Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties of the new PPARγ agonist MDG548: an in vitro and in vivo study in PD models

Neuroinflammation is a key component of Parkinson’s disease (PD) neuropathology. Skewed microglia activation with pro-inflammatory prevailing over anti-inflammatory phenotypes may contribute to neurotoxicity via the production of cytokines and neurotoxic species. Therefore, microglia polarization has been proposed as a target for neuroprotection. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is expressed in microglia and peripheral immune cells, where it is involved in macrophages polarization and in the control of inflammatory responses, by modulating gene transcription. Several studies have shown that PPARγ agonists are neuroprotective in experimental PD models in rodents and primates. however safety concerns have been raised about PPARγ agonists thiazolidinediones (TZD) currently available, prompting for the development of non-TZD compounds. Aim of this study was to characterize a novel PPARγ agonist non TZD, MDG548, for its potential neuroprotective effect in PD models and its immunomodulatory activity as the underlying mechanism of neuroprotection. The neuroprotective activity of MDG548 was assessed in vivo in the subacute MPTP model and in the chronic MPTP/probenecid (MPTPp) model of PD. MDG548 activity on microglia activation and phenotype was investigated in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) via the evaluation of pro- (TNF-α and iNOS) and anti-inflammatory (CD206) molecules, with fluorescent immunohistochemistry. Moreover, cultured murine microglia MMGT12 were treated with MDG548 in association with the inflammagen LPS, pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules were measured in the medium by ELISA assay and phagocytosis was evaluated by fluorescent immunohistochemistry for CD68. MDG548 arrested dopaminergic cells degeneration in the SNc in both the subacute MPTP and the chronic MPTPp models of PD, and reverted MPTPp-induced motor impairment. Moreover, MDG548 reduced microglia activation, iNOS and TNF-α production, while induced CD206 in microglia. In cultured unstimulated microglia, LPS increased TNF-α production and CD68 expression, while decreased CD206 expression. MDG548 reverted LPS effect on TNF-α and CD206 restoring physiological levels, while strongly increased CD68 expression. Results suggest that the PPARγ agonist MDG548 is neuroprotective in experimental models of PD. MDG548 targets microglia polarization by correcting the imbalance between pro- over antiinflammatory molecules, offering a novel immunomodulatory approach to neuroprotection.
Analysis of Spatial Heterogeneity and the Scale of the Impact of Changes in PM2.5 Concentrations in Major Chinese Cities between 2005 and 2015

Deteriorating air quality is one of the most important environmental factors posing significant health risks to urban dwellers. Therefore, an exploration of the factors influencing air pollution and the formulation of targeted policies to address this issue are critically needed. Although many studies have used semi-parametric geographically weighted regression and geographically weighted regression to study the spatial heterogeneity characteristics of influencing factors of PM2.5 concentration change, due to the fixed bandwidth of these methods and other reasons, those studies still lack the ability to describe and explain cross-scale dynamics. The multi-scale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) method allows different variables to have different bandwidths, which can produce more realistic and useful spatial process models. By applying the MGWR method, this study investigated the spatial heterogeneity and spatial scales of impact of factors influencing PM2.5 concentrations in major Chinese cities during the period 2005–2015. This study showed the following: (1) Factors influencing changes in PM2.5 concentrations, such as technology, foreign investment levels, wind speed, precipitation, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), evidenced significant spatial heterogeneity. Of these factors, precipitation, NDVI, and wind speed had small-scale regional effects, whose bandwidth ratios are all less than 20%, while foreign investment levels and technologies had medium-scale regional effects, whose bandwidth levels are 23% and 32%, respectively. Population, urbanization rates, and industrial structure demonstrated weak spatial heterogeneity, and the scale of their influence was predominantly global. (2) Overall, the change of NDVI was the most influential factor, which can explain 15.3% of the PM2.5 concentration change. Therefore, an enhanced protection of urban surface vegetation would be of universal significance. In some typical areas, dominant factors influencing pollution were evidently heterogeneous. Change in wind speed is a major factor that can explain 51.6% of the change in PM2.5 concentration in cities in the Central Plains, and change in foreign investment levels is the dominant influencing factor in cities in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Sichuan Basin, explaining 30.6% and 44.2% of the PM2.5 concentration change, respectively. In cities located within the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, NDVI is a key factor, reducing PM2.5 concentrations by 9.7%. Those results can facilitate the development of region-specific measures and tailored urban policies to reduce PM2.5 pollution levels in different regions such as Northeast China and the Sichuan Basin.
The Effects of Monomer Size Distribution on the Radiative Properties of Black Carbon Aggregates

