Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Emotion Disc and Emotion Squares: Tools to Explore the Facial Expression Space

In the paper we present two novel interactive tools, Emotion Disc and Emotion Squares, to explore the facial expression space. They map navigation in a two‐dimensional circle, by the first tool, or in two two‐dimensional squares, by the second tool, to the high‐dimensional parameter space of facial expressions, by using a small number of predefined reference expressions. They can be used as exploration tools by researchers, or as control devices by end‐users to put expressions on the face of embodied agents or avatars in applications like games, telepresence and education.
Stress and the neuroendocrine system: the role of exercise as a stressor and modifier of stress

In this article, the physiological impact of one form of stress – physical exercise – on the neuroendocrine system will be discussed. The specific intent of the review is to present an overview of stress endocrinology, the conceptual models associated with this area of study, and a discourse on the dual role of exercise as both a stressor and a modifier of stress within the neuroendocrine system. These points are addressed with respect to the current research literature dealing with exercise endocrinology in an adult population.
Activation of bovine neutrophils by partially purified Pasteurella haemolytica leukotoxin

In this study we developed a new method for the partial purification of Pasteurella haemolytica leukotoxin by size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography. The partially purified leukotoxin had a molecular weight of 104,000, as estimated by using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and reacted on an immunoblot with an antileukotoxin monoclonal antibody. As expected, high concentrations of the leukotoxin were inhibitory or lethal to bovine neutrophils. Incubation of bovine neutrophils with diluted leukotoxin, however, resulted in significant neutrophil activation that was comparable in magnitude to that obtained with standard activating agents such as opsonized zymosan or zymosan-activated serum. Dilute leukotoxin (1:128 to 1:8,192 dilutions) stimulated an oxidative burst (luminol-dependent chemiluminescence) by bovine neutrophils that was comparable in magnitude to that obtained with opsonized zymosan. Preincubation with leukotoxin did not significantly prime the neutrophils for an enhanced oxidative burst when they were then exposed to opsonized zymosan as a second stimulus. Dilute leukotoxin (1:100 to 1:1,000 dilutions) also stimulated cytoskeletal alterations in bovine neutrophils, as measured by a significant shape change response. Preferential release of secondary granule constituents (lactoferrin) occurred when neutrophils were incubated with 1:100 to 1:500 dilutions of leukotoxin. Significant release of primary granules, as measured by beta-glucosaminidase activity, was not observed except at low dilutions (1:20) of leukotoxin that resulted in significant release of cytosolic constituents (i.e., lactate dehydrogenase activity). The neutrophil-activating activity of the leukotoxin was heat labile, unaffected by polymyxin B, and abrogated by a leukotoxin-neutralizing monoclonal antibody. These data indicate that P. haemolytica leukotoxin, like the closely related Escherichia coli hemolysin, is a potent neutrophil-activating agent. Leukotoxin-stimulated release of neutrophil oxygen intermediates and granule constituents may contribute to the intense inflammation that characterizes bovine pulmonary pasteurellosis.
Upper arm venous compliance and fitness in stable coronary artery disease patients and healthy controls

Arteries have been examined extensively in coronary artery disease (CAD), while less attention has been paid to veins. Aims: (1) To determine whether venous compliance or venous outflow in the upper arm is reduced in CAD patients compared to healthy age‐ and fitness‐matched controls; and (2) to examine the association between upper arm venous compliance and total blood volume.
Early cranial patterning in the direct‐developing frog Eleutherodactylus coqui revealed through gene expression

