive association between total fat intake and IHD risk, but the trend was not consistent and not statistically significant. There was no association for animal fat. Alcohol consumption was negatively associated with subsequent IHD, but only in men who already had evidence of IHD at baseline (P < 0.05). Dietary fibre, particularly from fruit and vegetables, was 7% lower in men who had an incident IHD event (P < 0.05), but the difference was not independent of total energy. There was a trend of increasing IHD risk with decreasing vitamin C intake, the relative odds of an IHD event being 1.6 among men in the lowest one-fifth of the vitamin C distribution, but this was not statistically significant.
A Study of Introspectiveness in Adolescents and Young Adults

The purpose Qf this study was to examine the relationship between introspectiveness and the theoretically related variables qf close friend solidarity, self-esteem, and symptom patterns in early, middle, and late adolescents, as well as in young adults. Samples of early (n = 103), middle (n = 107), and late adolescents (n = 101) as well as young adults (n = 70) completed the Introspectiveness Scale, the Close Friend Solidarity Instrument, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Symptom Pattern Scale in classroom settings. Hypotheses were tested using Pearson correlations, with a one-tailed test of significance. Introspectiveness was statistically, significantly, and positively related to closefriend solidarity in all adolescents but not in young adults; introspectiveness was statistically significantly, and inversely related to self-esteem in all adolescents but not in young adults. Finally, introspectiveness was statistically, significantly, and positively related to symptom patterns in all adolescents and in young adults.
Molecular docking and ex vivo pharmacological evaluation of constituents of the leaves of Cleistanthus collinus (Roxb.) (Euphorbiaceae)

Objective: To investigate the involvement of alpha adrenergic receptors in hypotension induced by cleistanthin A and cleistanthin B. Materials and Methods: Cleistanthins A and B were isolated from the leaves of Cleistanthus collinus using a column chromatographic method and purified. Structures were confirmed by spectroscopic analysis. The compounds were prepared for molecular docking studies using Ligprep 2.3 module and Induced Fit Docking was carried out against α-1 adrenergic receptors using Glide. The ex vivo experiments were carried out on male Wistar rats. Under anaesthesia, the femoral vein and carotid artery were cannulated for drug administration and for monitoring the blood pressure, respectively. The effect of epinephrine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, histamine and dopamine were recorded before and after the administration of cleistanthin A or cleistanthin B. The molecular docking studies showed favorable molecular interactions, glide score, energy and emodel. Result: Cleistanthins A and B per se reduced the mean blood pressure and the effect was dose dependent. Both the compounds reduced the effect of epinephrine, norepinephrine and α-1 receptor activity of dopamine. Cleistanthin B significantly increased the duration of action of acetylcholine on mean blood pressure. Conclusion: The molecular docking and ex vivo studies conclude that cleistanthin A and cleistanthin B have significant α-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist effect on the peripheral vascular system.
Note préliminaire sur la géologie du Val d’Aran

Faisant suite aux leves geologiques dans la zone Nord-Pyreneenne et dans la zone axiale des Pyrenees ariegeoises et de la haute-Garonne, le Val d'Aran et le Haut-Pallaresa ont ete incorpores dans la cartographie depuis 1952. Neanmoins les resultats provisoires ont deja une importante influence sur notre conception de la structure generale de la zone axiale centrale. Il parait utile d'en esquisser une premiere ebauche, quoiqu'il paraisse certain que beaucoup de details seront corriges par les leves posterieurs. Le Val d'Aran depuis el Puente del Rey jusqu'au Puerto de Bonaigua constitue un vaste bassin dans lequel nait la Garona, alimentee par une dizaine d'affluents venant du Sud, de l'Est et du Nord. Sa situation au centre de la grande chaine paleozoique des Pyrenees en fait le lieu le plus propice pour etudier le developpement stratigraphique du Primaire et sa deformation structurale accompagnee de deux phases magmatiques, datant de la fin de cette epoque.
Homocysteine and progression of generalized small-vessel disease

