Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adiponectin and Leptin as Biomarkers of Disease Activity and Metabolic Disorders in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease, characterized by inflammation of multiple joints, resulting in irreversible cartilage and bone destruction. Chronic disease activity may be associated with metabolic disorders and premature atherosclerosis. Adipokines are involved not only in metabolism regulation, but also in inflammatory and immune response. Aim This study is designed to explore relationships between adipokines (adiponectin, leptin) and metabolic parameters, as well as disease activity, in patients with chronic RA. Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled 109 patients with RA. The clinical assessment was performed including tender and swollen joint counts, Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), body mass index (BMI). The following laboratory parameters were performed: erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, glucose, lipid profile, creatinine. Serum levels of adiponectin and leptin were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The mean adiponectin and leptin serum concentrations remained within normal ranges. Both, adiponectin and leptin levels were not associated with current disease activity markers (clinical and laboratory), and type of treatment. Significant relationships were found between adipokines and metabolic parameters, as well as with coexistent conditions and RA characteristics. Higher leptin levels were noticed in patients with hypertension. In the multiple linear regression analysis, correlations were confirmed. Adiponectin was positively correlated with HDL-C (b = 0.37, p < 0.001), age (b = 0.39, p< 0.001), and negatively with glucose (b = −0.17, p = 0.03). Leptin was positively correlated with BMI (b = 0.58, p < 0.001), and negatively with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (b = −0.30, p < 0.001). Conclusion The results of this study show the value of adipokines as indicators of metabolic disorders, rather than inflammatory markers in patients with chronic RA, treated with immunosuppressive or biological drugs. High leptin level may indicate poor prognostic factors, kidney and cardiovascular complications. Adiponectin seems to be protective against metabolic disorders in chronic RA.
Experimental dissolution of fossil bone under variable pH conditions

Fossils exposed at the surface are an integral component of the paleontologic record and provide an archive of past life. However, it is widely known that fossils are not stable indefinitely upon exposure to surface conditions such as physical, chemical, and biological processes, and this last phase of taphonomy is poorly understood. Studies regarding the longevity of fossils subject to weathering, such as acidic precipitation, are absent in the literature. The goal of this study was to experimentally determine vertebrate fossil dissolution rates under variable pH conditions in a controlled laboratory setting. It was hypothesized that fossils would dissolve within acidic solutions and do so at an increasing rate when exposed to increasingly acidic solutions. The experiments were conducted on three fossil vertebrae in triplicate in closed reaction vessels at pH 4, 5, and 6. The fossils were completely submerged for 21 days in a tap water solution with the pH adjusted using 0.1N hydrochloric acid (HCl). Fossil dissolution was quantified by changes to: (1) fossil mass; (2) elemental chemistry of water and fossils with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS); (3) fossil mineralogy with X-ray diffraction (XRD); and (4) histologic structures with thin section analyses. All fossils exhibited mass loss, which increased with decreasing pH conditions, and was greatest under pH 4 (477 to 803 mg loss). The elemental analyses with ICP-MS indicated an increase of both calcium (maximum increase of 315 ppm) and phosphorus (increase of 18 ppm) in aqueous solutions with increasing pH and a loss of those same elements from the fossils (maximum loss of 10 ppm Ca and 6 ppm P). XRD revealed loss of gypsum in all post-dissolution samples. Taken together, the results of ICP-MS and XRD suggest dissolution of the primary mineral phases, including hydroxylapatite, and secondary phases, particularly calcite and gypsum, resulting in an estimated mass loss at pH 4 of 23 to 28 mg per day. Thin section analysis showed degradation of both cortical and trabecular bone in all post-dissolution images, demonstrating physical changes to the fossils as a result of water-rock interactions. These findings constitute the first quantitative analysis of fossil dissolution rates and provide insights into this last stage of taphonomy, addressing a largely understudied potential bias in the vertebrate fossil record.
Curcuma reduces kidney and liver damage induced by titanium dioxide nanoparticles in male Wistar rats

