Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cross-Species Comparison of the Metabolism and Excretion of Zoniporide: Contribution of Aldehyde Oxidase to Interspecies Differences

Excretion and metabolism of zoniporide were investigated in humans after intravenous infusion of [14C]zoniporide at an 80-mg dose. Bile was the primary route of excretion because 57% of dose was recovered in the feces after intravenous infusion. Zoniporide was primarily cleared via metabolism in humans. 2-Oxozoniporide (M1) was the major excretory and circulating metabolite in humans and was catalyzed by aldehyde oxidase (Km of 3.4 μM and Vmax of 74 pmol/min/mg protein). Metabolites M2 (17% of the dose) and M3 (6.4% of circulating radioactivity), in which the guanidine moiety was hydrolyzed to a carboxylic acid, were also detected in human feces and plasma, respectively, suggesting that hydrolysis was another route of metabolism of zoniporide in humans. The metabolism and excretion of [14C]zoniporide in rats and dogs were also evaluated. As in humans, bile was the primary route of excretion of the radiolabeled material in both species, and metabolism was the primary route of clearance. A comparison of plasma metabolites showed that for M3, rats had a higher concentration than human or dog. M1 was absent in dog and present in human and rat plasma at comparable levels, whereas comparison of excreta showed that the total body burden of M1 was greater in rat than that in human. No further evaluation of M2 was considered because it was detected only in the human fecal extracts. Hence, no further toxicological evaluation of the three human metabolites was undertaken.
Increased Detection Rate in Diagnosis of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Meningitis by Real-Time PCR Using Cerebrospinal Fluid Samples

ABSTRACT Efficient and sensitive diagnostic methods are needed in the management of virus infections in the central nervous system. There is a demand for an evaluation of the sensitivity of PCR methods for early diagnosis of meningitis due to herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The objective of this study was to evaluate real-time PCR in the detection of HSV-2 and VZV DNA from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for etiological diagnoses in clinically well-characterized cases of primary and recurrent aseptic meningitis. Samples from 110 patients, 65 of whom were diagnosed with or were strongly suspected of having HSV-2 meningitis and 45 with acute aseptic meningitis of unknown causes, were analyzed. Results were compared with the outcome of nested PCR for HSV-2 infection. Clinical parameters were analyzed in relation to CSF viral load. With real-time PCR, HSV-2 DNA was found in CSF from 80% (52/65) of patients with clinical HSV-2 meningitis compared to 72% (47/65) found by nested PCR. The sensitivity of real-time HSV-2 PCR was found to be 87% (33/38) in primary and 70% (19/27) in recurrent meningitis. The HSV-2 viral load was significantly higher in primary than in recurrent meningitis and correlated with the degree of inflammation. VZV DNA was detected in 2 of 45 samples (4.4%). Real-time PCR for the diagnosis of HSV-2 meningitis was evaluated in a large, clinically well-characterized sample of material and found to identify more cases than nested PCR in the group of patients with recurrent meningitis. Quantification of DNA enables further research of disease prognosis and treatment.
Attachment style and oxytocin receptor gene variation interact in influencing social anxiety

Abstract Objectives: Social anxiety has been suggested to be promoted by an insecure attachment style. Oxytocin is discussed as a mediator of trust and social bonding as well as a modulator of social anxiety. Applying a gene–environment (G × E) interaction approach, in the present pilot study the main and interactive effects of attachment styles and oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene variation were probed in a combined risk factor model of social anxiety in healthy probands. Methods: Participants (N = 388; 219 females, 169 males; age 24.7 ± 4.7 years) were assessed for anxiety in social situations (Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory) depending on attachment style (Adult Attachment Scale, AAS) and OXTR rs53576 A/G genotype. Results: A less secure attachment style was significantly associated with higher social anxiety. This association was partly modulated by OXTR genotype, with a stronger negative influence of a less secure attachment style on social anxiety in A allele carriers as compared to GG homozygotes. Conclusions: The present pilot data point to a strong association of less secure attachment and social anxiety as well as to a gene–environment interaction effect of OXTR rs53576 genotype and attachment style on social anxiety possibly constituting a targetable combined risk marker of social anxiety disorder.
Trapping phenomena in avalanche photodiodes on nanosecond scale

