Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Latanoprost, a balanced prostaglandin

ABSTRACT Introduction: Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness and represents a significant global health and economic concern. Prostaglandin analogs such as latanoprost – which act to reduce intraocular pressure by enhancing uveoscleral flow and slow the development and progression of glaucoma – are recommended as a first-line monotherapy. Areas covered: We review recent efficacy and safety data for latanoprost, both alone and in combination therapy, and vs. other prostaglandin analogs, focusing on the tolerability and adherence to the drug and the subsequent impact on patient-perceived quality of life. Relevant studies were identified by an electronic literature search using MEDLINE PubMed, and current global glaucoma guidelines were reviewed. Expert commentary: Prostaglandin analogs represent the cornerstone in glaucoma therapy. Individual studies demonstrate differences in efficacy between prostaglandin analogs, but within-class differences are generally small – and, on balance, latanoprost presents a good efficacy-safety profile. Low adverse event rates result in greater persistence and improved quality of life for patients. Further, a latanoprost/β-blocker combination represents an efficacious therapeutic alternative where monotherapy does not sufficiently reduce intraocular pressure. However, high-quality randomized controlled trials are required to provide further information regarding fixed-dose combination vs. unfixed combination treatment regimens.
A Note on Two Communities of Seagrasses and Rhizophytic Algae in Bermuda

Communities of seagrasses (Thalassia testudinwn Banks ex König and Syringodium filiforme Kütz. in Hohenacker) and rhizophytic algae (Halimeda incrassata (Ellis) Lamour. , Penicillus capitatus Lamarck and Udotea flabellum (Ellis et Sol.) Lamour. ) were sampled quantitatively from two sites in Bermuda. An intermixture of Thalassia and Syringodium occurs in the more exposed, sandy site, Whalebone Bay, whereas there is a sharp zonation of Thalassia (upper) and Syringodium (lower) in the more sheltered, soft-bottomed site, Ferry Reach. Thalassia was significantly more numerous (mean 903 shoots m~) at Whalebone Bay compared with Ferry Reach (mean 394 shoots m~), although plants were larger at Ferry Reach than at Whalebone Bay and the estimated Standing crop was not significantly different between the two sites. Halimeda incrassata and Penicillus capitatus were important in both beds, but Udotea flabellum was sparsely distributed. The rhizophytic algae were more abundant at Ferry Reach than at Whalebone Bay, and there was an inverse relationship between depth and number of Halimeda plants. In mixed Stands of Thalassia and Syringodium there was a tendency for exclusion of the rhizophytic algae, and in the pure stand of Syringodium at Ferry Reach, rhizophytic algae were absent.
Miscible density-stable displacement flows in inclined tube

We study the displacement flow of two Newtonian fluids in an inclined pipe. The fluids have the same viscosity but different densities. The displacing fluid is denser than the displaced fluid and is placed above the displaced fluid (i.e., a density-unstable configuration). Three dimensionless groups describe these flows: a densimetric Froude number Fr, a Reynolds number Re, and the pipe inclination β. Our experiments cover fairly broad ranges of these parameters: 0 ⩽ Fr ⩽ 9; 0 ⩽ Re ⪅ 2400; 0 ⩽ β ⩽ 85°. Phenomenologically, our experimental flow observations vary from well mixed fully diffusive regimes, through buoyancy-dominated inertial exchange regimes, to laminar viscous flows, all with varying degrees of stability. We characterize the different flow regimes observed in terms of the three dimensionless groups and provide leading order approximations to the velocity of the displacement front and the macroscopic diffusion in each regime.
Nitrate Leaching to Groundwater

Groundwater provides over 30% of developed supplies of potable water in Britain. The outcrops of the important aquifers form extensive tracts of agricultural land. Groundwater resources largely originate as rainfall that infiltrates this land. During the 1970s, growing concern about rising, or elevated, groundwater nitrate concentrations, in relation to current drinking water standards, stimulated a major national research effort on the extent of diffuse pollution resulting from agricultural land-use practices. The results presented derive from intensive and continuing studies of a number of small groundwater catchments in eastern England. It is in this predominantly arable region that the groundwater nitrate problem is most widespread and severe. The distribution of nitrate in the unsaturated and saturated zones of the aquifers concerned is summarized. These data have important implications for the water-supply industry, but their interpretation is discussed primarily in relation to what can be deduced about both the recent and long-term histories of leaching from the more permeable agricultural soils.
Mapping the network underpinnings of central post-stroke pain and analgesic neuromodulation.