Objective: The current study was designed to investigate the protective effects of curcuma caplet against titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO2)-induced damage in liver and kidney of male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty adult (7-8 week old) male rats (200 g) were randomly divided into 5 groups of 6 each. The first and second groups received olive oil and nTiO2 (300 mg/kg body weight) as control and nTiO2 groups, respectively. The third, fourth, and fifth groups received Curcuma at concentrations of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body weight in addition to 300 mg/kg body weight of nTiO2, respectively. The treatment was performed through gavage for 3 weeks. Rats' blood was examined for total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as well as antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and activity of liver enzymes alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and renal factors (urea, uric acid, and creatinine). Histological analyses were also performed to estimate the extent of hepatic and renal injury. Results: nTiO2-induced liver and kidney damage by decreased serum SOD, GPx, and TAC (p<0.05). Fu +rthermore, nTiO2 increased serum MDA and TOS, and renal (Creatinine, Urea and Uric acid) and liver parameters (ALT, AST, ALP and LDH) (p<0.05). However, Curcuma treatment was able to moderate these changes dramatically (p<0.05). The results were confirmed by histopathological data. Conclusion: This study showed the antioxidant properties of curcuma against the side effects of nTiO2.
Dioscin ameliorates slow transit constipation in mice by up-regulation of the BMP2 secreted by muscularis macrophages

Objective(s): The loss of enteric neurons has been shown to be a major cause of slow transit constipation (STC). Gut microbiota and muscularis macrophages (MMs) are associated with the enteric nervous system (ENS) development and gastrointestinal (GI) motility. This study aimed to investigate whether Dioscin (DIO) increased GI motility and inhibited neuron loss by modulating gut microbiota profile, improving inflammation in the ENS microenvironment. Materials and Methods: The STC model was established by loperamide. The alteration of the gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing. The longitudinal muscle and myenteric plexus (LMMP) from the colon were prepared for flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, western blot, and qRT-PCR. Results: DIO increased the stool number, stool water content and shortened whole gut transit time, helped to recover the gut microbial diversity and microbiota community structure, and increased the abundance of Muribaculaceae in STC mice. Compared with the STC group, the number of MMs and the level of the iNOS, IL-6, and TNFα genes were significantly decreased following DIO treatment. Moreover, DIO may increase the number of HuC/D+ neurons per ganglion by up-regulating the BMP2 secreted by MMs and activating the BMP2/p-Smad1/5/9 signaling pathway. Furthermore, the level of excitatory neurotransmitter AchE in colon tissues exhibited a substantial increase in the DIO group. However, the level of inhibitory neurotransmitter VIP was markedly decreased. Conclusion: Our results provide that DIO increases GI motility and inhibits neuron loss by modulating gut microbiota profile, improving inflammation in the ENS microenvironment and up-regulating the BMP2 secreted by MMs.
NSAIDs affect dendritic cell cytokine production

Background Immunotherapy is now considered as the new pillar in treatment of cancer patients. Dendritic cells (DCs) play an essential role in stimulating anti-tumor immune responses, as they are capable of cross-presenting exogenous tumor antigens in MHCI complexes to activate naïve CD8+ T cells. Analgesics, like non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are frequently given to cancer patients to help relieve pain, however little is known about their impact on DC function. Methods Here, we investigated the effect of the NSAIDs diclofenac, ibuprofen and celecoxib on the three key processes of DCs required for proper CD8+ cytotoxic T cell induction: antigen cross-presentation, co-stimulatory marker expression, and cytokine production. Results Our results show that TLR-induced pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine excretion by human monocyte derived and murine bone-marrow derived DCs is diminished after NSAID exposure. Conclusions These results indicate that various NSAIDs can affect DC function and warrant further investigation into the impact of NSAIDs on DC priming of T cells and cancer immunotherapy efficacy.
Fluxon-Induced Losses in Niobium Thin-Film Cavities Revisited

