Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory Effect of Delphinidin on Oxidative Stress Induced by H2O2 in HepG2 Cells

Chronic liver diseases (CLDs) are correlated with oxidative stress induced by the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we employed HepG2, a human liver carcinoma cell line containing many antioxidant enzymes, to explore the function of delphinidin against oxidative stress induced by H2O2 and to provide scientific data of the molecular mechanism. Cells were pretreated with different concentrations of delphinidin (10 μmol/L, 20 μmol/L, and 40 μmol/L) for 2 h before treatment with 750 μM H2O2 for 1 h. The results showed that H2O2 decreased the survival rate of HepG2 cells and increased the level of ROS, but delphinidin pretreatment could possess the opposite result. At the same time, the expression of Nrf2 was enhanced by the delphinidin pretreatment. This was because delphinidin promoted Nrf2 nuclear translocation and inhibited its degradation, which led to the increase expression of antioxidant protein HO-1 (Nrf2-related phase II enzyme heme oxygenase-1). Besides, we found that delphinidin could significantly alleviate the reduction of Nrf2 protein levels and the accumulation of intracellular ROS levels in Nrf2 knockdown HepG2 cells. In conclusion, our study suggested that delphinidin, as an effective antioxidant, protected HepG2 cells from oxidative stress by regulating the expression of Nrf2/HO-1.
A Comparison of the Real-Life Clinical Effectiveness of the Leading Licensed ICS/LABA Combination Inhalers in the Treatment for COPD

Introduction The Fostair® 100/6 (BDP/FF) pressurized metered-dose inhaler, delivering an extrafine formulation, is licensed for asthma and COPD in the UK. However, its real-life effectiveness for COPD has not been evaluated. This study compared the clinical effectiveness of BDP/FF against other licensed ICS/LABA combination inhalers: the Seretide® Accuhaler® (FP/SAL) and the Symbicort® Turbohaler® (BUD/FF). Methods A matched historical cohort study was conducted using records of patients with diagnostic codes for COPD from the Optimum Patient Care Research Database (OPCRD). Patients who had received BDP/FF as their first ICS/LABA were matched 1:1 with patients who had received FP/SAL or BUD/FF, resulting in two matched comparisons. Additional analysis was conducted on patients who had never had diagnostic codes for asthma. Noninferiority in terms of the proportion of patients with moderate/severe COPD exacerbations on the different inhalers in the following year was assessed. Noninferiority was achieved if the upper CI limit were ≤1.2. Results This study included 537 and 540 patient pairs in the BDP/FF vs FP/SAL cohort and the BDP/FF vs BUD/FF cohort, respectively. The proportion of patients with COPD exacerbations in the BDP/FF group was not significantly different from either the FP/SAL (68.7% vs 70.2%, AOR 0.89, 95% CI 0.67–1.19) or BUD/FF group (68.5% vs 69.4%, AOR 0.79, 95% CI 0.58–1.08). Noninferiority of BDP/FF in preventing COPD exacerbations was fulfilled in both comparisons. In patients without asthma, BDP/FF was also noninferior to BUD/FF (proportion with COPD exacerbations, 67.8% vs 64.7%, AOR 0.79, 95% CI 0.51–1.1997). Additionally, a significantly lower proportion of patients prescribed BDP/FF had COPD exacerbations than FP/SAL (64.8% vs 73.7%, AOR 0.64 95% CI 0.43–0.96). Conclusion Initiating ICS/LABA treatment of COPD with extrafine-formulation BDP/FF was noninferior in preventing moderate/severe exacerbations compared to FP/SAL and BUD/FF.
Antifungal Activity of the Essential Oil of Echinops kebericho Mesfin: An In Vitro Study

Background Echinops kebericho is an endemic medicinal plant in Ethiopia widely used in the treatment of infectious and noninfectious diseases. Essential oils are known for their antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, insecticidal, and antioxidant properties. This study evaluated the antifungal activity of essential oil from E. kebericho against four common pathogenic fungi and two standard strains. Methods The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation. The antifungal screening was done by agar well diffusion method. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by broth microdilution. Minimal fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) were determined by subculturing fungal strains with no visible growth onto a Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) plate. Results Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans were highly sensitive while Aspergillus flavus did not show sensitivity up to 1 mg/ml of essential oil; MICs ranged from 0.083 mg/ml to 0.208 mg/ml. Concentration and fungal species showed significant dose-dependent associations (p < 0.0001) with antifungal activity. The MICs of essential oil were comparable to those of the standard drug (fluconazole) against C. glabrata and C. krusei. The lowest MFC of the essential oil was observed against Candida parapsilosis (0.145 mg/ml) while the highest MFC was against Candida krusei (0.667 mg/ml). Conclusion Echinops kebericho essential oil showed noteworthy antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans, and Candida glabrata and could be a potential candidate for further antifungal drug development.
A Systematic Review Comparing the Play Profiles of Children with Special Health Care Needs with Typically Developing Children

