Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extract of Sesbania grandiflora Ameliorates Hyperglycemia in High Fat Diet-Streptozotocin Induced Experimental Diabetes Mellitus

Background. Sesbania grandiflora has been traditionally used as antidiabetic, antioxidant, antipyretic, and expectorant and in the management of various ailments. Materials and Methods. The study evaluates the antidiabetic activity of methanolic extract of Sesbania grandiflora (MESG) in type 2 diabetic rats induced by low dose streptozotocine and high fat diet. Diabetic rats were given vehicle, MESG (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.), and the standard drug, metformin (10 mg/kg), for 28 days. During the experimental period, body weight, abdominal girth, food intake, fasting serum glucose, urine analyses were measured. Insulin tolerance test was carried out on 25th day of drug treatment period. Serum analyses for lipid profile and SGOT and SGPT and serums creatinine, urea, protein, SOD, and MDA were also carried out. At the end of the experiment, animals were euthanized, the liver and pancreas were immediately dissected out, and the ratio of pancreas to body weight and hepatic glycogen were calculated. Results. MESG (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) induced significant reduction (P < 0.05) of raised blood glucose levels in diabetic rats and also restored other parameters to normal level. Conclusion. Therefore, it is concluded that MESG has potential antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipemic activities and alleviate insulin resistance conditions.
Smoking-Thrombolysis Paradox: Recanalization and Reperfusion Rates After Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator in Smokers With Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose— The so-called smoking-thrombolysis paradox of an improved outcome after thrombolysis was first described in smokers with myocardial infarction. We investigated whether reperfusion rates and clinical outcome differ between smokers and nonsmokers with ischemic stroke after intravenous tissue plasminogen activator. Methods— Consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients, who had magnetic resonance imaging before and 1 day after thrombolysis, were included for analysis. All of the patients received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator within 4.5 hours. Reperfusion was defined as a 75% reduction in perfusion deficit (mean transit time >6 s) after thrombolysis compared with baseline. Magnetic resonance angiography was used to evaluate arterial stenosis and occlusion. Functional outcome was assessed 3 months after stroke using the modified Rankin Score. Results— Of 148 patients, 21.6% were smokers (n=32). Smokers were younger (median, 61 years [SD, 9.4 years] versus 75 years [SD, 11.6 years]; P<0.001), less often women (28% versus 51%; P=0.03), had lower baseline glucose levels (median, 6.2 mmol/L [interquartile range, 5.7–6.8 mmol/L] versus 6.7 mmol/L [interquartile range, 6.1–8.2 mmol/L]; P<0.01) and higher baseline perfusion deficits (median, 53 mL [interquartile range, 13–141 mL] versus 17 mL [interquartile range, 2–66 mL]; P=0.04). In a backward stepwise regression analysis including age, sex, hypertension, glucose, perfusion deficit, and smoking, smoking had an odds ratio of 4 (95% confidence interval, 1–16; P=0.03) for reperfusion and 6 (95% confidence interval, 1–30; P=0.05) for recanalization (regression analysis for recanalization also included localization of arterial occlusion). Smokers had a better outcome (modified Rankin Score=0–2) than nonsmokers (77% versus 55%; P=0.05). Conclusions— Smoking is independently associated with recanalization and reperfusion, indicating that thrombolytic therapy acts more effectively in smokers; because of small numbers, these results should be considered preliminary. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique Identifier: NCT00715533.
General self-efficacy in relation to unprotected sexual encounters among persons living with HIV

This study examined general self-efficacy in relation to sexual risk behavior among persons living with HIV and evaluated psychometric properties of the Positive Self Questionnaire, a novel measure of general self-efficacy. The Positive Self Questionnaire showed high internal consistency, a factor analysis supported by a single factor structure, and convergent validity supported by significant correlations in predicted directions with indicators of mental health. The Positive Self Questionnaire was related to unprotected sexual encounters, even after controlling for other factors. Results suggest that general self-efficacy is important to examine when assessing sexual risk behavior; an internally consistent measure is available for such endeavors.
An Automated Quiet Sleep Detection Approach in Preterm Infants as a Gateway to Assess Brain Maturation

