Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Weather Based Agro-Met Advisory to Enhance the Production and Income of the Farmers under Changing Climate Scenario of Central Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh

Weather is one of the most important factors determining success or failure of agricultural production. It affects on every phase of plant growth and development. Any variability in the weather during the crop season, such as delay in the monsoon, excessive rains, flood, droughts, spells of too-high or too-low temperatures would affect the crop growth and finally the quality and quantity of the yield. The losses in crop can be reduced by doing proper crop management in time by timely and accurate weather forecasts.
Alkyl Length Effects on the DNA Transport Properties of Cu (II) and Zn(II) Metallovesicles: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study

Cationic liposomes with DNA-transportation properties have attracted considerable attention for their ability to deliver medicinal oligonucleotides to mammalian cells. Amongst these are metalloliposomes that use transition metal ions to confer the lipid molecules cationic charge and unique advantages such as redox- and ligand-exchange triggered DNA-release properties. In this study, lipophilic copper (II) and zinc (II) complexes of 1-alkyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane were prepared to investigate their ability to bind and transfect double stranded DNA with mammalian cells in vitro and in vivo. The copper(II)-surfactant complexes Cu(TACN-C8)2 (1), Cu(TACN-C10)2 (2), Cu(TACN-C12)2 (3), Cu(TACN-C14)2 (4), Cu(TACN-C16)2 (5), and Cu(TACN-C18)2 (6) that comprise ligands that vary in the length of the alkyl group and the zinc (II)-surfactant complex of Zn(TACN-C12)2 (7) were synthesized. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) for 1-7 was measured using fluorescence spectroscopy and an evaluation of the transfection efficiency of the complexes was assessed using the pEGFP-N1 plasmid and HEK 293-T cells. An inverse relationship between DNA transfection efficiency and CMC of the Cu(II) metallosurfactants was observed. The highest transfection efficiency of 38% was observed for Cu(TACN-C12)2 corresponding to the surfactant with dodecyl alkyl chain having a CMC of 50 μM. Further, an in vivo experiment using mice models was conducted to test the Cu(TACN-C12)2 (3) and Zn(TACN-C12)2 (7) metallosurfactants delivering a DNA vaccine designed for protection against leishmaniasis disease and the study revealed that the Cu-lipoplex elicited the production of significantly more T cells than the Zn-lipoplex and the control group in vivo.
TAS1R1 and TAS1R3 Polymorphisms Relate to Energy and Protein-Rich Food Choices from a Buffet Meal Respectively

Eating behaviour in humans is a complex trait that involves sensory perception. Genetic variation in sensory systems is one of the factors influencing perception of foods. However, the extent that these genetic variations may determine food choices in a real meal scenario warrants further research. This study investigated how genetic variants of the umami taste receptor (TAS1R1/TAS1R3) related to consumption of umami-tasting foods. Thirty normal-weight adult subjects were offered “ad libitum” access to a variety of foods covering the full range of main taste-types for 40 min using a buffet meal arrangement. Buccal cell samples were collected and analysed for six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) reported previously related to the TAS1R1/TAS1R3 genes. Participants identified with the CC alleles of the TAS1R3 rs307355 and rs35744813 consumed significantly more protein from the buffet than T carriers. In addition, participants with GG genotype of the TAS1R1 SNP rs34160967 consumed more fat and calories as compared to the genotype group having the A alleles. In summary, these findings revealed a link between the SNPs variations of umami taster receptor gene and fat and protein intake from a buffet meal.
Allowable warm ischemic time and morphological and biochemical changes in uterine ischemia/reperfusion injury in cynomolgus macaque: a basic study for uterus transplantation

STUDY QUESTION How long is the allowable warm ischemic time of the uterus and what morphological and biochemical changes are caused by uterine ischemia/reperfusion injury in cynomolgus macaques? SUMMARY ANSWER Warm ischemia in the uterus of cynomolgus macaques is tolerated for up to 4 h and reperfusion after uterine ischemia caused no further morphological and biochemical changes. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Uterus transplantation is a potential option for women with uterine factor infertility. The allowable warm ischemic time and ischemia/reperfusion injury of the uterus in humans and non-human primates is unknown. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This experimental study included 18 female cynomolgus macaques with periodic menstruation. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Animals were divided into six groups of three monkeys each: a control group and groups with uterine ischemia for 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 h. Biopsies of uterine tissues were performed before blood flow blockage, after each blockage time, and after reperfusion for 3 h. Blood sampling was performed after each blockage time, and after reperfusion for 5, 15 and 30 min for measurement of biochemical data. Resumption of menstruation was monitored after the surgical procedure. Morphological, physiological and biochemical changes after ischemia and reperfusion were evaluated. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Mild muscle degeneration and zonal degeneration were observed in all animals subjected to warm ischemia for 4 or 8 h, but there were no marked differences in the appearance of specimens immediately after ischemia and after reperfusion for 3 h in animals subjected to 4 or 8 h of warm ischemia. There were no significant changes in any biochemical parameters at any time point in each group. Periodical menstruation resumed in all animals with warm ischemia up to 4 h, but did not recover in animals with warm ischemia for 8 h with atrophic uteri. LIMITATIONS, REASON FOR CAUTION Warm ischemia in actual transplantation was not exactly mimicked in this study because uteri were not perfused, cooled, transplanted or reanastomosed with vessels. Results in non-human primates cannot always be extrapolated to humans. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The findings suggest that the tolerable warm ischemia time in the uterus is expected to be longer than that in other vital organs. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI Grant Number 26713050. None of the authors has a conflict of interest to declare.
Design and testing of a microcontroller that enables alpha particle irradiators to deliver complex dose rate patterns

