Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
S-Equol, a Major Isoflavone from Soybean, Inhibits Nitric Oxide Production in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Rat Astrocytes Partially via the GPR30-Mediated Pathway

Cumulative evidence indicates that estrogen receptor (ER) agonists attenuate neuroinflammation. Equol, a major isoflavone from soybean, exhibits estrogen-like biological activity, but their effect on inflammatory response has not been well established. Here, we investigated the effect of S-equol on nitric oxide (NO) production, well-known inflammatory change in astrocytes stimulated by LPS. S-Equol attenuated LPS-induced NO production with a concomitant decrease in expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS). S-Equol did not affect LPS-induced increase in intracellular ROS production. Intracellular ER blocker ICI 182.780 had no effect on S-equol-induced decrease in NO production. Addition of G-15, antagonist of G protein-coupled receptor 30 which is nongenomic ER and located on cell surface, partially recovered S-equol-induced attenuation of NO production. These findings suggest that attenuation of NO production by S-equol may mitigate LPS-induced neuroinflammation in astrocytes. S-Equol may exert a glioprotective effect, at least in part, via a nongenomic effect.
A Neutralizing Antibody Selected from Plasma Cells That Binds to Group 1 and Group 2 Influenza A Hemagglutinins

An antibody able to broadly neutralize both group 1 and group 2 influenza A viruses—and its target epitope—are identified. The isolation of broadly neutralizing antibodies against influenza A viruses has been a long-sought goal for therapeutic approaches and vaccine design. Using a single-cell culture method for screening large numbers of human plasma cells, we isolated a neutralizing monoclonal antibody that recognized the hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein of all 16 subtypes and neutralized both group 1 and group 2 influenza A viruses. Passive transfer of this antibody conferred protection to mice and ferrets. Complexes with HAs from the group 1 H1 and the group 2 H3 subtypes analyzed by x-ray crystallography showed that the antibody bound to a conserved epitope in the F subdomain. This antibody may be used for passive protection and to inform vaccine design because of its broad specificity and neutralization potency.
Fetal sex modifies effects of prenatal stress exposure and adverse birth outcomes

Abstract Prenatal maternal stress is associated with pregnancy complications, poor fetal development and poor birth outcomes. Fetal sex has also been shown to affect the course of pregnancy and its outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether fetal sex modifies the association between continuous exposure to life-threatening rocket attack alarms and adverse pregnancy outcomes. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in which the exposed group was comprised of 1846 women exposed to rocket-attack alarms before and during pregnancy. The unexposed group, with similar sociodemographic characteristics, delivered during the same period of time at the same medical center, but resided out of rocket-attack range. Multivariable models for each gender separately, controlling for possible confounders, evaluated the risk associated with exposure for preterm births (PTB), low birthweight (LBW), small for gestational age and small head circumference (HC). In both univariable and multivariable analyses exposure status was a significant risk factor in female fetuses only: PTB (adj. OR = 1.43; 1.04–1.96), LBW (adj. OR = 1.41; 1.02–1.95) and HC < 31 cm (adj. OR = 1.78; 1.11–2.88). In addition, regarding all adverse outcomes, the male-to-female ratio was higher in the exposed group than in the unexposed group. The findings support the hypothesis that male and female fetuses respond differentially to chronic maternal stress.
Microglial Activation After Systemic Stimulation With Lipopolysaccharide and Escherichia coli