A technique for measuring the release of minority carriers emitted from deep levels in avalanche photodiodes (APDs) at operating conditions is discussed. The method, time-correlated carrier counting (TCCC), is very sensitive and accurate. Densities of filled traps were measured down to 10/sup 9/ cm/sup -3/ and lifetimes in the nanosecond range. This technique can be useful in tailoring gettering processes for APDs and in studies of traps at high electric fields. <<ETX>>
Metagenomic Characterization of Candidatus Smithella cisternae Strain M82_1, a Syntrophic Alkane-Degrading Bacteria, Enriched from the Shengli Oil Field

The methanogenic degradation of hydrocarbons plays an important role in hydrocarbon-contaminated environments in the absence of an external electron acceptor. Members of Syntrophaceae sublineages were previously reported to be responsible for syntrophic alkane degradation. However, limited information is currently available on their physiological capabilities in nature because it is very challenging to cultivate these as-yet uncultured microbes. We herein performed metagenomic sequencing of the methanogenic hexadecane-degrading culture M82 and recovered a nearly complete genome (2.75 Mb, estimated completeness ≥97%) belonging to Syntrophaceae sublineage II. The assembly genome was tentatively named “Candidatus Smithella cisternae strain M82_1”. Genes encoding alkylsuccinate synthase for alkane activation were identified, suggesting that this organism is capable of oxidizing alkanes through fumarate addition. This capability was further supported by the detection of methyl pentadecyl succinic acid and methyl tetradecyl succinic acid in cultures amended with hexadecane and pentadecane, respectively. Genes encoding enzymes for the β-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids and butyrate were also identified. The electron transfer flavoprotein/DUF224 complex is presumed to link electron flow from acyl-CoA dehydrogenase to a membrane hydrogenase or formate dehydrogenase. Although no indications of Rnf complexes were detected, genes encoding electron-confurcating hydrogenase and formate dehydrogenase were proposed to couple the thermodynamically favorable oxidation of ferredoxin to generate H2 and formate from NADH. Strain M82_1 synthesized ATP from acetyl-CoA by substrate-level phosphorylation or F1F0-ATP synthases. These results provide an insight into the potential metabolic traits and ecophysiological roles of the syntrophic alkane degrader Syntrophaceae.
Fibrosarcomatous change in the background of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in male breast: Study of a rare case and review of the entity

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a cutaneous soft tissue neoplasm with potential for local recurrence but distant metastasis is rare. Trunk and extremities are most commonly involved. This case presented as left-sided breast lump in a male patient. The patient underwent left-sided modified radical mastectomy. Tissues were subjected to histopathological and immunohistochemical test subsequently. The tumor cells showed storiform arrangement with nuclear pleomorphism and increased mitotic figures at places. They were reactive to CD34 and non-reactive to S-100, smooth muscle actin, desmin, cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen. The diagnosis of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with areas of fibrosarcomatous change was given. Though trunk is a common site for this tumor but its presentation as male breast lump has made the case unique.
Successive Conformal Mapping Technique to Extract Inner Fringe Capacitance of Underlap DG-FinFET and Its Variations With Geometrical Parameters

We propose a new analytical model based on successive conformal mapping to compute the bias dependent inner fringe capacitance in nonplanar multigate MOSFET structure with doping modulated source/drain (S/D) and gate underlap for sub 20-nm node. The conventional analytical model of capacitance and resistance for planar MOSFET cannot be applied to the nonplanar multigate MOSFET. This model considers 3-D devices fabricated on bulk oxide, gate-S/D extension with nonuniform doping gradient and spacers. The percentage variation of inner fringe capacitance with respect to underlap length is studied for various fin width and oxide thickness.
Carbon cement-based sensors for dynamic monitoring of structures

