Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Glucuretic effects and renal safety of dapagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes

Dapagliflozin is a selective sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor approved as a treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the United States, the European Union and other countries. Dapagliflozin increases renal glucose excretion in an insulin-independent manner, and its mechanism of action is complementary to those of other antidiabetes medications. When used as monotherapy or in combination with other oral antidiabetes medications or insulin, dapagliflozin improves glycemic measures in patients with T2DM. Dapagliflozin treatment is also associated with weight reduction and a decrease in blood pressure, both of which may be beneficial in patients with T2DM. Because of its mechanism of action, dapagliflozin has a low intrinsic propensity to cause hypoglycemia. Overall, dapagliflozin is well tolerated, with the frequency of most adverse events similar to that seen with placebo. Cases of genital infections and, in some studies, urinary tract infections have been more frequent in dapagliflozin-treated groups compared with placebo groups. In the clinical development program, more cases of newly diagnosed bladder cancer were reported for patients treated with dapagliflozin (0.17%) compared with placebo or comparator (0.03%). Although there were not enough cases to determine causality, dapagliflozin should not be used in patients with bladder cancer and should be used with caution in patients with a history of bladder cancer. Dapagliflozin may decrease glomerular filtration rate (GFR), especially in elderly patients and patients with impaired renal function. Renal function should be monitored before initiation of dapagliflozin. Dapagliflozin should not be used in patients with an estimated GFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2. No cardiovascular safety signals have been detected for dapagliflozin, and a long-term cardiovascular outcomes study is ongoing. Evidence from clinical trials suggests that dapagliflozin is a promising new treatment option for T2DM.
Association between brain structure and psychometric schizotypy in healthy individuals

Abstract Objectives. Schizophrenia is associated with replicable grey matter volume reductions in fronto-temporo-limbic and subcortical regions. Psychometric schizotypy refers to a set of behavioural traits and cognitions thought to represent the subclinical manifestation of schizophrenia in the general population. While there is evidence of a continuum between schizophrenia and schizotypy at phenotypic, genetic and cognitive levels, no previous study has observed grey matter volume reductions associated with increased psychometric schizotypy levels in healthy individuals. Such evidence would provide further support for a relationship between non-clinical schizophrenia-like traits in the general population and the full-blown clinical condition of schizophrenia. Methods. We used magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the relationship between psychometric schizotypy and brain structure in 55 clinically unaffected and unmedicated volunteers. We performed a voxel-based morphometry analysis of grey matter volume data obtained at 1.5 Tesla. Results. Covarying for age and gender, higher scores of self-report positive schizotypy were significantly associated with reduced grey matter volume in medial prefrontal, orbitofrontal, and temporal cortical regions. Conclusions. These findings show that psychometric schizotypy in healthy individuals is associated with volume reductions in cortical areas known to be altered in schizophrenia, thereby providing neurobiological evidence of a continuum between schizotypy and schizophrenia.
Joining characteristics of various high temperature lead-free interconnection materials

The degradation mechanism of the interface between Agepoxy conductive adhesives (CAs) and Sn plating under a humid condition was examined. As the results of TEM analyses, two different types of oxide layers, SnO and SnO2 phases, were found to be formed at the interface. These Snoxides at the interface is the root cause of the interfacial degradation. A pendulum impact testing system was proposed as the standard method of the CAs joint evaluation. The potential of newly-designed Zn-Sn alloys as high temperature lead-free solders was also evaluated, with particular focus on the interface stability. Zn-Sn alloys can maintain interconnection between a Si die and a DBC substrates coated with Au/TiN thin layer until 2000 cycles of thermal cycling test (−40°C∼125°C). Zn-Sn possesses a great potential as lead-free high temperature solder alternatives.
Hysteric controller for CMOS on-chip switching power converters

