Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exercise Training Attenuates Cardiac Inflammation and Fibrosis in Hypertensive Ovariectomized Rats.

This study investigated the effects of exercise training on cardiac inflammatory and cardiac fibrotic pathways in female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) which were divided into a sham-operated sedentary hypertensive group (SHR-S), a sedentary hypertensive ovariectomized group (SHR-O), hypertensive ovariectomized group with treadmill exercise training (SHR-OT, 60 min/day, 5 days/week) for 8 weeks. Normotensive female Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) served as controls. SOD and CAT activities were significantly increased in the SHR-OT group, when compared with the SHR-S or SHR-O groups. The protein levels of ERα and ERβ became decreased in the SHR-O group, when compared with the WKY or SHR-S groups, but those were not changed in the SHR-OT group. The protein level of the angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1R) was increased in the SHR-S group, but did not further change those in the SHR-O group, whereas those were decreased in the SHR-OT group. The inflammatory-related protein levels of TNF-α, p-NFκB, COX-2, iNOS and IL-6, as well as the fibrotic-related protein levels of TGF-β, p-Smad2/3, CTGF, tPA, MMP9 and Collagen I were increased in the SHR-S group and increased further in the SHR-O group, whereas those were decreased in the SHR-OT group. The coexistence of hypertension and ovariectomy additively increased cardiac inflammatory and fibrotic pathways partially through hypertension-enhanced AT1R and ovariectomy-depressed estrogen receptors. Exercise training appeared to suppress hypertensive ovariectomized heart-induced inflammatory and fibrotic pathways possibly through decreasing AT1R, but not through estrogen receptors.
Postprandial skeletal muscle metabolism following a high fat diet in sedentary and endurance trained males.

Our objective was to determine the influence of a high-fat diet (HFD) on fasting and postprandial skeletal muscle substrate metabolism in endurance trained (ET) compared with sedentary (SED) humans. SED (n=17) and ET (n=7) males were control-fed a 10-day moderate-fat diet followed by a 5-day isocaloric HFD (55% fat, 30% carbohydrate). Skeletal muscle biopsies were taken in the fasted condition and 4 hours after a high-fat meal (820 kcals; 63% fat, 25% carbohydrate). Palmitate-induced suppression of pyruvate oxidation, an indication of substrate preference, and oxidation of fat and glucose were measured in homogenized skeletal muscle in fasted and fed states. Postprandial responses were calculated as percent changes from fasting to fed states. Postprandial suppression of pyruvate oxidation was maintained after the HFD in ET, but not SED skeletal muscle, suggesting greater adaptability to dietary intake changes in the former. Fasting total fat oxidation increased due to the HFD in ET skeletal muscle (P=0.006), which was driven by incomplete fat oxidation (P=0.008). Fasting fat oxidation remained unchanged in skeletal muscle of SED individuals. Yet, postprandial fat oxidation was similar between groups. Fasting glucose oxidation was elevated after the HFD in ET (P=0.036), but not SED, skeletal muscle. Postprandial glucose oxidation was reduced due to the HFD in SED (P=0.002), but not ET, skeletal muscle. These findings provide insight into differing substrate metabolism responses between SED and ET individuals and highlight the role the prevailing diet may play in modulating fasting and postprandial metabolic responses in skeletal muscle.
A study of spectrum of histopathological features in patients presenting with hyperpigmented skin lesions

Background: Pigmentary problems are one of the most frequent causes for dermatologic consultation. For accurate diagnosis, histopathological examination is useful. Pathologic examination often serves as a complementary or a confirmative part of the clinical diagnosis. Objective: To study the pattern of hyperpigmented skin lesions and their histopathological features. Materials and Methods: We prospectively studied histopathological features of hyperpigmented skin lesions in all age groups attending the dermatology department of a teaching hospital over a 2-year period. The skin lesions included inflammatory, genetic, metabolic, and endocrine lesions but excluded neoplastic, infectious, and developmental lesions. Results: Of the 980 skin biopsies, 200 (20.4%) were hyperpigmented lesions. Lesions were most common in the second and third decades. Clinically, itching was the most common presentation. Most common biopsy confirmed hyperpigmented lesions included classical lichen planus and its variants (55%). Histopathologically, most lesions showed lichenoid/interface dermatitis. Most hyperpigmented skin lesions were epidermal (75%) with lichen planus pigmentosus being the only dermal hyperpigmented lesion. Conclusion: Classical lichen planus was the most common hyperpigmented lesion seen in our study. Histopathological examination is useful in accurate diagnosis of hyperpigmented skin lesions, particularly in those with unclear or overlapping clinical features.
Comparing the Accuracy of Radiography and Sonography in Detection of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Diagnostic Study

