Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of nephroprotective, diuretic, and antioxidant activities of plectranthus amboinicus on acetaminophen-induced nephrotoxic rats

Plectranthus amboinicus (PA), commonly known as country borage, is a folkoric medicinal plant. Juice from its leaves is commonly used for illnesses including liver and renal conditions in the Asian sub-continent. Acetaminophen (APAP), used as an analgesic, produces liver and kidney necrosis in mammals at high doses. The aim of this study was to investigate the nephroprotective, diuretic, and antioxidant activities of the ethanol extract of PA at two doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg bw on APAP-induced toxicity in rats. This study shows that APAP significantly increases the levels of serum urea (UR), hemoglobin (Hb), total leukocyte count, creatinine, raised body weight, and reduced levels of neutrophils, granulocytes, uric acid, and platelet concentration. Ethanol extract of PA rescued these phenotypes by increasing anti-oxidative responses as assessed by biochemistry and histopathology. In addition, the ethanol extract of PA at two doses showed a significant diuretic activity by increased levels of total urine output and urinary elerolytes such as sodium and potassium. In conclusion, these data suggest that the ethanol extract of PA possess nephroprotective and antioxidant effects against APAP-induced nephrotoxicity and strong diuretics effect in rats.
Size-Controlled Electron Transfer and Photocatalytic Activity of ZnO–Au Nanoparticle Composites

This Letter describes size-controlled photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles coated with glutathione-protected gold nanoparticles with diameters of 1.1, 1.6, and 2.8 nm. The photocatalytic activity of the ZnO–Au composites was found to increase with increasing gold size for both oxidative and reductive catalytic reactions. Photoluminescence decay dynamics of the composites showed that the electron-transfer rate from the photoexcited ZnO to gold nanoparticle also increased as the gold size increased. These results demonstrate that the photogenerated electron transfer and the resulting catalytic activity of the composites can be controlled by the size of the mediating gold capacitors.
Forecasting with a Random Walk

The use of different time-series models to generate forecasts is fairly usual in the fields of macroeconomics and financial economics. When the target variable is stationary, the use of processes with unit roots may seem counterintuitive. Nevertheless, in this paper we demonstrate that forecasting a stationary variable with forecasts based on driftless unit-root processes generates bounded mean squared prediction errors at every single horizon. We also show that these forecasts are unbiased. In addition, we show via simulations that persistent stationary processes may be better predicted by driftless unit-root-based forecasts than by forecasts coming from a model that is correctly specified but is subject to a higher degree of parameter uncertainty. Finally, we provide an empirical illustration of our findings in the context of CPI inflation forecasts for a sample of industrialized economies.
Both Th1‐ and Th2‐derived cytokines in serum are elevated in Graves' ophthalmopathy

