Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Drug-induced changes in P450 enzyme expression at the gene expression level: A new dimension to the analysis of drug–drug interactions

Drug–drug interactions (DDIs) caused by direct chemical inhibition of key drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450 enzymes by a co-administered drug have been well documented and well understood. However, many other well-documented DDIs cannot be so readily explained. Recent investigations into drug and other xenobiotic-mediated expression changes of P450 genes have broadened our understanding of drug metabolism and DDI. In order to gain additional information on DDI, we have integrated existing information on drugs that are substrates, inhibitors, or inducers of important drug-metabolizing P450s with new data on drug-mediated expression changes of the same set of cytochrome P450s from a large-scale microarray gene expression database of drug-treated rat tissues. Existing information on substrates and inhibitors has been updated and reorganized into drug–cytochrome P450 matrices in order to facilitate comparative analysis of new information on inducers and suppressors. When examined at the gene expression level, a total of 119 currently marketed drugs from 265 examined were found to be cytochrome P450 inducers, and 83 were found to be suppressors. The value of this new information is illustrated with a more detailed examination of the DDI between PPARα agonists and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. This paper proposes that the well-documented, but poorly understood, increase in incidence of rhabdomyolysis when a PPARα agonist is co-administered with a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor is at least in part the result of PPARα-induced general suppression of drug metabolism enzymes in liver. The authors believe this type of information will provide insights to other poorly understood DDI questions and stimulate further laboratory and clinical investigations on xenobiotic-mediated induction and suppression of drug metabolism.
From sensors to sense: Integrated heterogeneous ontologies for Natural Language Generation

We propose the combination of a robotics ontology (KnowRob) with a linguistically motivated one (GUM) under the upper ontology DUL. We use the DUL Event, Situation, Description pattern to formalize reasoning techniques to convert between a robot’s beliefstate and its linguistic utterances. We plan to employ these techniques to equip robots with a reason-aloud ability, through which they can explain their actions as they perform them, in natural language, at a level of granularity appropriate to the user, their query and the context at hand.
In vitro Approaches to Support Bioequivalence and Substitutability of Generic Proton Pump Inhibitors via Nasogastric Tube Administration

Administration of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) through nasogastric tubes may present risks. If the PPI drug products are not prepared properly, clogging or obstruction of nasogastric tubes can pose a safety concern. In addition, the integrity of the enteric coating of the drug product may be damaged resulting in reduced bioavailability of the active moiety. From the perspective of administration of generic PPIs when compared to the reference drug product, differences in formulation can potentially result in a greater relative risk for the generic drug product. As part of the assessment of bioequivalence, the Office of Generic Drugs (OGD) has developed a suite of in vitro testing to compare the delivery of the generic and reference products via nasogastric tubes. These in vitro tests assess essential attributes associated with the likelihood of clogging and maintenance of the enteric coating. These in vitro tests include studies evaluating sedimentation, granule size distribution, drug recovery, and acid resistance. One of the challenges is that while the administration of PPIs through nasogastric tubes is common in clinical practice, this issue is not uniformly addressed in the FDA approved label of the reference drug products. This paper discusses the design and rationale for in vitro testing of PPI formulations with respect to bioequivalence via nasogastric tube administration and in addition, it summarizes commonly occurring deficiencies in the in vitro nasogastric tube testing of 14 recent Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDA) submitted for five generic PPI drug products.
Model Conditions for Asymptotic Robustness in the Analysis of Linear Relations

Standard methods for analyzing linear-latent variable models rely on the assumption that the observed variables are normally distributed. Normality allows statistical inferences to be carried out based solely on the first-and second-order moments. In general, inferences for nonnormally distributed data require the estimates of matrices of third-and fourth-order moments. In the present paper, we show that inferences based on normal theory retain validity and asymptotic efficiency under general assumptions that allow for considerable departure from normality. In particular, we obtain conditions under which correct asymptotic inferences are attained when replacing a matrix of higher order moments by a matrix that depends only on cross-product moments of the data.
Serum Hepcidin and Iron Indices Affect Anemia Status Differently According to the Kidney Function of Non-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: Korean Cohort Study For Outcome in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (KNOW-CKD)

