Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isoliquiritin Ameliorates Ulcerative Colitis in Rats through Caspase 3/HMGB1/TLR4 Dependent Signaling Pathway.

BACKGROUND Isoliquiritin belongs to flavanol glycosides and has a strong anti-inflammatory activity. This study sought to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of isoliquiritin and its underlying mechanism. METHODS The inflammatory [trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid-TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis (UC)] model was established to ascertain the effect of isoliquiritin on the caspase-3/HMGB1/TLR4 pathway in rats. We also explored its protective effect on intestinal inflammation and its underlying mechanism using the LPS-induced inflammation model of Caco-2 cells. Besides, Deseq2 was used to analyze UC-associated protein levels. RESULTS Isoliquiritin treatment significantly attenuated shortened colon length (induced by TNBS), disease activity index (DAI) score, and body weight loss in rats. A decrease in the levels of inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, I IL-4, L-6, IL-10, PGE2, and TNF-α), coupled with malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), was observed in colon tissue and serum of rats after they have received isoliquiritin. Results of techniques (like western blotting, real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence-IF) demonstrated the potential of isoliquiritin to decrease expressions of key genes in the TLR4 downstream pathways, viz., MyD88, IRAK1, TRAF6, NF-κB, p38, and JNK at mRNA and protein levels as well as inhibit HMGB1 expression, which is the upstream ligand of TLR4. Bioinformational analysis showed enteritis to be associated with a high expression of HMGB1, TLR4, and caspase-3. CONCLUSION Isoliquiritin could reduce intestinal inflammation and mucosal damage of TNBS-induced colitis in rats with a certain anti-UC effect. Meanwhile, isoliquiritin treatment also inhibited the expression of HMGB1, TLR4, and MyD88 in LPS-induced Caco-2 cells. These results indicated that isoliquiritin could ameliorate UC through the caspase-3/HMGB1/TLR4-dependent signaling pathway.
Amélioration d'une congruence pour certains éléments de Stickelberger quadratiques

Nous prouvons une relation de distribution additive, a coefficients racines de l'unite, entre fonctions elliptiques de seconde espece (cf. 4, th. 1). Cette relation, deja notee par F.G. Frobenius [7], est de nature algebrique et nous permet d'ameliorer (cf. 5) les congruences pour les elements de Stickelberger quadratiques de [3].
miR‐221‐3p targets Ang‐2 to inhibit the transformation of HCMECs to tip cells

Postembryonic angiogenesis is mainly induced by various proangiogenic factors derived from the original vascular network. Previous studies have shown that the role of Ang‐2 in angiogenesis is controversial. Tip cells play a vanguard role in angiogenesis and exhibit a transdifferentiated phenotype under the action of angiogenic factors. However, whether Ang‐2 promotes the transformation of endothelial cells to tip cells remains unknown. Our study found that miR‐221‐3p was highly expressed in HCMECs cultured for 4 h under hypoxic conditions (1% O2). Moreover, miR‐221‐3p overexpression inhibited HCMECs proliferation and tube formation, which may play an important role in hypoxia‐induced angiogenesis. By target gene prediction, we further demonstrated that Ang‐2 was a downstream target of miR‐221‐3p and miR‐221‐3p overexpression inhibited Ang‐2 expression in HCMECs under hypoxic conditions. Subsequently, qRT‐PCR and western blotting methods were performed to analyse the role of miR‐221‐3p and Ang‐2 on the regulation of tip cell marker genes. MiR‐221‐3p overexpression inhibited CD34, IGF1R, IGF‐2 and VEGFR2 proteins expression while Ang‐2 overexpression induced CD34, IGF1R, IGF‐2 and VEGFR2 expression in HCMECs under hypoxic conditions. In addition, we further confirmed that Ang‐2 played a dominant role in miR‐221‐3p inhibitors promoting the transformation of HCMECs to tip cells by using Ang‐2 shRNA to interfere with miR‐221‐3p inhibitor‐treated HCMECs under hypoxic conditions. Finally, we found that miR‐221‐3p expression was significantly elevated in both serum and myocardial tissue of AMI rats. Hence, our data showed that miR‐221‐3p may inhibit angiogenesis after acute myocardial infarction by targeting Ang‐2 to inhibit the transformation of HCMECs to tip cells.
Animal Models of Kidney Disease: Challenges and Perspectives

