Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quality of health and medication information on Brazilian websites.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the quality of information about health and medication available on Brazilian websites. METHODS A descriptive study with a quantitative approach regarding Brazilian websites, conducted from January to March 2011. The search sites were located using two search phrases: "medication information" and "health information. " The choice of variables was based on the Internet information quality criteria of the World Health Organization and the International Code of Ethics for health and services sites on the Internet. The dependent variable was whether the site had information about health or medication. The independent variables were access, appearance, organization, honesty, transparency, responsibility and origin. For statistical analysis, the χ² and Fisher exact tests were applied, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS Of the 37 Brazilian sites analyzed, 24 (64.9%) contained health information and 13 (35.1%) contained medication information. Regarding appearance, organization and access criteria, most sites related to health and medication were easily accessible, easy to understand, used objective language, were updated and organized logically and provided accurate and scientifically grounded information. CONCLUSION The honesty criterion differed significantly between sites, and the quality of information presented on health and medication websites showed significant differences, suggesting the need for a more systematic organization of these topics on the Internet.
Novel lambda FRET spectral confocal microscopy imaging method

We report a highly specific, sensitive, and robust method for analyzing fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) based on spectral laser scanning confocal microscopy imaging. The lambda FRET (λFRET) algorithm comprises imaging of a FRET sample at multiple emission wavelengths rendering a FRET spectrum, which is separated into its donor and acceptor components to obtain a pixel‐based calculation of FRET efficiency. The method uses a novel off‐line precalibration procedure for spectral bleed‐through correction based on the acquisition of reference reflection images, which simplifies the method and reduces variability. λFRET method was validated using structurally characterized FRET standards with variable linker lengths and stoichiometries designed for this purpose. λFRET performed better than other well‐established methods, such as acceptor photobleaching and sensitized emission‐based methods, in terms of specificity, reproducibility, and sensitivity to distance variations. Moreover, λFRET analysis was unaffected by high fluorochrome spectral overlap and cellular autofluorescence. The λFRET method demonstrated outstanding performance in intra‐ and intermolecular FRET analysis in both fixed and live cell imaging studies. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chromobox Homolog 4 is Positively Correlated to Tumor Growth, Survival and Activation of HIF-1α Signaling in Human Osteosarcoma under Normoxic Condition

Objectives: The clinical significance and tumorigenesis of Chromobox homolog 4 (CBX4) have been reported in hepatocellular carcinoma. The purpose of this study is to confirm the expression, elucidate the biological function and investigate the potential mechanism of CBX4 in osteosarcoma (OS). Methods: The expression of CBX4 in OS samples and cell lines was measured by RT-PCR and western blot test. Cell cycle, CCK8 and colony-forming assays were used to detect changes of cells growth. Cell apoptosis assay was used to measure cell survival capacity. Trans-well assay was used to test the activities of migration and invasion. The expression of genes regulated by CBX4 was detected by qRT-PCT test. Results: The expression of CBX4 was up-regulated in multiple OS cell lines and clinical samples. Overexpression of CBX4 was correlated with advanced clinical stage, high degree of malignancy and low tumor necrosis rate. Moreover, knockdown of CBX4 resulted in significant inhibition of cell growth and cell survival in OS cells under normoxic condition. In addition, we found that knockdown of CBX4 lead to down-regulating of HIF-1α-targeted genes without changing HIF-1α expression itself. Conclusion: Taken together, CBX4 is up-regulated and has a pro-tumor effect in OS with an activation of HIF-1α signaling pathway under normoxic condition. Therefore, targeting CBX4 may provide a new therapeutic method for OS.
MyWear: Customized green, safe, healthy and smart work- and sports-wear

Social phenomena like aging, growth of obese people and increased sensitivity towards disabled, diabetics people, together with eco-friendly products, are new challenges to find fitted solutions for Sport and safety equipment. In this area, European manufacturers need to develop a new approach to fully exploit their excellence. Also the adoption of customer-driven production methodologies and technologies is a key strategy to improve the competitiveness in the current market scenario. This paper gives an overview of the implementation of two enablers, that are identified to simplify the adaptation of the Mass Customization (MC) paradigm: a platform for the collection and distribution of customer specific data, and adaptive production systems and processes that allow themselves to be configured based on the customer specific data received. Future research focuses on validating the platform and technologies developed and described in this paper.
Topical azathioprine in the treatment of immune-mediated chronic oral inflammatory conditions: a series of cases.

