Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extract from Melilotus suaveolens Ledeb: Involvement of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and mediators

Melilotus suaveolens Ledeb is an annual or biennial plant of Melilotus genus in the Leguminosae family, which was used for treatment of inflammation-related diseases. The paper aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of ethanol extracts from M. suaveolens Ledeb. RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated with 10 ng/ml lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and intervened with 1 to 10 μg/ml ethanol extracts of M. suaveolens Ledeb. Several pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin (IL)-1β and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were studied by the method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis, real time – polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot, respectively. The anti-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, such as IL-10 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), were also investigated by the same method. The activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) was studied using immunocytochemistry assay. Meanwhile, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint was used to elucidate the active compounds in the extracts. The results showed that the extracts of M. suaveolens Ledeb have an anti-inflammatory effect by down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, such as iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β and TNF-α gene expression through the suppression of NF-κB activation. At the same time, the extracts increased anti-inflammatory cytokines and mediators IL-10 and HO-1. HPLC fingerprint chromatography of the M. suaveolens Ledeb extracts showed that coumarin is one of the main anti-inflammation compounds present in the plant, which is likely to be the basis of its anti-inflammation effect. The findings demonstrated that ethanol extracts from M. suaveolens Ledeb have great anti-inflammatory activities, which may be due to its dual effects on antagonizing pro-inflammatory and augmenting anti-inflammatory mediators. Key words: Melilotus suaveolens Ledeb, ethanol extract, anti-inflammatory effects, pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), anti-inflammatory cytokines and mediators.
Acute Kidney Injury in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients in Clinical Trials

Objectives: Acute ischemic stroke patients are at risk of acute kidney injury due to volume depletion, contrast exposure, and preexisting comorbid diseases. We determined the occurrence rate and identified predictors associated with acute kidney injury in acute ischemic stroke patients. Setting: Multiple specialized ICUs within academic medical centers. Design: Post hoc analysis of pooled data from prospective randomized clinical trials. Patients: Acute ischemic stroke patients recruited within 3 hours or within 5 hours of symptom onset. Interventions: IV recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, endovascular treatment, IV albumin, or placebo. Measurements and Main Results: Serum creatinine levels from baseline and within day 5 or discharge were used to classify acute kidney injury classification into stages. Any increase in serum creatinine was seen in 697 (36.1%) and acute kidney injury was seen in 68 (3.5%) of 1,931 patients with acute ischemic stroke. Severity of acute kidney injury was grade I, II, and III in 3.1%, 0.4%, and 0.05% patients, respectively. Patients with albumin (5.5% compared with 2.6%; p = 0.001), preexisting hypertension (4.3% compared with 1.5%; p = 0.0041), and preexisting renal disease (9.1% compared with 3.0%; p < 0.0001) had higher risk of acute kidney injury. The risk of acute kidney injury was lower between those who either underwent CT angiography (2.0% compared with 4.7%; p = 0.0017) or endovascular treatment (1.6% compared with 4.2%; p = 0.0071). In the multivariate analysis, hypertension (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.2–5.6) and renal disease (odds ratio, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.9–6.5) were associated with acute kidney injury. The risk of death was significantly higher among patients with acute kidney injury (odds ratio, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.4–4.9) after adjusting for age and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score strata. Conclusions: The occurrence rate of acute kidney injury in acute ischemic stroke patients was low and was not higher in patients who underwent CT angiogram or those who received endovascular treatment. Occurrence of acute kidney injury increased the risk of death within 3 months among acute ischemic stroke patients.
Long-Term Results of Thermal Ablation of Benign Thyroid Nodules: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Ultrasound-guided thermal ablations have become one of the main options for treating benign thyroid nodules. To determine efficacy of thermal ablation of benign thyroid nodules, we performed a meta-analysis of studies with long-term follow-up of more than 3 years. Methods Databases were searched for studies published up to August 25, 2019, reporting patients with benign thyroid nodules treated with thermal ablation and with follow-up data of more than 3 years. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed according to PRISMA guidelines. The analysis yielded serial volume reduction rates (VRRs) of ablated nodules for up to 3 years or more, and adverse effect of ablation during follow-up. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and laser ablation (LA) were compared in a subgroup analysis. Results The pooled VRRs for ablated nodules showed rapid volume reduction before 12 months, a plateau from 12 to 36 months, and more volume reduction appearing after 36 months, demonstrating long-term maintenance of treatment efficacy. Thermal ablation had an acceptable complication rate of 3.8%. Moreover, patients undergoing nodule ablation showed no unexpected delayed complications during the follow-up period. In the subgroup analysis, RFA was shown to be superior to LA in terms of the pooled VRR and the number of patients who underwent delayed surgery. Conclusion Thermal ablations are safe and effective methods for treating benign thyroid nodules, as shown by a long follow-up analysis of more than 3 years. In addition, RFA showed superior VRRs compared with LA for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules, with less regrowth and less delayed surgery.
Phase I study of the 177Lu-DOTA0-Tyr3-Octreotate (lutathera) in combination with nivolumab in patients with neuroendocrine tumors of the lung

