Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of SLS: APG Mixed Surfactant Systems as Carrier for Solid Dispersion

The present investigation aims at studying the effect of mixed surfactant system of sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and alkyl polyglucosides (C10APG, C12APG and C12/14APG) on dissolution rate enhancement of poorly water soluble drug. Aceclofenac—a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent was used as a model drug as it has limited water solubility. The influence of the surfactant concentration in various blends on dissolution rate of Solid Dispersion (SD), prepared using solution method with ethanol as the solvent was studied and the advantage of mixed surfactant systems over the individual surfactants was illustrated by differences in the in-vitro dissolution profiles of SD. Physico chemical evaluation (critical micellar concentration, zeta potential and β-parameter calculations) was carried out to study the mixed surfactant systems. Solid mixtures were characterized by Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR); X-ray diffraction studies (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was seen that the dissolution rate of aceclofenac from SD increased with the increase in the APG proportion relative to SLS with the optimum ratio of 0.2 SLS:0.8 APG showing the best effect in all cases. Results obtained from physico-chemical evaluation (the decrease in the value of critical micelle concentration and higher negative value of β-parameters) suggested the existence of synergism between surfactants blends. The observed results in the dissolution rate enhancement could be attributed to the drug—surfactant interactions as evident from FT-IR, SEM and XRD results.
Blue noise sampling method based on mixture distance

Abstract. Blue noise sampling is a core component for a large number of computer graphic applications such as imaging, modeling, animation, and rendering. However, most existing methods are concentrated on preserving spatial domain properties like density and anisotropy, while ignoring feature preserving. In order to solve the problem, we present a new distance metric called mixture distance for blue noise sampling, which is a combination of geodesic and feature distances. Based on mixture distance, the blue noise property and features can be preserved by controlling the ratio of the geodesic distance to the feature distance. With the intention of meeting different requirements from various applications, an adaptive adjustment for parameters is also proposed to achieve a balance between the preservation of features and spatial properties. Finally, implementation on a graphic processing unit is introduced to improve the efficiency of computation. The efficacy of the method is demonstrated by the results of image stippling, surface sampling, and remeshing.
Diagnostic criteria and classification of clinical subtypes of adult T‐cell leukaemia‐lymphoma

The following diagnostic criteria are proposed to classify four clinical subtypes of HTLV‐1 associated adult T‐cell leukaemia‐lymphoma (ATL): (1) Smouldering type, 5% or more abnormal lymphocytes of T‐cell nature in PB, normal lymphocyte level (< 4 × 109/1), no hypercalcaemia (corrected calcium level < 2·74 mmol/1), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) value of up to 1·5 × the normal upper limit, no lymphadenopathy, no involvement of liver, spleen, central nervous system (CNS), bone and gastrointestinal tract, and neither ascites nor pleural effusion. Skin and pulmonary lesion(s) may be present. In case of less than 5% abnormal T‐lymphocytes in PB, at least one of histologically‐proven skin and pulmonary lesions should be present. (2) Chronic type, absolute lymphocytosis (4 × 109/1 or more) with T‐lymphocytosis more than 3·5 × 109/1. LDH value up to twice the normal upper limit, no hypercalcaemia, no involvement of CNS, bone and gastrointestinal tract, and neither ascites nor pleural effusion. Lymphadenopathy and involvement of liver, spleen, skin, and lung may be present, and 5% or more abnormal T‐lymphocytes are seen in PB in most cases. (3) Lymphoma type, no lymphocytosis, 1% or less abnormal T‐lymphocytes, and histologically‐proven lymphadenopathy with or without extranodal lesions. (4) Acute type, remaining ATL patients who have usually leukaemic manifestation and tumour lesions, but are not classified as any of the three other types. A total of 818 ATL patients with a mean age of 57 years, newly diagnosed from 1983 to 1987, were analysed by this criteria. There were 448 males and 370 females, and 253 were still alive with a median follow‐up time of 13·3 months from diagnosis, while 565 were dead with a median survival time (MST) of 5·4 months. MST was 6·2 months for acute type, 10·2 months for lymphoma type, 24·3 months for chronic type, and not yet reached for smouldering type. Projected 2‐ and 4‐year survival rates were 16·7% and 5·0% for acute type, 21·3% and 5·7% for lymphoma type, 52·4% and 26 × 9% for chronic type, 77·7% and 62·8% for smouldering type, respectively. Distinct clinical features and laboratory findings of each clinical subtype are described.
Prognostic significance of capsular invasion and capsular penetration in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy

One hundred thirty patients with an observed follow‐up of more than 10 years after radical prostatectomy were restaged with regard to local extent of the tumor in relation to the prostate capsule. Of 112 patients with surgically staged negative pelvic lymph nodes, 62 had a tumor‐free prostate capsule, 24 had capsular invasion without penetration, and 26 had tumors extending through the capsule of the prostate.
Superoxide generation in v‐Ha‐ras–transduced human keratinocyte HaCaT cells

The oncogenic ras protein controls signal‐transduction pathways that are critical for cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Here, we demonstrate that v‐Ha‐ras–transduced human keratinocyte HaCaT cells produced significantly larger amounts of superoxide than did control cell lines. The superoxide generation was mediated by the transduced ras protein, because superoxide generation was modified by an inhibitor, lovastatin, that inhibits ras farnesylation during ras protein maturation. Superoxide generation was also inhibited by diphenylene iodonium, an inhibitor of flavoproteins, including NADPH oxidase, but not by rotenone, an inhibitor of the respiratory chain of the mitochondria. Those observations suggested that a phagocytic‐like NADPH oxidase exists in keratinocytes that could be activated by the dominant activated v‐Ha‐ras and produce superoxide. Overexpression of manganese‐containing superoxide dismutase and copper and zinc–containing superoxide dismutase cDNA via adenovirus infection also attenuated superoxide generation. Previous work has demonstrated that extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD) can lower superoxide generation; this is the first report that intracellular SOD could also modify the amount of superoxide production from the cells. This report implies that superoxide radical may act as a second messenger molecule of oncogenic ras. Mol. Carcinog. 26:180–188, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular control of lymphangiogenesis

The lymphatic vasculature plays a critical role in the regulation of body fluid volume and immune function. Extensive research into the molecular mechanisms that control blood vessel growth has led to identification of molecules that also regulate development and growth of the lymphatic vessels. This is generating a great deal of interest in the molecular control of the lymphatics in the context of embryogenesis, lymphatic disorders and tumor metastasis. Studies in animal models carried out over the past three years have shown that the soluble protein growth factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐C and VEGF‐D, and their cognate receptor tyrosine kinase, VEGF receptor‐3 (VEGFR‐3), are critical regulators of lymphangiogenesis. Furthermore, disfunction of VEGFR‐3 has recently been shown to cause lymphedema. The capacity to induce lymphangiogenesis by manipulation of the VEGF‐C/VEGF‐D/VEGFR‐3 signaling pathway offers new opportunities to understand the function of the lymphatic system and to develop novel treatments for lymphatic disorders. BioEssays 24:1030–1040, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Periodicals, Inc.
Comparative study of convolution, superposition, and fast superposition algorithms in conventional radiotherapy, three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, and intensity modulated radiotherapy techniques for various sites, done on CMS XIO planning system

The aim of this study is to compare the dosimetry results that are obtained by using Convolution, Superposition and Fast Superposition algorithms in Conventional Radiotherapy, Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy (3D-CRT), and Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) for different sites, and to study the suitability of algorithms with respect to site and technique. For each of the Conventional, 3D-CRT, and IMRT techniques, four different sites, namely, Lung, Esophagus, Prostate, and Hypopharynx were analyzed. Treatment plans were created using 6MV Photon beam quality using the CMS XiO (Computerized Medical System, St.Louis, MO) treatment planning system. The maximum percentage of variation recorded between algorithms was 3.7% in case of Ca.Lung, for the IMRT Technique. Statistical analysis was performed by comparing the mean relative difference, Conformity Index, and Homogeneity Index for target structures. The fast superposition algorithm showed excellent results for lung and esophagus cases for all techniques. For the prostate, the superposition algorithm showed better results in all techniques. In the conventional case of the hypopharynx, the convolution algorithm was good. In case of Ca. Lung, Ca Prostate, Ca Esophagus, and Ca Hypopharynx, OARs got more doses with the superposition algorithm; this progressively decreased for fast superposition and convolution algorithms, respectively. According to this study the dosimetric results using different algorithms led to significant variation and therefore care had to be taken while evaluating treatment plans. The choice of a dose calculation algorithm may in certain cases even influence clinical results.
Experimental ruminant models for bovine neosporosis: what is known and what is needed

