Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Technology for portable measurement of blood lactate.

929 GLUCOSE IS METABOLIZED by cells to produce energy. Glucose metabolism involves progressive oxidation and breakage of carbon bonds. The oxidation process causes C-H and C-C bonds to be stripped of electrons (oxidized), which are then used to build ATP. The initial steps in breakdown of glucose involve conversion of one six-carbon molecule of glucose to two three-carbon molecules of pyruvate. This process is known as glycolysis. Next, in the presence of oxygen, the carbon atoms in pyruvate are converted into three molecules of carbon dioxide in a process known as aerobic metabolism. When oxygen is available to serve as the final acceptor of electrons, then pyruvate (by way of a series of steps known as the Krebs cycle or tricarboxycylic acid cycle) is able to transfer electrons to (or reduce), the final acceptor, which is oxygen. When oxygen is totally reduced, then it becomes H2O or water. Meanwhile, the carbon bonds of pyruvate all become oxidized to CO2. Conversely, in the absence of oxygen, all the electron acceptors “downstream” from pyruvate are reduced and unable to offload electrons to mediators that will carry them towards oxygen. The carbon bonds are progressively oxidized in the Krebs cycle, and the electrons’ energy is drawn off in steps through a process known as oxidative phosphorylation. The process is analogous to water falling down a dam and turning turbines while falling, and at the same time the turbines transfer energy to generators that produce electric power. The Krebs cycle is the dam, and the oxidative phosphorylation is the generator. Anaerobic metabolism is a state of water being backed up downstream so that there is no flow of water across the dam. Without oxygen, the backup of reduced substances reaches pyruvate, which cannot transfer its electrons into any chemicals within the Krebs cycle. Pyruvate itself then becomes reduced to lactate and broken down no further. The metabolic process that begins with glucose and ends with lactate is known as anaerobic metabolism. Lactate does not usually accumulate when oxygen is available.2 Aerobic metabolism is preferable to anaerobic metabolism. More energy (defined as the number of ATP molecules generated per glucose molecule broken down) is derived from aerobic metabolism than from anaerobic metabolism. The combination of glucose ignition by way of glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation in aerobic metabolism generates 36 ATP molecules per glucose molecule compared with only 2 ATP molecules per glucose molecule that are generated in anaerobic metabolism by glycolysis alone. When exercise is continues past the point of adequate oxygen delivery (such as during excessive training beyond the ability of cardiac output to supply adequate blood), then glucose breakdown switches from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism. Lactic acid builds up, and the acid dissociates to lactate plus free hydrogen ions,
Knowledge of emergency contraception among pharmacists and doctors in Durban, South Africa

Objective: To determine the level of knowledge of emergency contraception among private-sector pharmacists and doctors. Method: This hand-delivered, confidential questionnaire survey was undertaken in North and South Central Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. The main outcome measures were frequency of demand for emergency contraception and knowledge of its dosing schedule, side-effects and contraindications. Results: Ninety-six per cent of pharmacists and 93% of doctors had received requests for emergency contraceptive pills within the past year. Thirty-two per cent of pharmacists and 28% of doctors prescribed the Yuzpe regimen correctly. Only 23 (27%) doctors and 25 (22%) pharmacists were able to identify three common side-effects associated with emergency contraceptive pills. Forty-six per cent of pharmacists and 49% of doctors correctly indicated that there are no absolute contraindications to emergency contraceptive pills other than a contraindication to contraceptive pills. Fifty-four per cent of pharmacists and 35% of doctors agreed that the multiple use of emergency contraceptive pills is risky. Conclusion: There is an urgent need to improve the knowledge of health-care workers regarding emergency contraception, which forms an important back-up method when existing contraception fails or is not used.
Les interactions médicamenteuses avec le jus de pamplemousse ont-elles lieu uniquement avec les préparations commerciales?