Central post-stroke pain (CPSP) is a debilitating and often treatment-refractory condition that affects numerous stroke patients. The location of lesions most likely to cause pain and the identity of the functional brain networks that they impinge upon remains incompletely understood. We aimed to (1) elucidate which lesion locations are most frequently accompanied by pain; (2) explore CPSP-associated functional networks; and (3) examine how neuromodulation interacts with these networks. This multi-site study investigated 17 CPSP patients who received deep brain stimulation (DBS; n=12) or motor cortex stimulation (MCS; n=5). Pain-causing lesions were manually segmented and normalized to standard space. To identify areas linked to high risk of pain, the locations of CPSP lesions and 220 control lesions were compared using voxelwise odds-ratio mapping. The functional connectivity of pain-causing lesions was obtained using a large (n=1000) normative resting state functional MRI connectome and compared to that of control lesions and therapeutic DBS activation volumes. Brain regions most associated with CPSP risk (highest value=63 times) were located along the ascending somatosensory pathways. These areas and the majority of individual CPSP lesions were functionally connected to anterior/middle cingulate cortex, insula, thalamus, and inferior parietal lobule (PBonferroni<0.05). Extent of connectivity to thalamus, inferior parietal lobule, and precuneus also differed between CPSP and control lesions (PBonferroni<0.05). Posterior insula and thalamus shared connectivity with both CPSP lesions and pain-alleviating DBS activation volumes (PBonferroni<0.05). These findings further clarify the topography and functional connectivity of pain-causing brain lesions, and provide new insights into the network-level mechanism of CPSP neuromodulation.
Luteolin Suppresses Sepsis-Induced Cold-Inducible Rna-Binding Protein Production and Lung Injury in Neonatal MICE.

Neonatal sepsis is a life-threatening inflammatory condition. Extracellular cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP), a proinflammatory mediator, plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of sepsis-induced lung injury in neonates. Luteolin, a polyphenolic flavonoid, has potent anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effects of luteolin on CIRP production and neonatal sepsis-induced lung injury remained unknown. We therefore hypothesize that treatment with luteolin suppresses CIRP production and attenuates lung injury in neonatal sepsis. To study this, sepsis was induced in C57BL/6J mouse pups (5-7 days) by intraperitoneal cecal slurry injection (CSI). One hour after CSI, luteolin (10 mg/kg BW) or vehicle (normal saline) were administered through intraperitoneal injection. CIRP mRNA and protein were determined and lung injury were assessed at 10 hours after CSI. Our results showed that administration of luteolin decreased CIRP mRNA and protein, improved lung architecture, reduced lung edema and apoptosis after CSI. To examine the direct effect of luteolin on CIRP production, peritoneal macrophages were isolated from neonatal mice and stimulated with 100 ng/ml LPS with or without the presence of luteolin. The result indicates that luteolin directly inhibited LPS-induced CIRP production in neonatal macrophages. In addition, luteolin also downregulated HIF-1α and NLRP3 expression in septic neonates and in LPS-stimulated neonatal macrophages. In conclusion:, administration of luteolin suppresses CIRP production and attenuates lung injury in neonatal sepsis. The beneficial effect of luteolin may be related to downregulation of HIF-1α and NLRP3 expression in neonatal macrophages. Luteolin may be developed as an adjunctive therapy for neonatal sepsis.
Degradation of lysine in rice seeds: Effect of calcium, ionic strength, S-adenosylmethionine and S-2-aminoethyl- l-cysteine on the lysine 2-oxoglutarate reductase-saccharopine dehydrogenase bifunctional enzyme