Background: Microglial activation after systemic infection has been suggested to mediate sepsis-associated delirium. A systematic review of animal studies suggested distinct differences between microglial activation after systemic challenge with live bacteria and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Here, we describe a mouse model of microglial activation after systemic challenge with live Escherichia coli (E. coli) and compare results with systemic challenge with LPS. Methods: Sixty mice were intraperitoneally injected with E. coli (1 × 104 colony-forming units) and sacrificed at 12, 20, 48, and 72 h after inoculation. For 48 and 72 h time points, mice were treated with ceftriaxone. Thirty mice were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (5 mg/kg) and sacrificed 3 and 48 h after inoculation; 48 control mice were intraperitoneally injected with isotonic saline. Microglial response was monitored by immunohistochemical staining with Iba-1 antibody and flow cytometry; and inflammatory response by mRNA expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. Results: Mice infected with live E. coli showed microglial activation 72 h post-inoculation, with increased cell number in cortex (p = 0.0002), hippocampus (p = 0.003), and thalamus (p = 0.0001), but not in the caudate nucleus/putamen (p = 0.33), as compared to controls. At 72 h, flow cytometry of microglia from E. coli infected mice showed increased cell size (p = 0.03) and CD45 expression (p = 0.03), but no increase in CD11b expression, and no differences in brain mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators as compared to controls. In mice with systemic LPS stimulation, microglial cells were morphologically activated at the 48 h time point with increased cell numbers in cortex (p = 0.002), hippocampus (p = 0.0003), thalamus (p = 0.007), and caudate nucleus/putamen (p < 0.0001), as compared to controls. At 48 h, flow cytometry of microglia from LPS stimulated mice showed increased cell size (p = 0.03), CD45 (p = 0.03), and CD11b (p = 0.04) expression. Brain mRNA expression of TNF-α (p = 0.02), IL-1β (p = 0.02), and MCP-1 (p = 0.03) were increased as compared to controls. Interpretation: Systemic challenge with live E. coli causes a neuro-inflammatory response, but this response occurs at a later time point and is less vigorous as compared to LPS stimulation.The E. coli model mimics the clinical situation of infection associated delirium more closely than stimulation with supra-natural LPS.
Use-Dependent Hemispheric Balance

In the human brain, homologous regions of the primary motor cortices (M1s) are connected through transcallosal fibers. Interhemispheric communication between the two M1s plays a major role in the control of unimanual hand movements, and the strength of this connection seems to be dependent on arm activity. For instance, a lesion in the M1 can induce an increase in the excitability of the intact M1 and an abnormal high inhibitory influence onto the damaged M1. This can be attributable to either the disuse of the affected limb or the overuse of the unaffected one. Here, to directly investigate cortical modifications induced by an abnormal asymmetric use of the two limbs, we studied both the excitability of the two M1s and transcallosal interaction between them in healthy subjects whose right hand was immobilized for 10 h. The left “not-immobilized” arm was completely free to move in one group of participants (G1) and limited in the other one (G2). We found that the non-use reduced the excitability of the left M1 and decreased the inhibitory influence onto the right hemisphere in the two groups. However, an increase in the excitability of right M1 and a deeper inhibitory interaction onto the left hemisphere were evident only in G1. Thus, modifications in the right M1 were not directly produced by the non-use but would depend on the overuse of the “not-immobilized” arm. Our findings suggest that the balance between the two M1s is strongly use dependent.
Nmp4/CIZ suppresses parathyroid hormone‐induced increases in trabecular bone

The nucleocytoplasmic shuttling transcription factor Nmp4/CIZ (nuclear matrix protein 4/cas interacting zinc finger protein) is a ubiquitously expressed protein that regulates both cytoplasmic and nuclear activities. In the nucleus, Nmp4/CIZ represses transcription of genes crucial to osteoblast differentiation and genes activated by various anabolic stimuli, including parathyroid hormone (PTH). We investigated the role of Nmp4/CIZ in the PTH‐induced increase in bone by engineering mice with loss‐of‐function mutations in the Nmp4/CIZ gene, and treating 10‐week‐old female mice with anabolic doses of human PTH (1–34) at 30 µg/kg/day, 7 day/week, for 7 weeks or vehicle control. The untreated, baseline phenotype of the Nmp4‐null mice between 8 and 16 weeks of age included a modest but significant increase in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) compared to wild‐type (WT) mice. Type I collagen mRNA expression was moderately elevated in the femurs of the Nmp4‐null mice. The Nmp4 mutant alleles decreased body weight by 4% when expressed on a mixed background but the same alleles on a pure B6 background yielded a significant, 15% increase in body weight among the KO mice, compared to their WT controls. Hormone treatment equally enhanced BMD and BMC over vehicle‐treated mice in both the WT and Nmp4‐null groups but Nmp4‐KO mice exhibited a significantly greater PTH‐induced acquisition of femoral trabecular bone as compared to WT mice. These data support our hypothesis that Nmp4/CIZ is a transcriptional attenuator that suppresses osteoid synthesis and PTH‐mediated acquisition of cancellous bone. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 734–743, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Acceptability Prediction by Means of Grammaticality Quantification

