Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comprehensive and mechanistic review on protective effects of kaempferol against natural and chemical toxins: Role of NF‐κB inhibition and Nrf2 activation

Different toxins, including chemicals and natural, can be entered from various routes and influence human health. Herbal medicines and their active components can attenuate the toxicity of agents via multiple mechanisms. For example, kaempferol, as a flavonoid, can be found in fruits and vegetables, and has an essential role in improving disorders such as cardiovascular disorders, neurological diseases, cancer, pain, and inflammation situations. The beneficial effects of kaempferol may be related to the inhibition of oxidative stress, attenuation of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) and nuclear factor ĸB (NF‐ĸB) as well as the modulation of apoptosis and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. This flavonoid boasts a wide spectrum of toxin targeting effects in tissue fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress thus shows promising protective effects against natural and chemical toxin induced hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity, lung, and intestinal in the in vitro and in vivo setting. The most remarkable aspect of kaempferol is that it does not focus its efforts on just one organ or one molecular pathway. Although its significance as a treatment option remains questionable and requires more clinical studies, it seems to be a low‐risk therapeutic option. It is crucial to emphasize that kaempferol's poor bioavailability is a significant barrier to its use as a therapeutic option. Nanotechnology can be a promising way to overcome this challenge, reviving optimism in using kaempferol as a viable treatment agent against toxin‐induced disorders.
Dependence of polycrystalline silicon thin-film transistor characteristics on the grain-boundary location

Dependence of transistor characteristics on the grain-boundary location in polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) thin-film transistors (TFTs) has been analyzed using device simulation. In the linear region, degradation is similar wherever the grain boundary is located. On the other hand, in the saturation region, degradation is less when the grain boundary is in the pinch-off region near the drain edge and degradation is similar when the grain boundary is elsewhere. Although this dependence is similar to the dependence on the trap location in single-crystal silicon transistors, the mechanism is different. This dependence in poly-Si TFTs is because the coulombic potential barrier caused by the grain boundary is lowered in the high electric field in the pinch-off region. This is a kind of Poole–Frenkel effect.
Instability of the Motion of a Pulsating Bubble in a Sound Field

This paper describes two related instabilities of spherical bubbles that are set into pulsation by a sound field. One instability is the observed onset of erratic dancing by bubbles that are trapped in a standing wave. This instability occurs when the sound‐pressure amplitude exceeds a threshold value, and we measured the threshold for bubbles driven below resonance in water and in isopropyl alcohol. The other instability, which also requires that the sound‐pressure amplitude exceed a threshold value, is the theoretically predicted onset of oscillation of the bubble shape. This threshold was calculated for the conditions of the previous experiments by a theory of parametric excitation based on Hill's equation. All results refer to pressure amplitudes less than 0.7 bar and frequencies from 23.6 to 28.3 kHz. From the close agreement of the measured dancing thresholds and the calculated shape‐oscillation thresholds, we conclude that the erratic dancing of pulsating bubbles in a sound field is caused by shape oscillations that are parametrically excited by the bubble pulsations.
Autophagy inhibition signals through senescence to promote tumor suppression

ABSTRACT Macroautophagy/autophagy, a stress-responsive cellular survival mechanism, plays important and context-dependent roles in cancer, and its inhibition has been implicated as a promising cancer therapeutic approach. The detailed mechanisms underlying the function of autophagy in cancer have not been fully understood. In this study, we show that autophagy inhibition promotes both the efficacy of chemotherapy for the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM) and therapy-induced senescence of GBM cells. As a specific cell fate characterized by permanent cell cycle arrest, senescence is also associated with the expression of a panel of specific secreted protein factors known as senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Intriguingly, we found that autophagy inhibition not only quantitatively enhanced GBM cell senescence but also qualitatively altered the spectrum of SASP. The altered SASP had increased potent activity to induce paracrine senescence of neighboring GBM cells, to skew macrophage polarization toward the anti-tumor M1 state, and to block the recruitment of pro-tumor neutrophils to GBM tumor tissues. Taken together, this study reveals novel functional communication between autophagy and senescence and suggests cancer therapeutic approaches harnessing autophagy blockage in inducing senescence-mediated antitumor immunity.
Brain and Cerebrospinal Fluid α‐Synuclein Real‐Time Quaking‐Induced Conversion Identifies Lewy Body Pathology in LRRK2‐PD

The neuropathology of Parkinson's disease (PD) associated with leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) mutations (LRRK2‐PD) is heterogeneous and varies with the type of mutation. There are only a few studies evaluating seeding aggregation assays to detect α‐synuclein (α‐syn) in patients with LRRK2‐PD.
Radiomics Analysis of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and Long-Term Unfavorable Outcomes Risk for Acute Stroke