Kidney disease is highly prevalent and affects approximately 850 million people worldwide. It is also associated with high morbidity and mortality, and current therapies are incurable and often ineffective. Animal models are indispensable for understanding the pathophysiology of various kidney diseases and for preclinically testing novel remedies. In the last two decades, rodents continue to be the most used models for imitating human kidney diseases, largely because of the increasing availability of many unique genetically modified mice. Despite many limitations and pitfalls, animal models play an essential and irreplaceable role in gaining novel insights into the mechanisms, pathologies, and therapeutic targets of kidney disease. In this review, we highlight commonly used animal models of kidney diseases by focusing on experimental AKI, CKD, and diabetic kidney disease. We briefly summarize the pathological characteristics, advantages, and drawbacks of some widely used models. Emerging animal models such as mini pig, salamander, zebrafish, and drosophila, as well as human-derived kidney organoids and kidney-on-a-chip are also discussed. Undoubtedly, careful selection and utilization of appropriate animal models is of vital importance in deciphering the mechanisms underlying nephropathies and evaluating the efficacy of new treatment options. Such studies will provide a solid foundation for future diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of human kidney diseases.
Post-COVID-19 depression and serum interleukin 6 levels: A systematic review and meta-analysis of COVID-19 convalescents with and without depression

Abstract Objectives Depression is among the psychiatric sequelae of COVID-19, affecting more than 20% of the convalescents. Its underlying pathophysiology remains unclear. Interleukin 6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, plays a critical role in the COVID-19-associated cytokine storm, has been implicated in depressive disorders, and may thus be involved in post-COVID-19 depression. Methods PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science were systematically searched for relevant studies assessing peripheral IL-6 levels in convalescents who developed depression after COVID-19 vs. convalescents who did not. Results Five studies were included in our systematic review, and four entered the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that post-COVID people with de novo depression did not have statistically significant differences in IL-6 levels compared to those without depression (standardised mean difference (SMD) = 0.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.35, 0.54, p-value = 0.68). Conclusions Although convalescents with depression did not have significantly higher IL-6 levels than convalescents without depression, the results should be interpreted considering the limited sample size and the low power of the included studies.
Cytomegalovirus Active Infection in Critically Ill Children

Objective: To describe the epidemiology, clinical characteristics and outcomes of children with cytomegalovirus (CMV) active infection in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and to investigate risk factors for mortality. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who had CMV DNA detected in blood samples and/or tracheal aspirates by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) during stay at 2 PICUs of a university hospital. Suspected cases without etiological confirmation and patients with laboratory-confirmed CMV infection before PICU admission were excluded. Results: Demographic, clinical and outcome data were collected from medical records. From January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2019, 4748 children were admitted to the PICUs. Thirty-five (0.74%; 95% CI 0.51%–1.02%) had laboratory-confirmed CMV active infection; 71.4% were immunocompromised and 11 (31.4%) died. Patients who died were older than those who survived (median age 65 vs. 5.5 months, respectively; P = 0.048), and they received antiviral therapy for a shorter time (median 12 vs. 23 days, respectively; P = 0.001). The main causa mortis was septic shock (82%) and in most deceased patients (73%) the last CMV PCR before death was positive. PELOD score >6 was a risk factor for death (RR 2.96; 95% CI 1.07–8.21). Viral load in blood had a poor ability for the prediction of death (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.62; 95% CI 0.37–0.84). Conclusions: The incidence of CMV active infection during PICU stay was 0.74% in an upper-middle income country with a high CMV seroprevalence. PELOD score higher than 6 was a risk factor for death. No association was observed between CMV viral load and mortality.
Optimising recruitment to a lung cancer screening trial: A comparison of general practitioner and community-based recruitment

Objectives Pre-trial focus groups of the Early detection of Cancer of the Lung Scotland (ECLS) trial indicated that those at high risk of lung cancer are more likely to engage with community-based recruitment methods. The current study aimed to understand if general practitioner (GP) and community-based recruitment might attract different groups of people, and to quantitatively explore the demographic and psychosocial differences between people responding to GP or community-based recruitment. Design Secondary data analysis of ECLS trial baseline data. Methods Adults (n = 11,164) aged 50 to 75 years completed a baseline questionnaire as part of their participation in the ECLS trial. The questionnaire assessed smoking behaviour, health state, health anxiety and illness perception. Alongside demographic characteristics, how participants were made aware of the study/participant recruitment method (GP recruitment/community recruitment) was also obtained via trial records. Results The likelihood of being recruited via community-based methods increased as deprivation level decreased. Those recruited via the community had higher levels of perceived personal control of developing lung cancer and were more likely to understand their own risk of developing lung cancer, compared to those who were recruited to the trial via their GP. Health state and health anxiety did not predict recruitment methods in multivariable analysis. Conclusions Community and opportunistic screening invitations were associated with uptake in people from less-deprived backgrounds, and therefore might not be the optimal method to reach those at high risk of lung cancer and living in more deprived areas.
Adaptive robust control for backlash nonlinearity with extended state observer

