Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perilla frutescens Leaf Extract and Fractions: Polyphenol Composition, Antioxidant, Enzymes (α-Glucosidase, Acetylcholinesterase, and Tyrosinase) Inhibitory, Anticancer, and Antidiabetic Activities

This study aims to evaluate the bioactive components, in vitro bioactivities, and in vivo hypoglycemic effect of P. frutescens leaf, which is a traditional medicine-food homology plant. P. frutescens methanol crude extract and its fractions (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol fractions, and aqueous phase residue) were prepared by ultrasound-enzyme assisted extraction and liquid–liquid extraction. Among the samples, the ethyl acetate fraction possessed the high total phenolic (440.48 μg GAE/mg DE) and flavonoid content (455.22 μg RE/mg DE), the best antioxidant activity (the DPPH radical, ABTS radical, and superoxide anion scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power were 1.71, 1.14, 2.40, 1.29, and 2.4 times higher than that of control Vc, respectively), the most powerful α-glucosidase inhibitory ability with the IC50 value of 190.03 μg/mL which was 2.2-folds higher than control acarbose, the strongest proliferative inhibitory ability against MCF-7 and HepG2 cell with the IC50 values of 37.92 and 13.43 μg/mL, which were considerable with control cisplatin, as well as certain inhibition abilities on acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase. HPLC analysis showed that the luteolin, rosmarinic acid, rutin, and catechin were the dominant components of the ethyl acetate fraction. Animal experiments further demonstrated that the ethyl acetate fraction could significantly decrease the serum glucose level, food, and water intake of streptozotocin-induced diabetic SD rats, increase the body weight, modulate their serum levels of TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C, improve the histopathology and glycogen accumulation in liver and intestinal tissue. Taken together, P. frutescens leaf exhibits excellent hypoglycemic activity in vitro and in vivo, and could be exploited as a source of natural antidiabetic agent.
Oxidative Stress Compromises Lymphocyte Function in Neonatal Dairy Calves

Dairy calves are unable to mount an effective immune response during their first weeks of life, which contributes to increased disease susceptibility during this period. Oxidative stress (OS) diminishes the immune cell capabilities of humans and adult cows, and dairy calves also experience OS during their first month of life. However, the impact that OS may have on neonatal calf immunity remains unexplored. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the impact of OS on newborn calf lymphocyte functions. For this, we conducted two experiments. First, we assessed the association of OS status throughout the first month of age and the circulating concentrations of the cytokines interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL) 4, as well as the expression of cytokine-encoding genes IFNG, IL2, IL4, and IL10 in peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMCs) of 12 calves. Subsequently, we isolated PBMCs from another 6 neonatal calves to investigate in vitro the effect of OS on immune responses in terms of activation of lymphocytes, cytokine expression, and antibody production following stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or bovine herpesvirus-1. The results were compared statistically through mixed models. Calves exposed to high OS status in their first month of age showed higher concentrations of IL-4 and expression of IL4 and IL10 and lower concentrations of IFN-γ and expression of IFNG and IL2 than calves exposed to lower OS. In vitro, OS reduced lymphocyte activation, production of antibodies, and protein and gene expression of key cytokines. Collectively, our results demonstrate that OS can compromise some immune responses of newborn calves. Hence, further studies are needed to explore the mechanisms of how OS affects the different lymphocyte subsets and the potential of ameliorating OS in newborn calves as a strategy to augment the functional capacity of calf immune cells, as well as enhance calves’ resistance to infections.
Determinants of COVID-19 preventive behaviours among adults with chronic diseases in the USA: an analysis of the nationally representative COVID-19 impact survey