Background: Diffusion-weighted imaging radiomics could be used as prognostic biomarkers in acute ischemic stroke. We aimed to identify a clinical and diffusion-weighted imaging radiomics model for individual unfavorable outcomes risk assessment in acute ischemic stroke. Methods: A total of 1716 patients with acute ischemic stroke from 2 centers were divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort. Patient outcomes were measured with the modified Rankin Scale score. An unfavorable outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score greater than 2. The primary end point was all-cause mortality or outcomes 1 year after stroke. The MRI-DRAGON score was calculated based on previous publications. We extracted and selected the infarct features on diffusion-weighted imaging to construct a radiomic signature. The clinic-radiomics signature was built by measuring the Cox proportional risk regression score (CrrScore) and compared with the MRI-DRAGON score and the ClinicScore. CrrScore model performance was estimated by 1-year unfavorable outcomes prediction. Results: A high radiomic signature predicted a higher probability of unfavorable outcomes than a low radiomic signature in the training (hazard ratio, 3.19 [95% CI, 2.51–4.05]; P<0.0001) and validation (hazard ratio, 3.25 [95% CI, 2.20–4.80]; P<0.0001) cohorts. The diffusion-weighted imaging Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, age, glucose level before therapy, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on admission, glycated hemoglobin‚ radiomic signature, hemorrhagic infarction, and malignant cerebral edema were associated with an unfavorable outcomes risk after multivariable adjustment. A CrrScore nomogram was developed to predict outcomes and had the best performance in the training (area under the curve, 0.862) and validation cohorts (area under the curve, 0.858). The CrrScore model time-dependent areas under the curve of the probability of unfavorable outcomes at 1 year in the training and validation cohorts were 0.811 and 0.801, respectively. Conclusions: The CrrScore model allows the accurate prediction of patients with acute ischemic stroke outcomes and can potentially guide rehabilitation therapies for patients with different risks of unfavorable outcomes.
Quality of life among patients with the common chronic disease during COVID-19 pandemic in Northwest Ethiopia: A structural equation modelling

Background Improving Quality of Life (QoL) for patients with chronic diseases is a critical step in controlling disease progression and preventing complications. The COVID-19 pandemic has hampered chronic disease management, lowering patients’ quality of life. Thus, we aimed to assess the quality of life and its determinants in patients with common chronic diseases, in Northwest Ethiopia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1815 randomly selected chronic patients with common chronic diseases. A standardized WHOQOL BREF tool was used, and electronic data collection was employed with the kobo toolbox data collection server. Overall QoL and the domains of Health-Related Quality of life (HRQoL) were determined. Structural equation modelling was done to estimate independent variables’ direct and indirect effects. Path coefficients with a 95% confidence interval were reported. Results About one in third, (33.35%) and 11.43% of the study participants had co-morbid conditions and identified complications, respectively. The mean score of QoL was 56.3 ranging from 14.59 and 98.95. The environmental domain was the most affected domain of HRQoL with a mean score of 52.18. Age, psychological, and environmental domains of HRQoL had a direct positive effect on the overall QoL while the physical and social relationships domains had an indirect positive effect. On the other hand, the number of medications taken, the presence of comorbidity, and complications had a direct negative impact on overall QoL. Furthermore, both rural residency and the presence of complications had an indirect negative effect on overall QoL via the mediator variables of environmental and physical health, respectively. Conclusion The quality of life was compromised in chronic disease patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the environmental domain of HRQoL was the most affected. Several socio-demographic and clinical factors had an impact on QoL, either directly or indirectly. These findings highlighted the importance of paying special attention to rural residents, patients with complications, patients taking a higher number of medications, and patients with comorbidity.
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein variant binding affinity to an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 fusion glycoproteins

