Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hepatic thyroid signaling of heat-stressed late pregnant and early lactating cows

During the transition between late gestation and early lactation, dairy cows experience severe metabolic stress due to the high energy and nutrient requirements of the fetus and the mammary gland. Additional thermal stress that occurs with rising temperatures during the ongoing climate change has further adverse implications on energy intake, metabolism and welfare. The thyroid hormone (TH)-mediated cellular signaling has a pivotal role in regulation of body temperature, energy intake and metabolic adaptation to heat. To distinguish between energy intake and heat stress-related effects, Holstein cows were first kept at thermoneutrality at 15°C followed by exposure to heat stress (HS) at 28°C or pair-feeding (PF) at 15°C for 6 days, in late pregnancy and again in early lactation. Herein, we focused on hepatic metabolic changes associated with alterations in the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis in HS and PF animals. T3 and T4 levels dropped with HS or PF; however, in HS animals, this decline was more pronounced. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels remain unaffected, while plasma cholesterol concentrations were lower in HS than PF animals. Hepatic marker genes for TH action (THRA, DIO1 and PPARGC1) decreased after HS and were lower compared to PF cows but only post-partum. Proteomics data revealed reduced hepatic amino acid catabolism ante-partum and a shift toward activated beta-oxidation and gluconeogenesis but declined oxidative stress defense post-partum. Thus, liver metabolism of HS and PF cows adapts differently to diminished energy intake both ante-partum and post-partum, and a different TH sensitivity is involved in the regulation of catabolic processes.
INFLUENCE OF LIGHT , GROWTH REGULATORS , NITRATE AND SUGARS ON THE PRODUCTION OF STEVIOSIDE AND REBAUDIOSIDE-A IN THE LEAF CALLUS CULTURES OF STEVIA REBAUDIANA BERTONI

Stevioside and rebaudioside-A are diterpenes steviol glycosides which are estimated to be 250-400 times sweeter than cane sugar. These natural sweeteners with zero calories are produced in green leaves of perennial shrub Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, familyAsteraceae. In the present study, production of Stevioside and rebaudioside-A in callus cultures under the influence of light, growth regulators, carbohydrates and nitrate levels was investigated using LC-MS method. Stevia leaf explants showed 10.2 96.52% callus induction on Murashige and Skoog medium with different, 36 single and 28 combinations of growth regulators. Callus accumulated about 0.47 to 2. 90μg/gdc (gram dry callus) Stevioside and 0.35 to1.91 μg/gdc rebaudioside-A on eight different media i.e. one concentration of each growth regulator 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid; α-naphthalene acetic acid; Indole3-acetic acid; Indole-3butric acid; Kinetin and 6-benzyl amino purine and two combinations (6-benzyl amino purine + 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid and 6-benzyl amino purine + Indole-3-acetic acid) under dark conditions. A clear and significant increase in the accumulation of both Stevioside (132.9 μg/gdc) and rebaudioside-A (148.7 μg/gdc) was observed on exposure to 12 hours light conditions and sucrose (3%) containing medium with MS nitrates. Supplementation of glucose or fructose as carbon source, has further promoted production of both Stevioside (158.1 and 232.65μg/gdc) and rebaudioside-A (98.0 and 186.05 μg/gdc). Whereas increase in the total nitrate levels showed drastic reduction in the steviol glycosides accumulation in leaf derived callus cultures.
Analysis of stimulus control treatment of sleep-onset insomnia.

This study was undertaken to examine the components responsible for the efficacy of the stimulus control treatment of sleep-onset insomnia. Forty-seven college students with sleep-onset insomnia were assigned to one of five treatment conditions. Subjects were instructed not to expect improvement until after the fourth treatment session. Only stimulus control and a treatment violating the associative aspects of stimulus control produced significantly greater improvement in reported latency to sleep onset than the waiting-list condition. Results are discussed in terms of several possible explanations for improvement due to so-called stimulus control treatment for insomnia.
Propulsion of liposomes using bacterial motors

