Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adelmidrol: A New Promising Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Therapeutic Tool in Pulmonary Fibrosis

Background: Chronic pulmonary diseases are characterized by airway remodeling due to complex multicellular responses and the production of free oxygen radicals. They lead to a progressive decline of pulmonary functions. Adelmidrol is an analogue of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), which is a well-known anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant compound. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of adelmidrol (10 mg/Kg) for bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Methods: Bleomycin intratracheal administration was performed on the first day and for the following twenty-one days, mice were treated with adelmidrol (10 mg/Kg). Results: The survival rate and body weight gain were recorded daily. At the end of the experiment, adelmidrol-administered animals showed reduced airway infiltration by inflammatory cells, Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and pro-inflammatory cytokine overexpression (IL,6 IL-1β, TNF-α, and TGF-1β). Moreover, adelmidrol treatment was able to manage the significant incapacity of antioxidants and elevation of the oxidant burden, as shown by the MDA, SOD, and GSH levels and decreased nitric oxide production. It was also able to significantly modulate the JAK2/STAT3 and IκBα/NF-kB pathway. Histologic examination of the lung tissues showed reduced sample injury, mast cell degranulation, chymase activity, and collagen deposition. Conclusions: In sum, our results propose adelmidrol as a therapeutic approach in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
Prédiction de la biomasse aérienne d'Acacia cyanophylla Lindl. (Syn. A. saligna (Labill.) H. Wendl) à partir de mensurations dimensionnelles

Above ground biomass prediction of Acacia cyanophylla Lindl. (Syn. A. saligna (Labill.) H. Wendl). Dimensional mea- surements were made on 45 four-year-old Acacia cyanophyllaLindl. shrubs which were cut at 20 cm above ground to predict biomass production. These shrubs planted at a density of 1100 plants/ha were located at the following sites: El Krib (high semi-arid), El Hojjaj (high semi-arid) and El Araibia (humid) in the North West of Tunisia. In order to validate the regression models obtained, a subsample of 5 shrubs (not included in the total sample), representing 11% of the total sample was chosen at random. Linear regressions (simple and multiple) allowed to satisfactorly estimate the above ground biomass production of Acacia cyanophyllaLindl. using its volume or its ba- sal diameter (R 2 = 0.76 to 0.96). However, the multiple regression involving simultaneously the volume and the basal diameter led to a better precision of the model ( R 2 = 0.90 to 0.98).
Fruit characteristics of promising native rose hip genotypes grown in Mid-North Anatolia Region of Turkey

This study was conducted to evaluate the fruit characteristics of promising wild grown rose hip genotypes in the Mid-North Anatolia (Amasya) of Turkey. The fruit samples were collected from 90 rose hip genotypes based on morphological characteristics of bushes and fruit properties. The genotypes collected were examined to characterize the fruit properties, 13 promising genotypes were selected based on fruit weight, fruit flesh ratio, vitamin C, total dry matter and total soluble solid (TSS). The mean fruit weight ranged from 1.37 to 3.04 g; the fruit flesh ratio 45.82-79.47%; vitamin C content 108.57-908.57 mg/100 g; the total dry matter content 32.08-54.36% and the total soluble solids 15.90-32.80%. The results of this study indicated that studies on selection of promising native rose hip genotypes with sufficient commercial value are helpful to conduct further studies to justify their release to growers as local cultivars.
Expression and Purification of NS1 Protein of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus H5N1 in Escherichia coli