Background/Aims: No studies have examined the association among serum hepcidin, iron indices, or anemia status based on the kidney function of non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Methods: We reviewed data of 2238 patients from a large-scale multicenter prospective Korean study (2011–2016) and excluded 198 patients with missing data regarding serum hepcidin, hemoglobin, transferrin saturation (TSAT), ferritin, and usage of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) or supplemental iron and 363 patients using ESA or supplemental iron. Finally, 1677 patients were included. Results: The mean patient age was 53.5 years, and 65.4% were men. TSAT and serum hepcidin were significantly associated with anemia status, whereas serum ferritin was not, regardless of anemia severity. For patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥45 mL/min/1.73 m2, a 10% increase of TSAT was associated with hemoglobin <13 g/dL (odds ratio [OR], 0.628; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.515-0.765; P<0.001) and hemoglobin <11.5 g/dL (OR, 0.672; 95% CI, 0.476-0.950; P=0.024), whereas a 10-ng/mL increase of serum hepcidin was associated with hemoglobin <11.5 g/dL (OR, 1.379; 95% CI, 1.173-1.620; P<0.001) and hemoglobin <10.0 g/dL (OR, 1.360; 95% CI, 1.115-1.659; P=0.002) for patients with eGFR <45 mL/min/1.73 m2 according to multivariate logistic analysis. Conclusions: TSAT was associated with less severe anemia in early CKD patients. Serum hepcidin was associated with more severe anemia in advanced CKD patients.
Topical tacrolimus and the 308-nm excimer laser: a synergistic combination for the treatment of vitiligo.

OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy of combined tacrolimus and 308-nm excimer laser therapy vs 308-nm excimer laser monotherapy in treating vitiligo. DESIGN Comparative, prospective, randomized, intraindividual study. PATIENTS Fourteen patients, aged 12 to 63 years, with Fitzpatrick skin types II to IV. INTERVENTION For each patient, 4 to 10 target lesions were chosen. The treatment applied to each target lesion was randomized by drawing lots. Each lesion was treated twice a week by the 308-nm excimer laser, for a total of 24 sessions. Initial fluences were 12 mcal/cm(2) (50 mJ/cm(2)) less than the minimal erythemal dose in vitiliginous skin. Then, fluences were increased by 12 mcal/cm(2) every second session. Moreover, topical 0.1% tacrolimus ointment was applied twice daily on target lesions receiving the combined tacrolimus and excimer laser treatment (group A). Group B target lesions received only excimer laser monotherapy. For each treated lesion, the untreated lesion on the opposite side served as the control. Tolerance was evaluated by a visual analog scale, and secondary events were recorded at each session. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Treatment efficacy, which was blindly evaluated by 2 independent physicians by direct and polarized light photographs taken before and after treatment. RESULTS Forty-three lesions were treated (23 in group A and 20 in group B). All patients completed the study. Repigmentation was observed in all group A lesions (100%) and in 17 (85%) of the 20 group B lesions. Repigmentation was not observed in the untreated lesions (control group). A repigmentation rate of 75% or more was obtained in 16 (70%) of the 23 group A lesions and in 4 (20%) of the 20 group B lesions. In UV-sensitive areas (the face, neck, trunk, and limbs, with the exception of bony prominences and extremities), 10 (77%) of 13 group A lesions had a repigmentation rate of 75% or more vs 4 (57%) of 7 group B lesions. In classically UV-resistant areas, 6 (60%) of 10 group A lesions had a repigmentation rate of 75% or more vs 0 of the 13 group B lesions. The mean number of sessions necessary for an improvement of repigmentation was 10 in group A and 12 in group B. Adverse effects have been limited, and tolerance was excellent. CONCLUSIONS The combination treatment of 0.1% tacrolimus ointment plus the 308-nm excimer laser is superior to 308-nm excimer laser monotherapy for the treatment of UV-resistant vitiliginous lesions (P<.002). The efficacy and the good tolerance of the 308-nm excimer laser in monotherapy for treating localized vitiligo were also confirmed, but this treatment regimen should be proposed only for UV-sensitive areas.
Novel extraction approach for liquid samples: stir cake sorptive extraction using monolith.