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative disorder occurring in older people. Radiography and sonography are convenient techniques to detect diverse pathological features of knee OA. AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of radiography and sonography in the detection of diverse features of knee OA. METHODS: In a prospective cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study, 50 consecutive patients with suspected knee OA (40 women and 10 men, mean age 41.2 ± 6.1 years), referred to the rheumatology clinic of the Shohada Hospital of Khorramabad. All obtained magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radiographic and sonography images were evaluated by two radiologists and rheumatologist with sufficient expertise in degenerative knee disorders. MRI has been considered as a gold standard test in evaluating other tests. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV), negative predictive values (NPV) and accuracy with 95% confidence intervals of radiography and sonography in the diagnosis of knee OA were calculated. RESULTS: Prevalence of the marginal osteophyte, geode and decreased joint thickness were significantly higher in patients with age > 40 years compared to ≤ 40 years (P < 0.05). The incidence of diverse features of knee OA was not significantly different in terms of the patient’s gender, except for decreased joint space. The specificity of radiography was higher than its sensitivity. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that both radiography and sonography are useful imaging modalities, especially to diagnosis the positive cases of knee OA. The specificity of radiography is higher than to its sensitivity for all pathological features of knee OA. The sensitivity of sonography to detect some features of knee OA such as decreased joint thickness is considerably higher than radiography.
Coccidian Parasite in Sea Cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) Ovaries

We investigated an unknown ellipsoidal body that is sometimes found in the ovaries of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. Its external morphology, comprising an ellipsoidal dark central body (about 150 µm in length) and a surrounding transparent layer (about 50 µm in thickness), resembled that of a protozoan cyst, particularly an oocyst. Histological observations of the developing A. japonicus ovaries clarified that a small mass of organisms appeared in the cytoplasm of young oocytes, proliferated in these cells through budding, became rod shaped and arranged radially, and, finally, formed an outer layer. These processes were considered to be the formation of a cyst by a protozoan parasite. The small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene was amplified from the DNA extracted from unknown ellipsoidal bodies by using polymerase chain reaction with universal primers for eukaryote 18S rRNA. The determined sequence was not identical to any of the known sequences in DNA databases, but it clustered in a clade of coccidian species belonging to Eucoccidiorida in phylogenetic analyses. From these results, we concluded that the unknown ellipsoidal body is a cyst (possibly an oocyst) of a coccidian parasite (order Eucoccidiorida) that is formed in the A. japonicus oocyte, though its lower taxonomic position is uncertain. In a survey of the gonads of wild A. japonicus at Esashi, Hokkaido, during the reproductive season, these cysts were detected in more than 50% of females but were never found in males. We consider that the cysts of this parasite can only be formed in A. japonicus ovaries.
An improved EAAP scheme for vehicular ad hoc networks

Recently, Maria Azees et al proposed an “EAAP: efficient anonymous authentication with conditional privacy‐preserving scheme for Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks. ” Their scheme is mainly to solve the problem of high computation time of anonymous certificate and signature authentication, as well as the tracking problem of malicious vehicles. However, some improvements are needed in the protection of anonymous identity and the effective tracking of malicious vehicles. In this paper, our scheme realizes mutual authentication between OBU and RSU, and the RSU is authenticated without using certificate. In order to prevent the anonymous identity of the vehicles from being monitored and tracked, we use the negotiated short‐time key to encrypt the anonymous identity in the vehicle certificates. In addition, our scheme uses a new tracking method for malicious vehicles. Then, we prove the scheme through BAN logic, and it has the properties of authentication, anonymity, unlinkability, privacy protection, and traceability. Finally, we compare the computation cost and communication cost with other schemes, and the scheme has been greatly improved.
Intermittent Hemodialysis for Managing Metabolic Acidosis During Resuscitation of Septic Shock: A Descriptive Study

