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The broad availability and use of the internet have dramatically amplified the already existing problem of false information, particularly when it comes to health-related news. This phenomenon became a major concern during the COVID-19 pandemic, where false and fraudulent information spread rapidly, posing a significant threat to public health. The COVID-19 pandemic served as a powerful illustration of this phenomenon, as false and fraudulent health information spread rapidly across online platforms, creating confusion and jeopardizing public health efforts. This highlights the urgent need for solutions to address the spread of fake information, particularly in the area of health, where the consequences of false information can have a direct and potentially devastating impact on individuals and communities. To solve this issue, we propose an ensemble and stacking model that leverages Support Vector Machines (SVM), Arabic Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (AraBERT), Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM), and Logistic Regression (LR). Our model leverages the strengths of different machine learning techniques to mitigate the spread of harmful false information. To tackle this issue, we use the largest manually annotated Arabic dataset, ArCovidVac, focusing on the COVID-19 vaccination discourse, and we leverage an additional dataset for COVID-19 to generate additional training data for our fake news detection model. The experimental results demonstrate that our framework performs better than previous state-of-the-art approaches. Our proposed model achieved an accuracy, exceeding the performance of AraBERT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offspring sex ratios in avian species are of significant scientific interest, with implications for evolutionary biology and poultry production. This study investigated sex ratios in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica), a valuable model for other poultry species due to its rapid generation interval. The study examined the impact of selection over generations, age at first egg (AFE), and body weight at AFE (BWAFE) on offspring sex ratios. The dataset included 4,282 Japanese quail records from 968 dams over eight generations, comprising two lines: one selected for high growth rate during 1–21 days of age and an unselected control line. Offspring sex ratio data were categorized based on dam characteristics: AFE (early: <48 days, medium: 48–52 days, late: >52 days) and BWAFE (low: <249 g, medium: 249–268 g, heavy: >268 g). These categories represent below average, average, and above average values for each parameter, respectively. Analyses were done on pedigree and hatching records from two lines of selected and control quails. The chi square and logistic regression analyses exhibited insignificant associations between the examined predictor variables (generation, line, AFE, and BWAFE) and the sex ratio outcome in Japanese quail. Therefore, it can be concluded that the proportion of male and female offspring quail in the flock is statistically equal. However, regarding the BWAFE categories the residual analyses revealed a potential tendency toward a male-biased sex ratio within the medium category also, they suggest potential tendencies toward male-biased (eighth generation) and female-biased (sixth generation) sex ratios that warrant further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An anticancer agent derived from a natural product, parthenolide (PN), was studied to formulate PN into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). Polydopamine (PDA) was employed to modify the surface of PN-PLGA. Following characterization, the PN-PLGA-PDA was evaluated for its in vitro release, cytotoxicity, and ability to induce apoptosis using flow cytometry and real-time quantitative PCR. According to the present study, PN-PLGA-PDA had a size of 195.5 nm which is acceptable for efficient enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) performance. The SEM results confirmed the size and spherical shape of the nanoparticles. The percentage of encapsulation efficiency was 96.9%. The zeta potential of PN-PLGA-PDA was − 31.8 mV which was suitable for its stability. FTIR spectra of the PN-PLGA-PDA indicated the chemical stability of the PN due to intermolecular hydrogen bonds between polymer and drug. The release of PN from PN-PLGA-PDA in PBS (pH 7.4) was only 20% during the first 48 h and less than 40% during 144 h. PN-PLGA-PDA exhibited anticancer properties in a dose-dependent manner that was more cytotoxic against cancer cells than normal cells. Moreover, real-time qPCR results indicated that the formulation activated apoptosis genes to exert its cytotoxic effect and activate the NF-kB pathway. Based on our findings, PN-PLGA-PDA could serve as a potential treatment for cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In this study the formulation of parthenolide (PN), an anticancer agent extracted from a natural product, into a liposome (PN-liposome), was examined. The surface of the PN-liposome was modified using chitosan (PN-chitosome). By using real-time quantitative PCR and flow cytometry, we examined the release of PN-chitosomes, cytotoxicity, and ability to induce apoptosis in vitro. Methods and results: According to the present study, PN-chitosomes had a size of 251 nm which is acceptable for efficient enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) performance. PN-chitosomes were confirmed to be spherical in shape and size through FESEM analysis. In terms of encapsulation