Introduction Although play has been used as a means to meet therapeutic goals by health care practitioners for a long time, there is a need to continuously review its conceptualisation and use in everyday practice to promote evidence-based practice. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the evidence on how the play of children with Special Health Care Needs (SHCN) is similar or different to that of typically developing children. Methods Guided by the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement, we conducted a comprehensive review across five electronic databases for all studies that compared how the play of children with SHCN was similar or different to that of typically developing children. Data were extracted from the included studies, and methodological quality was assessed. Results Eighteen studies met eligibility criteria. All the studies in this review were at risk of bias due to the study design. There was great variation in sample sizes, ranging between five and 112 participants in the diagnostic groups and five and 546 participants in control groups (typically developing children). The included studies investigated different aspects of play, which made it difficult to synthesise. However, of the 18 studies reviewed, thirteen reported that children with SHCN engage in less play, compared with typically developing children. Conclusions Evidence supports the assumption that children with SHCN are less playful and spend less time engaging in play compared with typically developing children. This systematic review reveals paucity of research on play for children with several common chronic conditions such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Future studies need to reduce risks of bias, including the use of appropriate sample sizes, and must provide detailed results after investigating play in children with SHCN.
Prevalence of Hypertension and Its Associated Factors Among Gimbi Town Residents, Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background Globally, sixty-two percent of cerebrovascular disease and forty-nine percent of ischemic heart disease are attributable to increased blood pressure. Half of the patients with stroke and heart disease were due to hypertension. Objective This study aimed to identify prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors in Gimbi town, Ethiopia. Methods We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study from May to June 2017 on 471 participants in Gimbi town, western Ethiopia. A systematic sampling method was used to recruit study participants. Data collectors used structured questionnaires to gather data through face to face interview. The standardized procedure followed to measure blood pressure and anthropometric measurements by trained extension health workers. We entered data into Epi-data and exported to SPSS version 20.00 for analysis. Variables having a P-value less than or equal to 0.05 were declared as statistically significant in multivariable analysis. Results Four hundred seventy-one participants were included with a response rate of 98.85%, and 248 (52.6%) were female. The prevalence of isolated systolic and diastolic hypertension was 9.55% and 9.3%, respectively. Of 157 (33.5%) hypertensive participants, 117 (24.8%) were newly diagnosed. Age 35–55 [AOR: 2.335 95% CI (1.360–4.009)], ≥55 [(AOR: 3.566 95% CI (1.288–9.876))], occupation, government employee [(AOR: 3.072 95% CI (1.458–6.474))], merchants [(AOR: 3.177 95% CI (1.290–7.824))], ever alcohol drinker [(AOR: 2.333 95% CI (1.320–4.122))], and family history of hypertension [(AOR: 6.642 95% CI (4.068–10.843))] were found to be predictor variables for hypertension. Conclusion The findings of this study indicated a hidden high prevalence of hypertension indicating the need for stakeholders’ collaboration to design and implement a mobile blood pressure screening programs at the community level.
Clinical Differences between Eosinophilic and Noneosinophilic Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Methods A total of 643 AECOPD patients were enrolled in this multicenter cross-sectional study. Finally, 455 were included, 214 in the normal-eosinophil AECOPD (NEOS-AECOPD) group, 63 in the mild increased-eosinophil AECOPD (MEOS-AECOPD) group, and 138 in the severe increased-eosinophil AECOPD (SEOS-AECOPD) group. Demographic data, underlying diseases, symptoms, and laboratory findings were collected. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent factors associated with blood eosinophils (EOS). Correlations between blood EOS and its associated independent factors were evaluated. Results The significant differences in 19 factors, including underlying diseases, clinical symptoms, and laboratory parameters, were identified by univariate analysis. Subsequently, multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that lymphocyte%, neutrophil% (NS%), procalcitonin (PCT), and anion gap (AG) were independently associated with blood EOS in AECOPD. Both blood EOS counts and EOS% were significantly correlated with lymphocyte%, NS%, PCT, and AG. Conclusions Collectively, blood EOS was independently associated with lymphocyte%, NS%, PCT, and AG in AECOPD patients. Lymphocyte% was lower, and NS%, PCT, and AG were higher in eosinophilic AECOPD. Our results indicate that viral-dominant infections are the probable major etiologies of eosinophilic AECOPD. Noneosinophilic AECOPD is more likely associated with bacterial-dominant infections. The systemic inflammation in noneosinophilic AECOPD was more severe.
Effects of Cultured Cordycep militaris on Sexual Performance and Erectile Function in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Male Rats

