Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibition by Allyl Sulfides and Phenethyl Isothiocyanate of Methyl-n-pentylnitrosamine Depentylation by Rat Esophageal Microsomes, Human and Rat CYP2E1, and Rat CYP2A3

Garlic and Cruciferae are associated with reduced risks of several human cancers, and some of their constituents are anticarcinogenic in animals. Here we studied inhibition of in vitro metabolism of the rat esophageal carcinogen methyl-n-pentylnitrosamine (MPN) by garlic-derived allyl sulfides and by Cruciferae-derived phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) and sulforaphane. The test inhibitors were incubated with [3H]-MPN, NADPH-generating system and rat esophageal microsomes (REM) or a cytochrome P450 (CYP). [3H]-MPN activation by depentylation was assayed by HPLC with radiometric determination of [3H]-pentaldehyde 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone. IC50 for depentylation of 40 μM MPN by rat CYP2E1 was 5-12 μM for diallyl sulfide (DAS), diallyl disulfide (DADS), and PEITC and 10-20 μM for diallyl sulfone, allyl mercaptan, and diallyl trisulfide. Maximum inhibition required preincubation of rat CYP2E1 with DAS for 15 min and with DADS for 30 min. Using these preincubation times, Ki for MPN depentylation by REM, rat and human CYP2E1, and rat CYP2A3 was 0.6-1.6 μM for inhibition by DAS and 1.7-70 μM for inhibition by DADS. With PEITC, Ki for MPN depentylation by REM, rat CYP2E1, and rat CYP2A3 was 0.4-4.6 μM. These low Ki and IC50 values may help explain how garlic and Cruciferae inhibit carcinogenesis.
Maternal admixture and population structure in Mexican-Mestizos based on mtDNA haplogroups.

The maternal ancestry (mtDNA) has important applications in different research fields, such as evolution, epidemiology, identification, and human population history. This is particularly interesting in Mestizos, which constitute the main population in Mexico (∼93%) resulting from post-Columbian admixture between Spaniards, Amerindians, and African slaves, principally. Consequently, we conducted minisequencing analysis (SNaPshot) of 11 mitochondrial single-nucleotide polymorphisms in 742 Mestizos of 10 populations from different regions in Mexico. The predominant maternal ancestry was Native American (92.9%), including Haplogroups A, B, C, and D (47, 23.7, 15.9, and 6.2%, respectively). Conversely, European and African ancestries were less frequent (5.3 and 1.9%, respectively). The main characteristics of the maternal lineages observed in Mexican-Mestizos comprised the following: 1) contrasting geographic gradient of Haplogroups A and C; 2) increase of European lineages toward the Northwest; 3) low or absent, but homogeneous, African ancestry throughout the Mexican territory; 4) maternal lineages in Mestizos roughly represent the genetic makeup of the surrounding Amerindian groups, particularly toward the Southeast, but not in the North and West; 5) continuity over time of the geographic distribution of Amerindian lineages in Mayas; and 6) low but significant maternal population structure (FST = 2.8%; P = 0.0000). The average ancestry obtained from uniparental systems (mtDNA and Y-chromosome) in Mexican-Mestizos was correlated with previous ancestry estimates based on autosomal systems (genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms and short tandem repeats). Finally, the comparison of paternal and maternal lineages provided additional information concerning the gender bias admixture, mating patterns, and population structure in Mestizos throughout the Mexican territory.
Agreements Between the Prothrombin Times of Blood Treated In Vitro with Heparinase During Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CPB) and Blood Sampled After CPB and Systemic Protamine

The prothrombin time (PT) is useful for identifying coagulation factor deficits after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). However, long processing times and the need for fresh frozen plasma (FFP) to be thawed cause delays in factor replacement. We hypothesized that, by treating with heparinase, blood sampled toward the end of CPB can provide PT results that help to determine the requirement for FFP after CPB. Laboratory delays can be eliminated with point-of-care monitors. We studied 158 adults undergoing nonemergent cardiac surgery. Blood taken before separation from CPB was mixed with heparinase, and PT was measured in the laboratory with a HemoTec timer. Agreements between these results and laboratory measurements of blood taken after systemic protamine were compared by using Bland and Altman plots with the threshold of ±1.0 s. We found that the laboratory PT measurements during CPB versus after CPB were compara-ble, but the limits of agreement exceeded these thresholds. Similarly, there was unsatisfactory agreement between the HemoTec and laboratory PT results measured before, during, and after CPB. For each PT measured during CPB, the corresponding confidence interval for the postprotamine PT was calculated. During CPB, a laboratory PT of ≤16 s or ≥18 s suggests a ≥83% or ≥93% probability of not requiring or potentially requiring, respectively, FFP after CPB. We conclude that the majority of PT measurements obtained from blood taken before weaning from CPB and treated in vitro with heparinase was associated with a high probability of whether or not FFP would be needed after CPB.
Pharmacodynamics of Linezolid Plus Fosfomycin Against Vancomycin–Resistant Enterococcus faecium in a Hollow Fiber Infection Model

