Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The zebrafish as a model for nociception studies

Nociception is the sensory mechanism used to detect cues that can harm an organism. The understanding of the neural networks and molecular controls of the reception of pain remains an ongoing challenge for biologists. While we have made significant progress in identifying a number of molecules and pathways that are involved in transduction of noxious stimuli, from the skin through the sensory receptor cell and from this to the spinal cord on into the central nervous system, we still lack a clear understanding of the perceptual processes, the responses to pain and the regulation of pain perception. Mice and rat animal models have been extensively used for nociception studies. However, the study of pain and noiception in these organisms can be rather laborious, costly and time consuming. Conversely, the use of Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans may be affected by the large evolutionary distance between these animals and humans. We outline here the reasons why zebrafish presents a new and attractive model for studying pain reception and responses and the most interesting findings in the study of nociception that have been obtained using the zebrafish model. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 1956–1966, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Small GTPase Rap1 regulates cell migration through regulation of small GTPase RhoA activity in response to transforming growth factor‐β1

Transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 regulates diverse cellular functions. Particularly, TGF‐β1 induces monocyte migration to sites of injury or inflammation in early period, whereas TGF‐β1 inhibits cell migration in late phase. In this study, we attempted to understand how TGF‐β1 suppresses cell migration in late phase. We found that TGF‐β1 of short exposure induces the production of chemokines, such as macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐1α, by Raw 264.7 cells. However, knock‐down of small GTPase RhoA by sh‐RhoA inhibited the production of MIP‐1α and macrophage migration, suggesting that RhoA is essential for expression of this chemokine. An activator of Epac (exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP; a guanine nucleotide exchange factor of Rap1), 8CPT‐2Me‐cAMP which leads to Rap1 activation abrogated MIP‐1α expression and macrophage migration. Indeed, GTP‐RhoA and GTP‐Rap1 levels were reciprocally regulated in a time‐dependent manner following TGF‐β1 stimulation. 8CPT‐2Me‐cAMP suppressed GTP‐RhoA levels, whereas si‐Rap1 augmented GTP‐RhoA levels and cell migration. TGF‐β1 produced cAMP in late period and si‐RNAs of Epac1 and Epac2 reduced GTP‐Rap1 levels leading to promotion of GTP‐RhoA levels. Furthermore, si‐RNA of ARAP3 (Rap‐dependent RhoGAP) increased GTP‐RhoA level and cell migration. Therefore, we propose the mechanism that prolonged TGF‐β1 treatment produce cAMP, which activates sequentially Epac, Rap1 and ARAP3, resulting in suppression of RhoA, chemokine expression, and macrophage migration. Contrary to the general concept that Rap1 stimulates cell migration, we demonstrated in this study that Rap1 inhibits cell migration by suppression of RhoA activity in response to TGF‐β1. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 2119–2126, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
For the Love of Dog: The Human–Dog Bond in Rural and Remote Australian Indigenous Communities

ABSTRACT The nature of the human–animal bond in contemporary Australian Indigenous communities is little researched, but it is essential to understand this bond in order to develop much needed appropriate animal health and management practices. A semi-structured interview format was used to elicit information on attitudes to dogs in seven Australian Indigenous communities. This explored the importance of dogs to the community and to the individual, and the balance between the positives and negatives of having dogs in the communities, with particular reference to improving dog and community health and welfare. Theme analysis of the semi-structured interview responses (n = 137) revealed a variety of attitudes to dogs within the communities. A strong theme was the importance of dogs at a community level. Many of the reasons given for the importance of dogs in the community were based on traditional cultural values or beliefs. These included dogs being necessary to guard people at night from spirits, and as part of the kin system. Further, the cultural practice of “pay-back” for wrong-doing included wrong-doing directed at dogs in all communities, even the most westernized. Occurring simultaneously with these positive attitudes, the poor health and overpopulation of dogs in the community was acknowledged and the negative effects on people's lives recognized. However, the value of the dogs to the community meant that shooting dogs without consent or poisoning them were not seen as appropriate solutions to overpopulation. Many people were prepared to euthanize some of their dogs (via an overdose of barbiturate) or have them undergo sterilization surgery. Thus, contrary to appearances from a Western perspective, the traditional Indigenous human–dog bond was found to be strong, and thus must be taken into account in developing appropriate and sustainable animal health and management practices.
Social and Behavioural Consequences of the Orissa Supercyclone

