Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Antiviral Properties of Cyclosporine. Focus on Coronavirus, Hepatitis C Virus, Influenza Virus, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infections

This review updates current knowledge regarding the risk of viral infections, including COVID-19, in patients treated with cyclosporine. We also shortly refer to bacterial infections and parasitic infestations in patients treated with cyclosporin. Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive drug, which is widely used in medicine, including in the treatment of autoimmune skin diseases in dermatology, rheumatology, ophthalmology and nephrology, and in organ transplantation. A usual concern associated with immunosuppressive treatment is the potential risk of infections. Interestingly, several data indicate a relatively low risk of infections, especially viral infections, in patients receiving cyclosporine. It was shown that cyclosporine exerts an inhibitory effect on the replication of some viruses, or may have a potentially beneficial effect on the disease course in infections. These include hepatitis C, influenza virus, rotavirus, human immunodeficiency virus and coronavirus infections. Available data indicate that cyclosporine may have a beneficial effect on COVID-19, which is caused by the coronavirus SARS-COV2.
Outcome of group physical therapy treatment for non-specific low back pain patients can be predicted with the cross-culturally adapted and validated Hungarian version STarT back screening tool

Abstract Purpose The STarT Back Tool was developed to identify the specific modifiable prognostic factors for non-specific low back pain and to classify the patients into risk groups; low, medium and high risk of chronicity. Applied therapeutic approaches often involve group physical therapy. The aim of this study was the cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Hungarian version of the STarT Back Tool and to investigate the predictive ability for global treatment outcome. Materials and methods A prospective cohort study (N = 133) was carried out involving non-specific low back pain patients. Internal consistency, construct validity, reliability and prognostic discriminative ability have been investigated. After 3 months of treatment global outcome was evaluated. Results A 2-factor structure was found, with moderate internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.89 for the total and psychosocial subscale 0.62). Between the Hungarian STarT Back Tool, the Oswestry Disability Index, leg pain, low back pain, Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire and the physical subscale of the quality of life questionnaire, significant good to excellent- correlation was found (r > 0.41). The test-retest analysis showed excellent reliability (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient = 0.93) with standard error measurement being 0.49 (minimal detectable change = 1.37). The Area Under the Curve for baseline STarT Back Tool scores was 0.7 and 0.8 for global treatment outcome and distress, respectively. The Area Under the Curve for global treatment outcome versus STarT risk groups proved to be 0.76 representing adequate discriminative ability. Conclusion The successful cross-cultural adaptation was followed by the validity analysis and as a result the Hungarian version of the STarT Back Tool proved to be a reliable and valid tool in the identification of risk groups of chronicity for patients with low back pain. Patients allocated to the high-risk group were more likely experiencing poor outcome at 3 months follow up, thus it can be used to predict outcome if treated with group physical therapy. Implication for rehabilitation Low back pain is a multifactorial disease where physical and psychosocial risk factors play a role in the development and prognosis of the disease. The STarT-H can be considered as a reliable, valid measurement tool in the identification of risk groups of chronicity for patients with low back pain. Clinical relevance of the STarT-H is that it can be used to stratify patients into risk groups of chronicity in different Hungarian speaking healthcare settings. According to our findings the STarT-H can also be applied to predict global treatment outcome in low back pain patients if treated with group physical therapy.
In vitro Antagonistic Activity of Endophytic Fungi Isolated from Shirazi Thyme (Zataria multiflora Boiss.) against Monosporascus cannonballus.

