Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, Leishmanicidal, Trypanocidal, Antiproliferative Assay and Apoptotic Induction of (2-Phenoxypyridin-3-yl)naphthalene-1(2H)-one Derivatives

The coexistence of leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and neoplasia in endemic areas has been extensively documented. The use of common drugs in the treatment of these pathologies invites us to search for new molecules with these characteristics. In this research, we report 16 synthetic chalcone derivatives that were investigated for leishmanicidal and trypanocidal activities as well as for antiproliferative potential on eight human cancers and two nontumor cell lines. The final compounds 8–23 were obtained using the classical base-catalyzed Claisen–Schmidt condensation. The most potent compounds as parasiticidal were found to be 22 and 23, while compounds 18 and 22 showed the best antiproliferative activity and therapeutic index against CCRF-CEM, K562, A549, and U2OS cancer cell lines and non-toxic VERO, BMDM, MRC-5, and BJ cells. In the case of K562 and the corresponding drug-resistant K562-TAX cell lines, the antiproliferative activity has shown a more significant difference for compound 19 having 10.3 times higher activity against the K562-TAX than K562 cell line. Flow cytometry analysis using K562 and A549 cell lines cultured with compounds 18 and 22 confirmed the induction of apoptosis in treated cells after 24 h. Based on the structural analysis, these chalcones represent new compounds potentially useful for Leishmania, Trypanosoma cruzi, and some cancer treatments.
Proenkephalin A119-159 As A Biomarker of Acute Kidney Injury in ICU Patients with Sepsis

Background: Sepsis is a potentially fatal illness caused by an unbalanced host response to infection. Sepsis is becoming more common, indicating that it is a main cause of severe disease and fatality globally. Patients with sepsis commonly have simultaneous acute kidney injury (AKI), with rates ranging from 5 to 20% among hospital admissions and increasing to 35-50% among the seriously sick. Because proenkephalin is not bound to proteins in plasma and is only filtrated in the glomerulus, it is a promising biomarker for renal impairment in critically sick patients. Objective: The aim of the current study was to assess Proenkephalin A119-159 (penKid) as a biomarker for sepsis related AKI in ICU patients. Patients and methods: A case control study was conducted at intensive care unit (ICU) department, Benha Faculty of Medicine on a total of 80 subjects which were divided into 50 septic AKI cases and 30 matched age and sex controls. Subjects met two or more SIRS-criteria and their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was determined by the formula derived from the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study and the Proenkephalin A119-159 (penkid) was measured by ELISA. Results: The current study demonstrated that, septic AKI cases demonstrated significant increase in penkid compared to control group(p <0.001) and Penkid level showed significantly positive correlation with baseline, after 48 h creatinine, CRP, SIRS and SOFA scores. Penkid was better than creatinine, eGFR and CRP for prediction of non-recovery septic AKI. Conclusion: PenKid was demonstrated to be a reliable surrogate promising biomarker for sepsis related AKI among unselected patients with sepsis. Additionally, penkid demonstrated superior advantage over creatinine, eGFR and CRP in terms of non-recovery septic AKI prediction.
Conjugacy and cocycle conjugacy of automorphisms of $\mathcal{O}_{2}$ are not Borel

The group of automorphisms of the Cuntz algebra $\mathcal{O}_{2}$ is a Polish group with respect to the topology of pointwise convergence in norm. Our main result is that the relations of conjugacy and cocycle conjugacy of automorphisms of $\mathcal{O}_{2}$ are complete analytic sets and, in particular, not Borel. Moreover, we show that from the point of view of Borel complexity theory, classifying automorphisms of $\mathcal{O}_{2}$ up to conjugacy or cocycle conjugacy is strictly more difficult than classifying up to isomorphism any class of countable structures with Borel isomorphism relation. In fact the same conclusions hold even if one only considers automorphisms of $\mathcal{O}_{2}$ of a fixed finite order. In the course of the proof we will show that the relation of isomorphism of Kichberg algebras (with trivial $K_{1}$-group and satisfying the Universal Coefficient Theorem) is a complete anaytic set. Moreover, it is strictly more difficult to classify Kirchberg algebras (with trivial $K_{1}$-group and satisfying the Universal Coefficient Theorem) than classifying up to isomorphism any class of countable structures with Borel isomorphism relation.
A distinct pattern of growth and RAC1 signaling in melanoma brain metastasis cells