Objectives: Assuming the involvement of homocysteine in a generalized small-vessel disease, we investigated the association of homocysteine levels with progression of white matter lesions, lacunar infarcts, and kidney disease. Methods: Within the SMART-MR (Second Manifestations of ARTerial disease–Magnetic Resonance) Study, a prospective cohort study on brain aging in patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic disease, 663 patients (aged 57 ± 9 years) had vascular screening and 1.5-tesla MRI at baseline and after a mean follow-up of 3.9 years. Multiple regression analysis was used to estimate the longitudinal association between total homocysteine level, defined as a continuous variable and as hyperhomocysteinemia (the highest quintile of homocysteine), and progression of white matter lesion volume, lacunar infarcts, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Results: After adjusting for age, sex, follow-up time, and vascular risk factors, hyperhomocysteinemia was significantly associated with increased risk of white matter lesion progression (odds ratio 2.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5–4.1) and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate at follow-up (B = −3.4 mL/min, 95% CI −5.9 to −0.9) and borderline significantly associated with new lacunar infarcts (odds ratio 1.8, 95% CI 0.9–3.4). Conclusions: Our findings implicate a role for homocysteine in the development of a generalized small-vessel disease in which both brain and kidney are affected.
The Effect of Colchicine and Cytochalasin B on the Release of Taurine from the Chick Retina

Abstract: The effect of colchicine (0.5 mM) and of cytochalasin B (10−4 M) on the release of [35S]taurine from the isolated chick retina, upon stimulation by 68.5 mM‐KCl, 10−5 M‐veratridine and 10 mM‐glutamate, was studied. Cytochalasin and colchicine effects on taurine release were compared with those on K+‐stimulated release of [3H]dopamine and [3H]GABA. Colchicine caused a marked decrease of the [35S]taurine release evoked by the three stimulatory agents; it also decreased [3H]dopamine release without affecting that of [3H]GABA. Cytochalasin B significantly decreased the efflux of [35S]taurine stimulated by glutamate or veratridine without altering that evoked by 68.5 mM‐KCl. Cytochalasin practically suppressed the [3H]dopamine‐stimulated release and slightly decreased that of [3H]GABA. This drug produced a high increase in the spontaneous release of labeled GABA and taurine. These results suggest that the release of taurine and GABA from the chick retina probably occurs through different mechanisms. It is suggested that taurine release may be related to a process involving contractile proteins.
The mosaic of nerve cells in the mammalian retina

Cells from three different layers of the retina were tested for regular horizontal arrangement or random distribution. Monkey cones, cat cones, cat A-type horizontal cells and cat alpha-ganglion cells are all arranged in a regular mosaic. This was assessed by measuring the distance to the nearest neighbour of each cell. The nearest neighbour distributions differed significantly from those of random dot patterns. The precision of the mosaic decreased in the order monkey cones, cat cones, cat A-type horizontal cells, cat alpha-ganglion cells. All four cell types were - independent of density - more regularly arranged in the centre of the retina than in the periphery. The advantages of a regular arrangement compared with a random distribution and mechanisms which could generate a regular mosaic are discussed.
[Effect of psychological factors on success of in vitro fertilization].

