Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Garlic (Allium sativum) improves anxiety- and depressive-related behaviors and brain oxidative stress in diabetic rats

Abstract This study investigated the effects of garlic on anxiety- and depression-related behaviors and brain oxidative markers in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. Fifty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven experimental groups (n = 8/group): control, diabetic + saline, diabetic + garlic, diabetic + imipramine, and diabetic + diazepam groups. Animals received garlic homogenate (0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 g/kg) for 10 days. At the end of the treatments, anxiety- and depressive-related behaviors were evaluated by elevated plus maze (EPM) and forced swimming test (FST), respectively. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in the brain. Diabetic + garlic (0.5 g/kg) group showed lower anxiety- and- depressive-like behaviors as compared to the diabetic rats. Furthermore, garlic treatment (0.5 g/kg) attenuated MDA levels and enhanced SOD and GPx activities in the brain. Our findings indicate that garlic alleviates anxiety- and depression-related behaviors in the diabetic rats possibly by attenuation of brain oxidative stress.
A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials following PRISMA

Background: In addition to the physical burden, the quality of life and survival in patients with cancer may also be reduced because of psychological distress, such as spiritual crisis, anxiety, and depression. Many studies have verified that spirituality could reduce anxiety and depression and improve quality of life and adjustment to cancer. However, there is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of spiritual interventions in patients with cancer. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to use randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effects of spiritual interventions on spiritual and psychological outcomes and quality of life in patients with cancer. Methods: All RCTs using spiritual interventions relevant to the outcomes of patients with cancer were retrieved from the following databases: Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, Ovid, Springer Online Library, Wiley Online Library, Oxford Journals, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The reference lists of identified RCTs were also screened. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to evaluate the quality of the studies, RevMan (5.3) was used to analyze the data, and GRADE (3.6.1) was used to evaluate the evidence quality of the combined results. Results: Ten RCTs involving 1239 patients were included. Spiritual interventions were compared with a control group receiving usual care or other psychosocial interventions. The weighted average effect size across studies was 0.46 (P= .003, I=78%) for spiritual well-being, 0.19 (P= .005, I=46%) for quality of life, 0.33 (P= .01, I=50%) for depression, 0.58 (P= .03, I=77%) for anxiety, and 0.38 (P= .008, I=0%) for hopelessness. In subgroup analysis according to the type of cancer, only the weighted average effect size of spiritual well-being in patients with breast cancer had statistical significance (standardized mean difference 0.78, P= .01, I=70%). Conclusion: Spiritual interventions may improve spiritual well-being and quality of life, and reduce depression, anxiety, and hopelessness for patients with cancer. However, due to the mixed study design and substantial heterogeneity, some evidence remains weak. More rigorously designed research is needed. Abbreviations: CI = confidence interval, RCT = randomized controlled trial, SMD = standardized mean difference.
House dust mite‐driven neutrophilic airway inflammation in mice with TNFAIP3‐deficient myeloid cells is IL‐17‐independent

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease of the airways that involves several types of granulocytic inflammation. Recently, we have shown that the activation status of myeloid cells regulated by TNFAIP3/A20 is a crucial determinant of eosinophilic or neutrophilic airway inflammation. However, whether neutrophilic inflammation observed in this model is dependent on IL‐17 remains unknown.
Feasibility of Using Bluetooth Low Energy Beacon Sensors to Detect Magnifier Usage by Low Vision Patients.

