Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant potential of quercetin: remarkable protection against hypercholesterolemia in rats.

Aims: To explore protective role of the antioxidant flavonoid quercetin (QE) toward s experimentally - induced atherosclerosis in rats. Study Design and Methodology: This study was carried out during Feb. 2014 . Experimental atherosclerosis in rats was induced through oral intake of the coconut oil enriched diet (15%) and cholesterol (2%) for successive 30 days. QE (15 mg kg −1 day) was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) for three consecutive days before cholesterol intake for 30 days. Results: The triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL - C, HDL - C, VLDL - C and LDL/HDL ratio levels in plasma were estimated in hypercholesterolemic (HC) rats. Glutathione - S transferase enzyme level in plasma and liver homogenate w ere unchanged in all rats. Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities, were measured in rat liver homogenate. Serum and liver lipid peroxides were determined. HC induced significant elevation in lipid profiles and lipid peroxides and decreased antioxidant enzymes activities. Serum and liver TBARS were significantly increased. The antioxidant enzymes were decreased significantly in HC rats. QE treatment significantly decreased lipid profiles and elevated the antioxidant enzymes. Conclusion: QE intake protect against HC, by reducing lipid peroxides and elevating antioxidant enzymes levels. Data revealed that, QE could protect against atherosclerosis by decreasing the oxidative stress state.
Intelligent Diagnosis of Heart Murmurs in Children with Congenital Heart Disease

Heart auscultation is a convenient tool for early diagnosis of heart diseases and is being developed to be an intelligent tool used in online medicine. Currently, there are few studies on intelligent diagnosis of pediatric murmurs due to congenital heart disease (CHD). The purpose of the study was to develop a method of intelligent diagnosis of pediatric CHD murmurs. Phonocardiogram (PCG) signals of 86 children were recorded with 24 children having normal heart sounds and 62 children having CHD murmurs. A segmentation method based on the discrete wavelet transform combined with Hadamard product was implemented to locate the first and the second heart sounds from the PCG signal. Ten features specific to CHD murmurs were extracted as the input of classifier after segmentation. Eighty-six artificial neural network classifiers were composed into a classification system to identify CHD murmurs. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of diagnosis for heart murmurs were 93%, 93.5%, and 91.7%, respectively. In conclusion, a method of intelligent diagnosis of pediatric CHD murmurs is developed successfully and can be used for online screening of CHD in children.
TRPV Subfamily (TRPV2, TRPV3, TRPV4, TRPV5, and TRPV6) Gene and Protein Expression in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis

Introduction TRPVs are a group of receptors with a channel activity predominantly permeable to Ca2+. This subfamily is involved in the development of gastrointestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis (UC). The aim of the study was to characterize the gene and protein expression of the TRPV subfamily in UC patients and controls. Methods We determined by quantitative PCR the gene expression of TRPV2, TRPV3, TRPV4, TRPV5, and TRPV6 in 45 UC patients (29 active UC and 16 remission UC) and 26 noninflamed controls. Protein expression was evaluated in 5 μm thick sections of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from 5 customized severe active UC patients and 5 control surgical specimens. Results TRPV2 gene expression was increased in the control group compared with active UC and remission patients (P = 0.002 and P = 0.05, respectively). TRPV3 gene expression was significantly higher in controls than in active UC patients (P = 0.002). The gene expression of TRPV4 was significantly higher in colonic tissue from patients with remission UC compared with active UC patients (P = 0.05) and controls (P = 0.005). TRPV5 had significantly higher mRNA levels in a control group compared with active UC patients (P = 0.02). The gene expression of TRPV6 was significantly higher in the colonic tissue from patients with active UC compared with the control group (P = 0.05). The protein expression of TRPV2 was upregulated in the mucosa and submucosa from the controls compared with the UC patients (P ≤ 0.003). The protein expression of TRPV3 and TRPV4 was upregulated in all intestinal layers from the controls compared with the UC patients (P < 0.001). TRPV5 was upregulated in the submucosa and serosa from the controls vs. UC patients (P < 0.001). TRPV6 was upregulated in all intestinal layers from the UC patients vs. controls (P ≤ 0.001). Conclusion The TRPV subfamily clearly showed a differential expression in the UC patients compared with the controls, suggesting their role in the pathophysiology of UC.
Human Type I Interferon Antiviral Effects in Respiratory and Reemerging Viral Infections