This article examines the social and behavioural consequences of the Orissa supercyclone. Theory-driven secondary data were analysed at the macro level, covering the period from 1997 to 2001, of the cyclone-affected districts and of the state. The transient consequences were sudden upsurge in infant deaths and admission of psychiatric patients to the state hospital immediately following the disaster. The non-transient consequences were decreasing paddy productivity, fish production, enrolment in primary schools, and increasing loans, consumption of fertilisers, greater numbers of general patients in the state hospital, and increased paan and tobacco consumption that persisted for more than a year.
Platelet‐Derived Growth Factor BB Mimics Serum‐Induced Dispersal of Pancreatic Epithelial Cell Clusters

We showed previously that proliferating human islet‐derived de‐differentiated cells (DIDs) exhibit many characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells. Dispersed DIDs can be induced by serum deprivation to undergo mesenchymal‐to‐epithelial transition and aggregate into epithelial cell clusters (ECCs). Conversely, ECCs can be induced to disperse and undergo epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) by re‐addition of mammalian sera. In this study, we show that platelet‐derived growth factor BB (PDGF‐BB) mimics and mediates serum‐induced ECCs' dispersal accompanied by accumulation of cytoplasmic β‐catenin and a decrease in the levels of insulin and glucagon mRNAs. Moreover, we show that PDGF‐BB‐induced dispersal of ECCs is a more general phenomenon that occurs also with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSCs) and dermal fibroblasts (DFs). In DIDs, BM‐MSCs, and DFs, PDGF decreased the levels of DKK1 mRNA, suggesting involvement of the Wnt signaling pathway. PDGF‐BB stimulated a significant increase in S473 phosphorylation of Akt and the PI3K specific inhibitor (PIP828) partially inhibited PDGF‐BB‐induced ECC dispersal. Lastly, the PDGF‐receptor (PDGF‐R) antagonist JNJ‐10198409 inhibited both PDGF‐BB—and serum‐induced ECC dispersal. Epidermal growth factor (EGF), which shares most of the PDGF signaling pathway, did not induce dispersal and only weakly stimulated Akt phosphorylation. Our data suggest that PDGF‐BB mediates serum‐induced DIDs dispersal, correlated with the activation of the PI3K‐Akt pathway. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 743–751, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Wnt5a Suppresses Colon Cancer by Inhibiting Cell Proliferation and Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition

Colon cancer remains one of the lethal malignancies in the world. Aberrant activation of canonical Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway has been observed in colon cancer. In contrast, the non‐canonical Wnt signaling functions remain obscure. Wnt5a is a representative non‐canonical Wnt ligand which has gained extensive attention nowadays. Wnt5a has been shown to play an important role in EMT in prostate cancer and melanoma, but its role in colon cancer is still ambiguous. Here we have evaluated Wnt5a expression in a large cohort of 217 colon cancers by immunohistochemistry and analyzed its correlation with clinicopathologic characteristics. We found that expression of Wnt5a was diminished significantly in majority of primary colon cancers and negatively related with EMT biomarkers. To further enlighten the mechanism which Wnt5a regulates EMT in vitro, we established ectopic Wnt5a expression models. Protein analysis demonstrated that Wnt5a inhibited EMT and antagonized canonical Wnt signaling in colon cancer cells. Overexpression of Wnt5a impaired cell motility and invasion and inhibited cell proliferation by manipulating Bax. Moreover, Wnt5a suppressed the tumor growth in nude mice and impaired tumorigenicity in vivo. Wnt5a also induced intracellular calcium and activated non‐canonical Wnt/Ca2+ signaling in colon cancer. In summary, although Wnt5a was down‐regulated in majority of colon cancers, enhanced Wnt5a expression predict preferable outcome in colon cancer patients. Our findings indicate that Wnt5a might act as tumor suppressor by inhibiting cell proliferation and attenuating EMT in colon cancer cells. Wnt5a could be used as a novel prognostic marker and/or therapeutic target for colon cancer in the future. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 1908–1917, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Use of the IEUBK Model for Determination of Exposure Routes in View of Site Remediation