Cordyceps militaris (CM), a valuable edible and medicinal fungus, has been used as traditional medicine to treat health conditions, as well as hyposexuality in Asian societies for over a century. Due to the high demand, several artificial cultivation methods have been developed for their biological activities. In this study, CM was cultured on medium that contained white rice and silkworm pupae, and the levels of cordycepin and adenosine, as well as its aphrodisiac effects in diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction (DIED), were evaluated. Diabetic rats were induced by streptozotocin (STZ) injection and administered orally with CM (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 g/kg BW/day) for 3 weeks. Diabetic rats in negative and positive control groups received vehicle and sildenafil citrate (5 mg/kg), respectively. Results showed the changes in mating behaviour in which mount latency and intromission latency were significantly increased in diabetic rats, compared with the normal control group. Diabetic rats also showed a significant reduction in intracavernosal pressure (ICP) response to cavernous nerve stimulation, sperm count, testosterone level, penile nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, when compared to the normal control group. Administration of CM (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 g/kg BW/day) reversed the effects of diabetes on the mating behaviour, and the ICP responses to electrical stimulation. Moreover, the levels of penile NOS, testicular SOD activities, testosterone, and sperm count were significantly increased, and testicular malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly decreased in these treated diabetic rats. Diabetic rats treated with sildenafil showed a significant induction in intromission frequency and NOS and SOD activities, as well as a marked increase in ICP responses. These results suggest that CCM exerts its aphrodisiac effect, possibly through activating testosterone production and suppressing oxidative stress to enhance erectile function in diabetic rats.
Therapeutic Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Secretome in the Treatment of SARS-CoV-2-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent responsible for the development of a new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is a highly transmittable virus which, in just ten months, infected more than 40 million people in 214 countries worldwide. After inhalation, aerosols containing SARS-CoV-2 penetrate to the depths of the lungs and cause severe pneumonia, alveolar injury, and life-threatening acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Since there are no specific drugs or vaccines available to cure or prevent COVID-19 infection and COVID-19-related ARDS, a new therapeutic agent which will support oxygen supply and, at the same time, efficiently alleviate SARS-CoV-2-induced lung inflammation is urgently needed. Due to their potent immuno- and angiomodulatory characteristics, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may increase oxygen supply in the lungs and may efficiently alleviate ongoing lung inflammation, including SARS-CoV-2-induced ARDS. In this review article, we described molecular mechanisms that are responsible for MSC-based modulation of immune cells which play a pathogenic role in the development of SARS-CoV-2-induced ARDS and we provided a brief outline of already conducted and ongoing clinical studies that increase our understanding about the therapeutic potential of MSCs and their secretome in the therapy of COVID-19-related ARDS.
Nondestructive Testing for Wheat Quality with Sensor Technology Based on Big Data

Nondestructive testing with sensor technology is one of the fastest growing and most promising wheat quality information analysis technologies. Nondestructive testing with sensor technology benefits from the latest achievement of many disciplines such as computer, optics, mathematics, chemistry, and chemometrics. It has the advantages of simplicity, speed, low cost, no pollution, and no contact. It is widely used in wheat quality analysis and testing research. This article summarizes nondestructive testing with sensor technology for wheat quality, including the mechanical model, hyperspectral technology, Raman spectroscopy, and near-infrared techniques for wheat mechanical properties, storage properties, and physical and chemical properties (such as moisture, ash, protein, and starch) in the past decade. Based on the current research progress, big data technology needs a lot of research in spectral data mining, modeling algorithm optimization, model robustness, etc. to provide more data support and method reference for the research and application of wheat quality.
Subacute Thyroiditis from COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Introduction The novel severe-acute-respiratory-syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has led to the ongoing Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease pandemic. There are increasing reports of extrapulmonary clinical features of COVID-19, either as initial presentations or sequelae of disease. We report a patient diagnosed with subacute thyroiditis precipitated by COVID-19 infection, as well as review the literature of similar cases. Case Presentation A 41-year-old female with no significant personal or family history of endocrinologic disorders presented with clinical features of thyroiditis that began after COVID-19 infection. Clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings were indicative of subacute thyroiditis. Workup for potential triggers other than SARS-CoV-2 was negative. Discussion/Conclusion We compared the clinical and diagnostic findings of our patient with other well-documented cases of subacute thyroiditis presumed to be triggered by SARS-CoV-2 viral infection. We also reviewed the literature related to the potential mechanisms leading to thyroiditis. Clinicians must be aware of the possibility of thyroid dysfunction after COVID-19 infection. Early recognition and timely anti-inflammatory therapy help in successful management.
Prostanoid Receptor Subtypes and Its Endogenous Ligands with Processing Enzymes within Various Types of Inflammatory Joint Diseases

