Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of plants, environmental toxins and physical neurotoxicological factors in Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer Disease and other Neurodegenerative Diseases

Mauro Luisetto1*, Naseer Almukhtar2, Ahmed Yesvi Rafa3, Behzad Nili Ahmadabadi4, Ghulam Rasool Mashori5, Farhan Ahmad Khan6, Ram Kumar Sahu7, Gamal Abdul Hamid8 and Khaled Edbey9 1Applied Pharmacologist, Independent Researcher, Italy 2Professor, Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Babylon, Hilla, Iraq 3Founder and President, Yugen Research Organization (YRO), Independent Researcher, Bangladesh 4Pharm D/PhD Innovative Pharmaceutical Product Development Specialist, USA 5Professor of Pharmacology, People University of Medical & Health Sciences for Women, Nawabshah, Pakistan 6Associate Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacology, Government Medical College, Shahdol, M.P, India 7Associate Professor, Pt Deendayal Upadhyay Memorial Health Science and Ayush University of Chhattisgarh, Raipur, India 8Professor, Hematology Oncology, University of Aden, Aden, Yemen 9Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Benghazi, Libya
Use of systemic thrombolytic therapy in patients with non-traumatic cardiac arrest: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To better delineate the benefits and risks of systemic thrombolytic therapy inpatients with cardiac arrest from non-traumatic etiologies.Data sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and SCOPUS were systematically searched up toNovember of 2017.Study Selection: All retrospective and prospective studies in which systemic thrombolytictherapy was used during the sequence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or shortly afterachieving return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) were included.Data extraction: The following variable results were extracted from intervention and controlgroups if available: rate of ROSC, survival after 24 hours, survival at discharge, neurologicalperformance at 6 months based on a favorable Cerebral Performance Categories Scale (1 or 2)and major bleeding events.Data Synthesis: Eight retrospective studies and 6 prospective studies were included in thequalitative analysis. Research synthesis was conducted when at least 4 studies were availablefor an outcome, which limited the analysis of major bleeding events and neurologic outcomes.Benefit of thrombolytic therapy in survival to discharge showed a moderate beneficial effect(OR = 2.79, 2.11–3.69) in the retrospective study analysis while in the prospective study analysisno statistically significant benefit was found (OR = 1.27, 0.77–2.10). Benefit of thrombolysis inthe rate of ROSC was not statistically significant in the prospective analysis (OR = 1.59, 0.92–2.76, p = 0.138) as well as survival at 24 hours (OR = 1.17, 0.72–1.71). Conclusions: The widespread use of thrombolytics in patients with non-traumatic cardiacarrest does not seem to improve major outcomes, including survival to discharge. However,the modest benefit found in the retrospective study analysis suggests a subgroup of patientsthat may benefit from this therapy.
Comparison of long‐term systemic and secretory antibody responses in children given live, attenuated, or inactivated influenza A vaccine

A comparison of inactivated intramuscular and live intranasal influenza A vaccines in young children undergoing primary immunization might be expected to show differences in serum and local mucosal antibody responses. To demonstrate such differences, serum and local respiratory tract antibody responses of young children vaccinated with intranasal live, attenuated, cold‐adapted (H3N2 or HINI), or intramuscular inactivated (H3N2) influenza A vaccines were examined for one year after vaccination. Antibody responses were measured by hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) and class‐specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). One year after vaccination, live intranasal vaccinees had significantly less decay of serum HAI (p = 0.025) and IgG antibody (p = 0.01) directed against the influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase than did intramuscular inactivated vaccinees. Nasal secretory IgA developed almost exclusively in live vaccinees and persisted for up to one year. Persistent nasal secretory IgG was detected in both live and inactivated vacinees. Live vaccination not only stimulates a more durable serum antibody response, but also induces long‐lasting local respiratory tract IgA antibody that may play an important role in host protection.
Targeting the C-terminus of galectin-9 induces mesothelioma apoptosis and M2 macrophage depletion