The optimal therapy for severe infections caused by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) remains unclear, but the combination of linezolid and fosfomycin may be a good choice. The 24-h static-concentration time-kill study (SCTK) was used to preliminarily explore the pharmacodynamics of linezolid combined with fosfomycin against three clinical isolates. Subsequently, a hollow-fibre infection model (HFIM) was used for the first time to further investigate the pharmacodynamic activity of the co-administration regimen against selected isolates over 72 h. To further quantify the relationship between fosfomycin resistance and bacterial virulence in VREfm, the Galleria mellonella infection model and virulence genes expression experiments were also performed. The results of SCTK showed that the combination of linezolid and fosfomycin had additive effect on all strains. In the HFIM, the dosage regimen of linezolid (12 mg/L, steady-state concentration) combined with fosfomycin (8 g administered intravenously every 8 h as a 1 h infusion) not only produced a sustained bactericidal effect of 3∼4 log10 CFU/mL over 72 h, but also completely eradicated the resistant subpopulations. The expression of virulence genes was down-regulated to at least 0.222-fold in fosfomycin-resistant strains compared with baseline isolate, while survival rates of G. mellonella was increased (G. mellonella survival ≥45% at 72 h). For severe infections caused by VREfm, neither linezolid nor fosfomycin monotherapy regimens inhibited amplification of the resistant subpopulations, and the development of fosfomycin resistance was at the expense of the virulence of VREfm. The combination of linezolid with fosfomycin produced a sustained bactericidal effect and completely eradicated the resistant subpopulations. Linezolid plus Fosfomycin is a promising combination for therapy of severe infections caused by VREfm.
Effects of localization and intensity of experimental muscle pain on ankle joint proprioception

Accurate proprioceptive input is a prerequisite for balance control and coordination of movement. The present study investigated whether experimental muscle pain induced in healthy human subjects disturbed movement sense (detection of movement) or position sense (recognition of a reference position). Muscle pain was produced by infusion of 6% hypertonic saline simultaneously in m. tibialis anterior (TA) and m. soleus (experiment 1), by infusion of 6% hypertonic saline in TA (experiment 2) and by infusion of 9% hypertonic saline in TA (experiment 3). Control measurements were done with infusions of 0.9% isotonic saline. All infusions of 6% and 9% saline produced pain intensities significantly higher than the corresponding control infusions. Only infusion of 6% saline in two muscles (visual analogue scale = 4–5) produced an elevation in movement detection thresholds which was significantly higher, compared with before infusion. No other significant changes in movement and position sense were found during the painful or control infusions. Pain of relatively high intensity in two antagonist muscles is necessary to disturb the movement detection threshold. The ability to recognize a reference position is not disturbed by experimentally induced muscle pain. Whether the disturbed movement sense is caused by sensitivity changes in muscle spindle afferents or altered processing of proprioceptive input cannot be answered. The present findings indicate that human ankle proprioception is rather robust to muscle pain. © 2002 European Federation of Chapters of the International Association for the Study of Pain. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
A Late Archean Sulfidic Sea Stimulated by Early Oxidative Weathering of the Continents

Of Ancient Iron and Oxygen Finding clues to understand the early evolution of ocean and atmospheric chemistry and its links to the evolution of life remains a daunting task. Often just a few rock samples provide our only evidence of what conditions on Earth were like long ago. Reinhard et al. (p. 713) combined iron speciation data from a 2.5-billion-year-old shale from Australia with sulfur isotope data from this and nearby formations to conclude that oxygen chemistry predominanty consisted of an anoxic sulfide–rich water column, instead of iron-rich oceans, as previously speculated. Thus, brief pulses of reduced iron from hydrothermal vents may have been responsible for the formation of nearby banded iron formations and may have provided enough buffering to prolong the appearance of atmospheric oxygen generated by the expansion of newly evolved cyanobacteria. Before Earth’s atmosphere became oxidizing, the oceans may have been sulfide-rich while receiving periodic pulses of iron. Iron speciation data for the late Archean Mount McRae Shale provide evidence for a euxinic (anoxic and sulfidic) water column 2.5 billion years ago. Sulfur isotope data compiled from the same stratigraphic section suggest that euxinic conditions were stimulated by an increase in oceanic sulfate concentrations resulting from weathering of continental sulfide minerals exposed to an atmosphere with trace amounts of photosynthetically produced oxygen. Variability in local organic matter flux likely confined euxinic conditions to midportions of the water column on the basin margin. These findings indicate that euxinic conditions may have been common on a variety of spatial and temporal scales both before and immediately after the Paleoproterozoic rise in atmospheric oxygen, hinting at previously unexplored texture and variability in deep ocean chemistry during Earth’s early history.
Effect of Domperidone on the Health-Related Quality of Life of Patients With Symptoms of Diabetic Gastroparesis

