Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Candesartan cilexetil loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for oral delivery: characterization, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation

Abstract Candesartan cilexetil (CC) is used in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. It has poor aqueous solubility and low oral bioavailability. In this work, CC loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (CC-SLNs) were developed to improve the oral bioavailability. Components of the SLNs include either of trimyristin/tripalmitin/tristearin, and surfactants (Poloxamer 188 and egg lecithin E80). The CC loaded nanoparticles were prepared by hot homogenization followed by ultrasonication method. The physicochemical properties, morphology of CC-SLNs were characterized, the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behaviour of CC-SLNs were evaluated in rats. Stable CC-SLNs having a mean particle size of 180–220 nm with entrapment efficiency varying in between 91–96% were developed. The physical stability of optimized formulation was studied at refrigerated and room temperature for 3 months. Further, freeze drying was tried for improving the physical stability. DSC and XRD analyses indicated that the drug incorporated into SLN was in amorphous form but not in crystalline state. The SLN-morphology was found to be nearly spherical by electron microscopic studies. Pharmacokinetic results indicated that the oral bioavailability of CC was improved over 2.75-fold after incorporation into SLNs. Pharmacodynamic study of SLNs in hypertensive rats showed a decrease in systolic blood pressure for 48 h, while suspension showed a decrease in systolic blood pressure for only 2 h. Taken together, these effects are due to enhanced bioavailability coupled with sustained action of CC in SLN formulation. Thus, the results conclusively demonstrated the role of CC-SLNs for a significant enhancement in oral bioavailability along with improved pharmacodynamic effect.
Beryllium Sensitization in Aluminum Smelter Workers

Objective: To determine whether beryllium-related disease exists among aluminum smelter workers. Methods: A total of 1278 employees from four aluminum smelters determined to have significant beryllium exposure based on 5 years of sampling were invited to participate in medical surveillance that included a respiratory symptoms questionnaire, spirometry, and blood beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test. Results: Of these, 734 employees participated in the program. Beryllium exposure from 965 personal samples ranged from 0.002 to 13.00 &mgr;g/m3 time-weighted average, with a median of 0.05 &mgr;g/m3, geometric mean of 0.05 &mgr;g/m3, and arithmetic mean of 0.22 &mgr;g/m3. Only two employees had confirmed beryllium sensitization (0.27%). Conclusion: There is evidence of beryllium sensitization among aluminum smelter workers. When compared with beryllium-exposed workers in other industries, aluminum smelter workers had lower rates of sensitization. The low beryllium sensitization rate observed may be related to work practices and the properties of the beryllium found in this work environment.
Evaluating and comparing brand equity of Iranian and South Korean home appliance brands in the view of Tehran bazaar retailers

Home appliance market is, inter alia, a market where the brand equity is highly important. Today, brands of South Korean corporations such as Samsung and LG have penetrated the market broadly and have caused threats for goods produced by Iranian brands. Therefore, we evaluate the differences and compare the Iranian and Korean home appliance brand equities in present study. To achieve to evaluate the differences and compare the Iranian and Korean home appliance brand equities, 5 minor hypotheses were devised based on research conceptual model in the format of research major hypothesis in which Wilcoxon statistical test was used to support or refuse such hypotheses. The investigations were continued by selecting three Iranian brands which had the highest market share in three goods of refrigerators, TV sets and washing machines. By using Likert's seven-item scale, a questionnaire was devised to collect data and its validity and reliability were confirmed by elites' approval and 0.95 chronbach alpha. Research statistical population consisted of all home appliance retailers in Tehran 22 boroughs (about 900 shops). 206 shops were selected as the sample by using Cluster sampling method. Research hypotheses were tested in terms of product types and overall home appliances. In all tests excluding difference hypothesis on tendency to pay overprice for Iranian and Korean brands in washing machines, all hypotheses were supported by 95% confidence level. Then, the brand equities were ranked by Freedman's test for all three goods and finally, the analytical diagram to show the impacts of each research model elements on expressing the difference between Iranian and Korean special brands was drawn.
Preliminary Estimates of Mortality and Years of Life Lost Associated with the 2009 A/H1N1 Pandemic in the US and Comparison with Past Influenza Seasons