In this study, a new extraction approach for liquid samples--stir cake sorptive extraction using monoliths as extractive medium was developed. The preparation procedure of stir cake is very simple. First, monolithic cake is synthesized according to the in situ polymerization of monolith; then, the cake is inserted in an original unit (holder), which is constructed from a syringe cartridge and allows the magnetic stirring of the cake during the extraction process. The effects of dimension of monolithic cake and unit design on the extraction performance were optimized in detail. To demonstrate the usability of this new extraction approach, poly(vinylimidazole-divinylbenzene) was prepared and acted as the extractive cake. The analysis of steroid hormones in milk samples by the combination of stir cake with high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection, was selected as a paradigm for the practical evaluation of stir cake sorptive extraction. Under the optimized extraction conditions, low detection limits (S/N=3) and quantification limits (S/N=10) of the proposed method for the target analytes were achieved within the range between 0.33-0.69 and 1.08-2.28 μg/L, respectively. The method also showed good linearity, repeatability, high feasibility and acceptable recoveries. Because the monolithic cake does not contact with the vessel wall during stirring, there is no friction loss of extractive medium and the stir cake can be used for more than 1000 h.
PARTICULAR PEDAGOGICAL TOOLS FOR TEACHING A PRACTICAL COURSE THAT INVOLVES UNPREDICTABLE HEALTH RISK

The metabolic processes of various microorganisms in an activated suspension cannot be easily explained. Specific pedagogical tools must be used in case of practical courses that include some health risk. As an example, the study presents an experiment in order to explain basic concepts in microbiology science and their application in environmental engineering focusing on unpredictable health risks. Passport interfaces from Turbidity Sensor, Pasco Scientific, allow students to visualize and remark all experimental steps. In this case, all particular observations can be performed after the microorganisms become activated. The study also reviews instructional frameworks for integrating tools which are essential for teaching a practical course that presents several unpredictable health risks. Supporting pedagogical materials that resulted from our study case are also detailed in order to respect the particularities of this educational context. Therefore, the pedagogical approach set up becomes an innovative model for teaching practice that involves the health risk. Also, these will be correlated with modelling and simulation of microbiological processes.
Controlling Listeria monocytogenes in Cottage cheese through heterologous production of enterocin A by Lactococcus lactis

Aims: Enterocin A is an example of a class IIa bacteriocin with potent anti‐listerial activity. This study was initiated with a view to harnessing this activity, through heterologous production by a lactococcal starter strain, to limit levels of Listeria monocytogenes in a food (Cottage cheese).
VISUAL INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT PROTOTYPE ( VIEP ) TASC

This paper presents a survey of the Visual Information Environment Prototype (VIEP), a system which demonstrates the next generation of Command, Control, Communication, and Intelligence (C3I) systems. In particular, VIEP provides a novel integration of user interaction techniques including wireless input and largescreen output to facilitate the task of collaborating with media such as large images, audio, and video. The prototype has been implemented and demonstrated over both local and wide area networks.
A comparative in silico analysis on frequency and distribution of microsatellites in coding regions of three formae speciales of Fusarium oxysporum and development of EST-SSR markers for polymorphism studies.

