Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy/Mass Spectroscopy Method for Simultaneous Quantification of Total or Free Fraction of Mycophenolic Acid and its Glucuronide Metabolites

Measurement of unbound fractions of mycophenolic acid and its metabolites may prove useful in explaining the complicated pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior of this drug as well as in therapeutic drug monitoring. We developed a reliable, accurate, and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method for the simultaneous quantification of mycophenolic acid (MPA), MPA glucuronide (MPAG), and MPA acyl-glucuronide (AcMPAG), total or unbound, in plasma, urine, and tissue extract. This method uses a single internal standard, carboxy-butoxy ether of mycophenolic acid (MPAC), and involves a simple sample preparation step. Aliquots of plasma, urine, or dissolved tissue extract (100 μL) or plasma ultrafiltrate for free analytes (50 μL) are treated with acetonitrile/formic acid mixture (99.5/0.5 v/v) followed by centrifugation and dilution with water. The prepared samples are then injected onto an extraction column (Eclipse XDB-C18 12.5 × 4.1 mm; Agilent Technologies, Palo Alto, CA) and washed with mobile phase composed of acetonitrile/water/formic acid (10/89.5/0.5 v/v/v) at a flow rate of 2.8 mL/min. A switching valve is activated 1 minute after sample injection. The analytes are eluted onto the analytical column (Eclipse XDB-C18 150 × 4.1 mm; Agilent Technologies) with a gradient of 0.5% aqueous formic acid, methanol, acetonitrile, and water. We used a tandem mass spectrometer with electrospray ion source, in which the tandem mass spectroscopy transitions were (m/z): 338→207 for MPA, 438→303 for MPAC, and 514→303 for MPAG and AcMPAG. The dynamic ranges (lower limit of quantitation and upper limit of quantitation) were as follows: 0.05 to 30 mg/L for total MPA and 1 to 300 μg/L for free MPA; 0.5 to 300 mg/L of total MPAG and 0.2 to 60 mg/L for free MPAG; and 0.025 to 15 mg/L of total AcMPAG and 1 to 60 μg/L for free AcMPAG. The precision at lower limit of quantitation was in the range of 8.0% to 11.9% for all three total analytes and 13.8 to 18.7% for the free analytes. Accuracy at lower limit of quantitation was in the range of 100% to 105% for total and 97% to 99% for free analytes. Between-day precision of quality control samples was 4.0% to 6.3% for human plasma spiked with total analytes and 4.5% to 14.4% for spiked plasma ultrafiltrate for free analytes. Mean absolute recovery ranged from 98.5% to 101.7% for MPA (both total and free), from 78.1% to 103.4% for MPAG and from 91.5% to 110.4% for AcMPAG. No significant ion suppression was found under these conditions for any of the analytes. Carryover effect was found to be at a maximum level of 0.02%. This method was successfully applied to analyze over 11,000 samples for total analytes, and over 8000 samples for free analytes in plasma, and has been in operation for nearly 3 years without loss of performance.
QRR001 Quantitative DCE-MRI Image Processing Made Easy

Dynamic Contrast Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DCE-MRI) is a promising method with potential to provide pharmacodynamic biomarkers to aid diagnosis and therapy monitoring of cancer. The DCE-MRI Profile recently developed by the RSNA QIBA DCE-MRI Technical Committee has provided basic standards and guideline for DCE-MRI measurements and quality control including image acquisition, post-processing and analysis. MIStar is a commercial software package providing a broad spectrum of quantitative image processing functions. The DCE-MRI quantitative functions have been used in research setting and clinical trials. The goal of MIStar is to provide an easy-to-use software tool with streamlined workflow for comprehensive DCE-MRI image processing and analysis including all features and functions described in the DCE-MRI Profile and beyond.
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-Gamma Is Expressed by Rat Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells: Its Potential Role in Peritoneal Cavity Local Defense