The on-going debate about the health burden of the 2009 influenza pandemic and discussions about the usefulness of vaccine recommendations has been hampered by an absence of directly comparable measures of mortality impact. Here we set out to generate an "apples-to-apples" metric to compare pandemic and epidemic mortality. We estimated the mortality burden of the pandemic in the US using a methodology similar to that used to generate excess mortality burden for inter-pandemic influenza seasons. We also took into account the particularly young age distribution of deaths in the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, using the metric "Years of Life Lost" instead of numbers of deaths. Estimates are based on the timely pneumonia and influenza mortality surveillance data from 122 US cities, and the age distribution of laboratory-confirmed pandemic deaths, which has a mean of 37 years. We estimated that between 7,500 and 44,100 deaths are attributable to the A/H1N1 pandemic virus in the US during May-December 2009, and that between 334,000 and 1,973,000 years of life were lost. The range of years of life lost estimates includes in its lower part the impact of a typical influenza epidemic dominated by the more virulent A/H3N2 subtype, and the impact of the 1968 pandemic in its upper bound. We conclude that the 2009 A/H1N1 pandemic virus had a substantial health burden in the US over the first few months of circulation in terms of years of life lost, justifying the efforts to protect the population with vaccination programs. Analysis of historic records from three other pandemics over the last century suggests that the emerging pandemic virus will continue to circulate and cause excess mortality in unusually young populations for the next few years. Continuing surveillance for indicators of increased mortality is of key importance, as pandemics do not always cause the majority of associated deaths in the first season of circulation.
Serum anti-mullerian hormone levels and follicular cohort characteristics after pituitary suppression in the late luteal phase with oral contraceptive pills.

BACKGROUND Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) is a marker of ovarian function and reserve and reflects the number and size of antral follicles. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of FSH suppression on AMH levels, during the late luteal phase of human menstrual cycle, with the use of oral contraceptives pills (OCP). METHODS Twenty normovulatory infertile women were included in the study. On the third day of a spontaneous menstrual cycle, the patients were submitted to a transvaginal ultrasound examination and blood sample collection. From the 20th day of this menstrual cycle, the patients took daily OCP, containing 0.030 mg of ethinyl-estradiol plus 0.15 mg of desogestrel. On the third day of the following cycle, the measurements were repeated. RESULTS After OCP use, the levels of FSH and estradiol were significantly reduced (P < 0.001). The number of antral follicles measured on both occasions did not differ, although after OCP use, the follicles presented significantly lower diameters (mean 4.4 + 1.7 mm before OCP versus 3.5 + 1.2 mm after OCP P < 0.001). The levels of AMH were significantly reduced after pituitary suppression, with a median (inter-quartile range) of 3.02 ng/mL (1.21-6.39) before OCP and 2.22 ng/mL (0.9-3.11) after OCP, P = 0.04. CONCLUSIONS The short administration of OCP in late luteal phase caused suppression of FSH secretion during the cycle transition, leading to a more homogeneous follicular cohort. The lower AMH levels observed, although simultaneous with FSH suppression, were probably not a direct effect of the reduced FSH levels, but were more likely a consequence of the lower production by the arrested follicular cohort.
Predictors of objectively measured walking capacity in people with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis.