ABSTRACT Galectin-9 has emerged as a promising biological target for cancer immunotherapy due to its role as a regulator of macrophage and T-cell differentiation. In addition, its expression in tumor cells modulates tumor cell adhesion, metastasis, and apoptosis. Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive neoplasm of the mesothelial cells lining the pleural and peritoneal cavities, and in this study, we found that both human MM tissues and mouse MM cells express high levels of galectin-9. Using a novel monoclonal antibody (mAb) (Clone P4D2) that binds the C-terminal carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) of galectin-9, we demonstrate unique agonistic properties resulting in MM cell apoptosis. Furthermore, the P4D2 mAb reduced tumor-associated macrophages differentiation toward a protumor phenotype. Importantly, these effects exerted by the P4D2 mAb were observed in both human and mouse in vitro experiments and not observed with another antigalectin-9 specific mAb (clone P1D9) that engages the N-terminus CRD of galectin-9. In syngeneic murine models of MM, P4D2 mAb treatment inhibited tumor growth and improved survival, with tumors from P4D2-treated mice exhibited reduced infiltration of tumor-associated M2 macrophages. This was consistent with an increased production of inducible nitric oxide synthase, which is a major enzyme-regulating macrophage inflammatory response to cancer. These data suggest that using an antigalectin 9 mAb with agonistic properties similar to those exerted by galectin-9 may provide a novel multitargeted strategy for the treatment of mesothelioma and possibly other galectin-9 expressing tumors.
Large scale circuit partitioning with loose/stable net removal and signal flow based clustering

In this paper, we present an efficient Iterative Improvement based Partitioning (IIP) algorithm called LSR/MFFS, that combines signal flow based Maximum Fanout Free Subgraph (MFFS) clustering algorithm with Loose and Stable net Removal (LSR) partitioning algorithm. The MFFS algorithm generalizes existing MFFC decomposition method from combinational circuits to general sequential circuits in order to handle cycles naturally. We also study the properties of the nets that straddle the cutline carefully, and introduce the concepts of the loose and stable nets as well as effective ways to remove them out of the cutset. The LSR/MFFS algorithm first applies LSR algorithm to clustered netlist generated by MFFS algorithm for global-level cutsize optimization and then declusters netlist for further cutsize refinement. As a result, the LSR/MFFS algorithm has achieved the best cutsize result among all the bipartitioning algorithms published in the literatures with very promising runtime performance. In particular, it outperforms the recent state-of-the-art IIP algorithms LA3-CDIP, CLIP-PROP/sub f/, Strawman, hMetis-FM, and MLc by 17.4%, 12.1%, 5.9%, 3.1%, and 1.9%, respectively. It also outperforms the state-of-the-art non-IIP algorithms Paraboli, FEB, and PANZA by 32.0%, 21.4%, and 1.4%, respectively.
Understanding the role of contractor capability in risk management: a comparative case study of two similar projects

Abstract In the construction industry, contractor prequalification is used for measuring contractor capability and selecting capable contractors for the successful execution of projects. Research emphasizes that contractor capability and risk management are critical for project success and have a correlation. However, observations suggest that risks are not considered during prequalification and even prequalified contractors perform poorly causing project failures. Such observations indicate a research gap for which this research explores the role of contractor capability in risk management at the project level. The analysis uses a comparative case study of risk management in two similar ongoing projects having different contractors. It reveals that the contractor capability assessed during prequalification is an attribute of an organization; while the capability required to mitigate risks and execute work is an attribute of a project. When risks materialize, the capability of a contractor may reduce and the capability required to mitigate risks in a project may increase. This will create a deficit of resources resulting in poor performance by the contractor. Therefore, criteria for prequalification must be decided considering risks scenarios for projects and contractors to screen out marginally qualified contractors and increase chances of project success.
Regulation of Interleukin-8 Gene at a Distinct Site of Its Promoter by CCAAT Enhancer-binding Protein Homologous Protein in Prostaglandin E2-treated Human T Cells*