Here we describe the utilization of flagellated bacteria as actuators to propel spherical liposomes by attaching bacteria to the liposome surface. Bacteria were stably attached to liposomes using a cross-linking antibody. The effect of the number of attached bacteria on propulsion speed was experimentally determined. The effects of bacterial propulsion on the bacteria–antibody–liposome complex were stochastic. We demonstrated that liposomal mobility increased when bacteria were attached, and the propulsion speed correlated with the number of bacteria.
An Elliptic Curve-Based Trust Management Protocol in Peer-to-Peer Networks

SUMMARY Establishing trust measurements among peer-to-peer (P2P) networks is fast becoming a de-facto standard, and a fair amount of work has been done in the area of trust aggregation and calculation algorithms. However, the area of developing secure underlying protocols to distribute and access the trust ratings in the overlay network has been relatively unexplored. We propose an elliptic curve-based trust management protocol for P2P systems, which is designed to provide authentication and signature functions to protect the processes of trust value query and rating report. Additionally, instead of using single identities, the protocol generates two veriﬁable pseudonyms, one is used for transaction, the other is applied when the peer acts as a trust holding peer. A security analysis shows that the proposed protocol is extremely secure in the face of a variety of possible attacks.
Velocity Control of a Spherical Rolling Robot Using a Grey-PID Type Fuzzy Controller with an Adaptive Step Size

This paper proposes a grey-PID type fuzzy controller (GPIDFC) with an adaptive step size to control the velocity of a spherical rolling robot characterized by a highly nonlinear system model. The proposed control structure consists of a grey predictor and a PID type fuzzy controller (PIDFC). Another fuzzy controller is proposed to tune the step size of the grey predictor. The simulation results show that the PIDFC coupled to a grey predictor with an adaptive step size is able to control the spherical rolling robot with a better transient response, e.g. lower overshoot, when compared to a conventional PIDFC.
Healthy Life Expectancy for Selected Race and Gender Subgroups: The Case of Tennessee

Objective: To analyze healthy life expectancy (HLE) for major racial and gender subgroups, based on the diverse population of Tennessee and compared with the United States. Materials and Methods: We use life table methodology and the HLE calculation model of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), using two databases for 2001: NCHS National Vital Statistics Reports life tables and CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. Results: For Tennessee, although average total life expectancy (TLE) is 73.6 years at birth, only 61.1 years of “good” health are expected. Substantial racial and gender differences are found in both TLEs and HLEs with black males having the lowest and white females the highest. Although females have longer TLE, they spend more years in an unhealthy state than males. Conclusions: The findings raise new challenges for researchers and health policy makers for accomplishing the dual goals of longer life expectancy and elimination of health disparities among population subgroups.
Doxycycline-rifampin versus doxycycline-streptomycin in treatment of human brucellosis due to Brucella melitensis. The GECMEI Group. Grupo de Estudio de Castilla-la Mancha de Enfermedades Infecciosas

Brucellosis is a common zoonosis in many parts of the world; the best regimen for the treatment of brucellosis has not been clearly determined. We have carried out a multicenter, open, controlled trial in five general hospitals in Spain to compare the efficacy and safety of doxycycline and rifampin (DR) versus doxycycline and streptomycin (DS) for the treatment of human brucellosis. The study included 194 ambulatory or hospitalized patients with acute brucellosis, without endocarditis or neurobrucellosis. The diagnostic criterion was isolation of Brucella species from blood or other tissues (n = 120) or a standard tube agglutination titer of 1/160 or more for anti-Brucella antibodies with compatible clinical findings (n = 74). Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 100 mg of doxycycline twice daily plus rifampin, 900 mg/day, in a single morning dose for 45 days (DR group) or the same dose of doxycycline for 45 days plus streptomycin, 1 g/day, intramuscularly for 14 days (DS group). A lack of therapeutic efficacy developed in 8 of the 100 patients in the DR group (8%) and in 2 of the 94 patients in the DS group (2%)(P = 0.10). Relapses occurred in 16 of the 100 patients in the DR group (16%) but in only 5 of the 94 patients in the DS group (5.3%) (P = 0.02). When relapse was considered in combination with initial lack of efficacy, 26 patients in the DR group (24%) and 7 patients in the DS group (7.45%) failed to respond to therapy (P = 0.0016). In general, therapy was well tolerated and only four patients (4%) in the DR group and two (2%) in the DS group had episodes of adverse effects necessitating discontinuation of treatment (P> 0.2). We conclude that a doxycycline-and-rifampin regimen is less effective than the doxycycline-and-streptomycin regimen in patients with acute brucellosis.
Solubility Enhancement of Poorly Water Soluble Drug Zaltoprofen by Mixed Hydrotropy Approach