Endophytic fungi viz., Nigrospora sphaerica (E1 and E6), Subramaniula cristata (E7), and Polycephalomyces sinensis (E8 and E10) were isolated from the medicinal plant, Shirazi thyme (Zataria multiflora). In in vitro tests, these endophytes inhibited the mycelial growth of Monosporascus cannonballus, a plant pathogenic fungus. Morphological abnormalities in the hyphae of M. cannonballus at the edge of the inhibition zone in dual cultures with N. sphaerica were observed. The culture filtrates of these endophytes caused leakage of electrolytes from the mycelium of M. cannonballus. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the isolation and characterization of fungal endophytes from Z. multiflora as well as their antifungal effect on M. cannonballus. Endophytic fungi viz., Nigrospora sphaerica (E1 and E6), Subramaniula cristata (E7), and Polycephalomyces sinensis (E8 and E10) were isolated from the medicinal plant, Shirazi thyme (Zataria multiflora). In in vitro tests, these endophytes inhibited the mycelial growth of Monosporascus cannonballus, a plant pathogenic fungus. Morphological abnormalities in the hyphae of M. cannonballus at the edge of the inhibition zone in dual cultures with N. sphaerica were observed. The culture filtrates of these endophytes caused leakage of electrolytes from the mycelium of M. cannonballus. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the isolation and characterization of fungal endophytes from Z. multiflora as well as their antifungal effect on M. cannonballus.
Dairy Staphylococcus aureus: Epidemiology, Drug Susceptibilities, Drug Modulation, and Preventive Measures

Staphylococcus aureus is an emerging pathogen from dairy animals’ mammary glands. Among various risk factors associated with this pathogen are unhygienic milking proce- dures, improper preventive techniques, and lack of germicidal teat dipping before and after milking. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus , coagulase positive S. aureus , vancomycin-resistant S. aureus , and biofilm-producing S. aureus are common strains of S. aureus being isolated from dairy milk these days. They have huge economic and public health concerns. Trials of antibiotic susceptibility proposed variable responses, while drug modulation and drug synergistic proved to be hope for its treatment. Some of the plant derivative, phages, and nanoparticles are non-antibiotic sources to treat S. aureus. Various attempts to treat S. aureus at the world level have been carried out but require more researches to be undertaken in order to prevent it. The chapter concludes that S. aureus from dairy needs equal attention as is given to S. aureus from the human origin, and researches are required to probe solutions. antibody titers indirect inhibition assay the highest anti- S. aureus serum antibody titer (GMT) was 78.8 the 45th 73.3 on day 60 post-vaccination. titer for S. agalactiae days after inoculation of vaccine. cumulative in in in a an in biofilm. biofilms, quadrivalent vaccine. antigens biofilms, used to remove residual to 82%, when the was with in biofilm rabbit with or not treated
Effect of Silage Additives on the Microbial Succession and Fermentation Process of Alfalfa and Corn Silages

Abstract Studies were conducted on the effect of additives on microbial succession and silage fermentation of two alfalfa cuttings, each harvested at three maturities, and three whole-plant corn hybrids. The alfalfas were treated with dextrose at 2% (DM basis), Biomate ® inoculant ( Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus cerevisiae ), a combination of dextrose and Biomate ® , or left untreated (control). The corn hybrids were treated with 1174 ® inoculant ( L. plantarum and Enterococcus faecium ) or left untreated (control). Counts of the lactobacilli, pediococci, and leuconostocs group were higher for the alfalfa silages treated with Biomate ® than for the control silage and the silage treated with dextrose only at d 1 of the ensiling period. Addition of 1174 ® inoculant to the corn silages did not influence the counts of the group that includes lactobacilli, pediococci, and leuconostocs. The numbers of other microorganisms were not affected by additive treatment for either crop. Alfalfa silages treated with the combination had the highest lactic acid and the lowest pH, acetic acid, ethanol, and ammonia N throughout the ensiling period. The pH of fourth-cutting silages treated with dextrose was lower than that of controls, and dextrose reduced acetic acid content in the second-cutting, 90-d silages. The 1174 ® inoculant did not influence fermentation characteristics of the corn silages at any time, regardless of the hybrid.
Three-Dimensional Distribution of Cochlear Macrophages in the Lateral Wall of Cleared Cochlea