We propose in this paper a method for quantifying sentence grammaticality. The approach based on Property Grammars, a constraint-based syntactic formalism, makes it possible to evaluate a grammaticality index for any kind of sentence, including ill-formed ones. We compare on a sample of sentences the grammaticality indices obtained from PG formalism and the acceptability judgements measured by means of a psycholinguistic analysis. The results show that the derived grammaticality index is a fairly good tracer of acceptability scores.
Mobile Robot Mapping and Localization in Non-Static Environments

Whenever mobile robots act in the real world, they need to be able to deal with non-static objects. In the context of mapping, a common technique to deal with dynamic objects is to filter out the spurious measurements corresponding to such objects. In this paper, we present a novel approach to estimate typical configurations of dynamic areas in the environment of a mobile robot. Our approach clusters local grid maps to identify the possible configurations. We furthermore describe how these clusters can be utilized within a Rao-Blackwellized particle filter to localize a mobile robot in a non-static environment. In practical experiments carried out with a mobile robot in a typical office environment, we demonstrate the advantages of our approach compared to alternative techniques for mapping and localization in dynamic environments.
Comparison of Provinces of Turkey In Terms of Accessing Health Care Services by Using Different Clustering Algorithms

Having access to health care services is the most primary of the basic human rights. It is vital that all citizens in a country are able to get these services equally and homogeneously. Despite its importance, providing health services vary from both country to country and between different provinces or states in country. Similarly, it may cause severe disparities and negative effects between individuals in the society. The primary concern of this study is to determine whether there is any difference between Turkey provinces in terms of accessing health care services, or not. Several clustering algorithms including hierarchical clustering, k-means and partitioning around medoids (pam) were applied to the data set including 31 health indicators of all provinces in Turkey. After comparing these algorithms via using some measures for determining the number of clusters and cluster validity, the findings showed that there were four distinct and significant clusters based on k-means clustering algorithm. It seemed that these clustering results were in a a close reciprocal relationship with the economic development and geographical location of provinces. Clustering results were evaluated and interpreted according to these two important findings.
2-Deoxyglucose Reverses the Promoting Effect of Insulin on Colorectal Cancer Cells In Vitro

An increased risk of colorectal cancer is related to the development of metabolic syndromes including hyperglycemia, and hyperinsulinemia. The high circulatory levels of glucose and/or insulin or the application of exogenous insulin may promote carcinogenesis, cancer progression and metastasis, which can be attributed to the Warburg effect or aerobic glycolysis. We attempted to resolve these existing questions by applying the glucose analog 2-deoxyglucose (2DG). According to the in vitro studies we performed, the glycolysis of colorectal cancer cells could be interrupted by 2DG as it decreased the cellular productions of ATP and lactate. In addition, 2DG induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, and inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of these cells. Since insulin can stimulate the cellular uptake of hexose, including 2DG, the combination of 2DG and insulin improved the cytotoxicity of 2DG and meanwhile overcame the cancer-promoting effects of insulin. This in vitro study provided a viewpoint of 2DG as a potential therapeutic agent against colorectal cancer, especially for patients with concomitant hyperinsulinemia or treated with exogenous insulin.
Folate, Vitamin B12 and Homocysteine Status in Women of Childbearing Age: Baseline Data of Folic Acid Wheat Flour Fortification in Iran

