Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human urine: Epicatechin metabolites and antioxidant activity after cocoa beverage intake

Associations between cocoa consumption in humans, excreted metabolites and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) have been scarcely investigated. The aims of the study were to investigate the epicatechin (( − )-Ec) metabolites excreted in urine samples after an intake of 40 g of cocoa powder along with the TAC of these urine samples and the relation between both the analyses. Each of the 21 volunteers received two interventions, one with a polyphenol-rich food (PRF) and one with a polyphenol-free food (PFF) in a randomized cross-over study. Urine samples were taken before and during 24 h at 0–6, 6–12 and 12–24 h periods after test intake. The excreted ( − )-Ec metabolites and the TAC were determined in urine samples by LC-MS/MS and TEAC assay, respectively. The maximum excretion of ( − )-Ec metabolites and the maximum TAC value were observed in urine samples excreted between 6 and 12 h after PRF consumption. Significance of TAC increase was found in urine samples excreted during 0–6 and 6–12 h (66.6 and 72.67%, respectively, with respect to the 0 h).
Steady State Is Not Achieved for Most Plasma Amino Acids during 12 Hours of Fasting in the Neonatal Piglet

Kinetics studies in neonates are important to establish the requirement for amino acids and to understand the mechanisms of normal and altered metabolism. During kinetics experiments, plasma amino acid concentrations should be in steady state. Our objective was to determine whether 12 h of fasting, after parenteral or enteral feeding, resulted in a steady state in concentrations of amino acids. Two-day-old piglets were implanted with catheters (d 0), and randomly assigned to either intragastric (i.g., n = 6) or i.v. (n = 6) feeding. On d 5, piglets were fasted for 12 h. During the first 2 h, plasma concentrations of almost all amino acids declined except asparagine (i.g. and i.v.), tyrosine (i.v.), and glycine (i.v.), which increased. Only i.g. glycine did not change. Between 2 and 12 h, the only indispensable amino acids that did not change were phenylalanine (i.v.) and histidine (i.g. and i.v.). The branched-chain amino acids increased during this period (i.v. and i.g.). The greatest change was tyrosine, increasing 13% (i.v.) and 32% (i.g.) per hour. After 12 h of refeeding, glycine, serine, threonine, and asparagine concentrations were lower than baseline (p < 0.05) in the i.v. group. In i.g. fed piglets, only threonine remained below baseline (p < 0.05), and arginine was greater than baseline (p < 0.05). Differences between i.v. and i.g. may be the result of impaired small intestinal metabolism secondary to parenteral feeding. In neonatal pigs, most plasma amino acids were unstable during 12 h of fasting. Thus, kinetics studies that require a steady state must be conducted in the fed state.
Gene directed enzyme/prodrug therapy of cancer: Historical appraisal and future prospectives

Gene therapy of cancer is a novel approach with the potential to selectively eradicate tumour cells, whilst sparing normal tissue from damage. In particular, gene‐directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT) is based on the delivery of a gene that encodes an enzyme which is non‐toxic per se, but is able to convert a prodrug into a potent cytotoxin. Several GDEPT systems have been investigated so far, demonstrating effectiveness in both tissue culture and animal models. Based on these encouraging results, phase I/II clinical trials have been performed and are still ongoing. The aim of this review is to summarise the progress made in the design and application of GDEPT strategies. The most widely used enzyme/prodrug combinations already in clinical trials (e.g., herpes simplex 1 virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir and cytosine deaminase/5‐fluorocytosine), as well as novel approaches (carboxypeptidase G2/CMDA, horseradish peroxidase/indole‐3‐acetic acid) are described, with a particular attention to translational research and early clinical results. J. Cell. Physiol. 187:22–35, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A comparison study between time series model and ARIMA model for sales forecasting of distributor in plastic industry

The number of distributors in plastic industry is increasing every year. Therefore, they got a problem about competitive cost more than in the past. One of the ways to solve this problem is management by inventory. Before they improve inventory, the forecasting is important for this process. In the past, they were looking for conventional time series for forecasting sales volume before manages inventory. This study would like to compare the application of three forecasting methods on the amount of the sales volume for plastic distributor, the ARIMA time series method,Moving average method and Holt's and Winter exponential method. After applying five data sets of raw material from plastic distributor by four forecasting methods, the ARIMA model shows better results than other models when compare with other methods by using MAPE (Mean Absolute Percentage Error).
Design considerations and clinical applications of closed-loop neural disorder control SoCs

This paper presents the closed-loop neural disorder control concept and some design considerations. Two architectures of closed-loop neuromodulation for Parkinson's disease and epileptic seizure are proposed. One is a closed-loop deep brain stimulator, which meets the IEC 60601-1 standard. The other one is an implantable SoC for epileptic seizure control, which is verified by animal experiment.
Testing in the Evaluation of Curriculum Development