Structural Health Monitoring is a topic of growing significance in Civil and Mechanical Engineering, whereby an effective monitoring of a structure can lead to cost-effective maintenance and can enhance occupants' safety. A distributed monitoring system can better identify, localize and quantify incipient damages and variations of the structural behavior compared to a sparse utilization of off-the-shelf sensors. This is due to the spatial distribution limitation of conventional sensors, providing partial information for a subsequent structural diagnosis. They are also denoted by durability issues and high implementation cost. Owing to recent advances in Nanotechnology, new smart materials are becoming available, enabling the development of distributed sensing solutions for structural health monitoring. In particular, novel conductive piezoresistive nanofillers, such as carbon nanotubes and nanofibers, have showed promise towards realizing cementitious materials with self-sensing capabilities. In such materials, the change in strain or stress is detectable through the variation of given electrical properties, such as resistance or conductivity. The nanomodified cementitious sensors can be embedded into structural elements and therefore provides a distributed sensing system. Investigating important issues related to their composition, their fabrication and their electrical characteristics, will lead to their broad implementation. This paper is aimed at investigating the dispersion of nanoinclusions in the cement matrix, the electrical conductivity, and the strain/stress sensitivity of samples of cement paste, mortar and concrete fabricated with Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Carbon Nanofibers (CNFs). The results of the electromechanical experimental tests, including tests conducted on full-scale concrete elements, show that these new sensors can be effectively used for monitoring the health of structures.
Combination of channel- and droplet-based microfluidics for complex PoC devices

This paper presents a microfluidic device addressing the field of ambulant diagnostics in rural areas. Often, the diagnostic approach of micro-channel based point of care devices (PoCD) will target a certain marker - if e.g. on site another marker is to be checked against, the visiting doctor needs to use another test device. With the number of markers growing on a steady basis this will incur the need to transport a large number of individual test strips/cartridges, making the PoCD concept useless for this specific setting. The basis of the proposed novel device is a hybrid system combining the advantages of conventional channel-based fluidics with those of digitally controlled droplet-based fluidics. This hybrid concept uses a micro-channel based delivery partition for stored reagents with a disposable reaction partition based on electrowetting-on-dielectric to run the actual test protocol. It promises to realize a low cost approach for a Point-of-Care system with easy deployability. Conceptual implementation was done by roll embossing for the microchannels and direct structuring of the electrode elements for the EWOD substrate. The latter was laminated with a PTFE-film or coated with a nanoparticle loaded lacquer for hydrophobization. A variety of reagents were handled using a two-phase containment on the EWOD substrate, overcoming the issues associated with low surface energy fluids.
Difference in plantar pressure between the preferred and non-preferred feet in four soccer-related movements

Objective and participants: The present study measured the difference in plantar pressure between the preferred and non-preferred foot in four soccer-related movements in 15 male university soccer players (mean (SD) age 20.9 (1.3) years, mean (SD) height 173 (4) cm and mean (SD) weight 61.7 (3.6) kg). Design: To record plantar pressure distribution, players randomly wore three types of soccer shoes (classical 6-stud and 12-stud, and specially designed 12-stud) embedded with an insole pressure recorder device with 99 sensors, divided into 10 areas for analysis. Plantar pressure was recorded in five successful trials in each of the four soccer-related movements: running (at 3.3 m/s), sideward cutting, 45° cutting and landing from a vertical jump. Results: Plantar pressures of the preferred and non-preferred foot were different in 115 of 120 comparisons. The overall plantar pressure of the preferred foot was higher than that of the non-preferred foot. Specifically, in each of the four movements, higher pressure was found in the preferred foot during the take-off phase, whereas this was found in the non-preferred foot during the landing phase. This would suggest a tendency of the preferred foot for higher motion force and of the non-preferred foot for a greater role in body stabilisation. Conclusions: The data indicate that the preferred and non-preferred foot should be treated independently with regard to strength/power training to avoid unnecessary injuries. Different shoes/insoles and different muscular strengthening programmes are thus suggested for each of the soccer player’s feet.
Presenting D‐dimer and early symptom severity are independent predictors for post‐thrombotic syndrome following a first deep vein thrombosis