Background Lutathera is a 177Lutetium-labeled somatostatin analog approved for the treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Somatostatin receptors are expressed in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Nivolumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, may act synergistically with lutathera to generate antitumor immunity. We conducted a phase I study of lutathera plus nivolumab in patients with advanced NETs of the lung. Methods Patients with relapsed/refractory extensive-stage SCLC (ES-SCLC), non-progressing ES-SCLC after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy, or advanced grade I-II pulmonary NETs were eligible. The primary objective was to determine the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). The phase I portion followed a standard 3+3 design, assessing two dose levels (dose level 1: lutathera 3.7 GBq every 8 weeks for four doses with nivolumab 240 mg every 2 weeks; dose level 2: lutathera 7.4 GBq every 8 weeks for four doses with nivolumab 240 mg every 2 weeks). Results Nine patients were enrolled (six ES-SCLC, two pulmonary atypical carcinoid, one high-grade pulmonary neuroendocrine carcinoma). No dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were observed at dose level 1. At dose level 2, one patient with refractory ES-SCLC developed a DLT (grade 3 rash). The most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were lymphopenia (n=7), thrombocytopenia (n=4), anemia (n=3), and nausea (n=3). The most common grade 3 TRAE was lymphopenia (n=4). Among the seven patients with measurable disease, one patient with ES-SCLC had a partial response. Two patients with pulmonary atypical carcinoid had stable disease lasting 6 months. The RP2D was dose level 2. Conclusions Lutathera plus nivolumab was well tolerated and showed signs of antitumor activity. This combination warrants further exploration. Trial registration number NCT03325816
A cable neck‐restraint to live‐capture coyotes

We evaluated a cable neck-restraint for live capture of coyotes (Canis latrans) in Michigan, USA, from 6 January to 22 March 2011. We documented capture efficiency, selectivity, and animal welfare using criteria developed by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Best Management Practices and the International Organization for Standardization. We constructed cable restraints with an 8.9-cm-diameter minimum loop stop and reverse bend washer locks drilled to 4.8 mm, to more readily relax on 2.4-mm-diameter steel cable. Cable restraints were set for 938 trap-nights during January–March 2011. Capture efficiency was 71.4% (n = 20 coyotes) and selectivity 95.0%. We performed necropsies (n = 11) or external examinations (n = 9) to evaluate capture-related injuries and released coyotes fitted with Global Positioning System collars (n = 5) to estimate home-range size. Mean individual injury score of necropsied coyotes was 5.0 ± SD 8.9 and mean total injury score was 7.3 ± SD 9.8; we observed no mortality of coyotes due to capture. Home range sizes of 2 coyotes (8.9 km2 and 16.6 km2) were within the 95% confidence interval of mean home-range size of resident coyotes captured in foothold traps (16.0 km2 ± SD 5.7, n = 11). Our findings indicate this cable restraint configuration exceeds all Best Management Practices criteria and is suitable for the capture of coyotes in both wildlife management and research arenas. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Combining ability for polygenic traits in early maturing hybrids of maize (Zea mays L.)

