Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of rosemary extracts linked to their polyphenol composition

Rosmarinus officinalis extracts were investigated by a combination of bioassays and biochemical analysis to identify bioactive compounds. The 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydracyl hydrate (DPPH) radical scavenging method, Folin–Ciocaulteau method and HPLC chromatography were used to study the distribution and levels of antioxidants (AOXs). Antimicrobial activity analysis was carried out using the disk diffusion and broth dilution techniques. A good correlation between the AOX activities and total phenol content in the extracts was found. Although all rosemary extracts showed a high radical scavenging activity, a different efficacy as antimicrobial agent was observed. Methanol extract containing 30% of carnosic acid, 16% of carnosol and 5% of rosmarinic acid was the most effective antimicrobial against Gram positive bacteria (minimal inhibition concentration, MIC, between 2 and 15 μg/ml), Gram negative bacteria (MIC between 2 and 60 μg/ml) and yeast (MIC of 4 μg/ml). By contrast, water extract containing only 15% of rosmarinic acid showed a narrow activity. MIC value of the methanol and water extracts is in a good correlation with the values obtained with pure carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid, respectively. Therefore, our results suggested that the antimicrobial rosemary extracts efficacy was associated with their specific phenolic composition. Carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid may be the main bioactive antimicrobial compounds present in rosemary extracts. From a practical point of view, rosemary extract may be a good candidate for functional foods as well as for pharmaceutical plant-based products.
Comparative study of ultimate saturation velocity in zigzag and chiral carbon nanotubes

The carrier statistics in a carbon nanotube (CNT) with nonparabolic energy spectrum is investigated to predict the ultimate (intrinsic) drift velocity as a function of temperature, concentration, and chirality. As shown in Fig. 1, the number of electrons with velocity (or momentum) vectors directed in the +ve and -ve direction are equal with half of the total going in either direction, giving the net drift to zero in equilibrium. Fig. 2 shows the extreme nonequilibrium case where all the velocity vectors are directed towards the +ve direction in an infinitely large electric field. The average of the magnitude of the velocity is the intrinsic velocity ν<inf>i</inf>. ν<inf>i</inf> for random motion is the weighted average of ν= (1/ħ)(dE/dk) with weight as the product of the density of states and the Fermi-Dirac distribution function, analogous to the steps delineated in [1] and [2]. The result is ν<inf>i</inf>= ν<inf>F</inf>·S̃<inf>0</inf> (η)/ (n<inf>CNT</inf> / N<inf>CNT</inf> with ν<inf>F</inf> =3d E<inf>g</inf>/ 4ħ, where d is the diameter of the CNT and E<inf>g</inf> is the bandgap that depends on chirality. n<inf>CNT</inf> is the carrier concentration per unit length. The effective density of states is N<inf>CNT</inf> = D<inf>o</inf> k<inf>B</inf> T. S̃<inf>o</inf>(η) = ln(1+e<sup>n</sup>) is the Fermi-Dirac integral of order zero reducible in a closed form. The reduced Fermi energy with E<inf>c</inf> =E<inf>g</inf>/2 is obtained from equations In strong degeneracy limit, Eq. (1) simplifies to equations The reduced Fermi energy η =(E<inf>F</inf> − E<inf>c</inf>) / k<inf>B</inf>T as a function of carrier concentration is plotted in Fig. 3 for zigzag (n,m)=(20,0) and chiral (5, 3) CNT. In the nondegenerate limit (η &#60; −2), η = (E<inf>F</inf> − E<inf>c</inf>)/k<inf>B</inf>T is independent of chirality. However, in the degenerate limit (η > 2) it depends on chirality.
Epidemiological Support for an Hypothesis for Melanoma Induction Indicating a Role for UVA Radiation

Abstract. An hypothesis for melanoma induction is presented: UV radiation absorbed by melanin in melanocytes generates products that may activate the carcinogenic process. Products formed by UV absorption in the upper layers of the epidermis cannot diffuse down as far as to the melanocytes. Thus, melanin in the upper layer of the skin may be protective, while that in melanocytes may be pho‐tocarcinogenic. Observations that support this hypothesis include: (1) Africans with dark skin have a reduced risk of getting all types of skin cancer as compared with Caucasians, but the ratio of their incidence rates of cutaneous malignant melanoma to that of squamous cell carcinoma is larger than the corresponding ratio for Caucasians. (2) Albino Africans, as compared with normally pigmented Africans, seem to have a relatively small risk of getting cutaneous malignant melanomas compared to nonmela‐nomas. This is probably also true for albino and normally pigmented Caucasians. (3) Among sun‐sensitive, poorly tanning persons, frequent UV exposures are associated with increased risk of melanoma, wherease among sun‐resistant, well‐tanning persons, increased frequency of exposure is associated with decreased melanoma risk. (4) It is likely that UVA, being absorbed by melanin, might have a melanoma‐inducing effect. This is in agreement with some epidemiological investigations which indicate that sun‐screen lotions may not protect sufficiently against melanoma induction. The relative latitude gradient for UVA is much smaller than that for UVB. The same is true for the relative latitude gradient of cutaneous malignant melanoma as compared with squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Under the assumption that the average slopes of the curves relating incidence rates with fluences of carcinogenic UV radiation are similar for melanomas and nonmelanomas, these facts are in agreement with the assumption that UVA plays a significant role in the induction of melano.
Sparse GPU Voxelization of Yarn‐Level Cloth