Abstract Background Melanoma, the deadliest of skin cancers, has a high propensity to form brain metastases that are associated with a markedly worsened prognosis. In spite of recent therapeutic advances, melanoma brain lesions remain a clinical challenge, biomarkers predicting brain dissemination are not clear and differences with other metastatic sites are poorly understood. Methods We examined a genetically diverse panel of human-derived melanoma brain metastasis (MBM) and extracranial cell lines using targeted sequencing, a Reverse Phase Protein Array, protein expression analyses, and functional studies in vitro and in vivo. Results Brain-specific genetic alterations were not detected; however, MBM cells in vitro displayed lower proliferation rates and MBM-specific protein expression patterns associated with proliferation, DNA damage, adhesion, and migration. MBM lines displayed higher levels of RAC1 expression, involving a distinct RAC1-PAK1-JNK1 signaling network. RAC1 knockdown or treatment with small molecule inhibitors contributed to a less aggressive MBM phenotype in vitro, while RAC1 knockdown in vivo led to reduced tumor volumes and delayed tumor appearance. Proliferation, adhesion, and migration were higher in MBM vs nonMBM lines in the presence of insulin or brain-derived factors and were affected by RAC1 levels. Conclusions Our findings indicate that despite their genetic variability, MBM engage specific molecular processes such as RAC1 signaling to adapt to the brain microenvironment and this can be used for the molecular characterization and treatment of brain metastases.
Late Presenters with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Call to Action

The emphasis on timely coronary reperfusion in the setting of ST-segment elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) comes from older studies suggesting a significant reduction in mortality among patients treated with fibrinolytic therapy during the first hours after onset of symptoms and a progressive increase in fatal events in those presenting later [. ].
Mesoscopic Quantum Optics

Basic Concepts. Canonical Quantization. Quantum States of the Electromagnetic Fields. Coherence of the Electromagnetic Fields. Quantum States of Atoms. Interaction between Atoms and Fields. Mathematical Methods for System-Reservoir Interaction. Stochastic Wavefunction Methods. Quantum Nondemolition Measurements. Semiconductor Bloch Equations. Excitons and Polaritons. Coulomb Blockade and Squeezing. Current Noise in Mesoscopic and Macroscopic Conductors. Nonequilibrium Green's Function Formalism. Quantum Statistical Properties of a Laser. Index.
Perceived Stress and Quality of Life in Healthcare Workers of Non-COVID-19-Designated Hospitals During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ukraine

Introduction. Healthcare workers are more vulnerable to negative influences of the Covid-19 pandemic than cross-border travelers as they experience greater occupational stress, exacerbated by the possibility of self-contamination or contamination of their relatives through direct contact with patients, reduced social communication, deterioration in self-care and quality of life due to lack of energy and time. The aim of the study was to assess the level of stress and quality of life in healthcare workers of non-COVID-19-designated hospitals in Ukraine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods. There was carried out a case-control study that included 150 respondents divided into three groups: experimental groups (EG) 1 and 2 comprised 50 physicians and 50 nurses of non-COVID-19-designated hospitals, respectively; the control group (CG) included 50 healthy individuals not working in the healthcare field. The data were collected using paper questionnaires involving sociodemographic questions, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey. Results. EG 1 and EG 2 had significantly increased stress levels as compared to the CG. Physical functioning criterion in EG 2 was significantly lower than those in EG 1 and the CG. Vitality and social functioning indicators were significantly lower in EG 1 and EG 2 as compared to the CG. Quality of mental health was worse in EG 1 than in the CG. Conclusions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers of non-COVID-19-designated hospitals experienced a significant reorganization of their work environment, which required them to adjust rapidly to new conditions and psychological difficulties. The medical staff was found to have an increased level of perceived stress and decreased quality of life, which could affect the quality of medical care. Our findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic necessitates the development and implementation of stress coping measures to improve mental and physical health of healthcare workers, which can be used to achieve proper work and rest routines, create a microclimate within the team, and restore the work-life balance.
The Effect of Agency Problem and Internal Control on Credit Risk at Commercial Banks in Vietnam

This study examines the effect of agency problem and internal control on credit risk under corporate governance theory at Vietnamese joint-stock commercial banks. Using the quantitative methods, including pooled Ordinary Least Squares, Fixed Effect Model, and Random Effect Model, this paper shows that the agency problem is a statistically significant variable. That means it is considered the most practical mechanism in corporate governance for controlling credit risk. Besides, the findings also highlight the importance of internal control components to monitor and mitigate credit risk.
Developing and Validating the College and Career Readiness Teacher Expectation Survey for Students With Disabilities

All students, including those with disabilities, must be college and career ready, which requires high expectations for them (Every Student Succeeds Act, 2015). In this study, we developed and validated the College and Career Readiness Teacher Expectation Survey (CCR-TES), an instrument that measures the postschool expectations that educators have for students with disabilities (SWD). With a sample of 459 educators, we provide initial evidence for strongly correlated factors, highlighting the difficulty in measuring CCR. Results support one general CCR factor, and invariance testing results show the CCR-TES functions similarly for special and general education teachers. Furthermore, results also revealed educators have somewhat low postsecondary expectations for SWD. Implications for teachers, researchers, and policymakers are discussed.
Ginsenoside Rg1 Ameliorates Acute Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury via Upregulating AMPKα1 Expression

