Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pharmaceutical Quality of Hypericum Extracts

Hypericum extracts contain at least ten constituents or groups of components that may contribute to the pharmacological effects. It is not yet possible to correlate the antidepressive mode of action with specific constituents; therefore, the pharmaceutical quality of the extracts was characterized on the basis of typical leading substances and especially the hypericins. For the analysis and improvement of the production procedure, the content of hypericin and pseudohypericin was measured experimentally. The drug material was extracted with different solvents and the yield was analyzed for each kind of solvent, its concentration and extraction temperature. Optimal yields were obtained with 80% methanol at temperatures of 80°C.
Hybrid low autocorrelation sequences (Corresp.)

Skew-symmetric sequences of (2n + 1) terms, a_0,a_1,\cdots,a_{2n} , are described for which the "merit factor" \begin{equation} F_h = \frac{\biggl[\sum_{i=0}^{2n} \mid a_i \mid \biggr] ^2}{ 2 \sum_{k=1}^{2n} \biggl[ \sum_{i=0}^{2n-k} \text{sign} (a_i) \cdot a_{i+k} \biggl] ^2} \end{equation} is unusually high.
Comparison of combined prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus hyperimmune globulin plus ganciclovir versus cytomegalovirus hyperimmune globulin alone in high-risk heart transplant recipients1

Background. Seronegative heart transplant recipients who receive an allograft from seropositive donors have a higher risk of developing cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease and cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) and dysfunction. Neither CMV-specific hyperimmune globulin nor ganciclovir as sole CMV prophylaxis is sufficient to prevent CMV disease in high-risk patients. We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of CMV-hyperimmune globulin with and without ganciclovir in 207 D+/R− heart transplant recipients. Methods. The study population was divided into two groups: Group A was composed of 96 patients who received CMV hyperimmune globulin as sole CMV prophylaxis, and group B was composed of 111 patients who received combined CMV prophylaxis. All recipients were subjected to quadruple cytolytic immunosuppression. Primary and secondary end points included prevention of CMV-associated death, CMV disease and productive infection, CAV, and overall infection. Results. There was no difference in overall survival between the two groups. Four patients in the group A died of CMV sepsis, whereas no CMV-associated death was observed in group B (P =0.0326). The actuarial incidence of CMV disease was significantly lower in patients who received double CMV prophylaxis (32.29 vs. 11.71, P =0.0003). Although no difference was observed with regard to productive CMV infection (53.12 vs. 65.77, P =not significant), CAV and overall infection rates were significantly higher in the first group (7.29 vs. 0.9, P =0.0157 and 70.83 vs. 62.16, P =0.03, respectively). Conclusions. Double CMV prophylaxis consisting of CMV hyperimmune globulin and ganciclovir is able to abolish CMV death and prevent CMV disease in high-risk heart transplant recipients. Therefore, the use of a combination regimen is recommended for seronegative recipients with seropositive donors.
Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: current concepts, results, and component wear analysis.

After its introduction in the 1970s, reverse total shoulder arthroplasty had minimal clinical success, as its constrained design and lateralized glenohumeral center of rotation led to excessive shear forces and failure of the glenoid component1,2. Modern implant design modifications have emphasized a larger radius of curvature of the glenoid component and movement of the center of shoulder rotation medially and distally, creating a more stable and efficient fulcrum and decreasing shear forces at the glenoid-bone interface3,4. Since receiving U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2003, reverse total shoulder arthroplasty has become popular for use for more than rotator cuff-tear arthropathy; its uses include treatment of failed conventional total shoulder arthroplasties, rheumatoid arthritis in patients with an irreparable cuff tear, proximal humeral tumors, and proximal humeral fractures with anterosuperior escape5,6. However, with major complication rates as high as 26%7, limited implant longevity, and a lack of long-term functional outcome data, concerns have continued about its widespread use2. ### Source of Funding There was no external funding source for this investigation. Without injury, the glenohumeral joint possesses remarkable mobility and is able to remain stable over the majority of an individual’s life span. While both static and dynamic restraints contribute to its stability, the glenohumeral joint lacks substantial intrinsic osseous constraints8,9. Although the glenoid and the humeral head have similar shapes, they differ substantially in size. Warner demonstrated that the spherical humeral head has an articular surface area of approximately 21 to 22 cm2, while that of the glenoid is 8 to 9 cm2, with a maximum contact area of only 4 to 5 cm2 between the two surfaces10. This limited contact area and the shallow glenoid …
Probability-based Scoring for Normality Map in Brain MRI Images from Normal Control Population