Increased serum cytokine levels have been reported in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease, but less is known about their levels in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). It is not known whether GO is a cell‐mediated or humoral autoimmune disease. We investigated whether serum cytokines are elevated in GO patients and whether the cytokines were Th1‐ or Th2‐derived. In addition, elevated cytokines might reflect the activity of GO, and thus we investigated whether cytokine levels could predict the clinical response to orbital radiotherapy. We studied 62 consecutive patients with moderately severe untreated GO and 62 healthy controls, matched for sex, age and smoking habits. Serum concentrations of IL‐1RA, sIL‐2R, IL‐6, sIL‐6R, tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) RI and II and sCD30 were measured using highly sensitive ELISAs, in the patients before and 3 and 6 months after radiotherapy. All patients were euthyroid, with anti‐thyroid drugs, before and during the entire study period. All baseline cytokine and cytokine receptor levels were significantly elevated in GO patients compared with healthy controls, except for IL‐1RA. The levels did not correlate with parameters of the thyroid disease, nor with the duration, activity or severity of GO. However, backward logistic regression analysis showed that IL‐6, sCD30 and TNFαRI were able to predict a beneficial response to orbital radiotherapy. We therefore conclude that both Th1‐ and Th2‐derived cytokines are elevated in GO patients compared with its controls. IL‐6, sCD30 and TNFαRI had some value for predicting therapeutic outcome to orbital irradiation, and may thus reflect active eye disease.
Correlation of imatinib resistance with the mutational status of KIT and PDGFRA genes in gastrointestinal stromal tumors: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Imatinib resistance is the most important clinical issue in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). However, the association of imatinib resistance with the genetic characteristics of GIST has not been clearly defined. Our meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between imatinib resistance and KIT and PDGFRA mutations in GIST. METHODS. We identified all relevant studies in PubMed and Embase. The effect sizes were calculated as prevalence or odds ratio (OR) with a random-effects model. RESULTS. We identified 10 eligible studies that included 1083 GIST cases. Total imatinib resistance was found in 35.5 % of PDGFRA-mutant tumors (OR = 2.9, P = 0.038), 33.7% of wild-type tumors (KIT and PDGFRA non-mutant tumors; OR = 2.8, P = 0.002), and 27.4% of KIT-mutant tumors (OR = 0.3, P = 0.001). Primary imatinib resistance was found in 50.0% of PDGFRA-mutant tumors (OR = 10.9, P = 0.031), 33.4% of wild-type tumors (OR = 5.9, P = 0.060), and 8.9% of KIT-mutant tumors (OR = 0.2, P = 0.025). KIT exon 9-mutant tumors showed primary resistance more frequently than exon 11-mutant and other tumors (OR = 7.6, P < 0.001). Regarding secondary resistance associated with KIT second-site mutations, the exon 17 mutation (54.5%) was most frequent, followed by exon 13 (38.3%) and 14 (13.4%) mutations. CONCLUSION. Our meta-analysis indicates that imatinib resistance is closely associated with KIT and PDGFRA genotypes in GIST. Thus, the mutational status of KIT and PDGFRA might predict response to imatinib in GIST patients.
Catastrophic health expenditures in kermanshah, west of iran: magnitude and distribution.

BACKGROUND Health policy makers are concerned about protecting people from catastrophic health expenditures and subsequent impoverishment. This study aimed to describe the magnitude and distribution of catastrophic health expenditures in Kermanshah western Iran. METHODS In this descriptive study, during May 2008, 189 households were chosen by "Systematic Random sampling" among the community of Maskan in Maskan Center for Population. After getting the informed consent forms signed, data ere collected using a questionnaire by interviewing the head of the families. The cut-off point for catastrophic expenditure was defined as health expenditures over 40% of household's capacity to pay. RESULTS From a total of 189 households, 22.2% (42) households (95% CI 16.3%- 28.1%) incurred catastrophic health expenditures. Out of 42 households, for 11.9%, the head of family was female. 40.5 % had one member younger than 12 years old, 26.2% had one member older than sixty years old, and 9.5% were households with at least one member with chronic condition. In addition, 19% were uninsured. In addition, because of financial burden of health expenditures 21.4% of the households sold their jewels, 16.7% used up their savings and 47.6% were in debt. CONCLUSION Compared to 2% of general population facing catastrophic health expenditure, 22.2% was a high proportion. Our study revealed the importance of protecting households against the cost of ill-health.
Rapid peptidomic profiling of peritoneal fluid by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for the identification of biomarkers of endometriosis

Abstract Peptidomic profiling of peritoneal fluid by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) may represent a promising, suitable, rapid method for early diagnosis and staging of endometriosis. In a case-control study, peritoneal fluid was collected from 23 patients affected by endometriosis (eight minimal/mild endometriosis and 15 moderate/severe endometriosis) and six “endometriosis free” women undergoing laparoscopy. MALDI-TOF mass spectra of the peptide fraction extracted from peritoneal fluid samples lead to identify biomarkers potentially suitable for discriminating between peritoneal fluid samples from women affected by minimal/mild endometriosis and those from women affected by moderate/severe endometriosis. Peptidomic analysis of peritoneal fluid samples may define putative peptide biomarkers suitable for staging endometriosis and improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Chinese abstract 通过基质辅助激光角吸附电离飞行时间质谱（MALDI-TOF-MS）进行腹膜液多肽组学测定也许可为子宫内膜异位症的早期诊断与分期提供一个可观、适用、快速的方法。 在一项病例对照研究中，腹腔镜下采集了23位子宫内膜异位症患者的腹膜液（8位极轻/轻度患者，15位中度/重度患者）与6位非子宫内膜异位症女性的腹膜液。 对提取自腹膜液样本的肽片段通过MALDI-TOF质谱分析测定生物标志物，可鉴别腹膜液样本是来自极轻/轻度子宫内膜异位症患者还是来自中度/重度患者。 腹膜液样本的肽测定也许证实了肽生物标志物适用于子宫内膜异位症分期这一推断，且促进了我们对子宫内膜异位症发病机制的了解。
The Inflammatory Properties of Contained and Noncontained Lumbar Disc Herniation