The design and implementation of a CMOS analog integrated circuit that provides versatile sliding-mode control laws for high-frequency switching power converters is described. The controller circuit implements general-purpose linear-surface state control laws incorporating compensating dynamics. The analog controller integrated circuit considers current-mode circuit techniques, hence exhibiting good performance as far as operation speed, power consumption, suitability to poorly regulated power supplies and robustness in front of interferences are concerned. The circuit allows modular connection, being composed of externally linearized transconductors based on current conveyors, current-mode amplifiers and filtering stages, and a transimpedance high-speed hysteric comparator. The IC includes power MOSFETs and their drivers so that all active elements for implementing a switching power converter are included, only remaining as external components the power reactive elements. Layout details for a CMOS 0.35 /spl mu/m technology implementation are discussed. The circuit may be used either as a standalone IC controller or as a controller circuit that is technology-compatible with on-chip switching power converters and on-chip loads for future powered systems on chip.
2 Neuromodulation in Management of Overactive Bladder

Symptoms of urgency and frequency, with or without incontinence, are collectively referred to as overactive bladder (OAB), that is particularly bothersome and worsens quality of life (QOL) (Cardozo et al., 2005). Patients’ QOL is substantially impacted by OAB as social, psychological, occupational, domestic, physical, and sexual functioning are all affected (Abrams et al., 2000). Pharmacotherapy (anticholinergics) is the main treatment options in OAB. However, uncertainty still exists as to whether the effects of anticholinergics are worthwhile and which ones and which is the best route of administration. Neuromodulation is one of the non-drug alternatives of OAB managements like bladder training, pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), and a combination of bladder training with biofeedback (Bergmans et al., 2005). Neuromodulation involves the use of either implanted or external electrodes to stimulate reflex inhibition of pelvic efferents or activation of hypogastric efferents to down regulate detrusor muscle activity (Alhasso et al., 2006). But, neuromodulation has not been widely accepted as first-line therapy because of few physiological and evidence based data. Patients with OAB are commonly treated using anticholinergics despite many adverse events (mainly dry mouth and constipation) (Abrams et al., 2006), possible poor medication adherence, and insufficient treatment satisfaction.
Cdk8 Is Essential for Preimplantation Mouse Development

ABSTRACT The Cdk8 kinase and associated proteins form a nonessential transcriptional repressor module of the Mediator in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Genetic analyses of this module have demonstrated functions ranging from environmental responses in budding yeast to organogenesis and development in worms, flies, and zebrafish. Here we have investigated the function of mammalian Cdk8 using mice harboring a gene trap insertion at the Cdk8 locus inactivating this kinase. No phenotypes were noted in heterozygote Cdk8+/− mice, but intercrossing these did not produce homozygous Cdk8−/− offspring. Developmental analysis demonstrated a requirement for Cdk8 prior to implantation at embryonic days 2.5 to 3.0. Cdk8−/− preimplantation embryos had fragmented blastomeres and did not proceed to compaction. As Cdk8 deficiency in cultured metazoan cells did not affect cell viability, the results suggest that transcriptional repression of genes critical for early-cell-fate determination underlies the requirement of Cdk8 in embryogenesis.
Effects of superparamagnetic iron oxide on radio-frequency-induced temperature distribution: in vitro measurements in polyacrylamide phantoms and in vivo results in a rabbit liver model.

PURPOSE To determine whether contrast medium containing superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) alters radio-frequency (RF)-related temperature distribution in acrylamide phantoms and in an in vivo model. MATERIALS AND METHODS In nine acrylamide phantoms with increasing SPIO content, RF was applied with simultaneous measurement of temperature profile along the probe track. Additionally, magnetic resonance imaging-guided RF ablation was performed in the liver of six rabbits after the intravenous administration of SPIO (0.05 mL per kilogram of body weight) 40 minutes prior to ablation (SPIO group) and in another six rabbits without prior SPIO administration (control group). Coagulation diameter was evaluated on the basis of postprocedural imaging and subsequent gross pathologic findings. Statistical analysis was performed with the Student t test. RESULTS In the phantoms, progressive increases in iron content resulted in higher temperatures along the RF electrode track (P < .05). In the in vivo model, however, SPIO at physiologic concentrations did not significantly increase the diameter of coagulation on the basis of either postprocedural imaging or subsequent gross pathologic findings. Additionally, no significant differences were seen in other RF-related parameters including impedance, voltage, current, and grounding pad temperature. CONCLUSION Administration of SPIO in conjunction with RF ablation of focal liver lesions is feasible and safe, but no significant difference in the extent of induced coagulation can be expected.
The power of noisy fermionic quantum computation