Sleep state development in preterm neonates can provide crucial information regarding functional brain maturation and give insight into neurological well being. However, visual labeling of sleep stages from EEG requires expertise and is very time consuming, prompting the need for an automated procedure. We present a robust method for automated detection of preterm sleep from EEG, over a wide postmenstrual age (PMA = gestational age + postnatal age) range, focusing first on Quiet Sleep (QS) as an initial marker for sleep assessment. Our algorithm, CLuster-based Adaptive Sleep Staging (CLASS), detects QS if it remains relatively more discontinuous than non-QS over PMA. CLASS was optimized on a training set of 34 recordings aged 27–42 weeks PMA, and performance then assessed on a distinct test set of 55 recordings of the same age range. Results were compared to visual QS labeling from two independent raters (with inter-rater agreement Kappa = 0. 93), using Sensitivity, Specificity, Detection Factor (DF = proportion of visual QS periods correctly detected by CLASS) and Misclassification Factor (MF = proportion of CLASS-detected QS periods that are misclassified). CLASS performance proved optimal across recordings at 31–38 weeks (median DF = 1.0, median MF 0–0.25, median Sensitivity 0.93–1.0, and median Specificity 0.80–0.91 across this age range), with minimal misclassifications at 35–36 weeks (median MF = 0). To illustrate the potential of CLASS in facilitating clinical research, normal maturational trends over PMA were derived from CLASS-estimated QS periods, visual QS estimates, and nonstate specific periods (containing QS and non-QS) in the EEG recording. CLASS QS trends agreed with those from visual QS, with both showing stronger correlations than nonstate specific trends. This highlights the benefit of automated QS detection for exploring brain maturation.
Haloacetic acids in drinking water and risk for stillbirth

Background: Trihalomethanes (THMs) occurring in public drinking water sources have been investigated in several epidemiological studies of fetal death and results support a modest association. Other classes of disinfection by-products found in drinking water have not been investigated. Aims: To investigate the effects of haloacetic acid (HAA) compounds in drinking water on stillbirth risk. Methods: A population based case-control study was conducted in Nova Scotia and Eastern Ontario, Canada. Estimates of daily exposure to total and specific HAAs were based on household water samples and questionnaire information on water consumption at home and work. Results: The analysis included 112 stillbirth cases and 398 live birth controls. In analysis without adjustment for total THM exposure, a relative risk greater than 2 was observed for an intermediate exposure category for total HAA and dichloroacetic acid measures. After adjustment for total THM exposure, the risk estimates for intermediate exposure categories were diminished, the relative risk associated with the highest category was in the direction of a protective effect, and all confidence intervals included the null value. Conclusions: No association was observed between HAA exposures and stillbirth risk after controlling for THM exposures.
Lack of effect of antiviral therapy in nondividing hepatocyte cultures on the closed circular DNA of woodchuck hepatitis virus

The template for synthesis of hepadnaviral RNAs is a covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA located in the nucleus of the infected hepatocyte. Hepatocytes are normally long-lived and nondividing, and antiviral therapies in chronically infected individuals face the problem of eliminating not only the replicative forms of viral DNA found in the cytoplasm but also the cccDNA from the nucleus. Because cccDNA does not replicate semiconservatively, it is not an obvious target for antiviral therapy. However, elimination of cccDNA might be facilitated if its half-life were short in comparison to the generation time of hepatocytes and if new cccDNA formation were effectively blocked. We have therefore measured cccDNA levels in woodchuck hepatocyte cultures following in vitro infection with woodchuck hepatitis virus and treatment with inhibitors of viral DNA synthesis. The viral reverse transcriptase inhibitors lamivudine (3TC) [(-)-beta-L-2',3'-dideoxy-3'-thiacytidine), FTC (5-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxy-3'-thiacytidine) and ddC (2',3'-dideoxycytidine) were added to the cultures beginning at 4 days postinfection. Treatment for up to 36 days with 3TC reduced the amount of cccDNA in the cultures not more than twofold compared to that of an untreated control. Treatment with ddC for 36 days and with FTC for 12 days resulted in effects similar to that of treatment with 3TC. Moreover, the declines in cccDNA appeared to reflect the loss of hepatocytes from the cultures rather than of cccDNA from hepatocytes. These results emphasize the important role of the longevity of the infected hepatocytes in the persistence of an infection.
Changes in Pest Infestation Levels, Self-Reported Pesticide Use, and Permethrin Exposure during Pregnancy after the 2000–2001 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Restriction of Organophosphates

