Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Nature of the Chemical Process. 1. Symmetry Evolution – Revised Information Theory, Similarity Principle and Ugly Symmetry

Symmetry is a measure of indistinguishability. Similarity is a continuous measure of imperfect symmetry. Lewis' remark that “gain of entropy means loss of information” defines the relationship of entropy and information. Three laws of information theory have been proposed. Labeling by introducing nonsymmetry and formatting by introducing symmetry are defined. The function L ( L=lnw, w is the number of microstates, or the sum of entropy and information, L=S+I) of the universe is a constant (the first law of information theory). The entropy S of the universe tends toward a maximum (the second law law of information theory). For a perfect symmetric static structure, the information is zero and the static entropy is the maximum (the third law law of information theory). Based on the Gibbs inequality and the second law of the revised information theory we have proved the similarity principle (a continuous higher similarity−higher entropy relation after the rejection of the Gibbs paradox) and proved the Curie-Rosen symmetry principle (a higher symmetry−higher stability relation) as a special case of the similarity principle. The principles of information minimization and potential energy minimization are compared. Entropy is the degree of symmetry and information is the degree of nonsymmetry. There are two kinds of symmetries: dynamic and static symmetries. Any kind of symmetry will define an entropy and, corresponding to the dynamic and static symmetries, there are static entropy and dynamic entropy. Entropy in thermodynamics is a special kind of dynamic entropy. Any spontaneous process will evolve towards the highest possible symmetry, either dynamic or static or both. Therefore the revised information theory can be applied to characterizing all kinds of structural stability and process spontaneity. Some examples in chemical physics have been given. Spontaneous processes of all kinds of molecular interaction, phase separation and phase transition, including symmetry breaking and the densest molecular packing and crystallization, are all driven by information minimization or symmetry maximization. The evolution of the universe in general and evolution of life in particular can be quantitatively considered as a series of symmetry breaking processes. The two empirical rules − similarity rule and complementarity rule − have been given a theoretical foundation. All kinds of periodicity in space and time are symmetries and contribute to the stability. Symmetry is beautiful because it renders stability. However, symmetry is in principle ugly because it is associated with information loss.
Pathogenesis of Apical Periodontitis: a Literature Review

ABSTRACT Objectives This review article discusses the host response in apical periodontitis with the main focus on cytokines, produced under this pathological condition and contributing to the degradation of periradicular tissues. The pace of research in this field has greatly accelerated in the last decade. Here we provide an analysis of studies published in this area during this period. Material and methods Literature was selected through a search of PubMed electronic database. The keywords used for search were pathogenesis of apical periodontitis cytokines, periapical granuloma cytokines, inflammatory infiltrate apical periodontitis. The search was restricted to English language articles, published from 1999 to December 2010. Additionally, a manual search in the cytokine production, cytokine functions and periapical tissue destruction in the journals and books was performed. Results In total, 97 literature sources were obtained and reviewed. The topics covered in this article include cellular composition of an inflammatory infiltrate in the periapical lesions, mechanisms of the formation of the innate and specific immune response. Studies which investigated cytokine secretion and functions were identified and cellular and molecular interactions in the course of apical periodontitis described. Conclusions The abundance and interactions of various inflammatory and anti-inflammatory molecules can influence and alter the state and progression of the disease. Therefore, periapical inflammatory response offers a model, suited for the study of many facets of pathogenesis, biocompatibility of different materials to periapical tissues and development of novel treatment methods, based on the regulation of cytokines expression
4F Peptide reduces nascent atherosclerosis and induces natural antibody production in apolipoprotein E‐null mice