There are more ways than one to evaluate a curricular program. Some of the ways, but not all, involve the use of educational tests. This review of research on testing in the evaluation of curriculum development is new to the REVIEW series. The need for separate consideration of testing as a part of curriculum evaluation has emerged as more educational researchers have joined Cronbach (1963) in realizing that conventional testing instruments, although effective in differentiating among the aptitudes or accomplishments or inclinations of individual children, are not always efficient, nor even valid, for differentiating among the effects of school curricula.
Development of a Fourfold Multiplexed Opsonophagocytosis Assay for Pneumococcal Antibodies against Additional Serotypes and Discovery of Serological Subtypes in Streptococcus pneumoniae Serotype 20

ABSTRACT Opsonophagocytic killing assays (OPAs) are important in vitro surrogate markers of protection in vaccine studies of Streptococcus pneumoniae. We have previously reported the development of a 4-fold multiplexed OPA (MOPA) for the 13 serotypes in Prevnar 13. Because new conjugate vaccines with increased valence are being developed, we developed 4-fold MOPAs for an additional 13 serotypes: serotypes 6C and 6D, plus the 11 serotypes contained in Pneumovax but not in Prevnar 13. A high level of nonspecific killing (NSK) was observed for three serotypes (10A, 15B, and 33F) in multiple batches of baby rabbit complement. The NSK could be reduced by preadsorbing the complement with encapsulated, as well as unencapsulated, pneumococcal strains. The MOPA results compared well with the results of single-serotype OPA for all serotypes except for serotype 3. For serotype 3, the results obtained from the MOPA format were ∼40% higher than those of the single-serotype format. Interassay precision of MOPA was determined with 5 serum samples, and the coefficient of variation was generally <30% for all serotypes. MOPA was also specific for all serotypes except for serotype 20; i.e., free homologous polysaccharide (PS), but not unrelated PS, could completely and efficiently inhibit opsonization. However, serotype 20 PS from ATCC could efficiently inhibit opsonization of one serotype 20 target strain but not three other type 20 target strains even at a high (>80 mg/liter) PS concentration. This suggests the presence of serologic heterogeneity among serotype 20 strains.
A retrospective analysis of cisplatin, pemetrexed, and bevacizumab in previously treated non-small-cell lung cancer

Patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) often have an advanced disease when firstly diagnosed. Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR). In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the efficacy of cisplatin, pemetrexed, and bevacizumab in previously treated advanced NSCLC. Results showed that the objective response rate(ORR) of this novel regimen is 43%, median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.2 months (95% CI, 3.7 to 6.7 months) and median overall survival (OS) was 11.4 months (95% CI, 8.8 to 13.9 months). Adverse events were generally mild, ranging from grade 1 to grade 3. In conclusion, the combination of cisplatin, pemetrexed, and bevacizumab obtained promising results in selected patients with NSCLC. Randomized clinical trials are needed to further investigate the efficacy of this regimen.
Gender Differences in Depressive Symptoms of Aging Chinese in Urban Jiangsu in China

Gender differences in depressive symptoms among older Chinese were examined based upon data collected from a survey with 497 randomly selected aging Chinese of 60 years or older in Jiangsu, China. A Chinese version of the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale was used. Depressive symptoms correlated with lower levels of education, financial inadequacy, lower levels of satisfaction toward housing, higher levels of worry, and poorer physical health. When controlled for other confounding factors, the effect of gender was not significant. Gender differences were most likely attributed to women's less favorable status in education level, living arrangement, housing condition, and social support.
Children's naming and word-finding difficulties: descriptions and explanations.

PURPOSE There is a substantial minority of children for whom lexical retrieval problems impede the normal pattern of language development and use. These problems include accurately producing the correct word even when the word's meaning is understood. Such problems are often referred to as word-finding difficulties (WFDs). This article examines the nature of naming and lexical retrieval difficulties in these and other groups of children. METHOD A review of the relevant literature on lexical access difficulties in children with word-finding difficulties was conducted. Studies were examined in the terms of population parameters and comparison groups included in the study. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Most discussions of the cognitive processes causing lexical retrieval difficulties refer to semantics, phonology, and processing speed. The authors propose that understanding of these topics will be further advanced by the use of appropriate methodology to test developmental models. In this way it will be possible to identify the processes that contribute to successful lexical retrieval and the processes that result in retrieval difficulties.
Class, Culture and Agency: Researching parental voice

This paper explores the differential possession and deployment of social, cultural and material resources by parents, and the effect of these processes on their willingness and ability to be involved with and intervene in their children's school life--what we have called 'parental voice'. The data presented here are drawn from a study of parents at two secondary schools, a subsample of data from a larger study involving six schools. We consider the social positioning and behaviour of three cohorts of parents, those demonstrating high, low and intermediate levels of intervention in the school. Our conclusions stress both the similarities and differences in parents' experience of voice. Certainly, parental access to and deployment of a number of social resources significantly affected how often, how easily and over what range of issues they approached the school. However, we also describe the overall character of parental voice in these two schools as individual, cautious and insecure.
Early destructive effect of sunlight on human skin.

