Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Renal Function Profile in Human Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-Azar) Patients: A Case of Western Tigray, Ethiopia

Background Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne protozoan infection that has a wide clinical spectrum in the tropics and subtropics. Kidney damage is frequently associated with increased morbidity and mortality in visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients. However, up to date, there is a very limited report on the effect of visceral leishmaniasis on kidney function profiling in Ethiopia. Objective To evaluate the renal function profile in human visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) patients. Materials and Methods Human blood was taken from VL patients (n = 100) and healthy controls (n = 100) attending Kahsay Abera and Mearg Hospitals, Western Tigray of Ethiopia. Serum was separated according to the conventional protocol and kidney function profiling (creatinine, urea, and uric acid) was analyzed by Mindray 200E automated chemistry analyzer. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was also assessed in this study. The obtained data were processed using SPSS Version 23.0. Descriptive statistics, independent-test, and bivariate correlations were used for data analysis. P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant at a 95% confidence level. Results The mean serum creatinine level was found significantly higher, while respective serum urea and eGFR were significantly lower in VL patients compared to healthy controls. Specifically, from 100 VL cases, an increased level of serum creatinine, urea, and uric acid was found in 10%, 9% and 15% VL cases, respectively; meanwhile, a decreased serum urea and eGFR have been reported from 33% to 44% VL cases, respectively. Conclusion The finding of this study asserted that visceral leishmaniasis causes derangement in kidney activities characterized by alteration of renal function profile. This may indicate that VL is the determinant factor for developing kidney dysfunction. This study encourages researchers to engage in visceral leishmaniasis and its effect on other organ function profiles in humans and identify potential markers for both prevention and intervention.
Prevalence and risk factors of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in ischemic stroke patients – A global meta-analysis

Background: Unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) have an estimated global prevalence of 2.8% in the adult population; however, UIA was identified among more than 10% of ischemic stroke patients. Many epidemiological studies and reviews have pointed to the presence of UIA among patients with ischemic stroke; yet, the extent of this association is not fully known. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prevalence of UIA in patients admitted to hospitals with ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) at both global and continental levels and evaluate factors associated with UIA in this population. Methods: We identified, in five databases, all studies describing UIA in ischemic stroke and TIA patients between January 1, 2000, and December 20, 2021. Included studies were of observational and experimental design. Results: Our search yielded 3581 articles of which 23 were included, with a total of 25,420 patients. The pooled prevalence of UIA was 5% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 4–6%) with stratified results showing 6% (95% CI = 4–9%), 6% (95% CI = 5–7%), and 4% (95% CI = 2–5%) in North America, Asia, and Europe, respectively. Significant risk factors were large vessel occlusion (odds ratios [OR] = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.01–1.47) and hypertension (OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.24–1.69), while protective factors were male sex (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.53–0.68) and diabetes (OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.72–0.95). Conclusion: The prevalence of UIA is notably higher in ischemic stroke patients than the general population. Physicians should be aware of common risk factors in stroke and aneurysm formation for appropriate prevention.
The Combination of IL-6, PLR and Nail Psoriasis: Screen for the Early Diagnosis of Psoriatic Arthritis