Black carbon (BC), normally existing as aggregates, significantly affects the Earth radiative forcing, energy balance, and climate by scattering and absorbing both solar radiation and terrestrial emission. The BC particles are usually treated as fractal aggregates with same-sized monomers. However, experimental studies show that monomer diameters of BC normally obey a lognormal distribution ranging from 10 nm to over 100 nm. This study investigates the effects of monomer size distribution on the radiative properties of BC particles. The fractal aggregates are generated by a cluster–cluster aggregation (CCA) algorithm, and the Multiple Sphere T-Matrix (MSTM) method is used to simulate the radiative properties of randomly oriented aggregates. The integral radiative properties of aggregates with different-sized monomers have normal distributions with large standard deviations, and it requires to average radiative properties of over 60 aggregate realizations to represent their ensemble-averaged properties. The aggregates with different-sized monomers exhibit much stronger scattering and absorption than the aggregates with same-sized monomers and the geometric mean diameter, whereas the absorption cross section becomes comparable to that given by aggregates with same-sized monomer and the equivalent volume diameter. Similar phase matrix elements are obtained for the aggregates with different-sized and same-sized monomers. Furthermore, the Rayleigh-Debye-Gans (RDG) approach is significantly challenged for approximating the absorption and scattering cross sections of the aggregates with different-sized monomers, whereas it performs quite accurately for the phase matrix elements. Copyright 2015 American Association for Aerosol Research
New Understanding of Morphology Evolution of Thermoplastic Vulcanizate (TPV) during Dynamic Vulcanization

Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) have attracted considerable attention as typical “green” polymers in recent years and have been widely used in industry because they combine the excellent resilience of conventional elastomers and the easy recyclability of thermoplastics. With a new understanding of the formation and agglomeration of the rubber nanoparticles in ethylene propylene diene monomer/polypropylene (EPDM/PP) TPV, we revealed a new mechanism for the morphology evolution of TPV during dynamic vulcanization (DV). The phase inversion in TPV is dominated by the formation and agglomeration of the rubber nanoparticles rather than the elongation and breakup of the cross-linked rubber phase as previously reported. The size of the rubber agglomerates increases with increasing DV time and then remains constant after DV. In addition, we studied the relationship between the cross-linking of the rubber phase, formation and agglomeration of the rubber nanoparticles, and phase inversion and variation of the rubb.
Anti‐inflammatory effect and bone induction ability of hainosankyuto in the human osteosarcoma cell line Saos‐2

Hainosankyuto is a traditional Japanese medicine known as Kampo. It is mainly used to treat skin pain and mucosal suppurative diseases. Hainosankyuto also alleviates pain resulting from local reddening and swelling and promotes pus discharge. Our previous cell culture and animal experiments demonstrated the anti‐inflammatory effect of hainosankyuto on periodontal disease (Kampo Med. 45, 601–607, 2018). Periodontal disease affects periodontal tissues, such as the gingiva and alveolar bone, due to inflammation. Our study aimed to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory effects of hainosankyuto on osteoblasts and assess whether this medicine affects their bone‐forming ability.
Family Firms and Innovation from Founder to Successor

