Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phytoremediation based on canola (Brassica napus L.) and Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) planted on spiked soil by aliquot amount of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn

The use of plants to remove heavy metals from soil (phytoremediation) is expanding due to its cost-effectiveness as compared to conventional methods and it has revealed a great potential. Since contaminants such as Pb or Cd have a limited bioavailability in the soil, methods to facilitate their transport to the shoots and roots of plants are required for successful phytoremediation. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of addition of different rates (0, 3, 6 and 12 mmol/kg) of ethylene diaminetetraacetate (EDTA) on heavy metal availability in soils contaminated with 50 mg/kg Cd (CdCl 2 ), 50 mg/kg Cu (CuSO 4 ), 50 mg/kg Pb [Pb(NO 3 ) 2 ] and 50 mg/kg Zn (ZnSO 4 ), and on the capacity of canola (Brassica napus L.) and Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) plants to uptake Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn in a growth chamber. Results indicated that EDTA application increased heavy metal availability and uptake by plants. Significant differences were obtained in both species and plant parts. As for plant species tested, canola was more effective in the uptake of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn. Root heavy metal uptake of both species was higher than shoot heavy metal uptake.
Wind/wave-tunnel measurements of chemical enhancement of the carbon dioxide gas exchange rate

1Institute of Environmental Physics, University of Heidelberg Im Neuenheimer Feld 229, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany 2Heidelberg Collaboratory for Image Processing (HCI), University of Heidelberg Speyerer Str. 6, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany, E-mail: Bernd.Jaehne@iwr.uni-heidelberg.de 3Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemunde (IOW) Seestrase 15, 18119 Rostock, Germany, E-mail: joachim.kuss@io-warnemuende.de
Legal medical consideration of Alzheimer’s disease patients’ dysgraphia and cognitive dysfunction: a 6 month follow up

Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients to express intentions and desires, and their decision-making capacity. This study examines the findings from a 6-month follow-up of our previous results in which 30 patients participated. Materials and methods The patient’s cognition was examined by conducting the tests of 14 questions and letter-writing ability over a period of 19 days, and it was repeated after 6 months. The difference between these two cognitive measures (PQ1 before–PQ2 before), tested previously and later the writing test, was designated DΔ before. The test was repeated after 6 months, and PQ1 after–PQ2 after was designated DΔ after. Results Several markedly strong relationships between dysgraphia and other measures of cognitive performance in AD patients were observed. The most aged patients (over 86 years), despite less frequency, maintain the cognitive capacity manifested in the graphic expressions. A document, written by an AD patient presents an honest expression of the patient’s intention if that document is legible, clear, and comprehensive. Conclusion The identification of impairment/deficits in writing and cognition during different phases of AD may facilitate the understanding of disease progression and identify the occasions during which the patient may be considered sufficiently lucid to make decisions.
Relationship between genomic DNA ploidy and parameters of liver damage during necrosis and regeneration induced by thioacetamide

Thioacetamide proved to be a potent necrogenic agent when a single dose of 6.6 mmol/kg was administered intraperitoneally to rats. Its necrogenic ability was assessed on the basis of morphological and biochemical changes. The injury of centrilobular hepatocytes showed a peak of cell death 24 hr after thioacetamide administration; it was followed immediately by the regenerative response. Parallel increases of serum aminotransferases, isocitrate dehydrogenase and γ‐glutamyl transferase activities were observed. Severe liver damage was also evident at 24 hr on the basis of glutathione depletion (29% of control), malondialdehyde production (169%), cytochrome P‐450 level decrease (26%) and increased activity of glutathione S‐transferase (160%). We checked the regenerative response by determining nuclear DNA content in isolated hepatocytes 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hr after thioacetamide administration. Changes in DNA cell distribution between G0‐G1, S and G2 + M phases of the cell cycle were observed. The sharp decrease in the percentage of the tetraploid cell population (G2 + M phases) and the abrupt increase of the S‐phase cells at 36 and 48 hr suggest transition from adult to fetal in hepatocyte populations obtained 24 and 36 hr after thioacetamide treatment. At 72 hr of treatment, hepatocyte populations showed recovery to adult state. In the shift from the adult to fetal, registered at 24, 36 and 48 hr after thioacetamide administration, mitosis seemed to precede the synthesis of DNA. (HEPATOLOGY 1993;18:912‐918).
Clodronate Reduces the Incidence of Fractures in Community‐Dwelling Elderly Women Unselected for Osteoporosis: Results of a Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Randomized Study