Background Early screening or timely prediction of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are crucial. The study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics, cytokines and inflammation index between plaque psoriasis and PsA to explore their values in the early diagnosis of PsA. Methods This was a case-control study in a single center from January 2021 to February 2023. The differences in clinical characteristics and laboratory examinations between PsA and plaque psoriasis were conducted. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were used as a positive control. The correlation between variables were analyzed and multivariable logistic regression were performed by using the 10-fold cross-validation to find independently risk factors of plaque psoriasis that are developing PsA. Results A total of 109 patients with plaque psoriasis (without joint damage), 47 patients with PsA and 41 patients with RA were enrolled in this study. The study found that the proportion of patients with elevated serum IL-6 levels, as well as the value of platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), were significantly higher in patients with PsA and early PsA (PsA course ≤2 years) compared to those with plaque psoriasis (p<0.05). After adjusting for age, gender, severity of skin lesions, and comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, and overweight/obesity), the study identified nail psoriasis (OR=4.35, 95% CI 1.67–11.29, p<0.002), elevated serum IL-6 (OR=6.78, 95% CI 2.34–19.67, p<0.001), and PLR (OR=8.37, 95% CI 2.97–23.61, p<0.001) as independent risk factors for PsA. A multivariable logistic regression analysis employing 10-fold cross-validation assessing the predictive association between the diagnosis of early PsA and the combination of IL-6, PLR, and nail psoriasis demonstrated that the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.84 (95% CI 0.77–0.90) and the F1-score was 0.67 (95% CI 0.54–0.80). Conclusion The combination of elevated serum IL-6, PLR, and nail psoriasis can help to predict and screen the early stage of PsA.
Enhancing immunotherapy response in melanoma: myeloid-derived suppressor cells as a therapeutic target

Despite the remarkable success of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in melanoma treatment, resistance to them remains a substantial clinical challenge. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) represent a heterogeneous population of myeloid cells that can suppress antitumor immune responses mediated by T and natural killer cells and promote tumor growth. They are major contributors to ICI resistance and play a crucial role in creating an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Therefore, targeting MDSCs is considered a promising strategy to improve the therapeutic efficacy of ICIs. This Review describes the mechanism of MDSC-mediated immune suppression, preclinical and clinical studies on MDSC targeting, and potential strategies for inhibiting MDSC functions to improve melanoma immunotherapy.
Comparison of young swimmer's active drag coefficient using three methods to compute trunk transverse surface area Comparação do coeficiente de arrasto activo através de três técnicas de avaliação da área de secção tranversa do tronco em jovens nadadores

The purpose of this study was to compare the active drag coefficient (CDa) of young swimmers using three different ways of measuring the trunk transverse surface area (TTSA). 23 young swimmers, including 12 boys and 11 girls were analyzed. The velocity perturbation method of Kolmogorov was used to compute CDa. The TTSA was calculated based on three methods: i) measured by photogrammetric; ii) estimated by the equation developed by Clarys and; iii) estimated from the equations developed by Morais et al. (2011). Three procedures were used in the comparison CDa values: i) t Student test; ii) simple linear regression analysis and; iii) Bland Altman plots. All paired samples showed significant differences (p < .001) when comparing mean values. However, there were significant correlations (p < .001) between the paired samples in the simple linear regression analysis, and the in the Bland Altman plots for all conditions studied. At least 80% of the plots were within the ± 1.96 standard deviation of the difference. As a conclusion, the mean values of CDa computed with TTSA estimated with the equations developed by Morais et al. (2011) were the ones with lower difference compared with TTSA measured directly. Those should be used by coaches and investigators
History Of The Theories Of Aether And Electricity

Thank you for reading history of the theories of aether and electricity. Maybe you have knowledge that, people have search numerous times for their chosen readings like this history of the theories of aether and electricity, but end up in infectious downloads. Rather than enjoying a good book with a cup of coffee in the afternoon, instead they juggled with some infectious bugs inside their desktop computer.
Nomilin and its analogue obacunone alleviate NASH and hepatic fibrosis in mice via enhancing antioxidant and anti‐inflammation capacity

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatic fibrosis are leading causes of cirrhosis with rising morbidity and mortality worldwide. Currently, there is no appropriate treatment for NASH and hepatic fibrosis. Many studies have shown that oxidative stress is a main factor inducing NASH. Nomilin (NML) and obacunone (OBA) are limonoid compounds naturally occurring in citrus fruits with various biological properties. However, whether OBA and NML have beneficial effects on NASH remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that OBA and NML inhibited hepatic tissue necrosis, inflammatory infiltration and liver fibrosis progression in methionine and choline‐deficient (MCD) diet, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐treated and bile duct ligation (BDL) NASH and hepatic fibrosis mouse models. Mechanistic studies showed that NML and OBA enhanced anti‐oxidative effects, including reduction of malondialdehyde (MDA) level, increase of catalase (CAT) activity and the gene expression of glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) and Nrf2‐keap1 signaling. Additional, NML and OBA inhibited the expression of inflammatory gene interleukin 6 (Il‐6), and regulated the bile acid metabolism genes Cyp3a11, Cyp7a1, multidrug resistance‐associated protein 3 (Mrp3). Overall, these findings indicate that NML and OBA may alleviate NASH and liver fibrosis in mice via enhancing antioxidant and anti‐inflammation capacity. Our study proposed that NML and OBA may be potential strategies for NASH treatment.
Echoes of ancient introgression punctuate stable genomic lineages in the evolution of figs