Most popular methods in cloth rendering rely on volumetric data in order to model complex optical phenomena such as sub‐surface scattering. These approaches are able to produce very realistic illumination results, but their volumetric representations are costly to compute and render, forfeiting any interactive feedback. In this paper, we introduce a method based on the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) for voxelization and visualization, suitable for both interactive and offline rendering. Recent features in the OpenGL model, like the ability to dynamically address arbitrary buffers and allocate bindless textures, are combined into our pipeline to interactively voxelize millions of polygons into a set of large three‐dimensional (3D) textures (>109 elements), generating a volume with sub‐voxel accuracy, which is suitable even for high‐density woven cloth such as linen.
Occlusive myocardial infarction: investigation of bis-gadolinium mesoporphyrins-enhanced T1-weighted MR imaging in a cat model.

PURPOSE To test whether bis-gadolinium mesoporphyrins-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can accurately depict irreversibly damaged myocardium in occlusive myocardial infarction. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten cats were subjected to 90 minutes of occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Bis-gadolinium mesoporphyrins-enhanced T1-weighted MR imaging was performed in the cats for 6 hours. Histopathologic examinations with 2'3'5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and electron microscopy were performed on the resected specimens. The time course and pattern of signal intensity enhancement were evaluated. The size of the infarcted myocardium was estimated on the MR images by measuring the size of the signal intensity-enhanced area. RESULTS In eight of 10 cats, it was impossible to distinguish infarcted myocardium from normal myocardium at visual inspection of T1-weighted MR images. The contrast ratio between infarcted and normal myocardium did not increase significantly over time. In one of the two remaining cats, a doughnut pattern of signal intensity enhancement was noted. The other cat showed intensely homogeneous enhancement of infarcted myocardium at MR imaging. The size of the area of signal intensity enhancement at MR imaging in these two cats was accurately mapped to that of the infarction on the TTC-stained specimens. CONCLUSION Occlusive myocardial infarction cannot be accurately detected at bis-gadolinium mesoporphyrins-enhanced MR imaging.
Improvement in K+-Limited Growth Rate Associated with Expression of the N-Terminal Fragment of One Subunit (KdpA) of the Multisubunit Kdp Transporter in Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Mutations in any one of three genes, kdpA, -B, or -C, in Escherichia coli abolish the activity of Kdp, a multisubunit K+-ATPase that belongs to the P-type ATPase family of cation transporters. We found in this study that expression in vivo of a 135-amino-acid-long N-terminal fragment (KdpA′), less than one-quarter the length of native KdpA, was able to mediate an improvement in K+-limited growth rates in two different contexts, even in the absence of both KdpC and the ATPase subunit KdpB. The first context was when KdpA′ was overexpressed in cells from a heterologous inducible promoter, and the second was when KdpA′ was provided with a C-terminally altered extension (following a spontaneous genetic rearrangement). Our results suggest that KdpA′ provides an incipient pathway for K+ translocation which can serve to transport K+ into the cells in response to the cytoplasmic membrane potential.
Hi-JAKi-ng Synovial Fibroblasts in Inflammatory Arthritis With JAK Inhibitors

The Janus kinase (JAK)—Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway is one of the central signaling hubs in inflammatory, immune and cancer cells. Inhibiting the JAK-STAT pathway with JAK inhibitors (jakinibs) constitutes an important therapeutic strategy in cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). FDA has approved different jakinibs for the treatment of RA, including tofacitinib, baricitinib and upadacitinib, and several jakinibs are being tested in clinical trials. Here, we reviewed published studies of jakinib effects on resolving synovial pathology in inflammatory arthritis. We discussed the results of jakinibs on structural joint damage in clinical trials and explored the effects of jakinibs across different in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo synovial experimental models. We delved rigorously into experimental designs of in vitro fibroblast studies, deconvoluted jakinib efficacy in synovial fibroblasts across diverse experimental conditions and discussed their translatability in vivo. Synovial fibroblasts can readily activate the JAK-STAT signaling pathway in response to cytokine stimulation. We highlighted rather limited effects of jakinibs on the in vitro cultured synovial fibroblasts and inferred that direct and indirect (immune cell-dependent) actions of jakinibs are required to curb the fibroblast pathology in vivo. These actions have not been mimicked optimally in current in vitro experimental designs, where inflammatory stimuli do not naturally clear out with treatment as they do in vivo. While summarizing the broad knowledge of synovial jakinib effects, our review uniquely challenges future study designs to better mimick the jakinib actions in broader cell communities, as occurring in vivo in the inflamed synovium. This can deepen our understanding of collective synovial activities of jakinibs and their therapeutic limitations, thereby fostering jakinib development in arthritis.
Regulation of Vessel Permeability by TRP Channels

