Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of total nitrogen data from direct and Kjeldahl‐based approaches in integrated data sets

There are multiple protocols for determining total nitrogen (TN) in water, but most can be grouped into direct approaches (TN‐d) that convert N forms to nitrogen‐oxides (NOx) and combined approaches (TN‐c) that combine Kjeldahl N (organic N +NH3) and nitrite+nitrate (NO2+NO3‐N). TN concentrations from these two approaches are routinely treated as equal in studies that use data derived from multiple sources (i.e., integrated data sets) despite the distinct chemistries of the two methods. We used two integrated data sets to determine if TN‐c and TN‐d results were interchangeable. Accuracy, determined as the difference between reported concentrations and the most probable value (MPV) of reference samples, was high and similar in magnitude (within 3.5–4.5% of the MPV) for both methods, although the bias was significantly smaller at low concentrations for TN‐d. Detection limits and data flagged as below detection suggested greater sensitivity for TN‐d for one data set, while patterns from the other data set were ambiguous. TN‐c results were more variable (less precise) by many measures, although TN‐d data included a small fraction of notably inaccurate results. Precision of TN‐c was further compromised by propagated error, which may not be acknowledged or detectable in integrated data sets unless complete metadata are available and inspected. Finally, concurrent measures of TN‐c and TN‐d in lake samples were extremely similar. Overall, TN‐d tended to be slightly more accurate and precise, but similarities in accuracy and the near 1 : 1 relationship for concurrent TN‐d and TN‐c measurements support careful use of data interchangeably in analyses of heterogeneous, integrated data sets.
The Usage and Future Development of Medical Information System in Traditional Chinese Medical Institutions

Since Traditional Chinese Medicine is incorporated into National Health Insurance, medical information system is wildly used in Traditional Chinese Medical institutions to fulfill the need of insurance declaration. However, the difference between Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western medicine is great; and there is no medical information system specifically designed for Traditional Chinese Medicine. Therefore, the advantages of medical information system have not been fully presented yet. This study adopts Technology Acceptance Model theory to find out the present situation of medical information system applied in Traditional Chinese Medical institutions. For this study, the questionnaires were delivered to 2794 Traditional Chinese Medical institutions; and 485 copies were received thereafter. The result shows that the main purpose for these medical institutions to apply the medical information system is to assist some medical tasks, such as the declaration of National Health Insurance. The accessibility and practicality of the medical information system usage in Traditional Chinese Medical institutions do not seem to be completely performed. Besides, more than seventy percent of these medical institutions think that standard coding system for diseases, symptoms and pattern differentiation, as well as the electronic medical records exchange system are the key development directions of Chinese medical information system in the future. Furthermore, eighty percent of the survey responders consider that the standard of Chinese medical information system is not well conducted; while ninety percent of the survey responders believe that the governmental subsidies to the related researches are insufficient. Accordingly, this study suggests that the government should help to develop a standard coding system for diseases, symptoms and pattern differentiation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, such as B-code system, to develop the nationally medical records exchange system, and to assist the application software vendors to build an information system specialized in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Mathematical modeling of a real‐time isothermal amplification assay for Erwinia amylovora

A general mathematical model that describes the temporal behavior of a real‐time isothermal process used for nucleic acid amplification is derived. A monotonically‐increasing fluorescence signal s(t) generated and measured during the amplification reaction can be modeled in the form of a logistic function of time that is completely described by three parameters (k, t50, and Smax), which may be readily estimated from experimentally acquired s(t) data. Experimental data obtained from a real‐time loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the infectious pathogen Erwinia amylovora (E. amylovora) are used to illustrate and validate the mathematical model. Implementation of such a modeling approach can allow for the extraction of quantitative information from real‐time LAMP data through parameter estimation techniques; this is demonstrated experimentally using real‐time amplification data acquired using the real‐time E. amylovora assay.
Quinolones Chemistry and its Therapeutic Activities