ABSTRACT The Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic (IEUBK) model is frequently used to estimate blood lead concentrations of children exposed to lead. Simulations with the IEUBK model were run to estimate the blood lead concentration in children living in the vicinity of a non-ferrous plant, situated in Hoboken, Belgium. Concentrations in soil ranged from 59–2425 mg Pb/kg dm, average concentrations in house dust ranged from 234–73394 mg Pb/kg dm. Measured blood lead concentrations in children aged 2–7 years were between 3 and 35 μ g/dl. Exposure sources were indoor dust in the house and the school, outdoor dust and soil in the home surrounding and at the school's playground, and suspended dust in the air. Soil ingestion values and lead exposure from food were changed to Flemish values. The model was able to predict the measured blood lead concentrations adequately except for the lowest exposure group. Predictions showed a systematic overestimation. Analysis of the data revealed that the neighbourhood's school is an important source of exposure to lead; indoor house dust dominates exposure for children going to school outside the area, because of the high concentrations of lead in indoor dust (3 to 5 times higher than in outdoor soil).
Trisomy 22 Mosaicism Limited to Skin Fibroblasts in a Mentally Retarded, Dysmorphic Girl

ABSTRACT. Less than 10 cases of trisomy 22 mosaicism have been reported. The patients have clinical features in common with both Down's and Turner's syndromes. We report on a 12‐year‐old girl, in whom the GFR‐stimulated gonadotropine response suggested ovarian dysgenesis, although ovarian structures could be demonstrated by ultrasound. The diagnosis of trisomy 22 mosaicism was established by chromosome analysis of cultured skin fibroblasts following a negative lymphocyte culture.
Occurrence of Odontogenic Infections in Patients Treated in a Postgraduation Program on Maxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology

This study assessed the occurrence and characteristics of oral and maxillofacial infections in patients treated at a Brazilian oral and maxillofacial emergency service during a 7-year period. The clinical files of all patients treated at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology Service of the Araçatuba Dental School, São Paulo State University, Brazil, between 2002 and 2008 were reviewed. From a population of 3645 patients treated in this period, the study sample consisted of 93 subjects who presented odontogenic infections. Data referring to the patients' sex, age, medical history, and the etiology, diagnosis, complications, drug therapy/treatment, and evolution of the pathologic diseases were collected and analyzed using the Epi Info 2000 software. Of these patients, 54 were men (58.1%) and 39 were women (41.9%). Most patients were in the 31- to 40-year-old (20.7%) and 21- to 30-year-old (19.6%) age groups. The most frequent etiology was pulp necrosis due to caries (80.6%). Regarding the treatment, antibiotics were administered to all patients, surgical drainage was done in 75 patients (82.4%), and 44 patients (47.3%) needed hospital admission. First-generation cephalosporin alone or combined with other drugs was the most prescribed antibiotic (n = 26) followed by penicillin G (n = 25). Most patients (n = 85, 91.4%) responded well to the treatment. Five cases had complications: 3 patients needed hospital readmission, 1 case progressed to descending mediastinitis, and 1 patient died. Odontogenic infections can be life-threatening and require hospital admission for adequate patient care. Complications from odontogenic infections, although rare, may be fatal if not properly managed.
Microstructural and optical characteristics of solution-grown Ga-doped ZnO nanorod arrays