A 3‐year prospective, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial of oral clodronate 800 mg showed that the incidence of clinical fractures was decreased by 20% in 5596 elderly women unselected for osteoporosis. The effect occurred in the absence of systematic calcium and vitamin D supplementation and was observed across a wide range of BMDs.
Impact Acceleration Injury in the Rat: Evidence for Focal Axolemmal Change and Related Neurofilament Sidearm Alteration

Recently we reported that traumatic brain injury evokes local changes in the axolemma's permeability, in concert with local cytoskeletal changes involving neurofilament (NF) compaction and sidearm loss, all of which contribute to the genesis of reactive axonal change. Since it was of concern that these events may be either injury model- or species-specific, we sought to address these phenomena in a different but well-characterized animal model and species. Further, to provide more compelling insight into the potential for NF compaction and sidearm alteration, we also employed antibodies specific for the NF rod domains, which are readily visualized only when the NF sidearms are disturbed. Rats were subjected to impact acceleration injury. To assess the potential for altered axolemmal permeability, 5 animals received intrathecal horseradish peroxidase (HRP), normally excluded by the intact axolemma. To assess the potential for NF sidearm alteration, another 14 animals were processed for the visualization of antibodies targeting the NF rod domain at 5 minutes (min) to 24 hours (h) postinjury. All animals were evaluated at the LM and EM levels. Those animals receiving intrathecal HRP showed immediate focal alterations in the axolemma's permeability to the normally excluded tracer. Over a 2 h period, these axons demonstrated NF compaction. Antibodies targeted to the rod domains revealed focal intra-axonal immunoreactivity in sites closely correlated with those showing altered axolemmal permeability. These same sites also demonstrated evidence of NF compaction and sidearm loss/perturbation. Collectively, these findings suggest that occurrence of altered axolemmal permeability and concomitant cytoskeletal change are features common to traumatic brain injury in various animal models and species. Further, these studies underscore the utility of antibodies targeting the rod domain for the early detection of traumatically induced reactive change.
Improvement in health-related quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus patients enrolled in a randomized clinical trial comparing LJP 394 treatment with placebo

In a 76-week, randomized controlled trial, patients received 100mg LJP 394 or placebo weekly for 16 weeks followed by three 12-week treatment cycles of 50mg LJP 394 or placeboweekly each separated by eight-week periods when no therapy was administered.Health-relatedquality of life (HRQOL) was assessed using SF-36 at baseline, 16 weeks and every 12 weeks thereafter. Analyses populations included intent to treat (ITT) (n 179) and patients with high-affinity anti-dsDNA antibody binding (HA): 157/179; 85% active, 90% placebo. In the ITT population, there were improvements in role emotional (RE) (7.3 versus - 8.2), social functioning (SF) (4.3 versus 0.7), and role physical (RP) (11.3 versus 6.0) domains in the active treatment group when compared with placebo, with similar changes observed in the HA population. In 37 patients with data pre- and post-renal flares, those receiving LJP 394 reported stabilization or improvement in all but one domain compared with deterioration in all domains with placebo. Changes in RE domain scores following a flare differed by 22.7 points between the two treatment groups, favouring LJP 394 treatment. Patients receiving LJP 394 reported stable or improved HRQOL with active treatment following renal flares compared with deterioration in placebo. Differences between treatment groups in RE and SF domains are clinically important and were replicated irrespective of the protocol population analysed.
Young Children with Orthopedic Handicaps: Self-Knowledge about Their Disability