The quinolones developed over the past few years have greater potency, a broader spectrum of antimicrobial activity that have a novel mechanism of action. As synthetic compounds, these agents have been developed extensively to optimize antimicrobial activity, pharmacokinetic properties, and drug safety. Although earlier quinolones were effective only in the genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts and only had activity against aerobic gram-negative bacteria, newer quinolones have wider potential applications and a broader spectrum of activity. Recently some of the newer quinolones such as sparfloxacin, enoxacin, moxifloxacin have been reported concerning the cytotoxic effects on transitional cell carcinoma of bladder, colorectal carcinoma, prostate cancer cell and also active against mycobacterium tuberculosis. This article reviews the history, generation, mechanism of action and discusses quinolone pharmacophore and functional domain for guideline to synthesize novel quinolones with improved therapeutic activities. This article also highlights different therapeutic activities such as antibacterial, antimalarial, antimycobacterial, anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities of existing and new quinolones.
Sodium alginate/locust bean gum-g-methacrylic acid IPN hydrogels for “simvastatin” drug delivery

Abstract A novel type of interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel beads composed of locust bean gum (LBG)-graft-methacrylic acid (MAA) and sodium alginate (SA) with different compositions were prepared by solution polymerization using potassium persulfate as an initiator. Simvastatin (SIM), an antiseptic drug material which has limited solubility in water was successfully encapsulated into these IPNs by varying the ratios of LBG-g-MAA and SA. These IPN hydrogels were characterized by different techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry. Further, the swelling and drug release studies were also investigated using these IPN blend beads under study. In vitro release studies show that the dependence of drug and composition of the polymers in the blends are playing an important role in these release studies. The release rates were fitted to an empirical equation to compute the diffusional exponent (n), which indicated a non-Fickian trend for the release of SIM up to 12 h. From the results, it is concluded that the blend beads of SA/(LBG-g-MMA) are a good platform for the drug release studies. Graphical Abstract
Molecular mechanism of prothrombin activation by Von Willebrand factor-binding protein

Von Willebrand factor-binding protein (VWbp), secreted by Staphylococcus aureus, displays secondary structural homology to the three helix bundle, D1 and D2 domains of staphylocoagulase (SC), a potent conformational activator of the blood coagulation zymogen, prothrombin (ProT). In contrast to the classical proteolytic activation mechanism of trypsinogen-like serine proteinase zymogens, insertion of the first two residues of SC into the NH2-terminal binding cleft on ProT (molecular sexuality) induces rapid conformational activation of the catalytic site. Based on plasma clotting assays, the target zymogen for VWbp may be ProT, but this has not been verified and the mechanism of ProT activation is unknown. We demonstrate that VWbp activates ProT conformationally in a mechanism requiring its Val-Val residues. By contrast to SC, full time-course kinetic studies of ProT activation by VWbp demonstrate that it activates ProT by a substrate-dependent, hysteretic kinetic mechanism. VWbp binds weakly to ProT (KD 2.5 μM) to form an inactive complex, which is activated through a slow conformational change by tripeptide chromogenic substrates and its specific physiological substrate, identified here as fibrinogen (Fbg). This mechanism increases the specificity of ProT activation by delaying it in a slow reversible process, with full activation requiring binding of Fbg through an exosite expressed on the activated ProT*·VWbp complex. The results suggest that this unique mechanism regulates pathological fibrin (Fbn) deposition to VWF-rich areas during S. aureus endocarditis.
USE OF ENDOTHELIAL-SPECIFIC PROMOTERS TO IDENTIFY AND SELECT DIFFERENTIATING STEM CELLS

148 INTRODUCTION.150 MATERIALS AND METHODS.152 RESULTS.157 DISCUSSION.162 REFERENCES.177 Chapter VI: Conclusions and Future Directions.180 Identification and Isolation of ECs using EC-promoter-driven GFP Expression.180 Summary of Current Work.180 Selection of ECs using EC-promoter-driven GFP:Puro.182 Summary of Current Work.182 Future Directions.185 Shear Stress Responses of Selected Endothelial Cells.187 Summary of Current Work.187 Future Directions.187 Tracking ESC-derived EC Involvement in Tumor Neovascularization by NonInvasive In Vivo Imaging.188 Summary of Current Work.189 Future Directions.190 Conclusions.192 References.193
Sensitivity of Treatment on Treated Effects in the Housing Vouchers Welfare Experiment to Alternative Measures of Compliance

