Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Antiparasitic Activity of 10 European Tree Bark Extracts on Toxoplasma gondii and Bioguided Identification of Triterpenes in Alnus glutinosa Barks

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide parasitosis that affects one-third of the population. People at risk, such as immunocompromised patients (AIDS, chemotherapy treatment) or fetuses (maternal-fetal transmission) can develop severe forms of the disease. ABSTRACT Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide parasitosis that affects one-third of the population. People at risk, such as immunocompromised patients (AIDS, chemotherapy treatment) or fetuses (maternal-fetal transmission) can develop severe forms of the disease. The antiparasitic activity of extracts of different polarities (n-heptane, MeOH, MeOH/H2O) of 10 tree species endemic to temperate regions was investigated against Toxoplasma gondii infection in vitro. Our results showed that the n-heptane extract of the black alder (Alnus glutinosa) exhibited a significant antiparasitic activity without any cytotoxicity at the tested concentrations, with an IC50 of up to 25.08 μg/mL and a selectivity index higher than 3.99. The chemical profiling of this extract revealed triterpenes as major constituents. The ability of commercially available triterpene (betulin, betulinic acid, and betulone) to inhibit the growth of T. gondii was evaluated and showed growth inhibition rates of 44%, 49%, and 99% at 10 μM, respectively.
Metabolic gene regulation by Drosophila GATA transcription factor Grain

Nutrient-dependent gene regulation critically contributes to homeostatic control of animal physiology in changing nutrient landscape. In Drosophila, dietary sugars activate transcription factors (TFs), such as Mondo-Mlx, Sugarbabe and Cabut, which control metabolic gene expression to mediate physiological adaptation to high sugar diet. TFs that correspondingly control sugar responsive metabolic genes under conditions of low dietary sugar remain, however, poorly understood. Here we identify a role for Drosophila GATA TF Grain in metabolic gene regulation under both low and high sugar conditions. De novo motif prediction uncovered a significant over-representation of GATA-like motifs on the promoters of sugar-activated genes in Drosophila larvae, which are regulated by Grain, the fly ortholog of GATA1/2/3 subfamily. grain expression is activated by sugar in Mondo-Mlx-dependent manner and it contributes to sugar-responsive gene expression in the fat body. On the other hand, grain displays strong constitutive expression in the anterior midgut, where it drives lipogenic gene expression also under low sugar conditions. Consistently with these differential tissue-specific roles, Grain deficient larvae display delayed development on high sugar diet, while showing deregulated central carbon and lipid metabolism primarily on low sugar diet. Collectively, our study provides evidence for the role of a metazoan GATA transcription factor in nutrient-responsive metabolic gene regulation in vivo.
Multi-residue analysis of sulfonamide antibiotics in honey samples by on-line solid phase extraction using molecularly imprinted polymers coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract This work reports the development of a sensitive and automated online solid phase extraction method using molecularly imprinted polymers (MISPE) coupled to high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) (HPLC), for the identification and quantification of six sulfonamide antibiotics, namely sulfapiridyne, sulfadoxine, sulfaquinoxaline, sulfacetamide, sulfachloropyridazine and sulfamonomethoxine in honey samples from the Cuban market. The samples were hydrolyzed in acidic media to release the sugar-bound sulfonamides before injection into the preconcentration system. Polymer composition was selected using a combinatorial approach. Several parameters affecting the performance of the MISPE method were optimized to reduce nonspecific binding with the non-imprinted polymer and achieve a selective rebinding of the target antimicrobials. Method validation was performed according to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC in terms of linearity, recoveries, precision, specificity, decision limit (CCα) and detection capability (CCβ). Intraday recoveries at three concentration levels (1, 10 and 20 μg Kg-1) were between 84.3 and 104.7% (RSD < 11.6%) while interday average recoveries were in the ranges 65.5–119.3% (RSDs < 10.4%). The values of CCα and CCβ values were in the ranges 0.1–4.2 and 0.2–4.4 μg kg−1, respectively. The limits of detection and quantitation for the investigated sulfonamides ranged from 0.004–1.050 µg kg−1 and 0.014–3.499 µg kg−1, respectively. The method described has been applied to the analysis of honey samples from Cuban producers. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Supramolecular Chemistry and Self-Organization: A Veritable Playground for Catalysis

