Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Containment and growth of neuroblastoma cells on chemically patterned substrates

Patterned substrates offer the promise of controlled positioning and directional guidance of growing neurites. Therefore, they could be useful for constructing small neuronal networks with defined geometry in vitro. We have fabricated chemically patterned substrates using self-assembled monolayer films with a lithographic mask technique and demonstrated the feasibility for geometrically patterning neuroblastoma cells in culture. N-octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) was chemically bonded to glass and fused silica substrates, rendering the surface hydrophobic and non-adhesive to cells. Using surface analysis techniques, we have confirmed that OTS films were true monolayers and can be photocleaved from the surface by deep UV irradiation. An adhesive pattern of n-(2-aminoethyl-3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane was formed on a selectively irradiated OTS surface via a deep UV lithographic procedure. The chemically patterned surface was then seeded with SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells, and cellular attachment and growth were monitored by optical microscopy. The use of 2-dimensional substrates supported the containment and growth of neuroblastoma cells within the pattern for at least 15 days in culture. These chemical patterns may also be useful in controlled arrangements of hearts cells or muscle cells on prosthetic implant devices.
Personality in wild bonobos (Pan paniscus)

To understand the evolution of personality structure requires examining personality dimensions in multiple species using a common set of traits. Little research has been conducted on personality in wild populations of nonhuman primates. Using behavioral observations and questionnaire ratings, we examined factors influencing personality in 16 wild bonobos (Pan paniscus) at Wamba, Luo Scientific Reserve, Democratic Republic of the Congo. We extracted five factors from 31 of the items from the Hominoid Personality Questionnaire (HPQ) and three factors from observed behaviors. The HPQ factors were labeled UnemotionalityQ, FriendlinessQ, AggressivenessQ, IrritabilityQ, and ActivityQ. The behavioral factors were labeled GroomingB, PlayfulnessB, and IntroversionB. We established the convergent and divergent validity of these factors by obtaining correlations between the HPQ and behavioral factors. We tested for sex differences and found that males were significantly higher on IntroversionB and significantly lower in IrritabilityQ. We then tested for age differences and found that FriendlinessQ was lower and AggressivenessQ was higher in older individuals. Finally, we found that, among males, hierarchical rank was associated with higher AggressivenessQ. These findings contrast with findings in chimpanzees in ways consistent with known species differences. For one, consistent with the more egalitarian structure of bonobo society, we did not identify a clear Dominance factor. Also, the results related to sex differences were consistent with previous findings that reveal closer bonds between female bonobos than female chimpanzees. These findings highlight the importance of studying personality in closely related species and the need to consider species’ socioecology when studying personality. Am. J. Primatol. 78:1178–1189, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prediction of enteric methane production, yield, and intensity in dairy cattle using an intercontinental database

Enteric methane (CH4) production from cattle contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions. Measurement of enteric CH4 is complex, expensive, and impractical at large scales; therefore, models are commonly used to predict CH4 production. However, building robust prediction models requires extensive data from animals under different management systems worldwide. The objectives of this study were to (1) collate a global database of enteric CH4 production from individual lactating dairy cattle; (2) determine the availability of key variables for predicting enteric CH4 production (g/day per cow), yield [g/kg dry matter intake (DMI)], and intensity (g/kg energy corrected milk) and their respective relationships; (3) develop intercontinental and regional models and cross‐validate their performance; and (4) assess the trade‐off between availability of on‐farm inputs and CH4 prediction accuracy. The intercontinental database covered Europe (EU), the United States (US), and Australia (AU). A sequential approach was taken by incrementally adding key variables to develop models with increasing complexity. Methane emissions were predicted by fitting linear mixed models. Within model categories, an intercontinental model with the most available independent variables performed best with root mean square prediction error (RMSPE) as a percentage of mean observed value of 16.6%, 14.7%, and 19.8% for intercontinental, EU, and United States regions, respectively. Less complex models requiring only DMI had predictive ability comparable to complex models. Enteric CH4 production, yield, and intensity prediction models developed on an intercontinental basis had similar performance across regions, however, intercepts and slopes were different with implications for prediction. Revised CH4 emission conversion factors for specific regions are required to improve CH4 production estimates in national inventories. In conclusion, information on DMI is required for good prediction, and other factors such as dietary neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration, improve the prediction. For enteric CH4 yield and intensity prediction, information on milk yield and composition is required for better estimation.
Association of BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism and Brain BDNF Levels with Major Depression and Suicide