Acute renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury often occurs during kidney transplantation and other kidney surgeries, and the molecular mechanism involves oxidative stress. We hypothesized that ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1), a saponin derived from ginseng, would protect the renal tissue against acute renal I/R injury by upregulating 5′ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase α1 (AMPKα1) expression and inhibiting oxidative stress. The models of acute anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) damage in normal rat kidney epithelial cell lines (NRK-52E) and acute renal I/R injury in mice were constructed. The results revealed that pretreatment with 25 μM Rg1 significantly increased NRK-52E viability, decreased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and apoptosis, suppressed reactive oxygen species generation and oxidative stress, stabilized mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced mitochondria permeability transition pore openness, decreased adenosine monophosphate/adenosine triphosphate ratio, and upregulated the expression of AMPKα1, cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit 2, NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) 1 beta subcomplex subunit 8, and B-cell lymphoma 2, while downregulating BCL2-associated X protein expression. The effects of Rg1 pretreatment were similar to those of pAD/Flag-AMPKα1. After acute renal I/R injury, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, LDH activity, and oxidative stress in renal tissue significantly increased. Rg1 pretreatment upregulated AMPKα1 expression, which protects against acute renal I/R injury by maintaining renal function homeostasis, inhibiting oxidative stress, and reducing apoptosis. Compound C, a specific inhibitor of AMPK, reversed the effects of Rg1. In summary, Rg1 pretreatment upregulated AMPKα1 expression, inhibited oxidative stress, maintained mitochondrial function, improved energy metabolism, reduced apoptosis, and ultimately protected renal tissue against acute renal I/R injury.
Smoking Cessation on Periodontal and Peri-Implant Health Status: A Systematic Review

Since smoking is considered among the main risk factors for the onset and progression of periodontitis and peri-implantitis, the present systematic review aimed to evaluate the effect of smoking cessation on clinical, radiographic, and gingival crevicular periodontal parameters around natural teeth and dental implants in ex-smokers compared to current and non-smokers. The study protocol was developed based on the PRISMA guidelines, the research question was formulated according to the PICO model, and the literature search was conducted through PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane library, and BioMed Central databases. From the 916 title/abstracts initially identified, seven articles were included in the present systematic review and assessed for quality through the ROBINS-I tool. Reported findings on clinical and crevicular periodontal parameters around natural teeth were contrasting when comparing ex-smokers to current and non-smokers; thus, individualized recommendations for previous smoker periodontal patients are currently lacking. No data on radiographic parameters were retrieved. Similarly, data on periodontal parameters around dental implants were not available, highlighting the need for focused investigations assessing the role of both smoking habit and cessation on peri-implant health status and responsiveness to treatment.
EVALUATION OF LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS, CHITOSAN AND/OR AZITHROMYCIN IN TREATING CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS IN NEONATAL MICE

There are various limitations on the efficacy of anticryptosporidal drugs with a critical need to have better alternatives. This study evaluated the effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus ( L. acidophilus ), a probiotic and chitosan, a natural polysaccharide as compared to azithromycin (AZT), as single therapy and in combination in treatment of cryptosporidiosis on infected neonatal mice. The three therapeutics individually showed significant decrease in Cryptosporidium oocysts shedding compared to control (P <0.001). However, L. acidophilus caused a higher reduction (91.07%) compared to both AZT (83.19%) and chitosan (65.61%). Also, they reduced the oocysts numbers detected in the intestine, resolved totally the neutrophilic activity, without affecting the intestinal inflammation, but caused liver inflammation improvement. AZT/ L. acidophilus combination caused highest reduction in oocysts shedding (93.44%), followed by chitosan/ L. acidophilus combination (92.76%). These results represented a significant improvement compared to AZT single therapy ( P -values 0.012 & 0.024 respectively) or chitosan single therapy ( P <0.001 for both combinations). Besides, all therapeutic combinations removed any apparent parasite in the intestine and halted acute neutrophilic activity. Intestinal inflammation totally disappeared with chitosan/ L. acidophilus combination. Liver inflammations improved with drug combinations, but did not resolve totally as mostly observed with single therapy.
Perceived longevity of mRNA technology increases support for Covid-19 vaccines