Several empirical investigations indicate that family firms are more innovative under the founding generation’s leadership and become less innovative in later stages, while others state the opposite. Within this debate, limited attention has been devoted to understanding how intra-family succession might be an opportunity to maintain or improve family firms’ innovativeness. This paper aims to explore how family firms’ innovativeness may evolve from the first to the second generation and understand which conditions may favour or hamper this change. A qualitative approach based on a multiple case study was adopted, conducting seven face-to-face semi-structured interviews with founders and successors that formed the basis of four case studies. The results reveal four different dynamics that characterise how a first-generation family firm’s innovation capacities are or are not passed on to the second generation: decline, transformation, consolidation and preservation. Findings also show that these dynamics depend on the founders and successors’ approaches towards innovation. To better depict differences between them, we propose a typology of founders (lone innovator, collaborative innovator and orchestrator innovator) and successors (prodigal son, game changer, talent scout, faithful disciple) and explain how they influence the evolution of innovation from the founder generation to the next.
Some Anatomical Variations of the Coronary Circulation among Sri Lankan Adults

The coronary circulation has been the centre of focus of many anatomists, pathologists, cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, physiologists and even the general public especially since the introduction of coronary angiography during the 1960's. Though a large number of data regarding the coronary circulation of the Western populations are available, research about coronary circulation of the Sri Lankan population is comparatively rare. This study comprises of data from 150 autopsy specimens of adult Sri Lankans died due to non-cardiac causes. 99.3% had a tricuspid aortic valve while only in 0.7% the aortic valve was bi-cuspid. The incidence of the ectopic origin of the left and the right coronary artery was equal (1.3%), and the posterior sinus was devoid of coronary ostia. A 55.3% of the study population had a single coronary artery ostium for each main coronary artery. The corresponding figure for the left coronary artery was 91.3%. Six percent (06%) of the right coronary ostia were positioned significantly above the sinus while the corresponding figure for the left coronary ostia was higher (17.5%). The average left ventricular wall thickness for males and females were 13mm and 12mm respectively. Significant muscular bridging (in relation to at-least one coronary artery) was found in 19.3% of the study population. The study concludes that variations in the cardiac anatomy are commoner than expected. As per Kitzman chart, cardiac dimensions of the Sri Lankans are somewhat smaller compared to the dimensions of the Western populations. Original Research Article Hulathduwa; ACRI, 21(2): 22-30, 2021; Article no.ACRI. 68897 23
Determining key upstream rainout and convection zones affecting δ18O in water vapor and precipitation based on 8-year continuous observations in the East Asian Monsoon region

More and more studies have recognized the crucial impact of upstream rainout effect and convective activities on the stable isotopic composition of precipitation (δ18Op) and water vapor (δ18Ov) at mid and low latitudes. However, it is difficult to precisely identify the upstream rainout and convection zones using the traditional time-lagged spatial correlation method. Based on a continuous high-resolution δ18Ov and δ18Op dataset in Nanjing (eastern China), a novel method of upstream key rainout region identification (UKRRI) is developed for reliably identifying the key upstream rainout and convection zones. Based on the UKRRI method, we find that summer δ18Ov and δ18Op in Nanjing are primarily controlled by the rainout effect and convective activities along the moisture transport pathway from the Maritime Continent (MC), via the Indo-China Peninsula and South China Sea (ICP_SCS), to Southeastern China (SEC), particularly over SEC. Contrary to existing studies, the Indian Ocean is not a major rainout and convection zone affecting δ18Ov and δ18Op in Nanjing. Our study has significant implications for the interpretation of stalagmite δ18O records in East Asian Monsoon (EAM) region.
Mineral Fertilization and Baking Value of Grain and Flour of Triticum aestivum ssp . spelta L.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of varied nitrogen fertilization and foliar application of microelements (Cu, Zn, Mn and combined application of Cu+Zn+Mn) and the effect of their interaction on the grain yield quantity and some technological parameters of grain and flour of Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta L. cv. ‘Rokosz’. Study Design: The field experiment was established with the randomized split-plot method in three replications. Place and Duration of Study: Field study was conducted in two vegetation season (2012/2013, 2013/2014), at the Research Station in Minikowo near Bydgoszcz (53°10 ′2″ N, 17°44 ′22 ″ E) in Midwest Poland. Methodology: The research factors were different levels of nitrogen fertilization (0, 20, 40, 60, 80
Lignans from Lonicerae caulis.