The present study is probably the earliest attempt to enhance Solubility of Zaltoprofen by using mixed hydrotropy and mixed solvency approaches. Zaltoprofen is selected as model drug because it is practically insoluble in water hence there is need to increase the solubility for better absorption and improved therapeutic efficacy. In the preformulation study physical compatibility of the drug-excipient was screened and compatibility was observed between Zaltoprofen and selected solubilizers. In the drug solubilizers interference study no interference was observed in UV spectrophometric analysis of Zaltoprofen in presence of employed solubilizers. Aqueous solubility of Zaltoprofen was found 0.028 mg/ml. The solubilizers sodium acetate, sodium benzoate and sodium salicylate, ethanol, PEG 600, piperazine anhydrous, were selected for solubilization studies on the basis of solubility enhancement ratio. The solubility enhancement ratio in sodium citrate, citric acid, urea, PEG 6000, PEG 4000, PEG 200, PEG 400, propylene glycol and glycerin were found to be less as compare to selected solubilizers. The solubility determination of drug in hydrotropic solutions was carried out at room temperature and solubilizing power of different hydrotropes could be ranked as: Piperazine anhydrous > sodium salicylate > sodium benzoate > sodium acetate > PEG 600. From the equilibrium solubility curves of Zaltoprofen in solubilisers it was concluded that increase in the solubility was nonlinear function with respect to the hydrotrope concentration. Keywords: Mixed hydrotropy, Zaltoprofen, solubility, selective COX2 inhibitor
Assessment of coronary reperfusion after thrombolysis with a model combining myoglobin, creatine kinase-MB, and clinical variables. TAMI-7 Study Group. Thrombolysis and Angioplasty in Myocardial Infarction-7.

BACKGROUND Several biochemical markers have been investigated for the noninvasive assessment of reperfusion after myocardial infarction. Because myoglobin is released very soon after myocardial injury and clears rapidly after reperfusion, it may prove to be an excellent marker of occlusion and reperfusion. METHODS AND RESULTS We examined the relation between various myoglobin measures and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade in 96 patients enrolled in a study of front-loaded thrombolysis who underwent 90-minute angiography. We also combined myoglobin measures with models that include clinical and creatine kinase-MB variables. The myoglobin level measured within 10 minutes of acute angiography showed the best overall performance and was used for later analyses. Of the clinical variables examined, only time from symptom onset to thrombolysis and chest pain grade at angiography discriminated among TIMI flow grades. Combining the 90-minute myoglobin level and these clinical variables showed a significant difference (P<.0001) between both TIMI 3 versus TIMI 0 through 2 and TIMI 2 or 3 versus TIMI 0 or 1 flow. When the 90-minute myoglobin level was added to an established predictive model containing clinical variables and creatine kinase-MB measures, its contribution remained significant (P=.044). The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve for this combined model was . 88. CONCLUSIONS A single myoglobin measurement obtained 90 minutes after the start of thrombolysis, combined with select clinical variables and creatine kinase-MB levels, enhances the noninvasive prediction of reperfusion after myocardial infarction.
Heuristic Parameter-Choice Rules for Convex Variational Regularization Based on Error Estimates

In this paper, we are interested in heuristic parameter-choice rules for general convex variational regularization which are based on error estimates. Two such rules are derived and generalize those from quadratic regularization, namely, the Hanke-Raus rule and quasi-optimality criterion. A posteriori error estimates are shown for the Hanke-Raus rule, and convergence for both rules is also discussed. Numerical results for both rules are presented to illustrate their applicability.
Synthesis of Novel Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Agents via Ugi-4CR and its Evaluation

