Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of water deprivation on the pharmacokinetics of metformin in rats

It was reported that metformin was mainly metabolized via hepatic CYP2C11, 2D1 and 3A1/2 in rats, and in a rat model of dehydration, the expressions of hepatic CYP2C11 and 3A1/2 were not changed. Hence, it could be expected that the Clnr of metformin is comparable between two groups of rats if the contribution of CYP2D1 in the rat model of dehydration is not considerable. It was also reported that the timed‐interval renal clearance of metformin was dependent on the urine flow rate in rats. In the rat model of dehydration, the 24h urine output was significantly smaller than in the controls. Hence, the urinary excretion of metformin was expected to be smaller than the controls. The above expectations were proven as follows. After intravenous administration of metformin (100mg/kg) to the rat model of dehydration, the Clnr were comparable between the two groups of rats. After both intravenous and oral administration of metformin (both 100mg/kg) to the rat model of dehydration, the 24h urinary excretion of the drug was significantly smaller than in the controls. After oral administration of metformin to the rat model of dehydration, the AUC was significantly greater (99.2% increase) than the controls. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Joint statement for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Middle East–North Africa region, 2017

Smoking and subsequent development of COPD is an ever-increasing epidemic in Arabian Gulf and Middle East countries, with no signs of decline. The important fact to be highlighted is that this COPD epidemic of increasing incidence and prevalence is mostly unrecognized by patients, due to the common attribution of symptoms to “smoker’s cough”, and the underdiagnosis and undertreatment by physicians because the common signs and symptoms masquerade as asthma. Consequently, there are long-term adverse effects of missing the diagnosis. The purpose of this review article is to focus upon the status of COPD in Arabian Gulf and Middle East countries, stressing the increasing burden of smoking and COPD, to emphasize the specific factors leading to rise in prevalence of COPD, to bring to light the underdiagnosis and undermanagement of COPD, and to treat COPD in conformity with standard guidelines with local and regional modifications. This review ends with suggestions and recommendations to the health department to formulate policies and to generate awareness among the general public about the side effects of smoking and consequences of COPD.
Postures of a robot arm-window to robot intentions?

Body language of robot arms, have rarely been explored as a medium of conveying robot intentions. An explorative study was done focusing on two questions: one, if robot arm postures can convey robot intentions, and two, if participants coming in contact with this robot arm for the first time can associate any meaning to the postures without watching the robot in action, or working with it. Thirty five participants took part in this exploratory study. Results show significant effect of the design of postures on the interpretation of its meaning. Postures designed in tempered form of human/animal-like body language could successfully convey the desired intention to a significant number of people in the following categories: `Robot giving object in a friendly manner'; `Robot is saying Hi! ', `Robot has been told not to disturb'. Developers may predefine such postures in a robot to enhance its acceptability.
cDNA cloning, genomic structure, chromosomal mapping and expression analysis of ADIPOQ (adiponectin) in chicken

We report sequence, tissue expression and map position data for the adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) in chicken. This gene is involved in adipocyte differentiation in mammals and may play similar roles in chicken. The complete coding sequence of chicken ADIPOQ encodes a 244 amino acid protein. The coding region of the chicken ADIPOQ is organized in two exons and spans an approximately 2.1 kb genomic region. Domain/motif structures of the adiponectin protein among chicken and mammalian homologs are highly conserved. Reverse transcription-PCR revealed chicken ADIPOQ mRNA displayed high expression levels in fat tissue, heart, stomach and skin and weak expression in muscle. Analysis of a radiation hybrid panel indicated that ADIPOQ showed the most significant linkage to FOXL2 (LOD = 12.63, 12 cR) and ATSV (LOD = 7.53, 3 cR) both of which are located on chicken chromosome 9. Information provided in this study will be useful in further studies to determine the role the adiponectin gene plays in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism and body weight in chicken.
Critical EMC test issues needing early resolution

EMC test programs are often very lengthy and expensive. It is very important to address a number of critical EMC test issues as early in the program as possible to ensure complete and accurate planning, budgeting and design criteria. This paper presents and discusses a number of typical critical EMC test issues needing early resolution in programs. Suggestions are also provided to help control the potential impact of these issues.
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Filter With WLAN Notch

Strong narrowband signals like WLAN links may severely disturb UWB communication or sensor systems. In some cases, filtering out the respective frequency bands may therefore be of interest. This contribution proposes an additional notch filter within the passband of a broadband filter normally used to tailor the UWB spectrum. To this extent, a resonant slot is incorporated into one of the elements of a suspended stripline filter. Simulated and experimental results of a filter of this kind are presented, demonstrating the feasibility of this approach
Resequencing, haplotype construction and identification of novel variants of CYP2D6 in Mexican Mestizos.