Fusarium oxysporum is a ubiquitous species complex of soil-borne plant pathogens comprising of many different formae speciales, each characterized by a high degree of host specificity. In the present investigation, we surveyed microsatellites in the available express sequence tags and transcript sequences of three formae speciales of F. oxysporum viz. melonis (Fom), cucumerium (Foc), and lycopersici (Fol). The relative abundance and density of microsatellites were higher in Fom when compared with Foc and Fol. Thirty microsatellite primers were designed, ten from each forma specialis, for genetic characterization of F. oxysporum isolates belonging to five formae speciales. Of the 30 primers, only 14 showed amplification. A total of 28 alleles were amplified by 14 primers with an average of two alleles per marker. Eight markers showed 100% polymorphism. The markers were found to be more polymorphic (47%) in Fol as compared to Fom and Foc; however, polymorphic information content was the maximum (0.899) in FocSSR-3. Nine polymorphic markers obtained in this study clearly demonstrate the utility of newly developed markers in establishing genetic relationships among different isolates of F. oxysporum.
Quality of experience (QoE) and quality of service (QoS) in UAV systems

“Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) are integrations of computation and physical processes [11]. Embedded computers and networks monitor and control the physical processes, usually with feedback loops where physical processes affect computations and vice versa. For operation, they require data. An Unnamed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is an autonomous system which operates automatically without a human pilot; flight operates various degree of autonomy is controlled via computers [1] and can acquire unique data about physical process, thus allowing for real-time monitoring, management, control and actuation tasks in a CPS to be achieved. A UAV system also is known as a drone plane, which is commonly used for monitoring prohibited actives and target militants without risking the life of security forces. UAV was initially designed and developed for the military purpose and mostly used in remote sensing. Nowadays, UAV are used in much broader applications such as in agricultural, recreational, scientific, commercial as well as in applications such as policing, peacekeeping and surveillance, product deliveries, aerial photography, smuggling and drone racing [2, 3]. UAV collects data such as image capturing, video recording, measure temperature, humidity, crop identification, forest and water management in remote areas, mountains and agriculture fields [4]. UAV provide better monitoring and image data capturing with high resolution compared to satellite remote sensing.
Statistical methods for analysing discrete and categorical data recorded in performance analysis

In this paper, we identify appropriate statistical methods for analysing categorical differences in discrete variables or 'performance indicators' resulting from performance analysis. The random mechanisms associated with discrete events do not follow a normal distribution; that is, the normal distribution is a continuous not a discrete probability distribution. We propose appropriate statistical methods based on two key discrete probability distributions, the Poisson and binomial distributions. Two approaches are proposed and compared using examples from notational analysis. The first approach is based on the classic chi-square test of significance (both the goodness-of-fit test and the test of independence). The second approach adopts a more contemporary method based on log-linear and logit models fitted using the statistical software GLIM. Provided relatively simple one-way and two-way comparisons in categorical data are required, both of these approaches result in very similar conclusions. However, as soon as more complex models or higher-order comparisons are required, the approach based on log-linear and logit models is shown to be more effective. Indeed, when investigating those factors and categorical differences associated with binomial or binary response variables, such as the proportion of winners when attempting decisive shots in squash or the proportion of goals scored from all shots in association football, logit models become the only realistic method available. By applying log-linear and logit models to discrete events resulting from notational analysis, greater insight into the underlying mechanisms associated with sport performance can be achieved.
Investment Tax Credit as Instrument to Stimulate Investment-Innovative Activity of Housing and Public Utilities

Nowadays the condition and problems of the Housing and Public Utilities (HPU) raise concerns among scientists and experts as the number of accidents and failures in the work of the service systems is increasing. More and more financial resources are needed for the development of this industry; that is why, according to the authors, it is necessary to improve the management system and to apply the modern investment tools. The aim of this work is to examine the possibility of the application of the modern tools to stimulate the investment-innovative activity in the HPU sector and to prove its efficiency. The authors developed the model of the investment and innovation tool of management in the HPU sector based on the investment tax credit (ITC) which contributes to the development of organizational-economic relations in the HPU sector. In the article, the key parameters of granting the investment tax credit for the development of the investmentinnovative activity in the HPU sector are considered in detail. The evaluation scheme of granting investment tax credit for the implementation of the innovative activity in the HPU sector is given, and it allows defining the parameters of the tax discrimination, taking into consideration possible threats of arising signs of insolvency (bankruptcy) of organizations in the HPU sector. Also, the technique of investment tax credit cost and payment deferral calculation is given. This technique allows calculating the necessary sum of payments considering accrued interests both for each accounting period and for the whole period of lending. After the conducted research, the authors concluded that a postponement of the use of tax obligations in the form of deferral helps to restore the financial situation of the HPU and creates the conditions for ITC registration to the sum of implemented innovations. So, the ITC is targeted and contributes to the transformation of innovative processes which enable us to reach the modern level of socio-economic development and to achieve maximum efficiency in the HPU sector.
A prospective study of plasma adiponectin and pancreatic cancer risk in five US cohorts.