For a long period of time, the transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) has been thought to inhibit transcriptional activity for its ability to interact with CCAAT enhancer-binding protein family factors, thus preventing their binding to DNA. We have previously shown that in human T lymphocytes the CHOP phosphorylation induced by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-increased interleukin-8 (IL-8) gene expression. Given the CHOP positive role in the regulation of transcription, here we have investigated the molecular mechanism(s) by which CHOP increases IL-8 gene activity under PGE2 stimulus. Transfection experiments with mutants showed both that the CHOP transactivation domain is essential for IL-8 transcription and that the IL-8/activator protein 1 (AP-1) promoter mutated in NF-κB and NF-IL-6, but not in the AP-1 site, harbors essential CHOP-responsive elements. CHOP silencing confirmed its role in the IL-8 transcriptional regulation and protein production, whereas c-Jun small interfering RNA experiments showed that the PGE2-induced activation of IL-8 promoter is mainly c-Jun-independent. Moreover, PGE2 induced CHOP-DNA complexes only when the entire IL-8/AP-1 promoter or the wild type sequences encompassing the AP-1 upstream region were employed. Mutations introduced in these sequences prevented the DNA-CHOP complex formation. The IL-8/AP-1 mutant promoter lacking the sequence immediately upstream the AP-1 site is PGE2-unresponsive. Finally, chromatin immunoprecipitation data confirmed in vivo that PGE2 induces CHOP binding to the IL-8 promoter. Taken together, our results suggest that the increased expression of CHOP in response to PGE2 exerts a positive transcriptional regulation of the IL-8 promoter mediated by direct binding to a novel consensus site.
Spectral weight of the hubbard model through cluster perturbation theory

We calculate the spectral weight of the one- and two-dimensional Hubbard models by performing exact diagonalizations of finite clusters and treating intercluster hopping with perturbation theory. Even with relatively modest clusters (e.g., 12 sites), the spectra thus obtained give an accurate description of the exact results. Spin-charge separation (i.e., an extended spectral weight bounded by singularities dispersing with wave vector) is clearly recognized in the one-dimensional Hubbard model, and so is extended spectral weight in the two-dimensional Hubbard model.
Does Yoga Therapy Reduce Blood Pressure in Patients With Hypertension?: An Integrative Review

The aim of this article was to present a evidence-based integrative research review that validates yoga therapy as an effective complementary treatment in the management of high blood pressure (BP). The article also uses the theoretical framework of Dr Hans Selye's general adaptation syndrome. Yoga researchers demonstrate that yoga works because it modulates the physiological system of the body, specifically its effect on the heart rate. This review is significant because yoga presents an effective method of treating hypertension that is nonpharmacologic and therefore there are no adverse effects and there are other valuable health benefits. Research suggests that stress is a contributing factor to high BP; hence, the use of the general adaptation syndrome and the most important attribute of yoga, that is, it is a physical and mental exercise program, that is in sync with the philosophy of holistic nursing care where one treats the whole individual and not just the disease. The review was conducted with a search of computerized databases such as OVID, Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Health Source: Nursing/Academic edition, PsychINFO, as well as reliable Web sites such as the cdc.gov, among others. An integrative review search was conducted, and 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. They include a combination of randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and pilot studies. Yoga therapy is a multifunctional exercise modality with numerous benefits. Not only does yoga reduce high BP but it has also been demonstrated to effectively reduce blood glucose level, cholesterol level, and body weight, major problems affecting the American society. The completed integrative review provides guidelines for nursing implementation as a complementary treatment of high BP.
Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate Metabolism in the Type II Methanotroph Methylocystis parvus OBBP