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD) and suicide. Both are partly caused by early life adversity (ELA) and ELA reduces both BDNF protein and gene expression. This study examines the association of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and brain BDNF levels with depression and suicide. We hypothesized that both MDD and ELA would be associated with the Met allele and lower brain BDNF levels. Such an association would be consistent with low BDNF mediating the effect of ELA on adulthood suicide and MDD. BDNF Val66Met polymorphism was genotyped in postmortem brains of 37 suicide decedents and 53 non-suicides. Additionally, BDNF protein levels were determined by Western blot in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (Brodmann area 9; BA9), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC; BA24), caudal brainstem and rostral brainstem. The relationships between these measures and major depression, death by suicide and reported childhood adversity were examined. Depressed subjects had an excess of the Met allele and lower BDNF levels in ACC and caudal brainstem compared with non-depressed subjects. No effect of history of suicide death or early life adversity was observed with genotype, but lower BDNF levels in ACC were found in subjects who had been exposed to early life adversity and/or died by suicide compared to nonsuicide decedents and no reported childhood adversity. This study provides further evidence for low BDNF in major depression related to the BDNF met risk allele. Future studies should seek to determine how altered BDNF expression contributes to MDD and suicide.
Impact of basal inferolateral scar burden determined by automatic analysis of 99mTc-MIBI myocardial perfusion SPECT on the long-term prognosis of cardiac resynchronization therapy

Aims Left-ventricular (LV) scarring may be associated with a poor response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The automatic analysis of myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (MP-SPECT) may provide objective quantification of LV scarring. We investigated the impact of LV scarring determined by an automatic analysis of MP-SPECT on short-term LV volume response as well as long-term outcome. Methods and Results We studied consecutive 51 patients who were eligible to undergo 99mTc-MIBI MP-SPECT both at baseline and 6 months after CRT (ischaemic cardiomyopathies 31%). Quantitative perfusion SPECT was used to evaluate the defect extent (an index of global scarring) and the LV 17-segment regional uptake ratio (an inverse index of regional scar burden). The primary outcome was the composite of overall mortality or first hospitalization for worsening heart failure. A high global scar burden and a low mid/basal inferolateral regional uptake ratio were associated with volume non-responders to CRT at 6 months. The basal inferolateral regional uptake ratio remained as a predictor of volume non-response after adjusting for the type of cardiomyopathy. During a median follow-up of 36.1 months, the outcome occurred in 28 patients. The patients with a low basal inferolateral regional uptake ratio with a cutoff value of 57% showed poor prognosis (log-rank P= 0.006). Conclusion The scarring determined by automatic analysis of MP-SPECT images may predict a poor response to CRT regardless of the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy. The basal inferolateral scar burden in particular may have an adverse impact on long-term prognosis.
Business group affiliation, ownership structure, and the cost of debt

This paper examines the relation between business group affiliation and the cost of debt capital. The co-insurance effect associated with business groups can reduce the cost of debt, while expropriation by controlling shareholders can raise the cost of debt. We find that firms affiliated with major Korean business groups (i.e., chaebols) enjoy a substantially lower cost of public debt than do independent firms, consistent with the co-insurance argument. We also examine several factors that influence the relation between group affiliation and the cost of debt, including a firm's uncertainty about the future payoffs of debtholders, pledgeable income, group-level resources, and position in the group structure. The results are all consistent with the co-insurance explanation. Our study highlights that the role of business groups in the debt market is distinct from the role of ownership structure.
Comprehensive study of symmetric key and asymmetric key encryption algorithms

Cloud computing emerged in the last years to handle systems with large-scale services sharing between vast numbers of users. It provides enormous storage for data and computing power to users over the Internet. There are many issues with the high growth of data. Data security is one of the most important issues in cloud computing. There are many algorithms and implementation for data security. These algorithms provided various encryption methods. In this work, We present a comprehensive study between Symmetric key and Asymmetric key encryption algorithms that enhanced data security in cloud computing system. We discuss AES, DES, 3DES and Blowfish for symmetric encryption algorithms, and RSA, DSA, Diffie-Hellman and Elliptic Curve, for asymmetric encryption algorithms.
Trabectedin Is Active against Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Cell and Xenograft Models and Synergizes with Chemotherapy and Bcl-2 Inhibition In Vitro