Backlash is one of the most important nonlinearities that limit the performance of speed and/or position control in mechanical systems, which could cause a severe deterioration in system performance, even a limit cycle oscillation. In this paper, backlash is modeled by a differential equation to capture its main characteristics together with approximation errors. Parametric uncertainties existing in the differential equation are adopted via an adaptive law, and approximation errors are handled by the extended state observers. The adaptive robust control law with extended state observers ensures global stability of the mechanical system. Simulation results are present to verify its effectiveness performed on a motor drive system with backlash.
Rice DSP controls stigma, panicle and tiller primordium initiation

Summary Tiller and seed number are key determinants of rice (Oryza sativa) yield. These traits are mainly affected by tiller, panicle, spikelet and stigma formation, but to date, no single gene involved in the development of all these organs has been identified. Here, we found a rice mutant defective stigma and panicle (dsp) with greatly reduced numbers of tillers and panicle branches, and ovaries lacking stigmas, due to defects in primordium initiation. We cloned DSP using sequencing‐based mapping and verified its function with the CRISPR/Cas9 system. DSP encodes a transcription factor containing an APETALA2/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (AP2/ERF) domain that recognizes the GCC motif and a transcription‐activating domain at the site of 244–314 that contains an angiosperm‐related (AR) motif. Mutating the AR motif resulted in the dsp mutant phenotypes, whereas mutating the AP2/ERF domain led to seedling death. DSP directly regulated PINOID (PID) expression to determine the emergence of rice stigmas, and PID overexpression partially rescued the stigma defect in the dsp cr2‐8 and dsp mutants. Moreover, DSP indirectly affected LAX PANICLE1 (LAX1) expression to determine tiller primordium formation and synergistically regulated panicle primordium development. Our results indicated that DSP was a key regulator that modulated different genetic pathways to control the initiation of stigma primordia, the axillary meristem formation of tillers and panicle branches, which revealed their molecular mechanisms and cross‐networks, laying the vital foundation for rice yield and trait improvement.
A note on the Erd˝os-Straus conjecture

In this note, we consider the Erdýos-Straus Diophantine equation c n = 1 x + 1 y + 1 z , where n and c are positive integers with gcd(n,c) = 1. We provide a formula for the number f (n,c) of all positive integral solutions (x, y,z) of the equation. In 1948, Erdýos and Straus conjectured that f (n,4) ≥ 1, for all integers n ≥ 2. Here, we solve the conjecture for a special case of n.
ecl family genes: Factors linking starvation and lifespan extension in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the duration of survival in the stationary phase, termed the chronological lifespan (CLS), is affected by various environmental factors and the corresponding gene activities. The ecl family genes were identified in the genomic region encoding non‐coding RNA as positive regulators of CLS in S. pombe, and subsequently shown to encode relatively short proteins. Several studies revealed that ecl family genes respond to various nutritional starvation conditions via different mechanisms, and they are additionally involved in stress resistance, autophagy, sexual differentiation, and cell cycle control. Recent studies reported that Ecl family proteins strongly suppress target of rapamycin complex 1, which is a conserved eukaryotic nutrient‐sensing kinase complex that also regulates longevity in a variety of organisms. In this review, we introduce the regulatory mechanisms of Ecl family proteins and discuss their emerging findings.
Validity and Reliability of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Related Stigma Questionnaire in Persian

Background: It was aimed to adapt a 12-item questionnaire into Persian among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) in Markazi province. Material and Methods: Content validity was evaluated based on the opinions of the relevant experts, and by calculating the scale-level content validity index (S-CVI) and the item-level content validity index (I-CVI). Reliability was assessed via test–retest, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Cronbach's alpha. Results: The obtained scores on clarity and relevancy (I-CVI) ranged from 0.9 to 1. The S-CVI also had an acceptable validity of 0.99. The Cronbach's alpha index of the whole questionnaire was 0.84 and ranged from 0.69 to 0.82 for subscales. The ICC in test–retest for all questionnaires was 0.88 and for subscales ranged from 0.77 to 0.88. Conclusion: The Persian version of the 12-item human immunodeficiency virus-related stigma questionnaire was found to be, in addition to being short and comprehensive, acceptable reliability and high validity to use in order to determine the stigma related to Persian-speaker PLHIV.
Flutter instability in structural mechanics: theory and experimental evidence

