Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of a novel selective‐dose cannabis inhaler in patients with chronic pain: A randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled trial

Abstract Background Precise cannabis treatment dosing remains a major challenge, leading to physicians’ reluctance to prescribe medical cannabis. Objective To test the pharmacokinetics, analgesic effect, cognitive performance and safety effects of an innovative medical device that enables the delivery of inhaled therapeutic doses of Δ9‐Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in patients with chronic pain. Methods In a randomized, three‐arms, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over trial, 27 patients received a single inhalation of Δ9‐THC: 0.5mg, 1mg, or a placebo. Δ9‐THC plasma levels were measured at baseline and up to 150‐min post‐inhalation. Pain intensity and safety parameters were recorded on a 10‐cm visual analogue scale (VAS) at pre‐defined time points. The cognitive performance was evaluated using the selective sub‐tests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Results Following inhalation of 0.5 mg or 1mg, Δ9‐THC plasma C max ± SD were 14.3 ± 7.7 and 33.8 ± 25.7 ng/ml. T max ± SD were 3.7 ± 1.4 and 4.4 ± 2.1 min, and AUC0 → infinity±SD were 300 ± 144 and 769 ± 331 ng*min/ml, respectively. Both doses, but not the placebo, demonstrated a significant reduction in pain intensity compared with baseline and remained stable for 150‐min. The 1‐mg dose showed a significant pain decrease compared to the placebo. Adverse events were mostly mild and resolved spontaneously. There was no evidence of consistent impairments in cognitive performance. Conclusion This feasibility trial demonstrated that a metered‐dose cannabis inhaler delivered precise and low THC doses, produced a dose‐dependent and safe analgesic effect in patients with neuropathic pain/ complex‐regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Thus, it enables individualization of medical cannabis regimens that can be evaluated pharmacokinetically and pharmacodynamically by accepted pharmaceutical models. Significance Evidence suggests that cannabis‐based medicines are an effective treatment for chronic pain in adults. The pharmacokinetics of THC varies as a function of its route of administration. Pulmonary assimilation of inhaled THC causes rapid onset of analgesia. However, currently used routes of cannabinoids delivery provide unknown doses, making it impossible to implement a pharmaceutical standard treatment plan. A novel selective‐dose cannabis inhaler delivers significantly low and precise doses of THC, thus allowing the administration of inhaled cannabis‐based medicines according to high pharmaceutical standards. These low doses of THC can produce safe and effective analgesia in patients with chronic pain.
Novel, clinically applicable method to measure step-width during the swing phase of gait

Objective: Step-width during walking is an indicator of stability and balance in patients with neurological disorders, and development of objective tools to measure this clinically would be a great advantage. The aim of this study was to validate an in-house-developed gait analysis system (Striton), based on optical and inertial sensors and a novel method for stride detection, for measuring step-width during the swing phase of gait and temporal parameters. Approach: The step-width and stride-time measurements were validated in an experimental setup, against a 3D motion capture system and on an instrumented walkway. Further, test-retest and day-to-day variability were evaluated, and gait parameters were collected from 87 elderly persons (EP) and four individuals with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) before/after surgery. Main results: Accuracy of the step-width measurement was high: in the experimental setup mean error was 0.08 ± 0.25 cm (R = 1.00) and against the 3D motion capture system 0.04 ± 1.12 cm (R = 0.98). Test-retest and day-to-day measurements were equal within ±0.5 cm. Mean difference in stride time was −0.003 ± 0.008 s between Striton and the instrumented walkway. The Striton system was successfully applied in the clinical setting on individuals with iNPH, which had larger step-width (6.88 cm, n = 4) compared to EP (5.22 cm, n = 87). Significance: We conclude that Striton is a valid, reliable and wearable system for quantitative assessment of step-width and temporal parameters during gait. Initial measurements indicate that the newly defined step-width parameter differs between EP and patients with iNPH and before/after surgery. Thus, there is potential for clinical applicability in patients with reduced gait stability.
Desempenho agrônomico de soja em função da sucessão de culturas em sistema de plantio direto