Les cliniciens doivent souvent gerer des interactions medicamenteuses, dont celles impliquant le pamplemousse. Les pratiques different selon la situation clinique. Il est possible de diminuer la dose, de cesser la boisson favorite du patient, de privilegier une alternative therapeutique ou de monitorer les effets pharmacodynamiques de la molecule. Voici quelques donnees qui peuvent influencer votre opinion sur la facon de gerer l’interaction.
Ciliary neurotrophic factor improves diabetic parameters and hepatic steatosis and increases basal metabolic rate in db/db mice

Obesity plays a central role in the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. We therefore examined the effects of a modified form of ciliary neurotrophic factor [Axokine, which is hereafter referred to as ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF)Ax15], which uses a leptin-like mechanism to reduce body weight, in the db/db murine model of type 2 diabetes. In previous studies, weight loss produced by CNTF treatment could largely be attributed to its effects on food intake. In contrast, CNTFAx15 treatment of db/db mice caused significantly greater weight loss and marked improvements in diabetic parameters (e.g., levels of glucose, insulin, triglyceride, cholesterol, and nonesterified free fatty acids) than could be accounted for by reduced caloric intake alone. These beneficial effects, above and beyond those seen in animals controlled for either food restriction or body weight, correlated with the ability of CNTFAx15 to increase metabolic rate and energy expenditure and reduce hepatic steatosis while enhancing hepatic responsiveness to insulin. The hepatic effects were linked to rapid alterations in hepatic gene expression, most notably reduced expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1, a rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of complex lipids that is also markedly suppressed by leptin in ob/ob mice. These observations further link the mechanisms of CNTF and leptin action, and they suggest important, beneficial effects for CNTF in diabetes that may be distinct from its ability to decrease food intake; instead, these effects may be more related to its influence on energy expenditure and hepatic gene expression.
Immune reconstitution in children following chemotherapy for haematological malignancies: a long‐term follow‐up

Modern intensive chemotherapy for childhood haematological malignancies has led to high cure rates, but has detrimental effects on the immune system. There is little knowledge concerning long‐term recovery of the adaptive immune system. Here we studied the long‐term reconstitution of the adaptive immune system in 31 children treated for haematological malignancies between July 2000 and October 2006. We performed detailed phenotypical and functional analyses of the various B and T cell subpopulations until 5 years after chemotherapy. We show that recovery of newly‐developed transitional B cells and naive B and T cells occurred rapidly, within months, whereas recovery of the different memory B and T cell subpopulations was slower and incomplete, even after 5 years post‐chemotherapy. The speed of B and T cell recovery was age‐independent, despite a significant contribution of the thymus to T cell recovery. Plasmablast B cell levels remained above normal and immunoglobulin levels normalised within 1 week. Functional T cell responses were normal, even within the first year post‐chemotherapy. This study shows that after intensive chemotherapy for haematological malignancies in children, numbers of several memory B and T cell subpopulations were decreased on the long term, while functional T cell responses were not compromised.
The Notch meeting: an odyssey from structure to function

The Notch signaling pathway plays fundamental roles in diverse developmental processes. Studies of the basic biology of Notch function have provided insights into how its dysfunction contributes to multi-systemic diseases and cancer. In addition, our understanding of Notch signaling in maintaining stem/progenitor cell populations is revealing new avenues for rekindling regeneration. The Notch IX meeting, which was held in Athens, Greece in October 2015, brought together scientists working on different model systems and studying Notch signaling in various contexts. Here, we provide a summary of the key points that were presented at the meeting. Although we focus on the molecular mechanisms that determine Notch signaling and its role in development, we also cover talks describing roles for Notch in adulthood. Together, the talks revealed how interactions between adjacent cells mediated by Notch regulate development and physiology at multiple levels. Summary: This Meeting Review summarises the key advances presented at The Notch IX meeting, which was held in Athens, Greece, in October 2015.
Modelle relativistischer und nicht-relativistischer Coulomb-Systeme

