Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer’in Etkinliği ve Güvenliliği Üzerine Derleme

﻿Panax ginseng (Panax ginseng, C.A. Meyer) (P. ginseng) yuzyillar boyunca ozellikle Dogu Asya kulturlerinde geleneksel bitkisel ilac olarak kullanilmaktadir. Yapilan arastirmalar P. ginseng’in ogrenme kabiliyetini gelistirdigini, antidepresan etkisinin bulundugunu, norolojik fonksiyonlari duzelttigini ve kan dolasimini duzenledigini gostermektedir. Ayrica karacigerin korunmasi ve iyilesmesi uzerine etkili oldugu, erektil disfonksiyonunu duzelttigi, cesitli kanser hucre gelismesini inhibe edebildigi bildirilmektedir. Gunumuze kadar P. ginseng’in farmakolojik ozellikleri uzerine cok sayida klinik arastirmalar yapilmis olmasinda ragmen, bircok sistematik derleme bu konu ile ilgili verilerin hala yetersiz oldugunu ve klinik etkinlik icin guclu kanitlarin bulunamadigini ortaya koymaktadir. P. ginseng’in uzun suredir kullanilmasi ve klinik calisma sonuclari bitkinin ciddi bir guvenlilik kaygisi tasimadigini gostermektedir, ancak hipersensitivite reaksiyonlari, mide-bagirsak problemleri ve uykusuzluk yapabilecegi, ancak bu belirtiler hafif ve geri donusumlu etkilerdir. Klinik arastirmalarda etkilesimlerle ilgili olgu sunumlarinin dogrulugu kanitlanamamasina ragmen ilac-bitki etkilesmeleri acisinda dikkat edilmelidir. Yeterli veri olmadigi icin hamilelik ve emzirme doneminde ve pediatrik gruplarda kullanilmasi onerilmemektedir. Bu derleme kapsaminda P.ginseng’in geleneksel kullanimi, farmakokinetigi, farmakolojik etkileri, toksisitesi ve guvenli kullanimi tartisilmistir.
Tour boats affect the activity patterns of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Bocas del Toro, Panama

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) of the Bocas del Toro archipelago are targeted by the largest boat-based cetacean watching operation in Panama. Tourism is concentrated in Dolphin Bay, home to a population of resident dolphins. Previous studies have shown that tour boats elicit short-term changes in dolphin behavior and communication; however, the relationship of these responses to the local population’s biology and ecology is unclear. Studying the effects of tour boats on dolphin activity patterns and behavior can provide information about the biological significance of these responses. Here, we investigated the effects of tour boat activity on bottlenose dolphin activity patterns in Bocas del Toro, Panama over 10 weeks in 2014. Markov chain models were used to assess the effect of tour boats on dolphin behavioral transition probabilities in both control and impact scenarios. Effect of tour boat interactions was quantified by comparing transition probabilities of control and impact chains. Data were also used to construct dolphin activity budgets. Markov chain analysis revealed that in the presence of tour boats, dolphins were less likely to stay socializing and were more likely to begin traveling, and less likely to begin foraging while traveling. Additionally, activity budgets for foraging decreased and traveling increased as an effect of tour boat presence. These behavioral responses are likely to have energetic costs for individuals which may ultimately result in population-level impacts. Boat operator compliance with Panamanian whale watching regulations is urgently needed to minimize potential long-term impacts on this small, genetically distinct population and to ensure the future viability of the local tourism industry.
The role of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in coronaviruses/influenza viruses and cardiovascular disease

Abstract Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has emerged as a key regulator of the renin–angiotensin system in cardiovascular (CV) disease and plays a pivotal role in infections by coronaviruses and influenza viruses. The present review is primarily focused on the findings to indicate the role of ACE2 in the relationship of coronaviruses and influenza viruses to CV disease. It is postulated that the risk of coronavirus or influenza virus infection is high, at least partly due to high ACE2 expression in populations with a high CV risk. Coronavirus and influenza virus vaccine usage in high CV risk populations could be a potential strategy to prevent both CV disease and coronavirus/influenza virus infections.
Milk Polar Lipids: Underappreciated Lipids with Emerging Health Benefits