With the objective of evaluating the effect of crop rotation or succession on soybeans agronomic performance in no tillage system, an experiment was carried out in a distrophic Red Latosol, at the Nucleo Experimental de Ciencias Agrarias da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, in the county of Dourados-MS. The experimental procedure was a randomized blocks design with nine treatments and four replications. The plots had 36 meters of length and 11 meters of width (396 m2), where were mechanically sawed 26 lines of soybeans, at intervals of 0,45 meters between lines. The treatments were composed of nine systems of crop succession: system 1: corn/vetch/corn/vetch/soybeans; system 2: cotton/oat/cotton/sorghum/soybeans; System 3: soybean/wheat/soybeans/corn/millet/soybeans; system 4: corn/grazing turnip/corn/sorghum/soybeans; system 5: corn/oat/corn/beans/millet/soybeans; system 6: rice/grazing turnip/rice/oat/soybeans; system 7: rice/sorghum/rice/beans/millet/soybeans; system 8: cotton/wheat/cotton/wheat/soybeans and system 9: cotton/grazing turnip/cotton/oat/soybeans. The dry matter of the aerial part of the soybean plants in full flowering stadium, plants height and first pod insertion, number of pods per plant, the productivity and the 100 grains mass, were evaluated. It was concluded that the crop rotation or crops succession was not influenced by the plant height, pods insertion and number of pods per plant. On the other hand, the rotation systems of rice/sorghum/rice/beans/millet/soybean and soybeans/wheat/soybeans/corn/millet/soybean, provided the soybeans the higher grains yield.
Effect of Chia as Breadmaking Ingredient on Nutritional Quality, Mineral Availability, and Glycemic Index of Bread

Chia seeds and chia flour could be used as ingredients to enrich foods owing to their high amount of nutrients. The goal of this investigation was to provide further information about how replacing wheat flour with chia ingredients (seeds, whole flour, semi-defatted, and low-fat flours) affects the nutritional and functional value of bread. The higher levels of proteins, lipids and minerals determined in raw chia flours directly affected the increase of these nutrients. High levels of phytates were found in chia ingredients (5.1–6.6 μmol/g d.b.), which affect Zn and Fe bioavailability, as predicted by phytate/mineral molar ratios. Bread with chia had a high amount of linoleic acid, especially in bread with chia seeds, owing to protection of seed integrity during baking. Chia ingredients did not show limiting essential amino acids such as lysine, which is deficient in cereals. Glycemic index was lower in bread with chia ingredients compared to control. The beneficial effects on glucose metabolism together with the nutritional and functional characteristics could be clinically important for prevention of metabolic diseases.
The Impact of Engineered Silver Nanomaterials on the Immune System

Over the last decades there has been a tremendous volume of research efforts focused on engineering silver-based (nano)materials. The interest in silver has been mostly driven by the element capacity to kill pathogenic bacteria. In this context, the main area of application has been medical devices that are at significant risk of becoming colonized by bacteria and subsequently infected. However, silver nanomaterials have been incorporated in a number of other commercial products which may or may not benefit from antibacterial protection. The rapid expansion of such products raises important questions about a possible adverse influence on human health. This review focuses on examining currently available literature and summarizing the current state of knowledge of the impact of silver (nano)materials on the immune system. The review also looks at various surface modification strategies used to generate silver-based nanomaterials and the immunomodulatory potential of these materials. It also highlights the immune response triggered by various silver-coated implantable devices and provides guidance and perspective towards engineering silver nanomaterials for modulating immunological consequences.
HIV-1 Proviral Transcription and Latency in the New Era