OBJECTIVE To examine the influence of psychological factors on outcome of in vitro fertilisation (IVF). DESIGN Prospective clinical study. SETTING Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Charles University School of Medicine and General University Hospital Prague. METHODS Sixty-six couples undergoing IVF treatment were administered psychometric tests: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck's Depression Inventory, Interpersonal Check List and Dusin Frustration Test. Results of pregnant and non-pregnant group were compared. RESULTS We found statistically significant differences only in women. Women from the pregnant group had significantly lower scores of trait anxiety then women from the non-pregnant group (P < 0.05). Pregnant women evaluated themselves (P < 0.01) and their partners (P < 0.01) as more hostile then the non-pregnant women in the ICL. In the scores of trait anxiety, depression and frustration were not any differences. In the non-pregnant group were the women significantly more anxious (state anxiety P < 0.02, trait anxiety P < 0.01) and depressed (P < 0.05) then their partners. We didn't find these differences in the pregnant group. CONCLUSION Women from the pregnant group had significantly lower scores of trait anxiety then women from the non-pregnant group. Those women react in IVF treatment with higher stress and this stress response decreases their chance of conception. They were not any differences between the two groups of man. We found significant differences in the interpersonal interaction. In the non-pregnant group had the women significantly higher scores of depression and both state and trait anxiety. In the ICL evaluated themselves and their partners as more affiliate then the women in the pregnant group. According our opinion adequate hostility protects the women for depression and anxiety and is better coping style.
Comparison of Testosterone, Alendronate, and a Combination of Both Therapies in Men with Low Bone Mineral Density

Background Both bisphosphonates and testosterone are known to improve bone mineral density (BMD) in men with low bone mass, but whether combination therapy is superior to these agents used alone is not clear. We compared the changes in lumbar spine BMD when men with low bone mass were treated with each agent alone or as combination therapy. Methods In a retrospective study, we analyzed serum and BMD data from 149 men who had been evaluated in the Endocrinology Clinic at the Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dallas, Texas. The subjects were divided into three cohorts: 59 men receiving testosterone therapy alone, 68 men receiving alendronate therapy alone, and 22 receiving combination therapy. Results Compared with the baseline values, the lumbar spine and BMD increased significantly in each of the testosterone, alendronate, and combination therapy cohorts (median annualized rate of change: 2.1% [p < .001], 2.6% [p < .001], and 2.5% [p = .04], respectively). The combination therapy group did not demonstrate any additional increase in BMD at the lumbar spine or total hip compared with either agent alone. The results did not change after adjusting for differences in baseline weight, age, BMD, or baseline testosterone level. Conclusion The results suggest that the combination of testosterone and alendronate does not appear to be superior to single-drug therapy in our patient population.
Mast Cells Express Novel Functional IL-15 Receptor α Isoforms1

Mast cells previously have been reported to be regulated by IL-15 and to express a distinct IL-15R, termed IL-15RX. To further examine IL-15 binding and signaling in mast cells, we have studied the nature of the IL-15R and some of its biological activities in these cells. In this study, we report the existence of three novel isoforms of the IL-15Rα chain in murine bone marrow-derived mast cells as a result of an alternative exon-splicing mechanism within the IL-15Rα gene. These correspond to new mRNA transcripts lacking exon 4; exons 3 and 4; or exons 3, 4, and 5 (IL-15RαΔ4, IL-15RαΔ3,4, IL-15RαΔ3,4,5). After transient transfection in COS-7 cells, all IL-15Rα isoforms associate with the Golgi apparatus, the endoplasmic reticulum, the perinuclear space, and the cell membrane. Analysis of glycosylation pattern demonstrates the usage of a single N-glycosylation site, while no O-glycosylation is observed. Importantly, IL-15 binds with high affinity to, and promotes the survival of, murine BA/F3 cells stably transfected with the IL-15Rα isoforms. Furthermore, we report that signaling mediated by IL-15 binding to the newly identified IL-15Rα isoforms involves the phosphorylation of STAT3, STAT5, STAT6, Janus kinase 2, and Syk kinase. Taken together, our data indicate that murine mast cells express novel, fully functional IL-15Rα isoforms, which can explain the selective regulatory effects of IL-15 on these cells.
Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) for the Isolation of Willow Lignin (Salix matsudana cv. Zhuliu)