The increasing availability of MRI brain data opens up a research direction for abnormality detection which is necessary to on-time detection of impairment and performing early diagnosis. The paper proposes scores based on z-score transformation and kernel density estimation (KDE) which are respectively Gaussian-based assumption and nonparametric modeling to detect the abnormality in MRI brain images. The methodologies are applied on gray-matter-based score of Voxel-base Morphometry (VBM) and sparse-based score of Sparse-based Morphometry (SBM). The experiments on well-designed normal control (CN) and Alzheimer disease (AD) subsets extracted from MRI data set of Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) are conducted with threshold-based classification. The analysis of abnormality percentage of AD and CN population is carried out to validate the robustness of the proposed scores. The further cross validation on Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and Support vector machine (SVM) classification between AD and CN show significant accuracy rate, revealing the potential of statistical modeling to measure abnormality from a population of normal subjects.
Plastome Sequencing of Ten Nonmodel Crop Species Uncovers a Large Insertion of Mitochondrial DNA in Cashew

DNA sequence data provides valuable information for biotechnology and evolutionary studies. Plastid genomes (plastomes) of 10 nonmodel crop species were sequenced. Inversions, gene divergence and loss, and IR boundary variation were identified. Transfer of mitochondrial DNA to the plastome was found in Anacardium (cashew).
ENZYMES CATALYZING SEQUENTIAL REACTIONS IN MOUSE BRAIN AND LIVER SUPERNATANT FRACTIONS: II. THE USE OF PHENAZINE METHOSULFATE

1 . Spectrophotometric and manometric studies of pertinent non-enzymic solutions showed that reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide is rapidly oxidized by phenazine methosulfate. The reduced phenazine methosulfate (PMS) is gradually oxidized by molecular oxygen. H2O2 is formed. A portion of this H2O2 is spontaneously split into H2O and O2 2. In mouse brain and liver supernatants, with PMS as dye and reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide (DPNH) as substrate, the same reactions occur. In addition, the formed H2O2 is split by catalase demonstrated to be present in the supernatants used. Th oxygen taken up was a direct measure of the DPNH oxidized. 3. Pyruvate was the main competing electron acceptor studied. When it was added to, or formed by the supernatants, the oxygen uptake during DPNH-oxidation through PMS was reduced, depending on the relative concentration of the electron transferring systems present. In that case the amount of oxygen consumed, when added to the amount of lactate accumulated, was a direct measure of the DPNH oxidized. 4. When oxidized diphosphopyridine nucleotide (DPN) and an appropriate substrate were added to supernatants, the reoxidation by PMS of the DPNH formed by the DPN-requiring dehydrogenase components of a given enzyme group was measured. The oxygen uptake was a measure of the amount of DPNH formed, and thus a measure of the enzymic breakdown of the substrate by the enzyme system under study. 5. When the metabolism of a substrate by the enzyme system under study included the formation of pyruvate, the PMS-dependent oxygen uptake, added to the lactate accumulated, was a measure of the activity of the enzyme system. 6. Homogenized brain tissue yielded a supernatant with fragmented enzyme groups lacking functional flavoprotein. By contrast, as shown previously, this tissue yielded a mitochondrial fraction which retained all of the enzynes necessary for an integrated glucose-metabolizing enzyme system. 7. Homogenized liver tissue yielded a supernatant with flavoprotein linked enzyme systems less fragmented than those found in brain supernatants. At the same time it yields a mitochondrial fraction with an incomplete glycolytic enzyme system. 8. The data support the thesis proposed previously, that the enzymes found in the supernatant fraction of brain and liver cells represent mainly enzymes washed from the mitochondria, and therefore complementary to those retained by these organelles.
Effect of thyroid hormones on oxidative and nonoxidative glucose metabolism in humans.