Our objective was to contrast the effect of apolipoprotein (apo) A‐I mimetic peptides, such as 4F and 4F‐Pro‐4F (Pro), on nascent and mature atherosclerotic lesions and on levels of antibodies against oxidation‐specific epitopes. Chow‐fed apoE–/– mice were injected intraperitoneally with either the 4F pep‐tide or a tandem helix apoA‐I mimetic peptide (Pro) every other day. Mice treated with 4F, but not Pro, for 4 wk starting at 10 wk of age showed a dramatic decrease in atherosclerosis at 2 arterial sites. However, neither peptide was effective in mice treated for 8 wk starting at 20 wk of age; lesions were larger and more mature at this time point. Peptide treatment caused increased production of antibodies against oxidation‐specific epitopes, including a disproportionate induction of the IgM natural antibody (NAb) E06/ T15 to oxidized phospholipids. In summary, 4F, but not the tandem peptide Pro, effectively inhibited early atherogenesis but was ineffective against more mature lesions. Two different apoA‐I mimetic peptides increased titers of natural antibodies against oxidation‐specific epitopes. —Wool, G. D. , Cabana, V. G. , Lukens, J., Shaw, P. X. , Binder, C. J., Witztum, J. L. , Reardon, C. A. , Getz, G. S. 4F Peptide reduces nascent atherosclerosis and induces natural antibody production in apolipoprotein E‐null mice. FASEB J. 25, 290–300 (2011). www.fasebj. org
Influence of nanostructure composition on its morphometric characterization by different techniques

Morphometric characterization of nanoparticles is crucial to determine their biological effects and to obtain a formulation pattern. Determining the best technique requires knowledge of the particles being analyzed, the intended application of the particles, and the limitations of the techniques being considered. The aim of this article was to present transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopy protocols for the analysis of two different nanostructures, namely polymeric nanoemulsion and poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles, and to compare these results with conventional dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. The mean hydrodynamic diameter, the polydispersity index, and zeta potential of the nanostructures of polymeric nanoemulsion were 370.5 ± 0.8 nm, 0.133 ± 0.01, and −36.1 ± 0.15 mV, respectively, and for PLGA nanoparticles were 246.79 ± 5.03 nm, 0.096 ± 0.025, and −4.94 ± 0.86 mV, respectively. TEM analysis of polymeric nanoemulsion revealed a mean diameter of 374 ± 117 nm. SEM analysis showed a mean diameter of 368 ± 69 nm prior to gold coating and 448 ± 70 nm after gold coating. PLGA nanoparticles had a diameter of 131 ± 41.18 nm in TEM and 193 ± 101 nm in SEM. Morphologically, in TEM analysis, the polymeric nanoemulsions were spherical, with variable electron density, very few showing an electron‐dense core and others an electron‐dense surface. PLGA nanoparticles were round, with an electron‐lucent core and electron‐dense surface. In SEM, polymeric nanoemulsions were also spherical with a rough surface, and PLGA nanoparticles were round with a smooth surface. The results show that the “gold standards” for morphometric characterization of polymeric nanoemulsion and PLGA nanoparticles were, respectively, SEM without gold coating and TEM with negative staining. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:691–696, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Measurement of the electron temperature gradient in a solar coronal hole

It has long been established that the high speed so- lar wind streams observed at 1 A.U. originate from the coronal hole regions of the Sun. Theoretical modelling of the accelera- tion mechanism depends critically on the value of the maximum of temperature existing close to the Sun. Measurements of the temperature in coronal holes prior to SOHO are unreliable. The very low luminosity leads to extreme observational difficulties, in particular due to light scattering in the instrument telescopes. Using the two SOHO spectrometers CDS and SUMER, elec- tron temperatures have now been measured as a function of height above the limb in a polar coronal hole. Temperatures of around 0.8 MK are found close to the limb, rising to a maximum of less than 1 MK at 1.15R, then falling to around 0.4 MK at 1.3R. With these low temperatures, the classical Parker mech- anism cannot alone explain the high wind velocities, which must therefore be due to the direct transfer of momentum from MHD waves to the ambient plasma.
miR‐148a plays a pivotal role in the liver by promoting the hepatospecific phenotype and suppressing the invasiveness of transformed cells

