Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Treadmill Exercise Attenuates Cerebral Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury by Promoting Activation of M2 Microglia via Upregulation of Interleukin-4

Background: Exercise has been proven to be an effective therapy for stroke by reducing the microglia-initiated proinflammatory response. Few studies, however, have focused on the phenotypic changes in microglia cells caused by exercise training. The present study was designed to evaluate the influence of treadmill exercise on microglia polarization and the molecular mechanisms involved. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups: sham, MCAO and exercise. The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and exercise groups received MCAO surgery and the sham group a sham operation. The exercise group also underwent treadmill exercise after the surgery. These groups were studied after 4 and 7 days to evaluate behavioral performance using a modified neurological severity score (mNSS), and infarct conditions using 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Luminex was employed to determine the expressions of markers of microglia phenotypes. Western blotting was employed to identify the phosphorylation levels of Janus kinase1 (JAK1) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6). Immunofluorescence was conducted to identify microglia phenotypes. Results: Treadmill exercise was found to improve neurobehavioral outcomes, mainly motor and balance functions, reduce infarct volumes and significantly increase interleukin-4 (IL-4) expression. In addition, treadmill exercise inhibited M1 microglia and promoted M2 microglia activation as evidenced by decreased M1 and increased M2 markers. Furthermore, an obvious increase in p-JAK1 and p-STAT6 was observed in the exercise group. Conclusions: Treadmill exercise ameliorates cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury by enhancing IL-4 expression to promote M2 microglia polarization, possibly via the JAK1-STAT6 pathway.
Deletion of PRAK Mitigates the Mitochondria Function and Suppresses Insulin Signaling in C2C12 Myoblasts Exposed to High Glucose

Background: p38 regulated/activated protein kinase (PRAK) plays a crucial role in modulating cell death and survival. However, the role of PRAK in the regulation of metabolic stress remains unclear. We examined the effects of PRAK on cell survival and mitochondrial function in C2C12 myoblasts in response to high glucose stresses. Methods: PRAK of C2C12 myoblasts was knocked out by using CRISPR/Cas-9 genome editing technology. Both wild type and PRAK−/− C2C12 cells were exposed to high glucose at the concentration of 30 mmol/L to induce metabolic stress. The effect of irisin, an adipomyokine, on both wild type and PRAK−/− cells was determined to explore its relationship with RPAK. Cell viability, ATP product, glucose uptake, mitochondrial damage, and insulin signaling were assessed. Results: PRAK knockout decreased C2C12 viability in response to high glucose stress as evident by MTT assay in association with the reduction of ATP and glucose uptake. PRAK knockout enhanced apoptosis of C2C12 myoblasts in response to high glucose, consistent with an impairment in mitochondrial function, by decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential. PRAK knockout induced impairment of mitochondrial and cell damage were rescued by irisin. PRAK knockout caused decrease in phosphorylated PI3 kinase at Tyr 485, IRS-1 and AMPKα and but did not affect non-phosphorylated PI3 kinase, IRS-1 and AMPKα signaling. High glucose caused the further reduction of phosphorylated PI3 kinase, IRS-1 and AMPKα. Irisin treatment preserved phosphorylated PI3 kinase, IRS-1by rescuing PRAK in high glucose treatment. Conclusion: Our finding indicates a pivotal role of PRAK in preserving cellular survival, mitochondrial function, and high glucose stress.
Functions of Intracellular Alpha-Synuclein in Microglia: Implications for Parkinson’s Disease Risk

Alpha-synuclein accumulation in dopaminergic neurons is one of the primary features of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Despite its toxic properties during PD, alpha-synuclein has some important physiological functions. Although the activity of the protein has been extensively studied in neurons, the protein is also expressed in other cell types including immune cells and glia. Genetic studies show that mutations in synuclein alpha (SNCA), the gene that encodes alpha-synuclein, and alterations in its expression levels are a significant risk factor for PD, which likely impact the functions of a broad range of cell types. The consequences of altered SNCA expression in other cell types is beginning to be explored. Microglia, the primary macrophage population in the Central Nervous System (CNS), for example, are affected by variations in alpha-synuclein levels and functions. Studies suggest that deviations of alpha-synuclein’s normal activity influence hematopoiesis, the process that gives rise to microglia, and microglia’s immune functions. Alpha-synuclein levels also dictate the efficiency of SNARE-mediated vesicle formation, which could influence autophagy and cytokine release in microglia. Starting from the time of conception, these effects could impact one’s risk for developing PD. Further studies are needed to determine the physiological role of alpha-synuclein and how the protein is affected during PD in non-neuronal cells such as microglia. In this review we will discuss the known roles of alpha-synuclein in differentiation, immune responses, and vesicle formation, with insights into how abnormal alpha-synuclein expression and activity are linked to altered functions of microglia during PD.
Musicianship Influences Language Effect on Musical Pitch Perception