OBJECTIVE To describe the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with insulin-treated diabetes and symptoms of diabetic gastroparesis and to assess the impact of domperidone on HRQOL in these patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This two-phase multicenter study was part of a safety and efficacy investigation. Phase 1 involved 4-week single-blind treatment with domperidone 20 mg q.i. d. (n = 269). Patients demonstrating significant symptomatic improvement (n = 208) continued to phase II, a 4-week, double-blind, parallel-group study with patients receiving placebo (n = 103) or domperidone (n = 105). Patients completed the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form-36 Health Survey at selection and at the end of each phase. Physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores served as primary parameters, and the eight subscales were secondary parameters. RESULTS HRQOL scores of subjects enrolled in the trial were significantly lower than norms from the general population and people with diabetes (P < 0.001). Subjects experiencing symptomatic improvement after 4 weeks of single-blind treatment demonstrated significant improvement in all HRQOL parameters (P < 0.001); PCS, MCS, and six subscale scores of nonresponders did not change. Between-group change score differences were significant for PCS, MCS, and seven subscales (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). During phase II, the domperidone group maintained their HRQOL; the placebo group showed a significant decline in PCS and four subscales (P < 0.05). The between-group difference in the PCS score change was statistically significant (−1.77 vs. 0.65, P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that patients with symptoms of diabetic gastroparesis experience notable HRQOL impairment and that symptomatic relief with domperidone is accompanied by improvements in HRQOL that can be sustained over 4 weeks of treatment.
The Impact of Lifetime Work and Non-work Physical Activity on Physical Fitness Among White – and Blue – Collar Retirees: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: The literature offers significant amount of data on the effects of occupational activity on health, with a distinct link between retirement and health among the most frequently tackled topics. Studies on the relationship between past occupational activity and physical fitness among older retirees remain scarce. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of physical activity on physical fitness in white- and blue-collar retirees. Methods: A total of 200 participants (aged ≥60) were included in the study. Lifetime physical activity was assessed using the Lifetime Physical Activity Questionnaire. Mean MET/week/year values of total Physical Activity and for each domain separately (occupational, sports, household) were calculated. Participants were stratified to blue- or white- collar group. Physical performance, hand-grip strength (HGS) and pulmonary function were assessed. Results: Mean total MET/week/year values for the blue- and the white-collar workers were 140.48 ± 55.13 and 100.75 ± 35.98, respectively. No statistically significant differences in physical performance scores were found between the white- and blue- collar groups. Adjustment for age, sex weight and height revealed a statistically significant association between work-related PA FEV*1 in the blue-collar group. White – collar workers presented higher odds ratio for membership in highest quartile in regard to short physical performance battery test score. Conclusion: Only minimal association of type of occupation on physical fitness were found despite statistically significant differences between mean intensity and duration of sports- and work-related lifetime physical activity. These findings may indicate that the type of past work is not an independent factor influencing the state of a person in old age. Large-scale investigations with physically fit and unfit participants, are necessary.
Method for Fast CT/SPECT-Based 3D Monte Carlo Absorbed Dose Computations in Internal Emitter Therapy

The DPM (Dose Planning Method) Monte Carlo electron and photon transport program, designed for fast computation of radiation absorbed dose in external beam radiotherapy, has been adapted to the calculation of absorbed dose in patient-specific internal emitter therapy. Because both its photon and electron transport mechanics algorithms have been optimized for fast computation in 3D voxelized geometries (in particular, those derived from CT scans), DPM is perfectly suited for performing patient-specific absorbed dose calculations in internal emitter therapy. In the updated version of DPM developed for the current work, the necessary inputs are a patient CT image, a registered SPECT image, and any number of registered masks defining regions of interest. DPM has been benchmarked for internal emitter therapy applications by comparing computed absorption fractions for a variety of organs using a Zubal phantom with reference results from the Medical Internal Radionuclide Dose (MIRD) Committee standards. In addition, the beta decay source algorithm and the photon tracking algorithm of DPM have been further benchmarked by comparison to experimental data. This paper presents a description of the program, the results of the benchmark studies, and some sample computations using patient data from radioimmunotherapy studies using 131I
Virtual-Impedance-Based Control for Voltage-Source and Current-Source Converters