Thirty children, age 36 to 83 months, were interviewed to ascertain the extent of their awareness of their orthopedic disability. Parent and teacher interviews were conducted to determine types and frequencies of discussions about the child's disability. Results supported previous findings that age of the child was significantly correlated with a child's awareness of differences and disability. However, additional findings indicated that occurrence of discussions on disabilities at home, but not at school, was significantly correlated with awareness. Implications of the findings for home and school discussions are discussed.
Healthcare professionals' perceptions toward interprofessional collaboration in palliative home care: A view from Belgium

There is a growing need for palliative care, with the majority of palliative patients preferring palliative home care from their general practitioner (GP). GPs join specialized palliative home care teams (PHCTs) to perform this task. GPs' views on this collaboration are not known. This study explores the perceptions and preferences of GPs toward interprofessional collaboration. By employing a grounded theory approach, five focus groups were conducted in Flanders, Belgium with a total of 29 participants (professionals from PHCTs; professionals from organizations who provide training and education in palliative care and GPs who are not connected to either of the aforementioned groups). Analysis revealed that GPs considered palliative home care as part of their job. Good relationships with patients and families were considered fundamental in the delivery of high quality care. Factors influencing effective interprofessional collaboration were team competences, team arrangements (responsibilities and task description) and communication. GPs' willingness to share responsibilities with equally competent team members requires further research.
Stabilization technique for columella using trimmed autologous temporal fascia in type III and IV tympanoplasty – muffler method

Conclusion: High success rates of recovery of hearing level in type III and IV tympanoplasty could be achieved by this stabilization technique for columella using trimmed autologous temporal fascia. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate a new stabilization technique for columella using trimmed autologous temporal fascia in type III and IV tympanoplasty. Patients and methods: A total of 55 patients (21 male, 34 female, aged 4–85 years) with chronic otitis media (n=16) and cholesteatoma (n=39) underwent tympanoplasty using this new stabilization technique for columella. Thirty-one patients underwent type III tympanoplasty and 24 patients underwent type IV tympanoplasty. Forty-two patients underwent a staged operation and 13 patients underwent a single operation. The observation period was 3.5 years from 6 months after the last operation. Results: The overall success rates in type III and IV tympanoplasty were 87.1% (27/31) and 83.3% (20/24), respectively. Two of eight patients for whom the procedure was unsuccessful underwent reoperation and they acquired good hearing.
The role of charged residues in independent glycine receptor folding domains for intermolecular interactions and ion channel function

