Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Linkage studies of x-linked cleft palate and ankyloglossia in a British Columbia native kindred

Human craniofacial malformations are a class of common congenital anomalies. Their etiology is heterogeneous and often poorly understood. To elucidate the nature of craniofacial defects at the molecular level, one approach is to study the exceptional examples of malformations which segregate in families as single gene disorders. This study employs such an approach: it is directed toward the isolation of a locus responsible for cleft palate and ankyloglossia which segregate as a single X-linked trait (CPX) in a British Columbia (B.C.) Native kindred. The original description (Lowry 1970) of the clefting defect in the B.0 kindred included submucous cleft palate and bifid or absent uvula. Sixty-three of the B.C. family members were clinically reevaluated and it was observed that some of the affected males and carrier females also present with ankyloglossia (tongue-tie). Ankyloglossia previously has been associated with X-linked cleft palate in an Icelandic kindred in which a locus responsible for cleft palate was provisionally assigned to the Xq21.3-q22 region (Moore et al. 1987; Ivens et al. 1988). This thesis describes linkage analyses in the B.C. kindred which were initiated with DNA markers from the Xq21-q22 region and were later expanded to include markers from the Xq13 region. No recombination was observed between CPX and the DNA markers DXS447 (peak lod score [Zmax = 9.38), DXS72 (Zmax = 7.74; Gorski et al. 1992) and DXS326 (Zmax = 2.27). A new polymorphic DNA marker, X850A/L-7, was generated and mapped to the Xq21.1-q21.3 region. X850A/L-7 was found to be partially informative in the B.C. family and also nonrecombinant with respect to CPX (Zmax = 1.91). Recombination was observed between CPX and PGK1 (Zmax = 7.63 at recombination fraction [4] = 0.03) and between CPX and DXYS1 (Zmax = 5.59 at 'd = 0.04). These results localize B.C. CPX between PGK1 and DXYS1 in the Xq13.3q21.31 region.
HERBIVORE GRAZING INCREASES POLYPHENOLIC DEFENSES IN THE INTERTIDAL BROWN ALGA FUCUS DISTICHUS

Although predator-induced defenses have been reported for several species of terrestrial vascular plants, they have not been previously described in aquatic or non- vascular plants. In this study, field manipulations were used to demonstrate the presence of inducible chemical defense production in the intertidal brown alga Fucus distichus. When experimentally damaged, Fucus increased its concentrations of polyphenolic compounds by -20% over uninjured control plants within 2 wk. These increases occurred in the area where the plant was injured and within adjacent undamaged branches. The increase in concentrations of polyphenolic compounds in clipped plants in these experiments corre- sponded well with differences in phenolic levels in naturally grazed and ungrazed algae. Herbivorous snails (Littorina sitkana) showed a preference for clipped plants imme- diately after they were wounded. However, over a 2-wk period the snails shifted their preference towards the uninjured control plants, corresponding with the increase in poly- phenolic levels within the experimentally damaged plants. L. sitkana spent less time feeding on clipped plants, and these plants lost 50% less tissue (by surface area) to grazers than did uninjured algae. The presence of induced defenses in algae causes plant quality to vary spatially and temporally. This may result in variation in intra- and interspecific food preferences of herbivores, and ultimately may affect benthic algal community structure.
Experimental Test of Landauer's Principle at the Sub-kBT Level

Landauer's principle connects the logical reversibility of computational operations to physical reversibility and hence to energy dissipation, with important theoretical and practical consequences. We report the first experimental test of Landauer's principle. For logically reversible operations we measure energy dissipations much less than kBTlog 2, while irreversible operations dissipate much more than kBTlog 2. Measurements of a logically reversible operation on a bit with energy 30 kBT yield an energy dissipation of 0.01 kBT.
Pharmacokinetics and in vitro/in vivo antitumor efficacy of aptamer-targeted Ecoflex® nanoparticles for docetaxel delivery in ovarian cancer