Background Preventive behaviours have been recommended to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Adults with chronic diseases (CDs) are at higher risk of COVID-19-related mortality compared to the general population. Our objective was to evaluate adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviours among adults without CDs compared with those with CDs and identify determinants of non-adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviours. Study design Cross-sectional. Setting and participants We used data from the nationally representative COVID-19 Impact Survey (n=10 760) conducted in the USA. Primary measures Adults with CDs were categorised based on a self-reported diagnosis of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease/heart attack/stroke, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis or emphysema, cystic fibrosis, liver disease, compromised immune system, or cancer (54%). Results Compared with adults without CDs, adults with CDs were more likely to adhere to preventive behaviours including wearing a face mask (χ2-p<0.001), social distancing (χ2-p<0.001), washing or sanitising hands (χ2-p<0.001), and avoiding some or all restaurants (χ2-p=0.002) and public or crowded places (χ2-p=0.001). Adults with a high school degree or below [Adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR):1.82, 95% Confidence interval (CI)1.04 to 3.17], household income <US$50 000 (aPR:2.03, 95% CI 1.34 to 2.72), uninsured (aPR:1.65, 95% CI1.09 to 2.52), employed (aPR:1.48, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.17), residing in rural areas (aPR:1.70, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.85) and without any CD (aPR:1.78, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.55) were more likely to not adhere to COVID-19 preventive behaviours. Conclusion Adults with CDs are more likely to adhere to recommended COVID-19 preventive behaviours. Public health messaging targeting specific demographic groups and geographic areas, such as adults without CD or adults living in rural areas, should be prioritised.
[Clinical Analysis of 25 Non-Transplanted Multiple Myeloma Patients Treated with Bortezomib Maintenance].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy, survival and adverse effects of non-transplanted multiple myeloma (MM) patients treated with bortezomib maintenance. METHODS A total of 25 newly diagnosed/relapsed non-transplanted MM patients treated in West District of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital from June 2004 to November 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients received PD regimen (bortezomib and dexamethasone), including bortezomib at a dose of 1.3 mg/m2 and dexamethasone 20 mg on days 1, 8, 15, 22 in a 3-month cycle. RESULTS Till November 1, 2017, 5 patients achieved stringent complete response (sCR), 8 patients achieved complete response (CR), 7 patients achieved very good partial response (VGPR), 4 patients achieved partial reponse (PR), while 1 patient achieved stable disease (SD). After maintenance therapy, 21 patients maintained the efficacy above PR, of which 1 patient was improved from CR to sCR; 4 patients adjusted chemotherapy after disease progressed. Median maintenance therapy was 9 cycles (range from 6 to 31), and the median maintenance time was 27 months (range from 18 to 97). Median follow-up time was 73 months (range from 25 to 171). Median progress-free survival (PFS) time was 30 months (range from 9 to 105) and overall survival (OS) time was 57 months (range from 27 to 160). Till November 1, 2019, 3-year survival rate was 84% (21/25), and 5-year survival rate was 72% (13/18). The most common adverse events were transient leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and peripheral neuropathy, which the patients could tolerate after the prevention and treatment. CONCLUSION Bortezomib-based maintenance therapy for non-transplanted MM patients can be an option in consideration of its safety and efficacy.
Functional Components and Anti-Nutritional Factors in Gluten-Free Grains: A Focus on Quinoa Seeds

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) has recently received increasing interest from both scientists and consumers due to its suitability in gluten-free diets, its sustainability, and its claimed superfood qualities. The aim of this paper is to systematically review up-to-date studies on quinoa functional components and anti-nutritional factors, in order to define a baseline for food scientists approaching the investigation of quinoa phytochemicals and providing evidence for the identification of healthier sustainable foods. State of the art evaluations of phytochemical contents in quinoa seeds were obtained. It emerged that phenolic compounds are the most investigated functional components, and spectrophotometric methods have been mostly applied, despite the fact that they do not provide information about single components. Saponins are the most studied among anti-nutritional factors. Betalains, tannins, and phytoecdysteroids have been poorly explored. Information on factors affecting the phytochemical content at harvesting, such as quinoa ecotypes, crop geographical location and growing conditions, are not always available. A comprehensive characterization, encompassing several classes of functional components and anti-nutritional factors, is mainly available for quinoa varieties from South America. However, defining a standard of quality for quinoa seeds is still challenging and requires a harmonization of the analytical approaches, among others.
Levels of education and technical skills in registered nurses working in post-anaesthesia care units in Sweden.