SUMMARY Genetic and developmental alterations associated with the evolution of amphibian direct development remain largely unexplored. Specifically, little is known of the underlying expression of skeletal regulatory genes, which may reveal early modifications to cranial ontogeny in direct‐developing species. We describe expression patterns of three key skeletal regulators (runx2, sox9, and bmp4) along with the cartilage‐dominant collagen 2α1 gene (col2a1) during cranial development in the direct‐developing anuran, Eleutherodactylus coqui. Expression patterns of these regulators reveal transient skeletogenic anlagen that correspond to larval cartilages, but which never fully form in E. coqui. Suprarostral anlagen in the frontonasal processes are detected through runx2, sox9, and bmp4 expression. Previous studies have described these cartilages as missing from Eleutherodactylus cranial ontogeny. These transcriptionally active suprarostral anlagen fuse to the more posterior cranial trabeculae before they are detectable with col2a1 staining or with the staining techniques used in earlier studies. Additionally, expression of sox9 fails to reveal an early anterior connection between the palatoquadrate and the neurocranium, which is detectable through sox9 staining in Xenopus laevis embryos (a metamorphosing species). Absence of this connection validates an instance of developmental repatterning, where the larval quadratocranial commissure cartilage is lost in E. coqui. Expression of runx2 reveals dermal‐bone precursors several developmental stages before their detection with alizarin red. This early expression of runx2 correlates with the accelerated embryonic onset of bone formation characteristic of E. coqui and other direct‐developing anurans, but which differs from the postembryonic bone formation of most metamorphosing species. Together these results provide an earlier depiction of cranial patterning in E. coqui by using earlier markers of skeletogenic cell differentiation. These data both validate and modify previously reported instances of larval recapitulation and developmental repatterning associated with the evolution of anuran direct development.
Toxicodynamics of copper and cadmium in Folsomia candida exposed to simulated soil solutions

To improve our understanding of metal bioavailability to soil‐living invertebrates, the effect of porewater composition on the toxicodynamics of copper and cadmium in Folsomia candida (Collembola) was investigated. Assuming that porewater is the main exposure route, F. candida was exposed to simulated soil solutions of different composition. Toxicity of copper was slightly lower in a calcium‐only solution than in a multication solution. With increasing copper concentrations from 0.005 mM to 1.37 mM, internal copper concentrations similarly increased in both exposure solutions, suggesting that a single cation nutrient solution is suitable for testing F. candida. In the second experiment, animals were exposed for 7 d to copper and cadmium in simplified soil solutions with different calcium (0.2 mM, 0.8 mM, 3.2 mM, 12.8 mM) and pH (5.0, 6.0, 7.0) levels. The median lethal concentration (LC50) values decreased with time in both the calcium and pH series. A hormetic‐type effect was observed for copper in the second test, as well as in the calcium‐only solution in the first experiment. Because of stronger hormesis, LC50s for copper were higher at lower calcium concentrations. For cadmium, LC50 values were higher at higher calcium concentrations, suggesting competition of calcium with the free cadmium ion. Toxicity of cadmium increased with decreasing pH, while copper was more toxic at intermediate pH. The results show that a toxicodynamics approach can help to improve the interpretation of metal toxicity to soil invertebrates, taking into account soil solution properties. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:2746–2754. © 2013 SETAC
Plasma Pharmacokinetics of Polyphenols in a Traditional Japanese Medicine, Jumihaidokuto, Which Suppresses Propionibacterium acnes-Induced Dermatitis in Rats

Most orally administered polyphenols are metabolized, with very little absorbed as aglycones and/or unchanged forms. Metabolic and pharmacokinetic studies are therefore necessary to understand the pharmacological mechanisms of polyphenols. Jumihaidokuto (JHT), a traditional Japanese medicine, has been used for treatment of skin diseases including inflammatory acne. Because JHT contains various types of bioactive polyphenols, our aim was to clarify the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of the polyphenols in JHT and identify active metabolites contributing to its antidermatitis effects. Orally administered JHT inhibited the increase in ear thickness in rats induced by intradermal injection of Propionibacterium acnes. Quantification by LC-MS/MS indicated that JHT contains various types of flavonoids and is also rich in hydrolysable tannins, such as 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl glucose. Pharmacokinetic and antioxidant analyses showed that some flavonoid conjugates, such as genistein 7-O-glucuronide and liquiritigenin 7-O-glucuronide, appeared in rat plasma and had an activity to inhibit hydrogen peroxide-dependent oxidation. Furthermore, 4-O-methylgallic acid, a metabolite of Gallic acid, appeared in rat plasma and inhibited the nitric oxide reaction. JHT has numerous polyphenols; it inhibited dermatitis probably via the antioxidant effect of its metabolites. Our study is beneficial for understanding in vivo actions of orally administered polyphenol drugs.
Occult hepatitis C virus infection among Egyptian hemodialysis patients