In the social experimentation literature, the treatment-control outcome difference is the “intent to treat” and the adjustment of that difference to reflect actual participation in treatment as the “treatment on treated” (TOT) effect of the intervention. Previous contributions to this literature have been silent on the sensitivity of TOT to alternative definitions of treatment. In this paper, we apply alternative methods of estimating treatment-on-the-treated to data from the Welfare-to-Work Housing Voucher experiment. The final report on that experiment employs an original method of calculation of TOT, and finds that early negative impacts on earnings fade out after 1.5-2 years. We test for sensitivity of these results to alternative concepts of participation: participation at time of measurement; exposure to treatment over time; definition of the intervention as housing assistance per se, rather than vouchers. We also test for sensitivity to assumptions about the effects of program exposure over time. We find that the published TOT results are qualitatively robust to the definition of treatment. We believe this finding is likely to apply more generally in large, well-controlled experiments.
Submandibular Swelling- Not a Catâ€™s Play!!!

Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma Gondii. Man gets infection by handling the cats. Toxoplasmosis can present as congenital or acquired forms. Acquired can be of disseminated or lymphadenopathic type. Submandibular lymphadenopathy as a result of Toxoplasmosis is a rare presentation. We present a case of an young girl presenting with submandibular lymphadenopathy of 2 weeks duration without any other symptoms. Excision biopsy and serological tests confirmed the diagnosis.
Identifying non-destructive growth and maturity indexes of Prickly pear (Opuntia albicarpa S. Var. Burrona) and evaluation of freeze-drying conditions

ABSTRACT Around the world, prickly pear fruits are valued as a source of dietary functional compounds and ingredients for innovative foods. Growth and physicochemical changes of Opuntia albicarpa S. fruits were recorded from 0 to 132 days-after-flowering (DAF) to identify non-destructive maturity-indices. Optimum-ripened fruits were freeze-dried to study physicochemical and functional characteristics of dried and rehydrated pulp. Principal component analysis confirmed growth turned into fruit ripening in DAF 99, and it lasted until DAF 132. Changes in color parameters of the peel correlated with fruit texture and pulp sugar content and taste index (P < 0.01). During freeze-drying, plate temperature had more significant effects than the thickness (P < 0.05). At 30°C, color ΔE between dried and fresh slices augmented, but, texture Δ´s (medium force) between rehydrated and fresh pulp was lower. Color tests could be used to harvest commercially-ripened fruits. Freeze-drying at 30°C improves the rehydrated slices texture regarding thickness maintaining rehydration coefficients.
Atherosclerotic carotid plaque assessment with multidetector computed tomography angiography

textabstractThis thesis evaluates the role of MDCT angiography in 1) the depiction of atherosclerotic disease and subsequent luminal stenosis in the arteries that supplies the brain with blood, and 2) the assessment of atherosclerotic plaque features that have been related to plaque vulnerability. The studies can be subdivided in three main categories: 1) optimization of data acquisition protocol, 2) validation studies, including assessment of the accuracy of MDCTA in comparison to histology and interobserver studies, and 3) clinical cross-sectional studies. From the first part of this thesis we can conclude that an optimal protocol for MDCT angiography of the supra-aortic arteries incorporates the use of 80 ml contrast material and a 40 ml saline bolus chaser, a craniocaudal scan direction, and in respect to atherosclerotic carotid plaque imaging a tube current of 120 kVp and an intermediate reconstruction algorithm. The second part of this thesis allows to conclude that MDCTA is capable of characterizing and quantifying plaque and plaque component areas in good correlation with histology. However, lipid core can only be adequately quantified in mildly calcified plaques, and in vivo assessment of atherosclerotic plaque and plaque component volumes is feasible with a moderate reproducibility. In addition we can conclude that, with MDCT angiography, intracranial carotid artery calcifications can reproducibly be quantified and that carotid plaque surface morphology can be assessed with a high reproducibility. In the third part of this thesis we evaluated the characteristics of possible MDCTA-assessed plaque parameters (the volume of intracranial calcifications, carotid plaque morphology, and carotid plaque volume and plaque component volumes). Associations were found with several cardiovascular risk factors. Some plaque parameters were related to the presence and type of cerebrovascular symptomatology. We conclude that atherosclerotic plaque parameters can be imaged adequately with MDCTA. These parameters seem to have a possible additional value, besides the degree of stenosis, as a marker of atherosclerotic disease and as predictor of (recurrent) ischemic cerebrovascular events.
Adherence to Worksite Health Interventions: Practical Recommendations Based on a Theoretical Framework