The present thesis summarizes the research activity in the field of elastic structures subject to tangential follower forces performed in the Instability Lab of the University of Trento. Elastic structures loaded by nonconservative positional forces are interesting from different perspectives. First, they are subject to flutter instability, a dynamical instability which remains undetected using static approaches. Second, in these structures dissipation plays a fundamental and destabilizing role. Third, a critical load calculated in the limit of vanishing dissipation is found to be smaller than the critical load calculated in the same structure where the dissipation is assumed absent 'from the beginning'. This behaviour is so peculiar that is usually referred to as 'the Ziegler paradox' and was never experimentally substantiated before. Flutter instability in elastic structures subject to follower load, the most important cases being the famous Beck's and Pfluger's columns (two elastic rods in a cantilever configuration, with an additional concentrated mass at the end of the rod in the latter case), have attracted, and still attract, a thorough research interest. In the present thesis, the effects of internal and external damping, crucial in the interpretation of experiments, have been investigated. Contrary to a common belief, it has been shown that the effect of external damping is qualitatively the same as the effect of internal damping, both yielding a pronounced destabilization paradox. This result corrects previous claims relative to destabilization by external damping of the Ziegler's and Pfluger's elastic structures. The major challenge in the research area of follower forces is the practical realization of these forces, which was previously obtained only for the case of the Ziegler double pendulum (a two-degrees-of-freedom elastic system subject to a tangential force). Therefore, an experimental setup to introduce follower tangential forces at the end of an elastic rod was designed, realized, validated, and tested, in which the follower action is produced by exploiting Coulomb friction on an element (a freely-rotating wheel) in sliding contact against a plate (realized by a conveyor belt). It is therefore shown that follower forces can be realized in practice and the first experimental evidence is given of the flutter and divergence instability of the Pfluger's column. Load thresholds for both the two instabilities are measured for the first time. Moreover, the detrimental effect of dissipation on the critical load for flutter is experimentally demonstrated. The introduced approach to follower forces discloses new horizons for testing self-oscillating structures and for exploring and documenting dynamic instabilities possible when nonconservative loads are applied.
Risk of Bleeding After Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Patients Using Antithrombotic Drugs

Background: The rate of using antithrombotic (AT) drugs is frequently high in patients who require percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). The aim of this study was to determine whether the risk of bleeding after PEG increases in patients whose AT drugs were discontinued according to the European Society Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guidelines (warfarin for 5 d, low molecular weight heparin for 24 h, DOAC for 3 d, and clopidogrel for 7 d). Patients and Methods: Data from 243 patients, who underwent PEG tube placement and received AT drugs and 206 patients who did not between 2018 and 2021 in our hospital, were evaluated retrospectively. Bleeding was defined as requiring blood transfusion, hematemesis and/or melena, decreased hemoglobin, or bleeding from PEG. Results: A total of 243 (54.1%) patients (121 (49.7%), women, mean age (75.7 y) who underwent PEG and received AT drugs, and 206 (45.9%) patients who did not (92 (44.6%), women, mean age (63.15 y). The medications and bleeding rates of the patients are given in Table 1. The rate of bleeding in patients using AT medication was significantly higher than that in patients not using medication (Table 2) (P = 0.007). When the AT drugs were compared among themselves, the bleeding risk did not differ. Bleeding was detected in 10 patients with bleeding from the PEG tube in 4 with melena. Bleeding detected in 14 patients was controlled with adrenaline injections. None of the patients required transfusion or repeat endoscopies. No bleeding-related deaths were reported. Conclusion: Even if patients receiving AT drugs are treated as recommended by international guidelines, it should be kept in mind that bleeding may occur after PEG, and the patients should be followed accordingly.
Ocular Surface Changes in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Patients Treated With Topical Antihypertensive Drugs

Précis: In this study, patients with glaucoma undergoing topical antihypertensive (TAH) drugs had changes in the ocular surface and more dry eye symptoms than controls. Clinicians should recognize the influence of TAH drops on exacerbating ocular surface disease. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ocular surface of eyes with glaucoma treated with TAH drugs. Methods: Cross-sectional study that included eyes undergoing TAH drugs due to primary open angle glaucoma and controls. The parameters evaluated were: the basal tear flow (basic secretion test); the tear film osmolarity (TearLab); and the noninvasive break-up time, blink score, lipid layer thickness, tear meniscus height, and loss area of the meibomian glands, measured with the IDRA Ocular Surface Analyser. Presence of symptoms [Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI)], dry eye disease (DED, TFOS DEWS II criteria), and corneal fluorescein staining were assessed. Results: We included 154 eyes (154 patients), 77 undergoing TAH drugs for glaucoma (group 1) and 77 of controls (group 2). The tear film osmolarity (P=0.003) and the loss area of the meibomian glands (P=0.004) were higher in group 1. The noninvasive break-up time (P=0.005), lipid layer thickness (P=0.006), and tear meniscus height (P=0.001) were lower in group 1. The global OSDI score (P<0.001), the proportion of eyes with severe disease (P=0.002), according to the OSDI, and with DED (P<0.001), according to the TFOS DEWS II criteria, were higher in group 1. The proportion of patients with corneal fluorescein staining was higher in group 1 (P<0.001). There were no significant differences in eyes taking TAH drugs with and without preservatives (P>0.127). Conclusions: DED, in patients with glaucoma, is a multifactorial disease, with a strong contribution from TAH drugs. These eyes had changes in almost every measured parameter, translating into the presence of more dry eye symptoms and corneal damage when compared with controls.