Objectives: Septic shock is often complicated by severe metabolic acidosis, for which renal replacement therapy may be considered. However, little is known about the use of intermittent hemodialysis to manage this condition. The aim of this study was to compare physiologic and biochemical variables and vasopressor requirements before and after intermittent hemodialysis among patients who received intermittent hemodialysis to manage metabolic acidosis during resuscitation of septic shock. Design: This retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2014 and September 2015. Settings: The ICU of a non-university-affiliated teaching hospital. Patients: Patients who were admitted to the ICU with septic shock and underwent intermittent hemodialysis to manage metabolic acidosis within 48 hours after the diagnosis of septic shock. Measurements and Main Results: The main outcomes were mean arterial pressure, minute ventilator volume, norepinephrine requirement, bicarbonate and pH before and after intermittent hemodialysis. Of 1,190 patients screened, 34 were included, and 33 accomplished a planned session of intermittent hemodialysis. After intermittent hemodialysis, an increased mean arterial pressure (+9.0 mm Hg; 95% CI, 6–13; p < 0.001), decreased minute ventilatory volume (–2.0 L/min; 95% CI, –3.3 to 0.8; p = 0.002), decreased norepinephrine requirement (–0.07 µg/kg/min; 95% CI, –0.12 to –0.02; p = 0.009), increased bicarbonate level (+7.2 mmol/L; 95% CI, 6.1–8.3; p < 0.001), and increased pH (+0.17; 95% CI, 0.13–0.21; p < 0.001) were observed in comparison to those before intermittent hemodialysis. Conclusions: In conclusion, intermittent hemodialysis appeared to be feasible and to stabilize hemodynamic and respiratory conditions in patients with septic shock complicated by metabolic acidosis during resuscitation.
Optimization and Characterization of Aqueous Micellar Formulations for Ocular Delivery of an Antifungal Drug, Posaconazole.

BACKGROUND Topical therapy is preferred for the management of ocular fungal infections due to its superiorities which include overcoming potential systemic systemic side effect risk of drugs, and targeting of drugs to the site of disease. However, the optimisation of effective ocular formulations has always been a major challenge due to restrictions of ocular barriers and physiological conditions. Posaconazole, an antifungal and highly lipophilic agent with broad spectrum, has been used topically as off-label in the treatment of ocular fungal infections due to its highly lipophilic character. Nanomicellar carriers have a potential to improve solubility of lipophilic drugs and, overcome ocular barriers. OBJECTIVE In the current study, it was aimed to develop posaconazole loaded nano-micellar formulations to improve aqueous solubility of posaconazole and to characterize optimized formulations and to follow the physical stability of these formulations at room temperature (25°C, 60% RH), and accelerated stability (40°C, 75% RH) conditions. METHOD Nanomicelles were prepared using thin film hydration method. Pre-formulation studies were firstly performed to optimize polymer/surfactant type and to determine their concentration in the formulations. Particle size, size distribution and zeta potential of the optimized nanomicellar formulations were measured by ZetaSizer Nano-ZS. Drug encapsulation efficiency of nanomicelles was quantified by HPLC. Morphology of the micelles was depicted by AFM. Stability of optimized nano-micelles was evaluated in terms of particle size, size distribution, zeta potential, drug amount and pH for 180 days. RESULTS Pre-formulation studies indicated that single D-ɑ-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS), combination of it and Pluronic F127/Pluronic F68 are capable of formation of posaconazole loaded micelles at specific concentrations. Optimized micelles with high encapsulation efficiency were less than 20 nm, approximately neutral, and in a spherical shape. Additionally, the combination of TPGS and Pluronic F127 in the micelles provided a stable formulation for 90 days. CONCLUSION The results revealed that optimized TPGS/Pluronic F127 nanomicellar formulation of posaconazole offer a potential approach for topical ocular administration.
Tmc proteins are essential for zebrafish hearing where Tmc1 is not obligatory.