Health promotion at the workplace aims at environmental and/or behavioral changes. Numerous health promotion programs have shown positive effects on employees’ health and productivity. However, success is affected by insufficient adherence to long-term change of behavior. This article provides an overview of factors that influence employees’ adherence to worksite health interventions (WHIs). Strategies to enhance participation and adherence are outlined based on a review of the current literature. The findings are evaluated by reference to the health action process approach. We propose a theoretical framework for WHIs and make recommendations for supporting workers’ adherence to behavioral changes based on this model.
The Rate of Fluid Shear Stress is a Potent Regulator for Lineage Commitment of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Through Modulating [Ca2+]i, F-actin and Lamin A

: Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are recruited to the musculoskeletal system following trauma [1] or chemicals stimulation [2]. The regulation of their differentiation into either bone or cartilage cells is a key question. The ﬂuid shear stress (FSS) is of pivotal importance to the development, function and even the repair of all tissues in the musculoskeletal system [3]. We previously found that MSCs are sensitive enough to distinguish a slight change of FSS stimulation during their differentiation commitment to bone or cartilage cells, and the internal mechanisms. In detail, MSCs were exposed to laminar FSS linearly increased from 0 to 10 dyn/cm 2 in 0, 2, or 20 min and maintained at 10 dyn/cm 2 for a total of 20 min (termed as ΔSS of 0-0', 0-2', and 0-20', respectively, representing more physiological (0-0') and non-physiological (0-2' and 0-20') ΔSS treatments). 0-0' facilitated MSC differentiation towards chondrogenic but not osteogenic phenotype. In contrast, 0-2' promoted MSCs towards osteogenic but not chondrogenic phenotype. 0-20' elicited the modest osteogenic and chondrogenic phenotypes [4]. In addition, we disclosed that 20 min of ΔSS could compete with 5 days' chemical and 2 days' substrate stiffness inductions, demonstrating ΔSS is potent regulator for MSC differentiation control [5]. We found that the ΔSS induced MSC differentiation into osteogenic or chondrogenic cells is directed through the modulation of cation-selective channels (MSCCs), intracellular calcium levels and F-actin. Here we demonstrate that the 0-2' induced signiﬁcant lamin A; the 0-0' induced similar lamin A to 0-2' and 0-20' elicited less lamin A. A special ΔSS of 0-1' is found to induce osteogenic differentiation comparable to 0-2' and chondrogenic differentiation comparable to 0-0' as well as the most lamin A. Lamin A has no influence on the expression of runx2, a key transcription factor in osteogenic differentiation, but has affected the expression of sox9, a key transcription factor in chondrogenic differentiation. Our study presents evidences that the MSCs are highly sensitive to discriminate different ΔSS loads and differentiate towards the osteogenic or chondrogenic phenotype by regulating MSCCs and the subsequent [Ca 2+ ] i increase, F-actin assembly and Lamin A expression, which provides guidance for training osteoporosis and osteoarthritis patients and stresses the possible application in MSCs linage specification.
Synergetic neuro-protection of hippocampal neural cells in rats supplemented choline and Docosahexaenoic acid prior to cerebral hypo-perfusion injury