Objectives Resident macrophages are well known to be present in the cochlea, but the exact patterns thereof in spiral ligaments have not been discussed in previous studies. We sought to document the distribution of macrophages in intact cochleae using three-dimensional imaging. Methods Cochleae were obtained from C-X3-C motif chemokine receptor 1+/GFP mice, and organ clearing was performed. Three-dimensional images of cleared intact cochleae were reconstructed using two-photon microscopy. The locations of individual macrophages were investigated using 100-μm stacked images to reduce bias. Cochlear inflammation was then induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inoculation into the middle ear through the tympanic membrane. Four days after inoculation, three-dimensional images were obtained. Results Macrophages were scarce in areas adjacent to the stria vascularis, particularly the area just beneath it even though many have suspected macrophages to be abundant in this area. This finding remained consistent upon LPS-induced cochlear inflammation, despite a significant increase in the number of macrophages, compared to non-treated cochlea. Conclusion Resident macrophages in spiral ligaments are scarce in areas adjacent to the stria vascularis.
Implementing Rapid Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy for Acute HIV Infection Within a Routine Testing and Linkage to Care Program in Chicago

Growing evidence suggests that rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy for HIV improves care continuum outcomes. We evaluated process and clinical outcomes for rapid initiation in acute HIV infection within a multisite health care–based HIV testing and linkage to care program in Chicago. Through retrospective analysis of HIV testing data (2016-2017), we assessed linkage to care, initiation of antiretroviral therapy, and viral suppression. Of 334 new HIV diagnoses, 33 (9.9%) individuals had acute HIV infection. Median time to linkage was 11 (interquartile range [IQR]: 5-19.5) days, with 15 days (IQR 5-27) to initiation of antiretroviral therapy. Clients achieved viral suppression at a median of 131 (IQR: 54-188) days. Of all, 69.7% were retained in care, all of whom were virally suppressed. Sites required few additional resources to incorporate rapid initiation into existing processes. Integration of rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy into existing HIV screening programs is a promising strategy for scaling up this important intervention.
Valorisation of stachysetin from cultivated Stachys iva Griseb. as anti-diabetic agent: a multi-spectroscopic and molecular docking approach

Abstract Stachys species are considered as important medicinal plants with numerous health benefit effects. In continuation of our research on the Greek Stachys species, the chemical profile of the aerial parts of cultivated S. iva Griseb. has been explored. The NMR profiles of the plant extract/infusion were used to guide the isolation process, leading to the targeted isolation of seventeen known compounds. The rare acylated flavonoid, stachysetin, was isolated for the third time from plant species in the international literature. Identification of the characteristic signals of stachysetin in the 1D 1H-NMR spectrum of the crude extract was presented. In order to evaluate the potential of the identified chemical space in Stachys to bear possible bioactivity against diabetes, we performed an in silico screening against 17 proteins implicated in diabetes, as also ligand based similarity metrics against established anti-diabetic drugs. The results capitalized the anti-diabetic potency of stachysetin. Its binding profile to the major drug carrier plasma protein serum albumin was also explored along with its photophysical properties suggesting that stachysetin could be recognized and delivered in plasma through serum albumin and also could be tracked through near-infrared imaging. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
Effect of Distance from Catalytic Synergy Group to Iron Porphyrin Center on Activity of G-Quadruplex/Hemin DNAzyme

G-quadruplex/Hemin (G4/Hemin) complex has been widely used in biocatalysis and analytical applications. Meanwhile, compared with natural proteinous enzyme, its low catalytic activity is still limiting its applications. Even though several methods have been developed to enhance the peroxidation efficiency, the important core of the G4 design based enhancement mechanism is still indistinct. Here, we focus the mechanism study on the two most important microdomains: the iron porphyrin center and the catalytic synergy group within the 3′ flanking. These microdomains not only provide the pocket for the combination of substrate, but also offer the axial coordination for the accelerated formation of Compound I (catalytic intermediate). In order to obtain a more suitable space layout to further accelerate the catalytic process, we have used the bases within the 3′ flanking to precisely regulate the distance between microdomains. Finally, the position-dependent effect on catalytic enhancement is observed. When dC is positioned at the second-position of 3′ flanking, the newly obtained DNAzyme achieves an order of magnitude improvement compared to parent G4/Hemin in catalytic activity. The results highlight the influence of the distance between the catalytic synergy group and iron porphyrin center on the activity of DNAzyme, and provide insightful information for the design of highly active DNAzymes.
Distribution of arthropods in relation to forest patch size, edge, and stand characteristics