The glucoregulatory function of thyroid hormones was investigated in six healthy subjects before and after 14 day 3,5,3',5'-tetraiodothyronine (T4) treatment (300 micrograms/day) using a sequential clamp protocol for 5 h at euglycemia (0-2 h) and hyperglycemia (165 mg/dl, 2-5 h) and different insulin infusion rates (1.0 for 0-3.5 h and 6.5 mU.kg-1.min-1, for 3.5-5 h). T4 treatment increased basal energy expenditure (+8%), glucose disposal (+31%), and oxidation (+87%) but decreased nonoxidative glucose metabolism (-30%) and was without effect on lipid oxidation. During the euglycemic clamp, T4 treatment enhanced insulin-induced glucose disposal (+16%), glucose oxidation (+34%), and inhibition of lipid oxidation (-66 vs. -40%); nonoxidative glucose metabolism was stimulated to a similar extent before and after T4. During hyperglycemia, 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) did not affect glucose disposal but increased carbohydrate-induced lipogenesis at both insulin infusion rates. We conclude that T4 treatment promotes glucose disposal and oxidation, T3 decreases noninsulin-mediated glucose storage but does not antagonize insulin action.
Effects of silver nanoparticle (Ag NP)on oxidative stress, liver function in rat: hepatotoxic or hepatoprotective?

*Corresponding Author Email: akranjbar1389@yahoo.com Tel/Fax: +98 811 8380031 Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have been widely used as new potent antimicrobial agents in cosmetic and hygienic products. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible protective role of Ag NP antioxidative biomarkers ‏‎ ‎in rat liver. Rats received Ag NP, 5, 50, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day IP. After two week of treatment, the activity of catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total thiol molecules (TTG) in liver tissue were measured. Then ALT (alanine aminotransferase ) and ALP(alkaline phosphatase) activities in blood were measured. Ag NP in 5, 50mg/kg reduced activities of CAT, ALT and increased TAC and TTG in liver homogenate compared Ag NP 500mg/kg/day group. Also, in this study, Ag NP with 500mg/kg/day induced activities of CAT, AST and ALT compared control group. It is considered Ag NP beneficial effects for the protection oxidative liver injury in low doses and considered toxic in high doses.
Nitrate in aquifers beneath agricultural systems.

Research from several regions of the world provides spatially anecdotal evidence to hypothesize which hydrologic and agricultural factors contribute to groundwater vulnerability to nitrate contamination. Analysis of nationally consistent measurements from the U.S. Geological Survey's NAWOA program confirms these hypotheses for a substantial range of agricultural systems. Shallow unconfined aquifers are most susceptible to nitrate contamination associated with agricultural systems. Alluvial and other unconsolidated aquifers are the most vulnerable and shallow carbonate aquifers provide a substantial but smaller contamination risk. Where any of these aquifers are overlain by permeable soils the risk of contamination is larger. Irrigated systems can compound this vulnerability by increasing leaching facilitated by additional recharge and additional concentrations of groundwater nitrate than all other agricultural systems, although mean nitrate concentrations in counties with dairy, poultry, cattle and grains, and horticulture systems were similar. If trends in the relation between increased fertilizer use and groundwater nitrate in the United States are repeated in other regions of the world, Asia may experience increasing problems because of recent increases in fertilizer use. Groundwater monitoring in Western and Eastern Europe as well as Russia over the next decade may provide data to determine if the trend in increased nitrate contamination can be reversed. If the concentrated livestock trend in the United States is global, it may be accompanied by increasing nitrogen contamination in groundwater. Concentrated livestock provide both point sources in the confinement area and intense non-point sources as fields close to facilities are used for manure disposal. Regions where irrigated cropland is expanding, such as in Asia, may experience the greatest impact of this practice.
Proximate composition and meat quality of broilers reared under different production systems

