Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Celastrol Efficacy by Oral Administration in the Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis Model

Background: We previously demonstrated that celastrol has significant anti-inflammatory and bone protective effects when administered via the intraperitoneal route. For further preclinical evaluation, an effective oral administration of celastrol is crucial. Here we aimed to study the therapeutic dose range for its oral administration. Methods: Celastrol (1–25 μg/g/day, N = 5/group) was administrated orally to female adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rats after 8 days of disease induction for a period of 14 days. A group of healthy (N = 8) and arthritic (N = 15) gender- and age-matched Wistar rats was used as controls. During the treatment period, the inflammatory score, ankle perimeter, and body weight were measured. At the end of the treatment, the animals were sacrificed, blood was collected for clinical pathology, necropsy was performed with collection of internal organs for histopathological analysis, and paw samples were used for disease scoring. Results: Doses higher than 2.5 μg/g/day of celastrol reduced the inflammatory score and ankle swelling, preserved joint structure, halted bone destruction, and diminished the number of synovial CD68+ macrophages. Bone resorption and turnover were also reduced at 5 and 7.5 μg/g/day doses. However, the dose of 7.5 μg/g/day was associated with thymic and liver lesions, and higher doses showed severe toxicity. Conclusion: Oral administration of celastrol above 2.5 μg/g/day ameliorates arthritis. This data supports and gives relevant information for the development of a preclinical test of celastrol in the setting of a chronic model of arthritis since rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term disease.
Enhanced Attraction of Arthropod Vectors to Infected Vertebrates: A Review of Empirical Evidence

A large diversity of parasites manipulates their hosts in various ways to complete their own life cycle. Enhancing the attractiveness of their host to vectors has been suggested as a strategy allowing vector-borne parasites to increase their transmission. Indeed, a higher attraction of hematophagous, arthropod vectors to infected vertebrates compared to uninfected individuals has been found in many systems (e.g., Trypanosoma-tsetse flies, Leishmania-sand flies, Borrelia-ticks) but was most often verified in the Plasmodium-mosquitoes model. However, a number of studies found no difference in attractiveness, or a higher attractiveness of uninfected hosts. In this review, we present studies reporting a comparison of the attractiveness and/or the biting rate of infected and uninfected vertebrates. We then discuss several biological factors and experimental design aspects that can explain discrepancies between studies. Finally, we stress the importance of investigating the mechanisms of parasite-induced increased attractiveness of infected hosts to conclude that such observations are cases of adaptive manipulation.
Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Hungary: Mixed-Method Study to Reveal Scale and Characteristics

Background Due to their efficacy and tolerability, utilization of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) has significantly increased worldwide. Parallel to the clinical benefits, potential long-term side effects have been observed, which, along with increasing medical expenses and potential drug interactions, justifies the analysis of the trends of utilization. Objective The aim of the present study was to show the level, pattern, and characteristics of PPI use. Methods We assessed the nationwide use of proton pump inhibitors in ambulatory care based on aggregated utilization data from the National Health Insurance database. The annual PPI utilization was expressed as the number of packages and as number of DDDs per 1,000 inhabitants and per year. For 2018, we estimated PPI exposure as the number of packages and as the number of DDDs per user per year. The annual reimbursement costs of proton pump inhibitors were also calculated. Moreover, three patient-level surveys were carried out in non-gastroenterological inpatient hospital departments to reveal characteristics of proton pump inhibitor use, namely dose, duration, and indication. Results The PPI utilisation increased from 5867.8 thousand to 7124.9 thousand packages and from 41.9 to 50.4 DDD per 1,000 inhabitants and per day between 2014 and 2018. Nationwide data showed that 14% of the adult population was exposed to proton pump inhibitors in 2018, while among hospitalized patients, the prevalence of proton pump inhibitor use was between 44.5% and 54.1%. Pantoprazole was the most frequently used active ingredient, both in the nationwide data and in the patient-level surveys. In the patient-level survey in majority of patients (71.5%–80.0%) proton pump inhibitors were prescribed for prophylaxis. Many inpatients (29.4%–36.9%) used 80 mg pantoprazole per day. The average number of PPI packages per user was 6.5 in 2018 in the nationwide data. The duration of PPI therapy was typically between 1 and 5 years in the patient-level surveys and nearly 20% of the inpatients had been taking proton pump inhibitors for more than 5 years. Conclusions Our data suggests that Hungarian patients receive proton pump inhibitors in high doses and for a long time. Use of proton pump inhibitors beyond their recommended indications was also found.
Comparative Pharmacokinetics of Meloxicam Between Healthy Post-partum vs. Mid-lactation Dairy Cattle