Study Design. The inflammatory properties of nucleus pulposus were assessed in biopsy samples from patients who underwent surgery for lumbar disc herniation. Objectives. To investigate the inflammatory properties of the different types of disc herniation. Background Data. High levels of phospholipase A2 previously have been demonstrated in a small number of patients undergoing lumbar disc surgery. Phospholipase A2 is the enzyme responsible for the liberation of arachidonic acid from cell membranes at the site of inflammation and is considered to be the limiting agent in the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are powerful mediators of inflammation. Cytokines are among the many agonists inducing phospholipase A2 activation. Several reports previously have demonstrated the difference in clinical appearance of different types of lumbar disc herniation. Methods. Thirty‐seven patients undergoing surgery for lumbar disc herniation were investigated. During surgery the disc pathology of each patient was classified into one of three groups: bulging disc, contained herniation, and noncontained disc herniation. Also during surgery, biopsy samples were taken from the nucleus, immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen, and subsequently stored at −70 C until analyzed. Results. No traces of interleukin‐6 or tumor necrosis factor alpha were found in the biopsy samples. There was a significant difference in the levels of leukotriene B4 and thromboxane B2 in contained versus noncontained disc herniation, and the highest concentration was found in the noncontained disc herniation group. Conclusion. The results support the theory that inflammatory mechanisms are involved in sciatica because of lumbar disc herniation and indicate that the different types of disc herniation have different inflammatory properties.
The Small Hydrophobic Protein of the Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Forms Pentameric Ion Channels*

Background: Few effective treatments exist for human respiratory syncytial virus infection. The absence of small hydrophobic (SH) protein in RSV leads to viral attenuation. Results: SH protein forms pentamers and shows pH-dependent ion channel activity. Conclusion: SH protein forms pentameric ion channels. Significance: The SH protein and its channel activity constitute a potential drug target. The small hydrophobic (SH) protein is encoded by the human respiratory syncytial virus. Its absence leads to viral attenuation in the context of whole organisms, and it prevents apoptosis in infected cells. Herein, we have examined the structure of SH protein in detergent micelles and in lipid bilayers, by solution NMR and attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. We found that SH protein has a single α-helical transmembrane domain and forms homopentamers in several detergents. In detergent micelles, the transmembrane domain is flanked N-terminally by an α-helix that forms a ring around the lumen of the pore and C-terminally by an extended β-turn. SH protein was found in the plasma membrane of transiently expressing HEK 293 cells, which showed pH-dependent (acid-activated) channel activity. Channel activity was abolished in mutants lacking both native His residues, His22 and His51, but not when either His was present. Herein, we propose that the pentameric model of SH protein presented is a physiologically relevant conformation, albeit probably not the only one, in which SH contributes to RSV infection and replication. Viroporins are short (∼100 amino acids) viral membrane proteins that form oligomers of a defined size, act as proton or ion channels, and in general enhance membrane permeability in the host. However, with some exceptions, their precise biological role of their channel activity is not understood. In general, viroporins resemble poorly specialized proteins but are nevertheless critical for viral fitness. In vivo, viruses lacking viroporins usually exhibit an attenuated or weakened phenotype, altered tropism, and diminished pathological effects. We have chosen to study the SH protein, 64 amino acids long, found in the human respiratory syncytial virus because of the effect of RSV on human health and the lack of adequate antivirals. We show that SH protein forms oligomers that behave as ion channels when activated at low pH. This study adds SH protein to a growing group of viroporins that have been structurally characterized. Although the precise biological role of this pentameric channel is still unknown, this report is nevertheless essential to fill some of the many gaps that exist in the understanding of SH protein function.
Analysis of αSMA‐Labeled Progenitor Cell Commitment Identifies Notch Signaling as an Important Pathway in Fracture Healing

