Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vibrational Spectroscopic Investigation into Novel Ternary Eutectic Formed between Pyrazinamide, Fumaric Acid, and Isoniazid

To improve the efficacy of anti-tuberculosis (anti-TB) therapy, drug–drug co-crystallization stands for an alternative approach to settle the tuberculosis problem. Directly co-crystallizing two typical parent anti-TB drugs (pyrazinamide, PZA and isoniazid, INH) into a single binary co-crystal could not be obtained successfully. Multicomponent eutectic are highly effective and useful for enhancing the dissolution rate, bioavailability, and physical stability of the poorly water-soluble active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) drugs, when the attempts of forming a binary co-crystal have failed. Therefore, the ternary eutectic composition conception was proposed in this study, in which fumaric acid (FA) was chosen as the molecule to connect two first-line anti-tubercular drugs. First of all, three starting materials (including PZA, INH, and FA) were grinded at a 1:1:1 molar ratio, the eutectic composition was investigated through vibrational spectroscopic techniques, including terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) and Raman spectroscopy. Additionally, the density functional theory (DFT) was utilized to simulate the optimized structures and vibrational modes of two possible theoretical eutectic composition forms. The THz absorption spectrum of the theoretical form I shows much more consistency with the experimental results than that of form II. Raman spectra also help to characterize the differences in vibrational modes between the eutectic composition and the starting parent compounds. The results provide us with both structural information and intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions within specific multicomponent eutectic composition formulations based on Raman and terahertz vibrational spectroscopic techniques in combination with theoretical calculations.
Physical activity and type 2 diabetes: A narrative review

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a metabolic disease that is brought about by either insufficient production of insulin or the inability of the body to respond to the insulin formed within the system. The prevalence of T2D is increasing worldwide in the 21st century. The main reason for the increase is the changes in lifestyle, specifically doing less exercise and consuming excessive calories. Physical activity is an important component of T2D treatment plan, because it improves glycemic control and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Just as the main reason for the increased prevalence of T2D is lifestyle changes, the cornerstones of treatment must also incorporate lifestyle changes to control and reduce the complications of T2D. Physical activity has been recommended as one of the alternatives. This review focuses on the association between physical activity [Aerobic training (AT), Resistance training (RT) and Concurrent training (CT)] and metabolic syndrome.
Weaning mass and the future survival of juvenile southern elephant seals, Mirounga leonina, at Macquarie Island

Seals that survived their first year were on average 2% and 4% heavier at birth and at weaning than the “non-survivors”. First year survival rates calculated for weaners over 135 kg weaning masses showed these weaners had higher survival rates than those less than 95 kg at weaning (71.55% and 54.15% respectively). Heavy weaners had greater fat reserves than light weaners and gained relatively more mass during lactation. Size, and therefore condition at weaning, influences first year survival.
Linear accelerator-based stereotactic body radiation therapy in the treatment of oligometastatic disease

The present study reports the clinical outcomes of hypofractionated stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for oligometastasis (OM) originating from various tumors. Between February 2012 and April 2017, 40 patients with unresectable OM were treated with SBRT. Of these patients, 92% showed a solitary nodal metastasis and the rest had up to three metastases. The dose prescription was 50 Gy in 10 fractions with three-dimensional conformal techniques or volumetric intensity-modulated arc therapy. Median follow-up was 14 months. Of the 40 patients, none showed local progression at the site of SBRT, but 20 patients showed tumor growth at distant sites during follow-up. The 2- and 3-year overall survival rates were 45.1 and 36.1%, respectively. The 2- and 3-year progression-free survival rates were 35.4 and 26.5%, respectively. The interval between diagnosis and detection of OM (<2 vs. >2 years) and primary tumor site (esophagus vs. others) emerged as significant variables affecting survival. Grade 3 subacute and grade 4 chronic toxicities were observed in 1 and 2 patients, respectively. SBRT of 50 Gy in 10 fractions for OM from various primary tumors was shown to lead to good clinical outcomes from the viewpoints of local control and toxicity frequency. However, additional studies are required to identify the patient groups likely to receive maximal benefits from such treatment.
Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in Thoroughbred racehorses: an investigation of risk factors, the association with race day performance and a longitudinal study

Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) is a highly prevalent disease of racehorses. Recognised for centuries, there has been advances in our knowledge and understanding of the disease, but the cause and prevention of EIPH remains elusive. The aim of this study was to contribute to the knowledge base of EIPH with a broader exploration of risk factors, the impact of race day EIPH on a range of novel and routine performance parameters, and to document the longitudinal nature of the disease. Subject to timing, tracheobronchoscopy after racing is a reliable technique to detect pulmonary haemorrhage. Although the association between tracheobronchoscopic haemorrhage and pulmonary histological changes has not been substantiated, the grading of tracheal haemorrhage is an accepted marker of disease presence and severity. A prospective, observational and longitudinal study design was used to examine a group of Thoroughbred racehorses competing in Western Australia. Horses were examined with tracheobronchoscopy between 30 and 220 minutes after racing. The examinations were reviewed and graded (0-4) by experienced veterinarians that were blinded to the horses’ identity, date of examination and performance. In total, there were 3,794 observations from 1,567 horses collected over a 3-year period. Using a subset of animals, the association between EIPH and a variety of horse, race and climatic factors were examined. Racing at lower ambient temperature and horses’ racing with bar shoes were associated with EIPH presence and increasing severity. Increasing race distance was associated with EIPH being detected and increasing the number of career race starts increased the risk of more severe EIPH. Using the entire dataset horses with the most severe grades of EIPH (≥3) were significantly more likely to have a lower finishing position and finish further behind the winner, less likely to place in the first 3 positions and collect race earnings, collected less earnings per race start and were slower over the last 600m of the race than horses without EIPH (grade 0). Mild or moderate haemorrhage was not associated with inferior race day performance. The longitudinal analysis of disease progression was conducted using 747 horses with a minimum of 2 observations. Tracheobronchoscopic EIPH mildly increased in severity over the first thirty race starts. The preceding EIPH score was significantly associated with the current EIPH score. Significant factors associated with the current EIPH score included ambient temperature and the number of days in the current racing preparation. Ambient temperature, weight carried in races and the number of days since last racing was associated with variation in EIPH severity between races.
The Effect of a Conventional Resistance Training Course on Some of the Inflammatory Factors in Obese Men with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NFALD) is a disease associated with metabolic syndrome. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effect of a resistance training course on interleukin-17 (IL-17) levels, 70 kDa thermal shock protein (HSP70), insulin resistance, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in obese men with NFALD. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 30 obese men with NFALD were selected through targeted sampling and they were randomly divided into one of two groups of intervention group (age = 41.28 ± 3.88 y, body mass index (BMI) = 33.92 ± 1.30 kg/m) and control group (age = 42.90 ± 4.20 y, BMI = 32.86 ± 1.07 kg/m). The training program included 12 weeks of resistive training and 3 training sessions per week. Before eating breakfast, blood samples were collected one day before the start of the training and 3 days after the last training session. The t-test was used for statistical analysis (P ≤ 0.05). Results: After the training course, a significant decrease was observed in body weight compared with the control group (P = 0.016), BMI (P = 0.015), body fat percentage (P = 0.009), insulin resistance (P < 0.001), HSP70 (P = 0.001), IL-17 (P = 0.001), and serum levels of ALT (P = 0.004) and AST (P = 0.032). Conclusions: It seems that resistance training has an effective role in improving the liver function in patients with NFALD by reducing insulin resistance and the levels of inflammatory cytokines, this method of resistance training may be useful in the treatment
Prevalence of giardiasis in selected dairy cattle farms in Lahore, Pakistan

Fecal samples of 720 cattle were collected from four different areas of Lahore, that is,Military dairy farm, Government dairy farm, Gawala dairy colonies and House hold dairy cows. All samples were purified and cysts were quantified microscopically. DNA was extracted from the purified cysts and was amplified through polymerase chain reaction. The overall prevalence was 31.11% (224/720), where high prevalence was recorded in Government dairy farm (46.11%), followed by Gawala dairy colonies (36.11%), Military dairy farm (25.55%) and lowest was recorded in House hold dairy animals (16.66%). Overall cattle 2-3 years were observed to have higher Giardia prevalence compared to cattle of 3-7 years. High prevalence was observed in cows (31.71%, n=640) as compared to bulls (26.25%, n=80). Giardia prevalence was higher in autumn (36.66%) and lowest in winter (25%). There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in Giardia prevalence among the sampled farms in relation to age, sex of the cattle and season of the year. Key words: Cattle, Giardia, prevalence, polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Cell Type–Specific Angiotensin II–Evoked Signal Transduction Pathways