Given its practical implications, the effect of musicianship on language learning has been vastly researched. Interestingly, growing evidence also suggests that language experience can facilitate music perception. However, the precise nature of this facilitation is not fully understood. To address this research gap, I investigated the interactive effect of language and musicianship on musical pitch and rhythmic perception. Cantonese and English listeners, each divided into musician and non-musician groups, completed the Musical Ear Test and the Raven’s 2 Progressive Matrices. Essentially, an interactive effect of language and musicianship was found on musical pitch but not rhythmic perception. Consistent with previous studies, Cantonese language experience appeared to facilitate musical pitch perception. However, this facilitatory effect was only present among the non-musicians. Among the musicians, Cantonese language experience did not offer any perceptual advantage. The above findings reflect that musicianship influences the effect of language on musical pitch perception. Together with the previous findings, the new findings offer two theoretical implications for the OPERA hypothesis—bi-directionality and mechanisms through which language experience and musicianship interact in different domains.
Association of Serum Leptin with Anthropometric Indices of Obesity, Blood Lipids, Steroidal Hormones, and Insulin Resistance in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a major form of anovulatory infertility in women. It is often associated with obesity and insulin resistance (IR), both of which are linked to leptin and its receptors. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the interrelationship between serum leptin level with anthropometric indices of obesity, lipid profile, IR, and with circulating steroidal hormones in PCOS women. Settings and Design: An observational case–control study was conducted in a medical college and hospital setting. Methods: Ninety diagnosed cases of PCOS along with ninety age-matched normal women were enrolled. Serum insulin, lipid profile, steroidal hormones, and serum leptin were estimated. IR was calculated using the Homeostatic Model Assessment-IR. Anthropometric measurements were also taken of each study participant. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics along with independent sample t-test and Pearson (r) correlation coefficients were used. Results: Women with PCOS had high mean value of waist circumference (P = 0.00), hip circumference (P = 0.00), and hormonal levels than the control group (luteinizing hormone [LH] [P = 0.00], testosterone [P = 0.00], LH/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio [P = 0.00], leptin [P = 0.00], and IR [P = 0.00]). Serum insulin levels (P = 0.02), IR (P = 0.01), body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.03), and fasting blood sugar (P = 0.01) had a positive correlation with leptin. Insulin (P = 0.01), IR (P = 0.02), fasting blood sugar (P = 0.001), and leptin (P = 0.00) were more in the obese control group. Conclusion: Serum leptin level is raised in PCOS patients, and it is correlated positively with BMI, fasting blood sugar, insulin metabolism, and IR.
”When Love Does not bear a Fruit”: Patterns and Prevalence of Sexual Difficulties in Infertile Men and Women as Predictors of Emotional Distress

Background: Self-identity, sexuality, and subfertility have multidirectional effects on each other. Subfertility is known to alter sexual esteem, threaten identity, body image, sexual attractivness, coital pleasure, and sexual satisfaction. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate sexual difficulties as predictors of infertility-specific stress in patients undergoing fertility treatments and to assess the profile of sexual dysfunctions in participants. Study Setting and Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary hospital setup of a medical college. Methods: Three hundred married men and women diagnosed with infertility participated. The psychological evaluation test, international classification of diseases (10th, CDDG), female sexual functioning index, and international index of erectile functioning were used as measures. Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 15, Chicago, USA). Chi-square test was used for univariate analysis between stress and presence of sexual dysfunctions in men and women. Medians, quartile, and cutoff scores were used to profile the sexual issues in participants. Results: Prevalence of sexual dysfunctions since marriage was higher in women (75%) than men (60%). Ninety-two percent of women and 86% of men experienced emergence of sexual difficulties after the couple started treatments. Conclusions: Sexual dysfunctions appear to be a consistent psychosocial concern for those awaiting conception. These appear to worsen during the treatments. Our findings suggest the need to sensitively approach and explore sexual anamnesis with the couple before recourse to medically assisted reproductive treatments. Psychological interventions for sexual issues in distressed patients before, during, and after treatments such as controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilization, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection are most needed.
Evaluation of serum sclerostin level and its correlation with the cardiovascular outcome in patients with chronic kidney disease