Long standing data from niobium thin film accelerating cavities will be revisited and analysed by a modified London model of RF superconductivity. Firstly, the applicability of this model is explored using data of the BCS surface resistance and its dependence on the RF magnetic field, temperature and mean free path. Secondly, the RF losses from trapped magnetic flux are analysed with regard to their dependence on these same parameters.
Introduction to the Special Issue: Creating Social Capital through School Counselor-Principal Collaboration

Intentional collaboration among school principals and school counselors can improve the student experience by better meeting students’ social/emotional, academic, and career and college readiness needs. In this special issue, we seek to share the many ways school counselors and school administrators (e.g., principals, assistant principals) can effectively work together to ensure that school counseling programs throughout pre-K–12 schools are comprehensive, support equitable opportunities, and empower all students to experience success. This special issue includes 11 articles representing conceptual, qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, and best practices methodologies with a commitment to equity and access while simultaneously bridging social capital to create networks of resources within the school and the community to support all students.
WARM GAS IN THE VIRGO CLUSTER. I. DISTRIBUTION OF Lyα ABSORBERS

The first systematic study of the warm gas (T = 104 − 5 K) distribution across a galaxy cluster is presented using multiple background QSOs in and around the Virgo Cluster. We detect 25 Lyα absorbers (NH i = 1013.1−15.4 cm−2) in the Virgo velocity range toward 9 of 12 QSO sightlines observed with the Cosmic Origin Spectrograph, with a cluster impact parameter range of 0.36–1.65 Mpc (0.23–1.05 Rvir). Including 18 Lyα absorbers previously detected by STIS or GHRS toward 7 of 11 background QSOs in and around the Virgo Cluster, we establish a sample of 43 absorbers toward a total of 23 background probes for studying the incidence of Lyα absorbers in and around the Virgo Cluster. With these absorbers, we find (1) warm gas is predominantly in the outskirts of the cluster and avoids the X-ray-detected hot intracluster medium (ICM). Also, Lyα absorption strength increases with cluster impact parameter. (2) Lyα-absorbing warm gas traces cold H i-emitting gas in the substructures of the Virgo Cluster. (3) Including the absorbers associated with the surrounding substructures, the warm gas covering fraction (100% for NH i > 1013.1 cm−2) is in agreement with cosmological simulations. We speculate that the observed warm gas is part of large-scale gas flows feeding the cluster both in the ICM and galaxies.
Associativity of the operator product expansion

We consider a recursive scheme for defining the coefficients in the operator product expansion (OPE) of an arbitrary number of composite operators in the context of perturbative, Euclidean quantum field theory in four dimensions. Our iterative scheme is consistent with previous definitions of OPE coefficients via the flow equation method, or methods based on Feynman diagrams. It allows us to prove that a strong version of the "associativity" condition holds for the OPE to arbitrary orders in perturbation theory. Such a condition was previously proposed in an axiomatic setting in [1] and has interesting conceptual consequences: 1) One can characterise perturbations of quantum field theories abstractly in a sort of "Hochschild-like" cohomology setting, 2) one can prove a "coherence theorem" analogous to that in an ordinary algebra: The OPE coefficients for a product of two composite operators uniquely determine those for $n$ composite operators. We concretely prove our main results for the Euclidean $\varphi^4_4$ quantum field theory, covering also the massless case. Our methods are rather general, however, and would also apply to other, more involved, theories such as Yang-Mills theories.
A proposed new taxonomy of cognitive phenotypes in multiple sclerosis: The International Classification of Cognitive Disorders in MS (IC-CoDiMS)