Purpose Epithelixal ovarian cancer is the fourth cause of cancer death in developed countries with 77% of ovarian cancer cases diagnosed with regional or distant metastasis, with poor survival rates. Docetaxel (DTX) is a well-known anticancer agent, with clinically proven efficacy in several malignancies, including ovarian cancer. However, the adverse effects caused by the active ingredient or currently marketed formulations could even deprive the patient of the advantages of treatment. Therefore, in the current study, polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) equipped with aptamer molecules as targeting agents were proposed to minimize the adverse effects and enhance the antitumor efficacy through directing the drug cargo toward its site of action. Materials and methods Electrospraying technique was implemented to fabricate poly (butylene adipate-co-butylene terephthalate) (Ecoflex®) NPs loaded with DTX (DTX-NPs). Afterward, aptamer molecules were added to the DTX-NPs, which bound via covalent bonds (Apt-DTX-NPs). The particle size, size distribution, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and release profile of the NPs were characterized. Using MTT assay and flow-cytometry analysis, the in vitro cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of the NPs were compared to those of the free drug. Following intravenous administration of Taxotere®, DTX-NPs, and Apt-DTX-NPs (at an equivalent dose of 5 mg/kg of DTX), pharmacokinetic parameters and antitumor efficacy were compared in female Balb/c and HER-2-overexpressing tumor-bearing B6 athymic mice, respectively. Results The obtained results demonstrated significantly enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of Apt-DTX-NPs in a HER-2-overexpressing cell line, comparing to DTX-NPs and the free drug. The results of in vivo studies indicated significant increment in pharmacokinetic parameters including the area under the plasma concentration–time curve, mean residence time, and elimination half-life. Significant increment in antitumor efficacy was also observed, probably due to the targeted delivery of DTX to the tumor site and enhanced cellular uptake as evaluated in the aforementioned tests. Conclusion Hence, the proposed drug delivery system could be considered as an appropriate potential substitute for currently marketed DTX formulations.
Dynamic functions of RhoA in tumor cell migration and invasion

RhoA is one of the more extensively studied members of the Rho family of small GTPase where it is most readily recognized for its contributions to actin-myosin contractility and stress fiber formation. Accordingly, RhoA function during cell migration has been relegated to the rear of the cell where it mediates retraction of the trailing edge. However, RhoA can also mediate membrane ruffling, lamellae formation and membrane blebbing, thus suggesting an active role in membrane protrusions at the leading edge. With the advent of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based Rho activity reporters, RhoA has been shown to be active at the leading edge of migrating cells where it precedes Rac and Cdc42 activation. These observations demonstrate a remarkable versatility to RhoA signaling, but how RhoA function can switch between contraction and protrusion has remained an enigma. This review highlights recent advances regarding how the cooperation of Rho effector Rhotekin and S100A4 suppresses stress fiber generation to permit RhoA-mediated lamellae formation.
Effects of High-Pressure Treatment on Spores of Clostridium Species

ABSTRACT This work analyzes the high-pressure (HP) germination of spores of the food-borne pathogen Clostridium perfringens (with inner membrane [IM] germinant receptors [GRs]) and the opportunistic pathogen Clostridium difficile (with no IM GRs), which has growing implications as an emerging food safety threat. In contrast to those of spores of Bacillus species, mechanisms of HP germination of clostridial spores have not been well studied. HP treatments trigger Bacillus spore germination through spores' IM GRs at ∼150 MPa or through SpoVA channels for release of spores' dipicolinic acid (DPA) at ≥400 MPa, and DPA-less spores have lower wet heat resistance than dormant spores. We found that C. difficile spores exhibited no germination events upon 150-MPa treatment and were not heat sensitized. In contrast, 150-MPa-treated unactivated C. perfringens spores released DPA and became heat sensitive, although most spores did not complete germination by fully rehydrating the spore core, but this treatment of heat-activated spores led to almost complete germination and greater heat sensitization. Spores of both clostridial organisms released DPA during 550-MPa treatment, but C. difficile spores did not complete germination and remained heat resistant. Heat-activated 550-MPa-HP-treated C. perfringens spores germinated almost completely and became heat sensitive. However, unactivated 550-MPa-treated C. perfringens spores did not germinate completely and were less heat sensitive than spores that completed germination. Since C. difficile and C. perfringens spores use different mechanisms for sensing germinants, our results may allow refinement of HP methods for their inactivation in foods and other applications and may guide the development of commercially sterile low-acid foods. IMPORTANCE Spores of various clostridial organisms cause human disease, sometimes due to food contamination by spores. Because of these spores' resistance to normal decontamination regimens, there is continued interest in ways to kill spores without compromising food quality. High hydrostatic pressure (HP) under appropriate conditions can inactivate bacterial spores. With growing use of HP for food pasteurization, advancement of HP for commercial production of sterile low-acid foods requires understanding of mechanisms of spores' interactions with HP. While much is known about HP germination and inactivation of spores of Bacillus species, how HP germinates and inactivates clostridial spores is less well understood. In this work we have tried to remedy this information deficit by examining germination of spores of Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens by several HP and temperature levels. The results may give insight that could facilitate more efficient methods for spore eradication in food sterilization or pasteurization, biodecontamination, and health care.
Real-Time Bio Sensing Using Micro-Channel Encapsulated MEMS Resonators