SUMMARY At present, bovine neosporosis is an important worldwide concern because of its wide geographic distribution and economic impact. Abortion is the main clinical sign of bovine neosporosis in both dairy and beef cattle. Ruminant challenge models are critical to evaluate potential vaccine candidates to help tackle bovine neosporosis and to study pathogenesis and host responses to infection. Several research groups have developed ruminant models of Neospora caninum infection independently of others, resulting in a high degree of variability due to the use of different species of animals, breeds, strains/isolates of N. caninum, doses, routes and times of inoculation. Standardization is greatly needed to advance research in a more collaborative, timely and efficient manner. In the absence of widely accepted international guidelines, this manuscript serves to summarize and discuss the different models and parameters currently in use. Parameters essential for the development of non-pregnant and pregnant ruminant models are outlined and the main knowledge gaps are identified. This information could act as the basis to develop a consensus for international standard guidelines for ruminant models of neosporosis that would be helpful for researchers in this field worldwide.
Ownership structure and access to finance in developing countries

ABSTRACT Microsurvey data are used to explore the impact of ownership structure and other firm-specific characteristics on firms’ access to finance in 136 developing countries. The analysis uses a consistent and large data set from the World Bank’s Enterprise Surveys (ESs). The results show that ownership structure is a significant predictor of firms’ access to finance but with qualifications. Specifically, private and foreign ownership are more robust predictors of firms financing constraints in developing countries, whilst government ownership and large owners appear significant in accordance with the controlling conditions and mostly in low-income countries. The predictive power and direction of firms’ ownership structure is mitigated by both the specific characteristics of firms and the manner in which country-level factors affect the level of economic and financial activity in a country as well as the individual and social behaviour towards financial contracting.
Adaptive Interference-Aware Multichannel Assignment for Shared Overloaded Small-Cell Access Points Under Limited Feedback

This paper proposes a reduced-complexity multichannel assignment scheme for short-range cellular systems. It treats the scenario when a number of small-cell (e.g., femtocell) access points (APs) can be shared to serve active scheduled users. The APs employ isotropic antenna arrays and operate using an open-access control strategy. To improve the reuse ratio of physical resources, the APs are assumed to occupy a single physical channel, wherein coordination among them is infeasible. On the other hand, to improve the spatial coverage, a scheduled user can be served by a single transmit channel from an AP at a time. For the case of overloaded APs and when the feedback links are capacity limited, the scheme attempts to identify the suitable transmit channels from the deployed APs in an adaptive manner such that certain performance and/or processing load limits are satisfied. The effects of some system and design parameters on the outcomes of the scheme are thoroughly discussed. Novel results for the statistics of the resulting interference power are presented, from which results for some performance measures and processing loads are obtained. Numerical and simulations results are provided to clarify the achieved gains, as compared with related models under different operating conditions.
Antigliadin antibody testing for coeliac disease in children under 3 years of age is unhelpful

Actinomycosis is an indolent, suppurative and chronic granulomatous infection caused by a Gram-positive organism that was initially thought to be a fungus.1 2 Actinomycosis is rare with estimated incidence of one case per institution per year, with male predominance.3 Precipitating factors of cervicofacial infection are related to dental and maxillofacial trauma. We describe an interesting case of facial actinomycosis that was misdiagnosed as sebaceous cyst and revealed later by histopathological findings of the tissue biopsy. A 19-year-old healthy adolescent presented with a swelling on the chin that intermittently inflamed with pus discharge for 4 years. There …
Murine Laminin B1 Gene Regulation during the Retinoic Acid- and Dibutyryl Cyclic AMP-induced Differentiation of Embryonic F9 Teratocarcinoma Stem Cells (*)