Glycine receptor (GlyR) truncations in the intracellular TM3‐4 loop, documented in patients suffering from hyperekplexia and in the mouse mutant oscillator, lead to non‐functionality of GlyRs. The missing part that contains the TM3‐4 loop, TM4 and C‐terminal sequences is essential for pentameric receptor arrangements. In vitro co‐expressions of GlyRα1‐truncated N‐domains and C‐domains were able to restore ion channel function. An ionic interaction between both domains was hypothesized as the underlying mechanism. Here, we analysed the proposed ionic interaction between GlyR N‐ and C‐domains using C‐terminal constructs with either positively or negatively charged N‐termini. Charged residues at the N‐terminus of the C‐domain did interfere with receptor surface expression and ion channel function. In particular, presence of negatively charged residues at the N‐terminus led to significantly decreased ion channel function. Presence of positive charges resulted in reduced maximal currents possibly as a result of repulsion of both domains. If the C‐domain was tagged by a myc‐epitope, low maximal current amplitudes were detected. Intrinsic charges of the myc‐epitope and charged N‐terminal ends of the C‐domain most probably induce intramolecular interactions. These interactions might hinder the close proximity of C‐domains and N‐domains, which is a prerequisite for functional ion channel configurations. The remaining basic subdomains close to TM3 and 4 were sufficient for domain complementation and functional ion channel formation. Thus, these basic subdomains forming α‐helical elements or an intracellular portal represent attractants for incoming negatively charged chloride ions and interact with the phospholipids thereby stabilizing the GlyR in a conformation that allows ion channel opening.
Osteocyte death during orthodontic tooth movement in mice.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the time course of osteocyte death in a mouse model of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) and its association to the caspase-3 activation pathway and osteoclast formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-five male wild type CD-1 mice (8-12 weeks old) were loaded with an orthodontic appliance. A spring delivering 10-12 g of force was placed between the right first molar and the incisor to displace the first molar mesially. The contralateral unloaded sides served as the control. The animals were equally divided into five different time points: 6, 12, 24, and 72 hours and 7 days of orthodontic loading. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, caspase-3 immunostaining, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining was performed on histologic sections of the first molars. The labeling was quantified in osteocytes on the compression side of the alveolar bone at each time point. RESULTS TUNEL labeling significantly increased at 12, 24, and 72 hours after orthodontic loading; the peak was observed at 24 hours. Elevated caspase-3 labeling was noted at 12, 24, and 72 hours and 7 days after loading, although the increase was not significant. Significant osteoclast formation was initially evident after 72 hours and progressively increased up to 7 days. CONCLUSIONS Osteocyte death during OTM peaks at 24 hours, earlier than initial osteoclast activation. However, only a slight trend for increased caspase-3 activity suggests that other mechanisms might be involved in osteocyte death during OTM.
Antifungal efficacy of three medicinal plants Glycyrrhiza glabra, Ficus religiosa, and Plantago major against oral Candida albicans: A comparative analysis

Introduction: From ancient times, plants with medicinal values are being tested and used in the treatment of various infectious diseases. Aims and Objectives: The present in vitro study was designed to assess the antifungal activity of three commonly available medicinal plants Glycyrrhiza glabra, Ficus religiosa, and Plantago major on inhibiting oral Candida albicans in comparison to standard antifungal agents. Materials and Methods: Bark of G. glabra, stem of F. religiosa, and husk of P. major were collected, crushed into fine powder, and dissolved in 67% ethanol. Extracts were subjected to antifungal efficacy test against oral C. albicans (ATCC 66027) using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Mean zone of inhibition (ZOI) was measured by HI antibiotic zone scale. One-way ANOVA using Tukey′s post hoc and t-test were applied for statistical analysis. Results: G. glabra was found to be most effective among the three with highest mean ZOI measuring 19.8 ± 0.83, 19.4 ± 0.54, and 18.2 ± 1.09 at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. Tukey′s post hoc test showed statistically nonsignificant difference between antifungal activity of F. religiosa and P. major with itraconazole 10 mcg. Conclusion: G. glabra, F. religiosa, and P. major showed acceptable potency against C. albicans (ATCC 66027) comparable to that of synthetic antifungal agents. However, further studies should be undertaken to affirm the same and test their efficacy in different concentrations and clinical utility.
Stable Direct Adaptive Neural Control of an Electrically Driven Dual-Axis Motion Platform Using Backstepping Technique

Abstract In this paper, the adaptive backstepping neural control (ABNC) is applied to an electrically driven dual-axis motion platform. The Dynamic model of the electrically driven dual-axis motion is obtained by coupling the dynamics of the dual-axis motion platform with the actuators (DC motors) dynamics. Thus, it is more realistic to select the actuators input voltages to be the control inputs instead of input torques, unlike the case when the actuators dynamics are not included. Unlike the existing ABNC techniques, single hidden layer feedforward neural networks with additive hidden nodes (SLFNN) are used to approximate the unknown nonlinear functions in the actual and virtual control laws where the networks parameters are adjusted based on extreme learning machine (ELM) algorithm. In ELM-based SLFNN, the hidden layer parameters are randomly selected and only the output layer weights linking the hidden layer with the output layer are needed to be updated. The adaptive update laws for the output layer weights are derived based on Lyapounov stability theory for guaranteeing semi-global boundedness of all signals in the closed-loop system. The simulation study illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed controller and shows that the system outputs track the desired trajectories with small tracking errors.
Modeling pulmonary fibrosis with bleomycin