A new 2,7`-cyclolignan named lonicerinol (1) along with eight known lignans, (-)-epipinoresinol (2), (-)-pinoresinol (3), 9α-hydroxypinoresinol (4), 7R,8S-dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (5), (±)-neo-olivil (6), (+)-isolariciresinol (7), 3-methoxy-8,4`-oxyneoligna-3`,4,7,9,9`-pentol (8), and (-)-pinoresinol 4-O-glucoside (9), were isolated from the caulis of Lonicera japonica THUNB. (Caprifoliaceae). All of these constituents except for (-)-pinoresinol (3) and 9α-hydroxypinoresinol (4) are reported for the first time from the genus Lonicera. The structures and absolute configurations of these compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including CD and 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques and chemical methods.
Explaining Conspiracy Beliefs and Scepticism around the COVID‐19 Pandemic

Abstract Public opinion on COVID‐19 provides new empirical evidence for the debate on the ideological contours of conspiracy theories. I report findings from a web survey in Greece where participants were recruited via paid advertising on Facebook and the study sample was adjusted for age, gender, education, domicile, and region of residence using a nationally representative reference sample. I find that beliefs about conspiracy theories are more correlated than the values associated with established political ideologies, and that conspiracy beliefs and scepticism about the pandemic are best explained by belief in unrelated political and medical conspiracy theories. No other demographic or attitudinal variable has such a strong influence, and the results are robust to different statistical specifications. In comparison, the effect of ideology measured by left‐right self‐placement is rather negligible and further moderated by trust in government. The results have implications for the strategies aimed at fighting disinformation during public health emergencies.
Enhancing genetic fitness while maintaining genetic variability in Araucaria angustifolia

Scientia Forestalis , 49 (130), e3572. https://doi.org/10.18671/scifor.v49n130. 20 Abstract Araucaria angustifolia provides timber, edible seeds and pharmaceuticals and has a unique ecology (once shared with that of the dinosaurs), yet is now threatened with extinction. Here, we assess and reconcile the counteracting goals of enhancing genetic fitness and maintaining genetic variability during ex-situ conservation of A. angustifolia in a provenance-and-progeny test to improve growth vigor. After 33 years, survival, height, diameter at breast height, and volume of trees were determined. Sixteen selection scenarios were tested using two strategies: selection among and within progenies, and selection only within progenies, each one for eight values of selection intensity of total survival in the trial (7.6, 11.5, 15.3, 19.1, 22.9, 26.8, 30.6, and 34.4%). The variance components and genetic parameter estimates were determined using REML/BLUP. There was significant genetic variation among provenances and progenies for all traits. For all growth-phenotype traits, the heritability at mean (0.419–0.542) and within progeny level (0.186–0.207) indicate the potential for tree improvement by selection among and within progenies. The selection strategy enhanced growth phenotype whilst maintaining an effective population size of 19.1% selected individuals within progenies (three females and two males). This preserved sufficient genetic variability among and within provenances, and 11,5, 15,3, 19,1, 22,9, 26,8, 30,6 e 34,4%). Variação genética significativa entre procedências e progênies foi detectada para todos os caracteres. Para todos os caracteres de crescimento, a herdabilidade no nível médio (0,419-0,542) e dentro das progênies (0,186-0,207) mostrou a possibilidade de melhoramento da população pela seleção entre e dentro da progênie. A estratégia de seleção mais eficaz para melhorar o fenótipo de crescimento, mantendo um tamanho efetivo da população próximo ao original foi a seleção de 19,1% dos indivíduos dentro das progênies (três fêmeas e dois machos). Isso preservou variabilidade genética suficiente entre e dentro das procedências e resultou em ganho genético, possibilitando a produção de sementes de maior valor.
Geospatial Techniques Based Analysis on the Impact of Resettlement on Land Use and Land Cover Change in Esira District, Dawuro Zone, Ethiopia