Perception of sound is initiated by mechanically-gated ion channels at the tips of stereocilia. Mature mammalian auditory hair cells require transmembrane channel-like 1 (TMC1) for mechanotransduction and mutations of the cognate genetic sequences result in dominant or recessive heritable deafness forms in humans and mice. In contrast, zebrafish lateral line hair cells, which detect water motion, require Tmc2a and Tmc2b. Here, we use standard and multiplex genome editing in conjunction with functional and behavioral assays to determine the reliance of zebrafish hearing and vestibular organs on Tmc proteins. Surprisingly, our approach using multiple mutant alleles demonstrates that hearing in zebrafish is not dependent on Tmc1, nor is it fully dependent on Tmc2a and Tmc2b. Hearing however is absent in triple-knockout zebrafish that lack Tmc1, Tmc2a, and Tmc2b. These outcomes reveal a striking resemblance of Tmc protein reliance in the vestibular sensory epithelia of mammals to the maculae of zebrafish. Moreover, our findings disclose a logic of Tmc use where hearing depends on a complement of Tmc proteins beyond those employed to sense water motion.
Association of VIPR2 and ZMAT4 with high myopia

ABSTRACT Background: To investigate the associations of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in the VIPR2 and ZMAT4 genes with high myopia in a Han Chinese population. Materials and Methods: In this case-control genetic association study comprising 193 high myopia participants and 135 normal emmetropic controls from a Han Chinese population, 15 SNPs from the VIPR2 and ZMAT4 genes were selected for genotyping based on previous studies. Allelic frequencies of the SNPs and haplotypes were compared for association with high myopia and axial length (AL). Results: RS885863 (G-reference/A-effect) and RS7829127 (A-reference/G-effect) were significantly associated with high myopia (OR = 1.832, P = .045; OR = 0.539, P = .023 respectively). The associations of RS885863 with high myopia were observed under the dominant (GA+AA: OR = 1.972, P < .05) and co-dominant models (Heterozygous GA: OR = 1.874; Homozygous AA: OR = 5.310; P < .05) against GG (reference). The mean AL of GG was 25.94 mm, compared with that in GA and AA of 26.64 mm and 27.48 mm respectively. The associations of RS7829127 with high myopia were observed under the dominant (AG+GG: OR = 0.512, P < .05) and co-dominant models (Heterozygous AG: OR = 0.524; Homozygous GG: OR = 0.307; P < .05) against AA (reference). The mean AL of AA was 26.35 mm, compared with that in AG and GG of 25.62 mm and 25.17 mm respectively. The importance of RS885863 and RS7829127 were also highlighted by their being the constituent SNPs in the haplotypes (ACGA, P = .002; and GA, P = .008 respectively) that were significantly associated with high myopia. Conclusions: Our findings agree that RS885863 from VIPR2 and RS7829127 from ZMAT4 are significantly associated with high myopia in a Han Chinese population.
Taking Care Triple P for Foster Parents With Young Children in Foster Care: Results of a 1-Year Randomized Trial

Young children with a history of maltreatment or neglect in foster families often confront their caregivers with particularly challenging behaviors. This may lead to more parenting stress, an increased risk for the child in foster care to experience further maltreatment, and placement disruptions. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of a parent group training tailored to the special needs of foster families. We hypothesized significant short- and long-term improvements regarding foster parents’ parenting competencies, child mental health problems, and related outcomes. Eighty-one families with 87 children in foster care aged 2 to 7 years participated in the trial. For the intervention study, 44 randomly selected families (54%) were offered to participate in the parent group training. Intervention and control group families were reassessed three times over a period of 1 year. Contrary to our expectations, we found no advantages of the intervention group compared with the usual care control group on any outcome measure. Instead, we found some significant changes in both groups across time. Placement into foster care is associated with some favorable outcomes for children in foster care. Additional support for foster families beyond the services delivered in the youth welfare system to foster parents was not associated with more favorable outcomes. The present intervention is likely associated with a low risk of harm but also with a high likelihood of a lack of significant benefits for foster parents and their young children going beyond feeling satisfied about the delivered services. Participating foster families showed favorable baseline results on parenting measures which may have impeded intervention effects to unfold on these proximal variables.
Numerical Validation of a Population Balance Model Describing Cement Paste Rheology

