Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chromosome instability drives phenotypic switching to metastasis

Significance Chromosome instability and its resulting karyotypic heterogeneity make up one of the most striking characteristics of human cancers. Yet whether chromosome loss or gain drives tumor progression to metastasis remains unknown. Here we show that clonal populations of epithelial cells spontaneously generate mesenchymal variants. These variants have potential for reverting to an epithelial phenotype. Importantly, we show that the successive phenotypic variants selectively eliminate or acquire chromosome segments that harbor genes encoding intercellular junctional proteins and their regulators. Thus, tumor metastasis can be a clonal process driven by chromosome instability. Chromosome instability (CIN) is the most striking feature of human cancers. However, how CIN drives tumor progression to metastasis remains elusive. Here we studied the role of chromosome content changes in generating the phenotypic dynamics that are required for metastasis. We isolated epithelial and mesenchymal clones from human carcinoma cell lines and showed that the epithelial clones were able to generate mesenchymal variants, which had the potential to further produce epithelial revertants autonomously. The successive acquisition of invasive mesenchymal and then epithelial phenotypes recapitulated the steps in tumor progression to metastasis. Importantly, the generation of mesenchymal variants from clonal epithelial populations was associated with subtle changes in chromosome content, which altered the chromosome transcriptome and influenced the expression of genes encoding intercellular junction (IJ) proteins, whereas the loss of chromosome 10p, which harbors the ZEB1 gene, was frequently detected in epithelial variants generated from mesenchymal clones. Knocking down these IJ genes in epithelial cells induced a mesenchymal phenotype, whereas knocking down the ZEB1 gene in mesenchymal cells induced an epithelial phenotype, demonstrating a causal role of chromosome content changes in phenotypic determination. Thus, our studies suggest a paradigm of tumor metastasis: primary epithelial carcinoma cells that lose chromosomes harboring IJ genes acquire an invasive mesenchymal phenotype, and subsequent chromosome content changes such as loss of 10p in disseminated mesenchymal cells generate epithelial variants, which can be selected for to generate epithelial tumors during metastatic colonization.
Viewpoint of Mothers of Premature Newborns about Nursing Supports in Neonatal Intensive Care Units

Introduction: Prematurity is the leading cause of mortality in newborns without congenital anomalies worldwide. A premature newborn has a devastating effect on parents'roles, especially the mothers’, and creates sentimental and vague feelings for mothers. Although advances in technology and high levels of nursing care provide mothers with adequate support and relative independence in child care, it is practically difficult to terminate nursing care and leave it to the mothers. Objective : The present study aimed to determine the viewpoints of mothers of premature newborns about the importance and amount of the support received from nurses. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with a gradual approach over three months on 160 mothers of premature newborns with a history of hospitalization for at least 24 hours in NICUs of Rasht educational-medical centers in 2014.Data collection tool was a mother/child demographic questionnaire and the 21-item Nurse-Parent Support Tool. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Spearman’s correlation coefficient). Results: The results showed that the highest and lowest amounts of support received by mothers were in the care giving support (69.87±3.0) and parental esteem (96.85±2.0), respectively. Also, according to the mothers, care giving support (39.7±4.0) was the most and emotional support (75.0±3.99) was the least important domain. The results revealed a significant relationship and inverse correlation between the mean score of giving and receiving parental esteem (r = -0.184, p = 0.02) and the mean total score of giving and receiving support from the viewpoint of mothers and nurses (r = -0.183, p = 0.012). Conclusion: Mothers would like to have the highest amount of support in providing the best care for their newborns. Mothers’ most dissatisfaction was with the supportive communication and parental esteem domains which were important for mothers but received little attention from nurses. Therefore, these domains should be addressed and ways should be introduced for their provision in family-centered care.
Does a critical rotator cuff tear stage exist?: a biomechanical study of rotator cuff tear progression in human cadaver shoulders.