Resettlement program is considered as a response to tackle the problems of food insecurity, unproductive agriculture, and the ill-being of resettled community. However, large implementation of the program gives rise to socio-economic and environmental related issues particularly natural resource degradation, which causes land use and land cover (LULC) change in the study area. This study was carried out to analyze implication of resettlement on LULC change in Esira district by applying geospatial techniques. Accordingly, to achieve the intended objectives, three sets of Landsat images with different study period were used. Thus, five major LULC classes were identified using maximum likelihood supervised classification techniques. Post classification change detection technique was also used to identify land transformation from one LULC class to other classes. The finding of the study shows that, from 1990 to 2019, there was increment in settlement and cropland with respective values of 11.9% to 32%, and 21.7% to 28%. In expense of this, grassland, forest and bare land were decreased from 29.2% to 14.7%, 26.2% to 16.6% and 12.8% to 8.33%, respectively. Fragmented and unplanned resettlement program would result in natural resource depletion particularly deforestation. So, based on the findings, well-planned resettlement program and sensible land use system is recommended.
Role of PCR in Rapid Detection Group B Streptococcus in Pregnant Females in Al-Quwayiyah General Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background: Group B streptococcus is one of the most common causes of severe neonatal infections. Aim: To detect the prevalence of group B. Streptococcus and their antimicrobial susceptibility and to assess the role of PCR as a rapid method of its detection. Place and Duration of the Study: A cross sectional and prospective cohort study was carried out from September 2019 to February 2020 in Gynaecology and Obstetrics OPD and inpatient units in Al- Quwayiyah General hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Methodology: Paired rectal/vaginal specimens were collected from 540 pregnant females with gestational age 35 or more, Each swab was inoculated into selective medium, Todd Hewitt, One swab is streaked onto blood agar plates incubated in 5% CO2 for 24h at 36ºC. β-hemolytic colonies growth is identified by Gram’s stain, colony morphology and CAMP test. The confirmation and antimicrobial susceptibility were done by Vitek II machine, The second swab was used for PCR to identify atr gene. Results: Out of 540 pregnant women 87 (16.1%) were colonized with GBS isolates. The positive GBS women aged 25 (22-34) and negative GBS women aged 23 (24-35) with no statistical difference. Patients aged more than 35 years old has the higher rate of positive GBS, 46.2%. No significant association detected between GBS and gestational age at delivery, antenatal visits, BMI and gravidity. The GBS strains isolated from pregnant women was 100% susceptible to linezolid and vancomycin followed by ampicillin (93.1%) and tobramicin (83.9%) then gentamicin (81.6%) and levofloxacin(78.2%) and showed least antibiotic susceptibility to erythromycin (26.4%). The PCR was positive in 145 (26.9%). Using culture as gold method, PCR sensitivity was 100% (95% CI: 91.62-100), while specificity was 83.2% (95% CI: 82.61-91.02). Negative and positive predictive values were 100% and 61% respectively. Kappa between the two methods was 0.71, which indicate major agreement. Conclusion: The GBS prevalence among the pregnant females in Al Quwayiyah General Hospital was 16.1%. Detection of GBS using new PCR technique was found to have high sensitivity and faster results, allowing efficient management of GBS and reduction in newborn morbidity and mortality however the cost is high for some laboratories. Further studies should be assessed to be both low cost and accurate rapid screening.
The challenge of addressing obesity in people with poorly controlled asthma

There is a high prevalence of obesity in people with asthma, and obesity is associated with poorly controlled asthma. Significant weight loss might improve asthma control: the purpose of this study was to investigate patient characteristics and factors that might affect implementation of a weight loss and/or roflumilast intervention, to target both obesity and asthma.
Experimental Investigation of Free Convection Heat Transfer from Horizontal Cylinder to Nanofluids

The results of free convection heat transfer investigation from a horizontal, uniformly heated tube immersed in a nanofluid are presented. Experiments were performed with five base fluids, i.e., ethylene glycol (EG), distilled water (W) and the mixtures of EG and water with the ratios of 60/40, 50/50, 40/60 by volume, so the Rayleigh (Ra) number range was 3 × 104 ≤ Ra ≤ 1.3 × 106 and the Prandtl (Pr) number varied from 4.4 to 176. Alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles were tested at the mass concentrations of 0.01, 0.1 and 1%. Enhancement as well as deterioration of heat transfer performance compared to the base fluids were detected depending on the composition of the nanofluid. Based on the experimental results obtained, a correlation equation that describes the dependence of the average Nusselt (Nu) number on the Ra number, Pr number and concentration of nanoparticles is proposed.