Background: Folic acid fortification implemented mandatorily in many countries has been associated with significant increase in blood folate concentrations and reduction in the prevalence of neural tube defects. However, there are controversial findings on the probability of vitamin B12 deficiency being masked in the population after folic acid fortification. Baseline data on folate and vitamin B12 status are necessary before mandatory flour fortification is implemented. Objectives: To assess dietary intake of folate and vitamin B12 and to determine blood concentrations of folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine in women of childbearing age as baseline data regarding folic acid fortification in Iran. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was performed with 579 healthy women as a representative sample of the Golestan province. Fasting blood samples were taken and dietary (24-hour recall), health and sociodemographic data were collected with an interview. Serum concentrations of folate and vitamin B12 were measured with radioimmunoassay, and plasma homocysteine concentrations were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Results: Mean serum concentrations of folate and vitamin B12 were 13.6 nmol/l (95% CI 12.8–14.4) and 194.4 pmol/l (95% CI 183.8–205.0), respectively. Inadequate serum folate levels were present in 14.3% of the women and 22.7% had serum vitamin B12 levels below normal. Mean plasma homocysteine concentration was 12.6 µmol/l (95% CI 12.1–13.2) and hyperhomocysteinemia was observed in 38.3% of the women. Mean daily intake of folate and vitamin B12 was 198.3 µg (95% CI 185.4–211.3) and 2.6 µg (95% CI 1.9–3.2), respectively. Folate intake from food was positively correlated with serum folate concentrations (r = 0.084, p < 0.05) and inversely correlated with plasma homocysteine concentrations (r = –0.115, p < 0.01). Conclusions: An insufficient vitamin B12 as well as folate status is present in Iranian women of childbearing age. The final evaluation will be carried out 18 months after flour fortification and the results will be compared with baseline data obtained from the present study in order to show the efficacy and safety of folic acid fortification in Iran.
Multiple primary tumors in the rabbit

0 BSERVATION of a carefully controlled colony of rabbits over the past two decades has disclosed a large number of spontaneous tumors. The tumors have been followed from inception to metastasis or death, and their natural histories and developmental relationships have been the subject of special investigation. ’-7 The developmental course of the growths has been remarkably constant in uncomplicated cases. The time and sequence of tissue alterations follow well-defined patterns, and aberrations in the regular progression of changes stand out as significant variations. A study of the variations from the point of view of causal genesis has been in progress for some time, and several factors are known to be of influence. Notable among these are certain constitutional anomalies and dietary deficiencies, but another factor of different nature and sometimes of dramatic expression is the presence of a second focus of neoplasia. The occurrence of multiple neoplastic foci in a single individual is a well-recognized phenomenon in man as well as in lower animals, and no attempt will be made to review or cite the voluminous literature. In general, the data reported are derived from autopsy protocols, and details essential to the purpose of the present paper are not available.
Interaction of acid mine drainage with waters and sediments of West Squaw Creek in the West Shasta Mining District, California.

Acid mine drainage has acidified large volumes of water and added high concentrations of dissolved heavy metals to West Squaw Creek, a California stream draining igneous rocks of low-acid-neutralizing capacity. During mixing of the acid sulfate streams waters in the South Fork of West Squaw Creek with an almost equal volume of dilute uncontaminated water, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Al remained in solution rather than precipitating or adsorbing on solid phases. Changes in the concentration of these generally conservative metals could be used to determine relative flow volumes of acid tributaries and the main stream. An amorphous orange precipitate (probably ferric hydroxides or a mixture of ferric hydroxides and jarosite) was ubiquitous in the acid stream beds and was intimately associated with algae at the most acid sites. Relative sorption of cations decreased with decreasing water pH. However, arsenic was almost completely scavenged from solution within a short distance from the sulfide sources. 25 references, 5 figures, 4 tables.
Characterization of a Diamond Ground Y-TZP and Reversion of the Tetragonal to Monoclinic Transformation.