The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a viral disease of poultry and is a zoonosis. The eighth segment of the viral genomic RNA encodes a nonstructural protein, NS1. NS1 is a viral regulatory protein responsible for virus virulence. This study, produced the 6xHis-tag fusion protein. The full length NS1 cDNA of A/Chicken/TH/KU14/04 (H5N1) was cloned into an expression vector, pQE80L. The recombinant NS1 was expressed in the E. coli strain DH5α. The results showed that the polyhistidine-tagged NS1 fusion protein was successfully expressed in bacterial cells, but the fusion protein accumulated in the inclusion bodies. The fusion protein was isolated as either a native or denatured form and further purified by precipitation or immobilization on a nickel ion affinity column. Purification using affinity chromatography under denaturing conditions yielded greater amounts of purer NS1 protein. However, sufficient purity and concentration of the native NS1 protein was obtained after purification using a precipitation method. Both native and denatured, purified NS1 protein reacted specifically with the anti-NS1 chicken serum in a western blot assay. The results indicated that the NS1 protein may be useful for further applications.
Voice quality and speech fluency distinguish individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment from Healthy Controls

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a syndrome characterized by cognitive decline greater than expected for an individual's age and education level. This study aims to determine whether voice quality and speech fluency distinguish patients with MCI from healthy individuals to improve diagnosis of patients with MCI. We analyzed recordings of the Cookie Theft picture description task produced by 26 patients with MCI and 29 healthy controls from Sweden and calculated measures of voice quality and speech fluency. The results show that patients with MCI differ significantly from HC with respect to acoustic aspects of voice quality, namely H1-A3, cepstral peak prominence, center of gravity, and shimmer; and speech fluency, namely articulation rate and averaged speaking time. The method proposed along with the obtainability of connected speech productions can enable quick and easy analysis of speech fluency and voice quality, providing accessible and objective diagnostic markers of patients with MCI.
Extreme hyperuricemia is a risk factor for infection-related deaths in incident dialysis patients: a multicenter prospective cohort study

Abstract Introduction There are few studies on the association between serum uric acid (UA) level and mortality in incident dialysis patients. We aimed to clarify whether the serum UA level at dialysis initiation is associated with mortality during maintenance dialysis. Methods We enrolled 1486 incident dialysis patients who participated in a previous multicenter prospective cohort study in Japan. We classified the patients into the following five groups according to their serum UA levels at dialysis initiation: G1 with a serum UA level <6 mg/dL; G2, 6.0–8.0 mg/dL; G3, 8.0–10.0 mg/dL; G4, 10.0–12.0 mg/dL; and G5, ≥12.0 mg/dL. We created three models (Model 1: adjusted for age and sex, Model 2: adjusted for Model 1 + 12 variables, and Model 3: stepwise regression adjusted for Model 2 + 13 variables) and performed a multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis to examine the association between the serum UA level and outcomes, including infection-related mortality. Results Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated relative to the G2, because the all-cause mortality rate was the lowest in G2. For Models 1 and 2, the all-cause mortality rate was significantly higher in G5 than in G2 (HR: 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14–2.33 and HR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.19–2.68, respectively). For Models 1, 2, and 3, the infection-related mortality rate was significantly higher in G5 than in G2 (HR: 2.75, 95% CI: 1.37–5.54, HR: 3.09, 95% CI: 1.45–6.59, HR: 3.37, and 95% CI: 1.24–9.15, respectively). Conclusions Extreme hyperuricemia (serum UA level ≥12.0 mg/dL) at dialysis initiation is a risk factor for infection-related deaths.
Biogenic amine neurotransmitters in C.

Four biogenic amines: octopamine, tyramine, dopamine and serotonin act in C. elegans to modulate behavior in response to changing environmental cues. These neurotransmitters act at both neurons and muscles to affect egg laying, pharyngeal pumping, locomotion and learning. A variety of experimental approaches including genetic, imaging, biochemical and pharmacological analyses have been used to identify the enzymes and cells that make and release the amines and the cells and receptors that bind them. Dopamine and serotonin act through receptors and downstream signaling mechanisms similar to those that operate in the mammalian brain suggesting that C. elegans will provide a valuable model for understanding biogenic amine signaling in the brain.
The pseudo-caspase FLIP(L) regulates cell fate following p53 activation