BACKGROUND Specialized nursing care should be provided by nurses working in post-anaesthesia care units to ensure safe and successful recovery after surgery and anaesthesia. However, there is no consensus regarding the competence and education needed by nurses working in post-anaesthesia care units. AIM The aim of this study is to describe and compare levels of education and technical skills in registered nurses working in post-anaesthesia care units in Sweden, as well as the education that post-anaesthesia care unit nurse managers' desire for registered nurses working in post-anaesthesia care units. METHODS This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Sweden between September and December of 2019. A web-based survey was developed that included questions about the levels of education and technical skills possessed by registered nurses working in Swedish post-anaesthesia care units and desired by nurse managers for these nurses. The survey was evaluated for content validity by four experts. The survey was distributed to the nurse manager of each studied post-anaesthesia care unit. All nurse managers received written information and were informed that submitting the survey was considered as consenting to participate in the study. RESULTS Most surveyed nurses held a postgraduate diploma in specialist nursing. Registered nurses performed many tasks autonomously; however, there was a significant difference between specialist nurses and registered nurses, with specialist nurses being more autonomous than registered nurses. Most of the nurse managers (n = 31/45) wanted the registered nurses in their units to have education in postoperative care. The relatively low overall response rate of 58% is a study limitation. CONCLUSIONS Registered nurses working in post-anaesthesia care units in Sweden must have various technical skills. Some of these skills are only performed by specialist nurses, indicating that postoperative care is an advanced level of nursing care.
Liquid densities and liquid enthalpies of hydrogen‐containing hydrocarbon mixtures

Hydrogen, a quantum gas, raises to unique problemsin the estimation of liquid properties of mixtures containing dissolved hydrogen–a problem often encountered in hydroprocessing of hydrocarbons. The liquid density and enthalpy of a hydrogen-containing mixture in particular are not adequately described by the pseudocritical concept but are best calculated by summing the liquid partial molar quantities of hydrogen and that of hydrogen-free liquid solvent. Liquid partial molar volumes and enthalpies of hydrogen have been evaluated and the results, including the effects of pressure and composition, presented in generalized equations. These generalized equations are shown to be useful in estimating the liquid density and enthalpy of hydrogen containing mixtures.
The 3s Spreadsheet Test version 2 for assessing egocentric viewer-centered and allocentric stimulus-centered spatial neglect

Abstract The present study established the norms of the 3 s Spreadsheet Test version 2 (3S-v2 Test) with 186 healthy adults, compared performance of 23 individuals with spatial neglect after right brain stroke to the norms, and examined the extent that allocentric neglect is independent from egocentric neglect. The task required in the 3S-v2 Test is to cross out the target digit “3” in a spreadsheet that contained 10 columns and 14 rows of digit strings, including 120 target digits and 720 non-target digits. Each target is categorized with respect to its location on the page (egocentric viewer-centered) and its position within the digit string (allocentric stimulus-centered). Patients completed the 3S-v2 Test, the Apples Test, and Scene Copying Test (a five-object figure copying test). Based on the neglect classification criteria of these three tests, 18 patients (78.3%) were identified with both forms of neglect, three patients (13.0%) had isolated egocentric neglect, and two (8.7%) had isolated allocentric neglect. Among patients who were determined as having allocentric neglect by a given test, we found no significant correlation between severity of allocentric neglect and stimulus location in the egocentric reference frame. Based on the present findings, we suggest that including the 3S-v2 Test, a functionally relevant task and different from the currently available tests, may increase the comprehensiveness of neglect assessment. In addition, allocentric neglect symptoms are independent of egocentric locations.
The link between individualism-collectivism and life satisfaction among emerging adults from four countries.