We consider the realization of universal quantum computation through braiding of Majorana fermions supplemented by unprotected preparation of noisy ancillae. It has been shown by Bravyi (2006 Phys. Rev. A 73 042313) that under the assumption of perfect braiding operations, universal quantum computation is possible if the noise rate on a particular four-fermion ancilla is below 40%. We show that beyond a noise rate of 89% on this ancilla the quantum computation can be efficiently simulated classically: we explicitly show that the noisy ancilla is a convex mixture of Gaussian fermionic states in this region, while for noise rates below 53% we prove that the state is not a mixture of Gaussian states. These results are obtained by generalizing concepts in entanglement theory to the setting of Gaussian states and their convex mixtures. In particular, we develop a complete set of criteria, namely the existence of a Gaussian-symmetric extension, which determine whether a state is a convex mixture of Gaussian states.
Polymorphism of Xeroderma Pigmentosum group G and the risk of lung cancer and squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx, larynx and esophagus

We investigated the effects of XPG His1104Asp polymorphism (rs17655) on the risk of lung cancer and squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx, larynx and esophagus (SCCOLE). This population‐based case‐control study involves 611 new cases of lung cancer, 601 new cases of oropharyngeal, laryngeal and esophageal cancers, and 1,040 cancer‐free controls. The XPG polymorphism was assayed by PCR‐RFLP method for 497 lung cancer cases, 443 cases of oropharyngeal, laryngeal and esophageal cancers and 912 controls. Binary and polytomous unconditional logistic regression models were fitted to assess the main effects and the effect modifications between the polymorphism and environmental exposures. With the adjustment for potential confounders, the XPG Asp1104Asp genotype was inversely associated with lung cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 0.62, 95% confidence limits [CL] = 0.38, 1.0) and SCCOLE (OR = 0.47, 95% CL = 0.27, 0.82), with the combined His1104His and His1104Asp genotypes as the referent. With subjects having genotype Asp1104Asp and no tobacco smoking exposure as the common referent, the ORs on lung cancer were 13 (95% CL = 4.4, 37) for heavy tobacco smoking (>20 pack‐years), 1.9 (95% CL = 0.78, 4.5) for having at least one copy of 1104His, and 23 (95% CL = 9.5, 56) for the joint effect, respectively. Compared to non‐smokers with the Asp1104Asp genotype, the adjusted OR on SCCOLE for heavy smokers (>20 pack‐years) having at least one copy of 1104His was 8.0 (95% CL = 2.7, 24). Similarly, compared to non‐drinkers with the Asp1104Asp genotype, the adjusted OR on SCCOLE for heavy drinkers (≥3 drinks/day) with at least one copy of 1104His was 10 (95% CL = 2.7, 38). In conclusion, our study suggests that the XPG Asp1104Asp genotype may be associated with decreased susceptibility to lung cancer and SCCOLE. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
False Financial Statements: Characteristics of China's Listed Companies and CART Detecting Approach