efficiency, 94.5% was achieved. PN-chitosome possessed a zeta potential of 34.72 mV, which was suitable for its stability. According to the FTIR spectra of PN and PN-chitosome, PN was chemically stable due to the intermolecular interaction between the liposome and the drug. After 48 h, only 10% of the PN was released from the PN-chitosome in PBS (pH 7.4), and less than 20% was released after 144 h. Conclusion: In a dose-dependent manner, PN-chitosome exhibited anticancer properties that were more cytotoxic against cancer cells than normal cells. Moreover, the formulation activated both the apoptosis pathway and cytotoxic genes in real-time qPCR experiments. According to the cytotoxicity and activating apoptosis of the prepared modified particle, PN-chitosome may be helpful in the treatment of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the high prevalence of primary headaches, the role of food in modifying clinical characteristics among migraine patients is often overlooked. The aim is to detect the correlation between adopting unhealthy dietary habits and migraine severity and identify foods that have a greater chance of triggering specific subtypes of migraine. The present study was a cross-sectional analytical study that was conducted at Kasralainy Hospital, Cairo University, headache clinic at Alexandria University Hospital, and Al-Azhar University Hospitals from January to June 2020. We included 124 patients fulfilling the ICHD-3 criteria for migraine. A full clinical profile for migraine headaches was reported using a headache sheet applied to the Al-Azhar University headache unit. A nutritionist obtained data collected about dietary habits using many reliable scales and questionnaires such as food frequently sheets questionnaire. Logistic regression and Pearson correlation coefficients have been used to identify foods that are more likely to be associated with increased clinical features of migraine. Our participants reported that the fried meat, fried chicken, processed meats, fava beans, falafel, aged cheese "Pottery salted cheese" and "Rummy cheese", salted-full fatty cheese "Damietta cheese", citrus fruits, tea, coffee, soft drinks, nuts, pickles, chocolate, canned foods, sauces, ice cream, smoked herring, in addition to the stored food in the refrigerator for many days were significantly associated with the diagnosis of chronic migraine CM compared to episodic migraine (EM). Margarine, pickles, and smoked herring were significantly associated with the diagnosis of migraine with aura (MA) compared to migraine without aura (MO). Adopting unhealthy eating habits was a more prevalent dietary consumption pattern among people with chronic migraines compared to those with episodic migraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potassium ions ( K + ) are crucial for many physiological processes. Here we report on the use of a titanium dioxide (TiO2) extended gate field effect transistor as an ion sensor (ISEGFET). We tested within its critical concentration range in artificial blood serum for this. The TiO2 thin films were prepared via a solvothermal process over the conductive glass (coated with indium-tin oxide (ITO)). The prepared samples were tested by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, for their phase structures, electron scanning microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for their morphology and surface element contents. The TiO2/ITO samples were prepared as electrodes, and the threshold voltage and the drain – source current measurements were recorded against a reference electrode. The potential sensitivity of the electrodes was in the range 42 mV/pK – 47 mV/pK, and its current sensitivity was in the range 0.50–0.71 mA1/2/pK with K+ concentration covers the range between 100 µM and 100 mM. The lower limit of detection was approximately 100 µM. The devices were tested in the concentration range of 3.5 mM–10 mM, where the potential sensitivity was recorded between 7.5 mV/mM and 10 mV/mM in artificial blood serum. The devices reveal a stable performance within two months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 vaccines have been instrumental tools in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 helping to reduce disease severity and mortality. At the same time, just like any other therapeutic, COVID-19 vaccines were associated with adverse events. Women have reported menstrual cycle irregularity after receiving COVID-19 vaccines, and this led to renewed fears concerning COVID-19 vaccines and their effects on fertility. Herein we devised an informatics workflow to explore the causal drivers of menstrual cycle irregularity in response to vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 vaccine BNT162b2. Our methods relied on gene expression analysis in response to vaccination, followed by network biology analysis to derive testable hypotheses regarding the causal links between BNT162b2 and menstrual cycle irregularity. Five high-confidence transcription factors were identified as causal drivers of BNT162b2-induced menstrual irregularity, namely: IRF1, STAT1, RelA (p65 NF-kB subunit), STAT2 and IRF3. Furthermore, some biomarkers of menstrual irregularity, including TNF, IL6R, IL6ST, LIF, BIRC3, FGF2, ARHGDIB, RPS3, RHOU, MIF, were identified as topological genes and predicted as causal drivers of menstrual irregularity. Our network-based mechanism reconstruction results indicated that BNT162b2 exerted biological effects similar to those resulting from prolactin signaling. However, these effects were short-lived and didn't raise concerns about long-term infertility issues. This