BACKGROUND It is unknown at which stage of rotator cuff tear the biomechanical environment is altered. The purpose of this study was to determine if a critical rotator cuff tear stage exists that alters glenohumeral joint biomechanics throughout the rotational range of shoulder motion, and to evaluate the biomechanical effect of parascapular muscle-loading. METHODS Eight cadaver shoulders were used with a custom testing system. Four progressive rotator cuff tear stages were investigated on the basis of footprint anatomy. Three muscle-loading conditions were examined: rotator cuff only; rotator cuff with deltoid muscle; and rotator cuff, deltoid, pectoralis major, and latissimus dorsi muscles. Testing was performed in the scapular plane with 0°, 30°, and 60° of shoulder abduction. The maximum internal and external rotations were measured with 3.4 Nm of torque. The position of the humeral head apex with respect to the glenoid was calculated with use of a MicroScribe 3DLX digitizing system throughout the rotational range of motion. The abduction capability was determined as the abduction angle achieved with increasing deltoid load. RESULTS Tear of the entire supraspinatus tendon significantly increased maximum external rotation and significantly decreased abduction capability with higher deltoid loads (p < 0.05). Tear of the entire supraspinatus tendon and half of the infraspinatus tendon significantly shifted the humeral head apex posteriorly at the midrange of rotation and superiorly at maximum internal rotation (p < 0.05). Loading the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi muscles decreased the amount of humeral head elevation due to deltoid loading. CONCLUSIONS Tear of the entire supraspinatus tendon was the critical stage for increasing rotational range of shoulder motion and for decreased abduction capability. Further tear progression to the infraspinatus muscle was the critical stage for significant changes in humeral head kinematics. The pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi muscles played an important role in stabilizing the humeral head as the rotator cuff tear progressed.
INCREASED CONTRACAECUM OSCULATUM INFECTION IN BALTIC COD (GADUS MORHUA) LIVERS (1982–2012) ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASING GREY SEAL (HALICHOERUS GRYPHUS) POPULATIONS

Abstract Grey seals (Halichoerus gryphus), the main final host of the gastric parasitic nematode Contracaecum osculatum in the Baltic, have recently recolonized the southwestern Baltic Sea. This colonization could lead to an increase in prevalence and intensity of third-stage larvae of C. osculatum in livers of Baltic cod (Gadus morhua), which serve as transport host for this helminth. We performed a parasitologic study of cod in spring 2012 and compared the results with previously unpublished data from 1982/1983. Additionally, grey seals were counted annually from 2000 to 2011 at three haul-out sites in the southwestern Baltic. Of 97 cod livers examined in the 1982/1983 survey, 22% harbored C. osculatum larvae, whereas 55.1% of the examined cod livers (n = 185) were infected in 2012; the mean intensity and mean abundance increased from 4.3 and 0.9 to 20.2 and 11.1, respectively. Molecular identification (PCR) confirmed the identity of the larvae. The grey seal population increased markedly during the 12-yr period. We suggest that the elevated parasitism of cod livers is associated with the successful re-establishment of grey seals in the southwestern Baltic.
Contribution of Central Nervous System to Hypertension: role of Angiotensin II and Nitric Oxide

The contribution of the central nervous system (CNS) to the development and maintenance of high blood pressure is well established. Increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system during hypertensive conditions has been demonstrated experimentally and clinically. Different types of dysregulation in CNS, as seen by alterations in neurotransmitter production and baroreceptor reflex function, have been detected in early stages of hypertension. It was demonstrated that centrally acting drugs such as a-methyldopa, clonidine or reserpine effectively lower blood pressure. Moreover, in animal experiments renal hypertension could be prevente d by central chemical sympathectomy. And psychosocial stress-induced su
Organic nitrogen in rain and aerosol in the eastern Mediterranean atmosphere: An association with atmospheric dust