Significance p53 is the most frequently mutated, well-studied tumor-suppressor gene, yet the switch from p53-induced cell-cycle arrest to apoptosis remains poorly understood. We unexpectedly identify a critical role for the only human pseudo-caspase FLIP(L) in regulating this switch. Genetically or pharmacologically inhibiting expression of FLIP(L), which we identify as a new p53 transcriptional target, promoted apoptosis over cell-cycle arrest in response to p53 activation. Mechanistically, FLIP(L) inhibited p53-induced apoptosis by blocking ligand-independent activation of caspase-8 by the TRAIL-R2/DR5 death receptor. Notably, FLIP(L) also modulated transcription of canonical p53 target genes: increasing expression of cell-cycle regulator p21 and suppressing upregulation of apoptosis-inducing PUMA. Thus, we report unexpected, therapeutically exploitable roles for FLIP(L) in regulating the switch from p53-induced cell-cycle arrest to apoptosis. p53 is the most frequently mutated, well-studied tumor-suppressor gene, yet the molecular basis of the switch from p53-induced cell-cycle arrest to apoptosis remains poorly understood. Using a combination of transcriptomics and functional genomics, we unexpectedly identified a nodal role for the caspase-8 paralog and only human pseudo-caspase, FLIP(L), in regulating this switch. Moreover, we identify FLIP(L) as a direct p53 transcriptional target gene that is rapidly up-regulated in response to Nutlin-3A, an MDM2 inhibitor that potently activates p53. Genetically or pharmacologically inhibiting expression of FLIP(L) using siRNA or entinostat (a clinically relevant class-I HDAC inhibitor) efficiently promoted apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells in response to Nutlin-3A, which otherwise predominantly induced cell-cycle arrest. Enhanced apoptosis was also observed when entinostat was combined with clinically relevant, p53-activating chemotherapy in vitro, and this translated into enhanced in vivo efficacy. Mechanistically, FLIP(L) inhibited p53-induced apoptosis by blocking activation of caspase-8 by the TRAIL-R2/DR5 death receptor; notably, this activation was not dependent on receptor engagement by its ligand, TRAIL. In the absence of caspase-8, another of its paralogs, caspase-10 (also transcriptionally up-regulated by p53), induced apoptosis in Nutlin-3A-treated, FLIP(L)-depleted cells, albeit to a lesser extent than in caspase-8-proficient cells. FLIP(L) depletion also modulated transcription of canonical p53 target genes, suppressing p53-induced expression of the cell-cycle regulator p21 and enhancing p53-induced up-regulation of proapoptotic PUMA. Thus, even in the absence of caspase-8/10, FLIP(L) silencing promoted p53-induced apoptosis by enhancing PUMA expression. Thus, we report unexpected, therapeutically relevant roles for FLIP(L) in determining cell fate following p53 activation.
The use of IV vitamin C for patients with COVID-19: a case series

ABSTRACT Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected almost 2.5 million people worldwide with almost 170,000 deaths reported to date. So far, there is scarce evidence for the current treatment options available for COVID-19. Vitamin C has previously been used for treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock. We reviewed the feasibility of using vitamin C in the setting of COVID-19 in a series of patients. Methods We sequentially identified a series of patients who were requiring at least 30% of FiO2 or more who received IV vitamin C as part of the COVID-19 treatment and analyzed their demographic and clinical characteristics. We compared inflammatory markers pre and post treatment including D-dimer and ferritin. Results We identified a total of 17 patients who received IV vitamin C for COVID-19. The inpatient mortality rate in this series was 12% with 17.6% rates of intubation and mechanical ventilation. We noted a significant decrease in inflammatory markers, including ferritin and D-dimer, and a trend to decreasing FiO2 requirements, after vitamin C administration. Conclusion The use of IV vitamin C in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 disease may be feasible.
Future projection of the health and functional status of older people in Japan: A multistate transition microsimulation model with repeated cross‐sectional data