Combining ability analysis using line x tester design was conducted in white seed colour early maturing maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines for yield and yield contributing characters. There was greater contribution of lines towards ω2gca for all the traits. Inbred lines viz., X1W-1627-1-1 and X2W-3997-2-1-7 were good general combiners for all the characters except 100-grain weight. Tester CO(W) was good general combiner for grain yield per plant, grain cob ratio and straw yield per plant. Among the selected hybrids, two parent (TP) conventional single cross hybrid exhibited highest magnitude of positive significant sca effect with highest magnitude of significant positive economic heterosis for grain yield per plant and it was followed in descending order by the multiparent (MP) conventional three way cross and nonconventional two parent (TP) top cross hybrid.
Microstructure, pathophysiology, and potential therapeutics of COVID‐19: A comprehensive review

There have been over seven million cases and almost 413 372 deaths globally due to the novel coronavirus (2019‐nCoV) associated disease COVID‐19, as of 11 June 2020. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that there is a common source for these infections. The overall sequence similarities between the spike protein of 2019‐nCoV and that of SARS‐CoV are known to be around 76% to 78% and 73% to 76% for the whole protein and receptor‐binding domain (RBD), respectively. Thus, they have the potential to serve as the drug and/or vaccine candidate. However, the individual response against 2019‐nCoV differs due to genetic variations in the human population. Understanding the variations in angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) that may affect the severity of 2019‐nCoV infection could help in identifying individuals at a higher risk from the COVID‐19. A number of potential drugs/vaccines as well as antibody/cytokine‐based therapeutics are in various developmental stages of preclinical/clinical trials against SARS‐CoV, MERS‐CoV, and 2019‐nCoV with substantial cross‐reactivity, and may be used against COVID‐19. For diagnosis, the reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction is the gold standard test for initial diagnosis of COVID‐19. A kit based on serological tests are also recommended for investigating the spread of COVID‐19 but this is challenging due to the antibodies cross‐reactivity. This review comprehensively summarizes the recent reports available regarding the host‐pathogen interaction, morphological and genomic structure of the virus, and the diagnostic techniques as well as the available potential therapeutics against COVID‐19.
TALES FROM THE CRYPT: EARLY ADAPTATION OF CRYPTOBIONTIC SESSILE METAZOANS

ABSTRACT Cryptic ecosystems of modern and ancient reefs contain substantial amounts of biodiversity. It remains uncertain, however, when and how metazoans adapted to such space. Early Cambrian reef systems witnessed the rise and fall of the earliest known cryptic sessile metazoans. Subsequent Middle Cambrian to Early Ordovician microbial-dominated reefs were generally devoid of true frame-building metazoans, as well as cryptic sessile fauna. The Early Ordovician microbial–siliceous sponge patch reefs of the Dumugol Formation, Korea represent one of the oldest in situ spiculate sponge-bearing cryptic communities exploiting intraskeletal cryptic environments. Less than half of these small millimeter- to centimeter-scale crypts contain low-diversity sessile cryptic assemblages of spiculate sponges and microbialites. The cryptic sponges that attach to the walls of the cavities or on top of internal sediments do not show any skeletal distortion at their contacts with host organisms. The spiculate sponges occur both in open spaces as well as in crypts, and are interpreted to be pioneers of intraskeletal crypts after the death of the cavity-providing organisms. The behavior of occupying transient cryptic habitats is interpreted as an incipient stage of sessile metazoan adaptation to a cryptic space by an opportunistic member of the epibenthic community. This resulted in the extension of the open surface community into crypts which occurred far in advance of the eventual establishment of obligate cryptic forms. The present study provides a critical link for establishing the origin and evolutionary history of early cryptic sessile metazoan adaptation.
Distribution and biomass of benthic microalgae in Manukau Harbour, New Zealand