Highly oriented Ga-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorod arrays have been prepared on a ZnO-buffered silicon substrate in an aqueous solution, which is a mixture of methenamine (C6H12N4), zinc nitrate hexahydrate (Zn(NO3)2·6H2O), and gallium nitrate hydrate (Ga(NO3)3·xH2O). The microstructure characteristics and optical properties of the nanorod arrays were analyzed using different characterization techniques including field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence (PL). The experimental results show that the morphology, density, and surface compositions of ZnO nanorod arrays are sensitive to the concentration of gallium nitrate hydrate. The PL spectra of all ZnO nanorod arrays show three different emissions, including UV (ultraviolet), yellow, and NIR (near infrared) emissions. With the increase in the Ga doping level, the luminescence quality of ZnO nanorods has been improved. The peak of UV emission has a small redshift, which can be ascribed to the combined effect of size and Ga doping. Furthermore, Ga doping has caused defects that respond to NIR emission.
Synthesis and characterization of monodisperse ultra-thin silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles

A systematic study of the formation of silica-coated magnetite particles via a modified reverse microemulsion approach was investigated by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). The results show that the surfactant Igepal CO-520 played an important role in the reaction system, and the thickness of the silica shell could be controlled by the concentration of the reaction agents. The developed ultra-thin silica-coated magnetic particles with a ∼2 nm thin silica shell have a high saturated magnetization around 15 emu g−1.
A novel polymer nanotube composite for photovoltaic packaging applications

Packaging of organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices is an important issue which has been rarely addressed in the past. With the recent reports of high efficiency organic photovoltaics (6%), the need to produce materials which can effectively protect the device from degradation due to exposure to oxygen, moisture and radiation is pressing. We report a novel Saran (a co-polymer of vinylidene chloride and acrylonitrile) based polymer nanotube composite, which shows high transparency in the visible region, good barrier properties and thermal stability, for use as an encapsulant for OPV devices. Different loadings of Saran and boron nitride nanotubes were taken and the composites were prepared to optimize the composition of the composite. UV–visible spectroscopy, infra-red spectroscopy and thermal analysis were used to characterize the composite. The barrier properties of the composite were tested on poly(3-hexylthiophene), which is used in high efficiency OPV devices.
Vitamin D Attenuates Cytokine‐Induced Remodeling in Human Fetal Airway Smooth Muscle Cells

Asthma in the pediatric population remains a significant contributor to morbidity and increasing healthcare costs. Vitamin D3 insufficiency and deficiency have been associated with development of asthma. Recent studies in models of adult airway diseases suggest that the bioactive Vitamin D3 metabolite, calcitriol (1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3; 1,25(OH)2D3), modulates responses to inflammation; however, this concept has not been explored in developing airways in the context of pediatric asthma. We used human fetal airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells as a model of the early postnatal airway to explore how calcitriol modulates remodeling induced by pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Cells were pre‐treated with calcitriol and then exposed to TNFα or TGFβ for up to 72 h. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, production of extracellular matrix (ECM), and cell proliferation were assessed. Calcitriol attenuated TNFα enhancement of MMP‐9 expression and activity. Additionally, calcitriol attenuated TNFα and TGFβ‐induced collagen III expression and deposition, and separately, inhibited proliferation of fetal ASM cells induced by either inflammatory mediator. Analysis of signaling pathways suggested that calcitriol effects in fetal ASM involve ERK signaling, but not other major inflammatory pathways. Overall, our data demonstrate that calcitriol can blunt multiple effects of TNFα and TGFβ in developing airway, and point to a potentially novel approach to alleviating structural changes in inflammatory airway diseases of childhood. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 1189–1198, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company
Gymnodinium smaydae n. sp., a New Planktonic Phototrophic Dinoflagellate from the Coastal Waters of Western Korea: Morphology and Molecular Characterization