Occult hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (OCI) was reported in an apparently disease‐free state in the absence of liver disease, anti‐HCV and HCV‐RNA in the serum. The existing data examining the clinical significance of OCI and its potential as a source of HCV infection among hemodialysis patients are very limited. We examined the presence of OCI among patients on maintenance hemodialysis at Minia Governorate, Egypt; an HCV endemic country. A total of 81 subjects with negative markers for HCV were enrolled. HCV‐RNA was tested in PBMCs by real‐time PCR. For the 81 subjects, the average dialysis duration was 32.7 ± 21.7 months and the average ALT level (±SD) was 26 ± 12 U/L while that of AST was 29 ± 16 U/L. Out of the 81 subjects, three (3.7%) were HCV‐RNA positive in PBMCs in the absence of serum anti‐HCV and HCV‐RNA indicating OCI. The viral load of the OCI subjects ranged from 172 to 4150 IU/ml. History of liver disease was positive in one of the three positive patients. These results highlight the potential risk of HCV transmission from patients within hemodialysis units in Egypt. J. Med. Virol. 88:1388–1393, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cellularity and Adipogenic Profile of the Abdominal Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue From Obese Adolescents: Association With Insulin Resistance and Hepatic Steatosis

OBJECTIVE We explored whether the distribution of adipose cell size, the estimated total number of adipose cells, and the expression of adipogenic genes in subcutaneous adipose tissue are linked to the phenotype of high visceral and low subcutaneous fat depots in obese adolescents. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 38 adolescents with similar degrees of obesity agreed to have a subcutaneous periumbilical adipose tissue biopsy, in addition to metabolic (oral glucose tolerance test and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp) and imaging studies (MRI, DEXA, 1H-NMR). Subcutaneous periumbilical adipose cell-size distribution and the estimated total number of subcutaneous adipose cells were obtained from tissue biopsy samples fixed in osmium tetroxide and analyzed by Beckman Coulter Multisizer. The adipogenic capacity was measured by Affymetrix GeneChip and quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS Subjects were divided into two groups: high versus low ratio of visceral to visceral + subcutaneous fat (VAT/[VAT+SAT]). The cell-size distribution curves were significantly different between the high and low VAT/(VAT+SAT) groups, even after adjusting for age, sex, and ethnicity (MANOVA P = 0.035). Surprisingly, the fraction of large adipocytes was significantly lower (P < 0.01) in the group with high VAT/(VAT+SAT), along with the estimated total number of large adipose cells (P < 0.05), while the mean diameter was increased (P < 0.01). From the microarray analyses emerged a lower expression of lipogenesis/adipogenesis markers (sterol regulatory element binding protein-1, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase) in the group with high VAT/(VAT+SAT), which was confirmed by RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS A reduced lipo-/adipogenic capacity, fraction, and estimated number of large subcutaneous adipocytes may contribute to the abnormal distribution of abdominal fat and hepatic steatosis, as well as to insulin resistance in obese adolescents.
PDGF α-receptor is unresponsive to PDGF-AA in aortic smooth muscle cells from the NG 2 knockout mouse