Three decades of extensive work in the HIV field have revealed key viral and host cell factors controlling proviral transcription. Various models of transcriptional regulation have emerged based on the collective information from in vitro assays and work in both immortalized and primary cell-based models. Here, we provide a recount of the past and current literature, highlight key regulatory aspects, and further describe potential limitations of previous studies. We particularly delve into critical steps of HIV gene expression including the role of the integration site, nucleosome positioning and epigenomics, and the transition from initiation to pausing and pause release. We also discuss open questions in the field concerning the generality of previous regulatory models to the control of HIV transcription in patients under suppressive therapy, including the role of the heterogeneous integration landscape, clonal expansion, and bottlenecks to eradicate viral persistence. Finally, we propose that building upon previous discoveries and improved or yet-to-be discovered technologies will unravel molecular mechanisms of latency establishment and reactivation in a “new era”.
Utility of TEMPS-A in differentiation between major depressive disorder, bipolar I disorder, and bipolar II disorder

Background The association between temperament characteristics and mood disorders has gained much attention in recent years. The Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-autoquestionnaire version (TEMPS-A) is a self-rating scale measuring 5 affective temperament dimensions. In this study, we aimed to clarify whether each affective temperament of TEMPS-A is a differentiating factor between major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar I disorder (BD-I), and bipolar II disorder (BD-II), and analyzed the utility of TEMPS-A in their differential diagnosis in a clinical setting. Methods A total of 346 patients (MDD, n = 176; BD-II, n = 112; BD-I, n = 58) filled out TEMPS-A. To assess the patients’ mood state at the time of temperament assessment, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) were also conducted. Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that cyclothymic and anxious temperament scores were significant factors differentiating the diagnosis of BD-I and BD-II from the diagnosis of MDD, and hyperthymic temperament score was a specific factor for the differential diagnosis of BD-I versus the diagnosis of BD-II. Limitations All of the patients included in our study received treatment in large general hospitals. Because the nature of the present study was cross-sectional, some MDD subjects in this study might have unrecognized BD-I/BD-II. Conclusions Cyclothymic and anxious temperament scores assessed by TEMPS-A might enable differentiation between MDD and BD, and hyperthymic temperament score on TEMPS-A might be useful in distinguishing between BD-I and BD-II.
Effect of dietary vitamin E supplementation on fertilising ability of pheasant semen following artificial insemination

Two major constraints, monogamy and seasonality, prompted the development of reproductive technology for the emu industry in which artificial insemination technology will be an important main tool in achieving faster genetic progress. Prior to the development of an emu semen diluent for storage and preservation of emu spermatozoa, we measured the concentration of the major inorganic ions (potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium) in the seminal plasma of emu ejaculates. We hypothesised that, due to species differences in the metabolic requirements of spermatozoa, the concentrations of these ions in emu seminal plasma would vary from those reported for other avian species. Secondly, we anticipated that, as the production of semen changes with season, the concentration of those ions could be affected. Semen was collected by artificial cloaca from six trained male emus between end of July and September (last 8 weeks of the season, southern hemisphere) twice daily and twice per week. Following collection, semen volume and number and concentration of spermatozoa were determined. The seminal plasma was separated from spermatozoa by double centrifugation (1250 r.p.m./min for 10 min at 20°C) and then stored at –20°C. The concentrations of potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The data were synchronised to the last ejaculate of the season and then subjected to analysis of variance. The mean concentrations (± standard error of the mean) of potassium (15·8 ± 0·6 mM/l), magnesium (1·8 ± 0·2) and calcium (2·1 ± 0·1) varied widely between males, but those of sodium did not (118·2 ± 1·6). The production of semen and spermatozoa declined over the 8 weeks of collection. The concentrations of magnesium, calcium and sodium did not change as the production of semen decreased, but the concentration of potassium decreased in parallel with the decline in sperm production. When compared with the domestic fowl and turkey, the major difference observed was that emu seminal plasma contained less sodium but more calcium. The mean concentrations of potassium and magnesium were lower than in the turkey but higher than in the fowl, yet within the ranges reported for those species. Except for potassium, it appears that, despite a decline in sperm production, the concentrations of major inorganic ions are maintained. These data will be considered in defining emu semen diluents.
Phylogeny and classification of the Scopulini moths (Lepidoptera: Geometridae, Sterrhinae)