The vascular endothelium constitutes a semi-permeable barrier between blood and interstitial fluids. Since an augmented endothelial permeability is often associated to pathological states, understanding the molecular basis for its regulation is a crucial biomedical and clinical challenge. This review focuses on the processes controlling paracellular permeability that is the permeation of fluids between adjacent endothelial cells (ECs). Cytosolic calcium changes are often detected as early events preceding the alteration of the endothelial barrier (EB) function. For this reason, great interest has been devoted in the last decades to unveil the molecular mechanisms underlying calcium fluxes and their functional relationship with vessel permeability. Beyond the dicotomic classification between store-dependent and independent calcium entry at the plasma membrane level, the search for the molecular components of the related calcium-permeable channels revealed a difficult task for intrinsic and technical limitations. The contribution of redundant channel-forming proteins including members of TRP superfamily and Orai1, together with the very complex intracellular modulatory pathways, displays a huge variability among tissues and along the vascular tree. Moreover, calcium-independent events could significantly concur to the regulation of vascular permeability in an intricate and fascinating multifactorial framework.
Prevalence and Patterns of Marijuana Use in Young Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Objectives: Recent studies in adults report symptom relief with marijuana use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We assessed the prevalence, pattern, effects, and adverse effects of marijuana use in young adults with IBD. Methods: We conducted a prospective questionnaire survey study at a pediatric IBD clinic. All patients (18–21 years of age) answered anonymous questionnaires about demographics, IBD, medications, and marijuana use. Results: Fifty-three patients (mean age 18.7 years, 32 boys) were enrolled. Thirty-seven patients (70%) reported using marijuana currently or in the past. There was no statistically significant difference between the users and nonusers of marijuana regarding demographics, disease activity, or medications. Despite prolonged use of marijuana, 70% of patients did not discuss it with their gastroenterologists. Twenty-four patients used marijuana medicinally for IBD symptoms in addition to medical therapy. Although majority found marijuana to be moderately/very helpful, complete relief of symptoms such as abdominal pain, poor appetite, nausea, and diarrhea was seen in 29%, 37%, 14%, and 10% of patients, respectively. Only half of patients reported knowledge of possible adverse effects of marijuana and 19% of patients reported mild neuropsychiatric adverse effects. Overall, 98% of patients supported legalization of marijuana and 85% were interested in using medical marijuana if it became legally available. Conclusions: We found a high rate of marijuana use in our cohort of young adults with IBD. Majority of users report symptom improvement but do not inform physicians. Future well-controlled studies are necessary to assess role of marijuana in IBD therapy.
Effects of isoflavones from red clover (Trifolium pratense) on skin changes induced by ovariectomy in rats

Estrogens have a profound influence on skin. The relative hypoestrogenism that accompanies menopause exacerbates the deleterious effects of both intrinsic and environmental aging. Estrogens improve skin in many ways. Among these, they increase collagen content, skin thickness and improve skin moisture. There is evidence that diets with high levels of phytoestrogenic isoflavones are associated with a low incidence of menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis. Plant extracts such as red clover, which contain high levels of isoflavones, have been used to reduce menopausal symptoms and have been shown to reduce bone loss in healthy women. In this study to investigate the effects of red clover isoflavones on skin aging, the histology of the skin, skin thickness and the amount of total collagen determined by a colorimetric method, were studied in ovariectomized rats after treatment for 14 weeks with a red clover extract standardized to contain 11% isoflavones determined by HPLC. In ovariectomized rats the thickness and keratinization of the epidermis were reduced; glands were less in number and vascularity was poor; the distribution and morphology of the collagen bundles and elastic fibers were altered. Whereas the skin of the ovariectomized rats treated with red clover isoflavones (20 and 40 mg of total isoflavones daily for 14 weeks) appeared well organized with a normal epidermis with uniform thickness and regular keratinization; vascularity, collagen and elastic fibers were well developed. The amount of collagen significantly increased in the treated group in comparison with the control group. These findings suggest that red clover isoflavones are effective in reducing skin aging induced by estrogen deprivation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal androgen exposure modulates cellular and humoral immune function of black-headed gull chicks