OBJECTIVES After hematopoietic cell transplantation, a variety of complications can occur, including chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), with 25% to 70% of these involving the oral cavity. Those lesions, as well as oral involvement of autoimmune mucocutaneous diseases, might present as painful, erythematous, and ulcerative oral lesions. Management includes topical and systemic immunosuppressive agents, including systemic azathioprine (AZA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of topical AZA in chronic oral GVHD and in oral autoimmune diseases in a series of patients. METHODS Four men and 2 women with GVHD and 2 men with autoimmune vesiculo-ulcerative oral lesions were treated with topical AZA. A rinse of 5 mL of 5 mg/mL AZA in methylcellulose were rinsed 3 to 4 times daily for over 1 minute and expectorated, or a gel in the same concentration in 3% methylcellulose was topically applied. The outcome was evaluated separately for total ulcer size, assessment of the erythema, and severity of pain by using a visual analogue scale. Global estimated improvements represented a proportional combined improvement of ulcers, erythema, and pain. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The mean estimated global improvement for 6 patients with GVHD who used AZA rinse was 60% in a mean of 16.67 weeks. Ulcers improved by 58%, erythema by 55%, and pain was reduced by 63%. Two patients with oral lesions of vesiculo-ulcerative diseases (1 AZA rinse and 1 topical gel) improved by 95% and 96%, respectively, in 3 months. One patient with GVHD applied topical AZA gel in addition to mouthrinses, and a 29% estimated global improvement was achieved in addition to 50% of improvement achieved with AZA mouthrinses. The observed effect of topical AZA suggests that it can be used for management of oral immune-mediated inflammatory conditions, and for patients who are provided with systemic immunosuppressives it can allow control of oral findings with lower systemic dosing. The therapeutic potential of topical AZA as mouthrinse versus topical applications and the most effective concentration should be further investigated.
A novel GSK‐3 beta–C/EBP alpha–miR‐122–insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor regulatory circuitry in human hepatocellular carcinoma

miR‐122 is a highly abundant, hepatocyte‐specific microRNA. The biomedical significance and regulatory mechanisms of miR‐122 remain obscure. We explored the role of miR‐122 in tumorigenesis in the context of gene regulatory network. The miR‐122 promoter and its transactivator were identified by way of luciferase reporter system, electrophoretic mobility shift, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. The miR‐122 regulatory circuitry and its implication in hepatocarcinogenesis were identified using livers of different development stages, human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and cell lines, and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)‐transformed cells. We characterized the −5.3 to −4.8 kb region upstream of miR‐122 precursor as miR‐122 promoter. Further investigation revealed that deletion of predicted CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) binding sites C/EBPα knockdown significantly reduced miR‐122 promoter activity and endogenous miR‐122 expression; and C/EBPα directly interacted with the miR‐122 promoter in vitro and in vivo. These data suggest that C/EBPα is a transactivator for miR‐122 transcription. We further demonstrated that miR‐122 suppressed insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF‐1R) translation and sustained glycogen synthase kinase‐3 beta (GSK‐3β) activity. The activated GSK‐3β not only repressed cell proliferation, but also activated C/EBPα, which maintained miR‐122 levels and thereby enforced IGF‐1R suppression. Interestingly, down‐regulation of miR‐122 and C/EBPα, and up‐regulation of IGF‐1R were frequently observed in HCC tissues, and decreased miR‐122 levels were associated with worse survival of HCC patients. Moreover, AFB1 exposure resulted in decreased activity in GSK‐3β, C/EBPα, and miR‐122 and increased levels of IGF‐1R, whereas restoration of miR‐122 suppressed the tumorigenicity of HCC and AFB1‐transformed cells. Conclusion: We have identified a novel GSK‐3β–C/EBPα–miR‐122–IGF‐1R regulatory circuitry whose dysfunction may contribute to the development of HCC. Our findings provide new insight into miR‐122's function and the mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesis. (Hepatology 2010;52:1702‐1712)
Strand Transfer Mediated by Human Immunodeficiency Virus Reverse Transcriptase in Vitro Is Promoted by Pausing and Results in Misincorporation (*)