PURPOSE To characterize the surface of an yttria-stabilized zirconia (Y-TZP) ceramic after diamond grinding in terms of its crystalline phase, morphology, mean roughness (Ra), and wettability as well as to determine a thermal treatment to reverse the resulting tetragonal to monoclinic (t-m) transformation. METHODS AND MATERIALS Y-TZP specimens were distributed into different groups according to the actions (or no action) of grinding and irrigation. Grinding was accomplished using a diamond stone at a low speed. The samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, goniometry, and profilometry. In situ high-temperature XRD was used to determine an annealing temperature to reverse the t-m transformation. Ra was submitted to the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by the Dunn test (α=0.05). The volume fraction of the monoclinic phase and contact angle were submitted to one-way analysis of variance, followed by the Tukey test (α=0.05). RESULTS Monoclinic zirconia was observed on the surface of samples after dry and wet grinding with a diamond stone. The volume fraction of the monoclinic phase was smaller on the dry ground samples (3.6%±0.3%) than on the wet ground samples (5.6%±0.3%). High-temperature XRD showed reversion of the t-m phase transformation, which started at 700°C and completed at 800°C in a conventional oven. CONCLUSIONS Grinding with a diamond stone partially transformed the crystalline phase on the surface of a Y-TZP ceramic from tetragonal to monoclinic zirconia while simultaneously increasing the surface roughness and wettability. The t-m transformation could be reversed by heat treatment at 800°C or 900°C for 60 minutes or 1000°C for 30 minutes.
Formulation and development of a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system of irbesartan

Irbesartan (IRB) is an angiotensin II receptor blocker antihypertensive agent. The aim of the present investigation was to develop a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) to enhance the oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble IRB. The solubility of IRB in various oils was determined to identify the oil phase of SNEDDS. Various surfactants and co-surfactants were screened for their ability to emulsify the selected oil. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed to identify the efficient self-emulsifying region. The optimized SNEDDS formulation contained IRB (75 mg), Cremophor® EL (43.33%), Carbitol® (21.67%) and Capryol® 90 (32%). SNEDDS was further evaluated for its percentage transmittance, emulsification time, drug content, phase separation, dilution, droplet size and zeta potential. The optimized formulation of IRB-loaded SNEDDS exhibited complete in vitro drug release in 15 min as compared with the plain drug, which had a limited dissolution rate. It was also compared with the pure drug solution by oral administration in male Wister rats. The in vivo study exhibited a 7.5-fold increase in the oral bioavailability of IRB from SNEDDS compared with the pure drug solution. These results suggest the potential use of SNEDDS to improve dissolution and oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble IRB.
Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) drying: fundamentals and applications

Following background to the phenomenon of electrohydrodynamics with concise review of basic features like shorter drying time, lower energy consumption and better product quality, the selected key factors affecting EHD drying are examined. These include the geometry of discharge electrodes, effects of air humidity on drying rate, depression of material temperature, and cooling effect of ionic wind. Examples are given for: (i) prototype EHD dryers of multi-belt types, and (ii) pilot-scale multi-belt EHD dryer in vertical arrangement that can be aggregated into one unit of higher capacity, and vertical cylindrical EHD dryer with vibrated shelves. Keywords: ionic wind; corona discharge; drying; energy; quality
Melting and Crystallization Behaviors of Poly(Lactic Acid) Modified with Graphene Acting as a Nucleating Agent

Abstract Graphene (GN)-filled polylactic acid (PLA) nanocomposites were prepared through a solution blending method with GN weight percent ranging from 0.5 to 2 wt%. Rheological, melting and crystallization behaviors of the prepared PLA/GN nanocomposites were investigated by means of dynamic rheological measurements and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The shear viscosities of the PLA/GN nanocomposites decreased with increasing GN content, which was remarkably different from previous reports on the modifications using traditional nanofillers (e.g., clay, carbon nanotubes, etc.). The nonisothermal melt crystallization kinetic analysis suggested that GN served as a nucleating agent and could considerably promote the PLA’s crystallization through heterogeneous nucleation. Our findings suggested that at relatively low cooling rates (ϕ ≤ 10 °C/min) even a small amount of GN promoted the nucleation and considerably increased the crystallization rate. However, the crystallinity began to decrease at higher cooling rates (e.g., ϕ ≥ 20 °C/min), especially when the GN content was high (e.g., 2 wt%), possibly owing to the GN aggregation effect considering PLA is a slowly crystallizing polymer.