The directed assembly of molecular building blocks into discrete supermolecules or extended supramolecular networks through noncovalent intermolecular interactions is an ongoing challenge in chemistry. This challenge may be overcome by establishing a hierarchy of intermolecular interactions that, in turn, may facilitate the edification of supramolecular assemblies. As noncovalent interactions can be used to accelerate the reaction rates and/or to increase their selectivity, the development of efficient and practical catalytic systems, using supramolecular chemistry, has been achieved during the last few decades. However, between discrete and extended supramolecular assemblies, the newly developed “colloidal tectonics” concept allows us to link the molecular and macroscopic scales through the structured engineering of colloidal structures that can be applied to the design of predictable, versatile, and switchable catalytic systems. The main cutting-edge strategies involving supramolecular chemistry and self-organization in catalysis will be discussed and compared in this review.
Interpolation and denoising of seismic signals using orthogonal matching pursuit algorithm: An aplication in VSP and refraction data

An implementation of the Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (OMP) algorithm was used and the results obtained therefrom are presented for simultaneous interpolation and denoising from seismic signals in the framework of sparse signal representation. OMP is an algorithm for sparse signal representation based on orthogonal projections underlying the signal over an over-complete dictionary. This over-complete dictionary was designed using K-times Singular Values Decomposition (K-SVD). In each iteration, OMP calculates a new signal approximation and the approximation error is used in the next iteration to determine the new element. The new element corresponds to the largest magnitude of the inner products between the current residual and the original elements in the dictionary. The implemented algorithm was applied to VSP seismic data and refraction seismic data; results for the application in restored missing traces and denoise signals are presented.
Islet amyloid toxicity: From genesis to counteracting mechanisms

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP or amylin) is a hormone co‐secreted with insulin by pancreatic β‐cells and is the major component of islet amyloid. Islet amyloid is found in the pancreas of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and may be involved in β‐cell dysfunction and death, observed in this disease. Thus, investigating the aspects related to amyloid formation is relevant to the development of strategies towards β‐cell protection. In this sense, IAPP misprocessing, IAPP overproduction, and disturbances in intra‐ and extracellular environments seem to be decisive for IAPP to form islet amyloid. Islet amyloid toxicity in β‐cells may be triggered in intra‐ and/or extracellular sites by membrane damage, endoplasmic reticulum stress, autophagy disruption, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and apoptosis. Importantly, different approaches have been suggested to prevent islet amyloid cytotoxicity, from inhibition of IAPP aggregation to attenuation of cell death mechanisms. Such approaches have improved β‐cell function and prevented the development of hyperglycemia in animals. Therefore, counteracting islet amyloid may be a promising therapy for T2D treatment.
A Mixed Methods Population Health Approach to Explore Radon-Induced Lung Cancer Risk Perception in Canada

Background Radon is a predominant indoor air pollutant and second leading cause of lung cancer in radon-prone areas. Despite the gravity of the health risk, residents in Canada have inadequate perception and taken minimal protective actions. Better perception of a risk motivates people to take preventive measures. Scholarship about radon health risk perception is lacking in Canada. We applied a mixed methods population health approach to explore the determinants shaping perception and actions of a resident population in Canada. Methods We conducted mixed surveys (n = 557) and qualitative bilingual interviews (n = 35) with both homeowners and tenants of Ottawa–Gatineau areas. The study explored residents' risk perception and adaptations factors. Descriptive, correlational and regression analyses described and established associations between quantitative variables. Thematic, inductive analyses identified themes in the qualitative data. A mixed methods analysis triangulated both results to draw a holistic perception of the health risk. Results Residents’ quantitative perceptions of radon health risk, smoking at home, synergistic risk perception, social influence and care for family were associated significantly with their intention to test for radon levels in their home, actual testing and mitigation. These results were explained further with the qualitative findings. Residents who had dual cognitive and emotional awareness of the risk were motivated enough to take preventive actions. Caring for family, knowing others who contracted lung cancer and financial capability were enablers, whereas lack of awareness and homeownership, cost of mitigation and stigma were obstacles to preventive actions. We also explored the dual subjective and objective aspects of risk perception that are influenced by micro- and macro-level determinants. Conclusions Inducing protective action to reduce risk requires comprehensive population-level interventions considering dual perceptions of the risk that can modify the risk determinants. Future research can explore the dual aspects of risk perception and unequal distribution of the risk factors.
Wheel running leads to sex-specific effects on Western diet-associated glucose homeostasis and brain insulin signaling without altering food-related impulsive choice