Type I interferons (IFN-I) are a group of related proteins that help regulate the activity of the immune system and play a key role in host defense against viral infections. Upon infection, the IFN-I are rapidly secreted and induce a wide range of effects that not only act upon innate immune cells but also modulate the adaptive immune system. While IFN-I and many IFN stimulated genes are well-known for their protective antiviral role, recent studies have associated them with potential pathogenic functions. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the complex effects of human IFN-I responses in respiratory as well as reemerging flavivirus infections of public health significance and the molecular mechanisms by which viral proteins antagonize the establishment of an antiviral host defense. Antiviral effects and immune modulation of IFN-stimulated genes is discussed in resisting and controlling pathogens. Understanding the mechanisms of these processes will be crucial in determining how viral replication can be effectively controlled and in developing safe and effective vaccines and novel therapeutic strategies.
The Healing Process and Functional Recovery of Neuroretina after Idiopathic Macular Hole Surgery without Internal Limiting Membrane Reversal Tamponade

Purpose To investigate the healing process and functional recovery of neuroretina after idiopathic macular hole surgery, as well as analyzing the influencing factors. Methods Thirty-six eyes of 31 patients with full-thickness idiopathic macular hole (IMH) were enrolled in this retrospective study. All of them were operated using 23-gauge or 25-gauge vitrectomy with inner limiting membrane peeling and air tamponade. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was performed before surgery and after surgery to observe the structural changes of neuroretina. Results Twenty eyes (55.56%) had the macular hole closed at 3 to 5 days after surgery (closed group), beginning from the inner retina based on OCT. Holes of 16 eyes (44.44%) remained unclosed and progressed to larger holes at 13 to 15 days (t = −2.811, P=0.013) after surgery (unclosed group). Compared with the eyes in the closed group, the eyes in the unclosed group had significantly larger hole diameter (t = −2.882, P=0.007). Postoperative BCVA was significantly improved in the closed group (t = 2.573, P=0.019) and not improved in the unclosed group (t = 0.606, P=0.554) at the 6-month follow-up. Conclusion Full-thickness IMHs could achieve anatomic closure 3 to 5 days after surgery with first-step inner retina tissue bridging. Otherwise, they were not able to achieve hole closure and opened to larger holes about 2 weeks postoperatively. Macular hole diameter was an important factor affecting the healing of the holes. The delayed restoration of fovea detachment and ellipsoid area deficiency were responsible for poor vision outcomes after surgery.
Fossil Megaspores of Marsileales and Selaginellales from the Upper Coniacian to Lower Santonian (Upper Cretaceous) of the Tamagawa Formation (Kuji Group) in Northeastern Japan

Bulk sieving of sedimentary samples from upper Coniacian to lower Santonian (Upper Cretaceous) of the Tamagawa Formation (Kuji Group) in northeastern Japan has yielded more than 600 fossil megaspores, which comprise the first megaspore assemblage to be described from the Cretaceous of Japan. Megaspores were studied in detail with scanning electron microscopy, including fractures that allow examination of the wall structure. Molaspora (Marsileales) is the most distinctive component of the assemblage, with a spirally twisted acrolamella. The other megaspores share three laesurae and a granular exospore structure that is ordered to varying degrees. The most abundant megaspores are Erlansonisporites and Verrutriletes, followed by Bacutriletes and Trileites. The regular orientation of exospore granules in Erlansonisporites suggests a selaginellalean affinity. Evidence from the new assemblage indicates that the Marsileales and Selaginellales were components of the late Cretaceous paleoflora on the eastern side of Eurasia and expands previous knowledge of the Cretaceous vegetation of this region.
Daylength change and leaf appearance in winter wheat