Background/Aims: Peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMCs) play an important role in peritoneal inflammatory and immune response. It was reported that the peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) ligand could effectively reduce inflammatory processes. However, the expression and function of PPARγ in PMCs has not been reported. This study was to investigate the expression of PPARγ in rat PMCs and the effect of PPARγ activation on the production of CD40 and ICAM-1 induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods: Rat PMCs (RPMCs) were harvested from the peritoneal cavity of Sprague-Dawley rats and maintained under defined in vitro conditions. The cells were treated separately with LPS, 15d-PGJ2, and ciglitazone at different time points. The mRNA and protein expression of PPARγ, CD40 and ICAM-1 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The intracellular distribution of PPARγ was detected by immunocytochemistry. Results: RPMCs expressed PPARγ both at the mRNA and protein level. The specific signals for PPARγ were mainly localized in the nucleus with weak staining in the cytoplasm. Stimulation of RPMCs with LPS resulted in a time-dependent increase in the expression of PPARγ with the peak of mRNA at 3 h and protein at 12 h. Thereafter the expression of PPARγ gradually attenuated. The mRNA expressions for CD40, ICAM-1 and protein expression of ICAM-1 were significantly upregulated following stimulation with LPS. Both 15d-PGJ2 and ciglitazone decreased the expression of CD40 mRNA and ICAM-1 protein. However, ciglitazone was less effective than 15d-PGJ2. Conclusions: There is constitutive expression of PPARγ in cultured RPMCs and PPARγ ligands which strongly inhibit LPS-induced CD40 and ICAM-1 production in RPMCs. It suggested that PPARγ might play a part in the local defense of the peritoneal cavity by downregulating inflammatory mediators, which may play a potential role in preventing peritoneal fibrosis induced by peritonitis. Further in vivo study is needed to demonstrate the long-term effects.
Coping with the Attribution Problem in Program Evaluation

The key question in program evaluation is whether the intervention is working or not. But to answer that question, first program outcomes must be attributed to the intervention, and not some other factor. The attribution issue arises in this context because a program, as a means-ends relationship, interacts with contextual factors that may strengthen, reduce, or break the intended causal link between the intervention and the outcomes of interest. These factors therefore represent alternative explanations for any association between a program and observed outcomes. This note reviews two basic frameworks for resolving the attribution problem, including their limitations. Both the counterfactual framework and the theory-based approach rely on the logic of causal inference, which entails establishing a plausible association between the intervention and the outcome of interest, and ruling out alternative explanations of that association. B. Essama-Nssah
Expression of cathepsin K in the human embryo and fetus

Cathepsin K is a protease with high collagenolytic and elastinolytic activity. Its cellular expression was previously thought to be restricted to osteoclasts and osteoclast‐mediated bone resorption. In this study, the expression of cathepsin K in the human embryo and fetus was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and by Northern blotting of fetal tissue extracts. Besides osteoclasts and chondroclasts and their precursors, epithelial cells of various organ systems expressed significant amounts of this enzyme. Respiratory and gastrointestinal mucosa, including bile duct epithelia and urothelia, showed high levels of cathepsin K expression. With the exception of the urothelium, showing a more homogenous expression pattern, the protease was usually accentuated in the surface cell layers of pithelia. In summary, these findings in the human embryo and early fetus demonstrated a significant expression of cathepsin K in different epithelial cell types besides osteoclasts. The functional aspects of cathepsin K expression in nonosteoclastic cells and potential conclusions on physiological and pathological conditions in the embryo‐fetal or adult organism remain to be investigated. Dev Dyn 1999;216:89–95. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On demand k-coverage with purposeful mobility in wireless sensor networks