The facial skin of white persons has been assessed throughout the human life span for the severity of elasticfiber changes as an indicator of sunlight damage. Elastic hyperplasia began as early as the first decade and was clearly evident in a majority of young adults before the age of 30. Beyond the fourth decade most persons had serious elastic-tissue abnormalities culminating in massive degeneration. The elastotic changes were quite advanced before the extensiveness of the damage became visible clinically. The unexposed skin of the buttock exhibited only a slight increase in elastic fibers in old age. The degree of elastic-tissue damage in different regions of the face was in relation to the amount of sunlight these received, greatest on the ear rim and cheek, least under the chin and eyebrows. Sunlight, not innate aging, is mainly responsible for the worst manifestation of senile skin.
Validation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv1681 Protein as a Diagnostic Marker of Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis

ABSTRACT The development of an accurate antigen detection assay for the diagnosis of active tuberculosis (TB) would represent a major clinical advance. Here, we demonstrate that the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv1681 protein is a biomarker for active TB with potential diagnostic utility. We initially identified, by mass spectroscopy, peptides from the Rv1681 protein in urine specimens from 4 patients with untreated active TB. Rabbit IgG anti-recombinant Rv1681 detected Rv1681 protein in lysates and culture filtrates of M. tuberculosis and immunoprecipitated it from pooled urine specimens from two TB patients. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay formatted with these antibodies detected Rv1681 protein in unconcentrated urine specimens from 11/25 (44%) TB patients and 1/21 (4.8%) subjects in whom TB was initially clinically suspected but then ruled out by conventional methods. Rv1681 protein was not detected in urine specimens from 10 subjects with Escherichia coli-positive urine cultures, 26 subjects with confirmed non-TB tropical diseases (11 with schistosomiasis, 5 with Chagas' disease, and 10 with cutaneous leishmaniasis), and 14 healthy subjects. These results provide strong validation of Rv1681 protein as a promising biomarker for TB diagnosis.
Expression, Purification, Biochemical and Pharmacological Characterization of a Recombinant Aprotinin Variant

Summary Aprotinin (CAS 9087-70-1) is known as a potent inhibitor of serine proteases such as trypsin, plasmin, tissue and plasma kallikrein. In this study, an aprotinin variant was designed by means of rationale mutagenesis that differs from aprotinin by two amino acids in the active site and by seven amino acids in the backbone. The recombinant protein is expressed in a secretory yeast system enabling large scale production. A purification procedure was developed to yield high amounts of pure and correctly processed aprotinin variant. The changes in the active site of the aprotinin variant increase the potency towards inhibition of plasma kallikrein whereas the inhibition of plasmin is only marginally reduced. The net charge of the molecule is reduced from the basic (IP 10.5) to the neutral range (IP 5.6). The recombinant aprotinin variant shows a decrease of immunogenicity in several models. No cross-reactivity with human and rabbit antibodies directed against aprotinin was observed both in in vivo and in ex vivo studies. In addition, the variant is more potent in a rat brain edema model of acute subdural hematoma compared to aprotinin.
Child Maltreatment, Infant-Parent Attachment Security, and Dysfunctional Peer Relationships in Toddlerhood

The developmental consequences of child maltreatment deserve empirical inquiry. This article examines the link between etiology and developmental outcome, focusing on the infant-parent attachment bond. Studies reviewed point to a strong association between child maltreatment and attachment insecurity. As this review points out, the consequences do not stop here: Child-peer relations are likewise dysfunctional. Because abused children are at risk as adults for mistreating their own offspring, it is important that intervention efforts, which compensate for earlier dysfunctional interactions through enhancing the child's self-worth and providing a model of consideration and caring, be instituted at the earliest possible time.
Containment and contagion: How to strengthen families to support youth HIV prevention in South Africa