Significance Understanding the processes responsible for the striking plant diversity found in tropical forests has been a constant preoccupation of ecology and evolutionary biology. Recent studies have proposed a role for introgressive gene flow. To test the prevalence of introgression in a high-diversity clade of trees with a specialized pollination system, we built a global phylogenomic framework of figs (Ficus), a keystone species across tropical forests and partners in a celebrated pollination mutualism. Our results based on 1,858 genes for 520 species of figs and relatives found limited introgression in the nuclear genome despite widespread cytoplasm transfer, consistent with phylogenetically stable lineages despite occasional hybridization. A well-resolved phylogenomic framework for figs provides an important tool for classification and comparative evolutionary studies.
MicroRNA-29 Differentially Mediates Preeclampsia-Dysregulated Cellular Responses to Cytokines in Female and Male Fetal Endothelial Cells

Introduction Preeclampsia (PE) differentially impairs female and male fetal endothelial cell function which is associated with the increased risks of adult-onset cardiovascular disorders in children born to mothers with PE. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly defined. We hypothesize that dysregulation of microRNA-29a-3p and 29c-3p (miR-29a/c-3p) in PE disturbs gene expression and cellular responses to cytokines in fetal endothelial cells in a fetal sex-dependent manner. Methods RT-qPCR analysis of miR-29a/c-3p was performed on female and male unpassaged (P0) human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) from normotensive (NT) and PE pregnancies. Bioinformatic analysis of an RNAseq dataset was performed to identify PE-dysregulated miR-29a/c-3p target genes in female and male P0-HUVECs. Gain- and loss-of-function assays were conducted to determine the effects of miR-29a/c-3p on endothelial monolayer integrity and proliferation in response to TGFβ1 and TNFα in NT and PE HUVECs at passage 1. Results PE downregulated miR-29a/c-3p in male, but not female P0-HUVECs. PE dysregulated significantly more miR-29a/c-3p target genes in female vs. male P0-HUVECs. Many of these PE-differentially dysregulated miR-29a/c-3p target genes are associated with critical cardiovascular diseases and endothelial functions. We further demonstrated that miR-29a/c-3p knockdown specifically recovered the PE-abolished TGFβ1-induced strengthening of endothelial monolayer integrity in female HUVECs, while miR-29a/c-3p overexpression specifically enhanced the TNFα-promoted cell proliferation in male PE HUVECs. Conclusions PE differentially dysregulates miR-29a/c-3p and their target genes associated with cardiovascular diseases- and endothelial function in female and male fetal endothelial cells, possibly contributing to the fetal sex-specific endothelial dysfunction observed in PE.
A large‐scale whole‐exome sequencing mutant resource for functional genomics in wheat