The marine phototrophic dinoflagellate Gymnodinium smaydae n. sp. is described from cells prepared for light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. Also, sequences of the small (SSU) and large subunits (LSU) and the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1–5.8S–ITS2) of ribosomal DNA were analyzed. This newly isolated dinoflagellate possessed nuclear chambers, nuclear fibrous connective, an apical groove running in a counterclockwise direction around the apex, and a major accessory pigment peridinin, which are four key features for the genus Gymnodinium. The epicone was conical with a round apex, while the hypocone was ellipsoid. Cells growing photosynthetically were 6.3–10.9 μm long and 5.1–10.0 μm wide, and therefore smaller than any other Gymnodinium species so far reported except Gymnodinium nanum. Cells were covered with polygonal amphiesmal vesicles arranged in 11 horizontal rows, and the vesicles were smaller than those of the other Gymnodinium species. This dinoflagellate had a sharp and elongated ventral ridge reaching half way down the hypocone, unlike other Gymnodinium species. Moreover, displacement of the cingulum was 0.4–0.6 × cell length while in other known Gymnodinium species it is less than 0.3 × cell length. In addition, the new species possessed a peduncle, permanent chloroplasts, pyrenoids, trichocysts, pusule systems, and small knobs along the apical furrow, but it lacked an eyespot, nematocysts, and body scales. The sequence of the SSU, ITS1–5.8S–ITS2, and LSU rDNA region differed by 1.5–3.8%, 6.0–17.4%, and 9.1–17.5%, respectively, from those of the most closely related species. The phylogenetic trees demonstrated that the new species belonged to the Gymnodinium clade at the base of a clade consisting of Gymnodinium acidotum, Gymnodinium dorsalisulcum, Gymnodinium eucyaneum, etc. Based on morphological and molecular data, we suggest that the taxon represents a new species, Gymnodinium smaydae n. sp.
TNF‐related weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) regulates junctional proteins in tubular epithelial cells via canonical NF‐κB pathway and ERK activation

The tubular epithelium may be intrinsically involved in promoting kidney injury by junctional instability, epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and extracellular matrix remodelling. In this work, we investigated whether the pleiotropic and proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor‐like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), could be able to disturb junctional protein expression and to induce EMT of tubular cells. In cultured murine proximal tubular cells TWEAK induced phenotypic changes that were accompanied by F‐actin redistribution, loss of epithelial adherent (E‐cadherin, Cadherin‐16, β‐catenin) and tight junction (ZO‐1) proteins, and re‐expression of the mesenchymal protein Vimentin. The transcriptional repressors Snail and HNF1β were also modulated by TWEAK. In a murine model of obstructive renal pathology, TWEAK expression correlated with the appearance of the mesenchymal marker αSMA in kidney tubular cells. Mechanistically, the epithelial changes induced by TWEAK, including loss of epithelial integrity and EMT, via Fn14 were TGF‐β1 independent, but mediated by several intracellular signaling systems, including the canonical NF‐κB, ERK activation and the vitamin D receptor modulation. These results highlight potential contributions of TWEAK‐induced inflammatory mechanisms that could unveil new pathogenic effects of TWEAK starting tubulointerstitial damage and fibrosis. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 1580–1593, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company
Hepatic Regenerative Potential of Mouse Bone Marrow Very Small Embryonic‐Like Stem Cells

Very small embryonic‐like stem cells (VSELs) are a Sca‐1 + Lin‐CD45‐ cell population that has been isolated from the bone marrow of mice. The similarities and differences between the mRNA profiles of VSELs and embryonic stem (ES) cells have not yet been defined. Here, we report the whole genome gene expression profile of VSELs and ES cells. We analyzed the global gene expression of VSELs and compared it with ES cells by microarray analysis. We observed that 9,521 genes are expressed in both VSELs and ES cells, 1,159 genes are expressed uniquely in VSELs, and 420 genes are expressed uniquely in ES cells. We found that although VSELs are similar to ES cells in their expression of genes associated with stem cell behavior and pluripotency, there are also differences in their mRNA expression. We further analyzed the expression of stem cell‐associated genes in VSELs and ES cells, and found that there were differences in these genes. For instance, the Pkd2 and Yap1 gene were reduced in their expression in VSELs when compared with ES cells. But we also found Zfp54 gene expression was higher in VSELs compared with ES cells. More interestingly, we demonstrated that VSELs express c‐kit, the stem cell factor (SCF) receptor. In vitro, SCF promoted VSEL differentiation into hepatic colonies in the presence of hepatocyte growth factor. In vivo, transplantation of VSELs directly into CCl4‐induced injured livers significantly reduced serum ALT and AST levels. Therefore, these data suggest that VSELs play a role in the repair of injured livers. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 1852–1861, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.