We studied the abundance of arthropods in relation to forest patch size, edge orientation, distance from the forest - open-land edge, and stand characteristics in pine-dominated forests in northern Finland. Arthropod samples were collected using the sweep-net method. The total catch of arthropods, catches from the field layer and deciduous shrubs, the numbers of flying arthropods, small ( 5 ha) than in small patches (≤5 ha). The edge orientation and the type of adjacent open area (clearcut area or treeless mire) had no impact on the abundance of arthopods in the patches. The distance from the forest edge affected the total abundance of arthropods, small arthropods, flying arthropods, and Coleoptera (especially Cantharidae) in that all decreased in number from the forest edge to the interior of the forest stand. The abundance of many arthropod taxa correlated positively with the numbers of saplings, deciduous shrubs, and spruces. It was clear that the existence of these vegetation characteristics mainly explained the observed differences in the abundance of arthropods between forest patches of different sizes and also between forest edges and stand interiors.
Effects of dietary iron on reproductive performance of Chinese Yellow broiler breeder hens during the egg-laying period

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary iron (Fe) on reproductive performance of Chinese Yellow broiler breeder hens during the egg-laying period. A total of 480, 55-wk-old hens were balanced for laying rate and then randomly allotted into 5 groups, each with 6 replicates (8 cages for each replicate with 2 birds per cage). The trial was for 10 wk. Birds were fed diet with 44, 58, 72, 86, or 100 mg/kg Fe contained feed. Laying performance, biochemical indices and reproductive hormones in plasma, egg quality, ovarian and oviductal variables, tibial breaking strength, and hatching performance were determined. The key performance variables hematocrit, hatchability of live embryos, and tibial breaking strength were selected for analysis by quadratic polynomial (QP) and broken-line (BL) regressions to better determine optimal dietary Fe level. Qualified egg (excluding those with double-yolk, soft-shell, cracked, very small malformed, etc.) rate tended to decrease with the lowest and highest dietary Fe levels. Hematocrit was affected (P = 0.003) by dietary Fe, along with linear (P = 0.017) and quadratic (P = 0.002) effect. There was a significant effect (P = 0.034) of dietary Fe level on tibial breaking strength of breeder hens with a quadratic (P = 0.044) effect. Breeder hens fed inadequate (44 mg/kg diet) or excess (100 mg/kg) Fe both had lower (P < 0.05) tibial breaking strength compared to that of hens fed 86 mg/kg Fe. Hatchability of live embryos was affected (P = 0.004) by diet; with both linear (P = 0.014) and quadratic (P = 0.001) effects. Maximal hatching of live embryos occurred with diets of breeder hens containing 72 mg/kg Fe. From the QP and BL models fitted to hematocrit, tibial breaking strength, and hatchability variables, the optimal dietary Fe level for Chinese Yellow broiler breeder hens in the laying period was 70–90 mg/kg. The daily Fe fed (allowance) was about 8–11 mg.
Compromises: sound frequencies used in echolocation by aerial-feeding bats

Hunting aerial-feeding bats, species that take airborne prey (usually flying insects), use echolocation to detect, track,and assess targets. The echolocation calls of aerial-feeding bats at sites in Canada (British Columbia and Ontario), Mexico,Brazil, and Zimbabwe were significantly dominated by frequencies between 20 and 60 kHz, although at the more tropicallocations some aerial-feeding bats used echolocation calls with most energy 60 kHz. The impact of frequency-specificattenuation, perhaps combined with frequency-specific, hearing-based defenses of some insects, suggests that by usingecholocation calls 60 kHz would be less conspicuous to the insects. We found two patterns of echolocation-callbehaviour. Most adjacent echolocation calls, and all that were dominated by sounds >20 kHz, showed large (80%) overlap inbandwidth. The other pattern involved much less.
Genome-wide assessment of genetic diversity, linkage disequilibrium and haplotype block structure in Tharparkar cattle breed of India