Rheology control is essential during the period in which cement and concrete pastes are encountered in the fresh state, due to the fact that it directly affects workability, initial placement and the structural performance of the hardened material. Optimizations of clinker formulations and reductions in cement-to-water ratios induced by economic and environmental considerations have a significant effect in rheology, which invokes the need for mechanistic models capable of describing the effect of multiple relevant phenomena on the observed paste flow. In this work, the population balance framework was implemented to develop a model able to relate the transient microstructural evolution of cement pastes under typical experimental conditions with its macroscopic rheological responses. Numerical details and performance are assessed and discussed. It was found that the model is capable of reproducing experimentally observed flow curves by using measured cluster size distribution information. It is also able to predict the complex rheological characteristics typically found in cement pastes. Furthermore, a spatially resolved scheme was proposed to investigate the nature of flow inside a parallel-plates rheometer geometry with the objective of assessing the ability of the model of qualitatively predicting experimentally observed behavior and to gain insight into the effect of possible secondary flows.
HSP Transcript and Protein Accumulation in Brassinosteroid Barley Mutants Acclimated to Low and High Temperatures

In temperature stress, the main role of heat-shock proteins (HSP) is to act as molecular chaperones for other cellular proteins. However, knowledge about the hormonal regulation of the production of the HSP is quite limited. Specifically, little is known about the role of the plant steroid hormones—brassinosteroids (BR)—in regulating the HSP expression. The aim of our study was to answer the question of how a BR deficit or disturbances in its signaling affect the accumulation of the HSP90, HSP70, HSP18, and HSP17 transcripts and protein in barley growing at 20 °C (control) and during the acclimation of plants at 5 °C and 27 °C. In barley, the temperature of plant growth modified the expression of HSPs. Furthermore, the BR-deficient mutants (mutations in the HvDWARF or HvCPD genes) and BR-signaling mutants (mutation in the HvBRI1 gene) were characterized by altered levels of the transcripts and proteins of the HSP group compared to the wild type. The BR-signaling mutant was characterized by a decreased level of the HSP transcripts and heat-shock proteins. In the BR-deficient mutants, there were temperature-dependent cases when the decreased accumulation of the HSP70 and HSP90 transcripts was connected to an increased accumulation of these HSP. The significance of changes in the accumulation of HSPs during acclimation at 27 °C and 5 °C is discussed in the context of the altered tolerance to more extreme temperatures of the studied mutants (i.e., heat stress and frost, respectively).
Improvement of Psoriasis by Alteration of the Gut Environment by Oral Administration of Fucoidan from Cladosiphon Okamuranus

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease for which there is no cure; it results in skin lesions and has a strong negative impact on patients’ quality of life. Fucoidan from Cladosiphon okamuranus is a dietary seaweed fiber with immunostimulatory effects. The present study reports that the administration of fucoidan provided symptomatic relief of facial itching and altered the gut environment in the TNF receptor-associated factor 3-interacting protein 2 (Traf3ip2) mutant mice (m-Traf3ip2 mice); the Traf3ip2 mutation was responsible for psoriasis in the mouse model used in this study. A fucoidan diet ameliorated symptoms of psoriasis and decreased facial scratching. In fecal microbiota analysis, the fucoidan diet drastically altered the presence of major intestinal opportunistic microbiota. At the same time, the fucoidan diet increased mucin volume in ileum and feces, and IgA contents in cecum. These results suggest that dietary fucoidan may play a significant role in the prevention of dysfunctional immune diseases by improving the intestinal environment and increasing the production of substances that protect the immune system.