Abstract In the field successive leaves of winter wheat appear at a rate which varies because it depends strongly upon temperature. When plotted against ‘thermal time’, however (temperature accumulated above a fixed base of 0°C), leaf appearance was a strictly linear function of temperature. The mean rate of leaf appearance in thermal time, R′, was faster for a spring sowing than for an autumn sowing. The variation in R′ between sowings was better correlated with the rate at which daylength was changing when the plants emerged than with the mean daylength while leaves were appearing.
Status of Household Solid Waste Management and Associated Factors in a Slum Community in Kampala, Uganda

Background Only a third of the total waste generated in slum communities in Kampala is collected and disposed of to the landfill every month. This study assessed the status of household solid waste management and associated factors in a slum community in Kampala, Uganda. Methods We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study involving 395 households using a semistructured questionnaire and an observational checklist. Proper solid waste management was determined based on possession of waste collection and storage receptacle; collection receptacle ability to minimise nuisances (covered); segregation of waste; presence of flies and other vectors; and collection receptacle fill status. Prevalence rate ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were used as a measure of association. Results Only, 41.3% (163/395) of the households exhibited proper waste management practices. The majority of the households 85.8% (339/395) owned solid waste storage receptacles, most of which were sacs 61.7% (209/339) and would minimise nuisances 72.9% (245/339). The main type of waste collected was biodegradable materials 56.7% (224/395). The majority of the households 78.7% (311/395) did not segregate their waste. Solid waste was mainly transported to the collection point by pulling the collecting sac 54.4% (215/395). The city authority 73.9% (292/395) and private companies 12.9% (51/395) were the major entities collecting waste. Factors associated with proper waste management were collecting waste in plastic containers (adjusted PR = 1.27, 95% CI (1.04–1.55)), polythene bags (adjusted PR = 0.26, 95% CI (0.14–0.47)), and paper bags or metallic bins (adjusted PR = 0.13, 95% CI (0.03–0.44)) as well as awareness of solid waste management laws (adjusted PR = 1.49, 95% CI (1.20–1.85)) and the dangers of improper solid waste management (adjusted PR = 2.15, 95% CI (1.51–3.06)). Conclusion Solid waste management was generally poor. As such, a cascade of interventions that address knowledge, physical, and behavioural aspects of solid waste management is required to improve its management in slum communities.
A Transient Assay System for the Functional Assessment of Defense-Related Genes in Wheat

The generation and characterization of transgenic wheat plants is a tedious and time-consuming process that limits the number of putatively important transgenes that can be tested. We therefore established a transient assay system based on wheat leaves to study the effect of transiently expressed genes on the interaction with the wheat powdery mildew fungus Erysiphe (syn. Blumeria) graminis f. sp. tritici. Young wheat leaves were bombarded with tungsten particles coated with a mixture of plasmids carrying the β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene and a test gene. Leaves were subsequently challenge inoculated with E. graminis and the fungus was allowed to develop for 40 h. After being stained for GUS enzymatic activity as well as for epiphytic fungal structures, the phenotype of transformed epidermal cells was evaluated by bright-field microscopy. The fungus was routinely found to penetrate cells transiently expressing GUS with an efficiency of approximately 35%, which should suffice to detect putative trans.
Association of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and TGFβ1 Gene Polymorphisms with Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a common pregnancy-associated complication of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) which is an endocrine malfunction disease. Patients with PCOS may have several underlying contributing and interrelated factors, which have been reported in women with RSA. The incidence rate between PCOS and RSA remains uncertain. The aim of this study is to determine the possible association of IL-1β-511C/T, IL-6-174G/C, TNF-α-1031T/C, and TGFβ1-509T/C with RSA patients with or without PCOS. A total of 140 RSA patients, 70 of which were PCOS patients, and 140 healthy females with no history of RSA or PCOS were included in this study. PCR amplification, genotyping, and sequence analysis were employed to investigate the presence of the polymorphisms. The genotypic and allelic frequencies were calculated separately for each subject. Out of the four studied polymorphisms, the IL-1β-511C/T genotype in RSA without PCOS patients (12.7%) was significantly different compared with that in control subjects (p = 0.047). For IL-6-174C/G, there was a tendency towards more CC carriers among RSA with PCOS patients (10%) than in controls (3%). The GG genotype in RSA women with PCOS (60%) was significantly different compared with that in control subjects (p = 0.033), and the GC genotype in RSA with PCOS patients (30%) showed a marginal significant difference compared with that in control subjects (p = 0.050). Significant difference was identified in the allelic frequencies in RSA patients with PCOS compared to controls (p = 0.025). IL-6-174G/C and TNF-α-1031T/C polymorphisms are significantly associated with RSA patients in Saudi patients with PCOS, while the IL-1β-511C/T polymorphism is significantly associated with RSA patients without PCOS.
Development of inhibitors against lipase and α‐glucosidase from derivatives of monascus pigment