BACKGROUND The adipocyte-secreted hormone adiponectin has insulin-sensitizing and anti-inflammatory properties. Although development of pancreatic cancer is associated with states of insulin resistance and chronic inflammation, the mechanistic basis of the associations is poorly understood. METHODS To determine whether prediagnostic plasma levels of adiponectin are associated with risk of pancreatic cancer, we conducted a nested case-control study of 468 pancreatic cancer case subjects and 1080 matched control subjects from five prospective US cohorts: Health Professionals Follow-up Study, Nurses' Health Study, Physicians' Health Study, Women's Health Initiative, and Women's Health Study. Control subjects were matched to case subjects by prospective cohort, year of birth, smoking status, fasting status, and month of blood draw. All samples for plasma adiponectin were handled identically in a single batch. Odds ratios were calculated with conditional logistic regression, and linearity of the association between adiponectin and pancreatic cancer was modeled with restricted cubic spline regression. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS Median plasma adiponectin was lower in case subjects versus control subjects (6.2 vs 6.8 µg/mL, P = .009). Plasma adiponectin was inversely associated with pancreatic cancer risk, which was consistent across the five prospective cohorts (P (heterogeneity) = . 49) and independent of other markers of insulin resistance (eg, diabetes, body mass index, physical activity, plasma C-peptide). Compared with the lowest quintile of adiponectin, individuals in quintiles 2 to 5 had multivariable odds ratios ([ORs] 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of OR = 0.61 (95% CI = 0.43 to 0.86), OR = 0.58 (95% CI = 0.41 to 0.84), OR = 0.59 (95% CI = 0.40 to 0.87), and OR = 0.66 (95% CI = 0.44 to 0.97), respectively (P (trend) = . 04). Restricted cubic spline regression confirmed a nonlinear association (P (nonlinearity) < . 01). The association was not modified by sex, smoking, body mass index, physical activity, or C-peptide (all P (interaction) > . 10). CONCLUSIONS In this pooled analysis, low prediagnostic levels of circulating adiponectin were associated with an elevated risk of pancreatic cancer.
Exercise and diet interventions improve perceptions of self in middle‐aged adults

The effect of a 1‐year exercise and diet intervention program on global self‐concept, perceptions of the body, physical competence, exercise mastery, social competence, social comfort, and fitness was examined with 208 healthy individuals (191 males, 17 females) aged 39–49 years (mean age 44.9) with elevated risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The relative utility of the skill development versus the self‐enhancement model of the self‐concept/behaviour relationship was tested. The participants were randomized into four groups: diet (n=53), diet and exercise (n=64), exercise (n=48) and no active intervention (n=43). Measurements were made by the Harter adult self perception profile (HASPP) and the self‐perception in exercise questionnaire (SPEQ). Two‐way ANOVA analyses revealed that exercise participation, with or without diet, enhanced self‐perceptions of physical mastery and ability, body perception, fitness and social comfort. The unique contribution of diet indicated enhanced body perception. No effect was found of diet or exercise on global self‐concept. Exercise participation had a positive effect on perceptions of the self, and the higher the compliance with the exercise program, the stronger were the effects on the self‐perceptions. This supported the skill development model of the self‐concept/behaviour relationship. As the pretest self‐concept scores did not predict exercise compliance, the self‐enhancement model of the self‐concept/behaviour relationship was not supported.