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionary conserved small RNAs that post‐transcriptionally regulate the expression of target genes. To date, the role of miRNAs in liver development is not fully understood. By using an experimental model that allows the induced and controlled differentiation of mouse fetal hepatoblasts (MFHs) into mature hepatocytes, we identified miR‐148a as a hepatospecific miRNA highly expressed in adult liver. The main finding of this study revealed that miR‐148a was critical for hepatic differentiation through the direct targeting of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) 1, a major enzyme responsible for epigenetic silencing, thereby allowing the promotion of the “adult liver” phenotype. It was also confirmed that the reduction of DNMT1 by RNA interference significantly promoted the expression of the major hepatic biomarkers. In addition to the essential role of miR‐148a in hepatocyte maturation, we identified its beneficial effect through the repression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell malignancy. miR‐148a expression was frequently down‐regulated in biopsies of HCC patients as well as in mouse and human HCC cell lines. Overexpressing miR‐148a led to an enhancement of albumin production and a drastic inhibition of the invasive properties of HCC cells, whereas miR‐148a silencing had the opposite consequences. Finally, we showed that miR‐148a exerted its tumor‐suppressive effect by regulating the c‐Met oncogene, regardless of the DNMT1 expression level. Conclusion: miR‐148a is essential for the physiology of the liver because it promotes the hepatospecific phenotype and acts as a tumor suppressor. Most important, this report is the first to demonstrate a functional role for a specific miRNA in liver development through regulation of the DNMT1 enzyme. (Hepatology 2013;53:1153–1165)
Picophytoplankton cell death induced by UV radiation: Evidence for oceanic Atlantic communities

We analyzed the effect of ambient levels of visible and ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on picophytoplankton cell death by exposing natural communities of picophytoplankton (Prochlorococcus, Synechococcus, and picoeukaryotic cells) from the Atlantic Ocean to different levels of natural solar radiation, from that received just below the surface to 23% lower levels and dark conditions. Underwater oceanic levels of UVR and visible light can induce significant cell death in picophytoplankton communities. The decay rates of living cells induced by solar radiation was highest for Prochlorococcus sp. , which showed an average decay rate of ‐0.24 ± 0.053 h−1 (mean ± SE) in the experiments, whereas Synechococcus sp. showed the lowest decay rate of ‐0.021 ± 0.008 h−1 (mean ± SE) in treatments ranging from the full incident irradiance to 23% of the irradiance incident below the ocean surface. Decay rates decreased significantly upon removal of UVR, demonstrating a major effect of UVR on cell death, although ambient levels of visible light alone still induced cell death in Prochlorococcus and picoeukaryotic populations, but not in Synechococcus sp. The high cell death of Prochlorococcus induced by total solar radiation resulted in short halflife values for this genus, ranging between 1.5 and 13.4 h across treatments. The half‐life times for Synechococcus sp. and eukaryotic picoplankton cells exposed to UVR were longer, varying from 8.8 to 14.7 h and from 2.1 to 31.7 h, respectively. The UVR doses required to reduce the picophytoplankton populations by 50% (LRD50) differed among the three groups, with considerably lower doses required for Prochlorococcus sp. Prochlorococcus sp. is highly sensitive to solar radiation, contrasting with the higher tolerance of Synechococcus sp. High, but taxonspecific, phytoplankton mortality induced by ambient UVR levels may act as a primary driver of the community structure of autotrophs and affect the dynamics of the microbial food web in clear, oligotrophic, oceanic waters.
Decreasing incidence and changing pattern of childhood fractures: A population‐based study

Fractures are common in children, and some studies suggest an increasing incidence. Data on population‐based long‐term trends are scarce. In order to establish fracture incidence and epidemiologic patterns, we carried out a population‐based study in Helsinki, Finland. All fractures in children aged 0 to 15 years were recorded from public health care institutions during a 12‐month period in 2005. Details regarding patient demographics, fracture site, and trauma mechanism were collected. All fractures were confirmed from radiographs. Similar data from 1967, 1978, and 1983 were used for comparison. In 2005, altogether 1396 fractures were recorded, 63% in boys. The overall fracture incidence was 163 per 10,000. Causative injuries consisted of mainly falls when running or walking or from heights less than 1.5 m. Fracture incidence peaked at 10 years in girls and 14 years in boys. An increase in fracture incidence was seen from 1967 to 1983 (24%, p < .0001), but a significant decrease (18%, p < .0001) was seen from 1983 to 2005. This reduction was largest in children between the ages of 10 and 13 years. Despite the overall decrease and marked decrease in hand (−39%, p < .0001) and foot (−48%, p < .0001) fractures, the incidence of forearm and upper arm fractures increased significantly by 31% (p < .0001) and 39% (p = .021), respectively. Based on these findings, the overall incidence of childhood fractures has decreased significantly during the last two decades. Concurrently, the incidence of forearm and upper arm fractures has increased by one‐third. The reasons for these epidemiologic changes remain to be elucidated in future studies. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Parthenolide Induces Apoptosis in Committed Progenitor AML Cell line U937 via Reduction in Osteopontin.

