Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New insights into the role of EMT in tumor immune escape

Novel immunotherapy approaches have provided durable remission in a significant number of cancer patients with cancers previously considered rapidly lethal. Nonetheless, the high degree of nonresponders, and in some cases the emergence of resistance in patients who do initially respond, represents a significant challenge in the field of cancer immunotherapy. These issues prompt much more extensive studies to better understand how cancer cells escape immune surveillance and resist immune attacks. Here, we review the current knowledge of how cellular heterogeneity and plasticity could be involved in shaping the tumor microenvironment (TME) and in controlling antitumor immunity. Indeed, recent findings have led to increased interest in the mechanisms by which cancer cells undergoing epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), or oscillating within the EMT spectrum, might contribute to immune escape through multiple routes. This includes shaping of the TME and decreased susceptibility to immune effector cells. Although much remains to be learned on the mechanisms at play, cancer cell clones with mesenchymal features emerging from the TME seem to be primed to face immune attacks by specialized killer cells of the immune system, the natural killer cells, and the cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Recent studies investigating patient tumors have suggested EMT as a candidate predictive marker to be explored for immunotherapy outcome. Promising data also exist on the potential utility of targeting these cancer cell populations to at least partly overcome such resistance. Research is now underway which may lead to considerable progress in optimization of treatments.
Electrical and mechanical property transitions in carbon-filled poly(vinylpyrrolidone)

The effect of carbon black content on the mechanical and electrical properties of carbon-black-filled poly(vinylpyrrolidone) composites was determined. Experimental data show a drop in modulus when the volume of carbon black exceeds 25%, coincident with pore formation documented by scanning electron microscopy. This behavior is consistent with surpassing the critical pigment volume concentration. Electrical conductivity, however, does not show a discontinuous change in behavior at 25 vol% carbon black and continues to increase through a carbon black loading of 35 vol%. A qualitative model of microstructural evolution is presented to explain the observed differences in electrical and mechanical behavior.
A calcium‐dependent pathway underlies activity‐dependent plasticity of electrical synapses in the thalamic reticular nucleus

Electrical synapses are modified by various forms of activity, including paired activity in coupled neurons and tetanization of the input to coupled neurons. We show that plasticity of electrical synapses that results from paired spiking activity in coupled neurons depends on calcium influx and calcium‐initiated signalling pathways. Plasticity that results from tetanization of input fibres does not depend on calcium influx or dynamics. These results imply that electrically coupled neurons have distinct sets of mechanisms for adjusting coupling according to the specific type of activity they experience.
Sperm Displacement in the Yellow Dung Fly, Scatophaga stercoraria: An Investigation of Male and Female Processes

Despite the ubiquity with which patterns of sperm utilization have been studied, the mechanisms underlying fertilization in insects are far from clear. One well‐studied system is the yellow dung fly, in which the last male's ejaculate is thought to displace rival sperm from the female's sperm stores. Here we follow the movement of the copulating male's ejaculate through the female's reproductive tract using males labeled with different radioisotopes. We find that males ejaculate into the bursa copulatrix and that male‐1 sperm are displaced from the spermathecae during copulation. The increase in male‐2 ejaculate in the spermathecae matches the pattern of male‐2 fertilization gain, indicating that only spermathecal sperm are utilized at fertilization. Previously we have analyzed this system with a direct model of sperm displacement in which the male displaces rival sperm from the spermathecae. The data, and morphology of the female, clearly preclude such a mechanism. Here we contrast this model with a new indirect model, in which the female facilitates displacement by exchange of sperm from the bursa copulatrix to the spermathecae. The two models give equivalent fits to the observed sperm utilization patterns because the rate of sperm transfer into the bursa copulatrix greatly exceeds the rate of sperm exchange with the spermathecae so that the concentration of the first male's sperm in the bursa remains considerably lower than that of the second male. These analyses provide a quantitative attempt to incorporate female processes into the analysis of sperm utilization patterns in insects.
A 2-by-6-Button Japanese Software Keyboard for Tablets