Energy-efficient and cheap deployment of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is always desirable but a challenging problem. Achieving K-covering is a very critical issue in the design of energy-efficient WSNs. It becomes more challenging in mission-oriented WSNs, where sensors have to move in order to k-cover a region of interest in the field and get placed in proper location to completely k-cover the region of interest. In this paper, our main focus is on achieving a k-coverage network which is energy efficient. We try to distribute the workload on the sensors in order to achieve longer network lifetime. We use two different protocols namely, centralized 4-way communication and local selection for selecting the appropriate mobile sensors that will take part in sensing. Mathematical proofs and simulation results show that our model of energy efficient k-coverage outperforms an existing one in terms of size of k-coverage and the number of deploy-able sensors along with their total energy consumption.
Membrane techniques for analysis, sampling and speciation in environmental measurements

The techniques of membrane extraction permit the application of classical liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) chemistry to instrumental and automated operation. Various shortcomings of LLE are overcome by membrane extraction techniques as they use none or very little organic solvents, high enrichment factors can be obtained and there are no problems with emulsions. A three phase SLM system (aq/org/aq), where analytes are extracted from the aqueous sample into an organic liquid, immobilized in a porous hydrophobic membrane support, and further to a second aqueous phase, is suitable for the extraction of polar compounds (acidic or basic, charged, metals, etc.) and it is compatible with reversed phase HPLC. A two-phase system (aq/org) where analytes are extracted into an organic solvent separated from the aqueous sample by a hydrophobic porous membrane is suitable for more hydrophobic analytes and is compatible with gas chromatography.
Dendrochronological study of the endangered shrub Vella pseudocytisus subsp. paui (Brassicaceae): implications for its recovery and conservation

Dendrochronology is useful to determine plant longevity, to provide insights into the structure and dynamics of plant populations and to study the relationships between growth and environmental determinants. The dendrochronology of endangered shrubs is unexplored, although their use represents an opportunity to produce better conservation guidelines. We collected for this study 63 samples from already dead specimens of Vella pseudocytisus subsp. paui (Brassicaceae), an endangered Spanish endemism from three localities. We analyzed the relationship between ring data and plant size to determine the accuracy of using size as a proxy for plant age. We also explored the relationships between ring data and environmental variables to detect growth determinants. This shrub showed a high longevity as older individuals presented nearly 50 growth rings. The relationship between age and size is weak although it could be established based on the logarithmic function of plant biovolume. Significant relationships were found between rainfall and ring widths, showing that water limited annual growth. Finally, age structure characterized differences among populations, highlighting the effects of disturbance and land use. These results provided new opportunities for management within the ongoing recovery plan for the species.
Assessment of Headache Diagnosis. A Comparative Population Study of a Clinical Interview With a Diagnostic Headache Diary

The level of agreement between headache information, attained by clinical interview and headache diary, was evaluated in subjects who frequently suffered from headache and were participating in an epidemiological study of headache. One hundred and six subjects were interviewed and asked to complete a diary for a period of 4–8 weeks; 46% completed the study. For migraine the diary and clinical diagnoses demonstrated agreement in 82%, κ value 0.57, sensitivity 90% and specificity 64%. For tension-type headache they demonstrated agreement in 87%, κ value 0.39, sensitivity 97%, specificity 29% and a good agreement of frequency of tension-type headache was also obtained. In migraine, but not in tension-type headache, accompanying symptoms tended to be overestimated in the interview. The diary was not useful for the diagnosis of migraine with aura, but proved valuable in distinguishing between migraine and tension-type headache, and in the identification of coexisting headache disorders. Combined use of a diagnostic diary and clinical interview is recommended.
Static behavior and global maximum power point characteristics of photovoltaic array under partial shading

Partial shading (PS) in photovoltaic array is one of the main problems that can be faced when extracting solar energy. It takes place when certain spots of the photovoltaic (PV) array are shaded, while other parts are left uniformly irradiated. PS remarkably reduces the output power and could damage shaded cells if they are not protected. As the PS effect is not proportional to the shaded area and the P-V curve exhibits several local maximum power points, conventional maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques become ineffective. In this paper, we analyze the behavior of the array output power under PS throw simulation of several possible scenarios in order to approximate the I-V (P-V) characteristic and facilitate the extraction of the maximum power of the PV array.
Ultraviolet , DNA damage and erythemal solar irradiances incident over different places of Argentina