The phylogenetic relationships of the genera in the geometrid tribe Scopulini (Lepidoptera: Sterrhinae) were examined using 141 characters of adult morphology and ecology. The study material included 92 species, representing all previously recognized genera and covering the morphological variation and full geographical range of the tribe. The cladistic analysis resulted in 20 equally parsimonious trees and a strict consensus cladogram based on these was well resolved. A majority of the recovered synapomorphic characters have been used previously in the taxonomy of the tribe. However, many novel characters were found in the sclerotized structures of the thorax. Many previously recognized genera were found to be nonmonophyletic and based on the present revised, synapomorphy-based classification, the number of recovered genera is reduced considerably. Twenty new generic synonyms and 90 new or revived species combinations are proposed. Seven genera are considered valid, with the large genus Scopula Schrank including over 85% of all species in the tribe. The taxonomic history of the tribe is reviewed and the problems of earlier classifications are discussed. A key to the genera is presented, although an informal diagnosis is preferred. All recognized genera are illustrated and a revised world checklist of the Scopulini is presented. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 143, 473−530.
A review on fish growth calculation: multiple functions in fish production and their specific application

Modern aquaculture recirculation systems (RASs) are a necessary tool to provide sustainable and continuous aquaculture production with low environmental impact. But, productivity and efficiency of such RAS still have to be optimized to ensure economic viability, putting growth performance into the focus. Growth is often reported as absolute (gain per day), relative (percentage increase in size) or specific growth rate (percentage increase in size per day), based on stocking and harvesting data. These functions describe growth very simplified and are inaccurate because intermediate growth data are not considered. In contrast, nonlinear growth models attempt to provide information of growth across different life stages. On the basis of an empirical RAS data set of 150 all-female turbot reared in an RAS during a period of 340 days of outgrowth, this paper reviews the most commonly used growth rates (relative, absolute, specific), the thermal-unit growth coefficient and five nonlinear growth functions (logistic, Gompertz, von Bertalanffy, Kanis and Schnute). Goodness of fit is expressed by R-2 and as mean percentage deviation. Nonlinear growth models are also compared by their residual standard error (RSE) and the Akaike information criterion. All processed functions are modelled to illustrate the shape of the generated curve and the possibility of the function to realistically predict growth. Further, the biological meaning of their regression parameters is discussed. This way we can point out differences in nonlinear growth models in contrast to purely descriptive growth rates and the specific advantages, disadvantages and possible applications of each function we review.
Molecular phylogeny of three subfamilies of the Neanuridae (Insecta, Collembola) and the position of the antarctic species Friesea grisea Schäffer.

Summary The nuclear 28S rRNA and the mitochondrial COII gene were used to establish phylogenetic relationships among species of the family Neanuridae, with special emphasis on species of the subfamily Neanurinae. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using genetic distances, parsimony and likelihood methods. The D3-D5 fragment of the rRNA gene was very conserved, both in sequence and in secondary structure features. This fragment supplied little information on relationships at this level. The phylogenetic reconstruction based on 1st and 2nd codon positions of the COII gene was partly in accordance with morphological data, but it was discordant for the placement of some species. Relationships among the subfamilies Frieseinae, represented by the Antarctic species Friesea grisea , Pseudachorutinae and Neanurinae were uncertain. The subfamily Neanurinae and its tribes Neanurini and Paleonurini were shown as monophyletic taxa. Relationships between three species of the genus Bilobella were in accordance with morphological and biochemical data. Relationships between genera within the Neanurini were more controversial. In accordance with morphological hypotheses, a basal position of Thaumanura was suggested, but the molecular data placed Neanura muscorum in a derived position, in sharp contrast with morphological evidence. A close relationship was suggested between Deutonura conjuncta, Cansilianura malatestai and Lathriopyga longiseta. The disagreement between molecular and morphological data suggests that one or both data sets might be affected by a certain degree of homoplasy and that these data should be interpreted with caution in phylogenetic reconstructions.
Weed suppressing ability and productivity of short duration legumes intercroppped with pigeonpea under rainfed conditions