Abstract Benthic microalgal biomass (as sediment chlorophyll a (Chl. a), by spectrophotometry) and taxonomic composition (by HPLC pigments analysis) were investigated at intertidal locations throughout Manukau Harbour, North Island, New Zealand. Benthic microalgal biomass averaged 97.5 mg Chl. a m‐2 for all sediment samples. Benthic microalgal biomass was higher in sediments containing at least some sand than in muddy sediments, in contrast to previous findings from Manukau Harbour. Loading of fine sediments from erosion within the harbour's basin may, therefore, affect the amount and distribution of benthic microalgal biomass in the harbour. Average benthic microalgal biomass for the entire area of the harbour was at least 62.5 mg Chl. a m‐2. The latter value is at least 4 times higher than mean annual, spatially integrated phytoplankton biomass in Manukau Harbour, suggesting that benthic microalgae are a more important food source for estuarine consumers. High fucoxanthin:chlorophyll a ratios indicated that benthic microalgae were primarily diatoms. The physical characteristics of Manukau Harbour and similarity in taxonomic composition of the phytoplankton and benthic microalgae suggest that resuspended benthic microalgae are an important component of the harbour's phytoplankton biomass.
Does training of Health Extension Workers reduce scabies load in district health facilities in rural Ethiopia?

INTRODUCTION In 2017, Ethiopia included scabies management within the responsibility of health extension workers. In Kamba (the intervention district) workers were trained on scabies management. Whereas, in Arba Minch Zuria (the control district) there was no such training. This study assesses whether decentralization of scabies management to communities would reduce the load on health facilities and allow earlier scabies treatment access. METHODOLOGY All individuals presenting with scabies before (January - June 2018) and after (August 2018-January 2019) the introduction of training (July 2018) in Kamba district and the Arba Minch Zuria district were included. We compared between the two districts in the period before and after training, the numbers of scabies cases presenting to health facilities, their demography, clinical characteristics and treatment. RESULTS There were 1,891 scabies cases in the intervention district and 809 in the control district. Scabies cases declined in the intervention district from 7.6 to 1.6 per 1,000 population (a 4.8-fold reduction). In the control district, scabies cases increased from 1.3 to 2.4 per 1,000 population (a 1.8-fold increase). In intervention district, the proportion of scabies patients with secondary skin infections reduced from 1,227 (78%, n = 1,565) to 156 (48%, n = 326, P < 0.001). In the control district the difference was insignificant 39 (14%, n = 288) to 86 (17%, n = 521, P = 0.2). CONCLUSIONS Introducing trained health extension workers at community level were associated with reductions in health facility load for scabies and secondary infections. This is a wider community health benefit.
Environmental research on aphid parasitoid biocontrol agents in Chile (Hym., Aphidiidae; Hom., Aphidoidea)