In this study, the physical-chemical characteristics and proximate composition of the meat of of two strains of broilers (Paraiso Pedres and Master gris plume - Super Pesadao, utilized for semi-intensive rearing) and Cobb® strain, utilized in intensive rearing systems) were evaluated. Differences related to strain and sex (males and females) were studied. Cobb® broilers were slaughtered at 45 days and the other strains at 85 days. The following characteristics were evaluated in breast and thigh meat: moisture, protein, ether extract, ashes, color (CIEL*a*b*), final pH, cooking loss (CL) and shear force (SF). Bird strain and sex influenced breast color parameters, with Cobb® presenting higher yellowness (b*) and redness (a*) means, whereas females had higher b* values and males, a* values. Paraiso Pedres had lower SF values. As to proximate composition, there was an interaction between strain and sex, with higher ether extract values in the meat of Super Pesadao males. Cobb® birds presented higher lightness (L*) and b* values, and there was no effect of sex on color parameters. Higher pH and SF values were found in the meat of Super Pesadao birds. There was an interaction between strain and sex for b* and SF values, with higher b* values obtained with Cobb® males, while differences between sex, with superiority for females in the Paraiso Pedres strain and for males in the Cobb® strain were found. Increased values of SF for males were obtained for Super Pesadao strain. Both Paraiso Pedres and Super Pesadao strains presented physicochemical and proximate composition characteristics similar to those of Cobb® strain in the cuts breast and thigh so that in a few parameters, no differences between the birds kept in this two rearing systems were found.
Does Corneal Collagen Cross-linking Reduce the Need for Keratoplasties in Patients With Keratoconus?

Purpose: To investigate whether the introduction of corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) influences the frequency of keratoplasties in patients with keratoconus. Methods: Data were obtained from a cohort of patients from our corneal transplant registry. Two different periods were compared, 2005 to 2006 (period 1) and 2013 to 2014 (period 2). Patients during period 1 had surgery before the introduction of CXL treatment, and patients in period 2 had surgery after this treatment was well established in our department. Age and gender were registered, and the Amsler–Krumeich classification system was applied to grade the degree of keratoconus. Results: The total number of keratoplasties performed during period 1 was 137, and keratoconus was the cause of surgery in 55 eyes (55 patients). The corresponding numbers in period 2 were 231 and 26 eyes (26 patients), respectively. The difference in the number of keratoplasties for keratoconus in both periods was statistically significant (P = 0.003). There were no significant differences in the distributions of age and gender between both periods. In period 1, 63.6% of the eyes were graded as stage 4 in the Amsler–Krumeich classification, compared with 96.2% in period 2 (P = 0.001). Conclusions: The frequency of keratoplasty for keratoconus has been more than halved in our department over the last decade. There is reason to believe that this reduction is for a great part caused by the introduction of CXL treatment.
IL-31 Receptor (IL-31RA) Knockout Mice Exhibit Elevated Responsiveness to Oncostatin M