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, continues to evolve and circulate globally. Current prophylactic and therapeutic countermeasures against Covid-19 infection include vaccines, small molecule drugs, and neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. SARS-CoV-2 infection is mainly mediated by the viral spike glycoprotein binding to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on host cells for viral entry. As emerging mutations in the spike protein evade efficacy of spike-targeted countermeasures, a potential strategy to counter SARS-CoV-2 infection is to competitively block the spike protein from binding to the host ACE2 using a soluble recombinant fusion protein that contains a human ACE2 and an IgG1-Fc domain (ACE2-Fc). Here, we have established Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell lines that stably express ACE2-Fc proteins in which the ACE2 domain either has or has no catalytic activity. The fusion proteins were produced and purified to partially characterize physicochemical properties and spike protein binding. Our results demonstrate the ACE2-Fc fusion proteins are heavily N-glycosylated, sensitive to thermal stress, and actively bind to five spike protein variants (parental, alpha, beta, delta, and omicron) with different affinity. Our data demonstrates a proof-of-concept production strategy for ACE2-Fc fusion glycoproteins that can bind to different spike protein variants to support the manufacture of potential alternative countermeasures for emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.
HLA class I and class II antigens in sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disorder. Its exact cause is unknown, but it is believed that an external agent may cause the characteristic immune reaction in genetically susceptible individuals. There is therefore general recognition that genetic vulnerability to sarcoidosis is one of the potential risk factors. HLA is encoded by genes in the major histocompatibility complex on chromosome 6. These surface cells are important in presentation of antigen and play a key part in the body's immune response to external antigens. Various HLA subtypes are more common in people with sarcoidosis than in those without. Variances in vulnerability, presentation, progression and prognosis have been related to different HLA phenotypes. HLA genes offer information into the factors driving sarcoidosis and prognosticating tools. However, in Africa, including South Africa (SA), there are no data on HLA types in relation to sarcoidosis. OBJECTIVES To determine HLA class I and II associations in SA sarcoidosis patients. METHODS Phenotype frequencies of HLA-A, B and C and DQB1 and DRB1 were calculated for 51 consecutive patients with biopsy-proven sarcoidosis attending the respiratory clinic at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and 63 controls, who were potential organ donors. The frequencies of the tested HLA loci were determined by direct counting. The significance of the associations between the various loci tested for and the presence or absence of sarcoidosis was estimated from 2 × 2 tables using the χ2 test. RESULTS Of the 51 patients, 70.6% were female. The mean age was 44.6 years. Analysis of HLA class I and class II phenotypes in sarcoidosis patients revealed a significant association with HLA-B15, C4, C7, C12, C15, C16, C17, DQ3, DR8 and DR11. In addition, a significant negative (protective) association with HLA A9, A28, B12, B17 and DR2 was observed. CONCLUSION This HLA study in SA patients suggests that genetic factors play a role in the causation of sarcoidosis. Some HLA subtypes have a significant association with sarcoidosis in SA patients, while other subtypes may be protective. The study supported the association of HLA antigens with sarcoidosis and implies that there is a genetic predisposition to sarcoidosis in the SA population.
Plant (di)terpenoid evolution: from pigments to hormones and beyond

Covering: up to 2014–2022. Diterpenoid biosynthesis in plants builds on the necessary production of (E,E,E)-geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) for photosynthetic pigment production, with diterpenoid biosynthesis arising very early in land plant evolution, enabling stockpiling of the extensive arsenal of (di)terpenoid natural products currently observed in this kingdom. This review will build upon that previously published in the Annual Review of Plant Biology, with a stronger focus on enzyme structure–function relationships, as well as additional insights into the evolution of (di)terpenoid metabolism since generated.
Determining the effectiveness of the immature granulocyte percentage and systemic immune-inflammation index in predicting acute pyelonephritis

ABSTRACT Aim The most serious form of urinary tract infection (UTI) is acute pyelonephritis (APN), which can result in bacteremia and renal scarring. This study aims to show the roles that the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and the immature granulocyte (IG) percentage play in predicting APN in pediatric patients by comparing them with traditional infection markers. By illustrating a significant relationship between APN, the IG percentage, and the SII, the study’s contributions to the differential diagnosis of UTI can promote a rapid and appropriate treatment of APN. Material and Methods The present study included 522 pediatric patients. The patients were divided into two groups: (I) an APN group (n = 236) and (II) a lower UTI group (n = 286). Results The mean age of the sample was 5.05 ± 4.7 years. According to the most appropriate cutoff values, the findings showed that among all the parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP) and the IG percentage had the highest sensitivities, specificities, and predictive values for predicting APN. Conclusion This study emphasizes the support features of the IG percentage and the SII in the diagnosis of APN in pediatric patients, a topic that has recently attracted attention. The findings indicated that among all of the parameters behind CRP, the IG percentage and the SII had the highest sensitivities, specificities, and predictive values for forecasting APN. It is worth noting that these methods can be applied without additional costs or burdens to the patient.
K-groups of C*-algebras deformed by actions of Rd

Abstract We show that the topological K -groups of a C *-algebra deformed by an action of R d are isomorphic to those of the original C *-a1gebra. We do this by exhibiting the deformed algebra as a suitable generalized fixed-point algebra. This also shows that the deformed algebra is nuclear if the original one is.
Capillary instability of elliptic liquid jets

