Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Fluoroquinolones on the Activity of the Glutathione System in the Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes

An important role in the etiotropic therapy of purulent-inflammatory complications take fluoroquinolones which are active against pathogenic microflora. Due to their wide range of antimicrobial activity, low toxicity, good pharmacokinetics properties, they are widely use in the treatment of bacterial infections of different localization. These are drugs of ultra-wide range of activity, active against gram-positive and gram-negative, aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms, chlamydia, mycoplasma, mycobacteria [1-4]. Fluoroquinolones are synthesized by introducing into the molecule 4-quinolones – one, two or four fluorine atoms [1,2]. These synthetic antibiotics have a specific mechanism of action, which is to inhibit the activity of DNA gyrase (topoisomerase II) and topoisomerase IV of bacterial cells – the enzyme responsible for the stability of the DNA structure of the bacteria and is involved in cell division [2,3,5]. Under the action of fluoroquinolones, the bacterial cell's DNA is despiralized, its spatial structure is disrupted and, as a consequence, the process of replication, transcription, translation, and cell death is impaired. The pharmacodynamics of fluoroquinolones include antibacterial (bacteriocidal), postantibiotic and immunomodulatory effects [7,8]. Drugs 2nd generations (for example, ciprofloxacin) are active in a wide range of gram-negative aerobic microorganisms as well as Staphylococcus aureus, salmonella, Escherichia coli [6]. Also active against mycobacterium tuberculosis. Moderately active in attitude to pneumococci, enterococci, chlamydia. Its bioavailability is 80%. Third-generation fluoroquinolones are highly active against pneumococci and intracellular pathogens, in particular mycoplasma and chlamydia [6]. Thus. levofloxacin has advantages over other fluoroquinolones against pneumococci, chlamydia, mycoplasma. More frequent it is used for the treatment of respiratory infections, as well as infections of the urogenital tract, skin. New, IV generation fluoroquinolones, in particular moxifloxacin have considerably anymore activity against gram-positive microorganisms compared to previous generations of fluoroquinolones [6]. Moxifloxacin is most active against staphylococci, streptococci. In relation to pneumococci, it is in 4-16 times more active than ciprofloxacin. Moxifloxacin acts on polyresistant strains such as chlamydia, mycoplasma, ureaplasma in particular on mycobacterium of tuberculosis, which bioavailability is 90%. It is possible to assume that antibiotics of fluorchinolone if they enter human body also have influence on eukaryotic cells, in particular blood cells. It
Adverse drug reactions in paediatric patients in a tertiary care hospital in India: a prospective observational single centre study

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a major source of concern in adult and paediatric population. Monitoring ADRs in children is vital as they differ from adults in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics responses. Strict ethical guidelines in clinical trials result in extrapolation of data from studies done in adults. Further, ADRs reported in adults do not predict those in children. Incidence of ADRs in children is 2.9% emphasizing the need for systematic monitoring. Studies at institutional level can generate valuable data among paediatric population. Hence, the current study was taken up to assess the clinical pattern of ADRs, their causality, severity and preventability. Methods: This is a prospective observational single centre study. Suspected cases of ADRs were collected and assessed for the clinical pattern, causality, severity and preventability factors along with gender-wise distribution. Results: A total of 118 ADRs were reported in our study. Most of the ADRs (46.67%) occurred below 1 year of age with male preponderance (53.4%). Skin was the most common organ involved (91.5%). Majority (78.8%) of ADRs were due to anti-infectives for systemic use (J). Vaccines were the most commonly implicated agents (55.9%) followed by antibiotics (22.9%). Severe reaction like DRESS syndrome was reported due to antiepileptics (including levetiracetam) requiring hospitalisation. Majority of ADRs were probable (92.4%), moderate (73.7%) and definitely preventable (61%). Conclusions: A wide range of ADRs are possible in paediatric population. Adequate knowledge about ADRs is essential and caution has to be exercised even while prescribing drugs which are considered safe in children.
Computational Modelling of Nephron Progenitor Cell Movement and Aggregation during Kidney Organogenesis