There is increasing interest in using alpha particle emitting radionuclides for cancer therapy because of their unique cytotoxic properties which are advantageous for eradicating tumor cells. The high linear energy transfer (LET) of alpha particles produces a correspondingly high density of ionizations along their track. Alpha particle emitting radiopharmaceuticals deposit this energy in tissues over prolonged periods with complex dose rate patterns that depend on the physical half-life of the radionuclide, and the biological uptake and clearance half-times in tumor and normal tissues. We have previously shown that the dose rate increase half-time that arises as a consequence of these biokinetics can have a profound effect on the radiotoxicity of low-LET radiation. The microcontroller hardware and software described here offer a unique way to deliver these complex dose rate patterns with a broad-beam alpha particle irradiator, thereby enabling experiments to study the radiobiology of complex dose rate patterns of alpha particles. Complex dose rate patterns were created by precise manipulation of the timing of opening and closing of the electromechanical shutters of an α-particle irradiator. An Arduino Uno and custom circuitry was implemented to control the shutters. The software that controls the circuits and shutters has a user-friendly Graphic User Interface (GUI). Alpha particle detectors were used to validate the programmed dose rate profiles. Circuit diagrams and downloadable software are provided to facilitate adoption of this technology by other radiobiology laboratories.
PD-1 Blockade and OX40 Triggering Synergistically Protects against Tumor Growth in a Murine Model of Ovarian Cancer

The co-inhibitory receptor Programmed Death-1 (PD-1) curtails immune responses and prevent autoimmunity, however, tumors exploit this pathway to escape from immune destruction. The co-stimulatory receptor OX40 is upregulated on T cells following activation and increases their clonal expansion, survival and cytokine production when engaged. Although antagonistic anti-PD-1 or agonistic anti-OX40 antibodies can promote the rejection of several murine tumors, some poorly immunogenic tumors were refractory to this treatment. In the present study, we evaluated the antitumor effects and mechanisms of combinatorial PD-1 blockade and OX40 triggering in a murine ID8 ovarian cancer model. Although individual anti-PD-1 or OX40 mAb treatment was ineffective in tumor protection against 10-day established ID8 tumor, combined anti-PD-1/OX40 mAb treatment markedly inhibited tumor outgrowth with 60% of mice tumor free 90 days after tumor inoculation. Tumor protection was associated with a systemic immune response with memory and antigen specificity and required CD4+ cells and CD8+ T cells. The anti-PD-1/OX40 mAb treatment increased CD4+ and CD8+ cells and decreased immunosuppressive CD4+FoxP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and CD11b+Gr-1+ myeloid suppressor cells (MDSC), giving rise to significantly higher ratios of both effector CD4+ and CD8+ cells to Treg and MDSC in peritoneal cavity; Quantitative RT-PCR data further demonstrated the induction of a local immunostimulatory milieu by anti-PD-1/OX40 mAb treatment. The splenic CD8+ T cells from combined mAb treated mice produced high levels of IFN-γ upon tumor antigen stimulation and exhibited antigen-specific cytolytic activity. To our knowledge, this is the first study testing the antitumor effects of combined anti-PD-1/OX40 mAb in a murine ovarian cancer model, and our results provide a rationale for clinical trials evaluating ovarian cancer immunotherapy using this combination of mAb.
Secondary metabolites from the fermented rice of the fungus Monascus purpureus and their bioactivities

Abstract Phytochemical investigation of the EtOAc-soluble fraction of the ethanolic extract of a yellow mutant of the fungus Monascus purpureus BCRC 38110 (Eurotiaceae) grown on rice resulted in the isolation of one new azaphilone derivative, monapurpureusone (1), one acetophenone metabolite isolated for the first time from natural source, monapurpureusin (2), along with four known compounds, TW94a (3), ergosterol (4), monascin (5), and ankaflavin (6). The structures and relative configurations of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, and by the comparison of their NMR data with those of related compounds. Some phytochemicals were evaluated for both anti-inflammatory activity through the measurement of nitric oxide (NO) production levels in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine-derived macrophages RAW264.7 cell lines and antioxidant activities. Graphical Abstract
miR‐625‐5p/PKM2 negatively regulates melanoma glycolysis state