IL-31 signals through the heterodimeric receptor IL-31RA and oncostatin M receptor (OSMR), and has been linked with the development of atopic dermatitis, a Th2 cytokine-associated disease in humans. However, recent studies of IL-31RA knockout (KO) mice have suggested that IL-31 signaling may be required to negatively regulate Th2 type responses rather than exacerbate them. Because those studies were performed on genetically modified mice, we examined whether neutralizing IL-31 with a specific mAb would give similar results to IL-31RA KO mice in two Th2 cytokine-associated immune models. We report no difference in lymphocyte Th2-type cytokine production after Ag immunization between IL-31RA KO mice, mice treated with the IL-31 mAb, or control animals. Second, we tested whether the absence of the IL-31RA subunit in IL-31RA KO mice may allow for increased pairing of the OSMR subunit with another cytokine receptor, gp130, resulting in overrepresentation of the heterodimeric receptor for OSM and increased responsiveness to OSM protein. We found that intranasal OSM challenge of IL-31RA KO mice resulted in increased IL-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor production in the lung compared with wild-type littermate control animals. Moreover, PBS-challenged IL-31RA KO mice already had increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, which were further increased by OSM challenge. These data imply that IL-31RA–deficient mice produce increased levels of OSM-inducible cytokines during airway sensitization and challenge, which may be the driving force behind the apparent exacerbation of Th2-type inflammatory responses previously observed in these mice.
Association between albuminuria, kidney function, and inflammatory biomarker profile in CKD in CRIC.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Increased risk of mortality in patients with CKD has been attributed to inflammation. However, the association between kidney function, albuminuria, and biomarkers of inflammation has not been examined in a large cohort of CKD patients. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS This study measured the plasma levels of IL-1β, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fibrinogen, and serum albumin in 3939 participants enrolled in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort study between June 2003 and September 2008. An inflammation score was established based on plasma levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, hs-CRP, and fibrinogen. Estimated GFR (eGFR) and serum cystatin C were used as measures of kidney function. Albuminuria was quantitated by urine albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR). RESULTS Plasma levels of IL-1β, IL-1RA, IL-6, TNF-α, hs-CRP, and fibrinogen were higher among participants with lower levels of eGFR. Inflammation score was higher among those with lower eGFR and higher UACR. In regression analysis adjusted for multiple covariates, eGFR, cystatin C, and UACR were strongly associated with fibrinogen, serum albumin, IL-6, and TNF-α. Each unit increase in eGFR, cystatin C, and UACR was associated with a -1.2% (95% confidence interval, -1.4, -1), 64.9% (56.8, 73.3) and 0.6% (0.4, 0.8) change in IL-6, respectively (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Biomarkers of inflammation were inversely associated with measures of kidney function and positively with albuminuria.
Androgen-dependent Protein from Mouse Vas Deferens

We report the cloning and sequencing of a 1225-base pair cDNA encoding an abundant protein from mouse vas deferens. An open reading frame of 948 nucleotides encodes a protein of 3 16 amino acids with a calculated mass of 35,965 Da. A high degree of homology was found between this protein and members of the aldoketo reductase superfamily, especially aldose reductase from human placenta (82%) and from rat lens (80%), suggesting that it could be an aldose reductase. Castration resulted in a marked decrease in the level of the 1.4 kilobase mRNA coding for the 35,965 protein, whereas administration of testosterone to castrated males resulted in a marked increase. Southern hybridization analysis of mouse genomic DNA revealed relatively simple patterns of bands.
Oral malodour (halitosis)

Oral malodour (halitosis) is common; most people have some element of transient unpleasant oral odour at some time.1 w1 In the developed world, 8-50% of people perceive that they have persistent recurrent episodes of oral malodour. This article provides a succinct review of oral malodour relevant to medical practitioners. Oral malodour is common and can affect people of all ages. When severe or longstanding, it may decrease self confidence and social interactions.w2 Oral malodour on awakening is common and generally not regarded as halitosis. Longstanding oral malodour is usually caused by oral, or sometimes nasopharyngeal, disease (box 1). The most likely cause of oral malodour is the accumulation of food debris and dental bacterial plaque on the teeth and tongue, resulting from poor oral hygiene and resultant gingival (gingivitis) and periodontal (gingivitis/periodontitis) inflammation. Although most types of gingivitis and periodontitis can give rise to malodour, acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis (Vincent's disease, trench mouth) causes the most notable halitosis. Adult periodontitis, characterised by gradual plaque related loss of periodontal attachment, can cause variable degrees of oral malodour.2 Aggressive periodontitis, typified by rapid loss of periodontal bone and resultant tooth mobility, can cause intense oral malodour. Lack of oral cleansing because of xerostomia (dryness of the mouth) also has the potential to cause or enhance malodour,w3 and some evidence indicates that wearing dentures may sometimes cause oral malodour, possibly by virtue of increased tongue coat deposits.w4 Mild transient oral malodour often arises after sleep and is sometimes termed “morning halitosis. ” This may be more likely in people with nasal obstruction—for example, due to upper respiratory tract infection—or when people sleep in a hot, dry atmosphere. Transient oral malodour can also arise after someone has eaten volatile foods such as garlic, onions, or spices (durian is reputed to …