Abstract Accurate future projections of population health are imperative to plan for the future healthcare needs of a rapidly aging population. Multistate‐transition microsimulation models, such as the U.S. Future Elderly Model, address this need but require high‐quality panel data for calibration. We develop an alternative method that relaxes this data requirement, using repeated cross‐sectional representative surveys to estimate multistate‐transition contingency tables applied to Japan's population. We calculate the birth cohort sex‐specific prevalence of comorbidities using five waves of the governmental health surveys. Combining estimated comorbidity prevalence with death record information, we determine the transition probabilities of health statuses. We then construct a virtual Japanese population aged 60 and older as of 2013 and perform a microsimulation to project disease distributions to 2046. Our estimates replicate governmental projections of population pyramids and match the actual prevalence trends of comorbidities and the disease incidence rates reported in epidemiological studies in the past decade. Our future projections of cardiovascular diseases indicate lower prevalence than expected from static models, reflecting recent declining trends in disease incidence and fatality.
Do different sit–stand workstations influence lumbar kinematics, lumbar muscle activity and musculoskeletal pain in office workers? A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Purpose. This study investigated the effect of different sit–stand workstations on lumbar spine kinematics, lumbar muscle activity and musculoskeletal pain. Methods. Thirty-two office workers were randomized to one of three sit–stand workstations (Group 1, ratio of minutes spent sitting to standing each hour at work 40:20, n = 8; Group 2, 30:30, n = 6; Group 3, 20:40, n = 7) and a control group (usual sitting, n = 11). Intervention groups (Groups 1, 2 and 3) were collapsed into one group for analysis (n = 21). Data on lumbar kinematics and muscle activity were only collected for 25 participants due to equipment availability. Results. Participants in the intervention group had lower overall lumbar spine flexion angles during the workday compared to the control group (mean difference 10.6°; 95% confidence interval [−18.1, −3.2]; p = 0.008; Cohen’s d = 1.5). There were no between-group differences for the remaining kinematic measures (i.e., mean flexion angle in standing and sitting, mean side flexion angle in standing and sitting, and percentage of time in upright sitting), muscle activity or presence of musculoskeletal pain. Conclusions. Sit–stand workstations reduced overall lumbar spine flexion angles over the course of a workday but had no effect on other kinematic measures, lumbar spine muscle activity or musculoskeletal pain. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry identifier: ACTRN12615001018505.
Differentiation of subspecies and sexes of Beringian Dunlins using morphometric measures

Five subspecies of Dunlins (Calidris alpina) that breed in Beringia are potentially sympatric during the non-breeding season. Studying their ecology during this period requires techniques to distinguish individuals by subspecies. Our objectives were to determine (1) if five morphometric measures (body mass, culmen, head, tarsus, and wing chord) differed between sexes and among subspecies (C. a. actites, arcticola, kistchinski, pacifica, and sakhalina), and (2) if these differences were sufficient to allow for correct classification of individuals using equationsderivedfrom discriminantfunctionanalyses. We conductedanalyses usingmorphometric data from 10DunlinpopulationsbreedinginnorthernRussiaandAlaska,USA.Univariatetestsrevealedsignificantdifferences between sexes in most morphometric traits of all subspecies, and discriminant function equations predicted the sex of individuals with an accuracy of 83-100% for each subspecies. We provide equations to determine sex and subspecies of individuals in mixed subspecies groups, including the (1) Western Alaska group of arcticola and pacifica (known to stage together in western Alaska) and (2) East Asia group of arcticola, actites, kistchinski, and sakhalina (known to winter together in East Asia). Equations that predict the sex of individuals in mixed groups had classification accuracies between 75% and 87%, yielding reliable classification equations. We also provide equations that predict the subspecies of individuals with an accuracy of 22-96% for different mixed subspecies groups. When the sex of individuals can be predetermined, the accuracy of these equations is increased substantially. Investigators are cautioned to consider limitations due to age and feather wear when using these equations during the non- breeding season. These equations will allow determination of sexual and subspecies segregation in non-breeding areas, allowing implementation of taxonomic-specific conservation actions.
Borboletas frugívoras (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) de uma área urbana (Área de Proteção Especial Manancial Cercadinho) em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Aiming to increase the knowledge of fruit-feeding butterflies in an urban area in Minas Gerais State, a inventory was carried out in the Area de Protecao Especial Manancial Cercadinho, located in the suburban area of Belo Horizonte. Thirty baited traps were arranged in two habitats: 15 in a Cerrado area (Cerrado field) and 15 in a riparian forest. We recorded 1219 individuals belonging to 45 species of Nymphalidae. The rarefaction analyses didn't indicate difference in species richness between the riparian forest and Cerrado. The species accumulation curve did not show an asymptote. The four most abundant species belonged to Satyrinae. Our results about species richness in Cercadinho emphasize the need to protect this area, because it preserves 40% of the whole butterfly fauna estimated for the region, which could be managed as a source of colonization to other urban areas.
Application of pectic zymogram in the identification and genetic variation of Fusarium species