New derivatives of monascus pigment were produced during Monascus fermentation by the addition of unnatural amino acids, and the inhibitory activities of the derivatives against diet-related lipase and α-glucosidase were tested. Derivatives with penicillamine (h-Pen), cyclohexylalanine (h-Cha), butylglycine (l- t -Bg), and norleucine (h-Nle) showed relatively high inhibitory activities against lipase. The h-Pen derivative exhibited the highest inhibitory activity, with an IC50 (50% inhibition) value of 24.0 µM. The four derivatives all showed noncompetitive inhibition patterns against lipase. The inhibition constant ( K i) of the h-Pen derivative was estimated to be 20.7 µM. The h-Pen derivative also exhibited a relatively high inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase, with an IC50 value of 50.9 µM. The inhibition pattern of the h-Pen derivative against α-glucosidase appeared to be of a mixed type. The inhibition constants K i and ! [Graphic][1] were estimated to be 25.9, and 98.9 µM, respectively. [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
Effects of Partial Tank Covers on the Growth of Juvenile Feral Rainbow Trout during Hatchery Rearing

Abstract Partial tank covers were evaluated for their effects on the growth of juvenile feral McConaughy strain rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss during hatchery rearing. Trout were reared in 1999 and 2000 in circular tanks that were either completely open on top or partially (29%) covered. Trout reared in tanks with partial covers were 93 mm long at the end of 55 d of rearing in 1999, which was significantly longer than the 88-mm mean length of trout reared in uncovered tanks. Total lengths were also significantly different after 34 d of rearing in 2000: 81 mm for fish from partially covered tanks and 78 mm for fish from open tanks. The total weight gains of fish per tank were significantly greater (23.9 versus 22.7 kg) and feed conversions were significantly better (0.83 versus 0.87) in partially covered tanks in 1999. In 2000, the total weight gain of fish per tank was 15.4 kg in tanks with partial covers and 13.5 kg in uncovered tanks, and the respective feed conversions were 0.90 and 1.05. However, n.
Identification of 12-lipoxygenase products in the gills of carp, Cyprinus carpio

SUMMARY: A lipoxygenase was found in the crude enzyme solution from the gills of carp, Cyprinus carpio. It oxidized arachidonic acid (AA) more efficiently than linoleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Lipoxygenase activity was constantly detected in the gill microsomes and was found to be optimum at pH 7.2. It was not stimulated by reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and was not inhibited by SKF525A, a cytochrome P450 inhibitor. The oxygenated products extracted from the reaction mixtures of crude enzyme solution and AA were purified by reverse-phase and straight-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The major metabolite was identified as 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)-HETE) by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and chiral phase HPLC. In addition, 12-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (12-HEPE) and 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (13-HODD) were also found in the reaction products as minor components. Similar results were obtained by the analysis of the reaction products of AA and carp gill microsomes. These results confirm the presence of 12-lipoxygenase in carp gill microsomes.
Invasion of Non-Commercial Tree Species After Selection Logging in a Bolivian Tropical Forest