Abstract Knowledge about genetic diversity is very essential for the management and sustainable utilization of livestock genetic resources. In this study, we presented a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of genetic diversity, ROH, inbreeding, linkage disequilibrium, effective population size and haplotype block structure in Tharparkar cattle of India. A total of 24 Tharparkar animals used in this study were genotyped with Illumina BovineSNP50 array. After quality control, 22,825 biallelic SNPs were retained, which were in HWE, MAF > 0.05 and genotyping rate >90%. The overall mean observed (HO) and expected heterozygosity (HE) were 0.339 ± 0.156 and 0.325 ± 0.129, respectively. The average minor allele frequency was 0.234 with a standard deviation of ± 0.131. We identified a total of 1832 ROH segments and the highest autosomal coverage of 13.87% was observed on chromosome 23. The genomic inbreeding coefficients estimates by FROH, FHOM, FGRM and FUNI were 0.0589, 0.0215, 0.0532 and 0.0160 respectively. The overall mean linkage disequilibrium (LD) for a total of 133,532 pairwise SNPs measured by D’ and r 2 was 0.6452 and 0.1339, respectively. In addition, we observed a gradual decline in effective population size over the past generations.
Experimental evaluation of oil recovery mechanism using a variety of surface-modified silica nanoparticles: Role of in-situ surface-modification in oil-wet system

Recent developments propose renewed use of surface-modified nanoparticles (NPs) for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) due to improved stability and reduced porous media retention. The enhanced surface properties render the nanoparticles more suitable compared to bare nanoparticles, for increasing the displacement efficiency of waterflooding. However, the EOR mechanisms using NPs are still not well established. This work investigates the effect of in-situ surface-modified silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) on interfacial tension (IFT) and wettability behavior as a prevailing oil recovery mechanism. For this purpose, the nanoparticles have been synthesized via a one-step sol-gel method using surface-modification agents, including Triton X-100 (non-ionic surfactant) and polyethylene glycol (polymer), and characterized using various techniques. These results exhibit the well-defined spherical particles, particularly in the presence of Triton X-100 (TX-100), with particle diameter between 13 to 27 nm. To this end, SiO2 nanofluids were formed by dispersing nanoparticles (0.05 wt.%, 0.075 wt.%, 0.1 wt.%, and 0.2 wt.%) in 3 wt. % NaCl to study the impact of surface functionalization on the stability of the nanoparticle suspension. The optimal stability conditions were obtained at 0.1 wt. % SiO2 NPs at a basic pH of 10 and 9.5 for TX-100/ SiO2 and PEG/SiO nanofluids, respectively. Finally, the surface-treated SiO2 nanoparticles were found to change the wettability of treated (oil-wet) surface into water-wet by altering the contact angle from 130° to 78° (in case of TX-100/SiO2) measured against glass surface representing carbonate reservoir rock. IFT results also reveal that the surfactant treatment greatly reduced the oil-water IFT by 30%, compared to other applied NPs. These experimental results suggest that the use of surface-modified SiO2 nanoparticles could facilitate the displacement efficiency by reducing IFT and altering the wettability of carbonate reservoir towards water-wet, which is attributed to more homogeneity and better dispersion of surface-treated silica NPs compared to bare-silica NPs.
Impact of silicon on various agro-morphological and physiological parameters in maize and revealing its role in enhancing water stress tolerance.

Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element in earth’s crust and is considered as beneficial element for providing tolerance against various biotic and abiotic stresses. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of silicon in water stress tolerance in maize as depicted through agro- morphological/ physiological parameters. We evaluated 15 diverse maize genotypes/ inbred lines under rain-fed conditions with, as well as without, Si application. Significant differences were observed in various agro-morphological and physiological parameters under Si + and Si - conditions. The number of kernel per ear was significantly higher in Si+ conditions. The various physiological parameters observed include; anthesis- silking interval, relative water content, stomatal density and canopy temperature. All these parameters indicated the positive impact of Si on water stress tolerance in case of maize genotypes under study. These results specified that Si plays an important role in giving tolerance against drought/ water stress. The study can be further extended to investigate the molecular mechanism involved in Si induced water stress tolerance in maize.