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are a potentially high-value lignin extraction methodology. DESs prepared from choline chloride (ChCl) and three hydrogen-bond donors (HBD)—lactic acid (Lac), glycerol, and urea—were evaluated for isolation of willow (Salix matsudana cv. Zhuliu) lignin. DESs types, mole ratio of ChCl to HBD, extraction temperature, and time on the fractionated DES-lignin yield demonstrated that the optimal DES-lignin yield (91.8 wt % based on the initial lignin in willow) with high purity of 94.5% can be reached at a ChCl-to-Lac molar ratio of 1:10, extraction temperature of 120 °C, and time of 12 h. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) , 13C-NMR, and 31P-NMR showed that willow lignin extracted by ChCl-Lac was mainly composed of syringyl and guaiacyl units. Serendipitously, a majority of the glucan in willow was preserved after ChCl-Lac treatment.
ATPase/Helicase Activities of p68 RNA Helicase Are Required for Pre-mRNA Splicing but Not for Assembly of the Spliceosome

ABSTRACT We have previously demonstrated that p68 RNA helicase, as an essential human splicing factor, acts at the U1 snRNA and 5′ splice site (5′ss) duplex in the pre-mRNA splicing process. To further analyze the function of p68 in the spliceosome, we generated two p68 mutants (motif V, RGLD to LGLD, and motif VI, HRIGR to HLIGR). ATPase and RNA unwinding assays demonstrated that the mutations abolished the RNA-dependent ATPase activity and RNA unwinding activity. The function of p68 in the spliceosome was abolished by the mutations, and the mutations also inhibited the dissociation of U1 from the 5′ss, while the mutants still interacted with the U1-5′ss duplex. Interestingly, the nonactive p68 mutants did not prevent the transition from prespliceosome to the spliceosome. The data suggested that p68 RNA helicase might actively unwind the U1-5′ss duplex. The protein might also play a role in the U4.U6/U5 addition, which did not require the ATPase and RNA unwinding activities of p68. In addition, we present evidence here to demonstrate the functional role of p68 RNA helicase in the pre-mRNA splicing process in vivo. Our experiments also showed that p68 interacted with unspliced but not spliced mRNA in vivo.
Toward the understanding of the molecular basis for the inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2 by phenolic compounds present in Uruguayan propolis and grape pomace

Propolis and grape pomace have significant amounts of phenols which can take part in anti-inflammatory mechanisms. As the cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 (COX-1 and COX-2) are involved in said mechanisms, the possibility for a selective inhibition of COX-2 was analyzed in vitro and in silico. Propolis and grape pomace from Uruguayan species were collected, extracted in hydroalcoholic mixture and analyzed. Based on phenols previously identified, and taking as reference the crystallographic structures of COX-1 and COX-2 in complex with the commercial drug Celecoxib, a molecular docking procedure was devised to adjust 123 phenolic molecular models at the enzyme-binding sites. The most important results of this work are that the extracts have an overall inhibition activity very similar in COX-1 and COX-2, i.e. they do not possess selective inhibition activity for COX-2. Nevertheless, 10 compounds of the phenolic database turned out to be more selective and 94 phenols resulted with similar selectivity than Celecoxib, an outcome that accounts for the overall experimental inhibition measures. Binding site environment observations showed increased polarity in COX-2 as compared with COX-1, suggesting that polarity is the key for selectivity. Accordingly, the screening of molecular contacts pointed to the residues: Arg106, Gln178, Leu338, Ser339, Tyr341, Tyr371, Arg499, Ala502, Val509, and Ser516, which would explain, at the atomic level, the anti-inflammatory effect of the phenolic compounds. Among them, Gln178 and Arg499 appear to be essential for the selective inhibition of COX-2.
Aging cremated infants: the problem of sacrifice at the Tophet of Carthage

The Greeks and Romans reproached the Phoenicians for the sacrifice of infants, and the excavation of cremated infants at ‘Tophets’ (named after the sacrificial site in Jerusalem mentioned in the Bible) seems to bear this out. However, the argument for infant sacrifice depends largely on a skewed age profile, and age is not easy to determine. The authors approach this problem with a battery of new techniques, showing that in the Tophet of Carthage the majority of the infants died between one and one and a half months. Sacrifice was thus very probable.