Purpose of review Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic pulmonary disease of unknown origin ultimately leading to death. No treatment exists yet and animal models have been employed in order to elucidate its etiopathogenesis. Here, we summarize the characteristics of the bleomycin animal model, the most commonly used model of pulmonary fibrosis, highlighting recent advances it has led us to despite its disadvantages. Recent findings Repetitive intratracheal administration of bleomycin more effectively mimics the chronic aspect of pulmonary fibrosis, as well as other characteristics including the presence of hyperplastic alveolar epithelial cells. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition seems to be a major contributor to the lung fibroblast population. There is growing evidence that macrophages, as well as fibrocytes, are largely involved in disease progression by mediating fibroblast and myofibroblast activation. In addition, molecules involved in phospholipid homeostasis are now becoming more appealing as potential therapeutic targets. Summary Despite its disadvantages, the bleomycin animal model remains the best available experimental tool for studying disease pathogenesis and testing of novel pharmaceutical compounds. Two such compounds currently showing some promise in clinical trials have emerged through the bleomycin model and preliminary results of basic research using this model have shown that more candidate compounds may follow in the near future.
Probiotic Compared with Standard Milk for High-caries Children

The aim of this study was to compare milk supplemented with probiotic lactobacilli with standard milk for the increment of caries in preschool children after 10 mo of intervention. The study was a triple-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. Participants were children aged 2 and 3 y (n = 261) attending 16 nursery schools in a metropolitan region in Chile. Nursery schools were randomly assigned to 2 parallel groups: children in the intervention group were given 150 mL of milk supplemented with Lactobacillus rhamnosus SP1 (107 CFU/mL), while children in the control group were given standard milk. Interventions took place on weekdays for 10 mo. Data were collected through a clinical examination of participants. The primary outcome measure was the increment of caries in preschool children. This was assessed using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). The dropout rate was 21%. No differences in caries prevalence were detected between the groups at baseline (P = 0.68). After 10 mo of probiotic intake, the caries prevalence was 54.4% in the probiotic group and 65.8% in the control group. The percentage of new individuals who developed cavitated lesions (ICDAS 5-6) in the control group (24.3%) was significantly higher than that in the probiotic group (9.7%). The increment of dental caries showed an odds ratio of 0.35 (P < 0.05) in favor of the probiotic group. At the cavitated lesion level, the increment of new caries lesions within the groups showed 1.13 new lesions per child in the probiotic group compared with 1.75 lesions in the control group (P < 0.05). The probiotic group showed an increment of 0.58 ± 1.17 new lesions compared with 1.08 ± 1.70 new lesions observed in the control group. The difference in caries increment was significant at the cavitated lesion level (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the regular long-term intake of probiotic-supplemented milk may reduce caries development in high-caries preschool children (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01648075).
Domestic exposure to volatile organic compounds in relation to asthma and allergy in children and adults

Over the past decades, the prevalence of asthma, allergic disease and atopy has increased significantly and in parallel with the increased use of products and materials emitting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the indoor environment. The purpose of this review is to examine the evidence of the relationship between quantitatively measured domestic exposure to VOCs and allergic diseases and allergy in children and adults. Sources, potential immune-inflammatory mechanisms and risks for development and severity of asthma and allergy have been addressed. Available evidence is based on studies that have mainly used observational designs of variable quality. Total, aromatic, aliphatic, microbial VOCs and aldehydes have been the most widely investigated VOC classes, with formaldehyde being the most commonly examined single compound. Overall, the evidence is inadequate to draw any firm conclusions. However, given indicative evidence from a few high-quality studies and significant potential for improvements in asthma outcomes in those with established disease, there is a need to consider undertaking further investigation of the relationship between domestic VOC exposure and asthma/allergy outcomes that should encompass both high-quality, robust observational studies and ultimately clinical trials assessing the impact of interventions that aim to reduce VOC exposure in children and adults with asthma.