Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The potential adjunctive benefit of adding metformin to standard treatment in inoperable cancer patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background Recently, there have been several randomized clinical trials (RCTs) conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of metformin plus standard treatment in inoperable cancer patients. Our meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy of metformin in combination with standard treatment in inoperable cancer patients. Methods PubMed and Embase databases were systematically searched for relevant RCTs investigating the efficacy of adding metformin to standard treatment for cancer patients. The pooled relative risk (RR) for tumor response and safety was calculated to assess the efficacy of combining metformin with standard treatment. Meta-analysis was subsequently performed to pool the hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results Ten RCTs comprising 1033 patients were included in our current meta-analysis. In patients with breast cancer, results of meta-analysis showed that the addition of metformin to standard treatment was beneficial to objective response rate (ORR) with 30.3% (33/109) in the metformin plus standard treatment group and 16.1% (18/112) in the placebo group (RR 1.92, 95% CI: 1.19–3.10, P=0.008). OS and PFS were not significantly improved in patients who received metformin plus standard treatment compared with those who received placebo plus standard treatment (OS: HR 1.02, 95% CI: 0.71–1.46, P=0.916; PFS: HR 1.14, 95% CI: 0.86–1.50, P=0.366). For lung cancer patients, meta-analysis results showed adding metformin to standard treatment could benefit ORR (metformin 65.3% vs. placebo 54.6%, RR 1.22, 95% CI: 1.03–1.43, P=0.018) with no significant survival benefit in the metformin group. For patients with pancreatic cancer, the pooled ORR was 17.6% (16/91) in metformin plus standard treatment group and 20% (18/90) in the placebo group, indicating metformin did not benefit ORR (RR 0.85, 95% CI: 0.49–1.49, P=0.576). Besides, the addition of metformin to standard treatment did not increase the incidence rate of adverse effects. Conclusions Our results indicated that addition of metformin to standard treatment was beneficial to ORR in inoperable breast or lung cancer patients without increasing the incidence of adverse effects. However, adding metformin to standard treatment could not benefit OS and PFS.
Nystatin—dextran conjugates: Synthesis and characterization

The coupling of nystatin (Nys), a water-insoluble antifungal agent, to dextran via an imine or amine bond was systematically investigated. Dextran was first oxidized to dialdehyde dextran using potassium periodate, purified from the oxidizing agent, and reacted with Nys to form the Schiff base. The Schiff base was reduced to the amine using borohydride. All reactions took place in water. The purification of the oxidized dextran from the oxidizing agent was essential to prevent oxidative degradation of Nys at the coupling step. The effects on the coupling yield of the following factors: dextran molecular weight, degree of oxidation (aldehyde content), Nys to dextran ratio, temperature, and reaction pH were studied. A 95% coupling yield was obtained at the optimized coupling conditions: pH 8.9 ± 0.1, 50% degree of oxidation, and initial ratio of Nys to dialdehyde dextran 1:2.5. In all experiments, dextran was decreased in molecular weight during the oxidation step. Both imine and amine forms of Nys-dextran conjugates were soluble in water and exhibited improved stability in aqueous solutions as compared to the unbound drug. The conjugates showed comparable minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values against Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. The conjugates were about 25 times less toxic than free Nys after a single injection in mice. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Oxidation of Dimethyl Ether and its Interaction with Nitrogen Oxides

The oxidation of dimethyl ether (DME) under flow reactor conditions has been studied experimentally and in terms of a detailed chemical kinetic model. The experiments were performed at atmospheric pressure in the temperature range 600–1500 K and at different air/fuel ratios. Of particular interest was the interaction of DME with nitrogen oxides. The results show that the oxidation of DME occurs readily at temperatures above 1000 K, largely independent of the stoichiometry. Addition of NO under stoichiometric and fuel-rich conditions does not affect the oxidation chemistry for DME, but above 1100 K a minor amount of the NO is reduced to HCN and N2 in reburn-type reactions. Addition of NO or NO2 under oxidizing conditions significantly enhances the oxidation rate of DME and shifts the temperature for onset of oxidation to lower values, a phenomenon similar to that of NOx-sensitized oxidation of hydrocarbons. The proposed chemical kinetic model provides a good description of DME oxidation in the absence of nitrogen oxides. Under the conditions of the present study, the conversion of DME proceeds mainly through the high-temperature mechanism, with little importance of the intermediate peroxy species. In the presence of NO or NO2, the reaction CH3 + NO2 ⇌ CH3O + NO, followed by dissociation of CH3O, readily provides H atoms and thereby promotes the oxidation. At lower temperatures the mechanism involves CH3OCH2O2 and CH3O2 radicals. While the effect of NOx generally is described satisfactorily by the model, deviations at lower temperatures may indicate inadequacies in the reaction subset for these peroxy species.
Comparison of Heavy Metal Removal from Chemically Interactive and Non-Interactive Solid Phases by the CEHIXM Process