Post‐thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is the most common complication of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Current preventative strategies are limited to the daily wear of graduated compression stockings (GCS). The aim of this study was to evaluate early predictors of PTS. One hundred and twenty‐two consecutive patients with a first DVT were prospectively recruited from diagnosis and followed for up to 6 months post‐end of anticoagulation. D‐dimer was measured in 107 participants at presentation and Villalta scale was evaluated in 70 participants at a median of 2 weeks following diagnosis. PTS developed in 51·6% of participants. GCS were obtained by 78·1% of participants, with 33·7% reporting daily wear at the end of follow‐up. Mean early Villalta scale was significantly higher in those with PTS (8·1 ± 3·7) compared to those without (2·6 ± 2·7, P < 0·001). Median D‐dimer was significantly higher in those with PTS [3260 ng/ml, interquartile range (IQR) 820–8000 ng/ml] compared to those without (1540 ng/ml, IQR 810–2520 ng/ml, P < 0·001). The adjusted odds ratio for every one point increase in early Villalta scale was 1·78 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1·19–2·64; P = 0·005] and for D‐dimer >1910 ng/ml it was 2·71 (95% CI, 1·05–7·03; P = 0·04). These markers could enable targeted counselling regarding GCS for those at high risk of PTS.
A young Moon-forming giant impact at 70–110 million years accompanied by late-stage mixing, core formation and degassing of the Earth

New W isotope data for lunar metals demonstrate that the Moon formed late in isotopic equilibrium with the bulk silicate Earth (BSE). On this basis, lunar Sr isotope data are used to define the former composition of the Earth and hence the Rb–Sr age of the Moon, which is 4.48±0.02 Ga, or 70–110 Ma (million years) after the start of the Solar System. This age is significantly later than had been deduced from W isotopes based on model assumptions or isotopic effects now known to be cosmogenic. The Sr age is in excellent agreement with earlier estimates based on the time of lunar Pb loss and the age of the early lunar crust (4.46±0.04 Ga). Similar ages for the BSE are recorded by xenon and lead–lead, providing evidence of catastrophic terrestrial degassing, atmospheric blow-off and significant late core formation accompanying the ca 100 Ma giant impact. Agreement between the age of the Moon based on the Earth's Rb/Sr and the lead–lead age of the Moon is consistent with no major losses of moderately volatile elements from the Earth during the giant impact. The W isotopic composition of the BSE can be explained by end member models of (i) gradual accretion with a mean life of roughly 35 Ma or (ii) rapid growth with a mean life of roughly 10 Ma, followed by a significant hiatus prior to the giant impact. The former assumes that approximately 60 per cent of the incoming metal from impactors is added directly to the core during accretion. The latter includes complete mixing of all the impactor material into the BSE during accretion. The identical W isotopic composition of the Moon and the BSE limits the amount of material that can be added as a late veneer to the Earth after the giant impact to less than 0.3±0.3 per cent of ordinary chondrite or less than 0.5±0.6 per cent CI carbonaceous chondrite based on their known W isotopic compositions. Neither of these on their own is sufficient to explain the inventories of both refractory siderophiles such as platinum group elements and rhenium, and volatiles such as sulphur, carbon and water.
Initial clinical experience with matrix detachable coils for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