Summary Hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum), a major staple crop, has a remarkably large genome of ~14.4 Gb (containing 106 913 high‐confidence [HC] and 159 840 low‐confidence [LC] genes in the Chinese Spring v2.1 reference genome), which poses a major challenge for functional genomics studies. To overcome this hurdle, we performed whole‐exome sequencing to generate a nearly saturated wheat mutant database containing 18 025 209 mutations induced by ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), carbon (C)‐ion beams, or γ‐ray mutagenesis. This database contains an average of 47.1 mutations per kb in each gene‐coding sequence: the potential functional mutations were predicted to cover 96.7% of HC genes and 70.5% of LC genes. Comparative analysis of mutations induced by EMS, γ‐rays, or C‐ion beam irradiation revealed that γ‐ray and C‐ion beam mutagenesis induced a more diverse array of variations than EMS, including large‐fragment deletions, small insertions/deletions, and various non‐synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms. As a test case, we combined mutation analysis with phenotypic screening and rapidly mapped the candidate gene responsible for the phenotype of a yellow‐green leaf mutant to a 2.8‐Mb chromosomal region. Furthermore, a proof‐of‐concept reverse genetics study revealed that mutations in gibberellic acid biosynthesis and signalling genes could be associated with negative impacts on plant height. Finally, we built a publically available database of these mutations with the corresponding germplasm (seed stock) repository to facilitate advanced functional genomics studies in wheat for the broad plant research community.
Attachment Anxiety and Dissociation Mediate Associations Between Polytrauma and Somatization in Kenyan Adolescents

ABSTRACT The experience of several potentially traumatic events (PTE) is a risk factor for higher somatization symptoms severity among adolescents. Attachment orientations and dissociation may influence the link between exposure to PTE and somatization symptoms severity. We analyzed the associations between direct exposure to PTE and somatization symptoms in Kenyan adolescents and explored the mediating role of attachment orientations and dissociation symptoms in the associations between direct exposure to PTE with somatization symptoms severity. A sample of 475 Kenyan adolescents completed validated self-report questionnaires. Serial multiple mediation models were tested by conducting a structural equation modeling employing Preacher and Hayes’ procedures (2008). Attachment anxiety and dissociation symptoms mediate the association between direct exposure to traumatic events and somatization symptoms. Higher exposure to traumatic events was significantly associated with higher attachment anxiety levels, which was associated with higher levels of dissociation symptoms, which was then associated with higher somatization symptoms severity. High levels of attachment anxiety and dissociation might aggravate somatization symptoms differently according to sex, which might be seen as a psychological distress mechanism subsequent to exposure to multiple PTE in African adolescents.
Are Sudden Stratospheric Warmings Generic? Insights from an Idealized GCM

AbstractThis work examines the life cycle of sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs) from composites of a large number of events. The events are sampled from idealized general circulation model (GCM) integrations and form a database of several hundred major, displacement, splitting, and weak vortex events. It is shown that except for a few details, the generic zonal-mean evolution does not depend on the definition used to detect SSWs. In all cases, the composites show the stratosphere in a positive annular mode phase prior to the events and a barotropic response in the stratosphere at onset. There is a clear positive peak in upward Eliassen–Palm (EP) flux prior to the onset date in the stratosphere and a much weaker peak in the troposphere, making the evolution more consistent with the picture of the stratosphere acting as a variable filter of tropospheric EP flux, rather than SSWs being forced by a strong “burst” in the troposphere. When comparing composites of SSWs from the database with apparent influence.
Internal carotid artery blood flow and pulsatility index in cognitively impaired people with chronic heart failure

Mild cognitive impairment and dementia are common and serious co‐morbidities in people with chronic heart failure (HF) as they increase hospitalization rates, mortality and health care costs. Upon other factors, dysregulated cerebral perfusion might contribute to brain pathology. We aimed to evaluate the association of non‐invasively measured blood flow (BF) and pulsatility index (PI) of the internal carotid artery (ICA) with (i) chronic HF parameters, (ii) brain morphologic measures and (iii) cognitive impairment.
An investigation into the free-piston engine concept and its potential for high efficiency and low emissions power generation