Cerebrovascular disease risk including stroke is projected as the second most frequent cause for death/disability by year 2020. Preventive measures to minimize stroke related hippocampal cognitive impairment in high risk group gains least attention among health-care professionals. Several studies establish the critical importance of essential dietary components choline and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) as neuronal membrane phospholipid precursors that maintain cognitive states in health and in neurological disorders. There are no studies exploring the synergetic neuro-protective potential of choline and DHA in attenuating hippocampal neural deficits in stroke-risk group. The present study explores synergetic neuro-protective potential of choline and DHA supplemented to Wistar rats prior to hypo-perfusion ischemic brain injury. 10 month-old male Wistar rats were subdivided into 4 groups (n=8 /group)-Normal control group (NC), Bilateral common carotid artery occlusion group (BCCAO), Sham BCCAO group and Choline- DHA supplemented group (Prophylactic Choline-DHA BCCAO / preCholine-DHA group). Choline and DHA were orally supplemented to preCholine-DHA group of rats for fifteen days prior and forty days subsequent to permanent surgical bilateral occlusion of common carotid arteries, inducing chronic global cerebral hypo perfusion injury. All groups of rats were tested for cognition and subsequently sacrificed to study hippocampal neural cells by cresyl staining. Microscopic examination of cresyl stained hippocampal sections from ischemic brain injured rats shows significant neural cell deficits in CA1, CA2, CA3 and CA4 regions compared to the same in age-matched sham BCCAO and NC rats. Supplementation of both Choline-DHA prior to ischemic stroke in rats significantly increased survival of neural cells in these regions as compared to the same in age- matched non-supplemented BCCAO rats. Combined supplementation of both choline and DHA prior to ischemic brain injury in stroke-risk group, protects hippocampal neural cells and minimizes cognitive impairment.
Computational prediction of protein–protein binding affinities

Protein–protein interactions form central elements of almost all cellular processes. Knowledge of the structure of protein–protein complexes but also of the binding affinity is of major importance to understand the biological function of protein–protein interactions. Even weak transient protein–protein interactions can be of functional relevance for the cell during signal transduction or regulation of metabolism. The structure of a growing number of protein–protein complexes has been solved in recent years. Combined with docking approaches or template‐based methods, it is possible to generate structural models of many putative protein–protein complexes or to design new protein–protein interactions. In order to evaluate the functional relevance of putative or predicted protein–protein complexes, realistic binding affinity prediction is of increasing importance. Several computational tools ranging from simple force‐field or knowledge‐based scoring of single protein–protein complexes to ensemble‐based approaches and rigorous binding free energy simulations are available to predict relative and absolute binding affinities of complexes. With a focus on molecular mechanics force‐field approaches the present review aims at presenting an overview on available methods and discussing advantages, approximations, and limitations of the various methods.
THE PREVALENCE OF CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS IN THE CITY AND SUBURB OF MOHAMMADABAD, JIROFT DISTRICT AND IDENTIFICATION OF PARASITE SPECIES BY NESTED-PCR, 2008

Abstract: Background & Aims: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a health problem in the world, including Iran. The objective of this study was to assess the epidemiology of CL and determination of the causative parasite species in the city and suburb of Mohammadabad, Jiroft district. Method: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed in census manner. Diagnosis was based on direct smear microscopy and Nested-PCR technique was applied for the identification of species. Results: Overall, 3516 individuals consisting of 1743 females (49.6%) and 1773 males (50.4%) were physically examined for the presence of active lesion or scar. The prevalence rate was 6.2% in female and 4.5% in male subjects with a significant difference (P<0.05). Most of the infection was in the age group of 11-20 years (10.5%) and the lowest was in the age group of 21-30 year (3%). Most of the lesions were on the face (47%) and the majority (64%) had one lesion. Based on Nested-PCR technique all examined cases were Leishmania tropica. Conclusion: This study has been conducted for the first time in north of Jiroft district in proximity of Bam district. Increasing rate of this disease after the earthquake and in accordance with the epidemic condition in the city of Bam is due to the frequent traveling of people to this rural area. Keywords: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Epidemiology, Leishmania Species, Nested-PCR, Jiroft