AIM The CYP2D6 enzyme participates in the metabolism of commonly prescribed drugs: antidepressants, antipsychotics and antihypertensives. The CYP2D6 gene shows a high degree of interindividual and interethnic variability that influences its expression and function. Mexican Mestizos are a recently admixed population resulting from the combination of Amerindian, European and, to a lesser extent, African populations. This study aimed to comprehensively characterize the CYP2D6 gene in Mexican Mestizos. MATERIALS & METHODS We performed linkage disequilibrium and network analyses in resequencing data of 96 individuals from two regions within Mexico with a different history of admixture and particular population dynamics, the Northwestern state of Sonora and the Central-Pacific state of Guerrero. RESULTS & CONCLUSION We identified 64 polymorphisms, including 14 novel variants: 13 SNPs and a CYP2D7 exon 2 conversion, that was assigned CYP2D6*82 by the Human Cytochrome P450 (CYP) Allele Nomenclature Committee. Three novel SNPs were predicted to have functional effects. For CYP2D6*82 we hypothesize an Amerindian origin that is supported by its identification in three Mexican Amerindian groups (Mayas, Tepehuanos and Mixtecos). Frequencies of CYP2D6*1, *2, *4, *5, *10, *29, *53, *82 and its duplications were 50.0, 25.5, 14.1, 2.0, 2.6, 1.0, 0.5, 2.1 and 3.6%, respectively. We found significant frequency differences in CYP2D6*1 and *2 between Mexican Mestizos and in CYP2D6*1, *2, *4, *5, *10 and *29 between Mexicans and at least one other population. We observed strong linkage disequilibrium and phylogenetic relationships between haplotypes. To our knowledge, this study is the first comprehensive resequencing analysis of CYP2D6 in Mexicans or any other Latin American population, providing information about genetic diversity relevant in the development of pharmacogenomics in this region.
Influence of autogenous leucocytes and Escherichia coli on sperm motility parameters in vitro

Urogenital infections are considered important factors in male infertility. In this in vitro study we have evaluated the impact of leucocytes in association with an artificial infection with Escherichia coli on the motility of human spermatozoa. Ejaculates and blood samples were obtained from healthy donors with normal semen parameters. Ejaculates were prepared by swim‐up technique and five fractions were isolated for incubation. Leucocyte subtypes were separated from blood samples by gradient centrifugation. Purified sperm suspensions were adjusted to a concentration of 20 × 106 ml−1 and incubated with lymphocytes/ monocytes, polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN), and E. coli. Samples were incubated for up to 6 h at 37 °C. Motility analysis was performed using a computer‐assisted sperm analyzer (CASA). Spermatozoa incubated with 3 × 106 PMN ml−1 revealed a significant (P=0.003) decrease in progressive motility after 2 h. This decrease remained weakly significant (P=0.024) after 4 and 6 h. Lymphocytes and monocytes had no effect on sperm motility. Spermatozoa incubated with granulocytes and E. coli demonstrated highly significant alterations in motility after 4 and 6 h of incubation (P < 0.001). The PMN indicate an effect on motility of spermatozoa under experimental conditions. However, the results suggest that bacteria are the primary agents that interfere with sperm motility.
Evaluation of the tear and serum levels of IL-8 in sulfur mustard intoxicated patients 20 years after exposure