Fracture healing is a regenerative process that involves coordinated responses of many cell types, but characterization of the roles of specific cell populations in this process has been limited. We have identified alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) as a marker of a population of mesenchymal progenitor cells in the periosteum that contributes to osteochondral elements during fracture healing. Using a lineage tracing approach, we labeled αSMA‐expressing cells, and characterized changes in the periosteal population during the early stages of fracture healing by histology, flow cytometry, and gene expression profiling. In response to fracture, the αSMA‐labeled population expanded and began to differentiate toward the osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages. The frequency of mesenchymal progenitor cell markers such as Sca1 and PDGFRα increased after fracture. By 6 days after fracture, genes involved in matrix production and remodeling were elevated. In contrast, genes associated with muscle contraction and Notch signaling were downregulated after fracture. We confirmed that activating Notch signaling in αSMA‐labeled cells inhibited differentiation into osteogenic and adipogenic lineages in vitro and ectopic bone formation in vivo. By characterizing changes in a selected αSMA‐labeled progenitor cell population during fracture callus formation, we have shown that modulation of Notch signaling may determine osteogenic potential of αSMA‐expressing progenitor cells during bone healing. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Study and Analysis of the Effects of SiGe Source and Pocket-Doped Channel on Sensing Performance of Dielectrically Modulated Tunnel FET-Based Biosensors

Dielectrically modulated tunnel FET (DMTFET)-based biosensors show higher sensitivity but lower subthreshold current compared with their dielectrically modulated FET counterpart. In this context, the effect of use of silicon-germanium (SiGe) source and n+-pocket-doped channel is investigated with the help of extensive device-level simulations. This paper explores the underlying physics of germanium composition variation in the source region, and doping concentration variation in n+-pocket region, from the perspective of biomolecule conjugation. The effects of source bandgap and tunneling length over the band-to-band tunneling component have been analyzed, and, subsequently, the sensing performance of DMTFETs has been estimated. The results show that SiGe-source DMTFET has significant superiority over n+-pocket DMTFET for attaining higher subthreshold current level while retaining acceptable sensitivity. Such sensitivity-current optimization has been studied for different gate and drain biases, and the suitable biasing range of operation has been indicated. In addition, the relative efficiency of SiGe source and n+-pocket-doped channel has been studied under different biomolecule sample specifications. Finally, the influence of trap-assisted tunneling on DMTFET sensing performance has been analyzed, and the comparative role of SiGe source and n+ pocket has also been indicated in this context.
Endogenous activity of phospholipases A and C in Ureaplasma urealyticum

The results of recent studies support the concept that Ureaplasma urealyticum may be a major cause of perinatal infection in both term and preterm infants. It has been postulated that phospholipase degradation of placental phospholipids by microorganisms triggers the onset of premature labor. Since the presence of ureaplasmas in placentas is associated with pregnancy loss, prematurity, and neonatal morbidity, we assayed U. urealyticum for the presence of phospholipase A1, A2, and C activities. Phospholipase A1 activity was low in lysates of exponential-phase cells of U. urealyticum. Phospholipase A2 activity was present and was 100-fold higher than the activity of phospholipase A1 in serotypes 3,4, and 8. The total activity and specific activity of phospholipase A2 in serotype 8 were nearly threefold higher than the activities in serotypes 3 and 4. Cell lysates of all three serotypes showed the presence of phospholipase C activity during the exponential phase of growth, and no significant difference in activity was observed among the three serotypes. In stationary-phase cells the phospholipase C activity was 10-fold lower than the activity in exponential-phase cells. Our results demonstrate that phospholipase activities are present in U. urealyticum cells and that the specific activities of phospholipase A2 differed among the three serotypes tested, while the activities of phospholipases A1 and C were similar.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 viral protein R (Vpr) arrests cells in the G2 phase of the cell cycle by inhibiting p34cdc2 activity