False Financial Statements (FFS) have long been a serious problem in China and other Asian countries, which significantly dampen the confidence of the investors. Regardless of listed companies or non-listed companies, the percentage of financial statements that contained false information is quite high, which is one of the major reasons why China stock markets moved in the opposite direction towards its wonderful economic growth over the past few years. The objective of this research is to introduce one statistical technique — Classification and Regression Tree (CART), to identify and predict the impacts of FFS. We survey financial statements manipulation tricks, FFS indicators and FFS detection techniques from both China and international perspective, and further look into ten listed companies with known FFS history in China; combining these findings, we propose key indicators to work with CART.Our analysis includes 24 false financial reports, and 124 non-false financial reports. We use CART to develop two FFS detecting models: CART without industry benchmark and CART with industry benchmark. For supporting comparison, we also build a Logit regression which is a commonly used technique in FFS detecting. We find that CART is effective in distinguishing FFS from non-FFS. Both CART models achieve better accuracy in identifying fraud cases and making predictions than Logit regression does, and CART with industry benchmark is slightly better than CART without benchmark, but it does not always have superior performance. Our CART model also tries to capture the indicators and their combinations that could reflect firms with high possibility of FFS in China.
Permuting the PGF Signature Motif Blocks both Archaeosortase-Dependent C-Terminal Cleavage and Prenyl Lipid Attachment for the Haloferax volcanii S-Layer Glycoprotein

ABSTRACT For years, the S-layer glycoprotein (SLG), the sole component of many archaeal cell walls, was thought to be anchored to the cell surface by a C-terminal transmembrane segment. Recently, however, we demonstrated that the Haloferax volcanii SLG C terminus is removed by an archaeosortase (ArtA), a novel peptidase. SLG, which was previously shown to be lipid modified, contains a C-terminal tripartite structure, including a highly conserved proline-glycine-phenylalanine (PGF) motif. Here, we demonstrate that ArtA does not process an SLG variant where the PGF motif is replaced with a PFG motif (slgG796F,F797G). Furthermore, using radiolabeling, we show that SLG lipid modification requires the PGF motif and is ArtA dependent, lending confirmation to the use of a novel C-terminal lipid-mediated protein-anchoring mechanism by prokaryotes. Similar to the case for the ΔartA strain, the growth, cellular morphology, and cell wall of the slgG796F,F797G strain, in which modifications of additional H. volcanii ArtA substrates should not be altered, are adversely affected, demonstrating the importance of these posttranslational SLG modifications. Our data suggest that ArtA is either directly or indirectly involved in a novel proteolysis-coupled, covalent lipid-mediated anchoring mechanism. Given that archaeosortase homologs are encoded by a broad range of prokaryotes, it is likely that this anchoring mechanism is widely conserved. IMPORTANCE Prokaryotic proteins bound to cell surfaces through intercalation, covalent attachment, or protein-protein interactions play critical roles in essential cellular processes. Unfortunately, the molecular mechanisms that anchor proteins to archaeal cell surfaces remain poorly characterized. Here, using the archaeon H. volcanii as a model system, we report the first in vivo studies of a novel protein-anchoring pathway involving lipid modification of a peptidase-processed C terminus. Our findings not only yield important insights into poorly understood aspects of archaeal biology but also have important implications for key bacterial species, including those of the human microbiome. Additionally, insights may facilitate industrial applications, given that photosynthetic cyanobacteria encode uncharacterized homologs of this evolutionarily conserved enzyme, or may spur development of unique drug delivery systems.
Antihypertensive, vasodilator and antioxidant effects of a vinifera grape skin extract