Increasingly more people are using tablets. When they enter text, they usually use software keyboards. However, such software keyboards are not specialized in tablets. In this paper, we propose a software keyboard for tablets. Tailored to its user’s use of the index, middle, and third fingers on a tablet screen, the keyboard consists of 2-by-6 buttons. It is focused on Japanese kana characters, and enables the user to enter a character usually with two strokes. We present the results of the experiment that we performed to evaluate the proposed keyboard by comparing it with a standard QWERTY software keyboard. The results indicate a trade-off between the average time lengths for entering a character and the average error rates for entering a word; the proposed keyboard resulted in a lower average error rate but in a longer average time length.
The Contribution of MMP-7 Promoter Polymorphisms in Renal Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM Mounting evidence has suggested that polymorphisms in the promoters of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) genes are associated with the risk of many types of cancer, but no study has ever explored these polymorphisms as biomarkers for renal cell cancer (RCC). Recently, it was suggested that serum MMP-7 levels have both diagnostic and prognostic potential for RCC. In this study, we focused on the contribution of two functional polymorphisms in the promoter region of MMP-7 (A-181G and C-153T) to RCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS These two polymorphisms were genotyped in 92 patients with RCC and 580 controls by PRC-RFLP analysis. RESULTS The results showed that there is no significant association of the RCC risk with the MMP-7 A-181G genotype, even after adjusted for the possible confounding factors. The MMP-7 C-153T polymorphism was not identified among the subjects investigated. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the two MMP-7 polymorphisms A-181G and C-153T do not play a major role in determining personal susceptibility to RCC in Taiwan.
Mindfulness-Based Interventions for the Treatment of Substance and Behavioral Addictions: A Systematic Review

Background Emotion (dys)regulation as well as the interventions for improving these difficulties are receiving a growing attention in the literature. The aim of the present paper was to conduct a systematic review about the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in both substance and behavioral addictions (BAs). Method A literature search was conducted using Cochrane, PubMed, and Web of Science. Fifty-four randomized controlled trials published in English since 2009 to April 2017 were included into a narrative synthesis. Results Mindfulness-based interventions were applied in a wide range of addictions, including substance use disorders (from smoking to alcohol, among others) and BAs (namely, gambling disorder). These treatments were successful for reducing dependence, craving, and other addiction-related symptoms by also improving mood state and emotion dysregulation. The most commonly used MBI approaches were as follows: Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention, Mindfulness Training for Smokers, or Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement, and the most frequent control group in the included studies was Treatment as Usual (TAU). The most effective approach was the combination of MBIs with TAU or other active treatments. However, there is a lack of studies showing the maintenance of the effect over time. Therefore, studies with longer follow-ups are needed. Conclusion The revised literature shows support for the effectiveness of the MBIs. Future research should focus on longer follow-up assessments as well as on adolescence and young population, as they are a vulnerable population for developing problems associated with alcohol, drugs, or other addictions.
Fate and risk of atrazine and sulfentrazone to nontarget species at an agriculture site

The present study evaluated the risk associated with the application and co‐occurrence of 2 herbicides, atrazine and sulfentrazone, applied to a 32‐ha corn and soybean rotational field. Field concentrations of the compounds were measured in soil, runoff water, and groundwater, with peak mean atrazine and sulfentrazone concentrations found in the soil (144 ng/g dry wt, and 318 ng/g dry wt, respectively). Individual and mixture laboratory bioassays were conducted to determine the effects of atrazine and sulfentrazone on the survival of Daphnia magna and Pimephales promelas, the germination of Lactuca sativa, and the growth of Pseudokirchneriella subcapita and Lemna minor. Pseudokirchneriella subcapita and L. minor were the most susceptible species tested, and the effects on growth of the herbicides in mixtures best fit an independent action model. Risk quotients and margin of safety of 10% (MOS10) values were used to estimate risk and were calculated using runoff water concentrations. The MOS10 values were more sensitive than risk quotients in estimating risk. The MOS10 value for sulfentrazone runoff water concentration effects on P. subcapita was 7.8, and for L. minor was 1.1, with MOS10 values < 1 indicating potential risk. Overall, the environmentally relevant concentrations fell below the effect concentrations; therefore, atrazine and sulfentrazone posed little to no risk to the nontarget species tested. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:1301–1310. © 2016 SETAC
Study of Reinforcing Mechanisms in TRIP‐Matrix Composites under Compressive Loading by Means of Micromechanical Simulations