PKM2 plays an important role in cancer glycolysis, however, the link of PKM2 and microRNAs (miRNAs) in melanoma is still unclear. The study will investigate the role of miRNAs in regulating PKM2 mediated melanoma cell glycolysis. We found that high PKM2 expression in melanoma tissues and cell lines was positively associated with glycolysis. Further study indicated that miR‐625‐5p regulated PKM2 expression on mRNA and protein levels in melanoma cells. There was a negative relationship between miR‐625‐5p and PKM2 expression in the clinical melanoma samples. These findings provide an evidence that miR‐625‐5p/PKM2 plays a role in melanoma cell glucose metabolism.
Fish consumption, fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids, and cardiovascular disease.

Since the first AHA Science Advisory “Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Lipids, and Coronary Heart Disease,”1 important new findings, including evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), have been reported about the beneficial effects of omega-3 (or n-3) fatty acids on cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with preexisting CVD as well as in healthy individuals.2 New information about how omega-3 fatty acids affect cardiac function (including antiarrhythmic effects), hemodynamics (cardiac mechanics), and arterial endothelial function have helped clarify potential mechanisms of action. The present Statement will address distinctions between plant-derived (α-linolenic acid, C18:3n-3) and marine-derived (eicosapentaenoic acid, C20:5n-3 [EPA] and docosahexaenoic acid, C22:6n-3 [DHA]) omega-3 fatty acids. (Unless otherwise noted, the term omega-3 fatty acids will refer to the latter.) Evidence from epidemiological studies and RCTs will be reviewed, and recommendations reflecting the current state of knowledge will be made with regard to both fish consumption and omega-3 fatty acid (plant- and marine-derived) supplementation. This will be done in the context of recent guidance issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about the presence of environmental contaminants in certain species of fish. ### Coronary Heart Disease As reviewed by Stone,1 three prospective epidemiological studies within populations reported that men who ate at least some fish weekly had a lower coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality rate than that of men who ate none.3–6⇓⇓⇓ More recent evidence that fish consumption favorably affects CHD mortality, especially nonsudden death from myocardial infarction (MI), has been reported in a 30-year follow-up of the Chicago Western Electric Study.7 Men who consumed 35 g or more of fish daily compared with those who consumed none had a relative risk of death from CHD of 0.62 and a relative risk of nonsudden death from MI of 0.33. In an …
Experiences of housing support in everyday life for persons with schizophrenia and the role of the media from a societal perspective

Background The mental health-care system in Sweden, as in many other counties, has its main focus on the reduction of psychiatric symptoms and the prevention of relapses. People diagnosed with schizophrenia often have significant health issues and experience reduced well-being in everyday life. The social imaginary of mental illness as an imbalance of the brain has implications concerning general attitudes in society. The news media are an important source of information on psychiatric disorders and have an important role in cultivating public perceptions and stigma. News media can contribute to the mental illness stigma and place individuals with mental illnesses at risk of not receiving adequate care and support. The aim of this preliminary study was to describe users’ experiences of housing support in everyday life. Results The results revealed three themes of housing support, which were needed, but frequently insufficiently fulfilled in the municipality. The three themes were: “Support to Practice Healthy Routines in Daily Life,” “Support to Shape Meaningful Contents in Everyday Life,” and “Support to Meet Needs of Integrity and Respect. ” Conclusions The findings support previous studies arguing that current health care and housing support fails to meet basic needs and may lead to significant and unnecessary health risks. Further investigation is needed regarding the links between attitudes to mental illness in society and political and financial principles for health care and housing support for persons with schizophrenia. Further research is needed regarding the role of the media in policymaking concerning health promotion interventions for people diagnosed with schizophrenia.
A four‐gene signature predicts the efficacy of paclitaxel‐based neoadjuvant therapy in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative breast cancer