An extensive review of parasitoid‐host associations and identification of aphid (including new records) and parasitoid species (endemic, introduced) found in Chile is presented as a background information. Several situations are analysed in detail as models to demonstrate the (agro)ecosystem relationships as drawn from the host range of the parasitoids. Multilateral approach in using parasitoid biocontrol agents has proved to provide several key positives such as 1. control of the target pest in the entire environment and throughout the season, 2. simultaneous control of target and non target pests by the same parasitoid biocontrol agents and 3. reduced application of pesticides. The goal of multilateral approach is to determine the host range network of parasitoid biocontrol agents, its seasonal changes and to derive corresponding (agro)ecosystem relationships. Biocontrol projects of Metopolophium dirhodum, Sitobion avenae, Acyrthosiphon pisum, A. kondoi and Diuraphis noxia in Chile are partially used as models.
Noninvasive Evaluation of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent liver diseases and can progress to advanced fibrosis and end-stage liver disease. Thus, intensive research has been performed to develop noninvasive methods for the diagnosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis. Currently, no single noninvasive tool covers all of the stages of pathologies and conditions of NAFLD, and the cost and feasibility of known techniques are also important issues. Blood biomarkers for NAFLD may be useful to select subjects who need ultrasonography (US) screening for NAFLD, and noninvasive tools for assessing fibrosis may be helpful to exclude the probability of significant fibrosis and to predict advanced fibrosis, thus guiding the decision of whether to perform liver biopsy in patients with NAFLD. Among various methods, magnetic resonance-based methods have been shown to perform better than other methods in assessing steatosis as well as in detecting hepatic fibrosis. Many genetic markers are associated with the development and progression of NAFLD. Further well-designed studies are needed to determine which biomarker panels, imaging studies, genetic marker panels, or combinations thereof perform well for diagnosing NAFLD, differentiating NASH and fibrosis, and following-up NAFLD, respectively.
THE PROCESS OF CUSTOMER VALUE ASSESSMENT IN B2B MARKETS: INSIGHTS FROM BEST PRACTICES

Customer value is increasingly recognised as one of the key concepts in marketing. While the extant literature has expended considerable effort on rethinking how suppliers create and deliver value to customers, little research has been conducted to examine how suppliers can assess the value realized by customers. Based on an exploratory field study using a grounded theory approach, we collected data from a) 18 qualitative interviews in three pilot firms, and b) 21 qualitative interviews in seven best practice firms in customer value assessment. Grounded by the insights from altogether 39 interviews with managers in ten different industrial firms, this paper examines the process of customer value assessment in B2B markets. The present study identifies four key phases involved in the process of customer value assessment; value potential identification, baseline assessment, long-term value realization, and systematic data management, and integrates them into a managerially grounded framework. The findings from this study contribute to the literature on customer value and provide useful insights for managers on how to assess the value created for
Plant growth retardants as tools in physiological research

Besides being applied in agriculture and horticulture, the new types of plant growth retardants from norbornanodiazetine, triazole, pyrimidine, 4-pyridine and imidazole structure are increasingly used in physiological research. As inhibitors of special cytochrome P-450 dependent monooxygenases they allow valuable insights in the regulation of terpenoid metabolism concerning phytohormones and sterols, thus showing relations to cell division, cell elongation and senescence.
Efficacy of qFL‐chr1, a Quantitative Trait Locus for Fiber Length in Cotton (Gossypium spp.)

Inanearlieradvanced-backcrossquantitative� traitlocus�(QTL)�analysisofaninterspecificGos- sypium hirsutumL. �×�Gossypium barbadenseL. � population,�28�fiberlengthQTLswereidentified� includingqFL-chr1� onchromosome� 1� ofthe� A-subgenome. �TheG. barbadensealleleatthis� QTLcontributedtolongerfibersandexplained� upto�24%�ofthephenotypicvariance. �Tosub- stantiatetheassociationofthisgenomicregion� withfiberlength,� threeBC 3 F 2 � plantsheterozy- gousforthegeneticmarkersthatdelineatethe� qFL-chr1�QTLwereselectedtoconstructthree� independentpopulationsofnear-isogenicintro- gressionlines� (NIILs). � TheefficacyofqFL-chr1� wasevaluatedamong� 140� NIILsgrownin� 2� yr. � TheresultssupportthepositiveeffectofqFL- chr1� onfiberlength. � AsingleNIIL,� R01-40-08,� hadabout� 94.3%� ofrecurrentgenomecom- positionandsignificantlylongerfiberthanthe� recurrentparentwhengrowninNanjing,�China. � Therefore,�inadditiontoconfirmingtheefficacy� ofqFL-chr1� toenhancefiberlength,� thiswork� providesavaluablegeneticresourceforthe� improvementofcotton.