Avian eggs contain considerable amounts of maternal yolk androgens, which have been shown to beneficially influence the physiology and behaviour of the chick. As androgens may suppress immune functions, they may also entail costs for the chick. This is particularly relevant for colonial species, such as the black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus), in which the aggregation of large numbers of birds during the breeding season enhances the risk of infectious diseases for the hatching chick. To test the effect of maternal yolk androgens on the chick's immune function, we experimentally manipulated, in a field study, yolk androgen levels within the physiological range by in ovo injection of either androgens (testosterone and androstenedione) or sesame oil (control) into freshly laid eggs. We determined cell-mediated immunity (CMI) and humoral immunity of the chicks at the beginning of the nestling period to evaluate early modulatory effects of yolk androgens on immune function. Embryonic exposure to elevated levels of androgens negatively affected both CMI and humoral immunity in nestling gull chicks. Consequently, maternal yolk androgens not only entail benefits of enhanced competitiveness and growth as previously shown, but also costs in terms of immunosuppression. The outcome of embryonic yolk androgen exposure thus likely depends on the post-hatching circumstances for the developing offspring such as parasite exposure and degree of sibling competition.
[Magnetic resonance and computerized tomography of posterior cranial fossa tumors in childhood. Differential diagnosis and assessment of lesion extent].

In the last thirty years much progress has been made in the treatment of brain tumors in children, thanks to modern diagnostic imaging techniques, together with neurosurgery and radiotherapy, for the diagnosis and follow-up of these lesions. MRI and paramagnetic contrast agents have revolutionized the imaging of intracranial conditions, especially in the posterior cranial fossa. The superiority of MRI over CT is well known and reported in the literature, but the adequacy of the two methods has rarely been compared. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing and quantitating the accuracy of MRI and CT relative to two essential parameters: preoperative "histologic" diagnosis and local and distant intracranial tumor extent. In 52 selected patients the final histologic diagnosis was cerebellar medulloblastoma in 20 cases, cerebellar astrocytoma in 12 cases, brain stem glioma in 12 cases and ependymoma in 8 cases. CT allowed the correct diagnosis to be made in 25 patients (48%), with questionable findings in 21 patients (40%) and 6 misdiagnoses (12%). MRI allowed the correct diagnosis to be made in 43 patients (83%), with questionable findings in 9 patients (17%) and no misdiagnoses. MRI depicted local and distant tumor spread in 34 patients while CT showed it in 22 patients only. The analysis of the results confirmed the superiority of MRI over CT, relative to the parameters considered, i.e. histology and the assessment of tumor spread. In the clinical suspicion of brain tumors of the posterior cranial fossa in children, MRI--if available--should be the examination of choice if the patient's clinical status does not prevent its use. CT should be used only in emergency cases (acute intracranial hypertension) to identify hydrocephalus and intratumoral hemorrhages. Unenhanced CT also yields useful pieces of information for lesion "histology" and may be used to integrate MR findings in selected cases.
Consumer Arbitration Agreements: Enforceability And Other Topics

Authored By: F. Paul Bland, Jr., Executive Director, Public Justice Leslie A. Bailey, Staff Attorney, Public Justice Rich Frankel, Associate Professor of Law, Drexel University Earle Mack School of Law Melanie Hirsch, Attorney, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Michael J. Quirk, Associate, Williams Cuker Berezofsky Jon Sheldon, Staff Attorney, National Consumer Law Center Experts Explain the Latest On How to Defeat Arbitration Requirements
The use of restricted mean survival time to estimate the treatment effect in randomized clinical trials when the proportional hazards assumption is in doubt

In most randomized clinical trials (RCTs) with a right‐censored time‐to‐event outcome, the hazard ratio is taken as an appropriate measure of the effectiveness of a new treatment compared with a standard‐of‐care or control treatment. However, it has long been known that the hazard ratio is valid only under the proportional hazards (PH) assumption. This assumption is formally checked only rarely. Some recent trials, particularly the IPASS trial in lung cancer and the ICON7 trial in ovarian cancer, have alerted researchers to the possibility of gross non‐PH, raising the critical question of how such data should be analyzed. Here, we propose the use of the restricted mean survival time at a prespecified, fixed time point as a useful general measure to report the difference between two survival curves. We describe different methods of estimating it and we illustrate its application to three RCTs in cancer. The examples are graded from a trial in kidney cancer in which there is no evidence of non‐PH, to IPASS, where the opposite is clearly the case. We propose a simple, general scheme for the analysis of data from such RCTs. Key elements of our approach are Andersen's method of ‘pseudo‐observations,’ which is based on the Kaplan–Meier estimate of the survival function, and Royston and Parmar's class of flexible parametric survival models, which may be used for analyzing data in the presence or in the absence of PH of the treatment effect. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.