approach can be applied to interrogate the functional links between drugs/vaccines and other side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of chronic kidney diseases (CKD) is higher in patients with diabetes. The American diabetes association (ADA) provides components of diabetes care, treatments, and guidelines to diagnose diabetic patients at risk of CKD. Herein we followed the ADA diagnosis guidelines to identify the Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients at risk of CKD which is underestimated in the region. The study main objectives are to investigate the CKD prevalence and association with risk factors according to the ADA classification, and also to identify the T2DM patients at risk of renal diseases. A descriptive retrospective study was conducted. The data were collected using face-to-face interviews and through accessing patients' medical records from Endocrinology and Cardiology clinics in an academic tertiary care hospital. Results: About 40% of the 331 T2DM outpatients were at risk of developing CKD. The majority were in CKD Stage 3, then Stage 2. The estimated GFR (eGFR) values were significantly reduced in the T2DM patients who are; older than 50 years; have diabetes for more than 10 years; and have abnormally high serum and urine creatinine, proteinuria, and albumin to creatinine ratio. Further, the eGFR values were negatively associated with; the duration of T2DM; serum creatinine, proteinuria; and albumin to creatinine ratio. Conclusions: This study provides evidence of the increasing risk of CKD among T2DM patients in the region. Hence, T2DM patients especially elders and those with the long onset of diabetes need to go under regular checks on their clinical parameters to prevent CKD progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity has become a common global problem. Some obese people can be metabolically healthy. Gene-environment interaction can be important in this context. This study aimed to assess the interaction between dietary fat quality indices and the Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) gene in metabolically healthy and unhealthy overweight and obese women. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 279 women with overweight and obesity. The definition of metabolically healthy and unhealthy phenotypes was done according to Karelis criteria. Dietary assessment was done using a 147-item validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and dietary fat quality was assessed by cholesterol-saturated fat index (CSI) and the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 (N6/N3) essential fatty acids. MC4R was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. A generalized linear model was used to evaluate the interaction between dietary fat quality indices and the MC4R gene in both crude and adjusted models. Study subjects with higher ratio of N6/N3 had higher homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA IR) index (P = 0.03) and other variables showed no difference according to the tertile of CSI and N6/N3. Participants with the C allele of MC4R rs17782313 had lower height (P < 0.001) and higher HOMA index (P = 0.01). We found that the CC genotype of MC4R interacts with the N6/N3 ratio on the metabolically unhealthy phenotype in the crude model (β = 9.94, CI 2.49–17.39, P = 0.009) and even after adjustment for all confounders (β = 9.002, CI 1.15–16.85, P = 0.02, β = − 12.12, CI 2.79–21.46, P = 0.01). The data of this study can justify one inconsistency observed in society, regarding dietary recommendations about metabolic health status. Those with CC genotype, are more likely to have an unhealthy phenotype with an increase in N6/N3 as one fat quality indices than those who do not have CC genotype. We found the interaction of dietary fat quality indices such as N6/N3 and the MC4R gene in metabolically unhealthy overweight and obese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife is in decline across Africa, particularly in the Sudan-Sahel savanna. An important but little-studied area on the eastern reaches of this biome is Dinder National Park in Sudan. In March 2021, we conducted a distance sampling survey in its ~ 3000 km2 core area around the main Gelego camp, walking a total of 56 line transects over a cumulative distance of 273 km. We calculated the densities of those species with over 20 independent detections using the best-performing model. The most abundant wild species recorded were the olive baboon (25.0 ind/km2) and common warthog (7.3 ind/km2), while the bohor reedbuck (2.1 ind/km2) and oribi (1.9 ind/km2) were the most abundant ungulates. Our survey confirmed the illegal presence of large cattle herds inside Dinder (10.7 ind/km2). The substantial ungulate densities in the core area support regionally important populations of large carnivores, making this one of the best functioning ecosystems in the region. When compared to historical unpublished data from the waterhole and road counts, we detected a declining trend in wildlife numbers over the past 5 decades. We call for improved wildlife monitoring and conservation actions to protect this important ecosystem and for increased efforts to extend effective protection beyond the core area of Dinder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sentiment analysis is a common and challenging task in natural language processing (NLP). It is a widely studied area of research; it facilitates capturing public opinions about a topic, product, or service. There is much research that tackles English sentiment analysis. However, the research in the Arabic language is behind