ABSTRACT Among the reasons for Covid-19 mRNA vaccine hesitancy are the vaccines’ relative newness and, consequentially, concerns about their risks and safety. In this research, we address these reasons by manipulating the perceived longevity of the technology underlying mRNA Covid-19 vaccines (i.e., how long participants think these technologies have been in existence). An internet sample of American adults (N = 433) was shown one of the two versions of a timeline of medical events with ‘creation of mRNA vaccines’ placed to its left or right. The placement of mRNA vaccine creation on the left-end of the timeline resulted in Covid-19 mRNA vaccines being judged as older and - when participants' vaccination status was accounted for - better. Participants’ vaccine status did not moderate the impact of longevity on vaccine support. Implications and limitations are discussed.
Zebrafish (Danto rerio): An Alternative Model Organism for Central Nervous System Disorders Screening

Search for alternatives to animal models in biomedical and allied research is a recent trend in basic drug research communities; Zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) (ZF) would be an alternative animal model for biomedical research. Various animal model(s) have been used to study the cause and mechanism behind central nervous system disorder. However, still
Immunomodulatory Effects of Probiotics on COVID-19 Infection by Targeting the Gut–Lung Axis Microbial Cross-Talk

The ecosystem of the human gastrointestinal tract, named gut microbiota, represents the most thoroughly mapped ecosystem. Perturbations on bacterial populations cause dysbiosis, a condition correlated to a wide range of autoimmune, neurological, metabolic, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases. The lungs have their flora, which are directly related to the gut flora via bidirectional communication allowing the transport of microbial metabolites and toxins produced by intestinal bacteria through the circulation and lymphatic system. This mutual microbial cross-talk communication called the gut–lung axis modulates the immune and inflammatory response to infections. COVID-19 causes dysbiosis, altered intestinal permeability, and bacterial translocation. Dysbiosis, through the gut–lung axis, promotes hyper-inflammation, exacerbates lung damage, and worsens clinical outcomes. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that probiotics can regulate cytokine secretion, thus affecting both nonspecific and specific immunity. Probiotics act by blocking the virus from invading and proliferating in host cells, by stimulating the immune response, and by suppressing the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Herein, we reviewed the evidence from preclinical and clinical studies evaluating the effect of probiotics administration on the immune response to COVID-19 infection by targeting the gut–lung axis microbial cross-talk.
The effects of dispersal, herbivory, and competition on plant community assembly

Abstract Dispersal is a key process in community assembly but is often considered separately from downstream assembly processes (e.g., competition, herbivory). However, dispersal varies by species and can interact with other assembly processes through establishment as species enter communities. Here, we sought to distinguish the role of dispersal in community assembly and its interaction with two biotic assembly processes: competition and herbivory. We used a tallgrass prairie restoration experiment that manipulated the competitive and herbivore environments while allowing for natural dispersal and establishment from a diverse regional species pool into areas of low diversity. Dispersal, competition, and herbivory all influenced local communities. By tracking the spread of four target species across the plots, we found interspecific and intraspecific differences in establishment patterns, with herbivores influencing the number of individuals present and the distances species moved. At the community level, only dispersal and competition significantly influenced alpha diversity, but all three processes additively influenced community composition. There was also evidence of herbivore–competition and herbivore–colonization trade‐offs in our experiment. Some species that could tolerate herbivory were less likely to establish in competitive environments, while others that could tolerate herbivory were more likely to disperse greater distances. More work is needed to understand the contexts under which dispersal variation affects community assembly and its synergy with other processes.
Effect of dietary Medicago sativa extract on hepato-renal indicators, intestinal mucosal morphology and serum bactericidal activity in Cyprinus carpio fingerlings

Plant extracts and powders have recently been used as alternatives to chemical drugs in aquaculture, but due to the presence of antinutritional factors, their use is still limited and dose-dependent. To address this issue, the present study intended to investigate the effects of Alfalfa, Medicago sativa extract on health status
Open for Economic Activities during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Factors Related to State Reopening Policies in a Federal Policy Vacuum

Abstract What factors influence state governors to issue an executive order to reopen economic activities more or less quickly when removing the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions? Without comprehensive federal guidelines, state governors were faced with an administrative dilemma in devising mitigation policies that promoted safe public health measures while encouraging more business activity. Following the federal directive to reopen in April 2020, governors in all 50 states signed executive orders, but some waited longer than others. We argue that variation in the timing of the enactment of initial executive orders is influenced by political factors, financial resources factors, interstate factors, and problem severity of the public health incidence. Using an event history analysis, our Cox proportional hazard regression model suggests that states with unified Republican governments, more state funding obtained from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and participation in regional collaboration resumed activities earlier compared to states with more neighbors that issued reopening executive orders and states with more per capita income. Results indicate that, in crisis situations, unified political partisanship, the receipt of federal funding, and coordination with other states facilitate rapid policy adoption.