Lactating dairy cattle are at risk for various painful conditions throughout their life, such as lameness, parturition, mastitis, and metabolic disorders. These conditions necessitate adequate methods of analgesia to address welfare concerns through efficacious pain mitigation. As no method of analgesia has been approved for lactating dairy cattle, to date, research is necessary to determine effective pain management strategies for dairy cattle. In both the European Union and Canada, meloxicam has been approved for use in lactating dairy cattle as a methodology for pain control. The objective of this study was to characterize the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam administered orally and intravenously to lactating dairy cattle in the post-partum vs. mid-lactation period. In this parallel study design, 12 healthy, lactating Holsteins were enrolled within 24 h of freshening and randomly allocated to intravenous (0.2 mg/kg) or oral (1.0 mg/kg) meloxicam administration treatment groups. They were matched based on parity to 12, healthy cows that were considered mid-lactation [>150 days-in-milk (DIM)] to receive the same treatment. Based on meloxicam formulation, sampling times varied and plasma was collection via jugular venipuncture for 6 days. Plasma drug concentrations were evaluated using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy and pharmacokinetic properties were evaluated using non-compartmental (i.e., statistical moments) analysis. Results indicated a decreased systemic clearance of meloxicam in post-partum relative to mid-lactation cows, which resulted in a longer half-life and increased total exposure independent of mode of administration. These results suggest a need for dose adjustments based on stage in lactation and further assessment of the impact of days-in-milk on milk withholding period.
The effects of the Video Assistant Referee system (VAR) on the playing time, technical-tactical and physical performance in elite soccer

ABSTRACT The main purpose of the present study was to assess if the intervention of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) had effects in the playing time and in the technical-tactical and physical performances of the teams in the Spanish LaLiga during 2018-19 season. A total of 375 matches were grouped according the number of VAR interventions: none (VAR0), one (VAR1) and two or three (VAR2). The variables recorded were: total (TPT) and effective (EPT) playing time, passes, dribbles, crosses, shots, goals, corners, fouls, width, length, height, distance from the goalkeeper to their defence, and total (TD) and above 21 km/h distance covered. The results were: I) there was a slight increase in the TPT in VAR2 compared to VAR1 and VAR0 (99.1 vs. 96.0 vs. 95.1, respectively); II) there was a decrease in the EPT between VAR0 and VAR1 (52.5 vs. 51.5); III) there was an increase in the number of goals (1.2 vs. 1.5 vs. 1.7, in VAR0, VAR1 and VAR2); and, IV) there was a slight decrease in the TD (108,916 vs. 107,916 vs. 106,977, in VAR0, VAR1 and VAR2). In conclusion, the findings of the study suggest that the VAR hardly changes the game in elite soccer.
Contextual Similarity Between Successive Targets Modulates Inhibition of Return in the Target-Target Paradigm

Inhibition of return (IOR) refers to slower responses to a target presented at a previously cued vs. uncued location. The present study investigated the role of memory retrieval in IOR by manipulating the contextual similarity between two successive targets in the target-target IOR paradigm. Successive targets were presented in either the same color (same-context condition) or different colors (different-context condition). Results of two experiments showed that IOR was greater in the same-context than the different-context condition. In addition, Experiment 2 showed that this context effect occurs with long response times (RTs), suggesting that memory retrieval, which requires time to manifest, plays an important role in IOR.
The effects of cooperative learning on peer relations, academic support, and engagement in learning among students of color

Abstract Despite Brown vs. Board of Education, prejudice still exists in the American school system. These attitudes can give rise to negative social experiences for students of color (i.e., discrimination), negatively impacting their mental and physical health and creating disparities in educational outcomes. Rather than seeking to ameliorate these negative experiences, our approach attempts to address the underlying prejudices and, in so doing, reduce these disparities. Using 4 waves of data from a cluster randomized trial (N = 15 middle schools, 1,890 students, 47.1% female, 75.2% White), we hypothesized that cooperative learning, which has been shown to reduce prejudice in previous research, would create positive gains in peer relatedness, perceptions of academic support, and engagement in learning, and that gains would be larger for students of color; our results confirmed these hypotheses. Our findings highlight the potential role of cooperative learning in reducing disparities and creating greater equity in education.
Effects of seed plumpness on germinating rate, seedling rate and growth of hybrid rice