Background Widespread residential pesticide use throughout the United States has resulted in ubiquitous, low-level pesticide exposure. The mix of active pesticide ingredients is changing in response to 2000–2001 regulations restricting use of the organophosphorus insecticides chlorpyrifos and diazinon. Objectives We aimed to determine the impact of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations on pest infestation levels, pesticide use, and pesticides measured in indoor air samples. METHODOLOGY: 511 pregnant women from innercity New York were enrolled between 2000 and 2006. Permethrin, a pyrethroid insecticide; piperonyl butoxide (PBO), a pyrethroid synergist; chlorpyrifos; and diazinon were measured in 48-hr prenatal personal air samples. Data on pest infestation and pesticide use were collected via questionnaire. Results Eighty-eight percent of women reported using pesticides during pregnancy; 55% reported using higher-exposure pesticide applications (spray cans, pest bombs and/or professional pesticide applicators). Self-reported pest sightings and use of higher-exposure applications increased significantly after the regulations were implemented (p < 0.001). PBO, cis-, and trans-permethrin were detected in 75, 19, and 18% of personal air samples, respectively. Detection frequencies of PBO and cis- and trans-permethrin increased significantly over time (p < 0.05 controlling for potential confounders). Levels and/or detection frequencies of these compounds were significantly higher among mothers reporting use of high exposure pesticide applications (p ≤ 0.05). Chlorpyrifos and diazinon levels decreased significantly over time (p < 0.001). Conclusion In this cohort, pest infestations, use of pesticides, and use of permethrin appear to increase after the residential restriction of organophosphorus insecticides. This is one of the first studies to document widespread residential exposure to PBO.
Protein kinase C activators induce membrane retrieval of type II Na+‐phosphate cotransporters expressed in Xenopus oocytes

1 The rate of inorganic phosphate (Pi) reabsorption in the mammalian kidney is determined by the amount of type II sodium‐coupled inorganic phosphate (Na+‐Pi) cotransport protein present in the brush border membrane. Under physiological conditions, parathyroid hormone (PTH) leads to an inhibition of Na+‐Pi cotransport activity, most probably mediated by the protein kinase A (PKA) and/or C (PKC) pathways. 2 In this study, PKC‐induced inhibition of type II Na+‐Pi cotransport activity was characterized in Xenopus laevis oocytes using electrophysiological and immunodetection techniques. Transport function was quantified in terms of Pi‐activated current. 3 Oocytes expressing the type IIa rat renal, type IIb flounder renal or type IIb mouse intestinal Na+‐Pi cotransporters lost > 50% of Pi‐activated transport function when exposed to the PKC activators DOG (1,2‐dioctanoyl‐sn‐glycerol) or PMA (phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate). DOG‐induced inhibition was partially reduced with the PKC inhibitors staurosporine and bisindolylmaleimide I. Oocytes exposed to the inactive phorbol ester 4α‐PDD (4α‐phorbol 12,13‐didecanoate) showed no significant loss of cotransporter function. 4 Oocytes expressing the rat renal Na+‐SO42‐ cotransporter alone, or coexpressing this with the type IIa rat renal Na+‐Pi cotransporter, showed no downregulation of SO42‐‐activated cotransport activity by DOG. 5 Steady‐state and presteady‐state voltage‐dependent kinetics of type II Na+‐Pi cotransporter function were unaffected by DOG. 6 DOG induced a decrease in membrane capacitance which indicated a reduction in membrane area, thereby providing evidence for PKC‐mediated endocytosis. 7 Immunocytochemical studies showed a redistribution of type II Na+‐Pi cotransporters from the oolemma to the submembrane region after DOG treatment. Surface biotinylation confirmed a DOG‐induced internalization of the transport protein. 8 These findings document a specific retrieval of exogenous type II Na+‐Pi cotransporters induced by activation of a PKC pathway in the Xenopus oocyte.
A biosynthetic pathway for anandamide