The virtual impedance concept is increasingly used for the control of power electronic systems. Generally, the virtual impedance loop can either be embedded as an additional degree of freedom for active stabilization and disturbance rejection, or be employed as a command reference generator for the converters to provide ancillary services. This paper presents an overview of the virtual-impedance-based control strategies for voltage-source and current-source converters. The control output impedance shaping attained by the virtual impedances is generalized first using the impedance-based models. Different virtual impedances and their implementation issues are then discussed. A number of practical examples are demonstrated to illustrate the feasibility of virtual impedances. Emerging applications and future trends of virtual impedances in power electronic systems conclude this paper.
Phages of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: response to environmental factors and in vitro ability to inhibit bacterial growth and biofilm formation

Aims: To examine effects of various environmental factors on adsorption and inactivation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa‐specific phages: δ (family Podoviridae), J‐1, σ‐1 and 001A (family Siphoviridae) and their ability to inhibit bacterial growth and biofilm formation.
How to Catch Customers’ Attention? A Study on the Effectiveness of Brand Social Media Strategies in Digital Customer Engagement

Enterprises often post branded content on social media and adopt a proactive response approach to improve digital customer engagement to gain a competitive advantage. However, there are many brands which fail to operate social media as effectively as expected. The effective use of brand social media strategies to improve digital customer engagement remains an ongoing challenge for the enterprises. Based on firm-generated content theory and social presence theory, this study aims to identify the impact of brand social media strategies on different levels of digital customer engagement, including positive filtering, cognitive and affective processing as well as advocacy from content strategy and response strategy. Based on 1,519 brand posts on the official Weibo pages of eight of the top 500 Chinese brands in 2021, this study uses a multiple linear regression model to examine the impact of brand social media strategies on digital customer engagement and the moderating effects of brand image and discretionary purchases. The findings show that, on the one hand, among the brand social media content strategies, action content strategy is associated with higher levels of digital customer engagement. On the other hand, different brand social media response strategies have a differential impact on digital customer engagement levels, with cohesive response being the best strategy for increasing digital customer engagement level. In addition, the effectiveness of brand social media response strategy in digital customer engagement is further moderated by the brand image and discretionary purchases. In contrast, the effectiveness of brand social media response strategy in digital customer engagement is stronger when the brand image emphasizes its “competence” or the discretionary purchases focus on “material purchases. ” This study not only enriches the research on digital customer engagement but also provides a reference for the brand strategy selection, design and management based on social media.
Hardware Supporting Project to Prolong the Lifetime of the Wireless Sensor Networks

Energy consumption is one of the most important problems of the wireless sensor networks and it is necessary to be solved. It is important to prolong the network lifetime. A new lifetime model of the node in wireless sensor networks was set up based on the energy consumption characteristics of the wireless sensor networks. Hardware supporting project to prolong the network lifetime are given, and that is to reduce the energy consumption in the node working state and improve efficiency of the electrical source. At last nodes for environment inspecting as our project designed and developed, and then we do some experiments and analyze the result.
A hybrid modular multilevel converter for solar power integration

A Hybrid Modular Multilevel Converter (H-MMC) for grid-connected Photo-Voltaic (PV) system is presented in this paper. The array of PV-panels is connected in each sub-module of the converter. The sub-modules are connected in series to form the dc-link for each phase. The dc-link voltage is unipolar and multilevel in nature which is converted to ac voltage by a low frequency converter (LFC). This topology can be applicable at high power by increasing number of sub-modules per phase. Note that the hybrid-MMC produces more number of voltage levels (4N+1) in the line-to-line voltage compared to conventional MMC (2N+1) for the same number of sub-modules. The capacitor count is also less compared to conventional MMC, as the number of sub-modules is reduced by 50%. The issues related to circulating current is also absent here, as the phases are isolated from each other. As a result, the cost and foot-print of the Hybrid-MMC based PV integration becomes less. The efficiency of the converter is expected to be high, as the LFC is operated at fundamental frequency. The passive filter is not required at the ac side due to multilevel pattern of the converter generated voltage. A global Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm is proposed for this converter which requires the voltage and current of only one sub-module. The usefulness of this converter configuration for PV application is verified through simulation in PSCAD/EMTDC software. The results show the effectiveness of the concept.