Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vulnerabilidade das microrregiões da Região Sul do Brasil à pandemia do novo coronavírus (SARS-CoV-2)

Este é o primeiro relatório do Observatório COVID19 - Grupo: Redes de Contágio – Laboratório de Estudos de Defesa para a região Sul do Brasil. Combinamos dados de casos confirmados do novo coronavírus (SARS-CoV-2) para o Sul, disponíveis até o dia 17/04/2020, com análises estruturais da rede de rotas rodoviárias intra e interestaduais para estimarmos a vulnerabilidade e potencial influência das microrregiões sulinas na propagação da doença.
Effect of the Islamic Self-care Nutrition Method on the Lipid Profile of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemia is one of the main risk factors of cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes. The principle of diabetes prevention and control is based on patient self-care and education. The Islamic self-care nutrition method is a common and successful way to modify behavior in Islamic ethics and mysticism. AIM: The study aimed to determine the effect of the Islamic self-care nutrition method on the lipid profile of patients with type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present clinical trial was conducted in 2014 on 98 middle-aged patients with type 2 diabetes referred to the Diabetes Center of the Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran, who were randomly allocated into two groups of experimental and control. Lipid indices were measured before intervention, and the same education about diabetic healthy diet was provided in both groups. In addition, in the experimental group, Islamic teachings and the Islamic self-care method of nutrition were taught with the intention of pleasing God. Data were analyzed with SPSS 22 software using independent and paired t-test, Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). RESULTS: After adjusting for the effect of confounding variables with ANCOVA, significant improvement was observed in triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein indices in the experimental group after intervention compared to the control group. Two-proportion z-test results showed a significant increase in the use of lipid-lowering drugs in the control group compared with the experimental group after intervention. CONCLUSION: The Islamic self-care nutrition method could be used to control chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes affected by behavioral factors.
Clinical Characteristics of Pregnant Women on the Use of Daily Low-dose Aspirin in Different Hypertensive Pregnancy Disorders: A Retrospective Comparative Study

Background: Hypertensive disorders represent major causes of maternal and fetal complications. It includes a range of conditions, most notably preeclampsia. Aspirin is a well-accepted therapy for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. The indications for the use of aspirin during pregnancy are, however, the subject of much concern. This study aimed to assess the clinical characteristics from the benefits of daily low-dose aspirin administration alongside antihypertensive in pregnant women with different hypertensive disorders. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was carried out on pregnant women during their routine visit to the obstetric clinic at Baghdad Teaching Hospital. Patients diagnosed during pregnancy with different hypertensive disorders on the prescription of antihypertensive medication with or without daily low-dose aspirin administration were selected. Data were collected to structure a detailed assessment regarding the patients’ demographic, gestational, and medical records. Results: Methyldopa was the main antihypertensive agent (98%). Among pregnant women with daily aspirin use, 68% had gestational hypertension, 24% had preeclampsia alongside proteinuria (P = 0.0001), the frequency of daily dose intake of methyldopa (250mg) tablet (two vs. three times) was significant (P = 0.0001). All pregnant women within the group of daily low-dose aspirin were safe from the incidence of eclampsia (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: This study provides intriguing evidence for the benefits of daily low-dose aspirin use during pregnancy as it is considered as a simple protective measure from serious maternal complications of hypertensive disorders, where these complications continue to affect maternal health long after delivery.
pH-dependent gating mechanism of the Helicobacter pylori urea channel revealed by cryo-EM