A laboratory study was conducted to compare the removal of heavy metals from chemically interactive and non-interactive solid phases using coupled electric-hydraulic gradient assisted by ion exchange medium (CEHIXM) process. The removal of primarily four heavy metals Pb, Cd, Zn, and Mn from the contaminated sources was investigated. Experiments were conducted at a constant electric field of 50 V DC for both the solid phases and with constant hydraulic flow-rates of 10 cm3/min for chemically non-interactive solid phase and 4 cm3/min for chemically interactive solid phase. As much as 93% of Pb, 97% of Cd, 98% of Zn, and 94% of Mn were removed after 100 hours of the processing from chemically non-interactive solid phase. About 72% of Pb, 85% of Cd, 81% of Zn, and 77% of Mn were removed after 100 hours of the processing and about 90% of Pb, 96% of Cd, 93% of Zn, and 91% of Mn were removed after 200 hours of the processing from chemically interactive solid phase. Metal removal percentage was always higher for chemically non-interactive solid phase than that of chemically interactive solid phase. Chemically interactive solid phase required prolonged experiment duration to achieve compatible metal removal. The two solid phases did not follow quite the same order of metal removal. The order of removal was Zn > Cd > Mn > Pb for chemically non-interactive solid phase and Cd > Zn > Mn > Pb for chemically interactive solid phase.
Mass‐fragmentography of nanogram quantities of biogenic amine metabolites in human cerebrospinal fluid and whole rat brain

A mass fragmentographic method is described for the simultaneous assay of both the acidic and alcoholic metabolites of tyramine, octopamine, dopamine and norepinephrine. The method was successfully applied for the measurement of nanogram quantities of these metabolites in human ventricular and lumbar cerebrospinal fluids and in the rat brain. Mass fragmentography was carried out on the methyl ester/pentafluoroproprionyl derivatives of the acidic and the pentafluoropropionyl derivatives of the alcoholic metabolites, employing an 8 ft 3% SE-54 column. Chemical methods for the synthesis of a number of deuterated isomers (isotopomers) of the above metabolites are also described. These isotopomers were utilized as internal reference standards for the assay of the metabolites in biological materials. They were also used to study the fragmentation reactions of these metabolite derivatives.
Microsurgery: A 10-Year Experience with Loupe Magnification

Abstract Background Microsurgical procedures are still rare in many countries especially in resource-constrained countries. Among reasons for this is the unavailability of operating microscopes that are costly. Operating loupes are considered inferior to the microscope and are most discouraged for many microsurgical procedures. We audit patients operated under loupes for the past 10 years and present our findings. Patients and Methods This was a prospective audit of patients who underwent microsurgical reconstructive procedures in the plastic surgery unit at Kenyatta National Hospital between January 2009 and December 2019. Results A total of 352 patients with 360 procedures were done over a 10-year period. The age range for the patients was 5 to 90 years. Free flaps accounted for 78% of the surgical procedures (n = 298) followed by nerve repairs 8.8% (n = 32) and reimplantation surgeries 8.5% (n = 30). The overall success rate for free flaps was 93.3% with reimplantations of 77%. Conclusion Microsurgical reconstructive procedures as demonstrated in this study can safely be done with loupes. Loupes provide an alternative means of magnification that is cost effective and cheaper. In good hands, good surgical outcomes can be achieved that are comparable to the operating microscopes.
NMR assignments of ellagic acid derivatives