During early kidney organogenesis, nephron progenitor (NP) cells move from the tip to the corner region of the ureteric bud (UB) branches in order to form the pretubular aggregate, the early structure giving rise to nephron formation. Chemotaxis and cell-cell adhesion differences are believed to drive cell patterning during this critical period of organogenesis, but the spatiotemporal organization of this process is incompletely understood. We applied a Cellular Potts model to explore to how these processes contribute to directed cell movement and aggregation. Model parameters were estimated based on fitting to experimental data obtained in ex vivo kidney explant and dissociation-reaggregation organoid culture studies. Our simulations indicated that optimal enrichment and aggregation of NP cells in the UB corner niche requires chemoattractant secretion from both the UB epithelial cells and the NP cells themselves, as well as differences in cell-cell adhesion energies. Furthermore, NP cells were observed, both experimentally and by modelling, to move at higher speed in the UB corner as compared to the tip region where they originated. The existence of different cell speed domains along the UB was confirmed using self-organizing map analysis. In summary, we demonstrated the suitability of a Cellular Potts Model approach to simulate cell movement and patterning during early nephrogenesis. Further refinement of the model should allow us to recapitulate the effects of developmental changes of cell phenotypes and molecular crosstalk during organ development. Author Summary The emergence of tissue patterns during vertebrate development is a major interest of both experimental research and biocomputational modelling. In this study, we established a Cellular Potts Model to explore cellular processes during early kidney development. The goal was to elucidate movements and aggregations of nephron progenitor cells. These precursor cells derive from mesenchymal cells around the ureteric buds and eventually form the epithelial structure of the nephron. Moreover, we wanted to explore computationally the mechanisms how these cells segregate from metanephric mesenchyme and move towards the location where the nephron will be formed. Utilizing the Compucell3D simulation software, we developed a model which assumes that nephron progenitor movement and aggregation is governed by only two mechanisms, i.e. cell-cell adhesion differences between cell types and nephron progenitor cell chemotaxis in response to chemoattractant secretion from two sources. These sources were either the epithelial cells of a static ureteric bud and/or the nephron progenitor cells themselves. The simulations indicated faster average cell speeds near the ureteric bud corner, the target region of cell movement and aggregation, and slower speeds near the place of origin, the tip of ureteric bud. The results were validated by comparison of the model predictions with experimental data from two ex vivo embryonic kidney models and a computational optimization protocol.
FCR-3 as Frontline Therapy for Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).

The combination regimen of Fludarabine, Cyclophosphamide, and Rituximab (FCR) has produced high overall response (OR) rates and complete remission (CR) rates in patients receiving this as initial treatment for CLL. Earlier studies have shown that dose-dense or dose-intensified regimens of single-agent Rituximab produced higher response rates in patients with CLL. The current regimen, FCR-3, was based on the hypothesis that increasing the amount of Rituximab in the combination might improve response rates and remission duration. Doses of chemotherapy were Fludarabine 25 mg/m2/Dx3, and Cyclophosphamide 250 mg/m2/Dx3 given monthly. Rituximab was given at 375 mg/m2 as the first dose and 500 mg/m2 for all subsequent doses. On each day of the chemotherapy a dose of Rituximab was given so 3 doses were given monthly. With the previous FCR regimen 45% of patients achieved a CR or nPR and had PCR negativity using consensus primer PCR was achieved in 49% of patients at the end of therapy. Median number of days between courses ranges from 29–35 per course (overall range 27–95). Eighty-five percent of patients completed 6 cycles. No patient has progressed with a median follow-up of 10 months. With limited follow-up the addition of 3 doses of Rituximab to FC chemotherapy does not appear to provide greater benefit than one dose.
Exploring teacher scaffolding in a CLIL-framed EFL intensive reading class: A classroom discourse analysis approach

Teacher scaffolding plays a crucial role in shaping the quality of classroom learning, yet little is known about the effective features of scaffolding in classes using content language integrated learning (CLIL), especially in terms of its effects on learners’ language and cognitive development. To address this issue, the study adopts a classroom discourse analysis approach to capture features of effective teacher scaffolding in a CLIL-framed intensive reading class. Results showed a perceived increase in learners’ language and cognitive abilities while also revealing a series of effective teacher scaffolding strategies in CLIL. These include frequent use of dialogic inquiry and incidental feedback in discourse extensions, and the variation of teacher scaffolding strategies in response to students’ learning needs. The findings will inform the development of the CLIL pedagogy in EFL (English as a foreign language) education in China and other parts of the world.
The Accuracy and Value of Voter Validation in National Surveys: Insights from Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Studies