OBJECT The Matrix detachable coil is a new bioactive, bioabsorbable coil used in the endovascular embolization of intracranial aneurysms. It has a platinum core covered with a bioactive, bioabsorbable polymer (polyglycolic acid/lactide). The authors report on their initial midterm clinical experience with the first-generation Matrix detachable coil. METHODS One hundred twelve patients harboring 118 aneurysms were treated using Matrix coils. Forty-nine aneurysms (41.5%) were associated with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Twenty-four lesions (49%) were harbored by patients with Hunt and Hess Grade I, 11 (23.4%) by patients with Grade II, eight (16.3%) by those with Grade III, and six (12.2%) by those with Grade IV. Four aneurysms (3.4%) were harbored by patients who had presented with nonacute SAH. Sixty-five aneurysms (55%) were unruptured. Fifty-seven lesions (48.3%) were small with a small neck, 29 (24.6%) were small with a wide neck, 30 (25.4%) were large, and two (1.7%) were giant. All patients were followed up to obtain angiography and clinical outcome data. Technical complications occurred in six patients: two thromboembolic complications and four aneurysm perforations. Of these six patients, the status of two deteriorated because of aneurysm perforation and another two because of thrombus formation (morbidity 3.6%). There were five deaths--one due to rerupture after embolization. Angiography follow-up studies of 87 aneurysms were obtained. Seventy aneurysms demonstrated progressive occlusion or a stable neck (80.5%), and 17 had some degree of recanalization (19.5%). The aneurysms originally diagnosed as a neck remnant showed a 15% rate of recanalization. CONCLUSIONS Matrix coils can be delivered into aneurysms with technical complications similar to those encountered using GDCs. Midterm anatomical outcomes to date have shown moderate improvement in the recanalization rate when compared with those realized using the GDC system. Because of the increased friction associated with the first-generation Matrix coil, the packing density in most aneurysms was less than that achieved with GDCs. Prolonged angiography follow-up evaluations are needed to document long-term efficacy.
The Detection of Motion by Blind Subjects With the Epiretinal 60-Electrode (Argus II) Retinal Prosthesis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the ability of 28 blind subjects implanted with a 60-electrode Argus II (Second Sight Medical Products Inc) retinal prosthesis system to detect the direction of a moving object. METHODS Blind subjects (bare light perception or worse in both eyes) with retinitis pigmentosa were implanted with the Argus II prosthesis as part of a phase 1/2 feasibility study at multiple clinical sites worldwide. The experiment measured their ability to detect the direction of motion of a high-contrast moving bar on a flatscreen monitor in 3 conditions: with the prosthesis system on and a 1-to-1 mapping of spatial information, with the system off, and with the system on but with randomly scrambled spatial information. RESULTS Fifteen subjects (54%) were able to perform the task significantly better with their prosthesis system than they were with their residual vision, 2 subjects had significantly better performance with their residual vision, and no difference was found for 11 subjects. Of the 15 better-performing subjects, 11 were available for follow-up testing, and 10 of them had significantly better performance with normal rather than with scrambled spatial information. CONCLUSIONS This work demonstrates that blind subjects implanted with the Argus II retinal prosthesis were able to perform a motion detection task they could not do with their native vision, confirming that electrical stimulation of the retina provides spatial information from synchronized activation of multiple electrodes. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT00407602
A practical comparison of two types of family intervention: an exploratory RCT of family day workshops and individual family work as a supplement to inpatient care for adults with anorexia nervosa.

BACKGROUND Little is known about the outcome of involving families in the treatment of adults with anorexia nervosa. Carers of people with anorexia nervosa experience significant levels of distress. This may contribute to unhelpful behaviours which maintain the illness. AIMS To evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of family workshops with educational and skills-based components as compared to individual family work. METHOD An exploratory randomised controlled trial of two forms of family intervention was conducted for inpatients with anorexia nervosa (n = 48) and their family members on a specialised unit for adults. RESULTS In both groups, there was an improvement in patients' BMI and a reduction in carers' distress. There were no differences between groups. CONCLUSION Preliminary findings suggest that workshop-based intervention with two families might be as effective as an individually focused family intervention. This may offer a more cost-effective intervention for this treatment-resistant group.