HMBC spectroscopy optimized for small couplings was employed to determine the four‐bond and two‐bond proton carbon correlations on the aromatic rings of ellagic acid derivatives. Complete 13C NMR assignments of 3′‐O‐methyl‐3,4‐methylenedioxyellagic acid 4′‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (1), 3,3′‐di‐O‐methylellagic acid 4′‐O‐β‐D‐xylopyranoside (2), 3,3′,4‐tri‐O‐methylellagic acid 4′‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (3) and ellagic acid (4) were achieved using this technique. This study indicates that optimization of the delay time in the HMBC spectrum is crucial in assigning the 13C NMR signals of phenolic compounds with highly oxygenated quaternary carbons. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabrication of All‐Water‐Based Self‐Repairing Superhydrophobic Coatings Based on UV‐Responsive Microcapsules

Superhydrophobic coatings that are also self‐healing have drawn much attention in recent years for improved durability in practical applications. Typically, the release of the self‐healing agents is triggered by temperature and moisture change. In this study, UV‐responsive microcapsules are successfully synthesized by Pickering emulsion polymerization using titania (TiO2) and silica (SiO2) nanoparticles as the Pickering agents to fabricate all‐water‐based self‐repairing, superhydrophobic coatings. These coatings are environmentally friendly and can be readily coated on various substrates. Compared to conventional superhydrophobic coatings, these coatings can regenerate superhydrophobicity and self‐cleaning ability under UV light, mimicking the outdoor environment, after they are mechanically damaged or contaminated with organics. They can maintain the superhydrophobicity after multiple cycles of accelerated weathering tests.
Synthesis of a polyacrylamide chelating resin and applications in metal ion extractions

A series of differently crosslinked polyacrylamide chelating resins were prepared, using N,N′-methylene-bis-acrylamide as the crosslinking agent. The crosslinked resins were functionalized by the reaction with ethylene diamine to get amino group capacities varying from 4.2 to 1.1 mequiv/g. The maximum adsorption capacities of the lightly crosslinked resin for Fe3+, Fe2+, Ni2+, and Cu2+ are 3.62, 4.22, 1.48, and 1.67 mequiv/g, respectively. The adsorbed metal ions can be quantitatively desorbed. The adsorption rate and the influence of pH on the adsorption of metal ions were examined. The resins can be used for the separation between different metal ions as well as the ions in different valence states (e.g., Fe3+ and Fe2+). The resin is amenable for continuous process and can be regenerated several times.
Ac Impedance Study of Transport Processes in Polyaniline Membranes

Polyaniline (PANI) membranes symmetrically bathed by electrolyte solutions on both faces have been studied by ac impedance. The membrane impedance is very sensitive to both solution pH and membrane potential, being lower under the conditions for which PANI is an electronic conductor: it increases by several orders of magnitude when pH is increased from 0 to 1 and less markedly upon membrane reduction. In the doped state, the impedance diagrams of PANI membranes have the shape of a diffusion impedance. The experimental data are analyzed with reference to a published transmission-line model. The ionic diffusion coefficient values derived from this analysis are compared with those obtained by permeation experiments
New nitric oxide-releasing zwitterions derived from polyamines

The reaction of nitric oxide (NO) with polyamines has been studied, resulting in the discovery of a new type of NO-releasing compound having the structure RN[N(O)NO][sup [minus]](CH[sub 2])[sub x]NH[sub 2][sup +]R[prime]. Numerous examples of these zwitterionic polyamine/NO adducts have been prepared and found to be very stable solids which release NO in solution. The new compounds contain as much as 45% NO by weight and are capable of releasing it all at rates which have been shown to vary in a predictable way with structure. The half-lives in buffered aqueous solution at pH 7.4 and 22[degrees]C were shown to vary from extremely short (1.3 min for diamine 8, MeN[N(O)NO][sup [minus]](CH[sub 2])[sub 4]NH[sub 2][sup +]Me) to very long (56 h for triamine 18, H[sub 2]NCH[sub 2]CH[sub 2]N[N(O)NO][sup [minus]]CH[sub 2]CH[sub 2]NH[sub 3][sup +]). In general, the longest half-lives were achieved by triamine/NO adducts and derivatives of ethylenediamine (x = 2). For any given value of x, a small increase in the size of R resulted in a relatively large increase in half-life but changes in R[prime] appeared to have little effect. Data are presented which should allow the selection of the proper compounds to achieve a wide range of desired NO generationmore » rates. These NO-containing zwitterions should prove to be important resources in studies of the biology of NO and may also have important pharmaceutical and chemical applications. 10 refs., 1 tab. « less
Lie Aversion, Anonymity and Social Distance: Are People More Willing to Lie Using a Mobile Phone?