This work presents a label-free bio-molecular detection technique based on realtime monitoring of the resonant frequency of micromechanical thermal-piezoresistive rotational mode disk resonators encapsulated in microfluidic channels. Mass loading via adsorption of molecular layers on the surface of such devices results in a frequency shift. In order to provide a reliable platform for sample-resonator interactions and to protect the resonators from contaminants, the resonators were encapsulated in PDMS-based microfluidic channels. Micro-channel encapsulation also allows insulation of electrical signals from the analyte solution. To characterize the performance of such devices as real-time label-free bio-molecular detectors, the strong non-covalent binding of Avidin with its ligand, biotin was utilized. To further validate the measured frequency shifts and confirm that the frequency shifts are due to molecular attachments to the resonator surfaces, fluorescent labeled molecules followed by fluorescent imaging was used confirming the existence of the expected molecular layers on the resonator surfaces.
Isolation of Nanocellulose from Rice Waste via Ultrasonication

In this work, nanocellulose were extracted from rice husk and rice straw. Initially, the samples were submitted to different types of chemical treatment then the obtained purified cellulose fibers separated using from ultrasonication. Nanocellulose isolated by mechanical treatment has been characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Surface morphology and size of nanocellulose studies using SEM and AFM revealed that there was a reduction in fiber diameter during ultrasonication. XRD results indicated that the crystallinity of nanocellulose was approximately 62% and 71% for rice straw and rice husk respectively. The TGA curve of the isolated nanocellulose after ultrasonic treatment shown a degradation behavior is quiet similar to purified cellulose fibers, suggesting that the ultrasonic treatment had slight effect on the thermal decomposition of the nanocellulose.
A novel method to isolate mesenchymal stem cells from mouse umbilical cord

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), derived from various tissues, are considered an ideal cell source for clinical use, among which MSCs from the umbilical cord exhibit advantages over those from adult tissues. In preclinical studies, mouse models and xenogeneic MSC treatment are most commonly used to imitate diseases and clinical practice, respectively. However, the efficiency of cross-species therapy remains controversial, making it difficult to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Thus, allogeneic therapy may be more instructive and meaningful in clinical use. To confirm this hypothesis, the present study established a novel method for the isolation and expansion of MSCs from mouse umbilical cords (mUC-MSCs) to support in vivo experiments in mice. MSCs were isolated from mUCs and mouse bone marrow (mBM), and then identified by flow cytometry. The differences in mUC-MSCs and mBM-MSCs were analyzed using a growth curve and their differentiation ability. The results showed that the harvested cells exhibited general characteristics of MSCs and possessed the capacity for long-term culture. Despite having similar morphology and surface antigens to MSCs derived from mouse bone marrow, the mUC-MSCs showed differences in purification, proliferation, stem cell markers and differentiation. In addition to detailed characterization, the present study verified the presence of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), an important component of immune responses, in mUC-MSCs. It was found that the activation of TLR3 upregulated the levels of stemness-related proteins, and enhanced the secretion and mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines in the pre-treated mUC-MSCs. Collectively, the results of the present study provide further insight into the features of newly established mUC-MSCs, providing novel evidence for the selection of murine MSCs and their responses to TLR3 priming.
Increased theta band EEG power in sickle cell disease patients

Objective Pain is a major issue in the care of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). The mechanisms behind pain and the best way to treat it are not well understood. We studied how electroencephalography (EEG) is altered in SCD patients. Methods We recruited 20 SCD patients and compared their resting state EEG to that of 14 healthy controls. EEG power was found across frequency bands using Welch’s method. Electrophysiological source imaging was assessed for each frequency band using the eLORETA algorithm. Results SCD patients had increased theta power and decreased beta2 power compared to controls. Source localization revealed that areas of greater theta band activity were in areas related to pain processing. Imaging parameters were significantly correlated to emergency department visits, which indicate disease severity and chronic pain intensity. Conclusion The present results support the pain mechanism referred to as thalamocortical dysrhythmia. This mechanism causes increased theta power in patients. Significance Our findings show that EEG can be used to quantitatively evaluate differences between controls and SCD patients. Our results show the potential of EEG to differentiate between different levels of pain in an unbiased setting, where specific frequency bands could be used as biomarkers for chronic pain.
Processes of deep‐water renewal in Lake Baikal