SIGNIFICANCE We demonstrated proof of concept for the potential for Bluetooth low energy beacons to reliably collect data to serve as an indicator that low vision patients are using handheld magnifiers for reading, which might be used in the future to prevent the abandonment of magnification or other assistive devices. PURPOSE Bluetooth low energy beacons are an emerging novel technology involving tiny sensors that collect real-time, continuous, objective data, which might help to ascertain the abandonment of low vision devices in a timely manner, thus prompting a follow-up evaluation to attempt to resolve issues. We evaluated whether Bluetooth beacon data could indicate when low vision patients used handheld optical magnifiers for reading. METHODS We recorded temperature and/or relative humidity data from Estimote sticker and BlueMaestro Tempo Disc beacons attached to handles of optical magnifiers used for reading by low vision patients in clinic (n = 16) and at home (n = 3). RESULTS In the clinic, patients whose hand/fingers made direct versus indirect contact with Estimote beacons had greater temperature increases on average from baseline after 30 seconds (0.73°C vs. 0.28°C), 60 seconds (1.04°C vs. 0.40°C), 90 seconds (1.39°C vs. 0.60°C), 105 to 120 seconds (1.59°C vs. 0.62°C), and 135 to 150 seconds (2.07°C vs. 0.97°C). During magnifier usage at home, BlueMaestro beacons measured rapidly increased temperature (5.6°C per minute on average; range 2.7 to 7.3°C) and relative humidity (19.4% per minute on average; range 8.7 to 34%). Humidity tended to reach its maximum increase and return back to baseline significantly more quickly than temperature (P = .007). All increases during magnifier usage were much greater than the maximum room fluctuations without use (clinic, 0.2°C over 120 seconds; home, 0.6°C and 2.4% over 1 minute). The beacons were nonintrusive and acceptable by patients. CONCLUSIONS Estimote and BlueMaestro beacons can reliably detect temperature and/or humidity increases when held by low vision patients while reading with a magnifier.
Epidemiologic characteristics of malignant lymphoma in Hubei, China

Abstract Distribution of different malignant lymphoma subtypes varies substantially in different geographic regions, even in different districts in China. In order to estimate the epidemiologic characteristics of malignant lymphoma in Hubei, China, we retrospectively analyzed a total number of 2027 newly diagnosed cases from April 2009 to April 2014 in a single institution according to the 2008 WHO classification. The median diagnosis age of all these lymphoma patients was 53 (1–99) years, and the median ages for non-(NHL) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) were 54 (1–99) years and 38 (5–84) years, respectively. Among the included patients, mature B-cell neoplasms occupied 61.3%, mature T- and NK-cell neoplasms accounted for 21.0%, precursor lymphoid cell neoplasms made up 4.5%, and HL constituted 8.0%. The most common subtype of NHL was diffuse large B cell lymphoma (41.3%), followed by NK/T cell lymphoma (13.4%), extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) (8.0%), follicular lymphoma (6.6%), lymphoblastic lymphoma (4.9%), and mantle cell lymphoma (4.0%). Mixed cellularity lymphoma ranked first among classical HL subtypes, and there is a bimodal median age distribution revealed by our study, which is different from results reported by other regions of China. Most subtypes revealed male predominance while MALT lymphoma showed a slight female predominance. Extranodal lymphomas most frequently involved gastrointestinal tract, sinonasal region, and Waldeyer ring. In summary, the distribution of lymphoma subtypes in Hubei of China is similar to that of Asian populations, as well as other regions of China, but distinct from the Western countries.
Biological degradation of aflatoxin M1 by Bacillus pumilus E‐1‐1‐1

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a potent mycotoxin which causes serious health concerns in developing countries, where it is mainly found in milk, meat, and other foods. Biological detoxification is a promising method for eliminating AFM1. The aim of this work was to search for AFM1‐degrading bacterial strains from animal waste, soil, and activated sludge. High‐performance liquid chromatography and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy were used to analyze the AFM1 degradation products. A strain designated E‐1‐1‐1 was obtained from African elephants feces, with the degradation ratio of AFM1 reaching 89.55% in 12 hr. Based on morphology, physiological and biochemical tests, and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain E‐1‐1‐1 was identified as Bacillus pumilus. The culture supernatant of B. pumilus E‐1‐1‐1 degraded AFM1 effectively, whereas the cells and cell extracts of B. pumilus E‐1‐1‐1 were far less effective. Carbon and nitrogen sources had highly significant effects on the degradation of AFM1 by B. pumilus E‐1‐1‐1. The AFM1‐degrading strain, B. pumilus E1‐1‐1, could have great potential in industrial applications.
Socioeconomic inequality in non-communicable diseases in Europe between 2004 and 2015: evidence from the SHARE survey