Comparison of closed and open channels defines pH-dependent gating mechanism and cooperativity between protomers in the hexamer. The urea channel of Helicobacter pylori (HpUreI) is an ideal drug target for preventing gastric cancer but incomplete understanding of its gating mechanism has hampered development of inhibitors for the eradication of H. pylori. Here, we present the cryo-EM structures of HpUreI in closed and open conformations, both at a resolution of 2.7 Å. Our hexameric structures of this small membrane protein (~21 kDa/protomer) resolve its periplasmic loops and carboxyl terminus that close and open the channel, and define a gating mechanism that is pH dependent and requires cooperativity between protomers in the hexamer. Gating is further associated with well-resolved changes in the channel-lining residues that modify the shape and length of the urea pore. Site-specific mutations in the periplasmic domain and urea pore identified key residues important for channel function. Drugs blocking the urea pore based on our structures should lead to a new strategy for H. pylori eradication.
miR-128-3p inhibits glioma cell proliferation and differentiation by targeting NPTX1 through IRS-1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

It has been reported that glioma has a higher morbidity and mortality than other types of malignant brain tumor. While glioma has been extensively researched, the exact molecular mechanisms of its genesis and progression have remained to be fully elucidated. In order to explore a novel glioma-associated pathway which may represent a therapeutic target, 61 pairs of tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues of glioma patients were collected and subjected to reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, indicating that the relative expression of microRNA (miR)-128-3p was significantly decreased in the tumor tissues. However, the expression of neuronal pentraxin 1 (NPTX1) was obviously elevated. Through a bioinformatics analysis using Targetscan and transfection experiments, it was confirmed that NPTX1 was targeted by miR-128-3p. In the U251 human glioma cell line, transfection with miR-128-3p mimics increased the levels of phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1 (p-IRS-1), phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) and p-AKT, as demonstrated by western blot analysis. In addition, the proliferation rate of the cells was notably decreased following transfection with miR-128-3p mimics. Conversely, transfection with miR-128-3p inhibitor significantly increased the levels of p-IRS-1, PI3K and p-AKT, accompanied by an elevated proliferation rate of the cells. Therefore, it was indicated that miR-128-3p could reversely regulate NPTX1 expression. After the expression of NPTX1 was inhibited with specific small interfering RNA, the levels of p-IRS-1, PI3K and p-AKT were obviously decreased, while the expression of miR-128-3p was not significantly changed. Overall, it was concluded that miR-128-3p suppresses glioma through the NPTX1/IRS-1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Fruit as Potential Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Agents

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is the most popular fruit in the Middle East and North Africa. It is consumed widely and has been used for traditional medicine purposes for a long time. The fruits are nutrient rich, containing dietary fibers, sugar, protein, vitamins, minerals, flavonoid, and phenolic compounds. Due to the presence of the phenolic compounds, date palm fruits are antioxidant rich with potent bioactivities against several bacterial pathogens. Therefore, on the basis of the available evidence as reviewed in this paper, it was found that date fruits are a good source of natural antioxidants, which can be used for the management of oxidative stress–related and infectious diseases.
Propofol-induced deep sedation reduces emotional episodic memory reconsolidation in humans

Administering the anesthetic propofol after a brief reminder reduces retrieval of established emotional memory 24 hours later. The adjustment of maladaptive thoughts and behaviors associated with emotional memories is central to treating psychiatric disorders. Recent research, predominantly with laboratory animals, indicates that memories can become temporarily sensitive to modification following reactivation, before undergoing reconsolidation. A method to selectively impair reconsolidation of specific emotional or traumatic memories in humans could translate to an effective treatment for conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder. We tested whether deep sedation could impair emotional memory reconsolidation in 50 human participants. Administering the intravenous anesthetic propofol following memory reactivation disrupted memory for the reactivated, but not for a non-reactivated, slideshow story. Propofol impaired memory for the reactivated story after 24 hours, but not immediately after propofol recovery. Critically, memory impairment occurred selectively for the emotionally negative phase of the reactivated story. One dose of propofol following memory reactivation selectively impaired subsequent emotional episodic memory retrieval in a time-dependent manner, consistent with reconsolidation impairment.
Foreword to the Special issue on Agro-Geoinformatics - The Applications of Geoinformatics in Agriculture