Purpose: Delayed keratitis is the most dangerous ocular complication of sulfur mustard (SM) exposure. This study aimed to evaluate the role of tear and serum levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in SM exposed subjects. Design and methods: In this historical cohort study, the experimental group included 370 participants who had been exposed to SM 20 years prior. Data were compared with those of 128 unexposed participants as the control group. After completing a thorough systemic and ocular examination, serum IL-8 levels in all exposed and controls were compared. According to the statistical calculation, tear IL-8 levels, were compared in randomly selected 48 exposed and 37 controls. Based on the ocular findings, the selected subjects were divided into two subgroups, normal subjects include those participants who had no ocular signs and abnormal subjects, were those who had at least one or more ocular signs. Results: Bulbar conjunctiva and limbal tissues evaluation in all participants showed a significantly higher number of abnormalities in exposed group than in the control group (P = 0.004 and P = 0.048 respectively). Serum IL-8 levels in all exposed were significantly lower than the matched controls (P = 0.002). Tear IL-8 levels in the selected exposed were significantly lower than in the selected controls (P = 0.030). In exposed group with normal conditions of the lids, bulbar conjunctiva, cornea, tear status, limbus, slit lamp findings and final ophthalmic assessment, tear IL-8 levels were significantly lower than in the matched controls (P = 0.022, 0.037, 0.027, 0.050, 0.039, 0.029, 0.045 respectively). With respect to the global ophthalmic assessment, tear fluid IL-8 levels in the abnormal controls were significantly lower than in the normal controls (P = 0.049), but this decrease in secretion of tear IL-8 were not encountered in abnormal exposed (P = 0.415). Conclusion: Tear IL-8 secretion was significantly inhibited in the unexposed controls with ocular surface abnormalities, while these inhibitory responses were not encountered in SM-exposed cases with ocular surface abnormalities.
The Cdc45·Mcm2–7·GINS Protein Complex in Trypanosomes Regulates DNA Replication and Interacts with Two Orc1-like Proteins in the Origin Recognition Complex*

Accurate DNA replication requires a complex interplay of many regulatory proteins at replication origins. The CMG (Cdc45·Mcm2–7·GINS) complex, which is composed of Cdc45, Mcm2–7, and the GINS (Go-Ichi-Ni-San) complex consisting of Sld5 and Psf1 to Psf3, is recruited by Cdc6 and Cdt1 onto origins bound by the heterohexameric origin recognition complex (ORC) and functions as a replicative helicase. Trypanosoma brucei, an early branched microbial eukaryote, appears to express an archaea-like ORC consisting of a single Orc1/Cdc6-like protein. However, unlike archaea, trypanosomes possess components of the eukaryote-like CMG complex, but whether they form an active helicase complex, associate with the ORC, and regulate DNA replication remains unknown. Here, we demonstrated that the CMG complex is formed in vivo in trypanosomes and that Mcm2–7 helicase activity is activated by the association with Cdc45 and the GINS complex in vitro. Mcm2–7 and GINS proteins are confined to the nucleus throughout the cell cycle, whereas Cdc45 is exported out of the nucleus after DNA replication, indicating that nuclear exclusion of Cdc45 constitutes one mechanism for preventing DNA re-replication in trypanosomes. With the exception of Mcm4, Mcm6, and Psf1, knockdown of individual CMG genes inhibits DNA replication and cell proliferation. Finally, we identified a novel Orc1-like protein, Orc1b, as an additional component of the ORC and showed that both Orc1b and Orc1/Cdc6 associate with Mcm2–7 via interactions with Mcm3. All together, we identified the Cdc45·Mcm2–7·GINS complex as the replicative helicase that interacts with two Orc1-like proteins in the unusual origin recognition complex in trypanosomes.
Highly Efficient Sparse Multipath Channel Estimator with Chu-Sequence Preamble for Frequency-Domain MIMO DFE Receiver

In this paper, a sparse multipath channel estimation algorithm is proposed for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) single-carrier systems with frequency-domain decision feedback equalizer (FD-DFE). This algorithm exploits the orthogonality of an optimal MIMO preamble based on repeated, phase-rotated, Chu (RPC) sequences, leading to a dramatic reduction in computation. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm employs an improved non-iterative procedure utilizing the Generalized AIC criterion (GAIC), resulting in further computational saving and performance improvement. The proposed scheme is simulated for 802.16d SCaPHY and SUI-5 sparse channel model under a 2 x 2 spatial multiplexing scenario, with the MIMO FD-DFE as the receiver. The result shows that the channel estimation accuracy is significantly improved, and the performance loss compared to the known channel case is only 0.7 dB at the BER of 10 -3 .
Energy aware optimization of mobile metro-core network under predictable aggregated traffic patterns