Ansolabehere and Hersh and others have examined the reported voting behavior of survey respondents using a variety of validation methods, including matching with national voter files provided by outside vendors. This analysis provides the first examination of a thirty-year national longitudinal study and compares the insights obtained from this longitudinal analysis to two 2016 national cross-sectional studies of voting behavior using structural equation modeling. We find that respondents of the longitudinal study overreport at lower rates than respondents in our 2016 samples, and the traditional predictors of overreporting such as political interest, engagement, and partisanship predict overreporting among respondents in both our longitudinal and 2016 short-term panel studies, but our longitudinal data include novel predictors of overreporting such as parent socialization factors. We conclude with a discussion of the phenomenon of overreporting in surveys and how survey accuracy becomes increasingly important for both the public and policymakers in an era of decreasing trust in institutions and expertise.
In Silico Identification of Novel B Cell and T Cell Epitopes of Wuhan Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) for Effective Multi Epitope-Based Peptide Vaccine Production

During December 2019, a novel coronavirus named as 2019-nCoV, has emerged in Wuhan, China. The human to human transmission of this virus has also been established. Untill now the virus has infected more than seven thousand people and has spread to fifteen countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared 2019-nCoV as global health emergency due to its outburst well beyond China. There is need to develop some vaccines or therapeutics to control or prevent 2019-nCoV infections. The bottleneck with current conventional approaches is that these require longer time for vaccine development. However, computer assisted approaches help us to produce effective vaccine in short time compared with conventional methods. In this study, bioinformatics analysis was used to predict B cell and T cell epitopes of surface glycoprotein of 2019-nCoV that could be suitable to trigger significant immune response. The sequence of surface glycoprotein was collected from the database and analyzed to identify the immunogenic epitope. Both B cell and T cell epitopes were analyzed so the predicted epitopes can stimulate both cellular and humoral immune responses. We predicted 13 B cell and 05 T cell epitopes that later on were joined with GPGPG linker to make a single peptide. This computational approach to design a multi epitope peptide vaccine against emerging 2019-nCoV allows us to find novel immunogenic epitopes against the antigen targets of surface 2019-nCoV surface glycoprotein. This multi epitope peptide vaccine may prove effective to combat 2019-nCoV infections.
Study of nano-ZnO/Graphene-based photocatalyst to degrade Triclosan under UV and visible light

In recent years, a growing problem with water treatment has arisen due to the presence of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDC), which persist in surface, waste, and drinking water. A significant example of EDC is triclosan (TCS), a bactericidal widely used in deodorant formulations, toothpaste, soaps, powders, cosmetics, textiles, plastics, polymers, fibers, and medical implant devices. Then, given the use of these products, triclosan has been directly discharged into wastewater, although it has also been detected in surface water, sludge, sediment, and drinking water. The treatment of water, by conventional methods, removes in some cases up to 90% of EDC. However, with such residual concentrations of triclosan, it is necessary to develop methods to remove even trace concentrations of these pollutants. Heterogeneous photocatalysis, which is usually carried out under ultraviolet radiation to activate the semiconductor and thereby to trigger reduction and oxidation reactions that are responsible for degrading and mineralizing organic compounds, such as triclosan. Nano ZnO is a semiconductor that has demonstrated potential photocatalytic activity to degrade EDC, but its development can be improved by using an electron transport material as graphene or graphene oxide. Modification of ZnO nanoparticles with graphene and graphene oxide (GO) was carried out, and the obtained hybrid photocatalyst was used for the photodegradation of TCS. The carbon material amount was evaluated to modify nano-ZnO catalyst using two different methods mechanical and photo-irradiation, and the resultant materials were characterized in order to determine their physicochemical and photocatalytic properties. Regarding the photocatalytic evaluation, the results of the photodegradation process for TCS showed that carbon materials act as a trap of electrons improving the performance of ZnO even at low TCS concentration (8 mg.L ) under visible and UV radiation. The graphene base-modified photocatalysts with the highest concentration (0.5% w/w) showed the best photocatalytic performance under visible light degrading up to 47% of TCS and showed a reaction rate constant two times higher than pure ZnO in contrast with the 95% of the TCS degraded under UV light. In addition, the hybrid nano-ZnO/GO photocatalyst was immobilized in a polymer matrix (PVA hydrogel), as an alternative to support photocatalyst in real WWTPs obtaining a TCS degradation of 32% under visible radiation. This research contributes to the understanding how to enhance the efficiency of hybrid photocatalysts and the photoactive polymer material under natural light radiation (solar light) in APOs.
Impact of land use change and soil type on total phosphorus and its fractions in soil aggregates