Background Cardiovascular calcification is a significant insult at all stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Vascular/valvular calcification was considered a strong predictor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in CKD population. Sclerostin is an inhibitor of the Wnt pathway that has an association with vascular calcification in various vascular beds. Aim To evaluate the serum sclerostin level and its correlation with the cardiovascular outcome in patients with CKD. Patients and methods The study group consisted of 70 patients (30 nondialysis patients with CKD and 40 hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal disease) and 20 healthy controls. The patients were followed up for 30 months for detection of cardiovascular events. Laboratory investigations including serum sclerostin level were calculated, and a standard two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography was performed for detection of cardiac valve calcification. Results There was a significant increase in the serum sclerostin level in all patients with CKD when compared with the control group (P<0.001), There was a significant decrease in serum sclerostin level in patients with valvular calcification (P=0.016) when compared with patients with noncalcified valves. There was significant decrease in serum sclerostin in patients who developed cardiovascular morbidity (P<0.001), but no significant relation with cardiovascular mortality when compared with patients who did not develop CVD insults. Conclusion Decreased sclerostin level in patients with CKD is associated with increased incidence of valvular calcification, and also, there was a significant decline in serum sclerostin level in patients who developed cardiovascular morbidity, but there was no significant relation with cardiovascular mortality.
Synthesis of Schiff bases derived from 2-hydroxy-1- naphth- aldehyde and their tin(II) complexes for antimicribial and antioxidant activities

The current studies were designed to prepare tin(II) complexes of various Schiff base derivatives of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde (HN) with L-histidine and sulfamethazine have been prepared and characterized by different physiochemical studies such as elemental analysis, atomic absorption, UV-Vis spectra, FTIR spectra, 1 H–NMR, 13 C-NMR and conductance studies. Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities were also calculated. Antibacterial activity was evaluated by the agar-well diffusion method. Two Gram-negative ( Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli ) and three Gram-positive ( Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus epidermidis and Bacillus subtilis ) bacterial strains were used. Antifungal activity was resolute against three fungal strains (Aspergillus niger , Aspergillus flavus and Alternaria solani ) by using the agar tube dilution method. The antioxidant activity of ligands and their complexes was measured on the basis of the radical scavenging effect of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH)-free radical activity. Ligand HNSM exhibited excellent activities as antibacterial activity (22 mm), antifungal activity (55%) and antioxidant activity (119 ppm). KEY WORDS : Schiff base, 2-Hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde, L-Histidine and sulfamethazine, Tin(II) complexes, Antimicrobial activities, Antioxidant activities Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2017 , 31(3), 445-456. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.4314/bcse.v31i3. 8
The Rise of Decentralized Cryptocurrency Exchanges: Evaluating the Role of Airdrops and Governance Tokens

This paper introduces the most comprehensive data available to date on centralized and decentralized exchanges run off of distributed ledger technologies. First, we document the rapid growth in decentralized exchanges and their differences in volume and price dynamics from centralized exchanges. Second, motivated by these differences, we investigate the role of airdrops and governance tokens as mechanisms for expanding the base of users and driving up the value of an exchange. Our results suggest that both mechanisms are effective for expanding and strengthening networks, particularly in decentralized exchanges.
Foreign Currency Borrowing and Risk Exposure of Firms: An Emerging Market Economy Viewpoint

Foreign currency borrowings by emerging market corporations have increased significantly in the post-global financial crisis. Extant literature has mainly focused on the cause of the increase in foreign currency borrowings. In this paper, we study the consequences of the increase in foreign currency borrowings. We examine the role that foreign currency borrowings play in transmitting the risks associated with changes in global credit market conditions and currency mismatch risk to the domestic firms. We use the data of non-financial Indian firms listed in the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange to do our analysis. We find that foreign currency borrowings increase the risk exposure of the firms. Furthermore, foreign currency borrowings play a crucial role in transmitting global credit liquidity risk and currency risk to domestic firms. Overall, our results indicate that too much foreign currency borrowings may pile risk in the financial system that may become a cause of concern.
Hastening Death in Canadian ICUs: End-of-Life Care in the Era of Medical Assistance in Dying*