Instability of a liquid jet issuing from an elliptic nozzle in Rayleigh mode is investigated and its behavior is compared with a circular jet. Mathematical solution of viscous free-surface flow for asymmetric geometry is complicated if 3-D analytical solutions are to be obtained. Hence, one-dimensional Cosserat (directed curve) equations are used which can be assumed as a low order form of Navier-Stokes equations for slender jets. Linear solution is performed using perturbation method. Temporal dispersion equation is derived to find the most unstable wavelength responsible for the jet breakup. The obtained results for a circular jet (i.e., an ellipse with an aspect ratio of one) are compared with the classical results of Rayleigh and Weber for inviscid and viscous cases, respectively. It is shown that in the Rayleigh regime, which is the subject of this research, symmetric perturbations are unstable while asymmetric perturbations are stable. Consequently, spatial analysis is performed and the variation of growth rate under the effect of perturbation frequencies for various jet velocities is demonstrated. Results reveal that in comparison with a circular jet, the elliptic jet is more unstable. Furthermore, among liquid jets with elliptical cross sections, those with larger ellipticities have a larger instability growth rate.
Granular analysis of pathways to care and durations of untreated psychosis: A marginal delay model

Objective An extensive international literature demonstrates that understanding pathways to care (PTC) is essential for efforts to reduce community Duration of Untreated Psychosis (DUP). However, knowledge from these studies is difficult to translate to new settings. We present a novel approach to characterize and analyze PTC and demonstrate its value for the design and implementation of early detection efforts. Methods Type and date of every encounter, or node, along the PTC were encoded for 156 participants enrolled in the clinic for Specialized Treatment Early in Psychosis (STEP), within the context of an early detection campaign. Marginal-delay, or the portion of overall delay attributable to a specific node, was computed as the number of days between the start dates of contiguous nodes on the PTC. Sources of delay within the network of care were quantified and patient characteristic (sex, age, race, income, insurance, living, education, employment, and function) influences on such delays were analyzed via bivariate and mixed model testing. Results The period from psychosis onset to antipsychotic prescription was significantly longer (52 vs. 20.5 days, [p = 0.004]), involved more interactions (3 vs. 1 nodes, [p<0.001]), and was predominated by encounters with non-clinical nodes while the period from antipsychotic to STEP enrollment was shorter and predominated by clinical nodes. Outpatient programs were the greatest contributor of marginal delays on both before antipsychotic prescription (median [IQR] of 36.5 [1.3–132.8] days) and (median [IQR] of 56 [15–210.5] days). Sharper functional declines in the year before enrollment correlated significantly with longer DUP (p<0.001), while those with higher functioning moved significantly faster through nodes (p<0.001). No other associations were found with patient characteristics and PTCs. Conclusions The conceptual model and analytic approach outlined in this study give first episode services tools to measure, analyze, and inform strategies to reduce untreated psychosis.
The effect of the endoscopic device Endocuff™/Endocuff vision™ on quality standards in colonoscopy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized trials

The adenoma detection rate (ADR) is an important quality measure, with a high ADR reflecting high‐quality colonoscopy. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to assess the effects of Endocuff™/Endocuff Vision™‐assisted colonoscopy (EAC) versus standard colonoscopy (SC) on ADR and other clinical, patient and resource‐use outcomes.
Ultraviolet extinction toward a quiescent molecular cloud in the Small Magellanic Cloud

Context. The mean UV extinction law for the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) is usually taken as a template for low-metallicity galaxies. However, its current derivation is based on only five stars, which renders its universality questionable. More targets with measured extinction laws in the SMC are necessary to determine its possible dependence on parameters such as metallicity and starforming activity. Aims. We aim to measure the UV extinction law for several stars in the quiescent molecular cloud SMC B1-1. Methods. We obtained HST/STIS slitless UV spectroscopy of a 25 �� × 25 �� field of view and combined it with ground-based NIR and visible photometry of the stars in the field. The results were processed using the Bayesian photometric package CHORIZOS to derive the visible-NIR extinction values for each star. The unextinguished spectral energy distributions (SEDs) obtained in this way were then used to derive the UV extinction law for the four most extinguished stars. We also recalculated the visible-NIR extinction for the five SMC stars with preexisting UV extinction laws. Results. The UV extinction law for four SMC B1-1 stars that are situated within several pc of each other differs significantly from star to star. The 2175 A bump is moderately strong in one, weak in two, and absent in the fourth.