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) is able to recombine by transfer of the growing DNA strand from internal regions of one genome to another. The strand transfer reaction, catalyzed by HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT), was conducted in vitro between donor and acceptor RNA templates that were derived from natural HIV-1 nef genes. The donor and acceptor templates shared a nearly homologous region where strand transfer could occur, differing only in that the acceptor had a 36-nucleotide insertion and 6 widely spaced base substitutions compared with the donor. We sequenced elongated primers that underwent transfer. The position of transfer was revealed by the change of sequence from that of the donor to that of the acceptor. Results showed a positive correlation between positions where the RT paused during synthesis and enhancement of strand transfer. Elimination of a pause site, with a minimal change in sequence, decreased the frequency of strand transfer in the immediate area. Analysis of the sequence of DNA products resulting from transfer at a frequently used site showed that mutations had been introduced into the DNA at about the point of transfer. Remarkably, approximately 30% of the products contained mutations. Base substitutions, short additions and deletions were observed. Mutations did not appear in DNA products extended on the donor template without transfer. The identity of the mutations suggests that they were caused by a combination of slippage and non-template-directed nucleotide addition. These results indicated that the detected mutations were related to the process of strand transfer.
High-Resolution Balanced Microwave Material Sensor With Extended Dielectric Range

This paper proposes a new design method to achieve adverse-resistant microwave sensors using balanced structure of two sensors. Any kinds of sensors can be used in the presented balanced architecture. However, a new kind of high-resolution microwave material sensor, based on the injection locking phenomenon, is presented and used in this paper. By injecting a low-power level and low-phase noise signal to an oscillator, an injection-locked oscillator with a very small lock range is achieved with a very high sensitivity to its resonator condition. In the balanced structure, for a standard sample over one branch and an arbitrary sample over the other, the difference between center frequencies and lock ranges of oscillators can be measured at once. Therefore, the dielectric constant and loss tangent of unknown samples are calculated while the adverse environmental variations have the same effects on both branches and are compensated automatically without additional sensors and environmental controlling system. Moreover, it is indicated that using a simple frequency comparator with an output voltage instead of a spectrum analyzing system makes the system more practical and low cost. As an example for validation, a system is fabricated at 1 GHz and results of various states have been presented.
DNA barcoding revises a misidentification on mossy frog: new record and distribution extension of Theloderma corticale Boulenger, 1903 (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae)

Abstract As an endangered animal group, mossy frog (genus Theloderma) has attracted the attention of biologists and wildlife conservationists. Clarifying the taxonomic status and distribution of each species in Theloderma is important to determine the conservation status for each species, establish appropriate conservation strategies and probe the speciation process. Recently, we discovered a medium-sized species of mossy frog of the genus Theloderma in April 2015 during municipal surveys of amphibians in Dayao Mountain of Jinxiu. It was collected from the water-filled tree cavities. However, there remains some uncertainty about the species determination of the mossy frog in the Yinshan station of Dayao Mountain in Guangxi Province, China. Previously, the mossy frog in Guangxi Province was recognized as Th. kwangsiense. In order to clarify the species status of the mossy frog obtained from Guangxi, we sequenced 2414 bp of the 12S and 16S genes in the sample collected from the Dayao Mountain. Combining all the sequence in NCBI, genetic analyses from the data suggest that the sample from the Dayao Mountain is Th. corticale rather than Th. kwangsiense. It is most likely that the most previous studies had wrong species identification. And, it is the first time we use DNA barcoding to prove that the species obtained from Guangxi is a new distribution of Th. corticale.
Large-scale preparation and reconstitution of apo-flavoproteins with special reference to butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase from Megasphaera elsdenii. Hydrophobic-interaction chromatography.