Lysine biosynthesis has been extensively studied and the regulatory enzymes characterized in some of the most important crop plants, however, much less is known about the lysine degradation pathway. Lysine 2-oxoglutarate reductase (LOR) and saccharopine dehydrogenase (SDH) have recently been partially purified and characterized from plants, and have been shown to exist as a single bifunctional polypeptide. We have further characterized these enzymes from rice endosperm in relation to Ca2+ and ionic strength modulation. Optimum pH values of 7.0 and 8.0 were obtained for LOR and SDH, respectively. The LOR domain of the polypeptide was modulated by Ca2+ and ionic strength, whereas the SDH domain was not. It would appear that the modulation by Ca2+ and ionic strength of LOR is a common feature among plant LOR enzymes. S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) did not produce any significant effect on either enzyme activity, indicating that it only plays a role in the regulation of lysine biosynthesis. The effect of S-2-aminoethyl- l-cysteine (AEC) as both a substrate and an inhibitor of LOR activity was also tested. AEC was shown to partially substitute for lysine as a substrate for LOR, but was also able to inhibit LOR activity, possibly competing with lysine at the active site. The higher Km for AEC compared to lysine may reflect a lower binding affinity for AEC.
Protandry and sexual dimorphism in trans-Saharan migratory birds

Earlier arrival to reproductive sites of males relative to females (protandry) is widespread among migratory organisms. Diverse mechanisms have been proposed that may select for protandry, including competition for limiting resources (e.g., territories) or mates. In species with large variation in male reproductive success, such as polygamous species and those with intense sperm competition, early arriving males may accrue a fitness advantage because they acquire more mates or have larger chances of paternity. Comparative studies of birds have shown that sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is positively associated with the level of polygyny, whereas intense sperm competition is associated with sexual dichromatism (SD). Positive correlations between protandry and SSD or SD can therefore be expected to exist across avian species. Because large males are predicted to be better able to cope with adverse ecological conditions early in the breeding season, selection for protandry, in turn, may have a correlated response on SSD among migratory species breeding in boreal latitudes. Although previous studies of birds have analyzed the association between SSD and protandry, none has analyzed SD in relation to protandry. Here we analyze the association between protandry during spring migration, SSD, and SD in 21 trans-Saharan monogamous migratory bird species. The difference in median migration dates between females and males, reflecting protandry, was positively associated with SD but not with SSD. Because dichromatism is positively related to sperm competition across species, present results are consistent with predictions derived from sexual selection hypotheses for the evolution of protandry mediated by sperm competition. Copyright 2004.
High day-to-day and diurnal variability of oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and healthy individuals

ABSTRACT Objective: Assess the variability and differences in oxidative stress, antioxidant, and inflammatory biomarkers in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and healthy controls. Methods: Ten men and women diagnosed with T2D and ten healthy matched controls (CON) were recruited. Participants had venous blood taken at six different time points on different days, three in the morning (after overnight fast) and three in the afternoon. Inflammation (IL-6, 8, 10 and TNF-α), oxidative stress/antioxidant biomarkers (F2-isoprostanes, protein carbonyls, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione peroxidase activity, IL-6, 8 & 10 and TNF-α) were assessed. Results: Biomarker concentrations were similar between groups. There was large variability in nearly all biomarkers for both groups. For inflammatory measures, intra-individual coefficients of variation (CV) ranged from 64.0–92.1% and 100.9–259.0% for inter-individual differences. CVs for oxidative stress markers were lower (7.4–31.2% for intra-individual and 8.6–43.0% for inter-individual). TAC had the lowest intra-individual CV – 7% for T2D and 8% for CON. Protein carbonyls were more variable in the afternoon (34% CV) compared to morning (24% CV) in CON. IL-6 intra-individual CV was different between groups for afternoon measurements (93% T2D, 60% CON). Conclusion: Oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers show considerable variation in both T2D and healthy populations. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01206725.
Comparing therapeutic and adverse effects of moxifloxacin and levofloxacin in treatment of community acquired pneumonia: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