We report the results of an experiment designed to test if individuals are more dishonest when using a smartphone, desktop computer or pen and paper. We explore this in both a setting where dishonesty benefits another (mutual-gain), and one where it harms another (zero-sum). We find that dishonesty is higher with a smartphone than with pen and paper in both the mutual-gain and zero-sum settings. With a desktop computer, dishonesty is relatively high in the mutual-gain setting but low in the zero-sum setting. We interpret our findings in terms of the influence the communication media has on perceived social distance and anonymity.
Manipulation of a schlenk line : Preparation of tetrahydrofuran complexes of transition-metal chlorides

Before taking an inorganic laboratory course few students have experience handling air-sensitive materials using Schlenk techniques. This exercise introduces them to techniques they will employ in later syntheses. The procedure involves the formation of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran complexes of transition-metal chlorides from metal-chloride hydrates; each reaction features a dramatic color change. Concurrent with the manipulations that are taught, several principles from both general chemistry and the inorganic lecture course are brought to life.
Effects of the Incorporation of Phosphorus and Iron into Arsenic-Spiked Artificial Soils on Root Growth of Lettuce using Response Surface Methodology

We investigated effects of phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe) on root elongation (RE) of lettuce in arsenic (As)–spiked soils using response surface methodology (RSM). To stabilize interactions between As and Fe in a soil preparation, the sequential incorporation method using Fe and P (SIMFe-P) was applied. From a phytotoxicity assay, As in roots (Asroot) was negatively associated with RE, Fe in soils, and P in roots and soils. The P in roots was also positively related to RE. In a model study, As and interaction factor between P and Fe showed negative coefficients but others showed positive ones. From a confirmation study, RE on exposure to As was verified to be much greater in soils treated by SIMFe-P than in soils separately treated with both elements. These results indicated that application of SIMFe-P to As-contaminated soils might be expected to have an advantage during the early stage of plant root growth.
A molecular dynamics study of liquid methanol with a flexible three-site model

A new potential is presented which describes the methanol-methanol interactions on the basis of a flexible three-site model. The intramolecular part of the potential has been derived from spectroscopic data. A molecular dynamics study has been performed with this potential at 286 K. The structural properties of liquid methanol calculated from the simulations are in good agreement with X-ray measurements. The average geometrical arrangement of nearest neighbors and their hydrogen bonding are discussed. The potential describes correctly the gas-liquid frequency shifts of the intramolecular vibrations. Several thermodynamic properties calculated from the simulation compare favorably with experimental results.
Modelling Of Sound Attenuation By Periodic, Rectangular Structures

The problem of noise reduction in outdoor environments is the subject of significant research effort because of the wide reaching impact it has on the population, especially those in urban areas. From existing outdoor and laboratory data it has already been established that periodic structures embedded into the ground may be tuned to significantly reduce transported noise at nuisance frequencies. Such structures possessing rectangular section are of particular interest due to the relative ease with which they can be implemented. While significant data is available, it has traditionally been a time consuming task to model and simulate such structures due to the need to apply complex numerical methods to do so. Finding simplified modelling methods is the aim of this research. Modelling of these structures will be considered in detail, culminating in the presentation of a novel analytic model with application in practical acoustic engineering and environmental planning. Existing general methods are explored before moving on to consider simpler techniques which may be employed by applying the simplifying assumption that all cavities within the periodic structure are rectangular in nature. By considering the structure as an effective impedance a novel analytic model is presented to conclude the thesis.
Identification of soil organic phosphorus by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Abstract Soil samples from different land use systems were collected before cropping (in spring) and after harvest (in fall) for organic phosphorus (P) extractions by 0.4M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and characterization by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. To prevent hydrolysis of organic P compounds prior to sample concentration, NaOH was removed from the NaOH soil extracts using a G‐25 Sephadex column. The 31P NMR spectra in the NaOH soil extracts showed the presence of glucose‐6 phosphate (up to 64%), glycerophosphate (up to 45%), nucleoside monophosphates (up to 91%), and polynucleotides (up to 58%) as the major forms of organic P in soils. The relative concentration of nucleoside monophosphates and polynucleotides decreased in some of the soils after harvest. The 31P NMR spectra of the extracts also revealed the presence of phosphoenolpyruvates, a previously unreported form of soil organic P.
Structures and Photoreactivities of 2,4,6‐Triisopropylbenzophenones