The endocannabinoid arachidonoyl ethanolamine (anandamide) is a lipid transmitter synthesized and released “on demand” by neurons in the brain. Anandamide is also generated by macrophages where its endotoxin (LPS)-induced synthesis has been implicated in the hypotension of septic shock and advanced liver cirrhosis. Anandamide can be generated from its membrane precursor, N-arachidonoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE) through cleavage by a phospholipase D (NAPE–PLD). Here we document a biosynthetic pathway for anandamide in mouse brain and RAW264.7 macrophages that involves the phospholipase C (PLC)-catalyzed cleavage of NAPE to generate a lipid, phosphoanandamide, which is subsequently dephosphorylated by phosphatases, including PTPN22, previously described as a protein tyrosine phosphatase. Bacterial endotoxin (LPS)-induced synthesis of anandamide in macrophages is mediated exclusively by the PLC/phosphatase pathway, which is up-regulated by LPS, whereas NAPE–PLD is down-regulated by LPS and functions as a salvage pathway of anandamide synthesis when the PLC/phosphatase pathway is compromised. Both PTPN22 and endocannabinoids have been implicated in autoimmune diseases, suggesting that the PLC/phosphatase pathway of anandamide synthesis may be a pharmacotherapeutic target.
Current Advances in Developing Inhibitors of Bacterial Multidrug  Efflux Pumps

Antimicrobial resistance represents a significant challenge to future healthcare provision. An acronym ESKAPEE has been derived from the names of the organisms recognised as the major threats although there are a number of other organisms, notably Neisseria gonorrhoeae, that have become equally challenging to treat in the clinic. These pathogens are characterised by the ability to rapidly develop and/or acquire resistance mechanisms in response to exposure to different antimicrobial agents. A key part of the armoury of these pathogens is a series of efflux pumps, which effectively exclude or reduce the intracellular concentration of a large number of antibiotics, making the pathogens significantly more resistant. These efflux pumps are the topic of considerable interest, both from the perspective of basic understanding of efflux pump function, and its role in drug resistance but also as targets for the development of novel adjunct therapies. The necessity to overcome antimicrobial resistance has encouraged investigations into the characterisation of resistance-modifying efflux pump inhibitors to block the mechanisms of drug extrusion, thereby restoring antibacterial susceptibility and returning existing antibiotics into the clinic. A greater understanding of drug recognition and transport by multidrug efflux pumps is needed to develop clinically useful inhibitors, given the breadth of molecules that can be effluxed by these systems. This review discusses different bacterial EPIs originating from both natural source and chemical synthesis and examines the challenges to designing successful EPIs that can be useful against multidrug resistant bacteria.
Adjustment of mathematical models and quality of soybean grains in the drying with high temperatures

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the initial moisture content of soybeans and the drying air temperatures on drying kinetics and grain quality, and find the best mathematical model that fit the experimental data of drying, effective diffusivity and isosteric heat of desorption. The experimental design was completely randomized (CRD), with a factorial scheme (4 x 2), four drying temperatures (75, 90, 105 and 120 oC) and two initial moisture contents (25 and 19% d.b.), with three replicates. The initial moisture content of the product interferes with the drying time. The model of Wang and Singh proved to be more suitable to describe the drying of soybeans to temperature ranges of the drying air of 75, 90, 105 and 120 °C and initial moisture contents of 19 and 25% (d.b.). The effective diffusivity obtained from the drying of soybeans was higher (2.5 x 10-11 m2 s-1) for a temperature of 120 °C and water content of 25% (d.b.). Drying of soybeans at higher temperatures (above 105 °C) and higher initial water content (25% d.b.) also increases the amount of energy (3894.57 kJ kg-1), i.e., the isosteric heat of desorption necessary to perform the process. Drying air temperature and different initial moisture contents affected the quality of soybean along the drying time (electrical conductivity of 540.35 µS cm-1g-1); however, not affect the final yield of the oil extracted from soybean grains (15.69%).
Subcellular Location, Phosphorylation and Assembly into the Motor Complex of GAP45 during Plasmodium falciparum Schizont Development