The aim of this study was to compare more conclusively the efficacy and safety of moxifloxacin, a new respiratory fluoroquinolone antibiotic with levofloxacin therapy which has been reported to possess good efficacy for community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in hospitalized elderly patient. The entire patients were mild to moderate by CAP. All the trials administered intravenously moxifloxacin (400 mg daily) and intravenously levofloxacin (200500 mg daily) for 7-14 days. Clinical response during therapy was between days 3 and 5 after the start of therapy. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs, identified in CNKI, PubMeD, Embase, Google) were performed. Eight RCTs involving 1310 patients were included in metaanalysis. Two reviewers independently extracted data from published trials that compared fluoroquinolones. A meta-analysis was performed with the clinical outcomes of moxifloxacin and levofloxacin. Moxifloxacin monotherapy was associated with better therapeutic effect [(OR=1.63, 95%CI 1.01-2.63) and similar adverse effect (OR=1.12, 95%CI 0.81-1.55)] compared with levofloxacin therapy for CAP. Moxifloxacin has better therapeutic effects with comparable adverse events compared to levofloxacin.
Abundance patterns of predatory bugs, Orius spp. (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) and their some insect preys on winter faba bean with different planting dates in Adana province, Turkey

Population densities of predatory bugs, Orius spp. (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) and their insects preys on faba bean were investigated in Adana province of Turkey in two growing seasons, 2007/08 and 2008/09. Faba bean was planted on 10 October, 25 October, 10 December and on 25 December. Insect species were sampled by beating the plants vigorously into a white plastic container. Leafhopper complex species [Asymmetrasca decedens (Paoli) and Empoasca decipiens Paoli] (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and pea aphid, Acrytosiphum pisum (Haris) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) were more abundant insect in late plantings in December. Orius spp. [Orius niger (Wolff) ve Orius laevigatus (Fieber)] were the main predacious insects. Orius spp. were significantly more abundant on the early-planted beans in January-February, but later, Orius adults moved to late- planted plots, especially plots planted on 10 December when plants were bearing high numbers of flowers at that period. Although significant and positive relationships between Orius spp. and aphid populations were detected only in plots with the latest planting date, but this relationship had no more contribution to abundance of Orius spp. It is commented that Orius spp. benefited more from the faba bean plants for plant meal, shelter, mating and ovipositon sites than from insect prey species. Finally, it would better to cultivate faba bean in late October (preferentially, on 25 October) in the eastern Mediterranean region conditions, due to plants having low abundance of main pests and high abundance of the predators, and also high numbers of fruiting parts.
The 5,6‐epoxycholesterol metabolic pathway in breast cancer: Emergence of new pharmacological targets

Metabolic pathways have emerged as cornerstones in carcinogenic deregulation providing new therapeutic strategies for cancer management. Recently, a new branch of cholesterol metabolism has been discovered involving the biochemical transformation of 5,6‐epoxycholesterols (5,6‐ECs). The 5,6‐ECs are metabolized in breast cancers to the tumour promoter oncosterone whereas, in normal breast tissue, they are metabolized to the tumour suppressor metabolite, dendrogenin A (DDA). Blocking the mitogenic and invasive potential of oncosterone will present new opportunities for breast cancer treatment. The reactivation of DDA biosynthesis, or its use as a drug, represents promising therapeutic approaches such as DDA‐deficiency complementation, activation of breast cancer cell re‐differentiation and breast cancer chemoprevention. This review presents current knowledge of the 5,6‐EC metabolic pathway in breast cancer, focusing on the 5,6‐EC metabolic enzymes ChEH and HSD11B2 and on 5,6‐EC metabolite targets, the oxysterol receptor (LXRβ) and the glucocorticoid receptor.
Plasma Phospholipid Metabolites Associate With Functional Outcomes Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Older Adults