A new method is described for the large-scale reversible dissociation of flavoproteins into apoprotein and prosthetic group using hydrophobic-interaction chromatography. Lipoamide dehydrogenase from Azotobacter vinelandii and butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase from Megasphaera elsdenii are selected to demonstrate the usefulness of the method. In contrast to conventional methods, homogeneous preparations of apoproteins in high yields are obtained. The apoproteins show high reconstitutability. The holoenzymes are bound to phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B at neutral pH in the presence of ammonium sulfate. FAD is subsequently removed at pH 3.5-4.0 by addition of high concentrations of KBr. Large amounts of apoenzymes (200-500 mg), showing negligible residual activity, are eluted at neutral pH in the presence of 50% ethylene glycol. The holoenzyme of lipoamide dehydrogenase can be reconstituted while the apoprotein is still bound to the column or the apoenzyme can be isolated in the free state. In both cases the yield and degree of reconstitution of holoenzyme is more than 90% of starting material. Apo-lipoamide-dehydrogenase exists mainly as a monomer in solution and reassociates to the native dimeric structure in the presence of FAD. The apoenzyme is stable for a long period of time when kept in 50% ethylene glycol at -18 degrees C. Steady-state fluorescence-polarization measurements of protein-bound FAD indicate that reconstituted lipoamide dehydrogenase possesses a high stability which is governed by the low dissociation rate constant of the apoenzyme-FAD complex. The holoenzyme of butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase cannot be reconstituted when the apoenzyme is bound to the column. However, stable apoprotein can be isolated in the free state yielding 50-80% of starting material, depending on the immobilization conditions. The coenzyme A ligand present in native holoenzyme is removed during apoprotein preparation. The apoenzyme is relatively stable when kept in 50% ethylene glycol at -18 degrees C. From kinetic and gel filtration experiments it is concluded that the reconstitution reaction of butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase is governed by both the pH-dependent hydrodynamic properties of apoenzyme and the pH-dependent stability of reconstituted enzyme. At pH 7, the apoenzyme is in equilibrium between dimeric and tetrameric forms and reassociates to a native-like tetrameric structure in the presence of FAD. The stability of reconstituted enzyme is strongly influenced by the presence of CoA ligands as shown by fluorescence-polarization measurements. The degree of reconstitution of butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase is more than 80% of the original specific activity under certain conditions. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Restoration of risk-propensity during sleep deprivation: caffeine, dextroamphetamine, and modafinil.

INTRODUCTION Sleep deprivation alters risk-related judgments, decision-making, and behavioral control. Stimulant medications are used to restore cognitive performance, but their effects on risk-taking and judgment in sleep-deprived subjects have not been explored. METHODS There were 54 healthy adults (29 men, 25 women; age range 18 to 36) who completed a test of cognitive ability and daily measures of risk-taking propensity, including the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (BSSS), Evaluation of Risks (EVAR) scale, and the Balloon Analog RiskTask (BART). Following 44 h of continuous wakefulness, participants ingested caffeine 600 mg (N = 12), dextroamphetamine 20 mg (N = 16), modafinil 400 mg (N = 12), or a placebo (N = 14) in a double blind manner, and completed risk-taking measures 2 h later (i.e., 0535). RESULTS Relative to rested baseline, the placebo group showed a decline in risk-taking as measured by the BSSS (16% decline), EVAR Danger Seeking (32% decline) and Energy (22% decline), and BART (32% decline), consistent with previous reports of the effects of sleep deprivation. Comparisons among drug conditions showed that dextroamphetamine restored risk-taking propensity and risky behavior to baseline levels, an effect that was significantly greater than placebo or caffeine for several indices of risk-taking, but which did not differ from modafinil. Cognitive ability was significantly correlated with changes on some risk-taking indices following stimulant administration. CONCLUSIONS Stimulant medications, particularly dextroamphetamine, sustained risk-related attitudes and behavior during continuous wakefulness. The extent to which stimulants restore other aspects of judgment during sleep loss remains to be determined.
Automatic learning of phonetic mappings for cross-language phonetic-search in keyword spotting