Die Arbeit behandelt verschiedene Modelle der Quantenelektrodynamik aus Sicht der Mathematik. Zunachst wird die Fortsetzung der Douglas-Kroll-Hes-Transformation fur Systeme mit mehr als einem Teilchen diskutiert. Anschliesend folgt eine ausfuhrliche Untersuchung verschiedener Eigenschaften komplex dilatierter Dirac-Operatoren. Insbesondere werden positive und negative Spektralprojektionen sowie entsprechende Transformationsfunktionen eingefuhrt. Ferner wird der nicht-relativistische Limes solcher Operatoren untersucht. Diese Ergebnisse dienen als technische Vorbereitung zur Behandlung eines relativistischen Modells der Quantenelektrodynamik, sind jedoch auch von unabhangigem Interesse. In einem weiteren Kapitel wird das Dirac-Fock-Funktional im Falle schwacher Elektron-Elektron-Wechselwirkung behandelt. Insbesondere wird die Existenz von Losungen der Dirac-Fock-Gleichungen mit bestimmten zusatzlichen Eigenschaften gezeigt. Es wird bewiesen, dass diese Losungen gewisse Minimierungseigenschaften bezuglich des Dirac-Fock-Funktionals aufweisen. Schlieslich wird die Wechselwirkung von Materie mit dem quantisierten elektromagnetischen Feld untersucht. Im Pauli-Fierz-Modell sowie in einem relativistischen Modell werden dabei obere und untere Schranken an die Lebensdauer angeregter Zustande bewiesen.
La commande par mode glissant : application à la machine synchrone à aimants permanents (approche linéaire)

Cet article est consacre a l’etude des performances de la commande lineaire par mode glissant avec l’integration d’un regulateur integrateur, applique a la machine synchrone a aimant permanent (M.S.A) . Dans une premiere etape, nous avons presente la conception de la commande par cette nouvelle approche suivie d’une structure de la commande optimale du reglage avec la loi de commutation par contre reaction d’etat avec integrateur. La deuxieme etape est consacree a l’elaboration d’une commande a structure variable, ce qui a permis l’elimination des surcharges qui peuvent conduire a une destruction du systeme a regler. Nous presentons les resultats de simulation de l’evolution des grandeurs reelles de la M.S.A , ainsi que des caracteristiques dynamiques du systeme global, lors du demarrage de la M.S.A . Enfin, les resultats de simulation prouvent que le systeme a regler est robuste face aux perturbations inconnues.
BASIC programs to compute source densities from autoradiographic cross‐fire matrices

Two different mathematical procedures to compute source densities from cross‐fire matrices in quantitative EM autoradiography are reported. BASIC programs for a desk‐top microcomputer were written to fit the hypothetical silver grain distribution to the observed real silver grain distribution using a non‐iterative linear process (least‐squares procedure) and an iterative method, which minimizes the chi‐square component between the observed and computed silver grain distributions. The latter procedure uses a Gauss‐Newton algorithm.
Mycorrhizosphere development and management: The role of nutrients, micro-organisms and bio-chemical activities

The selection of pollutant tolerant plant, rhizosphere process and their proper management and establishment is crucial for successful phytoremediation experiment. To carry out rhizospheric bioremediation studies under the influence of mycorrhiza for the better survival of the plants, a cost effective method for the mass production of mycorrhizal inoculum is prerequisite. In the present research study, soil based mycorrhizal inoculum has been developed using Sorghum as a host plant in green house for a period of 75 days using pot culture technique. The physicochemical characteristics, mycorrhizal status, Acid phosphatase activity (ACP), alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), dehydrogenase activity (DHA) along with the number and diversity of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes were assessed at a frequency of 15 days in the rhizospheric soil samples. Development of mycorrhizae was characterized by AM spore count and colonized root length percentage (%CRL) in Sorghum. Our data showed that soil nitrogen (N), organic carbon (C), organic phosphorus (Po), C/N and N/P ratio significantly increased with an increase in spore count and AM colonization. ACP, ALP and microbial activity (as represented by viable counts and DHA) were also found to be increasing during the process of mycorrhiza development. Thus developing mycorrhizae induce a series of changes in nutrient availability, microbial composition and enzymatic activities in the soil that may determine the outcome of a phytoremediation attempt. Developed mycorrhizal inoculum in the present study can contribute in establishing an effective mycorrhizosphere that can provide the environment for enhanced degradation of pollutants present in the soil.
Efecto "in vitro" de los corticoides sobre la replicación del virus C. Efecto "in vivo" de los corticoides a dosis bajas y prolongadas sobre la hepatopatía crónica por virus C