other high-resource languages. Recently, models such as bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (BERT) and generative pre-trained transformer (GPT) have been widely used in many NLP tasks; it significantly improved performance in NLP tasks, especially sentiment analysis. However, Arabic was not a priority in their development. Several models focusing on Arabic have recently begun to pave the way for the latest technologies, such as ARBERT, MARBERT, and others. We used multiple datasets for training and testing-ASAD-A Twitter-based Benchmark Arabic Sentiment Analysis Dataset, ArSarcasm-v2, and SemEval-2017. We propose an ensemble learning approach that combines the multilingual model(XLM-T) and the monolingual model(MARBERT) to overcome the intricacies of the Arabic language that are difficult to address with a single model. It also addresses the problem of imbalanced data using a combination of focal loss and label smoothing. The experiments showed that our ensemble learning approach outperforms the state-of-the-art models on all the used datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrolyte-Membrane-Insulator-Semiconductor (EMIS) sensors based on ZnO undoped and doped with a different molar ratio of Mg/Zn are demonstrated to detect calcium ions. The samples grown on the silicon substrates by the hydrothermal method were characterized to explore the impact of Mg content on the structural and compositional characteristics and sensing performance by X-ray diffraction analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results indicated that the EIMS based on ZnO nanorods doped with 3% Mg had a high Ca2+ ion sensitivity (69 mV/decade) and linearity (99.8%). In addition, the samples have good stability with a low drift rate of 0.398 mV/h and possess great selectivity over other interference ions such as Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ni2+ due to the employment of an ionophore membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different strategies were followed to control the spread of the COVID-19 disease worldwide. Jordan declared a military-enforced curfew for three months, which successfully controlled the disease spreading. However, the curfew impacted several aspects of students' lives and personalities. This study discusses the impact of the COVID-19 curfew restrictions on university students' mental health, as this area was not fully discussed in previous studies. An online survey was distributed to cover the psychological symptoms and coping strategies of university students. Most of them experienced short temper, anxiety, and sleep problems. Female students expressed more psychological symptoms than males, they managed their stress by sleeping, studying, and worshiping. Whereas male students were working, exercising, and playing video games. A distinct interest was noticed among students of different ages. Young students (18–25 years) expressed unhappiness and distress-like symptoms; they advocated sleeping and playing video games. While elder students (>26 years) had anxiety, sleep problems, and short tempers, they managed their symptoms by studying, exercising, and worshiping. The curfew restrictions have negatively impacted the mental health of female and younger students more than other categories. These research outcomes will help decision-makers to implement healthy coping strategies to be followed during unusual conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we report a simple, cost-effective and repeatable process to grow copper(II) oxide (CuO) over a Cu wire. Characterization of the prepared CuO structures revealed a pure phase of CuO with high-density nanostructures. By applying dibenzo-18-crown-6 as an ionophore, CuO (as a solid contact, SC) was developed into a calcium (Ca2+) ion-selective electrode (ISE) with a linear activity range between 10 μM and 100 mM, an average Nernstian slope (sensitivity) of 32.3 ± 1.3 mV/decade, and a lower limit of detection (LOD) of 10 μM. When tested for selectivity among three ions (magnesium, nickel, and sodium) in addition to the target ion, the electrode had better selectivity toward Ca2+ ions. We were able to demonstrate that the proposed Cu/CuO electrode was stable within the pH range from 5.0 to 9.0 for a period of 60 days. Our results of the proposed SC-ISE exhibit a good potential response and acceptable stability, and they show a clear indication that Cu/CuO nanostructures (SC-ISE) can be used as an ion-to-electron transducer for low-cost solid-state potentiometric sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automatic themes-based classification of Quran verses is the process of classifying verses to predefined categorizes or themes. It is an essential task for all Muslims and people interested in studying the Quran. Quran themes-based classification could be used in many natural language processing (NLP) fields such as search engines, data mining, question–answering systems, and information retrieval applications. This paper presents an ensemble multi-label classification model that automatically identifies and classifies the Quran verses based on themes/topics. The model is composed of four phases: pre-processing, data vectorization, binary relevance classifier, and voting module. Firstly, the verses of the second chapter of the Quran (Al-Baqarah) are tokenized and normalized. Then, the topics of these verses are manually labeled based on "Mushaf Al-Tajweed" classification. Secondly, verses are converted into features' vectors using term frequency-inverse document frequency (TF-IDF) and word2vec techniques. Word2vec is used to