The high predictability in human mobility patterns is a valuable information to optimize resource allocation and increase energy efficiency by effectively adapting to expected traffic load variations. In this work, we addressed the impact of human mobility patterns of mobile users in a metro area over the aggregated traffic offered to the mobile metro-core networks. Exploiting predictable trends recognized in aggregated traffic, we propose two optimization methods to reduce the energy consumption in the optical layer of metro-core networks. Our results display energy savings of more than 20% by introducing load adaptive network operation.
Drug utilization pattern and pharmacoeconomic analysis in geriatric medical in-patients of a tertiary care hospital of India

Objective: To evaluate drug utilization pattern in terms of defined daily dose along with pharmacoeconomic analysis in geriatric patients admitted in medical ward of a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: Retrospective medical record analysis was performed for indoor cases of the geriatric patients (age ≥65 years) admitted in medicine ward from January 2010 to December 2010 were analyzed for demographics, indications for admission, various systems involved, duration of hospital stay, various drugs prescribed, and adverse drug reaction. The drugs were categorized by anatomical therapeutic classification and defined daily dose was calculated. The World Health Organization prescribing indicators were assessed. Cost of the drugs was calculated to assess the economic burden. Results: Cardiovascular diseases were the common cause for admission. Antiplatelet drugs-B01AC (93%), H2 blockers-A02BA (77.22%), antiemetics-A03FA (67.6%), vasodilators-C01D (55%), and hypolipidemic drugs-C10AA (52%) were commonly utilized groups. Average number of drugs per patient was 9.37 (95% CI: 9.09-9.64). Average number of antimicrobials prescribed per patient was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.82-0.99). Cefotaxime was the commonly prescribed antimicrobial drug. Average cost of treatment was ₹540.5 (95% CI: ₹458.0-623.0). Patients shared 45% of the economic burden for prescribed medicines. The average economic burden for drugs was significantly higher in expired than survived patients (₹749.49 vs. 457.59). Conclusion: Polypharmacy and irrational use of medicines are common problems in geriatric prescription. Prescription guidelines should be formatted for them.
Finite-State Morphological Analysis for Marathi

This paper describes the development of free/open-source morphological descriptions for Marathi, an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the state of Maharashtra in India. We describe the conversion and usage of an existing Latin-based lexicon for our Devanagari-based analyser, taking into account the distinction between full vowels and diacritics, that is not adequately captured by the Latin. Marathi displays elements of both fusional and agglutinative morphology, which gives us different ways to potentially treat the morphology; philosophically, we approach our analyser by treating the morphology system as a three-layer afﬁxing system. We use the lttoolbox lexicon formalism for describing the ﬁnite-state transducer, and attempt to work within a morphological framework that would allow for some consistency across Indo-Aryan languages, enabling machine translation across language pairs. An evaluation of our ﬁnite-state transducer shows that the coverage is adequate, over 80% on two corpora, and the precision is good (over 97%).
View-Based 3D Object Retrieval: Challenges and Approaches

View-based 3D object retrieval is an emerging research topic that has numerous geographic-related applications in many fields, such as computer-aided design (CAD) and virtual city navigation. This article briefly introduces the recent research progress in view-based 3D object retrieval by reviewing advances and identifying challenges in this field.
Long intergenic non-coding RNA 00152 promotes tumor cell cycle progression by binding to EZH2 and repressing p15 and p21 in gastric cancer

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important regulatory roles in several human cancers. Integrated analysis revealed that expression of long intergenic non-coding RNA 152 (LINC00152) was significantly upregulated in gastric cancer (GC). Further analysis in a cohort of 97 GC patients revealed that LINC00152 expression was positively correlated with tumor invasion depth, lymph node metastasis, higher TNM stage, and poor survival. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that cell proliferation and cell cycle progression were increased in patients with high LINC00152 expression. In both GC cell lines and xenograft systems, LINC00152 overexpression facilitated GC cell proliferation by accelerating the cell cycle, whereas LINC00152 knockdown had the opposite effect. Moreover, by binding to enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), LINC00152 promotes GC tumor cell cycle progression by silencing the expression of p15 and p21. These findings suggest that LINC00152 may play contribute to the progression of GC and may be an effective therapeutic target.
Notch emerges as new cancer drug target.