Conversion of land from native vegetation to long‐term agricultural cropping adversely affects soil phosphorus (P) reserves. We examined surface soils (0–0.1 m) from three paired sites from four land uses (native vegetation, cropping, pasture, and plantation, up to 115 years) from subtropical Australia (a Vertisol from Warra, an Oxisol from Lamington, and an Oxisol from Kingaroy) for the changes in the total P concentrations as well as the fractionation of P in bulk soil and in aggregate fractions. Among different land uses and soil types, the conversion of the Kingaroy Oxisol from native vegetation to cropping decreased soil aggregation markedly. Across all three soils, land use change from native vegetation to cropping decreased total organic C (TOC) concentrations by 68–85% and organic P (Po) by 55–63%. The corresponding decreases in Po upon conversion to pasture and plantation were lower, being 12–23%. These decreases in Po were primarily associated with a decrease in the NaOH‐Po fraction (relatively available P). Although land use change to cropping reduced the proportion of large macroaggregates, the P concentration, including NaOH‐Po fraction was similar across all aggregate sizes. Finally, although the overall contribution of the silt+clay fraction was small, the C and Po reserves in this fraction tended to be more resilient and the C/Po ratio remained relatively constant. This study has demonstrated the impacts of cropping on soil P reserves, but that conversion of cropping to pasture or plantation can largely reverse these adverse effects.
Prevalence and Persistence of Uremic Symptoms in Incident Dialysis Patients.

Background Uremic symptoms are major contributors to the poor quality of life among patients on dialysis, but whether their prevalence or intensity has changed over time is unknown. Methods We examined responses to validated questionnaires in two incident dialysis cohort studies, the Choices for Health Outcomes in Caring for ESRD (CHOICE) study (N=926, 1995-1998) and the Longitudinal United States/Canada Incident Dialysis (LUCID) study (N=428, 2011-2017). We determined the prevalence and severity of uremic symptoms-anorexia, nausea/vomiting, pruritus, sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, and pain-in both cohorts. Results In CHOICE and LUCID, respectively, mean age of the participants was 58 and 60 years, 53% and 60% were male, and 28% and 32% were black. In both cohorts, 54% of the participants had diabetes. Median time from dialysis initiation to the symptoms questionnaires was 45 days for CHOICE and 77 days for LUCID. Uremic symptom prevalence in CHOICE did not change from baseline to 1-year follow-up and was similar across CHOICE and LUCID. Baseline symptom prevalence in CHOICE and LUCID was as follows: anorexia (44%, 44%, respectively), nausea/vomiting (36%, 43%), pruritus (72%, 63%), sleepiness (86%, 68%), difficulty concentrating (55%, 57%), fatigue (89%, 77%), and pain (82%, 79%). In both cohorts, >80% of patients had three or more symptoms and >50% had five or more symptoms. The correlation between individual symptoms was low (ρ<0.5 for all comparisons). In CHOICE, no clinical or laboratory parameter was strongly associated with multiple symptoms. Conclusions The burden of uremic symptoms among patients on dialysis is substantial and has not changed in the past 15 years. Improving quality of life will require identification of the factors that underlie the pathogenesis of uremic symptoms and better ways of removing the toxins that are responsible.
Exploring proximal and distal psychosocial stressors influencing the health outcomes of urban American Indians in the Midwest