Abstract —Angiotensin II (Ang II) induces hypertrophy of cardiac myocytes and hyperplasia of cardiac fibroblasts. To determine the molecular mechanism by which Ang II displayed different effects on cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts, we examined signal transduction pathways leading to activation of extracellular signal–regulated kinases (ERKs). Ang II–induced ERK activation was abolished by pretreatment with pertussis toxin and by overexpression of the Gβγ subunit–binding domain of the β-adrenergic receptor kinase 1 in cardiac fibroblasts but not in cardiac myocytes. Inhibition of protein kinase C strongly inhibited activation of ERKs by Ang II in cardiac myocytes, whereas inhibitors of tyrosine kinases but not of protein kinase C abolished Ang II–induced ERK activation in cardiac fibroblasts. Overexpression of C-terminal Src kinase (Csk), which inactivates Src family tyrosine kinases, suppressed the activation of transfected ERK in cardiac fibroblasts. Ang II rapidly induced phosphorylation of Shc and association of Shc with Grb2. Cotransfection of the dominant-negative mutant of Ras or Raf-1 kinase abolished Ang II–induced ERK activation in cardiac fibroblasts. Overexpression of Csk or the dominant-negative mutant of Ras had no effects on Ang II–induced ERK activation in cardiac myocytes. These findings suggest that Ang II–evoked signal transduction pathways differ among cell types. In cardiac fibroblasts, Ang II activates ERKs through a pathway including the Gβγ subunit of Gi protein, tyrosine kinases including Src family tyrosine kinases, Shc, Grb2, Ras, and Raf-1 kinase, whereas Gq and protein kinase C are important in cardiac myocytes.
A Comprehensive, Multi-Modal Strategy to Mitigate Alzheimer’s Disease Risk Factors Improves Aspects of Metabolism and Offsets Cognitive Decline in Individuals with Cognitive Impairment

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic condition that progresses over time. While several therapeutic approaches have been developed, none have substantially altered disease progression. One explanation is that the disease is multi factorial. Objective: Using the Affirmativ Health Personal Therapeutic Program (PTPr), we sought to determine whether a comprehensive and personalized program could improve cognitive and metabolic function in individuals diagnosed with subjective cognitive impairment, mild cognitive impairment, and early stage AD. Methods: 35 individuals submitted blood samples and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores, and answered intake questions. Individuals and caregivers participated in a four-day immersion program, which included Personal Therapeutic Plans (PTP), consultations with clinical practitioners, and explanations of the PTPr and PTP. Participants had follow-up by telemonitoring, with repeat blood sample analysis, updates regarding lifestyle choices, current medications and supplements, and MoCA testing at least once between 3 and 12 months after the PTPr. Results: By comparing baseline to follow-up testing, we determined several risk factor scores, including blood glucose and insulin levels, and levels of vitamins B12, D3, and E, improved either in the entire participant pool or specifically in individuals with measures outside the normal range for specific factors. MoCA scores were stabilized in the entire participant pool and significantly improved in individuals scoring 24 or less at baseline. Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence that a comprehensive and personalized approach designed to mitigate AD risk factors can improve risk factor scores and stabilize cognitive function, warranting more extensive and placebo-controlled clinical studies.
La terapia del diabete nel paziente nefropatico

Diabetes therapies in renal impairment Diabetes mellitus is recognized as a leading cause of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal failure. Until few years ago patients with diabetes should be preferably treated with insulin. The management of the patients with hyperglycemia and chronic renal failure demands a close collaboration between the diabetologist and the nephrologists. Some of the new drugs as the Dipeptydil Peptidase-4 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists recently approved for the treatment of diabetes can be used, even if with a reduction of the usual dose, in chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal failure. These drugs showed efficacy on the improvement of HbA1c, several extraglycemic effects together with a low hypoglycemic risk. This article will analyze current status of national and international guidelines and the product characteristics focusing on the treatment of diabetes in patients with impairment of renal function.
Automated Consensus Moderation as a Tool for Ensuring Reliability in a Multi-Marker Environment

Students in programming subjects frequently have to submit assignments for assessment. Depending on the class size, these assignments may be divided amongst multiple, trained markers to be marked using a pre-defined rubric. Experience and differing opinions might yield different marks by different assessors on the same assessment. This yields an inconsistent marking process. Consensus moderation is a technique whereby consensus is reached on a student assignment by incorporating the opinions of multiple markers. In this study, an automated form of consensus moderation is proposed in which the opinion of an individual marker on a specific criteria point on a rubric is cast as a vote. In this process a majority vote determines the successful completion of the specific rubric criteria point. Tests are conducted in order to determine whether such an automated consensus moderation process yields more reliable results than that of individual markers. Using Krippendorf’s alpha the average level of agreement between individual markers on 4 programming assignments is calculated as 0.522. This score is deemed unreliable. The individual markers show an average level of agreement of 0.811 with the automated consensus moderated result. This is classified as an acceptable level of reliability.
Taxonomy of the New World species of Lotus (Leguminosae: Loteae)

The aims of the present study were to elucidate the relationships of the New World Lotus species groups, subgenera Acmispon Raf. (sections Microlotus Benth. and Simpeteria Ottley), Hosackia Benth. and Syrmatium Vog. , and to compare these results with previous classifications and recent morphological and molecular phylogenetic hypotheses. A numerical taxonomic study using unweighted pair-group arithmetic average clustering was performed. The phenogram was generated from 34 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) × 41 characters (four vegetative characters and the basic chromosome numbers, 16 epidermal traits and 20 reproductive characters). The epidermal microcharacters (epidermal cells, stomata, stomatal index and trichomes) are described and summarised for 18 species of Hosackia and Syrmatium, and the remaining characters were derived from the literature. Phenetic results resolved four groups of species which coincide with the new genera Acmispon, Hosackia Douglas ex Benth. , Ottleya D.D. Sokoloff and Syrmatium proposed, having taken into consideration the most recent morphological and phylogenetic hypotheses.
Habitat and food choice of Arctic charr in Linnévatn on Spitsbergen, Svalbard: the first year‐round investigation in a High Arctic lake