A GRO-GEOINFORMATION, the agricultural-related geoinformation, is the key information in the agricultural decision-making and policy formulation process. Recent advances in geoinformatics have created new opportunities and challenges in applying geoinformatics to agriculture. The issues related to handling digital agro-geoinformation, such as collecting (including field visits and remote sensing), processing, storing, archiving, preserving, retrieving, transmitting, accessing, visualizing, analyzing, synthesizing, presenting, disseminating, and applying agro-geoinformation have being addressed actively in the past several years. There is an increased interest in recent years in agrogeoinformatics, as evidenced by the IEEE IGARSS 2011 special sessions on Remote Sensing and Geo-informatics for Agricultural Monitoring and Assessment and on GIS and Agro-Geoinformatics Applications; IEEE IGARSS 2009 invited session on Remote Sensing and Geospatial Information Technology for Agricultural Decision Support; 2010 GEO International Workshop on Global Agricultural Monitoring— Digital Earth Technologies from Agriculture; 2010 Annual Meeting of Association of American Geographers special session on Remote Sensing-based Agricultural Land Cover Identification and Change Analysis; 2009 International GEO Workshop on Synthetic Aperture Radars (SAR) to Support Agricultural Monitoring; and 2009 International Conference on Geoinformatics special session on Agricultural Geoinformatics and Its Applications. Sponsored by IEEE GRSS and major agricultural organizations, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, China Ministry of Agriculture, the National Agricultural Statistics Service, and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, the International Conference on Agro-
Angiogenic function of astragaloside IV in rats with myocardial infarction occurs via the PKD1-HDAC5-VEGF pathway

The current study aimed to assess the role and mechanism of astragaloside IV (AS-IV) in myocardial infarction. A myocardial infarction model was established via the ligation of the left anterior descending artery. Rats were randomly divided into sham, DMSO, model, AS-IV, AS-IV-CID755673 and CID755673 inhibitor groups. Rats were then sacrificed following 4 weeks of treatment and segmental heart samples were obtained for hematoxylin and eosin, and masson staining. The expression of PKD1, HDAC5 and VEGF were analyzed using immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Compared with the sham and DMSO groups, the morphology of myocardium in the model and CID755673 inhibitor groups were disordered and exhibited necrotic myocardial cells and collagen tissues. Following treatment with AS-IV, the morphology of the myocardium was markedly improved and the number of new blood vessels increased. However, following treatment with CID755673, the myocardial tissue of rats became disordered, with an increased number of necrotic cells and the closure of certain vessels. The expression of PKD1, HDAC5 and VEGF mRNA and protein in myocardial tissue of model group and CID755673 inhibitor group were significantly lower than the other four groups (P<0.05), whereas these levels in the AS-IV group were significantly higher than those in the other five groups (P<0.01). Additionally, the AS-IV-CID755673 group exhibited significantly higher levels of PKD1, HDAC5 and VEGF mRNA and protein than the sham, DMSO, CID755673 inhibitor and model groups (P<0.05). Furthermore, the protein expression of pS205 PKD1, pS259 HDAC5 and pTyr951 VEGF in the myocardium of rats was comparable with that of PKD1, HDAC5 and VEGF. AS-IV may partly promote the angiogenesis of myocardial tissue in rats with myocardial infarction via the PKD1-HDAC5-VEGF pathway.
Simultaneous modeling of multiple recurrences in breast cancer patients