Retinoic acid (RA) and cyclic AMP analogs cause the differentiation of F9 embryonic teratocarcinoma stem cells into parietal endoderm, an epithelial cell of the early mouse embryo. Laminin B1 is induced in this differentiation process, but is not transcriptionally activated until 24-48 h after RA addition and is not maximally induced until approximately 72 h. Cyclic AMP analogs enhance this transcriptional activation. Although several DNase I hypersensitive sites (DHSS) were observed in the LAMB1 5′-flanking DNA, one of the sites, DHSS2, was detected only after 72 h of RA treatment. Transient transfections have demonstrated that the DHSS2 region functions as a “late-acting RA-inducible enhancer,” and motifs in this enhancer contain the homeobox protein-binding site TTATTAACA. Greater binding is observed at these sites by electrophoretic mobility shift assay when cells are cultured with RA and cyclic AMP analogs versus RA alone, and no binding is seen in extracts from RA-treated F9 RAR cells which lack RAR mRNA and protein. Laminin B1 mRNA is not induced by RA in the RAR cells (Boylan, J. F., Lohnes, D., Taneja, R., Chambon, P., and Gudas, L. J.(1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 90, 9601-9605). Our data show that these DNA regulatory elements contribute to the transcriptional activation of the LAMB1 gene during the later stages of the differentiation process.
Oocyte reaction to penetrating sperm

Before fertilisation the egg is metabolically quiescent and its nucleus is arrested at metaphase of the second meiosis. After sperm-egg fusion, the arrested nucleus resumes meiosis, and then changes into the female pronucleus. Such a sequence of morphological and biochemical events is called “activation”. The inital responses of the egg to activation by the sperm include cortical granule exocytosis and resumption of meiosis.
A drug safety evaluation of rituximab and risk of hepatitis B

Introduction: Rituximab is a widely prescribed anti-CD20 mAb for the treatment of CD20+ B-cell non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and many other immune mediated conditions. There is a well-described association between rituximab containing chemo-immunotherapy treatment and reactivation of the hepatitis B virus (HBV). This review summarizes the current literature surrounding rituximab-associated HBV reactivation. Areas covered: Herein, we review the literature detailing the risk of HBV reactivation in inactive carriers and those with resolved hepatitis. The clinical presentation and management of HBV reactivation are also discussed along with a summary of clinical trials evaluating antiviral prophylaxis. Finally, clinical recommendations are detailed. Data from clinical trials, observational studies, reviews, and meta-analyses available in the Medline database were included in this narrative review. Expert opinion: Screening should be performed in all patients prior to the administration of any type of anti-CD20 mAb therapy. Among those with positive screening serology, testing for hepatitis B e antigen or viral load by polymerase chain reaction is appropriate. In those patients with detectable HBV DNA, the decision regarding the use of antiviral prophylaxis or observation should be individualized.
In situ lubricant degradation in Antarctic marine sediments. 1. Short‐term changes

A large‐scale, in situ experiment was set up near the Bailey Peninsula area (Casey Station, East Antarctica) to monitor the natural attenuation of synthetic lubricants in marine sediments over five years. Here, we report the short‐term changes after 5 and 56 weeks. The lubricants tested were an unused and used Mobil lubricant (0W/40; Exxon Mobil, Irving, TX, USA) and a biodegradable alternative (0W/20; Fuchs Lubricants, Harvey, IL, USA). Clean sediment was collected, contaminated with the lubricants, and deployed by divers onto the seabed in a randomized block design. The sampled sediments were analyzed by gas chromatography–flame‐ionization detector and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with selective ion monitoring. The base fluid of all lubricant treatments did not decrease significantly after 56 weeks in situ. Alkanoate esters of 1,1,1‐tris(hydroxymethyl)propane in the biodegradable and unused lubricants were degraded extensively in situ; however, these esters constituted only a minor proportion of the lubricant volume. The additives, alkylated naphthalenes and substituted diphenylamines, were fairly resistant to degradation, which is of environmental concern because of their toxicity. The biodegradable lubricant did not break down to recognized biodegradable thresholds and, as such, should not be classified as biodegradable under Antarctic marine conditions. A separate experiment was conducted to determine the influence of sediment preparation and deployment on compound ratios within the lubricants, and we found that preparation and deployment of the contaminated sediments had only a minor effect on compound recovery. Further monitoring of this in situ experiment will provide much needed information about the long‐term natural attenuation of lubricants.
Yeast Mps1p Phosphorylates the Spindle Pole Component Spc110p in the N-terminal Domain*