BACKGROUND Identifying factors associated with walking capacity in people with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) may provide a better understanding of neurogenic claudication and inform future rehabilitation research. OBJECTIVE To examine factors associated with objectively measured walking capacity in a sample of people with LSS and self-reported walking limitations. METHODS Participants included 49 individuals (65.8 years ± 10) who were at least 45 years of age with clinically diagnosed lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) confirmed on MRI or CT imaging. All participants completed a Self-Paced Walking Test with visual analog pain scales and body diagrams before and immediately after walking. Questionnaires included the Physical Function and Symptom Severity Scales of the Swiss Spinal Stenosis Questionnaire, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Health Utilities Index. Univariate linear relationships were examined, followed by development of a multivariate linear regression model with walking distance (m) as the dependent variable. A post-hoc analysis was also conducted including post-test symptom variables. RESULTS Variables retained from univariate analyses included years of leg pain, pre-test leg pain severity, the ODI, balance problems, and quality of life. When these variables were considered for a final model, only the ODI and balance problems were retained (R2=0.33). Other than balance, none of the pre-test symptom variables entered into the final model. Post-hoc analysis including post-test symptom variables found the presence and severity of post-test leg pain to be most highly associated with walking distance. In an explanatory model considering the ODI, balance and these two post-walking factors, only presence of post-test leg pain added to the model (R2=0.42). CONCLUSIONS Factors found to be most highly associated with walking capacity in LSS were self-reported, pain-related function (ODI), balance problems, and presence of leg pain immediately following walking.
Finite-Element Time-Domain Modelling of Broadside Radiation from a 2D Parallel-Plate Waveguide Antenna Array

In this paper, a wideband infinite parallel-plate waveguide antenna array radiating along the broadside direction is modelled using the finite-element time-domain (FETD) method. Based on Floquet's theorem, only a single unit cell is analysed. At, both, the radiating finite element port and the waveguide finite element port of the unit cell exact boundary conditions are employed. The FETD formulation results are compared with those of a finite-element frequency-domain (FEFD)
A Comparative Study of the Effects of Nitric Oxide and Carbon Monoxide on the in vivo Release of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone and Neuropeptide Y from Rat Hypothalamus during the Estradiol-Induced Luteinizing Hormone Surge: Estimation by Push-Pull Perfusion

Recent evidence suggests that nitric oxide (NO), a free radical gas, plays an important role in regulating the function of a variety of neuroendocrine systems. With respect to the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis, a stimulatory effect of NO on the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from rat hypothalamus has been demonstrated in vitro. However, no previous study has reported NO-stimulated secretion of GnRH from in vivo hypothalamus, and also the precise cellular site of action of NO within the GnRH neuronal system remains to be elucidated. In the present study, utilizing the push-pull perfusion technique of rat hypothalamus, we examined the effect of L-arginine (L-Arg), an NO donor, on the release of GnRH, neuropeptide Y and cyclic GMP (c-GMP), which is a pivotal second messenger molecule of the NO system. For comparison, we also examined the effect of carbon monoxide (CO), another putative gaseous neurotransmitter, using hematin, a CO donor. During the period of 11.00–18.00 h, we collected blood and hypothalamic perfusates from ovariectomized adult rats that had been implanted with an estradiol capsule 2 days before. During the entire period of observation, L-Arg (1.0 or 10 mM), hematin (10 or 100 µM) or artificial cerebrospinal fluid alone (as the control) was infused into the medial preoptic area (MPOA) where there are cell bodies of GnRH neurons, or the median eminence-arcuate nucleus complex (ME-ARC) where axon terminals of GnRH neurons are localized. Although 10 mM of L-Arg significantly stimulated GnRH and c-GMP, but not neuropeptide Y, levels in both the MPOA and ME-ARC, GnRH and c-GMP in the ME-ARC were already increased by 1.0 mM of L-Arg. By contrast, both concentrations of hematin were without effect at either site of the hypothalamus. This study is the first to demonstrate that NO is capable of stimulating GnRH release from rat hypothalamus in vivo. Our data also suggests that both cell bodies and axon terminals of GnRH neurons may be sites of action of NO. Our data do not support a previous study by other investigators that reported a stimulatory effect of CO on the GnRH release.
Mode of antiviral action of penciclovir in MRC-5 cells infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), HSV-2, and varicella-zoster virus