ii Dedication v List of Figures ix List of Tables x Acknowledgements xi Chapter 1Introduction 1 Chapter 2Literature Review 8 The American Indian Holocaust 8 Initial contact and disease 9 Colonization and warfare 10 Forced assimilation 11 Land treaties and removal 12 Boarding school era 14 Urbanization 15 Healthcare 16 Psychosocial Factors Associated with Current AI/AN Health and Wellness 18 Health disparities and extreme stressors 18 Indigenist Stress-Coping Model 22 Historical trauma, health outcomes, and psychosocial cultural factors 24 Historical trauma and substance abuse 34 Alcohol 35 Commercial tobacco 40 Cultural losses 43 Healing and the return to traditional practices 45 Literature Critique 46 The Present Study 49 Goals 49 Research questions and hypotheses 49 The prevalence of historical loss thoughts and its associated symptoms 49 The proximal stressor model 51 The distal stressor model 51 Relationships among other study variables 52 Chapter 3Method 55 Frameworks 55 Community Collaboration 57 Participants 60 Inclusion criteria 60 Power analyses 61 Descriptive data 61 Recruitment 63
A study to assess the oral health status and treatment needs of fishermen population in coastal region of Tamil Nadu

Objectives: To assess the oral health status and treatment needs of fishermen population in coastal regions of Tamil Nadu. To suggest possible measures to improve their present oral health status. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in Karaichuthuvari coastal village of Thirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu was selected by multistage sampling method. Prior permission was obtained from president of concern village and secretary of fishermen co-operative society. All the available 297 population in which 144 fishermen and 153 Non-fishermen were examined with their consent. Information regarding demographic details, dietary habits, oral hygiene habits, personal habits and past dental visits was obtained by using pre-designed questionnaire. The oral health status was recorded on the WHO oral health assessment form 1991 (modified) and the examination was carried out under natural light by using mouth mirrors and CPI probe. Results: Significant observation was that (52.7%) of the fishermen had oral mucosal lesions compared to Non-fishermen (37.9%). The prevalence of dental caries high among fishermen (54.9 %) compared to Non- fishermen (44.4%) The different stage of periodontal disease was higher among the fishermen (93.1%) than the Non- fishermen (83%). 43.1% of the fishermen had loss of periodontal attachment compared to non-fishermen (28.8%). The treatment needs for fishermen were extraction 39.6%, filling 20.8%, pulp care 11.8%, prosthetic upper 30.5%, and prosthetic lower 37.5% for Non-fishermen extraction 35.5%, filling 18.3%, pulp care 15.6%, prosthetic upper 27.4%, and prosthetic lower 30.7%. Conclusion: Oral health status of fishermen was relatively poor with high caries prevalence (54.9%) poor periodontal health (93.1%) and high prevalence of oral mucosal lesions (52.7%) when compared to Non-fishermen. High prevalence of dental caries may be due do their high sweet consumption (75.7%) and poor oral hygiene practice (84.7%). High gutka (31.3%) and pan chewing habits (38.9%) might be the reason for higher oral mucosal lesions among fishermen. Treatment needs like extractions 39.6%, filling 20.8% and prosthetic rehabilitation were required for fishermen.
Vulnerability and life-history traits correlate with the load of deleterious mutations in fish

Understanding why some species accumulate more deleterious substitutions than others is an important question relevant in evolutionary biology and conservation sciences. Previous studies conducted in terrestrial taxa suggest that life history traits correlate with the efficiency of purifying selection and accumulation of deleterious mutations. Using a large genome dataset of 76 species of fishes, we show that the rate of deleterious mutation accumulation (measured via dN/dS, i.e. non-synonymous over synonymous substitution rate) is associated to the vulnerability, the life-history strategies, and the latitude of species. Our results, focusing on a large clade of aquatic species, generalizes previous patterns found so far in few clades of terrestrial vertebrates. These results also suggest that vulnerable species accumulate more deleterious substitutions than non-threatened ones, which give insights in how life-history traits, populations sizes and genetic risk of extinction can be tightly interconnected.