An investigation into the feasibility of the free-piston engine concept and its potential for high efficiency and low emissions power generation has been conducted using computational modelling and simulation. A thorough background study and literature review was carried out covering previously reported experience with free-piston engines, particular features of this technology, and potential advantages and challenges associated with their design. A single piston free-piston engine generator was proposed as a result of the background study and a design strategy for this engine configuration was formulated. Detailed simulation models for the free-piston engine were developed and extensive simulation studies conducted to investigate the performance and operating characteristics of such an engine. Engine performance indicators, such as fuel efficiency, power to weight ratio, and exhaust gas emissions formation, were studied along with engine operational control issues. The results were directly compared to those of equivalent conventional crankshaft engines in order to investigate potential differences in engine performance. It was found that the free-piston engine has potential advantages over conventional technology in the areas of mechanical efficiency, exhaust gas emissions formation, and operational flexibility. The main challenge lies within the area of piston motion control and further research into engine control issues are required. A more detailed study of engine emissions formation is also recommended in order to fully understand the influence of the particular operating characteristics of the free-piston configuration on engine performance.
Diffusion-tensor MR imaging of optic pathway in idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Purpose To investigate the role of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of optic pathway in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Patients and Methods This study included 41 IIH patients and 22 controls. They underwent DTI of the optic nerve (ON) and optic radiation (OR). Their fractional anostrophy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were calculated by two reviewers and correlated with papilledema grade. Results The optic nerve mean FA and MD of patients for reviewer-1 were 0.21 ± 0.047 and 2.189 ± 0.52 ×10−3 mm2/s and for reviewer-2 were 0.216 ± 0.047 and 2.17 ± 0.54 ×10−3 mm2/s. The mean ON FA and MD of controls for reviewer-1 were 0.33 ± 0.048 and 1.29 ± 0.26 ×10−3 mm2/s and for reviewer-2 were 0.34 ± 0.05 and 1.3 ± 0.26 ×10−3 mm2/s. There was significant difference in FA and MD between patients and controls (p < 0.00001). The OR mean FA and MD of patients for reviewer-1 were 0.61 ± 0.03 and 2.26 ± 0.55 ×10−3 mm2/s and for reviewer-2 were 0.6 ± 0.03 and 2.24 ± 0.57 ×10−3 mm2/s The mean OR FA and MD of controls for reviewer-1 were 0.6 ± 0.03 and 2.19 ± 0.49 ×10−3 mm2/s and for reviewer-2 were 0.6 ± 0.03 and 2.18 ± 0.49 ×10−3 mm2/s. There was no significant difference in FA and MD obtained in patients and controls. Both the FA and the MD of the ON showed strong correlation with the papilledema grade (r = −0.8 and 0.951, respectively). Conclusion Our findings suggest that, IIH is associated mainly with pre-chiasmatic or ON involvement rather than post-chiasmatic parenchymal or OR involvement. DTI MD and FA parameters of the ON may be a reliable imaging biomarker for diagnosis of IIH and well correlated with papilledema grades.
Genomic Analysis of a Scale Worm Provides Insights into Its Adaptation to Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents

Abstract Deep-sea polynoid scale worms endemic to hydrothermal vents have evolved an adaptive strategy to the chronically hypoxic environment, but its underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we assembled a chromosome-scale genome of the vent-endemic scale worm Branchipolynoe longqiensis (the first annotated genome in the subclass Errantia) and annotated two shallow-water polynoid genomes, aiming to elucidate the adaptive mechanisms. We present a genome-wide molecular phylogeny of Annelida which calls for extensive taxonomy revision by including more genomes from key lineages. The B. longqiensis genome with a genome size of 1.86 Gb and 18 pseudochromosomes is larger than the genomes of two shallow-water polynoids, possibly due to the expansion of various transposable elements (TEs) and transposons. We revealed two interchromosomal rearrangements in B. longqiensis when compared with the two shallow-water polynoid genomes. The intron elongation and interchromosomal rearrangement can influence a number of biological processes, such as vesicle transport, microtubules, and transcription factors. Furthermore, the expansion of cytoskeleton-related gene families may favor the cell structure maintenance of B. longqiensis in the deep ocean. The expansion of synaptic vesicle exocytosis genes has possibly contributed to the unique complex structure of the nerve system in B. longqiensis. Finally, we uncovered an expansion of single-domain hemoglobin and a unique formation of tetra-domain hemoglobin via tandem duplications, which may be related to the adaptation to a hypoxic environment.