Variation in germinating rate, seedling rate and growth of the seeds with different plumpness of hybrid rice varieties Liangyoupeijiu, Xieyou7954 and Xieyou9320 was studied. The results showed that the germinating rate and the seedling rate were significantly positive correlated with seed plumpness. The lower plumpness of rice seeds was, the lower their germinating rate and seedling rate was. The germinating rate of the rice seed floating on water was 35% -68% , and the seedling rate was 36% -62%. However, the germinating rate of the seeds sinking in 1.10 gravity solution was more than 97%, and the seedling rate was more than 75%. Tiller capacity and dry matter of the seeds floating on water was lower than that of the seeds sinking in 1.10 gravity solution. Efficiency of seed selection in rice production was discussed.
Physiological effects of heterologous expression of proteorhodopsin photosystems

Proteorhodopsin (PR) phototrophy plays an important role in the marine ecosystem, harvesting energy from sunlight for a diverse community of hetertrophic organisms. The simple proteorhodopsin photosystem (PRPS) composed of six to seven genes is sufficient for producing a functional light-driven proton pump, capable of powering cellular processes. This thesis describes the functional characterization of a subcloned PRPS previously identified from a large insert metagenomic library (Martinez et al., 2007). Incorporation of the PRPS into a strain of Pseudomonas putida resulted in a light-dependent increase in viable cell yield of cultures grown in low carbon media. The light-dependent effect demonstrates a dependence on carbon, reducing at increasing carbon concentrations until no differential effect is observed. A survey of six PR-containing vectors from metagenomic libraries revealed PR transcription in two hosts, P. putida and Pseudoalteromonas atlantica, and of the three additional vectors with PRPS tested, two demonstrated the same qualitative light-dependent yield increase. This work illustrates the utility of a simple rhodopsin photosystem for supplementing the cellular energy system of a heterologous host, paving the way for future engineering applications in photoheterotrophy.
Establishment of a melon (Cucumis melo) core collection based on phenotypic characters

【Objective】Core collection,the enrichment of the primary germplasm resources,contributes to the promotion of the utility efficiency and innovation ability of germplasm resources.In present study,a total of 1 200 melon(Cucumis melo L.) germplasm resources in National Mid-term Genebank for Watermelon and Melon were used for establishment of a core collection based on the genetic variability of 19 phenotypic characters. 【Method】The primary germplasms were divided into 22 groups on the basis of their geographical origins,and then the germplasms in each group were clustered using the phenotypic data.Sampling at various percentages(10%,15%,20%,25%,and 30%) was performed with each of the groups;at this time the actual sampling percentages were adjusted according to the germplasm amount and diversity level in each group.This resulted in five candidate core collections which corresponded to the five sampling percentages.The final core collection depended upon the comparison of four test indices,i.e.,Shannon’s index,ratio of phenotype retained,variance of phenotypic frequency,and coefficient of variation,between the candidate core collections and the primary germplasms.Also,the representative of the core collection was evaluated. 【Result】Based on the various sampling percentages,five candidate core collections were obtained,of which the core collection with the sampling percentage of 15%(189 melon germplasms) gave the best result in which the four test indices reached their optimal levels and was chosen as the final core collection.The various characteristic parameters and phenotypic frequency distribution of the 19 phenotypic characters of the final core collection were basically consistent with those of the primary germplasms. 【Conclusion】The core collection established in this study was proved to have good representative and enough genetic diversity and could act as the representative sample of the primary germplasms.
To compare the analgesic efficacy of two different doses of epidural ketamine in chronic low back-pain patients: A randomised double-blind study

Background and Aims: Ketamine, an adjunct to epidural steroid injections (ESI) for chronic back-pain provides better quality and prolonged duration of analgesia. The present study aims to evaluate the analgesic efficacy in terms of pain scores, duration of pain-free period, patient satisfaction score (PSS) and number of repeat injections with 25 mg versus 50 mg ketamine as adjuvants to ESI. Methods: In a prospective, randomised, double-blind trial at a tertiary care hospital, 60 patients of chronic low back-pain of either sex, aged 18–65 years, received preservative free 25 mg ketamine in Group I and 50 mg ketamine in Group II as adjunct to 40 mg triamcinolone in total 6 ml volume given epidurally. Baseline data along with follow-ups at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks post-procedure included assessment of pain using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), duration, number of repeat blocks using PSS, Quality of Life (QoL) and side-effects. Categorical data analysed using the Chi-Square test, and continuous data using paired t-test. Results: Pain evaluation within the groups over time showed significant improvement from baseline (P = 0.000), and between the groups showed comparable VAS scores at 12 weeks (P = 0.392). The PSS, pain-free duration and number of repeat injections were also statistically comparable. However, the QoL improved more in Group II vs Group I (P = 0.024). The short-lasting side effects were more in Group II, but no features of neurotoxicity were observed in any patient. Conclusion: The analgesic efficacy of adjuvant therapy with 50 mg ketamine appeared comparable to 25 mg ketamine. Although, there was a better quality of life and longer pain-free interval with 50 mg ketamine, the side effects were more.
Can oral health-related quality of life be worsened by dental appointments?