The yeast spindle pole body (SPB) component Spc110p (Nuf1p) undergoes specific serine/threonine phosphorylation as the mitotic spindle apparatus forms, and this phosphorylation persists until cells enter anaphase. We demonstrate that the dual-specificity kinase Mps1p is essential for the mitosis-specific phosphorylation of Spc110p in vivo and that Mps1p phosphorylates Spc110p in vitro. Phosphopeptides generated by proteolytic cleavage were identified and sequenced by mass spectrometry. Ser60, Thr64, and Thr68 are the major sites in Spc110p phosphorylated by Mps1p in vitro, and alanine substitution at these sites abolishes the mitosis-specific isoform in vivo. This is the first time that phosphorylation sites of an SPB component have been determined, and these are the first sites of Mps1p phosphorylation identified. Alanine substitution for any one of these phosphorylated residues, in conjunction with an alanine substitution at residue Ser36, is lethal in combination with alleles ofSPC97, which encodes a component of the Tub4p complex. Consistent with a specific dysfunction for the alanine substitution mutations, simultaneous mutation of all four serine/threonine residues to aspartate does not confer any defect. Sites of Mps1p phosphorylation and Ser36 are located within the N-terminal globular domain of Spc110p, which resides at the inner plaque of the SPB and binds the Tub4p complex.
A novel chk1-dependent G1/M checkpoint in fission yeast

Fission yeast cells with a temperature-sensitive Orp1 protein, a component of the origin recognition complex, cannot perform DNA replication at the restrictive temperature. Seventy percent of orp1-4 cells arrest with a 1C DNA content, whereas 30% proceed to mitosis (`cut'). The arrest depends upon the checkpoint Rad proteins and, surprisingly, the Chk1 protein, which is thought to act only from late S phase. The arrested cells maintain a 1C DNA content, as judged by flow cytometry, and the early origin ars3001 has not been initiated, as judged by 2D gel analysis. We show that in G1-arrested orp1-4 cells, Wee1 phosphorylates and inactivates Cdc2. Activation of Chk1 occurs earlier than Cdc2 phosphorylation, indicating a novel role for Chk1, namely to induce and/or maintain Cdc2 phosphorylation upon checkpoint activation in G1. We also show that commitment to cutting occurs already in early G1 phase.
Ferroelectric negative capacitance hetero-tunnel field-effect-transistors with internal voltage amplification

The ferroelectric negative capacitance (NC) hetero-tunnel FET is fabricated for the first time, demonstrating the significant improvement in subthreshold swing (~double slope) and peak gm (118% enhancement) due to the internal voltage amplification. The peak gm enhancement at small VDS (-0.1V) indicates the intrinsic benefit by NC without lateral bias. The concept of coupling the ferroelectric polarization is proposed and synergistically contributes to the performance in future applications of steep subthreshold slope devices.
Characterization of ion implanted silicon using UV Raman and multiwavelength photoluminescence for in-line dopant activation monitoring

Ultra-violet (UV) Raman and multiwavelength photoluminescence (PL) characterization techniques are examined as potential in-line, non-contact dopant activation and diffusion process monitoring techniques for ion implanted silicon in implant activation process steps. Excellent correlations among sheet resistance (Rs), B depth profiles, UV Raman and multiwavelength PL characterization results were achieved. The UV Raman and multiwavelength PL technologies can be used as promising non-contact dopant activation and diffusion process monitoring techniques.
Microsatellite (STRAf) Genotyping Cannot Differentiate between Invasive and Colonizing Aspergillus fumigatus Isolates

ABSTRACT We studied whether short tandem repeats of Aspergillus fumigatus (STRAf) can differentiate between invasive and colonizing genotypes of A. fumigatus. Of the 395 genotypes detected (n = 1,373 isolates), 50 were clusters and 24 (6% of all genotypes) involved the patients with invasive aspergillosis and those colonized with A. fumigatus, indicating that genotyping cannot discriminate between invasive and colonizing isolates.