Background: Characterization of cognitive impairment (CI) in multiple sclerosis into distinct phenotypes holds promise for individualized treatments and biomarker exploration. Objective: Apply a previously validated, neuropsychologically driven diagnostic algorithm to identify a taxonomy of the type of cognitive phenotypes in multiple sclerosis. Methods: An algorithm developed and validated in other neurological diseases was applied to a cohort of 1281 people with multiple sclerosis who underwent clinical neuropsychological evaluation across three multiple sclerosis centers. A domain was marked impaired if scores on two tests within the domain fell below one of the two thresholds of interest (compared to controls; −1.0 SD and −1.5 SD below the mean). Results were then tabulated for each participant to determine the type of impairments across the sample. Results: At −1 SD threshold, 48.7% were intact, 21.6% had single-domain, 14.3% bi-domain, and 15.4% multi-domain impairment. At −1.5 SD threshold, 72.9% were intact, 14.0% had single-domain, 8.2% bi-domain, and 5.0% multi-domain impairment. Processing speed was the most frequent single-domain impairment, followed by executive function and memory. Conclusions: These findings advance the taxonomy of cognitive phenotypes in multiple sclerosis and clarify the type and distribution of possible cognitive diagnoses, pave the way for further investigation of associated biomarkers, and provide clinically meaningful information to guide individualized treatment and rehabilitation.
A critical review of front‐loading: A maladaptive drinking pattern driven by alcohol's rewarding effects

Abstract Front‐loading is a drinking pattern in which alcohol intake is skewed toward the onset of reward access. This phenomenon has been reported across several different alcohol self‐administration protocols in a wide variety of species, including humans. The hypothesis of the current review is that front‐loading emerges in response to the rewarding effects of alcohol and can be used to measure the motivation to consume alcohol. Alternative or additional hypotheses that we consider and contrast with the main hypothesis are that: (1) front‐loading is directed at overcoming behavioral and/or metabolic tolerance and (2) front‐loading is driven by negative reinforcement. Evidence for each of these explanations is reviewed. We also consider how front‐loading has been evaluated statistically in previous research and make recommendations for defining this intake pattern in future studies. Because front‐loading may predict long‐term maladaptive alcohol drinking patterns leading to the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD), several future directions are proposed to elucidate the relationship between front‐loading and AUD.
Comments on two papers by Galliano Valent, concerning integrable Hamiltonian systems admitting quartic and cubic integrals

In this note we comment on two recently published papers by G. Valent: The 1st is the preprint "On a Class of Integrable Systems with a quartic First Integral, arXiv:1304.5859. April 22, (2013)". We show that the two integrable Hamiltonian systems introduced in this reprint as original results are not new. They are special cases of two systems introduced by the present author in 2006 in two papers [6] and [5]. The second paper is "On a Class of Integrable Systems with a Cubic First Integral, Commun. Math. Phys. 299, 631{649 (2010), In that paper two integrable Hamiltonian systems admitting a cubic integral were introduced. Those systems were referred to as original results by Tsiganov in [12], Vershilov and Tsiganov in [13], Bialy and Mironov in [15] and by Gibbons et al in [14]. We show that those systems are not new. Both can be obtained as special cases of one system introduced by us in [4] (2002) and one of them is a special case of a much earlier version [1] published 24 years earlier.
Patient safety value, safety attitude and safety competency among emergency nurses in China: A structural equation model analysis.

AIMS To determine the levels of patient safety value, safety attitude and safety competency and to explore the associations among these variables in emergency nurses in China. BACKGROUND Studies have focused on the individual characteristics of nurses as influencing factors of patient safety but not on the factors that may affect patient safety competency in the context of Chinese culture, such as safety value and safety attitude. METHOD A cross-sectional survey was conducted among emergency nurses in 22 hospitals. RESULTS The final model had acceptable fit indices (χ2 /df = 3.512 < 5; CFI = 0.955 > 0.9; TLI = 0.942 > 0.9; IFI = 0.955 > 0.9; RMSEA = 0.068 < 0.08 (90% CI, 0.059 to 0.077)). A fully adjusted model was also tested, and the effects among variables were consistent with the hypothesized model. The SEM results showed that patient safety values had a significant direct effect on safety competency (b = .407, p < .001) and safety attitude (b = .656, p < .001). Patient safety attitude had a significant direct effect on safety competency (b = .493, p < .001). Patient safety values had an indirect effect on safety competency through safety attitude, and the total effect of safety values on safety competency was 0.730. CONCLUSIONS Chinese nurses are at a moderate level of patient safety attitude and competency. Emergency nurses' safety value and safety attitude can be direct predictors of patient safety competency, and safety value can indirectly predict their patient safety competency through safety attitude. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Strengthening safety value is a critical step toward improving patient safety competency. Hospital administrators and educators should construct a patient safety culture that is guided and driven by appropriate values and ensure the development of necessary competencies in nurses.
An Extended DNA Binding Domain of the Estrogen Receptor Alpha Directly Interacts with RNAs in Vitro

Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is a ligand-responsive transcription factor critical for sex determination and development. Recent reports challenge the canonical view of ERα function by suggesting an activity beyond binding dsDNA at estrogen-responsive promotor elements: association with RNAs in vivo. Whether these interactions are direct or indirect remains unknown, which limits the ability to understand the extent, specificity, and biological role of ERα-RNA binding. Here we demonstrate that an extended DNA-binding domain of ERα directly binds a wide range of RNAs in vitro with structural specificity. ERα binds RNAs that adopt a range of hairpin-derived structures independent of sequence, while interacting poorly with single- and double-stranded RNA. RNA affinities are only 4-fold weaker than consensus dsDNA and significantly tighter than nonconsensus dsDNA sequences. Moreover, RNA binding is competitive with DNA binding. Together, these data show that ERα utilizes an extended DNA-binding domain to achieve a high-affinity/low-specificity mode for interacting with RNA.
Duality theory and Abstract Algebraic Logic

In this thesis we present the results of our research on duality theory for nonclassical logics under the point of view of Abstract Algebraic Logic. Firstly, we propose an abstract Spectral-like duality and an abstract Priestley-style duality for every filter distributive finitary congruential logic with theorems. This proposal aims to unify the various dualities for concrete logics that we find in the literature, by showing the abstract template in which all of them fit. Secondly, the dual correspondence of some logical properties is examined. This serves to reveal the connection between our abstract dualities and the concrete dualities related to concrete logics. We apply those results to get new dualities for suitable expansions of a well-known logic: the implicative fragment of intuitionistic logic. Finally, we develop a new technique that can be modularly applied to simplify some of the obtained dualities.
Wound healing effect of Carum carvi L. on the incised skin wound in male rats: Histopathology, total protein and biomechanical evaluations

Abstract Background The skin has several functions, one of the most important of which is to protect the internal organs from external damage and the entry of germs. Since skin and wound healing is one of the mostly concerned issues worldwide, the development of wound healing remedies is one of the main fields in modern medical research. Objectives To evaluate the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Cumin carvi L. seed as one of the traditional medicinal plants used for wound healing through an in vivo model. Methods Wide circular skin wounds (2 × 2 cm) were created on the dorsal area of 50 Sprague–Dawley male rats following ethical principles. The animals were divided into five groups including no treatment, base gel, tetracycline treatment, 10% v/v hydroalcoholic extract of Cumin carvi L. seed treatment and 20% v/v hydroalcoholic extract of Cumin carvi L. seed treatment group. Treatment was performed within 20 days. On days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10, photographs were taken, and the percentage of wound healing was calculated. Also, on the 10th day, the skin area was sampled for histopathology and on the 20th day, the skin was sampled for biomechanical and total protein assessments. Results The results of wound healing percentage showed that from day 3 onwards, there was a significant improvement between the group treated with 20% v/v hydroalcoholic extract of Cumin carvi L. and the negative control and basal gel groups (p < 0.05). According to histopathological and total protein content evaluations, the amount of collagen production and inflammation score in the Cumin carvi‐treated groups confirmed the healing process compared to other groups. Conclusions According to the results of this project, 20% v/v ethanolic extract of Cumin carvi L. has potential therapeutic effects in the treatment of skin wounds. Wounds are one of the health concerns, and the economic burden of wound care and healing has continued to increase over the past years. The healing effects of C. carvi. ethanolic extract on the wound were investigated. The histopathological and macroscopical evaluations, as well as total protein content, were measured to investigate its wound healing properties.