Phonetic-search (PS) is an extremely fast technique used for spoken keyword spotting over large amounts of audio data. PS is based on matching a desired phonetic pattern over existing phonetic lattices, avoiding heavy computations of acoustic probabilities during the search. Since PS requires substantial acoustic and language resources (LR) for training acoustic models, there is a need for reducing model training costs to support new target languages. Particular cases of under-resourced languages pose even a greater challenge for PS as the available LR are not sufficient for acoustic model training. This study examines methods for keyword search in a new target language, using existing models of another source language in the lattice generation phase. We explore methodologies for learning cross-language phonetic mappings depending on the availability of data in the target language. We describe three approaches for creating phonetic-mappings: linguistic, acoustic, and statistic, introducing an efficient way for learning a robust statistical cross-language mapping. Our cross-language PS experiments showed that learning a good cross-language mapping can alleviate acoustic mismatches between languages, to significantly improve cross-language phonetic-search.
Early Intervention in Pregnant Women With Elevated Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms: Efficacy of a Cognitive-Behavioral Group Program

To examine whether a cognitive-behavioral group program among pregnant women with elevated levels of anxiety or depression may reduce anxious and depressive symptoms and has a positive impact on risk factors for anxiety disorders and depression. A total of 753 participants were recruited. After completion of the clinical standardized interview, 160 participants were randomized to an intervention group or a control condition. Psychometric assessments took place at T1 (preintervention), T2 (antenatal follow-up), and T3 (3 months postpartum). Analyses included women who took part in all 3 assessments (intervention group, N = 21; control group, N = 53). The subjective program evaluation by the participants was highly positive, but with the exception of a short-term effect on the quality of an intimate partnership (F1/67 = 4.056; P < .05], intervention effects on anxiety or depressive symptoms were not found. However, there was an intervention effect 3 months postpartum for participants with high depressive symptoms at T1 (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score of ≥10) (F1/69 = 5.410; P < .05). The results argue against a general efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral group program for pregnant women with rather low levels of anxiety and depression. For women with higher depressive symptoms during pregnancy, a cognitive-behavioral group program may have a positive impact on the course of depressive symptoms during the postpartum period.
Assessment of Steady-State Clopidogrel Reactivity by Using Platelet Reactivity Units

Platelet function testing is an important laboratory measure in clopidogrel treatment. We sought to investigate the stability of the reactivity of clopidogrel after 1 month of treatment. A prospective analysis was carried out using a matched study design to compare platelet reactivity units (PRUs) and platelet inhibition in clopidogrel-treated patients. Patients with various cardiac diseases were divided into 2 matched groups. The first group was treated on an inpatient acute basis, and the other group was treated on an outpatient chronic basis. PRU was measured 5 days after clopidogrel administration in the acute group and 1 month after chronic use for several cardiac indications in the second group. VerifyNow (Accumetrics) was used to detect platelet reactivity and calculate inhibition rates in response to clopidogrel. A total of 260 Saudi patients were enrolled, including 90 inpatients and 170 outpatients. A significant difference was observed in PRU (173.69 vs. 195) and percent inhibition (24.05% vs. 16.13%) between the outpatient and inpatient groups. Platelet function evolves over time and initial readings may not be constant.