The current investigation tested life satisfaction (LS), a cognitive component of subjective well-being, among emerging adults, in the context of individualism (I) and collectivism (C), by distinguishing both cultural and individual levels of analysis, considering their horizontal (H) and vertical (V) dimensions, and controlling age and gender effects. Emerging adults (N = 1760 university students, aged 18-25, Mage = 19.46, SDag = 1.50) located across four countries, namely China, Italy, Russia, and the USA, known to differ in the individualism index value (IDV), completed measures on the Horizontal and Vertical Individualism and Collectivism and Life Satisfaction. At the cultural level, an ANCOVA showed a significant country effects on LS. The post hoc comparisons indicated that the higher the country IDV score, the higher the average LS score, in the following order: Americans, Italians, Russians, and Chinese. At the individual level, LS was unrelated to HI and VI. Instead, it was associated with HC and VC. The positive link between LS and VC suggested an important role of family connectedness on LS across different cultures during emerging adulthood. However, contrary to previous studies, LS was unrelated to HI and VI.
Ten-year follow-up of cardiac function and neural regulation in a group of amateur half-marathon runners

Objective In the last years, a debate exists about type, intensity and frequency of physical exercise that is really indicated to protect healthy subjects from cardiovascular disease. Regular physical training has been associated with an improved cardiovascular risk profile, but it has also been demonstrated that strenuous and uncontrolled physical exercise could be dangerous, in terms of increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In the present study, we evaluated a group of 35 amateur half-marathon runners, who were likewise studied 10 years before (B). The results of B suggested that an increased cardiac sympathetic modulation could potentially represent a negative prognostic factor. The aim of this follow-up was to assess the medium–long-term effects of moderate to vigorous physical training on the cardiovascular neural control, cardiac function and occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. Methods Each enrolled subject underwent: (1) an interview and physical examination to ascertain the presence of cardiovascular disease; (2) standing test to evaluate the cardiovascular neural control by means of heart rate variability (HRV), arterial blood pressure (AP) variability and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS); (3) transthoracic echocardiography to evaluate cardiac function. Results At 10-year follow-up (FU), in this group of middle-aged athletes the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases was low, not unlike that of the overall population. The results of HRV analysis showed a decreased sympathetic and increased vagal modulation directed to the heart, compared with B. In addition, HRV, AP variability and BRS indices showed a physiological response to active standing. Finally, athletes had normal echocardiographic measures. Conclusion We conclude that in our group of athletes a regular moderate–vigorous physical training through the 10 years was quite beneficial as the prevalence of sympathetic cardiac modulation observed at B was not accompanied by increased cardiovascular risk, on the contrary a slight prevalence of vagal indices was observed at FU.
The Distinctive Sleep Pattern of the Human Calcarine Cortex: A Stereo-EEG Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to describe the spontaneous electroencephalographic (EEG) features of sleep in the human calcarine cortex, comparing them with the well-established pattern of the parietal cortex. METHODS We analysed pre-surgical intracerebral EEG activity in calcarine and parietal cortices during NREM and REM sleep in 7 patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy. The time course of the EEG spectral power and NREM vs. REM differences were assessed. Sleep spindles were automatically detected. To assess homeostatic dynamics, we considered the 1 st vs. 2 nd half of the night ratio in the delta frequency range (0.5-4 Hz) and the rise rate of delta activity during the 1 st sleep cycle. RESULTS While the parietal area showed the classically described NREM and REM sleep hallmarks, the calcarine cortex exhibited a distinctive pattern characterized by: a) the absence of sleep spindles; b) a large similarity between EEG power spectra of NREM and REM; c) reduced signs of homeostatic dynamics, with a decreased delta ratio between the 1 st and the 2 nd half of the night, a reduced rise rate of delta activity during the 1 st NREM sleep cycle, and lack of correlation between these measures. CONCLUSIONS Besides describing for the first time the peculiar sleep EEG pattern in the human calcarine cortex, our findings provide evidence that different cortical areas may exhibit specific sleep EEG pattern, supporting the view of sleep as a local process and promoting the idea that the functional role of sleep EEG features should be considered at a regional level.
T-Cell Dysfunction as a Limitation of Adoptive Immunotherapy: Current Concepts and Mitigation Strategies