Objective: To compare differences using a metabolomics approach in older adults (≥55) with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) to control adults and to identify a signature profile related to functional outcome 3–6 months post-injury. Methods: We performed metabolomics analysis using LC-MS of untargeted aqueous metabolites on plasma samples taken from a parent prospective cohort study. Older adults with mTBI (n = 14) were purposively sampled to include participants with worsening (decrease in GOS-E of at least 1 level) and improved (increase in GOS-E of at least 1 level) outcomes from 3 to 6 months. The data were analyzed using PLS-DA with VIP scores, Random Forest, and spline fit between the different groups as a function of time for exposure on outcome. Results: Separation of comparisons were seen at 24 hours (negative ionization) and 6 months (positive ionization), revealing two metabolites of interest, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Phosphatidylcholine levels were higher in those with mTBI compared to controls (p < 0.05), while lower concentration of phosphatidylethanolamine was seen in those with mTBI compared to controls (p < 0.05). Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate was significant in those with mTBI compared to controls (n = 10) based on improved (n = 6) versus worsened (n = 8) outcomes from 3 to 6 months. Conclusion: We identified plasma metabolites related to phospholipid metabolism in older adults following mTBI and associated with long-term functional outcome. These findings may underly pathological mechanisms of outcome differences in older adults who experience mTBI.
Predicting board strength by X-ray scanning of logs: The impact of different measurement concepts

Abstract The objective of this study was to compare the individual board strength predictions from an X-ray log scanner by using either two or four X-ray directions. The benefit of applying traceability between log and board was also studied. In total, 119 Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst. ] sawlogs were scanned by an X-ray log scanner at the log sorting station of a sawmill and sawn into two centre pieces per log. Individual board traceability was enabled by following the rotational position of the log in the scanner and at the succeeding sawing. All boards were graded by a commercial strength grading machine before destructive testing was done. The resulting data were used to derive variables for building multivariate partial least squares strength prediction models. In the modelling a hierarchical modelling approach was used, where annual ring width, dry density and elasticity were also modelled. For all concepts studied the models’ fit was similar. Only minor benefits could be found when using four directions and traceability compared with two directions and no traceability. One conclusion is that the result for traceability, from four directions in particular, is more sensitive for the interior knot reconstruction result. The strength prediction was on the same R 2 level as for the strength grading machine.
Clinicopathological profile of neuroendocrine tumors of gastrointestinal tract

Introduction: Neuroendocrine neoplasms are derived predominately from enterochromaffin or Kulchitsky's cells. The estimated prevalence of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) is 1 to 2 cases per 100,000 people, of which gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is the most common site. And being a rare tumor, it is less studied Aim of the Study: To study the clinicopathological profile of Neuroendocrine tumors of GIT. Materials and Methods: All specimens of neuroendocrine tumors received from the Department of Surgery and Department of digestive health diseases during the period from September 2008 to September 2012 were included. Clinical details were collected from the medical records in all cases. The tumors were classified based on WHO classification 2010 using morphological findings on H&E slides. Immunohistochemistry was done in 40 cases using Synaptophysin, Chromogranin and Neuron specific enolase. Results: There were 886 neoplasms diagnosed in GIT of which 53 (5.98%) were NET. The mean age of presentation was 50 years. The male: Female ratio observed is 2:1. The most common presenting symptoms were abdominal pain followed by loss of appetite and weight. Carcinoid syndrome was seen in 2/53 (3.8%) patients . The most common site involved was Stomach followed by duodenum and ileum. NET Grade 1 was seen in 22 cases, NET Grade 2 was seen in 9cases, NET Grade3 was seen 4 cases and mixed adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) was seen in 18 cases. Metastasis to liver was seen in 3 cases Most of the NET tumors expressed the IHC markers, 95% were positive for NSE, 87.5% were positive for Synaptophysin and 82.5% cases were positive for Chromogranin Conclusion: Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are uncommon malignancies of GIT. Stomach was the most common anatomical site. NET grade 1 was the most common histological subtype. IHC markers NSE, Synaptophysin and chromogranin can be used in diagnosis of NETs