[1] From March through early May of 2000, rain and bulk aerosol samples were collected at a coastal site on the eastern Mediterranean Sea at Erdemli, Turkey, and analyzed for nitrogen (N) species, including nitrate (NO3−), nitrite (NO2−), ammonium (NH4+), water-soluble organic N, urea, and dissolved free amino acids. Other ions were also analyzed, including Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, Cl−, and SO42−. Water-soluble organic N was found to contribute ∼17% and ∼26% of the total water-soluble N in rain and aerosols, respectively. Organic N concentrations within rain and aerosols exhibited statistically significant linear relationships to Ca2+ ion (Rsqr ∼ 0.75, P < 0.05), suggesting a relationship to calcite (CaCO3) in atmospheric dust. Kinematic trajectory analyses indicated the origin of winds from arid regions, mainly in northern Africa, in 70% of the aerosols sampled. Earth Probe/Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer aerosol index data also confirmed the influence of atmospheric dust in the region on days when Ca2+ concentrations were elevated, and trajectory analyses suggested northern Africa as a source region. The combined ion, trajectory, and aerosol index data suggest that organic N is associated with atmospheric dust in this region. Urea N and amino N represented a small percentage of the organic N fraction. In rain and aerosols, urea represented ∼11% and <1%, respectively, of the total organic N. While amino N contributed minimally to organic N totals (∼1% of total organic N in aerosols), the individual amino acids contributing ∼75% of amino N were indicative of biological organisms. Further research is needed to decipher the influence from biology and gas phase adsorption of anthropogenically derived water-soluble organics on organic N totals.
A Cross-Disciplinary Study of What Determines the Adoption of MDS

Mobile data services (MDS) have been attracting increasing scholarly attention in recent years. In this paper, a cross-disciplinary model, established with established critical factors derived from traditional information systems models and the means-end chain approach, is used to explore what affects customers' willingness to pay for MDS. In addition, the hybrid framework highlights the multiple attributes of MDS, user's multiple dimensions of needs and multiple purposes for adopting MDS. Testing the model with survey data collected from 271 MDS users, the research shows that users' perceived benefits of MDS most significantly explain their desire and demand for MDS. Financial indicators (e.g., affordability and income) also play an important role in determining users' willingness to spend on MDS. Past experiences slightly affect users' willingness to spend on MDS. While gender makes a difference, age and education do not show such a significant effect.
Choroidal and retinal thickening in severe preeclampsia.

PURPOSE To compare choroidal thickness and retinal macular volume (RMV) among three groups of women: severe preeclampsia postpartum, normotensive postpartum, and normotensive nongravid. While visual disturbances often accompany severe preeclampsia, the underlying choroidal and retinal changes responsible for these symptoms have not been described. METHODS This case-control study was based on 15 severe preeclampsia cases and 15 ethnicity- and parity-matched normotensive controls recruited during the postpartum hospital stay. A reference group of 19 age-matched, nongravid, normotensive women was also studied. Choroidal thickness and RMV were measured by using enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Two retinal specialists, one of whom was masked to the case-control status, reviewed all images. RESULTS Severe preeclampsia cases demonstrated greater mean choroidal thickness (425 ± 90 μm vs. 354 ± 140 μm; P = 0.021) and RMV (9.0 ± 0.4 mm(3) vs. 8.7 ± 0.5 mm(3); P = 0.006) than controls. In contrast, control and reference groups were similar with respect to choroidal thickness (354 ± 140 μm vs. 363 ± 82 μm; P = 0.764) and RMV (8.7 ± 0.5 mm(3) vs. 8.8 ± 0.4 mm(3); P = 0.870). Follow-up imaging of two severe preeclampsia cases within 3 months of delivery revealed decreasing choroidal thickness. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate subclinical retinal and choroidal thickening in the setting of severe preeclampsia. This is the likely source of its associated visual phenomena and may reflect rising levels of vascular endothelial growth factor. Retinal and choroidal markers could serve as novel predictive markers of severe preeclampsia.
Role of the Polymerase ϵ sub-unit DPB2 in DNA replication, cell cycle regulation and DNA damage response in Arabidopsis