Article history: Received on: 03/02/2013 Revised on: 20/02/2013 Accepted on: 05/03/2013 Available online: 30/03/2013 An efficient and rapid synthesis of novel anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agents using 4-aminoantipyrine, nicotinic acid, ethylisocyanoacetate and substituted aldehydes via Ugi four component reaction (Ugi-4CR) protocol under microwave irradiation in presence of Fluorite as an efficient catalyst. The microwave synthesis route afforded better yields with shorter reaction time. The novel heterocycles were characterized on the basis of IR, H NMR and Mass spectral analysis. All the synthesized molecules 5 (a-h) were examined for their potential in-vivo Anti-inflammatory activity on Wistar Albino rats using a standard reference drug, Indometacin. The synthesized compounds were also screened for their potent in-vitro Antimicrobial activity using few Grampositive and Gram-negative bacteria against a reference antibiotic, Ampicillin and Streptomycin.
Mutations of KCNJ 10 Together with Mutations of SLC 26 A 4 Cause Digenic Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss Associated with Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct Syndrome

Mutations in SLC26A4 cause nonsyndromic hearing loss associated with an enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA, also known as DFNB4) and Pendred syndrome (PS), the most common type of autosomal-recessive syndromic deafness. In many patients with an EVA/PS phenotype, mutation screening of SLC26A4 fails to identify two disease-causing allele variants. That a sizable fraction of patients carry only one SLC26A4 mutation suggests that EVA/PS is a complex disease involving other genetic factors. Here, we show that mutations in the inwardly rectifying Kþ channel gene KCNJ10 are associated with nonsyndromic hearing loss in carriers of SLC26A4 mutations with an EVA/PS phenotype. In probands from two families, we identified double heterozygosity in affected individuals. These persons carried single mutations in both SLC26A4 and KCNJ10. The identified SLC26A4 mutations have been previously implicated in EVA/PS, and the KCNJ10 mutations reduce Kþ conductance activity, which is critical for generating and maintaining the endocochlear potential. In addition, we show that haploinsufficiency of Slc26a4 in the Slc26a4þ/ mouse mutant results in reduced protein expression of Kcnj10 in the stria vascularis of the inner ear. Our results link KCNJ10 mutations with EVA/PS and provide further support for the model of EVA/PS as a multigenic complex disease.
Implementing community-directed treatment with ivermectin for the control of onchocerciasis in Uganda (1997–2000): an evaluation

Abstract Over the period 1997-2000, an evaluation was made, in 10 districts of Uganda, of the onchocerciasis-control programme based on community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI). This programme is supported by the Ministry of Health, the African Progamme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) and The Carter Center Global 2000 River Blindness Programme. The data analysed came from: (1) monthly and annual reports; (2) annual interviews, in randomly-selected communities in selected districts, with heads of household, community leaders and ivermectin distributors; (3) participatory evaluation meetings (PEM); (4) participant observation studies; and (5) key informants. The percentage of treated communities in the 10 study districts achieving satisfactory treatment coverage [i.e. ≥ 90% of the annual treatment objective (ATO)] rose from 46.0 in 1997 to 86.8 in 2000. This improvement was largely attributable to the adoption of collective CDTI decision-making by community members, avoidance of paying monetary incentives to the ivermectin distributors, and the satisfaction with the programme of those who had been treated. Coverage improved as the numbers of community members who were involved in choosing the method of distribution and in selecting their own community-directed health workers (CDHW) increased. Health education was also critical in improving individual members' involvement in decision-making, and in mobilizing other community members to take part in CDTI. Involvement of kinship groups, as well as educated community members as supervisors of CDHW, also helped to increase coverage. In a regression model, satisfaction with the programme was revealed as a significant predictor of the achievement of the target coverage (P<0.001). Cost per person, as an indicator for sustainability, varied with the size of the population under treatment, from at least U.S.$0.40 when the district ATO was <15,000 people, to U.S.$0.26 with an ATO of 15,000-40,000 and less than U.S.$0.10 when the district ATO exceeded 40,000 people. These results cast doubt on the validity of the current APOC indicator for sustainability, of a cost of no more than U.S.$0.20/person for all CDTI projects, whatever the size of the population to be treated. Although some women were involved in decision-making, their current involvement as supervisors or CDHW was minimal. Most of the present data were obtained through monitoring and operational-research activities that have been carried out, in an integrated fashion, within the Ugandan CDTI programme since its launch. It is recommended that assessment, monitoring and evaluation be widely used within all CDTI efforts. Operational research should remain focused and appropriate and directly involve the personnel who are executing the programme.
Organizational Sustainability: A New Project Portfolio Management Approach that Integrates Financial and Non-Financial Performance Measures