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is characterized by widespread resistance to systemic therapy. Trabectedin is an antineoplastic agent targeting both the malignant cells and the tumor microenvironment that has been approved for the treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcoma and ovarian cancer. In this preclinical study, we evaluated the antineoplastic potential of trabectedin as a single agent and in drug combination approaches in human MPM. Therefore, we utilized an extended panel of MPM cell lines (n = 6) and primary cell cultures from surgical MPM specimens (n = 13), as well as nonmalignant pleural tissue samples (n = 2). Trabectedin exerted a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect in all MPM cell cultures in vitro when growing as adherent monolayers or nonadherent spheroids with IC50 values ≤ 2.6 nmol/L. Nonmalignant mesothelial cells were significantly less responsive. The strong antimesothelioma activity was based on cell-cycle perturbation and apoptosis induction. The activity of trabectedin against MPM cells was synergistically enhanced by coadministration of cisplatin, a drug routinely used for systemic MPM treatment. Comparison of gene expression signatures indicated an inverse correlation between trabectedin response and bcl-2 expression. Accordingly, bcl-2 inhibitors (Obatoclax, ABT-199) markedly synergized with trabectedin paralleled by deregulated expression of the bcl-2 family members bcl-2, bim, bax, Mcl-1, and bcl-xL as a consequence of trabectedin exposure. In addition, trabectedin exerted significant antitumor activity against an intraperitoneal MPM xenograft model. Together, these data suggest that trabectedin exerts strong activity in MPM and synergizes with chemotherapy and experimental bcl-2 inhibitors in vitro. Thus, it represents a promising new therapeutic option for MPM. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(10); 2357–69. ©2016 AACR.
Prevalence, knowledge, and attitude of gutkha chewing among school children of Arsikere, India

Aims: To assess the prevalence, knowledge, and attitude of gutkha chewing among school children of Arsikere, India. Materials and Methods: Two thousand school children aged between 10 and 15 years were examined with individual interviews along with a questionnaire to evaluate the presence of betel nut and paan chewing habit in various forms. Children of both sexes were included in the study. Responses of all study population and the association between dependent and explanatory variables were assessed using Chi-square test. Results: Twenty-eight percent of children had the habit of gutkha chewing, more among boys than girls at the ratio of 4:1 which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The habit was more common in government school children than private school children; over 70% of children believed that it is a bad habit, but half the study population was not aware of side effects; 30% of children believed that it is not a bad habit and has no side effects. Conclusion: There is a higher prevalence of gutkha chewing habit in school children who are not aware of the side effects. Children themselves purchase the gutkha and betel nut sachets, hence the Government should ban the sale and purchase by children.
Testing the reciprocal associations among co-worker incivility, organisational inefficiency, and work-related exhaustion: A one-year, cross-lagged study

ABSTRACT In spite of the considerable number of studies on co-worker incivility, knowledge on this topic needs to be further enhanced. In particular, no studies have focused on the reciprocal nature of the relationship of incivility with other important aspects of working life, i.e. employee well-being and the quality of the working process. The aim of the present study was to examine the cross-lagged associations among co-worker incivility, work-related exhaustion, and organisational efficiency in a sample of healthcare workers. Based on the conservation of resource theory, we hypothesised that those three variables affect each other reciprocally over the time. Data from a two-wave study design (with a one-year time lag) were utilised, and cross-lagged structural equation models were performed. Results confirmed that incivility and efficiency affected each other reciprocally over time. On the other hand, whereas incivility positively predicted exhaustion and exhaustion at inversely predicted organisational efficiency, the opposite paths were found to be not significant. The study suggests that efficiency is crucial for understanding incivility because it operates both as its cause and as its outcome. Interventions aimed at promoting civility and respect in the workplace may help prevent co-worker incivility, work-related exhaustion, and enhance organisational efficiency.
The Role of Functional Amyloids in Multicellular Growth and Development of Gram-Positive Bacteria

Amyloid fibrils play pivotal roles in all domains of life. In bacteria, these fibrillar structures are often part of an extracellular matrix that surrounds the producing organism and thereby provides protection to harsh environmental conditions. Here, we discuss the role of amyloid fibrils in the two distant Gram-positive bacteria, Streptomyces coelicolor and Bacillus subtilis. We describe how amyloid fibrils contribute to a multitude of developmental processes in each of these systems, including multicellular growth and community development. Despite this variety of tasks, we know surprisingly little about how their assembly is organized to fulfill all these roles.
A score model to predict risk of events in patients with Brugada Syndrome