ABSTRACT Objectives There is a clear association between obesity and impulsivity. While exercise can suppress weight gain and decrease impulsive choice (IC), the relationship between impulsivity, the consumption of palatable, energy dense diets, and exercise is unclear. We examined IC before and after Western diet (WD) exposure in rats of both sexes and whether exercise would rescue any diet-mediated increases in IC. Our hypotheses were twofold: first, increased impulsivity would be associated with higher WD preference in a positive feedback loop and second, increased WD consumption would impair both peripheral and central insulin signaling, both of which exercise would attenuate. Methods Following baseline assessment of IC through a delay discounting task, rats were divided into naïve, sedentary (Sed), or wheel running (WR) groups for a 5-week WR and two-diet choice period after which rats underwent an oral glucose (OGTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT) in addition to a re-test of IC. Insulin induced Akt-GSK3β signaling in the brain was examined using western blot. Results All Sed rats preferred the WD diet, and all WR rats initially avoided the WD but subsequently reversed their avoidance to preference with females reversing earlier than males. Exercise suppressed weight gain and adiposity to a greater extent in males than females. Only WR males showed improved glucose clearance during OGTT, but both male and female WR rats had a faster recovery of hypoglycemia during ITT. Furthermore, WR rescued WD-induced deficits in hypothalamic Akt-GSK3β signaling in males but not females. In the prefrontal cortex, however, WD and WR both reduced Akt-GSK3β signaling in males but not females. There were no sex differences in IC at baseline, and all rats made more impulsive choices during the re-test independent of diet, sex, or exercise. Discussion The results suggest that while exercise may have a greater efficacy at attenuating diet-mediated metabolic dysregulation in males, it has some beneficial effects for females and highlights the need to develop sex-specific interventions for restoring energy balance.
A comparison of simultaneously-obtained measures of listening effort: pupil dilation, verbal response time and self-rating

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to assess to what extent simultaneously-obtained measures of listening effort (task-evoked pupil dilation, verbal response time [RT], and self-rating) could be sensitive to auditory and cognitive manipulations in a speech perception task. The study also aimed to explore the possible relationship between RT and pupil dilation. Design A within-group design was adopted. All participants were administered the Matrix Sentence Test in 12 conditions (signal-to-noise ratios [SNR] of −3, −6, −9 dB; attentional resources focussed vs divided; spatial priors present vs absent). Study sample Twenty-four normal-hearing adults, 20–41 years old (M = 23.5), were recruited in the study. Results A significant effect of the SNR was found for all measures. However, pupil dilation discriminated only partially between the SNRs. Neither of the cognitive manipulations were effective in modulating the measures. No relationship emerged between pupil dilation, RT and self-ratings. Conclusions RT, pupil dilation, and self-ratings can be obtained simultaneously when administering speech perception tasks, even though some limitations remain related to the absence of a retention period after the listening phase. The sensitivity of the three measures to changes in the auditory environment differs. RTs and self-ratings proved most sensitive to changes in SNR.
Workload, job satisfaction and occupational stress in Polish midwives before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to describe, explain, and compare the correlations between workload, job satisfaction, and occupational stress levels in Polish midwives working before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study was cross-lagged in nature and conducted in 2 phases at public health facilities. The first phase took place between March and August 2018 before the current pandemic, and the second in February 2021. In total, 133 midwives working before the COVID-19 pandemic and 92 midwives working during the pandemic were surveyed. RESULTS Analysis revealed that working during the pandemic, personal SARS-CoV-2 infection and workload were positive predictors of occupational stress. Midwives working during the pandemic experienced significantly higher levels of occupational stress compared to the period before the pandemic. Job satisfaction was found to be a negative predictor of stress in both groups, and to mediate the correlation between workload and occupational stress. The positive influence of job satisfaction on coping with stress was stronger in the group working during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS Workload increased, and job satisfaction decreased, occupational stress levels in both groups of midwives. The COVID-19 pandemic, directly and indirectly, increased midwives' occupational stress levels, and reinforced the negative correlation between workload and job satisfaction. The results confirm the important role of working conditions in shaping occupational stress levels. Med Pr. 2021;73(1).
Association between pregnancy intention and preconception health behaviors

Female adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors face higher infertility and pregnancy risks than peers with no cancer history. Preconception health behaviors such as physical activity (PA), tobacco smoking, and alcohol intake influence reproductive outcomes. In general populations, pregnancy intention is positively associated with healthy preconception behaviors, but it has not been studied among AYA survivors. The authors hypothesized that higher pregnancy intention would be associated with healthier behaviors, especially among AYA survivors with perceived infertility risk.
Factors influencing HIV-risk perception among MSM students at a university in Durban, South Africa