En la practica clinica hay numerosas patologias que precisan tratamiento con dosis bajas y prolongadas de corticoides con o sin azatioprina. La elevada prevalencia de la hepatopatia cronica por virus C hace que no sea infrecuente que pacientes con esta enfermedad requieran este tratamiento por otra patologia concomitante. Sin embargo, no hay suficiente informacion para determinar si los corticoides influyen en la historia natural de la hepatitis cronica C. Objetivos: 1) Estudiar in vitro, en un modelo de replicon, el efecto de los corticoides y de la azatioprina sobre la replicacion del virus C; 2) Analizar in vivo el efecto de la administracion de corticoides con o sin azatioprina a dosis bajas y periodos de tiempo prolongados, en pacientes con hepatopatia cronica por virus C, sobre la evolucion de la enfermedad valorada por su actividad bioquimica, carga viral y fibrosis hepatica. Material y metodo: Objetivo 1. Se emplearon lineas celulares del hepatoma humano Huh.7, que contenian el replicon subgenomico del virus C Ava.5, y se trataron a diferentes concentraciones de prednisona, azatioprina e interferon? junto con ribavirina. El ARN se cuantifico mediante PCR en tiempo real, y para normalizar la cuantificacion relativa del ARN viral se amplifico bajo las mismas condiciones el gen de la [beta]-actina. Objetivo 2. Estudio observacional retrospectivo-prospectivo en 28 pacientes con hepatopatia cronica virus C tratados con corticoides a bajas dosis (? 30mg/dia), durante mas de 6 meses, con o sin azatioprina, por otra patologia concomitante. Se analizo el efecto sobre AST, ALT, ARN viral, Indice de Actividad Histologica de Knodell y fibrosis hepatica. Los resultados se compararon con un grupo control de pacientes con hepatopatia cronica virus C, sin tratamiento, con caracteristicas basales similares. Resultados y conclusiones: los corticoides in vitro no produjeron ningun efecto sobre la replicacion del virus C. In vivo se observo una disminucion significativa de las transaminasas en los primeros tres meses de tratamiento, una ausencia de efecto significativo en el ARN viral, y una tendencia a una progresion mas lenta de la fibrosis hepatica, en comparacion con el grupo control. Por lo tanto, los corticoides no producen una variacion significativa en la progresion de la enfermedad hepatica.
8q24 translocations in blastic transformation of mantle cell lymphoma.

We report four cases of blastic transformation of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), cytogenetically characterized by 8q24 karyotypic abnormalities in addition to t(11;14), suggestive of c-myc deregulation. Three patients developed blastic disease in lymph nodes, peripheral blood and bone marrow, after one to seven years, and died after 1 to 3 months. One patient presented with blastic MCL and died after 15 months. We propose that c-myc activation may be another cell cycle deregulation event leading to aggressive transformation in MCL.
Explicit graphs and computer-aided notation

Dans de nombreux cas, les systemes de notation lineaires peuvent etre consideres comme contenant des graphiques implicites. L'A. analyse pourquoi le fait de rendre ces graphiques explicites est utile a la comprehension humaine, et comment rendre effective et productive la manipulation des notations a l'aide de l'ordinateur
Telmisartan Prevents Weight Gain and Obesity Through Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-&dgr;-Dependent Pathways

Telmisartan shows antihypertensive and several pleiotropic effects that interact with metabolic pathways. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that telmisartan prevents adipogenesis in vitro and weight gain in vivo through activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-&dgr;-dependent pathways in several tissues. In vitro, telmisartan significantly upregulated PPAR-&dgr; expression in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Other than enhancing PPAR-&dgr; expression by 68.2±17.3% and PPAR-&dgr; activity by 102.0±9.0%, telmisartan also upregulated PPAR-&ggr; expression, whereas neither candesartan nor losartan affected PPAR-&dgr; expression. In vivo, long-term administration of telmisartan significantly reduced visceral fat and prevented high-fat diet-induced obesity in wild-type mice and hypertensive rats but not in PPAR-&dgr; knockout mice. Administration of telmisartan did not influence food intake in mice. Telmisartan influenced several lipolytic and energy uncoupling related proteins (UCPs) and enhanced phosphorylated protein kinase A and hormone sensitive lipase but reduced perilipin expression and finally inhibited adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Telmisartan-associated reduction of adipogenesis in preadipocytes was significantly blocked after PPAR-&dgr; gene knockout. Chronic telmisartan treatment upregulated the expressions of protein kinase A, hormone-sensitive lipase, and uncoupling protein 1 but reduced perilipin expression in adipose tissue and increased uncoupling protein 2 and 3 expression in skeletal muscle in wild-type mice but not in PPAR-&dgr; knockout mice. We conclude that telmisartan prevents adipogenesis and weight gain through activation of PPAR-&dgr;-dependent lipolytic pathways and energy uncoupling in several tissues.
Génération de codes adjoints : Traitement de la trajectoire du modèle direct