The metabolism and mode of action of penciclovir [9-(4-hydroxy-3-hydroxymethylbut-1-yl)guanine; BRL 39123] were studied and compared with those of acyclovir. In uninfected MRC-5 cells, low concentrations of the triphosphates of penciclovir and acyclovir were occasionally just detectable, the limit of detection being about 1 pmol/10(6) cells. In contrast, in cells infected with either herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) or varicella-zoster virus (VZV), penciclovir was phosphorylated quickly to give high concentrations of the triphosphate ester. Following the removal of penciclovir from the culture medium, penciclovir-triphosphate remained trapped within the cells for a long time (half-lives, 20 and 7 h in HSV-2- and VZV-infected cells, respectively). In HSV-2-infected cells, acyclovir was phosphorylated to a lesser extent and the half-life of the triphosphate ester was only 1 h. We were unable to detect any phosphates of acyclovir in VZV-infected cells. (S)-Penciclovir-triphosphate inhibited HSV-1 and HSV-2 DNA polymerase competitively with dGTP, the Ki values being 8.5 and 5.8 microM, respectively, whereas for acyclovir-triphosphate, the Ki value was 0.07 microM for the two enzymes. Both compounds had relatively low levels of activity against the cellular DNA polymerase alpha, with Ki values of 175 and 3.8 microM, respectively. (S)-Penciclovir-triphosphate did inhibit DNA synthesis by HSV-2 DNA polymerase with a defined template-primer, although it was not an obligate chain terminator like acyclovir-triphosphate. These results provide a biochemical rationale for the highly selective and effective inhibition of HSV-2 and VZV DNA synthesis by penciclovir and for the greater activity of penciclovir than that of acyclovir when HSV-2-infected cells were treated for a short time.
Differential effects of saturated and monounsaturated fats on postprandial lipemia and glucagon-like peptide 1 responses in patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND Postprandial lipemia is important in the development of coronary artery disease because of elevated postprandial triacylglycerol-rich plasma lipoproteins and suppressed HDL-cholesterol concentrations. We showed in healthy subjects a possible association between postprandial lipid metabolism and the responses of the duodenal incretin hormones glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide after meals rich in saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid), respectively. OBJECTIVE The objective was to compare the postprandial responses (8 h) of glucose, insulin, fatty acids, triacylglycerol, gastric inhibitory polypeptide, and GLP-1 to saturated- and monounsaturated-rich test meals. DESIGN Twelve overweight patients with type 2 diabetes ingested 3 meals randomly: an energy-free soup with 50 g carbohydrate (control meal), the control meal plus 100 g butter, and the control meal plus 80 g olive oil. Triacylglycerol responses were measured in total plasma and in a chylomicron-rich and a chylomicron-poor fraction. RESULTS No significant differences in the glucose, insulin, or fatty acid responses to the 2 fat-rich meals were seen. The plasma triacylglycerol and chylomicron triacylglycerol responses were highest after the butter meal. HDL-cholesterol concentrations decreased significantly after the butter meal but did not change significantly after the olive oil meal. GLP-1 responses were highest after the olive oil meal. CONCLUSIONS Olive oil induced lower triacylglycerol concentrations and higher HDL-cholesterol concentrations than did butter, without eliciting significant changes in glucose, insulin, or fatty acids. Furthermore, olive oil induced higher concentrations of GLP-1, which may indicate a relation between fatty acid composition, incretin responses, and triacylglycerol metabolism postprandially in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Assessment of socioemotional processes facilitates the distinction between frontotemporal lobar degeneration and Alzheimer’s disease

We explored the value of a battery of socioemotional tasks for differentiating between frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Patients with FTLD (n = 13) or AD (n = 13) and healthy controls (n = 26) underwent a neuropsychological assessment and the socioemotional battery (an empathy questionnaire, an emotion recognition task, and theory of mind tasks). Socioemotional processes were markedly impaired in FTLD but relatively unaffected in mild AD. The computed Socioemotional Index discriminated more accurately between FTLD from AD than behavioral and executive assessments did. Furthermore, impairments in socioemotional processes were correlated with indifference to others.
Predictors of Well-Being in Resident Physicians: A Descriptive and Psychometric Study.