This paper presents preliminary research on a new decision making tool that integrates financial and non-financial performance measures in project portfolio management via the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) and uses the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) as a decision support model. This new tool evaluates and prioritizes a set of projects and creates a balanced project portfolio based upon the perspectives and priorities of decision makers. It can assist decision makers with developing and making proactive decisions which support the strategy of their organization with respect to financial, environmental and social issues, ensuring the sustainability of their organization in the future.
Management of Life-Threatening Arterial Hemorrhage Following a Fragility Fracture of the Pelvis in the Anticoagulated Patient

Background: Life-threatening arterial bleeding from fragility fractures of the pelvis are very rare but associated with significant mortality, especially in anticoagulated patients. Case Description: We report the successful interdisciplinary management of a 78-year-old woman under anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy who had life-threatening arterial hemorrhage from the pubic rami following a fragility fracture of the pelvis. Our management strategy included early hemorrhage control by means of selective arterial embolization followed by surgical fracture stabilization and surgical hematoma evacuation. Literature Review: We identified 6 cases within the English literature, all involving females older than 70 years. All patients under anticoagulation developed hemorrhagic shock, and in 2 cases selective embolization contributed to survival of the patient. However, a combined management including fracture stabilization and hematoma evacuation has not been reported, allowing an excellent clinical outcome and discharge to geriatric rehabilitation. Clinical Relevance: This case illustrates that elderly patients with apparently benign pelvic fragility fractures might develop severe hemorrhage due to arterial injury, especially when under dual anticoagulation, and stresses the importance of a high index of suspicion. If bleeding is suspected, detailed imaging studies are necessary to determine the source of bleeding and immediate angiographic or surgical interventions in combination with volume resuscitation and coagulation therapy should be readily available.
Calomys laucha (Rodentia, Cricetidae): growth and breeding in laboratory conditions

The husbandry and breeding of Calomys laucha (Rodentia, Cricetidae) in captivity are described. Growth curves based on body weight and length showed statistical differences between sexes after 45 days, males being heavier than females. The overall reproductive efficiency was 53·4% but birth rate was depressed during winter. Gestation length was 21±1 days and females exhibited postpartum oestrus with a 3-7 day implantation delay (51%). Litter size was 5·3×1·1 (n=34). Pup survival at weaning was 84·9%. Mean life span in laboratory conditions was 13·5 months and a cumulative mortality of 90% was reached at 27-28 months of age.
Kinetically Distinct Sorting Pathways through the Golgi Exhibit Different Requirements for Arf1

To investigate the role of cytoplasmic sequences in directing transmembrane protein trafficking through the Golgi, we analyzed the sorting of VSV tsO45 G fusions with either the native G cytoplasmic domain (G) or an alternative cytoplasmic tail derived from the chicken AE1‐4 anion exchanger (GAE). At restrictive temperature GAE and G accumulated in the ER, and upon shifting the cells to permissive temperature both proteins folded and underwent transport through the Golgi. However, GAE and G did not form hetero‐oligomers upon the shift to permissive temperature and they progressed through the Golgi with distinct kinetics. In addition, the transport of G through the proximal Golgi was Arf1 and COPI‐dependent, while GAE progression through the proximal Golgi was Arf1 and COPI‐independent. Although Arf1 did not regulate the sorting of GAE in the cis‐Golgi, Arf1 did regulate the exit of GAE from the TGN. The trafficking of GAE through the Golgi was similar to that of the native AE1‐4 anion exchanger, in that the progression of both proteins through the proximal Golgi was Arf1‐independent, while both required Arf1 to exit the TGN. We propose that the differential recognition of cytosolic signals in membrane‐spanning proteins by the Arf1‐dependent sorting machinery may influence the rate at which cargo progresses through the Golgi.