Abstract Single-tree selection logging will likely result in a 4.3% loss in the relative abundance and a 4.1% loss in basal area of trees of commercial species in one cutting cycle due to their removal by harvesting combined with their potential recolonization of only 31% of logging gaps in a Bolivian tropical dry forest. Densities of the most valuable species, Amburana cearensis and Cedrela fissilis, were particularly reduced by logging. To sustain the current harvesting rate, uses need to be developed for more non-commercial species and/or silvicul-tural treatments employed that increase regeneration of commercial species and remove non-commercial species using timber stand improvement techniques.
Glycyrrhetinic Acid-Induced MiR-663a Alleviates Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation by Attenuating the TGF-β/Smad Signaling Pathway

Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), a hydrolysate of glycyrrhizic acid from licorice root extract, has been used to treat liver fibrotic diseases. However, the molecular mechanism involved in the antifibrotic effects of GA remains unclear. The involvement of miR-663a and its roles in TGF-β-1-induced hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the roles of miR-663a in the activation of HSCs and the antifibrosis mechanism of GA. MiR-663a expression was downregulated in TGF-β-treated HSCs. The overexpression of miR-663a inhibited HSC proliferation. TGF-β-1was confirmed as a direct target gene of miR-663a. MiR-663a alleviated HSC activation, concomitant with decreased expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), human α2 (I) collagen (COL1A2), TGF-β1, TGF-βRI, Smad4, p-Smad2, and p-Smad3. GA upregulated miR-663a expression and inhibited the TGF-β/Smad pathway in HSCs. Further studies showed that miR-663a inhibitor treatment reversed GA-mediated downregulation of TGF-β1, TGF-βRI, Smad4, p-Smad2, p-Smad3, α-SMA, and CoL1A2 in TGF-β1-treated HSCs. These results show that miR-663a suppresses HSC proliferation and activation and the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway, highlighting that miR-663a can be utilized as a therapeutic target for hepatic fibrosis. GA inhibits, at least in part, HSC proliferation and activation via targeting the miR-663a/TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.
Comparison of the chemical composition of spring durum wheat grain (Triticum durum) and common wheat grain (Triticum aestivum ssp. vulgare).

The research was conducted at the Experimental Farm in Felin, property of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, in 2007–2009. The experiment was located on soil of good wheat complex. The research included the spring form of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) – breeding line LGR 896/23 (selected at ULS, Lublin) and cultivars Lloyd (American), Chado and Kharkivska 27 (Ukrainian), which were compared with spring common wheat (Triticum aestivum ssp. vulgare) cv. Torka. In the study, the chemical composition of durum wheat grain and common wheat grain was analysed. The content of total protein, fibre, fat, ash, nitrogen–free extracts, macronutrients (phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium) and micronutrients (copper, iron, manganese, zinc) was determined. Variation coefficients and coefficients of correlation were also calculated. All the lines and cultivars of spring durum wheat were characterised by a higher content of total protein and zinc compared to common wheat. Common wheat showed a higher content of copper and manganese in grain compared to durum wheat. Among the quality traits of wheat grain, regardless of the species, the content of nitrogen–free extracts was the least variable (cv=1.5%), whereas the highest variability (cv=37.2%) characterised the content of manganese. Significant correlations were shown in wheat grain for the following pairs of quality traits: protein–nitrogen–free extracts, protein–ash, and ash–protein–free extracts. The results of the qualitative evaluation of the wheat species show that the line and cultivars of durum wheat as well as the cultivars of common wheat fulfil the protein content norms set for raw material for pasta production. Higher ash levels in flour may cause a risk of obtaining darker colour pasta.