TRIP‐matrix composites consist of austenitic steel and a partially stabilized zirconia, which yields a composite that can undergo a martensitic phase transformation in both components. Numerical analysis of the deformation and transformation behavior of such a composite is carried out by means of unit cell studies. The micromechanical simulations are conducted to separate and evaluate the two reinforcing mechanisms, namely the particle strengthening effect and the transformation effect in the partially stabilized zirconia. It is found that the phase transformation proceeds in a heterogeneous manner both in the matrix and the inclusion. The degree of inhomogeneity of transformation inside the inclusion is controlled by the interface strength.
Controls over spatial and seasonal variations on isotopic composition of the precipitation along the central and eastern portion of Brazil

ABSTRACT Based on Global Network Isotopes in Precipitation (GNIP) isotopic data set, a review of the spatial and temporal variability of δ18O and δ2H in precipitation was conducted throughout central and eastern Brazil, indicating that dynamic interactions between Intertropical and South Atlantic Convergence Zones, Amazon rainforest, and Atlantic Ocean determine the variations on the isotopic composition of precipitation over this area. Despite the seasonality and latitude effects observed, a fair correlation with precipitation amount was found. In addition, Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) air mass back trajectories were used to quantify the factors controlling daily variability in stable isotopes in precipitation. Through a linear multiple regression analysis, it was observed that temporal variations were consistent with the meteorological parameters derived from HYSPLIT, particularly precipitation amount along the trajectory and mix depth, but are not dependent on vapour residence time in the atmosphere. These findings also indicate the importance of convective systems to control the isotopic composition of precipitation in tropical and subtropical regions.
The intrahippocampal kainate mouse model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy: Lack of electrographic seizure‐like events in sham controls

There is an ongoing debate about definition of seizures in experimental models of acquired epilepsy and how important adequate sham controls are in this respect. For instance, several mouse and rat strains exhibit high‐voltage rhythmic spike or spike‐wave discharges in the cortical electroencephalogram (EEG), which has to be considered when using such strains for induction of epilepsy by status epilepticus, traumatic brain injury, or other means. Mice developing spontaneous recurrent nonconvulsive and convulsive seizures after intrahippocampal injection of kainate are increasingly being used as a model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. We performed a prospective study in which EEG alterations occurring in this model were compared with the EEGs in appropriate sham controls, using hippocampal electrodes and video‐EEG monitoring.
Relationship between -889 C/T polymorphism in interleukin-1A gene and risk of chronic periodontitis: Evidence from a meta-analysis with new published findings

Background Periodontitis results from an inflammatory response caused by accumulative microorganisms in periodontal sites. Several factors are involved in pathogenesis of periodontitis, for example the -889 C/T polymorphism in interleukin-1A gene. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between this polymorphism and risk of development of chronic periodontitis by a meta-analysis based in new published findings. Material and Methods Thereunto a review in literature was performed in the electronic biomedical and education databases (Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, MEDLINE and PubMed) to studies published before August 2, 2015, the abstracts were evaluated and the data extraction performed by two calibrated examiners. The calculations of the meta-analysis were obtained through statistical software Review Manager version 5.2 with calculation of Odds Ratio (OR), heterogeneity (I²) and Funnel plots with P <0.05. Results In overall, twenty-one case/control studies were selected with 2,174 patients with chronic periodontitis and 1, 756 controls. The meta-analysis showed T allele was associated with chronic periodontitis (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.36, P = 0.0004) with decreased value to heterogeneity (I² = 15%, P = 0.28). TT genotype was associated to patients with chronic periodontitis (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.83, P = 0.01). No publication bias was found in this meta-analysis by asymmetry in Funnel plots. Conclusions This meta-analysis with 2,174 patients with chronic periodontitis and 1, 756 controls evidenced the -889 C/T polymorphism is associated to risk of development of chronic periodontitis with no significant value to heterogeneity to allelic evaluation. Key words:Alleles, odds ratio, periodontal disease, cytokines.
Balanochalcone, a new chalcone from Balanophora laxiflora Hemsl.