We present mathematical model results of biological (DNA damage and erythemal) solar irradiances in the ultraviolet range (280 – 400 nm), along the months of the year for clear sky days, incident over different places of Argentina, the extreme North (La Quiaca at Puna of Atacama high altitude intertropical desert), the Central region (Rosario and Buenos Aires at the East of the country in the Humid Pampa and Malargüe at the West near the Andes mountains) and the South at the Argentinean Marambio Base in Antarctic Peninsula. The DNA damage and erythemal irradiances are determined by integrating in wavelength the spectral solar radiation multiplied by the corresponding biological action spectrum. The wavelength dependence of the solar irradiance is obtained for different places of the country, from the TUV (Tropospheric UV and Visible Radiation) algorithm, that solves the atmospheric radiative transfer problem in the UV and Visible ranges. The integrated total UV and UVB (280 nm – 320 nm) solar irradiances are also presented for Malargüe. The atmospheric variables and parameters are determined from TOMS/NASA satellite and ground data. The ratio between the DNA damage and erythemal irradiances determines a function that permits to derive the biological action of UV solar radiation on the DNA basic molecule, from the knowledge of the erythemal irradiance, that it is normally measured with biometers. This function is presented for the locations indicated above. In order to test the model calculation of the erythemal irradiance, we compare this irradiance with that measured with an EKO biometer at CEILAP (Center of Lasers and Applications placed at the Buenos Aires suburbs). Key-Words: Solar – UV – UVB – erythemal – DNA damage – irradiance – Argentina
Converter regulation of stand-alone photovoltaic system at low solar radiation

The paper presents a control and a power supply of a low power stand-alone photovoltaic system converter. In a stand-alone photovoltaic system load is generally supplied from a photovoltaic panel through a DC-DC converter. In simple photovoltaic system without a battery converter controller and other circuits are supplied from the photovoltaic panel. The systems are appropriate for low power application where continual power supply is not required. The systems have problem in low solar radiation because photovoltaic panel is not able to produce enough energy for running a converter. The proposed converter power supply switching on and regulation behaviour at low solar radiation level are described in the paper. The Matlab/Simulink was used for establishing a photovoltaic panel model and DC-DC converter model before the converter implementation. The converter is a boost type converter with a full-bridge. The modelled and experimental results are presented.
Robust Component Based Face Recognition with Occlusion for JPEG Frames: A Survey

— Face recognition is growing in many fields like Biometrics. But it also has some significant challenges for recognizing the face under different illuminations, pose variance, aging, occlusion, facial expression, low resolution etc. Face recognition is practically used in security systems for law enforcement situation at places like boarder security, airports railway station where the identification and verification of person matters a lot specially when face is occluded. This paper is mainly focusing on the occluded face verification. For this purpose the LPOG technique, which is the combination of BELBP and LPQ will be used. With the help of automatic face detection misalignment algorithm Voila-jones. SSRC the classification technique which is better than other state-of-arts techniques will be used for classification.
Structure of B77 sarcoma virus RNA: stabilization of RNA after packaging

Extracellular maturation of Bratislava 77(B77) sarcoma virus RNA involves a stabilization of linkage between 35S subunits since the Tm of 60 to 70S RNA in the presence of 0.5 M NaCl increases from 56 to 67.5 C as the age of the virus increases. This stabilization process is strongly temperature dependent; the rate at 45 C is increased fourfold over the rate at 37 C. As a result of the instability of the immature RNA, denaturation to subunits occurs at room temperature during phenol extraction. This dissociation can be prevented by increasing the NaCl concentration during the extraction. The data support a model which proposes that RNA subunits of oncornaviruses exist as assembled 60 to 70S RNA even in immature virions but that the linkages between subunits are stabilized as a function of time. These linkages appear to be maintained by nucleotide base pairing rather than by protein. However, isolated RNA does not undergo stabilization, suggesting that some other component of the virion is necessary for the process to occur.
Increased expression of a set of genes enriched in oxygen binding function discloses a predisposition of breast cancer bone metastases to generate metastasis spread in multiple organs