BACKGROUND Interfering with cell proliferation and survival is a critical role for antineoplastic drugs leading to cell death through induction of apoptosis. Alternative treatments with herbal extracts offer insights into acute myeloid leukemia (AML) therapy. Parthenolide (PTL), an extract from feverfew, induces apoptosis in primary human leukemia stem cells (LSCs) and bulk leukemic cell populations. Osteopontin (OPN) preserves cell viability in response to anticancer agents and its receptors could be utilized for therapeutic targeting of cancer cells. METHODS U937 cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 with concentrations of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 µM PTL for 20-24 hours for MTT assays. Apoptosis assays were performed with Annexin V-Alexa Fluor-488/PI as Annexin V+/PI- and Annexin V+/PI+ to measure early and late apoptosis, respectively. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure OPN gene expression using the 2(-ΔΔCt) method. The PTL-treated cells were stained with FITC-CD38 antibody for flow cytometry analyses. Data were compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) by SPSS 19. RESULTS Parthenolide inhibited growth of U937 cells with IC25 and IC50 values of 4 and 5.8 µM, respectively. Death induction with PTL was apoptotic. Flow cytometry showed a significant decrease in the percentage of CD38+ U937 cells in response to PTL. Osteopontin gene expression decreased in response to PTL. CONCLUSION PTL induced apoptosis and reduced OPN gene expression in U937 cells.
Ursolic Acid Triggers Apoptosis and Bcl-2 Downregulation in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

In this report we determine the ability of ursolic acid (UA) to induce apoptosis and to modulate glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) in MCF-7 cells. The UA-induced apoptosis (53 μM), the PARP cleavage, and the decrease in Bcl-2 protein (53 μM) support the notion that UA induces apoptosis through the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. UA binds GR (relative binding affinity: 2.57) and translocates GR into nucleus, suggesting its potential as a GR modulator. UA had no effect on GRE- or TRE-driven gene expression. In summary, UA is a GR modulator and may be considered as a potential anticancer agent in breast cancer.
Sleep outcomes following sleep-hygiene-related interventions for individuals with traumatic brain injury: A systematic review

ABSTRACT Background: Sleep disturbance is commonly reported following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and can adversely impact health and wellbeing and interfere with the rehabilitation process. As such, effective treatment of sleep disturbance is critical for overall recovery. Sleep hygiene, which is non-invasive, low cost, and low risk, could serve as a suitable first line of treatment for individuals experiencing sleep disturbance post-TBI. Objective: To assess the efficacy of sleep hygiene on sleep outcomes post-TBI. Design: PsycINFO, Medline and EMBASE databases were systematically searched using mesh terms and keywords related to ‘traumatic brain injury’, ‘sleep’ and ‘treatment’. Studies that met inclusion criteria were assessed on their methodological quality using validated assessment tools. Results: Ten studies met inclusion criteria, none of which contained a child or adolescent population. Their methodological quality varied. The following interventions were shown to improve sleep outcomes amongst adults with TBI: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Insomnia, blue light therapy, Problem Solving Treatment and combined sleep hygiene and Prazosin. There was mixed evidence for the efficacy of exercise on sleep outcomes. Conclusion: Preliminary findings suggest that some sleep-hygiene-related interventions, either in isolation or in combination with other treatments, may reduce sleep difficulties post-TBI.
Tazarotene: Randomized, Double-Blind, Vehicle-Controlled, and Open-Label Concurrent Trials for Basal Cell Carcinoma Prevention and Therapy in Patients with Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome

Sporadic human basal cell carcinomas (BCC) are generally well managed with current surgical modalities. However, in the subset of high-risk patients predisposed to developing large numbers of BCCs, there is an unmet need for effective, low-morbidity chemoprevention. This population includes fair-skinned patients with extensive sun exposure and those with genodermatoses such as the basal cell nevus (Gorlin) syndrome (BCNS). Tazarotene (Tazorac, Allergan) is a topical retinoid with relative specificity for RAR-β and RAR-γ receptors. We previously demonstrated tazarotene's robust anti-BCC efficacy in Ptch1+/− mice, a murine equivalent of BCNS, and others have found it to have some efficacy against sporadic human BCCs. We report here results of a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study in patients with BCNS evaluating the efficacy of topically applied tazarotene for BCC chemoprevention (N = 34 subjects), along with an open-label trial evaluating tazarotene's efficacy for chemotherapy of BCC lesions (N = 36 subjects) for a maximum follow-up period of 3 years. We found that only 6% of patients had a chemopreventive response and that only 6% of treated BCC target lesions were clinically cured. Our studies provide no evidence for either chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic effect of tazarotene against BCCs in patients with BCNS. Cancer Prev Res; 7(3); 292–9. ©2014 AACR.
The small membrane protein MgrB regulates PhoQ bifunctionality to control PhoP target gene expression dynamics

In Escherichia coli and other γ‐proteobacteria, the PhoQ‐PhoP two‐component signaling system responds to low extracellular Mg++ and cationic antimicrobial peptides. On transition to inducing conditions, the expression of PhoP‐dependent genes increases rapidly, but then decays to a new, intermediate steady‐state level, a phenomenon often referred to as partial adaptation. The molecular basis for this partial adaptation has been unclear. Here, using time‐lapse fluorescence microscopy to examine PhoP‐dependent gene expression in individual E. coli cells we show that partial adaptation arises through a negative feedback loop involving the small protein MgrB. When E. coli cells are shifted to low Mg++, PhoQ engages in multiple rounds of autophosphorylation and phosphotransfer to PhoP, which, in turn, drives the expression of mgrB. MgrB then feeds back to inhibit the kinase activity of PhoQ. PhoQ is bifunctional such that, when not active as a kinase, it can stimulate the dephosphorylation of PhoP. Thus, MgrB drives the inactivation of PhoP and the observed adaptation in PhoP‐dependent gene expression. Our results clarify the source of feedback inhibition in the E. coli PhoQ‐PhoP system and reveal how exogenous factors, such as MgrB, can combine with a canonical two‐component signaling pathway to produce complex temporal dynamics in target gene expression.
Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Emotional Metric Outcomes (EMO) Questionnaire

This article describes the development and psychometric evaluation of the Emotional Metric Outcomes (EMO) questionnaire—a new questionnaire designed to assess the emotional outcomes of interaction, especially the interaction of customers with service-provider personnel or software. The EMO is a concise multifactor standardized questionnaire that provides an assessment of transaction-driven personal and relationship emotional outcomes, both positive and negative. The primary purpose of the EMO is to move beyond traditional assessment of satisfaction to achieve a more effective measurement of customers’ emotional responses to products and processes. Psychometric evaluation showed that the EMO and its component scales had high reliability and concurrent validity with loyalty and overall experience metrics in a variety of measurement contexts. Concurrent measurement with the System Usability Scale (SUS) indicated that reported significant correlation of the SUS with likelihood-to-recommend ratings are probably primarily due to emotional rather than utilitarian aspects of the SUS.
Pseudomoduli dark matter

We point out that pseudomoduli — tree-level flat directions that often accompany dynamical supersymmetry breaking — can be natural candidates for TeV-scale dark matter in models of gauge mediation. The idea is general and can be applied to different dark matter scenarios, including (but not limited to) those of potential relevance to recent cosmic ray anomalies. We describe the requirements for a viable model of pseudomoduli dark matter, and we analyze two example models to illustrate the general mechanism — one where the pseudomoduli carry Higgsino-like quantum numbers, and another where they are SM singlets but are charged under a hidden-sector U(1)' gauge group.