consider the semantic meaning of Quranic words and to improve performance. Also, they are trained on a collected classic Arabic corpus of 200 million words. Then, the binary relevance multi-label classification technique is applied using three different classifiers: logistic regression, support vector machine, and random forest, which categorize verses into 393 topics/tags. Finally, the voting module is applied by picking the tags with the maximum prediction probability among the three classifiers. The results of the three classifiers and the ensemble model are compared against "Mushaf Al-Tajweed." The ensemble model outperforms the three classifiers. Its average hamming loss, recall, precision, and F1-Score are 0.224, 81%, 75%, and 77%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we introduce a low-cost and straightforward method for preparing pH sensors based on parchment-type paper and pencil traces as a base and electrode, respectively. The hydrophobic feature of the parchment paper supports the relatively long life of the proposed pH sensor. The results indicate that the present sensors have a Nernstian response with a Nernstian slope of 52.1 ± 1.5 mV/pH and a good linearity of 0.995 from pH 4 to 10. The stability of the proposed electrode is approximately 0.75 mV/h. The prepared electrodes show a relatively long operating life compared with the published results of ordinary paper-based pH devices. However, the Nernstian factor decreases over time and stabilizes at approximately 28 mV/pH after two months. This approach provides a low-cost and reproducible pH sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus 20552 ATCC (T2) or Lactobacillus helveticus CH 5 (T3) in combination with yoghurt starter (1:1) on the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the bioactive peptides present in buffalo's yoghurt was studied. The SDS-PAGE results indicate that all caseins were completely hydrolyzed by both strains, whereas whey protein fractions were still present. All starter cultures have the ability to produce low-molecular-weight bioactive peptides, most of which were originated from β-casein and fewer from αs casein. The antioxidant activity (%) of the water-soluble peptide extract from yoghurt samples increased in all samples during storage. Samples containing Lb. helveticus CH 5 showed the highest values. All yoghurt treatments displayed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. Control yoghurt and T3 showed higher antibacterial activity on E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus as compared to T2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated here the anti-breast cancer properties of two novel curcumin analogues, EAC and PAC. Apoptosis was assessed by the annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) assay on different breast cancer and normal cells. Immunoblotting analysis determined the effects of these agents on different apoptotic and oncogenic proteins. Furthermore, flow cytometry and Elispot were utilised to investigate the effects on the cell cycle and the production of cytokines, respectively. Breast cancer tumour xenografts were developed in nude mice. Finally, F-radiolabeled PAC and curcumin were produced to study their bioavailability and tissue biodistribution in mice. PAC is five times more efficient than curcumin and EAC in inducing apoptosis, mainly via the internal mitochondrial route. This effect was 10-fold higher against ER-negative as compared to ER-positive cells, and ectopic expression of ERα rendered ER-negative breast cancer cells more resistant to PAC. In addition, PAC delayed the cell cycle at G2/M phase with a stronger effect on ER-negative cells. Moreover, PAC exhibited strong capacity as an immuno-inducer through reducing the secretion of the two major Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-10. Importantly, PAC significantly reduced tumour size, and triggered apoptosis in vivo. Furthermore, PAC inhibited survivin, NF-kB and its downstream effectors cyclin D1 and Bcl-2, and strongly up-regulated p21 both in vitro and in tumours. Besides, PAC exhibited higher stability in blood and greater biodistribution and bioavailability than curcumin in mice. These results indicate that PAC could constitute a powerful, yet not toxic, new chemotherapeutic agent against ER-negative breast tumours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidermal thickness (ET) has been suggested as a surrogate measure of psoriasis severity. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a recent imaging technology that provides real-time skin images to a depth of 1.8 mm with a micrometre resolution. OCT may provide an accurate in vivo measure of ET. It is, therefore, speculated that OCT may be used in the assessment of psoriasis vulgaris. A total of 23 patients with psoriasis vulgaris were systematically evaluated by OCT imaging and skin biopsy during treatment. Biopsies were graded for disease severity, and additional evaluation was done by the physician via psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score, and by the patient through measures such as self-administered PASI, psoriasis life stress inventory index and dermatology life quality index. ET was calculated from OCT images. In comparison to normal skin, psoriasis appeared with a more irregular surface with a stronger entrance signal, a serrated dermo-epidermal junction was found and a less signal intensity in the dermis as shown in OCT images. ET measured in untreated plaques was thicker reflecting epidermal hyperproliferation and inflammation. The changes were significantly correlated with the