Aims Risk stratification in Brugada Syndrome (BS) remains challenging. Arrhythmic events can occur life-long and studies with long follow-ups are sparse. The aim of our study was to investigate long-term prognosis and risk stratification of BS patients. Methods and results A single centre consecutive cohort of 400 BS patients was included and analysed. Mean age was 41.1 years, 78 patients (19.5%) had a spontaneous type I electrocardiogram (ECG). Clinical presentation was aborted sudden cardiac death (SCD) in 20 patients (5.0%), syncope in 111 (27.8%) and asymptomatic in 269 (67.3%). Familial antecedents of SCD were found in 184 individuals (46.0%), in 31 (7.8%) occurred in first-degree relatives younger than 35 years. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) was placed in 176 (44.0%). During a mean follow-up of 80.7 months, 34 arrhythmic events occurred (event rate: 1.4% year). Variables significantly associated to events were: presentation as aborted SCD (Hazard risk [HR] 20.0), syncope (HR 3.7), spontaneous type I (HR 2.7), male gender (HR 2.7), early SCD in first-degree relatives (HR 2.9), SND (HR 5.0), inducible VA (HR 4.7) and proband status (HR 2.1). A score including ECG pattern, early familial SCD antecedents, inducible electrophysiological study, presentation as syncope or as aborted SCD and SND had a predictive performance of 0.82. A score greater than 2 conferred a 5-year event probability of 9.2%. Conclusions BS patients remain at risk many years after diagnosis. Early SCD in first-degree relatives and SND are risk factors for arrhythmic events. A simple risk score might help in the stratification and management of BS patients.
The 3′‐5′ exonuclease of DNA polymerase I of Escherichia coli: contribution of each amino acid at the active site to the reaction.

We have used site‐directed mutagenesis to change amino acid side chains that have been shown crystallographically to be in close proximity to a DNA 3′ terminus bound at the 3′‐5′ exonuclease active site of Klenow fragment. Exonuclease assays of the resulting mutant proteins indicate that the largest effects on exonuclease activity result from mutations in a group of carboxylate side chains (Asp355, Asp424 and Asp501) anchoring two divalent metal ions that are essential for exonuclease activity. Another carboxylate (Glu357) within this cluster seems to be less important as a metal ligand, but may play a separate role in catalysis of the exonuclease reaction. A second group of residues (Leu361, Phe473 and Tyr497), located around the terminal base and ribose positions, plays a secondary role, ensuring correct positioning of the substrate in the active site and perhaps also facilitating melting of a duplex DNA substrate by interacting with the frayed 3′ terminus. The pH‐dependence of the 3′‐5′ exonuclease reaction is consistent with a mechanism in which nucleophilic attack on the terminal phosphodiester bond is initiated by a hydroxide ion coordinated to one of the enzyme‐bound metal ions.
Do We Still Have a Digital Divide in Mental Health? A Five-Year Survey Follow-up

Background Nearly everyone in society uses the Internet in one form or another. The Internet is heralded as an efficient way of providing mental health treatments and services. However, some people are still excluded from using Internet-enabled technology through lack of resources, skills, and confidence. Objective Five years ago, we showed that people with severe mental illness were at risk of digital exclusion, especially middle-aged patients with psychosis and/or people from black or minority ethnic groups with psychosis. An understanding of the breadth of potential digital exclusion is vital for the implementation of digital health services. The aim of this study is to understand the context of digital exclusion for people who experience mental illness. Methods We conducted a survey involving people with a primary diagnosis of psychosis or depression in London, United Kingdom. A total of 241 participants were recruited: 121 with psychosis and 120 with depression. The majority of surveys were collected face-to-face (psychosis: n=109; depression: n=71). Participants answered questions regarding familiarity, access, use, motivation, and confidence with Internet-enabled technologies (ie, computers and mobile phones). Variables predicting digital exclusion were identified in regression analyses. The results were compared with the survey conducted in 2011. Results Digital exclusion has declined since 2011. Online survey collection introduced biases into the sample, masking those who were likely to be excluded. Only 18.3% (20/109) of people with psychosis in our sample were digitally excluded, compared with 30% (28/93) in 2011 (χ21=3.8, P=.04). People with psychosis had less confidence in using the Internet than people with depression (χ21=7.4, P=.004). Only 9.9% (24/241) of participants in the total sample were digitally excluded, but the majority of these people had psychosis (n=20). Those with psychosis who were digitally excluded were significantly older than their included peers (t30=3.3, P=.002) and had used services for longer (t97=2.5, P=.02). Younger people were more likely to use mobile phones. Digitally excluded participants cited a lack of knowledge as a barrier to digital inclusion, and most wanted to use the Internet via computers (rather than mobile phones). Conclusions Digital exclusion is lower, but some remain excluded. Facilitating inclusion among this population means helping them develop skills and confidence in using technology, and providing them with access. Providing mobile phones without basic information technology training may be counterproductive because excluded people may be excluded from mobile technology too. An evidence-based digital inclusion strategy is needed within the National Health Service to help digitally excluded populations access Internet-enabled services.