The Vpr accessory gene product of human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 and simian immunodeficiency virus is believed to play a role in permitting entry of the viral core into the nucleus of nondividing cells. A second role for Vpr was recently suggested by Rogel et al. (M. E. Rogel, L. I. Wu, and M. Emerman, J. Virol. 69:882-888, 1995), who showed that Vpr prevents the establishment in vitro of chronically infected HIV producer cell lines, apparently by causing infected cells to arrest in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. In cycling cells, progression from G2 to M phase is driven by activation of the p34cdc2/cyclin B complex, an event caused, in part, by dephosphorylation of two regulatory amino acids of p34cdc2 (Thr-14 and Tyr-15). We show here that Vpr arrests the cell cycle in G2 by preventing the activation of the p34cdc2/cyclin B complex. Vpr expression in cells caused p34cdc2 to remain in the phosphorylated, inactive state, p34cdc2/cyclin B complexes immunoprecipitated from cells expressing Vpr were almost completely inactive in a histone H1 kinase assay. Coexpression of a constitutively active mutant p34cdc2 molecule with Vpr relieved the G2 arrest. These findings strongly suggest that Vpr arrests cells in G2 by preventing the activation of the p34cdc2/cyclin B complex that is required for entry into M phase. In vivo, Vpr might, by preventing p34cdc2 activation, delay or prevent apoptosis of infected cells. This would increase the amount of virus each infected cell produced.
Time Course of Urothelial Changes in Rats and Mice Orally Administered Arsenite

Inorganic arsenic (arsenite and arsenate) at high exposures is a known human carcinogen, inducing tumors of the urinary bladder, skin, and lungs. In two experiments, we examined the urothelial proliferative effects of treatment with 173 ppm sodium arsenite (100 ppm arsenic) in the drinking water for 6 and 24 hr, and 3, 7, and 14 days in female F344 rats and 43.3 ppm sodium arsenite (25 ppm arsenic) in female C57BL/6 wild-type and arsenic (+3 oxidation state) methyltransferase knockout (As3mt KO) mice that are unable to methylate arsenicals. In the rat and both mouse genotypes, scanning electron microscopy showed cytotoxic urothelial changes as early as 6 hr after the start of arsenic exposure. The severity of AsIII-induced cytotoxic urothelial changes increased over time in the rat and in the As3mt KO mouse. Light microscopy showed an increase in urothelial hyperplasia in the rat. No significant increases in bromodeoxyuridine-labeling index were observed. The data support the hypothesis that the sequence of events in the mode of action for urothelial effects of orally administered inorganic arsenic in the rat and mouse involves superficial cytotoxicity with consequent regenerative increased cell proliferation similar to the findings associated with the administration of dimethylarsinic acid (DMAV) in rats.
Effects of vitamin D3 on selected biochemical parameters of nutritional status, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis.

INTRODUCTION Vitamin D3 has diverse biological effects extending beyond the maintenance of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis and ensuring the proper functioning of the body. OBJECTIVES This study evaluated the levels of vitamin D3 and its association with nutritional status, immunological activity, and selected markers of cardiovascular disease in patients on long-term hemodialysis (HD). PATIENTS AND METHODS We measured 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) levels in a group of 84 patients (mean age, 65 years; average time on dialysis, 32.5 months) and investigated correlations between 25(OH)D3 levels and the following parameters: albumin, body mass index, hemoglobin (Hb), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 10, C-reactive protein, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and comorbidity score. RESULTS A mean 25(OH)D3 level was 15.4 +/-7.2 ng/ml and only 5% of patients had 25(OH)D3 levels above the normal value of 30 ng/ml. There was no statistically significant difference in 25(OH)D3 levels between women and men (P = 0.06). A negative correlation was observed between 25(OH)D3 and IL-6 (R = -0.31, P = 0.009) and ADMA (R = -0.26, P = 0.03), as well as a positive correlation between 25(OH)D3 and Hb (R= 0.21, P = 0.05). There was no association between 25(OH)D3 levels and nutritional status. CONCLUSIONS A significant vitamin D3 deficiency observed in the majority of patients undergoing long-term HD contributes to the development of chronic inflammation, anemia, and indirectly, to endothelial cell injury.
Terlipressin vs. Somatostatin in bleeding esophageal varices: A controlled, double‐blind study

Fifty episodes of bleeding from esophageal or gastric varices in 33 patients with cirrhosis were randomized to treatment with either intravenous terlipressin (2 mg initially and 1 mg every 4 hr for 24 hr together with bolus injection and continuous infusion of placebo) or with somatostatin (250 μg as a bolus and continuous infusion of 250 μg/hr somatostatin for 24 hr and placebo injections). Standard therapy with transfusions, fluid and electrolyte correction and lactulose was administered in both groups.