There has been little research done in South Africa that investigates how families nested within communities can be strengthened to support the prevention of HIV infection in youth. A focused ethnographic case-study approach was employed to better understand how families in a semi-rural area outside Durban, South Africa, could support youth to make healthy life choices, particularly with respect to HIV risk behaviour. This involved a volunteer convenience sample of parents or caregivers and key community members. A psychodynamic extension of social representational theory was applied to an interpretation of the data. The findings suggest that caregivers of youth feel disempowered and unsupported in a context of fractured and un-containing leadership structures, which works against social cohesion. In the context of social change and relatively new and threatening phenomena such as HIV/AIDS, we argue that strong unified leadership structures are necessary to assist with anchoring the unfamiliar and rendering it manageable, as well as to form the building blocks of social cohesion, a protective social environmental factor for youth. In addition, we suggest that programmes aimed at empowering parents or caregivers with knowledge about HIV/AIDS as well as renegotiating parental practices to promote greater parental authority, would be important interventions at a family level.
Mast cells modulate pulmonary acute inflammation and host defense in a murine model of tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND Mast cells (MCs) participate in host resistance to several pathogens, but little is known about the role played by MCs in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. METHODS Compound 48/80 (C48/80)-treated mice and nontreated mice were infected intratracheally with 1 x 10(5) viable M. tuberculosis bacilli (MTB; strain H37Rv). RESULTS Infected BALB/c mice developed an acute pulmonary inflammation and had higher levels of tumor necrosis factor- alpha , interleukin-1, keratinocyte-derived chemokine, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 in the lungs by day 15. In vivo degranulation of MCs by C48/80 led to a reduction in the inflammatory reaction that was associated with a marked decline in lung proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine levels. The magnitude of the cellular immune response was also partially impaired in infected mice treated with C48/80. The number of Mycobacteria bacilli recovered from the lungs of infected mice treated with C48/80 was 1 log higher than that recovered from untreated infected mice. C48/80 treatment attenuated the granulomatous inflammation in the lung parenchyma seen in untreated MTB-infected mice. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that MCs participate in host defense against M. tuberculosis infection through the production and secretion of cytokines and chemokines that play a role in the recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells in this experimental model.
Quantitative Phase Imaging Using Hard X Rays.

The quantitative imaging of a phase object using 16keV xrays is reported. The theoretical basis of the techniques is presented along with its implementation using a synchrotron x-ray source. We find that our phase image is in quantitative agreement with independent measurements of the object. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society. }
Heterozygous Knock-Out Mice for Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Show a Pathway-Specific Impairment of Long-Term Potentiation But Normal Critical Period for Monocular Deprivation

Genetic deletion of a single allele of theBDNF gene affects hippocampal LTP and causes several behavioral phenotypes, including deficits in spatial learning. In the developing visual cortex, overexpression of BDNF accelerates the time course of the critical period for monocular deprivation (MD), and exogenous administration of BDNF alters the outcome of MD. We asked whether reduced levels of BDNF could affect visual cortex plasticity by studying long-term potentiation (LTP) induction and the effects of MD in heterozygous BDNF knock-out mice. We found that theta burst stimulation that induced LTP in the layer IV–III pathway of wild-type (wt) mice caused only a transient potentiation in BDNF+/− mice, and that this potentiation vanished in 25 min. In contrast, LTP elicited by stimulation of the white matter (WM), a form of LTP that can be induced only during the critical period, occurred normally in wt and BDNF+/− mice. The effects of MD during the critical period were similar in wt and BDNF+/− mice, indicating that layer IV-evoked, layer III LTP is not required for ocular dominance plasticity. We then asked whether reduction of cortical BDNF levels could prolong the critical period for MD and for the WM-evoked, layer III LTP induction. We found that in adult BDNF+/− mice, WM-evoked, layer III LTP was not inducible, and that the critical period for MD terminated normally. We conclude that deletion of one copy of the BDNF gene selectively impairs LTP of the layer IV–III pathway but does not alter ocular dominance plasticity.
Undertstanding the Home Market Effect and the Gravity Equation: the Role of Differentiating Goods

This paper argues that the theoretical foundations for the gravity equation are general, while the empirical performance of the gravity equation is specific to the type of goods examined. Most existing theory for the gravity equation depends on the assumption of differentiated goods. We show that the gravity equation can also be derived from a reciprocal dumping' model of trade in homogeneous goods. The different theories have different testable implications. Theoretically, the gravity equation should have a lower domestic income elasticity for exports of homogeneous goods than of differentiated goods, because of a home market' effect which depends on barriers to entry. We quantify the home market effect empirically using cross-sectional gravity equations, and find that domestic income export elasticities are indeed substantially higher for differentiated goods than for homogeneous goods.
Detection of vanC1 gene transcription in vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecalis

Here we report the presence and expression levels of the vanC 1 and vanC 2/3 genes in vancomycin-susceptible strains of Enterococcus faecalis. The vanC 1 and vanC 2/3 genes were located in the plasmid DNA and on the chromosome, respectively. Specific mRNA of the vanC 1 gene was detected in one of these strains. Additionally, analysis of the vanC gene sequences showed that these genes are related to the vanC genes of Enterococcus gallinarum and Enterococcus casseliflavus. The presence of vanC genes is useful for the identification of E. gallinarum and E. casseliflavus. Moreover, this is the first report of vanC mRNA in E. faecalis.