Abstract A new chalcone named as balanochalcone (1) together with eight known compounds, methyl caffeate (2), β-hydroxydihydrochalcone (3), methyl gallate (4), dimethyl-6,9,10-trihydroxybenzo[kl]xanthene-1,2-dicarboxylate (5), p-coumaric acid (6), quercetin (7), scopoletin (8) and pinoresinol (9) have been isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of Vietnamese Balanophora laxiflora Hemsl. Their structures were characterised by IR, UV, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR and CD spectroscopies. Compounds 2 and 5 showed moderate cytotoxicity against four cancer cell lines, KB (a human epidermal carcinoma), MCF7 (human breast carcinoma), SK-LU-1 (human lung carcinoma) and HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma). In addition, compounds 1 and 5 showed moderate antioxidant activity.
Increased Levels of Pro-Inflammatory and Anti-Inflammatory Cellular Responses in Parkinson’s Disease Patients: Search for a Disease Indicator

Background Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder and it arises when most of the dopaminergic neurons of substantia nigra region die. Several mechanisms have been postulated as the causative event in PD pathology, and neuroinflammation is most crucial among them. Material/Methods We analyzed T-helper 17 (Th17) cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) from 80 PD patients to assess inflammatory processes and to find a cost-effective means to evaluate PD prognosis. Results We found significantly increased numbers of Th17 cells and MDSCs count in peripheral circulation in PD patients compared with controls (p<0.001). A positive correlation was found between Th17 cells and MDSCs in PD patients (r=0.421, p<0.05). Conclusions Our results show the effector role of Th17 cells and MDSCs in PD pathology and shows their utility as effective biomarkers for PD diagnosis.
Sleep Detriments Associated With Quick Returns in Rotating Shift Work: A Diary Study

Objective: We aimed to compared sleep characteristics associated with quick returns (QRs, <11 hours between shift intervals) with those associated with other common shift transitions. Methods: Sixty-seven nurses completed a 2-week work and sleep diary (94.0% female, mean age 47.7 years). A multilevel fixed effects model was used to examine the sleep in QRs compared with two consecutive night shifts, two consecutive evening shifts, and two consecutive day shifts, respectively. Results: None of the other shift transitions studied encumbered as many detriments as QRs, which included short sleep duration (5.6 hours), slightly prolonged sleep onset latency, more abrupt ending of main sleep period, increased sleepiness, and higher level of perceived stress on the following shift. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the need for sufficient time for rest and recuperation between shifts.
Oxidation Of Sulfide Minerals In Benefication Processes

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High expression of PTBP1 promote invasion of colorectal cancer by alternative splicing of cortactin

Polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1 (PTBP1) involving in almost all steps of mRNA regulation including alternative splicing metabolism during tumorigenesis due to its RNA-binding activity. Initially, we found that high expressed PTBP1 and poor prognosis was interrelated in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with stages II and III CRC, which widely different in prognosis and treatment, by immunohistochemistry. PTBP1 was also upregulated in colon cancer cell lines. In our study, knockdown of PTBP1 by siRNA transfection decreased cell proliferation and invasion in vitro. Denovirus shRNA knockdown of PTBP1 inhibited colorectal cancer growth in vivo. Furthermore, PTBP1 regulates alternative splicing of many target genes involving in tumorgenesis in colon cancer cells. We confirmed that the splicing of cortactin exon 11 which was only contained in cortactin isoform-a, as a PTBP1 target. Knockdown of PTBP1 decreased the expression of cortactin isoform-a by exclusion of exon 11. Also the mRNA levels of PTBP1 and cortactin isoform-a were cooperatively expressed in colorectal cancer tissues. Knocking down cortactin isoform-a significantly decreased cell migration and invasion in colorectal cancer cells. Overexpression of cortactin isoform-a could rescue PTBP1-knockdown effect of cell motility. In summary the study revealed that PTBP1 facilitates colorectal cancer migration and invasion activities by inclusion of cortactin exon 11.
Synchronizing developmental stages in Neotropical catfishes for application in germ cell transplantation

Summary The aim of this study was to describe the effect of temperature on the fertilization, early developmental stages, and survival rate of two Neotropical catfishes Pimelodus maculatus and Pseudopimelodus mangurus. After fertilization, the eggs were incubated at 22°C, 26°C, and 30°C, which resulted in fertilization rates of 96.95 ± 1.79%, 98.74 ± 0.76%, and 98.44 ± 0.19% for P. maculatus and 96.10 ± 1.58%, 98.00 ± 0.63%, and 94.60 ± 2.09% for P. mangurus, respectively. For P. maculatus, hatching occurred after 22 h 30 min post-fertilization at 22°C, 16 h 30 min at 26°C, and 11 h 20 min at 30°C, and the hatching rates were 43.87 ± 7,46%, 57.57 ± 17.49%, and 53.63 ± 16.27%, respectively. For P. mangurus, hatching occurred after 28 h 30 min post-fertilization at 22°C and 17 h 30 min at 26°C with respective hatching rates of 45.4 ± 21.02% and 68.1 ± 12.67%. For this species, all embryos incubated at 30°C died before hatching. Additionally, for P. maculatus, the larvae from the lower (22°C) and higher temperatures (30°C) presented increased abnormality rates, as observed in the head, tail and yolk regions. The lowest abnormality rate was detected at 26°C, which was considered the optimal incubation temperature for both species. The developed protocol enables the manipulation of embryonic development, which is important for the application of reproductive biotechniques, including chimerism and chromosome-set manipulation. The data obtained here are also important for the surrogate propagation of this species as P. mangurus was recently categorized as an endangered fish species.
Training-induced alterations in fat and carbohydrate metabolism during exercise in elderly subjects.

Compared with young adults, fat oxidation is lower in elderly persons during endurance exercise performed at either the same absolute or relative intensity. We evaluated the effect of 16 wk of endurance training on fat and glucose metabolism during 60 min of moderate intensity exercise [50% of pretraining peak oxygen consumption (V˙o 2 peak)] in six elderly men and women (74 ± 2 yr). Training caused a 21% increase in meanV˙o 2 peak. The average rate of fat oxidation during exercise was greater after (221 ± 28 μmol/min) than before (166 ± 17 μmol/min) training ( P = 0.002), and the average rate of carbohydrate oxidation during exercise was lower after (3,180 ± 461 μmol/min) than before (3,937 ± 483 μmol/min) training ( P = 0.003). Training did not cause a significant change in glycerol rate of appearance (Ra), free fatty acid (FFA) Ra, and FFA rate of disappearance during exercise. However, glucose Ra during exercise was lower after (1,027 ± 95 μmol/min) than before (1,157 ± 69 μmol/min) training ( P = 0.01). These results demonstrate that a 16-wk period of endurance training increases fat oxidation without a significant change in lipolysis (glycerol Ra) or FFA availability (FFA Ra) during exercise in elderly subjects. Therefore, the training-induced increase in fat oxidation during exercise is likely related to alterations in skeletal muscle fatty acid metabolism.