Background The scope of this work was to investigate socioeconomic inequalities among European adults aged 50 or older in chronic diseases and behavioural risk factors for these diseases, namely, smoking habits, obesity and physical inactivity, between 2004 and 2015. Methods Data for this study were drawn from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement (SHARE) in Europe, which is a panel database of microdata on health, socioeconomic status and social and family networks of people aged 50 years or older, covering most of the European Union. The predicted number of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) was used to estimate the concentration index and to find the contributions of determinants to socioeconomic inequalities in chronic diseases. Results The inequality disfavoured the poor in both years, but the effect was stable from 2004 (C = -0.071) to 2015 (C = -0.081). Inequality was shown to be attributed mostly to physical inactivity and obesity and this contribution increased during the study period. Among socioeconomic status (SES) determinants, education and marital status were the most concentrated in both years, while physical inactivity and obesity were the most concentrated behavioural risk factors in both years. Conclusions To prevent chronic diseases, health policy should aim not only to improve individual health behaviours in the population, but also to reduce socioeconomic inequality. Our study suggests promoting a healthy lifestyle in the most disadvantaged socioeconomic classes as a strategy to improve the health conditions of the whole population.
Osteoarthritis and risk of mortality in the USA: a population-based cohort study

Abstract Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease, but its association with mortality is unclear. Methods We analysed data on adult participants in the 1988–94 and 1999–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, followed for mortality through 2011. OA was defined by self-report, and in a subset of participants 60 years or older with knee X-rays, radiographic knee OA (RKOA) was defined as Kellgren–Lawrence score ≥2. Cox proportional hazards were used to determine the mortality hazard ratio (HR) associated with self-reported OA and RKOA, adjusting for covariates. Results The sample included 51 938 participants followed for a median 8.9 years; 2589 of them had knee X-rays and were followed for a median of 13.6 years. Self-reported OA and RKOA prevalences were 6.6% and 40.6%, respectively. Self-reported OA was not associated with mortality. RKOA was associated with an increased risk of mortality from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) {HR 1.43 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32, 1.64]}, diabetes [HR 2.04 (1.87, 2.23)] and renal diseases [HR 1.14 (1.04, 1.25)], but with a reduced risk of cancer mortality [HR 0.88 (0.80, 0.96)]. Participants with early RKOA onset (diagnosed before age 40) had a higher risk of mortality from all causes [HR 1.53 (1.43, 1.65)] and from diabetes [HR 7.18 (5.45, 9.45)]. Obese participants with RKOA were at increased risk of mortality from CVD [HR 1.89 (1.56, 2.29)] and from diabetes [HR: 3.42 (3.01, 3.88)]. Conclusions Self-reported OA was not associated with mortality. RKOA was associated with higher CVD, diabetes and renal mortality, especially in people with early onset of the disease or with obesity.
Experimental Evaluation of the Effect of Zinc Salt on Inhibition of Streptococcus mutans

Statement of the Problem: The rate of antibiotic resistance in bacteria and side effects of antibiotics and oral and teeth health care products are increasing. Therefore, researchers aim at finding new alternatives to control bacteria of dental caries. Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the inhibitory and bactericidal effects of different concentrations of zinc sulfate and zinc acetate solutions on the main recognized agent of dental caries, Streptococcus mutans. Materials and Method: In this experimental study, different concentrations of aqueous zinc sulfate and zinc acetate solutions were prepared and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of these salts for Streptococcus mutans were determined in compare with penicillin, chlorhexidine by micro-serial dilution method. In addition, the diameters of zone of inhibition for these salt solutions in four concentrations along with chlorhexidine, as the control, were detected by the disc diffusion method. Results: MIC and MBC of zinc sulfate solution were higher than penicillin and chlorhexidine. There were not statistically significant differences between the MIC and MBC of zinc acetate solution, penicillin, and chlorhexidine. In 25 and 50 µg/mL concentrations, the diameters of inhibition zone for zinc sulfate were more than zinc ac Conclusion: Zinc sulfate and zinc acetate salts with 37.19 and 31.25 µgr/mL concentration had inhibitory effect on Streptococcus mutans growth respectively, although, no priority in antibacterial activity of the studied zinc salts was determined in comparison with penicillin and chlorhexidine.
Cytodiffrentiation in the accessory glands of Tenebrio molitor. VI. A congruent map of cells and their secretions in the layered elastic product of the male bean‐shaped gland