Abstract – Habitat and diet of Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus (L.) were studied by monthly sampling from late autumn to early summer in Linnevatn, Svalbard (78°3′N, 13°50′E). This is the first year-round study of a population of charr in the High Arctic, with samples being taken every 5–7 weeks. The ice cover lasted for more than 9 months, from mid-October to late July, with the greatest thickness in mid-May. Although most charr occupied the littoral zone during winter, the highest densities in April and October were found in the deeper areas (20 m) of the lake. The fish fed at all times of the year, but the number of stomachs with food and the stomach-filling indices were lowest during the darkest part of the season. The diet of smaller charr (<15 cm) varied strongly with season, showing a dominance of zooplankton in late autumn and chironomids in winter (larvae) and summer (pupae). The food choice was in accordance with the density of food items available. Larger fish (≥15 cm) were mostly cannibalistic during the entire year.
Thrombocytopenia post Transcatheter Aortic Valve Insertion: Clinical and Prognostic Significance

ABSTRACT Background: Transcatheter aortic valve insertion (TAVI) has revolutionized the management of aortic stenosis in patients at high surgical risk. Major thrombocytopenia has previously been assessed as a predictor of short- and long-term mortality. This study aimed at identifying the predictors and prognostic value of major thrombocytopenia post TAVI. Methods: Patients who underwent TAVI at a metropolitan quaternary referral centre in Australia over an 8-year period were included. Primary outcomes included 30-day and 1-year mortality. Secondary outcomes included Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) minor, major and life-threatening bleeding. Baseline characteristics and platelet counts were collected retrospectively. Results: A total of 331 consecutive patients were included in the analysis. The only predictor of major thrombocytopenia was pre-procedural platelet count (p < 0.01). Patients who had major thrombocytopenia post TAVI had increased 30-day mortality (OR 4.37, 95% CI 1.35–14.16, p = 0.014) but this did not extend to 1-year mortality (OR1.67, 95 CI 0.64–4.36, p = 0.29). Patients with major thrombocytopenia had an increased rate of major and life-threatening bleeding (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.2–2.4, p = 0.01). Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia post TAVI is common and may contribute to worse short-term outcome. Larger studies into the mechanism and prevention of thrombocytopenia post TAVI are warranted.
Influence of preinoculation light intensity on development and interactions of Botrytis cinerea and Clonostachys rosea in tomato leaves

Tomato plants produced in pots in a greenhouse were kept in low intensities of photosynthetically active radiation (400-700 nm at means of 384, 308, 135, and 14 μmol·m–2·s–1) during 16-h photoperiods for 0, 5, 10, or 15 days. Immediately after treatment, leaflets of the fourth and fifth leaves were detached and inoculated with Botrytis cinerea Pers. :Fr. (106 conidia/mL), the biocontrol agent Clonostachys rosea (Link:Fr.) Schroers, Samuels, Siefert and W. Gams (107 conidia/mL), or both fungi (same final concentrations). Germination of each fungus was estimated after leaflets were incubated at high humidity for 24 h, and sporulation was measured after further incubation on paraquat-chloramphenicol agar medium. When B. cinerea was inoculated alone, germination incidence, germ tube length, and percent leaf area with conidiophores of the pathogen each generally increased as preinoculation light intensity was decreased and number of days in reduced light intensity was increased. Similar response patterns were found for C. rosea when inoculated alone, except that germination, high on untreated leaves, was affected by duration but not intensity of light treatment. On coinoculated leaves, germination and germ tube length of B. cinerea increased with duration of low-intensity light treatments, but no conidiophores were produced. Germination and germ tube length of C. rosea were each higher when the agent was coinoculated than when inoculated alone, but conidiophore production was similar. Germination, germ tube length, and conidiophore production of B. cinerea, inoculated alone, correlated with electrolyte leakage from the leaves (r = 0.78, 0.67, and 0.82, respectively). Respective values for C. rosea were r = 0.65, 0.68, and 0.67. Collectively, the data indicate that low-intensity light predisposed the leaves to development of B. cinerea and C. rosea on the phylloplane, and to sporulation of the two fungi, after leaves were killed on paraquat-chloramphenicol agar, but did not affect ability of C. rosea to control spore production of B. cinerea. A hypothesis that increased nutrient leakage from leaf cells mediated effects of low-intensity light was supported by the correlations of electrolyte leakage with development of B. cinerea and C. rosea.