Abstract Short duration legumes such as cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) urdbean (Vigna mungo) and mungbean (Vigna radiata) intercropped with pigeonpea suppressed weed flora by 20–45% over sole pigeonpea (unweeded check) and proved more productive under rainfed conditions. Intercropping under uniform row planting pattern (pigeonpea rows at 60 cm with one row of intercrop in between) was more efficient in weed suppression as well as in total productivity compared with paired row planting at 40/80 cm distance. Unchecked weeds caused yield loss of 678 kg/ha in sole pigeonpea which was compensated by intercroppping mungbean. This postulates that one can overlook weed control in rainfed pigeonpea without any economical loss if mungbean is intercropped. This information is of immense significance in view of high cost of weed control measures.
Glycomacropeptide Ameliorates Indomethacin-Induced Enteropathy in Rats by Modifying Intestinal Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced enteropathy is considered a serious and increasing clinical problem without available treatment. Glycomacropeptide (GMP) is a 64-amino acid peptide derived from milk κ-casein with numerous biological activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of GMP on NSAID enteropathy in rats. Enteropathy was induced by seven days oral indomethacin administration. Rats were orally GMP treated from seven days previous and during the establishment of the enteropathy model. Changes in metabolism, hematological and biochemical blood alterations, intestinal inflammation and oxidative damage were analyzed. Integrity barrier markers, macroscopic intestinal damage and survival rate were also evaluated. GMP treatment prevented anorexia and weight loss in animals. Furthermore, prophylaxis with GMP ameliorated the decline in hemoglobin, hematocrit, albumin and total protein levels. The treatment had no therapeutic efficacy on the decrease of occludin and mucin (MUC)-2 expression in intestinal tissue. However, GMP markedly decreased neutrophil infiltration, and CXCL1, interleukin-1β and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. Nitric oxide production and lipid hydroperoxide level in the small intestine were also diminished. These beneficial effects were mirrored by preventing ulcer development and increasing animal survival. These results suggest that GMP may protect against NSAID enteropathy through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Characterization of POU2F1 Gene and Its Potential Impact on the Expression of Genes Involved in Fur Color Formation in Rex Rabbit

The naturally colorful fur of the Rex rabbit is becoming increasingly popular in the modern textile market. Our previous study found that POU class 2 homeobox 1 gene (POU2F1) potentially affects the expression of genes involved in fur color formation in the Rex rabbit, but the function and regulation of POU2F1 has not been reported. In this study, the expression patterns of POU2F1 in Rex rabbits of various colors, as well as in different organs, were analyzed by RT-qPCR. Interference and overexpression of POU2F1 were used to identify the potential effects of POU2F1 on other genes related to fur color formation. The results show that the levels of POU2F1 expression were significantly higher in the dorsal skin of the brown and protein yellow Rex rabbits, compared with that of the black one. POU2F1 mRNAs were widespread in the tissues examined in this study and showed the highest level in the lungs. By transfecting rabbit melanocytes with an POU2F1-overexpression plasmid, we found that the POU2F1 protein was located at the nucleus, and the protein showed the classic characteristics of a transcription factor. In addition, abnormal expression of POU2F1 significantly affected the expression of pigmentation-related genes, including SLC7A11, MITF, SLC24A5, MC1R, and ASIP, revealing the regulatory roles of POU2F1 on pigmentation. The results provide the basis for further exploration of the role of POU2F1 in fur color formation of the Rex rabbit.