Crystal structures of 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzophenone (I) and its ten derivatives have been determined: (II) 2,4,6-triisopropyl-3'-methoxybenzophenone, (III) 3'-chloro-formyl-2,4,6-triisopropylbenzophenone, (IV) methyl 3-(2,4,6-triisopropylbenzoyl)benzoate, (V) 2,4,6-triisopropyl-4'-methylbenzophenone, (VI) 4'-tert-butyl-2,4,6-triisopropylbenzophenone, (VII) 2,4,6-triisopropyl-4'-methoxybenzophenone, (VIII) 4-(2,4,6-triisopropylbenzoyl)benzoic acid, (IX) 4'-chloroformyl-2,4,6-triisopropylbenzophenone, (X) methyl 4-(2,4,6-triisopropyl-benzoyl)benzoate and (XI) ethyl 4-(2,4,6-triisopropyl-benzoyl)benzoate. The conformations of these molecules are essentially the same. The central carbonyl moiety is approximately coplanar with the 3'- or 4'-substituted phenyl group and perpendicular to the triisopropylphenyl ring. The photostability of (IX) and (X) in the solid state is attributed to the narrow reaction cavity of the triisopropylphenylcarbonyl moiety, i.e. the intramolecular movements of isopropyl groups in the triisopropylphenyl plane toward the carbonyl C atom are suppressed by intermolecular close contacts. One of the barriers for the photocyclization of (IX) and (X) is caused by a dimeric structure in crystals through the π-π interaction, which is the result of having a polar methoxycarbonyl or chloroformyl group at position 4' of the phenyl ring.
High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Iron-Containing Proteins with On-Line Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometric Detection

An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer was employed as an iron detector in gel permeation liquid chromatography to separate ferritin, hemoglobin, myoglobin, and cytochrome-c, by use of potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) as the iron standard. The absolute detection limits for the four proteins were 0.01, 1, 0.7, and 0.4 μg, respectively, at 10 μl injections. These values were an order-of-magnitude lower than those obtained by using an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer as detector. From the peak area in the Fe chromatograms, the number of Fe atoms per molecule was evaluated for myoglobin and cytochrome-c to be 0.97 and 1.0, respectively.
HEATS OF MIXING OF NON-ELECTROLYTE SOLUTIONS. II. PERFLUORO-n-HEPTANE + ISOOCTANE AND PERFLUORO-n-HEXANE + n-HEXANE1,2

Heats of mixing were measured for the systems perfluoro-n-heptane + isooctane (2,2,4-trimethylpentane) at 30 and 50 deg and for the system perfluoro- n-hexane + nhexane at 25 and 35 deg . The results are correlated with the excess Gibbs' free energies of mixing measured by other workers. (auth)
An Elegant Fix for Polymer Electrolytes

The heart of modern electronics may be built from circuitry, but the lungs which breath life into such devices are batteries. Lithium batteries are increasingly dominating the consumer portable electronic and telecommunications markets and will power the implantable biomedical devices, hybrid electric vehicles and military/ national security communication and surveillance equipment of tomorrow. Current commercial batteries are based on ‘lithium-ion’ technology in which the anode consists of graphite or a similar material and the electrolyte is a liquid or polymer-gel containing molecular solvents/plasticizers. 1-3 Such batteries suffer a number of disadvantages relative to lithium-metal anode solid polymer electrolyte ~lithium-metal-polymer or LMP! batteries. 1-3 The use of graphite instead of lithium metal reduces the energy density while the liquid or gel electrolytes may leak or cause the battery to explode if volatilized. The molecular solvents used are typically not compatible with lithium metal. It is also difficult to easily adapt such batteries to the variable shapes and sizes desired for portable electronics.