A complex inflammatory process mediated by proinflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins commonly occurs in the synovial tissue of patients with joint trauma (JT), osteoarthritis (OA), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study systematically investigated the distinct expression profile of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), its processing enzymes (COX-2), and microsomal PGES-1 (mPGES-1) as well as the corresponding prostanoid receptor subtypes (EP1-4) in representative samples of synovial tissue from these patients (JT, OA, and RA). Quantitative TaqMan®-PCR and double immunofluorescence confocal microscopy of synovial tissue determined the abundance and exact immune cell types expressing these target molecules. Our results demonstrated that PGE2 and its processing enzymes COX-2 and mPGES-1 were highest in the synovial tissue of RA, followed by the synovial tissue of OA and JT patients. Corresponding prostanoid receptor, subtypes EP3 were highly expressed in the synovium of RA, followed by the synovial tissue of OA and JT patients. These proinflammatory target molecules were distinctly identified in JT patients mostly in synovial granulocytes, in OA patients predominantly in synovial macrophages and fibroblasts, whereas in RA patients mainly in synovial fibroblasts and plasma cells. Our findings show a distinct expression profile of EP receptor subtypes and PGE2 as well as the corresponding processing enzymes in human synovium that modulate the inflammatory process in JT, OA, and RA patients.
Evaluation of the Performance of Health Extension Workers in HIV-1/2 Screening Tests: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background Human resources for health-care delivery are essential for attaining global health and development goals. Especially in developing countries, health extension workers are frontline health personnel who can play a key role in preventing and controlling HIV/AIDS. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of health extension workers in HIV-1/2 screening tests. Methodology. A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the performance of health extension workers in HIV-1/2 screening tests. Study participants had performed HIV screening tests on the prepared sample panels. Finally, the percentage of accuracy, error rate, sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and measure of agreement (kappa) were calculated using SPSS version 26. Result Totally, 1600 HIV screening tests were performed, and of these, 684 and 235 tests were done by HEWs (n = 15) and laboratory personnel (n = 5), respectively, with three discordant results by HEWs from a single sample panel which was weak reactive for HIV antibody test. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of HIV screening tests by HEWs were 97.4%, 100%, 100%, and 97.22%, respectively, and 100% for all parameters when it is tested by laboratory professionals. The measure of kappa agreement was 0.971 (95% CI, 0.932–1) for HEWs and 1 for laboratory personnel compared with the reference result. Conclusion Based on this evidence, we conclude that the potential contribution of HEWs can be invaluable in the expansion of HIV screening tests nationwide to compensate the shortage of laboratory personnel.
MicroRNAs as Immune Regulators of Inflammation in Children with Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic clinical syndrome of brain function which is caused by abnormal discharge of neurons. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs which act post-transcriptionally to regulate negatively protein levels. They affect neuroinflammatory signaling, glial and neuronal structure and function, neurogenesis, cell death, and other processes linked to epileptogenesis. The aim of this study was to explore the possible role of miR-125a and miR-181a as regulators of inflammation in epilepsy through investigating their involvement in the pathogenesis of epilepsy, and their correlation with the levels of inflammatory cytokines. Thirthy pediatric patients with epilepsy and 20 healthy controls matched for age and sex were involved in the study. MiR-181a and miR-125a expression were evaluated in plasma of all subjects using qRT-PCR. In addition, plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ and TNF-) were determined using ELISA. Our findings indicated significantly lower expression levels of miR-125a (P=0.001) and miR-181a (P=0.001) in epileptic patients in comparison with controls. In addition, the production of IFN-γ and TNF- was non-significantly higher in patients with epilepsy in comparison with the control group. Furthermore, there were no correlations between miR-125a and miR-181a with the inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ and TNF-) in epileptic patients. MiR-125a and miR-181a could be involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy and could serve as diagnostic biomarkers for pediatric patients with epilepsy.
Potential of Using Shear Wave Elastography in the Clinical Evaluation and Monitoring of Changes in Masseter Muscle Stiffness

The study aimed to evaluate masseter muscle stiffness in adult healthy volunteers referred to a massage treatment and also to investigate whether shear-wave elastography can be used to monitor the effect of massage on the masseter muscle. The study included 21 healthy volunteers, who were subjected to a 30-minute massage of the masseter muscle. Muscle stiffness was measured by shear-wave elastography before and directly after the massage. Pain during the massage was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The data of 20 patients (one excluded due to severe pain) with a median age of 34.5 years were analysed. The stiffness values were 11.46 ± 1.55 kPa before and 8.97 ± 0.96 kPa after the massage (p < 0.0001). The mean drop was 2.49 ± 1.09 kPa. The greatest decrease was observed in people with higher elasticity values before the massage (r = 0.79; p < 0.0001). The median intensity of pain was 7.2 (range: 6–9.5). We concluded that shear-wave elastography is a sensitive tool to monitor changes in the stiffness of the masseter muscle.