Milk fat is encased in a polar lipid-containing tri-layer milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), composed of phospholipids (PLs) and sphingolipids (SLs). Milk PLs and SLs comprise about 1% of total milk lipids. The surfactant properties of PLs are important for dairy products; however, dairy products vary considerably in their polar lipid to total lipid content due to the existence of dairy foods with different fat content. Recent basic science and clinical research examining food sources and health effects of milk polar lipids suggest they may beneficially influence dysfunctional lipid metabolism, gut dysbiosis, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, gut health, and neurodevelopment. However, more research is warranted in clinical studies to confirm these effects in humans. Overall, there are a number of potential effects of consuming milk polar lipids, and they should be considered as food matrix factors that may directly confer health benefits and/or impact effects of other dietary lipids, with implications for full-fat vs. reduced-fat dairy.
A Prediction Model of Rehabilitation Motivation in Middle-Aged Survivors of Stroke in Rehabilitation Facilities in Korea

Background To improve the health outcomes of survivors of stroke, it is critical that they are highly motivated to engage in rehabilitation activities. Despite the increasing prevalence of strokes among middle-aged adults, there is limited knowledge regarding factors that may affect survivors' motivation to engage in rehabilitation. Objective The aim of this study was to examine the relationship among factors that predict the rehabilitation motivation of middle-aged survivors after a stroke through structural equation modeling. Methods A total of 200 middle-aged (40–64 years) survivors of stroke from 9 rehabilitation hospitals in Korea completed questionnaires on depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, social support, and rehabilitation motivation. Information on clinical characteristics, including physical function (activities performed during daily life), was collected through the review of medical records. Structural equation modeling was used to construct a prediction model of rehabilitation motivation. Results The average subject's age was 56.2 ± 6.6 years, and the mean time since the event of their stroke was 15.02 ± 8.95 months. Subjects' self-efficacy (being able to live everyday life) after their stroke (β = .500, P < .001) and the social support provided by family and medical personnel (β = .284, P < .010) directly affected their rehabilitation motivation. The bootstrapping method showed that depressive symptoms indirectly affected rehabilitation motivation through self-efficacy, as did physical function. Conclusions In middle-aged survivors of stroke, self-efficacy and social support play a critical role in maintaining intrinsic motivation to engage in rehabilitation activities. Self-efficacy should be evaluated periodically and improved by encouraging individuals to achieve goals, emphasizing their self-regulation, especially among those who reported depressive symptoms and low physical function.
Flame Retardant-Functionalized Cotton Cellulose Using Phosphonate-Based Ionic Liquids

Cellulose from cotton fibers was functionalized through a dissolution–regeneration process with phosphonate-based ionic liquids (ILs): 1,3-dimethylimidazolium methylphosphonate [DIMIM][(MeO)(H)PO2] and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methylphoshonate [EMIM][(MeO)(H)PO2]. The chemical modification of cellulose occurred through a transesterification reaction between the methyl phosphonate function of ILs and the primary alcohol functions of cellulose. The resulting cellulose structure and the amount of grafted phosphorus were then investigated by X-ray diffraction, ICP-AES, and ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. Depending on the IL type and initial cotton / IL ratio in the solution, regenerated cellulose contained up to 4.5% of phosphorus. The rheological behavior of cotton cellulose/ILs solutions and the microscale fire performances of modified cellulose were studied in order to ultimately prepare flame retardant cellulosic materials. Significant improvement in the flame retardancy of regenerated cellulose was obtained with a reduction of THR values down to about 5–6 kJ/g and an increase of char up to about 35 wt%.
Evidence of the absence of human African trypanosomiasis in two northern districts of Uganda: Analyses of cattle, pigs and tsetse flies for the presence of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense

Background Large-scale control of sleeping sickness has led to a decline in the number of cases of Gambian human African trypanosomiasis (g-HAT) to <2000/year. However, achieving complete and lasting interruption of transmission may be difficult because animals may act as reservoir hosts for T. b. gambiense. Our study aims to update our understanding of T. b. gambiense in local vectors and domestic animals of N.W. Uganda. Methods We collected blood from 2896 cattle and 400 pigs and In addition, 6664 tsetse underwent microscopical examination for the presence of trypanosomes. Trypanosoma species were identified in tsetse from a subsample of 2184 using PCR. Primers specific for T. brucei s.l. and for T. brucei sub-species were used to screen cattle, pig and tsetse samples. Results In total, 39/2,088 (1.9%; 95% CI = 1.9–2.5) cattle, 25/400 (6.3%; 95% CI = 4.1–9.1) pigs and 40/2,184 (1.8%; 95% CI = 1.3–2.5) tsetse, were positive for T. brucei s.l. Of these samples 24 cattle (61.5%), 15 pig (60%) and 25 tsetse (62.5%) samples had sufficient DNA to be screened using the T. brucei sub-species PCR. Further analysis found no cattle or pigs positive for T. b. gambiense, however, 17/40 of the tsetse samples produced a band suggestive of T. b. gambiense. When three of these 17 PCR products were sequenced the sequences were markedly different to T. b. gambiense, indicating that these flies were not infected with T. b. gambiense. Conclusion The lack of T. b. gambiense positives in cattle, pigs and tsetse accords with the low prevalence of g-HAT in the human population. We found no evidence that livestock are acting as reservoir hosts. However, this study highlights the limitations of current methods of detecting and identifying T. b. gambiense which relies on a single copy-gene to discriminate between the different sub-species of T. brucei s.l.
Echocardiographic reference ranges for normal left ventricular layer-specific strain: results from the EACVI NORRE study.

AIMS To obtain the normal range for 2D echocardiographic (2DE) measurements of left ventricular (LV) layer-specific strain from a large group of healthy volunteers of both genders over a wide range of ages. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 287 (109 men, mean age: 46 ± 14 years) healthy subjects were enrolled at 22 collaborating institutions of the EACVI Normal Reference Ranges for Echocardiography (NORRE) study. Layer-specific strain was analysed from the apical two-, three-, and four-chamber views using 2DE software. The lowest values of layer-specific strain calculated as ±1.96 standard deviations from the mean were -15.0% in men and -15.6% in women for epicardial strain, -16.8% and -17.7% for mid-myocardial strain, and -18.7% and -19.9% for endocardial strain, respectively. Basal-epicardial and mid-myocardial strain decreased with age in women (epicardial; P = 0.008, mid-myocardial; P = 0.003) and correlated with age (epicardial; r = -0.20, P = 0.007, mid-myocardial; r = -0.21, P = 0.006, endocardial; r = -0.23, P = 0.002), whereas apical-epicardial, mid-myocardial strain increased with the age in women (epicardial; P = 0.006, mid-myocardial; P = 0.03) and correlated with age (epicardial; r = 0.16, P = 0.04). End/Epi ratio at the apex was higher than at the middle and basal levels of LV in men (apex; 1.6 ± 0.2, middle; 1.2 ± 0.1, base 1.1 ± 0.1) and women (apex; 1.6 ± 0.1, middle; 1.1 ± 0.1, base 1.2 ± 0.1). CONCLUSION The NORRE study provides useful 2DE reference ranges for novel indices of layer-specific strain.
Effectiveness of Antibiotic Combination Treatments to Control Heteroresistant Salmonella Typhimurium.