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is the major preoperative treatment of breast cancer (BC) with negative human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and the efficacy of NAC and the optimization of regimen are under intensive research. The current study aimed to define the predictive biomarkers for paclitaxel (PTX) response in NAC of HER2‐negative BC. Data from GSE25065, GSE26065, GSE41998, as well as drug sensitivity data of breast and ovarian cancer cell line from NCI60, were used. Through logistic regression, COX regression, and correlation analysis with bootstrapping, we found that four genes (CDK8, FAM64A, MARC2, and OCEL1) were associated with drug sensitivity of PTX. The four gene “≥3” model had the best classification accuracy. Subgroup analysis found that the model performed well in the hormone receptor positive, HER2‐negative subgroup and did not perform well in the triple‐negative subgroup. Decision curve analysis showed that the model could enhance the predictive effect of clinical features. Subsequent gene set enrichment analysis, network analysis showed that these genes may be related to the cell cycle, mitosis and other pathways. The current study demonstrated the promising potential of the novel four‐gene signature as a predictive biomarker for pathological complete response of HER2‐negative BC patients and indicated the drug sensitivity of PTX.
[Transanal endoscopic microsurgery for local excision of rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumors].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) combined with imatinib for rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GIST). METHODS Clinical data of 35 patients with rectal GIST undergoing TEM at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from February 2008 to May 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Operation details, postoperative recovery condition, and follow-up information were reviewed. The differences in clinicopathological features and perioperative parameters were compared between patients who received neoadjuvant therapy (12 patients, imatinib mesylate, oral, 400 mg daily for 6 months before surgery) and those without neoadjuvant therapy (23 patients). RESULTS Of 35 patients, 18 were males and 17 were females with the mean age of (49.3±13.3) years. Mean tumor diameter was (1.8±1.1) cm and mean distance from lower tumor margin to anal verge was (4.0±1.8) cm. Mean operative time was (82.4±21.1) minutes and mean blood loss was (11.7±7.5) ml. No conversion to laparotomy occurred. Complete resection with negative margins was achieved in all cases. Complications were classified according to Clavien-Dindo system: 4 cases of grade I, 3 of grade II and 1 of grade IIIb. The tumor size in patients who received neoadjuvant therapy reduced from (3.1±1.2) cm to (2.6±1.2) cm, though it was still larger than the tumor size in patients without neoadjuvant therapy[(1.5±0.8) cm, P<0.01]. No significant difference in operative time was found between patients with and without neoadjuvant therapy [(76.7±24.8) minutes vs. (85.4±18.8) minutes, P>0.05]. Thirty patients (85.7%) were followed up for (50.3±36.6) months, and no local recurrence or metastasis was observed. CONCLUSIONS TEM is safe and effective in the treatment of rectal GIST. Preoperative neoadjuvant therapy is beneficial to TEM in treating larger tumors without increasing operating time. Satisfactory follow-up result is observed.
Reference values for the Balance Error Scoring System as measured by the Tekscan MobileMat™ in a physically active population

ABSTRACT Objectives: The Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) is commonly used to measure postural stability; however, it has demonstrated inconsistent reliability values when administered by humans. The Tekscan MobileMat™ was developed to automate the assessment of BESS errors and eliminate rater subjectivity. The objective of this study was to report reference values for the BESS, as measured by the MobileMat™, and examine the effect of sex, concussion history, and competitive sport level on BESS performance. Methods: Four hundred and forty participants performed the BESS on the MobileMat™. Participants were asked to maintain each stance with their eyes closed for 20 s. The MobileMat™ was used to quantify the number of errors. Results: Concussion history (p = 0.279–0.979) and competitive sport level (p = 0.422–0.979) did not affect BESS performance. Males performed significantly better than females for the single-limb foam stance (p = 0.032). No sex differences were detected for the other BESS stances or BESS total score (p = 0.067–0.744). Conclusions: Previously reported reference values in collegiate athletes and adolescents were slightly higher thus highlighting the value in establishing population norms and in developing new technologies to objectively quantify BESS performance. Furthermore, sex, concussion history, and competitive sport level do not appear to influence BESS performance as measured by the MobileMat™.
Positive Helicobacter pylori status is associated with better overall survival for gastric cancer patients: evidence from case-cohort studies

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection increases the gastric cancer risk; however, the influences of H. pylori infection status on the outcomes for gastric cancer patients have not yet clearly defined. Herein, we systematically assessed the epidemiological studies regarding the associations between the H.pylori infection status at diagnosis and the prognosis for gastric cancer patients with the meta-analysis methods. Thirty-three eligibility studies with 8,199 participants that had determined the H.pylori infection status and the outcomes for gastric cancer patients were identified through searching the PubMed and MEDLINE databases updated to March 1st, 2017. The random-effects model suggested that positive H. pylori infection was associated with better overall survival with the pooled hazard ratio (HR) was 0.79 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.66-0.93; Q = 134.86, df = 32, P-heterogeneity < 0.001; I2 = 76.3%] compared to negative patients. The association was found to be more prominent in studies with higher quality, longer following-up time and more sensitive detection methods. An inverse but not statistically significant association between the H.pylori status and the disease-free survival of the patients (pooled HR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.61-1.05;Q = 30.48, df = 11, P-heterogeneity = 0.001; I2 = 63.9%) was found, while no significant association was noticed in any subgroup analyses. These results suggested that gastric cancer patients with positive H.pylori infection status at diagnosis have better overall survival compared to negative; however, more studies are warranted to confirm the results and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.