Bone is the preferential site of distant metastasis in breast carcinoma (BrCa). Patients with metastasis restricted to bone (BO) usually show a longer overall survival compared to patients who rapidly develop multiple metastases also involving liver and lung. Hence, molecular predisposition to generate bone and visceral metastases (BV) represents a clear indication of poor clinical outcome. We performed microarray analysis with two different chip platforms, Affymetrix and Agilent, on bone metastasis samples from BO and BV patients. The unsupervised hierarchical clustering of the resulting transcriptomes correlated with the clinical progression, segregating the BO from the BV profiles. Matching the twofold significantly regulated genes from Affymetrix and Agilent chips resulted in a 15‐gene signature with 13 upregulated and two downregulated genes in BV versus BO bone metastasis samples. In order to validate the resulting signature, we isolated different MDA‐MB‐231 clonal subpopulations that metastasize only in the bone (MDA‐BO) or in bone and visceral tissues (MDA‐BV). Six of the signature genes were also significantly upregulated in MDA‐BV compared to MDA‐BO clones. A group of upregulated genes, including Hemoglobin B (HBB), were involved in oxygen metabolism, and in vitro functional analysis of HBB revealed that its expression in the MDA subpopulations was associated with a reduced production of hydrogen peroxide. Expression of HBB was detected in primary BrCa tissue but not in normal breast epithelial cells. Metastatic lymph nodes were frequently more positive for HBB compared to the corresponding primary tumors, whereas BO metastases had a lower expression than BV metastases, suggesting a positive correlation between HBB and ability of bone metastasis to rapidly spread to other organs. We propose that HBB, along with other genes involved in oxygen metabolism, confers a more aggressive metastatic phenotype in BrCa cells disseminated to bone. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Isolation and properties of the RepA1 protein of the IncFII replicon, RepFIC

The initiator protein RepA1 of the IncFII replicon RepFIC derived from the enterotoxin plasmid EntP307 has been cloned under the control of the λ Pl promoter. This has enabled us to overproduce this protein and study its properties. Here we show that RepA1 is a soluble basic protein with an experimentally determined molecular weight of 40000. Deletion analysis indicates that the overproduced protein originates from the open reading frame which we previously designated as coding for RepA1. We have also shown that the replication function of the replicon RepFIC depends on the intact RepA1 coding frame.
"Do you trust me or not?" - Trust games in agent societies

Multi-agent simulation provides a way to explore results from social studies and provide hints on how these results scale. One particular class of studies that is interesting to explore are economic-related studies. We developed a multi-agent system that simulates an investment game and incorporates the results from economic-related social studies into the design of the agents. We analyzed how several factors, such as trust and reputation influence the outcome of the agents in terms of distribution of wealth and total generated money.
Isolation and characterization of bacteriophage-resistant mutants of Vibrio cholerae O139.

Vibrio cholerae O139 strains produce a capsule which is associated with complement resistance and is used as a receptor by bacteriophage JA1. Spontaneous JA1-resistant mutants were found to have several phenotypes, with loss of capsule and/or O-antigen from the cell surface. Determination of the residual complement resistance and infant mouse colonization potential of each mutant suggested that production of O-antigen is of much greater significance than the presence of capsular material for both of these properties. Two different in vitro assays of complement resistance were compared and the results of one shown to closely reflect the comparative recoveries of bacteria from the colonization experiments. Preliminary complementation studies implicated two rfb region genes, wzz and wbfP, as being essential for the biosynthesis of capsule but not O-antigen.