Simple Summary T cells are immune cells that can be used to target infections or cancers. Adoptive T-cell immunotherapy leverages these properties and/or confers new features to T cells through ex vivo manipulations prior to their use in patients. However, as a “living drug,” the function of these cells can be hampered by several built-in physiological constraints and external factors that limit their efficacy. Manipulating T cells ex vivo can impart dysfunctional features to T cells through repeated stimulations and expansion, but it also offers many opportunities to improve the therapeutic potential of these cells, including emerging interventions to prevent or reverse T-cell dysfunction developing ex vivo or after transfer in patients. This review outlines the various forms of T-cell dysfunction, emphasizes how it affects various types of T-cell immunotherapy approaches, and describes current and anticipated strategies to limit T-cell dysfunction. Abstract Over the last decades, cellular immunotherapy has revealed its curative potential. However, inherent physiological characteristics of immune cells can limit the potency of this approach. Best defined in T cells, dysfunction associated with terminal differentiation, exhaustion, senescence, and activation-induced cell death, undermine adoptive cell therapies. In this review, we concentrate on how the multiple mechanisms that articulate the various forms of immune dysfunction impact cellular therapies primarily involving conventional T cells, but also other lymphoid subtypes. The repercussions of immune cell dysfunction across the full life cycle of cell therapy, from the source material, during manufacturing, and after adoptive transfer, are discussed, with an emphasis on strategies used during ex vivo manipulations to limit T-cell dysfunction. Applicable to cellular products prepared from native and unmodified immune cells, as well as genetically engineered therapeutics, the understanding and potential modulation of dysfunctional features are key to the development of improved cellular immunotherapies.
Highly Fast Response of Pd/Ta2O5/SiC and Pd/Ta2O5/Si Schottky Diode-Based Hydrogen Sensors

Herein, the fabrication of a novel highly sensitive and fast hydrogen (H2) gas sensor, based on the Ta2O5 Schottky diode, is described. First, Ta2O5 thin films are deposited on silicon carbide (SiC) and silicon (Si) substrates via a radio frequency (RF) sputtering method. Then, Pd and Ni are respectively deposited on the front and back of the device. The deposited Pd serves as a H2 catalyst, while the Ni functions as an Ohmic contact. The devices are then tested under various concentrations of H2 gas at operating temperatures of 300, 500, and 700 °C. The results indicate that the Pd/Ta2O5 Schottky diode on the SiC substrate exhibits larger concentration and temperature sensitivities than those of the device based on the Si substrate. In addition, the optimum operating temperature of the Pd/Ta2O5 Schottky diode for use in H2 sensing is shown to be about 300 °C. At this optimum temperature, the dynamic responses of the sensors towards various concentrations of H2 gas are then examined under a constant bias current of 1 mA. The results indicate a fast rise time of 7.1 s, and a decay of 18 s, for the sensor based on the SiC substrate.
Intestinal Viral Loads and Inactivation Kinetics of Livestock Viruses Relevant for Natural Casing Production: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Animal intestines are the source of edible sausage casings, which are traded worldwide and may come from areas where notifiable infectious animal diseases are prevalent. To estimate the risks of virus contamination, knowledge about the quantity of virus and decimal reduction values of the standard preservation method by salting is of great importance. A literature search, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, was performed in search engine CAB Abstracts to determine the viral load of 14 relevant animal viruses in natural casings or intestines. Only a very limited number of scientific publications per virus were found and viral loads in the intestines varied from high for ASFV (five publications), BVDV (3), CSFV (6), PPRV (3), RPV (2) and TGEV (3) to moderate for PEDV (2) and SVDV (3), low for HEV (2) and FMDV (5), very low for VESV (1) and negative for PrV (2) and VSV (1). PRRSV was found in intestines, however, viral titers were not published. Three viruses (BVDV, CSFV and PPRV) with high viral loads were selected to search for their inactivation kinetics. For casings, no inactivation data were found, however, thermal inactivation data of these viruses were available, but differed in quantity, quality and matrices. In conclusion, important data gaps still exist when it comes to the quantitative inactivation of viruses in sausage casings or livestock intestines.