ABSTRACT Differences in carbon assimilation pathways and reducing power requirements among organisms are likely to affect the role of the storage polymer poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB). Previous researchers have demonstrated that PHB functions as a sole growth substrate in aerobic cultures enriched on acetate during periods of carbon deficiency, but it is uncertain how C1 metabolism affects the role of PHB. In the present study, the type II methanotroph Methylocystis parvus OBBP did not replicate using stored PHB in the absence of methane, even when all other nutrients were provided in excess. When PHB-rich cultures of M. parvus OBBP were deprived of carbon and nitrogen for 48 h, they did not utilize significant amounts of stored PHB, and neither cell concentrations nor concentrations of total suspended solids changed significantly. When methane and nitrogen both were present, PHB and methane were consumed simultaneously. Cells with PHB had significantly higher specific growth rates than cells lacking PHB. The addition of formate (a source of reducing power) to PHB-rich cells delayed PHB consumption, but the addition of glyoxylate (a source of C2 units) did not. This and results from other researchers suggest that methanotrophic PHB metabolism is linked to the supply of reducing power as opposed to the supply of C2 units for synthesis.
Segmentation, Classification, and Visualization of Orca Calls Using Deep Learning

Audiovisual media are increasingly used to study the communication and behavior of animal groups, e.g. by placing microphones in the animals habitat resulting in huge datasets with only a small amount of animal interactions. The Orcalab has recorded orca whales since 1973 using stationary underwater hydrophones and made it publicly available on the Orchive. There exist over 15 000 manually extracted orca/noise annotations and about 20 000 h unseen audio data. To analyze the behavior and communication of killer whales we need to interpret the different call types. In this work, we present a two-stage classification approach using the labeled call/noise files and a few labeled call-type files. Results indicate a reliable accuracy of 95.0 % for call segmentation and 87 % for classification of 12 call classes. We further visualize the learned orca call representations in the convolutional neural network (CNN) activations to explain the potential of CNN based recognition for bioaccousitc signals.
Nucleotide sequencing of an apparent proviral copy of env mRNA defines determinants of expression of the mouse mammary tumor virus env gene

To extend our understanding of the organization and expression of the mouse mammary tumor virus genome, we determined the nucleotide sequence of large regions of a cloned mouse mammary tumor virus strain C3H provirus that appears to be a DNA copy of env mRNA. In conjunction with analysis of several additional clones of integrated and unintegrated mouse mammary tumor virus DNAs, we came to the following conclusions: (i) the mRNA for env is generated by splicing mechanisms that recognize conventional eucaryotic signals at donor and acceptor sites with a leader of at least 289 bases in length; (ii) the first of three possible initiation codons for translation of env follows the splice junction by a single nucleotide and produces a signal peptide of 98 amino acids; (iii) the amino terminal sequence of the major virion glycoprotein gp52env is confirmed by nucleotide sequencing and is encoded by a sequence beginning 584 nucleotides from the 5' end of env mRNA; (iv) the final 17 amino acids at the carboxyl terminus of the primary product of env are encoded within the long terminal repeat by the 51 bases at the 5' end of the U3 domain; and (v) bases 2 through 4 at the 5' end of the long terminal repeat constitute an initiation codon that commences an open reading frame capable of directing the synthesis of a 36-kilodalton protein.
Introducing 'space' into space-time MIMO capacity calculations: a new closed form upper bound

We present a new upper bound on capacity for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless fading channels, which is more general and realistic than previous capacity expressions. By including spatial information at the antenna arrays, a closed form upper bound on capacity, which uses the physics of signal propagation combined with statistics of the scattering environment, is derived. This expression gave the capacity of MIMO system in terms of antenna placement and scattering environment and lead to valuable insights into the factors determining capacity for a wide range of scattering models.
Associations between dental treatment in the primary and permanent dentitions using insurance claims data.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to assess the associations between dental treatment in the early primary dentition and later treatment in the primary and permanent teeth. METHODS Delta Dental Plan of Michigan insurance claims data on 9,886 children who were born in 1990 and were covered by dental insurance from 1990-1998 were used. Risk ratios (RR), screening test measures of sensitivity (SN) and specificity (SP), and evidence-based dentistry research measures of Likelihood Ratio (LR) and Number Needed to Treat (NTT) were calculated. RESULTS Primary anterior tooth treatment at ages 0-3 was weakly associated (RR = 1.43, 95% C.I. = 1.23, 1.65) with treatment of the permanent first molars at ages 6-8 and had SN, SP, LR, and NNT values of 7.4, 95.3, 1.57, and 12 respectively. Primary posterior tooth treatment at ages 4-8 was more strongly associated with future permanent first molar treatment with a RR of 2.44 (95% C.I. = 2.26, 2.64) and SN, SP, LR, and NNT values of 65.9, 61.7, 1.72, and 6. CONCLUSIONS For this population, early childhood treatment in the primary anterior teeth was a weak predictor of future permanent first molar treatment. Primary posterior teeth treatment, while still not a strong predictor, was better than primary anterior teeth in predicting permanent tooth treatment. Caries treatment at ages 4-8 in the primary teeth was better than treatment at ages 0-3 in predicting permanent first molar treatment.
Does Democracy Matter?