A metaphor for cancer is normal development gone awry. All tissues in the body arise from embryonic stem cells that gradually give rise to specialized cells. Cancer resembles a case of ar rested development be cause less differentiated tumors are almost always the most aggressive. So it’s no surprise that genes regulating normal fetal and childhood development have been implicated in adult cancer. The question now: If a gene regulating development can cause cancer, can blocking that gene eradicate the tumor? One such gene is Notch. First described almost a century ago, Notch has become the object of intense study in cancer. Evidence is growing that Notch signaling can drive the growth of a wide range of tumors, from leukemia to breast cancer. At least two cancer clinical trials are under way using Notch inhibitors, and several others are pending. “This is an exploding fi eld,” says Lucio Miele, M.D., Ph.D. , a cancer researcher at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill. Notch was fi rst identifi ed in 1919 by geneticist Thomas Hunt Morgan, Ph.D., of Columbia University in New York. (Morgan named the gene after the notches that ap peared in the wings of fruit fl ies lacking a gene copy.) In 1937, Donald Poulson, Ph.D., of the Carnegie Institution in Baltimore showed that defects in Notch caused cells originally destined to be skin to instead become neural tissue. This innovation established Notch’s role in determining a cell’s fate. Notch signaling usually blocks differentiation, thus allowing orderly deployment of diverse cell types in tissues and organs. For example, Notch signaling from developing neurons in chicks keeps adjacent cells from also turning into neurons and allows them to become glia, the brain’s support cells. Notch is a relative newcomer to the cancer fi eld. In 1991, Notch1 (one of four Notch receptors in humans) was identifi ed at a translocation breakpoint in rare cases of T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia/ lymphoma (T-ALL). The following year, Notch4 was found at the site of a retroviral gene insertion that leads to breast cancer in mice. The 1999 discovery that gamma secretase cleaves Notch receptors, triggering Notch signaling, has led to an explosion of cancer research using gamma secretase inhibitors originally developed in the late 1990s to treat Alzheimer disease. (Gamma secretase enables amyloid plaques to build up in the brain in Alzheimer disease.) Many groups have now shown that these drugs can block tumor growth in cell culture.
Muons in air showers at the Pierre Auger Observatory: Measurement of atmospheric production depth

The surface detector array of the Pierre Auger Observatory provides information about the longitudinal development of the muonic component of extensive air showers. Using the timing information from the flash analog-to-digital converter traces of surface detectors far from the shower core, it is possible to reconstruct a muon production depth distribution. We characterize the goodness of this reconstruction for zenith angles around 60 deg. and different energies of the primary particle. From these distributions we define X(mu)max as the depth along the shower axis where the production of muons reaches maximum. We explore the potentiality of X(mu)max as a useful observable to infer the mass composition of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays. Likewise, we assess its ability to constrain hadronic interaction models.
The gamification of heritage in the unesco enlisted medieval town of Rhodes

“Grand Master Challenge” is a heritage game developed under the umbrella of DIVERTIMENTO, an ongoing Project within the COSME PROGRAMME 2014-2020. The Game aims to effectively facilitate tourism consumption choices and stimulate a new heritage mobility model in Unesco enlisted Medieval City of Rhodes by communicating heritage values to non-captives audiences in an entertaining and participatory way. It is supported by an iBook for iOS/Android operating systems specifically designed to serve as an information hub for the Game plot, narratives and clues and facilitate spatial navigation through the embedded Google Map. Structure and contents are aligned with human cognitive architecture to facilitate cognitive processing of information with tourism value. The Game enables an unlimited number of users to retrieve key media information and customize it according to their personal preferences and points of enthusiasm, transforming their personal experiences into a ludic marketing tool.