كچ ي هد :فده ناطرس اش زا يكي ناتسپ ي ع رت ي ن ناطرس اه ي ذپدوع ي ر ب رد ي ن فلتخم لماوع هک تسا نانز ي ا زاتساتم زورب رب ي ن ب ي رام ي فرط زا ،دنرثوم ي لدم دنب ي مه دوع نامز عضوم ي رد اب زاتساتم اب گتسبمه نتفرگ رظن ي ب ي ن ات نامز عضوم دوع ي ثعاب زاتساتم و قد ي ق رت ندش اتن ي ج سررب ي م ي دوش زا فده . ا ي ن ،هعلاطم هب گراک ي ر ي لدم دنب ي گدننكش ي ارب مأوت ي اهدوع ي هناگدنچ رد هداد ياه ب ي نارام ناطرس هبلاتبم ناتسپ دوب . :اه شور و داوم ا رد ي ن هعلاطم ي اقب ي هتشذگ ،رگن 342 لاتبم نز ناطرس هب هعجارم ناتسپ قحت زکرم هب هدننک ي تاق ناطرس ب ي ناتسرام ادهش ي رجت ي ش ط ي لاس اه ي 84 لا ي 95 دروم ، ب . دنتفرگ رارق هعلاطم ي نارام تدم هب لقادح 6 خشت زا سپ هام ي ،ص ا رظن تحت ي ن رخآ و دندوب زکرم ي ن عضو ي ت درگ تبث نانآ ي د رد . هعلاطم رضاح گدننكش لدم زا ي لحت و هدافتسا مأوت ي ل هداد ن اه ي ز مرن رد رازفا R هخسن 3.4. 1 دش ماجنا . ي :اه هتفا اتن هب هجوت اب ي ج هب تسد لدم زا هدمآ گدننكش ي هداد شزارب مأوت م ،هدش ي ناوت رطخ تفگ اهدوع ي عضوم( هناگدنچ ي ارب )زاتساتم و ي ب ي نارام ي نآ روموت هجرد هک ب اه ي ش رت زا I مه و نچ ي ن گرزب روموت هزادنا زا رت 20 م ي ل ي رتم ازفا تسا ي ش م ي ي دبا
Screening pathways and hub genes involved in osteoclastogenesis by gene expression analysis of circulating monocytes based on Gibbs sampling

Differential expression pathways and hub genes in circulating monocytes from healthy Chinese women with high peak bone mass (PBM) vs. low PBM were explored using a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm. Human circulating monocytes transcription profiling (containing 14 samples with high PBM and 12 samples with low PBM) and KEGG pathways were all downloaded from the public database. Initial state of all the pathways were constructed and Gibbs sampling was performed to obtain a Markov chain and the posterior values of all the pathways were calculated. The probability (α) of occurrence of each pathway was calculated based on the posterior value and it was adjusted by taking gene expression variation into account. Pathways with αadj >0.8 were considered as differentially expressed pathways. Then, these steps were performed again on all the genes in the differentially expressed pathways to find the hub genes in the differential pathways. After Gibbs sampling, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction (hsa04080) with αadj = 0.986 was screened out as the differentially expressed pathway. Analyzing the genes in this pathway, three genes (neurotensin, tachykinin receptor 3 and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor) with αadj >0.8 were identified as hub genes in circulating monocytes which may associate with osteoporosis development. One pathway and three genes which may possess close relationship with osteoporosis development were found in this study. These results provide insights into our understanding of the role of circulating monocytes in osteoporosis development.
Identification of prognostic biomarkers of prostate cancer with long non-coding RNA-mediated competitive endogenous RNA network

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most frequently diagnosed male cancer, and no treatments exist for effective inhibition of metastatic spread of PCa. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays key roles in pathogenesis and development of various cancers through competing with endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), but at present research on lncRNA functions in PCa is still very limited. Hence, this aspect was investigated using bioinformatics methods. Firstly, the functional lncRNA-mediated ceRNA network associated with PCa was constructed by the multi-step computational approach. Then the cytoscape software was used to analyze the node degree and betweenness centrality (BC) value of lncRNAs and mRNAs in the interaction. Finally, the lncRNAs were screened in the central region of the network by the node degree and BC value, and the functional enrichment of mRNAs was evaluated with the Gene Ontology (GO) database. In our results, LINC00476, MALAT1, SNHG11, LINC00649, and ILF3-AS1 are the lncRNAs which have the most nodes and higher BC values and considered as prognostic markers in PCa. GO analysis suggested that the function of screened lncRNAs was obviously focused on intracellular receptor signaling pathway, which indicated these lncRNAs might be potential biomarkers for diagnosis, evaluation and gene-targeted therapy of PCa.
A Meta-Analysis of Use of Serious Games in Education over a Decade