This article conducts quantitative tests on the relationship between regime type and suicide terrorism for 1980 to 2003. We present the recently popularized argument that democracies are more likely to experience suicide terrorism and a new hypothesis that mixed regimes are especially likely to experience suicide terrorism. We offer several improvements in research design, including using more controls, the nation-year as the unit of analysis, and more appropriate statistical techniques. Using both Freedom House and Polity data, we find that in general, regime type is uncorrelated with suicide terrorism. We do find that there is a statistically significant interaction between regime type and the number of religiously distinct minorities at risk (MARs) with suicide terrorism, but the statistical significance of this finding is limited, and its substantive impact is marginal. We also find that national size, Islam, national experience with suicide terrorism, and global experience with suicide terrorism affect the likelihood of suicide terrorism.
The effects of botulinum toxin treatment on associated reactions of the upper limb on hemiplegic gait–a pilot study

Purpose : The involuntary movements of the paretic arm during ambulation and other motor activities are known as associated upper limb reactions (ARs). ARs occur in 80% of stroke patients with spastic hemiplegia and often interfere with balance and safe mobilization. It is hypothesized that the treatment of localized muscle spasticity with botulinum toxin type A (BtxA) would abolish the ARs and improve balance and mobility. Method : This hypothesis will need to be tested in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). The aim of the present pilot study is to obtain preliminary data to inform the design of a future RCT. Eight patients received a single injection of 500 units of BtxA (Dysport ® Ipsen, Ltd) into the biceps brachii of the paretic arm. The patients' balance and mobility were assessed before and 2, 4 and 6 weeks after treatment using observational gait analysis and other subjective assessment scales. Results : There was a significant reduction of the ARs after treatment but this did not appear to improve the patients' balance or mobility as assessed by the clinicians. Interestingly, seven out of the eight patients reported improvement in their walking. Conclusion : The discrepancy between the observed and reported effects of treatment could be due to the poor sensitivity of the outcome measures used in this study.
Research Partnerships between Academic Institutions and American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes and Organizations: Effective Strategies and Lessons Learned in a Multisite CTN Study

Background: Community Based and Tribally Based Participatory Research (CBPR/TPR) are approaches that can be successful for developing ethical and effective research partnerships between academic institutions and Tribes and Native organizations. Objectives: The NIDA Clinical Trials Network funded a multi-site, exploratory study using CBPR/TPR to begin to better understand substance abuse issues of concern to some Tribes and Native organizations as well as strengths and resources that exist in these communities to address these concerns. Attention was paid to the development and maintenance of research partnerships in each of the sites. Methods: Each of the five partnerships is briefly described and common as well as unique challenges and successes are identified. Results: A summary of the common themes for developing these collaborative research efforts is provided. Conclusion: True, collaborative research partnerships require a great deal of time and effort in order to develop mutual trust, understanding, knowledge, and collaboration that will guide research that is rigorous as well as ethical, effective, and culturally appropriate. Scientific Significance: As AIAN communities become increasingly sophisticated partners in, and consumers of, research, CBPR and TPR are emerging as effective, ethical, culturally appropriate, and acceptable approaches. This can serve to improve the science we engage in with AIAN communities, add to the scarce literature regarding AIAN communities, and better serve AIAN communities in addressing health disparities and improving health.