The morphology of the bean‐shaped accessory glands (BAGs) of males of Tenebrio molitor is described. All cells in the secretory epithelium are long and narrow (300–400 mμ × 5 mμ). The seven types of secretory cells are distinguished from one another by the morphology of their secretory granules. Granule substructure varies from simple spheres with homogeneous electrondense contents to complex forms with thickened exterior walls or with crystalline and membranous contents. Individual cell types were mapped by staining whole glands with Oil Red O, and the cell distributions were confirmed by wax histology and ultramicroscopy. The secretions of all seven cell types form a secretory plug composed of seven layers. During mating, the secretory plug from each BAG is forced into the ejaculatory duct by contractions of a sheath of circular muscle. The mirror image plugs from symmetrical BAGs fuse and are transformed into the wall of the spermatophore.
Multimodal safety assessment of measles‐mumps‐rubella vaccination after pediatric liver transplantation

Live‐attenuated vaccines are currently contraindicated in solid‐organ transplant recipients. However, the risk of vaccine‐preventable infections is lifelong, and can be particularly severe after transplantation. In this prospective interventional national cohort study, 44 pediatric liver transplant recipients with measles IgG antibodies <150 IU/L (below seroprotection threshold) received measles‐mumps‐rubella vaccine (MMR) at a median of 6.3 years posttransplantation (interquartile range, 4.0 to 10.9). A maximum of two additional doses were administered in nonresponders or when seroprotection was lost. Vaccine responses occurred in 98% (95% confidence interval [CI], 88‐100) of patients. Seroprotection at 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐year follow‐up reached 62% (95% CI, 45‐78), 86% (95% CI, 70‐95), and 89% (95% CI, 67‐99), respectively. All patients responded appropriately to the booster dose(s). Vaccinations were well tolerated and no serious adverse event attributable to vaccination was identified during the 8‐week follow‐up period (or later), using a multimodal approach including standardized telephone interviews, diarized side effect reporting, and monitoring of vaccinal virus shedding. We conclude that live attenuated MMR vaccine can be administered in liver transplant recipients fulfilling specific eligibility criteria (>1 year posttransplantation, low immunosuppression, lymphocyte count ≥0.75 G/L), inducing seroprotection in most subjects. (Clinicaltrials.gov number NCT01770119).
Biotransformation of Finerenone, a Novel Nonsteroidal Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist, in Dogs, Rats, and Humans, In Vivo and In Vitro

Mass balance and biotransformation of finerenone, a nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, were investigated in four healthy male volunteers following a single oral administration of 10 mg (78 μCi) of [14C]finerenone and compared with data from studies in dogs and rats. The total recovery of the administered radioactivity was 101% in humans, 94.7% in dogs, and 95.2% in rats. In humans, radioactivity was mainly excreted renally (80%); in rats, it was primarily the biliary/fecal route (76%); and in dogs, excretion was more balanced. Finerenone was extensively metabolized in all species by oxidative biotransformation, with minor amounts of unchanged drug in excreta (humans: 1%; dogs, rats: <9%). In vitro studies suggested cytochrome P450 3A4 was the predominant enzyme involved in finerenone metabolism in humans. Primary metabolic transformation involved aromatization of the dihydronaphthyridine moiety of metabolite M1 as a major clearance pathway with a second oxidative pathway leading to M4. These were both prone to further oxidative biotransformation reactions. Naphthyridine metabolites (M1–M3) were the dominant metabolites identified in human plasma, with no on-target pharmacological activity. In dog plasma, finerenone and metabolite M2 constituted the major components; finerenone accounted almost exclusively for drug-related material in rat plasma. For metabolites M1–M3, axial chirality was observed, represented by two atropisomers (e.g., M1a and M1b). Analysis of plasma and excreta showed one atropisomer (a-series, >79%) of each metabolite predominated in all three species. In summary, the present study demonstrates that finerenone is cleared by oxidative biotransformation, mainly via naphthyridine derivatives.
Consecutive Day HSP90 Inhibitor Administration Improves Efficacy in Murine Models of KIT-Driven Malignancies and Canine Mast Cell Tumors