The behavior of vascular smooth muscle cells during development and in a variety of pathological situations is known to be dependent on the action of specific growth factors, such as PDGF, bFGF, EGF, and IGF-1 (Lindner et al., 1990; Lindner and Reidy, 1991; Ferns et al., 1991; Yamamoto and Yamamoto, 1994). Acting through cell surface signaling receptors, these growth factors control the ability of smooth muscle cells to proliferate, migrate, and differentiate in response to changes in the local environment. In addition to the actual signaling receptors, several proteoglycans, including syndecan, betaglycan, and decorin, are thought to be involved in modulating or facilitating cellular responses to growth factors (Yamaguchi et al., 1990; Lopez-Casillas et al., 1993; Steinfeld et al., 1996; Kaname and Ruoslahti, 1996). Previous work in our laboratory has demonstrated that the membranespanning chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan NG2 plays a role in the ability of aortic smooth muscle cells to respond to plateletderived growth factor (PDGF). Specifically, the ability of rat aortic smooth muscle cells to undergo mitosis and to migrate in response to PDGF-AA were both inhibited by antibodies against NG2 (Grako and Stallcup, 1995). In contrast, anti-NG2 antibodies did not affect mitosis or migration induced by PDGF-BB. Since PDGF-AA activates the PDGF α-receptor, but not the PDGF β-receptor (Seifert et al., 1989), these results suggested that signaling through the PDGF α-receptor is specifically disrupted in some fashion by the anti-NG2 antibodies. These conclusions were strengthened by a series of parallel findings obtained in studies of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. During central nervous system development, NG2 and PDGF α-receptor were found to be co-expressed by immature oligodendrocyte progenitors and to be coordinately downr gulated as the progenitors differentiated into oligodendrocytes (Nishiyama et al., 1996a). NG2 and PDGF α-receptor were also highly co-localized to the same cell surface microdomains of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in vitro. Furthermore, NG2 and PDGF α-receptor could be coordinately upor downregulated, respectively, by exposure to or withdrawal from bFGF, once again suggesting the existence of an association between the two molecules. Finally, as with aortic smooth muscle cells, the ability of oligodendrocyte progenitors to proliferate in response to PDGF could be blocked by antibodies against NG2 (Nishiyama et al., 1996b). In addition to the use of antibodies, another strategy for demonstrating physiological roles for NG2 involves the comparison of cells with and without the proteoglycan. For 905 Journal of Cell Science 112, 905-915 (1999) Printed in Great Britain © The Company of Biologists Limited 1999 JCS0193
Effects of some K+‐channel inhibitors on the electrical behaviour of guinea‐pig isolated trachealis and on its responses to spasmogenic drugs

1 A study has been made of the effects of inhibitors selective among plasmalemmal K+‐channels on the sensitivity and responsiveness of guinea‐pig trachealis muscle to carbachol, histamine and KCl. The effects of the K+‐channel inhibitors on the resting membrane potential and spontaneous electrical activity of the trachealis cells have also been examined. 2 In indomethacin (2.8 μm)‐treated trachealis muscle, dofetilide (1 μm) and glibenclamide (10 μm) were each devoid of spasmogenic activity. In contrast 4‐aminopyridine (4‐AP, 62.5 μm‐8 mM), charybdotoxin (ChTX, 100 nM) and iberiotoxin (IbTX, 100 nM) were each spasmogenic. Spasm evoked by 4‐AP, IbTX or ChTX was reduced, though not abolished, by atropine (1 μm). Spasm evoked by 4‐AP (1 mM), ChTX (100 nM) or IbTX (100 nM) was unaffected by tetrodotoxin (TTX; 3.1 μm) or by tissue pretreatment with capsaicin (1 μm for 30 min). Spasm evoked by IbTX or ChTX was abolished by nifedipine (1 μm). 3 Dofetilide (1 μm) and glibenclamide (10 μm) were each without effect on the tracheal sensitivity or responsiveness to carbachol, histamine or KCl. 4‐AP (1 mM) antagonized carbachol, potentiated histamine but did not affect tissue sensitivity to KCl. When the effects of 4‐AP were examined in the presence of atropine (1 μm), it potentiated all the spasmogens including carbachol. IbTX and ChTX (each 100 nM) potentiated all three spasmogens. Potentiation of histamine induced by 4‐AP (1 mM) or IbTX (100 nM) was also observed in tissues treated with a combination of atropine (1 μm) and TTX (3.1 μm). 4 Dofetilide (1 and 10 μm) was without effect on the resting membrane potential or spontaneous electrical activity of the trachealis cells. 4‐AP (1 mM) evoked depolarization and caused a small increase in the frequency of slow wave discharge. The depolarization evoked by 4‐AP was abolished by atropine (1 μm). IbTX (100 nM) and ChTX (100 nM) each evoked little or no change in resting membrane potential but converted the spontaneous slow waves into spike‐like, regenerative action potentials. These electrophysiological effects of IbTX and ChTX were unaffected by atropine (1 μm). 5 It is concluded that the dofetilide‐sensitive, cardiac, delayed rectifier K+‐channel is either not expressed in trachealis muscle or is of no functional importance in that tissue. The ATP‐sensitive K+‐channel (KATP) does not moderate tracheal sensitivity to spasmogens such as carbachol, histamine and KCl. The 4‐AP‐sensitive delayed rectifier K+‐channel (Kdr) and the large Ca2+‐dependent K+‐channel (BKCa) each moderate trachealis muscle sensitivity to spasmogens. Neither Kdr nor BKCa plays an important role in determining the resting membrane potential of guinea‐pig trachealis cells. However, the BKCa channel is responsible for limiting the effects of the increase in membrane Ca2+ conductance associated with the depolarizing phase of slow waves. It is BKCa channel opening that prevents the development of a slow wave into a spike‐like, regenerative action potential.
Effect of Chlorhexidine on Microleakage of Composite