It seems necessary to review the literature to explore the effectiveness of serious games in education, since the number of studies on serious games is surging up. This study systematically reviewed the literature within around a recent decade. The trend of the number of publications related to use of serious games in education was firstly clarified based on the data retrieved from major databases. Secondly, various factors were determined that influenced the effect of serious game assisted learning. The major section identified both advantages and disadvantages of use of serious games in education. Use of serious games in medical science has been rising in a recent decade, which is thus highlighted in this study. Attitudes toward use of serious games in education were explored, as well as the new development of use of serious games in education. Future theoretical and practical exploration might need interdisciplinary cooperation.
Inhibiting the stringent response blocks Mycobacterium tuberculosis entry into quiescence and reduces persistence

The stringent response enzyme is a promising new target for Mycobacterium tuberculosis persisters. The stringent response enables Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) to shut down its replication and metabolism under various stresses. Here we show that Mtb lacking the stringent response enzyme RelMtb was unable to slow its replication rate during nutrient starvation. Metabolomics analysis revealed that the nutrient-starved relMtb-deficient strain had increased metabolism similar to that of exponentially growing wild-type bacteria in nutrient-rich broth, consistent with an inability to enter quiescence. Deficiency of relMtb increased the susceptibility of mutant bacteria to killing by isoniazid during nutrient starvation and in the lungs of chronically infected mice. We screened a pharmaceutical library of over 2 million compounds for inhibitors of RelMtb and showed that the lead compound X9 was able to directly kill nutrient-starved M. tuberculosis and enhanced the killing activity of isoniazid. Inhibition of RelMtb is a promising approach to target M. tuberculosis persisters, with the potential to shorten the duration of TB treatment.
Dendropanax morbifera Ameliorates Thioacetamide-Induced Hepatic Fibrosis via TGF-β1/Smads Pathways

Hepatic fibrosis, characterized by persistent deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, occurs in most types of chronic liver disease. The prevention of liver damage using extract of Dendropanax morbifera has been widely studied, but its molecular mechanism on the therapeutic efficacy of hepatic fibrosis is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess whether aquatic extract (DM) of D. morbifera ameliorates thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatic fibrosis. Hepatic fibrosis was induced by an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection (150 mg/kg, twice per week) of TAA for 6 weeks. DM (50 mg/kg/day) or silymarin (50 mg/kg/day) was administered daily for 6 weeks. DM markedly reduced serum AST, ALT, ALP, and r-GTP in TAA-treated rats. DM significantly ameliorated the total glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activity in TAA-treated rats. In particular, DM significantly reduced expression of α-SMA, type I collagen, vimentin, TGF-β1 and p-Smad2/3 in hepatic fibrosis rats. The protective effects of DM on progression of hepatic fibrosis were clearly shown by detecting 4-hydroxyproline concentration and histopathological examination in the liver. Therefore, our data suggest that DM dramatically prevented hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting oxidative stress and the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathways.
Effect of binding immunoglobulin protein on induction of regulatory B cells with killer phenotype during inflammation and disease

Immune responses result from different immune cells acting in synergy to successfully fight infections. This requires a high degree of regulation to prevent excessive production of inflammatory products leading to other disease forms. Regulatory B cells are classified based on surface immunoglobulin expression. These cells are reported to resolve inflammation during chronic or autoimmune diseases. However, during chronic inflammation, their frequencies have been shown to be affected, and they can be induced by exposure to extracellular binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP). This review focuses on the effects on immune cells by extracellular or secreted BiP during various chronic inflammatory responses. For example, cell stress associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection leads to accumulation of unfolded proteins that subsequently activate BiP and its three signal transducers intracellularly. Furthermore, BiP can be translocated from the endoplasmic reticulum to the extracellular environment where it binds immune cells as an autoantigen and leads to functional changes.