Faithful DNA replication maintains genome stability in dividing cells and from one generation to the next. This is particularly important in plants because the whole plant body and reproductive cells originate from meristematic cells that retain their proliferative capacity throughout the life cycle of the organism. DNA replication involves large sets of proteins whose activity is strictly regulated, and is tightly linked to the DNA damage response to detect and respond to replication errors or defects. Central to this interconnection is the replicative polymerase DNA Polymerase ϵ (Pol ϵ) which participates in DNA replication per se, as well as replication stress response in animals and in yeast. Surprisingly, its function has to date been little explored in plants, and notably its relationship with DNA Damage Response (DDR) has not been investigated. Here, we have studied the role of the largest regulatory sub-unit of Arabidopsis DNA Pol ϵ: DPB2, using an over-expression strategy. We demonstrate that excess accumulation of the protein impairs DNA replication and causes endogenous DNA stress. Furthermore, we show that Pol ϵ dysfunction has contrasting outcomes in vegetative and reproductive cells and leads to the activation of distinct DDR pathways in the two cell types.
Morphometric, histomorphometric, and microcomputed tomographic analysis of periodontal inflammatory lesions in a murine model.

BACKGROUND Porphyromonas gingivalis is recognized as one of the major periodontal pathogens in chronic periodontitis, a common infectious disease characterized by inflammation and destruction of periodontal tissues. Several animal models with P. gingivalis have been used in periodontitis studies. Additionally, multiple approaches have also been applied to measuring alveolar bone loss in periodontitis models, including histomorphometry, morphometry, and radiography. The aims of this study were to assess periodontal inflammatory lesions after P. gingivalis-induced periodontitis and use this model to compare three approaches for assessing alveolar bone loss. METHODS Twelve-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were divided into two groups: 48 P. gingivalis-infected and 52 untreated control mice. Periodontitis was induced by wrapping P. gingivalis-soaked ligatures around the left maxillary second molar and changing the ligatures every other day. Mice were euthanized on days 0, 3, 7, and 10 after ligature placement, for a total of 12 experimental and 13 control mice per time point. Epithelial downgrowth, inflammation, and osteoclast activity were evaluated; alveolar bone loss was determined by histomorphometry, morphometry, and microcomputed tomography. RESULTS The P. gingivalis-infected group showed significantly increased epithelial downgrowth (P <0.05), inflammation (P <0.05), alveolar bone loss (P <0.05), and osteoclast activity (P <0.05) throughout the experimental period compared to the controls. All three methods yielded efficient evaluation of alveolar bone loss. CONCLUSIONS Our results show evidence that the P. gingivalis-soaked ligature-induced murine model mounts an adequate inflammatory response and exhibits periodontal tissue breakdown compatible with other models of periodontal disease. In addition, alveolar bone loss can accurately be quantified using any of the three alveolar bone analyses presented in this article.
Differential effects of curcumin on cryopreserved versus fresh primary human hepatocytes

Curcumin (CUR) is a major component of a dietary spice derived from the roots of Curcuma longa. It has strong antioxidant activities and hepatoprotective properties. Primary human hepatocytes are clinically used in transplantation or in bioartificial liver devices for the treatment of patients with liver failure. Fresh and cryopreserved hepatocytes are also used in vitro for the study of drugs in pharmacotoxicology. We aimed to assess whether CUR could improve human liver cell viability and prevent oxidative damage responsible for large cell loss during cell preparation. Our study showed beneficial effects of CUR (25 µM) on freshly isolated human hepatocytes, increasing significantly metabolic activity of viable attached cells when seeded with CUR for 24 h. However CUR added during the cell isolation process did not have any significant impact on cell isolation outcomes or on cryopreservation outcomes. Conversely, CUR added during the thawing of frozen cells had a negative effect on the cell attachment capacity of hepatocytes that were cryopreserved in the presence or absence of CUR. In conclusion, although having positive effects on viability and challenge of oxidative stress on cultured human hepatocytes, CUR had no beneficial effect on cell isolation or cryopreservation outcomes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The burden of haemoglobinopathies in India and the challenges ahead.