OBJECTIVES: Since 2016, Canada has allowed for euthanasia based on strict criteria under federal medical assistance in dying legislation. The purpose of this study was to determine how Canadian intensivists perceive medical assistance in dying and whether they believe their approach to withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies has changed following introduction of medical assistance in dying. DESIGN: Electronic survey. SETTING: Participants were recruited from 11 PICU programs and 14 adult ICU programs across Canada. All program leaders for whom contact information was available were approached for participation. PARTICIPANTS: We invited intensivists and critical care trainees employed between December 2019 and May 2020 to participate using a snowball sampling technique in which department leaders distributed study information. All responses were anonymous. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Categorical variables were analyzed using Pearson chi-square test. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We obtained 150 complete questionnaires (33% response rate), of which 50% were adult practitioners and 50% pediatric. Most were from academic centers (81%, n = 121). Of respondents, 86% (n = 130) were familiar with medical assistance in dying legislation, 71% in favor, 14% conflicted, and 11% opposed. Only 5% (n = 8) thought it had influenced their approach to withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies. Half of participants had no standardized protocol for withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies in their unit, and 41% (n = 62) had observed medications given in disproportionately high doses during withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies, with 13% having personally administered such doses. Most (80%, n = 120) had experienced explicit requests from families to hasten death, and almost half (47%, n = 70) believed it was ethically permissible to intentionally hasten death following withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies. CONCLUSIONS: Most Canadian intensivists surveyed do not think that medical assistance in dying has changed their approach to end of life in the ICU. A significant minority are ethically conflicted about the current approach to assisted dying/euthanasia in Canada. Almost half believe it is ethical to intentionally hasten death during withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies if death is expected.
Treatment of back pain in active axial spondyloarthritis with serial locoregional water-filtered infrared A radiation: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is an inflammatory rheumatic disease primarily affecting the axial skeleton. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short-term effects of locoregional water-filtered infrared A radiation (sl-wIRAR) in the treatment of lower back pain in patients with axSpA. METHODS: Patients with active axSpA with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy undergoing a 7-day multimodal rheumatologic complex treatment in an in-patient setting were eligible. Patients were randomly assigned to the intervention group (IG) receiving sl-wIRAR treatment of the back (2 treatments/day for 30 min each for 6 days) or to the control group (CG) receiving no treatment. Primary outcome was a between-group difference in pain after sl-wIRAR therapy measured on a numeric rating scale (NRS) (0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain). Secondary outcomes included an assessment of i) the onset and development of analgesic effects and an evaluation of whether sl-wIRAR ii) improved axSpA-specific well-being and iii) influenced serum cytokine levels. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were enrolled, completed the trial and were analyzed (IG: 36 patients, CG: 35 patients). In the IG, there was a statistically significant change (p< 0.0005) in pain level [NRS] (1.6 ± 1.9 [5; 2]) from baseline (4.1 ± 2.4 [0; 8]) to trial completion (2.6 ± 2.0 [0; 7]) and a significant difference to the CG (p= 0.006). In the IG there was a significant improvement in axSpA-specific well-being (BAS-G) (p= 0.006). A physiologically relevant change in serum cytokine levels could not be observed. CONCLUSION: sl-wIRAR treatment can be useful in the treatment of patients with active axSpA as it leads to a rapid reduction of pain.
Comparison of Long-Term Efficacy in S-1 and Capecitabine With Oxaliplatin as Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Patients With Gastric Cancer After Curative Surgery: A Retrospective, Single-Center Observational Study

Purpose: Various adjuvant chemotherapies have been introduced for gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection. Although the mainstream regimen of adjuvant chemotherapy in Korea includes S-1 monotherapy (TS-1) and capecitabine with oxaliplatin (XELOX), few studies have compared the long-term efficacies of these 2 regimens. Methods: Between January 2010 and June 2017, 2021 patients were diagnosed with gastric cancer and underwent curative resection with adjuvant chemotherapy at our institution. Of 1461 patients with stage IB-III gastric cancer, 825 received TS-1 and 636 received XELOX as adjuvant chemotherapy. We retrospectively reviewed their medical records and analyzed the postoperative 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of these 2 groups. Results: The patients in the XELOX group had more advanced stage of cancer than the TS-1 group (stages III and II: 56.6% and 43.1%, respectively, in XELOX and 35.3% and 57.0% in TS-1; P < .001). The DFS did not differ significantly between the 2 study groups at any pathologic stage. The OS differed significantly only at pathologic stages IIA (P = .024) and IIB (P = .015). In a multivariate analysis of stage II patients, type of regimen was an independent prognostic factor of OS (XELOX vs TS-1; hazard ratio: 0.47, 95% confidence interval: 0.25-0.89, P = .021). Conclusion: There were similar long-term efficacies between these 2 regimens in advanced gastric cancer patients who underwent curative surgery. However, the XELOX regimen might be favorable for OS of stage II patients.
Efficacy of Persian medicine herbal formulations (capsules and decoction) compared to standard care in patients with COVID‐19, a multicenter open‐labeled, randomized, controlled clinical trial

Persian medicine has recommended clinical experiences and proper herbal remedies for prevention and treatment of microbial infections and respiratory diseases. An open‐label, randomized, controlled, multicenter trial was conducted at five hospitals in Tehran and Isfahan provinces of Iran on 358 hospitalized adult patients. A total of 174 patients received standard care and 184 received herbal remedies (polyherbal decoction every 8 hr and two herbal capsules every 12 hr) plus standard care for 7 days. The primary clinical endpoint was the duration of hospital stay, and secondary outcomes were clinical improvement of symptoms based on self‐assessment questionnaire. Results demonstrated that these natural decoction and capsules treatment plus routine care significantly decreased duration of hospital dyspnea (3.291 day vs. 6.468 days), accelerated clinical improvement, and decreased symptoms such as dry cough, dyspnea, muscle pain, headache, fatigue, anorexia, chills, runny nose, sputum cough, and vertigo in the treatment group compared with standard‐care group. Significant effects of these polyherbal formulations on improving the symptoms of COVID‐19 could be incredibly promising for managing this pandemic with acceptable tolerability.