Deep‐water renewal in Lake Baikal (Siberia), the world’s deepest lake and largest lake by volume, is relatively fast. Water age calculated from tritium and helium as well as from chlorofluorocarbons does not exceed 19 yr. Relative saturation of dissolved oxygen typically exceeds 80%. The equation of state of Baikal water was determined including the effect of dissolved ions and silicic acid. Based on nearly 600 CTD profiles taken between 1993 and 1995, two mechanisms of deep‐water mixing were identified. (1) In spring, cold and relatively saline water from the Selenga, the major inflow to the lake, forms a density plume that reaches the bottom of the central basin during April and early May. Due to entrainment of lake water the plume transports about 125 km3 of water per year to the deepest part of the basin. Later in spring, the river water forms the thermal bar observed along the eastern shore. There are indications that parts of the Selenga are also plunging to the deep part of the southern basin. (2) At Academician Ridge, separating the cold and “saline” water of the central basin from the warmer and slightly less saline water of the northern basin, horizontal mixing results in a water mass that can sink on either side of the sill. Whereas in the central basin the water mass stays at intermediate depth, in the northern basin it sinks to the deepest part. More detailed data are needed to quantify this density flux. No indication of a wind‐induced thermobaric instability was found.
Enhanced Laminar Convective Heat Transfer using Microstructured Superhydrophobic Surfaces

For many centuries, researchers have investigated the complex interactions between a solid surface and a fluid in motion relative to the surface. For many cases, the classical no slip boundary condition holds true. However, there are a subset of situations where this assumption is not valid, and slip between the surface and fluid must be considered. One such example is a micropatterned, superhydrophobic surface, which has been shown to enable slip resulting in a decrease in drag and pressure loss for both laminar and turbulent flow. The hydrodynamic effects of these surfaces have been studied in depth, but the effects on heat transfer are largely unknown. The primary goal of this research effort was to explore the effects of slip flow on laminar convective heat transfer resulting from micropatterned, superhydrophobic surfaces. The first step toward achieving the research goal was to develop a model to study first order effects, predict the effect of slip flow on heat transfer, and design the experimental setup. The general momentum equation for Poiseuille flow was solved using modified vii boundary conditions consistent with slip flow, and the resulting velocity profile was input into the thermal balance equation which was numerically solved. The model assumed hydrodynamic slip but not thermal slip nor a temperature jump at the boundary, and as a result, it predicted a net increase in heat transfer performance. For the experimental portion of the study, laminar Poiseuille flow in a parallel plate configuration with a constant temperature boundary condition at 273 K using an ice bath was studied. Four sets of copper sample plates measuring 15 cm by 3.8 cm were fabricated with different surface condition: 1) uncoated smooth, 2) hydrophobic coated smooth, 3) uncoated micropatterned, and 4) hydrophobic coated micropatterned. The micropattern was a laser machined array of 25 m x 25 m microridges oriented in the streamwise direction. Contact angle measurements were made on all of the test samples to ensure the coated plates were hydrophobic and the uncoated plates were not. From the experimental results, several observations and conclusions were made. First, only the micropatterned, superhydrophobic coated sample achieved a slip state with an average slip length of 0.3 mm. Second, hydrodynamic slip was observed without the accompaniment of thermal slip since the heat transfer performance for the superhydrophobic sample was as good as or better than the baseline sample for all flow rates tested. Finally, it was concluded that micropatterned superhydrophobic surfaces reduce pressure loss and improve heat transfer as seen by the improved efficiency factor, which is the ratio between the Nusselt number and the friction loss.
Hydroxytyrosol contributes to cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in pulsed electromagnetic fields treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro

A variety of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) have been experimentally and clinically used in an effort to promote wound healing, although the mechanisms involved remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the action of a novel protocol of co-treatment with PEMFs and hydroxytyrosol (HTY) on the proliferation and differentiation potential of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The HUVECs were assigned randomly into three groups: Control, PEMF-treated and PEMF + HT-treated. The intensity of the electromagnetic field used in this protocol was 2.25 mT, the frequency of the bursts was 50 Hz and the application time was 15 min. A Cell Counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to assess cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis was analyzed by TUNEL apoptosis assay kit and calcein-acetoxymethyl/propidium iodide dual-staining assay. In addition, protein and mRNA expression levels of protein kinase B (Akt), mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and p53 were determined by western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays, respectively. The CCK-8 assay demonstrated that HTY contributed to HUVEC proliferation mediated by PEMFs in a time-dependent manner. The Transwell assay and scratch wound results demonstrated that co-treatment of HTY and PEMFs could increase HUVEC migration. Furthermore, the levels of apoptotic cells were reversed by pre-incubation with HTY in the PEMF treatment group, while PEMF treatment alone had no such effect. The proteins and mRNA expression levels of Akt, mTOR, TGF-β1 were elevated in co-treatment of HTY and PEMFs, whereas there was no effect on levels of p53. Therefore, the results indicated that combined exposure of HUVECs to PEMFs and HTY exerted protective effects in HUVECs by promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis. In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first to demonstrate the beneficial roles of HTY and PEMF combined treatment in HUVECs, which may represent an effective treatment for wound healing.