The genus Fusarium is a species rich genus. Different media are required to study the morphological characters and classify different species, and this is a time consuming technique. Molecular and biochemical techniques have been used for identifying fungi over the last two decades, including pectic zymograms which have been used to characterize different fungi. In this study pectic zymograms were used to identify species and form species of Fusarium isolates. Fusarium isolates (318) were obtained from different areas and hosts in Isfahan Province, Iran. Isolates were identified to species based on morphological characters. A pectic enzyme solution was prepared for each isolate using liquid media containing citrus pectin as the sole carbon source. Electrophoresis was performed using acrylamide gel containing 0.2% citrus pectin as the enzyme substrate. The gels were incubated in 0.1M malic acid before staining overnight in 0.02% ruthenium red, to visualize enzyme electrophoretic patterns. Several zymogram phenotypes were obtained for polygalacturonase and pectin esterase. In total, 12 zymogram patterns were determined for the 318 isolates tested. The results showed that there is considerable intraspecific variation in Fusarium species. There were 3, 5 and 2 zymogram electrophoretic patterns for Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani and F. culmorum respectively. However, there were only one zymogram pattern for F. subglutinans and also one for F. equiseti. Although the intraspecific variation based on pectic zymograms was not correlated to the form species of Fusarium, species of Fusarium could be distinguished using this technique as there was no common zymogram pattern among species.
Can life‐history traits predict the fate of introduced species? A case study on two cyprinid fish in southern France

1. The ecological and economic costs of introduced species can be high. Ecologists try to predict the probability of success and potential risk of the establishment of recently introduced species, given their biological characteristics. 2. In 1990 gudgeon, Gobio gobio, were released in a drainage canal of the Rhone delta of southern France. The Asian topmouth gudgeon, Pseudorasbora parva, was found for the first time in the same canal in 1993. Those introductions offered a unique opportunity to compare in situ the fate of two closely related fish in the same habitat. 3. Our major aims were to assess whether G. gobio was able to establish in what seemed an unlikely environment, to compare populations trends and life-history traits of both species and to assess whether we could explain or could have predicted our results, by considering their life-history strategies. 4. Data show that both species have established in the canal and have spread. Catches of P. parva have increased strongly and are now higher than those of G. gobio. 5. The two cyprinids have the same breeding season and comparable traits (such as short generation time, small body, high reproductive effort), so both could be classified as opportunists. The observed difference in their success (in terms of population growth and colonization rate) could be explained by the wider ecological and physiological tolerance of P. parva. 6. In conclusion, our field study seems to suggest that invasive vigour also results from the ability to tolerate environmental changes through phenotypic plasticity, rather than from particular life-history features pre-adapted to invasion. It thus remains difficult to define a good invader simply on the basis of its life-history features.