biopsy grading ( r2 = 0.41, p = 0.001) and ET significantly decreased with treatment ( p = 0.0001). ET correlated significantly with self-reported measures of disease severity, but not with physician-assessed global PASI. The data suggest that OCT may be used to measure ET in psoriasis and the measurements correlate with several other parameters of disease severity. This implies that OCT assessment of psoriatic plaques may provide a useful method for non-invasive in vivo method to follow the evolution of psoriasis lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to interesting biological properties of palladium-thiosemicarbazono complexes, production of a 103Pd-labeled anti-cancer complex, i.e., [103Pd]-2-acetylpyridine 4N-methylthiosemicarbazone ([103Pd]-APMTS) was developed. Palladium-103 ( T 1/2 = 16.96 d) produced via the 103Rh(p,n)103Pd nuclear reaction using natural rhodium target, was separated from the irradiated target material. Proton energy was 18 MeV with 200 mA irradiation for 15 hours (final activity 700 mCi of 103Pd2+, RCY>95%, radionuclidic purity>99%). The final activity was eluted in form of Pd(NH3)2Cl2 in order to react with 2-acetylpyridine-4 N-methylthiosemicarbazone to yield [103Pd]-APMTS. Chemical purity of the final product was confirmed to be within the accepted limits by polarography. [103Pd]-APMTS was prepared with a radiochemical yield of more than 80% at room temperature after 3 hours. The labeling reaction was optimized for time, temperature and radioactivity and ligand ratio. A mixture of APMTS and Pd activity in ethanol was heated at 90 °C for 3 hours followed by reverse phase SPE purification using C18 plus Sep-Pak. Radiochemical purity of more than 99% using RTLC and specific activity of about 12500 Ci/mol was obtained. The stability of the tracer was checked in the final product and the presence of human serum at 37 °C up to 3 hours. The partition coefficient of the final complex was determined by octanol : saline buffer distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of the hyperforin (HF), a natural phloroglucinol purified from Hypericum perforatum, were investigated ex vivo on leukemic cells from patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). HF was found to promote apoptosis of B-CLL cells, as shown by time- and dose-dependent stimulation of phosphatidylserine externalization and DNA fragmentation, by disruption of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, caspase-3 activation and cleavage of the caspase substrate PARP-1. Moreover, HF-induced downregulation of Bcl-2 and Mcl-1, two antiapoptotic proteins that control mitochondrial permeability. HF also downregulated two proteins which are overexpressed by B-CLL patients' cells, the cell cycle inhibitor p27kip1 through caspase-dependent cleavage into a p23 form, and the nitric oxid (NO) synthase of type 2 (inducible NO synthase). This latter was accompanied by reduction in the production of NO known to be antiapoptotic in B-CLL cells. Preventing effects of the general caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk indicated that HF-promoted apoptosis of B-CLL cells was mostly caspase dependent. Furthermore, normal B lymphocytes purified from healthy donors appeared less sensitive to HF-induced apoptosis than B-CLL cells. These results indicate that HF may be of interest in the development of new therapies for B-CLL based on the induction of apoptosis and combination with cell cycle-dependent antitumor drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adsorptive stripping voltammetry for the determination of guanethidine is employed. The drug is adsorbed onto the hanging mercury drop electrode, and the reduction current of the accumulated drug is measured by scanning the potential in the cathodic direction. The adsorption and redox behaviour are explored by cyclic voltammetry. Optimum experimental conditions include preconcentration potential, solution pH, potential scan rate, and preconcentration time. A detection limit of guanethidine of 0.992 ng/cm3 was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, large language models (LLMs) have gained significant traction across various domains, including education. This paper explores the application of LLMs in grading programming assignments. By leveraging data collected from existing programming assignments and their corresponding grades, we aim to develop a robust LLM-based grading system. We also incorporate augmented data representing various grading scenarios to enhance the model’s performance and ensure comprehensive coverage across all grading levels. Our approach involves training the LLM on this combined dataset to enable accurate and consistent evaluation of programming assignments. The proposed model, BeGrading, aims to reduce the grading burden on educators and provide timely and objective feedback to students. Compared to the Codestral model, our proposed model demonstrates an absolute difference rate of 19%, equivalent to ±0.95\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\pm 0.95$$\end{document} out of 5. This is acceptable for using a small, fine-tuned model with optimized data. Additionally, the Codestral model compared to the dataset optimized score shows a difference of 15% equivalent to a margin of ±0.75\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$\pm 0.75$$\end{document} out of 5. Preliminary results demonstrate the potential of LLMs to perform grading tasks with a high degree of reliability, opening avenues for further research and practical applications in automated education systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]