This study was designed to assess the interactions between antibiotics in combination treatments of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in association with the development of antibiotic heteroresistance. Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 19585 (STWT), ciprofloxacin (CIP)-induced S. Typhimurium ATCC 19585 (STCIP), and clinically isolated antibiotic-resistant S. Typhimurium CCARM 8009 (STCLI) treated with antibiotic alone (cephalothin [CEP], CIP, ceftriaxone [CEF], and tobramycin [TOB]) and combination antibiotics (CEP-CIP and CEF-TOB) were used to compare the antibiotic susceptibility, resistance fitness, and cross-resistance. The susceptibilities of STWT, STCIP, and STCLI to CEP were not significant differences between CEP and CEP-CIP treatments, whereas those of STWT, STCIP, and STCLI to TOB were significant differences between TOB and CEF-TOB treatments. The interactions between CEP and CIP in the combination treatment showed mutually synergistic activities against STWT and STCLI. For the CEF-TOB combination treatments, TOB helped enhance the antibiotic activity of CEF against STWT, showing directional synergistic effect. The CEF-TOB combination treatment increased bactericidal activity against STWT, STCIP, and STCLI without causing injured cells. The combination antibiotic treatments (CEP-CIP and CEF-TOB) increased the fitness cost (relative fitness = 0.7) and decreased the cross-resistance of STWT, STCIP, and STCLI when exposed to different classes of antibiotics. This study provides new insight for designing combination antibiotic regimens that can synergistically enhance the antimicrobial activity against antibiotic-resistant Salmonella and inhibit the emergence of cross-resistance to different classes of antibiotics.
Risk prediction of two types of potential snail habitats in Anhui Province of China: Model-based approaches

Elimination of the intermediate snail host of Schistosoma is the most effective way to control schistosomiasis and the most important first step is to accurately identify the snail habitats. Due to the substantial resources required for traditional, manual snail-searching in the field, and potential risk of miss-classification of potential snail habitats by remote sensing, more convenient and precise methods are urgently needed. Snail data (N = 15,000) from two types of snail habitats (lake/marshland and hilly areas) in Anhui Province, a typical endemic area for schistosomiasis, were collected together with 36 environmental variables covering the whole province. Twelve different models were built and evaluated with indices, such as area under the curve (AUC), Kappa, percent correctly classified (PCC), sensitivity and specificity. We found the presence-absence models performing better than those based on presence-only. However, those derived from machine-learning, especially the random forest (RF) approach were preferable with all indices above 0.90. Distance to nearest river was found to be the most important variable for the lake/marshlands, while the climatic variables were more important for the hilly endemic areas. The predicted high-risk areas for potential snail habitats of the lake/marshland type exist mainly along the Yangtze River, while those of the hilly type are dispersed in the areas south of the Yangtze River. We provide here the first comprehensive risk profile of potential snail habitats based on precise examinations revealing the true distribution and habitat type, thereby improving efficiency and accuracy of snail control including better allocation of limited health resources.
Discovery, Synthesis, and Scale-up of Efficient Palladium Catalysts Useful for the Modification of Nucleosides and Heteroarenes

Nucleic acid derivatives are imperative biomolecules and are involved in life governing processes. The chemical modification of nucleic acid is a fascinating area for researchers due to the potential activity exhibited as antiviral and antitumor agents. In addition, these molecules are also of interest toward conducting useful biochemical, pharmaceutical, and mutagenic study. For accessing such synthetically useful structures and features, transition-metal catalyzed processes have been proven over the years to be an excellent tool for carrying out the various transformations with ease and under mild reaction conditions. Amidst various transition-metal catalyzed processes available for nucleoside modification, Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions have proven to be perhaps the most efficient, successful, and broadly applicable reactions in both academia and industry. Pd-catalyzed C–C and C–heteroatom bond forming reactions have been widely used for the modification of the heterocyclic moiety in the nucleosides, although a single catalyst system that could address all the different requirements for nucleoside modifications isvery rare or non-existent. With this in mind, we present herein a review showcasing the recent developments and improvements from our research groups toward the development of Pd-catalyzed strategies including drug synthesis using a single efficient catalyst system for the modification of nucleosides and other heterocycles. The review also highlights the improvement in conditions or the yield of various bio-active nucleosides or commercial drugs possessing the nucleoside structural core. Scale ups wherever performed (up to 100 g) of molecules of commercial importance have also been disclosed.
The Effects of Low- and High-Glycemic Index Sport Nutrition Bars on Metabolism and Performance in Recreational Soccer Players