Background: Constraints in dental access and limitations associated with service delivery necessitate the use of an appointment system in patient care. This research aimed to identify association between treatment appointments and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) in dental patients at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive study that surveyed 412 individuals. Socio-demographic, clinical history, and OHRQOL data was collected using a structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess inconvenience while the oral health impact profile-14 was used for OHRQOL assessment at baseline and at review. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS while ANOVA and Chi-square tests were used to determined significant association. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Most (175; 45.2%) dental appointments were within a month although 59 (15.2%) individuals had to wait for more than 6 months. Using VAS, 87 (22.5%) individuals were moderately inconvenienced while 68 (17.6%) were extremely inconvenienced. At baseline, the most commonly reported oral health quality of life impacts were within the dimensions “physical pain” and “psychological discomfort. ” At review, there was increase in OHRQOL scores in the subdomains of pain (2.27 ± 1.80), self-consciousness (1.67 ± 1.15), discomfort on chewing (1.61 ± 1.13), and pronouncing words (1.49 ± 2.21). The highest mean impact score (2.27 ± 1.80) was observed in the subdomain of painful aching in the mouth. Conclusion: Dental appointments appear to result in worse OHRQOL. Since the appointment systems in public oral health facilities may have a direct bearing on OHRQOL of patients, quality control standards on dental appointments should be established and enforced.
Altered Hemodynamics and End-Organ Damage in Heart Failure

Heart failure is characterized by pathologic hemodynamic derangements, including elevated cardiac filling pressures (“backward” failure), which may or may not coexist with reduced cardiac output (“forward” failure). Even when normal during unstressed conditions such as rest, hemodynamics classically become abnormal during stressors such as exercise in patients with heart failure. This has important upstream and downstream effects on multiple organ systems, particularly with respect to the lungs and kidneys. Hemodynamic abnormalities in heart failure are affected by processes that extend well beyond the cardiac myocyte, including important roles for pericardial constraint, ventricular interaction, and altered venous capacity. Hemodynamic perturbations have widespread effects across multiple heart failure phenotypes, ranging from reduced to preserved ejection fraction, acute to chronic disease, and cardiogenic shock to preserved perfusion states. In the lung, hemodynamic derangements lead to the development of abnormalities in ventilatory control and efficiency, pulmonary congestion, capillary stress failure, and eventually pulmonary vascular disease. In the kidney, hemodynamic perturbations lead to sodium and water retention and worsening renal function. Improved understanding of the mechanisms by which altered hemodynamics in heart failure affect the lungs and kidneys is needed in order to design novel strategies to improve clinical outcomes.
Influencing Factors of Transportation Costs Regarding Healthcare Service Utilization in Korea

Background Transportation costs can be a barrier to healthcare services, especially for low-income, disabled, elderly, and geographically isolated populations. This study aimed to estimate the transportation costs of healthcare service utilization and related influencing factors in Korea in 2016. Methods Transportation costs were calculated using data from the 2016 Korea Health Panel Study. A total of 14,845 participants were included (males, 45.07%; females, 54.93%), among which 2,148 participants used inpatient and 14,787 used outpatient care services. Transportation costs were estimated by healthcare types, transportation modes, and all disease and injury groups that caused healthcare service utilization. The influencing factors of higher transportation costs were analyzed using multivariable regression analysis. Results In 2016, the average transportation costs were United States dollars (USD) 43.70 (purchasing power parity [PPP], USD 32.35) per year and USD 27.67 (PPP, USD 20.48) per visit for inpatient care; for outpatient case, costs were USD 41.43 (PPP, USD 30.67) per year and USD 2.09 (PPP, USD 1.55) per visit. Among disease and injury groups, those with neoplasms incurred the highest transportation costs of USD 9.73 (PPP, USD 7.20). Both inpatient and outpatient annual transportation costs were higher among severely disabled individuals (inpatient, +USD 44.71; outpatient, +USD 23.73) and rural residents (inpatient, +USD 20.40; outpatient, +USD 28.66). Transportation costs per healthcare visit were influenced by healthcare coverage and residential area. Sex, age, and income were influencing factors of higher transportation costs for outpatient care. Conclusion Transportation cost burden was especially high among those with major non-communicable diseases (e.g., cancer) or living in rural areas, as well as elderly, severely disabled, and low-income populations. Thus, there is a need to address the socioeconomic disparities related to healthcare transportation costs in Korea by implementing targeted interventions in populations with restricted access to healthcare.