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of concepsis (a chlorhexidine gluconate based cavity disinfectant) application on composite restorations micro leakage, using two adhesive systems: Excite and Adhese. Materials and Methods: In this interventional experimental study, class V cavities were prepared on buccal surfaces of seventy-two extracted bovine incisors. The specimens were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=12): A1: Acid Eching (AE), Excite; A2: AE, Concepsis, blot drying, Excite; A3: AE, Concepsis, water rinsing, Excite; B1: AE (only enamel margin), Adhese; B2: AE (only enamel margin), Concepsis, blot drying, Adhese; B3: AE (only enamel margin), Concepsis, water ringsing, Adhese. Afterwards, the cavities were restored with tetric Ceram composite, thermo-cycled (5 to 50°C, dwell time: 30s, 1000 cycles,), immersed in 0.5% methylen blue for 24 hours and the dye penetration was evaluated and scored on a scale on 0 to 4 under stereomicroscope (×30). The data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Multiple Comparison tests. Results: The only statistically significant difference was found between groups B1 and B2 at both occlusal and gingival margins. (P<0.05) Conclusion: Rinsing off the cavity disinfectant (Concepsis) before the bonding procedure does not affect the seal at the resin-tooth interface when using either of the adhesive systems; however, the sealing ability of Adhese seems to be inhibited by the remnants of the disinfecting agent.
HIV-1 infection – induced apoptotic microparticles inhibit human DCs via CD 44

Acute HIV-1 infection results in dysregulated immunity, which contributes to poor control of viral infection. DCs are key regulators of both adaptive and innate immune responses needed for controlling HIV-1, and we surmised that factors elicited during acute HIV-1 infection might impede DC function. We derived immature DCs from healthy donor peripheral blood monocytes and treated them with plasma from uninfected control donors and donors with acute HIV-1 infections. We found that the plasma from patients with HIV specifically inhibited DC function. This suppression was mediated by elevated apoptotic microparticles derived from dying cells during acute HIV-1 infection. Apoptotic microparticles bound to and inhibited DCs through the hyaluronate receptor CD44. These data suggest that targeting this CD44-mediated inhibition by apoptotic microparticles could be a novel strategy to potentiate DC activation of HIV-specific immunity. Research Article AIDS/HIV
Regulating telomere length from the inside out: the replication fork model

Telomere length is regulated around an equilibrium set point. Telomeres shorten during replication and are lengthened by telomerase. Disruption of the length equilibrium leads to disease, thus it is important to understand the mechanisms that regulate length at the molecular level. The prevailing protein counting model for regulating telomerase access to elongate the telomere does not explain accumulating evidence of a role of DNA replication in telomere length regulation. Here I present an alternative model: the replication fork model that can explain how passage of a replication fork and regulation of origin firing affect telomere length.
An update in the nonendoscopic treatment of gastric cancer

Purpose of review This article reviews the recent seminal studies in esophagogastric cancer. Recent findings Regular low aspirin use may reduce the risk of esophagogastric cancer. Laparoscopic resection of locally advanced gastric cancer appears equivalent to open resection. There is no survival benefit for the addition of postoperative radiation therapy to adjuvant chemotherapy after primary gastric cancer resection. For tumors of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction, the combination of preoperative radiation therapy with concurrent chemotherapy may be required to ensure achievement of a negative surgical margin and to reduce local tumor recurrence. Epirubicin may not add benefit to fluorinated pyrimidine and platinum-based chemotherapy, either in the preoperative setting or in the treatment of metastatic disease. The Her2-targeted agents lapatinib and trastuzumab emtansine failed to improve outcome when either added to or compared with chemotherapy. Immune checkpoint inhibition appears to be active in metastatic gastric cancer. Summary Recent studies in esophagogastric cancer help clarify the role of radiation therapy in surgical management, as well as the role of chemotherapeutic and targeted agents.