Among the inherited disorders of blood, haemoglobinopathy and thalassaemia constitute a major bulk of noncommunicable genetic diseases in India. They cause a high degree of morbidity, moderate to severe haemolytic anaemia among vulnerable segments of the society like infants and children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, etc. and several deaths in India. It has been estimated that with a population of 1000 million at the new millennium (2000) and a birth rate of 25 per thousand, there would be about 45 million carriers and about 15,000 infants born each year with haemoglobinopathies in India. The carrier frequency of haemoglobinopathy varies between 3 and 17% in different populations of India. The cumulative gene frequency of the three most predominant abnormal haemoglobins, i.e. sickle cell, haemoglobin D and haemoglobin E has been found to be 5.35% in India. This article provides glimpses of haemoglobinopathy and thalassaemia with special emphasis on the epidemiology, diagnosis and clinical profile, and hematological characteristics, distribution and prevalent mutations in India. The current status and challenges of haemoglobinopathies have also been highlighted and discussed with special reference to India.
Linking brain to behavior for the visual perception of figures and objects

Abstract The dissociation of a figure from its background is an essential feat of visual perception, as it allows us to detect, recognize, and interact with shapes and objects in our environment. In order to understand how the human brain gives rise to the perception of figures, we here review experiments that explore the links between activity in visual cortex and performance of perceptual tasks related to figure perception. We organize our review according to a proposed model that attempts to contextualize figure processing within the more general framework of object processing in the brain. Overall, the current literature provides us with individual linking hypotheses as to cortical regions that are necessary for particular tasks related to figure perception. Attempts to reach a more complete understanding of how the brain instantiates figure and object perception, however, will have to consider the temporal interaction between the many regions involved, the details of which may vary widely across different tasks.
Tidal Airway Closure During Bronchoconstriction in Asthma: Usefulness of Lung Volume Measurements

Background. The presence and extent of tidal airway closure is not routinely assessed in asthma. The objective of this study was to provide a simple functional tool able to detect tidal airway closure during bronchoconstriction in asthma. Methods. In 20 subjects with mild persistent asthma, we sequentially performed the measurement of functional residual capacity (FRC) by body plethysmography (pleth) and multibreath helium dilutional technique (He) and then computed residual volume (RV) and total lung capacity (TLC) at baseline, at the end of methacholine (MCh) challenge and after bronchodilator (albuterol). Measurements and main results. Despite substantial bronchoconstriction (fall in FEV1 = 35 ± 7%), TLC,pleth did not change following MCh challenge, but FRC,pleth because of dynamic pulmonary hyperinflation (+0.68 ± 0.54 L) and RV,pleth because of air trapping (+0.65 ± 0.37 L), invariably increased (on average by 22% and 46%, respectively). In contrast, FRC,He (and RV,He and TLC,He) could either increase, as seen in 13 subjects (Group I), or decrease, as seen in 7 subjects (Group II). Hence, the difference between FRC,pleth and FRC,He (Diff. FRC,pleth – FRC,He) was much greater in Group II (1.03 ± 0.41 L) than in Group I (0.22 ± 0.20 L) (p < .01). No functional differences were found between the two groups, including baseline PD20FEV1 and absolute and percent change in forced vital capacity (FVC) at the end of the MCh challenge. Conclusions. Comparison between FRC,pleth and FRC,He is useful to identify asthmatics prone to tidal airway closure during MCh-induced bronchoconstriction and Diff. FRC,pleth – FRC,He can be used to measure the overall unventilated lung volume upstream of the airways closed at end-expiratory lung volume (EELV).