Risk perception is embedded in attitudes and beliefs that determine how one ultimately behaves. In relation to HIV-risk behaviours, risk perception is a key dimension in most health behaviour models used to construct health promotion campaigns. This study aimed to understand HIV-risk perception and associated factors among men who have sex with men (MSM). The qualitative data used in this study came from 15 in-depth interviews with MSM studying at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa. The findings show that MSM perceive themselves to be at risk for HIV due to their awareness of the main routes of infection. This perception exists because HIV has affected them through the loss of close family members. With each sexual encounter, risk perception changed based on factors such as the sexual role being assumed (insertive versus receptive), the socio-economic status of the partner, perceived level of discriminatory dating patterns, and the use of preventive measures. High levels of risk perception among the men did not translate into positive attitudes towards condoms as many of them preferred to have unprotected sex with trusted partners. Despite perceiving their risk of HIV infection to be high, MSM continue to engage in multiple sexual partnerships and high partner turnover. However, the men in this study were keen to protect their health; with time, they have developed more positive attitudes towards HIV and they understand that it is possible to protect oneself before and after infection.
Effects of exercise on balance in patients with non-specific low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION Non-specific low back pain (NS-LBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions related to medical expenses and disability. Evidence suggests that changes in motion patterns could induce trunk instability and impaired postural control. Therefore, this systematic review investigated the effects of exercise on balance in patients with NS-LBP. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. Findings were reported following the 2020 PRISMA statement and the main databases were searched for RCTs. Studies were independently screened through a standardized form and their internal validity assessed by using the Cochrane risk of bias (RoB) tool. Pooled effects were calculated at post-treatment and quality of evidence was assessed through the GRADE framework. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Twelve articles were included in the review, eight in the meta-analysis. None of the studies were judged at low RoB. There is very low quality evidence that exercise is effective in reducing Centre of Pressure (CoP) displacement [-16.99 (-27.29, -6.68); p=0.001] and in improving single-leg stance test performance [-28.7 (-48.84, -8.67); p=0.005] and dynamic balance [-4.74 (-8.02, -1.46); p=0.005]. Conversely, no significant results were observed in "ellipse area" and in "limits of stability" indexes. Other results were summarized in a qualitative synthesis. CONCLUSIONS Exercise could be effective in improving both static and dynamic balance in patients with NS-LBP over a short-term period. However, quality of evidence was estimated as very low, hence further double-blinded, high-quality RCTs are needed to address clinical practice and research.
Evaluation of antioxidant and antimutagenic activities of aluminum chloride

Purpose: Hemostatic agents are used to control hemorrhage and the gingival crevicular fluid for dental applications. In this study; the antimutagenic and antioxidant activities of aluminum chloride (AlCl3), a topical hemostatic agent used especially in the fields of dermatology and dentistry, were determined. To our knowledge, this is the first study that investigates these properties. Materials and methods: The antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH free radical scavenging and β-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching assays. The antimutagenic activity was evaluated with the Ames Salmonella/ microsome mutagenicity test using Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains. Results: The total antioxidant activity of AlCl3, determined by β-carotene bleaching assay was found to be 25.59 ± 2.55% and the DPPH scavenging activity of AlCl3 was determined as 17.49 ± 3.07%. AlCl3 showed not any mutagenicity at the tested concentrations by the AMES test used S. typhimurium TA98 and TA100. This drug demonstrated antimutagenic effects at the test concentrations and the strongest antimutagenic activity was observed on 1.25 mg·mL-1/plate concentration of AlCl3. Conclusion: AlCl3 showed potent antimutagenic and antioxidant activities and these properties are significant for dentistry and dermatology.
Land‐based measures to mitigate climate change: Potential and feasibility by country

Land‐based climate mitigation measures have gained significant attention and importance in public and private sector climate policies. Building on previous studies, we refine and update the mitigation potentials for 20 land‐based measures in >200 countries and five regions, comparing “bottom‐up” sectoral estimates with integrated assessment models (IAMs). We also assess implementation feasibility at the country level. Cost‐effective (available up to $100/tCO2eq) land‐based mitigation is 8–13.8 GtCO2eq yr−1 between 2020 and 2050, with the bottom end of this range representing the IAM median and the upper end representing the sectoral estimate. The cost‐effective sectoral estimate is about 40% of available technical potential and is in line with achieving a 1.5°C pathway in 2050. Compared to technical potentials, cost‐effective estimates represent a more realistic and actionable target for policy. The cost‐effective potential is approximately 50% from forests and other ecosystems, 35% from agriculture, and 15% from demand‐side measures. The potential varies sixfold across the five regions assessed (0.75–4.8 GtCO2eq yr−1) and the top 15 countries account for about 60% of the global potential. Protection of forests and other ecosystems and demand‐side measures present particularly high mitigation efficiency, high provision of co‐benefits, and relatively lower costs. The feasibility assessment suggests that governance, economic investment, and socio‐cultural conditions influence the likelihood that land‐based mitigation potentials are realized. A substantial portion of potential (80%) is in developing countries and LDCs, where feasibility barriers are of greatest concern. Assisting countries to overcome barriers may result in significant quantities of near‐term, low‐cost mitigation while locally achieving important climate adaptation and development benefits. Opportunities among countries vary widely depending on types of land‐based measures available, their potential co‐benefits and risks, and their feasibility. Enhanced investments and country‐specific plans that accommodate this complexity are urgently needed to realize the large global potential from improved land stewardship.