Le probleme principal de l'execution des codes adjoints est la taille de la trajectoire creee par le modele direct et necessaire a l'evaluation des codes linearises. Cette trajectoire, stockee dans des fichiers ou recalculee localement, implique l'utilisation d'une grande quantite de memoire-disque ou l'utilisation d'un grand nombre de variables locales (memoire vive). Dans tous les cas, cette construction peut exceder les capacites memoire de l'ordinateur utilise. Pour resoudre ce probleme, A. Griewank a propose d'utiliser des schemas de check-points qui permettent de diviser l'evaluation de l'adjoint en petit problemes adjoints impliquant la construction locale de petits morceaux de trajectoire. Dans ce rapport, nous presentons plusieurs algorithmes dont le schema «Treeverse» de Griewank qui, dans certains cas, n'est pas le schema optimal. Dans la seconde partie, les schemas de check-points sont utilises pour calculer des gradients sur le modele meteorologique Meso-NH. Les performances numeriques des schemas montrent que la plupart des simulations atmospheriques qui ont un sens physique sont realisables : grand nombre d'iterations, discretisation spatiale fine. Calcule de cette maniere, l'adjoint est seulement 4/3 plus couteux qu'un adjoint qui serait calcule en une seule fois.
Meta-analysis: Effect of Patient Self-testing and Self-management of Long-Term Anticoagulation on Major Clinical Outcomes

BACKGROUND Anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists reduces major thromboembolic complications in at-risk patients. With portable monitoring devices, patients can conduct their own international normalized ratio testing and dose adjustment at home. PURPOSE To determine whether patient self-testing (PST), alone or in combination with self-adjustment of doses (patient self-management [PSM]), is associated with a reduction in thromboembolic complications and all-cause mortality without an increase in major bleeding events compared with usual care. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. STUDY SELECTION Studies published in English from 1966 to October 2010 that enrolled outpatient adults receiving long-term (>3 months) oral anticoagulant therapy and that compared PST or PSM with care in a physician's office or an anticoagulation clinic were included. DATA EXTRACTION Two investigators reviewed each article. Three investigators extracted data from articles that met inclusion criteria by using standardized data abstraction forms. Studies were assessed for quality, and the overall strength of evidence was rated for each clinical outcome. DATA SYNTHESIS Twenty-two trials, with a total of 8413 patients, were included. In one half of the trials, fewer than 50% of potentially eligible persons successfully completed the training and agreed to be randomly assigned. Patients randomly assigned to PST or PSM had lower total mortality (Peto odds ratio [OR], 0.74 [95% CI, 0.63 to 0.87]), lower risk for major thromboembolism (Peto OR, 0.58 [CI, 0.45 to 0.75]), and no increased risk for a major bleeding event (Peto OR, 0.89 [CI, 0.75 to 1.05]). The strength of evidence was moderate for the bleeding and thromboembolism outcomes but low for mortality. Eight of 11 trials reported that patient satisfaction, quality of life, or both was better with PST or PSM than with usual care. LIMITATIONS In one half of the trials, fewer than 50% of the potentially eligible patients were randomly assigned. Only 5 trials were considered high quality, and only 2 were conducted in the United States. No studies addressed whether PST or PSM is safe during the high-risk initiation phase. CONCLUSION Compared with usual care, PST with or without PSM is associated with significantly fewer deaths and thromboembolic events, without increased risk for a serious bleeding event, for a highly selected group of motivated adult patients requiring long-term anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists. Whether this care model is cost-effective and can be implemented successfully in typical U.S. health care settings requires further study. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Service.