Purpose: STA-1474, prodrug of the heat shock protein 90 inhibitor (HSP90i) ganetespib, previously demonstrated activity in canine preclinical models of cancer; interestingly, prolonged infusions were associated with improved biologic activity. The purpose of this study was to identify the ideal treatment schedule for HSP90i in preclinical models of KIT-driven malignancies and in dogs with spontaneous mast cell tumors (MCT), where KIT is a known driver. Experimental Design: In vitro and murine xenograft experiments and clinical studies in dogs with MCTs were used to define the effects of HSP90i-dosing regimen on client protein downregulation and antitumor activity. Results: Continuous HSP90 inhibition led to durable destabilization of client proteins in vitro; however, transient exposure required >10× drug for comparable effects. In vivo, KIT was rapidly degraded following a single dose of HSP90i but returned to baseline levels within a day. HSP90 levels increased and stabilized 16 hours after HSP90i and were not elevated following a subsequent near-term exposure, providing a functional pool of chaperone to stabilize proteins and a means for greater therapeutic activity upon HSP90i reexposure. HSP90i administered on days 1 and 2 (D1/D2) demonstrated increased biologic activity compared with D1 treatment in KIT or EGFR-driven murine tumor models. In a trial of dogs with MCT, D1/D2 dosing of HSP90i was associated with sustained KIT downregulation, 50% objective response rate and 100% clinical benefit rate compared with D1 and D1/D4 schedules. Conclusions: These data provide further evidence that prolonged HSP90i exposure improves biologic activity through sustained downregulation of client proteins.
Differential and interacting effects of age and sleep restriction on daytime sleepiness and vigilance in adolescence: a longitudinal study

Study Objectives There is contradictory evidence on whether sleep need decreases across adolescence. We investigated this question longitudinally with a dose-response design to test the effects of varied sleep durations on daytime sleepiness and on vigilance and to test whether these relations change with age across early and mid-adolescence. Methods Data from 76 participants who completed at least 2 years of the 3-year study are included in this report. Annually, participants ranging in age from 9.8 to 16.2 years completed three different time in bed (TIB) schedules each consisting of four consecutive nights of 7, 8.5, or 10 hours. Daytime sleepiness (multiple sleep latency test [MSLT]) and vigilance (psychomotor vigilance test [PVT]) were measured on the day following the fourth night of each TIB schedule. Results Electroencephalogram (EEG)-measured sleep durations changed linearly with TIB. MSLT-measured daytime sleepiness decreased with longer TIB and increased with age. The TIB and age effects interacted such that the TIB effect decreased with age. PVT performance improved with longer TIB and improved with age, but the benefit that increased TIB conferred on PVT performance did not change with age. Conclusions These results seem paradoxical because daytime sleepiness increased but vigilance improved with age. The significant age effect on the relation between TIB and sleepiness compared to the lack of an age effect on the relation between TIB and vigilance performance suggests different rates of maturation in underlying brain systems. We interpret these findings in relation to our model of adolescent brain development driven by synaptic elimination.
Deceleration of glycometabolism impedes IgG‐producing B‐cell‐mediated tumor elimination by targeting SATB1

B lymphocytes, known as antibody producers, mediate tumor cell destruction in the manner of antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity; however, their anti‐tumor function seems to be weakened during tumorigenesis, while the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we found that IgG mediated anti‐tumor effects, but IgG‐producing B cells decreased in various tumors. Considering the underlying mechanism, glycometabolism was noteworthy. We found that tumor‐infiltrating B cells were glucose‐starved and accompanied by a deceleration of glycometabolism. Both inhibition of glycometabolism and deprivation of glucose through tumor cells, or glucose‐free treatment, reduced the differentiation of B cells into IgG‐producing cells. In this process, special AT‐rich sequence‐binding protein‐1 (SATB1) was significantly silenced in B cells. Down‐regulating SATB1 by inhibiting glycometabolism or RNA interference reduced the binding of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) to the promoter of germline Cγ gene, subsequently resulting in fewer B cells producing IgG. Our findings provide the first evidence that glycometabolic inhibition by tumorigenesis suppresses differentiation of B cells into IgG‐producing cells, and altering glycometabolism may be promising in improving the anti‐tumor effect of B cells.