Consumption of low-glycemic index (GI) carbohydrates (CHO) may be superior to high-GI CHO before exercise by increasing fat oxidation and decreasing carbohydrate oxidation. We compared the effects of pre-exercise feeding of a low-GI lentil-based sports nutrition bar with a high-GI bar on metabolism and performance during a simulated soccer match. Using a randomized, double-blind, counterbalanced, crossover design, participants (n = 8) consumed 1.5 g/kg available CHO from a low-GI bar (GI = 45) or high-GI bar (GI = 101) two hours before a 90 min simulated soccer match, and 0.38 g/kg body mass during a 15 min half-time break. The test involved alternating 6 min intervals of paced jogging, running, walking, and sprinting, and 3 min intervals of soccer-specific skills (timed ball dribbling, agility running, heading, kicking accuracy). Carbohydrate oxidation rate was lower during the match after consuming the low-GI compared to high-GI bar (2.17 ± 0.6 vs. 2.72 ± 0.4 g/min; p < 0.05). Participants performed better during the low-GI versus high-GI bar condition on the agility test (5.7 ± 0.4 versus 6.1 ± 0.6 s; p < 0.01) and heading (i.e., jumping height 24.7 ± 4.3 versus 22.2 ± 4.5 cm; p < 0.01) late in the soccer match (72 min). A low-GI lentil-based sports nutrition bar provides a metabolic benefit (lower carbohydrate oxidation rate) and a modest improvement in agility running and jumping height (heading) late in the test.
Rhizosphere microbiome assemble and its impact on plant growth.

Microorganisms colonizing the plant rhizosphere provide a number of beneficial functions for their host. Although an increasing number of investigations clarified the great functional capabilities of rhizosphere microbial communities, the understanding of the precise mechanisms underlying the impact of rhizosphere microbiome assemblies is still limited. Also, not much is known about the various beneficial functions of the rhizosphere microbiome. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of biotic and abiotic factors that shape the rhizosphere microbiome, as well as the rhizosphere microbiome traits that are beneficial to plants growth and disease-resistance. We give particular emphasis on the impact of plant root metabolites on rhizosphere microbiome assemblies and on how the microbiome contributes to plant growth, yield, and disease-resistance. Finally, we introduce a new perspective and a novel method showing how a synthetic microbial community construction provides an effective approach to unravel the plant-microbes and microbes-microbes interplays. Keywords: Plant, Rhizosphere microbiome, Growth-promotion, Disease-resistance, Synthetic microbial community.
Nutraceutical and pharmaceutical cocktails did not preserve diaphragm muscle function or reduce muscle damage in D2‐mdx mice

What is the central question of this study? We previously demonstrated that quercetin transiently preserved respiratory function in dystrophin‐deficient mice. To gain lasting therapeutic benefits, we tested quercetin in combination with nicotinamide riboside, lisinopril and prednisolone in the D2‐mdx model. What is the main finding and its importance? We demonstrated that these quercetin‐based cocktails did not preserve respiratory or diaphragmatic function or reduce histological damage after 7 months of treatment starting at 4 months of age.
Improved Parameter Resolution with Markov Chain Monte Carlo Simulation of Different Aquifer Tests

Hydraulic testing for aquifer characterization at contaminated sites often includes tests of short duration and of different types, such as slug tests and pumping tests, conducted at different phases of investigation. Tests conducted on a well cluster installed in a single aquifer can be combined in aggregate inverse analysis using an analytical model for groundwater flow near a test well. A genetic algorithm performs parallel search of the parameter space and provides starting parameter values for a Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation to estimate the parameter distribution. This sequence of inverse methods avoids guessing of the initial parameter vector and the often encountered difficult convergence of gradient‐based methods and estimates the parameter covariance matrix from a distribution rather than from a single point in the parameter space. Combination of different tests improves the resolution of the estimated aquifer properties and allows an assessment of the uniformity of the aquifer. Estimated parameter correlations and standard deviations are used as relative metrics to distinguish well resolved and poorly resolved parameters. The methodology is demonstrated on example field tests in unconfined and leaky aquifers.