BACKGROUND It is important to describe the characteristics of well-being in resident physicians to develop resident wellness initiatives in postgraduate medical education. OBJECTIVE To characterize the predictors of well-being in resident physicians by assessing personal and work-related burnout, work dissatisfaction, nutritional needs while on call, and sleep needs while on call. METHODS We set up an online survey in 2012 to collect data from current residents at the University of Calgary in Canada. The WHO-Five Well-Being Index, personal and work-related subscales of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, questions on work dissatisfaction, as well as sleep and nutrition management needs while on call, were used in the survey. Descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, and linear regression were applied to the data. RESULTS The survey response rate was 45% (317 of 706) of eligible residents, with a mean age of 30.9 years (SD = 4.3). Fifty-three percent (168 of 317) of residents had a well-being score of 13 or less, indicating poor mental well-being. There were significant differences between men and women with respect to personal burnout (47.9 versus 54.2, P = .002) and work-related burnout (46.4 versus 50.4, P = .008). The only significant predictors of well-being overall were personal burnout and work dissatisfaction. CONCLUSIONS Survey results suggest that a high proportion of residents at this institution have low well-being. This study did not find work-related burnout to be a significant predictor of well-being, after adjustment for other variables.
ASSOCIATION OF HOUSEHOLD DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES WITH CHILD MORTALITY IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE

Summary. The associations between household demographic variables and mortality of children aged less than five years were investigated using data from the 1998 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Western Africa. Of the total of 1992 children born to women included in the study population during the 5-year period preceding the survey, 260 (13%) had died and 1732 (87%) were alive at the time of the survey. Logistic regression analyses used to compare biosocial variables between the deceased and living children showed that the sex of the child, birth interval and mother’s occupation were associated with child’s survival status. After adjusting for their effects, household demographic variables (i.e. number of household members, number of household members under 5 years [HM−5Y], number of household members 5 years or older [HM+5Y], the proportion of HM−5Y among all household members, and the ratio of HM−5Y to HM+5Y) were shown to be associated with the child’s survival status. This study provided insight into the effects of intra-household competition among children and availability of care-givers as potential determinants of child survival. The results indicate that improvement of the childcare environment and reproductive intervention are necessary to reduce child mortality in West African countries.
A simple calorimetric technique for high-efficiency GaN inverter transistor loss measurement

With the rapid development of the wide bandgap (WBG) power transistor technology, the latest Silicon-Carbide and Gallium-Nitride (SiC and GaN) based power transistors can be used as the main switches in the medium power (≥10 kW) conversion systems. Electrical signal based efficiency measurement could be very challenging due to the high-frequency output signals and the high power to loss ratio. In this paper, a new calorimetric based loss measurement method is designed to realize fast and accurate power loss measurement of WBG devices during the circuit operation. The measurement accuracy has been verified on a 10 kW, 98.8% peak efficiency GaN-based three phase inverter.
Three-Year Follow-Up for Virtual Reality Exposure for Fear of Flying

Thirty participants who had been treated for aviophobia with virtual reality graded exposure therapy with physiological monitoring and visual feedback (VRGETpm), virtual reality graded exposure therapy with physiological monitoring only (VRGETno), or imaginal exposure therapy (visualization) with physiological monitoring only (IET) between January 1998 and January 1999 were contacted in January 2002 for a 3-year posttreatment follow-up assessment. Of the participants in the VRGETpm group who had flown successfully by the end of treatment, all had maintained their ability to fly at follow-up. Of the participants in the VRGETno group who had flown successfully by the end of treatment, two were no longer able to fly. Of the participants in the IET group who had flown successfully, all were still able to fly. It appears that the addition of teaching self-control via visual feedback of physiological signals may serve to maintain treatment gains in long-term follow-up.