Cumulative evidence suggests that moderate wine consumption exerts a cardioprotective effect. We investigated the occurrence of an antihypertensive effect of an alcohol‐free hydroalcoholic grape skin extract (GSE) obtained from skins of a vinifera grape (Vitis labrusca) in experimental rodent hypertension models. The vasodilator effect of GSE (polyphenols concentration 55.5 mg g−1) was also assessed in the isolated mesenteric vascular bed of Wistar rats and the antioxidant effect was studied on lipid peroxidation of hepatic microsomes. Oral administration of GSE significantly reduced systolic, mean and diastolic arterial pressure in Wistar rats with desoxycorticosterone acetate‐salt and NG‐ nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) induced experimental hypertension. In the rat isolated mesenteric vascular bed pre‐contracted with norepinephrine, bolus injections of GSE induced endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation that was substantially inhibited by L‐NAME, but not by indometacin, tetraethylammonium or glibenclamide. Lipid peroxidation of hepatic microsomes estimated as malondialdehyde production was concentration‐dependently inhibited by GSE. In conclusion, the antihypertensive effect of GSE might be owing to a combination of vasodilator and antioxidant actions of GSE. These findings also suggest that the beneficial effect of moderate red wine consumption could be owing to an antihypertensive action induced by compounds occurring in the skin of vinifera grapes.
The Perceptions of a Farming Community in the Limpopo Province on HIV/AIDS

The HIV/AIDS pandemic has evoked a wide range of reactions from individuals, communities, and even nations. These reactions range from sympathy and caring to silence, denial, fear and anger. Little is known about the farming community’s views in Africa, and South Africa in particular. It is therefore crucial to understand these views in order to mitigate the spread of HIV/AIDS. An explorative and descriptive research design was applied. Purposive and convenience sampling was used to select participants with whom one-on-one semi- structured interviews were conducted between October and November 2012 in the Levubu farming community in the Limpopo Province. Data was collected until data saturation was reached and no new information was obtained. Data saturation was reached after interviewing fifteen participants and the author interviewed five more participants after data saturation. Tesch’s data analysis method was used. Four categories were identified during data analysis: emotions linked to HIV/AIDS, individual characteristics and experiences, behavior-specific cognition and affect and healthcare needs. Training on HIV/AIDS is crucial, as the study revealed that despite the ongoing HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns in South Africa, some segments of the population are not getting the message, specifically the farming community.
PCR-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and sequencing as an alternative to serology for M-antigen typing of Streptococcus pyogenes

A rapid PCR-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for identification of 10 important emm gene types of Streptococcus pyogenes was developed. The emm genotypes of a coded panel of strains of known M serotype were determined, and in 144 of 149 cases (97%) the results were congruous. Strains of types that were not included in the panel of capture probes were emm genotyped by sequencing.
The abdominal circumference to weight ratio increases with decreasing body weight in preterm infants

Abdominal distension is one of the major clinical indications to withhold feedings in preterm infants. The abdominal circumference (AC) was measured in 42 premature infants on full enteral nutrition in order to establish reference values. AC decreased linearly (r2= 0.83) with decreasing weight. However, the AC to weight ratio increased substantially (hyperbolically) with decreasing weight.
Range migration compensation for chirp-sequence based radar

To improve the range and Doppler resolution the bandwidth and the observation time need to be increased. This leads to a range migration effect and thus to a declining separability of targets. This paper compares three different modulation formats to cope with the range migration. The standard chirp-sequence modulation, the bandwidth variation modulation known from literature, and the proposed chirp duration variation are analysed. A simulation is used to validate the modulation format.
QuEChERS Extraction for High Performance Liquid Chromatographic Determination of pyrazosulfuron-ethyl in Soils

Summary: This paper described a simplified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) approach for determination of pyrazosulfuron-ethyl (PE) from soil samples by high performance liquid chromatography/ultraviolet (HPLC/UV) detector. Optimized results were obtained dispersing soil in water, followed by the addition of 1% acetic acid (HOAc) in acetonitrile (MeCN), anhydrous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) and sodium acetate tri-hydrate (NaOAc·3H2O), which was a modification of QuEChERS method without primary and secondary amine (PSA) and C18 sorbent. The results showed the recovery ranged from 70.8% to 99.0% and 83.5% to 86.4% with the relative standard deviations of 2.1% to 7.9% and 7.0% to 10.0% in Changsha and Nanning soil samples, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) of the method was 0.05 mg/Kg. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.1 mg/Kg.