An actomyosin motor complex assembled below the parasite's plasma membrane drives erythrocyte invasion by Plasmodium falciparum merozoites. The complex is comprised of several proteins including myosin (MyoA), myosin tail domain interacting protein (MTIP) and glideosome associated proteins (GAP) 45 and 50, and is anchored on the inner membrane complex (IMC), which underlies the plasmalemma. A ternary complex of MyoA, MTIP and GAP45 is formed that then associates with GAP50. We show that full length GAP45 labelled internally with GFP is assembled into the motor complex and transported to the developing IMC in early schizogony, where it accumulates during intracellular development until merozoite release. We show that GAP45 is phosphorylated by calcium dependent protein kinase 1 (CDPK1), and identify the modified serine residues. Replacing these serine residues with alanine or aspartate has no apparent effect on GAP45 assembly into the motor protein complex or its subcellular location in the parasite. The early assembly of the motor complex suggests that it has functions in addition to its role in erythrocyte invasion.
Bis[6-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)picolinato]nickel(II)–aqua[6-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)picolinic acid]dithiocyanatonickel(II) (1/1)

In the title cocrystal, [Ni(C11H10N3O2)2]·[Ni(NCS)2(C11H11N3O2)(H2O)], both NiII ions are in disorted octahedral coordination environments. One NiII ion is coordinated by four N atoms and two O atoms from two tridentate 6-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)picolinate (DPP) ligands, while the other NiII ion is coordinated by a tridentate 6-((3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl))picolinic acid (DPPH) ligand and by two N atoms and one O atom from two thiocyanate and one water ligand, respectively. In the crystal structure, molecules are linked by intermolecular O—H⋯O and O—H⋯S hydrogen bonds, forming extended chains along [010].
Impact of Acquired Pellicle Modification on Adhesion of Early Colonizers

New preventive approaches against dental erosion caused by acidic drinks and beverages include fortification of beverages with natural polymers. We have shown that the mixture of casein and mucin significantly improved the erosion-inhibiting properties of the human pellicle layer. This study aimed to investigate the effect of pellicle modification by casein, mucin and a casein-mucin mixture on the adhesion of early bacterial colonizers. Test specimens of human tooth enamel were prepared, covered with saliva and coated with 0.5% aqueous (aq.) casein, 0.27% aq. mucin or with 0.5% aq. casein-0.27% aq. mucin, after which the adhesion of Streptococcus gordonii, Streptococcus oralis, and Actinomyces odontolyticus was measured after incubation for 30 min and 2 h. log10 colony-forming units were compared by nonparametric tests. All three bacterial strains adhered in higher number to pellicle-coated enamel than to native enamel. The protein modifications of pellicle all decreased the counts of adhering bacteria up to 0.34 log10/mm2, the most efficient being the casein-mucin mixture. In addition to the recently shown erosion-reducing effect by casein-mucin, modification of the pellicle may inhibit bacterial adherence compared to untreated human pellicle.
Activity-dependent and age-dependent recruitment and regulation of synapses in identified Crustacean Neurones1

Adaptation of neural systems to altered activity and age often involves recruitment, inactivation or modification of synapses. Crustacean motor systems are amenable to experimental investigation of these processes. They possess large identifiable neurones that can be observed over long periods during development, adulthood, regeneration and degeneration. Numerous small individual synapses are present on the transmitting terminals of the motor neurones; their ultrastructural features are non—uniform, indicating different degrees of functional potency. Ultrastructural studies show many more individual synapses than required for maximal quantal output; probably some are ineffective, but can be brought into a transmitting state in a short time by neural activity. During development, progressive reorganization and relocation of synapses take place. As the size of a postsynaptic target changes, synapses are added, and functionally adaptive alterations in quantal content and quantal effectiveness occur. Sectioning an axon results in slow degeneration of distal processes, but transmission is sustained for months. Short—term adjustments in number of effective synapses occur in response to altered activity. If activity of a neurone is chronically increased or decreased, characteristic semi—permanent adaptations in physiology and ultrastructure are seen. Synaptic transmission at low frequencies is down—regulated, while resistance to synaptic depression increases. These effects require protein synthesis, and at least two different changes 舑 one related to down-regulation of synapses, the other related to fatigue resistance 舑 can be selectively demonstrated through critically timed interruption of axoplasmic transport or imposition of different patterns of neural activity. In older animals, the ability to adapt to activity is reduced in some neurones, but may be restored during regeneration of neural processes. Selective changes in activity in one of several neurones innervating a common postsynaptic target lead to adaptive changes in synaptic transmission of non-active neurones, indicating activity-mediated interaction and adjustment. Mechanisms of adaptation similar to those outlined here probably occur in nervous systems of otherspecies.